Whales live in the ocean, but they are not fish. They are warm-blooded mammals and must have air to breathe. The babies are born alive and drink milk from the mother's body. It took millions of years for the whale to develop as it is today.
Every spring groups of whales swim hundreds of kilometers to warm places to bear their young. Each group goes to the same place every year. The mothers take very good care of their babies. The fully grown whales are very gentle and playful with each other, and with humans. They "talk" to each other with a high noise that  sounds beautiful. This"talking" can be heard for more than 300 kilometers in open waters.
Yet humans kill over a hundred whales a day. They kill them to make whale oils and a lot of other things. Killing them is a modern business with modern machines and even harpoons( ) that explode( ) inside the whales. A whale dies very slowly and in great pain. Some ships kill every whale they can find, even the mothers and babies. Then there are no young whales to grow up or to bear more young.

Question: A commonly mistaken belief is that    _   .

Choices:
- whales are mammals
- whales must have air to breathe
- whales' babies drink milk
- whales are fish

Question: In the passage "mammals" refer to    _   .

Choices:
- the animals which live in water
- the animals which have wings and feathers
- the animals which are fed on their mothers' milk
- the things which live in earth and have no backbones

Question: Every spring each group of whales    _   .

Choices:
- swim only a few kilometers
- return to the same place as they did before
- go to different places
- go to cold places to bear their young

Question: When whales talk, it sounds like    _   .

Choices:
- talking
- whispering
- quarreling
- singing

Question: Every year humans kill    _    all over the world.

Choices:
- nearly forty thousand whales
- less than four million
- about four thousand whales
- about fourteen thousand whales


Have you ever intended to be fully absorbed in your work but found yourself distracted by e-mail, the Internet and other things throughout the day? According to the survey made by a famous university in the USA, most people have the experience.
"People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks," says Peter Bregman, the head of the survey. "They sometimes have a feeling to escape from what's difficult or boring, so they jump out," he says. The part of the brain devoted to attention is connected to the brain's emotional center. Any strong emotion --quarrels with colleagues, problems at home --can interrupt our attention. Studies over the last decade have shown that too much work to do at a time can easily lead to distraction.
Refocusing is hard for many people. Robert Epstein suggests the following, "Stop and listen to some soft music for a few minutes. Find a good friend or a teacher and say out your matter on your mind. Go for a short walk or take a deep breath, where you breathe in deeply, count to five slowly, hold it and breathe out very slowly." This can "blow out all the tension and the unwanted in your mind to _ your focus."
Take more control by structuring your time and becoming more aware of your behaviors. "Setting the phone alarm to go off every hour is my way of creating awareness," Mr. Bregman says. "You have to inform yourself that you've lost focus in order to do something about it." Starting the day with a to-do list is also important, such as when to eat, when to go to the gym or take a walk. But if it's overly ambitious, you will put yourself in a state of anxiety, which makes it hard for the brain to concentrate. "Choosing three or four things as your priority for the day allows your brain to settle down and focus," he says.

Question: According to the passage, which is NOT the reason why some people can be distracted from their work?

Choices:
- They don't want to be devoted to their work.
- They are disturbed by the Internet and other things.
- They can't find interest in their work.
- They feel their work is too hard for them.

Question: Which incident might NOT interrupt your attention?

Choices:
- You were scolded by your teacher.
- You had words with your good friend.
- You went to school at six as usual.
- Your mother and father had a quarrel.

Question: According to Robert Epstein, how can we refocus on what we should do?

Choices:
- Listen to rock music for some time.
- Turn to your good friends or teachers for help.
- Run around the playground for some time.
- Take a breath from time to time.


Many people keep the stamps in a drawer at home because they'll never know when they might need them! The trouble is that they have no idea of how many stamps they have left. When they want to send something by post, it's very annoying to find out that they have run out of stamps!
The Internet is possible to solve the problem. The United States Postal Service has come up with a system which allows people to print their own postage stamps at their own home! This is the perfect solution for those people that have busy lives!
Whenever you go to the post office to buy a stamp, you are buying a boring and standard postage stamp. They are red in color, and you can easily buy them on the Internet as well. For example, you can just order a regular 1st class stamp and then print it off using your own printer  .
These days, you can have much more fun with your stamps. You can buy them online instead of going to the post office. You can decorate, preview   and print your stamps all at your own home. You are able to use any of your own photos as part of your postage stamp as well.
These stamps aren't just allowed to be used in the United States; they can be used to send your mail throughout the world. They are perfect to use for many special occasions, such as weddings, festivals and even birthdays! They are fantastic!

Question: The problem of keeping stamps at home is that   _  .

Choices:
- the stamps may lose color
- you may not find them anywhere
- the stamps may be out of date
- you do not know how many are left

Question: With the system of the United States Postal Service, people can   _  .

Choices:
- buy photo stamps at a very low price
- send their international mails for free
- design their own photo stamps
- have their letters delivered faster than before

Question: What's the writer's attitude toward the new type of stamps?

Choices:
- He thinks they are a great idea.
- He is afraid they may cause trouble.
- He thinks they save a lot of money.
- He thinks they are as good as the traditional ones.


Centerville High School Essay Contest  "Write All About It"
Calling All Aspiring Authors--Centerville High School Essay Contest
*Rules
1.Students are asked to present essays of 500 to 700 words of their own work. Any essay containing material plagiarized  from another source will be disqualified .
2.Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced,with the student's name,address,and grade level on a separate sheet of paper.
3.Essays must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on November 30.They can be brought to Mrs. Elton in Rom 104 or to Mr. Markham in the school library.
*Essay-Writing Tips
1.Catch your readers' interests--Your opening should immediately pull your readers into your essay. Asking a question or starting with an story,quotation,or surprising statement is a good way to do this.
2.Create a picture--Use active words that show your readers what is happening. Instead of telling your readers vaguely that "the room was disordered",paint a picture using active verbs and lively adjectives.
3.Have a purpose--Well-written essays do more than just describe an incident or express a viewpoint,and they also communicate a message.
4.Check for mistakes--Read your paper over to check for mistakes. Ask another student to read your paper and make suggestions. Another pair of eyes will often spot a mistake you've overlooked.
5.Format your essay--Neatly type your essay on white paper. Choose an attractive cover for submission. The computer lab will be open after school from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. each day this month so that students can use the computers.
*Prizes
Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times. Every contestant will also receive a free pass to enter one school activity or athletic game this year.
First Prize:   $150
Second Prize:    Dictionary and thesaurus
Third Prize:     Pen set and journal
Special thanks to the Centerville Writers' Association for the prizes to help encourage our aspiring authors. Good luck to all contestants.

Question: The first writing tip given is mostly about  _  .

Choices:
- the use of quotations and stories in an essay
- using active verbs and lively adjectives
- how a student should begin an essay
- how to submit your essays

Question: Information in the passage suggests that  _  .

Choices:
- the essay contest has been carefully planned
- the students of the school are all athletic lovers
- most essay contestants have published their work previously
- Mr. Markham is an English teacher at Centerville High School

Question: The prize section of the poster is included in order to  _  .

Choices:
- show organizations how to donate prizes
- inform teachers of the prizes available
- persuade students to enter the essay contest
- convince students to buy the local newspaper

Question: Thanks are given to the Centerville Writers' Association because it has  _  .

Choices:
- offered to judge the contest
- prepared the essay-writing tips
- organized the essay contest
- donated prizes for the contest

Question: What do we know by inference from the passage?

Choices:
- The computer lab usually closes at 4:15 p.m. each day.
- Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times.
- Every contestant will benefit from the essay contest.
- The essay contest is held annually at Centerville High School.


Driver Wanted
Clean driving license .
Must be of smart appearance.
Age over 25.
Apply to : Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston.
Air Hostesses for International Flights Wanted
Applicants  must be between 20 and 33 years old.
Height: 1.6 m to 1.75 m.
Education to GCSE standard.
Two languages. Must be able to swim.
Apply to: Recruitment  office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK.
Teachers Needed
For private language school.
Having college education.
Teaching experience unnecessary.
Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston.

Question: What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi?

Choices:
- Fond of beer and wine.
- Punished for speeding and wrong parking.
- Unable to speak a foreign language.
- Not having college education.

Question: What prevents Mary, aged 25, becoming an air hostess?

Choices:
- She once broke a traffic law and was fined
- She can't speak Japanese very well.
- She has never worked as an air hostess before.
- She doesn't feel like working long hours flying abroad.

Question: Which of the following is not mentioned in the three advertisements?

Choices:
- Marriage.
- Male or female.
- Education.
- Working experience.


The crowd cheered and cheered. The man with the horn waved and smiled his great smile. "More! More!" cried the crowd. And Louis Armstrong took his horn and began to play again.
 Here he was in England. Now a famous man, he was rich. He knew many important people. Wherever he went, people knew his name. They wanted to hear his music. As he played the sad, slow songs, Louis thought of his home in New Orleans. He lived there as a boy. It was a busy, exciting city. But Louis's family was very poor. He went to work to help his mother. He also went to school. One of Louis's teachers asked him to join the school band. "This horn is yours until you leave our school," his teacher said. Louis's music was jazz and he loved it. He remembered all the music he heard. He didn't learn to read music until he was a man.
 When he left school, he played on many bands. He loved his work and people loved him. They knew that he had a wonderful talent. Louis played in little towns and in big cities. Armstrong's horn had as many sounds as ten horns--sometimes slow and sometimes sweet; sometimes fast and hot, high and low. His music was always strong and exciting. "He does make wonderful music," said the man who listened happily. "Yes," said another man, "he makes that horn speak. "
 The music ended and the crowd cheered. Louis Armstrong spoke with tears in his eyes, "I think, my friends, you can listen to as much jazz as I can play. I thought jazz was my music; but now I understand it is ours. It is beautiful that music brings us together. "

Question: Louis went to work when he was   _  .

Choices:
- a schoolboy
- a musician
- famous
- a man

Question: Louis was very smart but he didn't learn to read music until   _  .

Choices:
- he left school.
- he was in the school band.
- he became famous.
- he became a grown-up.

Question: He was famous for   _  .

Choices:
- his horn
- his sad songs
- his love for music
- his wonderful jazz music

Question: Which of the following is the best title for this story ?.

Choices:
- Musician
- A beautiful horn
- Sweet smiles
- The man with the horn


No one wants to look stupid or do the wrong thing at a new job. It is important to make the right impression from the very first day. You will face new people. You will be in a new place.
It may be difficult to know what to do. Here are five tips to help you make it through the first days at a new job:
1. First impressions can last forever. Make sure you make a good one. Before your first day, find out if your new job has a dress code (rules about what you can wear to work). If so, be sure to follow it. No matter what, always be neat and clean.
2. Get to work on time.
3. Pay attention to introductions. One of the first things that your supervisor may do is to introduce you to co-workers. These co-workers will be important to you. They are the ones who will answer your questions when the boss is not around.
4. Ask plenty of questions. Make sure that your supervisor has told you what is expected of you. If he or she has not told you your duties, ask for a list. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself.
5. Never be the first one to leave. Observe  what your co-workers do around quitting time  . It does not look good for you to be eager to leave.

Question: Before you arrive at work on the first day, you should   _  .

Choices:
- dress in a right way
- introduce yourself
- know your duties
- know your co-workers well

Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

Choices:
- You should be the first one to arrive at work.
- You should ask your co-workers about your duties.
- You should not be eager to go back home after work.
- You are required to arrive 15 minutes earlier

Question: According to the passage, your supervisor is most likely your   _  .

Choices:
- visitor
- teacher
- workmate
- leader

Question: What is the best title for this passage?

Choices:
- Getting a New Job.
- Tips on How to Work.
- The First-day Work.
- The Importance of Co-workers.


All the oceans of the world will be dead in the future unless action is taken at once. How can this happen?
We have already seen that people allow all sorts of waste products to flow into the sea. It is almost impossible to measure how much waste water and industrial waste in our oceans, but we can find out how much oil is poured into them legally and illegally. It is illegal to pour oil into the sea close to the shore, but when a ship is many miles out to sea, there are no such rules. Scientists have different ideas as to the amount of oil putting into the sea, but the lowest figure for oil poured in European waters alone is nearly 200 000 tons every year. Some people say the figure could be ten times as high.
It is not only our coasts that suffer from oil pollution. Many shell fish, for example, now have high amounts of poisonous substances . Next time you have shell fish to eat, how can you be sure that they are free from oil pollution? You cannot see the effects and you cannot taste them, either. It is really quite a problem.

Question: This passage is mainly about  _  .

Choices:
- pollution in the oceans
- oil pollution in the waters
- the amounts of poison in shell fish
- the amounts of oil in the sea

Question: According to the passage, what is the main cause of oil pollution?

Choices:
- Oil ships which meet and strike each other.
- Oil poured at sea when the oil tanks are cleaned out.
- Oil from waste water and industrial waste.
- Oil coming out of the bottom of the sea.

Question: Which of the following is illegal according to the passage?

Choices:
- Pouring oil into the sea from land, especially when there is no other choice.
- Pouring oil at seaside.
- Allowing waste materials to flow into the waters.
- Going fishing when the water is polluted by oil.

Question: According to the passage, which one is TRUE?

Choices:
- The amount of oil put into the sea is nearly 2000 000 tons in the globe.
- Every year, the figure for oil poured in the ocean is 1000 000 tons in Europe.
- Some people think the figure for oil poured is estimated too low.
- The highest amount of oil put into the oceans reaches 1000 000 tons in globe.

Question: Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?

Choices:
- The water body of the earth will be dead by the year 2010 without any effective measure.
- All the Oceans in the world are polluted by oil.
- It's possible that all the creatures in the sea will die out if no action is taken.
- Some kinds of the living things in waters have been poisoned and we must be careful of them.


Star Wars Millennium Falcon
This is a gift that, if we're being honest, many dads want to own for themselves. This huge ship is the greatest Star Wars toy. It lights up and makes some noises. Every boy from 3 to 53 will absolutely like it, if they can find room for it. I dare say even a few grandfathers might go for it.
Biscuit--the Loving Pup
You may clearly know that a pet can be a great thing to a child's development but you probably don't think that you can take care of a dog properly. The robot dog Biscuit is less likely to
the disorder of your house and except for a few dead batteries, won't leave any surprises on the floor. It will be a good playmate for your kids.
JVC KD-10 Headphones
It's increasingly common for kids to enjoy themselves on long journeys with a portable  DVD player or an iPod MP3, but the headphones that come with expensive electronics are seldom suitable for young ears. Kids should use JVC headphones that have a sound limiter that can be set by the concerned parent.
Sparrow-kids Routemaster Kit
Sparrow-kids Kit makes a huge range of craft   tools. There are lots of pretty but achievable projects for young girls to take up their (safe plastic) needles and sew.
Holz Wooden Airport
It might be said that Britain doesn't need another airport but when it's a traditional wooden toy like this all of you would agree that it's a good thing. Treated with a little care, this play-set could easily entertain your young air traffic controllers.

Question: Which of the gifts is designed mainly for girls?

Choices:
- Holz Wooden Airport.
- Sparrow-kids Routemaster Kit
- Star Wars Millennium Falcon.
- Biscuit--the Loving Pup.

Question: The five things listed in the passage are    _    .

Choices:
- presents for the whole family
- gifts mainly for children
- craft tools for children
- the latest high-tech products


Take That Tiger Mom
In the ongoing battle between Tiger Moms, French Mamas, and everyone else who wants to know what is the best way to raise their kids, a new study adds evidence that the extreme Tiger-style may do more harm than good.
Authoritarian parents are more likely to end up with disrespectful children with violent behaviors, the study found, compared to parents who listen to their kids with the goal of gaining trust.
It was the first study to look at how parenting styles affect the way teens view their parents and, in turn, how they behave.
The study considered three general styles of parenting. Authoritative parents are demanding and controlling while also being warm and sensitive to their children's needs.
Authoritarian parents, on the contrary, are demanding and controlling without the appearance of caring, attachment and receptiveness. They take a "my way or the highway" approach to their kids.
Permissive parents, the third group, have warm and receptive qualities, but they set few boundaries and carry out few rules.
Using data on early 600 kids from an ongoing study of middle school and high school students in New Hampshire, researchers from the University of New Hampshire were able to find "my way or the highway" parenting with more violent behaviors like robbery, drug-taking, and attacking someone else with the intention of hurting or killing.
Firm but loving parenting, on the other hand, led to fewer lawbreakers. Permissive parenting, surprisingly, didn't seem to make much of a difference either.
To explain the link between parenting style and behavior in kids, the researchers suggested that what matters most is how reasonable kids think their parents' power is. This sense comes when kids trust that their parents are making the best decisions for them and believe that they need to do what their parents say even if they don't always like how their parents are treating them.
When kids respect the power of their parents, the researchers reported in the journal of Adolescence, their behavior is better. Previous research has also linked firm but caring parenting with kids who have more self-control and independence.
"When children consider their parents to be the reliable figure, they trust the parents and feel that they have a duty to do what their parents tell them to do," said lead researcher Pick Trinkner. "This is very important as the parent doesn't have to rely on a system of rewards and punishments to control behavior and the child is more likely to follow the rules when the parent is not physically present."

Question: Tiger Moms and French Mamas are mentioned in the passage to   _  .

Choices:
- give an example of authoritarian parenting
- show the advantage of parenting
- compare two types of parenting
- introduce the topic

Question: According to the research, what kind of parenting style is likely to cause children's criminal behaviors?

Choices:
- Caring parenting.
- Permissive parenting.
- Authoritarian parenting.
- Authoritative parenting.

Question: Which of the following probably belongs to the action of the permissive parents?

Choices:
- Allowing the kids to stay up late at weekends as the kids like.
- Beating the kids if the kids don't follow their instructions.
- Listening to the kids' request and giving their demands.
- Setting some rules and checking the kids' behaviors.

Question: According to the passage, children are more likely to obey the rules when   _  .

Choices:
- their parents listen to them totally
- they believe in and accept their parents
- their parents are sensitive to their needs
- their parents demand and control their behaviors


Tim Welford, aged 33, and Dom Mee, aged 30, both from England, were keen on (="like..." very much) rowing boats. They made a plan to row across the Pacific Ocean from Japan to San Francisco. The name of their rowboat was "Crackers". It was about seven meters long.
They set out from Japan on May 17,2001. They had rowed nearly 5,500 miles when their boat was hit by a fishing ship on September 17,2001. Luckily they both escaped unharmed, but their boat was badly damaged and they had to abandon( =" stop)their" journey.
In a radio interview, Dom expressed his disappointment and explained how the accident took place.
"A fishing ship came towards us with nobody on the bridge and ran us down. It all happened so quickly. I managed to dive into the water. Tim felt it would be safer to stay on board. He was trapped inside as the boat was driven under the water. Finally some people appeared on the ship and saw me in the water. I shouted at them to stop the ship and to get Tim out. When the ship stopped, I eventually saw Tim, and I was very, very happy that we were still alive. We were very disappointed that we couldn't reach San Francisco. But we are alive. That above everything is the most important. "

Question: 41. How long had Tim and Dom been at sea when their boat was hit by a fishing boat?

Choices:
- For one month
- For two months.
- For three months.
- For four months.

Question: 42. According to Dom, the main reason for the accident was that   _   .

Choices:
- Tim and Dom were too careless
- the speed of the fishing ship was too fast
- nobody on the fishing ship saw them
- their rowboat was not strong enough

Question: 43. Dom said that the most important thing in this accident was that   _   .

Choices:
- their rowboat was not damaged
- both of them existed after a dangerous time
- they enjoyed this journey
- they failed to reach San Francisco

Question: 44. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?

Choices:
- Some people on the fishing ship saved them.
- Tim and Dom were going to San Francisco in the rowboat because they had no money to buy airplane tickets.
- Dom dived into the water when the accident happened because he thought it would be dangerous to stay on board.
- Dom told people about their dangerous experience when he was interviewed on the radio.


I was in my third year of teaching writing at Ralph High School in New York, when one of my students,15-year-old Mikey,gave me a note from his mother.It explained his absence from class the day before:
    "Dear Mr. McCort,Mikey's grandmother,who is eighty years of age,fell down the stairs from too much coffee and I kept Mikey at home to take care of her and his baby sister so I couldn't go to my job. Please excuse Mikey and he'll do his best in the future.P.S.His grandmother is OK."
    I had seen Mikey writing the note at his desk.I said nothing.Most parental-excuse note, I received were penned by my students.The writers of those notes didn't realize that honest excuse notes were usually dull: "Peter was late because the alarm clock didn't go off."
    The students always said it was hard putting 200 words together on any subject, but when they produced excuse notes, they were excellent.So I decided to give the first class to study the art of the excuse note.
    "Today I'd like you to write 'An Excuse Note from Adam to God' or 'An Excuse Note from Eve to God'."Heads went down.Pens raced across paper.They had to be asked to go to lunch by their friends.
    The next day everyone had excuse notes.Heated discussions followed.But suddenly I saw the headmaster at the door.He entered the classroom and walked up and down,looking at papers,and then said."I'd like you to see me in my office."My heart sank.
    When I stepped into his office,he came to shake my hand and said,"I just want to tell you that lesson, that ask, was great.Those kids were writing on the college level.Thank you."

Question: We can inter that when Mikey was absent from the class, he was   _

Choices:
- somewhere enjoying himself
- taking care of his baby sister
- looking after his grandmother
- studying the art of the excuse note

Question: How did the author usually find out his students' parental-excuse notes were dishonest?

Choices:
- They were written in dull words.
- They were more like stories than facts.
- He called their parents and found out the truth.
- The handwriting obviously looked like children's.

Question: Why did the author's heart sink?

Choices:
- He thought the headmaster would scold him.
- The heated discussions angered the headmaster.
- The students were not behaving themselves.
- The headmaster was looking at his students' papers.

Question: Which of the following best describes the author as a teacher?

Choices:
- Honest.
- Strict.
- Hardworking.
- Wise.


International Schools Services
Experience teaching overseas
Have you thought of working overseas? International Schools Services is looking for teachers for thousands of positions.Schools are looking for experienced, well-trained persons who must meet two of the three criteria:
         *A four-year bachelor's   degree
         *Certification in a subject
         *Two years' successful teaching experience in a public or private school
Attend one of our International Recruitment Conferences  .Hundreds of schools will be available.Over 2,000 positions are expected to be filled.
         *Atlanta--December 4,201 1--December 6, 2011
         *Bangkok--January 4, 2012~January 7, 2012
         *Boston--February 5, 2012~February 9, 2012
         *San Francisco--February 13, 2012~February 16, 2012

Becoming an international educator will offer you a journey you will value for decades to come.In addition, while each school experience is unique, you'll teach your subject in English, earn a competitive salary and enjoy excellent benefits packages  , high-quality facilities, small class sizes.[:Ks5u.com]
You'll meet new people i have a lasting effect on children across the world and discover a new world.
If you or someone you know is interested in teaching overseas, contact the Educational Staffing Department at edustaf fing@iss, eduor by phone at 609-452-0990.
         Visit www.iss.edu to learn more.

Question: Which of the following is NOT related to the basic requirements for a teaching position?

Choices:
- Travelling experience.
- A four-year bachelor's degree.
- Certification in a subject.
- Certain teaching experience.

Question: If Mike has free time from February 6 to 8, which city would he fly to for a recruitment conference?

Choices:
- Atlanta.
- Bangkok.
- Boston.
- San Francisco.

Question: Which would be the best choice to fill in the blank in the passage?

Choices:
- Have an unforgettable journey
- Earn a good salary overseas
- Meet new people overseas
- Accept the opportunity of a lifetime


After two classes, I started to recognize several of the faces in each class. There was always someone braver than the others who would introduce themselves and ask me questions about how I was liking Forks. I tried to be
, so mostly I just lied a lot to appear to be skilled at dealing with people. At least I never needed the map.
One girl sat next to me in both Trig and Spanish, and she walked with me to the cafeteria for lunch. She was tiny, several inches shorter than my five feet four inches, but her wildly curly dark hair made up a lot of the difference between our heights. I couldn't remember her name, so I smiled and nodded as she gossiped about teachers and classes. I didn't try to keep up.
We sat at the end of a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced to me. I forgot all their names as soon as she spoke them. They seemed impressed by her bravery in speaking to me. The boy from England Eric, waved at me from across the room.
It was there, sitting in the lunchroom, trying to make conversation with seven curious strangers, that I first saw them.
They were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, as far away from where I sat as possible in the long room. There were five of them. They weren't talking, and they weren't eating, though they each had a tray of untouched food in front of them. They weren't staring at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them without fear of meeting an over interested pair of eyes. But it was none of these things that caught and held my attention.
I stared because their faces, so different, so similar, were all extremely, inhumanly beautiful. They were faces you never expected to see except perhaps on the airbrushed pages of a fashion magazine, or painted by an old master as the face of an angel. It was hard to decide who was the most beautiful -- maybe the perfect blond girl, or the bronze-haired boy.

Question: From the passage, we can infer that    _   .

Choices:
- "I" was really liking the new place.
- "I" had a bad memory, so it's hard to remember names.
- "I" was good at making friends.
- "I" was not interested in what the girl said.

Question: According to the passage, which statement is NOT true?

Choices:
- The girl walked with "me" was a little short.
- "I" saw the five students for the first time.
- Those students sitting in the corner had finished their food.
- "I" probably wanted to know more about those five students.


Here are some of the best movies you like. I believe they can accompany you to spend your dull weekend.
In this story a computer hacker searches for the truth behind the mysterious force . In the 22nd century it turns out that the world is controlled by a magic computer system called the Matrix and people live in an unreal world. The computer hacker and his comrades overcome much difficulty and at last find the way to take over the Matrix and save the world.
This comedy is about J and K, agents in a top secret agency , and they fight bravely with the alien to save the galaxy from a bad-tempered alien "bug" and save the Earth from being destroyed .
Harry has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard----with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and about the bad man who's to blame .
When a satellite crashes in New Mexico, the Air Force sends two men to reach it. To their horror, they discover that the probe carries an alien virus that's already killed all but two of the residents of the town where it landed. Now, scientists must stop the virus from spreading .
In the year 2035, James Cole is forced to be sent back to 1996 by scientists to discover the origin of a virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population. When Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital, where he meets the son of a famous virus expert.

Question: Harry Potter    _   .

Choices:
- does't know he's a powerful wizard until he is 11 years old
- has a happy and pleasant childhood with his aunt and uncle
- hates to stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
- Knows how his parents died before he goes to the Hogwarts school

Question: The author writes the passage in order to    _   .

Choices:
- let readers know more about the latest movies
- increase the income of the cinemas of the city
- tell readers some interesting summaries of movies
- help readers to choose the best movie they like


Every child has written their names on the beach at some point.
But whereas most people's "handwriting" is washed away, one super-rich Arab sheikh  has ensure that his graffiti  will last a little longer.
Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 63, has scrawled his name in sand on an island he owns with letters so big that they be seen from space.
The word "HAMAD" measures 1,000 meters high and is a staggering two miles long from the "H" to the "D" on the Al Futaisi Island.
And rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually form waterways that absorb the encroaching  tide. The ruler's name is even visible on Google's map service.
Hamad dreamed up the idea and had his workmen work hard for weeks to craft the enormous piece of sand graffiti. It is not known how much it cost to make.
However, the sheikh boasts a personal fortune second to the Saudi king's.
Hamad, also known as the "Rainbow Sheikh", is a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family.
He is understood to have some 200 cars including seven Mercedes 500 SELs painted in different colors of the rainbow which he stores in a giant pyramid.
The Arab sheikh had a taste for doing things on a large scale. He built the world's largest truck--eight times the size of the Dodge Power Wagon, with four bedrooms inside the cabin.
Hamad constructed a motor home in the shape of a giant globe which is exactly 1 millionth the size of the actual earth.
Alongside his displays of wealth he has become a well-known philanthropist  in medicine and supplied a complete Kinney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its stuff.

Question: Which of the following in NOT true according to the passage?

Choices:
- Hamad is a man who wants himself to be well-known from apace.
- Hamad is a super-rich person who always does something unusual.
- Hamad is a man who is always so mean in his family
- Hamad is a man who boasts his fortune is second to the Saudi king's

Question: Why does Hamad have his seven Mercedes-Benz500 SELs painted in different colors?

Choices:
- Perhaps he hoped his cars were stored in a giant pyramid safely.
- In some ways he could make a very strange rainbow.
- Maybe he just wanted to show off his wealth.
- He is always interested in making his cars like these.

Question: Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

Choices:
- The Rainbow Sheikh's name can be seen from space
- The richest Arab sheikh's name has made many funny things
- A great person likes doing things on a large scale
- A well-known philanthropist displays his wealth


There's a guy like me in every state and federal prison in America,I guess--I'm the guy who can get these for you:cigarettes,a bag of cigar,if you want that,a bottle of wine to celebrate your son or daughter's high school graduation,or almost anything else...within reason,that is.It wasn't always that way.
I came to Shawshank when I was just twenty,and I am one of the few people in the prison who is willing to admit what he did.I committed murder.I put a large insurance policy on my wife,who was three years older than 1 was,and then I fixed the brakes of the car her father had given us as a wedding present.It worked out exactly as I had planned,except I hadn't planned on her stopping to pick up the neighbour woman and the woman's son on the way down Castle Hill and into town.The brakes let go and the car crashed through the bushes,gathering speed.Bystanders said it must have been doing fifty or better when it hit the base of the Civil War statue in the town arid burst into flames.
I also hadn't planned on getting caught,but caught 1 was.I got a pass into this place.My state has no death penalty ,but I was tried for all three deaths and given three life sentences,to run one after the other.That fixed up any chance of parole I might have,for a long,long time.The judge called what I had done'an extremely evil crime', and it was ,but it is also in the past now.
Have I transformed myself,you ask ?I don't know what that word means,at least as far as prisons and corrections go.I think it's a politician's word.It may have some other meaning,and it may be that 1 will have a chance to find out,but that is the future...
I was young,good--looking,and from the poor side of town.I met a pretty,headstrong girl who lived in one of the fine old houses on Carbine Street.She got pregnant later.Her father was agreeable to the marriage if 1 would take a job in the company he owned and 'work my way up'.I found out that what he really had in mind was keeping me in his house and under his thumb,like a disagreeable pet that has not quite been housebroken and which may bite.Enough hate eventually piled up to cause me to do what I did.
Given a second chance 1 would not do it again,but I'm not sure that means I am transformed.

Question: What do we know about the man from the passage?

Choices:
- He is treated unfairly in the prison.
- He is in charge of the federal prison.
- He is quite an able person as a prisoner.
- He is the most powerful man in the prison.

Question: By saying that"I got a pass into this place"(in Para.3),the man means that  _  .

Choices:
- he has got to stay in prison
- he was allowed to go home
- he was caught by the police without a pass
- he has stayed in the federal prison before

Question: The man committed such an evil crime because  _  .

Choices:
- he had made a secret deal with an insurance company
- he had been angry for a long time with his father--in--law
- his wife's family members had disapproved of their marriage
- his wife had looked on him as a pet and he didn't feel respected

Question: Which of the following is TRUE about the man?

Choices:
- He regrets having committed the crime.
- He will be out of prison in the near future.
- He thinks the trial a mistake and is unfair.
- He has found out the


European Work Experience Program(E.W.E.P.)is an independent British organization which began in 1991 in the city of London.E.W.E.P.provides the opportunity for students from the 25 countries of the European Union and nationals from Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein to live in England,to gain work experience,to practice their English and to get a better insight into the British social and eulturallife.
To apply you must meet the following requirements:
*Preferred age: 18 to 28 years old
*Be able to work in the UK for a period of at least two months.
*Must have a good knowledge of English.
*Due to work permit restrictions,European Work Experience Program Ltd will only select you if you are a European Union Member or national from Norway,Iceland,Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
European Work Experience Program Ltd will find you a suitable job and an accommodation.A representative of E.W.E.P.will be available during your stay to help you and you will get a 24-hour help line service during your stay.The TOTAl fee for our services is PS264.63(394.35 Euros).
Should you require any further information,please contact us:
European Work Experience Program Ltd
Unit 1,Red Lion Court, Alexandra Road
Hounslow,Middlesex,TW3 1JS
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 208 572 2993
Fax:44 208 572 1114
E--mail:sales@ewep.com

Question: What's the purpose of writing the text?

Choices:
- To introduce a new program in England.
- To attract more students to work in England.
- To describe the working conditions in England.
- To make clear the requirements for students working in England.

Question: Which of the following is NOT the purpose of the program?

Choices:
- To get a lot of work experience.
- To improve their English rapidly.
- To have better understanding of the British culture.
- To make more money in Britain.

Question: If you apply for the program.you  _  .

Choices:
- must be 18 to 26 years old
- must be able to speak at least three languages
- must be nationals from the countries mentioned in the text
- should have some working experience in a foreign country

Question: You can get in touch with E.W.E.P.by the following ways EXCEPT by  _  .

Choices:
- making a teJephone call
- sending the organization a fax
- writing an e-mail to the organization
- going there in person by air

Question: Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text?

Choices:
- European Work Experience Program Was set up in the 19th century.
- You'll work in the UK for at least two months if you attend the program.
- You can get a 24-hour help from a representative during your stay.
- You don't have to hand in 394.35 Euros after you have got a job in Britain.


Another of President Bush's critics on climate change and his former rival for the White House, Al Gore, is inprefix = st1 /Londonon Friday to launch an environmental project with the head of the Virgin Business Company, Richard Branson. They're announcing a multi-million dollar international prize to encourage development and research into new forms of low carbon technology. The prize will be available to anyone who can apply a successful method of removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
     Almost all scientists agree that we are experiencing global warming due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when fuel is burned. Oil, coal and wood are all fuels that release the gas. When biological wasted breaks down, it also releases carbon dioxide.
     Environmental campaigners and climate change scientists tell us we're pumping an unbearable amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. One way to reduce that will be to use less fossil fuel , the burning of which is a key resource to our way of life, but sharp reduction of oil and coal use is unpopular with governments and people alike.
So technologies are being developed, like carbon capture and storage that aim to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, compress  it and pump it into the ground. But that's still in its early stages, so the purpose of this prize is to encourage research into new ways of decarbonizing the atmosphere. A scientific panel, chaired by Al Gore, will judge any entries. Environmental campaigners are hoping such a significant prize will attract large amounts of publicity and brainpower.

Question: Which of the following sentences is correct according to the text?

Choices:
- Al Gore doesn't agree with President Bush's Policy on climate.
- Only a group or an organization will receive the prize.
- The prize will be given to anyone who can do research into low carbon technology
- Al Gore would like to help President Bush to solve the problem.

Question: Carbon dioxide will be produced when_.

Choices:
- we are experiencing global warming.
- fossil fuel is burned
- biological waste is thrown away.
- gas is released

Question: People would like to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but they don't like the method of_.

Choices:
- compressing it and pumping it into the ground
- burning the fossil fuel
- pumping it into the atmosphere.
- reducing too much fossil fuel

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

Choices:
- We should pay more attention to the solution to an environmental problem
- An project is launched to award those who can find ways to solve an environmental problem.
- Al Gore is going to present a prize to the person who can solve an environmental problem.
- A lot of people will apply methods to solve an environmental problem.


Wang Lu, 24, one of many students studying abroad who'll come home for work, majors in business & management studies at Edinburgh's Napier University. She had planned what to do after graduation in the UK: two years' work experience at a restaurant and a tour around Europe. But now her plans are up in the air.
         Following the UK Home Secretary's meeting on reform of the student immigration system, the UK government recently announced the end of the post-study work visa from April 2012. This will force tens of thousands of Chinese students to leave the UK after graduation.
         Sadly, the domestic job market doesn't welcome them with open arms. A report by Tigtag.com at the end of 2011 showed that over 35 percent of students admitted that they have employment problems.
         "Returning students often have fluent English, creative minds and a serious attitude toward work," said Zhang Tingwen, an HR expert in ChinaHR.com. "But lack of work experience is a big problem." Xia Lei, an HR manager, responded to Zhang. "We need people who can work for us. We don't need people from big name universities to attract customers".
         Difference in work practices is another problem that worries employers, Zhang pointed out. "Some returning students might be used to Western ways of dealing with people and things."
         Huang Shanshan, 25, got a job in a communication company in Shenzhen.   "I once worked part-time in UK. My colleagues ate snacks when they felt hungry, even during working time or in meetings." Huang brought some cakes to the office and ate them. When her manager saw that, he told her not to eat at workplace. "It took me some time to adjust to company rules in China," said Huang.

Question: Why is Wang Lu forced to leave the UK after graduation?

Choices:
- Because post-study work visa will come to an end.
- Because she has no effective ways to learn English.
- Because there are no majors that suit her in Britain.
- Because different work practices worry employers.

Question: From Xia Lei, we can learn that   _  .

Choices:
- the domestic job market gives welcome to returnees with open arms
- employers prefer people who can work to those from top universities
- returnees are used to Western ways to deal with people and things around
- it is hard for returning students with creative minds to take work seriously

Question: It can be inferred from the text that   _  .

Choices:
- the reform of immigration system has great effects on the British people
- some practices like eating snacks are allowed at the workplace in China
- lack of work experience is a big problem to find a suitable job in the UK
- returning students are expected to adapt to the new working environment

Question: Where can we most probably read this text?

Choices:
- In a science fiction.
- In a travel magazine.
- In a newspaper.
- In a student's book.


Every language has its own special words and expressions. And a story can be told about each of them. "Hot" is a simple, easily-understood word. So are most of the expressions made with the word "hot".  But not always, as we shall see.
Take the phrase "hot potato" for example. The potato is a popular vegetable in the United States. Many people like baked potatoes, cooked in an oven or fire. Imagine trying to carry a hot, baked potato in your hand. It would be difficult, even painful, to do so. One such hot potato is taxes. Calling for higher taxes can mean defeat for a politician. And yet, if taxes are not raised, some very popular government programs could be cut, which can also make a politician very unpopular.
Another expression is "not so hot". If you ask someone how she feels, she may answer: "Not so hot. " What she means is that she does not feel well. "Not so hot" is also a way of saying that you do not really like something.
"A hot shot" is a person, often a young person, who thinks he can do anything. At least he wants to try. He is very sure he can succeed. But often he fails. The expression came from the army. A hot shot was a soldier who fired without aiming carefully.
A person who becomes angry easily is called "a hothead". An angry person's neck often becomes red. We say he is "hot under the collar". You could say that your friend is no hothead. But he got hot under the collar when someone took his radio.
The hot line was a direct communication link between the leaders of the Soviet Union  and the United States. The hot line had an important purpose: to prevent accidental war between the two competitors during the period known as the Cold War. The American president and the Soviet leader were able to communicate directly and immediately on the hot line.

Question: If you describe something as a hot potato, it   _  .

Choices:
- is very popular
- has a high temperature
- is very difficult to deal with
- can't be held in your hand

Question: According to the text, which of the following statements is not true?

Choices:
- All of the expressions made with the word hot are simple, easily-understood.
- Taxes can be a hot potato for a politician if not handled carefully.
- The expression "a hot shot" was born in the military forces.
- If you say that the new play you saw last night is not so hot, you do not consider it a success.

Question: The purpose of the first hot line was   _  .

Choices:
- to stop the Cold War
- to prevent accidental war between the two superpowers
- to promote the cooperation between the Soviet Union and the United States
- to make direct telephone links for the people in Moscow and Washington


John and Booby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee . John could not take it any more, so he sent his resignation  and complained that the boss did not value hard working workers but only promoted those who said good words of him.
The boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for telling me, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps you will change your mind and take back your resignation."
John agreed. The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelons. The boss asked how much per kg, John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kg.
The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said only one person sold watermelons. $1.2 for a kg, $10 for 10kg and his watermelons added up to 340. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the south two days ago and they were fresh, red and good quality.
John was surprised and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to go away but to learn from Bobby.
The story tells us that a more successful person is more concerned and thinks more. Chances are there in the daily details. For the same thing, a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win?

Question: John wanted to stop his job in his company because  _  .

Choices:
- Bobby was promoted but he was not
- he didn't want to say good words of his boss
- he thought the boss didn't take his hard work seriously
- he didn't want to be an ordinary employee

Question: The boss asked John to find out where watermelons were sold in order to   _  .

Choices:
- persuade him to stay in the company
- prove he was a hardworking worker
- buy some watermelons for the company
- prove his abilities at work for himself

Question: From what Bobby did, we can see that he was promoted only because   _  .

Choices:
- he was a more concerned businessman
- he knew how to do business
- he was more experienced at work
- he knew details about the watermelon market

Question: We can conclude from the story that   _  .

Choices:
- one should stop his job if the boss doesn't think much of his work
- it's necessary to know the market when you buy a watermelon
- detail plays a very important part in one's success
- one should get along well with his boss if he wants to be promoted

Question: What can be the best title of the passage?

Choices:
- More Concerned, More Successful
- How to Buy Watermelons
- Who Is More Successful
- Proud John


Recently I have discovered it's often easier for me to do something every day than to do it just some days. I post to my blog six days a week. I take notes every day. I write in my one-sentence journal every day. Many people have told me that they find it easier to exercise when they exercise every day. If I try to do something just four days a week, I spend a lot of time arguing with myself: Is today the day, or is it tomorrow, or the next day? Does the week start on Sunday or Monday?
If you do something every day, you tend to fall into a routine. Routine has a bad reputation for lacking excitement. It's true that novelty and challenge bring happiness and that people who break their routines, try new things, and go to new places are happier, but I think that some routine activities also bring happiness. The pleasure of doing the same thing, in the same way, every day, shouldn't be overlooked. By repeating, you can find happiness in activities like doing dishes or sweeping the floor as well as in your beloved morning coffee-and-news routines.
Two geniuses whom I know of also wrote about the power of doing something every day. Andy Warhol wrote, "Either once only, or every day. If you do something once it's exciting, and if you do it every day it's exciting. But if you do it, say, twice or just almost every day, it's not good any more." Gertrude Stein made a similar point, "Anything one does every day is important and anywhere one lives is interesting and beautiful."
So if there's something that you wish you did more regularly, try doing it every day; if you do something every day, take great pleasure in it.

Question: People usually tend to break their routines because they  _  .

Choices:
- hope to have a better reputation
- would like to get rid of the old habit
- want to have fun and excitement
- are willing to face new challenges

Question: Which of the following statements does Andy Warhol probably agree to?

Choices:
- Doing something that is exciting.
- Doing something almost every day.
- Doing something every day, not only once.
- Doing something every day or only once.

Question: Which can be the best title of the passage?

Choices:
- A Way To Form A Habit
- Do Anything Every Day
- Repeat Regularly
- Power Of Everyday Repetition


Millions of girls grow up with the hope of becoming a famous singer. Some even win local talent competitions as children, but only a few such early successes and dreams turn into reality. Jessica Andrews is one of the few whose dreams have come true.
Andrews, first taste of success came at the age of 10. She won a talent competition in her home town of Huntingdon, Tennessee, singing I Will Always Love You, originally sung by Whitney Houston. Houston's version of the song appeared on The Bodyguard sound track, which happened to be the first album Andrews ever bought.
Within two years, talk of Andrews had spread to Nashville and caught the attention of producer Byron Gallimore, whose credits include work with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Jo Dee Messina. With Gallimore signed on to produce, Andrews soon had a recording contract  with Dream Works' Nashville label.
Andrews' professional career was launched with 1999's Heart Shaped World, recorded when she was 14 years old. The album included the country hit I Will Be There For You, which also appeared on The Prince Of Egypt . She followed up the release of the album by touring as a support act for such country superstars as Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood.
With the release of 2001's, Who I Am, Andrews became a star in her own right. The album was certified  gold for sales of 500,000 copies. Andrews returned in April 2003 with Now,an album that she promised would show a new side of the young artist. "This album has a very different feeling for me," she said. "It's a lot more personal and there's a confidence that wasn't quite there on the first two. I feel especially connected to this group of songs."

Question: According to the passage, who mostly helped Andrews to achieve success ?

Choices:
- Tim McGraw
- Whitney Houston
- Faith Hill
- Byron Gallimore

Question: Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?

Choices:
- The Bodyguard was the first album Andrews ever bought.
- After Andrews sang Who I Am,she became a star in her own right.
- I Will Always Love You was originally sung by Whitney Houston.
- Now expresses a new feeling of Andrews.

Question: Which of the following may NOT be Andrews' album?

Choices:
- Now.
- Heart Shaped World.
- The Prince of Egypt.
- Who IAm

Question: Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

Choices:
- Jessica Andrews' Life
- Jessica Andrews' Dream
- Jessica Andrews' Songs
- Jessica Andrews' Success as a Singer


Learning a Second Language
Some people learn a second language easily. Other people have trouble learning a new language. How can you help yourself learn a new language, such as English? There are several ways to make learning English a little easier and more interesting.
The first step is to feel confident about learning English. If you believe that you can learn, you will learn. Be patient. You don't have to understand everything all at once. It is natural to make mistakes when you learn something new. We can learn from our mistakes.
The second step is to practise your English. For example,write in a diary every day. You will get used to writing in English,and you will feel comfortable expressing your ideas in English. After several weeks, you will see that your writing is improving. Besides, you must speak English every day. You can practise with your classmates after class. You will all make mistakes, but gradually you will become comfortable _ in English.
The third step is to keep a record of your language learning. You can write this in your diary. After each class, think about what you did. Did you answer a question correctly? Did you understand anything the teacher explained? Perhaps the lesson was difficult, but you tried to understand it. Write these achievements  in your diary.
You must be active in learning English and believe that you can do it. It is important to practise every day and make a record of your achievements. You will enjoy learning English, and you will feel more confidence in yourself.

Question: When you learn English, you do not need to   _  .

Choices:
- be patient
- make mistakes
- express your ideas in English
- understand everything at once

Question: What is not helpful for you to enjoy learning English?

Choices:
- To communicate in English.
- To worry about making mistakes.
- To think about what you did after each class.
- To make a record of the achievements.

Question: What is the main idea of this passage?

Choices:
- It is very important to learn a second language.
- Some people learn a second language easily while other people do not.
- There are ways to help you learn a second language more easily.
- Don't worry about making mistakes when learning a second language.


Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  is  based  on  the  simplicity  and  power  of  friendship.  It  is  a  program  which  provides  friendship  and  fun  by  matching _ (ages  7-17)  with  a  volunteer  adult  who  can  be  both  a  role  model  and  a  supportive  friend.
Volunteer  tutors  come  from  all  walks  of  life--married,  single,  with  or  without  children.  Big  Brothers  and  Big  Sisters  are  not  replacement  parents  or  social  workers.  They  are  tutors:  someone  to  trust,  to  have  fun  with,  to  talk  and  go  to  when  needed.
A  Big  Sister  and  Little  Sister  will  generally  spend  between  one  and  four  hours  together  three  or  four  times  each  month  for  at  least  twelve  months.  They  enjoy  simple  activities  such  as  a  picnic  at  a  park,  cooking,  playing  sport  or  going  to  a  football  match.  These  activities  improve  the  friendship  and  help  the  young  person  develop  positive  self-respect,  confidence  and  life  direction.
Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  organizations  exist  throughout  the  world.  It  is  the  largest  and  most  well-known  provider  of  tutor  services  internationally  and  has  been  operating  for  25  years.
Emily  and  Sarah  have  been  matched  since  March  2008.  Emily  is  a  10-year-old  girl  who  has  experienced  some  difficulties  being  accepted  by  her  schoolmates  at  school.  "I  was  pretty  sure  there  was  something  wrong  with  me."
Emily's  mum  came  across  Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  and  thought  it  would  be  of  benefit  to  Emily  by  "providing  different  feedback   about  herself  other  than  just  relying  on  schoolmates  to  measure  her  self-worth.  "
Sarah  wanted  to  get  involved  in  a  volunteer  program.  "I  paid  close  attention  to  it  and  found  out  how  to  be  a  part  of  it.  I  thought  it  would  be  fun  for  me  to  get  involved  in  making  time  to  do  something  because  sometimes  it's  all  work  and  no  play.  "
Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters  has  been  of  great  benefit  and  enjoyment  to  both  Emily  and  Sarah.  They  love  and  look  forward  to  their  time  together  and  the  partnership  has  certainly  helped  Emily  be  more  comfortable  in  being  the  wonderful,  happy  and  unique  girl  she  is!

Question: What  is  the  aim  of  Big  Brothers  Big  Sisters?

Choices:
- To offer students public services.
- To provide partnership and fun for young people.
- To organize sport activities for young people.
- To help students improve their grades.

Question: A  volunteer  is  usually  expected  to  work  within  a  year  for  at  least  _  .

Choices:
- 24 hours
- 72 hours
- 48 hours
- 36 hours

Question: According  to  Emily's  mother,  this  program  may  provide  Emily  with  _  .

Choices:
- a new way to assess herself
- advice from her teachers
- a new way to judge her schoolmates
- more comments from her schoolmates

Question: Why  did  Sarah  want  to  get  involved  in  the  program?

Choices:
- She used to be a volunteer.
- She felt a bit bored with her life.
- She needed a part-time job.
- She wanted to get a challenging job.


May 28 (Reuters Life!) - A Japanese university is giving away Apple Inc's (AAPL.O) trendy iPhone to students for free, but with a catch: the device will be used to check their attendance.
The project, which is being tested ahead of its formal launch in June, involves 550 first and second year students and some staff of a department at Aoyama Gakuin University, which is located just outside Tokyo in Sagamihara city.
The school's iPhones are meant to create a mobile information network between students and professors, but they are also a convenient way for the teachers to take attendance in class. As students enter the room, instead of writing their name on a sheet, they simply type in their ID number and a specific class number into an iPhone application. To prevent students from logging in from home or outside class, the application uses GPS location data and checks which router the students have logged in to.
"We don't want to use this to simply take attendance. Our hope is to use this to develop a classroom where students and teachers can discuss various topics," professor Yasuhiro Iijima told Reuters as he demonstrated the application.
University officials insist the project is not intended to infringe on students' privacy or track them down.
"With Japanese cellphones it's possible that the location data is automatically sent. However, with the iPhone, you must always confirm before the GPS data can be sent," Iijima said.
Many of the students testing the system said they were happy with it.
"Up until now, we've been using little slips of paper to take attendance. But with a cell phone, you don't have to spend time collecting all of those and so I think it's quite nice," 20-year-old student Yuki Maruya.
When the system goes fully online next month, the university also hopes to provide video podcasts of lectures to help students who missed classes, or just can't remember their lessons.

Question: The news report mainly tells us that   _

Choices:
- Iphone has got well developed in Japan
- Iphone is to take attendance at Japanese universities
- Iphone has been accepted by many students
- Iphone is free of charge at Japanese universities

Question: The iphone being tested at Aoyama Gakuin University is mainly to   _

Choices:
- help students to study hard
- check students' attendance
- help learn the information network
- develop a special classroom

Question: Teachers at Aoyama Gakuin University can finish taking attendance by asking students to  _

Choices:
- write their names on the paper
- Type in their ID and class numbers into iphone
- log in from home or outside class ahead
- put in right GPS location data and their router

Question: what about the future of Apple Inc's iphone

Choices:
- It still has many disadvantages
- It goes against many students' interest
- It will receive some other uses.
- It will avoid students' being late for class


It is a reply to a letter written by Zhai Mingjun, a 16-year-old girl in the class. The two astronauts thank the student for her concerns and wish the class luck in their future studies.
    "I' m so happy that the two space men replied with a few encouraging words," said Zhai. Her letter was one of the 10 winning letters taken into space by Fei and Nie, who have succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship. Zhai wrote the letter as if she were a younger sister of the astronauts. "As the single child in my family, I always hoped that I would have an elder brother that I could be proud of," Zhai said. "I thought that the astronauts would be lonely during such a long space trip. I hoped they would feel happy and warm when reading my letter." Many of Zhai' s classmates also wrote their words of encouragement and admiration to the astronauts. "The letter to the astronauts made us believe that we can also be part of the manned space programme," said Zhao Dongxu.
    All the students have high expectations for China' s future space programme. "I heard that Snoopy is the mascot   for US astronauts. I hope I can design a mascot for our heroes," said Liu Mengjie, 16. "A physics class taught by astronauts in outer space would be very interesting. I want to be the astronaut who teaches students about zero gravity with my head upside down in the spaceship," said Han Yinan.
Many students think that the manned space program is still far away from them. But they feel proud that ordinary students could participate in such a great scientific achievement and hope there  will be more possibilities to take part.

Question: The best title of this passage can be  _  .

Choices:
- The mascot
- A reply from space
- The manned space program
- The letter to the astronauts

Question: The passage is mainly about   _  ?

Choices:
- what the students think of the manned space program
- how two astronauts thank and encourage the students
- how the letter from space makes the students care more for astronautics
- how the students have expectations for China' s future space program

Question: What can you conclude from the passage?

Choices:
- All the students look forward to China' s later space program
- Astronauts feel lonely during such a long space trip
- There is no gravity in the spaceship
- A composition con test had been held before the spaceship was launched

Question: "Such a great scientific achievement" refers to  _  .

Choices:
- China' s future space program
- The achievement that US astronauts achieved
- Fei and Nie succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship.
- Fei and Nie made their head upside down in the spaceship


Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world.We go fishing,sit in the garden,have a picnic,live in the suburbs or go to the seaside.The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk.When joggers jog,they don't run the streets.Every one of them tend to go to the park or the river.
But despite this,our children are growing up nature deprived .I spent my boyhood climbing trees.These days,children are robbed of these ancient freedoms,due to problems like crime,traffic,the loss of the open spaces and strange new ideas about what is best for children,that is to say,things that can be bought,rather than things that can be found.
The truth is to be found elsewhere.A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD--attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%.
ADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood.One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children.However,we spend money on drugs rather than on green places.
The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years.And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world.
We need the wild world.It is essential to our well-being,our health and our happiness.

Question: According to the author,people enjoy   _   to seek nature.

Choices:
- jogging on the street
- sitting in the garden
- shopping in the supermarket
- running in the gym

Question: In what way do people benefit from their contact with nature?

Choices:
- Children with ADHD can be cured.
- A garden nearby improves the quality of old people's life.
- Problems with crime and violent behavior will easily be solved.
- Children's performance at school is greatly improved.


It's not easy to find a person with the qualities it takes to be a hero. I didn't really understand the meaning of the word "hero" until my third year in the college.
If you saw her, you wouldn't think she really looks the part, but she is stronger than Superman could ever be. Her name is Sandra Keierleber. I first met her at volleyball tryouts , but didn't notice anything special at first. As the week passed, however, she showed she had more heart than anyone. She stood out because she never gave up, no matter what.
Sandra isn't the tallest or the fastest --- in fact, this was her first time playing volleyball and it showed--- but that didn't stop her. She was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. By the end of tryouts she had found a place in everyone's heart. When the name list for new members was put up, we all waited nervously as she checked. When she stood at the door and smiled happily, all we could do was cheer.
After Sandra made the team, she worked even harder to improve her game. When she asked for help, we gladly taught her. She also became our fan, attending almost every school game and even joining us in the city games. We all like her, because she never thinks about doing things the easy way, or loses that smile. Because of her great efforts, she makes herself a true hero--- and my hero, too.

Question: What did the writer think of Sandra Keierleber at the beginning?

Choices:
- Common
- Honest
- Pretty.
- Strong

Question: Sandra began to play volleyball when   _  .

Choices:
- she was tall enough
- she was at college
- she became a hero
- she met the Superman

Question: Which of the following is true about Sandra?

Choices:
- She was born a volleyball player.
- She is popular with her teammates
- She does things in an easy way.
- She isn't the tallest but the fastest.

Question: Why does the writer think of Sandra Keierleber as a true hero?

Choices:
- She did very well at the tryouts.
- She asked for help from her teammates.
- She took part in the city matches.
- She worked hard and never gave up.


PEOPLE who have had a painful experience may wish they could wipe the memory from their minds. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, US, say that this may someday be possible.
A drug remains far off, but researchers have laid a foundation with their discovery that proteins can be removed from the brain's fear center to cut memories forever.
Previous research had already shown that a special behavior therapy   could cut painful memories. But relapse   was possible because the memory hadn't necessarily disappeared.
By looking at that process, Richard Huganir and Roger Clem, two researchers from Johns Hopkins University, discovered a "window of vulnerability  " when proteins are created. The proteins help signals travel within the brain as painful memories are made. Because the proteins are unstable, they can be easily removed with drugs or behavior therapy to cut memories.
Researchers used mice to find the window, but think the process would be the same in humans. They used electric shocks to make the mice fear a certain sound. The sound triggered   the creation of the proteins, called calcium-permeable   AMPARS, which formed for a day or two in the fear centers of the mice's brains.
The researchers are working on ways to reopen the window by recalling   the painful memory and using drugs to remove the protein. They published their report online last month in Science Express.
Their research has drawn interest and concern from experts in mental healthcare.
Kate Farinholt, a mental health expert with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Maryland, US, said many people suffering from a painful event might benefit from erasing a memory. "Erasing a memory and then everything bad built on that is an amazing idea, and I can see all sorts of potential ," she said.
But there are a lot of unanswered questions, too.
"Completely deleting a memory is a little scary. How do you remove a memory without removing a part of someone's life," Farinholt said. "And is it best to do that, considering that people grow and learn from their experiences?"

Question: What have researchers at Johns Hopkins University found recently?

Choices:
- A new drug to erase painful memories from human brains.
- A special behavior therapy to erase painful memories.
- Removing certain proteins from the brain can wipe painful memories.
- Erasing memory damages a patient's brain functions.

Question: What is Kate Farinholt's opinion of the research?

Choices:
- People may lose the chance to learn from their bad experiences.
- The research will be a great breakthrough in treating painful memories.
- People could suffer long-term memory loss.
- People could forget happy memories as well.


Today, Mount Qomolangma's peak is not a lonely place any more. More than 3,500 people have successfully climbed the 8,844m mountain, and more than a tenth of that number reached the peak just over the past year. As more and more people try to test themselves against Qomolangma, many a time the mount can be very crowded. Climbers have complained about waiting for hours in the bottlenecks  on the way to the peak. If bad weather strikes, climbers can and do die.
But the dangerous crowds aren't the only problem on Qomolangma. All those climbers need to bring a lot of _ --much of them ends up being left on the mountain, sometimes even the peak itself. Mount Qomolangma is becoming the world's tallest rubbish dump. Here's mountaineer Mark Jenkins writing in National Geographic about the state of Qomolangma: "The two standard routes, the Northeast Ridge and the Southeast Ridge, are not only dangerously crowded but also badly polluted."
But the good news is that some mountaineers are taking it upon themselves to clean up Qomolangma. Mountaineer Paul Thelen and his friend Eberhard Schaaf are part of the annual Eco Everest Expedition, which has been cleaning up rubbish from base camps to the peak since 2008. So far they've collected over 13 tons of garbage.
Some of that rubbish is even being used for a higher purpose. As part of the Mount Everest 8844 Art Project, a group of 15 artists from Nepal collected 1.5 tons of garbage brought down the mountain by climbers. They've changed the cans and oxygen tanks--in one case, part of the remains of a helicopter--into 74 pieces of art that have already gone on exhibition in Nepal's capital. Part of the profit from sales will go to the Everest Peakeers Association, which has helped collect tons of rubbish off the mountain.

Question: What do we learn about the bottlenecks on the way to Mount Qomolangma's peak?

Choices:
- They are relatively safe.
- They are often crowded.
- They are very easy to pass.
- They are sites of base camps.

Question: The group of 15 Nepali artists   _  .

Choices:
- created works of art using rubbish from Qomolangma
- were employed by the Everest Peakeers Association
- climbed Qomolangma and collected 1.5 tons of trash
- painted 74 beautiful pictures of Mount Qomolangma's peak

Question: What can be the best title for the text?

Choices:
- Test Yourself Against Qomolangma
- Qomolangma has Become a Huge Mess
- Eco Everest Expedition Proves Successful
- How to Climb Qomolangma


Norway tops the list of countries that offers the best social policies for people over 60. Afghanistan is rated the worst. The rankings appear in the new Global Age Watch Index. Help Age International published the index of 96 countries that are home to 790-million people 60 and older. Chief Executive Officer Toby Porter said, "For too long, older people have been excluded  from international and national development planning. We have a world which is ageing fast. And what the index does is to compare and rank countries from best to worst countries in the world to grow old," he said. The Global Age Watch Index rates countries in four categories. "Health, income, what we call capability - ability to carry on contributing employment. And then the final one about enabling environment - what do older people think about the environment that they live in."
"The focus on the report this year is on pensions - on retirement income that older men and women can expect." The index reports only one in four older people over 65 in low and middle income countries have any kind of retirement saving. Norway gets the highest ranking in the index. Rounding out the top 10 are Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland, the United States, Japan and New Zealand. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list following many years of conflict. There are 10 African countries on the index - all near the bottom. South Africa ranks the highest among them at 80. However, Porter said South Africa is doing some positive things. "We've seen some very encouraging public statements from some senior politicians in South Africa that they recognize the contribution and the importance of supporting their older population. South Africa is one of the so-called BRICS nations - countries with strong emerging economies. Other members include Brazil, ranked 58 - Russia, ranked 65 - India, 69 and China, 48. Porter said, "A lot of the impetus  behind China introducing pension provision for all of her older citizens was to provide an motivation for them to start using their purchasing power earlier in their lives in spending money rather than saving it for a pension." Help Age International recommended African nations begin providing pensions when people turn 60. However, if countries are poor, they might not be able to institute a pension system to every eligible  person at once. Another factor is Africa's youth population, which is much greater than most parts of the world. Therefore, governments are already hard pressed to provide education and jobs.

Question: What is the focus on the report of this year?

Choices:
- Pension
- Capability
- Employment
- Health

Question: The so-called BRICS nations do not include  _  .

Choices:
- Russia
- China
- South Africa
- New Zealand

Question: According to Toby Porter, he does not agree that  _  .

Choices:
- older people have not been included in the developing plan for a long time
- it makes little sense to rank countries from best to worst in the world to grow old
- more attention should be paid to older people in a world that is ageing fast
- South Africa is doing lots of positive things to improve the older people's conditions

Question: The purpose of The Global Age Watch Index is to  _  .

Choices:
- warn governments of the severe environmental problems in their countries
- tell the difference between developing countries and developed countries[]
- get governments and people to care more about older people in the world
- urge governments to take measures to stop political and military conflicts


After 10 seasons wearing the No.8 on his back, Kobe Bryant will become No.24 next season. The reason for the surprising decision by the Los Angeles Lakers super guard last week has become a hot topic for debate.
Bryant wore No.24 when he was in early high school, but he changed to No.33 in his senior year. He switched to No.8 when he was selected by the Lakers in 1996, and has been not changed since.
Bryant has refused to explain the decision until the end of the play-offs. So guessing Bryant's motive has become a popular game among NBA fans and newspaper columnists.
There are all kinds of speculations . Many say that Bryant wants to leave the past behind and have a fresh start. He has often been criticized for playing to benefit himself and not the team as a whole. Others say that he may be trying to compare himself to Michael Jordan. prefix = st1 /Jordanwas famous for his No. 23 jersey . Some, such as NBC Sport columnist Michael Ventre, argue that it is "all about money". Bryant will make more money by selling new jerseyto his fans.
Some speculations are more about fun. For example, there is an opinion that Kobeis actually just a diehard fan of the popular TV drama "24".
All this talk has turned the number change into a major issue. It seems that there is a lot of fuss over something that should be pretty simple.
Jersey numbers have their own special significance in American sports, especially basketball. Players choose their number when they join a team and they usually stick with that number for the rest of their career. When a great player retires, his team will honor him by retiring his number.

Question: Bryant plays for   _  .

Choices:
- The Los Angels Lakers
- TheHoustonrockets
- The ChicagoBulls
- TheMiamiHeats

Question: Bryant wore No. 8   _  .

Choices:
- for two years and a half
- for ten years
- since he entered high school
- since he left high school

Question: Which of the following is NOT a speculation about Bryant's motive to change his number?

Choices:
- He wants to leave his past behind and have a fresh start.
- He wants to compare himself to Jordan.
- He wants to earn more money.
- He wants to show that he is man of great importance.


With a good shopping position and the right amount of money , any educated person ought to be able to make a living out of a bookshop . It is not a difficult trade to learn and the large chain-stores can never force the small bookseller out of existence as they have done to the corner shop . But the hours of work are very long-I was only doing a part-time job , but my boss put in a seventy-hour week ,besides regular journeys out of shopping hours to buy books .
              The real reason why I should not like to be back in the book trade for life , however , is that while I was in it, I lost my love of books . A bookseller cannot always tell the truth about his books , and that gives him a dislike for them . There was a time when I really did love books--loved the sight and smell and feel of them--if they were fifty or more years old , that is . Nothing pleased me quite so much as to buy a bargain lot of them on sale for several pounds . There is a peculiar flavour about the unexpected books you pick up in that kind of collection: little-known eighteenth-century poets , or out-of-date geography books . For occasional reading--in your bath , for example , or late at night when you are too tired to go to bed--there is nothing as good as a very old picture story-book .
              But as soon as I went to work in the bookshop, I stopped buying books . Seen in a mass, five or ten thousand at a time , books were dull and even a little tiresome . Nowadays I do buy one occasionally , but only if it is a book that I want to read and can't borrow , and I never buy rubbish .

Question: According to the passage ,_is one of the necessary conditions to run a bookshop .

Choices:
- an educated shop-owner
- a good position at a street corner
- a regular journey out of the shop
- the force of large chain-stores

Question: The author should not like to be back as a bookseller for life because_.

Choices:
- he hated his job of selling books
- selling books was only a part-time job
- the books in the shop gave him a dislike
- he was unable to be honest about the books he sold

Question: The books preferred by the author should be those_.

Choices:
- stories making readers sleepless
- valuable ones bought on sale
- peculiar ones with great expectation
- geography ones from the eighteenth century

Question: The author will only buy new books_.

Choices:
- if he feels dull and tired
- after he gives up his job as a bookseller
- which are interesting but hard to borrow
- when he throws away old ones


For a long time now, I've been fascinated by common phrases and their origins- and just why we say what we say. I decided to consult the experts, sort through all the research and compile   the answers. Here are a few of the standouts.
Q: Why do we"tie the knot  "when we get married?
A: Knots have been a common metaphor   in marriage ceremonies all over the world and through time. The expression means"to unite in manage".  In the Hindu marriage ceremony, the groom ties a ribbon around the bride's neck. In ancient Rome, the bride wore a belt that was tied in a knot. The groom would then unfasten it on their first night together as husband and wife.
Q: Why do we say"Many happy returns"?
A: The phrase is short for"Many happy returns of the day", which is to say,"May this day return many times"or"May you have many more birthdays. "
Q: How about"It's not over till the fat lady sings"? Where does that come from?
A: This expression is usually phrased as"The opera isn't over till the fat lady sings. "It got its start as a popular saying when it was used by a sportswriter Dan Cook in 1976 to indicate that a sporting contest wouldn't end until time was called.
Q: What's the story of"under the weather,"especially when the weather's just fine?
A: There's probably a nautical   explanation. In days gone by, when people felt seasick, they were told to go below-decks and find a spot in the middle of the ship where the motion would be less noticeable. In that way, they literally took themselves"under the weather."

Question: The phrase"It's not over till the fat lady sings"was first used in   _  .

Choices:
- sport
- opera
- movie
- music

Question: According to the passage, which of the following phrases is related to the sea?

Choices:
- Tie the knot.
- Many happy returns.
- It's not over till the fat lady sings.
- Under the weather.

Question: What can we learn from the passage?

Choices:
- "Tie the knot"has different meanings in different cultures.
- "Many happy returns"is often used when people celebrate birthdays.
- "It's not over till the fat lady sings"got its start in 1976.
- "Under the weather"means the weather is bad.

Question: The purpose of the passage is to  _  .

Choices:
- tell us some funny stories
- tell us the origins of some phrases
- tell us some interesting experiences
- tell us the history of the English language


We human beings haven't been good friends to animals. For thousands of years, we have been polluting the environment, making it hard for animals to live on the planet. We have been killing animals for their fur, feathers or meat, or simply because they are dangerous. As a result, many kinds of animals have disappeared forever. Hundreds more are on the endangered list today.
Should we care about animals? Of course we should. If animals of a certain kind all disappear, they will never come back again. Animals are more than just resources of things we need. Every kind of animal has its place in the balance of nature. Destroying any kind of animal can lead to many problems. For example, when farmers killed large numbers of hawks, the corn and grain that the farmers stored were destroyed by rats and mice. Why?  Because hawks eat rats and mice. With less and less hawks to keep down their numbers, rats and mice multiplied quickly. And if people kill too many birds, more and more insects will eat the crops.
Luckily, we've realized that we shouldn't kill animals any more. And people are working hard to save those animals that would disappear soon. The government also passed laws to protect the endangered animals. In fact, quite a few countries have passed such laws. These laws forbid the killing of any kind of animal on the endangered list. We should try our best to protect and save the endangered animals.

Question: The text calls on us to  _  .

Choices:
- keep animals at home
- protect the environment
- protect the endangered animals
- know more about the balance of nature.

Question: Why do people kill animals?

Choices:
- Animals cause many serious problems.
- They kill animals for something they need.
- Animals destroy their natural resources.
- They kill animals to protect the environment

Question: The example that farmers killed hawks shows that  _  .

Choices:
- there were too many rats and mice
- hawks are the most important in the nature
- animals are good food resources
- every kind of animal is important in nature


Every year in the first week of English class, some students inform me that writing is too hard. They never write, unless homework requires it. They find the writing process painful and difficult.
How awful it is to be able to speak in a language but not to write in it, especially with its rich vocabulary. Being able to speak but not write is like living in _ and never leaving one small room. When I meet students who think they can't write, I know, as a teacher my duty is to show them the rest of the rooms. My task is to build fluency and accuracy while providing the opportunity in any writing activity to enhance the moral and emotional development of my students.
One great way to do this is by having students write in a journal in class every day.
Writing ability is like strength training. Writing needs to be done just like exercise; just as muscles grow stronger with exercise, writing skills improve quickly with writing practice daily. I often see a rise in student confidence and performance after only a few weeks of journal writing.
Expressing oneself in writing is one of the most important skills I teach to strengthen the whole students. When my students practice journal writing, they are practicing for their future academic, political, and emotional lives. They build skills so that some say they might write a great novel, a piece of sorely needed legislation , or the perfect love letter. That they write in their journals every day puts them a step closer to fluency, eloquence and command of the language.

Question: What is the purpose of the passage?

Choices:
- To encourage students to keep a journal every day.
- To analyze students' problems in learning languages.
- To stress the importance of writing in language learning.
- To introduce an effective way of improving students' writing.

Question: In the author's view, what can students benefit from the journal writing?

Choices:
- It is beneficial to students' future career.
- It can make students more emotional.
- It is helpful to students' homework.
- It can enlarge students' vocabulary.


My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years Iwould take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said: "My ears, Mommy." She said: "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her: "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes." She looked at me and told me: "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind."
Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was "No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child."Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. My momlooked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbye to grandpa. She asked me: "Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?"
I was  shocked  when  she  asked  me  this  now. She  told  me:  "This  question is very important,especially at this moment. How you answer it can truly shows whether you have
learned about life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong
and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important
lesson."
I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said: "My dear, the most important body part is your
shoulder.""Is it because it holds up my head?" I asked."No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry," she replied:"Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on somet ime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."

Question: The mother ask the question again after the grandfather died because   _  .

Choices:
- the answer was a way of honoring the grandfather.
- at that moment, other body parts were less important.
- the answer needed to be given to all members of the family.
- at that moment the answer seemed especially true.

Question: Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the article?

Choices:
- The author was becoming smarter by answering the question.
- The mother wanted the author to be both loving and loved.
- The mother was trying to train the author to think on his or her own.
- The author didn't think the mother's answer was correct.

Question: The best title for this article might be   _  .

Choices:
- The Most Import ant Body Part
- The Importance of family
- The Importance of the Shoulder
- A Life-long Question


The United Nations says forty million people or so around the world went hungry in 2008, mainly because of higher food prices. Early estimates  from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that 963 million people did not get enough to eat.
World food prices have dropped since early 2008. Prices of major crops have decreased by more than half from their height earlier last year. But they remain high compared to earlier years.
But FAO official Hafez Ghanem says lower prices have failed to end the food crisis   in many poor countries. "For millions in developing countries," he says, "getting enough food every day to live an active and healthy life is a distant dream."
The FAO says food shortage is a threat to people's health. Today, two-thirds of the world's _ people live in just a few countries. These are India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia and so on.
A report on food insecurity warns that the current economic crisis could send even more people into hunger and poverty.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of the people who continually go hungry fell from 34% in 1997 to 30% in 2008. But the FAO says Ghana is the only country that has reached two sets of hunger reduction targets. These were set by the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Development Goals. The main reason is the growth in agricultural production in Ghana.
The FAO says some countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam have made progress in hunger reduction goals. But South Asia and Central Asia haven't, and North Korea is still in hot water.

Question: What FAO official Hafez Ghanem says implies   _

Choices:
- it's easy but takes long to provide people with enough food
- enough food can make people more active and healthier
- there is difficulty solving the food shortage in a short time
- people in developing countries will never get enough food

Question: Ghana has reached the targets of hunger reduction mainly because of   _  .

Choices:
- the still high food prices
- the donation of developed countries
- the two targets of hunger reduction
- the growth in agricultural production

Question: Which country has not made progress in hunger reduction?

Choices:
- North Korea
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Ghana

Question: What is the best title of this passage?

Choices:
- The food production of the world
- The hunger reduction target of the FAO
- The food shortage around the world
- The solution to the global food shortage