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.
Anyway,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.
Nevertheless,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.
Another 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.
In conclusion,I would like to say I am not against computers.I use computers,too,but people should be wary all the time.

Question: The writer's main purpose in writing the passage is  _

Choices:
- 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


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.
Each 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.
The 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.
So 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.
However, others struggle to grow shoulder length hair.These people have a shorter than normal anagen period.
Your 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.

Question: How many periods of hair growth are discussed in the passage?

Choices:
- Two.
- Three.
- Four.
- Five.

Question: The Catagen period is a period that   _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- Changing his genes.
- Going to see a doctor.
- Cutting all his hair off.
- Eating more vegetables.


The percentage of districts that require elementary schools to teach physical education increased, to 93% last year from 83% in 2000.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    "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."
    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%.
    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.

Question: What is the best title for this passage?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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  .
George had a friend, whose name was Mark. One day George offered to take Mark up in his plane.
Mark thought, " I've traveled in a big plane several times, but I've never been in a small one, so I'll go. "
They went up, and George flew around for half an hour and did all kinds of tricks in the air.
When they came down again,  Mark was glad to be back safely, and he said to his friend in a
shaking voice, "Well , George,  thank you very much for those two trips in your plane."
George was very surprised and said, " Two trips? "
    " Yes, my first and my last. " answered Mark.

Question: Which of the following statements is false?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- unhappy
- excited
- frightened
- surprised

Question: Mark went up in George's plane   _  .

Choices:
- twice
- only once
- several times
- once or twice


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.
In 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!
A 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!

Question: Reporters who write on films are said to be lucky because they  _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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.


Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself.
The 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.
That 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.
Beingin deep wateris almost the same as being in hot water. When you are in deep water, you are in a difficult position.
To 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.
Water 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.
Another 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.
Throwing 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.

Question: If Robert says he is in deep water, we may guess  _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- weak
- convincing
- logical
- disappointing

Question: The passage explains the origins of the following expressions EXCEPT  _  .

Choices:
- to be in hot water
- to keep your head above water
- water over the dam
- to hold water


Believe it or not, there're always some people who like staying up too late. However, sleeping early can bring us many benefits.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Improve memory. Sleeping early lets your mind arrange the thoughts well. Waking up early with a fresh mind will regain all of it.
4. 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.
5. _ . Breakfast is very important to start the day. Most of the time as we wake up late we miss it.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Question: What kind of sleep can relieve the physical and mental stress?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 9 hours.
- 8 hours.
- 7 hours.
- 6 hours.

Question: What will happen if you sleep less than seven hours?

Choices:
- Losing weight.
- Becoming sleepless.
- Becoming active
- Becoming fat.


Ann was on her first package trip in Rosas, Spain.
At 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!
Ann 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.
For 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.
Late 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!"

Question: "A package trip" probably means   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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.


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.
In 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!
A 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!

Question: Reporters who write on films are said to be lucky because they   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- brave
- quick in mind
- strong
- well-informed


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.
She 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."
"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.
In 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.
On 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."

Question: We can learn from the text that Artemisinin has a good effect on   _   .

Choices:
- 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?  _

Choices:
- 85
- 81
- 45
- 25

Question: Which of the following is Not True?  _

Choices:
- 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?   _

Choices:
- An advertisement
- An announcement
- A speech
- A report


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.
At 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.
A 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.
In 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.

Question: Long-term weather forecasts beyond the year 2050 may seem strange because  _  .

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- big scientific experiments
- clever long-term forecasts
- the industrial revolution
- planets changing course

Question: Scientists are fairly sure that, by the year 2050,   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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.
  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.
  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.
  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."
The 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.
Dubai 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.
Dubai'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.
The city state rocked global financial markets in autumn 2009 over its debt crisis, but its economy has returned to growth.

Question: The "new city within Dubai" will   _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- Tourism and Hotel Profits Growing in Dubai
- Biggest Mall to be Developed In Dubai
- Global Financial Crisis Hit Dubai
- Plan to Rebuild Dubai Announced


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.
As 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.
On 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.
As 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.

Question: When the author was a child, he   _  .

Choices:
- liked staying indoors
- hated rainy days
- dreamed on summer days
- preferred cooler weather

Question: We can learn from the passage that the author   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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.
The 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.
Driving 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.
After 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
and get a driver's license.

Question: We can infer that the students are required to    _    in their whole driving practice.

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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   _   .

Choices:
- happily
- quickly
- colorfully
- successfully


The management and staff are happy to welcome you and will do all they can to make your stay an enjoyable one.
We hope you will find the following suggestions and information of use to you.
MEAL TIMES
Our overnight charge includes a continental-type breakfast.
Breakfast: 7:30-9:30 a. m.      Lunch: 12:00-2:00 p. m.
Afternoon tea: 4:00-5:30 p. m.   Dinner: 7:00-9:15 p. m.
Meals 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.
Light 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.
ROOM CLEANING
Please 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.
VALUABLES
We 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.
DEPARTURES
Please 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.
A SPECIAL REQUEST
We 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.

Question: Meals can be served   _  .

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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   _

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- At restaurants.
- In shops.
- In hotels.
- In the newspapers.


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.
At 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.
At 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.
In 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.
At 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.

Question: The plaque at the entrance of the Jackson Street Hospital is considered as   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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.
When 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. "
As 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.
For 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.
Today 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.
That 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.

Question: The author wrote the passage to   .

Choices:
- 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   .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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.


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.
Kenney 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..
While 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.
"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."
The 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.

Question: What was Erica Kenney's purpose in doing the study?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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  _

Choices:
- don ' t like drinking water
- prefer sugary drinks to water
- are at risk of health problems
- don ' t drink enough water daily


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.
To 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.
Now you see that skin -diving is both useful and interesting.

Question: Skin- diving is a new sport. It can take you to  _  .

Choices:
- the moon
- a new world of land
- the mountains
- deep water

Question: In deep water  _  .

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- catch fish very easily
- stay under water for a long time
- climb big rocks
- have more fun


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  .
Every 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.
A 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."
Mahe 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."
And 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.

Question: Why did Keefe want to keep the picture she found?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- inspiring
- dangerous
- mysterious
- fortunate


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
to a child's normal development.
It'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.
As 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.
Researchers 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.
"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  ."

Question: We know from the passage that   _   .

Choices:
- 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   _   .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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.


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!
Iguazu 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.
Angel 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.
Tugela 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.
Niagara 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.
Rhine 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.

Question: From the text we know that the highest waterfalls in the world is  _  .

Choices:
- Iguazu Falls
- Angel Falls
- Niagara Falls
- Rhine Falls

Question: The similarity between the Tugela Falls and the Niagara Falls is that  _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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.


The Haitian tsunami gave scientists a chance to find out how well vital and potentially life-saving warning systems were working.
Noaa's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory has developed a warning system that picks up signals of tsunamis directly from the sea-floor.
It 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.
Dr 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.
"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.
Dr Bernard says that, with 75 to 100 buoys worldwide, this system could provide global tsunami warnings within one hour.
"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.
"In some countries, including Haiti, there may not be enough resources to support a specific tsunami warning centre for something that happens so infrequently."
He said that this system was relatively inexpensive to fix and operate.
"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.
"That's not a terribly expensive system considering the potential savings of lives."

Question: In which section would you probably read the passage in a newspaper?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 150
- 100
- 75
- 50

Question: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- Tsunami Assessment
- Earthquake detecting
- Disaster Warning System
- Life Saving System


Borrowing to start a business is not easy. Getting a bank loan, particularly for a new small business, is _
Banks 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.
However, 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?
So the most important thing is do your homework before you ask for a loan.

Question: Banks prefer to give a loan to those who   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- thoroughly prepare
- do some market research
- learn a lot about the bank
- know the upper limit of the loans


*1. Malan Flower: China Children's Art Theatre stages a fairy tale musical   "Malan Flower" this weekend.
Beautiful 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.
This fairy tale entertained three generations of Chinese youth.
Time: 7: 30 p. m., until August 21
Place: The Great Theatre of the Cultural Palace of the Nationalities, west of Xidan Area
Tel: 6602-2530
*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.
Contortionists   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.
Time: 7: 15 p. m., daily
Place: 10 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6502-3984
*3. Tour of love: Taiwan singer David Tao (Tao Zhe), who is on a global tour, will arrive in Beijing next month.
Tao 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.
With 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.
Time: 7: 30 p. m. , September 10
Place: Capital Gymnasium, Baishiqiao Lu
Tel: 6835-4055
*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.
Born in Henan Province, Li showed strong interests in art during his childhood, and was a specialized artist in the army.
The 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.
Time: 9 a. m. ~ 5 p. m., August 23 ~ 29
Place: 1 Wusi Dajie
Tel: 8403-3500

Question: Which advertisement will Michael be most interested in if he likes fairy tales?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 6602-2530.
- 6502-3984.
- 6835-4055.
- 8403-3500.

Question: On which page do the above passages most probably appear in the newspaper?

Choices:
- Opinions.
- Business.
- Sports.
- Listings.


Many people earn their living with their hands. Ed earns his living with his feet! And a very good living it is, too.
Ed'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.
At last Ed learned to kick a real football. By the time he was 11, he played football very well.
One 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!
After 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?"
"Oh, yes!" Ed answered.
In 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."
Mr. Dee took Ed to Santos, Brazil. There, the boy joined the Santos Football Club.
In his first big game, Ed helped his team win by seven points. He made four of the seven points!
Many people thought he was the best football player in the world. He was "The King of Football"

Question: What is said about Ed's family when he was a little child?

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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.


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.
On 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.
The space station has grown into a giant outpost 355 km up,home to three people at any given time--soon to be six.
Thanks 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.
The 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.
Fhe 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
"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.
"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."

Question: Piece No 2 of the ISS was put into orbit oil  _

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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


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.
Mark 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.
After 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.
In 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.
Unfortunately, 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.
At 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.

Question: In Mark Twain's childhood,   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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.
I 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.
The 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.
Awkward 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.
Enable 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.

Question: Most students go to the summer school in order to   _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- He thinks it is awkward.
- He thinks it is significant.
- He doesn't think it is suitable.
- He thinks nothing of it.


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.
From 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.
A 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.
In 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.
There 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.

Question: One might infer that   _  .

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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.
"I can't sleep," she said Saturday afternoon. "And since it happened I've had no appetite."
Walker 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.
The 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.
That's when Ching drew a handgun and fired a single shot over her head.
"He just shot the gun at me and I ran," she said, adding she could feel the bullet whiz past her head.
Birmingham 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 .
Police 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.
Ching did not tell police why he fired at Walker, Edwards said.
Edwards 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.
"No one was injured from the gunshot", Edwards said.
Calls placed to the restaurant Saturday afternoon were not answered.

Question: What happened on Thursday night in Good Friend Chinese and Seafood Restaurant?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


Linda and Lucy were best friends. They graduated from high school and went to the same college for further studies.
After 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.
Linda 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.
Finally, 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.
From 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.

Question: The following are Lucy's strange behaviors EXCEPT  _  .

Choices:
- turning wild
- being quiet
- sleeping too much
- being friendly

Question: What problem did Lucy meet?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- Medicine
- Science
- Law
- Art

Question: The writer tries to tell us  _  .

Choices:
- how we can give up drugs
- how we can overcome difficulty
- how we should help others
- what a true friend is


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.
       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.
       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.
       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.
       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.
       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.

Question: Which one is NOT mentioned in this passage that can be the source of carbon dioxide?

Choices:
- Oil
- Trees
- Wood
- Soil

Question: The committee report of National Academy of sciences in Washingtonreveals that_.

Choices:
- 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    .

Choices:
- 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_.

Choices:
- 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


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.
Even 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.
Some 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.
Students 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
The 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.

Question: Some parents are against uniforms because they think  _

Choices:
- 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


Trans-Bridge Tours is looking forward to providing you with another year of exciting One-Day travel destinations in 2016.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
August 15 (Sat)
$78 Adult; $66 Child (4-12); $ 75 Senior (62+)
No 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.
Price includes transportation to Liberty State Park and timed ferry tickets.
9/11 Museum& Memorial
September 29 (Tue)
$ 87 Adult; $ 78 Youth (7-17); Senior $80(65+)
The 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.
The New York Botanical Garden
October 14 (Wed)
$126 Adult
This 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.
Hagley Museum & Winterthur
November 21(Sat)
$113 Adult
Located 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.
Includes: Brandywine tour at Hagley; Lunch at Hagley Museum; Guided tour at Winterthur Garden

Question: Which of the following charges an adult the lowest fee?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- August 15.
- September 29.
- October 14.
- November 21.

Question: Which was set up in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks?

Choices:
- The Statue of Liberty.
- The 9/11 Memorial.
- Hagley Museum.
- Winterthur Garden.


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?
A team of scientists from Scotland say "yes". They've engineered special chickens that lay eggs with disease-treating drugs inside.
These eggs come from chickens that have been engineered to produce certain drugs inside their egg whites.
These 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.
Researchers 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.
Lillico 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  .
The 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.

Question: If you cut your finger, you may use   _   to cure it.

Choices:
- painkillers in a tablet
- antibiotic cream from a tube
- chicken eggs
- protein drugs

Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- treat lung cancer
- help reduce headache
- change people's DNA
- treat multiple sclerosis

Question: We can infer from the passage that   _  .

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- Chicken Eggs to Replace Medicine
- Chicken Eggs as Drug
- Chicken Eggs and Medicine
- Chicken Eggs and Animal Milk


'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.
'"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.
'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.
'He looked back at us with a proud, black look. "Name your price," he said.
'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.
'"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."
'"Don't worry," said the man with an ugly look, "I'll stay with you until the banks open, and change the cheque myself."
'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.'

Question: Which of the following is true according to the passage above?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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


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.
Historical Appeal Experience
Full 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.
Nature Charm Enjoyment
Nature 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.
A 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.
Rental Drive Adventure
If 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.
For more detailed information, please contact us by either of the following:
Tel: (246) 427-1952 0r 436-7189
Fax: (246) 436-2234

Question: Which of the followings is the sightseeing of Historic Bridgetown?

Choices:
- 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   _

Choices:
- 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   _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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


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.
  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.
  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.

Question: Christmas Day is  _  .

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- red clothes
- stockings
- presents
- food


Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag
Difficulty: Very Easy
Average User Rating:(4.3/5)
Milk 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.
What you'll need:
1 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.
How to make it:
l Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
l Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
l Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
l Shake until the mixture turns into ice cream, which takes about five minutes.
l Wipe the top of the small bag, and then open it carefully. Enjoy!
Tips:
1/2 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.
Here is another version of the homemade ice cream recipe from another parent!
These are the homemade ice cream ingredients:
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla butter and nuts; 1 tablespoon of sugar; 1/2 cup of milk.
These are the other supplies:
Plastic sandwich bag; 12 salt pellets; 1 dish of ice; large plastic bag.
Put 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.
When 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)
Next, 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!

Question: Which of the following things is NOT included in both recipes?

Choices:
- Sugar
- Ice
- Plastic bag
- Nuts

Question: Which of the following statements about the second parent is TRUE?

Choices:
- 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.


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.
About 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.
After 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.
The 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.

Question: What is the purpose of the text?

Choices:
- 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?

Choices:
- 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  _  .

Choices:
- 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