{"article": "The rain had continued for a week and the flood had created a big river which were running by Nancy Brown's farm. As she tried to gather her cows to a higher ground, she slipped and hit her head on a fallen tree trunk. The fall made her unconscious for a moment or two. When she came to, Lizzie, one of her oldest and favorite cows, was licking her face. \nAt that time, the water level on the farm was still rising. Nancy gathered all her strength to get up and began walking slowly with Lizzie. The rain had become much heavier, and the water in the field was now waist high. Nancy's pace got slower and slower because she felt a great pain in her head. Finally, all she could do was to throw her arm around Lizzie's neck and try to hang on. About 20 minutes later, Lizzie managed to pull herself and Nancy out of the rising water and onto a bit of high land, which seemed like a small island in the middle of a lake of white water. \nEven though it was about noon, the sky was so dark and the rain and lightning was so bad that it took rescuers more than two hours to discover Nancy. A man from a helicopter  lowered a rope, but Nancy couldn't catch it. A moment later, two men landed on the small island from a ladder in the helicopter. They raised her into the helicopter and took her to the school gym, where the Red Cross had set up an emergency shelter. \nWhen the flood disappeared two days later, Nancy immediately went back to the \"island.\" Lizzie was gone. She was one of 19 cows that Nancy had lost in the flood. \"I owe my life to her,\" said Nancy with tears.", "problems": [{"question": "What did Nancy try to do before she fell over?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Measure the depth of the river", "Look for a fallen tree trunk", "Protect her cows from being drowned", "Run away from the flooded farm"]}, {"question": "The following are true according to the passage except  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["It took Lizzie and Nancy about 20 minutes to get to safety.", "It was raining harder when Nancy managed to get up.", "The bad weather made it difficult for rescuers to find Nancy.", "Nancy took hold of the rope and climbed into the helicopter."]}, {"question": "What did the local people do to help those in the flooded area according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They put up shelter for them in a school.", "They used helicopters to help carry cows.", "They helped farmers gather their cows.", "They set up an organization called Red Cross."]}]}
{"article": "There is probably no field of human activity in which our values and lifestyles are shown more clearly and strongly than they are in the clothes that we choose to wear.The dress of an individual is a kind of \"sign language\" that communicates a set of information and is usually the basis on which immediate impressions are formed.Traditionally,a concern for clothes was considered to be an affair of females,while men took pride in the fact that they were completely lacking in clothes consciousness .\nThis type of American culture is by degrees changing as man dress takes on greater variety and color.Even as early as 1955,a researcher in Michigan said that _ White collar workers in particular viewed dress as a symbol of ability,which could be used to impress or influence others,especially in the work situation.The white collar worker was described as extremely concerned about the impression his clothing made on his superiors .Although blue collar workers were less aware that they might be judged on the basis of their clothing,they recognized that any difference from the accepted pattern of dress would be made fun of by fellow workers.\nSince that time,of course,the patterns have changed:the typical office worker may now be wearing the blue shirt,and the laborer a white shirt;but the importance of dress has not become less.Other researchers in recent years have helped to prove its importance in the lives of individuals at various age levels and in different social and economic status groups .", "problems": [{"question": "The passage tells us that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["our values and lifestyles are in no field of human activity", "the clothes that we choose to wear have something to do with our values and lifestyles", "our values and lifestyles are from the sign language", "the clothes we choose to wear depend on a set of information and immediate impression"]}, {"question": "Traditionally,people usually thought that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["men cared very much for clothes", "women were concerned greatly about what they wore while men didn't", "both men and women paid great attention to their clothes", "neither men nor women showed interest in clothes"]}, {"question": "Blue collar workers pay attention to their clothes because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they are concerned about the impression their clothes make on their superiors", "they know very clearly that people will judge them on the basis of their clothing", "they want to impress and influence others", "they don't want to be laughed at"]}, {"question": "The passage mainly suggests that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["now men pay more attention to their clothes than women do", "women always like beautiful dresses", "people have paid more and more attention to the importance of dress", "American culture is changing greatly"]}]}
{"article": "Little Tommy was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything--tutors, cards, special learning centers--in short, everything they could think of. Finally they took Tommy to a catholic  school.\nAfter the first day, little Tommy came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't kiss his mother hello. Instead, he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Tommy was hard at work. His mother was surprised. She called him down to dinner and as soon as he finished eating, he went back to his room, without a word. In no time he was back hitting the books as hard as before. This went on for some time, day after day while the mother tried to understand what was happening.\nFinally, little Tommy brought home his report card. He quietly put it on the table and went up to his room and hit the books. His mom looked at it and to her surprise, little Tommy got an A in math. She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and asked, \"Son, what was it? Was it the nuns ? \"\nLittle Tommy looked at her and shook his head, \"No. \"\n\"Well then,\" she asked again. \"WHAT was it? \"\nLittle Tommy looked at her and said, \"Well, on the first day of school, when I saw that man nailed to the plus sign , I knew they weren't joking. \"", "problems": [{"question": "Tommy's mother felt surprised that his son  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["was still the same as usual", "ate so much at dinner", "kissed her hello after school", "worked hard but said little"]}, {"question": "The last sentence in the passage shows that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tommy felt sorry for the man", "Tommy was afraid of being nailed", "Tommy didn't like the plus sign", "Tommy liked playing jokes on others"]}, {"question": "From the passage, we can infer that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["teachers should be strict with their students", "mistakes might do good sometimes", "a catholic school is much better than other ones", "nuns are good at helping children with their math"]}]}
{"article": "Give it five minutes\nI used to be a hothead. Whenever anyone said anything, I'd think of a way to disagree. I'd push back hard if something didn't fit my world-view.\nIt's like I had to be first with an opinion -- as if being first meant something. But what it really meant was that I wasn't thinking hard enough about the problem. The faster you react, the less you think. Not always, but often.\nThis came to a head back in 2007. I was speaking at the Business Innovation Factory conference in Providence, RI. So was Richard Saul Wurman. After my talk Richard came up to introduce himself and compliment my talk. That was very generous of him. He certainly didn't have to do that.\nAnd what did I do? I pushed back at him about the talk he gave. While he was making his points on stage, I was taking an inventory of the things I didn't agree with. And when presented with an opportunity to speak with him, I quickly pushed back at some of his ideas. I must have seemed like such an asshole.\nHis response changed my life. It was a simple thing. He said \"Man, give it five minutes.\" I asked him what he meant by that? He said, it's fine to disagree, it's fine to push back, it's great to have strong opinions and beliefs, but give my ideas some time to set in before you're sure you want to argue against them. \"Five minutes\" represented \"think\", not react. He was totally right. I came into the discussion looking to prove something, not learn something.\nThis was a big moment for me.\nRichard has spent his career thinking about these problems. He's given it 30 years. And I gave it just a few minutes. Now, certainly he can be wrong and I could be right, but it's better to think deeply about something first before being so certain you're right.\nThere's also a difference between asking questions and pushing back. Pushing back means you already think you know. Asking questions means you want to know. Ask more questions.\nLearning to think first rather than react quick is a life-long pursuit. It's tough. I still get hot sometimes when I shouldn't. But I'm really enjoying all the benefits of getting better.\nIf you aren't sure why this is important, think about this quote from Jonathan Ive regarding Steve Jobs' reverence(respect) for ideas:\nAnd just as Steve loved ideas, and loved making stuff, he treated the process of creativity with a rare and a wonderful reverence. You see, I think he better than anyone understood that while ideas ultimately can be so powerful, they begin as fragile, barely formed thoughts, so easily missed, so easily compromised, so easily just squished.\nThat's deep. Ideas are fragile. They often start powerless. They're barely there, so easy to ignore or skip or miss.\nThere are two things in this world that take no skill: 1. Spending other people's money and 2. Dismissing an idea.\nDismissing an idea is so easy because it doesn't involve any work. You can scoff at it. You can ignore it. You can puff some smoke at it. That's easy. The hard thing to do is protect it, think about it, let it marinate, explore it, riff on it, and try it. The right idea could start out life as the wrong idea.\nSo next time you hear something, or someone, talk about an idea, pitch an idea, or suggest an idea, give it five minutes. Think about it a little bit before pushing back, before saying it's too hard or it's too much work.\nThose things may be true, but there may be another truth in there too: It may be worth it.", "problems": [{"question": "What did the author do while Richard was talking in the business conference?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He kept notes for things that he did not agree with.", "He pushed Richard and beat him.", "He was preparing for his own speech.", "He was getting ready to compliment him."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the reason for quoting Jonathan Ive?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The author thinks Steve Job is the best when it comes to creativity.", "The author is inspired by Steve Job's attitude towards new ideas.", "The author respects Steve Job because he is creative and he likes ideas.", "The author thinks Steve Job has ideas that are strong and powerful and are hard to miss."]}, {"question": "What is the core argument that the author put forward?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Dismissing ideas is an effortless thing to do so you should always protect ideas carefully.", "The right idea always starts from a wrong idea and you need to protect it from being dismissed.", "One should be careful when it comes to judge a new idea.", "Every idea, whether powerful or fragile deserves five minutes"]}]}
{"article": "Bungee jumping is an activity about jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord . The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane; but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot-air balloon or helicopter, that has the ability to stay over one place on the ground; fixed-wing aircraft are unsuitable because they only stay high when moving quickly forward.\nWhen the person jumps, the cord stretches to absorb  the energy of the fall, then the jumper flies upwards again as the cord jumps back. The jumper oscillates up and down until all the energy is used up.\nThe word bungee first appeared around 1930 and was the name for a rubber eraser. The first modern bungee jumps were made on 1 April 1979 from the 250-foot Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, by David Kirk, Chris Baker and Alan Weston of the Dangerous Sports Club. The jumpers continued with jumps in the US from the Golden Gate and Royal Gorge bridges, spreading the concept worldwide. By 1982 they were jumping from mobile cranes and hot-air balloons. Later they put on commercial shows, which began in 1986.\nAs with any sport, injuries can still happen, and there have been deaths. A relatively common mistake in the cases that may cause death is to use a cord that is too long. The cord should be fully shorter than the height of the jumping place to allow it room to jumper either starts to slow down or keeps speeding up depending upon the speed of falling.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT suitable for bungee jumping?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The fixed-wing aircraft", "The helicopter", "The hot-air balloon", "The mobile crane"]}, {"question": "The purpose of writing this passage is to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["teach people how to carry out a bungee jumping", "remind people of the danger of bungee jumping", "advise people not to take the risk of bungee jumping", "introduce some knowledge about bungee jumping"]}]}
{"article": "A girl with blue eyes is a blue-eyed girl. A man with long legs is a long-legged man. A woman with white hair is a white-haired woman. Children who have good looks are good-looking children. What do you do when you want to buy clothes? You go to a shop. If you can find clothes that are the right size for you, and if they are ready to wear, you will probably buy them. They are called ready-made clothes. If you can not find clothes that are the right size, you will go to a tailor's shop. A tailor is a man who makes clothes. He will measure you carefully and will then make clothes for you. Such clothes are called tailor-made clothes.\nWhat do we call a man who is dressed badly? We call him a badly-dressed man. A woman who is dressed well is called a well-dressed woman.\nWhat do you wear when it rains heavily? You wear a coat that will keep the rain out. Such a coat is called a raincoat. It is made of waterproof cloth--cloth that does not let water pass through. We have a lot of rain in England. If you come to England, bring a raincoat and an umbrella. You will find them useful.\nIf the floor, walls and ceiling of a room are made so that sound cannot pass through the wall, we say that the room is sound-proof. There are sound-proof rooms in all broadcasting stations.", "problems": [{"question": "55. The clothes which you buy from the supermarket are called    _    clothes.", "answer": "B", "options": ["tailor-made", "ready-made", "hand-made", "mass production"]}, {"question": "56. If you come to England, bring both a raincoat and an umbrella because   _           .", "answer": "A", "options": ["there is a lot of rain in England", "there are few umbrellas in the country", "gentlemen usually carry umbrellas with them in England", "walking with an umbrella in hand is popular in England"]}, {"question": "57. On back of a watch we can often see the word \"water-proof\". The word means_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["water won't get into the watch", "you can put water into the watch", "not putting the watch into water", "you can see the watch clearly in water"]}, {"question": "58. What do you think is the best title for the article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Forms of Compound Words.", "Compound Words in Everyday Life", "How to Use Compound Words.", "Water-proof Cloth in the Best."]}]}
{"article": "My legs don't do much because I have a serious disease. _ just sit there and look pretty. When people look at me, they only see the chair -- my wheelchair. I've been in one since I was 3 years old. And it doesn't matter if I graduate at the top of my class and go to law school. To some, I'll always be the girl in the chair.\nBut I don't think of myself as the kid who can't walk. Most of my friends don't even notice the chair anymore. I'm just the girl they've been friends with. My friends are good at lifting me in and out of my small car when we go to the movies. We even took the car to the dance. One of the boys helped me out of the car and all the girls helped me to fix my dress. Even in the crowded school elevator, there's always someone around to carry me.\nThere are a lot of things I can't do for myself, such as lifting my arms, dressing myself, and feeding myself. Even so, I do very well at school and I always tell myself that I'm just like any other kid in my school.\nThe truth is that my parents raised me to be proud of my disability . There are plenty of things I wish I could do differently. I wanted to be a doctor. But that's not going to work out. So I'll be a lawyer  instead. I also wanted to dance and play soccer. My parents taught me that I'm like this for a reason -- to educate people and show them that this disease affects  my bones -- not my brain. My friends Erica once said to me, \"Kennedy, you're not disabled. You just can't walk.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Kennedy's story mainly tells us that we should  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["work hard", "smile at life", "have dreams", "thank our parents"]}]}
{"article": "Today, whether or not you follow the latest trends, one's fashion and choice of dress is a reflection of one's individual style and tastes. Can you still remember how you dressed at the start of China's opening-up? Today's program is one of a special series commemorating   the 30th anniversary of reform and opening-up in China. In these two episodes we focused on fashion and style and were honored to invite two special guests to join us in studio--Ms. Zhang Ling from Raffles-BICT Inter-national College and Alex from Esquire magazine.\nWhen we talk about fashion, color is absolutely crucial. A color can reflect the mood of an individual person or the spiritual temperament  of entire society or age. Mrs. Zhang and Alex talked about the colors which have left the greatest impression on them. In the 1960s and 70s, blue and grey were the dominant colors at the time and people had limited choices to dress up. But fast forward to the present, you will find no difficulty in choosing from array  of vivid colors in the market.\nWe also gave our guests a list of keywords--traditional brands, jeans, DIY, international brands, personal dress for them to choose from in order to represent the fashion of their generation. We find out that for every keyword our guest chose, there was a special story behind it. Some of the stories brought us back to old times--we even brought some vintage  clothing from the 60s and 70s up on stage and invited some audience members to try them on.\nWhen we mention fashion, we must mention brand. With increasing disposable  income and purchasing power of the Chinese, many luxury brands have flocked into China. However, you could imagine in 1980s, when the first inter-national brand came to China, it unveiled  a fashion storm among the Chinese.", "problems": [{"question": "China's opening-up dates back to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the 1960s", "the 1970s", "the 1980s", "the 1990s"]}, {"question": "All of the following EXCEPT   _   are keywords in representing the fashion of our generation.", "answer": "D", "options": ["traditional brands", "international brands", "personal dress", "special stories"]}, {"question": "The fact that many luxury brands have flocked into China shows that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["China has given up its own culture", "Chinese have been tired of array of vivid colors in the markets", "Chinese have increased their disposable income and purchasing power", "China has grown tired of its traditional brands"]}]}
{"article": "A couple who held hands at breakfast every morning even after 70 years of marriage have died 15 hours apart. Helen Felumlee, died at 92 on April 12. Her husband, 91-year-old Kenneth Felumlee, died the next morning.\nThe couple's eight children say the two had been inseparable since meeting as teenagers, once sharing the bottom of a bunk   bed on a ferry rather than sleeping on night apart.\nThey remained deeply in love until the very end, even eating breakfast together while holding hands, said their daughter, Linda Cody. \"We knew when one went, the other was going to go,\" she said. According to Cody, about 12 hours after Helen died, Kenneth looked at his children and said, \"Mon's dead.\" He quickly began to fade, surrounded by 24 of his closest family members and friends when he died the next morning. \"He was ready,\" Cody said, \"He just didn't want to leave her here by herself.\"\nSon Dick said his parents died of old age, surrounded by family.\nThe pair had known each other for several years when they eloped in Newport across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, on Feb. 20, 1994. At two days shy of his 21stbirthday, Kenneth-who went by Kenny-was too young to marry in Ohio. \"He couldn't wait.' son Jim said.\nKenneth worked as a railroad car inspector and mechanic before becoming a mail carrier for the Post Office. He was active in the church as a Sunday teacher.\nHelen stayed at home, not only cooking and cleaning for her own family but also for other families in need in the area. She taught Sunday school, too, but was known more for her greeting card ministry, sending cards for birthdays, sympathy and the holidays to everyone in her community, each with a personal note inside. \"She kept Hallmark in business,\" daughter-in-law Debbie joked.\nWhen Kenneth retired in 1983 and the children began to leave the house, the Felumlees began to explore their love of travel, visiting almost all 50 states by bus. \"He didn't want to fly anywhere because you couldn't see anything as you were going,\" Jim said.\nAlthough both experienced declining health in recent years, Cody said, each tried to stay strong for the other. \"That's what kept them going,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "From what Cody said, we can learn the children   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["were not in front of their father", "don't look after their father", "foresaw their father would go", "surrounded their father"]}, {"question": "How many jobs did Kenneth get?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Four.", "Three.", "Two.", "One."]}]}
{"article": "Very soon the Rabbit noticed Alice, as she went hunting about, and called out to her, \"What are you doing out here? Run home this moment, and fetch me a pair of gloves and a fan! Quick, now!\"\nAlice was so much frightened that she ran off at once in the direction it pointed to. She saw a little house, on the door of which was a plate with the name \"W. RABBIT\". She went in and hurried upstairs.\nBy this time she had found her way into a tidy little room with a table in the window, and on it a fan and two or three pairs of tiny white kid gloves: she took up the fan and a pair of the gloves, and was just going to leave the room, when her eye fell upon a little bottle that stood near the looking-glass. There was no label  this time with the words' DRINK ME,' but she opened it and put it to her lips .\"I know something interesting is sure to happen,\" she said to herself. Before she had drunk half the bottle, she found her head touching the ceiling. She went on growing and very soon had to get down on her knees on the floor. Still she went on growing, and as a last _ , she put one arm out of the window, and one foot up the chimney , and said to herself, \"Now I can do no more, whatever happens. What will happen to me?\"\nLuckily for Alice, she grew no longer: still it was very uncomfortable, and as there seemed to be no sort of chance of her ever getting out of the room again, no wonder she felt unhappy.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, we can know that Alice   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["felt comfortable when she grew no longer", "was afraid when the Rabbit called out to her", "knew what would happen to her if she continued to grow", "saw a label \"DRINK ME\" on the bottle and drank half of it"]}, {"question": "Alice grew so big because she   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["had special magical power", "wore the Rabbit's gloves.", "drank something in the bottle", "wanted to frighten the Rabbit"]}, {"question": "The passage may come from a(an)   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["science book", "wildlife magazine", "guide book", "English novel"]}]}
{"article": "My favourite book is The Adventure of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.Tom lives with his aunt Polly in a quiet street of St. Petersburg, Missouri.He's a lively and clever young boy,and he finds himself in many exciting adventures.He runs away with his two friends,Huck Finn and Joe,to an island in the middle of the Mississippi River for several days.With Huck he goes looking for treasure, with Becky he gets lost in a cave.and finally,they find a box of gold.\nMy favourite scene in the book is when everyone thinks Tom is dead.He decides to go to his own funeral.He hides and watches for a time and then suddenly he appears. Everyone is astonished to see him but they're also pleased to see him alive.\nTom is the hero of the story,but there are other important characters.Huck is an outsider and everyone is afraid of him.Becky is pretty with fair hair,Joe is Tom's best friend.and Injun Joe is the bad man of the story.\nThe theme of the  story  is about children growing up.It describes how strangers are seen in small towns of America. Finally, it talks about freedom,social rules and how people are  punished for bad behaviour.\nWhy do I think The Adventure of Tom Sawyer is a great book? Mark Twain wrote the story in 1876,but it's still read and loved by people all over the world today. And although it's only a story, Twain wrote it in the everyday English of the southern states of America in  the 19th century,so it sounds very real. Today it's thought to be one of the greatest books in American literature. Go on--- read it! I know you'll enjoy it,too.", "problems": [{"question": ".How did people feel when Tom appeared at his own funeral ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They were surprised and happy.", "They were surprised and sad", "They were worried and excited.", "They were frightened and happy."]}, {"question": ".The whole book is mainly about   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["freedom and social rules", "children's bad behaviour", "the growth of young children", "strangers in American small towns"]}, {"question": ".The writer writes the article to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["ask us to read the book", "tell us how popular the book is today", "tell us when Mark Twain wrote the story", "tell us why the story sounds very real"]}]}
{"article": "What does it mean to say that we live in a world of persuasion? It means that we live among competing interests. Your roommate's need to study for an exam may take priority   over pizza. Your instructor may have good reasons not to change your grade.\nIn such a world, persuasion is the art of getting others to give fair and favorable consideration to our points of view. When we persuade, we want to influence how others believe and behave. We may not always _ -- other points of view may be more persuasive, depending on the listener, the situation, and the merit of the case. But when we practice the art of persuasion, we try to ensure that our position receives the attention it deserves.\nSome people, however, object to the very idea of persuasion. They may regard it as an unwelcome interruption into their lives. Just the opposite, we believe that persuasion is unavoidable -- to live is to persuade. Persuasion may be ethical   or unethical, selfless or selfish, inspiring or degrading. Persuaders may enlighten our minds or get our vulnerability . Ethical persuasion, however, calls on sound reasoning and is sensitive to the feelings and needs of listeners. Such persuasion can help us apply the wisdom of the past to the decisions we now must make. Therefore, the most basic part of education is learning to resist the one kind of persuasion and to encourage and practice the other.\nBeyond its personal importance to us, persuasion is necessary to society. The right to persuade and be persuaded is the bedrock of the American political system, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution  .", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, persuasion means   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["changing others' points of view", "exercising power over other people", "getting other people to consider your point of view", "getting people to agree with you and do what you want"]}, {"question": "The passage states that some people object to persuasion because they think it is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a danger to society", "difficult to do well", "unwelcome behavior", "never successful"]}, {"question": "The passage mainly discusses   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["that people persuade to get what they want", "that people persuade in different ways", "that persuasion is widely accepted and appreciated", "that persuasion is important and it is all around us"]}]}
{"article": "Hi, everybody!\nWelcome to our newly-opened Richards Cinema Bookstore!\nNow let me introduce to you some of the new film books in our store.\nAre you Chinese film fans? OK, here comes the latest 25 New Takes about Chinese films. It is a collection of 25 fresh readings of different Chinese films from the 1930s to the present. In recent years, Chinese films are very popular in the States, such as Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon, Hero, and Flowers of Shanghai.\nDo you like French films? Well, here is The French Cinema Book. It covers French films from the 1890s to the beginning of the 21st century. It is written for all lovers of French cinema: students and teachers, specialists and fans, and so on.\nMaybe you are Indian film fans and star-chasers. Then here is Encyclopedia  of Indian Cinema. The book is complete introduction to all the best Indian films. It also offers a full list of names of the famous and successful film stars in the past ten years. You know, the Indian film industry is the largest in the world after our Hollywood.\nIf you like British films, we have The British Cinema Book. It is a good review of British cinema. This book contains a good many nice pictures.\nIn our bookstore, you can also find books about Mexican, Japanese, Australian, German and Italian films.\nWell, please help yourselves to some coffee or tea, and have a good time here!", "problems": [{"question": "The speaker of the passage is most probably   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the author of 25 New Takes", "a tourist in the cinema bookstore", "the manager of the cinema bookstore", "a reader of Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the speaker is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to satisfy the customers' various tastes", "to keep the authors in the cinema bookstore", "to offer the tourists chances to meet the film stars", "to turn the readers into film producers"]}]}
{"article": "A rare butterfly has been discovered in Britain for the first time in 60 years,having moved from Eastern Europe.The only previous record of a wild yellow-legged Tortoiseshell in Britain was in 1953,when it was seen just once in Sevenoaks,Kent.Several weeks ago,there were already four confirmed sightings,along the East coast in Norfolk,Suffolk and Kent,and six further reports of the butterfly in coastal areas. Conservationists are very excited about the    sightings,which are rare in the butterfly world.\nThe butterflies are thought to have flown on easterly winds across Europe in the last few weeks.The large and colourful insect mainly lives in Eastern Europe.In recent years,it has spread into Scandinavia and its number increases rapidly during warm weather.Also known as the Scarce Tortoiseshell,it has an orange and blue colour and is about one third bigger than our own Small Tortoiseshell.\nButterfly Conservation was starting its annual Big Butterfly Count,a yearly survey of the butterflies across the nation.Sir David Attenborough,President of the charity,said,\"The UK is a nation of amateur naturalists and we have a proud tradition of celebrating and studying our wildlife.By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer,you can contribute to discovering the fantastic butterflies and other wildlife that share your garden,parks and    countryside.\"He added,\"Butterflies fought back last year after a terrible 2012 but despite this,butterfly numbers were still below average.Three quarters of the UK's butterflies are in decline and one third are in danger of dying out.This is bad news for the UK's birds,bees,bats and other wildlife.", "problems": [{"question": "These rare butterflies usually live in  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Eastern Europe", "Norfolk,Suffolk and Kent", "coastal areas", "Sevenoaks,Kent"]}, {"question": "The annual Big Butterfly Count is Intended to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["inspire amateurs'studying interest", "teach people to do good gardening", "study butterflies across Britain", "celebrate naturalists'contributions"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Butterflies are quite rare in Britain.", "Butterflies like travelling frequently.", "A rare butterfly appeared in Britain.", "The butterfly world changed a lot."]}]}
{"article": "The first time Luca heard the Island of Inventions, he was very young, but the wonders he heard about sounded so unbelievable to him that they were forever kept in his memory. Since then, he never stopped searching clues which might lead him to that place of wonder. He read widely to collect information.\nTaking a little from here and there, he got quite a clear idea of what the Island was really like. It was a secret place, where all the great men learn and invent together. To be able to join that select club, you had to have created great inventions. Only then could you receive the invitation.\nTo get a chance, Luca spend the years studying and inventing. Every new idea he got, he made it into an invention, and if there were anything he didn't understand, he would seek help. Soon he met other brilliant inventors too, and he told them of the secrets of the Island. These young inventors would likewise dream of being sent \"the letter\".\nAs time passed, the disappointment of not being sent the letter gave rise to even greater cooperation and help between them. Their inventions soon became known throughout the world.\nBut no invention came.\nThey didn't lose heart. They continued learning and inventing, trying to come up with better ideas. Fresh talent was added to their group. One day, Luca, already very old, was speaking with a brilliant young man who had written to join their group. Luca told the young man the secrets of the Island, and of how he was sure that they would receive an invitation. Surprised, the young inventor said: \"What? You mean this isn't really the Island of Inventions?\"\nIt inspired Luca and he realized that his dream had become true.", "problems": [{"question": "Luca read widely to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["get information about the great inventions", "get clear ideas about the island for vacations", "seek massages about the secret club of inventions", "get more knowledge for the benefit of his inventions"]}, {"question": "Luca and other brilliant inventors around him shared a dream of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["being great inventors of worldwide fame", "being accepted as members of the Island of Inventions", "being inventors envied by members of the Island of Inventions", "being remembered for the contribution to scientific development"]}, {"question": "What is the effect of their not being given \"the letter\"?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They were disappointed, while it encouraged them to work harder.", "They became desperate and decided to have another way of living.", "They changed their strategy and promote their inventions publicly.", "They gave up their dream while continued their inventions together."]}]}
{"article": "One of the traditions which is now a necessary part of Christmas is a that of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. According to the modern legend, he is a magical figure who visits all the children of the world during the night before Christmas Day, leaving presents which they find the next morning. He flies through the night sky in a sledge pulled by reindeer, and enters houses by climbing down chimneys. This strange legend is based on the life of a man called Nicholas, but in fact we know very little about him. Historians think he was a Christian bishop in Turkey in about 285--350 A.D. One of the stories about him is that he helped three poor girls. No one would marry them because they were so poor. To provide them with money for their weddings, Nicholas secretly dropped some gold coins down the chimney of their house. After Nicholas died, he was made a saint  by the church.(The name Santa Claus thus comes from St Nicholas.) His feast day was celebrated in December, and parents started giving their children secret presents from St Nicholas. Over the years, this custom became part of our Christmas traditions.\nRecently, a psychologist has claimed that Father Christmas is \"the perfect fantasy\" for children. According to Professor Anthony Clare, children love the character of Father Christmas because he is like an ideal father: he loves children and gives them presents, but he never criticizes them, is never angry, and children do not even need to thank him for the presents. Other writers, however, point out that Father Christmas can be a frightening character to some children. Jane Bidder says that some children are terrified of this fat, bearded old man. It can certainly confuse many children. As parents, we warn our children to be careful of strangers and never to let them into the house, and yet we tell children that a strange man will come into their bedroom at night! Some children can become very worried about this idea and fear that he is a kind of burglar.\nMost children, however, understand from their parents and from the media that Father Christmas is basically a _ character, and look forward to his annual visit with joy and excitement.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer mentions details such as Father Christmas's sledge, the reindeer and the way he climbs down chimneys because he/she  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["wants to make it clear that these things are impossible", "is describing the history of St Nicholas", "wants everyone to believe that Father Christmas is real", "is explaining the modern legend of Father Christmas"]}, {"question": "Why does the writer mention the story about St Nicholas helping three poor girls?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It shows us that historians know very little about him.", "This story explains why parents give secret presents to children.", "It supports the writer's main point that Father Christmas is based on an untrue story.", "This story explains why we celebrate Christmas in December."]}, {"question": "The best title for this passage would be  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Is Father Christmas Dangerous?", "The True History of St Nicholas", "The Legend of Santa Claus", "The Traditions of Christmas"]}]}
{"article": "A new law helps people with disabilities. The law says that people with disabilities must be able to get into and out of all public buildings. It also says that business must offer special services to people who have special needs. Companies can not refuse to hire disabled workers. Many businesses may have to change their buildings and services.\n--Ramps must be built so people can get into buildings.\n--Movie theatres must have space for people in wheelchairs and seats for their friends to sit near them.\n--Elevators must have floor number in  _ .\nThis law will help millions of people. One woman who has been in a wheelchair for many years said, \"It is like a dream.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage we can see that_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["it will be difficult for the normal persons to get into the public buildings", "the buildings of all the businesses will have to be changed", "Most businesses used to offer special services to people who have special needs", "it was difficult for the disabled workers to find jobs in the past"]}, {"question": "Ramps can help people_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["with hearing problems", "who have difficulty in using their hands", "who have difficulty in using their legs or feet", "who don't like stairs"]}, {"question": "The word \"Braille\" means_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["words known by foreigners", "words known by common people", "words on walls", "words known by the blind"]}, {"question": "What do you think the disabled would feel about the new law?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They may think the new law reasonable.", "Some of them are sure to be for the new law.", "They must feel very excited and happy.", "They feel it is like a dream."]}, {"question": "The fact that the new law has been passed shows that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the government has paid no attention to the disabilities", "the government wants to help these disabilities", "normal people show mercy to the disabilities", "companies will hire millions of disabled people"]}]}
{"article": "\"What is the most important thing you've done in your life?\" The question was put to me during a presentation I gave to a group of lawyers.\nThe answer came to me in an instant. It's not the one I gave, because the situation was not right. As a lawyer in the entertainment industry, I knew the audience wanted to hear some amusing stories about my work with well-known people, but here's the true answer:\nThe most important thing I've ever done occurred on October 8,1990. I began the day playing tennis with an old friend I hadn't seen for a while. Between points we talked about what had been happening in each other's lives. He and his wife had just had a baby boy, who was keeping them up at night.\nWhile we were playing, a car came screaming up the road toward the courts. It was my friend's father, who shouted to my friend that his baby had stopped breathing and was being rushed to the hospital. In a flash my friend was in the car and gone, disappearing in a cloud of dust.\nFor a moment I just stood there, paralyzed . Then I tried to figure out what I should do. Follow my friend to the hospital? There was nothing I could accomplish there, I convinced myself. My friend's son was in the care of doctors and nurses, and nothing I could do or say would affect the outcome. Be there for moral support? Well, maybe. But my friend and his wife both had large families, and I knew they'd be surrounded by relatives who would provide more than enough comfort and support, whatever happened. All I could do at the hospital, I decided, was to get in the way. Also, I had planned a full day with my family, who were waiting for me to get home. So I decided to head back to my house and check in my friend later.\nAs I started my car, I realized that my friend had left his truck and keys at the courts. I now faced another problem. I couldn't leave the keys in the truck. So I decided to go to the hospital and give him the keys.\nWhen I arrived, I was directed to a room where my friend and his wife were waiting. As I had thought, the room was filled with family members silently watching my friend comfort his wife. I went in and stood by the door, trying to decide what to do next. Soon a doctor appeared. He approached my friend and his wife, and in a quiet voice told them that their son had died.\nFor a long time the two held each other and cried, unaware of the rest of us standing around in pained silence. After they had calmed themselves, the doctor suggested they spend a few moments with their son.\nMy friend and his wife stood up and walked past their families. When they reached the door, my friend saw me standing in the corner. He came over and hugged me and started to cry. My friend's wife hugged me, too, and said , \"Thanks for being here.\"\nFor the rest of that morning, I sat in the emergency room of that hospital and watched my friend and his wife hold the body of their infant son, and say goodbye.\nIt's the most important thing I have ever done. The experience taught me two lessons.\nFirst: The most important thing I've ever done happened when I was completely helpless. None of the things I had learned in university, in three years of law school or in six years of legal practice were of any use in that situation. Something terrible was happening to people I cared about, and I was powerless to change the outcome. All I could do was standing by and watching it happen. And yet it was critical that I do just that--- just be there when someone needed me.\nSecond: The most important thing I've done almost didn't happen because of things I had learned in classroom and professional life. Law school taught me how to take a set of facts, break them down and organized them. These skills are critical for lawyers. When people come to us for help, they're often stressed out and depend on a lawyer to think logically. But while learning to think, I almost forget how to feel. Today I have no doubt that I should have leapt into my car without hesitation and followed my friend to the hospital.\nFrom that one experience I learned that the most important thing in life isn't the money you make, the status you attain or the honors you achieve.", "problems": [{"question": "When he was asked about the most important thing he had done in life at a presentation, the author    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["felt it was not an interesting question", "thought for a while and spoke his mind", "gave an answer from a lawyer's point of view", "didn't give the real answer"]}, {"question": "When he saw his friend rush to the hospital, the author could not decide whether to follow mainly because he thought    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he had to stay with his family", "his friend did not need his help.", "he would not be of much help", "the baby would be in the doctor's care"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the author's description of the scene at the hospital?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He found out that he was in the way.", "He would have felt guilty if he had not been there.", "He regretted that he went too late.", "His friend would have felt better if he had not been there."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is conveyed in this story?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Family and relatives can not take the place of friends.", "More people are a great comfort when one is in trouble.", "It is best to be here when someone needs you.", "You can certainly help a friend if you want to."]}, {"question": "The author learned from his own experience that   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["what is taught in school is usually of no use.", "a lawyer cannot learn much in classrooms", "a lawyer should know people's feeling first", "he needs to be able to feel as well as think logically"]}]}
{"article": "A desert is a beautiful land of silence and space. The sun shines, the wind blows, and time and space seem endless. Nothing is soft. The sand and rocks are hard, and many of the plants even have hard needles instead of leaves.\nThe size and location  of the world's deserts are always changing. Over millions of years, as climates change and mountains rise, new dry and wet areas develop. But within the last 100 yeas, deserts have been growing at a frightening speed. This is partly because of natural changes, but the greatest makers are humans.\nHumans can make deserts, but humans can also prevent their growth. Algeria Mauritania is planting a similar wall around   Nouakchott, the capital. Iran puts a thin covering of petroleum  on sandy areas and plants trees. The oil keeps the water and small trees in the land, and men on motorcycles  keep the sheep and goats away. The USSR and India are building long canals to bring water to desert areas.", "problems": [{"question": "In this passage, \"needles\" refers to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["small, thin pieces of steel.", "long, thin pieces of branches.", "small pointed growth on the stem  of a plant.", "small, thin pieces of sticks."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The greatest desert makers are humans.", "There aren't any living things in the deserts.", "Deserts have been growing quickly.", "The size of the deserts is always changing."]}, {"question": "People in some countries are fighting a battle against   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the growth of deserts", "the disappearance of desert plants", "natural changes", "congenital climate"]}, {"question": "We can guess that Mauritania and Algeria belong to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Asian countries", "American countries", "European counties", "African countries"]}, {"question": "Choose the sentence which best gives the main idea of the passage.", "answer": "B", "options": ["The deserts of the world are always changing.", "Man is to take measures to control the growth of the world's deserts.", "Deserts are lands of silence and space.", "Deserts have grown at a fast pace in the past 10 years."]}]}
{"article": "Nelson Mandela was a figure of international fame, and many details of his life and career were public knowledge. But here are four things you may not have known about the late South African leader.\n1. He was a boxing fan.\nIn his youth, Nelson Mandela enjoyed boxing and long-distance running. Even during the 27 years he spent in prison, he would exercise every morning. \"I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was curious by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match,\" he wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.\n2. His original name was not Nelson.\nRolihlahla Mandela was nine years old when a teacher at the primary Methodist school where he was studying in Qunu, South Africa, gave him an English name \"Nelson\" in accordance with the custom to give all school children Christian names.\n3. He forgot his glasses when he was released from prison.\nMr. Mandela's release on 11 February 1990 followed years of political pressure against apartheid . Mr. Mandela's reading glasses stayed behind in prison Mr. Mandela and his then-wife Winnie were taken to the centre of Cape Town to address a huge and exciting crowd. But when he pulled out the text of his speech, he realized he had forgotten his glasses and had to borrow Winnie's.\n4. He had his own law firm, but it took him years to get a law degree.\nMr. Mandela studied law on and off for 50 years from 1939, failing about half the courses he took. A two-year diploma  in law on top of his university degree allowed him to practice, and in August 1952, he and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa's first black law firm, Mandela and Tambo, in Johannesburg. He kept on studying hard to finally secure a law degree while in prison in 1989.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Nelson Mandela's life in the prison.", "The achievements of Nelson Mandela.", "Nelson Mandela's hobbies and career.", "Unknown things about Nelson Mandela."]}, {"question": "Why did Nelson Mandela love boxing?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because he wanted to be a boxer.", "Because he enjoyed the violence of boxing.", "Because he appreciated the strategy in boxing.", "Because he had nothing else to do in the prison."]}, {"question": "What happened to Mandela when he was about to give the speech?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He broke his glasses into pieces.", "He had to use his wife's glasses.", "He left his own glasses at home.", "His wife wanted to borrow his glasses."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Nelson Mandela was not his original name.", "Nelson Mandela was the name given by his teacher.", "Nelson Mandela had been studying the law nonstop for 50 years.", "Nelson Mandela had started his own law firm before he got a law degree."]}]}
{"article": "New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that people who struggle with mood problems or addiction can safely quit smoking and that kicking the habit is associated with improved mental health. \n     Cavazos-Rehg, an assistant professor of psychiatry, found that quitting or significantly cutting back on cigarette smoking was linked to improved mental health outcomes. Quitting altogether or reducing by half the number of cigarettes smoked daily was associated with lower risk for mood disorders like depression, as well as a lower likelihood of alcohol and drug problems.\n     \"We don't know if their mental health improves first and then they are more motivated to quit smoking or if quitting smoking leads to an improvement in mental health,\" Cavazos-Rehg said. \"But either way, our findings show a strong link between quitting and a better psychiatric outlook.\"\n     In addition, she believes the serious health risks associated with smoking make it important for doctors to work with their patients to quit, regardless of other psychiatric problems.\n     \"About half of all smokers die from related to smoking, so we need to remember that as complicated as it can be to treat mental health issues, smoking cigarettes also causes very serious illnesses that can lead to death,\" she explained.\n     Cavazos-Rehg and her team analyzed questionnaires gathered as part of the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions. In the early 2000s, just under 35,000 people were surveyed. As part of the study, they answered questions about drinking, smoking and mental health in two interviews conducted three years apart.\n    The researchers focused on data from 4,800 daily smokers. Those who had addiction or other psychiatric problems at the time of the first survey were less likely to have those same problems three years later if they had quit smoking. And those who hadn't had psychiatric problems at the initial survey were less likely to develop those problems later if they already had quit. \n   \"We really need to spread the word and encourage doctors and patients to tackle these problems,\" Cavazos-Rehg said. \"When a patient is ready to focus on other mental health issues, it may be an ideal time to address smoking cessation, too.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Smoking was associated with alcohol and drug problems.", "Quitting smoking may help to improve mental health.", "Smoking can lead to cancer or other deadly problems.", "Those who had mental problem are more motivated to quit smoking."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from this passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Having quit smoking, tobacco addicts won't have the same problems again.", "About half of the daily smokers die from deadly mental diseases.", "More than 35,000 people were surveyed, 4,800 of whom were daily smokers.", "Quitting smoking may help avoid alcohol and drug problems."]}, {"question": "Which of the following does professor Cavazos-Rehg agree?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Quitting smoking leads to a better psychiatric outlook.", "If you want to quit smoking, you have to improve your mood problems first.", "There is a strong link between mental health and quitting smoking.", "There is no need to stop smoking when patients center on mental health."]}, {"question": "Which type of writing is the article likely to be?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Science fiction", "A health report", "An education report", "A news report"]}]}
{"article": "School is out for the summer in some areas, and for many children, that means weeks of sleeping in late, trips to the swimming pool or hours spent in front of the TV. These months of inactivity--- away from the daily tiring things of school--- are something that young people look forward to, but it can have a detrimental influence on the knowledge they have.\nStudies have shown that children lose a lot in math skills during the summer months. Children who spend little time learning experience a much greater amount of learning loss than those who often take part in summer programs.\nSo when school starts again in the fall, teachers often have to spend several weeks reteaching children material that they have forgotten.\nExperts suggest that parents make sure the summer months are a time of continued learning. For example, they suggest that lunch time is good time to improve a child's spoken skills, simply through conversation. A trip to the supermarket can be an opportunity to improve a child's math skills by having him or her add up the cost of food. And there is no better way to prevent learning loss than by having a child read every day.\nFortunately, there are many programs that can help parents. The best place to start is at your local library. Most libraries have summer reading programs that are filled with fun activities. A. strong musical education also improves learning. Find out summer music camps in your area.\nWe think that children should have fun during the summer break, but it should not be a vacation from learning. We strongly suggest parents should take advantage of the many educational opportunities available for their children during the coming weeks.", "problems": [{"question": "Children lose a lot in learning in the summer break because they_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["do homework before the TV", "stay up late at night", "visit the swimming pool", "spend little time learning"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It isn't good for children to have fun in summer.", "Children will get bored with reading programs", "Summer programs can be helpful for children.", "Teachers needn't help children review lessons."]}, {"question": "might be most interested in this passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["Students", "Teachers", "Parents", "Reporters"]}]}
{"article": "A new study has been carried to test the role of story telling in lowering blood pressure. Dr. Thomas Houston, a professor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, led a group of scientists that investigated how pre-recorded videos of hypertension   patients' talking about their medical histories helped another group of patients with high blood pressure to control their condition over several months.\n   Houston was surprised by their studies that suggested that communication can be a powerful tool in medicine. They showed that those who had had similar experiences, when talking to someone with a similar background, could help change their behavior to become healthier. Hypertension is difficult to control, since it is dependent on diet, exercise and mental state. Medical treatments with drugs, and lifestyle therapies  have been  ly ineffective because people find it hard to follow those medical requirements.\n   In the test, his team carefully chose their story-tellers from 230 members of a patients' community with whom they could most easily relate. Next, they divided their study population into two groups. One received three interactive   DVDs containing the tellers' stories of their experiences in living with and treating their hypertension. The other were given educational discs on an unrelated health topic. The study volunteers reported that they had listened to the DVDs, and after three months, those who heard the stories of the hypertensive patients lowered their blood pressure.\n  While the study did not  _ how the story-telling influenced the patients' behavior, Houston suspects that watching patients of similar backgrounds who had a similar medical experience helped to motivate them to seek medical help to their hypertension. They found that after six months the difference in blood pressure between those who watched the story-tellers and those who observed the unrelated videos remained, suggesting that the story-telling continued to have an effect.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the text that the pre-recorded videos   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["tell medical histories of hypertension patients", "introduce some medical treatments of hypertension", "introduce a good lifestyle for hypertensive patients", "tell scientific discoveries of the scientist group"]}, {"question": "Houston was surprised to find that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["hypertension is really difficult to control", "communication has some medical effects", "medical treatments have no effect at all", "people don't follow the medical requirements"]}, {"question": "Which of the following could be the best title of the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The stories of some hypertension patients.", "Medical treatments of blood pressure.", "Storytelling may help lower blood pressure.", "Suggestions about how to lower blood pressure."]}]}
{"article": "Some people collect stamps. Other people collect works of art or musical instruments. But a man in the American state of Maryland collects secrets.\nFor the past 10 years, people have been sending Frank Warren postcards and other objects with secrets written on them. He now has a million secrets. \"It's a drawing of a lift. And the secret says: 'I feel guilty when I take lifts for one floor, so I limp when I get out.'\" Frank said.\nTen years ago, Mr. Warren created an art project called PostSecret. People then began to send him postcards, other objects and emails telling their secrets. Every Sunday, he chooses 10 secrets and puts them on the website.\nMr. Warren says he created PostSecret so people could share their secrets in a safe place. \"I was struggling with secrets in my own life. And it was by creating this safe place where others could share their secrets with me, I think that space was something I needed just as much as they did.\"\nHe has published six books full of the secrets people have shared with him. One secret in each book is his. Eric Perry delivers mail for the U.S. Postal Service. He has brought thousands of secrets to Frank's home over the past three years. \"I have a couple of the books that Frank's given me and I've read them all and my family has read them all and it's wild!\"\nThe project itself was once one of Frank's secrets. His wife Jan didn't know exactly what he was doing until the first book was published. The publisher told him that the address was going to be on the book, and he refused. However, the address was there just because of the contract between them. Actually Warren wasn't very happy about that.\nSome people tell Frank of their secret desire to kill themselves. So he and the PostSecret community have raised more than $1 million to help prevent suicides .", "problems": [{"question": "Mr. Warren created PostSecret in order to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["satisfy his curiosity about others' secrets", "collect more materials for his series of books", "offer a safe place for people to share their secrets", "earn a lot of money by sharing others' secrets online"]}, {"question": "What do we know about Eric Perry from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His family are eager to collect the books written by Frank.", "His main job is to deliver mails and postcards for Frank.", "He has been a postman who has a great many secrets.", "He has developed a good relationship with Frank."]}, {"question": "What was Mr. Warren's secret according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He once took the lift only for one floor.", "He is interested in collecting others' secrets.", "He created an art project without telling his wife.", "He helped prevent others from committing suicides."]}]}
{"article": "What's your idea of a good time? What about dancing in a rainy field with one hundred and fifty thousand other people while a famous rock band plays on a stage so far away that the performers look like ants?\nIt may sound strange but that is what many hundreds of thousands of young people in the UK do every summer.Why? Because summer is the time for outdoor music festivals.\nHeld on a farm, the Glastonbury Festival is the most well-known and popular festival in the UK.It began in 1970 and the first festival was attended by one thousand five hundred people each paying an admission price of PS1 -- the ticket included free milk from the farm.\nSince then the Glastonbury Festival has gone from strength to strength -- in 2004 one hundred and fifty thousand fans attended, paying PS112 each for a ticket to the three-day event.Tickets for the event sold out within three hours.Performers included superstars, such as Paul McCartney and James Brown, as well as new talent, like Franz Ferdinand and Joss Stone.\nAlthough many summer festivals are run on a profit-making basis, Glastonbury is a charity event, donating millions of pounds to local and international charities.\nGlastonbury is not unique  in using live music to raise money to fight global poverty.In July of this year, the Live 8 concerts were held simultaneously   in London, Paris, Rome and Berlin.Superstars such as Madonna, Sir Elton John and Stevie Wonder performed in order to highlight international poverty and debt.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author mean by saying \"the Glastonbury Festival has gone from strength to strength\"?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The festival has achieved growing success.", "Great efforts have been made to hold the festival.", "The festival has brought in a large amount of money.", "There have been thousands of fans attending the festival."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Glastonbury Festival is run on a profit-making basis.", "Tickets for the 2004 Glastonbury Festival were in great demand despite the high price.", "Both James Brown and Joss Stone were born in poor families.", "In the 1970 Glastonbury Festival, one could have lunch on the farm for free."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to have a good time", "Charity events around the world", "The Glastonbury Festival", "Superstars' performances in charity events"]}]}
{"article": "The best selling children's book, Pipilu Sending You 100 Lives, has been adapted into a homonymous play that will be put on for the first time next March and tour around 50 cities in China.\nThe book was adapted by the Hangzhou based Star Dream Factory.\n\"We don't want to descend to the average children's dramas that are overly eager to please the kids,\" said Huang Qin, director of Star Dream Factory. \"We want to provide something practically useful and mystically entertaining.\"\nThe original book by Chinese children's book writer Zheng Yuanjie focuses on safety tips for kids. With Zheng's usual _ and simplicity, the book avoids sugar-coating reality. Instead, it illustrates the potential dangers in everyday life and provides possible solutions.\nZheng recalled that when he saw his new-born baby in the hospital, the first thought that hit him was to do his utmost to guarantee his son's safety.\n\"Safety is of the greatest importance to a human being,\" said Zheng. \"If the person is gone, nothing else will matter.\"\nAccording to Zheng, there is no preaching or soapboxing in his book. He said that he just wanted to talk and tell the plain truth to the children in an easily understandable way.\nThis line of thought will be echoed in the theatrical reproduction, said director Guo Yan. She also said that the play will place emphasis on multimedia effects and the interaction with the families.\n\"Theatre may not ensure the children a path to professional esteem and better jobs in society, but it does have the power to give them strength (at heart),\" said Huang Qin.\nHuang also calls for consistent attention to child safety, pointing out the lack of universal education and effective legal channels.\nThe show is expecting an estimated audience of more than 100,000 people during its domestic tour in the upcoming year.", "problems": [{"question": "Pipilu Sending You 100 Lives has been adapted into a play by   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Huang Qin .", "Zheng Yuanjie.", "Guo Yan.", "Star Dream Factory"]}, {"question": "The book Pipilu Sending You 100 Lives is trying to tell the readers   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["how Pipilu give you 100 lives in a clear way", "how Pipilu can live a more interesting life in a simple way", "how we can live a safer life in an understandable way", "how we can have 100 lives in a pleasing way"]}, {"question": "According to Zheng,safety   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["is more important to people than any other things", "is an essential part only to all the children", "is more important to the old than the young", "is more important to the young than the old"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the passage is to  _  ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["introduce a play to remind children of the importance of safety", "introduce a book and its homonymous play to the readers", "tell the readers how to keep safe", "tell the readers how important safety is"]}]}
{"article": "Many people hate wet, sticky August, but to some, it's an especially bitter time. A new working paper finds that, March and August are the months in which divorce filings peak.\nFor the paper, the University of Washington's Brian Serafini and Julie Brines analyzed the most recent years of divorce filings in Washington and drew their conclusion: divorce rises sharply in March and August. The result is supported by some nation-wide, anecdotal evidence. Online searches for \"divorce\" and \"child custody\"  dramatically grow early in the year, peaking in March, they point out.\nThe authors guess that unhappily married couples schedule their divorce filings around both the winter holidays and Valentine's Day, as well as summer vacations. (More Americans vacation m July than any other month.)\nThere are a few explanations why people might time their marital dissolutions this way, It might just be too difficult to announce a divorce around family-oriented Christmas time, especially if there are kids involved, so many couples weigh the decision to divorce around the new year and progress from there. February is a period in which couples tend to look around for representation on legal sites. And by March, they're prepared to file for divorce.\nBut the authors think the more likely reason is that people decide their differences are irreconcilable right after a big trip. It could be that people don't want to ruin a family getaway, or that vacations are so stressful that they drive the already-dissatisfied to divorce. (\"I told you to pack your suitcase last night; now we've missed the train!\")\nThen there's the \"broken promise\" theory. \"6People are discontent with their marriages, they look at vacation as an opportunity to give it one last shot, and what they were hoping would happen didn't occur,\" explained Brines, an associate professor of sociology.\nIt's not you; in other words, it's your failure to print the boarding passes.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can support Brian and Julie's conclusion?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The divorce rate rises sharply in March and August.", "They carried out online surveys and analyzed the results.", "More people search for key words about divorce early in the year.", "Conflicts in marriage tend to get more serious during Christmas."]}, {"question": "According to Brian and Julie, why does divorce rise in March and August?", "answer": "D", "options": ["People need time to decide and prepare before they divorce.", "Many couples want to have a new beginning in a new year.", "Kids are less involved in winter and summer vacations.", "Couples see more marital problems in their vacation trips."]}]}
{"article": "When was the last time someone did something unexpectedly nice for you? Not someone you knew, but a total stranger? It's happened to me a few times, but two instances really stand out.\nA few years ago, I was dining out with a person who kept going on and on about himself, completely unaware of the fact that I was sitting there in misery . It wasn't his company that disappointed me. I was recovering from a bad grade in my study. I could have collapsed in tears right there at the table.\nWhen we picked up the check, the waitress said, \"Your meal was already paid for.\" My friend and I didn't have a clue how it happened. Then I remembered a man coming in out of the corner of my eye. He was dressed in mostly white, sat down at the bar, had a glass of wine, stayed for maybe ten minutes and then left. The waitress said, \"Yes, the gentleman who was in here a while ago paid for you.\"\nJust last year, I was running a half-marathon. With just 0.1 miles to go, I was out of gas. Runners call it \"hitting the wall\"; I thought I couldn't move another muscle. Out of nowhere, a teenager jogged up next to me and said, \"What's your name sweetie? Jennifer? Okay, Jennifer, let's go! Come on! It's just around the corner! You can do it!\". And he ran with me until I picked up my pace. I found him at the finish line to thank him for the encouragement only to learn he wasn't even supposed to be in the race that day. He was running in place of someone else.\nI still shake my head when I think of these momentary angels that came to me at my point of need. Do you have any experiences like this?", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author say she was in misery?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because she got into trouble with her friend.", "Because she couldn't enjoy her meal quietly.", "Because her friend complained so much.", "Because she was doing poorly in her study."]}, {"question": "What do you think of the man who paid for the meal?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He was generous and warm-hearted.", "He knew the author well and always helped her.", "He showed his kindness to his girlfriend.", "He liked making fun of others."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The Kindness of Strangers", "An Unpleasant Friend", "Two Unbelievable Experiences", "Hitting the Wall"]}]}
{"article": "If there is a building which symbolizes a country--such as the Eiffel Tower for France and Sydney Opera House for Australia--then it has to be the Taj Mahal for India.\nIt was set up by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. From the time they got married, they wouldn't be separated. She followed him to wars, advised him on affairs of state, and was loved by his people for her good work. But she died in 1631 during childbirth. The emperor was heart-broken and had the Taj Mahal built as a sign of his love.\nIt took more than 20 years for the Taj Mahal to be built. Workers were brought in, not only from all over India, but from Central Asia too. A total of 20,000 people worked on the building.\nIn 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill, and in 1658 his son Aurangzeb, imprisoned   his father and seized power. Shah Jahan stayed in prison until his death in 1666. He was finally buried there with his wife he could never forget.\nThe Taj Mahal is definitely worth more than a single visit. As it is built with white marble stones, its character changes in different lights. It looks more beautiful at sunrise and sunset. At sunset, for example, the colour of the Taj changes from white to yellow, then to pink. As the moon rises, it turns a silvery white.\nTo show respect to the Taj, tourists are asked to take off their shoes during their visit.", "problems": [{"question": "Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["make it symbolize India", "memorise his wife", "show his great power", "give his wife a present"]}, {"question": "Which of the following about the Taj Mahal is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is a symbol of India.", "It took over 20 years to build the Taj Mahal.", "All workers building the Taj Mahal came from Central Asia.", "The Taj Mahal was built with white marble stones."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we know that Shah Jahan   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["lived a hard life in his last few years", "lost his life just because of his old age", "was not popular with his people at that time", "treated his son badly when he was young"]}]}
{"article": "According to Andrew, it never would have happened if he had not had a flat tire on Highway 10 last night at about 7:30. He was on his way to attend a three-day sales meeting when he had the flat. tyre. Unfortunately, he did not have a spare, so he pushed the car off the road, locked it up, and managed to thumb a ride back to Pine Grove. It was after eleven o'clock when he finally got home, and it was then that his real problems started.\nWhen Andrew left home at about 5:30, he had told his wife not to expect him back until Thursday or Friday. Knowing that his wife was nervous about staying in the house alone at night, Andrew took the precaution of checking all the windows in the house to be sure they were locked, so that he could report to his wife that the house was secure. He convinced his wife that the house was burglar-proof, and that she would be perfectly safe, providing she bolted  the front door as soon as he drove away.\nAndrew's only thought as he made his way in the dark to his front door was how surprised his wife was going to be to see him, since he was not supposed to be back until Thursday or Friday. He had forgotten about the bolt on the front door. When he turned his key in the lock and the door wouldn't _ he remembered the bolt. And he remembered that he had carefully locked all of the windows.\nAlthough Andrew didn't know it at the time, a next-door neighbor had seen him approaching the house and had watched him go up the steps to the front door. In the dark, it was impossible for the neighbor to recognize Andrew, and, besides, the neighbor knew that Andrew had gone out-of-town for a three-day meeting. As a matter of fact, Andrew had asked the neighbor to keep an eye on the house while he was gone.\nFinding that he couldn't get in, Andrew began pounding  on the front door to get his wife to open the door. According to Andrew, however, his wife is a very sound sleeper, and he knew it was going to be hard to wake her up. In the meantime, because of all the noise he had been making, the neighbor was convinced that somebody was trying to break into the house; so she called the police.\nWhen we talked to Andrew at the country jail this morning, he said that he still didn't understand how the police managed to circle the house without his seeing them. He stated that he had decided the only way to get in was to break one of the dining room windows, and that he was about, to hurl his briefcase into the window to break it when two of the officers grabbed him from behind.\nAndrew could not make the officers believe that he lived there; so they took him off to jail. Apparently, he did succeed in convincing them that they ought to wake up the woman in the house to check his story. But there was no answer when they knocked at the door. He tried to explain to them that his wife was a very sound sleeper, but they concluded there was nobody in the house.", "problems": [{"question": "As Andrew had a flat tyre on the way, he  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["had to take another car to attend the meeting", "rode on a bike to attend the meating", "asked for a lift to go back home", "borrowed a car to go back home"]}, {"question": "When Andrew was approaching the house  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he was sure he would pleasently surprise his wife", "he was deep in thought", "he was sure that his neighbor would help him", "he was worried about how to wake his wife up"]}, {"question": "Why did the police officers take Andrew off to jail?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It was too late for them to contact Andrew's wife.", "Andrew did not explain clearly why he broke into the house.", "They thought it unnecessary to check Andrew's story.", "they concluded that Andrew's story was a complete invention."]}]}
{"article": "Owning a smartphone may not be as smart as you think.They may let you surf the Internet,listen to music and snap photos wherever you are...but they also turn you into a workaholic,it seems.A study suggests that,by giving you access to emails at all times.the all-singing.all-dancing mobile phone adds as much as two hours to your working day.\nResearchers found that Britons work an additional 460hours a year on average as they are able to respond to emails on their mobiles.The study by technology retailer Pixmania,reveals the average UK working day is between nine and ten hours,but a further two hours is spent responding to or sending work emails,or making work calls.Almost one in ten admits spending up to three hours outside their normal working day checking work emails.Some workers confess they are on call almost 24 hours a day,with nine out\nof ten saying they take work emails and calls outside their normal working hours.Nearly two-thirds say they often check work emails just before they go to bed and as soon as they wake up,while over a third have replied to one in the middle of the night.\nGhadi Hobeika,marketing director of Pixmania,said:\"The ability to access literally millions of apps,keep in contact via social networks and take photos and video as well as text and call has\nmade smartphones valuable for many people.However,there are _ .Many companies expect their employees to be on call 24 hours a day,seven days a week,and smartphones mean that people literally cannot get away from work.The more constantly in contact we become. The more is expected of us in a work capacity.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The text is probably taken from  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a scientific report", "a financial report", "a newspaper", "a literary journal"]}, {"question": "Ghadi may agree that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["employees are supposed to be on call 24 hours a day", "the ability to access many apps made smartphones worthless", "smartphones might turn a person into a workaholic", "people literally cannot get away from work without smartphones"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Smartphones are lengthening working hours.", "Smartphones are becoming valuable for many people.", "Britons work art additional 460 hours a year on average.", "Smartphones are more beneficial to our life than we think."]}]}
{"article": "I've done many things that would make any parent proud. I've taken part in sports, community work and school events, but I am most proud to be a good big brother. I have to watch over four sisters and a brother, plus myself. That's quitea task, but one I feel I have gotten good at.\nMy brother needs more attention than most siblings. When he was nine, he was hit by a pick-up truck on the way to the bus stop and lost use of the lower two-thirds of his body. He's been in a wheelchair for six years. My brother does many things, but sometimes he tries to do things he used to do but can't now. I' m always there with words of encouragement.\nI now watch my brother struggle to do as many things as he can within and beyond his limits. Should he fall, I will be the person to pick him up. I also watch as my younger sisters grow up into intelligent, beautiful young women. Whenever my brother or sisters need a helping hand or words of encouragement, I'm on the job. That's what I, the big brother, am for.", "problems": [{"question": "How many people are probably there in the author's family?   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["5", "6", "7", "8"]}, {"question": "The author's brother needs more attention because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he is the youngest child of the family", "he lost the functions of his lower body", "he was disabled by a careless bus driver", "he needs the words of encouragement"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that a big brother   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sometimes takes more responsibilities", "must put up with the incredible hardship", "can be asked for help whenever needed", "is the most important guy in a big family"]}]}
{"article": "People in Mutsuhito, Japan, lived through one hundreds, and sometimes thousands, a day.But they couldn't get used to it.\nWhat was it? It was a string of earthquakes that made the small town shake all the time.This went on for more than a year.Sometimes the quakes were very small.Only certain instruments could pick them up.At other times, the quakes damaged houses and land.The people were always afraid.They wished they knew how to stop the ground from shaking.\nPeople all over the world would like to know when an earthquake is coming.But an earthquake is almost always a surprise.Under the surface of the Earth, huge blocks of rock drift apart or slide against each other.The ground above splits apart or rumbles and shakes.\nSome scientists hope to predict quakes by keeping a close watch on animals.It seems that some animals can sense an earthquake coming.In 1969, animals in a Chinese zoo began to act funny one day.Swans flew out of their pond.A panda sat down, covered its eyes with its paws, and groaned.The animals seemed to know that something was about to happen.And it did.An earthquake struck.What was it that the animals sensed? Scientists are trying to find out.\nKeeping close track of the Earth's magnetic force in earthquake areas may also help.A few years ago, in Hollister, CA, scientists kept a record of the area's magnetic pull.For one week, the force grew stronger.Then it weakened suddenly.A day later, an earthquake struck.\nIt may become possible to know when and where an earthquake will happen.But it will be much harder to stop one from happening.\nMany scientists think that the Earth's covering is not smooth.They say the earth's \"skin\" is made up of huge puzzle pieces called plates.Land and ocean floors make up these huge plates.Under the Earth's crust  , or plates, is hot rock.The plates float on top of this rock.Sometimes the rock forces its way through the crust.What happens then? A volcano is born! More often, the rock moves and forces the plates to pull away from each other, causing earthquakes to happen.(Volcanoes and earthquakes often go together.)\nSometimes, the plates end up on top of each other.When this happens, the land above may look strange.Seen from the air, there seems to be a long scar in the Earth.This is called a fault  .The areas along faults have more earthquakes than other parts of the Earth.\nFor now, we'll just have to shake along with the Earth.It goes through millions of small earthquakes every year.With luck, you won't feel a thing!", "problems": [{"question": "When the rock forces its way through the Earth's crust,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a volcano is born", "an earthquake happens", "a fault forms", "the Earth's covering becomes smooth"]}, {"question": "How does a fault form?", "answer": "B", "options": ["When California rests on two separate plates.", "When the plates end up on top of each other.", "Before an earthquake happens.", "After volcano comes."]}]}
{"article": "The United States is full of cars. There are still many families without cars, but some families have two or more. However, cars are used for more than pleasure. They are a necessary part of life.\nCars are used for business. They are driven to offices and factories by workers who have no other way to get to their jobs. When salesmen are sent to different parts of the city, they have to drive in order to carry their products. Farmers have to drive into the city in order to get supplies.\nSometimes small children must be driven to school. In some cities school buses are used only when children live more than a mile away from the school. When the children are too young to walk too far, their mothers take turns driving them to school. One mother drives on Mondays taking her own children and the neighbors' as well. Another mother drives on Tuesdays, another on Wednesday, and so on. This is called forming a car pool. Men also form car pools, with three or four men taking turns driving to the place where they all work.\nMore car pools should be formed in order to put fewer cars on the road and use less gas. Too many cars are being driven. Something will have to be done about the use of cars.", "problems": [{"question": "The United States is filled with cars, but  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["not every family has a car", "few families have two cars or even more", "every American has a car", "every family has a car"]}, {"question": "Mothers form car pools in order that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they can drive to school", "they can take turns driving their children to school", "they reach school quickly", "they can drive their children to school in time"]}, {"question": "The traffic in and around cities is a great problem because  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["too many cars are being driven", "there are too many car pools", "people put fewer cars on the roads", "there is less gas"]}]}
{"article": "Ariau Amazon Towers\nThe Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, book the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for a big family. You'll be thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways.\nPrices: starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite.\nFor more information, visit the website: http://www.ariautowers.com\nThe Ice Hotel\nEvery winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience.\nPrices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one.\nFor more information, visit the website: http://www.icehotel.com\nPropeller Island\nPropeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes.\nPrices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars.\nFor more information, visit the website: http://www.propeller-island.com\nFor information about other cool hotels in the world, visit the website:\nhttp://www.bahamabeachclub.com", "problems": [{"question": "What is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel?", "answer": "A", "options": ["You can sleep in tree houses.", "You can choose any of the towers.", "It is designed for big families.", "Every room has a walkway."]}, {"question": "For two persons spending a night in one of these hotels, they have to pay at least   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["$111", "$182", "$600", "$636"]}, {"question": "Which website should you visit if you want to find out whether there exists a hotel under the sea?", "answer": "D", "options": ["http://www.icehotel.com", "http://www.ariautowers.com", "http://www.propeller-island.com", "http://www.bahamabeachclub.com"]}, {"question": "Which hotel would invite artists to come to work every year?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Propeller Island City Lodge.", "Ariau Amazon Towers.", "The Ice Hotel.", "Bahama Beach Club."]}]}
{"article": "Welcome to Coteborg University\nCoteborg University is one of Sweden's largest and most popular universities.\nWe are very proud of this and believe that there are several reasons for our popularity. The principal reasons we believe to be the high quality of our education and research and the broad range of courses that we offer. In addition to this, Coteborg University provides an attractive and exceptionally high-standard study environment. Most parts of the university are situated in the city centre and this enriches city life as well as student life.\nCoteborg has a lot to offer its students: it has a rich and varied cultural life with many theatres, concerts and festivals. For those looking for outdoor life, forests and vast recreation areas are not far away from the city centre; the sea and the archipelago are also within easy reach. Industry and commerce are expanding, and have a joint interest with the University in meeting the ever-changing and growing demands of society.\nCoteborg University strives to be an attractive choice for students from all over the world.\nWe look forward to welcoming you to Coteborg University.", "problems": [{"question": "The main reasons for Coteborg University's popularity according to the passage is   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the high quality education and research and the wide range of courses", "the convenient traffic", "its excellent location and fast developing economical environment", "famous professors and friendly students"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The university is in the city centre.", "The students can live outdoor.", "The cultural life of the university is very rich.", "The University has no interest in growing demands of society."]}, {"question": "What's the main purpose of this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To bring fame to Coteborg University.", "To introduce the wonderful cultural life in Coteborg University.", "To declare Coteborg University's goal and interest.", "To attract students all over the world to apply for Coteborg University."]}]}
{"article": "Any high school students lucky enough to be accepted to Harvard University can easily count themselves among the country's best and brightest. \nThe story of David Boone's journey from sleeping on a park bench to one of Harvard's dorm rooms, certainly stands out from the crowd of his peers. \nDavid, a 17-year-old senior at a MC2 Stem, a high school in Cleveland, Ohio that focuses largely on engineering and science classes with the help of a grant   from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was offered a full-ride scholarship to Harvard in the fall. \nHis family life has been complicated for the past few years after gangs and economic hardships resulted in him being separated from his family and forced to look after himself on the streets and park benches in Cleveland. \nBecause both his grandmother and mother could not afford to house the teenagers, his siblings split up to stay with various family friends, but because of space issues and his allergies   to the families pets, David was unable to stay. He ended up in the safer neighborhood of Coventry where there was a safer park with fewer dangers. \n\"All of these life lessons have shaped me into who I am, transforming my dreams and aspirations and allowing me to free myself from what was becoming an unproductive environment,\" he wrote in his blog post.\nDavid's thirst for knowledge had never been reduced and his enthusiasm for engineering and science was growing. A short while later, Jeff McClellan, the principal of MC2 Stem was immediately impressed by David's dedication in the face of adversity, as well as his academic talent. \n\"Here's a kid who's doing everything in his power to get where he wants to go and we had the available resources to provide a little additional support, \"Mr McClellan told the local ABC News. \nAt MC2 Stem, David found the exact fit, where it seems he was born to absorb what they were offering. Principal Jeff McClellan found David to be a great student and all-around person, but with a serious living situation, so he stepped in to help. After a home discussion with his wife, McClellan decided to offer David a place to live until he could find another home. Mr McClellan and his wife took the teen in and helped him before he found a permanent solution. \n     When it came to his next step, David aimed high and applied for a list of top colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Yale, Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis. In the end, only MIT rejected his application and he was left to choose his own fate from the selective prestigious and mostly Ivy League schools. \nDavid's next challenge is to fight back tears at graduation this weekend. \"I promised myself I wouldn't cry. But I realize that's what everyone does before they cry. I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot of emotion there.\" he said.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, what is one of the reasons that made David homeless?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His parents' divorce.", "His parents' unemployment.", "His desire to be adventurous", "His facing acts of violence."]}, {"question": "Jeff McClellan was impressed by David's   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["honesty and sincerity", "positive attitude towards life", "courage when facing difficulties", "great academic achievement"]}, {"question": "How does David feel now when he thought of his life of being homeless?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Grateful.", "Painful.", "Shameful.", "Doubtful."]}, {"question": "What's probably the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Chances are there, making an effort to seize them", "Deal with adversity, being determined", "Best way to experience, choosing to be homeless", "From a park bench to a Harvard dormitory An incredible story"]}]}
{"article": "Winter is the time of year when people feel very blessed. This isn't because people feel thankful for the cold weather, nor because the important festivals---Christmas or Spring Festival---offer an excuse to celebrate. In fact, \"Bless you!\" is a common response if someone sneezes, a symptom of catching a cold or the flu.\nColds and the flu are the most common illnesses of autumn and winter as the weather gets colder. Viruses cause them. If you get one you will feel annoyed, but it is not usually serious. The flu is spread from person to person when we come into contact with a person with the virus. We get the virus on our hands and then we touch our noses and our mouths. We can pass on the flu before we realize we have it. You can infect  others one day before symptoms develop and for up to five days after becoming sick.\nGetting a flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the illness. Even if your body has built up antibodies for one kind of flu. The vaccine is only effective for one year and viruses are different from year to year, so it is necessary to get a flu vaccination every year. The best time to get the vaccination is October or November. Besides, there are other ways to reduce your chance of getting a flu. Wash your hands. Get enough rest. Eat garlic regularly. Don't let stress control you. Exercise regularly.", "problems": [{"question": "We say \"Bless you!\" when   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["we feel annoyed at someone.", "someone sneezes.", "someone catches a cold or the flu.", "we celebrate some important festivals."]}, {"question": "How many ways are mentioned in the passage to stop you from catching the flu?", "answer": "A", "options": ["6", "5", "7", "3"]}, {"question": "The passage is intended to tell us   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how to keep healthy .", "the causes of flu .", "the influence of flu .", "what to do about flu."]}, {"question": "We can infer the passage that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["People catch a cold or the flu only in autumn or winter.", "people getting a flu vaccination won't catch the illness for life.", "flu can cause symptoms such as sore throat and a runny nose.", "people with the virus of flu but having no symptoms can still infect others."]}]}
{"article": "If you go into the woods with your friends, stay with them. If you don't, you may get lost. If you do get lost, this is what you should do.\nSit down and stay where you are. Don't try to find your friends -- let them find you. You can help them to find you by staying in one place.\nThere is another way to help your friends or other people nearby to find you. Give them a signal by shouting or whistling three times. Stop. Then shout or whistle three times again. Any signal given three times is a call for help. You will be helped by others.\nKeep up the shouting or whistling, always three times together. When people hear you, they will know that you are not just making noise for fun. They will let you know they have heard your signal. They will give two shouts, two whistles or two gunshots. When a signal is given twice, it is an answer to a call for help.\nIf you don't think that you will get help before night comes, try to make a little house and cover up the holes with branches with lots of leaves and grass. What should you do if you get hungry or need to drink some water? You should have to leave your little branch house to look for a brook. Don't just walk away. Pick off small branches and drop them as you walk so that you can find your way back.\nThe most important thing to do when you are lost is -- stay in one place.", "problems": [{"question": "How do you let people believe that you are not just making noise for fun?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Stop now and then.", "Go on shouting or whistling.", "Shout over and over at the top of voice.", "Shout or whistle three times once a while."]}, {"question": "If nobody answers you after your signal, what should you do then?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Give two gunshots.", "Shout louder.", "Stop shouting.", "Make a house."]}, {"question": "If you feel thirsty when you are lost in the forest, what should you do?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Go and find a brook.", "Light a fire and make yourself some tea.", "Go to find a brook and leave marks behind you.", "Find something to hold the water."]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["What Do Three Shots And Two Shots Mean In A Forest", "How To Find Your Friends When You Are Lost In The Woods", "What To Do If You Get Lost In A Forest", "The Most Important Thing To Do Is To Stay In One Place"]}]}
{"article": "Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a fiery two car accident.\nThe accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on a rain-soaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames.\nBonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith,9,from the wreckage.\nThe girls' mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their baby sitter, Lisa Bow bin.\nBeckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had up on receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene.\nBozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires.\n\"I was nervous,\" Bozeman said.\" I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.\"\nEveryone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlife-threatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot.\nThe rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said.\nIn addition, Bozeman not to meet accident victim Anthony Rus so in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with\" Thank you,\" Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together.\n\"Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,\" Beckie Smith said,\" We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Kind.", "Modest.", "Excited.", "Smart."]}, {"question": "Who saved Megan Smith from the damaged car?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Clemmons.", "Anthony Russo.", "Bozeman.", "Bonge."]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Three persons were awarded for rescuing victims in a car accident.", "Three ordinary people were regarded as great heroes.", "Several victims were carried to safety from the burning cars.", "A car accident occurred on a rain-soaked State Highway 6."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from what Beckie Smith said that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she regarded the accident as a wonder", "she was frightened by the serious accident", "she thought highly of the rescuers", "she called on others to learn from the rescuers"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Luckily, no one received too serious injuries in the accident.", "All the victims received slight injuries in the accident.", "The rescuers were taken to the hospital to visit the victims.", "The injured will soon recover from their injuries."]}]}
{"article": "This girl is almost without shelter. She may not realize it, but she's more exposed to the world than she's ever likely to be again. And it isn't because she's a girl. It could be a boy. It could be you.\nBut why is she 'shelter less ? She s got a place to live in quite a pleasant place by the look of it and if shelter .\nDoesn't' t mean a house, then what does it mean? When we say someone \"lives a sheltered life\" , we don't only mean that their house is comfortable. We mean that they're protected from too many worries and troubles, that they live in a settled home, probably surrounded by friends and family, and that they don't have to cope with the difficulties the world is full of alone.\nCertainly no one would say that this girl was leading a sheltered life; she's leaving home to earn her living in a strange city and live by herself in a bed sitter. She may be just as well protected physically as a \"sheltered life\" person, but she's lost all the other shelters in her life--family, friends, the home she grew up in, school, the groups she belonged to. She s on her own now and unless she's very self-reliant , she's likely to feel unhappy and insecure at times.\nA young person setting out on her own like this is between the two main kinds of shelter most of us spend our lives in. One is our parents home where we grow up, and the other is the home we make ourselves and where we bring up our own children. For most people the time they spend between or outside these two shelters is only a small part of their lives.", "problems": [{"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that this girl   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["has nowhere to live", "will have problems because she's a girl", "is probably going to feel lonely", "wants to live in her home again"]}, {"question": "When we say someone \"lives a sheltered life\", we mean they   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["live in the country", "have a comfortable house", "don t have any worries", "have a secure home life and don t have to face problems alone"]}, {"question": "What would be best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Leaving Home", "Finding a House", "Living with the Family", "Making a Better Shelter"]}]}
{"article": "A 16-year-old South Dakota boy who became lost while hunting and spent 16 hours alone in the Black Hills National Forest says he was scared but still managed to make a survival plan.\nAustin DuVall, of Rapid City, became lost on Nov.3 while hunting with his father. He ran after a deer, and soon found himself alone. \"I ran after a deer, but I didn't get it,\" he said. \"Then I was really lost.\"\nHe had only his hunting rifle  and the clothes he was wearing. He had no food or water and had nothing that could help him find his way to safety. \"I knew that no one could hear me. I decided to just sleep and get up in the morning and find safety,\" he said.\nAustin climbed up on a rock and slept through the night. Then he awoke and relied on skills he learned in a hunter safety course. He followed a stream to an occupied cabin. The couple there called his parents and cooked him a breakfast. \" It's probably one meal I'll never forget for the rest of my life,\" he said.\nAfter DuVall's disappearance, a lot of emergency officials and more than 100 volunteers went searching for him. \"He wasn't sitting there waiting for someone to come and find him,\" said his father, Steve DuVall. \"We didn't find him; he found himself.\"\nMike Kintigh, regional supervisor for the Game, Fish & Parks Department, said one or two hunters will go missing each year, but rarely for more than 24 hours. \"We're a little bit unique in the Black Hills as it's hard to get lost for a very long time. That's because we've got so many roads here compared to the Rocky Mountains,\" Kintigh said. \"You can certainly spend a very uncomfortable night in the woods like Austin did.\"", "problems": [{"question": "After Austin realized he lost his way, he   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["was very nervous but excited", "cried aloud for help", "tried to find a safe place", "decided to sleep in the wild"]}, {"question": "Who saved Austin according to his father?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The couple in the cabin.", "Emergency officials.", "Volunteers.", "Himself."]}, {"question": "From what Mike Kintigh said, we learn that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["if someone gets lost in the Rocky Mountains, it is hard to find a way out", "too many people go missing in the Black Hills every year", "the rescue team is skillful enough to find the lost people in less than 24 hours", "people who are lost in the Black Hills have to spend a night in the woods"]}]}
{"article": "Dear Earthmen , \nI have enjoyed my stay on your interesting unusual planet. I think I understand the life on earth now and I would like to give you my impressions.\nFirst of all you live in boxes. Every morning you leave your big boxes and get into smaller boxes on wheels. All these small boxes race around and around, and finally stop to rest. You then leave these boxes on wheels and go to very large tall boxes.\nAfter testing all days you get back in your little boxes and return to your big boxes. There you sit and stare at tiny glowing boxes with moving pictures on the front.\nOnly one thing puzzles me. One day I went to a football game. A bunch of angry boys fought over a little round ball. Everyone yelled for them to stop but they kept on fighting. They were angry, I suppose, about being cooped up  in boxes all day.\nThank you earthmen for this chance to get to know you.\n Gratefully,\nThe man from the Mars", "problems": [{"question": "The small boxes on wheels are  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["toys", "ears", "houses that can be moved", "boxes in which there are wheels"]}, {"question": "The tiny glowing boxes with moving pictures on the front are  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["cameras", "cinema screens", "TV sets", "telescopes"]}, {"question": "In the football game  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the players were very angry because there was only one ball on the playground", "the man from the Mars thought the players were fighting", "the man from the Mars saw a fighting among the angry boys", "the players were very angry because everyone yelled at them"]}, {"question": "The best title of this passage is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["The Man from the Mars", "Something about Boxes", "A Letter from the Mars", "A Football Game"]}, {"question": "The man from the Mars thinks  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it interesting to experience a lot on our unusual planet", "there are so many boxes on the earth", "the tiny glowing boxes are moving pictures", "the angry boys are too foolish to fight over a little round ball"]}]}
{"article": "In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an intemational festival of music,dance and theatre in Edinburgh. The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War.\nAt the same time, the \"Fringe\" appeared as a challenge to the official festival.Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947,in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform,and they did so in a public house disused for years.\nSoon,groups of studentsfirstly from Edinburgh University, and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge,Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by little-known writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh.\nToday the \"Fringe\",once less recognized, has far outgrown the festival with around 1,500 performances of theatre,music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts. And yet as early as 1959,with only 19 theatre groups performing,some said it was getting too big.\nA paid administrator was first employed only in 1971, and today there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself. In 2004 there were 200 places housing 1,695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50 different countries. More than 1,25 million tickets were sold.", "problems": [{"question": "Point was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at he beginning?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To bring Europe together again.", "To honor heroes of World War 11.", "To introduce young theatre groups.", "To attract great artists from Europe."]}, {"question": "Why did some uninvited theatre groups come to  Edinburgh in 1947?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They owned a public house there.", "They came to take up a challenge.", "They thought they were also famous.", "They wanted to take part in the festival."]}, {"question": "Who joined the \"Fringe\" after it appeared?", "answer": "B", "options": ["they owned a public house there", "University students.", "rusts from around the world.", "Performers of music and dance."]}, {"question": "We may learn from the text that Edinburgh Festival.", "answer": "D", "options": ["has become a non-official event", "has gone beyond an art festival", "gives shows all year round", "keeps growing rapidly"]}]}
{"article": "Growing up in Philadelphia, Lieberman started cooking with his stay-at-home dad when he was seven. His food-loving family had two kitchens, and he quickly learned what was the best way to bake his cakes. Lieberman improved his kitchen skills during a year abroad beforo college, learning from a cook in Italy and study local specialties in Gerrnany, Spain and France. At Yale,he was known for throwing dinner parties, single-handedly frying and baking while mixing drinks for dozens offriends. Just for fun, he and some friends decided to tape a show named Campus Cuisine about his cooking. Lieberman  was a real  college student showing his classmate how to do things like making drinks out of dining-hall fruit. That helped the show become very popular among the students. They would stop Lieberman after classes to ask for his advice on cooking. Tapes of the show were passed around,with which his name went beyond the school and finally to the Food Network.\nFood Network producer Flay hopes the young cook will find a place on the\nnetwork television. He says Lieberman's charisma is key.\"Food T-V isn't about\nfood anymore.\" says Flay, \" It's about your personality and finding a way to keep\npeople's eyeballs on your show.\"\nBut Lieberman isn't putting all his eggs in one basket. After taping the first season of the new show, Lieberman was back in his own small kitchen preparing\nsandwiches. An airline company was looking for someone to come up with a tasteful,\ninexpensive and easy-to-make menu to serve on its flight. Lieberman got the job.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the text that Lieberman's family  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["have relatives in Europe", "love cooking at home", "often hold parties", "own a restaurant"]}, {"question": "The Food Network got to know Lieberman  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["at one of his parties", "from his teacher", "through his taped show", "on a television program"]}, {"question": "What does the word\"charisma\" underline in the text refer to ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A natural ability to attract others.", "A way to show one's achievement.", "Lieberman's after-class interest", "Lieberman's fine cooking skill"]}, {"question": "Why did the airline company give Lieberman the job?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He could prepare meals in a small kitchen.", "He was famous for his shows on Food TV.", "He was good at using eggs to make sandwiches.", "He could cook cheap, delicious and simple meals."]}, {"question": "What can we learn about Lieberman from the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He is clever but lonely.", "He is friendly and active.", "He enioys traveling around.", "He often changes his menus."]}]}
{"article": "As the train approached the seaside town where I was going to spend my holiday, I went into the corridor  to stretch  my legs.I stayed there for a short while,breathing in the fresh air and exchanging a few words with one of the passengers,whom I had met earlier on the station platform.\n   When I turned to go back to my seat,I happened to glance into the compartment next to mine.Sitting there was a man who many years before had been my neighbor.He was a great talker, I remembered;it used to take hours to get away from him once he began talking.I was not at all sorry when he went to live in another part of London.We had not met since then,nor did I wish to meet him now, when my holiday was about to begin.\n    Luckily at that moment he was much too busy talking to the man opposite him to have the chance to notice me.I slipped back into my compartment,took down my two suitcases and carried them to the far end of the corridor so as to be ready to get off the train as soon as it stopped.The moment the train came to a stop,I called a porter, who  _ carried my luggage out of the station and found a taxi for me.As I drove towards the small hotel on the other end of the town,I breathed a deep relief and felt happy that there was little chance that I should run into my boring ex-neighbor again.\n    When I reached the hotel, I went straight to my room and rested there until it was time for dinner.Then I went to the lounge  and ordered a drink.I had hardly raised the glass to my lips when a too familiar voice greeted me.I had not escaped from my tiresome neighbor after all !", "problems": [{"question": "The writer went into the corridor because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he wanted to take a rest", "he wanted to meet his friend", "he wanted to get off the train", "he wanted to have a walk"]}, {"question": "Whom did the writer see in the compartment next to his?", "answer": "A", "options": ["One of his former neighbors.", "One of his old friends.", "One of his  s.", "One whom he wanted to see."]}, {"question": "\"in no time\" means_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["having no time", "very quickly", "in the near future", "sooner or later"]}, {"question": "This story is about a man who_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["got off the train to avoid meeting an ex-neighbor.", "went with an ex-neighbor to spend holiday at the seaside*", "tried to get away from an ex-neighbor but did not succeed*", "was surprised to meet his ex--neighbor in a small hotel*"]}]}
{"article": "It is well known that Einstein was the father of the famous Theory of Relativity. But do you know it owes a great deal to Marits, Einstein's former wife?\nIn 1896, 17-year-old Einstein went to Zurich to study physics. There he met a girl from Hungary. They studied in the same class. The same interest brought the two together and the young man fell in love with Marits. In 1903, when Einstein was 24 years old, he married Marits, who was 4 years older than he.\nAfter their marriage, Einstein devoted himself to the research of the great theory. To give her husband more help, Marits gave up her own work, and became a good wife and assistant. She tried her best to encourage him whenever possible and she was sure that her husband would succeed. They often discussed the theory while walking outside or sitting together in the room. They even discussed it in their letters when one of them was away from home.\nIn 1914, the Einstein moved to Berlin and settled there. At that time, Einstein's theory proved to be correct and he had become famous all over the world. Marits was very proud of him and his success. But it was not long before the First World War broke out. Marits as well as her two sons, who were all on holidays in Switzerland, couldn't come back to Berlin. The war not only stopped Einstein's work but broke up the warm, happy family. In 1919, Einstein and Marits had to get divorced.\nEinstein himself, however, later said that Marits was really an outstanding woman.", "problems": [{"question": "Einstein fell in love with Marits mainly because they   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["were in the same school", "wanted to do research together", "had the same interest", "came from different countries"]}, {"question": "By the year of 1914, Einstein had   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["become famous all over the world", "been proud of his success", "suffered from the 1st World War", "lost touch with Marits"]}, {"question": "Einstein and Marits got divorced because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they no longer loved each other", "the 1st World War broke out", "Marits went away with the children", "Einstein had become famous"]}]}
{"article": "Golf in the USA was until quite recently the hobby of old,middle class white men.Not any more.The fact that the class,age and race barriers that existed in the sport have finally been  broken down is due almost entirely to two people.Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie.\nTiger Woods was born in California in 1975 and is one of the greatest golfers of all time.His ethnic background is marvelously rich and varied.His father Earl was of mixed of black,Chinese and Native American ancestry and his mother Kultida,who was originally from Thailand,also had Chinese and Dutch forefathers.\nWoods became a professional golfer in 1996 and,less than a year later,astonished the world easily winning the prestigious Masters Colf Tournament,an annual event which takes place at the Augusta Golf Club in Georgia,USA.At 21,he was the youngest golfer ever to win the tournament,but much more important,he was also the first Asian American to do it.\nWoods'amazing achievement is put into perspective when you realize that until 1990,no non-white American had ever been allowed to join Augusta Golf Club.Even in 2000,it only had two black members.In fact,in 1977,Clifford Roberts,the chairman of the club and founder of the Masters Tournament,proclaimed:\"As long as 1 am alive,golfers will be white and caddies\n will be black.\"Roberts died not long after making this racist remark...\nFortunately,his views were not shared by his successors and the dramatic appearance of Tiger Woods on the Golf scene radically changed attitudes to the sport and prompted a major surge of interest in the game among ethnic minorities end young people in the USA.\nMichelle Wie,a Korean American born in 1989 whose mother was an amateur golf champion in Korea,will probably became the greatest woman golfer of all time.She's 1.85 meters tall and she can play a golf ball further than most men.Like Woods,she has transformed the world of golf,and wants to do so in even more dramatic ways.She has expressed her determination to play on the men's tournament circuit,not just the women's,and has already appeared in several professional men's tournaments.\nThanks to Woods and Wie,golf in America will never be the same again.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the text about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tiger Woods'life in playing golf.", "The achievements of two golf players from ethnic minorities.", "Michelle Wie's determination.", "Playing golf in USA was once the hobby of old,middle class while men."]}, {"question": "Less than a year after turning professional.Tiger Woods", "answer": "A", "options": ["easily won a major golf tournament.", "nearly won a major golf tournament.", "joined the Augusta Golf Club.", "won a completely new golf tournament."]}, {"question": "Which of the following sentences is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tiger Woods was of mixed black,Chinese,and Native America.", "Tiger Woods was not the first Asian American to win the Tournament.", "Tiger Woods'achievement was amazing because he was the youngest golfer.", "Tiger Woods'dramatic appearance on the golf scene had the attitude to this sport in USA changed."]}, {"question": "Michelle Wie's ambition is to_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["play like Woods.", "play in a dramatic way", "compete on equal terms with male golfers.", "hit the golf ball further than most men."]}]}
{"article": "There is no doubt about it.The best way to learn new words is to do it unconsciously.I don't mean while you're unconscious.I mean while you are unconscious of the fact that it is sinking in.\nThat is how I learnt the 30,000 words in my vocabulary by living in an English-speaking world, mother tongue.I just pick them up.But some of _ may be misunderstood.Now, to misunderstand does not mean not to understand.To misunderstand is to understand but incorrectly.\nThe 5 % mislearnt of all the words we \"know\" will be the least frequently used words, as the more frequently used words are less likely to be mislearnt.Some of the misunderstandings may live with all our lives, without knowing that we got them wrong.\nMany English teachers think that this natural method of learning words in one's own mother tongue can be used for a second language learning.They teach their students how to play the Guessing Game.\"There is no time to look up in your dictionaries all the new words you come across,\" they will say.\"You have to practise guessing what the word means from the context.\"\nThis method of guessing in a second language learning does not work.It may succeed in many cases, but results in hundreds or thousands of wrongly-guessed meanings of words.\nAnd what's more, there are more separate meanings than there are words themselves.Our learners' dictionaries usually have many meanings.A good dictionary is what makes self-learning possible.\nDon't guess! Look it up!", "problems": [{"question": "It is certain that the best way to learn new words is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to learn them by oneself", "to learn by living in an English-speaking world and using them frequently", "to guess them from the context", "to get more separate meanings of each word"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is most likely NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Some of the words the writer knows must have been misunderstood.", "Most of the 30,000 words the writer learned are frequently used ones.", "How many words the writer got wrong are not known.", "All the words the writer knows were learned by reading them."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["when somebody is conscious, he or she usually can't learn new words by heart", "we must use the words as often as possible in order to master them", "it's the best way to learn new words that one should only guess their meanings from the context", "only dictionaries can help us learn language well"]}]}
{"article": "If you had a strange sound in your ear, what would you do? One man in Wales who thought he had a fly in his ear called 999, the emergency services number in Britain. And so did a woman who was worried about her green potatoes. Could she make chips with them? Were they poisonous? She didn't hesitate about calling the local ambulance service to ask. According to a recent report, more than 31,000 non-urgent calls were made to the Welsh Ambulance Service in the last year.\nInappropriate calls are a headache for health professionals everywhere. In the US, prank calls to 911 happen on a daily basis. Many callers use apps which hide their identity. But those who try to be funny shouldn't be surprised if the police _ . One man from Colorado was arrested for making more than 1,200 prank calls, according to a report on the US television station KOAA--TV.\nPeople who take these calls are trained to stay calm and keep a straight face, no matter how strange the call sounds. \"There's no way for us to know whether the call is real, accidental or a prank call,\" said a public safety worker interviewed by the American TV channel.\nThe Head of Clinical Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, Richard Lee, has a warning for prank callers. He says:\" When people misuse the service it means our precious time is being taken away from someone who really does need our help.\" Indeed, these hotlines are supposed to help the seriously ill or those with a life-threatening injury. You never know, one day, the person who needs assistance could be you or someone in your family.", "problems": [{"question": "How does the author introduce the topic of the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By giving examples.", "By telling a story.", "By listing figures.", "By making a comparison."]}, {"question": "According to the text, prank calls are usually  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["meant to be helpful", "dealt with in time", "thought highly of", "made to play tricks"]}, {"question": "What does the author intend to suggest in the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Prank calls are usually easy to identify.", "Operators feel annoyed by strange callers.", "Prank calls may cause serious results.", "Prank callers should be punished by law."]}]}
{"article": "Directions: Read the following passage. The passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A,B,C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.\n \nIt may be open to discussion which city is the most beautiful in the world. But in terms of \" the most livable\", Melbourne has ranked top in a survey done by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in August. In fact, four cities Down Under are among the top ten most livable cities.\nThe climate in Australia is warm and mild, particularly in major coastal cities. As a result, people spend much time outdoors. They go to the beach, to the countryside, or play sports outdoors in fields. \nTake Melbourne for example. The city features many open green spaces and beautiful long beaches. Melburnians \n(people from Melbourne) have a strong love for sports. The city hosts the annual Australia Open, \nthe Formula One Grand Prix, cricket, rugby and homegrown football. It is also home to museums, art exhibitions and drama festivals.\nThe comfortable environment has encouraged many people to migrate  to the country and Australia is known for being very multicultural or its cultural diversity .\n\"We have tried to introduce a sense of belonging in Australia,\" said Chris Bowen, the Australian Minister for Immigration . \"Multiculturalism is about inviting every individual member of society to be everything they can be ... to develop as individuals.\"\nThis could be the reason behind another Australia quality that Guardian reporter Stephen Brook has noticed: Australians do patriotism  much better than the Brits.\n\"I once witnessed two Australian viewers at a tennis tournament show more support for the Aussie player than the rest of the British arena,\" he wrote.\nIt is also an Australian tradition to stand up for the  _ . In the 2000 Olympic Games, the Sydney public watches an African swimmer who was barely able to swim 50 meters. Even though most people in the stands knew that even they could have swum better than him at that point, they cheered his every stroke  as if he were on his way to a good medal. During the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the level of support they showed for the Japanese team surprised viewers since Japan had little hope of winning. \n\"Australians don't need to be victorious in order to feel like a worthy person. When they cheer for the underdog, seeing other human beings having the courage to take on hardship, they get the emotional satisfaction they need,\" wrote a blogger on convictcreations.com, a website dedicated to Australian culture.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the article mainly about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Multiculturalism in Australia.", "Qualities that make Australia stand out as \"the most livable\" place in the world.", "The comfortable environment and lifestyle in Australia.", "The world's most livable city, Melbourne."]}, {"question": "What can be concluded from the article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Melbourne is the most culturally diverse city in the world.", "The majority of Australians are fascinated with sports and art.", "The Australian government tries to make immigrants feel at home.", "Australians are considered to be the most patriotic in the world."]}, {"question": "With the example of the African swimmer, the author intends to show that Australians   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["are very good at swimming", "understand the feelings of the underdog", "are courageous in face of hardship", "understand that having fun and playing a game does not have to mean winning"]}, {"question": "Which will be the best title for this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Australia --- famous for its cultural diversity", "Australia --- home to sports", "Australia --- the most livable place in the world", "Australia --- fantastic natural environment"]}]}
{"article": "China has recently been faced with serious issues of product safety. In Panama, it is said that medicine made with a poisonous chemical sickened some people. A Chinese company had identified it as diethylamide glycol ( []), a low - cost substitute commonly used in automobile antifreeze .\nSome countries have banned Chinese-made toothpaste containing diethylamide glycol. China has now told companies to discontinue its use, even though it says the toothpaste is safe. Another industrial chemical, melamine, was found in wheat flour used to make pet food in North America. Thousands of dogs and cats became sick.\nThe United States has restricted some imports of Chinese seafood because they contained banned substance. And questions have been raised about other products, including children's toys covered with lead paint.\nChinese officials promised to provide the European Union, the biggest trading partner, with detailed reports on enforcement efforts against unsafe goods.\nMeglena Kuneva, commissioner   for consumer protection of the European Union said China should have kept its promise.\nChina recently closed three companies linked to the Panama and the pet food scare. And _ dismissed the former head of its food and drug administration. He was found guilty of corruption   for approving unsafe drugs. This week, a conference of the State Council approved a proposed special measure on the supervision of food safety. The Xinhua News Agency said it calls for stronger controls over producers, greater responsibilities for government and more serious punishment for illegal activities.\nBut Chinese officials have accused some foreign media of overstating problems with goods made in China. They say food imports from the United States also fail inspection sometimes. Next Week, American and Chinese food safety officials are planning to hold 5 days of meetings in Beijing to discuss cooperation.", "problems": [{"question": "How many cases with safety problems are mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Six", "Five", "Four", "Three"]}, {"question": "We can infer the followings except that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Chinese- made toothpaste is safe", "the safety of \"made in China\" is doubted", "there are safety problems with more Chinese products", "the Chinese government is to blame partly for the product safety problems."]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["China is facing product safety problems", "more controls are taken of Chinese goods", "overstated problems with Chinese goods", "China is losing its trade partners"]}]}
{"article": "A gentleman put an advertisement in a newspaper for a boy to work in his office. Out of the nearly fifty men who come to apply, the man selected one and dismissed the others.\n\"I should like to know,\" said a friend, \"the reason you preferred that boy, who brought not a single letter--not a recommendation  ,\"\n\"You are wrong\" said the gentleman. He had a great man. He wiped his feet at the door and closed the door after him, indicating that he was careful. He gave his seat immediately to that old man, showing that he was kind and thoughtful. He took off his cap when he came in and answered my questions, showing that he was polite and gentlemanly.\n\" All the rest stepped over the book which I had purposely put on the floor.\" He picked it up and placed it on the table; and he waited quietly for his turn instead of pushing and crowding.\nWhen I asked to him, I noticed his tidy clothing, his neatly brushed hair, and his clean fingernails. \" Can't you see that these things are excellent recommendations? I consider them more significant than letters.\"", "problems": [{"question": "A gentleman put an advertisement in a newspaper  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["in order to hire an office boy", "so as to dismiss the others", "in order to select one among the fifty applicants", "so as to select one and dismiss the others"]}, {"question": "_   was the very person the gentleman preferred.", "answer": "D", "options": ["He who has a great many letters", "He who had no letters", "He who wiped his feet before entering the room", "he who was careful, kind , polite and thoughtful"]}, {"question": "The gentleman dismissed the other boys because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they didn't pick up the book lying on the floor", "they pushed and crowded", "they were impolite", "all the above"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we know that the gentleman hired the boy  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["not by his letters but by his good manners", "by the relationship between them", "by the feelings", "by his letters"]}]}
{"article": "School education is very important and useful. Yet no one can learn everything from school. A teacher, no matter how much he knows, he can not teach his students everything they want to know. The teacher's job is to show his students how to learn. He teaches them how to read and how to think. So much more is to be learned outside school by the students themselves.\nIt is always more important to know how to study by oneself than to learn some facts or a formula by heart. It is actually quite easy to learn a certain fact in history or a formula  in mathematics. But it is very difficult to use a formula in working out a maths problem. Great scientist, such as Einstein, Newton and Galileo, didn't get everything from school. But they were all so successful and invented so many things for men. They worked hard all their lives, wasting not a single moment. They would ask many questions as they read and they did thousands of experiments.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, a good teacher should be one who is to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["help his students to gain a good memory.", "train his students' ability to learn", "teach his students everything he knows", "have his students studying long hours"]}, {"question": "If a student want to learn better, the most important thing for him to do is  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to learn all the useful facts and formula by heart", "to do everything as his teacher have said in class", "to absorb   as much knowledge from his teacher as possible", "to think more while he is studying"]}, {"question": "The main reason for the success of the great scientists is that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the teachers who had taught them were all experienced.", "they used to work and study without a moment's rest.", "they had received more schooling than other people", "they know how to study and worked hard"]}, {"question": "What's the good advice the writer gives us?", "answer": "B", "options": ["We can learn better without teachers", "We should do more asking and thinking while studying", "We should pay enough attention to classroom", "Book knowledge is little use"]}]}
{"article": "There are a growing number of pet owners who feed their pets on raw, which means, \"uncooked\" meat and bones.  William Burk, a pet food specialist from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), believes that feeding raw meat to pets is against its goal of protecting the public from health dangers, and that raw meat and bones do not have all the required nutrition that a pet needs every day.\nRecognizing how popular these foods are, the FDA has provided guidelines for producers of pet foods which contain uncooked meat for dogs, cats and other pets. The guidelines give rules to protect pet owners and pets from dangers about food safety and lack of nutrition.\nPet owners who feed raw meat and bones to their pets should deal with these products very carefully to protect themselves against possible dangers, says Burk.  Just as when you are preparing foods for human beings, use hot water and soap to wash your hands, containers, and surfaces that come into contact with the food. Don't put your hands near your mouth until you have washed them, and don't allow your pet to touch your face right after it has eaten raw meat.\n\"If pet owners choose to feed bones to their pets, they should watch their pets carefully when they are eating bones,\" Burk says. \"If a pet eats a big piece of bone that won't pass through its digestive system , it is likely to kill the pet.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The FDA has provided guidelines for producers of pet foods with raw meat because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["pet safety is a serious problem", "most pets are lack of nutrition", "feeding pets on raw is popular", "the quality of pet foods is dropping"]}, {"question": "Those who feed pets on raw should do some necessary cleaning when   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["preparing raw meat for pets", "touching the food containers", "taking their pets out for a walk", "preparing foods for human beings"]}]}
{"article": "There are a number of different ways to study a language, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. You may find a combination of these is a best choice for you.\nIf you can find a course in the language you want to learn in your country, this is quite a good way to study. A variety of courses are usually available, including part-time and full-time courses. If you look around, you can probably find a course that suits your needs.\nThe main advantage of such courses is that you'll have a teacher to provide you with instructions, support and with whom to practice your language. You will also be studying with others who are at more or less the same level and you can exchange ideas with them and help one another.\nOne choice is to study a language in a country where it's spoken. There are many schools teaching English, French, Spanish, Italian and German, but far fewer teaching other languages. The main advantage of studying abroad is that you are totally in the language, not just in class, but the rest of the time as well. As a result, you can make rapid progress.\nThe main disadvantage of studying abroad is the cost, not just of your course, but also of your food and travel. However, if you're a native speaker of English, you could get a job teaching English in a country where the language you want to learn is spoken.\nStudying online is also a good choice. There are plenty to choose from a lot of languages. Many are free but there are some you have to pay for. Some of the paid ones provide support from teachers via email, chat programs, video conferencing, telephone or even face to face.", "problems": [{"question": "Studying in your country has many advantages except that    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["there are many courses to choose from", "you can study with others of the same level", "all the courses are free of charge", "the teacher can offer you instructions and practice"]}, {"question": "Compared with two other ways, the obvious disadvantage of studying abroad lies in its    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["various courses", "high cost", "studying time", "job chances"]}, {"question": "The online courses    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["are all free of charge", "can't be found everywhere", "can be easily taken on the Internet", "are all supported by teachers"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from this passage?    _", "answer": "C", "options": ["Studying abroad is the only good way to study English.", "All the online courses are very easy to study.", "If you study a language in your own country, you can study with more partners of the same level.", "You can get any job you like after studying abroad."]}]}
{"article": "Boys' schools are the perfect place to teach young men to express their emotions and involve them in activities such as art, dance and music.\nFar from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity ,the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to be consistent to a stereotype ,a US study says.\nBoys at single-sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their abilities to express their emotions,rather than feeling they had to obey to the\"boy code\"of hiding their emotions to be a\"real man\".\nThe findings of the study are against the received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls.\nTony Little,headmaster of Eton,warned that boys were being ignored by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls.He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls.\nThe research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills.\nBut in single-sex schools teachers can adjust lessons to boys'learning style,letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom,wrote the study's author, Abigail James of the University of Virginia.\nTeachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with \"boy-focused\" approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them.Because boys generally have sharper vision,learn best through touch, and are physically more active,they need to be given\"hands-on\"lessons where they are allowed to walk around.\"Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine and prefer the modem type in which violence and sexism are major themes,\"James wrote.\nSingle-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to give in to a stereotype that men should be\"masterful and in charge\"in relationships.\"In mixed schools boys feel pressed to act like men before they understand themselves well enough to know what that means,\"the study reported.", "problems": [{"question": "The author believes that a single-sex school would  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["force boys to hide their emotions to be\"real men\"", "help to form masculine aggressiveness in boys", "encourage boys to express their emotions more freely", "naturally place emphasis on the traditional image of a man to boys"]}, {"question": "It is commonly believed that in a mixed school boys  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["perform  ly better", "grow up more healthily", "behave more responsibly", "receive a better education"]}, {"question": "What does Tony Little say about the British education system?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It fails more boys than girls academically.", "It focuses more on mixed school education.", "It fails to give boys the attention they need.", "It places more pressure on boys than on girls."]}, {"question": "According to Abigail James,one of the advantages of single-sex schools is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["teaching can be adapted to suit the characteristics of boys", "boys can focus on their lessons without being absent-minded", "boys can choose to learn whatever they are interested in", "teaching can be designed to promote boys'team spirit"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the characteristic of boys according to Abigail James'report?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They enjoy being in charge.", "They act the same to stereotypes.", "They have sharper vision.", "They are violent and sexist."]}]}
{"article": "Chances are that you've had to apologize plenty of times in your life. And there's a goodchance that you've also expressed the phrase, \"I never meant to hurt you.\"\nStop doing that, says author Caroline Myss.\nIn a talk Myss - a spiritual researcher - took on the topic of forgiveness and healing, and explained in no uncertain terms why \"I never meant to hurt you\" is never a sufficient apology, no matter who it comes from.\n\"Picture that person coming up to you and saying, 'Wow, l'm sorry I did this, but, you know ,l never meant to hurt you. And, hey, can we just call it a day?\"' Myss says.\nThough it can make the two bur\\ the hatchet and keep friendship, that type of apology won't sit well with the person on the receiving end. \"That whole little thing -  'I never meant to hurt you' - that's the thing you can't forgive,\" she says. \"It goes right to your soul, that toxic  (, )  , sick feeling.\"\nInstead, Myss says it's important to approach the conversation differently. Basically, it's about offering more than an apology. It's about sharing a soul-to-soul confession    . \"Let's redo the scene,\" Myss says. \"The person comes up to you and says... 'I need to tell you something. Iconsciously knew what I was doing. I know I went against you. This is not an apology. 1 amconfessing my soul to you, and l'm asking now for your forgiveness.\"'\nEven saying those words on stages makes Myss visibly emotional, and she points out that this is how deeply apologies within the soul are supposed to resonate     .\n\"That's what heals,\" she says.", "problems": [{"question": "How should we apologize according to Myss?", "answer": "A", "options": ["We should confess our faults and ask for forgiveness.", "We should say sincerely \"I never meant to hurt you\".", "We can go into a deep conversation to argue with our friend.", "We are supposed to make up with the other by giving some gifts to him."]}, {"question": "What is the author's purpose of writing the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To encourage people to apologize first.", "To tell people how to apologize sincerely.", "To introduce the topic of forgiveness and healing.", "To explain why people can't say \"I never meant to hurt you\"."]}]}
{"article": "Oliver Radtke believes Chinglish mistranslations may be fun, but are not to be made fun of. \"My message on Chinglish is: It should be conserved  . It shouldn't be treated as a cheap joke for foreign tourists to laugh at but as a cultural treasure,\" said the 32-year-old multimedia designer, who frequently visited China for almost a decade before moving to Beijing in 2007.\n\"I'm trying to challenge the idea that there is only one type of standard English -- the English that's spoken in America or in the British Isles -- which is shortsighted, because Chinglish is already being used by millions of people to communicate with one another.\"\nSo, since 2005, he has collected more than 5,000 examples of \"the wonderful results of an English dictionary meeting Chinese grammar\" on his website www.chinglish.de and has published two books on the subject.\n\"The two books are unique in that they talk about the academic value of Chinglish, the creative combination of English and Chinese, and why we should keep it,\" Radtke said.\nPatricia Schetelig, who works for the German Embassy in Beijing and regularly contributes to www.chinglish.de, said she appreciates Radtke's approach to Chinglish.\n\"What's important to me is that he's not making fun of the way things are translated,\" said she. \"There are other websites doing similar things, but they're making fun of Chinglish or saying it shouldn't be done this way.\"\nPart of his mission, Radtke said, is to conserve rapidly disappearing Chinglish examples.\nHe was disappointed while watching the government replace Chinglish signs with standard English ones in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. \"That was a sad day for me and a sad day for Chinglish,\" Radtke said.\nBut American David Tool, who has been closely involved in cleaning up Chinglish in Beijing since 2001, disagreed.\n\"Chinglish takes away from the aesthetic  , educational and cultural value we want these signs to provide,\" said Tool, \"We get distracted when we're trying to explain something. It's not dealing with the issues with respect.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements does Radtke agree with?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Chinglish will gradually disappear as years go by.", "Chinglish is invented to amuse foreign tourists.", "Chinglish will be treated as a cultural treasure.", "Chinglish is actually a variety of English."]}, {"question": "The two books are unique because it involves the following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the academic value of Chinglish", "the creativity of the Chinese people", "the meaning of keeping Chinglish", "the creative combination of English and Chinese"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that David Tool and Radtke   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["disagree on Chinglish signs", "have both lived in China for nine years", "once argued face to face about Chinglish", "both have much knowledge of Chinese culture"]}]}
{"article": "We produce 500 billion of plastic bags in a year worldwide and they are thrown away polluting oceans,  killing wildlife and getting dumped in landfills where they take up to 1000 years to decompose. Researchers have been unsuccessfully looking for a solution.\nThe 16-year old Canadian high school student, Daniel Burd, from Waterloo Collegiate Institute,\nhas discovered a way to make plastic bags degrade  in as few as 3 months, a finding that won him first prize at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, a $10 000 prize, a $20 000 scholarship, and a chance to revolutionize a major environmental issue.\nBurd's strategy was simple: Since plastic does eventually degrade, it must be eaten by microorganisms  . If those microorganisms could be identified, we could put them to work eating the plastic much faster than under normal conditions.\nWith this goal in mind, he ground plastic bags into a powder and concocted  a solution of household chemicals, yeast  and tap water to encourage microbes growth. Then he added the plastic powder and let the microbes work their magic for 3 months. Finally, he tested the resulting bacterial culture on plastic bags, exposing one plastic sample to dead bacteria as a control. Sure enough, the plastic exposed to the live bacteria was 17% lighter than the control after six weeks.\nThe inputs are cheap: maintaining the required temperature takes little energy because microbes produce heat as they work, and the only outputs are water and tiny levels of carbon dioxide.\n\"Almost every week I have to do chores and when I open the closet door, I have piles of plastic bags falling on top of me. One day, I got tired of it and I wanted to know what other people are doing with these plastic bags. The answer: not much. So I decided to do something myself.\" said Daniel Burd.", "problems": [{"question": "Daniel Burd won first prize at the Canada-Wide Science Fair because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he found a new kind of microorganism", "he contributed much to environmental protection", "he found a way to degrade plastics in shorter time", "he could encourage microbes growth in an easier way"]}, {"question": "Daniel Burd exposed one plastic sample to dead bacteria to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["make the live bacteria work better", "test how effective his method was", "know which bacteria worked faster", "control the temperature in the process"]}, {"question": "Maintaining the required temperature takes little energy because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["plastics can get hot easily", "microbes can produce heat themselves", "much carbon dioxide is produced", "the temperature can be controlled"]}, {"question": "Daniel Burd got his idea from   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["his school textbook", "the failure of researchers", "his everyday work", "the practice of other people"]}]}
{"article": "Reading can be a social activity. Think of the people who belong to book groups. They choose books to read and then meet m discuss them. Now, the website BookCrossing.com rums the page on the traditional idea of a book group.\n    Members go on the site and register books they own that they would like.sham.\nBookCrossing provides an identifying numb\" .stick inside the book. Then the person\n'releases' the book by leaving it in a public place. The hope is that the book will have an adventure, traveling far and wide with each new reader who finds it.\n    Bruce Pederson is the chief executive of BookCrossing. He and his wife\nHearer started the site with Ron Hombaker in 2001. Mr. Pederson says, \"One of the founding\nprinciples was the two things that change your life: tha people you meet and the books you mad. BookCrossing combines both.\"\n    Members leave books on park beaches and buses, in train stations and coffee shops\nBookCmssem hope that whoever finds their book will go m the site and record where they\nfound it. People who find a book can also leave some renurks describing what they thought of it. E-mails are then sent to the BookCrossers to keep them updated. Pederson says the idea is for people not to be selfish by keeping.book to gather dust on a shelf at home.He says.\"BookCrossing is a tool that allows you to uniquely identify your book and follow it on its journey. We all have this life-changing literature that we tend to keep on our shelf and BookCrossing encourages its members to read and release and out be 'shelf-ish'.\n    The read and release idea of BookL1essing has spread.The site now has more than one\nmillion members in more than 135 cwrntries.", "problems": [{"question": "What should a member do first before releasing a book?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Register the back online.", "Leave the book in a coffee shop.", "Stick an identifying number on it.", "Remind~m read it."]}, {"question": "The passage is mast probably written to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["attract more people to join BookCrossing", "encourage readers m surf the insurer", "introduce a new style of reading and sharing", "describe how BookCrossing was set up"]}, {"question": "Which of the followings is the east probable place where a member leaves a book?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A bookshelf.", "A Mend's home", "A bas.", "A school bag."]}, {"question": "People who find a book from BookCrossing are expected to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["send entails to the owner of the book", "make some comments on the book", "keep the book for himself after reading", "leave another book where the book was found"]}]}
{"article": "College is a fresh start, and a chance to make new friends. These friends may become your lifelong friends, or the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Whether you are going to a nearby college or the university far away from home, you are likely to meet new people wherever you are. Here are some advice to help you make friends at college.\nClearly, your classmates are all possible friends! Get to class early on the first day, and if you get there early enough, you will be in the room, or waiting outside it, with one other person, or a small group. A good casual opener would be to ask if you're in the right classroom, then introduce yourself, and explain that you're new, and a _ . Do this at all of your classes, and you will have a group of friends that you can make study groups with, take notes for you when you're absent or sick.\nIf you live in a dormitory, your hall will most likely have many fun activities to take part in. Take advantage ofthem, and go to as many as you can. Knowing your friends living in the same hall will also come in convenience because they will be the ones hosting and inviting you to parties that you will be missing out. Joining as many organizations as possible will also help you make new friends quickly. Parties are there to help students form close relationship with each other. Doing a team sport is another great idea. The best part of joining an organization is that you'll find people who share your interests, and with whom you'll therefore have a lot to talk about.", "problems": [{"question": "Getting to class early will   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["give you more information about the teacher", "let you concentrate more on your class", "give you a good chance to make friends", "leave a good impression on others"]}, {"question": "According to the text, the friends you get to know in class may   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["share your interests", "invite you to parties", "help you to become a good player", "take notes for you"]}, {"question": "Which piece of advice is NOT given by the author?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Make friends with your classmates.", "Take part in dorm activities.", "Do the same team sports as your classmates.", "Join as many organizations as possible."]}]}
{"article": "On a small farm in Mexico, there are no schools. A bus is the school! The driver of the bus is the teacher! It is a school bus, but it doesn't take children to school. It just goes round from place to place, and sometimes it comes to this farm. The bus will stay here for three months. The farmers call it a school on wheels  .\nEvery time the bus comes, the farmers come running to it, shouting and laughing. They warmly welcome the school bus!\nWhen the bus is on the farm, in the morning, the teacher teaches the small children. In the afternoon, the bigger children come to have their lessons because they must work in the morning. At night, the fathers and mothers come to school. They want to learn, too. How the farmers hope that some day they can have a real  school on their farm!", "problems": [{"question": ".  . The driver of the bus is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the teacher", "the student", "the farmer", "the school"]}, {"question": ".  The bus school will   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["take children to school", "stay there for lunch", "take the fathers and mothers to school", "go round from place to place"]}, {"question": ".  . When the school bus comes, the farmers  are    _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["sad", "angry", "be happy", "disappointed"]}, {"question": ".  . Which one of the following is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A school bus is a real school for farmers' children.", "The bus school has no teacher at all.", "The bus school has no students.", "The children and their parents on the farm all come to the bus school to learn."]}]}
{"article": "The Mysterious Universe\nBy Ellen Jackson and Nic Bishop\nHow did the universe begin? How big is it? What is dark matter? Cosmologist and expert supernova hunter Alex Filippenko hopes that supernovas can help us answer some of these questions. But first we've got to find them! Join Alex and his team as they go on the hunt with huge telescopes and banks of computers.\nThe Time and Space of Uncle Albert\nBy Russell Stannard\nWhat would you say if your uncle asked you whether you would like to go into space? You'd say, \"When do I leave?\", just like the girl in this story. Gedanken is speeding across the universe trying to help her uncle answer some questions, such as \"How big is space?\" and \"Where does gravity come from?\" Along the way she also discovers how to get heavier without getting fat, how to live forever without knowing it, and the strange things that can happen when you go really fast.\nGeorge's Secret Key to the Universe\nBy Lucy Hawking and Stephen Hawking\nWhen George chases his pet pig through a hole in the fence, little does he expect that he will soon be riding a comet around Saturn . But just as he discovers the joys of space exploration with the computer Cosmos, which can open doors anywhere in the universe, everything starts to go wrong. When George's lest-favorite teacher steals Cosmos and traps his friend's dad in a black hole, can George set things right in time?\nA Child's Introduction to the Night Sky\nBy Michael Driscoll\nWith a telescope or without one, this book can get you started exploring planets, stars and even strange stuff like time, space, and black holes. The universe is a big place, but this book comes with a handy star finder that you can take out with you at night to help you find your way around the stars. Look up and discover the universe!", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text, Alex Filippenko   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["invented huge telescopes", "is looking for supernovas", "doesn't need many computers", "knows a lot about dark matter"]}, {"question": "What do we know about George's Secret Key to the Universe?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is a sad story", "It is about a pet pig", "It is a co-authored book", "It is based on a real life story."]}, {"question": "Which book would you read if you want to know about gravity?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Mysterious Universe", "The Time and Space of Uncle Albert", "George's Secret Key to the Universe", "A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky."]}, {"question": "What do the four books have in common?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They have the same topics?", "They are intended for adults.", "They have the same number of characters", "They leave many questions to the readers"]}]}
{"article": "Do you find getting up in the morning so difficult that it's painful ? This might be called laziness, but Dr. Kleitman has a new explanation. He has proved that everyone has a daily energy cycle.\nDuring the hours when you labour through your work you may say that you're \"hot\". That's true. The time of day when you feel most energetic is when your cycle of body temperature is at its peak . For some people the peak comes during the forenoon. For others it comes in the afternoon or evening No one has discovered why this is so , but it leads to such familiar monologues  as : \"Get up, John! You'll be late for work again !\" The possible explanation to the trouble is that John is at his temperature-and -energy peak in the evening. Much family quarrelling ends when husbands and wives realize what these energy cycles mean, and which cycle each member of the family has.\nYou can't change your energy cycle, but you can learn to make your life fit it better. Habit can help, Dr. Kleitman believes . Maybe you're sleepy in the evening but feel you must stay up late anyway . Counteract(/)your cycle to some extent by habitually staying up later than you want to .If your energy is low in the morning but you have an important job to do early in the day, rise before your usual hour. This won't change your cycle, but you'll get up steam and work better at your low point.\nGet off to a slow start which saves your energy. Get up with a leisurely yawn and stretch . Sit on the edge of the bed a minute before putting your feet on the floor . Avoid the troublesome search for clean clothes by laying them out the night before. Whenever possible, do routine work in the afternoon and save tasks requiring more energy or concentration for your sharper hours.", "problems": [{"question": "If you wants to work more efficiently at your how point in the morning, you should   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["change his energy cycle", "overcome his laziness", "get up earlier than usual", "go to bed earlier"]}, {"question": "You are advised to rise with a yawn and stretch because it will   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["help to keep your energy for the day's work", "help you to control your temper early in the day", "enable you to concentrate on your routine work", "keep your energy cycle under control all day"]}, {"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Change Your Habits", "Save Your Energy", "Daily Energy Cycle", "Temperature- and-Energy Peak"]}, {"question": "The text is probably taken from a   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["news report", "research paper", "medical textbook", "fashion journal"]}]}
{"article": "Bob was born in Cambridge.  When he was in elementary school, he asked his mother to take him to parks in their community so he could collect empty soda cans to recycle.  His mother agreed, as long as he saved part of the money he earned for college.\nBob's mother remembers Bob as the most determined of her seven kids.  Bob's persistence paid off.  On Friday, he will become the first person in his family, originally from El Salvador, to graduate from college.  And he's graduating with university honors.\nFor his honors thesis he researched unmanned solar-powered airplanes, which BYU students have been building and testing for about 10 years.  Bob's study helps discover the best way to fly a solar-powered airplane so that it uses the least amount of power.  The goal is to design and build an airplane that flies indefinitely.  Bob's thesis helps lay the foundation for this work.\n\"My parents were always diligent,\" Bob said.  \"They often tell us hard work leads to success. \" Bob's father taught him to read at the age of 3, and his mother is currently a student at Utah Valley University in a way to becoming a dentist.\nBob acknowledges he overcame some obstacles to get where he is.  For starters, English is his second language.  He also faced stereotypes .  Although Bob never doubted that he would be a college graduate, other people assumed he wouldn't because he didn't come from a family of high income.  There were other obstacles as well, but Bob viewed them all as opportunities.\nBob's mother says she feels very happy and proud that her son is about to graduate with honors, and remembers the sacrifices he's made to get there.  \"He has worked very hard.  He started something, and now he has finished it,\" Cathy says.  \"I have always told him, 'If this is your dream, then you can get it! Keep working hard and you can get it!'\"", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can know that Bob's honors thesis   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["makes his mother feel surprised", "helps to save the power of flying a solar-powered airplane", "is done with BYU students", "doubts the way of flying a solar-powered airplane"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, Bob  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["researched unmanned solar-powered airplanes for 10 years", "paid for all his study by collecting empty soda cans", "worked hard and has graduated from college", "was affected by his family and has made some achievements"]}, {"question": "People thought Bob couldn't graduate from college because  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["his parents had little money to support him", "his teacher didn't think he could graduate", "he didn't work hard on his study", "he didn't dare to face the obstacles for short of confidence"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Bob's mother is in a way to becoming a dentist", "Bob's mother works in their community", "Bon's father will graduate from Utah Valley University on Friday", "Bob's father learnt to read at the age of 3"]}]}
{"article": "He looked like a pirate.\nWith his handkerchief tied in a knot behind his little nine-year-old head, he looked like a pirate, a sad pirate. The first time little David came to our camp, he was hairless and worn out from medical treatments. He was also very angry.\nPaul Newman's camp counselors ( ) were hoping to fill David's days with fun and laughter. But David stayed inside himself, wanting to be alone, or in a corner of the cabin. At this camp for children with life-threatening illnesses, we had seen some pretty tough children worn out by cancer recover full of energy despite their illness. But we saw little progress in David no matter what we tried with him. Five days into the eight-day session saw a quiet, sad little pirate.\n Then something happened on that fifth night. Something at camp that we would call \"huge\". \nIt was cabin night. That's the time when campers and counselors spend lime together in each individual cabin instead of an all-camp activity. Campers love cabin nights because there's always a bedtime snack. On the cabin table that night were bags of potato chips.\nDavid slowly walked over to the table, leaving his comer to join the rest of us. He took one of the bags of the potato chips and started smashing  it with his little fists, as all the other campers looked on in disbelief, I wondered what the cabin counselor would do.\nThe college-age volunteer counselor positioned a bag of chips on die table in front of himself, and he, too, started smashing it with his fist. The campers went crazy as everyone ran to the table to get in on the fun of smashing potato chips with their fists.\nSomehow everyone knew, everyone sensed, that anger within him was now being released. \nFor the last couple days of the session, David was a different kid. He was a little nine-year-old boy again, trying to fill the hours of each remaining day at camp with as much fun as could be possible.\nSeveral days after the session, David came back again. This time, there wasn't anything he wouldn't try to fit in to his day. He sure was having a great time at camp. David asked me if I needed an altar boy when I celebrated Mass in the woods. Sure enough, he was my altar boy. I remembered how carefully he listened to me when I talked about death. 1 said it's only a doorway. You walk through the door and there's the Lord God and behind God a whole line of people waiting to hug you.\nAfter Mass, he said to me, \"Hey Fatha, a door, huh?\"\nA couple more days of fun passed and tonight was the talent show. The tradition is that campers and counselors dress up in costumes, and everyone gets a standing applause for singing and dancing or simply just acting like fools on stage.\n The show had begun: lights, camera, action.\nUnfortunately, the only action taking place in our row of seats was little David making his way from counselor to counselor to say an early good-bye to camp. He had become quite ill and had to go to the hospital because of this new crisis.\nWhen this little nine-year-old pirate stood in front of me, he gave me a hug and a big wet kiss on my cheek. 1 was crying. He was crying. A whole row of counselors was in tears. After the hug and kiss, he put his hands on my shoulders, and tears still in his eyes, said: \"See you on the other side of the door, Fatha.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The camp counselors failed to fill David's beginning days with fun and laughter, mainly because David  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["behaved like a pirate", "remained in a bad mood", "was left alone at the camp", "was teased by other campers"]}, {"question": "Seeing David smashing the potato chips, the counselor did the same thing in response because he  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["would like David to eat more of them", "hoped all the other campers would join", "found it possible to help David release anger", "wanted to show that he was as angry as David"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from this article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The camp was intended for those talented in singing and dancing.", "The purpose of the camp was to give diseased children caring love.", "The camp was popular among the children who enjoyed their vacation here.", "Medical treatment could be provided to diseased children at the camp."]}, {"question": "Which of the following does NOT show the change in David?", "answer": "B", "options": ["David came back to the camp for a second session after the first ended.", "David had become quite ill and had to go to the hospital because of this new crisis.", "David made his way from counselor to counselor to say an early good-bye to camp.", "David stood in front of me and gave me a hug and a big wet kiss on my cheek."]}, {"question": "What do you think the theme of the story is?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Children with deadly diseases are usually difficult to get along with.", "People should have patience with children with life-threatening illnesses.", "People should tell children with life-threatening illnesses to care nothing about death.", "Love and proper guidance can help people look at something negative in a positive way."]}]}
{"article": "Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to sleep, tossing and turning  . Your mind is racing, going over everything that happened that day. Night noises keep you awake. What can you do? Here are some things you can do to help you to fall asleep.\nSleep only when sleepy\nThis reduces the time you are awake in bed.\nIf you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy.\nDon't expose yourself to bright light while you are up. The light tells your brain that it is time to wake up.\nDon't take naps\nThis will ensure that you are tired at bedtime. If you just can't make it through the day without a nap, sleep less than one hour, and take a nap before 3 p.m.\nGet up and go to bed at the same time every day\nEven on weekends! When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel better.\nRegular exercise can help you sleep well, but the time to do exercise is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere   with sleep.\nHave a snack before bedtime\nIf your stomach is too empty, that can interfere with sleep. However, if you eat a heavy meal before bedtime, that can interfere as well. Have a warm glass of milk.\nTake a hot bath 90 minutes before bedtime\nA hot bath will raise your body temperature, but it is the drop in body temperature that may make you feel sleepy.", "problems": [{"question": "_   can help you fall asleep at night.", "answer": "A", "options": ["Reading an uninteresting story", "Thinking over what happened during the day", "Sitting quietly with the light on", "Taking some exercise"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["You should follow the routine even on weekends.", "Go to bed right after you take a hot bath.", "The time to take exercise is important.", "Don't take a long nap even though you are very sleepy."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, one had better not take naps   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["when they have many things to do", "before 3 p.m", "for over one hour", "when they are tired"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A regular sleep cycle will make you feel better.", "Taking exercise now and then can help you sleep well.", "Have a little food when you feel very hungry before bedtime.", "The drop in your body temperature makes you feel sleepy."]}]}
{"article": "For 52 years my father got up at 5:30 am every morning, went to work, and returned home at 5:30 pm. I never saw my father stayed home from work ill, nor did I ever see my father lay down to take a nap. He had no hobbies, other than taking care of his family. All he asked from me, his daughter, was to help him while he was repairing something, so we could have some time to talk.\nFor 22 years, after I left home for college, my father called me at 9:00 am every Sunday. Nine years ago when I bought my first house, my father, 67 years old, spent eight hours a day for three days painting my house. He would not allow me to pay someone to have it done. All he asked for was a glass of iced tea. Five years ago, at age 71, my father spent five hours putting together a swing set for my daughter.\nOn the morning of January 16, 1996, my sister telephoned me; my father was in the hospital with an aneurysm  in Florida. I got on an airplane immediately, and on the way I realized that I hadn't communicated with him as much as I'd always wanted to. I vowed  that when I arrived, I would have a long talk with him. I arrived in Florida at 1 am, only to find that my father, at the age of 76, had passed away at 9:12 pm. This time it was he who did not have time to talk, or time to wait for me.", "problems": [{"question": "The author wrote the article in order to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["praise her father", "remember her father", "show her father loved her", "let her father be known"]}]}
{"article": "Sociable   people seem to gain extra rewards from their relationships by feeling less stressed, taking better care of themselves and having less risky lifestyles, they claim. \n     A review of studies into the impact of relationships on health found that people had a 50% better survival rate if they belonged to a wider social group. Psychologist Holt-Lunstad's team reviewed 148 studies that observed the social activities and health of 308,849 people over an average of 7.5 years. \n     From these they worked out how death rates varied depending on how sociable a person was. Being lonely and isolated was as bad for a person's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic. It was as harmful as not exercising and twice as bad for the health as being very fat. \n     Holt-Lunstad said friends and family can improve health in lots of ways, from help in tough times to finding meaning in life. \"When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility to other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks.\"\n     Holt-Lunstad said there was no clear figure on how many relationships are enough to improve a person's health, but people fared better when they rarely felt lonely and were close to a group of friends, had good family contact and had someone they could rely on and confide in.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text, which of the following is NOT a benefit of being sociable people?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Getting better in the state of heath.", "Losing weight more easily.", "Taking better care of themselves.", "Having more safe lifestyles."]}, {"question": "Psychologist Holt-Lunstad says that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the studies were based on the work life of 308,849 people", "he knows how death rates changes as how sociable a person is", "being lonely can't do too much harm to one's health", "two kinds of relationships are needed to improve one's health"]}, {"question": "People who have lots of friends tend to take fewer risks, mainly because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["their friends often ask them to do so", "they want to stay with their friends", "they feel they're responsible to do so", "their friends don't do so either"]}, {"question": "What's the text mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The benefits people can get from having many friends.", "A review of 148 studies on the influence of relationships on health.", "The ways friends and family can improve health.", "The influence of relationships on people's health."]}]}
{"article": "Discover Artistic Talents across the Country\nRedtory, Guangzhou\nRedtory, established in 2009, is a spacious art district often referred to as Guangzhou's 798. Made up of more than 30 old halls, mostly buildings of red brick, the place was originally built in 1956 as Chinese largest can factory. Some of the rusty machines from the old factory have been kept as art equipment, giving the zone an old charm.\nWhere: No. 128 Yuancun Siheng Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou\nOpening hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 am-9 pm\nTank Loft, Chongqing\nThis 12,000-square-meter art center was established on the site of a used military tank warehouse . It is the largest contemporary art base in western China, featuring modern exhibition, galleries, design studios and art bookstores. The art zone is located on the campus of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and was created by the school in the early 2000s.\nWhere: No. 108 Huangjueping Center Street, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing\nOpening hours: 9 am-5 pm(closed Mondays)\nM50, Shanghai\nM50, also known as 50 Moganshan Road, is the center of Shanghai's contemporary art scene, with more than 100 artists whose studios are open to the public. This district, on the bank of Suzhou Creek, was previously a textile factory until it seized production in 1999. Xue Song, a Shanghai artist, was the first to establish a studio there in 2002.\nWhere: No. 50 Moganshan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai\nOpening hours: 10 am-5 pm(closed Mondays)\n798 Art Zone, Beijing\nAttracted by ordered designing, convenient traffic and unique style of Bauhaus architecture, art organizations and artists have crowded in the vacant plants and transformed them since 2001, gradually forming a district gathered galleries, art studios, cultural companies, fashion shops etc. As the earliest area where the organizations and artists moved in located in the original area of 798 factory, this place was named as Beijing 798 Art Zone.\nWhere: No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing\nOpening hours: 10 am-6 pm", "problems": [{"question": "If you are going to visit an art zone at 7pm, which one can you go to?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Redtory, Guangzhou.", "Tank Loft, Chongqing.", "M50, Shanghai.", "798 Art Zone, Beijing."]}, {"question": "Tank Loft, Chongqing is quite different from the others in  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["size", "site", "feature", "weather"]}, {"question": "Which of the following was built first?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Redtory, Guangzhou.", "Tank Loft, Chongqing.", "M50, Shanghai.", "798 Art Zone, Beijing."]}]}
{"article": "As many people hit middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental attention are not what they used to be. We suddenly can't remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old friend's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. It happens to most of us, but is it unavoidable?\nScientists are increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It turns that the brain needs exercise in much the same way as our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can improve our basic cognitive  functions.\nNow, a new San Francisco Web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first \"brain training program\" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental sharpness. Called Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts from Stanford University. Lumosity is far more than an online place to exercise your mental skills. That's because they have combined these exercises with a Web-based program that allows you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills.\nApparently it works. One study showed students improved their scores on math tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity for six weeks, greater gains than those made by other students in the same class, who were not training with the Lumosity program. The company says its users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, increased alertness  and awareness, high mood, and better concentration at work or while driving.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the purpose of Lumosity?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To exercise the brain and muscles.", "To combine exercises with a web-based program.", "To improve basic cognitive functions.", "To improve students' scores on test."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Memory losing is unavoidable.", "Lumosity is unreasonable.", "Muscles don't need exercise.", "Brains need exercise."]}, {"question": "The author explains the training results by  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["making a comparison.", "presenting training findings.", "analyzing facts.", "setting down rules."]}]}
{"article": "Worn by the rich and famous around the world and now a $799.04 million-a-year enterprise , Ugg boots have come a long way since their 1973 creation--designed to keep surfers' feet warm in cold Australian conditions.\nTwenty-eight years after selling the rights to his woollen-lined creation, Aussie Ugg boot inventor Shane Stedman says he has no regrets though missing out on a great footwear fortune .\nA lifelong surfer, Mr. Stedman, now 69, who lives at beachside Mona Vale in Sydney, said his invention grew from need. \"The sea is bloody cold in the Aussie winter...I used to wear football jerseys  to keep them (feet) warm\", Mr. Stedman said.\nBut his sheepskin invention soon solved the problem and Mr. Stedman went on to spend a decade selling the sturdy  boots, until 1983 when he sold the rights to US company Deckers, for PS10,000 plus three pairs of Ugg boots each year for the rest of his life.\n\"If I had wanted to make my Uggs the number one band, I'd have to move to the US and that's just not me,\" Mr. Stedman said. \"I'll never give up Sydney and surfing. It's my life. So I was happy to let go.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The text mainly tells us that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Ugg inventor is unwilling to sell his rights", "Ugg inventor is happy to trade dollars for surfing", "Ugg boots were made of special materials", "Ugg boots were invented specially to surfers"]}, {"question": "Ugg boots were invented by   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Mona Vale.", "Stedman.", "Deckers.", "An American surfer."]}, {"question": "The Ugg inventor sold the rights to the Ugg boots to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["make more money", "pay off his debts", "keep his hobby of surfing", "help improve the US company"]}, {"question": "From the text we know that Ugg boots are mostly made of the skin of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["wolves", "sheep", "pigs", "cows"]}, {"question": "When Mr. Stedman said, \"...I was happy to let go. \", he meant he was happy to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["go to the USA", "give up his boots company", "go surfing in Sydney", "buy an American company"]}]}
{"article": "They can be seen more frequently than ever before on college campuses, wearing thick-rimmed glasses while listening to indie  music. One might find them playing unusual musical instruments, shopping at second-hand stores or expressing themselves in other unique ways. They call themselves hipsters. Being \"hip\" used to mean following the latest fashion. But gradually the word has evolved into a synonym for \"cool\".\nHipsters value independent thinking, progressive politics, an appreciation of creativity and intelligence. Hipsters take pains and pride in not being mainstream. However, their culture has become quite trendy. This irony is central to their culture and offers an interesting paradox.\n\"I do take things in the mainstream with a grain of salt,\" says Ben Polson, a college student at Brown University in the US. Polson describes himself as a hipster and says he often questions what determines popularity, especially regarding music.When lesser-known bands become popular they often lose their former fan base in exchange for a new one. There is a famous hipster saying that goes: I used to like that band before it got popular.\nAccording to Polson, bands' music changes when they go mainstream. They become \"less experimental, doing things just to save popularity and fans. The original elements that we were drawn to slowly _ for the sake of popularity.\"\nMany young adults have started to view hipsters' outlook as cool and are adopting their counterculture mindset  themselves. This has led to specialized brands, stores and music for the hipster position. Ironically, some such stores, including clothing labels Urban Outfitters and American Apparel, have gained mainstream popularity. This has seemingly diluted  the anti-mainstream culture.\n\"A lot of people that are self-defined hipsters aren't really hipsters, they're just trying to conform to the non-conformist  to seem cooler,\" says Amanda Leopold, a college student from Oberlin College, US. Although Leopold has many unconventional tastes and seems quite individualist, she refuses to classify herself as a hipster.\nThere is a conflict among hipsters about the very definition of the label. To some, to be a hipster is to be free from cultural constraints. To others, it means wearing a certain style and listening to a specific style of music. The former constantly strives for uniqueness, while the latter strives not to be mainstream.\nAnd yet, the movement is gaining mainstream popularity. \"It's kind of the trend these days; _ \" says Leopold. \"There have been hipsters since the seventies. It's only become popular recently.\"\nHipsters reject materialism and laugh at mainstream culture. But are they really beyond material comforts? Do they have any ideas of their own if they despise mainstream so much?\nChristy Wampole, an associate professor of literature at Princeton University, US, is not so sure. She says the hipster is a contradiction in himself and an easy target of mockery . Writing in The New York Times, Wampole paints a less appreciative picture of a typical hipster.\n\"The hipster is a scholar of social forms, a student of cool. He studies continuously, searching for what has yet to be found by the mainstream. He is a walking citation ; his clothes refer to much more than themselves. He tries to negotiate the age-old problem of individuality, not with concepts, but with material things.\"", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can know that hipsters are   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a group of people who are self-denied", "a group of students who are good at musical instruments", "people who follow the latest trends and fashions", "people who pay no attention to material things"]}, {"question": "Leopold refuses to classify herself as a hipster because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she doesn't like her own unconventional tastes", "there are too many specialized brands, stores and music for the hipster position", "she thinks that a lot of people that are self-defined hipsters aren't really hipsters", "the hipsters' culture has become quite trendy"]}, {"question": "When Leopold said \"It's kind of the trend these days; everyone wants to be hip so no one's hip\", we can see that she felt a bit   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["happy", "disappointed", "excited", "content"]}, {"question": "The passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the difficult situation of hipsters", "the trend of fashion", "the changes of the society", "the culture of hipsters"]}]}
{"article": "It should be very clear that we live in a most spectacular time. It's a time when information is of primary importance. It's a time when new information technologies are fundamentally transforming the world in every aspect. Among the changes, which have come upon modern society, the ones in education are probably the most obvious and influential. New information technologies are accelerating changes in education, at the same time presenting revolutionary tools with the potential to make education more efficient and more effective than ever.\nThe application of new information technologies has remarkably promoted the process of education. Online learning is probably the best case in point. As is often the case with \"technology\", online learning may appear to be horrible; it can sound like alphabet soup sometimes. Now let's see whether you can understand all this. You can participate in CBT at a CLC via the convenience of IDL. What does it all mean? Let me translate: GBT--Computer-Based Training; CLC--Computer Learning Center; IDL--Interactive Distance Learning. Sound complicated? Not really. Online learning is much less complicated than it seems. Students can learn at any time, anywhere, at any speed. They can make their own learning schedules and follow their own paths to suit their lifestyles. In my university, every semester there're several online courses available, which need no class meetings or paper materials. The only thing I have to do is just to get online regularly as I wish, and download necessary learning materials. Then everything I need to know about the course is only a click away.\nBut online learning is not perfect; it's like the microwave oven: it does some things better, but it is not a complete replacement for the traditional model. The traditional classroom model for education and learning is hard to leave behind. Because humans are social creatures, there're times when we need to see each other face-to-face for interactive learning. A social and personal connection often builds effective teams, solves problems, and inspires confidence. So one possible solution is to combine online learning with the old traditional classroom learning , which not only makes the learning process faster and cheaper, but also highlights the interactions between teachers and students.\nThe bottom line: the Internet is the most important educational tool in the information age and online learning will become a main part of every individual's learning experience in the future. That's exactly how we will move knowledge from the ones who have it to the ones who need it faster and cheaper, and that's how we're going to survive in the information age.", "problems": [{"question": "The most suitable title for the passage should be \"  _  .\"", "answer": "A", "options": ["Education in the information age", "Advantages and disadvantages of online learning", "Online learning vs classroom learning", "How to survive in the information age"]}, {"question": "Which of the following descriptions about online learning is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is more efficient and effective.", "It is convenient to both teachers and students.", "It stresses interactions between teachers and students.", "It is a cheaper way of learning."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["not all the people are in favor of online learning", "it is not easy to combine online learning with classroom learning", "in the future all the courses will be available online", "in a sense our survival in the world depends on online learning"]}]}
{"article": "Shopping in the United States changes a lot.About ninety years ago most people shopped in small stores that were owned by one person or a family.Women went from the bakery to the butcher's to the grocer and on to the fruit and vegetable seller in order to get their food for the week.\nThen about sixty years ago, supermarkets were born.In a supermarket, people could get all the different kinds of food they needed without going to different stores.\nThe next big change in shopping in the United States was the shopping mall.A shopping mall is a group of stores under one roof.Because malls allowed people to shop without worrying about the weather, they soon became very popular.The mall became a place for people to socialize in addition to shopping.If you walk through a mall, you will see older people sitting, chatting and drinking coffee.Malls are places for teenagers to hang out.Many teens will often just \"go to the mall\" and spend time with their friends.\nThe recent change in American shopping was the superstore.Large chain stores such as Wal-Mart, Office Depot and Toys \"R\" Us have been built all across the United States.Because they are so large, they can buy goods at a great discount and sell them much cheaper than smaller stores.\nSometimes, when they are built near small towns, many of the small town stores have to close.They just cannot compete with their giant neighbors.\nAnd now, online shopping is becoming more and more popular all over the States.People are too busy to go to the physical stores, so they go shopping over the Internet.Online shopping has lots of advantages.For instance, online stores are usually available 24 hours a day.Searching or browsing online shops can be faster than browsing the physical stores.While, online shopping also has its disadvantages.People are at higher risk of being cheated on the part of the merchant than in a physical store.And privacy of personal information may be let out.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is the place for people to spend time with others according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Shopping malls", "Small stores", "Supermarkets", "Superstores"]}, {"question": "Why can the superstores sell products at much lower prices?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because they are built near small towns.", "Because they are across the United States.", "Because they sell all kinds of products people need.", "Because they can buy goods at a reduction in the price."]}, {"question": "What's the disadvantage of online shopping according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Wasting time.", "Leaking personal information.", "Fixed prices.", "No chance to do physical activities"]}]}
{"article": "Is It OK to Snap   Your Food?\nHave you ever taken a snap of a luxurious cake or photographed a juicy steak when you eat in restaurants? You may want to share what you eat with your friends or just post part of your daily life onto the Internet. However, such action may be very annoying  to other diners, or even to chefs and restaurant owners. Currently, more and more people begin to consider \" foodstagramming\" as very silly and a bad manner.\nIn many restaurants, diners complain of being blinded by flasher , snapped without their permission and disturbed by people climbing on to chairs for a better angle. Even chefs and restaurant owners are annoyed at food photography. A Michelin-starred  chef said, \"It's hard to build a memorable evening when flashes are flying every six minutes.\"\nAt the start of 2013, the debate on whether it is OK to take photographs of your food in restaurants seemed to swing   towards a definite \"no.\" According to several chefs in New York City, some restaurants there have started banning customers from taking photos of their food. Policies around the ban of food photography vary from restaurant to restaurant, ranging from restrictions on using a flash to outright  bans. If other restaurants follow such policies, it may signal the death of \" foodstagramming\".\nNevertheless, instead of banning food photography, some restaurants are offering food photography courses. In Spain, the restaurant group Grupo Gourmet has started running a \" Fotografia para foodies\" course to instruct its customers to better take food pictures. The course teaches customers to take photos in a proper way without disturbing other dinners, such as never use a flash.", "problems": [{"question": "Who are annoyed with food photography in restaurants?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Restaurant owners.", "Other diners.", "Chefs.", "The above all."]}, {"question": "What did some New York restaurants do about food photography?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They started to ban customers from taking photos of their food.", "They had no idea about taking photos for the profits.", "They wanted to talk with some customers.", "They decided to learn from Spain."]}, {"question": "What did the Spanish restaurant group do about food photography?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It told the customers when to take food pictures.", "It asked the customers to pay for taking food pictures.", "It ran a course to instruct customers to better take food pictures.", "It also prevented the customers from taking food pictures."]}, {"question": "What is foodstagramming?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It's a popular practice where diners take photos of their meals and share them online.", "It's a popular practice where dinners take photos of their meals and sells to others.", "It's a habit that people take photos when they eat.", "It's an idea how to take photos of their meals."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is True?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Customers in America like others to use flashes when they eat.", "Restaurants in Spain think of a methord to meet people's need.", "American government is discussing the problem of foodstagramming.", "People in China are trying to think of an idea to deal with the problem."]}]}
{"article": "Over the years, Brian Wansink, director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University, has studied such things as how far Americans typically drive to buy food, how many times we refill our plates at all-you-can-eat buffets and how we organize our kitchens. In the mid-2000s he famously coined the phrase \"mindless eating\"(and wrote a book by that name) to focus attention on all the bad dietary decisions we make without really thinking about them.\nHis new book, Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life, aims to change the design of restaurants, school lunchrooms, office cafeterias and homes so that the mindless choices we make will be more healthful ones. Some examples:\nKeep kitchen counters clear. No visible snack food, no bread, no nuts--not even breakfast cereal. In Wansink's research, \"women who had even one box of breakfast cereal that was visible-anywhere in their kitchen--weighed 21 pounds more than their neighbor who didn't.\"\nTrick yourself into drinking less wine. \"We tend to focus on the height of what we pour and not the width, so we pour 12 percent less wine into taller wineglasses than we pour into wider wineglasses.\" And the shape of the glass is not the only variable that affects how much we drink. Wansink writes: \"Because red wine is easier to see than white wine, we pour 9 percent less red wine whenever we pour a glass.\"\nWansink said his researchers also found that people ate less at restaurants when sat in well-lighted areas near windows and doors, than in darker areas or in the back. They ate less if they were offered a doggie bag, or to-go box, before they got their meals: apparently the idea of getting a \"free\" second meal outweighed the impulse  to clean their plates. Workers who frequently ate at their desks weighed 15.4 pounds less, on average, than those who didn't. Fruits and vegetables kept on the top shelf of the refrigerator were eaten at higher rates than those on lower shelves.\nThe point, Wansink says, is to consider findings like those and change your environment or habits. Then you won't have to think about it: You'll just eat less.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Brian Wansink write Slim by Design: Mindless eating Solutions for Everyday Life?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because he wanted people to become thin.", "Because he wished to change the design of public places.", "Because he hoped to coin a new phase \"mindless eating\".", "Because he intended to help people make more healthful dietary decision."]}, {"question": "According to Wansink, which of the following affects the amount of wine we drink:   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the shape of wineglasses", "the color of wineglasses", "the taste of wine", "the quality of wine"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Changing environment or habits of eating will help you eat less.", "Eating fruits and vegetables is better for your health.", "Keeping your kitchen counter clear of any food will help make you thin.", "Many people eat or drink too much without paying attention to it."]}]}
{"article": "Should doctors ever lie to benefit their patient---to speed recovery or to cover the coming of death? In medicine as in law, government, and other lines of work, the requirements of honesty often seem dwarfed   by greater needs: the need to protect from brutal news or to uphold a promise of secrecy; to advance the public interest.\nWhat should doctors say, for example, to a 46-year-old man coming in for a routine physical check up just before going on vacation with his family who, though he feels in perfect health, is found to have a form of cancer that will cause him to die within six months. Is it best to tell him the truth? If he asks, should the doctor reject that he is ill, or minimize the gravity of the illness? Should they at least hide the truth until after the family vacation?\nDoctors face such choices often. At times, they see important reasons to lie for the patient's own sake; in their eyes, such lies differ sharply from self-serving ones.\nStudies show that most doctors sincerely believe that the seriously ill patients do not want to know the truth about their condition, and that informing them risks destroying their hope, so that they may recover more slowly, or deteriorate   faster, perhaps even commit suicide.\nBut other studies show that, contrary to the belief of many physicians; a great majority of patients do want to be told the truth, even about serious illness, and feel cheated when they learn that they have been misled. We are also learning that truthful information, humanly conveyed, helps patients cope this illness: help them tolerate pain better, need less medicine, and even recover faster after operation.\nThere is urgent need to debate this issue openly. Not only in medicine, but in other professions as well, practitioners may find themselves repeatedly in difficulty where serious consequences seem avoidable only through deception  . Yet the public has every reason to know professional deception, for such practices are peculiarly likely to become deeply rooted, to spread, and to trust. Neither in medicine, nor in law, government, or the social sciences can there be comfort in the old saying, \"What you don't know can't hurt you.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Whether patients should be told the truth of their illness.", "Whether patients really want to know the truth of their condition.", "Whether different studies should be carried on.", "Whether doctors are honest with their patients."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sometimes government tells lies because they need to meet the public interest.", "Doctors believe if they lie, those seriously-ill patients will recover more quickly.", "Many patients don't want to know the truth, especially about serious illness.", "Truthful information helps patients deal with their illness in some cases."]}, {"question": "From the passage, we can learn that the author's attitude to professional deception is    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["supportive", "indifferent", "oppositive", "neutral"]}]}
{"article": "Coral reefs  are not just beautiful to look at,but also very useful.They shelter nearly 25% of ocean life and provide food for billions of people.However, like many other species,this amazing ecosystem  is in danger of dying out!\nThere are two main reasons for the destruction--the rising carbon dioxide levels caused by global warming as well as human influences like bottom operation.While not much can be done about the former,the loss caused by the latter can be reduced.\nBottom operation involves dropping nets to the ocean bed and then dragging them up when filled with fish.This action damaged the ocean floor,causing the coral branches to separate from the reefs.While that is very discouraging,the good news is that if these branches are found quickly,they can be saved.At present,that work is being performed by volunteer divers. But the method has only limited success because they cannot stay long underwater, nor reach depths of over 200 meters where some of the deep-sea coral grows.\nHowever,this is not the case for Coralbots--the robots that can constantly seek out broken branches.A team of 'coral bots',each individually working to simple rules will piece together damaged bits of coral, allowing them to regrow. They are programmed to be able to distinguish between other things and the coral.The robots work together in groups,similar to bees.If one coralbot is damaged, then the others will still be able to complete the task.\nDr Lea-Anne Henry said:\"The project of using coralbots offers us the possibility to restore  the function of reefs.It is in the final stage of testing.Once ready, the researchers hope to build hundreds of _ and use them effectively in the waters off Scotland and then hopefully in the oceans across the world.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is a cause of the danger that coral reefs are facing?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The appearance of new creatures.", "The seriously polluted sea water.", "The activities of volunteer divers.", "Human activities like bottom operation."]}, {"question": "Compared with volunteer divers,coralbots   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["can stay longer underwater", "must work as bees do", "can distinguish what is coral", "can never be damaged"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["bottom operation has affected most underwater creatures", "broken branches of coral can regrow if saved in time", "hundreds of the coralbots have worked well in the oceans", "with the coralbots all damaged coral reefs can be restored"]}]}
{"article": "This year, some twenty-three hundred teenagers from all over the world will spend about ten months in their US homes. They will attend US schools, meet US teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world. \nHere is a two-way students exchange in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George's family. In turn, George's son Mike spent a year in Fred's home in America.\nFred knew little German when he arrived, but after two months' study, the language began to come to him. School was completely different from what he had expected --- much harder. Students rose respectfully when a teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no extracurricular  activities.\nFamily life, too, was different. The father's word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual . Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car.\n'Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.'\nAt the same time, in America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea. 'I suppose I should criticize American schools,' he said. 'It is too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many activities. There ought to be some middle ground between the two.'", "problems": [{"question": "The exchange programme is mainly to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["help teenagers in other countries know the real America", "send students in America to travel in Germany", "let students learn something about other countries", "let teenagers learn new languages"]}, {"question": "Fred and Mike agreed that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["American food tasted better than German food", "German schools were harder than American ones", "Americans and Germans were both friendly", "There were more cars in the streets in America"]}, {"question": "After experiencing the American school life, Mike thought   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["better education should include something good from both American and German schools", "German schools trained students to be better citizens", "American schools were not as good as German ones", "the easy life in American schools was more helpful to students"]}]}
{"article": "Ask a teacher to name the most annoying invention of recent years and they will often mention the mobile phone. Disturbed by the problems they create, many head teachers have ordered that pupils should keep their phones switched off at school. Others have told pupils to leave them at home.\nHowever, education researchers at The University of Nottingham believe it is time that phone bans were reassessed, because mobile phones can be a powerful learning aid, they say. Dr Elizabeth Hartnell-Young and her colleagues have reached this conclusion after studying the consequences of allowing pupils in five secondary schools to use either their own mobile phones or the new generation of 'smartphones' in lessons.\nDuring the nine-month experiment, 14- to-16-year-old pupils used the phones for a wide range of educational purposes, including creating short movies, setting homework reminders, recording a teacher reading a poem, and timing experiments with the phones' stopwatches. The smartphones, which could be connected to the Internet, also allowed pupils to access revision websites, log into the school email system, or transfer   electronic files between school and home.\nThe research involved 331 pupils in schools in Cambridgeshire, West Berkshire and Nottingham. \"At the start of the study, even pupils were often surprised at the thought that mobile phones could be used for learning,\" Dr Hartnell-Young said. \"After their hands-on experience, almost all pupils said they had enjoyed the project and felt more inspired.\"\nSome teachers found that pupils who lacked confidence gained most from the project. However, they recognized that greater use of mobile phones in schools could cause problems.", "problems": [{"question": "When the students first used mobile phones for learning, they  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["all enjoyed the project very much", "didn't know what they were used for", "didn't fully realize the learning functions of mobile phones", "were surprised that they were allowed to use mobile phones in schools"]}, {"question": "Who benefited most from the project?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Older pupils.", "Pupils who were not confident.", "Younger pupils.", "Pupils who were confident."]}, {"question": "The purpose of the text is to tell us that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["mobile phones can actually help students learn", "mobile phones begin to be widely used in schools", "too much use of mobile phones in schools can cause problems", "the mobile phone is considered the most annoying invention of recent years"]}]}
{"article": "Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival start on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, and end on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the following year in the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year's Day's date is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2015 it's Thursday, February 19.\nMany people clean their homes to welcome the Spring Festival. They put up the red posters with poetic verses on it to their doors, Chinese New Year pictures on their walls, and decorate their homes with red lanterns. It is also a time to reunite with  s so many people visit their families at this time of the year.\nIn the evening of the Spring Festival Eve, many people set off fireworks and firecrackers, hoping to cast away any bad luck and bring forth good luck. Children often receive lucky money. Many people wear new clothes and send Chinese New Year greetings to each other. Various activities such as beating drums and striking gongs, as well as dragon and lion dances, are all part of the Spring Festival festivities.\nThe Spring Festival is a national holiday in China. Government offices, schools, universities and many companies are closed during the period from the Spring Festival Eve to the seventh day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. However, some enterprises such as banks often arrange for workers to be on shift duty. Public transport is available during the Chinese New Year period.\nThe red posters with poetic verses on it were initially a type of amulet  , but now it simply means good fortune and joy. Various Chinese New Year symbols express different meanings. For example, an image of a fish symbolizes \"having more than one needs every year\". A firecracker symbolizes \"good luck in the coming year\". The festival lanterns symbolize \"pursuing the bright and the beautiful\".", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly tells us", "answer": "B", "options": ["Chinese New Year is around the corner", "what people usually do during Chinese New Year", "how people treat each other on the special day", "Chinese New Year witnesses the longest holidays"]}, {"question": "Traditionally Chinese New Year will last about", "answer": "A", "options": ["23 days", "15 days", "7 days", "25 days"]}, {"question": "The original purpose of the red posters is", "answer": "C", "options": ["to show some wonderful poems to others", "to decorate the house with bright color1s", "to drive the evils away from their homes", "to welcome friends and  s warmly"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that", "answer": "A", "options": ["the New Year symbols mean good for the future", "giving lucky money is a must for parents", "the Chinese celebrate the festival differently", "the staff in banks have a seven-day holiday"]}]}
{"article": "Born in America in 1898, William was an extraordinary boy, gifted with an amazing IQ between 250 and 300. The genius went to a grammar school when he was only 6 years old and graduated just within 7 months. At the age of 11, he became the youngest student of the Harvard University. He graduated with high scores at the age of 16 and entered Harvard Law School at 18.\n    Gifted with an amazing IQ between 220 and 230, Terence Tao makes it to this list of the people with the highest IQ in the world. Born in Adelaide, Australia in 1975, this genius first displayed his incredible intelligence at a mere age of 2, when he managed to solve basic arithmetic questions on his own. At the age of 16, he graduated with both Master's and Bachelor's degrees at the Flinders University. He has been considered as ''Mr. Fix it \" by Charles Fefferman, who is a professor of Mathematics at Princeton University, and many other mathematicians want to interest him in their problems.\n    This 31-year-old Japanese-American astrophysicist lands him third in this list. At the age of 12, Christopher Hirata already worked on college-level courses, around the time most of us were just in the 7th grade. At the age of 13, this gifted kid became the youngest American to have ever won the gold medal in the International physics Olympiad.\nAt the age of 16, he was already working with NASA on its project to conquer planet Mars. After he was awarded the Ph.D. at Princeton University, he went back to California Institute of Technology.\n    The next person with very high IQ is Albert Einstein. With an IQ between 160 and 190, Albert Einstein is the genius behind the theory of relativity, which has had great impact on the world of science. He possessed such an amazing ability that after his death, researchers were eager to preserve and make research on his brain in search for clues to his exceptional brilliance, which to this day, has remained a mystery. \nks5u", "problems": [{"question": "About William, which of the following is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His IQ reached between 220 and 230.", "At the age of 16, he graduated from a grammar school.", "At the age of 6, he graduated with both Master's and Bachelor's degrees.", "At the age of 11, he became the youngest student at the Harvard University."]}, {"question": "How many people with remarkable IQ are mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["3", "4", "5", "6"]}, {"question": "Who once worked on the project to conquer planet Mars?", "answer": "C", "options": ["William", "Terence Tao", "Christopher Hirata", "Albert Einstein"]}, {"question": "From the passage we can know that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": [".when William graduated from the Harvard University, he got the highest scores", "at the age of 2, Terence solved basic arithmetic questions on his own", "Christopher Hirata is a Japanese", "researchers have found out why Albert Einstein was so brilliant"]}]}
{"article": "BEIJING - China will build a nation-wide network within three to five years to monitor the impact of air pollution on health, a latest step to deal with a _ smog crisis in big cities, an official said.\nA total of 43 monitoring spots will be set up in 16 provinces and municipalities frequently engulfed by smog so as to facilitate research on air pollutants in different regions, the impact on the health of vulnerable groups and the study of related diseases, said Xu Dongqun, an official with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.\nWith funds allocated by the central government, the study will provide reference for preventive efforts to reduce the PM 2.5, Xu said.\nThick and dangerous smog have hit 17 provinces and municipalities with a population of 600 million this year. One of the major cities is Beijing, which has been shrouded in smog for several days during the ongoing seven-day national holiday in 2013.\nChina recently issued a 1.75 trillion-yuan (284.2 billion U.S. dollars) plan to deal with the worsening air, improving air quality within five years in order to decrease the number of heavily polluted days and improve the air in major city clusters.", "problems": [{"question": "China will build a nation-wide network in order to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["monitor the impact of air pollution on health", "improve air quality", "improve air pollution", "increase the PM 2.5"]}, {"question": "China will take measures to deal with air pollution except  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["China recently issued a 1.75 trillion-yuan (284.2 billion U.S. dollars) plan", "set up monitoring spots in 16 provinces and municipalities", "improveliving standard", "improve the air in major city clusters"]}]}
{"article": "The Queen's English is now sounding less upper-class, a scientific study of the Queen's Christmas broadcasts has found. Researchers have studied each of her messages to the Commonwealth countries since 1952 to find out the change in her pronunciation from the noble Upper Received to the Standard Received.\nJonathan Harrington, a professor at Germany's University of Munich, wanted to discover whether accent changes recorded over the past half century would take place within one person. \"As far as I know, there just is nobody else for whom there is this sort of broadcast records,\" he said.\nHe said the noble way of pronouncing vowels  had gradually lost ground as the noble upper-class accent over the past years. \"Her accent sounds slightly less noble than it did 50 years ago. But these are very, very small and slow changes that we don't notice from year to year.\"\n\"We may be able to relate it to changes in the social classes,\" he told The Daily Telegraph, a British  newspaper. \"In 1952 she would have been heard saying 'thet men in the bleck het'. Now it would be 'that man in the black hat'. Similarly, she would have spoken of 'the citay' and'dutay', rather than 'citee' and 'dutee', and 'hame' rather than 'home'. In the 1950s she would have been 'lorst', but by the 1970s 'lost'.\"\nThe Queen's broadcast is a personal message to the Commonwealth countries. Each Christmas, the 10-minute broadcast is put on TV at 3 pm in Britain as many families are recovering from their traditional turkey lunch .\nThe results were published  in the Journal of Phonetics.", "problems": [{"question": "The Queen's broadcasts were chosen for the study mainly because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she has been Queen for many years", "she has a less upper-class accent now", "her speeches have been recorded for 50 years", "her speeches are familiar to many people"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is an example of a less noble accent in English?", "answer": "C", "options": ["\"Dutay\".", "\"Hame\".", "\"Citee\".", "\"Lorst\"."]}, {"question": "We may infer from the text that the Journal of Phonetics is a magazine on  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Christmas customs", "speech sounds", "TV broadcasting", "personal messages"]}, {"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The changes in a person's accent.", "The Queen's Christmas speeches on TV.", "The relationship between accents and social classes.", "The recent development of the English language."]}]}
{"article": "Children today would rather toy with new technologies. The role of children has changed as well as that of teens. The world has truly evolved  throughout the years.\nToday,a typical day in the life of a five year old is entirely different from what it once was. A few decades ago children used to work. They did the kind of work parents do today. Today there are shows on which children are putting pounds of makeup on and have flashing things all over their bodies. This makes a child want to _ all of their imperfections. They think they have to look perfect all the time.\nTeens have changed as well. My grandma got married when she was thirteen. Girls who had an arranged marriage had no time to play because they were expected to cook, clean,take care of the kids, and do housework every single day. Today,we go to school every morning, maybe participate in some after-school activities, and possibly go to work for extra cash. Then we go home and do homework, and eat. After all of this we have to find the time to socialize by texting, talking on the phone, or logging on to social networking sites. We enjoy ourselves a lot.\nThe generation before us complains about how they did not have the things we have now. They say we are not appreciative and do not value life or just do not care about our futures anymore. Let's make a change! The youth have the power to work on whatever they believe in and make a difference in the world. Take advantage of your resources. It is never too late to make a positive change in our world.", "problems": [{"question": "The role of children and teens has changed mainly because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["new technologies are developing and widely used", "they don't have to work hard as their parents did", "their world has truly evolved", "they look perfect all the time"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that nowadays teenagers   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["do housework as their parents did", "are having a social life in richer ways", "are seldom satisfied with what they have", "don't appreciate and value life"]}, {"question": "The author's attitude towards changes of teen's life is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["critical", "neutral", "optimistic", "complaining"]}]}
{"article": "Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships.One strength of the human condition is our tendency to give and receive support from one another under stressful circumstances.Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties.Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily difficulties.People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties.Studies over a range of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people protect themselves from illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely.\nSocial support _ stress in a number of ways.First, friends, relatives and coworkers may let us know that they value us.Our self respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others despite our faults and difficulties.Second, other people often provide us with informational support.They help us to explain and understand our problems and find solutions to them.Third, we typically find social companionship supportive.Engaging in leisure time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distract(...)us from our worries and troubles.Finally, other people may give us important support--financial aid, material resources, and needed services--that reduces stress by helping us solve and deal with our problems.", "problems": [{"question": "Research shows that people's physical and mental health has much to do with  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the social medical system", "the amount of support they get from others", "their strength for dealing with interpersonal ties", "their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles"]}, {"question": "Social companionship is beneficial in that it", "answer": "D", "options": ["helps strengthen our ties with relatives", "enables us to get rid of our faults and mistakes", "makes our leisure time activities more enjoyable", "draws our attention away from our worries and troubles"]}]}
{"article": "Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.\nHe flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, a crocodile was swimming toward him.His mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two.In great fear, she ran toward the water, shouting to her son as loudly as she could.Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.It was too late.Just as he reached her, the crocodile reached him.From the shore, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the crocodile snatched his legs.That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.The crocodile was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.A farmer happened to drive by, heard their screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the crocodile.\nRemarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.His legs were extremely scarred by the attack of the animal.And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.\nThe newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy, asked if he would show him his scars.The boy lifted his legs.And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, \" _ .I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go.\"\nNever judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they were made.", "problems": [{"question": "Hearing Mother's shouts, the boy  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["remained in the middle at a loss", "didn't stop swimming forwards", "swam back towards the shore", "was ready to fight the crocodile"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A crocodile attacked him when the boy and his mother were swimming.", "The crocodile bit the arms of the boy when it reached him.", "There is always an interesting story behind every scar.", "It was the farmer who shot the crocodile."]}, {"question": "Which of the following will be the best title for the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Scars of Love", "Women Hold up Half the Sky", "A Terrible Experience", "Don't Judge by Appearances"]}]}
{"article": "Beginning college is exciting: new ideas to explore, new challenges to be met and many decisions to be made; your future begins here.\nHowever, you will find college life is different from your previous school environment. Many of us can be easily overwhelmed by the details of running a well-balanced life. While some of us may have the know-how, I guess there are more of us who can benefit from learning about the experiences of others who have walked the college halls before you.\nThe following you may find of use about life on campus:\n*Plan well. There are so many new things to do at a new college or university. Give yourself time to make new friends and became familiar with the campus, but don't forget why you are there. Give some time for social activities and manage your time wisely.\n*If you don't have a \"system\" for planning your time now (like a day timer a computer data book). get one. Most of all, don't depend on your memory.\n*Don't miss the guidelines. The restrictions, rules and regulations of all kinds can usually be found in your student's handbook. Consider them well-balanced food for thought. What dates are important? What pieces of paper need to be handed in? What can / can't you do in your student residence ? Who has the right for what? What do you need to complete to graduate?\n*Write the word \"STUDY\" on the walls of our bedroom and bathroom, and maybe it will help to to write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the telephone, TV and the kitchen table. Consider this -- you are paying thousands of dollars for your course. You pay every time you have to repeat or replace a course.\n*Build your identity. This is the time for you to decide what to do and what not to do. Take as much time as you need to explore new ideas. Do not be afraid of the beyond. This is learning to make good choices.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main purpose of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To offer advice on college life.", "To explain why college life is exciting.", "To describe the importance of college life.", "To persuade you to go to college."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, why is it exciting to begin college life?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because you will have more freedom at college.", "Because you will no longer be afraid of the beyond", "Because you prepare for your future career and life there.", "Because professors there will provide you with many new ideas."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, college students   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["needn't learn from those who went to college before them", "spend as much time as possible on social activities", "should know what they have fight for on campus", "are supposed to repeat or replace at least one course"]}]}
{"article": "Israel has passed a law banning the use of underweight models in advertising. Known as the \"Photoshop Law\", it also requires that agencies tell their audience if they've digitally changed pictures to make models look thinner.\nThe new law forbids the use of models with a body mass index of 18.5 or less, a standard based on internationally accepted measures. The figure matches the set of fixed limits by the U. S. Department of Health.\nThe law doesn't set a money amount that can be gained in court from such a _ . Lawmakers realize that it may be a long and difficult process to prove in court that a company broke the new law, but they feel that simply having the law in place will accomplish what they want; stopping advertising companies from continuing to influence Israelis with images of unhealthy-looking models as the gold standard of beauty.\nSome modeling agencies in Israel aren't happy. They say that the indexes on which the law is based are arbitrary  and are not suitable for every model. Many models who are totally healthy girls might be disqualified because of the law. Some models are naturally thin and unable to gain weight and the new law would unfairly prevent them from finding jobs.\nHowever, plus-size American supermodel Emme told CNN that she thinks the law will cause other countries to make similar measures against showing underweight models. \"I think this is fantastic because so many young women and men are suffering to look in a way that is unrealistic and unhealthy,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "What is \"Photoshop Law\" about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Banning the use of underweight models.", "Banning underweight models in advertising.", "Banning changing pictures digitally.", "Banning models in advertising."]}, {"question": "What can we know from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["All models are happy about the law.", "All advertising agencies are happy about the law.", "The law makes no sense.", "There are arguments over the beauty standard of models."]}]}
{"article": "When we say older people shrink, we don't mean they become tiny enough to fit in your pocket! We just mean that it's common for older people to become a little shorter over time. This kind of shrinking can't be reversed, although people can slow or stop this process. But why does shrinking happen at all?\nBecause of gravity (the force that keeps your feet on the ground) , cushions between the bones in the spine  , get compressed  , which makes a person lose a little height and become shorter.\nAnother reason why some older people shrink is because of osteoporosis  . Osteoporosis occurs when bone is broken down and not enough new bone material is made. Over time, bone is said to be lost because it's not being replaced. Bones become smaller and weaker and can easily break if someone with osteoporosis is injured.\nOlder people--especially women, who generally have smaller and lighter bones to begin with--are more likely to develop osteoporosis. As years go by, a person with osteoporosis can get small breaks in bones that are called compression fractures . These breaks cause collapse of the spine and over time the person with osteoporosis can become hunched over  .\nDid you know that every day you shrink a little, too? You aren't as tall at the end of the day as you are at the beginning. That's because as the day goes on, water in the disks of the spine gets compressed due to gravity, making you just a tiny bit shorter. Don't worry, though. Once you get a good night's rest, your body recovers, and the next morning, you're standing tall again!\nSmoking and drinking alcohol can make this problem worse. Want to do something right now to build strong bones? I believe what I will say will help you.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["For shrinking, people can do nothing about it.", "If someone is injured, he will become shorter.", "Women have smaller and lighter bones than men.", "We aren't as tall at the end of the day as we are at the beginning."]}, {"question": "What should we do if we don't want to shrink faster?", "answer": "D", "options": ["We should try to reduce gravity.", "We should be careful not to be hurt by others.", "We should sleep as long as possible.", "We should keep away from smoking and drinking alcohol."]}, {"question": "What is the topic of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How can we stop shrinking?", "Why do we shrink?", "Some tips on how to keep tall.", "How to live a healthy life."]}, {"question": "About osteoporosis, we know that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["gravity is one of the causes of osteoporosis", "once our bone is broken down, osteoporosis will occur", "women are more likely to develop osteoporosis", "if we develop osteoporosis, we are more likely to be shorter"]}]}
{"article": "The computers and the Internet\nThe computer is one of the most important inventions of today. Ever since it was invented, it has changed our lives a lot.\nPeople can do a lot of things with the computer. For example, some software can be used too help people finish their work. If one can't finish it at once, the computer can save it so that one can find it quickly the next time.\nWhen you talk about computer, you must mention the Internet.. The Internet is a huge worldwide collection of computer networks. A network is a small group of computers working together. You can find information about almost any topic in the world from this network.. For example, you can use the Internet instead of a library to find information about current issues for your homework. You can also find information about your favorite pop or film stars, talk to your friends or even do some shopping. As well as words, most pages include pictures, sounds, and even videos.\nEmail is a fast and cheap way to keep in touch with friends and family. It's much cheaper and quicker than sending a letter.\nQuick, easy and fun---that is the Internet. However, it also has its shortcomings .If you always _ the computer, you could become lazy and lonely. There is also a lot of bad information on the Internet. Some of it is bad for our ideologies . Many parents don't allow their children to use the Internet because they think that the Internet is useless and they only think about its disadvantages.\nIn my opinion, the computer and the Internet are good for us if we can adopt a correct attitude towards them. They are several reasons. Firstly, they can store a very, very large amount of ...", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["One day the computer will completely replace humans.", "In modern times, the computer is the only most important invention.", "With the computer used in our daily lives, we can do some things easier than before.", "In the future, we can use the computer to do everything."]}, {"question": "What's the author's attitude towards the Internet?", "answer": "A", "options": ["If the Internet is used in the right way, it is good for us.", "All the information on the Internet is bad for children.", "We can only use the Internet at home.", "The Internet should always used by adults."]}, {"question": "With the help of the internet,  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["You can find information about almost any topic in the world from this network..", "You needn't to go to the library to find information about current issues for your homework.", "You can talk to your friends or even do some shopping.", "You can also find information about your favorite pop or film stars"]}]}
{"article": "In today's Internet age, online games can be a change from the pressure of school and work. However, they can also cause problems and unhealthy addictions. This is most clearly seen in the example of South Korea. This country has the world's highest percentage of high-speed Internet services. It also has a high number of game players who are addicted to online games.\nIn 2004, a young man died after playing online games almost nonstop for 86 hours. A 12-year-old boy stole $16,000 from his father to continue online games which he could not get away from. Such problems are spreading to other parts of Asia as well. In 2005, it was reported that about 80 percent of China's 13.8 million online game players were under 25. And many of these were said to be addicted. Such numbers point toward a growing problem among Chinese youth.\nDr. Sue-Huei Chen, a psychologist, discovered some signs of at-risk people. Such people often go online to escape from their problems. And they usually have no friendship or good social skills. They feel the need to spend more and more time online, so they may be absent from school or family. And they become upset if anyone tries to shorten their online game playing.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["reasons for online game addiction", "problems caused by online games", "computer problems in Asia", "problems caused by young people"]}, {"question": "In the passage, the writer tells us a fact that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["South Korea has a large number of Internet schools", "more and more young men are stealing money for online games", "China's online game players are all under the age of 25", "online game addiction is a very common problem in South Korea"]}, {"question": "According to the passage,   _  are more likely to become addicted to online games.", "answer": "C", "options": ["people under great pressure from school and work", "people well-known in the field of computer games", "people with unsolved problems and few friends", "people who'd like to take a risk in computer games"]}]}
{"article": "Cutting global warming pollution would not only make the planet healthier, it would make people healthier too, new research suggested.\nCutting carbon dioxide emissions could save millions of lives, mostly by reducing preventable deaths from heart and lung diseases, according to studies released Wednesday and published in a special issue of The Lancet, a British medical journal.\n\"Relying on fossil fuels leads to unhealthy lifestyles, increasing our chances of getting sick and in some cases takes years from our lives,\" US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a telecast briefing from her home state of Kansas. \"As greenhouse gas emissions go down, so do deaths from cardiovascular  and respiratory  diseases. This is not a small effect.\"\nInstead of looking at the health ills caused by future global warming, as past studies have done, this research looks at the immediate benefits of doing something about the problem, said Linda Birnbaum, director of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.\nSome possible benefits seemed highly speculative, the researchers conceded, based on people driving less and walking and cycling more. Other proposals studied were more concrete and achievable, such as reducing cook stoves that burn dung , charcoal and other polluting fuels in the developing world.\nAnd cutting carbon dioxide emissions also makes the air cleaner, reducing lung damage for millions of people, doctors said.\n\"Here are ways you can attack major health problems at the same time as dealing with climate change,\" said lead author Dr. Paul Wilkinson, an environmental epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.\nWilkinson said the individual studies came up with numbers of premature deaths prevented or extra years of life added for certain places.\nFor example, switching to low-polluting cars in London and Delhi, India, would save 160 lost years of life in London and nearly 1,700 in Delhi for every million residents, one study found. But if people also drove less and walked or biked more, those extra saved years would soar to more than 7,300 years in London and 12,500 years in Delhi because of less heart disease.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["How can people live longer?", "Cutting carbon dioxide emissions saves lives.", "Global warming threatens people's lives.", "People should stop relying on fossil fuels."]}, {"question": "The new research differs from past studies in that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it focuses on the immediate benefits of cutting carbon dioxide emissions", "it studies the bad effects arising from future global warming", "it is believed by more people", "it mainly targets at developing countries"]}, {"question": "According to Kathleen Sebelius,   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["sometimes it takes years to see the bad effects caused by consuming fossil fuels", "without greenhouse gas emissions, people would not die of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases", "the main reason why people get sick is that they rely on fossil fuels", "deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are closely related to greenhouse gas emissions"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the most practical way to cut carbon dioxide emissions according to the passage?   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Driving less", "Walking and cycling as much as possible.", "Stopping using fossil fuels", "Reducing the use of polluting fuels to cook."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["London and Delhi have already benefited from reducing greenhouse gas emissions", "switching to low-polluting cars would save 160 lives in London each year", "walking and biking instead of driving will reduce the chance of heart disease", "attacking health problems and dealing with climate change are contradictory"]}]}
{"article": "Now I know that we black people are much more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes  than white people. And _ often lead to heart attacks and other untreated diseases. For example, black people are three to four times more likely than white people to have high blood pressure and twice as likely as the white population to die of a stroke .\nNew research has found out the surprisingly high levels of salt in many of black people's favorite meals. I stopped putting extra salt in my food at the table long ago and I try to cut down on the salt I use in cooking. The recommended daily level of salt for adults is 6 grams. It is easy to see that if you avoid processed  foods and use salt in your cooking within the limit, you won't exceed the daily level.\nThe research showed how much salt there is in some foods that we buy from restaurants and takeaways. An average salad with rice and peas has 6.2 grams of salt. This is more salt than you are supposed to eat for the whole day.\nA researcher talked about the importance of home cooking rather than take-outs. At home, he pointed out, not only can you hold control of the salt shaker, but also you can create tasty food which is low on salt. The researcher later provided curry goat and rice and peas. They were low on salt, but completely delicious.\nI do not suppose Jamaicans are going to stop buying takeaways soon. But if you suffer from high blood pressure, it is probably better not to buy them often.", "problems": [{"question": "What would the writer probably suggest black people do?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Order no salad in a restaurant.", "Take in no salt for several days.", "Stop cooking their favorite meals.", "Eat less takeaways."]}, {"question": "The researcher provided curry goat and rice and peas in order to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["thank those who came to his home for his research", "let people know that eating less salt makes one healthier", "show that tasty food with less salt can be made at home", "prove the less salt the food has the more delicious it is"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Watch the salt.", "Take care, black people.", "Say no to takeaways.", "Say no to high blood pressure."]}]}
{"article": "How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? By having a party with your classmates? Going to the karaoke for a singing competition? Many people around the world celebrate the day. Let's have a look at what people in other countries do.\n    In the United States, thousands of people jam into Times Square in New York to welcome in the new year at midnight. The change from New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is very exciting. People count down   the seconds to welcome the new day as the New Year ball slowly gets down and lights up the area.\n    In Spain, when the clock strikes midnight, everyone eats 12 grapes. They eat one grape for each toll   to bring good luck for the next 12 months of the new year.\n    In Scotland, fireworks are set off in front of the Edinburgh Castle. Immediately after midnight, people sing Auld Lang Syne (<<>> ). The words are in Scottish and mean \"days gone by\". The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote the song.\n    In Brazil, most people wear white clothes on New Year's Eve to bring good luck for the new year. If they live near a beach, after midnight, people go there, light candles in the sand, throw flowers in the sea and make a wish. They say that the goddess who protects the sea will make their wishes come true.\n    Did you know?\n    The date January 1 was picked by the Roman leader Julius Caesar   as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January was named after the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The history of New Year.", "New Year joy all around the world.", "Where to celebrate the New Year's Eve.", "12 grapes, 12 months ."]}, {"question": "People in the US don't_when on the New Year's Eve.", "answer": "A", "options": ["eat 12 grapes", "go to the Times Square", "count down the seconds", "get excited"]}, {"question": "In Scotland, you will probably see   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the famous poet Robert Burns sings the Auld Lang Syne", "most people wear white clothes", "people go for a singing competition", "fireworks set off in front of the Edinburgh Castle"]}]}
{"article": "Struggling in the US? Move to China!\nI graduated from the university with a degree of civil engineering. It is a good field but my heart was not in it. I wanted to be an actor or work in the entertainment industry...living a creative life. My choice of civil engineering was really a mistake but I realized too late. As soon as I graduated, I moved straight to Los Angeles--the home of the film and television industry!\nFor three years, I tried to get a job in that field. I often worked as an extra in movies and TV shows--standing in the background while actors are in the foreground. This was fun for a while, but I wanted a real acting job, where I was speaking! Sadly, in Los Angeles, there is too much competition. Every race and age is represented: old, young, black, white, Asian and thousands of blondish-red haired Midwestern types like me. Being an extra couldn't make enough money for me to live in Los Angeles. I had to do something else for money.\nAfter three years of trying, I gave up my dream of being an actor and started a different career. I then tried network-marketing, but in the end, that failed. Seven years after graduating college, I was still in debt, still searching for a satisfactory life. I decided to go back to civil engineering.\nHowever, I was starting to get very disappointed with my life. Why is life not like what I expected? I expected to have made a lot of money, gotten married, with a house and nice cars, kids, time freedom, etc.  _ I want my life to be different, more satisfactory, more alive. America was not providing that for me...\nIn addition, America was too expensive--always worrying about money was a headache. I wanted a life filled with adventure, romance, friendships, successes, and dreams realized.\n...\nI decided to move to China.", "problems": [{"question": "How can we describe the writer's attitude toward life?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Practical", "Passive", "Disappointed", "Positive"]}, {"question": "What did the writer do before he finally decided to move to China?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Engineer-extra-marketing-engineer", "Extra-marketing-engineer", "Engineer-extra-marketing", "Extra-engineer-marketing"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Life is easier in the US.", "Life in China is not easy.", "There is always somewhere in the world where you can enjoy life.", "More Americans will move to China."]}]}
{"article": "HK's Family Affair\nThe 32nd Hong Kong Art Festival, to be held early next year, will be based on the theme of \"family\".\nThe art festival, considered to be Asia's best, began in 1973.\n\"We hope that people from Beijing and from all over the world will go to Hong Kong to enjoy the multiple performances in our art festival,\"Douglas Gautier, the festival's management director, said in a press conference in the capital.\nIn the 29 days of the festival, which runs from February 8 to March 7, 2004, the audience can choose from 111 performances of 51 programmes staged by 700 foreign performers, 450 local artists and 160 actors from the mainland.\nProgrammes vary from classical music, jazz, world music, Western and Peking opera, drama and dance to outdoor spectaculars.\nThe programmes include Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, Shakespeare's drama Rromeo and Juliet, the ballet Mozartina and African dances, to name just a few.\nThe lineup includes the English Touring Theatre, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Zurich Ballet, The Spanish National Dance Troupe, as well as Europe Galante, the Petersen Quartet, pianists Angela Hewitt and Marc-Andre Hamelin, and saxophonist Jan Garbarek.\nIn an effort to increase attendance, hotels and airlines are offering _ along with art festival ticket sales, most of which are at 20% and 30% discounts.\nFor more information, please check:\n _", "problems": [{"question": "The press conference must have been held   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["in Hong Kong", "in Europe", "in Beijing", "in England"]}, {"question": "According to the text, we do NOT have any information about   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["who will perform on stage", "what programmes there will be", "when the 32nd Art Festival will be held", "which theatres will put on performances"]}, {"question": "The main purpose in writing this text is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to make the 32nd Art Festival known", "to announce the plan of the art festival", "to introduce the cost of the art festival", "to sell a service during the art festival"]}]}
{"article": "Water is very important to living things. Without water there can be no life on the earth. All animals and plants need water. Man also needs water. We need water to drink, to cook our food and to clean ourselves. Water is needed in offices, factories and schools. Water is needed everywhere.\nThere is water in seas, rivers and lakes. Water is found almost everywhere. Even in the desert part of the world, there is some water in the air. You can not see or feel it when it is a part of the air. The water in the seas, rivers and lakes is a liquid, the water in the air is a gas, and we call it water vapour  .\nClouds are made of water. They may be made of very small drops of water. They may also be made of snow crystals . Snow crystals are very very small crystals of ice. Ice is frozen water. It is a solid. There can be snow and ice everywhere in winter.\nWater may be a solid or a liquid or a gas. When it is a solid, it may be as hard as a stone. When it is a liquid, you can drink it. When it is a gas, you can not see or feel it.", "problems": [{"question": "Where can we find water?", "answer": "D", "options": ["We can find water when it turns into vapour.", "Water is only in seas and rivers.", "We can see water in deserts here and there.", "Water can be found almost everywhere."]}, {"question": "We can drink water when it is  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["a solid", "aliquid", "in the air", "turned into ice"]}, {"question": "Clouds are made of  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["seas, rivers and lakes", "blocks of ice", "very small drops of water or snow crystals", "solid, liquid and gas"]}, {"question": "Water has three states . They are  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["solid, liquid and gas", "solid, vapour, snow", "drops of water, blocks of ice and crystals of water", "ice, snow and air"]}]}
{"article": "John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose.\nHis interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II.\nDuring the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was starting Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.\nWhen the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting --7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. \"You'll recognize me,\" she wrote, \"by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel.\" So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen.\nI'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I stared at her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, attractive smile curved her lips. \"Going my way , sailor?\" she murmured.\nAlmost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own.\nAnd there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her.\nThis would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment.  \"I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?\"\nThe woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. \"I don't know what this is about, son,\" she answered, \"but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!\"\nIt's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. \"Tell me whom you love,\" Houssaye wrote, \"And I will tell you who you are. \"", "problems": [{"question": "How did John Blanchard get to know Miss Hollis Maynell?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They lived in the same city.", "They were both interested in literature.", "John knew Hollis's name from a library book.", "John came across Hollis in a Florida library."]}, {"question": "Hollis refused to send Blanchard a photo because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she was only a middle - aged woman", "she wasn't confident about her appearance", "she thought true love is beyond appearance", "she had never taken any photo before they knew"]}, {"question": "How could Blanchard recognize Hollis?", "answer": "A", "options": ["She would be wearing a rose on her coat.", "She would be holding a book in her hand.", "She would be standing behind a young girl.", "She would be wearing a scarf around her neck."]}, {"question": "What was the real Miss Hollis Maynell like?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She was a plump woman with graying hair.", "She was a slightly fat girl, with blonde hair.", "She was a middle - aged woman in her forties.", "She was a young, pretty girl wearing a green suit."]}, {"question": "When Blanchard went over to greet the woman, he was  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["satisfied and confident", "disappointed but well - behaved", "annoyed and bad - mannered", "shocked but inspired"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A Test of Love", "The Symbol of Rose", "Love is blind", "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover"]}]}
{"article": "A new survey finds that more than eighty percent of Internet users in the United States search for health information online. The survey found that searching online is one of the leading ways that people look for a second opinion though doctors are still the main source of health information.\nForty-four percent of people are actually looking for doctors or other providers when they search for health information online. Another finding of the survey: Two-thirds of Internet users look online for information about a specific disease or medical condition.\nThe Internet has also become an important source of emotional support for people with health problems. Susannah Fox says one in five Internet users has gone online to find other people who have the same condition. It was more popular among people with more serious health issues--one in four people living with chronic diseases  . And it was basically _ with people living with rare disease. They are so eager to find other people online who share their health concerns.\nA disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than two hundred thousand people worldwide. The rise of social networking has made it easier for people with rare diseases to connect with each other and feel less alone. Social networking is also changing the way some doctors and patients communicate with each other. Dr. Jeff Livingston operates a medical center for women in Irving, Texas. His office uses password-protected software to share information with patients.\n\"We provide the patient full access to their medical care. Anything I can see, the patient can see. All of their notes, all of their doctor visits are right there. All of their lab work is right there.\" Dr. Livingston says the software has increased efficiency, reduced costs and improved relations with patients.", "problems": [{"question": "By using social networking, patients with rare diseases can   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["find effective cures", "get emotional comfort", "ask for financial support", "consult doctors anytime"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true of Dr. Livingston's software?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It cuts down medical expenses.", "It decreases the time spent on medical care.", "It takes doctors closer to their patients.", "It gives patients a medical test online."]}]}
{"article": "Taichi with English narration\n   A veteran  Taichi teacher, about 38, teaches the basic 24 movements, pushinghands and self-defense techniques, suitable for the beginners and intermediate level.\n   Time:10:00-12:00 a.m., every Sunday morning\n   Place: Bamboo Garden Hotel, No 24, Xiaoshiqiao Hutong, jiuprefix = st1 /Gulou Street, Northwestof Drum Tower in the downtown.\n   Fee: 60 yuan each time\nChinese ink & water painting class\n   To learn the techniques of painting a bird, flower, or lady with brushes. The Chinese philosophy and culture will also be included\n   Time: 7:00-9:00p.m. every Wednesday\n   Place: Library Bar, first floor, Tower B of East Gate Plaza ,right behind the poly plaza at the East Second Ring Road.         Fee: 60 yuan each week\n                                     Big-bowl-tea\n   Ten yuan (US$1.2) for a cup of Chinese tea and live performance of Peking Opera is the tempting offer up for grabs at Dawancha (big-bowl-tea) Theatre, a new branch of Lao She Tea house.\n   The atmosphere of a traditional Chinese tea-house of the past is evoked  with window seats overlooking Tian'an Men Square.\n   Place: east side of north end of Qianmen Dajie, facingArrowTower\n   Tel: 318-4723,  6318-2107\nAcrobatic  show\nThe Tianqiao area of Beijingwon its name as the city's major outdoor performance site for acrobatics shows before the founding of New China in 1949. Acrobatic shows are still staged every evening in a theatre located in the Tianqiao area. The shows, put on by the Beijing Acrobatics Troupe, include many national or world award-winning programmes.\nTime: 7 p.m., daily\nPlace: Wansheng Theatre\nPrice: 100 yuan (Us$ 12.0)\nTel: 65287750 ext 198", "problems": [{"question": "If you are a sport lover you can go to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Library Bar", "Bamboo Garden Hotel", "Lao she Tea-House", "Wansheng Theatre"]}, {"question": "Which item is the cheapest and most relaxed to spend your leisure time?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Taichi with English narration", "Chinese ink & water painting class", "Big-bowl-tea", "Acrobatic"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOTtrue?", "answer": "A", "options": ["You can enjoy acrobatic shows every day at 7 p.m. in the open air.", "You can see live performance of Peking Opera while enjoying Chinese traditional tea", "You don't have to worry about the language problem to attend Taichi if you are an Englishman", "Chinese ink &water painting class is probably open to learner from outside China"]}]}
{"article": "Forget Twitter and Facebook, Google and the Kindle. Television is still the most influential medium around. Indeed, for many of the poorest regions of the world, it remains the next big thing--finally becomes globally available. And that is a good thing, because the TV revolution is changing lives for the better.\nAcross the developing world, around 45% of families had a TV in 1995; by 2005 the number had climbed above 60% . That is some way behind the U.S. ,where there are more TVs than people, and where people now easily get access to the Internet. Five million more families in sub-Saharan Africa will get a TV over the next five years. In 2005 , after the fall of the Taliban ,which had banned TV, I in 5 Afghans had one. The global total is another 150 million by 2013--pushing the numbers to well beyond two thirds of families.\nTelevision's most powerful effect will be on the lives of women. In India, researchers Robert Jensen and Emily Oster found that when TVs reached villages, women were more likely to go to the market without their husbands approval and less likely to want a boy rather than a girl. They were more likely to make decisions over child health care. TV is also a powerful medium for adult education. In the Indian state of Gujarat, Chitrageet is a popular show that plays Bollywood songs with words in Gujarati on the screen. Within six months, viewers had made a small but significant improvement in their reading skills.\nToo much TV has been associated with violence, overweight and loneliness. However, TV is having a positive influence on the lives of billions worldwide.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Americans used to get access to the Internet easily.", "The world's TV sets will total 150 million by 2013.", "45% of families in the developing countries had a TV in 2005.", "Over two thirds of families in the world will have a TV by 2013."]}, {"question": "The author intends to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["stress the advantages of TV to people's lives", "persuade women to become more independent", "encourage people to improve their reading skills", "introduce the readers some websites such as Google"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["TV Will Rule the World", "TV Will Disturb the World", "TV Will Better the World", "TV Will Remain in World"]}]}
{"article": "I love everything about making Easter dinner except the Saturday shopping. That day, the supermarket can be as crowded as a department store at Christmas. And this Easter, on top of my regular checklist, I had to buy the ingredient  for a delicious, new recipe I'd discovered: sliced ham and turkey layered with Swiss cheese and cabbage, all wrapped in pastry dough.\nTrouble was that my work schedule had left me no time to shop earlier in the week. I would get up extra early and take care of everything on Saturday morning, I thought, as I drove to the office on Friday. But that morning, Yola, one of my co-workers, asked if my husband Robert and I would help her move the next day. \"I really don't have anybody else to ask,\" she apologized.\n\"Sure,\" I told her, soft touch that I am. Early Saturday morning, Robert, my 15-year-old son Ben, and I drove our truck to her old apartment. Oh, the piles of furniture and boxes! It took us till late afternoon to get her settled in her new place.\nBy the time we returned home, I was exhausted. I don't know how I'm going to go shopping now, let alone cook Easter dinner, I thought. The only ingredient I had at home was the cabbage. On the kitchen counter were two shopping bags of food that Yola had sent home with us -- her thanks for helping her move. She was leaving on a trip the next day, and didn't want the food to go to waste.\nI reached into the first bag and pulled out a package of sliced ham. Well, that's lucky, I thought. Then I pulled out a package of sliced turkey, and another of Swiss cheese. That's strange, I thought. There's no way Yola knew my Easter dinner plans. I reached back into the grocery bag, thinking of the Easter miracle. All of a sudden, the strangest feeling came over me. I lifted it out. It was a box of pastry dough -- the final ingredient I needed for my recipe.", "problems": [{"question": "According to her plan, what was the author going to do on early Saturday morning?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Shop in the supermarket.", "Cook some delicious food.", "Do extra work in her office.", "Help her co-worker move."]}, {"question": "What do we know from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It took the author the whole morning to finish moving.", "Helping Yola move took the author nearly a whole day and a lot of effort.", "Only two people carried the furniture and boxes for Yola.", "Yola's new home is far away from her old apartment."]}, {"question": "Why did Yola give the author food?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The food she bought was too much to eat up.", "She knew that the author liked eating the food.", "She was leaving and feared the food would go to waste.", "She knew that the author didn't buy Easter food."]}, {"question": "Which of the following things surprised the author most?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Yola had so much furniture and many boxes to move.", "Yola gave her so much food to express her thanks.", "Yola had known what she was in need of.", "Yola gave her exactly what she wanted to buy."]}]}
{"article": "America's child movie star Shirley Temple Black died late Monday evening at the age of 85. Her fans in China are also deeply saddened. Temple is just one example of movie stars that China adored, and still adores. Here's our editor's pick of the top movie stars who have influenced China.\n1. Sylvester Stallone\nOh, Rambo! The first strong American man that China knew. His accented English, easily recognizable even for someone who doesn't speak English, and his eyes that never seemed to smile, makes him someone whom cannot be forgotten. He represented the strong American image, and even stirred a boxing and bodybuilding fever in China.\n2.Charlie Chaplin (April 16, 1889 - December 25, 1977)\nIn the 20th century, it is not too much to say that Einstein made the greatest contributions to science, and not many would disagree that Chaplin did the same for film. He was the first actor that introduced comedy to most Chinese viewers, and politically, he was also a close friend of China's. His silent films broke the barrier of language and his form of art was recognized by all. It will be a difficult task to find a person in China who does not recognize Chaplin, even today.\n3. Shirley Temple ( April 23, 1928 - February 10, 2014)\nWhen Chinese audiences saw this adorable child star for the first time on screen, Shirley Temple had already lived for more than half a century. In her movies, she was always alone or in trouble, but this adorable little blonde  could always resolve anything with her kindness, push away the fogginess and bring about light. The brand \"Shirley Temple\" was a product of the Great Depression. People watched her act to forget their hardships as Temple entertained the poor, the rich, adults and children alike. Several decades later, when her films were screened in China, the effects were the same.\n4. Audrey Hepburn( May 4, 1929 - January 20, 1993)\nShe will forever be the princess in Chinese people's hearts. Even to this day, a large number of tourists go to Rome to visit the Mouth of Truth with their lovers and eat ice cream on the Spanish Steps. Her sense of style seems to never go out of style. When she was alive, she was living perfection. Even after her death, she has remained an _ . That's something that only Audrey Hepburn is capable of.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, who was most known for comedy in China?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Sylvester Stallone", "Charlie Chaplin", "Shirley Temple", "Audrey Hepburn"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Sylvester Stallone taught boxing and bodybuilding and caused a fever in China.", "Charlie Chaplin was China's close friend because he introduced comedy to China.", "Audrey Hepburn's movie made the Mouth of Truth and the Spanish Steps popular.", "Shirley Temple's works can only help Americans forget hardships and enjoy life better."]}, {"question": "In which part can we most probably read this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Art", "Columns", "Music & Theater", "Film &TV"]}]}
{"article": "Now that America has declared a state of swine flu   public health emergency, you may be asking yourself -- what am Isupposed to do? Here is a list of practical steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself and your family.\n1) Know the symptoms-- Here are some of the symptoms that sound like swine flu -- fevers over 100 degrees (37.8degC), body aches, cough, runny nose, and sometimes, nausea   and diarrhea  . It's also useful to know if you might have had an exposure   either by recent travel to Mexico, or to the areas of known cases so far in America -- specific areas of California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas. Or you may have been exposed to a sick person who came from those areas. \n2) Don't panic-- If you have symptoms that sound like swine flu, do not rush to hospitals. Not only is this difficult for the healthcare system, it can also be potentially dangerous for everyone. Call your doctor or local public health clinic before going in.\n3) Contain the illness-- Hand-washing works. Wash, wash and wash. Invest in some hand sanitizer   for the whole family. Avoid hugs and kisses of well-wishers, and do not share telephone handsets or computers. Be especially careful to always cough into the elbow of your arm (yes! the elbow, not your hand!). Cover your cough and sneeze to protect others. \n4) What about a mask?-- The data shows that masks do work --as long asthere is a tight seal   about the mouth and nose. \n5) Eat the pork(if you want) -- Swine flu gets its name because pigs can get the infection and spread it to each other -- as well as to humans. This latest virus contains pieces that indicate it evolved   from swine flu virus, and can now spread from person to person. Swine flu is not spread by properly prepared and cooked pork products. So if you want to eat pork, you can.\n6) Getting sick? Stay home!-- In our go-go-go culture and these severe economic times, it can be very hard to call a boss and cancel a day's work. Now, however, if you or your loved ones are feeling like there's a flu coming on, stay home.\n7) Stockpile?-- Right now, it's too early for any of us to become a Swine Flu Shut-In, but the public health department recommends that each home have two weeks of supplies, in case we must stay home -- either for illness or to help contain transmission. That means two weeks of food for everyone in your home, two weeks of all medications, and, if you're like most people, two weeks of books and DVDs.", "problems": [{"question": "The purpose of the writer is mainly to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["analyze the possible causes of swine flu", "tell people how to protect themselves from swine flu", "give people some information about the present situation of swine flu", "suggest some treatments for swine flu"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is one of the reasons why the disease is called \"Swine flu\"?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Some patients have eaten some not-so-well-cooked pork.", "Some patients have contact with pigs in their life.", "The virus is probably developed from swine flu virus.", "The disease is mostly passed from pigs to humans."]}, {"question": "Suppose Mr Fernando has just been back from prefix = st1 /Mexicoand he's got a high fever and runny nose, what shall he do?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Go to hospital as soon as possible.", "Ask a day off and stay at home.", "Call his doctor to ask for directions.", "Take some medicine and have a good rest."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT a suggestion given by the writer?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Cough and sneeze into your hands.", "Wash your hands and wear a mask.", "Go on eating pork if you like.", "Store some food and medicine at home."]}]}
{"article": "Throughout the world, clothing has many uses. It is used to provide protection from cold. It is also worn to prevent others from seeing specific parts of one's body. However, the parts of the body that must be covered vary widely throughout the world. Some clothing is worn to provide supernatural protection. Wearing a lucky shirt to take an exam is calling for supernatural assistance.\nPeople in all cultures use clothing and other forms of bodily decoration to communicate status , intentions and other messages. In North America, we dress differently for business and various leisure activities. North American women usually are much more knowledgeable of little difference in messages communicated by clothes than men. At times, this leads to silly mistakes of understanding of female intentions on the part of men. Of course, clothing styles also are intended to communicate messages to members of the same gender .\nLong before we are near enough to talk to someone, their appearance tells their gender, age, economic class, and often even intentions. We begin to recognize the important cultural clues at an early age. The vocabulary of dress that we learn includes not only items of clothing but also hairstyles, jewelry, and other body decoration. In most cultures, however, the same style of dress communicates different messages depending on the age, gender, and physical appearance of the individual wearing it.\nPutting on certain types of clothing can change your behavior and the behavior of others towards you. This can be the case with a doctor's white lab coat, or an army uniform. Most uniforms are clearly symbolic so that they can rapidly and unmistakably communicate status. For instance, the strange hairstyle and clothing of the English \"punks\" are essential aspects of their uniforms.\nThere are many forms of body decoration other than clothes that are used around the world to send messages. These include body and hair paint, and even body deformation. When doctors put braces on teeth, they are actually doing the same thing - deforming or reforming a part of the body to make it more attractive.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Clothing and Culture", "Ways of Sending Message", "Clothing and Social Behavior", "Communication through Clothing"]}, {"question": "Some people wear lucky shirts to take an exam because they believe  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["clothes can hide their fear for the exam", "clothes have extraordinary power", "shirts can make them more comfortable", "shirts provide protection against bad weather"]}, {"question": "In North America, men sometimes misunderstand women's intention because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["men are more careless than women", "women spend more time on their clothes", "men and women have different views on clothing styles", "men care less about the different messages communicated by clothes"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the behavior of others towards you can be changed by your  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["age", "dress", "status", "gender"]}, {"question": "From the passage, it can be inferred that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["clothing plays an important role in social activities", "words of dress are unable to communicate different messages", "dress is better than language in communicating messages", "messages communicated by clothes are the same in different cultures"]}]}
{"article": "Every few years, two groups carry out a study of how many Americans wash their hands after using the toilet. These groups are the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute, formerly the Soap and Detergent Association.\nThere was good news in the latest study. Researchers found that eighty-five percent of adults washed their hands in public restrooms last month. That was the most since the studies began in 1996.\nResearchers visited restrooms at a baseball park in Atlanta and a science museum and aquarium  in Chicago. They also visited two train stations in New York City and a large farmers' market in San Francisco. In all, they observed about six thousand adults, with females and males equal in number.\nThe researchers found that seventy-seven percent of men and ninety-three percent of women washed their hands. That was up from sixty-six percent of men and eighty-eight percent of women in the last study three years ago.\nThe lowest rate of hand washing among men was at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team. Only sixty-five percent of men washed their hands, compared to all but two percent of women.\nChicago and San Francisco had the most hand washers--eighty-nine percent of adults. Atlanta followed at eighty-two percent. New York had the lowest rate, at seventy-nine percent of the adults observed at Grand Central Station and Penn Station.\nThe findings of the observational study conflicted  with the findings of a separate telephone survey of about one thousand people. Ninety-six percent of them said they always washed their hands after using public restrooms.\nAlmost nine out of ten also said they always washed after using the bathroom at home.\nHand washing can help prevent the spread of many different infections.\nTo clean your hands well, wet them first and rub in soap for at least twenty seconds, including between the fingers and under the nails. Then wash under running water. In a public restroom, if you dry your hands with a paper towel, you should also use the towel to shut off the water and open the door.\nHand washing is also important when preparing food and after changing a baby's diaper . You should also wash if you cough or sneeze into your hands.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the latest study, about  _  women washed their hands after using public bathroom.", "answer": "D", "options": ["1,980", "2,310", "2,640", "2,790"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Hand washing is up in public restrooms in the US", "Americans like washing their hands so much", "Adults have their hands washed in public restrooms", "Why hand washing never enjoys popularity in the US"]}]}
{"article": "The cheetah is best known for being the world's fastest land animal, reaching speeds of just over 110kph for short period of time. However, many people know little else about this wonderful animal. The word cheetah probably comes from a Hindi word spotted animal. It is very similar to other cats but also has some obvious differences. Its body is much leaner than most cats and it has much longer legs.\nPeople sometimes make a cheetah a leopard because they both have spots, but in fact they are very different. A leopard is far heavier and more powerful, but also much slower. The cheetah's spots cover most of its body except for its stomach and throat. The cheetah's tail has spots and these become rings at the end of the tail.\nAn adult cheetah weighs between 35-65 kilograms and is about 80 centimeters high at the shoulder. The cheetah's head is quite small and the eyes are quite high up. A black line runs from each eye down to its mouth and makes it look a little sad. It has high shoulders that help it to walk so gracefully.\nCheetahs are very fast but they are not very strong. They are not good fighters and will run away rather than fight another animal to protect their food. If they make a kill, it is sometimes taken away from them by stronger animals such as lions and leopard. These animals will kill their young if they get the chance. The cheetah is not a threat to humans at all. It will not attack humans and prefers to stay away from occupied areas.", "problems": [{"question": "Many people know that the cheetah  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["is a fast runner", "runs faster than any other animal on land", "runs as fast as it can", "is very fast for periods of time"]}, {"question": "The cheetah   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["has spots all over its body including its tail", "has spots on its stomach and throat", "does not have spots on its stomach and throat", "has spots everywhere except for its stomach and throat"]}, {"question": "Cheetahs will not fight another animal to protect their food because   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["they can quickly run away", "they are very fast runners", "They want to protect their young", "They are poor fighters"]}]}
{"article": "My friend Mike was shaking his head in disbelief. \"That young woman who just waited on me,\" he said, pointing to an employee of the fast food restaurant where we were eating, \"had to call someone over to help her count change. The cash register   showed her I needed 99 cents, but she couldn't figure out how to count out the coins.\" I understood Mike's concern. What we have done is to create several generations of individuals most of whom have no idea how to reason; how to do simple math; how to do research; or, finally, how to be creative . The reason for this is our overuse of information technology: video games, television, digital watches, calculators, and computers. Information technology feeds us information without requiring us to think about it and let us perform operations without understanding them.    \nIt is time we took a hard look at an educational system that only teaches our children how to push buttons. Our kids can't tell time if the clock has hands. They can use calculators, but cannot add, subtract , divide, or multiply. Video games have taken the place of active, imaginative play. Although most of them are technically educated, they choose not to read. They are so used to television and movies that they cannot use their imagination to stay interested in a book.    \n     Therefore, we must do something to help our children. If we don't, they will never learn how to solve problems. They will never learn even basic reasoning skills and will certainly not develop creativity. Instead of filling classrooms with electronics, let's concentrate on good old-fashioned literacy -- reading books. Students must see how things work and how processes lead to results, and they must also stretch their imagination.", "problems": [{"question": "What was the employee's problem?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She couldn't operate the cash register.", "She forgot to count change.", "She couldn't solve simple math problems.", "She was in need of coins for customer."]}, {"question": "According to the text, Mike worries that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["information technology is developing too fast.", "many restaurants do not provide good service", "we are creating people who cannot think for themselves", "modern technology feeds us with too much information"]}, {"question": "What's probably the author's suggestion about children's problem?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To get them off TV and computer games.", "To teach them how to learn from video games.", "To turn off all electronic equipment at school.", "To give them freedom in the use of computers."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that the author believes   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["calculators help children expand their imagination", "reading benefits children more than electronics do", "there's no place for electronics in the classroom", "information technology does us a lot of good"]}]}
{"article": "Two thieves came to a house to steal something. They dug a hole in the wall of the house.\nThere lived many mice in the house. The woman in the house saw a mouse crawl  into the house in the moonlight. \"Look! In comes one,\" she said to the man in the house. The thief was so frightened that he hurriedly crawled out of the house and said to the one waiting outside, \"She found me when I was just in.\" But the thief outside didn't believe him, so he said, \"Let us try to crawl into the house together.\" At that time two mice happened to crawl into the house, too. The woman saw the mice and shouted, \"In come two, catch them!\" The two thieves were terribly frightened. The man in the house said, \"You saw them come in but where are they? I will catch them tonight.\" The two thieves started running away at once.\nThe two thieves wanted to make it clear whether they had been found or not the night before. The next day they acted as men selling sweet potatoes and came before the house. The man and the woman were ploughing in their fields. The rope broke and the woman came home for a rope. She saw two men selling sweet potatoes and wanted to buy some. She picked out two which looked like mice. At the time the man couldn't wait for her any longer in the fields and he ran back from the fields to hurry her up. The woman showed the sweet potatoes to the man and said, \"How they look like the two of last night.\" The man said, \"I asked you to fetch a rope, why don't you hurry for it?\" The two thieves ran away very quickly without their sweet potatoes.", "problems": [{"question": "The two thieves failed to steal anything from the house because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they were found out", "they were frightened by what they had heard in the house", "they didn't work together well with each other", "mice stopped them from doing so"]}, {"question": "When the woman said, \"How they look like the two of last night!\"   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["she referred to the two thieves", "she meant nothing", "she said it on purpose", "she referred to the mice"]}, {"question": "\"  _  \"is the best title for this passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["Two Clever Thieves", "Terrible Mice", "Hit the Mark by a Fluke", "A Clever Coupe"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The two thieves not only failed to steal things but also lost their sweet potatoes.", "Whenever they found mice, the people in the house would try to catch them.", "The two thieves ran away at once, because they thought the woman had seen them.", "The man let the woman go home for a rope, which would be used for catching the thieves."]}]}
{"article": "To err is human. To blame the other guy is even more human.\nCommon sense is not all that common.\nWhy tell the truth when you can come up with a good excuse?\nThese three popular misquotes are meant to be jokes, and yet they tell us a lot about human nature .To err, or to make mistakes, is indeed a part of being human, but it seems that most people don't want to accept the responsibility for the problem. Perhaps it is the natural thing to do .The original quote about human nature went like this: \" To err is human, to forgive, divine .\"This saying mirrors an ideal people should be forgiving of others' mistakes. Instead, we tend to do the opposite -find someone else to pass the blame on to. However, taking responsibility for something that went wrong is a making of great maturity.\nCommon sense is what we call clear thought. Having common sense means having a good general plan that will make things work well, and it also means staying with the plan. Common sense tells you that you take an umbrella out into a rainstorm, but you leave the umbrella home when you hear a weather forecast for sunshine.Common sense does not seem to be common for large organizations, because there are so many things going on that one person cannot be in charge of everything. People say that in a large company, \"the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.\"\nAnd what is wrong with a society that thinks that making up a good excuse is like creating a work of art? One of the common problems with making excuses is that people, especially young people, get the idea that it's okay not to be totally honest all the time. There is a corollary to that: if good excuse is \"good\" even if it isn't honest, then where is the place of the truth?", "problems": [{"question": "According to tile passage, which of following seems the most human?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To search for truth.", "To achieve one's ideal", "To make fun of others' mistakes.", "To criticize others for one's own error."]}, {"question": "According to the author, what is a sign of a man's maturity?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Doing things his own way.", "Bearing responsibility for his mistakes.", "Making as few mistakes as possible.", "Thinking seriously about his wrongdoing."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is N0T based on common sense?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A man tries to take charge of everything in a large company.", "A student goes out with an umbrella in stormy weather.", "A company's next move follows a good plan.", "A lawyer acts on fine judgments."]}, {"question": "What is the author's opinion about a good excuse?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Making a good excuse is sometimes a better policy.", "Inventing a good excuse needs creative ideas.", "A good excuse is as rewarding as honesty.", "Bitter truth is better than a good excuse."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for his passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A Mirror of Human Nature", "To Blame or to Forgive", "A Mark of Maturity", "Truth or Excuse"]}]}
{"article": "A meteor  that exploded over Russia's Ural mountains and sent burning to earth has set off a rush to find fragments of the space rock which hunters hope could fetch thousands of dollars a piece.\nFriday's explosion and following shockwave shattered windows, injured almost 1200 people and caused about $33 million worth of damage, said local authorities.\nIt also started a \"meteorite rush\" around the industrial city of Chelyabinsk,where groups of people have started _ the snow and ice.\n\"The price is hard to say yet... The fewer meteorites that are discovered, the higher their price is.\" Said Dmitry Kachkalin, a member of the Russian Society of Amateur Meteorite Lovers.\nMeteorites are parts of a meteor that have fallen to earth.\nScientists at the Urals Federal University were the first to announce a significant find-53 small, stony, black objects around Lake Chebarkul, near Chelyabinsk, which tests confirmed were small meteorites.\nThe fragments were only 0.5 to 1 cm across but the scientists said larger pieces may have crashed into the lake, where a crater in the ice about eight metres wide opened up after Friday's explosion.\n\"We just completed tests and confirm that the pieces of matter found by our experts around Lake Chebarkul are really meteorites.\" said Viktor Grokhovsky, a scientist with the Urals Federal University and the Russian Academy of Sciences.\nMany other people were in the area just hoping to find a meteorite after what was described by scientists as a once-in-a-century event.\nResidents of a village near Chelyabinsk searched the snowy streets, collecting stones they hoped prove to be the real thing. But not all were ready to sell.\n\"I will keep it. Why sell it? I didn't have a rich lifestyle before, so why start now?\" a woman in a woollen hat and winter jacket, clutching a small black pebble , told state television.\nThe Internet was filled quickly with advertisements from eager hunters hoping to sell what they said were meteorites - some for as little as 1,000 roubles ($33.18).\nOne seller of a large, silver-hued rock wrote in an advertisement:\" Selling an unusual rock. It may be a piece of meteorite. It may be a bit of a UFO. It may be a piece of a rocket!\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, lots of people rushed to find meteorites for  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["fun", "money", "research", "fame"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The price of meteorites will be very high without doubt.", "A meteor exploded over Russia's Ural mountains on Friday.", "All meteorites hunters want to sell what they found and become rich.", "People from all across Russia have rushed to Ural mountains to find meteorites."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to identity a meteorite", "To sell or to keep your meteorite", "Meteorite rush around Chelyabinsk", "Meteor explosion caused great damage"]}]}
{"article": "We've all felt discouragement at one point or another in our lives. However, when this emotion bleeds into other aspects of our life, it can sometimes be inappropriate or even harmful.\nI was personally discouraged by an adult during my high school. After telling her what university I wanted to attend, she plainly told me I would not get in. I was completely shocked and angry at her statement. The adult may have not intended to hurt me with her words, but it had an after effect. The meeting made me think she had no belief that I could possibly succeed in the future. After that it caused me to try to avoid any future meeting with adults until absolutely necessary.\nWe are all human; therefore, we can all understand that some days are more challenging. But when people allow situations of stress to consume  them, they cannot perform their best. People should pay attention to how their reactions could affect the person they are interacting with. People have the potential to perform their best when they _ the task at hand, but adults who come off in a rude and aggressive way through communication have an effect on teenagers' mind.\nAdults whether in schools, or any other institutions should work to tear down walls gently and create a safe space for the person they are serving. These adults should also help and contribute to a person's academic, personal and professional growth. High school is an important time when young people need someone to believe in them.\nIn conclusion, I would like to add that it is not completely up to adults only. Students are responsible for seeking help from adults who are in authority  positions. They are also responsible for the way they approach adults in their academic surroundings. Students can expect to be treated in a respectful way when they express at the beginning. Generally the responsibility lies on both parties. When both sides can communicate in a polite manner then the complete environment of the school has the potential to develop well.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the adults' roles in school", "the skill to encourage students", "the way to communicate with children", "the importance of personal professional growth"]}, {"question": "Who are responsible for children's development at school according to the writer?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Students.", "Teachers.", "Headmasters.", "Both students and teachers."]}, {"question": "The writer once tried to avoid meetings with adults because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he was very busy", "he thought highly of himself", "he was once hurt by an adult", "he couldn't get high marks at school"]}]}
{"article": "There's a man in the habit of hitting me on the head with an umbrella.At first I couldn't stand it;now I'm used to it.\n    I don't know his name.I know he's average in appearance,wears a gray suit.and has a common face one hot morning,when 1 was sitting off a tree-shaded bench in Palermo Park,reading the paper,suddenly I felt something touch my head.It was the very same man who now,as I'm writing.keeps striking me with an umbrella.\n    On that occasion I turned around filled with anger.He just kept on hitting me.I asked him if he was crazy.He didn't even seem to hear me.Thell I threatened to call a policeman.Calmly.cool as a cucumber,he stuck with his task.After a few moments of hesitation,and seeing that he was not about to change his attitude,I stood up and hit him on the nose.The man fell down.But he immediately got back on his feet,obviously with great effort,and without a word again began hitting me on the head with the umbrella.His nose was bleeding and,at that moment.Ifelt sorry for him I felt regret for having hit him so hard.After all,the man wash't exactly hitting me;he was merely tapping me lightly with his umbrella,not causing any pain at all.Of course.those taps were extremely bothersome.As we all know,when a fly lands on your forehead,you don't feel any pain;what you feel is annoyance well then,that umbrella was one huge fly that kept landing on my head time after time.\n    Convinced that I was dewing with a madman.I tried to escape.But the man followed me,wordlessly continuing to hit me.So I began to run(I should point out that not many people run as fast asI do).He took off after me.trying to land a blow.The man was out of breath so that I thought,if I continued to force him to run at that speed,he would drop dead fight then and there*", "problems": [{"question": "When the man began to strike the author with an umbrella,the author", "answer": "A", "options": ["became angry", "called the police", "turned around and escaped", "turned around and fought back"]}, {"question": "The author would most probably agree that he man was_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["deaf", "blind", "dead", "mad"]}, {"question": "The author felt sorry for the man because_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["the man formed a bad habit of beating others", "he hit I the marl so hard that his nose bled", "the man couldn't  catch up with him", "there was a fly on the man's head"]}, {"question": "It can be learned from the passage that the man_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["shouted loudly while hitting the author", "wanted to tell the author something", "rail after the author breathlessly", "acted as if he were a fly"]}]}
{"article": "The Internet has led to a huge increase in credit-card fraud. Your card information could even be for sale in an illegal web site.\nWeb sites offering cheap goods and services should be regarded with care.\nOn-line shoppers who enter their credit-card information may never receive the goods they thought they bought. The thieves then go shopping with your card number -- or sell the information over the Internet. Computers hackers have broken down security systems, raising questions about the safety of cardholder information. Several months ago, 25, 000 customers of CD Universe, an on-line music retailer , were not lucky. Their names, addresses and credit-card numbers were posted on a Web site after the retailer refused to pay US $157, 828 to get back the information.\nCredit-card firms are now fighting against on-line fraud. Mastercard is working on plans for Web -- only credit card, with a lower credit limit. The card could be used only for shopping on-line. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep from being cheated.\nAsk about your credit-card firm's on-line rules: Under British law, cardholders have to pay the first US $78 of any fraudulent  spending.\nAnd shop only at secure sites; Send your credit-card information only if the Web site offers advanced secure system.\nIf the security is in place, a letter will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. The Website address may also start https: //--the extra \"s\" stands for secure. If in doubt, give your credit-card information over the telephone.\nKeep your password safe: Most on-line sites require a user name and password before placing an order. Treat your passwords with care.", "problems": [{"question": "What do most people worry about the Internet according to this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A lot of stolen credit-cards were sold on the Internet.", "Fraud on the Internet.", "Many Web sites are destroyed.", "Many illegal Web sites are on the Internet."]}, {"question": "What is the meaning of \"fraud\"?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Cheating.", "Sale.", "Payment.", "Safety."]}, {"question": "How can the thieves get the information of the credit card?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The customers give them the information.", "The thieves steal the information from Web sites.", "The customers sell the information to them.", "The thieves buy the information from credit-card firms."]}, {"question": "How many pieces of advice does the passage give to you?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Four.", "Three.", "Five.", "Six."]}, {"question": "You are shopping on the site: http: // www. Shopping. com, and you want to buy a TV set, what does this article suggest to do?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Order the TV set at once.", "Do not buy the TV set on this site.", "E-mail the site your credit-card information.", "Tell the site your password and buy the TV set for you."]}]}
{"article": "prefix = st1 /PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7 -- At 26, many people haven't even decided on a career. Luke Ravenstahl, cashing in on his family's political tradition, is already the mayor of Pittsburgh, the youngest mayor of any major city in the country. Although mayors elsewhere have been younger, Jeff Dunkel was 18 in 2001 when he was elected mayor of Mount Carbon, small towns inNew York, and elsewhere have also elected teenagers as mayors. But,Tallahassee, is the only other city with a population over 100,000 that has had a mayor as young as Mr. Ravenstahl. A supporter of Mr. Ravenstahl said concerns about Mr. Ravenstahl's age would _ once the city saw his work ethic.\nBut now comes the hard part. As he strives to be taken seriously and take charge of a city only recently back from the brink of bankruptcy, the baby-faced mayor said that even the smallest decisions felt weighty, even what to wear in the Steelers game matters.\nAnd another pressing issue is to strengthen the city's economy. Pittsburghhas lost all its mills, nearly half its population and much of its downtown commercial district in the last several decades. \"ButPittsburghhas 50,000 college students, and our challenge is to figure out how to retain them and to increase downtown development.\" He said.\nBut one of the biggest uncertainties is how long he will remain in office. According to the city charter, Mayor Ravenstahl's term will not expire until November 2009. Some city lawyers, however, have argued that he must face the electorate next year. And residents in Pittsburghare still withholding judgment on him. Deli, Jimmy Cvetic, a sandwich shop owner, said \"I call him Cool Hand Luke. He'll be all right, but he's going to need a cool hand to get through this.\"\nMayor Ravenstahl said he was still coming to terms with the challenge he faced.", "problems": [{"question": "What can you infer from the article about Pittsburgh?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is a small town in New Yorkfamous for steel mills.", "It has always enjoyed prosperous economic success.", "Many young college students there are the new hope of the district.", "It is a major city in the U.S.A with a population slightly smaller than 100,000."]}, {"question": "Where can you find this article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A magazine", "A brochure about politicians", "A newspaper", "An advertisement about some mayor candidates"]}, {"question": "What kind of Challenges will not Luke Ravenstahl cope with?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Distrust from his citizens", "pressure from other outstanding young majors", "economical standstill of his city", "decreasing population in his city"]}]}
{"article": "The literal meaning of philosophy is \"love of wisdom\". But this meaning does not tell us very much. Unlike the other disciplines ,philosophy cannot be defined by what you study, because it is actually unlimited. Anything can be the subject matter of philosophy: art, history, law, language, literature, mathematics, medicine, psychology, religion, science, and values. Philosophy is one of the world's oldest subjects of study, and in fact, the other academic disciplines are directly related to philosophy. For this reason you get a Doctorate  of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in biochemistry, or computer science, or psychology.\nTwo broad sub-fields of philosophy are logic and the history of philosophy. Logic is the science of argument and critical thinking. It provides sound methods for distinguishing good from bad reasoning. The history of philosophy involves the study of major philosophers and periods in the development of philosophy.\nOf what use is philosophy? First it is useful in educational advancement. It is necessary for understanding other disciplines.  Only philosophy questions the nature of the concepts used in a discipline, and its relation to other disciplines. And through the study of philosophy, one develops sound methods of research and analysis that can be applied to any field.\nThere are a number of general uses of philosophy. It strengthens one's ability to solve problems, to communicate, to organize ideas and issues, to persuade, and to take what is the most important from a large quantity of data.These general uses are of great benefit in the career field, not necessarily for obtaining one's first job after graduation, but for preparing for positions of responsibility, management and leadership later on. It is very short-sighted after all, to take a course of studies only for the purpose of getting one's first job. The useful skills developed through the study of philosophy have significant long-term benefits in career advancement. No other discipline systematically follows the ideals of wisdom, leadership, and capacity to resolve human conflict.", "problems": [{"question": "With the study of philosophy, you can  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["become a great leader", "succeed in everything", "find a good job soon after graduation", "make progress in your career development"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Philosophy is an independent discipline.", "Logic helps you to become a better thinker.", "The study of philosophy brings you immediate benefits.", "The meaning of philosophy is too limited to define."]}, {"question": "From the passage, we can conclude  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["not all the subjects have to do with philosophy", "a person will get a Ph.", "philosophy can be helpful for the study of any other subjects", "philosophy is the only solution to all the problems to the world"]}]}
{"article": "I was brought up in the British, _ . Strong feelings aren't something you display in public. So, you can imagine that I was unprepared for the outpouring of public grief  at a Chinese funeral.\nMy editorial team leader died recently after a short illness. He was 31. The news was so unexpected that it left us all shocked and upset. A female colleague burst into tears and cried piteously at her desk. Somehow we got through the day's work. The next day was the funeral.\nOur big boss stepped forward to deliver a eulogy and was soon in tears. She carried on, in Chinese of course, but at the end said in English: \"There will be no more deadlines for you in heaven.\" Next came a long-term colleague who also dissolved in tears but carried on with her speech despite being almost overcome by emotion. Then a close friend of the dead man paid tribute , weeping openly as he spoke. Sorrow is spreading. Me and women were now sobbing uncontrollably. Finally, the man's mother, supported between two women, addressed her son in his coffin. At one point, the mother almost collapsed and had to be held up. We were invited to step forward to each lay a white rose on the casket. Our dead colleague looked as if he was taking a nap. At the end of the service I walked away from the funeral parlor stunned at the outpouring of emotion.\nIn the UK, families grieve privately and then try to hold it together and not break down at a funeral. Here in China it would seem that grieving is a public affair. It strikes me that it is more cathartic to cry your eyes out than try to keep it bottled up for fear of embarrassment, which is what many of us do in the West.\nAfterwards, a Chinese colleague told me that the lamenting at the funeral had been restrained  by Chinese standards. In some rural areas, she said, people used to be paid to mourn noisily. This struck me like something out of novel by Charles Dickens. But we have all seen on TV scenes of grief-stricken people in Gaza and the West Bank, in Afghanistan, Iraq and the relatives of victims of terrorist bombings around the world. Chinese grief is no different. I realized that it's the reserved British way of mourning that is out of step with the rest of the world.\nIt was our newspaper's production day. We were bussed back to the office to resume work. No more deadlines for our former colleague, but we had to pull together to put the newspaper to print. The boss invited the team to go out for dinner after work. We relaxed, smiled, joked. There was no mention of the funeral or our poor colleague. Enough sorrow had been shed already. We needed a break.", "problems": [{"question": "At the funeral,  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["five individuals made speeches", "the boss's speech was best thought of", "everyone was crying out loudly", "the writer was astonished by the scene"]}, {"question": "According to the writer, people in the West  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["are not willing to be sad for the dead", "prefer to control their sadness in public", "cry their eyes out at the public funeral", "have better way to express sadness"]}, {"question": "It is implied that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the English might cry noisily for the dead in Dickens' time", "Chinese express their sadness quite unlike other peoples", "victims of terrorist bombings should be greatly honored", "English funeral culture is more civilized than the others"]}, {"question": "This passage talks mainly about  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["an editor's death", "bad funeral customs", "western ways of grief", "cultural differences"]}]}
{"article": "Soon after you have your first child, the question of having a second one is raised by friends and family. However, as the pattern of having two children in a family is challenged by modern family units, there are a few reasons why it is not selfish to want only one child. \nToday, the role of women has changed a lot. But nowadays, a wife has to help her husband earn the bread and butter as well as well as looking after her family. In demanding times like these, a woman has to put in more physical and emotional effort than any other member of the family. \nRaising a child comes at a cost that remains only heard of, until you find yourself paying it. The good reality of double income with no kids suddenly comes crashing down when there is a child involved in the picture. When one parent (the mother) needs to take some time off to look after the newborn, only one person becomes the earning member. Of course, the expenses went up rapidly. According to Susan Newman, PhD, a social psychologist, the average cost of raising a child is $227,000 from birth to college.\nMost young mothers also think that having one child would mean that there is more income for the child, and thus, better facilities can be provided. It is much easier to educate a single child at a good school, and give him/her better life with more resources at hand. \nWith several children in the house, it becomes increasingly difficult to find ways to spend time with all of them. Dividing your time with just one child means that you can devote a little more time to doing the things you want to. In a single child unit, there are less comparison and more chances for positive motivation to learn new things. A happy child, who deserves the rightful attention, love, care, and time from both the parents, always gets a meaningful childhood, for both the parents and the child.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the writer mainly want to tell us in the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It is not selfish to have only one child in a family.", "Raising a child costs a lot nowadays.", "It is more difficult to raise several children in a family.", "Women are playing a more important role in the family than before."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage to support the writer's opinion?", "answer": "C", "options": ["better education.", "meaningful childhood.", "less generation gap.", "better care."]}]}
{"article": "Grown-ups are often surprised by how well they remember something they learned as children but have never practiced ever since. A man who has not had a chance to go swimming for years can still swim as well as ever when he gets back in the water. He can get on a bicycle after many years and still ride away. He can play catch and hit a ball as well as his son. A mother who has not thought about the words for years can teach her daughter the poem that begins \"Twinkle, twinkle, little star\" or remember the story of Cinderella or Goldilocks and the Three Bears.\nOne explanation is the law of overlearning, which can be stated as follows: Once we have learned something, additional learning trials increase the length of time we will remember it.\nIn childhood we usually continue to practice such skills as swimming, bicycle riding, and playing baseball long after we have learned them. We continue to listen to and remind ourselves of words such as \"Twinkle, twinkle, little star\" and childhood tales such as Cinderella and Goldilocks. We not only learn but overlearn.\nThe multiplication tables are an exception to the general rule. that we forget rather quickly the things that we learn in school, because they are another of the things we overlearn in childhood. The law of overlearning explains why cramming  for an examination, though it may result in a passing grade, is not a satisfactory way to learn a college course. By cramming, a student may learn the subject well enough to get by on the examination, but he is likely soon to forget almost everything he learned. A little overlearning, on the other hand, is really necessary for one's future development", "problems": [{"question": "What's the main idea of Paragraph 1", "answer": "B", "options": ["Children have a better memory than grown-ups.", "People remember well what they learned in childhood.", "Poem reading is a good way to learn words.\"", "Stories for children are easy to remember"]}, {"question": "The author explains the law of overlearning by", "answer": "C", "options": ["presenting research findings", "setting down general rules", "using examples", "making a comparison"]}, {"question": "According to the author, being able to use multiplication tables is", "answer": "A", "options": ["a result of overlearning", "a special case of cramming", "a skill to deal with math problems", "a basic step towards advanced studies"]}, {"question": "What is the author's opinion on cramming?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It leads to failure in college exams.", "It increases students' learning interest.", "It's possible to result in poor memory.", "It's helpful only in a limited way."]}]}
{"article": "For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the ground or the sewer  system. But if you want to save a little water and reuse it on your lawns or plants --- or even use it for laundry, dishes, or other needs --- collecting rainwater from your gutter's downspouts  is a _ \nAccording to John C. Davis, writing in E / The Environmental Magazine, just about any homeowner can collect rainwater, given that the roof and gutters do most of the work. And since an inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces some 1,200 gallons of water, you can harvest enough to water your lawn or garden.\nPlants and grass actually do better when fed rainwater instead of tap water, which is usually treated with substances that can hold back plant growth. Using rainwater can also extend the life of pipes, since the salts added to tap water may gradually damage the pipes. However, homeowners should set up a water purification system if they do plan to use rainwater for inside needs.\nRainwater harvesting can also be good for the local community, as it reduces the erosion, flooding, and pollution associated with heavy rainfall, and reduces dependence on public water supplies. So some states fund rainwater collection systems in their local communities.\nMany varieties of rain barrel  systems, starting at just $100, are available for home use. A typical setup is simply a rain barrel positioned under a gutter's downspout. Skillful homeowners can make their own water harvesting systems, but buying one is a lot easier. Most garden centres offer a range of choices as well as tips.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the topic of the passage ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Basic gardening skills.", "Water-saving techniques.", "Wastewater treatment systems.", "Roof rainwater collection."]}]}
{"article": "The day the letter arrived from my university telling me how much I owed them for my first semester, I felt a lump forming in my throat. I hadn't even started my degree and already I was in debt. But although the sum was unsettling, I had peace of mind: I had taken out a loan that would cover the next three years of tuition fees and living expenses.\nA government body in the UK, the Student Loans Company, provides loans to students whose parents cannot afford to cover the costs themselves. Students forward this amount to the university in advance and agree to repay the loan when they begin their first job. For me, it was a lot of money -around &6,000(60,860 Yuan) per year in total -and much more than I had ever been responsible for. I would receive a couple of thousand pounds per semester -half for tuition fees, half for living costs. \nEven though I will be paying off my debt for a long time, I don't regret my decision. \nHaving a loan taught me a lot about money management, which I would not have learned otherwise. Each term I paid my tuition fees in one payment, but I also received my loan for living costs in one payment. It was up to me to organize how I would spend this. \nI divided the amount to calculate my weekly budget and it was important that I tried not to overspend. I had to be disciplined and keep a close eye on my expenditure. Food, clothes and going out are the main things students spend money on. \nWith a loan, students have total financial freedom. Instead of having someone looking over their shoulder, they must make every financial decision for themselves. \nThis year, university fees were tripled. But when it comes to money management, perhaps this generation will be the smartest yet.", "problems": [{"question": "How did the writer feel when the letter arrived?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Unsettled.", "Calm.", "Relieved.", "Stressed."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements about the loan is right?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It's meant for excellent students.", "It's well beyond what the author could be responsible for.", "Students must pay it off as soon as they get a job.", "Students can receive the money monthly."]}, {"question": "The student loan has all of the advantages except that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["It can make students live a comfortable life in university.", "It can enable students to carry on with their study.", "It can teach students to spent money wisely.", "It can help to reduce family burden."]}]}
{"article": "Do you love holidays but hate gaining weight? You are not alone. Holidays are times for celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight. With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don't have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy.\nHere are some tips for preventing weight gain and maintaining physical fitness:\nDon't skip meals. Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack . This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious foods.\nControl the amount of food. Use a small plate that may encourage you to \"load up  \". You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist  .\nBegin with soup and fruit or vegetables. Fill up beforehand on water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables, or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you to feel full.\nAvoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have large amount of fat. Choose lean meat . Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of creamy food.\nStick to physical activity. Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk helps to burn off extra calories.(238 words)", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["You should never eat delicious foods.", "Drinking some water or soup before eating helps you to eat less.", "Holidays are happy days but they may bring you weight problems.", "Physical exercise can reduce the chance of putting on weight."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can NOT help people to lose weight according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Eating lean meat.", "Creamy food.", "Eating raw fruit or vegetables.", "Physical exercise."]}, {"question": "Many people can't control their weight during the holidays mainly because they   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["can't help eating too much", "take part in too many parties", "enjoy delicious foods sometimes", "can't help turning away from foods."]}, {"question": "If the passage appeared in a newspaper, which section is the most suitable one?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Holidays and Festivals section", "Health and Fitness section", "Fashion section", "Student Times Club section"]}, {"question": "What is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to avoid holiday feasting.", "Do's and don'ts for keeping slim and fit.", "How to avoid weight gain over holidays.", "Wonderful holidays, boring experiences."]}]}
{"article": "Do you have a hobby--something you really enjoy doing in your spare time? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could spend more time on your hobby and less time at work? Maybe it's not an either/or situation. Perhaps you can do both at the same time.\nWhen choosing a career, one of the things you must consider is your interests. Why then do so many people not even think about their hobbies when a hobby is, in fact, an interest? Perhaps it's because even Webster's Dictionary defines a hobby as \"a pursuit (,) outside one's regular occupation  \". Maybe this is a rule you should break. After all, no one ever said your hobby had to stay separate from your occupation. In addition people are usually very skilled at their hobbies. The combination of interest and skill is a very compelling   reason to choose a particular career.\n\"Who's going to hire someone who loves making beaded   jewelry?\" you may ask yourself. Good question. Don't wait for someone to hire you. Start your own business. That may be the best way to combine your hobby with your career. Those with hobbies that involve creating things, i.e. jewelry, clothing, or pottery, may do well to sell those items on their own. Before you go forward with your plans, though, you should find out whether being an entrepreneur   is for you.\nWhen you attempt to turn your hobby into a career, don't forget to do your homework. Even though you may have enjoyed training your pet birds to sing the national song, that doesn't mean you're suitable to be an animal trainer. Be sure to research your career choice completely. There may be aspects of it that just aren't for you. In that case, stick to your day job, as they say, and save your hobby for your free time.", "problems": [{"question": "By writing this passage, the writer wants to introduce   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how to choose a hobby for your free time", "how to develop your own hobby", "how to treat your job as a hobby", "how to turn a hobby into a career"]}]}
{"article": "Aqeela Asifi, who fled to Pakistan as a young woman, has spent her life teaching other Afghan refugees.\nFor her efforts, Ms. Asifi, who is 49, has won the 2015 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award. She also gets $100,000 to help pay for her education projects. The UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award honors extraordinary service to people who have been forced from their homes. Eleanor Roosevelt, Graca Machel and Luciano Pavarotti are some of the other winners of the award.\nAsifi faced many problems in Afghanistan before she fled to Pakistan. Resources were limited and education for women was discouraged. However, in Pakistan, the 49-year-old was able to bring change to her conservative Afghan community. She persuaded parents to send their daughters to school in a tent at the Kot Chandana refugee village. The village was in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.\nSince then, Ms. Asifi has guided more than a thousand refugee girls through their primary education. \"When I began my mission to educate Afghan girls, I could not have imagined that one day it will win me this award. I cannot express my happiness,\" she told VOA.\nMs. Asifi was a teacher in Kabul when she fled with her family in 1992. \"In Afghanistan I was teaching both boys and girls,\" she told VOA. \"When I left Afghanistan and ended up in this refugee village with my family, I was saddened to find out there were no facilities here, particularly for women and girls.\" They made their home in the distant refugee community in Kot Chandana. There she began teaching a small number of students in her tent. She made teaching materials by hand.\nHer tent school has led to the opening of several permanent schools in the village. These schools teach more than one thousand children. Support from the UNHCR, local government, and non-governmental organizations helped make these new schools possible.\nMs. Asifi is a mother of six children. She has worked hard to pay for their education. She spends almost all her income to pay her son's tuition to study engineering at Kabul University.\nBut seeking higher education for her four daughters is difficult. There is not enough money or secondary schools for girls in the village.\nThe Afghan teacher hopes more and more children will receive an education in Afghanistan. She hopes her home country becomes better known for higher levels of education, instead of war. \"I want my goal to be introduced in parts of Afghanistan where conservative traditions and customs still prevent parents from sending their daughters to outdoor schools,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, Asifi was able to win the 2015 UNHCR Nansen Refugee award mainly because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["she suffered a lot more than other refugees who fled to Pakistan", "she was the kindest person all over the world", "she witnessed the cruelest event when she was in Afghanistan", "she made great contributions to refugees despite leaving her homeland"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about Asifi's experiences?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Before she fled to Afghanistan, she had been a teacher in Pakistan.", "Asifi succeeded in changing attitudes of Afghan refugees toward girl education.", "Asifi determined to win the award when she began to educate Afghan girls.", "All the materials needed for teaching were borrowed."]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Resources were unlimited and education for women was encouraged before Asifi fled to Pakistan.", "Eleanor Roosevelt, Graca Machel and Luciano Pavarotti all fled to other countries from Afghanistan.", "Asifi's daughters can enjoy equal opportunities like their brothers to receive higher education at university.", "Asifi still treats her own country with great affection though living as a refugee in another country."]}]}
{"article": "Dear son,\nThe day that you see me old and I am already not in good health, have patience and try to understand me.\nIf I get dirty when eating, if I can not dress, have patience and remember the hours I spent teaching it to you. If, when I speak to you, I repeat the same things thousand and one times, do not interrupt me, listen to me. When you were small, I had to read to you thousand and one times the same story until you got to sleep. When I do not want to have a shower, neither shame me nor scold me. Remember when I had to chase you with thousand excuses I invented, in order that you wanted to breathe. When you see my knowing little about new technologies, give me the necessary time and do not look at me with your mocking  smile. I taught you how to do so many things: to eat good, to dress well, to confront life... When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember, and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous, as the most important thing is not our conversation but surely to be with you and to have you listening to me.\nIf ever I do not want to eat, do not force me. I know well when I need to and when not. When my tired legs do not allow me to walk, give me your hand, the same way I did when you made your first step. And when someday I say to you that I do not want to live anymore--that I want to rest forever, do not get angry. Someday you will understand.\nTry to understand that _ . Some day you will discover that, despite my mistakes, I always wanted the best thing for you and that I tried to prepare the way for you. You must not feel sad, angry or impotent for seeing me near you. You must be next to me, try to understand me and to help me as I did it when you starting living. I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I have had always for you.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the father mainly want to say to his son in short?", "answer": "D", "options": ["\" Help me to understand my life.\"", "\" Teach you how to live and survive.\"", "\" Share you how I taught you.\"", "\" Help to end my way with your love and patience.\""]}]}
{"article": "Health insurance   can be very expensive. Some working people do not make enough money to pay for it. In the US there is a program called Healthy Families. This program offers people health insurance at a low cost.\nFamilies are charged about $7.00 a month for every child, and $10.00 for every adult. It costs much less than any other kind of health insurance. Having health insurance is very important. With this insurance, people can see a doctor when they are sick or hurt. \nThe program is not expensive at all, but many people are still not enrolling   in it. People say that it still costs too much money. They need all of their money to pay for things like food and rent  .\nIt would be great if everyone could have health insurance. People are working hard to come up with ways to make this happen. One idea is to make the Healthy Families Program free for some people.\nIt is important for people to see a doctor when they need to. The Healthy Families Program makes it possible for more people to do this. Many ideas are being considered. Hopefully some of them will allow even more families to get health insurance.\nThe Healthy Families Program is made to help those who don't have welfare   and cannot earn enough to pay for private health insurance. It is an important program, but officials say that too many people are signing up for it and then dropping out   because of the Healthy Families Program's cost.", "problems": [{"question": "The aim of the Healthy Families Program is to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["help people earn more and pay for the program", "make it free for people to see a doctor", "help more families get health insurance", "help families pay for private health insurance"]}, {"question": "If a couple has two children, how much would health insurance cost every month?", "answer": "A", "options": ["$34", "$40.", "$28.", "$24."]}, {"question": "Why is it very important for people to have health insurance?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They can see a doctor free of charge.", "They can get special medical care.", "They can go to see a doctor as soon as possible.", "They can afford to see a doctor when they need to."]}, {"question": "In the passage we can learn all of the following EXCEPT that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["health insurance is very important for ordinary people", "people should make more money to pay for private health insurance", "the program is still too expensive for many people", "many people don't make enough money to pay for health insurance"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["health insurance at a low cost", "the Healthy Families Program", "the cost of health insurance[", "the benefits of health insurance"]}]}
{"article": "Teenage life is quite dramatic but that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy your life in these years. Even with your daily troubles, your life is not very hard if you know how to deal with them.\nI know exactly how you feel. Life as a teenager can be hard. You are not a kid anymore, because you are smart enough to observe and analyze your surroundings. However, you are still not an adult because there are still lots of experiences that you need to have and lessons that you need to learn from these experiences. To top it all, the hormonal  imbalance in your body can really mess you up emotionally. I have been there. I was in it for 6 years exploring what life is about.\nAs a teenager, I had a major problem with completing my chores  on time. And at that time, all that I need to do was finish my assignments, study for the upcoming test and clean my room. Now, I have lots of things to do: cooking, cleaning and working while striking a balance between all my relationships related to work, family and friends. That really is a lot of work. So, I will just give you one golden tip, quoting from Benjamin Franklin, \"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.\"\nLife becomes much easier because I finish all my work on time and I have enough time to _ . Half the problems as a teenager are because we hate doing things. We'd rather go and have fun than sit down and take care of our duties and responsibilities. That is why you have so much trouble in your life; your parents won't let you go out with friends because you didn't clean your room or your professor is always criticizing you because you haven't finished your assignments.", "problems": [{"question": "Whom is the text intended for?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Parents", "Teachers", "Teenagers", "Scientists"]}, {"question": "The author tries to persuade readers mainly by means of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["quoting famous sayings by famous people", "setting his own experiences as example", "listing all of his troubles in his childhood", "showing the numerous assignments for children"]}]}
{"article": "You could feel sorry for Alberto Torres, who is blind. The last thing he remembers seeing was his daughter being born 13 years ago. Then the world went blank; he can only imagine what his only child looks like now, as a teenaged honor student. Bad luck is no stranger to this warm and thoughtful 37-year-old man. His mother died of cancer when he was 4, and his father, who was often ill, had to give him up to the care of the state when he was 11. He later worked for 19 years in a workshop making household goods, deathly boring work. Earlier this month, Alberto Torres's wife, who had just been laid off from her job, had to have a breast removed due to cancer and now faces a year of radiation treatments. Things seemed always to go from almost incredibly bad to worse. Even Mr. Torres's good luck has a dark side: Five years ago, his lovely guide dog pulled him out of the path of a truck. Mr. Torres was not hurt. The dog was killed.\nBut Mr. Torres does not feel sorry for himself. \"These are just little bumps you have to go over in your life,\" he said. At 5 a.m. on a recent morning, we caught up with Mr. Torres at a subway stop in Brooklyn, New York, near where he lives in a third-floor apartment (with no elevator). He had been up since 3 a.m., feeding his new dog, making coffee, getting ready. \"When you're blind, it takes a little longer to do things,\" he said.\nMr. Torres was beginning his two-hour trip to his job developing film in the X-ray department of the emergency room of the Bronx hospital. He would take the G train to Queens Plaza station to the R train, heading towards Manhattan. He would then ride the R train to 59th Street where he would walk upstairs to switch to the Number 6 train. At one point along the journey, he might chat with a stranger. At another, someone would pat his dog, calling him by name. People offered assistance, even seats. At 125th Street, Mr. Torres would transfer to the Number 4 train by crossing the platform. At 149th Street, he would go down to the Number 2. He would take that to East 180th Street where he nearly always has a long wait for his final train, to Pelham Parkway. Then he and his dog would walk 20 minutes to the hospital.\nIt was a hard job to come by. Before he got the job, Mr. Torres was determined to escape the workshop run by an organization dedicated to help people who can't see. He wanted a job developing X-ray film, something that everyone must do in the dark. He had to handle the long trip, as well as the work. \"Our philosophy here is that blind people can do just about anything except drive buses,\" it was the thinking about disabled people at the Bronx hospital. \"We find what a person can do rather than what he can't do,\" said the hospital's director.\nOne day a while ago marked the first anniversary of Mr. Torres's hiring. He developed 150 or so X-rays, his usual output, to celebrate. Mr. Torres works by himself in a small, dark room that smells of chemicals. He cannot wear gloves, because he needs to feel. It is hard work, related to emergency of lives. His immediate supervisor says he trusts him 100%. Mr. Torres makes $20,000 a year. But his motivation goes beyond money. \"If I start feeling like a victim, that makes me bitter. And why be bitter? That makes you go into a hole and stay there.\" he said. \"I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary,\" insisted Mr. Torres as he quickly completed the task.", "problems": [{"question": "Mr. Torres became blind when  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["his daughter was just born", "he was thirteen years old", "his mother died of cancer", "his wife was out of work"]}, {"question": "Mr. Torres does not feel sorry for himselfbecause he   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["was once saved by his lovely guide dog", "is taken good care of by the government", "thinks it's natural to have setbacks in life", "believes it takes a little longer to do things"]}, {"question": "The description of Mr. Torres's long trip to work shows   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the effective traffic system", "the kindness of New Yorkers", "the loyalty of his guide dog", "his will to overcome difficulty"]}, {"question": "What is the principle of the hospital in employing a worker?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Sympathy counts most.", "Ability comes first.", "Preference for the blind.", "Easy job for the weak."]}, {"question": "Mr. Torres works very hard in order to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["make plenty of money", "win his supervisor's trust", "live like a normal person", "complete his daily task"]}, {"question": "In the eyes of the writer, Alberto Torres is a man of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["deep thinking", "weak motivation", "special talents", "great independence"]}]}
{"article": "The challenge to drink to the limits of one's endurance has become a celebrated part of college life. In one of the most extensive reports on college drinking thus far, a 1997 Harvard School of Public Health study found that 43 percent of college students admitted binge drinking in the preceding two weeks (Defined as four drinks in a sitting for a woman and five of a man, a drinking binge is when one drinks enough to risk health and well - being )\nExperts estimate that excessive drinking is involved in thousands of student deaths a year. And the Harvard researchers found that there has been a dramatic change in why students drink. 39 percent drank \"to get drunk\" in 1993, but 52 percent had the same objective in 1997.\n\"What has changed is the across - the - board acceptability of intoxication  ,\" says Felix Savino at UW - Madison. Many college students today see not just drinking but being drunk as their primary way of socializing.\nThe reasons for the shift are complex and not fully understood. But researchers guess that it may have something to do with today's instant - satisfaction life - style--and young people tend to take into the extreme.\nWhile binge drinking isn't always deadly, it does have other, wide - ranging effects. Academics is one area where it takes a heavy  _ (something paid, lost or suffered). Perhaps because alcohol increases aggression and affects judgement, it is also related to 25 percent of violent crimes and roughly 60 percent of vandalism on campus. Facing the many potential dangers, college campuses are searching for ways to reduce binge drinking.", "problems": [{"question": "Why has \"binge drinking\" caused widespread concern?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because it is directly responsible for the academic problem on campus.", "Because it has claimed many young lives every year.", "Because it has had harmful effects on the students' health and well - being.", "Because it is in close connection with school violence."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that young people today_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["cherish their dream and are willing to work hard for it.", "value spiritual satisfaction over physical satisfaction.", "are idealistic and disillusioned by the dark reality.", "seek immediate satisfaction and indulge   themselves too much"]}, {"question": "Students regard drinking and binge drinking as_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["tolerable", "acceptable", "necessary", "essential"]}]}
{"article": "Good Teachers\nA language training school at Yayuncun needs two full-time teachers and three part-time teachers to teach adults, 12 students a class, oral English and business English during afternoons and evenings.\n     Full-time teachers 25--30 hours per week, 10 000--2 000 yuan per month.  Part-time teachers can choose the class to teach, 100--150 yuan per hour, according to your experience.\nNeed native English speakers with teaching experience. Please send your RESUME and PICTURE to eslchina@\nyahoo.com.cn\n                                    Writers/Researchers\nCurrently, Fisher's Travel SOS is looking for the freelance writer and researcher with experience in journalism and the ability to computers, it is part-time positions for our project that will take a month to complete.  Work is conducted at home, and will take a couple of hours per day or less. Full training is given.\nPlease refer to www.Fisherstravelos.com for more information on our company. Journalists and writers interested in the positions should directly contact Danielle-Chu at daniellechu@ fisherstravelsos. com with your details and CV .\nFull-time Waiters/Waitresses/Bartenders\nWe are a beautiful modern world famous Tiki Bar looking for FULL-TIME staff --waiters/waitresses/\nbartenders for its current expansion. If you are 18 to 25 years old, with good looks, wit and charm, this job is for you. Good English and basic restaurant experience are necessary but not required.\nPlease contact us.\nTel: 13370153195\nMail :dacfxa@ 163bi. com\nAdvertising Sales\nYou must have a \"sales\" personality -- you need to love knocking on doors, giving presentations, closing deals, and keeping your customers happy. You don't need any special degrees, and you don't have to speak English. It would be better if you should have advertising sales experience, but that's not a requirement.\nIf this sounds fit for you, please email your resume  to jobs @ chinadeco, com. cu.", "problems": [{"question": "You must know English if you want to be  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["a teacher", "a waiter", "a writer", "a seller"]}, {"question": "All the following are necessary as a researcher EXCEPT that  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["you are able to use the computer", "you should be interested in the job", "you can work several hours a day", "you must finish your work every day"]}, {"question": "As a salesman, you need to love keeping the customers pleased because  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["you are always very friendly to others", "you would like to make friends with them", "you want to sell more products to them", "you have learned a lot of experience"]}, {"question": "If you want to get a job that you can do at home you should get in touch with  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["jobs@ china&co, com. Cn", "eslchina@ yahoo, com. cn", "dacfxa@ 163bj. Com", "daniellechu@ fisherstravelsos, com"]}]}
{"article": "No one is sure how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids near Cairo. But a new study suggests they used a little rock'n'roll. Long-ago builders could have attached wooden poles to the stones and rolled them across the sand, the scientists say.\n\"Technically, I think what they're proposing is possible,\" physicist Daniel Bonn said.\nPeople have long puzzled over how the Egyptians moved such huge rocks. And there's no obvious answer. On average, each of the two million big stones weighed about as much as a large pickup truck. The Egyptians somehow moved the stone blocks to the pyramid site from about one kilometer away.\nThe most popular view is that Egyptian workers slid the blocks along smooth paths. Many scientists suspect wokers first would have put the blocks on sleds . Then they would have dragged them along paths. To make the work easier, workers may have lubricated the paths either with wet clay or with the fat from cattle. Bonn has now tested this idea by building small sleds and dragging heavy objects over sand.\nEvidence from the sand supports this idea. Researchers found small amounts of fat, as well as a large amount of stone and the remains of paths.\nHowever , physicist Joseph West think there might have been a simpler way , who led the new study . West said , \"I was inspired while watching a television program showing how sleds might have helped with pyramid construction . I thought , \"Why don't they just try rolling the things ? \" A square could be turned into a rough sort of wheel by attaching wooden poles to its sides , he realized . That , he notes , should make a block of stone \"a lot easier to roll than a square\".\nSo he tried _ \nHe and his students tied some poles to each of four sides of a 30-kilogram stone block.That action turned the block into somewhat a wheel.Then they placed the block on the ground.\nThey wrapped one end of a rope around the block and pulled.The researchers found they could easily roll the block along different kinds of paths.They calculated that rolling the block required about as much force as moving it along a slippery path.\nWest hasn't tested his idea on larger blocks,but he thinks rolling has clear advantages over sliding.At least,workers wouldn't have needed to carry cattle fat or water to smooth the paths.", "problems": [{"question": "It's widely believed that the stone blocks were moved to the pyramid site by   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["rolling them on roads", "pushing them over the sand", "dragging them on some poles", "sliding them on smooth paths"]}, {"question": "Why is rolling better than sliding according to West ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because more force is needed for sliding.", "Because less preparation on path is needed for rolling.", "Because sliding on smooth road is more dangerous.", "Because rolling work can be done by fewer cattle."]}, {"question": "What is the text mainly about ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["An experiment on ways of moving blocks to the pyramid site.", "An argument about different methods of moving blocks to the pyramid site.", "An application of the method of moving blocks to the pyramid site.", "An introduction to a possible new way of moving blocks to the pyramid site."]}]}
{"article": "Does your local town have a nickname  ? If so, what does it say about the area and the people who live there?\nMany cities are recognized across the world by their unofficial names. New York is the Big Apple, London is the Big Smoke, and Los Angeles is famously called La La Land.\nA project has been carried out to make a survey on how the nicknames of some places came about. The University of Winchester's Professor Bill Lucas is a patron   of the English Project. He explains that unofficial place names often show what people think about a place.\n\"The name that people create for a place forms a connection with feelings,\" he says.\nBasingstoke is a town in central England. The local nickname, Amazingstoke, shows the love that locals seem to have for the area.\nSwindon, on the other hand, is sometimes called Swindump, showing that some people think it's a dump  . Stanford Le Hope in Essex is called Stanford No Hope by locals. And Padstow in Cornwall is so closely connected with the local famous person Rick Stein that it's become known as Padstein.\nSome people say that the project may have a practical use. Glen Hart, the survey's head of research, says the information could be very helpful to the emergency services, for example. \"By having the most complete set of nicknames we could help the emergency services quickly  _ the right place as soon as possible, for people usually remember the nicknames of some places instead of their official names. And this will take the helpers less time to reach the places.\" he says.", "problems": [{"question": "The best title of the passage can be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["People's Attitudes to Nicknames", "A Survey on Nicknames", "the Development of Nicknames", "the Usefulness of Nicknames"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["every famous place has a nickname", "the town Swindon must be a clean place", "sometimes nicknames can help save lives", "Rick Stein nicknamed Padstow Padstein"]}]}
{"article": "A thief who dropped a winning lottery ticket at the scene of his crime has been given a lesson in honesty. His victim, who picked up the ticket, then claimed the PS25000 prize, managed to trace him, and handed over the cash. The robbery happened when maths professor Vinicio Sabbatucci,58, was changing a tyre on an Italian motorway. Another motorist, who stopped  \"to help\", stole a suitcase from his car and drove off. The professor found the dropped ticket and put it in his pocket before driving home to Ascoli in eastern Italy.\n    Next day, he saw the lottery results on TV and, taking out the ticket, realized it was a winner. He claimed the 60 million lire  prize. Then he began a battle with his conscience. Finally, he decided he could not keep the money despite having been robbed. He advertised in newspapers and on radio, saying: \"I'm trying to find the man who robbed me. I have 60 million for him--- a lottery win. Please meet me. Anonymity  guaranteed.\"\n    Professor Sabbatucci received hundreds of calls from people hoping to trick him into handing them the cash. But there was one voice he recognized--- and he arranged to meet the man in a park. The robber, a 35-year-old unemployed father of two, gave back the suitcase and burst into tears. He could not believe what was happening. \"Why didn't you keep the money?\" he asked. The professor replied:\" I couldn't because it's not mine.\" Then he walked off, spurning the thief's offer of a reward.", "problems": [{"question": "Hundreds of people phoned professor Sabbatucci because they   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["wanted to make fun of him", "knew who the robber was", "hoped to get the money", "lost the lottery ticket"]}, {"question": "The underlind word \"spurning\" in the last sentence can be replaced by   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["accepting", "rejecting", "claiming", "canceling"]}, {"question": "If the story appears in a newspaper, the best title might be  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["A Reward of Honesty", "A Popular Maths Professor", "A Magic Lottery", "A Thief's Lucky Day"]}]}
{"article": "High school announcements\nDo you have a high school announcement to make? Are you hosting a high school sports event or tournament? Are you looking for a coach? Let us know, and we'll share it with \"Tribune\" readers.\nAugust 21---- Sacred Heart is looking for two assistant baseball coaches immediately. Practices and games are held after school at 3:30 pm. Some experience in playing or coaching is preferred. If interested, e-mail Ron Schwartz at ramsad1@aol.com.\nAugust 7 ----- Loyola Academy will host its 12th Rambler Baseball Winter Workshop for students in fourth through eighth grades on Aug. 26. the early registration  fee is $70 and registration at the door is $85. contact  Loyola coach Bill San Hamel at 847-920-2523 to register early.\nJuly 17 ----- St. Patrick will host a Youth Holiday Baseball Camp for boys in grades three through eight Aug. 26 through Aug. 28 from 6:30 pm to 9 pm in St. Pat's gym. The registration fee is $90. for more information, visit www. stpatrick.orgor contact Coach Kusinski at (773) 282-8844 ext. 242 or dkusinski@stpatrick.org.\nJune 12 ----- The Marist Girls' basketball team is looking for a game for the new season. The team can play all levels. If interested, please contact Mary Pat Connolly at (773) 881-5318, or e-mail\nconnolly.marypat@marist.net.\nJune 1 ----- Bartlett is hosing a high school football camp June 13-30 and July 11-28 from 8-11 am. The registration fee is $180. to register go to www.athletic2000.com/bartlett. Contact coach Tom Meaney with questions at 630-372-4700 ext. 8105.\nMay 27 ----Hinsdale is hosting youth wrestling camps June 20-23 and June 27-30. There is no minimum age required. Even wrestlers in kindergarten are eligible to participate. The cost of registration is $80 per person. Contact head wrestling coach Jason Hayes at 815-762-1568 or e-mail jhayes@hinsdale86.org for more information.", "problems": [{"question": "If a fourth-grade girl wants to learn baseball, she may contact  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Ron Schwartz", "Mary Pat Connolly", "Kusinski", "Bill San Hamel"]}, {"question": "Which of the following high schools wants to have a match?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Sacred Heart.", "The Marist.", "Bartlett.", "hinsdale."]}, {"question": "If one wants to choose a relatively cheap sports camp, he may   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["phone 847-920-2523 to register early", "e-mail connolly.marypat@marist.net", "visit www.athletics2000.com/bartlett", "contact head wrestling coach Jason Hayes"]}]}
{"article": "Flying\nEver since I was old enough to dream,I have imagined myself soaring with the eagles.My love of flying has shaped the way I live and the person I have become.Two years ago,that passion rocketed to new heights when I had the opportunity to visit Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona.For a whole week I lived in a college dorm,roomed with a total stranger and---best of all---I flew!\nMy group took part in activities ranging from learning about the history of aviation   to flying in state-of-the-art pilot training simulators  .At least once a day,I devoted myself to learning one of the world's best training aircrafts,the Cessna 182.Not only did I receive thorough ground instruction,but I also got to fly.In total,I flew five hours to receive my private pilot's license.\nIn that one joyous and oh-so-short week,my passion for aviation grew even stronger.Now,\nwhenever I see a plane flying overhead,I feel a sense of pride thinking I've done that.\nDuring my time in and above the Arizona desert,I learned not only about the mechanics and\ntechniques of aviation,but also about myself and how I see the world.As I floated in that seemingly endless sea of air,I became aware of the variety and complexity of the humanity below.On the ribbons of roadways,each tiny car carried people with hopes and dreams.I wondered if any of those people had ever wished to fly like an eagle.Then I realized that each must have his or her own dreams and ambitions.That's what makes us unique.We try to respond to something special inside us.I also realized that I was especially fortunate to be making my own dream come true.\nEverywhere I go,I hear,\"Do what makes you happy and you will be happy.\"It sounds like\nstandard advice,but I've really thought about it and taken it to heart.I couldn't care less about how much money I make or what benefits I receive.I know that I am already in hot pursuit  of my dreams.And,even if they change,even if they finally don't involve aviation,I'll always aim to fly with the eagles.", "problems": [{"question": "Two years ago,the author  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["was admitted to a university", "stayed in a university for one week", "saw the launch of the rocket", "made good friends with an astronaut"]}, {"question": "According to the author,   makes people unique.", "answer": "C", "options": ["flying like an eagle", "trying something special", "having their own dreams", "learning unusual techniques"]}]}
{"article": "Teamwork is all about working together to achieve a common goal or purpose.Is teamwork out of date?Why it is so hard to effectively conduct teamwork in those things?\nOne way we employ teamwork in everyday lives is by becoming a parent.It is a parent's job to teach their children the fundamental skills and give them the knowledge they need to be successful in life.So why is teamwork disappearing in this aspect of our lives?Well in today's society,we find that more and more parents are experiencing that the teamwork is one-sided thing.According to a 2009report from the US,there are 13.7million single parents raising their children in the US and this amount could be due to the fact that parents are not stepping up and taking responsibility for their children or they don't have the means to,so they leave one parent to do it by themselves.This is a saddening fact,but it reflects that effective teamwork is losing ground in the parenting aspect of our everyday lives.\nAnother place where teamwork affects us greatly is in our jobs.It doesn't matter if you are a small or large company; if you have at least one employee and yourself,then teamwork will be present.I have noticed that with the current economic recession ,people are racing to grab jobs but the quality of people work has gone down greatly.It just appears to me that people do not take part in their work anymore.They want to get to work and work as fast as they can,just to receive the paycheck,but their quality standards   flew right out the window.This type of behavior is where I think teamwork is losing its ground in the workforce.There are too many people who want to work independently and forget they are a part of a team.\nAs you can see,we run into the aspects of teamwork in just about everything we do.Do you believe teamwork is really losing ground in today's society?I think it is.What's your opinion?", "problems": [{"question": "Why does teamwork disappear in the parenting aspect of my daily life?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Parents have no time to spare with their children.", "Parents have no chances to teach their children about it.", "Many children are often brought up by a single parent.", "Many children are independent to deal with their matters."]}, {"question": "Teamwork is losing ground in workforce mainly because  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["workers don't like to work together with others.", "workers'sense is affected by economic recession", "workers want to prove they are more capable", "fewer workers are employed to save money"]}, {"question": "The author wants us to believe his opinion by  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["listing some data", "giving some examples", "asking some questions", "analyzing some cases"]}, {"question": "What is the author's main purpose of writing the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To show the importance of housework.", "To introduce how teamwork works now.", "To tell us the current economic recession.", "To show his attitude towards teamwork."]}]}
{"article": "We live in a technological society where most goods are mass-produced by unskilled labor. Because of this, most people think that craft no longer exists.\nOne of the ways these people wrongly support their view is by pointing to 100-year-old homes which are still solid, and arguing that it is the craftsmanship that is responsible for their durability. \"Homes in those days were well-built,\" _ say. No doubt these homes were well-built, but what these people have done is mix up the quality of material used in the house with the quality of the craftsmanship.\nHomes today could be built to last just as long as those old homes if people were willing or able to pay the price. For example, most people can no longer afford solid oak stairways, although they were once fairly common in older homes. Nor can they afford the high labor cost of employing a carpenter to build the stairway. Yet if someone can pay the high cost, there are still plenty of carpenters around able to make those stairways. And not only would these carpenters know how to build them, they would probably do a better job than carpenters of old.\nOne thing the modern carpenter has which enables him to do a better job is much more advanced tools. Such tools as laser beams and powerplanes help them lay out a house better and make more precision cuts on the wood. Also, it is not uncommon say more to find carpenters with college degrees and carpenters with a solid knowledge of mathematics, which would enable them to deal with more difficult house designs.\nThe problem of modern quality, then, really boils down to the problem of material, for the modern carpenter is just as able to produce craftsmanship as the carpenter of fifty years ago, but only if given proper material.", "problems": [{"question": "Compared to the carpenters in the past, modern carpenters are  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["more successful", "more learned", "more imaginative", "more hardworking"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Is Craft Dead?", "Craft, Back to Life?", "History of Craftsmanship", "Carpenters Today and Yesterday"]}]}
{"article": "VINCOUVER (Reuters)----South Korea' s Kirn Yuna can finally relax and does fiot need to think about the future after she won the gold medal in the women' s figure skating  on Thursday.\n    The 19-year-old was the overwhelming  favorite to finish top of the podium   but said the pressure going into the event was large.\n    \"I feel now as if a huge burden has been lifted, \" the Games' highest-earning female athlete-she makes an estimated $8 million a year --said after her near-perfect program where she nailed all of her 11 jumps.\n    \"I will enjoy this moment and think about things later.I was just thrilled on the podium and I feel so relieved.I had been running toward this dream of the Olympics and was so happy to be here, \" she said.\n    \"Since I have achieved the most important goal in my life.I am going to enjoy this moment for a while and then think about what I am going to do,\" a smiling Yuna said.\n    Japanese  _ Mao Asada took silver while Joannic Rochette of Canada grabbed the bronze medal four days after her mother died.\n    \"I still cannot believe I did what I wanted to do at the Olympics.I have been dreaming about this moment and I cannot believe it is not a dream any more.\" said Yuna.\n    South Korea was counting on her to grab their first gold medal in figure skating and the first Winter Olympics gold medal outside short track and speed skating.\n    \"I was just happy to have skated a clean program.It was the first time I skated two clean programs.During the program when I finished all elements I thought 'this is going to be yeah...this is it'.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Kim Yuna felt relaxed because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the competition was over", "her dream finally came true", "she won a large amount of money", "she became well-known overnight"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, Kim Yuna  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["had a strong sense of team spirit in the Games", "won the first gold medal for South Korea in the Winter Olympics", "had expected she would surely win the gold medal", "joined in the competition with great pressure from her country"]}, {"question": "It is known from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Kim Yuna is a person of great confidence", "Joannie Rochette joined in the games with great sorrow", "Kim Yuna is the richest athlete in South Korea", "Mao Asada took silver medal by accident"]}]}
{"article": "It is not a secret that these are _ times that put everyone on edge all the time and it makes people angry with their families, co-workers, friends and relatives, frustrated  and highly annoyed just for the noise of the neighbors or the music coming from the opposite house. Anger and negative energy have a strong influence on everyone's life, even when they don't realize it.\nBeing in a calm state of mind is simply wonderful. Results of this can be seen when parents no longer shout at their children over any small thing and when one can keep him cool when bad things happen and doesn't let the situation become worse by his negative influence.\nAlso results can be seen on a larger scale. In 1993 a very interesting scientific experiment called The US Transcendental Meditation experiment was conducted in Washington. A company called TM got 4,000 calm and relaxed people to simply sit and meditate   in a central Washington convention center. The results of this experiment showed that during those particular 8 weeks, violent crimes, such as murder, rape, assaults, clearly decreased by as much as 23%.\nThis is evident proof that meditation can change the state of mind, bring back peace of mind and collective meditation is contagious  , just as anything done collectively is contagious. For example, a person has the urge to become aggressive (while in normal circumstances that person is very calm and normal), just because he is sitting at a stadium watching a football game and everyone around is shouting and is aggressive.\nIsn't increasing the quality of life worth spending 20 minutes of time on meditation? Yes, very few people follow through with a meditation method that should be a joy to do. Many start and leave it after only a few sessions.\nSo if collective meditation has proven that meditation works, that it calms people down and that it brings their levels of stress down, why not employ it in everyday life?", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Violent crimes are closely related to aggressive characters.", "People are sometimes easily annoyed by small things.", "Many people fail to carry out a meditation method.", "Meditation can cure people of many illnesses."]}]}
{"article": "\"Show them the money!\" That's what some people are saying for college athletes. They say students who play sports for their school should receive salaries.\nTop athletes should be paid because many of them practice full time, Mark Jameson argues. Rico Cannon, a former college football player, agrees. \"Nonathletes can get a job for extra spending money, but many student athletes spend so many hours in training that they don't have time to work,\" he explains. \"Shouldn't athletes be able to earn extra money too?\"\nThe students also make money for their schools when people buy tickets to their games. The players should receive some of that cash, supporter Robbie Pokora reasons.\nCollege athletes are about honor and tradition, but they're also a business. Thanks to ticket sales, there's money for schools to build new athletic stadiums and give the coaches high salaries. The cash should be shared with athletes. They're the ones out on the field or court working hard for their school.\nThe money matter has others _ , though. Kaitlyn Rentala argues that colleges should not pay their athletes. Students are in school to get an education. Playing a sport is an extracurricular activity, not a job. If athletes need extra money, they can apply for college scholarships . Michael Massett is a middle school teacher and a football and a basketball coach. He agrees. \"Athletes should be paid with scholarships, like nonathletes are,\" Massett explains.\nIn addition, if colleges pay their athletes, those students might focus more on sports than on their education. \"Most students do not become professional athletes after college. If they focus too much on sports, they may not learn the skills they need to get good jobs,\" Kate Macrae reasons. Plus, she says, many athletes have schoolships that help them pay for school.", "problems": [{"question": "What is Rico Cannon's opinion on paying student athletes?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They make money for their schools and should receive salaries.", "Training leaves them no time to work and they should be paid.", "Playing a sport at school is not a job and they shouldn't be paid.", "They can apply for scholarships and should not be paid."]}, {"question": "Who supports the idea of paying student athletes?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Kaitlyn Rentala", "Robbie Pokora", "Michael Massett", "Kate Macrae"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Pay to play? ---- Will it be popular with college athletes?", "College athletes make a lot of money for their schools.", "College athletes can apply for scholarships as their salaries.", "Pay to play?---- Should college athletes be paid?"]}]}
{"article": "Friends play an important role in our lives, and although we can't be more familiar with the fact of friendship, we often don't clearly understand how we make friends, especially with Americans. Here are some pieces of advice on making friends with Americans:\n1. Visiting places Americans enjoy: parties, churches, restaurants, parks and sports clubs.\n2. Be willing to take the first step. Don't wait for them to get close to you. Americans in China may not know you speak English. They may be uncomfortable if they can't speak your language.\n3. Use small talks to open the conversation. Ask them where they're from, why they come to China, etc. . Remember: Be careful not to ask personal questions about age, salary and so on.\n4. Show an interest in their culture, their country or their job. Americans like to talk about themselves!\n5. Invite them to join you for dinner or just for coffee or tea. Try to set a specific time. Americans sometimes make general invitations like \"Let's go out for dinner sometime. \"Often this is just a way to be friendly. It is not always a real invitation.\n6. Don't expect too much at first. Maybe they're being friendly. But maybe they want to be your good friends. It will take time to tell.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text, Americans like to visit the following places except  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["shopping centers", "parks", "sports clubs", "churches"]}, {"question": "What should you say when meeting an American for the first time?", "answer": "C", "options": ["What's your age?", "How much do you get in a month?", "Nice to meet you! Are you from America?", "Let's get together sometime. I want to ask you some questions."]}, {"question": "What is mainly discussed in the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It's very important to be a good friend of an American.", "Some advice on how to make friends with Americans.", "Something about the friendship in America.", "Friendship is the most important in our life."]}, {"question": "Which is the best way to make friends with an American?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To ask him if he is willing to make friends with you.", "To spend a long time learning about him.", "To wait until he tells you his thoughts.", "To ask him to join you for dinner."]}]}
{"article": "I recently turned fifty, which is young for a tree, midlife for an elephant, and ancient for a sportsman. Fifty is a nice number for the states in the US or for a national speed limit but it is not a number that I was prepared to have hung on me. Fifty is supposed to be my father's age, but now I am stuck with this number and everything it means.\nA few days ago, a friend tried to cheer me up by saying, \" Fifty is what forty used to be.\" He had made an inspirational point, Am I over the hill?People keep telling me that the hill has been moved, and I keep telling them that he high-jump bar has dropped from the six feet I once easily cleared to the four feet that is impossible for me now.\n\" Your are not getting older, you are getting better.\" says Dr. Joyce Brothers. This, however, is the kind of doctor who inspires a second opinion.\nAnd so. as I approach the day when I cannot even jump over the tennis net. I am moves to share some thoughts on aging with you. I am moved to show how aging feels to me physically and mentally. Getting older. of course, is obviously a better change than the one that brings you eulogies . In fact, a poet named Robert Browning considered it the best change of all:\nGrow old along with me!\nThe best is yet to me.\nWhether or not Browning was right, most of my first fifty years have been golden ones, so I will settle for what is ahead being as good as what has gone by. I find myself moving toward what is ahead with a curious blend   of both fighting and accepting my aging, hoping that the philosopher   was right when he said.\" Old is always fifteen years from now.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The author seems to tell us in Paragraph 1 that    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["time alone will tell", "time goes by quickly", "time will show what is right", "time makes one forget the past"]}, {"question": "When the author turned fifty, people around him    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["tried to comfort him", "got inspiration with him", "were friendlier with him", "found him more talkative"]}, {"question": "The author considers his fifty years of life", "answer": "A", "options": ["peaceful", "ordinary", "satisfactory", "regretful"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that", "answer": "C", "options": ["the old should led a simple life", "the old should face the fact of aging", "the old should take more exercise", "the old should fill themselves with curiosity"]}]}
{"article": "Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say.\nOne day I went up to Michael and asked him, \"I don't get it. You can't be positive all the time. How do you do it?\" Michael replied, \"Each morning I wake up and say to myself 'Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining  I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.\"\nI often thought about that when I made a choice about life. Several years later, Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling off 60 feet from a communica-tion tower. After l8 hours of operation, and weeks of intensive care, Michael was re-leased from the hospital with rods placed in his back.I asked him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.\n\"The first thing that went through my mind was the well being of my soon-to-born daughter,\" Michael replied. \"Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. In the operation room, I told the doctors and nurses, 'I'm choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead'.\"\nMichael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude.", "problems": [{"question": "Each time something bad happens, Michael chooses to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["be in a good mood", "learn from it", "complain about it", "ignore the negative side of it"]}, {"question": "From the passage we can infer that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["most people manage to lead a positive life at any time", "most people can't lead a positive life at any time", "only Michael can be so positive", "the author is always a sad person"]}]}
{"article": "Lying within, the inner London Borough of Southwark, this hugely improved non-selective Secondary Academy School is looking to recruit   and appoint a talented Science Teacher in April 2016 or sooner.\nPOSITION:Science Teacher | KS3 --5| All Science specialists welcome\nDEPARTMENT:Popular & Ambitious Science Department\nLOCATION:Borough of Southwark -- Zone 2 -- Inner London\nPERSON:Qualified Science Teacher required -- experience in UK or overseas trained\nSTART DATE:April 2016 or sooner -- full time & permanent contract on offer\nSALARY:Inner London Pay Scale -- PS29,270 ~PS37,862 a year\nPERSON REQUIREMENT:\nAll applicants will need to be suitably skilled, trained and qualified to be considered for this Science Teacher position. Applicants should feel confident across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5, in addition to having a real desire to make a difference and provide pupils under their care with a first class education .\nSCHOOL & TRAVEL INFORMATION:\nThis is a typically diverse inner city school, suitable for a broad range of pupils aged 11 to 18 years old. The school has made huge steps and progressed from a satisfactory to a good school. Results are constantly improving, thanks to the staff in place, who are responsible for creating and delivering a broad curriculum. The school site is a short walk away from the nearest underground and rail stations, positioned within inner London, Zone 2. Those living in South and Central London are perfectly positioned for this position.\nIf you are a hardworking Science Teacher, hoping to become part of an improving Inner London Secondary, get in touch today. Please apply and submit your up-to-date CV using the form . One of the Clarus Education Team will be in touch within 48 hours if shortlisted  .", "problems": [{"question": "What is a must for the recruited teacher?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Being trained in England.", "Experience in UK.", "Diploma of Higher Education.", "Being qualified for all grades."]}, {"question": "What should the applicant be able to do ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Teach KS3-5 pupils well.", "Be very confident across Key Stage 3 and 4.", "Be good at using traditional methods.", "Put advanced ideas into practice every day."]}]}
{"article": "WILD WEATHERMAN\nName: Sam Champion\nHot job: TV Weatherman\nWhere: ABC-TV, New York City\nWhen you were a child, did you plan to forecast wind, rain, and snow on TV?\nI wanted to be a foreign journalist. I took courses in weather science at Eastern Kentucky University, but I majored in broadcasting news.\nHow did you finally become a weatherman?\nMy first job in the early 1980s was at the local TV station in Paducah, Kentucky. I did everything from turning on the lights in the morning to writing and delivering morning news. I put together weather forecasts, and became interested in them.\nBack then, how did you forecast weather?\nIndependent companies collected computer information that showed, for example, how a single weather system might split into snow or snow mixed with rain. The information was often opposite and the job of a weatherman was to study the information and make the best educated guess about the storm.\nHas weather forecasting changed much with new technology?\nAdvanced computers, satellites, and Doppler radar (sound waves used to track storms) have made forecasting more exact. But we still know very little about how weather is shaped. So far, we just have theories.\nAny advice for children who'd like to become weather scientists?\nTo me, weather is the most exciting field in the world. There are still so many more questions about weather than answers. After all, if we can't foresee floods or hurricanes, how safe a society are we? Weather forecasting is wide open for scientists who love to solve puzzling problems. The next generation of meteorologists (weather scientists) will unlock many of Earth's weather secrets. So get a general knowledge of Earth science, and study meteorology in college.\nThanks, Sam.", "problems": [{"question": "Judging from the writing style, the text is    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a diary", "an interview", "a news story", "an announcement"]}, {"question": "As a child, ABC-TV's Sam Champion wanted to be a   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["space scientist", "weatherman", "news reporter", "meteorologist"]}, {"question": "Present weather forecasting technology   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has made weather report more exact than ever", "is still not perfect", "hasn't changed much in the last 50 years", "both A and B"]}, {"question": "The study of weather science is called   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["meteorology", "forecasting", "geography", "Earth science"]}]}
{"article": "Warm weather brought by El Nino has had mixed effects on animals in usually snowy places in North America, including New England, according to an Associated Press article.\nSome animals seem to benefit from having a chance to gather more food before winter, and from expending less energy in daily survival mode. Others, like snowshoe hares, are put at center stage in predators'  view when they lack snow for disguising their white fur -- not a good thing for them, of course.\nBlack bears, on the other hand, have been keeping busy gathering nuts and apples, when they would normally have settled into their winter homes by now. Vermont and Massachusetts officials have asked residents to wait till snow falls to take out their bird feeders for the sake of safety, the article said.\n\"We suggest waiting for 6 or more inches of snow that lasts before taking out your bird feeders, especially if you have been visited in the past by bears or if there are sightings of bears in your neighborhood,\"Forrest Hammond, Vermont Fish and Wildlife's bear biologist, said in the article.\"Due to lack of snow and frozen ground, birds are able to seek food in fields and forests for theirnatural foods.\"\nSnow amounts can also determine how comfortable bears are and how quickly they consume their accumulated fat during hibernation , noted Hammond in the article. This is because snow covers and traps them in their winter homes, and also hides them from predators.", "problems": [{"question": "What may upset snowshoe hares because of El Nino?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Their being caught more easily.", "Their failing to gather more food.", "Their consuming more energy.", "Their losing sight of their enemies."]}, {"question": "Why did the officials ask people to keep bird feeders until snow falls?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They may disturb bears.", "There's no need to do so.", "To avoid attracting bears.", "For the safety of bears."]}, {"question": "What do the bear biologist's words imply?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A heavy snow is on the way.", "Bears are common nowadays.", "Bears live mainly on birds in winter.", "Warm weather benefits birds in winter."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the proper title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Warm Weather Helps Animals Survive", "Snow Amounts Determine Animals' Winter Life", "Measures Should Be Taken to Protect Wildlife", "Lack of Snow Affects North American Animals"]}]}
{"article": "Every spring Beijing is choked by huge sandstorms.The sky turns a strange and frightening yellow colour as clouds of sand sweep down from the deserts of Mongolia and north-western China.Strong winds blow up the dust and cover everything in sight--in 2006,a storm dumped 330,000 tonnes of dust on Beijing in one night.\nThe number of sandstorms has grown alarmingly over the years as the deserts have expanded.This is partly man-made and partly because of climate .Many grasslands have been overgrazed by sheep and goats,or ploughed up,leaving the soil dangerously exposed.Too much water has been taken out of rivers,and the situation is made worse by increasingly long-lasting droughts that have affected the northern half of China as the climate grows warmer and drier.The result is probably the worst loss of rich land to deserts in the world and a dust bowl of extremely large proportions.The nearest sand dunes to Beijing are now only 70 km away and drifting closer each year.At this rate,the desert will reach the city by 2040,and Beijing could become the world's first modern city to disappear under sand.To hold back the deserts,a huge programme of forest planting called the Great Green Wall has been under way for over 30 years.The barrier is planned to be 4,500 km long when completed in several decades ,but the drought is having a very bad effect on the trees and the deserts carry on growing.", "problems": [{"question": "All the following are the reasons for the expansion of the deserts EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the soil of the grasslands is exposed", "too much water in rivers has been used", "it doesn't rain for a long time", "the climate in northern China is colder and drier"]}, {"question": "At what speed do the nearest sand dunes move towards Beijing according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["More than 15 km a year.", "More than 2 km a month.", "More than 2 km a year.", "More than 15 km a month."]}, {"question": "What is the purpose of the huge programme\"the Great Green Wall\"?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To protect the Great Wall.", "To plant as many trees as possible along the Great Wall.", "To stop the deserts from moving towards Beijing.", "To plant as many trees as possible in Beijing."]}, {"question": "In which section can this passage most likely be found in a newspaper?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Science and technology.", "Weather.", "Environment.", "Health and life."]}]}
{"article": "Now some women are spending a weekend at Mother's Camp . There, husbands and children are not allowed. Why would a woman want to take a vacation without her family? Some women say they need time to be alone.\nAt Mother's Camp a woman has room to herself. She can sleep, read or watch TV, and no one will bother her. No children will ask,\"Mom, what's for dinner?\" No husband will say, \"Oh, dear, I can't find any clean socks.\"In fact almost 50% of women in the United States work outside the home. Many of them work full-time and then come home to a second job-taking care of their homes and families. These working women say one of their biggest problems is housework.\nIn the United States, working wives do about 75% of the housework. Many of their husbands say they want to help. But then they burn the rice or they can't find the pans. They ask so many questions that their wives decide it is easier to do the job themselves.\nSome women go to Mother's Camp just to get a break from housework. For two days they don't cook, they don't clean, they don't look after their children and husbands. What do they do? They enjoy warm, sunny weather, walking, swimming or boating in a clear blue lake and sing songs around the campfire. They relax away from home. They have a really wonderful vacation at Mother's Camp.", "problems": [{"question": "From this passage we can see in the United States.", "answer": "B", "options": ["women want to work outside the home", "working wives do most of the housework", "husbands do as much housework as their wives", "women do not like to stay at home with their families"]}, {"question": "At Mother's Camp, women can't_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["watch TV", "read newspapers", "swim in the lake", "bring their husbands and children"]}, {"question": "Why would some mothers like to be alone? Because_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["they don't like their husbands and children", "they have to work full-time", "they are too busy to relax themselves", "they want a new life"]}, {"question": "_    is one of the biggest troubles for working wives in the United States.", "answer": "A", "options": ["Housework", "Working outside the home", "When to take a vacation", "Looking after their children"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Busy Working Mothers", "The US family", "Mothers Relax Away from Home", "Mothers in the US"]}]}
{"article": "I am so worried about global warming. We need stop cutting down all of the trees so that they can absorb the carbon dioxide. I think the Kyoto Protocol  to stop pollution is a great idea ,and I hope our country will decide to follow it, too.[: http://wx.jtyjy.com/]\n-- Eli S.,10,Texa\nPeople should do all they can to help stop pollution, even if it is something as little as recycling your soda can. Every little thing helps. Maybe schools can put recycling bins in classrooms. Students can bring in all of their cans and bottles and see how many the school can collect.\n-- Lindsey A.,11, Massachusett[: http://wx.jtyjy.com/.Com]\nThe United States should take action to help stop pollution. Since we are one of the richest countries, we should at least spend a little money to help.\n-- Aaron z,11,Massachusett\nIt is not good that the United States is not following the Kyoto Protocol. The U.S. is one of the most pollutionemitting countries in the world. Even if the rest of the world agrees to follow those rules, without the U. S. and its big businesses agreeing, global warming will still be a big problem.\n--Augustine S.,11,Ohio\nThe world needs to learn more about global warming problems. If we do not do something soon then some of Earth's coolest animals will become extinct. People should use solar power instead of things that pollute the atmosphere!\n-- Jillian J.,10,Pennsylvania\nGlobal warming is very dangerous, and it must be prevented. Even if people think that it cannot be stopped ,we should  at least try. Stopping global warming is more important than keeping our businesses going. What about thepenguins and the polar bears? We can't just let them become extinct.\n--Samantha R.,11,Illinois", "problems": [{"question": "Why does Lindsey suggest schools put recycling bins in classrooms?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To keep the classroom clean", "To help protect wild animals.", "To help protect our earth.", "To collect waste in classroom."]}, {"question": "Augustine worries that global warming problems will be difficult to solve because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["many people think that global warming cannot be stopped", "more and more trees are being cut down", "American government spends little money stopping pollution", "the U.S. refuses to follow the Kyoto Protocol"]}, {"question": "Jillian and Samantha believe that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["solar power is earth-friendly energy", "global warming threatens animals' survival", "America is the richest country in the world", "the penguins and the polar bears are dying out"]}, {"question": "What do the six children mainly talk about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Environmental problems.", "The Kyoto Protocol.", "Animal protection.", "The climate change."]}]}
{"article": "One day Mr. Brown sees a young woman in the street with children. He is very surprised because all the children are wearing the same clothes. White caps, blue coats and yellow trousers.\n\"Are all these children yours?\" he asks the woman.\n\"Yes, they are.\" she answers.\n\"Do you always dress them in the same clothes ?\" asks Mr. Brown.\n\"Yes,\" answers the mother. \"When we have four children, we dress them in the same clothes because we don't want to lose any of them. It is easy to see our children among other children because they are all wearing the same clothes.\nAnd now we have ten, we dress them like this because we don't want to take other children home by mistake. When there are other children among ours, it is easy to see them because their clothes are different.", "problems": [{"question": "How many people does Mr. Brown see in the street one day? He sees   _  in all.", "answer": "D", "options": ["twelve", "eleven", "four", "ten children"]}, {"question": "Why is Mr. Brown surprised? Because   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["all the children are boys", "all the children are in the same clothes", "all the children are lovely", "all the children are wearing the same trousers"]}, {"question": "Why does the woman dress her children in the same clothes? Because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["she has so many children", "she loves her children", "she doesn't want to take her children home", "she wants to see her children easily among others"]}]}
{"article": "Job advertising on the web\nRegister a new account\nLog in to an existing account\nPromote your casual work, graduate or internship ,opportunity with an advertisement on the Careers Centre database free of charge. Your advertisement will be viewable to all university of Sydney students and appear in 'Job Alert' - a daily email to subscribing students. You can also target alumni (up to five years after graduation) - advertise on our database and it will be visible at AlumniOnline.\nIf you advertise through the Careers Centre you will need to agree to our advertising terms and conditions.\nUnpaid work\nWe are unable to advertise unpaid internship work experience or volunteer positions unless:\nthe position fulfills part of a University curriculum and has faculty approval, or\nit is a volunteer position with a registered not-for-profit organisation.\nOur unpaid and volunteering work info brochure has essential information for employers wishing to offer unpaid work including alternative suggestions. You can also contact the Careers Centre for assistance.\nSubmit an advertisement\nTo upload your job advertisement:\nlog in to the Careers Centre employer database - if you don't have a username you'll need to request a new account\nclick 'job ads' and fill out the form\nagree to our advertising terms and conditions\nsubmit your advertisement for review by the Careers Centre.\nAdvertisements are displayed for a maximum of two months. If your position is filled before your registered deadline please log in to the database and withdraw your ad.\nWhat to include in your advertisement\nWe've found there is generally a better response to advertisements that are clear and informative. The following information is important to include:\njob title and description of duties\nskills and/or experience required\nhours worked, and flexibility with regard to study/exam timetables\nlocation of the work\npay rate/basis of payment - visit the Fair Work online website for pay rates and other employment conditions, or call their help line on 131394\nhow to apply and close date for applications\nyour contact details, including email address and phone number for Careers Centre staff (these do not appear with the job advertisement, however they are required for office purposes should we need to contact you).\nCost\nIt is free to advertise on our jobs database.\nRelated services\nFor greater promotion of your opportunities, consider:\nsending a targeted email-out to the students you wish to recruit( )\nbooking a booth at a careers fair if you are promoting a graduate or internship program.\nContact us\nFor help submitting an advertisement or more information, contact the Industry Development Team:\nP (02) 8627 8408\nE careers.administration@sydney.edu.aucareers.administration[at]sydney.edu.au.", "problems": [{"question": "What kind of people is the passage intended for?", "answer": "A", "options": ["people recruiting employers", "members in the Careers Centre", "job-hunters in university of Sydney", "undergraduates who need to improve the ability to study and work"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Registering a new account every time you log in", "Advertisements are displayed for a minimum of two months.", "Advertising unpaid positions with registered non-profit organizations is permitted.", "All job ads will appear online once they are submitted."]}, {"question": "What should be included in your advertisement?", "answer": "D", "options": ["job title, experience required and sex", "hours worked, age and location of the work", "marriage, contact details and location of the work", "experience required, payment and contact details"]}]}
{"article": "In 2005,the American artist Richard Prince's photograph of a photograph,Untitled(Cowboy),was sold for $1 248 000.\nPrince is certainly not the only contemporary artist to have worked with so-called \"found photographs\"--a loose term given to everything from discarded prints discovered in a junk shop to old advertisements or amateur photographs from a stranger's family album.The German artist Joachim Schmid,who believes \"basically everything is worth looking at\",has gathered discarded photographs,postcards and newspaper images since 1982.In his on-going project,Archiv,he groups photographs of family life according to themes:people with dogs;teams;new cars;dinner with the family;and so on.\nLike Schmid,the editors of several self-published art magazines also champion found photographs.One of them,called simply Found,was born one snowy night in Chicago,when Davy Rothbard returned to his car to find under his wiper an angry note intended for someone else:\"Why's your car HERE at HER place?\"The note became the starting point for Rothbard's addictive publication,which features found photographs sent in by readers,such as a poster discovered in your drawer.\nThe whole found-photograph phenomenon has raised some questions.Perhaps one of the most difficult is:can these images really be considered as art?And,if so,whose art?Yet found photographs produced by artists,such as Richard Prince,may raise endless possibilities.What was the cowboy in Prince's Untitled doing?Was he riding his horse hurriedly to meet someone?Or how did Prince create this photograph?It's anyone's guess.In addition,as we imagine the back-story to the people in the found photographs artists,like Schmid,have collated ,we also turn toward our own photographic albums.Why is memory so important to us?Why do we all seek to freeze in time the faces of our children,our parents,our lovers,and ourselves?Will they mean anything to anyone after we've gone?\nIn the absence of established facts,the vast collections of found photographs give our minds an opportunity to wander freely.That,above all,is why they are so fascinating.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage,Joachim Schmid  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["is fond of collecting family life photographs", "found a complaining note under his car wiper", "is working for several self-published art magazines", "wondered at the artistic nature of found photographs"]}, {"question": "The author's attitude toward found photographs can be described as  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["critical", "doubtful", "optimistic", "satisfied"]}]}
{"article": "It's killed at least two dozen people, damaged hundreds of homes, cost some 22 billion Yuan in direct economic losses so far and has left thousands of family-bound travelers stranded. The massive snow and ice storm that has swept through the southern part of China has put this country into full disaster management mode. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been activated and the government has already provided 126 million Yuan in aide to six provinces in the south slammed by the unexpected winter blast. But is enough being done? And what else can be done to ensure that the effects of natural disasters like the one in southern China are minimized in the future?\n\"Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International. In this edition of the show, we'll be talking about the southern China snow and ice storm. So let's get started.\nFirst, let's get a Chinese perspective of how well the ice and snow storm in southern China is being handled from a logistical point of view. For this we're joined on the line by Professor Peng Xizhe, Dean of the School of Social Development and Public Policy at Fudan University in Shanghai.\n(Dialogue with Peng)\nAnd after a short break, we'll talk about the broader view of disaster management.\"\n\"Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International. I'm Paul James in Beijing. In this edition of the show, we're talking about the massive winter storm that has ravaged southern China. For a broader look at disaster management, we're joined on the line now by Mr. Aloysius Rego and Ms. Jiang Lingling, both with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Thailand.\n(Dialogue with Jiang and Rego)\nAnd with that we close out this edition of People In the Know, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International. Though it may seem small consolation now for the thousands who remain stranded because of the storm, it's important to remember that as long as patience prevails, you will get home. Questions or comments for us can be sent to crieng@crifm.com. For Executive Director Wang Lei and Producers Yang Jingjie and Xu Yang, I'm Paul James in Beijing. Take care.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What's the main idea of this article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Tell the stories about the snow storm in the southern part of China", "Tell us some facts about the people in the disaster.", "What have been done or will be done to rescue the people in the disaster.", "Let's know the measures about the disaster."]}, {"question": "How many people died from the snow disaster before this report?", "answer": "B", "options": ["more than 30", "more than 24", "many", "50"]}]}
{"article": "A recent online poll   asked kids what they hated most about school. \"Classes are boring\" came in first. \"Too much homework\" was a close second. Since all activities remain interesting for only so long, too much homework can lead to ennui. So, why are some kids getting homework overload? Teachers give two reasons. First, they say, the government now requires schools to meet higher-than-ever achievement goals for students. If students don' t succeed, the school faces punishment. Second, many parents want their children to be able to get into the best colleges and universities. These parents believe homework is a way to ensure that students are learning as much as possible.\nPeople who favor homework argue that it can have many beneficial effects. They claim it can help students develop good study habits. Homework can help students recognize that learning can occur at home as well as at school. It can help develop their independent learning and responsible character traits .\nBut studies show that middle school students doing 60 to 90 minutes of homework a night are doing just as well in school as those doing more than 90 minutes. And homework can have negative effects. Homework can deny students access to leisure  activities that also teach important skills. For example, sports teams teach cooperation and leadership, in addition to helping kids stay physically active. Another problem with too much homework is that parents can get too involved. They can put too much pressure on their kids.\nSo what should be done? Good homework assignments in the proper amount will have positive effects. Too much homework, however, will have negative effects. The bottom line: Students in grades three through six should do no more than 30 to 60 minutes of homework each night.", "problems": [{"question": "Those who are in favor of homework think that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["homework helps students to succeed", "it's good for kids to help each other in learning", "parents are a great help when kids do homework at home", "homework helps children to learn independently"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT a negative effect of too much homework?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Kids have little time to do leisure activities.", "There is a lack of sleeping time.", "The chances of learning other skills are lost.", "Kids are under pressure from their parents."]}, {"question": "The author's purpose in writing the passage is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to criticize the school teachers", "to attract public attention to kids' study", "to offer more help to today's kids", "to call for proper amounts of homework"]}]}
{"article": "Runners in a relay  race pass a stick in one direction. However, merchants passed silk, gold, fruit, and glass along the Silk Road in more than one direction. They earned their living by traveling the famous Silk Road.\nThe Silk Road was not a simple trading network. It passed through thousands of citied and towns. It started from eastern China, across Central Asia and the Middle East, and ended in the Mediterranean Sea. It was used from about 200 B, C, to about A, D, 1300, when sea travel offered new routes  , It was sometimes called the world's longest highway. However, the Silk Road was made up of many routes, not one smooth path. They passed through what are now 18 countries. The routes crossed mountains and deserts and had many dangers of hot sun, deep snow and even battles. Only experienced traders could return safe.\nThe Silk Road got its name from its most prized product. Silk could be used like money to pay taxes or buy goods. But the traders carried more than just silk. Gold, silver, and glass from Europe were much found in the Middle East and Asia. Horses traded from other areas changed farming practices in China. Indian merchants traded salt and other valuable goods. Chinese merchants traded paper, which produced an immediate effect on the West. Apples traveled from central Asia to Rome. The Chinese had learned to graft  different trees together to make new kinds of fruit. They passed this science on to others, including the Romans. The Romans used grafting to grow the apple. Trading along the Silk Road led to world-wide business 2,000 years before the World Wide Web.\nThe people along the Silk Road did not share just goods. They also shared their beliefs. The Silk Road provided pathways for learning, diplomacy , and religion", "problems": [{"question": "It's probable that traders along the Silk Road needed  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to remember the entire trade route", "to know the making of products", "to receive certain special training", "to deal with a lot of difficulties"]}, {"question": "The Silk Road became less important because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["it was made up of different routes", "silk trading became less popular", "sea travel provided easier routes", "people needed fewer foreign goods"]}, {"question": "New technologies could travel along the Silk Road because people  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["learned from one another", "shared each other's beliefs", "traded goods along the route", "earned their living by traveling"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Silk Road ; Past and Present", "The Silk Road; East Meets West", "The Silk Road; Routes Full of Dangers", "The Silk Road; Pathways for Learning"]}]}
{"article": "Are you having too much salt? You might not think so, but people in China eat on average   about 12 grams of salt each day, that is much higher than the 6 grams suggested by the World Health Organization. You could be eating too much without realizing it, because about 75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as bread, sauces, soups and sausages.\nWhat problems can eating too much salt cause? To answer that question, first let's take a look at what salt is.\nSalt is a chemical compound. It is made of sodium   and chloride  . Salt is used to keep and flavor foods. A small amount of salt is important for good health because our bodies need sodium and chloride to work.\nBut past studies have found that people who eat more salt than they need tend to have high blood pressure. Eating too much salt has also been connected with other conditions, such as heart and kidney   problems.\nIf you want to cut down on salt, the good news is, there are plenty of simple things to do. Here are some tips:\n*Cut back on high salt foods.\nMost foods contain some salt. But some foods such as cheese, bacon, pickles  , smoked fish and chips are almost always high in salt because of the way they are made. You can still enjoy them, but try to have these in smaller amounts, or eat them less often.\n*Choose reduced salt bread and breakfast cereals.\nBread and breakfast cereals   are major source of salt in the diet, not that they're necessarily high in salt but because we eat a lot of them. For these foods, there can be a really big difference between different types and brands. So next time you're shopping, take the time to compare the salt levels on a few similar products. And always try to choose the ones lower in salt.\n*Avoid adding salt to cooking and at table. Instead, you could use herbs and spices   such as garlic   and lemon juice to add flavor to meals.", "problems": [{"question": "Many people in China don't realize they are eating too much salt because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["salty food tasted better than reduced salt food", "they do not calculate the amount of salt they eat", "about 3/4 of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy", "few people experience problems from eating too much salt"]}, {"question": "For a healthier life, the author's suggestion is to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["cut back on food with less salt", "eat less heavily salted food", "eat as much reduced salt bread as is wanted", "stop eating bread and breakfast cereals"]}, {"question": "What is the purpose of the article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To warn people of food containing too much salt.", "To inform people of the right amount of salt taken each day.", "To advise people to be careful about the amount of salt they eat.", "To promote   the right way to make reduced salt food."]}]}
{"article": "A new study warns that about thirty percent of the world's people may not have enough water by the year 2025.\nAn American organization called Population Action International did the new study. It was more than three hundred and thirty-five million people lack enough water now. The people live in twenty-eight countries. Most of the countries are in Africa or in the Middle East.\nPopulation Action International researcher Robert Engelman says by the year 2025, about three thousand million people lack water. At least 18 more countries are expected to have serious water problems. The demand for water keeps increasing. Yet the amount of water on the earth the same. Mr Engelman says the population in countries that lack water is growing in these countries will continue to increase.\nThe report says lack of water in the future may result several problems. It may increase health problems. Lack of water often means drinking water is not safe. Mr Engelman says there are problems all over the world because of diseases such as cholera that are carried in water.\nLack of water also may result in more international conflict. Countries may have to fight for water in the future. Some countries, such as Syria, Sudan, Cambodia, and so on, now get sixty percent of their fresh water from other countries. And the report says lack of water would affect the ability to improve their economies. This is because industries often need a large amount of water.\nThe Population Action International study gives several ways to solve the water problem. One way is to find ways to use water for more than one purpose. Another way is to teach people to be careful not to waste water. A third is to use less water for agriculture. The report also says long-term solutions to the water problem must include controls on population growth.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the report, how many countries will lack water by the year 2025?", "answer": "D", "options": ["More than eighteen", "About twenty-eight", "Less than forty", "At least forty-six"]}, {"question": "_    million will lack water by the year 2025?", "answer": "B", "options": ["335", "3,000", "3,305", "355"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The amount of the water on earth will always stay the same.", "The report gives three solutions to water problem.", "M ost of the countries that lack water belong to the developing ones.", "There's only one long-term solution to solve the water problem, that is we must try our best to control the population growth."]}, {"question": "The passage mainly tells us that   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["water is very important for any people", "PAI did a lot of study about water shortage", "water shortage will be a serious problem facing us in the near future", "controlling the population is the best way to solve the problem of water shortage"]}]}
{"article": "Two studies are suggesting that some overweight people do not face an increased risk of developing heart disease. Researchers also found that some individuals of normal body weight have an increased risk of the disease.\nBeing overweight does increase your risk of medical problems, but the studies found that not all heavy people are less healthy than thin people.\nIn one study, American researchers examined medical records from over 5000 men and women. Each person had taken part in a separate study from 1999 to 2004. The searchers found that about 51% of them were overweight or obese. About 32% were obese, but considered metabolically healthy. This means they had no evidence of problems in tests for high blood pressure or other factors linked to heart disease. However, more than 23% of people who were at a healthy weight were unhealthy in two or more aspects Judith WylieRosett helped carry out the American study. She says the finding show that all obese person can still be healthy. She believes that having body fat is not as important as where the fat is found on body. It's reported that twothirds of Americans are considered overweight or obese.\nA second study is suggesting that fat in the liver may be an important health risk. Norbert Stefan and his team closely examined 314 people.They measured how much body fat each person had, and where it was on the body. To do this ,they used medical imaging tests. They discovered that obese people could have healthy hearts. Their results suggest that fat in the liver is more dangerous than fat in other areas.\nThe results of both studies were published recently in the Archives of Internal Medicine.Professor WylieRosett says the findings don't mean that people shouldn't be concerned about obesity.  Experts say there are several diseases linked to obesity that make it more dangerous to be fat than thin. They say people should see their doctor to learn what health risks they may be facing and what behaviours should be changed to improve health.", "problems": [{"question": "What was found in 23% of the healthy people examined?", "answer": "B", "options": ["No factors linked to heart disease.", "They were unhealthy in two or more aspects.", "High blood pressure.", "No evidence of problems."]}, {"question": "Professor WylieRosett agrees that people should  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["avoid becoming obese", "not worry about becoming obese", "worry about becoming thin", "not be afraid of several diseases"]}, {"question": "The text is mainly about evidence that some people can  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["be both fat and healthy", "develop heart disease", "increase weight", "have too much fat in the liver"]}]}
{"article": "It was 11 pm. Donald Lubeck was lying in bed. Outside, lightning lit up the sky, and thunder shook the house. Suddenly he heard the smoke alarm sounding. Lubeck walked down to see what happened; he opened the door to the kitchen, and flames  just went out. The sudden strong wind from the doorway immediately created a large fire from a small one, probably caused by lightning. Lubeck went back to his bedroom to call 911. \"I felt safe because the room had a separate stairway,\" he explains. The phone didn't work, and when Lubeck tried to go down the stairway, he was stopped by a wall of flames. Lubeck realized he was in trouble. His daughter and granddaughters, who lived with him, were away for the night. \nUp a hill lived Lubeck's neighbors, Jeremie Wentworth and his wife. From his house, Wentworth saw the black smoke. He rushed out, and headed towards Lubeck's house. He knew Lubeck lived in the house. He dialed 911. On the phone, the 911 worker warned Wentworth not to enter the house. \"But I told the worker, \"Sorry, but I'm going in. I can hear Lubeck shouting \"Help me!\" I can't let myself do nothing in this situation,\" /he says. \"I went in and shouted, \"Donald, where are you?\" Then I had to run outside to catch my breath.\" After one more try inside the house, he gave up. Then the wind parted the smoke just enough for him to see Lubeck on the second-floor bedroom. But there was no way to get to him.\"I finally noticed a ladder,\" says Wentworth. He set it against the wall and pulled Lubeck down. Just seconds later the floor fell down. \nWithin the year, Lubeck and his family built a new two-story house at the place. Wentworth and Lubeck don't run into each other often, but Lubeck now knows that if he ever needs help, Wentworth will be there.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Lubeck feel safe at the beginning?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because he knew how to fight fire.", "Because he thought it was a small fire.", "Because he thought he could get out easily.", "Because he knew his neighbor would help him."]}, {"question": "How did Lubeck get out of the house?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He went down a separate stairway.", "911 workers found him and helped him out.", "He climbed out of a window by himself.", "He climbed down a ladder found by Wentworth."]}, {"question": "Which of the following words can best describe Jeremie Wentworth?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Patient and creative.", "Calm and brave.", "Careful and clever.", "Simple and generous."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that Donald Lubeck  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["was living alone", "trusts Jeremie Wentworth", "got in touch with 911", "sounded the smoke alarm himself"]}]}
{"article": "Yueyang Tower   lies in the west of Yueyang City, near the Dongting Lake. It was first built for soldiers to rest on and watch out. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Lu Su, General of Wu State, trained his soldiers here.\nIn 716, Kaiyuan of Tang Dynasty, General Zhang Shuo was sent to defend at Yuezhou and he rebuilt it into a tower named South Tower, and then Yueyang Tower. In 1044, Song Dynasty, Teng Zijing was stationed at Baling Jun, the ancient name of Yueyang City. In the second year, he had the Yueyang Tower repaired and had poems by famous poets written on the walls of the tower. Fan Zhongyan, a great artist and poet, was invited to write the well-known poem about Yueyang Tower. In his A Panegyric of the Yueyang Tower (<<>> ), Fan writes: \"Be the first to worry about the troubles across the land, the last to enjoy universal happiness.\" His words have been well-known for thousands of years and made the tower even better known than before.\nThe style of Yueyang Tower is quite special. The main tower is 21.35 meters high with 3 stories, flying eave   and wood construction, the helmet-roof of such a large size is a rarity   among the ancient architectures in China.\nEntering the tower, you'll see \"Dongting is the water of the world, Yueyang is the tower of the world\". Moving on, there is a platform that once used as the training ground for the navy of Three-Kingdom Period general Lu Su. To its south is the Huaifu Pavilion  in honor of Du Fu. Stepping out of the Xiaoxiang Door, the Xianmei Pavilion and the Sanzui Pavilion can be seen standing on two sides. In the garden to the north of the tower is the tomb of Xiaoqiao, the wife of Zhou Yu.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the history of Yueyang Tower", "some information about Yueyang Tower", "the architecture style of Yueyang Tower", "Yueyang Tower is a good place to see"]}, {"question": "In Three-Kingdom Period, Yueyang Tower was used as   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a place where rich people enjoyed themselves", "the symbol of the Three Kingdoms", "a place where educated people often met", "an army-training place"]}, {"question": "Yueyang Tower was once named   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["South Tower", "Xianmei Tower", "Sanzui Tower", "Baling Tower"]}, {"question": "When did Yueyang Tower become more famous?", "answer": "A", "options": ["In 1045.", "In 716.", "In the Three-Kingdom Period.", "In the Tang Dynasty."]}, {"question": "Which of the following has nothing to do with Yueyang Tower?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Huaifu Pavilion.", "Xiaoxiang Door.", "Tomb of Du Fu.", "Tomb of Xiaoqiao."]}]}
{"article": "Introductory Chemistry was taught at Duke University for many years by Professor Bonk.One year, two guys took the class and did pretty well on all the quizzes and midterms.They each had a solid A.These two friends were so confident in going into the final that the weekend before the final week, despite the Chemistry final being on Monday, they decided to go to the prefix = st1 /UniversityofVirginiato party with some friends.\n       They had a great time there.However, with their hangovers   and tiredness, they overslept all day Sunday and didn't make it back to Duke until early Monday morning.Rather than taking the final then, they found Professor Bonk after the final and explained to him how they missed the final.They told him they went up to the University of Virginia for the weekend and had planned to come back in time to study, but they had a flat tire on the way back and didn't have a spare.So they were late getting back to campus.\n       Bonk thought this over and agreed that they could take the final the following day. The two guys, happy and relieved, studied that night and went in the next day at the time that Bonk had told them.He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet.He told them to begin.\n      They looked at the first problem which was something simple about solution .It was worth 5 points.\"Cool,\" they thought, \"this is going to be an easy final\".\n       They then turned the page.They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on it.\n       The question contained only two words:(95 points) Which tire?", "problems": [{"question": "The two guys decided to go to the University of Virginia because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they were afraid of the final", "there was a big party there", "the final would be held there", "they thought they could pass the final easily"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Bonk wasn't strict with the two guys", "Bonk didn't believe the two guys' explanation", "the two guys came back to campus late on purpose", "repairing the flat tire took the two guys a lot of time"]}, {"question": "After the final, the two guys would probably   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["apologize to Professor Bonk", "get the same high marks", "lose interest in their Chemistry", "feel happy and relieved"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["honesty is the best policy", "you should think twice before you jump", "one never loses anything by politeness", "he who makes no mistakes makes nothing"]}]}
{"article": "Elena Kagan has reached a lifelong goal:becoming a Justice on the United States Supreme Court.The U.S. Senate confirmed Kagan on Thursday by a vote of 6337.She replaces Justice John Paul Stevens,who retired in June.\nKagan will take a sacred oath  to uphold the Constitution of the United States on Saturday at a swearingin ceremony.The new Justice will bring the number of women sitting on the nation's highest court to three.Kagan joins Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor--all three New Yorkers.\nKagan is the fourth woman in history to sit on the Supreme Court.Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female Justice.She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and served from 1981 to 2006.\nKagan,who is 50 years old,is the second Justice appointed by President Barack Obama.(He appointed Justice Sotomayor in 2009.) Obama told reporters on Thursday that Kagan will make an \"outstanding Justice who understands that her rulings affect people.\" He also noted that the addition of another woman to the Supreme Court marks a sign of progress for the country.Obama and Kagan will celebrate her confirmation with a ceremony at the White House today.\nKagan has spent most of her adult life working with the law.She served in President Clinton's administration as a legal adviser,was the head of Harvard Law School,and until her confirmation Thursday,was the U.S. Solicitor General--one of the most powerful lawyers in the federal government.Kagan was born in New York City.She grew up in an apartment on the Upper West side of Manhattan,the strongwilled,independent middle sister sandwiched between two brothers.\nKagan's mother was a public school teacher who taught fifth and sixth grades.Her father was a lawyer.\nThe new Justice once wore a judge's robe in a picture for her highschool yearbook.Now she'll be wearing real ones as she and the other eight Justices decide some of the most important legal cases.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To take the place of an old Justice,a Justice was elected by the Senate.", "There will be four women working in the United States Supreme Court.", "Kagan will take a sacred oath before taking part in the election.", "No one but a New Yorker can be a Justice of the Supreme Court."]}, {"question": "This text must be taken from   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a storybook", "a textbook", "a newspaper", "a biography of famous people"]}]}
{"article": "Mo Yan, whose primitive name is Guan Moye, was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize on October 11, 2012.\"Chinese author Mo Yan today won the Nobel Literature Prize for writing that mixes folk tales, history and the contemporary,\" the Swedish Academy announced.\"Through a mixture of fantasy and reality,  historical and social perspectives,  Mo Yan has created a world reminiscent in its complexity of those in the writing of William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marques,  at the same time finding a departure point in old Chinese literature and in oral tradition,\"  the Swedish Academy said\nMo Yan began writing in 1981 and he has published novels, short stories and essays on various topic,  and despite his social criticism is seen in his homeland as one of the foremost contemporary authors, the Nobel Committee noted,  In his writing Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth. He is the first Chinese resident to win the prize,  who is a novelist and a short story writer, born on 17th February 1955, in Gaomi County, Shandong Province.His novel The Frog won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011.  His works are deeply impacted by the magic realism that he creates unique subject feeling world by fantastical narration in bus novels.Some people may not know who Mo Yan is before,  but they must know some of his works.For example, a famous film directed by Zhang Yimou that won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1988  was adapted from his novel Red Sorghum which was a tale of the brutal violence in the eastern China  countryside, where he grew up, during the 1920s and 1930s.", "problems": [{"question": "Which novel of Mo Yan won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The Mangrove.", "Red Sorghum.", "The Frog.", "History and the contemporary"]}, {"question": "Why was Mo Yan awarded the Nobel Literature Prize of 2012?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because of his work The Frog.", "Because of his works with the contemporary.", "Because of his works with history.", "Because his writing mixes folk tales, history and the contemporary."]}, {"question": "Mo Yan is his  _  name.", "answer": "B", "options": ["primitive", "pen", "real", "family"]}]}
{"article": "EDGEWOOD-Every morning at Dixie Heights High School, customers pour into a special experiment: the district's first coffee shop run mostly by students with special learning needs.\nWell before classes start, students and teachers order Lattes, Cappuccinos and Hot Chocolates. Then, during the first period, teachers call in orders on their room phones, and students make deliveries. By closing time at 9.20 a.m., the shop usually sells 90 drinks.\n\"Whoever made the chi tea, Ms. Schatzman says it was good,\" Christy McKinley, a second year student, announced recently, after hanging up with the teacher.\nThe shop is called the Dixie PIT, which stands for Power in Transition. Although some of the students are not disabled, many are, and the PIT helps them prepare for life after high school.\nThey learn not only how to run a coffee shop but also how to deal with their affairs. They keep a timecard and receive paychecks, which they keep in check registers.\nSpecial-education teachers Kim Chevalier and Sue Casey introduced the Dixie PIT from a similar  program at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Georgia.\nNot that it was easy. Chevalier's first problem to overcome was product-related. Should schools be selling coffee? What about sugar content?\nKenton County Food Service Director Ginger Gray helped. She made sure all the drinks, which use non-fat milk, fell within nutrition   guidelines.\nThe whole school has joined in to help.\nTeachers agreed to give up their l ounge   in the mornings. Art students painted the name of the shop on the wall. Business students designed the paychecks. The basketball team helped pay for cups.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A best-selling coffee.", "A special educational program.", "Government support for schools.", "A new type of teacher-student relationship."]}, {"question": "The Dixie PIT program was introduced in order to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["raise money for school affairs", "do some research on nutrition", "develop students' practical skills", "supply teachers with drinks"]}, {"question": "How did Christy McKinley know Ms. Schatzman's opinion of the chi tea?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She met her in the shop.", "She heard her telling others.", "She talked to her on the phone.", "She went to her office to deliver the tea."]}, {"question": "We know from the text that Ginger Gray   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["manages the Dixie P1T program in Kenton County", "sees that the drinks meet health standards", "teaches at Dixie Heights High School", "owns the school's coffee shop"]}, {"question": "Where can we usually read this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["In a novel.", "In a newspaper.", "In an instant message.", "In a school report."]}]}
{"article": "The USA\nWell, imagine how my sister felt when she went off for the first time to New York for a business trip. After a few days she was still amazed at how friendly everyone was to her until she took a taxi back to her hotel one night. First she gave just the name of the hotel, but when asked she said the address too. Then she was asked how to get there, but of course she didn't know. Imagine how frightened she was when the driver started shouting at her for not knowing the way.\nThe UK\nA friend was in London for a conference. He took a taxi and there were no problems: the driver knew the way and was very cheerful. The problem started when he realized he had stupidly left his laptop on the back seat! He called the company up and, in a panic, went straightaway to their Lost and Found office. He was _ to find the laptop waiting for him, and then very surprised that it was one of 2,900 left in taxis over the past six months!\nTunisia\nWell, my brother took a Mediterranean cruise  one summer and had a day in Tunis. He spent most of the afternoon in the Medina buying presents when he suddenly realized he'd completely lost track of time and there was only half an hour before the ship left the port. There had been loads of yellow taxis in the centre so he wasn't too bothered until he stood on the pavement and waited for one to appear----and of course there wasn't a single one in sight! Nothing! He questioned a passer-by who explained that the cost for the taxi ride goes up in the evening so the taxi drivers disappear until they can charge higher prices! Luckily for my brother the man then offered to give him a lift and he caught the boat on time!", "problems": [{"question": "What was the author's sister's trip by taxi in the US like?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Unpleasing and scary.", "Tiring but impressive.", "Relaxing and exciting.", "Interesting but strange"]}, {"question": "Why couldn't the author's brother find a taxi in Tunis?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because it was too late.", "Because the weather was bad.", "Because he didn't know how to call a taxi.", "Because the taxi drivers disappeared on purpose."]}, {"question": "What do the three stories have in common?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They are all about taking a taxi.", "They are all about business trips.", "They are all about great services.", "They are all about the author's family."]}]}
{"article": "Culture helps human societies survive in changing natural environment.For example, the end of the last Ice Age, beginning about 15,000 years ago, brought a big challenge to which humans had to adapt.Before this time, large parts of the northern hemisphere were covered in great sheets of ice that contained much of the earth' s water.In North America, large animals that wandered the vast tundra   provided people with food and materials for clothing and simple shelters.When the earth became warm, large Ice Age animals disappeared, and many land areas were covered by rising sea levels from melting ice.But people survived, they developed new technologies and learned how to survive on new plant and animal species. Finally some people settled into permanent villages, durable houses and farms.\nCultural adaptation has made humans one of the most successful species on the planet. Through history, major developments in technology, medicine, and nutrition have allowed people to reproduce and survive in ever-increasing numbers.The global population has risen from 8 million during the Ice Age to about 6 billion today.\nHowever, the successes of culture adaptation can also create problems in the long run.Over the last 200 years, people have begun to use large quantities of natural resources and energy and to produce a great amount of material and chemical wastes.The global population now consumes some important natural resources--such as petroleum, wood, and minerals--faster than nature can produce them.Many scientists believe that in the process of burning fuels and producing wastes, people may be changing the global climate in unpredictable and possibly harmful ways.Thus, the adaptive success of the present-day global culture of production and trade may be temporary.", "problems": [{"question": "To deal with the problems, human beings should   _  according to the passage.", "answer": "B", "options": ["stop developing any longer", "reduce the overuse of natural resources", "stop the global warming and using natural resources", "save more animals in case they all die out"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the problem caused by cultural adaptation according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A very developed culture came into being.", "New technologies have been developed.", "Natural resources have been used up.", "Human activities have done damage to the balance of nature."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best tide of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Natural Environment Should Be Protected.", "The Success of Cultural Adaptation Is Not Permanent.", "The Global Population Is Increasing Since Ice Age.", "Human Beings Are Capable of Surviving on Earth."]}]}
{"article": "Opportunity knocked on my door last January when I was given a chance to work in another country. At first, it seemed really scary for me to live on my own. But I had to overcome the true challenge!\n    Luckily, I met seven new friends, six boys and one girl. They were really nice and I loved their company. We hung out most weekends. We cooked, watched movies, chatted and shared jokes! It was amazing -- until something unexpected happened !\n    One of my friends was diagnosed with kidney   stones which needed to be removed as soon as possible. But our friend could not afford the surgery. He tried to get help from our other friends but they refused him. My heart cried for him! Our friends abandoned him just when he needed them most.\n    I didn't know how to help him because I didn't have any money either. But I never lost hope. Instead I tried to think of other options. I told him not to worry because he might find a way somehow and everything would be all right.\n    So I went to the hospital with him. I talked to the surgeon, asking him to do the surgery for him and promising to pay the expenses the next day (As if I had that money). I must have been convincing because the surgeon agreed to do it! Now, how was I going to get that much money?\n    All I knew was that I needed to help my friend! I tried to borrow money from other friends but I failed. I tried selling my things but no one wanted them. Then I had to talk to my boss. I asked him if I could have my next two months salary in advance -- without even thinking on how I would survive for two months without money.\n    He was surprised and asked me why. I told him that I had a friend who was really in need.  Luckily, he gave my two months salary without hesitation! As soon as I had the money I ran to the hospital and paid all the bills.\n    Friendship may not only be found in happy moments. Sometimes you can find it on the toughest time in your life!", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author go to the hospital with his friend?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To find free medical treatment for his friend.", "To have his friend admitted into the hospital.", "To pay the expenses of treatment for his friend.", "To keep him company during the operation."]}, {"question": "Which of the following words can be used to describe the author?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Warm - hearted.", "Adventurous.", "Open-minded.", "Clever."]}, {"question": "What does the author intend to tell us by sharing his story?", "answer": "C", "options": ["We should not judge a person by his look.", "Trouble can put one's qualities to the test.", "True friends should share in joys and sorrows alike.", "We can't depend on friends when in trouble."]}]}
{"article": "Sheep, like turkeys and ostriches, are not considered the cleverest animals. British scientists said last Wednesday human may have underestimated  the woolly creatures. They could be much smarter than we think.\nResearchers at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, southern. England, have shown that animals have a good memory system and are extremely good at recognizing faces--which they think is a sure sign of intelligence.\nBehavioral scientist Keith Kendrick and his friends trained 20 sheep to recognize and distinguish  25 pairs of sheep faces and used electrodes  to measure their brain activity, which showed they could remember 50 faces for up to two years.\n\"If they can do that with faces, the fact is that they have to have reasonable intelligence, otherwise, what is the point of having a system for remembering anything else,\" Kendrick said in an interview.\nSo hours of seemingly mindless eating grass may not be so mindless after all.\nKendrick believes sheep got their reputation as dumb animals because they live in large groups and do not appear to have much ind\nividuality and are frightened of just about everything.\nAll animals, including humans, once they are frightened don't tend to show signs of intelligent action,\" he explained.\nIn research reported in the science journal Nature, Kendrick and his team showed that sheep, like humans, have a specialized system in the brain, which allows them to distinguish between many different faces that look extremely similar.\n\"The most important findings of the study is that they are able, both from a behavioral point of view and from looking at the way the brain is organized, to remember a large number of faces of individuals for a very long time,\" said Kendrick. \"It is a very strange system. They are showing similar abilities in many ways to humans. \"", "problems": [{"question": "From what Kendrick said in the interview we learn that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["scientists have learned a lot about sheep's intelligence", "scientists have learned little about sheep's intelligence", "scientists can't do anything more about sheep's memory", "scientists don't have to research animals' memory"]}, {"question": "As is shown in the passage   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["sheep are among the weak animals", "it is not right for people to raise sheep in groups", "when sheep eat grass in the fields their minds may be active", "if people feel frightened, they may become more brave"]}, {"question": "When scientists found that sheep show similar abilities in many ways to humans they may think it   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["worrying", "moving", "frightening", "interesting"]}]}
{"article": "In 1955, a man named Raymond Kroc entered a partnership with two brothers named Mcdonald. They operated a popular restaurant in California which sold food that was easy to prepare and serve quickly. Hamburgers, French fries, and cold drinks were the main foods on the limited menu. Kroc opened similar eating places under the same name, \"McDonald's\" and they were a quick success. He later took over the company and today it is one of the most famous and successful \"fast-food\" chains  in America and the world.\nWhy was his idea so successful? Probably the most important reason was that his timing was right. In the 1950s, most married women stayed home to keep house and take care of their children. During the 1960s, the movement for equality  between men and women and an economy  that needed more families to have two money-earners resulted in many women returning to the workplace. This meant that they had less time and energy to do housework, so they depended more on fast-food restaurants.\nSingle parents also have little time to spend in the kitchen. People living alone because of divorce  or a preference for a \"single lifestyle\" also depend on this type of food, since cooking for one is often more trouble than it is worth.\nFast food is not part of the diet of all Americans. Another of the 1960s was called back-to-nature movement. More and more Americans based their diets on natural foods. This preference for natural foods continues to this day. These products can now be found not only in the special health food store but also in many supermarkets.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["how and why \"McDonald's\" became successful", "the effect social and economic changes have on people's eating habits", "why Americans prefer natural food", "American eating habits"]}, {"question": "Which of the following was NOT a reason for Raymond Kroc's success?", "answer": "C", "options": ["His partnership with the McDonald brothers.", "A changing economy.", "The back-to-nature movement.", "Women's equality movement."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["natural foods can also be found in McDonald's", "many married women in America returned to work in the 1960s", "McDonald's fast food is popular among the young", "divorce caused people to change their eating habits"]}]}
{"article": "There are three main forms of public transport in Singapore--trains,buses and taxis. \nTRAINS\nTrains run from 6:00 am to midnight. Single trip tickets start at 80 cents. If you buy an EZ-Link card for $ 15,you can ride the trains and buses as you like. If you need more infor-mation, just call Train Station at 6222 5165.\nBUSES\nThere are several bus services in Singapore and fares start at 80 cents. Be sure always to ask the driver the cost of your ticket as he can't give change. If you need help,just call Tran-sit Link at 1800 767 4333.\nTAXIS\nThere are three main taxi companies--City Cab (6552 2222),Comfort (6552 1111) and Tibs (6552 8888). Booking can also be easy by calling the numbers listed above.\nRENTAL CARS  \nDriving in Singapore is a pleasure and if you like to travel at your own pace,renting a car is a good choice.Renting takes away the hassle of getting to places around Singapore.Just sit back and enjoy the city. It also means you'll get to see a lot more that a train or a bus won't let you see. For car rental? call Avis at + 65 6737 1668.", "problems": [{"question": "With an EZ-Link card, you can take_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["only trains", "both buses and trains", "only rental cars", "both buses and taxis"]}, {"question": "If you need the bus service? you had better call_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["6552 1111", "1800 767 4333", "6552 5165", "+ 65 6737 1668"]}, {"question": "What do we know about traveling in Singapore from the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A foreigner has no trouble finding his way around.", "It's much cheaper to go around by bus than by train.", "To see a lot in Singapore we have to rent a car.", "It's very easy for visitors to travel in Singapore."]}]}
{"article": "Read the following reviews for movies that are showing at the moment. And then answer questions.\nHappiness(Romance) \nHappinesstells the story of two people (Lisa Turbot and Danny Roy) who work for different advertising companies. They talk on the phone all the time and don't like each other. But then they _ by e-mail and fall in love. This movie will be very popular with teenagers and people who like romances. It also has beautiful music.\nI Scream(Thriller) \nInI Scream, Paul (Colin Jacks) is a young man who joins a thriller club. Each of the members tries to frighten the others. Paul is told to stay in an old house for the night. Everyone who has tried to stay in the house before has died. This movie is very frightening but also quite silly. It doesn't make sense for Paul to stay in the house when things start to go wrong. Only for people who like thrillers.\nPaul's Heroes(Comedy) \nThis is a very funny war movie set in World War Two. Six soldiers (including Sammy Turblow) have to get to Italy to take secret messages to the American army there. During the movie, they dressup as women and fight with Italian workers. You can guess the ending, but it's great fun getting there.\n _  (Drama) \nThis is a very good drama with Jack Ross, who plays a hard-working truck driver. His wife becomes ill and he has to find a doctor who can help her. In his travels he meets Dr. Lloyd (Phil Driver) who has found the cure for the illness, but Jack Ross has only twelve hours to get the medicine back to his wife on the other side of America. This is an excellent movie, which is very exciting.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the four movies is the least popular with people?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The 1st one.", "The 2nd one.", "The 3rd one.", "The 4th one."]}, {"question": "A thriller is most probably a film which tells something   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["instructive", "frightening", "humorous", "interesting"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title for the fourth film?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A Hard-working Trick Driver", "Medicine", "A Strange Illness", "Twelve Hours"]}]}
{"article": "Dear Ms Morris,\nWe have come to know of an unfortunate incident you had with our customer service department and we would like to deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to you by the customer service manager's behavior. We have noted down your complaint (number 797329SA) and would like to let you know that strict action will be taken against the employee. He is a new employee with little experience and so his attitude towards his job was over enthusiastic and he lacked proper judgment.\nWe are by no means excusing his behavior but I would like to request you not to take any legal action against the company as we are very sorry for what happened. To express our appreciation, please accept the offer of free servicing of all products of our company that you own for up to three years. We will also make sure that the faulty  air conditioner is replaced by us at no extra cost so that you do not face any further problem.\nOnce again, we are very sorry for the incident. Please contact us if you have any questions.\n                                                           Yours sincerely,\n                                                              Nate Borges\nDear sir,\nI should like to apologize for the inconvenience caused to you due to poor Internet connectivity. I understand that you require the Internet all through the day as all your business deals are done online and since last week your work has been affected a great deal.\nWe are continually working towards providing the best possible services to our customers. You have been using our service for the last three years and are aware of the excellent quality of service offered by us. However, this time due to some major technical fault the Internet service was interrupted and our customers in your part of the city are facing our poor Internet connectivity problems.\nThe issue is likely to be solved within the next two days; kindly bear with us until then. Once again I apologize for the poor service.\n                                                           Yours faithfully,\n                                                              David Johns", "problems": [{"question": "What is Ms Morris's attitude towards the customer service manager?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Thankful.", "Dissatisfied.", "Doubtful.", "Worried."]}, {"question": "Which is most likely to happen according to the first letter?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The new employee will be punished.", "Ms Morris will get her air conditioner repaired.", "Nate Borges will take legal action against Ms Morris.", "Ms Morris will get all products of the company for free."]}, {"question": "Why does David Johns mention their level of service in the past?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To increase the service prices.", "To express thanks to the customer.", "To preserve the customer's confidence.", "To explain the causes of the poor service."]}, {"question": "What do the two letters have in common?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Both complain about poor services.", "Both are written to make an apology.", "Both explain how to use the product.", "Both discuss how to make up for the loss."]}]}
{"article": "Some mothers in Senegal are learning a new way to save the lives of babies born too soon. The idea is borrowed from the way mother kangaroos carry their young in front in a pouch. The baby kangaroo stays in this built-in baby carrier until it can survive independently.\nKangaroo mother care is also known as the skin-to-skin method for premature  babies. The direct contact with the mother keeps the baby warm. It also lets the baby breastfeed  at any time. The mother's heartbeat also helps control the baby's breathing rate.\nEvery year, seven thousand babies are born at the health center where Ousmane Ndiaye works in Guediaway, outside Dakar. One in five is underweight. But Senegal has few incubators  in which to keep premature babies warm. In Africa, one newborn in twenty dies. A major reason is prematurity, so the death rates are among the highest in the world.\nDoctor Ndiaye says babies who weigh less than two kilos get special attention from _ who assist with the births. They teach the mother how to keep the baby wrapped to her chest. The health center has a Kangaroo Clinic, a special area for teaching this method.\nDoctor Ndiaye says they plan to expand the program throughout Senegal. But he believes the best way to get more people to use the kangaroo method is for mothers who have used the method to tell others about it.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT the advantage of the kangaroo method?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The babies can get warmth from their mothers", "It is convenient for mothers to feed their babies", "The direct skin contact reduce the risk of failing ill", "The mother's heartbeat helps the baby breathe normally"]}, {"question": "What is the major reason for the high death rates of newborns in Africa?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They are not fed with nutritious food", "Most hospitals don't have incubators", "The newborns are not taken good care of", "They are born before the usual time"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["advantages of kangaroo mother care", "new ways to take care of newborn babies", "medical conditions in Senegal need improving", "saving premature babies with an idea from nature"]}]}
{"article": "It's a fact that we all dream. Some dreams seem to last for hours, others only for seconds. Some of us have strange dreams, some have interesting dreams, and some of us have unpleasant dreams. Tests in the 1980s showed that these dreams occur within 90-minute cycles, each cycle made up of six stages. In the last stage people experience rapid eye movement, known as REM, and it is in this stage that dreaming takes place. Eighty percent of people who were woken during this sixth stage could easily remember their dreams. On the other hand, when during the first five stages (NREM), only seven percent could describe a dream.\nHowever, of these same people woken during the first five stages, 74% were able to remember thinking activity, although they would not call it a dream. NerysDee, who has written about dreams in a book called \"Your Dreams and What They Mean\" says: \"Perhaps during NREM sleep we are sorting out our outer mundane problems, but in REM sleep we are dealing with inside matters.\" She also makes the following statement about 90-minute cycle: It may also prove the reason why _ who wake in the middle of the night find it impossible to get to sleep again for at least an hour and a half. In other words, until they have missed out one complete 90-minute sleep period.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements about dreams is TRUE?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Everyone dreams but very few can recall what they dream.", "Some people have long dreams and others have very short ones.", "People can only remember unpleasant dreams.", "More than eighty percent of people can remember their dreams."]}, {"question": "According to the tests in the 1980s, dreaming takes place  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["between each 90-minute cycle", "at any time during 90-minute cycles", "during the first five stages of 90-minute cycles", "in the last stage of 90-minute cycles"]}, {"question": "People woken during REM sleep can  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["hardly remember their dreams", "easily remember their dreams", "only remember their dreams", "partly remember their thinking activity"]}, {"question": "\"Insomniacs\" are persons who  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["can always remember their dreams", "have trouble getting into sleep at night", "experience rapid eye movement", "usually wake after each 90-minute sleep period"]}]}
{"article": "In most of the time, I am devoted to my research in the lab with my friend Dave, who loves traveling very much. To make our life colorful and relax ourselves, in July, my friend and I are taking a camping trip. We will travel for four weeks and will tour the United States and part of Canada. We have decided to camp because it does not cost as much as vacationing   in hotels.\nWe have to plan very carefully in advance. First, the car we are going to drive is very small, so we have decided to take only one small suitcase each and as few camping things as possible. We will take some medicine with us to prevent insects   from hurting us, and also food for picnics. Second, there is a lot to see in the United States and Canada, so we have to decide on the direction   we want to drive.\nThe date we are leaving is July 2, from which day we will have two months off.  We want to see and do many things on our camping tour. We want to climb in the mountains, visit famous caves, and swim in cool mountain rivers. We want to visit many cities and talk to many people, which I am sure can enrich our experience greatly. We also want to find a hotel room if it rains at night. We expect to have an exciting trip.", "problems": [{"question": "The two friends are going to take a camping trip   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["if they have four weeks' time off", "though it will be a long trip", "so that they can save money", "because it will be warm enough in July"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is possibly true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They are now on the trip", "They are going to make a tour all over the U.S and Canada.", "They are quite rich.", "July is drawing near."]}, {"question": "It is quite clear that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["there will be no insects at all.", "they are sure to take some medicine on the trip.", "the two friends will take turns to drive.", "the two friends will share a suitcase."]}, {"question": "If they are caught in the rain , they will   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["talk to their families while it rains.", "ask others for help.", "have to stop climbing.", "have to stay in a hotel for the night."]}]}
{"article": "Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours   in life than by the narrow road toward goals.I like this image.But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.\nFor years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents' home in Boise in nine hours.We traveled the way most people do:the fastest,shortest,easiest road,especially when I was alone with four noisy,restless kids who hate confinement   and have strong opinions about everything.\nRoad trips felt risky,so I would drive fast,stopping only when I had to.We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.\nBut then Banner,our lamb was born.He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise.I had two choices:leave Banner with my husband,or take him with me.My husband made the decision for me.\nThat is how I found myself on the road with four kids,a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through.We took the country roads out of necessity.We had to stop every hour,let Banner shake out his legs and feed him.The kids chased him and one another.They'd get back in the car breathless and energized,smelling fresh from the cold air.\nWe explored side roads,catching grasshoppers in waisthigh grass.Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother,or fish leaping out of the water,it was better than the best ride down the freeway.Here was life.And new horizons  .\nWe eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories.\nI grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique.On an empty section of road,everyone started quarreling.I stopped the car,ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead.I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.\nSome road trips are by necessity fast and straight.But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey-and the best part of yourself.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents'home?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It was less tiring.", "It would be faster and safer.", "Her kids would feel less confined.", "She felt better with other drivers nearby."]}, {"question": "The author stopped regularly on the country roads to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["relax in the fresh air", "take a deep breath", "take care of the lamb", "let the kids play with Banner"]}, {"question": "Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To give herself some time to read.", "To order some food for them.", "To play a game with them.", "To let them cool down."]}, {"question": "What could be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Charm of the Detour", "The Road to Bravery", "Creativity out of Necessity", "Road Trip and Country Life"]}]}
{"article": "STRANGERS parties go wild these days. The main idea of them is to never let the people know who their matches are until the last minute. These are some popular practices that are storming the world's youth on this V-day.\nSpeed dating\nIt's exactly what the name implies. Complete with a timer, a whistle and 50 willing singles, speed dating is not the traditional dinner and a movie type of first date. Singles pay US $35 for three minutes with more than two dozen future dates. They ask questions and try to get to know each other. At the sound of a whistle, they do the same thing all over again--25 times in all.\nLock and key party\nWomen are given a lock and men are given a key, upon arriving at the party. Each key and lock has several matches. One can hunt for his/her later-to-be sweetheart in various groups, and try out the key or lock. Each time a lock and key match the pair are entered into a ballot  for top prizes!\nDinner in the dark\nWaiters wearing night vision glasses guide the guests through the pitch-black dining room. They are seated at the table and familiarized with the wine glass and plate. Food is handled with the fingers. People will not see the food they are eating or the guests at their table until the dessert course. At that moment, dining partners will appear.\nMessage party\nHave A Cocktail, Leave A Message! When you arrive, you get a tag with a number and a pad of post-it notes. If you see someone you like, write a message on the message board. But wait... You've got a message... Go and collect it! You can make new friends and win lots of gifts. The more messages you leave on the bulletin board, the more chances you have of winning prizes.", "problems": [{"question": "What do you think the similarities of these parties are?", "answer": "C", "options": ["All the parties have very strict rules for their members.", "If you want to go to any of the parties, you have to buy a ticket.", "All the parties are aimed at strangers who want to be lovers.", "All the parties are suitable not only for the young but for the old."]}, {"question": "In which party does a participant have to be careful with the time?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Speed dating.", "Lock and key party.", "Dinner in the dark.", "Message party."]}, {"question": "If you go to the Dinner in the dark,   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["you have to wear night vision glasses", "you have to eat with your hands", "guests eat all the courses in the darkness", "your dining partners will help you choose the food"]}, {"question": "How many of the parties offer gifts or prizes?", "answer": "B", "options": ["1.", "2.", "3.", "4."]}]}
{"article": "No matter where he lives, 16-year-old Danny Lopez feels like an outsider: he is half-Mexican and half-white.\nAt his private high school in wealthy northern San Diego, California, US, Lopez is too brown to fit in, whereas for the Mexican side of his family in National City, just a dozen miles from the border, he is too white to belong.\nDifferent from both sides, Lopez is silent in school. He focuses on his passion for baseball and working hard to improve the pitches   that have kept him off the school team.\nMexican Whiteboy, by Matt de la Pena, is about a teenager's search for identity. It was named as one of the Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults in 2009 by the US Young Adult Library Services Association.\nWhen Lopez's mother decides to go to live with her wealthy white boyfriend in San Francisco, he chooses to spend the summer with his father's family in San Diego. It's a trip to explore roots and self-identity, filled with unexpected friendship.\nThere he meets Uno, of mixed heritage   like himself, also with a divorced mom. Uno understands Danny's split background and helps him improve his baseball skills. Both boys have big league dreams, but they both have to learn to come to terms with their mixed heritages before they can achieve their goals.\nAside from discussions of racism, Mexican Whiteboy takes on other issues, such as the importance of family and the negative influence of hiding the truth. It also shows how sports can draw cultures together.", "problems": [{"question": "The reason why Lopez feels like an outsider lies in the fact that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he is a Mexican", "he lives in San Diego", "he is half-white and half-Mexican", "he studies in a private school"]}, {"question": "Most probably \"Mexican Whiteboy\" is a   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["book", "club", "newspaper", "organization"]}, {"question": "When Lopez found it is hard for him to fit in, he   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["starts writing a book about himself", "begins to look for identity with the help of Mexican Whiteboy", "loses his interest in baseball", "works in the fields in which he was kept off the school team"]}, {"question": "Lopez and Uno have a lot in common except that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they both have a divorced mom", "they both have mixed heritage", "they were both in the school baseball team", "both of them have big league dreams"]}]}
{"article": "Sir Steven Redgrave\nWinner of 5 Olympic Gold Medals\n\"In 1997 I was found to have developed diabetes . Believing my career was over, I felt extremely low. Then one of the specialists said there was no reason why I should stop training and competing. That was it -- the encouragement I needed. I could still be a winner if I believed in myself. I am not saying that it isn't difficult sometimes. But I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't finished yet. Nothing is to stand in my way.\"\nKaren Pickering\nSwimming World Champion\n\"I swim 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. I manage that sort of workload by putting it on top of my diary. This is the key to success -- you can't follow a career in any field without being well-organized. List what you believe you can achieve. Trust yourself, write down your goals for the day, however small they are, and you'll be a step closer to achieving them.\"\nKirsten Best\nPoet & Writer\n\"When things are getting hard, a voice inside my head tells me that I can't achieve something. Then, there are other _ , such as family or hobbies. The key is to concentrate. When I feel tense, it helps a lot to repeat words such as 'calm', 'peace' or 'focus', either out loud or silently in my mind. It makes me feel more in control and increases my confidence. This is a habit that can become second nature quite easily and is a powerful psychological  tool\"", "problems": [{"question": "What does Sir Steven Redgrave mainly talk about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He overcame the bad influence of illness to win.", "Specialists offered him medical advice.", "Training helped him defeat his disease.", "Difficulties influenced his career."]}, {"question": "What does Karen Pickering put on top of her diary?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Her daily happenings.", "Her training schedule.", "Her achievements.", "Her sports career."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, what do the three people have in common?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Courage.", "Self-confidence.", "Devotion.", "Hard work."]}]}
{"article": "Educating Girls Is a Real Lifesaver\nClare Short knows it. Every developing economist knows it. The World Bank knows it. The education of girls is the surest way to reduce poverty.\nThe reason is simple. All the evidence shows that taking girls out of the fields and homes, and putting them behind desks, raises economic productivity, lowers infant and maternal  death rates, reduces birth rates, and improves environmental management.\nWhy, then, are 90 million primary school-age girls around the world not in school? For the same reason that when Charles Dickens was writing David Copperfield 150 years ago girls were absent from the British education system: Men in power mostly prefer _ that way, or are not interested enough in changing the situation to commit energy and money to doing so.\nThe countries with the poorest record for having women in positions of power or influence have the worst figures for girls' education. High-profile intervention  by organizations such as the World Bank has begun successfully with several countries, and more of the same will probably be needed to bring change in conservative, male-run states.\nEven if there were no development payoff from gender equality in schools, the education of girls would still be a cause worth fighting for. Education is a human right, and the denial of it to girls is a scar on the community in the twenty-first century.\nTo be born a girl in a rural area in Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, Togo, or Sudan -- half a dozen of the most shameful performers -- means being condemned to a life without school, education, or clean water, marriage and babies coming too early, too many births, children who die of preventable diseases, backbreaking work in the fields, subordination  to husband and his family, and an early death.\nEvery year, almost 12 million children under the age of five needlessly die of infectious diseases associated with poverty. But each additional year spent by their mothers in primary school lowers the risk of premature child deaths by about 8 percent. In Pakistan, an extra year of school for 1,000 girls could prevent sixty infant deaths.\nWith women and girls being the main farmers in Africa and southern Asia, their education offers a chance to develop more efficient farming practices, improve output, and raise awareness of the ecological needs of the land with tree planting and farming. Therefore, the world community cannot afford to ignore this avenue of change.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is Not the reason why educating girls reduces poverty?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It improves environmental management.", "It raises economic productivity.", "It creates more children.", "It lowers maternal death rates."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The countries where women have great influence and are in power always do worse in girls' education.", "Some organizations such as the World Bank haven't taken the lead in girls' education.", "Some girls in Sudan and Indonesia are bound to live a life without education when they are born.", "Each extra year of school for girls has nothing to do with the birthrate and maternal deaths."]}, {"question": "How many more infants will survive when 100 girls stay in school for another year?", "answer": "B", "options": ["5", "6", "8", "12"]}, {"question": "What does the author think of girls' education?", "answer": "A", "options": ["essential", "terrible", "indifferent", "helpless"]}]}
{"article": "My parents knew their wealth: each other, their six children, and their faith. They tried to live simple lives so that they could have time for what was most important.\nThey didn't busy themselves buying a bigger house, because that would mean working harder to pay the monthly mortgage ,working overtime or taking second job. Who would go running with me then? Who would read stories to me?\nThey didn't burden themselves with buying an expensive car because that would mean worrying about installment  bills. Besides, walking to the shopping centre every Saturday afternoon with me gave my dad his needed exercise, and made me feel so special.\nOne of my heart's delights was seeing Dad and Mom in their bedroom at night, after our nightly family prayer. The lights were turned off, and I'd see the figure of my father seated on his old chair and Mom standing behind him, gently massaging  his shoulders. I'd hear them talk about what happened during their day. Even as a child, I sensed their quiet pleasure in being together.\nMy question today: Could they have done this rich ritual  each night and nourished  their marriage if they had been busy paying for expensive clothes for themselves or their kids, or if they had been worrying about monthly bills for new hi-tech equipment? I don't think so. And I've made a choice: I don't want that of life either.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about the author's family?", "answer": "C", "options": ["There were six people in the family.", "They decided to buy a bigger house.", "They lived an easy and happy life.", "They had a second-hand car."]}, {"question": "What did the parents regularly do with the author?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They wrote stories together.", "They read newspapers together.", "They regularly took exercise together.", "They went shopping together each day."]}, {"question": "The author believed that his/her parents' happiness was due to(, )", "answer": "A", "options": ["their attitude towards life", "their love for each other", "their common interests", "their ability to communicate with each other"]}]}
{"article": "\"Mama, when I grow up, I'm going to be one of those!\" I said this after seeing the Capital Dancing Company perform when I was three. It was the first time that my dream took on a vivid form and acted as something important to start my training. As I grew older and was exposed to more, my interests in the world of dance certainly varied but that little girl's dream of someday becoming a dancer in the company never left me. In the summer of 2005 when I was 18, I received the phone call which made that dream a reality: I became a member of the company dating back to 1925.\nAs I look back on that day now, it surely lacks any sense of reality. I believe I stayed in a state of pleasant disbelief until I was halfway through rehearsals   on my first day. I never actually expect to get the job. After being offered the position, I was completely astonished. I remember shaking with excitement.\n _ . Through the strict rehearsal period of dancing six days a week, I found it vital to pick up the material fast with every last bit of concentration. It is that extreme attention to detail   and stress on practice that set us apart. To then follow those high-energy rehearsals with a busy show schedule of up to five performances a day, I discovered a new meaning of the words \"hard work.\" What I thought were my physical boundaries were pushed much further than I thought possible. I learned to make each performance better than the last.\nToday, when I look at the unbelievable company that I have the great honor of being a part of, not only as a member, but as a dance captain, I see a tradition that has inspired not only generations of little girls but a splendid company that continues to develop and grow-and inspires people every day to follow their dreams.", "problems": [{"question": "How many years has the Capital Dancing Company existed when the author received the phone call from it?", "answer": "D", "options": ["180", "1925", "2005", "80"]}, {"question": "How did the author feel when she look back on that day now?", "answer": "B", "options": ["strange", "unrealistic", "indifferent", "lucky"]}, {"question": "What conclusion could be drawn from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The company values practice most.", "The company extremely focus on intelligence.", "The company has an inherited tradition of inspiring its members break their limits.", "The company sets the members apart in order to extremely stress detail and practice."]}]}
{"article": "Is there anything more important than health?I don't think so.You can't be good at your studies or work when you are ill.\nIf you have a headache,or a bad cough,if you run a high temperature and have a bad cold,I think you should go to the doctor.\nThe doctor will examine your throat,feel your pulse,take your temperature,sound your heart and lungs.After that he will advise some treatment,or some medicine.The only thing you have to do is to follow his advice.\nSpeaking of doctor's advice,I can't help telling you a funny story.\nAn old man came to see the doctor.The man was very ill.He told the doctor about his weakness,memory loss and serious problems with his heart and lungs.The doctor examined him and said there was no medicine for his disease.\nHe told his patient to go to a quiet place for a month and have a good rest.He also advised him to eat a lot of meat,drink two glasses of red wine every day and take long walks.In other words,the doctor advised him to follow the rule:\"Eat at pleasure,drink with measure and enjoy life as it is.\"The doctor also said that if the man wanted to be well again,he shouldn't smoke more than one cigarette a day.\nA month later the gentleman came into the doctor's office.He looked cheerful and happy.\nHe thanked the doctor and said that _ \n\"But you know,doctor,\"he said,\"it's not easy to begin smoking at my age.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The writer thinks that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["health is more important than wealth", "work is as important as studies", "medicine is more important than pleasure", "nothing is more important than money"]}, {"question": "The doctor usually tells his patient what to do   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["without examining the patient", "after he has examined the patient", "if the patient doesn't take medicine", "unless the patient feels pain"]}, {"question": "From the last sentence of the passage,we learn the man   _   before the doctor told him not to smoke more than one cigarette a day.", "answer": "C", "options": ["was a heavy smoker", "didn't smoke so much", "didn't smoke", "began to learn to smoke"]}]}
{"article": "British newspapers are among the oldest and most famous in the world. But recently big changes have seen these traditional publications try to fit the modern world. After 221 years, The Times has changed its size to become much smaller. In fact, the paper has cut its size in half from a broadsheet to tabloid . \nIn prefix = st1 /Britainthe newspaper market is divided between the larger broadsheets and the smaller tabloids. These terms refer to the size of the papers' pages but there is also a clear difference in content. Broadsheets such as The Times, the Guardian and Daily Telegraph are serious papers. They cover a broad range of political, economic and international issues. Their stories are also reasonably long and use quite formal language.\nTabloids have far more stories about less serious issues such as celebrities' love lives. Their stories are shorter and use more simple language. Tabloids often have bigger pictures. Britain's best-selling newspaper, the Sun, is a tabloid and has a naked girl on Page Three every day.\nBy changing to the size of a tabloid, The Times is following in the footsteps of a less famous broadsheet paper the Independent . It changed to tabloid last year and saw its sales increase greatly. Although both papers have switched to the smaller size the content of the papers has remained the same. They are both still serious papers. \nThe two papers claim that people find the smaller size easier to handle when they travel to work on the bus or the train in the morning. Instead of calling the new style of their paper tabloid, the paper says its new size is \"compact\" .", "problems": [{"question": "In which year was The Times born?", "answer": "C", "options": ["1782", "1785", "1788", "1786"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements can best describe broadsheets and tabloid?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Broadsheets are larger in size while tabloids are smaller.", "Tabloids are less serious than broadsheets.", "Broadsheets contain more news than tabloids.", "They are different in size, content and the style of language."]}, {"question": "Which of the following newspapers would you read if you are interested in lives of film stars?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The Sun", "The Times", "The Independent", "The Guardian"]}, {"question": "According to the passage we can infer the main reason for The Times' changing into the tabloid is that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it wants to become convenient for people to carry", "it wants to increase its circulation", "it intends to copy what The Independent has done", "it is unlikely to stay in business if it does not change"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the given information?", "answer": "C", "options": ["There are more tabloids than broadsheets in Britainat present.", "After the change, there will be no differences between The Sun and The Times.", "Although The Times has cut its size, it remains a serious paper.", "All the papers will tend to have the same style in the future."]}]}
{"article": "In the US and Britain, the slogan around colleges was \"Save water. Shower with a friend.\" Now, Wuhan University has come up with another system for the campus bathhouse. It charges students for the amount of time in a shower. Before entering the bathhouse, students pay for the amount of time they want in the shower with cash or their student ID card. The clock starts ticking the minute the tape is turned on. It pauses when a button is pressed for soap. An integrated circuit (IC) card reader at each tap shows the time. No money, no water. The benefits of the new system can be seen with the old system, which charged 1 Yuan for each person regardless of time in the shower. The university used about 320 tons of water daily under the old system, but only 160 tons now.\nMany students use the new system but opinions on it are divided. Some students say it is bad because bathing had become a sort of race. Many people using it for the first time are not sure how long they need to shower. Some might be embarrassed if their time is up and they're still covered in soap. They have to ask the bathhouse worker to help them buy extra time.\n\"It's a _ in the system that you can not buy extra time on the ID card,\" said Ren, a freshman in Wuhan University. The university is also considering some students' suggestions that they be allowed to pay after they've finished the shower. Not surprisingly, some are complaining about losing the hour shower. But many students say the move helps them develop a water-saving sense.\nWithout the time limits, most students tended to shower for 30 to an hour in the bathhouse.\nSome even used the hot water to wash their clothes. \"In my experience, 10--20 minutes is enough,\" said Dai Zhihua, a third-year student who usually takes 8 minutes.\nA similar system has been installed in other universities. Shanghai Normal University introduced it at its Fengxiang Campus in September. The bathing fee there is 0.2 Yuan per minute. One male student responded by setting a record with a two-minute shower.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Students buy the time of their showers.", "The clock times the student's bathing except when the bather pauses for soap.", "If money runs out, there will be no water.", "Having finished bathing, the student has to pay for it."]}, {"question": "Since the new system has performed,   _   of water can be saved.", "answer": "C", "options": ["a quarter", "one third", "one half", "two thirds"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the new operation can raise students' environmental awareness", "the new operation can solve the water crisis", "a similar operation has been set in other universities", "the university has saved a lot of water by using the new system"]}, {"question": "In which column can you find this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Culture.", "Society.", "Campus Life.", "Lifestyle."]}]}
{"article": "When people who are nature lovers worldwide wish all humans to realize the importance of their natural surroundings, many Australians are turning caring for the environment into a way of life.\nJulie, an Australian housewife in Brisbane is one such example. Even though autumn is approaching Australia's Brisbane in April, one can still watch colorful blooming   flowers in Julie's little garden, as she tells that in her community,\"Each of us has a beautiful yard. The whole community, from children to elderly people, takes care of the environment as if they are taking care of their own garden.\"\n\"Gardening is the most popular club in our community,\" she says. \"A lot of retired people don't just regularly organize gardening lectures, but also personally visit families in the community to provide gardening training. So you can see that flowers continue to blossom  in our gardens throughout the year.\"\nTalking about her people's sense of caring for the environment, Julie says when people in the community take along their dog, they always carry a garbage bag to deal with the dog's waste. \"In our community, you will never experience the embarrassment of stepping on the dirty waste while you are walking on the grass,\" says Julie with a smile. \"Taking care of the dog's waste can also help to develop children's sense of responsibility!\"\nAs to protecting water resources, the Australian government has made strict rules for families. Julie says, \"We certainly would not use tap water to water the flowers!\" She says almost every family in her community has a huge tank used to store rainwater, which is later used as the resource of all outdoor water use, including car washing and watering the garden. This year, they also asked people to connect the water tank with their toilets.", "problems": [{"question": "Why can flowers be seen all year round in Julie's community?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Families are taught how to take care of their gardens.", "Gardening lessons are often given by professors.", "The local government provides free gardening training.", "There is enough rainwater to water the flowers regularly."]}, {"question": "What do we know about Julie from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She finds it embarrassing to walk on the grass.", "She once stepped on a dog's waste.", "She is quite in favor of raising a dog.", "She takes pride in her community."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How Australians save resources", "Love nature, the Australian way", "How Australians lead their life", "Protect nature, a must of life"]}]}
{"article": "As people have accurately observed,smiles are absent from early photographs. In 1852,for instance,a girl sat for her Daguerrotype,her head slightly turned,giving the camera an unsmiling look. She is preserved forever as a very serious girl indeed. Charles Darwin,a loving and playful parent,looks frozen in photographs. Why did our ancestors,from unknown sitters for family portraits  to the great and famous,because so sad in front of the camera?\nThe severity is everywhere in Victorian photographs. However,you don't have to look very long at these unsmiling old photos to see how incomplete the seemingly obvious answer is-that they are freezing their faces in order to keep still for the long exposure times. In Julia Margaret Cameron's Portrait of Tennyson,the poet dreams,his face a shadowed mask of genius. This is not simply a technique. It's an emotional choice.\nPeople in the past did not go around in a continual state of sorrow. In fact,the Victorians had a sense of humor even about the darkest aspects of their society. Laughter was not just common in the past but accepted by society far more than it is today,from medieval carnivals  to Georgian print shops,where people gathered to look at the latest funnies. Far from preventing festivals and fun,the Victorians,who invented photography,also created Christmas as a celebration as it is today. So the severity of people in the 19th-century photographs cannot be the evidence of generalized sadness. This was not a society in permanent desperation. Instead,the true answer has to do with attitudes to portraiture itself.\nPeople who sat for early photographs understood it as a significant moment. Sitting for the camera was cheaper,quicker and meant that people who never had a chance to be painted could now be photographed; but people seemed to have taken it seriously in the same way they would be a painted portrait. Like a portrait painting,it was intended as a timeless record of a person.\nTo me those unsmiling people probably had as much fun as we do,if not more. But they felt no need to prove it with pictures. Instead,when whey sat for a photograph,they thought about time,death and memory. Perhaps we should stop smiling sometimes,too.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the people in Victorian times?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They laid importance on religious events.", "They were skillful at portrait painting.", "They valued their family life.", "They enjoyed themselves."]}, {"question": "The author thinks early people look frozen in old photos because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they lived in a traditional society", "they had to stay still for a long time", "they regarded photography important", "they held negative views about painting"]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude towards people not smiling in old photos?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Skeptical.", "Critical.", "Neutral.", "Positive."]}]}
{"article": "The Healthy Habits Survey shows that only about one third of American seniors have correct habits.Here are some findings and expert advice.\n1.How many times did you brush your teeth yesterday?\n*Finding:A full 33% of seniors brush their teeth only once a day.\n*Step:Remove the 300 types of bacteria in your mouth each morning with a batteryoperated toothbrush.Brush gently for 2 minutes,at least twice a day.\n2.How many times did you wash your hands or bathe yesterday?\n*Finding:Seniors,on average,bathe fewer than 3 days a week.And nearly 30%wash their hands only 4 times a day-half of the number doctors recommend.\n*Step:We touch our faces around 3,000 times a day-often inviting germs to enter our mouth,nose,and eyes.Use toilet paper to avoid touching the door handle.And,most important,wash your hands often with hot running water and soap for 20 seconds.\n3.How often do you think about fighting germs?\n*Finding:Seniors are not fighting germs as well as they should.\n*Step:Be aware of germs.Do you know it is not your toilet but your kitchen sponge that can carry more germs than anything else?To kill these germs,keep your sponge in the microwave for 10 seconds.", "problems": [{"question": "What is found out about American seniors?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Most of them have good habits.", "Nearly 30% of them bathe three days a week.", "All of them are fighting germs better than expected.", "About one third of them brush their teeth only once a day."]}, {"question": "Doctors suggest that people should wash their hands   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["twice a day", "three times a day", "four times a day", "eight times a day"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["We should keep from touching our faces.", "There are less than 300 types of bacteria in the mouth.", "A kitchen sponge can carry more germs than a toilet.", "We should wash our hands before touching a door handle."]}, {"question": "The text probably comes from   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a guide book", "a popular magazine", "a book review", "an official document"]}]}
{"article": "Earthquakes are something that people fear. There are some places that have few or no earthquakes. Most places in the world, however, have them regularly  . Countries that have a lot of earthquakes are usually quite mountainous.\n         The most talked about earthquake in the United States was in San Francisco in 1906. Over 700 people died in it. The strongest one in North America was in 1964. It happened in Alaska.\n         Strong earthquakes are not always the ones that kill the most people. In 1755, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded was felt in Portugal. Around 2,000 people died. In 1923, a very strong earthquake hit Tokyo, the Yokohama area of Japan. A hundred and forty thousand people died. Most of them died in fires which followed the earthquake.\n         One of the worst earthquakes ever was in China in 1976. It killed a large number of people. The worst earthquake ever recorded was also in China, in which 400,000 people were killed or injured. This earthquake happened in 1556.\n         Earthquakes worry people a lot. The reason is that we often do not know when they are coming. People can not prepare for it. Although we cannot stop earthquakes, there are things which can be done to protect ourselves during an earthquake.", "problems": [{"question": "Earthquakes happen  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["only in a few places along the mountains", "regularly in most places in the world", "in all the places in the world", "only in the countries that have a lot of mountains"]}, {"question": "How many people died in the earthquake which happened in Portugal in 1755?", "answer": "D", "options": ["500.", "140,000.", "400,000.", "2,000."]}, {"question": "When and where was the worst earthquake ever recorded?", "answer": "D", "options": ["1964; Alaska.", "1923; Japan.", "1976; China.", "1556; China."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People still don't know exactly when an earthquake will come.", "The stronger the earthquake is, the more people are killed.", "Earthquakes can cause fires.", "Earthquakes often come unexpectedly."]}]}
{"article": "I was dirty smelly hungry and some somewhere beneath all that, suntanned .It was the end of an Inter-Rail holiday.My body couldn't take any more punishment. My mind couldn't deal with any more foreign timetables, currencies or languages.\n\" _ ,\" I said, as I stepped onto home ground.I said exactly the same thing the following year.And the next, all I had to do was buy one train ticket and, because I was under twenty--five years old,I could spend a whole month going anywhere I wanted in Europe. Ordinary beds are never the same once you've learnt to sleep, in the passage of a train, the rhythm rocking you into a deep sleep.\nCarrying all your possessions on your back  in a tucksack  makes you have a vefy basic approach to travel,and encourages incredible wastefulness that can lead  to burning socks that have become too anti-social ,and getting rid of books when finished.On the other hand, _ is entirely in the spirit of Inter--Rail,for common sense and reasoning can be thrown out of the window along with the paperback book and the socks.All it takes to achieve this carefree attitude is one of those tickets in your hand.\nAny system that enables young people to travef through countries at a rate of more than one a day must be pretty social on that first trip,my friehds mad I were at first unaware of the possibilities of this type of train ticket,thinking it was just an inexpensive way of getting to and from our chosen camp-site in southern France.But the idea of non-stop travel proved too attractive,for there was always just one more country over the border,always that little bit further to go.And what did the extra miles cost us? Nothing.\nWe were not completely uninterested in culture.But this was a first holiday without parents,as it was for most other Inter-Railers,and in organizing our own timetable  we left out everything except the most available sights.This was the chance to escape the guided tour,an opportunity to do something different.I took great pride in the fact that.in many places,all I could be bothered to see was the view from the station.We were just there to get by,and to have good time doing so.In this we were not different from most of the other Inter-Raiders with whom we shared passage  floors,food and water,money and music.\nThe excitement of travel comes from the sudden reality of somewhere that was previously just a name.It is as if the city in which you arrive never actually existed until the train pulls in at the station and you are able to see it with your own tired eyes for the first time.", "problems": [{"question": "At the end of his first trip, the writer said\"Never again\"because", "answer": "C", "options": ["He fell ill", "he disliked trains", "he was tired from the journey", "he had lost money"]}, {"question": "Why did the writer originally buy an Inter--Rail ticket?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To get to one place cheaply.", "To meet other young people.", "To see a lot of famous places", "To go on a tour of  Europe."]}, {"question": "What the writer liked about traveling without his parents was that", "answer": "D", "options": ["he could see more interesting places", "he could spend more time sightseeing", "he could stay away from home longer", "he could make his own decisions"]}]}
{"article": "Lee Ann Laraway has polio   and is not able to move very much. Most things are out of reach for her. Jeannie, a Labrador retriever, acts as her arms and legs. Jeannie understands 72 or more different commands. On a shopping trip, she can get money for Lee Ann at the bank or candies at the store. She can pay the cashier   and get change back. Jeannie brings things to Lee Ann and puts them in her lap.\nJeannie was trained at a place called Canine Companions for Independence, located on twelve acres of land in Santa Rosa (California). The land was donated   by the cartoonist Charles Shultz. \"We train four different types of dogs here,\" said Ken Kirsh, a dog trainer there. \"Hearing dogs, service dogs, skilled companion dogs, and facility dogs.\"\nTrainers work with Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers for hours a day, but not every dog is good enough to be a working dog.\nThe work is a serious business. Hearing dogs warn their owners of sounds like ringing telephones and doorbells. Other dogs work with disabled patients like eight-year-old Noah Habib who communicates with a special computer. He likes it when people come to ask him about his dog. His father says, \"People are really interested in the dog and will come over and ask to pet her and play with her, and ask about what she does, and these are people that normally might not approach us and want to talk to Noah.\"\nWhen Lee Ann Laraway comes home with Jeannie and her goods, Jeannie helps her open the door. \"You can train a dog to do a lot of things.\" said Lee Ann.", "problems": [{"question": "According to this passage, we can know that Jeannie is Lee Ann's  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["servant", "daughter", "dog", "mother"]}, {"question": "Jeannie can help Lee Ann do all the following things EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["go to the bank to get money", "pay for what Lee Ann buys in the shop", "bring things home", "do some cooking at home"]}, {"question": "People want to talk to Noah mainly because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he is good at training dogs", "he is not only honest but also lovely", "they want to play with his dog", "they want to ask him for help"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Dogs are helpful to people", "Four kinds of dogs", "Jeannie, a very clever dog", "How to train working dogs"]}, {"question": "What kind of dogs are not trained in the center?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Dogs that warn their owners of sounds like doorbells.", "Dogs that help their blind owners cross over a road.", "Dogs that open the door for their owners.", "Dogs that work with children who have polio."]}]}
{"article": "Many people have influence on my life, based on their personal characteristics, achievements, and values. I have been lucky to have had a great many teachers and professors who I respect for their patience and intelligence. There are artists who have encouraged me by their talents and creativity. I value many political leaders, who have inspired me by their contributions to society, and their ability to change our futures. But of all the people I have known in my life, the person I admire most is my father.\nAs the youngest girl in my family, I always considered myself to be \"Daddy's little girl\". While I grew up, it always made me sad to see so many of my friends and neighbors without a father or father-like figure around. This helped me appreciate how my father always takes an interest in his children's lives. In every aspect of my life, my father continuously pushes me to _ , so I could finish my work excellently among my people. Whenever I feel like giving up, or have a question or a concern, I know I can always turn to him for advice. From him I have also learned that sometimes _ . His strength seems to be unbreakable during hard times, and he is extremely determined to do anything he sets his mind on, no matter how small it is. I highly respect him for how he stands up for what he believes in, and will never back down. I have always admired his open mind, sympathy for people, and sense of understanding. He is a very strict man, but in our daily life, he has a great sense of humor, and always knows how to put a smile on the faces of his wife, his children and his friends.\nLiving in his love and instruction, I am very proud of my father. He also professes how proud he is of his children, and is still there to support us in whatever we are doing in.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following could NOT be used to describe the author's father?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Caring and humorous.", "Knowledgeable and sociable.", "Sympathetic and open-minded.", "Energetic and helpful."]}, {"question": "What can we infer  about the author?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She appreciated her father because he could solve all the problems.", "She considered her father strict and had no smile to her.", "She was outstanding because her father forced her to do so.", "She felt pity for those children without the father."]}]}
{"article": "Want to know the dynamic pulse of China's economy? \nGet a glance of the most important business activities taking place here every day \nthrough Business Daily Update, a service offered by China Daily information via the World Wide Web.\nPlaced under 10 categories, over 25 news items appear each day with the top three events \nhighlighted all in English.Business Daily Update is just a few mouse clicks away.\nSubscribe to BDU for an annual fee of US $240.Email and fax services are also Available \nupon request.\nFor more information, please contact Business Daily Update: \nTel: (010)64941107, (010) 64924488 ext.2000; Fax: +86-10-64941125 \nEmail: bdu@chinadaily.com.cn;URL:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bdu", "problems": [{"question": "If you get into BDU, you can   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["get the information of the latest business activities taking place in China", "get the most important business information in the world", "know more than what you expect in China", "get all the information in China Daily"]}, {"question": "This advertisement will be very helpful to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Chinese people", "foreign travelers", "foreign business people", "China Daily reporters"]}, {"question": "To get the information from BDU every day, you must   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["understand Chinese", "know something about the mouse", "know how to operate a computer", "how to use a fax machine"]}]}
{"article": "The butterfly Ecological Park, which opened early this May, is located in Dabao Village in Longfeng Township of Pengzhou City, some 65 kilometers to the north of Chengdu downtown.\nThe park, covering an area of 67 hectares, is more famous for a variety of butterflies living in _ surroundings and houses a collection of some 30,000 butterfly species. An ideal site for parents and kids alike to enjoy the sight of \"the flying flowers\" and the ecological area.\nA great variety of butterflies live in China, and Sichan and Yunnan are rich in butterfly resources. At present, 702 species have been discovered in Sichuan, where the number of butterfly species equals to the total of Europe. In the Longmen Mountain of Pengzhou City alone, there are more than 500 species.\nThe butterfly Ecological Park, a project of RMB200 million at the foot of the Longmen Mountain, is the natural habitat of butterflies. The park also has educational and cultural programs. The park has prepared many spring and summer activities for visitors, including a scientific exhibition about butterflies, a \"butterfly valley\" where visitors can have a close look at butterflies, even with them resting on the shoulders, and enjoy themselves in activities designed for children.\nTourists can enjoy the splendid scenery of thousands of butterflies at the \"butterfly valley\" and appreciate more than 30,000 different kinds of butterfly species at the exhibition area. Classified as the only category I butterfly species the Wild Animal Protection Law in 1989 in China, the Golden Kaiserihind is the most expensive species living in \"butterfly valley\", with an estimated value of RMB10,000 each.", "problems": [{"question": "The author mentioned Europe in the essay to   _  ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["stress that Sichuan has plenty of butterfly resources.", "state that a large number of butterflies live in Europe.", "tell readers that more than 500 species of butterflies live in Europe.", "emphasize that Europe is less famous than the Longmen Mountain."]}, {"question": "Why is The butterfly Ecological Park situated at the foot of the Longmen Mountain?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because the park has educational and cultural programs.", "Because the park has prepared many spring and summer activities.", "Because visitors can have a close look at butterflies in the park.", "Because butterflies of various species can live there naturally."]}]}
{"article": "The woman had died when the rescuers found her after the terrible earthquake. She was covered by a destroyed house. Through gaps   of those ruins,the rescuers could see her last posture  . It was something like an ancient person who was kowtowing  ,but it just looked strange because she was out of shape by pressure.\nThe rescuers confirmed her death by touching her through the gaps of the ruins. They shouted at the ruins again and again,knocked the bricks using various tools,but no reply inside.\nThen the rescuing team went to the next building. Suddenly the leader ran back,calling \"Come here.\" He came to the body,put his hands under the woman,feeling and touching,then shouted loudly and gladly,\"There is someone,a baby,still living.\"\nThrough some efforts,rescuers cleaned up the ruins which blocked her. Under her body lay her baby,who was covered by a small red quilt . He was about 3 or 4 months' old. Since well protected by his mother's body,he was safe. He was in a deep sleep when the rescuer carried him out,and his lovely and peaceful face warmed everyone around him. The doctor,along with the rescuing team,took the baby out of the quilt to check if the baby was all right,and he found there was a mobile phone in the quilt. The doctor looked at the screen;a written message was already there:\"My dear baby,if you could live,don't forget how much I love you.\" As a doctor,he experienced much of this type of separation;but at this moment,he cried. The mobile phone was passed,and every person who saw this message shed  tears.", "problems": [{"question": "When the rescuers found the mom,she    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["was using her mobile phone to ask for help", "begged the rescuers to save her baby first", "was struggling with the pressure", "didn't have the normal shape"]}, {"question": "When the baby was rescued, he    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["was smiling a lot", "was fast asleep", "was listening carefully", "was frightened to death"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a story of saving a mother and her baby", "the disaster of a terrible earthquake", "the rescuers' hard work after an earthquake", "the great love of a mother in the earthquake"]}]}
{"article": "A treasure trove hidden for centuries has been discovered in the underground vaults of a temple in southern India. The treasures include gold, diamonds and precious stones. The estimated value of the hoard is reportedly 22 billion US dollars.\nHundreds of armed police have been deployed around the temple. Meanwhile, a debate about how to use the money has also broken out across the country. After discovering the treasure trove in Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala, the local government has assured  security of the temple.\nElaborating on the security arrangements, Venugopalan Nair, Additional Director General of the Kerala Police, says the latest security devices are being used to guard the temple.\nVenugopalan Nair, Additional Dir. Gen. of Kerala Police, said, \"We are trying to bring in the latest technology with regards to surveillance  cameras, with regards to, you know digitalizing the various things which are available inside. We are keeping a constant sort of surveillance for every movement, which happens in the whole area surrounding the temple.\"\nAccording to temple authorities, the crowd at the temple has increased steeply after news of the discovery of the treasure trove. And the Administrative Officer of the Temple says the government has initiated appropriate steps to control the curious crowds visiting the temple.\nG. Jayasekharan Nair, administrative officer, said, \"To control the crowds the government itself is taking a lot of measures. They are trying to do whatever is possible from the premises of the temple. Apart from all that, the government has taken a favorable step and we are satisfied with them.\"\nOver the last week, a seven-member team of investigators broke into five secret subterranean vaults, and discovered jewels that have been lying untouched for hundreds of years.\nAs estimates of the treasures' worth rise, a fierce debate is growing regarding what to do with the discovery. Kerala's top elected leader said the wealth would remain with the temple, while others say it should be used to pay for poverty alleviation . However, the government is adhering to the Supreme Court's ruling on ownership of the treasure found in the temple.", "problems": [{"question": "How will the government deal with the treasure mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It will be used to pay for poverty alleviation.", "It will be returned to its owner.", "It will be kept in the vaults.", "It hasn't been decided yet."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The treasures include gold, diamonds and some old coins.", "The treasure trove has been lying unknown for hundreds of years before it is discovered.", "The local people are very curious about the treasure and the temple.", "The whole area surrounding the temple is under close watch."]}, {"question": "What G.Jayasekharan Nair said means that  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["what the government does means little", "the crowd will make trouble without proper control", "more effective measures should be taken", "the temple is of great value"]}]}
{"article": "Since people first sent rockets into space in the 1950s, we have been leaving behind all sorts of things. Some of them, like the camera, were lost by astronauts while they did work outside their spaceship. But much of the space junk is made up of little pieces of things that were once bigger objects, until they struck each other and broke apart.\nSome things we send into space fall back toward the earth and burn up in the atmosphere. But larger pieces sometimes survive the extreme heat and hit the ground or the ocean at great speeds. So there is always concern that something may fall from the sky and do some harm.\nBut space junk falling on housetops   is not the biggest worry. Scientists are concerned about what happens when an empty rocket strikes another while orbiting   the earth. Two big things become many smaller things. They then hit other things. The pieces get smaller and smaller until they form a cloud of junk that blocks the path of future space vehicles.\nSo what can be done to clean up the space around our planet? Marco Castronuovo, an Italian researcher, talks about sending a satellite into space that would get very close to some of the larger pieces of space junk. The satellite would connect a small rocket to the useless object. When the rocket explodes, it pushes the junk into a lower and slower orbit, nearer the earth. After a time, the junk burns up in the atmosphere.\nMr. Castronuovo has proposed   using a number of small satellites with robotic arms. One arm would catch the space junk, and another arm would connect the rocket. He imagines that each satellite would jump from one large piece of junk to another. He thinks this method could destroy about ten large objects each year.\nScientists have been concerned about space junk for many years. Right now, the costs of the clean-up have been too great. Mr. Castronuovo says his system could be put in place for a much more reasonable amount of money.", "problems": [{"question": "Much of the space junk   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["was thrown by the astronauts", "is from broken spaceship", "is made up of small pieces of things", "returns to the earth piece by piece"]}, {"question": "Scientists are most worried that the space junk   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["will stop the future space vehicles", "will do harm to the atmosphere", "will fall on the housetops", "will burn up in space"]}, {"question": "What does Marco Castronuovo think of his system?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It can remove space junk completely.", "It can save a large amount of money.", "It can create a large amount of space.", "It can develop robotic technology."]}]}
{"article": "Two new studies have investigated why fewer women, compared to men, study and work in the so-called STEM subjects in the United States: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.\nThe American Association of University Women(AAUW) examined existing research. Its report \"Why So Few?\" suggested ways to interest more girls and women in the STEM fields. The researchers found that cultural and environmental factors make a difference.\nResearcher Christianne Corbett says more boys than girls score very high on math tests in most countries, but Iceland and Thailand are exceptions. \"This is something that we point out in our report--that cultural factors and societal factors can make a difference in who achieves at the very high levels and whether girls are achieving or not.\"\nAnother study carried out by the Campos Company for the Bayer Corporation in the United States asked more than 1,000 women and minority members of the American Chemical Society about their experiences.77% said not enough women and minorities are working in STEM today, because they were not encouraged to study those subjects in school.\nThe study, producing results similar to the AAUW research showed there's still a lot of work to be done. \"They say their interest in science begins before the age of eleven. So we need programs that get in front of kids while they're young in elementary school.\"\nIncreasing diversity in professions leads to better products, better science. And developing this science and engineering workforce is important to the nation's economic development.\n\"No matter what career you go into, whether it's accounting, human resources or science career, it's important that you can think creatively, you can work in teams, you can adapt to change and that's important for everybody,\" says Rebecca Lucore.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true about the situation in Iceland and Thailand?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Boys score higher in math tests than girls.", "Girls are given more exceptional attention than boys.", "More girls score higher in math than boys.", "Boys are more creative than girls."]}, {"question": "Which of the following are mentioned as important factors for women to go into the STEM fields according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Gender and age.", "Culture and environment.", "Study and work experience.", "Family background."]}, {"question": "What's the importance of having more women engaged in STEM subjects?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Women can help men in science and engineering work.", "Women are wiser and more cooperative than men.", "Women play a more important part in scientific research.", "Having both women and men in science and engineering can produce better scientific achievement."]}]}
{"article": "Ben and his wife Susan were on their way to have dinner with their friends. It was a dark,windy night, and they did not know the way very well. They drove through a town until they found what they thought was the road to Dorling,where their friends lived. But it soon became clear that they were not on the road to Dorling at all. The road that they were on was getting narrower,and there were no other cars on it. The wind was blowing harder with every minute that passed.\nThey came to a small village .They drove past a church and then two houses without lights on. There was nobody about to tell them where they were,or where the road went. Just then,Ben saw a telephone box,twenty meters or so further on. While he walked back along the road to see if there was a name outside the church,Susan telephoned their friends and told them that they were still on their way.\nTheir friends were just saying that the dinner was already getting rather cold,when Ben came back to the telephone box,his head down against the wind. He said that there was a tree lying across the road,and that the telephone lines were down. Susan heard nothing more from their friends about the dinner.", "problems": [{"question": "Some time later Ben and Susan found they took a wrong road because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["their friends lived nearer than they drove", "the road was getting narrower and their car alone was on it", "the hard wind made them get lost", "the road was not the same as before"]}, {"question": "Ben went to the church to see if there was a name outside because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he was sure to find some people who knew Dorling", "he hoped to get help from there", "he wanted to telephone his friends where they were", "he wanted to stay there for the night"]}, {"question": "Susan could hear nothing more from their friends because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the telephone lines were broken by a tree", "the strong wind made too much noise", "they got angry", "they had all left"]}, {"question": "From the passage we know   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Ben and his wife often went out for dinners", "Ben and his wife lived in the country", "both Ben and his wife were shortsighted", "Ben and his wife seldom  went to Dorling"]}]}
{"article": "Hundreds of students from around the world gathered in New York City last week for the Microsoft Imagine Cup finals. They came to present their ideas for using technology to solve world problems.\nMicrosoft education director Suzi Levine says the nine-year-old program began mainly as a competition to create technology.\nSUZI LEVINE: \"When we realized that students really actually want to have a purpose for what they're creating, we introduced the idea of inspiring them with the UN Millennium Development Goals and suggesting that they use those for their muse . \"This past year we also rolled out something called the Imagine Cup Solve This library , where IGOs, NGOs and nonprofits can submit some of the technical challenges that they would like students to consider for their solutions.\"\nMicrosoft says over 350,000 high school and college students registered for this year's competition. Judges chose more than four hundred of them to attend the finals.\nSUZI LEVINE: \"One from Thailand was called NewKrean, where they created a Windows Phone 7 application that allows you to broadcast your location to your social network of friends so that you can be more easily rescued.\" They named their application Terra.\nSuzi Levine says there were also ideas from Egypt inspired by the revolution that _ president Hosni Mubarak in February.\nSUZI LEVINE: \"One was to use Bluetooth as sort of a Twitter equivalent so that if the government shuts down the Internet, you actually can still have a massive social distribution.\"\nStudents competed in nine categories. For example, in software design the top prize of twenty-five thousand dollars went to Team Hermes from Ireland. The students developed a device for cars to collect information on road conditions, driving behavior and traffic incidents.\nA team from Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University won first place in the embedded  development category. They developed a network of wireless devices to help plot the safest escape routes during a fire.\nNext year's awards ceremony will take place in Australia. Registration for Imagine Cup twenty-twelve opened Friday. Also, Microsoft announced plans for a three million dollar program to help Imagine Cup winners further develop their projects.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The program is sponsored by Microsoft.", "Next year, the awards ceremony will be held in New York City.", "Any high school or college student can attend the finals.", "The initial purpose of the program is to solve world problems using technology."]}]}
{"article": "We're surrounded by chemistry in everyday life. Sometimes it is easy to see, like when your science teacher does a big experiment in class. At other times, it can be pretty hard to see everyday chemistry at work, but nearly everything you touch or use has some element of chemistry in it.\nSomething as simple as toothpaste contains at least three chemicals, if not more. It is the mixture of them and its chemical reaction that keeps your teeth clean. Other things you use every day are created by chemistry, such as hair products, shampoo and soap. Adding detergent   to water involves chemistry. Without chemistry, we would never have known that we need soap to get the oil out of clothes or skin. Chemistry not only helps us make products for use, but it also helps us understand the world around us. Chemistry helps us understand what the ozone layer   is and how it protects us.\nChemistry also gives us sunscreen to protect us from the sun. Thanks to chemistry, we know bleach   can't be mixed with vinegar, because it can produce _ gas. Without chemistry, we wouldn't have fireworks displays on important days.\nChemistry plays a big role in food preparation. Cooking food causes it to go through a chemical change. That is why cooked food often tastes different from raw food. Baking is a great example of chemistry. Too much or too little of any ingredient makes a difference to the result of baking, for example, the dough   won't rise or the cake will be flat.\nChemistry isn't something that just lives in a lab; it's something that you meet hundreds of times every day. Knowing how chemistry works will give you a greater understanding of the science behind some of the simplest looking things.", "problems": [{"question": "The following actions are about chemistry EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["cleaning teeth with toothpaste", "washing hair with hair products", "using soap to get the oil out of clothes", "washing your face with water"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Chemistry around the House", "Chemistry in Science", "Chemistry for Dinner", "Chemistry in Everyday Life"]}]}
{"article": "For the first time in Hong Kong's history, an entertainer has been written into middle school textbooks. He is considered one of the best actors in Hong Kong. Yes, he is Chow Yun-fat.\nThe example of his long hard struggle for success has been used in a chapter in a Hong Kong middle school textbook. Using his experience, students can learn to make the most of their time and to grab every opportunity to succeed.\nOn hearing about this, Chow said happily, \"I really hope that my experiences can make young people understand that one should not be afraid of difficulties and setbacks  , for they are the only way to success.\"\nIndeed, Chow has travelled a long and difficult path to reach his success. In 1955, he was born into a poor family in Hong Kong. When he was 17, he had to leave school. He worked in a number of jobs--as a postman, camera salesman and taxi driver. These experiences paved   the way for him to play all kinds of roles later in life.\nChow broke into the film industry in the late 1970s. He was one of the hardest working actors and starred in a number of popular TV dramas and films including \"Shanghai Bund\"(<<>> ) and \"A Better Tomorrow\". Since 1985, he has won many awards including Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards.\nIn 1995, he went to Hollywood. Although he was already over 40, he had to learn English. _ His film, \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\", began to gain him more fame and recognition around the world. In 1998, the mayor of Chicago set aside January 12 as \"Chow Yun-fat Day\".", "problems": [{"question": "Chow Yun-fat has been written into middle school textbooks mainly because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he plays best in Hong Kong", "he keeps on struggling for success", "his experiences are very special", "he is well thought of"]}, {"question": "Chow felt   _   when he learned that he had been written into middle school textbooks.", "answer": "D", "options": ["surprised", "shy", "sad", "happy"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Chow Yun-fat is proud of his success.", "Chow Yun-fat prefers to make a living by selling cameras rather than by performing.", "Chow Yun-fat has won more awards than other actors.", "Chow Yun-fat is popular both at home and abroad."]}, {"question": "The author wrote this passage to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["introduce Chow's films", "praise Chow for his excellent performance", "call on people to learn from Chow", "show why Chow is popular"]}]}
{"article": "Dear John,\nMy name is Amber and I want to share my story with you because what you've shared about life and positive energy has changed my life. This past year has been one of the hardest for me. I felt I was stuck in a position that had nothing to do with what I wanted to do with my life. In January, after two years of being together, my boyfriend left me.\nI read your blog every morning as I drink my coffee at work, but it wasn't until this March that I told myself \"no more negativity\" as you taught readers in your blog.\nSince then I've got into new habits at work to keep my energy positive. When people walk in the front door, I'm the first face they see, so I smile big when I say \"good morning\" to them, especially on Mondays. Instead of waiting for someone to ask me for help, I offer it with an open mind. The CEO noticed my change and offered me the executive assistant position that I wanted.\nOne of the biggest things I've taken to heart from your blog is changing my opinions on my job. Yes, it was not an important position, but when I was passionate   about it, I could make my life fulfilling.\nAll in all, I have to thank you somehow for having the passion to help others because it truly is inspiring to me. So thank you so much, John. My life has changed because your words pointed me in the right direction, Take care!\nSincerely ,\nAmber", "problems": [{"question": "Amber wrote the letter mainly to  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["introduce herself to John", "talk about her bad year", "ask for some advice", "express her thanks"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that Amber  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["didn't like her boyfriend", "spent a lot of time online", "wasn't satisfied with her job", "received very good education"]}, {"question": "What is implied about John in the letter?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He is a very famous writer.", "He used to live a very negative life.", "He doesn't like sharing his life stories.", "He likes helping others through writing positive blogs."]}, {"question": "What does Amber's change tell us?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Practice makes perfect.", "Bad luck doesn't exist long.", "A positive attitude is rewarding.", "A friend in need is a friend indeed."]}]}
{"article": "Woody Guthrie left California for New York in 1940. There he met Alan Lomax, an expert on America's traditional music. He collected and recorded traditional American folk music, which had few fans at that time. When he heard Woody sing, Lomax knew he had found a true singer of American folk music. Lomax recorded many of Woody's songs for the Library of Congress. \n         Three years later, Woody published a book called Bound for Glory. It was about his early life and travels. From this book people came to learn how Woody had spent his unhappy youth. His mother, Nora Guthrie, died of Huntington's Disease   in 1929 when he was only seventeen years old. There was no treatment for the disease. About twenty years later, the disease also began to attack the son. Woody's health got worse and worse, and finally he entered a hospital.    \n         While Woody seemed to be forgotten, his music was not. By the late 1950s, folk music became popular in America. More Americans began listening and playing the songs of Woody Guthrie. Young folk singers came to New York to visit Woody in the hospital. Among them was Bob Dylan, one of America's greatest popular songwriters. He called Woody his hero. Dylan and others copied the way Woody sang and played the guitar. And like Woody, they wrote songs that called for social and political justice  .   \n         Woody Guthrie stayed in the hospital until he died in 1967. In the last years of his life, Woody could hardly speak. But his family and friends knew he still believed in the causes he had sung and written about all his life. They knew this because when they sang his songs, Woody's eyes would become brighter and his defiant   spirit would shine through.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, Woody died at the age of   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["38", "44", "55", "63"]}, {"question": "From the passage we can learn that Woody   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["set an example to American folk singers", "became popular when he was very young", "learned a lot from young folk singers", "sang and wrote for all kinds of people"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true about Huntington's Disease?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It killed Woody's mother.", "It was the cause of Woody's death.", "Woody suffered from it all his life.", "It was a deadly disease."]}, {"question": "Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["America's own music", "A fighter for social justice", "This land is your land", "A folk music hero"]}]}
{"article": "Jenny went to visit her friends in New York last weekend.Her friends met her at the airport on Friday afternoon and drove her to the hotel.They had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and went to see a film after that.\nJenny and her friends set out early on Saturday morning for a farm and stayed there until Sunday morning.During their stay, they went fishing and swimming in the small river on the farm.They played football in the field and enjoyed a big meal around a camp fire , singing and dancing till late into the night.\nNobody could get up early on Sunday morning.So when they got back to New York City, it was about three o'clock in the afternoon.They drove right to the airport because Jenny didn't want to miss her plane back home.Jenny only stayed in New York for two nights but she had a great time with her friends.", "problems": [{"question": "Jenny went to New York  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to do some shopping", "to see her friends", "to spend her summer holiday", "to find a job"]}, {"question": "How did Jenny get to New York?", "answer": "C", "options": ["By train.", "By bus.", "By plane.", "On foot."]}, {"question": "When did Jenny go back home?", "answer": "D", "options": ["On Saturday afternoon.", "On Sunday morning.", "On Saturday evening.", "On Sunday afternoon."]}]}
{"article": "An old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old grandson. The family ate together at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled onto the floor. When he took the glass, often milk spilled on the tablecloth.\nThe son and daughter-in-law became unhappy with  _ . So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.\nSometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eyes as he ate alone. Still, the couple blamed him sharply when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old son watched it all in silence.\nOne evening, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps   on the floor. He asked the child, \"What are you making?\" The boy responded, \"Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.\" The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.\nFor the rest of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are surprisingly  _ . Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen, and their minds always process the messages they get. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day is being laid for the child's future.", "problems": [{"question": "What did the little boy react to his parents' behavior?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He blamed his parents.", "He went to eat with his grandpa.", "He said nothing and did nothing.", "He made a wooden bowl for them."]}, {"question": "Why were there tears in the old man's eyes?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because he was made to eat alone.", "Because his grandson didn't play with him.", "Because he wasn't given enough food to eat.", "Because his son didn't allow him to live with them."]}]}
{"article": "After their 20-year-old son hanged himself during his winter break from the University of Arizona five years ago, Donna and Phil Satow wondered what signs they have overlooked, and started asking other students for answers.\nWhat grew from this soul searching was Ulifeline (www. Ulifeline. org), a Web site where students can get answers to questions about depression by logging on through their universities. The site has been adopted as a resource by over 120 colleges, which can customize it with local information, and over 1.3 million students have logged on with their college ID's.\n\"It is a very solid Web site that raises awareness of suicide, de-stigmatizes mental illness and encourages people to seek the help they need,\"said Paul Grayson, the director of counseling services at New York University, which started using the service nearly a year ago.\nThe main component of the Web site is the Self-screening program developed by Duke University Medical Center that tests students to determine whether they are at risk for depression, suicide and disorders like anorexia and drug dependences. Besides helping students, the services compiles anonymous student date, offering administrators an important window onto the mental health of its campus.\nThe site provides university users with links to local mental health services, a catalog of information on prescription drugs and side effects, and access to Go Ask Alice, a vast archive developed by Columbia University with hundreds of responses to anonymously posted inquires from college students worldwide. For students concerned about their friends, there is a section that describes warning signs for suicidal behavior and depression.\nYet it is hard to determine how effective the service is. The anonymity of the online service can even play out as a negative. \"There is no substitute for personal interaction ,\" said Dr. Lanny Berman, executive director of the American Association of Suicidology, based in Washington.\n _ \"The purpose is to find out if there are signs of depression and then direct people to the right places,\" said Ron Gibori, executive director of Ulifeline.\nMrs. Satow, who is still involved with Ulifeline, called it \"a knowledge base\" that might have prevented the death of her son, Jed. \"If Jed's friends had known the signs of depression, they might have seen something,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "One reason that many colleges adopt the website is to   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["provide their students with campus information", "offer medical treatment to students in mental disorder", "encourage their students to seek advice about depression", "give their students various help they may need"]}, {"question": "Go Ask Alice as mentioned in the passage is  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["a side effect caused by some prescription drugs", "intended to counsel college students in mental problems", "a collection of medical responses from students the world over", "meant to describe the various signs of mental disorders"]}, {"question": "Mrs. Satow would probably agree that   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["Jed's friends can prevent her son's death", "her son's suicide is unavoidable", "Ulifeline is a worthwhile website", "depression is the final cause of suicides"]}]}
{"article": "\"The days when the management in Western companies presented gold watches to long-serving employees to thank them for loyal service is now just a memory.\" says the Educational and Training Support Agency.\nThis new development in the shape and movement of the workforce throughout Western businesses is partly a result of the way that layers of middle management are being removed, leaving more workers responsible for their own development.\n\"Having workers take responsibility for their own development might be dramatic, but it is now the rule,\" says the Educational and Training Support Agency.\n\"Today, not only are workers more mobile, they have to run to keep up with changes.\" says the Government-founded agency.\"It is no longer enough for a worker to gain a set of skills.Workers need the ability to react and get used to changes.\" This new system is also being pushed along by the way that industry is looking to its workers to renew their own skills.In the United States, some companies have contracts   which repair their employees to show regularly how they have their skills up to date.\nContrary to this traditions of the past, employers in the West are now looking for _ as recruits, people who can develop their own continuing education beyond the school and university system.At the same time.businesses are developing the capacity for workers to take up autonomous learning on site in workplace, so that the skills and abilities of all workers in a business continue to improve and increase.\"This.of course,\" says business theory.\"will also improve the productivity   of the workers and therefore the profits of the company.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The management in western companies no longer presents gold watches to their employees because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they are not loyal to companies", "other rewards replace gold watches", "the way prove to be a failure", "serving a company for life is rare now"]}, {"question": "The western workforce frequently changes their jobs partly because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["hopping from job to job has become a new trend", "employees are expecting to have more experiences in their life", "workers have to take more responsibility for themselves", "it is easy to complete themselves by doing so"]}, {"question": "The passage seems to suggest that the present situation in society requires that workers should", "answer": "B", "options": ["show more loyalty to their companies", "try to develop their skills to fit in with changes", "go to college to have their skills up to date", "be quick in changing their careers if there is the possibility"]}, {"question": "Companies require their employee's development mainly because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it will finally help to bring more profits to the company", "it can attract more workers who pay special attention to self-development", "it is good for the employees to develop their skills", "it will make workers more responsible and loyal to the company"]}]}
{"article": "During the tsunami   disaster of 2004, over 300,000 people died. No one has counted the number of animals killed, but we know that it wasn't many. All over the region, before the disaster struck, animals were behaving strangely.\nShortly before the tsunami, in Khaolak, Thailand, twelve elephants that were giving tourists rides became agitated. They suddenly left their usual habitat, carrying four surprised Japanese tourists to safety. On the eastern coast of India, flamingos  , which should be breeding at this time of year, suddenly flew to higher ground. Of the two thousand wild pigs that live in an Indian nature reserve, only one was found dead after the tsunami.\nThe idea that the animals are able to predict disasters is nothing new. In fact, it has been well-recorded over the years. Twelve hours before Hurricane Charlie hit Florida in 2004, fourteen sharks left their natural habitat and stayed in deep waters for two weeks. The sharks, which were being observed by US scientists, had never done this before. They escaped the hurricane. In the winter of 1975 in Haicheng, China, snakes which would normally have been hibernating   were seen on the ground. Days later there was a big earthquake striking.\nUnlike human beings, wild animals' senses are sharper and they can feel even the smallest changes in the environment. In other words, they see natural warnings that are invisible to the human eye. Ancient people probably had the similar \"senses\", which they needed to survive, but these have been lost to us as modern technology leads us further away from the danger that nature creates.\nThe real question is, can we use the reactions of animals to save ourselves from natural disasters? Animal behaviour expert, Rupesh Kaneira, believes we have no choice. \"The technology which we rely on isn't always perfect, and in poorer countries it isn't even available. Animals know the environment better than any of us. When they run for their lives, we must follow.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The wild animals can predict the natural disasters because they   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["can run for their lives when natural disasters happen", "don't even have the modern technology to help them", "are being observed and tracked for scientific experiments", "are quick to notice the slightest changes in the environment"]}, {"question": "The best title of the passage might be   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Few Animals Died in Tsunami", "Animals React to the Disasters", "Animals can Survive the Disasters", "Watching Animals will Save Us"]}]}
{"article": "Children grow quickly, especially their feet, but many families cannot buy new shoes each time a child needs them. As a result, about 300 million children around the world go barefoot. Those children risk picking up diseases and parasites from the soil.\nAn American man may have a solution for those barefoot kids -- a shoe that grows with the child. Kenton Lee is the creator of The Shoe That Grows. He explains how the shoe works and how it is able to last so long.\n\"It grows in three places: the front; it can also grow on the side with Velcro; and on the back with our buckle. It can last up to five years. The bottom is compressed rubber like tire rubber. The top is just high-quality leather.\" The shoe comes in two sizes: small that fits children aged 4 to 9 and large for children aged 9 to 14.\nLee says he got the idea for the shoe while working as a volunteer in an orphanage in Kenya. \"... and there was a little girl in a white dress walking next to me. And I just remember looking down and seeing how small her shoes were. They were just way too small for her feet. They were so small that she had to cut open the front of her shoes to let her toes stick out. And I just remember thinking, wouldn't it be nice if there were a pair of shoes that could grow with her feet?\"\nHowever, Lee says it was not easy to turn his idea into a reality. \"I kept writing down I should do this because of this or because of that. All these reasons why it really was important for me to try to make the shoes that could grow and try to help.\" Finally, in 2009 Lee founded a non-profit organization called Because International. In the office of Because International, Lee keeps a pair of his own shoes to help him remember his promise. \"I told myself I would not get new shoes until the idea was done. So, those are the shoes that I wore for a little over five years.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is the characteristic of the newly invented shoes?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They are more expensive.", "They are not so comfortable.", "They can grow with a child.", "They come in different sizes."]}, {"question": "Who is this kind of newly invented shoes intended for?", "answer": "B", "options": ["All the teenagers.", "Children aged 4 to 14.", "Middle-aged women in Africa.", "Senior citizens with low income."]}, {"question": "What does Para. 4 mainly talk about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How the shoes work.", "How Lee got his inspiration.", "How to make the new shoes.", "Where to order this kind of shoes."]}, {"question": "Why does Kenton Lee keep a pair of his own shoes in the office?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To remind him of his promise.", "To copy the design of them.", "To get a change conveniently.", "To use them as an example."]}]}
{"article": "Your Car Is Ready for Take-off\nThe flying car has been talked about for many years,but now it appears that the idea is about to become a reality.\nAn international company has built a two-seater plane that, at the touch of a button ,transforms into a car perfectly suitable for driving on public roads. It has been designed so that the wings fold up automatically; and it takes just 15 seconds to switch between flying and driving. With its wings fully open and the propeller spinning, it can take off from any airfield.\nFlying cars are quicker than traditional ones for travelling from city to city,and they can run on ordinary fuel. Another big advantage is that they are cool ,like something you would see in an action film. At the moment9however, the flying car's wheels are illegal to leave the ground. That is not because of technical reasons or problems with the design. It is because the various road and aircraft authorities simply cannot agree on whether it is a car or a plane.\n\"The government and the authorities have never thought seriously about a flying car, says Alan Price ,the president of the company that has developed it. \"I wanted a car that could fly and drive ,but it is difficult to find an organization prepared to insure the vehicle against accidents.\nNevertheless?the company hopes to produce and deliver its first flying car soon. The company already has orders for 40 of them. The majority the potential customers are older and some are retired. There have even been orders from some people who have no pilot's license.\nThe flying car will cost around $ 200.000. \"For an airplane,that's a very reasonable price, but for a car, It's quite expensive,\" explains Alan. \"But it just is not possible to make a $ 10,000 flying car yet. \"\nThis latest means of transport will not become a mass-market item in the near future,but in the long term it has the potential to change the way you travel. It will become no more expensive than driving your car on the motorway. Travel time could be reduced by more than half.\nSo the next time you are told to fasten your seat belt, it may be to prepare for take-off.", "problems": [{"question": "We know from the passage that the flying car  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["has to run on special fuel", "will replace traditional planes", "is popular with the rich", "can shift between two forms"]}, {"question": "The flying car is presently forbidden to take off because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["many people think driving it not very safe", "it's hard to decide whether it's a car or a plane", "the government and the authorities don't accept it", "there are still some technical problems to be solved"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["few people will be able to afford a flying car", "flying cars may share the market in the future", "traffic jams will disappear because of flying cars", "driving a flying car doesn't require a pilot's license"]}]}
{"article": "Microblogging is a broadcast medium in the form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically much smaller, in both actual size and aggregate file size. Microblogs \"allow users to exchange small elements of content such as short sentences, individual images, or video links\".\nAs with traditional blogging, microbloggers post about topics ranging from the simple, such as \"what I'm doing right now,\" to the thematic , such as \"sports cars.\" Commercial microblogs also exist, to promote   websites, services and/or products, and to promote collaboration within an organization.\nSome microblogging services offer features such as privacy settings, which allow users to control who can read their microblogs, or other ways of publishing rights besides entering the web-based interface.  These may include text messaging, E-mail, or digital audio.\nThe first microblogs were known as tumblelogs. The term was invented in a blog post on April 12, 2005. However, by 2006 and 2007, the term microblog came into greater usage for such services provided by Tumbler and Twitter. Other leading social networking websites Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and XING also have their own microblogging features, better known as status updates.\nSeveral studies, especially by Harvard Business School have tried to analyze the usage behavior of Microblogging services. Many of these studies show that for services such as Twitter, there is a small group of active users contributing to most of the activity.\nTwitter, Facebook and other microblogging services are also becoming a platform for marketing and public relations, with a sharp growth in the number of social media marketers. The Sysomos study shows that this specific group of marketers on Twitter is much more active than general user population, with 15% following more than 2,000 people.", "problems": [{"question": "Why is a microblog different from a traditional blog?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because a microblog doesn't include pictures, but a traditional blog does.", "Because a microblog doesn't include videos, but a traditional blog does.", "Because a microblog has smaller contents than a traditional blog in actual and total file size.", "Because a microblog can only be written on the cell-phones."]}, {"question": "Microblogging can protect the following privacy EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["deciding the readers of the microblogs", "allowing readers to publish their views", "readers' deleting what a microblog says", "deciding whether readers can enter it"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["microbloggers always post about the thematic topics instead of the simple ones", "microblogging has developed so quickly and brought the owners more and more benefits.", "microblogging protects both the owners' and the readers' privacy", "the studies by Harvard Business School have analyzed the usage of microblogging services"]}]}
{"article": "Alice's mother died when she was five. Although her brothers and sisters were loving and caring, their love couldn't take the place of a mother's. In 1925 Alice became my mother and told me that her family couldn't even afford her a doll.\nOne afternoon in December 1982, when I was getting ready for Christmas, I suddenly decided to buy two dolls, one for my five-year-old daughter, Katie, and one for my old mother.\nThings went smoothly when a friend told me that his dad, who played Santa Claus in my area, would be willing to make a visit on Christmas morning to our home with the gifts! Knowing that my parents would also come to my house, I began to get ready for the most memorable day of my mother's life.\nChristmas Day arrived and so did Santa Claus at the planned time. Katie was very excited and happy all the time to welcome the Santa. My mother was enjoying watching Katie welcoming this special guest. As Santa turned to leave he looked again into his bag and took out one more gift. As he asked who Alice was, my mother, without thinking of her name being called, said that she in fact was Alice. Santa handed her the gift with a message card that read:\nFor Alice:\nI was cleaning out my sleigh   before my trip this year and came across this package that should be sent on December 25, 1925. The gift inside has aged, but I felt that you might still wish to have it. Many apologies for the lateness of the gift.\nLove,\nSanta Claus\nMy mother was very excited and deeply moved to tears. She couldn't speak but only held tightly in her arms the doll she had waited fifty-seven years to receive as tears of joy flew down her face. That doll made my mother the happiest \"child\".", "problems": [{"question": "Why couldn't Alice get a doll as a child?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because her mother died quite early.", "Because her family disliked her.", "Because her family was very poor.", "Because Alice didn't love dolls."]}, {"question": "What did the friend's father do that Christmas morning?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He acted as Santa Claus to send Christmas gifts.", "He went to her home to see Alice.", "He bought some Christmas gifts for Katie.", "He helped her to get Christmas gifts ready."]}, {"question": "Why didn't Alice expect there was also a gift for her?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The gifts from Santa Claus were usually for children.", "The gift was forgotten many years ago.", "The gift for her was bought by accident on the way.", "The gifts for Katie were enough to share with her."]}, {"question": "The author wrote the message card in order to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["show her deep apology to her mother", "make it clear that Santa Claus didn't forget her", "show that Santa Claus was hard-working", "make Alice believe the gift was exactly for her"]}]}
{"article": "Mattel Inc. is _ 4.4 million Polly Pocket toys with magnets after some of them caused serious injuries to children who swallowed magnets that fell off.\nTiny magnets inside the toys may fall off without being noticed by parents and babysitters. The magnets can be swallowed or placed in children's noses or ears. When more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestine perforation which can be deadly.\nThe Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC)received 170 reports of the small magnets coming out of these recalled toys. There were three reports of serious injuries to children who swallowed more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required operation. A 2-year-old child stayed in hospital for seven days and a 7-year-old child was hospitalized for 12 days. An 8-yeal-old child was also hospitalized.\nThe recalled Polly Pocket toys contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure one-eighth inch in diameter and are fixed in the hands and feet of some dolls, and even in the plastic clothing, hairpieces and other accessories to help the pieces stay on the doll or the doll's house.\nThe model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the toys. Contact Mattel if you cannot find a model number on your product to determine if it is part of the recall. Polly Pocket magnetic toys currently sold in stores are not included in this recall. The model numbers included in the recall are: B2632, B3158, B3201, B7118, G8605, H1537, H1538 and H3211. The toys were on sales in department stores and toy stores from May 2006 through September 2009 for between $15 and $30.\nConsumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel for the return of the toys. For more information contact Mattel at 888 597-6597 anytime or visit the company's Web site.", "problems": [{"question": "The main purpose of the passage is  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to criticize Mattel Inc. for their bad products", "to inform readers of Polly Pocket toys recall", "to warn readers the danger of swallowing magnets", "to suggest some ways to return Polly Pocket toys"]}, {"question": "All of the following points are covered in the story EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the danger of small magnets", "the ways of returning Polly Pocket toys", "the methods of recognizing a recalled Polly Pocket toys", "the apology made by Mattel Inc."]}]}
{"article": "Many people write to newspapers and magazines to express their opinions. Letters to the editor must carry the writer's full name, address and telephone number, although the information is not necessary for publication. This requirement to provide personal particulars is a clear indication that writers are responsible for what they say. When a writer wants his voice heard, he needs to claim ownership of his voice. Responsibility is the name of the game.\n\"People today prefer living together to putting their signatures on a marriage certificate because they refuse to accept responsibility for the relationship,\" said social worker Ken Yip, \"and this is what is causing a lot of family problems.\" When we sign a paper, for example, a business contract or a bank document, the signature is a seal of consent, an agreement to take the matter seriously. Most governments and many organizations will not process written complaints if they do not bear the writer's signature. The absence of a signature, they explain, tells us that the writer cannot be too serious and therefore does not deserve a reply.\nThere are people who wish to remain anonymous  for various reasons. Multi-billionaire Mr. King donates generously to charity several times a year. He gives simply because he wants to help but not for the publicity his donations may bring, and he doesn't want his good deeds to make news. In other cases, people insist on anonymity because they are afraid of the consequences of revealing their identity. Crime witnesses may be willing to assist the police, but most are unwilling to give their names when reporting a crime.\nName or no name? The answer is very personal and lies in how much we want to get involved. We all have a name. It is a matter of responsibility to use it when we make a statement, a claim or an accusation. We all want to honor our own name, and it is only by stamping our expression of an opinion with our name that we honor what we say.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the writer mean by saying \"Responsibility is the name of the game\"?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Writers should be responsible for their names.", "Writers need to provide their personal information in the game.", "Names are required to indicate writers' responsibility for what they say.", "Publications must bear the writer's full name, address and phone number."]}, {"question": "Some people don't want their names known because they are  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["ready for involvement", "hesitant to make a donation", "afraid of an accusation", "unwilling to draw public attention"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["honor and writers", "signature and responsibility", "identity and signature", "anonymity and signature"]}]}
{"article": "Expensive and new gloves allow chatterboxes to take the term \"handsfree\" to a new level--by talking into them as they make a call. The gloves are known as \"Talk to the Hand\" and cost PS1,000 a pair. They fixed a speaker unit into the thumb and a microphone into the little finger that can be connected to any mobile handset using Bluetooth.\nArtist Sean Miles designed the new gloves that double as a phone in part of his project that shows the possibilities of gadget(,) recycling. He uses outdated gloves and combines them with parts from mobile handsets recycled through _ , which commissioned the project. Mobile phone users will be able to keep their hands warm while they chat without taking their phones out of their pockets or handbags.\nMr Miles designed two pairs of the new gloves--one in pink and the other in brown and yellow. They will appear in an exhibition this July and visitors will be able to win the gloves. If demand is high, they will then be produced on a larger scale. O2 Recycle, which backed the project, estimates that there are already 70 million unused mobile handsets in the UK. The service pays up to PS260 to those who recycle gadgets including phones, handheld consoles, MP3 players and digital cameras.\nDesigner Sean Miles hopes his work will get people thinking about recycling. The 41-year-old said, \"I hope that my 'Talk to the Hand' project will get people to think again about the waste created by not recycling gadgets. If a few more people recycle their gadgets rather than send them to trash, I think this project will have fulfilled its aim.\"\nBill Eyres, head of O2 Recycle, urges people to recycle their phone responsibly. He said, \"There's a pressing need for all of us to look at outdated handsets, and all the gadgets that we move on from or upgrade each year. Whether they are consoles or cameras, we should think of them as a resource that we need to recycle responsibly rather than throw them away.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Consumers can buy the \"Talk to the Hand\" gloves   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["in the exhibition", "from Mr Miles", "when they are mass produced", "after they recycle the gadgets"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the project is to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["promote the technology of IT", "enable people to talk to their hands", "raise people's awareness of recycling", "attract visitors' attention in the exhibition"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["New mobiles that are fashionable.", "Outdated handsets that are upgraded.", "Outdated gadgets that can be used for recycling.", "New gloves that can be used for making phone calls."]}]}
{"article": "The adder is the only poisonous snake native to Britain. Adders have the most highly developed poison injecting mechanism of all snakes, but they are not aggressive animals. Adders will only use their poison as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on. No one has died from adder bites in Britain for over 20 years. By faar the most common smake in Britain is the adder. In Scotland, in fact, there are no other snakes at all. The adder is also the only British sanke with a poisonous bite. It can be found almost anywhere, but prefers sunny hillsides and rough open country, including high gournd. In Ireland there are no snakes at all.\nMost people regard snake bites as a fatal misfortune, but not all bites are serious, and very few are fatal . Sometimes attempts at emergency treatment turn out to be more dangerous than the bite itself, with amateurs heroically, but mistakenly, trying do-it-yourself surgery and other unnecessary measures.\nAll snakes have small teeth, so it follows tha tall snakes can bite, but only te bite of the adder presents any danger. British snakes are shy animals and are fare more frightened of you than you could possibly be of them. The adder will attack only if it feels threatened, as can happen if you take it by surprise and step on it accidentally, or if you try to catch it or pick it up, which it dislikes intensely. If it hears you coming, it will normally get out of the way as quickly as it can, but adders cannot move  very rapidly and may attack before moving if you are very close.\nThe effect of a bite varies considerably. It depends upon severa things, one of which is the boidy-wight of the person bitten. The bigger the person, the less harmful the bite is likely to be, which is why children suffer far more seriously from snake bites in Britain ,and thought these bites can make soime pepe very ill, thre are probaably just as many cases of bites having little or no effect, as there are of serious illess.", "problems": [{"question": "Where are adders to be found?", "answer": "B", "options": ["In fertile fields in Scotland.", "On wild land throughout Britain.", "In many parts of Britain and Ireland.", "Everywhere in Britian except Scotland"]}, {"question": "What should you do if you are with someone who is bitten by an adder?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Catch the biting adder at onece.", "Don't worry about the bitten person.", "Don't try to treat the bite by yourself.", "Operate on the person as soon as possible."]}, {"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Poisonous Snakes", "Adders in Britain", "Take Care oif Sake Bites", "Protec Endangered Adders"]}]}
{"article": "Vampires  , creatures of myth, have been around in one form or another for centuries. Terrifying but also attractive, they are as popular in the early 21st century as ever, as the current popularity of Twilight series, and its hero Edward Cullen, show. Vampires first appeared in fiction in the 1700s; in 1895 Irish novelist Bram Stoker published Dracula, introducing the world's most famous vampire.\nBut just what is it about these drinkers of human blood that continues to fascinate us? Speaking to Eric Lewis of the Times and Transcript website, academic Deborah Wells said that vampires are \"culturally adaptive \". \"We create very different vampires to fit different times. Edward Cullen is not the same as Count Dracula,\" she said.\nDifferent as they are, Wells believes vampires are \"the perfect containers into which we can pour our current cultural anxieties\". Bram Stoker's Dracula is powerful, yet old and physically ugly. Stoker's book dealt with fear of the fall of the British Empire, real fears in the day in which it was written.\nAccording to the website Bookpages, today's vampires have all our cultural desires, money, power and sexual attraction. Represented by Cullen, they are noble, handsome young men whom women find irresistible . What's more, vampires challenge traditional ideas about death, science and parental authority . This may be why teenagers are drawn to vampire tales.\n\"In many ways, the vampire story shows up teenage concerns,\" said Wells. \"The emotional intensity   of the relationship with the vampire matches the intensity of how it feels to have your first real love affairs. Your first real love, it really feels like life and death.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is the vampire like in Bram Stoker's book?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Anxious but perfect.", "Afraid of the fall of the British Empire.", "Terrifying but also attractive.", "Powerful, old and ugly."]}, {"question": "According to the website Bookpages, today's vampires   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["dare to give up traditional ideas", "may not think highly of parental authority", "desire money, power and sexual attraction", "are likely to be resisted by women"]}, {"question": "The main idea of this passage should be   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Why Twilight is so popular nowadays", "Vampires have been around us for long", "Vampires may continue to drink our blood", "We still like the story about vampires"]}]}
{"article": "When we donate  blood, a small amount is usually taken in advance for at least ABO and Rh systems typing. If you are O+, the O is your ABO type and the + is your Rh type. It is possible to be A, B, AB, or O as well as Rh + or Rh-.\nThe ABO system was discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the early 1900s. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his achievements. There are four basic types of blood in the ABO system: A, B, AB and O. Everybody is born with one of these four types of blood. We get blood type, just like hair color and height from parents. Because of the substances  contained in each type, the four groups must be _ carefully, If two different blood types are mixed together, it may put a person into an extremely dangerous situation. Basically, A and B cannot be mixed. A and B cannot receive AB, but AB may receive A or B. In an emergency, type O blood can be given because it is most likely to be accepted by all blood types, so it is often called the universal donor. However, there is still a risk. For the opposite reason, AB is sometimes called the universal receiver. However, because there can be so many reactions in the blood bank of the hospital.\nThere is a relationship between your blood type and your nationality. Among the Europeans, about 45 percent have type O while 42 percent have type A. The least common is type AB. Other races have different percentage. For example, some American Indian groups have nearly 100 percent type O out of 100 donors in the world.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer suggests that the third most common blood type among the Europeans is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["B", "A", "AB", "O"]}, {"question": "The text mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["about the basic types of human blood", "what kind of blood is the most common", "about Karl Landsteiner who won the Nobel Prize", "the relationship between blood type and nationality"]}]}
{"article": "How to protect children Web fans from unsuitable material on-line while encouraging them to use the Internet has long been discussed in the US.\nFor some parents, the Internet can seem like a jungle, filled with danger for their children. But jungles contain wonders as well as danger. With good guides, some education, and a few precautions( ), the wilds of the Internet can be safely navigated. \"Kids have to be on-line. If we tell our kids they can't be allowed to surf the Internet, we're cutting them off from their future,\" said an expert.\nMost kids have started to use search engines. Many of them are great for finding tons of interesting Internet sites, and they can also locate places where you might not want your kids to go. There are search engines designed just for kids. A certain software contains only sites that have been selected as safe. The most popular way would be to use what is known as a \"content screener\". But this can't be wholly reliable( ), and the best thing parents can do is to talk to their kids and let them know what is OK or not OK to see or do on the Internet. Another way is that mum or dad is nearby when the child is surfing the Internet.\nA few other tips:\n--Do not put the PC in a child's room but keep it in an area where mum or dad can keep an eye on things. That also makes the Internet more of a family activity.\n--Ask your child what he or she has been doing and about any friends they make on-line.\n--Tell your child not to give on-line strangers personal information, especially like address and phone number.\nAnd tell your children never to talk to anyone they meet on-line over the phone, send them anything, accept anything from them or agree to meet with them unless you go along.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best way to protect children from improper material?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To talk to the children and persuade them to tell right from wrong.", "To be nearby when the children are surfing the Internet.", "To fix a content screener on the computer.", "To buy some search engines for children."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Surfing the Internet is the best way of educating children.", "Using a content screener is most reliable for keeping children from having ways to the Internet.", "Searching engines can help children to select materials fit for them.", "Children's not having chances to go to the Internet may have effect on their progress."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we can infer that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["softwares that are fit for children who want programming", "the Internet contains a lot of harmful sites", "the Internet will be protected by law", "a child who is on-line is in danger"]}, {"question": "What does the passage tell us most?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Education", "Good guides", "Precautions", "Software"]}]}
{"article": "\"Now I just don't believe that.\" Surely all of us, at some point, have watched a movie and thought: It's simply badly researched, or, the makers must think we're fools.\nIf movies were completely scientifically accurate, they'd probably be as interesting as a Physics 101 lecture. In real life, there are no explosions in space, gas usually doesn't explode from a lit cigarette, and Bruce Willis / Jackie Chan / Will Smith would most likely be in a coma  after getting kicked in the head.\nRecently, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph ran a humorous piece on unconvincing tech moments from some top movies. Let's see what _ are all about.\nTelegraph writer Tom Chivers' first example is from the end-of-the-world movie Independence Day, in which a character comes up with a virus capable of destroying Windows, the computer system the alien  spacecraft uses. \"It's a good thing they didn't have Norton antivirus,\" jokes Chivers.\nIt's just one case of a movie that takes a lot of license with its science. Another one Chivers mentions is from Star Wars, where glowing beams of light traveling through space look very impressive. The problem is that in space there are no air particles  for the light to reflect off. In reality, they'd not be seen, which wouldn't look so cool on the big screen.\nChivers' second piece of Star Wars nonsense is the sound the fighters make in the movies: \" the bellow  of an elephant mixed with a car driving on a wet road\". But sound needs a medium to travel through, like air. In space, there wouldn't actually be any sound at all.\nFew people would deny that the mind-bending Matrix films make for great viewing, but for Chivers, the science in the movies is a little silly.\nAnd finally: as Chivers points out, DAN is not replaceable. But this bit of elementary genetics passed the makers of the 2002 Bond film Die another Day by. In the film the villain  has \"gene therapy\" to change his appearance and his DNA, which is completely impossible.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the text mainly deal with?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Plots of some famous movies.", "Characters in space movies.", "Popularity of space movies.", "Mistakes made in some movies."]}]}
{"article": "When I was 13, my bedroom walls were covered with posters of the Monkees and Beatles. I wrote fan letters and daydreamed about meeting the objects of my affections. I begged my  parents to attend every rock concert and watch every TV show featuring my favorite celebrities; my friends and I discussed for hours all the things we would say and do when we met our favourite movie stars and pop singers. I drove my mother crazy ! But after a few years, my obsession stars faded as I matured and gained the confidence to socialize with \"real\" boys.\nIn the 35 years since I was a teenager, celebrity worship   has increased among teens due to the explosion of television celebrity gossip shows, and instant access to celebrity news on the Internet. It's no wonder that many teens are obsessed with stars when news programs are often filled with entertainment stories and the lives of celebrities.\nCelebrity worship syndrome   is now considered a personality disorder. While it is normal for teenagers to follow the lives of their favorite stars, parents should try to monitor everything their child finds interesting. Parents should take action if they suspect a teen is too obsessed with celebrities and showing little interest in school or withdrawing from the family.  When teens talk a lot about celebrities and view them as just means of entertainment, this is considered normal celebrity worship. However, when a teenager is obsessed with a star and  often expresses a desire to have a close personal relationship with a celebrity or feels they have a special connection to a star, this may be the time for concern. Recent studies have shown that teens who develop an unhealthy obsession with celebrities often suffer from low self confidence and depression. Teens who are overly obsessed with stars often have damaged relationships with their parents.", "problems": [{"question": "Parents should become concerned when their children  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["talk a lot about celebrities with others", "put up celebrity posters in their bedrooms", "ask to go to their favourite star's concert", "desire a close personal relationship with their favorite star"]}]}
{"article": "Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic   for you. Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian . If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss, then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.\n _ . Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make lifestyle changes that will benefit the whole family, if possible. Those who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight-management programs.\nWatch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be in the sodas, juices and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a can of soda or one sports drink can save you 150 calories or more each day. _ with water or other sugar-free drinks when you're thirsty and stay away from sugary juices and sodas.\nStop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're full. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you are full.\nAvoid diet pills. They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term.\nGet moving. You don't have to play a team sport or go to the gym. Try different kinds of activities from hiking to cycling, or to dancing until you find what you like.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, before you decide to lose or gain weight you must know   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["how you will do it", "how long it should last", "whether you have a healthy weight", "what your realistic goal is"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["exercising is harmful to one's health", "diet pills may not help one lose weight in the long term", "having eating trouble is the No.1 cause of being overweight", "all models or actors in magazines and on TV have weight problems"]}]}
{"article": "Viruses come in an enormous number of shapes and forms.As we begin to understand them more,the hope is we might be able to control them better, says Carl Zimmer.And who knows,the day might come when we can treat them as friends not enemies.\nScience writer Carl Zimmer says that in his utopia there would be a global public health system with sophisticated drugs and vaccines to deal with any virus that could cause us trouble.\nViruses are by far the most abundant life form on Earth.If you took all the stars in the universe and multiplied that number by a million,that's how many viruses we think are on the planet.\n    Zimmer thinks we should face the future with a mixture of optimism and preparing for the worse.He thinks we will face some unknown virus that will cause a lot of damage-history tells us that this is so.We do understand viruses a lot better now, and there is great hope that one day we'll be able to find a drug that c. an kill any virus.But this research is at a very preliminary stage,and it will be a number of years before we see whether this type of universal anti--viral drug could actually work.\nViruses are very versatile and clever, and so there are things that they can do for us.Some scientists are using viruses as engineers to assemble solar panels, others are using viruses to manufacture proteins that could be used as drugs.So,maybe in the future we won't think of viruses as our enemies,but instead view them as our friends.", "problems": [{"question": "Science writer Carl Zimmer wishes that   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["a global health system could be set up to produce drugs", "all the countries could produce drugs and vaccines for each other", "all the countries could work together to cope with any trouble caused by viruses", "complicated drugs and vaccines could be traded among countries"]}, {"question": "The passage tells us   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["scientists have made a medicine that can kill all kinds of viruses", "viruses have ever done great harm to us human beings", "universal anti-viral drug has existed for many years", "viruses are always our enemies"]}]}
{"article": "We do not know when man first began to use salt, but we do know that it has been used in many different ways throughout history. Historical evidence shows, for example, that people who lived over 3,000 years ago ate salted fish. Thousands of years ago in Egypt, salt was used to preserve   the dead.\nStealing salt was considered a major crime   during some periods of history. In the eighteenth century, for example, if a person was caught stealing salt, he could be put in prison and his ears could be cut off.\nIn the Roman Empire, one of the most important roads was the one that carried salt from the salt mines to Rome. Guards were stationed along the route to protect against salt thieves, and they received their pay in salt, thus bringing the English word, salary. Any guard who fell asleep while on duty was thought to be \"not worth his salt\", and as a result he would get a little less salt on his next payday. The expression, \"not worth his salt\", is still used today in English.\nIn the modern world salt has many uses beyond the dining table. It is used in making glass and airplane parts, in the growing of crops, and in the killing of weeds  . It is also used to make water soft, to melt   ice on roads and highways, to make soap, and to fix colors in cloth.\nSalt can be got in various ways besides being taken from mines underground. Salt water from the ocean, salt water lakes or small seas can be used to make salt. Yet, no matter where it comes from, salt will continue to play an important role in the lives of people everywhere.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text, salt can be used in the following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["keeping dead bodies", "punishing thieves", "protecting crops", "making industrial products"]}, {"question": "In the Roman Empire many people were employed as guards to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["protect the city of Rome", "watch people carrying salt", "prevent thieves from stealing salt", "carry salt from the mines to Rome"]}, {"question": "The expression \"not worth his salt\" used today refers to the one who   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["fails to do his work well", "should not be paid in salt", "doesn't want to work at all", "should use less salt"]}, {"question": "The main purpose of the text is to tell readers   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["how salt was found and got", "salt is important in people's life", "salt was difficult to get in the past", "what salt brings to the English language"]}]}
{"article": "Beijing has started a battle to get rid of \"Chinglish\" (Chinese English).The \"Language Mandarins\" of Beijing have decided that Chinglish is a disease for China's modernizing claim and must be _ before the city hosts the Olympic Games in 2008.\nA road sign on the Avenue of Eternal Peace (Chang'an Street) ,for example, advises: \"To Take Notice of Safe; The Slippery Are Very Crafty\", a warning that the sidewalk was slippery .Another sign in a Beijing park reads: \"Little grass is smiling slightly, please walk on sidewalk.\"\nLi Honghai, the city official in charge of the battle, said,\" Linguistic perfection   is becoming increasingly important with the rise in the number of the foreigners flowing into the city.\"\nHowever, not everyone shares the disdain   of the Beijing government for the mixed language.\"The choice of words is pretty much.One can either choose the verbs, adverbs, nouns or whatever one likes,\" explained one Hong Kong linguist on an Internet website.\nSo many examples exist that several Internet sites have been set up to collect Chinglish phrases.Many come from English instructions on packages such as a candle marked with \"Keep this candle out of children\" and a model boat--curiously named Posh Sailboat--which means, \"Please don't place it in dusty play.\"\nIf the battle against Chinglish is successful, Chinese will also turn their attention to the English-language versions of newspapers, which play an even more important role in teaching right English.", "problems": [{"question": "We can infer that the English language versions of newspapers   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["should report the battle above", "should be paid more attention to", "should collect more Chingliah phrases", "should be in duty to teach normal English"]}]}
{"article": "Do you like chocolate? Maybe most people do. A box of it can be a great gift. Buy one for a friend and give it as a surprise. See how happy that person gets.\nSay you just got a box of chocolate. Which piece do you pick first? A man has studied people's choices. He says they tell something about the person. Did you choose a round piece? You are a person who likes to party. Did you choose an oval   shape? You are a person who likes to make things. Picking a square shape shows something else. The person is honest and truthful. You can depend on him or her.\nWhat kind of chocolate do you pick? Maybe you like milk chocolate. This shows you have warm feelings about the past. Dark chocolate means something else. A person who chooses it looks toward the future. What about white chocolate? Would you choose it? If so, you may find it hard to make up your mind. Some people like chocolate with nuts  . These are people who like to help others.\nDo you believe these ideas? Can candy tell all these things? It doesn't really matter. There is one sure thing about eaters of chocolate. They eat it because they like it.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["why people like chocolate", "almost everyone likes chocolate", "about different kinds of chocolate", "different choices may show different characters"]}, {"question": "Picking a round shape of chocolate shows that a person   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["likes singing, dancing and drinking", "likes to do something for others", "is good at making things", "can be depended on"]}, {"question": "If you enjoy eating milk chocolate you may   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["look forward to the future", "like to think of the past", "enjoy parties and fun", "have trouble making decisions"]}, {"question": "From this passage we can say that a helpful man may choose chocolate   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["in oval shape", "in square shape", "with nuts", "with coffee"]}]}
{"article": "Among various programs, TV talk shows have covered every inch of space on daytime television. But no two shows are more opposite in content, while at the same time standing out above the rest, than the Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey shows.\nJerry Springer could easily be considered the king of \"rubbish talk\". The show takes the ever-common talk show titles of love, sex, cheating, and hate, to a different level. Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is about the dark side of society, yet people are willing to eat up the troubles of other people's lives.\nLike Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey takes the TV talk show to its top. But Oprah goes in the opposite direction. The show is mainly about the improvement of society and different quality of life. Contents are from teaching your children lessons, managing your work week, to getting to know your neighbors.\nCompared to Oprah, the Jerry Springer show looks like poisonous waste being poured into society. Jerry ends every show with a \"final word\". He makes a small speech about the entire idea of the show. Hopefully, this is the part where most people will learn something very valuable.\nClean as it is, the Oprah show is not for everyone. The show's main audience are middle-class Americans. Most of the people have the time, money and ability to deal with life's tough problems. Jerry Springer, on the other hand, has more of a connection with the young adults of society.", "problems": [{"question": "Compared with other TV talk shows, both the Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey shows are   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["more interesting.", "unusually popular.", "more detailed.", "more formal."]}, {"question": "Though the social problems Jerry Springer talks about appear unpleasant, people who watch the shows   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["show disbelief in them.", "are ready to face up to them.", "remain cold to them.", "are willing to get away from them."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is likely to be a topic of the Oprah Winfrey show?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A new type of robot.", "National hatred  .", "Family income planning.", "Street accident."]}, {"question": "What is the advantage of the Jerry Springer show?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The show exposes the dark sides of society.", "The show pours poisonous waste into society.", "Jerry sums up   the whole idea of the show.", "Jerry talks about the improvement of society."]}]}
{"article": "We've all heard the phrase \"love is patient\", but one couple in prefix = st1 /Michigan, took this phrase to a whole new level. On Monday, February 13, Willard Mason sat down to talk about his relationship with the love he lost more than 60 years ago. Good fortune and fate recently helped the couple reunite.\nIn 1941, Willard Mason and Llah Ost, both senior 2 students, became engaged to be married and began planning their lives together. But Willard moved away to work at Willow Run Bomber Plant, where he met and fell in love with a woman named Helvi. He broke off his long distance engagement to Llah and married Helvi in 1942. Llah later found love with someone else. Both had happy marriages and raised families. \nThen, in 2003, Helvi died. A year later, Willard found himself back in his hometown, where by chance, he ran into Llah's brother. He informed Willard of the death of Llah's husband, and encouraged him to call her. \nAfter that first phone call, the couple began dating. Willard made the drive from his home near Houghton Lake to Llah's home in Adrian. On one such trip, he blacked out, and his car hit a tree. He was rushed to a hospital, where tests showed that he needed a new pacemaker . Willard moved closer to Adrianand asked Llah to move in with him. She gladly accepted.\n\"We get along perfectly,\" Willard told AZ Central on Monday. \"We've never had an argument, she's a great cook, and she takes care of me.\" \nAlthough both Willard and Llah are saddened by the 62 years they spent without each other, neither seem to have any regrets. Willard told AZ Central, \"You don't know how our lives might have turned out if we'd gotten married in 1941, but now she has a wonderful family, and so do I.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What does the writer probably mean by saying the phrase \"love is patient\"?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To win love needs a good-natured tolerance  of waiting.", "Love can make someone ill in hospital.", "Love can also help one set a world record.", "To win love needs a whole new level of cooking skill"]}, {"question": "What caused the failure of Willard and Llah's engagement?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Their unhappy company with each other.", "Llah's new love with someone else.", "Their being far away from each other.", "Willard's escape from his family."]}, {"question": "After Willard's wife died, he came back to his hometown   _   there.", "answer": "B", "options": ["in order to date with Llah", "and got informed of Llah's husband's death", "to ask Llah to move in with him", "and was told that he needed a new pacemaker"]}, {"question": "Which of the following should be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A Car Accident Brought about Reunion", "Second Marriage and Second Happiness", "No Argument in a Reunited Family", "Reunited after 62 Years."]}]}
{"article": "\"To be or not to be.\" Outside the Bible, these six words are the most famous in all the literature of the world. They were spoken by Hamlet when he was thinking aloud, and they are the most famous words in Shakespeare because Hamlet was speaking not only for himself but also for every thinking man and woman. To be or not to be, to live or not to live, to live richly and abundantly, or to live dully and meanly. A philosopher once wanted to know whether he was alive or not, which is a good question for everyone to put to himself occasionally. He answered it by saying: \"I think, therefore I am.\"\nBut the best definition of existence I ever saw was one written by another philosopher who said: \"To be is to be in relations.\" If this is true, then the more relations a living thing has, the more it is alive. To live abundantly means simply to increase the range and intensity  of our relations. Unfortunately we are so constituted that we get to love our routine. But other than our regular occupation, how much are we alive? If you are interested only in your regular occupation, you are alive only to that extent. So far as other things are concerned --- poetry and prose , music, pictures, sports, unselfish friendships, politics, international affairs ---you are dead.\nOn the contrary, it is true that every time you acquire a new interest --- even more, a new accomplishment  --- you increase your power of life. No one who is deeply interested in different kinds of subjects can remain unhappy. The real _ is the person who has lost interest.\nBacon said that a man dies as often as he loses a friend. But we gain new life by contacts with new friends, and new ideas and thoughts, too. Where your thoughts are, there will be your life too. If your thoughts are limited only to your business, only to your physical welfare, only to your narrow circle of the town in which you live, then you live a narrow restricted(, ) life. But if you are interested in what is going on in China, then you are living in China. If you're interested in the characters of a good novel, then you are living with those highly interesting people. If you listen intently to fine music, you are away from your immediate surroundings and living in a world of passion and imagination.\nTo be or not to be --- to live intensely and richly, or merely to exist, which depends on ourselves. Let us widen and intensify our relations. While we live, let us live!", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author mainly want to do by this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Argue against an idea.", "Explain some famous sayings.", "Introduce some famous sayings.", "Put forward an idea."]}, {"question": "Which of the following behavior is probably NOT encouraged by the author?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Thinking more than your own business.", "Caring only about your physical welfare.", "Reading good novels.", "Listening to fine music."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To be is to be in relations.", "I think, therefore I am.", "To be or not to be, that is a question.", "A man dies as often as he loses a friend."]}]}
{"article": "As shocking as the idea of baby birds growing up in a cigarette-filled home sounds, a new study suggests that some birds may benefit from putting the stuff from cigarette butts   into their nests. The nicotine remaining in smoked filters   may serve as a natural insecticide  , driving harmful insects away from the nests and the baby birds living within. Tobacco plants produce nicotine because it defends against insects that would otherwise eat the plants.\n              The butts are undoubtedly smelly. But birds are actually quite fond of smelly chemicals, such as those found in aromatic   plants. Some nest-building species regularly fill their nests with fresh aromatics, possibly because the chemicals are good for the immune system or the development of the chicks. Alternatively, the plant chemicals might act as insecticides.\n              In the study, researchers at the Autonomous University of Tlaxcala in Mexico set up heat traps, which attract harmful insects, in 55 nests around Mexico City. Some traps were lined with the stuff in smoked cigarette filters. The others were lined with the stuff from unsmoked cigarette filters, which did not contain nicotine and other smoking by-products. Whether the nest held eggs, chicks or nothing, the unsmoked cigarette traps collected more harmful insects, suggesting that it is the chemicals that drove harmful insects away.\n              In a second experiment, the researchers collected 28 house sparrow nests and 29 house finch   nests from Mexico City immediately after the chicks flew out for food. They found that the more smoked filter stuff filled a nest, the fewer harmful insects it had.\n              The missing piece of the puzzle is whether the reduced number of harmful insects in the nests actually provided any benefit to the chicks. It is also unclear if nicotine or another chemical found in cigarettes may have turned the harmful insects out of the nests.\n              If the results hold, then this study is an example of wildlife adaptation to urbanization - or at least evidence that birds are smart and can still follow their noses in urban environments.", "problems": [{"question": "What may be the function of nicotine in cigarette butts for birds?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To provide building materials for bird nests.", "To drive harmful insects away from bird nests.", "To protect the plants from being eaten by insects.", "To attract baby birds to stay in the nests."]}, {"question": "What is the first experiment aimed at?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Proving that heat traps attract harmful insects in Mexico City.", "Comparing smoked cigarette filters with unsmoked ones.", "Analyzing what is produced from smoked cigarette filters.", "Studying what it is that drives harmful insects away."]}, {"question": "What can you infer from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Birds tend to use insecticide to protect the baby birds.", "Nicotine is the only chemical that drives harmful insects away.", "Some insects are afraid of smelly chemicals in aromatic plants.", "Unsmoked cigarette traps attract more harmful insects."]}, {"question": "Where could you possibly see the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["In a science report", "In an urbanization essay", "In a tobacco advertisement", "In an anti-smoking brochure"]}]}
{"article": "Attitude is an internal  state that influences the choices of personal action made by the individual . Some researchers consider that attitudes come from differences between beliefs and ideas; others believe that attitudes come from emotional states. Here, we focus on the effects of attitudes upon behavior, that is, upon the choices of action made by the individual.\nThe kinds of actions taken by human beings are obviously influenced greatly by attitudes. Whether one listens to classical music or rock, whether one obeys the speed limit while driving, whether one encourages one's husband or wife to express his or her own ideas-all are influenced by attitudes. These internal states are acquired  throughout life from situations one is faced with in the home, in the streets, and in the school.\nOf course, the course of action chosen by an individual in any situation will be largely determined by the particulars of that situation. An individual who has a strong attitude of obeying laws may drive too fast when he is in a hurry and no police cars in sight. A child who has a strong attitude of honesty may steal a penny when she thinks no one will notice. But the internal state which remains unchanged over a period of time, and which makes the individual behave regularly in a variety of situations, is what is meant by an attitude.\nAttitudes are learned in a variety of ways. They can result from single events, as when an attitude toward snakes is acquired by an experience in childhood at the sudden movement of a snake. They can result from the individual's experiences of success and pleasure, as when someone acquires a positive attitude toward doing crossword puzzles by being able to complete some of them. And frequently, they are learned by copying other people's behavior, as when a child learns how to behave toward foreigners by observing the actions of his parents. Regardless of these differences, there is something in common in the learning and modification  of attitudes.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, attitudes  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["come from different situations in one's life", "are largely affected by one's behavior", "remain unchanged in one's daily life", "could be chosen according to one's will"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about the learning of attitudes?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Attitudes are only learned through one's success.", "Attitudes learned in danger will last no more.", "Copying others' behavior is not a good idea.", "Attitudes can be learned from one's parents."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Differences of Attitudes.", "Nature  of Attitude.", "Choices of Attitudes.", "Changes of Attitude."]}]}
{"article": "Being able to experience a different environment and custom will give us a new perspective on everything we thought we knew and understood. Maybe, going abroad is an opportunity to look again at not only the country and the people who live there but also ourselves.\nI had never expected to visit Paris. The French culture didn' t interest me that much, and Paris seemed too big, too touristy, too much. But when I found myself standing next to the Opera National de Paris, completely alone and totally lost, I knew I was in for an interesting ride. I had decided to take a summer history class abroad, and Paris just happened to be where it was set. My teacher eventually found me and other jet-lagged students and walked us down to where we would be staying. Even then, tired, hungry, and feeling displaced, I was unable to keep myself from marveling at the beauty of the city.\nThe next day in the grocery store, trying to decide if the box I was holding contained butter or cream cheese, I suddenly realized I was a foreigner that didn't speak the language.The cashier and I had a conversation completely with gestures. For the most part, it didn't seem to bother the French that I was utterly incompetent in speaking their language. In fact, from my first unclear \"bonjour\" , many of them would directly switch over to English.\nTime Hew by. In the mornings we had class, and in the afternoons we were given a lot of freedom to do what we pleased. We explored everywhere in the city, becoming experts at using the Metro, and walking so much that our legs were sore every night.\nLiving in Paris was a huge change in my lifestyle. Everything I did was more relaxed. I stopped worrying about the future and instead focused on living in the present. I stopped wearing a watch because time didn't matter.We ate when we were hungry, went to bed when we were tired and explored in between.I no longer mind that Paris is so big; it' s an old, beautiful metropolis full of culture and history.On one of my last days there, standing on top of the Arc du Triumph with a 360 degree view of Paris, I finally admitted something to myself.The city that I had never wanted to visit had turned into the city that I never wanted to leave.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer came to Paris because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he wanted to have an interesting ride", "he attended a course in summer", "he admired its beautiful scenery", "he was alone and lost his way"]}, {"question": "On the first day in Paris, the writer felt   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["lonely in the big city", "bored with his visit", "surprised at its beauty", "interested in its culture"]}, {"question": "The example of the grocery store is used to illustrate   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the little influence of language barrier", "the big difficulty of living abroad", "the great importance of gestures", "the intelligence of French people"]}, {"question": "By mentioning the uselessness of the watch, the author probably wants to prove   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["time in Paris is not worth counting", "he enjoys the time in Paris very much", "life seems meaningful without time", "he has to spend a long time to visit the big city"]}]}
{"article": "The Pew report,which was based on surveys carried out in Britain,France,Germany, Italy,Spain,Greece, Poland and the Czech Republic,said that the European Union was  \"the new sick man of Europe\".The percentage of Europeans with a good view of the EU has fallen from 60 percent last year to 45 percent now.\n  The UK may be considered the most Eurosceptic country ,but its support for the Union has barely changed in the past 1 2 months,falling only two points to 43 percent.But,France's backing for the EU has fallen sharply,from 60 percent last year to 41 percent today.\n    On the question of whether to remain in the EU, 46 percent of the British want to leave the Union and surprisingly,the same percentage want to stay.\n    The Pew report's authors said,  \"The long-term economic crisis has created bad forces that are pulling the European apart,making the French away from the Germans and the Germans away from everyone else.The effort over the past half century to create a more united Europe is now the main disaster of the euro crisis.\"\n    The only European leader supported highly by their own voters was the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with 74 percent voters.Prime Minister David Cameron was the next highest with a positive score of 37 percent among the British public,and he can take some comfort from the fact that 58 percent of the Poles and half of all French people think he is doing a good job.\n     Besides the dark economic future and the growing question of the EU,there were more than 60 percent in favor of keeping it.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE of the recent Pew report?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The UK has the smallest number of people against the EU.", "There's a slight  change of the UK's supporting for the EU.", "More than half of the Germans raise questions about the EU.", "A large number of French people are in favor of the EU."]}, {"question": "As to whether to remain in the EU,  _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Britons are divided equally", "few Britons want to stay", "all Britons support to leave", "Britons don't care about it"]}, {"question": "According to the passage,what's the relationship between France and Germany?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Friendly.", "Optimistic.", "Tense.", "Simple."]}, {"question": "Prime Minister David Cameron feels a little bit comfortable for   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["only a score of 37 percent of the Britons go against him", "many of the Polish and the French think highly of him", "more than 60 percent of the voters are in favor of keeping the EU", "Angela Merkel has 74 percent of the voters"]}]}
{"article": "Wood Buffalo National Park \nWood Buffalo National Park is Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. Established in 1922 to protect the last remaining herds of bison in northern Canada, it now protects an outstanding example of Canada's Northern Boreal Plains. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983.\nPhone: (780) 697-3662\nE-mail: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca\nBanff National Park of Canada\nBanff's rich history dates back to 1885, when three railway workers stumbled upon hot mineral springs surfacing from deep within the mountains. This discovery led to the establishment of Banff National Park, and marked the beginning of Canada's national park system. Spanning 6,641 meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots. \nPhone: (403)762-1550\nE-mail: banff.vrc@pc.gc.ca\nSt. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada  \nConceived in the 1870s, St. Lawrence Islands is one of Canada's oldest national parks. Located in the scenic 1,000 Islands tourist area, this tiny jewel has a rich and complex natural human history. Centuries ago, aboriginal peoples referred to it as the \"Garden of the Great Spirit\". Today, 24 scenic islands, along with a mainland area at Mallory town Landing, are included in the park.\nPhone: (613) 923-5261 \nE-mail: ont. sli@pc.gc.ca\nGrasslands National Park of Canada \nIt was here Sitting Bull took refuge after the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Grasslands National Park is the first national park of Canada to preserve a portion of the mixed prairie grasslands. This magical land of diversity, beauty and history is divided into two blocks. The East Block contains the Killdeer Badlands and the Wood Mountain Uplands, and the West Block preserves the Frenchman River Valley and the dissected plateaus, coulees and famous 70 Mile Butte. \nPhone: (306) 298-2257\nE-mail: grasslands. info@pc.gc.ca", "problems": [{"question": "Why was Banff National Park built?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because there were no national parks in Canada then.", "Because hot mineral springs were found in Banff.", "Because there were many valleys and mountains.", "Because there were lots of scenic islands."]}, {"question": "If you want to visit one of the oldest national parks in Canada, you can call   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["(780)697-3662", "(306) 298-2257", "(403)762-1550", "(613) 923-5261"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Wood Buffalo National Park is famous as one of the largest national parks in the world.", "Banff National Park established because of the discovery of hot mineral springs.", "St. Lawrence Islands' establishment marked the beginning of Canada's national park system.", "Grasslands National Park preserves a part of the mixed prairie grasslands."]}, {"question": "This passage is mainly taken from   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a travel guidebook", "a student's textbook", "a latest newspaper", "an entertaining book"]}]}
{"article": "When Chinese student Du Juan brought her American boyfriend home two years ago to use the toilet, her Japanese roommate became so upset that she shouted in English: \"I hate you.\"\nDu, then 21 and an undergraduate at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, was shocked. So was her boyfriend.\n\"Later I realized that she didn't literally mean what she said and that she was not aware of the full meaning of the word 'hate' in English,\" said Du. \"It was more a problem with translation,\" she added.\nCultural differences can cause confusion about what words or even actions mean, an issue that has come to the forefront recently following the arrest of a Chinese doctoral degree student in New Jersey.\nZhai Tiantian, who studied at the Stevens Institute of Technology, has been accused of trying to set fire to a campus building and of making threats to a professor who gave him a low mark. No physical _ took place but Zhai reportedly said something along the lines of \"at worst, I will risk anything on the line.\" The professor called the campus police.\nAccording to the indictment sheet , Zhai is facing the serious charge of making a terroristic threat.\nFor a few days, Chinese media mistranslated, or misunderstood, the charges and reported that Zhai was being charged with terrorism.\nSome language experts have speculated  that the disagreement between Zhai and the professor can also be chalked up to cultural and linguistic differences. \"What Chinese people regard as acceptable speech may be regarded by Americans as threats,\" said Luo Gang, the Chinese Consulate's Overseas Chinese Affairs consul. \"This is an unfortunate incident. Even though Zhai intended no harm, he has done himself a great deal of harm.\"\nDu, now 23, said she supports Zhai's actions in fighting to save his academic career, but added he needs to learn more about communication in a foreign language.\n\"Chinese students in a foreign country must prepare more in terms of languages and conversation skills to avoid misunderstandings,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "By saying \"It was more a problem with translation\", what does Du Juan mean?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Translation was not the real problem, as Du Juan and her roommate can both speak English.", "Du Juan can not understand what her roommate meant at all.", "Her roommate didn't know what \"hate\" really meant in daily conservation.", "Her roommate spoke such poor English that she felt angry."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements about Zhai Tiantian is true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He set fire to a campus building.", "He argued with a professor because he received a low mark.", "He has received a doctor's degree at the Stevens Institute of Technology.", "He is facing a serious charge because he murdered the professor."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Du Juan's unpleasant experience abroad.", "Confusion caused by translation.", "Conservational skills in a foreign country.", "Cultural differences between China and America."]}]}
{"article": "It was almost six years ago that my family and I waited for her at the airport. Unsure  of what to expect and a little bitter about such an experience that my mother was forcing upon me, I had mixed feeling about the girl from Madrid. Today,after making many memories and discoveries, I couldn't be more thankful for what that experience taught me.\nMy family had the privilege to host Teresa for several summers. I became fond of her cheerful chatter, constant laughter ,and addiction to online shopping. She seldom took my unkind jokes seriously and always gave it right back to me, making our relationship closer. She could go on talking for hours about the beach outside her house, her family and  friends, and her life at her school.\nWhile several aspects were very similar to my life here, I was always left with a certain level of mystery and excitement as I wondered how the picture in my head compared with reality.\nThrough hard work, she became fluent in English in almost no time. While this was a big success for her, it made me ashamed as I was not forced to develop the little Spanish that I was learning in class. This experience aroused my interest in traveling to Europe - especially Spain. While l know that not everyone has this same interest in other culture, I believe that it is important for us to be willing to learn about what makes certain customs and activities significant to them As Americans, we may be some of the most arrogant( ) people about other culture, which history has proven can have disastrous consequences. By at least making the effort to appreciate what is important to them, we show respect to the people who have such culture.\nThrough the unique experience that in a sense I was forced into, I learned far more about the Spanish culture than I could have in any classroom. I discovered new interests that I had never considered before, and I am excited for the opportunity to experience it first-hand this summer.", "problems": [{"question": "The author expected to travel to Europe in order to  _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["develop the little Spanish", "inform people there of American culture", "improve the skills to communicate with Teresa", "have a better understanding of European culture"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Learning Foreign Languages", "Getting Better Culture", "Close Tie with Teresa", "Hosting Teresa"]}]}
{"article": "In my living room, there is a plaque   that advises me to \"Bloom   where you are planted.\" It reminds me of Dorothy. I got to know Dorothy in the early 1980s, when I was teaching Early Childhood Development through a program with Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. The job responsibilities requested occasional visits to the classroom of each teacher in the program. Dorothy stands out in my memory as one who \"bloomed\" in her remote area.\n              Dorothy taught in a school In Harlan County, Kentucky, Appalachian Mountain area. To get to her school from the town of Harlan, I followed a road winding around the mountain. In the eight-mile journey, I crossed the same railroad track five times, giving the possibility of getting caught by the same train five times. Rather than feeling excited by this drive through the mountains, I found it depressing. The poverty level was shocking and the small shabby  houses gave me the greatest feeling of hopelessness.\n              From the moment of my arrival at the little school, all gloom   disappeared. Upon arriving at Dorothy's classroom. I was greeted with smiling faces and treated like a queen. The children had been prepared to show me their latest projects. Dorothy told me with a big smile that they were serving poke greens salad and cornbread for \"dinner\" (lunch). In case you don't know, poke greens are a weed-type plant that grows wild, especially on poor ground.\n              Dorothy never ran out of reports of exciting activities of her students. Her enthusiasm  never cooled down. When it came time to sit for the testing and interviewing required to receive her Child Development Associate Certification, Dorothy was ready. She came to the assessment and passed in all areas. Afterward, she invited me to the one-and-only steak house in the area to celebrate her victory, as if she had received her Ph. D. degree. After the meal, she placed a little box containing  an old pen in my hand. She said it was a family heirloom  , but to me it is a treasured symbol of appreciation and pride that cannot be matched with things.  (360 words)", "problems": [{"question": "In the journey, the author was most disappointed at seeing   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the long track", "the poor houses", "the same train", "the winding road"]}, {"question": "Upon arriving at the classroom, the author was cheered up by   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a warm welcome", "the sight of poke greens", "Dorothy's latest projects", "a big dinner made for her"]}, {"question": "What does the author mainly intend to tell us?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Whatever you do, you must do it carefully.", "Whoever you are, you deserve equal treatment.", "However poor you are, you have the right to education,", "Wherever you are, you can accomplish your \nachievement."]}]}
{"article": "When I opened my e-mail the other day, a pretty woman named Rachel appeared on my computer screen. She greeted me by name and started talking with great enthusiasm . Every now and then she stopped to smile at me or blow a kiss. She was reading to me an e-mail from my brother, and a lot of it was about the trouble he had getting the phone company to give him a high-speed Internet connection. It was pretty cool.\nRachel was there thanks to a new technology called Facemail. An ace man lets you send an e-mail that gets ready to the recipient by an attractive male or female from or by a clown . The software, which is free, can be downloaded at www.facemail.com.\nFacemail faces are lifelike, and they simulate emotions based on emotions-for example, that you put in your text. Type in; -x, and Rachel blows a kiss.\nLife Fx, the company that develops the Facemail, is sure there are broad business uses. The reason e-business is not popular, the company says, is that buying over the Internet lacks the human touch. But what if you went to the Nike website and Michel Jordan greeted you by name, waited on you and personally closed the sale? And it is talking with Whirlpool about using the technology in a computer screen on a fridge. Then if Mom can't be home when the kids get back from school, she can leave a note with voice and image telling them what there is to eat. Facemail could get hot fast. Personally, I'm a fan. But Facemail should be used with care. The clown looks lively and funny at first. But if you select the clown, put a few rude words in an e-mail and add some angry emotions, you're got Psycho-mail .", "problems": [{"question": "The pretty woman that appears on the writer's computer screen was_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["his brother's girl friend", "not a real person", "the picture of his pen friend", "a woman working on the Internet"]}, {"question": "The main advantage of Facemail is that_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["you can see the person who sends you the email", "you can put your own emotions in the email", "e-mail can be read in a more lovely way", "you can hire a beautiful woman to read the email to you"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that Facemail_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["can destroy your e-mail if not properly used", "can be downloaded free of charge s", "will take the place of the e-mail system", "is likely to be used in other aspects of our daily life"]}, {"question": "The writer mentioned Nike website and Micheal Jordan to show that_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["Facemail can make shopping on the Internet more interesting", "Nike company is increasing its sales through the fame of prefix = st1 /Jordan", "Michael Jordan will serve you himself on Nike website", "famous people like Micheal Jordan also like to use Facemail"]}]}
{"article": "We all use money every day. It is essential because we can pay money for whatever we want.Money is recognized as banknotes and coins.\nHowever,many years ago people couldn' t go to the shop and buy what they wanted.They had to get what they wanted through the barter trade .It was really difficult,for the barter often depended on coincidence of wants.For example,the seller of grain has to find a buyer who wants to buy grain and who also could offer something the seller wants to buy.And one more example,if a wheat farmer needs what a fruit farmer produces,a direct exchange is impossible because seasonal fruit would spoil before the grain harvest.The solution is to trade fruit for wheat indirectly through a third intermediate commodity ,such as cattle,salt,shells,wine.However,commodity money had their disadvantages.For example,cattle,fur,precious stones couldn' t be cut into smaller pieces and it was inconvenient to keep and transport them.Thus coins were invented.\nThe earliest known coins in the western world came from Lydia in about 650 B.C.Greek cities,the Great Persian Empire and Roman Empire quickly adopted the new useful technique of metal currency.And by the end of the 6th century,coinages were common throughout the region.However,coins as well as commodity money had many disadvantages.For instance,coins quickly show wear  and they usually have small value,so it' s difficult to count large sums of coins.\nAt first,paper money was used in China in about 650 A.D.After then,it was used in Persia and Japan.In Europe,paper money was firstly produced in the Netherlands in the 16th century and in the USA in the 17th century.Paper money is worthless but symbolic.In other words,paper money is just a note.It has a purchasing power because the government announces it as money and citizens accept it universally.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer explains the difficulty of barter trade by  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["telling stories", "using examples", "presenting a theory", "making a comparison"]}, {"question": "What do we know about the early coins?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They usually had large value.", "They were first used in Greece.", "They still had many disadvantages.", "People didn' t like the metal currency."]}, {"question": "Paper money was used earlier in  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Rome", "Greece", "the USA", "the Netherlands"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Function of money.", "History of money.", "Invention of money.", "Types of money."]}]}
{"article": "Studies show that you may be lied to every day anywhere from 10 to 200 times. We say, \"Nice song.\" \"Honey, you don't look fat in that, no.\" But another study showed that strangers lied three times within the first 10 minutes of meeting each other. We lie more to strangers than we lie to coworkers. Men lie eight times more about themselves than they do other people. Women lie more to protect other people. If you're married, you're going to lie to your wife/ husband in one out of every 10 communications. If you're unmarried, that number drops to three. But look, if at some point you got lied to, it's because you agreed to get lied to. Truth about lying: lying's a cooperative act. Not all lies are harmful. Sometimes we're willing to lie for the sake of social dignity  , maybe to keep a private secret.\nLying is complex. It's woven into the fabric of our daily and business lives. We're deeply disturbed by the truth. We explain it, sometimes for very good reasons, other times just because we don't understand the gaps between ideals and realities in our lives. We're against lying, but secretly we're for it in ways that our society has practiced for centuries and centuries. It's as old as breathing. It's part of our culture and history. Think the stories from Dante, Shakespeare, the Bible, News of the World.\nLying has great value to the evolution of human being. Researchers have long known that the more intelligent the species, the more likely it is to lie. We human like to become leaders. It starts really early. How early? Well, babies will pretend to cry, pause, wait to see who's coming and then go right back to crying. One-year-olds learn hiding truth. Two-year-olds bluff  . Five-year-olds lie outright and try to control via flattery  . Nine-year-olds, masters of covering up. By the time you enter college, you're going to lie to your mom in one out of every five interactions. By the time we enter this work world to be breadwinners, we've entered a world that is just full of fake digital friends, business media, identity thieves, world-class cheats, ----in short, a post-truth society.\nWhat do you do? Well there are steps we can take to guide our way through the bushes. Trained lie spotters get to the truth 90% of the time. The rest of us, we're only 54% accurate. Why is it so easy to learn? There are clever liars and stupid liars. There're no real original liars. We all make the same mistakes. We all use the same techniques.", "problems": [{"question": "From Para.1 we learn that lying is very   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["harmful", "easy", "interesting", "common"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, a lie works when   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the liar's words are sweet enough", "it is given to a complete stranger", "someone gives the liar cooperation", "we are willing to lie for the dignity"]}, {"question": "Lying is complex because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it is practiced by clever ones", "people are for it as well as against it", "ancient stories are full of lies", "it is the whole part of great culture"]}, {"question": "The examples of kids lying in the passage show   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["lying is a sign of intelligent development", "lying is good for children's growing up", "at what age children begin to tell lies", "9-year-old children are masters of lying"]}, {"question": "What will the writer most likely talk about if he continues the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How to become clever liars.", "How to avoid stupid lies.", "How to get through the bushes.", "How to tell truth from lies."]}]}
{"article": "Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they forget a great thing that could help them fight illness: their friends.\nResearchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the danger for _ among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties  could improve brain health as we age.\n\"In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn't well realized,\" said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. \"Friendship has a bigger effect on our psychological   health than family relationships.\"\nWhile many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack. Only smoking was as important a danger factor   as having little social support.\nThe exact reason why friendship has such a big effect isn't clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. \"People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,\" said Karen, a doctor. \"The message of these studies is that friends make your life better.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The author mentioned smoking in the text to discuss  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the cause of heart attack", "the danger of having no friends", "smoking is bad for men", "friends' influence on habits"]}]}
{"article": "If you like bicycling as much as you like playing ball and can't seem to decide between the two sports, you may want to consider cycle ball--a fun sport that adopts the key attributes from both activities and transforms it into a totally new game..\nAlso known as red ball, the game was invented in 1893 by German laborers who wished to play polo , but could not afford horses. While the sport has not _ in North America, it is very fashionable in Europe and even Japan.\nPlayed in an indoor court, cycle ball is similar to soccer in many ways--the aim is to score as many goals as possible, and only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball.\nThe one big difference? Use of legs is forbidden. Instead, players have to guide the ball across the court, using the front wheels of their bicycles or with their heads. In fact, if a player even touches the floor with his feet during the 14-minute game, it is considered a foul  and the opposing team gets a free kick.\nWhile the game was initially  played with normal bikes, things are a little different now. The seats of these specialized bikes are positioned over the back tire and they sport a single fixed gear, making it easier for the rider to control the constant back and forth movement required for the game. The handlebars  also point straight up so that the competitors can sit upright while playing and they are about twice the weight of normal bikes, which helps with the stability.\nWhile cycle ball may sound a little strange, it is a fast-paced sport that requires much training, skill, and, is also really fun to watch.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The origin and development of soccer", "The differences between cycle ball and soccer.", "The most popular sports game in the world.", "A new and fun sports game--cycle ball"]}, {"question": "What can we know about cycle ball?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It is a fast-paced game played in an indoor court", "It was invented in 1893 by poor British people.", "It is another name of soccer played by many people.", "It is a strange game played with normal bikes."]}, {"question": "It can be known from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["every player who is playing cycle ball is allowed to touch the ball.", "the aim of playing cycle ball is to score as many goals as possible.", "if a player touches the floor with his feet, the opposing team will win", "heads are not allowed to be used to guide the ball across the court."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Cycle ball is popular both in Japan and other Asian countries.", "The cycle ball game is popular all over the world.", "A cycle ball game takes 14 minutes.", "Cycle ball has to be played with heads, legs or the front wheels."]}]}
{"article": "Have you heard of the scandal that happened in one of Great Britain's biggest supermarket chains called Tesco? The British love Tesco as it sells very cheap products and it can be found on almost every corner of a British city or town.\nOn January 15th 2013 food inspectors discovered 30 % horsemeat in a certain brand of frozen beefburgers that were mostly sold by Tesco in the UK and Ireland.\nIn times of social media like Facebook and Twitter the news has spread fast and customers have been very concerned about what the food they buy actually contains. Tesco said it had taken away the burgers from the shop shelves immediately, and apologized to their customers. They also promised that they would find out what exactly happened and that they would work harder than ever so this would never happen again. Customers are also able to return the beefburgers and get a refund, that is, their money back.\nHowever, it will be hard for Tesco to get the people's trust back. Just imagine buying lovely beefburgers that you fry at home and suddenly you find out that you have actually eaten horsemeat! In this case not only horse lovers will be upset!\nBy the way, why are British people so shocked about eating horsemeat? In history, horses have played great roles as working animals and as an important means of transport. When Britons of today think of horses, they think of majestic animals or cute pets rather than meat.\nBut this is not the only reason for the protest: Customers also want to be sure that the products they buy contain what it says on the label. Hopefully, supermarkets can avoid mistakes like that in the future. Maybe there should be stricter regulations and more controls of our food? Otherwise we will soon find ourselves eating panda meat instead of pork and parrot instead of chicken. So the next time you are in a supermarket maybe check the ingredients of your food before you buy it or you could get a nasty surprise ...", "problems": [{"question": "What is the scandal?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tesco's products were much more expensive than they are supposed to be.", "Tesco didn't react immediately to a food quality issue.", "Tesco sold expired food.", "Horsemeat was found in burgers sold in Tesco."]}, {"question": "What didn't Tesco do in response to the scandal?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It withdrew the beefburgers.", "It made an apology to the public.", "It investigated and found out the cause and effect of the scandal.", "It returned money to customers who bought the beefburgers."]}, {"question": "Which statement isn't among the reasons why customers are furious?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People trusted Tesco so much that they never expected a scandal like this.", "Everyone can call himself or herself a horse lover in the UK.", "Sellers shouldn't cheat customers.", "The horse is humans' friend."]}]}
{"article": "What is a lifestyle and how is that different from a life? A lifestyle is about brand names and buying identity or fame. Lifestyle gives a false sense of peace and acceptability that comes from others recognizing what you've bought into (as well as bought). If your car, clothes, and home are expensive, you're sophisticated  and stylish. If you have the right kind of job or go to the right social gatherings, then you receive the insincere approval of others. This means that your self-esteem  is always at the mercy of others, with no appreciation of you as an individual.\nA life, on the other hand, is very different. A life is what you lead when you know what matters most to you. It is very simple and comes from being connected to what you know is important and being willing to put that first, no matter what others may think. When you create a life vs. a lifestyle, your self-esteem comes from what's inside you, not what others think about you.\nLifestyle is expensive financially and personally, because it costs a great deal to keep up appearances and do what you think is socially acceptable. A life is not expensive. Rather than using personal or financial resources, a life generates energy and staying power. It's about liberating yourself from the mindless consumption that society expects. It is about making the choices that are in line with your values, instead of using up your bank account or energy for no heart-driven reason.\nHow can you make the change? Understand the difference between a life and a lifestyle. Analyze your current lifestyle to see what is costing you in money, time, stress, and energy to maintain it. Let go and make room for what is really important to you, what supports you and brings you joy. Remember who you are from within, not what you own!", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following examples best explains \"what is life about\"?", "answer": "C", "options": ["We work long hours in a job that we do not enjoy.", "We focus on what we wear, or what kind of car we drive.", "We find out what our true beliefs and values are and choose to live by these.", "We think that how others see us is more important than what we think of ourselves."]}, {"question": "To make the change, we need to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["be directed from within", "be directed from outside", "be driven by social values", "be driven by others' opinions"]}, {"question": "What is the author's purpose of writing this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To describe what life is.", "To introduce what lifestyle is.", "To promote life instead of lifestyle.", "To tell the differences between life and lifestyle."]}]}
{"article": "Long after the 1998 World Cup was won, disappointed fans were still cursing the disputed refereeing decisions that denied victory to their team. A researcher was appointed to study the performance of some top referees.\nThe researcher organized an experimental tournament involving four youth teams. Each match lasted an hour, divided into three periods of 20 minutes during which different referees were in charge.\nObservers noted down the referees' errors, of which there were 61 over the tournament. Converted to a standard match of 90 minutes, each referee made almost 23 mistakes, a remarkably high number.\nThe researcher then studied the videotapes to analyse the matches in detail. Surprisingly, he found that errors were more likely when the referees were close to the incident. When the officials got it right, they were, on average, 17 meters away from the action. The average distance in the case of errors was 12 meters. The research shows the optimum   distance is about 20 meters.\nThere also seemed to be an optimum speed. Correct decisions came when the referees were moving at a speed of about 2 meters per second. The average speed for errors was 4 meters per second.\nIf FIFA, football's international ruling body, wants to improve the standard of refereeing at the next World Cup, it should encourage referees to keep their eyes on the action from a distance, rather than rushing to keep up with the ball, the researcher argues.\nHe also says that FIFA's insistence that referees should retire at age 45 may be misguided. If keeping up with the action is not so important, their physical condition is less critical.", "problems": [{"question": "The experiment conducted by the researcher was meant to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["review the decisions of referees at the 1998 World Cup", "analyse the causes of errors made by football referees", "set a standard for football refereeing", "reexamine the rules for football refereeing"]}, {"question": "The number of refereeing errors in the experimental matches was   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["slightly above average", "higher than in the 1998 World Cup", "quite unexpected", "as high as in a standard match"]}, {"question": "The findings of the experiment show that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["errors are more likely when a referee keeps close to the ball", "the farther the referee is from the incident, the fewer the errors", "the more slowly the referee runs, the more likely errors will occur", "errors are less likely when a referee stays in one spot"]}, {"question": "The word \"officials\" (Para. 4) most probably refers to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the researchers involved in the experiment", "the inspectors of the football tournament", "the referees of the football tournament", "the observers at the site of the experiment"]}, {"question": "What is one of the possible conclusions of the experiment?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The ideal retirement age for an experienced football referee is 45.", "Age should not be the chief consideration in choosing a football referee.", "A football referee should be as young and energetic as possible.", "An experienced football referee can do well even when in poor physical condition."]}]}
{"article": "There are millions of used cell phones in the world today. Most of them just lay in our houses without any purpose. Every day dozens of new cell phone models appear. Today, you can find what was regarded as a fantasy yesterday in store and you will buy it tomorrow. But what to do with the old phones, which work well enough and not so old?\n    Just get some money! Simply Sellular is buying almost all models of cell phones: LG, Motorola, Siemens, Samsung, Sanyo, Nokia and many other cell phones. Also they accept phones produced in every country, and in every condition. Simply Sellular can offer a good price for your old cell phone in cash. Their mission is giving you a simple way to get money for an old phone, as simple and profitable, as possible. Also they offer a trade-in scheme  to get another model instead of your phone, providing a good service after the sale.\n    Also Simply Sellular works with the so-called 911 cell phone program. So you can donate  your cell phone to them to help some people who need it. They know what to do with your old phone ! You can be interested in their recycling programs, where every used cell phone could be easily recycled for a few times.Simply Sellular donates some phones, which are good for refurbish  , to people who need it, for example women or military personnel. If the refurbish is impossible they just recycle cell phones.\n     Just think a minute: it's a good deal to get some money for your old cell phone, a good deal to help somebody with your phone and really important to recycle all techniques after use. Working with Simply Sellular you get every possibility  ly free. And they will pay you! That's a really good deal!", "problems": [{"question": "When you want a new cell phone, you are advised to    _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["keep the old one in house", "throw the old one into the dustbin to protect your health", "return the old one to the producer to get some money", "sell the old one to Simply Selluar on a reasonable price"]}, {"question": "Selling a used cell phone to Simply Sellular, you will get   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a good price for the phone in cash", "another new model without any pay", "a cost-free service provided by it", "a profitable plan after the sale"]}, {"question": "The cell phone donated by you is probably   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["still in use by others", "refurbished and sold again", "collected and on show", "sent to a poorer country"]}, {"question": "This passage is written mainly to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["warn people of the risks of using cell phones", "introduce to us what to do with our old cell phones", "advise people not to change cell phones frequently", "encourage us to keep up with new technology"]}]}
{"article": "Being connected to the Internet has become a necessary part of modern life. Some people actually need it as they cannot do their jobs without it, and others simply feel they need it as they cannot imagine life without it.\nTo think that something that did not even exist 50 years ago has come to _ our lives like this in just about 15 years makes one wonder - just what will the future bring?\nIn 2004, a survey was conducted in the US asking a group of technology experts their opinions on the Internet in the next ten years. 57% of them agreed that virtual classes will be more widely adopted in schools, allowing students to learn with those at the same level and with interests in the same subjects. It's quite possible that, by the year 2030, every child in every school will do all their schoolwork on their own laptop with all their textbooks available on the Internet. No more heavy books to carry around and no more pens and paper!\nAt work, we already use email to deal with people both inside and outside our offices and video conferencing  is occurring more frequently. This means that meetings can be held between offices in different countries without the trouble caused by business travel. Business travel will not exist in the future, and so will offices as people all start to work from home.\nIt has also become a trend for people to use pocket computers such as Blackberries. With this helpful equipment, people can send and receive emails, surf the Web, and read multimedia files from absolutely anywhere even if we are on a beach holiday.\nThe Internet will have a revolutionary effect on entertainment in the future. Already we can buy and download music and movies from the Internet but it is still possible for us to buy a CD or go to the DVD stores to rent the latest movies. However, it's quite possible that in the future, CD shops and DVD rental stores will close and cinemas will no longer exist. Entertainment will become completely virtual although hopefully people will still want to get outside to play sports and entertain themselves in more healthy ways.\nWith the Internet we need only relax in the rocking chair. The Internet, however, has problems to be solved.", "problems": [{"question": "The expression \"play a crucial role in\" can be understood as \"  _  \".", "answer": "D", "options": ["change a dull role into", "play an interesting part in", "act a cruel character in", "have an important effect on"]}, {"question": "What is probably the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Virtual reality, our best friend!", "Goodbye, textbooks and offices!", "What will future life be like with the Internet?", "How can human beings deal with the Internet?"]}]}
{"article": "Among the many differences between Western and Chinese cultures, table manners are one of the most noticeable  differences. Westerners often make mistakes at the table in China or in a Chinese home. In order not to have an embarrassing  experience, here are some things to consider next time you are eating with some Chinese.\nStep1:\nKeep in mind that food is shared. It is one of the biggest differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. In China a few dishes are placed in the center of a table and shared by all. Also, you should offer thanks when a Chinese host takes food from one of the dishes on the table and places it on your plate. Refusing it would not be polite even if you are full.\nStep2:\nRespect the chopsticks. The chopsticks are the single most important tool at a Chinese table. Use the chopsticks to grab food and never skewer   it. Also make sure to place your chopsticks over your bowl or plate. Don't lay them on the table or even worse, stick them into the rice bowl.\nStep3:\nUse communal chopsticks. To take food from the center of the table you should use the communal chopsticks or spoons that are placed there for that purpose. If there are no communal tools, use the other ends of your chopsticks to take food, remembering not to use the other end to put food into your mouth.\nStep4:\nRespect the elders. Table manners in China place extra respect on elders. At the table, pass food to your elders before taking it for yourself. If someone makes a toast, make sure that when you clink glasses with someone older than you, the rim of your glass is lower than the rim of the elder person.", "problems": [{"question": "How can you use your chopsticks according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Use them to grab your own food.", "Put them on the table.", "Use them to skewer the food.", "Stick them into the rice bowl."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the following are wrong EXCEPT that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["you don't have to accept the food a Chinese host places on your plate", "a skewer is also a commonly used tool at a Chinese table", "one can offer his own chopsticks for communal use when there aren't any", "when clinking glasses, the rim of the younger person should be lower than that of the older person"]}, {"question": "What is the purpose of writing the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To let the world get a full understanding of China.", "To introduce table manners among different cultures.", "To introduce Chinese table manners to Westerners.", "To introduce how Chinese table manners came into being."]}]}
{"article": "Homesick is a compound word made up of HOME and SICK.You know what each word means on its own, of course.But think about what the words mean when they are used together.Homesick means SICK FOR HOME.\nNow think for a minute about SEASICK.If you change the word home in the definition to the word sea, would the definition fit SEASICK? Seasick means SICK BY THE MOVEMENT ON THE SEA. When you are homesick ,the only place you want to be is at home.When you are seasick, the last place you want to be is at seA.\nHave you ever heard of a person being heartsick? Heartsick doesn't mean that something  is wrong with a person's heart.people are heartsick when they are hurt deep inside and when they feel as if their hearts are broken.\nBut, on the other hand, we have such compound words as handshake, handstand, and handbag.Perhaps you may write definitions for them.", "problems": [{"question": "The word SEASICK means\"  _  \".", "answer": "C", "options": ["to be eager to go to the sea", "what has nothing to do with the sea", "to be sick because of the sea", "that the sea is terrible"]}, {"question": "When we say a person is heartsick, we mean that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his heart is sick", "his heart needs testing", "he's sorry at heart", "he's terribly disappointed and sad,"]}, {"question": "\"The last place you want to be\" is  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["where you want to be most", "where you want to be least", "where you go the last", "the last place you go to"]}, {"question": "The definitions of handshake, handstand and handbag are  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["easy to know", "difficult to know", "impossible to learn", "unnecessary to learn"]}]}
{"article": "Scholarship Application Tips in 2014 for college students\n*Before you apply\n1. Work hard to get good grades. Don't sweat about one bad grade, but always strive to do your best.\n2. Get involved, and stay involved, in extracurricular activities. Sports, clubs, drama, bands and orchestras-these often count toward a student's overall scholarship application evaluation. The same goes for paid (or unpaid) work experience.\n3. Begin your scholarship research early-by your sophomore or junior year of high school, if possible. Make special note of application deadlines, as they can vary from late summer to late spring.\n4. Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for-several smaller scholarships can add up to a lot of money.\n*During the application process\n1. Read the supplementary materials that come with scholarship application forms to better understand the program's focus (community service, subject interest). Try to answer the questions with the focus area in mind.\n2. Answer questions as they are asked. Don't go off the topic.\n3. If there is a financial component to the application, make sure you get accurate and complete information from all appropriate sources to ensure your eligibility.\n4. Take your time. Write down everything you can think of for each question, then set the application aside for a day so you can look everything over again before you send it off.\n5. Don't wait until the last minute to complete your application, especially if you are applying online. Computer systems can get clogged with the large volume of applicants hoping to submit their qualifications during the last few days and hours before a deadline.\n6. If a third party has to complete part of your application, such as providing a letter of recommendation, make sure you ask them early on and remind them as often as necessary to ensure they provide you with the necessary materials.\n7. Last but not least, review your application with your parents to make sure you haven't left out any important details.\nGood luck to the students applying for the 2014 scholarship programs!", "problems": [{"question": "Before you apply for a scholarship, it's best to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["pay more attention to grades than to extracurricular activities", "focus on only one scholarship application", "get as much work experience as possible", "begin your preparation as early as possible"]}, {"question": "When answering questions on the application form, you should  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["focus on the subject you are interested in", "answer to the point", "list your advantages", "prove your abilities"]}, {"question": "The author suggests that applicants should  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["submit the application in the few days", "double-check their application with their parents", "complete and submit the application in one day", "avoid submitting the application online"]}]}
{"article": "Individuality is the particular character, or aggregate (total) of qualities that distinguishes one person or thing from others. Many artists late in the last century were in search of a means to express their individuality. Modern dance was one of the ways some of these people sought to free their creative spirit. At the beginning there was no exacting technique, no foundation from which to build. In later years, trial, error and genius founded the techniques and the principles of the movement. Eventually, innovators   even drew from what they considered the dread ballet, but first they had to get rid of all that was academic so that the new could be discovered. The beginnings of modern dance were happening before Isadora Duncan, but she was the first person to bring the new dance to general audiences and see it accepted and acclaimed  .\nHer search for a natural movement form sent her to nature. She believed movement should be as natural as the swaying of the trees and the rolling waves of the sea, and should be in harmony with the movements of the Earth. Her great contributions are in three areas.\nFirst, she began the expansion of the kinds of movement that could be used in dance. Before Duncan danced, ballet was the only type of dance performed in concert. In the ballet the feet and legs were emphasized, with virtuosity   shown by complex, codified positions and movements. Duncan performed dance by using her body in the freest possible way. Her dance stemmed from her soul and spirit. She was one of the pioneers who broke tradition so others might be able to develop the art.\nHer second contribution lies in dance costume. She rejected ballet shoes and stiff costumes. These were replaced with flowing Grecian   tunes, bare feet, and unbound hair. She believed in the natural body being allowed to move freely, and her dress displayed this ideal.\nHer third contribution was in the use of music. In her performances she used the symphonies of great masters including Beethoven and Wagner, which was not the usual custom.\nShe was as exciting and eccentric   in her personal life as in her dance.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, what did nature represent to Isadora Duncan?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Something to conquer.", "A model for movement.", "A place to find peace.", "A symbol of disorder."]}, {"question": "Compared to those of the ballet, Isadora Duncan's costumes were less   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["costly", "colorful", "graceful", "restrictive"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not mentioned as an area of dance that Duncan worked to change?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The stage set.", "The music.", "Costumes.", "Movements."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that the author   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["appreciates modern dance very much", "dislikes Isadora Duncan's dance", "thinks highly of individuality", "knows a lot about modern arts"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Artists of the Last Century", "Evolution of Dance in the 20th Century", "Natural Movement in Dance", "A Pioneer in Modern Dance"]}]}
{"article": "If you are looking for the place that has everything, there is only one place to visit, and that's New York. It's a whole world in a city.\nThe World of Theater: All of New York is a stage. And it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many hit shows in one place? Only in New York!\nThe World of Music: Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Center. Swing to the great jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere.\nThe World of Art: From Rembrandt to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you will find it in New York.\nThe World of Fine Dining: Whether it's roast Beijing duck in Chinatown, lasagna in little Italy, or the finest French coq au vin found everywhere, there is world of great taste waiting for you in New York.\nThe World of Sights: What other city has a Statue   of Liberty? A Rockefeller Center? Or a Bronx Zoo? Where else can you take a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park ? Only in New York !", "problems": [{"question": "From the text we know that \"Rembrandt\" is most likely to be the name of a famous  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["actor", "musician", "cook", "painter"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can visitors do only in New York?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To see the Statue of Liberty.", "To taste the finest French coq au vin.", "To enjoy a Beethoven concert.", "To eat Roast Beijing Duck."]}, {"question": "This passage may be taken from  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a handbook for English learners", "a guidebook for foreign travellers", "a pocketbook for businessmen", "a storybook for local readers"]}]}
{"article": "Even if  you are a good high-jumper, you can jump only about seven feet off the ground. You cannot jump any higher because the earth pulls you hard. The pull of the earth is called gravity.\n   You can easily find out the pull of the earth. If you weigh yourself, you will know how much gravity is pulling you. \n   Since there is gravity, water runs down hill. When you throw a ball into the air, it falls back down. Because of gravity, you do not fall off the earth as it whirls   around. \n   Then, can we get away from the earth and go far out into space? Now you can do it, because spaceships have been invented. Then spaceship will go so fast that it can escape   the earth's gravity and carry you into space.", "problems": [{"question": "In this passage, the word \"gravity\" means  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the pull of everything.", "the force of attraction  among objects.", "the force which attracts objects towards the centre of the earth", "the force which attracts the earth towards the sun."]}, {"question": "When you slip  you always fall to the ground because  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["the earth always turns round.", "the earth has gravity", "the earth's gravity is greater than your weight.", "you are careless."]}, {"question": "Gravity is strong that  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["it can throw a ball into the air.", "it makes you jump only seven feet.", "it can let you fly away from the earth.", "it can keep everything on earth."]}, {"question": "Because of gravity,  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["water flows everything.", "we can go everywhere by ship.", "water always flows downwards.", "fish can live in water."]}, {"question": "We can get away from the earth by spaceship because  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["the spaceship goes very fast.", "the earth can't pull the spaceship.", "the spaceship has a strong force.", "the spaceship can jump higher than others."]}]}
{"article": "Most people think about donating blood. However, very few actually do it. Even the most consistent ones donate an average of just three to four times during their lifetime. Now the officials in Sweden are trying to change the trend with the help of modern-day technology.\nThe encouragement to donate again begins shortly after the donor leaves the clinic when he/she receives a \"thank you\" text. Though that certainly helps them feel appreciated, what is even more pleasing is the text they receive each time their blood is used to help someone in need.\nKarolina Wiberg, manager of the Stockholm blood service, believes this small gesture not only results in repeat donors, but helps bring in new ones. _ that was started in Stockholm has received such positive feedback that it is now being rolled out across the country.\nHowever, Swedish officials are not stopping there. They are also encouraging local clinics to publish the exact levels of the different blood groups they have at any given time on their websites. This allows potential donors to realize that their blood can make a difference in saving someone's life.\nWhile all these outreach( ) programs are great, busy citizens, even the ones with the best intentions have to be occasionally reminded. In order to jog their memories, officials ask people for authorization  to send them text, Facebook, and e-mail reminders. Though that may sound disturbing, the citizens do not seem to mind, given that the messages are light-hearted and fun -- things like \"We won't give up until you bleed.\"\nThough Sweden is currently the only country using modern technology to urge more donations, don't be surprised if more join in, especially if the Nordic country's blood banks start to overflow!", "problems": [{"question": "Why is another text sent to blood donors after a \"thank you\" one?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To ask them for authorization.", "To inform them their blood is used.", "To remind them to donate blood immediately.", "To tell them the levels of blood groups."]}, {"question": "What do people think of blood donation reminders?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Disturbing.", "Memorable.", "Boring.", "Acceptable."]}]}
{"article": "The South Pole is a particular place on the earth.When people stand at the top of it looking around,they will find all directions face to north.No matter how they make their first step in which direction,they will always walk towards the north.That's to say,only north and south exist there,neither east nor west exists.\nAt the top of the South Pole,any clock or watch keeps good time because all meridians  join there.All kinds of local time are completely suitable there.It is even difficult to distinguish  New Year's Eve from New Year's Day.\nThe explorers and scientists from different countries always fix the time according to their own.Therefore the time by their watches was different when the people with different nationality gathered there.\nThe Winter Solstice  is an important festival at the South Pole.It is always on June 21 or 22.This day is called Midwinter Festival,on which the daytime is the shortest in a year and the night the longest.All people at the South Pole extend greetings to each other and present gifts to each other.They usually give all kinds of celebrations.From that day on,the daytime will get longer day by day.", "problems": [{"question": "At the top of the South Pole,your watch will   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["keep good time", "be five minutes fast", "stop", "be ten minutes slow"]}, {"question": "The Winter Solstice is an important festival   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["in the world", "at the South Pole", "at the North Pole", "in China"]}, {"question": "On the Winter Solstice,  _   is the shortest in a year.", "answer": "D", "options": ["the night", "the noon", "the morning", "the daytime"]}]}
{"article": "In the decade of the 1970s, the United Nations organized several important meetings on the human environment to study a very serious problem.We humans are destroying the world around us.We must learn to protect them, or life will be very bad for our children and grandchildren.\nThere are several major aspects to this problem.\nPopulation\nMost problems of the environment come from population growth.In 1700 there were 635 million people in the world; in 1900 there were 1.6 billion; in 1950, 2.5 billion; and in 1980, 4.4 billion.In the year 2010 there will be 7.3 billion.More people need more water, more food, more wood, and more petroleum.\nDistribution\nScientists say there is enough water in the world for everyone, but some countries have a lot of water and some have only a little.Some areas get all rain during one season.The rest of the year is dry.\nPetroleum\nWe are using up the world's petroleum.We use it in our cars and to heat our buildings in winter.Farmers use petrochemicals to make the soil rich.They use them to kill insects on those plants.These chemicals go into rivers and lakes and kill the fish there.Thousands of people also die from these chemicals every year.Chemicals also go into the air and pollute it.Winds carry this polluted air to other countries and other countries.\nPoverty\nPoor farmers use the same land over and over.The land needs a rest so it will be better next year.However, the farmer must have food every year.Poor people cut down trees for firewood.In some areas when the trees are gone, the land becomes desert.However, people need wood to cook their food now.Poor people cannot save the environment for the future.\nWe now have the information and the ability to solve these huge problems.However, this is not a problem for one country or one area of the world.It is a problem for all humans.The people and the nation of the world must work together to protect the world's resources.No one controls the future, but we all help make it.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, our world is being destroyed mainly because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["pollution is getting worse and worse", "population are increasing greatly", "we humans are using up all of our natural resources", "distribution is not reasonable."]}, {"question": "Good distribution means   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["having things in the right place at the right time.", "cutting down forests and selling them to other countries.", "building water systems to carry water to farms.", "conserving our natural resources"]}, {"question": "The best title of the passage should be   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["The World Being Destroyed", "A Serious Problem We Should Pay Attention to", "Aspects That Destroyed Our World", "Conserving the World's Natural Resources"]}]}
{"article": "Nathan's second-hand bike was good enough to get him anywhere he wanted to go. Of course, it couldn't match Tim's in a normal speed race, but all the fancy gears   in the world wouldn't get you up Black Mountain. It was so steep in places that you had to get off your bike and push. \nOn this particular afternoon, the odds were all on Nathan's side. First, he was stronger. Tim had always been thin, but recently he'd started to grow so fast that his arms and legs were like pieces of spaghetti. As well as being considerably fitter than his friend, Nathan knew the shortcuts up prefix = st1 /BlackMountain. \nSo when Nathan accepted the challenge, he was sure he'd win. He nearly always did, in competitions with Tim. That was what was strange. Tim was so competitive, and yet he wasn't any good at physical things. \nBy the time the two boys were three quarters of the way to the top, Nathan was clearly ahead. While the road zigzagged back and forth up the mountainside, in certain places, there were also vertical tracks, where water rushing down the slope in winter had bitten erosion courses into the soil. These had in turn been so overgrown by bushes and long grass in the spring that they looked like tunnels through the bush. The trick was to know where you could cut off a whole bend in the road by leaving the road and pushing your bike up one of these half-hidden pathways. If you chose the wrong one you'd struggle up for ten minutes and then suddenly reach a dead end. Then there was no choice but to go back.", "problems": [{"question": "What did Tim challenge Nathan to do?", "answer": "D", "options": ["test who had the fastest bike", "decide who was the most competitive", "find the secret tracks on the mountain", "race to the top of BlackMountain"]}, {"question": "It was sometimes quicker to use the tracks rather than the road because the   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["tracks were partly hidden.", "tracks were easier to ride bikes on.", "road had many bends in it.", "road was overgrown after the winter."]}, {"question": "Which of the following advantages did Nathan have over Tim?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Nathan had a better bike and knew the shortcuts up the mountain.", "Nathan was fitter and knew the quickest ways up the mountain.", "Nathan was stronger and more competitive than Tim.", "Nathan was stronger and had a better bike."]}, {"question": "The quotation \" the odds were all on Nathan's side\" means that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Tim would not try very hard in the race", "Tim had not yet grown as big as Nathan", "Nathan had a greater chance of winning the challenge", "Nathan had more friends who thought he would win"]}]}
{"article": "Most people who live in Seattle, Washington, love their city. There is a never-ending flow of fun things to do. But, people who live there do not always enjoy the day-after-day absence of sunshine during the winter months.\nIt is documented fact that sunshine (or lack of it) plays a major role in how each of us meets the day. It also affects how we perform at school or work. When people are derived of sunlight, they can develop seasonal affective disorder, which makes it difficult for them to feel happy or get things accomplished. No major city in the United States is more affected by the \"sunshine factor\" than Seattle.\nTo fight drizzle and fog during the winter months, Steve Murphy created a business that is very popular among the locals. The Indoor Sun Shoppe is more than a little ray of sunshine during the gray days of Seattle's winter. His shop offers a huge source of plants and artificial lighting for people who are trying to overcome seasonal affective disorder.\nLocated in Fremont, Washington, The Indoor Sun Shoppe has an amazing collection of exotic plants and \"good bugs\" in a humid and well-lit environment. At The Indoor Sun Shoppe, you can spend up to $400 for artificial lighting that will chase away the winter blues. It will also keep your plants healthy. You can buy a dawn simulator that will gradually fill your room with a warming wake-up glow. What better way to meet a Seattle morning when real sunshine is nothing more than a happy thought!\nMurphy's in-home waterfalls are also popular with customers. But his plants and lights remain the \"main course.\" On a cloudy winter day, The Indoor Sun Shoppe is a bright spot in Seattle!", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Seattle is located in the state of Washington.", "Citizens love Seattle for their colorful city lives.", "Sunshine in Seattle is rare during the winter months.", "People who live in Seattle are used to the sunshine absence."]}, {"question": "Which of the following best defines the term seasonal affective disorder in Para.2?", "answer": "B", "options": ["mild temperature and a general feeling of illness caused by gray winter", "exhaustion, depression and lack of energy caused by a lack of sunlight", "winter-related illness caused by the low temperature and little sunlight", "post-holiday depression that comes when relatives leave after Christmas"]}, {"question": "The Indoor Sun Shoppe   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["attracts people from different parts of the whole country", "aims to create a humid and well-lit environment during winter months", "brings only a little ray of sunshine during the gray days of Seattle's winter", "offers variety of goods helping people overcome seasonal affective disorder"]}, {"question": "Which of the following best explains the use of a dawn simulator?", "answer": "B", "options": ["An alarm clock stimulated by the light rays of early morning.", "A bringer of indoor artificial sunshine when there is none outside.", "An automatic waterfall system helping make indoor plants healthy.", "A better way to meet a Seattle morning with real warming sunshine."]}]}
{"article": "To Whom It May Concern:\nprefix = st1 /Chengdu #7 High School is proud to send an Odyssey of the MindTeam to World Competition this year. They competed inShanghaifor the National Competition and were selected to go to World. The World Competition will be held at the University of Maryland in theUnited Statesat the end of May.\nOdyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition. Teams of up to seven students will solve a complex problem using innovative ideas and materials. They will be judged on originality in three separate categories.\nOdyssey of the Mind competitions emphasize team work and creative \"out of the box\" solutions.  The strength of this program is that the solutions are the work of the students only - neither coaches nor parents are allowed input. During the competition the students must work together as a team and think spontaneously and creatively.\nChengdu #7 is a key High School in the fields of science and mathematics. This is the first time they have had an opportunity to attend the Odyssey of the MindWorld Competition. For the seven team members and three coaches (teachers) it will be the first time to visit theUnited States. It will cost each student approximately 20,000 RMB for the twelve-day trip. They have been working hard for this opportunity for a year.\nTraditionally businesses have supported Odyssey of the Mindbecause it produces students who can work as a team and solve problems creatively. We are asking your company for a donation to help defer the expenses for these deserving students. Please make out checks toChengdu#7 and specify Odyssey of the Mind. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated and will help us to continue to prepare our students for tomorrow's world. \nSincerely yours,\nChengdu #7 High School \n#1 Linyin St. Chengdu, 610041", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is actually   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["an application", "a document", "a website", "a letter"]}, {"question": "What's the purpose for the writer to write such a passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To introduce the Odyssey of the Mind team in ChengduNo 7 High School.", "To ask for possible donation support.", "To tell the readers something about Chengdu No 7 High School.", "To inform \"To Whom It May Concern\"."]}, {"question": "Odyssey of the Mind competitions aim to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["drive the students to work harder", "encourage students to find out solutions after class", "help the competitors to think \"outside the box\"", "help the competitors to go to a better university"]}, {"question": "After reading this passage, a manager in a promising hi-tech company would  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["leave it alone", "think it funny", "perhaps start his own Odyssey of the Mindteam", "probably be likely to offer a bit of help"]}]}
{"article": "I must have been about fourteen then, and I put away the incident from my mind with\nthe easy carelessness of  youth. But the words, Carl Walter spoke that day, came back to me\nyears later, and ever since have been of great value to me.\nCarl Walter was my piano teacher. During one of my lessons he asked how much practicing I\nwas doing. I said three or four hours a day.\n\"Do you practice\n, an hour at a time?\"\n\"I try to.\"\n\"Well, don't,\" he exclaimed. \"When you grow up, time won't come in long stretches.    Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them five or ten before school, after lunch, between household tasks. Spread the practice through the day, and piano-playing will become a part of your life.\"\nWhen I was teaching at Columbia, I wanted to write, but class periods, theme-reading, and committee meetings filled my days and evenings. For two years I got practically nothing down on paper, and my excuse was that I had no time. Then I remembered what Carl Walter had said. During the next week I conducted an experiment. Whenever I had five minutes unoccupied, I sat down and wrote a hundred words or so. To my astonishment, at the end of the week I had a rather large manuscript ready for revision, later on I wrote novels by the same piecemeal method. Though my teaching schedule had become heavier than ever, in every day there were idle moments which could be caught and put to use. I even took up piano--playing again, finding that the small intervals of the day provided sufficient time for both writing and piano practice.\nThere is an important trick in this time--using formula: you must get into your work quickly. If you have but five minutes for writing, you can't afford to waste four chewing your pencil. You must make your mental preparations beforehand, and concentrate on your task almost instantly when the time comes. Fortunately, rapid concentration is easier than most of us realize.\nI admit I have never learnt how to let go easily at the end of the five or ten minutes. But life can be counted on to supply interruptions. Carl Walter has had a tremendous influence on my life. To him I owe the discovery that even very short periods of time add up to all useful hours I need, if I plunge in without delay.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The writer didn't completely take the teacher's words to heart at first.", "Carl Walter has had a great influence on the writer's life since he became a student.", "The writer owes great thanks to his teacher for teaching him to work in long stretches.", "Rapid concentration is actually more difficult than most people imagine."]}, {"question": "We can infer that the writer    _    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has new books published each year however busy his teaching is", "is always tired of interruptions in life because his teaching schedule is always heavy", "has formed a bad habit of chewing a pencil while writing his novels", "can find sufficient time for mental preparations beforehand, so he's devoted to work instantly"]}, {"question": "What is the best title of this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Concentrate on Your Work", "A Little at a Time", "How I Became a Writer", "Good Advice"]}]}
{"article": "A new international study shows that six people die every minute from smoking. That is 3 million deaths around the world every year. If the present rate of smoking continues, the number of deaths each year from smoking could rise to 10 million by the year 2020. \nThe study describes smoking is the biggest cause of deadly diseases among grown-ups in industrial countries. So far most of the smoking deaths have happened to men, especially in developing countries. \nA researcher at the World Health Organization says 70% of Chinese men smoke more than 15 cigarettes each day. In Latin America about 50% of the men are smokers. There also are a very large number of smokers in Russia and in Eastern Europe. And 25% of all smoking deaths worldwide are in those areas of the world. Scientists say smoking will kill 50% of the smokers. \nSmoking is known to cause lung cancer. It also can lead to cancer of the mouth and other parts of bodies. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to suffer from heart disease. \nExperts say that people reduce their chance of dying from smoking if they stop smoking completely. They say smokers who give up smoking can improve their health.", "problems": [{"question": "The main idea of this passage is that   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["smoking only does harm to grown-ups..", "smoking can kill smokers.", "smoking does harm to health", "men like smoking much more than women"]}, {"question": "A new international study shows   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["three hundred and sixty smokers die from smoking every hour", "in 2020, 10 million smokers will die from smoking", "smoking will kill 50% of the men around the world", "because of the lack of money, men in developing countries smoke less than men in industrial countries"]}, {"question": "If people don't stop smoking, they will   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["pollute the air", "be in poor health", "become stupid", "waste a lot of money"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, if there are 100 Chinese men smokers in the room, as a result,the number of cigarettes they smoke is at least   _   each day.", "answer": "D", "options": ["about 1, 500", "5, 000 or so", "under 750", "over 1, 050"]}, {"question": "Which disease is not mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["heart attack", "lung cancer", "cancer of the mouth", "bronchitis"]}]}
{"article": "If you're in charge of  a project, the key to success is getting everyone to want to help you. As a director, I point, I suggest, I gently push the actors in the direction  I want them to go.\nIn the 1986 movie Nothing in Common, Jackie Gleason's character, Max Basner, gets fired (or unemployed) from his job as a clothing salesman. The scene, shot   on a boat, shows Max's despair  about being out of work. I was looking for some gesture that would allow Max to show his feelings.\nJackie had far more experience  at everything than I did, and at first I was frightened (very much afraid). What could I possibly tell \"The Great One\" about acting? Out of fear I decided to direct by suggestion, and I sat down with Gleason to talk about the scene. \"So Max is sad, right?\" I said.\nGleason nodded.\n\"And he's probably still carrying his pens with his name on them --- the ones he used to hand out to his customers, right?\"\nGleason nodded.\n\" So what would you want to do with the pens after you were fired?\" He was silent for a moment. \"Why don't I throw them overboard (or all over the boat)?\" I stood up and turned toward the crew. \" Hey, everybody, Jackie has a wonderful idea. Let's shoot it.\"\nAfter filming the scene, Gleason called me over and said with a smile, \"Garry, what kind of wonderful idea am I going to have tomorrow?\"\nYou and your team can discover the answers to problems together. When there are no prizes or gold stars for who gets the solution (or the way to work out a problem) first, you'll all benefit (or get something of use or value) when everything turns out right.", "problems": [{"question": "The author tells us that to succeed in a project you are in charge of, you should   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["make everyone work for you", "get everyone willing to help you", "let people know you have the final say", "keep sending out orders to them"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred   that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Jackie Gleason is the director of the film Nothing in common", "Jackie Gleason is very angry when he is fired from his job", "Max, a character in a film, is in very low spirits  when he loses his job", "Jackie Gleason is the writer of the film Nothing in common"]}, {"question": "Why did Gleason call the director over and smile at him? That's because Gleason   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["thought his wonderful idea was accepted by the latter", "succeeded in hitting upon (or think of) a wonderful idea", "was confident (certain) about his work the next day", "appreciated  the latter's way of directing films"]}, {"question": "The most suitable (or proper) title for the passage is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Directing a Film", "The Key to Success", "A Wonderful Experience", "Working with Film Stars"]}]}
{"article": "There's a widespread perception  in the United States that a university degree is the key to success. But a growing number of educators now say there are other possibilities, especially for students who might not succeed at university level.\nThis is not a traditional classroom. At the apprentice program run by the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in the state of Maryland, Travis Strawderman and other students make money while they learn. \"I \\t's completely changed my life around,\" he said. \"I've been able to pay off all my debts. I can say I'm actually responsible enough to have my own family.\"\nStrawderman's five-year program teaches him technical skills free of charge. He says he considered university, but it didn't interest him. Economics Professor Robert Lerman says Strawderman is not alone. \"A lot of people are bored in high school,\" Lerman stated. \"They leave high school because they are bored. They want to do something besides sitting in a classroom.\" Lerman says the education system in the United States in too focused on pushing students to attend university. \"What we're doing now is we're doing now is we're saying unless you learn in this way you don't really have the chance for a rewarding career,\" he said.\nBut Chad Aldeman, an analyst, says studies show the longer students saty in school the better chance they have at having a high paying and stable career. \"If you only are a high school graduate your wages are going to drop over your lifetime-as opposed to a college degree,\" he said. \"The college degree is really and insurance policey against unemployment and against low wages.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Where does Travis Strawderman learn?", "answer": "C", "options": ["In a university.", "In a traditional classroom", "At an apprentice program.", "In a high school"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Robert and Chad have different opinions.", "Professor Lerman teaches Travis technical skills.", "Travis will have a high paying and stable career.", "Travis liked high school and studied well"]}, {"question": "Which might be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["New education programmes", "A University degree, key to success or not", "Problems in high school", "An insurance policy against low wages"]}]}
{"article": "If you're one of the 13 million Americans still struggling to find a job, or wanting to change jobs, a lot of your applications are probably being swallowed up by the \"the black hole.\" That's when you send in a job application and never receive any follow-up from the company.In fact, only 25 out of 100 applications ever get looked at by companies.\nNow, a remarkable new service is helping job seekers instantly track almost every application they submit so they actually know what's going on.It's called Start Wire. corn and it lets job seekers track their applications and find out whether or not their applications have been reviewed, dismissed, or are still being considered.\nHow does it work? When you fill out a job application via a company website, you'll typically get an auto confirmation email from the company, thanking you for applying.And then, the waiting begins.\nStart Wire has linked to more than 5 , 600 employers across the country and receives online updates on job applications for every one of their members.By allowing you to connect your job hunt to your Facebook and Linkedin accounts, it can notify you if you have any connections with the company that you apply for .\nAnd, Start Wire is free to use! Because Start Wire is a completely ad-supported site, they don't need to charge job seekers to use it.\nMost importantly, Start Wire keeps your information private.Your job search activity will never show up on a social network or search engine.Start Wire has become invaluable to over 55, 000 job seekers in a highly competitive job market.\nIf you're tired of your job search resulting in dead-end responses, take advantage of this free service and give yourself a huge advantage in the job marketplace.\nClick here to put your information on an official list and reach an arrangement with Start Wire to use a free service it provides, and improve your chances of finding a good job quickly.", "problems": [{"question": "You can probably read the passage from   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["a newspaper", "a website", "a poster", "a magazine"]}, {"question": "If your job applications are being swallowed up, it means that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["your personal information has been stolen", "your job applications are under consideration", "you can not receive any reply from the company", "you have to pay money to get your applications back"]}, {"question": "If you want to use Start Wire first you should   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["make a call to the website", "get access to some employers", "register an account without payment", "email the company you will apply to"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly intended to  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["prove the advantages of Start Wire", "attract more people to use Start Wire", "teach people how to access Start Wire", "provide key facts about unemployment"]}]}
{"article": "Going on a road trip? The St. Louis Arch, Statue of Liberty, and Golden Gate Bridge are common great tourist sites. If you prefer offbeat places, check out the following roadside attractions.\nWorld's Largest Ball of Paint\nAlexandria, Ind. \nIn 1977, Michael Carmichael set out to create the biggest ball of paint anywhere. Starting with a baseball as centre, he painted layer by layer of paint day after day, year after year. The ball weighs more than 1,300 pounds, with more than 20,000 coats of paint, which is recognized by Guinness World Record. Visitors can paint the wall themselves and become part of the history.\nThe Museum of Dirt\nBoston, Mass. \nThe museum is the idea of Glenn Johnson. Labeled   glass bottles contain such treasures as dirt from the Great Wall of China, as well as sand from a desert in Saudi Arabia and Omaha Beach in France. Best of all, the cost of seeing this museum is dirt cheap: It's free.\nMount Horeb Mustard Museum \nMount Horeb, Wis. \nIt's heaven for hotdog lovers! This museum says it has to have the world's largest collection for prepared mustard . Its more than 4,100 bottles of spices  come from 60 nations, including Turkey and China. Visitors learn the history of mustard, from how it's made to how it's advertised and sold. The museum's creator, Barry Levenson, loves mustard so much that he even puts it on ice-cream!\nPaper House\nRockport, Mass. \nSwedish immigrant  Ellis Stenman was much ahead of his time in 1922, when he started to build a two-room house almost entirely out of newspaper. At the time, people didn't give much---if any---thought to recycling paper. In fact, \"recycling\" wasn't even a word yet. The house is framed with wood, but the walls are made of 210 layers of newspaper. In all, he used about 100,000 newspapers.", "problems": [{"question": "If you want to add your own labour to what you visit, you may choose  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["World's Largest Ball of Paint", "The Museum of Dirt", "Mount Horeb Mustard Museum", "Paper House"]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Michael must have the largest ball in the world.", "Glenn must have paid a visit to China.", "Ellis could be seen as a pioneer in his time.", "Barry loves ice-cream especially."]}, {"question": "From the text, we can learn that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Michael will never stop painting the large ball.", "people need to pay for visiting the Museum of Dirt.", "Paper House was completely made of paper", "Barry founded the Mustard Museum.."]}]}
{"article": "Do you want to write your password down so that no one can see it, or do you want to send someone a secret message? Knowing how to make an invisible ink message will have you feeling like a secret agent in no time. These are instructions for making invisible ink using baking soda.\nDifficulty: Easy\nTime required: A few minutes \nWhat you need:\nBaking soda, Paper, Water, Light bulb, Paintbrush, Measuring cup, Purple grape juice\nHere's how:\nThere are at least two methods of using baking soda as invisible ink. Mix equal amounts of water and baking soda.\nUse a paintbrush to write a message onto white paper, using the baking soda solution   as \"ink\".\nAllow the ink to dry.\nOne way to read the message is to hold the paper up to a heat source, such as a light bulb. The baking soda will cause the writing in the paper to turn brown.\nThe second way to read the message is to paint over the paper with purple grape juice. The message will appear in a different color1.\nTips:\nIf you are using the heating method, avoid burning the paper.\nBaking soda and grape juice react in an acid-base   reaction, producing a color1 change in the paper.\nGrape juice concentrate   results in a more visible color1 change than regular grape juice.", "problems": [{"question": "is not needed for making invisible ink.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Baking soda", "Paper", "Water", "Ink"]}, {"question": "What's the function of the paintbrush?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To draw a picture.", "To allow the \"ink\" to appear.", "To write a message onto the white paper.", "To help the \"ink\" dry."]}, {"question": "How can you read the message in invisible ink easily?", "answer": "B", "options": ["read it in the daytime", "read it near a heater", "Put it in hot water", "put it in a fridge"]}, {"question": "Why will the message appear in a different color1 in the second way to read the massage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because there is enough grape juice.", "Because baking soda reacts with grape juice.", "Because of the use of water.", "Because of the special paper."]}, {"question": "From the process, we can know that making invisible ink is_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["very hard", "not difficult", "a little difficult", "not easy"]}]}
{"article": "It is true that the first Olympic Games of the modern times in 1896 were not open to women.Baron Pierre de Coubertin,who gave new life to the Games,was very much a man of his time.He didn't like women showing up for the Games.But since this time,things have changed.History shows that the number of women participating in the Olympic Games has been increasing over the years,since their first participation in the 1900 Olympic Games and especially in the last 30 years.This development is of social,political and cultural significance .\nThe progress is the result of the cooperation of the entire Olympic Movement and of proper measures that the International Olympic Committee(IOC),International Sports Federations(IFs),and National Olympic Committees(NOCs)have taken.Especially in the last 20 years,the IOC has enlarged the women's programme at the Olympic Games,in cooperation with IFs and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games(OCOGs).This development was further strengthened by the IOC's decision that all sports must have women's events.The IOC also started to work on increasing the number of women at leadership level in sport in 1981.Former President Juan Antonio Samaranch,who wanted to have women as IOC members made a great contribution .\nMany sports volunteers have worked to increase the number of women joining in the Olympic Games.This progress has been made also thanks to the strong determination of women from different countries of the world who have worked to make sure women are fully represented in all sports.", "problems": [{"question": "It is implied in the passage that    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["women first performed in the Olympic Games about fifty years ago", "it was IFs that decided to enlarge the women's programme at the Olympic Games", "Juan Antonio Samaranch didn't agree that women should be IOC members", "women themselves worked very hard so that they could join in the Olympic Games"]}]}
{"article": "\"Mommy, I'm a funny bird,\" Jack, my almost-4-year-old tells me. He moves his little fingers like wings.\n\"You are?\" I say. I'm sitting across from him while he eats breakfast at our table. I smile; he says the greatest things. A week ago, however, when he had chocolate on his face and I licked   my finger to wipe it off, he said, \"Don't put your dirty water on me.\"\nA week ago, I wouldn't have been sitting here with him during breakfast. I wouldn't have been up, emptying the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, or answering emails. We always had dinner together at the table, but other meals got much less attention. I work from home, and my husband owns an advertising agency and often travels. We were so busy that we had to do the chores during breakfast or lunch.\nWhy was I not sitting down with my son? It could take Jack an hour to eat a meal, during which I could feel the tug   of unanswered emails, a deadline, and the unswept floor each minute.\nThen we went to visit friends for a weekend. They have two kids. They are busy, professional, and good parents. And at every meal -- not just dinner -- we all sat down at the table and ate. When we got home, my husband said, \"Maybe we should be doing that.\"\nI took this as criticism. My husband works a lot, so mealtimes are mostly under my charge. The \"we\" he was talking about was me.\nThen, I remembered myself that I'm a big girl, and took his comment the way it was meant. We both want what's best for Jack. Yes, I thought. I'm home. I have to eat, too. My husband is Jack's favorite, which delights and moves me, but I am Jack's constant. Constants are there. Constants sit down.\nSo I've been sitting. And, surprise, I haven't missed a deadline. The house has been clean. And Jack seems to like having me there. Two days ago, over lunch, he smiled and stared at me.\n\"What?\" I asked, amused.\n\"Mommy, I love you so much and I can't stop loving you.\"\nI could have missed that.\nGod, I could have missed _ .", "problems": [{"question": "Before visiting the friends, Jack   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["didn't like chocolate", "couldn't eat by himself", "was sometimes rude to his mom", "preferred his mother to his father"]}, {"question": "After visiting the friends, the author   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["was determined to learn to cook", "asked her husband to have every meal with her", "decided to have dinner together with her family", "was advised by her husband to learn from the friends"]}]}
{"article": "When Charles Strattion was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P. T. Barnum, and thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles' parents along with him, and they traveled around the world together.\nHe gave the two-foot-tall Charles a new name, general Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act, and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England.\nTom's act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty-five.\nFortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a school teacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married.\nThe ceremony and reception were _ They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about two thousand guests. Crowds filled the street of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding carriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon, just before going to live in Tom's house in Connecticut.\nTheir wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country held Tom Thumb's weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun.", "problems": [{"question": "\"the talk of the town\" means  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they were in the newspaper", "people spread many rumors about them", "they were the most popular things happening", "they were discussed in a city meeting"]}, {"question": "What does the author think about Tom Thumb's wedding?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People gave it too much of their attention.", "It helped people cheer up in a dark time", "It was funny and ridiculous", "Tom and Lavinia were stupid."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best description of the fact that Tom was smart?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He became a billionaire at twenty-five", "He learned how to sing, dance, and act at a very young age.", "He met with President Lincoln during his honeymoon", "He married a school teacher."]}, {"question": "It was very funny when Tom danced on a wooden plate held by a person who was eight feet tall because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the wooden plate would make it sound as of Tom were tap dancing", "it made Tom feel taller", "the eight-foot-tall man was the only tall person Tom trusted", "the difference between them would make Tom look even smaller"]}]}
{"article": "Under new rules posted by the Civil Aviation   administration of China on Friday, pilots will have to pass a \"level four\" test of Mandarin Chinese, China's official language. Those who speak with an accent that \"often impedes\" comprehension will not pass. These rules take effect in January 2016.\nChina's 56 ethnic groups speak more than 80 languages and dialects. Even native Mandarin speakers can have trouble communicating with each other depending on the strength of their accents, which can be mutually unintelligible  .\nOne flight trainer illustrated the scope for linguistic confusion, especially when common English aviation terms are used. Asked if there is a problem on board, a Chinese pilot might answer in the negative with the words mei you, or \"there isn't. But someone speaking with a heavy Sichuan accent would pronounce mei you as \"May day\" - unconsciously parroting the universally recognized distress call  . \nLike their international counterparts  , Chinese aviators have developed codes to avoid confusion resulting from homonyms   or near-homonyms. They use the terms yao for one and guai for seven, which are otherwise pronounced yi and qi respectively and easily confused.\nThe new rule could affect all pilots, who must renew their license every six years, and adds to a growing list of burdens for the profession.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Sichuan dialect has the contrary meaning to Mandarin.", "Native Mandarin speakers can understand each other well.", "It isn't necessary for a pilot to pass the test before January 2016.", "\"May day\" is a distress call in our everyday life."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Chinese Pilots Told to Get Rid of Regional Accents.", "Chinese Pilots.", "Rich Chinese Languages.", "Hard to Be a Chinese Pilot."]}]}
{"article": "Travel can be a lifesaver. But in today's economy   with airlines adding new fees almost daily and ticket prices sharply on the rise, many have written off travel as too expensive. However, with a few saving tricks and a little research, there are still lots of great deals to be had on airline tickets and more.\nEarly Bird Gets the Deal.\nTravel experts say that there are certain times of day when more deals are available. Airfares can change three times a day as airlines adjust their prices to fill up flights. Early morning is when the fares tend to be lowest.www.zxxk.com\nWhat Wouldn't a Business Traveler do?\nFlying when business travelers don't can save you big money. Most business travelers fly on Mondays and Fridays, so Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days. Airlines will usually lower their prices on these days to aggressively try and fill empty seats.\n _ \n _ \nFly to popular places at unpopular times. The slowest time of the year for travel is in the Fall between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Again, to try and fill more empty seats, the airlines will lower prices and offer better deals to get people to fly during this time of the year.\nPackage Deals\nMany times the best deals on airfare can be found as part of a package rate. Most travel sites have package rates available. Often, the entire package (hotel, airfare, rental car) is cheaper than just the plane ticket on another site. Even if you don't need the rental car, with the money you've saved on the flight, you can afford to take a taxi. These deals are especially good on last minute bookings.\nWith a little inside knowledge and some good timing, you can get yourself a steal on a ticket to the vacation you thought was out of reach.", "problems": [{"question": "Which would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tips on Vocation Travelling", "Advice for Business Travelers", "The Effect of Economy on Airlines", "Tricks of Finding the Cheapest Flights"]}, {"question": "Many people have to cancel their travel plan because they   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["have no saving tricks", "consider economic reasons", "seldom do research", "can't have great deals"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be filled in the blank in the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Fly to popular places.", "Don't Miss the Holydays.", "Better Avoid the Crowds.", "Lose No Chance for Travelling."]}]}
{"article": "HOGN KONG--Nine out of 10 Singapore citizens returned dropped wallets with money in them,but in Hone Kong only three out of l0 wallets were returned in an honesty test carried out in Asian cities by Readers Digest .\n    Larger cities did worse while in general people in smaller places returned secretly planted wallets,results from the experiment showed.\n    Readers Digest secretly scattered 140 wallets all over Asia,each with a name,address and phone number,family pictures,notes and money in it.\n    The magazine workers then watched to see what happened.South Koreans in Seoul returned six out of the ten dropped wallets,while those in Inchon returned eight.\n    50 percent of Be dropped wallets were returned in Bombay,Bangkok,Taipei and Kajang in Malaysia,with most people saying they would not keep what was not right fully theirs.\n    Honesty had little relation to wealth  or status ,as several well-dressed people in a number of cities were observed to walk away without doing anything to get in touch with the rightful owners.\n    About 57 percent of the wallets were returned,compared with 58 percent in Europe in a similar experiment and 67 percent in the United States.", "problems": [{"question": "The newspaper report is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["how the honesty test was carried out", "where the honesty test was carried out", "the results of the honesty test in Asia", "the results of the honesty tests in the world"]}, {"question": "It call be learned from the newspaper that Bombay is a city in  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Europe", "Asia", "the United States", "prefix = st1 /Malaysia"]}, {"question": "How many of the dropped wallets in Asian cities were returned?", "answer": "A", "options": ["About 60.", "About 80.", "56.", "42."]}, {"question": "Which people as a group did best in the honesty tests?", "answer": "D", "options": ["People in Hong Kong.", "People in the United States.", "People in Inchon.", "People in Singapore."]}]}
{"article": "Joe Temper should have known better. After all, he works for a large auto insurance company. It won't hurt to leave the key in the truck this once, he thought, as he filled his gas tank at a self-service gas station. But minutes later, as he was paying the money, he saw the truck being driven away.\nIn 2010, 1.6 million motor vehicles were stolen in the United States --one every 20 seconds. If present trends continue, experts predict vehicle thefts   could be over two million every year by the end of the decade.\nVehicle theft is a common phenomenon, which has a direct effect on over four million people a year. The cost is astonishing.\nMany police officials blame professional thieves for the large number of the thefts. It is a major moneymaker for organized crime. Typically, stolen cars are taken to pieces and the parts sold to individuals. But as many as 200,000 cars are smuggled    out of  the country every year. Most go to Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.\nOnly about 15 percent car thefts result in an arrest, because few police departments specially conduct in depth auto investigations. When thieves are arrested, judges will often sentence them to probation  , not immediately put them in prison because the prisons are overcrowded with violent criminals.\nOne exception is a Michigan program that calls for 92 police officers to work full time on the state's 65,000 car theft cases a year. Since 2006, when the effort began, the state's auto theft rate has fallen from second in the nation to ninth.\nHow can you protect your car? If you live in a high theft area or drive an expensive model, consider a safety system. It may cost anywhere from $ 25 to $ 1,000. Some systems work automatically - simply removing the key disables the fuel pump and the starter. When cars are equipped with such systems, thefts may drop by one third. In some states, you may be able to use a device that transmits radio signals, allowing stolen cars to be tracked by police.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author think Joe Temper should be to blame for?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He should have equipped his car with a security system.", "He should not have his car refilled at the gas station.", "He should not have been so sure of himself..", "He should have shut down the engine of his car."]}, {"question": "What is NOT a reason for the increase of car theft as mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Police don't give enough attention to car theft cases.", "More people parked their cars and left the keys inside.", "Measures and laws against car thieves are not effective enough.", "Car theft brings car thieves much money."]}, {"question": "It is obvious that the Michigan program  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has an effect on the whole USA", "involves the development of a new safety system", "involves the construction of larger prisons", "involves much work but proves to be quite effective"]}, {"question": "What type (s) of safety system can help the police find a stolen car back?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The device that sends out radio signals.", "The device that disables the fuel pumps.", "The device that disables the starter.", "All of the above."]}]}
{"article": "It's 2035. You have a job, a family and you're about 40 old. Welcome to your future life.\nGetting ready for work, you pause in front of the mirror, \"Turn red,\" you say. Your shirt changes from sky blue to deep red. Tiny preprogrammed electronics are rearranged in your shirt to change its color. Looking into the mirror, you find it hard to believe that you are 40. You look much younger. With amazing advances in medicine, people in your generation may live to be 150 years old. You're not even middle-aged.\nAs you go into the kitchen and prepare to pour your breakfast cereal into a bowl, you hear: \"To lose weight, you shouldn't eat that,\" from your shoes. They read the tiny electronic code on the cereal box to find out the nutrition details. You decide to listen to your shoes. \"Kitchen, what can I have for breakfast?\" A list of possible foods appear on the counter as kitchen checks its food supplies.\n\"Ready for your trip to space. You ask your son and daughter.\" In 2005 only specially trained astronauts went into space -- and very few of them. Today anyone can go to space for day trips or longer vacation. Your best friend even works in space. Handing your children three strawberries each, your add, \"The doctor said you need these for space travel.\" Thanks to medical advices, vaccination shots are a thing of the past. Ordinary foods contain specific vaccines. With the berries in their mouths, the kids head for the front door.\nIt's time for you to go to work. Your car checks your fingerprints and unlocks the doors. \"My office. Autopilot,\" you command. Your car drives itself down the road and moves smoothly into traffic on the highway. You sit back and unroll your e-newspaper. The latest news downloads and fills the viewer. Looking through the pages, you watch the news as video films rather than read it.", "problems": [{"question": "What changes the color of your shirt?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The mirror.", "The counter.", "The shirt itself.", "The medicine."]}, {"question": "How do the shoes know that your shouldn't eat the breakfast cereal?", "answer": "D", "options": ["By pouring the breakfast into a bowl.", "By listening to the doctor's advice.", "By testing the food supplies in the kitchen.", "By checking the nutrition details of the food."]}, {"question": "The strawberries the children eat serve as  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["lunch", "vaccines", "breakfast", "nutrition"]}, {"question": "How is the text organized?", "answer": "A", "options": ["In order of time.", "In order of frequency.", "In order of preference.", "In order of importance."]}]}
{"article": "In ancient Egypt, a shopkeeper discovered that he could attract customers to his shop simply by making changes to its environment. Modern businesses have been following his lead,with more tactics .\nOne tactic involves where to display the goods. Foe example, stores place fruits and vegetables in the first section. They know that customers who buy the healthy food first will feel happy so that they will buy more junk food later in their trip. In department stores, section is generally next to the women's cosmetics  section:while the shop assistant is going back to find the right size shoe, bored customers are likely to wander over cosmetics they might want to try later.\nBesides, businesses seek to appeal to customers' senses. Stores notice that the smell of baked goods encourages shopping, they make their own bread each morning and then fan the bread smell into the store throughout the day. Music sells goods, too. Researchers in Britain found that when French music was played, sales of French wine went up.\nWhen it comes to the selling of houses, businesses also use highly rewarding tactics. They find that customers make decision in the first few second upon walking in the door, and turn it into a business opportunity. A California builder designed the structure of its houses smartly. When entering the house, the customer would see the Pacific Ocean through the windows, and then the poll through an open stairway leading to the lower level. The instant view of water on both levels helped sell these $10 million houses.", "problems": [{"question": "Why do stores usually display fruits and vegetables in the first section?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To save customers times.", "To show they are high quality foods.", "To help sell junk food.", "To sell them at discount prices."]}, {"question": "What is the California builder's story intended to prove?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The house structure is a key factor customers consider.", "The more costly the house is, the better it sells.", "An ocean view is much to the customers' taste.", "A good first impression increases sales."]}, {"question": "What is the main purpose of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To explain how businesses turn people into their customers.", "To introduces how businesses have grown from the past.", "To report researches on customer behavior.", "To show dishonest business practices."]}]}
{"article": "Of course, you know that getting a gift for your dad is a must every Father's Day. Perhaps last year you got him a tie he always wanted, or a watch that had the year of his marriage engraved upon it. Yes, all of those gifts were great, but if this year you'd like to get him a gift that he'll be able to hold onto for a long time without breaking your bank, you should consider making a gift yourself. For example, a keepsake box that holds precious keepsakes can be a simple yet timeless gift. \nFind a box. It can be a cigar box or hat box, but it really has to be strong and long-lasting. \nDecorate the inside and outside .of your box with paints, ribbons , fabric and other materials.\" \nInclude some of your personal items that best  _ your relationship with your dad or a memory that he and you shared together. Perhaps he visited Hawaii and got you a special key chain that you've always used; you can include that. Each family member is welcome to make something homemade that can be included in the box. Some ideas could be a painting or drawing or, even poetry.\nYou can also include something from your dad's past. Get grandma and grandpa in the action by getting goods, baby pictures or high school memorabilia . Photographs or videos from special occasions are good choices. You can gather CDs and cassettes of your dad's favorite music or music that he and you have memories of. \nNext you should make a list of all the sayings and great advice that your dad has given you over the course of your life and include it in the box. \nNow, you can present the box to your dad on Father's Day. Before this, write a special letter to your dad, telling him what you have placed in his box, why you have chosen those items, and include a brief or long note on why he is special in your eyes.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["What to do on Father's Day.", "How to choose Father's Day gifts.", "How to remember Father's Day.", "How to make a meaningful Father's Day gift."]}, {"question": "Making a gift yourself for Father's Day might   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["show your talent for art", "cost you a lot of money and time", "make your father think about how time flies", "make your father keep the gift for a long time"]}]}
{"article": "London Heathrow is the biggest airport in the UK, and it also handles more international passenger traffic than any other airport in the world. For this reason, enlargement was planned and on 27th March a fifth terminal opened to help to deal with the many passengers that pass through the airport. The new terminal has taken a long time to plan and build. The idea was first proposed back in the 1980s. The opening of it has been talked about widely in the media in the UK and expectations were high for the PS4.3 billion project.\n   However, in spite of long preparations at Terminal 5 ahead of the grand opening, things soon went into a mess. There were problems from the very beginning as staff had difficulties finding car parking spaces and getting through security to get into the building. This consequently caused a delay when passengers started to arrive and large numbers of staff were not in place. Long passenger queues formed and the slow start meant that everyone had to play catch-up from the beginning. Staffs were having problems using the new systems and a baggage operator told the BBC, it was all \"shambles   the moment the doors opened\". The terminal has been designed to handle 12,000 bags an hour but due to a reported \"lack of training and essential support that was promised\", a backlog   of luggage soon appeared.\n   By lunchtime on that first day, 20 flights had been cancelled to try to alleviate the problems. Flights continued to be cancelled in the days following the opening and up to 28,000 bags have now had to be placed in temporary storage. The British Airline, the only airline operating at Terminal 5 says it is working to clear the backlog, but the negative publicity caused by the shambles has not helped the airport or the airline's reputation at all.", "problems": [{"question": "What was the difficulty that passengers met with on the very first day of the opening?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It was difficult for them to find the right car parking spaces.", "It took too long to get through security to get into the building.", "They were not familiar with the new systems in the building.", "They had to wait a long time and play catch-up when checking in."]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["People expected too high for London Heathrow Terminal 5.", "Something went wrong on the very first day of the opening.", "Staffs were complaining about the shamble in the day.", "The British Airline was the only airline operating at Terminal5."]}, {"question": "What is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["London Heathrow Terminal 5.", "The First Day of Heathrow Terminal 5.", "A New Star for Heathrow Terminal 5.", "A Dark History of Heathrow Terminal 5."]}]}
{"article": "Talk about a real-life hero! Ten-year-old Larry Champagne from St. Louis, Missouri, hit the brake   on a runaway school bus. He saved himself and 20 other kids on board from disaster.\nIt all happened in one terrible accident. On the way to school, the bus driver, Ernestine Blackman, suddenly fell ill. Seeing the car was running away, the other kids started to scream, but Larry ran to the front and stopped the bus.\n\"At first I thought, 'We're going to die,'\" says Larry, \"but after I pressed the brake, I felt safe.\"\nLarry's speedy reaction made news all over the country. He appeared on TV shows as a hero. The bus company gave Larry a big gift. His school hung a medal of honor around his neck.\n\"My grandmother always tells me to do what's right,\" says Larry. He thanked his brother, Jerrick, 9, who \"helped me get the bus driver up\" during the emergency. How did he know how to stop the bus? _ . He helps his grandfather work on his old truck. \"He gets his hands dirty,\" says his grandfather. One thing is for certain: Larry knows where to find the brakes.", "problems": [{"question": "What did Larry do to save the runaway bus?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He parked it for the sleeping bus driver.", "He helped all the kids climb out through the windows.", "He made a call to the police.", "He pressed the brake."]}, {"question": "When did Larry finally feel safe?", "answer": "C", "options": ["When the kids finally stopped screaming.", "When the police officers arrived.", "Once he pressed the brake, and the bus stopped.", "When the bus driver started driving again."]}, {"question": "Larry got the following as praise for his hero action Except   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["appearing on TV shows", "a scholarship from his school", "a big gift from the bus company", "a medal of honor"]}, {"question": "Larry thanked his brother Jerrick for   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["helping him get the bus driver up", "helping him work on his old truck", "teaching him how to find the brake", "teaching him how to stop the bus"]}]}
{"article": "When she looked ahead, Florence Chadwick saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb .She had been swimming for nearly sixteen hours. Already she was the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Now, at age 34,her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast.\nOn that fourth of July morning in 1952,the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so thick that she could hardly see her support boats. Sharks swam toward her lone figure, only to be driven away by rifle shots. Against the frigid grip of the sea, she struggled on--hour after hour--while millions watched on national television.\nAlongside Florence in one of the boats , her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it wasn't much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to give up.  _ With only a half mile to go, she asked to be pulled out.\nStill thawing her chilled body several hours later, she told a reporter,\" Look, I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I might have made it.\" It was not fatigue or even the cold water that defeated her .It was the fog. She was unable to see her goal.\nTwo months later, she tried again. This time ,despite the same dense fog, she swam with her faith intact and her goal clearly pictured in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind that fog was land and this time she made it! Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, eclipsing the men's record by two hours!", "problems": [{"question": "Why didn't Florence swim across the Catalina Channel for the first time?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because she was too tired to go on swimming.", "Because the fog was so thick that she couldn't see her support boats clearly.", "Because she couldn't see the goal on land.", "Because the sea water was too cold."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": [".Florence Chadwick spent less time swimming across the Catalina Channel than men.", ".Florence Chadwick succeeded in swimming across the Catalina Channel in September,1952.", "People had to use guns to drive away some flesh-eating animals in the sea.", ".No women but Florence Chadwick were able to swim the English Channel in both directions."]}]}
{"article": "Shoppers who have cut back on purchases in the worrying U.S. economy are likely to continue their conservative shopping habits even if the economy improves, according to a new study.\nThat signals continued bad news for retailers , who have been struggling to respond to a great cutback in spending as consumers have opened their wallets only for basic items, while cutting back on unimportant purchases.\nThe report, which estimates retail sales growth to be flat this year, found that three-quarters of respondents to a monthly survey of 4,000 consumers said they had shifted their shopping behaviors because of the economy. Most said they were making do with less or going without some favorite items.\n\"The habits learned during this economic crisis have the potential to permanently change the mind-set of consumers,\" the report said. \"The vast majority of shoppers who are changing their near-term shopping behavior say they plan to continue them as the economy improves.\"\nTo ease the consumer discomfort, smart retailers will focus on downsizing, the report said, as adding stores to an already crowded retail landscape is out of fashion. It came up with smaller initiatives to build shopping buzz, such as limited editions of products or having existing stores target local markets. The report also forecast that retailers will increasingly focus on private brands to attract cost-conscious shoppers, while adding complementary categories of goods to their stores to make one-stop shops for consumers.\nWhile warehouse clubs and super centers are expected to fare the best in the weak environment in 2009, discount department stores and supermarkets will be the weakest, the report warned. Sales of clothes, though expected to rebound in 2010, will be the hardest hit and slowest to recover.", "problems": [{"question": "The current shopping behavior in the US is becoming  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["arbitrary", "protective", "conservative", "aggressive"]}, {"question": "Which is the measure the retailers won't take to attract shoppers?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Adding more stores to the busy retail landscape.", "Keeping the editions of products limited.", "Making \"one-stop\" shops for customers.", "Concentrating on private brands and downsizing."]}, {"question": "What will the consumers do with the worrying US economy?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Having existing stores target local markets.", "Going without some favorite items.", "Giving up their near-term shopping plan.", "Opening their wallets for daily buying."]}, {"question": "According to the report,   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["bigger shops will be more successful", "supermarkets do better than super centers", "clothing will recover smoothly in 2010", "most respondents suffer from the crisis"]}]}
{"article": "It was near dusk, and Kim Cooper and her husband, Steve, were trucking through northern Kentucky transportation auto parts from Louisville to Detroit for a goods company. \"Steve, wake up!\" she shouted. \"There's a truck on fire!\"\nInside the burning truck, Ronnie Sanders, 38, was fighting for his life. He'd been running a heavy load of tractors and forklifts from Georgia to Indianapolis when a van in front of him stopped suddenly in traffic on the icy road. As Ronnie bore down, he could see children in the backseat. The truck's bulk would probably protect him from the worst of the impact, but the force of 23 tons would likely crush everyone inside the van.\n\"I figured instead of killing other people, I'd just put the truck in the ditch.\" At the bottom, rocks cut a fuel tank, which caught fire. A tree branch destroyed the windshield and knocked Ronnie unconscious. He came to life a couple of minutes later to find the cabin flames and his legs on fire.\nSteve dashed to Ronnie, who was hanging headfirst from the passenger door. Ronnie had used his pocket knife to cut himself free from the driver's side seat belt only to get his boot trapped in another one. Steve climbed into the burning cab to free him.\nHe tried three times to pull Ronnie out before finally freeing him. But Ronnie's legs were still burning, so Steve laid him on the ground, ripped off his own shirt, and beat the flames with it. He'd managed to drag him about 20 yards when one of the truck's 150 gallon fuel tanks exploded.\nBoth Steve and Ronnie paid a price for risking their lives for strangers. Ronnie spent two months in the hospital and received skin grafts  on both of his legs. Steve suffered smoke breathing and minor burns, and shrapnel from the fuel tank explosion broke a tooth.\nIn February, the Coopers received a Hero of the Highway award from the Open Road Foundation for rescuing an injured driver. Steve insists Ronnie is the real hero: \"If he hadn't gone into the ditch, he would have hit that van. It was his decision to drive off the road.\"\n\"I feel pretty good about it,\" says Ronnie. \"A lot of people could have been hurt.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, Ronnie put the truck in the ditch because of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his concern for his own safety", "his poor driving skill", "the icy road", "his concern for others' lives"]}, {"question": "What probably made Ronnie come to life after driving the truck in the ditch?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The noise from the highway.", "The call from the Coopers.", "The pain from the burning legs.", "The heat of the fire."]}, {"question": "How did Steve put out the flames in Ronnie's legs?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He beat the flames with Ronnie's shirt.", "He beat the flames with his own shirt.", "He put out the fire with a tank of water.", "He put out the fire with a bag of sand."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Heroes: The Coopers", "Heroes: Roadside Flames", "Accidents on the Icy Road", "Accidents in the Ditch"]}]}
{"article": "Recipients of this year's Annenberg scholarships were announced on June 19. Brittany Blythe was one of them.\nIn seventh grade,Brittany Blythe dreamed of being a cheerleader . Her school's coaches were less than enthusiastic. \"They said. 'I don't know how you'll be able to do it'. \"she recalls. \"'You won't be able to do it'.\"\nBut Brittany,now a junior at Strath Haven High School near Philadelphia,refused to give up. And when the junior school cheerleaders won a tournament last year, she was right there,dancing and cheering with the rest of the team.\nNot bad for someone whose legs were cut off below the knee when she was two years old.\nBrittany,18,was born without shinbones --\"just blood and muscle tissue,\"as she puts it. When she tried to walk, her legs twisted.\nAfter the operation, she adapted quickly. \"From day one,I basically jumped up and wanted to do everything,'' she says. Prostheses allowed her to move around upright. But too slowly to keep up with her friends. Brittany's solution was to take the legs off and walk on her knees something she still does when safety and comfort permit.\nShe has been rarely discouraged. Other children laughed at her through the years,especially in junior high school,but she says the challenge only made her stronger. Now she's trying to convince her coaches to let her remove the prostheses and be a flyer. The cheerleader who's thrown in the air and caught by her teammates.\nBrittany doesn't think her problems put her at a disadvantage. \"My disability was the first thing I had to get through., and that's going to prepare me for the future. \"she says. \"It's all just a test:If someone throws you a difficult problem,what are you going to do?\"", "problems": [{"question": "What was the coaches' first attitude towards Brittany's dream?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Supportive", "Enthusiastic", "Optimistic", "Doubtful"]}, {"question": "What was Brittany's reaction after the operation?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She abandoned herself to self-pity.", "She refused to use the prostheses.", "She accepted the result and tried to get used to it.", "She challenged the children who laughed at her."]}, {"question": "What does Brittany want to achieve at the moment?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To stop others'laughing at her.", "To prove her coaches wrong.", "To remove her prostheses.", "To be a flyer."]}, {"question": ". What's the best title for the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A new leg,a new life", "A new cheerleader, a new record", "Passing the test", "Seeking advantages"]}]}
{"article": "You can never be too sure these days in the United States of your neighbours or even your customers! Try to keep a low profile in your neighborhood: don't announce to just about everyone that you are running a home business with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. As much as possible, don't invite clients or visitors to your home. In fact I know of some home-based entrepreneurs who would rather meet their clients in a neutral ground, e.g. the client's office or even Starbucks.\n    There are other ways to keep burglars away from your house.\n    *Keep lights on around your house in the evenings. Light is a natural fright for burglars.\n*Invest in a security alarm, particularly if your house is located in a remote spot. Security systems can often bring down the cost of your homeowner's insurance premiums .\n*Make sure that all windows and doors are locked and the security alarm turned on before you sleep at night or go out of the house. Avoid keeping house keys in obvious places, such as under the lamp or top of the doorframe.\n*Adding an additional lock will provide extra security when you are home. The dead-lock, sometimes called an \"exit-only deadbolt\" is an deadbolt that doesn't have an external key. It's clearly visible on the door from the outside, but can't be broken into without destroying the door, frame, or lock itself. While the security won't help directly when you aren't home, the visibility may discourage an  _ from trying the door.\n*Your door itself should be made of strong materials, such as one-inch thick solid hardwood or heavy metal.", "problems": [{"question": "The advice given by the writer in the passage focuses on   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["how to make your house safer from burglars", "what to do when your house is broken into", "how to improve social security in the United States", "how to run a home business"]}, {"question": "Some home-based entrepreneurs don't invite clients to their home   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to enjoy convenience outside their home", "for reasons of their property safety", "not to let others know their business", "in order to avoid being seen by burglars"]}, {"question": "All of the following are part of the writer's advice except that the homeowner   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["buy a security alarm and turn it on in the evening", "fix an extra lock on the door from inside", "have the doors made of solid hardwood or heavy metal", "keep lights on in all rooms to threaten burglars"]}]}
{"article": "Three years ago when I was still in the University, I also worked at a restaurant.\nAn old man named Mr. Candido Filio was one of our regular customer at the restaurant. He was one of the most intelligent people I've ever known.\nEvery Sunday the Philippine Star Newspaper had a special page for word puzzles and among his peers  , Mr.Filio held the record for solving all the puzzles in less than five minutes. He encouraged me to solve them too, and for months and months, I did my best to beat him but failed.\nThen one Sunday, I did it! I was able to complete them before anyone else. Everyone cheered for me. He came up to me with a smile and said,  \" No one has ever beaten me before. You are the first. I'll have a prize for you tomorrow.\"\nThe next day, he gave me a special Scrabble set. I would have never been able to afford one like that by myself. Then he said to me,  \" Kate, what do you think is man's final goal in life? Happiness, isn't it? You are happy and that should be considered as a success. Many people spend a lifetime searching for that. Be thankful that you have found it.\" I looked at him and knew that my life had changed, probably forever. He must have known that I always felt sad about not having much money.\nHe encouraged me to learn the game and love words. And true to his words, I was never able to beat him again.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the text that Mr.Filio  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["was generous to young people", "was good at word puzzles", "lived quite near the restaurant", "won a prize from the Philippine Star Newspaper"]}, {"question": "The author was given a gift because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Mr.Filio was thankful for her help.", "Mr. Filio was satisfied with her service", "she was the first person to beat Mr.Filio", "she was the new record keeper in the restaurant"]}, {"question": "After she heard what Mr. Filio said, the author probably felt  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["amazed", "excited", "touched", "inspired"]}]}
{"article": "The Jungle Book\nLost in the jungles of India as a child and adopted into a family of wolves, Mowgli is brought up on a diet of Jungle Law, loyalty, and fresh meat from the kill. Regular adventures with his friends and enemies in the jungles improve this child's strength and cleverness and stir every reader's imagination.\nPrice: $ 7.79\nISBN-13: 978-1613820742\nAverage Customer Review: \nA Stolen Life\nThe first work of its kind--Jaycee Dugard's personal life story, her own story of being kidnapped   in 1991. When Jaycee was eleven years old, she was kidnapped from a school bus stop. She was missing for more than eighteen years, and gave birth to two daughters during her imprisonment  .\nPrice: $ 19.79\nISBN-13: 978-1442344983\nAverage Customer Review:\nWhile We're Far  Apart\nFive-time Christy Award winner Lynn Austin is called as \"one of the style's best historical fiction novelists\". Set in Brooklyn, New York, during World War I,while a motherless girl longs for her daddy and a young lady hopes for a second chance at love, this tale explores the uncertainty that stays in people.\nPrice:$ 6.00\nISBN-10: 0764204971\nAverage Customer Review:\nThe Fashion Police\nThe Fashion Police was in the second place in the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition 2010 and nominated   Best Novel with Romantic Elements 2010 by The Romance Reviews. It is a strange comedy-mystery, combining murder and with romance.\nPrice: $ 12.73\nISBN-13: 978-1451555653\nAverage Customer Review:", "problems": [{"question": "If you are interested in personal life stories, then you can choose the book   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["A Stolen Life", "The Jungle Book", "The Fashion Police", "While We're Far Apart"]}, {"question": "The ISBN of the book that is most popular among the readers is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["ISBN-13: 978-1613820742", "ISBN-13: 978-1442344983", "ISBN-10: 0764204971", "ISBN-13: 978-1451555653"]}, {"question": "What makes the book The Fashion Police distinguish itself from others?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It wins the award Christy Award five times.", "It is a great book on violence and family education.", "It is nominated Best Novel with Romantic Elements 2010.", "It has many elements borrowed from stories of true policemen."]}]}
{"article": "Finally, I entered the university. Because of my careful savings, I                did not have to work during the school year. Then, summer came and it was time to work harder than ever.  I continued working as a waitress at night, instructed tennis camps several mornings a week and worked as a secretary for a few hours in the afternoons. I even decided to take a class at a community  college. This class at the community college saved me $650. It was an extremely tiring summer and made me anxious to return to my relatively easy life at the university.\nDuring my second and third years of undergraduate schooling, I decided to work about five hours per week in the campus   admissions office answering phones. This provided a little spending money and kept me from drawing my savings out. The overall situation looked hopeful as I approached my senior year as long as I could make as much money as I had the previous summer. I wanted to go to Israel to study for 3 weeks, but I hesitated in making this decision because it would cost me $1 600 more to get the credits in Israel. About two weeks later my Mom called to tell me that I had$1 600 in the bank that I had forgotten about! One of my concerns about this trip was not only the cost, but the loss of time to make money; however, I made as much that summer in the ten weeks when I was at home as I had made during the fourteen weeks when I was at home the summer before. The way everything worked together to make this trip possible was one of the most exciting things that have ever happened to me.\nThis experience has shaped me in many important ways. The first thing that I learned was the importance of a strong work ethic  . Working long hours did a lot to develop my character and helped me learn the value of a dollar. It also made me learn how to search for creative ways to settle difficult situations.", "problems": [{"question": "Where did the writer probably work parttime before attending the university?", "answer": "A", "options": ["In a restaurant.", "In the tennis camps.", "In a company.", "In the admissions office."]}, {"question": "The writer took a class at a community college mainly because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["she wanted to save money", "life there was relatively easy", "summer time was tiring", "it was required by the university"]}, {"question": "The writer's major concern about the trip to Israel was that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["her mother would not give her approval", "she would fail to get credits in Israel", "a wellpaid summer job would be lost", "$1 600 couldn't be drawn out in time"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about how the writer   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["made money on the college campus", "managed to make full use of her vacation", "was forced to support herself by her mother", "was shaped by working parttime through college"]}]}
{"article": "Every fall, many Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Sukkot  . They build huts   in their backyards, and if it is warm and dry outside, they live in those huts for seven days and nights. Living in a sukkah   is meant to remind Jewish people that for 40 years their ancestors   lived in huts in the desert. In modern times, it has also become a reminder that many people do not have a place to call home.\nIn 2010, an American reporter named Hoshua Foer was building his own sukkah when he came up with an idea. He wondered what it would be like to have a competition for people around the world to use their imaginations to create modern sukkahs. It would be a design competition. But the sukkah would have to be built according to Jewish laws. These laws are found in an ancient book called Talmud. Some of the laws are surprising! ks5u\n \n* It can be built on a boat.\n* It must have at least two and a half walls.\nJoshua got in touch with his friend Roger Bennett. They announced the competition in May 2010. More than 600 designers sent plans. Twelve were chosen as finalists  . Then those finalists were each given money so they could build their sukkahs in a park in New York City. People building the final sukkahs were from the United States, France, England, Japan, and Germany.\nMore than 17,000 people voted   for the winners. At the end of the competition, the sukkahs were sold. The money was then given to a group that helps homeless people.", "problems": [{"question": "According to Joshua Foer,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["imaginations are very important to win the competition", "sukkahs can be built at any place and in any shape", "the winning sukkahs will be included in Talmud", "competitors should follow laws made by him"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about the first competition?", "answer": "B", "options": ["More than 600 sukkahs were built in a park in New York City.", "The winning sukkahs were sold to help homeless people.", "Only American people took part in the competition.", "There were 12 judges voting for the winners."]}, {"question": "What's the passage mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How Jewish people design and build modern sukkahs.", "How Jewish people celebrate the holiday of Sukkot.", "A Jewish holiday reminds people of their ancestors.", "A Jewish tradition becomes the idea for a competition."]}]}
{"article": "The skin which covers the tips of the fingers and thumbs is crossed by numerous ridges   arranged in different patterns. These patterns are permanent from birth and remain exactly the same throughout a person's life, even when the skin becomes wrinkled and cracked as a result of old age. Such patterns are never passed on from parents to children, and no one in the world has the same patterns as anyone else. Even identical twins have different sets of fingerprints. As a result, fingerprints offer a most useful and _ way of identifying people. Any ridged part of the hand and the foot may be used as a means of identification, but finger impressions are usually preferred since they can be taken easily and quickly.\nFingerprints are classified in the ways: by general shapes and contours , by the finger positions of the pattern-types, and by size (often measured by counting the ridges in the loops). Every set of fingerprints has different \"ridge characteristics\" (i. e. the print of each separate finger is different from that of all the other fingers), which belong to one of four basic groups: arches, loops, whorls and composites. All fingerprints can then be divided into 1, 024 groups. By using details in the patterns above, these 1, 024 groups can be further divided into thousands of smaller groups, thus making it possible to find a particular set of fingerprints in a few minutes.", "problems": [{"question": "According to this passage, the true statement about human fingerprints is that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["people's fingerprints sometimes can be passed on from parents to children", "people's fingerprints are unique but identical twins may have the same fingerprints", "using fingerprints is the only way to identify people", "people's fingerprints will not change in all their lives"]}, {"question": "We prefer to use fingerprints to identify people because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["we can never find the same set of fingerprints among human beings", "finger impressions can be taken easily and quickly", "fingerprints offer a most useful and foolproof way of identifying people", "all of the above"]}, {"question": "The word \"foolproof\" (Line 7, Para. 1) most probably means   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["that is permanent", "that is acceptable", "that can not go wrong", "that is not foolish"]}, {"question": "About the classification of fingerprints, which is TRUE?   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Fingerprints can be classified in three ways", "All fingerprints can be divided into 1, 024 groups and can not be divided further", "It is not easy to find a particular set of fingerprints in a short time", "People can not classify the fingerprints in an effective way"]}]}
{"article": "You have heard of Webster Toys. Webster's have made good, safe, interesting toys for more than a hundred years. Now we sell them, and children play with them, in countries fromprefix = st1 /New ZealandtoNorway, and fromJapantoBrazil. We are looking for someone to sell our toys in the Far East. He (or she) will be between the ages of thirty and forty. He will already have some years of selling in world markets behind him. He will speak good English, and at least one other language of the Far East.\n   The person we are looking for will live inSingapore, and work in our office there, but he will travel for up to six months in any one year. He will know the Far East quite well already. He will know how to sell in old markets and where to find new ones. He will understand money and make more than ever before, for himself, and for Webster Toys.\n   Webster's want someone who can stand on his own feet. If you think you are the person we are looking for, write to Mr. J. Sloman at our Head Office.", "problems": [{"question": "Children play with Webster toys   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["only in countries far away from each other", "in countries all over the world", "in only four countries of the world", "everywhere except in the Far East"]}, {"question": "The person will speak   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["English and only one other language", "English or any other language", "English or any other Far Eastern language", "English and a Far Eastern language"]}, {"question": "\"Someone who can stand on his own feet\" means   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["someone who does not stand on others' feet", "someone who can understand money", "someone who can work by himself", "someone who understand many language"]}]}
{"article": "Do you scream on a roller coaster ride? You slowly climb up a steep slope until an almost vertical  drop, and then... Ahhhhhhhh! Thrill-seekers like me are in luck because theme parks are pushing the boundaries of technology to create the fastest, tallest, scariest roller coasters the world has ever known.\nAlton Towers in Britain opened the world's first 14-1oop roller coaster a few months ago, called The Smiler. Over in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World claims to have the world's fastest one. Ferrari World's Formula Rossa ride sends out passengers from 0-240km/h in just 4. 9 seconds. During this rapid acceleration they experience G-forces only fighter pilots usually  feel: Up to 4. 8G. The designer of several rides at Alton Towers, said: \"While we can stand 6-8Gs for very short periods of  time, ff we experience 5G for more than five seconds we're likely to \"black out.\"\nOn modern roller coasters passengers experience about 3G in tight turns and loops. But while we may have reached the limit in terms of G-forces, there is no technological limit to how fast or how high roller coasters can go---it's all down to money. Alton Towers' The Smiler cost ~18m to build.\nSome companies are finding other ways to keep us amused. There's a move towards indoor rides where the experience is improved by audio-visual technologies. For example, a company called Dynamic Structures is currently developing a \"coal-mine-themed\" ride for a client in Dubai that will combine speed and G-forces with 3D projection effects and robotics, which will trick your brain into thinking you're really falling.\nI can't wait to enjoy this one. What about you: Do you like being upside down?", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["all the theme parks are creating the fast roller coasters", "the Smiler sends out passengers from 0-240km/h in just 4.9 seconds", "it is unusual for fighter pilots to feel up to 4.8G", "the more the money is spent, the faster the roller coaster can go"]}, {"question": "The feature of the \"coal-mine-themed\" ride is", "answer": "A", "options": ["3Dtechnologies", "indoor rides", "G-forces", "dynamic structures"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The Fastest Roller Coaster", "The Smiler and G-forces", "Screaming for Fun", "The New Technology"]}]}
{"article": "Schouten University is a highly respected online education provider offering officially-recognized degree programs across the globe. Our mission is to provide students with a high-quality mixed learning MBA program and personal coaching to help them to become world-class managers.\nMBA with Unique Skills & Personal Development Program\nStudents will benefit from 30 years of soft skills training experience from Schouten & Nielsen, the leading soft skills training institute in Europe. To become an effective manager, theory alone is not enough, and being able to put theory into practice is more important today than ever before. With the Schouten University MBA program you will have the unique opportunity to develop such soft skills as influencing skills, leadership skills, communication skills and motivational skills.\nInternational Network + 2 Residential Study weeks in Cambridge & Shanghai\nAt Schouten University, students, tutors and coaches meet each other online. But there is also the opportunity for students to study face to face by way of the two Residential Study weeks. One week will be held in Shanghai (China) and the other week at Cambridge (UK). Shanghai is the commercial and industrial center of the world's leading economy. Cambridge is home to some of Europe's oldest and best universities. Residential weeks will be held several times a year. Therefore, you can choose when to participate, depending on the progress of your study. In the residential weeks cooperation between students will be an important element. Students will work together on real company cases. During the residential week students will be supervised by a professional trainer.\n*Residentials are an obligatory   part of the program and the costs of the residential weeks are covered by your tuition.\n*The fee includes the study weeks' housing, food and participation but not the costs of travel.\nMaximum Flexibility\nSchouten University introduces a new way of learning: Study 2. 0. Students will study online through my schoutenuniversity.com and interact via rich social media. It allows busy working professionals like you to study a world class MBA degree anytime, anywhere at any pace.\nGreat Support\nAccess to the University's virtual learning environment (VLE) 24/7, and your study coach, tutors are all here to give you strong personal support to ensure your success.", "problems": [{"question": "Most graduates of Schouten University will work in the field of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["education", "military", "medicine", "business"]}, {"question": "According to the advertisement, which of the following DOESN'T belong to soft skills?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Leadership skills.", "Communication skills.", "Driving skills.", "Motivational skills."]}, {"question": "The time to participate the residential weeks is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["flexible", "fixed", "unnecessary", "inconvenient"]}, {"question": "If you attend the two Residential Study weeks, you will have to pay for   _   besides your tuition.", "answer": "D", "options": ["housing", "participation fees", "meals", "travel costs"]}, {"question": "The advertisement is probably intended for   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["full-time college students", "working businessmen", "studying teenagers", "retired managers"]}]}
{"article": "NEW DELHI, India (AP)--India is fast becoming a top destination for tourists thanks to a forceful campaign to push the country's Himalayan spas  and beaches, officials say. \nTourism officials have been crisscrossing the globe as part of the government's \"Incredible India\" campaign launched in 2003. And the results are beginning to show. Tourists traveling to prefix = st1 /Indiahave jumped by nearly 26 percent from last year and the number is expected to cross 3 million this year, said Amitabh Kant, chairman of the India Tourism Development Corp. \n\"Foreign exchange earnings, too, have shown a nearly 40 percent rise this year,\" Kant told The Associated Press. \nIndia's earnings from tourism were $4.3 billion between January and November 2004, compared to $3.1 billion for the same period of 2003. \n\"Tourist figures are looking up, especially after the way the travel magazines are praising India,\" Renuka Choudhury, India's tourism minister, told reporters just before leaving for Spain and Italy to push the \"Incredible India\" campaign. \nConde Nast Traveler ranked Indiasixth among the world's top 10 destinations in its annual readers' traveler awards.Indiawon top points for its cultural diversity, hospitality and good value for money. \nLonely Planet Online, the Website of the guidebook series, described Indiaas among the top five international holiday destinations along withThailand,Italy,AustraliaandNew Zealand. \nThe \"Incredible India\" campaign focuses on the country's scores of small, largely unexplored tourist spots, as well as India's traditional healing arts. However, Choudhury noted at least 22 airports are being upgraded, with better signs, modern toilets, lounges and duty free shops. A tourist police force has been set up at airports, railway and bus terminals.", "problems": [{"question": "Tourism officials have been crisscrossing the globe to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["learn from resorts", "strengthen communication", "draw tourists to India", "enjoy the scenery"]}, {"question": "It can be learned that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Kant is satisfied with the trend of tourism", "Kant worries about the future of India's tourism", "Choudhury doesn't think the situations of tourism will improve", "Choudhury thinks Indiashould make full preparations for the crisis of tourists"]}, {"question": "Which of the following may NOT belong to the advantages of India?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Hospitality.", "Cultural diversity.", "Good value for money.", "Natural scenery."]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["tourism in India", "India's technique", "the future of India", "India's position in people's mind"]}]}
{"article": "People can be addicted to  different things -- e.g. alcohol, drug, certain foods, or even television. People who have such an addiction are compulsive :They have a very powerful psychological need that they feel they must satisfy. According to psychologists, many people are compulsive spenders. They feel that they must spend money. This compulsion, like most others, is impossible to explain reasonably. For compulsive spenders who buy on credit , charge accounts are even more exciting than money. In other words, compulsive spenders feel that with credit, they can do anything. Their pleasure in spending large amounts is actually greater than the pleasure that they get from the things they buy.\nThere is even a special psychology of bargain hunting. To save money, of course, most people look for sales, low prices, and discounts. Compulsive bargain hunters, however, often buy things that they don't need just because they are cheap. They want to believe that they are helping their budgets , but they are really playing an exciting game. When they can buy something for less than other people, they feel that they are winning. Most people, experts claim, have two reasons for their behavior: a good reason for the things that they do and the real reason.\nIt is not only scientists, of course, who understand the psychology of spending habits, but also business people. Stores, companies, and advertisers use psychology to increase business. They consider people's needs for love, power, or influence, their basic values, their beliefs and opinions, and so on in their advertising and sales methods. Psychologists often use a method called \"behavior therapy \" to help individuals solve their personality problems. In the same way, they can help people who feel that they have problems with money.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the psychologists, a compulsive spender is one who spends large amounts of money  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["and takes great pleasure from what he or she buys", "in order to satisfy his or her basic needs in life", "just to meet his or her strong psychological need", "and feels he or she is cheated"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People spend money for exactly the same reason that they need to buy things.", "Business people and advertisers can use the psychology of people's spending habits to increase sales.", "Business people understand the psychology of compulsive buying better than scientists do.", "Compulsive bargain hunters do not have problems with money."]}, {"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The psychology of money-spending habits.", "The habits of compulsive spenders.", "A special psychology of bargain hunting.", "The use of the psychology of spending habits in business."]}, {"question": "From the text we may safely conclude that compulsive spenders or compulsive bargain hunters   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["are really unreasonable", "need special treatment", "are really beyond drugs", "can never get any help to solve their problems with money"]}]}
{"article": "Traditionally, women have fallen behind men in adoption of Internet technologies, but a study released yesterday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that women under age 65 now get ahead of men in Internet usage, though only by a few percentage points. But the survey also noted that the  _ between women and men on the Web is even greater among the 18-to-29 age group and African Americans.\nThe report, \"How Women and Men Use the Internet\", examined use by both sexes, looking at what men and women are doing online as well as their rate of adopting new Web-based technologies.\nThe report found that 86 percent of women aged 18 to 29 were online, compared with 80 percent of men in the same age group. Among African Americans, 60 percent of women are online, compared with 50 percent of men.\nIn other age groups, the disparity is only slight, with women outpacing men by 3 percentage points. However, among the older group, those age 65 and older, 34 percent of men are online, compared with 21 percent of women.\nMen tend (......) to use the Web for information and entertainment, getting sports scores and stock quotes and downloading music, while women tend to be heavier users of mapping and direction services, and communication services such as e-mail.", "problems": [{"question": "Among African Americans,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["women equal men in the use of the Internet", "women use the Internet less than men", "women use the Internet more than men", "women use the Internet better than men"]}, {"question": "In which age group do women fall behind men in the use of the Internet?", "answer": "C", "options": ["18 to 29.", "Over 30.", "65 and older.", "Under 20."]}, {"question": "What does the passage mainly tell us?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Women are catching up in the use of the Internet.", "Men and women use the Internet for different purposes.", "How people use the Internet in different age groups", "Why women fall behind in the adoption of Internet technologies."]}]}
{"article": "In the United States, the legal age to drink alcohol is twenty-one --- one of the highest in the world. Americans debate whether _ should be lowered, or whether young drinkers would only drink more. In parts of Europe, the legal drinking age for beer, and sometimes hard liquor, is sixteen. Yet France may raise the age limit for beer and wine sales to eighteen, the same as for hard liquor there.\n    Rules on alcohol differ from college to college in the United States. Many schools require all first-year students to take an alcohol prevention and education program, often given online. Some have a \"zero tolerance\" policy where alcohol is banned from all buildings. Parents are informed of violations  and students may be suspended . \n     At the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, permission is needed to serve alcohol at any event on campus. But alcohol is banned in first-year dorms --- where most students are under twenty-one anyway. \n     Susan Davis, a university lawyer, says campus police and local police report underage drinking violations to administrators. The university judicial committee decides punishment on a case by case basis. For example, the committee might suspend or expel a student. It might require an alcohol education program. Or it might just give a warning.\n     Jon Zug is a prosecutor  in Albemarle County, where the university is located. He says international students would face the same punishment as American citizens for underage drinking in Virginia. That includes a fine of five hundred dollars or fifty hours of community service. But first offenders might be given a chance to complete an alcohol education program instead.\n    Schools have to report legal violations by international students to the Department of Homeland Security. International adviser Richard Tanson at the University of Virginia says even minor violations stay on a student's permanent immigration record. He says international students should know that this can affect them in the future if they try to re-enter the United States.", "problems": [{"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Studying in the US", "Rules on Alcohol on Campus in the US", "Campus Life in the US", "Alcohol on Campus in the US"]}, {"question": "If a student under 21 drinks alcohol for the first time in Virginia,he might   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["drop out of school.", "require an alcohol education program.", "be tried and sentenced to a year or so in prison.", "be fined five hundred dollars as well as fifty hours of community service."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Underage drinking is very popular in the US.", "Alcohol is forbidden in colleges and universities.", "Many students completed an alcohol education program in the US.", "It's hard for an international student to enter the US again if he breaks the rules."]}]}
{"article": "Most painters discover a style of painting that is fit for them and stick to that, especially if people admire their pictures. But Picasso, the great Spanish painter, was like a man who had not yet found his own particular style of painting. He kept on struggling to find the perfect expression till his death in 1973.\nSome of Picasso's painting are rich, soft color1ed and beautiful. Others are ugly and cruel and strange. But such paintings allow us to imagine things for ourselves. They force us to say to ourselves,\"What does he see that makes him paint like that?\" And we begin to look under the surface of the things we see..\nPicasso painted thousands of pictures in different styles. Sometimes he painted the natural look of things. Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces. He showed us what the mind knows as well as what the eyes see. At the age of 90,he remained as curious about the world as he had been when he was young. That is why people have called him \"the youngest painter in the world.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The ugly cruel and strange paintings by Picasso   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["make us try to notice something latent  in the things", "allow us to ask questions about them", "force us to question anything we see", "cause us to think what Picasso saw was different from what we see"]}, {"question": "The sentence \"Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces\" means   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["sometimes he tore his pictures into pieces", "he broke something he was painting and threw them away", "sometimes he showed some broken pictures to others", "things in some of his pictures seem to be in disorder"]}, {"question": "Why have people called Picasso \"the youngest painter in the world?\"", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because he observed things with the eye and the mind.", "Because he looked young when he was old.", "Because he never stopped painting he was old.", "Because he never gave up looking for something new."]}]}
{"article": "It'll be an ordinary morning,like all the others.But instead of being woken up by the buzzing of an alarm clock, you'll be roused by the smell of freshly made coffee,light entering your room as the curtains open automatically,and a gentle back massage provided by your high-tech bed.\n    This is what a typical person's life will be like two decades from now,according to The Guardian. Want to know more?\n    After you get up,your apartment will be like an electronic orchestra with you as the conductor.With simple moves of your hand and spoken instructions,you'll be able to control your apartment's temperature,humidity,music and lighting.You'll be able to look through the day's news on translucent screens while your breakfast waits for you in the automatic oven.\n    As you move into your kitchen,maybe you will stub your toe on the edge of a cabinet. You'll grab your cell phone and open the diagnostics app.Inside your phone there will be a tiny microchip that uses X-ray waves to scan your body. The scan will reveal that your toe is just slightly hurt,not broken,which will convince you not to see a doctor.\n    After breakfast,your driverless car will take you to work.While you drive,your central computer system will suggest a list of chores your housekeeping robots could see to today and it will also remind you to buy a gift for your mother's upcoming birthday.\n    As you can see,with the help of advanced technologies,our lives will be more efficient. Teehnology will mitigate our forgetfulness and free us of many small burdens that distract us, such as buying a ticket or trying to remember our kids' parent-teacher meeting.Our brain will therefore be able to focus on more important things like preparing for a presentation or doing \"deep thinking\".\n    However,the development of technology might have some disadvantages as well. By 2033,we'll be relying heavily on the virtual world,which will mean that all of our data will be stored in the cloud,a remote digital storage system with near limitless capacity. That will increase the possibility of someone else accessing,sharing or controlling our personal information.", "problems": [{"question": "What might be the author's purpose in writing the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To stress the iniportance of developing technology.", "To describe how advanced technologies will affect our future lives.", "To introduce one new invcnfion that will benefit our future lives.", "To remind people not to depend too much on computers."]}, {"question": "According to the text,in two decades,", "answer": "C", "options": ["you'll be able to rely on an electronic orchestra to wake you up instead of an alarm clock", "a tiny microchip in your phone will treat you when you are sick", "you will be able to adjust the conditions of your apartment via oral instructions or simple hand gestures", "technology will be smart enough to help us with important things like preparing for a presentation"]}, {"question": "Which best describes the author's attitude toward our future lives?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Objective", "Worried", "Skeptical", "Negative"]}]}
{"article": "Zoe Chambers was a successful PR(Public Relations) consultant and life was going well -- she had a great job, beautiful flat and a busy social life in London. Then one evening in June last year, she received a text message telling her she was out of work. \"The first two weeks were the most difficult to live through.\" she said. \"After everything I'd done for the company, they dismissed me by text! I was so angry and I just didn't feel like looking for another job. I hate everything about the city and my life.\"\nThen, Zoe received an invitation from an old school friend, Kathy, to come and stay. Kathy and her husband, Huw, had just bought a farm in north-west Wales. Zoe jumped at the chance to spend a weekend away from London, and now, ten months later she is still on the farm.\n\"The moment I arrived at Kathy's farm, I loved it and I knew I wanted to stay.\" said Zoe. \"Everything about my past life suddenly seemed meaningless.\"\nZoe has been working on the farm since October of last year and says she has no regrets. \"It's a hard life, physically very tiring.\" she says. \"In London 1 was stressed and often mentally exhausted. But this is a good, healthy tiredness. Here, all I need to put me in a good mood is a hot bath and one of Kathy's wonderful dinners.\"\nZoe says she has never felt bored on the farm. Every day brings a new experience. Kathy has been teaching her how to ride a horse and she has learnt to drive a tractor. Since Christmas, she has been helping with the lambing -- watching a lamb being born is unbelievable, she says, \"It's one of the most moving experiences I've ever had. I could never go back to city life now.\"", "problems": [{"question": "When working as a PR consultant in London, Zoe thought she lived a   _  life.", "answer": "A", "options": ["satisfying", "tough", "meaningless", "boring"]}, {"question": "The most important reason why Zoe went to visit Kathy's farm is that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Zoe lost her job as a PR consultant", "Kathy persuaded her to do so", "Zoe got tired of the city life", "Zoe loved Wales more than London"]}, {"question": "How docs Zoe feel about the country life according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tiresome and troublesome.", "Romantic and peaceful", "Mentally exhausting but healthy", "Physically tiring but rewarding."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is closest to the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A friend in need is a friend indeed.", "Where there is a will, there is a way.", "A misfortune may turn out a blessing.", "Kill two birds with one stone."]}]}
{"article": "No matter where you travel in Asia, you'll find yourself faced with a new culture. You can start your Asian exploration by visiting some of these attractive  cities first.\nBeijing, China              \n              Beijing is the second largest city in China and serves as the capital. The city is so old, in fact, that almost every building has some sort of cultural or historic features -- no matter how small. Getting around the city you'll find yourself faced with amazing temples  , the largest palaces   in the world, and many works of art that leave you breathless.\nSiem Reap, Cambodia  \n              Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap has a lot of French and Chinese-style architectures. In the city, there are traditional dance performances, silk farms, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary   near the Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist attraction , has a large number of hotels and restaurants. \nKathmandu, Nepal  \n              Situated  in the heart of the Himalayans, Kathmandu, the largest city and capital of Nepal, is considered to be one of the most outstanding cities in the world today. The shopping districts are world famous and the hotels in Kathmandu are among the most comfortable in the world.\nKyoto, Japan\n              The city of Kyoto served as the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. No longer the capital, it is known for being the seventh largest city in Japan. Kyoto was destroyed throughout history by fires and war. But now the city is home to more than 1.4 million people, and it presents a modern face to the rest of the world.\n              Every city throughout Asia has a story of its own. It's up to you to explore them all and find out exactly what each one has to offer. Enjoy!", "problems": [{"question": "If you want to visit the biggest place where ancient emperors lived in the world, you can go to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Beijing", "Siem Reap", "Kathmandu", "Kyoto"]}, {"question": "In Siem Reap you can see the following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Chinese-style buildings", "excellent art works", "traditional dances", "a protected bird area"]}, {"question": "Which city's development was greatly influenced by war?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Beijing.", "Siem Reap.", "Kathmandu.", "Kyoto."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the cities are all capital cities now", "Beijing is the largest city in China", "one can't find a good hotel in Kathmandu", "all the cities have their own stories"]}, {"question": "The writer's purpose in writing the passage is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to introduce several attractive cities in Asia", "to compare some tourist cities in Asia", "to tell readers not to visit European cities", "to write an advertisement about a travel company"]}]}
{"article": "After the first World War, a small group of veterans   returned to their village in Britain. Most of them managed to get along fairly well, but one--Francis Blustering, who had been wounded and who never recovered his strength-- was unable to work like others. In time he became very poor. Yet he was too proud to accept anything from the people in the village. \nOnce, these veterans held a reunion dinner in the home of Jules Grandin, who had made a good deal of money. Grandin produced a curiosity --a large old gold coin. Each man examined it with interest as it passed around the long table. All, however, had drunk wine freely and the room was full of noisy talk, so that the gold piece was soon forgotten. Later, when Grandin remembered it and asked for it, the coin was missing.\nOne of them suggested everyone be searched, to which all agreed, except Blustering. \"You refuse, then?\" asked Grandin. Blustering said with a red face, \"Yes, I cannot allow it.\"\nOne by one, the others turned out their pockets. When the coin failed to appear, attention was focused on poor Blustering. Under the pitying stares of his friends, he walked out and returned to his home.\nA few years later, Grandin made his house repaired. A workman found the gold coin, buried in dirt between planks   of the floor. Hurrying to Blustering's home, Grandin apologized to him. \n\"But why didn't you allow yourself be searched?\"\n\"Because I was a thief,\" Blustering said brokenly. \"For weeks we had not had enough to eat and my pockets were full of food that I had taken from the table to carry home to my wife and hungry children.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Francis Blustering lived a poor life because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he was badly wounded in the battle", "he was unable to work like ordinary people", "he was too proud to get on well with other people", "he was waiting for his chance"]}, {"question": "The coin was missing because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["all the friends were drunk", "the room was too noisy", "they were too excited to pay attention to it", "Blustering hid it in a secret place"]}, {"question": "When Blustering turned red and refused to be searched, all people thought   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he was really a poor fellow", "he must have stolen the gold coin", "the coin must be hidden somewhere in the room", "poor Blustering had hidden some food in his pockets"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the story?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Think twice before you make a judgment.", "Blustering is a poor father and husband.", "Blustering would rather live alone than be considered a thief.", "Blustering is an example we should learn from."]}]}
{"article": "BEIJING--Seven prestigious universities in China announced Sunday that they would begin using the same independent exam --besides the national one --to test students hoping to gain entrance to them in 2011.\nThe seven are Peking University, Beihang University, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Fudan University, Xiamen University and Hong Kong University.\nStudents who want to gain entrance to any of the seven universities will only have to sit one independent exam, according to the joint announcement.\n\"This will help lighten the students' load, otherwise they must take several exams for different universities ,\"said the announcement.\nPassing the exam could result in more than one interview chance, giving the students more opportunities to choose their favorite universities.\nChina' s college entrance exam system is undergoing reform as universities aim to select students based on independent criteria rather than just using the results of the national exam.\nIn 2003, Peking University and another 21 universities were allowed to pilot   the reform by using their own criteria to independently select five percent of their students.\nNow nearly 80 universities across the country have the right to select talented students based on their own exams.\nEducation experts regard universities selecting students according to independent examinations as conducive   to better understanding where the students' talents lie.\nAlthough this may be the case, it has also created problems as students may sit many different exams as they often apply for a number of universities.\nTo relieve students from such pressures, the national education outline (2010--2020) released in July this year encourages high-level universities to group together to use the same exams.", "problems": [{"question": "If students want to be admitted to the seven prestigious universities, they can  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["only pass the interview.", "only take the national exam.", "only take the independent exam.", "either take the national exam or take the independent exam."]}, {"question": "What's the purpose of students sitting one independent exam to gain entrance to the seven universities?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It can reduce students' load to take several exams.", "The universities will have the same standard to test students.", "There will be less trouble marking students' test papers.", "It can avoid fierce competition among these universities."]}, {"question": "If students pass the independent exam, they will   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["take the national exam.", "have one or more interview chances.", "be admitted to one of the universities.", "he trained to be adapted to universities life and studies."]}, {"question": "What is the advantage of universities selecting students according to independent examinations?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Students needn't take the national exam.", "Students 'education cost can be lowered.", "Students' abilities and talents can be better found.", "It can encourage middle schools to recommend more qualified students."]}]}
{"article": "A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.\nOffering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and other things including cups-porcelain , glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some elegant -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.\nWhen they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: \"I notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2011. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2012!\"", "problems": [{"question": "When did they decide to go to see their professor?", "answer": "B", "options": ["After the reunion.", "During the get-together.", "Before they graduated.", "Just after the professor retired."]}, {"question": "Why did the professor offer them different cups?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because cups were not enough for everyone.", "Because cups were beautiful.", "Because the professor wanted to teach them something.", "Because hot chocolate should be contained in different cups."]}, {"question": "What caused the professor to say those words?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Their graduation.", "Their reunion.", "Their visit.", "Their complaints."]}, {"question": "What does the word \"cup\" in this passage refer to?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Life", "happy things in life", "hot chocolate", "tools to hold and contain life"]}, {"question": "What is the purpose of the professor's words?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To tell them life is not easy, so try their best to be happy.", "To educate them that the happiest people don't have the best of everything.", "To wish them to be grateful to their life and make the best of everything that they have.", "To use different cups to tell them they should try different things in life."]}]}
{"article": "Did the iPod kill music ?\nDID Steve Jobs kill the music industry? That's the question on many people's lips since rock star Jon Bon Jovi accused the apple boss of personally destroying the music industry.\nBon Jovi centers his criticism   on how he believes music downloading has robbed young people of what he calls the \"beauty of buying on album\", \"Kids today have missed the beauty of taking your allowance   money and making a decision based on the  _ , not knowing what the record sounded like,\" he said.\nBut far from killing the industry, many young people today think Jobs has been a blessing  , offering you instant, and selective access to a whole world of music.\nKeith Staskiewicz at Entertainment Weekly speaks for the feelings of many music lovers. He believes listening to Mp3s rather than records or CDs \"just saves them money\" and doesn't \"eliminate   the sense of discovery they get from new music\", Staskiewicz also argues that it's wrong to blame Jobs and Apple for destroying anything.\"Change is just part of the business,\" Staskiewicz said. \"No doubt in 50 years, Justin Bieber will complain in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech about how kids don't listen to iPods any more.\"\nFor now, though, it appears that music downloading is set to continue for the near future. According to Summer Redstone, chairman of media company Viacom, iTunes has \"resurrected   the music industry by creating a legal, affordable purchasing system for fans\".\nBut recent surveys suggested that, despite the \"legalizing\" of music downloading via sites like iTunes, young people are still choosing to download music illegally.A report by Jupiter Research suggested that illegal downloading sites are used three times as much as legal ones. \nThe problem, according to its analyst Mark Mulligan, is how today's youth grow up viewing music as something they can get for free. \"Unless the music industry can shift these consumers   while they are young away from free consumption to paid music formats  ,they may never develop music purchasing behavior,\" warned Mulligan \" recording industry could suffer long-term harm.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Jon Bon Jovi thinks Steve Jobs has destroyed the music industry because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Apple encourages illegal music downloading", "children today prefer music downloading to buying albums", "children today do not like to discover new music", "children don't care what a record sounds like"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements might Keith Staskiewicz agree with according to the article?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Records or CDs shouldn't be sold in stores any more.", "Steve Jobs and Apple are partly to blame for destroying the music industry.", "There are surely more ways to enjoy music than on iPods.", "Music downloading has its advantages and is a change that should be accepted."]}, {"question": "According to Mark Mulligan, the best solution to illegal music downloading is to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["legalize music downloading via sites like iTunes", "ban the illegal music downloading sites on the Internet", "help young consumers get used to paying for music", "offer young consumers instant and selective access to a variety of music"]}, {"question": "What is the main point of the article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How Steve Jobs and Apple changed people's music tastes.", "Opinions on effects of music downloading.", "How to fight illegal music downloading.", "Criticism of free downloading of music by young people."]}]}
{"article": "Home to me means a sense of familiarity and nostalgia . It's fun to come home. It looks the same. It smells the same. You'll realize what's changed is you. Home is where we ran remember pain, live, and some other experiences; We parted here; My parents met here; I won three championships here.\nIf I close my eyes, I can still have a clear picture in mind of my first home. I walk in the door and see a brown sofa surrounding a low glass-top wooden table. To the right of the living room is my first bedroom. It's empty, but it's where my earliest memories are.\nThere is the dining room table where I celebrated birthdays, and where I cried on Halloween-when I didn't want to wear the skirt my mother made for me. I always liked standing on that table because it made me feel tall and strong. If I sit at this table, I can see my favorite room in the house, my parents' room. It is simple: a brown wooden dresser lines the right side of the wall next to a television and a couple of photos of my grandparents on each side. Their bed is my safe zone. I can jump on it anytime - waking up my parents if I am scared or if I have an important announcement that cannot wait until the morning.\nI'm lucky because I know my first home still exists. It exists in my mind and heart, on a physical property  on West 64th street on the western edge of Los Angeles. It is proof I lived, I grew and I learned.\nSometimes when I feel lost, I lie down and shut my eyes, and I go home. I know it's where I'll find my family, my dogs, and my belongings. I purposely leave the window open at night because I know I'll be blamed by Mom. But I don't mind, because I want to hear her say my name, which reminds me I'm home.", "problems": [{"question": "What can be learned from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The old furniture is still in the author's fist bedroom.", "The author can still visit her first physical home in Los Angeles.", "The author's favorite room in her first home is the dining room.", "Many people of the author's age can still find their first physical homes."]}, {"question": "Sometimes when she feels lost, the author will   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Open the window at night", "lie down in bed to have a dream", "try to bring back a sense of home", "go to Los Angeles to visit her mom"]}, {"question": "What is the author's purpose of writing this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To express how much she is attached to her home.", "To declare how much she loves her first house.", "To describe the state of her family.", "To look back on her childhood."]}]}
{"article": "Some kinds of mental skills naturally decrease as people get older. Yet research seems to show that some training can improve such skills. A recently published study also appears to demonstrate that the good effects of training can last for many years after that training has ended.\nResearchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland wanted to learn how long memory and thinking skills would last in older people who trained to keep them. The people were part of the ten-year research project. They were taught methods meant to improve their memory, thinking and ability to perform everyday tasks.\nMore than 2,800 volunteered for the study called ACTIVE - short for Advanced (Cognitive) Training for Independent and Vital Elderly. Most studied when they were more than 70 years old.\nThe volunteers took one of several short training classes meant to help them keep their mental abilities. One class trained participants in skills including how to remember word lists. Another group trained in reasoning. A third group received help with speed-of-processing - speed of receiving and understanding information. A fourth group - the control group did not get any training.\nEarlier results had established that the training helped the participants for up to five years. Now, lead study writer George Rebok says, the research showed most of the training remained effective a full ten years later.\nProfessor Rebok and his team found that the people trained in reasoning and speed-of-processing did better on tests than the control group.\n\"We are wondering whether those effects which endured over time would still be there ten years following the training, and in fact, that's exactly what we found.\"\nThe effect on memory, however, seemed not to last as long. Still, the old people in any of the three classes generally reported less difficulty in performing daily activities than the control group. The total training time for the older people was between 10 and 15 hours.", "problems": [{"question": "Which statement is true according to the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["This kind of training can only have effect on people for a few years.", "The people were trained during a period of ten years.", "All the people who were studied were more than 70 years old.", "The second group were trained how to remember word lists."]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["There were four groups being trained.", "The old people trained can remember words better.", "The second and third group improved their skills better than the first one.", "The research showed that the effect of the training could absolutely last 10 years."]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the fourth paragragh?", "answer": "B", "options": ["What was the meaning of the research?", "How was the research conducted?", "Why was the mental training effective?", "How long did the research last?"]}, {"question": "What is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Mental Training Helped Elderly Stay Sharp for Years", "How to improve our mental health", "Four groups of old people were trained mentally.", "The result of a ten-year research"]}]}
{"article": "I was now in my twenty third year of residence in this island and was accustomed to the place and to the manner of living. If it had not been the savages who had come to the place to disturb me, I could have been content to spent the rest of my time there, even to the last moment, till I had laid me down and died, like the old goat in the cave.\nI had also arrived to some little recreations and amusements, which made the time pass more pleasantly with me a great deal than it did before.\nAt first, I had taught my Poll to speak. And he did it so familiarly and talked so clearly and plain that it was very pleasant to me. And he lived with me no less than twenty six years. How long he might live afterwards, I don't know; though I know they have an idea in Brazil that they live a hundred years. Perhaps poor Poll may be alive there still, calling Poor Robin Crusoe to this day. I wish no other English man had the bad luck to go there and hear him. But if he did, he would certainly believe it was the devil .\nMy dog was a very pleasant and loving companion to me, for no less than sixteen years of my time, and then died of mere old age.\nAs for my cats, they multiplied to that degree that I had to shoot several of them at first to keep them from eating up all I had.\nBesides these, I had two more parrots which talked pretty well and would all call Robin Crusoe, but none like my first. Nor indeed did I take the pains with any of them that I had done with him.\nI had also several sea-fowls, whose names I don't know, that I caught upon the shore and cut their wings. And the little stakes which I had planted before my castle wall being now grown up to a good thick bush, these fowls all lived among these low trees and bred there, which was very agreeable to me; so that as I said above, I began to be well content with the life I led if not worried about the threat from the savages.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Robin Crusoe treated animals kindly.", "Robin Crusoe led a hard life on the island.", "The animals raised by Robin Crusoe brought him much pleasure.", "The savages always spoiled Robin Crusoe's happy life."]}, {"question": "How many parrots did Robin Crusoe mention in this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["2", "3", "4", "5"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Robin's dog may be still alive on the island.", "Robin Crusoe lived in harmony with savages.", "Robin Crusoe met an English man while on the island.", "Parrots raised by Robin could talk very well."]}]}
{"article": "There are 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 floors to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases, and 3 lifts.\nAt various times in history, the White House has been known as the \"President's Palace\", the \"President's House\", and the \"Executive Mansion\". President Theodore Roosevelt officially gave the White House its current name in 1901.\nThe White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.\nWith five full-time chefs, the White House kitchen is able to serve as many as 140 guests and hors d'oeuvres   to more than 1,000 people.\nThe White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.\nFor recreation, the White House has a variety of facilities available to people who live in, including a tennis court, a jogging track, a swimming pool, a movie theater and a bowling lane.\nThe first US President to live in the White House was John Adams. Adams and his family moved to the White House in 1800, when the decoration of the building was not finished. And it was not until during Thomas Jefferson's term (1801-1809) that the decoration was finally completed.\nPresident John Tyler (1841-1845) was the first president to have his photo taken. President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) was not only the first president to ride in an automobile, but also the first president to travel outside the country when he visited Panama  . President Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945) was the first president to ride in an airplane.", "problems": [{"question": "In normal cases, how many people visit the White House per day?", "answer": "B", "options": ["1,000.", "6,000.", "140.", "570."]}, {"question": "Which President was in office when the decoration of the White House was completed?", "answer": "C", "options": ["John Adams.", "John Tyler.", "Thomas Jefferson.", "Theodore Roosevelt."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, when did American President first visit a foreign country?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Between 1801 and 1809.", "Between 1901 and 1909.", "Between 1841 and 1845.", "Between 1933 and 1945."]}]}
{"article": "Do dogs understand us?\nBe careful what you say around your dog. It might understand more than you think.\nA _ named Rico recognizes the names of about 200 objects, say researchers in Germany. The dog also appears to be able to learn new words as easily as a 3-year-old child. Its word-learning skills are as good as those of a parrot or _ .\nIn one experiment, the researchers took all 200 items that Rico is supposed to know and divided them into 20 groups of 10 objects. Then the owner told the dog to go and fetch one of the items and bring it back. In four tests, Rico got 37 out of 40 commands right. As the dog couldn't see anyone to get clues, the scientists believe Rico must understand the meanings of certain words.\nIn another experiment, the scientists took one toy that Rico had never seen before and put it in a room with seven toys whose names the dog already knew. The owner then told Rico to fetch the object, using a word the dog had never heard before.\nThe correct object was chosen in seven out of l0 tests, suggesting that the dog had worked out the answer by the process of _ . A month later, Rico remembered half of the new names, which is even more impressive.\nRico is thought to be smarter than the average dog. For one thing, Rico is a border collie, a _ known for its mental abilities. In addition, the 9-year-old dog has been trained to fetch toys by their names since the age of nine months.\nIt's hard to know if all dogs understand at least some of the words we say. Even if they do, they can't talk back. Still, it wouldn't hurt to sweet-talk your dog every now and then. You might just get a big, wet kiss in return!", "problems": [{"question": "Both experiments show that_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["Rico is smart enough to get all commands right", "Rico can recognize different things including toys", "Rico has developed the ability of learning mathematics", "Rico won't forget the names of objects once recognizing them"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The purpose of the experiments is to show the border collie's mental abilities.", "Rico has a better memory partly because of its proper early training.", "The border collie is world-famous for recognizing objects.", "Rico is born to understand its owner's commands."]}, {"question": "What does the writer want to tell us?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To train your dog.", "To talk with your dog.", "To be friendly to your dog.", "To be careful with your dog."]}]}
{"article": "Children will find it more difficult to buy cigarettes as vending machines selling tobacco will be officially banned in England today.According to the British Heart Foundation(BHF),around 200,000 young people start smoking regularly in England each year and 11 per cent of l1-to15-year-old regular smokers in England and Wales get their cigarettes from vending machines.\n    Betty McBride, Director of Policy and Communications at the British Heart Foundation,said,\"Thousands of children who are at risk of addiction regularly get tobacco from these machines,which of course,don't ask them to prove their age.With the tobacco industry increasingly depending on young smokers to keep their profits,they're fighting tooth and nail to stop any changes that might hit their bottom line.\"\n    The ban, which makes it illegal to sell tobacco from vending machines and requires shopkeepers to ensure all tobacco advertising on the machines is removed,comes into force in England today.It is the first ban in Europe to prohibit selling cigarettes from vending machines.which shows the determination of England to fight against smoking.\n   Other measures to protect young people from the dangers of smoking are also on the way.In April 2013 large retailers in England and Scotland will have to get rid of all tobacco displays and small shops will be expected to do that from April 2015.Wales and Northern Ireland also plan to make similar regulations.\n   The UK Government is due to begin a public consultation before the end of the year on whether to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes which would reduce their marketing appeal to young people,help to make health warnings more effective and,alongside other measures,help to reduce the number of smokers in the long term.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text,vending machines selling cigarettes  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["offer cheaper products", "have more varieties of products", "don't check buyers' personal information", "keep a record of every purchase"]}, {"question": "The tobacco industry may be against the new regulation because   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["more children will be at risk of tobacco addiction", "it will bring inconvenience to its consumers", "young smokers will be discouraged", "many vending machines will be left unused"]}, {"question": "Small stores in Scotland   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["will be banned from selling tobacco next year", "can still present cigarettes for around 2 years", "must get rid of all tobacco advertisements", "must show warnings about cigarettes in 2013"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the text that  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["plain packaging is a must for cigarettes", "the number of tobacco companies will be limited", "tobacco's harm to health will be put down on packages", "opinions will be asked for on plans of tobacco controlling"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Cigarette vending machines banned", "The youth's addiction to tobacco", "UK's efforts to improve people's health", "Strong opposition from tobacco industry"]}]}
{"article": "Cyberspace, the connections between computers in different places, considered as a real place where information, messages and pictures exist, mirrors the real world in many ways. People ask for information, play games, and share hobbies. Others buy and sell products. Still others look for friendship, or even love.\nUnlike the real world, however, your knowledge about a person is limited to words on a computer screen. Identity and appearance mean very little in cyberspace. Rather, a person's thoughts--or at least the thoughts they type--are what really count. So even the shyest person can become a chat room star.\nUsually, this \"faceless\" communication doesn't create problems. Identity doesn't really matter when you're in a chat room discussing politics or hobbies. In fact, this emphasis(,) on the ideas themselves makes the Internet a great place for exciting conversation. Where else can so many people come together to chat? But some Internet users want more than just someone to chat with. They're looking for serious love relationships. Is cyberspace a good place to find love? That answer depends on whom you ask. Some of these relationships actually succeed. Others fail miserably.\nSupporters of online relationships state that the Internet allows couples to get to know each other intellectually first. Personal appearance doesn't get in the way. But critics of online relationships argue that no one can truly know another person in cyberspace. Why? Because the Internet gives users a lot of control over how others view them. Internet users can carefully craft their words to fit whatever image they want to give. And they don't have to worry about what their \"nonverbal\"  communication is doing for their image. In a sense, they're not really themselves.\nAll of this may be fine if the relationship stays in cyberspace. But not knowing a person is a big problem in a love relationship. With so many unknowns, it's easy to let one's imagination \"fill in the blanks.\" This inevitably  leads to disappointment when couples meet in person. How someone imagines an online friend is often quite more different than the real person. So, before looking for love in cyberspace, remember the advice of Internet pioneer Clifford Stoll: \"Life in the real world is far richer than anything you'll find on a computer screen.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, chatting in the cyberspace   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["puts emphasis on people's thoughts", "needs people to be rich in knowledge", "stresses more about people's identity", "allows people to discuss politics secretly"]}, {"question": "People who are against online love think   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["what is said online is under control of the Internet", "it is hard to protect the other's identity", "the faceless communication is exciting", "one may not show the real self in cyberspace"]}, {"question": "By saying \"With so many unknowns, it's easy to let one's imagination 'fill in the blanks'\", the writer means that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the Internet allows people to get more information about their loved ones", "the Internet makes it easy for people to imagine how others view them", "people usually get to know each other by chance through the Internet", "people may be disappointed when they meet in person"]}]}
{"article": "California places limits on water use to deal with the state's four-year drought. Californians are feeling the heat after Governor Jerry Brown announced an order that puts mandatory  statewide water cutbacks into effect.\nCalifornia has faced water-use cutbacks in the past. In January 2014, Governor Brown called for residents to curb their water use by 20 percent, but many places around the state failed to meet that goal. This most recent announcement, however, marks the first time in the state's history that mandatory restrictions have been ordered.\nMost of California's water supply comes from the Sierra Nevada mountain range snowpack. Normally, during the spring and summer, this snow melts and puts new supplies into groundwater. but this past winter, the snowpack reached its lowest point since 1950. \"today we are standing on dry grass where there should be feet of snow\" announced Governor Brown.\nAs part of his order, Governor Brown called upon the state Water Resource Control Board to draft emergency rules for water use in the coming month. Cities and towns across the state must cut water usage by 25 percent. If city water agencies fail to meet these targets for water conservation, they could be fined $10,000 a day.\nThe state will also support local governments in replacing 50 million square feet of lawns with drought-tolerant plants that use less water. Outdoor lawn watering will be limited to two days per week, and residents will not be permitted to water their lawns during rainstorms and for two days afterwards. The order also asks local water agencies to raise the price of water to discourage excessive water use.\nGovernor Brown said change may not be easy, but it's necessary to ensure that residents can fill their water glasses into the future. \"it is a wake-up call,\" he said. \"it's requiring action and changes in behavior.\"", "problems": [{"question": "This year's drought in California is mainly caused by_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["The lack of rainfall last winter.", "Its residents' excessive water use.", "The historically low temperature last winter.", "The reduction of snowpack on the Sierra Nevada"]}, {"question": "Why will local government remove the 50 million square feet of lawns?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To get rid of dry grass", "To decrease the use of water", "To develop the land for water storage", "To grow plants that can block rainstorms"]}, {"question": "According to the new order, Californians should_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["Water their lawns every three or four days.", "Avoid watering their lawns before rainstorms.", "Take mandatory lessons on water conservation.", "Keep the emergency rules for water use in mind"]}]}
{"article": "Mrs. Allen's husband died ten years ago when her son and daughter were still in high school. Mr. Allen had left some money, and since Mrs. Allen had managed a bookstore before she was married, she took the money and bought a shop in town. Later she moved the shop out to the shopping center.\n    She was a pleasant woman; she worked hard and was well-informed about books, and so the bookstore prospered and she was able to hire a friend to help her.\n    Laura Barnes, Mrs. Allen's friend and assistant, was also a widow. She had some free time and the need for a little extra-money, and so she took the job in the bookstore. She was too clever and friendly, and the two women were well-known in the neighbourhood as \"Mrs. A\"and \"Mrs. B\".", "problems": [{"question": "How many people in all were there in the two women's families?   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["At least 8", "At least 7", "At least 6", "At least 4"]}, {"question": "The bookstore prospered   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["after Mrs. Allen lost control of it", "before Mrs. A got to know Mrs. B", "because the two women had little housework to do", "because Mrs. A became expert at management and threw herself into it"]}, {"question": "Why did Mrs. A hire Mrs. B?   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Mrs. B asked for very little pay", "She believed that Mrs. B was the very person to help her to improve management", "Mrs. B was a friend of hers", "she was also that kind of woman like her"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true?   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Mrs. A set up her bookshop in the shopping center", "Mr. Allen was dead but Mr. Barnes alive", "Mrs. A managed to set another bookstore with Mrs. B", "The two children of Mrs. A were of the same age"]}]}
{"article": "They may be small and not able to speak, but babies are proving their amazing cleverness. Scientists began finding infants' skills are more than they are supposed to be.\n _ \nSpeaking of music, babies can't seem to resist it. Not only are their ears turned to the beats, babies can actually dance to the music.\nTo test babies' dancing ability, the researchers played recordings of classical music, rhythmic beats and speech to infants, and recorded the results. They also invited professional dancers to analyze how well the babies matched their movements to the music. The babies moved their arms, hands, legs feet and heads in response to the music, much more than to the speech. The finding suggests this dancing ability is innate  in humans, though the researchers aren't sure why _ becomes weaker later in their life.\nLearning Quickly while Sleeping\nBabies can learn even while asleep, according to a 2011 study. In experiments with 26 sleeping infants, each just 1 to 2 days old, scientists played a musical tone followed by a puff of air to their eyes 200 times over the course of a half-hour. 124 electrodes  stuck on the head and face of each baby recorded brain activity during the experiments. The babies rapidly learned to foretell a puff of air upon hearing the tone, showing a four-time increase on average in the chances of tightening their eyelids in response to the sound by the end of the experiments.\nAs newborns spend most of their time asleep, this newfound ability might be crucial to rapidly adapting to the world around them and help to ensure their survival, researchers said.\nJudging Characters Well\nJudging another person helpful or harmful is crucial when choosing friends. And that ability starts early. Kiley Hamlin of Yale University showed both 6-and 10-month-olds a puppet  show, in which one character helped another climb a hill. In another scene a third character pushed the climber down. The little ones then got to choose which character they preferred. For both age groups, most babies chose the helper character. This character-judging ability could be baby's first step in the formation of morals, Hamlin thought.", "problems": [{"question": "The experiment with 26 sleeping infants prove that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["babies can learn even while asleep", "babies can respond to the world around them", "babies can tighten their eyelids in response to the sound", "babies can communicate with others while asleep"]}, {"question": "In the last experiment, most babies chose the helper character, showing that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["babies can judge a person helpful or harmful", "babies love to see a puppet show", "babies were born to help others", "babes have learned to help others"]}]}
{"article": "In recent years many countries of the world have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive. Some experts claim the answer is to make jobs more varied. But do more various jobs lead to greater productivity? There is evidence to suggest that while variety certainly makes the worker's life more enjoyable, it does not actually make him work harder. As far as increasing productivity is concerned, then variety is not an important factor.\nOther experts feel that giving the worker freedom to do his job in his own way is important, and there is no doubt that this is true. The problem is that this kind of freedom cannot easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated machinery which must be used in a fixed way. Thus while freedom of choice may be important, there is usually very little that can be done to create it.\nAnother very important consideration is how each worker contributes to the product he is making. In most factories the worker sees only one part of the product. Some car factories are now experimenting with having many small production lines rather than one large one, so that each worker contributes more to the production of the cars on his line. It would seem that not only is degree of the worker contribution an important factor, therefore, but it is also one we can do something about.\nTo what extent does more money lead to greater productivity? The workers themselves certainly think this is important. But perhaps they want more money only because the work they do is boring. Money just lets them enjoy their spare time more. A similar argument may explain demands for shorter working hours. Perhaps if we succeed in making their jobs more interesting, they will neither want more money, nor will shorter working hours be so important to them.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is the best way to make workers work harder according to the author?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Increasing their pay.", "Giving them more spare time.", "Making the work itself meaningful.", "Replacing large production lines with small ones."]}, {"question": "The reason why a worker cannot have freedom in doing the job in his own way is that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the machinery is so complex that it should be fixed", "the production lines are too large in modern factories", "the bosses can create very little freedom of choices for workers", "the machines must be operated strictly according to instructions and rules"]}, {"question": "For a worker on an assembly line in a car factory, the job is not enjoyable because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he can only make a part of a car", "he does not know what he is doing", "his life in spare time is more interesting", "the importance of his job is not clear to him"]}, {"question": "In the article, the word \"productivity\" means   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the activity of producing something", "the production volume in a time unit", "the plan and the method of production", "both the quantity and quality of a product"]}, {"question": "The best title for this passage may be   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Problems of Modern Workers", "Making Jobs More Interesting", "Pushing Workers to Produce More", "How to Improve Labor Conditions"]}]}
{"article": "Why do people cross their fingers when facing difficulties-eve non-religious people? Why do we blame the black cat when we saw the low score of the test?\nThese habits have been referred to as magical thinking and can be found everywhere in daily life. For example, a person wishes something bad for an annoying colleague. Or parents pray for a safe fight when seeing their son off. \nPsychologically helpful\nIn examining these habits, scientists decided to search for a reason for humans' belief in magical powers. Psychologists have their own approach to the question. \n\"I think in part it's because we are constantly exposed to our own thoughts, and thus likely to overestimate their connection to outside events. \"said Emily Pronin, a psychologist in the prefix = st1 /US.\nFor people who are uncertain of their own abilities or slow to take action, magical thinking can be a great help, explained Dr. Daniel Wegner, a professor psychology at Harvard. Feeling that their own thoughts can control things can help people fight depression. \nA trait gained through evolution\nBut evolutionists have their own ideas. \nTwo schools of evolutionary thought have come up with reasons by analyzing the development of humans. They are the \"adaptationists \"and the \"byproduct theorists \". \nThe adaptationists say that belief in magical powers makes people feel better, less worried about difficulties, more focused on the future, and more willing to care for themselves. People with a strong faith (in something) have a better chance of surviving a tough environment or competition. \nBut in byproduct theory,magical thinking is a product of our psychological features. \n\"We automatically look for an explanation of why things happen,\"explains Justin Barrett, a psychologist, The brain, therefore, has evolved to make quick judgments about causation . So we often link two events based on nothing more than coincidence. For example, \"I was just thinking about looking up my old high school girlfriend when she suddenly called me. \"\nAnother psychological feature is the theory of mind. We recognize that there could be an unseen power of mind affecting the outcome of an incident. \nByproduct theorists claim that because of these features, we are born with a tendency to believe in our magical thinking. \nBut we need to confine our magical thinking, warn psychologists. \nFor most people, beliefs are just some sort of comforting private ritual. When something important is at stake, such as a test or a performance or a relationship, people don't simply perform their private rituals. They have to prepare.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true according to the next?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Justin Barrett, an evolutionist, denies magical thinking is a product of adaptation.", "People with a weak faith have a better chance of surviving competition.", "The adaptationists think we are born with a tendency to believe in our magic thinking.", "Dr. Daniel Wegner believe magic thinking can be a great help."]}, {"question": "In which part of the newspaper can you find this passage most possibly?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Culture.", "Recreation", "History", "News"]}, {"question": "The author writes the passage mainly to_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["persuade people to think twice faced with difficulties", "introduce some information about opinions of evolutionists", "explain why humans have a need for faith from different respects", "convince people that magic thinking has advantages and disadvantages"]}]}
{"article": "The Opening of the Book Nook\nSaturday, October 4, 10 AM to 10 PM\nYou will not want to miss the opening of your new neighborhood bookstore! Located at 2289 Main Street, the Book Nook is within walking distance of schools, many homes and businesses. Come and check out the Book Nook on Saturday!\nActivities will include:\n* Live music by local musicians\n* One Book-of-the-Month Club membership giveaway  \nWide Selection\nThe Book Nook has three floors with books of all kinds---any kind you could want. If we do not have the book you are looking for, we can specially order it for you. You will have it in your hands within two days!\nReading Nooks\nWe are proud of our children's reading area on the first floor, as well as our teenagers' nook on the second floor. Come for the activities and stay for a while! Settle in one of these inviting reading areas; take a seat with a good book and a free cup of hot chocolate. You will discover the perfect way to spend a few hours.\nBook Events\nThe Book Nook will be featuring monthly book signings by different authors, giving you a chance to meet and speak with well-known writers. Don't miss the experience of hearing these authors read aloud their own books!\nThe Book-of-the-Month Club\nOur Book-of-the-Month Club will feature 12 books each year. As a member, you will be able to select one new book each month. The membership fee is only $10.00 per month. That is a great price for 12 books each year!\nSo please join us on Saturday and learn about all that the Book Nook has to offer. You can come anytime between 10 AM and 10 PM. Our activities last all day long!", "problems": [{"question": "What can we learn about the Book Nook?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It is a well-located bookstore.", "Any interesting books can be found right here.", "It is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day.", "The third floor is specially designed for children."]}, {"question": "What can people do in the Book Nook on October 4?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They can have a taste of different kinds of chocolate.", "They can read aloud together with well-known writers.", "They can enjoy live music performed by well-known writers.", "They can become a member of the Book-of-the-Month Club."]}, {"question": "As a member of the Book-of-the-Month Club, you   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["can buy any books in the Book Nook at a low price", "may borrow as many as 12 books every week", "need to pay 120 dollars every year", "should be over the age of 12"]}]}
{"article": "Almost five years ago, I announced to my loved ones I was to become a Mrs. Naturally. I then began to wonder about the perfect wedding dress, hoping that it would fit me. Even at the age of 23, I had gone through my share of dieting. \nI am an emotional eater and I knew that at 5 feet 5 inches tall and 180 pounds, I wasn't at my healthiest. My mother had been doing Weight Watchers for some time and was rapidly seeing results without starving herself. She shared her books with me and explained the program: estimate your daily target based on your weight and other factors, write down everything you eat and move! The longer I stuck to it the more I noticed a difference in the way I enjoyed food. I soon began to like eating fruits and vegetables for snacks instead of chocolate bars and chips. My mother and I went on walks together and kept each other in check. Unsurprisingly, I lost twenty pounds soon and looked amazing in my wedding dress.\nI buy healthy foods, replace ice cream and faithfully keep a food journal. I exercised and take evening walks. Because I have a hard time reaching for something healthy by myself, I bought a Weight Watchers cookbook and use it to prepare our meals. I use small plates and bowls to trick myself into believing there is more food than the serving size. \nIt's been hard to discipline myself not to eat badly. But when I find myself having a desire for strawberries instead of chocolate, I know it's all worthwhile.", "problems": [{"question": "The author successfully lost twenty pounds   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["by walking and eating less every day", "by only eating fruits and vegetables", "under her doctor's direction", "with the help of her mother"]}]}
{"article": "Best places to visit in Australia\nAre you looking for the best places to see in Australia? Here are the top 5 places to visit in Australia. It includes the best, the most beautiful and the most famous.\nSydney\nFor those who have made a flight from the other side of the world, if you come and don't see Sydney, it is a bit like going to Germany and not drinking a beer, or to England and not seeing London, or America and not trying a hot dog. There is plenty to see and do in Sydney apart from the well known attractions of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and Bondi beaches.\nByron Bay\nLocated in New South Wales, just south of the Queensland border, Byron Bay is popular with not just international tourists, but is also a favorite holiday destination of Australians. The lighthouse is amazing at sunset (and it is the most easterly part of mainland Australia). There are a range of music festivals over the year that attract international and local musicians alike.\nThe Great Ocean Road\nThe Great Ocean Road, located in Victoria, is one of the best scenic drives of the world. Its official length is 243 kms (roughly 150 miles), but it will take you a full day to enjoy it due to the narrow and windy traffic lanes (only one in each direction).\nDaintree Rainforest\nLocated in northern Queensland, roughly 110 kms north of Cairns, the rainforest is a nature wonderland. It is Australia's largest rainforest, about 20% of Australia's native bird species can be found within the Daintree.\nThe Great Barrier Reef\nLocated in Queensland, this attraction is one of those attractions that are actually known by everyone. Extending for about 2,300 kms, it is home to many rare, endangered and unique animals and plant species.", "problems": [{"question": "Which places will you go in Australia if you are interested in music?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef", "Byron Bay and Daintree Rainforest", "The Great Ocean Roadand Byron Bay", "Byron Bay and Sydney"]}, {"question": "Where can you see unique and endangered animals in Australia?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Daintree Rainforest", "The Great Barrier Reef", "Byron Bay", "Sydney"]}, {"question": "What is the biggest problem when travelling in the Great Ocean Road?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Its traffic problems.", "Its official length.", "You can't eat an America hot dog there.", "You must make a flight from the other side of the world."]}]}
{"article": "Dutch treat is a late-nineteenth-century term, and it originally refers to a dinner where everyone is expected to pay for his own share of the food and drink. If people go \"Dutch treat\", or simply \"go Dutch\", it means that they will share the expenses of a social engagement.\nThere are many other \"Dutch\" expressions in English, many of which were invented in Britain in the seventeenth century, when the Dutch and the English were commercial and military rivals. The British used \"Dutch\" to refer to something bad, cheap and shameful. A \"Dutch bargain\" at that time was an uneven, one-sided deal; \"Dutch reckoning\" was an unitemized  account; and \"Dutch widow\" was slang for prostitute. Later centuries brought in \"Dutch courage\", for bravery caused by drink; \"Dutch concert\", for noisy music; \"Dutch nightingale\", meaning a frog; and \"double Dutch\", for incomprehensible language or talk.\nSome of the expressions are still in use today, but some are not. In fact, in American English, some \"Dutch\" expressions have nothing to do with the Dutch, but something with the German. It was probably because of the similar spelling and pronunciation that people made a mistake in distinguishing between \"Dutch\" and \"Deutsch\" (the German word for German), when German immigrants came to America in the 1700s. For instance, \"the Pennsylvania Dutch\" refers to the German descendants, instead of the Dutch descendants, living in Pennsylvania.", "problems": [{"question": "Many of the \"Dutch\" expressions were invented with negative sense, because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Dutch were underdeveloped people.", "Britain and Holland were competitors at that time.", "The Dutch had many bad habits.", "The British were superior to the Dutch."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, some native American \"Dutch\" expressions were related to the German instead of the Dutch, simply because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["People hated the German as much as the Dutch.", "People made a mistake at the beginning.", "People made a joke about the German.", "The German immigrants proclaimed that they were Dutch."]}]}
{"article": "What did you dream about last night? Did your teeth fall out or did you fly? Maybe you died or someone you know did.Or maybe you were back in high school.These are among the most common dreams people have and they all mean something.Here are some of the most common dreams and their interpretations or symbolism.\nDreams of flying.Dreams of flying represent feelings of freedom that may result from an instance when you overcome a limitation or obstacle.Usually, children have more flying dreams than adults, because children are more open to their possibilities, and adults have often accepted limitations imposed by society.\nTeeth falling out.Food in a dream is symbolic of knowledge because food nourishes the physical body and knowledge nourishes the soul.Teeth are a means to break down food or knowledge.When your teeth fall out in a dream, it could signify that you feel ill - equipped to break down the knowledge that you have available, that the way you break things down has changed.That change can be either positive or negative.\nHigh school dreams.High school is a place of learning from the past, and dreaming of being unprepared for a high school test can indicate a struggle to access information you need to handle in your life.\nRecurring dreams and nightmares.Recurring dreams are your subconscious  mind's way of trying to get your attention.A recurring dream is a step down from a nightmare that is a louder, more insistent way your subconscious mind communicates.If you have a recurring dream, try to stop in the dream and _ what the dream is trying to tell you.That could mean asking someone who is chasing you what he or she wants.A woman dreamed for years that an old, haggard woman was chasing her around her home.When she finally stopped in the dream and asked the old woman what she represented, the old woman suddenly turned into a beautiful young woman and replied, \"I represent your question of ' what if?' \"", "problems": [{"question": "The text is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["high school dreams", "dreams' symbolism", "dreams of flying", "nightmares"]}, {"question": "After you' ve got out of some difficulties, you might have a   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["high school dream", "dream of flying", "dream of teeth falling out", "a nightmare"]}, {"question": "If you dream of being unprepared for a \"high school test, it means  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["you' re trying to learn something", "you will certainly fail in the test", "you will be scolded by your teacher", "you' re not well prepared for the test"]}, {"question": "The woman' s dream is mentioned mainly to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["tell us nothing but an interesting story", "show us what a nightmare is like", "tell us that women are always changeable", "show us the way to deal with a recurring dream"]}]}
{"article": "It's 5pm on a Friday and I'm standing in a coffee shop above Shibuya crossing - one of the most busiest place in Japan where more than a thousand of Tokyo's smartly dressed people gather at eight points, ready to cross - then rush straight for each other. It looks like they must bump into each other, but It's amazing that they all manage to reach the other side safely.\nBut the real reason I'm here is that I want to see people crash. I want businessmen to knock into each other, their umbrellas flying off their arms, and uniformed schoolchildren hitting grannies. Why may I see this now, but wouldn't have had the chance even a year ago? It's very simple - smartphones.\nSmartphone use is booming in Japan. In 2012, only about a quarter of Japanese used them, most being perfectly happy with their everyday mobiles. But now more than half of all Japanese now own a smartphone and the number is rising fast. But with that rise has grown another phenomenon - the smartphone walk. Those people who're staring at a phone screen adopt this kind of pace- their head down, arms outreached, looking like zombies trying to find human prey .\nSurprisingly, an American named Michael Cucek who has lived here for more than 20 years told me smartphone walk probably wouldn't be a long-term problem. Japanese phone manner is in fact better than anywhere else in the world - hardly anyone speaks on their phones on trains, and teenagers wouldn't dare broadcast music out of one. If things got truly bad at Shibuya, the police would just start shouting at people to look up.\nBut really, is the smartphone walk such an annoying problem? There's only one way to find out. So I leave the coffee shop, head down to the crossing and start typing an email, promising myself I won't look up until I get to the other side. When they start walking past me, it's my time to cross. As I step forward, the experience quickly becomes nervous - legs jump in and out of my vision without warning, while shopping bags fly towards my face before being pulled away at the last moment. I'm sure I'm going to get hit, but after a few seconds I relax. It's OK. Everyone's reacting for me.\nI expect to see two smartphone walkers just like me. But instead I find a young couple, very much in love and very much refusing to let each other's hands go just to give way to a fool on his smartphone. The girl gives me such a look of dislike that I quickly apologize and rush round them. That look was enough to ensure I'll never be smartphone walking again.", "problems": [{"question": "Why does the author stand in a coffee shop above Shibuya crossing?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because he is waiting for somebody.", "Because he can have a good view from there.", "Because he wants to see what would happen because of smartphones.", "Because it's interesting to see businessmen's umbrellas flying off their arms"]}, {"question": "How does Michael Cucek find smartphone walk in Japan?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He found it by accident when he lives here.", "Japanese pay much attention to their phone manner in public.", "The police in Shibuya are too strict with people's phone manner.", "Smartphone walk in Japan has a deep root."]}, {"question": "How does the author confirm whether smartphone walk is annoying or not?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By personal experimenting", "By comparing with other way of walk", "By giving example.", "By explaining the traffic rules patiently"]}, {"question": "After smartphone walking himself, the author thinks  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it's exciting to walk while sending emails", "it's really dangerous to walk while sending emails", "there are some others smartphone walking like him", "other passers-by give way to him although they dislike."]}]}
{"article": "A woman was waiting at an airport one night, with several long hours before her flight. She bought a book and a bag of cookies in the airport shop, and found a place to drop.\nShe was interested in her book, but the man sitting beside her grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between, which she tried to ignore to avoid an argument.\nSo she ate the cookies noisily and watched the clock, as the cookie thief diminished (......) her stock. She was getting angrier as the minutes passed, thinking,\"Oh, brother, if I wasn't so nice, I would blacken your eyes.\"\nWith each cookie she took, he took one, too. When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, he took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, and he ate the other. She got it from him and thought, \" This guy has some nerve   and he's also rude. Why didn't he even show any gratitude?\"\nShe had never known when she had been so angry. She gathered her bag and headed for the gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate  .\nShe boarded the plane and then she sought her book, which was almost complete. As she reached in her bag, she was shocked-- there was her bag of cookies. \"If mine are here,\" she thought, \"the others were his. It's too late to apologize.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the woman ignore it when she found the man eating the cookies?", "answer": "A", "options": ["She didn't want to get into an argument.", "She was full of pity for the man.", "The man was dangerous and brave.", "She was too careless to notice it."]}, {"question": "When offered her half of the last cookie, the woman  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["felt a bit disappointed.", "felt deeply thankful.", "considered the man unthankful.", "saw the man as his brave brother."]}, {"question": "We can infer that the man  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["might have returned the bag of cookies secretly.", "tried to share his cookies with the woman.", "was thankful for the woman's kindness.", "was really a thief."]}]}
{"article": "Coaches and parents always tell us to keep our goals in mind when we go for a competition. Carrying your goals and expectations into a competition is one of the biggest mistakes any athlete can make. This is a big game and you want to win. You want to score a hundred, defeat your competitors, or score a hat-trick of goals. When you carry your goals into the competitive ground with you, chances are great that you will leave that performance with disappointment and heartache, and nothing more!\nExpectations will _ Expectations will distract  you from the performance and make your muscles tighten up. Want to perform to your potential when it counts the most? Then write your goals on a piece of paper before you leave for the game, match or race, and then leave that paper at home!  Make a deal with yourself to let go of your goals. Expectations and goals should be your training partner, used to motivate you to work harder during practice and take your game to the next level, However, never take your goals and expectations into a competition. You will not perform to your potential!\nGo into your competitions without any preconceived  ideas about the result. Forget the outcome!  Instead, keep your focus on what you're doing in the moment. Think of the competition as it unfolds, moment by moment. Relax at every opportunity by breathing deep and letting go of the tension in your muscles. When you do this you'll remain loose and relaxed. When you stay loose,  you'll perform to your capabilities. Goals and expectations are very important for your overall motivation, and very harmful when you carry them into a performance.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, for an athlete one of the biggest mistakes is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["forgetting his goals when competing", "worrying about his not winning", "carrying his goals into the competition", "paying too much attention to the result"]}, {"question": "According to the author, expectations and goals should be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["set within one's capabilities", "used as an encouragement when training", "written down in case of being forgotten", "divided into some small parts"]}, {"question": "What might be the most suitable title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Keep your goals in mind", "Set your goals for a competition", "Forget your goals after competitions", "Leave your goals at home"]}]}
{"article": "What does the word \"home\" mean to you? How do you say the word in French? In Spanish? In your language? Although people usually know what the word means, it often has no exact translation. It's not surprising really, because the idea of home differs from country to country, and from person to person. A home is more than a roof and four walls. It's the cooking, eating, talking, playing and family living that go on inside, which are important as well. And at home you usually feel safe and relaxed.\nBut it's not just that homes look different in different countries, they also contain different things and reveal  different attitudes and needs. For example, in cold northern Europe, there's a fire in the living room or kitchen and all the chairs face it. In the south, where the sun shines a lot and it's more important to keep the heat out, there are small windows, cool stone floors and often no carpets. We asked some people about their homes.\nHow often do people move house in your country?\n\"In my country many people don't stay in one place for a very long time. They often move every ten years or so.\"\nCheryl, Boston, USA\nWhat are typical features of homes in your country?\n\"In Britain, even in town there's always a garden and sometimes a cellar . We have separate bedrooms and living rooms. But we don't often have balconies  . The weather isn't warm enough!\"\n-- Pat, Exeter, England", "problems": [{"question": "Which one is true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People in Britain seldom have balconies because it's so hot outside.", "\"Home\" is a place where you feel safe and relaxed.", "Although homes look different in different countries, they have the same needs.", "Houses in northern Europe always have big windows and cool stone floors."]}, {"question": "The word \"home\" has no exact translation because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["people can't find this word in the dictionary", "no one knows what it is", "it has different meanings in different countries", "people can't understand each other very well"]}, {"question": "You can   _   at home according to the passage.", "answer": "B", "options": ["eat, play, and teach students", "cook, talk, and play games", "swim, eat, and make friends", "do nothing"]}, {"question": "Why is it important to keep the heat out of the houses in southern Europe?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because they want to breathe fresh air outside.", "Because there's a fire in the living room.", "Because they wear heavy clothing all day long.", "Because the sun there shines a lot."]}]}
{"article": "College visits are important.Before you commit years of your life and money to a school, be sure you're choosing a place,\" that is a good match for your personality and interests.You can't get the \"feel' of a school from any guidebook, so be sure to visit the campus.Below are a few tips for getting the most out of your college visit.\n1.Explore on your own\nOf course you should take the official campus tour, but be sure to allow time to hang around on your own. The trained tour guides will show you a school's selling points.But the 1dest and prettiest buildings don't give you the entire picture of a college.Try to walk the extra mile and get the complete picture of the campus.\n2.Read the Bulletin Boards\nWhen you visit the student center, academic buildings and residence hall, take a few minutes to read the bulletin boards.They provide an easy way to see what's happening on campus.The ads for lectures, clubs and plays can tell you what's going on outside the classrooms.\n3.Eat in the Dining Hall\nYou can get a good feel for student life by eating in the dining hall.Try to sit with students if you can.Do the students seem happy or stressed? Also, is the food good? Are there adequate healthy options? Many admission offices will give prospective students coupons for free meals in the dining halls.\n4.Visit a Class in Your Major\nIf you know what you want to study, a class visit makes a lot of sense.You'll get to observe other students in your field and see how involved they are  in classroom discussion.Try to stay after class for a few minutes and chat with the students to get their impressions of their professors and major.Be sure to call in advance to schedule a classroom visit--most colleges don't allow visitors to drop in on class unannounced.\n5.Talk to Lots of Students\nYour campus tour guide has been trained to market the sch001.Try to talk to students who aren't getting paid to impress you.These important conversations can often provide you with information about co1lege life that isn't part of the admission script.Few university officials wi11 tell you if their students spend all weekend drinking or studying, but a group of random(,) students might.\nFor more tips,please go to collegeapps.about.com.", "problems": [{"question": "The best way to know about a college in an official campus tour is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to walk around the campus alone", "to take pictures of the campus", "to visit the oldest and prettiest buildings", "to hire a tour guide"]}, {"question": "Reading the bulletin boards can help you  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["decide the major you want to study", "find out the after-class activities on campus", "get free coupons from the admission offices", "find out the options of healthy food"]}, {"question": "If you plan to attend a class on campus,  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["drop in on a class in your major", "have talks with the students in the class", "make an appointment in advance", "ask how the students like their teachers and majors"]}, {"question": "To get a real idea of the college during a visit, it's best to talk to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["famous professors", "campus tour guides", "admission officers", "random students"]}, {"question": "Where does the passage probably come from?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A news report", "A tourist poster.", "An educational journal.", "A geographical magazine."]}]}
{"article": "Hilton English Language Center\nInformation for New Students\nCLASS TIME: 8:30a.m.--10:00a.m., 10:30a.m.--12:00a.m., 1:30p.m.--3:00p.m..\nThe Language Center is open Monday to Friday. Each class has one afternoon free per week. On the first day, go to the lecture hall to check your timetable.\nSELF-ACCESS: The language laboratory (Room 1110) is open Monday to Friday from 3:15p.m. to 5:00p.m. for all full-time students.\nYou can learn how to use computers for language games or word-processing . There are tapes for students to borrow to practice their English. Go in and ask the teacher to show you. If you plan to take public examinations, there are dictation and listening comprehension tapes for you to practice with. There are cloze exercises on the computers. Ask your class teacher for a list of past exam essays. Students can borrow tapes to take home but they must be returned after two days.\nATTENDANCE :All students are expected to attend classes as it is required. Students who do not attend classes will be reported to OSS. Eighty percent attendance is required for students to receive their certificates when they finish their courses. It is also required by OSS for an extension to your visa.\nBOOKS: If students are given course books, the books are their responsibility. If a book is lost, the student will be expected to pay for it.\nIf students wish to buy books, there is a bookshop in the college specializing in English books (Room 3520).", "problems": [{"question": "When do classes begin and end on a full day?", "answer": "B", "options": ["8:30a.m.--1:30p.m..", "8:30a.m.--3:00p.m..", "8:30a.m.--3:15p.m..", "3:15p.m.--5:00p.m.."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["No teachers are in the language lab.", "90% attendance is required for the students.", "Books can't be taken out of the center.", "Students can prepare for exams by listening to tapes."]}, {"question": "The timetable can be seen in   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the lecture hall", "Room 3520", "the classroom", "Room 1110"]}]}
{"article": "\"Regardless of social class, race and age, men say they hate to shop.\" says Zukin, City University of New York sociology professor. Yet when you ask them deeper questions, it turns out that they like to shop. Men generally like to shop for books, music and hardware. But if you ask them about the shopping they do for books or music, they'll say, \"Well, that's not shopping. That's research.\"\n    In other words, what men and women call \"buying things\" and how they approach that task are different. \n    Women will wander through several 1,000-aquare-meter stores in search of the perfect party dress. Men will wander through 100 Internet sites in search of the perfect digital camcorder. Women see shopping as a social event. Men see it as a special task or a game to be won. \n   \"Men are frequently shopping to win,\" says Ann, a marketing professor at Loyola University of Chicago. \"They want to get the best deal. They want to get the best one, the latest one and if they do that it makes them happy.\" When women shop, \"They're doing it in a way that they want everybody to be very happy.\" says Ann. \"They're kind of shopping for love.\"\n   \"Teenage girls learn to shop from their moms and older sisters, but they also learn to shop by examining articles in magazines like Seventeen,\" City University Zukin says. \"And although men's magazines such as GQ and Esquire have long had shopping articles, it's TV that has the eye of young male shoppers,\" say Ann and Zukin. \n   \"Television shows are used by young men in the same way Seventeen magazine or Lucky is used by girls,\" says Zukin, \"to help make clothing and toiletry choices.\"\n   \"Of course, there are men who love to shop and are proud of it.\" Loyola's Ann says. And that is important no matter whether you buy a car or a frying pan. All men love to buy but don't want to get cheated. Ann adds, \"There actually are men who are interested, for example, in cooking or shopping or chinaware or things around the home---they become kind of girl magnets. Women like it.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Compared to women, men usually treat shopping more   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["seriously", "honestly", "curiously", "foolishly"]}]}
{"article": "\"Family\" is of course an _ word. But when British people say that their society is based on family life, they are thinking of \"family\" in its narrow, peculiarly European sense of mother ,father and children living together alone in their own house as an economic and social unit. Thus, every British marriage indicates the beginning of a new and independent family--hence the tremendous importance of marriage in British life. For both the man and the woman, marriage means leaving one's parents and starting one's own life. The man's first duty will then be to his wife, and the wife's to her husband. He will be entirely responsible for her financial support, and she for the running of the new home. Their children will be their common responsibility and theirs alone. Neither the wife's parents nor the husband's, nor their brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles, have any right to interfere with them--they are their own masters.\nReaders of novels like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will know that in former times marriage among wealthy families were arranged by the girl's parents, that is, it was the parents' duty to find a suitable husband for their daughter, preferably a rich one, and by skillful encouragement to lead him eventually to ask their permission to marry her. Until that time, the girl was protected and maintained in the parents' home, and the financial relief of getting rid of her could be seen in their giving the newly married pair a sum of money called a dowry. It is very different today. Most girls of today get a job when they leave school and become financially independent before their marriage. This has had two results. A girl chooses her own husband, and she gets no dowry.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author mean by \"Family is of course an elastic word\"?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Different families have different ways of life.", "Different definitions could be given to the word.", "Different nations have different families.", "Different times produce different families."]}, {"question": "For an English family, the husband's duty is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["supporting the family while the wife is financial", "defending the family while the wife is running the home", "financial while the wife is running the home", "independent while the wife is dependent"]}, {"question": "Everything is decided in a family   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["by the couple", "with the help of their parents", "by brothers and sisters", "with the help of aunts and uncles"]}, {"question": "What is true concerning the book Pride and Prejudice?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is the best book on marriage.", "It is a handbook of marriage.", "It gives quite some idea of English social life in the past.", "It provides a lot of information of former time wealthy families."]}, {"question": "With regard to marriage in Britain, present day girls differ from former time girls in   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the right marry", "more parental support", "choosing husbands", "social position"]}]}
{"article": "Joke l:\nA man was sitting reading his papers when his wife hit him round the head with a frying pan. \"What was that for?\" the man asked.\nThe wife replied, \"That was for the piece of paper with the name Jenny on it I found in your pocket.\" The man then said, \"When l was at the races last week Jenny was the name of the horse I bet on.\" The wife apologized and went on with the housework. Three days later the man was watching TV when his wife hit him on the head with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness the man asked why she had hit again. Wife replied, \"Your horse phoned.\"\nJoke 2:\n\"Do you believe in life after death?\" the boss asked one of his employees.\n\"Yes, sir, \" the new employee replied.\n\"Well, then, that makes everything just fine, \" the boss went on. \"After you left early yesterday to go to your grandmother's funeral. she stopped in to see you!\"\nJoke 3:\n\"Oh, I am happy to see you, \" the little boy said to his grandmother on his mother's side. \"Now maybe daddy will do the trick he has been promising us. \" The grandmother was curious. \"What trick is that?\" she asked.\n\"I heard him tell mommy that he would climb the walls if you came to visit, \" the little boy answered.\nJoke 4:\nA woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months, yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day. One day, he signaled for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, \"You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times.\nWhen I got fired, you were there to support me.\nWhen my business failed, you were there.\nWhen I got shot, you were by my side.\nWhen we lost the house, you stayed right here.\nWhen my health started failing, you were still by my side... You know what Martha?\"\n\"What dear?\" she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.\n\"I'm beginning to think you're bad luck...\"", "problems": [{"question": "The wife became angry suddenly in Joke 1 because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she had her frying pan burned while away", "her husband made a bet on a horse but lost", "her husband was carrying with himself a woman's name", "her husband's pocket money was lost without any reason"]}, {"question": "Who called the husband in Joke 1?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The organization of the horse races of a club.", "Jenny the man chose to bet on in the races.", "Jenny who won the race successfully.", "Jenny whom the man made friends with."]}, {"question": "What dose the boss mean in Joke 2?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He was lucky to see the employee's former grandmother.", "The employee's grandmother has come into heaven after death.", "He has figured out that the employee told a lie to him.", "The employee's grandmother was an honest woman."]}, {"question": "What can we learn about the little boy from Joke 3?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His father likes to make fun of his mother-in-law.", "He likes to play tricks on others.", "His mother is strict with him.", "His father doesn't like his mother-in-law to come."]}, {"question": "The husband in Joke 4 means that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he is thankful for his selfless and lovely wife", "he realizes he is unlucky to have married his wife", "it is fortunate to experience so many unforgettable things", "his wife deserves all his love because of her devotion"]}]}
{"article": "If you wish to dance with a certain lady, go to her, bow, and say, \"May I have the pleasure of a dance?\" If it is a formal dance with programs, she will tell you which dance she will have with you; if there are no programs, she will either rise and dance with you, or she may say, \"I have this dance taken.\" Or she may say, \"I am sorry, I am not dancing this dance.\" This may be a polite way of saying that she does not want to dance with you, or it may be that she is tired and wants to rest; you will have to judge which is her attitude.\nDo not expect a lady whom you have invited to dance in advance for a dance to make any attempt to find you. It is her part to remain seated until you find her. Bow and say, \"I believe this is my dance.\"\nAt the end of a dance, thank your partner, but do not leave her until you have led her to a seat. Then, if you wish, you may excuse yourself, and go in search of your next partner.\nIf you cannot dance very well, it is always permissible to ask a lady if she is willing to _ a dance with you. Sometimes during the evening, your hostess, the daughter of the hostess, and any guest of honor should all be asked by you to dance.", "problems": [{"question": "When a lady says, \"I am sorry I am not dancing this dance.\", she actually means  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["she is not willing to dance with you", "she is too tired to dance with you", "she is not good at dancing at all", "either A or B"]}, {"question": "If you have already made an appointment with a lady at the ball,  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it is her duty to find you", "it is still your duty to find her", "it is both of your duty to find each other", "you wait and wait until it is your turn to dance with her"]}, {"question": "At the end of the dance,  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["you leave your partner and go to find your next partner", "you thank your partner and leave her", "you should introduce your partner to another gentleman", "none of the above is right"]}]}
{"article": "\"Migrant workers\"  is a familiar term for 17-year-old Shi Jian. Her father and uncle often talk about the problems surrounding this group of people. However, Shi cares more about the children of these migrant workers.\nLast year Shi's housekeeper's daughter had to give up her schooling in Beijing because she would not be allowed to sit the national college entrance exam. She was forced to continue her high school education in her hometown in Sichuan Province.\nShi thinks the current law is unfair for migrant workers' children, as it prevents them from studying at public schools, unless their parents pay huge sums. So, Shi decided to do a survey of migrant workers so that she could find some solutions to help solve the problem.\nIn the last six months Shi spoke to 186 migrant workers in Beijing. Her interviewees include babysitters, guards, keepers, supermarket clerks, house cleaners and construction site workers. Shi found out that 55 of them were parents. Among this group, only eight have children who attend schools in Beijing. The other 47 had to leave children with relatives in the countryside. However, 40 of the 47 would like to enroll  their children in city schools.\nFrom her interviews, Shi found that the workers' lowest income was 400 yuan each month. Over one-third earn a monthly wage of or below 1000 yuan. \"Even schools for migrant workers' children charge more than public schools. Morever, parents constantly worry about these schools closing or relocating,\" she explained.\nShi has recently completed a report about her survey, in which she makes a series of recommendations. \"The government can set up public schools for migrants' children equal to schools for city children. Second, to offset  migrant workers' very low pay, public schools should offer them special rates so they can afford their children's tuition .", "problems": [{"question": "What drove Shi to do the survey of migrant workers?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Her curiosity about migrant workers' lives", "She was asked to do a survey of migrant workers as part of a school project.", "Her housekeeper's daughter was forced to move to her hometown to continue studying.", "She wanted to draw people's attention and become famous"]}, {"question": "According to Shi's survey, most migrant workers' kids   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["don't live together with their parents", "attend schools near their parents' working places", "have to help their parents support the family", "always do better in schools than children from the city."]}, {"question": "All of the following prevent migrant worker's kids from attending schools in cities EXCEPT  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["their parents' low income", "their lack of confidence to face the fierce competitions in city schools", "school's high tuitions", "that schools for migrant workers' children may close or relocate"]}, {"question": "Shi suggested in her survey that   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["more private schools for migrants' children should be built", "more money should be collected for migrants' children", "children's tuition should be reduced", "students from the city and the countryside should be encouraged to communicate more"]}]}
{"article": "Last week, I bought an alarm system  for about $ 450. It consisted of a control unit with three other small units. I put the control unit in the sitting room and fastened the other units by the front door, back door and living-room windows. The instructions told us to choose three numbers, so we chose 491, the last three numbers of our telephone number.\nNow I must explain how the alarm works:\n1. There is a power siren  in the control unit. It makes a very loud noise.\n2. Each of the small units sends out beams  or rays in different directions. If anything moves, it breaks a beam. This sends a signal to the control unit. The siren makes a noise that you can hear 50 meters away.\n3. When we go to bed, I press the three buttons numbered 4, 9 and 1. Then we have 30 seconds to get out of the room before the alarm starts to work.\nThat might I slept soundly because I was sure that no burglar  could get into our house. However, at about 2:10a.m., I woke up and heard the siren .\n\"There must be a burglar in the house,\" Mary said. \"What shall we do?\"\n\"I'll go and see who's there,\" I said. \"Stay here. Don't make a noise.\"\nI went downstairs quietly. When I reached the living room, I switched on my torch and looked round the room. Then I turned the light on. I switched the siren off and searched the rooms downstairs. There was nothing wrong except that the back door was unlocked. I locked it, re-set the alarm and went back to bed.\nAbout an hour later, the alarm started again. I jumped out of bed, fell over a chair in the dark and bumped into the bedroom door. Mary woke up and started hitting me with a torch. \"Hey! Wait a minute!\" I whispered. \"It's only me. I' m going downstairs to see what's wrong.\"\nI went down into the living room and listened for a moment. The only sound I could hear was the siren. I turned on the light and then switched the siren off. As I did so, I glanced across at the curtains in front of the windows. I saw a house lizard   disappear behind the curtains.\n\"Oh!\" I said to myself. \"That's our burglar.\"\nWhen the lizard moved, it started the siren. I guessed that the alarm had been made in Europe, where there are no house lizards.\nWell, I won't finish this story but if you want an alarm system free of charge, let me know. I'll send you ours. We bought a dog this morning. It knows the difference between a lizard and a burglar.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer bought an alarm system to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["make sure that he got up early every day", "warn him when there were lizards in his house", "frighten burglars and tell him that somebody had got into the house", "make Mary feel safe to live in the large room"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the three units was to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["send a message to the control unit and start the siren", "sound their own sirens when the control unit told them to", "check that the control unit worked properly all the time", "give them enough light"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A burglar broke into the writer's house.", "The writer's wife was attacked by the burglar.", "The alarm that the writer bought must be made in Europe.", "It was a lizard that broke into the writer's house."]}, {"question": "The purpose of the writer in writing the passage is to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["tell us that the alarm system doesn't work", "tell us an interesting experience", "show us how the alarm system works", "make it clear that he wants to give away his alarm system"]}]}
{"article": "Father's Garden\nMy father was always a good  gardener. One of my earliest memories is standing without shoes in the freshly tilled  soil, my hands blackened from digging in the ground.\nAs a child, I loved following Dad around in the garden. I remember Dad pushing the tiller  ahead in perfectly straight lines. Dad loved growing all sorts of things: yellow and green onions, watermelons almost as big as me, rows of yellow corn, and our favorite--- red tomatoes.\nAs I grew into a teenager, I didn't get so excited about gardening with Dad. Instead of magical land of possibility, it had turned into some kind of prison. As Dad grew older, his love for gardening never disappeared. After all the kids were grown and had started families of their own, Dad turned to gardening like never before. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he still took care of his garden.\nBut then, the cancer, bit by bit, invaded his body. I had to do the things he used to do. What really convinced me that Dad was dying was the state of his garden that year. The rows and rows of multicolored vegetables were gone. Too tired to weed them, he simply let them be. He only planted tomatoes.\nFor the first few years after he died, I couldn't even bear to look at anyone's garden without having strong memories pour over me like cold water from a bucket. Three years ago, I decided to plant my own garden and started out with just a few tomatoes. That morning, after breaking up a fair amount of soil, something caught the corner of my eye and I had to smile. It was my eight-year-old son Nathan, happily playing in the freshly tilled soil.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author like the garden when he was a child?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He wanted to be a garden-crazy like his father.", "He loved being in the garden with his father.", "The garden was full of his favorite food.", "The garden was just freshly tilled."]}, {"question": "When all the kids started their own families, the author's father   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["stopped his gardening.", "turned to other hobbies.", "devoted more to gardening.", "focused on planting tomatoes."]}, {"question": "What happened to the garden when the author's father was seriously ill?", "answer": "B", "options": ["There was a great harvest.", "The garden was almost deserted.", "No plant grew in the garden at all.", "The author's son took charge of the garden."]}, {"question": "Why did the author start his garden with tomatoes?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He wanted to honor his father.", "His son liked the fields of tomatoes.", "He only knew how to grow tomatoes.", "He thought tomatoes were easy to manage."]}]}
{"article": "The U. S. Postal Service (USPS) is losing billions of dollars a year. The government company that delivers \"small mail\" is losing out to email and other types of electronic communication. First-class mail amount fell from a high point of 104 million pieces in 2000 to just 64 million pieces by 2014.\nCongress permits the 600.000-empIoyee USPS to hold a monopoly   over first-class and standard mail. The company pays no federal, state or local taxes; pays no vehicle fees; and is free from many regulations on other businesses. Despite these advantages, the USPS has lost $52 billion since 2007, and will continue losing money without major reforms.\nThe problem is that Congress is preventing the USPS from reducing costs as its sales decline, and is blocking efforts to end Saturday service and close unneeded post office locations. USPS also has a costly union-dominated workforce that slows the introduction of new ideas or methods down. USPS workers earn significantly higher payment than comparable private-sector workers. The answer is to privatize the USPS and open postal markets to competition. With the rise of the Internet, the argument that mail is a natural monopoly that needs government protection is weaker than ever.\nOther countries facing declining letter amounts have made reforms Germany and the Netherlands privatized their national postal companies over a decade ago, and other European countries have followed suit. Britain floated shares of the Royal Mail on its stock exchange in 2013. Some countries, such us Sweden and New Zealand, have not privatized their national postal companies, but they have opened them up to competition.\nThese reforms have driven efficiency improvements in all of these countries. Additional number of workers have been reduced, productivity has risen and consumers have benefited. Also, note that cost-cutting measures--such as closing tone post offices--are good for both the economy and the environment.\nPrivatization and competition also encourage new changes. When the USPS monopoly over \"extremely urgent\" mail was stopped in 1979, we saw an explosion in efficient overnight private delivery by firms such as FedEx.\nThe government needs to wake up to changing technology, study postal reforms abroad and let businessmen reinvent our out-of-date postal system.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the USPS?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Its great competitor is the delivery firm FedEx.", "It is an old public service open to competitions.", "Its employees don't pay federal, state or local taxes.", "It has complete control of first-class and standard mail."]}, {"question": "The author probably that the USPS   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["needs government's protection as ever", "can work together with other businesses", "must be replaced by international companies", "should be sold out and become a private service"]}]}
{"article": "We are not rich by what we possess but rather by what we can do without.\n----Immauel Kant\nMany times my friend June would say, \"If I ever get rich, I'm getting a completely new wardrobe  and moving into a bigger apartment.\" I thought of her words and her chances of being rich are about as good as mine. But, to everyone's surprise, a few years ago June did come to large inheritance .\nAt first June said very little about the money. As the initial shock disappeared, she became excited, June is a great believer in making lists, so I was surprised to find her writing down all the ways she would spend her new wealth.\nAs time went on, she started revising the list. What had been midway down the list was now at the top. At last, I said to her, \"You know, it isn't necessary to spend all your inheritance at once. Take come time; think about it.\" \"I know, I know,\" she answered with a little bit anger.\nThen one morning June called, \"I've decided how I want to use my new inheritance. I want to see what you think,\" she said. This wasn't something I looked forward to, but we had been friends so long.\nAs we sat, June spread a sheet of paper on the table. To my great surprise, she had written only two words: Charities, and Grandchildren-in that order. Though I had promised to keep quiet, I couldn't keep from asking how she came to this decision.\n\"Well,\" she said, \"I took your advice and thought about it.\" She added, \"Helping others means a lot to me, so I'm hoping this gift will help people in need.\"\nI interrupted, \"But what about this big apartment you most hope to have?\"\n\"At first it was hard, but it doesn't seem as important any more\", she answered with a smile.\nThen June moved her hand, and I could see a few words written in tiny letters at the bottom of the page. After having a look at the small print, I burst into laughter. June had written: AND one new wardrobe.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can learn that the writer at first  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["was richer than her friend June", "was no richer than her friend June", "was poorer than her friend June", "was interested in money as June"]}, {"question": "When making a list of how to deal with her inheritance, June  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["didn't change it at all", "had a quarrel with the writer", "kept it secret from the writer", "made some changes to it"]}, {"question": "When June called the writer to talk about her new decision, the writer  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["felt that June would do something meaningful", "refused the invitation at first, but changed her mind later", "had decided not to make any comments on June's list", "was eager to learn more about the new list"]}, {"question": "What did the writer think of her friend's new decision?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She found it funny and wrong.", "She found it unacceptable and unbelievable.", "She found it surprising and meaningful.", "She found it difficult and meaningless."]}]}
{"article": "The slogan \"a dog is for life, not just for Christmas\" has been going strong for 27 years now. Dogs and cats have been popular Christmas gifts in the gifts in the UK and Europe for many years. But some people still haven't quite got the message.\nThe slogan still holds good. Some 105,000 dogs were _ by local government last year because they had been abandoned, many of them shortly after the festival season.\nThe main reason given by owners for handing their dogs over to the Dogs Trust is that the dogs need more attention than they can give; behavioral problems and moving home are also reasons given.\nBut Eleanor Silk, the Trust's communications director, says, \"It's often four or five months after Christmas, in early summer, when owners find that the dog has got too big and too active, or it hasn't been trained properly and has caused damage around the home.\"\nIn any case, some organizations that help pets are quick to point out that if you are serious about getting a puppy  as a pet, Christmas is not the time to do it. Puppies need to get used to their new surroundings, to be introduced to a routine, and to be looked after like small children. It's hard to meet any of these needs at Christmas. What's more, pulling a puppy out of a Christmas stocking in itself sends the wrong message to children. It encourages children to think of the puppy as a toy, rather than a responsibility.\nAppreciating what you're taking on with a dog can be a sobering   realization. \"For life\" means thinking about the effect they'll have on your life. It also infers you will need to care for the dog for its whole life.", "problems": [{"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Dogs and Cats--the Most Popular Christmas Gifts.", "A pet is for Life, Not just for Christmas.", "How to Take Care of Your Pets over Christmas.", "Let's Help Those Abandoned Pets"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a reason for pets to be abandoned?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Pets spread some diseases.", "Pets damage some things in the house.", "The owners can't take good care of the pets.", "The owners have to move to other places."]}, {"question": "Why is the author against the idea of putting a dog in the Christmas stocking as a Christmas gift?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because these dogs can still cause damage.", "Because children will not take dogs seriously.", "Because children don't like to have dogs as Christmas gifts.", "Because a Christmas stocking is not big enough to put a dog in."]}]}
{"article": "Americans have contributed   to many art forms, and jazz, a type of music, is one of the art forms started in the United States. Black Americans, who sang and played the music of their homeland, created jazz.\nJazz is a mixture of the music of Africa, the work songs the slaves sang, and religious  music. Improvisation   is an important part of jazz. This is why a jazz song sounds a little different each time it is played.\nJazz bands formed in the late 1800s. They played in bars and clubs in many towns and cities of the South, especially New Orleans. New Orleans is an international seaport, and people from all over the world come to New Orleans to hear jazz.\nJazz became more and more popular. By the 1920s, jazz was popular all over the United States. By the 1940s, you could hear jazz not only in clubs and bars, but in concert halls as well. Today, people from all over the world play jazz. Jazz musicians from the United States, Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe meet and share their music at festivals on every continent. In this way, jazz continues to grow and change.", "problems": [{"question": "What can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["American Art Forms", "The Development of Jazz", "The Music of Black Americans", "The Birthplace of Jazz"]}, {"question": "From the text we can learn that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["New Orleans is the place where jazz was very popular", "the American people are all jazz lovers", "jazz is merrily sung by black people when working", "jazz may become less popular as time goes on"]}, {"question": "It took about  _   years to make jazz popular in the United States.", "answer": "B", "options": ["200", "120", "80", "40"]}]}
{"article": "Cole Bettles had been rejected by a number of universities when he received an e-mail from the University of California, San Diego, last month, congratulating him on his admission and inviting him to tour the campus. His mother booked a hotel in San Diego, and the 18-year-old Ojai high school senior arranged for his grandfather, uncle and other family members to meet them at the campus for lunch during the Saturday tour.\n\"They were like 'Oh my God, that's so awesome  ', \" Bettles said. Right before he got in bed, he checked his e-mail one last time and found another message saying the school had made a mistake and his application had been denied.\nIn fact, all 28, 000 students turned away from UC San Diego, in one of the toughest college entrance seasons on record, had received the same incorrect message. The students' hopes had been raised and then dashed   in a cruel twist that shows the danger of instant communications in the Internet age.\nUCSD admissions director Mae Brown called it an \"administrative error\" but refused to say who had made the mistake, or if those responsible would be disciplined  . \nThe e-mail, which began, \"We're thrilled that you've been admitted to UC San Diego, and we're showcasing   our beautiful campus on Admit Day, \" was sent to the full 46, 000 students who had applied, instead of just the 18, 000 who got in, Brown said.\nThe error was discovered almost immediately by her staff, who sent an apology within hours.\n\"It was really thrilling for a few hours; now he's crushed  , \" said Cole's mother, Tracy Bettles. \"It's really tough on them.\"\nThe admissions director said she was in the office on Monday until midnight answering e-mails and phone calls from disappointed students and their parents. She said she took full responsibility for the error. \"We accessed the wrong database. We recognize the incredible pain receiving this false encouragement caused. It was not our intent.\"", "problems": [{"question": "How many students received an admission e-mail from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)?", "answer": "C", "options": ["18, 000", "28, 000", "46, 000", "18"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE about the wrong e-mail message?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The mistake was made on purpose to cause pain among the applicants.", "It was UCSD admissions director Mae Brown who made the mistake.", "UCSD admissions staff got information from the wrong database.", "Staff did not discover the mistake until next Monday."]}, {"question": "The admissions director Mae Brown did what she could to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["protect the person who made the mistake", "punish herself for the mistake", "make up for the mistake", "help the disappointed students enter the university"]}]}
{"article": "A Scottish woman has given birth to twins for the third time. Karen Rodger, 41, welcomed her first pair of girls rowan and Isla after having twice given birth to twin boys.\n\"I still haven't really taken it on board because I was convinced I was having two boys,\" Rodger told Sky News. Karen said her husband Colin was equally stunned when the couple learned they were going to have their fifth and sixth child. \"He thought I was joking and immediately wrote back to say 'this is not funny'. I had to explain that it really was true,\" Karen said.\nThe average couple has about a 3 percent chance of having twins when not accounting for fertility drugs. And with each following pregnancy, the changes of producing twins a second, or even third time, become less.\nKaren, a dance lecturer, first learned of the incredibly rare occurrence during a visit to her doctor and immediately texted her husband to share the news. \"I just could not believe it. It never crossed my mind that it would be twins again. I just thought that wouldn't happen to people like me, but I'm  ly delighted,\" she said.\nIt had been several years since the couple's last children were born. Their oldest twins are 14 and the second set was born just two years later. \"I turned 40 and I thought, if I'm going to do it, I should do it now,\" Karen said. \"I spoken to my husband and we both thought we'd quite like another one so that was it and, one month later, I was pregnant.\" \nColin says the age and gender difference will ensure a sweat-inducing dilemma for any future suitors of the twin girls. It will be a frightening challenge for any boyfriend.", "problems": [{"question": "From Karen 's reaction to the news given by her doctor, we infer that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["she didn't know she was pregnant again", "she was happy to have twins again", "she didn't think she was different from others", "she didn't know how to tell her husband the news"]}, {"question": "After reading the passage, we know that Karen   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["gave birth to the twin girls in her forties", "now has three boys and three girls in total", "was talked into having more kids by her husband", "hoped she could have more girls soon"]}]}
{"article": "Thousands of people living in the Chinese capital will celebrate the start of the Chinese New year by heading for the ski resorts  . Never mind that Beijing's dry weather seldom produces snow. It is cold enough in winter for snow-making machines to make a covering for the hills north to the capital. And the rapid growth of a pleasure-seeking middle class has formed the basis for this new craze .\nSince Beijing's first ski resort was opened ten years ago, the sport has enjoyed astonishing increase. There are now more than a dozen resorts. Clothes markets in the city have added bright colored ski suits to their winter collections. Mr. Wei, a manager of a newly-opened ski resort in  Beijing, sees the growth of an industry that could soon lead Chinese to head for the ski resorts of Europe. In recent years, ski resorts offering natural snow have opened in China. But many are in faraway areas of the country and can't really match the equipment and services of some ski resorts in Europe.\nBeijing's skiing craze is partly a result of the recent increase in private   cars. This has led to the growth of a _ in the capital's suburbs  , which until the late-1990s were unreachable to ordinary people. According to Mr. Wei, about 40% of the visitors to his resort come in their own cars. The rest are bused in by schools, businesses or government offices.\nThe problem is making money. Starting ski resorts requires quite a lot of money; hiring land from the local government, preparing the hills, buying snow machines, making sure there are enough water and electricity to run them, and buying ski equipment for hiring out to customers.\nThe ski resort where Mr. Wei works cost nearly $4 million to set up. And as so often in China when someone comes up with a good idea, many others rush in and price wars break out. Beijing now offers some of the cheapest ski training classes in the world, though with most people rather new to the sport, expecting a few more doing the same job.", "problems": [{"question": "What does this text mainly talk about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Convenience for skiers brought about by private cars.", "Skiing as a new way of enjoying one's spare time.", "Things to be considered when starting a ski resort.", "A sudden increase of ski training classes in Beijing."]}, {"question": "Why are some Chinese likely to go skiing in Europe?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To visit more ski areas.", "To ski on natural snow.", "For a large collection of ski suits.", "For better services and equipment."]}, {"question": "What is the main problem in running a ski resort?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Difficulty in hiring land.", "Lack of business experience.", "Price wars with other ski resorts", "Shortage of water and electricity."]}]}
{"article": "Planning to go to a gym? If you are one of those who have spent many days planning to join a gym or to attend it regularly, then why not choose some home exercise? Here are some home exercises without equipment.\nJumping jacks\nThis one is the best home workout without weights which is a great exercise that will work your hands and legs. Perform this exercise by standing with your feet placed together and arms at your sides. Now tuck in your abs  and jump by bending in your knees. At the same time, move your feet apart as much as you can and raise your hands to bring in line with your shoulder. While you come back you must be in a starting position, feet together, hands at sides and knees bent. You must land on your heels and again jump.\nJogging\nJogging is one of the best home exercises without weights. You don't need to have a lawn or jogging track at home to perform this exercise. There are many benefits of jogging. It will work your entire legs. Moreover, it is a classic cardiovascular  workout. Make sure you wear jogging footwear even if you are jogging at home to avoid any stress on your feet. Also, you can gradually increase the jogging time and speed.\nRotating  exercise\nStart by rotating your wrists, clockwise  and anticlockwise. Now, alternately rotate your feet in the same fashion. Now place both your hands on the shoulder and start rotating your shoulder clockwise and anticlockwise. Place an exercise mat and lie flat on your back. Now lift your left leg and rotate it clockwise; do not bend you knees. Now rest the left leg, lift your right leg and rotate it anticlockwise.\nIt is necessary to set a perfect mood for exercise which will help you stick to the exercise routine and excitement. Make sure you wear proper exercise clothes to perform the workout with ease. Also, putting on your favorite music will make your exercise session more lively. If you get bored with exercises, just dance, after all it's also one of the best home exercises.", "problems": [{"question": "To carry out jumping jacks effectively, you  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["need to keep your two feet apart at first.", "must stand straight first and bend your abs.", "must use your arms to support your body.", "need to use your heels to touch the ground."]}, {"question": "What is the right order of your body parts during rotation exercise?", "answer": "C", "options": ["hands--legs---back----legs.", "wrists--hands---feet---shoulders", "wrists---feet---shoulders---legs", "hands---shoulders---knees---legs"]}, {"question": "To carry out home exercises continuously, you need  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a good atmosphere.", "a good coach.", "a dance teacher", "a good timer."]}]}
{"article": "Downing the last drop of an expensive famous brand H2O as well as remembering to throw the empty bottle in the recycling bin, makes you feel pretty good about yourself,  _ Even  when the bottles are recycles, there are all kinds of other consequences of swallowing bottled water, says Melissa Peffers, the air-quality program manager for Environmental Defense.\nThe containers are often filled in faraway lands, then shipped from abroad, and stored in refrigerators at your local store. Compare that with the influence on environment of turning on your tap, filling a glass, and drinking up!\nAnyone who is choosing bottled water for health reasons is misguided, says Peffers, \"Most bottled water is just tap water.\" And what comes out of your tap is carefully monitored to follow the strict rules. Consider another fact that bottled water is surprisingly expensive, especially when compared with the alternative, which is almost free, and it is astonishing that prefix = st1 /America's desire for bottled water seems impossible to satisfy, reaching nearly 30 billion bottles a year.\n\"My parents' generation never had bottled water, \" says Isabelle Silvrman, an Environmental Defense legal adviser. She has made a commitment to  _ . \"You don't need to fetch it home from the store, and it's cheaper.\" She adds.\nBottled water's role as a status symbol needs to change, Peffers points out. So when a waiter at an expensive restaurant offers \"And what's your drink?\" that's no reason to forger your conviction . \"Don't be afraid to say, 'I'll have tap.' Say it loud enough that the other tables nearby can hear you,\" Peffers says, \"And then spend that money on a dessert.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the author, tap water is_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["as safe as bottled water", "more likely to be polluted", "healthier than bottled water", "less convenient than bottled water"]}, {"question": "Why does Peffers ask people to say \"I'll have tap.\" Loudly?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To encourage them to set an example for others to follow.", "To advise them to save the money for one more dessert.", "To remind them to be aware of their social status.", "To persuade them to speak confidently in public."]}]}
{"article": "Some nations think they must have more and more babies, more and more people, if they are to remain strong and free.\nActually, this is not so. Very often in history, small nations have conquered large ones. It's not so much the size of the army as its organization and the technical level of its weapons. Thus, Greece took over Persia in the 300s B.C., Great Britain took over India in the 1700s, even though Persia and India had far bigger population than Greece and Great Britain.\nIf a nation wishes to avoid being dominated by its neighbors, its best chance is to raise its standard of living and its level of technology. _ can be done best by not allowing its population to grow to such a point that it is sunk in misery and poverty. In fact, the worst way in which a nation can try to avoid being dominated by its neighbor is to increase its population to the point of misery and poverty.\nIf every nation tries to compete with its neighbors by raising its population, then the whole world will be sunk in misery and poverty. The nations will become weak in a disaster that will leave nothing behind that is worth dominating. No one will have gained anything. Everyone will have lost everything.\nOnce all this is understood, and people generally agree that population growth must not be allowed to continue, they must also come to understand how that growth can be stopped. Population grows because more people are being born than are dying. There are two ways, then, in which the growth can be stopped. You can increase the number of people who die until it matches the number of people who are being born. Or else you can decrease the number of people who are born until it matches the number of people who are dying.\nThe first method--increasing the death rate--is the usual way in which population is controlled in all species of living things other than ourselves, but we don't want that, for disaster lies that way. The intelligent way is to reduce the birth rate. But how can the birth rate be reduced?", "problems": [{"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that if a country had fewer people,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it could still remain strong", "it would be defeated by a strong neighbour", "its standard of living could be high", "its people would live misery"]}, {"question": "What might the author be further discussing after the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Needs to balance population.", "Problems involved in birth control.", "Methods of decreasing population.", "Opposition from some nations."]}, {"question": "The passage mainly focuses on   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["why we must control population", "where we can find a solution", "how to stop population growth", "how to become a strong nation"]}]}
{"article": "What does the future hold for the problem of housing? A good deal depends, of course, on the meaning of \"future\". If one is thinking in terms of science fiction and the space age, it is at least possible to assume that man will have solved such trivial and earthly problems as housing. Writers of science fiction, from H.G. Wells onwards, have had little to say on the subject. They have conveyed the suggestion that men will live in great comfort, with every imaginable apparatus  to make life smooth, healthy and easy, if not happy. But they have not said what his house will be made of. Perhaps some new building material, as yet unimagined, will have been discovered or invented at least. One may be certain that bricks and mortar(,) will long have gone out of fashion.\nBut the problems of the next generation or two can more readily be imagined. Scientists have already pointed out that unless something is done either to restrict the world's rapid growth in population or to discover and develop new sources of food (or both), millions of people will be dying of starvation or at the best suffering from underfeeding before this century is out. But nobody has yet worked out any plan for housing these growing populations. Admittedly the worst situations will occur in the hottest parts of the world, where housing can be light structure or in backward areas where standards are traditionally low. But even the minimum shelter requires materials of some kind and in the teeming, bulging towns the low-standard \"housing\" of flattened petrol cans and dirty canvas is far more wasteful of ground space than can be tolerated.\nSince the war, Hong Kong has suffered the kind of crisis which is likely to arise in many other places during the next generation. Literally millions of refugees arrived to swell the already growing population and emergency steps had to be taken rapidly to prevent squalor and disease and the spread crime. The city is tackling the situation energetically and enormous blocks of tenements are rising at an astonishing aped. But Hong Kong is only one small part of what will certainly become a vast problem and not merely a housing problem, because when population grows at this rate there are accompanying problems of education, transport, hospital services, drainage, water supply and so on. Not every area may give the same resources as Hong Kong to draw upon and the search for quicker and cheaper methods of construction must never stop.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer is sure that in the distant future   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["bricks and mortar will be replaced by some other building material.", "a new building material will have been invented.", "bricks and mortar will not be used by people who want their house to be fashionable.", "a new way of using bricks and mortar will have been discovered."]}, {"question": "The writer believes that the biggest problem likely to confront the world before the end of the century   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["is difficult to foresee.", "will be how to provide enough houses in the hottest parts of the world.", "will be how to feed the ever growing population.", "is the question of finding enough ground space."]}, {"question": "When the writer says that the worst situations will occur in the hottest parts of the world or in backward areas, he is referring to the fact that in these parts   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the population growth will be the greatest.", "standards of building are low.", "only minimum shelter will be possible.", "there is not enough ground space."]}]}
{"article": "Though I have traveled in hundreds of trains, few unusual things have ever happened to me. But one day in a train something did happen. I do not mean that I was hurt: no one was hurt.\nI do my work in a hot country far away from England. Every September I go there to do my business, and every July I come back to England to have a rest. So every September I go to Paris and take a train from the great French city to Mendova, and at Mendova I catch my ship.\nThere is one very fast train from Paris to Mendova, and it suits me well. It goes as far as Endoran, but it stops at Mendova for a few minutes to let travelers get out or in. It is called The Flying Bluebird. It reaches Mendova at seven minutes past nine in the morning, and it is never late.\nA ship leaves Mendova at half past eleven, and so you will understand that The Flying Bluebird suits me very well. I always travel by it, and I have nearly two and a half hours at Mendova to go from the station to the ship. That is more than enough time.\nWell, one September night, I took my place in The Flying Bluebird as usual. The train leaves Paris at nine o'clock every night, and I was in my place soon after half past eight. There were three or four people there with me, but very soon a lot of others got into the train. When no more people could sit down, they began to stand up near us and also in the corridor . In a short time the corridor was full too, and it was impossible for any more travelers to get into the train.\nI could see a lot of other people outside the corridor windows, but they could not get in, and the train left Paris without them. The man sitting next to me started to ask all kinds of questions: \"Where do you work? How long does it take you to get there? Are you married? How many children do you have? How much money do they pay you every year? How much do you have in the bank? How much do you spend every month?\"\nHe asked questions for about twenty minutes but I did not give him any clear answers, and at last he stopped and began to read the paper.\nI usually sleep quite well in the train, but this time I slept only a little. There were too many people, and there were too many things: small bags, large bags, coats, hats, boxes, newspapers and food. As usual, we got angry about the window. Most people wanted it shut, and two of us wanted it open. But that always happens. It was shut all night, as usual.\nWhen I awoke in the early morning I felt hot and dirty, and glad that the journey was reaching its end. At seven minutes past nine The Flying Bluebird stopped. We were at Mendova, and I stood up thankfully. I took my two suitcases, held one in each hand, and tried to move towards the door into the corridor. In order to get out of the train, I had to pass down the corridor to the door at the far end. There was no other way out.\nI could not even into the corridor. There was a suitcase on the floor by my feet, and three men were standing in my way. I felt a touch of fear. I had to get out, you see; I had to catch my ship, which left at half past eleven. And the train did not stop again until it reached Endoran, two hundred miles away.\n\"I must get out!\" I cried. Everyone there understood me, but no one could move.\nAt last I was able to put one foot over the suitcase on the floor, and I nearly reached the door into the corridor. But then, very slowly, the train began to move. It was taking me away!\n\"Stop!\" I cried. \"I want to get out!\" But no one outside the train could hear me, and the people inside did not care much. The train moved a little faster. What could I do? I was not even in the corridor.\nFear made me think quickly. In front of my eyes, just, above the door, was a notice that told everyone how to stop the train. I had to pull an iron thing near the notice. I did not waste time. I pulled it.\nWell, _ That was to show everyone that there was something wrong. It was not a small sound. Possibly the men in my ship two miles away could hear it. Then the train stopped.\nNo one likes to stop a train if there is no need. But I had to catch my ship. That was the only thought in my mind: to get out and catch my ship.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the author and the man sitting next to him?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The author didn't like the man's foolish questions", "They talked with each other all night", "They got angry about the window", "The author didn't understand the man's words"]}, {"question": "On this journey on The Flying Bluebird, the author felt uncomfortable because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he couldn't find a seat by the window", "he was angry with the man sitting next to him", "the window was kept shut all night", "there were too many people on the train"]}, {"question": "It can be learned from Para.10 that the author was afraid that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he would have to spend another sleepless night on the train", "more people might crowd into the train", "he would miss the ship that went where he worked", "he would have to buy another ticket"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A Train that Is Never Late", "A Quick and Wise Decision", "A Journey to Mendov", "A Bad Experience on the Train"]}]}
{"article": "What's A Real Friend?\nYou can have the same neighbors for years. You love them or you think you love them. And you hope that they love you. But do you ever really understand them?\n    Charlie Kemp and his family lived next door to me for 15 years. We were good friends all the time. I enjoy friendship. I think it's the best thing in the world. And friendship with the Kemps was easy because they seemed to welcome it.\n    They were interesting and clever people. Their house caught fire twice, and twice the whole family slept in mine. They are always losing things like money, keys and watches. Pictures fell off the walls, the children fell out of bed ...\n    I was their neighbor and their friend. Life was always interesting, never dull. Best of all, I liked the whole family.\n    One day, I lit a fire in the garden to burn some rubbish. After some time Charlie Kemp came out of his house and walked up the road.\n    \"Morning, Charlie,\" I said, \"lovely day, isn't it?\" He smiled at me and nodded. I went on with my work.\nTwenty minutes later, a policeman arrived. He walked into my garden and said, \"You'll have to put out that fire. Your neighbor has complained   to us. He doesn't like the smell.\"\n\"My neighbor ...?\" I asked.\n    \"Yes,\" the policeman took out his notebook and read, \"Charlie Kemp. He lives next door, doesn't he?\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage,   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Charlie Kemp is the author's neighbor and his real good friend", "Charlie Kemp is the author's neighbor but not his real good friend", "Charlie Kemp treats the author as his real good friend", "the author doesn't treat Charlie Kemp as his real good friend"]}, {"question": "The author was blamed by the policeman because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he was found burning the rubbish by the policeman", "he was found polluting the environment by burning the rubbish", "his neighbor Charlie Kemp complained about his action and called the policeman", "he burnt something of his neighbors"]}, {"question": "The author's experience tells us that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a friend in need is a friend indeed", "it is difficult to understand a person, even your friend", "anyone is sure to be friendly to you if you are friendly to him", "friendship is the best thing in the world"]}]}
{"article": "Eva Mozes Kor has good reasons to look down upon Oskar Groning. When she and her twin sister, Miriam, arrived in the Auschwitz death camp, they were met by Josef Mengele and became part of the cruel scientist's experiments. Groning was a junior squad leader at the camp.\nWhile Groning could argue he was not directly responsible for procedures carried out on twins,nor for the mass murder of so many others, he played a critical role in the effort to kill Jews.\nAfter the war Groning led an ordinary, quiet life until he became alarmed by the rise of Holocaust deniers. He went public with his role and in September 2014 was charged as an accessory  to murder.\nWhen Groning went on trial in April 2015, Eva Mozes Kor was called as a witness. After her session, she walked straight up to the 93-year-old former Nazi and shook his hand.\nEva Mozes Kor will never forget nor excuse what the Nazis did. Her two books make that clear: Surviving the Angel of Death. and the earlier Echoes from Auschwitz. She has also spent her post-war years drawing attention to the Holocaust, in the hope of preventing a repeat of its horrors.\nAt the same time,  she is dedicated ( ) to healing rather than revenge. As she wrote in a Facebook post:\nForgiving does not mean forgetting-we all want to prevent these things from ever happening again. Forgiveness is about self-healing, self-liberation, and self-empowerment... Let's all work together to teach the world how to heal.\nAs a survivor suffering so much, Eva Mozes Kor is a role model for the kind of forgiveness that mends souls, a forgiveness that carries with it the responsibility to work for a world in which such horrors no longer happen.", "problems": [{"question": "At the camp, Groning   _            .", "answer": "D", "options": ["killed many Jews directly", "treated Eva Mozes Kor badly", "experimented on Eva Mozes Kor", "contributed to killing more Jews"]}, {"question": "Facing Holocaust deniers again, Groning felt   _            .", "answer": "A", "options": ["amazed", "upset", "fearful", "quiet"]}, {"question": "Why did Eva Mozes Kor shake hands with Groning?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To show her mercy.", "To appreciate his justice.", "To expect to forgive him.", "To encourage others to follow her."]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude to Eva Mozes Kor's forgiveness?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Objective.", "Favorable.", "Doubtful.", "Unclear."]}]}
{"article": "Computer power is moving into the \"cloud\"--networks of data centres that use the Internet to supply all kinds of services, from e-mail and social networks to data storage and analysis.\nThe rise of cloud computing is rapid and causing huge changes in the tech industry. The old guard is suffering: this week's $67 billion merger   between Dell and EMC, makers of computers and storage devices respectively  , was a marriage forced by the rise of the cloud. Disruptive   newcomers are blooming: if Amazon's cloud-computing unit were a stand-alone public company, it would probably be worth almost as much as Dell and EMC combined.\nThe gains for customers have been equally dramatic. Compared with older IT systems, cloud computing is often much cheaper. It adds tremendous flexibility: firms that need more computing capacity no longer have to spend weeks adding new servers and installing software. In the cloud they can get hold of it in minutes. Their applications can be updated continually, rather than just every few months. Individual users can reach their e-mails, files and photos from any device. And cloud services also tend to be more secure, since providers know better than their customers how to protect their computing systems against hackers.\nBut cloud computing makes one problem worse. In the old IT world, once a firm or a consumer had decided on an operating system or database, it was difficult and costly to switch to another. In the cloud this \"lock-in\" is even worse. Cloud providers go to great lengths to make it easy to upload data. They accumulate huge amounts of complex information, which cannot easily be moved to an alternative provider.\nCloud firms also create a world of interconnected services, software and devices, which is convenient but only for as long as you don't venture   outside their universe. Being locked in to a provider is risky. Firms can start to tighten the screws by increasing prices. If a cloud provider goes bust  , its customers may have trouble getting back their data.\nThese risks have already caused a debate about whether the cloud needs stricter regulation. Some European politicians want to force cloud providers to ensure that data can be moved between them. That is too heavy-handed, because strict rules will inhibit   innovation in what is still a young industry. The history of computing suggests that common standards may well appear naturally in response to customers' demands--just as in personal computers, where it is now much easier to use the same files on different systems.\nIn the meantime, a few commonsense measures can reduce the risk of lock-in. Firms that use more than one cloud provider to host their data are less affected. So are those that keep their most important information in their own data centres. Consumers can take precautions, too. Some services are better than others at enabling users to move data between providers (Google does well on this score). Cloud computing promises its users many benefits, but don't mistake it for some sort of digital heaven.", "problems": [{"question": "The author takes \"the merger between Dell and EMC\" for example to show   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the influence of cloud computing on computer and storage device makers", "the miserable sufferings of old computer companies", "the rapid development of new computer companies", "the interaction between old companies and newcomers"]}, {"question": "With wide applications of cloud computing customers can   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["pay less for the older IT systems", "gain more computing capacity quickly", "know better about defeating the hackers", "install software within weeks"]}, {"question": "The problem of \"lock-in\" can be dangerous because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["it should ensure data can easily be moved to another provider", "it can create a network of services connected with devices", "it may make it difficult for customers to recover their data", "it will discourage an argument about stricter rules"]}, {"question": "Which of the following sayings can best express the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Everything has its time and that time must be watched.", "The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence.", "A candle lights others and consumes itself.", "Every white has its black, and every sweet has its sour."]}]}
{"article": "Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are a major cause of climate change, and now a new study has confirmed that atmospheric CO2is also affecting the ocean chemistry and potentially harming sea life.\nMontana State University scientist Robert Dore has been researching the water in the Pacific Ocean for almost two decades. We've been going to the same spot in the Pacific Ocean, and we try and characterize long-term change in the open ocean environment. And one of the key things that we measure is CO2levels. And we've been able to record this increasing quantity of atmospheric CO2into the ocean.\nScientists expected that as atmospheric CO2increased, more and more of the carbon dioxide would be absorbed into the ocean, affecting the chemical balance of the sea water, with a potentially harmful impact on shellfish and coral in particular.\n\"As carbon dioxide dissolves  in the water, or seawater in this case, it forms a weak acid, carbonic acid,\" Dore explains. \"And therefore, as the concentration of CO2in the atmosphere goes up and that exchanges with the surface seawater, it drives the PH down, and makes it more acidic.\"\nThe seawater Dore and his colleagues have analyzed confirms what the theory predicts.\nThe effect was particular striking at about 250 meters down, and again at 500 meters. Dore and his colleagues came up with two possible explanations. It could be that surface water picked up CO2and then moved to those depths. Or there could be a biological explanation.\n\"It's important to realize that the oceans are really becoming acidic. And it can have negative  impacts on a whole variety of sea life from fish to coral. It's potentially catastrophic.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Sea Life Facing Danger", "Scientist Researching Seawater", "Oceans Becoming More Acidic", "Climate Change Affecting Seawater"]}, {"question": "With the increase of atmospheric CO2,  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["more corals will appear in the sea", "the surface water is becoming warmer", "the chemical balance of the seawater is affected", "the PH of the ocean out here has been increasing"]}, {"question": "Scientist Robert Dore came to the conclusion based on  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["his research and analysis", "the expectation of other scientists", "some former theory", "a major cause of climate change"]}]}
{"article": "Scientists have exactly discovered the set of brain cells involved in making risky decisions, and have been able to control them in rats using targeted light. By changing the activity of the cells they were able to change the behaviour of risk-taking rats to avoid risk, hinting the approach could in future be used to treat people with impulse   control problems.\nRisk-taking is a key part of survival, knowing when to take a chance could pay off--such as moving to a new area to look for food when pickings are slim.\nWhile all animals need an element of risk, the preference towards it varies between individuals. Researchers found this variation, which determines how risk-averse an individual is, is regulated by brain cells in a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. This cluster of neurons releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which regulates the brain's reward and pleasure centres.\nPrevious studies have shown that in patients with Parkinson's disease, taking medication which blocks specific dopamine receptors (DR2)   leads to increased gambling   behaviour and risk taking behaviour. In studies with rats, researchers were able to use a technique called optogenetics  --which uses light sensitive proteins to change the activity of cells--to modify cells with DR2 in the nucleus accumbens.\nRats were trained to choose one of two levers, offering them a choice between a \"safe\" or \"risky\" choice. The safe option resulted in a small, but consistent amount of a sugar water treat. But the risky choice consistently delivered smaller amounts of sugar water, with the occasional large pay off--essentially encouraging the animals to gamble for a bigger prize. Around two-thirds of the animals weren't keen on risk, opting for the safe option, but the remaining third were risk-seekers. Brain scans of the animals showed that those with low levels of DR2 consistently went for the gamble.\nBut using pulses of light to stimulate   the DR2 cells and improve their activity could cause the risk-takers to play it safe and opt for the guaranteed but less rewarding option. Once the light-pulses stopped, the risk-takers returned to their gambling strategy.\nIn the _ , stimulating the same cells had little to no effect.\nProfessor Karl Deisseroth, of Stanford University in California, said: \"Humans and rats have similar brain structures involved.\"And we found a drug known to increase risk preference in people had the same effect on the rats. So every indication is that these findings are relevant to humans. \"Risky behavior has its moments where it' s valuable. As a species, we wouldn't have come as far as we have without it.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The variation in people's preference towards risks is directly regulated by   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["nucleus accumbens", "light sensitive proteins", "neurons", "dopamine"]}, {"question": "From the experiment with rats, we can conclude that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the lack of DR2 cells results in a safe option", "the levels of DR2 have little to do with their choices", "the high levels of DR2 can make animals avoid risks", "the risky choice is a less rewarding option"]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from what Professor Karl Deisseroth said?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Humans and rats differ in their preference for risk-taking.", "Too much risk-taking can do more harm than good.", "Risk-taking can be used to treat people with impulse control problems.", "Risk-taking is a means of survival and brings higher returns to humans."]}]}
{"article": "Nowadays everybody seems to think that they know English. Many people speak it but few speak it really well. Practice is necessary in speaking English well.\nReading is also one of the things that will help you to speak English better. Read whenever you can and whatever you like! Read papers and Internet sites that you like in English every day. Then, you will see that the number of known words is increasing and you are able to speak with more skills. Then you will have made the foundations and a good basis of English. It is not good to stop and get stuck there.\nGoing to England or an English speaking country is a good choice, but many people cannot afford it. If you cannot go, reading and speaking with your friends will also help you to practice your English. However, I think that it is very good to visit some English speaking country to see and test your knowledge in everyday life. You will feel the everyday usage of the language in its natural environment. There your level of English is going to improve even faster. Your ability to speak English is better. Nothing can match the excitement and happiness when a native speaker tells you that your English is very good!\nFinally, in order to speak English well, you must be persistent and do it every day. It is like playing the piano. Pianists play it every day and so should you. Include English in your life and you will see where it is going. Practice, practice! Read, write and improve your language skills and you are on your way when you will be able to speak it with more and more confidence!", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How to Improve Your Language Skills", "How to Speak English Well", "Speaking English", "Practice, Practice"]}, {"question": "What does the writer suggest doing about reading?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Trying to improve your vocabulary.", "Keeping on reading when you have time.", "Stopping when you have a good basis of English.", "Looking up every unknown word when reading."]}, {"question": "In the writer's eyes, the essential way to improve your speaking skills is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["practicing", "going abroad", "reading", "writing"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, what may make the author excited?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Reading papers and Internet sites.", "Having a good basis of English.", "Going to an English speaking country.", "A native speaker's praise."]}]}
{"article": "A recent study, published in last week's Journal of the American Medical Association, offers a picture of how risky  it is to get a lift from a teenage driver. Indeed, a 16-year-old driver with three or more passengers is three times as likely to have a deadly accident as a teenager driving alone, while the risk of death for drivers between 30 and 59 decreases with each additional passenger.\nThe authors also found that the death rates for teenage drivers increased sharply after 10 p.m., and especially after midnight. With passengers in the car, the driver was even more likely to die in a late-night accident.\nRobert Foss, a scientist at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, says the higher death rates for teenage drivers have less to do with \"really stupid behavior\" than with just a lack of driving experience. \"The basic issue,\" he says, \"is that adults who are responsible for issuing licenses fail to recognize how complex and skilled a task driving is.\"\nBoth he and the author of the study believe that the way to mitigate (......)the problem is to have states set up so-called graduated licensing systems, in which getting a license is a multistage process. A graduated license requires that a teenager first prove himself capable of driving in the presence of an adult, followed by a period of driving with night or passenger limits, before graduating to full driving licenses.\nGraduated licensing systems have reduced teenage driver crashes, according to recent studies. About half of the states now have some sort of graduated licensing system in place, but only 10 of those states have limits on passengers. California is the strictest, with a new driver under 20 forbidden to carry any passenger (without the presence of an adult over 25) for the first six months.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following situations can we infer is most dangerous according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A teenager driving after midnight with passengers in the car.", "Adults giving a lift to teenagers on the highway after 10 p.m.", "Adults driving with three or more teenage passengers late at night.", "A teenager getting a lift from a stranger on the highway at midnight."]}, {"question": "According to Robert Foss, the high death rate of teenage drivers is mainly because of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["their frequent driving at night", "their improper ways of driving", "their driving with passengers", "their lack of driving experience"]}, {"question": "A suggested measure to be taken to reduce teenagers' driving accidents is that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["driving in the presence of an adult should be made a rule", "the licensing system should be improved", "they should not be allowed to drive after 10 p.m.", "they should be forbidden to take on passengers"]}]}
{"article": "Why do men die earlier than women? The latest research makes it known that the reason could be that men's hearts go into rapid decline  when they reach middle age.\nThe largest study of the effects of ageing on the heart has found that women's _ may be linked to the fact that their hearts do not lose their pumping power with age.\n\"We have found that the power of the male heart falls by 20-25 percent between 18 and 70 years of age,\" said the head of the study, David Goldspink of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK.\n\"Within the heart there are millions of cells that enable it to beat. Between the age of 20 and 70, one-third of those cells die and are not replaced in men,\" said Goldspink. \"This is part of the ageing process.\"\nWhat surprises scientists is that the female heart sees very little loss of these cells. A healthy 70-year-old woman's heart could perform almost as well as a 20-year-old one's. \"This gender( ) difference might just explain why women live longer than men,\" said Goldspink. They studied more than 250 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 80, focusing on healthy persons to remove the confusing influence of disease. \"The team has yet to find why ageing takes a greater loss on the male heart,\" said Goldspink.\nThe good news is that men can improve the health of their heart with regular exercise. Goldspink stressed that women also need regular exercise to prevent their leg muscles becoming smaller and weaker as they age.", "problems": [{"question": "The text mainly talks about   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["men's heart cells", "women's ageing process", "the gender difference", "hearts and long life"]}, {"question": "According to the text, the UK scientists have known that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["women have more cells than men when they are born", "women can replace the cells that enable the heart to beat", "the female heart loses few of the cells with age", "women never lose their pumping power with age"]}, {"question": "If you want to live longer, you should   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["exercise regularly to keep your heart healthy", "find out the reason for ageing", "enable your heart to beat much faster", "prevent your cells from being lost"]}, {"question": "We can know from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the reason why ageing takes a greater loss on the male heart has been found out", "scientists are on the way to finding out why the male heart loses more of the cells", "the team has done something to prevent the male from suffering the greater loss", "women over 70 could lose more heart cells than those at the age of 20"]}]}
{"article": "Certain plants and animals can survive under what seem like impossible conditions. Blind fish live freely under ocean depths that are  ly dark and cold. Bacteria live at temperatures of 600 degF or a higher in places where the heat comes from the deep earth. One of the most remarkable achievements that we can observe directly is the ability of the plants and animals in the desert.\nIn the Death Valley ,temperatures of 134 degF in the shade have been officially reported Yet lizards live there ,along with 600 species of plants, 30 species of mammals? and even fish. While the days are terribly hot, the nights are extremely cold. Temperatures can fall down by as much as 50 degF.\nPlants called xerophytes are perfectly adapted to the extremely dry conditions. These plants have survived by developing techniques for coping with their environment. Like all living things ,they must have water ,and they get it in several ways.\nThe mesquite and the prickly  pear pick up moisture in opposite ways. The mesquite sends its roots down as deep as 60 feet to tap the water table. The prickly pear, on the other hand ,spreads its roots wide. These roots are shallow but they pick up whatever moisture is available at ground level. The paloverde saves water by shedding leaves in times of extreme drought The barrel cactus makes sure of a water supply by storing water in the plant itself. The saguaro cactus stores so much water that it can survive years of drought. But even the saguaro will die sooner or later if there is no rain. All these plants ,although well adjusted to their environment, must eventually get water.\nEven if the parent plants die, there are always seeds to keep the species alive. Since the desert is so tough, thousands of seeds must be released to produce one plant. To get rooted, these seeds must have exactly the right conditions. They can lie dormant for months, even years, until a little water stimulates the sparks of life.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can best express the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Death Valley is a living museum ,where many plants and animals exist.", "Plants and animals can survive in the desert by adjusting to the environment.", "Days in desert can be deadly hot, while nights can be terribly cold.", "Bacteria survive in the ocean depth and the desert burning heat."]}, {"question": "The prickly pear survives in the desert by  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["shedding leaves in times of drought", "sending its roots down 60 feet", "spreading its roots wide", "storing water in itself"]}]}
{"article": "Harvard researchers have created a tough, low-cost, biodegradable   material inspired by insects' hard outer shells. The material's inventors say it has a number of possible uses and someday could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. The material, made from shrimp (') shells and proteins produced from silk, is called \"shrilk.\" It is thin, clear, flexible and strong.\nA major benefit of the material is its biodegradability. Plastic's toughness and flexibility represented a revolution in materials science during the 1950s and '60s. Decades later, however, plastic's very durability   is raising questions about how appropriate it is for one-time products such as plastic bags, or short-lived consumer goods, used in the home for a few years and then cast into a landfill where they will degrade for centuries. What is the point of making something that lasts 1,000 years?\nShrilk not only will degrade in a landfill, but its basic components are used as fertilizer , and so will enrich the soil.\nShrilk has great potential, the inventors said. Materials from which it is made are plentiful in nature, found in everything ranging from shrimp shells, insect bodies to living plants. That makes shrilk low cost, and its mass production possible should it be used for products demanding a lot of material.\nWork on shrilk is continuing in the lab. The inventors said the material becomes flexible when wet, so they're exploring ways to use it in wet environments. They're also developing simpler production processes, which could be used for non-medical products, like for computer cases and other products inside the home. They're even exploring combining it with other materials, like carbon fibers, to give it new properties.", "problems": [{"question": "What has become a concern about plastic?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Using it properly.", "Producing it cheaply.", "Developing its properties quickly.", "Evaluating its contributions fairly."]}, {"question": "According to the inventors, shrilk has great potential partly because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it can help plastic degrade", "it can be found in living things", "its mass production has been realized", "its raw materials are abundant in mature"]}, {"question": "What are the inventors doing in the lab?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Replacing carbon fibers with shrilk.", "Testing ahrilk's use in wet conditions.", "Making shrilk out of used household goods.", "Improving shrilk's flexibility for medical purposes."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Recent Progress in Environmental Protection", "Benefits of Insects in Scientific Research", "The Harm of One-time Products", "A Possible Alternative to Plastic"]}]}
{"article": "You use her as a shoulder to cry on. She texts you back with casual jokes. But she, Xiaoice, is only a virtual chatbot.\nXiaoice, Microsoft's latest artificial intelligence robot, was briefly released in 2014, and returnen to WeChat in 2015, where she became a big hit. Millions of young Chinese now exchange messages with her daily, The New York Times reported. On WeChat, Xiaoice is an official account. After following it, users can start text-based conversations with Xiaoice.\n\"Her incredible learning ability was why people loved to talk with Xiaoice,\" Liu Jinchang, a researcher at High-tech Research and Development Center under the Ministry of Science and Technology, told China Daily. Apart from her ability to identify photos and send emojis m conversations, Xiaoice gains 45 percent of her knowledge from interacting with users, China Daily reported.\nChatbot programs first appeared in the mid-1960s in the US. Driven by top tech companies, they are becoming smarter and more common. For instance, IBM's latest artificial intelligence program served as an academic consultant at Australia's Deakin University, answering students' questions about course schedules and financial aid. Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa have been used as voice assistants who can read news, play music and even make jokes for their users.\nThese programs are expected to move beyond smartphones, into televisions, cars and living rooms, The New York Times pointed out. However, it may take decades before scientists develop a \"Samantha\", the advanced chatbot seen in the fiction film Her. In the film, Samantha sparks a romantic relationship with her user played by US actor Joaquin Phoenix. Many viewers were enthusiastic about this fan tasy of virtual soul mates.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can Xiaoice do?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Do housework.", "Spread messages.", "Identify various photos.", "Read news to its users."]}, {"question": "Which company's chatbot program can act as an academic consultant?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Microsoft.", "IBM.", "Apple.", "Amazon."]}]}
{"article": "It is under the CPC's leadership that China has overcome many challenges in its economic, political and social systems and achieved remarkable progress the world has ever seen. Under the CPC's leadership, China has become the world's largest second largest economy. People's lives have greatly improved, and hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, an objective fact no one can deny. At the same time, China is quickly becoming a major player on the world stage.\nAs a responsible nation, China has been playing a growing role and shouldered greater responsibilities in world affairs. Such achievements, especially for a nation with a size equaling to a continent and a population of nearly 1.4 billion, are not easy to make. What roles do you think CPC has played in China? Do you think it's the CPC leadership that has made China's economic _ possible? Is there any room for improvements for the future role of CPC? What challenges will lie ahead for the future leadership of CPC? Please share your opinion with us.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, CPC refers to_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["Communist  Party of China", "Cost Per Click", "card-programming control", "Computer Process Control"]}, {"question": "How does the author feel about the roles the CPC has played in China?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Dissatisfied", "Amazed", "Annoyed", "Proud"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["What roles do you think CPC plays in China?", "Why has CPC played an important role in China?", "China has become the world's second largest economy.", "China has overcome many challenges and achieved remarkable progress."]}]}
{"article": "In a world with limited land, water and other natural resources, the harm from the traditional business model is on the rise. Actually, the past decade has seen more and more forests disappearing and the globe becoming increasingly warm. People now realize that this unhealthy situation must be changed, and that we must be able to develop in sustainable ways. That means growth with low carbon or development of sustainable products. In other words, we should keep the earth healthy while using its supply of natural resources.\nToday, sustainable development is a proper trend in many countries. According to a recent study, the global market for low-carbon energy will become three times bigger over the next decade. China, for example, has set its mind on leading that market, hoping to seize chances in the new round of the global energy revolution. It is now trying hard to make full use of wind and solar energy, and is spending a huge amount of money making electric cars and high-speed trains. In addition, we are also seeing great growth in the global markets for sustainable products such as palm oil, which is produced without cutting down valuable rainforest. In recent years the markets for sustainable products have grown by more than 50%.\nGovernments can fully develop the potential of these new markets. First, they can set high targets for reducing carbon emissions and targets for saving and reusing energy. Besides, stronger arrangement of public resources like forests can also help to speed up the development. Finally, governments can avoid the huge expenses that are taking us in the wrong direction, and redirecting some of those expenses can accelerate the change from traditional model to a sustainable one.\nThe major challenge of this century is to find ways to meet the needs of growing population within the limits of this single planet. That is no small task, but it offers abundant new chances for sustainable product industries.", "problems": [{"question": "The traditional business model is harmful because of all the following EXCEPT that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it consumes natural resources", "it makes the world warmer", "it brings severe damage to forests", "it makes growth hard to continue"]}, {"question": "To fully develop the low-carbon markets, governments can   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["cut public expenses", "encourage energy conservation", "develop public resources", "forbid carbon emission"]}, {"question": "What is the main purpose of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To advocate sustainable development.", "To compare two business models.", "To predict a change of the global market.", "To introduce a new business model."]}]}
{"article": "It was 9:00 am already! Richard had to leave for work! Before leaving he hurriedly looked at the newspaper and stood still! Is he seeing it right? He rubbed his eyes and saw again... Yes, it was his name in the obituary ! He threw the paper in the bin and screamed.\nRichard started to recollect. He remembered that last night when he went to bed he had a chest pain and he was rushed to hospital. Then he went into a sound sleep. But what happened after that?\nHe could suddenly see his living room filled with people... all in tears; his mom, his wife and his children. He also saw his best friend, the one he had a serious misunderstanding a few days back. He wanted to say \"Sorry\" to him... but now no one could hear his voice.\nHe wondered how he could tell his mom that he felt so thankful to have her in his life! He wanted to tell his children how much he loved them. He wanted to tell his wife how much he loved her; he felt sorry to have hurt her sometimes.\nRichard started crying and pleading to God for one LAST chance! \"God, one last chance, please\", shouted Richard and opened his eyes.\nOh, this was a dream!\nHe woke up; looked around everywhere. He was on his bed; his wife lay beside him, deep in sleep. Richard whispered in her ears, \"You are the best thing to have ever happened to me!\"\nHe went up to the window, looking outside. Yes, everything was just the way he has been knowing so long. He decided to meet up his friends and clear all misunderstandings; he also decided to tell everyone who mattered to him all that has remained unsaid so far!", "problems": [{"question": "When Richard saw his name in the newspaper, he felt   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["sad", "shocked", "regretful", "worried"]}, {"question": "Richard felt sorry to his wife because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they had a quarrel the other day", "he misunderstood her", "he hurt her sometimes", "he didn't love her"]}, {"question": "After the dream, Richard would probably   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["be on good terms with his friend again", "express appreciation and thanks to his friend", "demand an apology from his friend", "break up with his friend"]}, {"question": "The writer of the story mainly tells us that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["misunderstanding between friends is common", "we need to see a doctor when having a chest pain", "getting along well with friends is important", "we should tell our family how much we love them"]}]}
{"article": "For almost two months Dominic York, a 23-year-old hairdresser, wandered about hospitals all night, wearing a white coat and pretending he was a doctor. Yesterday he proudly claimed in court that despite his complete lack of medical experience or qualifications, he had saved several people's lives. He had even been allowed to assist a surgeon during an emergency operation on a patient who was about to die on something she had swallowed.\n\"I watched one of those TV dramas about a hospital and suddenly I felt like playing one of the roles myself. So I put on a white jacket and a stethoscope and walked around one of the biggest hospital in London. At first I just watched. Once you learn how doctors talk to patients, nurses and others doctors, it's easy to take people in,\" he said.\nOne of the patients he treated was Laura Kennan. She had been knocked down by a car and fainted. When she came to in hospital, York was standing over her.\n\"He looked very professional. He told me his name was Doctor Simon. Then he gave me some sort of injection,\" she said. And then he suddenly cleared off when a nurse asked who he was. She didn't think there was anything wrong. \"I would never have realized he was a fake if a policewoman hadn't showed me his photograph a week later. When the policewoman told me who he really was, I could hardly believe my ears.\"\nJudge Raymond Adams told York that he was \" shocked and horrified\" that he got away with his deceiving for so long. And they sentenced him to eighteen months in a special prison for criminal with mental disorders.\n\"I can only hope that this will not lead to further problems. After all, you will have considerable opportunity to study the behaviour of the psychiatrists who will look after you while you are there. If you try to persuade people that you yourself are a psychiatrist after you are set free, I shall make sure that you are given a much longer sentence.\" Judge Adams warned York.", "problems": [{"question": "York was proud of the fact that    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a surgeon let him watch an operation.", "he could perform some duties of a doctor", "he had cheated doctors for so long", "people thought he could become a real doctor"]}, {"question": "York learned how to behave like a doctor by    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["watching other doctors work", "talking to doctors and nurses", "getting some training and experience", "observing doctors while he was a patient"]}, {"question": "Why was Laura Kennan in hospital?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She had swallowed something and almost died.", "She had to have and emergency operation.", "She had been injured in a road accident.", "She had lost consciousness while driving."]}, {"question": "The judge's remark implied that York would be more severely punished if he    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["pretended to be a psychiatrist", "tried to get away from prison", "was proud of what he had done", "studied the behaviour of the psychiatrist"]}]}
{"article": "A number of times Rosemary edged closer to Gordon , meaning to take his arm, but he edged away from her. She thought that she had offended him deeply, and that he was disappointed because she had pushed him away. She would have apologized if he had given her half a chance. But as a matter of fact, he was scarcely thinking of this any longer. It was the money business that was troubling him now. And the fact was that he would soon have to confess it. What nonsense it made of all he had said! Presently she stopped him, and swung him round to face her. \"Gordon, why won't you speak to me?\" she said. \"Are you still angry with me for what happened just now?\"\n\"No, I was never angry with you. You're not to blame. Something else has been worrying me all the way along, I've only eight pence left. I had just enough money for today when we started out, but that dinner bill upset everything. Can you lend me some money?'\nRosemary was amazed. \"What does it matter if you've only eight pence left? How can you let yourself be worried by a thing like that? As though I objected to lending you money, aren't I always telling you that I want to pay for myself when we go out together?'\n\"Yes, and you know how I hate you paying.\"\n\"Oh, how silly you are.\" She said. \"Do you think there's anything to be ashamed of in having no money?\"\nGordon's face went bright pink. \"Of course there is ! It's the only thing in the world there is to be ashamed of. I can't be a complete human being--I don't feel a human being -unless I've got money in my pocket.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What gave Rosemary the idea that she had hurt Gordon's feelings deeply?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He didn't say he was sorry.", "He pushed her away when she tried to take his arm.", "He didn't say he was sorry.", "He wouldn't let her touch him."]}, {"question": "Rosemary made him look at her because    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she wanted to ask him a question", "she wanted to see his face", "she was angry with him", "he had been rude"]}, {"question": "Gordon felt that if he asked rosemary to lend him some money    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he would lose some of his self-respect", "she would refuse to", "he would have to confess his loss", "she would be angry"]}, {"question": "It is clear that Gordon had not intended to    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["tell her he had a little money left", "accept any money from her", "blame her for making him angry", "have such an expensive dinner"]}]}
{"article": "The word I'm going to introduce to you today is-phubbing. Let's see the definition of this term:phubbing n. the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at your cell phone instead of paying attention As you can probably guess, phubbing is a blend of phone and snubbing. The term was coined by a 23-year-old Melbourne resident Alex Haigh. Obviously, he got fed up with how people are always checking Facebook or Twitter on their phones when they are supposed to be interacting with someone face to face. He wanted to put an end to this social phenomenon, therefore he came up with this catchy term.\nAnd it did catch on. The word's earliest media mention dates back to June 2012, and in a little over a year's time, phubbing has already been picked up by almost all the mainstream media outlets one can think of.\nHere is a typical example from the British newspaper The Independent. In the article titled The Rise of Phubbing, which was published on August 5, 2013, Tom Chatfield writes, there's an uncomfortable truth at the heart of phubbing: other people are easier to handle when seen on screen. They're less likely to demand unreasonable efforts such as undivided attention or clean shirts.\nWhile the term phubbing has undoubtedly taken off, some people question why it is called phubbing instead of phnubbing. Alex Haigh has not personally addressed the issue, but word has it that phubbing sounds more crispy and thus easier to remember.\nPhubbing is indeed a univers al problem that can no longer be ignored. So why do people keep phubbing each other if they know it's rude? Is there anything we can do to stop it? Or maybe we should just be more kind, because sometimes there are good excuses to phub.\nI think there is plenty we can do to try and stop phubbing. For starters, we can jo in Alex Haigh in his Stop Phubbing campaign. Remind our friends and family that phubbing is not appreciated. We can also make or download some anti-phubbing posters to spread the word in public places. And don't forget that some phubbers simply do not realize the harmful effect their behavior has on others,so be b rave enough to stop them, even if you are a total stranger.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is mainly talking about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the rise of phubbing in all the mainstream media outlets", "a new term \"phubbing\"and its problem", "the campaign of keeping phubbing", "different opinions on phubbing"]}, {"question": "The author's attitude towards the act of phubbing can be described as   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["bearable", "Unacceptable", "reasonable", "understandable"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["People are easier to handle when seen on screen.", "Alex Haigh doesn't like the term \"phnubbing\"", "More and more people have become phubbers.", "We can phub if we have proper excuses."]}, {"question": "The writer suggests we should   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["stop phubbing in public places", "not be afraid of the harmful effect", "be brave to support a st ranger phubbing", "remind our friends of Stop Phubbing campaign"]}]}
{"article": "Television in the United States is free. To pay for programs, there are many advertisements. Often these advertisements are short plays with actors. The following television advertisement is like many others that Americans see daily.\nWe see a man and his wife at the breakfast table. They have been married for a long time. They are not speaking to each other. They haven't spoken to each other at the breakfast table for years. The husband is reading his newspaper. We can't see his face. The wife looks very bored as she pours a cup of coffee for him. Today, she is using a new kind of coffee for the first time. The husband picks up his cup. He isn't very interested. He tastes his coffee. Suddenly he puts down his newspaper. Something is different.! Can it be the coffee? He takes another taste. It's wonderful! He smiles. He looks at his wife and says in amazement,\n\"Doris, when did you cut your hair?\"\nDoris is pleased. She answers, \"Two months ago.\"\nDoris asks, \"Herbie, when did your hair begin to turn gray?\"\nHe replies, \"A long time ago.\"\nDoris says, \"Oh, very handsome.\"\nNow they aren't bored any more. Breakfast is different. Has a new kind of coffee changed their lives?", "problems": [{"question": "In the television advertisement, Doris looks bored because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she doesn't like the breakfast that morning", "she has been married to Herbie for a long time", "Her husband doesn't care much for her", "Herbie isn't interested in the breakfast she cooks"]}, {"question": "The TV advertisement wants to tell the viewers   _  .      .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to have an immediate try at the new coffee", "to have a good laugh at the good couple", "that a nice breakfast must go with nice coffee", "that advertisements can certainly increase goods production"]}, {"question": "What does the author mean by saying the last sentence?", "answer": "C", "options": ["What kind of coffee can change people's lives?", "How can a new kind of coffee change people's lives?", "Nice coffee can change one's life.", "A new kind of coffee costs quite a lot."]}, {"question": "This text is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["who pays for TV programs in the United States", "what a TV advertisement is usually like in the USA", "why long married couples dislike speaking to each other", "what made Herbie and Doris not bored any more"]}]}
{"article": "A Russian,a Cuban,an American businessman and an American lawyer were on a train traveling across England. The Russian took out a large bottle of vodka, gave each of the men a drink and then threw the rest half bottle of vodka out of the window.\n         \"Why did you do that?\" asked the American businessman.\n         \"There's too much vodka in my country,\" said the Russian,\"And really we have more than we will ever use.\"\n         A little later,the Cuban passed around fine Havana Cigars. Then he threw his out of the window.\n         \"I thought Cuba is not a rich country,\" the businessman said. \"But you threw that very good cigars out of the window!\"\n         \"Cigars,\" the Cuban answered,\"are the cheapest in my country. We have more of them than we know what to do with.\"\n         The American businessman sat quietly for a moment. Then he got up,caught the lawyer by the arm and threw him out of the window.", "problems": [{"question": "Vodka is a kind of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["treasure", "alcohol", "food", "medicine"]}, {"question": "The Russian and the Cuban both wanted to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["tell the businessman what their countries are rich in", "prove  that they were not rich", "ask the two Americans to visit their countries", "make the businessman happy"]}, {"question": "When the businessman said \"I thought Cuba is not a rich country.\",he meant \"  _  \".", "answer": "C", "options": ["Russian is richer than Cuba", "America is not richer than Cuba and Russia", "You shouldn't threw that very good cigar away", "Do you have more cigars than me?"]}, {"question": "What did the businessman want to say by throwing the lawyer out of the window?", "answer": "B", "options": ["I want to buy some vodka.", "We have too many lawyers in my country.", "I'll go to Cuba and do some business of cigars.", "If you need lawyers,come to America."]}, {"question": "Which do you think is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Traveling across England", "Four Rich Men", "You're Wasting Too Much", "There's Too Much"]}]}
{"article": "When your pet has an emergency, first aid is not a _ for veterinary  treatment. However, before you are able to get your pet to a veterinarian , knowing some basic first aid can help.\nBite Wounds\nApproach the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten. Wear a mask for the animal and then check the wound. Clean the wound with large amounts of saline . If these are not available, then regular water may be used. Wrap large open wounds to keep them clean.\nBleeding\nApply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Hold the pressure for at least 10 minutes. Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.\n _ \nCheck to see if the animal is choking  on a foreign object. If an animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up. Check for a heartbeat. If you hear a heartbeat but not breathing, close the animal's mouth and breathe directly into its nose--not the mouth--until the chest expands. Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute.\nBurns\nWash the burn immediately with large amounts of cool, running water. Apply an ice pack for 15--20 minutes. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin. Wrap the pack in a light towel or other cover. If the animal has large quantities of dry chemicals on it skin, brush them off. Water may activate some dry chemicals.\nFractures  \nSymptoms include pain, inability to use a limb  . Wear a mask for the pet and look for bleeding. If you can control bleeding without causing more injury, then do so. Watch for signs of shock. Don't try to set the fractures by pulling the limb. Transport the pet to the veterinarian immediately, supporting the injured part as best as you can.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the suitable subtitle for the blank ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Cutting", "Breathing Stops", "Poisoning", "Suffering Heart Problems"]}, {"question": "If your pet is burned by chemicals, you should  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["wash away the chemicals with saline", "put an ice pack directly on the skin", "bind up the cut with a bandage", "get rid of them before washing"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["doing pet first aid", "treating sick pets", "dealing with an emergency", "working as a veterinarian"]}]}
{"article": "Joan, super visor   of the town's morals recently accused George, a local man, of having a drinking problem because she noticed his car outside the town's only bar.She reasoned, it was a logical assumption  .George stared at her for a moment and said nothing.Later that evening, he parked his car in front of her house and left it there all night.\nWhy is it that so many of our logical assumptions are just plain wrong? And why do we want to act as if they must be true? In an age long before the Internet, a young American at a party found himself seated next to the famous Chinese diplomat Wellington Koo.Completely not knowing what to say to someone from such a different culture, this young man turned and asked, \"Likee soupee?\" After all, he assumed, don't all Chinese speak in broken English? Mr.Koo smiled and nodded.Later when called upon to speak, Wellington Koo delivered a wonderful talk in fluent English, sat down while the applause was still continuing, turned to the young man and whispered, \"Likee speechee?\"\nDo you know why red roses are so popular? Men keep buying them.They assume that all women prefer red roses.But when women are asked what color1 of rose is their favorite, they are more likely to answer that they prefer yellow, white or peach.And when asked what kind of flowers they would prefer to receive, the answer is generally not roses at all.The age-old assumption that most women like red roses best is simply not true.\nWe all make assumptions.They're too often wrong and can easily get us into trouble.So here is what I've learned: when in doubt, check it out.And if I'm not in doubt, I still check it out.We may think we know.But what we know may not be so.So it's best to check it out.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, we can know George is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["clever", "honest", "kind-hearted", "bad-tempered"]}, {"question": "Wellington Koo's experience is mentioned to show   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["his talent in speaking English", "people's assumption can be false", "the Chinese were looked down on", "his humor in doing with difficult situations"]}, {"question": "Red roses are so popular at the market in that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["women prefer red roses.", "women like the red color1 best.", "they smell pleasant than others.", "men think women would like them."]}, {"question": "How is this passage mainly developed?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By giving examples.", "By presenting research results.", "By analyzing causes.", "By making comparisons."]}]}
{"article": "Generational differences and the economy   are shifting   more responsibilities for children from their parents to grandparents, according to a new survey.\nMore than one-third of grandparents aged 50 and older contribute financially to their grandchildren's upbringing, and 11 percent have a grandchild living with them, the poll   by AARP, the group for 36 million older US citizens, showed.\nForty percent of people who responded to the telephone survey, whose average age was 69, reported spending more than $500 on grandchildren over the past year beyond traditional gifts.Education costs accounted for 53 percent, daily expenses for 37 percent and medical costs for 23 percent.Sixteen percent provided daycare for grandchildren.\n\"They are the safety net for American families, helping to pay for practical expenses and necessities,\" said Amy Goyer, AARP's multi-generational and family issues   expert.\n\"We see many providing daycare services, while growing numbers even have grandchildren living with them,\" she said, referring to the 16 percent who watch their grandchildren while the parents are at work or school.\nGenerally nearly 90 percent of the 1,904 grandparents questioned said they play a very or somewhat important role in their grandchildren's lives, and about 70 percent live within 50 miles of the closest one.\nThe poll conducted by Woelfel Research Inc.also showed that grandparents were increasingly keyed to the younger generation's life issues and preferred ways of communicating.\nMore than one-third connect with their grandchildren via email or text messaging, while half said they routinely discuss topics ranging from values and spirituality to drug and alcohol use.\nNearly 40 percent said they had discussed dating or sex with at least one grandchild.Some 60 percent said they spoke with their grandchildren at least once a week.\nMost of the grandparents said they had five or more grandchildren, while one-fourth said they had grandchildren of a different race or mixed race.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the differences between generations are huge", "how Woelfel Research Inc.conducted the poll", "parents are the safety net for American families", "grandparents take more responsibilities for grandchildren"]}, {"question": "Grandparents discuss with their grandchildren on various topics EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["races", "values", "drug use", "spirituality"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about grandparents?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Most of them have grandchildren of a different race.", "One third keep in touch with their grandchildren via email.", "Nearly 40 percent discussed dating with more than one grandchild.", "About three fifths communicate with their grandchildren at least once a week."]}, {"question": "What does the author think of the phenomenon mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Reasonable.", "Unbelievable.", "Acceptable.", "Not given."]}]}
{"article": "When my friend went to Europe last summer, instead of snapping photographs of the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower or Stonehenge, she brought back 32 rolls of ... cathedral ceilings. Ceilings. For the 10 years I've known her I had never suspected that she was this passionate about stained glass.\nStill one of the best things about such pictures -- despite their obvious narrow appeal -- is that they can't help but tell us a great deal about the people who took them.\nSo I shouldn't have been surprised when I got the roll of film back from my 5-year-old son's first camping trip. I opened the envelope, naively expecting to see pictures of the nightly campfire, the sun setting over the forest, and possibly even a deer or two.\nInstead, I saw an off-center picture of tennis shoes. Not even his tennis shoes, mind you, but a pair someone had lost and left in the cabin. Mystery shoes. And that's not all.\nAs I went through the stack, I found that my son had also taken a picture of his sleeping bag, a penny he found in the gravel next to the car, a leaf, an orange sock, a close-up of his father's ear, a burned hot dog, his thumb, a piece of gum, and many other similar things.\nThere was barely one sign of nature in the whole stack. I couldn't help thinking that if he'd wanted pictures of assorted junk, it would've been cheaper had he spent the weekend in our back-yard.\nAT LEAST that is what I thought until I showed the photographs to my ceiling-snapping friend, the mother of three teenagers, who said simply, \"There's nothing wrong with these.\"\nBut of course, this is just the type of answer you'd expect from someone who photographs ceiling.\nThen she told me about the time her daughter went to Yosemite Valley and returned with rolls of photographs of the hotel, restaurant, and gift shop. She also told me about the time her son took his camera to a Major League Baseball game and returned with 24 pictures of cloud formations.\nI had a feeling she was just trying to make me feel better.\nThen again, to a 5-year-old boy, finding a penny is more exciting than seeing a squirrel. And why would he waste good film on something like, say, some endangered water buffaloes, when he could take a picture of cool tennis shoes? Or his shiny new green sleeping bag?\nFace it: Things like beautiful sunsets and campfires can't compare to a bag of extra-large marshmallow.\nSo I did what any good mother would do: I marked the date on the back of the pictures and slid them into our family vacation photo album -- right after the five pages of ice sculptures I took last year on our cruise to the Bahamas.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following proverbs best displays the author's final thought?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Every dog will have its day.", "Every man has his hobby-horse.", "If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing well.", "You can take a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink."]}, {"question": "Who might have taken a picture of the back seat of the family car in his or her trip mentioned in this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The author's friend.", "The author's son.", "The author.", "The author's friend's daughter."]}, {"question": "The author changed her mind on her son's picture taking because  _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["her friend persuaded her to do so", "her son's pictures finally struck her", "she realized the truth by herself inspired by the surrounding examples", "it suddenly occurred to her that she herself had also taken unique pictures before"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Age and gender play an important role in one's vision of the world.", "The author's friend is a better mum in terms of educating children.", "The author will allow her son more freedom to choose in his future life.", "The author will take vacation pictures of different kind from her past ones."]}]}
{"article": "Billy's favorite color is orange. But he can't see what orange looks like. Billy is blind.\nA month after he was born, his mother noticed that his eyes weren't quite as big as a normal baby's.\"Billy would never be able to see.\" the doctor told his mother. After that Billy's mother began talking to him, describing things she saw outside the window. She described everything to him.\nBilly does not only depend on his mother's descriptions to learn about the world around him. He sees with his ears and his hands, too. He has perfect hearing. When people make phone calls, he can tell the numbers they dial .\nBilly loves computer science. He began teaching himself computer programming when he was just seven years old. His dream school would be Stanford University. He gets top grades in his classes, making that a real possibility.\n\"You can't let excuses get in the way of your dreams, and if you do that you can't move forward and reach your goals, \"said Billy.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, we know that  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Billy can't hear.", "Billy can't see.", "Billy can't walk.", "Billy can't talk."]}, {"question": "How did Billy's mother help him?", "answer": "C", "options": ["By teaching him how to draw.", "By asking teacher for advice.", "By describing everything to him.", "By sending him to his dream school."]}, {"question": "When did Billy begin teaching himself computer programming?", "answer": "A", "options": ["When he was7 years old.", "When he was in Seven Grade", "When he was high school", "When he was at university"]}]}
{"article": "A woman wears a face mask to protect her from polluted air in prefix = st1 /Lanzhou,China, in December.\nA new study showed air pollution might put people more at risk for heart disease than scientists had thought. Kristin Miller, a doctoral student at the UniversityofWashington, said chances of getting the disease were related to not only which city a woman lived in, but also where in the city. The study found that the effects of air pollution were often larger within cities than between cities.\nThe new findings make experts suspect that current pollution limits may be inadequate. Scientists examined rates of heart attack, stroke   and other cardiovascular   events in women with long-term exposure to air pollution.\nThe study involved women over the age of fifty who had no sign of cardiovascular disease at the start of the research. The study followed the women for as long as nine years to see how they would develop cardiovascular problems.\nThe researchers also examined levels of fine particles (,) in the air in 36 areas across the country. That information came from the Environmental Protection Agency. The extremely small particles came from industrial smoke and traffic, along with things like wood-burning fireplaces in houses.\nIn the study, every ten-microgram increase in the risk of a cardiovascular event. But it was related to a seventy-six percent increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.\nBut just how do particles in the air damage the cardiovascular system? The particles may cause the lungs to swell and release chemicals from the pollutants into the blood. The chemicals then could damage the heart.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly talks about  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the effects of pollution on women", "how to protect women from air pollution", "how air pollution damages a person's heart", "the relationship between air pollution and heart diseases"]}, {"question": "The case of the woman wearing a face mask shows   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["people are paying more and more attention to their health", "the woman is afraid of getting heart disease", "Lanzhou city is more heavily polluted than other cities", "air pollution is becoming more and more serious"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["air pollution is more serious than scientists thought", "the control of air pollution is effective in some cities", "people throughout a city have the same risk of getting heart diseases", "air pollution affects women more than men"]}]}
{"article": "Sons who have fond childhood memories of their fathers are more likely to be emotionally stable in the face of day-to-day stresses, according to psychologists who studied hundreds of adults of all ages. \"As our study shows, fathers do play a unique and important role in the mental health of their children much later in life,\" psychology professor Melanie Mallers of California State University said.\n              For this study, 912 adult men and women between the ages of 25 and 74 completed short daily telephone interviews about that day's experiences over an eight-day period. The interviews focused on the participants' psychological and emotional distress   (i.e.whether they were nervous, sad, etc.) and if they had experienced any stressful events that day.\n              The participants were also required to answer questions such as, \"How would you rate your relationship with your mother during the years when you were growing up?\" and \"How much time and attention did your mother give you when you needed it?\" The same questions were asked about fathers.\n              People who reported they had a good mother-child relationship reported three percent less psychological distress compared to those who reported a poor relationship, according to Mallers. Men who reported having a good relationship with their fathers during childhood were more likely to be less emotional when reacting to stressful events in their current daily lives than those who had a poor relationship, according to her findings.\n              Also, the quality of mother and father relationships was significantly associated with how many stressful events the participants faced on a daily basis. In other words, if they had a poor childhood relationship with both parents, they reported more stressful incidents over the eight-day study when compared to those who had a good relationship with their parents.\n              Mallers explained why healthy or unhealthy relationships may have an effect on how people handle stress as adults. \"Perhaps having caring parents equips children with the experiences and skills necessary to more successfully navigate their relationships with other people throughout childhood and into adulthood,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the study from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It paid close attention to the effect of fathers on their children.", "912 children and adults took part in the study.", "It lasted as long as several months.", "It was funded by the California State University."]}, {"question": "In the interviews, people were asked about all of the following things EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["their psychological distress", "their emotional distress", "their childhood stressful events", "their childhood relationships with their parents"]}, {"question": "What can be concluded from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Parent-child relationships have a lasting effect on children.", "Adults with good childhood relationships with their parents are sure to be happy.", "The mother-child relationships is more important than the father-child one.", "The quality of parent-child relationships determines how people handle stress as adults."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE about the findings of the study?", "answer": "D", "options": ["People with a good relationship with others suffered less distress.", "Men with a good mother-child relationship were more likely to be emotionally stable than women.", "Women were more skilled at getting along with their parents than men.", "People with good childhood relationships with their parents suffered less stress."]}]}
{"article": "Yang Qunhui, 28, a graduate of Chengdu University of Information Technology, Sichuan Province, gave up her job with a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan ($3,014) at a famous company, but has started her own restroom-ad business with five other graduates, becoming a \"restroom queen.\"\nThe company, opened in May, is now the only one of its kind in Chengdu.\nIt has two goals: to find suitable restrooms to place ads and to find clients  who are willing to put their ads in them.\n\"We are now trying to find restrooms to place the ads. A larger area means more ad sources,\" said Yang.\nYang got the idea to run the company one year ago when she looked for toilet repairing information on the Internet but finally noticed companies in Beijing and Shanghai doing restroom ads.\n\"It's so interesting,\" she said. \"Everyone has their dream. Mine is to start my own business and do something I like.\"\nAfter some research, Yang found the advantages of restroom ads. They are low-cost, making it easier to find clients. \"Most private companies are middle or small-sized ones. Cheap ads are an good choice.\"\nAnother advantage, she said, is that people tend to remember words and messages they've seen while sitting or standing in the loo.\nYang said sitting on a toilet, one usually feels bored and even an old newspaper helps kill the time. \n\"Most people think an ad is effective as long as it is read, however, the ad works only when it is remembered by readers,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage , which of the following is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Yang accepted a job with a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan instead of starting her own restroom-ad business.", "Yang opened the company as soon as she graduated from Chengdu University of Information Technology.", "The restroom-ad company that was opened by five graduates is now the only one of its kind in Chengdu.", "One of the company's goals is to find clients who are willing to put their ads in the restrooms."]}, {"question": "Yang has started her business in order to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["do something she likes", "become a famous boss", "make money for her future", "make herself known to all"]}, {"question": "This passage mainly tells us that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a young woman called Yang Qunhui has started her restroom-ad business.", "restroom ads have advantages including low price and easy words.", "many people think restroom ads are effective because they can kill the time.", "people tend to remember lots of things while sitting or standing in the loo."]}, {"question": "The author's attitude towards restroom ads is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["positive", "negative", "doubtful", "not clear"]}]}
{"article": "A new collection of photos brings an unsuccessful Antarctic voyage back to life.\nFrank Hurley's pictures would be outstanding----undoubtedly first-rate photo-journalism---if they had been made last week. In fact, they were shot from 1914 through 1916, most of them after a disastrous shipwreck , by a cameraman who had no reasonable expectation of survival. Many of the images were stored in an ice chest, under freezing water, in the damaged wooden ship.\nThe ship was the Endurance, a small, tight, Norwegian-built three-master that was intended to take Sir Ernest Shackleton and a small crew of seamen and scientists, 27 men in all, to the southernmost shore of Antarctica's Weddell Sea. From that point Shackleton wanted to force a passage by dog sled  across the continent. The journey was intended to achieve more than what Captain Robert Falcon Scott had done. Captain Scott had reached the South Pole early in 1912 but had died with his four companions on the march back.\nAs writer Caroline Alexander makes clear in her forceful and well-researched story The Endurance, adventuring was even then a thoroughly commercial effort. Scott's last journey, completed as be lay in a tent dying of cold and hunger, caught the world's imagination, and a film made in his honor drew crowds. Shackleton, a onetime British merchant-navy officer who had got to within 100 miles of the South Pole in 1908, started a business before his 1914 voyage to make money from movie and still photography. Frank Hurley, a confident and gifted Australian photographer who knew the Antarctic, was hired to make the images, most of which have never before been published.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the photos taken by Hurley?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They were made last week", "They showed undersea sceneries", "They were found by a cameraman", "They recorded a disastrous adventure"]}, {"question": "Who reached the South Pole first according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Frank Hurley", "Ernest Shackleton", "Robert Falcon Scott", "Caroline Alexander"]}, {"question": "What does Alexander think was the purpose of the 1914 voyage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Artistic creation", "Scientific research", "Money making", "Treasure hunting"]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever stood side by side with an elephant and touched its ear or its long nose? A marvelous opportunity is offered here for you to experience working with these giant animals. The daily highlight is the walk from the elephant orphanage down to the river to bathe the elephants. Imaging what an amazing fun it is to watch an entire herd splashing  around and rolling in the river just feet in front of you!\nThis opportunity is available through a programme designed for visitors and volunteers to work in the world-famous government-run elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, Sri Lanka. The orphanage is regarded as one of the largest centers of its kind in the world, with one of the most successful captive breeding  programmes for Asian elephants.\nPinnawela Orphanage is situated in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sir Lanka Wildlife Department. The orphanage's 24 acres  are a home for the many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. In most of these cases the mothers had either died or been killed. Baby elephants cared for by the orphanage are released into the wild when they reach a certain age.\nThe volunteers' working hours are quite short so there is plenty of time to sightsee and explore. The volunteer work consists mainly of the day-to-day aspects of running the orphanage, rather than more specialized research-based work.\nThe volunteers' main duties are cleaning the elephant homes in the morning (hard, muddy work!) and bathing some of the smaller elephants. Some elephants are overly large or have not been tamed or trained to a satisfactory level. However there are still enough opportunities to have full hands-on contact safely.\nWhile the mahouts are bathing the larger elephants, you will have a chance to relax by the river, chat with the mahouts and watch the elephants play and interact with humans and each other. It is an  ly beautiful sight. Being around these serene animals in such a beautiful setting can have a very calming effect!\nIf you are interested in such an experience, contact us for more information.", "problems": [{"question": "How many main duties does the passage list for the volunteers?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Two.", "Three.", "Four.", "Five."]}, {"question": "The passage's goal is to_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["describe the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, Sri Lanka.", "attract more tourists to come for sightseeing", "get volunteers for Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage", "call on people to care for baby elephants"]}, {"question": "Mahouts are probably people who_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["train elephants", "bathe elephants", "care for elephants", "drive elephants"]}]}
{"article": "I live in north Celebes which is near Philippines. Since early December 2010 most tropical regions have been frequently hit by rain. Just like my hometown, tropical regions only have two seasons, including the dry season that usually starts from April to September and the wet or rainy season which usually happens from October to March. But, it could be _ Sometimes the rainy season can come a month earlier or later. It can be prolonged even more than 4 months and so can the dry season. Even during the dry season, rain can occur several times in certain areas.\nThe prolonged dry season in tropical areas usually causes a lot of losses. It will be very harmful to local farmers, because most of the tropical areas sre regions of the developing countries. Sometimes agricultural and plantation crops will be damaged because of so much dry land and the fact that the river used to flow the water for rice fields are also dry. Rain is very important for plants because rain contains many nutrients that plants are in great need of.\nWhat's more, if the prolonged rainy season arrives and then floods usually occur in certain areas of low lands. Even for the capital city of Jakarta floods have struck several times during the prolonged rainy season. In addition to floods, the rainy season can cause many diseases. During the dry season, diseases are usually caused by mosquitoes such as dengue fever. While in the rainy season, people who have the weak immune will be more easily attacked by some diseases such as flu, fever, diarrhea, and much more.\nIf you live in the other places and want to travel to the tropical regions, make sure that you have known much about the season and the effect for these months in which you want to travel as tourists. Only in that way, can you at least prepare to deal with tropical weather.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the passage that in the wet season,   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["the capital of Jakarta is flooded every year", "more crops will die after being flooded for so long.", "mosquitoes will spread more diseases among the crowd.", "people with weak immune might be attacked by some diseases"]}, {"question": "The main purpose of this passage is to introduce   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["some interesting facts of tropical regions", "some knowledge about tropical regions to travelers", "some knowledge about how to live well in different regions.", "some differences between dry and wet seasons in tropical regions."]}]}
{"article": "The International Voluntary Service runs a number of Youth Exchanges throughout the year.Youth Exchanges give small groups of 4-5 young people the opportunity to take part in volunteering trips abroad for an average of two weeks.These young people are joined by 4-5 young people from 3-4 other nationalities and are a wonderful intercultural experience in a safe environment.\nExample Youth Exchanges:\nYouth Exchange 1\nLocation:Ireland\nOther nationalities:Ireland,Spain,Italy,Hungary\nTheme:Focuses on the topic of community reconstruction and community activities--exploring how local issues facing our communities are connected to global issues.The group will also learn about the eco-village as an example of a community and take part in team-building activities.\nYouth Exchange 2\nLocation:France\nOther nationalities:Bulgaria,Italy,France\nTheme:Organic gardening & continual living.This project will take place in a natural park,where the group will take part in gardening activities and games/workshops about continuous development.\nYouth Exchange 3\nLocation:Macedonia\nOther nationalities:Serbia,Turkey,Ireland\nTheme:Foster social inclusion and motivate personal development of young people through sports and outdoor activities.Promote outdoor activities as a tool to help inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities.\nYouth Exchange 4\nLocation:Italy\nOther nationalities:Italy,Bulgaria,Greece\nTheme:A sociaI-environmental project that intends to promote social inclusion and continuable development,regarded as a process of civil rights and active citizenship.Over 10 days, the group will participate in activities to raise awareness about the effect of our behavior on the environment.", "problems": [{"question": "What do you focus on when travelling in France?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Gardening work.", "Civil rights", "Developing social inclusion.", "Rebuilding communities"]}, {"question": "If you are interested in protecting the environment,you can take part in  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Youth Exchange 1", "Youth Exchange 2", "Youth Exchange 3", "Youth Exchange 4"]}, {"question": "Which nationality are Youth Exchanges most popular with?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Spain.", "Italy", "Ireland", "France"]}]}
{"article": "Spring is the time to go out and enjoy the weather and scenery.Here are some events to attend in March of 2012 in Oregon!\nOregon Country Fair(OCF), 9 am to 7 pm on March 8 - 10\nOCF first started in 1969, and it's blossomed into an outstanding example of what a non - profit should be. OCF is an event of shopping & atmosphere, and food ranging from Indian & Afghani cuisine to Italian & France cuisine.Wonderful craft & music never stop.From the time you get there until the time you leave, everyone has a smile on their faces, and they wave and say hello.For tickets, go and visit www.Oregoncountryfair.org.\n30thAnnual Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament, 8 am to 6 pm on March 12 - 14\nThe Annual Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament is an amateur tournament that draws amateur volleyball players to the small town of seaside, as well as AVP Team players who are the best volleyball players.In the past years, it has drawn more than 700 teams playing on over 80 volleyball courts.Just go west, and you can't miss it.It is about 20 miles south of Astoria.To learn more about it, visit the website www.Seasideor.com.\nHood to Coast Relay, 3:30 am to 6:45 pm on March 26 - 27\nThe Hood to Coast Relay is a 200 - mile - long relay that consists of 15, 000 runners and 4, 100 volunteers.It's the largest relay in the world, which goes from Mt.Hood to Pacific Ocean in Seaside, Oregon.People of the Oregon coast fear Hood to Coast, because local towns and streets are flooded.There are audiences cheering riders on, and many people set up stations to give riders water.If you would like to get the race route maps, visit the website www. Hoodtocoast. com.\nOther event information\nTo learn about other events, visit the website www. Aadfv. Blogspot. com.", "problems": [{"question": "OCF covers the following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["music", "dishes", "dance", "artworks"]}, {"question": "When was the first Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament held in Oregon?", "answer": "A", "options": ["In 1982.", "In 1986.", "In 1988.", "In 1992."]}, {"question": "If Lisa wants to learn more about an outing in Oregon, she may visit   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["www.Seasideor.com.", "www.Hoodtocoast.com.", "www.aadfv.blogspot.com.", "www.Oregoncountryfair.org."]}, {"question": "Locals of the Oregon coast are afraid of the relay because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the relay will last a long period", "they have to offer food and water", "the weather is bad during the relay", "too many people will go there"]}]}
{"article": "London is the capital of the United Kingdom and the largest city in the European Union. It is the world's largest finacial center and one of the most important cultural centers and its influence on politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, and the arts contributes to its status as a major global city. Central London is the headquarters of more than half of the UK's top 100 listed companies(the FTSE 100 ) and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies. The city is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. London hosted the 1908 and 1948 Summer Olympic Games and will host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.\nLondon contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, the historic settlement of Greenwich ;the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew; and the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St.Margaret 's Church.\n _ On July 2007, it had an official population of 7,556, 900 within the boundaries of Greater London making _ the most populous municipality in the European Union. Since the 2001 the Greater London Urban Area has been the second largest in the EU after Paris with a population of 8,278,251, and the metropolitan area is estimated to have a total population of between 12 million and 13 million, the largest population area in the EU. The public transport network, administered by Transport for London, is the most intensive in the world. Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic and the air space is the busiest of any city in the world.", "problems": [{"question": "Which statement is True ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Central London has 50 of the UK's top 100 listed companies.", "By the year of 2015, London will host the Summer Olympic Games.", "Three are 300 languages spoken within the city.", "The metropolitan area of Paris is the largest one in the EU."]}]}
{"article": "In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get ----- a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area: western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen ------- teaching English.\nSchool started, but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country. Was this rural area really New Jersey? My students took a week off when hunting season began. I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms. I was a young woman from New York City, who thought that \"Make hay while the sun shines\" just meant to have a good time.\nBut, still, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth-grade class ---- seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room.\nIn college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, as the textbook had said, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. It sounds reasonable, but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans, particularly teenagers, rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise.\nMy boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn't happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of the classroom, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes.\nI felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying, but at my next free period I had to face him. I wondered if he would let me finish out the day. I walked to his office, took a deep breath, and opened the door.\nHe was sitting in his chair, and he looked at me long and hard. I said nothing. All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher; I had been lying to myself, pretending that everything was fine.\nWhen he spoke, he said simply, without accusation, \"You had nothing to say to them.\"\n\"You had nothing to say to them\". he repeated.\" No wonder they are bored. Why not get to the meat of literature and stop talking about symbolism. Talk with them, not at them. And more important, why do you ignore their bad behavior\"? We talked. He named my problems and offered solutions. We role-played. He was the bad student, and I was the forceful, yet, warm teacher.\nAs the year progressed, we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations. He helped me identify my weaknesses and strengths. In short, he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words: \"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.\"\nFifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school. Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year, the school is my home now.", "problems": [{"question": "It can be inferred from the story that in 1974    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the writer became an optimistic person", "it was rather difficult to get a job in the USA", "the writer was very happy about her new job", "it was easy to get a teaching job in New Jersey"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is most probably the writer's problem as a new teacher?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She didn't like teaching English literature.", "She didn't ask experienced teachers for advice.", "She took too much time off to eat and sleep.", "She had blind trust in what she learnt at college."]}, {"question": "What is the writer's biggest worry after her taskmaster's observation of her class?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She couldn't ignore her students' bad behavior any more.", "She migh t lose her students' respect.", "She couldn't teach the same class any more.", "She might lose her teaching job."]}, {"question": "Which of the following gives the writer a sense of mild victory?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Her talk about symbolism sounded convincing.", "She managed to finish the class without crying.", "Her students behaved a little better than usual.", "She was invited for a talk by her boss after class."]}, {"question": "The students behaved badly in the writer's classes because", "answer": "C", "options": ["They were eager to embarrass her.", "They didn't regard her as a good teacher.", "She didn't really understand them.", "She didn't have a good command of English."]}, {"question": "The taskmaster's attitude towards the writer after his observation of her class can be described as   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["cruel but encouraging", "sincere and supportive", "fierce but forgiving", "angry and aggressive"]}]}
{"article": "When looking for love, people may go to some extreme lengths. They might go on blind dates set up by family and friends. They might write personal ad to place in newspapers. Or they might use a computer to help them in their search for a soul mate by joining an online dating service. Some people have even tried to find their perfect match through game shows on television. Many of these TV dating shows, including The Bachelor andWho Wants to Marry Multimillionaire?, have proved to be popular, with millions of viewers watching each week to find out which of the contestants  will find true love.\nOf all these game shows, perhaps the one with the most unexpected ending was Mr. Right, which was shown in England in 2002. On the show, a bachelor, thirty-five-year-old Lance Gerrard-Wright, dated fifteen women to find the one who was his ideal partner. The host of the show was Ulrika Jonsson, an English celebrity   originally from Sweden. For seven weeks on the show, Lance took turns going on dates with each of the women, taking them to expensive restaurants and romantic locations. He even met the women's families and introduced them to his own. Then at the end of each episode , he would choose between one and three of the contestants with whom he had felt the least compatible , and say goodbye to them.\nAt one point during the series, one contestant volunteered to leave because she said she didn't find him attractive. After two dates she said she had had enough, and she couldn't see it working, \"He wasn't my cup of tea.\" In another episode the woman he was on a date with burst into tears when he called her by another girl's name. \"You called me by another girl's name. I can't believe you did that. I really liked you,\" she said in tears.\nBut in the final episode, the woman he eventually chose decided she didn't want to marry him after all. \"I think you've chosen me because you have to choose someone,\" she said. Maybe this was because she already knew he had fallen in love with the show's host!\nAfter leaving the show, Gerrard-Wright and Jonsson were seen dining together and attending parties around London more and more often. Finally, on May 1, 2003, Gerrard-Wright proposed to Jonsson on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral. And she accepted his proposal right away, although she had to make sure that her two children from previous relationships--an eight-year-old son, Cameron, and a two-year-old daughter, Bo. agreed to the marriage. Luckily, they did. Gerrard-Wright said, \"In the end the show did work for me. I grabbed an opportunity to get a girlfriend and I did. Ulrika's amazing\"\nThe happy couple finally got married at Jonsson's home in Sweden on the island of Varmdo. They wanted to keep the ceremony small, so only forty people were invited, including family and friends. There was some gossip at the time that Jonsson's friends who did not receive invitations to the wedding felt upset. But the bride and groom did not let that ruin their wedding day.\nHas Ulrika Jonsson finally found Mr. Right? Only time will tell. But none of the guests at the wedding could deny the happiness in the couple's eyes as the bride and groom left the wedding ceremony with the music of Stevie Wonder playing in the background, \"Seen a lot of things in this old world. When I touched them, they did nothing, girl. Ooh baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is this passage mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["how a famous couple met and got married", "the best way to meet a husband or wife", "why the show Mr. Right was a big hit", "how to act on a date with a stranger"]}, {"question": "What happened after seven weeks of doing the show?", "answer": "B", "options": ["All of the women won prizes.", "Lance asked one of the women to marry him.", "One of the women on the show started to cry.", "Ulrika asked Lance to marry her."]}, {"question": "Which of the following did NOT happen during the series?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Lance went on dates with several women.", "Lance took the women to some very good restaurants.", "Lance and Ulrika started dating each other.", "The women met Lance's family."]}, {"question": "Why did some of Ulrika's friends feel upset?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They didn't agree with the marriage.", "They weren't asked to attend the wedding.", "There weren't enough guests at the wedding.", "They didn't like Lance."]}, {"question": "In Stevie Wonder's song, what is he comparing himself to?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A blind man", "A groom", "A letter", "A baby"]}]}
{"article": "Not having done physical exercise for some time, I found myself a little low-spirited and couldn't study efficiently, so I decided to do some running the next day. At 6:15 the next morning, my alarm clock rang. Unwilling to rise from my bed, I turned it off and went back to sleep. However, 5 minutes later, I struggled to get up. After washing and brushing, I had my sneakers on and went out.\nWow! The air was so fresh that I couldn't help breathing it deeply. I stretched  my arms and legs, then started to run. I found all things around me were so attractive. Look, the branches were waving, as if they were welcoming me; the blossoming flowers were bowing, with shyness, just like girls. Listen, the wind was whispering, as if to say \"come on, girl\". What's more interesting was those two birds, perching in the tree. They were scared and flew away when I passed them. \"Hey, chaps, relax.\" I shouted without stopping running. \"Let's enjoy the beautiful morning together!\" Then miracle  happened. The two little creatures seemed to understand what I said. They turned back and twittered  around me. \"Are you singing for me?\" I asked. They twittered again and again, sounded like \"Yes\". I was delighted to hear that. Ah, what a wonderful morning and how beautiful life is!\nActually, there are a lot of charming things around us. Helen Keller wrote in her famous article Three Days to See, \" _ \". Indeed, many of us ignore the beauty around us, just because we are familiar with them. They always complain that life is boring. But, I just want to say, if you live each day with appreciation of things around, you'll find life is very charming. So, let's enjoy life from now on.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the writer went running with the purpose of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["seeing the beauty of nature", "making herself more active", "talking with birds", "breathing fresh air"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The writer rose immediately after the clock went off.", "The writer enjoyed the singing of the two birds.", "The writer did some warm-up exercises before running.", "The writer felt refreshed after doing some running in the morning."]}, {"question": "The purpose of the writer in writing this passage is to tell us that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the nature in the morning is very beautiful", "fresh air is beneficial", "we should appreciate the beautiful things in life", "physical exercise is useful"]}]}
{"article": "Surtsey was born in 1963. Scientists saw the birth of this island.It began at 7:30 am . on 14th November . A fishing boat was near Iceland.The boat moved under the captain's   feet . He noticed a strange smell.He saw some black smoke .A volcano   was breaking out . Red hot rocks,fire and smoke were rushing up from the bottom of the sea . The island grew quickly.It was 10 metres high the next day and 60 metres high on 18th November. Scientists flew there to watch.It was exciting.Smoke and fire were still rushing up. Pieces of red hot rock were flying into the air and falling into the sea. The sea was boiling and there was a strange light in the sky. Surtsey grew and grew. Then it stopped in June 1967. It was 175 metres high and 2 kilometres 1ong.And life was already coming to Surtsey. Plants grew.Birds came.Some scientists built a house.They wanted to learn about this young island.\nA new island is like a new world.", "problems": [{"question": "When did scientists fly there to watch the birth of the island?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Before the volcano broke out.", "On 14th November 1963 .", "About four days after the volcano broke out .", "In June 1967."]}, {"question": "The best title of the text is  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["New Discovery .", "The Birth of An Island.", "A Captain and An Island .", "How Does A Volcano Break Out."]}]}
{"article": "You may think that light pollution isn't something extraordinarily important. You may believe that every other type of pollution has a larger impact on the environment than light pollution does. But light pollution is serious.\nLight pollution, or \"sky glow\", is the glow  you can see at night above cities and towns. Light pollution is a problem that has been accompanying man ever since he started his first fire some 15,000 years ago. Light pollution is the light  that comes from streetlights, buildings, parking lots and any other source of light that is reflected or directed into the atmosphere.\nUrban light pollution means that one-fifth of the world's population can no longer see the Milky Way  with the naked eye . Many city kids, even if they did look through the orange smog above their heads, would probably see only a handful of stars. We have lost our view of the stars, and we have _ our  night-time environment as well. Astronomers are calling for the dark places on Earth to be preserved as national parks.\nLots of people find the ever-brightening night annoying, and animals that are programmed to prefer the dark may avoid a brightened habitat. Sea turtles can get lost searching for a beach to lay eggs, and their hatchlings may confuse over-lit beachfront resorts  for the ocean horizon, wasting precious energy needed to find the sea and escape predators . Because their necks aren't yet long enough to see things far away, baby turtles rely on the mirror image of the moon to guide them to the sea, to begin their new life. A car may even hit a particular turtle, which was thinking the light from a nearby city was moonlight reflecting off the ocean waves. Birds that live in and around cities can die because of sky glow, too. The bright lights can blind them, leading to countless collisions with buildings and other tall structures.\nReducing light pollution is not difficult.Light pollution is the easiest type of pollution to end. people can help reduce much sky glow by using lighting only when necessary. The stars above us are priceless heritage-- for not only for astronomers but for all humans. More of our children should be able to look up at night and see the Milk Way is not just a candy bar.", "problems": [{"question": "All the following statements are false EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Light pollution does not have as large an import on the earth as other types of pollution do", "Light pollution exists everywhere on the eafth", "People in some parts of the world cannot see the Milky Way with their naked eyes as a result of light pollution", "Loght pollution came into existence with modem technology"]}, {"question": "Beacuse of light pollution,the sea turtles hatchlings may  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["find the sea easily", "cscape predaton", "be misled by bright lights from beachfront resorts", "find the way to the sea with the help of bright lights"]}]}
{"article": "In many countries today, laws protect wildlife. In India the need for such protection was realized centuries ago.\n  About 300 B.C. an Indian writer described forests that were somewhat like national parks today. The killing of game animals was carefully governed. Some animals were fully protected. Within the forest, nobody was allowed to cut trees, burn wood, or trap animals for their furs. Animals that became dangerous to human visitors were trapped or killed outside the park, so that other animals would not become uneasy.\n  The need for wildlife protection is greater now than ever before. About a thousand sorts of animals are in danger of extinction, and the speed at which they are being destroyed has been putting on. With mammals, for example, the speed of extinction is now about one sort every year; from A. D. 1 to 1800, the speed was about one sort every fifty years. Everywhere, men are trying to solve the problem of saving wildlife while caring for the world' s growing population.", "problems": [{"question": "The report says that in Indian forests of long ago  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["hunters were given permits to hunt game", "only dangerous animals were to be killed", "the killing of game animals was controlled", "no killing of animals was allowed"]}, {"question": "According to the report, men trying to save wildlife are thinking about  _  as well.", "answer": "D", "options": ["the animals in national parks", "stricter laws against hunting", "the trees in the forests", "the needs of people"]}, {"question": "The word\" extinction\"in this report most properly means\"  _  \" .", "answer": "B", "options": ["falling down", "dying out", "growing up", "going away"]}]}
{"article": "Nervous suspects locked up in Britain's newest police station may feel relieved by a pleasant yellow color on the door . If they are close to confessing a crime , the blue on the wall might _ .\nGwent Police have abandoned colors such as greys and browns of the 20th-century police cell and have used color psychology to decorate them .\nYstrad Mynach station , which recently opened at a cost of PS5 million has four cells with glass doors for prisoners who suffer from claustrophobia . Designers have painted the frames yellow , which researchers say is a calming color . Other cells contain a royal blue line because psychologists believe that the color is likely to encourage truthfulness .\nThe station has 31 cells , including 12 with a \"live scan\" system for drunken or disturbed prisoners , which detects the rise and fall of their chest . An alarm alerts officers if a prisoner's breathing stops and carries on ringing until the door is opened .\nDesigners and psychologists have worked for years on color . Blue is said to suggest trust , efficiency , duty , logic , coolness , thinking and calm . It also suggests coldness and unfriendliness . It is thought that strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter , soft colors will calm the mind and aid concentration .\nYellow is linked with confidence , self-respect and friendliness get the color wrong and it could cause fear , depression and anxiety , but the right yellow can lift spirits and self-respect .\nIngrid Collins , a psychologist who specializes in the effects of color , said that color was an \" energy force \" . She said : \" Blue does enhance communication but I am not sure it would enhance truthful communication . \"\nYellow , she said , affected the mind . Red , on the other hand , should never be considered because it could increase aggression . Mrs. Collins praised the designers for using colors in the cells . Gwent is not the first British force to experiment with color to calm down or persuade prisoners to co-operate , In the 1990s Strathclyde Police used pink in cells based on research carried out by the US Navy .", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following helps alert officers if someone stops breathing ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Scanning equipment .", "Royal blue lines .", "Glass doors .", "Yellow frames ."]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly concerned with   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the relationship between colors and psychology", "a comparison of different functions of colors", "the use of colors in cells to affect criminals' psychology", "scientific ways to help criminals reform themselves in prison"]}]}
{"article": "The latest fashion in kitchen is the food steamer. All the stores are selling them; everyone wants one. Steaming is one of the simplest and healthiest ways of cooking food.However, that cooking time is usually longer than with other methods. In case you're thinking of buying a steamer, I've done a survey about the steamers available on the market to help you decide which will suit you best.\n*Folding Steamer\nThe simplest and least expensive is the folding stainless-steel  version.\nAdvantages: This is a good, basic design which sits inside a variety of different shapes of pans with the water under it; a ring in the center allows for easy lifting and it's easy to clean.\nDisadvantages: It only holds small dishes. Also, if you put too much water in the pan, it will boil up through the vegetables and they will be watery. If you put too little water in and let it get dry, you will burn the pan and get strange-smelling vegetables.\n*Steaming Pan\nThis is a three-layered black Teflon-coated version with a lid and two double-handled steamers, which sits on the oven ring. The brand I bought is called Nutritious Living.\nAdvantages: This is an excellent steamer, lightweight, easy to clean, and of all the steamers I've tried, this cooks the fastest. Fish and chicken can be cooked on the bottom with rice or vegetables on the top. It's easier to store.\nDisadvantages: Water can boil away until the pan is dry, but if you make sure you fill the pan up to the suggested level and do not overcook the food, this should not happen.You cannot see the food cooking from the top. It doesn't supply a dish for cooking rice.\nFor serious users of steamers, I recommend having one of each version. If you just want to try it, get the folding stainless-steel type.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author carry out the survey?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To inform people of different steamers", "To run an advertisement for steamers", "To find out a suitable steamer to buy", "To learn how to cook with steamers"]}, {"question": "What can we learn about the folding steamer?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It comes in different kinds of shapes and sizes.", "It is designed for large families.", "It is able to clean itself.", "It is easy to take out."]}, {"question": "The Nutritious Liuing steamer  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["is more difficult to store", "provides a dish to cook rice with", "cooks different foods at the same time", "cooks fish and chicken faster than vegetables"]}, {"question": "According to the author, you should  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["use steamers to save cooking time", "buy a steamer with dishes supplied", "do a survey before choosing a steamer", "buy a folding steamer if you want to try"]}]}
{"article": "Signing up for a digital TV service provides you with access to over 200 channels from all over the globe. However, television today is dominated by adult language, making it hard for concerned families to find channels suitable for young eyes. Therefore, most movie channels are automatically removed form the list of TV channels for an entire family. The following are some good ones based on popularity on a global scale.\nDiscovery Channel\nDiscovery and its many channels can be considered as the founding father of informative channels on television. What National Geographic does in a scholastic  manner, Discovery tries to do in an entertaining manner--educating the masses about anything and everything.\nFox Family\nFinding a movie channel that broadcasts pictures suitable for teenagers and kids alike is very difficult unless your service operator offers you Fox family movies. This channel screens most movies before it broadcasts them, ensuring that no movie shows unacceptable material for young eyes.\nNickelodeon\nA channel very similar to Cartoon Network, it mostly shows US programs. However, their shows are sometimes a bit more mature for younger kids and better suited to kids aged 5 and up.\nABC Family\nABC started the ABC family channel in an attempt to introduce family-centered shows and serials to the public in the USA. The need for this channel was felt after ABC observed the lack of proper family type US channels.\nLiving\nIf travelling is a family hobby and better living is the motto then there is no better channel than Living. Kids can see never-seen-before sights, learning about new places while adults can practice their cooking and learn amazing things about motorbikes.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text, most channels offered by a digital TV service   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["can keep people away from TV violence", "are welcomed by families with small children", "are concerned about the proper use of language", "are unsuitable for the whole family to watch together"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can best describe Discovery Channel?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Relaxing.", "Touching.", "Commercial.", "Professional."]}, {"question": "If people want to know about what a traditional family is like, they can choose   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Fox Family", "Nickelodeon", "ABC Family", "Living"]}]}
{"article": "To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. Regardless of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where you are -- always!\nWe allow past problems and future concerns to control our present moments, so much that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless. We often convince ourselves future will be better than today. John Lennon once said, \"Life is what's happening while we're busy making other plans. \"When we're busy making other plans\", our children are busy growing up, the people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life.\nMany people live as if life were a dress rehearsal for some later date. It isn't. In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow. Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over. When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future--we won't have enough money, our children will get into trouble, we will get old and die, whatever. \nTo struggle against fear, the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present. Mark Twain said, \"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.\" I don't think I can say it any better. Practice keeping your attention on the here and now and your efforts will pay off.", "problems": [{"question": "The purpose of this passage is to tell readers   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["people who are busy making plans are living actively", "how to help others overcome fear", "we ought to learn to live in the present moment", "someone who only enjoys the present time usually wastes his time blindly"]}, {"question": "It implies  from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["many people know how to fight against fear", "it isn't necessary to fear for future", "you can gain more happiness by putting off your pleasure", "some people make plans for their children to improve their lives"]}, {"question": "\"Many people live as if life were a dress rehearsal\" suggests that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they always wish to be an actor or an actress", "they believe that their present life is well prepared for their future", "they are always busy making plans for future", "They all have a guarantee that they will be alive tomorrow"]}, {"question": "Why are some people depressed and anxious day and night?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because they fear they cannot pass their tests.", "Because past problems and future concerns control their present moment.", "Because the people they love want to leave them alone.", "Because they make some mistakes in the past."]}]}
{"article": "History is full of cases where dreams have been a pathway to creativity and discovery. A striking example is provided by Dr. Otto Loewi, a pharmacologist and winner of a Nobel Prize. Loewi had spent years studying the chemical transmission  of nerve impulses  . A major breakthrough in his research came when he dreamed of an experiment three nights in a row. On the first two nights he woke up and wrote down the experiment quickly and untidily on paper. But the next morning, he couldn't tell what the notes meant. On the third night, he got up after having the dream. This time, instead of making notes he went straight to his laboratory and performed the important experiment. Loewi later said that if the experiment had occurred to him while awake he would not have given it another thought.\nLoewi's experiment gives some insight into using dreams to produce creative solutions. Nervous feelings are reduced during dreaming, which may be especially useful in solving problems that require a fresh point of view.\n Being able to take advantage of dreams for solving is improved if you \"set\" yourself before sleeping. Before you go to bed, try to think intently about a problem you wish to solve. Bury yourself in the problem by stating it clearly and reviewing all relevant information. Then use the suggestions listed in the previous section to catch your dreams. Although this method is not guaranteed to produce an original solution or a new insight, it is certain to be an adventure. About half of a group of college students using the method for a week recalled a dream that helped them solve a personal problem.www.ks5u.com", "problems": [{"question": "Through Loewi's experiment, the author tries to prove that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["very little is really known about the meaning of dreams", "dreams can be useful in producing creative solutions to one's problems", "it is possible to \"catch\" one's dreams by planning before going to sleep", "it helped in the study of transmission of nerve impulses"]}, {"question": "The author probably thinks that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Loewi should not have done his experiment", "dreaming is of very little value to most people", "college students should not try out dream experiments", "nervous feelings may stop someone thinking of useful ideas"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the author seems to be in favor of   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["seeking creative solutions", "avoiding scientific experiments", "setting himself after sleeping", "going straight to experiment after the dream"]}]}
{"article": "Mountaineers have noted that as they climb, for example, up to the 12,633foot Humphreys Peak in Arizona, plant life changes greatly. In the Sonoran Desert, one climbs into a pine forest at 7,000 feet and a treeless tundra  on the top of the mountain. It may seem that plants at a given altitude are associated in what can be called \"communities\" -groupings of species. The idea is that over time, plants that require particular climate and soil conditions come to live in the same places, and are frequently to be found together. Scientists study the history of plant life and build up a picture of how groups of plants have responded to climate changes and how ecosystems develop. But are these associations, _ are real in the present, permanent?\nA great natural experiment took place on this planet between 25,000 and 10,000 years ago, when small changes in the earth's orbit caused great sheets of ice to spread from poles. These glaciers  covered much of North America and Europe to depths of up to two miles, and then, as the climate warmed, they retreated. During this retreat, they left behind newly uncovered land for living things to occupy, and as those living things moved in they laid down a record we can read now. As the ice retreated and plants started to grow near a lake, they release pollen . Some would fall into the lake, sink to the bottom and mix with the sand. By drilling into the lake bottom it is possible to read the record of the plant life around the lake. The fossil record seems clear; there is little or no evidence that entire groups of plants moved north together. Things that lived together in the past don't live together now, and things that live together now didn't live together in the past. Each individual living things moved at its own pace. The fossil record seems to be telling us that we should be thinking about preserving species by giving them room to move about-to respond to environmental changes.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the movement of individual species of plants   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["occurs in groups", "often depends upon the formation of lakes", "does not occur in groups", "depends upon climate and soil conditions"]}, {"question": "All of the following are true EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["The ice age occurred when there were small changes in the orbit of the earth", "fossil records seem to indicate that plants will be preserved if they have enough room to move", "fossil records clearly show that entire groups of plants are unlikely to have moved together", "in the ice age glaciers covered the world to depths of up to two miles"]}]}
{"article": "The Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, is the best place in Europe for discovering dinosaur bones. Dinosaur Farm Museum was established in 1993. Since then, the museum has introduced the study of old bones to many more people.\nWhat we offer\nVisitors can enjoy our displays, or watch us cleaning dinosaur bones and other fossils found on the island's beaches.\nThe museum has a variety of different fossils, many of them never displayed to the public before. As more are discovered all the time, you can be sure of seeing something new each time you visit.\nWe have a free Fossil Identification Service, so you can bring in any fossils you have and find out what they are. In addition, we have a reasonably-priced Museum Shop, where you can buy a souvenir of your visit. You could also bring a picnic and relax in our special picnic area.\nActivities\nFossil hunts are organized from the museum and run all year round. Groups of up to 25 are guided on a local beach where they can search for fossils. All these hunts are fully licensed and insured, and guides can help to identify any fossils found and point out things of interest.\nDue to the popularity of these hunts, all trips must be booked by a personal visit to Dinosaur Farm Museum.\nDid you know...?\nThe BBC programme \"Live from Dinosaur Island\" was filmed along the coast here, and Dinosaur Farm Museum was the base for the television crew.\nFind out more\nCheck out our website at _ to learn in detail how we dig for dinosaurs. You can also read about the many different kinds of dinosaurs which lived in this area, which was connected to Europe 120 million years ago.", "problems": [{"question": "Why are there always new fossils to see at the museum?", "answer": "A", "options": ["New fossils are discovered constantly.", "People keep donating fossils to the museum.", "Only a few of the fossils are displayed each day.", "The museum exchanges fossils with other museums."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is free of charge at the museum?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Food for a picnic.", "Attending fossil hunts.", "Having fossils identified.", "A souvenir of the museum."]}, {"question": "One can book a fossil hunt   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["through a BBC programme", "through the museum's website", "by making a call to the museum", "by visiting the museum personally"]}]}
{"article": "Recently educators have been questioning \"prep school\" (=preparatory school)   where barely literate   high school athletes get their transcripts   by taking courses occasionally and sometimes by taking no courses at all. The athletes then go on to famous sports universities, where they exhaust their playing years before landing back on the streets without job opportunity or college degrees.\nThe prep school scheme was meant to avoid academic qualification rules for college athletes made years ago by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The N.C.A.A., which was slow to recognize the seriousness of the problem, has finally adopted policies to root it out. But those policies will not do the job unless everyone is involved, including prep schools and college athletics departments that still recruit   students who do not meet academic standard.\nThe prep school scheme sends a dangerous message to poor neighborhoods, where young people too often ignore their studies, believing that they will magically become millionaires once the world sees their athletic talents. Even worse, it encourages students to drop out of traditional schools before graduation--at which point their grade-point averages would be written in stone--to sign up with fake schools that can help them rewrite their academic records.\nThe N.C.A.A. has begun to check nontraditional schools for their academic programs and has actually closed some. The organization has also stepped up to look into athletes' transcripts and will pay special attention to athletes who attended several schools, showed sudden jumps in grade-point average, transferred to another school late in the senior year or took an unbelievable number of courses in one term.\nThese measures are encouraging as far as they go. But the N.C.A.A. will need to go much deeper into the problem if it hopes to break this scheme. For starters, it needs to make clear not just what courses high school athletes need to take to become qualified for college sports, but when they should take them. Until that happens, those who recruit young athletes will always be tempted to make fake academic record at the last possible moment for them.", "problems": [{"question": "About students in \"prep school\", which of the following facts might NOTbe true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Most of them are good at different kinds of sports events.", "They can easily be admitted to a university by cheating.", "After they graduate from university, they will usually find promising jobs.", "They seldom have good academic performance at high school."]}, {"question": "From the passage we can infer that   _  .                 .", "answer": "B", "options": ["High school students can change their transcripts by transferring to another school or take a lot of courses in one term.", "Transcripts of high school students can be very important reference for students to go to college.", "Most High school athletes can probably be awarded a bachelor's   or master's degree after they graduate from universities.", "Transcripts of high school students are so important that they are recorded on metal"]}, {"question": "We can conclude from the passage that the problems of prep school scheme might result from  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["young people in poor neighborhoods who tend to ignore their studies", "many prep schools that carry out poor academic programs for high school athletes", "many college athletics departments that still recruit academically unqualified students", "school athletes, poor management of prep schools and irresponsibility of related college departments"]}, {"question": "Having recognized the seriousness of the prep school scheme, the N.C.A.A. has taken all the measures EXCEPT  _  .              .", "answer": "C", "options": ["investigating and checking some prep school program", "shutting down some unqualified prep school", "listing compulsory courses and the number of course needed to be taken in high school", "checking some problematic transcripts"]}, {"question": "What might be the author's attitude towards the prep school scheme?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The writer thinks it a chance for high school athletes to go to college.", "The writer thinks more practical measures are needed to break it.", "The writer remains neutral   on this issue.", "The writer believes poor children will have little chance to go to college if prep school scheme is broken."]}]}
{"article": "Growing up in one of the poorest, most crime-ridden  communities on the south side of Atlanta, US, being raised by a single mother who didn't finish 3rd grade, living each day on food stamps  and attending what the media called \"the most dysfunctional  public school district,\" not many people expected much of me, so I had to expect something of myself.\nOn my 13th birthday, I bought a poster of Harvard to hang in my room. Being at Harvard became what I dreamt about: I saw myself attending class in Sanders Theater, studying in Widener Library and eating in Annenberg Hall. Even when my electricity was\ncut off and I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to pitch blackness, I knew that my poster of Harvard was still hanging only two feet away from me. I'd begin my day by asking myself these two questions, \"What do I want in my life?\" and \"Are the things I am doing today going to get me closer to that life?\"\nReminding myself of my goal each day made it easy to say no to the same choices I saw my peers making, because those paths wouldn't have gotten me closer to my goal. I found that even poverty could not take away my power to decide what I choose to do with\nmy day. Asking myself those questions gave me the courage to cold email about 50 Harvard students so I could ask for feedback  on my application essays; it gave me the energy to study just one more hour on my SATs when my friends were asleep; and it gave me the determination to submit  just one more scholarship application when 180 0thers had already turned me down.\nOn March 3 lst, 2011, an email arrived from Harvard. The first word was \"Congratulations!  \"A month later, Harvard flew me up to visit the campus where for the first time I got to see inside Sanders Theater, tour Widener Library and eat dinner in Annenberg Hall.\nWho you are today is the result of the decisions you made yesterday, and who you will be tomorrow will be the result of the choices you make today. Who do you want to be tomorrow?", "problems": [{"question": "What's the author's attitude towards \"poverty\"?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Disappointed.", "Objective.", "Thankful.", "Sad."]}, {"question": "How did motivating  himself affect the author?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It focused him on improving his application essays.", "It helped him with decision-making and got him to put in extra effort where necessary.", "It allowed him to measure how effectively he was moving towards achieving the goals.", "It helped him better communicate with others in his application for colleges and scholarships."]}, {"question": "What can we conclude from the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Applying to a famous university is important.", "It is essential to set yourself an ambitious goal as early as possible.", "Poor people usually have greater goals than others.", "You should be determined to act and make decisions in order to achieve your goals."]}]}
{"article": "City farms are gaining popularity in cities and towns around the United States. \nCity Farms in Edmonston, Maryland, is located near shopping centers, car repair shops and homes. The neighborhood is a working-class community. People do not have very much money, and they have limited access to fresh food in markets. \nOver the past two years, the farm has attracted volunteers from the community like Marcy Clark. She schools her four children at home. On a recent day she brought them to Eco City Farms for a lesson. Alston Clark thinks his experience very valuable. \"I like coming out here, \"he says, \"You know, you connect with the earth, where your food comes from. You appreciate the food a little bit more. \"\nMargaret Morgan-Hubbard started Eco City Farms. She thinks of it as a place where people can learn to live healthier lives. \"Growing food in a community and showing that you can have farms even in the city is helpful to strengthen the relationship in that community and brings people together, \"she continues, \"Every piece of what we do here is a demonstration to show people everything about how to have a sustainable community. \"she says. From the Eco City Farms people come to know that they are not only growing food and raising chickens and bees, but improving the soil with compost made from food waste. Sixteen wooden bins are filled with worms. Their job is to eat the food waste and help make it into compost. \nEco City Farms is an experimental operation. The farm gets its power not from the local electricity networks but from the sun with solar panels. In winter, the greenhouses are heated using a geothermal system. \nVegetables can be grown all year. So once a week, all winter long, neighbors like Chris Moss and her three children bicycle to the farm to pick up a share of the harvest. \n\"I like eating the vegetables, \"says five-year-old Owen Moss.", "problems": [{"question": "City farms are close to the following places EXCEPT    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["shopping centers", "car repair shops", "working-class community", "fast-food restaurants"]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude towards City Farms?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Doubtful.", "Enthusiastic.", "Amazed.", "Negative."]}, {"question": "Eco City Farms have the following functions EXCEPT that    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they teach people how to have a sustainable community", "they improve the relationships between people in a community", "they demonstrate how to use green power in city life", "they help people learn to appreciate the food they have"]}, {"question": "In which column of a newspaper can you most probably read this article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People.", "Environment.", "Travel.", "Health."]}]}
{"article": "Jogging has become the most popular individual sport in America. Many theories,even some mystical ones,have been advanced to explain the popularity of jogging. The plain truth is that jogging is a cheap,quick and efficient way to maintain (or achieve) physical fitness.\nThe most useful sort of exercise is exercise that develops the heart,lungs, and circulatory systems. If these systems are fit,the body is ready for almost any sport and for almost any sudden demand made by work or emergencies. One can train more specifically,as by developing strength for weight lifting or the ability to run straight ahead for short distances with great power as in football,but running trains your heart and lungs to deliver oxygen more efficiently to all parts of your body. It is worth doing that: this sort of exercise is the only kind that can reduce heart disease, the number one cause of death in America.\nOnly one sort of equipment is needed--a pair of good shoes. Physicians advise beginning joggers not to try to run in tennis or gym shoes. Many design advances have been made in only the last several years that make a pair of excellent running shoes indispensable if a runner wishes to develop as quickly as possible,with as little chance of injury as possible. A pair of good running shoes will have soft pads for absorbing shock, as well as slightly built-up heels and full heel cups that will give the knee and ankle more stability. A wise investment in good shoes will prevent blisters and the foot,ankle and knee injuries and will also enable the wearer to run on paved or soft surfaces. No other special equipment is needed; you can jog in any clothing you desire,even your street clothes.\nIt takes surprisingly little time to develop the ability to run. The American Jogging Association has a twelve-week program designed to move from a fifteen- minute walk (which almost anyone can manage who is in reasonable health) to a thirty-minute run. A measure of common sense,a physical examination,and a planned schedule are all it takes.", "problems": [{"question": "The main purpose of this passage is to   _  ..", "answer": "A", "options": ["discuss jogging as a physical fitness program", "describe the type of clothing needed for jogging", "provide scientific evidence of the benefits of jogging", "launch a nationwide physical fitness campaign"]}, {"question": "The most effective kind of exercise should be the one that   _  ..", "answer": "D", "options": ["trains the body for weight lifting", "enables a person to run straight ahead", "is both beneficial and inexpensive", "develops the heart,lungs,and circulatory systems"]}, {"question": "We can conclude from this passage that   _  ..", "answer": "B", "options": ["jogging makes heart disease no longer be an American problem", "jogging can be harmful if the runner is not properly prepared", "suits are preferable to gym shoes and T-shirts", "jogging is bad for the ankles and knees"]}, {"question": "The author^s attitude towards jogging is   _  ..", "answer": "C", "options": ["doubtful", "critical", "approving", "objective"]}]}
{"article": "If the crust   of the earth were not pretty solid  ,it would be shaking about and moving up and down frequently. However,there are places in the rocks of the earth's crust where it isn't strongly held together--where faults exist. Along the faults,one rock might push against another with great force. The energy is changed to vibration in the rocks,so they begin to shake and we have an earthquake!\nThe most famous one in North America was the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Seven hundred people died and property damage amounted to about $425,000,000.The greatest destruction came from the fires that followed the quake.\nOne of the most famous earthquakes in Europe took place in Lisbon,Portugal,in 1755.The city was destroyed and at least thirty thousand people were killed. In 1908,in Calabria and Sicily,a quake killed about seventy-five thousand people. In 1915,in central Italy,hundreds of towns and villages were damaged and thirty thousand people were killed.\nTwo great earthquakes that caused great damage in Asia took place in Tokyo,Japan,and in Gansu Province in China. The Tokyo quake of 1923 killed more than one hundred thousand people and destroyed the city and the city of Yokohama,too. The Chinese quake in 1920 covered more than three hundred square miles and killed about two hundred thousand people.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage,the earthquake that killed the most people happened in  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Portugal", "Italy", "Japan", "China"]}]}
{"article": "Simona lives in Bucharest, Romania. She is nine years old and HIV positive . When Simona's mother found out about her illness five years ago, her first reaction was to tell everyone, looking for support.\n\"That's when I found out who really was my friend, and who wasn't, \"she said. \"Quite a few people stopped visiting me and asked their children not to play with Simona any more. Because of this, quarrels began in my family with each trouble brought about by her diagnosis. My husband became more and more unfriendly toward me and toward Simona. He didn't understand how important it was for Simona to receive regular examinations by a doctor or why she needed proper treatment for her sickness.\"\nWhen her mother tried to enroll  Simona in a school, the teacher warned her that when other parents found out about her illness she would be shunned by the other children.\nSimona's mother looked for help and found a social worker from the Community Resource Center. The social worker helped her enroll Simona in another school and provided emotional, financial, and material support for the family. Simona's parents were able to ease the tension in the family. Her mother also now attends parenting classes and support groups at the Center.\nThe Community Resource Center provides not only many needed resources, but also a place where women can gain skills and self-confidence. It provides children with a place where they are accepted. At the Center parents and children find a place where they can grow and find the support they need to stay together and care for each other.", "problems": [{"question": "Many people prevented their children playing with Simona because   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she had no true friends", "she was a naughty girl", "she suffered from HIV", "she had a strange character"]}, {"question": "Simona's father thought that Simona   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["shouldn't bring so much trouble to them", "should receive examinations regularly by a doctor", "shouldn't see the doctor for her sickness", "should be treated properly for her sickness"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true according to this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Simona has been suffering from HIV for five years.", "Few people visited Simona's mother because of Simona's illness.", "Simona's mother received help from a social worker.", "Simona was accepted immediately by the first school."]}]}
{"article": "A cheap drug that can stop bleeding in people recently injured in an accident could potentially save the lives of tens of thousands worldwide, a new study says.\nResearchers studied the effects of tranexamic acid  , or TXA, in more than 10,000 injured people in 40 countries who received the drug within 8 hours of being injured. The study was published in the medical journalLancet.Doctors found that patients who got TXA had a 15percent lower chance of dying from _ than those who didn't get it . They also had a 10 percent lower chance of dying from any other cause, including organ failure and a head injury. The study was paid for by the British government.\nThe drug is commonly used in wealthy countries during elective surgeries  to stop bleeding , but isn't used for accident victims. TXA is off-patent and made by many companies. It costs about $4.5 per gram, and a typical dose is two grams. It is usually given via an injection  and would be relatively easy to introduce, even in poor countries, experts said.\nPrevious tests of the drug regarded its use in elective surgeries, such as heart operations, but this was the first study to test the drug on accident victims. Doctors were worried it might increase side effects such as blood clots  in the heart and lungs, strokes, or heart attacks. There was no evidence of that in theLancet study, though the authors said it was possible they might have missed some of these incidents.\nFor people between 5 and 45, accidents are the second leading cause of death worldwide after AIDS, and about 600,000 injured patients bleed to death every year. Experts estimated that if TXA were readily available, between 70,000 and 100,000 lives a year could be saved. Though the drug wasn't tested on children , experts said it would almost certainly work with them as well.", "problems": [{"question": "What can we learn about TXA from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It can only be made in England", "It was only used in operations before", "It is a patented drug", "It is mainly used in poor countries"]}, {"question": "Doctors were worried about using TXA because   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["a lot of patients died unexpectedly after using it", "it has no treatment effect on patients", "it can cause blood clots or stroke", "they hadn't used it on accident victims before"]}]}
{"article": "Once a general manager wanted to test his people, who had come from all over India, about their values of life. He announced that in their folders , there is PVC pouch and in it there is a seed. When they return, they must put the seed in a pot with good soil and look after it very well. He would hold a competition at the next year's seminar and the best plants would be awarded suitably.\nEveryone did what was told to him. A year passed quickly. And the next year in a big hall, what a great scene! There were hundreds of pots and a great variety of plants-all except one. In this pot was soil, but no plant! The owner of the pot was standing quietly and feeling ashamed of himself.\nThe general manager called him on the stage. He asked him what happened and he told him the truth. He planted the seed, which he was given, and did what was to be done - but nothing happened!\nThe general manager declared  him the winner! Everyone was shocked.\nIt was announced, \"Gentlemen! The seeds I gave you were boiled seeds. You planted them and nothing happened! You acted smartly and used some other seeds. This man was honest to his work and therefore, he did not cheat me or himself!\"", "problems": [{"question": "What's the general manager's purpose of giving a seed to each of his employees?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He wanted to get some beautiful plants.", "He wanted to improve his employees' planting skill", "He wanted to enrich his employees' life.", "He wanted to know whether his employees are honest."]}, {"question": "The man in the passage failed to get the plant because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he didn't take good care of his seed", "he wasn't good at planting", "his seed wasn't as good as the other people's", "the seed had been boiled"]}, {"question": "Why was everyone shocked after they heard the general manager's declaration?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They didn't understand why the man failed to get the plant.", "They didn't understand why the man was the winner.", "They didn't know why the manager gave him the best seed.", "They didn't know why they couldn't get the plants."]}, {"question": "The author wanted to tell us the importance of  _  by writing this passage.", "answer": "B", "options": ["being careful", "being honest", "knowing how to plant", "knowing how to please the manager"]}]}
{"article": "Pleasant Goat, lazy Goat, Beautiful Goat and Slow Goat, which one is your favorite? The second movie of the Chinese cartoon series of Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf again achieved noticeable box office takings in china, earning more than 40 million yuan merely three days after its debut . \nPleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf is no doubt the most successful\"China made\"cartoon series recently. It is shown on TV almost every day and its core  product can be seen almost in every child's goods store. It is the Chinese Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.\n The cartoon series is not only welcomed by children, but is also often discussed among adult audiences. Pleasant Goat is appreciated for his courage and wisdom. While Big Big Wolf is considered a model husband though he is usually the bad guy in the story, always trying to catch goats for his wife, Big Red Wolf.\nIn the year of tiger. 2010, what will happen to the goats' homeland and the wolves' castle? Will Pleasant Goat break the plot of Big Big Wolf again? And will Big Big Wolf finally take his revenge as he always says when got foiled  by Pleasant Goat? Going to see the movie and laughing cheerfully kids may be a good idea to start a brand new year.", "problems": [{"question": "Pleasant Goat is liked because of his_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["beauty and friendliness", "kindness and courage", "courage and wisdom", "beauty and wisdom"]}, {"question": "Big Big Wolf is_to goats.", "answer": "B", "options": ["kind", "bad", "friendly", "good"]}, {"question": "according to the passage, we can infer that_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["in 2010 we will see the second movie of Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf", "this cartoon is the most successful \"China made\"cartoon series", "all people like to see the movie", "in 2010 it's estimated that the cartoon will earn over 40 million yuan"]}]}
{"article": "Six seconds after its launch in Virginia, US, an unmanned rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS) exploded, disappointing people both on Earth and in space.\nHundreds of millions of dollars worth of cargo was destroyed in the Oct. 28 explosion due to An\"equipment failure\", said Orbital Sciences, the company hired by NASA for the resupply mission.\nThe rocket was carrying a cargo ship loaded with 2,200 kilograms of supplies such as food, tools, parts, and experiments. Roughly a third of the cargo was a series of scientific investigations. Some of them were from high school students in the US. For example, 10 students from the Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston were conducting experiments about microgravity and put their samples on the rocket.  \"I know that failure is a part of science, but I really feel sorry for my students,\" science teacher Greg Adragna told the Houston,  Chronicle .\nAstronauts at the ISS felt a more urgent disappointment, however. The cargo included 617kg of food. Now they will have to rely on supplies from a Russian launch on Oct. 29.\nLaunched in 1998 and involving the US, Russia, Canada, Japan, and the member countries of the European Space Agency, the ISS is one of the most ambitious international collaborations in history. Currently, there are six astronauts at the station, five male and one female. Three are from Russia, two are from the US, and one is from Germany.  They have lived together for about six months. The station gets regular resupplies from Earth, using unmanned spacecrafts. Food is always a big part of the supplies.  Most of the food is frozen and ready to eat, and often tastes bad-somewhat like trying to eat when you have a heavy cold.\nTo make space life better, however, scientists have made breakthroughs. Earlier this year, Russian astronauts managed to grow a variety of crops aboard the station. Next year they are going to try to grow rice and other plants. And, as transporting water to space is expensive, astronauts are looking for ways to recycle water. \"Astronauts on board the ISS already drink water distilled from sweat and urine<) ,\" Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.\nIs that the reason the astronauts were so disappointed not to get the water from the failed resupply mission, by any chance?", "problems": [{"question": "What is the author-s main purpose in writing the article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To explain what caused the explosion of NASA-s unmanned rocket.", "To inform us of the explosion of NASA-s unmanned rocket and its effects.", "To tell us about astronauts lives at the International Space Station.", "To tell us how the world reacted to the explosion of NASA-s unmanned rocket."]}, {"question": "How did teacher Greg Adragna feel about the explosion of the rocket?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Angry.", "Anxious.", "Frustrated.", "Unconcerned."]}, {"question": "We can conclude from the article that the situation seemed  _  for astronauts on board the ISS when the rocket exploded.", "answer": "C", "options": ["hopeless", "interesting", "depressing", "dangerous"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE about the ISS, according to the article?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Half of the astronauts at the ISS are from the US.", "The ISS was set up by four countries.", "The water that astronauts at the ISS drink is mainly made by recycling.", "Most of the food astronauts eat at the ISS is frozen and tastes bad."]}]}
{"article": "A jobless man applied for the position of \"office boy\" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him and then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.\n\"You are employed,\" he said. \"Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start. \"\nThe man replied, \"But I don't have a computer, neither an e-mail. \"\n\"I'm sorry,\" said the HR manager. \"If you don't have an e-mail, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist cannot have the job. \"\nThe man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only ten dollars in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy 10kg tomatoes. He then sold the tomatoes from door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home happily with 60 dollars.\nThe man realized that he can survive in this way, and started to go every day earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or _ every day. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. Five years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US.\nHe started to plan his family's future and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan.\nWhen the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his e-mail. The man replied, \"I don't have an e-mail. \"\nThe broker answered curiously, \"You don't have an e-mail, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an e-mail?\" The man thought for a while and replied, \"Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!\"", "problems": [{"question": "Why can't the man have the job at Microsoft?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because he was lazy.", "Because he didn't pass the test.", "Because he didn't have an e-mail.", "Because he didn't have a computer."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The man is one of the biggest food retailers in the world.", "The man didn't give up though he failed the interview.", "He started his career by selling tomatoes in the supermarket.", "Those who have e-mails can work at Microsoft."]}, {"question": "The man can be described as   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["helpful and considerate", "positive and generous", "smart and hardworking", "stubborn and unselfish"]}, {"question": "Which proverb can best describe the story?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Misfortune may be an actual blessing.", "Where there is a will, there is a way.", "Accidents will happen.", "No pains , no gains."]}]}
{"article": "No one has enough, but everyone has all there is. We each have just twenty-four hours in a day. Time is not our problems , but what we do with the limited time we have is the issue. Many people spend their days on dozens of activities , but achieve very little because they aren't concentrating on right things. The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80:20 Rule shows us that typically eighty per cent of unfocused effort generates only twenty percent of the results. The remaining eighty per cent of the results are achieved with only twenty percent of the effort . To effectively manage your time, you need to change where you are spending your time. We all have the same amount of time every day. How you spend your time is how you spend your life. Here are time management strategies, which may be helpful.\nLearn to say no\nPolitely say no should become a habit. Saying no frees up time for the things that are most important.\nMake a \"to-do\" list\n   List the tasks that need to be done in order of their importance. Save other less important things for when you have time.\nMinimize interruption\nPlan ahead. Think through projects. Look for ways to  _ interruptions. For example, close your door, don't answer the phone or work in a different space.\nCombine several activities\n   Try to do several activities at one time. While going to school,listen to taped notes. This allows up to an hour or two a day of good study review. While showering,make a mental list of the things. Above all,be creative,and let it work for you.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, if you want to do several things on Sunday,you should   _  .          .", "answer": "C", "options": ["do them while listening to the music", "do all of them at one time", "do the most important one first", "put some of them off till next Monday"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Time Management", "The Pareto Principle", "How to Make a \"To-do\" List", "Time and Habits"]}]}
{"article": "When people get bad toothaches, they often have to eat soft, easily chewed food. When lions get bad toothaches, they eat people? That' s the conclusion of a zoologist at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and a dentist who works on carnivores  ., Lions don't normally prey on people. Every once in a while, however, a lion will go on a human-eating diet. The most famous such tragedy happened in 1898, when two lions killed and ate 135 railway workers in prefix = st1 /Kenya.\nExamining the preserved skulls   of the two big cats, zoologist Bruce Patterson and dentist Ellis Neiburger found that both animals had been suffering from several dental and |aw problems. One lion had three missing teeth and a loose, unsteady lower canine that was probably useless. Canines are pointed teeth that hunting animals use for gripping and piercing prey ) .The two lions might have been so badly disabled that they couldn't bite down forcefully, say the researchers. Consequently, the lions might have abandoned their normal, more difficult prey and turned to humans. \"Humans are easy preys, \" said Patterson. \"We're very slow, we don't hear very well, and we don* t see very well in the darkness. \"\nThe research calls their idea the Infirmity Theory. It was inspired partly by the work of Jim Corbett, a tiger hunter in Indiain the 1930s. Corbett was regularly called in to hunt tigers that had been dining on Indian villagers. Time after time, Patterson discovered that the killer tigers were suffering from some ill-healthy conditions.", "problems": [{"question": "The original aim of the study is to look for   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["ways of protecting wild animals", "ways of treating toothaches of lions", "when and where lions eat people", "reasons for some lions eating people"]}, {"question": "The reason why lions don't normally prey on people is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["that they like wild preys better", "they just hunt for prey at night,", "that humans are difficult to catch", "not mentioned in the passage"]}, {"question": "The best title of the passage could be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["A Zoologist And a Dentist", "Why Do Some Wild Animals Eat People", "A Discovery of the Skulls of Lions", "How Can Health Influence Eating Habits"]}]}
{"article": "A father with Parkinson's disease was arrested as he watched the Olympic cycling road race because he failed to smile or look as if he was enjoying himself.\nMark Worsfold, a martial arts trainer and former soldier, claims that he was thrown to the floor and handcuffed just as cyclists passed by. His worried wife Nicola only found out he was being held after she reported him missing when he did not turn up for their daughter's ninth birthday party. The 54-year-old man had his fingerprints, DNA and _ taken before being questioned about why he did not appear to be enjoying the event on July 28. Police said Mr. Worsfold, who was held for over five hours, was arrested because of his manner, his state of dress and his being too near to the course. A spokesman added that the arrest was necessary to avoid a breach   of the peace because he was standing near a group of protesters  .\nBut Mr. Worsfold, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2010, said that one of the symptoms of the disease is muscle rigidity, which can cause his face to become expressionless. \"I was sitting minding my own business\", he told a local newspaper. \"Before I knew anything the police grabbed me off this seven-foot wall, threw me to the floor and handcuffed me, so all I saw of the cycle race was between the feet of people from the pavement. It could have been done better. I was arrested for not smiling. I have Parkinson's disease. \"\nMr. Worsfold has since asked for a letter of not being guilty from police. The officers who made the arrest have apologized to him.", "problems": [{"question": "Which statement is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Worsfold's wife was immediately informed of his being arrested by the police.", "Worsfold was arrested because he was extremely dangerous.", "Worsfold enjoyed the cycle race though he saw it between the feet of people from the pavement.", "Worsfold was arrested because of his clothes as well as his facial expression."]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The officers must have been punished for Worsfold' arrest.", "Worsfold has an expressionless face and probably looks strong.", "The officers apologized to Worsfold after one day's arrest.", "Worsfold was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago."]}]}
{"article": "Never before in Chinese history has a documentary film aroused so much public enthusiasm. Everybody is talking about a new 7-part documentary called A Bite of China which was recently broadcast late at night on CCTV I. The documentary describes various _ across the vast Chinese culinary   landscape.\nAccording to Taobao, China's biggest online retail website, just five days after the series began to air, nearly 6 million people went to the site in search of various local specialties, particularly those mentioned in the documentary. More than 7.2 million deals were concluded. A ham producer from Yunnan Province saw his sales grow 17-fold in five days.\nHowever, one can't help but believe that the documentary's popularity is probably linked to the endless stream of terrible food security issues that have emerged in recent years. In one well-received article, a netizen wrote, \"I wonder how many felt so empty-hearted and sighed after watching the film. Blue-vitriol watered chive, formaldehyde  sprayed cabbage, Sudan Red colored salty eggs, restaurants using gutter oil. The list is long...\"\nA varied and ancient food culture that is famous world-wide and which should have made the Chinese proud ends like this: one can only sigh. Food is the most vital thing in people's lives. Yet China's food industry is a typical description of \"bad money driving out the good\".The market is huge while the cost of faking and cheating is so low for unscrupulous   businessmen; and the punishment is too light. Take the milk industry as an example. Although Sanlu, the company that sold the melamine-adulterated milk powder, was punished, thousands of other dairies didn't work hard to improve the quality. In order to allow national brands to survive, Chinese authorities are happy to loosen their regulations.\nAs the documentary shows, people are attracted not to gourmet items like matsutake, a species of rare mushroom grown naturally in remote forests, but to common Chinese dishes like barley, lotus root or tofu. They are what meet our basic needs. This explains why people are so excited about A Bite of China---it is a reminder that there is still a world out there where food is excellent and people have dignity.", "problems": [{"question": "We can infer from what a netizen wrote in one well -received article that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["none of the television viewers have a knowledge of the Chinese food culture", "there is a huge contrast between the ancient food culture and the reality", "the price of food is too high for many common people", "the documentary was made by a world-famous Chinese director"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, China's food industry is full of faking and cheating because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["there are still so many poor people at the present time", "the punishment for unscrupulous businessmen isn't serious enough", "the Chinese government encourages it to do so", "the food technology is not so advanced as in developed countries"]}]}
{"article": "Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He stopped by the fence in front of the house where he lived with his aunt Polly. He looked at it, and all joy left him. The fence was long and high. He put the brush into the whitewash and moved it along the top of the fence. He repeated the operation. He felt he could not continue and sat down.\nHe knew that his friends would arrive soon with all kinds of interesting plans for the day. They would walk past him and laugh. They would make jokes about his having to work on a beautiful summer Saturday. The thought burned him like fire.\nHe put his hand into his pockets and took out all that he owned. Perhaps he could find some way to pay someone to do the whitewashing for him. But there was nothing of value in his pockets --nothing that could buy even half an hour of freedom. So he put the bits of toys back into his pockets and gave up the idea\nAt this dark and hopeless moment, a wonderful idea came to him. It filled his mind with a great, bright light. Calmly he picked up the brush and started again to whitewash.\nWhile Tom was working, Ben Rogers appeared. Ben was eating an apple as he walked along the street. As he walked along, he was making noises like the sound of a riverboat. First he shouted loudly, like a boat captain. Then he said \"Ding-Dong-Dong\", \"Ding-Dong-Dong\" again and again, like the bell of a riverboat. And he made other strange noises. When he came close to Tom, he stopped.\nTom went on whitewashing. He did not look at Ben. Ben stared a moment and then said: \"Hello! I'm going swimming, but you can't go, can you?\"\nNo answer. Tom moved his brush carefully along the fence and looked at the result with the eye of an artist. Ben came nearer. Tom's mouth watered for the apple, but he kept on working.\nBen said, \"Hello, old fellow, you've got to work, hey?\"\nTom turned suddenly and said, \"Why, it's you, Ben! I wasn't noticing.\"\n\"Say --I'm going swimming. Don't you wish you could? But of course you'd rather work -- wouldn't you? Of course you would.\"\nTom looked at the boy a bit, and said \"What do you call work?\"\n\"Why, isn't that work?\"\nTom went back to his whitewashing, and answered carelessly.\n\"Well, maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. All I know is, it suits Tom Sawyer.\"\n\"Oh come, now, you don't mean to say that you like it?\"\nThe brush continued to move.\n\"Like it? Well, I don't see why I shouldn't like it. Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence every day?\"\nBen stopped eating his apple. Tom moved his brush back and forth, stepped back to look at the result, added a touch here and there, and stepped back again. Ben watched every move and got more and more interested. Soon he said,\n\"Say, Tom, let me whitewash a little.\"\nTom thought for a moment, was about to agree; but he changed his mind.\n\"No --no --it won't do, Ben. You see, Aunt Polly wants this fence to be perfect. It has got to be done very carefully. I don't think there is one boy in a thousand, maybe two thousand, that can do it well enough.\"\n\"No --is that so? Oh come, now --let me just try. Only just a little.\" \"Ben, I'd like to, but if it isn't done right, I'm afraid Aunt Polly ... \"\n\"Oh, I'll be careful. Now let me try. Say --I'll give you the core of my apple.\"\n\"Well, here --No, Ben, now don't. I'm afraid ...\"\n\"I'll give you all of it.\"\nTom gave up the brush with unwillingness on his face, but joy in his heart. And while Ben worked at the fence in the hot sun, Tom sat under a tree, eating the apple, and planning how to get more help. There were enough boys. Each one came to laugh, but remained to whitewash. By the time Ben was tired, Tom sold the next chance to Billy for a kite; and when Billy was tired, Johnny bought in for a dead rat --and so on, hour after hour. And when the middle of the afternoon came, Tom had won many treasures.\nAnd he had not worked. He had had a nice idle time all the time, with plenty of company -and the fence had been whitewashed three times. If he hadn't run out of whitewash, Tom would have owned everything belonging to his friends.\nHe had discovered a great law of human action, namely, that in order to make a man or a boy want a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to get.", "problems": [{"question": "How many characters are mentioned in this story?", "answer": "C", "options": ["7", "6", "5", "4"]}, {"question": "Why did Tom take all his bits of toys out of his pockets?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because he is tired and wanted to play with his toys.", "Because he wanted to throw his toys away.", "Because he wanted to know if he could buy help with his toys.", "Because he wanted to give his toys to his friends."]}, {"question": "Tom was about to agree to let Ben whitewash when he changed his mind because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tom wanted to do the whitewashing by himself", "Tom was afraid Ben would do the whitewashing better.", "Tom was unwilling to let Ben do the whitewashing", "Tom planned to make Ben give up his apple first"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tom was good at whitewashing the fence, so he looked at the result of his work with the eye of an artist.", "Tom was unwilling to whitewash the fence, but he managed to let other boys do it for him", "Tom had a lot of friends who are ready to help others.", "Tom was interested in whitewashing the fence."]}, {"question": "What made Ben Rogers eagerly gave up his apple and offer to brush the fence for Tom?", "answer": "A", "options": ["His curiosity about Tom's brushing job.", "His warm heart and kindness to friends.", "Tom's threat.", "Aunt Polly's idea."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the most suitable title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tom And His Fellows", "The Happy Whitewasher", "Whitewashing A Fence", "How To Make The Things Difficult To Get"]}]}
{"article": "\"Make-A-Wish\" is one of the world's most well-known charities  . It makes wishes come true for childrenwho have serious illnesses. It gives them hope and joy and helps them forget about their health problems and have fun.\nIt all started in 1980  in Phoenix, Arizona. Christopher was a 7-year-old boy who was very sick. He always dreamed ofbecoming a police officer. Tommy Austin and Ron Cox, two police officers, made his wish come true. They gaveChristopher a tour of the city in a police helicopter and made a real police uniform  for him.\nThere are four kinds of wishes children usually have:\nI wish to go. Children usually want to travel or go to a concert, a game or a park.\nI wish to meet. Children sometimes want to meet their favourite actors, singers or\nplayers.\nI wish to be. Some children wish to become actors, singers or police officers.\nI wish to have. They often want to have a computer, a game, a bike or many other things.\nLet'shope more wishes will come true in the future. People who work in the charity always try for the best. Almost25 ,000 Volunteers help, work or give money. Will you be one of them?", "problems": [{"question": "\"Make-A-Wish\" is a charity to help   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sick children", "serious officers", "famous actors", "popular singers"]}, {"question": "What did the two police officers do for Christopher?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They gave him a computer.", "They gave him a tour of the city.", "They took him to a concert.", "They took him to the hospital."]}, {"question": "Which kind of wishes does Christopher have?", "answer": "C", "options": ["I wish to go.", "I wish to meet.", "I wish to be.", "I wish to have."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sick children just wish to get well.", "Christopher and Tommy are two officers.", "A few people are working for \"Make-A-Wish\".", "\"Make-A-Wish\" has a history of over 30 years."]}]}
{"article": "Nowadays more and more people are talking about genetically modified foods ( GM foods). GM foods develop from genetically modified organisms  , which have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise where an organism is exposed to chemicals to create a nonspecific but stable change. For many people, the hightech production raises all kinds of environmental, ethical, health and safety problems. Particularly in countries with long farming traditions, the idea seems against nature.\nIn fact, GM foods are already very much a part of our lives. They were first put on the market in 1996. A third of the corn and more than half the cotton grown in the U. S. last year was the product of biotechnology, according to the Department of Agriculture. More than 65 million acres of genetically modified crops will be planted in the US this year. _ .\nHowever, like any new product entering the food chain, GM foods must be subjected to careful testing. In wealthy countries, the debate about biotech is not so fierce by the fact that they have a large number of foods to choose from, and a supply that goes beyond the needs. In developing countries desperate to feed fastgrowing and underfed populations, the matter is simpler and much more urgent: do the benefits of biotech outweigh the risks?\nThe statistics on population growth and hunger are disturbing. Last year the world's population reached 6 billion. The UN states that nearly 800 million people around the world are unhealthy. About 400 million women of childbearing age don' t have enough iron, which means their babies are exposed to various birth defeats.As many as 100 million children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of blindness.\nHow can biotech help? Genetic engineering is widely used to produce plants and animals with better nutritional values. Biotechnologists have developed genetically modified rice and they are working on other kinds of nutritionally improved crops. Biotech can also improve farming productivity in places where food shortages are caused by crop damage attributable to drought, poor soil and crop viruses.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly talks about  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the world's food problem", "the development in biotech", "the genetically modified foods", "the way to solve food shortages"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, GM foods  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["will replace naturally grown foods", "are far better than naturally grown foods", "may help to solve the problem of poor nutrition", "can cause serious trouble in developing countries"]}, {"question": "What's the writer's attitude towards GM foods?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Enthusiastic.", "Cautious.", "Disapproving.", "Unbelievable."]}]}
{"article": "Facebook users may feel socially successful in the web world but they are more likely to perform poorly in exams. The majority of students who use Facebook every day are doing badly compared with those who don't. About 83% of British 16 to 24-year-old people are using social networking site such as Facebook and MySpace, to keep in touch with friends and organize their social activities.\n\"Our study shows people who spend more time on Facebook spend less time studying,\" said Aryn Karpinski, a researcher. \"Every generation has its distractions , but I think Facebook is a unique phenomenon.\" Karpinski and a colleague questioned 219 US undergraduates and graduates about their study and general Internet use, as well as their specific use of Facebook. They found 65% of Facebook users accessed their account daily, checking it several times to see if they had received new messages. The amount of time spent on Facebook at each log-in  varied from just a few minutes to more than an hour.\nSome UK students have already realized the potential danger. Daisy Jones, 21, an undergraduate, realized the time she was spending on Facebook was threatening her grades, urging her to deactivate  her account, \"I was in the library and tried to write a 2,000-word essay when I realized my Facebook habit had got out of hand,\" she said. \"I couldn't resist going online, when thinking about it. Before you know it , a couple of minutes have turned into a couple of hours and you haven't written a word.\"\nJones is among the few to have realized the risks. 79% of the users, however, believed the time they spent on the site had no impact on their work. The CEO of Facebook said, \"There is also academic research that shows the benefits of services like Facebook. It's in the hands of students to decide how to spend their time.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Facebook users check their account frequently to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["spend less time on study", "make sure new messages aren't missed", "practise specific use of Facebook", "accumulate amount of time spent on Facebook."]}, {"question": "Why did Daisy Jones deactivate her account?", "answer": "B", "options": ["She was warned about the risk of using Facebook.", "Spending much time on Facebook affected her study", "She wanted to write a long article in the library.", "There was something wrong with her eyes."]}, {"question": "What's the best title of the passage ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Facebook fans do worse in exams", "Social networking sites and their fans", "Facebook helps organize social activities", "How to use social networking sites correctly."]}]}
{"article": "One day a father and his rich family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be.\nThey spent a day and a night on the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, \"How was the trip?\"\n\"Very good, Dad!\"\n\"Did you see how poor people can be?\" the father asked.\n\"Yeah!\"\n\"And what did you learn?\"\nThe son answered, \"I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard; they have a whole horizon.\"\nWhen the little boy finished, his father was speechless.\nThe son added, \"Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are!\"\nIsn't it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude towards life, you've got everything!\nYou can't buy any of these things. You may have all the material possessions you can imagine, provision for the future, etc. But if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing!\n\"Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The son's father and family went to the country to_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["see beautiful scenery", "see poor people there", "see some children", "see a long river there"]}, {"question": "The son saw the following things EXCEPT_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["a creek", "a lamp", "some stars", "a horizon"]}, {"question": "After the boy finished his words, his father was_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["happy", "satisfied", "annoyed", "embarrassed"]}, {"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How rich are we?", "How poor are we?", "How happy are we?", "How sad are we?"]}]}
{"article": "Do you want to be a successful person? Would you like to know how successful people usually think and what drives them? Here I am going to tell you the key to success that successful people share.\nFirst of all, successful people never blame someone or something outside of themselves for their failure to move ahead. They realize that their future lies in their own hands. They understand that they can't control things in life, such as nature, the past and other people. At the same time, they are well aware that they can control their own thoughts and actions. They take responsibility for their life.\nPerhaps what most separates successful people from others is that they live life \"on purpose\" --- they are doing what they believe they are put here to do. In their opinion, having a purpose in their life is the most important element that enables them to deal with things around them. They hold the view that when they live their life \"on purpose\", their main concern is to do the job right. They live what they do. People want to do business with them because of their commitment. To live their life \"on purpose\", successful people find a cause they believe in and create a business around it.\nBesides, they never give up easily. Once they have set up goals in their life, they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. To achievers always bear in mind what they don't have forever. Rather than see this as negative or depressing, they would use the knowledge to _ themselves on and go after what they want energetically and passionately.\nSo keep in mind what successful people always hold to be true so that you will have a clear idea of what you should do to be successful in life.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, to be successful,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["you should set up a realistic goal", "you should know your strengths and weaknesses", "you shouldn't blame others for your failure", "you shouldn't waste time"]}, {"question": "Which is NOT the key to success that successful people share?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Taking responsibility for their life.", "Never giving up easily.", "Having a goal in life.", "Controlling things in life."]}, {"question": "The author's purpose in writing this passage is to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["explain the exact meaning of success", "share the key to success with readers", "tell his experience of achieving success", "encourage readers to learn from failure"]}]}
{"article": "Many years ago, when I was fresh out of school and working in Denver, I was driving to my parents' home in Missouri for Christmas. I stopped at a gas station about 50 miles from Oklahoma City, where I was planning to stop and visit a friend. While I was standing in line at the cash register , I said hello to an older couple who were also paying for gas.\nI took off, but had gone only a few miles when black smoke poured from the back of my car. I stopped and wondered what I should do. A car pulled up behind me. It was the couple I had spoken to at the gas station. They said they would take me to my friend's We chatted on the way into the city, and when I got out of the car, the husband gave me his business card.\nI wrote him and his wife a thank-you note for helping me. Soon afterward, I received a Christmas present from them. Their note that came with it said that helping me had made their holidays meaningful.\nYears later, I drove to a meeting in a nearby town in the morning. In late afternoon I returned to my car and found that I'd left the lights on all day, and the battery was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford dealership - a shop selling cars - was right next door. I walked over and found two salesmen in the showroom.\n\"Just how friendly is Friendly Ford?\" I asked and explained my trouble. They quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. They would accept no payment, so when I got home, I wrote them a note to say thanks. I received a letter back from one of the salesmen. No one had ever taken the time to write him and say thank you, and it meant a lot, he said.\n\"Thank you\" - two powerful words. They're easy to say and mean so much.", "problems": [{"question": "The author planned to stop at Oklahoma City  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to visit a friend", "to see his parents", "to pay at the cash register", "to have more gas for his car"]}, {"question": "What happened when the author found smoke coming out of his car?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He had it pulled back to the gas station.", "The couple sent him a business card.", "The couple offered to help him.", "He called his friend for help."]}, {"question": "The battery of the author's car was dead because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["something went wrong with the lights", "the meeting lasted a whole day", "he forgot to turn off the lights", "he drove too long a distance"]}, {"question": "By telling his own experiences, the author tries to show  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how to write a thank-you letter", "how to deal with car problems", "the kind-heartedness of older people", "the importance of expressing thanks"]}]}
{"article": "In the market of luxury   brands, Chinese consumers are only second to the Japanese in the world.\nAcross the globe it's clear that the young generation are increasingly relying on expensive brands for their self-image.\nPersonally I am a fashion-lover, at least in spirit. I love to look at clothes and shoes. But I don't understand why people spend large amounts of money on designer labels. Certainly, young people, whether in China or elsewhere, should be building their self-confidence in other ways. When a young woman shows off a handbag worth two months' salary, that's a scary thing.\nWhat are the psychological factors forcing young people to take on debt for designer items?\nThe desire to say, \"Hey, look at me. I'm wealthy. I have social status.\"\nScientists have found the acquisition of luxury brands doesn't lead to happiness. Study after study has shown that, although we are born to desire material possessions, when we get them, we don't suddenly become \"happy people\".\nIn fact, a series of studies by Leaf Van Boven at the University of Colorado, US, have shown that individuals who invest   in travel and other experiences get more pleasure than those who invest in material things. That's because experiences are more easily combined into a person's identity. If I travel to Yunnan, that adventure affects how I think. My memories entertain my friends and colleagues. It follows, then, that investing in experiences improves my chances for successful social relationships.\nMoreover, as Van Boven has observed, young people who pursue happiness through \"things\" are liked less by others than young people who seek happiness through experiences. \nThis research is pretty solid, but I suspect it won't persuade young people not to desire a style. It's natural to want to express yourself through your appearance. So my advice is, create a look that isn't tied to a designer label. \nYou don't have to  _ to send a message about who you are. Take a trip. Go out into the world. Then come back and confidently create your own signature look.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is written here in order to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["encourage young people to travel", "persuade young people to seek experience happiness", "report the result of a series of researches", "advise young people to save money"]}, {"question": "The author finds it hard to understand   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["why people like to look at clothes and shoes", "why Chinese consume so many luxury brands", "why young people build their self-image through clothes", "why people spend so much money on designer labels"]}, {"question": "The author believes that young people would borrow money for luxury brands psychologically to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["show off", "improve appearance", "build up confidence", "make others jealous"]}]}
{"article": "Lonely Planet Publications is the largest guidebook publisher in the world.  With over 650 titles sold in 118 countries, it annually sells six million copies, giving guidance to travelers in locations worldwide.\nTony Wheeler and his wife Maureen Wheeler were the founders of Lonely Planet Publications and its first writers. They put together Lonely Planet's first publication- Across Asia on the Cheap.  Originally from Australia,  the couple had decided to travel from Europe back home to Australia overland-going through the countries of Iran,\nAfghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and South-East Asia, to eventually reach Australia. Tourist facilitres were limited in these countries, so if travelers wanted to go there, they had to eat and sleep locally. Many of these travelers were young and adventurous, but they didn't have much money, so going local was the only way that they could afford to travel across Asia. Frustrated that there was no guidebook to give budget travelers information on accommodations, food, and transport in these regions, the Wheelers decided to write a guidebook themselves. Full of humor and strong opinions, the book became famous among backpackers-budget travelers-as the chief travel guide for Asia. It made enough money for the Wheelers to travel more and finance their second book about traveling in Southeast Asia on a Shoestring.\nThis second book became even more popular and acquired readership outside of Australia in North America, Europe, and New Zealand. Sales developed so well that the Wheelers were able to open up a publishing house in Australia, and eventually opened up offices in the United States and Europe. Because the guidebooks were based off contributing writer's experiences, material was fresh and up to date. As more and more books were written, the series finally came to cover every country in the world.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How the Lonely Planet Publications developed.", "How to have a trip in an economical way.", "The Wheelers liked traveling around the world.", "The Wheelers wrote two books about traveling."]}, {"question": "The Wheelers wrote Across Asia on the Cheap because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they thought they could make a lot of money", "the Australian government asked them to", "there was no guidebook like it on the market", "it was their job while they were traveling"]}, {"question": "It can be concluded that the Wheelers  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["have only written two books about cheap traveling", "advocated the idea of traveling more with less money", "eventually made their company from bad to worse", "support other travelers to start a publishing house"]}]}
{"article": "Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they ignore a powerful thing that could help them fight illness: their friends.\nResearchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that old People with a large circle of friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk   for obesity   among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties could improve brain health as we age.\n\" _ ,\" said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. \" _ . \"\nWhile many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack. Only smoking was as important a risk factor   as having little social support.\nExactly why friendship has such a big effect isn't entirely clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. \"People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,\" said Karen, a doctor. \"The message of these studies is that friends make your life better. \"", "problems": [{"question": "The author mentioned smoking in the text to discuss  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the cause of heart attack.", "the risk of having no friends.", "smoking is bad for men.", "friends' influence on habits."]}]}
{"article": "An air of anxious uncertainty spread throughout the small Indian camp as the sun dawned that morning. Some braves gathered beside a smoking campfire. Murmuring sounds could be heard as they talked quietly. Women nervously performed their domestic tasks, preparing a small meal. Several sad, old men sat mute, their morale very low.\nThe camp was pitched at the edge of a deep valley--so deep that one could barely see the calm water at the bottom. The Indians had been taken by surprise and were surrounded and attacked by enemy forces. They fought bravely, but they were degraded by defeat. Their homes were destroyed. Those who had survived had been pursued by the enemy. The chase  had lasted for days. Persuaded by their leaders to press on, they had made a wrong turn. Their  _ journey ended at the edge of a valley--a desperate situation. Before them was a great hole in the earth. Behind them was the enemy. No wonder they were frozen with fear. Where could they go?\nJust when no choice seemed available to them, several young braves ran into camp. With great excitement they reported seeing a stone bridge across the valley, just a short distance from camp. Most of the tribe discounted this wild story. However, a few hurried to the spot to see for themselves. Seeing was believing! Indeed there was a stone bridge, great enough to accommodate many people and their horses. Without hesitation the people gathered up their children and the belongings they had and hurried across the bridge.\nEnemy braves watched from a nearby cliff. It was obvious that the Great Spirit was on the side of the defeated. The enemy did not follow. Safe on the other side of the valley, the wanderers thanked the Great Spirit for providing the vital link. They had escaped their enemies. \nFor hundreds of miles around, Indian people heard about the miraculous stone bridge. From this incident it was clear that the Great Spirit defends weak people. Many came from near and far to see the magnificent stone bridge. You, too, can see this bridge and even ride across it in a car--in southwestern Virginia.", "problems": [{"question": "Faced with the desperate situation, some Indians in the camp   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["tried to persuade their leaders to give in to the enemies.", "were still as cheerful as before.", "still remained fearless and loyal to their leaders.", "were in very low spirits."]}, {"question": "When some young braves reported seeing a stone bridge across the valley, most of the Indians in the camp  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["felt much relieved at the report.", "were excited by the report.", "didn't trust the report.", "believed the report."]}, {"question": "When the enemy braves saw the stone bridge they  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["proposed a truce  with the defeated Indians.", "hesitated for a while and continued to pursue the defeated Indians across it.", "were frozen with fear and escaped from the scene.", "stopped pursuing the defeated Indians."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Both the defeated Indians and their enemies believed the bridge was provided by the Great Spirit.", "The stone bridge is no longer in existence.", "The defeated Indians had been pursued by the enemy for several days.", "The Indians in the camp were in a serious situation because they took a wrong course."]}]}
{"article": "Spring is here and so is the cycling season. Here are some tips on how to do it safely and comfortably.\nWatch your feet--Pushing with the wrong part of the foot can raise your risk of developing a painful injury of the heel and arch , says Rob Werstine, a sports physiotherapist and board member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.  You should push with the ball of your foot, he says.\nLayer up--While it's still cool, wear layers of clothing, with clothing close to the body that breathes and outer layers that do not absorb water. Go for bright colors that increase your visibility .\nBe reasonable--If you are just starting out and aren't in good shape, don't sign up for a 50-kilometre ride. And while cycling is great exercise for people who want to get into shape, if your doctor advises you not to do tiring exercise, cycling shouldn't be your starting position, Werstine says. Walk to begin getting into shape and then graduate to cycling.\nFix the fit--If you develop lower back pain or numbness in your hands and fingers from cycling, it could be your bike isn't adjusted properly for your height. A good cycle shop can help you find the right height for the seat and handlebars, but if you have continuing problems, consider consulting a bike fit physiotherapist, Werstine says.\nBe mindful--You have to pay attention on the roads to vehicles, other cyclists and pedestrians .Consider taking a cycling safety course to practise your skills. Or do some reading about how to avoid dangerous cycling situations. bicyclesafe.com, for instance, lists 10 types of car-bike accidents and how to avoid them.", "problems": [{"question": "Which part of the foot should one use when cycling?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The heel.", "The arch.", "The ball.", "The toes."]}]}
{"article": "China's former volleyball star Lang Ping has been invited to coach the US women's national team for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. But China's sports media said the offer would be difficult to accept.\nLang, who is presently coaching a club team in Italy's professional volleyball league, told sina.com that she was considering the offer by the US Volleyball Association.\n\"Right now I'm still considering their offer but I will answer them soon,\"Lang said. \"If I don't take the job, I have to give them enough time to find someone else.\"\nLang, 45,won Olympic gold in 1984. She later coached the Chinese women to silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 1998 World Championships.\nShe has also coached at New Mexico University in the United States where her daughter was born and lives.\nThe reaction in the Chinese media to Lang's job offer was swift and strong. Many say that if she takes the job it would be a direct challenge to China's goal of winning the women's volleyball medal at the Beijing Games.\n\"As an unusual player and a spiritual leader of Chinese volleyball, Lang Ping's influence over China far exceeds that of an ordinary player,\" says the China Olympic Committee website.\n\"If Lang stands with the opponents during women's volleyball matches, you can rest assured that this will be difficult to accept for the new Chinese players, difficult for coach Chen Zhonghe, who was once her assistant, and difficult for all Chinese watching on television,\" the site continued.(AGENCIES Feb 9,2005)", "problems": [{"question": "According to this passage, Lang Ping is   _   at present.", "answer": "B", "options": ["a volleyball player", "a club coach", "an unusual player", "an assistant"]}, {"question": "Form the text, we can learn   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Lang Ping has accepted the offer", "Chen Zhonghe has got into trouble", "all of the Chinese media support Lang Ping", "Lang Ping is thinking the US offer over"]}, {"question": "According to the text, if Lang Ping stands with the opponents during women's volleyball matches, who will most probably have trouble?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Chinese audience.", "Our women's volleyball team.", "Beijing 2008 Olympics.", "Chinese former players."]}, {"question": "When reporting the news, the author seemed to be a little   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["angry", "surprised", "shocked", "worried"]}]}
{"article": "Rob Coulter worked in the wild of South Africa. He knew the animals, insects, and reptiles of Africa very well. Rob knew them so well that he became careless. \n   One night, while camping alone, Rob reached out to pick up a large piece of wood and felt something bite his arm. Rob didn't think much about it. But a little later, his arm began to ache. When he looked closely at it, he immediately saw two teeth marks in the skin of his arm. He realized that a poisonous snake had bitten him. His pulse became rapid. \n   Rob's mind raced as he thought about what he had to do to survive. Rob knew that he should remain calm, stay still, keep the injured arm below the level of his heart and avoid eating or drinking anything, especially anything with alcohol in it. He also knew that cutting the wound to suck the poison out was a bad idea. \n   He used his two-way radio to call for help. As he waited, he washed the bite with soap and water. To help slow the spread of the venom , he wrapped a bandage two inches above the bite and made it loose enough to slip a finger under it so that it would not cut off the flow of blood. Then, after about half an hour, his friend Mike arrived. Mike took Rob to the local hospital, where Rob was given antivenin--an antidote for snake venom. \n   Rob still enjoys camping, but he is now very careful not to disturb snakes.", "problems": [{"question": "Where is the passage most likely to have been taken from?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A news report.", "A book review.", "A lesson plan.", "A travel magazine."]}, {"question": "How did Rob realize that he had been bitten by a snake?", "answer": "C", "options": ["His pulse became rapid.", "His arms began to ache.", "Teeth marks appeared in his arm.", "His skin immediately turned dark."]}, {"question": "How can we deal with snake wounds according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Stay calm and don't move.", "Run for help as fast as possible.", "Drink alcohol to stop the poison.", "Cut the wound and suck the poison out."]}]}
{"article": "Amazingly, US crime figures have been falling for 20 years now. Of course, the big question is, why? And can any lessons be learnt?\n  One reason could be the fall in the demand for the drug crack. During the 1980s, drug-related crimes soared, mostly caused by desperate crack users. However, according to professor Blumstein, co-author of The Crime Drop in America, news of the dangers of crack use caused its decrease and led to a fall in the number of drug-related crimes.\n  Some say that the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy in many cities has helped lead to a fall in crime. In New York City, for example, mayor Rudy Giuliani imposed strict and automatic punishments for all crimes, including minor offences such as graffiti and littering. Many believe this has had a very strong deterrent  effect.\n  Another reason could be smarter policing strategies. Anti-theft measures and educating the community about car theft has helped see a drop in crimes in many areas. Also, the use of crime mapping schemes that can discover identify crime peaks in different parts of the city has helped police target hotspots.\n  Another reason could be that more criminals are now behind bars. Sociologist John Conklin (from Tufts University) says a significant factor behind the fall in crime in the 1990s is the simple fact that many criminals are in jail. In his book Why Crime Rages Fell, he says sentencing was merciful in the 1960s and 1970s, when crime rose. But then more prisons were built and more offenders were imprisoned.\n  Some have linked the fall in violent crime to a decline in children's exposure to lead in petrol. Jessica Wolpaw Reyes says, \"Even low to moderate levels of exposure can lead to behavioral problems, reduced IQ, hyperactivity  and youth crimes. You can link the decline in lead between 1975 and 1985 to a decline in violent crime 20 years later.\"\n  Others say that the drop in crime has something to do with birth rates. According to statistics, birth rates peaked between 1957 and 1961, and the proportion of men in the US in their late teens and early 20s (the so-called \"criminal age\") was highest in the late 70s and early 80s. However, as time went on, the proportion of people in this age group decreased. \n  Others claim that videogames have helped. A recent study has suggested that these games are keeping young people off the streets and therefore away from crime. Advocates of this argue that any effects the games may have in encouraging violent behavior is  _ by the fact that the games keep potential criminals indoors and in front of the television.\n  Some argue that the widespread use of camera phones makes some criminals think twice before committing a crime and getting filmed doing it. Also, many believe that the mass use of CCTV has also had an effect.\n  Finally, some say that petty theft just isn't worth it any more. The resale value of second-hand goods such as televisions, cameras or clothes is now so low (or even non-existent) that most people see no point in stealing. \n  So, what do you think?", "problems": [{"question": "By writing this article, the writer intends to tell us   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the amazing fact that US crime figures are going down", "the recent statistics showing that crime rates are falling in the US", "the answers to the question why US crime figures are falling", "the special policies adopted by the US police that help a drop in crime"]}, {"question": "\"Why Crime Rates Fell\" is mentioned in the article to tell readers that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["drug crack can be extremely dangerous", "crime mapping schemes help the police discover criminals", "criminals should be strictly sentenced", "children shouldn't be allowed to contact lead"]}, {"question": "The sixth reason mentioned in the article implies that   _   tend to commit crimes.", "answer": "B", "options": ["children", "young people", "the poor", "crime victims"]}]}
{"article": "Some children are natural-born bosses. They have a strong need to make decisions, manage their environment, and lead rather than follow. Stephen Jackson, a Year One student, \"operates under the theory of what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine,\" says his mother. \"The other day I bought two new Star Wars light sabers . Later, I saw Stephen with the two new ones while his brother was using the beat-up ones. \"\n\"Examine the extended family, and you'll probably find a bossy grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin in every generation. It's an inheritable trait,\" says Russell Barkley, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. Other children who may not be particularly bossy can gradually gain dominance when they sense their parents are weak, hesitant, or in disagreement with each other.\nWhether it's inborn nature or developed character at work, too much control in the hands of the young isn't healthy for children or the family, Fear is at the root of a lot of bossy behavior, says family psychologist John Taylor. Children, he says in his book From Defiance to Cooperation, \"have secret feelings of weakness\" and \"a desire to feel safe. \" It's the parents' role to provide that protection.\nWhen a \"boss child\" doesn't learn limits at home, the stage is set for a host of troubles outside the family. The overly willful and unbending child may have trouble obeying teachers or coaches, for example, or trouble keeping friends. It can be pretty lonely as the top dog if no one likes your bossy ways.\n\"I see more and more parents giving up their power,\" says Barkley, who has studied bossy behavior for more than 30 years. \"They bend too far because they don't want to be as strict as their own parents were. But they also feel less confident about their parenting skills. Their kids, in turn, feel more anxious. \"", "problems": [{"question": "Bossy children like Stephen Jackson  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["make good decisions", "show self-centeredness", "lack care from others", "have little sense of fear"]}, {"question": "The study on bossy behavior implies that parents  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["should give more power to their children", "should be strict with their children", "should not be so anxious about their children", "should not set limits for their children"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How bossy behavior can be controlled.", "How we can get along with bossy children.", "What leads to children's bossy behavior.", "What effect bossy behavior brings about."]}]}
{"article": "Water is the most common substance  found on the earth, but less than 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking. More than 1,000,000,000 people around the world survive on just over 1 galon of water a day. Probebly more than 3,000,000,000 people may suffer from not having enough water by the year 2025. You are considered lucky if you live in a country where you can drink water out of your kitchen tap or bathroom tap. People in some countries have to pay for drinking water at home. So clean water is one of our most valuabe natural resources .\nIn fact, peole waste so much clean water today. In factories lots of water is wasted. At home many people are not taking showers but still baths, and many are brushing their teeth with the tap turned on. Children are no longer taught how to save water....\nYou can save clean water in many ways. For example, if you keep gold fish, the tank water excellent for graden plants. And when you wash a milk bottle, pour the water on your house plants. Putting a brick or a water into your toilet tank many help use less water, saving many gallons over a long time.\nUsing rainwater is another simple way to save clean water. You can use rainwater to wash your hands after gardening, _ the toilet, and wash your car, your pet, your driveway when they are dirty.\nFor the same reason, people in Malaysia are encourageed to use rainwater. If one has a house with a small garden, he would buy a huge plastic tank to keep rainwater for their daily life.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the passage   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["when man can't live without water", "where there is no water resource", "why there is less water on the earth", "how important it is to save water"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, one of the ways to save water is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to stop keeping gold fish", "to pay much for drinking water", "to use it in a clever way", "to educate those who waste water"]}, {"question": "People are ecouraged to use rainwater   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["so that is can make our life easier", "so that clean water can be kept for other uses", "because is it free and easy to get", "because there is no claen water left for them"]}]}
{"article": "Farmer Joe was in his cart when he was hit by a truck. He decided his injuries from the accident were serious enough to take the trucking company to court. In court the trucking company's lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. \"Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine'?\" said the lawyer.\nFarmer Joe responded, \"Well, I'll tell you what happened. I had just loaded my favorite donkey Bessie into the....\" \n\"I didn't ask for any details,\" the lawyer interrupted, \"just answer the question. Didn't you say, at the scene of the accident, 'I'm fine'?\"\nFarmer Joe said, \"Well I had just got Bessie into the cart and I was driving down the road....\"\nThe lawyer interrupted again and said, \"Judge, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the highway policeman on the scene that he was just fine. Now several weeks after the accident he is trying to sue my client. I believe he is a cheat. Please tell him to simply answer the question.\"\nBy this time the Judge was fairly interested in Farmer Joe's answer and said to the lawyer, \"I'd like to hear what he has to say about his favorite donkey Bessie.\"\nJoe thanked the Judge and continued, \"Well, as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my favorite donkey, into the cart and was driving her down the highway when this huge semi-truck ran into the stop sign and hit my cart right in the side. I was thrown into one ditch  and Bessie was thrown into the other.\"\n\"I was badly hurt and wasn't able to move. However, I could hear old Bessie moaning and groaning . I knew she was in terrible shape just by her groans. Shortly after the accident a highway policeman came on the scene. He could hear Bessie moaning and groaning so he went over to her. After he looked at her, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Then the policeman came across the road with his gun in his hand and looked at me. He said, 'Your donkey was in such bad shape, so I had to shoot her. How are you feeling?\"", "problems": [{"question": "The trucking company's lawyer insisted Farmer Joe answer his question   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["because he wasn't sure whether Farmer Joe was hurt in the accident", "so as to prove that Farmer Joe was a man who could not tell right from wrong", "because he believed the answer should be in his favor", "because he believed Farmer Joe could not remember what he had said at the scene"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Farmer Joe tried to cover the fact in the court but no one would believe him.", "Farmer Joe couldn't have said \"I' m fine\" at the scene of the accident.", "Farmer Joe couldn't remember whether he had said \"I'm fine\" at the scene of the accident.", "Farmer Joe did say \"I'm fine\" at the scene of the accident."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, why did the policeman shot the donkey?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because he wanted Farmer Joe to keep silent about the accident.", "Because he thought it was the best way to stop the donkey from suffering.", "Because the donkey's groaning was too loud.", "Because he wanted to make Farmer Joe feel better."]}]}
{"article": "The Internet has led to a huge increase in credit-card  fraud.Your card information can even be on sale on an illegal website.Websites offering cheap goods and services should be regarded with care.Online shoppers who enter their credit-card information may never receive the goods they thought they had bought.\nThe thieves then go shopping with your card number--or sell the information over the Internet.Computer hackers have broken down security system, raising questions about the safety of card holder information.\nSeveral months ago, 25,000 customers of a CD universe, an online music retailer , were not lucky.Their names, addresses and credit-card numbers were posted on a Website after the retailer refused to pay $ 157,828 to get back the information.Credit-card firms are now fighting against online fraud.Master-card is working on plans for web-only credit-cards, with a lower credit limit.The card can be used only for shopping online.However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep from being cheated.\nAsk about your credit-card firm's online rules: under British law, card holders are responsible for the first $ 78 of any fraudulent spending.And shop only at secure sites: send your credit-card information only if the website offers advanced security system.If the security is in place, a letter will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen.The website address may also start with https://--the extra \"s\" stands for security.If in doubt, give your credit-card information over the telephone.\nKeep your password safe: most online sites require a user name and password before placing an order.Treat your password with care.", "problems": [{"question": "According to this passage most people worry about shopping on the Internet because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a great number of stolen credit-cards are sold on the Internet every day", "fraud on the Internet happens very often", "many Websites break down every day", "there are too many illegal Websites on the Internet"]}, {"question": "Thieves usually get the information of the credit-card   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["because many customers lost their cards", "by paying money for people working in the information companies", "because of the carelessness of the customers", "by stealing the information from Websites"]}, {"question": "If the passwords of your credit-cards are not properly kept,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the bank and the shop will suffer great losses", "you will not be able to get back your information", "you might suffer great losses", "the bank will answer for your loss"]}, {"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How to Beat Online Credit-card Thieves", "How to Shop on the Internet", "Never Use Credit-card Without an Advanced Compute", "Why Thieves Steal Credit-card Information"]}]}
{"article": "If women are mercilessly exploited year after year, they have only themselves to blame.  Because they tremble at the thought of being seen in public in clothes that are out of fashion, they are always taken advantage of by the designers and the big stores. Clothes which have been worn only a few times have to be put aside because of the change of fashion. When you come to think of it, only a woman is capable of standing in front of a wardrobe packed full of clothes and announcing sadly that she has nothing to wear.\nChanging fashions are nothing more than the intentional creation of waste. Many women spend vast sums of money each year to replace clothes that have hardly been worn. Women who cannot afford to throw away clothing in this way, waste hours of their time altering the dresses they have. Skirts are lengthened or shortened; neck-lines are lowered or raised, and soon.\nNo one can claim that the fashion industry contributes anything really important to society. Fashion designers are rarely concerned with vital things like warmth, comfort and durability. They are only interested in outward appearance and they take advantage of the fact that women will put up with any amount of discomfort, as long as they look right. There can hardly be a man who hasn't at some time in his life smiled at the sight of a woman shaking in a thin dress on a winter day, or delicately picking her way through deep snow in high-heeled shoes.\nWhen comparing men and women in the matter of fashion, _ . Does the constantly changing fashion of women's clothes, one wonders, reflect basic qualities of instability? Men are too clever to let themselves be cheated by fashion designers. Do their unchanged styles of dress reflect basic qualities of stability and reliability? That is for you to decide.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Fashion designs should not be encouraged since they are only welcomed by women.", "The constant changes in women's clothing reflect their strength of character.", "The fashion industry makes an important contribution to society.", "New fashions in clothing are created for the commercial exploitation of women."]}, {"question": "By saying \"the conclusions to be drawn are obvious\", the writer means that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["women's inconstancy in their choice of clothing is often laughed at", "women are better able to put up with discomfort", "men are also exploited greatly by fashion designers", "men are more reasonable in the matter of fashion"]}]}
{"article": "Money spent on advertising is money spent as well as any I know of.It serves directly to assist a rapid distribution of goods at reasonable prices, thereby establishing a firm home market and so making it possible to provide for export at competitive prices.By drawing attention to new ideas it helps enormously to raise standards of living.By helping to increase demand it ensures an increased need for labour, and is therefore an effective way to fight unemployment.It lowers the costs of many services: without advertisements your daily newspaper would cost four times as much, the price of your television license would need to be doubled, and travel by bus or tube would cost 20 per cent more.\nAnd perhaps most important of all, advertising provides a guarantee of  reasonable value in the products and services you buy.Apart from the fact that twenty-seven acts of Parliament govern the terms of advertising, no regular advertiser dare promote a product that fails to live up to the promise of his advertisements.He might fool some people for a little while through misleading advertising.He will not do so for long, for mercifully the public has the good sense not to buy the low-quality article more than once.If you see an article consistently advertised, it is the surest proof I know that the article does what is claimed for it, and that it represents good value.\nWhat' s more, advertising does more for the material benefit of the community than any other force I can think of.\nThere is one more point I feel I ought to touch on.Recently I heard a well-known television personality declare that he was against advertising because it persuades rather than informs.He was drawing excessively fine distinctions course advertising seeks to persuade.\nIf its message were restricted merely to information, which would be difficult to achieve, for even a detail such as the choice of the colour of a shirt is subtly persuasive, advertising would be so boring that no one would pay any attention.But perhaps that is what the well-known television personality wants.", "problems": [{"question": "By the first sentence of the passage the author means that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he understands the cost of advertising well", "advertising costs money like everything else", "it is worthwhile to spend money on advertising", "everyone knows advertising is money consuming"]}, {"question": "The author thinks that the well-known TV personality   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["forces his own views on the public", "holds one-sided views on advertising", "can't tell persuasion from information", "is interested in nothing but the buyers' attention"]}, {"question": "Which of the following opinions does the author probably accept?", "answer": "A", "options": ["There is nothing wrong with advertising in persuading buyers.", "Advertising can prevent low-quality articles from entering markets.", "Advertising informs people of new ideas rather than wins them over.", "Buyers are not interested in getting information from advertisements."]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Advertising and promotion.", "Informative function of advertising.", "Advantages and disadvantages of advertising.", "Benefits of advertising and its characteristics."]}]}
{"article": "1234 PENS is your No. 1 source for promotional pens, advertising pens, and logo pens. We have been in business since 1976, so you can be confident that you're dealing with a trusted name in the industry. \nEveryone loves a free pen, and by providing your customers with a pen featuring your company name, logo, or message, you can be sure that your company name will always be on their mind! Our custom imprinting service comes at no extra charge, so the price you see is the price you pay for the personalized pens. \nDo you need pens fast? In a rush for trade shows or a corporate events? Try our 48-hour promotional pens rush service free of charge. We present you with many styles and types of printed pen. Let us know which promotional pen you like and within 48 hours you will have the pens. \nWant to use the traditional method of promotional pens to reach out to customers, but don't want to cause more damage to the environment? 1234 PENS now offers eco-friendly advertising pens to suit any company's promotional needs. 1234 PENS can confidently offer products which are made from eco-friendly materials, including paper, cardboard, cornstarch, pine, bamboo and even recycled plastic water bottles. 1234 PENS offers a selection of eco-friendly retractable and stick-type ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils and highlighters, all for less than $2. 00 each. Imprinting of logos and corporate information is available in sixteen different color1s. Each pen has the universal recycling symbol printed on it, showing clients the company's commitment to the environment. \nFeel free to call us at 8447367 or email us info@1234PENS. com if you have any question.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about 1234 PENS?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It has a history of over 30 years.", "It has built up a large pen market.", "It has its name printed on each pen.", "It charges a low price for extra service."]}, {"question": "What is special about the pens produced in 1234 PENS?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They are designed in 16 styles.", "They come in 48 different color1s.", "Their material is less harmful to the earth.", "Their price is much lower in the pen market."]}, {"question": "The main purpose of the passage is to    .", "answer": "A", "options": ["persuade people to order the products", "explain the process of making logo pens", "show people how to choose different pens", "introduce the different services of 1234 PENS"]}]}
{"article": "Life is full of sweet surprises for Chinese pop singer Edell.\n    She majored in design in a Canadian college. But when she was looking for a job after graduation, she found herself rising as a star in singing. Then she became a hostess on TV. \"These are roles I never expected to take,\" she said.\n    Edell is open to every possibility in life, not afraid to try new things. She says that every day she tries to get herself ready to take any chance that occurs in life.\n    \"My mom told me chance only rewards those with a prepared mind,\" she said. \"So I've tried to explore my potential talents. Thus I won't be at a loss when the right opportunity comes up.\"\nEdell learned ballet in her childhood until she broke her back in practice. She then fell in love with music. \n    Like many girls of her age, she has a rich collection of CDs. But she never dreamed of being a singer. One day she was noticed by a talent scout . she gave a try and succeeded! And that's not the end of the story.\n    Once she was invited to be the hostess of the Asian MTV Awards in Thailand. Though she has never had any experience, she accepted the invitation. \"At least I could make a trip to the foreign country,\" she said. Upon arrival at the ceremony, she had to read through a 91-page English biography of every guest. She studied it so much that she could recite all the details in it.\n    It helped her greatly. She greeted those strange faces she had never seen before and talked with them like an old friend. She did a great job. The MTV channel was so satisfied that they offered her a job as a TV hostess.\"Try to get yourself well-prepared in life,\" she said. \"In the meantime, try to live your life with brains.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Learn from Edell", "Prepare for your chances", "Try to be a singer", "Do learn English well"]}, {"question": "The writer mentioned Edell's mother to tell us  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["her chances were given by her mother", "her mother had great influence on her", "she could do nothing without her mother", "all her success belonged to her mother"]}, {"question": "What does the underline word \"It\" refer to?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Studying the English biography hard.", "The 91-page English biography.", "The ceremony of the Asian MTV Awards.", "The MTV channel."]}, {"question": "What is Edell's strongest character?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Liking to remember things.", "Liking to help others.", "Liking to think of problems differently.", "Liking to try new things."]}]}
{"article": "I'm usually fairly skeptical about any research that concludes that people are either happier or unhappier or more or less certain of themselves than they were 50 years ago. While any of these statements might be true, they are practically impossible to prove scientifically. Still, I was struck by a report which concluded that today's children are significantly more anxious than children in the 1950s. In fact, the analysis showed, normal children aged 9 to 17 exhibit a higher level of anxiety today than children who were treated for mental illness 50 years ago.\nWhy are America's kids so stressed? The report cites two main causes: increasing physical isolation  brought on by high divorce rates and less involvement in community, among other things and a growing perception that the world is a more dangerous place.\nConsidering that we can't turn the clock back, adults can still do plenty to help the next generation.\nAt the top of the list is nurturing  a better appreciation of the limits of individualism. No child is an island. Strengthening social ties helps build communities and protect individuals against stress.\nTo help kids build stronger connections with others, you can pull the plug on TVs and computers. Your family will thank you later. They will have more time for facetoface relationships, and they will get more sleep.\nLimit the amount of virtual  violence your children are exposed to. It's not just video games and movies; children see a lot of murder and crime on the local news.\nKeep your expectations for your children reasonable. Many highly successful people never attended Harvard or Yale.\nMake exercise part of your daily routine. It will help you cope with your own anxieties and provide a good model for your kids. Sometimes anxiety is unavoidable. But it doesn't have to ruin your life.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the analysis, compared with normal children today, children treated as mentally ill 50 years ago   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["probably suffered less from anxiety", "were considered less individualistic", "were less isolated physically", "were probably less selfcentered"]}, {"question": "The author thinks that the conclusions of any research about people's state of mind are   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["illogical", "confusing", "surprising", "questionable"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To children, anxiety is completely avoidable.", "TV and computer play an important role in isolating children from the real world.", "Exercise does not help to lessen children's anxiety.", "Sometimes local news about crime and murder also affects children a little."]}, {"question": "The first and most important thing parents should do to help their children is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to lower their expectations for them", "to set a good model for them to follow", "to get them more involved socially", "to improve them with a safer environment"]}]}
{"article": "Onceupon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the sea to do his writing. Hehad a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.One day he waswalking along the shore. As he looked down at the beach, he saw a human figuremoving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought that someone woulddance on the beach. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, hesaw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he wasreaching down to the shore, picking up something and throwing itinto the ocean. As he got closer, he called out, \"Good morning! What are youdoing?''\nTheyoung man paused, looked up and replied, \"Throwingstarfishes in theocean.\"\n\"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfishes in the ocean?\"\n\"The sun is up and the tide is going out.And if I don't throw them in, they'll die\".\n\"But, young man, don't you realize thatthere are miles and miles of beach and starfishes all along it. You can'tpossibly make a difference!\"\nTheyoung man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked another starfish andthrew it into the sea, and said, \"It made a difference for that one.\"Thereis _ in each and every one of us. We have all beengifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can know that gift, wewill gain through the strength of our vision of the power toshape the future.\nWe musteach find our starfish. And if we throw our starfish wisely and well, the worldwill be better.", "problems": [{"question": "One day, the wise man saw a young man   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["dancing along the beach", "walking with a dancer", "picking up starfish for sale", "trying to save as many starfishes as possible"]}, {"question": "The writer told this story to show us   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["how and where we can write a good article", "everyone can do something for the future", "wise men are sometimes stupid", "young men are in fact wiser than old people"]}]}
{"article": "Anyone who doubts that children are born with a healthy amount of ambition need spend only a few minutes with a baby eagerly learning to walk. No matter how many times the little ones stumble in their first efforts, most keep on trying, determined to master their amazing new skill. It is only several years later, many psychologists and teachers agree, that a good number of kids seem to lose their natural drive to succeed. For the parents of such kids, whose own ambition is often tied to their children's success, it can be a painful experience.\nFiguring out why _ is the first step. Assuming that a kid doesn't suffer from a learning disability, or isn't involved in some family crisis at home, many educators attribute a sudden lack of motivation to a fear of failure or classmate pressure. \"Everything is within the kids' control; their intelligence is changeable,\" says Lisa Blackwell, a research scientist at Columbia University. \"More than any teacher or workshop,\" Blackwell says, \"parents can play a key role in conveying this message to their children by praising their effort, and progress rather than emphasizing their 'smartness' or praising high performance alone. Most importantly, parents should let their kids know that mistakes are a part of learning.\"\nSome experts say our education system, with its strong emphasis on testing and separation of students into different levels of ability, also bears blame for the disappearance of drive in some kids. \"These programs shut down the motivation of all kids who aren't considered gifted and talented. They destroy their confidence,\" says Jeff Howard, a social psychologist. Howard and other educators say it's important to expose kids to a world beyond homework and tests, through volunteer work, sports, hobbies and other extracurriculum activities.\n\"The problem of the issue is that many students experience education as irrelevant to their life goals and ambitions,\" says Michael Nakkual, a Harvard education professor. The key to getting kids to aim higher at school is to free them of the idea that class work is irrelevant, to show them how doing well at school can actually help them fulfill their dreams beyond it. They need to understand that you have to learn to walk before you can run.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the parents of kids with no ambition  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["don't do a very good job teaching them to walk", "are to blame if the kids do poorly in school", "feel pain because ambitions are connected to their success", "should take part in extra-curriculum activities with kids"]}, {"question": "All the following can contribute to a sudden lack of ambition EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["learning disability", "classmate pressure", "emphasis on testing", "extracurricular activities"]}, {"question": "What is the most important thing for parents in motivating their kids?", "answer": "C", "options": ["By punishing kids who don't display ambition.", "By emphasizing smartness and high performance.", "By telling kids that mistakes are a part of learning.", "By praising the effort and progress they have made."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["children who have lost their ambition will never succeed in life", "school performance has much to do with students' later success", "both the parents and the school are to blame for the lost ambition", "younger kids learning to walk are more ambitious than older ones"]}]}
{"article": "When I was 16 years old and in foster care in Tennessee, people told me I was unadoptable. But I desperately wanted a family. I sought the help of a judge, even the commissioner of the Department of Children's Services, and was adopted just a week before my 18th birthday.\nWe have a lot to be grateful for and this holiday season let's not forget about the more than 415,000 youth in foster care especially older youth. These youth are the most likely to get overlooked for adoption, but they shouldn't be. They need and deserve a family just as much as young children do. Making an older youth a part of your family can bring just as much a joy as adopting a baby or a younger child--without all the diapers and potty training.\nMy adoption was life changing and probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I still remember the first gift my parents gave to me. It was a Mickey Mouse key chain with a key to their home. They told me that no matter what happened they would always love me and I'd always have a place to come home to. This is our 17th Thanksgiving together...\nMy first Thanksgiving with my family was a little overwhelming with lots of extended family including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. However, it's when I realized that I would never have to spend another holiday alone and that was truly an amazing feeling.\nI was always eager to spend time with my little sister, Beth. She was six when I joined the family. My dad always says he knew we were really sisters, and I was no longer a guest in the house when Beth and I had our first fight. Today, she's one of my best friends, and I'm her biggest cheerleader.\nThere were also bittersweet Thanksgivings. One we spent in my mom's hospital room. It was there that she helped me plan my wedding but passed away three weeks before the ceremony. My dad walked me down the aisle, and my sister was my maid of honor. Because of our bond, we were able to support each other through that challenging time and that's what family is for--the good and bad times.\nIt's nice having my dad and sister to share holidays and special occasions. But they're even more important when it comes to the little things--like having someone to share my bad day with, celebrate my promotion at work, or help me think through a difficult decision. It's in these moments that I just can't imagine being alone in the world.\nI'm so glad that I didn't listen to those people who said I was unadoptable, I'd never find a family, and that I was putting myself out there for rejection. It's a risk for older foster youth to consider adoption. _ But it's a risk they should take because life doesn't end at 18. It's really just beginning.\nIf you know someone who might consider adopting an older teen, please share my story -- and have him or her think of my family. They didn't get to see my first steps or watch me be a pilgrim in my second grade Thanksgiving play. But they taught me so many things about life, and were there to watch me walk across the stage when I graduated from college and law school and accompanied me to the White House last year as I was honored for my work helping foster youth.\nI look forward to many more Thanksgivings with my family, and I'm eternally thankful they chose me to be a part of their family.", "problems": [{"question": "What contributes to the author's feeling that she can't imagine being alone in the world.", "answer": "D", "options": ["The family's giving the author a Mickey Mouse as a gift.", "The author's spending her Thanksgiving with her extended family for 17 years.", "The mother's failing to attend the author's wedding ceremony for her severe disease.", "The family's always sharing happiness and sorrow with her."]}, {"question": "What does adoption for older youth really mean", "answer": "D", "options": ["It means not living alone any longer.", "It means being taken good care of by others.", "It means being successful in career.", "It means being loved and a sense of belonging."]}, {"question": "What's the author's main purpose of writing the passage", "answer": "C", "options": ["To express her appreciation for her family.", "To show sympathy to the unadoptable older youth.", "To appeal to more people to adopt the older youth.", "To persuade the readers not to believe others' words."]}]}
{"article": "When Caleb Forbes got his first job at an advertising company at the age of 20, he thought he would be at the company for years. But after seven months he was bored. Soon after that, Forbes moved to London. He took four different jobs at three companies over the next five years. Forbes wanted a better job and higher pay---he was never quite satisfied.\nWelcome to the world of a job hopper. Forbes's story isn't unusual these days and such frequent movement from one job to the next will become more common. The main reason: the nature of employment is changing. There are a lot more contracts and part-time jobs or flexible employment. That leads to people having a greater number of jobs. What's more, layoffs  and pay freezes , among other things, have pushed people from one job to another. In some cases, a bad worldwide job market has limited opportunities for star employees, promoting them to seek new challenges at other companies.\nHowever, employers often think that if a person jumped from his last employer after a short period, he will likely do the same again --- there is a significant financial risk in hiring someone who leaves in short order.\nWhat's more, moving from company to company frequently doesn't mean workers are climbing the corporate ladder  faster. In 2005, Monika Hamori, a professor at Spain's IE Business School, looked at CEOs at about 55 to see if those who moved around more frequently climbed the ladder faster.\nShe found that executives who stayed with one company became CEOs after 23 years, while executives who changed companies many times became CEOs after 26 years. One reason: workers within the same organization tend to be promoted more frequently and be offered better jobs.", "problems": [{"question": "How did Forbes feel about his first job at first?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It was easy.", "It was boring.", "It was satisfying.", "It was dangerous."]}, {"question": "Employers usually think those who left their former job in a short time   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["can do their new work better", "are hard-working and easy-going", "have more experiences", "will quit their new job again after a short time"]}, {"question": "Monika Hamori's research showed that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["old workers are more likely to move around", "young workers are more likely to be given better jobs", "the less someone moves around, the more he may be paid", "the more someone moves around, the more he may be paid"]}]}
{"article": "Read the advertisements carefully.Then answer the questions that follow.\nINTERESTED IN CHILDCARE?\nQualified person or preschool teacher needed for busy childcare center, south of the river.Full-time work guaranteed.Immediate start necessary.The candidate must be able to work as a co-operative team member.Phone 6345 2345 for an interview and fax resume to 6345 2345.\nWE NEED OFFICE CLEANERS!\nThree people are required for professional cleaning in the CBD area.Working hours from 5:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.Approximately five hours per shift.A good record is necessary.Experience preferred.Phone 6345 7843 now.\nWANT TO WORK AS A DENTAL NURSE?\nThis is an exciting opportunity for a qualified dental nurse with a confident and cheerful personality to work in the School Dental Health Scheme.You must be able to get along well with children because the work involves talking to groups about dental health practices.For further information, visit our website at: schooldentalservices@ gov.sg.And fax your resume to 6234 4567.\nFLORIST WANTED!\nAre you a creative and trained florist with at least two years of experience? Then this may be just what you are seeking.The city's leading Florist Artist Studio needs another part-time member on their wedding team.Please phone 6098 7888 now!", "problems": [{"question": "The position of a(n)  _  is a part-time job.", "answer": "A", "options": ["florist", "artist", "preschool teacher", "dental nurse"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the most important for the childcare job?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The ability to work well with other people.", "Childcare experience.", "The ability to start work in two weeks.", "Cooking skills."]}, {"question": "The office cleaners will be required to work about   _   hours a week.", "answer": "A", "options": ["15", "5", "10", "20"]}]}
{"article": "When, after a year of being alone on his island, Robinson Crusoe sees a footprint in the sand, the reader of Robinson Crusoe trembles. Will Crusoe find another human being to end his loneliness? Is the footprint the sign of an enemy? Since 1719, when Daniel Defoe wrote Robinson Crusoe, thousands of people who enjoy English novels have thrilled to this great adventure story. But few know how the story came to be written. Robinson Crusoe was the first English novel. Its birth brought together the misadventures of a Scotch \"failure\" and the untapped imagination of an aging English scribbler.\n     Near the end of the Seventeenth Century, the hot-tempered Alexander Selkirk was charged with bad conduct while in church. Rather than face this charge, he ran away to sea. Several years later, Selkirk found himself on the ship of an English privateer. The privateer was preying on Spanish shipping. But Selkirk quarreled bitterly with the Captain. So, when the ship came to the island of Juan Femandez in the South Seas, Selkirk asked to be put ashore. When he saw that there were no people on the island, he begged to be taken back on board. But the Captain refused--Selkirk had gone too far. Over four years later, Selkirk was rescued by another ship.\nWhen Selkirk got back to England, the story of his life on the island fired the imagination of Daniel Defoe. Defoe had been earning a living by his pen since he was thirty. He was amazingly hard-working. He wrote a whole newspaper three times a week. He also made part of his living from politics. He supported both political parties. He told each party that it had his sole support.\nDefoe's morals were weak. But he was a fine writer. He was almost sixty when, in the midst of his work in politics, he wrote Robinson Crusoe. In it, Defoe--said one critic--\"forged  a story, and forced it on the world for truth.\" The detail of Crusoe's battle for survival on a lonely island is so vivid that the reader of Robinson Crusoe accepts the product of the author's imagination for reality. Robinson Crusoe became the first of a long line of heroes and heroines that have peopled English novels since Defoe's time.", "problems": [{"question": "Alexander Selkirk spent four years on a desert island because_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["he sought adventure", "he was hot-tempered", "he was afraid to face charges", "his ship was wrecked"]}, {"question": "Daniel Defoe_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["made his living as a writer", "got his start as a writer with the writing of Robinson Crusoe", "was very \"straight\"-he was hardworking and honest", "had little power of imagination, but succeeded with his novel because he worked hard"]}, {"question": "This passage is mainly about_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["how Alexander Selkirk was able to survive on the island.", "why people enjoy English novels", "what the footprint in the sand meant", "how Robinson Crusoe came to be written"]}, {"question": "According to this passage , which of the following statements is not true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Robinson Crusoe was a successful novel.", "Even if Alexander Selkirk had not lived on the island of Juan Femande, Robinson \n     Crusoe would still have been written.", "Daniel Defoe lived partly by hard work and partly by his \" wits \".", "With the writing of Robinson Crusoe , the English novel was born."]}, {"question": "The author's attitude towards Daniel Defoe is_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["critical", "supporting", "both A and B", "opposing"]}]}
{"article": "I have only once been in trouble with the law.The whole process of being arrested and taken to court was a rather unpleasant experience at the time, but it makes a good story now. What makes it rather disturbing was the arbitrary circumstances both of my arrest and my subsequent   fate in court.\nIt happened in February about twelve years ago.I had left school a couple of months before that and was not due to go to university until the following October.I was still living at home at the time.\nOne morning I was in Richmond, a suburb of London near where I lived.I was looking for a temporary job so that I could save up some money to go traveling.As it was a fine day and I was in no hurry, I was taking my time, looking in shop windows, strolling in the park, and sometimes just stopping and looking around me.It must have been this obvious aimlessness that led to my downfall.\nIt was about half past eleven when it happened.I was just walking out of the local library, having unsuccessfully sought employment there, when I saw a man walking across the road with the obvious intention of talking to me.I thought he was going to ask me the time.Instead, he said he was a police officer and he was arresting me.At first I thought it was some kind of joke\nBut then another policeman appeared, this time in uniform, and I was left in no doubt.\n'But what for?\" I asked\n'Wandering with intent to commit an arrestable offence,' he said.\n'What offence?' I asked\n'Theft,' he said\n'Theft of what?'I asked\n'Milk bottles,' he said, and with a perfectly straight face too!\n'Oh,' I said.\nIt turned out there had been a lot of petty thefts in the area, particularly that of stealing milk bottles from doorsteps.\nThen I made my big mistake.At the time I was nineteen, had long untidy hair, and regarded myself as pan of the sixties' 'youth counterculture'.As a result, I wanted to appear cool and unconcerned with the incident, so I said, 'How long have you been following me?  in the most casual and conversational tone I could manage.I thus appeared to them to be quite familiar with this sort of situation, and it confirmed them in their belief that I was a thoroughly disreputable   character.\nA few minutes later a police car arrived.\n'Get in the back,' they said.'Put your hands on the back of the front seat and don't move them.'\nThey got in on either side of me.It wasn't funny any more.\nAt the police station they questioned me for several hours.I continued to try to look worldly and familiar with the situation.When they asked me what I had been doing, I told them I'd been looking for a job.'Aha,' I could see them thinking, 'unemployed'.\nEventually, I was officially charged and told to report to Richmond Magistrates' Court the following Monday.Then they let me go.\nI wanted to conduct my own defense in court, but as soon as my father found out what had happened, he hired a very good solicitor  .We went along that Monday armed with all kinds of witnesses, including my English teacher from school as a character witness.But he was never called on to give evidence.My 'trial' didn't get that far.The magistrate   dismissed the case after fifteen minutes.1 was free.The poor police had never stood a chance.The solicitor even succeeded in getting costs awarded against the police.\nAnd so I do not have a criminal record.But what was most shocking at the time was the things my release from the charge so clearly depended on.I had the 'right' accent, respectable middle-class parents in court, reliable witnesses, and I could obviously afford a very good solicitor.Given the obscure nature of the charge.I feel sure that if I had come from a different background, and had really been unemployed, there is every chance that I would have been found guilty.While asking for costs to be awarded, my solicitor's case quite obviously revolved   around the fact that I had a 'brilliant academic record'.\nMeanwhile, just outside the courtroom, one of the policemen who had arrested me was gloomily complaining to my mother that another youngster had been turned against the police. 'You could have been a bit more helpful when we arrested you,' he said to me reproachfully  .\nWhat did he mean? Probably that I should have looked outraged  and said something like, 'Look here, do you know who you're talking to? I am a highly successful student with a brilliant academic record.How dare you arrest me!' Then they, probably, would have apologized perhaps even taken off their caps, and let me on my way.", "problems": [{"question": "The first man who came up to him was   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a uniformed policeman", "a policeman in plainclothes", "not a policeman", "a good joker"]}, {"question": "The court never asked the author's English teacher to give evidence because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the time for the trial was limited to fifteen minutes only", "the author wanted to conduct his own defense in court", "the case was dismissed before the trial reached that stage", "he was found to be unqualified as a character witness"]}, {"question": "The author believes that he would most probably have been declared guilty if   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the magistrate had been less gentle", "he had really been out of work", "he had been born in a lower--class family", "both B and C"]}, {"question": "In the opinion of one of the policeman who had arrested the author, the whole thing might not have occurred if   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he had protested strongly at the time", "he had begged to be allowed to go home", "he hadn't wandered aimlessly", "he had tried to look cool"]}, {"question": "We can see from the passage that the author   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["has broken the law only once", "has never broken the law", "has broken the law on more than one occasion", "once broke the law without knowing it"]}]}
{"article": "New rules and behavior standards for the middle school students came out in March. Middle school is going to use a new way to decide who the top students are. The best students won't only have high marks. They will also be kids who don't dye  their hair, smoke or drink. The following are some of the new rules.\nTell the truth. Have you ever copied others' work in an exam? Don't do it again if you did it before! That's not something an honest student should do. If you have played computer games for two hours in your room, don't tell your parents you have done your homework.\nDo more at school. Good students love animals and care for other people. April is a bird-loving month in China. Did your school do anything to celebrate? If so, you should join it! In this way, you can learn more about animals and how to protect them. When more people work together, you can get more fun. Have you ever quarreled with your teammates when your basketball team lost? Only working together can make your team stronger. Be friendly to the people you are with. Try to think of others, not only yourself. \nBe open to new ideas. Have you ever thought that people could live on the moon? Maybe you'll discover the truth someday. Don't look down on new ideas. Everyone's ideas are important. You should welcome them, because new ideas make life better for everyone.\nProtect yourself. Has anyone ever taken money from one of your classmates? Don't let it happen to you. If you have to go home late, you should let your parents know. \nUse the Internet carefully. The Internet can be very useful for our studies. But some things on the Internet aren't for kids, so try to look at Web pages that are good for you. You can use the Web for fun or homework. Can you find any good websites for children? Here are some.\nhttp: // kids. eastday. com; http: // www. chinakids. net.com; http:// www. cycnet. com.", "problems": [{"question": "The school new rules will help kids by telling them   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["how they can study well", "what they should do at home", "what is right and what is wrong", "how they can help themselves"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Protect yourself when you are out.", "Tell the truth, even when you are wrong.", "Keep some animals to protect them.", "Use the Internet, but keep away from bad things."]}, {"question": "The passage tells us how to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["be top students", "do more at school", "care for others", "use the Internet"]}]}
{"article": "Wal-Mart is not just the world's largest retailer  . It's the world's largest company, which sells in three months what number-two retailer Home Depot sells in a year.\nWal-Mart exercises its power for just one purpose: to bring the lowest possible prices to its customers. At Wal-Mart, that goal is never reached. The retailer has a clear policy for suppliers: On basic products that don't change, the price Wal-Mart will pay, and will charge shoppers, must drop year after year. But what almost no one outside the world of Wal-Mart and none of its 21,000 suppliers know is the high cost of those low prices. To survive in the face of its pricing demands, makers of everything from bikes to jeans have had to close US plants in favor of obtaining products from abroad.\nIndeed, the real story of Wal-Mart, the story that never gets told, is the story of the pressure the biggest retailer constantly applies to its suppliers in the name of bringing us \"every day low prices\".\nThe giant retailer' s low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart' s pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line? Of course, US companies have been moving jobs offshore for decades, long before Wal-Mart was a retailing power. But there is no question that the chain is helping accelerate the loss of American jobs to low-wage countries such as Thailand.\nPeople ask, \"How can it be bad for things to come into the US cheaply?\" Sure, it's great to have bargains. But you can' t buy anything if you' re not employed.\nThere is no question that Wal-Mart's drive to squeeze out cost has benefited consumers. By now, it is accepted wisdom that Wal-Mart makes the companies it does business with more efficient and focused. Wal-Mart itself is known for continuous improvement in its ability to handle, move, and track goods. It is legendary   for forcing its suppliers to redesign everything from their packaging to their computer systems. It is also legendary for quite straightforwardly telling them what it will pay for their goods.", "problems": [{"question": "How do suppliers meet the requirements of Wal-Mart?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To sell even more goods in three months.", "To cut down the employment rate sharply.", "To charge shoppers at a much higher price.", "To run the business in a well-organized way."]}, {"question": "Wal-Mart's low price policy results in   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["more high-paying jobs", "better designed packages", "bigger profit of its partners", "more jobless American workers"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Still more quality goods will be provided.", "The food you get at Wal-Mart costs least.", "The value of Mal-Mart is over assessed.", "Wal-Mart is a very demanding company."]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Fortune Wal-Mart Makes", "The Wal-Mart you don't Know", "The Biggest Retailer--Wal-Mart", "The Money Saving Tip in Wal-Mart"]}]}
{"article": "If you're a man and you're reading this, congratulations: you're a survivor. According to statistics, you're more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman, and nine times more likely to die of AIDS. Even if you make it to the end of your natural term, about 78 years for men in Australia, you'll die on average five years before a woman.\n  There're many reasons for this--typically, men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke--but perhaps more importantly, men don't go to the doctor.\n  \"Men aren't seeing doctors as often as they should,\" says Dr. Gullotta. \"This is particularly so for the over-40s, when chances of diseases are higher .\"\n  Gullotta says a healthy man should visit the doctor every year or two. For those over 45, it should be at least once a year.\n  Two months ago Gullotta saw a 50-year-old man who had delayed doing anything about his smoker's cough for a year.\n  \"When I finally saw him it had already spread and he later died from lung cancer,\" he says. \"Earlier detection and treatment may not have cured him, but it would have prolonged   his life.\"\n  According to a recent survey, 95% of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70% of men in the same age group.\n  \"A lot of men think they're invincible  ,\" Gullotta says. \"They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, 'Geez, if it could happen to him, ...'\"\n  Then there's the ostrich approach. \"Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know,\" says Dr, Ross Cartmill.\n  \"Most men get their cars serviced more often than they service their bodies,\" Cartmill says. He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be found by regular check-ups.\nRegular check-ups for men would put strain   on the public purse, Cartmill says. \"But prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the final cost is far greater; it's called premature  death.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Why does the author congratulate his men readers at the beginning of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They are more likely to survive serious diseases today.", "Their average life span has been greatly prolonged.", "They have lived long enough to read this article.", "They are sure to enjoy a longer and happier life."]}, {"question": "What does Dr. Ross Cartmill mean by \"the ostrich approach\"? (Line 1, Para. 9)", "answer": "D", "options": ["A serious attitude to one's health conditions.", "A new way to cure certain diseases.", "Refusal to get medical treatment for fear of the pain.", "Unwillingness to find out about one's disease because of fear."]}, {"question": "What is Cartmill's opinion of regular check-ups for men?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They may increase public expenses.", "They will save money in the long run.", "They may cause trouble for men.", "They will enable men to live as long as women."]}]}
{"article": "A person named Bernard Jackson today is a free man, but he has many bitter memories. He spent five years in prison after a jury  wrongly convicted (...) him of raping two women. At Jackson's trial, although two witnesses testified that Jackson was with them in another location at the time of the crime, he was convicted  anyway. Why? The jury believed the testimony of the two victims, who positively identified Jackson as the man who had attacked them. The court eventually freed Jackson after the police found the real criminal.\nMany factors influence the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. For instance, witnesses sometimes see photographs of several suspects before they try to identify the person they saw in a group of people. They can become confused by seeing many photographs of similar faces. The number of people in the group, and whether it is a person or a photograph, may also affect a witness's decision. People sometimes have difficulty identifying people of other races. The questions the police ask witnesses also have an effect on them.\nMany people believe that police officers are more reliable than ordinary people. Psychologists decided to test this idea, and they discovered that it is not true. Two psychologists showed a film of crimes to both police officers and civilians. The psychologists found no difference between the police and the civilians in correctly remembering the details of the crimes.\nDespite all the possibilities for inaccuracy, courts cannot omit eyewitness testimony from a trial. American courts depend almost completely on eyewitness testimony to resolve court cases. Sometimes it is the only evidence to a crime, such as rape. Furthermore, eyewitness testimony is often correct. Although people do sometimes make mistakes, and convict innocent people, more importantly, eyewitness testimony has rightly convicted a larger number of guilty people.\nAmerican courts depend on the ability of the twelve jurors, and not the judges, to determine the accuracy of the witness's testimony. It is their responsibility to decide if a certain witness could actually see, hear and remember what happened.", "problems": [{"question": "Bernard Jackson was found guilty and sentenced 5 years' prison because   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the victims insisted that he was the attacker", "he admitted the crime of raping two women", "the police discovered evidence leading to his guilt", "the eyewitness proved the victims' testimony"]}, {"question": "The following statements may be the reasons for why sometimes the eyewitness' testimony is not accurate EXCEPT    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the eyewitness is confused by the police's questions", "the eyewitness is shown photos of many similar faces", "the eyewitness lacks the professional help from police", "the eyewitness can't identify people of other races clearly."]}, {"question": "An inaccurate eyewitness testimony may lead to   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the misunderstanding of the case", "the disbelief in the court", "the disrespect for the eyewitness", "the conviction of an innocent person"]}, {"question": "Eyewitness testimony is important because    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it can be relied on to detect criminals in all cases.", "it is sometimes the only way to resolve court cases.", "it is sometimes the only clue for police investigation.", "it is more reliable than physical evidences to a crime."]}, {"question": "According to the text, we can infer that    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["eyewitness testimony is valuable, though sometimes incorrect.", "police identification is more reliable than that of the ordinary people", "crime victims often fail to give positive identification of the suspects", "the jury relies on the judge than the eyewitness for a decision"]}]}
{"article": "A survey reveals that employees in China say they are not engaged in their jobs. Judging by the survey data, many Chinese workplaces are black holes of misery and despair.\nOnly 6% of Chinese employees said they are \"engaged\" in their jobs, according to a global Gallup survey released this month. China's numbers equal the numbers out of war-weary  Iraq.\nWorkers across all income levels and industries were surveyed by Gallup in China, defined by Gallup to mean they were \"psychologically committed to their jobs and likely to be making positive contributions to their organizations\".\nOut of 94 countries polled, only six countries scored lower rates of job engagement than China, including Tunisia, Israel and Syria. Unsurprisingly, 0% of Syrians admitted to being engaged at work.\nIn a related survey, China ranked near the bottom in a poll measuring job satisfaction among 22 Asian countries. Only 49% of Chinese respondents said they were happy in their jobs.\nPart of the problem, I suspect, is that very few in China have the _ to pursue a career that truly interests them.\nEven university graduates often feel they have no choice but to choose the positions with the government or state-run enterprises, since those jobs are thought to be stable.\nThat makes those who are happy at work in China a rare find indeed.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the author, why most Chinese dislike their jobs?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because they don't take the jobs they really like", "Because many Chinese workplaces are full of misery and despair.", "Because they have no choice but to choose the stable jobs.", "Because they are not psychologically committed to their jobs."]}, {"question": "Which of the following jobs are the university graduates nowadays more likely to choose?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Lawyers", "Civil Servants", "self-made men", "Doctors"]}]}
{"article": "\"No man is an island\" is a well-known line from John Donne's Devotion. It was written more than three hundred years ago. Even now people still agree with him. No one can live a completely lonely life. Without other people, life will become empty and sad. We all need to have friends.\nFor some of us, although making friends is not difficult, feeling shy, we may not want to make the first move. It is also difficult at times to keep the friends we already have.\nThere are many books about friendship, but Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, written in 1936, is the most famous. This \"how to\" book about getting along with other people became a best seller. It was later put into 28 languages.\nDale Carnegie's advice seems to be simple, but can his advice help you? Do you need to change the way you act? Here is the list of advice from his book:\nBe friendly and polite.\nAlways greet with a smile. Begin with \"Excuse me\" or \"Would you please\" when you want to ask somebody. Remember to say \"Thank you\" and try to be as helpful as you can.\nGo out of your way to be nice.\nFind some time to do special things for other people. Making some soup for a sick neighbour may seem like a little thing to you, but it will make your neighbor feel a lot better.\nRemember names.\nThey say that the sweetest music to a person's ears is the sound of his or her own name.\nBe open-minded.\nTry to understand other people's ways and ideas and learn something from them.\nListen patiently.\nWhen someone is talking to you, look at him or her, listen carefully and say something when necessary.", "problems": [{"question": "The best title for the passage should be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["How to Make Friends", "A Famous Book", "Friendship First", "John Donne and Dale Carnegie"]}, {"question": "Some of us find it not easy to make friends because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["we are afraid of making bad friends", "we are shy to take the first action", "we feel sure that we already have enough friends", "we feel worried that we won't be able to keep our friends"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["John Donne learned something from Dale Carnegie", "Friends are always friends", "Few people bought Carnegie's book", "The writer of this passage agrees with John Donne and Dale Carnegie"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not talked about in Carnegie's book?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Say \"Excuse me\" before you ask.", "Don't visit your neighbors too often.", "Think more about others.", "People enjoy hearing their own names."]}]}
{"article": "Three-point-four billion riders on New York City subways and buses a year. This amazing number equals one-third of all mass transit trips in the United States. Ridership is at its highest in almost 60 years in almost every American city.\nA commuter advocacy group, \"Straphangers Campaign,\" attributes it to younger Americans, said Gene Russianoff.\n\"Millenials , those people born around the turn of the past century are much less car-oriented,\" he said. \"They are urban. They like not owning cars, they like less responsibility and there are a lot of them.\"\nIn addition to millenials, many people believe public transit is economical and eco-friendly. In 2012 across America, people took 10.7 billion trips.\n\"When we talk about insurance rates going up, price of automobiles going up, then people are waking up and realizing: wait, here's this huge asset that has been _ ,\" said Richard Rudolph, chairman of the Rail Users Network. \"Why not take advantage of this particular opportunity. It certainly makes more sense to get people out of automobiles into subways and into commuter and passenger railroads.\"\n _ -- as passenger demand requires several major expansion projects. A new $4.5 billion subway line on New York's Second Avenue -- which was recently excavated underneath businesses and apartment houses -- will take an overload of passengers off of other subway lines. Its first phase completion is scheduled in 2016.\nPeople who work in New York's financial district will soon be using a new transit subway transfer center. Almost all lines converge in lower Manhattan and the new center will give riders an easier way to get around the city and into New Jersey.\nAnd, probably the most controversial and costly project is a $7 billion tunnel connection from Long Island into Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal. Trains from there will have access to New York's midtown business district.\nAndrew Albert, a board member of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, said there were many other reasons the public was riding in increasing numbers.\n\"The system has gotten a lot more dependable. We have new cars. We have countdown clocks to tell you when the next train is coming. We have expanded facilities in places,\" he said.\nNew York's 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, transit system costs a $1.5 billion a year to maintain. It is one of the world's oldest, with its first subway line having opened in 1904.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is Not the reason why the public is riding subways and buses in increasing numbers.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Public transport facilities are better than before.", "Many people believe public transit is economical and eco-friendly.", "The system has gotten a lot more dependable.", "It is more convenient to ride city subways and buses."]}]}
{"article": "It is the goal of politicians everywhere-----how to win and keep the trust of voters.\n  Now researchers at the University of St Anurew's in Scotland say they may have the answer. They believe politicians could learn a lot from recent advances in science. A growing number of studies have shown that people do judge a book by its cover. Researchers say most of us make quick judgments about a person on the basis of how they look.\n  Studies suggest that people are less likely to trust those with particularly masculine  features, such as a square jaw, small eyes or a big nose. \" They are considered dominant  and less trustworthy,\" says Ms Cornwell. \"It doesn't mean that men who look more masculine are less trustworthy-----it's just our first impression.\" Those with less masculine features-----larger eyes, a smaller nose and thinner lips are thought to be more trustworthy.\n  The researchers are putting their science to the test at the Royal Society's annual summer exhibition in London. They have copied the faces of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy stressing their dominant and trustworthy features. \" We have used a computer program to change the shape of their faces and features. We hope it will help people to understand our work.\"\n  So should we expect to see them at the exhibition getting tips?\n  \"I don't think it's something they will want to try,\" says Ms Cornwell. \"It's not really possible with television. We all know what they look like.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, we know that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["people with good facial features must be trustworthy", "people with bad facial features could not be trustworthy", "we should judge people by their facial features", "facial features might give people some wrong impressions"]}, {"question": "According to Ms Cornwell, we can infer that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the science will give politicians great help", "politicians could be successful with the help of the science", "politicians won't think highly of the science", "politicians will be satisfied with the science"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How Science could Help Politicians", "How to Win the Trust of Voters", "The Other Sides of Politicians", "An Important Discovery for Politicians"]}]}
{"article": "The SAT is one of two major tests for the entrance to American colleges and universities. The other test is called the ACT. More than 2 million students take the SAT yearly, including about 100,000 foreign students. The organization of the SAT will change the entrance test in 2016. The College Board announced that the new SAT will no longer test students on rarely used words. But it will include passages from American historical documents or from writings on freedom and human rights.\nThe College Board says words on the new test will be related to usage. Students will be asked to tell the meaning of words according to the context of the reading passages. Nigerian student Peace Umoru is in her first year at Howard University. She says the rarely used words are the hardest part for international students. The new test will be easier because of the reform.\nEddie West is with the College Board. He says the new test will better predict a student's performance in college. The changes are moving the test in a positive direction. The new SAT pays more attention to skills and abilities that students need to succeed. The addition of material about American historical documents could make the test harder for international students. After all, they live in different countries with different cultures. But it's a good chance for them to understand the Declaration of Independence or Martin Luther King's work, or anything else that might be tested.\nStudents from other countries, particularly those who did not grow up learning English, may feel it is more difficult. For them, the test is in a foreign language. But the College Board says it has formed a free, online educational service. Khan Academy will provide preparation material linked to the newly designed SAT.", "problems": [{"question": "What will be tested in the new SAT?", "answer": "D", "options": ["All the different meanings of a word.", "The rare usage of the common words.", "The difficult words for foreign students.", "The proper meaning of the words in the passages."]}, {"question": "The new SAT could be more difficult for international students because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they are short of skills and abilities", "they often perform badly in college", "they know nothing about American history", "they have different cultural backgrounds"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How to prepare for the new SAT.", "The SAT will change the entrance test in 2016.", "Advice for foreign students on passing the SAT.", "Tests for entrance to American colleges and universities."]}]}
{"article": "Love Is Just a Thread\n     Sometimes I really doubt whether there is love between my parents.Every day they are very busy trying to earn money to pay the high tuition for us.They don't act in the romantic ways that I read in books or I see on TV.\" I love you\" is too luxurious for them to say .Sending flowers to each other on Valentine's Day is even more  _ .My father is easy to lose his temper, especially when he's very tired from the hard work.\n     One day, my mother was sewing a quilt.I silently sat beside her and asked her if there was love between them.\" What?\" she replied, still doing her work.My mother stopped her work and raised her head with surprise.She didn't answer immediately.Then she bowed her head and continued sewing the quilt.I was in a great embarrassment and I didn't know what to do.But at last I heard my mother say the following words: \" Look at this thread.Sometimes it appears, but most of it disappears in the quilt.The thread really makes the quilt strong and durable.If life is a quilt, then love should be a thread.It can hardly be seen anywhere or anytime, but it's really there.Love is inside.\" I listened carefully but I couldn't understand her until the next spring.\n      My father suddenly got sick seriously.My mother had to stay with him in the hospital for a month.When they returned from the hospital, they both seemed as if they had a serious illness.Every day in the morning and dusk, my mother helped my father walk slowly on the country road.It seemed they were the most harmonious couple.There were many beautiful flowers, green grass and trees, and the sun gently glistened  through the leaves.All of these made up the most beautiful picture in the world.When we were worrying about him, he said gently: \" I really like walking with your mom.I like this kind of life.\" Reading his eyes, I know he loves my mother deeply.\n       Once I thought love meant flowers, gifts and sweet kisses.But from this experience, I understand that love is just a thread in the quilt of our life.Love is inside, making life strong and warm.", "problems": [{"question": "Why does the author sometimes doubt that there is real love between her parents?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because they are very busy earning money for the high tuition.", "Because they don't act in the romantic ways.", "Because her father is easy to lose his temper to her mother", "Because \" I love you\" is too luxurious for them to say"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from her mother's answer about love?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Love should be seen anywhere.", "Love should be seen anytime.", "Love should be a thread.", "Love is really existing everywhere and anytime even though we can't feel it."]}, {"question": "What made her father change so greatly?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The real love.", "The thread of the quilt.", "The beautiful scenery of the country road.", "All the other members of the family."]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["We should understand our parents.", "Love is inside, making life strong and warm.", "Love is really very important to anyone.", "Love should be outside, and can be seen everywhere."]}]}
{"article": "First Lady Michelle Obama is a big fan of volunteering. Volunteering means working for free to help someone else. Mrs. Obama says volunteering is very important. \"It should be part of everyone's life, \" she says.\nMany teens agree. They say that helping others feels great and makes a difference. These days, more teens volunteer than work for pay. Teens clean up parks, walk dogs at animal shelters , visit the elderly and more.\nSome cities ---- including Seatle, Chicago, and Washingtong,D.C. ----require high school students to volunteer. Students must volunteer in order to graduate. The student volunteers learn new skills and help theircommunities .\nMany parents _ the idea ---- they say volunteering helps teens build job skills. But most teens don't want to be forced to volunteer. They say they are busy. And they say volunteering is only fun if it's a choice.\nRead both sides of thedebate  and decide.\nYES\n* Volunteering can help teens get into college or get a job.\n* Many cities and towns need help. Volunteers can help keep important programs going.\n* Not all teens will volunteer if it isn't required. Schools should repuire students to do all they can to get ready for adult life.\nNO\n* Most teens are already very busy with classes, homework, jobs and sports. Forcing them to do more isn't fair.\n* It should be up to each person. Helping out doesn't feel as good if you have to do it.\n* Finding a volunteer job isn't always easy. Students shouldn't be kept from graduating because of something they can't control.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer mentions Michelle Obama in order to  _  ,", "answer": "A", "options": ["introduce the topic of the text", "explain what volunteering is", "tell what she does for the US", "show she enjoys volunteering"]}, {"question": "According to the text, in Chicago,  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["finding a volunteer job is quite easy", "more people would rather work for pay", "volunteering is a must for high school students", "college students have to volunteer before graduation"]}, {"question": "Which question does the text mainly discuss?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Is volunteering good for students?", "What is the best time to volunteer?", "Should students be required to volunteer?", "Which volunteer jobs should students do?"]}]}
{"article": "Columbus made four voyages to the west between 1492 and 1504 in his vain search for a sea route to Asia. The mystery of why he failed to find it haunted  him and filled him with sadness.\nWherever he went to Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, South America, Panama, down the coast of Central America--it was always the same story. Instead of golden palaces, there were grass huts and palm-leaf tents. Instead of silk-robed merchant princes, he found \"Indians\" who did not have so much as a shirt on their backs.\nWhen Columbus explored the West Indies in 1493,he heard tales of a fierce Indian tribe who literally devoured its defeated enemies after a battle. These people were called by many names in the area, including Calina, Canima, Carib, and Caniba. Columbus recorded the name of the American natives as Canibales in Spanish, a word which came to refer, within a few years, to any eater of human flesh. In the similar fashion, the word Caribbean, a title for the sea as well as for the region, came into English.\nAt times Columbus knew that this new land was not China, not Japan, not the Spice Islands. He seemed to accept it as a part of the earth that the geographers of Europe had never heard of before. It was another world--and he called it exactly that--but Columbus also insisted until he died that land he had reached was an unknown part of Asia.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best title for this text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Sailing to Asia", "Columbus' voyages", "West Indies", "Spice Islands"]}, {"question": "In the course of his four voyages, Columbus succeeded in   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["finding China and the Spice Islands", "trading with many merchants", "visiting several parts of Central and South America", "sailing to Asia"]}, {"question": "Columbus thought that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["others had sailed to Asia before him", "it was impossible to sail to Asia", "the land he had found was not China or Japan", "the geographers knew about the land he had found"]}, {"question": "The text implies that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Columbus never realized the full meaning of his discovery", "Columbus was disappointed with his voyages", "there was no way to reach Asia from Europe at that time", "Columbus found exactly what he had intended to"]}]}
{"article": "Since my son is getting ready for first grade, I asked a friend where she shops for school supplies. For price and convenience, she had a quick answer: schoolpak.com. Parents can buy items or packaged equipment for all grades. The Generic Elementary School-pak for first through fifth graders, for example, is $23.28. (Teachers can also e-mail their grade's or school's whole list for a price on customized kits . Shipping is free for 75 or more kits)\n _  \nTeachers thinks highly of educationalwarehouse.com for its learning tools and games--everything from puzzles and puppets to software and chalks.Classroomdirect.com has great prices on over 10.000 products and a special corner offering even deeper discounts.\nPick your lunch box\n  The second-most-difficult back-to-school decision, right after what to wear on the first day, is what kind of lunch box to buy. Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana? Ariel or Elmo? Your kids can examine their (and your) lunch boxes at platesplus4kids.com andlunchboxes.com.\n    Trade in sports tools\nMy garage is a tangle  of bikes and balls, sticks and clubs, so I was excited to find playitagainsports.com ---a company that helps you sell quality, name-brand sporting equipment. You'll have to visit one of its 320 stores, located in 46 states and the District of Columbia.\n3 sites for saving\nFeedthepig.org\nThink about the savings if your kids (and you) stopped buying lunch out every day and brown-bagged it.\nGoodshop.com\nSupport your favorite school by shopping at more than 1,000 participating shops. Up to 30 percent of every purchase is donated. And you'll find hundreds of deals and coupons .\nTaxadmin.org\nClick on 2009 State Sales Tax Holidays to see if your state has a tax-free shopping day. Check what's included before going to the store.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly aimed at  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["parents", "teachers", "students", "businessmen"]}, {"question": "If you want to sell the bikes your children don't use, you can go to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["educationalwarehouse.com", "playitagainsports.com", "Feedthepig.org", "Taxadmin.org"]}, {"question": "What does the writer think of picking a lunch box?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It is very easy", "It is rather hard", "It proves interesting", "It seems special"]}, {"question": "What can be filled in the blank in the first item?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Teachers are much wiser", "Puzzles and puppets", "Shops where teachers shop", "Develop your brains"]}, {"question": "Both educationalwarehouse.com andTaxadmin.org  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["are well thought of by teachers", "offer teaching tools", "are tax-free", "can save you some money"]}]}
{"article": "Going green seems to be a fad  for a lot of people these days.Whether that is good or bad,we can't really say, but for the two of us, going green is not a fad but a life style.\nOn April 22,2011,we decided to be green every single day for an entire year. This meant doing 365 different things, and it also meant challenging ourselves to go green beyond the easy things. Rather than recycle and reduce our energy, we had to think of 365 diffenent things to do and this was no easy task.\nWith the idea of going green every single day a year,Our Greean Year started. My wife and I decided to educate people about how they could go green in their lives and hoped we could show people all green things that could be done to help the environment. We wanted to push the message that every little bit helps.\nOver the course of Our Green Year, we completely changed our lifestyles. We now shop at organic  stores. We consume less meat,choosing green food. We have greatly reduced our buying we don't need. We have given away half of what we owned through websites.Our home is kept clean by vinegar and lemon juice, with no chemical cleaners. We make our own butter, enjoying the smell of home-made fresh bread. In our home office anyone caught doing something ungreen might be punished.\nOur minds have been changed by Our Green Year. We are grateful for the chance to have been able to go green and educate others. We believe that we do have the power to change things and help our planets.", "problems": [{"question": "What might be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Going green", "Protecting the planet", "Keeping Open-Minded", "Celebrating Our Green Year"]}, {"question": "It was difficult for the couple to live a green life for the whole year because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they were expected to follow the green fad", "they didn't know how to educate other people", "they were unwilling to reduce their energy", "they needed to perform unusual green tasks"]}, {"question": "What did the couple do over the course of Our Green Year?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They tried to get out of their ungreen habits.", "They ignored others' ungreen behaviour.", "They chose better chemical cleaners.", "they sold their home-made food"]}]}
{"article": "2016 International Summer School\nThe 2016 University of Cambridge International Summer Schools will run in Cambridge from 6 July to 22 August 2016. Our programs give you the opportunity to meet award-winning lecturers, stay and dine in one of the historic Cambridge Colleges and enjoy a range of weekend excursions and social activities. To sign up for a program simply apply online, or download an application form from our website. Places on courses and in-college accommodation are limited, so we encourage applicants to apply early to avoid disappointment.\nThis year we will be offering specialist programs in: Ancient Empires, Literature, History, Medieval Studies and new for 2016, Creative Writing and Hanseatic League. If you are looking to study a number of different subject areas, the Interdisciplinary Summer School is ideal. It is divided into three terms, Interdisciplinary Summer School Term I, Interdisciplinary Summer School Term II and Interdisciplinary Summer School Term III, covering a wide range of subjects including politics, philosophy, economics, literature, history and international relations. You can _ one or two terms. But most students choose all the three terms.\nThe Cambridge English for Academic Purposes program combines a two-week intensive language course with a two-week academic program. This allows students to put into practice the language skills they have learned during the first two weeks of the program. Applicants will also have the opportunity to sign up for weekend excursions and take part in various events.\nIf you want to join us in 2016, please click here to download a copy of brochure . If you want to find out more information about 2016 International Summer School, you can visit www.ice.cam.ac.uk/intsummer. (CLICK HERE)\nWhat our students say\n\"The entire experience was even better than I expected. I absolutely loved it.\" Sally, USA\n\"I believe that the Science International Summer School was a fulfilling experience. I think that everyone should attend this Summer School at least once in a lifetime.\" Dominika, Poland", "problems": [{"question": "What should people do if they want to sign up for a program in this ad?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They should go to Cambridge by plane.", "They should phone Cambridge.", "They should call for an application form.", "They should apply for the program online."]}, {"question": "Why are the applicants encouraged to apply early?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The earlier they apply, the less they will pay.", "If they apply late, they have to live out of Cambridge College.", "There are not enough places for the courses or in-college accommodation.", "The reason is not mentioned in the passage."]}]}
{"article": "Women had a significant part to play during World War II,which was the time when women also made their own contributions.Some women's great efforts and their names have been recorded in history.Here's a look at some of the strong figures of women in World War II.\nTatiana Nikolaevna Baramzina was born in Glazov of Russia on December 12,1919.In 1943,she was sent to the Central Women's Sniper Training School and upon her graduation in April,she was further sent to the front.She managed to kill around 16 enemies in the first three months!Unfortunately,she was captured  by the enemies and was killed on the fifth of July in 1944.Today,the street where she grew up has been renamed in her memory.\nAnne Frank was a Germanborn Jewish girl who was wellknown for the publication of her diary that described all her experiences when the Germans occupied Holland in World War II.Anne was born on June 12,1929 and she,along with her family,went into hiding in July 1942.Two years later,her family was captured and seven months from her arrest,Anne Frank died of illness in early March 1945.\nMargaret Ringenberg was born on 17 June,1921,in Indiana of America.She began her career during World War II when she became a ferry pilot for the Women Airforce Service Pilots.After that she turned a flight instructor in 1945.She even wrote her own book named Girls Can't Be Pilots.She passed away on 28 July,2008,after flying for 40,000 hours in the air.\nHannah Szenes was born on 17th July,1921 and was trained to parachute  by the British army into Yugoslavia during World War II.This task was given in order to save the Jews of Hungary.Her secret mission was not revealed even when she was tortured  following her arrest at the Hungarian border.Hannah Szenes had to brave immense tortures,yet she did not lose heart.She bravely battled it out and tried to sing to keep her spirits high!She also kept a record of events in her diary till 7th November,1944,when she was finally killed.\nThese names are just a few of the women who played a significant part in World War II.Their stories go a long way in showing the kind of lifestyles they led and their struggles and sacrifices.", "problems": [{"question": "What is mainly discussed in the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Women were braver than men in World War II.", "Women and men made equal contributions in World War II.", "Women played a significant role in World War II.", "Women's death rate was high in World War II."]}, {"question": "Which of the four women heroes died the youngest?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tatiana Baramzina.", "Anne Frank.", "Margaret Ringenberg.", "Hannah Szenes."]}, {"question": "Who were killed by the enemy in the war?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tatiana Baramzina and Anne Frank.", "Hannah Szenes and Tatiana Baramzina.", "Anne Frank and Margaret Ringenberg.", "Margaret Ringenberg and Hannah Szenes."]}, {"question": "It can be learned from the text that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Tatiana Baramzina was once a flight instructor", "Margaret Ringenberg was the best at writing about the war experiences", "Anne Frank and her family were arrested by Germans in 1944", "Hannah Szenes was arrested by Germans because of her diary"]}]}
{"article": "Dear Ana,\nIn your last letter, you told me that your boss Stephanie was probably looking for a new job and you didn't know how to tell her that you wanted to take her position if she left. Well, I'd like to tell you that there is no polite way to talk about this situation with your boss. After all, you are not one-hundred-percent sure that she is actually job-hunting. Even if you know for sure that she is, you can't, because it's not your business. Still, there are a couple of things that you can do to put yourself in a good position in case your boss does _ in the near future.\nFirst, you can have a general conversation with her about your career plans. Say something like, \"You've always been supportive of me, Stephanie, and I'd love you to give me some advice on my professional development.\" This will let your boss know that you're ready for a new challenge. Ask her to give you feedback about how she thinks you can improve as a future leader.\nSecond, ask for your manager's approval   to talk with the training department about any program the company offers. There may or may not be any training, but making the request will still communicate your desire to get into a people-management role.\nThird, you could say to your boss, \"If there is anything you need my help with, I'd love it if you let me know. I am very interested in supporting you with anything you want to hand off.\"\nTaking those three steps will make it clear to Stephanie that you're ready to be her No. 2.\nBest regards,\nLiz", "problems": [{"question": "We can infer that Ana's purpose for writing to Liz was to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["tell Liz that her boss is looking for a new job", "ask Liz if she has the ability to take her boss's position", "ask Liz for advice on how to find a much better job", "seek advice on how to make her boss know she wants her position"]}, {"question": "Which of the following didn't Liz ask Ana to do?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To let her manager know her desire for training.", "To ask her boss if she needs any help from her.", "To ask her boss for advice on her career plans.", "To find out who is also trying to get that position."]}, {"question": "We can learn from Liz's reply that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Ana has never talked about her career plans before", "Ana is very sad to see her boss go as she has helped her a lot", "Ana's boss Stephanie may not be looking for a new job", "there are some training courses in Ana's company now"]}, {"question": "According to Liz, if your boss is leaving for another job, you can  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["ask your manager to give the position to you", "write to let him know you want his position", "let him know you want his position indirectly", "write a letter to your best friend for advice"]}]}
{"article": "The atmosphere and oceans are not the only parts of the environment being damaged. Rain forests are being quickly destroyed as well, and their survival is questionable. E.O. Wilson, a biologist at Harvard, called the depletion   of rain forest areas \"the greatest extinction since the end of the age of dinosaurs\".\nUnlike some environmental issues, rain forest depletion has fortunately received significant public and media attention. Despite the opposition to the cutting down of rain forests, the problem continues. Every year, Brazil chops down an area of forest the size of the state of Nebraska. In addition to the Amazon's rain forests, many other forests are being cut down as well. In Indonesia, Zaire, Papua-new Geinea, Malaysia, Burma, the Philippines, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela, rain forests that were once great have been lost.\nAccording to some estimates, 50 million acres of rain forests are cut down every year. The United Nations says the figure is closer to 17 million acres. The World Wildlife Fund says every minute, 25 to 50 acres are cut or burned to the ground.\nThe world's growing population has been a primary reason of rain forest destruction. More people need land to live on and wood products to consume. Limiting population growth may be the first in a series of steps that would limit the destruction of the rain forests.", "problems": [{"question": "In the opinion of the author,   _   are being destroyed terribly at present.", "answer": "D", "options": ["the rain forests", "the oceans", "the atmosphere", "all the above"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The author thought the oceans' survival is questionable.", "Luckily, people and mass media all paid special attention to the depletion  of rain forest.", "People have stopped cutting down rain forests because of the opposition of most people.", "The United Nations says about 50 million acres of rain forests are cut down every year."]}, {"question": "This passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["that limiting population growth is the primary step to solve all the environment problems.", "a serious fact that the rain forests are being destroyed every year, and the reason for that.", "about 25- 50 million acres of rain forests are destroyed each year.", "the growing population is not the real cause of the environment problem."]}]}
{"article": "We know that the earth has become warmer over the last century. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group established by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program, reports that the average surface temperature of the earth has increased during the twentieth century by 0.6deg _ 0.2degC.(The _ 0.2degC means that the increase might be as small as 0.4degC or as great as 0.8degC). This may seem like a small shift, but although regional and short--term temperatures do fluctuate  over a wide range, global temperatures are generally quite stable. In fact, the difference between today's average global temperature and the average global temperature during the last Ice Age is only about 5 degrees C. Indeed, it's warmer today around the world than at any time during the past 1,000years, and the warmest years of the previous century have occurred within the past decade.\nWe also know that human activities--primarily the burning of fossil fuels--have increased the greenhouse gas content of the earth's atmosphere significantly over the same period. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gases, which trap heat near the planet's surface.\nThe vast majority of climate researchers agree with these overall findings. The scientific disagreements that do still exist primarily concern detailed aspects of the processes that make up these largely accepted general themes.\nYou can think of this website as a window into the world of scientific research. In this primer, you'll find a general discussion of the physical processes underlying the earth's climate, an outline of the kinds of data that may shed light on how the climate is changing--and the role of human activity in these changes--and a description a some of the questions and uncertainties that researchers continue to explore. This primer is organized into four interconnected sections: the Atmosphere; the Hydrosphere ; the Cryosphere ; and the Biosphere .", "problems": [{"question": "We know from the text that \"IPCC\"  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["engages in the climate and changes about the earth.", "is a group by scientists who like to walk around the moon", "works in the World Meteorological Organization", "often greets the passers-by from the outer space"]}, {"question": "We know from the text that carbon dioxide   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["is one of the most important greenhouse gases", "has fossil fuels", "traps cold near the planet's surface", "exist in human activities"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for this text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["What Are the Scientific Disagreements", "You Can Think of This Website", "What Do We Know about Global Climate Change?", "The Vast Majority of Climate Researchers"]}]}
{"article": "Conventional wisdom is a major barrier to innovation that threatens the survival of companies everywhere.It's based on the assumption that old ideas will always work,so they shouldn't be challenged. While this may be a valid assumption in situations that don't change,it's unlikely to hold true in a changing situation.In today's rapid changing global environment,old methods often don't work,and stubbornly using them can lead to major problems.\nMost people seem to agree with conventional wisdom because it gives one a false sense of security.If everyone else believes it,then it must be true.Individuals who use conventional wisdom are certain that they are right,and being right is good. They want to continue using old ideas rather than take risks with changes that might not work.In 1977,Ken Olsen,co-founder and CEO of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC),stated \"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.\" Despite being a dominant leader in the computer industry,DEC no longer exists.\nPeople seem to forget that since innovation is a change,there can be no innovation without change.Unfortunately,conventional wisdom prevents leaders,followers and companies from changing and therefore innovating.If companies don't innovate,but their competitors do,the future is likely to be problematic. Breaking from conventional wisdom has led to many of the most innovative companies and products in history across many industries,so it has a powerful effect on business success.\nTed Turner (founder of CNN) knew little,if anything,about the news business,but he knew it was inconvenient to watch news only at the dinner hour,as was common before CNN.Turner's solution was to create a cable channel dedicated to news 24 hours a day.The news establishment reflected conventional wisdom at the time,and predicted his idea would fail because no one wanted to watch the news all day.However,it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that viewers don't have to watch the news all day for the CNN to work.Viewers just have to watch when they want to get information.Due to conventional thinking,the critics failed to recognize the opportunity that was clear to Ted. They assumed that only what was familiar to them could work in the future.\nConventional wisdom prevents creativity,flexibility and risk-taking,so unconventional leaders enthusiastically break from it.To survive,thrive and maintain competitive advantage,companies must be flexible when reacting to change.", "problems": [{"question": "DEC has disappeared probably because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the consumers didn't like its products", "the leaders lacked the sense of security", "the CEO stuck to the conventional ideas", "the employees took many risks with changes"]}, {"question": "The founding of CNN is used as an example to prove   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["missing opportunities could lead to failure", "changing could contribute to business success", "watching news at the dinner hour is convenient", "conventional wisdom influences business success"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly written to tell us that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["old methods are changing with time", "opportunities lead to business success", "conventional wisdom limits innovation", "successful companies need wise leaders"]}]}
{"article": "Postcards to myself\nIn 50 years of traveling Colin McCorpuodale has visited every country in the world, except three.And everywhere he goes,he sends himself a postcard.He always chooses a postcard with a beautiful view,and sticks on an interesting stamp.Usually he writes just a short message to himself.His latest one,from the Malians island,read Good fishing.\nOn a wall in his home in London there is a large map of the world.There are hundreds of little red pins stuck in it.\"It's good to get a pin in the map,\" says Mr.McCorquodale, \"but I follow the rules.I'm allowed to stick one in only if I've  been in a place for more than 24 hours.\"\nNaturally,Mr.McCorpuodale has his favorite places.New Zealand he describes as\"wonderful\".In Europe,he says,\"Italy is a favorite place.But in Italy tourists are worried that they will get ripped off because people there often charge too much for something.\"Of China he says,\"This is one country in the world which is completely different.There is no European influence\".\nWherever he goes,Mr.McCorpuodale takes with him a photo of his wife,a candle,a torch,a shirt with a secret pocket, and a pen for writing his postcards.\nSo why does he do it? For the postcards or the travel?  Mr.McCorpuodale laughs.\"I do it for the journey,\"he says.\"I get a kick out of traveling,and all the planning.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is written on his latest postcard?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A favorite place", "Malians island", "Good fishing", "A beautiful view"]}, {"question": "Tourists in Italy are often    _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["beaten", "helped", "encouraged", "cheated"]}, {"question": "From the passage we know that Mr.McCorpuodale   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has visited all the countries in the world", "has only three favorite places", "takes his wife with him wherever he goes", "gets a lot of pleasure from traveling and the planning for it"]}]}
{"article": "When I left my bag on a train, I lost my most precious possession, a small framed photograph of my great grandparents, Emily and Gordon Baker. The frame was made of silver, with an elegant flower design in one corner. The photograph was taken in March 1939 on their wedding day. Emily looked very happy, and Gordon looked rather alarmed.  A few months later, he was killed in action in North Africa. I received the photograph when my aunt Mabel died.\n   I'm a student at Edinburgh University and I live in an old Edwardian house.  At the end of last term, I packed a large bag and a small bag and set off for London, where I was planning to catch the Eurostar train to Paris. Minutes after getting off the train at Kings Cross Station, I realized that I'd left the small bag in the overhead luggage rack. I ran back to the train, but it had already left the platform.\n   This all happened several months ago, and I had become resigned to the loss of my most precious possession. Then last week, something extraordinary happened. I logged onto the site Bay and looked for a silver photo frame and I found it ! The photo of my great grandparents was on Bay !\n   I called the person who was advertising it. He was a little suspicious at first, and told me that he had bought it from a stall at an antique market. After we talked for a while, he asked if there was any way I could prove it was mine. All I could think of was that the photo was taken in March 1939. He opened the frame and made sure that this date was written by hand on the back of the photograph.\n  \"It ' s definitely yours. \" he said.  \"Come and get it ! \"\n5(11)", "problems": [{"question": "The author's most precious possession was   _    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["A wedding photo in a silver frame taken in North Africa", "A pretty family portrait in a silver frame taken in 1939", "A special photo of his great grandparents in a silver frame", "A common photograph of his grandparents taken by Mabel"]}, {"question": "Which of the statement about the author is not wrong?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He left the photo on a train and never got it back.", "He put the photo in a small bag and left it on a train.", "He left the photo on the Eurostar and ran back to get it.", "He left the photo at his old Edwardian house in Edinburgh"]}, {"question": "The man advertising the frame proved it was the author's   _    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["by calling the seller up immediately", "according to the price of the silver frame", "by the author's explanation about the photo", "by the date written on the back of the photo"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that the author felt  _  when he found the silver photo on Bay.", "answer": "B", "options": ["nervous", "excited", "disappointed", "worried"]}]}
{"article": "Ban Fur? Then Why Not Leather?\nMuch to the displeasure of some local businesses, the City Council in West Hollywood, California, voted without opposition last week to ban the sale of fur products. Should laws be involved in this issue? Is it unfair to ban sales of fur, but not sales of leather and hides  ?\nAnimals Do Not Have Rights\nBy Tibor R. Machan\nMy view is that animals do not have basic rights. It is a matter of ethics   and not of the laws of human societies. If animals had such rights as human beings do, they would have to be held responsible for killing fellow animals in the wild. That way of thinking about animals makes a category mistake. Using animals, including their fur or organs, to improve people's lives is acceptable.\nA Small Step Against Cruelty\nBy Kate Carter\nBoth fur and leather are the skins of dead animals. Why should we think that the lovable furry ones deserve more of a life than the less pleasing ones? Some say leather is  less cruel because it's a byproduct   of the meat industry. But this isn't really true. Some cheap leather may be a byproduct of the meat industry, but often it's the other way round. In South Africa, where there is a developing market for ostrich farms, the skins account for roughly 80 percent of the slaughtered  birds' value, a mere 20 percent of which comes from the meat.\n\"Who\" Are You Wearing?\nBy Marc Bekoff\nWest Hollywood's ban is a move in the right direction. However, we must work to ban the sales of leather and hides, too. Furs come from animals who are attacked to become clothing, while some leather and hides come from slaughterhouse  animals. We must remember that when people choose to wear fur, leather and hides, they are wearing formering conscious beings. So it's a matter of who they are wearing, not what they are wearing because these animals must be referred to as who and not what or that.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["West Hollywood's ban on fur products.", "Differences between fur and leather sales.", "The government's role in protecting animals.", "The ecological imbalance in West Hollywood."]}, {"question": "Tibor R. Machan seems to believe that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["laws should be passed to protect animals", "humans are respornsible for killing animals", "it is not reasonable to use animals to improve life", "animals and humans aren't supposed to share equal rights"]}, {"question": "What is Kate Carter's opinion about wearing fur and wearing leather?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Both are decided by the meat industry.", "There is little distinction   between them.", "Wearing fur is generally more acceptable.", "Wearing leather is cheaper than wearing fur."]}, {"question": "What is Marc Bekoff's attitude towards sales of fur?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sympathetic.", "Careless.", "Tolerant.", "Opposed."]}]}
{"article": "About ten years ago, a young and very successful businessman named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his shiny, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old.\nHe was watching for kids rushing out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child came out, but a brick sailed out and - WHUMP!  - it hit the Jaguar's shiny black side door! SCREECH ... ! ! ! ! Immediately Josh stopped the car, jumped out, seized the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, \"What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!\" \"That's my new Jaguar, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?\"\n\"Please, mister, please...I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!\" begged the youngster. \"I threw the brick because no one else would stop!\" tears were streaming down the boy's face as he pointed around the parked car.  \"It's my brother, mister,\" he said. \"He rolled off the curb   and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up. \" Sobbing, the boy asked the businessman, \"Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me. \"\nMoved by the words, the young businessman lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapers and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.\nIt was a long walk back to the black, shining, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE -- a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent   to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention. Feel for the bricks of life coming you.", "problems": [{"question": "The boy threw a brick at the businessman's car because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he wanted to ask for some money", "he wanted to get help from the driver", "the businessman drove at a high speed", "he hated the brand-new car very much"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Josh would accept the money from the kids.", "The two kids were Josh's neighbors.", "Josh's new car broke down easily.", "Josh was a kind-hearted man."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the last sentence means   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["trying to be more understanding seeing others in trouble", "trying to get ready for the trouble in your future life", "driving fast in a neighborhood street is dangerous", "protecting oneself from being hurt"]}]}
{"article": "*200 dead as Brazilian plane crashes  in Sao Paulo\nUp to 200 people were dead after a passenger plane with 176 people aboard slid off the runway on landing and hit a fuel storage tank at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport on Tuesday. \nBrazilian airline TAM said that 170 passengers and 6 crew  were aboard the Airbus A320 flying from Porto Alegre in southern Brazil to Sao Paulo when it lost control on landing and slid off the wet runway. \nBrazilian news agency Folha reported up to 200 people were dead, including some victims on the ground.\n* _ \nTwo people were killed Saturday in two separate plane crashes in the United States, media reports said. \nIn Dayton, Ohio, a plane crashed on a runway of the Dayton International Airport while performing during the Vectren Dayton Air Show. The pilot, Jim LeRoy, was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and was announced dead. The air show was canceled. \nAlso on the same day, two single-engine war planes at an experimental air show collided  in Wisconsin while landing, killing one of the pilots and injuring the other.\n*All 114 aboard Kenya plane killed  \nA Kenya Airways plane that crashed after takeoff in Cameroon with 114 people on board is largely submerged   in a swamp  and there is no chance of survivors, Cameroon 's civil protection service said on Monday\nThe Boeing 737-800 had taken off from Douala and its wreckage  was found just 12 miles from the town. The plane fell head first. But the cause of the crash remained unclear. \nAmong the passengers were Associated Press reporter Anthony Mitchella and an executivefrom the South African cell phone giant MTN. Five Chinese passengers were also killed in the crash .", "problems": [{"question": "The Brazilian plane crash caused extra deaths mainly because  _", "answer": "C", "options": [".it skidded off the wet runway.", "the runway. was very short", "it hit a fuel storage tank", "its pilot was inexperienced"]}, {"question": "The proper title for News 2 would be   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Two pilots killed in plane crashes in US", "The tragedies of the air show", "Who is to blame for the plane crashes?", "Big losses can result from small things"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE as for the Kenya plane crash?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The plane crashed after the plane took off.", "The cause of the crash was under examination", "114 passengers on board were killed including an African", "The place where the plane crashed led to many more deaths"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the three news that  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["whenthe Airbus A320 landed, it was likely to be raining heavily", "during the Vectren Dayton Air Show , the pilot, Jim LeRoy died on the scene", "The place where the Boeing 737-800 crashed was just 12 miles from the town", "Five Chinese passengers were victims of the Kenya plane crash"]}]}
{"article": "City Varieties\nThe Headrow, Leeds. Tel. 430808\nOct 10-11 only A Night at the Varieties.All the fun of an old music hall with Barry Cryer, Duggle Brown, 6 dancers, Mystina, Jon Barker, Anne Dural and the Tony Harrison Trio. Laugh again at the old jokes and listen to your favourite songs.\nPerformances: 8 pm nightly.\nAdmission: L5; under 16 or over 60: L4.\nYork Theatre Royal\nprefix = st1 /St Leonard's Place, York. Tel. 223568\nSept 23- Oct 17 Groping for Words-- a comedy by Sue Townsend. Best known for her Adrian Mole Diaries, Townsend now writes about an evening class, which two men and a woman attend. A gentle comedy.\nAdmission: First night, Mon: L2; Tues- Fri: L3.25 - 5.50; Sat: L3.50 - 5.75.\nHalifax Playhouse\nKing's Cross Street, Halifax. Tel. 365998\nOct 10-17 On Golden Pondby Ernest Thompson. This is a magical comedy about real people. A beautifully produced, well-acted play for everyone. Don't miss it.\nPerformances: 7:30 pm.\nAdmission: L2. Mon: 2 seats for the price of one.\nGrand Theatre\nOxford Street, Leeds. Tel. 502116\nRestaurant and Cafe   \nOct 1-17 The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13. Sue Townsend's musical play, based on her best-selling book.\nPerformances: Evenings 7:45. October 10-17, at 2:30 pm. No Monday performances.\nAdmission: Tues-Thurs: L2- 5; Fri & Sat: L2- 6.", "problems": [{"question": "Which theatre offers the cheapest seat?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Halifax Playhouse.", "City Varieties.", "Grand Theatre.", "York Theatre Royal."]}, {"question": "If you want to see a play with old jokes and songs, which phone number will you ring to book a seat?", "answer": "D", "options": ["502116", "223568", "365998", "430808"]}, {"question": "We may learn from the text that Sue Townsend is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a writer", "an actress", "a musician", "a director"]}]}
{"article": "There have been many great inventions, which have changed the way we live. The first great invention was one that is still very important today---the wheel. This made it easier to carry heavy things to travel long distances. For hundreds of years there were few inventions that have made as much effect as the wheel. There was little unknown land left in the world. People didn't have to explore  much any more. They began to work to make life better instead.\nIn the second half of the 19th century many great inventions were made. Among them were the camera, the electric light and the radio. These all became a big part of our life today. The first part of the 20th century saw more great inventions. The helicopter in 1909. Sound movies in 1926. The computer in 1928, and jet planes in 1930. This was also a time when a new material was made. Nylon came out in 1935. It changed the kind of clothes people wear. The middle part of the 20th brought new ways to help people get over diseases. They worked very well. They made people healthier and let them live long lives. By the 1960s most people could expect to live to be at least 60. By this time most people had a very good life. Of course new inventions continued to be made. But man now had a wish to explore again. The world is known to man but the stars are not yet. Man began looking for ways to go into space. Russia made the first step. Then the United States took a step. Since then other countries, including China and Japan, have made their steps into space.", "problems": [{"question": "The first great invention ever known was   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the camera", "the wheel", "the electric light", "the radio"]}, {"question": "Which of the following was turned out nearly at the same time with the jet plane?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The radio.", "The camera.", "Nylon.", "The helicopter."]}, {"question": "This passage talks mainly about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["how inventions affect people's life", "when electric light was invented", "which country made the first step into space", "why cars were very important"]}, {"question": "We can safely come to the conclusion that people's life will be made even better through   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["new discoveries", "greater inventions", "better ways to get over diseases.", "all of above"]}]}
{"article": "\"Thanks for coming,\" Everett said, shaking hands with Mr. Hanson, the town councilor  . \n              \"I'm curious about the ideas in your letter.\" Mr. Hanson nodded toward the parking lot near where they stood. \"Please tell me more.\" \n              Everett took a deep breath. \"Ever since the school closed two years ago, this area has become worse. But if we clean up the litter and repair the fence, it will be a great place for a skateboard park.\" Mr. Hanson scanned the broken concrete, nodding. \"The old school is being adapted to a community arts centre. This area could become a vital part of the neighbourhood again.\" \n              \"Here's a picture of a skateboard park in another town. Look how busy it is.\" Everett was relieved that the community representative seemed receptive to the idea. Mr. Hanson studied the photograph, and then asked, \"If town council provides the money, how will you and your friends contribute?\" Everett felt optimistic now. \"We'll help design and build the ramps . More experienced boarders could give lessons to raise money!\" Everett's voice was enthusiastic. \n              However, Mr. Hanson said, \"We'll still need parking spaces, and the neighbours will not like late-night noise. They might worry about the crime of deliberately damaging public property and....\"\n              \"The skateboard park would use only the back corner, which isn't near any houses. Since young people already hang out here, why not give them something fun and physically active to do in their free time?\"              The lines over Mr. Hanson's forehead unwrinkled  , and Everett's hopes rose again. \"If everyone works together,\" Everett thought, \"maybe this idea will become reality.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Where were Everett and Mr. Hanson talking?", "answer": "C", "options": ["In the city hall.", "Outside a park.", "Near the parking lot.", "In the art centre."]}, {"question": "Everett was trying to persuade Mr. Hanson to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["beautify the neighbourhood", "provide money for a skateboard park", "build an art centre for children", "cut the area of the parking lot"]}, {"question": "How did Mr. Hanson finally feel about Everett's suggestion?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Curious.", "Hopeful.", "Receptive.", "Enthusiastic."]}]}
{"article": "Two things changed my life:  my mother and a white plastic bike basket. I have thought long and hard about it and it's true. I would be a different person if my mom hadn't turned a silly bicycle accessory into a life lesson I carry with me today.\nMy mother and father were united in their way of raising children, but it mostly fell to my mother to actually carry it out. Looking back, I honestly don't know how she did it. Managing the family budget must have been a very hard task., but she made it look effortless. If we complained about not having what another kid did, we'd hear something like, \"I don't care what so -and -so got for his birthday, you are not getting a TV in your room a car for your birthday a lsvish sweet 16 party.\" We had to earn our allowance by doing chores around the house. I can stil l remember how long it took to polish the legs of our coffee table.My brothers can no doubt remember hours spent cleaning the house .Like the two little girls growing up at the White House,we made our own beds (no one left the house unitil that was done)and picked up after ourselves.We had to keep track of our belongings ,and if something was lost ,it was not replaced.\nIt was summer and ,one day ,my mother drove me to the bike shop to get a tire fixed---and there it was in the window, White, shiny, plastic and decorated with flowers ,the basket winked at me and I knew ----I knew---I had to have it.\n\"It's beautiful,\" my mother said when I pointed it out to her,\"What a neat basket.\"\nI tried to hold off at first ,I played it cool for a short while. But then I guess I couldn't at and it any longer:\"Mom, please can I please ,please get it? I 'll do extra chores for as long as you say, I'll do anything ,but I need that basket,I love that basket.Please ,Mom .Please?\"\nI was desperate.\n\"You know,\" she said ,gently rubbing my back while we both stared at what I believes was the coolest thing ever,\" If you save up you could buy this yourself.\"\n\"By the time I make enough it'll bu gone!\"\n\"Maybe Roger here could hold it for you,\" she smiled at Roger ,the bike guy.\n\"He can't hold it for that long ,Mom .Someone else will buy it .Please, Mom,Please?\"\n\"There might be another way,\" she said.\nAnd so our paying plan unfolded. My mother bought the beautiful basket and put it safely in some hiding place I couldn't find. Each week I eagerly counted my growing saving increased by extra work here and there (washing the car ,helping my mother make dinner, delivering or collecting things on my bike that already looked _ without the basket in front).And then ,weeks later ,I counted ,re-counted and jumped for joy. Oh ,happy day ! I made it! I finally had the exact amount we'd agreed upon....\nDays later the unthinkable happened. A neighborhood girl I'd played with millions of times appeared with the exact same basket fixed to her shiny ,new bike that already had all the bells and whistles. I rode hard and fast home to tell my mother about this disaster. This horrible turn of events.\nAnd then came the lesson . I've taken with me through my life:\"Honey, Your basket is extra-special,\" Mom said, gently wiping away my hot tears.\"Your basket is special because you paid for it yourself.\"", "problems": [{"question": "When the author saw the basket in the window,she  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["fell in love with it", "stared at her mother", "recognized it at once", "went up to the bike guy"]}, {"question": "Why did the author say many \"please\" to her mother?", "answer": "B", "options": ["She longed to do extra work.", "She was eager to have the basket.", "She felt tired after standing too long.", "She wanted to be polite to her mother."]}, {"question": "To the author, it seemed to be a horrible turn of events that", "answer": "D", "options": ["something spoiled her paying plan", "the basket cost more than she had saved", "a neighborhood girl had bought a new bike", "someone else had got a basket of the same kind"]}, {"question": "What is the life lesson the author learned from her mother?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Save money for a rainy day", "Good advice is beyond all price.", "Earn your bread with your sweat", "God helps those who help themselves"]}]}
{"article": "Sports, drama, and a variety of organizations keep students busy during high school. Where do they find the money to do these things? Not everyone gets it from Mommy and Daddy. Most have to pay for these activities. Some adults question if high school students should have jobs. \nSome people worry that teens with after-school jobs will struggle to find time for homework. Actually, the responsibility of having a job helps teens prioritize their time. Many jobs take only a couple of  hour shifts on weeknights. According to a survey, 86 percent of high school students have an after-school, weekend or summer job and students who work between 10 and 20 hours per week during the school year have statistically higher grades-point averages than those who do not work at all. Those who work in high school are more likely to work in college, and financing their college education is a top reason for undergraduates to look for employment. Instead of considering jobs a barrier, employment should be looked at as real-world education. \nOther people think that work adds too much stress, which may be somewhat true, but regardless of having a job or not, there is always going to be stress. Better to learn how to deal with busy schedules in a controlled environment like high school than to be out on your own and alone, experiencing stress for the first time. I personally would be more concerned for the teenager who has to become independent without having any familiarity with working.\nThe biggest reason teens should be allowed to work is that it is a healthy way of earning money. My dad told me, \"Having a job is a good way to save up for things you are going to need or want to do. You get a lot more out of things if you are financially responsible for them.\" Kids need the freedom to choose how to spend their money. The sooner they have an income, the sooner they can learn how to use money wisely. If they are not allowed to work in high school, they may run into trouble in the future.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the survey, compared with those who don't work, teens with after-school jobs are  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["more likely to go to college", "usually doing better at school", "more willing to pay for their education", "able to find a better job after graduation"]}, {"question": "Who does the author worry about most?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Teens who have trouble in balancing their study and work", "Teens who will face much stress when working part-time.", "Teens who have to learn to take responsibility for themselves.", "Teens who have to be independent without any work experience."]}, {"question": "The author's father advised him to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["learn how to use money wisely", "earn money to get what he wants", "work hard to have a bright future", "take part in after-school activities"]}, {"question": "The author's attitude towards teens having after-school jobs is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["cautious", "unconcerned", "supportive", "negative"]}]}
{"article": "Most people know that awkward feeling when you step into an elevator with other people and try not to make eye contact.\nBut new research suggests it may be down to a subconscious power struggle being played out as you make your way up or down.\nA study found that people decide where they stand based on a micro social grading, established within seconds of entering the lift.\nRebekah Rousi, a Ph.D. student in cognitive science, conducted an study of elevator behaviour in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide, Australia.\nAs part of her research, she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings, and discovered there was an established order to where people tended stand.\nIn a blog, she writes that more senior men seemed to direct themselves towards the back of the elevator cabins.\nShe said: 'In front of them were younger men, and in front of them were women of all ages.'\nShe also noticed there was a difference in where people directed their stare half way through the ride.\nMen watched the monitors , looked in the side mirrors (in one building) to see themselves, and in the door mirrors (of the other building) to also watch others.\n'Women would watch the monitors and avoid eye contact with other users (unless in conversation) and the mirrors,' she writes.\nThe student concluded it could be that people who are shyer stand toward the front, where they can't see other passengers, whereas brave people stand in the back, where they have a view of everyone else.", "problems": [{"question": "According to Rebekah Rousi, senior men intend to stand   _   of the elevator cabins.", "answer": "D", "options": ["in the front", "in the middle", "near the side mirrors", "at the back"]}, {"question": "Why do women choose to stand in the front?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because they are too shy to make eye contact with others.", "Because they can have a view of everyone else.", "Because they want to show their power.", "Because they want to watch the monitors."]}]}
{"article": "Immigration is the act of coming to a foreign country to live. The act of leaving one's country to settle in another is called emigration. Immigrants who flee their country because of persecution, war, or such disasters as famines or epidemics are known as refugees or displaced persons. Most people find it very hard to pull up roots in their native land and move to a strange country. But throughout history, countless millions of people have done so. The heaviest immigration worldwide took place from the early 1800's to the Great Depression, the economic hard times of the 1930's. In that period, about 60 million people moved to a new land. Most came from Europe. More than half immigrated to the United States. Other destinations included Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Today, the availability of fast, safe, and cheap transportation helps make migration easier. Asia is replacing Europe as the major immigrant-sending area. The United States remains the chief receiving nation.\nPeople abandon their homeland and move to another country for various reasons.\nThe main reason for immigration has long been economic opportunity----the desire for better land or a better job. During the 1800's, for example, the rich prairie land of the United States attracted many European farmers. Today, professional people commonly emigrate because of better opportunities elsewhere. Such emigration has sometimes been called brain drain. Many doctors and nurses and numerous engineers and scientists have moved to the United States.\nReligious persecution has led many people to move to a new land for the freedom to practice their faith. Such immigrants include Jews expelled from England in the 1200's.\nWars, revolutions, and political unrest have driven innumerable people to find new homes. In the 1990's alone, millions of refugees fled from warfare in Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Iran, Uganda, Southeastern Asia, and Central America.\nSome immigrants were brought to a new land against their will. From the 1500's to the 1800's Europeans shipped black Africans to the Western Hemisphere as slaves. The United Kingdom transported prisoners to Australia from the late 1700s to the 1860s to relieve over crowding in British jails. Before that time, the United Kingdom sent prisoners to the American colonies.\nImmigrants have made enormous contributions to the culture and economy of such nations as Australia, Canada, New Zealand the United States. But their accomplishments have been made with great difficulty. At times, the United States, like many receiving countries, has restricted immigration to maintain a more homogeneous society in which all the people share the same ethnic, geographic, and cultural background. Although some immigration laws have been relaxed, many new comers of different backgrounds still face challenges in gaining acceptance.", "problems": [{"question": "Most Immigrants to the United States in the nineteenth century came from   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Europe", "Asia", "Australia", "South Africa"]}, {"question": "There are altogether  _   reasons  of immigration listed in the passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["2", "3", "4", "5"]}, {"question": "The main reason for immigration is   _  according to the passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["slavery trade", "religious persecution", "economic opportunity", "political unrest"]}]}
{"article": "\"Humans have a code of ethics  ,\" says Marc Bekoff, an animal behavior expert at the University of Colorado. \" If I don't play in a certain way, you won't play with me. Some animals have the same code.\"\n     Scientists recently discovered that animals that live in groups, such as elephants, foxes, and wolves, are especially likely to follow rules. If they don't, and each does its own thing, the group might break apart. Group members would be forced to live alone. Then they'd have a harder time hunting and raising their young.\n    That's probably why a traveling wolf pack stopped and waited to let its slowly moving leader catch up. Similar social ties may have caused a captive elephant to save her friend from drowning. Selfish reasons certainly motivated the male fox, who wanted to keep playing.\nSometimes, though, animals go out of their way to do what's right, even when there's nothing in it for them. Nobody knows why. \" It might simply feel good to be kind, just as it does for humans,\"  says Bekoff.\n     If your friend wasn't nice to you, what would you do? Maybe you would just walk away. That's exactly what a wild red fox did when she was play-boxing with another fox. The larger fox, a male, began pushing too hard. The little female didn't like fighting. She ran away quickly.\n     \" He still wanted to play,\" says Marc Bekoff. So the male fox ran after his playmate, bowed down, and rolled over. His body language meant, \" Don't leave, I'll play nicely.\" The female gave him another chance, and the male wrestled more gently this time.", "problems": [{"question": "Some animals living in groups are similar to humans in  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["feeling good about going out of their way", "playing with each other", "raising their young", "following certain rules"]}, {"question": "Why are animals who live in groups especially likely to follow rules?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because they can make an easier living in that way.", "Because they can have a harder time hunting in that way.", "Because they can keep playing with each other.", "Because they can save their friends from danger."]}, {"question": "It can be learned from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["following rules makes it easy for animals to seek for mates", "some animals like to follow the examples of human beings", "some animals also have a code of ethics like human beings", "following rules is common behavior of all animals"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Humans have a code of ethics like some animals.", "Animals will follow certain rules in their group like humans.", "Scientists have made a great discovery about animals' behaviour.", "Animals go out of their way to do what's right."]}]}
{"article": "On a hot summer day, a soft drink can really take away your thirst. At home, at school, in the park or at the movies---you can find one almost anywhere.\nCarbonated\nYou can see bubbles  in these! Of all soft drinks sold, about 75 percent are carbonated . But be careful, carbonated soft drinks have lots of sugar and caffeine . Caffeine is not very good for you in the summer because it takes water out of your body. And the sugar can make you overweight if you drink too much.\nFruit juice\nThere are different kinds of juice. One kind is made only from fresh fruit. This kind of fruit juice may not taste sweet enough for some people, but it is nutritious . Another kind of fruit juice tastes good but has lots of sugar in it. Many young people buy this kind because the advertisements are good. It is bad for your teeth and bones to drink lots of this.\nEnergy drinks\nThese kinds of drinks have caffeine and things that make people get excited in them. They are sometimes called \"party drinks\". Doctors say that if you drink too much of this kind, you may have a heart attack.\nBottled water\nWe have lots of different kinds of bottled water, such as mineral water, purified water and distilled water . They are clean and easy to drink. But it is best not to drink very cold water. It may make your stomach feel bad.\nSports drinks\nMost of these have funny names like \"Scream \" and \"G-Vital \". They have lots of vitamins and minerals in them. After you play sports, you may want to drink one of these.\nBut if you just spend your summer holiday sitting around watching TV, you won't need them at all!", "problems": [{"question": "Which two types of drinks may make you overweight?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Carbonated and fruit juice.", "Energy drinks and sports drinks.", "Carbonated and energy drinks.", "Fruit juice and bottled water."]}, {"question": "Which one may lead to your heart disease?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Carbonated.", "Fruit juice.", "Energy drinks.", "Sports drinks"]}, {"question": "After sports, you have sports drinks because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they can take away your thirst", "they can put back minerals you've lost in sweat", "they have funny names that sound very exciting", "they have no sugar"]}, {"question": "The writer wrote this passage to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["warn us to keep away from soft drinks", "teach us some useful ways of keeping healthy", "tell us how to choose a good one from all kinds of drinks", "make the advertisements for soft drinks"]}]}
{"article": "Zoe, Damacela, 19, didn't have nice clothes when she was young. It wasn't easy for Zoe's hard-working single mother to make ends meet. They moved in and out of homeless shelters.\nEverything changed for Zoe in grade nine. At that time, she heard about a sewing  class at her school. She signed up and couldn't wait to turn her designs into clothes. The color of the first dress she made was white-black strips. Soon the clothes she wore were all made by her. Other girls at school loved her designs too. They asked her if they could buy dresses from her. Zoe sold her first dress for $13. Unfortunately, it cost her $25 to make the dress. \"I had the creativity in designs,\" says Zoe. \"But I really had no idea about business.\"\nZoe kept selling the clothes she designed. Her business was booming, and even the girls who had ever teased her became her customers. In the eleventh grade, Zoe took a business class. She learned how to price her clothes so that she could be sure to make a fair profit.\nHer business teacher suggested she take part in a contest for teenaged entrepreneurs  . The contest was for teens from all over the United States. Zoe sent in her business plan, which explained how she planned to make her company grow. She won the second prize in the end. Zoe 's success became a news item. Supermodel Tyra Banks heard about it and she invited Zoe to take part in her TV show. \"Being recognized I felt really unreal,\"says Zoe. Zoe has advice for teens who want to start their own business. \"If you really work hard on it, you will be able to make it happen,\" she says. \"If I can do it, anyone else can.\"", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn that   _  when she was in grade nine.", "answer": "C", "options": ["Zoe had no interest in designing clothes", "Zoe seldom wore her self-made clothes", "Zoe didn' t know how to make money", "Zoe attended a business course"]}, {"question": "After winning the contest, Zoe   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["considered it a reward", "expected to be known", "was proud of her own gift", "could hardly believe it"]}, {"question": "Zoe advised the teens    _    .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to make efforts to achieve their dreams", "to design and make their own clothes", "to try every means to become famous", "to do whatever they would like to"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How Zoe learned to design clothes.", "A poor girl achieved success in business.", "How Zoe got a prize in a contest.", "A poor girl was invited to a TV show."]}]}
{"article": "I was on vacation, and in my mind, vacation does not mean setting my hotel room alarm clock for 6 am. But when you're in Aruba and hoping to reserve a beachside palapa , that's exactly what you do.\nTourists begin lining up at the crack of dawn to secure these umbrella-like wood structures that are covered with dried and woven palm leaves. They then place towels on chairs and call them theirs for the day, whether they remain there or not. I knew nothing of _ on my first day in Aruba. I saw an empty chair covered with a towel and took it. It was a big mistake.\nFor many visitors, a week bathing in the sun is the only activity they wish to pursue. It sounded good to my girlfriend, Barbara, and me after Boston's awful winter. Six more inches of snow was predicted on the day we left. The sun, the sand, and the beach seemed just about right.\nAruba's slogan is \"One Happy Island\", and it doesn't take long to understand why. Aruba is said to be on \"island time\". Translation: No one is in a rush to do anything. When in Aruba, you go with the flow, however slow and lazy that might be.\nCooling trade winds, white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and dazzling sunsets are all good reasons to visit. But this 20-mile island offers more than lazy days walking on the beach. There is amazing night life, casinos, golf, scuba diving , fine dining, shopping, and a great national park.\nBut our first day was spent as you'd expect, swimming in the sea and enjoying cool drinks. Our drink of choice quickly became the Coco Loco. It's as refreshing as it sounds.", "problems": [{"question": "Tourists get up at 6 am because they   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["want to see the sunrise early", "need to check out early", "want to have fun longer", "need to reserve a beachside palapa"]}, {"question": "What did the author do on his first day there ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He went shopping.", "He swam in the sea.", "He went scuba diving.", "He visited a national park."]}]}
{"article": "In 1969 I was a young girl working in Toronto. I was from a small town in Ontario and had just moved to the big city about three months earlier. It was one week before Christmas and I was going home on the last streetcar of the evening. \n   I remember looking at my paycheque  and asking myself how it was going to endure. At that time in my life I hardly had enough money to exist on. Bread for supper and oatmeal for breakfast was the only way I kept hunger at bay.\n   I got off the streetcar and started walking up the street, when I suddenly noticed a man was running after me. I stopped, turned around, seeing that he was black. I  _ , \"What do you want?\" The man answered in a soft voice, \"I am returning your wallet. You left it on the streetcar seat.\"\n   Because of that man's thoughtfulness, I was allowed the comfort of going home by bus for the summer holidays. Otherwise, I would have stayed alone in my small room with a hog plate. \n   I have never been so ashamed of myself, and that poor, kind man had to walk, who knows how far, home. \n   I recognized immediately that this was wrong of me and it changed my ways forever.", "problems": [{"question": "Why was the black man running after the writer?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To rob her.", "To scare her.", "To make friends with her.", "To return her wallet."]}, {"question": "What is the writer trying to tell her readers?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Never judge people by their appearance.", "She had been struggling to her success.", "She had changed a lot since that night.", "Being kind to strangers will pay back."]}]}
{"article": "The college entrance exam is not only a big challenge   for Chinese high school students, but also a very important exam in the lives of South Korean students.\nAlthough the long, cold winter has already started in South Korea, the annual   national exams have made the atmosphere very heated.\nMore than 675,000 South Korean high school graduates took the college entrance exam last Wednesday. They usually take exams in Korean, maths, sociology  , history and foreign languages.\nOfficially there is one college place for every 1.33 students. But because all the students want to go to the top universities in the country, the competition can reach one place for 10 students. The students want to attend these colleges for both their famous names and better job opportunities.\nBecause students face fierce competition, they have to study very hard to realize their dreams. Park Seung said he and his classmates often go to school before 7:30 a.m. After school has finished at 6:30 p.m., most of them go to the library to continue their study instead of returning home. Since many libraries in South Korea are open 24 hours a day, they often stay long into the night. Many of the Senior 3 students only sleep for three to four hours a day. \"I feel a lot of pressure, but I have to study very hard in order to make my dream come true. This is my lifetime goal and it will be a turning point in my life which could decide my future,\" Park said.\nThe exam day is a very serious day for the whole of South Korea. Vehicles are not allowed within a 200-metre radius   of all the test sites to make sure the students have quiet surroundings. Tooting   of horns is forbidden, even airplanes are ordered to avoid landing and take-off near the test sites during listening comprehension test hours.\nStudents are told their scores in December before they apply for college. This is followed by face-to-face oral tests. There are public and private universities in South Korea. Many private universities are well-known, but their fees can be 18, 000 yuan each term. This has made a lot of students think again.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about South Korean annual national exams?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Senior 3 students have to compete fiercely because there is only one place for 10 students.", "Senior 3 students have to stay long into night at school.", "Many of the Senior 3 students can't have enough sleep.", "Airplanes are ordered to avoid landing and take-off during national exams."]}, {"question": "We can infer that there are almost   _   college places for high school graduates.", "answer": "B", "options": ["675, 000", "507, 520", "500, 000", "600, 000"]}, {"question": "The students want to study in top colleges mainly because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["they can succeed more easily in future", "they can learn more", "they can make more money", "it is interesting to study there"]}, {"question": "Before students are allowed to colleges   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["they will be interviewed", "they will ask questions of colleges", "they will not be tested any more", "first they will pay all the education fee at all"]}]}
{"article": "Narasimha Das is on his way to feed 169,379 hungry children. Das is in charge of a kitchen in Vrindaban. The town is about a three-hour drive from India's capital, New Delhi. Das gets to work at 3:00 a.m. Thirty workers are already working to make tens of thousands of rounds of bread. It will be brought to 1,516 schools in and around Vrindaban.\nA Growing Problem\nGoing to school is difficult for more than 13 million children in India. They must go to work instead, or go hungry. That's why India began the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the largest school-lunch program in the world. A free lunch encourages children to come to school and gives them the energy they need for learning. The program began in the 1960s.\nThe kitchen in Vrindaban is run by the Akshaya Patra Foundation. It is one of the lunch program's biggest partners. \"Just $11.50 can feed one child for an entire year,\" said Madhu Sridhar, president of the Akshaya Patra Foundation.\nLunch Is Served!\nThe Akshaya Patra food truck arrives at Gopalgarh Primary School. Since the program started, the number of underweight children has gone down. The children get foods they need -- as long as they finish what's on their plates.", "problems": [{"question": "The kitchen in Vrindaban supplies food to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the poor", "the old", "college students", "school children"]}, {"question": "Why is it difficult for children to go to school in India?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because there are not enough teachers.", "Because there are not enough schools.", "Because they have to work to make money.", "Because their parents refuse to send them to school."]}, {"question": "Which of the following about the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is NOT true?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It is run by Narasimha Das.", "It has been carried out for about 50 years.", "It is to encourage children to go to school.", "It is the largest school-lunch program in the world."]}]}
{"article": "One day about 30 years ago, a 2 year-old Chinese boy in Shenyang was watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon on TV. Tom the cat began to play the piano. The music was to beautiful that the boy fell in love with it at once. This little boy was Lang Lang - one of today's great pianists.\nLang Lang began to play the piano at 3. By the age of 5, the had won fist place in Shenyang's piano competition and performed his first public recital . People were shocked by his perfect performance and thought he was a real talent. From that time on, playing on the global stage became the dream of Lang Lang and his parents.\nTo help him much closer to his dream, when Lang was 9, his father quit his job and went with Lang to Beijing to help his son study piano. There, Lang did not receive the praise that he had received at home, and he experienced the hardest time of his life.   \"I was kicked out of the class by my piano teacher six months later. It totally destroyed my piano dream,\" Lang said in an interview. Hearing of his son's failure, Lang's father was so angry and upset that told Lang Lang to go back to Shenyang. Feeling hopeless and in pain, Lang tried to damage his fingers. He hated piano!\nLuckily, another teacher noticed Lang's sadness and encouraged him. Success came soon. Lang's breakthrough came at age 17, when he gained worldwide fame at a well-known concert in 1999 in Chicago, US.", "problems": [{"question": "When did Lang Lang perform his first public recital?", "answer": "B", "options": ["In 1989", "In 1987", "In 1999", "In 1990"]}, {"question": "When did Lang Lang and his father come to Beijing?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To hold more concerts", "To perform on the global stage", "To find a good job", "To realize his dream"]}, {"question": "What happened to Lang Lang when he was in Bejing?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He got more praises from others", "He damaged his hands.", "He had difficulty in making progress", "He lost his talent in piano"]}]}
{"article": "Taiwanese fishing boats that sailed to the Diaoyu Islands to protest Japan's \"purchase\" of part of the islands completed their voyage Tuesday morning and have set sail for home.\nLocal media reported that the boats finished their protest at 9:15 a.m. and are expected to return to a port in northeast Taiwan's Yilan county at noon Wednesday.\nAlthough the boats originally numbered 75,they were joined at sea by other boats from different parts of Taiwan, raising the total number to about 100 vessels. Organizers said the voyage was made to protect Taiwanese fishing rights in nearby waters and to protest Japan's \"purchase\" of part of the Diaoyu Islands.\nThe Japanese government announced a plan to \"purchase\" part of the islands earlier this month despite repeated protests from the Chinese government. The action aroused demonstrations across China as well as consumers' boycott of Japanese products in recent weeks. Local authorities in Taiwan have also protested the move.\n\"Japan's purchase and nationalization of China's Diaoyu Islands are putting China-Japan economic and trade ties at risk due to man-made factors.\" An official spokesman from Beijing warned .\nChina-Japan economic and trade relations was back on track in 1952 when the two countries signed their first non-governmental trade agreement. Currently, China has been Japan's largest trade partner since 2007 while Japan is China's fourth largest trade partner, after the EU, U.S. and the ASEAN. Meanwhile, China is the biggest destination for Japanese exports and biggest source of imports. In the first half of 2012, Japan's exports to China totaled 73.54 billion U.S. dollars, down 6.2 percent from the same period last year, while its import from China was 91.29 billion U.S. dollars, up 7 percent from the same period last year.\nNow, China-Japan economic and trade relations are at a crossroads. Negotiation could be the way out of the rift.", "problems": [{"question": "Why are China-Japan economic and trade relations at a crossroads?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because Taiwan fishing boats sailed to the island to protest Japan.", "Because Taiwanese are deprived of their fishing right.", "Because Japan is not China's largest trade partner.", "Because Japan announced to purchase China's Diaoyu Islands."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["About 100 boats joined the original team later.", "Negotiation will bring both countries out of the conflict.", "Japan's exports to China totaled 78 billion U.S. dollars in 2011.", "Japan's \"purchase\" has cast a shadow on China-Japan export and import."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Japan declared to purchase China's Diaoyu Islands.", "Japan's purchase of Diaoyu Islands aroused nationwide protest.", "The Diaoyu Islands belong to China!", "China plays an important part in Japan's economy development."]}]}
{"article": "Security Services advise that there have been robberies reported in the East Oxford area, carried out by a group and involving threats of and showing of a knife.The victims have all been young males of student age and appearance who have been walking alone between 7 pm and the early hours of the morning.Some of the victims have been followed from the O2 and the Regal Hotel.\nThe Crime Prevention Advisor offers the following advice:\n*If possible walk home in a group, not on your own.If someone tries to take something from you by force, it may be best to give it to them, this way it will avoid you getting injured.\n              *If someone tries to follow you, make for a public place, such as a shop or a restaurant or walk towards other people.Make lots of noise and use your personal alarm to shock the person and use this opportunity to make your escape.If you need to use your mobile phone on route go into a shop or stand with your back to a shop window and constantly survey the area around you.Keep the conversation short and to the point and try not to be too obvious doing it.\n*Walk with confidence and look as though you're on a mission.Keep your head up and while you should look ahead to avoid unnecessary conflicts, such as a group of young men a-head of you, you should also be aware of everything around you.Whenever possible use well lit and busy streets and definitely avoid alleyways, wasteland and other quiet short cuts.\nIf you have any information relating to these crimes, please call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or call Thames Valley Police on 101 for non-emergency reporting.", "problems": [{"question": "What is mainly described in the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A kind of security service.", "How to prevent the crime.", "How to fight for the crime.", "Safety on the streets at nights."]}, {"question": "The O2 is the name of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a gas", "a stadium", "a city", "a magazine"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Call Thames Valley Police on 101 when reporting an emergency.", "The victims are all young students walking home alone at night.", "Better give what you take to robbers when robbed of something.", "Choose quiet short cuts and you'll avoid being robbed successfully."]}, {"question": "Where does this text probably come from?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Traffic regulations.", "An advertisement.", "A news report.", "A university website."]}]}
{"article": "My father never wanted his children to know what he did for a living.Dad worked in Plant C.Lying beside lake Erie,  it saw him in at sunrise and out at nightfall.Sometimes my mother would take my siblings  and me to the public beach in our hometown of Ashtabula.she'd gather us round.and point to the smokestacks,  coughing clouds into the sky.\n\"Wave to daddy!\" she'd shout.  Four little hands would shoot into the air. I never knew what Dad did in Plant C,  but during 34 years of hard work,  he had surgery  on his shoulder and hand.  At 48,  he had his first heart attack. He retired in 1993,  right after the last kid graduated from college.But the damage was done.A few years later,  the next heart attack killed him.\nI saw my dad in Plant C only once,  when l took dinner to him. That night,  I looked at my father,  covered in sweat and coal,  and for the first time I knew why he was so often angry for no reason\nRecently my father' s friend, Toby Workman, walked me there.I knew my father never wanted me to see it.At every station, he described the job and the danger.It was like listening to a foreign language.I walked past many DANGER signs.Toby put his hand on my shoulder. \"Look,\" he said,  \"you need to understand something.Your dad was a maintenance mechanic.He worked the most dangerous job.If something broke, he fixed it. \"\nA few days later, my daughter graduated from college.I gave her the hard hat Toby handed to me as I left,  and this note:  \" Whenever you feel something difficult,  put this on, Look in the mirror,  and remember your roots. \"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE of the facts about the author's father?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He didn't suffer a heart attack until he retired", "He worked in Plant C for 48 years in all.", "He was satisfied with his job.", "He always faced danger while working."]}, {"question": "When Toby Workman described the author' s father' s job,  the author  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["felt familiar with the job", "felt much puzzled", "wanted to learn a foreign language", "decided to do the same work"]}, {"question": "The author gave her daughter the hat to hope that her daughter cold  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["remember her grandfather", "overcome all difficulties by wearing it", "get encouraged by her grandfather", "follow her grandfather' s work"]}]}
{"article": "November not only marks the publication of Toni Morrison's eagerly anticipated  eighth novel, Love, but it is also the tenth anniversary of her Nobel Prize for Literature. Morrison is the first black woman to receive a Nobel, and so honored before her in literature are only two black men:Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian playwright, poet and novelist, in 1986; and Derek Walcott, the Caribbean-born poet, in 1992. But Morrison is also the first and only American-born Nobel prizewinner for literature since 1962, the year novelist John Steinbeck received the award.\nLike Song of Solomon, Love is a multigenerational story, revealing the personal and communal Legacy  of an outstanding black family. As Morrison scholars will tell you, Love is the third volume of a literary master's trilogy investigating the many complexities of love. This trilogy began with Beloved(1988), which deals with a black mother's love under slavery and in freedom. Jazzy(1993), the second volume, tells a story of romantic love in 1920s Harlem. This latest novel looks back from the 1970s to the 1940s and 50s.\nThe emotional center of Love is Bill Cosey, the former owner and host of the shabby Cosey's Hotel and Resort in Silk, North Carolina, described in the novel as \"the best and best-known vacation sport for colored folk on the East Coast.\" We get to know Cosey through the memories of five women who survive and love him: his granddaughter, his widow, two former employees, and a homeless young girl.\nThe latest novel, Love, had been described in the promotional material from her publisher as \"Morrison's most accessible work since Song of Solomon.\" This comparison to her third novel, published in 1977, was an effective selling point.", "problems": [{"question": "What would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Toni Morrison's latest novels", "Toni Morrison and her trilogy", "Toni Morrison and her novel Love", "Toni Morrison, the Nobel prizewinner"]}, {"question": "What can we learn about John Steinbeck?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He was a black writer.", "He was born in America.", "He received the Nobel Prize after Morrison", "He was the first American novelist to win a Nobel"]}, {"question": "The similarity between Love and Song of Solomon is that they both   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["belong to the same trilogy together with Beloved", "concern families of more than one generation", "deal with life of blacks under slavery", "investigate life in 1920s Harlem"]}, {"question": "The novel Love mainly describes   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the best-known vacation spot for blacks", "the life of an outstanding black family under slavery", "the miserable experience of the five women in Harlem", "the memories of five women about Bill Cosey"]}]}
{"article": "Dear residents of Molten,\n    We can't keep silent in the current wild situation when prices for all existing products are skyrocketing unbelievably. The enormous figures on price tags for food products have caused a real panic. We've perfectly realized that, and that's why we have kept bread prices affordable for all this time. \n    At the moment all our reserves are exhausted. Stocks of bread-baking ingredients   such as flour, sugar, butter and the like are running out. To buy what we need at reasonable prices is virtually impossible today. \n    However, we all need bread every day, which means we will be forced to buy everything we need at much higher prices.\n    The cost of bread closely depends on ingredients. Another financial crisis  has led to a 300-percent increase of prices for butter, vegetable oil and others as of September 1. All these prices continue to grow every hour. \n    We have to take any possible measures which will help Figaro contain the growth of prices for its products. Despite of our SOS signal, no measures have been taken as yet. We have found ourselves in the same situation as any of you. We see the situation changing steadily for the worse. We will not cope with that alone.\n    Because of this, Figaro came to the critical point where it is necessary to raise prices of its products. We see one recourse (way): raise the bread price minimally and cancel our free plastic bag service. But what is next? This is the concern of all the 700 employees and the board of Figaro. \n    Every extra cent in the cost of bread upsets you and us very much. Making our sincere apologies for a forced increase of the bread price, we hope for your understanding and support. Today and tomorrow we are with you, as usual.\nThe staff and board of Figaro", "problems": [{"question": "Figaro is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a farm", "a bakery", "a businessman", "a government department"]}, {"question": "In this open letter Figaro explains to the people of Molten that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they can no longer supply bread", "the price of bread will be three times as high", "they need their help in holding down prices", "it will have to close down"]}, {"question": "A possible solution to the crisis, what Figaro suggests is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to use ingredients of a lower quality and lower energy prices", "to use shopping bags less", "to urge people to eat less bread", "to have the bread price raised to a certain level"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["bread may end up as an article that many people can no longer afford", "the local people have responded positively to recent SOS messages from Figaro", "bread may become less tasty in recent months", "the government has a tradition of helping out local businesses in difficult times"]}]}
{"article": "Your children's teacher will be providing extra time for test preparation. This school year's test will be held on January 8 and 9. The test preparation time is open to all students, and we strongly encourage your children to attend.\nThis year we are changing the time for our test preparation: it will be on Thursday mornings from 8:10 to 8:50. This helps children who ride the bus and cannot stay for the after-school period. It also helps avoid conflicts with after-school activities.\nDanielle and Marina will be working with the recent new test takers 6 days on the following Thursdays: 15th, Nov; 29th, Nov; 6th, Dec; 13th, Dec.; 20th, Dec. and 3rd, Jan.\nBesides the test preparation lectures on these dates, teachers are already putting test preparation into their usual courses. We are finding that we can help our students to be both skillful and whole-hearted readers and test takers -- after all, we all know that the best test preparation is good reading and writing training.\nWhat can you do at home? Again, the best and most effective test preparation for the ELA test is reading and more reading. The research is quite clear -- students who do well in the tests are those who are good readers. Reading not only builds reading ability, it also helps build confidence -- important for successful test taking! But do discourage your children from spending too much time on books that are too hard or even a bit too hard. Children best develop comprehension skills when they are reading books just right for them (too easy doesn't hurt here either).\nFinally, on Friday, December 7, we will have a morning lecture on the ELA. Please pay attention!", "problems": [{"question": "The text is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how teachers will provide more time for test preparation", "the reason why time for test preparation will be changed", "how teachers have put test preparation into their usual courses", "test preparation information that parents should know about"]}, {"question": "The time for test preparation has been changed to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["make it more convenient for the students to attend", "help the new test-takers have more time to read", "avoid disagreement in time between different years of students", "avoid conflicts between preparation time and the usual courses"]}, {"question": "From the passage, we know that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Danielle will help students prepare for different tests", "the school year test will be on a Tuesday", "all the children must take part in the test preparation", "the students can learn how to write well in the test preparation"]}, {"question": "Parents should   _   at home.", "answer": "D", "options": ["prepare good meals for their children", "read more books with their children", "ask their children not to spend too much time on reading", "encourage their children to read more books fit for them"]}, {"question": "Why did the school encourage all the students to take part in the test preparation?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Test preparation is what they always do.", "The students will learn what will be included in the final exam.", "Test preparation helps students to be more interested in reading and confident.", "The test is a long way off and there are better things to do."]}]}
{"article": "On October 12, 1989, some Chinese scientists were working at the computers to look for information they needed. Suddenly they saw a lot of very bright spots crossing the computers's screens. At the same time the computers were working much slower. To find out what was happening they stopped their work to check some parts of the computers. To their horror, they found out that most of their stored information was got rid of by computer viruses ! Obviously all these computers had been infected by computer viruses.\nIt is said that the computer viruses were made by a group of young men fond of playing tricks. They all had excellent education. They created the viruses just to show their intelligence . These kinds of computer viruses are named Jerusalem Viruses. These viruses can stay in computers for a long time. When the time comes they will attack the computers by lowering the functions , damaging their normal programs or even getting rid of all the information.\nWe now come to know that Jerusalem Viruses often attack computers on Fridays and that they are spreading to a lot of computers. Among the countries that suffered computer viruses last year are Britain, Australia, Switzerland and the U.S. But fill now , how to get rid of the terrible viruses remains a problem.", "problems": [{"question": "The group of young men created the virus to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["damage the computers", "test their ability", "tell the world that they were intelligent", "play a trick on operators of the computers"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, computer viruses seem to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["have been in nature for years", "exist in any computers", "be difficult to get rid of at present", "be able to be got rid of in the near future"]}, {"question": "The most serious damage caused by the viruses is that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the computer's functions are lowered", "the normal programs are damaged", "all the information stored in the computers is gone", "the computers infected by the viruses can no longer be used"]}]}
{"article": "Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs, but he doesn't let this stop him. \n         The brave 26-year-old man plays football and golf, and swims, in spite of the fact that he has no arms or legs. \n         Nick has a small foot on his left side, which helps him balance and makes him able to kick. He uses his one foot to type, write with a pen and pick things up. \n         \"I call it my chicken drumstick  ,\" joked Nick, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, but now lives in Los Angeles. \"I'd be lost without it. When I get in the water I float because 80 percent of my body is lungs and my drumstick acts as a propeller  .\"\n         \"He's very modest, but he gets marriage proposals   from women all the time,\" said Nick's friend Steve Appel.\n         \"He would love to get married and start a family, but he's waiting for the right girl to come along.\"\n         When Nick was born his father was so shocked that he left the hospital room. His  _ mother couldn't bring herself to hold him until he was four months old.\n         His disability came without any medical explanation, which was a rare case. Nick and his parents spent many years asking why this cruel trick would happen to them. \n         \"My mother was a nurse and she did everything right during pregnancy but she still blamed herself,\" he said.\n         \"It was so hard for them, but right from the start they did their best to make me independent. My dad put me in the water at 18 months and gave me the courage to learn how to swim.\"", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the text that Nick   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["has a poor sense of balance", "understands his mother very well", "considers his small foot ugly", "is disappointed with his health condition"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from what Steve Appel said?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Nick Vujicic is serious about his marriage.", "Nick Vujicic is not popular with women.", "Nick Vujicic is afraid of starting a family.", "Nick Vujicic is not willing to get married."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Nick's parents couldn't afford the hospital bill.", "Nick is living in Melbourne, Australia now.", "Nick's father was to blame for his disability.", "Nick learned to be independent at a young age."]}]}
{"article": "Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient institution,-which has existed for at least six thousand years.It was always bad and usually foolish, but in the past human race managed to live with it.Modern inventiveness has changed this.Either man will end war, or war will end man.For the present, it is nuclear weapons that cause the most serious danger, but bacteriological or chemical weapons may, before Iong, offer an even greater threat.If we succeed in ending nuclear weapons, our work will not be done.It will never be done until we have succeeded in ending war.To do  _ , we need to persuade mankind to look upon international questions in a new way, not as contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in kiting people, but by agreement with principles of law.It is not easy to, change very old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted.\nThere are those who say that the adoption of this or that ideology(,)would prevent war.I believe this to be a big error.All ideologies are based upon dogmatic statements that are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false.Their adherents (,)  believe in them so fanatically\nthat they are willing to go to war in support of them.\nThe movement of world opinion during the past few years has been very largely such as we can welcome.It has become a commonplace that nuclear war must be avoided.Of course very difficult problems remain in the world, but the spirit in which they are being approached is a better one than it was some years ago.It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that negotiations should reach agreements even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory.It has begun to be understood that the important conflict nowadays is not between different countries, but between man and the atom bomb.", "problems": [{"question": "In the sentence \"To do this, we need to persuade mankind\" (Para l), \"this\" refers to  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["abolish war", "improve weapons", "solve international problems", "live a peaceful life"]}]}
{"article": "Most people consider skydiving   a product of the 20th century, but its history actually goes further back than that. The Chinese attempted to parachute   in the 10th century, a thousand years before we did. The Chinese did what we would today call base diving; that is, they jumped off a place that would allow them to float from a height to the ground.\nThe first person to attempt to parachute was a Frenchman named Jacques Garnerin. He jumped from his hot-air balloon at the end of the 18th century and did tricks on the way down and _ the crowds by landing safely on the ground. At the end of the 19th century, Kathie Paulus, a brave German woman, became famous for her skydiving skills.\nOnce the airplane was invented, skydiving took on a whole new form. The airplane made it possible to dive from greater heights at greater speeds, allowing for more range in the movements in the air. A woman named Tiny Broadwick became the first woman to jump from a plane in 1913 and dive free fall in 1914.\nSkydiving was not called skydiving until the middle of the 1950s, when Ronald Young invented the word. It had been called parachuting before this and was mainly used by the military   to land troops in inland locations, or for pilots to jump out of their planes when necessary. Once World War I was over, parachuting became a sport, which we now call skydiving.\nAfter World War II, this activity became more a hobby than a military action. Soldiers were trained in parachuting and enjoyed the thrill so much that they continued on for fun. From this, teams and competitions were formed. Skydiving schools appeared in the late 1950s and now it is a recognized extreme sport enjoyed by many.", "problems": [{"question": "Who was the first woman to jump from a plane?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Jacques Garnerin.", "Kathie Paulus.", "Tiny Broadwick.", "Ronald Young."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The Chinese attempted different skydiving skills in the 10th century.", "Skydiving became popular after the airplane was invented.", "The word skydiving was first used in a military action.", "There were no skydiving schools until the late 1950s."]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Skydiving is not a military action any more.", "Kathie Paulus is famous for her skydiving skills.", "The first person who parachuted was from Germany.", "The history of skydiving is longer than that of parachuting."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for this text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The history of skydiving", "The popularity of skydiving", "What is skydiving?", "Why is skydiving an extreme sport?"]}]}
{"article": "One day a student went to see his teacher. He had been given an important position and now was coming to say goodbye to his teacher. The old man asked him how he would live among high officials. The student answered, \" I will be all right. I have prepared a hundred high hats, one for each official I will meet. I am sure I will succeed.\" The teacher got angry on hearing this.  \"What?\" he cried. \"Is this what ten years of my teaching has made of you? Nothing but flatterer ?\" \"Excuse me, honored  master,\" the student  rose to his feet and apologized hurriedly. \"But you have always been absorbed in  your studies and don't know how vulgar  the world has come to be. There are few men in the world who are above flatterers like you.\" \"There is something true in what you said,\" the teacher nodded, smiling with one of the student's \"high hats\" on.", "problems": [{"question": "The student came to say goodbye to his teacher because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he had got hundred hats to sell", "he had got a fairly high position in society", "he wanted to see his parents in his home town", "he moved away to another city"]}, {"question": "The student would live among high officials by  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["selling hats to them", "making a hundred hats for them", "flattering them", "serving them"]}, {"question": "The teacher was angry with  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["himself", "the society", "his student", "high officials"]}, {"question": "The phrase \"rose to his feet\" means  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["stood up", "kicked with his feet", "became quite excited", "raised his feet"]}, {"question": "The teacher  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["liked to be flattered as well", "really knew nothing about the vulgar world", "was in need of a high hat", "was satisfied with the new hat"]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever tried broccoli ice cream? That's what Oliver serves his customers in the new movie Oliver's Organic Ice Cream.\nThe one-minute film was created by kids. A film is a movie. The young students learned their moviemaking skills at the Jacob Burns Film Center. The center is in Pleasantville, New York. Kids who go there learn how to make movies and music videos.\nThe character Oliver and his treats are animated. In an animated movie, objects, such as ice cream and paper dolls, appear to be alive or moving.\nAnimated movies are made up of hundreds of pictures. It takes 15 pictures to make just one second of film. To make a movie that lasts one minute, students need to take about 900 frames. A frame is a picture.\nAnimation expert Joe Summerhays teaches kids the steps to shoot a movie. He says what they learn behind the scenes, however, also counts. Students create their films in small groups. They have to agree on every decision.\n \" The benefit of the class is less animation and more problem-solving,\" Summerhays said. \"It's all about teamwork.\"\nAbout 4,000 kids have made movies at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Mikey Price, 11, of Briarcliff Manor, New York, is one of them. \"I'm actually making a real movie,\" he said. \"It's an adventure.\"", "problems": [{"question": "We can infer that Oliver is probably a(n)   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["moviemaker", "movie character", "farmer", "animation expert"]}, {"question": "What is the most important thing students learn by making a movie?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The steps to shoot a movie.", "The skills in drawing pictures.", "The way of working with others.", "The importance of animation."]}, {"question": "If Jim wants to make a 5 minutes animated movie, he needs to take about   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["10 pictures", "15 pictures", "900 pictures", "4500 pictures"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Movie magic", "Organic ice cream", "Jacob Burns Film Center", "One-minute film"]}]}
{"article": "NEW ORLEANS --A two-story, 1,500-ton and 16,000-square foot school built in 1879 is being moved about 300 yards to make way for the new University Medical Center in MidCity.\nThe school' s relocation is marked as the largest structure ever to be moved in Louisiana and one of the top-ten heaviest in America.Officials originally had planned to  _ the McDonogh No.11 School, but agreed to move the historic building at the city's request.\nThe school is being moved on a platform of steel beams put under the schoolhouse floor, then set on 38 remote-controlled power dollies made mobile by 300 tires.The school is creeping forward on a short stay that will take about two days to move it about 300 yards.\nState officials said the operation shows how closely the state and city leaders are working topreserve history.\n\" We' re looking to the future and building for the future, and building something new.We're also honoring the past and trying to save something historic,\" said Michael Diresto with the Division of Administration for the state of Louisiana.\nChristian Cancienne, president and CEO of Orleans Shoring, said the feat of this endeavor is something a person rarely sees.\n\"When we heard about the opportunity to move a building this size, we knew that there was never a building moved this size in the state of Louisiana,\" he said.\"We knew that because of the oak trees and neutral ground and the narrow streets, we may never get the opportunity in our hometown again to do something like this.\nCancienne said the cost of the huge project weighs in at $350,000, but he' s not making any profit from the move.Cancienne said his team wanted to do the project for free because of the once in a lifetime opportunity.\"When my guys heard that this opportunity was here, they said, 'Let' s do it for free.We got to get it.No one else can do it.' And, so, we said let's just cover our cost so we bid it at $ 350,000.\"\nCancienne' s company is used to moving homes across the city, but is happy to partake in the monumental task of moving a historic landmark.The building won' t remain at its current destination on Banks Street, though.It will eventually move to its permanent location once that has been determined.", "problems": [{"question": "The purpose of the school relocation is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to show the generosity of the city government", "to form a bigger education company", "to leave room for a new project", "to build a new museum for education"]}, {"question": "Cancienne and his team made no money from the project because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it' s a chance for them to do something for the state", "the company is famous for doing volunteer work", "the state is short of money to cover the cost", "it' s easy for them to complete the project"]}]}
{"article": "An old friend from California called from the airport to tell me that he had arrived. I was not able to leave the office, but I had made plans for his arrival. After explaining   where my new house was, I told him that I had left the key under the doormat  . Since I knew it would be pretty late before I could get home, I suggested that he make himself at home and help himself to anything that was in the refrigerator .\nTwo hours later my friend phoned me from the house. At the moment, he said, he was listening to some of my records after having had a delicious meal. Now, he said, he was drinking a glass of orange juice. When I asked him if he had had any difficulty finding the house, he answered that the only problem was that he had not been able to find the key under the doormat, but luckily, the living room window by the apple tree had been left open and he had climbed in through the window. I listened to all this in great surprise. There is no apple tree outside my window, but there is one by the living room window of my next door neighbor's house!", "problems": [{"question": "An old friend of mine called   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to tell me to meet him at the airport", "to tell me about his arrival", "to ask me to leave the office", "to ask me to make plans for his arrival"]}, {"question": "My friend climbed into the room because   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["there was an apple tree outside", "the living room window was left open", "he had difficulty opening the door", "he hadn't found the key"]}, {"question": "My friend telephoned me two hours later   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["from my home", "at the airport", "in his office", "from my neighbor's house"]}]}
{"article": "One of my wonderful memories is about a Chrismas gift . Unlike other gifts,it came\nWrap .\nOn September 11th ,1958,Mum gave birth to Richard. After she brought him home from hospital,she put him in my lap ,saying,\"I promised you a gift ,and here it is.\" What an honor!I Turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own.I played with It day and night .Isang to it .I told it stories .I told it over and over how much I loved it!\n   One morning ,however,I found its bed empty. My doll was gone! Icried for it.Mum and Told me that the poor little thing bad been sent to a hospital. It had a fever. For several days I Heard Mum and Dad whispering such words as \"hopeless\",\"pitiful\",and \"dying\",which sounded  Ominous.\n \nChistmas was coming . \"Don't expect any present this year ,\"Dad said ,pointing at the socks I hung in the living room .\"If your baby brother lives ,that'll be Christmas engouh.\" As he spoke ,his eyes filled with tears .I'd never seen him cry before .\nThe phone rang early on Christmas moning . Dad jumped out of bed to answer it From my bedroom I heard him say ,\"What? He's all rght?\" He hung up and shouted upstairs .\"The hospital said we can bring Richard home !\"\n \"Thank God !\" I heard Mum cry .\nFrom the upstairs window,I watched my parents rush out to the car. I had never seen them happy.And I was also full of joy.What a wonderful day!My baby doll would be home.I  downstairs. My sccks still hung there flat.But I knew they were not empty; they were filled w  love!", "problems": [{"question": "Which word can best describe the feeling of the father when Christrmas was coming?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Excitement.", "Happiness.", "Sadness.", "Disappointment."]}]}
{"article": "Think of London and you're likely to think of the city's famous bright red double-deckers buses. Think of Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, and the noisy tuk-tuk ( ) may come to mind. Picture the American city of San Francisco and you might see the city's trolleybuses.\nImagining what these cities would look like without their red buses, tuk-tuks or trolleybuses is difficult. They are symbols of these cities that make them different from anywhere else in the world. However, these city symbols, which are so loved by tourists, are not always so well loved by their city leaders. City leaders want what is best for their city, which often means the most modern transport.\nIn Thailand, Bangkok city authorities have forbidden new tuk-tuks because they consider them noisy and polluting. However, the ban has largely been unsuccessful, as it has not changed Thai people's preference for the inexpensive tuk-tuks over taxis.\nIn London, the city's first ever mayor got rid of the red double-decker buses, which he thought were old-fashioned, by selling them to other countries. His plan worked, but Londoners were upset to lose the charming old buses they believed represented the best of their city. They made their upset felt, when the major came up for re-election last year. Most Londoners voted for his competitor who promised to bring the bus back. Now an improved version of the double--decker bus will hit London's streets in 2012..\nAs for San Francisco, several trolleybuses remain in use but mainly as tourist attractions. They are too slow to be used for anything other than scenic trips.\nCity transport symbols may have a place in their city people's hearts, but it seems they are increasingly out of step with the modern world. As Londoners have proved, their continued life depends on people's willingness to fight for their survival.", "problems": [{"question": "Bangkok's ban on tul-tuks is unsuccessful due to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["people's unawareness of environmental protection", "tourists' preference for tuk-tuks over taxis", "the lack of severe punishment for violation", "Locals' willingness to take the tuk-tuks"]}, {"question": "The London double-decker bus is returning mainly because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it is an improved version", "the new mayor also loves it", "it is popular with tourists", "Londoners fought for it"]}, {"question": "We can conclude from reading the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["tourist cities will lose their charm if their old transport symbols disappear", "a modern city should get rid of inefficient old transport", "old city transport symbols now face the problem of survival", "the writer is in favor of keeping the old city transport symbols"]}]}
{"article": "Do you love Beats headphones, True Religion jeans, and UGG shoes? These are some of the most popular brands   around. They are also expensive. But some experts say they are not much better than cheaper brands.\nFor example, Jim Wilcox works for Consumer Reports. He tested all kinds of headphones. He says that $80 Koss Pro headphones provide basically the same quality   and comfort as Beats. So why do people pay twice or even 10 times as much for the hottest brands?\nExperts say it's because fashionable, expensive brands send a message. Brands say \"I belong\" or \"I can afford it.\"\nSome people think that expensive brand names are worth the price. They say that some designer clothes really are top quality and that they last longer than cheaper brands. Some teenagers choose to wear popular brands because these brands make them feel good about themselves.\nAlexandra Allam, 17, likes to buy brand-name products. \"I'd rather spend the extra money to get something I know I'll be satisfied with,\" she says. Her friend Emmy Swan agrees, saying \"As long as you can afford it, it seems reasonable to buy what you want.\" But not all teenagers agree. \"Spending hundreds of dollars for designer sunglasses is stupid and unreasonable,\" says Daniel Steinbrecher, 16. \"It's fake   happiness.\"\nPeople who are against wearing expensive brand names say that many designer brands aren't any better. \"It's wasteful to buy things just because they are popular,\" says Edmund Williams, 15. \"You'll feel better if you buy things because you like them. If you have extra money to spend, it would be better to give it to people in need.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The example of Jim's report wants to tell us   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["popular brands make people comfortable", "Koss Pro headphones are better than Beats", "the hottest brands are of the highest quality", "less-known brands may offer the same quality as name brands"]}, {"question": "Who have the same opinion on expensive brands?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Alexandra & Daniel", "Emmy & Edmund.", "Emmy & Alexandra.", "Daniel & Emmy."]}, {"question": "What does Edmund think of expensive brands?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They are not worth the price.", "They make him feel confident.", "They need to improve their quality.", "They pay too much attention to personal likes."]}, {"question": "The text is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how to buy things reasonably", "the competition between brands", "the different values of teenagers", "whether expensive brands are worth high prices"]}]}
{"article": "There is an English saying: \"Laughter is best medicine.\" Until recently, few people took the saying seriously. Now, however, doctors have begun to look into laughter and the effects it has on the human body. They have found that laughter really can improve people's health.\nTests were carried out to study the effects of laughter on the body. People watched funny films while doctors checked their heart, blood pressure, breathing and muscles. It was found that laughter has similar effects to physical exercises. It increases blood pressure, the heart beating and breathing. It also works several groups of muscles in the face, the stomach, and even the feet. If laughter exercises the body, it must be beneficial.\nOther tests have shown that laughter appears to be able to reduce the effect of pain on the body. In one experiment doctors produced pain in groups of students who listened to different radio programs. The group that tolerated  the pain for the longest time was the groups which listened to a funny program. The reason why laughter can reduce pain seems to be that it helps to produce a kind of chemicals in the brain which _ both stress and pain.\nAs a result of these discoveries, some doctors in the United States now hold laughter clinics, in which they help to improve their patients' condition by encouraging them to laugh. They have found that even if their patients do not really feel like laughing, making them smile is enough to produce beneficial effects similar to those who are caused by laughter.", "problems": [{"question": "The main idea of the passage is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["laughter and physical exercises have similar effects.", "smile can produce the same effects as laughter", "pain can be reduced by laughter", "laughter is best medicine"]}, {"question": "Doctors hold laughter clinics   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to give better condition to their patients", "in order to improve patients' health", "to make patients smile all the time", "to prove smile and laughter have the same effect"]}]}
{"article": "Scientists are developing the next generation of robot-driven cars and predict they could be carrying humans around by the year 2030. \n   The first wave of intelligent robot cars, capable of understanding and reacting to the world around them, will be tested this November in a competition run by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. \n   Scientists are developing vehicles which will not only be driven by robots independently, but will be able to operate in a complicated city environment. \"In the past it was  _ for a vehicle just to perceive the environment,\" said Sebastian Thrun, a professor at Stanford University.\n  \"The new challenge will be to understand the environment. The robot must be able to recognize another car, to understand that it is moving and that it will interact with it as it gets closer.\"  Stanford's entrant  \"Junior\" is a changed 2006 Volkswagen Passat whose steering, throttle   and brakes all have been modified by engineers.\n   Lasers fitted on the car bumpers, radar and global positioning systems feed data into the on-board computer to determine its location and position. Thrun predicted that advances in artificial intelligence would lead to driverless cars on the roads by 2030. \n  \"Today they can drive about 100 miles, by 2010 I expect this to go 1,000 miles, by 2020 up to a million miles,\" he said. \"By 2030 you'll be able to see them on the highway, with driving reliability that will beat humans.\"\n   \"We believe this technology will affect all of us. It is going to have enormous significance for people who can't drive because of disabilities or because they are ill or impaired.\" Thrun said he believed robot-driven vehicles would be deployed in war zones before they were seen in everyday civilian environments.", "problems": [{"question": "Compared with the old robot-driven cars, the new ones   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["can understand orders from humans", "can perceive the environment dearly", "are modified to be completely computer-controllable", "not only can understand the environment but also can react to it"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true about \"Junior\"?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Some of its parts have been modified by engineers.", "It is controlled by a robot or a computer.", "It was invented by Sebastian Thrun.", "It is valuable."]}]}
{"article": "About 10 years ago, I started a job as a trainer for a telemarketing agency.In one of my first classes, the head trainer told a very inspiring story.\nHe began by drawing a stickman standing in the middle of a circle.To make it more interesting, he drew things like a house, a car, and a few friends inside the circle.\nHe asked the question, \"Can anyone tell me what this is?\" In a long silence, one guy decided to throw out \"the world?\" The trainer said, \"That's close and this is your Comfort Zone.Inside your circle you have all the things that are important to you.\"\n\"Your home, your family, your friends, and your job.People feel that inside this circle they are safe from any danger or conflict.\"\n\"Can anyone tell me what happens when you step out of this circle?\" A strong silence came over the room.The same eager guy abruptly announced, \"You are afraid.\"\nAnother guy said, \"You make mistakes.\" The silence continued and the trainer smiled and said, \"When you make mistakes, what can the result be?\"\n         The first guy shouted, \"You learn something.\"\n\"Exactly, you are learning.\" The trainer turned to the board and drew an arrow pointing from the stickman directly to the outside of the circle.He continued to say, \"When you leave your Comfort Zone you put yourself out there, in front of the world to be in situations that you are not comfortable with.\"\n\"The end result is that you have learned something that you did not know and you expand your knowledge to become a better person.\" He turned again to the board and drew a bigger circle around the original circle, and added a few new things like more friends, a bigger house, etc.\n\"The moral of the story is that if you stay inside your Comfort Zone, you will never be able to expand your horizons and learn.When you step out of your Comfort Zone you will eventually make your circle bigger and your mind grow stronger, and all in all a better person.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the Comfort Zone is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a place where we can enjoy a lot of amusement", "a person who can offer us some comfort and protect us", "a state in which we feel all safe and right with the world", "a circle which we don't dare to get out of"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "A", "options": ["If we move beyond the Comfort Zone, our anxiety level will go up.", "When we step out of the Comfort Zone, we must feel excited.", "We don't need to leave our Comfort Zone if we really want to grow.", "We are all still in our Comfort Zone when making new friends."]}, {"question": "Why does the author tell us the story?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To build up our interpersonal skills.", "To make us work better as a team.", "To provide us some working activities.", "To motivate us to step out for a better world."]}]}
{"article": "Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. I feel there are a number of reasons for this.\nSome people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream, at low prices. This has turned out a whole generation of grown-ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves. If there were fewer of these restaurants, then probably children would buy less take-away food.\nThere is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for sweet and salty foods every time, and this will carry on throughout their lives.\nThere is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime , it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food.What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.\nThe above are the main reasons for this problem, and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as _ them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text, what kind of children may eat more unhealthy food?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Those who often take exercise.", "Those who often watch television.", "Those who often have meals at home.", "Those who often walk to school."]}, {"question": "The author thinks that children are becoming overweight because", "answer": "D", "options": ["their parents often cook meals for them", "they are too busy to go out and play", "they can' t choose what to eat", "there are too many fast food shops around"]}, {"question": "The main purpose of the text is to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["tell a story", "provide facts", "give advice", "compare opinions"]}]}
{"article": "Why does a large education nation like China have so few world renowned scientists as the US? Educationists from China and the US try to find out the answer to questions like this at a forum on the basic education strategy.\nThe forum, held recently, was jointly organized by the Education Development Research Center of the Ministry of Education in China and the Postgraduate School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US. It aims to find out similarities and differences that exist between two countries in their educational system.\nWhile some educationists in China keep a doubtful eye to the country's educational system in recent years. Their American counterparts give a positive answer to the basic education in China, saying that it is still one of the best in the world.\nAn American educationist told reporters that the basic education in the US was criticized in recent years due to its political tendency. On the contrary, Chinese government's stress on basic education and qualified teachers has set a good example.\nAt primary and middle school, pupils in China did better in math and science lessons than the US pupils. However, few grow to be world \"masters\". Why? Educationists attributed this to China's stress on examination rather than students' interest.\nDeputy Director of the postgraduate school of Pennsylvania University said American teachers encouraged students to focus on their strong points. In China, students are driven to study to pass the entrance examination test and they do not pay much attention to their own interest.\nAt the forum, director of the Education Development Research Center Mr. Zhang said in the future, the research center would make its middle and long-term basic education strategy by taking some references from other countries including the US.\nHe also revealed that for a long time in the future, China would make a breakthrough in setting the policy for quality education.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["quality education development in the future", "why China's education cultivates few world masters", "China's good basic education", "genius education at the primary stage"]}, {"question": "The following statements are true EXCEPT that   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["basic education in the US is associated with the government's political interest.", "the forum aims to find out the reason why there few world masters in China.", "all the educationists in China cast doubts in the country's educational system.", "Chinese government's stress on basic education is spoken highly of."]}, {"question": "China's educational system will   _   in the future.", "answer": "B", "options": ["help students to study even harder to pass the examination", "apply more attention to quality education referring to systems of other countries", "allow students to pay more attention to their own interest without their test results", "copy the educational system in the US"]}]}
{"article": "In 1905, as part of his Special Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein published the point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by the equation E = mc2. But bombs were not what Einstein had in mind when he published this equation.\nIn 1929, he publicly declared that if a war broke out he would \"refuse to do war service, direct or indirect....\" His position would change in 1933, as the result of Adolf Hitler's coming into power in Germany.\nEinstein's greatest role in the invention of the atomic bomb was signing a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt urging that the bomb be built because some physicists feared that Germany might be working on an atomic bomb. Among those concerned were physicists Leo Szilard and Eugene Wigner. But they had no influence with those in power. So in July 1939 they explained the problem to someone who did: Albert Einstein. After talking with Einstein, in August 1939 Szilard wrote a letter to President Roosevelt with Einstein's signature on it, which was delivered to Roosevelt in October 1939.\nGermany had invaded Poland the previous month, the time was ripe for action. That October research of a-bomb began but proceeded slowly because the invention of the atomic bomb seemed distant and unlikely. In April 1940 an Einstein letter, ghost-written by Szilard, pressed the researchers on the need for \"greater speed\".\nAs the realization of nuclear weapons grew near, Einstein looked beyond the current war to future problems that such weapons could bring. He wrote to his friend about his fear about the future use of the a-bomb.\nThe atomic bombings of Japan occurred three months after Germany gave in. \nIn November 1954, five months before his death, Einstein summarized his feelings about his role in the creation of the atomic bomb: \"I made one great mistake in my life...when I signed the letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification---the danger that the Germans would make them?", "problems": [{"question": "What can we learn about Szilard and Wigner?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They were not as influential as Einstein.", "They had cheated their friend Einstein.", "They were to blame for the invention of nuclear weapons.", "They had a purpose of destroying the world."]}, {"question": "Einstein realized his mistake in   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["co-operating with his workmates", "inventing the atomic bomb", "publishing his equation", "signing the letter to Roosevelt"]}, {"question": "We can conclude that Einstein   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["assisted with the invention of atomic bomb", "directly participated in the invention of the atomic bomb", "was not involved in the invention of atomic bomb at all", "contributed to the invention of atomic bomb"]}, {"question": "Please decide the order of the following events according to the passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["c,e,a,f,b,d", "a,e,b,d,f,c", "e,c,a,f,d,b", "e,c,b,f,a,d"]}, {"question": "The best title for the passage would be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["A Story of Albert Einstein", "Albert Einstein and the Atomic Bomb", "It was Unfair for Einstein", "How the Atomic Bomb was Invented"]}]}
{"article": "Thanks a Million, Dad\nI was born disabled.A difficult birth, feet first, my head stuck.By my first birthday, I couldn't stand or walk.\nWhen I was three, the doctor told dad I had cerebral palsy  .A loss of oxygen to my brain had destroyed brain signals to the right side of my body.\nBut no son of my dad' s was going to be disabled.Every morning before breakfast and every evening before bed, my dad placed me on the bedroom floor to exercise my right leg.The muscles were shrunk and twisted together.Back and forth up and down, my dad pushed and pulled the muscles into shape.\nBut my dad' s exercise of passion didn't stop there.For my 13th birthday, he threw me a special party.When everybody was gone, he brought me to open a large box, it was a-set of boxing gloves.We put them on.My dad kept on beating me mercilessly.Each time I tried to get up, leather kissed my nose, eyes and jaw.I \"begged him to stop. He said he beat me to get me ready for the tough world.\nThat same year, I was the only kid in my neighborhood that wasn't picked for Little League. Two weeks later.Dad started the Shedd Park Minor League, and every kid played.Dad coached us and made me a pitcher  .\nThe power of my dad' s love guaranteed I walked and more.In high school, I became a football star.\nIn 1997, a brain surgeon in San Jose told me I didn't t have cerebral palsy after all.He explained how and where the doctor' s forceps   at birth had damaged my brain.\nMy dad never knew the whole truth since he passed away years ago.But all that counts is the bottom line.After all his madness, on this Father' s Day, like every Father' s Day, I' m no longer disabled.", "problems": [{"question": "What caused the author' s disability?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A failed operation.", "The doctor's forceps.", "An accident in a game.", "Shrunken and twisted muscles."]}, {"question": "What do we learn from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The author has a talent for boxing.", "The author achieved a lot thanks to his father' s love.", "The author became a baseball star with the help of his father.", "The author doesn't think his father should be so strict with him."]}, {"question": "The author wrote the passage to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["remember his father", "encourage disabled children", "show the difficulty the disabled face", "give advice to the parents of disabled children"]}]}
{"article": "This is an excerpt from a speech by Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, delivered to graduates of Stanford University on June 12, 2005.\nI was lucky -- I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents' garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation -- the Macintosh -- a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired.\nHow can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions  of the future began to diverge(to be different) and eventually we had _ . When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was destructive.\nI really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down. I even thought about running away from the valley . But something slowly began to dawn on me -- I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.\nI didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.\nDuring the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar. Pixar went on to create the world's first computer animated  feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance.\nI'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about Apple?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It rejected one of its founders when he turned 30.", "It once fell apart due to different visions of the future.", "NeXT became its parent company and made a great comeback.", "It has survived after it had a destructive blow."]}, {"question": "Steve Jobs probably values   _   most according to his speech.", "answer": "B", "options": ["patience", "faith", "inspiration", "luck"]}]}
{"article": "The round-the-clock availability that cell phones have brought to people's lives may be _ amily life, a new study suggests. The study, which followed more than 1300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone through out the study period were more likely to report negative \"spillover\" between work and home life--and, in turn, less satisfaction with their family life.\nSpillover(,) actually means that the line between work and home began to become unclear. Work life may invade home life--when a parent is taking job-related calls at home, for instance--or family issues may start to take up work time. For example, a child may call Mom at work, telling her \"the microwave exploded\", explained Noelle Chesley, an assistant professor of society at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and the author of the study. The problem with cell phones seems to be they are allowing for ever more spillover between work and home.\nThis may be especially true for working women, the study found. Among men, consistent use of mobile phones seemed not to allow more work issues to creep  into family time. But for women,  the spillover tended to go in both directions--being \"connected\" means that work cuts into home time, and family issues come into work life.\nCell phones seem to be opening more lines for stressful exchange among family members. But there may be ways to control the spillover, according to Chesley. Employers, she said, should look at their policies on contacting employees after working hours to make sure their expectations are \"reasonable\". For their part, employees can decide that cell phones go off during family time,  Chesley said.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main idea of this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Cell phones offer 24-hour availability.", "Cell phones get life and work mixed.", "Women don't use cell phones in an effective way.", "Men are better at dealing with family problems."]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude towards round-the-clock availability of the cell phone?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Curious", "Positive", "Subjective", "Objective"]}]}
{"article": "It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word \"congratulations. \"I don't remember ever smiling so wide.\nThen I looked at my financial package.\nThe cost of Dream School's tuition , room and board was around $ 40,000- an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren't as famous as my first choice.\nIn my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn't sure what to do.\nOne of the schools that _ had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents' financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, listen quietly. But I surprised myself.\nAt dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus  including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring.\nAs the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there.\nIn all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my \"dream\"university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me.", "problems": [{"question": "How did the author feel when he started to read the letter?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He was lost in his dream.", "He was full of joy.", "He was worried about the money.", "He was uncertain which school to go to."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that the parents were   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["honest", "supportive", "strict", "decisive"]}, {"question": "What does the author mainly want to say?", "answer": "C", "options": ["You should consider comfort in your choice of schools.", "You should try your best to attend your dream school.", "Your second-choice college may actually by your best fit.", "Your choice of schools should be based on their fame."]}]}
{"article": "Americans often say that there are only two things a person can be sure of:death and taxes.Many people feel that the United States has the worst taxes in the world.\nTaxes are the money that people pay to support their government.There are generally three levels of government in the United States:federal,state,and city;therefore,there are three types of taxes.\nSalaried people who can earn more than four to five thousand dollars per year must pay a certain part.It depends on their salaries.The federal government has a two-level income tax:that is,15 or 28 percent.$17 850 is the cut off.The tax rate is 15 percent below $17 850 and 28 percent above.\nThe second tax is for the state government:New York,California,or any of the other forty-eight states.Some states have an income tax similar to that of the federal government.Of course,the percentage for the state tax is lower.Other states have a sales tax,which is a percentage charged to any item which people buy in the state.Some states use income tax and sales tax to raise their revenues(=annual income).\nThe third tax is for the city.This tax comes in two forms:property tax(people who own a home have to pay taxes on it) and excise tax ,which is collected on vehicles in a city.The cities use this money for education,police,public works,etc.\nSince Americans pay such high taxes,they often feel that they are working one day each week just to pay their taxes.People always complain about taxes.They often say that the government misuses their tax dollars.They all believe that taxes are too high in this country.", "problems": [{"question": "In the United States,taxes are collected to provide revenues for    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the federal government", "the state government", "the city government", "the three levels of government"]}, {"question": "How much money does an American earning $40 000 per year pay to the federal government as income tax according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["28% of his income.", "15% of his income.", "$17 870.", "$5000."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Different levels of the governments have different types of taxes in the United States.", "All the states have a sales tax which is used to support poor people.", "The tax of the states is similar to that of the federal government.", "All the states use both taxes to raise their income every year to build schools."]}, {"question": "What tax does an American have to pay to the city if he owns a car?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Property tax.", "Excise tax.", "Income tax.", "Sales tax."]}, {"question": "After reading the passage,we might feel that Americans seem to be    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["satisfied with their taxes", "proud of their taxes", "unhappy about their taxes", "very angry at their taxes"]}]}
{"article": "Long long ago, there was a man who was good at shooting arrows.He asked the king to declare him as the greatest archer  of the country.The king was about to do so when an old servant of the king said,\"Wait,sir.I know an old man who lives in the forest.He is a much greater archer.Let this young man go to him and learn from him for at least three years.\"\nThe man could not believe what the servant said,but he went and found the old man and he was! For three years he learned from him.Then one day,when he thought he had learned everything,the thought arose in him:\"If I kill this old man,then I will be the greatest archer.\"\nThe old man had gone to cut wood and he was coming back carrying wood on his shoulder.The young man hid behind a tree,waiting to kill him.He shot an arrow.The old man took a small piece of wood and threw it.It struck the arrow and the arrow turned back and wounded the young man very deeply.The old man came,took out the arrow and said. \"I knew that some day or other you were going to do this.That's why I have not taught you this secret.There is no need to kill me.My Master is still alive,and I'm  nothing before him.You must be  with him for at least thirty years.And he is very old,so go fast! Find the old man!\"", "problems": [{"question": "The young archer wanted to kill the old man because  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he could then become the greatest archer", "he had nothing more to learn from him", "the old man refused to teach him everything", "the king's old servant ordered him to do SO"]}, {"question": "What do you think would most probably happen next?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The young archer died from the wound soon after.", "The king declared the young man the greatest archer.", "The young archer found the old man's master and killed him.", "The young archer set off to look for the old man's master."]}, {"question": "What lesson can you learn from the story?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Always use a piece of wood to protect yourself from an arrow.", "You must never try to become better than your teacher.", "The older a man is,the better archer he usually becomes.", "There's always someone better than you in this world."]}]}
{"article": "Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation?  Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time.\n _ \nVerona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph) and Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) are in their early thirties and struggling to meet daily needs and build fulfilling lives as an artist and a salesman.\nWhen they learn they will soon become parents, they are faced with the challenge of how and where to raise a child and build a happy family. With a baby on his way, the young couple, look at their lives and are puzzled about what they really want.\n _ \nLynn was married to Pual, but they broke up and Lynn took their daughter Alice while Paul got their son Dylan.\nYears later, now Dylan is getting married, and Lynn is attending the wedding, with her younger son Elliot and Ben. Elliot is a drug addict and Ben keeps everything to himself. Dylan hasn't spoken to Lynn in years, and Lynn is fearful of Pual and his wife Patty. At last, all this has put Lynn in a depressed situation, and she's not sure just how she's going to get through the day.\n _ \nAlso named as Life is Beautiful, the film is a black comedy and also a best medicine that heals the scar left by war. This movie has some kind of characteristics as natural and active. On the 7th Oscar Award Ceremony , the movie won three great awards.\nIt is not a sad movie from the very beginning , but when the father uses a great way to hide his murder from his son, all people are impressed by this moving deed. Under the protection of the father, the son has lived a happy life.\n _ \nThe film is an American film directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of Andy, a banker who spends nearly two decades in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and his wife's lover despite his claims of innocence. There he makes friends with Red. Andy manages to escape from the prison by digging a tunnel with the rock hammer over the years. When Red is later released , he remembers Andy's advice. He then visits the place Andy mentions before he escapes. There, he finds money and a note left by Andy, telling him to get to Zihuatanejo.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage aims to   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["make comments on films for a cinema", "recommend several films for fun", "introduce films for a film corporation", "advertise several films for a website"]}, {"question": "Which film might best help a newly married couple to figure out their new roles in future life?", "answer": "C", "options": ["La Vita e bella", "Another Happy Day", "Away We Go", "The Shawshank Redemption."]}, {"question": "What is the ending of The Shawshank Redemption?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Andy killed his wife and his wife's lover.", "Andy became famous for helping Red.", "Red felt cheated by Andy in a way.", "Red and Andy got reunited happily."]}]}
{"article": "How words came into being is unknown. All we assume   is that some early men invented certain sounds,in one way or another,to express thoughts and feelings,actions and things,so that they could talk with each other. Later they agreed upon certain signs,called letters,which could be put together to show those sounds,and which could be written down. Those sounds,whether spoken or written in letters, are called words.\nThe power of words,then,lies in their associations--the things they bring up to our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience;and the longer we live,the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past;and the more we read and learn,the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.\nGreat writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings. This clever use of words is what we call literary style  .Above all,the real poet is a master of words. He can express his meaning in words which sing like music,and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them correctly,or they will make our speech silly and common.", "problems": [{"question": "We learn from the text that language might have begun with  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["expressions", "actions", "signs", "sounds"]}]}
{"article": "These days,when about 10.3 million.Americans are jobless and countless mole worry they will be,lovers of yoga are eager to keep peace by twisting their bodies.\n    \"People want to do something relaxing and physically active.My experience is that attendance In classes gone significantly up in the past few months,\"said yoga instructor David,who turned to teaching yoga when his advertising jobs dried up in the recession of  2001.He admitted his private custoIlll~I'8 have fallen off a bit,but \"generally,my long--term private clients are financially well-off and eager to recommend me to their friends.\"\n    \"We've  added yoga classes,\"said Nicole Moke,spokeswoman for the fitness centers.\"We add classes every January.\"\n    And if the attack of hard times should fall upon their weft-heeled member ship?\n    \"We've  added a lot of meditation classes.Our members.seem to be very excited about that\",she added.    \n    Callfornia-hased Yoga Works agrees that business is successful.\"In our experience attendance is up year over year,\"Marketing Director Terri  Seiden said.\n   \"We expect to see this trend continue.In difficult times yoga goers are more unwilling than ever to give up their practice,\"she said from her office in Santa Monica,California.Seiden said Yoga Works opened a new studio in January and has plans for more.\"We are hiring more teachers and studio staff,\"she said.    \n  So is yoga a recession-proof shelter from the storms of economy?\n   \"We don't say yoga is recession-proof but it does work,\"Seiden said.\"Yoga is one way that people Can take care of multiple needs--it is a complete workout for your mind and body, a form of stress relief,entertainment and there is a sense of community as well.''", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can see_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["the jobless are eager to practice yoga", "people want to hunt for jobs by practicing yoga", "those practicing yoga don't worry about employment", "those practicing yoga want to seek peace in the hard times"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Meditation classes have been added to attract customers.", "Some yoga instructors will lose their jobs in the hard times.", "The well-heeled membership will be affected in the hard times.", "People practice yoga because they are afraid of being jobless."]}]}
{"article": "When 15-year-old Louisa Ball takes a nap, she sleeps for days on end, and no amount of shaking can fully wake her up. The British girl has a rare condition called Sleeping Beauty Sickness. Doctors don't know what causes it or how to cure it --only know that it strikes teenagers and goes away by itself after eight to 12 years.\nLouisa's mum, Lottie, told NBC News that the girl had flulike symptoms just over a year ago. Shortly afterward, she had her first period of long sleeping.\nShe was eventually diagnosed with Kleine-Levin Syndrome, whose victims worldwide may number no more than 1,000. The victims live normally for weeks or months at a time, with normal sleep patterns and normal energy levels. Then, with little warning, they'll go to sleep for days or weeks at a time. So far, Louisa's longest period in bed has been 13 days. Victims will wake briefly, but be _ and not fully awake. Louisa's parents force her awake so she can use the bathroom and eat.\nNow, Louisa's friends can tell when a period is coming on. She stops talking and she may be annoyed easily. That's when she knows she has to get home to her bed. Louisa has slept through family vacations, the dance recitals  she loves to perform in, and school tests. Now it becomes increasingly difficult to catch up on missed schoolwork.\nBut just as doctors don't know the cause, they also don't know why it ends as mysteriously as it began. The illness is unrelated to narcolepsy , whose victims are constantly tired and drop off for brief periods of sleep at any time.\nIt's so dramatic that some people have accused Louisa of making the false symptoms to get attention. Her father, Richard, thinks that's absurd.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is TRUE about Kleine-Levin Syndrome according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The victims usually sleep for days or weeks at a time.", "There are usually many warning signs before it attacks the victims.", "The victims are usually tired and in a bad mood.", "There are more than 1, 000 victims in the world."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["doctors have found the cure for Sleeping Beauty Sickness.", "some people don't believe in the truth of Louisa's symptoms.", "Kleine-Levin Syndrome has no effect on Louisa's study and life.", "the narcolepsy victims sleep longer than those with Kleine-Levin Syndrome."]}, {"question": "What can we learn about Louisa?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Louisa is fond of dancing.", "Louisa can still manage finish her schoolwork without difficulty.", "Louisa is a British girl who likes sleeping.", "Louisa's longest sleeping period is 8 years."]}, {"question": "What is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["What is Narcolepsy", "How Louisa Overcame the Difficulty", "Rare Illness Turns a Girl into a \"Sleeping Beauty\"", "The Latest Research on Kleine-Levin Syndrome."]}]}
{"article": "My mom has eyes in the back of her head. She also taught me from an early age to be suspicious of strange men, especially when they give you presents. One day, a \"nice man\" bearing flowers managed to steal 20 euros from her purse, while she was holding it in her hands. \"He said he was collecting for a church charity so I pulled out a euro,\" she explains, \"He said 'no, no, that's too much' and offered to look in my purse to find a smaller coin. He must have slid out that 20 euro note at the same time. I did not even notice until an hour later. I felt so stupid.\"\nAccording to neuroscientists, the key requirement for a successful pickpocket is not having nifty   fingers, it's having a working knowledge of the loopholes   in our brain. The most important of these loopholes is the fact that our brains are not set up to multi-task. Most of the time that is a good thing -- _ allows us to filter   out all but the most important features of the world around us. But a good trickster can use it to against you. This kind of trick involves capturing all of somebody's attention with other movements. Street pickpockets often use this effect to their advantage by manufacturing a situation that can not help but overload your attention system. Other strategies are more psychological. Pickpockets tend to hang out a \"beware of pickpockets\" signs, because the first thing people do when they read it is check they still have their valuables, helpfully giving away where they are. And in my mom's case, the thief's best trick was not coming across like a pickpocket. \"He was a very nice guy and very confident. Not someone that would cause you to suspect,\" she says. Apollo Robbins, a stage pickpocket, said smart move, like moving your hand in an arc   motion rather than a straight line, is another popular strategy employed by tricksters.\nAt last, it should be pointed out that most thefts are opportunistic. The skill level of most thieves is far less than you think. But they are opportunistic enough to keep up with new technology.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, all of the following are pickpocket strategies except   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["having nifty fingers", "hanging out \"beware of pickpockets\" sign", "displaying confidence", "moving hand in an arc motion"]}, {"question": "In the author's opinion,   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["people's brains have many loopholes", "thieves are more skillful than opportunistic", "his mom's losing money is nothing but a by-accident experience", "signs reminding people of pickpockets can play a negative role in protecting valuables"]}, {"question": "What will the author probably talk about next?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Mom's another suffering", "Pickpockets concerning new technology", "Pickpockets' tricks", "Apollo Robbins' stage pickpockets"]}]}
{"article": "Dear Mr. King, \nYour grocery store is outstanding in many ways. I enjoy the selection of produce and fresh bakery items. I have been a long time Supermart shopper and hope to continue for many years. I have found, however, that I must make a separate shopping trip to one of your competitors because there are many items your store does not carry. This becomes inconvenient for me, as my time is valuable, and I do not like to make two trips. Your low prices and excellent customer service keep me coming back to Supermart, but I would be a more satisfied customer if I could find all the items I need in one place. \nSpecifically, I have never been able to purchase nacho cheese soup at your store. I can find other flavors   of soup, but your store does not carry nacho cheese soup, a common ingredient   in many of my recipes. In addition, I can only find large wonton wrappers, while many other stores carry both large and small and offer a more varied selection for their customers. Another example is Regent Brand Chili Seasoning. Though it is not a leading brand, it is still common on the shelves of other grocery stores in this area and is superior in flavor to its competitors. \nI sincerely hope to continue a relationship with your store, and I hope that you will consider the possibility of expanding your goods to be more competitive. \nYours truly, \nBob Watson", "problems": [{"question": "According to Bob, the grocery store   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["meets all his needs", "is outstanding in every way", "offers good customer service", "lacks convenient transportation"]}, {"question": "From the letter, we can learn that the author is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a very picky reporter", "a competitor of the store", "a responsible nutritionist", "a regular customer of the store"]}]}
{"article": "Everyone, please think of your biggest personal goal. For real - you can take a second. You've got to feel this to learn it. Take a few seconds and think of your personal biggest goal, okay? Imagine deciding right now that you're going to do it. Imagine telling someone that you meet today what you're going to do. Imagine their congratulations and their high image   of you. Doesn't it feel good to say it out loud? Don't you feel one step closer already, like it's already becoming part of your identity?\nWell, bad news: you should have kept your mouth shut, because that good feeling now will make you less likely to do it. Repeated psychology tests have proved that telling someone your goal makes it less likely to happen. Any time you have a goal, there are some steps that need to be done, some work that needs to be done in order to achieve it. Ideally, you would not be satisfied until you had actually done the work. But when you tell someone your goal and they acknowledge it, psychologists have found that it's called a \"social reality\". The mind is kind of tricked into feeling that it's already done. And then, because you felt that satisfaction, you're less motivated to do the actual hard work necessary. So, this goes against the conventional wisdom that we should tell our friends our goals.\nPeter Gollwitzer wrote a whole book about this and in 2009, he did some new tests that were published.\n    It goes like this: 163 people across four separate tests - everyone wrote down their personal goals.Then, half of them announced their commitment to this goal to the room, and half didn't. Then everyone was given 45 minutes of work that would directly lead them toward their goals, but they were told that they could stop at any time. Now, those who kept their mouths shut worked the entire 45 minutes, on average, and when asked afterward, said that they felt that they had a long way to go to still achieve their goals. But those who had announced it quit after only 33 minutes, on average, and when asked afterward, said that they felt much closer to achieving their goals.\nSo audience, next time you want to tell someone your goal, what will you say? (Silence) Exactly - well done.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the article mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The importance of having personal goals.", "Tips on achieving your personal goals.", "Studies on why people tend to keep their personal goals secret.", "Why it's not necessarily wise to announce your personal goals to others."]}, {"question": "According to the article, when you tell your friends your goals,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["you feel more pressure to try to make them happen", "they feel jealous of your satisfaction and stand in your way", "you make yourself believe that you are close to achieving them", "it becomes easier for you to make them come true thanks to the support of others"]}, {"question": "What did Peter Gollwitzer find in his tests?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Writing down personal goals inspired people to work hard to achieve them.", "Those who didn't tell others their goals were more likely to achieve them.", "Those who kept working hard tended to feel that they were closer to realizing their goals.", "Those who made their goals public worked harder than those who kept them secret."]}]}
{"article": "It's a warm summer afternoon. You're cooking up the catch of the day over a campfire. Suddenly, a few raindrops fall on your arms, and before you know it, the sky is opened up. Then you hear what sounds like thunder in the distance. What should you do? Your tent is close by and would offer shelter from the pouring rain. There's a campsite picnic shelter a few minutes down the path. And then you remember that your car is parked down the road. What's your safest choice to make sure you and your families are safe?\nIt's a common question for many hikers and campers, especially when they are camping during summer months. Heading to your car is almost always the safest choice. Your tent and a picnic shelter will keep you dry, but they offer little or no protection against lightening. Your car, on the other hand, will keep you dry and protect you from lightening strikes. Protecting yourself against possible lightening strikes is very important; lightening kills an average of 62 people in the US each year. If you keep all of the windows and doors closed in your car, you'll be able to return to your campsite safely.\nOf course, if you're backpacking , not car camping, and you're deep in the woods, your car won't be a good choice. So, what should you do if your car is far away and there's no other safe shelter nearby? First, you'll have to make sure that tree limbs or other objects don't fall on you or your campsite. Then you'll have to get in a safe position to avoid lightening, or flash flood conditions. What else should you do?", "problems": [{"question": "The passage aims to tell us   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["what's camping", "how to camp safely", "car camping is the safest way when camping", "how to survive a storm when camping"]}, {"question": "To avoid lightening in a storm, you'd better   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["go into your tent quickly", "cook up the catch of the day over a campfire", "get into your car and return to your campsite", "run into a campsite picnic shelter at once"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Campers like car camping best.", "Young people like backpacking best.", "Lightening is a danger for campers.", "Camping during summer months is the most popular."]}]}
{"article": "Healthy relationships are fun and make you feel good about yourself. The relationships that you make in your teenage years will be a special pan of your life. They will teach you some of the most important lessons about who you are. This may help you understand different kinds of relationships, what makes each relationship special, and how to communicate in a positive way. \n    What makes a relationship healthy?\n    Communication and Sharing: The most important part of any healthy relationship between two people is being able to talk and listen to each other. You and the other person can find out what your common interests are. You can share your feelings with the other person and trust that he or she will be there to listen to you and support you. In healthy relationships, people don't lie. Communication is based on honesty and trust. By listening carefully and sharing your thoughts and feelings with other people, you show them that they play an important part in your life.\n    Respect and Trust: In healthy relationships, you learn to respect and trust important people in your life. Disagreements may still happen, but you learn to stay calm and talk about how you feel. Talking calmly helps you to understand the real reason for not getting along. It makes it much easier to figure out how to fix it. In healthy relationships, working through disagreements often makes the relationship stronger. In healthy relationships, people respect each other for who they are. This includes respecting and listening to yourself and your feelings so you can set boundaries and feel comfortable. You will find that you learn to understand experiences and feelings of others as well as having them understand your experiences and feelings.\n    How do I know that I have a healthy relationship with someone?\n    You know that you are in a healthy relationship with someone because you feel good about yourself when you are around that person. Unhealthy relationships can make you feel sad, angry, scared, or worried.\n    Healthy peer relationships involve an equal amount of giving and taking in the relationship. In unhealthy relationships, there is an unfair balance. You may often feel that you are giving the other person more attention than that he or she gives to you.\n    You should feel safe around the other person and feel that you can trust him or her with your secrets.  In a healthy relationship, you like to spend time with the other person, instead of feeling that you have to spend time with him or her.", "problems": [{"question": "The lessons you learn about the relationships in your teenage years may help you understand the following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["different kinds of relationships", "different kinds of people and occasions", "how to communicate in a positive way", "what makes each relationship special"]}, {"question": "To have a healthy relationship, you shouldn't   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["talk and listen to each other", "have common interests", "disagree and quarrel with each other", "take as much as you give"]}, {"question": "When disagreements happen, you learn to stay calm because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["talking calmly helps you to understand the real reason for not getting along", "talking calmly makes it much easier to figure out how to fix them", "working through disagreements often makes the relationship stronger", "all of the above"]}, {"question": "Which of the following relationships is healthy?", "answer": "B", "options": ["You feel upset when you are around someone.", "You like to talk to someone and listen to him or her.", "Giving without taking.", "You feel that you have to spend time with him or her."]}, {"question": "The passage implies that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it's easy to establish a good relationship with someone", "you don't need to give anything to make relationships healthy", "healthy relationships need money, time, energy and care", "mutual respect and trust lead to strong relationships"]}]}
{"article": "Computer technology is still developing rapidly. The computer of the future will continue to increase in value and performance while decreasing in cost. It will become smaller, but faster and more powerful.\nIt is possible to make some guesses about what the future of the computer will look like, based upon the types of technologies that are being developed now. A lot of progress has already been made in some of these new technologies, but some are still in their earliest stages and may not be ready for use for years. Two of the most interesting areas of computing that are currently being developed are quantum computing   and nanotechnology  .\nQuantum computing is one possibility for the future of the computer that could make computers run far faster than even the quickest computers do today. Quantum computers could be able to do what modern supercomputers are unable to do by using transistors that are able to take on many states at the same time.\nNanotechnology could also change the face of computing, by creating computers that could be very powerful, though they are tiny in size. These computers could be incorporated   into everyday objects, including electrical appliances  , clothes and even the human body. We will be able to use computers in new and unimaginable ways. They will become a part of our lives rather than simply being a box that is used only for specific purposes, such as work.\nQuantum computing and nanotechnology will be able to play new roles, which will make us live greener lives, as well as enjoy better health and happier lives.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can NOT describe the computer of the future properly?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Much smaller.", "Much faster.", "More powerful.", "Less valuable."]}, {"question": "According to the text, quantum computing   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has been put in use so far", "can make computers run by themselves", "can reduce the cost of computers", "will work by using transistors"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that nanotechnology will   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["create much smaller computers", "be used in electrical appliances and clothing", "change the structure of computers", "make computers just serve specific purposes"]}, {"question": "The text is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["what nanotechnology is", "what quantum computing is", "what the future of the computer is", "what future computers can bring us"]}]}
{"article": "Money might not grow on trees, but scientists have confirmed that gold is found in the leaves of some plants. Researchers from Australia say that the presence of the particles  in an eucalyptus tree's leaves indicates that deposits  are buried many meters below. They believe that the discovery offers a new way to locate the valuable metal in difficult-to-reach locations.\n              Dr. Mel Lintern from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) said, \"We've found a lot of the easy deposits in Australia in this way. Now we are trying to find the more difficult ones that are buried tens of meters below. And the trees are providing us with a method to be able to do this.\"\n              Using the Australian synchrotron - a vast machine that uses X-rays to explore matter in remarkable detail - they found gold in the leaves, twigs and bark of some trees. The amount of the precious metal in an eucalyptus tree's leaves were tiny. \"We need 500 eucalyptus trees growing over a gold deposit to have enough gold in the trees themselves to make a gold ring,\" said Dr. Lintern. However, the presence of the particles pointed to richer deposits buried more than 30m below.\n              Dr. Lintern said, \"We believe that the trees are acting like a pump. They are bringing life-giving water from their roots, and in so doing, they are taking smaller dissolved gold particles up into the leaves.\"\n              Currently, the metal is found in outcrops ,where the ore  appears at the surface, or it is detected through exploratory drilling.\n              But the researchers said that analyzing plants could offer a better and simpler method to detect untapped gold deposits. Dr. Lintern said, \"Not only do we believe it is a way of saving the exploration cost, because exploring for these deposits can be quite expensive, it also minimizes the damage to the environment because we are taking a very small sample from the trees themselves, as well as the leaves and twigs on the ground. The plant-analyzing method is certain to work.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A new ways to locate metal deposits is found.", "Gold is found in many trees in Australia.", "Gold in trees can lead to hidden deposits.", "Dr. Mel Lintern discovered new gold deposits."]}, {"question": "According to Dr. Lintern, what helped them find a lot of the easy deposits in Australia?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The pump.", "The water.", "The tree.", "The machine."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true about the plant-analyzing method?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Expensive.", "Low cost.", "Easy and simple", "environmental."]}, {"question": "We can infer that Dr. Lintern   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["is not sure of the plant-analyzing method", "is very content with what he has achieved", "is tired of detecting gold deposits in the wild", "is confident of the plant-analyzing method"]}]}
{"article": "When we see well, we do not think about our eyes very often. It is only when we cannot see perfectly that we realize how important our eyes are.\nPeople who are near-sighted can only see things that are very close to their eyes. Everything else seems blurry (unclear). Many people who do a lot of work, such as writing, reading and sewing become near--sighted.\nPeople who are far-sighted _ from just the opposite problem. They can see things that are far away, but they have difficulty in reading a book unless they hold it at arm's length. If they want to do much reading, they must get glasses, too.\nOther people do not see clearly because their eyes are not exactly the right shape. They have what is called astigmatism  . This, too, can be corrected by glasses. Some people's eyes become cloudy because of cataracts  . Long ago these people often became blind. Now, however, it is possible to operate on the cataracts and remove them.\nHaving two good eyes is important for judging distances. Each eye sees things from a slightly different angle. To prove this to yourself, look at an object out of one eye; then look at the same object out of your other eye. You will find the object's relation to the background and other things around it has changed. The difference between these two different eye views helps us to judge how far away an object is. People who have only one eye cannot judge distance as people with two eyes.", "problems": [{"question": "We should take good care of our eyes  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["only when we can see well", "only when we cannot see perfectly", "even if we can see well", "only when we realize how important our eyes are"]}, {"question": ". When things far away seem indistinct  , one is probably  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["near-sighted", "far-sighted", "astigmatic", "suffering from cataracts"]}, {"question": "Having two eyes instead of one is particularly useful for  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["seeing at night", "seeing objects far away", "looking over a wide area", "judging distances"]}, {"question": "People who suffer from astigmatism have  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["one eye bigger than the other", "eyes that are not exactly the right shape", "a difficulty that can be corrected by an operation", "an eye difficulty that cannot be corrected by glasses"]}]}
{"article": "George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill disliked each other. It is said that the playwright  once sent Churchill two tickets for the opening night of one of his plays, together with a card, which said, \"Bring a friend (if you have one).\" \nChurchill, however, returned the tickets with a note, which said, \"I shall be busy that evening. Please send me two tickets for the second night (if there is one).\" \nThere is no record of whether Shaw ever sent the tickets.", "problems": [{"question": "What was Shaw trying to say to Churchill on his card?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Churchill should not go to the play alone.", "Churchill should not bring too many people.", "Churchill may have to waste the two tickets.", "Churchill did not have any friend."]}, {"question": "Why didn't Churchill want the tickets for the first night?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He didn't want to take Shaw's insult .", "The theatre would not be as crowded the second night.", "He was busy on the first night of the show.", "He couldn't find a friend to go with him the first night."]}]}
{"article": "A growing number of workers at Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and other employers are trading in their sit-down desks for standing ones, saying they feel more comfortable and energized. They also are _ by medical reports saying that sitting for too long leads to increased health risks.\nA standing desk sits high off the floor so a worker can either stand at it or sit on a high stool to use it. Officials at Palo Alto-based Facebook say a number of employees asked about standing desks after news articles were published about the health risks of sitting all day.\nThe stories cited medical studies that tied excessive sitting to increased obesity and other health problems because of factors including a drop in physical activity. A 2010 study by the American Cancer Society found that women who sat more than six hours a day were 37% more likely to die prematurely than women who sat for less than three hours, while the early-death rate for men was 18% higher. The American College of Cardiology released a study in January that found increased mortality   among people who sat longer at home than those who didn't.\nNo one seems to compile statistics on the standing-desk trend. But anecdotal reports suggest Silicon Valley is embracing the movement.\nFacebook officials say they have seen an upsurge in requests for standing desks to five to eight a week with a total of between 200 and 250 deployed   at the company of more than 2,000 employees. Facebook also is trying out a treadmill station - where a worker can walk or run on a treadmill while tapping at a computer.\nGoogle spokesman Jordan Newman said that 'many employees at Google opt for standing desks, and we offer them as part of our wellness program' though he said he didn't know the exact number.\nGreg Hoy, 39 years old, asked for a standing desk shortly after joining Facebook seven months ago as a design recruiter. 'I don't get the 3 o'clock slump anymore,' he said. 'I feel active all day long.'", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly talks about  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sitting for too long leads to increased health risks", "standing desks have replaced sit-down ones in Facebook Inc.", "more and more workers choose standing desks instead of sit-down ones", "many employees at Google opt for standing desks"]}]}
{"article": "Throughout July 1945, the Japanese mainland, from Tokyo on Honshu northward to the coast of Hokkaido, were bombed as if an invasion were about to take place. In fact, something far more threatening was at hand, as the Americans were telling Stalin at Potsdam. \nIn 1939 physicists in the United States had learned of experiments in Germany showing the possibility of atomic power and understood the coming damage of an atomic bomb. On August 2, 1939, Albert Einstein warned President Roosevelt of the danger of Nazi Germany's advances in development of the atomic bomb. Eventually, the U.S. Office of Scientific Research Development was created in June 1941 and given combined responsibility with the War Department in the Manhattan Project to develop a nuclear bomb. After four years of research and development efforts, an atomic device was set off on July 16, 1945, in a desert area at Alamogordo, New Mexico, producing an explosive power equal to that of more than 15,000 tons of TNT. Thus, the atomic bomb was born. Truman, the new U.S. president, believed that this terrible object might be used to defeat Japan in a way less costly of U.S. lives than an ordinary invasion of the Japanese homeland. Japan's unsatisfactory reply to the Allies' Potsdam Declaration decided the matter.\nOn August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb, carried from Tinian Island in the Mariana in a specially equipped B-29 was dropped on Hiroshima, at the southern end of Honshu. The combined heat and explosion destroyed everything in the explosion's immediate neighbourhood , produced fires that burned out almost 4.4 square miles completely, and killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people, in addition to injuring more than 70,000 others. A second bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, killed between 35,000 and 40,000 people, injured a like number and ruined 1.8 square miles.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["An atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.", "After research and development efforts, an atomic bomb was born.", "An invasion was about to take place with the use of the atomic bomb.", "The birth and use of the atomic bomb ended the Second World War."]}, {"question": "Albert Einstein warned Roosevelt of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Nazi Germany' success in making an atomic bomb", "the possibility of atomic power from Nazi Germany", "Japan's unsatisfactory reply to the Allies' Potsdam Declaration", "destruction of everything from the explosion of the atomic bomb"]}, {"question": "What made the U.S. decide to drop the atomic bombs over Japan?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Truman's becoming the president of the United States.", "The great destruction power of the atomic bomb.", "Reducing the cost of its lives.", "Not being content with Japan's reply."]}, {"question": "How many people were killed by the two bombs dropped in Japan?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Between 105,000 and 120,000 people.", "Between 35,000 and 40,000 people.", "Between 70,000 and 80,000 people.", "Between 140,000 and 150,000 people."]}]}
{"article": "Names have gained increasing importance in the competitive world of higher education. As colleges struggle for market share, they are looking for names that project the image they want or reflect the changes they hope to make. Trenton State College, for example, became the College of New Jersey nine years ago when it began raising admission standards and appealing to students from throughout the state.\n\"All I hear in higher education is, 'Brand, brand, brand,'\" said Tim Westerbeck, who specializes in branding and is managing director of Lippmann Hearne, a marketing firm based in Chicago that works with universities and other nonprofit organizations. \"There has been a sea change over the last 10 years. Marketing used to be almost a dirty word in higher education.\"\n    Not all efforts at name changes are successful, of course. In 1997, the New School for Social Research becameprefix = st1 /NewSchoolUniversityto reflect its growth into a collection of eight colleges, offering a list of majors that includes psychology, music, urban studies and management. But New Yorkers continued to call it theNewSchool.\nNow, after spending an undisclosed sum on an online survey and a marketing consultant's creation of \"naming structures\", \"brand architecture\" and \"identity systems\", the university has  _ a new name: theNewSchool. Beginning Monday, it will adopt new logos, banners, business cards and even new names for the individual colleges, all to include the words \"theNewSchool\".\n    Changes in names generally show significant changes in how a college wants to be accepted. In changing its name from Cal State, Hayward, to Cal State, East Bay, the university hoped to project its expanding role in two mostly suburban counties east ofSan Francisco.\n    Beaver College turned itself intoArcadiaUniversityin 2001 for several reasons: to break the connection with its past as a women's college, to promote its growth into a full-fledged university and, officials acknowledged, to put an end to jokes about the college's old name on late-night television and \"morning zoo\" radio shows.\nMany college officials said changing a name and image could produce vital results. At Arcadia, in addition to the rise in applications, the average student's test score has increased by 60 points, Juli Roebeck, an Arcadiaspokeswoman, said.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT the reason for colleges to change their names?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They prefer higher education competition.", "They try to gain advantage in market share.", "They want to project their image.", "They hope to make some changes."]}, {"question": "It is implied that one of the most significant changes in higher education in the past decade is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the brand", "the college name", "the concept of marketing", "list of majors"]}, {"question": "The phrase \"come up with\" (Line 3, Para. 4) probably means   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["catch up with", "deal with", "put forward", "come to the realization"]}, {"question": "The case of name changing from Cal State, Hayward, to Cal State,East Bay indicates that the university   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["is observed by the society", "hopes to expand its influence", "prefers to inform its teaching programs", "expects to enlarge its campus"]}, {"question": "According to the officials, the name change of BeaverCollege  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["turned out very successful", "failed to attain its goal", "got rid of some jokes", "transformed its status"]}]}
{"article": "\"Colour\" and \"color1\" , \"favourite\" and \"favorite\"\"- Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a \"u\"? Is it because they are lazy?\nOf course not.In fact, the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster(1758--1843) .He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger.Linguists celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16,2008.After the Revolutionary War(1775--1783) , Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary, rather than rely on British versions.He dropped the British \"u\" in some words.And he changed \"centre\" into \"center\" for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.\nWebster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions.In defining  preposterous  (unreasonable) , he wrote: \"A Republican government in the hands of females is preposterous.\"\nWebster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000 -word dictionary in 1828 with his American - style spellings.He also added local words.His dictionary was widely used in schools.Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.\n\"He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity,\" said Joshua Kendall, who is working on a biography about Webster.\"He at last got us united through our language.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the          following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["dropping \"u\" in all the British words", "changing \"centre\" into \"center\"", "adding local words", "voicing his opinion"]}, {"question": "When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary?", "answer": "C", "options": ["In 1758.", "In 1783.", "In 1800.", "In 1828."]}, {"question": "Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because he wanted to make English simple and easy.", "Because he wanted American English to have its own characteristics.", "Because he wanted to achieve political freedom.", "Because he wanted to show that the USA is stronger than the UK."]}, {"question": "Which of the following words can best describe Noah Webster' s work?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Interesting", "Boring", "Unfinished", "Meaningful"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Webster's dictionary", "American identity", "The shaper of American English", "Spelling differences between American and British English"]}]}
{"article": "Where is that noise coming from? Not sure? Try living with your eyes closed for a few years. \nBlind people are better at locating sounds than people who can see, a new study says, without the benefits of vision the ears seem to work much better. \nPrevious studies have shown that blind people are better than others at reaching out and touching the sources of sounds that are close by. Researchers from the University of Montreal wanted to see if blind people were also better at locating sounds that are far away. \nTwenty-three blind people participated in the study. All had been sightless for at least 20 years. Fourteen of them had lost their vision before age 11. the rest went blind after age 16. The experiment also included 10 people who could see but were wearing blind-folds. \nIn one task, volunteers had to pick the direction of a sound coming from about 3 metres away. When the sound was in front of them or slightly off center in front, both groups performed equally well. \nWhen sounds came from the side or the back, however, the blind group performed much better than the blindfolded group. The participants who had been blind since childhood did slightly better than those who lost their sight later. \nRecognizing the locations of distant sounds can be a matter of life-or-death for blind people, say the researchers. Crossing the street, for instance, is much harder when you can't see the cars coming.\nStill, the researchers were surprised by how well the blind participants did, especially those who went blind after age 16. In another experiment, the scientists also found that parts of the brain that normally deal with visual information became active in locating sound in the people who were blind by age 11. These brain parts didn't show sound-location activity in the other group of blind people or in the sighted people. The scientists now want to learn more about the working of brains of \"late-onset\" blind people.", "problems": [{"question": "The recent study shows blind people are better at telling   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["The sources of loud sounds.", "the locations of distant sounds", "the direction of sharp sounds", "the distance of a sound in front of them"]}, {"question": "Which would be a proper title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A Research on Blind People", "Where is That Noise Coming from?", "Hearing Better in the Dark", "What If Living Without Your Eyes?"]}, {"question": "If people were asked to tell the direction of a sound from the side, who would perform best?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Those who are blind.", "Those who have gone blind since children.", "Those who went blind at age 16.", "Those who are blindfolded."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Whether to be able to locate the sounds can be of vital importance for the blind.", "All the volunteers in the experiment are sightless.", "All the participants did equally well when picking sounds from whatever direction.", "The later people become blind, the better they can perform in telling the direction of sound"]}]}
{"article": "As winter gives way to spring, students feel like taking outdoor activities. However, do remember that accidents can happen, such as the one that happened at Taihu Lake several weeks ago. Four students from Shanghai were killed and several were injured. There were several reasons for the accident, but if the students had worn life jackets, it would have made a big difference.\nTherefore, it is important to take steps to avoid accidents before going on trips whether on land or water. Here are some steps:\nMake sure you are physically fit for any activities. You need energy for hiking or boating after a long inactive winter.\nResearch your route  . Check the weather report so you can pack the correct things so that an unexpected downpour or high winds won't destroy your day.\nIf you are visiting a different culture, learn some basic knowledge about what's accepted and what is not.\nTake plenty of water to prevent your body from losing too much water and be sure to wear the correct footwear to protect your feet. Don't go to faraway areas and never risk going into unknown waters.\nGoing in a group is safer than going alone. If you have to travel by yourself, leave a note of your travel route, telephone number and how you are traveling. So if there's an emergency, people can get in touch with you.", "problems": [{"question": "The accident at Taihu Lake is mentioned to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["warn students against traveling alone", "introduce the topic of the passage", "show the disadvantages of outdoor activities", "remind students of the importance of life jackets"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["People usually take part in fewer activities in winter.", "Cultures play an important role in your traveling.", "People should wear comfortable shoes while traveling.", "People should never go out for activities alone."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be used as the best title?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Be Well Prepared for Outdoor Activities.", "Pay Attention to Unexpected Accidents.", "Do Take Outdoor Activities in a Group.", "Be Sure to Avoid Being Injured When Traveling."]}]}
{"article": "Having spent five years searching for her older brother, Miss Lund was unbelievable to think she had been working in the same building for five months.\n         Mr.Philips, 33, and Miss Lund last saw each other almost twenty years ago after their father, also called Stephen, 56, lost contact with his son from a previous relationship.Miss Lund, only five at that time, moved to India with her father and mother Rose, while Steven lived with his mother in Wolverhapton.\n    By the time Miss Lund and her parents returned to Leeds, the family had lost all contact with Mr.Philips.On turning 18, Lund started to track down her long-lost half brother, even asking customers at the shop where she worked.But despite checking on Internet sites such as Friends Reunited and MySpace, it wasn't until the pair started working together at Loop Customer Management where she went on asking everyone if they knew a Stephen Philips that she tracked him down in March, 2007.\n    She couldn't believe it when she was told someone by that name worked there.After she checked on the Internet database, it suggested he wasn't her brother as his name Steven instead of Stephen.Then a friend came up to her and said Steven's surely her brother.They checked parents' names and it turned out they were related.She wanted to scream but they were at work so they just hugged and chatted.\n    Mr.Philips, a father of four children, said he was delighted, adding: \"I never thought we would meet again.I can't wait to get to know my sister.We have so much to know.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The relationship between the brother and sister is that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["they have the same father", "they have the same mother", "they have the same parents", "they are just cousins"]}, {"question": "How long had the brother and sister been working in the same building before they got to know each other?", "answer": "D", "options": ["5 years", "13 years", "20 years", "5 months"]}, {"question": "How old may Miss Lund be now?", "answer": "C", "options": ["5", "18", "About 23", "About 27"]}, {"question": "What made Miss Lund finally believe Mr.Philips was her brother?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The names of their parents", "His appearance", "Her friends advice", "Their talk with each other"]}]}
{"article": "I'm part of the Roots & Shoots program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. The program is intended to make and promote positive changes in the world. As Dr. Goodall says, \"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.\"\nIn Bulgaria, where I live, homeless dogs are everywhere. Many people here turn a blind eye to them. But I cannot ignore the life of a street dog whenever I see one wandering in the street, looking for something to eat. That's why I'm no longer a food waster. When I see wasted food, I always think of a hungry dog climbing to garbage bins, searching for food that people have thrown there. When eating in a restaurant, I'm not afraid to take leftover food to feed stray cats or dogs.\nA week ago, I saw a homeless dog around the garbage bins. Immediately I knelt down, spoke to her softly and ran my hands over her. I could see that she had had puppies. I couldn't imagine how she could have been able to care for them. Hours earlier, I'd bagged up a plate of leftover fish. As I unwrapped it, she wagged her tail and sniffed at it. She ate all the fish in no time.\nIt's sad, isn't it? I can't understand why many of us waste so much and think little of it. These homeless animals have taught me that food is precious. Even when I don't have leftovers with me, I'll take the time to get something from the grocery store to feed them.\nI know my power is small, so I hope that next time you see wasted food, do turn it into worthy food. You have the power to save a life!", "problems": [{"question": "The author uses what Dr. Goodall says to show   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how we can develop our business", "why it is important to be great", "why the program is popular globally", "how we can change the world positively"]}, {"question": "What can be concluded from the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["There are few homeless dogs where the author lives.", "The author takes homeless dogs home and raises them.", "Seeing homeless dogs makes the author never waste food.", "People throw food into garbage bins to feed homeless dogs."]}, {"question": "The author took the leftover fish with him to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["eat it when he was hungry", "feed a homeless dog he met", "look for more homeless animals", "set an example to those who throw away food"]}, {"question": "The author wrote the text to ask us to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["value our food", "treat dogs as our friends", "save wasted food for homeless dogs", "raise homeless dogs and cats"]}]}
{"article": "Up, Up, and Away!\nAn adventurer who became the first person to fly across the English Channel on a cluster of balloons has launched a house into the sky just like in the hit movie Up-in reparation for a more ambitious journey and a new record\nFearless Trappe , from North Carolina, stepped into the cartoon themed home before flying above the leon International Balloon Festivel in Mexico more than a week ago.\nThe 38-year-old Trappe was using the event as a warm-up for his planned trans-Atlantic flight scheduled for next summer ,He aims to complete the 2,500-mile journey in a seven-foot lifeboat carried by 365 huge helium ballooms\nThe brave man is learning to sail a lifeboat ,in case he meeds to ditch  into the ocean during the danger-filled adventure\nHe sill fly at between 18,000 feet and 25,000 feet , beating his previous world altitude record of 21,600 feet ,and must fly uninterrupted a distance ten times longer than his previous world record of 230 miles in order to succeed.\nThe adventurer Trappe ,who holes records for crossing the Alps, flying the most cluster balloons, and the longest distance , has opent his entire carreer ,building up to this ambitious plan.\n\"I didn't wake up one day and think:'I' going to fly across the Atlantic, '\"he said \"he said  Every attempt before this was prepared for this fight ,I've been training for a long time\"", "problems": [{"question": "The adventurer flew across the English Channel to  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["test the balloons", "launch a house", "shoot a hit movie", "prepare for breaking a record"]}, {"question": "To finish the journey ,he will fly a distance of  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["2500 miles", "18,000 feet", "25,000 feet", "230 miles"]}, {"question": "About the ambitious journey ,which is NIT mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["When he will fly", "How high he sill fly", "How far he will fly", "How long it will take him"]}, {"question": "How many world records does Jonathan hold?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Two", "Three", "Four", "Five"]}]}
{"article": "Dear Cassy,\nThanks for reminding me by e-mail that you want to baby-sit our children. In spite of the fact that you are only 15 years old, my wife and I would be willing to consider your application if you can meet a few modest requirements:\n1.\nthree letters from teachers who will prove that you have never failed to follow directions perfectly in class and never failed to hand in the homework on time.\n2. Submit a note from two doctors which says that you are in perfect health, have never been sick, and will never be sick.\n3. Submit a document   from your physical education teacher or team coach that proves that you can do each of the following: Run two miles in less than nine minutes, climb an oily rope to a height of twenty feet in thirty seconds while balancing a glass of water on your nose, and walk in bare feet over hot coals and broken glass without complaint or injury.\n4. Submit letters from at least two mental health experts saying that you have never had a bad thought towards any living being or not living object.\n5. Play and defeat five expert chess players with your eyes covered after going without sleep for 48 hours.\n6. Wait patiently for two years while we make sure that all your documents are true.\nYour loving and trusting friends,\nThe Smiths", "problems": [{"question": "From the letter we can know that    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Cassy wrote to the Smiths twice", "Cassy loves children very much", "Cassy will be in perfect health", "Cassy does very well in her studies"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from this text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Their children are hard to baby-sit.", "Their children are well educated.", "Cassy is good at doing many things.", "Cassy won't get the job as a baby-sitter."]}, {"question": "Which of the following words can best describe the Smiths?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Humorous.", "Patient.", "Honest.", "Kind-hearted."]}]}
{"article": "Who doesn't love sitting beside a cosy fire on a cold winter's night ? Who doesn't love to watch flames   curling up a chimney? Fire is one of man's greatest friends, but also one of his greatest enemies. Many big fires are caused by carelessness. A lighted cigarette thrown out of a car or train window or a broken bottle lying on dry grass can start a fire. Sometimes, though, a fire can start on its own. Wet hay   can begin burning by itself. This is how it happens: the hay starts to rot   and begins to give off heat which is trapped inside it. Finally, it bursts into flames. That's why farmers cut and store   their hay when it's dry.\nFires have destroyed whole cities. In the 17th century, a small fire which began in a baker's shop burnt down nearly every building in London. Moscow was set on fire during the war against Napoleon. This fire continued burning for seven days. And, of course, in 64 A.D. a fire burnt Rome. Even today, in spite of modern fire-fighting methods, fire causes millions of pounds' worthy of damage each year both in our cities and in the countryside. It has been wisely said that fire is a good servant but a bad master .", "problems": [{"question": "The writer considers it    _    to sit beside a fire on a cold winter night .", "answer": "A", "options": ["nice", "dangerous", "unhappy", "painful"]}, {"question": "Which of the following describes the way how hay begins burning on its own ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["wet hay ---- becomes dry ---- gives off heat ---- burns", "dry hay ---- gets too much heat from the sun ---- gives out heat --- starts to burn", "wet hay ---- begins to rot ---- gives out heat ---- starts to burn", "dry hay ---- gives off heat ---- starts to rot ---- starts to burn"]}, {"question": "Many big fires are caused    _    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["by cigarette", "by their own", "by dry grass", "by people's carelessness"]}, {"question": "How many examples did the writer give to show fires can destroy the whole city ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["One", "Two", "Three", "Four"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statement is not true ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Fires still cause much damage now although there are modern fire - fighting", "Fires cause less damage in the country than in the city .", "Fire can be man's good friend and also great enemy .", "One should be careful not to throw a lighted cigarette everywhere ."]}]}
{"article": "Dear Santa Claus,\nMy name is Amy. I am 9 years old. I have a problem at school. Can you help me, Santa? Kids laugh at me because of the way I walk and run and talk. I have cerebral palsy. I just want one day when no one laughs at me or makes fun of me.\nLove,\nAmy\nAt radio station WJLT in Fort Wayne, Indiana, letters poured in for the Christmas Wish Contest. When Amy's letter arrived at the radio station, manager Lee Tobin read it carefully.  He thought it would be good for the people in Fort Wayne to hear about this special third grader and her unusual wish. Mr. Tobin called up the local newspaper.\nThe next day, a picture of Amy and her letter to Santa made the front page of the \"News Sentinel\". The story spread quickly. All across the country, newspapers and radio and television stations reported the story of the little girl in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who asked for such a simple, yet remarkable, Christmas gift--just one day without teasing.\nSuddenly the postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house. Envelopes of all sizes addressed to Amy arrived daily from children and adults all across the nation. They came filled with holiday greetings and words of encouragement. Some of the writers had disabilities; some had been teased as children. Each writer had a special message for Amy. Through the cards and letters from strangers, Amy glimpsed a world full of people who truly cared about each other.\nMany people thanked Amy for being brave enough to speak up. Others encouraged her to ignore teasing and to carry her head high.\nAmy did get her wish of a special day without teasing at  South Wayne High School. Teachers and students talked together about how bad teasing can make others feel.\nThat year, the Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed December 21st as Amy Jo Hagadorn Day throughout the city. The mayor explained that by daring to make such a simple wish, Amy taught a universal lesson. \"Everyone, \"said the mayor, \"wants and deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and warmth. \"", "problems": [{"question": "Amy's letter showed that   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["her school wasn't a good place for students like her", "her schoolmates cannot understand her disability", "she wanted to win Christmas Wish Contest", "she was often ignored in and out of class"]}, {"question": "The postman was a regular at the Hagadorn house because   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he had to send letters to Amy daily", "he was quite curious about Amy", "he went to encourage Amy frequently", "he was moved by Amy's story"]}, {"question": "We may infer from Amy's story that   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["people are easy to turn their eyes to the disabled", "Amy will still be made fun of by others", "the news media played an important role in helping Amy", "there are few disabled people in Amy's country"]}, {"question": "The Fort Wayne mayor officially proclaimed Amy Jo Hagadorn Day   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to tell how bad teasing can make others feel", "to encourage people to carry their heads high", "to call on the public to treat everyone properly", "to explain how brave Amy was by making her wish"]}]}
{"article": "Shoplifting   is happening in stores or supermarkets throughout the world. However, shoplifting happens more in British stores, according to a recent research, by the UK-based Center for Retail Research.\nNapoleon once considered prefix = st1 /Britainas \"a nation of shopkeepers\", to which so many people dreamed of traveling. Now it seems it is a nation of shoplifters. According to the research,Britainis the most light-fingered country in Europe, with nearly one in every two cases of shoplifting across the continent taking place in British stores. The report said there were nearly 566,000 reported cases of shoplifting inBritainout of a Europe-wide total of 1.27 million. The next worst countries in Europe,FranceandGermany, came well belowBritainwith only 188,000 and 167,000 cases, respectively.Switzerlandlived up to its clean-living reputation, with just 10,198 recorded cases of shop theft, and it is the lowest in Europe.\n\"The only reason I can think of is the higher level of criminality in Britain,\" report author Joshua Bamfield said. But the blame forBritain's poor showing does not lie wholly at the doorstep of Britons, Bamfield said, but also with some organized foreign groups traveling in cities such asLondon. \"There are traveling groups of thieves, many from places likePolandandRussia, that target large department stores,\" Bamfield said. \"The problem is right across Europe -- the criminals have formed their own European Union.\"\nBamfield said one factor causing some mistakes on the statistics was also likely to be that retailers in Britainwere more likely to record thefts compared to other nations, such asGreece. \"It's a social phenomenon that could happen in any countries\", said Bamfield, \"The most important thing is how to prevent it rather than accusing of it too much.\"", "problems": [{"question": "By saying \"a nation of shopkeepers\". Napoleon probably meant that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Britain was a nation of shoplifters though it was rich then", "Britain should have cared more about its agriculture", "Britain's economy was experiencing a great development", "Britainshould take some measures to reduce the number of shops"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, in which country are we likely to feel safer when shopping?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Britain", "Germany", "France", "Switzerland"]}, {"question": "From what Joshua Bamfield said, it can be inferred that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it's the highest level of criminality that caused Britain's social problem", "Britain's social problem of shop theft came from varieties of sides", "Britain's poor showing does not lie wholly at the doorstep of Britons", "it's traveling groups of thieves that make up the majority of Britain's shoplifters"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Protecting ourselves is important when shopping.", "Shoplifting is becoming serious, especially in Britain.", "Shoplifting does great harm to people across Europe.", "Europe is suffering many traveling groups of thieves."]}]}
{"article": "The father's role in the family is important. One researcher says babies cared for by their fathers have greater cognitive   development at one year of age than babies not cared for by their fathers. Another expert reports that by spending time with their pre-school children, fathers can help to develop children's language ability. Researchers also point out that for school-age children, fathers are one link with the outside world.\nFathers who value education have children who do better in school than those children whose fathers don't value education. What's more, fathers who spend quality time with their children may give their children happy memories which may last a lifetime.\nWhile each father is a unique  person who educates children in his own style, good fathers have something in common.\nGood fathers attend their children's school activities. They also involve the children in their lives and the adult world by taking them to see the workplace, or by taking them when the car needs to be repaired, etc.\nGood fathers expect a great deal from their children, but also accept and support the unique individuals that their children are becoming.\nGood fathers rely on explanations and reasoning rather than force.\nGood fathers know their time with children is really an investment   in them.\nBeing an involved father is good for children and good for fathers. Both children and fathers have the opportunity for growth and development. Today's lifestyles are changing. More and more fathers are balancing their personal life, work, and family time.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["how to be a qualified father", "the growth and development of both fathers and children", "the father's role in the growth and development of children", "the changing of the father's role in modern society"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we can find that   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["fathers are more important than mothers in the family", "all fathers have the same way of educating their children", "fathers' involvement is the most important factor in children's development", "fathers have an important influence on their children from infancy through adulthood"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, fathers' involvement in their children's lives may NOT result in    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the good fate of their children", "better reading levels of their children", "happy memories which may last a lifetime", "greater cognitive development of their children"]}]}
{"article": "Here is some must-know information from a handbook on how people behave in doing business in some countries.\nIn Brazil \nBrazilians are warm and friendly.They often stand close when talking and it is common for them to touch the person on the shoulder.People often greet each other (particularly women)with light cheek kisses . Schedules tend to be flexible,with business meetings sometimes starting later than planned.But to be safe,be on time.Meals can stretch for hours--there's no such thing as rushing a meal in Brazil.Lunches also can start in the mid to late afternoon.Brazilians are social,preferring face-to-face communication over emails or phone calls.\nIn Singapore\nSingaporeans shake hands when they meet and often also greet each other with a small,polite bow.Business cards should be offered and received with two hands.Arriving late is considered disrespectful.So be on time.Efficiency is the goal,so meetings and dealings often are fast-paced.Singaporeans are direct in their discussions,even when the subject is about money.Rank is important and authority is respected.This determines how people interact in meetings.For example,people avoid disagreeing outright with someone of a higher rank.\nIn the United Arab Emirates\nIn the UAE,status  is important,so the most senior or oldest should be greeted first with their titles.The handshake seems to be longer than elsewhere.So do not pull away from the handshake.Women should cover themselves when it comes to dress.Men also tend to be covered from neck to elbows and down to the knees.People do not avoid entertaining in their homes, but they also hold business meals at restaurants.Touching or passing food or eating with your left hand is to be avoided.When meetings are one-to-one, if your host offers you coffee,you should refuse.It might seem odd,but it is a cultural tradition.Coffee should only be accepted if it is already set out or presented.\nIn Switzerland\nThe Swiss tend to be formal and address each other by last name.They also are respectful of private lives.You should be careful not to ask about personal topics.Punctuality is vital,something that comes from a deep respect for others' time.Arrive at any meeting or event a few minutes early to be safe.They also have clear structure in their companies.Higher-ups make the final decisions,even if others might disagree.Neat,clean dress is expected.The Swiss follow formal table manners.They also keep their hands visible at the table and their elbows off the table.It is polite to finish the food on your plate.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["communication types", "the workplace atmosphere", "customs and social manners", "1iving conditions and standards"]}, {"question": "Why do Singaporeans avoid arguing with their boss?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They put efficiency in the first place.", "They dislike face-to-face communication.", "They want to finish meetings as quickly as possible.", "They are supposed to obey the person of a higher rank."]}, {"question": "In the UAE, when should you refuse the coffee if it is offered?", "answer": "B", "options": ["When greeting seniors.", "When meeting the host alone.", "When attending a presentation.", "Whendining with business partners."]}, {"question": "In which country do people care about where to put their hands at the dinner table?", "answer": "D", "options": ["In Brazil.", "In Singapore.", "In the United Arab Emirate.", "In Switzerland."]}]}
{"article": "It's wonderful to go to another country, complete a volunteer project and feel that you really have a positive influence. But how can you become an international volunteer?\n* Plan practically. Contact the organization a few months before leaving and find out if there are materials which are rare and hard to attain for the project. What you often consider plentiful here, such as nails or hammers, is in great need in other parts of the world.\n* Do the project together, not on your own. You are a guest in the community. The most successful result is not that you build something and walk away, but that you and the community build something as a team. Share skills and build together.\n* Be flexible. Not everything is going to happen as planned. Often the other country doesn't have the right tools, manpower, transportation or funds to get all the needed work done. In a word, they lack infrastructure .\n* Contact with the people in the community. Often you will have \"downtime\" outside of the range of the project. Rather than retreat to the group with whom you traveled, be sure to spend time with the people of the community. Listen to the things about their lives. If you can't speak the language, smiles work wonders. And you will be surprised -- you will find a way to community.\nVolunteering is a special and life-long experience for everyone involved. Be prepared that the person who may be changed most is you. It's a joyful, often careful experience which will encourage you to view yourself, your neighbors and your world quite differently.", "problems": [{"question": "When you volunteer to join in a project, you are advised to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["build something and walk away", "make good preparation in advance", "avoid involving locals in activities", "depend on yourself to solve problems"]}, {"question": "According to the author, volunteer will  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["reduce challenge in the world", "determine the future of a volunteer", "change a person's opinion of the world", "benefit volunteers most in their learning"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["What prepares you to become a volunteer.", "Where volunteers are needed most in the world.", "Why volunteering is popular with young people.", "How volunteers develop a relationship with local people."]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever wanted to achieve a goal and ended up doing tons of research on how to achieve the goal? As you learn more and more, it feels like you know less and less because when you learn something new, you find that there is a lot to know about those things.\nSometimes, people will get stuck in this needing to gather more and more information. There's nothing wrong with learning a lot, but when you let learning get in the way of doing, you will never get going. When you never get going, you still never start having the things you want. Too much learning can paralyze you in terms of taking action.\nA better way to go about achieving a goal is to gather some information and immediately start taking action on the information you have gathered. Many times you will feel unprepared, and that's OK. The best way to learn is to take action and learn from the results you get from those actions.\nWhen you are able to get past the fear of not being perfect and just take the first step, you will be further ahead than the majority of people who are still in the preparation stage. It's good to be prepared especially in situations such as a pilot and crew making sure the plane is ready to take off, but over-preparation in trying to reach a goal won't give you any results. The knowledge and skills you will need will be picked up along the way.\nIf a baby wants to learn how to walk, it will never be able to do it by sitting there and analyzing how to walk. The best way for a baby to walk is to actually stand up and start walking. Sure it may fall, but with every fall, it will learn what is working and what is not and adjust to _ . By doing this over and over again, it will eventually learn to walk. This is the approach you need to take when you want to achieve your goals as well. It works. Learning more is great but if all you're doing is learning and not taking action, it's time to change. Just take the first step!", "problems": [{"question": "The author thinks that learning   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["stops us from doing things", "prevents us from achieving a goal", "should be combined with practice", "means gathering more and more information"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we'd better learn from  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["our experiences", "adequate preparations", "other people who have succeeded", "the information we have gathered"]}, {"question": "The passage implies that the more we learn,  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the less we will know", "the more we want to explore", "the more likely we are to succeed", "the better preparations we will make"]}, {"question": "Why does the author mention how a baby learns to walk?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To prove another point is wrong.", "To encourage readers to change.", "To introduce a learning approach.", "To support a conclusion."]}]}
{"article": "By teaching your children fire safety you can make sure they know what to do when a house fire occurs.\nMaking sure that your children know exactly what is required of them cuts down on the chaos of the emergency situation and helps keep your family safe and secure.\nMake sure your children know how to correctly stop, drop, and roll and feel confident in the fact that it works.  It puts out the flames. The usual response to clothing catching on fire is to run around and run about wildly, which only exposes the fire to more oxygen and feeds the flames. Your children should also know to touch door handles before opening the door to see if they are hot. If they are, it means that there's a fire in   the next room, and they should leave the door closed and find another route out of the house.\nMake sure your children understand that they should never play with lighters or matches. Fires started by playing with these things are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in children under five years old.  Many children are fascinated by lighters and matches and want to experiment with lighting things on fire to see what happens.\nDo regular fire drills to practice your evacuation plan so that your family knows what to do in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows all the possible exit points of the house that they can use; a fire in your home will be a chaotic situation, and it' s best to make sure all members of your family know your evacuation plan well enough so that it is second nature and they don't have to waste time thinking if a fire starts.\nQuick, determined response to a fire will save your family members' lives.", "problems": [{"question": "What should children do when their clothing catches on fire?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Stop, drop and roll without delay", "Run around quickly to put out the flames.", "Call the firefighter for help at once.", "Feel confident and don't be afraid of fire."]}, {"question": "When door handles feel hot, what should children do?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Open the door and see if there is a fire.", "Stay away and find another way out.", "Leave the door open and rush out of it.", "Stay where they are and ask for help."]}, {"question": "What should parents do with items like lighters and matches?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Let them play with them.", "Hide them from the children.", "Experiment with them.", "Throw them out of the house."]}]}
{"article": "Good state is when your body and mind are in the best condition for learning. These pages describe that state. Applying this information will increase your learning performance, without using any of the other techniques on this site.\nYou will learn faster if your cells, body and mind are in good condition, or good \"state.\" Being in good state doesn't just increase your memory and learning performance. Being in good state also helps improve your health and well-being, with resulting benefits in many other areas of your life.The state described on these pages leads to peak condition for performing well in many human endeavors, from flying a plane to playing football. \nI've grouped the major contributors to Memletic State into three layers. These are the cell, physical and mental state layers. In summary, the elements that make up each of these layers are:\n*         Cell State Layer: Water, Glucose, Oxygen, and Basic Nutrients. \n*         Physical State Layer: Health, Fitness, Relaxation, Environment, Sleep and Body Rhythms, and Supplements. \n*         Mental State Layer: Health, Fitness, Relaxation, Attention and Concentration, Positive Mental Attitude, and Goals. \nCell state is primary and therefore the innermost layer. You will find it hard to learn without satisfactory functioning of cells. The next layer is the physical state layer. These elements impact how well you breathe, circulate blood, fight off illness and more. The outer layer is the mental state layer. The elements of this layer are within our mind. Notice how cell state layer supports the physical state layer, and the physical state layer supports the next layer out, the mental state layer.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage may be taken from  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a newspaper", "a magazine", "a website", "a notice"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, to get a good lerning state, the most important thing is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to have enough food and water", "to take exercise every day", "to listen to music every day", "to ask the experts for advice"]}, {"question": "From the passage, we know that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["many other techniques on learning are introduced.", "good learning state refers to mental and physical statement.", "the writer is sure to have a good learning state.", "\"No pains,no gains\" belongs to physcial layer."]}]}
{"article": "Every one of us gets so used to punctuation marks that not many of us give them a secondthought.Actually,the ancient Greeks wrote this way.The lack of punctuation marks probably didn't bother good readers,though.As they read,they just put pauses where they fit best. Also at this time,sentences switched directions.A sentence read from leftto right.The next one read right to left,and then left to right again,etc.The ancient Romans sometimes punctuatedlike this:They put somethingthat can separate words in a sentence.The wordpunctuationactually comes from this idea andthe Latin word\"punctum\"which means a lot.\nWhen the 5th century arrived,there were just twopunctuation marks:spaces and points.The spaces separated words while the points showed pauses in reading.Then in the 13th century,a printer named Aldus Manutius tried to standardize punctuation.He always used a period for a complete stop at the end of a sentence.He used a slash(/)toindicate a short pause.Over time.that slash was shortened and curled,and it became the modern comma .\nSince that time,other marks have enlarged the punctuation family.The exclamation mark comes from the Latin word\"io\".It means \"exclamation of joy\".The question mark originally started out as the Latin word\"questio\",meaning\"question\".Eventually,scholars put it attheend of a sentence to show a question.\nPunctuation even keeps changing nowadays.New marks are coming into existence,and old punctuation marks are used in new ways.Take for example the\"interrobang\".This 1962 invention combines the question mark and exclamation mark for times when writers want both.For example.\"She did what?!\"or\"How much did you pay for that dress?!\"Obviously,the interrobang is not widelyused or recognized yet,but its invention shows that English is not yet finishedwith its punctuation.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["ancient Romans didn't use any punctuation marks", "exclamation and question marks came from Latin", "spaces and slashes were already used before the 5th century", "Aldus Manutiusfast started to use commas"]}]}
{"article": "D\nThe year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet   is heading towards the Earth . Most of it will miss our planet , but two pieces will probably hit the southern half of the Earth .\nOn 17 July , a piece four kilometers wide enters the Earth's atmosphere   with a massive explosion . About half of the piece is destroyed , but the remaining part hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound . The sea boils and a huge hole is made in the sea bed . Huge waves are created and spread outwards from the hole . The wall of water , a kilometer high , rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour . Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people re drowned .\nBefore the waves reach South America , the second piece of the comet lands in Argentina . Earthquakes and volcanoes are set off in the Andes Mountains . The shock waves move north into California and all around the Pacific Ocean . The cities of Los Angeles , San Francisco and Tokyo are completely destroyed by earthquakes . Millions of people in the southern half of the earth are already dead, but the north won't escape for long . Because of the explosions , the sun is hidden by clouds of dust , temperatures around the world fall to almost zero .Crops are ruined . The sun won't be seen again for many years . Wars break out as countries fight for food . A year later , no more than 10 million people remain alive .\nCould it really happen ? In fact , it has already happened more than once in the history of the Earth . The dinosaurs were on the Earth for over 160 million years . Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared . Many scientists believe that the Earth was hit by a piece of object in space . The dinosaurs couldn't live through the cold climate that followed and they died out . Will we meet the same end ?", "problems": [{"question": "What is mainly described in the passage ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A historic discovery .", "An event of imagination", "A research on space .", "A scientific adventure ."]}, {"question": "When the first piece hits the South Atlantic , it causes_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["an earthquake", "damages to cities", "an Earth explosion", "huge waves"]}, {"question": "Why can't the northern half of the earth escape for long ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because the land is covered with water", "Because the light and heat from the sun can not reach the earth .", "Because people there can not live at the temperature of zero .", "Because wars break out among countries ."]}]}
{"article": "Who we are\nShanghai Super Star provides combination service including translation and tourism and sourcing, focusing on interpreting and translation.\nOur professional team offer highly professional business interpreters, assistants, companions and exhibition translators and sourcing for a variety of business requirements as well as tour guides to first-time tourists coming to China.\nWhy choose us\n^ Our professional and experienced business interpreters/translators have more than 5 years' experience and also have professional education background like business, foreign trade, management etc.\n^ Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic private tour guides are always ready to help design your unique trip.\n^ Our reliable interpreters have solid experience in different industries. So we will be your great choices when you need interpreters for trade shows, trade fairs, exhibitions or you need business assistants for your business trip like supplier meetings, factory visiting, project negotiation etc.\n^ We are always ready to help you go through the language barrier and cultural understanding, and stand by your side and consider everything in your position.\n^ When you have finished your business trip, you still have professional Chinese team to support you for goods inspection, shipping arrangement or other service you need.\n^ We provide one-stop service for personal holidays or business trips within Great China&Hong Kong Area.\nFrom our customers\nI had the pleasure of working with Susan on multiple trips to Shanghai. Susan is very professional and likes her job. Having Susan as our translator made the trip enjoyable. I look forward to working with Susan on\nour next trip.\n--Gary Lennox (USA)\nIn every respect, Susan did an excellent job as our interpreter. She was always friendly and professional, so everyone felt comfortable working with her. And she had no problem communicating clearly about technical subjects and sensitive business issues. I recommend Susan to any companies doing business in Shanghai and nearby cities.\n--Joe Abelson (USA)", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following descriptions about Shanghai Super Star is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It serves customers both at home and abroad.", "It can provide business assistants if necessary.", "Interpreting and translation are its main business.", "Its interpreters and translators are all English majors."]}, {"question": "The two comments in the passage are intended to indicate    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Susan is very professional and can meet the needs of different customers", "American customers have a preference for Shanghai Super Star", "Shanghai Super Star enjoys a good reputation among customers", "Shanghai Super Star provides combination service for customers"]}]}
{"article": "Humans may be a bad influence on their best friends---at least when it comes to problem-solving. In a task that wasn't very tough, wolves performed must better than dogs. All the animals had to do was pull the lid off a food container, containing a sausage treat.\nMonique Udell studies animal behavior at Oregon State University in Corvallis. She tested 10 pet dogs and another 10 dogs from an animal shelter. In one set of tests, a person was nearby but did not encourage or discourage the dogs. Those dogs typically spent 10 to 15 percent of their time gazing at the person. They spent a mere 5 percent of their time or less touching the container.\nUdell offered the same challenge to wolves. These animals had been raised and fed by people but still lived outdoors. Here, the wolves didn't look at the nearby person. Instead, they devoted about 90 percent of the time to struggling with the box holding a treat.\nWhen someone walked around the dogs and actively encouraged them to keep trying to open the  box, the dogs did spend more time handling the problem. A few more even managed to open the box. But their success rate still did not match the wolves. The dogs and wolves were also tested when no one was present. But even then, the dogs didn't paw or teat the box much more than they did when a human was present.", "problems": [{"question": "What was the effect of encouragement on the dogs?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It made their success rate improve a lot", "It made them seek less guidance", "It made them a little more devoted to the task", "It made them able to compete with the wolves"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How wolves and dogs differ from each other", "The reason why wolves are dangerous", "Dogs are more relaxed when no one is around", "Wolves beat dogs in problem-solving tests"]}]}
{"article": "A 13-year-old American boy on Saturday became the youngest climber to conquer Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain.\nJordan Romero from Big Bear, California, climbed up the 8,850-meter summit   from the Tibetan side. On the same day, a Nepali   man, Apa Sherpa, broke his own world record of climbing Everest when he reached the summit for the twentieth time. Apa Shepa's team set off from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, last month, heading for the base camp on the Chinese side of the mountain.\n\"The team has just called in and believe that they are standing on top of Mt. Everest,\" Romero's blog said. \"Their dreams have now come true. Everyone is happy.\"\nThe climbing has put Romero one step closer to reaching his goal of climbing the highest mountains on all seven continents  . \"It is just a goal.\" Romero said. He had already climbed five peaks  , and needs to climb only Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, to hit his goal.\nThe youngest person before to climb Everest was 16-year-old Temba Tsheri Sherpa of Nepal. Romero climbed together with a team including his father Paul and three local guides. He wanted to pick a small piece of rock from the top of the world and wear it in a necklace. While Nepal insists that anyone planning to climb Mount Everest must be at least 16, China does not have any age restrictions  . Some mountain climbers haven't agreed with the Romero family for letting him try it but his father said the climbing from the Chinese side is less dangerous.", "problems": [{"question": "Jordan Romero climbed up Mount Everest mainly to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["meet Apa Sherpa", "build his body", "break the world record", "realize part of his goal"]}, {"question": "To stand on the highest mountains on all seven continents, Jordan Romero plans to climb the peak in   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Asia", "Antarctica", "Europe", "Africa"]}, {"question": "Why did Jordan Romero choose to climb from the Chinese side of Mount Everest?", "answer": "A", "options": ["China allows climbers of any age to climb Mt. Everest.", "It wasn't far from Jordan's base camp on the Chinese side.", "There were more challenges on the Chinese side.", "There were more local guides on the Chinese side."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that Romero   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["is the first teenager to conquer Mr. Everest", "climbed Mr. Everest without the help of local guides", "still has two peaks to conquer in order to hit his goal", "is supported by his father"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The great dream of picking rocks from top of Mt. Everest", "The number of successful Mt. Everest climbs.", "California teen becomes youngest to climb Mt. Everest.", "Mt. Everest climbing becomes more popular."]}]}
{"article": "I want to tell you a story that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Saturday morning. We decided to stop at a local restaurant to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as though he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something warm to drink; however, it was not this that I remember, because that is not what \"moved\" me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog owner, I knew that the dog was a mother, and that she had just had some pups  . She was hungry and weak and I felt bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her pups would not live. People walking by didn't even notice her. She was not as pretty and clean as most dogs, but she still deserved   better. We still did not do anything, but someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went into the store and bought dog food with all the money he had.", "problems": [{"question": "Where did the story happen?", "answer": "B", "options": ["In front of the local restaurant.", "In front of a building.", "In the car parking lot.", "Near the author's house."]}, {"question": "What do we know about the dog?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The author wanted to help the dog, but he was un-able to.", "The dog and her pups were in danger of dying from hunger.", "The dog was not cute enough to be loved.", "The author didn't like dogs."]}, {"question": "Which of the following moved the author?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The homeless man had no money to buy food for himself.", "The homeless man wore worn clothes on cold days.", "The homeless man bought food for a dog with all his money.", "Most people walking by the dog didn't notice her."]}, {"question": "What can we conclude  from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The author was so hungry that he went into the local restaurant to eat.", "The author didn't understand what the homeless man did.", "The dog shouldn't be taken care of carefully because it looked ugly.", "Things are not always what they seem."]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["My Memory", "A Poor Dog", "The Homeless Person", "A Mother Dog"]}]}
{"article": "Earth Day events are arranged all over the world, but for New Yorkers in the Catskill region, there are plenty of options.s6t----\nEarth Day Celebrations6t----\nPlace: Frost Valley; Time: Friday, April 8 - Saturday, April 9 (Check-in at 5:00 pm on Friday). Activities include recycled arts and crafts projects, classes on composting   and recycling, nature hikes, and a greenhouse planting project. All ages are welcomed. $15.00 per person (includes lunch). Kids 5 and under free. Call (845) 985-2291 for more details and to register.s6t----\nEarth Festivals6t----\nPlace: Milford Central School; Time: Saturday, April 9 (11:00 am - 3:00 pm). Enjoy exhibits, activities and entertainment. Bring along your recyclables to be collected. You'll go green! Fashion Show will be held at the end of the day. Admission to the Festival is free, and tickets for the fashion show are $10 per person (or $60 for a table of 8). Call (607) 286-7721 for tickets to the fashion show or (607) 547-4488 for details about the Festival.s6t----\nClean Sweeps6t----\nPlace: Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site; Time: Sunday, April 17 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm). Help clean up the park with bush cutting and trash pick-up. You'll be joining volunteers from the Montgomery County Water Quality Committee. Please bring your own equipment (lunch will be provided). Call (518) 829-7516 for more details.s6t----\nTrail Work Days6t----\nIt is in Grafton Lakes State Park on Saturday, April 16 (9:00 am - 12:00 pm). Enjoy the outdoors and take a hike while helping park volunteers to clear and inspect the trails. Sign up on Markwehnau@aol.com or call (518) 279-1155. This event may be rescheduled if weather is not permitting. s6t----", "problems": [{"question": "This passage was written mainly for   _  .s6t----", "answer": "B", "options": ["students who study at Milford Central School, New Yorks6t----", "people who want to attend Earth Day events in the Catskill regions6t----", "adults who protect the environment in New Yorks6t----", "people who celebrate Earth Day all over the worlds6t----"]}, {"question": "If a couple with a five-year-old child go to Frost Valley, they should pay   _  .s6t----", "answer": "C", "options": ["15 dollars", "20 dollars", "30 dollars", "35 dollarss6t----"]}, {"question": "If you want to get tickets to the fashion show, you should call   _  .s6t----", "answer": "C", "options": ["(845) 985-2291", "(518) 829-7516", "(607) 286-7721s6t----", "(607) 547-4488"]}, {"question": "Where will you go if you only have time on Sunday?s6t----", "answer": "D", "options": ["Frost Valley.s6t----", "Milford Central School.", "Grafton Lakes State Park.", "Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.s6t----"]}]}
{"article": "Thank-you cards -- heartfelt expressions of gratitude for gifts, services and general kindness -- seem to be rare in an age when the Internet continues to reduce human touch.\nAlthough our society has changed greatly over the past century, the  _ of thank-you notes has not.\nWhile most people would agree that thank-you notes under these conditions are a necessity, there are still those who forever delay or are forgetful for unknown reasons.\nAnd at no time of the year are thank-you notes more visible (or lacking) than June, the month of graduations, and the beginning of summer parties.\n\" It' s a must-do thing. A real ' thank you' does not come by e-mail. It comes in the mail in an envelope. And what comes out of an envelope is a beautiful thing to touch and to handle and to pass around for everyone to read, \"said etiquette expert Letitia Baldrige.\nDon't think for a second that Baldrige is old-fashioned. Handwritten thank-you notes -- any handwritten letter, for that matter -- have taken on an air of extra importance in this e-hyper   world. \nBaldrige remains hopeful that the art may be enjoying a renaissance .\nMore than simply obeying rules of etiquette, thank-you cards are a sign of caring.\n\"They are more important now than ever,\"expert Peter Post says. \"You are building a relationship. And part of building that relationship is that you recognize it when someone has done something nice for you.\"\n\"The payoff, \"Post says, \"can be huge. The more we do it, the more it comes back to us, and it's a benefit to us all. It makes our world a little bit nicer place to live in.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Nowadays thank-you cards seem to be rare mainly because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["People think that they are out of fashion", "It is cheaper to say thanks by e-mail", "The Internet has reduced our chances of getting together", "People are too busy to remember these things"]}, {"question": "The author implies in this article that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["old-fashioned people don't use e-mails", "the changing society is making people impolite and lazy", "modern technology is driving people apart", "the e-hyper world is not a nice place to live in"]}, {"question": "What is the author's main purpose of writing this article?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To remind people to express heartfelt thanks.", "To criticize people's forgetfulness.", "To suggest building a new relationship.", "To emphasize the importance of e-mail."]}]}
{"article": "September is an exciting month in every college freshman's life. For many, it's the first time that they've left home to live in a new environment. But after the hustle and bustle of a few weeks, excitement gives way to a less enjoyable emotion-- homesickness.\nHomesickness manifests itself in many ways. You may miss mum's cooking, your pets, or even your old bed. All this becomes a fond memory of the past. Homesickness can be a bitter feeling for many students, especially when faced with the challenges of settling into an unfamiliar environment.\nBut remember, you're not alone. According to a recent BBC article, 70 percent of British college students experience homesickness. In this increasingly globalized world in which people migrate to faraway places for a relationship, education or work, homesickness is a feeling shared by many adults.\nHomesickness can have similar symptoms to depression and in extreme cases it can develop into a panic attack. As for the term, homesickness or nostalgia wasn't invented until the 17th century. It was considered a disorder by a Swiss physician, who attributed soldiers' mental and physical discomfort to their longing to return home, \"nostos\" from Greek, and the accompanying pain, \"algos\".\nStudies in recent years, however, have shown that nostalgia may have some benefits to our mental health. After a decade of surveys and researches, Constantine Sedikides, a US social psychologist, found that nostalgia is what makes us human. He explains that nostalgia can resist loneliness, boredom and anxiety. Therefore, it's necessary for college students to learn some ways to overcome the uncomfortable feeling.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, we can know that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["homesickness may cause mental diseases", "homesickness is a feeling only shared by adults", "homesickness won't do any good to our health", "homesickness is also called nostalgia in Switzerland"]}, {"question": "The attitude of Sedikides towards homesickness is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["negative", "supportive", "skeptical", "critical"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Let's embrace homesickness", "How to fit into the college life", "A harmful emotion--homesickness", "The disadvantages of homesickness"]}]}
{"article": "Being young is great. Most of the parts of your body still work great, you have a full head of hair, you're energetic, and you have a world of opportunity in front of you. However, there's going to come a time when you start to get older. And as you get older, you'll have new responsibilities, complete independence, and perhaps most importantly, less time to recover from mistakes.\nYou see, we all make mistakes in life. Maybe you spent more money than you should have on a car, you passed up on a great job opportunity, or you didn't try as hard as you could have in school. It's a part of life and we learn from it. But there are certain mistakes that are much better made while you're still young and have plenty of time to recover.\nI'm definitely not telling you that you should purposely go out and make these mistakes (because they're a pain to recover from). But these are all mistakes that are much better made when you're younger so that you can learn from them and not have them ruin your entire life.\nStarting the wrong career\nWouldn't you hate to be 45 years old and discover that you absolutely hate what you do for a living? It's a reality that a lot of people face and it can be difficult to fix. You see, when you're 23 and find out you don't like the career path you've chosen, you can easily explore new career options.\nWe no longer live in an age when people are expected to stay with one company until they retire. You can bounce around a little bit and find out what you want to do. When you get older, just switching careers whenever you want isn't as simple.\nYou have to consider your family, retirement, the difficulties you might run into with starting from the bottom in a new industry, and plenty of other issues that someone in their early 20's just doesn't have to deal with.\nDating the wrong person\nThe divorce rate in the U.S is extremely high. Other parts of the world aren't doing too much better either. While everyone gets divorced for their own reasons, I think we can all agree that it's better to find out that the person you're with is wrong for you sooner rather than later.\nHopefully you find out whether or not the person you're with is right for you before you tie the knot, because around 50% of first marriages end in divorce.\nMessing up your credit\nRuining your credit is never a good idea. Even if you ruin it while you're young, it could affect you in the future. The upside of having bad credit while you're young instead of older is that you have time to build it back up.\nIt can take 7-10 years to rebuild your credit if you have a history of late payments, loan defaults, foreclosures, or bankruptcy. During those 7-10 years, you'll have a hard time financing anything unless you have a cosigner or put down a substantial down payment.\nMost people tend to make most of the bigger purchases in life when they get older such as a house or their dream car. If you have bad credit, you can kiss all of that goodbye.\nMaking bad investments\nIf you're investing money for your retirement, making bad decisions can mean you'll be working your entire life. Whether you choose to pay someone to do the investing for you or handle it all yourself, it's a lot better to take risks when you're younger.\nIf you invest in stock or even real estate while you're young and the market takes a hit, you're not ruined. Investing is a long-term venture, so the younger you start, the more fluctuation you can withstand and still come out with a positive return.\nBlowing your money\nWhat would you do if you went broke at 60 years old? You would be working your behind off when you really should be relaxing and getting ready to retire soon.\nBut if you're 25 and broke, you still have plenty of time to earn more money. Also, nobody will judge you because it's not unusual for people in their 20's to not have money these days. You might have blown your money on a nice car or have an obsession with all the newest gadgets.\nWhen you get older, you'll be able to look back and realize how dumb you were for spending $20,000 on a brand new car when you were only 20 years old. But when you're older and waste your money, you'll REALLY have nothing to show for it.", "problems": [{"question": "The following are all the advantages of being young EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["you have more time to recover from mistakes", "most of the parts of your body still work great", "you have many responsibilities and complete independence", "you have a world of opportunity in front of you"]}, {"question": "You can bounce around a little bit and find out what you want to do. \"Bounce\" in this sentence is most similar in meaning to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["My father would burst into the kitchen bouncing a football.", "The wind was bouncing the branches of the big oak trees.", "I was an army brat, I always bounced a lot when I was young", "The ex-boxer's job is to bounce people who want to enter this private club."]}, {"question": "What does the author really mean by saying \"it's a lot better to take risks when you're younger\"?", "answer": "B", "options": ["You should purposely go out and make these mistakes so that you can learn from them and not have them ruin your entire life.", "There are certain mistakes that are much better made while you're still young and have plenty of time to recover.", "When you get older, you'll have rich experiences to share with your friends and families however dumb you were", "The younger you start, the fewer risks you can withstand and still come out with a positive return."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["about 50% of first marriages end in divorce in the U.S, much higher than other parts of the world", "never tie the knot before you make sure he or she will not divorce you", "it usually takes 7-10 years to rebuild one's credit if it is broken for any reason", "it's unusual for people in their 20's to have money these days"]}, {"question": "The author wrote this article mainly to tell the young   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["if you are to take risks, the earlier, the better", "it's better for the young to take any risk than the older", "that they should make big purchases such as a house when they get older", "if you don't take risks when young, your youth will be dumb"]}]}
{"article": "Experts have put forward detailed plans for a tunnel to connect Taiwan with the Chinese mainland.\n    The shortest proposed route would be 126 kilometers more than twice the length of the English Channel Tunnel. And the longest proposed route would be 207 kilometers.\n    A recent conference in Xiamen, Fujian Province brought together more than 70 experts. The event was co-sponsored   by universities from Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.\n    Fujian is the province where both proposed routes would begin. There is direct passenger access between the mainland and Taiwan by air and sea at the moment. Experts say that it is better to start research sooner rather than later, although there is a lack of government funding . There are no technical problems to build a Taiwan tunnel. But it will require an improved political relationship across the Straits .\n    A professor of Tsinghua University said, \"A special feature of huge projects is that the period of preparation is longer than the period of construction.\"\n    For example, he said, the English Channel Tunnel took 14 years of planning and had been discussed for two centuries. And preparations for the huge Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River began in the 1950s.\n    The Xiamen conference focused on the longest southern route, which would pass Jinmen and Penghu.\n    The first stage of the new project could be a bridge to cross the five kilometers between Xiamen and Jinmen. This would mean that travelling from Xiamen to Jinmen by car would only take five minutes.\n    The longest tunnel now being planned anywhere in the world is the 54-kilometer land tunnel to link Lyon in France with Turin in Italy. The tunnel will not be completed until 2015-2020.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is the longest tunnel in the world at present?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The tunnel between Lyon and Turin.", "The English Channel Tunnel.", "The Taiwan Straits tunnel.", "The passage doesn't mention it."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Universities both at home and abroad have sponsored   the plan.", "If the project is completed, the world's longest tunnel will appear.", "You can reach Taiwan from the mainland directly at present.", "The starting point of the proposed tunnel is in Fujian."]}, {"question": "The example of English Channel Tunnel shows   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it's not easy to complete a huge project", "there are many problems to be solved before doing something", "discussions among countries usually take a lot of time", "the preparation takes longer time than the construction"]}, {"question": "What is the major difficulty in carrying out the plan?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Improving the relationship between Taiwan and the mainland.", "The lack of money for the project from the government.", "The detailed plans for the tunnel.", "The technical problems with the tunnel."]}]}
{"article": "One rainy night , Mark decided to end his life . Having undergone a lot of sufferings and frustrations , he walked the streets , feeling desperate .\nOn that same night , I was sitting in my room when I heard the doorbell rang . My mom opened the door , finding herself face-to-face with a very disheveled-looking man , Mark , with tears running down his face . My mom , overcome by pity , invited him inside .\nCurious , I went downstairs to get a better look . The sight of the man , holding his head in his hands and crying , made my chest ache . I raced back upstairs to my room , pulled out my only half-dollar coin from my money jar and ran back downstairs .\nWhen I reached the door of the living room , I walked right in and quickly made my way over to the stranger . I put the half-dollar in his hand and told him that I wanted him to have it . Then I gave him a hug and turned and ran as fast as I could out of the room and back up the stairs .\nDownstairs , tears streamed down Mark's face as he tightly held that coin . Finally he said , \" It's just that I thought nobody cared . For the last twenty years , I have been so alone . That was the first hug I have gotten . It's hard to believe that somebody cares . \"\nBefore Mark left , my parents asked him why he had knocked on our door , Mark said that as he was walking the streets that rainy night , hope. less and ready to die , he noticed a bumper sticker on our car reading SOMEBODY LOVES YOU .\nIt's hard to imagine that a bumper sticker and fifty cents could change a person's life . Mark's life did change that night . When he left our house , he was ready to live instead of die .", "problems": [{"question": "Mom let Mark inside our house because she   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["was hospitable to anyone", "was ready to help others", "wanted to educate me", "felt sorry for him"]}, {"question": "Why did Mark cry when he tightly held the coin ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because he realized he was not abandoned by the world .", "Because he was worried about whether he could pay it back .", "Because he finally got money when he was in great need of it .", "Because he felt ashamed that he should get money from a child ."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can best describe the author ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Curious and desperate.", "Sympathetic and nice.", "Miserable and kind.", "Brave and thoughtful."]}, {"question": "What can be the best title for the passage ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Love is Selfless", "Kindness is Rewarding", "Love Saves All", "Be Kind to Strangers"]}]}
{"article": "SYDNEY--Australia's economic boom is encouraging a steady stream of unexpected visitors looking for work: Americans.\nU.S. citizens are heading to Australia in small but growing numbers as near-10% unemployment at home drives more to look for jobs Down Under, where China's thirst for iron ore   and energy is transforming the Pacific nation into an economic powerhouse.\nA bricklaying student from Silver Trowel, a leading provider of quality education and training in the building and construction industry, apprentices   on a building project in Western Australia, where workers are in short supply.\nDaniel Davila, a 23-year-old floorer from Camarillo, California made the 14-hour move across the Pacific two years ago. He had been forced to take a job stocking shelves at a local grocery store for $8.90 an hour when he couldn't get work fixing floors.\nOn a good day in Australia, he now makes as much as 50 Australian dollars (US$50.21) an hour--about twice the amount for a typical flooring job in the U.S. He plans to start his own flooring business. \n\"I can make what I did in a week in the U.S. in less than a day here,\" said Mr. Davila, who lives near a mining boom town in Western Australia.\nAustralian government figures show just under 7,000 Americans currently working on long-term visas, an 80% jump over the past five years. U.S. citizens are now the third-largest group applying for so-called 457 work visas, after British and Indian nationals. Americans with degrees in areas such as accounting or mine engineering, as well as other skilled workers, can obtain a nonrenewable  permit for as much as a three-year stay. After that, they can apply for the renewable 457, which allows up to a four-year stay. \nThe need for workers is particularly pressing in Western Australia. The mining state's unemployment rate was 4.5% in November, below the national average of 5.2%. Drivers of heavy trucks can pull in six-figure salaries while experienced crane   operators can earn hundreds of thousands a year. Attracting skilled workers is a shift for Australia, which historically sent many of its most highly educated to the U.S. and Europe, according to migration data.", "problems": [{"question": "_  , a growing number of Americans go to work in Australia.", "answer": "B", "options": ["As a result of the encouragement of Australia", "As a result of high unemployment in the U.S.", "Out of their ambition of finding valuable resources", "Out of their determination to realize their dreams"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that 457 work visasare  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["for skilled workers in some fields", "for students on the building project", "especially for American workers", "especially for those out of work"]}, {"question": "It is implied in the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["foreigners have to give up their original professional jobs when working in Australia", "it is possible for foreigners to earn more money in Australia than in their own countries", "there are more U.S. citizens hoping to work in Australia than from other countries", "Australians think it fair to exchange their talent with American skilled workers"]}]}
{"article": "Table manners are very different in every country. For example, when you are in England you must not lift your soup plate to your mouth. This is very impolite. But when you are in Japan this is completely normal. Lifting your plate to your mouth in Japan is a traditional way of drinking your soup. And also in Japan you don't have to worry about making a noise when you drink it. It just shows that you really like the food! But it is not the same in Britain, so you shouldn't make a noise when eating there.\nIn Britain, people don't put their hands or arms on the table during the meal. But in Mexico, guests keep their hands on the table all the time. In fact, you should watch what your hands do very carefully. In Arab countries, it is impolite when you eat with your left hand, so don't do it!\nIn all the cultures it is impolite to speak when you are eating.\nIn Ukraine you should not start eating first; you should wait for all the others to start eating with you. You also have to say \"please\" and \"thank you\" every time you ask for and get something. If you don't like some food, don't make faces and don't say: \"Yuk! I hate that!\" \nThe best way to avoid making mistakes in other countries is to watch the host and try to do as he does.", "problems": [{"question": "It is impolite to lift the soup plate to your mouth in   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": [".Japan", "England", ". Ukraine", ". Mexico"]}, {"question": "When you are ea ting in Japan, making a noise means that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["you feel ill", "you dislike the fo od", "you like the food", "you are very hungry"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Keeping your hands on the table is polite in Britain but impolite in Mexico.", "In Arab countries you should eat with your right hand.", "Speaking when you're eating is impolite just in some cultures.", "In Ukraine, it's a tradition that the guest eats first."]}, {"question": "How does the text mainly develop?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By giving examples.", "By explaining reasons.", "By following the order of time.", "By following the order of importance."]}]}
{"article": "Depressed people can be very difficult to be around,and yet they need more than the usual amount of support and understanding from their friends and family.\nThe anger and lack of concern that a depressed person may have for people close to him or her can be very disturbing to someone who's trying to help.At such times,the sincerity of a friend or a family member is questioned when the depressed person doesn't feel worthy of someone's friendship.Withdrawal from others can make it nearly impossible to encourage a depressed person to enter into activities that may help pull him or her out of the depression.\nIt is frequently difficult for a depressed person to carry on a conversation.Attempts to help may be met with defensiveness and verbal attacks.While being supportive and understanding,the friend of a family member must be careful not to do too many things for the depressed person.There is a very thin line between being supportive and being overly protective.Too much\"doing for\" can be a disservice .\nYou can best help a friend or relative who is depressed by considering the following points:\n*Do not moralize.Don't pressure him or her to \"put on a happy face,\" or to \"snap out of it.\" Often the person will feel even worse after hearing such words.\n*When you are alone with your depressed friend,you might say something like,\"I've noticed lately that you seem down.I care about you and would like to listen to what you're thinking about.\" Then be a good listener.\n*Don't say,\"I know exactly how you feel.\" You probably don't.But if you've had similar experiences,sharing those may help.Say things like,\"This happened to me.It might help you.\" Or \"I know some of what you must be feeling.\"\n*Urge him or her to get professional help if necessary.Offer to accompany your friend on the first visit if it will be easier for the person.", "problems": [{"question": ".The above passage is mainly intended for   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a doctor who works with a depressed person", "a depressed person", "one who lives with a depressed person", "an expert who gives advice to a depressed person"]}, {"question": "Too much \"doing for\" can   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["cause more severe depression", "give the depressed person courage", "result in defensiveness from the depressed person", "be of no help to the depressed person"]}, {"question": "What are you advised to say to a depressed person?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Try to look happy and you'll be better.", "I know exactly how you feel.", "I had a similar experience.And it might help you.", "Cheer up and get rid of your depression."]}]}
{"article": "Treetops, the hotel in the trees, are famous in the world. People know little about Kenya, but they know of Treetops. When King George VI died, Princess Elizabeth was staying on the Treetops, and when she came down from there, \"She _ him as the queen of the country\".\nThe hotel is in the middle of the forest, and it shows the pleasure of Africa. When you visit it, you will be sent into the heart of the forest by hotel buses, and then a guide, with a gun to protect you against big game, will go with you to the Treetops. Before and after dinner, for the whole night if you wish, you can sit on the corridor , watching animals come to the water pool. The earliest hotel Treetops was built round a large tree on the opposite side of the water, but that was destroyed by fire and the new hotel Treetops, which is built round several trees, is much bigger.\nThe dining room at Treetops is small, and the waiters cannot walk round to serve guests, so a clever \" _ \" has been invented. Guests take their food as it passes slowly in front of them, along a line in the center of the table.\nThere are many animals around the Treetops. When you visit them, you can see:\n---Animals and their babies are waiting to greet the guests.\n---Animals, enjoying the Treetops pool in the daylight.\n---A long bodied, long ring tailed very active cat-like animal is a special one coming out at night. He hunts and eats anything he can catch and is very destructive. He lives in the trees at Treetops. He comes for his food every evening. Do not get too near to him, as his teeth and claws can do you harm. These animals can be trained and become lovely pets.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements about \"the cat-like animal\" is WRONG?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It comes for food only at night.", "It lives in the trees at Treetops.", "Its teeth and claws can do people harm.", "It can catch any other animal in the forest."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that the guests   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["will be protected by a guide in the forest", "can play with the cat-like animals", "can have parties in the dinning room", "could not sit on the corridor at night"]}]}
{"article": "A rainforest is an area covered by tall trees with the total high rainfall spreading quite equally through the year and the temperature rarely dipping below l6degC. Rainforests have a great effect on the world environment because they can take in heat from the sun and adjust the climate. Without the forest cover,these areas would reflect more heat into the atmosphere, warming the rest of the world. Losing the rainforests may also influence wind and rainfall patterns,potentially causing certain natural disasters all over the world.\nIn the past hundred years,humans have begun destroying rainforests in search of three major resources : land for crops,wood for paper and other products,land for raising farm animals. This action affects the environment as a whole. For example,a lot of carbon dioxide in the air comes from burning the rainforests. People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit.\nThere are two main reasons for _ . Firstly,when people cut down trees,generally they can only use the land for a year or two. Secondly,cutting large sections of rainforests may provide a good supply of wood right now,but in the long run it actually reduces the world's wood supply.\nRainforests are often called the world's drug store. More than 25% of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. However,fewer than l%of rainforest plants have been examined for their medical value. It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in the world's shrinking   rainforests.", "problems": [{"question": "Rainforests can help to adjust the climate because they  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["reflect more heat into the atmosphere", "bring about high rainfall throughout the world", "rarely cause the temperature to drop lower than l6degC", "reduce the effect of heat from the sun on the earth"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the text that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["we can get enough resources without rainforests", "there is great medicine potential in rainforests", "we will grow fewer kinds of crops in the gained land", "the level of annual rainfall affects wind patterns"]}, {"question": "What might be the best title for the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to Save Rainforests", "How to Protect Nature", "Rainforests and the Environment", "Rainforests and Medical Development"]}]}
{"article": "MONTAGNE: In the summer of 2011, the world first heard of a small island in Norway under the most terrible of circumstances. Utoya Island was a youth camp run by Norway's Labor Party. One day in July, a heavily armed, right-wing extremist stepped onto the island and began shooting at random. Sixty-nine people died, over 100 were wounded; almost all, young people. This month, artist Jonas Dahlberg was appointed to create a memorial. He described to us the experience he imagines for those who come to the island.\nDAHLBERG: You start your walk through a forest of evergreens on a wooden pathway. After a while, this pathway starts to go down into the landscape.\nMONTAGNE: Down into the landscape, and into a short tunnel. When you come out, you are unable to go any farther. You can't get to the tip of the island because it has been cut off. So all you can do is look across a narrow channel of water at what is now a wall of polished stone, carved with the names of the dead.\nDAHLBERG: It becomes almost like a gravestone. You cannot reach it. It's close enough to be able to read, but it's forever lost for your possibility to reach.\nMONTAGNE: It's being called _ . Exactly what do you mean by that?\nDAHLBERG: During my first site visit, the experience of seeing those gunshots--and you can see it was like being in an open wound. And it took me to a stage of deep sadness where it was hard to breathe. So I didn't want to illustrate loss; I wanted to make actual loss. It's just a cut through the island.\nMONTAGNE: On the day of the massacre, just hours before launching his shooting on the island, the killer set off a bomb in downtown Oslo, leaving eight people dead. As those events were unfolding, artist Jonas Dahlberg had been out with his brother, and stopped in at a seaside village.\nDAHLBERG: In the harbor, it was silent, and this is the higher end of summer. So, it's normally a very lively place. And it was total silence there; and it was a very, very strange feeling in the whole small village. And it's totally impossible to grasp what is going on. And then it just kept on. It's still almost impossible to understand it. It's also one of the reasons why it's so important with memorials for these kind of things. It's to maybe help a little bit to understand what was happening. So it's not just about remembering. It's also about trying to just understand.\nMONTAGNE: Artist Jonas Dahlberg designed the memorial for the 69 who died at a youth camp on Utoya Island. The attack was the deadliest in Norway since World War II. That memorial will open in 2015. And to see a virtual version of what it will look like, go to our website, at npr.org. This is Renee Montagne at NPR news.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Utoya Island was the only bloody shooting spot planned by the killer.", "Utoya Island used to be a youth camp site and now has been reduced to total silence.", "Dahlberg and his brother witnessed the shooting on Utoya Island.", "Visitors to Utoya Island can touch the names of the victims carved on the polished stone."]}]}
{"article": "Polynesian Cultural Center\nThe Polynesian Cultural Center (P.C.C.) offers the best value for your vacation dollar. There is so much to see and do for the entire family. They offer a unique and authentic view not only of the Hawaiian culture, but also offer a taste of their Polynesian cuisines  .\nThe Gateway Buffet Package\nA fun activity for all ages, experience the beauty of true Polynesia with The Polynesian Cultural Center's newest package. Experience the 7 Polynesian Islands as they share with you their culture through song and dance. Enjoy Prime Rib & Seafood Dinner at the Gateway Restaurant, finishing the evening with the Horizons Night Show.\nAdult Price: $68.00\nChild Price: $51.00\nThe Twilight Package--Ambassador's Fine Dining\nThis activity is an excellent choice for those who want a shorter visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center. You will be guided through the two villages, and you can choose from Hawaiian Luau or Prime Rib & Seafood Dinner. You will then attend the Horizons Night Show and receive a souvenir video, program and a \"Pineapple Delight\" dessert.\nAdult Price: $103.00\nChild Price: $69.00\nThe Ambassador Luau Package\nEnjoy your experience at the Polynesian Cultural Center with luxury   services and places of entertainment as you are guided through our seven villages by your personal tour guide. Enjoy the delicious Ali'i Luau Feast and front row seats at the Horizons Night Show.\nAdult Price: $118.00\nChild Price: $83.00\nThe Super Ambassador Luau Package\nYou will discover for yourself why the Polynesian people are known as the most hospitable   in the world. Enjoy all the luxuries and places of entertainment of the Polynesian Cultural Center as you tour our seven islands with your personal tour guide. You can choose from delicious Prime Rib & Seafood Dinner or Ali'i Luau Feast. Enjoy front row seats at the Horizons Night Show.\nAdult Price: $215.00\nChild Price: $165.00", "problems": [{"question": "The four packages are most suitable for   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a family who plan a holiday", "a group of cultural researchers", "a group of school students", "a group of busy businessmen"]}, {"question": "Which of the following provides tourists with a souvenir?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Gateway Buffet Package", "The Twilight Package--Ambassador's Fine Dining", "The Ambassador Luau Package", "The Super Ambassador Luau Package"]}, {"question": "Tourists can experience the Polynesian culture mainly through   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the local people's dresses", "luxury services and places of entertainment", "songs and dances", "cuisines"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the above four packages?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The Twilight Package--Ambassador's Fine Dining is the cheapest one.", "The 7 Polynesian Islands are included in all the packages.", "The Horizons Night Show may be of special interest to tourists.", "You can enjoy Ali'i Luau Feast if you choose The Gateway Buffet Package."]}, {"question": "How many kinds of cuisines are mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["One.", "Two.", "Three.", "Four."]}]}
{"article": "My father always told me never to ever reveal my true opinions towards other people unless such opinions are positive. He said this is the \"Chu Shi Zhe Xue\", the philosophy of dealing with social network.\n  It seems that everybody here just follows this philosophy very, very well.\n I would say that if I were given true friendship I would definitely treasure it with my greatest care. If I really regard someone as my close friend, I would never leave her alone whenever she's in need, either financially or mentally. And I always believe, as long as I treat people with whole-hearted honesty, I would have some rewards--at least, just ONE true friend of the same gender.\n Sometimes I just miss my friends in China. Perhaps when we became friends, we were still young, too young to have been polluted by any dirt in the society. But here, it is simply different. It seems that all of us have learned how to survive in a foreign land and such an experience actually makes us learn how to get the most benefits from the surroundings in order to survive.\n All are friends around me. I've looked through all the dark sides of their personalities and yet I have to pretend that I know nothing. I say to myself:They are good and we are friends\". And then I can make myself comfortable enough to talk to people I hate the most. And of course, they don't say any words truly from their hearts. Neither do I. \nHowever, sometimes I just feel unwilling to talk to these people. Sometimes, I just want to be alone, quietly, without being forced to listen to their gossip or other useless words.\n\"Standing on a mountain high\nLooking at the moon through a clear blue sky\nI should go and see some friends          \nBut they don't really comprehend\"\n    The singer expresses my feelings, too.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the writer's father according to this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He is really a good philosopher.", "He can get on well with others.", "He told the writer to reveal her true opinions.", "The passage doesn't mention it."]}, {"question": "Why does the writer mention the song twice in the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She likes the song very much.", "The singer is one of her friends.", "The song expresses her feelings.", "She uses it to perfects her article."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements about the writer is not TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She is now living abroad but doesn't enjoy the life there.", "She sometimes doubts her father's philosophy.", "She shows a positive attitude to her relationship with others.", "She doesn't think highly of her friends by saying \"They are good\"."]}, {"question": "The writer mostly expresses that she feels   _   in this passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["happy", "homesick", "lonely", "alone"]}]}
{"article": "I recall a moment that I experienced with my dad when I was twenty-one. I was going to college and living with a couple of friends in Chicago.\nWhen the car I was using died, my dad, realizing that I needed transportation to get to work and to school, was good enough to lend me the money for a used car. Shortly after I bought it, my parents drove down to San Diego for the winter. Before they left, my dad gave me some of his bank deposit slips   with clear and detailed instructions to put one hundred dollars of my earnings, every payday, into their savings account while they were gone.\nAt that time of my life, I was not yet clear about what were the most important problems that I had to attend to first. I dismissed our agreement as nothing important and continued to spend my money as fast as I was making it, in pubs, on dates, and so on. Instead of honoring our agreement, I made payments that were less than the agreed-upon amounts, and on more than one occasion I made no payment at all. \nWhen my parents arrived home in late March, I got a call from my dad, who said, \"Don't go anywhere. I'm coming over.\" My dad was (and still is) a physical presence and had been a truck driver for thirty-five years. I felt ashamed and guilty, knowing that Dad had discovered that I hadn't held up my end of our bargain. \nAfter he came in, he told me to sit down because he had a few things to tell me. There was no shouting, no red face with a vein about to burst on his forehead, and no bad language at all. His first words were, \"When your mother and I got back into town yesterday, I called the bank. I can't say I was surprised to discover that you hadn't made all the payments. My first thought was to come here and take the car from you, but I want to tell you some things while I'm here. Maybe you'll understand, and maybe you won't.\"\nHe went on to tell me, very calmly, about what it means to keep your word. He explained that when he was growing up after the Depression, a man's handshake and his word meant everything. He also told me that because I was twenty-one, he didn't feel angry so much as sad and disappointed. He closed by saying that our words and actions have a real effect on others, and that my words and actions were what others would measure me by. He added that if I hadn't yet formed some core or basic values and principles, this might be a good time to start thinking about those things.\nFor the first time, I saw real disappointment on Dad's face.\nHe gave me a second chance to make our deal right, and even gave me more deposit slips, saying, \"I will take those keys if you miss a single payment or, at the very least, if you don't let me know in advance that you'll have trouble making a payment.  _ .\"\nHe spoke for about forty-five minutes, and I listened. He didn't expect me to say much, and I knew enough to keep quiet. I just nodded or shook my head at the right time and continued to listen.\nThat time we spent together changed me forever. Then and there, I made a promise to myself that I'd never again be the cause of that look of sadness and disappointment on Dad's face. After that defining afternoon, our relationship got better and better. I'm now married with two sons of my own, and they're already learning about the importance of honor, trust, and honesty.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer bought a second-hand car because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he was going to college", "he was living with some friends", "he was working while studying", "his parents wanted to go to San Diego"]}, {"question": "Which of the following do you think is the real cause of Dad's disappointment?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The writer had not formed his fundamental values and principles.", "The writer had not thought clearly about his future.", "The writer had not made all the payments.", "The writer had spent too much money drinking in pubs."]}, {"question": "When dealing with the writer's failure to keep his word, his father was   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["mild but unfair", "angry but considerate", "firm but forgiving", "cruel but reasonable"]}, {"question": "The writer mentions his own marriage and children at the end of the story in order to show   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["his love for his own children", "his father's long-lasting influence", "his own happy family life", "his memory of his father"]}]}
{"article": "When people talk about Golden Age in Leadville, Horace Austin Warner Tabor and his second wife, Elizabeth McCourt must be included. Their story is becoming one of the legends of the Old West. H.A.W.Tabor was a school teacher in Vermont. With his first wife and two children he left Vermont in 1855 to settle in Kansas. Perhaps he was attracted by rumors of fortunes to be made in Colorado mines. A few years later he moved west to the small Colorado mining camp known as California Gulch, which he later renamed Leadville when he became its leading citizen. \"Great deposits of lead are sure to be found here.\"he said.\nAs it turned out, it was silver, not lead, that was to make Leadville's fortune and wealth. Tabor knew little about mining himself, so he opened a general store selling everything from boots to salt, flour, and tobacco. He often \"grubstook\" miners, in other words, to supply them with food and supplies, or\"grub\", while they looked for more. In return he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered. He did this for several years,but nobody he helped ever found anything of value.\nFinally one day in the year 1878, so the story goes, two miners came               in               and asked for \"grub\".Tabor had decided to quit supplying it because he had lost too much money that way. They were persistent, however, and Tabor was too busy to argue with them, \" Oh help yourself. One more time won't make any difference,\" He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers. The two miners took $17 worth of supplies, in return for which they gave Tabor a one-third interest in their findings. They picked a barren place on the mountain side and began to dig. After nine days they struck a rich amount of silver. Tabor bought the shares of the other two men, and so the mine belonged to him alone. This mine, known as the \"Pittsburgh Mine,\"made $300 000 for Tabor in return for his $17 investment.               \nLater Tabor bought the Matchless Mine on another barren hillside just outside the town for $117 000. This turned out to be even more successful than the Pittsburgh, earning $35 000 worth of silver per day at one time. Leadville grew. Tabor became its first mayor.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, why was Tabor able to achieve great success in Leadville?", "answer": "A", "options": ["His wise decisions helped him achieve goals.", "He knew miners there were poor.", "He succeeded quite by accident.", "His second wife helped him a lot."]}, {"question": "Tabor renamed the city Leadville when he became its first mayor because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["it was the mayor's duty to do so", "a great storage of lead was found there", "the city had brought great fortune to Tabor", "miners were eager to search for lead"]}, {"question": "What maybe talked about in the following part of the story?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tabor's children.", "Tabor's second wife.", "Tabor's first wife.", "Miners in Leadville."]}]}
{"article": "It's fun to receive presents. It also feels good to give presents to others. So what's the best way to budget your money, shop wisely and spend smartly this holiday season? Time for kids asked for advice from Susan Beacham of Money Savvy Generation, a company that teaches money-management skills to kids.\n\" My first tip is to make a list and check it twice,\" says Beacham. She suggests that kids talk with their families about whom to include in their gift giving and how much to spend. Start by writing down names, Beacham says. Then put a dollar amount next to each name and add it up. Do you have enough money? If not, make changes. And don't forget---- not everyone needs a store-bought gift. Beacham points out that some of the best presents are free. Add to your list the names of people you want to give gifts of time and talent.\nDo the match\nTake the list with you to the store and \"make sure that you do the math,\" says Beacham \" If you've spent $ 30 on someone you were going to spent $25 on, you're going to have to spend $5 less on somebody else.\" The key to budgeting is staying within the boundaries you've set for yourself.\nGifts from the heart\nThe best gifts don't cost a thing. Here are some of Beacham's top gifts ideas.\n*For parents, make coupons  that can be trade for your services, such as doing dishes.\n*For grandma, write a note telling her how special she is to you.\n*For a friend, create a work of art, like a poem, a drawing or a necklace.\n*For teachers, bake a delicious cake.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the most important thing in budgeting for presents according to Beacham?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Spending money within the limit you have set.", "Working out how much money to spend in total.", "Deciding how much money to spend on each person.", "Checking the name list of people you will give presents"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is Beacham's gift idea for friends?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Writing a note telling them you love them.", "Offering to help them with their studies.", "Bringing them delicious food.", "Drawing pictures for them"]}, {"question": "What's the text mainly about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How to teach kids money-management skills.", "How to make plans for giving presents.", "How to do the math while shopping.", "How to make gifts from the heart."]}]}
{"article": "Melissa Poe was 9 years old when she began a campaign for a cleaner environment by writing a letter to the then President Bush. Through her on efforts, her letter was reproduced on over 250 donated billboards  across the country. \nThe response to her request for help was so huge that Poe established Kids For A Cleaner Environment (Kids F.A.C.E.) in 1989. There are now 300,000 members of Kids F.A.C.E. worldwide and it is the world's largest youth environmental organization. \nPoe has also asked the National Park Service to carry out a \"Children's Forest\" project in every national park. In 1992, she was invited one of only six children in the world to speak at the Earth Summit in prefix = st1 /Brazilas part of the Voices of the future Program. In 1993, she was given a Caring Award for her efforts by the Caring Institute.\nSince the organization started, Kids F.A.C.E. members have distributed and planted over 1 million trees! Ongoing tree-planting projects include Kids' Yards -- the creation of backyard wildlife habitats   and now Kids F.A.C.E. is involved in the exciting Odyssey, which is a great way to start helping. \n \"We try to tell kids that it's not OK to be lazy,\" she explains, \"You need to start being a response, environmentally friendly person now, right now, before you become a resource-sucking adult.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Kids F.A.C.E. is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a program to help students with writing", "a project of litter recycling", "a campaign launched by President Bush", "a club of environmental protection"]}, {"question": "What can we learn about Poe?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She was awarded a prize in Brazil.", "She donated billboards across the country.", "She got positive responses for her efforts.", "She joined the National Park Service."]}, {"question": "Kid's Yards is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["established in national park", "started to protect wildlife", "a wildlife-raising project", "an environment park for kids"]}]}
{"article": "The man from the west stopped and drew back his arm. \"You're not Jimmy Wells,\" he said in a quick and angry way, \"Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to change a man' nose from a Roman to pug.\" \"It sometimes changes a good man into a bad one,\" said the tall man, \"you've been under arrest for ten minutes. Silky Bob. prefix = st1 /Chicagothinks you may have dropped over our way and phones us she wants to have a word with you. Going quietly, are you? That's sensible. Now before we go to the station here's a note I was asked to hand you. You may read it here at the window. It's from Patrolman Wells.?\" The man from the West opened the little piece of paper handed him. His hand was steady when he began to read, but it trembled a little by the time he finished. The note was rather short. Bob: I was at the right place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar I saw it was the face wanted in Chicago. Somehow I couldn't do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man   to do the job.", "problems": [{"question": "The man from the West must have broken the law   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["in Chicago", "inNew York", "in his hometown", "somewhere else"]}, {"question": "The man from the West recognized the tall man not to be the one he had been waiting for because the tall man   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["had a different accent from his", "had a different nose from his friend's", "was his another old friend", "said \"Chicagowants to talk with you?\""]}, {"question": "The two men may have walked   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["for ten minutes", "arm in arm", "face to face", "both A and B"]}, {"question": "We can suppose Jim   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["was afraid of the man from the West", "got another man to help him when necessary", "had an appointment with Bob 20 years ago", "had something else to do and couldn't come himself"]}]}
{"article": "Teen Dating can be fun if you are aware of its pros and cons and are also aware of the ways to protect yourself. There are a couple of suggestions you would like to know before you are out for dating.\nDo not go out for dating with somebody whom you have seen only a few times and does not know much about him or her.\nBefore leaving on a date, know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time to expect you home. Let your date know that you are expected to call or tell that person when you get in.\nSimilarly, if you leave a party with someone you do not know well, make sure you tell another person you are leaving and with whom. Ask a friend to call and make sure you arrive home safely.\nNo matter how good the person appears to you, trust your inner instincts . If a situation makes you uncomfortable, try to stay calm and think of a way to remove yourself from the situation without letting your date realize what is going on in your mind.\nBe aware of your decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs and keep yourself in control when out for a date.\nAlways stay firm, straightforward and clear in your relationships, thoughts, decisions and judgments. Never let a doubt come to your mind or face when out\nfor dating. If you are firm and clear in your communication, your date will always be careful in dealing with you.\nYou should think ahead about ways to be safe if you are in a dangerous or potentially dangerous relationship. Adults, like parents, teachers, counselors, can be trusted in such cases.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is forbidden when dating according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Going out for dating with a stranger.", "Knowing the plan for the evening.", "Telling your parents about the date.", "Telling the person you date that your parents know about the date."]}, {"question": "If you feel uncomfortable, you should NOT  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["leave as soon as possible", "tell your date what you are thinking", "stay calm", "trust yourself"]}, {"question": "The best title for this passage might be  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Be careful with your friends", "Never go out dating", "Safety measures for teen dating", "Dating out is always dangerous"]}]}
{"article": "A brother and sister have been reunited after more than 60 years, thanks to a letter in the Welwyn and Hatfield Times.\nFor years John Hannant Kept a photograph of his long-lost sister, hoping they would meet again. Margery, the eldest of the three children, had signed up to the Royal Air Force as part of the war effort, when John was still a baby. The family lost touch and as the decade s passed only a single letter gave a clue to her whereabouts. The clue was enough for a WHT reader to recognize  Margery and put the family back in touch..\nJohn, 67, had been searching for a long time and a friend suggested writing to the paper.\n\"That's the one that made it, the letter to the paper a few months age,\" he said. \"It's like a dream come true. The last time we ever heard from Margery was in 1953 after the floods. She wrote home to know if we were all right. My sister Dorothy wrote back, But Margery had moved again and never got the letter.\"\nHaving retired from his job as a gardener at Park House, Mr. Hannat decided to take action once and for all. He and his wife Doreen, travelled to Margery's home in Chelwood Avenue, Hatfield , which she shares with her husband Jack Cooke.\nNow 88, she was recovering after several months in hospital, but immediately recognized her brother. John said, \"It's something that I never thought was going to happen, but I always hoped it would.\" As well as finding his sister, John has also discovered he now has a nephew, niece and six grandnieces and grandnephews.", "problems": [{"question": "When she wrote to John last time ,Margery was   _", "answer": "A", "options": ["34 years old", "40 years old", "44years old", "54 years old"]}, {"question": "What do we know about Jack Cooke's family?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Jack now has a son and a daughter.", "Jack and his wife live with their children now", "Jack's wife is in good health all the time.", "Jack lost touch with his family a long time ago."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["since 1953 Margery has come back home only once.", "Margery received only one letter from John.", "Margery does not care about her family.", "WHT refers to a newspaper."]}]}
{"article": "108 cities in China took part in World Car Free Day on Saturday to promote environmentally-friendly transport and ease increasingly grid-locked city streets.It's a highlight of a nationwide urban public transport week.People were urged to take public transport,ride bikes or walk.\nTo help out,more than 200 new buses took to the streets.And the Beijing Subway laid on 10 more trains for rush hour.\nA Beijing resident said, \"Today is Car Free Day,and I do find the traffic much better and the bus can go much faster.\"\nAnother resident said,\"I spent only half an hour to go to work.It took me twice as long before. And  I can find seat on the bus today.\"\nBut in some areas not signed up for traffic control,endless lines of cars can still be seen.\nSome people say they just can't do without their cars.\nAnother Beijing resident said,\"Some people are willing to give up driving,but on certain days when I have to take my child to school or weekend classes,the public transport is so bad that I can't do it without a car.\"\nBut the concept of\"green\"traffic is catching on .People say they believe it's the first and honest step in facing the serious traffic and environmental problems.\nA driver said,\"The Car Free Day has a very important symbolic meaning.It does not mean that we must give up cars.It is to promote a concept,to encourage more people to contribute to the protection of the environment.\"\nThe Ministry of Construction calculates\"Car Free Day\"will cut 3000 tons of emissions  and save 33 million liters of gasoline.And it's planning more frequent activities to raise public consciousness of energy conservation and environmental protection.", "problems": [{"question": "The best title of the passage is possibly\"_\".", "answer": "B", "options": ["Private cars are banned in cities", "Car Free Day pushes\"green\"transport", "Residents can't do without cars", "Residents should ride bikes on Car Free Day"]}, {"question": "Car Free Day will bring the following benefits except_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["saving quite a lot of energy", "environmental protection", "improving road traffic", "facing more serious traffic problems"]}, {"question": "What do you think is possibly the author's attitude towards the Car Free Day?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Positive.", "Negative.", "Passive", "Critical."]}]}
{"article": "BERLIN(AP)--A tiger escaped its enclosure at Cologne Zoo in western Germany on Saturday and killed a female keeper before being shot dead by the zoo's director,police said.\nThe tiger slipped through a passage between the enclosure and a neighboring storage building,where it fatally attacked the 43yearold keeper,said police spokesman Stefan Kirchner.\n\"It appears the gate wasn't properly shut,\" Kirchner told the Associated Press.\nThe zoo was evacuated and a SWAT  team was called in,police said.But before it arrived the zoo's director managed to kill the tiger by climbing onto the storage building and shooting it through a skylight using a rifle.\nKirchner said it was unlikely that members of the public had witnessed the incident.\"This is the darkest day of my life,\" the zoo's director,Theo Pagel,was quoted as saying by Cologne newspaper Express.\nThe paper said on its website that the Siberian tiger was a 4yearold male called Tltai that came to Cologne Zoo from an animal park in England.In November it fathered three cubs with a 7yearold Siberian tiger called Hanya,according to the zoo's website.\nPolice said the zoo reopened after Saturday's incident,which occurred around noon.However,a planned latenight opening of the zoo has been canceled.\nCologne Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Germany.It was founded in 1860 and houses some 10,000 animals comprising more than 700 different species.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can be the best title of the news text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Tiger Escaped,Killed a Keeper in German Zoo", "Tiger Escaped in German Zoo,Shot Dead", "German Zoo Keeper Shot Escaped Tiger", "People Killed in One of the Oldest Zoos in Germany"]}, {"question": "According to the police,what was the direct reason for the incident?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The zoo keeper was a new hand.", "A gate was not closed appropriately.", "The zoo had neglected the secret passage.", "It was very dark when the incident happened."]}, {"question": "What did the zoo do after the incident?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They honored the killed person in a way.", "They paid SWAT for their timely help.", "They returned the tiger's three cubs to England.", "They called off the latenight opening."]}, {"question": "What can we learn about the Cologne Zoo?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It keeps a large variety of species.", "It is one of the largest zoos in Germany.", "It has a history of more than 700 years.", "No such incident has happened before."]}]}
{"article": "Mary Master man, a senior at West Moore High School in prefix = st1 /Oklahoma City, was named the winner Tuesday of the annual Intel Science Talent Search.\n     More than 1,700 high school seniors across the nation entered the competition, which is in its 66th year.\n      Spectrographs, which measure  wave lengths, are used in research such as astronomy and medicine and in industry. For example, they can be used as a sensing equipment to look for explosives or drugs or to help determine how old an art work is through its powders.\n      They can cost as much as $100,000, but Masterman's invention--made of lenses, a laser, aluminum tubing and a camera--cost less than $1,000, Intel said.\n      Masterman received the honor from Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett during a banquet Tuesday night inWashington.\n      \"It was a complete surprise,\" Masterman said. \"I wasn't expecting it.\"\n      Masterman said she has been interested in science ever since she was little. She couldn't remember ever not being interested. _ \n      She said she has not decided where she will attend college but would eventually like to become a physicist or chemist.\n      Among the former winners of the competitions top award are six Nobel Laureates , three National Medal of Science winners, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and two Fields Medalists.\n      \"You're not only dealing with the top young person in the science field in the country in Mary, but you're dealing with 40 finalists who are doing breaking--edge research in total,\" said Brenda Musilli, Intel's director of education. \"It's really something that's hard to imagine, how a young person like Mary could even achieve this level of capability at such a young age.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is probably the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Senior challenges Nobel prize.", "Masterman invents a sensing equipment.", "Teen wins $100,000 science scholarship.", "Spectrograph recognizes the \"fingerprints\"."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, Masterman received the honor because", "answer": "D", "options": ["the spectrograph she invents can be used to look for drugs", "Masterman's invention is made of lenses, a laser, and a camera", "Masterman has shown great interest in science since she was young.", "the spectrograph she invents costs much less as well as its high quality"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The competition attracts national talents to attend", "Masterman was sure to win before the contest.", "Intel Science Talent Search is held every year.", "Spectrographs can be widely used in many fields."]}]}
{"article": "Students usually have two long holidays a year, but have you heard elephants have holidays?\nThe Indian elephants from a temple are sent on a north-long holiday with massages  and baths to relax. The 64 elephants will be fed with a lot of food, enough for them to put on 700~800 pounds.\nA temple veterinarian said that those Indian elephants would be treated after spending a month walking on roads, living on leaves and bananas and giving shows during lots of temple festivals. Their daily diet includes special rice and other special food, which are very _ and can make them healthy and strong. All of these are made by professional people.\nThis treatment will also calm them down ahead of a busy work schedule in upcoming events later in the year where they are the main attractions. The special holiday has cost the temple aboutPS12,500, but extra money is ready for being used to treat the animals.\nIndians believe that doing something good to elephants can help them get wisdom and power. Having elephants is a traditional symbol of honor for temples across southern India. All temples, however, never buy their elephants. The elephants were donated by people.", "problems": [{"question": "The Indian elephants can have a   _   holiday.", "answer": "C", "options": ["day's", "week's", "month's", "year's"]}, {"question": "The elephants can do the following during their holiday EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["eating delicious food", "giving performances", "taking a shower", "having a massage"]}, {"question": "People give these elephants a special holiday in order to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["save a lot of money", "make friends with them", "make their temples famous", "make them get ready for the coming work."]}]}
{"article": "If you want to live longer and lower the risk of heart disease, a move to the mountains may help. Research by scientists in Greece shows that living in the mountains is good for the heart and longevity . People living at higher altitude  have lower possibility of dying from heart disease than those closer to sea level, even if they have factors that could increase their risk. \"Residence in mountainous areas seems to have a 'protective effect' from heart disease,\" said Dr Nikos Baibas of the University of Athens. He and his colleagues suspect that the increased exercise from walking up mountainous area gives the heart a good workout and enables it to cope with lower levels of oxygen.\nResearchers studied the health records and death rates of 1,150 Greeks who lived in three villages near Athens over 15 years. One village was 1,000 meters above sea level and the other two were in low-lying areas. Although men and women living in the mountainous village had higher blood pressure rates and other risk factors than people in the other villages, they had a lower rate of death from heart disease and other causes after a fifteen year follow-up.\" The contrast was more evident among men than among women,\" Baibas added in a report in theJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Heart disease is one of the world's top killers. Smoking, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels, being overweight and a family history of the illness increase the possibility of developing the disease.", "problems": [{"question": "The first sentence in the passage is used to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["give a very good guessing", "tell readers what the passage focuses on", "warn people of the risk of heart disease", "name a new unknown illness"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, a person   _   may have less possibility of having heart attack.", "answer": "A", "options": ["from higher altitude", "with a better living habit", "with more money", "in a happier mood"]}, {"question": "How long does the research of the Greeks last?", "answer": "D", "options": ["At most 10 years.", "Not mentioned.", "More than 20 years.", "About 15 years."]}, {"question": "Apart from altitude, how many factors raise the chance of developing heart disease?", "answer": "C", "options": ["three", "four", "five", "six"]}]}
{"article": "The ancient whistled language of the small island of La Gomera, off the coast of Africa, is about to disappear because of new technology and globalization. Now, a web company has taken on the task of saving the language by marrying history with technology.\nSilbo Gomero, a language used only on La Gomera Island, sounds to the untrained ear like few other known languages. The sounds that make up this language are made by whistling, rather than by speaking.\nThe language was brought to the island by African setters many centuries ago. To communicate among the  _ populated inland hills and valleys, shepherds   had to use the whistled language, which could be heard and understood over distances of up to eight kilometers, compared to about 200 meters for a spoken word.\nWith the development of new technologies like the cellphone, the number of Silbo Gomero whistlers has declined to around 1,000. Many of the older generation of islanders fear the language, which they consider to be a cultural symbol, may become extinct.\nTo save Silbo Gomero, Busuu.com, a website based in Madrid, has launched a movement to teach Internet users worldwide to communicate using the language's unique whistles. \"We really like the whole story of Silbo Gomero because it is really a fun language, \" said Bernard Niesner, the company's co-founder.\n Niesner says one of the founding principles of the website was to promote learning languages in danger of extinction. \"If Busuu.com really works out like we think, it would be an amazing tool for language learning all over the world,\" Niesner said. \"The name of our website itself comes from Busuu, a language that is spoken by only eight people.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Compared to other languages, Silbo Gomero is special because it   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has a very long story.", "was once very popular in Africa.", "doesn't use sounds", "is spoken by whistling"]}, {"question": "In order to protect Silbo Gomero, Busuu.com   _", "answer": "A", "options": ["teaches it on the Internet", "attracts people to visit La Gomero Island", "raises money to support students from La Gomero Island", "translates stories about it into other languages."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Africa suffers from new technology.", "Niesner and his website.", "Web company helps to save an ancient language.", "Silbo Gomero, a fun language."]}]}
{"article": "When we look at the sky and see a bright light moving quickly across it or coming towards the earth, we talk about seeing a \"shooting star\" or a \"falling star\". These moving lights are not, in fact, stars at all. They are small pieces of matter from outer space, which burn up as they enter the Earth's atmosphere. The correct name of them is meteoroids. Any pieces that make it to the Earth's surface without completely burning up are known as meteorites. A meteor is actually the name given to the light we see when a meteoroid is burning up.\nWhen a meteorite hits the Earth at speeds between 11 and 72 kilometers a second, it can do amazing damage. A very large meteorite could knock the earth out of its orbit. If this happened, all life on Earth would probably become extinct . The path we follow around the Sun would change and as a result the Earth would become either much hotter or much colder. This change in temperature would affect sea levels and the amount of water in rivers. There would either be huge floods, which would cover most of the land with water, or the oceans would dry up and there would be a drought, which means a long period of time without rain. Either way, nothing could survive. If a large meteorite landed in the sea it would almost certainly cause tsunamis, which would race towards the land, destroying everything in their paths.\nAlthough it is unlikely the Earth will be struck by a meteorite large enough to do that kind of damage, there is evidence of fairly large meteorites hitting the Earth in the past. In 1908 a large area of forest in Tunguska, Siberia was destroyed by a meteorite that came apart just before it hit the ground. The moon, however, has about three billion craterscaused by meteorites impacting its surface. The reason more meteorites have reached the surface of the moon than the surface of the Earth is that the moon does not have enough atmosphere for the meteorites to burn up in. some of the meteorites that have reached the Earth's surface have done considerable damage. Some scientists believe it was a change of climate caused by meteorites hitting the Earth that resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs and other large prehistoric animals.\nScientists are especially interested in meteorites because they contain information about the solar system. It is widely believed by scientists that most meteorites are produced by collisions  between asteroids (small planets). These collisions probably happened many billions of years ago. This means the physical and chemical structure of a meteorite can give scientists information about the early days of the universe.", "problems": [{"question": "The story is about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["floods caused by meteors", "matter from outer space", "life on Earth millions of years ago", "meteorites that have damaged the moon"]}, {"question": "The Earth has   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["three billion craters", "fewer craters than the moon", "more craters than the moon", "a thinner atmosphere than the moon"]}, {"question": "Some scientists believe the dinosaurs became extinct because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they were hit by meteors", "meteorites landed on their nests", "meteorites landed and changed the climate", "they could no longer breathe the atmosphere"]}, {"question": "Meteors are   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["small planets", "the same as asteroids", "from broken parts of asteroids", "the light we see when meteoroids hit our atmosphere"]}]}
{"article": "Jack Benny was one of the most famous names in show business.He was born in Chicago,Illinois,on February 14th,1894.His parents,Meyer and Emma Kubelsky,were religious Jews.They had moved to the United States from Eastern Europe.Benny was a quiet boy.For much of the time,his parents were busy working in his father's store.As a child,Benny learned to play the violin.After finishing his school,he joined the Navy.He continued using his violin to perform for sailors.In one show he was chosen more for his funny jokes than for his skill with the violin.That experience made him believe that his future job was a comedian.\nBenny developed a show personality that had all the qualities people dislike.He was known for being so _ --he refused to spend any money unless forced to do so.On his shows Benny often spoke of his appearance,especially his baby blue eyes.As he grew older,he always claimed to be 39 years old.Benny rarely made jokes that hurt other people.Instead,he would let the other actors on the show tell jokes about him.\nIn real life,he was very giving and he was a person people liked having as their employer.Benny entered the new media of television in 1950.Five years later,he dropped his radio programme to spend more time developing his television show.At first his appearances on television were rare.By 1960 the Benny Show was a weekly television programme.It continued until 1965.Benny appeared in about twenty films during his life.A few became popular.But most were not.In 1963 Benny returned to Broadway for the first time since 1931.\nBenny received many awards during his lifetime.Perhaps the one honour that pleased him most was that his hometown of Waukeegan named a school for him.This was a special honour for a man who had never finished high school.\nBenny continued to perform.He died of cancer in 1974.At his funeral his friend Bob Hope said,\"Jack Benny was stingy to the end.He gave us only eighty years.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Benny was determined to be a comedian after he   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["left high school", "joined the Navy", "performed in a show for the sailors", "left the Navy for Broadway"]}, {"question": "According to the text,on Benny's shows,he   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["developed a good personality", "played the violin skillfully", "often referred to his appearance", "said funny things that hurt others"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE about Benny?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He did a good job in show business.", "His first appearance on TV was very successful.", "Most of his films became wellknown to Americans.", "He treated all his awards as nothing."]}]}
{"article": "If you're among the millions of Americans packing their vacation bags for summer trips,don't forget,however, that as soon as you step off the plane,you're expected to follow that country's laws.We took a look at one of the top countries Americans are most likely to visit and what might happen if you got caught.\nprefix = st1 /Mexico\nSmoking marijuana:If police find you smoking a cigarette which contains marijuana,they will most likely  _ you overnight and you will get a fine.\nCarrying a firearm:You might be able to walk around with a gun in Texas,but that isn't so in Mexico,so leave your gun behind.If you wish to go hunting in Mexico.you can apply for a gun permit but expect to be charged $5,000.If you are caught bringing a firearm,Mexican policeman may take away your car and arrest you.An arrested American may spend months in prison while his or her case is being looked into.\nDriving 70 mph on the highway:Speed limits are on the lower side.Depending on what type of highway you're driving on,you shouldn't go faster than 62 mph.The police enforce the speed limit,but most local police don't have radars.The maximum fine for speeding is about $40.To scare tourists into paying the fine \"on the spot\",sometimes police will threaten to keep your driver's license.This is illegal, so call them on it.", "problems": [{"question": "When the travelers are in Mexico,they should NOT_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["smoke the cigarettes", "hunt the animals without the permit", "carry a gun even if you have permit", "drive more than 50 mph on the highway"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The laws in America are different from the ones in Mexico.", "People will be fined if they smoke marijuana.", "People will be arrested if they are caught bringing a gun.", "The police in Mexicohave right to keep the drivers' license"]}, {"question": "If the travelers want to drive in Mexico, they should_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["drive on the lower side of the street", "keep an eye out on the radars", "limit their car speed", "pay the fine on the spot"]}, {"question": "What can we know from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Different countries have different regulations.", "Different countries have the same regulations.", "Americans like to visit other countries.", "Mexico police aren't friendly."]}]}
{"article": "Ad.1\nWest High School Bake Sale\nCome and support our band and buy some delicious baked goods!\nFriday, September 20th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.\nIn the hall by the office after school\nCookies: 25 cents each or 5 for $1\nBrownies: 50 cents each or 3 for $1.25\nCake by the slice: $1\nWhole cakes: $8\nProceeds go toward sending our band to Nationals.\nAd.2\nSHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES\nUps or U.S. Parcel Post are the standard methods for continental U.S. shipments.\nORDER TOTAL          GROUND          EXPEDITED GROUND\n9-12 working days        4-5 working days\n$0.00 to $30.00                $4.50                  $5.50\n$30.01 to $60.00               $7.25                  $8.25\n$60.01 to $100.00          $9.50                  $10.50\n$100.01 to $200.00             $11.50                 $12.50\nAdd $7.00 to Ground Rates for 3 Days.", "problems": [{"question": "How much money can you save   if you buy 3 brownies?", "answer": "D", "options": ["50 cents.", "1.25 dollars.", "75 cents.", "25 cents."]}, {"question": "Which of the following gives you the most for your money if you buy the baked goods?", "answer": "B", "options": ["4 cookies.", "5 cookies.", "2 brownies", "One slice of cake."]}, {"question": "If you wish to receive an order totaling $90.00 within 3 days, how much would the shipping cost?", "answer": "C", "options": ["$10.50.", "$15.00.", "$16.50.", "$26.50."]}, {"question": "How much should you pay for an order totaling $50 for the expedited ground  ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["$1", "$7.25", "$8.25", "$15.5"]}]}
{"article": "Are you hard-working? Do you like to meet people? If your answer is \"Yes\", then we have a\njob for you as a waiter. \nCall AL Hotel at 556779!  \n    (2) SUMMER JOB \nDo you like to talk with people? Do you like to write stories? If you want to work for our magazine as a reporter, please call Karen at 558366. \n(3) HELP WANTED \n Do you like babies? Can you look after one baby for two days? If you are sure to take food \ncare of it, call us at 766588. $80 or more. Today! Hurry!   \n (4)CLEANER WANTED \nCan you make a large house clean and tidy? \nIf you hope to get the job paid at $20 once, call us this evening 18:00-20:00.   Tel:633800", "problems": [{"question": "The above job ads  are probably from a   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["newspaper", "story book", "TV show", "radio program"]}, {"question": "If you like children and have two days free, you can call at    _  for a job.", "answer": "A", "options": ["766588", "633800", "556779", "558366"]}, {"question": "_  are needed in AL Hotel.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Cleaners", "Baby-sitters", "Reporters", "Waiters"]}]}
{"article": "Most people believe they don't have imagination. They are wrong. Everyone has imagination, but most of us,once we became adults, forget how to access it. Creativity isn't always connected with great works of art or ideas. People at work and in their free time routinely think of creative ways to solve problems. Maybe you have a goal to achieve,a tricky question to answer or you just want to expand your mind! Here are three techniques to help you.\nThis technique involves taking unrelated ideas and trying to find links between them. First,think about the problem you have to solve or the job you need to do. Then find an image,word,idea or object,for example,a candle. Write down all the ideas/words associated with candles:light,fire,matches, wax,night,silence,etc. Think of as many as you can. The next stage is to relate the ideas to the job you have to do. So imagine you want to buy a friend an original present; you could buy him tickets to a match or take him out for the night.\nImagine that normal limitations don't exist. You have as much time/space/money,etc. as you want. Think about your goal and the new possibilities. If,for example,your goal is to learn to ski, you can now practice skiing every day of your life (because you have the time and the money). Now adapt this to reality. Maybe you can practice skiing every day in December,or every Monday in January.\nLook at the situation from a different point of view. Good negotiators use this technique in business,and so do writers. Fiction writers often imagine they are the characters in their books. They ask questions: what does this character want? Why can't she get it? What changes must she make to get what she wants? What does she dream about? If your goal involves other people, put yourself \"in their shoes\". The best fishermen think like fish!", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, when we become adults,   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["most of us are no longer creative", "we can still learn to be more creative", "we are not as imaginative as children", "we are unwilling to be creative"]}, {"question": "The second technique suggests that you just imagine", "answer": "D", "options": ["setting a goal is as simple as skiing", "new possibilities will soon appear", "December and January are the best months for skiing.", "you have every resource to achieve your goal"]}, {"question": "We learn from the third technique that a good salesman should ask himself \"   _   ?\".", "answer": "C", "options": ["what do I usually do", "what did my boss tell me to do", "what are my customers' needs", "how should I sell my products"]}]}
{"article": "Among professional basketball players,Jeremy Lin's background is not typical.He graduated from Harvard University,which sends few players to the NBA,and he is the only ChineseAmerican NBA player.But when you watch him on the court,there is no doubt that he belongs there.He moves with speed and grace  that show years of faithful practice,which is fueled by a love for basketball.\nThe Family Effect\nLin's enjoyment of basketball actually began in Taiwan,where his father started watching it.Lin's father moved to U.S.,and his interest in the sport only grew.He passed on this love of basketball to his son,introducing him to the game at the age of five.The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun.After each game,his parents would discuss not only his score but also his conduct toward other players.This taught Lin that character was more important than playing well,a lesson he still remembers.\nRise of a Star\nIn high school,Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA but did not really expect to do so.When he applied for college,he was not offered a single sports scholarship.However,after his admission to Harvard,he was offered a place on its college basketball team.During Lin's time at Harvard,his basketball career began to take off.He scored 1,482 points,making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history.Eventually,the recognition he received led him to suspect that his NBA dream could come true.\nWhen he first graduated,no professional teams offered Lin a contract ,but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League.He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors.\nLife in the NBA\nHis journey in NBA did not go very well at first.He spent most of his time on the bench during the past two seasons.He constantly compared himself to other players and gave himself no time to rest up.For the first time in his life,he no longer enjoyed playing basketball.After a few very difficult months,he realized that much of his anxiety and stress came from selfcentered desires like wanting to be famous.So he transformed his attitude.He never stopped practicing and never gave up any slim chance.\nNow he has become the NBA's latest phenomenon after leading the New York Knicks to seven straight wins.He _ and thinks that the credit for the winning goes to everyone in his team.Knicks fans developed nicknames for him,such as \"Linsanity\",\"Lincredible\",and \"Linderella\".The Associated Press called Lin \"the most surprising story in the NBA\".", "problems": [{"question": "What can we learn from Jeremy Lin?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Hard work brings success.", "We must have a father like Jeremy's.", "A good university can help us realize our dreams.", "Team honour is more important than our own success."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["What Is Next for Jeremy Lin?", "Jeremy Lin's Tips for Success", "Following Dreams and Finding Joy", "Six NBA Teams Eyeing Jeremy Lin"]}]}
{"article": "Claressa was getting ready for a fight. She had boxed many times before. But this time, the prizes were higher than ever. If she won this fight, Claressa would win a spot on the US Olympic Women's Boxing Team.\nThe fight was difficult. Claressa was up against a two-time US champion. \"Her whole game plan was to hold me against the ropes so I wouldn't hit her,\"says Claressa. Claressa didn't give up. She won the fight. And that wasn't all. She also won the title of outstanding fighter for the whole tournament!\nClaressa, now 17, started boxing when she was just 11. She was inspired by her dad. He had been a fighter when he was younger. But when she first told her dad that she wanted to box, he didn't support her. \"He told me, 'No! No! Boxing is a man's sport,'\" Claressa remembers. \"It made me so mad.\"\nClaressa wouldn't back down. \"I wanted to fight. I knew that whatever I put my heart and my work into, I was going to be successful at it,\" she says. Finally, her dad took her to the boxing gym to start training. She was the only girl. \"Everybody was looking at me,\" she says.\nClaressa didn't worry about fitting in. She just did her best. Claressa now has a boxing record of 23 wins and zero losses. \"I think you're awesome,\" her dad told her not long ago. He's proud that she proved him wrong.\"I'm still proving people wrong,\" says Claressa.\nBoxing can be dangerous. How does Claressa feel when she steps into the ring? \"I'm not nervous,\" she says. \"I'm determined and calm.\" She knows it's important to stay confident. \"I've never gotten into the ring thinking that a girl can beat me,\" she adds. But Claressa takes the competition seriously. \"I always tell myself it's going to be harder than I think,\" she says. \"I fight them all like they are world champions. If I think it's going to be easy, I'm done!\"\n  We asked Claressa to imagine stepping into the ring at the Olympics. Would it feel any different from her other fights? \"No,\" she says. \"Just a fight. Just another girl in my way.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Claressa was sure to be like a boy in character.", "Claressa had some trouble persuading her father.", "Claressa's father did well in boxing competitions.", "Claressa's father loved her and was afraid to hurt her."]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a valuable competition of Claressa", "the background of Claressa's career", "the process to Claressa's success", "Claressa's promising boxing career"]}]}
{"article": "My sister Grace Halloran spent most of her teen years in and out of the juvenile institutions  for minor offenses but, at 18 she was sent to prison for stealing a car. After three years behind the bars, she was released. Only a few years later, she was given a sentence far worse--she had an incurable and progressive disorder and would be totally blind. Meanwhile, Grace was also happily pregnant but terrified she would never see her child's face. She believed she would succeed as a mother, although \"success\" had never been in her vocabulary before. She managed well despite fading vision.\nFor years she kept consulting specialists about her eye problems, only to be told that her son would also be blind by the time he was a teenager. She swore to find something, anything, to prevent him from facing her fate. When conventional medicine offered no hope, Grace began a personal _ . She entered a local college. The office for disabled students had her reading assignments put on cassette tapes so that she could listen and learn. She began studying anatomy, physiology and other health sciences. Everyone knowing her was astonished at her persistence to educate herself, restore her vision and keep focused on raising a son who would have perfect eyesight.\nEventually Grace's own way worked and she earned the PhD. in Holistic Health for her successful work in improving serious eye disorder. Her eyesight slowly improved so much that she was able to qualify for a driving license. Even better, her son had perfect vision and was accepted into the Air Force.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can know that Grace used to be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["aggressive", "troublesome", "ignorant", "competitive"]}, {"question": "How did Grace regain her eyesight?", "answer": "C", "options": ["By following the treatment from specialists.", "By just trying what was taught in the local college.", "By practicing the principles sought by herself.", "By adopting the experience from other patients."]}]}
{"article": "Mary went out at night. She never forgot the night when she met a robber many years ago.\nThat evening, she was invited to a birthday party which lasted until two o'clock in the morning. Without company Mary walked along the quiet street.\nSuddenly from the shadow of a dark building a tall man with a sharp knife in his right hand ran out at her. \"Good evening, lady,\" the man said in a low voice, \"I don't think you wish to die here.\"\n\"What do you want?\" Mary asked.\n\"Your earrings  .Take them off!\" Slowly Mary's eyes looked down. She tried to cover her necklace with the collar of her overcoat while she used the other hand to take off both of her earrings, and then she quickly threw them on the ground.\n\"Take them and let me go.\" she said. The robber looked at her only feeling uncertain. He saw the girl didn't care for the earrings at all, only trying to protect the necklace. He realized the necklace would cost more. So he said, \"Give me your necklace.\"\n\"Oh, sir. It's not worth much. Please let me keep it.\"\n\"Stop rubbish. Quick!\"\nWith shaky hands, Mary took off her necklace. As soon as the robber disappeared, she picked up her earrings and ran as fast as she could to one of her friends.\nThe earrings cost 480 pounds and the necklace the robber had taken away cost only six pounds ten shillings.", "problems": [{"question": "Mary never forgot that night because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["she was robbed of her necklace", "she was robbed, but she fooled the robber", "she had a good time at the party", "she lost her earrings"]}, {"question": "The party   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["didn't end at two", "ended before two", "lasted two hours", "was over at two"]}, {"question": "She tried to protect the necklace because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["she didn't want to lose it", "it was more important", "she liked it better than earrings", "she would rather have the necklace lost"]}, {"question": "The story tells us that she was a   _  girl.", "answer": "A", "options": ["clever and brave", "clever and beautiful", "brave and careful", "clever and careful"]}]}
{"article": "My description of a hero is a person who  _ his all for others. A person who puts others before himself.A person who does ordinary things, not because they have to, but because they want to.\n         So I got to think who are my heroes? Several people came to mind. But there was one that really stuck out in my mind. I guess I really thought about it, but this man really is my hero. This man is my dad. \n         I know,we all think our dads are our heroes. But the truth is, I really can't ever remenber thinking of my dad really as a hero. I am sure that I have said that he was. But I an not sure if I ever really thought about in terms of what is a hero?I mean he never saved anyone's life. He never fought in a war. He never invented anything to make life easier for others. But as I thought of his qualities. I found myself saying yes, he is a hero.\n         My dad is like other dads. He worked hard to provide for his family. He made sure that the bills were paid . He made sure that there was money to buy food, and clothes for his family.But that is what Daddys are supposed to do. So that doesn't really make him a hero. It just means that he is a man who wants the best for his family, even if that means he has to go without.\nIn my eyes what makes my dad a hero is his faith. My dad is a man who has a very deep belief in his faith. He has put a good life before us his children.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer  believes his father is a hero because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his father saved people's lives", "he fought in a war bravely", "he invented something to make life easier for others", "he does ordinary things that he wants to do for families."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the text, heroes in the writer's eyes   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["must be great man", "can be ordinary people", "must be famous", "must be our fathers"]}]}
{"article": "Artie Shaw was born in New York City in 1910. His name was Arthur Arshawsky. His parents were poor immigrants who had come to the United States from Eastern Europe. His family later moved to New Haven, Connecticut.\nAt the age of fourteen, he began to play the saxophone and then the clarinet. From a very young age, Artie Shaw wanted to play his clarinet better than anyone. He wanted his sound and music to be perfect. He worked at this task much of his life.\nHe began working as a professional musician when he was fifteen. He left home and began playing in bands across the United States.\nIn 1928, young Artie Shaw traveled to Chicago, Illinois to hear the great trumpet player, Louis Armstrong. He immediately understood that Armstrong's great jazz sound was the beginning of something new and exciting. Artie left Chicago with a growing interest in jazz music. Soon after, he moved to New York City.\nHe got work playing the clarinet for the Columbia Broadcast System radio network. In 1936, he was given a chance to form a small group and play at New York's famous Imperial Theater on Broadway. His group was not the top band in the show. But the crowd loved his music. This proved to be a major step in his career.\nArtie Shaw was always trying something new, something different. He heard a young black woman sing and hired her for his band. This was the first time that a black woman sang with white musicians. Racial separation was the rule in many states. Artie Shaw did not care.\nArtie Shaw wrote several books in his later years. He wrote stories for magazines. He spoke about music at colleges and universities. But he had very little to do with the world of recording or music. During those years however, he received many awards and honors for his music. These included a Hall of Fame award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.", "problems": [{"question": "When he was very young, Artie Shaw was    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["born to a wealthy family", "a famous singer", "a man with a great dream", "was in love with music when he was a baby"]}, {"question": "To achieve his music dream, Artie Shaw    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["first began to play the clarinet", "wanted to be the most famous musician around the world", "began playing in bands across the United States", "became a famous musician when he was fifteen"]}, {"question": "When Artie Shaw became an adult,    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he showed a growing interest in jazz music", "he worked for Columbia Broadcast System radio network as a singer", "he formed a small band when he was twenty three", "he thought that racial separation should be the rule of the society"]}, {"question": "In his later years, Artie Shaw    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["almost stopped playing music", "worked for a magazine as an professional writer", "he made many speeches about his life at colleges", "he received many awards and honors for his books"]}, {"question": "Which one can be the title of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Artie Shaw's Life Stories", "Artie Shaw -- A Crazy Musician", "Artie Shaw -- A Great Writer", "Artie Shaw's Music Life"]}]}
{"article": "\"It was cool,because I got a chance to be in a studio and see how a record is made,\"says 14-year-old Javon Martin,who joined the music clubhouse 3 years ago.\"It has impacted my life in a big way. People are actually starting to see me as an artist.\"Ten-year-old Akheylah Hunter didn't play an instrument when she became a club member last year. Now,she plays piano and sings with the band. What she likes best,she says,is performing.\"We performed in different places,\"she says.\"We go on trips and it is fun.\"\nSince the Music Clubhouse opened three years ago,it's served almost 500 kids.Aggeler says performing in front of different audiences helps the young musicians build self-esteem.Coming to the club to prepare for those performances helps them learn how to deal with their personal problems and concerns.\n\"I can see what it does for them and it just develops confidence,\"he explains.\"It's also an escape from the big problems we have in the neighborhood. So whether they feel embarrassed about a zit on their face,or they feel embarrassed because they're not as tall as somebody,they can rap about it and let it out a little bit.\"\nTo expand the club and help more kids learn music,Aggeler sought the support of the community. The Berklee College of Music and local music stores have provided free equipment. The club has also gotten support from the Music and Youth Initiative,a nonprofit that develops after school music education programs in underserved communities in Massachusetts. All these have made it possible to provide kids who may not have the means to get private music lessons the opportunity to still learn music and get all the benefits that music education brings.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a benefit of joining the club?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Helping the youngsters to build self-confidence.", "Helping its members escape from problems.", "Learning to deal with personal problems.", "Learning to get help from nonprofit groups."]}, {"question": "What is Mr.Aggeler's possible post?", "answer": "A", "options": ["An organizer of the club.", "A conductor of the band.", "An expert in child problems.", "A parent of one of the children."]}, {"question": "What does the writer intend the passage to be?", "answer": "C", "options": ["An advertisement for a club.", "A promotion of some non-profit groups.", "An introduction of a music club for children.", "A try to call for attention on children's needs."]}, {"question": "Which of the following might NOT be included in activities of the club?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Putting on performances.", "Making records.", "Traveling to different places.", "Giving private music lessons."]}]}
{"article": "Talking plants might sound like characters in a fairy tale. But recent scientific studies have shown that plants communicate with each other and with other living things in a surprising number of ways. To understand them, scientists say, we just have to learn their language. Farmers are especially interested in what plants have to say.\n\"Plants are able to communicate with all sorts of organisms  . They can communicate with giant bacteria, with other plants and with insects. They do this chemically,\" said Cahill, an Ecology Professor of the University of Alberta in Canada.\nPlant scientists are just beginning to understand this chemical \"language\". Cahill says studies have shown, for example, that plants can evaluate   conditions in their immediate environment and take appropriate actions.  Plants have an ability, for example, to signal pain or discomfort caused by anything from temperature extremes to an insect attack. Jack Schultz, a professor of chemical ecology at the University of Missouri, says when a plant senses that it's being eaten, it cannot walk away from trouble; on the contrary, it will release a chemical vapor  that _ other plants nearby.\n\"Their language is a chemical language, and it involves chemicals that move through the air that are easy to be changeable, and most of all are smells that we are familiar with,\" Schultz explained.\n\"All plants responded to the attack by changing their chemistry to defend themselves,\" Schultz recalled. \"But we were quite surprised to find that nearby plants also changed their chemistry to defend themselves, even though they were not part of the experiment.\"\nStudies have also shown that plants under attack release pleasant chemicals. Those chemicals attract friendly insects that attack the pests eating the plant.\nIn the end, plants' ability to communicate their needs--and our ability to understand them--could help farmers reduce the use of poisonous chemicals, cut operating costs and limit damage to the environment.", "problems": [{"question": "The recent scientific studies have shown that plants can   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["communicate with other living things in a chemical way", "hardly react to any sudden change in temperature", "use a very special chemica1 language which is familiar to us", "respond to the attack by giving off poisonous chemicals"]}, {"question": "When being eaten by an insect, the plant will   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["walk away from trouble", "change its chemistry to kill the insect", "release a chemical vapor to \"ask\" other plants for help", "give off nice chemicals to attract friendly insects killing the pest"]}, {"question": "Which would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Communication between Plants", "A Chemical \"Language\"", "Plants Can Talk", "How Plants Protect Themselves"]}]}
{"article": "In today's throw away society, dealing with the city's growing mountain of waste is an inereasing challenge for the city countil . \nRecently. Edinburgh is faced with the problem of dssposing of about250,000\nMillion tons of waster a year . Despite different ways to dispose of much of it in a green manner---largely through encouraging tecycling---its aging facilities such as the Powderhall landfill do not have the ability to deal with it.\nThe European Union(EU) has issued a new policy, regulating how such mountains of waster are to hr disposed of. The five councils (Edinburgh. East Lothian. West Lothian. Midlethian and Borders) face fine around $18million a year from 2013 it they don't inerease recycling levels and rely less on landfill. With this in mind, the coumlls got together with the idea of building a lage incinerator plant  to burn half of the waste produced in their districts. But the plan fell apart after the change of target levels by a new UK government waste policy which required that no more than 25% of the city's waste should be disposed of in this way by 2025.\nAfter the plan was abandoned, a private company which already transported millions of tons of the city's wast by train to a landfill site near Dunbar, offered an alternative soution when it suggested opening a huge waste site near Portobello.\nSince Powderhall is supposed to close in 2015, it seemed necessary for the members of the Edinburgh Council to accept the suggestion. But soon they turned it down--after 700 local objections reached them--because it would have meant hundreds of lorries a day making loud noise through heavily populated areas.\nThat still leaves eth council with a problem. By 2013,only50%of 1995 levels of waste will benllewed to be sent to landfill. Even if recveling large are met, there will still be a large amount of rubbish to be burnt up. Due build an Edinburgh and Midlothian councils have now decided to work together to build an ineinerator plant as time to find a solution is fast running out.", "problems": [{"question": "The main way of handling waste in a green manmer in Edinburgh is_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["recyeling", "restoring", "burying", "burning"]}, {"question": "The five councils worked out a plan to build an incinerator plant to_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["reduce the roast of burying waste", "meets the EU requirements", "speed up waste recycling", "tempter landfill sites"]}, {"question": "The city council of Edinburgh rejected the suggestion to open a huge landfill site near Portobello because     .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a name from a private company", "the comelier was not interested in it", "it was not supports by EU", "the local poodle was waist it"]}, {"question": "What is the final dream an Edinburgh and Midlothian Country?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To open a new landfill nearby", "To close the powder hall landfill in 2015", "To set up a plan for burning waste", "To persuade people to deduce their waste."]}]}
{"article": "Every year, Americans send millions of tons of food to the landfill  . What if you could use all of those rotten vegetables to heat your home? That's happening in one unlikely laboratory: the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plan in Brooklyn\nThe plant's longtime manager, Jimmy Pynn, shows off the plant's crown jewels: eight huge, shiny, oval-shaped steel tanks known as digester eggs. Each one contains millions of gallons of black material that's roughly pea soup. Pynn calls it \"black gold\". \"The digesters like to be fed like us: three times a day,\" he says. \"They like to be kept warm, 98 degrees. And that's what we have these guys for: to make methane ,which can be used to heat homes or make electricity.\"\nRight now, what these bacteria are digesting is mostly sewage  mud. But they are being introduced to a new diet food scraps. The hope is that this plant will soon take in hundreds of tons of organic waste from houses and apartments.\n\"Cardboard packaging, rotten tomatoes, fats, oils, old diary products--those are all great food-stuff for a digester,\" says Paul Sellew. \"My micro-organisms love that. That's their five-course meal.\"\n\"Everything in New York City is like big scale when you're talking about quantities of waste,\" says Samantha MacBride. \"Right now, it's all in its infancy. When you're in an apartment building, to separate out food scraps, it requires a lot of effort and attention,\" says MacBride. \"It doesn't have to have unpleasant smell or be inconvenient. But it takes extra work. It's the first, what I will call the baby step,\" says Paul Sellew. \"Because ultimately in New York City, just the restaurants alone, you're talking well over a million tons a year,\" he says.\nThis new industry is trying to build more plants and digesters to handle all of that waste, says Sellew. The costliest part may be finding good locations in or around the nation's biggest cities.\nAs for the trillions of bacteria? They'll work for free--- as long as you feed them.", "problems": [{"question": "What role are the digester eggs expected to play?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To get black gold from daily waste.", "To produce new diet for humans.", "To change food scraps into gas.", "To make crown jewels."]}, {"question": "According to MacBride, what's the problem for New York City?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Its rapid development causes environmental problems.", "Its system of separate out food scraps is complex.", "It fails to pay enough attention to recycling.", "It has too much amount of waste."]}, {"question": "What might be the biggest difficulty to build more plants?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To get enough organic waste as materials.", "To find good places for the factories.", "To grow trillions of bacteria for free.", "To have money to build digesters."]}, {"question": "The tone of the last sentence is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["humorous", "suggestive", "regretful", "curious"]}]}
{"article": "Here is some general information about Edison Elementary School. For more information, you can visit our website which is printed on the cover.\n     Attendance:\nPlease contact the office at 480. 472. 5282 if your child is going to be absent.\n     Renaissance Reading:\nThe Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is a computerized reading enrichment program that combines great children's literature with computer skills. As an individualized reading program, it is designed to motivate students to read more and to read good literature. Students of different abilities can use this program. It is not a competitive program but one that improves any student's reading ability.\n     Here is how it works. Students select books in their reading range from our Accelerated Reader Selection and read it at their own pace. Once the student has completed the book, he/she is ready to take an AR quiz. Each quiz consists of 5, 10, or 20 multiple choice comprehensive questions about the book.\n     After taking the quiz, the computer shows the student how many questions he/she answered correctly, shows the correct answers for missed questions, and praises the students' efforts with an onscreen personalized message. Passing the quiz assures the teacher and the parent that the child actually read and understood the book.  Each student tests independently--reading the quiz questions himself/herself.\n     The computer keeps track of reading points, books, and average test scores, as well as other data. A student may test on a book only once and should, therefore, have thoroughly read and understood the contents before taking the quiz. Each student is responsible for reading the screen to be sure the quiz, by title and author, is the correct one he/she wishes to take.\n     Students are recognized for their accomplishments with praise from the teachers and special recognition at the classroom level when individual and/or classroom goals are met.\n     P. T. O.\n     We have an active ParentTeacher Organization. They have monthly meetings, check the calendar for the meeting times and places.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage may be selected from   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a magazine", "a newspaper", "a website", "a novel"]}, {"question": "The passage is written for   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["general readers", "parents", "teachers", "primary students"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about how Renaissance Reading works?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Students select books based on the instruction of the computer.", "Students take the quiz without others' arrangements.", "The result of the quiz will be kept by teachers.", "The summary of the book to be selected is shown on the screen."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["students won't be punished if they don't pass the quiz", "students only have one chance to test on a book", "students won't be praised if they reach their goals", "parents meet the teachers once a term"]}]}
{"article": "For some people, the prospect of starting college, especially going away to school, is scary. It's probably the first time that you'll be totally responsible for your own schedule. What if you intend to go to college but just don't feel ready to start yet-for whatever reason-and you don't want to take on a full-time job after graduation? You might want to take a year off to pause and regroup. This practice is common in some countries, like the United Kingdom, where it's called a \" _ \".\nTaking time off doesn't mean you should ignore the idea of applying to college. In fact, you may want to consider making your college plans before you become involved in other things, especially if you'll be travelling. Apply to schools and make your choice, then ask for a deferred admission. Rachel took a year off and worked in New York City between college and medical school. She says that she had to be extremely well organized about planning for medical school so she didn't miss any of her deadlines. \"Not only did I have to apply to schools and make plans to take my MCAT exams, I also had to make all my living arrangements and other plans for my year off!\"\nEven if you decide not to apply to college, it can be a great idea to take a year to do something you may not have an opportunity to do again. Lots of volunteer organizations would welcome your time and energy and would provide you with a wonderful learning experience. If you take a year off you will learn some great life skills-like living on a tight budget! If you take a year off you'll pay your way while you are traveling or doing volunteer work.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Taking Time Off", "Disadvantages of a \"Gap Year\"", "Plans after Graduation", "How to Apply to College"]}, {"question": "Going on a \"gap year\" means   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["asking for a year's leave to rest at home", "taking a year off to pause and regroup", "ignoring the idea of applying to college", "travelling around the world before going to college"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT the benefit of taking a year off?", "answer": "C", "options": ["You'll learn some great life skills.", "You'll make full preparation for starting college.", "You'll earn much money by taking on a full-time job.", "You'll gain a wonderful learning experience by joining in a volunteer organization."]}]}
{"article": "Pets are popular. They're good listeners, they encourage us to exercise, and they're always on our side when we argue with others. They can bring people comfort and pleasure.\nBut it is important to keep in mind that pets can carry diseases that can make you sick. Washing your hands often -- especially after you touch, feed, or clean up a pet -- is the best way to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of disease. Be sure to clean your fingernails carefully every time you wash.\nYou also can protect your health by wearing gloves while cleaning animal cages or cat litter boxes. Avoid washing your pet in the bathtub , but if you do, always disinfect  the tub immediately afterward.\nBe sure to bring your pet to the hospital for examinations every two weeks or month and whenever your pet is sick or injured.\nYou can do a few other things to keep yourself and your pet healthy. Only give your pet food that has been planned ahead for them. It's not a good idea to share your food with your pet. Human food (like chocolate) can make animals sick. Never feed your pet raw  meat because it can carry germs  that cause serious illness.\nAnd funny as it can be to see your dog or cat drinking from the toilet, don't let pets do this. It's bad for your pet's health! Give them clean, fresh water to drink at all times.\nNever give milk to cats. The only milk an animal should drink is from its mother. Cow's milk is not for pets, especially for cats, as _ makes them sick.\nFinally, some animals aren't pets. Don't take in a wild or abandoned  animal as a pet because it may have diseases that could make you or your family sick. Instead, turn to an animal rescue group that is trained in helping sick or abandoned animals.", "problems": [{"question": "To keep healthy, the author may be against   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["washing your fingernails after touching your pet", "wearing gloves when cleaning your pet's cage", "washing your pet in the bathtub", "bringing your pet for examinations regularly"]}, {"question": "Which is the RIGHT way to feed your pet?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sharing your chocolate with your dog.", "Letting your dog drink from the toilet.", "Feeding your little cat with raw meat.", "Giving your cat cooked fish."]}, {"question": "According to the text, when you meet an abandoned dog, you should   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["call an animal rescue group", "bring it back to your home", "give it first aid in time", "help to find its owner"]}]}
{"article": "We found out that Jenny was suffering hearing loss when she was four and a half years old. Several operations and speech classes later, when she was seven, we found out that Jenny had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis .\nShe could not put pressure on the heels of her feet, so she walked on tiptoe , and when the pain became unbearable, I carried her. Jenny was fortunate, though, because she did not suffer the deformities , often associated with JRA.\nAll through grade school, and on into high school, Jenny suffered, yet never complained. She took her medicine, and I would often wrap her feet in steaming towels, and hold her until the pain eased. But, as soon as she could stand the pain, Jenny, immediately, carried on, as though she were pain-free.\nShe wore a smile on her face, a song on her lips, and a love and acceptance of others. That was simply amazing. She ran, when she could run. She played when she could play, and she danced when she could dance. And, when she could do none of these things, she took her medicine, and she waited until she could.\nJenny, a beautiful girl with warm brown eyes, was never a cheerleader. She never competed in a sport. She joined the band. She won a place in the Govemor's School for the Arts; yet, no one in the Charleston, South Carolina School System knew what to do with Jenny. The perimeters were, simply, not in place to deal with a student, who was both active and disabled. Jenny continued to have one operation after another on her ears, all through school. Her hearing improved to 60%, and she taught herself to read lips.\nAt school she was popular, attending every football game to cheer the team on. She carried her pillow everywhere she went, so that she could reduce the pain when she sat down. Then came her senior year in high school. She liked school activities, especially sports. So she began to bombard the school football coach. Finally the coach gave in, with the warning,\"If you miss ONE game, you're out!\"So, Jenny became Manager of Garrett High School Football Team.\nShe carried big buckets of water to her teammates. She bandaged knees and ankles before every game. She gave inspiring talks and it turned out to be one of the best years for Garrett High School football Team in its history. When asked why he thought that the team was winning all their games, one team member Jack explained, \"Well, when you've been knocked down, and you can't seem to move, you look up and see Jenny Lewis, walking across the field, dragging her buckets and carrying her pillow. It makes anything the rest of us may suffer seem pretty unimportant.\"\nAt the Senior Awards ceremony, Jenny received a number of scholarships to College of Charleston. Her favorite scholarship, however, was a small one from the Charleston Women's Club. The President of the Women's Club listed Jenny's achievements, starting with her grades, and ending with an excited,\"...and the first girl to letter in football, in Garrett High School history!\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, Jenny was mainly described as  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a professional football player", "a different kind of athlete", "a disabled athlete full of ambitions", "A disabled girl full of ideas"]}, {"question": "In Jack's opinion, what was the main reason why the School Football Team won?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The coach's proper instruction.", "Teammate's cooperation.", "Jenny's inspiring action.", "The team's good luck."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that Jenny  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["was very sensitive to what others thought of her", "was active but pessimistic about her misfortune", "attached great importance to group honor", "was positive about her life and achieved a lot"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Jenny was the first girl football player in her school", "the coach was strict with his team members except Jenny", "Jenny did service work on the school football team", "Jenny could go to Charleston College free of charge"]}, {"question": "The passage is probably written by  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Jenny's parent", "Jenny's football coach", "a doctor", "a reporter"]}]}
{"article": "UNICEF reports that 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse  and neglect. The USA National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse finds 3 million new reports of child abuse or neglect every year.\nAccording to such information on human rights abuses of children, the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Youth. In answer to the common human rights abuses of young people, Dr. Mary Shuttleworth of Youth for Human Rights International(YHRI) recently completed her seventh annual World Tour to five continents in eighty days. The purpose of the tour is to promote the\nto tens of thousands of children and officials.\nAccording to UNICEF, 1.2 million children are illegally traded all over the world every year.\nSold as goods, these children are forced into inhuman labor, denied basic education and robbed of their childhoods. Youth who do not know their rights are easily cheated by ill-intentioned men. That is why YHRI thinks highly of education.\n\"When the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Youth, I knew that their human rights had to be greater than ever,\" Dr. Shuttleworth said. The tour reached Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily, Italy, Greece, Taiwan, Japan, Hawaii and Los Angeles.\nThe YHRI World Tour 2010 has reached tens of thousands of students as well as officials, educators, and religious leaders and thus promotes human rights education to millions more.", "problems": [{"question": "2010 was declared as the International Year of Youth because    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["3 million children reported their information to the UN", "many children are suffering from ill-treatment and neglect", "children are illegally traded throughout the whole world", "human rights abuses of young people have been avoided"]}, {"question": "According to para. 2, Dr. Shuttleworth first started her annual World Tour in    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["2000", "2004", "2008", "2010"]}, {"question": "Youth for Human Rights International is paying attention to education because    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["education should serve most children", "too many children are forced to leave school", "children who know their rights will make more money", "children who know little about their rights are easily cheated"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the YHRI World Tour 2010    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["has almost stopped the child abuse", "has reached different areas and people", "has found more forced child labor", "was neglected by some political leaders"]}]}
{"article": "Why are so many students not doing well? Why is there such a huge achievement gap between urban and suburban students? Just this week, in my school the seventh grade team leader called a meeting to discuss academic detention  . The purpose of the detention is to allow students who are doing poorly a second chance to redo the work. Now if a student did not understand an assignment I have no trouble allowing that student to redo a test or give some extra credit work, but if a student did poorly because he/she opted  not to do the work out of sheer laziness, that student should not be given a second chance.\n    And parents should be held accountable for their children. That is another reason why there is such a huge achievement gap. All children should be monitored at home in order to achieve great success in school. Perhaps it might be a great idea for urban school districts to offer free classes to parents on how to help their students at home. Of course this idea is far fetched, after all we do not want to offend the parents. What we will do instead is to spend a fortune on teacher training because if the kids are not doing well it must be the fault of the teacher. That kind of mindset, if allowed to continue will be a perfect recipe for greater achievement gaps.\n     I started working at my current school in August and I have been in the teaching field for 25 years. What I believe is that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make that  horse drink. You can't force kids to change bad habits over  night, nor can we afford to lower standards just so a kid can  pass a class.", "problems": [{"question": "The seventh grade team leader in the author's school called    a meeting to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["analyse the reason for the huge achievement gap between students", "find out who is to blame for the huge achievement gap between students", "talk about giving students who are doing poorly a second  chance to redo the work", "discuss how to narrow the huge achievement gap between students"]}, {"question": "The author believes that a student can be given a second chance   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["if he did poorly the first time", "for whatever reason he did poorly the first time", "if he failed the first time in spite of his efforts", "if he comes from a suburban area"]}]}
{"article": "Shakespeare's Sister\nLet us imagine, since facts are so hard to come by, what would have happened had Shakespeare had a wonderfully gifted sister, called Judith.\nShakespeare himself went, very probably -- his mother was an heiress -- to the grammar school, where he may have learnt Latin -- Ovid, Virgil and Horace -- and the elements of grammar and logic. He was, it is well known, a wild boy who poached   rabbits, perhaps shot a deer, and had, rather sooner than he should have done, to marry a woman in the neighborhood, who bore him a child rather quicker than was right. That escapade sent him to seek his fortune in London. He had, it seemed, a taste for the theatre; he began by holding horses at the stage door. Very soon he got work in the theatre, became a successful actor, and lived at the centre of the universe, meeting everybody, knowing everybody, practicing his art on the boards, exercising his wits in the streets, and even getting access to the palace of the queen.\nMeanwhile his extraordinarily gifted sister remained at home. She was as adventurous, as imaginative, as curious to see the world as he was. But she was not sent to school. She had no chance of learning grammar and logic, let alone of reading Horace and Virgil. She picked up a book now and then, one of her brother's perhaps, and read a few pages. But then her parents came in and told her to mend the stockings or mind the stew  and not moon about with books and papers. They would have spoken sharply but kindly, for they were practical people who knew the conditions of life for a woman. Soon, however, before she was out of her teens, she was to be engaged to the son of a neighboring wool stapler . She cried out that marriage was hateful to her, and for that she was severely beaten by her father. Then he ceased to scold her. He begged her instead not to hurt him, not to shame him in this matter of her marriage. He would give her a chain of beads or fine dresses, he said; and there were tears in his eyes. How could she disobey him? How could she break his heart?\nThe force of her own gift alone drove her to it. She made up a small parcel of her belongings, let herself down by a rope one summer's night and took the road to London. She was not seventeen. The birds that sang in the woods were not more musical than she was. She had the quickest fancy, a gift like her brother's, for the tune of words. Like him, she had a taste for the theatre. She stood at the stage door; she wanted to act, she said. Men laughed in her face. The manager -- a fat, loose-lipped man -- howled with laughter. He roared something about puppies dancing and women acting -- no woman, he said, could possibly be an actress. She could get no training in her craft. Could she even seek her dinner in a bar or roam   the streets at midnight? Yet her genius was for fiction and lusted to feed abundantly upon the lives of men and women and the study of their ways. At last -- for she was very young, oddly like Shakespeare the poet in her face, with the same grey eyes and rounded brows -- at last Nick Greene the actor-manager took pity on her; she found herself with child by that gentleman and so -- who shall measure the heat and violence of the poet's heart when caught and confined in a woman's body? -- killed herself one winter's night and lies buried at some cross-roads where the omnibuses   now stop outside the Elephant and Castle.\nThat, more or less, is how the story would run, if a woman in Shakespeare's day had had Shakespeare's genius.", "problems": [{"question": "What can we infer from Judith's teen life?", "answer": "A", "options": ["She was cared for but was expected to live a girl's life.", "She was willing to be engaged to a wool stapler.", "Her father wanted to make a fortune by her marriage.", "She got less affection from her parents than her brother."]}, {"question": "Why did Judith commit suicide to end her life?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The fat manager rejected her and even insulted her.", "She married the wrong person and couldn't face it.", "She couldn't tolerate the violence of the poet's heart.", "She was caught between her ideal and the reality."]}, {"question": "From the passage, we can safely draw the conclusion that in the age of Shakespeare   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["women couldn't possibly act on the stage or write plays", "women could enjoy themselves domestically and socially", "women couldn't make their achievements at any level", "women could make their own decision as to their marriage"]}]}
{"article": "Recently, South Korean star PSY's 'Gangnam style\" video has been popular on the Internet. It has become most people's favorite music.\nIn fact, the song has set the Guinness World Record for the most popular video in the history of the Internet. More than two million people have said \"like\" since the song was on the Internet on July 15.\nPSY\"s special dance moves and funny horse riding style have attracted many people. Although many people do not understand the language, the video has become the talk of the Internet. The song has come to first place in the music charts  in 31 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.\n\"I just sang for my South Korean fans. I have never expected it to be popular in other countries,\" PSY told the reporters on a concert. The song was so popular that a few of South Korean's politicians showed PSY's moves to attract supporters.\n\"The song came out in mid-July. It sings about the rich life of South Korea --especially Gangnam in Soeoul, where a lot of rich people live.\nMillions of people have watched the video. Many stars, such as Katy Perry, Robbie Williams and Nelly Furtado said that they love the song. These stars performed part of the song at a recent concert.\nRiding high on the success of \"Gangnam Style\", PSY was signed by Scooter Braun to Braun's Schoolboy Records, a label distributed by Universal Republic.\nPSY has written many hit songs of varying styles for different singers. Prior to \"Gangnam Style\" his most famous composition perhaps was Lee Seung Gi's debut  song \"Because You Are My Woman\".", "problems": [{"question": "What makes PSY's \"Gangnam Style\" the famous music of millions of people?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The song has set the Guinness World Record.", "The song has come to first place in the music chart.", "They like the dance moves and the horse riding style.", "They don't understand the words of the song."]}, {"question": "Why did some of South Korea's politicians show PSY\"s moves?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They wanted to tell people that they were also fond of music.", "They wanted people to support them.", "They were PSY's fans.", "They liked PSY's dancing style."]}, {"question": "What's \"Gangnam Style\" about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The way of horse riding.", "The rich life of people of Gangnam in Seoul.", "The Guinness World Record.", "The love of stars."]}, {"question": "What is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Life of the Music Star PSY", "\"Gangnam Styly\" ---- Most people's favorite Music", "PSY's Famous Compositions", "Meaning of \"Gangnam Style\""]}]}
{"article": "On the morning of November 18, 1755, an earthquake shock Boston. John Winthrop, a professor at Harvard College, felt the quake and awoke. \"I rose\", Winthrop wrote, \"and lighted a candle, looked at my watch, and found it to be 15minutes after four.\" John Winthrop hurried downstairs to the grandfather clock. It had stopped three minutes before, at 4:12. Except for stopping the clock, the quake had only thrown a key from the mantel  to the floor.\nThe clock had stopped because Winthrop had put some long glass tubes he was using for an experiment into the case for safekeeping. The quake had knocked the tubes over and blocked the pendulum .Winthrop, therefore, had the key on the floor. The quake had thrown _ forward in the direction of the quake' s motion by a shock coming from the northwest, perhaps in Canada.", "problems": [{"question": "The selection suggests that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["earthquakes are common in Boston", "John Winthrop was a scientist", "John Winthrop often had difficulty in sleeping", "Harvard College was a center for earthquake researching"]}, {"question": "Professor Winthrop ran downstairs because he wanted to know what had happened to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the clock", "his grandfather", "the key", "the glass tubes"]}, {"question": "John Winthrop put some tubes into this clock case because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he wanted to do an experiment", "he thought an earthquake was probably to happen soon", "he thought it safe for them to be put there", "he wanted to record the exam time of the earthquake"]}]}
{"article": "When Carlos Westez died at the age of 76, a language died, too. Westez, more commonly known as Red Thunder Cloud, was the last speaker of the Native American language, Catawba.www.ks5u.com\nAnyone who wants to hear various songs of the Catawba tribe   can get in touch with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where, back in the 1940s, Red Thunder Cloud recorded a series of songs for future generations. They are all that is left of the Catawba language. The language that people used to speak is gone forever.\nWe are all aware of the damage that modern industry can do to the world's ecology. However, few people are aware of the effect that widely spoken languages have on other languages and ways of life. English has spread all over the world. Chinese, Spanish, Russian, and Hindi have become powerful languages, as well. As these languages become more powerful, their use as tools of business and culture increases. When this happens, hundreds of languages that are spoken by only a few people die out.\nScholars believe there are about 6,000 languages around the world, but more than half of them could die out within the next 100 years. Araki is a native language of the island of Vanuatu, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is spoken by only a few older adults, so like Catawba, Araki will soon disappear. Many languages of Ethiopia will have the same fate because each one has only a few speakers. In the Americas,100 languages also are dying out.\nRed Thunder Cloud was one of the first to recognize the threat of language death and to try to do something about it. He was not actually born into the Catawba tribe, and the language was not his mother tongue. However, he was a frequent visitor to the Catawba reservation in South Carolina, where he learned the language. The songs he sang for the Smithsonian Institution helped to make Native American music popular. Now he is gone, and the language is dead.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Westez record songs for the Smithsonian Institution?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To fight for Native Americans' rights.", "To deal with the threat of language death.", "To make Native American music popular.", "To help young people learn Catawba songs."]}, {"question": "Which of the following led to the disappearance of Catawba?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Widely spoken languages.", "Ways of life.", "Population control.", "Modern industry."]}, {"question": "What do we learn about Red Thunder Cloud?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He passed away in the 1940s.", "He was born into the Catawba tribe.", "He learned Catawba from his mother.", "He used to visit the Catawba reservation often."]}]}
{"article": "One silly question I simply can't understand is \"How do you feel?\" Usually the question I asked of a man's action--a man on the go, walking along the street or busily working at his desk. So what do you expect him to say? He'll probably say, \"Fine, I'm all right, \" but you've put a bug in his ear--maybe now he's not sure. If you are a good friend, you may have seen something in his face, or his walk, that he overlooked  that morning. It starts him worrying a little. First thing you know, he looks in a mirror to see if everything is all right, while you go merrily on your way asking someone else. \"How do you feel?\"\n  Every question has its time and place. It's perfectly acceptable, for example, to ask \"How do you feel?\" if you're visiting a close friend in hospital. But if the fellow is walking on both legs, hurrying take a train, or sitting at his desk working, it's no time to ask him that silly question. \n  When George Bernard Shaw, the famous writer of plays, was in his eighties, someone asked him, \"How do you feel?\" Shaw put him in his place. \"When you reach my age, \" he said, \"either you feel all right or you're dead. \"", "problems": [{"question": "The question \"How do you feel?\" seems to be correct and suitable when asked of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a man working at his desk", "a person having lost a close friend", "a stranger who looks worried", "a friend who is ill"]}, {"question": "The writer seems to feel that a busy man should  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["be praised for his efforts", "never be asked any question", "not be bothered", "be discouraged from working so hard"]}, {"question": "George Bernard's reply in the passages shows his  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["cheerfulness", "cleverness", "kindness", "politeness"]}]}
{"article": "A new report says the number of foreign students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by three percent last year. This has been the first obvious increase since 2001.\nAmerican schools last fall had 583,000 foreign students. The record is 586,000. That was set in 2002 after many years of gains. But after that the numbers fell. The terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 led to more visa   requirements. Now stronger efforts are being made to get more foreign students to study in the United States.\nChina remained in second place in front of South Korea but behind India, whichsent almost 84,000 students last fall. The number of Japanese fell sharply by nine percent, although it remained in fourth place.\nThere were three percent drops from Indonesia and Kenya, the only African country in the top twenty last year. But there were obvious increases from Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Vietnam. The number of Saudi students more than doubled, rising to nearly eight thousand.\nFor a sixth year, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles had the most foreign students. Columbia University in New York was second. Other schools in the top five were New York University, the University of Illinois and Purdue University.\nUnlike American students in other countries, who often choose history and language study, the leading area of study in the USA was business and management. Second was engineering.\nThe new report also says more than 220,000 Americans studied in other countries. That was during the 2005-2006 school year. It was a record number, and an increase of eight and a half percent from the year before. But only five percent of them stayed for a full year.", "problems": [{"question": "After 2002, the number of foreign students in the USA fell mainly because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Americans were worried that foreign students might attack them", "few American universities welcomed students from abroad", "their own countries could offer them a better education", "it was harder for foreign students to get permission to study in the USA"]}, {"question": "Which subject is the most attractive to foreign students in the USA?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Business and management.", "History.", "Engineering.", "Language."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Kenya is the only African country that has students in the USA", "now foreign students are encouraged to study in the USA", "the number of students studying in America always increases", "the number of foreign students in the USA will keep increasing in the future"]}, {"question": "In which section of a newspaper could you most probably read this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Culture.", "Science.", "Education.", "Business."]}]}
{"article": "Several years ago I worked in an office, which had a locust tree growing outside the window. It had grown into a tall tree and must have been there for a long time. The tree blocked the view and made the office seem dull, unfortunately this happened to be the room assigned to me and I was depressed by it for quite some time.\n When the first spring came, everything was green except the locust tree. Secretly, I was very happy because I had thought it had died.\n One morning when I opened the window for fresh air, I unexpectedly smelt a familiar sweet scent floating into my office but I couldn't name it. Suddenly, I realized it was the locust tree! The tree that I thought dead was blossoming in full glory.\n From then on, I usually came to the office very early to see dew forming on the locust tree blossoms and every year was eager to see spring again.\n During summer, the green leaves provided shade protecting me from the harsh sunlight, but allowing enough light in to make it pleasant. In autumn, the leaves turned into many different color1s. Its beauty touched my soul. Many times I thought to take photos but never did. Then I had to leave in a hurry. Later in life it became a great regret that I had not done so.\n Actually, many times in our lives, we think we own something, therefore we don't cherish it. We don't feel regretful until we lose it one day! Moreover, sometimes, we have to accept the things we don't want and need to discover the hidden beauty to find unexpected joy!", "problems": [{"question": "The author of the passage employed a writing way   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["of holding  and releasing", "that released first, then held", "that held first, then released", "that was not holding or releasing"]}, {"question": "At first the author felt depressed because of the following reasons except that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["The tree blocked the view", "the tree made the office seem dull", "When the first spring came, everything was green except the locust tree", "The office was assigned to him"]}, {"question": "What the author wanted to tell us is that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["not being delighted for what you have got and not feeling pity on the lost", "think twice before you leap", "treat everything calmly", "cherish what you've owned"]}, {"question": "The reason the author came to the office early is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["to enjoy the dew", "to finish her work early", "to do some cleaning", "to avoid the burning sun"]}]}
{"article": "Are you addicted to computer games? Do you stay up all night playing them? Do you feel happy after you play computer games?\nThere's no doubt that the excitement and appealing of games these days makes them hard to put down. We are attracted by the choice when it comes to gaming: You can role play--creating your own fantasy characters and stories, giving you a chance to step out of everyday life into an imaginary world. And there are shooting games where you can let out your anger and depression in violent situations where you kill people with guns. You can get excited from the games.\nHowever, can these kinds of games really be fun and can being absorbed in virtual reality be good for us? Should we worry about their effects on our health? Popular games like Grand Theft Auto have been blamed for everything from falling results at school to causing acts of extreme violence. Internet safety adviser, Alan MacKenzie, thinks \"any people understandably will just think that a game is just a game and not realizing the exact content that's in there\". He gives an example of the violence, which he says is \"wholly inappropriate for anybody, not to mention children.\"\nOthers will argue that gaming is a harmless form of entertainment. There is evidence that playing video games could actually be good for us. Some games like Game of Thrones and World of Warcraft are educational and using games certainly can help children learn good qualities. Studies have also shown that the skills used in playing games can cause growth in certain areas of the brain, the ability to think in 3D and even improve our eyesight.\nVideo game players are also no longer just simple creatures. For some, gaming is having a positive effect on their social lives with games like Halo and World of Warcraft often being played in groups. When your group works together to win the game, your sense of achievement is higher than when winning by yourself.\nSo every coin has two sides. It seems today, gaming isn't just for game fans and if used in a proper way, we can all take part. If video games have two sides, what side do you stand by?", "problems": [{"question": "The writer used a lot of questions at the beginning to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["show his worries about the effect on health", "lead into the topic of the passage", "ask the reader for their own opinions about games", "doubt the advantage of playing computer games"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following shows the good influence on social lives?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Han Meimei passed the exam after playing the games.", "Li Hua leant many English words from playing games.", "Sunyan worked well with his teammates", "Yang Li let out his anger and expressions."]}]}
{"article": "Japan' s nuclear crisis is also causing concerns in China. Worried shoppers rushed to stores and supermarkets in the country for salt, with the belief that it might protect them from potential nuclear radiation spreading from Japan.\n    Many rushed to buy to store as much iodized salt as possible because of the rumor that iodized salt could help prevent radiation poisoning spreading from Japan' s Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Consumers also worried that the nuclear plumes might spread  to China by air and sea, polluting food sources, including salt taken from the sea.\n The wave of panic buying spread quickly across the country, driving up salt prices by five to ten fold in some cities.\n Even regions rich in salt production, like Jiangxi Province,faced sudden shortages.\nThe government took measures to guarantee enough supply and to stabilize the market. It also dismissed the nuclear rumors, saying the nuclear fallout was unlikely to reach the country, and that salt did not help to prevent radiation poisoning.\n    Local authorities have stepped in to stabilize the market, too. As well, state-owned salt companies have been urged to increase their supply.\n Facing expanding market demand, distribution centers have taken extra measures to ensure they are well-prepared.\nWang Yun, the General Manager of Beijing Salt Industry Corporation, said, \"Our storage reserves can guarantee a two-month supply for the Beijing market.\"", "problems": [{"question": "People made panic purchases of salt for the reasons EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["salt might protect them from potential nuclear radiation", "nuclear radiation might pollute food sources", "nuclear radiation might pollute salt taken from the sea", "there would be a shortage of salt on the market"]}, {"question": "What measures did the government take for the panic buying?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Enough salt would be offered to each house.", "It admitted that salt could stop nuclear radiation.", "Authorities urged state-owned salt companies to increase the supply.", "Those who spread the rumor were all arrested and punished."]}, {"question": "What is the purpose of the writer to give the example of Beijing Salt Industry Corporation?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To tell readers that there is a salt company in Beijing.", "To make people b elieve that the supply of salt is enough.", "To cal l on panic people to buy enough salt.", "To prove what the government did was right."]}]}
{"article": "The old lady was glad to be back at the block of flats where she lived. Her shopping had tired her and the basket had grown heavier with every step of the way home. In the lift her thoughts were on lunch and a good rest, but when she got out at her own floor, both were forgotten in her sudden discovery that her front door was open. She was thinking that she must tell her daily maid the next morning to lock the door, and then she remembered that she had gone shopping after the maid had left and she knew that she had turned both keys in their locks. She walked slowly into the hall and at once noticed that all the room doors were open, yet following her regular practice she had shut them before going out. Looking into the living room she saw a sight of confusion over by her writing desk. It was as clear as daylight then that burglars had forced into the house during her absence. Her first thought was to go round all the rooms looking for the thieves, but then she decided that at her age it might be more reasonable to have someone with her, so she went to fetch the doorman from his basement .By this time her legs were beginning to shake, so she sat down and accepted a cup of a very strong tea, while she telephoned to the police. Then her sense regained, she was ready to set off with the doorman's help to search for any thieves who might still be hiding in her flat.", "problems": [{"question": "When she saw the front door was open, the old lady forgot about   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["her basket and desk", "her keys and lunch", "her lunch and rest", "her maid and child"]}, {"question": "The old lady was surprised to find the front door open because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["she had told the maid to shut it", "she had shut the door herself", "she saw the maid shut it", "the maid was not usually careful"]}, {"question": "She realized burglars had been in the flat when   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["she found the front door open", "she saw the living room was out of order", "she found the burglars quarrelling among themselves", "she saw a body by her desk"]}, {"question": "The first thing she wanted to do, after she was sure that the house was opened by someone, was   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["force the burglars out", "look around the rooms for the thieves", "go to the doorman for help", "sit down for a cup of tea in order to calm down"]}]}
{"article": "If you are thinking of putting your child in a private high school instead of a public one, you should do some research. You will find that most private schools offer some advantages.\nOne of the most important details of a good high school is small class size. Many public schools might have 30 or even 35 students in each class. However, many private schools limit the size to about 15 to 20 kids per class. This is a good thing because it allows each teacher to offer every student more attention.\nAnother thing to mention is the interesting classes. For example, while the typical   high school might only offer Spanish and French as foreign languages, private schools often have several other languages to choose from. This is especially important if your child is actually interested in studying a particular language that is not usually offered. Of course, many colleges also consider the various   classes as a good thing, since they can teach students more different subjects than usual.\nSome colleges actually work closely with schools to make sure students are prepared well to get an advanced education. This means that teachers are careful to teach skills that can be used in college. Also, college teachers may be on-hand to talk to students and give them advice. If you think your child could use some help of this kind, which would likely help prepare him or her for college, you should look into schools offering these things.\nA simple visit to the website or campus   of a local private high school could give you the answers you are looking for. If you think your child would benefit from and appreciate these advantages, you should start researching. You are sure to find at least _ that offers these benefits.", "problems": [{"question": "By writing this text, the author is probably encouraging parents to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["pay attention to their children's study", "appreciate the advantages of public schools", "help their children choose right colleges", "send their children to private high schools"]}, {"question": "According to the text, colleges might like to choose students who     .", "answer": "C", "options": ["live close to colleges", "have interest in sports", "have wide knowledge", "come from public high schools"]}]}
{"article": ".\nPassage 1\nEvery morning, when we wake up, we have 24 brand-new hours to live. What a\ngift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these 24 hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and to others.\nPeace is right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We don't have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky. We don't have to leave our city or even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child. Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy.\nWe can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing how to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get\n. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with joy, peace, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment.\nPassage 2\nThe\nof both\nis that we were but to open ourselves to the richness of the moment, to concentrate on\n, we would be filled with bliss. I have lived in the present from time to time and can tell you that it is much overrated. Occasionally, as a holiday from stroking one's memories or brooding   about future worries, I grant you, it can be a nice change of pace. But to \"be here now,\" hour after hour, would never work. I don't even approve of stories written in the present tense. Ads for poets who never use a past participate, they deserve the eternity they are striving for.\nBesides, the\nhas a way of intruding whether you like it or not. Why should I go out of my way to meet it? Let it splash on me from time to time, like a car going through a puddle, and I, on the sidewalk of my solitude  , will salute it grimly like any other modern inconvenience.\nIf I attend a concert, obviously not to listen to the music but to find\nin which to meditate on the past and future. I realize that there may be moments when the music invades my ears and I am forced to pay attention to it, note for note. I believe I take such intrusions gracefully. The present is not always\n, so long as it doesn't stay too long and cut into my remembering or brooding time.", "problems": [{"question": "The author of Passage 1 would most likely view the author of Passage 2 as    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["failing to respect the feelings of other people", "squandering   a precious opportunity on a daily basis", "advocating an action without considering the consequences", "attaching too much importance to the views of others"]}, {"question": "The author of Passage 1 would most likely respond to the \"argument\" (line 1 Passage 2) with   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["absolute neutrality", "partial acceptance", "complete agreement", "surprised disbelief"]}, {"question": "In Passage 1 line 11, the list (\"a job...house\") presents things that most people    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["assume they will eventually obtain", "eventually realize are overrated", "are unwilling to make sacrifices for", "see as worth much effort to acquire"]}, {"question": "In Passage 2 lines 8--10, the \"present\" is characterized as    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["an unavoidable imposition", "an unsolvable puzzle", "a dangerous threat", "a burdensome obligation"]}, {"question": "Which of the following phrases from Passage 2would the author of Passage 1 most likely choose as a title for Passage 1?", "answer": "C", "options": ["\"the hedonist and the guru\" (line 1)", "\"a brief breathing space\" (line 11)", "\"the feast before us\" (line 2)", "\"an unwelcome guest\" (line 14)"]}]}
{"article": "Vancouver. B.C.--For six months. Ted Schredd and Deanna Kopel cycled around North America to show others a way to help the environment. \"Nobody wants to breathe dirty air--but for the air to change. People have to stop driving cars,\" says Ted, \"If more people start riding bikes, the air will be cleaner.\"\nTed started his trip alone. He had $160 in his pocket and plans to cycle around North America. He left his hometown of Vancouver, and when he arrived in San Diego he got the chance to make some extra money for the rest of his 13, 000 km trip. A cyclist he met asked him to speak at an environment meeting in Texas. Within a few hours, Ted was on a plane to the meeting and a big surprise.\nWhen he met Deanna at the meeting, they talked for six hours straight. It was love at first sight. The next day, he called her to ask if she wanted to finish the trip with him. She said yes, sold everything in her flat, gave her notice at work, and was on the road with Ted three weeks later.\nDeanna found Ted's timetable difficult because he got up early in the morning. Deanna was a nurse and usually worked at night. \"All of a sudden, I was up at six when I wanted to sleep until noon,\" said Deanna.\nAs the couple cycled to Florida and up to Montreal and then back to Vancouver, every day was an adventure. They got free meals in restaurants, and slept in people's yards. When they ran out of money, people gave them extra cash. Sometimes people gave away $50 or $100.\nAnd like all good stories this one has a happy ending. On the way back to Vancouver, they stopped in Edmonton to visit Ted's relatives. During the visit, they got married. People tied ten cans and a \"Just Married\" sign to the back of their bikes.\nThey now want to write a book about their trip. \"We want people to know that you can protect our earth and still have fun,\" Schredd said.", "problems": [{"question": "What did Ted Schredd believe to be a way to protect the environment?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Driving less.", "Breathing clean air.", "Saving waste tin cans.", "Staying healthy by cycling."]}, {"question": "Why did Ted speak at an environmental meeting?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He could get a big surprise.", "He was in the city of the meeting.", "He hoped to find someone to help him.", "He wanted more people to know more about his opinion."]}, {"question": "What difficulty did Deanna meet after starting the trip with Ted?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Getting free meals in restaurant.", "Sleeping in people's yards.", "Getting up very early.", "Missing her friends."]}, {"question": "In what way does the story have a happy ending for Ted and Deanna?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They got married during their trip.", "They got together with their relatives.", "They became very famous in America.", "They wrote a book about their experience."]}]}
{"article": "Is your family interested in buying a dog? A dog can be a pleasant companion to your family, but if you choose the wrong kind of dog , you will have a lot of troubles.\nFamilies should sit down and discuss the possible problems before buying a dog. Even if the children in your family are the ones who want the dog, the parents are the ones who are really responsible for seeing that the animal is properly cared for. If you don't know much about dogs, it is a good idea to go to the library for books about different kinds of dogs, and books about how to train a young dog. In reading about the different breeds you should know that a dog described as very alert may be too active. When a book describes a dog as an excellent hunting dog, it probably means that the dog won't be happy living in a small house. Dog breeds vary in popularity as the years go by. One of the most popular dogs these days is the German shepherd. This is because it provides protection as well as companionship. The family should be warned that these dogs grow up to be very big, and may be too powerful for children to control. If space is limited, a toy dog may be a good choice. These dogs are very small and easy to train. They don't need to be walked daily, since they can exercise in the home.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, one can get information about different kinds of dogs  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["by going to the library", "by asking someone who has enough experience about different kinds of dogs", "by buying a dog and training it", "by reading books about dogs"]}, {"question": "The German shepherd is a popular dog  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["because it is easy to train", "because it is big and strong", "because it is powerful and friendly", "because it is alert and active"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is not true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Don't buy a hunting dog if your house is not big enough.", "A dog may not be so good as it is described in books.", "The German shepherd never loses its popularity for it provides not only companionship but also protection.", "You should have a discussion with your family before buying a dog in case it causes you a lot of troubles."]}, {"question": "Which is the best topic of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The care and proper selection of dogs for families.", "Different breeds of dogs.", "Responsibility for seeing that dogs are properly cared for.", "Different kinds of books about dogs."]}]}
{"article": "Many adults in the United States can remember crying the nursery rhyme in the street \"Hot cross buns!\" But only a few people realize this was an early form of advertising.\nWritten advertisements probably began with hieroglyphics more than three thousand years ago, but only a few people could read these symbols. So merchants made signs with pictures or hung their tools over their doors to identify their businesses.\nIn the time of the Roman Empire, wall paintings were a popular form of advertisement. An ad for a play, or some other performance was painted on part of a building or on a wall around a city. People often advertised a house for rent or a freshwater bath in this way, too.\nToday, large wall signs are still used for outdoor advertising. But outdoor advertising is only a small fraction of the total advertising. About forty per -cent of all ads are printed in daily newspapers. Radio commercials also provide this kind of information. Some people think they are the best form of advertising because radio broadcasts reach almost everyone in a nation.\nAdvertisements in magazines and on television reach many people, too. However, usually only large companies can advertise on a national network, because TV commercials shown across the country can cost many thousands of dollars.\nThen there are ads that are almost part of daily living. If you use public transportation, you will see large printed ads, called ear cards, on buses and taxis and in trains. Ads are painted on the trucks that deliver products people are buying or selling.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is the passage mainly discussing?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Modern advertising", "Significance of advertising", "Development of advertising", "Origin of advertising"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the original form of advertising?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Signs with pictures", "Wall signs", "Street crying", "Wall painting"]}, {"question": "Why did the merchants make signs with pictures or hang their tools over their doors ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To have their houses decorated.", "To make their business known by public.", "To enable people to learn how to read", "To advertise their houses to rent"]}, {"question": "Radio commercials are the best form of advertising because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["they can be heard everywhere in a country", "they are cheap and fast", "they are most recently developed", "they can be understood by those who can neither read nor write"]}]}
{"article": "When on vacation,what do you look for in a hotel?Maybe you want a comfortable bed, or a suitable place.However,if you want something out of the ordinary and wish to go beyond the mundane, these spectacular hotels offer a stay you won't soon forget!\nHippo Point\nFor those who prefer an overnight stay with some four-footed or two-winged guests, Hippo offers unique rooms on the East African plains .The nine-story tower is treated as one of the top 10 resorts in the world.Guests enjoy incredible views of Olodian Bay.More than 520 species of birds gather around the lake,their calls sounding in the air.\nDog Bark Park Inn\nAt the Dog Bark Park Inn,sleeping in a doghouse is a good thing! Located near Cottonwood,Idaho,this bed and breakfast is inside the world's largest dog.\nGuests relax on dog-themed decorative furnishings and enjoy a wonderful breakfast.\nThe Poseidon Undersea Resort\nLocated in a Fijian lagoon,the Poseidon Undersea Resort  boasts the world's first seafloor suite 12 meters below the  surface of the ocean.By day,people enjoy golf,tennis and water sports or learn to pilot a three-passenger Triton submarine to explore the new ocean depths.\nThe Magic Mountain Hotel\nThe Magic Mountain Hotel is shaped like a volcano.But instead of lava,a waterfall falls down its sides.Nine comfortable rooms,all with modern facilities,are each named for a local species of bird.Hotel guests can enjoy rafting,hiking and horseback riding,or they can relax in a hot trunk with hot water.\nSala Silvermine\nThe truly adventurous can spend the night in the world's deepest bedroom in the Sala Silvermine in Sweden.After a guided tour of the mine located 155 meters underground,you're left alone to enjoy the solitude with a basket of food.In the morning, the guide returns with a delicious breakfast to enjoy before you return to ground level.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the phrase \"go beyond the mundane\" may mean?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Do something exciting", "Go to a familiar place", "Look for a comfortable", "Travel in an ordinary way"]}, {"question": "According to the passage,Hippo Point is intended for   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the sports fans", "the beach goers", "the bird lovers", "the dog owners"]}, {"question": "If a person enjoys riding horses, he may choose  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Hippo Point", "Dog Bark Inn", "The Poseidon Undersea Resort", "The Magic Mountain Hotel"]}, {"question": "If you go to Sala Silvermine, you will   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["return to the ground after sleeping there.", "travel the deepest mine with a guide.", "go 155 meters underground all by yourself.", "experience the feeling of loneliness all day."]}]}
{"article": "I arrived at the bus station much too early for the London bus, which was not to leave until five to twelve. I pushed through the crowds, looking for somewhere to sit down. Scores of people were standing about, or struggling along with their bags and the cases to find the right lines. There was a party of school girls. I could see teachers trying to keep them in order. But there was nowhere for me to sit.\nI stepped into the station buffet. I looked up at the clock there. It was only twenty to twelve. I found a seat opposite a large mirror on the wall. Just then a friend of mine called Jim came in and sat with me. \"What time is your bus?\" asked Jim. \"Oh, there's a plenty of time yet,\" I answered. \"Oh, I'll get some drinks then,\" said Jim. We talked while drinking. Then I looked at the clock again. \"Good heavens! It's going backward!\" I cried. \"A moment ago it was twenty to twelve and now it's half past eleven.\" \"You are looking at the clock in the mirror,\" said Jim. I could kick myself for being so stupid. I had not realized that the marks for one and eleven on the face of the clock were the same. The next bus was not to leave for another hour. I have never liked mirror since then.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer went to the station buffet because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he was thirsty", "he saw the station buffet was not so crowded", "it was still early for his bus and he couldn't find a place to sit at the bus station", "he had changed his mind; he wouldn't go to London"]}, {"question": "The writer sat   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["behind a mirror", "facing a mirror", "under a mirror", "near a mirror"]}, {"question": "Jim came to the station buffet at about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["twenty to twelve", "twenty past twelve", "half past one", "twenty past eleven"]}]}
{"article": "When a child is told he is \"uncool\", it can be very painful. He may say he doesn't care, and even act in ways that are opposite of cool on purpose. But ultimately, these are simply ways to handle sadness by pretending it's not there.\nHelping a child feel better in school had to be careful. If you say, \"Why are you worried about what other children think about you? It doesn't matter!\"  Children know that it does matter. Instead, an active way may be best. You could say, \"I'm going to do a couple of things for you to help you feel better in school.\"\nIf a boy is having trouble making friends, the teacher can help him. The teacher can arrange things so that he has chances to use his abilities to contribute to class projects. This is how the other children learn how to value his good qualities and to like him. A teacher can also raise a child's popularity in the group by showing that he values that child. It even helps to put him in a seat next to a very popular child, or let him be a partner with that child in activities, etc.\nThere are things that parents can do at home, too. Be friendly when your child brings others home to play. Encourage him to invite friends to meals and then serve the dishes they consider \"super\". When you plan trips, picnics, movies, and other shows, invite another child with whom your child wants to be friends.\nWhat you can do is to give him a chance to join a group that may be shutting him out. Then, if he has good qualities, he can start to build real friendship of his own.", "problems": [{"question": "A child who has been informed of being \"uncool\" may   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["care nothing about it", "develop a sense of anger", "do something uncool purposely", "pretend to get hurt very much"]}, {"question": "A teacher can help an unpopular child by   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["seeing the child as the teacher's favourite", "asking the child to do something for partners", "forcing other children to make friends with the child", "offering the child chances to show his good qualities"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Children don't care others' comments on them.", "It's only teacher's work to make children popular.", "Parents should take their children out for picnic and shows more often.", "Inviting children's friends to family activities is good for them to make friends."]}, {"question": "The passage mainly talks about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["how to help an unpopular child", "why some children are unpopular", "who is responsible for unpopular children", "how to find out good points of unpopular children"]}]}
{"article": "It was just three degrees above zero. \"That's cold,\" thought Jane as she got ready to deliver her morning papers. Jane has 50 customers, and on cold mornings when she couldn't ride her bike, it took her more than an hour to make her rounds.\nAs she collected her papers and put them into a big canvas bag, Jane regretted that she hadn't finished her math homework the night before. There was still time. She'd hurry with the papers and finish the math before breakfast.\nLess than an hour later, Jane was nearly finished. She had only five customers to go. She could then head for home to complete her math while her mom fixed breakfast. As she rounded the corner, she saw a car in the middle of the street. It was Mr. Zimmerman, the elderly man who walked with a walking stick. His car was out of gas.\n\"I'd like to help Mr. Zimmerman,\" thought Jane. \"but if I do, I won't have time to do my homework.\" She hated to think what Mr. Roberts would say if she hadn't completed her papers.\n\"It's his own fault for running out of gas,\" Jane talked to herself, \"the station is only a half mile down the street. Surely Mr. Zimmerman can walk that far, even on a cold morning like this... can't he?\" As she walked down the street, Jane wondered what to do.", "problems": [{"question": "Jane delivers her papers   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["before she goes to school", "on cold mornings", "with the help of Mr. Zimmerman's car", "on the way to school"]}, {"question": "Mr. Zimmerman was old and   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["couldn't drive well", "would have nobody to help him", "was not rich enough to buy gas", "was not able to walk a long way"]}, {"question": "We know from the reading that  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Jane couldn't find any time to finish her homework", "it took about an hour for Jane to send the papers", "Jane would have her breakfast in the school", "Jane likes to deliver papers on cold mornings"]}, {"question": "The reading doesn't say but we can infer that  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Jane bought the gas for Mr. Zimmerman", "usually Jane delivers papers by bike", "Mr. Robert doesn't like Jane at school", "Mr. Zimmerman had to leave the car for Jane"]}, {"question": "The best title for this reading should be   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Fifth Customers", "There's no Easy Answer", "No Time to Finish Homework", "A Cold Morning for Jane"]}]}
{"article": "From the same place that brought you the Robot Suit HAL comes the \"motorized knee\".Designed by researchers at Japan's Tsukuba University, the device supports the flex( ) of the knee, which enables a runner to use 30% less muscle power compared to running unassisted.\nComing in a kit  , the device consists of a small motor that helps flex the knee, a sensor that detects the knees' degree of flex, and a safety lever  --all of which attach to the user's leg.The user is also forced to carry a backpack that holds a control unit and battery to power the motor.All up the device weighs around 5kg,which will probably lessen the performance benefits of wearing the device somewhat.In experiments runners wearing the device could jog at 7.5kmh, which is hardly anything special--but predictably they could do it for longer.\nCuriously, the makers of the motorized knee say it isn't designed for the physically handicapped.Rather it is intended for people who want to run in a more efficient way.I can't help thinking this cuts down the potential market considerably.After all, most runners I know do it for the sake of their fitness.Wouldn't a device that is designed to do some of the work mean that someone would have to run for longer to receive the same fitness benefits?\nRegardless, the research team expects to commercialize the kit within the next three years, by which time they also plan to have made the device significantly smaller and lighter.", "problems": [{"question": "To make sure that the device runs smoothly,  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the user should be equipped with other related units", "the device should be improved through experiments", "the user shouldn't be physically handicapped", "the device should be smaller and lighter"]}, {"question": "What is the special feature of the device according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It helps its user run faster.", "It helps save physical strength.", "It adds more fun to running.", "It helps its user keep a good shape."]}, {"question": "In the author's opinion, the device  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["should specially serve the disabled", "won't be popular with people at all", "does harm to its user's health", "may not sell as well as expected"]}, {"question": "Which of the following aspects of the device is NOT mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Its advantages.", "Its components.", "Its weight.", "Its price."]}, {"question": "In which column of a newspaper would this passage be found?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Science.", "Health.", "Education.", "Business."]}]}
{"article": "The vast jungles of the Amazon rainforest are home to tribes mostly isolated from the outside world,whose way of life,largely unchanged for hundreds of years,is now increasingly threatened by modern civilization.\nNow, scientists discover they can monitor these\"uncontacted tribes\"using satellites,which would allow inexpensive and safe tracking of these tribes in order to protect them from outside threats.\nIn order to help conserve these uncontacted Indians,researchers need accurate estimates of their populations.One way to collect this data involves flying over their villages,but such overflights are both expensive and could fill these native peoples with fear.Another strategy involves meeting individuals on the ground,but among other risks,scientists could accidentally spread disease to members of the tribes.\nInstead,scientists investigated whether satellite imaging could monitor uncontacted tribes. The result was inspiring.They confirmed their locations and measured the sizes of their Village,houses and gardens.\"We can find isolated vinages with remote sensing and study them over time.\"Walker told Live Science.\"We can ask:Are they growing?Do they move?\"\nSurprisingly,based on the sizes of the houses and Villages,the scientists find the population densities of these isolated villages are about 10 times greater,on average,than other villages of native Brazilian peoples.This may be due to the fact that they have to live closer together because they are not as good at clearing the forest,since they lack modern devices like chainsaws and tractors,the researchers said.The tribes may also be afraid of spreading out due to fear of being attacked by outsiders,Walker said.\nThe researchers now plan to focus on 29 more isolated villages to\"look at their ecology--that is.distance from rivers and roads--and use this to model where else we can find more isolated villages,\"Walker said.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main idea of the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Amazon tribes are disappearing.", "Scientists found isolated Amazon tribes.", "Modern civilization is threatening Amazon tribes.", "Isolated Amazon tribes are monitored with satellites."]}, {"question": "Scientists don't want to meet the Indians on the ground due to the fear that  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["they can't get accurate data", "they will be attacked by the Indians", "they could pass disease to the Indians", "they will catch disease from the Indians"]}, {"question": "What do scientists find about the tribes?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They live close together.", "Their population is dropping.", "Thev live in distributed areas.", "Their population is increasing fast."]}]}
{"article": "It was time for a school holiday and I was at home. My family's house was located in   an area by the sea.\nI just sat down in front of the television. Suddenly I heard a loud noise and then the first shock started to hit. My mom and I ran to the front door. We got out and we were standing in the street holding on to each other to stand up. The ground was covered with snow. I could remember watching black cracks in the earth snaking their way along the ground. A tree in our back yard was actually cut in half.\nAs suddenly as the earthquake started, it was over. Dead silence. Then a light snow began to fall. All the power was off--no radio, no TV and no communication with the outside world. We found out later that the ground area was lowered an average of 35 feet.\nMy dad succeeded in getting home from where he worked in the city centre. Later that evening we were told to leave the area because a terrible ocean wave was expected. We spent the night and the next day and night away from home at the shelter.\nI often think about the courage my dad showed during that time. Before Dad retired, he was a senior manager of a famous local company. This company was damaged because of the quake. Dad stayed in the company to rebuild the business and rebuild our family home.", "problems": [{"question": "In which season did the earthquake take place?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Spring.", "Summer.", "Autumn.", "Winter."]}, {"question": "After the earthquake, the writer's father   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["opened up his own company", "lived with his family and did a better job", "helped neighbors build their houses", "became a famous person in their town"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["My father", "My mother and I", "A quake in my town", "Earthquake tips"]}]}
{"article": "With more and more wineries   offering organic varieties to lower their eco-footprint  , it's no surprise that they're looking at the environmental impacts of their packaging as well. The making of conventional glass bottles and the corks   uses large quantities of natural resources and causes a lot of pollution.\nBeyond manufacturing, the transport of wine in glass bottles across the country and around the world also has its environmental effect. Trucking all the heavy glass bottles causes a much larger carbon footprint than the transportation of much lighter boxed wine. Almost half the weight of an ordinary case of wine comes from the bottles; about 95 percent of the weight of a case of boxed wine is the wine itself.\n\"A standard wine bottle holds 750 milliliters of wine and causes about 5.2 pounds of carbon dioxide when it travels from a farm in California to a store in New York,\" reports Colman, a researcher. \"A 3-liter box causes about half the carbon dioxide per 750 milliliters.\"\nAccording to the Wine Group, the third largest wine company in the world and a big advocate for switching away from glass bottles, there are other advantages to boxed wine (which typically includes a plastic bag within a cardboard box). The vacuum   packaging of boxed wine allows it to stay fresh for up to six weeks in the fridge once the seal is broken and the first glass has been poured.\nStill, despite the benefits, boxed wine may still be a tough pill to swallow for many wine experts. \"Even those traditionalists who are coming around to the idea that maybe screw caps   are fine for some wines, would not like the idea of a cellar   full of cardboard boxes,\" says wine writer Lee Asbell. \"It is difficult to imagine how wine service at fine-dining establishments would handle such a change.\" For now, boxed wine is still the field of cheaper brands. But that could all change as more and more wine makers and drinkers take responsibility for saving the Earth.", "problems": [{"question": "Compared with glass bottled wine, boxed wine   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["wastes more natural resources", "is difficult to transport", "causes less eco-footprint", "takes up more space"]}, {"question": "What do we know about boxed wine from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Corks are still needed to close it", "It's not suitable for long-distance transport", "It must be kept in the fridge during the transport", "The special packaging makes it stay fresh longer once it's opened"]}, {"question": "The author writes this passage to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["call on people to drink less wine", "advise packaging wine with different materials", "advocate using boxes to store wine k@s5u", "introduce how to keep wine fresh after the bottle is opened"]}]}
{"article": "The Internet has become a part of our everyday life and there is nothing we can do without it.It is a means of communication as well as a good way of relieving and having fun.No matter in what place of the world,the Internet is the same for every one of us.\n    If we hope to improve our knowledge or look for a certain piece of information, the Internet is the perfect tool for our need.If we do not have the time to shop, ordering online is the solution to our problem.The Internet is very useful to most  people.\n    There is no doubt that the Internet also has some bad points.I'm speaking about the harmful information,which may come up in the most unexpected paces.You can sometimes come across violence,presented to the public as a very normal way of expressing beliefs.An intelligent person will always be able to tell apart right and wrong, but what can we do to help the teenagers and children? This sort of information is a cause of many of the violent incidents in schools.\n    There are few organization that monitor the Internet and the information on it.They cannot possibly get rid of all the bad things on the Internet.\n    So should the Internet be censored for the protection of children? My belief is that parents are the ones who should be to blame for what their children ale doing on the Internet.", "problems": [{"question": "The disadvantage of the Internet mentioned in the passage is that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["people spend too much time on it.", "people rely too much on it.", "it can provide harmful information.", "many people use it to do things that ale not legal"]}, {"question": "In the writer's opinion, who should help children avoid the harmful information on the Internet?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Parents.", "Teachers.", "1he pubic.", "Some organization."]}, {"question": "What's the best tide for this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How to help children make use of the Internet?", "Why is the Internet so useful in our life?", "Should people stop using the Internet?", "Should the Internet be censored?"]}]}
{"article": "Five-year-old Jocelyn Rojas spent all day playing happily with her friends outside her grandmother's apartment building. Her mom, Jaimee, kept her eye on the little girl from a window. At about 4 p.m., Jocelyn walked around the corner of the building to get her bicycle. However, half an hour later, she disappeared. Jaimee called 911.\nA short time later, police officers and firefighters crowded inthe area, blocking streets and searching the neighborhood. Officers handed out photos of the girl wearing thick-framed glasses.\nTemar Boggs, 15, a school athlete in track, was with some friends moving a couch into the apartment of his elderly neighbor when one officer approached him and asked if he'd seen Jocelyn. Unfortunately, none of them had seen her. A little bit later, Temar and his friends went to check out the situation. By 6:30 p.m., Jocelyn had been missing for more than two hours, and the search team was worried that the sun would set before she was found.\nJust at that moment, Temar felt an intense emotion that he was going to find her. He and his friend Chris Garcia, 13, rode alongside, simply keeping a sharp eye out as they circled around. Then Temar spotted a car circling around, as if the driver were unfamiliar with the neighborhood. Temar cycled close and made eye contact with the man behind the wheel, an older guy wearing a red-and-white striped shirt, and saw a tiny blond girl in the passenger seat. Temar instantly realized it must be the missing girl.\nThe boys cycled after the car, but the driver kept moving, winding his way through the neighborhood.\nFinally, the driver had to park the car ahead of them and pushed open the passenger-side door. A girl slipped out of the car. It was Jocelyn. Temar got off his bike, and carried her to the police. The kidnapper sped away.\nA police report later identified the man as a 63-ycar-old sex offender. He is still _ .\nNeil Harkins, chief of the Manheim Police Department, says \"The boys' heroics are 'something we don't normally hear about.' It is a very brave thing for young boys to do that.\" But when asked, Temar, now a tenth-grade student at Lucy Laney High School, says \"I didn't do it for attention. I just wanted to help.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Jaimee call 911?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because her mother was in need of help.", "Because her house was on fire.", "Because her daughter was missing.", "Because she was trapped in the building."]}, {"question": "What was Temar doing when the police were searching for Jocelyn?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He and his friends were playing outside the building.", "He was helping the police hand out the photos of the missing girl.", "He and his friends were helping his neighbor moving a couch.", "He and his friends were having a cycling race."]}, {"question": "From what Neil Harkins says, we can know   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Temar and his friends did a heroic thing.", "Temar is a boy with little courage.", "The kidnapper was under control because of Temar and his friends.", "Temar didn't want to catch people's attention."]}]}
{"article": "High Speed Book Scanner\nSimply turning pages of a book quickly may not seem like the best way to scan it. A Japanese research group at Tokyo University has created new software that allows hundreds of pages to be scanned within minutes. Scanning text is normally a boring process with each page having to be inserted into a scanner, but the team led by Professor Masatoshi Ishikawa uses a high speed camera that takes 500 pictures a second to scan pages as they are turned by workers.\nNormal scanners can only scan the information that is actually before them on the page. This high speed book scanner uses a camera that captures pages at 1000fps as they are turned. A system built in allows it to automatically correct any changes to the text due to the page bending as well as light differences due to shadows. \"It takes a shot of the shape, then it calculates the shape and uses those calculations to film the scanning,\" Ishikawa said, explaining the system used to reconstruct the original page.\nThe current system is able to scan an average 250-page book in a little over 60 seconds using basic computer hardware. While it now requires extra time to process the scanned images  , the researchers hope to eventually make the technology both faster and much smaller. \"In the more distant future, once it becomes possible to put all of this processing on one chip   and then put that in an iPad or iPod, one could scan just using that chip. At that point, it becomes possible to scan something quickly to save for later reading,\" Ishikawa said.\nBeing able to scan books with an iPhone may be further off, but Ishikawa says that a commercial version of the large-scale computer based scanning system could be available in two or three years. While the technology has the potential to take paper books into the digital age,\n.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the advantage of the new scanning software is that    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["there is no need to scan every page", "it can work much more effectively", "no manpower is needed in operating the scanner", "it can make the scanning process more interesting"]}, {"question": "According to Ishikawa, the scanner works by   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["changing the shape of the images", "reducing the size of the images", "reconstructing the original page", "scanning several pages at the same time"]}, {"question": "What is Ishikawa's attitude towards the development of the scanning system?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Optimistic.", "Uncertain.", "Disapproving.", "Cautious."]}]}
{"article": "The United States government has decided that food from cloned  cattle, pigs and goats is safe to eat. The Food and Drug Administration also says it found no risks in meat and milk from cloned animals.\nThe F.D.A. looked at studies for several years before it announced its decision in a final report this month. The United States Department of Agriculture supported the findings. But it says time is needed to clear the way for marketing meat and milk from clones.\nThe F.D.A. will not require any product to be registered  as coming from clones. A producer would need to label   a product \"clone-free\". The agency   says that could be misunderstood because the food is not different from other food.\nBut activists argue that the F.D.A. based its decision on incomplete research into possible risks. The Center for Food Safety criticized the use of studies supplied by cloning companies. Animal rights activists point out that cloning attempts often fail. They say cloning is cruel and can lead to suffering.\nCongress   has been trying to get the F.D.A. to do more studies. But the agency noted that experts in New Zealand and the European Union had come to the same findings about the safety of food from clones. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan say they want to study it further before taking action.\nProducts from cloning may not be widely used for several years. Clones cost much , which is why they are not widely used for feeding. The Agriculture Department says few clones will ever become food. Their traditionally raised animals would enter the food supply instead.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Is Food from Cloned Animals Safe?", "A New Clone Policy", "A Big Danger --Cloned Food", "Cloned Products --A Terrible Choice"]}, {"question": "All the following are sure of the safety of cloned products EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["New Zealand", "Japan", "the USA", "the European Union"]}, {"question": "Why are products from cloning not widely used for feeding?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because cloning attempts often fail.", "Because they are not safe to eat.", "Because cloning is cruel.", "Because they are expensive."]}, {"question": "Where can you probably see the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["In a novel.", "In a newspaper.", "In a travel leaflet.", "In a notice on the wall."]}]}
{"article": "Monkeys are very similar to us in many ways. We enjoy watching them because they often act like us. In fact, scientists say monkeys and humans share a common ancestor.\nMonkeys make us smile, too, because they are creatures full of playful tricks. This is why many monkey expressions are about tricky people or playful acts. One of these expressions is monkeyshines, meaning tricks or foolish acts. So, when a teacher says to a group of students: \"Stop those monkeyshines right now!\", you know that the kids are playing, instead of studying.\nYou might hear that same teacher warn a student not to monkey around with a valuable piece of equipment. You monkey around with something when you are touching or playing with something you should leave alone. Also, you can monkey around when you feel like doing something, but have no firm idea of what to do.\n Monkey business usually means secret, maybe illegal, activities. A news report may say there is monkey business involved in building the new airport, with some officials getting secret payments from builders.\nYou may make a monkey out of someone when you make that person look foolish. Some people make a monkey out of themselves by acting foolish or silly.\nIf one monkey has fun, imagine how much fun a barrel of monkeys can have. If your friend says he had more fun than a barrel of monkeys at your party, you know that he had a really good time.\nMonkey suits are common names for clothes or uniforms soldiers wear. In earlier years, performing monkeys' tight-fitting, color1ful jacket looked similar to a military uniform. So, people began to call a military uniform a monkey suit.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can best state the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Monkeys are connected with our life.", "Due respect should be paid to monkeys.", "Some English expressions about monkey.", "Monkeys share a common ancestor with us."]}, {"question": "How many expressions about monkey are introduced in the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["5.", "6.", "7.", "8."]}, {"question": "The expression \"monkeyshine\" has the closest meaning to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["mischief", "laziness", "making noise", "diligence"]}, {"question": "If you drew a funny picture on your friend's face while he was sleeping, you were   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["monkeying around", "doing money business", "enjoying a barrel of monkeys", "making a monkey out of him"]}]}
{"article": "I am sure that everybody in his/her life has used computers. Nowadays you can feel their presence everywhere at home,at school,at work and they certainly make life easier.On the other hand,there are people who can't work with them.\nAnyway,I believe their presence is a good thing. Life with them seems easier, less difficult and more comfortable You can use them to choose your meal,to withdraw your money, and also save your time,because these operations are all controlled by computers. Therefore you can hardly imagine the modern world without them;the whole planet seems to be one big computer society.\nNevertheless,problems can often appear in this area, too.To have a computer means you have to be quite well-off and have the necessary skills to use it.However,think about questions like \"Are computers so available for everyone, or rich and poor people,for people from villages and people from cities. Aren't they too expensive?Is everyone able to learn how to use them and not everyone has the chance to access and work with them,how could everything in the future be dependent on them?\"Therefore,I think our society will be split into two parts.One part will work with them and enjoy the benefits that computers can bring and the other part will be pushed out and will actually be far behind the other group.\nAnother question that bothers me is,on the one hand,computers are important  and good things in our life,but they aren't everything.They are good as a help at school,quite often as entertainment,especially for young people,as an necessary tool to help in research etc,but I think we shouldn't be so dependent on them,because computers are only machines and machines can't feel anything be human and sympathetic,and every action performed by computer can be interfered with another person,which could cause these machines to crash or work badly.\nIn conclusion,I would like to say I am not against computers.I use computers,too,but people should be wary all the time.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer's main purpose in writing the passage is  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["to encourage us to use computers in our society", "to advise us to say no to computers from now on", "to remind us to care about the problems that computers bring.", "to inform us that the computer has become a necessary part of our life"]}]}
{"article": "Hair has always been an important sign of beauty, especially true for women.Next to the face, hair is one of the main qualities people look for when they consider a woman's beauty.Whether long or short, curly or straight, hair often gets a lot of attention.\nEach hair grows independently of other hairs.Not all hairs experience the same period of growth at the same time.During the period of active growth, which is called Anagen, hair grows at a rate of about or one centimeter a month.About eighty five percent of hair follicles  are going through this process at any given time.This period can last from two to six years.\nThe Catagen period of hair growth comes next.It is then that hair growth begins to slow down.This period usually lasts two or three weeks.Finally, hair growth comes to a complete stop and the hairs begin to fall out.This period is known as Telogen.Once the Telogen period has ended, the hair growth process begins again.\nSo what happens when a person has trouble growing hair or suffers from hair loss? Your genes control how fast or how long your hair will grow.Some people have a longer than usual anagen growth period.These people may be able to grow more hair than the average person.\nHowever, others struggle to grow shoulder length hair.These people have a shorter than normal anagen period.\nYour health can also affect hair growth.Poor nutrition can cause some hair follicles to stop growing or cause the hairs that grow to become weak or thin.Problems with hair growth can result from thyroid (^?K JSO problems or other conditions.Health experts say people who experience a sudden increase in hair loss should seek medical advice.", "problems": [{"question": "How many periods of hair growth are discussed in the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Two.", "Three.", "Four.", "Five."]}, {"question": "The Catagen period is a period that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the hairs start to fall out", "the hairs grow at a fast rate", "hair growth stops completely", "hair growth begins to slow down"]}, {"question": "What can be learned from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Hair grows no more after the Telogen period.", "One with shoulder length hair must grow more hair.", "Hair growth has much to do with nutrition and health.", "Only a few hair follicles go through the Anagen period."]}, {"question": "What is suggested by health experts when one suffers from a sudden increase in hair loss?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Changing his genes.", "Going to see a doctor.", "Cutting all his hair off.", "Eating more vegetables."]}]}
{"article": "The percentage of districts that require elementary schools to teach physical education increased, to 93% last year from 83% in 2000. \n    But just 4% of elementary schools, 8% of middle schools and 2% of high schools provided physical education each school day, as is recommended by the disease control agency. One-fifth of schools did not require physical education at all.\n    In 2004, Congress passed a law requiring each school district to develop a \"wellness policy\" to promote the students' health by setting goals for nutrition education and physical activity. Those policies are just now taking effect, and some school administrators predict that the next survey will show more marked improvements. Some schools have set out to place health education on the same requirement with academics. In Los Angeles County, Sepulveda Middle School has banned soft drinks and eliminated unhealthy snacks from the school store. Salad, fruit and yogurt are always available in the cafeteria, said Patricia J. Pelletier, the principal. \n    Nearly an hour of physical education is required daily, the school offers after-hours training in distance running, and it has started a class on healthy cooking for parents. \n    \"If kids are healthy and have healthy lifestyles, they're going to be better students,\" Ms Pelletier said. \"They're going to be in school, and they're going to be connected with the teachers in a better way.\"\n    The survey found that nearly two-thirds of schools prohibited tobacco use at all places, including at off-campus functions, up from 46% in 2000. Another finding was that the proportion of states that require middle schools to teach human sexuality grew, to 59% from 46%. \n    The report found a variety of indications of healthier cooking in school cafeterias. 55% reported that they had removed the skin from poultry before cooking, up from 40%, and 46% now use low-fat cheeses, up from 31%. But 12% of elementary schools, 19% of middle schools and 24% of high schools offer students brand-name fast food from businesses like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How to change children's eating habits", "Improve students' physical health by developing their nutrition education", "Only a little percentage of students are taught physical education", "Healthy habits should be taught in schools"]}, {"question": "To improve the health of the students, the school should have   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["daily exercise for more than an hour", "daily exercise and proper eating habits", "good healthy eating", "much exercise"]}, {"question": "What excited us most in the survey is that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["most schools forbade tobacco use everywhere", "most schools have realized the importance of students' living surroundings", "more schools have set aside daily physical exercise routine", "wellness policy has taken effect"]}]}
{"article": "When George was thirty-five, he bought a small plane and learned to fly it.  He soon became very good and made his plane do all kinds of tricks  . \nGeorge had a friend, whose name was Mark. One day George offered to take Mark up in his plane.\nMark thought, \" I've traveled in a big plane several times, but I've never been in a small one, so I'll go. \"\nThey went up, and George flew around for half an hour and did all kinds of tricks in the air. \nWhen they came down again,  Mark was glad to be back safely, and he said to his friend in a\nshaking voice, \"Well , George,  thank you very much for those two trips in your plane.\"\nGeorge was very surprised and said, \" Two trips? \"\n    \" Yes, my first and my last. \" answered Mark.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is false?", "answer": "C", "options": ["George learned to fly a plane very quickly .", "It took George a short time to learn to fly a plane.", "George had some difficulty learning to fly a plane.", "Mark decided to fly in George's small plane."]}, {"question": "When George did some tricks with his small plane, Mark was   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["unhappy", "excited", "frightened", "surprised"]}, {"question": "Mark went up in George's plane   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["twice", "only once", "several times", "once or twice"]}]}
{"article": "A newspaper reporter's job can be very interesting.He meets all types of people and lives quite a busy life.He is _ for news all the time,then after several years he may get a desk job,and life becomes a bit more settled.Let's look at his work a little more closely.In a day he may have to interview the prime minister of a foreign country, and the next day he may be writing about a football match.Sometimes he may be so busy that he hardly has any time to sleep.And at other times he may go on for days looking out for news materials yet return empty--handed.\nIn the beginning,a reporter has to cover a very wide field.After the early years he becomes more specialized in his work.For example,he may finaliy be asked to write only on court cases or politics or sports.Some reporters may become so specialized that they are asked only to write on a special thing:horse racing,for example.In most newspaper houses there is at least one special racing correspondent.Some newspapers have book reviews. Their job is delightful.They read the latest book and then write reviews on the ones they like.Then there are those who write on fdms,so they get to see them even before they are shown in the cinema.How lucky, you would say!\nA reporter's job can also be very dangerous.If there is a flood or a riot they may get hurt or even be killed.Three years ago there was a reporter whose camera was destroyed by a group of men,because they were angry with him for taking their picture.Dangerous or not,one thing is certain,and that is,their job is never dull!", "problems": [{"question": "Reporters who write on films are said to be lucky because they  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["can write anything they like", "can see more film stars", "can pay less than other people", "can see the fdms before most people see them in the cinema"]}, {"question": "Why did the men break the reporter's camera?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The reporter took their picture.", "They did not like him at all.", "They were afraid of his camera.", "The camera was in the way."]}, {"question": "According to the passage,a reporter's work becomes dangerous when  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he is seeing a horror film", "thereis afloodora riot", "there is a football match", "there is an interview with the prime minister"]}, {"question": "What's the passage mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["An introduction to a newspaper reporter's job.", "An interesting life of a newspaper reporter.", "Something written by a newspaper reporter.", "How to become a good newspaper reporter."]}]}
{"article": "Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself.\nThe expressionto be in hot water is a very old expression. Hot water was used five hundred years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of throwing extremely hot water down on enemies attacking a castle.\nThat no longer happens. But we still get in hot water. When we are in hot water, we are in trouble. It can be any kind of trouble--serious or not so serious. A person who breaks a law can be in hot water with the police. A young boy can be in hot water with his mother, if he walks in the house with dirty shoes.\nBeingin deep wateris almost the same as being in hot water. When you are in deep water, you are in a difficult position.\nTo keep your head above wateris a colorful expression that means staying out of debt. A company seeks to keep its head above water during economic hard times. A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above water until he finds a new job.\nWater over the dam is another expression about a past event. It is something that is finished. It cannot be changed. The expression comes from the idea that water that has flowed over a dam cannot be brought back again.\nAnother common expression to hold water, is about the strength or weakness of an idea or opinion that you may be arguing about. It probably comes from a way of testing the condition of a container.; If it can hold water, it is strong and has no holes in it. If your argument can hold water, it is strong and does not have any holes.\nThrowing cold water also is an expression that deals with ideas or suggestions. It means to not like an idea. For example, you want to buy a new car because the old one has some problems. But your wife throws cold water on the idea, because she says a new car costs too much.", "problems": [{"question": "If Robert says he is in deep water, we may guess  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he is swimming under the water", "he is tired of changing shoes", "he nearly breaks a law", "he faces a difficult choice"]}, {"question": "What can you say to your friend Jane, who is troubled by a mistake she has made?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Keep your head above water.", "Throw cold water.", "It is water over the dam.", "It can hold water."]}, {"question": "If your argument doesn't hold water, then it is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["weak", "convincing", "logical", "disappointing"]}, {"question": "The passage explains the origins of the following expressions EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to be in hot water", "to keep your head above water", "water over the dam", "to hold water"]}]}
{"article": "Believe it or not, there're always some people who like staying up too late. However, sleeping early can bring us many benefits.\n1. Healthy heart. Staying up late in the night is a way to hurt your body with high blood pressure and cholesterol  . These are the risks associated with the heart.\n2. Reduce stress. A peaceful sleep in the night relieves physical and mental stress. It relaxes the body and mind. With insufficient sleep you're risking your health with heart attacks and other diseases.\n3. Improve memory. Sleeping early lets your mind arrange the thoughts well. Waking up early with a fresh mind will regain all of it.\n4. Protect you from diseases. By sleeping late in the night you're only stressing yourself, which will increase the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. So sleep early and let your body keep the pressure levels constant.\n5. _ . Breakfast is very important to start the day. Most of the time as we wake up late we miss it.\n6. Positive performance. Sleeping continuously for at least 7 hours in the night is necessary. Inadequate sleep will limit your ability to think creatively, handle stress and concentrate.\n7. Help metabolism  . Our body needs to send away all the unwanted waste. Sleeping through the day till noon will disorganise the exile  . We need to eat and sleep on time to keep energy.\n8. Reduce the risk of cancer. Sleep in the dark. Light in the night reduces the melatonin   level which's supposed to cause sleep and prevent the risk of cancer.\n9. Increase energy. Sleeping early will let you complete your 7 hours of sleep and make you fresh the next morning. It gives you the energy to perform better.\n10. Keep weight. When you sleep too late your organism is disturbed. Sleeping for less than 7 hours a day is an invitation to being overweight.", "problems": [{"question": "What kind of sleep can relieve the physical and mental stress?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A peaceful sleep.", "An insufficient sleep.", "A continuous sleep.", "An inadequate sleep."]}, {"question": "How many hours should a man sleep at least according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["9 hours.", "8 hours.", "7 hours.", "6 hours."]}, {"question": "What will happen if you sleep less than seven hours?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Losing weight.", "Becoming sleepless.", "Becoming active", "Becoming fat."]}]}
{"article": "Ann was on her first package trip in Rosas, Spain. \nAt the hotel, she checked in, and then went to her room to change before dinner. She was just ready to go downstairs when she found that her Spanish money wasn't in her handbag. She carefully looked in all her luggage, but she couldn't find it. All she had was a small purse with ten English pound notes in it! \nAnn found a place to change her English money. She had very few pesetas  , and she would be here for two weeks. On her way back to the hotel, Ann bought some cheese, some bread and some oranges. When she got back, she told the manager that her doctor had told her not to eat Spanish food; she'd just have breakfast each day. That was all right, as she knew the price of hotels included breakfast.\nFor the rest of her holiday, Ann swam in the hotel swimming pool, or lay on the beach and got a sunbath. When the other tourists went to interesting places, she always said she wasn't well. In fact, her holiday wasn't bad, except that she was always hungry. After all, a piece of fruit for lunch, and bread and cheese for supper isn't very much.\nLate in the afternoon of their last day, a girl, Jane, asked her why she never ate with them in the hotel restaurant. Ann told her about her money problems. Jane looked at her for a minute, and then said, \"But didn't you know? The price of this holiday includes everything!\"", "problems": [{"question": "\"A package trip\" probably means   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a free trip", "a pleasant trip", "a trip that includes the cost of all the tickets and services", "a long journey"]}, {"question": "Ann didn't eat dinners in the restaurant of the hotel because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she wasn't well", "her doctor told her not to eat them", "she was afraid that she couldn't pay for them with her little money", "she wasn't hungry"]}, {"question": "Why did Ann buy some cheese, some bread and some oranges?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because they were good for her health.", "Because she is afraid that she couldn't eat enough in the hotel restaurant.", "Because she liked them more than dinners in the hotel restaurant.", "Because she planned to eat them instead of lunch and supper."]}]}
{"article": "A newspaper reporter's job can be very interesting. He meets all types of people and lives quite a busy life. He is _ for news all the time, then after several years he may get a desk job, and life becomes a bit more settled. Let's look at his work a little more closely. In a day he may have to interview the prime minister of a foreign country, and the next day he may be writing about a football match. Sometimes he may be so busy that he has hardly any time to sleep. And at other times he may go on for days looking out for news materials yet return empty-handed.\nIn the beginning, a reporter has to cover a very wide field. After the early years he becomes more specialized in his work. For example, he may finally be asked to write only on court cases or politics or sports. Some reporters may become so specialized that they are asked only to write on a special thing: horse racing, for example. In most newspaper houses there is at least one special racing correspondent. Some newspapers have book reviews. Their job is delightful. They read the latest book and then write reviews on the ones they like. Then there are those who write on films, so they get to see them even before they are shown in the cinema. How lucky, you would say!\nA reporter's job can also be very dangerous. A number of them have died rushing from one assignment to another, and if there is a flood or a riot  they may get hurt or even be killed. Three years ago there was a reporter whose camera was smashed by a group of men, because they were angry with him for taking their picture. Dangerous or not, one thing is certain, and that is, their job is never dull!", "problems": [{"question": "Reporters who write on films are said to be lucky because they   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["can see more film stars", "can see the films before most people see them in the cinema", "can pay less than other people", "can write anything they like"]}, {"question": "A reporter's work becomes dangerous when   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["there is an interview with the prime minister", "there is a football match", "he is seeing a horror film", "there is a flood or a riot"]}, {"question": "From the passage we can infer that, to be a good reporter, he must be all of the following except   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["brave", "quick in mind", "strong", "well-informed"]}]}
{"article": "The landmark success of herbal   expert Tu Youyou, the first Chinese woman national to win a Nobel prize in science, hasaroused an extreme sense of national pride and hopes on the future of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Tu, born in 1930, shared the 2015 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with Irish-born William Campbell and Japan's Satoshi Omura for her discoveries concerning a therapy against malaria.\nShe discovered Artemisinin , a drug that has significantly reduced thedeath rates for patients suffering from malaria . \"Artemisinin is a gift for the world people from the traditional Chinese medicine. It is of great importance for curing malaria and other infectious diseases and for protecting the health of the world people,\" Tu said in Beijing. \"The discovery of Artemisinin is a successful example of collective research on traditional Chinese medicine. The prize winning is an honor for China's science cause and traditional Chinese medicine in their course of reaching out to the world.\"\n\"Tu's winning the prize indicates China's prosperity   and progress in scientific and technological field, marks a great contribution of traditional Chinese medicine to the cause of human health, and show cases China's growing strengths and rising international standing,\" Premier Li Keqiang said in a congratulatory letter Monday evening.\nIn 2011, Tu became the first scientist on the mainland to win America's respected Lasker Award for her discovery of a new method to malaria treatment,which are given annually to people who have made major advances in the understanding, treatment, cure and prevention of human diseases since 1945. Graduating from the Beijing Medical College in 1955, she is chief researcher and professor at the Beijing-based China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.\nOn China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo, the news has been sent by at least tens of thousands of users and received many \"thumb-ups.\" Netizen \"Xiaoxie\" wrote, \" Now I feel truly proud of being a medical student.\"", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the text that Artemisinin has a good effect on   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["reducing the death rates of cancer patients.", "curing patients suffering from malaria.", "declining the infection rates of diseases.", "preventing people from being infected with malaria."]}, {"question": "How old wasTu You you when she receivedLasker Award?  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["85", "81", "45", "25"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is Not True?  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["Tu's winning the prize hasaroused a strong feeling of nation pride in China.", "Premier Li Keqiang praised medical researchers for their work and achievements.", "The congratulatory letter shows that both China's strengths and international standing have reached the highest rank around the world.", "The Lasker Award is awarded to people for their excellent contributions to medical science every year."]}, {"question": "What type of writing is this text?   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["An advertisement", "An announcement", "A speech", "A report"]}]}
{"article": "Although the weathermen's forecasts for a month ahead are only little better than guesswork, they are now making long-term forecasts into the next century with growing confidence. For the main trend (, ) in the world's climate in the coming years will, scientists say, be a predictable result of man's activities.\nAt the start of the industrial revolution nearly two centuries ago, man set off a big experiment in planetary engineering. Unaware of what he was doing, he spared no thought for the consequences  .Today the possible outcome is alarmingly clear, but the experiment is unstoppable. Within the lifetimes of many of us, the Earth may become warmer than it has been for a thousand years. By the middle of this century it may be warmer than it has been since before the last Ice Age.\nA warmer climate may seem welcome, but  _ could bring many dangers, damages to crops in the world's main food-producing areas, famine  , economic instability  , civil unrest and even war.\nIn the much longer term, melting of the great ice-caps of Greenland and Antarctica could raise sea-levels throughout the world. The average sea-level has already risen a foot since the turn of the last century, and if the ice-caps disappear completely, it would rise by nearly 200 feet. Complete melting might take many centuries, but even a small increase in sea-level would threaten low-lying parts of the world such as the Netherlands.", "problems": [{"question": "Long-term weather forecasts beyond the year 2050 may seem strange because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["none of us will be alive then", "weathermen cannot even forecast next month's weather correctly", "weathermen can forecast much better than they used to", "no one can stop engineering experiments"]}, {"question": "Weathermen believe that our future climate will be the direct result of  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["big scientific experiments", "clever long-term forecasts", "the industrial revolution", "planets changing course"]}, {"question": "Scientists are fairly sure that, by the year 2050,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the sea-level will have risen obviously", "there will have been a third World War", "most countries will have been flooded", "the polar ice-caps will have melt completely"]}]}
{"article": "Dubai, the Gulf desert city state, which is well-known for its huge projects before it was hit by the global financial crisis , on Saturday announced a new development to open the world's biggest mall and a park larger than London's Hyde Park.\n  The ruler of the Gulf desert city state, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, announced the plan for a \"new city within Dubai\", according to an official statement, naming it after himself.\n  No cost was stated for \"Mohammed bin Rashid City,\" to be carried out by his private companies, which developed many of Dubai's well-known projects, including Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.\n  The \"Mall of the World\" will attract 80 million visitors a year to become the \"largest in the world,\" said the statement, while its park will be \"30 percent bigger than Hyde Park of London.\"\nThe mall will be connected to a family entertainment center to be developed in cooperation with Universal Studios International that will be the largest in the area, aiming to attract six million visitors a year.\nDubai already has countless malls and hotels, including the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, with 62 million visitors this year. \"The malls and hotels available at present in Dubai need to be enlarged in line with the future ambitions for the city,\" Sheikh Mohammed said in the statement.\nDubai's tourism is growing by 13 percent a year, according to the statement, with hotel occupancy  hitting 82 percent in 2011 while hotel profits grew 22 percent last year, more than$4.4 billion.\nThe city state rocked global financial markets in autumn 2009 over its debt crisis, but its economy has returned to growth.", "problems": [{"question": "The \"new city within Dubai\" will   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["attract 62 million visitors a year", "become the world's tallest tower", "be named after the ruler of the state", "be the world's largest family entertainment center"]}, {"question": "Which would be the best title of the news?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tourism and Hotel Profits Growing in Dubai", "Biggest Mall to be Developed In Dubai", "Global Financial Crisis Hit Dubai", "Plan to Rebuild Dubai Announced"]}]}
{"article": "The worst days of any summer are the rainy ones. We spend all year looking forward to nice weather and long, hot days. In winter, with its cloudy days and bitter cold, we dream of those days at the beach, lying on the sand and enjoying the bright and burning sun. And then, summer comes, and it rains.\nAs a child, I would wake up to rainy summer days and come close to crying. It wasn't fair. We suffered through months of school and experienced bad weather for those short ten weeks of freedom.\nOn those rainy summer days, I had nothing fun to do and could only sit inside, staring out at the rain like a bird in a cage. I was an only child, so there was no one else to play with. My father worked from home, so I was not truly alone, but he could not actively play with me since he was at work. It was those days that I would watch whatever was on television or read any books that I could find lying around. I'd pray each night that the rain would not be there the next day.\nAs an adult, though, my opinion of summer rain has changed. When you have to work every day, summer is not as exciting. Everything seems uninteresting. Such a mindset makes you cheer for anything new or different. I spend the winter dreaming of summer and the summer dreaming of winter. When summer comes, I hate how hot it is. And then I look forward to the rain, because the rain brings with it a cold front, which makes me comfortable. Rainy days are still the worst days of the summer, but summer rain today means positively beautiful -- and quite cooler -- weather tomorrow.", "problems": [{"question": "When the author was a child, he   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["liked staying indoors", "hated rainy days", "dreamed on summer days", "preferred cooler weather"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that the author   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["could enjoy the brilliant sun in winter", "preferred reading to playing outside", "had no brothers or sisters", "was often left alone at home"]}, {"question": "As an adult, the author views summer rain differently because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["rain makes the weather cooler", "his summer holiday is very short", "he knows it won't last long", "he can better deal with his spare time"]}]}
{"article": "In America, drivers' education is part of the regular high school curriculum  . Every student in his or her second year of high school is required to take a class in driver's education. However, unlike other courses, it is not given during the regular school year. Instead it is a summer course.\nThe course is divided up into two parts: class time for learning laws and regulations, and driving time to practice driving. Class time is not unlike any other class. The students study the basic traffic laws from a text to pass the written driving test that is given to anyone who wants to get a driver's license.\nDriving time is a chance for the students to get behind the wheel and practice starting steering, backing up, parking, switching lanes, turning corners, and all the other maneuvers    required to drive a car. Each student is required to drive a total of six hours. The students are divided up into groups of four. The students and the instructor go out driving for two hour blocks of time. Thus, each student gets half an hour driving time per outing. The instructor and \"driver\" sit in the front seats and the other three students sit in the back.\nAfter the student has passed the driver's education course and reached the appropriate age to drive (this age differs in every state but in most cases the person must be 16 years old),they can go to a designated   state office to take their driver's test, which is made up of an eye examination, a written test, and a road test. The person must pass all three tests in order to be given a driver's license. If the person did well in his or her driver's education class, he or she will pass the test\nand get a driver's license.", "problems": [{"question": "We can infer that the students are required to    _    in their whole driving practice.", "answer": "D", "options": ["spend at least six hours driving", "get half an hour driving", "drive for two hour blocks of time", "go out driving for twelve times"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is Not True for the students wanting to get their driver's license?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They must have their eyes examined.", "They must be 16 years of age.", "They should go to have their driver's test.", "They ought to do well in their driver's course."]}, {"question": "In the last sentence, \"with flying colors\" means   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["happily", "quickly", "colorfully", "successfully"]}]}
{"article": "The management and staff are happy to welcome you and will do all they can to make your stay an enjoyable one.\nWe hope you will find the following suggestions and information of use to you.\nMEAL TIMES\nOur overnight charge includes a continental-type breakfast.\nBreakfast: 7:30-9:30 a. m.      Lunch: 12:00-2:00 p. m.\nAfternoon tea: 4:00-5:30 p. m.   Dinner: 7:00-9:15 p. m.\nMeals can be served in rooms at a small extra charge. We regret that owing to staff arrangements, meals cannot be served outside these times.  In exceptional circumstances please consult one of our receptionists in advance.\nLight refreshments, including tea, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches, can be served in rooms between 10:00 a. m. and 11:00 p. m. except during the meal times listed above. Cold drinks are available in the room refrigerator.\nROOM CLEANING\nPlease hang the appropriate sign on your door handle if you do not wish to be disturbed. It will be easier for the maids if you can leave the room temporarily at any time between 9:30 a. m. and 4:00 p. m.\nVALUABLES\nWe are not responsible for the loss of money, jewellery, or other valuables unless they are kept in the safe and signed for by the manager.\nDEPARTURES\nPlease inform receptionists of your intended leaving before 9:30 a. m. of the day concerned and leave the room by noon to allow for its preparation for incoming guests. If circumstances   require, luggage can be left temporarily in the charge of the Hall Porter.\nA SPECIAL REQUEST\nWe would respectfully suggest that in consideration of the comfort of other guests, the volume of radios and televisions should be turned down after 11:00 p. m.", "problems": [{"question": "Meals can be served   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["outside the room at 3:00 p. m.", "in the dining-room at 6:00 p. m.", "in the dining-room from 7:30 a. m. to 9:15 p. m.", "in rooms at 9:00 p. m."]}, {"question": "If you do not wish to be disturbed, you should  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["close the door all the time", "turn off all the light", "hang a sign on the door handle", "inform receptionist not to telephone you"]}, {"question": "If you intend to leave the room tomorrow, you may leave at any of the following hours except   _", "answer": "A", "options": ["3:00 p. m.", "12:00 a. m.", "10:00 a. m.", "11:00 a. m."]}, {"question": "Where is this notice most likely to be found?", "answer": "C", "options": ["At restaurants.", "In shops.", "In hotels.", "In the newspapers."]}]}
{"article": "Bruce Jun Fan Lee was born in the hour of the Dragon, between 6 and 8 a.m., in the \"Year of the Dragon\" on November 27, 1940 at the Jackson Street Hospital in San Francisco's Chinatown. Today, a plaque   in the hospital's entry remembers the place of his birth. Bruce's birth, in the hour and the year of Dragon, is a powerful symbol in Chinese astrology  . It would be a strong indication of the powerful life that was to be lived by Bruce Lee and the explosive influence his life would have on countless others.\nAt the age of three months, Lee Hoi Chuen, his wife Grace and baby Bruce returned to Hong Kong where Bruce would be raised until the age of 18. Probably because of the long ocean voyage and the change in climates, Bruce was not a strong child in his very early years, a condition that would change when he took up the study of kung fu at the age of 13.\nAt the age of 13, Bruce was introduced to Master Yip Man, a teacher of the Wing Chun style of kung fu. For five years Bruce studied diligently and became very proficient. Regarding Yip Man as a master teacher and wise man, Bruce respected him greatly and frequently visited with him in later years. When he first took up kung fu, he used his new skills to fight his \"enemies\", but it did not take long for Bruce to learn that the real value of martial arts training is that the skills of physical combat   build up confidence to the point that one does not feel the constant need to defend one's honor through fighting.\nIn high school, Bruce, now no longer a weak child, was beginning to improve his body through hard training. One of his accomplishments was winning an interschool Boxing Championship against an English student. Given the graceful movements, which would later be spectacularly displayed in his films, it is no surprise that Bruce was also an excellent dancer, and in 1958 he won the Hong Kong Cha Cha Championship.\nAt the age of 18, Bruce was looking for new prospect in his life, as were his parents who were discouraged that Bruce had not made much progress academically. His family decided that it was time for him to return to the land of his birth and find his future there. In April of 1959, with $100 in his pocket, Bruce boarded a steamship and began his voyage to San Francisco.", "problems": [{"question": "The plaque at the entrance of the Jackson Street Hospital is considered as   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["an obvious sign of Bruce's powerful life", "a strong influence of Bruce's life on others", "a reminder of Bruce Lee's birthplace", "a powerful symbol in Chinese astrology"]}, {"question": "Bruce didn't have a strong body until   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he practiced boxing in high school", "he took up kung fu with Master Yip Man", "he won a dancing championship", "he returned to the land of his birth"]}, {"question": "Learning kung fu diligently from Master Yip Man, Bruce soon realized that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["one can't master kung fu skills without much practice", "only through physical combat can one defend his honor", "one can never defeat himself unless trained by a master", "excellent kung fu skills can strengthen one's confidence considerably"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Bruce didn't have outstanding academic achievements in school", "Master Yip Man offered to teach Bruce Chinese kung fu for free", "Bruce's parents sent him back to San Francisco for better education", "Bruce made a big fortune by participating in boxing competitions"]}]}
{"article": "When my son was just learning to talk, I carried him around the house in my arms and pointed out things to him. \"Look, David, a clock. \"He'd smile and point as I did and say \"clock\". David was quick at connecting the shape of things to their words.\nWhen my son was about four years old, I walked with him to the backyard. I knew that there was an ant colony under one of the slate stones in the walkway near the shed, so I said to David, \"Come on. I want to show you something. \"\nAs I showed David the ants that were crawling around the slate stone, he crouched down on his legs and looked with great intensity at the ants.\nFor days after that, David wanted to look under every rock in the garden, and we often found worms, ants and so on. I recognized that David loved to look at things closely and observe how things moved, and so I continued to point things out to him as he grew older: planes, cars, shells etc. . David was a keen observer, and I just gave him the suggestions as to where to look.\nToday David is a medical doctor at Columbia University Center. I did not know that David would someday be a doctor, someone who has to pay close attention to what he sees, and yet I felt compelled when he was a boy to encourage his enthusiasm for observation.\nThat is what teachers and parents do: encourage a child's enthusiasm for a particular interest: music, swimming, art, reading. And we provide tools for the children. If a child likes to draw, give him brushes, pens, and paper. If a girl likes to tap on the table top, give her a drum. If a child wants to sing, give him a microphone and a Frank Sinatra recording.", "problems": [{"question": "The author wrote the passage to   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["recall the happy times he spent with his son", "tell us that children are full of curiosity", "tell us how to let children love nature", "advise us to develop children's interest or talent"]}, {"question": "The author showed David the ants to   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["prevent him from becoming bored", "develop his enthusiasm for observation", "teach him some new words", "arouse his interest in creatures"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can best describe the author's viewpoint?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Make children have their own hobbies.", "Teach children to be independent as soon as possible.", "Satisfy children's interest by possible means.", "Hobbies can determine one's future."]}]}
{"article": "Many kids don't drink enough water daily, according to a new study. The study's lead author, Erica Kenney, at first planned to look into the amount of sugary drinks kids were drinking in schools. However, during her research she found that many kids were simply not drinking enough water.\nKenney and her team examined data from a group of 4,000 children, aged 6 to19, between the years of 2009 and 2012. The data was taken from the National Health and Nutrition Survey,a study on the health of children in the United States conducted each year by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention..\nWhile looking through the survey results, she noticed that more than half of the kids who took part in the study were dehydrated  . Of' that group, boys were 76% more likely than girls not to have enough water in their system. Nearly one quarter of the kids in the survey reported drinking no plain water at all.\n\"These findings highlight  a possible health issue that wasn't given a lot of attention in the past,\" Kenney said in a statement. \"Even though for most of these kids this is not an immediate and great health threat, this is an issue that could really be reducing quality of life and well-being for many children and youth.\"\nThe United States-National Agriculture Library says average kids need between 10 to 14 cups of water every day. This water can come from a mix of drinks and foods that contain high amounts of water, such as celery, melons or tomatoes. It is also recommended that fluids come from water instead of sugary drinks that are high in calories and can lead to weight problems.", "problems": [{"question": "What was Erica Kenney's purpose in doing the study?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To study if kids drink enough water daily :", "To prove that sugary drinks are harmful to kids", "To show what kind of sugary drinks kids love.", "To find out how many sugary drinks kids drink at school."]}, {"question": "According to the findings of Erica Kenney's study, we know that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["school kids cannot find drinkable water easily", "boys are more likely to get dehydrated than girls", "sugary drinks are very popular with school kids", "most kids know the importance of drinking plain water ."]}, {"question": "The text mainly tells us that many kids  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["don ' t like drinking water", "prefer sugary drinks to water", "are at risk of health problems", "don ' t drink enough water daily"]}]}
{"article": "Skin - diving  is a new sport today. This sport takes you into a wonderful new world. It is like a visit to the moon. When you are under water, it is easy for you to climb big rocks because you are no longer heavy .Here, under water, everything is blue and green. During the day, there is plenty of light. When fish swim nearby, you can catch them with your hands.When you have tanks   of air on your back, you can stay in deep water for a long time. But you must be careful when you dive in deep water.\nTo catch fish is one of the most interesting parts of this sport. Besides, there are more uses for skin - diving. You can clean ships without taking them out of water. You can get many things from the deep sea.\nNow you see that skin -diving is both useful and interesting.", "problems": [{"question": "Skin- diving is a new sport. It can take you to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the moon", "a new world of land", "the mountains", "deep water"]}, {"question": "In deep water  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["there is plenty of light", "there is no light at all", "you can find a lot of blue fish", "everything looks blue and green"]}, {"question": "You can climb big rocks under water easily because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["you are very heavy", "you are as heavy as on the land", "you are not as heavy as on the land", "you have no weight at all"]}, {"question": "With tanks of air on your back, you can  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["catch fish very easily", "stay under water for a long time", "climb big rocks", "have more fun"]}]}
{"article": "On the site of the 9/11 tragedy, Irish university professor Elizabeth Stinger Keefe found an image of hope-- a wedding photo of a happy couple and their friends lay among the rubble  of the Twin Towers. As a gesture of goodwill, she decided to try and reunite the picture with either its owner or a  .\nEvery year, on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, she would make an attempt, posting the picture on social media and asking others to share it. Finally, after a remarkable 13 years, her work paid off. Thanks to the power of social media, her appeal was more widely shared than ever before.\nA man named Fred Mahe called Ms Keefe after the image went viral -- to tell her that he was in fact in the picture and that all six people photographed were alive and well. He said that the image belonged to him and had been lost in the rubble after 9/11.The photo was originally taken at a friend's wedding in Colorado, earlier in 2001. Mahe said, \"The picture was at my desk in the world Trade Center, Tower Two, on the 77th floor. I never thought it could have been kept safe by Keefe for the last 13 years.\"\nMahe said that he was in touch with Keefe over the phone and described the conversation as \"dedication and persistence\" to continue to seek the owner of the photo. \"She kept my photo safe for 13 years in her favorite Ernest Hemingway book, A Moveable Feast.\" Mahe said he wasn't yet at work as the attacks began on 9/11, and, \"thankfully never got a chance to go up to my office.\"\nAnd Mahe's wife has even invited Keefe to Thanksgiving dinner. Now the pair have reconnected with a piece of their past as Keefe has finally returned the picture to its rightful owner and has made a new friend in the process.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Keefe want to keep the picture she found?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because it was her friend's picture.", "Because she wanted to find its owner.", "Because she herself was in the picture.", "Because it brought back good memories."]}, {"question": "Mahe's experience with 9/11 can be described as   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["inspiring", "dangerous", "mysterious", "fortunate"]}]}
{"article": "Many parents watch the news or other shows as children play nearby. But new research shows that even when the television is just background noise,it may be\nto a child's normal development.\nIt's estimated that 75 percent of very young children in the United States live in homes where the television is on most of the time,even though the kids often aren't watching it. The University of Massachusetts researchers recently studied how TV background noise might affect young children. The study looked at 50 1,2and 3yearolds. Each child came to a lab with a parent and was allowed to play for an hour with various toys. For half the time,a television was on in the room,showing the adult game show as well as advertisements. During the other half hour,the TV was turned off.\nAs expected,the children paid little attention to the adult television show,glancing at it for less than a few seconds at a time,and less than once a minute. Even so,the distraction   of the background noise had a significant effect on how children at every age played. When the television was on,the children played with each toy for far shorter periods of time,and focused attention during play was also shorter compared to how they played when the TV was off.\nResearchers said that even though the children aren't interested in the show,background TV affects their ability to do various types of play. The finding is important because many wellmeaning parents who wouldn't let their young children watch television may not realize that even adult programs that don't interest children still can have an effect.\n\"Background TV is potentially a chronic   environmental risk factor affecting most American children,\" said the lead author of the study. \"Parents should limit their young children's exposure  .\"", "problems": [{"question": "We know from the passage that   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["background TV noise has little effect on adults", "most young children in America live in homes exposed to TV noise", "the effect of background TV noise on children is immediate", "most parents in America wouldn't let their children watch TV"]}, {"question": "In the study,the children   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["were all 3yearolds", "were asked to watch adult TV shows", "played for an hour while the TV was on", "played with more than one toy"]}, {"question": "What does the study show?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Children pay much attention to adult TV shows.", "Children should be allowed to watch TV for kids only.", "The background TV noise affects children's ability to focus.", "The more toys a child has,the shorter time he plays with each one."]}]}
{"article": "With thousands of waterfalls across the world, it is difficult to choose the best but the following list contains some of the world's most amazing and beautiful ones!\nIguazu Falls-The Iguazu Falls is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina and it is well-known for its scenic beauty. Though it is just about 89 meters high, it ranks as the fourth best waterfall in the world because of its beauty. The U-shaped cliff in the waterfall which is known as the Devil's throat is the most striking feature of the waterfall.\nAngel Falls-The Angel Falls, named after its discoverer James Crawford Angel, is the world's highest waterfalls, falling from a height of 979 meters. It is located in the Bolivar state in Venezuela. A unique feature of the falls is that most of the water falling down gets blown away by the winds as mist . The fallen water flows away as the Churun River.\nTugela Falls-This is the world's second highest waterfalls and it falls from a height of 947 meters. It is located in the Natal Province in South Africa. The source of the Falls, the Tugela River, is a finally pure river and is considered safe for drinking. The specialty of this waterfalls is the presence of a series of five spectacular waterfalls.\nNiagara Falls-The Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world with about six million cubic meters of water flowing per minute. It is present in the Canada-America border and consists of a set of waterfalls named the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. It is well-known for its beauty and attracts a large number of tourists around the world.\nRhine Falls-The Rhine Falls is the largest waterfalls in Europe. It is located in Switzerland near the German border. It is one of the oldest waterfalls which are believed to have formed about seventeen thousand years ago.", "problems": [{"question": "From the text we know that the highest waterfalls in the world is  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Iguazu Falls", "Angel Falls", "Niagara Falls", "Rhine Falls"]}, {"question": "The similarity between the Tugela Falls and the Niagara Falls is that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they both lie in South America", "their height is nearly the same", "they have the same source", "they both consist of several waterfalls"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about the Rhine Falls?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It belongs to both Switzerland and German.", "It is the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.", "It possibly has a history of about 17,000 years.", "It falls off from the highest place in the world."]}, {"question": "What's the author's purpose of writing the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To introduce some world famous waterfalls.", "To advise readers to pay a visit to these famous waterfalls.", "To explain how waterfalls came into being.", "To tell readers where these famous waterfalls are located."]}]}
{"article": "The Haitian tsunami gave scientists a chance to find out how well vital and potentially life-saving warning systems were working.\nNoaa's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory has developed a warning system that picks up signals of tsunamis directly from the sea-floor.\nIt is called Dart-the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis. If seismometers  detect an earthquake, the Dart buoys  will determine what is happening to sea levels, and whether a big wave might be on the way. This information is then sent via satellite to a central location which can organize an alarm. Within 50 minutes of the Haiti earthquake, this system was able to issue an alarm to other countries in the Caribbean to say that a small tsunami had been caused to start, and that was unlikely to affect them.\nDr Bernard said, \"The first 30 minutes following the earthquake, we have to rely on education.\" The critical aspects of this are: do you feel the earthquake; do you see the ocean draw down; and do you hear that loud roar? If so, you should run for higher ground.\n\"But after the first few minutes, it's crucial that we have the technology--the measurements to avoid unnecessary evacuation and tell people when it is safe to return.\" Right now, there are 50 of these Dart buoys all over the globe--four of which are in the Caribbean.\nDr Bernard says that, with 75 to 100 buoys worldwide, this system could provide global tsunami warnings within one hour.\n\"That's for everywhere we know that tsunamis have happened. If we wanted to go to half an hour detection, we could probably double or multiply by four times that number,\" he said.\n\"In some countries, including Haiti, there may not be enough resources to support a specific tsunami warning centre for something that happens so infrequently.\"\nHe said that this system was relatively inexpensive to fix and operate.\n\"To get it down to an hour for everywhere affected would cost $50m initial investment and then 10% of that to maintain it,\" he said.\n\"That's not a terribly expensive system considering the potential savings of lives.\"", "problems": [{"question": "In which section would you probably read the passage in a newspaper?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Education and Society", "Culture and Leisure", "Science and Technology", "Health and Medicine"]}, {"question": "How many buoys would at least be needed for global tsunami warnings within half an hour?", "answer": "A", "options": ["150", "100", "75", "50"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The system can warn people of the coming of tsunami directly after the earthquake.", "We can't escape the danger of tsunami within 30 minutes following the earthquake.", "Each country can easily afford a tsunami warning centre though it seldom happens.", "It's worthwhile to spend money on the warning system for possible savings of lives."]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Tsunami Assessment", "Earthquake detecting", "Disaster Warning System", "Life Saving System"]}]}
{"article": "Borrowing to start a business is not easy. Getting a bank loan, particularly for a new small business, is _ \nBanks favor established-business people with a solid credit rating and a large bank account. They should also have experience in the business they propose to enter, and offer well-prepared business plans that show the ability to repay the loans. If you are not such a person, then you need to double your preparations to convince the banker to lend you that much needed start-up capital . If your business is new and small, bankers will need to know as much as possible about you and your business.\nHowever, many small business owners often make the mistake of not being well prepared when going to the bank to apply for the loan. Surprisingly, many loan applicants don't even have the slightest idea how or when they intend to repay the money they request. Often they don't even know how much money they need. When asked how much money they want to borrow, many people give these two common responses: \"How much money can I get?\" and \"As much as possible.\" Is it any wonder that lenders say no?\nSo the most important thing is do your homework before you ask for a loan.", "problems": [{"question": "Banks prefer to give a loan to those who   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["are in need of start-up capital", "have the ability to pay it back", "own an old and large business", "haven't borrowed money before"]}, {"question": "Some small businesses fail to get a bank loan because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the form they fill in is incomplete", "their products are not technically advanced", "the amount of money they want to borrow is too big", "they have no clear idea of how much they need to borrow"]}, {"question": "The writer advises that before applying for a bank loan, the applicant should   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["thoroughly prepare", "do some market research", "learn a lot about the bank", "know the upper limit of the loans"]}]}
{"article": "*1. Malan Flower: China Children's Art Theatre stages a fairy tale musical   \"Malan Flower\" this weekend.\nBeautiful Malan flowers were blossoming everywhere on Malan Mountain, and hard-working girl Xiao Lan was married to the god of flowers, Ma Lang. They lived a happy life in harmony with Grandpa Tree. and all the lovely little animals. However, greedy Old Cat made use of the jealousy of elder sister Da Lan to kill Xiao Lan, in an attempt to keep the magic Malan flower under her possession.\nThis fairy tale entertained three generations of Chinese youth.\nTime: 7: 30 p. m., until August 21\nPlace: The Great Theatre of the Cultural Palace of the Nationalities, west of Xidan Area\nTel: 6602-2530\n*2. Joyful jugglers: The China Acrobatic Troupe is staging a nightly variety show at the Tiandi Theatre, where the seemingly impossible becomes a reality, where performers spin   plates and juggle umbrellas.\nContortionists   show incredible feats of flexibility and acrobats leap through the air. Integrating juggling, unicycling, balancing and jumping through hoops with the finest ancient Chinese dancing, the performance will amuse you.\nTime: 7: 15 p. m., daily\nPlace: 10 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Chaoyang District\nTel: 6502-3984\n*3. Tour of love: Taiwan singer David Tao (Tao Zhe), who is on a global tour, will arrive in Beijing next month.\nTao Zhe was born into a musical family. His father is an expert in Western pop music while his mother is from a family famous for playing Peking Opera. This probably explains why Too approaches pop music from a unique angle  , which separates him from the average pop singer.\nWith the song \"Forever Love You\" as the theme of the concert, Tao will share his love and ideas for life and music with his fans.\nTime: 7: 30 p. m. , September 10\nPlace: Capital Gymnasium, Baishiqiao Lu\nTel: 6835-4055\n*4. Army artist: An exhibition featuring artist Li Shaozhou's personal and meticulous   style of painting will be held at the National Art Museum of China.\nBorn in Henan Province, Li showed strong interests in art during his childhood, and was a specialized artist in the army.\nThe exhibition will present 65 paintings of modern figures, birds and flowers that he has made over the past decade, during which he has formed his own style by absorbing other painting techniques.\nTime: 9 a. m. ~ 5 p. m., August 23 ~ 29\nPlace: 1 Wusi Dajie\nTel: 8403-3500", "problems": [{"question": "Which advertisement will Michael be most interested in if he likes fairy tales?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Malan Flower.", "Joyful jugglers.", "Tour of love.", "Army artist."]}, {"question": "What phone number should you dial for further information if you are a pop song fan?", "answer": "C", "options": ["6602-2530.", "6502-3984.", "6835-4055.", "8403-3500."]}, {"question": "On which page do the above passages most probably appear in the newspaper?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Opinions.", "Business.", "Sports.", "Listings."]}]}
{"article": "Many people earn their living with their hands. Ed earns his living with his feet! And a very good living it is, too.\nEd's story began in a very small town in Brazil. His father and mother were very poor. Seven people lived in their tiny house. Ed's father often played football. Little Ed wanted to play football too. So his father made a soft ball for him to kick. It was a sock filled with soft materials. The little boy kicked it every day.\nAt last Ed learned to kick a real football. By the time he was 11, he played football very well.\nOne day Ed was playing with some men. A man passing by saw how fast the boy ran. He stopped to watch. How well Ed kicked the ball!\nAfter the game, the man called Ed to him. \"My name is Mr. Dee,\" he said. \"I used to play football for a living. Will you let me teach you what I know?\"\n\"Oh, yes!\" Ed answered.\nIn the next four years, Mr. Dee trained Ed to be a fine player. The boy worked hard. At last Mr. Dee talked to Ed's father. \"This boy is ready to play with the big teams,\" he said. \"Let me take him to a city that has a good team.\"\nMr. Dee took Ed to Santos, Brazil. There, the boy joined the Santos Football Club.\nIn his first big game, Ed helped his team win by seven points. He made four of the seven points!\nMany people thought he was the best football player in the world. He was \"The King of Football\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is said about Ed's family when he was a little child?", "answer": "A", "options": ["There were seven people in his family.", "His father made soft balls for a living.", "His parents liked playing football.", "His parents bought him a football."]}, {"question": "When he first saw Ed playing football, Mr. Dee was attracted by  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["his young age", "his running speed", "his love for football", "his playing with men"]}, {"question": "What can we know about Mr. Dee from the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He joined the Santos Football Club.", "He and Ed used to live in the same town.", "He had been the best football player in Brazil.", "He happened to find a very good football player."]}]}
{"article": "The International Space Station,one of the most ambitious space projects ever and a key launching board for exploration of the solar system,turns l0 years old Thursday.\nOn Nov.20,1998,the first part of the space station was launched by the Russians from Kazakhstan.NASA followed up two weeks later with Piece No 2 carried up by a space shuttle.\nThe space station has grown into a giant outpost 355 km up,home to three people at any given time--soon to be six.\nThanks to the newly arrived shuttle Endeavour,the space station now has five sleep stations,two baths,two kitchens and two mini--gyms.Ahogether,there are nine rooms,three of which are full scale labs.\nThe United States has financed the main part of the project,estimated to cost some 100 billion dollars.Fifteen other countries have also contributed,including Russia,Japan,Canada,Brazil anti eleven nations belonging to the European Space Agency.\nFhe space station has traveled 2.1 billion km,orbited Earth more than 57,300 times,hosted 167 people from 15 countries,and served up more than l 9,000 meals\n\"The ISS is the largest ever expenment in international technological cooperation,\" said John Logsdon. a historian at the National Air and Space Museum in US.\n\"1 think it's a necessary stepping stone to long--term human activities in new Areas of operations,\"Logsdon said.The station is\"off the planet and it's the first Step outward--not all end in itself,but a step along the way.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Piece No 2 of the ISS was put into orbit oil  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["Nov.6,1998", "Nov.24,1998", "Dec.8,1998", "Dec.9,1998"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true about Endeav our according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Endeavour is a newly built shuttle", "Endeavour is part of the space station", "Endeavour didn't get close to the space station", "Endeavour carried a lot of equipment for the apace station"]}]}
{"article": "Mark Twain left school when he was twelve. He had little school education. In spite of this, he became the most famous writer of his time. He made millions of dollars by writing. His real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, but he is better known to all over the world as Mark Twain, his penname.\nMark Twain was born in 1835 and he was not a healthy baby. In fact, he was not expected to live through the first winter. But with his mother's care, he managed to survive. As a boy, he caused much trouble for his parents. He used to play jokes on all his friends and neighbors. He didn't like to go to school, and he often ran away from home. He always went in the direction of the nearby Mississippi. He was nearly drowned nine times.\nAfter his father's death, Mark Twain began to work for a printer, who only provided him with food and clothing. Then, he worked as a printer, a river-boat pilot and later joined the army. But shortly after that he became a miner. During this period, he started to write short stories. Afterwards, he became a full-time writer.\nIn 1870, Mark Twain got married. In the years that followed he wrote many books including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1876, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884, which made him famous, and brought him great fortune.\nUnfortunately, Mark Twain got into debts in bad investments  and he had to write large numbers of stories to pay these debts. In 1904, his wife died, and then three of his children passed away.\nAt the age of 70, his hair was completely white. He bought many white suits and neckties. He wore nothing but white from head to foot until his death on April 21, 1910.", "problems": [{"question": "In Mark Twain's childhood,   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he learned a lot at school", "his mother often worried about his safety", "he often went swimming with other boys", "he often played games with other boys"]}, {"question": "In order to make a living, Mark Twain   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["did many kinds of work", "first worked as a printer", "wrote stories in the beginning", "joined the army after he worked in a mine"]}, {"question": "In the later years of his life, Mark Twain   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["wrote many stories and earned a lot of money", "must have been very sad because he lost his family", "continued writing until his death", "lent too much money to others"]}]}
{"article": "Summer school is something a kid will never forget.For some, it's a way to advance past their classmates.For most, summer school is' a requirement in order to graduate with their classmates I can remember being forced into taking a summer school course.It was not the school that forced me into this awkward situation it was my mother.\nI was a 16-year-old kid in a new school; My school did not offer summer courses so I had to take my course at an alternative school in the city.It was an experience I will never forget.I was not concerned with making friends.I was there to get credit   for a course that I should have received credit for the previous semester.It was.my doing that landed me in the situation and it was important that I understood this.\nThe fees were lowest but the experience was amazing.I enjoyed I didn't miss the day. The course was from Monday to Friday for an entire month.I passed the course with an A.I was thrown into an awkward situation and actually enjoyed it.My friends didn't even know I took the course.Most of them were still sleeping by the time my course  ended each day.\nAwkward situations are so important for personal growth.This situation made me feel more independent.I made friends.I finally understood what sacrifice and hard work were all about.While attending college, I remembered how much I enjoyed summer school and I chose to take summer school in my first three years of college.Some kids get pushed too much but some don't get pushed enough.I was never pushed enough.\nEnable your children to struggle for success.If your child needs summer school you explain to them why it's important.Some parents are surprised by the situation and may want to be more involved in their children's education.Follow through and follow up.", "problems": [{"question": "Most students go to the summer school in order to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["find good jobs graduation", "become top students in their class", "have a chance to make more friends", "graduate successfully on time"]}, {"question": "What made the author go to summer school for the first time?", "answer": "B", "options": ["What he had done.", "His mother's wish.", "His own requirement.", "Study competition."]}, {"question": "Which of the following was NOT the benefit got by the author through attending summer school?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It helped him get rid of bad habits.", "It helped him make new friends.", "It helped him understand what sacrifice and hard work were.", "It increased his independence."]}, {"question": "What does the author think of summer school?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He thinks it is awkward.", "He thinks it is significant.", "He doesn't think it is suitable.", "He thinks nothing of it."]}]}
{"article": "The modern Olympic Games, founded in 1896, began as contests between individuals, rather than among nations, with the hope of promoting world peace through sportsmanship. In the beginning, the games were open only to amateurs. An amateur is a person whose involvement in an activity---from sports to science or the arts---is purely for pleasure. Amateurs, whatever their contributions to a field, expect to receive no form of compensation ; professionals, in contrast, perform their work in order to earn a living.\nFrom the perspective of many athletes, however, the Olympic playing field has been far from level. Restricting the Olympics to amateurs has precluded  the participation of many who could not afford to be unpaid. Countries have always desired to send their best athletes, not their wealthiest ones, to the Olympic Games.\nA slender and imprecise line separates what we call \"financial support\" from \"earning money.\" Do athletes \"earn money\" if they are reimbursed  for travel expenses? What if they are paid for time lost at work or if they accept free clothing from a manufacturer or if they teach sports for a living? The runner Eric Liddell was the son of poor missionaries; in 1924 the British Olympic Committee financed his trip to the Olympics, where he won a gold and a bronze medal. College scholarships and support from the United States Olympic Committee made it possible for American track stars Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph and speed skater Dan Jansen to train and compete. When the Soviet Union and its allies joined the games in 1952, the definition of amateur became still muddier. Their athletes did not have to balance jobs and training because as citizens in communist regimes, their government financial support was not considered payment for jobs.\nIn 1971 the International Olympic Committee(IOC) removed the word amateur from the rules, making it easier for athletes to find the support necessary to train and compete. In 1986 the IOC allowed professional athletes into the games.\nThere are those who regret the disappearance of amateurism from the Olympic Games. For them the games lost something special when they became just another way for athletes to earn money. Others say that the designation of amateurism was always questionable; they argue that all competitors receive so much financial support as to make them paid professionals. Most agree, however, that the debate over what constitutes an \"amateur\" will continue for a long time.", "problems": [{"question": "One might infer that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["developing Olympic-level skills in athletes is costly", "professional athletes are mostly interested in financial rewards", "amateurs does not expect to earn money at the sport that is played", "amateurs have a better attitude than professionals do"]}, {"question": "The statement \"the Olympic playing field has been far from level\" means that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the ground the athletes played on was in bad condition", "the poorer players were given some advantages", "the rules did not work the same way for everyone", "amateurs were inferior to the professionals in many ways"]}, {"question": "The financial support given to athletes by the Soviet government can best be compared to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a gift received on a special occasion, such as a birthday", "money received from a winning lottery ticket", "an allowance paid to a child", "money from charity organization"]}, {"question": "One can conclude that the Olympic Organizing Committee   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["has held firm to its original vision of the Olympic games", "has struggled with the definition of amateur over the years", "regards itself as an organization for professional athletes only", "did nothing but stop allowing communists to participate"]}]}
{"article": "The owner of an Alabama Chinese restaurant named \"Good Friend\" shot at a customer who complained about a fly in her eggroll Thursday night. The bullet narrowly missed 20-year-old Birmingham resident Jatari Walker who told the Daily News she is scarred by the entire experience.\n\"I can't sleep,\" she said Saturday afternoon. \"And since it happened I've had no appetite.\"\nWalker ordered a combination platter and eggroll from the Good Friend Chinese and Seafood Restaurant on Dennison Ave. Thursday evening. After paying her $7 bill she went back to her car and discovered a fly inside. \"I thought I need to take this back,\" she said.\nThe customer went back and asked for a repayment and said the owner Chun HinChing, 52, was unhappy with her because she announced her discovery in front of other customers. After an argument he repaid the money and Walker -- who is now a former frequent customer of the business -- turned and walked to the exit.\nThat's when Ching drew a handgun and fired a single shot over her head.\n\"He just shot the gun at me and I ran,\" she said, adding she could feel the bullet whiz past her head.\nBirmingham Police Department spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards told the News the owner was charged with attempted murder and was transported to Jefferson County Jail on $100,000 bail .\nPolice believe Ching intended to hit Walker with the bullet and missed, Edwards said. The bullet hit the top of the door frame of the take-out business.\nChing did not tell police why he fired at Walker, Edwards said.\nEdwards said he did not recall any previous problems at the business. He said Ching did not say why he had a weapon but added it was not uncommon for stores in that neighborhood.\n\"No one was injured from the gunshot\", Edwards said.\nCalls placed to the restaurant Saturday afternoon were not answered.", "problems": [{"question": "What happened on Thursday night in Good Friend Chinese and Seafood Restaurant?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A fire broke out but luckily no one was injured.", "The restaurant owner refused to repay the money.", "The egg rolls caused sickness among some customers.", "A young woman narrowly escaped being killed by a bullet."]}, {"question": "Why did Walker go back to the restaurant after buying the food?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because she left her car key in the restaurant.", "Because she discovered a fly in the egg roll.", "Because she forgot to take the combination platter.", "Because she found the owner charged her too much."]}, {"question": "The restaurant owner fired on Walker when   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["she was about to leave", "she was arguing with him", "she asked for a repayment", "she announced her discovery"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["this is the first time for Walker to buy food from Good Friend Restaurant", "the owner was unhappy with the complaint and refused to repay the money", "it is common for a restaurant owner in that neighborhood to have a weapon", "if someone had been hit, Ching would have been charged with attempted murder"]}]}
{"article": "Linda and Lucy were best friends. They graduated from high school and went to the same college for further studies.\nAfter some days Linda found that her friend was behaving strangely. She would remain quiet, sleep too much and turn wild, very often. At first, Linda thought it was just because of the problems she had met in her studies. However, Lucy became even stranger over time. Finally, Linda couldn't take it any longer and asked Lucy about her strange behavior. Lucy broke into tears and said that she was going around with a boy, who was taking drugs and forcing her to take them, too.\nLinda was shocked by her story. She then advised her friend to leave the boy. She reminded Lucy of her dreams of becoming a successful doctor and encouraged her to set an example for others. She also reminded her of how her parents would feel if they found out what their daughter was up to. Through her efforts, Lucy was finally able to leave the boy and drugs. During this time, her friend always stood by her.\nFinally, the two friends graduated and their friendship grew stronger. They both became successful doctors, but never let each other down by getting into bad habits. They lived happily as close friends.\nFrom the story we can know that true friends are those who encourage you to become the best you can ever be. They believe in you and will never leave you.", "problems": [{"question": "The following are Lucy's strange behaviors EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["turning wild", "being quiet", "sleeping too much", "being friendly"]}, {"question": "What problem did Lucy meet?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She lost her best friend", "She was ill at that time", "She dated a troublesome boy", "She fell behind others in study"]}, {"question": "What course did Linda and Lucy mainly study in college?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Medicine", "Science", "Law", "Art"]}, {"question": "The writer tries to tell us  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how we can give up drugs", "how we can overcome difficulty", "how we should help others", "what a true friend is"]}]}
{"article": "Recently a committee of the National Academy of Sciences inprefix = st1 /Washingtonreleased a report .It confirmed that world temperatures increased about six-tenths of a degree Celsius in the last one hundred years. The report also confirmed evidence that the level of carbon dioxide in increasing.\n       The best information about climate in the past comes from tests of ice many kilometers deep in Antarctica and Greenland .These tests show that levels of carbon dioxide today are the highest ever measured .These findings have led scientists to believe that carbon dioxide is a major cause of climate warming.\n       Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fuel is burned. Oil ,coal and wood are all fuels that release the gas .When biological waste breaks down ,it also releases carbon dioxide.\n       However ,plants use carbon dioxide in the process called photosynthesis. This process provides food for almost all life on Earth. Some groups that support burning oil and coal want to increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere . They oppose international efforts to control carbon dioxide.\n       Some scientists believe that forests and trees are able to capture large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. Some groups even suggest that an increase in carbon dioxide could cause plants to grow faster.\n       A recent study inNorth Carolinafound that more carbon dioxide in the air could cause trees to grow faster .But the researchers found the effect appears to last for only three years. Another study showed that much of the carbon dioxide that is taken in by trees in released within three years. The study noted that leaves released carbon dioxide when they fall from trees and break down in the soil. Plants also naturally release carbon dioxide  through the process of respiration.", "problems": [{"question": "Which one is NOT mentioned in this passage that can be the source of carbon dioxide?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Oil", "Trees", "Wood", "Soil"]}, {"question": "The committee report of National Academy of sciences in Washingtonreveals that_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["ice from Antarctica and Greenland is appropriate to show the change", "carbon dioxide is released mainly from the fuel", "level of carbon dioxide increases with global temperatures", "carbon dioxide is helpful for tree growth"]}, {"question": "According to this passage ,those people disagree with the control of carbon dioxide because    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they think that carbon is beneficial for plant growth", "they want to use more fuels that can send out carbon dioxide", "they think it will destroy the natural balance of gases in the world", "they think carbon dioxide is not the main reason for global warming"]}, {"question": "Those studies carried out in North Carolinasuggest that_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["more carbon dioxide is beneficial for trees' growth for many decades", "trees' function for absorbing carbon dioxide is limited", "carbon dioxide is the main cause for global warming", "leaves falling from trees can send out more oxygen"]}]}
{"article": "American schoolchildren often wear uniforms if they attend religious or other private schools. Most public schools do not require uniforms. But over the last ten years or so, more of them have moved in that direction, including high schools. Students may have to wear a specially purchased uniform. Or they may just have to dress alike~for example, white shirts and dark color1ed pants or skirts.\nEven schools that do not require uniforms generally have a dress code or other rules about what they consider acceptable. Policies commonly ban clothing that shows offensive  images or words, or simply too much skin. Items like hats may be not permitted because ,for example, different color1s may be connected with violent gangs.\nSome parents like the idea of uniforms. They say it means they do not have to spend as much on clothing for their kids. Others, though, argue that uniforms represent an unnecessary cost There are also debates about whether uniforms or other dress policies break civil rights.\nStudents and parents have taken legal action against school dress requirements. Just last week, a judge blocked a middle school in Napa, California, from enforcing a dress code unless families have a way out of it The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California brought the case for the families of several students who werfe punished Most attention centered on a girl who wore socks with the Tigger character from Winnie the PooK\nThe school said its clothing policy, including no pictures of any kind, was needed to control a growing problem with gangs. The families argued that the policy went against free speech rights as guaranteed by the United States and California constitutions. The United States Supreme Court says student expression is protected as long as it does not harm the work and discipline of a school.", "problems": [{"question": "Some parents are against uniforms because they think  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["the government goes against the civil laws", "they probably waste an extra amount of money", "the dress code often appears impolite to others", "the uniforms cost much less than they really do"]}]}
{"article": "Trans-Bridge Tours is looking forward to providing you with another year of exciting One-Day travel destinations in 2016.\nStatue of Liberty & Ellis Island\nAugust 15 (Sat)\n$78 Adult; $66 Child (4-12); $ 75 Senior (62+)\nNo visit to the New York City area is complete without a trip to the world's most famous landmarks--- the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.\nPrice includes transportation to Liberty State Park and timed ferry tickets.\n9/11 Museum& Memorial\nSeptember 29 (Tue)\n$ 87 Adult; $ 78 Youth (7-17); Senior $80(65+)\nThe Museum displays artifacts associated with the events of 9/11, while presenting stories of loss and recovery. The Memorial between the twin reflecting pools, is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks.\nThe New York Botanical Garden\nOctober 14 (Wed)\n$126 Adult\nThis National Historic Landmark offers visitors 250 acres of the most unique land form of any botanical garden in the world, with huge rock outcroppings, beautiful flower collections, a river, cascading waterfalls, and 40 acres of old-growth forest dating from pre-Revolutionary times plus a world-class Conservatory.\nHagley Museum & Winterthur\nNovember 21(Sat)\n$113 Adult\nLocated on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E.I. du Pont in 1802. Winterthur was the former home of Henry Francis du Pont, a famous antiques collector and gardener.\nIncludes: Brandywine tour at Hagley; Lunch at Hagley Museum; Guided tour at Winterthur Garden", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following charges an adult the lowest fee?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island", "9/11 Museum & Memorial", "The New York Botanical Garden", "Hagley Museum & Winterthur"]}, {"question": "Which day will a geological researcher prefer?", "answer": "C", "options": ["August 15.", "September 29.", "October 14.", "November 21."]}, {"question": "Which was set up in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Statue of Liberty.", "The 9/11 Memorial.", "Hagley Museum.", "Winterthur Garden."]}]}
{"article": "Medicine comes in lots of different packages. Painkillers in a tablet can make your headache go away. Antibiotic cream   from a tube can prevent your cuts from becoming infected. But can medicine come packaged in chicken eggs?\nA team of scientists from Scotland say \"yes\". They've engineered special chickens that lay eggs with disease-treating drugs inside.\nThese eggs come from chickens that have been engineered to produce certain drugs inside their egg whites.\nThese drugs are made of molecules called proteins . Animals make thousands of proteins -- they're the main element in skin, hair, milk and meat. Since animals can make proteins easily, they're good candidates   for making protein drugs.\nResearchers have already made cows, sheep and goats produce protein drugs in their milk. But chickens are cheaper to take care of, need less room, and grow faster than these other animals. Those qualities could make chickens a better choice to become living drug factories, says Simon Lillico of the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, Scotland.\nLillico and a team of researchers changed chickens' DNA -- the code that tells cells how to make proteins -- so that the birds' cells made two protein drugs. One drug can treat skin cancer, and the other treats a nerve disease called multiple sclerosis  .\nThe scientists changed the chickens' DNA so that the birds made these drugs only in their egg whites. This protects the chickens' bodies from the drugs' possible harmful effects and makes it easy for scientists to collect the drugs.", "problems": [{"question": "If you cut your finger, you may use   _   to cure it.", "answer": "B", "options": ["painkillers in a tablet", "antibiotic cream from a tube", "chicken eggs", "protein drugs"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Scientists from Scotland have succeeded in packing medicine into chicken eggs.", "The drugs are made of molecules called proteins.", "Scientists chose chickens for their experiments because chicken eggs taste delicious.", "The animals are good candidates for making protein drugs."]}, {"question": "The drugs in special chicken eggs can   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["treat lung cancer", "help reduce headache", "change people's DNA", "treat multiple sclerosis"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["eating eggs is the best choice for the patients now", "scientists changed the chicken's DNA and put all the drugs in chicken eggs", "we may eat special eggs as drugs when we are sick in the future", "the drugs produce harmful effects on the chicken's bodies"]}, {"question": "The best title for the passage is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Chicken Eggs to Replace Medicine", "Chicken Eggs as Drug", "Chicken Eggs and Medicine", "Chicken Eggs and Animal Milk"]}]}
{"article": "'Well,' began Enfield, 'I was coming home about three o'clock on a black winter morning, when suddenly I saw two people. The first was a short man who was walking along the street, and the second was a little girl who was running as fast as she could. Well, the two bumped into each other and the child fell down. Then a terrible thing happened. The man calmly walked all over the child's body with his heavy boots, and left her screaming on the ground. It was an inhuman thing to do. I ran after the man, caught him and fetched him back. There was already a small crowd around the screaming child. The man was perfectly cool, but he gave me a very evil look, which made me feel sick in my stomach. The child's family then arrived, and also a doctor. The child had been sent to fetch the doctor for a sick neighbor, and was on her way home again.\n'\"The child is more frightened than hurt,\" said the doctor -- and that, you would think, was the end of the story. But, you see, I had taken a violent dislike to the short man. So had the child's family -- that was only natural. But the doctor, who seemed a quiet, kind man, was also looking at our prisoner with murder in his eyes.\n'The doctor and I understood each other perfectly. Together we shouted at the man, and told him we would tell this story all over London so that his name would be hated.\n'He looked back at us with a proud, black look. \"Name your price,\" he said.\n'We made him agree to a hundred pounds for the child's family. With another black look, the man led us to that door over there. He took out a key and let himself into the building. _ he came out and handed us ten pounds in gold and a cheque for ninety pounds from Coutts's Bank. The name on the cheque was a well-known one.\n'\"See here,\" said the doctor doubtfully, \"it isn't usual for a man to walk into an empty house at four in the morning and come out with another man's cheque for nearly a hundred pounds.\"\n'\"Don't worry,\" said the man with an ugly look, \"I'll stay with you until the banks open, and change the cheque myself.\"\n'So we all went off, the doctor and the prisoner and myself, and spent the rest of the night at my house. In the morning we went together to the bank. Sure enough, the cheque was good, and the money was passed to the child's family.'", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage above?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The little girl was frightened as well as seriously hurt.", "The doctor did not trust the short man and disliked him.", "The short man willingly paid the little girl's family a hundred pounds.", "The doctor was present at the spot to see what was wrong with the little girl."]}, {"question": "Which of the following makes Enfield, the narrator of the story, puzzled most?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The doctor's attitude towards the short man.", "The validity of the cheque accepted by the bank.", "The name on the cheque the short man produced.", "The short man's attitude towards what he had done."]}, {"question": "The cheque was written by   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Mr. Utterson, an upright lawyer", "Mr. Jekyll, a well-known doctor", "Doctor Lanyon, Mr. Jekyll's friend", "Mr. Hyde, the short man mentioned in the passage above"]}]}
{"article": "The picture-like island is rich in scenic beauty. Barbados sightseeing is a photographer's dream that comes true with numbers of natural wonders, breathtaking scenic views, attractive gardens and miles of white, sandy beaches. There's so many things to see and to do, as you check out some of the places of interest on the island.\nHistorical Appeal Experience\nFull of historical appeal you'll love the impressive collection of beautiful great houses, landmarks, old churches, and traditional ancient houses some of which may date back to the 16th century. Historic Bridgetown, over 375 years old, capital of Barbados, is located with its color1ful fishing boats and splendid yachts ( ) . Check out the Barbados National and see some of the island's most beautiful homes.\nNature Charm Enjoyment\nNature lovers will find the Botanical Garden, as well as the wonderful landscapes of the tropical plants and flowers, a welcome addition to their trip. Nature paths, rocky caves and local wildlife will make these tours relaxing.\nA guided island tour is of excellent value for money as well as informative changes from scenic, fun-filled, historic tours to exciting safari tours. If seeing the island from a different point is what you want to do, then try one of our sea tours, air tours or underwater tours to enjoy what sea plants and animals it can offer.\nRental Drive Adventure\nIf you rent a car, here are a few things to remember. The roads, thin and rocky, are sometimes leading nowhere and often unmarked. You might think of some possible dangers. But don't get upset if you get lost-everybody does, even locals, Bajans ! If you make a wrong turn, consider it is a part of the adventure of touring Barbados. You might want to pick up any of the several visitors' guides which include maps.\nFor more detailed information, please contact us by either of the following:\nTel: (246) 427-1952 0r 436-7189\nFax: (246) 436-2234", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the followings is the sightseeing of Historic Bridgetown?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Traditional houses and rocky caves.", "Beautiful houses and nature paths.", "Old churches and splendid yachts.", "Landmarks and tropical plants."]}, {"question": "According to the passage Botanical Garden   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["can make tours dangerous with rocky caves", "is full of tropical plants and landmarks", "will cost travelers lots of money", "may attract lovers of nature"]}, {"question": "If travelers prefer something risky in Barbados, they may   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["have a guided island tour", "see the Botanical Garden", "go to Historic Bridgetown", "try a rental drive adventure"]}, {"question": "What should be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A Car Adventure of Touring Barbados with Fun", "An Island of Historical Appeal as One Expects", "Barbados-A Wonderful Place for Sightseeing", "Return to Nature, Know More of the Bajans"]}]}
{"article": "Christmas Day, the birthday of Jesus Christ, is the most important festival in prefix = st1 /Britainand some other countries. On Christmas Eve, people usually tell their children to put their stockings at the end of their beds before they go to sleep. Children believe Santa Claus, with the other name of Father Christmas, will come during the night and fill their stockings with Christmas presents.\n  Actually , Father Christmas is children's father. He dresses up in a red coat and waits until children fall asleep. Then he goes into children's bedrooms, and puts small presents in their stockings. When children are no longer young, they know who Father Christmas really is.\n  Not only children but also their parents enjoy Christmas stockings. They also have stockings. Early on the morning of Christmas Day, children wake their parents up and say\"Merry Christmas\". Then they help their parents open their stockings. Everybody likes presents. But it is better to give than to receive.", "problems": [{"question": "Christmas Day is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the birthday of Jesus Christ", "the only day for giving presents", "the only day for receiving presents", "the day for playing games"]}, {"question": "What do all the British children do on Christmas Eve in the story?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They talk all the night.", "They sing and dance.", "They put their stockings at the end of their beds.", "They won't sleep until Father Christmas comes."]}, {"question": "\"Santa Claus\"is another way of saying  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Christmas Day", "Christmas presents", "Christmas Eve", "Father Christmas"]}, {"question": "From the story we know that on Christmas Day children feel very happy because they can receive  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["red clothes", "stockings", "presents", "food"]}]}
{"article": "Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag\nDifficulty: Very Easy\nAverage User Rating:(4.3/5)\nMilk can become homemade ice cream in five minutes by using a bag! This homemade, creamy treat is a summertime delight for your kids and you alike.\nWhat you'll need:\n1 tablespoon of sugar; 1/2 cup of milk; 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla  ; 6 tablespoons of rock salt; 1 small-sized plastic food storage bag; 1 gallon-sized plastic food storage bag; ice cubes.\nHow to make it:\nl Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.\nl Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.\nl Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.\nl Shake until the mixture turns into ice cream, which takes about five minutes.\nl Wipe the top of the small bag, and then open it carefully. Enjoy!\nTips:\n1/2 cup of milk will make about one spoon of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don't increase the amount more than _ --a large amount might be too big for kids to pick up because the ice itself is heavy.\nHere is another version of the homemade ice cream recipe from another parent!\nThese are the homemade ice cream ingredients:\n1/4 teaspoon of vanilla butter and nuts; 1 tablespoon of sugar; 1/2 cup of milk.\nThese are the other supplies:\nPlastic sandwich bag; 12 salt pellets; 1 dish of ice; large plastic bag.\nPut the ice cream ingredients in the small bag, and then put the bag, salt and ice in the big bag. Hold the bag shut and move it around on the floor for about 5 minutes.\nWhen I made ice cream at home last time, although the salt pellets didn't really dissolve   that well, I still got ice cream. It was not smooth ice cream, probably because of the low-fat milk. It was incredible that it could be ready in 5 minutes (not counting preparing the ingredients)\nNext, I changed the recipe, using a tablespoon of cocoa, a tablespoon of sugar, and a cup of milk. It was a bit too chocolaty, but good!", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following things is NOT included in both recipes?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sugar", "Ice", "Plastic bag", "Nuts"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements about the second parent is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He/ She doesn't agree with the first parent.", "He/ She doesn't think five minutes is enough", "He/ She doesn't like cocoa better than nuts.", "He/ She doesn't think the chocolaty tastes bad."]}]}
{"article": "Picking up objects plays an important role in people's life. El-E is a robot that is designed to get everyday objects for people with disabilities.\nAbout 1.5 meters tall, with a single robotic arm that can pick up objects at different heights, El-E is equipped to discover what its owner wants and then go and fetch it. The user can point a location to the robot using a \"point-and-click\" way of interaction, which provides a direct way to tell the robot which object to handle or where to go. The robot can adapt the position of its arm in order to grasp the object.\nAfter successful early trials, some scientists expanded El-E's functions and tried to combine voice commands with the laser   in order to do more complicated tasks, like opening doors. The robot recognizes words such as \"pull\" or \"push\" and performs the action on an object illuminated by the laser. In order to add more functions, project director Prof. Charlie and his colleagues are focusing on programming El-E to locate and fetch common household items such as a hairbrush, a bottle of pills or a cell phone.\nThe robot is also designed to learn from its mistakes. \"If it fails to fetch an object, it will recognize it and try again,\" Charlie said. Formal studies have shown El-E to be a good worker. In 127 out of 134 trials, the robot successfully picked up the requested object.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the purpose of the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To describe different types of El-E.", "To predict the development of El-E.", "To introduce the functions of El-E.", "To stress the importance of El-E."]}, {"question": "How do Charlie and his colleagues develop El-E?", "answer": "B", "options": ["By having it communicate with more people.", "By making it able to fetch more items.", "By letting it pick up objects more accurately.", "By getting it changeable at different occasions."]}, {"question": "From the text, we can learn that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["robots are getting more and more popular", "robots are quicker than human beings", "more and more people begin to develop robots for the disabled", "correcting mistakes can help the robot work more successfully"]}]}
{"article": "Davey wanted to play baseball. But fifty years ago, in his small town, he couldn't find enough players for two full teams or an empty lot big enough for a field. And when he played ball in his back yard, he just broke windows and got into trouble. So Davey began playing with a plastic golf ball and a broom handle for a bat.\nWhen his dad, David Mullaney, a former semi-pro baseball pitcher , realized his son was hurting his arm trying to throw curves with the little plastic ball, he decided to find a better solution. Mullaney got a bunch of hollow plastic _ from a local factory, sat down at his kitchen table and began cutting different size holes in the balls with a razor knife. He thought maybe the holes would alter the ball's flight and help his son throw curves and sliders without hurting his arm.\nAll the balls failed--except the one with the eight oblong  holes cut into one of the hemispheres. This ball curved naturally and sharply without a violent snap of the wrist. In fact, Davey was now striking out so many batters; he called his new ball a \"wiffle ball\". A year later, Mullaney borrowed $20,000 from family and friends and started producing Wiffle Balls in his little suburban town of Shelton, Connecticut.\n\"I didn't want investors.\" He said, \"I wanted to control my own company.\" This was the beginning of one of the hottest fads  of the fifties and a perennial  best seller well known all around the world. Since then millions of boys and girls have enjoyed countless hours of safe, wholesome fun playing with a Wiffle ball and bat. Esquire Magazine has even called the Wiffle Ball \"a national treasure\". By producing a high quality product at an affordable price, three generations of Mullany's have enjoyed the satisfaction and benefits of running a successful and profitable family business.\nOver the years, they've had plenty of offers to buy them out, but they're still working out of a small factory in Shelton, making a new Wiffle Ball every couple of seconds. Creativity and persistence are two of the important sources for wealth. If he gave up his attempts at trying new things, Mullany would not have invented the wiffle ball, nor would he have made such a big fortune.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can know that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Mullaney made the invention of Wiffle ball with the help of his son", "fifty years ago people didn't like playing baseball very much", "Mullaney's attempts to help Davey better enjoy ball-playing led to the invention of Wiffle ball", "playing balls would hurt one's arm before the Wiffle ball's appearance"]}, {"question": "All the following are true EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Davey was a good ballplayer after the Wiffle ball came into existence", "David Mullaney wanted to run the family business on his own", "Mullaney's family made a big fortune through the production of Wiffle balls", "Mullaney's business was nearly bought out but they worked hard to keep it"]}, {"question": "The two important factors for Mullaney's successful family business are  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["time and fortune", "persistence and creativity", "quality and fame", "cooperation and efforts"]}, {"question": "The passage mainly tells us something about  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Davey, a famous baseball player", "a popular ball game in the 1950's", "the birth of Wiffle ball", "the success of a family business"]}]}
{"article": "The dirt road made our car jump as we traveled to the Millennium Village in Sauri, Kenya. We passed the market where women sat on the dusty ground selling bananas. Little kids were wrapped in cloth on their mothers' backs, or running around in bare feet and torn clothing. When we reached the village, we walked to the Bar Sauri Primary School to meet the people. Welcoming music and singing had almost everyone dancing. We joined the dancing and clapped along to the joyful, lively music. The year was 2004, the first time I had ever been to Sauri.\nThe Millennium Village project was created to help reach the Millennium Development Goals, which were set by the United Nations in 2000. The plan is to get people out of poverty, assure them of access to health care and help them stabilize the economy and quality of life in their communities. The goals are supposed to be met by 2015; some other targets are set for 2025. But our first sight of Sauri showed us there was plenty of work to do.\nOn that day in 2004, we followed the village leaders into Yala Sub-District Hospital. It wasn't in good shape. The rooms were packed with patients who probably wouldn't receive treatment, either because the hospital did not have it or the patients could not afford it. There was no running water or electricity in the hospital. It is hard for me to see people sick with preventable diseases who are near death when they shouldn't have to be. I just get scared and sad.\nMalaria is one disease, common in Africa, which is preventable and treatable. Mosquitoes carry malaria, and infect people by biting them. Kids can die from it easily, and adults get very sick. Mosquitoes that carry malaria come at night. A mosquito net, treated with chemicals that last for five years, keeps malarial mosquitoes away from sleeping people. Each net costs $5. There are some cheap medicines to get rid of malaria too. The solutions are simple, yet 20,000 kids die from the disease each day. So sad, and so illogical. Mosquito nets could save millions of lives.\nWe walked over to see the farmers. Their crops started to die because they could not afford the necessary fertilizer and irrigation. Time and again, a family will plant seeds only to have an outcome of poor crops because of lack of fertilizer and water. Each year, the farmers worry: Will they harvest enough food to feed the whole family? Will their kids go hungry and become sick?\nMany kids in Sauri didn't attend school because their parents couldn't afford school fees. Some kids are needed to help with housework, such as fetching water and wood. In 2004, the schools had _ supplies like books paper and pencils, but the students wanted to learn. They all worked hard with the few supplies they had. It was hard for them to concentrate, though, as there's no midday meal.\nGreat changes have taken place in these years. Today, Yala Sub-District Hospital has medicine, free of charge. Water is connected to the hospital, which also has a generator for electricity. There are no school fees, and the school now serves midday meals for the students. The attendance rate is way up. All this is encouraging supporters of the Millennium Villages project.\nThere are many solutions to the problems that keep people poor. What it will really take is for the world to work together to change poor areas forever. When my kids are my age, I want this kind of poverty to be a thing of history. It will not be an easy task. But Sauri's progress shows us all that winning the fight against poverty is achievable in our lifetime.", "problems": [{"question": "Because there was no midday meal in school,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["kids lacked energy to study attentively", "many kids dropped out of school", "kids made more efforts to study hard", "many kids had to go back home for lunch"]}, {"question": "This story is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the education in an African village", "the schools and hospitals in an African village", "the poverty and the progress of an African village", "the author's car journey to an African village"]}]}
{"article": "While many other teen stars built up their celebrity status  by working hard on popular TV shows, Justin shot straight to the top by using social media.\nA few years ago, Justin uploaded  videos of himself on YouTube, showing _ of his favorite songs at home. He just saw it as a bit of fun for friends and family, but when music manager Scooter Braun saw one of the videos, he flew to Justin's hometown of Ontario, Canada to sign him up. Justin was just 13.\nShortly after, Justin was flown to the US. He eventually started working with R&B superstar Usher. Justin's first album My world was released in 2009. But all the time, Justin continued to build his fan base on his YouTube account, where some of his original home videos can still be found, and where he continues to post music. \"I wasn't sending mixtapes or anything like that to record labels,\" he told us when we met him on his promotional tour for his latest film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. \"I was just doing regular stuff at home and I just posted videos online without purpose. I would never be here if it wasn't for the Internet and YouTube.\"\nBut it isn't just YouTube that helps Justin's popularity. He also updates his Twitter account (@Justin-Bieber) regularly and has about 8.8 million followers. In fact, he's so popular that Justin was responsible for 3% of the site's activity at one time and so popular that entire racks of servers on Twitter were devoted to him.\nIn light of his story, many young, aspiring artists are now taking advantage of Twitter and YouTube. Both these sites can help artists build fan bases in the hope that they'll become the next big thing. Justin added, \"I think my story brings hope to people and I think that's very important. The only thing holding you back is yourself. Never say never.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A famous young man", "YouTube---A popular website", "Justin's way to success", "Social media is the most important"]}, {"question": "Which one is right according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Justin posted videos online in order to succeed.", "Justin becomes a celebrity partly owing to social media.", "Justin has the same way to succeed as others.", "Justin has built many websites."]}]}
{"article": "A Day of Design\nSunday, June 27,2010\n9 a. m. ~ 4 p. m.\nThomas College Student Center\nJoin us for a free day of fun! A Day of Design will encourage those interested in flowers and design to get in touch with their creative side and get some tips from the experts - Jeff and Scott. Pleas see the schedule below for details about this wonderful opportunity!\n9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.\nRegistration   for the day runs from 9 a.m. in the Student Center. Later guests will take a tour of the Thomas College campus before the day's events.\n10:30 a. m. ~ 12:00 p. m.\nJeff and Scott will design more than a dozen arrangements in a variety of sizes and colors and auction   will be held and guests will have the opportunity to bid on the flower arrangements.\n12:00 p. m. ~ 1:00 p. m.\nA delightful boxed lunch will be served. During the lunch hour, Jeff and Scott will create a\nfor the holiday table and give tips for creating a beautiful centerpiece using things found in the home.\n3:00 p. m. ~ 4:00 p. m.\nA fitting way to end the day - guests are invited to enjoy a wine and cheese party. Jeff and Scott will be available to answer questions or just talk about flowers!\nThere is no charge for this event.\nREGISTER NOW!\nSpace is limited to 45 guests.", "problems": [{"question": "What are guests supposed to do from 9:00 a. m. to 10:30 a. m.?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To design flower arrangements.", "To enjoy a wine and cheese party.", "To learn how to create a centerpiece.", "To take a tour of the Thomas College campus."]}, {"question": "When will an auction be held?", "answer": "B", "options": ["9:00 a.m. ~ 10:30 a.m.", "10:30 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m.", "1:00 p.m. ~ 3:00 p. m.", "3:00 p. m. ~ 4:00 p. m."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that A Day of Design    _    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["lasts for eight hours", "is free of charge", "is held annually in July", "is aimed at fashion designers"]}]}
{"article": "Thanksgiving  Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun task----to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.\nMost of the class would celebrate the holiday with turkey  and other traditional goodies  of season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of her students' art. And they were. But Douglas made a different kind of picture. He drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand. Douglas was a different kind of boy. Most of the time, as other children played together, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. Everyone could guess the pain he felt from his eyes.\nHis picture interested other students. Whose hands could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for Gold feeds us.\nThe teacher stopped at Douglas desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked away and said, \" It's yours, teacher.\"\nShe recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here and there. How often had she said, \"Take my hand, Douglas, we' ll go outside.\" or, \" Let me show you how to hold your pencil.\" Douglas was thankful for his teacher's hand. It means much to Douglas. He might not always say thanks, but he'll remember the hand that reaches out. She wiped her tears away and went on with her work.", "problems": [{"question": "What did most students think of when given the task?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Hand", "Turkey", "God", "Farmer"]}, {"question": "Douglas drew an empty hand in order to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["show thanks to his teacher", "ask for a turkey", "attract other students' attention", "make the teacher cry"]}, {"question": "How did the teacher feel when Douglas told her the answer?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Sad", "Happy", "Moved", "Interested."]}]}
{"article": "Why texting harms your IQ\nThe regular use of text messages and e-mails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana  . That is the statement of researchers who have found that tapping away on a mobile phone or computer keypad or checking for electronic messages temporarily knocks up to 10 points off the user's IQ. This rate of decline in intelligence compares unfavorably with the four-point drop in IQ associated with smoking marijuana, according to British researchers, who have described the phenomenon of improved stupidity as \"infomania\". The research conducted by Hewlett Packard, the technology company, has concluded that it is mainly a problem for adult workers, especially men.\nIt is concluded that too much use of modern technology can damage a person's mind. It can cause a constant distraction of \"always on\" technology when employees should be concentrating on what they are paid to do. Infomania means that they lose concentration as their minds remain fixed in an almost permanent state of readiness to react to technology instead of focusing on the task in hand. The report also added that, in a long term, the brain will be considerably shaped by what we do to it and by the experience of daily life. At a microcellular level, the complex networks of nerve cells that make up parts of the brain actually change in response to certain experiences.\nToo much use of modern technology can be damaging not only to a person's mind, but to their social relationship. 1100 adults were interviewed during the research. More than 62 per cent of them admitted that they were addicted to checking their e-mails and text messages so often that they _ work-related ones even when at home or on holiday. Half said that they always responded immediately to an email and will even interrupt a meeting to do so. It is concluded that infomania is increasing stress and anxiety and affecting one's characteristics. Nine out of ten thought that colleagues who answered e-mails or messages during a face-to-face meeting were extremely rude.\nThe effects on IQ were studied by Dr Glenn Wilson, a psychologist at University of London. \"This is a very real and widespread phenomenon,\" he said. \"We have found that infomania will damage a worker's performance by reducing their mental sharpness and changing their social life. Companies should encourage a more balanced and appropriate way of working.\"", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the passage that \"infomania\"   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has a positive influence on one's IQ", "results in the change of part of the brain", "lies in the problem of lack of concentration", "is caused by too much use of modern technology"]}, {"question": "The research mentioned in the passage is most probably about   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the important function of advanced technology", "the damage to one's brain done by unhealthy habits", "the relevance between IQ and use of modern technology", "the relationship between intelligence and working effectiveness"]}]}
{"article": "A new international study shows that some people's biological clock plays a powerful role for their life expectancy, regardless of lifestyle choices.\nPublished in the latest issue ofAgingon Wednesday, the study has found the most definitive evidence to explain why some people keep healthy lifestyle but die younger than others.\nGeneticist Steve Horvath from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), led a team of 65 scientists around the world to record age-related changes to human DNA, analyse blood samples collected from 13, 000 people and estimate their lifespan.\nA higher biological age, regardless of actual age, consistently predicts an earlier death, the study says.\n\"You get people who are vegan, sleep 10 hours a day, have a low-stress job, and still end up dying young,\" Horvath said in a statement. \"We have shown some people have a faster innate aging rate.\"\nThe findings discovered that 5 percent of the population ages at a faster biological rate, which translated to a roughly 50 percent higher than average risk of death at any age.\n\"The great hope is that we find anti-aging interventions that would slow your innate aging rate,\" Horvath said, adding that \"this is an important milestone to realizing this dream.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Some people keep healthy lifestyle but die younger than others because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["their biological clock is not powerful enough", "the most definitive evidence has been found", "they have a higher actual age than others", "they ages at a relatively faster biological rate"]}, {"question": "How was the study conducted?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By collecting and analyzing data.", "By interviewing lots of people.", "By researching previous studies.", "By studying different lifestyles."]}, {"question": "According to the study, it can be inferred that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["people who keep healthy lifestyle tend to live longer", "people's lifespan can be predicted by their age", "5 percent of people are believed to have a faster innate aging rate", "anti-aging interventions have proved to slow the innate aging rate"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["We all should keep healthy lifestyle", "Geneticist finds anti-aging interventions", "Biological clock predicts life expectancy", "Horvath builds an important milestone"]}]}
{"article": "Once upon a time two brothers who lived on neighbouring farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious one in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed .\nThen the long cooperoration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. \nOne morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. \"I'm looking for a few days' work\" he said. \"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with. Could I help you?\" \n\"Yes,\" said the older brother. \"I do have a job for you. Look across the creek  at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow  between us and he took his bulldozer  to the river levee  and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face any more. Cool him down , anyhow.\" \nThe carpenter said, \"I think I understand the situation. I'll be able to do a job that pleases you.\" \nThe older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing, and hammering. \nAbout sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. \nThere was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work -- and his younger brother, was coming across, his hand spread out .. \n\"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done.\" \nThe two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter lift his toolbox on his shoulder. \"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you,\" said the older brother. \n\"I'd love to stay on,\" the carpenter said, \"but, I have many more bridges to build.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What was the life for the two brothers before the conflict ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They live a poor , miserable life .", "They were friendly neighbours ,helping each other .", "They never speak to each other .", "They live together as one family."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The younger brother used his bulldozer to dig a creek .", "After the conflict John was angry with his younger brother.", "At first the carpenter planned to build an 8-foot fence as John asked him to.", "The two brothers made peace at last ."]}, {"question": "The best title for this passage is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["A Fine Piece of Work", "A Clever Carpenter", "A Conflict between Two Brothers", "Two Brothers"]}]}
{"article": "Supermarket Morrisons today announced to launch an online shopping operation within two years in a move to catch up with its web-savvy rivals. The UK's fourth biggest supermarket said Morrisons.com would offer grocery and non-food products but would take time to build from zero.\nAs part of its online development, Morrisons - the only one of the \"Big Four\" grocers to have a significant internet business - revealed it had invested PS32 million in a 10% stake of a New York-based online grocer. The announcement came as Morrisons posted a 13% increase in underlying pre-tax profits of PS869 million in the year to January 30.\nMorrisons is implementing a growth strategy which is focused on expanding its e-commerce business and moving into the convenience store market. It has earmarked PS3 billion in investment over the next three years. The supermarket floated the idea of launching its own website last year and today is the first firm commitment to realising that goal.\nLast month, the company took its first major step to launching an online operation with the acquisition of internet retailer Kiddicare for PS70 million. The company said this move, along with the 10% \"strategic\" stake in American online grocer FreshDirect announced today, would help it launch its own website in the future. FreshDirect was launched in 2002 and serves 600,000 customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The deal will see Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips join the company's board.\nMorrisons also revealed it would open three convenience stores, around 3,000 sq ft in size, in July under the name M Local. The shops will be located in Morrisons' heartland in the north of England, in neighbourhoods around the M62 motorway. The company said the convenience business was the second-fastest growing part of the market. Rival models include Tesco Metro and Sainsburys Local.", "problems": [{"question": "FreshDirect severs 600,000 customers in    _    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Connecticut", "New Jersey", "New York", "certain states"]}, {"question": "Which would help Morrisons launch its own wesbsite in the future?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Taking measures to beat its rivals as quickly as it could", "Offering enough grocery and non-food products from zero", "Building more convenience stores and market in the United States", "Launching an online operation with the acquisition of interest retailer"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Morrisons Has Many Business Rvials", "Morrisons Will Launch an Online Operation", "Morrisons Switches to Run Online Shopping", "Morrisons Wants to Establish Branches"]}]}
{"article": "Drownings, bicycle injuries, falls, and pedestrian accidents are the most common causes of childhood injury or death. Here's what you need to know to avoid tragedy:\n*      Drowning: Each year, thousands of children die from drowning, with two-thirds of accidents occurring in the summer. To protect kids, parents should install multiple layers of protective devices, with each layer offering another opportunity to avoid a tragedy. Fences, door alarms, pool covers are all somewhat effective individually, but their effectiveness is increased dramatically when used in combination with one another.\n*      Falls: Falls from heights kill 140 children under the age of 15 each year in the United States, and seriously injure three million more, making falls the leading cause of non-deadly injury for this age group. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), falls are especially a problem for children living in multi-story housing during the summer months, when windows are open and children are more likely to be playing on fire escapes, roofs and balconies. To keep kids safe, AAP recommends window guards be installed on second story and higher windows. When choosing guards, install those that are operable in the event of emergencies like a house fire. Using childproof gates can prevent falls down stairways. Nevertheless, no gate can replace parental supervision  \n*      Bikes: Bike accidents kill over 1,500 children aged 14 and under each year. Of these deaths, more than half occurred during the summer. According to the AAP, head injuries from cycling are the most common cause of disability. A recent study in Seattle, Washington showed that helmets reduced the risk of head injury by 85 percent and brain injury by 88 percent. When purchasing a bike helmet, parents are urged to make sure it meets the bicycle helmet safety standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)\n*      Pedestrian: Over 6,000 kids aged 14 and under die every year as a result of an unintentional pedestrian-related injury. As a general rule, kids under 10 should not be crossing the street alone. Young children lack the ability to judge the speed and the distance of oncoming traffic. Parents need be models and teach proper pedestrian behavior. Cross at the corner and when you do cross, continue to look both ways because there are likely to be more cars turning into your path or people speeding. Obey all the traffic signals.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the point of the article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To introduce factors that cause risks for children.", "To give tips on what to do to prevent accidents about children.", "To explain why summer is a risky time for kids.", "To describe what to do to prevent accidents at home."]}, {"question": "To protect kids against falls, families living in multi-story housing should   _   according to the AAP.", "answer": "A", "options": ["install window guards on second story and higher windows", "never leave windows open when children are left alone at home", "tell kids not to play on balconies, roofs and fire escapes", "teach kids to use childproof gates in the event of emergencies"]}, {"question": "When riding a bicycle, you should   _   according to the AAP.", "answer": "C", "options": ["avoid riding at night", "not take anyone in the back seat", "wear a proper helmet", "not ride on the streets under the age of 14"]}, {"question": "What can be concluded from the article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Bicycles cause the most non-delay injuries for children in the US each year", "Pedestrian accidents happen much more frequently than drownings in the US each year", "A combination of fences, door alarms and pool covers can greatly reduce the risks of drowning.", "Children should never be allowed to cross the street on their own."]}, {"question": "The passage is most probably taken from the column of   _   in a newspaper.", "answer": "D", "options": ["social science", "technology", "entertainment", "public safety"]}]}
{"article": "Experts say that students usually need eight to ten hours' sleep at night, but most Chinese students do not get enough sleep. Some Chinese parents are usually glad to see their children study late. They will think their children work very hard. But not all parents are happy about this. Once a mother told us that every morning her 10-year-old boy put up one finger with his eyes still closed, begging for one more minute to sleep. Like thousands of students \"early birds\" in China, he has to get up before six every morning. \n  A report shows that without a good night's sleep, students seem to be weaker than they should be. Many students have fallen asleep during class at one time or another. Too much homework is not the only reason why students stay up late. Some watch TV or play the computer games late into the night.\n  Experts have said that students should develop good study habits. So some clever students never study late, they are able to work well in class.", "problems": [{"question": "Experts have told us students should   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["get enough sleep", "not get enough sleep", "study late", "sleep less"]}, {"question": "Many students have fallen asleep in class because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they have too much homework to do at night", "they watch TV late", "they play the computer games late into the night", "all of the above"]}, {"question": "According to the experts, students should   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["develop good study habits", "work hard", "go to school before six", "come home late"]}]}
{"article": "France is one of the largest countries in Europe. It is bordered by six countries -- Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the north-east, Switzerland and Italy across the Alps to the south-east and Spain across the Pyrenees to the south-west. The UK is across the English Channel. France has several large international airports, two of which are in the capital, Paris. Visitors from the UK also can take the Channel Tunnel rail link down to France. In France, the highway network and French rail service are known to be extremely efficient with the high-speed, and they become the envy  of other nations.\nFrance is the world's most popular tourist destination . The country has an extremely beautiful scene and an equally comfortable climate to match. This makes it suitable for a huge range of exciting sporting and other outdoor activities. For example, France has a huge range of golf courses. However, France also centers on a large scale for those who prefer a  _ life. Numerous museums and art galleries in France bring you much peacefulness while they make you learn about the country's rich cultural, educational and political heritage.\nThe French people -- and particularly the older generations -- tend to   be extremely polite and formal, a national character that is often dismissed(......) as arrogance  by other nations. The French are also famous for taking great pride in their personal appearance and in particular, their clothes. \nThe French love their food. Meals are long whenever possible. Sociable family meals usually cost several hours in the middle of the day. French meals usually have three or four courses including cheese before the dessert and are accompanied by wine and freshly baked breads. However, French food varies greatly from area to area.", "problems": [{"question": "What do people in other countries think of Frenchmen according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Rich.", "Proud.", "Polite.", "Rude."]}]}
{"article": "After months of fear, hate and prosecution , the music and consumer-electronics industry decided to try to make beautiful music together. Last week the Secure Digital Music Initiative, a combination of 100 music, electronics and high-tech companies announced that it agreed on a music format  known as MP3 which caused disagreement. Nowadays, more and more young people are fond of music that is played on their portable MP3 players. So this announcement attracted a lot of attention in both the producer and consumer sides.\n       MP3 allows the digital music in CDs to be made smaller to a tenth its size and still sounds great. MP3 songs are small enough to be traded online; they are made by the millions to the _ of record companies, which fear that everything ever released on disc will end up online for free. Traditional records and their sale may be greatly damaged by this new format of music, and for the music's sake, it is better conveyed in this new medium.\n       That's why the recording industry appealed to the court against little Diamond Multimedia when it started selling a portable MP3 player two years ago. Not only did Diamond win in court, but it also sold 100,000 Rios along the way. With half a dozen other companies racing to produce their own versions of the Rio for Christmas, what could the music industry do? They have no choice in their future, their success just depends on how they can deal with the new trend and cooperate with the electronics companies.\n       It couldn't ignore MP3, which has become the format of choice among new bands trying to advertise their pre-released songs. So the industry agreed on it on one condition: within 18 months, when a standard is adopted that allows piracy-protected music (free from being illegally copied) to be sold online, the electronics companies agree to make their players in line with it. This clears the way for the new magic MP3 players, which is both convenient and capable of carrying on much more music than traditional walkmans. What's next? Digitally pirated movies. Get ready,prefix = st1 /Hollywood.", "problems": [{"question": "The most appropriate title for the passage may be_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["\"MP3 Clears Its Way\"", "\"Music And Electronics\"", "\"Piracy Along The Way\"", "\"Movie Is The Next\""]}, {"question": "According to the passage, what is NOT an advantage of the MP3 format?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The size of music can be shortened to one tenth of its original size.", "The fans can enjoy the music before the formal release of the music.", "The new musicians can enter the industry more easily.", "The struggle against piracy will be proved difficult."]}]}
{"article": "Just getting accepted to an American college or university does not guarantee that you will get a visa. And getting a visa just lets you arrive in the United States. It does not guarantee that an immigration officer will permit you to enter the country. \nIf you are requesting a visa for the first time, you will probably have to go to an American embassy or consulate . You will need to bring a government form sent to you by your American school that shows you have been accepted. \nYou will also need banking and tax records that show you have enough money to pay for your education. And be prepared to provide evidence that you will return to your home country after your studies end. \nAll of this is important in satisfying the requirements to get a visa. A consular official will also take your picture and your fingerprints. \nForeign students must contact their local embassy or consulate to request an interview and to get other information. This includes directions about how and where to pay the visa application charge. The cost is two hundred dollars. \nYou should apply for the visa as soon as you have been accepted to a school in the United States. The government needs time to perform a background investigation. \nYou cannot receive a visa more than one hundred twenty days before the start of your program. And if you are coming as a student for the first time, you cannot enter the country more than thirty days before classes begin.\nOnce you come to the United States, you can stay for the length of your period of study. Your school is required to provide the Department of Homeland Security with reports on your status as a student.", "problems": [{"question": "When should you apply for a visa?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The moment you have been accepted to a school in the US.", "One hundred twenty days before you go to the US.", "Thirty days before classes begin.", "After the immigration officer permit you to enter the US."]}, {"question": "How much will you be charged for the visa application?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Free of charge.", "Two hundred dollars.", "One hundred twenty dollars.", "Thirty dollars."]}]}
{"article": "To me, the ocean is our greatest wilderness. I love swimming in it , surfing its waves, watching it from shore and thinking about all the life living unseen under the surface.\nWhen I take my little kids to check out tide pools, we're overjoyed when we find a sea star or some shellfish. Lately, though, I've noticed a change in my favorite pools: there are more sea grasses and fewer animals with shells.\nI can't help feeling these small changes _ something more troubling about our oceans. It matches what scientists are telling us: our oceans are being troubled by carbon dioxide that threatens corals, colorful fish, salmon, sea otters, even whales. Our oceans are facing a major change.\nEvery hour, a million tons of carbon dioxide from cars, factories and power plants rain down on the world's oceans. Carbon pollution brings about a chemical reaction that turns sea water more acidic   and takes away things important for sea animals .\nSome of us are already feeling the effects of this growing crisis . Shellfish farmers in the Pacific Northwest have reported a decrease in natural and farmed oysters . Just this week, a new studyproved the link between the huge reduction in the numbers of oysters and ocean acidification. As polar waters become more acidic, Alaskan fishermen are troubled by the future of smaller fish.\nWithout action, ocean acidification will have a disastrous influence on the food chain, affecting not only sea life but the people who depend on it for food and their living. Already, our oceans have become 30 percent more acidic since preindustrial times, and it gets worse every day. We can stop this frightening dream, but only if we act now.\nThat's why the Center for Biological Diversity has started a petition   requesting President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a plan to deal with ocean acidification. Decisive action can save sea life as we know it.\nNow it isn't too late to save our oceans and sea life. With immediate action to reduce carbon dioxide release we can start taking important steps today to deal with this disastrous situation. Join me in our petition calling for a national plan to save our oceans.", "problems": [{"question": "The author's recent visits to the tide pool brought her   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["happiness", "anger", "concern", "comfort"]}, {"question": "What the author worries about most is   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the harm of sea grasses", "carbon pollution in the sea", "that the petition may be turned down", "how fishermen can make a living in the future"]}, {"question": "What is the main purpose of the text ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To inform.", "To educate.", "To persuade .", "To instruct."]}]}
{"article": "From Nigerian science fiction to a time-travelling serial killer, Brittle Paper selects the best works of fiction from the continent to inspire our inner desire to travel.\nMy Life in the Bush of Ghosts - Amos Tutuola\nWho wouldn't want to get enveloped in a fog of magical delight? \nThe novel describes the adventures of a little boy lost in a forest. His search for the way back home seem to take him deeper and deeper into secret colonies of creatures living in reality.\nNigerians in Space - Deji Olukotun\nWale is a Nigerian lunar geologist. He is under the spell of a life-long dream to traveling out to the moon when the mysterious Mr Bello offers him the chance to man a Nigerian space-exploration mission. But like most dreams, what starts out as the magical fulfillment of desire quickly slips into the kingdom of nightmare . In novels like this, travelling through space easily becomes a journey into the self.\nOur Sister Killjoy - Ama Ata Aidoo\nAma Ata Aidoo's novel is a tourist adventure set in Germany and London. It charts the journey of Sissie, a bright and self-assured African student who wins a European travel scholarship. Like any good explorer, she is very aware of her surroundings - an awareness that she conveys in a mixture of poetic and prose expressions. \nThe Moor's Account - Laila Lalami\nIn the 16th century, a group of five ships set sail from Spain for the New World. Estabanico, a survivor of the expedition, is our latest guide through the unknown lands and peoples. He lives to tell the story of their following  travels heading out to Florida and how their dream of becoming wealthy conquerors  becomes a journey in search of self-discovery and redemption .", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is to attract readers to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Read more books", "Write different novels", "Explore the nature", "Travel around the world"]}, {"question": "Which of the following authors writes a story about traveling by sea?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Laila Lalami", "Amos Tutuola", "Deji Olukotun", "Ama Ata Aidoo"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the novels that  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["Amos Tutuola tells a story of ghosts", "Sissie wins a world travel scholarship", "Deji Olukotum made his dream of traveling to the moon come true.", "The Moor's Account indeed talks about a journey of heart"]}]}
{"article": "There is an English saying that goes, \"he who laughs last, laughs the hardest.\" High School Musical star and teen heartthrob  Zac Efron is laughing a lot these days.\n  As a young boy, Efron was picked on in school because he was always the smallest in his class and teased because he had a big space between his teeth. In the sixth grade, Efron's basketball team made it to the league championships. In double overtime  , with three seconds left, he rebounded the ball and passed it to the wrong team! They scored and his team lost the game.\n  But history, as they say, is a thing of the past. Now at 21, Efron is one of People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People, graces the cover of Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood's most influential magazine, and is traveling the world promoting the third High School Musical film. Director Adam Shankman described Efron as \"arguably the biggest teen star in America right now.\" Simply google \"Zac Efron\" and you get more than 14 million responses. Yes, it seems Efron has a lot to smile about these days.\n  Efron was born and raised in California. He took school seriously. According to Efron, \"he would flip out if he got a B and not an A in school, and that he was a class clown.\" It was his father who encouraged him to act. He took part in school performances and with a local theater group. He also took singing lessons. He graduated from high school in 2006 and was admitted to the University of Southern California to study film. But he deferred --why study movies when you can star in them.\n  Now he has signed on to star in the romantic comedy Seventeen Again and to play in the remake of the hugely popular movie, Footloose. Efron is also earning more than $3 million for his role in High School Musical 3. Not bad for a 21-year-old. But Efron still remembers those bullies.\n   \"You always have to remember that bullies want to bring you down because you have something that they admire,\" Efron said. \"Also, when you get made fun of, when people point out your weaknesses, it's an opportunity for you to rise above.\"\n   Efron has risen all the way to the top of the movie business. And he can now laugh all the way to the bank.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following might be the best title to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Don't give up", "He who laughs last laughs the hardest", "Zac Efron's life story", "Zac Effort's success in musical film"]}, {"question": "What did Zac Efron do when he was laughed at?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He couldn't accept the fact in the beginning, so he escaped.", "He was so angry that he shouted at the person who teased him.", "He cried and told the whole matter to his father to get comfort.", "He cheered himself up and used it as motivation to move on."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is True according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Zac Efron was laughed at because he was the most foolish guy in the class", "Zac Efron is promoting his fourth High School Musical film in the world.", "He once helped the other team win a match when he was playing basketball.", "In his growing process to be a famous actor, his mother played a key part."]}]}
{"article": "People appear to be born to calculate. The numerical skills of children develop so early that it is easy to imagine an internal clock of mathematical maturity guiding their growth. Not long after learning to walk and talk, they can set the table with impressive accuracy--one plate, one knife, one spoon, one fork for each of the five chairs. Soon they are capable of noting that they have placed five knives, spoons and forks on the table, and a bit later, that this amounts to fifteen pieces of silverware. Having thus mastered addition, some people expect that if a child were on a desert island at birth and brought back seven years later, he or she could enter a second-grade mathematics class without any serious problems of intellectual adjustment.  \nOf course, the truth is not so simple. This century, the work of psychologists has cast light on the unnoticeable forms of daily learning on which intellectual progress depends. Children were observed as they slowly grasped--or, as the case might be, came across--concepts that adults take for granted, as they refused, for instance, to admit that quantity is unchanged as water pours from a short thick glass into a tall thin one. Psychologists have since proved that young children, asked to count the pencils in a pile, readily report the number of blue or red pencils, but must be persuaded into finding the total. Such studies have suggested that the most basic parts of mathematics are mastered gradually, and with effort. They have also suggested that the very concept of abstract numbers--the idea of a oneness, a twoness, a threeness that applies to any class of object and is a prerequisite   for doing anything more mathematically demanding than setting a table--is itself far from natural born.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the passage mainly discuss?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The development of mathematical ability in children.", "Tendency in teaching children mathematics.", "The use of calculating in child psychology.", "The basic concepts of mathematics that children must learn."]}, {"question": "From the passage we can know that children   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["have an internal clock of mathematical maturity guiding their growth.", "begin to master simple counting soon after they learn to walk and talk.", "are born with numerical skills.", "can not understand abstract numbers."]}, {"question": "In this passage the author's attitude towards \"children numerical skills\" is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["critical", "approving", "questioning", "objective"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements would the author most likely be against?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Children learn mathematics naturally and easily.", "Children learn to add before they learn to subtract.", "Most people follow the same pattern of mathematical development.", "Mathematical development is unnoticeable and gradual."]}]}
{"article": "The students in America usually begin high school at the age of 13 or 14. Some leave at the age of 16. But most finish the 4-year high school study. They do not get their first full-time work or begin college studies until they are 17 or 18 years old.\nThe high school day is about 7 hours long. Part of the day is made into classes of about 50 minutes long. The students have lunch in the middle of the day. American students study English, history, math, science, art and languages. Some also learn job skills. They can learn how to use a computer or how to mend a car. Other students may learn by working in an office, a hospital or other places one day a week.\nJean Wilton Anderson is 16 years old. She lives with her parents and two younger brothers in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington D.C. Jean studies at Walt Whitman High School. There are about 1,500 students at the school. Most of them will go up to colleges.\nJean wakes up early every morning. She begins school at about 7:30. This is her third year of high school. Every day she takes classes to learn English, world history, physics and trigonometry . She also has a class about different religions .And she plays the violin in music class. School ends at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Yet, Jean stays 2 or more hours longer every day for sports. Jean arrives home at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. She eats dinner. Then she starts her homework. Students in America have their way of talking. They use the word \"like\" all the time. Jean and her girlfriends wear blue jeans and shirts or sweaters every day. The boys at her school also wear blue jeans. But they like to wear blue jeans that are several sizes too large for them. \nLike students of her age in most parts of the country, Jean begins to drive a car. She does not have her car. She must use the family's car. Most of the students in high school have their own cars. Many of them drive their cars to school every day.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is not true to the high school?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The school day usually lasts for 7 hours.", "The students only have 6 subjects to learn.", "Each class will last for 50 minutes.", "The students can learn some skills out of the school."]}, {"question": "Jean Wilton Anderson   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["has a four-people family", "lives in the city of Washington", "has studied in the high school for 3 years", "drives her own car at the age of 16"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Students in high schools use the word \"like\" very often", "The boy students wear blue jeans as the girls.", "Many high school students go to school in their own cars.", "Boy students wear jeans of larger size because they grow fast"]}]}
{"article": "According to a famous optical  expert, Alexander, who recently visited Shanghai, the developed countries in Europe and America have made rules that children must wear resinous  glasses instead of the traditional glasses made of glass. This is because the glass glasses are more likely to do harm to children's eyesight.\nAlexander pointed out: wearing the right glasses as soon as possible is still the best way to cure and put right children's eyesight problems.\nIn America and Japan the resinous glasses have taken up 80 percent of the glasses market. And some European countries and America have made it a law that children, teenagers and drivers must wear resinous glasses. Now, about 10 million children in China have different eyesight problems and they need timely treatment.\nBut still, too many parents are buying the traditional glass glasses for their children. This is mainly because many parents know little or nothing about the good points of the resinous glasses. Besides, the price for the new glasses is a little higher than the traditional ones.", "problems": [{"question": "This news article mainly wants to tell us   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Alexander visited China and introduced a new type of glasses", "we should wear resinous glasses instead of glass glasses", "resinous glasses are popular in Europe and America", "glasses can be made of other materials instead of glass"]}, {"question": "According to Alexander, the \"timely treatment\" to eyesight problems is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to stop wearing glass glasses any more", "to buy a pair of glasses and wear them right away", "to wear suitable resinous glasses at the right time", "to buy glasses made in Europe, Japan or America if possible"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from this news text that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["resinous glasses are not on sale in China yet", "resinous glasses are not acceptable in China", "glass glasses have disappeared on western market because there is a law against them", "glass glasses are the first choice in China not only because of their price"]}]}
{"article": "I have a painfully vivid memory of my first homecoming from college, in December 1983. After three whole months away, I was back home with my brand new opinions, attitudes and tastes. How could they watch such terrible television programs? I, the English Literature major with Shakespeare and Milton and James Joyce, could hardly bear to sleep under the roof of a house whose few bookshelves held thrillers and bound editions of the Reader's Digest. I'm sure my family was glad to see the back of me when, at the end of the holiday, I packed up my books and headed back up to university in the north of England.\nBut the next year must have been even more painful to my parents: I didn't show up at all. Now, I don't think there's anything wrong with young people spending a little time away from their families and with their friends.  It's part of growing up, something you need to do if you are to become properly independent. However, if you're not going to be home for the festival, you should at least have the decency to telephone and say you're not coming.\nIn English we have an expression, \"wet behind the ears.\" A person who is wet behind the ears is so immature, that they don't know how to dry the back of their head after a bath. Just before the following year's holiday I fell ill, quite seriously so. I'm sure my own behavior contributed to my getting sick: staying out too late, not eating properly--perhaps you know someone like the person I was then. I lay in bed with a fever, feeling very sorry for myself.\nI'm sure you can guess who came to my rescue. My long-suffering parents got in their car and sped up the motorway to rescue their son from the consequences of his own irresponsibility.\nI hope I'm a better son now; if not, it's getting a little late in the day if I want to change. I've worked in China for nearly 10 years and so I don't get to see them as often as I like, but my parents are online all the time so we talk many times each week. And this Spring Festival I will be flying back to England for a visit.\nI'm really looking forward to it.", "problems": [{"question": "If you are a person who is wet behind the ears, you are  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["old and experienced", "young and inexperienced", "young and experienced", "mature and experienced"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Pleasant memories about Christmas", "Horrible things happened in the past", "Interesting memories about Christmas", "Share with you some of my Ghosts of Christmas Past"]}]}
{"article": "It was 1961 and I was in the fifth grade. My marks in school were miserable and, the thing was, I didn't know enough to really care. My older bother and I lived with Mom in an ugly multi-family house in Detroit. We watched TV every night. The background noise of our lives was gunfire and horses'  hoofs  from \"Wagon Train\" or \"Cheyenne\", and laughter from\"I Love Lucy\", or\"Mister Ed\".After supper, we'd lie on Mom's bed and stare for hours at the TV screen.\nBut one day Mom changed our world forever. She turned off the TV. Our mother had only been able to get through third grade. But, she was much brighter and smarter than we boys know at the time. She had noticed something in the suburban houses where she cleaned books. So she came home one day, switched off the TV, sat us down and explained that her sons were going to make something of themselves. \"You boys are going to read two books every week,\" she said. \"And you're going to write a report on what you read.\"\nWe moaned(,) and complained about how unfair it was. Besides, we didn't have any books in the house other than Mom's Bible. But she explained that we would go where the books were: \"I'll drive you to the library.\"\nSo pretty soon there were these two peevish boys sitting in her white 1959 Oldsmobile on their way to Detroit Public Library. I wandered reluctantly  among the children's books. I loved animals, so when I saw some books that seemed to be about animals, I started leafing through them.\nThe first book I read clear through wasChip the Dam Builder. It was about beavers . For the first time in my life I was lost in another world. No television program had ever taken me so far away from my surroundings as did this virtue visit to a cold stream in a forest and these animals building a home.\nIt didn't dawn on me at the time, but the experience was quite different from watching TV. There were images forming in my mind instead of before my eyes. And I could return to them again and again with the flip of a page.\nSoon I began to look forward to visiting this quiet sanctuary form my other world. I moved from animals to plants, and then to rocks. Between the covers of all those books were whole worlds, and I was free to go anywhere in them. Along the way a funny thing happened: I started to know things. Teachers started to notice it too. I got to the point where I couldn't wait to get home to my books.\nNow my older brother is an engineer and I am chief of pediatric neurosurgery at John Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. Sometimes I still can't believe my life's journey, from a failing and indifferent student in a Detroit public school to this position, which takes me all over the world to teach and perform critical surgery.\nBut I know when the journey began the day Mom switched off the TV set and put us in her Oldsmobile for that drive to the library.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the beginning of the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the author and his brother had done well in school", "the author had been very concerned about his school work", "the author had spent much time watching TV after school", "the author had realized how important schooling was"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not true about the author's family?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He came from a middle-class family.", "He came from a single-parent family.", "His mother worked as a cleaner.", "His mother had received little education."]}, {"question": "How did the two boys feel about going to the library at first?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They were afraid", "They were reluctant.", "They were impatient.", "They were eager to go."]}, {"question": "The author began to love books for the following reasons EXCEPT that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he began to see something in his mind", "he could visualize what he read in his mind", "he could go back to read the books again", "he realized that books offered him new experience"]}]}
{"article": "Where can you find a nice place to relax on holiday for both you and your children? Well, I suggest you try the beautiful and green Isle of Wight (IOW). The Isle of Wight is one of the main tourist attractions. Here is some information on a few of the attractions on the IOW.\nDinosaur Isle\nIt is located in Sandown, a seaside town on the southeast coast. It's a large, lovely museum, both fun and educational. Here you can see a large fossil collection of all kinds of dinosaurs, as well as a gift shop. You can walk into the past and then the future, learning about the history and the development of the civilization of dinosaurs that lived 120 million years ago.\nRobin Hill Country Park\nThe park is in the beautiful countryside, and is suitable for children's parties and games. It has five new gardens, and offers great opportunities to see and take pictures of the rare red squirrels.\nThe West of the Wight\nHere we have the Marine Aquarium, the Archaeology Exhibition and the Model Railway. They offer another opportunity to combine fun with learning. This is a great place to see ancient boats crossing the narrow strait between the island and the mainland.\nThe Wight Bus Museum\nThis museum is run completely by unpaid volunteers. It has a bus collection stored in what was once a warehouse . Most of the buses in the museum date back to around the 1910's.\nWith all of these choices, what are you waiting for? IOW Tourism welcomes you!", "problems": [{"question": "Where can you learn something as well as have a good time?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Dinosaur Isle and Robin Hill Country Park.", "Dinosaur Isle and the West of the Wight.", "The Wight Bus Museum and Robin Hill Country Park.", "The Wight Bus Museum and the West of the Wight."]}, {"question": "It can be learned from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["those running the Wight Bus Museum work for free", "on Dinosaur Isle we can learn about all kinds of animals", "there are five new gardens on Dinosaur Isle", "the Wight Bus Museum can be visited free of charge"]}, {"question": "The purpose of this passage is to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["show the development of tourism on the IOW", "tell readers what is worth visiting", "attract readers to come to the IOW", "advise readers how to relax on holidays"]}, {"question": "You can read this article in a   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["travel magazine", "science journal", "book review", "film advertisement"]}]}
{"article": "From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town's officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square.\nIn the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities.\nIn recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies.", "problems": [{"question": "At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["express their opinions about the government", "elect officials of the towns", "make a decision about whom they should marry", "discuss some community matters"]}, {"question": "In the 18th century, who had the right to vote?", "answer": "D", "options": ["All the citizens.", "All the men except those who were church members.", "The rich.", "The rich men and the church members."]}, {"question": "Why has the town meeting been widely imitated?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because many people are interested in it.", "Because it is very democratic.", "Because many people enjoy themselves at town meetings.", "Because sometimes government agencies call them."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Citizens can elect the officials in the town meeting.", "In recent years, town meetings are often called by a government agency.", "People can say what they want to say at the town meeting.", "Nowadays this kind of meeting is also held on radio and television."]}, {"question": "This passage mainly talks about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the New England town meeting", "modern town meetings", "a democratic meeting", "New England towns"]}]}
{"article": "Recreational tree climbing is taking root in the ecotourism industry, and it's sending guys like Tim Kovar to far off reaches of the globe. Kovar, a tree-climbing instructor, recently returned to the U.S. from Brazil, where he spent time developing a tree-climbing operation thanks to the \"slow travel\" movement.\n   Slow travel, is like the slow food movement, the practice of giving fast food in favor of homegrown cooking--the kind that takes hours to prepare and enjoy. Likewise, slow travel urges visitors to experience a place's natural surroundings and learn about the ecology in a way not afforded by extreme games. \n   \"Tree climbing is a slow activity,\" says Kovar. \"It's not something you do quickly and then you're on to the next thing or event.\" There is no such thing as a quick climb, especially for beginners. This wasn't a race against the clock or the fellow climbers. In fact, tree climbing is unlikely to ever become a feature of the extreme games. Many climbers refuse competition. There has already been so much competition in the world.\n\"When you stand below the tree, it can be amazing,\" Rusel DeMaria says, looking affectionately up at Michael's Triumph, a 150-foot-tall tree. But reaching the treetop, he adds, is an entirely different feeling. Likewise, his wife, Viola Brumbaugh, kneels on the ground and asks Michael's Triumph for permission to climb. \"It goes a lot smoother that way, \"She says.\nAnd climbing has been included into many educational programs. New Tribe offers guided climbs through its school, Tree Climbing Northwest, where \"we teach enough tree biology and forest ecology to raise awareness in our students,\" says New Tribe present Sophis Sparks. \"We know that the tree climbing experience deepens personal appreciation for trees. After climbing, people value trees more and are motivated to support preservation. This is not just to preserve their playground.\"\n   Perhaps that is why he struggles with the term \"recreational tree climbing,\" saying, \"I prefer to call it inspirational tree climbing.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What do slow travel and the slow food movement have in common?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They take people a long time.", "They are related to the eco-tourism industry.", "They advocate protecting nature.", "They cost people little money"]}, {"question": "What do we know about tree climbing from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People compete to see who can climb to the top first.", "It favors the experience of enjoying nature.", "It is a kind of extreme sport and needs a lot of effort.", "People view it as a challenge to climb the tallest tree in a forest."]}, {"question": "Brumbaugh kneels on the ground before climbing trees to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["beg for the safety of climbing", "Expect to climb faster than her husband", "Show respect for the tree", "ask for permission of her husband"]}, {"question": "Sophia Sparks prefers the term \"inspirational tree climbing\" because it   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["provide people with more chances to play outside", "bring a lot of pleasure to life", "Deepens personal love between each other", "Makes people realize they should protect trees"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Tree-climbing travelling", "Slow travel movements", "Dangers of climbing", "Respect for nature"]}]}
{"article": "Guide dogs are going to be available for the children who are unable to see normally in the UK for the first time, as the age limit is to be removed. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association is to begin training dogs to help blind people under the age of 16.\nThe association says too many youngsters with impaired eyesight are lacking in independence. They have only a limited social life because of their disability. Giving some of them guide dogs at a younger age is intended to help them to widen their range of activities and to improve their sense of self-confidence and independence. Guide dogs for these teenagers will begin to be provided from next year. There has been an experimental project to test the use of guide dogs with younger people.\nCharlotte, aged 14, was among the youngest guide dog owners. She had been gradually losing her eyesight since the age of eight, and lost her eyesight completely this year. She has been assisted by a two-year-old guide dog. Charlotte used to have a long stick to help her move around, but having a guide dog allows her much more freedom and makes her feel safer.\nHowever, the association says there is a worryingly _ supply of services for the young blind people across the UK, and it calls for national standards to be introduced. As with adult blind people, only a small number of them are likely to be considered suitable for a guide dog. Most will continue to rely on extra help and training from education and social services.", "problems": [{"question": "We can learn from the text that owning guide dogs  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["may meet with difficulties sometimes", "is beneficial to blind children's development", "became possible in the UK recently", "is quite universal in the UK"]}, {"question": "According to the text, Charlotte's example proves that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it is necessary to carry out the experimental project", "guide dogs can get along well with disabled people", "the association's opinion is not quite right", "youngsters need companions and friends"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Blind people need guide dogs' assistance in their daily life.", "Age limit for the blind to have guide dogs is to be removed.", "More guide dogs will be trained in the UK.", "The project of using guide dogs is to begin."]}]}
{"article": "Law School Essays that Made a Difference\nPrice: US $ 13.95\nPaperback 256 pages\nThe Princeton Review\nISBN: 0375763457\nFace it, and a lot of students have great LSAT scores. The best way for you to stand out in a crowd of applicants to top law schools is to write an exceptional(,) personal statement. This book puts you in the admissions office's seat. It gives you the intimate detailstest scores, GPAs (grade point average), demographic information, and personal statementsof 34 law school hopefuls, then shows you why they got into the colleges they applied to, and why some didn't. It's invaluable information that will help students evaluate  their own chances of admission to the most selective law schools in the United States.\nBusiness School Essays that Made a Difference\nPrice: US $ 13.95\nPaperback 304 pages\nThe Princeton Review\nISBN: 0375763511\nWhat makes business school applications so brutal  ? For most applicants, it's the number, length, and complexity  of the essays they have to write when applying for a course. Most top schools require multiple essays and this book is your best bet for succeeding with them. It contains: 1. Forty-four real-life essays critiqued   by admissions officers from schools like Tuck, Chicago, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2. Eight case studies of business school applicants saying what worked for them and what did not. 3. Translations of essay questions telling you what they are really asking.\nCollege Essays that Made a Difference\nPrice: US $ 13.95\nPaperback 384 pages\nThe Princeton Review\nISBN: 0375763449\nThis book helps students get into the college they want by showing them what essays helped actual students achieve their dreams. The book tells you what colleges want to see using interviews with actual admissions officers. The book has sections on the basics of essay writing--grammar and punctuation (> as well as the sections looking at what topics you should write about and how you should communicate your personality in your work. It finishes by looking at the work of a great many successful applicants to America's top colleges, and some unsuccessful students to tell you what to avoid.", "problems": [{"question": "With the three books, the Princeton Review aims at   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["offering students guides in making a difference in their jobs after university graduation", "offering guides on the writing of application essays for American universities", "showing students how to pass LSA T in the US", "showing college graduates what helped actual students achieve their dreams"]}, {"question": "LSAT is most probably   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["an admission test given by a law school", "a test for admitted law students", "information on business and college", "information on GPA"]}, {"question": "What's the purpose of writing the three texts?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To sell the books.", "To make the books easier to read.", "To show the importance of the schools.", "To introduce new authors"]}]}
{"article": "Some diaries from Jackie Chan's blog\nJanuary 4, 2009\nLately I've been busy in Beijing having meetings to discuss my new movie. I also attended John Wu's ceremony of his new movie,Red Cliff,which took two years to complete. I'm good friends with the director John Wu and the main actor Tony Leung.\nJanuary 5, 2009\nToday I went to record a television program for Beijing TV calledVolunteers Across China. This TV program is a large-scale reality show that is based on the idea that \"good people reap good rewards\" and it hopes to encourage people to be more aware and help the \"good people\" who are in difficult situations.\nJanuary 6, 2009\nI'm very pleased to _ that my Jackie Chan automobile website is set up and officially operating! I hope that through this automotive website, I can get in touch with more people who want to buy cars.\nJanuary 7, 2009\nToday, I went to record a song calledZhongguo Nian. This song was written by Chang Shilei. I sing this song together with Tan Jing. Chang Shilei is a naturally talented musician. He also has an interesting habit. His piano is placed next to his bed. When he wakes up, he plays the piano until he's tired, and then he lies down on his bed to sleep.\nJanuary 9, 2009\nToday I met with the producer and director ofLongwei Xiaozi ,and I also brought along my friend's daughter for a screen test. Although my friend's daughter grew up in China, her English is very good and it just happened by chance that this movie needs a young actress for a part, so I took her along to audition .", "problems": [{"question": "What might be the best title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["My new movie.", "My busy life.", "My good friend.", "My favorite song."]}, {"question": "The TV programVolunteers Across Chinatries to", "answer": "C", "options": ["find some rich people who are able to help the poor.", "encourage people to look after the young.", "ask people to help \"good people\" who are in trouble.", "make China more and more famous all over the word."]}, {"question": "With whom does the author sing the songZhongguo Nian ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["John Wu.", "Tony Leung.", "Chang Shilei.", "Tan Jing."]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It took the author two years to finish the movie \nRed Cliff.", "People who are in trouble can ask Beijing TV for help.", "Chang Shilei is a famous actor who is good at playing the piano.", "Longwei Xiaozi needs a young actress for a part who can speak English well."]}]}
{"article": "Engineers should embrace  the arts, Sir John O'Reilly, a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, argued in a lecture.\nAbout 59% of engineering companies in the IET's 2014 survey feared skill shortages could threaten  business.\n\"There is nothing as creative as engineering,\" Sir John told the reporter. He says science, technology, engineering and mathematics - often known as \"Stem\" subjects, are vital for a modern knowledge economy. But there is a massive shortfall in the number of recruits  - with a recent study by the Royal Academy of Engineering saying the UK needs to increase by as much as 50% the number of Stem graduates it produces.\nDelivering this year's Mountbatten Lecture at the Royal Institution, Sir John argued that engineers should recognise the role of the arts in their work - among other benefits; this could attract more people into the profession. The lecture, Full Steam Ahead for Growth, advocated a wider adoption  -- Steam, or science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. Engineers should embrace the arts as being key to creativity and an important component of innovation , crucial to creating new products and boosting future competitiveness, he argued. \"Engineering and technology is an increasingly diverse and creative field,\" said Sir John.\nSome university engineering departments already cooperated with art schools to develop understanding, he told the reporter. In particular he mentioned Cranfield University's Centre for Creative Competitive Design and Imperial College's work with the Royal College of Art. The two sets of people could work well together and more emphasis on the creative side of engineering could improve the success of products, he said.\n\"Aesthetics  is part of it,\" he told the reporter, adding that Apple's iPod was not the first digital media player, nor the only one that worked - but it came to dominate the market \"because it was nice to have\".\nSir John said he was not suggesting universities started requiring A-level art from engineering applicants - the key subjects for admission would continue to be maths and the sciences. But an emphasis on creative skills would help \"broaden the pool and attract more people in\".", "problems": [{"question": "According to a recent study by the Royal Academy   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["skill shortages could threaten business", "engineering graduates are not as creative as expected", "there are not enough arts graduates produced in the UK.", "the UK needs more graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics"]}, {"question": "According to the lecture Full Steam Ahead for Growth,   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["engineers should cooperate with arts majors", "Accepting the arts could attract more people into engineering", "engineers should realize arts play the most important part in their work", "engineering and technology is as diverse and creative as before"]}, {"question": "By giving the example of Apple's iPod, Sir John intends to   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["stress the importance of arts", "stress the importance of marketing", "stress the importance of communication", "stress the importance of science and technology"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["More university students should study arts instead of engineering.", "Engineering and technology is increasingly different and unrelated fields.", "The IET's skills survey raised concerns about the number of recruits to engineering.", "Students from some university engineering departments have already transferred to art schools"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Lack of creativity makes it difficult for the engineering major to find a satisfactory job.", "The key subjects for engineering majors remain to be maths and the sciences rather than arts.", "University engineering departments should cooperate with art schools to improve the success of products.", "Engineering needs to emphasize its creative side to encourage more young people to choose it as a career."]}]}
{"article": "For years, I thought that my mother would become a Centenarian    , but after 98 years and eight months, she recently died of old age. As it was with my father, her funeral took place in the most peaceful setting of the countryside of rural Washington County. Even after my father died, we continued to think of our parents as one. They were a team in the traditional sense. Church and family were their life- lines. They worked hard, never complaining. They expected to earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brow.\nOnce during a conversation with Tom Brokaw, who wrote the best- selling hook The Greatest Generation, I told him, \"You left out my parents.\" They didn't go off to war, but they belonged to the Greatest Generation. They, too, were part of the foundation that made America truly great. They kept the home fires burning.\nOur mother gloried in being a housewife and mother. Having been a teacher in her early adult years, when education was more important than anything else, she gave up her job to raise a family .She was an excellent cook, but she had to cook on a wood stove. There was no refrigerator, nothing electric. But nobody was ever better at making do. In addition to all the household chores and responsibilities, she went to the fields every day to help produce a crop to pay the rent and to provide for the family. She and my dad worked hard to save every penny possible.\nThey saved ever7 penny to buy a farm late in life. They also saved enough money to live out their respective live with home care without taking up residency in a nursing home. They were fiercely independent.  If you had suggested they accept a government transfer payment, they would have spit in your eye.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Mother played a great pan in the family.", "Mother died at the age of 98 years old.", "Mother was buried by the side of father.", "Mother survived father by many years."]}, {"question": "What do we know about Tom Brokaw?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He is one of the author's parents' friends.", "He likes talking with the author's parents.", "He takes up a position as a writer.", "He is good at managing a home."]}, {"question": "How does the author find his parents?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Brave and hardworking.", "Modest and warmhearted.", "Economical and independent.", "Respective and satisfied."]}]}
{"article": "Unemployment in Europe has recently hit record highs. Although Denmark has been protected from economic problems thanks to its low public debt, qualified   professionals are still finding it tough to get a job. Danish marketing firm Reputation Copenhagen has come up with a way of helping academics get noticed -- putting them on display   in storefront windows.\nMany highly-trained professionals, ranging from former CEOs to lawyers and tax experts, are currently finding it increasingly difficult to find proper employment on the Danish job market. Some of them have been trying for years, leaving their resumes   with dozens of companies, without ever hearing back from them, and are now at a point where they are willing to try anything, even putting themselves in display windows like goods, hoping to get noticed.\nAlexander Peitersen, managing director of Reputation Copenhagen, came up with the idea of using his company's office as a storefront for the campaign  , as there are many businesses nearby that might be interested in the talents on display. So he set up a small desk, put up the \"an available academic is sitting here\" sign and asked the unemployed to just sit in the windows like goods. It seems like a pretty desperate measure, but at least it works. According to the agency's website, three of the jobseekers in their window display got a job in a day or two.\nPeitersen says he came up with the idea after realizing human resource managers get hundreds of job applications every day, which look more or less the same, and that creative thinking is required in order to increase the chances of finding employment. Apart from companies interested in qualified job-seekers, the campaign has also attracted the attention of both local and international media.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following words can be used to describe Peitersen?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Independent.", "Creative.", "Sensitive.", "Cautious."]}, {"question": "Some job-seekers are willing to put themselves in the windows to display in that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they think it is fashionable", "their parents ask them to", "it's increasingly difficult to get hired", "they find it's interesting"]}, {"question": "It can be Inferred that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["no companies show interest in the qualified job-seekers in the windows", "both local and international media don't agree with the campaign", "human resource managers have to reply to hundreds of applicants", "to some degree the window displays help people find jobs"]}, {"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Job-seekers are displayed in the windows hoping to get hired.", "The rate of unemployment in Europe has recently become hitter.", "It is hard for qualified professionals to get a job.", "Denmark has avoided economic problems due to its low public debt."]}]}
{"article": "Where and how you eat are just as important as what you eat. Take this test to find your eating style to make sure you're getting the nutrition   you need.\nWhich statements sound like you?\nGroup 1:\n# I like to make my plate look pretty before I dig in for the first bite.\n# I often help my parents make recipes.\n# I could win the first prize in the \"World's Slowest Eater\" contest.\nGroup 2:\n# The crumbs   in the sofa are mine -- I eat while watching TV.\n# I can finish a whole box of snacks quickly while I'm doing something else.\n# Sometimes I'm surprised to find my plate empty. Where did all the food go?\nGroup 3:\n# Sometimes I eat my dinner standing up.\n# I spend more time in the drive-through than at the dinner table.\n# Breakfast? Who has time for breakfast?\nIf you answered mostly Group 1: You enjoy everything about food, from cooking it to enjoying it at the table. Eating slowly is a good thing -- it gives your brain time to know when you are full. \nIf you answered mostly Group 2: You can do lots of things at once. But if you eat while you're distracted  , you won't really enjoy your food and might eat more than you need. Instead of snacking while you watch TV or do homework, look for other things to do with your hands.\nIf you answered mostly Group 3: You're really busy. Try to make time for at least one sit-down meal a day. When you're on the go, don't eat salty, high-fat foods just because they're convenient. Pack healthy snacks in small bags that you can eat on your way out the door.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["how to keep healthy", "whether you eat a balanced diet", "what your eating style is", "how to form a good eating habit"]}, {"question": "Which of the following matches Group 1?", "answer": "C", "options": ["I like washing plates.", "I love buying cookers.", "I enjoy doing cooking by myself.", "I do everything slowly and carefully."]}, {"question": "If Tom answered mostly Group 2, which advice will you give him?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Place healthy snacks at hand while doing homework.", "Hold a ball in his hand while watching TV.", "Eat high-fat foods slowly and carefully.", "Help his parents make recipes now and then."]}]}
{"article": "One of the most famous basketball-players in the New Castle's history was paralyzed  in a wheelchair one day...and was walking the next. Citizens of New Castle simply refer to it as \"The Miracle\".\nJoel Haler woke up in his dorm room at Hope College last October totally paralyzed from the waist down. Four hospitals later, the only way he could walk was through Robotic Walking Treatment.\n\"This past Tuesday, I was doing the Robotic walk and lasted ten minutes,\" Joel said. After that, he gave up. Joel wanted to accept the inevitable  and cancelled his next Robotic Walking Treatment appointment.\nThen, the night before his cancelled appointment, he woke up to a terrible pain. An hour and a half later, the serious pain left him with an unusual feeling in his legs.\n\"As it continued to move up my legs, it became more and more painful and it took an hour and a half to reach my hips ,\" Joel recalled.\n\"I stood up and walked into my parents' room. 'Mom and dad, look!',\" he said proudly.\n\"He said something and I was like, 'Joel! Joel! You're walking! You're walking!' We jumped out of bed, cried and hugged,\" Joel's mom Karen remembered.\n\"I burst into tears. It's hard seeing your son not be able to walk, but he was standing there, walking,\" Joel's father Eric said, tearfully.\nIt was Thursday, January 23, when he could finally walk. That date made perfect sense to Joel. He had dreamt of a calendar that only said \"J 23\". He didn't know what to make of it until \"a little boy at church, four years old, came up to me and said, 'you will walk on a Thursday',\" Joel recalled.\nSo the 20-year-old college student, who could only walk with the aid of robot on Tuesday, was walking on his own.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, \"The Miracle\" is that_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["Joel Haler became the most famous basketball player", "Robotic Walking Treatment could cure paralysis", "Joel Haler could walk again after three months' paralysis", "a paralyzed boy could play basketball well"]}, {"question": "Which part of Joel Haler's body didn't work?", "answer": "B", "options": ["His whole body.", "His legs and feet.", "His arms and hands.", "His arms and legs"]}, {"question": "Before Joel Haler's walking again, his attitude to the illness was_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["positive", "indifferent", "optimistic", "hopeless"]}]}
{"article": "Catherine and I were on our way to our nephew's birthday party one rainy Saturday morning, driving along what some people call moose  alley. It was early, there were few other cars on the road and we were looking forward to a good day with the family. Suddenly, a moose rushed across our path. Fortunately, a quick swerve  to the other lane prevented a full impact, with only a small collision on the right side of our car ripping off the mirror and knocking the moose to the pavement.\nBy the time I stopped and looked back in my rear view mirror, the moose was getting up. It ran into the bush. Shaken but unharmed, we both looked at each other shocked by what had happened. We knew that moose accidents had claimed many lives throughout the years, and that we had been very fortunate to escape with no personal injury or worse. After a quick check of our vehicle, we drove off.\nEven though the moose accident lasted just a few seconds, we still remember it to this day. Why?\nWe had often talked about the frailty of life, the here today and gone tomorrow potential we all face, but it had never felt so real. And it wasn't that we hadn't had friends, relatives and colleagues die before, it was that this experience was much more personal. In a matter of seconds, lives can easily change.\nThe effect of that one near miss with death has been positive, and made us appreciate life. Each one of us has only a limited time on this Earth; no one can predict when your time will end. We should give thanks for each day, to see the sun rise again, and to know that you can accomplish and assist others to appreciate their life if they are caught in the \"poor-me\" syndrome .", "problems": [{"question": "What did the accident teach the author?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Being open to unexpected turns in life is important.", "Life is long if you know how to use it.", "Life is measured by thoughts and actions, not by time.", "Life is unpredictable, so we should treasure every moment."]}]}
{"article": "Starting college can be a difficult experience. You have to deal with new responsibilities, growing independence, a challenging course load, and of course, the social scene. When a roommate is thrown into the mix, it may feel like you're struggling with all that stuff while living in a small box with a stranger.\nBut having a roommate doesn't need to be one more thing to worry about. When students go into their living situations with realistic expectations and a willingness to  _ , things can work out just fine.\nWhen you first meet your roommate, chances are that you'll be on your best behavior. You want to get along since this is the person who's going to be sharing your living space for the next year. But try to think ahead to potential worst cases, too.\nFor example, imagine it's 2 am and you're working on a paper that's due in 8 hours. Your roommate comes in from a party and wants to continue the party in your room.\nAt times like these, you can't be feeling good. That's why talking about issues that might come up ahead of time and respecting each other's wishes when the time comes is so important.\nTalk about the things that are really important to you, and make sure your roommate understands. Then encourage him or her to do the same.\nFor instance, does it make you angry when people take things without asking first? Let your roommate know your feelings about these types of things from the start. There are some things to talk to your roommate about so that both of you have a feel for each other's likes, dislikes and habits.", "problems": [{"question": "When you go to college you have to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["learn to look after yourself", "quarrel with others often", "take care of a stranger", "throw yourself into a separate room"]}, {"question": "You should try to be polite to your roommate because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["you will stay in touch with each other for a year", "you would like to get along well with each other", "something bad must take place in the future", "a stranger is very difficult to deal with actually"]}, {"question": "What should you do if your roommate interrupts your preparing for the final examination?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Show anger to him or her.", "Blame him or her.", "Talk with him or her.", "Praise him or her."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It is really a worrying thing to have a roommate.", "It is difficult to get along well with your roommate.", "It is your duty to help your roommate in the daily life.", "It is very important for you and your roommate to understand each other."]}]}
{"article": "Teenagers are under a lot of pressure to be thin. They resort to starving, vomiting and eating only diet foods to try and be thin. Television is a big influence on them. They watch shows like Beverly Hills 90210 andMelrose Placeand feel they need to look as thin as the actresses on these shows. Society is brainwashing young people into believing that being thin is important and necessary.\nDiet commercials are constantly appearing on our television screens telling us that once we lose weight, we will be happy. While you're standing at the grocery store you are surrounded by magazines claiming to have the newest and best diet. Each month another new diet appears claiming to be the diet to end all diets. If diets really worked, then why are there so many of them? The reason a new diet pops up each month, is that last's month's diets did not work. The truth of the matter is that DIETS DON'T WORK.\nThe diet and fashion industries are not totally to blame for society's obsession with thinness. We are the ones keeping them in business. We buy into the idea that we can attain the \"ideal\" body image. We allow ourselves to believe the lies being thrown at us constantly. We are throwing away our hard earned money trying to live up to the standards that society has set for us. It's unfortunate, but in today's society, people have forgotten that it's what's inside a person that counts, not what's on the outside. We need to start loving and accepting each other for who we are, not what we look like.\nOnce again, I would like to stress the fact that diets don't work. Eating three healthy meals a day, a few snacks and doing moderate exercise, will allow your body to go to its natural set point. Next time you decide that you are going to start another diet because you feel you are too fat, stop, sign up for a self-esteem class instead. That would be money well spent.", "problems": [{"question": "What areBeverly Hills 90210andMeltrose Place ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Fashion shows.", "Two famous place in America.", "Popular TV shows.", "Two TV channels."]}, {"question": "According to the author, which of the following statements is NOT true ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Our society is flooded with diet commercials.", "The latest diet is necessarily better than all the previous ones.", "People in North America become crazy over Dieting.", "All diets are useless in fact"]}, {"question": "We can infer from this passage that   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["if your diet doesn't work, the only thing you can do is to accept your body image .", "attending a self-esteem class will help you keep fit.", "we shouldn't pay attention to the size of our body.", "what's inside a person is much more important than his/her appearance."]}]}
{"article": "A weather system known as a polar vortex brought dangerously cold weather to large parts of the United States this week. A polar vortex is a cold, thick low pressure system. The air turns counter-clockwise when on the move.\nThe polar vortex started up in Canada. After crossing the border, it moved deep into the southeastern United States. The polar vortex brought the coldest temperatures in more than 20 years to many areas. Alice Jenkins lives in Washington D.C.\n\"I have a coat on. I have three sweaters. I have two blouses. But I don't feel like I have anything on.\"\nAnother woman, named Amanda, lives nearby in Maryland.\n\"It's D.C. It's not supposed to be this cold.\"\nThe extreme weather started with a low-pressure system near the North Pole. The Arctic air was pushed as far south as Alabama on wind currents known as the jet stream. The bitter cold covered much of the central United States, forcing schools, government offices and businesses to \nclose.\nBut the polar vortex did not have the same effect everywhere.\nInterestingly enough, it is warmer in Alaska and also somewhat warmer over Greenland because when you exhaust cold air in the North Pole and the Arctic region, when it's forced southward, it can't all stay there. Basically it's rushing towards us in the United States.\"\nCamden Walker, a weather expert, says the weather system moved away quickly from places like Washington. But the cold air and high winds were staying longer in the middle of the country.\nTemperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius or lower were reported in Washington, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. In fact, temperatures in all or parts of the 50 states were below freezing at some point on Tuesday. Even in Hawaii, it was minus six degrees at the top of the state's highest mountain. \nThe effect of the polar vortex was extensive. Airline companies cancelled more than 11,000 flights over a four day period. The cold weather also interfered with train service. In the south, the Tennessee Valley Authority said it set a single day record for electricity as homeowners struggled to stay warm. But there was more to the picture.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements about the polar vortex is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It came from around the North Pole area.", "All the places it swept across became extremely cold.", "It caused Washington,", "It caused great losses in the U.S."]}, {"question": "Central U.S. was more severely affected by the cold because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it was the place where the polar vortex was born", "it was too low here for the polar vortex to leave", "it was close to Washington,", "it was the cold air and high winds that stayed longer here"]}, {"question": "The passage is probably going to talk about   _   if it continues.", "answer": "A", "options": ["other damage the polar vortex caused", "how long the extreme weather will last", "what can be done to stop it happening again", "the best way to stay warm this winter"]}]}
{"article": "How do you get a man to do his share of the house work? If you are like most of the women, you will face the question the hard way.\n   A man will enjoy a clean, orderly house, but he usually won't make the effort to clean or organize it. This doesn't mean that a woman has to do all the housework; she may have to manage many of household duties, and request his partner's participation. A woman can often say that men and women should take equal responsibility for housework.\n   Very few men are raised to be fully responsible for housework, and many men look on housework as women's work. On the other hand, most men will readily work around the yard, make repairs and complete projects on weekends or evenings, and it's important that you give your man appreciation for those things too. Most man will take a little additional housework around the house if asked politely. They are even more likely to do housework if they choose what they want to do, and do it without being monitored.\n   Here is the key; men want to feel that they are doing housework because they want to please their women. Men are much less likely to take on household tasks they consider uninteresting and unimportant. In other words,  _", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is mainly about how to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["get men to do some housework", "get men to serve their families", "praise men's housework", "make men do all the housework."]}, {"question": "According to the passage a man   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["is willing to do housework.", "likes to be told how to do housework", "is taught to be responsible for housework from childhood", "likes a clean house but doesn't make effort to do it."]}, {"question": "In order to get men to do some housework, women should often   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["order them to do their share.", "ask them to do some housework politely", "blame men's laziness", "monitor men's work"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following would a husband most probably like to do?", "answer": "C", "options": ["clean the table", "cook breakfast", "repair the fence", "ask his wife to work on the yard."]}]}
{"article": "Whales live in the ocean, but they are not fish. They are warm-blooded mammals and must have air to breathe. The babies are born alive and drink milk from the mother's body. It took millions of years for the whale to develop as it is today.\nEvery spring groups of whales swim hundreds of kilometers to warm places to bear their young. Each group goes to the same place every year. The mothers take very good care of their babies. The fully grown whales are very gentle and playful with each other, and with humans. They \"talk\" to each other with a high noise that  sounds beautiful. This\"talking\" can be heard for more than 300 kilometers in open waters.\nYet humans kill over a hundred whales a day. They kill them to make whale oils and a lot of other things. Killing them is a modern business with modern machines and even harpoons( ) that explode( ) inside the whales. A whale dies very slowly and in great pain. Some ships kill every whale they can find, even the mothers and babies. Then there are no young whales to grow up or to bear more young.", "problems": [{"question": "A commonly mistaken belief is that    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["whales are mammals", "whales must have air to breathe", "whales' babies drink milk", "whales are fish"]}, {"question": "In the passage \"mammals\" refer to    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the animals which live in water", "the animals which have wings and feathers", "the animals which are fed on their mothers' milk", "the things which live in earth and have no backbones"]}, {"question": "Every spring each group of whales    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["swim only a few kilometers", "return to the same place as they did before", "go to different places", "go to cold places to bear their young"]}, {"question": "When whales talk, it sounds like    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["talking", "whispering", "quarreling", "singing"]}, {"question": "Every year humans kill    _    all over the world.", "answer": "A", "options": ["nearly forty thousand whales", "less than four million", "about four thousand whales", "about fourteen thousand whales"]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever intended to be fully absorbed in your work but found yourself distracted by e-mail, the Internet and other things throughout the day? According to the survey made by a famous university in the USA, most people have the experience.\n\"People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks,\" says Peter Bregman, the head of the survey. \"They sometimes have a feeling to escape from what's difficult or boring, so they jump out,\" he says. The part of the brain devoted to attention is connected to the brain's emotional center. Any strong emotion --quarrels with colleagues, problems at home --can interrupt our attention. Studies over the last decade have shown that too much work to do at a time can easily lead to distraction.\nRefocusing is hard for many people. Robert Epstein suggests the following, \"Stop and listen to some soft music for a few minutes. Find a good friend or a teacher and say out your matter on your mind. Go for a short walk or take a deep breath, where you breathe in deeply, count to five slowly, hold it and breathe out very slowly.\" This can \"blow out all the tension and the unwanted in your mind to _ your focus.\"\nTake more control by structuring your time and becoming more aware of your behaviors. \"Setting the phone alarm to go off every hour is my way of creating awareness,\" Mr. Bregman says. \"You have to inform yourself that you've lost focus in order to do something about it.\" Starting the day with a to-do list is also important, such as when to eat, when to go to the gym or take a walk. But if it's overly ambitious, you will put yourself in a state of anxiety, which makes it hard for the brain to concentrate. \"Choosing three or four things as your priority for the day allows your brain to settle down and focus,\" he says.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which is NOT the reason why some people can be distracted from their work?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They don't want to be devoted to their work.", "They are disturbed by the Internet and other things.", "They can't find interest in their work.", "They feel their work is too hard for them."]}, {"question": "Which incident might NOT interrupt your attention?", "answer": "C", "options": ["You were scolded by your teacher.", "You had words with your good friend.", "You went to school at six as usual.", "Your mother and father had a quarrel."]}, {"question": "According to Robert Epstein, how can we refocus on what we should do?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Listen to rock music for some time.", "Turn to your good friends or teachers for help.", "Run around the playground for some time.", "Take a breath from time to time."]}]}
{"article": "Many people keep the stamps in a drawer at home because they'll never know when they might need them! The trouble is that they have no idea of how many stamps they have left. When they want to send something by post, it's very annoying to find out that they have run out of stamps!\nThe Internet is possible to solve the problem. The United States Postal Service has come up with a system which allows people to print their own postage stamps at their own home! This is the perfect solution for those people that have busy lives!\nWhenever you go to the post office to buy a stamp, you are buying a boring and standard postage stamp. They are red in color, and you can easily buy them on the Internet as well. For example, you can just order a regular 1st class stamp and then print it off using your own printer  .\nThese days, you can have much more fun with your stamps. You can buy them online instead of going to the post office. You can decorate, preview   and print your stamps all at your own home. You are able to use any of your own photos as part of your postage stamp as well.\nThese stamps aren't just allowed to be used in the United States; they can be used to send your mail throughout the world. They are perfect to use for many special occasions, such as weddings, festivals and even birthdays! They are fantastic!", "problems": [{"question": "The problem of keeping stamps at home is that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the stamps may lose color", "you may not find them anywhere", "the stamps may be out of date", "you do not know how many are left"]}, {"question": "With the system of the United States Postal Service, people can   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["buy photo stamps at a very low price", "send their international mails for free", "design their own photo stamps", "have their letters delivered faster than before"]}, {"question": "What's the writer's attitude toward the new type of stamps?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He thinks they are a great idea.", "He is afraid they may cause trouble.", "He thinks they save a lot of money.", "He thinks they are as good as the traditional ones."]}]}
{"article": "Centerville High School Essay Contest  \"Write All About It\"\nCalling All Aspiring Authors--Centerville High School Essay Contest\n*Rules\n1.Students are asked to present essays of 500 to 700 words of their own work. Any essay containing material plagiarized  from another source will be disqualified .\n2.Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced,with the student's name,address,and grade level on a separate sheet of paper.\n3.Essays must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on November 30.They can be brought to Mrs. Elton in Rom 104 or to Mr. Markham in the school library.\n*Essay-Writing Tips\n1.Catch your readers' interests--Your opening should immediately pull your readers into your essay. Asking a question or starting with an story,quotation,or surprising statement is a good way to do this.\n2.Create a picture--Use active words that show your readers what is happening. Instead of telling your readers vaguely that \"the room was disordered\",paint a picture using active verbs and lively adjectives.\n3.Have a purpose--Well-written essays do more than just describe an incident or express a viewpoint,and they also communicate a message.\n4.Check for mistakes--Read your paper over to check for mistakes. Ask another student to read your paper and make suggestions. Another pair of eyes will often spot a mistake you've overlooked.\n5.Format your essay--Neatly type your essay on white paper. Choose an attractive cover for submission. The computer lab will be open after school from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. each day this month so that students can use the computers.\n*Prizes\nWinning essays will be published in the Centerville Times. Every contestant will also receive a free pass to enter one school activity or athletic game this year.\nFirst Prize:   $150\nSecond Prize:    Dictionary and thesaurus\nThird Prize:     Pen set and journal\nSpecial thanks to the Centerville Writers' Association for the prizes to help encourage our aspiring authors. Good luck to all contestants.", "problems": [{"question": "The first writing tip given is mostly about  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the use of quotations and stories in an essay", "using active verbs and lively adjectives", "how a student should begin an essay", "how to submit your essays"]}, {"question": "Information in the passage suggests that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the essay contest has been carefully planned", "the students of the school are all athletic lovers", "most essay contestants have published their work previously", "Mr. Markham is an English teacher at Centerville High School"]}, {"question": "The prize section of the poster is included in order to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["show organizations how to donate prizes", "inform teachers of the prizes available", "persuade students to enter the essay contest", "convince students to buy the local newspaper"]}, {"question": "Thanks are given to the Centerville Writers' Association because it has  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["offered to judge the contest", "prepared the essay-writing tips", "organized the essay contest", "donated prizes for the contest"]}, {"question": "What do we know by inference from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The computer lab usually closes at 4:15 p.m. each day.", "Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times.", "Every contestant will benefit from the essay contest.", "The essay contest is held annually at Centerville High School."]}]}
{"article": "Driver Wanted\nClean driving license .\nMust be of smart appearance.\nAge over 25.\nApply to : Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston.\nAir Hostesses for International Flights Wanted\nApplicants  must be between 20 and 33 years old.\nHeight: 1.6 m to 1.75 m.\nEducation to GCSE standard.\nTwo languages. Must be able to swim.\nApply to: Recruitment  office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK.\nTeachers Needed\nFor private language school.\nHaving college education.\nTeaching experience unnecessary.\nApply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston.", "problems": [{"question": "What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Fond of beer and wine.", "Punished for speeding and wrong parking.", "Unable to speak a foreign language.", "Not having college education."]}, {"question": "What prevents Mary, aged 25, becoming an air hostess?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She once broke a traffic law and was fined", "She can't speak Japanese very well.", "She has never worked as an air hostess before.", "She doesn't feel like working long hours flying abroad."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not mentioned in the three advertisements?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Marriage.", "Male or female.", "Education.", "Working experience."]}]}
{"article": "The crowd cheered and cheered. The man with the horn waved and smiled his great smile. \"More! More!\" cried the crowd. And Louis Armstrong took his horn and began to play again. \n Here he was in England. Now a famous man, he was rich. He knew many important people. Wherever he went, people knew his name. They wanted to hear his music. As he played the sad, slow songs, Louis thought of his home in New Orleans. He lived there as a boy. It was a busy, exciting city. But Louis's family was very poor. He went to work to help his mother. He also went to school. One of Louis's teachers asked him to join the school band. \"This horn is yours until you leave our school,\" his teacher said. Louis's music was jazz and he loved it. He remembered all the music he heard. He didn't learn to read music until he was a man. \n When he left school, he played on many bands. He loved his work and people loved him. They knew that he had a wonderful talent. Louis played in little towns and in big cities. Armstrong's horn had as many sounds as ten horns--sometimes slow and sometimes sweet; sometimes fast and hot, high and low. His music was always strong and exciting. \"He does make wonderful music,\" said the man who listened happily. \"Yes,\" said another man, \"he makes that horn speak. \"\n The music ended and the crowd cheered. Louis Armstrong spoke with tears in his eyes, \"I think, my friends, you can listen to as much jazz as I can play. I thought jazz was my music; but now I understand it is ours. It is beautiful that music brings us together. \"", "problems": [{"question": "Louis went to work when he was   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a schoolboy", "a musician", "famous", "a man"]}, {"question": "Louis was very smart but he didn't learn to read music until   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he left school.", "he was in the school band.", "he became famous.", "he became a grown-up."]}, {"question": "He was famous for   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his horn", "his sad songs", "his love for music", "his wonderful jazz music"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title for this story ?.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Musician", "A beautiful horn", "Sweet smiles", "The man with the horn"]}]}
{"article": "No one wants to look stupid or do the wrong thing at a new job. It is important to make the right impression from the very first day. You will face new people. You will be in a new place.\nIt may be difficult to know what to do. Here are five tips to help you make it through the first days at a new job:\n1. First impressions can last forever. Make sure you make a good one. Before your first day, find out if your new job has a dress code (rules about what you can wear to work). If so, be sure to follow it. No matter what, always be neat and clean.\n2. Get to work on time.\n3. Pay attention to introductions. One of the first things that your supervisor may do is to introduce you to co-workers. These co-workers will be important to you. They are the ones who will answer your questions when the boss is not around.\n4. Ask plenty of questions. Make sure that your supervisor has told you what is expected of you. If he or she has not told you your duties, ask for a list. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself.\n5. Never be the first one to leave. Observe  what your co-workers do around quitting time  . It does not look good for you to be eager to leave.", "problems": [{"question": "Before you arrive at work on the first day, you should   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["dress in a right way", "introduce yourself", "know your duties", "know your co-workers well"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["You should be the first one to arrive at work.", "You should ask your co-workers about your duties.", "You should not be eager to go back home after work.", "You are required to arrive 15 minutes earlier"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, your supervisor is most likely your   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["visitor", "teacher", "workmate", "leader"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Getting a New Job.", "Tips on How to Work.", "The First-day Work.", "The Importance of Co-workers."]}]}
{"article": "All the oceans of the world will be dead in the future unless action is taken at once. How can this happen?\nWe have already seen that people allow all sorts of waste products to flow into the sea. It is almost impossible to measure how much waste water and industrial waste in our oceans, but we can find out how much oil is poured into them legally and illegally. It is illegal to pour oil into the sea close to the shore, but when a ship is many miles out to sea, there are no such rules. Scientists have different ideas as to the amount of oil putting into the sea, but the lowest figure for oil poured in European waters alone is nearly 200 000 tons every year. Some people say the figure could be ten times as high.\nIt is not only our coasts that suffer from oil pollution. Many shell fish, for example, now have high amounts of poisonous substances . Next time you have shell fish to eat, how can you be sure that they are free from oil pollution? You cannot see the effects and you cannot taste them, either. It is really quite a problem.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["pollution in the oceans", "oil pollution in the waters", "the amounts of poison in shell fish", "the amounts of oil in the sea"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, what is the main cause of oil pollution?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Oil ships which meet and strike each other.", "Oil poured at sea when the oil tanks are cleaned out.", "Oil from waste water and industrial waste.", "Oil coming out of the bottom of the sea."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is illegal according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Pouring oil into the sea from land, especially when there is no other choice.", "Pouring oil at seaside.", "Allowing waste materials to flow into the waters.", "Going fishing when the water is polluted by oil."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which one is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The amount of oil put into the sea is nearly 2000 000 tons in the globe.", "Every year, the figure for oil poured in the ocean is 1000 000 tons in Europe.", "Some people think the figure for oil poured is estimated too low.", "The highest amount of oil put into the oceans reaches 1000 000 tons in globe."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The water body of the earth will be dead by the year 2010 without any effective measure.", "All the Oceans in the world are polluted by oil.", "It's possible that all the creatures in the sea will die out if no action is taken.", "Some kinds of the living things in waters have been poisoned and we must be careful of them."]}]}
{"article": "Star Wars Millennium Falcon\nThis is a gift that, if we're being honest, many dads want to own for themselves. This huge ship is the greatest Star Wars toy. It lights up and makes some noises. Every boy from 3 to 53 will absolutely like it, if they can find room for it. I dare say even a few grandfathers might go for it.\nBiscuit--the Loving Pup\nYou may clearly know that a pet can be a great thing to a child's development but you probably don't think that you can take care of a dog properly. The robot dog Biscuit is less likely to\nthe disorder of your house and except for a few dead batteries, won't leave any surprises on the floor. It will be a good playmate for your kids.\nJVC KD-10 Headphones\nIt's increasingly common for kids to enjoy themselves on long journeys with a portable  DVD player or an iPod MP3, but the headphones that come with expensive electronics are seldom suitable for young ears. Kids should use JVC headphones that have a sound limiter that can be set by the concerned parent.\nSparrow-kids Routemaster Kit\nSparrow-kids Kit makes a huge range of craft   tools. There are lots of pretty but achievable projects for young girls to take up their (safe plastic) needles and sew.\nHolz Wooden Airport\nIt might be said that Britain doesn't need another airport but when it's a traditional wooden toy like this all of you would agree that it's a good thing. Treated with a little care, this play-set could easily entertain your young air traffic controllers.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the gifts is designed mainly for girls?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Holz Wooden Airport.", "Sparrow-kids Routemaster Kit", "Star Wars Millennium Falcon.", "Biscuit--the Loving Pup."]}, {"question": "The five things listed in the passage are    _    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["presents for the whole family", "gifts mainly for children", "craft tools for children", "the latest high-tech products"]}]}
{"article": "Take That Tiger Mom\nIn the ongoing battle between Tiger Moms, French Mamas, and everyone else who wants to know what is the best way to raise their kids, a new study adds evidence that the extreme Tiger-style may do more harm than good.\nAuthoritarian parents are more likely to end up with disrespectful children with violent behaviors, the study found, compared to parents who listen to their kids with the goal of gaining trust.\nIt was the first study to look at how parenting styles affect the way teens view their parents and, in turn, how they behave.\nThe study considered three general styles of parenting. Authoritative parents are demanding and controlling while also being warm and sensitive to their children's needs.\nAuthoritarian parents, on the contrary, are demanding and controlling without the appearance of caring, attachment and receptiveness. They take a \"my way or the highway\" approach to their kids.\nPermissive parents, the third group, have warm and receptive qualities, but they set few boundaries and carry out few rules.\nUsing data on early 600 kids from an ongoing study of middle school and high school students in New Hampshire, researchers from the University of New Hampshire were able to find \"my way or the highway\" parenting with more violent behaviors like robbery, drug-taking, and attacking someone else with the intention of hurting or killing.\nFirm but loving parenting, on the other hand, led to fewer lawbreakers. Permissive parenting, surprisingly, didn't seem to make much of a difference either.\nTo explain the link between parenting style and behavior in kids, the researchers suggested that what matters most is how reasonable kids think their parents' power is. This sense comes when kids trust that their parents are making the best decisions for them and believe that they need to do what their parents say even if they don't always like how their parents are treating them.\nWhen kids respect the power of their parents, the researchers reported in the journal of Adolescence, their behavior is better. Previous research has also linked firm but caring parenting with kids who have more self-control and independence.\n\"When children consider their parents to be the reliable figure, they trust the parents and feel that they have a duty to do what their parents tell them to do,\" said lead researcher Pick Trinkner. \"This is very important as the parent doesn't have to rely on a system of rewards and punishments to control behavior and the child is more likely to follow the rules when the parent is not physically present.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Tiger Moms and French Mamas are mentioned in the passage to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["give an example of authoritarian parenting", "show the advantage of parenting", "compare two types of parenting", "introduce the topic"]}, {"question": "According to the research, what kind of parenting style is likely to cause children's criminal behaviors?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Caring parenting.", "Permissive parenting.", "Authoritarian parenting.", "Authoritative parenting."]}, {"question": "Which of the following probably belongs to the action of the permissive parents?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Allowing the kids to stay up late at weekends as the kids like.", "Beating the kids if the kids don't follow their instructions.", "Listening to the kids' request and giving their demands.", "Setting some rules and checking the kids' behaviors."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, children are more likely to obey the rules when   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["their parents listen to them totally", "they believe in and accept their parents", "their parents are sensitive to their needs", "their parents demand and control their behaviors"]}]}
{"article": "Tim Welford, aged 33, and Dom Mee, aged 30, both from England, were keen on (=\"like...\" very much) rowing boats. They made a plan to row across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to San Francisco. The name of their rowboat was \"Crackers\". It was about seven meters long.\nThey set out from Japan on May 17,2001. They had rowed nearly 5,500 miles when their boat was hit by a fishing ship on September 17,2001. Luckily they both escaped unharmed, but their boat was badly damaged and they had to abandon( =\" stop)their\" journey.\nIn a radio interview, Dom expressed his disappointment and explained how the accident took place.\n\"A fishing ship came towards us with nobody on the bridge and ran us down. It all happened so quickly. I managed to dive into the water. Tim felt it would be safer to stay on board. He was trapped inside as the boat was driven under the water. Finally some people appeared on the ship and saw me in the water. I shouted at them to stop the ship and to get Tim out. When the ship stopped, I eventually saw Tim, and I was very, very happy that we were still alive. We were very disappointed that we couldn't reach San Francisco. But we are alive. That above everything is the most important. \"", "problems": [{"question": "41. How long had Tim and Dom been at sea when their boat was hit by a fishing boat?", "answer": "D", "options": ["For one month", "For two months.", "For three months.", "For four months."]}, {"question": "42. According to Dom, the main reason for the accident was that   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Tim and Dom were too careless", "the speed of the fishing ship was too fast", "nobody on the fishing ship saw them", "their rowboat was not strong enough"]}, {"question": "43. Dom said that the most important thing in this accident was that   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["their rowboat was not damaged", "both of them existed after a dangerous time", "they enjoyed this journey", "they failed to reach San Francisco"]}, {"question": "44. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Some people on the fishing ship saved them.", "Tim and Dom were going to San Francisco in the rowboat because they had no money to buy airplane tickets.", "Dom dived into the water when the accident happened because he thought it would be dangerous to stay on board.", "Dom told people about their dangerous experience when he was interviewed on the radio."]}]}
{"article": "I was in my third year of teaching writing at Ralph High School in New York, when one of my students,15-year-old Mikey,gave me a note from his mother.It explained his absence from class the day before:\n    \"Dear Mr. McCort,Mikey's grandmother,who is eighty years of age,fell down the stairs from too much coffee and I kept Mikey at home to take care of her and his baby sister so I couldn't go to my job. Please excuse Mikey and he'll do his best in the future.P.S.His grandmother is OK.\"\n    I had seen Mikey writing the note at his desk.I said nothing.Most parental-excuse note, I received were penned by my students.The writers of those notes didn't realize that honest excuse notes were usually dull: \"Peter was late because the alarm clock didn't go off.\"\n    The students always said it was hard putting 200 words together on any subject, but when they produced excuse notes, they were excellent.So I decided to give the first class to study the art of the excuse note.\n    \"Today I'd like you to write 'An Excuse Note from Adam to God' or 'An Excuse Note from Eve to God'.\"Heads went down.Pens raced across paper.They had to be asked to go to lunch by their friends.\n    The next day everyone had excuse notes.Heated discussions followed.But suddenly I saw the headmaster at the door.He entered the classroom and walked up and down,looking at papers,and then said.\"I'd like you to see me in my office.\"My heart sank.\n    When I stepped into his office,he came to shake my hand and said,\"I just want to tell you that lesson, that ask, was great.Those kids were writing on the college level.Thank you.\"", "problems": [{"question": "We can inter that when Mikey was absent from the class, he was   _", "answer": "A", "options": ["somewhere enjoying himself", "taking care of his baby sister", "looking after his grandmother", "studying the art of the excuse note"]}, {"question": "How did the author usually find out his students' parental-excuse notes were dishonest?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They were written in dull words.", "They were more like stories than facts.", "He called their parents and found out the truth.", "The handwriting obviously looked like children's."]}, {"question": "Why did the author's heart sink?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He thought the headmaster would scold him.", "The heated discussions angered the headmaster.", "The students were not behaving themselves.", "The headmaster was looking at his students' papers."]}, {"question": "Which of the following best describes the author as a teacher?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Honest.", "Strict.", "Hardworking.", "Wise."]}]}
{"article": "International Schools Services\nExperience teaching overseas\nHave you thought of working overseas? International Schools Services is looking for teachers for thousands of positions.Schools are looking for experienced, well-trained persons who must meet two of the three criteria:\n         *A four-year bachelor's   degree\n         *Certification in a subject\n         *Two years' successful teaching experience in a public or private school\nAttend one of our International Recruitment Conferences  .Hundreds of schools will be available.Over 2,000 positions are expected to be filled.\n         *Atlanta--December 4,201 1--December 6, 2011\n         *Bangkok--January 4, 2012~January 7, 2012\n         *Boston--February 5, 2012~February 9, 2012\n         *San Francisco--February 13, 2012~February 16, 2012\n                                                                                        \nBecoming an international educator will offer you a journey you will value for decades to come.In addition, while each school experience is unique, you'll teach your subject in English, earn a competitive salary and enjoy excellent benefits packages  , high-quality facilities, small class sizes.[:Ks5u.com]\nYou'll meet new people i have a lasting effect on children across the world and discover a new world.\nIf you or someone you know is interested in teaching overseas, contact the Educational Staffing Department at edustaf fing@iss, eduor by phone at 609-452-0990.\n         Visit www.iss.edu to learn more.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT related to the basic requirements for a teaching position?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Travelling experience.", "A four-year bachelor's degree.", "Certification in a subject.", "Certain teaching experience."]}, {"question": "If Mike has free time from February 6 to 8, which city would he fly to for a recruitment conference?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Atlanta.", "Bangkok.", "Boston.", "San Francisco."]}, {"question": "Which would be the best choice to fill in the blank in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Have an unforgettable journey", "Earn a good salary overseas", "Meet new people overseas", "Accept the opportunity of a lifetime"]}]}
{"article": "After two classes, I started to recognize several of the faces in each class. There was always someone braver than the others who would introduce themselves and ask me questions about how I was liking Forks. I tried to be\n, so mostly I just lied a lot to appear to be skilled at dealing with people. At least I never needed the map.\nOne girl sat next to me in both Trig and Spanish, and she walked with me to the cafeteria for lunch. She was tiny, several inches shorter than my five feet four inches, but her wildly curly dark hair made up a lot of the difference between our heights. I couldn't remember her name, so I smiled and nodded as she gossiped about teachers and classes. I didn't try to keep up.\nWe sat at the end of a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced to me. I forgot all their names as soon as she spoke them. They seemed impressed by her bravery in speaking to me. The boy from England Eric, waved at me from across the room.\nIt was there, sitting in the lunchroom, trying to make conversation with seven curious strangers, that I first saw them.\nThey were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, as far away from where I sat as possible in the long room. There were five of them. They weren't talking, and they weren't eating, though they each had a tray of untouched food in front of them. They weren't staring at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them without fear of meeting an over interested pair of eyes. But it was none of these things that caught and held my attention.\nI stared because their faces, so different, so similar, were all extremely, inhumanly beautiful. They were faces you never expected to see except perhaps on the airbrushed pages of a fashion magazine, or painted by an old master as the face of an angel. It was hard to decide who was the most beautiful -- maybe the perfect blond girl, or the bronze-haired boy.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, we can infer that    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["\"I\" was really liking the new place.", "\"I\" had a bad memory, so it's hard to remember names.", "\"I\" was good at making friends.", "\"I\" was not interested in what the girl said."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which statement is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The girl walked with \"me\" was a little short.", "\"I\" saw the five students for the first time.", "Those students sitting in the corner had finished their food.", "\"I\" probably wanted to know more about those five students."]}]}
{"article": "Here are some of the best movies you like. I believe they can accompany you to spend your dull weekend.\nIn this story a computer hacker searches for the truth behind the mysterious force . In the 22nd century it turns out that the world is controlled by a magic computer system called the Matrix and people live in an unreal world. The computer hacker and his comrades overcome much difficulty and at last find the way to take over the Matrix and save the world.\nThis comedy is about J and K, agents in a top secret agency , and they fight bravely with the alien to save the galaxy from a bad-tempered alien \"bug\" and save the Earth from being destroyed .\nHarry has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard----with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and about the bad man who's to blame .\nWhen a satellite crashes in New Mexico, the Air Force sends two men to reach it. To their horror, they discover that the probe carries an alien virus that's already killed all but two of the residents of the town where it landed. Now, scientists must stop the virus from spreading .\nIn the year 2035, James Cole is forced to be sent back to 1996 by scientists to discover the origin of a virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population. When Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital, where he meets the son of a famous virus expert.", "problems": [{"question": "Harry Potter    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["does't know he's a powerful wizard until he is 11 years old", "has a happy and pleasant childhood with his aunt and uncle", "hates to stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry", "Knows how his parents died before he goes to the Hogwarts school"]}, {"question": "The author writes the passage in order to    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["let readers know more about the latest movies", "increase the income of the cinemas of the city", "tell readers some interesting summaries of movies", "help readers to choose the best movie they like"]}]}
{"article": "Every child has written their names on the beach at some point.\nBut whereas most people's \"handwriting\" is washed away, one super-rich Arab sheikh  has ensure that his graffiti  will last a little longer.\nHamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 63, has scrawled his name in sand on an island he owns with letters so big that they be seen from space.\nThe word \"HAMAD\" measures 1,000 meters high and is a staggering two miles long from the \"H\" to the \"D\" on the Al Futaisi Island.\nAnd rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually form waterways that absorb the encroaching  tide. The ruler's name is even visible on Google's map service.\nHamad dreamed up the idea and had his workmen work hard for weeks to craft the enormous piece of sand graffiti. It is not known how much it cost to make.\nHowever, the sheikh boasts a personal fortune second to the Saudi king's.\nHamad, also known as the \"Rainbow Sheikh\", is a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family.\nHe is understood to have some 200 cars including seven Mercedes 500 SELs painted in different colors of the rainbow which he stores in a giant pyramid.\nThe Arab sheikh had a taste for doing things on a large scale. He built the world's largest truck--eight times the size of the Dodge Power Wagon, with four bedrooms inside the cabin.\nHamad constructed a motor home in the shape of a giant globe which is exactly 1 millionth the size of the actual earth.\nAlongside his displays of wealth he has become a well-known philanthropist  in medicine and supplied a complete Kinney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its stuff.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following in NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Hamad is a man who wants himself to be well-known from apace.", "Hamad is a super-rich person who always does something unusual.", "Hamad is a man who is always so mean in his family", "Hamad is a man who boasts his fortune is second to the Saudi king's"]}, {"question": "Why does Hamad have his seven Mercedes-Benz500 SELs painted in different colors?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Perhaps he hoped his cars were stored in a giant pyramid safely.", "In some ways he could make a very strange rainbow.", "Maybe he just wanted to show off his wealth.", "He is always interested in making his cars like these."]}, {"question": "Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The Rainbow Sheikh's name can be seen from space", "The richest Arab sheikh's name has made many funny things", "A great person likes doing things on a large scale", "A well-known philanthropist displays his wealth"]}]}
{"article": "There's a guy like me in every state and federal prison in America,I guess--I'm the guy who can get these for you:cigarettes,a bag of cigar,if you want that,a bottle of wine to celebrate your son or daughter's high school graduation,or almost anything else...within reason,that is.It wasn't always that way.\nI came to Shawshank when I was just twenty,and I am one of the few people in the prison who is willing to admit what he did.I committed murder.I put a large insurance policy on my wife,who was three years older than 1 was,and then I fixed the brakes of the car her father had given us as a wedding present.It worked out exactly as I had planned,except I hadn't planned on her stopping to pick up the neighbour woman and the woman's son on the way down Castle Hill and into town.The brakes let go and the car crashed through the bushes,gathering speed.Bystanders said it must have been doing fifty or better when it hit the base of the Civil War statue in the town arid burst into flames.\nI also hadn't planned on getting caught,but caught 1 was.I got a pass into this place.My state has no death penalty ,but I was tried for all three deaths and given three life sentences,to run one after the other.That fixed up any chance of parole I might have,for a long,long time.The judge called what I had done'an extremely evil crime', and it was ,but it is also in the past now.\nHave I transformed myself,you ask ?I don't know what that word means,at least as far as prisons and corrections go.I think it's a politician's word.It may have some other meaning,and it may be that 1 will have a chance to find out,but that is the future...\nI was young,good--looking,and from the poor side of town.I met a pretty,headstrong girl who lived in one of the fine old houses on Carbine Street.She got pregnant later.Her father was agreeable to the marriage if 1 would take a job in the company he owned and 'work my way up'.I found out that what he really had in mind was keeping me in his house and under his thumb,like a disagreeable pet that has not quite been housebroken and which may bite.Enough hate eventually piled up to cause me to do what I did.\nGiven a second chance 1 would not do it again,but I'm not sure that means I am transformed.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the man from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He is treated unfairly in the prison.", "He is in charge of the federal prison.", "He is quite an able person as a prisoner.", "He is the most powerful man in the prison."]}, {"question": "By saying that\"I got a pass into this place\"(in Para.3),the man means that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he has got to stay in prison", "he was allowed to go home", "he was caught by the police without a pass", "he has stayed in the federal prison before"]}, {"question": "The man committed such an evil crime because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he had made a secret deal with an insurance company", "he had been angry for a long time with his father--in--law", "his wife's family members had disapproved of their marriage", "his wife had looked on him as a pet and he didn't feel respected"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about the man?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He regrets having committed the crime.", "He will be out of prison in the near future.", "He thinks the trial a mistake and is unfair.", "He has found out the"]}]}
{"article": "European Work Experience Program(E.W.E.P.)is an independent British organization which began in 1991 in the city of London.E.W.E.P.provides the opportunity for students from the 25 countries of the European Union and nationals from Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein to live in England,to gain work experience,to practice their English and to get a better insight into the British social and eulturallife.\nTo apply you must meet the following requirements:\n*Preferred age: 18 to 28 years old\n*Be able to work in the UK for a period of at least two months.\n*Must have a good knowledge of English.\n*Due to work permit restrictions,European Work Experience Program Ltd will only select you if you are a European Union Member or national from Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein.\nEuropean Work Experience Program Ltd will find you a suitable job and an accommodation.A representative of E.W.E.P.will be available during your stay to help you and you will get a 24-hour help line service during your stay.The TOTAl fee for our services is PS264.63(394.35 Euros).\nShould you require any further information,please contact us:\nEuropean Work Experience Program Ltd\nUnit 1,Red Lion Court, Alexandra Road\nHounslow,Middlesex,TW3 1JS\nUnited Kingdom\nTel: 44 208 572 2993\nFax:44 208 572 1114\nE--mail:sales@ewep.com", "problems": [{"question": "What's the purpose of writing the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To introduce a new program in England.", "To attract more students to work in England.", "To describe the working conditions in England.", "To make clear the requirements for students working in England."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT the purpose of the program?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To get a lot of work experience.", "To improve their English rapidly.", "To have better understanding of the British culture.", "To make more money in Britain."]}, {"question": "If you apply for the program.you  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["must be 18 to 26 years old", "must be able to speak at least three languages", "must be nationals from the countries mentioned in the text", "should have some working experience in a foreign country"]}, {"question": "You can get in touch with E.W.E.P.by the following ways EXCEPT by  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["making a teJephone call", "sending the organization a fax", "writing an e-mail to the organization", "going there in person by air"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["European Work Experience Program Was set up in the 19th century.", "You'll work in the UK for at least two months if you attend the program.", "You can get a 24-hour help from a representative during your stay.", "You don't have to hand in 394.35 Euros after you have got a job in Britain."]}]}
{"article": "Another of President Bush's critics on climate change and his former rival for the White House, Al Gore, is inprefix = st1 /Londonon Friday to launch an environmental project with the head of the Virgin Business Company, Richard Branson. They're announcing a multi-million dollar international prize to encourage development and research into new forms of low carbon technology. The prize will be available to anyone who can apply a successful method of removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.\n     Almost all scientists agree that we are experiencing global warming due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when fuel is burned. Oil, coal and wood are all fuels that release the gas. When biological wasted breaks down, it also releases carbon dioxide.\n     Environmental campaigners and climate change scientists tell us we're pumping an unbearable amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. One way to reduce that will be to use less fossil fuel , the burning of which is a key resource to our way of life, but sharp reduction of oil and coal use is unpopular with governments and people alike.\nSo technologies are being developed, like carbon capture and storage that aim to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, compress  it and pump it into the ground. But that's still in its early stages, so the purpose of this prize is to encourage research into new ways of decarbonizing the atmosphere. A scientific panel, chaired by Al Gore, will judge any entries. Environmental campaigners are hoping such a significant prize will attract large amounts of publicity and brainpower.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following sentences is correct according to the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Al Gore doesn't agree with President Bush's Policy on climate.", "Only a group or an organization will receive the prize.", "The prize will be given to anyone who can do research into low carbon technology", "Al Gore would like to help President Bush to solve the problem."]}, {"question": "Carbon dioxide will be produced when_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["we are experiencing global warming.", "fossil fuel is burned", "biological waste is thrown away.", "gas is released"]}, {"question": "People would like to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but they don't like the method of_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["compressing it and pumping it into the ground", "burning the fossil fuel", "pumping it into the atmosphere.", "reducing too much fossil fuel"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["We should pay more attention to the solution to an environmental problem", "An project is launched to award those who can find ways to solve an environmental problem.", "Al Gore is going to present a prize to the person who can solve an environmental problem.", "A lot of people will apply methods to solve an environmental problem."]}]}
{"article": "Wang Lu, 24, one of many students studying abroad who'll come home for work, majors in business & management studies at Edinburgh's Napier University. She had planned what to do after graduation in the UK: two years' work experience at a restaurant and a tour around Europe. But now her plans are up in the air.\n         Following the UK Home Secretary's meeting on reform of the student immigration system, the UK government recently announced the end of the post-study work visa from April 2012. This will force tens of thousands of Chinese students to leave the UK after graduation.\n         Sadly, the domestic job market doesn't welcome them with open arms. A report by Tigtag.com at the end of 2011 showed that over 35 percent of students admitted that they have employment problems.\n         \"Returning students often have fluent English, creative minds and a serious attitude toward work,\" said Zhang Tingwen, an HR expert in ChinaHR.com. \"But lack of work experience is a big problem.\" Xia Lei, an HR manager, responded to Zhang. \"We need people who can work for us. We don't need people from big name universities to attract customers\".\n         Difference in work practices is another problem that worries employers, Zhang pointed out. \"Some returning students might be used to Western ways of dealing with people and things.\"\n         Huang Shanshan, 25, got a job in a communication company in Shenzhen.   \"I once worked part-time in UK. My colleagues ate snacks when they felt hungry, even during working time or in meetings.\" Huang brought some cakes to the office and ate them. When her manager saw that, he told her not to eat at workplace. \"It took me some time to adjust to company rules in China,\" said Huang.", "problems": [{"question": "Why is Wang Lu forced to leave the UK after graduation?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because post-study work visa will come to an end.", "Because she has no effective ways to learn English.", "Because there are no majors that suit her in Britain.", "Because different work practices worry employers."]}, {"question": "From Xia Lei, we can learn that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the domestic job market gives welcome to returnees with open arms", "employers prefer people who can work to those from top universities", "returnees are used to Western ways to deal with people and things around", "it is hard for returning students with creative minds to take work seriously"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the text that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the reform of immigration system has great effects on the British people", "some practices like eating snacks are allowed at the workplace in China", "lack of work experience is a big problem to find a suitable job in the UK", "returning students are expected to adapt to the new working environment"]}, {"question": "Where can we most probably read this text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["In a science fiction.", "In a travel magazine.", "In a newspaper.", "In a student's book."]}]}
{"article": "Every language has its own special words and expressions. And a story can be told about each of them. \"Hot\" is a simple, easily-understood word. So are most of the expressions made with the word \"hot\".  But not always, as we shall see. \nTake the phrase \"hot potato\" for example. The potato is a popular vegetable in the United States. Many people like baked potatoes, cooked in an oven or fire. Imagine trying to carry a hot, baked potato in your hand. It would be difficult, even painful, to do so. One such hot potato is taxes. Calling for higher taxes can mean defeat for a politician. And yet, if taxes are not raised, some very popular government programs could be cut, which can also make a politician very unpopular. \nAnother expression is \"not so hot\". If you ask someone how she feels, she may answer: \"Not so hot. \" What she means is that she does not feel well. \"Not so hot\" is also a way of saying that you do not really like something. \n\"A hot shot\" is a person, often a young person, who thinks he can do anything. At least he wants to try. He is very sure he can succeed. But often he fails. The expression came from the army. A hot shot was a soldier who fired without aiming carefully.\nA person who becomes angry easily is called \"a hothead\". An angry person's neck often becomes red. We say he is \"hot under the collar\". You could say that your friend is no hothead. But he got hot under the collar when someone took his radio. \nThe hot line was a direct communication link between the leaders of the Soviet Union  and the United States. The hot line had an important purpose: to prevent accidental war between the two competitors during the period known as the Cold War. The American president and the Soviet leader were able to communicate directly and immediately on the hot line.", "problems": [{"question": "If you describe something as a hot potato, it   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["is very popular", "has a high temperature", "is very difficult to deal with", "can't be held in your hand"]}, {"question": "According to the text, which of the following statements is not true?", "answer": "A", "options": ["All of the expressions made with the word hot are simple, easily-understood.", "Taxes can be a hot potato for a politician if not handled carefully.", "The expression \"a hot shot\" was born in the military forces.", "If you say that the new play you saw last night is not so hot, you do not consider it a success."]}, {"question": "The purpose of the first hot line was   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to stop the Cold War", "to prevent accidental war between the two superpowers", "to promote the cooperation between the Soviet Union and the United States", "to make direct telephone links for the people in Moscow and Washington"]}]}
{"article": "John and Booby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee . John could not take it any more, so he sent his resignation  and complained that the boss did not value hard working workers but only promoted those who said good words of him.\nThe boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, \"Thank you for telling me, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps you will change your mind and take back your resignation.\"\nJohn agreed. The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelons. The boss asked how much per kg, John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kg.\nThe boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said only one person sold watermelons. $1.2 for a kg, $10 for 10kg and his watermelons added up to 340. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the south two days ago and they were fresh, red and good quality.\nJohn was surprised and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to go away but to learn from Bobby.\nThe story tells us that a more successful person is more concerned and thinks more. Chances are there in the daily details. For the same thing, a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win?", "problems": [{"question": "John wanted to stop his job in his company because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Bobby was promoted but he was not", "he didn't want to say good words of his boss", "he thought the boss didn't take his hard work seriously", "he didn't want to be an ordinary employee"]}, {"question": "The boss asked John to find out where watermelons were sold in order to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["persuade him to stay in the company", "prove he was a hardworking worker", "buy some watermelons for the company", "prove his abilities at work for himself"]}, {"question": "From what Bobby did, we can see that he was promoted only because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["he was a more concerned businessman", "he knew how to do business", "he was more experienced at work", "he knew details about the watermelon market"]}, {"question": "We can conclude from the story that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["one should stop his job if the boss doesn't think much of his work", "it's necessary to know the market when you buy a watermelon", "detail plays a very important part in one's success", "one should get along well with his boss if he wants to be promoted"]}, {"question": "What can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["More Concerned, More Successful", "How to Buy Watermelons", "Who Is More Successful", "Proud John"]}]}
{"article": "Recently I have discovered it's often easier for me to do something every day than to do it just some days. I post to my blog six days a week. I take notes every day. I write in my one-sentence journal every day. Many people have told me that they find it easier to exercise when they exercise every day. If I try to do something just four days a week, I spend a lot of time arguing with myself: Is today the day, or is it tomorrow, or the next day? Does the week start on Sunday or Monday?\nIf you do something every day, you tend to fall into a routine. Routine has a bad reputation for lacking excitement. It's true that novelty and challenge bring happiness and that people who break their routines, try new things, and go to new places are happier, but I think that some routine activities also bring happiness. The pleasure of doing the same thing, in the same way, every day, shouldn't be overlooked. By repeating, you can find happiness in activities like doing dishes or sweeping the floor as well as in your beloved morning coffee-and-news routines.\nTwo geniuses whom I know of also wrote about the power of doing something every day. Andy Warhol wrote, \"Either once only, or every day. If you do something once it's exciting, and if you do it every day it's exciting. But if you do it, say, twice or just almost every day, it's not good any more.\" Gertrude Stein made a similar point, \"Anything one does every day is important and anywhere one lives is interesting and beautiful.\"\nSo if there's something that you wish you did more regularly, try doing it every day; if you do something every day, take great pleasure in it.", "problems": [{"question": "People usually tend to break their routines because they  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["hope to have a better reputation", "would like to get rid of the old habit", "want to have fun and excitement", "are willing to face new challenges"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements does Andy Warhol probably agree to?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Doing something that is exciting.", "Doing something almost every day.", "Doing something every day, not only once.", "Doing something every day or only once."]}, {"question": "Which can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A Way To Form A Habit", "Do Anything Every Day", "Repeat Regularly", "Power Of Everyday Repetition"]}]}
{"article": "Millions of girls grow up with the hope of becoming a famous singer. Some even win local talent competitions as children, but only a few such early successes and dreams turn into reality. Jessica Andrews is one of the few whose dreams have come true.\nAndrews, first taste of success came at the age of 10. She won a talent competition in her home town of Huntingdon, Tennessee, singing I Will Always Love You, originally sung by Whitney Houston. Houston's version of the song appeared on The Bodyguard sound track, which happened to be the first album Andrews ever bought.\nWithin two years, talk of Andrews had spread to Nashville and caught the attention of producer Byron Gallimore, whose credits include work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Jo Dee Messina. With Gallimore signed on to produce, Andrews soon had a recording contract  with Dream Works' Nashville label.\nAndrews' professional career was launched with 1999's Heart Shaped World, recorded when she was 14 years old. The album included the country hit I Will Be There For You, which also appeared on The Prince Of Egypt . She followed up the release of the album by touring as a support act for such country superstars as Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.\nWith the release of 2001's, Who I Am, Andrews became a star in her own right. The album was certified  gold for sales of 500,000 copies. Andrews returned in April 2003 with Now,an album that she promised would show a new side of the young artist. \"This album has a very different feeling for me,\" she said. \"It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, who mostly helped Andrews to achieve success ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tim McGraw", "Whitney Houston", "Faith Hill", "Byron Gallimore"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Bodyguard was the first album Andrews ever bought.", "After Andrews sang Who I Am,she became a star in her own right.", "I Will Always Love You was originally sung by Whitney Houston.", "Now expresses a new feeling of Andrews."]}, {"question": "Which of the following may NOT be Andrews' album?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Now.", "Heart Shaped World.", "The Prince of Egypt.", "Who IAm"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Jessica Andrews' Life", "Jessica Andrews' Dream", "Jessica Andrews' Songs", "Jessica Andrews' Success as a Singer"]}]}
{"article": "Learning a Second Language\nSome people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.\nThe first step is to feel confident about learning English. If you believe that you can learn, you will learn. Be patient. You don't have to understand everything all at once. It is natural to make mistakes when you learn something new. We can learn from our mistakes.\nThe second step is to practise your English. For example,write in a diary every day. You will get used to writing in English,and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. Besides, you must speak English every day. You can practise with your classmates after class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable _ in English.\nThe third step is to keep a record of your language learning. You can write this in your diary. After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand anything the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. Write these achievements  in your diary.\nYou must be active in learning English and believe that you can do it. It is important to practise every day and make a record of your achievements. You will enjoy learning English, and you will feel more confidence in yourself.", "problems": [{"question": "When you learn English, you do not need to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["be patient", "make mistakes", "express your ideas in English", "understand everything at once"]}, {"question": "What is not helpful for you to enjoy learning English?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To communicate in English.", "To worry about making mistakes.", "To think about what you did after each class.", "To make a record of the achievements."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is very important to learn a second language.", "Some people learn a second language easily while other people do not.", "There are ways to help you learn a second language more easily.", "Don't worry about making mistakes when learning a second language."]}]}
{"article": "Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  is  based  on  the  simplicity  and  power  of  friendship.  It  is  a  program  which  provides  friendship  and  fun  by  matching _ (ages  7-17)  with  a  volunteer  adult  who  can  be  both  a  role  model  and  a  supportive  friend.\nVolunteer  tutors  come  from  all  walks  of  life--married,  single,  with  or  without  children.  Big  Brothers  and  Big  Sisters  are  not  replacement  parents  or  social  workers.  They  are  tutors:  someone  to  trust,  to  have  fun  with,  to  talk  and  go  to  when  needed.\nA  Big  Sister  and  Little  Sister  will  generally  spend  between  one  and  four  hours  together  three  or  four  times  each  month  for  at  least  twelve  months.  They  enjoy  simple  activities  such  as  a  picnic  at  a  park,  cooking,  playing  sport  or  going  to  a  football  match.  These  activities  improve  the  friendship  and  help  the  young  person  develop  positive  self-respect,  confidence  and  life  direction.\nBig  Brothers  Big  Sisters  organizations  exist  throughout  the  world.  It  is  the  largest  and  most  well-known  provider  of  tutor  services  internationally  and  has  been  operating  for  25  years.\nEmily  and  Sarah  have  been  matched  since  March  2008.  Emily  is  a  10-year-old  girl  who  has  experienced  some  difficulties  being  accepted  by  her  schoolmates  at  school.  \"I  was  pretty  sure  there  was  something  wrong  with  me.\"\nEmily's  mum  came  across  Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  and  thought  it  would  be  of  benefit  to  Emily  by  \"providing  different  feedback   about  herself  other  than  just  relying  on  schoolmates  to  measure  her  self-worth.  \"\nSarah  wanted  to  get  involved  in  a  volunteer  program.  \"I  paid  close  attention  to  it  and  found  out  how  to  be  a  part  of  it.  I  thought  it  would  be  fun  for  me  to  get  involved  in  making  time  to  do  something  because  sometimes  it's  all  work  and  no  play.  \"\nBig  Brothers  Big  Sisters  has  been  of  great  benefit  and  enjoyment  to  both  Emily  and  Sarah.  They  love  and  look  forward  to  their  time  together  and  the  partnership  has  certainly  helped  Emily  be  more  comfortable  in  being  the  wonderful,  happy  and  unique  girl  she  is!", "problems": [{"question": "What  is  the  aim  of  Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To offer students public services.", "To provide partnership and fun for young people.", "To organize sport activities for young people.", "To help students improve their grades."]}, {"question": "A  volunteer  is  usually  expected  to  work  within  a  year  for  at  least  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["24 hours", "72 hours", "48 hours", "36 hours"]}, {"question": "According  to  Emily's  mother,  this  program  may  provide  Emily  with  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a new way to assess herself", "advice from her teachers", "a new way to judge her schoolmates", "more comments from her schoolmates"]}, {"question": "Why  did  Sarah  want  to  get  involved  in  the  program?", "answer": "B", "options": ["She used to be a volunteer.", "She felt a bit bored with her life.", "She needed a part-time job.", "She wanted to get a challenging job."]}]}
{"article": "May 28 (Reuters Life!) - A Japanese university is giving away Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) trendy iPhone to students for free, but with a catch: the device will be used to check their attendance.\nThe project, which is being tested ahead of its formal launch in June, involves 550 first and second year students and some staff of a department at Aoyama Gakuin University, which is located just outside Tokyo in Sagamihara city.\nThe school's iPhones are meant to create a mobile information network between students and professors, but they are also a convenient way for the teachers to take attendance in class. As students enter the room, instead of writing their name on a sheet, they simply type in their ID number and a specific class number into an iPhone application. To prevent students from logging in from home or outside class, the application uses GPS location data and checks which router the students have logged in to.\n\"We don't want to use this to simply take attendance. Our hope is to use this to develop a classroom where students and teachers can discuss various topics,\" professor Yasuhiro Iijima told Reuters as he demonstrated the application.\nUniversity officials insist the project is not intended to infringe on students' privacy or track them down.\n\"With Japanese cellphones it's possible that the location data is automatically sent. However, with the iPhone, you must always confirm before the GPS data can be sent,\" Iijima said.\nMany of the students testing the system said they were happy with it.\n\"Up until now, we've been using little slips of paper to take attendance. But with a cell phone, you don't have to spend time collecting all of those and so I think it's quite nice,\" 20-year-old student Yuki Maruya.\nWhen the system goes fully online next month, the university also hopes to provide video podcasts of lectures to help students who missed classes, or just can't remember their lessons.", "problems": [{"question": "The news report mainly tells us that   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Iphone has got well developed in Japan", "Iphone is to take attendance at Japanese universities", "Iphone has been accepted by many students", "Iphone is free of charge at Japanese universities"]}, {"question": "The iphone being tested at Aoyama Gakuin University is mainly to   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["help students to study hard", "check students' attendance", "help learn the information network", "develop a special classroom"]}, {"question": "Teachers at Aoyama Gakuin University can finish taking attendance by asking students to  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["write their names on the paper", "Type in their ID and class numbers into iphone", "log in from home or outside class ahead", "put in right GPS location data and their router"]}, {"question": "what about the future of Apple Inc's iphone", "answer": "C", "options": ["It still has many disadvantages", "It goes against many students' interest", "It will receive some other uses.", "It will avoid students' being late for class"]}]}
{"article": "It is a reply to a letter written by Zhai Mingjun, a 16-year-old girl in the class. The two astronauts thank the student for her concerns and wish the class luck in their future studies.\n    \"I' m so happy that the two space men replied with a few encouraging words,\" said Zhai. Her letter was one of the 10 winning letters taken into space by Fei and Nie, who have succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship. Zhai wrote the letter as if she were a younger sister of the astronauts. \"As the single child in my family, I always hoped that I would have an elder brother that I could be proud of,\" Zhai said. \"I thought that the astronauts would be lonely during such a long space trip. I hoped they would feel happy and warm when reading my letter.\" Many of Zhai' s classmates also wrote their words of encouragement and admiration to the astronauts. \"The letter to the astronauts made us believe that we can also be part of the manned space programme,\" said Zhao Dongxu.\n    All the students have high expectations for China' s future space programme. \"I heard that Snoopy is the mascot   for US astronauts. I hope I can design a mascot for our heroes,\" said Liu Mengjie, 16. \"A physics class taught by astronauts in outer space would be very interesting. I want to be the astronaut who teaches students about zero gravity with my head upside down in the spaceship,\" said Han Yinan.\nMany students think that the manned space program is still far away from them. But they feel proud that ordinary students could participate in such a great scientific achievement and hope there  will be more possibilities to take part.", "problems": [{"question": "The best title of this passage can be  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["The mascot", "A reply from space", "The manned space program", "The letter to the astronauts"]}, {"question": "The passage is mainly about   _  ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["what the students think of the manned space program", "how two astronauts thank and encourage the students", "how the letter from space makes the students care more for astronautics", "how the students have expectations for China' s future space program"]}, {"question": "What can you conclude from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["All the students look forward to China' s later space program", "Astronauts feel lonely during such a long space trip", "There is no gravity in the spaceship", "A composition con test had been held before the spaceship was launched"]}, {"question": "\"Such a great scientific achievement\" refers to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["China' s future space program", "The achievement that US astronauts achieved", "Fei and Nie succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship.", "Fei and Nie made their head upside down in the spaceship"]}]}
{"article": "Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world.We go fishing,sit in the garden,have a picnic,live in the suburbs or go to the seaside.The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk.When joggers jog,they don't run the streets.Every one of them tend to go to the park or the river.\nBut despite this,our children are growing up nature deprived .I spent my boyhood climbing trees.These days,children are robbed of these ancient freedoms,due to problems like crime,traffic,the loss of the open spaces and strange new ideas about what is best for children,that is to say,things that can be bought,rather than things that can be found.\nThe truth is to be found elsewhere.A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD--attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.\nADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood.One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children.However,we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.\nThe life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years.And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.\nWe need the wild world.It is essential to our well-being,our health and our happiness.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the author,people enjoy   _   to seek nature.", "answer": "B", "options": ["jogging on the street", "sitting in the garden", "shopping in the supermarket", "running in the gym"]}, {"question": "In what way do people benefit from their contact with nature?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Children with ADHD can be cured.", "A garden nearby improves the quality of old people's life.", "Problems with crime and violent behavior will easily be solved.", "Children's performance at school is greatly improved."]}]}
{"article": "It's not easy to find a person with the qualities it takes to be a hero. I didn't really understand the meaning of the word \"hero\" until my third year in the college.\nIf you saw her, you wouldn't think she really looks the part, but she is stronger than Superman could ever be. Her name is Sandra Keierleber. I first met her at volleyball tryouts , but didn't notice anything special at first. As the week passed, however, she showed she had more heart than anyone. She stood out because she never gave up, no matter what.\nSandra isn't the tallest or the fastest --- in fact, this was her first time playing volleyball and it showed--- but that didn't stop her. She was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. By the end of tryouts she had found a place in everyone's heart. When the name list for new members was put up, we all waited nervously as she checked. When she stood at the door and smiled happily, all we could do was cheer.\nAfter Sandra made the team, she worked even harder to improve her game. When she asked for help, we gladly taught her. She also became our fan, attending almost every school game and even joining us in the city games. We all like her, because she never thinks about doing things the easy way, or loses that smile. Because of her great efforts, she makes herself a true hero--- and my hero, too.", "problems": [{"question": "What did the writer think of Sandra Keierleber at the beginning?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Common", "Honest", "Pretty.", "Strong"]}, {"question": "Sandra began to play volleyball when   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["she was tall enough", "she was at college", "she became a hero", "she met the Superman"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true about Sandra?", "answer": "B", "options": ["She was born a volleyball player.", "She is popular with her teammates", "She does things in an easy way.", "She isn't the tallest but the fastest."]}, {"question": "Why does the writer think of Sandra Keierleber as a true hero?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She did very well at the tryouts.", "She asked for help from her teammates.", "She took part in the city matches.", "She worked hard and never gave up."]}]}
{"article": "PEOPLE who have had a painful experience may wish they could wipe the memory from their minds. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, US, say that this may someday be possible.\nA drug remains far off, but researchers have laid a foundation with their discovery that proteins can be removed from the brain's fear center to cut memories forever.\nPrevious research had already shown that a special behavior therapy   could cut painful memories. But relapse   was possible because the memory hadn't necessarily disappeared.\nBy looking at that process, Richard Huganir and Roger Clem, two researchers from Johns Hopkins University, discovered a \"window of vulnerability  \" when proteins are created. The proteins help signals travel within the brain as painful memories are made. Because the proteins are unstable, they can be easily removed with drugs or behavior therapy to cut memories.\nResearchers used mice to find the window, but think the process would be the same in humans. They used electric shocks to make the mice fear a certain sound. The sound triggered   the creation of the proteins, called calcium-permeable   AMPARS, which formed for a day or two in the fear centers of the mice's brains.\nThe researchers are working on ways to reopen the window by recalling   the painful memory and using drugs to remove the protein. They published their report online last month in Science Express.\nTheir research has drawn interest and concern from experts in mental healthcare.\nKate Farinholt, a mental health expert with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Maryland, US, said many people suffering from a painful event might benefit from erasing a memory. \"Erasing a memory and then everything bad built on that is an amazing idea, and I can see all sorts of potential ,\" she said.\nBut there are a lot of unanswered questions, too.\n\"Completely deleting a memory is a little scary. How do you remove a memory without removing a part of someone's life,\" Farinholt said. \"And is it best to do that, considering that people grow and learn from their experiences?\"", "problems": [{"question": "What have researchers at Johns Hopkins University found recently?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A new drug to erase painful memories from human brains.", "A special behavior therapy to erase painful memories.", "Removing certain proteins from the brain can wipe painful memories.", "Erasing memory damages a patient's brain functions."]}, {"question": "What is Kate Farinholt's opinion of the research?", "answer": "A", "options": ["People may lose the chance to learn from their bad experiences.", "The research will be a great breakthrough in treating painful memories.", "People could suffer long-term memory loss.", "People could forget happy memories as well."]}]}
{"article": "Today, Mount Qomolangma's peak is not a lonely place any more. More than 3,500 people have successfully climbed the 8,844m mountain, and more than a tenth of that number reached the peak just over the past year. As more and more people try to test themselves against Qomolangma, many a time the mount can be very crowded. Climbers have complained about waiting for hours in the bottlenecks  on the way to the peak. If bad weather strikes, climbers can and do die.\nBut the dangerous crowds aren't the only problem on Qomolangma. All those climbers need to bring a lot of _ --much of them ends up being left on the mountain, sometimes even the peak itself. Mount Qomolangma is becoming the world's tallest rubbish dump. Here's mountaineer Mark Jenkins writing in National Geographic about the state of Qomolangma: \"The two standard routes, the Northeast Ridge and the Southeast Ridge, are not only dangerously crowded but also badly polluted.\"\nBut the good news is that some mountaineers are taking it upon themselves to clean up Qomolangma. Mountaineer Paul Thelen and his friend Eberhard Schaaf are part of the annual Eco Everest Expedition, which has been cleaning up rubbish from base camps to the peak since 2008. So far they've collected over 13 tons of garbage.\nSome of that rubbish is even being used for a higher purpose. As part of the Mount Everest 8844 Art Project, a group of 15 artists from Nepal collected 1.5 tons of garbage brought down the mountain by climbers. They've changed the cans and oxygen tanks--in one case, part of the remains of a helicopter--into 74 pieces of art that have already gone on exhibition in Nepal's capital. Part of the profit from sales will go to the Everest Peakeers Association, which has helped collect tons of rubbish off the mountain.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we learn about the bottlenecks on the way to Mount Qomolangma's peak?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They are relatively safe.", "They are often crowded.", "They are very easy to pass.", "They are sites of base camps."]}, {"question": "The group of 15 Nepali artists   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["created works of art using rubbish from Qomolangma", "were employed by the Everest Peakeers Association", "climbed Qomolangma and collected 1.5 tons of trash", "painted 74 beautiful pictures of Mount Qomolangma's peak"]}, {"question": "What can be the best title for the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Test Yourself Against Qomolangma", "Qomolangma has Become a Huge Mess", "Eco Everest Expedition Proves Successful", "How to Climb Qomolangma"]}]}
{"article": "Norway tops the list of countries that offers the best social policies for people over 60. Afghanistan is rated the worst. The rankings appear in the new Global Age Watch Index. Help Age International published the index of 96 countries that are home to 790-million people 60 and older. Chief Executive Officer Toby Porter said, \"For too long, older people have been excluded  from international and national development planning. We have a world which is ageing fast. And what the index does is to compare and rank countries from best to worst countries in the world to grow old,\" he said. The Global Age Watch Index rates countries in four categories. \"Health, income, what we call capability - ability to carry on contributing employment. And then the final one about enabling environment - what do older people think about the environment that they live in.\"  \n\"The focus on the report this year is on pensions - on retirement income that older men and women can expect.\" The index reports only one in four older people over 65 in low and middle income countries have any kind of retirement saving. Norway gets the highest ranking in the index. Rounding out the top 10 are Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland, the United States, Japan and New Zealand. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list following many years of conflict. There are 10 African countries on the index - all near the bottom. South Africa ranks the highest among them at 80. However, Porter said South Africa is doing some positive things. \"We've seen some very encouraging public statements from some senior politicians in South Africa that they recognize the contribution and the importance of supporting their older population. South Africa is one of the so-called BRICS nations - countries with strong emerging economies. Other members include Brazil, ranked 58 - Russia, ranked 65 - India, 69 and China, 48. Porter said, \"A lot of the impetus  behind China introducing pension provision for all of her older citizens was to provide an motivation for them to start using their purchasing power earlier in their lives in spending money rather than saving it for a pension.\" Help Age International recommended African nations begin providing pensions when people turn 60. However, if countries are poor, they might not be able to institute a pension system to every eligible  person at once. Another factor is Africa's youth population, which is much greater than most parts of the world. Therefore, governments are already hard pressed to provide education and jobs.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the focus on the report of this year?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Pension", "Capability", "Employment", "Health"]}, {"question": "The so-called BRICS nations do not include  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Russia", "China", "South Africa", "New Zealand"]}, {"question": "According to Toby Porter, he does not agree that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["older people have not been included in the developing plan for a long time", "it makes little sense to rank countries from best to worst in the world to grow old", "more attention should be paid to older people in a world that is ageing fast", "South Africa is doing lots of positive things to improve the older people's conditions"]}, {"question": "The purpose of The Global Age Watch Index is to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["warn governments of the severe environmental problems in their countries", "tell the difference between developing countries and developed countries[]", "get governments and people to care more about older people in the world", "urge governments to take measures to stop political and military conflicts"]}]}
{"article": "After 10 seasons wearing the No.8 on his back, Kobe Bryant will become No.24 next season. The reason for the surprising decision by the Los Angeles Lakers super guard last week has become a hot topic for debate. \nBryant wore No.24 when he was in early high school, but he changed to No.33 in his senior year. He switched to No.8 when he was selected by the Lakers in 1996, and has been not changed since. \nBryant has refused to explain the decision until the end of the play-offs. So guessing Bryant's motive has become a popular game among NBA fans and newspaper columnists. \nThere are all kinds of speculations . Many say that Bryant wants to leave the past behind and have a fresh start. He has often been criticized for playing to benefit himself and not the team as a whole. Others say that he may be trying to compare himself to Michael Jordan. prefix = st1 /Jordanwas famous for his No. 23 jersey . Some, such as NBC Sport columnist Michael Ventre, argue that it is \"all about money\". Bryant will make more money by selling new jerseyto his fans. \nSome speculations are more about fun. For example, there is an opinion that Kobeis actually just a diehard fan of the popular TV drama \"24\". \nAll this talk has turned the number change into a major issue. It seems that there is a lot of fuss over something that should be pretty simple. \nJersey numbers have their own special significance in American sports, especially basketball. Players choose their number when they join a team and they usually stick with that number for the rest of their career. When a great player retires, his team will honor him by retiring his number.", "problems": [{"question": "Bryant plays for   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["The Los Angels Lakers", "TheHoustonrockets", "The ChicagoBulls", "TheMiamiHeats"]}, {"question": "Bryant wore No. 8   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["for two years and a half", "for ten years", "since he entered high school", "since he left high school"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT a speculation about Bryant's motive to change his number?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He wants to leave his past behind and have a fresh start.", "He wants to compare himself to Jordan.", "He wants to earn more money.", "He wants to show that he is man of great importance."]}]}
{"article": "With a good shopping position and the right amount of money , any educated person ought to be able to make a living out of a bookshop . It is not a difficult trade to learn and the large chain-stores can never force the small bookseller out of existence as they have done to the corner shop . But the hours of work are very long-I was only doing a part-time job , but my boss put in a seventy-hour week ,besides regular journeys out of shopping hours to buy books . \n              The real reason why I should not like to be back in the book trade for life , however , is that while I was in it, I lost my love of books . A bookseller cannot always tell the truth about his books , and that gives him a dislike for them . There was a time when I really did love books--loved the sight and smell and feel of them--if they were fifty or more years old , that is . Nothing pleased me quite so much as to buy a bargain lot of them on sale for several pounds . There is a peculiar flavour about the unexpected books you pick up in that kind of collection: little-known eighteenth-century poets , or out-of-date geography books . For occasional reading--in your bath , for example , or late at night when you are too tired to go to bed--there is nothing as good as a very old picture story-book . \n              But as soon as I went to work in the bookshop, I stopped buying books . Seen in a mass, five or ten thousand at a time , books were dull and even a little tiresome . Nowadays I do buy one occasionally , but only if it is a book that I want to read and can't borrow , and I never buy rubbish .", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage ,_is one of the necessary conditions to run a bookshop .", "answer": "A", "options": ["an educated shop-owner", "a good position at a street corner", "a regular journey out of the shop", "the force of large chain-stores"]}, {"question": "The author should not like to be back as a bookseller for life because_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["he hated his job of selling books", "selling books was only a part-time job", "the books in the shop gave him a dislike", "he was unable to be honest about the books he sold"]}, {"question": "The books preferred by the author should be those_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["stories making readers sleepless", "valuable ones bought on sale", "peculiar ones with great expectation", "geography ones from the eighteenth century"]}, {"question": "The author will only buy new books_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["if he feels dull and tired", "after he gives up his job as a bookseller", "which are interesting but hard to borrow", "when he throws away old ones"]}]}
{"article": "For a long time now, I've been fascinated by common phrases and their origins- and just why we say what we say. I decided to consult the experts, sort through all the research and compile   the answers. Here are a few of the standouts.\nQ: Why do we\"tie the knot  \"when we get married?\nA: Knots have been a common metaphor   in marriage ceremonies all over the world and through time. The expression means\"to unite in manage\".  In the Hindu marriage ceremony, the groom ties a ribbon around the bride's neck. In ancient Rome, the bride wore a belt that was tied in a knot. The groom would then unfasten it on their first night together as husband and wife.\nQ: Why do we say\"Many happy returns\"?\nA: The phrase is short for\"Many happy returns of the day\", which is to say,\"May this day return many times\"or\"May you have many more birthdays. \"\nQ: How about\"It's not over till the fat lady sings\"? Where does that come from?\nA: This expression is usually phrased as\"The opera isn't over till the fat lady sings. \"It got its start as a popular saying when it was used by a sportswriter Dan Cook in 1976 to indicate that a sporting contest wouldn't end until time was called.\nQ: What's the story of\"under the weather,\"especially when the weather's just fine?\nA: There's probably a nautical   explanation. In days gone by, when people felt seasick, they were told to go below-decks and find a spot in the middle of the ship where the motion would be less noticeable. In that way, they literally took themselves\"under the weather.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The phrase\"It's not over till the fat lady sings\"was first used in   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sport", "opera", "movie", "music"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following phrases is related to the sea?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tie the knot.", "Many happy returns.", "It's not over till the fat lady sings.", "Under the weather."]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["\"Tie the knot\"has different meanings in different cultures.", "\"Many happy returns\"is often used when people celebrate birthdays.", "\"It's not over till the fat lady sings\"got its start in 1976.", "\"Under the weather\"means the weather is bad."]}, {"question": "The purpose of the passage is to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["tell us some funny stories", "tell us the origins of some phrases", "tell us some interesting experiences", "tell us the history of the English language"]}]}
{"article": "We human beings haven't been good friends to animals. For thousands of years, we have been polluting the environment, making it hard for animals to live on the planet. We have been killing animals for their fur, feathers or meat, or simply because they are dangerous. As a result, many kinds of animals have disappeared forever. Hundreds more are on the endangered list today.\nShould we care about animals? Of course we should. If animals of a certain kind all disappear, they will never come back again. Animals are more than just resources of things we need. Every kind of animal has its place in the balance of nature. Destroying any kind of animal can lead to many problems. For example, when farmers killed large numbers of hawks, the corn and grain that the farmers stored were destroyed by rats and mice. Why?  Because hawks eat rats and mice. With less and less hawks to keep down their numbers, rats and mice multiplied quickly. And if people kill too many birds, more and more insects will eat the crops.\nLuckily, we've realized that we shouldn't kill animals any more. And people are working hard to save those animals that would disappear soon. The government also passed laws to protect the endangered animals. In fact, quite a few countries have passed such laws. These laws forbid the killing of any kind of animal on the endangered list. We should try our best to protect and save the endangered animals.", "problems": [{"question": "The text calls on us to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["keep animals at home", "protect the environment", "protect the endangered animals", "know more about the balance of nature."]}, {"question": "Why do people kill animals?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Animals cause many serious problems.", "They kill animals for something they need.", "Animals destroy their natural resources.", "They kill animals to protect the environment"]}, {"question": "The example that farmers killed hawks shows that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["there were too many rats and mice", "hawks are the most important in the nature", "animals are good food resources", "every kind of animal is important in nature"]}]}
{"article": "Every year in the first week of English class, some students inform me that writing is too hard. They never write, unless homework requires it. They find the writing process painful and difficult.\nHow awful it is to be able to speak in a language but not to write in it, especially with its rich vocabulary. Being able to speak but not write is like living in _ and never leaving one small room. When I meet students who think they can't write, I know, as a teacher my duty is to show them the rest of the rooms. My task is to build fluency and accuracy while providing the opportunity in any writing activity to enhance the moral and emotional development of my students.\nOne great way to do this is by having students write in a journal in class every day.\nWriting ability is like strength training. Writing needs to be done just like exercise; just as muscles grow stronger with exercise, writing skills improve quickly with writing practice daily. I often see a rise in student confidence and performance after only a few weeks of journal writing.\nExpressing oneself in writing is one of the most important skills I teach to strengthen the whole students. When my students practice journal writing, they are practicing for their future academic, political, and emotional lives. They build skills so that some say they might write a great novel, a piece of sorely needed legislation , or the perfect love letter. That they write in their journals every day puts them a step closer to fluency, eloquence and command of the language.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the purpose of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To encourage students to keep a journal every day.", "To analyze students' problems in learning languages.", "To stress the importance of writing in language learning.", "To introduce an effective way of improving students' writing."]}, {"question": "In the author's view, what can students benefit from the journal writing?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It is beneficial to students' future career.", "It can make students more emotional.", "It is helpful to students' homework.", "It can enlarge students' vocabulary."]}]}
{"article": "My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years Iwould take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said: \"My ears, Mommy.\" She said: \"No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.\"Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her: \"Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes.\" She looked at me and told me: \"You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.\"\nMother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was \"No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child.\"Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. My momlooked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbye to grandpa. She asked me: \"Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?\"\nI was  shocked  when  she  asked  me  this  now. She  told  me:  \"This  question is very important,especially at this moment. How you answer it can truly shows whether you have\nlearned about life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong\nand I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important\nlesson.\"\nI saw her eyes well up with tears. She said: \"My dear, the most important body part is your\nshoulder.\"\"Is it because it holds up my head?\" I asked.\"No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry,\" she replied:\"Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on somet ime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The mother ask the question again after the grandfather died because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the answer was a way of honoring the grandfather.", "at that moment, other body parts were less important.", "the answer needed to be given to all members of the family.", "at that moment the answer seemed especially true."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The author was becoming smarter by answering the question.", "The mother wanted the author to be both loving and loved.", "The mother was trying to train the author to think on his or her own.", "The author didn't think the mother's answer was correct."]}, {"question": "The best title for this article might be   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["The Most Import ant Body Part", "The Importance of family", "The Importance of the Shoulder", "A Life-long Question"]}]}
{"article": "The United Nations says forty million people or so around the world went hungry in 2008, mainly because of higher food prices. Early estimates  from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that 963 million people did not get enough to eat.\nWorld food prices have dropped since early 2008. Prices of major crops have decreased by more than half from their height earlier last year. But they remain high compared to earlier years.\nBut FAO official Hafez Ghanem says lower prices have failed to end the food crisis   in many poor countries. \"For millions in developing countries,\" he says, \"getting enough food every day to live an active and healthy life is a distant dream.\"\nThe FAO says food shortage is a threat to people's health. Today, two-thirds of the world's _ people live in just a few countries. These are India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia and so on.\nA report on food insecurity warns that the current economic crisis could send even more people into hunger and poverty.\nIn sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of the people who continually go hungry fell from 34% in 1997 to 30% in 2008. But the FAO says Ghana is the only country that has reached two sets of hunger reduction targets. These were set by the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Development Goals. The main reason is the growth in agricultural production in Ghana.\nThe FAO says some countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam have made progress in hunger reduction goals. But South Asia and Central Asia haven't, and North Korea is still in hot water.", "problems": [{"question": "What FAO official Hafez Ghanem says implies   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["it's easy but takes long to provide people with enough food", "enough food can make people more active and healthier", "there is difficulty solving the food shortage in a short time", "people in developing countries will never get enough food"]}, {"question": "Ghana has reached the targets of hunger reduction mainly because of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the still high food prices", "the donation of developed countries", "the two targets of hunger reduction", "the growth in agricultural production"]}, {"question": "Which country has not made progress in hunger reduction?", "answer": "A", "options": ["North Korea", "Thailand", "Vietnam", "Ghana"]}, {"question": "What is the best title of this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The food production of the world", "The hunger reduction target of the FAO", "The food shortage around the world", "The solution to the global food shortage"]}]}
{"article": "We live in a dangerous world. The figures for crime go up year by year. If you were attacked in the street, would you be able to defend yourself? Not very well probably, especially if someone was pointing a gun at you. We all see a lot of violence of films, but recently some programs on television showed how people can defend themselves without guns. For example, in one film a woman was attacked from behind. She threw the man, who was heavier and stronger than she was, over her head. Then she held him tightly on the ground. How? She knew Judo.\nJiu-jitsu, as judo is sometimes called, means \"muscle science\" in Japanese. The student of judo needs to learn a lot about the body, its bones and muscles. Judo uses a number of \"falls\", \"holds\" and \"throws\". Someone who does not know judo cannot defend himself against them. If you know judo you can defend yourself against a person who is stronger than you. You had better not practice judo on your friends unless they can fall without hurting themselves! Being strong is one thing, but using the body wisely is another. In judo, you use the other person's body to help you. You \"throw\" him to the ground and \"hold\" him there, so that he cannot move. Of course, it takes time and practice, but knowing judo is useful. In a violent world you ought to be able to defend yourself.", "problems": [{"question": "According to passage, in fact \"judo\" is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the same as \"Jiu-jitsu\"", "a kind of fighting", "a kind of muscle science", "is helpful to a strong man"]}, {"question": "Why does the writer say the world is dangerous?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The number of violence and crime is increasing every year.", "Because many people carry guns.", "Because there too many films.", "Because people are not able to defend themselves."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statement is true about the woman in the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The woman held the man over her head.", "The woman was heavier than the man.", "The woman was able to defend herself.", "The woman attacked the man from behind."]}, {"question": "If a man knows judo, he   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["will be good at muscle science.", "will be able to avoid being attacked from his back.", "may defeat any strong person.", "can help himself by using the other person's body"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for this short passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How to defend oneself", "Violence in films", "How to practise judo", "Something about judo"]}]}
{"article": "A good friend of mine was complaining about her son the other day.\"Did you notice,\" she started, \"how he didn't wait for me to get my salad before he dove into his?\"\nTrue enough, the boy attacked his plate faster than a cat in the wild.Without manners, we're no more than animals.Actually, that's not true.I've been watching and feeding a group of wild cats, and they show unusual politeness toward each other.Even when food is _ , they take turns, leaving at least a small part for the next in line.\nMy mother educated her three children to have good manners all the time.We were made to feel very uncomfortable as if we were sitting on pins and needles until we got used to saying please, thank you, pardon me, and I'm sorry.And I have to say, while it was a painful learning experience, it was one of the most valuable.\nI can't tell you how often I sat with my friends, eating at their dinner tables, and their parents thought highly of my good manners.While it was a little embarrassing, I knew even then that my mother's teachings were paying off.\nMany years later, when I was attending seminars across the country, my manners were quite useful.\nWhile I regret that I haven't been a perfect example, I'm still working on it.I suppose, in this regard, my mother lives on through me.I didn't have her beautiful singing voice or her green eyes, but she did make sure I received one of her finest characteristics.", "problems": [{"question": "What did the writer's friend most probably complain about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Her son's eating too quickly.", "Her son's not having a healthy diet.", "Her son's not having good table manners.", "Teenagers' not having good manners."]}, {"question": "We learn that the writer's mother   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["was strict about her children's manners", "never punished her children", "had beautiful blue eyes", "was not good at singing"]}, {"question": "What does the writer think of her experience of learning good manners?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Easy and relaxing", "Painful and valuable", "Easy but useless", "Too horrible"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that the writer   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["is surely liked by everyone around her", "is not satisfied with most people's manners around her", "thinks she has been a perfect example to the young", "thanks her mother for teaching her the good manners a lot"]}]}
{"article": "They tell us when to get up or when we're running late for work and whether we are in danger of missing our favourite TV programme. But while our daily routines rely on clocks that tell us the time, science is discovering that our well-being is influenced by a very different kind of timepiece. Circadian rhythms---the human body's own internal clock---have a powerful influence on our health and behaviour. _ are programmed from birth and control functions ranging from temperature and blood pressure to sleep patterns.\nIn recent years researchers have also discovered that this built-in mechanism can influence everything from the way we react to medicines to how well we learn music.\nThe latest example, from experts at Harvard University in the US, shows that the human body clock can even dictate whether or not we are likely to tell the truth. Researchers found it was easier for people to fib  in the afternoon because, as they were tired, the self control that would normally prevent them from lying started to break down. Tiredness made it harder to resist the temptation to tell lies---especially if it meant they got a financial reward at the end.\n\"The body clock has a great effect on us all,\" says Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University. \"Most people tend to feel good around late morning and then decline in the early afternoon. But the time most of us will feel our sharpest is between 6pm and 8pm. That's because sleepiness tends to build up throughout the day. By early evening our body clock kicks in to wake us up. One reason may be to ensure we get home safely. When our ancestors were coming home after hunting all day their internal clocks kicked in to get them home in one piece.\"\nSo what effects do circadian rhythms have and what's the best time of day to take advantage of them?", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, when are people most quick-thinking?", "answer": "D", "options": ["In the morning.", "Around midday.", "In the late afternoon.", "In the early evening."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Rebuild your body clock", "Timing is everything", "Sleep more, lie less", "Your time is limited"]}]}
{"article": "Actress Hayden Panettiere recently got into trouble with Japanese fishermen as she tried to stop them from killing dolphins.\nThe 18-year-old star with some other surfers sailed out to reach the dolphins in order to stop them from being driven into a nearby pool and killed, but the six surfers, from Australia and the United States, were stopped by a fishing boat before they could reach them. The fishermen blocked their way with a boathook  . It was an ugly, unfriendly and life-threatening struggle before the surfers were forced to return to the beach. It is believed that the dolphins were later taken into a pool and killed.\nPanettiere, who is a brave surfer and loyal animal protector, made up her mind to save the dolphins of Japan and said, \"It was really frightening. Some of us were hit by the boathook, but in the end all we were really worried about the dolphins. It was so sad. We were so close to them and they were jumping out of the water to see us.\" Breaking down in tears, she added, \"One little baby dolphin stuck his head out and looked at me and the thought that it's no longer with us is really hard to take.\"\nThe surfers left the country to avoid arrest   by the Japanese police. Panettiere is now back in Los Angeles.\nMore than 22,000 dolphins are killed by fishermen in Japan every year. Many Japanese believe dolphins should be treated like fish. They have been hunting dolphins for centuries and see any criticism   of this as an attack on their culture.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the surfers get into trouble with the fishermen in Japan?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They said something that hurt the fishermen.", "They entered a pool which wasn't allowed to go into.", "They attacked Japanese culture.", "They tried to stop the fishermen from killing the dolphins."]}, {"question": "From Paragraph 3, we can learn that Panettiere    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["was really frightened and sad", "succeeded in saving the dolphins", "cried when they were hit by the boathook", "didn't like the Japanese fishermen"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["What Happened While Surfing in Japan", "Hayden Panettiere Cried in the Sea of Japan", "People Worldwide Are Against Killing Dolphins", "Protect the Wild Animals"]}]}
{"article": "Sir,\n    The majority(=Most) of your readers must have been surprised and shocked to read a letter from Mr.R.Hogg,published in last Wednesday's Herald.Mr.Hogg seems to think that his own convenience and that of motorists in general are the only things that matter in our city.\n    I would have supported Mr.Hogg if he had just made suggestions to improve the situation.No doubt his problems would be partly solved if the local government built a multi-storey car park in the city center,instead of encouraging motorists to use public transport.All the same,judging from the tone of Mr.Hogg's letter,I suspect that motorists who are so careless of pedestrians' safety that they would rather park their ears on the pavement than hold up the traffic would probably be too lazy to use a multi-storey car park if they had to walk a few hundred yards to their destination afterwards.\n    My main reason for writing,however,is much more important.Does Mr.Hogg realize that,according to figures  showed by the Department of Transport,13,000 people were knocked down in Britain last year because of ears being illegally parked either on the pavement or on crossings? In fact,although the total pedestrian casualty  rate has fallen over the last ten years,there has been an increase in accidents caused when pedestrians have to step out into the mad to avoid parked cars on the pavement and cannot see oncoming traffic.\n    I cannot share Mr.Hogg's view that the government have paid little attention to\"long-suffering motorists\":and I think the punishment for dangerous parking should be made severe enough to stop all motorists from breaking the law in this way.\nA WALKER,\nProudfoot Lane,Carchester", "problems": [{"question": "The letter above is written in answer to the letter by  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["art editor", "a certain Mr.R.Hogg", "some readers", "some motorists"]}, {"question": "The topic for the two letters is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["parking problems in the city center", "building a multi-storey car park in the city center", "public transport", "the increase in accidents caused by parked cars on the pavement"]}, {"question": "What Mr.A.Walker does want to make known in his letter is that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the total pedestrian casualty rate has fallen", "careless parking may cause serious traffic accidents", "the convenience of motorists in general matters much", "the safety of pedestrians matters lithe"]}, {"question": "In Mr.A.Walker's opinion,severer punishment should be given to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["all the careless motorists", "all the law breakers", "all who step out into the road", "all who do dangerous parking"]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever wanted to feel like you were in a western film? Or maybe you wanted to feel like you were a pioneer traveling the west? It is possible to experience such things during a Wild West vacation! Here are four of the best Wild West vacation locations available:\nWalk the Lewis and Clark Trail\nWalk some or all of the 3,700 miles trail that was traversed by Mariwether Lewis and William Clark, two of the world's greatest explorers. Though not all the trails are marked, there are various stops that have been preserved by various historic societies. There is also a coach   that makes a 16-day _ following the trail. This begins in St. Louis, Missouri, and ends in Astoria, Oregon.\nVenture Route 66\nTake a tour or go to see it yourself -- ride on the famous Route 66. The road is nearly 2,500 miles long. Harley Davidson offers motorcycle tours that last two weeks. Route 66 will provide an experience that may only be found on the open road. The historic road is still well taken care of.\nVisit the Grand Canyon\nVisit the greatest canyon in the world, located in Northern Arizona. Raft down the Colorado River, or hike the various trails that run throughout the canyon. If walking is not your thing, there are donkey and horse riding adventures available. In addition, there are motorized boats that float down through the canyon in a week's time.\nVisit Deadwood\nLocated in South Dakota, Deadwood is a historic landmark. It is the kind of town that comes to mind when one thinks of an old western film. Actors who act as gunslingers   will often be seen in the streets playing their roles. Winter activities are popular in this old town, and there is always something to do.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of following riding adventures can tourists take on Route 66?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A horse riding adventure.", "A coach riding adventure.", "A motorcycle riding adventure.", "A donkey riding adventure."]}, {"question": "If you want to hike various trails you are advised to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["visit the Grand Canyon", "visit Deadwood", "venture Route 66", "walk the Lewis and Clark Trail"]}, {"question": "What do we know from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A number of historic stops aren't protected well.", "William Clark was a pioneer who explored the west.", "Western films are the most popular among Americans.", "None of the trails in the west are marked."]}]}
{"article": "Alaska's Arctic lakes now freeze later and melt earlier in the year than in 1950,leaving them easy to suffer water loss from evaporation and possibly adding to local warming,a new study finds.The winter ice season near Barrow,Alaska,is shorter than in 1950,researchers reported Jan.30 in the journal The Cryosphere.\nLake ice is also thinner each winter.The scientists surveyed 402 lakes on the North Slope,where permafrost (permanently frozen ground)and shallow lakes dominate the areA. In 2011,the lake ice was 38 percent thinner than in 1950,and 22 percent fewer lakes froze through to their bottoms.\n\"When we saw the actual numbers we were shocked at how dramatic the change has been,\"lead study author Cristina Surdu,of the University of Waterloo in Canada,said in a statement.Surdu and her co-authors analyzed the changes in lake--ice thickness and ice cover with satellite images and climate model simulations(satellite images are only available from 1991).\nThe climate models suggest the Arctic lakes froze almost six days later and broke up about 18 days earlier in the winter of 2011 compared with the winter of 1950.\"The changes in ice and the shortened winter affect Northern communities that depend on ice roads to transport goods,\"Surdu saiD. For example,every winter,oil companies build roads over frozen lakes to carry supplies to Prudhoe Bay.\n\"The dramatic changes in lake ice may also contribute to further warming of the entire region,because open water on lakes contributes to warmer air temperatures,\"Surdu saiD. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet,for reasons that may include its layered atmosphere,which traps heat,and the loss of sea ice and snow cover,which help reflect the sun's energy when present.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the text mainly tell us?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Arctic 1akes now freeze earlier and melt 1ater.", "Alaska's local warming is decreasing sharply.", "Arctic lakes are losing ice.", "Arctic lakes hold more flesh water than before."]}, {"question": "According to the text,the great changes of Alaska's Arctic lakes   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["are totally beyond Surdu's expectations", "are completely within Surdu's expectations", "come as no surprise to Surdu and her co-authors", "come as a great excitement to Surdu"]}, {"question": "How many days was the winter ice season of Arctic 1akes in 2011 shorter than that in 1950?", "answer": "D", "options": ["6 days.", "12 days.", "18 days.", "24 days."]}]}
{"article": "When animals and plants use color1 to be noticed it is called advertising color1ation .Advertising color1ation can be used to either warn or attract animals. \nThe bright color1s of flowers and berries are advertising color1ation that attract animals.Flowers need to be pollinated to reproduce.Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to bright color1s and will pollinate the flowers.Some pollinated plants will produce berries.These berries will turn a bright color1 when they are ripe.The bright color1 lets berry-eating birds know the fruit is sweet and safe to eat.After birds eat the berries,the seeds will pass through their digestive system and be left behind.Some of the seeds left behind will grow into new plants! \nColor is also used to attract mates. Many male birds like the northern cardinal are brightly color1ed to attract females.Bright feathers can be a sign of how healthy the bird is! Female birds are naturally attracted to healthier males because their offspring will be healthier.Female birds are often less colorful. This helps hide them when they are nesting. \nAdvertising color1ation is also used to warn animals away.The ladybug has bright orange wings with black spots.Its color1ing warns meat-eating animals that the ladybug tastes awful. The striped skunk has white stripes that are a warning to meat-eating animals that they may be in for a nasty surprise if they try to attack. \nSome animals,like the red-eyed tree frog,may scare prey away with their color1, Red-eyed tree frogs sleep during the day.If a meat-eating animal comes up to them and they open their eyes,the bright red color1 of their eyes might shock the predator long enough to give the red-eyed flog time to hop away to safety.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following would the writer probably agree with?", "answer": "D", "options": ["female northern cardinal may have color1ful and bright feathers.", "Red - eyed tree frogs sleep during the day with their eyes open.", "the striped skunk use white stripes to attract their animals", "the color1 of the ladybugs tells meat-eating animals they taste terrible"]}]}
{"article": "Dave Bruno works as an online marketing manager. Several years ago, one weekend Bruno and his family did a major house cleanup and then donated several bags of unneeded items to the local Goodwill store. \"After all were done, I looked around and realized that I still had too much stuff\", says Bruno, \" _ \" That realization prompted the 39-year-old father of three to try an experiment, \"The 100Thing Challenge\".\nWith the goal of breaking free of what he calls a \"bad habit of consumerism , Bruno was determined to live for one year with just 100 personal items. He cut down his possessions to 94 items, including a Bible, laptop, guitar, wedding ring, car and clothes. He created some guidelines for the experiment since his wife and daughters did not participate, familyshared and household items did not count as personal items. He also grouped together some basic things such as underwear and socks. Bruno began blogging about his new lifestyle and eventually wrote a book, The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life, and Regained My Soul.\nSince completing the experiment, Bruno has continued to live by the motto: reduce, refuse, and rearrange and maintains just 110 personal things. \" Nearly three years of living with a minimal amount of personal possessions, I'm no longer in the habit of consuming for the sake of consumption  ,\" he wrote in his blog last week, \"That has freed me up for all sorts of better endeavors   than shopping--like spending time with family and writing a book and planning for business opportunities.\"\nBruno's project has also inspired others to live minimally, many of whom post their own 100 Thing Challenge updates on YouTube. \"The reality is that the 100 Thing Challenge is surprisinglyeasy\", says Bruno, \"I'm  not saying there were no challenges or disappointments. I miss some things, but not that much. Frankly, it's far easier to live with less stuff than with excessive trash.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The things were included in Bruno's 94 items EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["socks", "a Bible", "cookers", "a wedding ring"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Live with 100 Things", "Defeat 100 Challenges in Life", "Survive by Your Motto", "Consume for Consumption's Sake"]}]}
{"article": "No one knows for certain why people dream, but some dreams misht be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time   dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill.\n\"I was astonished by this finding,\" Robert Stickgold told Science News. He is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study of-how the brain and nervous system work, and cognitive studies look at how people learn and reason. So a cognitive neuroscientist may study the brain processes that help people learn.\nIn the study, 99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a computer, trying to get through a virtual maze  . The maze was difficult, and the study participants had to start in a different place each time they tried - making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was.\nFor the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the particularity stayed awake and half were told to take a short nap. Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after steep - and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams.\nAbout a dozen of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these people tried the computer maze again, they were generally able to find the tree faster than before their naps. However, people who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement.\nStickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't help a person learn - it's the other way around.", "problems": [{"question": "It is a cognitive scientists job to study  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["how people dream and learn", "the structure of the nervous system", "whether someone is reasonable", "the process of understanding"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the study attended by 99 college students is to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["find the hidden tree in the maze", "test the design of a difficult virtual maze", "train people's memory", "see how dreams and learning are connected"]}, {"question": "The better performance in working out the maze is connected with  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["how people dream", "what people dream", "when people dream", "where people dream"]}]}
{"article": "A pair of pandas being lent by China to Japan was set to arrive in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in the Japanese capital and raising hopes that the animals may help improve bilateral  ties.\nBi Li and his female partner, Xian Nu, both 5, were  due  to\nat  Narita international Airport in Tokyo on a flight from Shanghai.\nTogether with their keeper, the pair were transferred from Chengdu, to Shanghai on Monday morning, said Li Desheng, deputy chief of the Wolong Nature Reserve.\nThe pair, which are young adults, will be the first pandas at Ueno Zoo since April 2008, when the institution's beloved Ling Ling died.\nUeno Zoo had spent 90 million yen ($1.1 million) installing under-floor heating, a playground with a sandbox and landscaping.\nThe pair will dine on rare bamboo from the central Japanese mountain of Izu that is similar to what they are used to at home in China.\nThe zoo's first pair of pandas arrived in 1972, marking the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.\nExpectations are running high that the pandas that will stay in Japan for 10 years will boost the local economy and improve troubled relations between Tokyo and Beijing.\nBusiness and tourism officials expect them to bring in around 20 billion yen a year, or 10 percent of the local economy.\nIn 1993, a year after Ling Ling arrived in the zoo, an additional 1 million people visited the attraction. Visitors have fallen to around 3 million a year from 3.5 million since Ling Ling's death.\nSince a boat collision near the Diaoyu Islands in September, Sino-Japanese relations have been at a low point. The media outlets expressed hope that bilateral relations will improve with the arrival of the pandas.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly tells us    _    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a pair of pandas was lent to Japan by China", "the pair of pandas from China brought hope of improving Sino-Japanese relations", "the normalization of diplomatic ties between China and Japan", "sino-Japanese relations have been at a low point since the Diaoyu Island incident"]}, {"question": "en the pair of pandas arrives in Japan,    _    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["an additional 1 million people will visit the zoo", "they will eat what they are used to from China", "they will stay there for 10 years", "the"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we know that Ling Ling stayed in Japan for about    _    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["5 years", "10 years", "15 years", "20 years"]}, {"question": "The arriving of the pandas is expected to bring several positive effects except    _    .", "answer": "D", "options": ["boosting the local economy", "improving the troubled relations between China and Japan", "bringing in around 20 billion yen a year", "attracting 3.5 million visitors from China"]}]}
{"article": "The interview had been going on for about 20 minutes and everything seems to be going well. Then,suddenly,the interviewer asks an unexpected question,\"Which is more important,law or Dove?\"\nJob applicants in the West increasingly find themselves asked strange questions like this. And the signs are that this is beginning to happen in China.\nEmployers want people skilled,enthusiastic and devoted. So these are the qualities that any reasonably intelligent job applicants will try to show no matter what his or her actual feelings are. In response,employers are increasingly using questions which try and show the applicant's true personality.\nThe question in the first paragraph comes from a test called the Keirsey Personality Sorter. It is an attempt to discover how people solve problems,rather than what they know. This is often called an aptitude test  .\nAccording to Mark Baldwin, many job applicants in China are finding this type of questions difficult. When a Chinese person fills out an aptitude test, he or she will think there is a right answer and they may fail because they try to guess what the examiner wants to see.\nThis is sometimes called the prisoner's dilemma. Applicants are trying to act cleverly in their own interest. But they fail because they don't understand what the interviewer is looking for. Remember that in an aptitude test,the correct answer is always the honest answer.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer wrote the passage to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["give you a piece of advice on a job interview", "tell you how to meet a job interviewer", "describe the aptitude test", "advise you how to find a job"]}, {"question": "Why do the interviewers ask such questions?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They want to discover what the interviewees know.", "They are curious about the answers.", "They try to discover the ability of the interviewees solving problems.", "They just ask questions without thinking much."]}, {"question": "According to the writer, in an aptitude test, Chinese job applicants should  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["not tell the truth", "learn to tell what they really think", "be more enthusiastic", "try to find out what the examiner really want to know"]}, {"question": "From the passage we know that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["job applicants are always asked such questions", "more Chinese applicants fail to find a job", "applicants should not act as reasonably as a prisoner", "the aptitude test is becoming popular worldwide"]}]}
{"article": "A young man went to a town and worked there. He did not have a wife and a servant did the work in his house.\nThe young man liked laughing a lot. He nailed the servant's shoes to the floor on Monday, and then laughed, because he put his feet in them and fell down.\nThe servant was not angry, but smiled. Then the young man put brushes in his bed on Tuesday. The servant got into bed and hit the brushes with his feet. He was afraid. The young man laughed loudly again. Again the servant was not angry, but smiled.\nThen on Wednesday the young man said to his servant, \"You're a nice, kind man. I am not going to be unkind to you again.\"\nThe servant smiled and said, \"And I'm not going to put any more mud from the street in your coffee.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The young man went to a town   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["to study", "to work", "to see his relative", "to spend his holiday"]}, {"question": "He played a joke on the servant because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he hated him", "he was not satisfied with the food the servant prepared for him", "he wanted to get pleasure", "he liked to show off himself"]}, {"question": "When the young man played a joke on him, the servant was not angry but smiled because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he liked the young man' s action", "making the young man laugh is his job", "he was afraid to be fired", "he thought he shouldn't be angry with a child"]}, {"question": "What did the servant do in return to the young man?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He stole something from the house.", "He gave a smile to the young man.", "He had a fight with him.", "He put mud into the young man's coffee."]}, {"question": "Why did the young man stop playing jokes on the servant?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because the servant showed kind and nice behaviour to him", "Because the servant told him the truth", "Because he wanted to be a good man", "Because his father told him to do so"]}]}
{"article": "\"A good parent\" can be a confusing phrase. It is almost impossible for one person to be \"a good parent\" at all stages of a child's life. Some parents are at their best before their children begin to speak. Others are most successful before their children enter elementary school. Still others make their finest contribution to older children or teenagers. Every parent can understand one stage of a child's development better than another. It is hard for a person to possess superior capacities throughout the entire period of a child's growth.\nA mother might be \"a good parent\" from her baby's birth until it is three; that is the period when it needs her protection and loving care. Then the start of her child's independence might upset and alarm her, and she might then become less helpful for a few years. A father might be awkward and uncomfortable with a younger child, but could turn into an excellent parent when the child is old enough to be taught the skills of cycling, fishing and so on, or to be taken on trips. Some parents feel easier with boys, and others with girls -- and then only at certain ages or stages.\nIt is important for parents to understand and accept their own limitations in these matters, just as they must accept the child's faults of personality and limitations of talent. Otherwise, fathers and mothers will feel guilty and blame themselves for weaknesses that may not be their faults. Much of the guilt experienced by modern parents comes from the mistaken feeling that they ought to be all things at all times to the child, which is clearly mistaken. In past ages, grandparents and uncles and aunts lived with the family, and provided different kinds of support; in our present \"nuclear\" family, too many roles are demanded of the two parents, which they cannot possibly fulfill.", "problems": [{"question": "Confusion arises about what it means to be \"a good parent\" because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it is normal to be a successful parent during most stages of a child's development", "most parents are only good at helping older children or teenagers", "parents are usually at their best before their children go to school", "parents do not realize they cannot perform equally well through a child's growth"]}, {"question": "Parents would feel guilty if   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["their children can't accept their own limitations of talent", "they realize their weaknesses in raising children", "their grandfathers and uncles and aunts don't live with them", "they don't know their limitations in raising children"]}, {"question": "Parents of \"nuclear\" families sometimes feel at a loss because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they believe that such a family prevents the healthy growth of a child's personality and talent", "they dislike the support that other family members give to their children", "they do not always have the help of other family members in child-raising", "they no longer regard grandparents, uncles and aunts as good educators of their children"]}]}
{"article": "TANG Dynasty writer Du Mu once wrote in a poem titled Qingming: \"The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day; So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.Where can a wine house be found to drown his sadness ?A cowherd points to Almond Flower (Xing Hua) Village in the distance.\"\nQingming, the traditional tomb-sweeping day on the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on April 4 this year. Qingming Jie was proclaimed a Chinese national holiday in 2008. It is a time for remembering loved ones who have departed  . People visit their ancestors' graves to sweep away the dirt and get rid of any weeds. They also leave offerings   of food and flowers, and burn incense   and paper money. Chinese tombs are usually built in the woods or on mountains, far from the city. It is believed that an area that faces south, with many pine trees, is a proper place for a tomb. People believe such a place will make the ancestors happy, and in return, they will look after the living family.\nNowadays, more and more residents are choosing environmental-friendly ways to spend the holiday such as flower sacrifices and memorial ceremonies on the Internet or at home. As one of the traditional ways to celebrate Tomb-sweeping Day - burning paper or incense - isn't exactly good for air quality.\nIn contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of Spring on this day. The Qingming Festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. Since ancient times, people have followed the custom of Spring outings. At this time tourists are everywhere.\nMany people fly kites on Tomb Sweeping Day. They are usually made from a bamboo crossbow with coloured paper. The kite vibrates and buzzes as it rises into the sky, counterbalanced by its tail. Large kites can be as broad as three metres across, with a tail of six to ten metres. Most kites have a rectangular shape, and many have patterns of crabs, centipedes, butterflies, dragonflies, or Chinese characters such as \"good fortune\" or \"long life\". (361words)", "problems": [{"question": "All of the following practices are mentioned on tomb-sweeping day EXCEPT  _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Weeping over the passed-away.", "Flying kites made from bamboo and paper", "Sending flowers to their ancestors' graves.", "Burning incense and paper money for the dead."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is correct according to passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Du Mu ,the well-known poet in Song Dynasty wrote a poem about Qing Ming.", "Qingming Festival used to be a Chinese national holiday.", "People have the custom of flying kites on Qing Ming.", "Those whose ancestors were buried in proper places will have a bright future."]}, {"question": "The writer write the passage in order to  _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["enable us to observe traditional tomb-sweeping day.", "show traditional and present ways to spend Qingming Festival .", "educate people to show their respect to the ancestors", "raise people's awareness of environmental protection."]}]}
{"article": "Scientists are using a kind of eye-tracking equipment to learn how babies look at the world. In the lab, children 5 months and older crawl   and walk up, down and over adjustable wooden slopes  , gaps and steps.\nIt may seem like the set for a new reality television show, but there are no prizes, except perhaps for the researchers. They hope to understand what makes one child respond to another, how babies adjust their look to their hands and feet to handle objects, and how these very young children adapt to changes.\nThe findings provided by these eye-trackers suggest that babies may be more capable of understanding and acting on what they see than had been thought. \"Quick looks at their mothers' faces may be all they need to get the information they want. They seem to be surprisingly efficient,\" said John Franchak who studies psychology at New York University.\nAlthough sight might largely seem effortless to us, in reality we actively choose what we look at, making about two to four eye movements every second for some 150,000 motions   daily, said Karen Adolph, also a developmental psychologist at N.Y.U. \"Sight is not passive,\" she said. \"We actively adjust our eye movements to the motions of our hands and bodies.\"\nEye-tracking studies have existed for more than a century, but the instruments involved were typically desk machines. The wearable eye-trackers that Dr. Adolph, Mr. Franchak and their colleagues use are based on equipment developed over the last decade by Positive Science, a New York company, with money from the United States Naval Research Laboratory. They were designed to help scientists. Eye-trackers are currently being used in studies to learn the differences in how amateur and professional geologists   scan landscapes and how people examine signs when looking for exits during emergencies.\nThe researchers also found that during the studies babies looked at their mothers just 16 percent of the time. \"That is lower than expected.\" Dr. Adolph said. A large body of past research has placed importance on children watching the faces of adults as they name objects to learn languages. These findings suggest children may not have to look very long to get the information they need, either from people or objects. This gives a new understanding of how much information they need, or how quickly children might process the information.", "problems": [{"question": "How do babies get the information they need?", "answer": "C", "options": ["By using their own language.", "By looking at their mothers' eyes.", "By watching their mothers' facial expression.", "By listening to others."]}, {"question": "What does Dr. Adolph think of the result of the research?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Exciting.", "Unacceptable.", "Strange.", "Surprising."]}, {"question": "The text is most probably taken from  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a website about relationship between mothers and children", "a science magazine about children's actions", "a book about how to teach children", "a newspaper about processing information"]}]}
{"article": "As computers become more popular in China , Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters . But if they use the computer too much , they may end up forgetting the exact strokes of each Chinese character when writing on paper . Experts suggest people , especially students , write by hand more .\nDo you write by hand more or type more ? In Beijing , students start using a computer as early as primary school . And computer dependence is more widespread among university students . Almost all their assignments and essays are typed on a computer .\nAll the students interviewed say they usually use a computer .\nIt's faster and easier to correct if using a computer . And that's why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education . But when people are\ncomputers increasingly , problems appear .\n\" When I'm writing with a pen , I find I often can't remember how to write a character , though I feel I'm familiar with it .\"\n\" I'm not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper .\"\nMany students don't feel this is something to worry about . Now that it's more convenient and efficient to write on a computer , why bother to handwrite ?\nMany educators think differently . Shi Liwei , the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said \" Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value . But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value . All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost . And handwriting contains the writer's emotion . Through one's handwriting , people can get to know one's thinking and personality . Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them .\"\nTo encourage students to handwrite more , many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory and in universities , some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand .", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The Importance of Handwriting and Typing .", "To Type or to Handwrite .", "Writing by Computer Will Replace Writing by Hand", "Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters"]}, {"question": "The students interviewed prefer to write using a computer mainly because    _    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they are usually asked to email their homework and essays", "they can correct the mistakes they make quickly and conveniently", "they find it not easy to remember how to write a character", "computers have become a trend and fashion in China"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true of the advantages of handwriting ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Handwriting contains the writer's emotion .", "The writer's thinking and personality are shown in his or her handwriting .", "Handwriting can impress people well and build one's self-confidence .", "Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value ."]}, {"question": "We can draw the conclusion from the passage that    _    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["more and more students will give up writing on a computer", "writing by hand will give way to typing by computer one day", "more and more students will pay attention to handwriting", "the typing article better expresses one's emotion and quality"]}]}
{"article": "When you sleep somewhere else--like at summer camp or a friend's house--you know you're in for a fun time. It can be exciting to get away from the same old bed in the same old room in the same old house. But fun as this is, for some kids being away from home can be scary and sad. They want to go and have fun with their friends, but once they're there, they start to miss their good old bed, their good old parents, and all that everyday stuff at home. It's called being homesick.\nHomesick means you're upset, sad, and maybe scared. But don't feel surprised. A lot of people get homesick, even grownups. When you're used to having certain people and things around you, it can be scary when they're gone. When you're dealing with other problems, you will feel homesick, too. Some kids may feel more homesick than usual if their parents are getting divorced or if someone they loved has recently died.\nHere are some ideas to help you feel less homesick.\nBring a little bit of home with you. If you're going away from home, bring your pillow or pictures of the people you'll be apart from and look at them any time you want.\nKeep busy. The more fun stuff you do, the less time you'll have to feel homesick. Try to join in activities wherever you are.\nStay in touch. You can make a plan for when you'll call your mom or dad. You can also email or text message to stay in touch with family and friends. When you do get in touch with someone, make sure to talk about the fun things you're doing!\nTalk to someone where you are. Maybe you can tell a friend that you feel homesick. He or she might have some ideas to help you feel better.", "problems": [{"question": "One feels homesick means he's not   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["upset", "sad", "scary", "full"]}, {"question": "_   is NOT TRUE according to the passage.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Kids can keep touching with their family with telephone", "You can tell friends you are feeling homesick", "Bringing some familiar things with you can help to feel less homesick", "Only kids get homesick, grownups never feel homesick"]}, {"question": "Kids won't feel homesick when   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they are dealing with the problems", "the people and things they get used to are around them", "someone they loved has recently died", "their parents are getting divorced"]}, {"question": "There are   _   ideas to help you feel less homesick mentioned in this passage.", "answer": "B", "options": ["five", "four", "three", "Two"]}, {"question": "The BEST title for this passage is \"  _  \".", "answer": "A", "options": ["Homesickness", "Why Do You Feel Homesick", "How to Be Less Homesick", "When Will Kids Feel Homesick"]}]}
{"article": "It's enough to give anyone an earache. Women spend an average of about five years on the phone during their working lives, research has shown.\n    You won't be surprised to learn that women spend 18 months longer than men on the phone -- who only chat for an average of three years.\nBoth sexes make and receive almost the same number of calls -- 277,000 for men and 288,000 for women. But women spend 13,500 more hours in total on their conversations.\n    More than half of those chats are work-related but people spend on average twice as long on a personal call (10 minutes ) as on a business one.\n    Despite the explosion in mobile phone ownership, most people still prefer to use landlines, the poll   found.\n    However, when people are tired of talking, the top excuse for getting a caller off the line is to say \"Someone's at the door.\" Other favorites include \"I'm cooking\" and \"I need to go to the toilet\".\nEight out of ten phone users admitted not answering their phones on purpose if they did not want to speak to the caller.\n    One in three people thought calls after 10 pm were unacceptable but a quarter of those polled said they did not mind calls up to midnight.\n    Two-thirds admitted they had people in their address books who they should ring but never got round to doing so.\n    Joseph Blass, managing director of telecom company Toucan, said, \"As a nation, we love to chat on the phone but it is quite astonishing when we look at the total number of calls we make in a lifetime.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Women spend about five years talking on the phone during their lifetime.", "Women make and receive the same number of calls as men do.", "On average, work-related calls are only half as long as personal calls.", "Usually a call made by a man is longer than one by a woman."]}, {"question": "From the text, we know that   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["calls around midnight are acceptable to some people", "80% of people always refuse to answer a phone call", "people never ring the people in their address books", "Joseph Blass was one of the people who were polled"]}]}
{"article": "Music for Humans and Humpback Whales\nAs researchers conclude in Science, the love of music is not only a universal feature of the human species, but is also deeply fixed in complex structures of the human brain, and is far more ancient than previously suspected.\nIn the articles that discuss the field of bio-musicology, the study of the biological basis for the creation and appreciation of music, researchers present various evidence to, show that music-making is at once an original human \"business\", and an art form with skillful performers throughout the animal kingdom.\nThe new reports stress that humans hold no copyright on sound wisdom, and that a number of nonhuman animals produce what can rightly be called music, rather than random sound. Recent in-depth analyses of the songs sung by humpback whales show that, even when their organ would allow them to do otherwise, the animals _ the same choices relating to sounds and beauty, and accept the same laws of song composition as those preferred by human musicians, and human ears, everywhere.\nFor example, male humpback whales, who spend six months of each year doing little else but singing, use rhythms   similar to those found in human music and musical phrases of similar length--a few seconds. Whales are able to make sounds over a range of at least seven octaves  , yet they tend to move on through a song in beautiful musical intervals, rather than moving forwards madly. They mix the sounds like drums and pure tones in a ratio   which agrees with that heard in much western music. They also use a favorite technique of human singers, the so-called A-B-A form, in which a theme is stated, then developed, and then returned to in slightly revised form.\nPerhaps most impressive, humpback songs contain tunes that rhyme. \"This suggests that whales use rhyme in the same way we do: as a technique in poem to help them remember complex material,\" the researchers write.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following shows the advanced musical ability in humpback whales?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They can remember complex material.", "They can create pleasing patterns of music.", "They can make sounds like drums continuously.", "They can sing along with rhythms of western music."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the article?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Animals are able to compose and enjoy music like humans.", "Human beings borrow ideas in music from humpback whales.", "Humpback whales are skillful performers in the animal kingdom.", "Music-making, an ancient activity of both humans and animals."]}, {"question": "The main purpose of the passage is to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["argue and discuss", "inform and explain", "compare and advertise", "examine and assess"]}]}
{"article": "The historic center of Vienna has been added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. Thus, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace and many other historic buildings are now recognized as being among the 700 outstanding cultural and natural monuments of mankind - others include the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, the historic center of Rome, the Kremlin with the Red Square, the Chinese Wall, the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon.\nVienna's historic center, in its unity, is considered one of the most beautiful city landmarks in Europe. Three eras left their mark on the former residence of the Habsburgs: the Middle Ages with Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral whose spire points toward heaven, one of Vienna's landmarks; the Baroque whose most important achievement is the Imperial Palace with its sumptuous cupolas  . And the Ring Boulevard era of the late nineteenth century, when such splendid buildings as the Vienna State Opera and the Museum of Fine Arts were built to replace the former city walls.\nThe _ of the center of Vienna is enhanced   by numerous churches, mansions and parks, as well as by rich art collections gathered by wealthy rulers. And the centuries-old musical tradition ranges from the Court Chapel of the Imperial Palace to Mozart's immortal   music and the waltzes of Johann Strauss. Also inseperably linked to the center of the city are the delights of Viennese cuisine, the gemutlichkeit of Viennese coffeehouses and nostalgic shopping at former purveyors   to the imperial court.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is not mentioned as cultural and natural monuments ofman-kind?", "answer": "D", "options": ["the Taj Mahal", "the Pyramid Fields", "the Kremlin with the Red Square", "the Court Chapel"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The universal value of the world heritage in Vienna", "Vienna's becoming one of the cultural and natural monuments of mankind", "The introduction of the historic center of Vienna", "The special culture atmosphere of the historic center of Vienna"]}]}
{"article": "Hi, everybody. On Friday, I had a discussion with working women in Rhode Island about the economic challenges they face in their own lives--challenges shared by many of you.\nThanks to the work we've all put in, our economy has come a long way these past six years. Over the past 55 months, our businesses have added 10.3 million new jobs. For the first time in six years, the unemployment rate is below 6 percent. And on Thursday, we learned that over the past six months, our economy has grown at its fastest pace since 2003.\nBut the gains of a growing economy aren't yet felt by everyone. So we've got to harness  this momentum , and make the right choices so that everyone who works hard can get ahead.\nIn recent weeks, I've talked about these choices, from raising the minimum wage to creating new jobs in construction and manufacturing. Today, I want to focus on what I discussed with those women -- the choices we need to make to help more women get ahead in today's economy.\nRight now, women make up almost half of our workers. More women are their family's main _ than ever before. So the simple truth is, when women succeed, America succeeds. And we should be choosing policies that benefit women--because that benefits all of us.\nWomen deserve fair pay. Even though it's 2014, there are women still earning less than men for doing the same work. We don't have second-class citizens in this country--we shouldn't in the workplace, either. So let's make sure women earn equal pay for equal work, and have a fair shot at success.\nWomen deserve to be able to take time off to care for a new baby, an ailing parent, or take a sick day for themselves without running into hardship. So let's make sure all Americans have access to paid family leave .\nPregnant workers deserve to be treated fairly. Even today, women can be fired for taking too many bathroom breaks, or forced on unpaid leave just for being pregnant. That's wrong--and we have to choose policies that ensure pregnant workers are treated with dignity and respect.\nNew parents deserve quality, affordable childcare. There's nothing like the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your kids are safe while you're at work. And the benefits that children get out of early enrichment can pay off for a lifetime. But in many states, sending your kid to daycare costs more than sending them to a public university. So let's start demanding Pre-K for our kids.\nAnd when most low-wage workers are women, but Congress hasn't passed a minimum wage increase in seven years, it's long past time that women deserve a raise. About 28 million workers would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to ten dollars and ten cents an hour. And more than half of those workers are women. The local businesses where these workers spend their money would benefit, too. So let's do this -- let's give America a raise.\nAll of these policies are common sense. All of them are within our reach. We've just got to speak up and choose them. Because they'll build a stronger America for all of us.\nThanks, and have a great weekend.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is the true fact according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["During the last half year, our economy has grown fastest since 2003.", "All of us have felt the gains of a growing economy.", "We have never fires any women because of her taking too many bathroom breaks.", "The local businesses will not benefit a lot because of the increase in the minimum wage."]}, {"question": "Which is NOT included in the new policies that would help women and working families get ahead?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Equal pay for equal work.", "Increase access to high-quality child care and paid family leave.", "Raise the minimum wage.", "Get rid of racial discrimination."]}, {"question": "The best title for this Weekly Address may be   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Say no to sex discrimination.", "It's time to help women and working families.", "Let's build a stronger country.", "Equal pay for equal work."]}]}
{"article": "More than 4 in 10 cancers -- 600,000 in the UK alone -- could be prevented if people led healthier lives, say experts. The population of the UK is about 63,000,000.\nLatest figures from Cancer Research UK show smoking is the biggest avoidable risk factor  , followed by unhealthy diets. The charity advises people to live healthily, limit alcohol intake and do regular exercise.\nAccording to the figures from 2007 to 2011, more than 300,000 cases of cancer recorded were linked to smoking. A further 145,000 were linked to unhealthy diets containing too much processed food. Obesity contributed to 88,000 cases and alcohol to 62,200. Sun damage to the skin and physical inactivity were also contributing factors.\nProfessor Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician, says, \"There's now little doubt that certain lifestyle choices can have a big influence on cancer risk, with research around the world all pointing to the same key risk factors.\"\n\"Of course everyone wants to enjoy some extra treats during the Christmas holidays so we don't want to ban beef pies and wine but it's a good time to think about taking up some healthy habits.\"\n\"Leading a healthy lifestyle can't guarantee someone won't get cancer but _ by taking positive steps.\"\nPublic Health England says a healthy lifestyle can play an important role in reducing cancer risk. It says campaigns such as Smokefree, Dry January and Change4Life Sugar Swaps all aim to raise public awareness. It's important that we not only continue to make progress in noticing cancer earlier and improving treatments, but helping people understand how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer in the first place remains important in dealing with cancer.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is the third biggest avoidable cancer factor?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Obesity.", "Alcohol intake.", "Unhealthy diets.", "Physical inactivity."]}, {"question": "According to Professor Max Parkin,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["it's OK to drink wine during festivals", "the causes of cancer are still unclear now", "unhealthy food should be completely banned", "a healthy lifestyle will protect us from cancer"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Most cancers are caused by smoking.", "Cancer is greatly linked to our lifestyle.", "There are different factors that lead to cancer.", "Public awareness should be raised to prevent cancer."]}]}
{"article": "Bernie was smart and wanted to be his own boss.When Bernie was 25 he took a wife. Bernie had saved some money and decided on a dry goods and grocery store combined.\n              Marie had a knack for arranging the merchandise to appeal to customers and Bernie didn't mind the long hours. He was happy, and life was good.The business thrived until the great depression hit the entire country. No one had money to purchase pretty things or even food. In 1930, Marie had a heart attack and left Bernie alone. \n              Following Marie's death, which Bernie felt was brought about from worrying about the store, He lost interest in everything. He had few customers and did not make them feel welcome, Bernie wandered about the store , dusting a bit and sweeping the floor. His inventory remained almost the same, as nothing much was sold .A deep depressing set in. He had lost Marie , his true love , and now his business seemed lost as well, Why did he want to live ?\n              A few houses down the street lived a family who had also fallen on hard times. They seldom had three meals a day. Julie , the youngest girl, was fourteen . Julie worried about Mr. Mears' getting so thin. At meal time, she would take a portion of their meal to Bernie. She would stay and talk to him, dusting and cleaning . \n              After several months Bernie began to improve. He still had no customers to speak of, but from what he had left in the stor , he would sack a few cans to take to Julie's family. \n              In early spring, Julie saw her father planting a garden. This gave her an idea. She suggested Bernie making a garden in the big space beside the store, which they had once thought would become a parking lot , and sell the produce really cheap in the store. It would help the neighbors and also Bernie to have money for new merchandise. They would plant half the garden space now and half in three weeks giving them fresh produce for a long time . \n              Julie prayed hard as they placed the seeds in the ground. When the seeds sprouted, Julie looked anxiously at the rows and there were no empty spots. They all came up and produced the best crop of vegetables Bernie had ever seen. They soon became well-known in the community for having the best prices and finest produce in town . They also extended credit to their neighbors and accepted various items as trade for merchandise.\n              The two of them worked hard throughout the 1930s and made a very successful business. Julie earned a salary . As the economy picked up, so did sales at the store.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the best title of this passage ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Mears' Family Store", "A Neighbor of Mears'", "The Deep Depression", "Vegetables in Garden"]}, {"question": "According to Bernie , Marie's death is mainly because of   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the heart attack", "the position of the shop", "the hard work", "the worry about the store"]}, {"question": "How did Bernie's business begin to improve ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["With the help of Julie's family", "By selling the cheap fresh produce and food", "By means of planting vegetables and fruits", "By providing customers with different services."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that sales at the store has been   _   throughout the 1930s.", "answer": "B", "options": ["decreasing", "increasing", "changing", "reducing"]}]}
{"article": "You may have heard of the book Moby Dick(<<>> ), written by the American author Herman Melville. You may also know that Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest novels ever written. However, it might surprise you to find out Herman Melville was not always a highly regarded author.\nMelville's first two novels, Typee and Omoo, were widely read and financially successfully. They were both exciting tales of adventures at sea and experiences with people in foreign lands. Melville became quite famous. However, upon the publication of his third book, Mardi, Melville's popularity began to weaken. He was no longer interested in telling tales of pure adventure, and his writing took on a style that alienated  the general reading public of his time.\nMelville published Moby Dick in October of 1851. it was an original novel, combining aspects of sociology and philosophy, which confused readers by its complex symbolism. The book sold poorly.\nMelville's next book, Pierre, was almost completely disregarded by the public. Debt frustration and ill health finally forced Melville to take a low-paying job as a customs inspector. Eventually, Melville abandoned prose  and began to write poetry.\nThe Civil War is the main subject of Melville's poetry. He and his brother made a trip to the front line, and he published a book of poems, Battle-Pieces and Aspects of War, based on this experience.\nMelville died in 1891 at the age of 72. at this point, his work had been completely forgotten by the public. His talent was to go unrecognized for the next thirty years. Then, in 1920s, his reputation began to improve as critics and readers rediscovered his work. Today Moby Dick is one of the best-known novels ever penned by an American author.", "problems": [{"question": "What were Melville's first two novels mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His travel experience.", "His successful communication skills.", "Adventurous experiences in the front line.", "Adventurous voyages and foreign experiences."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that Moby Dick  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sold a little better than Pierre.", "was Melville's favorite novel.", "was copied from other books.", "made Melville popular again."]}, {"question": "The text may be taken from  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a writing guide", "a literary journal.", "a science magazine.", "a critical book on literature."]}, {"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The main works of Melville.", "The skills in Melville's writing.", "The ups and downs of Melville.", "The reason for Melville's failure."]}]}
{"article": "Black has long been praised for its ability to better women's figures and suit every occasion. But the color has a side-effect--it ages the face.\nWhile black does give the appearance of a slimmer figure by making the shadows less visible, wearing it next to the face brings out a negative effect. Black clothing can highlight   dark lines under the chin, shadows around the eyes and wrinkles on the face. The effect can be as serious as making women feel exhausted, self-conscious and upset. Wrinkles and sunken areas appear deeper and more pronounced, meaning the effect is more obvious in older women.\nDark scarves, hats and high-collared coats are apparently particularly likely to emphasize aging features of the face. But fear not. The effect can be _ by a splash of color around the neck--in the form of a scarf or a piece of jewelry--or a low neckline.\nFamous actress Joan Collins is among the few who can get away with the side-effect. But those who should consider changing their dresses include many European stars. The majority of women who have what is known as a \"warm\" skin tone, based on yellow and gold colors, will not look young and healthy with black against their faces. Warm skins do not match well with black against their faces as it takes away all the golden glow that they have as a basic skin tone. Black looks for dark things on the face and highlights them, particularly as women age.\nThe good news for those who like black dress is that a simple test can help determine whether they can wear black well: Hold the color up against your face, stand in front of the mirror and look for dark lines under the chin, shadows around the eyes or lines on the face that are highlighted. If there are no dark areas or shadows, you can probably wear black close to your face and look great. Otherwise, change your ways.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, wearing black clothes probably   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["makes the wearer less energetic", "gives away the wearer's age", "darkens the wearer's skin tone", "makes the wearer feel confident"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["high-collared coats are not suitable for warm-skinned women", "a woman from eastern Asia may not look young with black against her face", "men with deep wrinkles would look unhealthy in black", "Joan Collins has a warm skin tone"]}, {"question": "The black dress will be probably suitable for you on condition that there are no   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["wrinkles on your face", "dark circles around your eyes", "sunken areas that are highlighted", "dark areas or shadows on the face"]}]}
{"article": "Ten years ago,Morgan Zuch,a two--year--old girl from Long Island,New York,was diagnosed with leukemia .The day that Morgan's father Rod knew it,he made a promise,\"If my daughter gets better,I will devote the rest of my life to helping others who are in the Same condition.\"\n    Fortunately.Morgan recovered gradually,and since then,Rod and his wife Nancy,have been helping other families with cancer.stricken children through the Morgan Center.It is the country's first preschool for children with cancer.\n    Because of the risk of germs, children with cancer are usually forbidden from playing with other kids.They must spend their days in hospital rooms or lying in bed at home.The Zuchs believed that children with cancer should have the opportunity to play,too.\n    The center offers the kids and their families a safe place to connect with others who have the same problem.To reduce the risk of infections,the center's staff wash their own and the children's hands frequently,and provide each child with his or her own toys and supplies.\n    \"You feel like you're not the sick kid's mom,\"said one child's mother,Maura Lewinger.\"It is nice because none of the parents at the center are alienated .\"\n    The Zuchs run the center as a non-profit organization and any family can bring their children to the center for free.Nancy Zuch works as the head teacher-with a little help from her daughter Morgan, now l2 years old.Today,Morgan is strong and healthy,and loves to provide support for the children who are going through the difficult time that she once went through.She says she wants to be a teacher at the Morgan Center when she grows up.", "problems": [{"question": "The Zuchs created the Morgan Center  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to help their daughter to realize her dream", "to invite other children to play with their daughter", "to build a school for their daughter and her friends", "to provide a healthy place for children with cancer"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The kids can share all their toys there.", "The kids can receive free medical care.", "The kids have to keep their hands clean.", "The kids' parents must pay for the supplies."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Morgan has regained her health.", "The Center is run by the government.", "Morgan helps in the Center sometimes.", "Both kids and parents like the Center."]}, {"question": "This text is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Long Island's first preschool for kids with cancer", "the pain that the kids in the Morgan Center suffer", "the contributions Morgan has made to the Center", "the Zuchs,the creators of the Morgan Center"]}]}
{"article": "When Steve Jobs was born on Febuary24,1955, in San Francisco , California, his unmarried mother decided to put him for adoption because she wanted a girl. So in the middle of the night, his mother called a lawyer named Paul Jobs and said, \"We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?\" But his mother told his future parents to promise that they would send Jobs to college. After Steve Jobs graduated from high school, he went to college but decided to drop out because it was so expensive that he had to sleep on the floor in his friends' rooms.\nAt 20, he and a friend(Steve Wozniak) started a company in a garage on April 1, 1976. Jobs named their company ----Apple in memory of a happy summer he had spent as an orchard   in Oregon.\nAfter 10 years of hard time and failures, starting from two kids working in a garage, Apple computer eventually grew into a big company with over 4000 employees.\nAt 30, Jobs , however, was fired from the company he co-founded. But after he had to leave the company, Apple was under heavy pressure from rival   Microsoft and in 1996 posted billions of dollars in losses. Apple needed Steve Jobs and he was appointed as Apple' CEO in1997. Under his leadership, Apple returned to profitability and introduced new products such as the iPod, the iPhone and the iPod.\nSteve Jobs once said, \"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick, Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking.", "problems": [{"question": "Steve Jobs didn't finish his college education because he   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["wanted to start a company.", "had financial problems.", "took no interest in his major.", "hated to share rooms with his friends."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that Apple  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["was founded in Oregon", "developed from a garage", "had a difficult beginning", "had a successful beginning"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from what Steve Jobs said?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Interest is key to success.", "Hope helps us succeed.", "Attitude is everything.", "Courage goes with confidence."]}]}
{"article": "The first reality TV show in the world was called Expedition Robinson and it was shown in Sweden in 1997. Half the population of the country watched the final event and a new kind of TV program was born. Two years later in Holland , the first series of Big Brother was filmed. Again, it was a great success and the final program was watched by 15 million people. Now more than 20 countries around the world have Big Brother or Expedition Robinson on their TV screens. The ordinary people who take part in the programs are known by millions of people in their own countries and reality TV has become big, big business.\nFor the TV producers, reality TV is a dream come true because many of the programs cost nothing to make. At some point, the television viewers are asked to telephone the program to vote or to apply to take part in the show. It is the cost of these telephone calls that pays for the shows. One of the most popular shows is Pop Idol. In the show a group of attractive young people are made into pop stars. TV viewers vote for their favorite person on the show. The winner makes a record and millions of copies of the record are sold. His or her pictures are published on the covers of magazines or on the front pages of newspapers, and then, they are quickly forgotten.\nBut not everyone is happy about reality TV. In Portugal, two TV channels got into trouble because they showed too much of the personal lives of the people in the shows. In France, reality TV is called \"rubbish TV\" and the TV studios of Big Brother were attacked three times in one week. In Greece, Big Brother was described as \" against human rights and civilization\".", "problems": [{"question": "Those who take part in the reality TV shows are usually   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["common people", "pop TV stars", "attractive people", "famous film stars"]}, {"question": "Who would pay for the cost of the reality TV shows according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["TV producers who make reality TV shows", "TV actors who take part in reality TV shows.", "TV viewers who telephone reality TV shows", "TV companies which broadcast reality TV shows"]}, {"question": "It can be concluded from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["everyone is happy about reality TV.", "reality TV will do well in many countries.", "all the people in Europe are in favor of reality TV", "reality TV will not be broadcast in any countries."]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever heard the saying \" _ \"?\nHere is how a new teacher made friends with the girls and boys in her class on the first day of school. As the bell rang, the teacher smiled at each girl and boy. Then she said in a quiet voice, \"Good morning. How nice it is to have all of you in my class this year. I'd like to know each of you. I am sure we will enjoy working together.\" Everyone felt that she meant what she said because of her sweet voice and her friendly look.\nShe told the girls and boys her name and wrote it on the blackboard. Then she told them some of the things she liked to do and she was hoping to do with them during the year.\nThen she said to the class, \"Now you know my name and the things I like and I want to know your names and the things you like. Then I will feel that I know you.\"\nCould you make friends by doing the same as this teacher did?\nOne way of getting to know girls and boys in your class is to find out more about them. It is often easy to be friends with those people who have the same hobbies with you. You play the same games and go on journeys together.\nYou may find that some new comers in your class miss their old friends and feel strange and lonely. You can invite them to take a walk or to ride bikes with you. You will find many things in common to talk about. Just talking together in a friendly manner is one good way to make friends.", "problems": [{"question": "The teacher's sweet voice and her friendly look   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["made every girl and boy happy", "told the girls and boys everything about herself", "showed that she would like to be a friend of the girls and boys'", "meant she wanted to tell the boys and girls something interesting"]}, {"question": "A new comer will be your friend if   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["he always thinks of his old friends", "you ask him to do something", "he knows you", "you talk with him in a friendly way"]}, {"question": "If you want to make friends with others, which of the following shouldn't you do?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Learn more about them.", "Go on journeys together.", "Find out your differences.", "Try to be the same as them."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How to Make Friends", "Teachers Can Make Friends with Students", "A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed", "How to Be Friends with New Comers"]}]}
{"article": "Just five one-hundredths of an inch thick, light golden in color1 and with a perfect \"saddle curl,\" the Lay's potato chip seems an unlikely weapon for global domination. But its maker, Frito-Lay, thinks otherwise. \"Potato chips are a snack food for the world,\" said Salman Amin, the company's head of global marketing. Amin believes there is no corner of the world that can resist the charms of a Frito-Lay potato chip.\nFrito-Lay is the biggest snack maker in prefix = st1 /Americaowned by PepsiCo and accounts for over half of the parent company's $3 billion annual profits. But theU.S.snack food market is largely saturated, and to grow the company has to look overseas.\nIts strategy rests on two beliefs: first a global product offers economies of scale with which local brands cannot compete. And second, consumers in the 21st century are drawn to \"global\" as a concept. \"Global\" does not mean products that are consciously identified as American, but ones that consumes--especially young people are linked across cultures by shared beliefs and tastes. Potato chips are an American invention, but most Chinese, for instance, do not know that Frito-Lay is an American company. Instead, Riskey, the company's research and development head, would hope they associate the brand with the new world of global communications and business.\nWith brand perception a crucial  factor, Riskey ordered a redesign of the Frito-Lay logo .The logo, along with the company's long-held marketing image of the \"irresistibility\" of its chips would help facilitate the company's global expansion.\nThe executives acknowledge that they try to swing national eating habits to a food created in America, but they deny that amounts to economic imperialism . Rather, they see Frito-Lay as spreading the benefits of free enterprise across the world. \"We're making products in those countries, we're adapting them to the tastes of those countries, building businesses and employing people and changing lives,\" said Steve Reinemund, PepsiCo's chief executive.", "problems": [{"question": "It is the belief of Foito-Lay's head of global marking that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Potato chips can hardly be used as a weapon to dominate the world market", "People all over the world enjoy eating their company's potato chips", "The light golden color1 enhances the charm of their company's potato chips", "Their company must find new ways to promote domestic sales"]}, {"question": "One of the assumptions on which Frito-Lay bases its development strategy is that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["consumers worldwide today are attracted by global brands", "local brands cannot compete successfully with American brands", "products suiting Chinese consumers' needs bring more profits", "products identified as American will have promising market value"]}, {"question": "Frito-Lay's executives claim that the promoting of American food in the international market  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["won't affect the eating habits of the local people", "will lead to economic imperialism", "will be in the interest of the local people", "won't spoil the taste of their chips"]}]}
{"article": "During a state of deep relaxation, several physiological changes take place in the body: the body's oxygen consumption is reduced; the heart beat decreases; muscle tension and sweating ease, and there is decreased sympathetic   nervous system activity.This restful state not only allows the body to repair and restore itself, but it has a calming effect on the consciousness.\nHow to achieve this state of relaxation, however, is a matter of opinion, and in some medical circles, a matter of controversy.A recent report by Dr.David Holmes of the University of Kansas in the journal \"American psychologist\" said that simply sitting in an armchair has just as many beneficial characteristics for the body as meditation   does.Researchers of other relaxation techniques disagree.These experts believe that more structured techniques, such as meditation, lead to a condition of deep relaxation.\nThe debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation response can be reached by a number of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as _ .One day, one method may work best; on another day, an alternative method may be more appropriate.Once you are aware of all the methods, you can find the one that works best on you.\nSome of the relaxation techniques are meditation, auto analysis and progressive muscle relaxation response.More than just sitting quietly in a chair, they have the added benefit of structure and discipline, and for these reasons appear to be more effective for most individuals.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true when a person is in a state of deep relaxation?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The body takes in less oxygen.", "The heart beats less frequently.", "Muscles become tense and the body sweats easily.", "The consciousness becomes more or less calmed."]}, {"question": "People seem to agree that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["sitting in an armchair benefits a person as meditation does", "structured relaxation techniques are more beneficial for a person", "to achieve a state of deep relaxation is possible through various means", "what people are all struggling for is a state of deep relaxation"]}, {"question": "The author's attitude toward relaxation discussed in the passage is best described as   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["sceptical", "objective", "optimistic", "critical"]}]}
{"article": "According to the dictionary definition of 'create',ordinary people are creative every day. To create means to bring into being,to cause to exist something each of us does daily. We are creative whenever we look at or think about something in a new way. \nFirst,this includes an awareness of our surroundings. It means using all of our senses to become aware of our world. This may be as simple as being aware of color1 and texture ,as well as taste, when we plan a meal. Above all,it is the ability to notice things that others might miss. \nA second part of creativity is an ability to see relationships among things. If we believe the expression,there is nothing new under the sun,the creativity is remaking or recombining the old in new ways. For example,we might do this by finding a more effective way to study or a better way to arrange our furniture,or we might make a new combination of camera lenses and filters to create an unusual photograph. \nA third part of creativity is the courage and drive to make use of our new ideas,to ask for them to achieve some new results. To think up a new idea is one thing;to put the idea to work is another. These three parts of creativity are included in all the great works of geniuses,but they are also included in many of our day to day activities.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following activities is NOT a creative one according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To prepare for a meal.", "To arrange the furniture in a special way.", "To buy some books from a bookstore.", "To write a letter with the computer."]}, {"question": "There is nothing new under the sun really implies that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["a new thing can only be created at the basis of earliest things", "a new thing is only a tale", "we can seldom create new things", "we can hardly see really new things in the world"]}, {"question": "What does the author think about the relationship between a new thought and its being put into practice?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It's more difficult to create a new thought than to use it in practice.", "To find a new thought will clearly lead to the production of a new thing.", "A man with an excellent ability of practice can easily become an inventor.", "One may come up with a new thought,but can not put it into practice."]}]}
{"article": "Elizabeth Mitchell's new \"Liberty's Torch\" is the fascinating story of how the Statue of Liberty came to be. The Statue of Liberty's rough history is explored in \"Liberty's Torch\".\nFrederic Auguste Bartholdi is an all-but-forgotten figure in American history. He was, however, responsible for one of the most enduring symbols of the United States: the Statue of Liberty. A Frenchman from Alsace, he designed and built the Statue of Liberty which stood on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor. How this statue came to be is the fascinating subject of Elizabeth Michell's new book \"Liberty's Torch\".\nThe power of Mitchell's narrative is convincing . We recognize the Statue of Liberty now as a symbol of hope and opportunity for a nation of immigrants. At the time, though, people could not see that-nor did they even imagine that. Instead, the construction of the statue was born of one man's desire to set up a great monument.\nFor this reason, perhaps, \"Liberty's Torch\" relies on Bartholdi as the connecting thread. Bartholdi went to Egypt to make photographic copies of the main monuments. On the boat, Bartholdi met and began a lifelong relationship with Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who would build the Suez Canal. Maybe it was this friendship, or maybe it was seeing Egypt's huge monuments, but finally the trip inspired Bartholdi's dream to create the largest statue ever built. Failure to bring this to completion in Egypt, followed by his exile   from Paris, led Bartholdi to sail to America.\nBy explaining the Statue of Liberty's hard history and showing Bartholdi's brave spirit, Mitchell has done a great service.", "problems": [{"question": "It can be inferred from the text that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["American people have never forgotten Frederic August Bartholdi", "the Statue of Liberty wasn't originally regarded as a symbol of hope", "Bartholdi finished the Suez Canal", "Bartholdi was a famous architect from Egypt."]}, {"question": "What was the main reason for Bartholdi to build the Statue of Liberty?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To finish his education in the arts.", "To mark his friendship with Ferdinand.", "To create something better than Egyptian monuments.", "To achieve his dream to create the largest statue."]}, {"question": "What type of writing is the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A travel guide.", "A book review", "An announcement", "An architecture report."]}]}
{"article": "For years, experts have been encouraging people to exercise, using steps as simple as taking the stairs instead of a lift and walking to work, where possible. A recent study _ this advice -- it shows that frequent active exercise throughout the day can have great health benefits.\nThe study, published in the magazinePreventive Medicine, found that just 2 minutes of stair-climbing several times a day can lower total cholesterol , raise HDL (\"good\") cholesterol and improve the heartbeat in young women who do not have much activity during the day.\"such improvements may have important effects on the health of women, since, like cigarette smoking, poor fitness have been shown to be a high risk for heart disease and death in women,\"said Dr.Colin Boreham with the University of Ulster in Belfast, Ireland and the fellow researchers of this study group. Furthermore, improvements in total cholesterol levels achieved in the study could cut the rate of heart disease in women by a third, they noted.\nThe team of researchers from Britain studied 12 women between 18-22 years old, before and after the exercise program. The women used a public staircase for about 2 minutes a day for 5 days a week. Compared with a group of 10 women who did not take part in the stair-climbing program, the women who climbed stairs showed marked improvements in health and fitness levels after 7 weeks. However, they did not show any signs of weight loss.\"A short-term stair-climbing program can give great health benefits to young women. Stair-climbing may be a particularly suitable way of combining exercise with an individual's daily lifestyle,\"they pointed out.\nExperts advise visiting your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the study done by Dr.Boreham and his group, improvements in cholesterol levels are important in   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["helping women to give up smoking", "enabling women to take exercise", "preventing women from having heart disease", "helping women to lose weight"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to Prevent Heart Disease -- What Do Doctors Say?", "Stair-climbing Attracts More", "Good Health Advice--take the Stairs", "Yes, Exercise Is Good for You"]}]}
{"article": "Sometimes it is difficult to talk to taxi drivers. They must give all their attention to the road as they work out the shortest way to the place where you are going. However, passengers from Wangfujing were in surprise when they took a taxi. The driver just would not stop talking - in English.\nOrganized by the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy, \"Dare to Speak\" examines if Chinese people will speak English in \"real-life\" situations.\nMatthew Knowles, an acting student from South Carolina at Beijing Film Academy, acted the part as the \"driver\". He collected six passengers on Saturday morning, most of whom were female white-collar  workers.\n\"Of course they were surprised at first, wondering why I'm driving a taxi, and wondering whether this is a real taxi, but then most of them were pretty willing to speak,\" he said. Knowles said he was also surprised by his \"passengers\". \"Apart from my first 'passenger', who could speak very little English, all the rest spoke English very well, and it was fun to communicate with them,\" he said, adding that some \"passengers\" were quite talkative.\nThe \"foreign taxi driver\" project was just one of the \"Dare to Speak\" activities, which have been going on since the end of October. Other projects included a foreign store owner near a high school in Beijing, a cook in a Shanghai university canteen. They were testing the willingness of Chinese people, especially students and white-collar workers, to speak to foreigners in English.\nRong Xin, senior manager of IELTS   with the British Embassy, said they hoped to let IELTS takers in China know that communication is the _ goal of IELTS.\n\"We hope that more and more IELTS takers in China can realize the importance of communicating in English in real life, instead of just getting high test scores,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Matthew Knowles drive a taxi?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He took part in the project \"Dear to speak\"", "He played the role of a taxi driver in a film.", "He enjoyed chatting with people in English.", "He wanted to improve his Chinese while driving."]}, {"question": "The Chinese may meet and talk to   _   in \"Dear to speak\" projects.", "answer": "B", "options": ["a white-collar worker", "a foreign store owner", "a restaurant manager", "a high school student"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the project \"Dear to Speak\" is to   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["attract more foreigners to start business in China", "draw Chinese people's attention to IELT", "remind language learners of the goal of learning", "give more chances for English learners in China"]}]}
{"article": "Parties held by the wealthy seldom welcome poor guests.But last week China made it through the doors into a gathering of the world's richest countries.\nJin Renqing ,Chian's finance minister,and Zhou Xiaochuan,governor of the People's Bank of China,joined a meeting of the Group of Seven(G7)on October1,2004.It is the fist time that China has had direct talks with the club.It was a good chance to share the world powers'thoughts about critical economic issues and _ understanding.\nChina'a participation is a natural part of its increasingly important role in the global economy.China is the world 's factory and the biggest market.\nAmerica and China made up almost half of global economic growth last year.\"If Anerican consumers and Chinese producers were to reduce their activities at the same time,global growth would drop greatly,\"said the Economist,a leading British economics magazine.\nUp to now chinese economic stability has been closely related to world development.\"The increasingly connected global economy means that China should be a part of the meeting.\"said Stephen Roach,a world famous economist.\nDuring the meeting,China represented  developing countries.It callde on the world's developed nations to increase their  spending on aid to poorer  countries.Jin said that overall official help from developed countries is only 0.23 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product ,much lower than the 0.7per cent UN targert.And this should be changed.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage,China particpates in the meeting of G7 because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["China has become one of the richest countries of the world", "China is playing a more important part in the world economy", "China has more factories than any other countries in the world", "developing countries want China to speak for them"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["China's participation in the meeting of G7 is the first time that China has talks with the developed countries.", "The stable economy of China has done a great deal to the development of the world.", "The developed nations are trying their best to help the poorer countries at present", "America has as large a market as China has."]}, {"question": "From the passage we can infer that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Chinese producers as well as American consumers contribute a lot to the growth of the world economy", "the author doesn't think it necessary for China to participate in the meeting", "China produces a lot but consumes a little", "the economist thinks that American consumers and Chinese producers will reduce their activitres at the same time"]}]}
{"article": "Chinese President Hu Jintao, on his way to talks with President George W. Bush in prefix = st1 /Washington, on Tuesday met with Bill Gates.  \nAfter the meeting with Gates, the world's richest man, at Microsoft's headquarters, Hu restated that China would move against software pirates  all the time.\nAt Microsoft Corp.'s campus, Hu said on Tuesday he admired what Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates had achieved. He also sought to reassure Gates that China is serious about protecting intellectual property rights . \n\"Because you, Mr. Bill Gates, are a friend of China, I'm a friend of Microsoft,\" Hu said.\n\"Also, I am dealing with the operating system produced by Microsoft every day,\" he added, to laughter. \nGates responded: \"Thank you, it's a fantastic relationship,\" and then said: \"And if you ever need advice on how to use Windows, I'll be glad to help.\" \n\"Chinais focused on and has already accomplished much in creating and enforcing laws to protect intellectual property.\" he said. \"We take our promises very seriously.\"\nHu also said he would certainly welcome a further increase in Microsoft's investment in China.\n\"I'd also like to take this opportunity to assure you, Bill Gates, that we will certainly honor our words in protecting intellectual property rights,\" Hu said. \nIn his brief visit to the Microsoft campus, Hu, accompanied by Gates and company CEO Steve Ballmer, saw some business technology demonstrations and toured Microsoft's Home of the Future, which features experimental technology that might someday be used in people's living spaces. \nFollowing the visit at Microsoft, about 100 guests, including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Gov. Gary Locke, the first Chinese-American governor, were invited to Gates' $100 million lakeside house on Lake Washington for a dinner. \nChina has recently begun requiring Chinese computer makers to load legal software on their machines. \nIn Seattle's Chinatown, many stores hung Chinese and U.S.flags to welcome Hu, and many in the crowd outside the stately Fairmont Hotel on Monday night where Hu was staying were there to support the Chinese president.", "problems": [{"question": "How many issues are mentioned in President Hu's visit to Microsoft?", "answer": "B", "options": ["One.", "Two.", "Three.", "Four."]}, {"question": "What measure is not mentioned to protect intellectual property rights?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Moving against software pirates", "creating and enforcing laws", "increasing Microsoft's investment in China", "requiring Chinese computer makers to load legal software on their machines"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Hu Visits Microsoft.", "Protecting Intellectual Property Rights.", "Bill Gate's, A Friend of China.", "Americans Welcome President Hu."]}]}
{"article": "Eighteen-year-old Dana Kiger is happily running after balls on the soccer field. But not long ago, she couldn't remember her love of the game, her parents' faces or even her name.\nAt 16, the Tennessee honor student and star athlete was hit from behind while playing in a soccer game. She fell to the ground, her head striking the hard ground. The blow knocked out nearly all of Kiger's memories.\nWith no physical  injury or unusual change in her brain, doctors thought Kiger's memory would return in a few days. But it did not. And two and a half years later, it still hasn't. Kiger--who has no memory of her family, her childhood or her life before her injury--has had to create new memories, restart relationships and relearn old skills.\n\"The only thing I had ...I could walk, write, but I didn't know what to write,\" Kiger said of the days after the accident. \"Physically, I was OK, I guess, but mentally  I was troubled.\" Doctors say long-term amnesia  brought on by a less severe brain injury like Kiger's is unusual. \"It's very rare for people to have this lasting problem with memory recovering,\" said Dr Roger Hartl at Weill Cornell Medical College.\nKiger's parents tried to help their daughter return to the life she once lived. \"She didn't know what food was,\" Kiger's mom said. \"She said, 'What is that?' I said, 'Lettuce.\" She said, 'Do I like it?' I said, 'That's up to you to decide.'\"\nKiger's natural ability on the soccer field was the one part of her earlier life that died immediately. And soon, she'll begin a new life at Slippery Rock University, where she plans to study physical therapy . Kiger said that while parts of her past still remain a mystery, she's focused  on what's to come. \"It is about my future,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "What would be the best title for this text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Parents Worried about Child's Injury", "Soccer Injury Wipeed Out Teen's Memory", "Teen Suffered from Bad Memory", "Doctors Helped Teen Recreate Memories"]}, {"question": "According to the doctors, the case of Kiger is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["natural", "frightening", "surprising", "common"]}, {"question": "From the dialogue between Kiger and her mother, we can infer that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["life was new to Kiger", "her family were united", "her mother was positive", "Kiger liked eating lettuce"]}, {"question": "According to the text, which of the following is TRUE of Kiger?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Now she appears on the soccer field again.", "She has recovered from her physical injury.", "At age 16, she began showing interest in soccer.", "She will explore her past memories in college."]}]}
{"article": "As the Internet's influence grows, the potential for danger also escalates  . One of these dangers is from cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying   is repeatedly hurting someone else through the use of technology. It consists of sending or posting cruel messages, photos, or videos on the Internet or other electronic media with the intent of damaging the reputation of the target. Imagine being a 13-year-old girl discovering a cell phone picture of her changing clothes for gym class has been sent to all her classmates. Or imagine being an 11-year-old boy who is scared to go to school because an unknown bully sent him an instant message saying that he is so fat that he should kill himself. Cases such as these are happening every day, leading kids to be depressed and unable to concentrate.\nWorse yet, parents are oblivious   to what is happening. Only 15 percent of parents even know what cyber-bullying is. And anyone who thinks that their child is not a victim or a bully is probably wrong. 90 percent of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online and 75 percent have admitted to visiting a website attacking another student.\nUnlike traditional schoolyard bullying, where a bully has a name and a face, cyber-bullying gets much of its power from anonymity  . A cyber bully might design a website posting cruel remarks about a classmate and never tell anyone that he or she was the creator. The cyber-bullying also gets its power from the scope   of its audience. Within seconds, a cyber bully can send an e-mail to everyone he or she knows, inviting them to take part in an online poll   of who is the ugliest kid in their class. Victims can be picked on day and night from any place.\nThe good news is that you can help stop cyber-bullying. By making parents and educators aware of what is going on and encouraging them to take quick and strong action when cyber-bullying cases happen, you can help make technology constructive, not destructive, for young people.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author think of the cyber-bullying?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It is not as harmful as people think.", "It is too complex a problem to settle.", "It will not affect the relationship between classmates.", "It can be stopped through our efforts."]}, {"question": "What will probably be discussed in the following passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How to prevent cyber-bullying.", "What parents and educators think of cyber-bullying.", "How to make parents aware of cyber-bullying.", "How to make good use of technology."]}]}
{"article": "More than two thirds of the world's polar bears will be wiped out by 2050,according to a shocking new study. By then,scientists say,global warming will have melted 42 percent of the Arctic sea ice. By 2100,only a very few of these important creatures will be left.\nThe report has been produced by the US Geological Survey. The scientists have publicized their findings in the hope of influencing US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne,who has been asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.\nPolar bears depend on floating sea ice as a platform for hunting seals,which are their main food. Without enough ice,polar bears would be forced to go onto the land,where they are poorly skilled hunters,and would be unlikely to adapt to the life on the land in time. Experts say few little bears would survive and the stress could make many females unable to get pregnant.\nThe team of American and Canadian scientists spent six months studying bears,on the ground,from spotter planes and in the lab,using computer models.\nSome team members fear the result is even worse for the bears than what their report says. They say the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere in the world and much faster than their computer had been forecasting. Satellite observations have showed that the ice has decreased to an all-time low.\nHowever,not everyone in the scientific community believes that global warming is happening on such an alarming scale. Another investigation has found that polar bears are still being hunted by wealthy \"sportsmen\" who want their skins and heads. At least ten international companies offer bear-hunting trips.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about Dirk Kempthorne according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He is an animal scientist.", "He is a protector of animals working for the US government.", "He was asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list.", "He offered to put polar bears on the endangered species list."]}, {"question": "Why will polar bears die out if there is not enough sea ice?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because polar bears can't catch enough food without ice.", "Because polar bears eat ice when they feel thirsty.", "Because polar bears will be easily found by hunters without ice.", "Because most female bears are used to giving birth under ice."]}, {"question": "After a six-month study,some scientists fear that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["there is something wrong with their computers", "polar bears will disappear even faster than they ever expected", "their computer models are not as accurate as they expected", "global warming will destroy everything in the Arctic"]}]}
{"article": "Matt grow the best vegetables in the village.He grows fruit too--big , sweet apples and oranges.And what else ? Well , the biggest and the prettiest flowers.Things grow in Matt' s garden all through the year.He cuts some flowers for his sitting room table ; and of course , he eats some fruit and vegetables.But he sells everything else in the market.Matt is not a poor man.\nHe knows a few other gardens ; but he does not have any friends.You might ask , \" What is that ? Why doesn ' t he have friends ? \"\nI will tell you.People do not understand him.And they do not understand his garden, \" Why not ? \" you will ask.\" It' s a very good garden , isn' t  it ? \"\nIt is a wonderful garden.Matt plants things in spring , summer and autumn and winter .After that he does very little work.He sits in the garden with his small radio .And everything grows .\nPeople ask , \" How does Matt grow these wonderful things ? He waters the plants sometimes , but he doesn' t do anything else .He just sits under an orange tree  with his radio .He listens to music nearly all day ! \" And that is all quite true , people cannot understand it , and so they don' t like it very much .\nMatt likes music .But what about the garden ? Who does the work ? I will tell you another true thing : the music does the work .All plants love music ; and Matt knows that .\nDo you want big vegetables and the loveliest flowers ? Well , just give your plants a  lot of  music ,", "problems": [{"question": "There are not only vegetables and flowers , but also    _    in Matt' s garden .", "answer": "B", "options": ["plants", "fruit trees", "ants", "crops"]}, {"question": "Matt makes a living by    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["selling his vegetables , fruit and flowers", "growing trees in his garden", "working in the market", "helping other people growing plants"]}, {"question": "Everything in Matt' s garden grows well because    _", "answer": "C", "options": ["he has a good garden", "he is good at growing things and likes listening to the radio", "music helps his plants a lot", "he is very hardworking"]}, {"question": "People think that    _    .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Matt' s garden is better than theirs", "Matt works harder than they", "Matt knows how to grow vegetables well", "the radio helps Matt to grow veveything well in his garden"]}, {"question": "People don' t like Matt because    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he doesn' t give thim any vegetables or fruit", "he listens to the radio too much", "they are jealous  of him", "Matt doesn' t let them listen to his radio"]}]}
{"article": "What is it: Work & Travel USA\n     Who are qualified: Fulltime college students, above 18 years old\n     About the program: Application for the 2009 Work & Travel USA program has just started. It's an 8~16 weeks' summer program for college students to work and travel in the U.S.. Employers include Boeing, Hilton Hotel and 7Eleven. For next summer, about 3,500 positions are open to Chinese students. Applicants must pass a language test and sometimes an interview, and pay a registration fee to join the program.\n      (source : www. Cultureexchange. org)\n      _ \n     What is it: Shanghai Volkswagen jobs\n     Who are qualified: College students graduating in 2009\n    About it: Shanghai VW offers over 300 positions from engineering to marketing to college students graduating in 2009. Applicants should have an excellent academic record, CET6 or the same level language certificate in German, and good computer skills.  Campus talks will take place in Shanghai, Changchun, Harbin, Wuhan, Changsha, Nanjing, Beijing and Xi'an from October.\n     (source: campus chinahr. com/2009/pages/csvw)\n      _ \n     What is it: Oak Pacific Interactive (OPI) internships  \n     Who are qualified: College juniors and firstyear postgraduate students\n     About it: OPI is now offering internship positions for test engineer, development engineer and assistant to the director of corporate culture. For engineering positions, candidates should major in computer science or a related field, have communication ability and be familiar with various development languages. For assistant to the director positions, candidates should be adept in document writing, activities organizing and office software.\n     (source: campus. xiaonei. com)", "problems": [{"question": "These advertisements are most probably advertisements   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["on the Internet intended for the general public to read", "in a newspaper intended for large companies to read", "on the Internet intended for college students to read", "in a newspaper intended for college students to read"]}, {"question": "The opportunity of   _   is offered only to college students graduating in 2009.", "answer": "C", "options": ["working in America", "traveling in America", "positions in VW", "OPI internship"]}, {"question": "If you want to apply for assistant to the director positions you must   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["be good at document writing", "study computer science", "have communication ability", "be familiar with various languages"]}]}
{"article": "In the dark and damp market,Chen ShuChu,near her sixties,owns a stall that her father left her.The stall,called YuanJin Vegetables,is her everything.Chen earns only a little money by selling vegetables,but she has donated about $321,550 to help poor children.\nIn March,Forbes magazine named her one of the 48 great philanthropists from the AsiaPacific region.A month later,TIME magazine selected the year's top 100 influential people and Chen was one of them.Although she has received many honours and rewards,Chen only cares about her vegetable stall and whether her regular customers buy her vegetables or not.\"I do not place great importance on money.When I donate to help others,I feel happy and I can sleep well at night.\" Chen said.\nChen's ability to donate such a great deal of money has led many to ask,\"How can a vegetable seller donate so much?\"\n\"Spend only on what you need,and you'll be able to save a lot of money!\" Chen said.Chen leads a very simple life.All she needs is food and a place to sleep.Everything else is a luxury .Neither does she have any desire for material gains nor any form of enjoyment.Work,she says,is her enjoyment.\"I love my work.If I don't how would I be able to work 16 hours a day?\"Being the first to arrive and last to leave,she has been given the title of \"market manager.\"\nShe is content with what she has.She feels that as long as she lives the life she wishes for and does the things she wants,that is good enough.", "problems": [{"question": "In Chen's eyes,a luxury is about  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["any form of enjoyment", "doing what she wants", "gaining material benefits", "everything except food and a bed"]}, {"question": "Why has Chen been called \"market manager\"?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because she has received many honours and rewards.", "Because she often arrives early and leaves late in the market.", "Because she has donated much money to the market.", "Because her vegetable stall is the biggest one in the market."]}, {"question": "From the text,we can learn that Chen is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["confident and kindhearted", "wealthy and simple", "hardworking and selfless", "proud and serious"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true about Chen?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Her vegetable stall is called YuanJin Vegetables.", "She is a famous philanthropist in China.", "She cares about what clothes she wears very much.", "Many people are surprised by Chen's donation."]}]}
{"article": "The story of Juno and Lucas is one of the most touching stories about the amazing relationship between humans and their companion animals.\nJuno is a Belgian Malinois . The dog was beautiful but was given up by its owners, as they did not want to take on the responsibility.\nLucas, a little boy, had a strange illness, a condition that stops the body's ability to process enzymes .As his life continues, he will lose the ability to speak and his physical and mental abilities will degrade till he is left in a vegetative state. The average life expectancy for the patients is 15 years.\nChester, the boy's father, wanted his child to enjoy his life on earth as much as possible and looked into getting a service dog for the child. However, Lucas wasn't a good candidate due to his deteriorating abilities, not to mention the $15,000 cost of the animal.\nNot terrified by all of this, Chester looked into adopting a dog for his son. He found Juno on a website and drove two hours to meet her. Chester had worked with the breed  in the police force and was familiar with how to train them. He put in patience and hard work, and trained Juno while allowing her to become accustomed to Lucas. Now, not only will Juno not leave Lucas' side, she is also helping with his illness. Chester said, \"She has the ability to notice his neurological changes. Now she reminds us when Lucas is about to have a seizure  or if his oxygen levels drop really low. She has saved him several times.\"\nCompanion animals are beautiful things and they establish a bond that can't be described without experiences. I know that I held my adopted dog a little closer after hearing this story. There are a lot of dogs out there that need good homes and that won't be as lucky as Juno. So, if you think you're prepared, you should consider giving one a nice home.", "problems": [{"question": "Chester wanted to find a service dog to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["protect Lucas from being injured", "help the boy recover from the disease", "accompany Lucas to enjoy his time left", "show their love for the beautiful dog"]}, {"question": "Chester got the dog Juno by   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["asking for help from the police force", "donating a lot of money", "picking it up near the house", "searching on the Internet"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The author has also adopted a dog and loves it.", "Juno has gained some skills accompanying Lucas.", "Chester was very satisfied with Juno's performances.", "Lucas recovered from the disease accompanied by Juno."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Unlucky boy, lucky dog", "A love for a dog, a companion for a boy", "A faithful friend--Juno", "Love me, love my dog"]}]}
{"article": "Men sometimes say: \"We are better and cleverer than women. Women never invented things. We do.\" It is true that men have invented a lot of useful things: the alphabet, machines, rockets, and guns, too. But scientists and archeologists now agree that women invented one very important thing. It had changed the history. They invented agriculture.\n    Before the invention of agriculture men were hunter. They went out every day. Sometimes they killed animals-sometimes animals killed them. Life was difficult and dangerous. Women had to go out every day, too. They collected roots, fruit and grass. Then, one day, more than 10,000years ago a woman dropped some grass seeds. She dropped them near her home in the Middle East. They grew--and the first wheat was born. The idea grew, too. Women planted roots and fruit trees. Then they could stay at home and look after the children and the animals. Women liked baby animals: dogs, cows, sheep and goats. That idea grew, too. Then their husbands did not have to go hunting for meat. They stayed at home. They built villages and cities. Men began civilization---after women invented agriculture.", "problems": [{"question": "Sometimes men think that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they have rights as equal as women", "women have changed the history", "they have more abilities than history", "women are not so bright as they are"]}, {"question": "Before agriculture was invented, life was difficult and dangerous because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sometimes animals killed men", "women had to go hunting with their husbands", "men had to fight against animals", "only men went out for food every day"]}, {"question": "When the first wheat appeared, which of the following sentences show woman's ideas had grown?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They dropped some grass seeds.", "They didn't go out to get food any longer.", "They began to grow plants.", "They stayed at home and looked after their children and animals."]}, {"question": "How do you understand agriculture? It means   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["collecting roots, fruit and grasses", "growing plants and raising animals", "hunting and looking for food", "planting crops"]}, {"question": "Which one do you believe according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Women are better and cleverer than men.", "Women invented many useful things like men.", "Women played a very important part in agriculture.", "Women were great in civilization."]}]}
{"article": "Beijing (Xinhua) -- In 2010, some 108,000 people returned to the Chinese mainland from abroad, a number that had risen 56.2 percent from the previous year, according to statistics recently published by the Ministry of Education.\n       \"For Chinese employers, a 70 percent willingness to hire overseas workers, although that is still lower than the average rate of 76 percent for Asia, is quite a high figure when compared with the past,\" said Emma, regional director of Hays in Hong Kong and the mainland, who was in charge of the survey .\n       Company executives , she said, have recently come to prefer hiring Chinese natives who have returned home after studying or working elsewhere.Expatriates  have fallen to a second choice, she said.\n       In the past, expatriates and returned Chinese have earned three to four times as much money as Chinese residents who do not have overseas experience.Expatriates would often rise to the senior positions within an company, while returned Chinese could find positions as mid-level executives with   ease.\n       But all overseas job candidates, especially those who lack practical experience, are gradually losing their advantages among a trend of pay increases in China.\n       In 2010, the country recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia.Of all Chinese employees surveyed that year, 68 percent said they had received a raise worth 3 percent to 10 percent of their salaries, according to the survey.\n       Moreover, 51 percent of the Chinese surveyed were expecting to get raises of 6 to 10 percent in 2011, and 33 percent thought their income increase will go beyond 10 percent.\n       \"Now it's common in many companies to see overseas candidates earning the same salaries as their Chinese coworkers,\" said Emma.\"Even some experienced expatriates, on average, earn only 20 percent more than their Chinese peers.\"\n       Emma said overseas workers with little work experience no longer enjoy a great advantage over graduates of Chinese universities.But those with two to three years of work experience are still \"red-hot\".\n       There are now about 45 million native Chinese living outside the country, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council said on Jun 16, 2010.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the best title of this article?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A fast increasing number of Chinese returned from abroad.", "Overseas workers have higher qualification than home coworkers.", "China recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia in 2010.", "Company executives prefer native candidates to overseas Chinese."]}, {"question": "Why are overseas job candidates gradually losing their advantage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because more and more overseas candidates are returning home.", "Because their qualifications are decreasing little by little.", "Because the job markets don't need overseas workers any more.", "Because China is raising workers' salaries on a large scale."]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from this news report?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Employers without overseas experiences are gaining increasing equality.", "Overseas candidates have received better education and training.", "Chinese employers have a prejudice against native employees.", "Overseas candidates still have better chances to rise to executives."]}]}
{"article": "I took the bus to work for many years. No one knew each other; the passengers all sat there sleepily in the morning. The bus was cheerless and silent.\nOne of the passengers was a small gray-haired man who took the bus to the center for senior citizens every morning. No one ever paid very much attention to him.\nOne July morning he said good morning to the driver and smiled. The driver nodded guardedly . The rest of us were silent.\nThe next day, the old man boarded with a big smile and said in a loud voice: \"A very good morning to you all!\" Some of us looked up, amazed, and murmured \"Good Morning\" in reply.\nThe following weeks, our friend was dressed in a nice old suit and tie. His thin hair had been carefully combed. He said good morning to us every day and we gradually began to nod and talk to each other.\nOne morning he even had a bunch of wild flowers in his hand. The driver turned around smiling and asked: \"Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?\" We never got to know if his name really was \"Charlie\", but he nodded shyly and said yes. The other passengers whistled and clapped at him. Charlie waved the flowers before he sat down on his seat.\nEvery morning after that Charlie always brought flowers. Some passengers also brought flowers for him. The bus became a happy place.\nThen, one morning, as autumn was closing in, Charlie wasn't waiting at his usual stop. When he wasn't there the next day and the day after that, we started wondering if he was sick or--hopefully - on holiday somewhere.\nWhen we came nearer to the center for senior citizens, one of the passengers asked the driver to wait. We all held our breaths when he went to the door.\nThe old gentle man was fine, but one of his close friends had died over the weekend. How silent we were the rest of the way to work.\nThe next Monday Charlie was waiting at the stop, stooping   a bit more, a little bit more gray, and without a tie. Inside the bus was silent. Even though no one had talked about it, all of us sat there silently, our eyes filled with tears and a bunch of wild flowers in our hands.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, we can infer that  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["people always cared about each other on the bus", "people were unhappy and sleepy on the bus because they were tired", "smiles can shorten the distance between people", "people are not good at communicating in the country"]}, {"question": "What are we sure about the old man?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His name was Charlie.", "He worked at the center for senior citizens.", "He got sick over the weekend.", "He was in great sorrow when we saw him the next Monday."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not true?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The atmosphere on the bus was cheerful and lively at first.", "People were surprised at the old man's first greeting.", "People were worried about the old man's absence.", "People on the bus at last shared happiness and sorrow together."]}, {"question": "Which would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How to Shorten the Distance between People", "Smiles Make a Bus Feel Like Home", "Charlie, A Smiling Gentle Man", "The Key to Friendship -- Communication"]}]}
{"article": "In Britain arrangements for inviting and entertaining guests at a wedding are usually the responsibility of the bride's family.In most cases it is mainly friends and relations of both families who are invited but when bride's father is a businessman of some kind, the  wedding reception may provide a useful occasion for establishing social connections with clients or customers and other people whose goodwill may be of advantage to him.it is, however, the bride's mother who has the job of sending out the formal printed invitation cards.\nIn the case of a church wedding, the vicar of each parish  in which the bride and bridegroom live is normally informed about a month in advance of the ceremony so that an announcement of the coming wedding can be made in church on each of three Sundays before it takes place.Anyone who may know of an existing marriage of either partner is ordered to give information, though this means of avoiding bigamy must have been more effective in the days when people attend the religious service and the bride usually wears the traditional long white dress and veil, while her bridesmaids, who are children, wear long dresses in attractive colors.This may also happen in the case of a civil wedding in a register office but is probably less usual.\nThe reception which follows may be held in a restaurant, a local hall or, when there are few guests, in the bride's own home.Refreshments are provided, a special iced wedding-cake is cut(usually to the accompaniment of speeches)and distributed to the guests, toasts are drunk and dancing may follow.At some point in the celebrations, the bride goes off to change into everyday clothes and then leaves the party with her husband to go on their honeymoon, the journey they will make together, often in romantic surrounding abroad.", "problems": [{"question": "It is the bride's parents who normally have to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["make all the arrangements for the wedding", "provide hospitality for the people attending", "decide who shall be invited", "pay all expenses involved"]}, {"question": "What possible difference is suggested between a church and a civil wedding?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Civil weddings are less commonly followed by a reception.", "It is less usual for guests to attend the civil wedding formalities.", "Guests at civil weddings are less formally dressed.", "There could be less attention paid at the latter to convention and picturesque effect."]}, {"question": "The reception normally takes place in the bride's home if  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["this is a large one.", "there is enough room to entertain the people invited.", "the parents cannot afford to hire a hall.", "there is to be no party afterwards."]}, {"question": "The couple leave for their honeymoon  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["after the church or register office ceremony", "immediately after the cake has been cut and the speeches made", "at the end of the reception", "as soon as the bride is ready"]}]}
{"article": "What teaches you more about China: learning the language or making friends with Chinese people? Doing both would be perfect of course and maybe some people would say you cannot separate the two.\n    I arrived in China in September 2010 and have been fortunate over the last year to teach English at a small university in Zhejiang province,about half an hour from Hangzhou.Despite starting with the best of aims to learn Chinese.in each term something seemed to prevent me.In the first term it was a bad cold and judging some public English speech contests,and then my father's death sent me home for a while.\n    But if I miss Chinese lessons this year I will make friends with several of the Chinese teachers at the university who also teach English.It's been a wonderful thing to be welcomed into their lives, to be taken and trusted as a friend.We have dinner together every Fright night,do shopping together, and drink coffee for hours in the cafes at the weekend and talk about anything and everything.\nIt has reminded me that while language is important to understand people and cultures,opening your heart and mind is far more important.I've concluded that in spite of my lack of progress in speaking Chinese, the best foreign Chinese speaker will never understand anything about China if they can't open their heart to the people they live and work with.I,of course,have been lucky that my Chinese friends speak close to perfect English.  \nWhat has surprised me is that many foreign teachers don't make the effort to make friends with their Chinese  _ .Some do,of course,and I am by no means unique.I don't speak much Chinese yet but this never stops me appreciating the best of China:its people.", "problems": [{"question": "In the author's spare time, he   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["usually learns to cook Chinese food", "spends long enjoying coffee alone", "develops fit deeper relationship with his Chinese friends", "tries his best to know as many local Chinese people as possible"]}, {"question": "Which country may the author come from?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Russia.", "America.", "Japan", "Korea."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["What teaches you most about China?", "How do you make friends in China?", "What do you do with the Chinese language?", "How do you appreciate the most in China?"]}]}
{"article": "Are you a creative person?\nAre you looking for a challenging and unique work environment?\nPicture yourself at CRIENGLISH.com\nPositions open to native English Speakers Only\nVideo reporters/editors:\n1. Video editing experience with an understanding of Final Cut Pro software.\n2. Resourceful and creative when it comes to finding original stories.\n3. A comfortable demeanor  in front of the camera.\n4. Enjoy working with others in a team oriented environment.\nNews presenters:\n1. Journalistic and radio experience, good news-writing skills.\n2. Able to work the night and early morning shifts.\n3. Team spirit and flexibility.\nBiz News Reporter/Presenter:\n1. Journalistic experience, particularly in the field of business news.\n2. Good reading and presentation skills.\n3. Able to work at irregular hours.\nCopyeditors:\n1. Journalistic experience and good news-writing skills.\n2. A good command of the English language.\n3. Able to work at irregular hours.\nMusic DJs:\n1. Well versed  in music types like in pop, country, contemporary, etc, but not hard rock and heavy metal music.\n2. Personal charm on the air.\n3. Relevant experience.\nFor job possibilities, please email your CV, demos and preferably photograph to job@cri.com.cn. The CV should include such information as your citizenship, age, academic degree, working experience, contact numbers and, if you are already in China, type of visa. Thanks.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the purpose of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To advertise a website.", "To attract some talents.", "To introduce a radio station.", "To introduce a company."]}, {"question": "To apply for the positions above, one must  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["work long hours", "have related working experience", "have team spirit", "live in English-speaking countries"]}, {"question": "Which of the following positions require irregular work hours?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Video reporters&News presenters", "News presenters&Biz News Reporter", "Biz News Reporter&Copyeditors", "Copyeditors&Music DJs"]}]}
{"article": "Collections were the inspiration  for a project at Thomas Tallis School, which formed part of the Imagine Children's Literature Festival last autumn. Each child (aged 12-13) beatified a box and wrote a story on the subject of collections to throw inside it. The boxes were spread within the Royal Festival Hall's Ballroom. Some were left empty to encourage\nThe subject chosen by Luren was an imaginative one. \"It's a sort o f Cinderella   story,\" she told me, inspired by a collection of letters from her cousin, ha the story these become love letters, burned by a creel stepmother. Lauren's best friend Charlotte is the stepmother. \"I'm in Charlotte's story too,\" says Lauren, \"and I get run over.\" Charlotte's tale was inspired by the girls' coin collection. \"We've collected foreign coins for years - since our families went on holiday to Tenerife.\" she explains. \"That was before the Euro, so we put pesetas in.\" Lauren continues: \"I fred a coin in the road, go to get it and get run over. I'm in hospital and then I die.\" Charlotte adds: \"Or she might not die. I haven't decided yet.\"\nMillie Murray, who is a tea-novel author, thinks that setting the subject of collections was a useful inspiration to their creativity rather than a restriction .  \"In the beginning I thought, 'Will the children be able to do it?'\" she says. \"But it's been fruitful. Some have their own collection, some have parents who do, and some have wlstten complete stories. It's made them think about something they wouldn't have otherwise, winch can only be a good thing.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What were the children asked to do in the project?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To meet friends at Thomas Tallis School", "To write stories on the subject of collections.", "To encourage visitors to write their own stories.", "To have their friends for characters in the stories."]}, {"question": "From the stories by Lauren and Charlotte, we know that   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Charlotte hurt herself when getting a coin", "both of them developed their imagination", "both of tram will die in each other's stories", "Latwen's cousin posted her some love letters"]}, {"question": "Millie Murray thinks   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["collections could inspire writing creativity", "it was good for parents to have collections", "inspirations were very useful in writing stories", "setting collection subjects restricted inspirations"]}]}
{"article": "Kabul,Oct.28 (Xinhuanet)--- Unknown armed men in military uniform kidnapped  three staff of the United Nations in the Afghan capital city at broad daylight Thursday ,Afghan officials confirmed  .\n\"Three armed men in military uniform  _ a UN car in Baraki area ofprefix = st1 /Kabulcity early afternoon and took away three persons including two women with them, \"Rohullah, a witness at the site told Xinhua.\nThe kidnappers also badly beat up the Afghan driver of the UN car, added Rohullah who is a lorry driver in the city. The area has been watched over by UN guards.\nUN officials as well as Afghan confirmed the incident but refused to provide further information. The three kidnapped , according to some officials , who are from Britain, Ireland and Kosovo, were working for the UN-sponsored Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) overseeing the first presidential elections held on Oct.9 across Afghanistan and in Iran and Pakistan.\nThis is the first time that such an incident has taken place in the Afghan capital over the last three years\nSo far, no one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. However, remnants  of the former Taliban regime who failed to stop the great presidential elections have promised to continue holy war   until the US-led troops leave Afghanistan.", "problems": [{"question": "When did this kidnapping take place?", "answer": "B", "options": ["At night", "In the daytime", "Early in the morning", "at dawn"]}, {"question": "What does the underline word   _  probably mean ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["destroyed", "damaged", "stopped", "bombed"]}, {"question": "What happened when the kidnapping took place?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A lorry driver was badly beaten up", "three men and two women were taken away", "No one else witnessed the sudden kidnapping", "Two women together with one man was kidnapped"]}, {"question": "Which of the following description is not correct ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The three kidnapped persons were in Afghan waiting for the coming election.", "No UN staff had been kidnapped before this kidnapping", "It is still uncertain who started this kidnapping, though there is some clue.", "The US-led troops are disliked by the remnants of the former Taliban regime."]}, {"question": "What is the best title of the news report ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Successful Presidential Election in Afghan", "US-led Troops Acting in Afghan", "Holy War in Afghan", "3 UN staff kidnapped in Kabul"]}]}
{"article": "As the new semester begins, millions of college students across the country are trying hard to remember how best to write a paper or, more likely, how best to delay that paper.\nProcrastination is the thief of time and a lot of students suffer from it. They can spend whole days in the library doing nothing but staring into space, eating snacks, surfing the Internet, watching videos and looking at other students sitting around them, who, most likely, are doing nothing either.\nParalyzed   by their habit to procrastinate, they write micro blogs about their fears, asking their online friends if they sometimes have the same issue. But this does nothing to break the spell  .\nAccording to a recent report, 95 percent of us procrastinate at some point and 20 percent of the world's population are always procrastinating. The figures are disappointing. Procrastinators are less wealthy, less healthy and less happy than those who don't delay. Procrastinators like to find excuses to justify their behavior, but BBC columnist Rowan Pelling says they are all wrong.\nMany procrastinators tell themselves they are perfectionists who work best under pressure. Pelling says this is nonsense, as work done at the last minute is more likely to have mistakes than work done on time. The behavior of procrastinators often makes them feel ashamed, inconveniences others and annoys loved ones.\nPelling also points out that procrastination feels particularly delinquent  in a society that thinks of speedy action as admirable, and, at times, even as a moral good.\nFortunately, social scientists have thrown their weight behind efforts to understand this behavioral mistake and offer strategies to control it. Piers Steel, a Canadian social scientist and author of The Procrastination Equation, believes human is \"designed\" to procrastinate. Nevertheless, he suggests a couple of good ways to get through the task at hand.", "problems": [{"question": "Which behavior belongs to procrastination?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Never dream away the time.", "Always complete the tasks ahead of time.", "Never put off till tomorrow what should be done today.", "Always wait to work until the \"good mood\" or \"good time\"."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is not true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Procrastination makes people waste their time.", "Procrastinators usually complete their tasks perfectly.", "Speedy action is considered as a moral standard in the society.", "Procrastination is common among people."]}]}
{"article": "Along a long path we came to a deep valley, on the far side of which the path led into some very thick bushes. Rather than push through up again and rejoin the path on the far side of the bushes\n              As I climbed down into the valley a bird flew off h rock on which I had put my hand. On looking at the spot from which the bird had risen, I saw two eggs. They were the kind that I did not have in my collection, so I placed them carefully in my bag, wrapped in a little dry grass.\n              As we went further down the valley the sides became steeper and not far from where I had entered. It came to drop of about twelve to fourteen feet. The water that rushed down all these small valleys in the rainy season had worn the rock as glass. As it was too deep to climb down, I handed my gun to one of the men and slid down it. My feet had hardly touched the sandy bottom when the two men jumped down, one on each side of me. They quickly gave me the gun and asked me if I had heard the tiger. In fact, I had heard nothing; possibly because of the noise I made sliding down the rock. The men said they had heard a tiger growling somewhere nearby, but they did not know from which direction the noise had come.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text we know that   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["the writer decided to push through the thick bushes", "the writer decided to walk along the valley", "the writer wanted to stop climbing", "the writer tried to find two eggs"]}, {"question": "When the writer found the eggs, he   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["wrapped them in dry grass and put them aside", "wrapped them in dry grass and took them with him", "tried to find the bird", "made the bird fly off"]}, {"question": "At the end of the story, the writer knew that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a tiger had run away", "a tiger was close to them", "the men had seen a tiger", "a tiger had seen them"]}, {"question": "Which of the following orders is RIGHT about what happened in their travel?", "answer": "C", "options": ["hear the sound of tiger-find eggs-push through the bushes-climb down into the valley", "climb down into the valley-push through the bushes-hear the sound of tiger-find eggs", "push through the bushes-climb down into the valley-find eggs-hear the sound of tiger", "find eggs-climb down into the valley-hear the sound of tiger-push through the bushes"]}]}
{"article": "Try imagining what the world will be like in the year 3000. Some serious thinkers are starting to imagine just that.\nBart: I don't know that present-day electronic chips are, but some sort of chips -- I'd guess maybe plastic. Our three-pound brain is definitely a wonder, perhaps the greatest wonder of natural biology. In this coming century, we'll be re-engineering the brain a piece at a time, first with implants  and finally engineering an complete replacement. There's no question that in the distant future we'll play the music of the mind on instruments different from the current ones. So, yes, chips are our destiny  .\nEdward: In 3000 perhaps the biggest difference from today is that there will be no more men. Females can have female children, without any need for men. In about ten years, we'll find the cocktail that women can take to have female children. There'll be no need for men at all.\nGreg: What is Heaven? Heaven's a place where you can create worlds at will, and the ideal Heaven is where you run the whole thing yourself. The current means of getting to Heaven involve various supernatural systems for which, at this point, there's no scientific evidence. So I think we can reduce Heaven to an engineering project which we're doing. The demand for Heaven is great--witness the desire of every human heart, from the people who built the ancient pyramids to modern society, to live beyond one's given time. Our plan is to change human consciousness from the brain to bits of information in a computer chip, or some other kind of computational medium, so that just by thinking we'll be able to create our own personal world. And I think the first stage of Heaven will be the feeling world, and beyond that I think we'd find a higher, more spiritual plane.", "problems": [{"question": "According to Bart, the brain may be the greatest wonder in the future because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it may weigh as much as 3 pounds", "it may be driven by plastic chips", "it may be replaced by robots", "it may play the music of the mind"]}, {"question": "What does Bart refer to by saying \"chips are our destiny\"?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Chips are our last choice in the future.", "Chips are on the way to controlling mind.", "Chips are the production of future technology.", "Chips are the implants in the distant future."]}, {"question": "In 3000, what about the population of the world?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It will be all made up of females.", "It will be larger than that of present.", "It will mainly consists of children.", "It will be reduced by a drink of cocktail."]}, {"question": "According to Greg, Heaven in the future is a place where   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["your scientific idea exists", "you have once traveled", "your own thought travels", "your material world is formed"]}]}
{"article": "New York City schoolchildren can't use cellphones at school because of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ban on cellphones in schools. Many parents are opposed to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ban on cellphones in schools by e-mail messages.\nThere was a 13-year-old student who was shot with a gun after school, unable to call his mother for help. There was a high school student robbed three times last year, twice in her school building. There was a girl who got a piece of glass placed in her eye during school and was saved from a possible cornea transplant   only because, having disobeyed the cellphone ban, she was able to call her mother and get an operation on time.\nThe ban has been on for years, but it set off a widespread parental outcry only in April, after some headmasters sent home letters reminding parents that cellphones are not allowed to be brought into school.\nMr Bloomberg has defended the ban, saying that cellphones are bad and often used to cheat or call in friends for fights. If something is important, he says, parents can call schools directly.\nOn the other hand, many of the e-mail messages from parents described the ban as \"cruel and heartless\", \"absurdly  wrong-headed\", \"anti-parent\", \"ridiculous\".\n\"We respect the fears that parents have,\" David Cantor, a spokesman for Schools Minister Joel I. Klein said, \"but after all the fact is that having phones in schools always leads to more problems.\"", "problems": [{"question": "A 13-year-old student was shot with a gun after school, unable to call his mother for help, because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["his mother had no cellphone", "his mother wasn't at home", "he didn't take a cellphone with him", "he was too frightened to call"]}, {"question": "According to what the spokesman said, the school might   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["call off the ban", "continue the ban", "thank the parents", "allow some students to use cellphones at school"]}]}
{"article": "One day while shopping in a small town in southern California,it was my misfortune to be approached by a clerk whose personality conflicted with mine. He seemed most unfriendly and not at all concerned about my intended purchase. I bought nothing,and marched angrily out of the store. My hostility  toward that clerk increased with each step.\nOn the outside,standing by the road,was a darkskinned young man in his early twenties. His expressive brown eyes met and held mine,and in the next instant a beautiful, dazzling  smile covered his face. I gave way immediately. The magnetic  power of that smile dissolved  all bitterness within me,and I found the muscles in my own face happily responding .\n\"Beautiful day,isn't it?\"I remarked,in passing. Then,I turned back.\"I really owe you a debt of gratitude ,\"I said softly.\nHis smile deepened, but he made no attempt to answer.A Mexican woman and two men were standing nearby.The woman stepped forward and volunteered, \"Sir, but he doesn't speak English.Do you want me to tell him something?\" In that moment I felt transformed .The young man's smile had made a big person of me.My friendliness and good will toward all mankind stood ten feet tall.\n\"Thank you?\" The woman seemed slightly puzzled.\nI gave her arm a friendly pat as I turned to leave.\"Just tell him that,\" I insisted.\"He'll understand.I am sure !\"\nOh, what a smile can do! Although I have never seen that young man again, I shall never forget the lesson he taught me that morning.From that day on, I became smile-conscious, and I practice the art anywhere and everywhere, with everybody.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author leave the store angrily?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The clerk treated him unkindly.", "He couldn't buy what he wanted.", "The clerk didn't speak English.", "The store's goods were too dear."]}, {"question": "The author asked the woman to say \"Thank you!\" to the young man because the young man  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["had helped the author before", "taught the author how to smile", "was a kind employee of the store", "taught the author a valuable lesson"]}, {"question": "In the passage, the author seems to suggest that we should   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["be generous to strangers", "practice smiling every day", "smile at other people", "help people in trouble"]}]}
{"article": "\"Wake up. Alicia is waiting for you outside,\" my mother called from the kitchen. My mother didn't like me going for this weekend to my friend's house in the mountains. \"I trust you, but I don't trust the people out there,\" she said seriously. \"I'm going to be fine,\" were my last words before closing the door of the Jeep. The vehicle went along the dusty road and my mother grew smaller in the distance.\nThe trip over the rough road was uncomfortable. It was scary to climb the steep hills surrounded by great pines. After a long trip we finally arrived at the house. From the moment I got there I knew I would forever love the house. It was decorated like an old country home. My room was small, yet set up nicely. That night I went to sleep early, not because I didn't want to continue my search, but because I was tired after the long trip.\nIn the morning, the singing of the birds woke me up. The light was just getting through the window. A strong smell of baking and fresh coffee came from the kitchen. I wandered around looking for a living soul, but the house was empty. I had the whole day to myself; my friend had gone hiking. I didn't want to go with her. The main reason for this trip was to spend some time alone to think about the events happening in my life.\nAfter an icy shower, my energies were at their fullest. With basket in hand, I started my hunt. I did not mind walking alone; it was a wonderful feeling to be in contact with nature for the first time. The sound of the water running through the rocks gave me great peace. I never felt such independence in my soul before.", "problems": [{"question": "How did the author find the trip to her friend's house?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Interesting and impressive.", "Interesting and comfortable.", "Easy and exciting.", "Rough but very exciting."]}, {"question": "The purpose of the trip for the author is to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["enjoy the quiet and beautiful nature", "continue her search for special things", "give herself a chance to think alone", "go hiking in the mountains with her friend"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Her close friend.", "The peaceful life.", "A favorite trip.", "The distant village."]}]}
{"article": "Science Fiction\nThe science fiction type of entertainment is considered by most to be fathered by Jules Verne (A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea) and H. G. Wells (The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds). Sci-Fi, as it is commonly shortened, is a fictional story in which science and technology have a significant influence on the characters and plot. Many such works are guesswork about what the future holds and how scientific findings and technological advances will shape humankind.\nWriting in the late 1800s, Jules Verne was remarkably successful in his 10 guesses about future technologies of air conditioning, automobiles, the Internet, television, and underwater, air, and space travel. Unbelievably, of all places from which to choose, Jules Verne guessed Tampa, Florida, USA as the launching site of the first project to the Moon, which was only 200 kilometers away from the actual 1969 location at Cape Canaveral, Florida.\nOne of the best-known science fiction books is Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Published in 1949, it was not meant as a prediction, but as a warning: Orwell was describing what he saw as the outcome of the ideas, trends, and emerging technologies of his time. Many invented terms from this novel have become common in everyday use, such as \"big brother\" and \"doublethink\". Even the author's name has been made into an adjective--Orwellian--and has become a warning descriptor for situations where privacy is lost and the individual becomes sacrifice under a totalitarian  government. Nineteen Eighty-Four was translated into sixty-five languages within five years of its publication, setting a record that still stands.\nWhat helps bring science fiction into being is usually a new discovery or innovation. The author creates an analysis of the potential influence and consequences and then wraps it in a pleasant story. For example, the beginning of space exploration was followed a few years later by the Star Trek television program and movie series. Advances in genetics  cause fantasies of the end of disease, horrors of eugenics , and thrillers where creatures disappearing long ago are brought back to life. The science fiction author's self-determined role is that of field glasses for humanity--searching the world of future possibilities upon the road which we are traveling.", "problems": [{"question": "What can science fiction offer to people?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A forecast of how a new discovery could influence mankind.", "A thoughtful look at the present drawbacks of technology.", "An analysis of why a new technology could be used to harm human.", "A thoughtful look at the past and what brought us to this point in history."]}, {"question": "Which of the following best summarizes the description of Nineteen Eighty-Four?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A prediction of future technologies.", "A warning of cruel and unfair ruling.", "The consequence of scientific findings.", "An imaginary perfect world of freedom."]}, {"question": "From the passage we can learn that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Nineteen Eighty-Four adopted some popular terms", "H.G. Wells predicted the Internet in the late 1800s", "Cape Canaveral was mentioned in Jules Verne's fiction", "Star Trek movie series were based on space exploration"]}, {"question": "According to the author, what is the role of science fiction in society?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A moral compass.", "A reference of technology.", "A record of science development.", "A consideration of possibilities."]}]}
{"article": "Tokyo University laboratory has developed a robot that never loses at the game of Rock Paper Scissors. That is because its visual processing abilities and fingers work together faster than any human brain. A video of the undefeated robot has been watched by more than 3 million viewers on YouTube since going online at the end of June.\nTokyo University engineering professor Masatoshi Ishikawa has a good-natured response to frustrated human losers who accuse him of essentially creating a robot that cheats. \"It is not cheating. Every one millisecond the image processor decides and recognizes the shape the human hand is going to make. And then the robot can make a winnable shape one millisecond later than a human being. Only one millisecond, but a human cannot see this difference because the human eye is very slow,\" explained Ishikawa.\nAt the Ishikawa Oku Laboratory there has been amazing progress which shows the near perfect accuracy of robotics. Such as a robot that can catch a falling egg without breaking it, another one that can tie a knot, and a robot that may not be quite ready for the NBA, but is able to dribble  a ball.\nIn sports such as baseball and cricket, the misses outnumber(......)successes for even the most skilled athletes. That is not so in this award-winning school laboratory. For instance, an intelligent robot is the result of five years of research and a lot of trial and error. And the cost of just one finger on the robot is equal to that of a mini car.\nThe technology obviously has uses beyond fun and games. Corporations are eager to take advantage of the lab's technology for industrial and other practical uses. And there is talk of applying it to assist disabled people and improve human capabilities.", "problems": [{"question": "What brings the robot so much attention on the YouTube?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It never loses in the game against humans.", "Its eyes and fingers can work at the same time.", "It can do anything whatever people tell it to do.", "It plays online games much better than any human."]}, {"question": "Ishikawa's explanation suggests that the robot  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["proves to be dishonest", "is lucky to win the game", "works slower sometimes", "responds faster than humans"]}, {"question": "Which section of a website is the text probably taken from?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Sports and games.", "Human and society.", "Science and technology.", "Relaxation and entertainment."]}]}
{"article": "Due to climate change, Arctic ice is breaking up earlier in the spring, and its area is decreasing. This is creating problems for polar bears that make their homes off northern Alaska and in Hudson Bay.\nPolar bears off Alaska normally hunt and raise their young on ice sheets that float on the ocean. But as the ice has melted, the polar bears have been forced to spend more time on land. There, they have begun to frequent beaches, feeding on the remains of whales caught by native hunters. For polar bears, this food is less nutritious than seals that they normally catch on ice sheets. The shrinking  ice has also forced more polar bears into the ocean. In the past, they only had to swim short distances between ice sheets. But as the ice has shrunk, polar bears have been forced to swim longer and longer distances in the open ocean. This poses a severe danger during rough weather, and an increasing number of drowned polar bears have been observed.\nIn Hudson Bay, the ice breaks up three weeks earlier in the spring now than it did 20 years ago. Polar bears on Hudson Bay fast  during the summer, waiting for ice to form in the fall to hunt. Every year, the summer gets longer, and the bears get skinnier. Over the past 25 years, the average weight of the female bears has dropped 68 kg. This loss affects their ability to reproduce, and already the number of births has dropped 15 percent. Unless the bears can learn to survive these climate changes, these giants of the ice may one day disappear.", "problems": [{"question": "What is Arctic ice doing earlier each year?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It's freezing.", "It's hardening.", "It's melting.", "It's expanding."]}, {"question": "What is true of polar bears that are spending more time on land in Alaska?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Their young are dying.", "Their diet is changing.", "Their health is improving.", "Their families are growing."]}, {"question": "What do polar bears in Hudson Bay do during the summer?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They claim territory .", "They protect mates.", "They hunt animals.", "They stop feeding"]}, {"question": "In which publication would you most likely find this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Medical News", "Society Today", "Wildlife Journal", "Design Magazine"]}]}
{"article": "Silk production has a long and colourful history unknown to most people. Scientific discoveries have shown that silk production existed in China from around 2500 B.C., although it could be much older. For hundreds of years, China kept the secret of silk to itself as one for the most closely protected secrets in history. Anyone revealing the secret of silkworms or trying to take silkworm eggs out of ancient China was punished by death.\nAt one time silk was reserved only for the Chinese emperor. Gradually, others began wearing silk. In addition to being used for clothing, silk came to have industrial uses in ancient China, something that happened in the West only in modern times. Silk was used to make musical instruments, fishing lines, weapons, ropes and even paper. During the Han Dynasty silk became a form of money. Farmers paid taxes in both rice and silk. The prices of goods were calculated in lengths of silk just as they had once been calculated in gold. The importance of silk is even reflected in the Chinese language. For example, of the 5000 most common Chinese characters, around 500 have silk as their \"key\".\nIn spite of their secrecy, the Chinese eventually lost their monopoly on silk production. It reached Korea in around 200 B.C. when immigrants from China arrived there. Silk production came to India in 300 A.D.. It was not until 500 A.D. that silk production came to Europe when travellers _ silkworms in hollow tubes of bamboo. These were used to establish silk industry in Rome (modern-day Italy), although Chinese silk was still considered to be the best.\nSilk was brought to Rome from China by means of the Silk Road. There were actually two Silk Roads, one over land and one on the sea. The land route in particular had a huge effect in history. All sorts of trade goods -- silver, gold, jade, porcelain -- passed along this road. Ideas travelled the Silk Road too. For example the religion of Buddhism was carried to China from India by traders on the Silk Road. The Silk Road created the first international culture, exposing many people to the ideas and treasures of both Western and Chinese cultures.", "problems": [{"question": "How was China able to keep the secret of silk production?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It refused to sell its silk to other countries.", "Foreigners were not permitted to enter China.", "The silkworms needed were not able to survive outside China.", "Chinese passing on the secret to foreigners were seriously punished."]}, {"question": "Which of the following uses of silk is NOT mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A way of purchasing goods people sold.", "A material used for making different products.", "A method of paying money to the government.", "A valuable gift given to foreigners travelling in China."]}, {"question": "In what order did silk production spread throughout the world according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Europe aIndia aKorea aChina.", "China aKorea aIndia aEurope.", "China aIndia aKorea aEurope.", "China aEurope aIndia aKorea."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true about the Silk Road?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It allowed for economic and cultural exchanges between countries.", "It made China the most powerful country in the ancient world.", "It could only be completed by travellers with access to a boat.", "It was first developed for transferring religious ideas."]}]}
{"article": "Teresa was born in Yugoslavia on August 27,1910. Her parents were Albanians  and member of the Roman Catholic Church. When she was seven years old, her father was murdered. She decided not to be filled with hate because of this tragedy . Instead, she would seek a life of love. This ambition led her to Ireland where she became a nun  at the age of eighteen.\nAfter only one year of training, she was sent to India to teach in a school called Loretto House, where the students were mostly from rich Indian families. After 15 years there, she left her duties as a teacher to \"follow Christ into the slums .\" Her heart led her away from the rich to the needs of the poor. She was then 36 years old.\nTeresa no longer was affiliated  with the Irish nuns who sent her to Loreto House but worked independently. However, her work was recognised by the Pope in Rome for she still was a nun. He allowed her to set up her own group, which was called the Missionaries of Charity .\nShe no longer dressed as a nun in the European or Irish tradition. Instead, she put on a sari, the local dress of the Indian people. At first, people were sceptical  about her motives. Soon, they realised she was really interested in loving poor people, even those who were dying and had no chance of survival.\nSoon, other Indian people began to spare time to help Mother Teresa. She had taught everyone that the poor and dying people need love most of all.\nIn 1979, she won the Nobel Peace Prize.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Mother Teresa become a nun?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Her father was killed.", "The hate of her father's death.", "She was looking for a life of love.", "The poor life of her childhood."]}, {"question": "Why did she leave her duties as a teacher after 15 years in Loretto House?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To be a teacher was too tired", "The students in Loretto House were rich.", "She was tired of teaching.", "The poor in the slums needed her care."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is WRONG?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Mother Teresa was a Catholic.", "\"Sari\" is an Indian word that means clothing.", "At first people didn't believe her motives.", "She served poor people in the slums as a teacher."]}, {"question": "Perhaps the most important lesson the world has learned from Mother Teresa is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["regular assistance", "food and shelter", "to care for the poor of the earth", "protection"]}]}
{"article": "Every day we meet people in a number of business and social situations. And the way we meet and greet them creates an impression. It's important to do so in a proper way, no matter whether you are introducing yourself to someone, or introducing two people. To keep you aware of this, we have gathered tips on how to make a proper introduction.\n*Always stand when making an introduction.\nWhen you are seated and someone comes up to greet you, make the effort to stand up. By doing this, you show respect for yourself and for the other person.\n*Always keep eye contact while making an introduction.\nMany people are not aware of the value of this simple action. When you make eye contact, you are giving a confident image.\n*Always introduce a person of lesser authority to one of greater authority. The most important thing to remember is to say the most important person's name first.\nFor example, when introducing your supervisor to a job candidate  , you would give your supervisor's name first. \"Bob Jones, may I introduce Susan Lee, who has just graduated from ABC University?\"\n*In a situation where rank is unimportant, an introduction is based on sex and age. A man is presented to a woman and a younger woman to an older woman.\nWhat if you find yourself in a situation where you have forgotten the other person's name? Start with a handshake and reintroduce   yourself. When doing this, you will usually cause the other person to do the same.\nHowever, if the other person does not take your suggestion, it is OK simply to apologize and let the person know that you cannot remember her or his name. This is not the ideal situation, of course, but it does happen to all of us. The other person should be forgiving.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, people will think you are   _   if you don't make eye contact with them.", "answer": "B", "options": ["not honest", "not confident", "shy", "unfriendly"]}, {"question": "What should you do when you introduce a new worker to your boss?", "answer": "D", "options": ["You should not give your boss' name.", "You should give the new worker's name first.", "You needn't give your boss' name", "You should give your boss' name first"]}, {"question": "If you forget the other person's name, you'd better   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["ask him/her directly", "apologize first and then ask him/her", "shake hands with the person and reintroduce yourself", "consider his age first"]}]}
{"article": "BERLIN---A German woman, fearful that a burglar was trying to break into her second -storey apartment, called police after she heard someone climbing up to her balcony shortly after midnight, police said Thursday. Police discovered the \"burglar\" was a man carrying flowers and a bottle of wine who turned out to be the woman's boyfriend. But then arrested him on an outstanding reason.\n\"He was trying to surprise her with the flowers and a bottle of wine but it all went wrong,\" said Korbach police spokesman Volker Koenig. He said the man jumped down from the balcony and tried to escape but was quickly caught by police.\n\"He gave the police who were taking him to jail the bottle of wine as a gesture of thanks for the friendly treatment after the arrest. \" Koenig said.\nLONDON---A smoker who died after battling emphysema   has had his dying wish granted with the placement of a \"SMOKING KILLED ME\" sign on his hearse   and his grave.\nAlbert Whittamore blamed his youthful smoking habit for the lung disease. He said before he died in February that he wanted the sign to serve as a warning to young people about the dangers of tobacco smoking.\nThe sign was designed to look like the health warning on a packet of cigarettes. The printed notice at his grave will be left in place for a week. The hearse carrying his body through the town of Dover 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of London and several of the printed signs shown in the windows.", "problems": [{"question": "The man climbing up to the girl's balcony   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["was actually a wanted thief", "was put into prison in the end", "thanked the police for setting him free", "was treated badly by the police"]}, {"question": "The best title for the first news item might be \"  _  .\"", "answer": "D", "options": ["A burglar's love", "A burglar boyfriend", "Flowers and wine", "Price for being romantic"]}, {"question": "The public paid more attention to the smoker because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he died after smoking for many years", "he had the sign put on his hearse and his grave", "he died of a lung disease without any treatment", "he wanted the sign left on his grave for one day"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The sign will be printed on the packet of cigarettes.", "The signs were also shown in the windows of the hearse.", "The smoker wanted to tell people how bad it was to smoke.", "The smoker regretted forming the habit of smoking."]}]}
{"article": "Hubert Joseph Schlafly was an electrical engineer who helped change the way actors, politicians and other people speak on television. In 1950, he and two other men developed the teleprompter. One co-worker, Fred Barton, was an actor. He had an idea for a tool that would help television actors read their lines without having to memorize them. The other co-worker was Irving Kahn. He worked as vice-president of radio and television at 20thCentury Fox.\nThe first teleprompter involved a person who held a long piece of paper printed with big letters. As the actor read the lines, another person would move the paper ahead on the device . The teleprompter was first used on a television program called \"The First Hundred Years.\" Later versions used television screens to show the words that were to be read.\nHub Schlafly and his co-workers believed that many companies would want to buy the teleprompter. So, they left their jobs and created the TelePrompTer Corporation to sell their invention.\nIn 1952, former President Herbert Hoover became the first politician to use a teleprompter. The former president was speaking at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, USA. For a brief time, he stopped reading and began to talk about a subject not written in his speech. When Hoover wanted to continue the speech, the words on the teleprompter were not moving. He then said the machine should be restarted and viewers became aware of the new invention. Many reporters wrote about that incident, creating a new level of publicity for the teleprompter.\nSoon more and more politicians started to use it to face the television camera while reading prepared statements, instead of looking down at their notes. Then the device was used for almost all live television broadcasts.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A new form of TV program.", "A great US electrical engineer.", "The influence of an electrical company.", "The history of a useful electrical device."]}, {"question": "When using the teleprompter, people are able to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["memorize what they want to say very quickly", "practice their speech skills as if they were on TV", "face the TV while giving a speech", "see themselves on TV as they are making a speech"]}, {"question": "When Hoover started to give his speech,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he forgot to turn on the teleprompter", "he decided to stop using the teleprompter", "people didn't know he used a teleprompter", "people didn't think the teleprompter would work"]}, {"question": "What was the effect of the incident happening during Hoover's speech?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The teleprompter became popular.", "Schlafly's invention was doubted.", "Schlafly set up his own company.", "Hoover didn't complete his speech."]}]}
{"article": "Country singer and songwriter Adrienne Young brings together music and agricultural activities.She even included seeds in the album cover of her first CD.\nAdrienne Young wants people to know that she supports the movement in America to increase local farming.She offers information about agricultural issues on her Web site.And now part of the moneyfrom her third and newest release, \"Room to Grow\",will be donated to help support community gardens.\nAdrienne Young's family has lived in Florida for seven generations.Her ancestors helped develop the agriculture industry there.The state of Florida is the nation's second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, 'after California.\nAdrienne Young has said that her interest in nature was shaped by the fact that she did not grow up on a farm.She grew up in a house her grandfather build on what had been farmland two generations ago.But the land was developed and was now part of a highway.\nAdrienne Young has teamed up with two organizations that support local farming and gardening efforts.One is the American Community Gardening Association.The other is FoodRoutes,a group she has represented for several years.\nFoodRoutes says buying locally grown food is not only about taste and freshness.The group says buying locally also helps to strengthen local economies and protect the environment.Exports say food in the United States travels all average of more than three thousand kilometers from farm to store.", "problems": [{"question": "The aim to write the passage is to   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["tell us a singer aims to grow interest in local farming", "show Adrienne Young promotes her third CD album", "praise Adrienne Young for her contributions to agriculture", "call on singers to learn from Adrienne Young"]}, {"question": "Adrienne Young supports to increase local farming in   _   ways.", "answer": "A", "options": ["two", "three", "four", "five"]}, {"question": "It can be learned from the passage that   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Adrienne Young's parents used to be farmers", "Adrienne Young grew up on a farm", "Florida is good for farming", "no old houses existing on the farm belongs to Adrienne Young"]}, {"question": "Buying locally grown food has many advantages EXCEPT   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it is fresh", "it's tasty", "it's environmental protection", "it raises local production"]}]}
{"article": "The word proactivity is fairly common in management literature, but you won't find it in the dictionary. It means that as a human being you take responsibility for your own life.\nLook at the word responsibility: ability to choose your response, response-ability. Effective people are proactive because they take responsibility. Their behavior is a product of their own decisions, based on values, rather than being a product of their own conditions, based on feelings.For instance, you are planning a picnic with your family.You're excited.You have all the preparations.You've decided where to go, and then it becomes stormy, killing your plan.Proactive people\n. They realize what their purpose really was, and they creatively have a picnic elsewhere even if it's in their own basement with some special games, and make the best of that situation.The opposite of being proactive is to be reactive.Reactive people would say, \"What's the use?\" \"We can't do anything.\" \"Oh this is so upsetting after all of our preparations and arrangements.\" They try to persuade the people around them and usually the picnic will be cancelled.\nBeing proactive is really just being true to your human nature. Your basic nature is to act, and not to be acted upon.That's true, despite widely accepted theories of determinism used to explain human nature. Determinism says that you don't really choose anything and that what you call choices are nothing more than automatic responses to outside conditions.\nThe language of reactive people is like: \" I can't.\" \" Don't have time.\" \" I have to.\" \" I must.\" The whole spirit of that language is the transfer of responsibility.They think things are determined by their environment, or by their conditions, or by their conditioning or their genetic makeup.Psychologically, people who believe they are determined will produce the evidence to support the belief, and they increasingly feel victimized and out of control.They're not in charge of their life at all.\nOn the contrary, a proactive person exercises free will, the freedom to choose the response that best applies to his values.In that way, he gains control over the circumstances, rather than being controlled by them.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, a proactive person's behavior can result from    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the environment", "an inner belief", "the genetic makeup", "a temporary feeling"]}, {"question": "When a picnic plan is threatened by a sudden storm, reactive people will probably    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["have the picnic as planned", "make the best of the picnic", "complain and give up the picnic", "find somewhere else for the picnic"]}, {"question": "It can be concluded from the passage that determinists      _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["accept things passively", "are in charge of themselves", "are similar to proactive people", "respond to outside conditions actively"]}]}
{"article": "Without any previous notice, a documentary dominated headlines and social websites over the weekend. Under the Dome, a 103-minute documentary self-funded by former CCTV news anchor Chai Jing was released on video-sharing websites in China on Feb 28. It has rapidly pushed the public awareness about air pollution and encouraged people to join in efforts to make a difference.\nChai, 39, said she started the work out of her \"personal clashes\" with smog after she gave birth to a daughter. \"I sealed tight all the windows. I started every day by checking the air pollution index,\" Chai said. Millions of other people are also doing the same. While they stop there, Chai goes deeper. \"I don't want to live in this way. 1 need to find out where the smog comes from and what on earth is going on.\"\nOver a year, she investigated polluted sites to find the sources of smog, visited the US and the UK to learn about their anti-pollution experiences, and interviewed officials, scientists and the general public. Chai's research reveals that the burning of coal and oil contributes to 60 percent of PM2.5 pollutants. She thus questions the country's energy consumption habits in the film.\nShe then goes on to disclose loopholes   in car emissions regulations. The film also explains that businesses are pressured not to abide by  the laws because violating  them carries little or no cost, while making changes bumps up costs. The film also points at China's petroleum and steel industries as the biggest sources of air pollution.\nCheng Chen, a 22-year-old student from Beijing Foreign Studies University, found the documentary \"very inspiring\". \"I used to think it's not my duty to deal with air pollution--I don't own a factory or a car,\" said Cheng. \"But Chai told me we share the same fate since we breathe the same air and there is a lot I can do.\"\nHowever, some people are annoyed by the film's description of their polluted hometowns, especially when it shows a banner from Xingtai in Hebei saying \"Congratulations to our city for no longer being ranked the last place among the country's 74 cities in terms of air quality\".\n _ \"What's important is that Chai's work has raised public attention toward the structure of the energy industry,\" she said.   Meanwhile, experts remind moved viewers of the film's limitations.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The documentary was made by Chai jing , who works in CCTV now.", "The documentary dominated headlines and social websites soon after it was broadcast on TV.", "Chai started making the documentary after she gave birth to a daughter.", "Chai thinks that it is the burning of coal and oil that leads to air pollution in china."]}, {"question": "Why Chai jing decided to make the film at first ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["She wanted to do something for her daughter", "She wanted to disclose loopholes in car emissions regulations.", "She wanted to make money", "She wanted to raise public attention toward the structure of the energy industry"]}, {"question": "what's the author's attitude towards the film?", "answer": "B", "options": ["positive", "objective", "negative", "indifferent"]}]}
{"article": "The Sunset Pasta Cruise  to Emerald Bay\nSaturday evening, September 25, 2010 \n You will cruise to Emerald Bay at Sunset, one of the most beautiful places in the world while dining on a Pasta Buffet   and listening to live light dance music. \nBuses will pick up Sunset Pasta Cruise diners from the main entrance to the Horizon Casino Resort at: 4:40pm and 5:05pm on Saturday and take you the 1.5 miles to Ski Run Marina for boarding.  \nBoarding is at Ski Run Marina at 5:15 p.m.  (with departure at 5:45 p.m.), located in South Lake Tahoe. \nThe cost for the cruise, pasta buffet, live music, and the 2.5-hour cruise to Emerald Bay is $55 (normally $75). The cost for children between 3-11 is $41 and under 3 is free. Must register the under 3 as well for the coast guard count. The Sunset Pasta Cruise will be limited to 200 guests. Large parties will be seated first to insure seating together. \nPick up your Sunset Pasta Cruise tickets at the Expo at the Horizon Casino Resort before 3 p.m. on Saturday. Those unclaimed   will be sold to those on the waiting list at that time. At approximately 5:45 pm any extra spaces will be sold to passengers on the dock. \nChildren who require a seat must have a ticket as well. \nClosest lodging to the Pasta Cruise is:  Super 8, Lakeland Village. \nPlease note that our sponsor  , the Riva Grill, is on the Lake close to the boarding area for the Tahoe Queen. A great gathering place to meet or to have dinner. \nCall Riva Grill (530) 542-2600 for lunch or dinner reservations while you are visiting Lake Tahoe.", "problems": [{"question": "When will the cruise to Emerald Bay end?", "answer": "B", "options": ["At about 7:00 pm.", "At about 8:20 pm.", "At about 9:20 pm.", "On Sunday morning."]}, {"question": "How much will Mrs. Robert and her 15-year-old son pay for the cruise?", "answer": "B", "options": ["$96.", "$110.", "$116.", "$150."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that Riva Grill is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a supermarket", "a water sports center", "a restaurant", "a mall"]}]}
{"article": "Holiday houses in Mallorca sailing and fishing port - quiet even in summer season. Beautifully situated houses with sights of sea and mountains, yet near to shops and restaurants. Cars and bicycles for hire. Sailing and sports clubs nearby.\nITALY IN COMFORT\nLuxury coach( - carriage) trips of Italy, out of normal holiday season. 21days to visit five Italian cities starting from London 1 st May, 1 st September . The trips are guided by profess or Martin Davis. Head of Italian Studies, London University . See the arts and culture of historic Italy.\nKIBBUTZ HOLIDAYS IN ISRAEL \nWorking holidays on a kibbutz( co -operative farm) in Israel. All nationalities welcome for one to three months, if prepared to work morning with kibbutz members. Accommodation  , food and trips to historic sights all provided free - you pay only for the special low- cost return flight.\nTWO WEEKS ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND\nTwo- week holidays in the Hotel Splendid , on a lovely beach with golden sands and deep- blue sea. Tennis, golf, sailing and all water sports, trips around the island arranged. Near to town of Castries with lively evening entertainment - dancing.\n1 st November - 31 st March = PS 720 per person\n1 st April - 30th October = PS 850 per person\nJack and his wife Mary, who have recently retired, want to see places of cultural and historic interest abroad, but Mary hates flying.\nPeter and Maria, university students, want to travel as far as possible on little money, and would like to get to know a country by working there for three months with other young people.\nMichael, a young computer programmer, has been working hard and needs a holiday to relax in winter. He would like to go somewhere warmer and sunny, where he can swim in the sea, and he enjoys sports and dancing.\nHerry and Kate, both teachers, and their two sons, have to take their holiday during the school summer holidays. There must be plenty for the boys to do, although Harry and Kate just want to have beautiful scenery, good food and wine- and peace.", "problems": [{"question": "Michael would most probably go to   _   for his holiday.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Italy", "Israel", "Mallorca", "a Caribbean island"]}, {"question": "The most suitable place where Peter and Maria can enjoy their holiday would be  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["an Italian city", "a kibbutz in Israel", "a Caribbean island", "the port in Mallorca"]}, {"question": "The best holiday for Jack and Mary would be  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the 21 - day coach trip of Italy", "the 2 -week stay in the Hotel Splendid", "the 14 -day trip around a Caribbean island", "the working holidays for 1 -3 months on a kibbutz in Israel"]}, {"question": "Harry and Kate and their sons would like  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a holiday working on a kibbutz in Israel", "a holiday visiting cities by coach in Italy", "a holiday house in the fishing port in Mallorca", "a holiday hotel on a lovely beach on a Carribean Island"]}]}
{"article": "Google Works Miracles\nGoogle(www.Google.com) is a daily miracle to millions of people. If the Internet had only this very fast search engine, it would have justified its existence many times over. It is the most popular search engine on the web with a 54% market share, ahead of Yahoo! You type almost anything, however unclear, into the space provided and in a second it has come up with hundreds of references. If knowledge is power, then Google commands the gateway.\nYahoo Becomes Giant\nYahoo(www.yahoo.com) was the first wonder of the web, and in many respects, it still is. It started in January 1994 when two California graduate students, Jerry Yang and David Filo, started compiling a database of links, mainly for their personal use. But well before the end of the year, it had become recognizable as Yahoo we know today. In the past seven years, Yahoo had grown rapidly, partly through a long string of buys. Yahoo now offers almost everything you could want: emails, instant messages, chats, clubs, photo albums and a lot more.\neBay Enables Everyone to Buy and Sell\neBay(www.ebay.com),which deals with online trading and shopping services, is the most impressive large Internet company where people buy and sell goods and services worldwide. It has, for instance, opened up a global marketplace in which people from Beijing, San Francisco, or Moscow can bid against each other for products put up for sale by someone in London. The company's online service permits sellers to list items for sale, buyers to bid on items of interest, and eBay users to browse through listed items that is available online seven days a week.\nAmazon Makes Buying a New Experience\nAmazon(www.amazon.com)started out as an online bookstore, constantly putting up new book titles it offered for sale. In the late 1990s, Amazon had more than four million titles after adding CDs, videos, DVDs and games, It continued to add new lines of business including toys, computer software, electronics, like MP3 players, power tools, home improvement products and online sales. For regular users, Amazon has made itself the shortest possible path between wanting and buying.", "problems": [{"question": "What is Google used mainly for?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Commanding the gateway.", "Searching for information.", "Storing reference books.", "Providing extra space."]}, {"question": "How long did it take for Yahoo to be recognized?", "answer": "A", "options": ["One year.", "A month.", "Several years.", "Overnight."]}, {"question": "What goods did Amazon sell when it started its business?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Power tools.", "Mp3 players.", "Different books.", "Videos and games."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Buying and selling can only be done through Amazon.", "If you feed in something unclear, Google will refuse to do the searching.", "Yahoo owns more market shares than any other companies on the web.", "eBay Company's online service is always there for its users."]}]}
{"article": "Two people have died after two separate university shootings in Texas and Arizona, just hours apart. One person was killed and three injured in the first shooting at Northern Arizona University early on Friday. Later that morning a shooting at a student complex near Texas Southern University left one person dead.\nIn Arizona, police named the gunman there as Steven Jones, an 18-year-old first year student at Northern Arizona University.Mr. Jones told police he was approached by a group of men and attacked. He fled, produced a gun from his pocket and opened fire when the men caught up with him, Arizona police said. Witnesses told police that the victims were unarmed.\nThe second shooting in Texas happened later on Friday morning at the University Courtyard Apartments on the edge of the Houston campus. One student was killed, a freshman at the school, the university confirmed, and another person was wounded. Two people have been arrested as suspects and a third is still at large, said Houston police spokeswoman Jodi Silva.\nThe attacks came as President Barack Obama visited families of victims of a college shooting in Oregon. On arriving in Oregon, he was jeered  by gun rights activists who oppose calls he made for tougher gun laws after nine people were killed at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, last week.\nAfter a private meeting with families, Mr Obama said he had \"strong feelings\" about gun control, adding: \"We are going to have to come together as a country to see how we can prevent these issues from taking place.\"\nOn the edge of this little American town, a few hundred protestors gathered to tell their president he was not welcome. Many were openly carrying handguns to _ their message. The demonstrators blamed the shooting here last week on two things: a failure to treat mental health problems and the designation of Umpqua Community College as a gun-free zone. Many of those we spoke to said they had travelled to Roseburg from elsewhere in Oregon to make their voices hear. The hostility to the Democratic president here in Republican rural Oregon was not just political, it was personal.", "problems": [{"question": "How many people were dead in these two recent university shootings?", "answer": "B", "options": ["One.", "Two.", "Three.", "Four."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is right about the Northern Arizona University shooting?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The gunman was about to graduate.", "It was the victims who started the fight.", "The gunman shot the victims out of hatrd.", "The victims attacked the gunman with knives."]}, {"question": "Mr. Obama probably agreed that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["gun control is too strict in most parts of America, especially in universities", "designation of Umpqua community college as a gun-free zone is a wrong decision", "Americans should be united to prevent criminal shooting from happening so frequently", "A failure to treat mental health problems caused the shooting at Umpqua Community College"]}]}
{"article": "Manchester is the \"capital\" of the northwest of England. Situated on the east bank of the River Irwell, it is a lively busy city with a large student population. Although it was once seen as only a dull industrial place, in recent years Manchester has become the \"in\" place. It is well-known for its clubs, its fashion and its music, not to mention its world -famous football team, Manchester United.\nThere is plenty to see in Manchester and something to suit all taste. For example, you have a taste of the Orient in Chinatown, home to Manchester's large Chinese population. Another place to visit is the historical Eastlefield area, which contains the first urban heritage park in Britain. Here you can walk around the museums and experience the atmosphere of the 19thcentury Manchester.\nFootball fans need not feel left out; they can always make a trip to the Old Trafford  Manchester United Museum which also contains a coffee shop and a souvenir shop\nIt's easy to find your way around the city center and you're never too far away from a bus, which will take you wherever you want to go. However, many people prefer walking in a city where there's so much to see, and much of it is off the main travel lines.\nIf you get tired with all that walking, you can refresh yourself at one of the many cafe bars in the city. There's a wide variety of homely and old-fashioned ones\nWhatever you do, you won't have a dull moment in the place which was awarded the title of \"most interesting city in Europe \". Despite _ unpopular industrial image in the past, Manchester is becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination nowadays.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, Manchester is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a big city in the southwest of England", "only known for its heavy industry", "interesting only if you like football", "a very popular place now"]}, {"question": "If you are interested in history,   _   in Manchester.", "answer": "D", "options": ["you will see the 18\nthcentury center building", "you can go to Chinatown", "you don't have a big choice", "you can visit the Eastlefield"]}, {"question": "What was Manchester like in the past?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A small and dull city.", "A city full of factories", "An exciting city to visit", "A popular destination"]}]}
{"article": "The intelligence times provide us much convenience,but at the same time,some of our abilities are being weakened gradually.\n1. Memorizing phone numbers\nIt was annoying to remember numbers. Now we simply add them to our contacts list. That usually works well unless our device is lost,stolen,or damaged. No one can be expected to remember all their contact numbers. What we can do is memorize 5 of our most important contact numbers. This should include a mixture of family,friends and business. If you're really ambitious you can memorize 5 contacts for each category.\n2. Map-reading skills\nThe convenience and effectiveness of GPS guidance systems and digital maps generated by search engines is unquestionable. They've definitely made our lives easier. What we don't get from using these devices and applications is the increased ability to understand spatial orientation and navigation.\nTo renew or acquire those skills,try using physical maps to plan your next trip. After a few trips,you'll be pleasantly surprised with how useful a physical map can be.\n3. Photography\nEven amateur photography requires a basic learning about lighting,depth,and composition. This is true for digital photography. Most smart cameras automatically make these adjustments. We no longer have to learn the art of photography. On most devices,this is easily changed by turning off the automatic settings. Experiment with setting by hand the scene modes,lighting,and zoom. You just may learn that you're a \"true photographer\".\n4. Reading comprehension\nThe primary cause is E-reader. They're convenient and can store thousands of books. But there's evidence that E-reader makes it more difficult for readers to keep and recall information they just read. Don't worry! What we should do is make an effort to read printed books. This will be especially helpful when seeking information we need for academic or career purposes.\n5.Hand-written correspondence \nWriting letters and notes include hand writing skills,organizational skills,and learning about the person or persons you correspond with. This is another easily regained skill. Send a letter to an old friend,relative or acquaintance.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the disadvantage by adding all numbers to the contacts list?", "answer": "C", "options": ["We may only have the ability to remember 5 numbers.", "It's hard to find the number from the contacts list.", "We might lose all our phone numbers accidentally.", "Our device is more easily damaged or stolen."]}, {"question": "To make yourself a \"true photographer\",you   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["must make it clear how the digital camera works itself", "have to make your camera do the adjustments automatically", "don't need to learn the art of photography", "had better try to set the scene modes,lighting,and zoom by hand"]}, {"question": "E-readers are thought to weaken our reading comprehension because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they are convenient and can store thousands of books", "they make it more difficult for us to recall information", "less people can afford to buy E-readers", "people are not fond of reading printed books nowadays"]}, {"question": "The author of the text seems to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["be worried that we might lose some basic abilities in intelligence society", "point out to us the abilities one should have for adapting to the modem society", "be glad that people will regain these abilities by using them often in daily life", "find out that these abilities will probably make modern people different from before"]}]}
{"article": "We experience different forms of the Sun's energy every day. We can see its light and feel its warmth. The Sun is the major source of energy for our planet. It causes the evaporation   of water from the oceans and lakes. Sunlight also provides the energy used by green plants to make their own food. These green plants then provide food for all organisms  on the Earth.\nMuch of the energy that comes from the Sun never reaches the Earth's surface. It is either reflected or absorbed by the gases in the upper atmosphere. Of the energy that reaches the lower atmosphere,30% is reflected by clouds or the Earth's surface. The remaining 70% warms the surface of the planet, causes water to evaporate, and provides energy for the water cycle and weather. Only a tiny part, approximately 0.023%, is actually used by green plants to produce food.\nMany gases found in the atmosphere actually reflect heat energy escaping from the Earth's surface back to the Earth. These gases act like the glass of a greenhouse in that they allow energy from the Sun to enter but prevent energy from leaving. They are therefore called greenhouse gases.\nWhen sunlight strikes an object, some of the energy is absorbed and some is reflected. The amount reflected depends on the surface. For example, you've probably noticed how bright snow is when sunlight falls on it. Snow reflects most of the energy from the Sun, so it contributes to the low temperatures of winter. Dark-coloured surfaces, such as dark soil or forest, absorb more energy and help warm the surrounding air.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the root( ) cause for weather changes on the Earth is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the atmosphere surrounding the Earth", "water from oceans and lakes", "energy from the Sun", "greenhouse gases in the sky"]}, {"question": "Only a small part of the Sun's energy reaches the Earth's surface because most of it is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["absorbed by the clouds in the lower atmosphere", "reflected by the gases in the upper atmosphere", "lost in the upper and lower atmosphere", "used to evaporate water from the oceans and lakes"]}, {"question": "We learn from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["all living things on the Earth depend on the Sun for their food", "a forest looks dark in winter because it absorbs solar energy", "only 0.023% of the energy from the Sun is made use of on the Earth", "greenhouse gases allow heat energy to escape from the Earth's surface"]}]}
{"article": "While Americans feel worried about how to look after their children and help them grow, French parents are raising happy, well-behaved children without all the anxiety.\n   Pamela Druckerman, an American mother living in Paris, watched carefully as to why French children seem to behave so much better than American children. Let's listen to what she said.\n   While eating at the restaurants in Paris, I noticed the French kids were either sitting in their chairs waiting for their food or eating fish and even vegetables, happy and satisfied. There was no shouting or crying, and there were no pieces of food around their tables. However, my 2-year-old daughter, Beth, took a brief interest in the food. She even threw food everywhere. She couldn't keep herself in her chair and ran around the table. Though by that time I'd live in France for a few months, I couldn't explain it.\n   After surveying French parents, I realized that they aren't perfect, but they have some parenting secrets that do work. French parents seem to have different ideas about raising kids. One of the keys to this education is the simple act of learning how to wait. It is why the French babies I have encountered mostly sleep throughout the night from two or three months old. Their parents don't pick them up the moment they start crying, allowing the babies to learn how to fall back asleep. It is also why French kids will sit happily at a restaurant. Rather than snacking all day like American children, they mostly have to wait until mealtime to eat. French kids always have three meals a day and one snack at about 4:00 pm.", "problems": [{"question": "While eating at restaurants in Paris, French kids   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["make a lot of noise", "like running around", "behave very well", "only eat what they like"]}, {"question": "What is Pamela Druckerman's attitude toward French parents' parenting methods?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She doesn't like them", "She considers them helpless", "She thinks they work well.", "She thinks they are hard to follow."]}, {"question": "What is this passage mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Why French children love eating at restaurants.", "Why American children don't like eating at mealtime.", "What American parents usually learn from French parents.", "How French parents raise their children compared to American parents."]}]}
{"article": "Occasionally, my father came back drunk. Late at night, he beat on the door, pleading to my mother to open it .He was on his way home from drinking, gambling, or some combination thereof, misspending money that we could have used and wasting time that we desperately needed.\nIt was the late-1970s. My parents were separated. My mother was now raising a group of boys on her own. My father spouted off about what he planned to do for us, buy for us.In fact, he had no intention of doing anything. As a father who was supposed to love us, in fact, he lacked the understanding of what it truly meant to love a child--or to hurt one. To him, this was a harmless game that kept us excited and begging. In fact, it was a cruel, corrosive lie. I lost faith in his words and in him. I wanted to stop caring, but I couldn't.\nMaybe it was his own complicated relationship to his father and his father's family that caused him cold. Maybe it was the pain and guilt associated with a life of misfortune. Who knows. Whatever it was, it stole him from us, and particularly from me.\nWhile my brothers talked about breaking and fixing things, I spent many of my evenings reading and wondering. My favorite books were a set of encyclopedias  given by my uncle. They allowed me to explore the world beyond my world, to travel without leaving, to dream dreams greater than my life would otherwise have supported. But losing myself in my own mind also meant that I was completely lost to my father. Not understanding me, he simply ignored me--not just emotionally, but physically as well. Never once did he hug me, never once a pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder or a tousling of the hair.\nMy best memories of him were from his episodic attempts at engagement with us. During the longest of these episodes , once every month or two, he would come pick us up and drive us down the interstate to Trucker's Paradise, a seedy, smoke-filled, truck stop with gas pumps, a convenience store, a small dining area and a game room through a door in the back. My dad gave each of us a handful of quarters, and we played until they were gone. He sat up front in the dining area, drinking coffee and being particular about the restaurant's measly offerings.\nI loved these days. To me, Trucker's Paradise was paradise. The quarters and the games were fun but easily forgotten. It was the presence of my father that was most treasured. But, of course, these trips were short-lived.\nIt wasn't until I was much older that I would find something that I would be able to _ as evidence of my father's love.\nWhen the Commodore 64 personal computer debuted, I convinced myself that I had to have it even though its price was out of my mother's range. So I decided to earn the money myself. I mowed every yard I could find that summer for a few dollars each, yet it still wasn't enough. So my dad agreed to help me raise the rest of the money by driving me to one of the watermelon farms south of town, loading up his truck with wholesale melons and driving me around to sell them. He came for me before daybreak. We made small talk, but it didn't matter. The fact that he was talking to me was all that mattered. I was a teenager by then, but this was the first time that I had ever spent time alone with him. He laughed and repeatedly introduced me as \"my boy,\" a phrase he relayed with a sense of pride. It was one of the best days of my life.\nAlthough he had never told me that he loved me, I would _ that day as the greatest evidence of that fact. He had never intended me any wrong. He just didn't know how to love me right. He wasn't a mean man. So I took these random episodes and _ them like a thing most precious, storing them in my mind for the long stretches of coldness when a warm memory would prove most useful.\nIt just goes to show that no matter how friendless the father, no matter how deep the damage, no matter how shattered the bond, there is still time, still space, still a need for even the smallest bit of evidence of a father's love.\n\"My boy.\"", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, the father was  _   in the writer's memory.", "answer": "C", "options": ["selfish and cruel", "proud and cold", "imperfect but loving", "shy but thoughtful"]}, {"question": "The writer used not to feel Father's true love because  _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["father showed his love but had no good way to express himself to his children", "he just lost himself in his own mind without getting close to his father", "father was too busy so unable to communicate with his children enough", "he had a prejudice  and was too stubborn to feel it"]}, {"question": "From the last parts (para7-11), we can infer that   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["father liked to show off his family before others", "I couldn't understand Father's love unless he expressed to me", "father intended to show a loving father he was but failed.", "I would definitely treasure all the small love from father"]}, {"question": "What's the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Remembrances of my father", "Father and son", "My boy", "The past days"]}]}
{"article": "Many of you may wonder what else to do besides watching TV or surfing the Internet on weekends.Why not have a picnic? Junior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle Schoo1 had a \"King of cooking\" competition*\nEarlier this month,about 300 students at the schoo1 went to a suburb of Beijing to have the contest.They were divided into 24  groups.Each group had buyers,slicers   ,firemakers.washers and cooks.\nFiremakers faced the most problems during the time.Some of them had no idea how to keep fire burning. \"The fire kept going out.we had to blow at the sparks and put on corn leaves and old newspapers,\"said Wu Mofei,13.\n\"It took us an hour to make the fire.Our eyes had tears from all the smoke and our faces became dirty,\"he added.\nWhen the fires were finally made,the cooks became the busiest people.Huang Lanye made fried celery and ham pickled cabbage and tomato soup.\nShe was proud of her work.\"It's my first time making Chinese dishes.My group members ate them up in minutes and said they were as delicious as what their parents made!\" said the 14-year-old girl.\nFinally over ten students were titled \"King of Cooking\".Wang Xiaoyue,14,was one of them.\"My group got a mark of 98 at the competition,''Wang said.\"We have 1earned a lot while\nhaving so much fun! We are the best!\"\nBeijing No.4 Middle School has been organizing similar fun activities for six years.\"we want to give students a chance to get real life experiences and 1earn how to work as a team,''said Jia Dong,who works for the school's student affairs office.", "problems": [{"question": "The text mainly tells us----.", "answer": "C", "options": ["a \"King of Cooking\" competition organized by Senior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle School", "a picnic organized by Junior 2 students at Beijing N0.4 Middle School", "a \"King of Cooking\" competition organized by Junior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle School", "after-school activities of students at Beijing No.4 Middlle School"]}, {"question": "Which of the following was not the problem some firemakers met?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They didn't know how to keep fire burning.", "They spent a long time in making a fire.", "The fire kept going out.", "They didn't have enough corn leaves and old newspapers."]}, {"question": "We can infer that Huang Lanye was a   _  in their group", "answer": "D", "options": ["buyer", "firemaker", "washer", "cook"]}, {"question": "According to the passage,we can know  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["only ten students were titled \"King of Cooking\" in this competition", "the \"King of Cooking\" competition has been held once every year in the past six years", "Wang Xiaoyue was titled a \"King of Cooking\" in this competition", "Beijing No.4 Middle School has been encouraging students to take part in all kinds of competitions"]}]}
{"article": "Science Daily (Apr. 27, 2008)-- Dutch ecologist Roxina Soler and her colleagues have discovered that subterranean   and aboveground herbivorous   insects can communicate with each other by using plants as telephones.  Subterranean insects issue chemical warning signals through the leaves of the plant. This way, aboveground insects are warned that the plant is already \"occupied\".\n     Aboveground, leaf-eating insects prefer plants that have not yet been occupied by subterranean root-eating insects. Subterranean insects send out chemical signals through the leaves of the plant, which warn the aboveground insects about their presence. This messaging makes it possible for spatially-separated insects to avoid each other, so that they do not compete for, the same plant.\n     In recent years it has been discovered that different types of aboveground insects develop slowly if they feed on plants that also have subterranean insects and 'vice versa  . It seems that a mechanism   has developed through natural selection,  which helps the subterranean and aboveground insects to communicate with each other. This avoids unnecessary competition.\n      Through the \"green telephone lines\", subterranean insects can also communicate with     _ , namely the natural enemy of caterpillars  . Parasitic wasps   lay their eggs inside aboveground insects. The wasps also benefit from the signals sent by the leaves, as these help them find more insects for their eggs.\n     The communication between subterranean and above- ground insects has only been studied in a few systems. It is still not clear how widespread this phenomenon is, say the researchers.", "problems": [{"question": "How do subterranean and aboveground insects communicate with each other?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By sending signals through the leaves.", "By giving off particular smells.", "By making soft and beautiful sounds.", "By the signals sent by parasitic wasps."]}, {"question": "After finding a plant occupied by root-eating insects, aboveground insects will usually   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["send out warning signals", "choose to leave the plant", "compete for the same plant", "fight with the root-eating insects"]}, {"question": "Aboveground insects will develop more quickly if their food plants   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["are often visited by parasitic wasps", "are not occupied by mot-eating insects", "have more green leaves", "have more subterranean insects"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Communication between different insects", "How do animals avoid competition?", "Insects use plants as telephones", "When plants have subterranean residents"]}]}
{"article": "In summer, millions of people will head for the beach.And while the ocean can be a great place to swim and play, it may also be useful in another way.Some scientists think that waves could help make electricity.\n\"Have you ever been on a surfboard or boat and felt yourself being lifted up by a wave? Or have you jumped in the water and felt the energy as waves crashed over you?\" asked Jamie Taylor of the Wave Energy Group at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.\"There is certainly a lot of energy in waves.\"\nScientists are working on using that energy to make electricity.\nMost waves are created when winds blow across the ocean.\"The winds start out by making little ripples   in the water, but if they keep on blowing , those ripples get bigger and bigger and turn into waves, \"Taylor said.\"Waves are one of nature's ways of picking up energy and then sending it off on a journey.\"\nWhen waves come towards the shore, people can set up dams or other barricades to block the water and send it through a large wheel called a turbine   .The turbine can then power an electrical generator   .\nThe United States and a few other countries have started doing research on wave energy , and it is already being used in Scotland.\nThe resource is huge.We will never run out of wave power, besides, wave energy does not create the same pollution as other energy sources, such as oil and coal.\nOceans cover three quarters of the earth's surface.That would make wave power seem perfect for creating energy around the world.There are some _ , however.\nJamie Taylor said that wave power still cost too much money.He said that its effects on animals in the sea were still unknown.Plus, wave power would get in the way of fishing and boat traffic.\nWith more research, however, \"many of these problems might be overcome,\" Taylor said.\"Demand for energy to power our TVs and computers, drive our cars, and heat and cool our homes is growing quickly throughout the world.Finding more energy sources is very important, for traditional sources of energy like oil and gas may run out some day.\"\nIn the future, when you turn on a light switch, an ocean wave could be providing the electricity!", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Wave power costs too much money.", "Wave energy creates the same amount of pollution as other energy sources.", "Wave power affects fishing and boat traffic.", "Wave power may affect marine animals."]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["finding new energy sources like wave energy is important", "wave energy is a resource that will never run out and is used all over the world", "wave power is perfect for creating energy around the world", "wave power doesn't create any pollution."]}, {"question": "What can be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to Get Electricity by Waves.", "A Huge Resource of Energy.", "Can Waves Make Electricity?", "The Disadvantages of Wave Energy."]}]}
{"article": "\"I would almost rather see you dead,\" Robert S. Cassatt, a leading banker of Philadelphia, shouted when his twenty-year-old eldest daughter announced that she wanted to become an artist. In the 19th century, playing at drawing or painting on dishes was all right for a young lady, but serious work in art was not. And when the young lady's family ranked  among the best of Philadelphia's social families, such an idea could not even be considered.\nThat was how Mary Cassatt, born in 1844, began her struggle as an artist. She did not tremble before her father's anger. Instead, she opposed him with courage and at last made him change his mind. Mary Cassatt gave up her social position and all thought of a husband and a family, which in those times was unthinkable for a young lady. In the end, after long years of hard work and perseverance , she became America's most important woman artist and the internationally recognized leading woman painter of the time.", "problems": [{"question": "How did Mr Cassatt react when his daughter made her announcement?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He feared for her life.", "He warned her.", "He nearly killed her.", "He was very angry."]}, {"question": "What in fact was Mr Cassatt's main reason in opposing his daughter's wish?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Drawing and painting was simply unthinkable among ladies in those days.", "He did not believe his daughter wanted to work seriously in art.", "Ladies of good families simply did not become artists in those times.", "He believed an artist's life would be too hard for his daughter."]}, {"question": "What made Mary Cassatt's \"struggle\" to become a recognized artist especially hard?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Her father opposed her.", "She was a woman.", "She had no social position.", "She did not come from an artist's family."]}, {"question": "What do we know about Mary Cassatt's marriage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["She never married because she did not want to be just a wife and mother.", "Her marriage failed because she never gave a thought to her husband and family.", "After marriage she decided to give up her husband rather than her career.", "She didn't marry because for a lady of her social position to marry below her was unthinkable."]}]}
{"article": "When Danny Wallace, 26, got bored, he put an ad on the worldwide web reading simply: \"Join Me. Send a passport photo.\" A year and a half later his east London flat is the headquarters for a global internet-based \"club\" whose members carry out good deeds for strangers every Friday.\nIt's not common for people in London to talk to strangers. If you see someone struggling with something, part of the brain goes \"I want to help\". But the trained part of the brain says: \"They will think you are mad or going to mug them\", so you walk away.\nJoin Me now has about 3,000 members around the world who do an act of kindness every Friday. For example, I'm usually out on a Friday so I go for one of the standard acts -- the unexpected cup of coffee. You might be sitting in a cafe and see an old man in the corner drinking coffee or tea, and you walk up with another cup of whatever they are drinking , and say: \" I've bought you a coffee\" and walk away. It's a pleasure to see the look of surprise on their faces. There can be some suspicion, but I think that was mostly in the early days when I didn't know how to do it properly. I would walk up quite nervously like I was doing something wrong and I didn't know when to leave. In the end, I learned through _ . Sometimes it worked, other times it didn't. I discovered that you have to walk up with confidence and humour and not \"get in their faces\". You say: \"This is for you\", then you go. It's hit-and-run kindness. And there is no point in doing it half-heartedly. You've got to do it because you really mean it.\nJoin Me is without geographical boundaries, but there are quite a few members in London, and such stories about things happen on the underground or on the buses. One lady got on the bus and put a PS10 note down and said: \"That's for me and the next nine people\". So at every stop, anyone who got on was told it was paid for. A lot of people were doing this sort of thing anyway. For them it's an excuse or reason to do something nice for a complete stranger, and it gives them the confidence to walk up and start chatting.", "problems": [{"question": "When Londoners see someone in trouble, they   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["often give a hand", "pretend not to have seen it", "stop and ask questions", "telephone the police"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, members of Join Me often   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["put an advertisement on the worldwide web", "go out and make friends with strangers", "do an act of kindness every Friday", "buy coffees for the strangers"]}, {"question": "Which would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Hit-and-run Kindness", "History of Join Me", "Danny Wallace and Join Me", "Why not Join Me"]}]}
{"article": "What is the color1 of the universe? Astronomers had not answered this question until two months ago. That is when two American astronomers reported on their study of all the light in the universe. They said that the universe would appear to the human eyes to be a light greenish color1.\nKarl Glazebrook and Ivan Baldry of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, reported their finding in January. They presented the research at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society. They said that finding the color1 of the universe was not part of their more serious scientific research. They did it for fun.\nHowever, earlier this month, the scientists admitted making a mistake. They said their finding was much more color1ful than it should have been. They now say the light from our universe is closer to white. It is more like a milky or creamy white color1.\nTheir study attempted to show what people might see if they could observe the universe from far away. The scientists found the average color1 by combining light from about two-hundred-thousand star systems. Their information came from an observatory in New South Wales, Australia.\nThe scientists gave a number value to the color1s of the different star systems. Then they added the numbers together and found the average measurement. The scientists used this average to identify the color1 of the universe. They said it was a very pretty light green. Many newspapers and television stations reported their finding.\nOther scientists and color1 engineers attempted to reproduce the result. Mark Fairchild of the Rochester Institute discovered a mistake in the computer software program used by the Johns Hopkins scientists.\nWhen the mistake was corrected, the results changed. The new color1 of the universe is much less color1ful. It is very close to white.", "problems": [{"question": "The color1 of the universe is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["close to white", "black", "blue", "light greenish"]}, {"question": "The two scientists found the color1 of the universe by   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["combining light from about 200,000 star systems", "observing at an observatory in India", "making long-term scientific research", "using computer software programs"]}, {"question": "Who found the true color1 of the universe?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Karl Glazebrook.", "Ivan Baldry.", "Mark Fairchild", "Johns Hopkins.."]}, {"question": "This passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["what the color1 of the universe is", "the light from our universe is a light greenish color1", "the new color1 of the universe is much more color1ful", "the finding of the color1 of the universe is difficult"]}]}
{"article": "Hurricane  reached the northeastern United States today and caused death and destruction everywhere. The killer storm carried winds of 135 miles per hour. The high winds and heavy rains created extremely dangerous waves. It is not yet known how many people died or were hurt in this storm, but it is said that the numbers will be very high.\nWith the arrival of the tornado season, the National Weather Service is again telling people how to protect themselves from these deadly storms. The winds from tornadoes are the most violent winds on earth. They can blow up to 400 miles per hour. A _ looks like a funnel . It is also very loud. It may sound like a train coming at you. In fact, the winds from a tornado can pick up a train and throw it around. If a tornado is seen in your area, it is very important that you protect yourself. A basement   is the safest place to go. Try to wait under a table in the basement. Stay away from windows. If you are outside or in your car, try to find a narrow place to hide.\nAs the area tries to deal with the worst flood of the century, there are many heartwarming stories of people helping other people. From all over the world people have sent food and clothes to help the thousands who have had to leave their homes. Many volunteers have come to help to make sandbags and use them to build walls against the overflowing river. While the result of this disaster will be terrible for many, it is beautiful to see people coming together to help others and save lives.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is WRONG about tornados?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They look like a funnel.", "They come regularly every year.", "They are the most violent winds on Earth.", "They carry winds of 135 km per hour."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, a person who sees a tornado in his area had better NOT   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["drive his car away as fast as possible", "go to the basement and wait under a table", "find a narrow place to hide", "stay away from windows"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passages that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["nobody tried to help the local people", "hurricane damaged the northwestern coast of US", "when there is flooding, sandbags can be made and used to build walls", "people are often taught how to protect themselves from snowstorms"]}]}
{"article": "Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation? Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage aims to    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["make comments on films for a cinema", "introduce films for a film corporation", "recommend several films for fun", "advertise several films for a website"]}, {"question": "If you bring your seven-year-old sister to the cinema, which of the following film should you avoid?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Away We Go.", "Orphan.", "2012.", "500 Days of Summer."]}, {"question": "Among all the characters mentioned in the passage, who directed films in Hollywood?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Roland Emmerich.", "Tom and Summer.", "Burt and Verona.", "Esther."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Orphan is a comedy about Esther adopted by a kind family.", "500 Days of Summer is a romance with a happy ending.", "Away We Go shows beautiful scenery on the young couple's journey.", "The ancient Mayan prediction is going to happen in 2012."]}]}
{"article": "How To Apply for USA Passports Online\nIf you live in the United States, and you're planning a trip abroad, it is important to apply for new passports at least 2 months in advance (to avoid extra charges for an expedited passport processing). You can now get the application for a passport online. Some directions are detailed below:\nDownloading the passport application: The USA passport application, Form DS-11, is available for download on the US Department of State's website. \n*The passport application form is a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, and your computer must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to open it. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you must first download the Adobe Acrobat software. You can do so by clicking here.\n*If you would like to download a blank application,      click here. If you would like to fill out the application online, then print it,click here.\nPrinting the passport application: When printing the passport application, there are several requirements that must be followed. \n*You must use standard paper that is sized 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches.\n*The printing must be clear and legible.\n*The paper must be a standard medium weight, matte white (not shiny), and ink must be black.\n*The printer's ink must be black and there may not be any holes or perforations in the paper. \n*After printing, make sure that the box for pasting on your passport photo is the correct size of 2 inches by 2 inches.\n*It is important to print the application on one-sided paper. An application that is printed on double-sided paper will not be accepted.\n*For more information on these guidelines, visit the US Department of State's website.\nFilling out the passport application: As stated above, there are two ways to fill out the passport application: 1) typing your answers into the online form 2) writing answers by hand, in black ink, or by use of a typewriter. In both cases, you will need to provide the following information. \n*Your full name\n*Age\n*Date of birth\n*Place of birth\n*Phone number\n*Hair color1\n*Social security number\n*Mailing address \n*Permanent Address.\n*Occupation\n*Employer\n*Your parents' names and birth information\n*Your spouse's name and birth information\n*Any other names you have used previously\n*Your travel plans\n*Emergency contact information\nSigning the application: It is important that you do not sign the application until you take the oath administered only by an authorized passport acceptance agent.\nSubmitting the passport application: Along with the completed passport application, you must submit the following:\n*Proof of US Citizenship\n*Proof of Identity\n*Two recent passport sized (2x2 inches) photographs\n*The passport application fee", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is not true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["You can download and print the application form and write the answers by hand.", "You can just download and open the application form and complete it online on any computer.", "You can only print the application form one-sidedly.", "That's not the end of it if you fail to apply for a new passport 2 months in advance."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not required to be included in the application form?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Your wife's / husband's name", "You blood type", "Your employer", "Your travel plans"]}, {"question": "When traveling abroad, you may fail to check in if you   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["wear a different coat from the one in your passport photo", "cut your hair short", "dye your hair into a different color1", "wear sunglasses"]}, {"question": "Where can the passage be found probably?", "answer": "C", "options": ["A newspaper", "A magazine", "A website", "A travelling brochure"]}]}
{"article": "Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position? There's reason for saying this. In 2012, the reality talent show , the voice of China, on the Zhejiang Television became the most popular program in China.\nThe reaon for its popularity was really because its excellent quality? Or can we assume that without any opponent, we can't tell a contestant is winning because he is really talented or because there's no comparison?\nThe administrative department really contributed a lot in the popularity of the voice of China. In the past, there was no other draft shows  ranked as high as Super GirlandSuper Boy. Even though there were some draft shows which seemed to share the popularity, it never turned out ture. All the other draft shows were shodowed by the ones on Hunan TV. One example was that since draft shows of Hunan TV were broadcast on Friday night, the draft shows of other stations were shifted to Saturday or Sunday. However, Hunan TV didn't get their permission for broadcasting shows in 2012.\nAnd if this were not bad enough, SARFT did a great favor for it. SARFT issued a regulation, saying that all draft shows should be broadcast after 10:30 pm at night. Zhejiang TV declared long before the regulation that since was \"no audition , no PK, no rise in rank, no voting, no champion\", its program was never a draft show. So, in 2012, all the opponents of Zhejiang TV had to broadcast their draft shows after 10:30 pm while the voice of Chinawas permitted to be broadcast in prime time.\nIf you really think about it, there's no esential different between a draft show and the voice of China. It also selected people from all over the country, how did they say this were different from a draft show? No PK,really? PK doesn't mean one versus one! A team versus a team is called PK too. And \"no rise in rank?\" is just a switch of concepts because at the end of every game, some left the stage and some stayed. If there was really \"no champion\", how come there was only one \"good voice of China\" at the final round? All these were rising in rank, in disguise .\nUnder such cimcumstance, the voice of Chinaeven got praise. We are not saying that it is not a good show: we are saying that there's regret about the show since it had no opponent.", "problems": [{"question": "The following factors are important in making the voice of China popular EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the unique quality of the voice of China", "the policy support from SARFT and the administrative department", "the favorable broadcasting time.", "the shortage of good opponents"]}, {"question": "The passage mainly tells us   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["the draft shows of Hunan Satellite TV still cause our attention", "the voice of Chinais not a real draft show", "the reasons for Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position", "the advantages of the voice of China"]}, {"question": "What's the author's attitude towards the voice of China?", "answer": "D", "options": ["supportive", "optimistic", "hopeful", "doubtful"]}]}
{"article": "Elephants scored a big win in Dohar, Qatar, on March 22, 2010. Representatives from 175 countries met in the Middle Eastem country. They voted to continue a ban on the sale of ivory  . Two African nations, Tanzania and Zambia, had asked to open up the ivory trade.\nPeople feared that weakening a 21-year-old ban on the sale of ivory would encourage illegal hunting and hurt elephant populations. African elephants once numbered in the millions. Today, there are fewer than 500,000.\n\"People born in 100 years should be able to see an elephant,\" said Noah Wekesa, Kenya's minister of forest and wildlife. His country voted to keep the ban.\nIn the 1980s, as many as 1 million elephants were killed throughout Africa. Hunters killed the animals for their ivory tusks, which were used to make jewelry and other things. \"The  _ of elephants in Africa was terrible,\" says Paul Todd of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The group works to protect animals.\nThe ivory wars continued until 1989, when the United Nations voted to ban all trade in ivory. With trade controlled, demand for ivory fell. Governments punished hunters. Elephant populations began slowly to increase.\nTanzania and Zambia asked to allow ivory sales from government stockpiles  . Ivory is so expensive that it's known as \"white gold\". Tanzania holds almost 200,000 pounds of ivory, which is worth as much as $20 million. Zambia has 48,000 pounds of the white gold. The countries said they need the money the ivory would bring. They say it was taken from hunters or came from animals that died naturally.\nExperts believe that trading ivory encourages illegal hunting. They felt happy about the decision which forbids the sales. \"This is a rare victory for elephants,\" said Jason Bell. He works to protect animals.", "problems": [{"question": "The text is mainly about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["continuing a ban on the ivory sale to protect elephants", "protecting endangered animals around the world", "the effects of the ivory wars of the 1980s", "the life of elephants in the wild"]}, {"question": "Ivory is known as \"white gold\" because", "answer": "D", "options": ["it is as rare as white gold", "it is being sold illegally", "it looks like white gold", "it is extremely valuable"]}, {"question": "Tanzania and Zambia asked for permission to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Sell elephants", "sell jewelry made from ivory", "sell their stocked ivory", "continue hunting for ivory"]}]}
{"article": "There are two factors which determine an individual's intelligence. The first is the sort of brain he is born with. Human brains differ considerably, some being more capable than others. But no matter how good a brain he has to begin with, an individual will have a low order of intelligence unless he has opportunities to learn. So the second factor is what happens to the individual--the sort of environment in which he is reared  . If an individual is handicapped   environmentally, it is likely that his brain will fail to develop and he will never attain the level of intelligence of which he is capable.\nThe importance of environment in determining an individual's intelligence can be demonstrated by the case history of the identical twins, Peter and Mark X. Being identical, the twins had identical brains at birth, and their growth processes were the same. When the twins were three months old, their parents died, and they were placed in separate foster homes. Peter was reared by parents of low intelligence in an isolated community with poor educational opportunities. Mark was reared in the home of well-to-do parents who had been to college. He was read to as a child, sent to good schools, and given every opportunity to be stimulated intellectually. This environmental difference continued until the twins were in their late teens, when they were given tests to measure their intelligence. Mark's I.Q. was 125, twenty-five points higher than the average and fully forty points higher than his identical brother. Given equal opportunities, the twins, having identical brains, would have tested at roughly the same level.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage can be best titled  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Intelligence and Environment", "Measuring Your Intelligence", "The Case of Peter and Mark", "How the brain Influences Intelligence"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the average I.Q. is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["85", "125", "110", "100"]}, {"question": "The case history of the twins appears to support the conclusion that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["individual with identical brains seldom test at same level", "an individual's intelligence is determined only by his environment", "changes of environment produce changes in the structure of the brain", "lack of opportunity blocks the growth of intelligence"]}, {"question": "This passage suggests that an individual's I.Q.  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["can be increased by education", "stays the same throughout his life", "can be predicted at birth", "is determined by his childhood"]}]}
{"article": "While the other kids seemed excited about celebrating the end-of-term party by playing games and sharing treats, Jeremy hated the very idea of the gathering.\nAfraid to raise the pressure too high, I decided to contribute something that was easy to purchase on the walk to school.\nOff we went the day of the party, approaching his school as if nothing was planned. I reminded him of our need to make a purchase, entered his favorite shop, and asked him to select the ripest bunch of grapes. He shot me an anxious look and insisted none of his classmates ever be able to notice he had something to bring to the party. My _ of a successful parenting method, resulting in delivering a sociable child to his school, diverted  sharply from reality.\nBack on route, I did my best to hide the sinking feeling of fear. How could I possibly drop him off and then walk into my own classroom to teach a successful class?\nMy next move was born in the heat of the moment. I said a quick goodbye at the front gate and rushed to his classroom through the emergency exit. I managed to inform his teacher about the grapes in the backpack and be out of the classroom before I could be spied by my son.\nSo, what happened on that June day? His teacher, a caring educator, worked wonders. My son and I still laugh about the way Mr. B started the day with an unusual question, \"Does anyone have any grapes?\" While Jeremy admits feeling a bit uncomfortable, the words encouraged him to takeout the fruit. Because of the support he received, he remembers that day with pride for his courage.", "problems": [{"question": "How did the author feel when she left the shop?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Worried.", "Satisfied.", "Grateful.", "Regretful."]}, {"question": "Why did the author hurry to her son's classroom?", "answer": "A", "options": ["She went to ask the teacher for help.", "She went there to give her lesson.", "She was afraid of her son being punished.", "She was invited to take part in the celebration."]}, {"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The teacher inspired Jeremy to share grapes.", "Jeremy prepared for the coming party.", "The author helped Jeremy to become sociable.", "The author taught Jeremy to select goods"]}]}
{"article": "It was 7:00 am in Kyoto, Japan, and the taxi company had just called a second time to say they couldn't find my house. Once again I spelt out directions even a blind person could follow. I glanced impatiently at my watch, and waited. Only two hours remained until my flight left--and it was an hour and a half trip to the airport.\nOutside, heavy rains were pouring down. My house was so far north in the city that buses pass only here times a day.\nThe telephone rang again. \"Terribly sorry,\" began the man at the taxi company. Then I realized that the taxi company, flooded with calls, could only offer in-city runs. I had heard this happens when the weather gets bad. I shouted into the phone that I had a plane to catch and I would meet the taxi outside my house.\nStanding in the wind-driven rain, I looked up and down the road. No taxi. A car went by, the driver and passenger staring at the crazy foreigner in the downpour.\nFinally a white car appeared and pulled to a stop. A young man threw open the door, waving for me to get in. Shaking with cold and anger, I climbed in.\nIn the most polite Japanese, the man said he was called Mike, with who I had spoken three times that morning. He had left his post in the office and raced here in his personal car. He apologized again, but didn't explain why a taxi would not pick me up. Delivering me straight to the airport, he refused the 2,000 yen I pressed into his hand.\nA few hours later, as the storm-delayed 727 took off, I opened the newspaper. On the second page my eyes caught the headline of a short article: Taxi Strike Begins This Morning in Kyoto.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the writer call a taxi early in the morning?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He wanted to catch a plane.", "He as unable to find the airport.", "There were few taxis in town.", "All the buses stopped because of the rain."]}, {"question": "What was the reason for the taxi company not being able to pick him up?", "answer": "C", "options": ["More people were riding in taxis on rainy days.", "The writer didn't give the correct address.", "The taxi drivers refused to work.", "The taxi drivers didn't like to drive long distance."]}, {"question": "The writer got to the airport   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["by riding in Mike's car from the taxi company", "with the help of Mike from the post office", "by getting a lift in a passing car", "with the help of a taxi driver sent by his company"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the text that the driver was   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["quick-minded at taking action", "a self-employed driver", "unwilling to drive to the airport", "warm-hearted toward people"]}]}
{"article": "There are many acceptable varieties of English throughout the world. Whichever variety is used in your country, the most important thing is that students' pronunciation must be good enough for another person to understand what they are trying to say.\nIn a PPP lesson, teachers naturally include a good model of the pronunciation when they are presenting new vocabulary, grammar or functional language. It is important to start by helping your students recognize sounds before you expect them to produce them.\nSpoken British English has 44 sounds, but there are only 26 letters in the alphabet for written English. This sometimes makes English pronunciation and spelling different, so it is not always best to write words on the blackboard at the early stages. Also, some sounds in English do not exist in some other languages. This can make it very difficult for students to recognize these sounds and even more difficult for them to pronounce them correctly. So some students need to do a lot of work on these sounds, listening to them, trying to recognize them and trying to copy them.\nIf you can understand and pronounce the symbols of the phonetic alphabet, this will help you to pronounce any word in the dictionary. You can teach this phonetic alphabet to your students and this will make teaching pronunciation much easier. However, you can teach pronunciation effectively without knowing the phonetic alphabet. Pronouncing English well is not just about getting the individual sounds right. Students need to know:\n* which parts of a word are stressed (spoken louder and longer);\n* which parts of a sentence are stressed;\n* basic intonation patterns;\n* what it means when we change the intonation in a sentence (the music of the language);\n* how to link together the sounds within a sentence.\nStudents need practice in all these areas to improve their pronunciation.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage is most probably from   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a book for English learning", "a book for English teaching", "an ad for English teaching", "a grammar book for English learning"]}, {"question": "Following up the passage, the author will probably   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["say how to teach the phonetic alphabet", "emphasize the importance of correct pronunciation", "explain in detail how to practise the five suggestions", "write about how to teach pronunciation without the phonetic alphabet"]}, {"question": "In the author's opinion,   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["it is not necessary to pronounce every word correctly", "the English phonetic alphabet is a must in teaching pronunciation", "students should pronounce every word as precisely as native speakers", "pronunciation means more than knowing how to pronounce every single word"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Suggestions on Teaching English Pronunciation.", "Listening Comes First in Teaching Pronunciation.", "The English Phonetic Alphabet and Pronunciation.", "Other Things to Be Done besides Pronouncing Every Word."]}]}
{"article": "Any mistake made in the printing of a stamp raises its value to stamp collectors. A mistake on one inexpensive postage stamp has made the stamp worth a million and a half times its original value.\nThe mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean. In 1847 an order for stamps was sent to a London printer-Mauritius was to become the fourth country in the world to issue stamps.\nBefore the order was filled and delivered, a ball was planned at Mauritius' Government House, and stamps were needed to send out the invitations. A local printer was instructed to copy the design for the stamps. He accidentally inscribed the words \"Post Office\" instead of \"Post Paid\" on the several hundred stamps that he printed.\nToday there are only twenty-six of these misprinted stamps left fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds and twelve Two Penny Blues. Because of the Two Penny Blue's rareness and age, collectors have paid as much as $16 800 for it.", "problems": [{"question": "Over a century ago, Mauritius   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["was an independent country", "belonged to India", "was one of the British colonies", "was a small island in the Pacific Ocean"]}, {"question": "The mistake on the stamps was made   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["in Mauritius", "at Mauritius Government House", "in a post office", "in London"]}, {"question": "Stamp collectors have paid 16 800 for   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds", "twelve Two Penny Blues", "one One Penny Orange-Red", "one Two Penny Blue"]}]}
{"article": "Child labor -- the employment of children in industry, often against their will -- has been a problem for many years. Over a hundred years ago, Charles Dickens shocked many of his readers when he described the conditions under which young children worked in British factories. The conditions Dickens described continue almost unchanged today in many parts of the world. The only difference is that today employment of children is confined(limited)to small industries and family businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and particularly farms, rather than to large factories.\nGirls suffer more from child labor practices than boys. Many of them are forced to start work when they are only ten years old. Although the work they are given to do is often light, it is often harmful to the health. Recently, children as young as six years were found to be working in Asian factories, and the children were working from eight to fourteen hours a day in overcrowded and unhealthy working conditions. Sometimes a whole family group is employed, with the payment going to a parent or older relative. The children not only receive nothing or very little for their long hours of work, but also they are prevented from attending school. Therefore, when they become older they are unable to do any other kind of work.\nThe solution to the problem of child labor is clearly better laws to protect young children, greater supervision of industry and heavier fines for those who break the laws. Only in this way can young boys and girls be allowed to enjoy the most valuable time of their lives--childhood.", "problems": [{"question": "Girls' work is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["not harmful to the health though it is heavy", "not harmful to the health because it is light", "harmful to the health though it is light.", "harmful to the health because it is heavy"]}, {"question": "Young children go to work   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["because they are forced to", "in order to be skillful in a certain kind of work", "in order to be paid well", "in order to earn money for education"]}, {"question": "To solve the problem of child labor, the writer suggests the following BUT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["looking over factories more closely", "raising their payment and improving the system of education", "improving laws of protecting children's interests", "punishing lawbreakers with severer fines"]}]}
{"article": "Today's museums include plenty of high culture, but you can still find shrines to the extraordinary. Here's a look at five curious museum stops across Canada.\nVancouver Police Museum\nThe setting, terrible enough, is the old Coroner's Court and forensics lab, including the morgue(room where dead bodies are kept). Artifacts, from the 1870s on, include badges, uniforms, police equipment, items from criminals, and even preserved organs--all in all an arresting experience.\nVulcan Tourism & Trek Station\nDesigned to resemble a spacecraft, the Treck Station celebrates Vulcan's coincidental relationship to Mr. Spock's planet, Go to a building that features an 800-piece collection of Star Trek memorabilia -- including Spock's ears and floor-to-ceiling space paintings. If you want to know more about it, click here: http//www. Vulcantourism. com\nAccordion Museum\nThrough instruments, photos and recordings, the museum traces the history of the accordion and its influence on Quebec culture. They've even acquired Asian instruments that show the use of the free reed-- call them ancient ancestors of the accordion--that date back 4000 years.\nChocolate Museum\nIt's chocoholic heaven -- whole museum featuring displays on how chocolate is made, hands-on exhibits, collections of historic chocolate boxes, and antique candy- making equipment and, of course, lots of chocolate treats ,located in an old candy factory building. Click below to learn all about their hours and admission rates. http:// www. Chocolate museum .ca\nPotato museum\nA 14--foot high potato greets you at what's billed as the world's largest exhibit of potato artifacts. Explore the humble potato's role in the economy, a collection of farm tools related to growing and harvesting potatoes, Hall of Fame.", "problems": [{"question": "If you are very interested in thrilling movies, you will probably be attracted by  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Accordion Museum", "Vancouver Police Museum", "Potato Museum", "Chocolate Museum"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that the ancestors of accordion originated in  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Canada", "America", "Asia", "Africa"]}, {"question": "The passage is most likely to be taken from  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a magazine", "a newspaper", "a website", "a brochure"]}]}
{"article": "A lot more people are about to get a chance to buy Google Glass. It's the Internet-connected eyewear that has become the hottest sale.\nGoogle will sell the \"Explorer\" version  of Glass to any U.S. person who places an online order for the device beginning at 9am. PDT April 15. The product will cost $1,500. Google is saying how many sets of Glass will be available during the limited-time offer.\nThis version of Glass, though, still isn't the perfect product that Google hopes to sell in stores later this year.\nFor now, Google is still trying to recruit  more people willing to serve as volunteers for its attempt to build a wearable device that features some of the same feature as a smart phone. \" Our Explorers are moms, bakers, surgeons, rockers, and each new Explorer has brought a new view that is making Glass better,\" Google said.\nThe device has a small screen attached above the right eye. A user can check e-mails, see Twitter post or get directions without having to use a phone. It can also take hands-free photos and video through voice-activated  commands. The ability to record images so easily has raised safely concerns about drivers wearing Glass. The lawmakers have to draw up new rules forbidding use of the device in moving vehicles.\nGoogle regards Glass as a breakthrough . It will make it easier for people to surf the Internet while on the go. They also hope that the device could help police officers, firefighters, doctors and reporters do their jobs better.", "problems": [{"question": "What is special about Google Glass?", "answer": "C", "options": ["People can only order it online.", "It's cheaper than the ordinary glasses.", "People can explore the Internet with it.", "It doesn't contain any actual glass in the future."]}, {"question": "Google is still trying to recruit more volunteers to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["improve their products", "sell their products", "advertise their products", "wear their products"]}, {"question": "We can use Google Glass to do the following EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["check e-mails", "make a call", "take video", "find your way"]}, {"question": "What problem may Google Glass bring to people?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Its screen is too small for people to surf the Internet.", "It may cause traffic accidents if people use it while driving.", "Users must use their hands to take photos.", "It is difficult for many people to learn to use."]}]}
{"article": "Trees are useful to man in three very important ways: they provide him with wood and other products, they give him shade, and they help to prevent drought and floods.\nUnfortunately, in many parts of the world man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important. In his eagerness to draw quick profit from the trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had.\nTwo thousand years ago a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire. It gained the empire but, without its trees, its soil became hard and poor. When the empire fell to pieces, the country found itself faced by floods and starvation.\nEven though a government realizes the importance of a plentiful supply of trees, it is difficult for it to persuade the villager to see this. The villager wants wood to cook his food with, and he can earn money by making charcoal  or selling wood to the townsman . He is usually too lazy or too careless to plant and look after trees. So unless the government has a good system of control, or can educate the people, the forests will slowly disappear.\nThis does not only mean that the villager's sons and grandsons have fewer trees. The results are even more serious. For where there are trees their roots break the soil up--allowing the rain to sink in and also hold the soil, thus preventing it being washed away easily, but where there are no trees, the soil becomes hard and poor. The rain falls on hard ground and flows away on the surface, causing floods and carrying away with it the rich topsoil, in which crops grow so well. When all the topsoil is gone, nothing remains but a worthless desert.", "problems": [{"question": "The purpose that the writer wrote this article is to    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["tell people the use of wood", "tell people the function of tree roots", "warn that man mustn't destroy forests any more", "explain how trees help to prevent drought and floods"]}, {"question": "In the writer's opinion,    _   , or the forests will slowly disappear.", "answer": "A", "options": ["measures must be taken", "people shouldn't draw benefit from the tree", "government must realize the serious results", "unless trees never be cut down"]}, {"question": "According to the article we know it is    _    to prevent the forests from slowly disappearing.", "answer": "B", "options": ["necessary but impossible", "necessary but difficult", "impossible and unimportant", "difficult and impossible"]}]}
{"article": "The idea of light pollution has developed with the increase of lights in cities. In many areas, this light makes it difficult or impossible to observe stars and planets in the night sky.\nThere are a number of reasons why light pollution is important. One has become clear at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles, California. Today, light from Los Angeles makes the night sky above Mount Wilson very bright. It is no longer an important reasearch center because of light pollution.\nLight pollution threatens to reduce the scientific value of research telescoples in other important observatories. They include Lick Observatory near San Jose, California and Yerkes Observatory near Chicago, Illionis.\nLight pollution is the result of wasted energy. Bright light that shines into the sky is not being used to provide light where it is needed on Earth. Poorly designed lighting causes a great deal of light pollution. Lights that are brighter than necessary also cause light pollution.\nMost people in America are surprised to find out that they are able to see our own galaxy ,the Milky Way, with their own eyes. But about threefourths of Americans cannot see the Miky Way because of manmade light.\nObjects in the night sky are resources that provide everyone with wonder. But light pollution threatens to prevent those wonderful sights from being seen.", "problems": [{"question": "Light pollution usually occurs  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["in cities", "in the country", "in wild areas", "in developing countries"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Mount Wilson Observatory is the most important one in America.", "Light pollution affects observatories only.", "In the dark night people can observe the sky clearly.", "Astronomers can observe the stars clearly by the lights of the cities."]}, {"question": "The victims affected by the light pollution are  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["children", "grownups", "students", "observatories"]}]}
{"article": "When someone meets a stranger with the same hobby, that person immediately becomes a friend. People enjoy the company of others who share a similar interest. Often they will form a club and travel great distances to attend meetings where they can talk about their hobbies. Other people have such unusual hobbies that no one else can share them. Sometimes they try to do something better, faster or longer than anyone else in order to have their names included in the Guinness Book of World Records.\nA lady in Massachusetts may have the world's easiest hobby; she let her hair grow. Diane Witt has not cut her hair for twelve years. It is now eight feet (2.44 meters) long, and she will soon set a new world record and her name will be placed in the Guinness Book. A thirty-year-old man in Pennsylvania played the piano for forty-five days and eleven hours, while a musician in Connecticut played the flute for forty-three hours.\nA teacher in California typed for over 162 hours, and a lady from Iowa spend six years typing the numbers from one to one million. Probably the cleanest people in the world are two young women from England who stayed in the shower for over ninety-eight hours; but a man in Oregon was more than twice as clean after taking a shower that lasted two hundred hours.\nSomeone said that \"records are made to be broken\". One record that many young men might enjoy breaking is the one made by Roger Guy English of California. During a period of eight hours Roger kissed three thousand young women.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we know that_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["sometimes people try to do something better, faster or longer than anyone else to have their names included in the Guinness Book of World Records", "a lady in New York hasn't cut her hair for twelve years", "a teacher in Massachusetts typed for over 162 hours", "a lady from Iowa spend six months typing the numbers from one to one million"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Diane Witt's hair is now eight meters long.", "A thirty-year-old man in Pennsylvania played the piano for forty-five days and eleven hours.", "A musician in Connecticut played the violin for forty-three hours.", "Two young women from England stayed in the shower for two hundred hours."]}, {"question": "How many persons are mentioned about breaking world records in the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["3", "4", "5", "6"]}, {"question": "Judging from the writing style of the passage, it is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["a piece of advertisement", "a science report", "a passage for professional reading", "a passage from a magazine"]}]}
{"article": "Martha had been working for Miller Laboratories for two years, but she was not happy there. Nothing significant had happened in the way of promotions or salary increases. Martha felt that her supervisor, a younger and less experienced person than she, did not like her. In fact, the supervisor often said unpleasant things to her.\nOne day, while talking with her friend Maria, she mentioned how discouraged she was. Maria gave her the name of a cousin of hers who was director of Human Resources Department for a large chemical company. Martha called him the next day and set up an interview on her lunch hour.\nDuring the interview, Mr. Petri said, \"You're just the kind of person we need here. You're being wasted in your other job. Give me a call in a day or two. I'm sure we can find a place for you in our organization.\" Martha was so happy she almost danced out of the building.\nThat afternoon, Ruth Kenny, her supervisor, saw that Martha had come in ten minutes late from her lunch hour and she said, \"Oh, so you finally decided to come back to work today?\"\nThis was\n. She could not take another insult. Besides, Mr. Petri was right: she was being wasted in this job.\n\"Look,\" she said angrily, \"if you don't like the way I work, I don't need to stay here. I'll go where I'm appreciated! Good-bye!\" She took up her things and stormed out of the office.\nThat night she called Maria and told her what had happened and then asked Maria, \"What do you think?\"\n\"Well,\" said Maria carefully, \"are you sure about the other job?\"\n\"Well, not exactly, but...\"\nMaria continued, \"Will you be able to get a recommendation from Mrs. Kenny if you need one?\"\n\"A recommendation?...from Mrs. Kenny?\" hesitated Martha, in a worried tone.\n\"Martha, I hope you didn't burn your bridges.\" Maria said. \"I think I would have handled it differently.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Martha is unhappy in her job because    _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["she has not advanced", "the work is not significant", "her supervisor is younger than she", "there is too much work with little payment"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statement is NOT true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["At her supervisor's criticism, Martha lost her temper.", "Mr. Petri felt Martha was not valued in her present job.", "Martha's interview with the director was on her lunch hour.", "Martha got the name of the director through her cousin."]}, {"question": "The phrase \"the last straw\" probably refers to    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the last opportunity", "the straw that saves Martha's life", "the last reminder", "the final unpleasant thing"]}, {"question": "What does Maria think of Martha's decision?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Martha has handled the matter properly.", "Martha shouldn't have set the bridge on fire.", "Martha should have found a new job before leaving.", "Martha shouldn't have lost her temper with her supervisor"]}]}
{"article": "Are you the kind of person who likes staying in unusual places? If the answer is \"yes\", then try the world's coldest hotel in Jukkasjarvi in the north of Sweden. But go in winter to all you'll find is a pool of water, because the hotel melts every spring!\nThe man who runs the Artic Hall Hotel is Nils Yngve Bergqvist. He built his first ice building for an art exhibition in 1991 and he designed the present hotel-over 200 meters square-himself. It took workmen about two months to pile 1,000 tons of snow onto a wooden base. As the weather got colder, the snow froze and then they removed the base. The whole building and everything in it are made of snow-except for the wooden front door. There's a theatre which Nils uses for a jazz club, a radio station and a large ice bar. As you can imagine, hot drinks are popular with the guests! The rooms have no doors; there's no furniture, no heating and everyone sleeps on ice beds. But the 800 people who stayed at the hotel this winter seemed to like it. If you want to stay in one of he ten ice rooms, it will cost you about Y=30 a night. You will receive a survival certificate from the manager.\nWhen the winter's over, Nils holds his annual contest to predict the day that the hotel will fall. The person that guessed the day correctly last year received a large painting from an Artic Hall exhibition. Nils' ice hotel is becoming world famous and he loves his work. He's already excited about his next project-an ice hotel that will have more complicated architectural features and, he says, will be bigger and better.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following about the Artic Hall Hotel is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It is the coldest hotel in the world.", "You can go to the hotel in spring.", "The hotel is in the north of Sweden.", "Nils Yngve Bergqvist is the owner of the hotel."]}, {"question": "Nils uses the theatre for    _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["abc", "bcd", "abd", "acd"]}, {"question": "All of the following are true EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the hotel costs at least 1,000 tons of snow", "the whole building is made of snow except the wooden front door", "you will receive a survival certificate if you stay in one of the ten ice rooms", "the hotel will fall on a fixed date every year"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is probably the best title?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Staying in Unusual Places", "The Unusual Hotel", "Ice Hotel-Cold Comfort", "The Hall Exhibition"]}]}
{"article": "It has been argued that an infant under three who is cared for outside the home may suffer because of the separation from his parents.The British psychoanalyst John Bowlby believes that separation from the parents during the sensitive \"attachment\" period from birth to three may scar   a child's personality and incline to emotional problems in later life.Some people have drawn the conclusion from Bowlby's work that children should not be sent to day care before the age of three, and many people do believe this.But there are also arguments against such a strong conclusion.\nFirstly, anthropologists   point out that the hidden love between children and parents found in modem societies does not usually exist in traditional societies.For example, we saw earlier that among the Ngonis the father and mother of a child did not raise their infant alone.But traditional societies are so different from modern societies that comparisons based on just one factor are hard to understand.\nSecondly, common sense tells us that day care would not be so widespread today if parents and caretakers found that children had problems with it.But Bowlby's analysis raises the possibility that early day care has delayed effects.The possibility that such care might lead to more mental illness or crime 15 or 20 years later can only be noticed by the use of statistics.Statistical studies of this kind have not yet been carried out, and even if they were, the results would be certain to be complicated and controversial.\nThirdly, in the last decade, there have been a number of careful American studies of children in day care, and they have reported that day care had a neutral of slightly positive effect on children's development.But tests that have had to be used to measure this development are not widely enough accepted to settle the issue.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is mainly talking about  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["children's personality", "advantages of infants' early care", "infants' education", "negative effect of infant school"]}, {"question": "According to Bowlby, children under the age of three  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["should not be sent to school", "should be cared for outside the home", "will not suffer fro m parental separation", "don't mind who will look after them"]}, {"question": "The argument against Bowlby's conclusion shows that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["children have problems with day care", "there is no negative effect on infants who go to school before three", "there is a long-term effect on infants who go to school before three", "children who are sent to school before three are sent to mental illness"]}]}
{"article": "Almost everyone suffers from a headache sometimes.But some people suffer from repeated, frequent headaches.\nWhat is headache? What causes it? What can be done about a headache? What research is being done on headaches?\nThe dictionary defines  headache simply as \"a pain in the head.\" What most people mean by headache is a pain which lasts several minutes or hours.It covers the whole head, or one side of it, or perhaps the front or the back of the head.To add to the confusion  about a definition, some people call tight feeling in the head a headache.\nA headache is important because it can be the first warning of a serious condition which probably could be controlled if discovered early.If a person removes the warning, day after day, with a pain-killer, he may pass the point of easy control.\nThe professional name for covering up a symptom  is \"masking\"  .A headache specialist once said, \"Masking symptoms is not the best way of treatment.\" He compared taking a pain-killer for a headache before a cause is known with taking iron pills for anemia  while bleeding continues undiscovered.He added, \" _ \"\nA headache is important also because it affects normal, happy living.The employee with a headache does less work.In a flash of temper he may upset his fellow workers or customers, causing a direct or indirect loss to his organization.The mother with a headache suffers and disturbs the family.She upsets her husband and children.", "problems": [{"question": "Which is true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Headache has no effect on others.", "Headache may cover the whole body.", "Headache may last several minutes or hours.", "Headache is just the tight feeling in the head."]}, {"question": "The passage mainly tells us  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the reason of headache", "headache and its effect", "everyone suffers from a headache", "a headache is a symptom of something serious"]}]}
{"article": "In the late 1960's, many people in North America turned their attention to environmental problems, and new steel-and-glass skyscrapers were widely criticized. Ecologists pointed out that a forest of tall buildings in a city often overburdens public transportation and parking lots.\nSkyscrapers are also consumers and wasters of electric power. In one recent year, the addition of 17 million square feet of skyscrapers office space in New York City raised the peak daily demand for electricity by 120,000 kilowatts--enough to supply the entire city of Albany, prefix = st1 /New York, for a day.\nGlass-walled skyscrapers can be especially wasteful. The heat loss ( or gain) through a wall of half-inch plate glass is more than ten times that through a typical brick wall filled with insulation   board. To lessen the strain on heating and air-conditioning equipment, builders of skyscrapers have begun to use double-glazed panels of glass, and reflective glasses coated with silver or gold mirror films that reduce glare  as well as heat gain.\nHowever, mirror-walled skyscrapers raise the temperature of the surrounding air and affect neighboring buildings.                \nSkyscrapers put a strain on a city's sanitation facilities ,too. If fully occupied, the two World Trade Center towers in New York City would alone produce 2.25 million gallons of wastes each year-as much a city the size of Stanford,Connecticut, which has a population of more than 109,000.\nSkyscrapers also affect television reception, block bird flyways and air traffic, In Boston in the late 1960's, some people even feared that shadows from skyscrapers would kill the grass on Boston Common. Still ,people continue to build skyscrapers for all the reasons that they have always built them-personal pride and the desire of owners to have the largest possible amount of space to rent.", "problems": [{"question": "The main purpose of the passage is to   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["compare skyscrapers with other modern structures", "describe some architectural designs of skyscrapers", "describe skyscrapers and their effect on the environment", "encourage using bricks in the construction of skyscrapers"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, what is one disadvantage of skyscrapers that have mirrored walls?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The surrounding air is heated.", "Construction time is increased.", "The windows must be cleaned daily.", "Extra air-conditioning equipment is needed."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, in the late 1960's some residents of Bostonwere concerned with which aspect of skyscrapers?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The noise from their construction.", "The high cost of renting an office.", "The harmful effects on the city's grass.", "The removal of trees from building sites."]}, {"question": "The author raises problems that would most concern which of the following groups?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Pilots", "Electricians.", "Environmentalists.", "Construction workers"]}]}
{"article": "My challenge for you is this: to read a book for 15 minutes every single day for a month.\nLet me explain a bit, by telling you where the challenge came from. I have many things in common with my dad, like music taste and sense of humor, but sadly reading isn't one of them. I can happily spend a whole day with a book, but my dad can't read a book for longer than about 5 minutes. He reads emails, websites and papers for work, but not books. He's busy so I think sitting down to read for just 15 minutes a day is a good way to relax and to introduce him to reading.\nMy dad is by no means the only person who avoids books. I know lots of people would rather relax on their computers or in front of the TV. Everyone is different and has their own interests, but I think there're lots of benefits to reading, which screen-based activities don't have.\nFirstly, it's better for your eyes. Looking at screens can be very stressful for you eye muscles, and clearly you should avoid looking at screens for an hour before bed, to get a good night's sleep.\nOne thing I personally love reading, is being transported to another world--I would often forget the time or things around me! Reading is a great way to switch off before you go to bed, because you think more about the world of the book, rather than the real world, so you can truly relax. I know you can be transported to a different world in a film or a TV show, but I think books do _ better.\nI also enjoy hearing what people are doing and finding out what they think. Reading gives me the chance to get to know hundreds of new people! It also teaches you to see things from other people's point of view, and understand other people's decisions or opinions. With a book, you can hear everything a character is thinking or feeling--you really can be inside someone else's head!\nSo give it a go! Take 15 minutes when you're waking up, going to bed, eating too much, or having a coffee. If you read a lot, why not try 15 minutes of an English book, or pass the challenge on to someone else? Good luck, and happy reading!", "problems": [{"question": "The author gives the example of his father in the text to show   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his father is very busy", "reading is very important to us", "his father likes reading", "many people have no habit of reading"]}, {"question": "The author writes the text mainly basing on   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["his personal experience", "some scientific experiments", "his father's personal advice", "knowledge from books"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title for the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tips for Reading English Books", "15-Minute Reading Challenge", "Having a Coffee While You Read", "Ways to Improve Reading Skills"]}]}
{"article": "I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Sunday morning. We decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since we had enough time.\nWhen we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as if he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something to drink. However, it was not this that moved  me.\nA dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that the dog was a mother and that she had just had some puppies . She was hungry and weak and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not live on.\nPeople walking by didn't even notice her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved  better. But we still did not do anything, someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went back into a store and bought dog food with all the money he had.\nI know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage we can know that  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the author didn't like dogs", "the dog was not pretty enough to be loved", "the author wanted to help the dog but he was unable to", "the dog and her puppies were in danger of dying of hunger"]}, {"question": "Which of the following moved the author?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Most people walking by the dog didn't notice her", "The homeless man wore worn clothes on the cold day", "The homeless man bought food for the dog with all of his money", "The homeless man had not any money to buy any food for himself"]}, {"question": "The author did the following except that he  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["had pity on the dog that was in danger", "bought dog food with all the money he had", "was a person who treasured dogs very much", "went home from Houston one Sunday morning"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, we know that the homeless man was   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["kind and helpful", "brave and kind", "clever and helpful", "clever and brave"]}, {"question": "The best title for this passage would be  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["My Memory", "My wife and I", "Animals Are Parents Too", "A Mother Dog and Her Puppies"]}]}
{"article": "Daniel Brown was just five years old when he climbed into the family car and let it roll away down the road. He was only three when he flooded the kitchen.\n      His mother, Angela Brown is very busy looking after her new baby, a little girl called Laura, as well as Daniel. She told us, \"Daniel is so full of curiosity  .\" At that moment, we hear a loud noise and then silence. We go upstairs and find Daniel getting out of a wardrobe which he has pulled over onto the floor, with a book in his hand. \"It's for you, Mum,\" he says and looks up at his mum and smiles. Seven-year-old Daniel has a lovely face. He has golden hair, big brown eyes, and a friendly smile. I have to admit that Daniel doesn't look like a naughty boy.\n      Angela told me all about it, \"Once I found him as he was about to put Jasper in the washing machine.\" Jasper, she explained, is the Browns' dog. \"When I asked him why, he said that he thought Jasper was dirty! It's amazing how one little boy can cause so much trouble. Another time he cut off all the hair of the little girl next door. She was going to attend her sister's wedding and the neighbors haven't spoken to us since.\"\n      Angela told me about Daniel's most expensive crime. \"I was about to do the washing up when the baby started crying. Daniel decided to help and filled the kitchen sink with water. When I came in, the water was already flooding the kitchen and was about to flood the hall. The carpet was ruined and had to be replaced. I hope things will get better as he gets older.\"\n      Amazingly, Daniel is quite well behaved in school. This may be because he is seldom bored. Meanwhile he continues to be the naughtiest little boy in England. Will his baby sister Laura grow up to be the naughtiest little girl?", "problems": [{"question": "What did Daniel do while his mother was talking to the author?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He drove away the family car.", "He cut off the hair of the girl next door.", "He fell to the floor with the wardrobe.", "He flooded the kitchen."]}, {"question": "Why was Daniel going to put the dog in the washing machine?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He hoped to punish the dog.", "He wanted to clean the dog.", "He intended to make trouble.", "He wished to draw his mother's attention."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .k*s@5%u", "answer": "C", "options": ["the mother spoiled the boy", "the mother lost hope in the boy", "the boy found school life interesting", "the boy had no freedom at home"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Laura, as well as Daniel, is full of curiosity about everything.", "Daniel is naughty, but he is the cleverest student in his school.", "The mother thinks Daniel's curiosity leads to his naughtiness.", "Laura will be as naughty as her brother when she grows up."]}, {"question": "What does \"the most expensive crime\" refer to?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Daniel flooded the kitchen and it destroyed the carpet.", "Daniel pulled over a wardrobe onto the floor and it broke into pieces.", "The family car was damaged because Daniel let it roll away down the road.", "Their dog was killed because Daniel put it in the washing machine."]}]}
{"article": "It was an extremely hot day. My younger brother Walt and I had decided to go swimming in a deep swimming hole across Mr. Blickez's farm and through some woods, because it would be the only way to cool ourselves down.\nThe only problem with our plan was that this farm was guarded by a huge mean   Hereford bull  . Mr. Blickez had told us that Elsie was the meanest bull in town, maybe even in the county and we believed in him. But the hotter it got, the more we thought there was something _ about what he said. For one thing, we remembered Mr. Blickez liked telling tall tales; for another, Elsie seemed like a strange name for a bull. Finally, I talked Mom into asking permission for us to walk through the farm, and Mr. Blickez agreed.\nOn our way across the farm, we stopped at the fence to admire the swimming hole. The sun shone brightly across the cool waters. We couldn't wait to get there. Suddenly, Walt shouted loudly. Elsie had run to him and was licking   his back. I immediately hid under the fence. However, when I looked up, I saw that Elsie wasn't a big mean bull at all. She was just a friendly young cow, and she was going to keep licking my brother's back as long as he stood still.\nWhen we discovered the truth, we were so happy. We then ran to the swimming hole and jumped in. The water was just as wonderful as we had dreamed. After that day, we had many good days and we often visited our secret swimming hole guarded by the so-called \"big mean bull\". .", "problems": [{"question": "What was the problem faced by the author and his brother?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They didn't know where to swim.", "They didn't know how to get to the stream.", "Their mother didn't want them to swim.", "They had to face a very mean bull."]}, {"question": "When Elsie saw the author's brother, she   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["tried to attack him", "showed her friendliness", "immediately ran away", "tried to drive him away"]}, {"question": "What's the passage mainly about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The bull guarding Mr.Blickez's farm.", "How friendly the so-called mean bull was.", "The story of visiting the swimming hole.", "How the author changed his attitude to Joanie."]}]}
{"article": "Sure, it's good to get along with your teacher because it makes that time you spend in the classroom more pleasant. And yes, it's good to get along with your teacher because, in general, it's smart to learn how to relate to the different types of people you'll meet throughout your life.\nBut really, there's one super-important reason why you should get along with your teacher. Kids who get along with their teachers not only learn more, but they're more comfortable asking questions and getting extra help. This makes it easier to understand new material and do your best on tests. When you have this kind of relationship with a teacher, he or she can be someone to turn to with problems, such as problems with learning or school issues, such as bullying.\nAs a kid in elementary or middle school, you're at a wonderful stage in your life. You're able to take in lots of new and exciting information. Apart from that, you're able to think about all this information in new ways. Your teacher knows that, and in most cases, he or she is thrilled to be the person who's giving you all that material and helping you put it together. Remember, teachers are people, too, and they feel great if you're open to what they're teaching you. That's why they wanted to be teachers in the first place to teach!\nSome kids may be able to learn in any situation, whether they like the teacher or not. But most kids are sensitive to the way they get along with the teacher, and if things aren't going well, they won't learn as well and won't enjoy being in class.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the writer's attitude towards getting along with teachers?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Doubtful.", "Objective.", "Uncaring.", "Favorable."]}, {"question": "What can we know from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Kids are unable to understand lots of exciting information.", "Kids are bullied while communicating with others in schools.", "Kids will leave the class when not doing quite well with their teachers.", "Kids will leave the class when not satisfied with teachers' teaching methods."]}, {"question": "The passage is most probably taken from  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["children's literature", "an education magazine", "a science report", "an advertisement"]}]}
{"article": "Homeschooling is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in public or private school. As a matter of fact, most childhood education occurred within the family or community.\nHomeschooling is a legal choice for parents in developed countries to provide their children with a learning environment at home. Parents see many reasons for homeschool, including better test results, improved instruction, to help the public system with fewer kids, poor public school environment, religious reasons, improved character development, the expense of private education, and objection to what is taught locally in public school.\nHomeschooling can also be a choice for families living in remote   locations, living abroad, and to allow for more traveling. Also many young athletes and actors are taught at home, where a coach   or tutor is with the child for many years and then knows the child very well.\nIn some places, an approved curriculum   is required if children are to be home-schooled. In some cases a liberal arts   education is provided.", "problems": [{"question": "Home-schooled children are usually taught by   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["teachers or neighbours", "parents or tutors", "coaches or tutors", "instructions or officials"]}, {"question": "According to the text, some parents choose to homeschool their children because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["they are tired of taking their children to and from school", "their children are too naughty   to go to a regular school", "they are not satisfied with what is taught at local public schools", "they have too many children to feed and educate"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE about homeschooling according to the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Homeschooling is still illegal in developed countries.", "Athletes and actors can not be home-schooled.", "There is no curriculum for homeschooled children.", "Some parents have to homeschool their children when living abroad."]}]}
{"article": "The sunflower plant bears bright yellow flowers that always face the sun, hence the name. However, the plant is grown not only for its beautiful flowers, but also for its oil that has a host of health benefits. Sunflower oil prevents diseases, lowers cholesterol levels, keeps the heart healthy, and even prevents certain forms of cancer. Sunflower oil is a kind of \"magic oil\" when it comes to skin care, as it makes your skin soft and smooth, and prevents signs of aging. So, let us know more about its effects on your skin.\n1. It Acts as an Effective Emollient .\nSunflower oil is an effective emollient, which means that it helps the skin retain moisture. Thus, people with dry skin can benefit immensely from the regular use of the oil. Also, it is mild, and provides relief from irritation and inflammation of the skin.\n2. It Offers Sun Protection.\nSunflower oil is a rich source of vitamin E. The high vitamin content prevents the sensitive cells of the skin from being damaged by the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Also, the beta-carotene (b-) present in sunflower oil helps neutralize  free radicals that are responsible for causing damage to the skin, including sunburn and skin cancers.\n3. It Prevents Earlier Aging.\nVitamin E present in sunflower oil not only protects the skin from sun damage, but also from earlier aging. What's more, regular use of sunflower oil can reduce wrinkles and make one look younger. Also, sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants  that keep the skin fresh.\n4. It Prevents Skin Infections .\nSunflower oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids that protect the skin from bacterial infections. Hence, it gives you a healthy skin.\n5. Additional Effects.\nThere are other ways in which sunflower oil can prove to be a boon for your skin. These are given as follows:\nIt helps reduce dark spots; it helps lighten dark circles; it helps soften rough and dry skin; it can be used to remove make-up; it helps relax tired eyes.", "problems": [{"question": "Sunflower oil can be good for the following EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["reducing cholesterol levels", "preventing heart diseases", "making skin smooth and impressive", "curing some kinds of cancers"]}, {"question": "What are the functions of vitamin E?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To make ultraviolet rays and beta-carotene.", "To stop sunburn and treat skin cancers.", "To protect skin and slow the pace of aging.", "To produce wrinkles and make skin bright."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Sunflower oil can weaken dark spots.", "Sunflower oil may lead to skin infections.", "Sunflower oil can make you attractive.", "Sunflower oil may keep eyes in comfort."]}, {"question": "Which is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Benefits of Sunflower Oil for Skin", "Sunflowers Make Life Beautiful", "Sunflower Oil Ends Diseases Greatly", "Benefits of Growing Sunflowers"]}]}
{"article": "Be Healthy! Be Slim! Be Beautiful!\nDiscover the secret for a Healthy, Slim, Beautiful You!\nDiscover how to be Healthy, Slim and Beautiful!\nI love this healthy diet program because it helps you lose weight, lose inches, feel healthy and look beautiful. This healthy diet is an 8-week program which is unlike other diet regimes because it focuses on proper nutritional first and weight loss second. Your body must have proper levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein in order to work well. It provides a simply lifestyle change to give you more energy and improve your health most greatly. It offers control over stomach and continuing hunger with a calorie dense diet allowing 1,700 to 2,000 calories a day. If a person has a weight problem their body probably is not working at proper levels of basic nutrients. We invite you to follow this program so you can be the slim person who lives inside you. You too, can love dieting, especially if you are losing weight and losing inches! Do you want to feel better?\nTo get started being slim, just Click Here.", "problems": [{"question": "What is this passage mainly about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How people should keep fit.", "A healthy diet program.", "Some healthy people.", "Ways to lose weight."]}, {"question": "What is the aim of this diet program?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To keep healthy first and to lose weight second.", "To lose weight as much as possible.", "To lose weight at the cost of the health.", "To lose weight first and to keep healthy second."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT TRUE ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["This program makes a change in your lifestyle.", "This program can stop you from feeling hungry all the time.", "This program allows you 1700 to 2000 calories for each meal.", "The program can offer control over your stomach."]}, {"question": "If you \"Click Here\", what will you read on the Internet?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Some other programs.", "The content of this program.", "Some interesting foods.", "Some products you can buy."]}]}
{"article": "New York Times---( DINITIA SMITH )Tomorrow is the 433d anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. A recent survey shows that more people are watching him, reading him and studying him than ever before.\nConsider the recent yearly conference of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, where more than 600 people who study or admire Shakespeare from 18 countries took in topics like ''Whither Attribution Studies,'' ''Unpopular Shakespeare'' and ''Sex Me Here,'' a talk on breast-feeding and Lady Macbeth.\n''The national media is saying that fewer students' taking Shakespeare,'' Barbara Mowat, the editor of The Shakespeare Quarterly, observed in a speech at the conference. ''But Shakespeare is thriving.'' The association's membership has increased by a third since 1990.\nThe Shakespeare business is so good these days that W. W. Norton is introducing a huge new collections of the plays into the already crowded _ just in time for tomorrow's birthday anniversary. Priced at $44.95, ''The Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition'' runs for 3,420 pages, offering introductions, illustrations and notes and three versions  of''King Lear.''\nToday, movies and videos have made the plays even more accessible. Last year, ''William Shakespeare'sRomeo and Juliet'' was No. 1 at the box office when it opened, and it grossed nearly $50 million. In New York in January, crowds lined up in the freezing cold to see Kenneth Branagh's four-hour''Hamlet.''The students select a scene and then have a violent discussion about it.'' Influenced by films, professors are increasingly teaching students by having them perform the plays.", "problems": [{"question": "Why people from 18 countries came to Washington this year?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To celebrate Shakespeare's 433d birth day only.", "To watch some plays by Shakespeare as planned.", "To celebrate Shakespeare's birthday and study his works.", "To discuss how to teach students using Shakespeare's plays."]}, {"question": "Which of the many plays by Shakespeare was most popular the year before?", "answer": "D", "options": ["King Lear.", "Hamlet.", "Macbeth.", "Romeo and Juliet."]}]}
{"article": "Both are so much related to each other. And both are so dissimilar! What are the differences between friendship and love? Is platonic  friendship possible between persons of opposite sex? Let us try and understand.\nWhat is friendship? Why do we call a person our friend? When do we call someone a very good friend? If we care for a person, if we are always ready to help that person and if we share most of our thoughts with a person, they are our good friends. We can always count upon our good friends in an emergency. We are always sure that our friend will understand why we acted in a certain way. We need not explain anything to our very good friends. The friendship is so deep and the relationship is so close, that most of the things are automatically understood by our friends.\nWhat about love? In a relationship of deep love, all the sharing that we discussed above are taken for granted. But love transcends(,) all these. During love, we are attached with a particular person, while in friendship, one may have many friends. A loving relationship makes one so much attached to the other, that one gets pained if his/her beloved is hurt! Love also involves a physical element. Friendship does not have that. This is a vital difference. Nature gives us love so that the species can go forward. Nature does not give us friendship.\nYour heart beats will never increase in expectation of meeting your friend. You will not lie awake at night thinking about your friend. You will not feel totally lost, if you don't meet your friend for a few days. You will not have dreams in your eyes thinking about your friend. But in love, you will do all these and much more. Indeed, there is no comparison between love and friendship.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the function of the first passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To come up with the question for the further discussion.", "To explain the main idea of the following passage.", "To tell us the whole meaning of the passage.", "To advise us to make friends in different way."]}, {"question": "How do you do to make real friends?", "answer": "B", "options": ["You should give others your everything.", "You should share, help and understand each other.", "You should have the same interests in everything.", "Friend in need is a friend indeed."]}, {"question": "If you are friends, you'll   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["dream of him at night", "lie awake at night and think your friend", "feel you don't meet him for a long time", "never feel excited meeting your friend"]}, {"question": "The writer gives us the article to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["tell us the meaning of love and friendship.", "tell us relationship between friends and relatives.", "tell us the difference between love and friendship.", "tell us how to get friendship and love."]}]}
{"article": "For thousands of years, mankind has produced plants and animals to create more desired and useful plants and animals. For example, modern com has been produced to such a large size that it is no longer able to reproduce without man's assistance. Modern dairy cows produce too much milk and if they are not often emptied of milk, they could leak, burst, become infected, and possibly die. Besides, most dogs raised by people can not survive in the wild even with special training.\nSince natural evolution is extremely slow and mankind's selective production programs only take a few generations to produce a completely new species, natural evolution has already _ mankind's production programs. In addition, mankind has successfully killed off several species all together. For example, there are no more European wolves in existence and mammoths   probably died out because of mankind. Even certain diseases have been permanently got rid of from the planet, and dozens of other diseases will soon be too. Again, natural evolution did i>>t cause most of the destruction during man's rule of the world.\nCurrently, scientists are creating new species with desired characteristics in the lab significantly faster than natural evolution creates new species. In a single generation, new species can be created and destroyed by mankind, while natural evolution could take thousands of years to do the same but only accidentally. Scientists are even able to replace defective   or damaged genes with different genes to attempt to cure genetic defects. This is something that natural evolution could possibly never correct.\nEventually scientists will even be able to improve the quality of people. For example, imagine not only correcting your eyesight with gene treatment, but also ensuring that all of your children do not receive your old genes of poor eyesight too. Scientists will one day be able to improve the memory and intelligence of your children, so that they will do better in school and achieve more in life. Doctors and scientists will be able to customize   babies before they are born just like picking options at a car store.", "problems": [{"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Near-sighted parents will be able to produce babies with good eyesight in the future.", "Doctors and scientists will be responsible for mass production of babies in the future.", "It is natural evolution that is to blame for the destruction of European wolves and mammoths.", "Children can now have their memory and intelligence improved with the help of gene treatment."]}]}
{"article": "A 56-year-old Canadian man who left home after his business went bankrupt   completed an 11-year walk around the world on Sunday, and told a crowd of well-wishers his new goal was to promote   peace.\nJean Beliveau -- who arrived to a hero's welcome in Montreal from loved ones, lawmakers and supporters -- said his \"real aim \" was to advise Canada and other governments to build \"ministries of peace.\"\n\"We are all different, and that is what is beautiful about life on Earth -- our different color1s, different beliefs, different political systems,\" he said.\n\"Those are all musical notes... we must create harmony   from them, create a common tune,\" an emotional   Beliveau told the crowd gathering at city hall in the old part of the city.\nBeliveau left Montreal on the day of his 45th birthday -- August 18, 2000 -- after his small sign business went bankrupt. He decided to run around the world to try to escape the pain.\nThe Canadian ran all the way to Atlanta, Georgia before slowing his walk for what would become the longest uninterrupted walk around the world: 75,000 kilometers (46,600 miles) across 64 countries.\nOver 11 years, he travelled across deserts and mountains. He fell in love for nine days in Mexico, wore a turban   and a long beard in Sudan, ate snake in China, and was escorted   by armed soldiers in the Philippines.www.ks5u.com\nUpon his return on Sunday, Beliveau reunited with his mother, whom she had not seen throughout his 11 years on the road. She welcomed him in a tight embrace.\nLongtime girlfriend Luce Archambault, who offered Beliveau emotional and financial   support throughout his journey, and his two children from a previous   marriage were also on hand for the celebration.\nMore than 100 supporters walked the final kilometers with Beliveau through the streets of Montreal.\nArchambault, who flew to join Beliveau wherever he was once a year so they could spend Christmas together, said last month: \"I'm his Penelope and he is my Ulysses.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Beliveau said that his new goal is to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["forget his pain", "promote world peace", "create a common belief", "have a good rest"]}, {"question": "Many people took part in the celebration to welcome Beliveau's return EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his mother", "his girlfriend", "his children", "his former wife"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How can exercise kill mental problems?", "What is the best way to escape from pain?", "Beliveau, a world peace promoter and his family.", "Canadian man completes 11-year round-the-world walk."]}]}
{"article": "On the way home from school, Jack always passes a park. His mother said it was dangerous to pass by the park at night, but it is the fastest way home. Today, after finishing soccer practice, Jack was walking toward the park as usual.\nSuddenly, Jack heard someone calling him, \"Excuse me!\" Jack turned around, and there was an old woman. \"Yes, ma'am.\" Jack answered politely. \"Don't pass by the park tonight.\" Her voice was weak and dry. \"Okay, ma'am,\" said Jack carelessly. The old woman held Jack's hand strongly, and said, \"I mean it!\" Jack felt the hairs on his neck stand up. As soon as the lady let go of his hand, he started to run. This time, he ran so fast that he didn't have time to think where he was going.\nWhen he stopped, he realized he was in the middle of the park. He remembered what the old woman had said, but it was too late. He thought, \"It would be okay if I run really fast.\" Suddenly, he heard someone scream . Jack was too frightened to wonder who it was. He breathed as deep as possible. The screaming continued. He heard some fast footsteps approaching, so he turned around. It was the old lady! She walked toward him, and shouted \"I told you not to come here!\"\nFrightened to death, Jack screamed sharply and ran home like an arrow. He thought he heard not only the old lady, but also some other people shouting at him, and it made him more terrified. As soon as Jack saw his mother, Jack said, \"Mom! Do you know what just happened at the park?\" Jack's mother nodded, and said, \"Yes, I know. There is a movie shooting tonight in the park.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What does the story mainly tell us?", "answer": "C", "options": ["An old lady scared Jack for fun.", "A movie was being made in a park.", "Jack was frightened by something unexpected.", "Mother told Jack a frightening story."]}, {"question": "Why does Jack prefer to pass the park?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It's the fastest way home.", "It's fun to cross the park.", "He hopes to meet somebody there.", "He'd like to take adventures."]}, {"question": "Why did the old lady prevent Jack from passing by the park?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Jack's mother asked her to do so.", "In case he might disturb their work.", "In case he might be frightened.", "She was doing a secret job there."]}, {"question": "Who might be the person that screamed?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Jack himself.", "Jack's mother.", "Park guard.", "An actress."]}, {"question": "Why did Jack run home like an arrow?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He was terribly frightened.", "He was late for a thriller.", "He was racing with the old lady.", "He was ordered to do so."]}]}
{"article": "Skateboarding has become one of several non-traditional activities that PE teachers around America are introducing to inspire kids to exercise regularly. Some PE classes feature in-line  skating, yoga, and even rock climbing. Experts have called those types of activities \"the new PE\".\nSuch activities are part of a larger effort to help kids develop lifelong fitness habits and to keep them from becoming overweight. Now, 9 million U.S. children and teens are overweight. Obesity   can lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease later in life.\n\"Our children and youth are becoming unhealthy and obese,\" says Johnson. \"Skateboarding is a great activity that keeps kids doing physical movement and gives them new skills and interest.\"\nSome schools don't allow skateboarding because they say it is dangerous. Tim, however, argues that regular practice eliminates a great deal of the danger. \"We teach students how to do it and how to do it safely,\" he says.\nSome people say skateboarding teaches life lessons. \"Skateboarding teaches kids to believe that if they stick with  something they will finally succeed.\" says education expert Richard Savor from College in Portland.\nSkateboarding encourages kids not to give up in learning difficult skills. \"It's natural for kids to want to learn and get better at things,\" adds Tim. \"When it comes to skateboarding, they'll try a trick hundreds of times before they succeed.\" The same effort could be made in schoolwork.\nEric Brown agrees that skateboarding requires kids to stop saying a task is too hard for them. \"A baby will attempt to walk 600 to 900 times before he or she is successful,\" says Eric, \"We tell students that they shouldn't say 'I can't do it' unless they've tried 600 to 900 times.", "problems": [{"question": "Skateboarding is introduced into American schools to   _  .[", "answer": "D", "options": ["encourage students to compete bravely in competition", "teach students how to deal with risk.", "prevent students suffering from heart disease later in life.", "help students form the habit of doing sports"]}, {"question": "What life lesson do kids learn from skateboarding?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To succeed in life you have to learn skateboarding.", "You will succeed in life if you don't give up.", "Only after failing 600 to 900 times can you succeed.", "There is no hard work after learning skateboarding well."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The dangerous PE", "Skills of skateboarding.", "The new PE.", "The change of PE."]}]}
{"article": "A month after Hurricane Katrina, I returned home in New Orleans. There lay my house, reduced towaist-high ruins, smelly and dirty.\nBefore the trip, I'd had my car fixed. When the office employee of the garage was writing up the bill,she noticed my Louisiana license plate. \"You from New Orleans?\"she asked I said I was, \"No charge.\"She said, and firmly shook her head when I reached for my wallet. The next day I went for a haircut, and the same thing happened.\nAs my wife was studying in Florida, we decided to move there and tried to find a rental house that we could afford while also paying off a mortgage (> on our mined house. We looked at many places, but none was satisfactory. We'd began to accept that we*d have to live in extremely reduced circumstances for a while, when I got a very curious e-mail from a James Kemmedy in California. He'd read some pieces I'd written about our sufferings for State, the online magazine  and wanted to give us (\"\"no conditions attached')a new house across thelake from New Orleans.\nIt sounded too good to be true, but I replied, thanking him for his exceptional generosity, that we had no plan to go back. Then a poet at the University of Florida offered to let his house to me, while he went to England on his one-year paid leave. The rent was rather reasonable. I mentioned the poet's offer to James Kemdedy, and the next day he sent a check covering our entire rent for eight months.\nThroughout this painful experience, the kindness of strangers has done much to bring back my faith in humanity. It's almost worth losing your worldly possessions to be reminded that people are really nice when given half a chance.", "problems": [{"question": "The garage employee's attitude toward the author was that of  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["unconcern", "sympathy", "doubt", "tolerance"]}, {"question": "What do we know about James Kemnedy?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He was a writer of an online magazine.", "He was a poet at the University of Florida", "He offered the author a new house free of charge.", "He learned about the author's sufferings via e-mail"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the text that  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["the author's family was in financial difficulty", "rents were comparatively reasonable despite the disaster", "houses were difficult to find in the hurricane-stricken area", "the mortgage on the ruined house was paid off by the bank"]}, {"question": "The author learned from his experience that  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["worldly possessions can be given up when necessary", "generosity should be encouraged in some cases", "people benefit from their sad stories", "human beings are kind after all."]}]}
{"article": "From Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, you can travel along the East Line not only the other line going past Dujiangyan and Wenchuan. Take a regular bus from Chengdu Chengbei Bus Station from 9:00 to 16:30. It only takes about three hours to Jiangyou. The ticket is CNY50.00 net per person. Up along Fujiang River, you will pass the second largest city in Sichuan, Mianyang and enjoy the picturesque scenery.\nThere is bus available to the destination from 6:30 to 13:30 in Mianyang Pingzheng Bus Station,The one way ticket is about CNY95.00 net per person. In this case, you can not get stop at Jiangyou and Pingwu. This is one option for you.\nIn Jiangyou, visit the Former Residence of Li Bai, the famous poet in Tang Dynasty. If time permits, you can also take a look at the Doutuan Mountain, which is famous for its unique sceneries and also holdsnational gliding   campaigns every year. Take bus at Jiangyou Bus Station to Pingwu and stay there for one night. Our recommendation is to stay at the Pingwu Hotel, which is the first hotel that can serve foreigners in the small city. The contact phone number is 0816 - 8822022. Pingwu has the best royal Buddhist temples in Ming Dynasty, Bao'en Temple and the historic relics in the period of Three Kingdoms (220-280).\nThe next day, take bus to Huanglong, which is 120 kilometers away from Pingwu. It only takes about 2 hours to arrive at one of the world's most naturally fantastic locations - the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Areas. The bus ticket is CNY30.00 net per person.\nYou can easily find the bus from Chuanzhusi to Jiuzhaigou. The journey time is 1.5 hours. Here we would like to recommend another hotel in Jiuzhaigou for you, Mofang Hotel. The contact number is 0837-7764926.\nTwo days in Jiuzhaigou Valley can give you enough time to explore there. Sometimes, you need to purchase the extra charge for entering the valley twice.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the tour route of the East Line from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Huanglong - Pingwu - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou", "Chengdu - Mianyang - Fujiang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou", "Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou", "Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Chuanzhusi-Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou"]}, {"question": "Where is this passage likely to appear?", "answer": "B", "options": ["An advertisement of local hotels.", "A travel guide for foreign travelers.", "A geography book of Sichuan Province", "A newspaper for English learners."]}, {"question": "If you take the bus from Pingzheng Bus Station to Jiuzhaigou, you can  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["directly get to the destination", "get on the bus before 2 o'clock pm", "also visit Bao'en Temple halfway", "enjoy the scenery along Fujiang River"]}, {"question": "From this passage, which of the following statement is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Pingwu Hotel is the only choice for foreign guests in Pingwu.", "We'd better pay the entrance fee twice in Jiuzhaigou.", "We can travel from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou along different routes.", "Doutuan Mountain is famous for the Former Residence of Li Bai."]}]}
{"article": "Taylors English Language Preparation 2011\nwww.taylorscollege.edu.au/telp \n \nIf you need additional help to gain the high level of English language necessary for academic study, Taylors English Language Preparation (TELP) is the perfect solution. Throughout your TELP studies you will be an active language learner. You will be surrounded by opportunities to communicate in English, with friends, teachers, families and local people. You will gain English language skills which you will keep for life.\n \nl  English: the language of Taylors College\nStrong English language skills are necessary for success in your chosen Taylors program. The TELP program, delivered in 12 week terms, is specifically designed to provide language training for academic study. Our teachers are fully trained English Language Teaching professionals, who will assist you in a caring and supportive classroom atmosphere.\nTELP focuses on:\n*Language studies              *Formal writing styles         *Note taking\n*Assignment writing            *Intensive listening               *Reading\n \nl  Progressing to our High School or Foundation Programs\nUpon completion of TELP, you do not take an IELTS test before you begin our High School or Foundation programs.\n \nl  NEAS Accreditation\nTaylors College has been assessed as operating at a high standard, in keeping with NEAS standards for English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS). A recent report commented favourably on the quality and commitment of staff and the impressive student management systems and procedures in place.\n \nl  TELP term dates\nStudents are encouraged to enroll at the start of a term; however, TELP courses allow for entry every four weeks.\n2011 dates\n* 17 January -- 8 April                * 11 April -- 1 July\n* 4 July -- 23 September               * 26 September -- 16 December\n \nl  2011 Summer School\n* 19 December -- 13 January 2012", "problems": [{"question": "The TELP program  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["is popular and thought highly of by students", "is aimed at those who have passed an IELTS test", "makes sure students have a communicative atmosphere", "makes sure students learn the English language for four months"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the text that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["TELP courses permits students to have lessons at any time", "start date of the first term in 2012 is probably January 16th", "students who study from 20th December to 14th January have cold weather", "High School and Foundation programs at Taylors college have no entry requirements"]}, {"question": "What information will probably be provided following TELP term dates?", "answer": "A", "options": ["TELP fees", "TELP description", "TELP courses", "TELP term dates in 2012"]}]}
{"article": "Until last spring, Nia Parker and the other kids in her neighborhood went to school on Bus 59.But as fuel prices rose, the school district needed to find a way to cut its transportation costs.So the school's busing company redrew its route map, canceling Nia's bus.Now Nia and her neighbors travel the half mile to school via a \"walking school bus\"--a group of kids, supervised   by an adult or two, who make the walk together.\nMany parents are delighted to see their kids walking to school, partly because many did so themselves.According to a 1979 survey, nearly half of school kids walked or biked to school, compared with only 16 percent in 2011.Modern parents have been unwilling to let kids walk to school for fear of traffic, crime or simple bullying, but with organized adult supervision, those concerns have reduced.\nSchools and busing companies are finding other ways to save.In rural areas where busing is a must, some schools have even chosen four-day school weeks.Busing companies instruct drivers to cancel extra stops from routes and to turn off the engine while idling .They are also using computer software to determine the most fuel-efficient routes, which aren't always the shortest ones.\nThere could be disadvantages, however, to the busing cutbacks .If every formerly bused student begins walking to school, it's an environmental win--but if too many of their parents decide to drive them instead, the carbon footprint can grow.Replacing buses with many more parent-driven cars can also increase safety risks.A 2011 report concluded students are 13 times safer on a school bus than in a passenger car, since buses have fewer accidents and with stand them better due to their size.And some students complain about the long morning hikes, particularly when the route contains a really big hill.", "problems": [{"question": "In regards to walking to school, modern parents seem much concerned with the   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["safety of their kids", "kids' physical strength", "time spent on the way", "changes in the route"]}, {"question": "To save money, some schools choose to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["shorten the school week", "take the shortest routes", "stop using school buses", "use fuel-efficient buses"]}, {"question": "Busing cutbacks may lead to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["fewer complaints about long morning hikes", "more students taking public transportation", "an increase in carbon dioxide emissions", "a decrease in the safety of school buses"]}]}
{"article": "Remember that goals are dreams with a timetable. Our goals are important for us to create what enriches our life. A very common attitude among people who are successful is that their success lies in their ability to provide themselves goals that are both numerous and exciting. When you think about your future,you are helping to feed a long-term goal of what you want to create.\nTo realize your dreams,you must translate your vision into a series of actions you can take as soon as possible. You should be able to measure these results,to make sure they take you wherever you want. And this step should not be viewed lightly! Indeed,very few people set goals and concrete actions for themselves to achieve. Very few people note what they want to accomplish,and know each day whether they have indeed advanced in the direction of their dreams.\nTherefore one of the secrets that you can get results from is to write down your goals on paper first. When you give your dreams a form,they become more concrete,and you can refer to them often and easily. Whenever you read the dreams that you note down,you fill your mind with positive and motivational thoughts.\nUnfortunately,many people stop there. They just simply make wishes, hope and wait. These people do not bring positive difference in their lives,because that sort of behavior is just wishful thinking. Success is not at all a miracle. It depends on clear and realistic targets through serious thoughts:concrete actions and perseverance . Don't forget,your past does not determine your future. Only you now is your potential!", "problems": [{"question": "People can achieve success commonly in that they  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["have many dreams", "are well-informed of how goals go", "think a lot about their bright future", "know what the goals are in their life"]}, {"question": "If you put down your goals on the paper,you can  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["know clearly what should be done", "make them accomplished smoothly", "measure the results of the goals easily", "mention them easily to others"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The Path towards Your Targets", "The Process of Making Goals", "The Power of Your Goals", "The Importance of Your Success"]}]}
{"article": "Pulling heavy suitcases all day in the summer is hard work, especially when you are a thin  14-year-old boy. That was me in 1940-the youngest and smallest baggage boy at New York City's Pennsylvania Railway Station.\nAfter just a few days on the job, I began noticing that the other fellows were overcharging  passengers. I'd like to join them, thinking, \"Everyone else is doing it.\"\nWhen I got home that night, I told my dad what I wanted to do. \"You give an honest day's   work,\" he said, looking at me straight in his eye. \"They are paying you. If they want to do that,   you let them do that.\"\nI followed my dad's advice for the rest of that summer and have lived by his words ever since.\nOf all the jobs I've had, it was my experience at Pennsylvania Railway Station that has stuck with me. Now I teach my players to have respect for other people and their possession. Being a member of a team is a totally shared experience. If one person steals, it destroys trust and hurts everyone. I can put up with many things, but not with people who steal. If one of my players were caught stealing, he'd be gone.\nWhether you're on a sports team, in an office or a member of a family. if you can't trust one another, there is going to be trouble.", "problems": [{"question": "What can be inferred about the baggage boys?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They could earn much, but they had to work hard.", "Many of them earned money in a dishonest way.", "They were all from poor families.", "They were thin, young boys."]}, {"question": "What does the father's advice imply?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is wrong to give more to the passengers.", "Don't believe them if they are paying you more.", "Don't follow others to overcharge the passengers.", "It is difficult to work hard and live as an honest boy."]}, {"question": "The writer can't put up with stealing because he thinks that   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["it is a total shared experience", "it is considered as the most dangerous", "it does great harm to human relationship", "it may led to the loss of his sports team."]}, {"question": "It can be concluded from the text that   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["his father's advice helped him to decide which job to take up", "working in the sports team was his most important experience", "he learned much from his shared experience with his team members", "his experience as a baggage boy had a great influence on his late life"]}]}
{"article": "When I came to Cincinnati as an au pair  , a lot of things there were different from what I knew. My host family lived in a huge house I could only describe as a \"castle\".In Germany I had lived in a small apartment together with my mom. Soon I found out that the \"castle\" was actually rather small in our neighborhood.\nEverybody there was very friendly and polite. They greeted you when they were walking by at least 3 feet away from you. They must not have seen a German au pair before, for most people I met asked me all kinds of questions about Germany. I enjoyed answering their various strange questions. I made a lot of friends and I started to hang out with them.\nOf course, there were a number of new things, and it took me the whole year to find them all out. I never got homesick. Perhaps it was because I did not have too many negative experiences and felt loved and welcomed there.\nHowever, I had _ some painful experience back in Germany. I was frustrated by the way people would run me over and not even say \"Sorry.\" Taking up my studies at the TU-Dresden, I felt lonely. Everybody here seemed to be withdrawn  and I missed everything I had in Cincinnati. Germany was so \"cold\". I found it so much harder to make new friends. After six months I got a roommate and only two good friends. I also flew back to Cincinnati several times for long periods. I felt that without those visits I was not able to make it.\nNow I am over this German culture shock. It almost took me an entire year. I am still going back and forward between Dresden and Cincinnati four times a year.", "problems": [{"question": "When the author lived in Cincinnati,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["she lived in a real castle", "some people were not very kind to her", "many people were curious about her motherland", "she lived in the biggest house in the neighborhood"]}, {"question": "In the opinion of the author, life in Cincinnati was   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["wonderful", "hard", "painful", "strange"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE about the author?", "answer": "D", "options": ["She lived with her mother in a big house in Germany.", "She never went back to Cincinnati after she came back to Germany.", "She seldom hung out with her American friends as she was too busy.", "She did miss her friends in Cincinnati when she was at the TU-Dresden."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["University life in Germany", "My culture shock experience", "Advantages of living in USA", "How to be an au pair in USA"]}]}
{"article": "Most young people enjoy some forms of physical activities. It may be walking, cycling or swimming, or in winter, skating or skiing. It may be a game of some kind, football, hockey, golf, or tennis, it may be mountaineering.\nThose who have a passion for climbing high and difficult mountains are often looked upon with astonishment. Why are men and women willing to suffer cold and hardship, and to take risks on high mountaineering? This astonishment is caused probably by the difference between mountaineering and other forms of activity to which men give their leisure.\nMountaineering is a sport and not a game. There are no manmade rules, as there are for such game as golf and football. There are, of course, rules of a different kind, which would be dangerous to ignore, but it is this freedom from manmade rules that makes mountaineering attractive to many people. Those who climb mountains are free to use their own methods.\nIf we compare mountaineering with other more familiar sports, we might think that one big difference is that mountaineering is not a \"game\". We would be mistaken in this assumption. There are, it is true, no \"matches\" between \"teams\" of climbers, but when climbers are on a rock face linked by a rope on which their lives may depend, there is obviously teamwork.\nThe mountain climber knows that he may have to fight forces that are stronger and more powerful than man. He has to fight the forces of nature. His sport requires high mental and physical capacities.\nA mountain climber continues to improve in skill year after year. A skier is probably past his prime by the age of thirty, and most international tennis champions are in their early twenties. But it is not unusual for a man of fifty or sixty to climb the highest mountains in the Alps. They may take more time than younger men, but they probably climb with more skill and less wasted effort, and they certainly experience enjoyment.", "problems": [{"question": "Mountaineering is a sport which involves all the following things EXCEPT   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["hardship", "comfort", "physical risk", "cold"]}, {"question": "The main difference between a sport and a game lies in origin of the   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["uniform", "activity", "skills", "rules"]}, {"question": "Mountaineering is also a team sport because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["it involves rules as well", "it involves matches between teams", "mountaineers depend on each other while climbing", "it requires mental and physical qualifications"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Mountaineers compete against nature.", "Mountaineers compete against teams.", "Mountaineers compete against each other.", "Mountaineers compete against international standard."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Mountain Climbers.", "Mountaineering.", "Mountaineering is gaining popularity.", "Mountaineering is More Dangerous than Other Sports."]}]}
{"article": "Hotel Reservations\nWelcome to the Kampala Beach Hotel Reservations System. You can reserve a room or package one of three ways: (a) online, (b) by phone, and(c)by email. \nDid you know? You can take advantage of special savings by booking direct with us online.\nA.Online Reservations        \nEnter your travel dates and the number of guests below to book your room online now.\nClick here to check on an existing online reservation.\nIf you are searching for a specific package, please make sure your check-in and check-out dates allowing for the minimum number of nights in the package.\nYou may make reservations for a maximum of 4 guests per room. For requests of 10 rooms or more, please refer to Group Accommodations.\nB.Reservations By Phone\nIf you prefer to reserve by phone, please call:\nToll Free from the prefix = st1 /USA,Canada, andHawaii: +1-800-262-8450\nWorldwide Direct: +1-808-661-0011\nHours (Hawaii Standard Time):\nMonday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.\nSaturday: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.\nSunday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nC. Reservations By E-mail\nIf you prefer to submit  an e-mail reservations request, click here.\nSubmitting an e-mail request does not guarantee a reservation. For immediate confirmation and booking, please use online reservations engine above.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the purpose of writing the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To attract more tourists to the hotel.", "To introduce a new hotel.", "To show the importance of science.", "To make the trip for tourists easier."]}, {"question": "If you want an immediate booking, you'd better use\"_\".", "answer": "A", "options": ["Online Reservations", "Reservations By Phone", "Reservations By E-mail", "Did you know?"]}, {"question": "From the passage we may infer the hotel is in   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Canada", "mainland America", "French", "Hawaii"]}, {"question": "If you want to book a package you have to   _   .            .", "answer": "B", "options": ["submit an e-mail reservations request", "make sure of your check-in and check-out dates", "refer to Group Accommodations", "wait for further notice"]}]}
{"article": "British MPs   have voted in favour of the creation of babies with DNA from two women and one man, in a historic move. The UK is now set to become the first country to introduce laws to allow the creation of babies from three people. In a free vote in the Commons, 382 MPs were in favour and 128 against the technique that stops genetic diseases being passed from mother to child. During the debate, ministers said the technique was \"light at the end of a dark tunnel\" for families.\nA further vote is required in the House of Lords. If everything goes ahead then the first such baby could be born next year. Supporters said it was \"good news for progressive medicine\" but critics say they will continue to fight against the technique that they say raises too many ethical   and safety concerns. Estimates suggest 150 three-person babies could be born each year.\nPrime Minister David Cameron said: \"We're not playing god here; we're just making sure that two parents who want a healthy baby can have one.\" The method, which was developed in Newcastle, should help women like Sharon Bernadi, from Sunderland, who lost all seven of her children to mitochondrial   disease. Ms Bernadi said she was \"overwhelmed\" by the decision.\nMitochondria are the tiny compartments   inside nearly every cell of the body that transform food into useable energy. They have their own DNA, which does not affect characteristics such as appearance. _ mitochondria are passed down only from the mother. They can lead to brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness. The technique uses a modified version to combine the DNA of the two parents with the healthy mitochondria of a donor woman. It results in babies with 0.1% of their DNA from the second woman and is a permanent change that would be passed down through the generations.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The new technique is intended to provide the parents a healthy baby.", "The mitochondrial disease can lead to various fatal illnesses.", "Britain is the first country to have created three-person babies.", "All of Ms Bernadi's children died of a genetic disease."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Mitochondria are inside nearly every cell that change food into useable energy", "DNA of Mitochondria can affect a person's appearance", "in medical science ethical factors should be taken into consideration", "the donor woman's DNA will not be found in the three-person baby"]}, {"question": "Prime Minister David Cameron   _   the creation of such babies.", "answer": "A", "options": ["is in favour of", "throws doubt on", "objects to", "is indifferent to"]}]}
{"article": "Steps Shoes Salon\nSteps Shoes Salon, 4518 S.Cottage Grove, knows our \"economy is weathering a little storm\" They've discounted winter botts and shoes for their fellow shoes lovers.So step in and save! Hours: 11a.m.to 7 p.m.Monday through Friday; 11 a.m.to 6 p.m.Saturaday; Noon to 5 p.m.the first Sunday of this month (closeed other Sundays).Call 773-548\nJonathan Saunders for Target\nIf you've ever watched a runway shoes and thought \"yeah, that dress would be awesome if it wasn't $ 1,800\", you'll be very pleased to know that British designer Jonathan Saunders has decided to use his powers for good and offer fashion - forward clothing.His collection was inspired by the works of Gustav Klimt, Jackson Pollack and Rothko.The clothing ranges from $ 14.99 to $ 29.99 and is only available until Novermber 1 (close evenings).So hurry! Here are some highlights: Color - Block Tunic is $ 17.99; Ponte Skirt is $ 29.99; Marble - Print color - Block Dress is $ 19.99 and Reversible Belt in Yellow is $ 14.99.\nDon't miss these two boutique  sale events\nShop at boutiques along Roscoe, including Cinnamon Boutique, between 5 and 9 p.m.to-night, October3, and 15 percent of all sales will be donated to Children's Memorial Hospital.Other stores include A Pied, Little Threads, Glas-to-Go, Sacred Art and Original Expressions Happy shopping!\nThe adorable Lincoln Square boutique Dressing Room just opened a sister store called Dressing Room Shoes.Grab your fellow shoe worshippers and has over for snack, sales, specials and giveaways during one of these three parties: from 6 to 8 p.m.tomorrow, October 4; from 1 to 4 p.m.., October 5 Sunday and from 1 to 4 p.m.Octorber6, Monday.Also, the store is launching a new art exhibition from Morpho Galley, which will run through the end of the month.Enjoy!", "problems": [{"question": "Miss Blythe, who will be free at 7 p.m.tonight, might go to_for some purchase.", "answer": "A", "options": ["Cinnamon Boutique", "Jonathan Saunders for Target", "Steps Shoe Salon", "Dressing Room Shoes"]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the first part?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The world is being hit by an economic downturn", "Steps Shoe Salon is providing weather forecast for us.", "A snowstorm has interrupted the traffic in Cottage Grove.", "Steps Shoe Salon marks down winter shoes and boots."]}, {"question": "What can we learn about Jonathan Saunders from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Most of his designs are classical.", "The clothes he designed are affordable.", "He is returning to Britain on November 1.", "Rothko once instructed him in designing."]}]}
{"article": "Kodak's decision to apply for bankruptcy protection is a sad, though not unexpected, turning point for a leading American corporation that pioneered consumer photography and dominated  the film market for decades, but finally failed to adapt to the digital revolution. \nAlthough many attribute Kodak's downfall to \"complacency  ,\" that explanation doesn't admit the efforts with which the company went to reinvent itself. Decades ago, Kodak invented the first digital camera in 1975 -- but in a fateful decision, the company chose to focus on its traditional film business. \nLarge companies have a difficult time switching into new markets. For example, although Kodak predicted the rise of digital photography, its culture was too rooted in the successes of the past to fully welcome the future. In the past, their history was so important to them. Now their history has become a liability. \nKodak's downfall over the last several decades was dramatic. The 1980s brought new competition from Japanese film company Fuji Photo, which weaken Kodak by offering lower prices. Kodak's decision not to pursue the role of official film for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics was a major loss. The bid went instead to Fuji, which exploited  its sponsorship to win a key role in the market.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we learn about Kodak?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It went bankrupt all of a sudden.", "It is approaching its downfall.", "It is playing a dominant role in the film market.", "It started the digital revolution in the film industry."]}, {"question": "Why does the author mention Kodak's invention of the first digital camera?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To show its effort to overcome complacency.", "To show its early attempt to reinvent itself.", "To show its quick adaptation to the digital revolution.", "To show its will to compete with Japan's Fuji photo."]}, {"question": "Why do large companies have difficulty switching to new markets?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They are deeply stuck in their glorious past.", "They tend to be slow in facing new challenges.", "They are unwilling to invest in new technology.", "They find it costly to give up their existing business."]}, {"question": "What was Kodak's major mistake?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Its blind faith in traditional photography.", "Its failure to see Fuji photo's action.", "Its refusal to sponsor the 1984 Olympics.", "Its overconfidence in its own culture."]}]}
{"article": "Jones worked so hard that made the sparks fly from his hammer.The son of Mr.Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith and he would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked.\"Why don't you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks?\" said the blacksmith.\"Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you.\" The lazy boy began to see what he could do.But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.\nOld Mr.Smith died and the son on account of the war lost all his goods.He had to leave home and was forced to take up residence in another country.It so happened that in this village there were numerous shoemakers who were spending a lot of money to buy tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes.\nYoung Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers.He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in his workshop.The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer.\"How funny it seems,\" he used to say, \"even making tacks can bring a fortune.My trade is more useful to me than were all my former riches.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The reason why young Smith was forced to leave his home town is that   _", "answer": "C", "options": ["he was lazy and wasted all the money from his father", "the price of shoe tacks in another country was high", "his father died and left nothing for him", "there was a terrible which broke his peace"]}, {"question": "Which of the following well-known sayings can best tell the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Knowledge is no burden.", "Where there's a will, there's a way.", "You can't teach an old dog new tricks.", "Time lost cannot be recalled."]}]}
{"article": "Scientists estimate that more than 60 percent of cancer deaths in the United States are preventable through lifestyle changes. Although there is no certain way to avoid all cancers, reducing individual risk factors greatly decreases the likelihood of getting many forms of this dangerous disease.\nThe American Chemical Society estimates that smoking causes nearly 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States -- that is, about 166,000 cancer deaths each year. All cancer deaths caused by tobacco smoking could be prevented completely by not smoking and not using smokeless tobacco. For those who already smoke, quitting will reduce the risk of developing cancer. Studies show that after about ten years of not smoking, a past smoker's risk lowers to about the level of those who have never smoked.\nAfter quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet is the best way to lower the risk of cancer. Certain foods have been found to protect against cancer. Among these foods are cabbages, tomatoes, soy products, and foods high in vitamins A, C, and E. In addition, green and possibly black teas contain compounds that protect the body from cancer-causing substance.\nTo lower cancer risk, diets should include little or no red meat. Other foods to avoid or consume in moderation   include sugar, fat from animal products, and salt. Added fats and oils should come from vegetables, such as olives or corn, rather than from animal sources. Carbohydrates   should come from whole grains, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread, rather than from processed foods, such as white rice and white bread.\nThe risk of cancer of the esophagus   increases with heavy alcohol consumption, and many studies suggest that consuming alcoholic drinks increases the risk of breast cancer as well. Studies show that limiting intake to two drinks a day for men, and one drink per day for women, reduces cancer risk.\nLow levels of physical activity have been implicated   in some cancer. Moderate activity for 30 minutes a day enhances the immune system, shortens the time food takes to move through the intestines  , and changes body composition and hormone levels. Researchers are studying how these effects might lower cancer risk.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true according to the author?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A person drinking tea regularly will not be likely to suffer from cancer.", "Once a smoker has stopped smoking, there is almost no chance for cancers.", "A balanced diet is absolutely effective in preventing one from getting cancer.", "Those having quitted smoking for 10 years and non-smokers have less cancer risk."]}, {"question": "What kind of people increase their chances of getting cancers?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Those whose foods contain less sugar, animal fat, and salt.", "Those who are not moderate in drinking, smoking or eating.", "Those who have only one or two drinks regularly per day.", "Those whose diet contains little red meat and a lot of vegetables."]}, {"question": "Which do you think is the best title for this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The relation between food and disease.", "Causes of different kinds cancers.", "Tips on lifestyle for cancer prevention.", "Ways to remain more healthy."]}]}
{"article": "Crazy is our new normal. With two teenage boys and three little boys, our family is restless--to the baseball field, track field and piano lessons. Even though we've limited each boy's activities and try our best to defend our family time, it seems that we're in a constant state of flight.\n\"Embrace it. Roll with it,\" my husband, Lonny, says, \"It's going to be like this for a while.\"\nHe is right. It's likely that life will continue to go forward before it slows down. But I remembered the still, quiet days that our family used to enjoy. I missed long walks through the park when we held the boys' little hands. I longed for  lazy Saturday afternoons under the tree in our backyard. I wanted to slip back a few years, when busyness was the exception and not the rule.\nOne night, after a particularly full day and evening games, our family gathered on the porch for ice cream. Two parents, two teens, and three small boys piled on one old swing and a couple of rocking chairs. We were together, in one place, for a small slice of time.\nThe moon was full. The Mississippi River, flowing past our home, was smooth as glass. I wrapped my own arms around the son who sat on my lap and breathed deeply to _ his little-boy scent --dirt and sweat. My heart was still and content .\nI realized that while crazy is our new normal happiness is as usual. They may look different from before, but they are still there--even if they're in the form of a single moment on the porch. Maybe I just need the eyes to see.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author mainly talk about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Her anger at her busy life.", "Her family's struggle for a better life.", "Her new feelings about the present life.", "The pleasure of staying with her children."]}, {"question": "How did the author feel about life before the night sitting on the porch with the family?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Confused.", "Satisfied.", "Bored.", "Terrified."]}, {"question": "Which of the following could describe the author's present life?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Busy and boring.", "Busy but happy.", "Crazy and unbearable.", "Normal but exciting."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements might the author agree to?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Life is nothing but bitterness, busyness and horror.", "Happiness is everywhere, but we have to discover it.", "Parents should earn much money for their kids' better life.", "Life in the countryside is charming, wonderful, and sweet."]}]}
{"article": "Although most weddings follow long-held traditions, there's still room for American individualism. For example, the usual place for a wedding is in a church. But some people get married outdoors in a scenic spot. A few even have the ceremony while skydiving or riding on horseback! The couple may invite hundreds of people or just a few close friends. They choose their own style of colors, decorations and music during the ceremony. But some things rarely change. The bride usually wears a beautiful long white wedding dress. She traditionally wears \"something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.\" The groom wears a formal suit.\nSeveral close friends participate in the ceremony as attendants, including the best man and the maid of honor.\nAs the ceremony begins, the groom and his attendants stand with the minister, facing the audience. Music signals the entrance of the bride's attendants, followed by the beautiful bride. Nervously, the young couple repeats their vows  . Traditionally, they promise to love each other \"for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.\" But sometimes the couple has composed  their own vows. They give each other a gold ring to symbolize their marriage commitment. Finally the minister announces the big moment, \" I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride!\"\nAt the wedding reception, the bride and groom greet their guests. Then they cut the wedding cake and feed each other a bite. Guests talk with each other while enjoying the cake, drinks and other treats. When the reception is over, the newlyweds run to their \"decorated\" car and speed off. Many couples take a honeymoon, a one- to two-week vacation trip, to celebrate their new marriage.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following best shows American individualism?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Most weddings observe long-held traditions.", "Some people choose their own style of weddings.", "People choose a church as a place for a wedding.", "The bride wears a beautiful long white wedding dress."]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Wedding vows are usually composed by the minister.", "The young couple face the audience throughout the wedding.", "The couple composes their own vows to avoid nervousness.", "The minister is the chief witness at the wedding ceremony"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The best man is the one to marry the maid of honor.", "The wedding reception is a party after the wedding ceremony.", "The newlyweds always take a honeymoon in their own cars.", "Many couples take a vacation trip before the wedding."]}]}
{"article": "Johnson went to Penquay for the weekend. He arrived there late on Friday evening. The landlady of the guest house, Mrs. Smith, answered the door and showed him to his room. Johnson was very tired and went straight to bed. He slept well and didn't wake up until nine o'clock the next morning.\nJohnson went downstairs for breakfast. Because there were no other guests, Mrs. Smith invited him to have breakfast with her family. Her only daughter, Catherine, about 13, was already sitting in the dining-room. Mrs. Smith went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Johnson noticed there were four places at the table and asked Catherine if there was another guest. Catherine told him that it was an empty place. And it used to be her father's place. Her father had been a fisherman. Three years before he had gone out in his boat, and had never returned. Her mother always kept that place for him and made his breakfast every morning. Catherine showed him his photo on the wall. Johnson said nothing, but looked very puzzled  . At that moment Mrs. Smith returned. She served four cups of tea, and put one in the empty place. Looking at the empty chair, Johnson was more puzzled.\nSuddenly, Johnson heard footsteps outside the door and a tall man with a black beard walked into the room. Johnson looked scared. It was the man in the photo. He jumped up and ran out of the room. The man asked, \"What's the matter?\" Catherine said, \"I don't know. He's a guest from London. He's here because a tall man with a black beard tried to kill him.\" \"Catherine,\" the man said, \"have you been telling stories again?\" \"Stories, father? Me?\" the girl laughed.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did Mrs. Smith invite Johnson to have breakfast with her family?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He woke up too late for his breakfast.", "There was an empty place at the table.", "He was the only guest on that day.", "Her daughter wanted to talk with him."]}, {"question": "Who was the tall man with a black beard?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Another guest.", "Catherine's father.", "A friend of the family.", "Johnson's enemy."]}, {"question": "What does the word \"scared\" probably mean?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Excited.", "Upset.", "Frightened.", "Calm."]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Catherine's father got lost on the sea.", "Mrs. Smith does not love her husband.", "Johnson may be killed by the man.", "Catherine is fond of telling stories."]}]}
{"article": "Animals can be extremely protective of their young. But when hard times call, animal fathers can be really a danger to their own kids.\nDaddy Lion\nA combination of laziness, pride, cruelty and anger makes the lion one of the most fearsome and worst dads of the animal kingdom. When not walking proudly across the jungle, the father lion just lazes around under the sun, or waits for one of its lioness  partners to bring back food. Once the lioness gets home the food, the lion eats up most of it, and leaves little or nothing at all for the kids. The father doesn't even train the kids for hunting and surviving, it is the lioness who teaches them how to _ themselves.\nThe Polar Father\nCute, pure and soft. Protective of young ones and family? Sure. But what makes the polar bears one of the worst dads of the animal kingdom? They don't take care of the young ones, they won't take up the responsibility of feeding them, they won't take care of them like a father should. They just leave that to the mother bear.\nThe Assassin Bug \nSize matters, you say? This little bug would eat its own eggs to stay strong and fulfill its hunger needs. The male assassin bug is actually responsible for guarding the eggs. The female assassin bug lays eggs in large numbers. The male bug eats the weaker eggs.\nDaddy Bass \nUsually, water calms you down. Not so much for this underwater species. The male bass is known to eat up eggs from its own spawn. It guards the spawn(,) laid by its female partner. However, when hungry and unable to hunt for food, the father won't think twice before eating up the eggs.\nAnd do you think your father was strict and hard? After reading this article, I'm sure you think your dad is the best in the whole wide world for not eating you up!", "problems": [{"question": "The animal fathers mentioned in this article   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["are protective of their young", "are respected by their young", "are rather bad to their kids", "are dangerous to their whole family"]}, {"question": "The lion and the polar bears are similar in   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["searching food all by themselves", "letting the mothers take care of the kids", "letting the mothers eat up the food", "wanting to train the kids to be cruel"]}, {"question": "Which can best describe the male assassin bug?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Weak but kind.", "Responsible and careful.", "Strong and cruel.", "Little but cruel."]}]}
{"article": "The Streisand Effect\nWhen Barbra Streisand discovered in 2003 that a photograph of her California beach house was among 12,000 photos on the Internet as part of a collection by a photographer Kenneth Adelman, she did what any famous person would do: hit him with a $50 million lawsuit  . But in trying to hold back the images, she caused a different result. Her legal actions led to almost half a million people visiting the website, viewing and copying the photos within a month.\nEver since then, the effect of letting public know something you are trying to keep secret has been called the \"Streisand effect\". The problem for anyone trying to cover up information is that the Internet is the world's biggest and most useful copying machine. Put a document   on to a connected machine and it will spread. So when you want to be famous, you can't, but if you find yourself receiving too much attention and want to remove yourself, you cannot.  \nThere are many examples of the Streisand effect. Nine-year-old Martha Payne created a simple blog, posting the meals her school served. She took a photo of what was hardly a satisfying meal by anyone's standards. With the photo, she added a comment, \"Now Dad understands why I am hungry when I get home.\" The thing did not go too far, until the local authority   banned   little Martha from doing that again. Martha posted a final post called \"Goodbye\", explaining everything. Once the media found this out, things went from bad to worse for the authority. Now the blog has more than 9.5 million page views. Martha has even expanded her blog by including pictures of school meals taken by other kids from all over the world, like Germany and Japan.\nWe can find similar examples throughout history. Man has experienced the Streisand effect ever since the birth of mass communication. Why does it exist? Every time you are told not to see what's in the secret shiny box wrapped in gift paper, you're going to do everything in your power to do exactly that! Just realizing that knowing something about someone is harmful to their status, we will want to know that piece of information. This is exactly the human nature. This is what lawyers and authorities should be familiar with. Unfortunately, a few of them fail to understand it.", "problems": [{"question": "What speeded up the spread of Martha's story?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Parents' reaction.", "The authority's order.", "Martha's comment.", "Supporting from the school."]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Streisand effect does good to most famous people.", "It's not a good idea to argue against authorities.", "The ban on something may have opposite effect.", "Turning to the law is a perfect way to get one out of trouble."]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever been to a wedding and simply loved the bride's bouquet ?More than likely some part of it was the Hawaiian Wedding Plant. This foreign houseplant can be enjoyed by anyone, not just brides. With a little proper attention and careful planning on location, this foreign houseplant, which is from Madagascar, can be brought into the home where it can become an interesting focus.\nCaring for the Hawaiian Wedding Plant is not much different from caring for any other houseplants that may already be in your home. The only difference between this type of houseplant and others is the amount of the basic requirements that this foreign houseplant needs to survive and perform beautifully. During the growing season, this plant requires its wet soil, but when winter rolls around, this plant needs its soil to be kept drier.\nHawaiian Wedding Plants should also be potted in well-drained soil and placed in a location that receives full sun. That the soil must be kept wet does not mean that it should sit in water, so the soil must drain easily or this plant will not survive. Water the plant daily and feed this plant every two to three weeks with a little fertilizer  for acid-loving plants. Prune in early spring, even as early as February. If these needs are met, this plant will stay beautiful.\nThe most special feature of this foreign houseplant is its long lasting blooms combined with its unbelievable sweet smell. The Hawaiian Wedding Plant blooms the heaviest in the spring months, but has been known to bloom in any warm months, so do not be surprised to find blooms most time of the year except maybe _", "problems": [{"question": "The Hawaiian Wedding Plant comes from  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Hawaii", "China", "Madagascar", "Alaska"]}]}
{"article": "The southwest of Australia has been named as one of 25\"hot spots\" for future species extinction because of global warming.A new study says global warming will become a top cause of extinction across the world,with thousands of species of plantsand animals likely to be wiped out in the coming decades.\nAccording to the study,global warming ranks among the most serious threats to the planet's biodiversity and,under some conditions,may be more than that due to deforestation.This study provides even stronger scientific evidence that global warming will result in catastrophic species losses across the planet.Last month,a UN study said humans were responsible for the worst extinction and urged extra efforts to reach a UN target of slowing the rate of losses by 2010.\nScientists disagree about how far global warming is to blame compared with other human threats such as deforestation,pollution and the introduction of some species to new habitats.But the new study looks at the 25 \"hot spots\"--areas that contain a big concentration of plants and animals--and predicts that 11.6 percent of all species,with a range from 1 to 43 percent,could be driven to extinction if levels of heat trapping gases in the atmosphere were to keep rising in the next 100 years.\nThe range would mean the loss of thousands of species.The study gave a wide range because of uncertainties, for instance, about the ability of animals or plants to move towards the poles if the climate warmed. Rare plants,tortoises or birds found only on the southern tip of Africa cannot move south because the nearest land is thousands of miles away in Antarctica.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage,which of the following about Australia is TRUE?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Australia possesses the richest species in the world.", "Australia is the country with the highest rate of extinction.", "The species in the southwest of Australia will be easily affected by global warming.", "Australia will have the highest temperature in the world."]}, {"question": "According to the passage,all the 25\"hot spots\"-------- .", "answer": "A", "options": ["are rich in plants and animals", "are lacking in natural resources", "lost most of their plants in 2010", "will be much hotter than the rest of the world"]}, {"question": "We can infer if the climate warms,the animals in Australia will most probably move to the   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["north", "east", "west", "south"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Australia Named as Extinction\"Hot Spot\"", "Global Warming and Species Extinction", "Global Warming is Number One Killer", "Australia on the Edge of Extinction"]}]}
{"article": "One morning, a young man leading a goat lost his way due to the thick mist.Then he met a blind man and asked whether he also lost his way.The blind man said, \"I cannot see anything.Therefore, the mist doesn't affect me.I followed the path in my memory and it never goes wrong.\"\nHappily the young man led the goat following him forward.The blind man asked where he was going.He said he wanted to sell his goat.\"Male or female? How many years have you kept it?\" The young man spoke without too much thought, \"A female goat of 3 years!\"\nThe young man was still following the blind man when he was grasped the hand by the blind man.He shouted ,\"Here is the police station! Go into it and _ on how you stole the goat!\"\nThe young man had been a thief for a long time and admitted the goat was stolen by him.He asked the blind man puzzlingly, \"But how do you know I am a thief?\"\nThe blind man smiled, \"I have been keeping goats for decades and can tell one of them is male or female as well as their age according to their voices.The goat you led just now is obviously a male goat, but you said female.The goat is simply a little more than one year old, but you said you had kept it for three years.Moreover, the goat will bleat totally differently when he is led by a stranger instead of his owner.So I can tell the goat does not belong to you!\" Only then did the thief understand the whole thing with his head dropped down.", "problems": [{"question": "The blind man didn't lost his way because   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["he didn't lead a goat", "he couldn't see anything", "he wasn't affected by the thick mist", "he had a better memory than the young man"]}, {"question": "We can infer that the young man was   _  after hearing the blind man's explanation.", "answer": "C", "options": ["humorous", "nervous", "depressed", "satisfied"]}]}
{"article": "Hunters in Mississippi broke a state record for the heaviest alligator  ever killed, kicking off the hunting season with two big catches.\nDustin Bockman of Wisconsin and two hunting friends caught the 727-pound 13-foot-long beast on Sunday, beating last year's record-setter by 26 pounds, according to the state's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.\n\"We're going to cook it for sure.\" he told Gulf Live.\n\"There's plenty for me and everybody else.\"\nHe and his team of hunters followed the huge creature for 12 hours until they could get close enough to shoot him with a crossbow.\n\"He would go to the bottom and sit like a piece of wood. You could do anything with him,\" Bockman said.\nThe hunters then had  to figure out how to drag the beast's dead body into their boat.\nIt look four hours of pulling  at which point they rested on a sandbar  and called friends for help.\nFirst-time hunter Beth Trammell initially broke the record when she caught a 723-pound 13-foot gator with a team of six hunters, but Bockman stole her thunder hours later.\nShe was shocked at her gator's size. \"It took about four hours to get it in the boat,\" she said. \"We had to ask another boat to help us out  it was so big.\"\nShe said that she, too, was going to eat the beast and use it for decoration.\n\"I think my brother-in-law is going to get the head mounted.\" she said.\nAlligators nearly died out in Mississippi in the 1960s, but a conservation  helped the creature recover to the point that hunting is now legal.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true about Dustin Bockman?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He is a Mississippian.", "He is a first-time hunter.", "He will share out the alligator meat.", "He fought the alligator for 12 hours."]}, {"question": "According to the text, alligator hunting in Mississippi     _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["is a game for man", "often requires team work", "is allowed all year round", "has a history of SO years"]}, {"question": "What can be inferred about the alligators in Mississippi?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Their number is on the decrease.", "They arc no longer under protection.", "They usually weigh over 700 pounds.", "There arc enough of them for licensed hunters."]}]}
{"article": "Advertisers tend to think big and perhaps this is why they're always getting criticism. Their critics seem to resent(...) them because they have a gift for self-promotion and because they have so much money to throw around. 'It's unjust,' they say, 'that this entirely unproductive industry (if we can call it that) should absorb millions of pounds each year. It only goes to show how much profit the big companies are making. Why don't they stop advertising and reduce the price of their goods? After all, it's the consumer who pays...'\nThe poor old consumer! He'd have to pay a great deal more if advertising didn't create mass markets for products. It is precisely because of the heavy advertising that consumer goods are so cheap. But we get the wrong idea if we think the only purpose of advertising is to sell goods. Another equally important function is to inform. A great deal of the knowledge we have about household goods comes largely from the advertisements we read. Advertisements introduce us to new products or remind us of the existence of ones we already know about. Supposing you wanted to buy a washing machine, it is more than likely you would obtain details regarding performance, price, etc., from an advertisement.\nLots of people pretend that they never read advertisements, but this claim may be seriously doubted. It is hardly possible not to read advertisements these days. And what fun they often are, too! Just think what a railway station or a newspaper would be like without advertisements. Would you enjoy gazing at a blank wall or reading railway byelaws  while waiting for a train? Would you like to read only closely printed columns of news in your daily paper? A cheerful, witty advertisement makes such a difference to a dull wall or a newspaper full of the daily ration  of disasters.\nWe must not forget, either, that advertising makes a positive contribution to our pockets. Newspapers, commercial radio and television companies could not survive without this source of revenue . The fact that we pay so little for our daily paper or can enjoy so many broadcast programs is due entirely to the money spent by advertisers. Just think what a newspaper would cost if we had to pay its full price!\nAnother thing we mustn't forget is the 'small ads.' which are in virtually every newspaper and magazine.  What a tremendously useful service they perform for the community! Just about anything can be accomplished through these columns. For instance, you can find a job, buy or sell a house, announce a birth, marriage or death in what used to be called the 'hatch(giving birth), match and dispatch' column but by far the most fascinating section is the personal or 'agony' column . No other item in a newspaper provides such entertaining reading or offers such a deep insight into human nature. It's the best advertisement for advertising there is!", "problems": [{"question": "What is main idea of this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Advertisements.", "Advertisements bring fun to readers.", "Advertisers perform a useful service to communities.", "The costs of advertisements."]}, {"question": "The attitude of the author toward advertisers is  _", "answer": "A", "options": ["appreciative.", "trustworthy.", "critical", "dissatisfactory."]}, {"question": "Why do the critics criticize advertisers?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because advertisers often brag .", "Because critics think advertisement is a \"waste of money\".", "Because customers are encouraged to buy more than necessary.", "Because customers pay more."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is Not True?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Advertisement makes contribution to our pockets and we may know everything.", "We can buy what we want.", "Good quality products don't need to be advertised.", "Advertisement makes our life colorful."]}]}
{"article": "With around 40,000 students, the Politecnico di Milano is the largest and most technical university in Italy, offering undergraduate, graduate and other courses in engineering, architecture and design. Founded in 1863, just two years after Italy was united, Milan Polytechnic is international famous. Many of its graduates now work in big companies abroad like M.I.T., Caltech and Oxbridge.\nYet the Politechnic has a problem. As you know, here in Italy people speak Italian. Beautiful though the language may be, it is not a good choice for engineers when they're building a way in Norway or designing a bridge in Vietnam. For better or worse, the global tongue of engineers is English. Hoping to attract more international students, the Politechnic decided to run its doctor's courses in English only. Over 100 teachers went to court to block the plan, referring to a 1933 law that makes Italian the official language. For some teachers, all that matters is that they don't feel comfortable teaching in English. In 2013, the court said they were right. Teaching English was out.\nBut there was more to come. They then went on a nationwide campaign against their university's decision. Unwisely, the defenders of the Italian language backed them, saying, \"we note with regret and concern the ignorance and abandonment  of Italian in the university education.\"\nThe leaders at the Politechnic refused to be frightened, and asked for the ruling. Last month the Council of State said, \"Art and science are free, and teaching them is free.\" The question is whether teaching in English prevents students acquiring knowledge. But one could put it differently, and ask whether universities should be free to teach in whatever way they think best serves their students.\nInterestingly, the people one might expect to be most against English-only teaching, the students themselves, have taken it easy. The president, Giovanni Azzone, told me: \"Students write to me about everything from the lack of parking spaces to washrooms that don't work. Not one has ever complained about the courses in English.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The main idea of the passage is that the Politechnic decision to run its doctor's courses in English only   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["attracts more international students", "sends more students to work abroad", "makes some teachers out of work", "meets with different responses"]}, {"question": "Which statement is NOT the reason why the Politechnic decided to use only English in class?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Many graduates work abroad.", "Italian is widely used.", "English is the global language.", "The Politechnic is an international university."]}, {"question": "Those who agree with the new change in the Politechnic are   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the Politechnic leaders", "over 100 teachers", "the Council of State", "the defenders of Italian"]}, {"question": "The students' attitude towards English-only teaching in doctor's courses is   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["indifferent", "disapproving", "skeptical", "approving"]}]}
{"article": "My father, at the death of his father, was six years old, and he grew up without education. He moved from Kentucky to Indiana when I was seven. We reached our new home about the time the state came into the Union. It was a wild area, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. I grew up there. There were some so-called schools, but what was required of a teacher never went beyond \"reading, writing, and adding.\" If a stranger supposed to understand Latin happened to live for a time in the area, he was looked on as wizard  . There was simply nothing to excite a desire for education. Of course, when I grew up, I did not know much. Still, somehow, I could read, write, and add, but that was all. The advance I have now made is on this store of education, which I have picked up under the pressure of necessity.", "problems": [{"question": "When the writer was a child   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["his grandfather died in the state of Kentucky", "his family settled down in the countryside of Indiana", "Kentucky joined the Union as a member state", "his family had to move from place to place"]}, {"question": "When the writer was seven, his family moved to an area where   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["educated people were greatly respected", "only a few had a knowledge of Latin", "people were often killed by wild animals", "the land had yet to be farmed"]}, {"question": "The schools in the area   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["were of poor quality", "offered all kinds of subjects", "respected those who knew Latin", "had teachers good at reading, writing, and adding"]}, {"question": "How did the writer look at his early education?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He believed he met the school requirements.", "He thought he was well-educated.", "He thought it was not satisfactory.", "He believed he was poorly educated."]}]}
{"article": "Most Americans receive at least two or three credit card applications in the mail every month.Why have credit cards become so popular? For a merchant, the answer is obvious.By putting charge slips  in a bank, the merchant can change credit card sales into cash.In return for processing the merchant's credit card transactions , the bank charges a fee that ranges between 1.5 and 5 percent.\n         The easiest way to establish credit is to open checking and savings accounts at your local bank.Then apply for a gasoline or store credit card.These cards are fairly easy to get because retailers  want you to buy their goods and services.The third step, and the most dangerous one, is obtaining a major credit card like Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.\n       It is important to choose a credit card carefully because terms and conditions vary widely.Annual fees range from $15 to $75 a year, but some credit card companies charge no annual fee at all.If you will be one of the growing number of people who don't pay off their credit card debts in full each month, look for the card with the lowest interest rate.Interest rates generally range from 12 to 18 percent, though it is possible to find cards with lower rates.\n       A credit card can be your friend because it can get you through unexpected emergencies.And if there is a problem with the products or service you purchase with your credit card, you have an opportunity to hold back payment by asking the credit card company to \"charge back\" to the retailer until the argument is settled.Monthly credit card statements can also help you keep your records in order.Finally, if you make payments on time, the card helps you to establish a good credit history.\n       A credit card can be your enemy because it is an invitation to purchase items you really do not need.The credit card companies' continuous offers of minimum payments, cash advances, and even months without payments may seem like a way to skate through a money crisis.In reality, your finance charges and fees only increase, and you go deeper into debt.\n       If you do find yourself in trouble, do not ignore the bills.Contact your creditors to explain your problem and express your desire to pay down your card balance.If that fails, a nonprofit organization like Consumer Credit Counseling Service can assist you in getting back on your financial feet.", "problems": [{"question": "How does the merchant change credit card sales into cash ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["With the help of Consumer Credit Counseling Service.", "By opening a checking and savings account at the local bank.", "By giving the bank the authority to charge.", "By mailing the customer's credit card to the bank."]}, {"question": "If you don't pay off the credit card debts in full each month, the best way to save money is to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["stop using the credit card", "apply for a card with the lowest interest rate", "apply for more credit cards", "explain your problems to your creditors"]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude towards credit cards?.", "answer": "C", "options": ["Critical.", "Pessimistic.", "Neutral.", "Optimistic"]}, {"question": "What is the disadvantage of a credit card?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The bank charges annual fees for credit cards.", "The interest rate for credit cards is rather high.", "Credit cards cause argument among holders and banks.", "Credit cards tend to lead card holder into debt"]}]}
{"article": "Deng Nannan, 15, used to hate drinking milk for breakfast. But she had to drink it because her mom, as well as many others, said that milk was good for her growing body. Besides, milk and bread made up a convenient diet that saved her parents a lot of time after Deng entered junior school and had to arrive at school early in the morning. After that, Mengniu and Yili became her favorite brands of morning milk and yoghurt after dinner.\nHowever, she has been forced to change her diet since the recent milk crisis. Many best-selling milk brands such as Mengniu, Yili and Bright were discovered to contain melamine  , which is usually used to make plastic. The bad milk products have sickened more than 5,300 babies and killed four.\n\"I shifted to rice porridge,\" she said. \"My mom has to get up at 5:50 am to prepare my breakfast and make sure that it cools down when I get up.\"\nDeng has become addicted to milk, so she doesn't quite enjoy her morning meal these days although she knows that it's a tiring job for her working mom. \n\"I'll turn back to Mengniu and Yili when they finally improve their products,\" she said.  \nHowever, right now Deng's mom tries to adjust   her eating habits by cooking different foods. Besides rice porridge, noodles, egg soup and soybean milk are prepared as her breakfast.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, why do some students stop drinking milk?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because their parents have enough time to prepare other foods for them", "Because they get tired of drinking the same type of milk.", "Because some harmful materials are found in some kinds of milk.", "Because milk becomes more and more expensive."]}, {"question": "Which of the following milk brands wasn't discovered to contain melamine?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Sanyuan", "Yili", "Mengniu", "Bright"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Deng Nannan prefers porridge to milk.", "Deng Nannan likes drinking milk all the time.", "Deng Nannan began to drink milk because of her mother's advice.", "Deng's favorite milk brands were Mengniu and Sanyuan."]}]}
{"article": "Family Vs Technology\nModern technology certainly changes family behavior, but does it really damage family life as many people fear? Not necessarily, says Dr. Silva, a professor in Sociology  at the Open University, she also argues it is wrong to assume technology erodes(,) the quality of family life.\n\"There is the idea that technology has an influence on the family and the family suffers. My take is quite different,\" she explains. \"Technological change happens because people's lives change. And it is people's choices of how to live that creates processes of innovation  as well. The family has a role like the economy or like technology itself in changing the world. The imagination is important in driving the things technologists want to find for our daily lives. People desire to see nature as it is, so color television comes about,\" she says.\nIn another case, the increase in working mothers helped create a market for labor-saving kitchen equipment. \"The time that women have to shop every day for food is no longer available so there is a need to have a refrigerator for food storage,\" says Dr. Silva. \"The need to cook that food more easily and quickly, means you have developments in cooking technology like the microwave oven . The microwave oven already existed because it was developed for the navy during World War Two but it wasn't used in ordinary families until the early 1980s.\n\"Technologies for housework were as important as those for work itself,\" she says, \"So washing machines, refrigerators and microwave ovens are terribly important. We couldn't imagine what life would be like if we didn't have them.\" Technological changes in the kitchen have played an important role in the changes of family behavior, creating a new social focus in the home.\n\"With advanced technology, you can feed the family in an easier manner. People can do housework with less difficulty. But that doesn't mean that family practices are not important -- it's just a different way of doing things.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is Dr. Silva's attitude towards the effect that technology has on family life?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Worried.", "Optimistic .", "Puzzled.", "Uncertain."]}, {"question": "What causes advances in technology according to Dr. Silva?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People's love for nature.", "Great changes in people's way of life.", "People's desire to change the world.", "The wonderful imagination in inventing things."]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The microwave oven was first used by working mothers.", "People cook less because of modern kitchen equipment.", "Technology has little effect on the changes of family behavior.", "People need less skill to do housework due to advanced technology."]}]}
{"article": "Though the facts that too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year are not in argument, we always begin the discussion of \"population as global issue\" with what most persons mean like this. It was quite right to compare demographic growth to \"a long, thin powder fuse that bums steadily and hesitatingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes\".\nTo understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race.\nThis pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden\nenthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality.\nDemographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000 B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and 1975, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And the population reached 6.2 billion throughout the world by the year 2000, One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000 B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population, At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 800000,000 persons annually.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following demographic growth patterns is most similar to the long thin powder fuse?", "answer": "A", "options": ["A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase.", "Too many people on earth and a few rapid increases in the number added each year.", "A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of population.", "A long period when death rates exceed birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality."]}, {"question": "During the first period of demographic history, societies were often in danger of extinction because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["only one in ten persons could live past 40.", "our ancestors had little enthusiasm for more children", "there was higher mortality than fertility in most places", "it was too dangerous to have babies due to the poor conditions"]}, {"question": "The author of the passage intends to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["warn people against the population explosion in the near future", "find out the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years", "present us a brief and clear picture of the demographic growth", "compare the demographic growth pattern in the past with that after 1650"]}]}
{"article": "Hidden in a small street in the south end of Springfield, not far from buildings torn apart by the tornado  earlier this year, Frigo's is an Italian restaurant right in our own backyard.\nFrigo's is not a tiny place. It provides different kinds of Italian food. There are refrigerator cases full of prepared foods and desserts, and shelves filled with olives and various pasta.\nThere's some traditional Italian music and the smell is of olive oil and garlic . Above the largest refrigerator case, there's a chalk board covered with desriptions of more Italian sandwiches than I could remember.\nI stepped into Frigo's almost by accident when I had to stay in Springfield into the evening for an open house at the school where I work. Frigo's is the perfect place to find something quick to go. There are no tables, so all food is taken out. I also thought it would be a great place to pick up some already-prepared food to bring home for dinner.\nI ordered the easiest meal possible: a chicken sandwich and a salad. It cost$4.75 for the sandwich. The salad was$4.99 and didn't have salad dressing on it. I must have missed the choice of salad dressing on the way out. The sandwich was great--great chicken, excellent tomato sauce and not too much cheese.\nI wish I had tried one of the many other sandwiches which include Joe's Favorite ($5.25-$6.75) and the Dante (King) which is made of turkey breast, roasted red peppers, asiago cheese and choice of dressing.\nI have a feeling that I'll be picking up dinner for me and the kids at Frigo's soon.", "problems": [{"question": "Who would be most likely to go to eat at Frigo's?", "answer": "D", "options": ["People who want to eat quietly in a nice restaurant.", "People who want to enjoy home-made food", "People who like traditional American food", "People who are fond of Italian food"]}, {"question": "Which of the following cannot be seen at Frigo's?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A chalk board covered with descriptions of sandwiches", "Refrigerator cases full of prepared foods and desserts", "Shelves filled with olives and different kinds of pasta", "Customers eating happily around tables"]}, {"question": "How much did the writer pay for his first meal at Frigo's?", "answer": "C", "options": ["$4.75", "$5.25", "$9.74", "$4.99"]}, {"question": "We can infer that \"Joe's Favorite\" and \"Dante\" are the names of  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["sandwiches", "salads", "cheese", "peppers"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that the writer  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["seldom eats out in a restaurant with his family", "feels very happy that be has found Frigo's", "dislikes eating sandwiches", "lives a very relaxing life"]}]}
{"article": "Almost 70 percent of Chinese middle school students have serious problems with their parents, the Beijing Morning Post quoted a survey as saying.\nThe survey showed 6.62 percent of the surveyed students are afraid of their parents while 13.13 percent of them dislike their parents and 56.28 percent were extremely disgusted with or even hate their parents. Only 4.75 percent of the young people surveyed said they like their parents.\nThe recently conducted survey among 3,000 middle school students in a Beijing district asked questions about their attitude toward their parents and family education, the paper said.\nFor many families, conflict between parents and children center on the student's school grades, their weight and their friends. The survey showed that parental influence over children is decreasing, the paper said.\nXiao Xiao, a third year junior middle school student is perhaps typical of most kids when she complains; \"I was scolded by my mother because I didn't come first in the class in a mid-term exam.\"\nXiao Xiao in fact is already one of the top students in her class, the paper said, stressing Xiao Xiao's parents hope she can study at the Beijing University or even attend Harvard in the future.\nSun Yunxiao, an expert with the China Youth and Children Research Center, said \"parents expect unrealistically high expectations from their children.\"\nThe research centre's own survey of parents showed about 55 percent of parents hope their children will study for a doctoral degree and 83.6 percent require their children to rank in the top 15 of their class.\nConflicts between parents and their children not only come from too high education expectations. Other causes of disconnection between parents and children are family violence, parents' old fashioned ideas, interference in a child's privacy including their choice of friends and time spent surfing the web, the paper said.\nMr Hu, a father of a middle school student, wasn't surprised by the survey results. He says too much concern over school marks is putting tremendous pressure on families.", "problems": [{"question": "How many young people surveyed said they like their parents?", "answer": "C", "options": ["39390.", "19860.", "14250", "168840"]}, {"question": "What is the central conflict between parents and children in many families?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Family violence and divorce.", "Parents' old fashioned ideas.", "Interference in a child's privacy.", "Students' school grades, weight and friends."]}, {"question": "Xiao Xiao is mentioned as an example to show that   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["parental influence over children is decreasing.", "one should study hard to attend Beijing University as a student.", "Parents today expect too high from their children.", "today's children spend too much time surfing the web."]}, {"question": "As is indicated in the passage,   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Most parents require their children to be the top ones in the class.", "More and more parents have old fashioned ideas.", "More and more families got divorced due to the high education expectations.", "Most parents hope their children will attend Harvard in the future."]}]}
{"article": "With my hands and knees on the floor of the airplane, I was searching for an old lady's missing hearing aid during the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. It occurred to me that this may not be the most dignified posture for a Buddhist nun .\nI had seen the old lady from the seat in front of me as she walked up and down the passage with a flashlight. I asked a few times what was wrong, but she didn't answer at first --- she couldn't hear me. She was wearing a woolen coat. Judging from her accent, she came from Eastern Europe.\nDo you know what hearing aids cost? Thousands, especially for the new tiny hidden-in-the-ear type she described. It takes a long time for an appointment to make a new one, and many doctor visits to get the thing adjusted right. Therefore, my dignity seemed less important than finding that hearing aid. But how does one find a tiny black object in a shadowy jet cabin ?\nThe lady wasn't even sure where or when she had lost it. At one point, a couple of flight attendants did a random search around the lady's seat; I wasn't impressed. They left suggesting that she search the seat of her previous flight! My flashlight turned up all kinds of small objects, bits of plastic, broken pieces of headphones.\nThe old lady said that she gave up. Yet I couldn't. After we landed, as passengers streamed past us, I insisted that the lady move aside while awaiting her wheelchair. Then I got into a real down and dirty search among the dust under her seat and on the floor.\nLook! A little peanut-sized shiny black object caught the light of my flashlight in a floor crack near her seat.\nWhat a rush. \"I found it!\"\nWith great astonishment and gratitude, the old lady responded, \"I haven't the words to express my thanks!\"", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author put her hands and knees on the floor?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She is a religious Buddhist nun.", "She fell down from her seat.", "She helped the old lady look for her hearing aid.", "She wanted to stand out among the passengers."]}, {"question": "What do we know about the old lady?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She ignored the author's question on purpose.", "She is an American.", "She lost her hearing aid by accident.", "It was not difficult for her to get the hearing aid at all."]}, {"question": "Where was the hearing aid found?", "answer": "B", "options": ["On the previous flight.", "Close to the old lady' seat.", "On the wheelchair.", "In another jet cabin."]}, {"question": "What is the purpose of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To tell us a story about kind help.", "To warn us to be more careful.", "To teach us how to find the lost thing.", "To present the love from all people on board."]}]}
{"article": "The hardworking blacksmith  Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard working was he that at times he would make the sparks fly from his hammer.\nThe son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith everyday and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the blacksmith worked. \"Young man, why don't you try to learn to make shoe tacks , even if it is only to pass the time?\" said the blacksmith. \"Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you.\" The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks.\nOld Mr. Smith died and the son because of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and settled down in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money to buy tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes.\nOur young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that he had learned how to make tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in his workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village.\n\"How funny it seems,\" he used to say, \"even making tacks can bring a fortune .\"", "problems": [{"question": "What can we learn from the young Mr. Smith's success?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is no use crying over the spilt milk.", "A friend in need is a friend indeed.", "All roads lead to Rome.", "Seeing is believing."]}]}
{"article": "Events Calendar\nTUESDAY\nLandscape Pests  \nLearn to identify, control and prevent seasonal landscape-disease and landscape-pest problems at the workshop, 3:30 pm. - 5 pm. Tuesday at the US National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington. $15; registration required.\n202-245-4521 or www.usna.usda.gov.\nTHROUGH AUGUST 3\nHorticultural  Art\nWatercolors, pen-and-ink drawings and colored-pencil pieces by the Brookside Gardens School of Botanical   Art and Illustration will be on display at the exhibit Botanic 2007: The Art and Science of Plants at Brookside Gardens Visitors Center, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, through Aug. 3. Free. 301-962-1400 or www.brooksidegardens.org.\nTHROUGH SEPTEMBER 9\nBotanical Art\nVisit Patterns in Nature, an exhibit by Amy Lamb featuring photographs of flowers, leaves and other botanical life, at the US Botanic Garden Conservatory  ,West Orangerie, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, through Sept. 9. The conservatory is open 10 am. - 5 pm. Daily. Free. 202-225-8333.\nTHROUGH OCTOBER 8\nBotanic Garden Exhibit\nCelebrating America's Public Gardens is on view through Oct. 8 at the US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington. The exhibit, on the Conservatory Terrace and in the National Garden, features displays of 20 public botanic gardens across the country. Hours are 10 am. - 5 pm. Daily. Free. 202-200-8956.", "problems": [{"question": "If you want to record your name for an event in advance, you may call   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["202-225-8333", "202-245-4521", "301-962-1400", "202-200-8956"]}, {"question": "If you go to Botanic Garden Exhibit, you   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["can enjoy drawings and coloured-pencil pieces", "can learn how to kill pests living on the plants", "can find displays of 20 botanic gardens across the country", "will enjoy the photographs of flowers and leaves"]}, {"question": "From the advertisement, we learn   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the first event is about growing healthy plants", "all of the events are free of charge", "there is no time limit to all the events", "you can find the information of all the events either by phone or by e-mail"]}]}
{"article": "People bury treasure to stop other people from taking it. They choose a quiet place, dig a deep hole and bury the treasure in it. Then they make a map of where the treasure is or write down other clues that will help them or someone else to find it again.\nIn Britain a few years ago, a writer wrote about some treasure that he had buried. He put clues in the story to help readers find it. Thousands of people hunted for the treasure. They dug holes all over Britain, hoping to find it.\nOne of the most popular adventure stories ever written is Robert Louis Stephenson's \"Treasured Island\", an exciting story about a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who is captured by pirates   and later finds some buried treasure.\nThen there is the true story about a man who had to travel overseas for a year. He did not trust banks, so he buried his life savings in a park. Then he went away. On his return, he went straight to the park. But the park was no longer there. In its place there was a huge building.\nAnd then there was the man who buried his savings, all in bank notes, in a waterproof bag. When he dug it up years later, there was nothing left. Worms and insects had eaten the bag and everything in it.\nAnd of course, these are stories about people who bury things and either forget where they have buried them or lose the map.\nAlthough it is true that people sometimes lose their money because a bank fails, banks are still the safest place to keep our savings and treasures.", "problems": [{"question": "People who bury treasure usually    _    .", "answer": "A", "options": ["do not trust banks", "have a little money .", "want to live in a quiet place.", "expect to lose it"]}, {"question": "The writer in Britain    _    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["really had buried something.", "started a nationwide treasure hunt.", "had lost his treasure and wanted people to help him find it.", "caused trouble because people dug holes everywhere."]}, {"question": "\"Treasure Island\"    _    .", "answer": "B", "options": ["is a story about pirates.", "is about the adventures of Jim Hawkins.", "is the most popular story ever written.", "is a well-known fairy tale."]}, {"question": "The man who buried his money in a park    _    .", "answer": "A", "options": ["thought his money was safer there than in a bank.", "travelled on the sea for a year.", "got his life savings back again.", "stayed away longer than he expected."]}, {"question": "From these stories we understand that    _    .", "answer": "C", "options": ["we cannot trust banks.", "we should not trust anyone.", "a waterproof bag is not proof against worms and insects.", "insects eat anything."]}]}
{"article": "To me, life without music would not be exciting. I realize that this is not true for everybody. Many people get along quite well without going to the concert, and listening to the record. But music plays an important part in everyone's life, whether he realizes it or not. Try to imagine, for example, what films or TV plays would be like without music. Would the feelings, the moving plot, and the greatest interests, be so exciting or dramatic? I'm not sure about it.\nNow, we have been speaking of music in its more common meaning----the kind of music we hear in the concert hall. But if we look at some parts of music more closely, we discover them in our everyday life too----in the rhythm of the sea, the _ of a bird in the woods and so on. So music surely has meaning for everyone, in some way or other. And, of course, it has special meaning for those who have spent all their lives working on playing or writing music.\nIt is well said, \"Through music a child enters into a world of beauty, expresses himself from his heart, feels the joy of doing things alone, learns to take care of others, develops his mind and makes his body strong.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What dose the writer say more about in the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Life full of music.", "Life without music.", "The importance of music.", "The development of music."]}, {"question": "From the text, we learn that many people  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["don't realize the importance of music", "get along quite well without music", "go to the concert instead of enjoying music", "think music would be less exciting than films"]}]}
{"article": "Learning new words is learning new ideas: High school students can take control of\ntheir learning by always looking up new words and finding out what they mean. They should keep a dictionary and a thesaurus close at hand.\nMake clear lists: Students should make a list of everything that they need to get done. They should check off assignments once completed. They should include clear due dates.\nMake a commitment: Active learners will resolve to keep up -to-date from the start. They will avoid _ . They will complete most of their work as early as possible.\nIndependent work is best: Students will do all assignments independently--they will never copy! Students who copy are passive learners. Passive learners do not give their mind a chance to think on its own.\nOrganization is key: Students should keep an excellent folder and notebook. All problems should be clearly stated and solutions given. All tests and quizzes should be corrected and used as study guides for exams and finals.\nAll actions without solutions are dead: Active learners will always show their work needed to solve a problem. Active learners will never turn in a list of answers without giving an explanation or a solution.\nAdvanced reading: Students should do any required reading for the topic before class. They should write an outline of the section or chapter. They should actively take notes as they read to help them remember.", "problems": [{"question": "If you want to be successful in exams and finals you should  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["give your mind a chance to think on its own", "check off your papers once completed", "keep an excellent folder and notebook", "hand in your homework on time"]}, {"question": "The best title of the passage is \"  _  \".", "answer": "D", "options": ["How to Be an Effective Reader", "How to Get Good Scores in Tests", "How to Collect Academic Information", "How to Actively Study in High School"]}]}
{"article": "We might not be alone in the universe. Actually, it may be confirmed as a very crowded place by new computer models developed to help identify habitable planets.\nEstimates of places where life can exist have been based on the possibility of them having surface water. But software recently developed by the Aberdeen University allows researchers to identify planets with underground water kept liquid by heat from planets.\nWater is fundamental for life and planets too close to the sun lose water to the atmosphere through evaporation. On the other hand, planets located in distant reaches from their star have their surface water locked away as ice.\nSean McMahon, who is carrying out the work, explained: \"Traditionally people have said that if a planet is in this Goldilocks zone--not too hot and not too cold--then it can have liquid water on its surface and be habitable.\"\nBut this concept might change when considering that planets can receive two sources of heat--heat direct from the star and heat generated deep inside the planet.\nIt is easy to observe it in our own planet. As you go down through the crust   of the Earth, the temperature gets higher and higher. Even when the surface is frozen, water can exist below ground.\nThere could be immense quantities of water in fact--full of primitive life.\nProfessor John Parnell, also from Aberdeen University said: \"There is a significant habitat for microorganisms below the surface of the Earth, extending down several kilometres\".\n\"And some believe that the majority of life on Earth could even reside in this deep biosphere.\"\nSo the Aberdeen team are developing models to predict which distant planets might harbour underground reservoirs of liquid water with the possibility of alien life.", "problems": [{"question": "What is considered as the symbol of life existence traditionally?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Solid water on its surface.", "Solid water below ground.", "Liquid water below ground.", "Liquid water on its surface."]}, {"question": "Why did John Parnell mention the fact about Earth?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To prove that there is majority of life on Earth.", "To prove that life may also exist in other planets.", "To prove that there is primitive life down through Earth.", "To prove that there is a habitat for microorganisms below Earth."]}, {"question": "What theory is the Aberdeen team's study based on?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Planets can lose water through evaporation.", "Planets can receive heat direct from the star.", "Planets can have their surface water locked away as ice.", "Planets can receive heat generated deep inside the planet."]}, {"question": "What can we know about the computer models?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They will help identify planets where there is life.", "They will help researchers find Goldilocks zones.", "They have helped find some significant discoveries.", "They have already located some habitats for life."]}]}
{"article": "The findings of a new survey have American professors talking about the good old days--when A's were a lot tougher to earn.\nSites like Rate My Professors.com make it easy for students to find a class taught by a professor who is known as an \"easy grader\".A recent survey by Kaplan Test Prep found that 46 percent of the more than 1,200 students polled admitted to using the site for just such a purpose.\n\"Our research shows that many of today's college students are looking at multiple factors when picking out courses: overall teacher quality that will result in a good learning experience, but also instructors who don't like to award a lot of C's and D's,\" said Jeff Olson, vice president of research at Kaplan Test Prep.\n\"While it makes sense that students would choose kinder graders, it also helps explain the recent popularity of grade inflation .\"\nGrade inflation is seen by many professors as poisoning the learning environment.Some, like former Duke University professor Stuart Rojstaczer, are righting it head-on.\nOn his website, Gradelnflation.com, he releases an annual list of schools where grade inflation is the worst.\nThis year, he decided to name the schools where grades were inflated the least.He praised, for example, Princeton University, as well as Purdue University, where the average GPA has remained around 2.8 for over 30 years.\n\"Purdue doesn't even seem to know that grade inflation exists in the US,\" Rojstaczer says.\"Ignorance is bliss .\"", "problems": [{"question": "Grade inflation is spreading because    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["it's poisoning the learning environment", "instructors intend to improve their overall teaching quality", "many instructors adapt to the students' expectations", "students get easy access to sites like RateMyProfessors.com"]}, {"question": "The passage suggests that    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["universities will employ hard graders", "if we want to be happy, we should be ignorant", "A's are becoming easy to earn at most US universities", "professors and instructors should give students higher grades"]}, {"question": "The writer tends to    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["favor easy graders", "see grade inflation as unavoidable", "oppose Kaplan Test Prep", "miss the days when A's were hard to earn"]}]}
{"article": "For years we have been dieting strictly after the year-end overeating, afraid that when summer. comes, the bigger size we have accumulated will betray how we ate. Now scientists say, it's a little bug that causes obesity .\n    As the holiday season with its abundant feasting arrives, millions of food lovers are keeping an eye on their figures. But scientists have found that weight gain is not about too much Christmas\nturkey or hot chocolates, but some bacteria in your guts .\n    Chinese scientists recently discovered a type ofbacteria in guts that may be to blame for obesity.\n    A research team led by Zhao Liping, a professor in Shanghai, has identified a precise link\nbetween a particular kind ofbacteria and unusual weight gain.\n    \"The endotoxin  released by the bacterium can activate  a gene that helps produce fat. And it also deactivates a gene that consumes fat,\" Zhao says.\n    Scientists have long believed that microscopic organisms in the gut, microbiota, may play a very important role in weight gain, but they had never been able to prove it.\n    In 2004, American microbiologist Jeffrey Gordon and his colleagues discovered a general link between obesity and gut microbiota in mice.\n    While a link was believed to exist, proving it was another matter.\n    \"The list of diseases that they may play a role in is just growing and growing,\" says Lita Proctor, director of the US National Institutes of Health. \"But the problem is that we're only able to look at associations and aren't yet able to conduct cause-and-effect studies.\"\n     In the clinical study, researchers found a growth of too much endotoxin-producing bacteria,\nleading t0 35 percent ofthe gut bacteria, in an obese patient whose initial weight was 175 kg.\n     Based on this information, researchers tried to cure the patient by feeding him a specialized\nnutritional liquid food to decrease the bacteria in his guts to ignorable amounts.\n     After 23 weeks, the patient lost 51.4 kg, with his fatty liver disease having almost disappeared.", "problems": [{"question": "We diet strictly after the year-end overeating because  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["we won't betray ourselves", "we eat too much turkey", "there are bacteria in our guts", "we don't want to look fat"]}, {"question": "What can be learned from Zhao's research?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Obesity is related to a kind of bacteria.", "Healthy diet helps reduce your fat.", "Chocolate doesn't cause weight gain.", "Too much food leads to overweight."]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Scientists didn't try to find out the cause of overweight.", "There is a link between mice's overweight and human's.", "Lita proved the link between bacteria and weight gain.", "Scientists found bacteria may be related to many diseases."]}, {"question": "The patient finally lost 51.4 kg of his weight after   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["35 percent of his gut bacteria were killed", "the amount of gut bacteria was decreased", "he had a special kind ofoperation", "his fatty liver had disappeared"]}, {"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["People's eating habits.", "Healthy lifestyles.", "A medical discovery.", "The consequence of obesity."]}]}
{"article": "While elephants are respected by the people of Thailand, they are also used as beasts of burdens  . Today, these majestic animals are extensively used to help carry wood for the logging industry. It is therefore nice to hear that on National Elephant Day the mighty mammals are treated like a king, and served with meals fit for a king.\nOne of the biggest celebrations took place at the Pattaya Resort in Thailand's Chonburi Province. Fifty-two elephants, some wearing beautiful clothes, arrived bright and early   for the big day. Each was first blessed with holy water by a professional elephant rider and then led to the grand feast, which served an unlimited supply of their favorite treats--bananas, dragon fruits  , pineapples, assorted melons, apples and the list went on and on! The elephants ate till they were satisfied before walking back with their owners for a good night's rest.\nThough called National Elephant Day, the celebrations that took place on March 13th this year stretched out for an entire week. Besides providing a well-deserved treat and break for the hard-working animals, the celebrations were also aimed to raise awareness about the mammal's dwindling   population. One smart elephant even helped show the message by painting a dead elephant and the words \"Don't kill me\", right beside _ .\nAnd horrible as the message may sound, there is a sad ring of truth to it. Since the 1900s the number of elephants in Thailand has gone from over 100,000 to just 3,000-4,000 because of the destruction of their natural habitat and illegal killing. Asian elephants are not the only ones that are in trouble. African elephants are facing the same fate  . Hopefully, the public and officials are now working together to save these mighty animals from disappearing from the world.", "problems": [{"question": "Nowadays elephants in Thailand are", "answer": "C", "options": ["still used to help fight battles", "never used as beasts of burdens", "used to do tasks that need strength", "less respected because of the development of the society"]}, {"question": "The celebrations held at the Pattaya Resort aimed to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["show visitors the elephants' great performance", "honor elephants for their devotion to the country", "encourage people to play with elephants", "show visitors the beautiful scenery in Thailand"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Elephants are protected very well in Thailand.", "Elephants also face the risk of being killed in Thailand.", "The number of elephants is increasing gradually in Thailand.", "Elephants could enjoy a grand feast every week in Thailand."]}]}
{"article": "You've probably heard of the expression \"A leopard can't change its spots.\" This, of course, is true of leopards. But isn't it true of people? Can people change themselves? Are we humans just creatures of habits? Do we not have any control over our actions and habits?\nOne guy said, \"Bad habits are like a comfortable bed. They're easy to get into, but hard to get out of.\" Someone else said, \"The chains of habits are too small to feel until they're too strong to break.\" So breaking the mould of our bad habits takes effort.\nHabits are like the roads we take through our life every day. The problem is that not every road takes us where we need to go. Actually, our routes through life often become our ruts   in life. We end up stuck in them and find it hard to dig ourselves out. That's why we must change our bad habits as soon as possible before they become our second nature. You see, our habits become our character and our character becomes our life. As one wise person said, \"First we make our habits, and then our habits make us.\"\nBut we humans don't like to change. So we come up with excuses, like \"I can't be different; that's just the way I am.\" And the good excuse is \"You can't teach an old dog new tricks.\" But that's just it: we're not dogs or animals. In fact, we're the only creatures who have the freedom and power to change and choose the kind of person we want to become.", "problems": [{"question": "The author's attitude towards changing one's bad habits is  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["doubtful", "optimistic", "negative", "indifferent"]}]}
{"article": "A news release is a tool of communication,through which information is passed to even the farthest end of the world.It keeps us well informed of the happenings of the world which would otherwise remain unknown.\nWhen writing a news release,keep in mind that the media receive hundreds of releases every day.Try to follow these guidelines:Keep it short and professional.Come up with a _ headline that will grasp someone's attention.Sometimes the title will take more time to come up with than writing the release.That's okay-the headline could be critical for getting an event covered!\nCover the 5 W's in your first paragraph.Those are who you are; what you are doing;where,when you are doing;why you are doing it,which help us understand the details about the event.Besides,any opinions in the news release should be put in quotations from your designated spokesperson.Include things that the media finds newsworthy,which is the most essential.\nMake the time on your news release at least half an hour later than the time you have told activists to show up at an event.This will ensure that activists are prepared and in place by the time the media arrive.\nChoose a spokesperson for the event who can be quoted in the release and will be available for calls at that number the day before the event.\nHave someone proof the release for spelling,grammar and content(determine whether what you are trying to relay is clear and right).Sometimes the person who writes the release may not notice mistakes that a fresh pair of eyes will catch.\nAccuracy is the last but not least important in terms of your content and the location and time that you tell the media.If you do make a mistake,it is critical that you call and notify the media of the correction.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the main purpose of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To tell us the importance of the news release.", "To tell us how to avoid mistakes in the news release.", "To make us know how to make the news release.", "To ask us to read news release on the latest events."]}, {"question": "What is the most important for a news release according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Make sure the 5 W's in your first paragraph.", "Choose a proper spokesperson for the event.", "Make the news release newsworthy and accuracy.", "Ensure activists are prepared for the events in advance."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is RIGHT according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A news release is more important than any other medium.", "Any opinions in the news release should have quotations.", "The main task of the spokesperson is to correct the mistakes by the writer.", "Lacking experience,the person who writes the release may make mistakes."]}]}
{"article": "Are you a big fan of pirate  stories? Do you know how to talk like a pirate? You can have fun on September 19th. This special holiday is called International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It was invented in 1995 by two young Americans, John Baur and Mark Summers.\nThese two good friends came up with this idea when they were playing racquetball, and began to talk like pirates. At that moment, they thought, \"Young people are interested in pirate, but there is no such a chance for people to get together to share it. Why not have a day when everybody talks like a pirate?\" They decided to make September 19th the date. Since then, Baur and Summers have tried hard to promote Talk Like A Pirate Day. As Baur said, \"We've talked like pirates, and encouraged several of our friends to do so every September 19th.\"\nAt first, this day was only known by a few people. In 2002, Baur and Summers sent a letter about their invented holiday to Dave Barry. This columnist really liked their idea. He promoted the holiday and made it known to more and more people. Now, it has really become an international holiday. On Talk Like A Pirate Day, you need to dress like a pirate. You should wear a big hat or maybe cover one of your eyes. You can pretend to be any kind of pirate that you can find in any story or movie.\nHaving fun and being relaxed are not the only best things about the holiday. Young people share the same interest and childhood dreams that day. That's why it is welcomed by so many people, especially young people.\nUnlike traditional holidays, International Talk Like A Pirate Day is a brand new holiday which is invented by the youth themselves and celebrated by themselves too. Because of Baur and Summers' imagination and creativity, thousands of young people's pirate dream come true. Next time, when you have a good idea, why not share it with your fiends and insist on your belief? Maybe you can create another wonderful holiday for the youth in the future.", "problems": [{"question": "How did John Baur and Mark Summers invent the special holiday?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Many young people asked them to do it", "They did it just for pleasure", "They did it in order to honor pirates", "They thought out the idea by chance and imagination"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It was Dave Barry who made more people know the holiday.", "Talk Like A Pirate Day is a young, active and lively holiday", "The holiday has been popular since the birth of it.", "Thanks to John Baur and Mark Summers' imagination and creativity, many people realize the pirate dream."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following can show that the holiday is special?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It is a brand new holiday invented and celebrated by the youth themselves.", "It is a wonderful and instructive holiday.", "It has a long history.", "People can make their dream come true on this day."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can serve as the best title of the passage in a newspaper?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Young people's pirate dream", "Can you talk like a pirate?", "John Baur and Mark Summers", "September 19th--a traditional day in honor of pirates"]}]}
{"article": "Once upon a time a peacock  and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock lived in a tree on the bank of the stream in which the tortoise had his home, and every day the peacock danced near the stream and displayed his gay plumage for the amusement of his friend. \nUnfortunately, one day a bird-catcher caught the peacock and was about to take him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged his captor to allow him to say goodbyeto his friend -- the tortoise. The bird-catcher agreed and took the peacock to the tortoise, who was greatly astonished when he saw his friend become a captive. The tortoise asked the bird-catcher to let the peacock go, but the bird-catcher laughed at his request, saying that was his livelihood. The tortoise then said, \"If I give you a handsome present, will you let my friend go?\" \"Certainly,\" answered the bird-catcher. So the tortoise dived into the water and in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl. To the bird-catcher's astonishment, the tortoise handed it to him. This was beyond his expectation, and he let the peacock go immediately.\nA short time later, the  _ man came back and told the tortoise that he thought he had not been paid enough for the release of his friend, and threatened that unless he received another pearl which matched the first one, he would again catch the peacock. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to go to a distant place on being set free, was greatly enraged at the greed of this man. \"Well,\" said the tortoise, \"if you insist on having another pearl like that one, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it.\" The cupidity of the bird-catcher prevented his reasoning that \"one in the hand is equal to two in the bed of the stream\", and he quickly gave the pearl to the wily tortoise, who swam out with it, saying, \"I am no fool to take one and give two!\" and disappeared immediately, leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry for his greed.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is a   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["joke", "fairy tale", "fable", "life story"]}, {"question": "Why did the bird-catcher come back to the tortoise?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because he wanted to win a match.", "Because he thought the pearl didn't suit him.", "Because he wanted to thank the tortoise.", "Because he wanted to get one more pearl."]}, {"question": "From the story about the peacock and the tortoise, we learn that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the tortoise was cleverer than the peacock", "a friend in need is a friend indeed", "the peacock was very careless", "the tortoise was a fool"]}, {"question": "In this passage, the author is telling us that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["human beings shouldn't trust a tortoise", "if we are too greedy, we may get nothing", "human beings shouldn't catch animals", "the bird-catcher shouldn't have asked for another pearl"]}]}
{"article": "Welcome to Gold Coast Wax Museum\nHIGHLIGHTS\nThe Gold Wax  Museum is one of the Cold Coast's longest running attractions.  It's a collection of famous figures.  It's Australia's largest museum of its kind, featuring more than 110 life-size wax figures copies of British and Australian History.\nThe Wax Museum is visited by many thousands of people each year who are shocked at the amazing realism of the life-size figures in authentic costumes. This is your invitation to wander through at your leisure and meet many important and famous people's figures on Queensland's Gold Coast.\nCome face to face with such celebrities as Michael Jackson, President Obama, past President  John F. Kennedy, King Hussein, members of the Royal Family, and many others whose lives have all  left an indelible  mark on our world.  Information cards are located alongside each figure.\nThe Gold Coast Wax Museum contains figures which have been made by leading local and overseas sculptors to international standards, equal in quality to the world's best, as seen in Europe, the United Kingdom, and U. S. A.  The detail in the figures is amazing -and includes hair applied one strand at a time, requiring many working hours for one hand, and the eyes are so real that they seem to follow the viewer around.\nPrice\nChild (1-3yrs) free\nChild (4-12yrs) $ 22. 00\nAdult  $ 29. 00\nFamily (2 Adults + I Child) $68.00\nOpening hours\nOpen 7 days a week, 10a. m.  to l0p. m.\nClosed at Christmas Day (25 Dec. ) and Anzac Day (25 Apr. )\nLocation\nFerny Ave, Surfers Paradise ( Gold Coast ) QLD\nHow to get there\nYou can choose any of the Gold Coast airport transfers, car rentals, shuttles and private transfers to/from your hotel. Many coach  operators also offer Gold  Coast transfers to surrounding attractions, beaches, and the more distant destinations, throughout the day.\nWhat to bring\nBring your sense of adventure and your camera and  see something exciting and quite unique.\nFor further information, please click here to see more about the Gold Coast Wax Museum.", "problems": [{"question": "If you visit the Gold Coast Wax Museum, you can", "answer": "B", "options": ["see many members of the Royal Family in person in the Museum", "enjoy some world-class vivid max-works in the Museum", "meet many leading local and internatioanal sculptors in the Museum", "e at any time of the year except at Christmas Day"]}, {"question": "If a couple and their l0-year-old son visit the Gold Coast Wax Museum, they may pay  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["$87", "$80", "$68", "$58"]}, {"question": "You will most probably find this passage   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["in a guidebook", "in a magazine", "in a text book", "on a webpage"]}]}
{"article": "If you want to pay a visit to Iceland, you'll enter a whole new region of experience. You'll discover original nature as you've never seen it before. The freedom to wander  in the city or the wilds as you please is the key to the Iceland experience.\nReykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is just a part of the Icelandic experience with its midnight sun or the magical landscapes mixed with ice and fire. Reykjavik has a population of around 170,000 and offers an interesting mix of culture and local village roots.\nOld accounts say the ancient gods themselves guided Iceland's first settler to make his home in Reykjavik. He named the place Reykjavik (Steamy Bay)after the geothermal steam he saw, which today heats homes and outdoor swimming pools throughout the city, a pollution-free energy source that leaves the air very fresh, clean and clear.\nA beautiful river runs through the city limits, and so do fine parks and even wild outdoor areas. Against this backcloth of nature, Reykjavik has a packed program of familiar city joys too: art museums, several theaters, an opera house, a symphony orchestra and concerts meeting the needs of all ages and tastes.\nOne must for all visitors is dining out on Icelandic specialties, including delicious seafood, ocean-fresh from the morning' s catch, highland lamb and unusual varieties of game. Its purely natural food is imaginatively served to delight the most discerning of diners. Reykjavik is also famous as one of Europe's hottest nightspots, where the action on the friendly pub and nightlife scene lasts right through the night. In the evening, the downtown area is filled with activity, reaching its peak on Friday or Saturday. The number of pubs, cafe, discos, and other nightspots in the downtown area is astonishing. There is a rich variety of places to go: European-style cafes, nightclubs with live entertainment, dance halls for seniors, sports-theme pubs with big TV screens, cafes that offer over 100 types of beer, an Irish pub, a Spanish cafe, a French wine bar.\nWalking distances are short downtown, and everything worth seeing outside the city center can be quickly and conveniently reached by bus. With its long, easy-going main street and large shopping mall, Iceland's capital is a great place to shop too -- with a bonus of tax-free shopping for visitors!\n A full range of accommodations is available in Reykjavik, from international-standard hotels with good conference facilities, through smaller hotels and comfortable guesthouses, to a campsite in the city's biggest park.", "problems": [{"question": "It can be learned from the passage the Reykiavik_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["was named by the ancient gods.", "was named by Iceland's first settler.", "got its name from the visitors.", "was named after Iceland's first settler."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["people living in Reykiavik seldom get heat from coal.", "hotel accommodation is so rare that visitors usually camp in the city's biggest parks.", "all visitors must dine out while visiting Iceland.", "you have to walk a short distance if you want to go sightseeing outside the city."]}]}
{"article": "I grow up in San Pedro. My Dad was a fisherman, and he loved the sea. He had his own boat, but it was hard making a living on the sea. He worked hard and would stay out until he caught enough to feed the family. Not just enough for our family, but also for his Mom and Dad and the other kids that were still at home.\nDad was a big man, and he was strong from pulling the nets and fighting the sea for his catch. When you got close to him, you smelled the ocean.\nWhen the weather was bad he would drive me to school. He would pull right up in front, and it seemed like everybody would be standing around and watching. Then he would lean over and give me a big kiss on the cheek and tell me to be a good boy. It was so embarrassing for me. Here I was twelve years old, and my Dad would lean over and kiss me good-bye!\nI remembered the day I thought I was too old for a good-bye kiss. When we got to the school and came to a stop, he had his usual big smile. He started to lean toward me, but  _ It was the first time I had ever talked to him that way, and he had this surprised look on his face.\nI said, \"Dad, I'm too old for a good-bye kiss. I'm too old for any kind of kiss.\" My Dad looked at me for the longest time, and his eyes started to tear up. I had never seen him cry. He turned and looked at the windshield . \"You're right,\" he said. \"You are a big boy...a man. I won't kiss you any more.\nIt wasn't long after that when my Dad went to sea and never came back.\nGuys, you don't know what I would give to have my Dad give me just one more kiss on the cheek ...  to feel his rough old face ...  to smell the ocean on him ...  to feel his arm around my neck. I wish I had been a man then. If I had been a man, I would be a man. I would never have told my Dad I was too old for a good-bye kiss.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, we know that the writer's father   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["was a successful businessman", "had an accident and died at sea", "was good at driving cars", "drove the writer to school every day"]}, {"question": "The writher wrote the passage in order to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": [".tell readers about his father's love to him", "attract readers to visit his father", "give a brief introduction to himself", "ask readers to love their fathers"]}]}
{"article": "Schoolgirls have been wearing such short skirts at Paget High School in Branston that they've been ordered to wear trousers instead. All skirts will be banned from September. Tight-fitting trousers will also be forbidden and Muslim head-dresses will have to be \"school blue'' color.\nHead teacher Don Smith said, \"One of the big problems for us at the school has been the number of girls who have been wearing inappropriately short skirts. This has been an area of particular concern at a time when there has been a lot of material nationally about the sexualisation of young people.\"\nHe also said, \" It will be impractical to police the length of girls' skirts. A blanket ban will be easier for staff to put into practice. We did not want to arrive at a situation where we were telling girls their skirts could only be a certain number of centimeters above or below the knee. Pupils', parents' and other teachers' opinions were sought before the uniform rules were changed.,,\nThe new clothing policy has been explained in a letter sent to parents of the school's 1,000 pupils and will come into force after the summer holiday. Support will be given to parents unable to afford the new tie. The school also wants pupils to wear clip-on ties instead of traditional neckties.\nBut the new uniform rules have not been well received by everyone. One parent, whose teenage daughter attends the school, said, \"I completely agree some girls were wearing skirts that were too short. However, I think girls should be allowed to be feminine .Other schools manage to let girls wear skirts while making sure they are not inappropriately dressed. I don't see why Paget can't do the same.\"", "problems": [{"question": "The girls at Paget High School are not allowed to wear skirts in that    _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["short skirts give people the impression of sexualisation", "short skirts are too expensive for parents to afford", "the headmaster doesn't like girls wearing short skirts", "the girls wearing short skirts will be at the risk of being laughed at"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _", "answer": "D", "options": ["the new uniform rules are well received by everyone", "no schools in Branston allow girls to wear short skirts", "parents unable to afford the new uniform will gain support", "the pupils' parents were informed of the new clothing policy"]}, {"question": "What's the attitude of Mr. Smith towards the new uniform rules?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Disagreeable.", "Supportive.", "Anxious.", "Curious."]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["New School Rules Set", "Girls' Skirts Forbidden", "Traditional Neckties Gone", "Different Opinions Voiced"]}]}
{"article": "One warm September night, Mira had come down to the beach to enjoy the night air. She closed her eyes and listened to the waves. Suddenly, she could hear another sound, so she opened her eyes and looked down at the sand. It was moving! All of a sudden she could see a tiny head coming out. Then a turtle  appeared! One by one they struggled out of their underground nests. Mira looked in surprise at the baby turtles.\nMira knew the turtles should head towards the waves and swim away, so she was puzzled when they began to pull themselves towards the dunes . Suddenly, she remembered something her grandmother had told her.\n\"Sea turtles bury their eggs on the beach every year in April and in September. Those baby turtles hatch  and head back down to the sea. But some of them never make it. Sometimes they die going across the dunes, trying to find those bright lights on the houses. Every day there are more houses being built on the dunes. That means more and more lights to confuse the sea turtles.\"\nMira looked out across the dunes at her house. Mira saw her mother and father, sitting on the porch . She could see them because her house had two bright lights that lit up the porch.\nMira began to run to her house and shouted, \"The turtles are hatching! We have to help the turtles!\" With these words, Mira ran into the house and turned off the bright porch lights.\nIn a rush she was off running down the dunes with her whole family following her. They reached the beach just in time to see the tiny turtles slipping silently into the waves. Mira watched as the last turtle entered the water. As the turtle swam away, it looked back at Mira. In the moonlight, Mira thought she saw it smile.", "problems": [{"question": "Where did the story happen?", "answer": "A", "options": ["On a beach at night", "In a house near the dunes.", "On a front porch in the evening.", "In the shallow water of the ocean."]}, {"question": "How did Mira feel when she saw the baby turtles appear?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Proud.", "Sad.", "Confused.", "Surprised."]}, {"question": "How did Mira know the lights confused the turtles?", "answer": "B", "options": ["She read it in a book.", "Her grandmother told her.", "She learned about the turtles at school.", "Her parents taught her about the turtles."]}, {"question": "Why did Mira run to her house?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To get a flashlight", "To turn off the porch light.", "To communicate with her parents.", "To ask her grandmother about the lights."]}, {"question": "This story is mainly about a girl   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["enjoying the ocean", "turning lights off at night", "saving the baby turtles", "learning from her grandparents"]}]}
{"article": "Trapped on the 37thFloor\nMelinda Skaar wasn't expecting any phone calls. Skaar was working late in her office at the First Internet bank of California. By 10:45 that night she was almost ready to go home when the phone rang.\nPicking it up, she heard a guard shouting. There is a fire! Get out of there.\nSkaar didn't panic. She figured that it was just a small fire. Her office building was huge. There were 62 floors and her desk was on the 37thfloor.\nSkaar called out to office mate Stephen Oksas, who also stayed late to work. But when they got out to the hallway, they were met by a cloud of black smoke. Rushing back, Skaar shut the door and filled the space at the bottom of the door with her jacket to keep the smoke out.\nThen they called 911. before they could call their families, however, the line went dead. That meant that they were completely cut off from the outside world. All they could do was wait and hope someone would come to rescue them.\nMinutes ticked by. Smoke began to float into the office. Soon it became hard for them to breathe.\nLooking around, Skaar noticed a small workroom. It seemed to have cleaner air. So they crowed there. That helped for a while, but in time even the workroom was filled with deadly smoke.\nHopeless, they tried to break the windows, but the glass was not breakable. Everything they threw at just bounced back.\nDefeated, they struggled back to the workroom. They felt weak and dizzy. Soon Skaar found Oksas had passed out.\nSkaar and Oksas knew they were lucky to be alive. Sunday is my birthday, Skaar told a reporter. She would be turning 29. but she knew she had already got the best present possible----the gift of life.", "problems": [{"question": "What did Skaar and Oksas do where were stopped by the fire?", "answer": "D", "options": ["they called their families", "they waited where they were", "they tried to run down the stairs", "they rushed back and shut the door"]}, {"question": "The first sentence of the passage is to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["introduce Skaar", "get the reader's attention", "explain the cause of the event", "tell the background information"]}, {"question": "The following helped Skaar and Oksas survive the fire except  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["calling 911 for help", "breaking the windows to get some fresh air", "crowding in a small workroom for clean air", "shutting the door and keeping the smoke out with a jacket"]}, {"question": "what can we conclude from Skaar's action in the fire?", "answer": "C", "options": ["she is cleverer than Oksas", "she was trained as a firefighter", "she remained calm in the face of danger", "she had had the experience of being caught in fire."]}]}
{"article": "China, known as the \"kingdom of bicycle\", will see a quick growth in electric bicycle production in the next five years thanks to the country's efforts to save energy and improve the environment.\nThe output of electric bikes is expected to maintain an annual growth rate of at least 80 percent in the coming five years. China will _ 30 million electricity-driven bikes in 2020, compared to 9 million bikes last year, according to a report from the Development Research Center under the State Council and other ministries such as the National Development and Reform Commission.\nThe central government wants to reduce the amount of energy consumption   by as much as 20 percent within the next five years. That would be achieved through the introduction of new sources of energy and encouraging people to save energy, China Daily reported.\nThe smoke from car exhausts   is a major cause of pollution darkening the sky in Chinese cities, especially Beijing. On Monday, industrial experts called on the government to come up with more preferential   measures to spread the use of electric bikes in China.\nElectric bike production in China accounts for about 90 percent of the world's total, making China the world's biggest producer, consumer and exporter of the energy-efficient vehicle, the report said. The country last year sold about 3 million electric bikes to foreign countries, a figure expected to double in five years. By 2020, the production value of the electric bike industry in China is expected to be 70 billion yuan, almost four times of the current level.", "problems": [{"question": "Why will there be a quick growth in electric bicycle production in the next five years in China?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because electric bicycles can save the consumer more money.", "Because the central government encourages people to save energy.", "Because most people in China can't afford cars.", "Because the Chinese government limits the development of bicycle production."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["China will produce 9 million electricity-driven bikes in 2020", "the central government of China wants to increase the amount of energy consumption", "China is the world's second biggest producer, consumer and exporter of the energy-efficient vehicle", "the output of electric bikes is expected to increase at least 80 percent in the coming five years"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["How to make electric bicycles", "The world's biggest producer of electric bicycles", "China's quick growth in electric bicycle", "How to save energy and improve the environment"]}]}
{"article": "A single letter written by Albert Einstein was sold for more than $400, 000. But could an e-mail printout or an electronic file reach similar heights? That's the question facing those who deal in the literary artifacts of public figures, as they struggle to work out how to do business in the electronic world where information can be copied and spread out more easily than ever before.\n\"Booksellers, collectors and libraries are already trading in digital objects,\" Joan Winterkorn, a researcher told people. When Emory University Library bought author Slaman Rushdie's archives   in 2006, it received a desktop computer, three laptops, a hard drive and a smart phone along with his paper flies. And the writer John Updike, who died last month, started using computers in the 1980s, Winterkorn pointed out, so his \"papers\" will include a big store of electronic documents.\nSo far, however, digital archives have been traded as just a small part of a larger, mainly paper-based archive. Indeed, no one is quite sure how much the digital documents of a historical figure are worth.\n _ \" said Gabriel Heaton, a literary manuscript specialist, adding that more tangible   digital objects were easier for auctioneers   to price and sell, \"What about a laptop? For example, the one used by J. K. Rowling to write Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in an Edinburgh cafe has real value,\" he said. \"Because she used it.\" Even if the hard drive had been cloned by a library, the artifact would still be valuable.\nGordon Bell, from Microsoft Research, suggested that prices will actually fall to almost nothing. \"Once it's been copied and spread out the value is gone. It's just a piece of memory.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What is the purpose of the example mentioned in Para. 1?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To introduce the topic of the passage.", "To show that some written letter are of great value.", "To get readers interested in electronic documents.", "To tell us to pay attention to public figures, artifacts."]}, {"question": "According to the text, the trade in digital archives   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["has been well developed", "is still in its early stage", "is enjoying a period of prosperity", "is developing very rapidly"]}, {"question": "Who doesn't think digital archives are of great value?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Joan Winterkorn.", "Salman Rushdie.", "J. K. Rowling.", "Gordon Bell."]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude towards the trade in electronic documents?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Negative.", "Positive.", "Neutral.", "Hopeful."]}]}
{"article": "There are one billion homeless people living in our world today . The Homeless World Cup exists to end this , so we all have a home , a basic human need .\nThe Homeless World Cup is an annual , international football tournament  , uniting teams of people who are homeless to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever . It has inspired and supported over 50 grass roots  football projects around the world working with homeless people throughout the year .\nThe first tournament took place in Graz 2003 uniting 17 national teams . At the 5th Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen in 2004 , 48 nations , 500 players were united for a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country . 25,000 players were involved in pre-tournament training and trials around the world .\nThe Homeless World Cup is full of players with courage , spirit and determination . Research shows that 73% of players change their lives for the better after the international tournament by coming off drugs and alcohol , moving into jobs , education , homes , training , reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for professional or semi-professional football teams . David Duke (Scotland) played in 2004 , came off alcohol , passed his coaching qualifications  . He became assistant coach for Scotland 2005 , coach in 2006 and now owns his own home . The best goal scorer in 2004 Yevgen Adamenko(Ukraine) went on to play in a professional club in Ukraine .\nThe Homeless World Cup supporters include Nike , UN , Manchester United , Real Madrid and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand .", "problems": [{"question": "The purpose of the Homeless World Cup is to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["find a home for homeless people", "collect money for homeless people", "help the homeless kick bad habits", "help the homeless start a new life"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true about the Copenhagen Homeless World Cup ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It took place in early December .", "25,000 players entered the tournament .", "Nearly 50 teams competed in the tournament .", "David Duke won the best goal scorer in 2004 ."]}]}
{"article": "Ladji Doucoure of France beat Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China in the final meters to claim the title of the men's 110 meters hurdles at the 10thworld championships in Helsinki on Friday.\nDoucoure, who led the world this season with 12.97 seconds, over took the Chinese to win the race in 13.07 seconds. Liu was second in 13.08. Four-time world champion Allen Johnson of the United States took the third in 13.10.\nThe 22-year-old Doucoure said after the race, \" I can not tell you just how long I have been dreaming of this. This victory is the result of a lot of hard work, and also a lot of support from people who have believed in me. I had a bad start, touched a few hurdles, but after the 4thhurdle I _ and went straight to the finish line.\"\nLiu, who won the Olympic gold with a world record-tying time of 12.91 seconds, said, \"I'm very satisfied with the second place. The result could have been worse. I felt quite well and did my best. I' m not tired, I had some clearance problems at the start, so I should practice that some mor. Finally, I didn't lose by much, only by a little bit, but I did think I could win it.\"\nLiu's coach, Sun Haiping said on Friday he was content with Liu's performance.\n\" Liu Xiang was quite good during his reaction period, but he was a little bit slow in the middle and he finally caught up during the last two hurdles,\" Sun told Xinhua.\nAlthough satisfied with the silver medal and the clocking of 13.08 seconds, Sun said Liu might have added the world title to the Olympic championship if Liu had run the track neighboring his major rivals  of Doucoure Ladji or Allen Johnson.\n\" If he had run next to Ladji Doucoure or Allen Johnson, Liu could have kept pace with them and then sprinted  at the last stage. In this case, he could grab the gold,\" said Sun, who had become a household name for coaching China's first men's Olympic champion in the track.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage probably appears  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["in a story book", "in a text book", "in a newspaper", "in a fashion magazine"]}, {"question": "The following statements about Doucoure are true EXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["He won the gold medal in the men's 110m hurdles in Helsinki.", "He led the world in the men's 110m hurdles with 12.97 seconds this season.", "He did a lot of hard practice before the race in Helsinki.", "He won the world champion title four times."]}, {"question": "According to Sun Haiping, Liu Xiang might have won the gold if   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["he had done better during his reaction period", "he had run the track next to Ladji Doucoure of Allen Johnson", "he had practiced clearance more before that race", "he hadn't touched a few hurdles in the race"]}]}
{"article": "In our daily life, many of us feel stressed more or less. Some like this pressure and work better because of it. Others are not comfortable with any stress at alls they soon become unhappy if they feel stressed. Sometimes stress can lead people to do things they wouldn't usually do, such as overeat, smoke, drink, or use drugs. Streas, however, is a very normal part of life.\nIt is important to understand that stress doesn't come from an event itself, that is, from the things that are happening in our lives. It comes from the meaning we give to what has happened. For example, a crying baby may be stressful to one person, but it may not bother another person at all, a traffic jam may be stressful to one person while another person may be able to stay calm.\nWe can experience stress any time we feel we don't have control. It can come from a feeling that we can't do anything about a situation. Basically, it is the body's way of showing anxiety or worry.\nStress is not just caused by our mental or emotional condition. It is also influenced by how tired we are, whether we have a balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals, whether we get enough physical exercise, and whether we can relax.\nThe key point of relieving the stress is that we need to find what is causing the stress in our lives. Once we have found it, we should try to change that part of out lives. If we believe that we can control stress, we can begin to control out lives. Then we can start to use stress in positive way.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text,   _   can cause stress.", "answer": "C", "options": ["overeat", "smoke", "a traffic jam", "a hard test."]}, {"question": "The author mentions the example of crying baby in order to  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["explain that stress is everywhere", "tell different people react to stress differently", "help people learn that stress comes from an event", "give the definition of stress."]}, {"question": "What does the author suggest dealing with stress?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Finding the cause and making changes.", "Controlling the emotions", "Having enough sleep", "Taking some drugs"]}, {"question": "From the text, we can conclude that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["if someone has stress he will do something wrong unavoidably", "anyone can experience stress when he is out of control", "one will feel no stress at all if he gets enough physical exercise.", "one is sure to work better because of the stress."]}]}
{"article": "One summer day as I was heading to the teaching building I heard someone call my name. I turned around and I saw Philip ,a counselor  at our admissions office , standing with another young man, Philip introduced me to him, Stephen, and reminded me that Stephen would be taking one of my classes.\nStephen looked at me. With a somewhat painful expression, he asked if my class was going to be hard and if he would be able to pass. I introduced all the things that he would be expected to learn. As we talked, I saw Stephen's eyes getting big with fear.\nI told him to do all of his assignments, and to hand them in on time. Rather than being overwhelmed  by all of the work, I told him the most successful students made a master calendar of all the assignments so they could plan their workload.\nAs the fall semester went on, I learned more of Stephen's story. It had taken him longer to finish the assignments than most young people. Family members , including his mother ,kept reminding him that he was a failure. But he kept at it and didn't take them to heart. He told me that before coming to our college, no one believed he could manage it.\nStephen didn't become an A student. Still, he managed to pass all of his courses by being in class every day, turning in all of his assignments on time and breaking down his study into bite-sized parts. By passing course after course he began to gain a measure of self-esteem.\nOn his graduation day, he walked up to me, and said \"Thank you.\"", "problems": [{"question": "According to Stephen's questions to the author, we know that Stephen  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["wasn't very confident about himself.", "didn't want to attend the author's class.", "had never been an A student.", "couldn't pass the author's exam."]}, {"question": "Compared with other students, Stephen  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["arranged his workload better.", "failed fewer times than them.", "spent more time on study.", "handed his work earlier."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the author  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["wouldn't have met Stephen without the introduction of Philip", "told Stephen how to deal with his study.", "helped Stephen to get an A in his class.", "didn't believe that Stephen could study in college"]}, {"question": "What lesson can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A good beginning is a half done.", "One bite at a time", "Haste(n.) makes waste", "Look before you leap(v. )."]}]}
{"article": "C.O.P.D  blocks air flow through the lungs. It makes breathing difficult. The leading cause of C.O.P.D. is cigarette smoking. Experts at the National Institutes of Health in the United States say there is no cure to the damage to the lungs.\nDawn Demeo is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She said, \"By 2020, C.O.P.D. may be the third leading cause of death across the world.\"\nC.O.P.D. is a new name for emphysema  and chronic bronchitis . These are the two most common forms of the disease. Many people with C.O.P.D. have both of them. And Doctor Demeo says more women than men now die from the disease.\nShe is the lead author of a study by a team from Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital and the University of Bergen in Norway. The new study adds to findings that women may be more at risk than men from the damaging effects of smoking.\nThe team examined results from a Norwegian study of 954 people with C.O.P.D. Inga-Cecilie Soerheim co-wrote the team's findings. Doctor Soerheim says they show that women suffered the same level of C.O.P.D.as men. But the female smokers were younger and had smoked a lot less.\nThe team also looked at two groups among the people in the study. These were people under the age of 60 and those who had smoked for less than 20 years. In both cases, women had more serious C.O.P.D. and a greater loss of lung function  than men.", "problems": [{"question": "It can be known from the study that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["female smokers die faster than male ones.", "women are more likely to suffer from the damaging effects of smoking than men.", "O.P.D than women.", "in the group of people under the age of 60, men suffered more from"]}, {"question": "In which part of a newspaper would you most probably read this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Science", "Health report", "Education", "Business report"]}]}
{"article": "Wild animals seem to have escaped the Indian Ocean tsunami , adding weight to ideas they possess a \"sixth sense\" for disasters, experts said on Thursday.\nSri Lanka wildlife officials have said the giant waves that killed over 24,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast seemingly missed wild beasts, with no dead animals found.\n\"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit. I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening,\" H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of Sri Lanka's Wildlife Department, said on Wednesday.\nThe waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants. \"There has been a lot of evidence about dogs barking or birds migrating before volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. But it has not been proven,\" said Matthew van Lierop, an animal behaviour specialist at Johannesburg Zoo.\n\"There have been no specific studies because you can't really test it in a lab or field setting,\" he said.\nOther authorities agreed with this conclusion.\n\"Wildlife seem to be able to pick up certain phenomenon, especially birds. There are many reports of birds detecting coming disasters,\" said Clive Walker, who has written several books on African wildlife.\nAnimals certainly rely on the known senses such as smell or hearing to avoid danger such as predators .\nThe idea of an animal \"sixth sense\" is a lasting one that the evidence on Sri Lanka's damaged coast is likely to add to.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the damage that was caused in the Indian Ocean tsunami", "why animals can save them from natural disasters", "how to protect the wildlife when disaster happens", "the different opinions about animals' natural power"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It has been proved that animals have a \"sixth sense\".", "Research has been made on the special movements of animals before disasters.", "It's generally considered that animals can sense the coming of disasters.", "Animals have depended on the known senses to escape the Indian Ocean tsunami."]}, {"question": "What does the term \"sixth sense\" in the text means?", "answer": "C", "options": ["It is the natural ability of animals that can save them from danger.", "It is the animal's imagination in the brain.", "It is some hidden power to say in advance that something will happen.", "It is a kind of sense that is the same as smell or hearing."]}, {"question": "Which section does the text most probably appear in a newspaper?", "answer": "B", "options": ["News Report.", "Discovery.", "Science Fiction.", "Culture."]}]}
{"article": "Science isn't something mysterious, only for the few. Every one of us--whether a poet, worker, or physicist has to be able to think scientifically, and to understand some science, such as whether to smoke, what to eat, and what protection to use. Even for decisions that don't depend on some scientific facts, science remains the proven set of best methods for getting exact information about the world. \n   Some people will end up as policy-makers in government or business. People such as these make decisions that affect the life of everyone, and most of them know no more about science than does the rest of the general public. Yet they are called upon to decide what to do about nuclear reactors , global warming, environmental toxins , expensive space programs, and biomedical research. It's nonscientists, not scientists, who have the last word on whether the milk we drink can safely come from cows treated with medicine. To make such decisions wisely, the decision makers have to be drawn from a scientifically educated public. \n   Even if science is irrelevant  to the lives of ordinary Americans, _ . This requires lots of young people to become excited enough by science that they decide to become professional scientists. This also requires, to some degree, the support and understanding of the general public.\nScientists are not always able to communicate their findings in an easy-to-understand manner. Although the scientists should do a better job of explaining what they have discovered, members of the general public have to make efforts to understand what is being said.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the author mean by saying that \"a strong scientific spirit is basic to the economy, educational system and society\"?", "answer": "A", "options": ["School and society should encourage young people to become professional scientists.", "The school should only teach lessons of economy and education*", "A scientifically educated public is basic to the economy,educational system and society.", "More scientists work in our economy, educational system and society."]}, {"question": "The general public is required to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["support and understand the need of scientific education", "check what the scientists are saying", "give help to the policy-makers", "become professional scientists"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, who can decide whether the milk we drink can safely come from cows treated with medicine?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Scientists", "Young people", "The public", "Policy-makers"]}]}
{"article": "In terms of history, Australian cuisine was on the basis of traditional British cooking brought to the country by the first settlers.Modern Australian cuisine,however.has been heavily influenced by Australia' s Asian and Southeast Asian neighbors.The trend,encouraged by long-term government health programs,is towards low-fat healthy cookery including low-fat meat and lightly cooked,colorful,steamed or fried vegetables.Besides,1ike many English families,in many Australian homes,a widespread tradition of having roast turkey,chicken,and ham for Christmas 1unch or dinner still remains.\nGenerally breakfast is light in most parts of Australia.but in the colder regions porridge or meals similar to the full English breakfast may be consumed.In recent years,however,most Australian people prefer light breakfast in order to control their weight.The 1ight breakfast commonly consists of cereals ,toast and fruit.A heavier breakfast will frequently include fried bacon,eggs,mushrooms,etc.Drinks taken at breakfast include tea,coffee,milk or juice.\nThe evening meal is the main meal of the day for most Australians,and when consumed at home,it is often eaten with members of the _ .The dishes served will vary widely according to the tastes and background of the family.A typical Australian restaurant might offer sandwiches,chicken or other meat-based dishes and cakes.\nIn recent years,take--away food is becoming popular in Australia.American-style chain restaurants are common including Subway,KFC,and Mcdonald's.They a11 come from America.Most of these restaurants sell high quality food at reasonable prices.\nWith the high 1evels of immigration from the Middle East.South and Southeast Asia.Korea.China and other countries from a11 over the world to Australia.many authentic and high-quality restaurants are run by first-and second-generation immigrants from these areas.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, we learn that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["fewer and fewer immigrants enter Australia every year", "Subway is a chain restaurant and it is from the USA", "home cooking is becoming more and more popular in Australia", "a typical restaurant mainly offers porridge and noodles for supper"]}]}
{"article": "How's your relationship with your dad? It can be easy to let walls build up between you during the teen years. But by taking several simple steps, you can help improve the relationship between the two of you--even without great efforts. Here are a few quick tips. \nTalk it out. Communication is key to any friendship. Open your mouth and let your dad know what's on your mind. Give him a chance to get to know you.\nListen up. Your dad's lived more life than you have. Believe it or not, he's probably been there and can help you get through the pressures and struggles. Ask how he dealt with school, girls or temptations  . Then pay attention.\nTake some time. It can be hard for us kids to talk about what really matters. But spending time together can build the relationship, and create chances to talk. Go for a hike or a game. Work on the car. Whatever you're into, ask your dad to do it together.\nFight fair. Family disagreements are unavoidable.  _ , keep your mouth respectful and cool off before you say something bad. Talk it out when you can do so calmly.\nRealize respect. Face it: your dad's been given authority   to help guide you as you know. He's going to make mistakes, but so are you. Forgive him when he blows it, and honor his decisions--even if you don't agree.", "problems": [{"question": "The main purpose of the passage is to advise teenagers on how to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["respect and obey their fathers", "communicate with their fathers", "ask their fathers for advice", "get along well with their fathers"]}, {"question": "According to the writer,   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["fathers have the right to guide teenagers", "respect means never fighting with fathers", "disagreements can be avoided through efforts", "always keeping your mouth closed really matters"]}, {"question": "\"When temperatures rise\" means  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["when it is too hot", "when teenagers have a fever", "when fathers fall ill", "when disagreements get worse"]}, {"question": "From the passage we can infer that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["fathers play an important role in teenagers' growth", "communication can prevent all the disagreements", "talking everything out at once always helps", "teenagers should never get angry with their fathers"]}]}
{"article": "The U.S. Department of Labor statistics  show that there is an oversupply of college trained workers and that this oversupply is increasing. Already there have been more than enough teachers, engineers, physicists, aerospace experts, and other specialists. Yet colleges and graduate schools continue every year to turn out highly trained people to compete for jobs that aren't there. The result is that graduates cannot enter the professions for which they were trained and must take temporary jobs which do not require a college degree.\nOn the other hand, there is a great need for skilled workers of all sorts: carpenters, electricians, mechanics, plumbers, TV repairmen. These people have more work than they can deal with, and their annual incomes are often higher than those of college graduates. The old gap that white --collar workers make a better living than blue collar workers no longer holds true. The law of supply and demand now favors the skilled workmen.\nThe reason for this situation is the traditional myth that college degree is a passport to a prosperous future. A large part of American society matches success in life equally with a college degree. Parents begin indoctrinating  their children with this myth before they are out of grade school. High school teachers play their part by acting as if high school education were a preparation for college rather than for life. Under this pressure the kids fall in line. Whether they want to go to college or not doesn't matter. Everybody should go to college, so of course they must go. And every year college enrollments  go up and up, and more and more graduates are overeducated for the kinds of jobs available to them.\nOne result of this emphasis on a college education is that _ . Of the sixty percent of high school graduates who enter college, half of them do not graduate with their class. Many of them drop out within the first year. Some struggle on for two or three years and then give up.", "problems": [{"question": "It's implied but not stated in the passage that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["many other countries are facing the same problem", "white-collar workers in the US used to make more money than blue-collar workers", "fewer students will prefer to go to college in the future", "the law of supply and demand has a strong effect on American higher education"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT a reason why college enrollments go up every year?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Many people believe that the only way to success is a college education.", "Many parents want their children to go to college.", "High school teachers urge their students to go to college.", "Every young man and woman wants to go to college."]}, {"question": "By saying that \"many people go to college who do not belong there\", the author means that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["many people who are not fit for college education go to college", "many people who do not have enough money go to college", "many people who go to college drop out within the first year", "many people who go to college have their hopes destroyed"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that the author believes that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["every young man and woman should go to college", "college education is a bad thing", "people with a college education should receive higher pay", "fewer people should go to college while more should be trained for skilled jobs"]}]}
{"article": "An English saying goes: \" _ \" That means we should relax after a day's hard work or we'll be unhealthy.\nMany students know that if they want to get ideal jobs with good salaries, they must do well in high school so they can enter good universities. Therefore, they spend all day studying without time to relax.\nHowever, not all students can go to top universities even if they work very hard. Students are pressurized by parents and teachers who are just concerned about their studies and exam scores while ignoring their hobbies and individual differences. As a result, students are forces to work harder and harder. Furthermore, there is pressure coming from students themselves. They realize they have a slim chance of getting into a top university as competition is fierce. So, they put a lot of stress on themselves and stay in a nervous state day after day. If they keep it up,   they'll suffer illnesses; both psychological and physical.\nWhat students need is relaxation. This doesn't mean that they should give up their ambitions and stop studying hard. It means \"work while you work, play while you play\". If you can do this, you will improve your health greatly. You'll feel yourself suddenly fresh, just like recovering from a terrible illness. You'll find that your studies are not a burden  anymore.", "problems": [{"question": "What trouble have both the parents and teachers brought to the students?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They don't know how to let the students relax.", "They give too much burden for them to bear.", "They don't love those who work the hardest.", "They fail to understand what the students need most."]}, {"question": "What causes the student' pressure from themselves?", "answer": "C", "options": ["That they don't know how to get top universities.", "That they want to relax but have no chance.", "That they fail to relax themselves during their work.", "That they think too much about the result of their work."]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "D", "options": ["What to do to relax yourself.", "The serous situation for the poor students.", "Some problems caused by the misunderstanding of learning.", "How to be a healthy and successful learner."]}]}
{"article": "One of India's great economic advantages is the   youth of its population. To make the most of this advantage, India's children need to be educated. On paper, India is doing well here. The country has a nationwide network of state primary schools funded by a specially designed tax. 96% of children aged 6-14 go to school, even in rural areas. That's well above the average for the developing world and their attendance is good. But the attainment is poor: three quarters of third graders can't read a gradeone text and 53% of grade five kids can't read at the standard they should have achieved at grade two. Levels of achievement are almost as bad in math. \n\"The main problem in India is not school entry or whether there is a local school; it's the delivery of education, the way teaching is done or not done,\" says Vinati Sukhdev, the executive director of Pratham, a charity that campaigns for better education in India. And according to Ms. Sukhdev, the country's teachers are the thirdbestpaid in the world but they're poorly trained and are often absent. Teacher attendance at the primary level is only 85%, according to Pratham's research and there's little punishment for those who don't turn up. \nThe government knows that state schooling needs to improve. In 2009 it passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), a law for the national provision of free, childfriendly education. It says that there should be two teachers for every 60 students and that they should go to work regularly, get there on time, follow the curriculum, assess how well the children are learning and meet regularly with parents. \n\"What we need to do next is improve accountability ,\" says Ms. Sukhdev. Schools have management committees that are supposed to include parent and local government representatives. \"But they don't work or people don't know they exist.\" Pratham tries to help local communities and parents drive improvement. \"You should see the kind of reaction we get when they realize the teacher is paid but isn't turning up!\"says Ms.  Sukhdev. \"We can't be everywhere, so we limit ourselves to working in a few districts, where we can create model schools. Then we try to work together with local government to make sure every school in the district or state is raised to that level.\"\nThe Read India programme is an example of what targeted help can achieve. Pratham has created an easytouse teaching and assessment pack called Learn to Read. It has trained teachers in how to use the pack at school and showed community health workers, volunteers and parents how it could support learning outside school. The programme has now run across 19 states, involving 450,000 volunteers and training 600,000 teachers and government workers. Among the 33 million children who have participated, the number of those who can read simple sentences has risen by 20%.", "problems": [{"question": "Who are to blame for India's poor education according to Vinati Sukhdev?", "answer": "A", "options": ["School teachers.", "Local governments.", "Parents with stereotypes.", "Educational organizations."]}, {"question": "What can be inferred about the Read India programme?", "answer": "B", "options": ["It encourages more kids to attend school.", "It improves the quality of India's education.", "It is in the charge of management committees.", "It helps improve the basic facilities of schooling."]}]}
{"article": "When I was 18, I had a motorbike accident that put me in a coma for three months. The doctors said there was little chance of my coming out of it, but my identical twin, Marcus, didn't believe them and carried on talking to me. My first words when I came to myself were, \"Hello, Marcus. \"Even though I had no memory of my own name, or that the woman crying at my bedside was my mother, I knew Marcus immediately; it was like a genetic memory. just felt close to him.\nAs weeks went by, I still could remember nothing before the accident. Marcus was the only person I could relate to.\nI had to relearn everything, and Marcus helped me. Because of my twin I wasn't scared of having lost my memory; I believed everything he said. He became my memory, telling me about my school, friends, previous girlfriends and holidays, showing me family photographs, and telling me how perfect I was.\nWith his encouragement I slowly recovered and tried to become the person everyone around me loved. Then years later, when my memories flooded back, I learned that I was anything but perfect--I was troublesome, selfish, and now very angry with Marcus for having lied to me.\nBut finally I understood. Out of love, Marcus had chosen not to tell me about my dark side. He wanted me to have a fresh start--and in fact I had one. Thanks to him, I was able to get married and have kids. I'm 46 now, and feel as if I'm in the third stage of my life. I know all there is to know, and wouldn't want it any other way.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following words best describes Marcus?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Dishonest.", "Thoughtful.", "Careful.", "Strict."]}, {"question": "According to the text, the author   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["felt very close to Marcus when he first woke up", "didn't get his memories back until months later", "had been very popular before the accident", "remembered nothing but his own name when he first woke up"]}, {"question": "How did the author feel when he first got his memories back?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Angry.", "Excited", "Guilty.", "Lonely."]}, {"question": "What was the author's purpose in writing the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To tell us the importance of being honest.", "To explain the meaning of success.", "To express his gratitude to his twin.", "To show how he had suffered."]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the text?", "answer": "A", "options": ["My Twin Rewrote My Childhood", "An Accident Destroyed My Life", "Family Will Always Be with You", "Friends Share Everything"]}]}
{"article": "In the 1960s, people asked about your astrological sign . In the 1990s, they wanted to know your website. These days, having a web address is almost as important as a street address. Your website is an electronic meeting place for your family, friends and potentially, millions of people around the world. Best of all, you may not have to spend a cent. The Web is filled with all kinds of free services and all it takes is some time and creativity.\n       Think of your home page as the starting point of your website. Like the table of contents of a book or a magazine, the home page is the front door. Your site can have one or more pages, depending on how you design it.\n       While web pages vary greatly in their design and content, most use a traditional magazine layout. At the top of the page is a banner  GRAPHIC. Next comes a greeting and a short description of the site. Pictures, texts, and links to other websites follow.\n       Before you start building your site, do some planning. Think about whom the site is for and what you want to say. Next, gather up the material that you want to put on the site. Draw a rough layout on a sheet of paper.\n       While there are no rules you have to follow, there are a few things to keep in mind:\n       Start simply. If you are too ambitious at the beginning, you may never get the site off the ground. You can always add to your site.\nLess is better. Most people don't like to read a lot of text online. Break it into small pieces.\n       Smaller is better. Most people connect to the Internet with a modem. Since it can take a long time to download large image files, keep the file sizes small.\n       Have the rights. Don't put any material on your site unless you are sure you can do it legally. Learn the Net's Copyright Article for more about this.\n       Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and start building. Learning the Net Communities provides tools to help you build your site.", "problems": [{"question": "The main purpose of the passage is to tell you   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["what a website is like", "how to build your own website", "how to meet people online", "what a website is made up of"]}, {"question": "According to the writer, your website is a place   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["where you can meet people all around the world", "where you can buy what you want", "where you can get free services", "where you can meet people on the Internet"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the home page of your website is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to give a list of all the contents of your website", "to make it look like a front door", "to direct people to more of your pages", "to design the cover of a book or magazine"]}, {"question": "The writer thinks that if you are too ambitious at the beginning,   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["your website may leave no space for adding new things", "you may never have your website working", "you may have no idea how to build your website", "you may tire yourself out"]}]}
{"article": "Then comes July, and with it examinations, but these are soon finished and with them ends the school year. Boys and girls have nearly two months' holiday before them as they leave school by train and car to return home to their fathers and mothers.\nThe summer holidays are the best part of the year for most children. The weather is usually good, so that one can spend most of one's time playing in the garden or, if one lives in the country, out in the woods and fields. Even if one lives in a big town, one can usually go to a park to play.\nThe best place for a summer holiday, however, is the seaside. Some children are lucky enough to live near the sea, but for the others who do not, a week or two at one of the big seaside towns is something that they will talk about for the whole of the following year.\nIn England, it is not only the rich who can take their children to the seaside; if a factory worker or a bus driver, a street cleaner or a waiter wants to take his wife and children to Southend or Margate, Blackpoor or Clacton, he is usually quite able to do so.\nNow, what is it that children like so much about the seaside? I think it is the sand, sea and sun more than any other things. Of course, there are lots of new things to see, nice things to eat, and exciting things to do, but it is the feeling of sand under one's feet, of salt water on one's skin, and of the warm sun on one's back that make the seaside what it is.", "problems": [{"question": "After the examination, pupils leave for home  _", "answer": "D", "options": ["by train only", "by air", "by bike", "by either train or car"]}, {"question": "July and August are the brightest months for most children, for they can  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["stay with their parents for all the vacation.", "do more reading", "play out-of-door", "meet their old friends"]}, {"question": "Children like the seaside so much, because they can   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["swim in the sea", "play with the sand", "take a sun bath", "do all of the above"]}]}
{"article": "Lindsay Morgan Lohan was born on July 2, 1986. She was such a natural beauty that she began modeling at the age of 3, and because of her natural talent, she played parts in over 60 TV commercials for companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Wendy's, the Gap, Pizza Hut, Calvin Klein, and Jell-O, in which she shared the screen with Bill Cosby. \nWhen she was 7, Lohan was required to dress up as garbage for a Halloween short play on the Late Show with David Letterman called \"Things You Find on the Bottom of the Subway.\" It was her first real acting job. In 1996, Lohan got her second big  _ when she was given a role on the long-running NBC soap opera \"Another World.\" For only one season, she became the third actress to act the part Alexandra Alli Fowler.\nShortly after, she hit the highway to fame when Disney sought to remake the hugely successful family comedy \"The Parent Trap\" (1998). In addition, she also got a three-picture deal with Disney thanks to this movie. Her next move was to appear in the Wonderful World of Disney production of \"Life-Size\" (2000), a comedy also featuring supermodel Tyra Banks. \nIn 2003, along with Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan performed in Freaky Friday and played one of the early roles that made Jodie Foster a household name. \nIn September 2002, Lohan also got a contract with music heavyweight Emilio Estefan Jr who is of great influence in music. She signed a five-album deal with Estefan Enterprises. In 2005, she released her first album, \"Speak,\" followed by \"A Little More Personal\" the next year.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT the job that Lohan has done until now?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A singer.", "An actress.", "A model.", "A dancer."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Lohan has played three films produced by Disney.", "Lohan played the part Bill Cosby in a TV show.", "Lohan has released two albums since 2005.", "Lohan was greatly influenced by Emilio Estefan Jr."]}]}
{"article": "Chocolate soap is supposed to be good for the skin. But it's not so good for the tongue. Unfortunately for the US soldiers of World War II, the chocolate bars the army gave them tasted like they were intended for use in the bath.\nIn the army's defense, it wasn't trying to win any cooking awards. In fact, it specifically ordered that its chocolate bars not be too delicious, so soldiers wouldn't eat them too quickly. These bars were created for survival, not taste. \"They were awful,\" John Otto, a former army captain in World War II said, \"They were big, thick things, and they weren't any good. I tried them, but I had to be awfully hungry after I tried them once.\"\nAs unappealing as the chocolate bars were to some, others like them. Samuel Hinkle, the chemist who created the chocolate bars, pointed out that the number of bars made were far greater than the army needed. \"It soon became obvious that the generous American soldiers were sharing their valued possessions with their foreign friends, whether soldiers of other countries or local citizens.\"\nThe bars turned many hungry Europeans into friends of the United States. \"People wanted them,\" said Otto. \"You'd give them to kids. In some places they were very hungry. And they surely helped relax people about American soldiers.\"\nOtto said he never saw a European _ the chocolate. \"It was food,\" he said. \"At that time, everyone was very hungry. I saw German kids standing outside the US army kitchen. They weren't begging, just standing there very politely. When we were done, the kids would eat the food out of the garbage. They were so hungry.\"\nOther Europeans did not see chocolate until well after the war ended. \"We didn't see any Americans where I was,\" said Elizabeth Radsma, who was 25 years old when the Germans occupied her country, the Netherlands. \"Even after the war, we saw only the British. Maybe the Americans gave out some chocolates in the big cities, but we were only in a small town. Before the British, we saw only German soldiers. But chocolate? Don't make me laugh! Maybe in my dreams!\"\nA soldier in the field might have responded \"Be careful what you wish for\"--and then gratefully bit on a chocolate bar, the only food available for miles.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The US soldiers used the chocolate bars as bath soap.", "The US army produced more chocolate bars than necessary for its soldiers.", "The US soldiers did not have enough food during World War II.", "European people regretted eating chocolate bars from the US soldiers."]}, {"question": "Why does the author mention the German kids' story?", "answer": "D", "options": ["To tell how friendly the American soldiers were.", "To show how much they were eager for chocolate.", "To prove German kids could be very polite.", "To describe the hunger in Germany during the war."]}, {"question": "Elizabeth Radsma never saw chocolate during the war because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the US soldiers never showed up in the small town she lived in", "the German soldiers kept them all for themselves", "the British soldiers didn't share it with the local people", "the US soldiers handed out all chocolates to people in big cities"]}]}
{"article": "As part of an effort to improve treatments for life-threatening illnesses, a team of scientists have created rabbits that glow in the dark.\nThe efforts have produced two rabbits out of a litter of eight that went from being a normal, soft white to glowing green in the dark. The rabbits were born at the University of Istanbul as part of the cooperation between scientists from universities in Turkey and Hawaii.\nThe rabbits glow to show that a genetic operation technique can work efficiently. \"The green is not important at all--it's just a marker to show the experiment can be done successfully,\" said University of Hawaii associate professor, Stefan Moisyadi.\nTo produce the glowing effect, researchers injected jellyfish DNA into a mother rabbit's embryos. Then those embryos were put into the mother. Similar experiments have resulted in glowing cockroaches  and cats.\nEventually, the researchers hope the technique can lead to new ways to produce medicines, Moisyadi said.\n\"The final goal is to develop animals that are able to produce beneficial molecules in their milk that can be cheaply extracted , especially in countries that cannot afford big factories that make drugs, which usually cost US$1bn to build. Then they will be able to produce their own protein-based medication in animals,\" Moisyadi said.\nThe rabbits are expected to live as long as non-glowing rabbits, but Moisyadi said he understands people can object to this kind of experimentation involving live animals. \"To the people against, I say: think, what are the benefits and what is the harm?\" Moisyadi said. \"And if the benefits outweigh the harm, let's go with the benefits.\"\nMoisyadi started developing the project in 2006, and researchers are now waiting to see if pregnant sheep produce similar results.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the glowing rabbits?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Their fur became green after the experiment.", "They were chosen from a special species of rabbits.", "The color1 that they glow isn't of interest to scientists.", "They live shorter lives than ordinary rabbits."]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the researchers' next goal of the experiment is the creation of a glowing   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["cockroach", "cat", "rabbbit", "sheep"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE, according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The success rate in creating the rabbits is 20%.", "The project is supported by people.", "The project has been conducted for about eight years.", "The project is mainly conducted by Turkish scientists."]}, {"question": "What is Moisyadi's attitude towards such experimentation?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Doubtful", "Supportive", "Disapproving", "Indifferent"]}]}
{"article": "In the last 500 years nothing about people--not their clothes, ideas, or languages has changed as much as what they eat. Chocolate   drink was first made from the seeds of the cacao   tree by South American Indians. The Spanish introduced it to the rest of the world during the 1500s. And although it was very expensive, it quickly became popular, In London, shops where chocolate drinks were served became important places. Some still exist today. The potato is also from the New World. Around 1600, the Spanish brought it from Peru to Europe, where it soon was widely grown. Ireland became so dependent   on it that thousands of Irish people starved   when the crop failed during the years of 1845--1846, and thousands more were forced to go to live in America.\nThere are many other foods that have traveled from South America to the Old World. But some others went in the opposite direction. Brazil is now the world's largest grower of coffee, and coffee is an important crop in other South American countries. But it is native to Ethiopia. It was first made into a drink by Arabs during the 1400s. According to an Arabic story, coffee was discovered when a goat keeper named Lakdi noticed that his goats were eating red fruits on a coffee tree. He tried one and experienced the \"wide-awake  \" feeling that one third of the world's population now starts the day with.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following changed more than others?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Clothes.", "Ideas.", "Languages.", "Foods."]}, {"question": "Chocolate drink was first invented in   _  while coffee was first invented in   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Spain; Brazil", "South America; the Old World", "Spain; Ethiopia", "London; Rent"]}, {"question": "In 1845, thousands of Irish people were forced to live in America mainly because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["Ireland became dependent on the potato", "the potato was brought to Europe from Peru", "they could easily get potato in America", "the production of potatoes reduced"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, who first made chocolate drink from the seeds of the cacao tree?", "answer": "C", "options": ["People in Peru", "People in Brazil.", "South American Indians.", "People in Ethiopia."]}, {"question": "From the passage we can conclude   that millions of people drink coffee   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["in the morning", "at noon", "in the afternoon", "in the evening"]}]}
{"article": "WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday announced a new plan to renew and expand the nation's roads, railways and runways, in a bid   to restart the _ economy and to help create jobs.\nObama announced the billion-dollar infrastructure  spending program at an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking the Labor Day holiday in the United States.\nThe proposal calls for investments over six years, including rebuilding and modernizing 150,000 miles (241,350 kilometers) of roads, 4,000 miles (6,430 kilometers) of railways and 150 miles ( 241 kilometers) of runways.\n\"It sets up an Infrastructure Bank to leverage(;) federal dollars and focus on the smartest investment. All of this will not only create jobs now, but will make our economy run better over the long haul,\" Obama said.\n\"This is a plan that will be fully paid for and will not add to the deficit over time,\" said Obama.\nThe U.S. unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent in August, reflecting business reluctance to hire among uncertain economic prospects, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Friday.\nThe president admitted that new jobs \"have not been coming fast enough\" in the United States.\n\"These years would be some of the most difficult in our history. The problems facing working families are nothing new, but they are more serious than ever. And that makes our cause more urgent than ever,\" he added.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the main idea of this passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The US president launched a new program aiming at improving the nation's infrastructure.", "The US unemployment rate rose according to the Labor Department.", "These years will be the most difficult in the American history.", "More roads, railways and runways will be rebuilt and modernized."]}, {"question": "Which of the following will be changed most in length?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Roads.", "Railways.", "Runways.", "Highways."]}]}
{"article": "I still remember my first day at school in London and I was half-excited and half-frightened. On my way to school I wondered what sort of questions the other boys would ask me and practiced all the answers: \"I am nine years old. I was born here but I haven't lived here since I was two. I was living in Farley. It's about thirty miles away. I came back to London two months ago.\" I also wondered if it was the custom for boys to fight strangers like me, but I was tall for my age. I hoped they would decide not to risk it.\nNo one took any notice of me before school. I stood in the center of the playground, expecting someone to say \"hello\", but no one spoke to me. When a teacher called my name and told me where my classroom was, one or two boys looked at me but that was all.\nMy teacher was called Mr. Jones. There were 42 boys in the class, so _ , either, until the first lesson of the afternoon. Mr. Jones was very fond of Charles Dickens and he had decided to read aloud to us from David Copperfield, but first he asked several boys if they knew Dickens' birthplace, but no one guessed right. A boy called Brian, the biggest in the class, said: \"Timbuktu\", and Mr. Jones went red in the face. Then he asked me. I said: \"Portsmouth\", and everyone stared at me because Mr. Jones said I was right. This didn't make me very popular, of course.\n\"He thinks he's clever,\" I heard Brian say.\nAfter that, we went out to the playground to play football. I was in Brian's team, and he obviously had Dickens in mind because he told me to go in goal. No one ever wanted to be the goalkeeper.\n\"He's big enough and useless enough.\" Brian said when someone asked him why he had chosen me.\nI suppose Mr. Jones, who served as the judge, remembered Dickens, too, because when the game was nearly over, Brian pushed one of the players on the other team, and he gave them a penalty  . As the boy kicked the ball to my right, I threw myself down instinctively   and saved it. All my team crowded round me. My bare knees were injured and bleeding. Brian took out a handkerchief and offered it to me.\n\"Do you want to join my gang  ?\" he said.\nAt the end of the day, I was no longer a stranger.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer prepared to answer all of the following questions EXCEPT \"  _  \".", "answer": "C", "options": ["How old are you?", "Where are you from?", "Do you want to join my gang?", "When did you come back to London?"]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["boys were usually unfriendly to new students", "the writer was not greeted as he expected", "Brian praised the writer for his cleverness", "the writer was glad to be a goalkeeper"]}, {"question": "The writer was offered a handkerchief because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he threw himself down and saved the goal", "he pushed a player on the other team", "he was beginning to be accepted", "he was no longer a newcomer"]}]}
{"article": "For some reason, it takes constant reminders that weprimates need nurturing.\nIn a recent study of 46 babychimpanzee orphans, Kim Bard of the University of Portsmouth in England and her colleagues demonstrated that primate babies that have tight relationships with mother figures do much better oncognitive tests than babies who receive only food, shelter, and friendship with peers. But this is not breaking mews. In fact, it's old news.\nIn the 1950s, Harry Harlow conducted a series of experiments with baby monkeys that showed, without doubt, that lack of love and comfort makes for a crazy monkey.\nHarlow constructed a cage that included a wire monkey \"mother\" topped with a plastic face. In this wire he fixed Mom with a milk bottle. The cage also held another wire mother covered with terry cloth. The baby monkeys spent all their time with the cloth mother and only went to the wire mother to feed, demonstrating that a soft touch beat something to eat any day.\nHarlow's monkey work was important because, at the time, child care \"experts\" and everybody's grandmother had a \"no touch, no comfort\" policy toward children. They advised parents not to respond to crying babies, felt babies should sleep alone to grow up independent, and for God's sake put those kids down. But Harlow's work changed all that. Mothers were soon permitted to have their newborns next to them in the hospital.\nThe current chimp research based on Harlow's work shows that mother love not only makes for a psychologically well-adjusted child, but also makes for a smart kid. Bard and her colleagues evaluated the abilities of the chimps when they were 12 months old with standard human tests for children of that age, tests that ask little kids to imitate some action.\nThe highly raised chimps did better than the ones that were not loved, and what do you know, the well-raised chimps did even better than human kids on this small IQ test.\nSo we hear it once again. We are primates, social animals which need care and love. We need to be held and talked to and made to feel that at least one person wants to be with us all the time. And if we get that kind of connection, we are sure to be fine, even better than fine.", "problems": [{"question": "The study Kim Bard and his colleagues did   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["included 46 baby and mother monkeys", "was nothing new to people about the findings", "showed that many chimpanzees lacked love when they were young", "showed that many chimpanzees had good relationships with their mothers"]}, {"question": "Why was Harlow's monkey work important?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because the \"no touch, no comfort\" policy toward children was quite right.", "Because parents were advised not to respond to babies' crying.", "Because Harlow's work changed people's former belief in child care.", "Because mothers were not allowed to have their newborns next to them in the hospital."]}, {"question": "Harlow built two \"mothers\" for baby monkeys to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["make them live comfortably", "let them have more choices", "give them more love", "make a comparison"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TURE according to the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Well-raised chimps always do even better than human kids.", "A 12-month chimps is far cleverer than a child of that age.", "The newborns were not allowed to be with their mothers in the past in the hospital.", "Constantly touching the baby can make it feel safer."]}]}
{"article": "Harry potter and The Hunger Games haven't been big hits for nothing. Lots of teens still read quite a lot. But a study shows a clear decrease over time. Nearly half of 17-year-olds say they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year. That's way down from ten years ago.\nThe digital revolution   means there are more platforms   than ever to read on. Jim Steyer has been studying the effect of technology on children. He has four kids and has seen the trend most with his 16-year-old. \"I start to see it in our 10-year-old as well, because he is reading less and less, and more and more attracted to some of the digital media platforms that he has access to, and that he didn't have access to when he was 6 or 7 years old,\" he says.\nThe studies don't say that kids are reading less because they're spending more time online. But Steyer is convinced that's at least part of the answer.\n\"First of all, most children now have access to e-readers, or other smart electronic devices like phones and tablets  ,\" he says. \" And they're spending time on that. Many reports show the increasing use of new technology platforms by kids. It just strikes me as extremely logical that that's a big reason.\nResearchers want to know more about how teens are spending their time in the digital age. But Kathryn Zickuhr of the Pew Research Center says it's tricky. If a kid is looking at a book, you may think he or she is reading. But when it comes to looking at a smartphone or tablet, who knows?\n\"We've heard from middle and high school teachers that sometimes the Internet is wonderful for enthusiastic students to do deep research,\" says Zickuhr. \"But on the other side, obviously there are many distractions on the Internet.\"\nHowever, Jim Steyer says, \"Kids with parents who read, who buy or take books out of the library for their kids, and who then set time aside in their kids' daily schedule for reading, tend to read the most -- whether it's on a book, an e-book or some other devices.\"", "problems": [{"question": "What did Jim Steyer see in his four kids?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They tend to read more on electronic devices.", "They created their own digital media platform.", "They improved their reading on electronic devices.", "They have become more addicted to digital media."]}, {"question": "What statement may Kathryn Zickuhr agree to?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Kids are easily distracted on the Internet.", "Most kids pretend to be doing online reading.", "Most kids like to read on a smartphone or tablet.", "Kids rarely use the Internet to do serious research."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the text?", "answer": "B", "options": ["What books do teens like to read the most?", "Why aren't teens reading like they used to?", "How can teens read on electronic platforms?", "When will teens turn to books for fun again?"]}]}
{"article": "From March 29 to April 19, a new version of Death of a Salesman\nwas performedat tne Capital Theatre as the first in a series   of\nforeign classics to mark the 60th anniversary of the Beijing People's Art\nTheatre.The last time this play was performed in Beijing was 29 years ago.\n      Death of a Salesman was created in 1949 by Arthur Miller, who  used it to reveal   the weakness of the \"American Dream\" .The main character, Willy Loman, believes wholeheartedly in American capitalism, and desires to \"succeed\" but his own greed  _ him in the end.Death of a Salesman's first performance was a huge hit on Broadway, where it shocked the American theatre world, and strengthened the 33-year-old Miller's status as a master of American theatre.The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and the Tony Award for Best Play.The New York Times praised Death of a Salesman as a milestone of 20th century theatre.In 1999, Death of a Salesman received another Tony Award for Best Revival, and the then 83-year-old Miller was given the National Medal of Arts.\nThe 1983 version of Death of a Salesman was directed personally by Arthur Miller on a visit to China, with Beijing director and actor Ying Ruocheng as the main character of Willy Loman.On May 7, 1983, the play was performed for the first time at the Capital Theatre, and the first series of performances lasted until August 18, with over 50 performances, some of which filled the house, and all of which had great influence.\nWhen it was first performed here, China didn't have \"salesman\" , so the actors had to use their imagination to represent the characters and American society, and the audiences weren't entirely sure about some information.For example, they couldn't understand what \"fixed payments\" were, or why, if Willy was a lower-class member of American society, his family had a house, car, refrigerator, and television.But this didn't stop the play from becoming a widely-known page in Beijing's theatre history.", "problems": [{"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Death of a Salesman Returns to Beijing", "Arthur Miller--a master of American theatre", "Willy Loman--winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama", "Death of a Salesman--a milestone of 20th century theatre"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The play received the Tony Award twice.", "Arthur Miller became famous in his forties.", "China didn't have \"salesman\" until the play was first performed here.", "The 1983 version of Death of a Salesman was directed by Ying Ruocheng."]}]}
{"article": "My heroes are the Singapore Women's Everest Team.In 2009,they became the first all-women team to climb Mount Everest.The team of six young women trained for seven years before they climbed the mountain.It was difficult for them to train because Singapore doesn't have any snow or any mountains.But they didn't stop,and in the end they made it.They Worked hard every day for their dream so I really admire them.\n----Lance Reed, 16, from Britain\nMy mum,Mary Evans,is a real hero.I have a very big family, with two brothers and three sisters.My mum works very hard every day to look after us, and she is very busy.She always makes time for everyone and she always listens to me if I have a problem.I really respect my mum because she always looks after my family and makes sure we have everything we need.\n----Mark Sterling,l7,from America\nI admire the Salwen family from Atlanta,USA.In 2006, they made a very unusual choice.They decided to sell their house and give half of the money to charity .They moved into a smaller house and gave $800,000 to charities in Ghana. I really respect them because they gave their money to people in need.\n----William Kloster, 17, from Canada\nI really admire Steve Jobs, the former CEO of Apple.He invented a new kind of technology.Apple technology is very intelligent .The products that he made are also really beautiful.Steve Jobs created a successful business in IT.I was very sad when he died in October 2011.I respect him because he changed the way people use technology all over the world.\n----Richard Hale, 18,from Australia", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about the Singapore Women's Everest Team?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They thought of giving up during training.", "They trained very hard outside Singapore.", "They made history as mountaineers.", "They never expected to make it."]}, {"question": "William admires the Salwen family's  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["wealth", "courage", "success", "kindness"]}, {"question": "Who is closest to his hero?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Mark.", "William.", "Richard.", "Lance."]}]}
{"article": "Working Wives \nLast week, we published an article about modern marriage. A recent survey showed that in England 51 percent of married women go out to work . people were asked what they thought of \"working wives\". The results were as follow:\n                    Men         Women\nIn favor       70%         80%\nAgainst              10%         20%\nDon't know           20%         0%\nWe asked readers to write and tell us their opinions.\nHere are some of the hundreds of letters we received.\nI'm a (woman)photographer. I make plenty of money, travel a lot, and meet a lot of people. I enjoy my work, and would hate to stay at home. I would never marry a man who wanted me to give up my work.\nMs. Jojo O Leary\nHampstead \nAt present there are over 1,000,000 unemployed men in Britain. If a woman gets a job, she puts one more man out of work. Perhaps that man has a wife and twelve children to support. Let women stay at home where they belong.\nTed Stubbs\nSouthend\n I am a mother of twelve children. When I go to work, my husband looks after the children. He is very good with the children and enjoys staying at home with them. And I enjoy my job as a bus driver.\n                                                               \nMrs E. Boot\n                                                               Battersea\nWe are twin sisters, who both got married recently. One of us (Doreen)kept her job. The other(Doris)gave up her job. But Doris gets bored staying at home, and Doreen gets bored going out to work .So now Doreen works for a week, while Doris stays at home. Then Doris Doreen's job for a week, while Doreen stays at home. At work, they never know if it's Doreen who's working today!\n                                                          Doris and Doreen Bean\n                                                          Hendon", "problems": [{"question": "Last week we published an article about   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["marriage nowadays", "working women", "working wives", "a strange marriage"]}, {"question": "The woman photographer would not marry a man who   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["has less money than her", "likes staying at home", "is not very gentle", "wants her to stay at home"]}, {"question": "Ted Stubbs thought that women going out to work   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["would make men lose chances for work", "would be better than men", "would weaken the right of the husband at home", "would be meaningless"]}, {"question": "When the bus driver goes to work,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["her children take care of themselves", "a nurse looks after her children instead of her", "her husband looks after the children", "she has to have everything ready for the family"]}]}
{"article": "Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street boy was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. \"Is this your car, Mister?\" he asked. \nPaul nodded. \"My brother gave it to me for Christmas.\" The boy was astonished. \"You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you anything? Boy, I wish....\" He hesitated. Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the kid said made Paul quite surprised.\n\"I wish,\" the boy went on, \"that I could be a brother like that.\" Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, and then impulsively he added, \"Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?\"\n\"Oh, yes, I'd love that.\"\nAfter a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes shining, said, \"Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?\" Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the he wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again.\n\"Will you stop where those two steps are?\" the boy asked. He ran up the steps. Then after a little while Paul saw him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car. \"There  _ is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm going to give you one just like it... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about.\"\nPaul got out and lifted the kid to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.\nThat Christmas Eve, Paul learned that it was more blessed to give....", "problems": [{"question": "Why did what the boy said surprise Paul?  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because he didn't say what Paul had expected.", "Because he didn't say that he wanted a ride.", "Because he said something impolite.", "Because he said something improper."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is FALSE according to the passage?  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["The boy had a brother who was disabled.", "Paul's brother gave him a car at Christmas.", "Paul had thought the boy were wishing for a brother like his.", "The boy wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride in a big car."]}, {"question": "Which of the following best describes the boy?  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Kind-hearted and generous.", "Kind-hearted and thoughtful.", "Honest and generous.", "Honest and hardworking."]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Having a rich brother is important.", "It's unlucky to have a disabled brother.", "It's better to give than to receive.", "God helps those who help themselves."]}]}
{"article": "The British policeman has several nicknames, but the most frequently used are\"copper\"and\"bobby\". The first name comes from the verb \"cop\" meaning \"to take\" or \"capture\", and thesecond comes from the first name of Sir Robert Peel, a 19th century politician, who was the founder of the police force. An early nickname for the policeman was \"peeler\", but this name had died out.\nVisitors to England seem,nearly always, to be very impressed by the English police. In fact, it has become a joke that the visitors to Britain, when asked for his views of the country, will always say,at some point or other, \"I think your policemen are wonderful.\"\nWell, the British bobby may not always be wonderful but he is usually a very friendly and helpful character.\nA music-hall song of some years ago was called, \"If you want to know the time, ask a policeman.\" Nowadays, most people own watches but they still seem to find plenty of other questions to ask the policeman. In London, the policemen spend so much of their time directing visitors about the city that one wonders how they ever find time to do anything else!", "problems": [{"question": "The British policeman has   _   nicknames mentioned in the passage.", "answer": "C", "options": ["five", "two", "three", "ten"]}, {"question": "One of the nicknames for the policeman, \"peeler\"   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["is the name of a politician", "is most frequently used sometimes", "is not used any more", "is still used as much as \"bobby\""]}, {"question": "\"If you want to know the time, ask a policeman.\" That means   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the British policeman is friendly and helpful", "the British policeman has plenty of time to help people", "people usually think that the policeman always knows the time", "it is a duty for the policeman to tell people the time"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT true?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The British policeman has some nicknames.", "The British policeman is wonderful.", "Only the British policeman knows the time very well.", "The British policeman is ready to help people."]}]}
{"article": "TheCastle of Monteriggioni\nLocated in central Tuscany,the Castle of Monteriggioniwas built by the Republic of Siena at the beginning of the 13th century in orderto defend its southern border against Florence.With their impressive towers, they feature in Dante's Divine Comedy.\nMainSights\nInside the town are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta,the battlements on the town walls and the small \"Monteriggioni in Arme\" museum, where there are models andlife-size armors .\nEvery July within the wall of the town a special eventis celebrated: the Medieval Festival of Monteriggioni, one of the mostbeautiful festivals in the region. The city goes back in time to the MiddleAges, the streets are filled up with people in period costume creating a realatmosphere. Dances, live performances, music, theatre, kids entertainment,storytellers and more entertain the public.\nThesurrounding area\nThe townlands ofMonteriggioni, with the walled town as their capital, cover an area of about 100km2 directly to the north of Siena,full of woods, hills, vineyards and olive groves . Thetownlands also take in a large area of unspoiled nature that has been declareda Site of Community Importance(SCI). The area is crossed by a network oftrails, including the Via Francigena, which can be travelled on foot, bicycleor on horse-back.\nHowto get to Monteriggioni\nBY CAR\nTake the \"Monteriggioni\" exit on theFlorence-Siena motorway link.\nBY BUS\nLine 130 from Siena for Colle di Val d'Elsa-Poggibonsi-SanGimignano.\nBY TRAIN \nThe closest station is \"Castellina inChianti- Monteriggioni\".\nTouristOffice\nPiazza Roma, 23\n53035 Monteriggioni(SI)-Italy\nTel./fax+39 0577 304834\ninfo@ Monteriggioniturismo.it", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following you cannot seein the Castle of Monteriggioni ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Tower", "Vineyards", "Church", "Performance"]}, {"question": "The best way to travel around thesurrounding area is   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["by car", "by bus", "by train", "on foot"]}, {"question": "Where can this article be probably found?", "answer": "A", "options": ["In a travel guidebook.", "In a textbook.", "In a fashion magazine.", "In a newspaper."]}]}
{"article": "One night recently , I was driving down a two-lane highway at about 60 miles an hour . A car approached from the opposite direction at about the same speed . As we passed each other , I caught the other driver's eye for only a second . I wondered whether he might be thinking , as I was , how dependent we were on each other at that moment . I was relying on him not to fall asleep , not to be put off by a phone conversation, not to cross over into my lane and bring my life to a sudden end . Though we had never spoken a word to each other , he relied on me in just the same way .\nMultiplied a million times over, I believe that is the way the world works . At some level , we all depend upon one another . Sometimes that dependence requires us simply not to do something like crossing over the double yellow line . And sometimes it requires us to act cooperatively , with friends or even with strangers .\nAs technology shrinks our world , the need increases for cooperative action among nations . In 2003, doctors in five nations were quickly organized to identify the SARS virus , which saved thousands of lives . The threat of international terrorism has shown itself to be a similar problem, one requiring coordinated action by police and intelligence forces across the world . We must recognize that our fates   are not ours alone to control .\nIn my own life , I've put great stock in personal responsibility . But , as the years have passed, I've also come to believe that there are moments when one must rely upon the good faith and judgment of others . so , while each of us faces the case of driving alone down a dark road , what we must learn is that the approaching light may not be a threat , but a shared moment of trust .", "problems": [{"question": "The author considers  _  very important .", "answer": "D", "options": ["driving alone on a dark road", "independence of people", "cooperation to identify SARS virus", "shared trust and cooperation"]}, {"question": "The author said that they depended on each other in the same way because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the approaching car was very dangerous", "they both drove their car at a terrific speed", "he might be killed out of the other's careless driving", "it was dark and the road was not wide enough"]}, {"question": "The need for cooperation increases because  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["peoples' fates can't be controlled by themselves", "the SARS virus spread quickly", "terrorism can happen everywhere", "the world has become smaller"]}]}
{"article": "What is your favorite English letter? Many of you may say Q. Why? Because so many of you chat with your friends on QQ. What do you like about QQ? What do you talk about? The CCTV reporter, Miss Wang, interviews three kids. Let's listen to what they say.\nWhen do you chat on QQ? What do you talk about?\nLin yuhan, Xi'an: On weekends. We talk about homework and chat with each other.\nTang Xuting, Shanghai: At weekends and when I don't have much homework. We exchange test answers and chat.\nYang yuhang, Dalian: Our class goes online together at 4:00----6:00pm on weekends. We complain about homework, chat and talk about computer games.\nWhat do you put on your QQ blog ?\nLin: I put good articles I have found online on my blog. I also write articles myself. They are about funny things that have happened in my class.\nTang: I put picture on my blog. Not my own photos, but pictures from my favorite Japanese cartoons like Tennis Prince Conan.\nYang: I put DV films on my blog. I shoot them during sports meetings and school parties. The most popular one is about a dancing teacher,  he is so funny that everyone watches it.\nHow do you like QQ?\nLin: It's a good space for us to make a record of our lives of both good times and sad times.\nTang: My friends and I may not have time to chat at school. But we can do it on QQ. It's very helpful to our friendships.\nYang: If you chat with friends on the telephone, your parents sometimes listen to your conversation. There's no such problem with QQ. You can relax and talk freely.", "problems": [{"question": "What does Lin Yuhan put on her QQ blog?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Some pictures.", "Good articles.", "DV films", "Japanese cartoons"]}, {"question": "Which one is TURE according to this article?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Lin says QQ is very helpful to their friendships.", "Yang says he can chat freely with many friends and relax on QQ.", "Tang says QQ is a good space for them to make a record of their lives.", "Tang says he chats on QQ on weekends though he has lots of homework."]}]}
{"article": "In his 1930 essay \"Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren \", John Keynes, a famous economist, wrote that human needs fall into two classes: absolute needs ,which are independent of what others have , and relative needs ,which make us feel superior to our fellows. He thought that although relative needs may indeed be insatiable   , this is not true of absolute needs.\nKeynes was surely correct that only a small part of total spending is decided by the desire for superiority. He was greatly mistaken, however, in seeing this desire as the only source of insatiable demands.\nDecisions to spend are also driven by ideas of quality which can influence the demands for almost all goods, including even basic goods like food. When a couple goes out for an anniversary dinner, for example, the thought of feeling superior to others probably never comes to them. Their goal is to share a special meal that stands out from other meals.\nThere are no obvious limits to the _ of demand for quality. For example, Porsche, a famous car producer, has a model which was considered perhaps the best sport car on the market Priced at over $120,000, it handles perfectly well and has great speed acceleration. But in 2004, the producer introduced some changes which made the model slightly better in handling and acceleration. People who really care about cars find these small improvements exciting. To get them, however, they must pay almost four times the price.\nBy placing the desire to be superior to others at the heart of his description of insatiable demands, Keynes actually reduced such demands. However, the desire for higher quality has no natural limits.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, John Keynes believed that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["desire is the root of both absolute and relative needs", "absolute needs come from our sense of superiority", "relative needs alone lead to insatiable demands", "absolute needs are stronger than relative needs"]}, {"question": "The author of the passage argues that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["absolute needs have no limits", "demands for quality are not insatiable", "human desires influence ideas of quality", "relative needs decide most of our spending"]}]}
{"article": "\"Our aim is to take our art to the world and make people understand what it is to move,\" said David Belle, the cofounder of parkour  .\nDo you love running? It is a good exercise, yet many people find it boring. But what if making your morning jog a creative one?Like jumping from walls and over gaps and ground rolls? Just like the James Bond in the movie Casino Royale? Bond jumps down from a roof to a windowsill and then runs several blocks over _ on the way. It is just because of Bond's wonderful performances that the sport has become popular worldwide.\nYes, that's parkour, an extreme street sport aimed at moving from one point to another as quickly as possible, getting over all the obstacles in the path using only the abilities of the human body. Parkour is considered an extreme sport. As its participants dash around a city, they may jump over fences, run up walls and even move from rooftop to rooftop.\nParkour can be just as exciting and charming as it sounds,but its participants see parkour much more than that.\nOvercoming all the obstacles on the course and in life is part of the philosophy   behind parkour. This is the same as life. You must determine your destination, go straight, and jump over all the barriers as if in parkour and never fall back from them in your life, to reach the destination successfully. A parkour lover said,\"I love parkour because its philosophy has become my life, my way to do everything.\"\nAnother philosophy we've learnt from parkour is freedom. It can be done by anyone, at any time, anywhere in the world. It is a kind of expression of trust in yourself that you earn energy and confidence.", "problems": [{"question": "Parkour has become popular throughout the world because of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["its cofounder, David Belle", "the film, Casino Royale", "its risks and tricks", "the varieties of participants"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE of parkour?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It challenges human abilities.", "It is a good but boring sport.", "It needs special training.", "It is a team sport."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is the philosophy of parkour?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Sports and extremes.", "Excitement and popularity.", "Dreams and success.", "Determination and freedom."]}]}
{"article": "My student teaching experience was a wonderful adventure. I had to deal with various discipline and behavior challenges that occurred again and again.\nThe greatest part of it was the relationship I developed with two students. One of the students was named Michael,whom I met when I was working for a kindergarten. Before I became a morning bus assistant, I'd heard that Michael was a challenging student who would always shout, stand up on the bus, make fun of other students, and distract bus driver. So I decided that each morning, when he got on the bus, I'd have Michael sit beside me. At first he didn't like this idea and pouted about it. But soon he settled down, knowing he had no choice. I began to talk to him about little things outside of school life, such as his weekend activities and things that he liked to do. I also listened closely to him When he talked and thoroughly responded to his ideas. As I gave Michael the attention that he needed,little by little, he began to behave better and better. His transformation was noticed by all, by the students and especially the bus driver.\nAnother student I took a special interest in was a boy named Tony, a third grader. To some, Tony seemed to be a slow or passive learner. So I decided to see if I could find a way to motivate Tony to stay on the task. I would sit in the seat next to him and encourage him through every step of the work he was doing. This helped him to stay motivated and at least the work was getting down on time. Before long, he was paying more attention to his studies, and scoring high on all his tests. I knew that all Tony had needed was to be motivated on a one-on-one basis.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the text mainly about?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The two greatest students during the writer's career as a teacher.", "The writer's best memories of his teaching experience.", "How to motivate slow students.", "How to deal with naughty students."]}, {"question": "The writer first made Michael sit beside him in order to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["limit his freedom and his behaviour", "listen to him and know his real thoughts", "talk to him to change his bad attitude", "give him attention and teach him to behave well"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would probably have nothing to do with Tony?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He was uninterested in what the teacher was saying.", "He often shouted and stood up to distract the teacher.", "He seemed to stare at nothing and think of nothing.", "He always had a blank sheet of paper on his desk."]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Selfless giving is always a pleasure for a teacher.", "An act of kindness could bring the students great joy.", "Different students should be taught in different ways.", "Students should learn to appreciate teachers' concern."]}]}
{"article": "Juac has made the leap from being an African refugee   to a chess champion in the United States. His job is to share his expertise  with students in schools, chess camps and other events.\nDuring Sudan's civil war in the mid-1980s, Juac was forced out of the country with 20,000 0ther so -called Lost Boys. He fled to Ethiopia, then to Kenya staying in a refugee camp for eight years, where he learned to play chess.\nJuac described a dangerous journey in which half the boys didn't survive. To eat, they had to kill wild animals.\n\"There were animals on the way. It was about a thousand miles and sometimes there was no water. When we were in Ethiopia, we had to cross the river and there a lot drowned.\"\nJuac arrived in the United States in 2004 and began working as a security guard. Winning a chess tournament gave him this teaching opportunity. Juac believes chess helps prepare young people for life.\n\"Some kids are not interested, so it's your job to make them like the game, to explain them what chess is going to help them with.\" He said. \"Like, I can tell, this game will give you patience, and help with your math skills.\"\nJulie Cathone, a second grade teacher in Jackson Public School, agrees. The School's principal, Meghan Kelley, said Juac and chess have made a big difference.\n\"What a role model. I mean when you think about just overcoming, and finding what you love and turning that into your life's work.\"\nJuac said he enjoys the freedom he has in the United States. But his passion is playing and teaching chess to youngsters. His boss, Michael Propper , said Juac has one great advantage.\n\"I think he's believable. I think they look at him and he's so _ that they feel like they can do what he's doing and be a person as he is too.\"\nJu ac still has a big goal ahead of him-becoming an international chess master. With his skill and patience, Propper and his peers have no doubt that will happen.", "problems": [{"question": "How long did Juac most probably stay in Ethiopia?", "answer": "C", "options": ["About six years.", "About eight years.", "About twelve years.", "About sixteen years."]}, {"question": "We can learn from the passage that Juac   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["must be teaching kids chess for free", "is patient and good at math problems", "surely has his own chess school in American", "hasn't taken part in international chess contests"]}]}
{"article": "NOT all math skills are learned in the classroom. Some of them come naturally. Consider the split-second calculations  you make when you estimate   the number of empty seats on the school bus or the number of cookies in a cookie jar.\nThese estimates can often be done without counting. That's because humans are born with the ability to closely guess the number of items in a group. Researchers call this ability a person's \"number sense\".\nTo see how a person's inborn number sense might be linked to mathematical performance in the classroom, psychologist Justin Halberda and his colleagues from Johns Hopkins University in prefix = st1 /Baltimore,USran some tests.\nThe scientists asked 64 14-year-olds to look at images   of yellow and blue dots that flashed on a computer screen for a fraction   of a second. Each image contained between 10 and 32 dots that varied in size.\nSome images contained twice as many blue dots  as yellow dots. In other images, however, the number of blue and yellow dots was nearly equal. For each image, the students were asked to estimate which color1 had more dots.\nThe scientists found a wide variation in how well students could pick the color1 with the most dots.\nThe scientists then looked at the students' math scores dating back to kindergarten. Children that performed best in the image test also scored the highest in standard math tests.\nThe same finding held true at the other end of the spectrum  . Students who didn't score well on the image test received lower math scores.\nThe study was the first to show a link between a person's inborn number sense and his or her achievement in formal math training.\nDoes this connection mean that one cannot be good in math if they have a weak number sense? Or that having a strong number sense is a guarantee for good grades in math? The answers are not clear.\nWhile scientists continue looking at the possible links between a person's number sense and math achievement, one thing is certain: Doing lots of math homework will   _ your chances of success.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is not true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Everyone has an inborn number sense.", "Those who have a strong number sense are sure to do well in math.", "Some of the math skills are inborn.", "Doing a lot of math exercises may help to learn math well."]}, {"question": "Justin Halberda and his colleagues ran some tests to_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["look at the students' math scores dating back to kindergarten.", "ask the students to estimate the dots", "see if a person's inborn number sense has something to do with math learning", "decide how to learn math well"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, the most important thing to learn math well is that_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["one should have an inborn number sense", "one should practice a lot", "one should do a lot of tests", "one should do a lot of counting"]}, {"question": "What is the result of Justin Halberda's tests?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Students who did well in the tests also did well in math exams.", "One cannot be successful in math if he has a well number sense.", "One who has a strong number sense can not do math well.", "One should do a lot of math homework if he wants to have a number sense."]}]}
{"article": "Instagram is a fast,beautiful and fun way to share your life with friends and family.Take a picture or video,choose a filter to transform its look and feel.and then post to Instagram--it's that easy.You can even share to Facebook.Twitter and more.It's a new way to see the world.So many photos of food are contained on Instagram--now a pop-up diner in London is taking advantage of this new trend by letting people settle the bill for their meals simply by uploading photos of their dishes to social networks.\nI always thought people's taking pictures of their food was kind of silly, but at this new pop-up restaurant in the UK,I'd probably do it too.\"The Picture House\"is the world's first pay-by-photo restaurant--you order, click a photo of the food,share on Instagram and eat for free!\nThe restaurant belongs to frozen food giant Birds Eye,who came up with the idea to cash in on people's addiction with photographing food and sharing the pictures online. They conducted a survey and found out that more than half of the British population regularly took pictures of their meals.So they realized it was a better way to advertise their new dining range.\nThe pop-up diner was open in Soho,London for three days in May,and is now moving to other major UK cities.They serve two-course meals that customers don't have to pay for, if they photo and lnstagram it.\nThe restaurant is a part of Birds Eye's\"Food for Life\"campaign,a new marketing project that aims at changing the way people look at frozen food.\"Taking photos of food enables people to show off and to share their mealtime moments--from the everyday to the special,\"said marketing director Margaret Jobling.\nThe reaction to The Picture House has been great so far And the pay-by-picture concept has proven to be an effective way.Alternative payment methods are actually gaining popularity among a lot of businesses.Last year in a cafe in Germany customers pay by how much time they spend there,not by what they eat.", "problems": [{"question": "Instagram probably is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a restaurant free of chmge", "a campaign of\"Food for Life''", "a program used to share photos", "a new marketing project"]}, {"question": "What's the author's attitude to this new trend?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Confused", "Unconcerned", "Opposed", "Interested"]}, {"question": "\"The Picture House\"encourages sharing photos of its food to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["raise the price of frozen food", "attract more customers", "create a new social media trend", "reward the regular customers"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can serve as the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Pay by Picture", "The Pop-up Diner", "No Need to Pay", "Food for Life"]}]}
{"article": "What I like to advise people is to find out what it is that makes them happy. What do you love to do? If you truly love what you do just go ahead and try to make a living by doing it. People will throw money at you to do it. But you will always have to work hard at it. I have to draw every single day of my life. I have to draw about 20 ideas. My advice is to put aside a certain amount of time every day and make you draw or whatever, especially when you don't feel like it. Only in this way will you be able to perfect your talent.\nThe first step you take is to go to your local library and ask for the publications issued in the current years. When you get these publications, try to find the names of the top people concerned and their presidents. After you find these, write down their names and addresses. Keep this list and update it every year. Next thing you want to do is to create at least 40 cartoons. Get a grid  from one of the strips in the newspapers, enlarge it to whatever size you wish and draw inside this grid. Now take the best 20 of your ideas and make them into finished pieces. To do this, you would want to copy them in ink because if you were a professional cartoonist, that was what you should do. Now you can reduce the size of the finished cartoons to fit onto a regular comic's page. By comparing yours with the others already in print, it gives you a good idea of clarity to your cartoon.\nThe next step is to write letters to presidents of the publication. In the letters, explain who you think would read your work, or in other words, what group do you think you would target. After you complete these, send all of your information enclosed with letters in the appropriate envelope.\nNow as soon as you send out these letters, start to create a brand new strip with all new characters. Don't _ because if your idea gets turned down then you will give up. And always remember. If you receive a rejection from any of them, keep in mind that you are working on something better. You will be working on something new and more exciting and the rejection letter will not have any impact. With this in mind...", "problems": [{"question": "The purpose of writing a letter to the president was to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["get some money to support the later career", "enclose the information on how to become cartoonists with the letter", "focus his attention on the work", "explain who would be the readers of the work"]}]}
{"article": "Dreaming is a natural part of who we are. We explore our dreams and develop personal dreams. We even like to dream BIG!\nFor the most part our dreams and wishes focus on the end result. We see ourselves in love, married, driving a great car, on vacation, with tons of money, in a great career, etc. Dreaming about the end result is just fantasizing and wishing. Wishing relies on some magical force to make our dreams turn into reality, and we become unhappy as we're not living  our dreams.\nSo how can we make our dreams come true? That is a question we all often struggle with. Even though we struggle with the answer, the answer is not that clear. We make our dreams come true with the action we take.\nIn my opinion, if you dream about being in good health, then change your dream to see yourself working out and eating right day by day. See the beginning of the dream and let the dream build day by day with all the action that gets you to the end dream of you being in good health.\nIf you want riches, then change the dream. Dream of yourself going to school, developing a career, working hard and taking the steps to arrive at the destination. If you want love, love the process. Love the dating process . Love yourself and the journey to find love.\nMake all your dreams include the beginning, middle and end. Then when you are doing the action instead of thinking to yourself, \"This is a drag. I don't like working out,\" or if you are having any negative thoughts about doing the work it takes to create your visions , realize then that every step of the way you are living your dream. You are living your dream because you made the action and journey part of your dream.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the writer, most of the people  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["pay more attention to developing their dreams", "enjoy the process of their dreams", "are always ignoring the process of living their dreams", "probably dream of making much more money easily"]}, {"question": "In order to live our dreams, we must  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["struggle with dreams day and night.", "have great wishes and thoughts.", "have magical forces every night.", "take action or steps."]}, {"question": "If you want to keep fit,  _", "answer": "C", "options": ["you'd better dream a sweet dream first.", "you must love the process of the journey.", "you would rather begin with your diet and exercise.", "you should have a good beginning first."]}]}
{"article": "An American research company shows that $248.7 billion online sales are expected by 2014. It seems as if we can't get enough of spending money through countless online clicks today. Following are some of the incredible things that you can buy online!\n1) Parents\n51-year-old Michael Amatrudo from Connecticut put a posting on Craig list in 2009 to sell his elderly parents, asking for $155 in return.\n2) Chewing Gum\nBidding for Britney Spears' chewing gum reached $14,000 in 2004. The pop star's half-eaten sandwich also went for over $500.\n3) Kidney Stone\nStar Trek actor William Shatner sold his kidney stone for $20,000 when he put it up for sale online to see how much a piece of him was worth. He ended up giving the money to charity.\n4) An Imaginary Friend\nThis imaginary guy went (or might still be going) by the name of Jon Malipieman and was sold on eBay for $3,000 by a man who claimed:\n\"My imaginary friend Jon Malipieman is getting too old for me now. I am now 27 and I feel I am growing out of him. He is very friendly. Along with him, I will send you what he likes and dislikes, his favorite things to do and his personal self portrait.\"\n5) Souls\nThe website demonical.com is probably the creepiest site I have ever visited. You can sell your own soul or buy the souls of people such as Fidel Castro and Woody Allen (both selling for $950). Bill Gate, whoever that is, has his soul for sale at $1,300 while Michael Jacobsen's soul is being sold for $3000.\n6) A Rock That Looks Like Meat\nThe screen shot from eBay tells us that people are bidding over $1 million for this \"naturally formed bbq pork rock\". Absolute madness.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the author's purpose for writing the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To introduce some unbelievable things online.", "To call on customers to resist the products.", "To attract readers to visit the related websites.", "To encourage readers to buy the things online."]}, {"question": "Which is probably sold at the highest price according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Chewing Gum.", "Kidney Stone.", "An Imaginary Friend.", "A Rock That Looks Like Meat."]}, {"question": "According to the text,   _   is most likely to have starred in a film.", "answer": "B", "options": ["Britney Spears", "William Shatner", "Jon Malipieman", "Fidel Castro"]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Michael Amatrudo charged a high price for selling his elderly parents.", "William Shatner sold the kidney stone so as to donate the money to charity.", "Jon Malipieman was sold because he was not wanted any longer.", "The soul of Michael Jacobsen is worth more than that of Woody Allen."]}]}
{"article": "A long road leads through the woods to Don Robinson's unfinished house. Wearing dirty sneakers and a shirt with holes, Don Robinson is an 81-year-old Missouri businessman. Although he's rich, he didn't use his money to buy himself a grand home. Instead, he used it to buy wild land.\nRobinson has decided to donate 843 acres of his own personal _ to the Department of Natural Resources after his death, which can then be used to create a new state park. His generous donation is the same size as New York City's Central Park. It is said that it's the largest land donation to happen in the last 25 years.\nHow did he come up with this idea? For Robinson, the idea of donation came from his respect for the land and the environment. He doesn't have children to pass it onto. He hoped that someone would make full use of it, or the land would probably turn into wasteland. A green park filled with trees can at least help deal with global warming, in addition to producing fresh air.\nRobinson has lived here in a small wooden house since 1964.One room holds his bed, a few chairs and a desk. He said he didn't care how much his donation was worth. Tom Pounders who used to work for Robinson said, \"He doesn't think material objects are important.\" He also recalled that Robinson once repaired a broken tennis shoe with a spare tire.\nRobinson has just one request for the new park that will be established after his death. He'd like it to be named the Don Robinson State Park. \"There's a lot of Robinsons, but only one me. It would be nice if people remembered to use my full name when walking through the park,\" he said.", "problems": [{"question": "Don Robinson has decided to donate   _   to the Department of Natural Resources after his death.", "answer": "C", "options": ["a green park", "a big wooden house", "843 acres of land", "all his money"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements about is TRUE?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Don Robinson paid much attention to how much his donation was worth.", "New   York City's  Central Park was built with Don Robinson's help.", "Don Robinson had many children and lived with them.", "The idea of donation came from Robinson's respect for the land and the environment."]}]}
{"article": "Pingviman Hotel\nOffering an outdoor pool, Pingviman Hotel offers Thai-style rooms in Chiang Mai. Free WiFi is available through-out and a complimentary service takes guests to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. All rooms are equipped with a 48-inch flat-screen cable TV and DVD player.\nFacilities at this hotel include a business center, a fitness center and laundry services. There is also a tour desk and meeting facilities. \nWe speak your language!\nHotel Rooms:35\nArt Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel\nSituated in Chiang Mai's trendiest area, Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel Chiang Mai by Compass Hospitality boasts accommodation in a boutique hotel well-decorated with art works from the renowned local Thai artists. Free WiFi is offered all throughout the property.\nAt Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel, guests will find an outdoor pool, a fitness center and massage services. There is also a modern art collection for sale at the lobby area.\nHotel Rooms:79\nAt Chiang Mai\nAt Chiang Mai is a 2-minute walk from Sunday Walking Street. It offers rooms with a bathtub and free WiFi. Guests can relax by the pool or arrange sightseeing trips at the tour desk.\nStaff at the 24-hour front desk can help guests arrange shuttle service and laundry. A selection of international newspapers and board games is available for guests to enjoy.\nHome-style Thai and European dishes are served at the restaurant from 07:00 to 23:00 hrs.\nWe speak your language!\nHotel Rooms:37\nDe Chai The Colonial Hotel\nStylish colonial design is the trademark   of De Chai Hotel, with its indoor pool and free WiFi. Located along Thapae Road, it is a 5-minute walk from the Sunday Walking Street.\nFully air-conditioned and extra spacious, rooms at De Chai are equipped with 37-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD players and iPod docks. Beautiful city views can be enjoyed through the clear floor-to-ceiling windows. Free WiFi is available in all areas.\nChang Khlan is a great choice for travelers interested in shopping, night markers and markets.\nWe speak your language!\nHotel Rooms: 40", "problems": [{"question": "What's the similarity among the four hotels?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They all have an outdoor pool.", "They all equip the hotel rooms with cable TVs.", "They all have a center for fitness.", "They all provide free WiFi service."]}, {"question": "In which hotels can guests book a trip more conveniently?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Pingviman Hotel and De Chai Hotel.", "Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel and At Chiang Mai.", "Pingviman Hotel and At Chiang Mai.", "Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel and De Chai Hotel."]}, {"question": "What can be infer from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The bus of Pingviman Hotel can take guests to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.", "There are two hotels not far away from the Sunday Walking Street.", "Guests living in the De Chai Hotel can enjoy the beautiful city views.", "Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel sells artworks from local Thai artists."]}, {"question": "What can't guests do in the hotel according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Have meals at the restaurant of At Chiang Mai 24 hours.", "Have their clothes washed in At Chiang Mai.", "Have a meeting in Pingviman Hotel.", "Do massage in Art mai Gallery Nimman Hotel."]}]}
{"article": "Climate change has been blamed for killer hurricanes, sea level rise, and drought, but a new report suggests the effects of climate change might hit the world's coffee supply. Up to 70 percent of the world's coffee supply could be threatened over the next 66 years, according to a new study by researchers at England's Royal Botanic Gardens.\nNearly 100 percent of the world's Arabica coffee growing regions could become unsuitable for the plant by 2080, according to the study. Beans from Arabica coffee plants account for about 70 percent of the world's coffee, but the plant also has to be grown under strict weather conditions: they grow well at temperatures between 64 and 70 degrees Celsius, and are highly influenced by frost or temperatures higher than 73 degrees Celsius.\nWith temperatures estimated to increase by between 1.8 and 4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, the fragile plant might become increasingly expensive and difficult to grow, especially in places such as Ethiopia and Kenya. In that worst case, nearly all of the world's native Arabica coffee would die out. Under more conservative estimates, about 65 percent of the regions used to grow the coffee would become unsuitable for it The evidence from coffee farmers and coffee growing regions around the world is that they are already suffering from the influences of increased warming.\nSome farmers would likely be able to move their operations to other areas or would be able to overcome climate change with artificial cooling techniques, but wild Arabica is generally considered to be much more suitable for making high-quality coffee.\nIf Arabica becomes impossible to raise in its native areas, it could do serious damage to the economies of the mainly third-world countries in which it grows. Coffee is the world's most popular drink and is the second most-traded product in the world, behind oil.", "problems": [{"question": "What does the passage mainly talk about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Climate change affects people in many ways.", "More and more attention has been paid to climate change.", "The world's coffee supply could be threatened by climate change.", "The' growing conditions of Arabica coffee have been improved recently."]}, {"question": "In order to solve the problem of Arabica, coffee plants, some farmers_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["would make efforts to produce high-quality coffee.", "would bring in artificial cooling techniques.", "would tend to move to some warm places.", "would grow more wild Arabica."]}, {"question": "What is the result if Arabica coffee has less production?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Coffee will replace oil to be the first most-traded commodity.", "Coffee is likely to become less popular than before.", "Some countries will suffer great economic losses.", "Farmers will plant other crops instead of coffee."]}]}
{"article": "At an airport I overheard  a father and a daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure. Standing near the door, he said to his daughter: \"I love you. I wish you enough.\"\n    \"Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough too, Daddy.\" They kissed goodbye and she left.\n    He walked over toward the window where I was seated. I tried not to  _ his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking:\n\"Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?\"\n\"Yes, I have,\" I replied.\n\"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?\" I asked.\n\"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral. \"\n\"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you, enough'. May I ask what that means?\"\nHe began to smile. \" That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.\" He paused for a moment looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. \"When we said 'I wish you enough', we wanted the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them,\" he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory. \nI wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough \"hellos\" to get you through the final \"goodbye\".", "problems": [{"question": "The old man's attitude towards life is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["unusual", "negative", "optimistic", "pessimistic"]}, {"question": "The author began his talk with the old man  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["when he stood by the window", "because the old man wanted to", "because he was interested in how to say to say goodbye", "when he sat around thinking about saying goodbye."]}, {"question": "From the passage we know that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the young man is a writer", "the talk between the two men is common", "the daughter lives far away from her daddy", "the young man is interested in the old man"]}, {"question": "What's the most probable title of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["a talk between two men", "an interview", "your attitude to your life", "I wish you enough"]}]}
{"article": "People want action on noise, a recent public meeting in Brisbane showed.Some want technical improvements such as quieter air conditioners or better sound barriers around major roads.Others want tougher laws to restrict noise from building sites or to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs.But the highest priority was a noise complaints system that works.\nBrisbane City Council receives more complaints about noise than all other problems put together.So it conducted a survey and found that about half its residents are upset by noise in one form or another -traffic, mowers, pool pumps, air conditioners or loud parties.This inspired the Council to bring together more than 100 citizens one evening to talk through a range of options.\nThe meeting found the present regulatory system bizarre.Depending on the problem, responsibility for noise can lie with the Council, the Environment Protection Authority, one of three government departments or even the police.So complainants often feel they are getting the run-round.When the people at the forum were asked to vote for changes, the strongest response was for a 24-hour noise hotline to be the first part of call for all complaints.\nThe forum also favored regulatory measures, such as tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances like air conditioners.This even makes economic sense, as noise is a waste of energy and money.Other measures the meeting supported were wider buffer   zones around noisy activities and controls to keep heavy traffic away from residential areas.\nBut there are obvious conflicts.Many people like to have a bar within walking distance if they feel like a drink, but they don't want a noisy pub keeping them awake when they want an early night.Most people want to live near a major road providing good access to other parts of the city, but they don't' want the problem of road noise.\nI was most interested by the proposals aimed at behavioral change.There was strong support for measures to reduce traffic: better public transport, cycle ways and footpaths, even charges for road use.Many people optimistically thought industry awards for better equipment would stimulate the production of quieter appliances.It was even suggested that noise from building sites could be alleviated   if Brisbane adopted daylight saving, thus shifting the working day and providing longer, quieter evenings.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the recent public meeting in Brisbane, what was the first step to take in order to reduce noise pollution?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Produce quieter air conditioners.", "Provide better sound barriers around major roads.", "Establish a noise complaints system.", "Make stricter laws to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs."]}, {"question": "It can be inferred from the passage that    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the Brisbane residents were satisfied with the present noise regulatory system", "many people in Brisbane preferred to live near a pub to which they have easy access", "nearly all the inhabitants in Brisbane were bothered by noise in one form or another", "noise pollution is the most serious among pollution complaints in Brisbane"]}, {"question": "What does the word \"run-round\" (Para.3) mean?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Unfair treatment.", "Quick response.", "Delaying action in response to a request.", "Full attention."]}, {"question": "How could noise from building sites be alleviated if Brisbane adopted daylight saving?", "answer": "B", "options": ["If daylight saving was adopted, the daytime would be prolonged and the night would become quieter.", "If daylight saving was adopted, the working hours during the daytime would be shortened while the night would be extended and thus quieter.", "If daylight saving was adopted, the night would be shortened and thus quieter.", "If daylight saving was adopted, both the daytime and the night would be shortened and the noise would be reduced."]}, {"question": "What was the author's attitude towards the industry awards for quieter equipment?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Suspicious.", "Positive.", "Enthusiastic.", "Indifferent."]}]}
{"article": "Every day is a gift, and if you look forward to spending each day with happiness, wake up every morning with a positive attitude and enjoy a beautiful day!\nSet up a daily plan for yourself and ensure that you reserve enough time for your homework. Also, don't forget to spare some time for play! Stop being lazy and start participating in your life instead of just watching it pass by. Try to do something fun and constructive every day. _ , write something interesting in your diary, try a new hobby, spend time with your friends, or just watch your favorite show on television, and you will see how every moment of your day unfolds. You'll achieve better results, and ultimately greater success.\nHowever, every day will not be the way you want it to be. Some days will be good, while some will be bad. You won't be always happy and smiling. You may come across many challenges. Don't forget to remind yourself to slow down and take care of yourself. In today's busy lifestyle, it is necessary to relax to bring balance and joy back into your life. So, take charge of your life. Enjoy and appreciate the small things around you. Do a good deed and make others happy. Sometimes, doing something as simple as having a cup of tea with an old friend or a family member, listening to a cheerful song, or just writing down all the things that make you happy could indeed turn your day around!\nReview and analyze your day before you retire at night. Reward yourself for completing the set goals and prepare the stage for the next day. This will impact your sleep and overall happiness levels. Plan for the next day, take a good rest, and wake up fresh the next morning!\nIf you will you are doing the same things every day, step out of your comfort zone and set aside some time to do things you have never done before. Stretch your limits. Not only will it make a boring day exciting but it will also build your confidence.", "problems": [{"question": "Who are the intended readers of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Teachers", "Students", "Workers", "People in general"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Planning your schedule for the next day the night before.", "Getting into the habit of self-praising with goals achieved.", "Rising early to get ready for your day with positive energy.", "Trying something new to learn from it to stretch your limits."]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How to make the most of your day", "How to lead a happy and satisfying life", "Act now without delay to change your life", "Spare time to focus on daily responsibilities"]}]}
{"article": "Researchers in the psychology department at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have discovered a major difference in the way men and women respond to stress. This difference may explain why men are more likely to suffer from stress-related disorders.\nUntil now, psychological research has maintained that both men and women have the same \"fight-or-flight\" reaction to stress. In other words, individuals either react with aggressive behavior, such as verbal or physical conflict (\"fight\"), or they react by withdrawing from the stressful situation (\"flight\"). However, the UCLA research team found that men and women have quite different biological and behavioral responses to stress. While men often react to stress in the fight-or-flight response, women often have another kind of reaction which could be called \"tend and befriend.\" That is, they often react to stressful conditions by protecting and nurturing their young (\"tend\"), and by looking for social contact and support from others - especially other females ('befriend\").\nScientists have long known that in the fight-or- flight reaction to stress, an important role is played by certain hormones  released by the body. The UCLA research team suggests that the female tend-or-befriend response is also based on a hormone. This hormone, called oxytocin, has been studied in the context of childbirth, but now it is being studied for its role in the response of both men and women to stress. The principal investigator, Dr. Shelley E. Taylor, explained that \"animals and people with high levels of oxytocin are calmer, more relaxed, more  social, and less anxious.\" While men also secrete oxytocin, its effects are reduced by male hormones.\nIn terms of everyday behavior, the UCLA study found that women are far more likely than men to seek social contact when they are feeling stressed. They may phone relatives or friends, or ask directions if they are lost.\nThe study also showed how fathers and mothers responded differently when they came home to their family after a stressful day at work. The typical father wanted to be left alone to enjoy some peace and quiet. For a typical mother, coping with a bad day at work meant focusing her attention on her children and their needs.\nThe differences in responding to stress may explain the fact that women have lower frequency of stress-related disorders such as high blood pressure or aggressive behavior. The tend-and-befriend regulatory  system may protect women against stress, and this may explain why women on average live longer than men.", "problems": [{"question": "The UCLA study shows that in response to stress, men are more likely than women to   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["turn to friends for help", "solve a conflict calmly", "find an escape from reality", "seek comfort from children"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true about oxytocin according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Men have the same level of oxytocin as women do.", "Oxytocin used to be studied in both men and women.", "Both animals and people have high levels of oxytocin.", "Oxytocin has more of an effect on women than on men."]}, {"question": "What can be learned from the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Male hormones help build up the body's resistance to stress.", "In a family a mother cares more about children than a father does.", "Biological differences lead to different behavioral responses to stress.", "The UCLA study was designed to confirm previous research findings."]}, {"question": "Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["How men and women get over stress", "How men and women suffer from stress", "How researchers overcome stress problems", "How researchers handle stress-related disorders"]}]}
{"article": "When you were a child you had a pure mind which was free from worries and anxieties. However, as time goes by, you're faced with so many problems in life. Below are five techniques that can help you get relaxed.\n1. Mind your own business.\nYes, please mind your own business. When you start being concerned about things which are not related to you, you lose your control on your thought process, which often has negative results disturbing the mental peace. Basically, your mind starts wandering here and there. So next time an unnecessary thought comes to your mind, think whether this is really something you should be worrying for? If not, keep it away and focus on something positive, practical and fruitful.\n2. Surround yourself with positive people.\n _ negative comments and stay away from negative souls. When someone is negative, he spreads negativity and you get affected. Staying with such people will have long term influence on your character so think about your company.\n3. Don't think about others too much.\nRemember: _ Don't allow your brain to compare yourself to others as this is an insult   to yourself. Don't be jealous; it's a heart killing disease, get rid of it as soon as possible. When you are jealous you focus on finding faults in others even if they don't have. This poisons your soul and steals the mental peace.\n4. You can't keep everyone happy.\nDon't be oversensitive  . Be natural in what you do. Be positive and constructive in your deeds and then don't really care too much about others. Be aware, don't apply this to too closed relations. Develop trust to build up powerful relationships.\n5. Don't believe yourself to be unlucky.\nRemember this: Bad luck happens to everyone. It's not your fault at all. Time, whether good or bad, passes quickly. Develop the power of not looking back into your past. Believe in the power of Now. Believe in your skills. Work hard and you will get what you have been entitled for. Be patient and see what has been planned for you.\nWith these recommendations, I believe if you can make it, it's probable that you can bring changes in your lifestyle and get back your mental peace.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage is written for those who want to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["seek learning skills", "find positive people as friends", "make their mind pure", "get mentally peaceful and relaxed"]}, {"question": "Which of the following should NOT be done according to the five techniques?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Stay with positive people.", "Care about the business of strangers.", "Be sincere with others and never care too much about them.", "Believe in the magic power of what the present can bring you."]}]}
{"article": "Thomas Brodie-Sangster's cars and action figures weren't just toys. \"They would always be characters, and I would always put on stupid voices,\" says Thomas (Born on 16 May 1990). For him, acting was just a matter of moving childhood games to a set.\nMaturity and independence came to Thomas early as he started work at ten. After his first audition  , he learned about _ . Though hurt and disappointed, he took a part in a tiny, unknown TV film in 2001. No one noticed his performance - no one except screenwriter Richard Curtis. Two years later, he played Sam, a twelve-year-old in love in Curtis's Love Actually. After that hit film, he played actor Colin Firth's son in Nanny McPhee. Firth then joined a film called The Last Legion and supported Thomas for its lead role. As a result, the boy played Rome's final ruler in the action-adventure.\nAt about 16, Thomas had to make a decision. Did he really want to devote his life to acting? Many people in the public \"aren't letting you be you because they see you as something special\", he says. Also, friendship made during filming was often broken soon after the project finished. Despite these things, he found enough joy and satisfaction in the work to continue. Actually, Thomas seems to find joy in difficulty itself. He played 10-year-old Adolf Hitler in a TV movie and a teenage Paul McCartney in Nowhere Boy. The subject of his film Death of a Superhero made it his most challenging film. Still, he found a positive message in its story of a schoolboy with cancer.\nThomas now enjoys roles in Game of Thrones and the upcoming Maze Runner films. Popular as those projects may be, most still recognize him as Sam in Love Actually. Sam seems to run after Thomas, just as he ran through Heathrow airport to his sweetheart.", "problems": [{"question": "Thomas Brodie-Sangster reached maturity early probably because of   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["his failure in the first audition", "his starting acting as early as ten", "his being supported by adult actors", "his acting in a tiny unknown TV film"]}, {"question": "What can be considered as one of the negative aspects of acting according to Thomas?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Pressure from the public.", "Long-term working friendship.", "Finding joy in difficulty itself.", "Reading scripts and memorizing lines."]}, {"question": "Thomas played the lead role in   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Love Actually", "Games of Thrones", "The Last Region", "Nanny McPhee"]}]}
{"article": "\"For those who haven't been to Tibet is a dream; for those who have already been there, Tibet is a memory.\" said Li Wan, a graduate from Zhongshan University. \"For me, living there is my dream and happiness.\"\nLi was suddenly crazy about Tibet after working there for three months as an office clerk. Since 2008, Li has spent most of her time travelling in Tibet. Four years have passed and she has been almost every corner of Tibet.\nLi came to Tibet firstly because of her desire for personal freedom. She entered Tibet along the Yunnan-Tibetan road, enjoying the special view happily. She was surprised to find that it is a white paradise  on earth. Although she couldn't even speak a word of Tibetan language, she had no difficulty in communicating with natives. \"To me, they are free, generous, simple and happy. It appears to me that people should live in this way, singing while working, dancing while living.\" Li said. \nLi Wan's dream is to live in Tibet for a long time. She has learnt to make good use of every penny and keep her cost of living within 300 yuan a month. Li has shown great courage in the adventures . On many situations she travelled alone in some places in terrible climate. To her greatest surprise, she learned to value life and to follow her own heart.\n\"I felt very close to death many times when I was in extreme coldness and quietness, running out of energy. After having survived the difficulties, I find more beauty in my life. I have learned to insist on my dream,\" she said.", "problems": [{"question": "This passage mainly talks about   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the challenges Li Wan met in Tibet", "the travel of Li Wan made in Tibet", "the people Li Wan communicated with in Tibet", "the route of Li Wan planned in Tibet"]}, {"question": "During the adventures in Tibet, what Li Wan learned most is   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["to enjoy the beauty of nature", "to get along well with natives", "to follow her heart to live her life", "to set down journals about travel"]}, {"question": "According to the last two passages, we can see Li Wan is a   _   person.", "answer": "A", "options": ["determined", "simple", "proud", "pretty"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Li Wan felt it hard to communicate with natives because of their special culture.", "Li Wan couldn't live in Tibet well because she had little money to travel.", "Li Wan survived many difficulties but she still insisted on her dream.", "Li Wan fell in love with Tibet after she made tours there."]}]}
{"article": "Global warming is causing more than 300,000 deaths and about $125 billion in economic losses each year, according to a report by the Global Humanitarian Forum, an organization led by Annan, the former United Nations secretary general.\nThe report, to be released Friday, analyzed data and existing studies of health, disaster, population and economic trends. It found that human-influenced climate change was raising the global death rates from illnesses including malnutrition   and heat-related health problems.\nBut even before its release, the report drew criticism from some experts on climate and risk, who questioned its methods and conclusions.\nAlong with the deaths, the report said that the lives of 325 million people, primarily in poor countries, were being seriously affected by climate change. It projected that the number would double by 2030.\nRoger Pielke Jr., a political scientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, who studies disaster trends, said the Forum's report was \"a methodological embarrassment\" because there was no way to distinguish deaths or economic losses related to human-driven global warming amid the much larger losses resulting from the growth in populations and economic development in vulnerable   regions. Dr. Pielke said that \"climate change is an important problem requiring our utmost   attention.\" But the report, he said, \"will harm the cause for action on both climate change and disasters because it is so deeply flawed  .\"\nHowever, Soren Andreasen, a social scientist at Dalberg Global Development Partners who supervised the writing of the report, defended it, saying that it was clear that the numbers were rough estimates. He said the report was aimed at world leaders, who will meet in Copenhagen in December to negotiate a new international climate treaty.\nIn a press release describing the report, Mr. Annan stressed the need for the negotiations to focus on increasing the flow of money from rich to poor regions to help reduce their vulnerability  to climate hazards while still curbing   the emissions of the heat-trapping gases. More than 90% of the human and economic losses from climate change are occurring in poor countries, according to the report.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the finding of the Global Humanitarian Forum?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Global temperatures affect the rate of economic development.", "Rates of death from illnesses have risen due to global warming.", "Malnutrition has caused serious health problems in poor countries.", "Economic trends have to do with population and natural disasters."]}, {"question": "What do we learn about the Forum's report from the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It was challenged by some climate and risk experts.", "It aroused a lot of interest in the scientific circles.", "It was warmly received by environmentalists.", "It caused a big stir in developing countries."]}, {"question": "What does Dr. Pielke say about the Forum's report?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Its statistics look embarrassing.", "It is invalid in terms of methodology.", "It deserves our closest attention.", "Its conclusion is purposely exaggerated."]}, {"question": "What is Soren Andreasen's view of the report?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Its conclusions are based on carefully collected data.", "It is vulnerable to criticism if the statistics are closely examined.", "It will give rise to heated discussions at the Copenhagen conference.", "Its rough estimates are meant to draw the attention of world leaders."]}, {"question": "What does Kofi Annan say should be the focus of the Copenhagen conference?", "answer": "D", "options": ["How rich and poor regions can share responsibility in curbing global warming.", "How human and economic losses from climate change can be reduced.", "How emissions of heat-trapping gases can be reduced on a global scale.", "How rich countries can better help poor regions reduce climate hazards."]}]}
{"article": "This Monday,the nation will start to celebrate Presidents' Day,just seven days before George Washington's birthday.Everyone agrees that day is a holiday,but is it just to celebrate George Washington's Birthday? What about Abraham Lincoln? Some government offices call it Presidents' Day.Others say the holiday is officially Washington's Birthday.Confused yet?\nGeorge Washington was elected the country's first President on April 30,1789.Soon after,Americans began publicly celebrating his birthday.Presidential historians say the actual date of George Washington's birth is February 11,1732.But a change in the calendar system 20 years later shifted all dates,making Washington's birthday February 22,which is now well accepted.In 1879.Congress made Washington's birthday an official federal holiday.It was the first federal holiday to celebrate an individual's birthday.In 1968,Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act,which moved the holiday to the third Monday in February.The new law did not change the holiday's name.It was still called Washington's Birthday,even though some lawmakers wanted to call it Presidents' Day to include Abraham Lincoln,whose actual birthday is February 12.\nMany people argue that the holiday should celebrate all past Presidents.They feel Lincoln should be honored for his role in preserving the nation during the Civil War and helping to free slaves.Others feel the holiday should only honor Washington.the country's first President.They say shifting the focus away from Washington would mean future generations of kids would not know about the Father of Our Country.\nLaws have been introduced in Congress over the years to require use of the term \"George Washington's Birthday.\"but none of those laws have been passed.Meanwhile,many state governments and school districts now use the term \"Presidents' Day.\"Many stoles also use it to promote holiday sales.\nShould the holiday honor Washington,Washington and Lincoln,or all past Presidents? Write to emailbag@timeforkids.com and tell us what you think.", "problems": [{"question": "The President's Day was originally designed to honor  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["George Washington", "Abraham Lincoln", "all presidents", "the Civil War"]}, {"question": "What can we infer from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Washington's Birthday is the same as Lincoln's.", "The change in the calendar system was not wise.", "The new act changed the holiday's name.", "This Monday is the third one of this February."]}, {"question": "What's the main argument about this holiday?", "answer": "C", "options": ["When to celebrate the holiday.", "How to celebrate the holiday.", "Which president to honor.", "Where to celebrate the holiday."]}, {"question": "What's the best title for this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Why people celebrate President Day.", "The history and debate behind Presidents' Day", "To celebrate Presidents' Day or not", "Colorful activities on Presidents' Day"]}]}
{"article": "How can you build more word-of-mouth advertising  ? In other words, why would your customers want to talk to their friends about their experience of doing business with you?\nWhen you perform your service or deliver your product competently  ,  you are just doing what the customer expects. In order to increase the number of the customers who want to share their good experience with their friends, you must make your service impressive, going beyond what is expected.\nRecently my daughter Dawn and I had lunch with my team members at the Campbell House. The food and service were truly excellent. My daughter asked for her leftovers   to be packed. They were returned to her in aluminum foil   shaped like a swan . Guess what she talked about when she got home? How much more do you think it cost the Campbell House to produce that \"Wow!\" experience? Answer --not a cent!\nDisneyland should be an inspiration to us all in providing a \"Wow!\" experience. What do people talk to their friends about when they come home? \"You should have seen how clean that park was! With all of the people there, it's unbelievable! There's not even a gum wrapper on the ground!\" Walt Disney understood that cleanliness is marketing.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, customers would like to share their good experience with their friends if   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["what they need is provided on time", "the price of the service is low enough", "the service is better than they expected", "the after-sale service is good enough"]}, {"question": "How did Dawn feel the moment she saw her packed leftovers?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Disappointed and angry.", "Excited and crazy.", "Worried and unhappy.", "Surprised and pleased."]}, {"question": "By saying \"Answer -- not a cent!\" the author seems to believe that   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it is always possible to satisfy all of the customers", "sometimes it is easy to provide a good experience", "most customers are easy to do business with", "the service should be as cheap as possible"]}]}
{"article": "NEW YORK--Microsoft on Monday made another effort to challenge Apple's iPhone and Google's Android in the exploding smartphone market--launching a wireless operating system,Windows Phone 7.\nConsumers will consider it\"always delightful and thoroughly mine,\"Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said at a launch event. Ballmer said last year that Microsoft had\" _ \"with its Windows Mobile operating system.For example,it failed to keep up with touch-screen innovations that make iPhones and Android phones easy to use.\nMicrosoft fell from third to fourth place in market share this year,behind BlackBerry,iPhone and Android. Only 10.8% of smartphone owners used Microsoft's system in August,down from 18% last December.\nBut Windows Phone 7 is\"a total departure from anything they've done\".Microsoft says it sought to simplify common activities. For example,you can instantly take a picture with a phone's camera by pushing a button on the device. You don't have to first awaken it from its sleep mode and launch the camera application. You also can program the phones to automatically upload photos to Facebook or other social network sites in a couple of seconds. Users can easily work with Microsoft Office contact and calendar information as well as documents created in Microsoft's Word,Excel and PowerPoint.\nThe phones will not show videos built on Adobe's Flash platform,widely used by services including YouTube and Hulu.\nAT&T will offer the first Windows Phone 7 smartphone,the Samsung Focus,on Nov.8.Soon after,it will have the LG Quantum and HTC Surround. Each will cost S|  199.99 with a two-year service contract. T-Mobile will have two Windows Phone 7 models out for the holiday shopping season:the HTC HD7 and Dell Venue Pro. It did not say how much they'll cost.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following phones will NOT use Windows Phone 7 operating system?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Quantum.", "Surround.", "Android.", "Focus."]}, {"question": "Why did Microsoft see a drop in market share last year?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Because its operating system didn't catch up with changes.", "Because its phones can't show videos from YouTube.", "Because it was inconvenient to take photos using its phones.", "Because its system was based only on Microsoft soft wares."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Smartphone Market Welcomes New Giant", "Microsoft to Fight Back on Smartphone", "Mobile Phones Getting Smarter and Easier", "Microsoft Proved a Failure in Smartphone"]}]}
{"article": "Dr. Paul Kelly, head of Monkeseaton Community High School in North Tyneside, said it would mean the end of sleeping in lessons before lunch, after experiments showed teenagers could have different body clocks from adults and younger children.\nRussell Foster, an Oxford professor of neuroscience  , tested the memory of 200 Monkseaton pupils at 9 am and 2 pm using pairs of words, and discovered a 9% improvement in the afternoon. Students correctly identified 51% of word pairs in the latest session, compared with 42% in the morning. Tayler McCullough, 15, one of the test subjects, said the majority of students would welcome the extra hours in bed, \"I'm extremely hard to get up in the morning. One or two people like to get to school early, but most of us would be up for going in later. I'm sure it would make a big difference to our learning ability.\"\nKelly is  _ that a change of school timetable will have a meaningful effect on exam performance. He wants his school's governors to approve his plan and put the new time-table in place before the opening of Monkseaton's new timetable in place before the opening of Monkseaton's new school building, the most technologically advanced in the country, in September.\nKelly hopes his latest idea will be just as successful. \"We have to be practical. But this proves that, by starting later, children's learning improves, as does their health.\"\nFoster said, \"This is preliminary   data, but what's exciting is that it matches more detailed studies carried out in Canada and the US. Teenagers get up late not because they are lazy but because they are biologically programmed to do so.\"", "problems": [{"question": "How many professors are mentioned in the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["One", "Two", "Three", "Four"]}, {"question": "According to Russell Foster's research,   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the students tested had very good memories", "the students tested did better jobs in the afternoon", "42% of the students tested could do very good jobs", "51% of the students tested could master 9% of words"]}, {"question": "Foster's opinion on teenagers' getting up late is that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["teenagers are practical", "teenagers are lazy-bones", "it's based on their body development", "it's good for their learning and health"]}]}
{"article": "Italy is one country where beauty is prized more than any other virtue. That is, except in the small town of Piobbico, the self-declared World Capital of Ugly People. The road sign at the edge of the town even warns visitors that they are entering the ugly zone. People who consider themselves ugly have been gathering in Piobbico since the 1960s. That's when Ugly Club president Telesforo Lacobelli established a dating agency for women who believed they were too ugly to attract husbands. Lacobelli believes that he is ugly himself because he has a short nose in a country where long or large noses have always been considered beautiful.\nPeople from around the world travel to Piobbico to tell their sad stories of ugliness. During the annual Festival of the Ugly, which occurs on the first Sunday of every September, hundreds of people gather in Piobbico's town square to elect the president of the Ugly Club. Lacobelli wins the election every year. The Ugly Club has over 20, 000 members. They carry ID cards that grade their ugliness from bearable to extreme. A prize is awarded to Ugly Club members who qualify as extremely ugly.\nThe Ugly Club president insists that ugliness is a virtue. Since beautiful people get a lot of attention for their beauty alone, they have to work hard to prove their other virtues. Ugly people, on the other hand, are genuine and do not have to prove anything to anybody, according to Lacobelli.\nLacobelli is a spokesperson for ugly people everywhere. He believes that the uglier one is, the better life can be. Though the club enjoys making fun of beauty, especially beauty contests, Lacobelli has a serious side as well. He believes that too many people suffer from financial and emotional pressures because they don't meet society's standards of beauty. The fact that beautiful people are more successful in the workforce is a problem that Lacobelli has attempted to bring forward to the Italian public and government.", "problems": [{"question": "Piobbico is rather special in that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it is a very small town", "it is home to ugly people", "it receives no visitors", "it is the capital of Italy"]}, {"question": "Why is Lacobelli elected the president of the Ugly Club every year?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because he is the ugliest person in the whole world.", "Because his ugliness is always graded as bearable.", "Because he is a spokesperson for ugly people everywhere.", "Because he has won the members' trust and admiration."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Ugly people are most respected in Italy.", "The Festival of the Ugly is held every two years.", "Ugly people are unfairly treated in society.", "The uglier one is, the better life he or she lives."]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The Ugly Capital of the World", "The Ugliest Person of the World", "Festival of the Ugly", "Beauty Contests Should be Banned"]}]}
{"article": "Most people buy a lot of gifts just before Christmas. But some people think we buy too much. They have started a special day called Buy Nothing Day. They don't want anyone to go shopping on that day.\nBuy Nothing Day is November 29. It's 25 days before Christmas. It's after Thanksgiving Day and often the first day of Christmas shopping. At this time, we see ads in Newspapers and on TV telling us to \"buy, buy, buy!\"\nThe idea for Buy Nothing Day started in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now people all over the world celebrate Buy Nothing Day. In California, parents and children get together to read stories, sing songs, and paint pictures. The children talk about why they don't need a lot of toys. This year, in Manchester, England, people dressed up in costumes  to tell people that we buy too much.\nIn Albuquerque, New Mexico, high school students wanted to tell other students about Buy Nothing Day. They organized a spaghetti dinner to give people information about Buy Nothing Day. They asked restaurants in the neighborhood to donate  the food. They made posters and talked to other students about it. The dinner was a big success, and many students agreed not to buy anything on November 29. The students at high schools liked the idea of this new tradition. Next year, they want to have another dinner to tell more people about Buy Nothing Day!", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is NOT the day for people to celebrate Buy Nothing Day?", "answer": "D", "options": ["November 29.", "25 days before Christmas.", "After Thanksgiving.", "The first day after Christmas."]}, {"question": "People usually buy many gifts  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["before Thanksgiving", "on Christmas", "before Christmas", "anytime"]}, {"question": "How do people celebrate Buy Nothing Day?", "answer": "D", "options": ["In California, parents and children get together to play games.", "In England, people celebrate by performing plays.", "In Mexico, high school students dress up.", "They buy nothing and persuade others not to buy things."]}, {"question": "What did the students do in New Mexico for the day?", "answer": "B", "options": ["They donated the food of their own.", "They talked to others about it.", "They made some slogans  for it.", "They organized a luxurious  dinner."]}]}
{"article": "Teachers and textbooks  _ -- your future could be under threat from a quickly developing and very smart technology.\n     University of California researchers led by Jacob White hill recently programmed teaching robots to react to facial expression. Whitehill's achievement marked a major step forward in the way people could one day learn by establishing facial expression recognition in robot teachers.\n     The teaching robots or, Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) are computer systems that provide personalized instruction and feedback to students without human intervention. The facial expression recognition allows a computer to react according to expressions a user makes.\n     He said that the system was an important development in improving learning systems.\n\"Classical ITS typically have a somewhat rigid architecture of 'first I ask a questions then I wait for a responses then I talk some more; then I wait for another response.' Facial expression recognition, I believe, will allow the feedback from student to teacher to happen while the robot teacher is talking,\" Whitehill said.\n     Experts agree the latest developments in ITS open new possibilities for how people could learn. University of Memphis researcher, Dr Andrew Olney, who recently received a US$ I. 3 million grant to develop an ITS, said the key to future learning will be enabling interactive , one-on-one instruction.\n     \"The technology can benefit these more advanced learning scenarios ,\" he said.\n     Although robot teachers of varying abilities have existed for more than 30 years, ITS developments such as Whitehill's and Olney's are pushing beliefs that robots could soon be as effective as-- if not more effective than human teachers.\n     \"The ITS which have been developed are already better teachers than people who have no experience,\" Olney said.\n     So, what is the future for today's teachers, classrooms, and textbooks?", "problems": [{"question": "The newly teaching robots are more advanced because they have  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Jacob Whitehill as the designer", "a program reacting to facial expressions", "a system to help people learn", "a set of instruments to recognize your voice"]}, {"question": "Compared with classical ITS, developed ITS can", "answer": "C", "options": ["ask and answer questions in turns", "provide feedback to students in less time", "somewhat interact with the students", "make different facial expressions"]}, {"question": "According to the text, we can infer that", "answer": "D", "options": ["in the future, students will not need textbooks at all", "the developed ITS can answer any question students ask", "facial expression recognition in ITS has existed for a long time", "in the future teaching robots will possibly take the place of human teachers"]}, {"question": "The writer seems to   _  the newly-developed teaching robots.", "answer": "D", "options": ["throw doubt on", "object to", "take no interest in", "approve of"]}, {"question": "The author wrote the passage aiming to", "answer": "C", "options": ["warn teachers against robot teachers in advance", "explain how robot teachers in the future work", "introduce a newly developed teaching robot", "show his respect for the designers of the advanced ITS"]}]}
{"article": "\"Ten years ago I could never have imagined I'd be doing this,\"says Greg Pal,33,a former software executive. \"I mean ,this is essentially agriculture ,right? But the people I talk to, especially the ones coming out of business school , think this is the one hot area everyone wants to get into .\"\n    He means bugs. To be more accurate, the genetic  change of bugs---very, very small ones---so that when they feed on agricultural waste such as woodchip or wheat straw ,they do something extraordinary . They excrete   crude oil.\n   Unbelievably ,this is not science fiction .Mr. Pal holds up a small cup of bug excretion that could ,in theory ,be poured into the tank of the big Lexus SUX next to us .Not that Mr. Pal was willing to risk it just yet .He gives it a month before the first vehicle is filled up with what he calls \"renewable petroleum \".After that ,he smiles ,\"It's a brave new world.\"\n    Mr. Pal is a senior director of LS9,one of several companies in or near Silicon Valley.The company is not interested in using corn as material ,given the much-advertised problems created by using food crops for fuel .Instead ,different types of agricultural waste will be used according to whatever makes sense for the local climate and economy :wheat straw in California ,for example ,or woodchip in the south.\n    Are Americans ready to be putting genetically changed bug excretion in their cars? \"It's not the same as with food,\"Mr. Pal say .\"We are putting these bacteria in a very isolated container. Their entire universe is in that tank .When we've done with them .they are destroyed.\"\n   \" Besides \",he says ,\"there is greater good being served.\"\" I have two children, and climate change is something that they are going to face .The energy crisis is something that they are going to face .We have a collective responsibility to do this.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Greg Pal used to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["have great interest in bugs", "major in agriculture", "be engaged in developing software", "study in a business school"]}, {"question": "To make the bugs excrete crude oil, Greg Pal has to  _", "answer": "B", "options": ["keep them in an isolated tank", "change their genes first", "change their usual diet first", "kill them for bacteria"]}, {"question": "We can infer from the passage that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["it is a very complex process for bugs to produce oil", "it is not worthwhile for Mr. Pal to do the experiment", "it is safe to use the excretion produced by bugs", "it is necessary to use bugs to produce crude oil"]}, {"question": "What would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Bugs Eat Waste and Excrete Petrol", "Waste Turns into Crude Oil", "A Promising Business", "Software Executive Turned to Bugs"]}]}
{"article": "Dreams can be familiar and strange, fantastical or boring, but some dreams might be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill.\nIn the study,99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a compute, trying to get through a virtual maze .The maze was different place each time they tired--making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was.\nFor the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the participants stayed awake and an half were told to take a short nap .Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after sleep--and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams.\nStickgold, a neuroscientist ,wanted to know what people were dreaming about when their eyes weren't moving during sleep.\nFour of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working ; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these four people tried the computer maze again, they were able to find the tree faster than before their naps.\nStickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't  help a person learn--it's the other way around.He suspects that the dream was caused by the brain processes associated with learning.\nAll four of the people who dreamed about the task had done poorly the first time, which makes Stickgold wonder if the dreams show up when a person finds a new task particularly difficult. People who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement.", "problems": [{"question": "Before having a short nap, participants of the experiment were asked to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["stay in a different place in the maze", "design a virtual maze which is difficult to get through", "experience the experiment and try to remember something", "get through a virtual maze on a computer from the same place"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Participants who took a nap were required to express their thoughts.", "Some dreams may encourage people to invent something new.", "Participants who dreamed about films could finish the task more easily.", "Participants whose dreams had something to do with the maze could find the tree faster."]}, {"question": "According to Stickgold,  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["every person may dream about what they learned", "people's brain processes may still be connected with their learning in their dreams", "once people's eyes stop moving, they are sure to dream about something", "no matter how fantastical or boring, dreams are connected with people's life"]}, {"question": "What is the best title for this text?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Dreams Are Strange", "Not All Dreams Are True", "Dreaming Makes Perfect", "Stickgold, a Dream Expert"]}]}
{"article": "If you are ever planning to buy a telescope and want to get yourself involved in astronomy it is always a good idea to know a bit of the sky.Get acquainted with a few constellations  so that it will be easier for you to spot the constellations when you are using your telescope.\nIt's a good idea to buy a few magazines on astronomy to help you to get familiar with the constellations in the sky and also read a few reviews on the different types of telescopes in the market.This will help you gather all the information that is out there regarding telescopes and what people have to say about them.\nIt's advisable to go in for a pair of binoculars  before you buy your first telescope so that you can get used to spotting constellations before your view of the sky is narrowed down.This will also help you know if you really want to get involved in astronomy.Many people buy a costly telescope and then discover that they're not actually interested in astronomy.\nExperience has no substitute,and there certainly is nothing better than using different telescopes before you buy one.This will help you to get the feel of all the types of telescopes and you will know which one is easier for you to use.A large aperture  refractor  may give you an excellent image but you may not be able to keep a steady hand while using it resulting in a blurry image.\nThere are three types of telescopes that are available in the market.If you want a more elegant looking telescope you can always choose to buy a fine brass telescope.It's good to become acquainted with each type before going for the plunge of a first telescope.The first type of telescope is the refractor telescope,which uses lenses to gather light to a focus at the eye piece.The use of lenses helps the telescope have a superior image.A refracting telescope is not as portable as the other two types of telescopes and so you will have to buy one with a small aperture.\nThe second type of telescope is the Reflector.Made by Sir Isaac Newton,this telescope functions by focusing the light back at the front of the tube,which is where the eyepiece sits,by using parabolic  mirrors and another smaller mirror to deflect the light.There is no added color in the image caused by refraction of light since this telescope does not use lenses.These are the cheapest of all telescopes and are more portable than refractors.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the text,a telescope is intended to be bought for   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["getting experience", "watching stars", "studying the climate", "learning about a bit of the sky"]}, {"question": "Why does the author advise buying a pair of binoculars first?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The telescope is too expensive.", "The binoculars are easier to use.", "You may gain plenty of experience in astronomy.", "Your view will be narrow by using a pair of binoculars."]}, {"question": "What do we know about the refracting telescope?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It looks very elegant.", "It refracts light by an eye piece.", "It has clear images without any lenses.", "It is not convenient to take along for its size."]}]}
{"article": "If you have been joining in chat room conversations, or trading email with web pals   , you have become one of the millions who write in a peculiarly short form of English.\nAnd you've got a sense of humor about short forms like SOHF (=\" sense\" of humor failure) to describe Internet newcomers who don't understand you.\nAcross the globe, every night teenagers and their elders are \"talking online\", many of them all talking at the same time.\nIt's fast: try talking to six people at once.It's brief: three or four words per exchange.It takes wit, concentration, and quick fingers.\nAnd it requires tremendous linguistic economy  .There's neither time nor space for explanations.Why consume precious key-strokes   telling six friends you have to leave for a moment to take care of your little brother when BRB( =\" be\" right back) will do?\nWant to enter a conversation? Just type PMFJI (=\" pardon\" me for jumping in).\nInterested in whom you are talking to? Type A/S/L, the nearly universal request to know your pal's age, sex and location.You may get 15/M/NY as a response from your pal.\nIf something makes you laugh, say you are OTF (=\" on\" the floor), or LOL (=\" laughing\" out loud), or combing the two into ROTFL ( =\" rolling\" on the floor laughing) .\nAnd when it is time to get back to work or go to bed, you type GTG (=\" got\" to go) or TTYL (=\"talk\" to you later).\nPeople want to write as fast as possible, and they want to get their ideas across as quickly as they can.Capital letters are left in the dust, except when expressing emotion, as it takes, more time to hold down the \"shift\" key and capitals.Punctuation   is going, too.", "problems": [{"question": "Many people talk on the Internet    _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["by sending short emails", "by using a particular short form of English", "by using peculiar English words and expression", "in a funny way"]}, {"question": "In order to talk to several people at the same time on the Internet    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["you have to speak fast and fluently", "you should speak with wit and humor", "you have to express your ideas in a brief way", "one should pay much attention to the accuracy of words"]}, {"question": "If you get 17/F/NY as an answer to your A/S/L, it means   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the person on the other end is 17 from New York and he is fine", "you are talking to a girl who is 17 and lives in New York", "you are talking to 17 girls who are from New York", "the person who you are talking to is a 17-foot tall New York girl"]}, {"question": "To save time on the Internet,    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["some people leave their letters in the dustbin", "some people never use \"shift\" in their writing", "many people leave the capital and punctuation", "people seldom use capital letters or punctuation"]}]}
{"article": "Europe is now the biggest market for organic food in the world, having grown by 25 percent a year over the past 10 years. Denmark's agriculture minister is herself an organic farmer. The UK market for organic food grew by 55 percent in 2000, while the food market as a whole grew by only one percent. Yet only seven percent of British shoppers account for nearly 60 percent of organic sales. However popular the idea of organic farming may be, it is still an interest for only a few people.\nSo what makes the idea of organic farming popular? Organic farming means farming with natural materials, rather than with man-made fertilizers or pesticides . Organic farmers rely on many methods -- such as crop rotation   and the use of resistant varieties, because they are necessary for organic farmers to _ the shortage of man-made chemicals.\nOrganic farming is often supposed to be safer than traditional farming for the environment. Yet after a long research on organic farming worldwide for a number of years, science continues to be against this opinion. The House of Commons committee on agriculture stated that, even with complete research work, it would fail to find any scientific evidence to prove \"that any of claims made for organic farming is always true\".\nHowever, the talk about the benefits of organic farming is going on. This is partly because many people depend on their individual farm, the soil, the weather, and so on.", "problems": [{"question": "What can we know about organic farming?", "answer": "A", "options": ["It refers to farming with natural materials, instead of chemical fertilizers.", "It refers to farming with chemical fertilizers rather than natural fertilizers.", "It refers to farming with soil rather than any other thing.", "It refers to growing crops with man-made fertilizers and pesticides."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is TRUE, according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The UK's agriculture minister is an organic farmer.", "Organic farming is popular with young people.", "Farmers try every means to improve the organic sales system.", "Ninety-three percent of British shoppers don't buy organic products."]}]}
{"article": "Throughout life,change is the only thing that seems constant.Change has come to my 1ife many ways,in myself,and in my surroundings.At the same time,some things stay the same.This is when traditions are formed.I am often reminded of this by the photograph that sits by my bed.\nIt all began with a kiss on my very first day of school.I remember dancing around the mirror,watching as my dark blue dress created a teacup around my waist.I admired the little ruffle of my shirt collar and how it matched perfectly with the trim at the bottom of my dress.I knew I would be the envy of all my classmates.\n    But somehow,something was missing.I reached under my bed for the large box of bows ,in every color1 imaginable,that I was famous for.I picked out a white one that would match my shirt and carefully ran to my mom.She fastened the finishing touch to my short brown hair and I was ready for my very first day of school.\n    After admiring myself in the mirror,I heard my mom yell,\"picture time!\" I dashed downstairs where my mum led to the spot.I  ly loved getting my picture taken.\nAfter several individual shots and some with my older sister,Katherine,my dad came for a picture with us together.As I climbed onto my dad's lap,he wrapped his arms around Katherine and me and we both leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.At that moment,mum snapped the shot and our tradition began.\nFrom them on,every year when the first day of school rolled around,we continued our tradition of pictures in the yard.The picture grew with my family;when my two younger sisters began school,our tradition expanded from 15 minutes to 45.The mass chaos was directed by my mom when my dad was already off to work or away on a business trip.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the author's family tradition?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Photographs must be put in bedroom.", "Taking family pictures on a child's first day of school.", "Dad always drove children to their school.", "Each girl of the family has a large box of bows."]}, {"question": "Why did the author look for bows according to Paras 2 and 3 ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because her mother liked bows very much.", "Because she was famous for making bows.", "Because her favorite bow was missing.", "Because she wanted to look perfect."]}, {"question": "How did the author feel when she dressed herself up?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Disappointed", "Excited", "Nervous", "Embarrassed"]}, {"question": "What's the author's purpose of writing such a passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To prove change is the only thing that seems constant.", "To show what a skilled photographer her mother was.", "To recall a family tradition on their first day of school.", "To display her beautiful look on the first day of school."]}]}
{"article": "Boxing was long viewed sickly. Generally forbidden by law in earlier days, the fighting was usually done with bare fists, and matches often lasted forty or fifty rounds.\nIn 1882 John L. Sullivan, a fighter of great power, won the world heavyweight championship from Paddy Ryan in a bare fisted battle marked by hitting, scratching, and biting without any rule. Five years later, while fighting Patsy Cardiff at Minneapolis, Sullivan broke his right arm in the third round, but he continued fighting to the sixth round and won. In 1889, Sullivan defeated Jade Kilrain with his bare fists in another championship fight, winning twenty thousand dollars and a diamond prize medal. His admirers talked then of running him for the next governor, but he traveled to Australia for a boxing tour instead, coming back only to lose his title in a twenty-one-round match with a young Californian named James J. Corbett.\n\"Gentleman James\" victory in this match marked a turning point, for it showed scientific boxing was over strength. But Corbett's title ended in 1897, when another boxer, Bob Fitzsimmons, in less than three seconds, achieved his feats and then Fitzsimmons knocked out an Irishman, won the heavyweight championship of the world, and invented the terrible \"solar plexus punch.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Boxing matches in the early days were   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["short and bloody", "usually spare-time competitions", "governed by strict rules", "cruel"]}, {"question": "Sullivan held the world's heavyweight title for   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["at least seven years", "only a year", "five years", "twenty-one years"]}, {"question": "Sullivan's fight with Kilrain was   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the first boxing championship match", "a bare-fisted championship fight", "the last boxing match to be fought bare-fisted", "a six-round match"]}, {"question": "Sullivan was so popular that his admirers   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["encouraged him to be a governor", "raised twenty thousand dollars for him", "advised him to take boxing tour of Australia", "refused to believe he could be defeated"]}]}
{"article": "Nigel received a reward for his excellence in study. It began when he was selected to help the teachers in the computer laboratories.\nThe peak of his school career came not when he topped the school but when he was selected for the nationwide competition. Unlike everyone else, Nigel wanted to join the contest because he liked making something out of the Lego sets. Nigel spent the next two months rebuilding the robot. It was during the time that Nigel found out about the prizes for the competition as well as another competitor, Alicia, from a neighboring school. His early intentions were forgotten. Getting the thousand-dollar prize was more important than anything else. Nigel decided to befriend Alicia. Unaware of his intentions, she told him all about the robot that she had been building for the competition. He even helped her to put the finishing branches to her robot. He was glad with the way things had progressed. His robot was able to become a ball with its arms, which Alicia had failed to do.\nEverything didn't dawn on her until she saw him among the competition. She stared at him, puzzled at first, then angry and finally a look of helplessness came over her.\nThe flashbulbs of the camera exploded in Nigel's try. The robot bird performed actions so unique that the specialist judgments were the same. Nigel was so personal with himself that he did not even notice the girl standing a few feet away from him. Without her, he would never win the competition.", "problems": [{"question": "Nigel's original intention of joining the contest was to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["be the top student of the school", "constructs a robot with the Lego sets", "being great honor to his school", "wins the thousand-dollar prize"]}, {"question": "What reward did Nigel receive for doing well in his school work?", "answer": "A", "options": ["He helped in the computer laboratories", "He was honored with a scholarship", "He helped his teacher construct a robot", "He was offered a part-time job"]}, {"question": "Why did Nigel help Alicia finish her robot?", "answer": "D", "options": ["He tried to make friends with her", "He was fond of building robots", "He intended to help her", "He didn't want her to suspect him"]}, {"question": "What is the author's attitude towards Nigel's actions?", "answer": "D", "options": ["ambiguous", "defensive", "supportive", "critical"]}]}
{"article": "From a very early age, some children show better self-control than others. Now, a new study that began with about 1,000 children in New Zealand has tracked how a child's low self-control can predict poor health, money troubles and even a criminal record in their adult years.\nResearchers have been studying this group of children for decades now. They observed the level of self-control the youngsters displayed. Parents, teachers, even the kids themselves, scored the youngsters on measures like \"acting before thinking\" and \"Persistence in reaching goals.\"\nThe study led  by Moffitt of Duke University and colleagues followed 1,000 children from birth to age 32 in Dunedin, New Zealand.\n\"The children who had the lowest self-control when they were age three to ten, later on had the most health problems in their 30s,\" Moffitt said,\"and they had the worst financial situation. They were more likely to have a criminal record and to be raising a child as a single parent on a very low income.\" Moffitt explained that self-control problems were widely observed, and weren't just a feature of a small group of misbehaving kids.\nMoffitt said it's still unclear why some children have better self-control than others, though she said other researchers have found that it's mostly a learned behavior, with relatively little genetic influence. But good self-control can be set to run in families because children with good self-control are more likely to grow up to be healthy and prosperous parents. But the good news, Moffitt said, is that self-control can be taught by parents, and through school curricula that have been shown to be effective.", "problems": [{"question": "Children with low self-control are more likely to_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["become wealthy in later life", "get good school performance", "have better financial planning", "adopt negative behaviors"]}, {"question": "According to Moffitt,_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["only good genetic factors can shape their lives in the future", "scientists know well why some children have better self-control", "self-control in childhood has nothing to do with criminal activity", "willpower as a child really influences people's chances of adulthood"]}, {"question": "What can be inferred from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Self-control cannot be taught in schools.", "The study is restricted within few participants.", "It's never too late to deal with self-control problems.", "Good parenting can improve self-control and life success."]}, {"question": "Which of the following might be the best title of the  passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Child's self-control predicts future health and success", "Kids are encouraged to take risks at an early age", "Children's development cannot be changed by teachers", "How to teach the kids a bit of self-control in schools"]}]}
{"article": "Bicycles are a great way to get around. They're fun to ride, especially down hills. And, as you speed along the road, you might also think of ways in which you could improve your bike-- make it safer, more efficient, or more comfortable. In fact, the two-wheeled machines make for some cool science projects.\nThis year's Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held last May in Cleveland, featured(had)three bicycle projects from three countries. Like many of the other experiments presented at ISEF, the bike projects showed that some of the most interesting scientific research often begins by taking a closer look at things you care about.\nRenato Angulo Chu had even grander ambitions. The 12th-grader from Lima, Peru, wanted to _ some of his country's economic troubles.\n\"I see a problem in my country,\" Renato said. \"If you go to the forests in Peru, in some places you cannot find electricity. If you go with my bicycle, you can turn on the lights.\"\nRenato, 16, spent 3 years designing his special Multibike. The device looks like a fixed exercise bike. It has wires fixed along the frame and a blender strapped (fastened) to the back. Turning the pedals operates the blender. The same principle can be used to sharpen knives or sweep city streets.\nThe Multibike can work either as a fixed bike or as a bicycle able to travel city streets and country roads. It's made from inexpensive materials, and the user gets exercise while pedaling to operate a machine.\n\"You pedal the bike, and you can mix any drink you want,\" Renato said. More importantly, he added, the same concept could be used to bring light to houses in remote regions of the rainforest.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following is true according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["ISEF is an exhibiton displaying bicycle experiments designed by students.", "Looking closely at things you are concerned about can lead to scientific research.", "Renato's improvement of the bicycle has solved the country's great problem.", "Renato's special bicycle will soon be put into use in remote areas.'"]}, {"question": "Renato's special Multibike has all the following  EXCEPT    _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["making knives sharp", "mixing any kind of drinks", "producing electricity", "operating a machine with its own electricity"]}, {"question": "It can be inferred that Renato's special bicycle is mainly designed for   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["distant areas in the rainforest without electricity.", "the use of his own family to make life easier.", "the competition of ISEF to win money to support remote rainforests", "enough exercise by pedaling it"]}]}
{"article": "Active vacations are often the most relaxing of all. But Wait! It's all in defining what an active vacation is. We don't expect you to take up jogging, backpacking, or hang gliding. we ask the sedentary vacationers to spend two to four hours a day doing things, such as walking the city streets, exploring a nature preserve, or taking a leisurely rowboat ride.\nThese kinds of activities aren't just good for your physical health. They improve your mental health, even your spiritual health. And they make vacations memorable and worthwhile. Here are some fresh ideas for active and healthy vacation.\nMake the morning your activity time. At that time it is most likely that the weather will be friendlier, your energy level higher, and your schedule emptier than later in the day.\nHave a walk at dawn or dusk. Such activity is called rejuvenation . Try to make this a daily routine of life away from home, and you will guarantee yourself both physical and spiritual youth.\nGet into the water as much as you can. Don't allow yourself to spend your entire time sitting in front of the water. Whether it is the ocean, a swimming pool, or a tree-lined lake, make sure you get into the water for swimming or games or even walking. Merely standing in waist-high water is a good workout, thanks to the action of the water. And you'll feel so much more alive!\nChoose a cruise for your trip. It's amazing how active you can be being stuck on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic. Most cruise ships offer numerous options for seaworthy exercise. During your sea and land trips you can burn calories as you swim, hike, dive, and horseback ride.\nGet out of the car every two hours. Many of us spend a large part of our vacations on the road, either getting to and from our destinations, or using the car for sightseeing. But no matter how beautiful the scenery is, great and memorable vacations don't happen in a car seat. Don't wait for tiredness or nature's call to get you to pull over. Frequently get out and stretch, walk, picnic, shop, visit, and have fun. It's important for your health and energy, and it makes traveling a lot more active and interesting.", "problems": [{"question": "How many tips does the writer give in the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Three", "Four", "Five", "Six"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Usually the weather in the morning is better.", "You can have a memorable vacation in a car.", "Swimming can make you feel much more alive.", "Don't drive your car very often to go sightseeing."]}, {"question": "Which of the following is probably the best title for this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Driving Tips", "How to Relax Without cars", "Give up Your Car and Walk", "Make your Vacation Healthy"]}]}
{"article": "Do you feel embarrassed when your mum tries to use slang  or when she calls you by your childhood nickname in front of your friends? And how about searching for the nearest exit when your father dances with joy when he finds his favorite CD in the shop? Loving them dearly doesn't prevent you from feeling uncomfortable around them. \nAnd parents have to accept that Adam Gopnick, a writer for the New Yorker magazine, said in an article published by the BBC: ''The one thing that is written into the human genome   is that exactly at the age of 13, your child... will discover that you are now the most embarrassing, ridiculous and annoying person on the planet.'' \nA survey by the site YoungPoll.com in 2010 suggested that one in three youngsters is so  _ by their parents that they refuse to be seen with them in public; and seven in ten children are humiliated   by their mum and dad's behavior, like kissing them in front of friends and holding their hands. \nPart of going through adolescence is a sudden feeling that we are wise and self-sufficient and we are embarrassed when treated like vulnerable babies. But we are bound to lose this discomfort when we reach our 20s. \nGopnick reminds us of writer William Blake's comment: ''When I was 14, my dad seemed to be so silly that I wouldn't even walk down the street with him. By the time I was 21, I was amazed how much he'd learnt.'' \nIn any case, dissatisfied parents might feel comforted in the thought that their grandchildren are likely to end up enjoying their company. Then the uncool   ones will be the grandchildren's parents!", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following deeds will make a teenager feel bad?", "answer": "C", "options": ["His parents ask him to do housework.", "His parents show up in the public.", "His parents hold his hands before his friends.", "A child reaches the age of 13."]}, {"question": "Why do some children feel humiliated when their parents kiss them in front of friends?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because they don't show enough love for their parents.", "Because they don't want to be treated like children.", "Because their parents are embarrassing, ridiculous and annoying.", "Because they want to grow up."]}, {"question": "What does William Blake's comment suggest?", "answer": "C", "options": ["His father had learnt a lot about parenting when he was 21.", "His father changed a lot since he was 21.", "He began to appreciate his father when he was 21.", "His father stopped doing the embarrassing things to him."]}, {"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The situations on which parents embarrass their children.", "Parents should be careful not to embarrass their children.", "It is normal for teenagers to feel embarrassed with their parents sometimes.", "The generation gap between children and parents is growing."]}]}
{"article": "Street art can be found on buildings, sidewalks, street signs and even trash cans from Tokyo to Paris to New York City. This special kind of art can take the form of paintings, sculptures, cloth or even stickers. Street art has become part of a global visual culture. Now, even art museums and galleries are collecting the work of street artists.\nIt is not easy to provide an exact history of the street art movement. This kind of art has developed in many kinds of ways in places all over the world. Also, because it is illegal to paint public and private property without permission, street artists usually work secretly. This secretive nature of street art and its countless forms make it hard to define exactly. And people have different opinions about the movement. Some think street art is a crime and destroys property. But others see this art as a rich form of non-traditional cultural expression.  Many experts say the movement began in New York City in the nineteen sixties. Young adults would use paint in special cans to spray their TAG on walls and train cars around the city. This tag was a name they created to identify themselves and their artwork. This colorful style of writing is also called graffiti. It is visually exciting and energetic.\nGraffiti also became a separate movement expressing the street culture of young people living in big cities. Graffiti art represented social and political rebellion. These artists could travel around areas of the city making creative paintings for everyone to see. Sometimes this street art created a dispute between artists and city officials. Graffiti artists created their images and city officials quickly painted over them. During the 1980s, two famous New York painters--Keith Haring and Jean Michel began showing their work in art galleries and museums. This is when street art started to become part of the more general popular culture.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["TAG was a word created by people to distinguish street artists and the other artists.", "There are three reasons to explain why it is hard to define the history of street art.", "The movement of street art began in the 1980s in New York City.", "Not all the people think that the street art is a rich form of cultural expression."]}, {"question": "The city officials used to do away with graffiti probably because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they caused arguments between people", "they were ugly in someone's eyes", "they were not painted under proper guidance", "they didn't express good traditional culture."]}, {"question": "They best title of the passage is  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["The way to become a street artist.", "What does Graffiti art stand for?", "The history of an art movement.", "The work of street artists."]}]}
{"article": "Jack was born without eyes. He's very lucky with his timing. He grew up having other kittens to play and socialize with, and was used to people from the moment he was born since there are always kids hanging around the barn. He was a favorite amongst the students at the barn. However, when it came time to find the kittens homes, no one knew where Jack would end up. That's when I got an e-mail from my friend. All she asked was \"Do you still want one of the kittens? There's one here with no eyes and no one can take him.\" Without thinking I told her that I did want the kitten.\nWhen we first brought him home Jack walked cautiously around, sniffing everything. He went through a time when he could climb the stairs, but couldn't get down. He would sit at the top and cry until someone came and got him. Every now and then when he gets disoriented he'll stop and cry. But we just call his name and talk to him and it isn't long before he finds his way back to us.\nAlso, a few weeks after getting Jack, we got a new barn cat named Bear. I always take Jack outside at that time for some fresh air and exercise. He loves to run (at top speed!) around the backyard and gardens. Bear and Jack have become best friends. Jack always knows when Bear is around. He'll run across the yard straight to Bear and wrap his front legs around his neck in a big hug. When they're tired they'll lie down in the grass together.\nJack is truly an inspiration. I've owned a lot of kittens in my life, but Jack is the happiest, most playful of them all. People who know Jack don't feel sorry for him. They cherish him for the treasure that he is. I have talked to a few people who haven't met him personally and tend to pity him, but they just don't understand. Jack doesn't need pity. I think that cats like him don't have disabilities; they have adaptabilities.", "problems": [{"question": "When Jack first came to the author's house, he   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["would cry when he felt lonely", "was very happy and played wildly in the room", "had difficulty getting down the stairs", "always needed someone to guide him"]}]}
{"article": "In the 19thcentury, Americans from the eastern states moved out west to settle in the rich new lands along the Pacific Coast. The most difficult part of their trip was crossing \"the Great American Desert\" in the western part of the United States by horse and wagon.\nThe western desert can be very dangerous. There is little water and there are few trees. But the desert also has scenery of great beauty. Tall towers of red and yellow stone rise sharply from the flat, sandy valley floor. The scene has been photographed many times and appears in movies and on TV.\nIn Arizona, man-made dams across the Colorado River have made two large lakes in the middle of the dry desert country. At Lake Powell, the red stone arch of Rainbow Bridge rises high above the blue lake.\nThere are few roads. Many areas of Lake Powell's shore can only be reached by boat or on foot. But hikers in this empty desert land sometimes find very old native American pictures, painted on the rocks.\nIn Death Valley, California, the summer temperature rises to 130degF--165degF. There is less than inches of rain each year. Death Valley is the lowest place in America---925 metres below sea level. In the 1800s, many travelers died when they tried to cross this waterless valley in the terrible heat.\nAlthough the desert is dry and seems empty, there is plenty of life if you look closely. Snakes and rats have learned how to live in the desert heat. They live underground and come out at night, when it is cool. Plants such as cacti need very little water. When it does rain in the desert (sometimes only once or twice a year), plants grow quickly, and flowers open in a single day. For a short time, the desert is covered with brilliant (very bright) colours.", "problems": [{"question": "In the 19thcentury, Americans moved from east to west because they  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["enjoyed the trip", "wanted to make their home there", "wanted to find new grassland there", "had no water to drink"]}, {"question": "From this passage. we can conclude that  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the western desert is a good place for people to live in", "there is little water but there are many trees in the desert", "the desert is dangerous but it is full of beauty", "till now, people know little about the desert"]}, {"question": "In the 1800s, many travelers died in Death Valley because of  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["illness", "high temperature", "cold weather", "poisonous water"]}, {"question": "In the desert, animals will die  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["if they move about", "if they can't make holes underground", "if they come out at night", "if they drink much water"]}]}
{"article": "It is amazing to note that the Internet is still such a new device, and yet it is one of the fastest and most powerful media tools. But think about it for a moment. On the Internet, a big online company can be run by two guys out of their garage. So it is only reasonable that people shopping on the Net would be a little _ of the security levels.\nInternet giants such as Microsoft knew consumer confidence was the key to getting virtual shopping off the ground, and they work hard to make people feel safe to shop online.\nCredit card companies, too, quickly saw the potential for Internet shopping, and have installed things like online shopping insurance for people. If you ever have a problem with your online credit purchases, many credit card companies will happily refund  your money and then set their claws on the company that wronged you. Now that's buying power!\nThere are other bonuses for online shoppers, of course. No line-ups, for one. No annoying mall shopping carts with broken wheels and kids crying because their parents won't get them what they want.\nWhen shopping online, consumers can sit down, have a coffee, and wear their slippers, not have to worry about their hair or parking and just click through sale after sale. Comparison shopping couldn't be any easier. And thanks to courier companies getting in on the act, you never need wait longer than a day or two to get those all important purchases delivered right to your door.\nNo wonder so many companies are shaking their heads at traditional advertising and instead looking to the \"virtual\" world to attract online shoppers.", "problems": [{"question": "_  leads to consumers' trust in online shopping.", "answer": "D", "options": ["Shopping law", "Shopping convenience", "Internet access", "Shopping security"]}, {"question": "Which group of words would the writer use to describe current Internet shopping?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Adventurous, enjoyable, fast, unreal.", "Unsafe, cheap, slow, convenient.", "Reliable, popular, convenient, slow.", "Safe, convenient, fast, comfortable."]}, {"question": "The following are thought to have made contributions to the popularity of online shoppingEXCEPT  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["internet companies", "courier companies", "advertising companies", "credit card companies"]}]}
{"article": "There has been much discussion recently about reducing the weight of English in China's high-stake tests such as the national college entrance examination. It is argued by some applauding the recent change to reduce the importance of English in tests so that it will lead students to focus more on learning Chinese. The TV program Writing in Chinese has exposed the problem that students and the general public cannot write in Chinese as they used to do.\nSome blame the design of the curriculum for giving English an equal or greater amount of emphasis, which might have contributed to the failure in teaching Chinese. But this is probably not a fair accusation since children in English speaking countries cannot spell either.\nI doubt that studying English in itself hurts the study of Chinese. In fact, high achievers in English or another foreign language are more likely to be high achievers in Chinese. It has been proved many times in recent Chinese history that those capable of using a foreign language are also masters in their mother tongue. Qian Zhongshu, Lu Xun and Lin Yutang are just a few examples.\nAnother trend of thought for curriculum reform is related to the perception of \"worth\". It is true that English is one of the subjects that students do spend too much time on, with pitiful results. This makes some doubt if it is worth giving it priority. But this is not a sound argument either as students still need to study things that matter more to their future in spite of challenges learning English presents to them.\nImprovements in Chinese language education should not be achieved by sacrificing another important subject. There should be a robust  foreign language education program, as a foreign language improves a student's future job prospects. Bashing  English education as a waste of time or using it as a goat for failures in Chinese education are both harmful tendencies.\nTo be constructive, we ought to start a dialogue on ways to make improvements in learning outcomes so that students' time learning English is spent more effectively. There are a few things that could improve English education, such as assessment design,learner motivation and teaching style,\nI am sure there are many other areas where changes can greatly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of English learning. The public discourse at present is a little oversimplified. People are arguing for or against English having less weight in major tests, when the dialogue should be taken a step further, to the improvement of learning or teaching methods that may benefit the teaching of other subjects as well, Chinese included.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following statements is right?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The TV program Writing in Chinese is very popular at present.", "Good results of learning English are not worth so much time.", "Some are in favor of attaching less importance to English in exams.", "Sacrificing English can improve Chinese language education."]}, {"question": "In the writer's opinion, what should be done to solve the argument?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Increasing time spent in learning Chinese.", "Increasing time spent in learning English.", "Reducing the weight of English in examinations.", "Improving the learning outcomes effectively."]}, {"question": "Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["English education is still important in China.", "Chinese education is more important in China.", "English contributes to the failure in teaching Chinese", "Ways to make improvements in learning Chinese."]}]}
{"article": "In the past ten years, America's National Basketball Association (NBA) has grown increasingly dependent on the rest of the world to supply players.\nWhen Michael Jordan and Larry Bird won gold in Barcelona in 1992, the Americans were praised for teaching the world how to play basketball. This season, however, 20 percent of NBA rosters  will be filled by non-Americans. NBA commissioner David Stem happily embraces the trend. On a visit to Paris in October, Stern outlined his vision for the future, which is likely to see Europe hosting NBA games by 2010.\nThe NBA is now planning to _ .\n\"Our experience in China has been that it is going to be explosive in its growth,\"said Stem. The strategy (,)in China is television.\"We've made 14 deals in China with local and national networks on cable and satellite.\" The success of Chinese centre Yao Ming has paved the way for the NBA marketing blitz in China. The NBA, which is broadcasted in more than 200 countries in 42 languages, will put that to the test in October 2004 when the Houston Rockets play two pre-season games against the Sacramento Kings in Beijing and Shanghai. The NBA knows that it needs a global market to condensate for tough times on _ soil.\n\"It doesn't matter where the players come from, all the NBA teams now know that they have to scout(,) internationally,\" said Terry Lyons, the NBA's vice-president of international public relations. \"It has increased the level of competition here.\" As Frenchman Tony Parker and Argentine Emanuel Ginobili showed in winning championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs last season, many people can earn the respect of their American peers. Others, such as the Houston Rockets' Chinese centre Yao Ming -- number one draft pick in 2002 -- and the Detroit Pistons' 18-year-old Serb Darko Milicic -- number two overall in this year's draft -- are icons in-waiting. It is the ultimate(,) revolution -- the rest of the world teaching the US how to play basketball.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the report,  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["Michael Jordan is still playing a very important role in NBA", "the part played by the foreign players in NBA will be great", "Yao Ming is to play two pre-season games in NBA", "European countries will host the 2004 NBA games"]}, {"question": "When the writer talked of \"home soil\", he was referring to  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["farms in the States", "native Americans", "the NBA training center", "the USA"]}, {"question": "Which of the following can be used as the best title for the passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The Non-American Basketball Players", "NBA Is Coming to China", "The Foreign Ties That Bind the NBA", "NBA Is Making Big Progress"]}]}
{"article": "With five breakout   games, Jeremy Lin has become the NBA's newest star.\nIn the New York Knicks' 92-85 won over the Los Angles Lakers last Saturday, Lin had a career-high 38 points.A day later, he led the Knicks to their fifth victory, 100-98 to Minnesota Timberwolves.In his previous games, Lin, 23, had 23 points against the Washington, 25 points against New Jersey and 28 against Utah in his first start.\nLin is smart.Before graduating from high school in California, he had sent his application to all the Ivy League Schools  .He only got into Harvard and Brown, and he chose Harvard.In 2010, Lin graduated with a degree in economics.\nLin is the first Chinese-American player in the NBA.He was born in the US and his family is Asian.Although not born in China, Lin has attracted nearly all Yao Ming's old fans, who see him as a powerful role model.\nHe started off on the Golden State Warriors.Lin first signed with the Warriors in July, 2010, but seldom played in games before the start of the fourth quarter.His first time on the court for the Warriors earned him seven points, three rebounds   and two assists in just 11 minutes.\nHe is really perfect for the Knicks.The New York Knicks has been in need of a reliable point guard and to Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks coach who's going through a difficult season, Lin is a most unexpected figure.\"Lin just does everything easy and the rest of the guys around him are playing the way we want to,\" D'Antoni said.\"I think it's for real, and it can only get better.\"", "problems": [{"question": "In which team did Lin start his career in NBA?", "answer": "B", "options": ["the New York Knicks.", "The Golden State Warriors.", "Minnesota Timberwolves.", "The Los Angles Lakers."]}, {"question": "From the passage, we learn that    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the New York Knicks has never been defeated", "Lin is an American-Chinese basketball player", "most of Yao Ming's fans take Lin as a great role model", "after graduation from Harvard, Lin signed with the Knicks"]}, {"question": "From the passage, it can be inferred that    _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["Lin is the team leader of the Knicks", "the Knicks' success only depends on Lin", "the Knicks'coach puts strong hopes on Lin", "the Knicks is sure to win the season this year"]}, {"question": "The author's purpose of writing the report is    _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["to show his support for the Knicks", "to express his love for Jeremy Lin", "to report the progress of the Knicks", "to introduce a newest rising NBA star"]}]}
{"article": "Phyllis Lee of prefix = st1 /Singaporeknew something wasn't right. Her younger son, Alex, then six years old, was getting good grades in his private kindergarten classes. But Lee realized something was wrong when Alex came home one day, crying, with \"zeroes\" on his Chinese spelling test. Lee decided to investigate. According to Lee, the teacher would frequently describe Alex's Chinese writing as 'ghost writings' and made him a laughing stock in class instead of helping him out.\nLee, 46, spent the next 12 months teaching Alex and still helps him when necessary. She not only taught him the formation of the Chinese words but also their origin so that he could understand better, often taking more than an hour to read a simple paragraph. Visits to the library and surfing the Internet kept her up to speed on teaching materials. Alex's grades improved and by the end of Year One, he had become one of the top students in Chinese in his class.\nAlex is keeping an A - plus average in all subjects, and his mother's involvement is a big reason behind it. Alex, now 11, recently wrote a book recording his struggles with Chinese, which an international education center has published to inspire its students. He sometimes writes for local student magazines as well. \nLee has always had input into the education of Alex. She reads to him \"all the time.\" As a result, he is an eager reader who regularly visit the library.\nTo Lee, one of the most valuable things she does is to take turns with her husband to drive Alex to school. \"We'd talk along the way. Talking enables me to have a better understanding of my child and reminds me of changes every now and then so that I know when to get involved, she says.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Alex arrived home with tears because_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["he failed in the Chinese exam", "his teacher punished him", "he didn't want to learn Chinese", "his classmates did him wrong"]}, {"question": "Alex succeeded in learning Chinese with_.", "answer": "D", "options": ["his teacher's guide", "his classmates' help", "his father's influence", "his mother's instruction"]}, {"question": "For Alex the great achievement recently is that_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["he gets A's in some subjects", "he wrote a book", "he earns some money", "he understands Chinese better"]}, {"question": "Lee's education method succeeds mainly because of her_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["involvement", "communication", "tolerance", "encouragement"]}]}
{"article": "It seems that men are under more stress when stuck in a traffic jam than women. British researchers for the GPS company TomTom used saliva  to decide the stress levels. Levels for women were far lower than levels for men. Most of the people taking part in the research, men and women, reported that they didn't feel any stress at all. Even with that report, their saliva told a different story. In fact, people are under stress while in traffic and not even realizing it. That does not mean good things for health. People can only do something about their health if they know something is wrong.\nMen are more likely to have much less patience than women. That is why their stress levels are much higher than women when they are sitting still in traffic. Men want to get where they are going now.\n72% of people taking part in the research drove every day. Of course, 86% believed that traffic affected their lives in a bad way. Being stuck in traffic after a stressful day at work could raise the level to an even higher level. The more likely they are to get further stressed.\nStress from being stuck in traffic is also related to a higher chance of getting into car accidents. It is wise to avoid driving when already feeling stressed. Calm down for a few minutes, take a deep breath and drive as safely as possible. Driving with too much stress could cost you or someone else their life. It is not worth the danger. Reduce the amount of stress that you are experiencing before getting into the car and find ways to relax more when stuck in traffic. One way to relax is to have soothing music to play during these times.", "problems": [{"question": "What people reported were different from the research findings because  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["they didn't know they were stressed", "they didn't know how to describe their feelings", "they didn't want to share their true feelings with others", "they didn't want to admit something was wrong with themselves"]}, {"question": "Why are men under more stress than women when stuck in a traffic jam?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Because they drive more than women.", "Because they are less patient than women.", "Because they face more stress than women at work.", "Because they are less clear about where to go than women."]}, {"question": "What can we learn about the research?", "answer": "C", "options": ["14% of people taking part in it were not affected by traffic jams.", "Researchers used saliva to decide whether people told the truth.", "It was carried out by a GPS company.", "Only British people took part in it."]}]}
{"article": "Trees should only be pruned when there is a good and clear reason for doing so and , fortunately, the number of such reasons is small.\nFirst, pruning may be done to make sure that trees have a desired shape or size.The object may be to get a tree of the right height, and at the same time to help the growth of small side branches which will thicken its appearance or give it a special shape.Secondly, pruning may be done to make the tree healthier.You may cut diseased or dead wood, or branches that are rubbing against each other and thus cause wounds.The health of a tree may be encouraged by removing branches that are blocking up the centre and so preventing the free movement of air.\nOne result of pruning is that an open wound is left on the tree and this provides an easy entry for disease, but it is a wound that will heal .Often there is a race between the healing and the disease as to whether the tree will live or die.It should be the aim of every gardener to reduce the risk as far as possible.It is necessary to make the area which has been pruned, smooth and clean, for healing will be slowed down by roughness .You should allow the cut surface to dry for a few hours and then paint it with one of the substances available from garden shops produced especially for this purpose.Pruning is usually done in winter, \"From then you can see the shape of the tree clearly and it is, too, very unlikely that the cuts you make will bleed.If this does happen, it is, of course, impossible to paint them properly.", "problems": [{"question": "Pruning should be done to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["make the tree grow taller", "improve the shape of the tree", "get rid of the small branches", "make the tree grow taller"]}, {"question": "Trees become unhealthy if the gardener   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["allows too many branches to grow in the middle", "does not protect them from wind", "forces them to grow too quickly", "damages some of the small side branches"]}, {"question": "Why is a special substance painted on the tree?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To make a wound smooth and clean.", "To prevent disease entering a wound.", "To cover a rough surface.", "To help a wound to dry."]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The history of tree pruning.", "The reasons for tree pruning.", "Some directions for tree pruning.", "Some results of tree pruning."]}]}
{"article": "Japan Earthquake and Tsunami :How to Help\nFor readers interested in contributing to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan and the Pacific region,here is a list of contact information and links for some agencies that plan to provide relief.\nTHE JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE\nThe Japan Center for International Exchange has set up the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund.Half of the money raised will go to support six Japanese NGOs currently at work in the disaster area and half will be retained to support the longer term recovery.\nAMERICAN RED CROSS\nRed Cross officials say donors can text REDCROSS to 90999 and a $10 donation will automatically be charged to donors' phone bill,or donations can be made directly on its Web site.\nB'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL\nTo help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami,donate online on the group's secure Web site.\nOr,by mail to:B'nai B'rith International Disaster Relief Fund,Attn:Japan Earthquake,2020 K Street,NW,7th Floor,Washington,D.C.,20006.\nOr by phone:8005739057\nCARE\nCARE is one of the world's largest private international humanitarian organizations.Their offices in Asia are on high alert  and have ensured that staff are informed of the tsunami warnings and other related developments.(Updated information on CARE's work in Japan is available here.)\nGLOBALGIVING.ORG\nGlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps,Save the Children,and other organizations on the ground to disburse  funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.Donors can text JAPAN to 50555 to give$10,and larger donations can be submitted on GlobalGiving's Web site.\nTHE SALVATION ARMY\nThe Salvation Army has been providing food and shelter to Tokyo commuters  who were _ when public transportation was interrupted by the earthquake.They are to send a team to Sendai,a city about 250 miles away from Tokyo,to assess the situation there.Text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation.(Make sure to respond \"YES\" to the thankyou message you receive.) Donations can also be made on the organization's Web site or by calling 1800SALARMY.", "problems": [{"question": "If you want to make donations to the victims by phone,you can text REDCROSS to   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["90999", "80888", "50555", "20006"]}, {"question": "What do we know about CARE from the text?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It opened a Person Finder Page online.", "It is the world's largest humanitarian organization.", "It raised much money to support six Japanese NGOs.", "It warned its staff in Asia of the danger of tsunami."]}, {"question": "Which group can provide food and shelter?", "answer": "A", "options": ["THE SALVATION ARMY.", "GLOBALGIVING.ORG.", "B'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL.", "AMERICAN RED CROSS."]}]}
{"article": "Mars is the planet most like Earth.Flying to Mars is a difficult task for humans.\nThere is an experiment with the name \"Mars 500\" in Russia.Six volunteers take part in the experiment.They come from China, Russia, France and Italy.They won't go to outer space.They will stay in small modules   on the ground for 520 days.It's just like a real journey\nIn the modules, they will experience a lot: flying to Mars, flying back and working on Mars.During the long \"journey\", the volunteers can only eat space food.They can shower every 10 days.They can call their friends or families.Anyone of them can _ if he doesn't feel well.This experiment helps scientists know how well humans will be on a long journey to Mars.\nWangyue, 26, from China, is the youngest of the volunteers.He is a teacher at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center   in Beijing.", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the statement is Not True?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The volunteers are not going to move to outer space.", "The volunteers will stay on the Mars for more than 17 months.", "The volunteers can make video calls to their friends and families", "The name of the experiment is \"Mars 500\"."]}, {"question": "How often can the volunteers take a shower?", "answer": "A", "options": ["three times a month", "three times a day", "ten days a month", "ten times a month"]}, {"question": "Where can you read the article?", "answer": "C", "options": ["story book", "geography magazines", "science magazines", "magazines about ET"]}]}
{"article": "(Reuters)The Thunderbird is one of the most readily recognized creatures of American Indian mythology.While the vast majority of biologists believe the Thunderbird myth to be nothing more than a spiritual symbol, some zoologists believe that the hard may actually exist.   \nI still vividly recall seeing an impossibly large raptor when I was five years old, which a few people have said might be the Thunderbird.Standing in my grandmother's back yard in Alabama, I recall watching an enormous black bird with a swallow - like tail flying directly over me from an oak tree. Its wingspan seemed to be at least three times my height, which would have made it at least fourteen feet across.\nWhile the early childhood memory is often unreliable, I clearly remember the details of the  \"Thunderbird\".To this very day, I sometimes stand on my grandmother' s yard, eyeballing the old oak tree, but I have not yet seen another bird that resembles the giant bird.I have seen eagles, and hawks - but never another Thunderbird.\nOther modern sightings of what may have been thunderbirds have also occurred.In 1977, three boys were playing in a neighborhood in Illinois.They reported that two large birds chased after  them.One of the boys was attacked and suffered somewhat serious injuries, He was carried a few  feet off the ground, before the bird dropped him and disappeared into the wilderness.\nSeveral people interviewed the boys and their story remained the same, even under the pressure.the description of the birds somewhat matched the Andean condor ; however, these  massive condors have never been known to exist in the United States.\nAnother sighting came in 2002, in Alaska, when many people reported seeing a bird with a fourteen - foot wingspan.After being investigated, it was finally concluded that the bird was most likely a particularly large sea eagle, which typically has a wingspan of six to eight fickle.\nI will probably never know what the strange -looking giant bird from the oak tree was, and biologists will probably never be able to fully confirm the identity of the giant raptors spotted in Illinois and Alaska.If the Thunderbird does indeed exist, it will probably continue to remain mysterious.", "problems": [{"question": "What's the best title for the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["A massive bird spotted in America", "Could the thunderbird actually exist?", "Some strange birds sighed by people", "Sea eagle, condor, raptor or thunderbird?"]}, {"question": "What can be leant from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Three Thunderbirds have been witnessed so far.", "The Thunderbird are similar to sea eagles in size.", "Three boys were injured by the Thunderbird in 1977.", "The huge bird left a deep impression upon the author."]}, {"question": "How is the passage mainly organized?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By giving examples.", "By following time order", "By making comparisons.", "By presenting a general idea."]}]}
{"article": "People with disabilities make up a large part of the population. It is estimated  that over 35 million Americans have physical, mental, or other disabilities. About half of these disabilities are \"developmental\", i.e., they occur before the individual's twenty-second birthday, often from genetic conditions, and are severe enough to affect three or more areas of development, such as mobility, communication, employment, etc. Most other disabilities are considered \"adventitious\", i.e., accidental or caused by outside forces.\nPrior to the 20th century, only a small percentage of people with disabilities survived for long. Medical treatment for these disabilities was unavailable. Advancements in medicine and social services have created a climate in which people with disabilities can expect to have such basic needs as food, shelter, and medical treatment. Unfortunately, these basics are often not available. Civil liberties such as the right to vote, marry, get an education, and gain employment have historically been denied on the basis of disability.\nIn recent decades, the disability rights movement has been organized to fight against these infringements(;)of civil rights. Congress responded by passing major legislation recognizing people with disabilities as a protected class under civil rights statutes.\nStill today, people with disabilities must fight to live their lives independently. It is estimated that more than half of qualified Americans with disabilities are unemployed, and a majority of those who do work are underemployed. About two-thirds live at or below the official poverty level.\nSignificant barriers, especially in transportation and public awareness, prevent disabled people from taking part in society. For example, while no longer prohibited by law from marrying, a person with no access to transportation is effectively excluded from community and social activities which might lead to the development of long-term relationships.\nOnly when public attitudes advance as far as laws have will disabled people be fully able to take their rightful place in society.", "problems": [{"question": "A \"developmental\" disability   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["develops very slowly over time", "is caused by forces", "occurs in youth and affects development", "is getting more and more severe"]}, {"question": "Most disabled people used to die early because   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["disabilities destroyed major bodily functions", "they were not very well looked after", "medical techniques were not available", "they were too poor to get proper treatment"]}, {"question": "In the author's opinion, to enable the disabled people to take their rightful place in society,   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["more laws should be passed", "public attitudes should be changed", "government should provide more aids", "more public facilities should be set up"]}, {"question": "Which of the following cannot be inferred from the passage ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Many disabled people may remain single for their whole life.", "The public tends to look down upon the disabled people.", "The disabled people feel inferior to those surrounding them.", "Discriminatory laws prevent the disabled from mixing with others."]}, {"question": "The best title for this passage might be   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Handicaps of People with Disabilities", "The physical difficulties of the Disabled", "The Causes for Disabilities", "Medical Treatments for Disabilities"]}]}
{"article": "In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits . Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent - controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.\nSome theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low - paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.", "problems": [{"question": "There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["cause a shortage of apartments", "worry those who rent apartments as homes", "increase the profits of landlords", "encourage landlords to invest in building apartment"]}, {"question": "According to the critics, rent control_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["will always benefit those who rent apartments", "is unnecessary", "will bring negative effects in the long run", "is very necessary"]}, {"question": "The problem of unemployment will happen_.", "answer": "A", "options": ["if the minimum wage is set too high", "if the minimum wage is set too low", "if the workers are unskilled", "if the maximum wage is set"]}, {"question": "The passage tells us_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["the relationship between supply and demand", "the possible results of government controls", "the necessity of government control", "the urgency of getting rid of government controls"]}]}
{"article": "Willie Stewart still remembers his first day of kayaking through the grand Canyon. He was getting bounced around in the roughest white water he had ever seen. There was nothing the river threw at him.\n   There he was in a 40-pound boat, with only a few months of training and one arm. Tied to his left shoulder was a prosthetic limb that he'd had for just about a week. The plan was to paddle  for 20 days over 227 miles of the roughest white water in the United States. It was one of the most remarkable adventures that the Grand Canyon had ever seen.\n  It started with a casual phone call in the spring of 2005. A good friend, Mike Crenshaw, finally got a permit from the National Park Service to lead a private party of 16 boaters down the Colorado River that coming August. He had a slot  open for Willie, \"Was he interested ?\"\n  \"It was the chance of a lifetime,\" Stewart said. He had been waiting years for this trip to happen. \"How could I refuse ?\"\n   But before they set off, Stewart had a couple of things to take care of. He had to get a white-water kayak, learn how to use it, and get an arm.\n   For most of his life, the _ 45-year-old man has lived with only his right arm. He lost his left arm in a horrible accident when he was 18.Stewart was doing a summer construction job inprefix = st1 /Washington,D.C.The trailing end of rope he was carrying got twisted in an industrial fan. Before he could react, the fan reeled in the rope tight and cut his arm just above the elbow.\n   He became a bitter young man, angry at the unfairness of what had happened ,and often got into fights. In time, he learned to channel his rage into sports. He joined a rugby team, established a reputation as a fearless player and eventually was elected captain. His days of rage long gone, he found peace and purpose in his life.", "problems": [{"question": "What had urged Willie Stewart to paddle down the Colorado River ?", "answer": "D", "options": ["His family's support", "His great determination", "His curiosity", "His dream"]}, {"question": "From the passage we can know that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["Stewart was depressed at one time", "Stewart lost his left arm 22 years ago", "Stewart never complained about the unfairness of life", "Stewart was persuaded to kayak through the Grand Canyon"]}, {"question": "What can we learn form the story ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["An optimist sees the rose ; a pessimist sees the thorn", "Nothing is too difficult if you put your heart into it", "A change of self is needed more than a change of scene", "If winter comes, can spring be far away ?"]}]}
{"article": "Iceland, an island just south of the Arctic Circle, has fairly mild winters,  thanks to warm ocean currents. Time your vacation here during the winter months to take advantage of off-season deals.\nOff-season means good deals on flights, hotels and tours. You may also find that the locals are a bit friendlier and more welcoming when tourists aren't arriving in crowds.\nIn the winter months, there are less than seven hours of daylight; thus, chances are good you'll catch sight of the northern lights. Sunsets are also beautiful at this time, making for some great photo opportunities.\nIn Iceland, winter is the perfect time to hike glaciers, go ice climbing, explore caves made out of hardened lava  and much more. One of the most popular activities is off-roading  in a specially-equipped \"super jeep\".\nBefore booking your trip, be sure to check for volcano alerts. There are about 130 volcanoes on or around Iceland. Thirty-five of them are active. In 2010, a volcano named Eyjaallajokull exploded, sending clouds of ash up to four kilometers into the atmosphere. The ash drifted toward the UK and Europe. Because the ask could damage aircraft engines, airlines operating in the region were forced to cancel flights for six days. As a result, thousands of people were stuck in airports.\nRecently, another volcano named Bardarbunga has become active, erupting ash into the air. Such events, if large enough, could prevent your trip from going ahead. So check the latest volcano news prior to making your reservations.", "problems": [{"question": "According to this article, why are you more likely to see the northern lights in the winter?", "answer": "D", "options": ["They move from rural areas to cities.", "The weather is more stable at that time.", "They're a special feature of many festivals.", "The sky is dark for longer periods then."]}, {"question": "According to the article, how do visitors to Iceland have fun in the winter?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They learn how to ski down the mountains.", "They photograph famous historic sites..", "They explore the countryside in well made vehicles..", "They spend a week at one of the seaside resorts."]}, {"question": "What is true about the volcanoes of Iceland?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The majority of them are quiet.", "Their age hasn't been determined.", "All but one of them are extinct.", "Citizens aren't affected by them."]}, {"question": "What does this article explain?.", "answer": "B", "options": ["Some of Iceland's urban cultural attractions.", "A way t reduce the cost of a trip to Iceland.", "Reasons for visiting Iceland in June and July.", "The average price for a short tour of Iceland."]}]}
{"article": "When American inventor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it was a revolution in communication. For the first time, people could talk to each other over great distances. Over the last two decades a new means of spoken communication has appeared: the mobile phone.\n The mobile phone is like a two-way radio. But the two-way radio is a limited means of communication. As soon as the users move out of range of each other's broadcast area, the signal is lost. In the 1940s, researchers experimented with the idea of using a number of radio masts   to pick up signals from two-way radios. A caller would always be within range of one of the masts. When he or she moved too far away from one mast, the next mast would pick up the signal. (Scientists referred to each mast's reception area as being a \"cell\". This is why in many countries mobile phones are called \"cellphones\".)\nHowever, 1940s' technology was just at the beginning. The \"mobile phones\" were huge boxes. They had to be moved by car.\nThe first real mobile telephone call was made in 1973 by Dr Martin Cooper. As soon as his invention was complete, he tested it by calling a rival   scientist to announce his success. Within a decade, mobile phones became available to the public.\nThey have changed the way we do a lot of things. One powerful feature is: the short message service (SMS) or text message. It's the perfect communication method for the busy modern lifestyle. The text message has changed the way we write in English. The language construction became more lax  . Traditional rules of grammar and spelling are much less important.\nOver the last few years mobiles have become more and more advanced. We have seen the introduction of cameras, global positioning system and Internet access.\nAlexander Graham Bell would be surprised if he could see how far the science of the telephone has developed in less than 150 years. If he were around today, he might say: '''That's gr8! But I'm v busy rite now. Will call U 2nite.'", "problems": [{"question": "The article is intended to  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["warn people of the possible risks in using mobile phones", "inform readers of the history and benefits of mobile phones", "convince people of the uses of mobile phones", "predict the applications of mobile phones"]}, {"question": "The last sentence of the whole passage ''That's gr8!  But I'm v busy rite now. Will call U 2nite.\" May probably means  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["That's great! But I'm very busy right now. (I) Will call you tonight", "It's eight now. I'm very busy. (I) Will call you tonight", "That's great! But I'm busy writing now. (I) Will call you at two tonight", "\"8\" is great! But I'm very busy right now. (I) Will call it \"U\" tonight"]}]}
{"article": "\"Hitler and the Germans,\" an exhibition in Berlin's German Historical Museum which aims to investigate the society that created Hitler, has seen more than 10,000 visitors walk through its doors since opening on Friday.\nRudolf Trabold, a spokesman for the museum, said there were 4,000 visitors to the exhibition on the first day alone. People visiting the exhibition said they had waited as long as one and a half hours to get in. Ravi Nair, a 73-year-old Indian visitor, said: \"I had to queue for about an hour but it was worth it. The exhibition should help people in democratic countries realize that their vote is very valuable.\"\nTrabold said \"Hitler and the Germans\" was so popular because it was the first exhibition to explain how a man who lived on the margins of society for 30 years, in Vienna's men's hostels, could become an almost mythical leader of the German people. \"We are all affected by Hitler, so it speaks to all of us and helps Germans and foreigners to come to terms with the past.\" Inge Lonning, a 72-year-old tourist from Norway said: \"I thought the exhibition was very impressive. I wanted to see it because I experienced the German occupation of Norway as a small child, so it's not just history for me.\" But not everyone was convinced there was something new to be learned from the exhibition. \"So much has been done about this period over the years, it was like, I knew this and I knew that,\" said Canadian Julien Cayer, aged 28. \"I thought I'd find something new but I didn't.\"\nThere has been widespread concern in the German media that the exhibition could become a magnet for neo-Nazi admirers of Hitler, but Trabold said that although there had been some right-wing extremist visitors, they had not caused any problems.", "problems": [{"question": "What is the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["People have different attitudes to \"Hitler and the Germans\".", "\"Hitler and the Germans\" attracts plenty of people.", "What effect \"Hitler and the Germans\" has on history.", "What people should learn from \"Hitler and the Germans\"."]}, {"question": "\"Hitler and the Germans\" is open to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["remind people not to forget history.", "show how Hitler was hated by people", "study the society that created Hitler", "save money for economy growth"]}, {"question": "Trabold thought \"Hitler and the Germans\" was so popular because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["help people in democratic countries realize that their vote is very valuable", "it was the first exhibition to explain how a man from the bottom of society becomes a leader", "people can learn a lot from the exhibition", "people have been affected by Hitler"]}, {"question": "Who experienced the German occupation according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Inge Lonning.", "Ravi Nair.", "Rudolf Trabold.", "Julien Cayer"]}, {"question": "What can we learn from the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The visitors coming to \"Hitler and the Germans\" are all old people.", "\"Hitler and the Germans\" has made an impression on every visitor.", "Some neo-Nazi admirers of Hitler have caused a lot of trouble.", "People visit \"Hitler and the Germans\" with variety of purposes."]}]}
{"article": "One day, I was studying at home . Suddenly, there was a loud noise.  I went out of my house to see what had happened .\nWhat I saw made me scared. A building in my neighborhood was on fire. Some people were using water to put out the fire; others were rushing towards the building to help put out the fire. The building had three floors. The fire started on the first floor. Soon, it spread   to the second floor. There were some people on the second floor at that time. Their lives were in danger. A few people jumped out of the window. Luckily, they only got small injuries. Those who were still on the second floor were just crying for help. The people outside didn't know how to help the people inside to get out.\nFirefighters   arrived at last. They fought the fire bravely. Water pipes   were used and a ladder was put near the second-floor window. Then the people inside were taken out by the firefighters. They were seriously injured and were taken to the hospital at once.\nThanks to the firefighters, the people inside were saved and the fire was put out in the end, but many things, such as desk, pictures and clothes, were damaged.", "problems": [{"question": "_  was on fire.", "answer": "C", "options": ["The author's room", "A ladder", "A building in the author's neighborhood", "Only the second floor of the building"]}, {"question": "_  put out the fire in the end.", "answer": "D", "options": ["The firefighters and the people inside the building", "The people on the second floor", "The people in the street", "The firefighters"]}, {"question": "The people who jumped out of the window  _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["were seriously injured", "died", "were taken to the hospital", "got small injuries"]}, {"question": "How did the people who didn't jump out of the window get out of the building?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They were taken out by the firefighters.", "They climbed down a ladder by themselves.", "They walked out of the building after the fire was put out.", "They were taken out by doctors"]}]}
{"article": "My dad is a wonderful man.He worked hard all his life and has never let me down.if one person influenced me to go to college and become a better person, it's him.\n  Every morning my dad would wake up at 4 am.He would do some writing and then Ieave for work.He would get off work at 5 pm and spend the remaining day with his family.Any time I  needed him,he was there.He was a great role model.My dad is a typical family man.He supports us financially and emotionally.He bends over backward to support his family.\n    My dad is the reason why I try to support my son as much as I can.He is\n also the reason why I have decided to spend less time with friends and more time\n with family.Now I'm a much better woman.I once worked hard at my studies in\n school and now do well in my work.My dad became a manager in less than three\n years and I hope to do the same.I have had the same job for one and a half years\n now.I have gotten two raises and become a shift leader.    -\n    I remember 1 worked extremely hard in schoo1.I never missed a day and I never went to school late.I graduated two years ago.It is something for me to be proud of, and it is the first step towards becoming a psychologist.My father is more than 2,000 miles away, but I never forget what he did for us.Every day my work gets really hard,I think of my dad.Every time I feel like giving up,I think of him.", "problems": [{"question": "With the example of two raises,the author shows us that   _   .", "answer": "A", "options": ["she worked very hard in her company", "she spent less time with her son", "she has a talent for leadership", "she can be a good psychologist."]}, {"question": "We can infer from this passage that  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the author is proud of his father very much", "the author's husband has become a manager", "the author's father was too busy to be with her", "the author has moved back and lived with her father"]}]}
{"article": "Farmer John and Farmer Bob were neighbors. For more than 30 years, they had been getting along very well.\nThen their good relationship broke. It began with a small thing, then bitter words, and then weeks of silence. One morning Farmer John woke up to find a stream between the two farms. \"It must be Bob,\" John thought.\nThen one day there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a carpenter  standing at the doorway.\n\"I'm looking for a few days' work,\" the carpenter said.\n\"I do have a job for you,\" John said. \"Look across the stream at that farm. That's my neighbor Bob. He dug a stream between the two farms. I want you to build a fence--an 8-foot fence. I don't want to see his place or his face any more. I don't have such a neighbor!\"\nThe carpenter said, \"I think I know what to do, sir, and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you.\"\nFarmer John helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.\nAbout sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide. There was no fence there at all!\nIt was a bridge! And the neighbor, Bob, was coming across, with his hand outstretched . \"Hi, John! _ \nThen they met in the middle, taking each other's hands. \"I'm terribly sorry for what I have said and done. We should be good to each other,\" said Farmer Bob.\nThen they turned to see the carpenter, who was ready to go. \"No, wait! Stay a few days. I have a lot of other jobs for you,\" said Farmer John. \"I'd love to stay,\" the carpenter said, \"but I have more bridges to build.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Just before the carpenter came, John and Bob  _  each other.", "answer": "A", "options": ["didn't speak to", "were friendly to", "often fought with", "never had bitter words with"]}, {"question": "Farmer John asked the carpenter to build a fence because  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["he wanted to protect his farm", "he didn't want to do it himself", "he wouldn't like to see Bob", "he wanted to find him something to do"]}, {"question": "What does the sentence \"You're quite a fellow to build this bridge!\" mean?", "answer": "A", "options": ["John was great to build this bridge.", "John was not good at building bridges.", "John was foolish to build such a bridge.", "John should build the bridge earlier."]}, {"question": "What do you think of the carpenter?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Shy.", "Wise.", "Proud.", "Careless."]}, {"question": "What is the best title for the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["What a Big Fence!", "Farmer and Bridge", "Three Kind Men", "A Fence or a Bridge?"]}]}
{"article": "New rules for pubs and clubs, including a ban   on drinking games like the awful \"dentist's chair\", will be introduced in Britain this year to prevent the heavy drinking culture, which costs the country billions of pounds a year.\nOther activities like \"all you can drink for 10 pounds \", \"women drink free\" nights and speed drinking competitions will also be banned.\nBut, on the other hand, offers of cheap alcohol in supermarkets will not be affected, which is widely regarded as one of the main sources of Britain's problems with under-age and over-drinking.\nDoctors and health experts argue that the government has failed to use its most effective weapon, the taxation  of minimum price controls on alcohol.\nHome Secretary Alan Johnson said that the government and the industry had a duty to act on heavy drinking.\" These bans have a real impact on society, not to mention the lives of those who just want to enjoy a good night out,\" he said.\n\"The dentist's chair\", where drinks are poured directly into the mouth by others, was made famous by the celebrations of footballer Paul Gascoigne at Euro '96. That game and others that promote large consumption will be banned from April and publicans   will have to ensure free tap water is made available to the drinkers.\nThe government says over-drinking costs Britain up to 12 billion pounds a year and has announced that any pubs that go against the new mandatory code   will face severe punishment. For instance, publicans and vendors   could lose their licenses, be fined up to 20,000 pounds ($32,750) or face six months in prison.", "problems": [{"question": "New rules for pubs and clubs will be introduced in Britain to ban heavy drinking because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["people drink too much without paying taxes", "drinking games are infamous", "drinking competitions are very crazy", "drinking in the country costs too much"]}, {"question": "Some people believe when the tough new rules come into effect,   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["supermarkets will stop selling alcohol in low prices", "\"women drink free\" nights will not be closed", "over-drinking will still not be stopped", "under-age people will not continue drinking"]}, {"question": "What is probably the most effective way to control alcohol?", "answer": "D", "options": ["bans", "education", "force", "taxation"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, \"the dentist's chair\" is   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["a chair for the patient whose teeth should be treated", "a drinking game made famous by the celebrations of footballers", "a way to advertise different types of alcohol", "to be banned in October this year"]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Heavy drinking will be banned in Britain.", "Over-drinking will be taxed.", "Drinking in Britain will be banned.", "12 billion pounds is spent on drinking."]}]}
{"article": "Tayka Hotel De Sal\nWhere: Tahua, Bolivia\nHow much: About $95 a night\nWhy it's cool: You've stayed at hotels made of brick or wood, but salt? That's something few can claim. Tayka Hotel de Sal is made totally of salt -- including the beds (though you'll sleep on regular mattresses   and blankets). The hotel sits on the Salar de Uyuni, a prehistoric dried-up lake that's the world's biggest salt flat. Builders use the salt from the 4,633-square-mile flat to make the bricks, and glue them together with a paste of wet salt that hardens when it dries. When rain starts to dissolve the hotel, the owners just mix up more salt paste to strengthen the bricks.\nGreen Magic Nature Resort\nWhere: Vythiri, India\nHow much: About $240 a night\nWhy it's cool: Riding a pulley -operated lift 86 feet to your treetop room is just the start of your adventure. As you look out of your open window -- there is no glass! -- you watch monkeys and birds in the rain forest canopy. Later you might test your fear of heights by crossing the handmade rope bridge to the main part of the hotel, or just sit on your bamboo bed and read. You don't even have to come down for breakfast -- the hotel will send it up on the pulley-drawn \"elevator\".\nDog Bark Park Inn B&B \nWhere: Cottonwood, Idaho\nHow much: $92 a night\nWhy it's cool: This doghouse isn't just for the family pet. Sweet Willy is a 30-foot-tall dog with guest rooms in his belly. Climb the wooden stairs beside his hind leg to enter the door in his side. You can relax in the main bedroom, go up a few steps to the loft in Willy's head, or hang out inside his nose. Although you have a full private bathroom in your quarters, there is also a toilet in the 12-foot-tall fire hydrant outside.\nGamirasu Cave Hotel\nWhere: Ayvali, Turkey\nHow much: Between $130 and $475 a night.\nWhy it's cool: This is caveman cool! Experience what it was like 5,000 years ago, when people lived in these mountain caves formed by volcanic ash. But your stay will be much more modern. Bathrooms and electricity provide what you expect from a modern hotel, and the white volcanic ash, called tufa, keeps the rooms cool, about 65degFin summer. (Don't worry -- there is heat in winter.)", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following about Tayka Hotel de Sal is true?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The hotel is the cheapest among the four mentioned.", "Everything in the hotel is made of salt.", "The glue can prevent the rain from dissolving the hotel.", "It is located on a prehistoric dried-up lake."]}, {"question": "Which of the hotel makes you have a feeling of living in the far past?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Tayka Hotel De Sal", "Green Magic Nature Resort", "Dog Bark Park Inn B&B", "Gamirasu Cave Hotel"]}, {"question": "What is the similarity of the four hotels?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Being expensive.", "Being unique.", "Being beautiful.", "Being natural."]}]}
{"article": "Life is too short to waste a moment, so while you still have time, let your hair down, remove that \"boring\" tag in your so-called life and start making it worthwhile. Below are some tips that will help you live a wonderful life.\n1. Keep a Positive Attitude. Enjoy what you have and work on getting the things you desire. Psychologists believe that optimism   is a good defense against unhappiness, so it is better to keep your optimism alive. Feeling sad about your life will only make you sadder, so be happy.\n2. Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks. Life is all about taking risks, and that's the exciting part of it. Challenges and failure are part of life. Once you learn how to take risks, you'll soon realize how good it feels not to let moments pass you by.\n3. You only have one life, so make it worthwhile. Being unwilling to let the past go just keeps you away from the things you should be enjoying at the present.\n4. List the Things You Want to Do. Stop lazing around and give yourself something to be busy with. Write down a list of all the things you want to do and make a timeline, not to stress you out, but to remind you of your goals. So don't put limits to yourself because you'll never know what may happen.\n5. Try Out Something New. Getting into something or trying something unfamiliar to you may seem scary, but nothing can make you feel happier than being able to overcome your fear. Who knows? You might enjoy it! The world is a big place and there are still lots of things waiting to be explored by you. Go to a foreign place where you know no one.", "problems": [{"question": "From Tip One we know that we should   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["never be afraid to take risks", "try something new every day", "focus on the good things in life", "get rid of all our former habits"]}, {"question": "What's the best title for the third tip?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Enjoy Today and Let Go of the Past.", "Never Think of Tomorrow.", "Remember You Are the Best.", "Never Change Your Mind."]}, {"question": "The writer may NOT agree that   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["feeling sad about your life does you no good", "it's good to keep yourself busy doing something", "you shouldn't go to a new place where you have no friends", "you should enjoy the present instead of always thinking of the past"]}, {"question": "What is the writer's attitude toward life?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Positive.", "Negative.", "Doubtful.", "Indifferent."]}]}
{"article": "Little Tom down the street calls our dog \"The keep dog\".Zip is a sheep dog. But when Tom tries to say\" Seep\", it comes out \"keep\". And in a way Tom is right. Zip is always bringing things home for us to keep! I'll tell you about some of them.\nZip's first present was a shoe. It was made of green silk.\nWe didn't know how Zip found the shoe. But after a moment Mary, my big sister, told me the shoe had a strange smell. I nodded and held my nose. \"What do you think it is?\"\n\"It smells like something for cleaning. I think someone tried to clean a spot   off the shoe. Then he put it at the door to dry.\"\n\"Along came Zip. And good-bye shoe!\" I said.\"We should take it back.\"\n\"We can't \".said my sistter.\n\"Maybe little Tom is right,\" Mary said. \"Maybe Zip is a keep dog!\"", "problems": [{"question": "The writer and Mary didn't know  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["what Zip's first present was", "how Zip carried its first present home", "who owned Zip's first present", "what Zip's first present was made of"]}, {"question": "Tom calls Zip \"the keep dog\" because   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the dog likes keeping things", "the dog likes playing with shoes", "he doesn't know the dog's name", "he can't pronounce the word \" sheep\" well"]}, {"question": "What made the shoe strange was   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["its colour", "its smell", "its size", "that it was a silk one"]}, {"question": "The word \"keep\" in the last sentence means \"  _  \"", "answer": "B", "options": ["keeping things for itself", "bringing things for other to keep", "not letting it run about", "taking care of a small child"]}, {"question": "We can know from the reading that the dog   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["likes to give presents to people", "has been kept in at the writer's home", "has brought some trouble", "likes to be called \"the keep dog\""]}]}
{"article": "Since the 1950s, most of the stars of pop music have come from Britain and America. Howver, in the last ten years, when many different kinds of music have established themselves on the pop scene, more and more stars have come from other countries.\nPop music changes all the time and new stars appear and become famous. For a musician to stay popular and still produced good, original music over a long period of time, is a sign of true star.\nMost stars start their careers in a simple way---- playing in unknown night clubs or dance-hall where people want to dance to the music, not listen to it. They may have continued doing this for many years untill they get a \"break\"---- a chance to perform in a well -known place or get a recording contract. To become a star is the aim of every singer or musician and the dream of many a pop-crazy teenager.\nHowever a group or star makes it to the top, they can be sure that their lives will change once they are successful. Ordinary teenagers living at home with their parents may suddenly find themselves rich enough to buy their own houses. An established superstar may be able to buy several.\nDespite the large amount of money that are earned, life at the top is not easy for many stars.. The pop scene is hard work and many stars need to spend a lot of time away from home. For a lot of them, this means they have no home life and their personal relationships suffer. Despite great public success, life at the top can be very lonely.", "problems": [{"question": "Since the 1950s,most of the stars of pop music have come from  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["America", "America and Britain", "America and Europe", "other countries"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, a \"break\" may mean a chance to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["perform in a well-known concert", "get a recording contract", "play in dance-halls", "meet a lot of pop-crazy teenagers"]}, {"question": "If a star becomes successful,.he   _   according to the passage.", "answer": "D", "options": ["will live at home with their parents", "will have an easy life because of the larger amount of money earned", "may have a happy home life and good person relationships", "may have a lonely life"]}]}
{"article": "Women love shoes! They will sometimes go to look for the perfect pair of shoes to wear only once with the perfect outfit or the fashion of the day. Once worn, these fashionable designer shoes may spend weeks, months, or years in the closet without being worn again until another special occasion comes up. With that said, are expensive designer shoes really worth their cost?\nHistorically, shoes were invented to free feet from sharp rocks, hot sands, and blisters. Shoes were made to be simple and functional, with tough leather soles and straps. As society became more sophisticated  , the role of shoes changed; shoes were made to add status to the wearer.\nShoe designers began to work on the production of fashion shoes for the wealthy; shoes meant more for show than for practical use or simplicity. Good shoemakers became well known and printed symbols on their shoes, so people could recognize the maker of that particular design. Designer shoes were thus born.\nMany women develop serious problems with their feet after wearing these designer shoes during the workday and the medical costs for dealing with these problems can get very high. Some popular makers of designer shoes have been working towards combining comfort and practical use into their shoes, but it has been noted that women still go for style, beauty and uniqueness above everything else.\nSo to answer the question as to whether or not designer shoes are worth the cost, the answer is certainly yes, but be smart and invest in a pair of comfortable, not so stylish shoes for the days when you stay outdoors for hours! They can also be very expensive, but I can surely say that they are worth the cost.", "problems": [{"question": "When shoes were first made, their main use was to   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["increase the wearer's image", "protect the wearer from discomfort", "make the wearer more noticeable", "show the simplicity of life"]}, {"question": "From the passage, we can learn that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["women like to wear designer shoes only during the workday", "designer shoes are more practical and beautiful than common shoes", "shoemakers won fame for their shoes' prices", "shoemakers printed symbols on their shoes for being recognized"]}, {"question": "Designer shoes will remain on the market because they   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["make a lot of money for shoemakers", "meet women's demand for being special", "will become increasingly comfortable", "offer the wearer a chance to show off their wealth"]}, {"question": "In this passage, the author wants to  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["explain why expensive designer shoes are worth the money", "talk about the necessity of owning comfortable shoes", "warn women of the danger of wearing designer shoes", "talk about the history and development of shoes"]}]}
{"article": "One of the best-known American writers of children's books is Alfred Strong, or Doctor Strong, as he is better known to readers everywhere. Now, an art show called \"Doctor Strong From Then to Now\" is travelling around the United States. The pictures and drawings show the history of Doctor Strong.\nDoctor Strong first became famous almost fifty years ago when his first children's book was published. Since then, he has written forty-five books that have sold more than one hundred million copies around the world.\nDoctor Strong's books are known for their easy use of words and colorful, hand-drawn pictures. These drawings bring life to his imaginary creatures. The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and hundreds of others.\nThe San Diego Museum, in California, organized the art show. It included about three hundred Doctor Strong's original  drawings and some of his writings.\nMost of Doctor Strong's books, although written in a funny way, have serious messages. For example, in Mc Elligot's Pool, he describes the danger of pollution. He discusses the arms race in The Butter Battle Book, written in nineteen eighty-four.\nDoctor Strong is almost eighty-four years old now. He says he never planned to write stories just for children. He says he writes stories that interest people of all ages. He says he uses easy words so that everyone, even a child, can understand.", "problems": [{"question": "Alfred Strong is a famous   _   in the United States.", "answer": "C", "options": ["doctor", "artist", "writer", "reader"]}, {"question": "Doctor Strong first became famous in   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["his eighties when an art show was travelling around the United States", "his fifties when his drawings and writings were published", "nineteen eighty-four when his book MeEligot's Pool was published", "his thirties when his first book was published"]}, {"question": "Doctor Strong's books are very popular in America because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they are stories about animals such as cats, elephants and so on", "they are written in easy words with colourful pictures", "he organized the art show in California", "they are written in a funny way"]}]}
{"article": "My mother, Marisol Torres, came with her family to Australia in the early 1960s. Then my parents' marriage ended and Mum began the study of precious stones. Her interest in opals   took her to the New South Wales remote town of Lightning Ridge. There were no luxuries  , but she was closer to nature and had a chance to find black opals and make some money.\nMy mother was beautiful with dark hair and brown eyes, but she was also quiet and shy. Early in the Ridge years, she kept to herself, but later, she started going to the neighbourhood centre to make friends.\nIt was her dream to mine, but her get-rich-quick thinking was unrealistic. She was cheated and she was never very successful. But she kept a sense of humour and a charming smile.\nThen, just as friendships began to blossom, she was diagnosed with cancer and had to return south for treatment. She had the intention of cooking Spanish food as special treat for her Ridge friends, but died too soon. In her honour, my aunt, Marisa, and I fulfilled her desire when we visited the Ridge in March last year.\nPeople who mine the Ridge come from a cross section of society, from lawyers to travels. Looks don't mean much: it can be hard to tell who is millionaire and who is poor. Opals attracted Sebastian and Hanna Deisenberger to Lightning Ridge. They planned a two-year stay, but became permanent residents.\nThen there's Neil Schellnegger, 45, who moved to the area with his parents when he was a child. He lives with his son, Luke. Luke is a shy 19-year-old boy who enjoys helping his dad. They haven't had much luck over the past couple of years, but their passion for opals conquers disappointment. They love the peaceful lifestyle.\nDanny Hatcher, 38, is a second-generation miner and president of the Lightning Ridge Miners' Association. He is an optimistic man, driven by the desire to find the perfect opal. \"It's magic,\" he explains. \"Once you start opal mining you don't want to do anything else... There is always the potential for finding a million dollars. Nothing beats it.\"\nIt's a place where dreams --- spiritual or material --- can be fulfilled; a place, for one last bet in life.", "problems": [{"question": "What made the author's mother go to Lightning Ridge?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The luxurious life there.", "Her new marriage there.", "Her interest in opals.", "Her passion for nature. ."]}, {"question": "After the author's mother died, she fulfilled her desire by   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["treating her mother's Ridge friends with Spanish food", "writing a biography about her whole life", "decorating her house in Lightning Ridge", "finding a lot of black opals in Lightning Ridge"]}, {"question": "We know from the passage that   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the rich and the poor can be distinguished by their looks", "Luke is a successful miner, just like his father", "Sebastian is planning to leave Lightning Ridge", "Danny Hatcher's parents were miners in Lightning Ridge"]}, {"question": "Lightning Ridge is a place where dreams can be fulfilled because   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["there are precious stones and life is peaceful", "there are people from all walks of life", "there are rich people who can help poor people", "there is a lot of gold hidden in the ground"]}, {"question": "What is the author's purpose of giving Neil Schellnegger and Danny Hatcher as examples?", "answer": "A", "options": ["To show the magic power of opal mining.", "To tell people it isn't always hard to mine opals.", "To warn people not to take up this kind of job.", "To persuade people to look for more resources for the country."]}]}
{"article": "Friendly doctors are\"bad for their patients'health\",researchers have warned as a new study revealed two thirds of young doctors struggle to be truthful with patients they like.\nBlurring(...)the lines between social and professional relationships can affect the level of care offered and prevent patients from being honest about important side effects.\n\"Doctors should avoid adding patients as friends on Facebook,they should not hug or allow patients to call them by their first names\".regulators have warned.\"Those who break the boundaries will face some punishment.\"\nIt comes as a survey of 338 oncologists under the age of 40,found 59 per cent said they found it difficult to tell the truth to those patients they liked.Sixty per cent of respondents said if doctors felt too close to their patients,it could prevent them from making objective decisions about a person's care.\nLesley Fallowfield,of Brighton and Sussex Medical Schoo1.said:\"Oncology is a profession that can be enormously rewarding but is filled with many challenges.Young oncologists have to master dealing with anxious patients who are facing a life-threatening disease;conveying the true prognosis ;discussing the complexity of modern treatments;and explaining the unavailability of some drugs,the side-effects of treatment,and likely treatment aims.\"\nBut she said,\"Those doctors who have entered the profession in the age of the 'Internet world'are more likely to fall victim to blurring the professional boundaries with patients.\nShe said:\"The difficulty,if you hug and kiss patients,if you allow them to call you by your first name,is that quickly the relationship can become confused as a social one rather than a professional one.Doctors become confused,'I really like this person,how can I bear to tell them that they're going to die?'They find it more difficult to be objective.\"", "problems": [{"question": "Why are ffiendl3,doctors bad for their patients'health?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They don't like to cheat patients.", "They are not good at treating patients.", "They find it not easier to be objective to the patients.", "They seldom blur the relationship with patients."]}, {"question": "What should doctors do according to the regulations?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Add patients as friends on Facebook.", "Have close connection with patients in life.", "Always be cold to patients.", "Keep a proper distance to patients."]}, {"question": "Which opinion will Lesley Fallowfield agree with?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Oncology is a rewarding profession without challenges.", "The Internet makes it easier for young doctors to break the boundaries.", "It's not the duty of doctors to deal with patients'anxiety.", "Becoming friends with patients will help them recover soon."]}, {"question": "Young oncologists will face the following challenges except  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["dealing with a lot of life-threatening diseases", "discussing difficulties of treatment with patients", "explaining the reason for the lack of some medicine", "informing patients of the possible results of the treatment"]}]}
{"article": "Welcome to Arundel Castle which is situated in West Sussex, England. The castle has a history of nearly 1000 years and has welcomed visitors traveling from all over the world. Arundel Castle also plays a starring role in many films.\n _ \nThe White Garden is planted with soft white Iceberg Roses, and Snow White Lilies.\nThe Rose Garden is newly planted with lovely old-fashioned English roses that are at their very best in June and July.\nThe Organic Kitchen Garden produces a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, pears, cherries and apples.\n _ \nIn the Castle Shop, you will discover a wide and interesting range of gift ideas for everyone. It offers gifts and souvenirs designed to appeal to all tastes and pockets. Foods, china, books, and stationery  are all available. Many are sold in this Castle Shop only.\nAt Arundel Castle we pride ourselves on supporting local suppliers and actively encourage environmentally friendly products.\n _ \nSaturday 16th to Monday 25th August\nThe annual Arundel Festival gets bigger and better every year. It is one of the most amazing, diverse and easily accessible arts festivals in the UK, offering a mix of visual arts, music, theatre and street entertainment.\n _ \nCoaches and mini-buses can drop off at the main Castle entrance in Mill Road and park in the main town car park that is opposite the Castle entrance. Please inform us when making your booking of how many parking permits are required.", "problems": [{"question": "When visiting the castle, you can  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["get old-fashioned English roses as gifts", "buy eco-friendly products in the Castle Shop", "get seasonal fruit and vegetables for free", "see how the local gifts are being made"]}, {"question": "How long does the Arundel Festival last this year?", "answer": "A", "options": ["10 days", "One week", "16 days", "One month"]}, {"question": "Where can you park the coach?", "answer": "C", "options": ["In Mill Road", "Inside the Castle", "In the main town car park", "At the main Castle entrance"]}]}
{"article": "I am a professor of sports and exercise so I often deal with nervousness in my research with sports people. Actually, most people experience nervousness at some time or another.\nIf you are feeling anxious, my advice is to first find the cause or causes. Make a list of those things that are making you nervous and work out which ones you can do something about. Focus all of your efforts on managing the causes that you can control.\nMost people cannot tell the difference between controllable  and uncontrollable causes, so things they can't control become a big reason for nervousness. Dealing with this is very important if people want to keep a healthy mind.\nSimply try to accept the uncontrollable causes of nervousness. You might be worried about the weather on a big day, an accident or an attack on the train, or perhaps just things that other people are doing at work. The results may be very important but there is still no use worrying because you can't control any of these things. Accept that you can't control everything. Once you understand this, it becomes easier not to worry.\nIf a situation, such as swimming, is causing you to be anxious, try to face it as often as possible so that you can get used to it.\nIt can often help to think about yourself doing the thing that makes you nervous--then close your eyes and imagine it going well. Imagine how the flight or job interview is going to happen so that you can get used to it. This will help you understand that the thing you fear most is probably not going to happen.", "problems": [{"question": "Who wrote this passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["A reporter.", "A sportsman.", "A patient.", "A professor."]}, {"question": "The writer thinks there is no use worrying about some causes of nervousness because_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["most are not very important", "they are not the real causes of the problem", "they cannot be controlled by people", "it's better to deal with one cause at a time"]}, {"question": "If swimming makes you nervous, what should you do according to the writer?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Go swimming often to get used to it.", "Avoid going to the swimming pool.", "Find a swimming teacher.", "Imagine watching others swim."]}, {"question": "What is TRUE about nervousness according to the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It usually has only one cause.", "It is usually caused by people.", "People can easily manage it.", "Most people suffer from it."]}, {"question": "What is the main purpose of this passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["To introduce the writer's sports experience.", "To advise on how to deal with nervousness.", "To help people remember their fears.", "To explain the dangers of nervousness."]}]}
{"article": "Hello-Hello, a creative mobile language learning company, announced the launch of Hello-Hello World, a free application for the iPad that helps people learn a new language by connecting them with native speakers through social networking.\nThe application lets users complete language lessons and connect with Hello-Hello's global community of language learners with members in almost 100 countries to help each other in the learning process. \nHello-Hello World is available in 11 different languages and allows users to submit both oral and writing exercises for their friends and Hello-Hello's language experts to review. Users are also able to provide written feedback on their friend's exercises directly from their mobile devices.\n\"The most effective way to learn a new language is through total immersion  ,\"said Sarah Gontijo, founder and CEO of Hello-Hello. \"However, not everyone has the opportunity to live in another country. Hello-Hello World brings the convenience of connecting with native speakers anytime, from anywhere. This can help users not only learn the language but also understand the culture.\"\nHello-Hello World lets users synchronize   their information with the Hello-Hello Cloud and then access the content from any mobile device or computer. The application is first being released for the ipad and will become available on a variety of platforms, including the iPhone, Android and Blackberry.\nThe application arrives at a time when tablet   computing is driving the creation of new educational tools, such as Hell-Hello World. Many schools and colleges are finding ways to adapt mobile technology for classroom learning. \"The market is hot for such pioneering in education and social networking,\" said Gontijo. \"Hell-Hello promises to be the invention that will set the ball rolling and bring innovation to an industry that has seen little change over the years.\"\nTechnology research firm Gartner predicts that app-store downloads worldwide will double to $17.7 billion as the year closes, and that app-income will hit $15.1 billion, tripling the impact of last year's sales. App-downloads are expected to continue to jump to 185 billion by 2014, at which point worldwide tablet sales are projected to surpass   208 million units.", "problems": [{"question": "With the launch of Hello-Hello world, users can   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["talk to any foreigners in the world", "speak any foreign languages fluently", "practice pronouncing words correctly", "communicate with native speakers anytime"]}, {"question": "Which mobile device is Hello-Hello World being released for now?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The iPhone.", "The ipad.", "Android.", "Blackberry."]}, {"question": "What does Sarah Gontijo think it takes to learn a new language effectively?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Hard work and practice.", "Cultural understanding.", "A language learning environment.", "Modern mobile technology."]}, {"question": "It is implied in the passage that   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["there is a potential market for this mobile technology", "mobile technology is being used for classroom learning", "students do not know how mobile technology can be used", "it is difficult for Hello-Hello to change the mobile industry"]}]}
{"article": "Discover\nNewsmagazine of science devoted to the wonders and stories of modern science, written for the educated general reader. Published   by Disney Magazine Publishing Co., Discover tells many of the same stories professionals   read in Scientific American. A truly delightful family science magazine, each issue   brings to light new and newsworthy topics to make dinnertime and water-cooler conversations interesting.\nCover Price: $59.88\nPrice: $19.95 ($1.66/issue)\nYou Save: $39.93 (67%)\nIssues: 12 issues/12 months\nSelf\nPublished by Conde Nast Publications Inc., Self is a handbook devoted to women's overall physical   and mental   health. Every issue contains usable articles   such as \"Style Lab\", in which wearable clothes are mixed and matched   on non-models and the \"Eat-right Road Map\", with tips on how to eat properly.\nCover Price: $35.86\nPrice: $15.00 ($2.5/issue)\nYou Save: $20.86 (58%)\nIssues: 6 issues/12 months\nInStyle\nInStyle is a guide   to the lives and lifestyles   of the world's famous people. The magazine covers the choices people make about their homes, their clothes and their free time activities. With photos and articles, it opens the door to these people's homes, families, parties and weddings, offering ideas about beauty, fitness and in general, lifestyles. Publisher: The Time Inc. Magazine Company.\nCover Price: $47.88\nPrice: $23.88 ($2.38/issue)\nYou Save: $24.00 (50%)\nIssues: 10 issues/12 months\nWired\nThis magazine is designed for leaders in the field of information engineering including top managers and professionals in the computer, business, design and education industries. Published by Conde Nast Publications Inc., Wired often carries articles on how technology changes people's lives.\nCover Price: $59.40\nPrice: $10.00 ($1.00/issue)\nYou Save: $49.40 (83%)\nIssues: 10 issues/12 months", "problems": [{"question": "Which of the following magazines is published monthly?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Discover.", "Self.", "InStyle.", "Wired."]}, {"question": "Which two magazines are published by the same publisher?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Wired and InStyle.", "Discover and InStyle.", "Self and Discover.", "Self and Wired."]}, {"question": "Those who are interested in management and the use of high technology would probably choose  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["In Style.", "Self.", "Wired.", "Discover."]}]}
{"article": "I was at a busy traffic crossing waiting to cross to the other side. There was a family--a man, his wife and an old lady, waiting to cross with me.\nThen, the light turned green and all of us walked quickly across the road. The light lasted very short, and changed into red in no time. I noticed that both the man and his wife had crossed along with me and the old lady was left behind. I quickly realized what happened.\nWhen the light turned dreen again, I ran over to the other side, offered the old lady my right hand and we quickly walked together to the other side of the road. I used my left hand to stop any oncoming   traffic so that even if the crossing signal turned red, we cuold make it to the other side safely. In the meantime, both the man and his wife realized that they had left the old woman behind and they ran back.. The old lady was in tears and told me, \"Young man, you are more caring   than my son,\" and then gave me a warm handshake  . The man and woman were sorry about what happened and also thanked me. Before leaving, the old lady gave me a big smile, which I have cherished   even to this day. She kept waving and waving until we couldn't see each other any more.", "problems": [{"question": "Why didn't the old lady cross the road with the others ?", "answer": "B", "options": ["She wanted them to go first.", "She was too old to walk quickly.", "She didn't see the light changed.", "She wanted them to walk with her."]}, {"question": "The auther turned back to   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["see what was happening", "keep the old lady safe", "look for the man and his wife", "help the old lady cross the road"]}, {"question": "What does the auther cherish to this day ?", "answer": "C", "options": ["The opportunity that he helped the old lady.", "The words the old lady said to him.", "The big smile the old lady gave him.", "The warm handshake the old lady gave him."]}, {"question": "What does the auther learn from his experiece ?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Being kind to others can mean a lot.", "One should take care of his parents.", "Old people are afraid of traffic.", "Strangers can be helpful to others."]}]}
{"article": "The small coastal town of Broome, in northwest Australia, is a remote village in the vast countryside.\nThere are no traffic jams and hardly any roads. There is only the massive Australian wild land, where some houses are 500 miles apart and some driveways are 50 miles long.\nThere seem to be only two main sources of entertainment out here: the sunset at the beach and Sun Pictures.\nSun Pictures is a very different movie theater:The seats are park benches and deck chairs, but you're also welcome to sit on the grass.\nIt is the world's oldest outdoor movie garden. Sun Pictures was built in 1916 on the other side of the globe from Hollywood. All the big films were shipped here and the lonely country was amazed.\nBroome resident Pearl Hamaguchi has never traveled far from home. But in the Sun Pictures chairs, under the deep blue night sky, she has been almost everywhere.\n\"And we came back excited about Gregory Peck,\" she recalled.\nThis is one of the few places left in the world where you can see two sets of stars at the same time-----one set in the sky, the other in the film.\nEach night, dozens of people from around the world line up at the old wooden stand, with no computer in sight, and buy their tickets to the latest films.\nSun Pictures is also a museum, exhibiting projectors  that date back to the silent films, a portrait gallery of the famous people who never knew about this place---- even though they came here all the time.\nEvery once in a while, I'm told, you might find a non-ticket holder in your seat. That's why it's always a good idea to shake out your chair to make sure there are no spiders or scorpions.\n\"We've only had a couple of scorpion incidents but no one's been stung yet,\" said Aaron Mestemaker, a tourist visiting from Michigan.\nSun Pictures is a holy hall of movie history and a reminder that air conditioning and carpet are no match for grass and fresh air---even when the lizards steal the scene.", "problems": [{"question": ".Sun Pictures is different from other theaters because   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it is the most historical outdoor theater in the world", "the audience can either sit on chairs or on the grass", "it was built by some constructor from Hollywood", "all the films were imported here from Hollywood"]}, {"question": ". Gregory Peck is most probably the name of  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["a place", "a film", "a movie star", "a country fellow"]}, {"question": ". It can be inferred that the tourists in Broome are most attracted by   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["its peacefulness", "its beautiful sunset", "the Sun Pictures", "the gallery of movie stars"]}]}
{"article": "A quarter of US adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos survey. The typical person said that he / she read four books in the last year and, excluding those who had not read any books at all, the usual number of books read was seven.\nOf those who did read, women and pensioners   were the most eager readers, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices. The number of books read was nine books for women and five for men. The number also showed that those with college degrees read the most, and people aged 50 and over read more than those who are younger.\nPeople from the West and Midwest are more likely to have read at least one book in the past year. Southerners who do read tend to read more books -- mostly religious books and romance novels -- than people from other regions.\nThose who said they never attend religious services read nearly twice as many books as those who attend frequently, but the Bible and religious works were read by two thirds of the people in the survey, more than all the other categories. Popular fiction, histories, biographies and mysteries took up about half, while one in five read romance novels. Politics, poetry and classical literature were named by fewer than 5% of readers. More women than men read every major category of books except for history and biography books. Men tend to prefer non-fiction.\nBook sales in the US have been flat in recent years and are expected to stay that way, which, experts think, results from competition from the Internet and other media, and the unsteady economy.", "problems": [{"question": "The passage mainly tells us   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["the number of Americans who read books last year dropped", "the book sales in the US have been dropping in recent years", "the reasons why one in four Americans read no books last year", "about region differences in the number and kind of books read last year"]}, {"question": "Which kind of Americans read the most last year according to the survey?", "answer": "B", "options": ["Older men with college degrees from the South.", "Older women with college degrees from the South.", "Younger educated men from the Midwest.", "Younger educated women from the West."]}, {"question": "What kind of books was read most according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Religious works.", "Popular fiction.", "Poetry.", "History."]}]}
{"article": "In the world today, there are millions of surveillance cameras, or \"spy cams\", watching and monitoring our daily activities. There are some benefits of course, as people who are breaking laws can be watched and caught using cameras and this helps keep our society and public places safe. These cameras are everywhere and most are openly visible on roads, in airports, businesses, shopping centers and government buildings and even in lifts. Even schools have started using spy cams to watch student activity and behaviour.\nThe cameras are so common now that we hardly ever even notice them. But the problem lies with the ones that are hidden away from our eyes and are unseen. Technology has helped develop tiny cameras that can be very well hidden and they can \"spy\" on shoppers, workers, babysitters and people in hotels and clubs without the people even knowing.\nIt is these spy cams that people feel are an invasion of privacy. Recently, in the US, there have been a number of court cases against babysitters whose actions have been recorded by their employers on hidden cameras.\nThe number of cameras in public and private areas is on the increase and with rising crime rates and the recent terrorist attacks, more and more surveillance cameras are being used to watch us. This means that we all have to be aware that our employers, department stores, police and even some of our friends could be spying on us at any time!", "problems": [{"question": "In the writer's opinion, surveillance cameras   _  .         .", "answer": "B", "options": ["do more good than wrong", "are overused", "should be very popular", "ought to be more widely used"]}, {"question": "In what way can the surveillance camera benefit the public?", "answer": "A", "options": ["By helping keep social safety.", "By monitoring the employees.", "By watching the students in class.", "By spying on customers."]}, {"question": "Spy cams will be more widely used in the future because   _  .         .", "answer": "D", "options": ["all people want to spy", "of the invasion of privacy", "people enjoy being watched", "of terrorist attacks"]}]}
{"article": "Nickname: Hawaii's Island of Adventure\nSize: 4,028 square miles\nPopulation: 148,677. The most heavily populated areas are Hilo on the east side and Kailua-Kona on the west.\nTemperature: Averages between 71degFand 77degF year around ( _ ).\nBeaches: 47 Golf Courts: 20 Highest Peak: Mauna Kea, 13,796 feet.\nAgriculture: The bulk of Hawaii's farming products are grown and processed on the Big Island, including coffee, macadamia nuts and papaya.\nLodging: 9,655 rooms total; nightly rates range from $35-$5,000.\nAirports: Hilo International Airport on the east side and Kona International Airport on the west side.\nRental Cars: All of the nationally known rental car companies have locations at Hilo International and Kona International Airports as well as many resorts. In addition, Hilo, Kona and the major resort areas are serviced by taxis.\nResources: Call (800) 648-2441 to order a video, poster, brochures and maps from the Big Island Visitors Bureau. See www.bigisland.org for updated information.\nShopping: The largest shopping centers are in Hilo, Kona, Waimea and the Kona Coast.", "problems": [{"question": "_   are mostly interested in reading the passage.", "answer": "B", "options": ["Students", "Tourists", "Businessmen", "Officials"]}, {"question": "The average population per square mile on the island is about   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["28", "32", "37", "44"]}, {"question": "_   are not mentioned as traffic means to get around the Big Island.", "answer": "A", "options": ["Trains", "Planes", "Rental cars", "Taxis"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["You can see www.bigisland.org for updated information.", "You can call (800) 648-2441 to order some food.", "You can find some courts to play tennis on the island.", "You may pay a high price for spending one night on the island."]}]}
{"article": "It seems that the Englishman just cannot live without sports of some kind. A famous French humourist once said that this is because the English insist on behaving like children all their lives. Wherever you go in this country you will see both children and grown-ups knocking a ball about with a stick or something, as if in Britain men shall always remain boys and women girls! Still, it can never be bad to get exercise, can it?\nTaking all amateur and professional sports in Britain into consideration, there can be no doubt that football is at the top of the list. It is called soccer in the United States. The game originated in Britain and was played in the Middle Ages or even earlier, though as an organized game, or \"association football\", it dates only from the beginning of the 19th century.\nThe next is rugby, which is called \"football\" in the United States. It is a kind of football played by two teams of fifteen players rather than eleven. The rugby, in which an oval-shaped ball is used can be handled as well as kicked. It is a pretty rough game.\nIn summer, cricket is the most popular sport. In fact, it has sometimes been called the English national game. Most foreigners find the game rather slow or even boring, but it enjoys great popularity among the British.\nTennis rates high on the list, too. It was introduced into England from France in the 15th century, but it was from England that it spread to practically every country in the world.\nTable-tennis or \"ping-pong\" surely is not played on a great scale as it is in China or in Japan. Basketball and volleyball were introduced into Britain during the late 19th century from America and are gaining popularity. Horse-back riding, swimming, rowing and golf all attract a lot of people.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about football and rugby?", "answer": "C", "options": ["They differ in the shape of the ball", "They are played by different numbers of players", "They both can be handled", "They both can be kicked"]}]}
{"article": "Study Books\nBasic Study Manual     Hardcover  :$ 37\nFuture success depends on the ability to learn. Here are the answers to the questions most often asked by parents, teachers, business trainers and by students themselves. Read this book and learn:\nWhat the three barriers   to study are and what to do about them.\nWhat to do if you get tired of a subject you are studying.\nTwenty-six simple drills to help you learn how to study easily, rapidly and with full understanding.\nBuy and read Basic Study Manual and use it do dramatically improve your ability to study.\nStudy Skills for Life      Hardcover: $32\nL. Ron Hubbard's study technology for children opens the door to their future success by giving them the ability to study and learn. Fully illustrated (,) for easy comprehension.\nLearning How to Learn   Hardcover: $25\nThe basics of effective study for 8 to 12-year-olds, fully illustrated. Children who read and apply the materials in this book regain their liking for study and their ability to apply this knowledge in life. Get this book for a child you want to see win at his studies!\nHow to Use a Dictionary Picture Book for Children       Hardcover: $36\nIn spite of billions of dollars spent on \"educational research\", children are not taught the most basic skills of learning, even the most basic of these: how to use a dictionary. In fact, a research of educational books for children found no book that told them how to use a dictionary or that one should. Written for children 8 to 12-year-olds, this fully illustrated book will teach your child:\nHow to find words in a dictionary.\nThe different ways that words are used.\nWhat the different marks and symbols that are used in a dictionary mean.\nHow to use a dictionary to correctly pronounce words.\nIt includes a section for parents and teachers showing you how to use this book with children. Buy this book and give it to your children to unlock their education. What's more, you will just pay 50% for it before May 1, 2014.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the advertisements, the four books are all intended for   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["teachers", "children", "adults", "women"]}, {"question": "Some of the four books were illustrated in order to   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["persuade foreigners to buy all of them", "reduce the cost of them", "help readers understand them and make a better choice", "make them suitable to different reader."]}, {"question": "If you buy the four books on April 30, 2014, you will have to pay   _   for them.", "answer": "B", "options": ["$ 130", "$ 112", "$ 65", "$ 18"]}, {"question": "The purpose of the passage is to   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["show readers how to use the four books", "help children to learn English", "enrich students knowledge about nature", "sell the four books to students."]}]}
{"article": "It's likely that everything you learned about America's ancient history is wrong.\nThe new book,1491, completely changes our understanding of the America before the arrival of Columbus in 1492.\nDID YOU KNOW?\nWhen Columbus landed there were probably more people in the Americas than there were in Europe.\nThe peoples of North America had such healthy life-styles that as late as the 19th century they continued to be the tallest people on earth.\nFacts have shown that the Americas were populated as long as 33,000 years ago. 4,000 years ago Mesoamerican farmers developed corn in a feat   of genetic engineering that still isn't completely understood.\nCOMMENTS ON 1491\n\"In the tradition of Jared Diamond & John MePhee, a totally new view of pre-Columbian America\".\n-Richard Rhodes\n\"Attractively written and really absorbing, Charles C.Mann has produced a book that's part detective story, part epic  and part tragedy . He has taken on a vast topic: thousands of years, two huge continents, and cultures.\"\n-Charles Matthews,San Jese Mercary News\n\"Powerful and challenging\"\n-Alan Taylor,Washingto post\n\"A pleasure to read as well as a wonderful education\"\n-Howard Zinn", "problems": [{"question": "On the whole,1491 is a book mainly about America's  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["life-styles", "population", "history", "agriculture"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the comments on the book 1491?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It is interesting and instructive.", "It is attractive and culturally related.", "It is challenging and revolutionary.", "It is humorous and persuasive"]}, {"question": "From this passage, we can learn  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["people settled in the America a little earlier than 1492", "North Americans were the tallest in the 18th century in the world", "Mesoamencan farmers knew genetic engineering 5,000 years ago", "the population in the Americas was smaller than that in Europe in 1492"]}]}
{"article": "It was a physical class. But it was nothing like previous ones -- the class was \"attended\"\nby over 60 million students across China, and the teacher was not even on the planet: she was 340 kilometers above the earth.\n\"Hello, everyone. I'm Wang Yaping. I'll host your lecture today.\" Smiling to the camera, Wang, China's second female astronaut, started her video class on June 20 on board the Tiangong-1 space station.\nTo show how Newton's Laws work in space, Wang and her fellow astronauts used simple items like balls and spinning tops. The highlight of the lecture was when Wang _ using a metal ring, something that only happens in zero gravity, where the surface tension  of water is much higher than it is on the earth. She then took it a step further by pouring more water onto the film and turning it into a water ball, leaving the audience amazed by what they saw.\nThe 40-minute lesson seemed to have passed too quickly for students to see enough of those magical experiments. But sending stuff into space is really expensive. According to The Beijing Times, every kilogram launched into space cost 20,000 dollars. The experimental items taken this time were all strictly selected and weighed about 2.9 kilograms in total. This adds up to quite a large price tag.\nThe organizers of the event also had to consider the time of day: the communication signal between the earth and Tiangong-1 was best during that specific 40 minutes, when the spacecraft was flying within the coverage of all of the ground-based testing stations.", "problems": [{"question": "Why is the class different from a common one?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Because it took 40 minutes.", "Because over 60 million students across the world attended it.", "Because the teacher was on the planet.", "Because the lecturer was in space."]}, {"question": "One of the experiments shows  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["object motion under weight conditions", "laws of physics under weightless conditions", "laws of physics under weight conditions", "how Newton's Laws work on the earth"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements can be the best title of the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Teaching from the Sky.", "Teaching on Physics.", "Teaching Experiments.", "Teaching by an Astronaut."]}]}
{"article": "\"Who does the cooking in your home?\" I'm often asked by my colleagues. \"My wife and I share it 50/50,\" I usually say without hesitation.\nIt's a lie, of course. We're pretty much even when it comes to the children and the elderly. But the paying of bills isn't 50/50-my wife pays all sorts of household expenses, so I never even have to set eyes on them. And the cooking isn't 50/50, either.\nThe truth is that I am the cook. On my recent 40th birthday, I received the following gifts from my children: a new pot, two mini bottles of truffle oil, a decorative salad-dressing pourer, and a juice-making machine. For a moment I longed for something more manly, a cricket bat, perhaps, and then had to admit that all these things would be useful for me.\nIt's not that my wife can't or doesn't like to cook (she makes delicious Welsh cakes). Nor has it always been this way. In the early years of our marriage I'd be relaxing with a glass of wine while my wife prepared for dinner after work.\nBut at some point that changed and I became the cook. Ten years with my wife gave me the rewards-I can throw together a roast, and I can make much foreign food. But I have truly become a monster  in the kitchen, unable to keep myself away from cooking. \"You have to add Dijon to the sauce; it brings out the taste of the cheese,\" I volunteer, as my wife is cooking. \"Quick, stir in the butter so the dish becomes delicious.\"\nIs it any wonder that my wife has given up coming into the kitchen while I find the whole process of chopping, mixing, and adding things deeply satisfying?", "problems": [{"question": "The gifts that the writer received on his 40th birthday show that  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["his children don't know him at all", "he is in charge of the cooking at home", "he doesn't get along well with his children", "his children have made wrong choices"]}, {"question": "What do we know about the writer's wife?", "answer": "C", "options": ["She can't cook.", "She doesn't like cooking.", "She used to cook for the family.", "She only knows how to make Welsh cakes."]}]}
{"article": "I was with a group of businessmen, and we were dealing with a question--What is a good person?\nAt a certain point during the discussion, one of the students--a young man of about thirty--described an event that happened at Christmas. He and his five-year-old son were decorating the Christmas tree, and a little boy came to the front door begging. If you ever visit Mexico, you will see that the people there take begging as nothing to get upset about and nothing to get embarrassed by.\nSo, this little boy came to the door, a boy about the same age as my student's son. The father and the son went to the front door, and the father went back with his five-year-old son and said to him, \"Give him one of your toys.\" At the words, the little boy quickly picked up some toy, and his father said to him, \"No, no-give him your favorite toy.\"\nAnd the little boy, like a little tiger, said, \"No way!\" He cried; he refused. But the father, like a big tiger in a way, insisted gently, \"No, you must give him one of your favorite toys.\"\nAnd finally the boy, with his head down, picked up a toy he had just gotten. The father waited in the living room, and the boy walked to the front door with the toy in his hand. The father waited and waited.\nWhat do you think happened?\nAfter a couple of minutes, his son came running back into the living room, his face radiant  . \"Daddy,\" he said, \"can I do that again?\"\nI think I have got the answer to the question.", "problems": [{"question": "From the passage, we can learn that in Mexico   _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["begging is looked down upon", "begging is considered as a normal part of life", "visitors all over the world treat beggars kindly", "few people are living a poor life"]}, {"question": "The sentence \"can I do that again?\" showed that the boy   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["got pleasure by helping the little beggar", "wanted to please his father", "began to like the little beggar", "wanted to be the little beggar's friend"]}, {"question": "According to the writer, being a good person means   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["having the courage to correct his/her mistakes", "being friendly to beggars", "being ready to give", "being able to teach children to tell right from wrong"]}]}
{"article": "Manage your time well for each module , but also make sure you get a good balance  between work and social life. That is\nfor life in general.\nSet aside time specifically for each subject. Try to study one subject a day. You need to balance time. If you are bad at balancing things, make a personal timetable. Even if you do not stick to it, you will have an idea what you should be doing each day. This is better than trying to do everything each day and, at the end of the week, not achieve anything. Also, try to keep your weekends free of studying. Only study at the weekend if you really have to.\nI had to learn to balance work, study and family when I was at college. I was a retail assistant working part-time and had at least four modules to complete at the same time at college. I also had to help around the house doing household cleaning and shopping at times. I managed to finish my college work on time, which was very difficult and hard, and still hold down a job.\nWhy was it possible? Because I only thought about my part-time work when I was at work on the weekends and my college work had to be done from Mondays to Fridays before the weekends. This was hard--but you need to set a timetable for yourself. It was an achievement when I finally realized that things have to be done in order, and need to be organized as well.\nBalancing study and other aspects  of your life can be a problem if you have a job or a family, but planning in advance is helpful. Use the time you have well. Do not leave anything until the last minute, as this will only cause problems.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the advice the writer gives?", "answer": "A", "options": ["Try to study many subjects in a day.", "Try not to study on the weekends.", "Plan in advance.", "Try to set a timetable."]}, {"question": "It could be inferred from the passage that   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["the writer has a part-time job as an assistant when he was at college", "you need to set a timetable for yourself", "you should make a personal timetable if you are bad at balancing your time", "the writer can arrange  his time well when he was at college"]}, {"question": "What is the passage mainly about?", "answer": "C", "options": ["I had a good time during my college.", "How to study well at college.", "Balance time between study and other aspects of your life.", "How to plan your things in advance."]}]}
{"article": "Choosing the Right Resolution  \nMillions of Americans began 2014 with the same resolution they started 2013 with, a goal of losing weight. However, setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake.\nTo reach our goal of losing weight --- the output, we need to control what we eat --- the input ( ). That is, we tend to care about the output but not to control the input. This is a bad way to construce goals. The alternative is to focus your resolution on the input. Instead of resolving to lose weight, try an actionable resolution: \"I'll stop having desert for lunch,\" or \"I'll walk every day for 20 minutes.\" Creating a goal that focuses on a well-specified input will likely be more effective than concentrating on the outcome.\nRecently a new science behind incentives   , including in education, has been discussed. For example, researcher Roland Fryer wanted to see what works best in motivating children to do better in school. In some cases, he gave students incentives based on input, like reading certain books, while in others, the incentives were based on output, like results on exams. His main finding was that incentives increased achievement when based on input but had no effect on output. Fryer's conclusion was that the intensives for inputs might be more effective because do not knoe how to do better on exam, aside from general rules like \"study harder.\" Reading certain books, on the other hand, is a well-set task over which they have much more control.\nAs long as you have direct control over your goal, you have a much higher chance of success. And it's easier to start again if you fail, because you know exactly what you need to do.\nIf you want to cut down on your spending, a good goal would be making morning coffee at home instead of going to a cafe, for example. This is a well-specified action-based goal for which you can measure your success easily. Spending less money isn't a goal because it's too general. Similarly, if you want to spend more time with your family, don't stop with this general wish. Think bout an actionable habit that you could adopt and stick to, like a family movie night every Wednesday.\nIn the long run, these new goals could become a habit.", "problems": [{"question": "The writer thinks that setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake because   _   .", "answer": "B", "options": ["it is hard to achieve for most Americans", "it is focused too much on the result", "it is dependent on too many things", "it is based on actionable decisions"]}, {"question": "In Roland Fryer's research, some students did better than the others because   _   .", "answer": "D", "options": ["they obeyed all the general rules", "they paid more attention to exams", "they were motivated by their classmates", "they were rewarded for reading some books"]}, {"question": "According to the writer, which of the following statements is a good goal?", "answer": "A", "options": ["\"I'll give up desert.\"", "\"I'll study harder.\"", "\"I'll cut down my expense\"", "\"I'll spend more time with my family\""]}, {"question": "The writer strongly believes that we should   _   .", "answer": "C", "options": ["develop good habits and focus on the outcome", "be optimistic about final goals and stick to them", "pick specific actions that can be turned into good habits", "set ambitious goals that can balance the input ang output"]}]}
{"article": "My father was poor in expressing his feelings. I knew that my dad loved me, but showed me love in other ways. There was one particular time in my life when this became real to me.\nI always believed that my parents had a good marriage, but gradually the strain  on my mom and dad's relationship was quite evident. However, I was not prepared for the day when Dad had decided to leave. All that I could think of was that I was going to become a product of a divorced family. I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to happen. The night before he left, I stayed up in my room for a long time. I prayed and I cried and I wrote a long letter to my dad. I told him how much I loved him and that I would always and forever be his Krissie. As I folded my note, I stuck in a picture of me with a saying I had always heard: _ Early the next morning, as my dad left our house, I slipped my letter into one of his bags.\nTwo weeks later, my mother told me that they decided that there were things that the both of them could and would change and that their marriage was worth saving. \"Well, Dad said that when he read your letter, it made him cry. It meant a lot to him and I have hardly ever seen your dad cry. After he read your letter, he called to ask if he could come over to talk. Whatever you said really made a difference to your dad.\"\nA few days later my dad was back. We never talked about the letter. I guessed that it became a secret between us.", "problems": [{"question": "Why did the author's father decide to leave?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Because he was poor in showing his feelings.", "Because his wife was always giving orders.", "Because serious problems occurred in their marriage.", "Because the strain on father-daughter relationship was evident."]}, {"question": "How did the author feel when her father decided to leave?", "answer": "D", "options": ["Excited.", "Annoyed.", "Doubtful.", "Upset."]}, {"question": "What's the main idea of the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["How the author's parents enjoyed a happy marriage.", "How a letter saved the author's parents' marriage.", "The divorce had a great influence on the author.", "The author had a good relationship with her parents."]}]}
{"article": "The story goes that some time ago,a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper.Money was tight and he became infuriated  when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.Nevertheless,the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said,\"This is for you,Daddy.\"\nThe man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction,but his anger flared  again when he found out the box was empty.He yelled at her,stating,\"Don't you know,when you give someone a present,there is supposed to be something inside?\" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried,\"Oh,Daddy,it's not empty at all.I blew kisses into the box.They are all for you,Daddy.\"\nThe father was crushed.He put his arms around his little girl,and he begged for her forgiveness.\nOnly a short time later,an accident took the life of the child.It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years,and whenever he was discouraged,he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.\nIn a very real sense,each one of us,as human beings,has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children,family members,friends,and God.There is simply no other possession more precious than this.", "problems": [{"question": "The 3-year-old girl was punished by her father for  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["wasting gold", "wasting gold wrapping paper", "putting the box under the Christmas tree", "bringing the gift to her father"]}, {"question": "What's inside the box according to the little girl?", "answer": "C", "options": ["Nothing.", "Air.", "Kisses.", "Gold wrapping paper."]}, {"question": "The father remembered the love of his daughter by  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["kissing the gold box", "putting gold into the box", "taking out an imaginary kiss from the box", "keeping the little girl's gold box by his bed"]}, {"question": "Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?", "answer": "A", "options": ["The kisses in the box", "A girl and her father", "A love story", "The box under the Christmas tree"]}]}
{"article": "When his book Little Princes begins, Conor Grennan is planning a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month volunteer service at the Little Princes Children's home, an orphanage  in Nepal.\n              When he arrived at the orphanage, Conor was immediately welcomed by all the children even though he had no previous experience in working with children. He quickly grew to love the job. But it wasn't long before Conor came to learn that the children were not orphans at all -- they were actually children who had been separated from their parents by a child trafficker .\n              This realization turned Conor's global journey into a strong desire to try to find a way to reunite these children with their families. As a part of his efforts, Conor did a great amount of work when he was back in America. He started up a nonprofit organization called Next Generation Nepal(NGN), raising funds in order to buy a house in Nepal for another children's home. Then, back in Nepal, he began a life-changing trek  into the remote villages in the mountains of Humia.\n              It is really amazing to read about Conor communicating with the children and to read his descriptions of each of them. He made me truly care about the kids. I wanted them to be able to reunite with their families, too! Unfortunately, this was simply not possible for some of the children. But there were some children who received amazing surprises. Jagrit, for example, had thought for years that both his parents were dead. So, Conor was dumbfounded when he visited Jagrit's village and was introduced to the boy's father!\n              Conor successfully found many of the families of the children. Also, he was successful in finding his future wife while in Nepal.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we know about Little Princes Children's Home?", "answer": "D", "options": ["It is a profitable organization.", "The children in it are all orphans.", "It has many branches all over Nepal.", "Many children ended up there due to illegal trade."]}, {"question": "It can be learned from the passage that Conor Grennan   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["is the author of Little Princes", "is determined to remain single", "likes teaching very much", "is a friend of the author's"]}]}
{"article": "Once upon a time, on an isolated island in the Java sea, lived short people who dominated(, ) the food chain. Standing no more than three and a half feet tall, these human ancestors hunted giant rats, lumbering lizards , and _ elephants.\nIt sounds a bit like a fairy tale, but it's true. Unearthed relics on the island uncovered the remains of a race of tiny human ancestors. Homo floresiensis, as the newly discovered species has been named, apparently could date back to 13,000 years ago. This means they have a lot in common with modern humans.\nSo how and why did these people get so small? Scientists suspect that it's due to the fact that this race lived on an isolated island with limited resources. Take the miniature elephants for example. When elephants first came to the island either by swimming or by some kind of natural land raft, they were probably close to full size. But since there wasn't much to eat, over time smaller elephants lived longer and better. The smaller the elephant was, the less it had to eat to stay strong and healthy.\nScientists call this the \"island role\", and it can apply to humans as well as animals. Given the island's sparse  food supply, it makes sense that the early humans living there would have evolved   a body size requiring less food to survive. So bigger isn't always better.\nIn the floresiensis, at least, getting smaller was the way to go.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the fact Homo floresiensis are very small is based on  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["the islanders in the Java Sea", "the human ancestors", "the unearthed relics", "a newspaper report"]}, {"question": "People on the island got so small because  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["they did not have enough food to eat.", "they gradually developed for lack of food.", "they shared less food with elephants.", "they remained alive as the elephants."]}, {"question": "What might be the most suitable title of the passage?", "answer": "D", "options": ["The history of short people", "Short people from a fairy tale", "The proofs on short people", "Short people on an isolated island"]}, {"question": "According to the passage, getting smaller can make people and animals   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["run quickly", "live longer", "live weaker", "run slowly"]}]}
{"article": "A few years ago, I moved into a new house in Los Angeles. Soon after, a family moved in next door. It wasn't the best of times for me. I had just divorced  from my second wife, and I wasn't working. I'd come home each day and sit by myself in the backyard. One night, I heard someone from the yard next door, \"Tom ! How are you, Tom? \"\nI couldn't see anybody through the trees, but I answered, \"I' m good.\"\n\"Good!\" said the voice.\n\"What's your name?\" I asked.\n\"Eric.\" Then I heard someone say, \"Eric, don't bother him.\"\n\"Okay!\" Eric said. \"Talk to you tomorrow!\"\nMonths later, on Halloween, we finally met face to face. Eric came to the door dressed like a rap star. We became friends. We'd hang out in our yards, and Eric, who was almost 17 at the time and look liked a 13-year-old, would tell me his ideas and dreams. Eric's dad, Alec Gores, is a billionaire , the head of Gores Technology Group.\nOne day, Alec called me and said, \"I know you are an actor. My son's an actor, too. And he's very good. I want you to write a movie for him. He wants to do something like True lies.\" That's the movie I made in 1994. His father has given Eric the great gif of confidence. He believes he can do anything he wants. He also offered to fund the movie. And that's how The Kid & I, which opens in November, began.\nWell, I really have to say that opportunity lies anywhere.", "problems": [{"question": "What do we learn about the writer when he had just moved into his new house in Los Angele?", "answer": "C", "options": ["He often came back very late.", "He was working in the city at that time.", "He and his second wife had just gotten divorced.", "He often talks with others in the backyard."]}, {"question": "The writer of this passage is a(an)_.", "answer": "B", "options": ["teacher", "actor", "singer", "doctor"]}, {"question": "What do we learn about Eric from the passage?", "answer": "B", "options": ["He lives alone with his father.", "He has a very rich father", "He often feels very lonely.", "He is a rap star."]}, {"question": "From his experience in Los Angeles, the writer learnt that_.", "answer": "C", "options": ["where there is a will, there is a way.", "one should always learn from the past.", "one can find opportunity anywhere.", "life can always be better."]}]}
{"article": "Mr. Briggs got a job with an insurance company  after he left school and went around visiting people in their homes to sell them life insurance. \nOne day, after he had been working for the company for about a year, the insurance manager sent for him and said, \"Mr. Briggs, I have been looking at your record as a salesman with our company, and there is one thing that surprises me about it. Why have you been selling insurance only to people over 95 years old, and why have you been giving them such generous conditions? You'll ruin our company if you go on like that. \"\n  \"Oh, no, sir,\" answered Mr. Briggs at once, \"Before I started work, I looked at the figures  for deaths in this country during the past ten years, and I can tell you that few people die at the age of 95. \"", "problems": [{"question": "Before he worked in an insurance company, what was Mr. Briggs?  _", "answer": "C", "options": [". He was a worker.", "He was an official.", "He was a student.", "He was a businessman."]}, {"question": "As a salesman with the company, Mr. Briggs   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["visited people to ask them to work with him", "called on people to make them join the company", "saw old people in order to help them", "visited many people so as to offer insurance"]}, {"question": "What was it that surprised the manager?   _", "answer": "B", "options": ["Mr. Briggs sold life insurance only to 95 people.", "Mr. Briggs sold insurance only to people of more than 95.", "Mr. Briggs had ruined the insurance company.", "Mr. Briggs gave people generous conditions."]}]}
{"article": "A family story is like a puzzle. Each family member leaves some clues. Family members come together because they have a common tie with one another, sharing a name and special traditions. Exploring family roots and sharing past memories ensure each tradition lives on.\nAncestory.com has created customized   \"Our Name is History\" books to give your family a look into your history by learning about your last name. By visiting _ , you can check if information is available for your last name. Ancestory.com researchers have collected more than 5 billion names from records such as passenger lists, immigration records and from birth, marriage and death records. The collected information is then used for each customized book.\n\"Our Name is History\" books are available for nearly 200,000 last names, accounting form 85 percent of all the US homes. The collected information is a great start of learning about your family roots. This book will not only surprise your mother, but also become a precious memory to pass down through the generations. It can also be an inspiration for her to talk about all the special women in her life. So instead of just giving her flowers or jewelry, give her a special family name book and share your favorite memories with her.\nAfter learning the general history of your last name, your might be inspired to continue your exploration. The \"Our Name is History\" books include a special software product for building, searching and sharing your family history.\nTo learn more about \"Our Name is History\" books, visit www. Ournameinhistory.com. The deadline to order in time for Mother's Day is April 30.", "problems": [{"question": "The \"Our Name is History\" books   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["are very cheap compared with flowers or jewelry", "can tell us where we should look to find out family history", "cover the last names of all Americans", "can tell us origins of our last names"]}, {"question": "What will mothers do if they get \"Our Name is History\" books?", "answer": "A", "options": ["They may be inspired to talk about some special women they remember.", "They will collect information about their family roots.", "They will learn how great their ancestors are.", "They will share them with some other families."]}, {"question": "What's the purpose of the author in writing this passage?", "answer": "C", "options": ["To tell us how to explore family roots.", "To help family traditions to live on.", "To advertise \"Our Name is History\" books.", "To tell us how to create our own family history."]}]}
{"article": "Have you ever suddenly felt that someone you knew was in trouble--and was he? Have you ever dreamed something that came true later? Maybe you have ESP  .\nESP stands for Extra Sensory Perception. It may be called a sixth sense. It seems to let people know about events before they happen, or events that are happening some distance away.\nHere's an example. A woman was ironing clothes. Suddenly she screamed, \"My father is dead! I saw him sitting in the chair!\" Just then, a telegram came. The woman's father died of a heart attack. He died sitting in a chair.\nThere are thousands of stories like this one on record. Scientists are studying them to find out what's behind these strange mental messages. Here's another example--one of hundreds of dreams that have come true:\nA man dreamed he was walking along a road when a horse and carriage came by. The driver said, \"There's room for one more.\" The man felt the driver seemed dead, so he ran away. The next day, when the man was getting on a crowded bus, the bus driver said, \"There's room for one more.\"\nThen the man saw that the driver's face was the same face he had seen in the dream. He wouldn't get on the bus. As the bus drove off, it crashed and burst into flames. Everyone was killed!\nSome people say stories like these are _ . Others, including some scientists, say that ESP is real. From studies of ESP, we may someday learn more about the human mind.", "problems": [{"question": "According to the passage, the author believes that the sixth sense is  _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["in existence", "imaginative", "not real", "impossible"]}, {"question": "By studying ESP, scientists may get to  _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["learn how people tell lies", "know more about human dreams", "know more about human mind", "learn how strange things happen"]}, {"question": "This article is mainly about  _  .", "answer": "B", "options": ["the human dream", "the sixth sense", "the human mind", "a crowded bus"]}]}
{"article": "Do you know how to play a game called \"Musical Chairs\"?It is easy to play and most people enjoy it. All you need are some chairs, some people and some way of making music. You may use a piano or any other musical instrument, if someone can play it. You may use a tape recorder. You can even use a radio.\nPut the chairs in a row. The chairs may be put in twos, back to back. A better way is to have the chairs in one row with each chair facing in the opposite direction to the chair next to it.\nThe game is easy. When the music starts, the players walk round the chairs. Everyone goes in the same direction, of course, they should walk in time to the music. If the music is fast they should walk quickly. If the music is slow, they should walk slowly.\nThe person playing music cannot see the people in the game. When the music stops, the players try to sit on the chairs. If a person cannot find a chair to sit on, he drops out. Then, before the music starts again, one chair must be taken away. When the music stops again, one more player will be out.. At last, there will be two players and one chair. The one who sits on the chair when the music stops is the winner.", "problems": [{"question": "If ten people are playing musical chairs,you must begin with   _  .", "answer": "A", "options": ["nine chairs", "ten chairs", "eleven chairs", "one chair"]}, {"question": "Which of the following is not suitable for playing musical chairs?   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["A piano", "A radio", "A tape recorder", "A telephone"]}, {"question": "The chairs should be put   _  .", "answer": "D", "options": ["with the desks", "before the winner", "all over the room", "in a line"]}, {"question": "When the music starts,the players must   _  .", "answer": "C", "options": ["run about the room", "get down", "walk around the chairs", "sit on the chairs"]}, {"question": "Which of the following statements is NOT true?", "answer": "B", "options": ["The game \"Musical Chairs\" is not difficult to learn.", "The last one can sit on the last chair.", "The winner can sit on the chair.", "If the person plays music, he cannot be the winner."]}]}