Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
I lost my sight when I was four years old by falling off a box car in a freight yard in Atlantic City and landing on my head. Now I am thirty two. I can slightly remember the brightness of sunshine and what color red is. It would be wonderful to see again, but a calamity  can do strange things to people. It occurred to me the other day that I might not have come to love life as I do if I hadn't been blind. I believe in life now. I am not so sure that I would have believed in it so deeply, otherwise. I don't mean that I would prefer to go without my eyes. I simply mean that the loss of them made me appreciate the more what I had left.
Life, I believe, asks a continuous series of adjustments to reality. The more readily a person is able to make these adjustments, the more meaningful his own private world becomes. The adjustment is never easy. I was totally confused and afraid. But I was lucky. My parents and my teachers saw something in me--a potential to live, you might call it--which I didn't see, and they made me want to fight it out with blindness.
The hardest lesson I had to learn was to believe in myself. That was basic. If I hadn't been able to do that, I would have collapsed   and _ for the rest of my life. When I say belief in myself I am not talking about simply the kind of self confidence that helps me down an unfamiliar staircase alone. That is part of it. But I mean something bigger than that: an assurance  that I am, despite imperfections, a real, positive person; that somewhere in the sweeping, intricate  pattern of people there is a special place where I can make myself fit.
It took me years to discover and strengthen this assurance. It had to start with the simplest things. Once a man gave me an indoor baseball. I thought he was making fun of me and I was hurt. "I can't use this." I said. "Take it with you," he urged me, "and roll it around." The words stuck in my head. "Roll it around! "By rolling the ball I could hear where it went. This gave me an idea how to achieve a goal I had thought impossible: playing baseball. At Philadelphia's Overbrook School for the Blind I invented a successful variation of baseball. We called it ground ball.
All my life I have set ahead of me a series of goals and then tried to reach them, one at a time. I had to learn my limitations. It was no good to try for something I knew at the start was wildly out of reach because that only invited the bitterness of failure. I would fail sometimes anyway but on the average I made progress.

<question>:
According to the passage, the baseball and encouragement offered by the man   _

<options>:
A hurt the author's feeling.
B gave the author a deep impression.
C directly led to the invention of ground ball.
D inspired the author.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
I lost my sight when I was four years old by falling off a box car in a freight yard in Atlantic City and landing on my head. Now I am thirty two. I can slightly remember the brightness of sunshine and what color red is. It would be wonderful to see again, but a calamity  can do strange things to people. It occurred to me the other day that I might not have come to love life as I do if I hadn't been blind. I believe in life now. I am not so sure that I would have believed in it so deeply, otherwise. I don't mean that I would prefer to go without my eyes. I simply mean that the loss of them made me appreciate the more what I had left.
Life, I believe, asks a continuous series of adjustments to reality. The more readily a person is able to make these adjustments, the more meaningful his own private world becomes. The adjustment is never easy. I was totally confused and afraid. But I was lucky. My parents and my teachers saw something in me--a potential to live, you might call it--which I didn't see, and they made me want to fight it out with blindness.
The hardest lesson I had to learn was to believe in myself. That was basic. If I hadn't been able to do that, I would have collapsed   and _ for the rest of my life. When I say belief in myself I am not talking about simply the kind of self confidence that helps me down an unfamiliar staircase alone. That is part of it. But I mean something bigger than that: an assurance  that I am, despite imperfections, a real, positive person; that somewhere in the sweeping, intricate  pattern of people there is a special place where I can make myself fit.
It took me years to discover and strengthen this assurance. It had to start with the simplest things. Once a man gave me an indoor baseball. I thought he was making fun of me and I was hurt. "I can't use this." I said. "Take it with you," he urged me, "and roll it around." The words stuck in my head. "Roll it around! "By rolling the ball I could hear where it went. This gave me an idea how to achieve a goal I had thought impossible: playing baseball. At Philadelphia's Overbrook School for the Blind I invented a successful variation of baseball. We called it ground ball.
All my life I have set ahead of me a series of goals and then tried to reach them, one at a time. I had to learn my limitations. It was no good to try for something I knew at the start was wildly out of reach because that only invited the bitterness of failure. I would fail sometimes anyway but on the average I made progress.

<question>:
What is the best title for the passage?

<options>:
A A Miserable Life
B Struggle Against Difficulties
C A Disaster Makes a Strong Person
D An Unforgetable Experience

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Today we tell about the expression "down to earth".Down to earth means being open and honest.It is easy to deal with someone who is down to earth.Such people could be important members of society, but they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important.They do not let their importance "go to their heads." Someone who lets something go to his head feels he is better than others.He has a "big head."
A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have "his nose in the air."Often the person who has a big head and his nose in the air has no reason to feel better than others.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth---"both feet on the ground." Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality.She has what is called "common sense." She does not allow her dreams to block her understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who has his "head in the clouds." Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life.Such a person may be called a "daydreamen."
The person who is down to earth usually has both feet on the ground.But the opposite is not always true.Someone with both feet on the ground may not be as open and easy to deal with as someone who is down to earth.
When we have both our feet firmly on the ground,and when we are down to earth,we do not have our noses in the air.We act honestly and openly to others.And our lives are like the ground below up--solid and strong.

<question>:
He who considers himself to be better and more important than others is likely to  _  .

<options>:
A have his head in the clouds
B be easy to deal with
C have a "common sense"
D have "a big head"

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Today we tell about the expression "down to earth".Down to earth means being open and honest.It is easy to deal with someone who is down to earth.Such people could be important members of society, but they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important.They do not let their importance "go to their heads." Someone who lets something go to his head feels he is better than others.He has a "big head."
A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have "his nose in the air."Often the person who has a big head and his nose in the air has no reason to feel better than others.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth---"both feet on the ground." Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality.She has what is called "common sense." She does not allow her dreams to block her understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who has his "head in the clouds." Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life.Such a person may be called a "daydreamen."
The person who is down to earth usually has both feet on the ground.But the opposite is not always true.Someone with both feet on the ground may not be as open and easy to deal with as someone who is down to earth.
When we have both our feet firmly on the ground,and when we are down to earth,we do not have our noses in the air.We act honestly and openly to others.And our lives are like the ground below up--solid and strong.

<question>:
Which of the following expressions is similar to "down to earth"?

<options>:
A "his nose in the air"
B "go to his head"
C "both feet on the ground"
D "daydreamer"

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Today we tell about the expression "down to earth".Down to earth means being open and honest.It is easy to deal with someone who is down to earth.Such people could be important members of society, but they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important.They do not let their importance "go to their heads." Someone who lets something go to his head feels he is better than others.He has a "big head."
A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have "his nose in the air."Often the person who has a big head and his nose in the air has no reason to feel better than others.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth---"both feet on the ground." Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality.She has what is called "common sense." She does not allow her dreams to block her understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who has his "head in the clouds." Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life.Such a person may be called a "daydreamen."
The person who is down to earth usually has both feet on the ground.But the opposite is not always true.Someone with both feet on the ground may not be as open and easy to deal with as someone who is down to earth.
When we have both our feet firmly on the ground,and when we are down to earth,we do not have our noses in the air.We act honestly and openly to others.And our lives are like the ground below up--solid and strong.

<question>:
The passage is mainly about  _  .

<options>:
A some popular American expressions
B how to be down to earth
C why to be honest and open
D how to deal with someone who is down to earth

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
What is one of the most boring and tiresome words ever? Like discipline, responsibility is one of those words you have probably heard so many times from authority figures that you have been a bit allergic to it. Still, it's one of the most important things to grow and to feel good about your life. Without it as a foundation nothing else in any personal development book really works.
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying"It got lost"to"I lost it". Indeed, being accountable, understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen are important signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main supports of good character.
Many people have been refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals and exercise the discipline to reach our ambitions. But the benefits of accepting responsibility are far more important than the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-forced servitude   to circumstances and to other people.
George Bernard Shaw once said,"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people whoget onin this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.""Man must stop owing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will -- his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals,"said Albert Schweitzer.
The following incident shows blaming others and not taking full responsibility: Bernard L. Brown, Jr., once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient's bed. The patient was afraid he might slip on the water if he got out of the bed, so he asked a nurse to mop it up. The patient didn't know it, but the hospital policy said that small spills were the responsibility of the nurse while large spills were to be mopped up by the hospital's housekeeping group.
The nurse decided the spill was a large one and she called the housekeeping group. A housekeeper arrived and declared the spill a small one. An argument followed."It's not my responsibility,"said the nurse,"because it's a large puddle  ."The housekeeper didn't agree."Well, it's not mine,"she said,"the puddle is too small."
The angry patient listened for a time, then took a pitcher of water from his night table and poured the whole thing on the floor."Is that a big enough puddle now for you two to decide?"he asked. It was, and that was the end of the argument.
So, responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand sight of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and independent. If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible. Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on.

<question>:
What can we learn about responsibility?

<options>:
A It's of secondary importance to discipline.
B It's the basic but leading quality in one's life.
C It has the same requirements for people as discipline.
D It's the most important factor in building one's character.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
What is one of the most boring and tiresome words ever? Like discipline, responsibility is one of those words you have probably heard so many times from authority figures that you have been a bit allergic to it. Still, it's one of the most important things to grow and to feel good about your life. Without it as a foundation nothing else in any personal development book really works.
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying"It got lost"to"I lost it". Indeed, being accountable, understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen are important signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main supports of good character.
Many people have been refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals and exercise the discipline to reach our ambitions. But the benefits of accepting responsibility are far more important than the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-forced servitude   to circumstances and to other people.
George Bernard Shaw once said,"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people whoget onin this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.""Man must stop owing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will -- his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals,"said Albert Schweitzer.
The following incident shows blaming others and not taking full responsibility: Bernard L. Brown, Jr., once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient's bed. The patient was afraid he might slip on the water if he got out of the bed, so he asked a nurse to mop it up. The patient didn't know it, but the hospital policy said that small spills were the responsibility of the nurse while large spills were to be mopped up by the hospital's housekeeping group.
The nurse decided the spill was a large one and she called the housekeeping group. A housekeeper arrived and declared the spill a small one. An argument followed."It's not my responsibility,"said the nurse,"because it's a large puddle  ."The housekeeper didn't agree."Well, it's not mine,"she said,"the puddle is too small."
The angry patient listened for a time, then took a pitcher of water from his night table and poured the whole thing on the floor."Is that a big enough puddle now for you two to decide?"he asked. It was, and that was the end of the argument.
So, responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand sight of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and independent. If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible. Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on.

<question>:
Those who escape from accepting responsibility    .

<options>:
A can't achieve their goals in a short time
B can benefit from not growing up in the end
C can miss the advantages of being a responsible person
D can avoid the burdens of unpleasant or frightening things

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
What is one of the most boring and tiresome words ever? Like discipline, responsibility is one of those words you have probably heard so many times from authority figures that you have been a bit allergic to it. Still, it's one of the most important things to grow and to feel good about your life. Without it as a foundation nothing else in any personal development book really works.
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying"It got lost"to"I lost it". Indeed, being accountable, understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen are important signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main supports of good character.
Many people have been refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals and exercise the discipline to reach our ambitions. But the benefits of accepting responsibility are far more important than the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-forced servitude   to circumstances and to other people.
George Bernard Shaw once said,"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people whoget onin this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.""Man must stop owing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will -- his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals,"said Albert Schweitzer.
The following incident shows blaming others and not taking full responsibility: Bernard L. Brown, Jr., once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient's bed. The patient was afraid he might slip on the water if he got out of the bed, so he asked a nurse to mop it up. The patient didn't know it, but the hospital policy said that small spills were the responsibility of the nurse while large spills were to be mopped up by the hospital's housekeeping group.
The nurse decided the spill was a large one and she called the housekeeping group. A housekeeper arrived and declared the spill a small one. An argument followed."It's not my responsibility,"said the nurse,"because it's a large puddle  ."The housekeeper didn't agree."Well, it's not mine,"she said,"the puddle is too small."
The angry patient listened for a time, then took a pitcher of water from his night table and poured the whole thing on the floor."Is that a big enough puddle now for you two to decide?"he asked. It was, and that was the end of the argument.
So, responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand sight of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and independent. If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible. Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on.

<question>:
What does George Bernard Shaw's saying imply?

<options>:
A We should bear responsibility regardless of situations.
B We shouldn't owe failure to the sense of responsibility.
C We should first step out of our present circumstances.
D We shouldn't care what kind of situations we're in.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
What is one of the most boring and tiresome words ever? Like discipline, responsibility is one of those words you have probably heard so many times from authority figures that you have been a bit allergic to it. Still, it's one of the most important things to grow and to feel good about your life. Without it as a foundation nothing else in any personal development book really works.
It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying"It got lost"to"I lost it". Indeed, being accountable, understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen are important signs of emotional and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of the main supports of good character.
Many people have been refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable. Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals and exercise the discipline to reach our ambitions. But the benefits of accepting responsibility are far more important than the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-forced servitude   to circumstances and to other people.
George Bernard Shaw once said,"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people whoget onin this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.""Man must stop owing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will -- his personal responsibility in the realm of faith and morals,"said Albert Schweitzer.
The following incident shows blaming others and not taking full responsibility: Bernard L. Brown, Jr., once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient's bed. The patient was afraid he might slip on the water if he got out of the bed, so he asked a nurse to mop it up. The patient didn't know it, but the hospital policy said that small spills were the responsibility of the nurse while large spills were to be mopped up by the hospital's housekeeping group.
The nurse decided the spill was a large one and she called the housekeeping group. A housekeeper arrived and declared the spill a small one. An argument followed."It's not my responsibility,"said the nurse,"because it's a large puddle  ."The housekeeper didn't agree."Well, it's not mine,"she said,"the puddle is too small."
The angry patient listened for a time, then took a pitcher of water from his night table and poured the whole thing on the floor."Is that a big enough puddle now for you two to decide?"he asked. It was, and that was the end of the argument.
So, responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand sight of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and independent. If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible. Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on.

<question>:
Why was the patient quite angry with the nurse and the housekeeper?

<options>:
A Because he had slipped on the water by chance.
B Because he had to mop up the water by himself.
C Because he didn't like the noise made in hospital.
D Because he found them refusing their responsibility.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Ways to travel
Modern life is impossible without travelling. The fastest way to travel is by air. With a modern plane you can travel in one day to places which took a month or more one hundred years ago.
Travelling by train is slower than by air, but it has its advantages . You can see the country you are travelling in. Modern trains have comfortable seats and dining cars. They make even the longest journey enjoyable.
Some people prefer to travel by sea when it is possible. There are large lines and river boats with which you can visit many other countries and different places. Travelling by sea is a very pleasant way to spend a holiday.
Many people like to travel by car. You can make your own timetable. You can travel three or four hundred miles or only fifty miles a day, just as you like. You can stop wherever you wish: where there is something interesting to see, at a good restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal, or a hotel to spend the night. That is why travelling by car is popular for pleasure trips, while people usually take a train or a plane when they are travelling on business.

<question>:
From the passage we know that the fastest way to travel is   _  .

<options>:
A by car
B by train
C by plane
D by boat

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Ways to travel
Modern life is impossible without travelling. The fastest way to travel is by air. With a modern plane you can travel in one day to places which took a month or more one hundred years ago.
Travelling by train is slower than by air, but it has its advantages . You can see the country you are travelling in. Modern trains have comfortable seats and dining cars. They make even the longest journey enjoyable.
Some people prefer to travel by sea when it is possible. There are large lines and river boats with which you can visit many other countries and different places. Travelling by sea is a very pleasant way to spend a holiday.
Many people like to travel by car. You can make your own timetable. You can travel three or four hundred miles or only fifty miles a day, just as you like. You can stop wherever you wish: where there is something interesting to see, at a good restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal, or a hotel to spend the night. That is why travelling by car is popular for pleasure trips, while people usually take a train or a plane when they are travelling on business.

<question>:
If we travel by car, we can   _  .

<options>:
A only stop at the destination
B make our own timetable
C travel to a very far place in several minutes
D travel one thousand miles a day

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Ways to travel
Modern life is impossible without travelling. The fastest way to travel is by air. With a modern plane you can travel in one day to places which took a month or more one hundred years ago.
Travelling by train is slower than by air, but it has its advantages . You can see the country you are travelling in. Modern trains have comfortable seats and dining cars. They make even the longest journey enjoyable.
Some people prefer to travel by sea when it is possible. There are large lines and river boats with which you can visit many other countries and different places. Travelling by sea is a very pleasant way to spend a holiday.
Many people like to travel by car. You can make your own timetable. You can travel three or four hundred miles or only fifty miles a day, just as you like. You can stop wherever you wish: where there is something interesting to see, at a good restaurant where you can enjoy a good meal, or a hotel to spend the night. That is why travelling by car is popular for pleasure trips, while people usually take a train or a plane when they are travelling on business.

<question>:
How many ways to travel are mentioned in the passage?

<options>:
A Five
B Six
C Three
D Four

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Children have their own rules in playing games. They seldom need a judge and rarely trouble to keep scores. They don't care much about who wins or loses, and it doesn't seem to worry them if the game is not finished. Yet, they like games that depend a lot on luck, so that their personal abilities cannot be directly compared. They also enjoy games that move in stages, in which each stage, the choosing of leaders, the picking-up of sides, or the determining of which side shall start, is almost a game in itself.
Grown-ups can hardly find children's games exciting, and they often feel puzzled at why their kids play such simple games again and again. However, it is found that a child plays games for very important reasons. He can be a good player without having to think whether he is a popular person, and he can find himself being a useful partner to someone of whom he is ordinarily afraid. He becomes a leader when it comes to his turn. He can be confident, too, in particular games, that it is his place to give orders, to pretend to be dead, to throw a ball actually at someone, or to kiss someone he caught.
It appears to us that when children play a game they imagine a situation under their control. Everyone knows the rules, and more important, everyone plays according to the rules. Those rules may be childish, but they make sure that every child has a chance to win.

<question>:
What is true about children when they play games?

<options>:
A They can stop playing any time they like.
B They can test their personal abilities.
C They want to pick a better team.
D They don't need rules.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Children have their own rules in playing games. They seldom need a judge and rarely trouble to keep scores. They don't care much about who wins or loses, and it doesn't seem to worry them if the game is not finished. Yet, they like games that depend a lot on luck, so that their personal abilities cannot be directly compared. They also enjoy games that move in stages, in which each stage, the choosing of leaders, the picking-up of sides, or the determining of which side shall start, is almost a game in itself.
Grown-ups can hardly find children's games exciting, and they often feel puzzled at why their kids play such simple games again and again. However, it is found that a child plays games for very important reasons. He can be a good player without having to think whether he is a popular person, and he can find himself being a useful partner to someone of whom he is ordinarily afraid. He becomes a leader when it comes to his turn. He can be confident, too, in particular games, that it is his place to give orders, to pretend to be dead, to throw a ball actually at someone, or to kiss someone he caught.
It appears to us that when children play a game they imagine a situation under their control. Everyone knows the rules, and more important, everyone plays according to the rules. Those rules may be childish, but they make sure that every child has a chance to win.

<question>:
To become a leader in a game the child has to   _  .

<options>:
A play well
B be popular among his playmates
C be confident in himself
D wait for his turn

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Children have their own rules in playing games. They seldom need a judge and rarely trouble to keep scores. They don't care much about who wins or loses, and it doesn't seem to worry them if the game is not finished. Yet, they like games that depend a lot on luck, so that their personal abilities cannot be directly compared. They also enjoy games that move in stages, in which each stage, the choosing of leaders, the picking-up of sides, or the determining of which side shall start, is almost a game in itself.
Grown-ups can hardly find children's games exciting, and they often feel puzzled at why their kids play such simple games again and again. However, it is found that a child plays games for very important reasons. He can be a good player without having to think whether he is a popular person, and he can find himself being a useful partner to someone of whom he is ordinarily afraid. He becomes a leader when it comes to his turn. He can be confident, too, in particular games, that it is his place to give orders, to pretend to be dead, to throw a ball actually at someone, or to kiss someone he caught.
It appears to us that when children play a game they imagine a situation under their control. Everyone knows the rules, and more important, everyone plays according to the rules. Those rules may be childish, but they make sure that every child has a chance to win.

<question>:
What do we know about grown-ups?

<options>:
A They are not interested in games.
B They find children's games too easy.
C They don't need a reason to play games.
D They don't understand children's games.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Children have their own rules in playing games. They seldom need a judge and rarely trouble to keep scores. They don't care much about who wins or loses, and it doesn't seem to worry them if the game is not finished. Yet, they like games that depend a lot on luck, so that their personal abilities cannot be directly compared. They also enjoy games that move in stages, in which each stage, the choosing of leaders, the picking-up of sides, or the determining of which side shall start, is almost a game in itself.
Grown-ups can hardly find children's games exciting, and they often feel puzzled at why their kids play such simple games again and again. However, it is found that a child plays games for very important reasons. He can be a good player without having to think whether he is a popular person, and he can find himself being a useful partner to someone of whom he is ordinarily afraid. He becomes a leader when it comes to his turn. He can be confident, too, in particular games, that it is his place to give orders, to pretend to be dead, to throw a ball actually at someone, or to kiss someone he caught.
It appears to us that when children play a game they imagine a situation under their control. Everyone knows the rules, and more important, everyone plays according to the rules. Those rules may be childish, but they make sure that every child has a chance to win.

<question>:
The writer believes that   _  .

<options>:
A children should make better rules for their games
B children should invite grow-ups to play with them
C children's games can do them a lot of good
D children play games without reasons

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Carrying everything they need on their backs, three friends from England are setting out  to run 39 marathons across Eastern Europe.
Tom, Rob and Guy ran the Marathon des Sables last year and were looking for another  challenge.Where do you go from there?" asks Tom.Then someone said, "Run 1,000 miles".And the idea was born.
The three friends are running from Odessa in Ukraine to Dubrovnik in Croatia in 30 days,  to raise awareness of child trafficking  and to raise & 50,000 for the charity Love 146. The money will enab4 Love 146 to bui4 a home in the UK to provide specialist aftercare to  victims of child trafficking.
 The run - the equivalent of 39 marathons in 30 days - will take in nine different countries and pass through some of Eastern Europe's most remote terrain , without the help  of support vehicles or medical aid.The three men will carry everything they need, sleeping where they can and finding food and water along the way.
"What really inspires us is the idea that people will join us at various points along the way,  Forrest Gump-style," says Tom.If that sounds like your idea of fun,  it's not too late to sign up on their website and join them for a spot of extreme fundraising over the next month.The aim is to arrive in Dubrovnik on 3 May.
Only days before they set off, I asked Tom what his biggest concern was at this late Stage.''The cold," he said."We hadn't imagined Europe would be this cold in April.Some nights the plan is to sleep outside in the camping bags.I'm terrified about the weather."

<question>:
Why did the three friends run across Eastern Europe?

<options>:
A To look for a challenge.
B To raise money for charity.
C To experience Forrest Gump-style.
D To change people's attitudes on running.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Carrying everything they need on their backs, three friends from England are setting out  to run 39 marathons across Eastern Europe.
Tom, Rob and Guy ran the Marathon des Sables last year and were looking for another  challenge.Where do you go from there?" asks Tom.Then someone said, "Run 1,000 miles".And the idea was born.
The three friends are running from Odessa in Ukraine to Dubrovnik in Croatia in 30 days,  to raise awareness of child trafficking  and to raise & 50,000 for the charity Love 146. The money will enab4 Love 146 to bui4 a home in the UK to provide specialist aftercare to  victims of child trafficking.
 The run - the equivalent of 39 marathons in 30 days - will take in nine different countries and pass through some of Eastern Europe's most remote terrain , without the help  of support vehicles or medical aid.The three men will carry everything they need, sleeping where they can and finding food and water along the way.
"What really inspires us is the idea that people will join us at various points along the way,  Forrest Gump-style," says Tom.If that sounds like your idea of fun,  it's not too late to sign up on their website and join them for a spot of extreme fundraising over the next month.The aim is to arrive in Dubrovnik on 3 May.
Only days before they set off, I asked Tom what his biggest concern was at this late Stage.''The cold," he said."We hadn't imagined Europe would be this cold in April.Some nights the plan is to sleep outside in the camping bags.I'm terrified about the weather."

<question>:
W at can we know about Love 146?

<options>:
A It  focuses on child trafficking.
B It has many branches in the UK.
C It is run by Tom,  Rob and Guy.
D It provides kids with medical aid.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Carrying everything they need on their backs, three friends from England are setting out  to run 39 marathons across Eastern Europe.
Tom, Rob and Guy ran the Marathon des Sables last year and were looking for another  challenge.Where do you go from there?" asks Tom.Then someone said, "Run 1,000 miles".And the idea was born.
The three friends are running from Odessa in Ukraine to Dubrovnik in Croatia in 30 days,  to raise awareness of child trafficking  and to raise & 50,000 for the charity Love 146. The money will enab4 Love 146 to bui4 a home in the UK to provide specialist aftercare to  victims of child trafficking.
 The run - the equivalent of 39 marathons in 30 days - will take in nine different countries and pass through some of Eastern Europe's most remote terrain , without the help  of support vehicles or medical aid.The three men will carry everything they need, sleeping where they can and finding food and water along the way.
"What really inspires us is the idea that people will join us at various points along the way,  Forrest Gump-style," says Tom.If that sounds like your idea of fun,  it's not too late to sign up on their website and join them for a spot of extreme fundraising over the next month.The aim is to arrive in Dubrovnik on 3 May.
Only days before they set off, I asked Tom what his biggest concern was at this late Stage.''The cold," he said."We hadn't imagined Europe would be this cold in April.Some nights the plan is to sleep outside in the camping bags.I'm terrified about the weather."

<question>:
Which of the following was a challenge for Tom in the run?

<options>:
A The cold weather.
B The long distance.
C The tough terrain
D The necessary aids.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Carrying everything they need on their backs, three friends from England are setting out  to run 39 marathons across Eastern Europe.
Tom, Rob and Guy ran the Marathon des Sables last year and were looking for another  challenge.Where do you go from there?" asks Tom.Then someone said, "Run 1,000 miles".And the idea was born.
The three friends are running from Odessa in Ukraine to Dubrovnik in Croatia in 30 days,  to raise awareness of child trafficking  and to raise & 50,000 for the charity Love 146. The money will enab4 Love 146 to bui4 a home in the UK to provide specialist aftercare to  victims of child trafficking.
 The run - the equivalent of 39 marathons in 30 days - will take in nine different countries and pass through some of Eastern Europe's most remote terrain , without the help  of support vehicles or medical aid.The three men will carry everything they need, sleeping where they can and finding food and water along the way.
"What really inspires us is the idea that people will join us at various points along the way,  Forrest Gump-style," says Tom.If that sounds like your idea of fun,  it's not too late to sign up on their website and join them for a spot of extreme fundraising over the next month.The aim is to arrive in Dubrovnik on 3 May.
Only days before they set off, I asked Tom what his biggest concern was at this late Stage.''The cold," he said."We hadn't imagined Europe would be this cold in April.Some nights the plan is to sleep outside in the camping bags.I'm terrified about the weather."

<question>:
What is the purpose of this text?

<options>:
A To solve a problem
B To get more people to join in.
C To tell an interesting story.
D To present a research result.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
"Chances are we have all experienced shyness in our lives, and shyness has been associated with negative outcomes--characteristics like difficulty maintaining eye contact, and feelings of humiliation  are known to be part of a shy person's characters. It's these traits that tend to affect some shy individuals' ability to connect," says C. Barr Taylor, a professor of psychology at Stanford University.
"But while shyness can often be seen as a bad thing, there are ways to use the personality trait to your advantage," Taylor says. Below are some common shy habits and how you can learn to make them benefit you:
Shy people usually reflect inwardly   a lot. But according to Taylor,all that thinking may not always be a bad thing and it should be viewed as a way you can think actively as you go into a situation. So, for shy people who feel worried about facing a particular challenge or event, Taylor advises slowly approaching the fearful situation if you start to feel anxious. By facing what you are not feeling secure about, Taylor says, you will feel less anxious. "Our brains are amazing--they can become well adapted," he says. "If you put yourself in a fearful situation, you will get a sense that you are going to do it." What's more, shy individuals care deeply about what others think of them, and if it is addressed healthily, they can use it to their advantage to form social connections.
Shy people are observant and often pick up on parts of their conversation or surroundings that others may not. "Just because you are shy, that does not mean you are not used to social situations," Taylor says. "It can actually become a source of strength as you are the observer in the room." In a study out of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, researchers found an association between college-age adults who were shy and the ability to better identify expressions of sadness and fear compared with those who weren't shy. In addition, a shy person has a born drive to absorb a conversation, so they can be great at conversation.

<question>:
In the opinion of C. Barr Taylor, we should  _  .

<options>:
A think positively of shyness
B try to get rid of shyness
C attempt to be a little shy
D often help those shy people

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
"Chances are we have all experienced shyness in our lives, and shyness has been associated with negative outcomes--characteristics like difficulty maintaining eye contact, and feelings of humiliation  are known to be part of a shy person's characters. It's these traits that tend to affect some shy individuals' ability to connect," says C. Barr Taylor, a professor of psychology at Stanford University.
"But while shyness can often be seen as a bad thing, there are ways to use the personality trait to your advantage," Taylor says. Below are some common shy habits and how you can learn to make them benefit you:
Shy people usually reflect inwardly   a lot. But according to Taylor,all that thinking may not always be a bad thing and it should be viewed as a way you can think actively as you go into a situation. So, for shy people who feel worried about facing a particular challenge or event, Taylor advises slowly approaching the fearful situation if you start to feel anxious. By facing what you are not feeling secure about, Taylor says, you will feel less anxious. "Our brains are amazing--they can become well adapted," he says. "If you put yourself in a fearful situation, you will get a sense that you are going to do it." What's more, shy individuals care deeply about what others think of them, and if it is addressed healthily, they can use it to their advantage to form social connections.
Shy people are observant and often pick up on parts of their conversation or surroundings that others may not. "Just because you are shy, that does not mean you are not used to social situations," Taylor says. "It can actually become a source of strength as you are the observer in the room." In a study out of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, researchers found an association between college-age adults who were shy and the ability to better identify expressions of sadness and fear compared with those who weren't shy. In addition, a shy person has a born drive to absorb a conversation, so they can be great at conversation.

<question>:
The passage mentions the study by Southern Illinois University just to show that  _  .

<options>:
A shy people use rich facial expressions
B shy people are good at observing others
C shyness can be used to reduce anxiety
D shyness can be used in social connections

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
"Chances are we have all experienced shyness in our lives, and shyness has been associated with negative outcomes--characteristics like difficulty maintaining eye contact, and feelings of humiliation  are known to be part of a shy person's characters. It's these traits that tend to affect some shy individuals' ability to connect," says C. Barr Taylor, a professor of psychology at Stanford University.
"But while shyness can often be seen as a bad thing, there are ways to use the personality trait to your advantage," Taylor says. Below are some common shy habits and how you can learn to make them benefit you:
Shy people usually reflect inwardly   a lot. But according to Taylor,all that thinking may not always be a bad thing and it should be viewed as a way you can think actively as you go into a situation. So, for shy people who feel worried about facing a particular challenge or event, Taylor advises slowly approaching the fearful situation if you start to feel anxious. By facing what you are not feeling secure about, Taylor says, you will feel less anxious. "Our brains are amazing--they can become well adapted," he says. "If you put yourself in a fearful situation, you will get a sense that you are going to do it." What's more, shy individuals care deeply about what others think of them, and if it is addressed healthily, they can use it to their advantage to form social connections.
Shy people are observant and often pick up on parts of their conversation or surroundings that others may not. "Just because you are shy, that does not mean you are not used to social situations," Taylor says. "It can actually become a source of strength as you are the observer in the room." In a study out of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, researchers found an association between college-age adults who were shy and the ability to better identify expressions of sadness and fear compared with those who weren't shy. In addition, a shy person has a born drive to absorb a conversation, so they can be great at conversation.

<question>:
We can know from the passage that shy people  _  .

<options>:
A are good at getting used to a new environment
B often attach much importance to others' opinions
C hate to think a lot before taking an action
D are good at overcoming their feeling of insecurity

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Before l tell you bow many hours a day people spend ,watching content on tablets ,TVs,phones ,and so forth, let's talk quick about technology .The word ,l mean , according to my dictionary's primary definition, means  "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes."
These days, you say that word and  I'd refer to most magic images of tablets ,smart phones, digital cameras ,satellites, cruise missiles ,electric cars or glasses-free 3D handhelds. That's all correct ,of course--that stuff's definitely technology ,I mean But so is a wheel, or a pencil ,or if we're going all the way back, it's any tool, including something as simple as a stick snatched up and applied to some purpose ,say ,knocking something down for dinner or turning over a rock to get whatever's underneath.
The reason I raise the point is that the following poll  implies that something different is happening when we pick up an electronic tablet instead of pencil and paper to compose an email, or an e-reader instead of a book to read something like the digital version of a magazine, or a novel by Stephen King Those who view changes as bad ,or at least a little bit terrifying , may look at the numbers below and read ominous  signs.
But okay, hold that thought ,and let's jump to the poll results.
The poll was conducted by Poll Position to determine "how many hours a day do you spend looking at either a TV, computer screen ,e-reader, PDA or cell phone? "The group asked that question of I,220 registered voters, by phone ,on November 19, 2011. Its generalized finding 60% of Americans spend between one and six hours a day viewing content on electronic devices.
A bout a third spend one to three hours , another third spend four to six ,and the remaining third spend between seven and more than 10 hours a day viewing content on electronic devices, Supposing most of us spend between 12 and 18hours per 24-hour day awake ,that's a pretty high range of use, from one hour through 10 or more.

<question>:
The purpose of the picture and the words below are to

<options>:
A introduce a famous painting
B show the popularity of electronic devices
C recommend an exhibition on art
D raise the topic to be discussed

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Before l tell you bow many hours a day people spend ,watching content on tablets ,TVs,phones ,and so forth, let's talk quick about technology .The word ,l mean , according to my dictionary's primary definition, means  "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes."
These days, you say that word and  I'd refer to most magic images of tablets ,smart phones, digital cameras ,satellites, cruise missiles ,electric cars or glasses-free 3D handhelds. That's all correct ,of course--that stuff's definitely technology ,I mean But so is a wheel, or a pencil ,or if we're going all the way back, it's any tool, including something as simple as a stick snatched up and applied to some purpose ,say ,knocking something down for dinner or turning over a rock to get whatever's underneath.
The reason I raise the point is that the following poll  implies that something different is happening when we pick up an electronic tablet instead of pencil and paper to compose an email, or an e-reader instead of a book to read something like the digital version of a magazine, or a novel by Stephen King Those who view changes as bad ,or at least a little bit terrifying , may look at the numbers below and read ominous  signs.
But okay, hold that thought ,and let's jump to the poll results.
The poll was conducted by Poll Position to determine "how many hours a day do you spend looking at either a TV, computer screen ,e-reader, PDA or cell phone? "The group asked that question of I,220 registered voters, by phone ,on November 19, 2011. Its generalized finding 60% of Americans spend between one and six hours a day viewing content on electronic devices.
A bout a third spend one to three hours , another third spend four to six ,and the remaining third spend between seven and more than 10 hours a day viewing content on electronic devices, Supposing most of us spend between 12 and 18hours per 24-hour day awake ,that's a pretty high range of use, from one hour through 10 or more.

<question>:
According to the text, what is the author's opinion about the word "technology"?

<options>:
A It has changed the way of people's everyday life.
B It has brought great advantages and convenience to people.
C It has different meanings in different times.
D It includes more meanings than usually regarded.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Before l tell you bow many hours a day people spend ,watching content on tablets ,TVs,phones ,and so forth, let's talk quick about technology .The word ,l mean , according to my dictionary's primary definition, means  "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes."
These days, you say that word and  I'd refer to most magic images of tablets ,smart phones, digital cameras ,satellites, cruise missiles ,electric cars or glasses-free 3D handhelds. That's all correct ,of course--that stuff's definitely technology ,I mean But so is a wheel, or a pencil ,or if we're going all the way back, it's any tool, including something as simple as a stick snatched up and applied to some purpose ,say ,knocking something down for dinner or turning over a rock to get whatever's underneath.
The reason I raise the point is that the following poll  implies that something different is happening when we pick up an electronic tablet instead of pencil and paper to compose an email, or an e-reader instead of a book to read something like the digital version of a magazine, or a novel by Stephen King Those who view changes as bad ,or at least a little bit terrifying , may look at the numbers below and read ominous  signs.
But okay, hold that thought ,and let's jump to the poll results.
The poll was conducted by Poll Position to determine "how many hours a day do you spend looking at either a TV, computer screen ,e-reader, PDA or cell phone? "The group asked that question of I,220 registered voters, by phone ,on November 19, 2011. Its generalized finding 60% of Americans spend between one and six hours a day viewing content on electronic devices.
A bout a third spend one to three hours , another third spend four to six ,and the remaining third spend between seven and more than 10 hours a day viewing content on electronic devices, Supposing most of us spend between 12 and 18hours per 24-hour day awake ,that's a pretty high range of use, from one hour through 10 or more.

<question>:
According to the poll, the time people spend viewing content on electronic devices a day differs from_.

<options>:
A one to three hours
B four to six hours
C one to more than ten hours
D seven to more than ten hours.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Before l tell you bow many hours a day people spend ,watching content on tablets ,TVs,phones ,and so forth, let's talk quick about technology .The word ,l mean , according to my dictionary's primary definition, means  "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes."
These days, you say that word and  I'd refer to most magic images of tablets ,smart phones, digital cameras ,satellites, cruise missiles ,electric cars or glasses-free 3D handhelds. That's all correct ,of course--that stuff's definitely technology ,I mean But so is a wheel, or a pencil ,or if we're going all the way back, it's any tool, including something as simple as a stick snatched up and applied to some purpose ,say ,knocking something down for dinner or turning over a rock to get whatever's underneath.
The reason I raise the point is that the following poll  implies that something different is happening when we pick up an electronic tablet instead of pencil and paper to compose an email, or an e-reader instead of a book to read something like the digital version of a magazine, or a novel by Stephen King Those who view changes as bad ,or at least a little bit terrifying , may look at the numbers below and read ominous  signs.
But okay, hold that thought ,and let's jump to the poll results.
The poll was conducted by Poll Position to determine "how many hours a day do you spend looking at either a TV, computer screen ,e-reader, PDA or cell phone? "The group asked that question of I,220 registered voters, by phone ,on November 19, 2011. Its generalized finding 60% of Americans spend between one and six hours a day viewing content on electronic devices.
A bout a third spend one to three hours , another third spend four to six ,and the remaining third spend between seven and more than 10 hours a day viewing content on electronic devices, Supposing most of us spend between 12 and 18hours per 24-hour day awake ,that's a pretty high range of use, from one hour through 10 or more.

<question>:
What is the topic of this text?

<options>:
A How many hours a day people spend watching content on electronic devices
B The bad effects on people's health caused by using electronic devices too often.
C The proper time people take to use their electronic devices every day'
D People waste too much time in watching content on electronic devices.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The twenty-four horses dash around a racetrack. The thunder of their hooves   rings in the riders' ears, nearly drowning out the cheering of the crowd. After three or four minutes of suspense, one horse crosses the finish line first, winning the Melbourne Cup and earning a place in history.
The horses that compete in the Melbourne Cup--one of the world's most famous horseraces--were fated to race. Bred for speed, these horses are the few that were singled out as having potential to become champions.
Preparing a racehorse to compete requires a team. A horse's owner manages the team and decides which races to enter. A trainer determines the racehorse's diet and exercise. Regular exercise makes a horse less likely to be injured, but overtraining tires the horse. A groomer   cares for the racehorse and reports any problems he discovers to the trainer. And of course, no horserace could be run without a rider. These riders train for long hours and travel constantly from one race to another. They need to make a strategy, adapt to changing conditions and communicate with their horse to guide it to victory.
Australia's most famous horserace, the Melbourne Cup, is 3,200 meters of pure excitement. Each year 300 or 400 horses are nominated  , but only 24 can run. The competitors are chosen based on a number of factors, but winners of certain races qualify automatically.
Each racehorse receives a handicap--a certain weight it must carry to give each horse an equal chance of winning--two months before the race. Originally, horses that seemed likely to win were assigned larger handicaps. But the rules have changed, reducing the handicap for previous winners.
The first Melbourne Cup in 1861 drew a crowd of 4,000 spectators, and the race's popularity has grown since then. Held on the first Tuesday of November, the cup has become a four-day festival with fine food and entertainment.
The Melbourne Cup began during a gold rush as a form of entertainment for the rich. Today it still attracts society's upper class. They come dressed in their finest to enjoy the event in comfort.
But anyway it's all about the race--the effort of horses and riders, the suspense and the thrill of victory.

<question>:
What can be learned about the horses in the Melbourne Cup?

<options>:
A They are all winners of a certain race.
B They are raised and trained by joint effort.
C They are chosen from ordinary horses.
D Their fates are determined by their trainers.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The twenty-four horses dash around a racetrack. The thunder of their hooves   rings in the riders' ears, nearly drowning out the cheering of the crowd. After three or four minutes of suspense, one horse crosses the finish line first, winning the Melbourne Cup and earning a place in history.
The horses that compete in the Melbourne Cup--one of the world's most famous horseraces--were fated to race. Bred for speed, these horses are the few that were singled out as having potential to become champions.
Preparing a racehorse to compete requires a team. A horse's owner manages the team and decides which races to enter. A trainer determines the racehorse's diet and exercise. Regular exercise makes a horse less likely to be injured, but overtraining tires the horse. A groomer   cares for the racehorse and reports any problems he discovers to the trainer. And of course, no horserace could be run without a rider. These riders train for long hours and travel constantly from one race to another. They need to make a strategy, adapt to changing conditions and communicate with their horse to guide it to victory.
Australia's most famous horserace, the Melbourne Cup, is 3,200 meters of pure excitement. Each year 300 or 400 horses are nominated  , but only 24 can run. The competitors are chosen based on a number of factors, but winners of certain races qualify automatically.
Each racehorse receives a handicap--a certain weight it must carry to give each horse an equal chance of winning--two months before the race. Originally, horses that seemed likely to win were assigned larger handicaps. But the rules have changed, reducing the handicap for previous winners.
The first Melbourne Cup in 1861 drew a crowd of 4,000 spectators, and the race's popularity has grown since then. Held on the first Tuesday of November, the cup has become a four-day festival with fine food and entertainment.
The Melbourne Cup began during a gold rush as a form of entertainment for the rich. Today it still attracts society's upper class. They come dressed in their finest to enjoy the event in comfort.
But anyway it's all about the race--the effort of horses and riders, the suspense and the thrill of victory.

<question>:
The racehorses are given handicaps so that   _  .

<options>:
A they will weigh the same
B previous winners are unlikely to win
C the race will be fair enough
D they will be more adaptable to the race

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The twenty-four horses dash around a racetrack. The thunder of their hooves   rings in the riders' ears, nearly drowning out the cheering of the crowd. After three or four minutes of suspense, one horse crosses the finish line first, winning the Melbourne Cup and earning a place in history.
The horses that compete in the Melbourne Cup--one of the world's most famous horseraces--were fated to race. Bred for speed, these horses are the few that were singled out as having potential to become champions.
Preparing a racehorse to compete requires a team. A horse's owner manages the team and decides which races to enter. A trainer determines the racehorse's diet and exercise. Regular exercise makes a horse less likely to be injured, but overtraining tires the horse. A groomer   cares for the racehorse and reports any problems he discovers to the trainer. And of course, no horserace could be run without a rider. These riders train for long hours and travel constantly from one race to another. They need to make a strategy, adapt to changing conditions and communicate with their horse to guide it to victory.
Australia's most famous horserace, the Melbourne Cup, is 3,200 meters of pure excitement. Each year 300 or 400 horses are nominated  , but only 24 can run. The competitors are chosen based on a number of factors, but winners of certain races qualify automatically.
Each racehorse receives a handicap--a certain weight it must carry to give each horse an equal chance of winning--two months before the race. Originally, horses that seemed likely to win were assigned larger handicaps. But the rules have changed, reducing the handicap for previous winners.
The first Melbourne Cup in 1861 drew a crowd of 4,000 spectators, and the race's popularity has grown since then. Held on the first Tuesday of November, the cup has become a four-day festival with fine food and entertainment.
The Melbourne Cup began during a gold rush as a form of entertainment for the rich. Today it still attracts society's upper class. They come dressed in their finest to enjoy the event in comfort.
But anyway it's all about the race--the effort of horses and riders, the suspense and the thrill of victory.

<question>:
It can be learned from the passage that   _  .

<options>:
A the spectators of the Melbourne Cup must dress well
B the Melbourne Cup was intended for wealthy people
C the winner of the Melbourne Cup can earn a large fortune
D the Melbourne Cup is the best-known horserace worldwide

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
The twenty-four horses dash around a racetrack. The thunder of their hooves   rings in the riders' ears, nearly drowning out the cheering of the crowd. After three or four minutes of suspense, one horse crosses the finish line first, winning the Melbourne Cup and earning a place in history.
The horses that compete in the Melbourne Cup--one of the world's most famous horseraces--were fated to race. Bred for speed, these horses are the few that were singled out as having potential to become champions.
Preparing a racehorse to compete requires a team. A horse's owner manages the team and decides which races to enter. A trainer determines the racehorse's diet and exercise. Regular exercise makes a horse less likely to be injured, but overtraining tires the horse. A groomer   cares for the racehorse and reports any problems he discovers to the trainer. And of course, no horserace could be run without a rider. These riders train for long hours and travel constantly from one race to another. They need to make a strategy, adapt to changing conditions and communicate with their horse to guide it to victory.
Australia's most famous horserace, the Melbourne Cup, is 3,200 meters of pure excitement. Each year 300 or 400 horses are nominated  , but only 24 can run. The competitors are chosen based on a number of factors, but winners of certain races qualify automatically.
Each racehorse receives a handicap--a certain weight it must carry to give each horse an equal chance of winning--two months before the race. Originally, horses that seemed likely to win were assigned larger handicaps. But the rules have changed, reducing the handicap for previous winners.
The first Melbourne Cup in 1861 drew a crowd of 4,000 spectators, and the race's popularity has grown since then. Held on the first Tuesday of November, the cup has become a four-day festival with fine food and entertainment.
The Melbourne Cup began during a gold rush as a form of entertainment for the rich. Today it still attracts society's upper class. They come dressed in their finest to enjoy the event in comfort.
But anyway it's all about the race--the effort of horses and riders, the suspense and the thrill of victory.

<question>:
The passage can most probably be found in   _  .

<options>:
A a sports journal
B a business newspaper
C an academic paper
D a health magazine

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Whether in the home or the workplace, social robots are going to become a lot more common in the next few years. Social robots are about to bring technology to the everyday world in a more humanized way, said Cynthia Breazeal, chief scientist at the robot company Jibo.
While household robots today do the normal housework, social robots will be much more like companions than mere tools. For example, these robots will be able to distinguish when someone is happy or sad. This allows them to respond more appropriately to the user.
The Jibo robot, arranged to ship later this year, is designed to be a personalized assistant. You can talk to the robot, ask it questions, and make requests for it to perform different tasks. The robot doesn't just deliver general answers to questions; it responds based on what it learns about each individual in the household. It can do things such as reminding an elderly family member to take medicine or taking family photos.
Social robots are not just finding their way into the home. They have potential applications in everything from education to health care and are already finding their way into some of these spaces.
Fellow Robots is one company bringing social robots to the market. The company's "Oshbot" robot is built to assist customers in a store, which can help the customers find items and help guide them to the product's location in the store. It can also speak different languages and make recommendations for different items based on what the customer is shopping for.
The more interaction the robot has with humans, the more it learns. But Oshbot, like other social robots, is not intended to replace workers, but to work alongside other employees. "We have technologies to train social robots to do things not for us, but with us," said Breazeal.

<question>:
How are social robots different from household robots?

<options>:
A They can control their emotions.
B They are more like humans.
C They do the normal housework.
D They respond to users more slowly.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Whether in the home or the workplace, social robots are going to become a lot more common in the next few years. Social robots are about to bring technology to the everyday world in a more humanized way, said Cynthia Breazeal, chief scientist at the robot company Jibo.
While household robots today do the normal housework, social robots will be much more like companions than mere tools. For example, these robots will be able to distinguish when someone is happy or sad. This allows them to respond more appropriately to the user.
The Jibo robot, arranged to ship later this year, is designed to be a personalized assistant. You can talk to the robot, ask it questions, and make requests for it to perform different tasks. The robot doesn't just deliver general answers to questions; it responds based on what it learns about each individual in the household. It can do things such as reminding an elderly family member to take medicine or taking family photos.
Social robots are not just finding their way into the home. They have potential applications in everything from education to health care and are already finding their way into some of these spaces.
Fellow Robots is one company bringing social robots to the market. The company's "Oshbot" robot is built to assist customers in a store, which can help the customers find items and help guide them to the product's location in the store. It can also speak different languages and make recommendations for different items based on what the customer is shopping for.
The more interaction the robot has with humans, the more it learns. But Oshbot, like other social robots, is not intended to replace workers, but to work alongside other employees. "We have technologies to train social robots to do things not for us, but with us," said Breazeal.

<question>:
What can Oshbot work as?

<options>:
A A language teacher.
B A tour guide.
C A shop assistant.
D A private nurse.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Whether in the home or the workplace, social robots are going to become a lot more common in the next few years. Social robots are about to bring technology to the everyday world in a more humanized way, said Cynthia Breazeal, chief scientist at the robot company Jibo.
While household robots today do the normal housework, social robots will be much more like companions than mere tools. For example, these robots will be able to distinguish when someone is happy or sad. This allows them to respond more appropriately to the user.
The Jibo robot, arranged to ship later this year, is designed to be a personalized assistant. You can talk to the robot, ask it questions, and make requests for it to perform different tasks. The robot doesn't just deliver general answers to questions; it responds based on what it learns about each individual in the household. It can do things such as reminding an elderly family member to take medicine or taking family photos.
Social robots are not just finding their way into the home. They have potential applications in everything from education to health care and are already finding their way into some of these spaces.
Fellow Robots is one company bringing social robots to the market. The company's "Oshbot" robot is built to assist customers in a store, which can help the customers find items and help guide them to the product's location in the store. It can also speak different languages and make recommendations for different items based on what the customer is shopping for.
The more interaction the robot has with humans, the more it learns. But Oshbot, like other social robots, is not intended to replace workers, but to work alongside other employees. "We have technologies to train social robots to do things not for us, but with us," said Breazeal.

<question>:
What does the passage mainly present?

<options>:
A A new design idea of household robots.
B Marketing strategies for social robots.
C Information on household robots.
D An introduction to social robots.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
We are fortunate to be living in a time when all people have the ability to access any knowledge they desire. This digital society that we live in affords us opportunities that our ancestor only dreamed of having. _
In the not so distant past of the 1950s, people who wanted to research an idea, a product, or anything else, had to go to a library where they could look up information in books. Not all people had the same access to the books, and the information they contained. In America, if your skin was black, you could not use the same library that a person with white skin used. If a black skinned person was allowed access to a library, it most likely was stocked with outdated books that white skinned people had discarded.
In the digital society we live in today, the color of your skin does not determine the access you have to information. Technology has brought to us the powerful tools like the Internet where we can find information on almost every subject.
Access to the Internet has allowed us to research the things we are planning to purchase. We are capable of comparing prices on things like insurance, appliances, entertainment, clothing, and all other things. We also now have the ability to purchase items online without ever leaving our homes. We have been freed from the restrictions of store hours, and regional sales. A person in America can purchase a product from a person in Germany, without leaving home.
Because of the digital society we live in our children can learn about anything they are interested in. When they ask you what the dinosaurs ate, you can look it up, and tell them the answer. Because of this people will be smarter in the future, and technology will only improve.

<question>:
By "We should not take this privilege for granted", the writer means that   _  .

<options>:
A we have special right to do anything
B it is wrong to make use of the privilege
C knowledge is important in the digital society
D we should seize the chances the modern society offers

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
We are fortunate to be living in a time when all people have the ability to access any knowledge they desire. This digital society that we live in affords us opportunities that our ancestor only dreamed of having. _
In the not so distant past of the 1950s, people who wanted to research an idea, a product, or anything else, had to go to a library where they could look up information in books. Not all people had the same access to the books, and the information they contained. In America, if your skin was black, you could not use the same library that a person with white skin used. If a black skinned person was allowed access to a library, it most likely was stocked with outdated books that white skinned people had discarded.
In the digital society we live in today, the color of your skin does not determine the access you have to information. Technology has brought to us the powerful tools like the Internet where we can find information on almost every subject.
Access to the Internet has allowed us to research the things we are planning to purchase. We are capable of comparing prices on things like insurance, appliances, entertainment, clothing, and all other things. We also now have the ability to purchase items online without ever leaving our homes. We have been freed from the restrictions of store hours, and regional sales. A person in America can purchase a product from a person in Germany, without leaving home.
Because of the digital society we live in our children can learn about anything they are interested in. When they ask you what the dinosaurs ate, you can look it up, and tell them the answer. Because of this people will be smarter in the future, and technology will only improve.

<question>:
The writer's attitude toward the digital society is   _  .

<options>:
A critical
B positive
C neutral
D negative

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Here's one very simple but lifechanging advice that I first heard from Brian Tracy. Cut down on the TV at night by just one hour. Instead, use that hour to read books that could improve your life.
If you're a salesman, google for the best and most useful books on improving your sales.
This applies   to all fields, not just the work-related   ones. Maybe you want to improve your health, become a more energetic person. Or maybe you want to improve your study, your relations or perhaps do some personal development.
One hour a day is not much. But if you read for one hour a day on weekdays, that's about 260 hours a year. That's a large number of books and a lot of useful advice.
If you follow the ideas, who knows what great things and feelings could come into your life. Also, all that information and advice will start to open up your mind. You will start to see more chances in your life.
Now, you might think something like this:
1. I really don't have the money...
Answer: Visit your public library or search the database  . Or look for books that are used in places like amazon.com.
2. I really don't have the time...
Answer: Buy audiobooks and listen to them in the car while driving to and from work. Or copy them to your MP3-player and listen while riding your bike /bus to work or school. Recently selling audiobooks through MP3-downloads has become popular...
Shut off the TV a little earlier and start reading.

<question>:
What is Brian Tracy's lifechanging advice about?

<options>:
A Watching TV.
B Listening to MP3.
C Surfing the internet.
D Reading helpful books.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Here's one very simple but lifechanging advice that I first heard from Brian Tracy. Cut down on the TV at night by just one hour. Instead, use that hour to read books that could improve your life.
If you're a salesman, google for the best and most useful books on improving your sales.
This applies   to all fields, not just the work-related   ones. Maybe you want to improve your health, become a more energetic person. Or maybe you want to improve your study, your relations or perhaps do some personal development.
One hour a day is not much. But if you read for one hour a day on weekdays, that's about 260 hours a year. That's a large number of books and a lot of useful advice.
If you follow the ideas, who knows what great things and feelings could come into your life. Also, all that information and advice will start to open up your mind. You will start to see more chances in your life.
Now, you might think something like this:
1. I really don't have the money...
Answer: Visit your public library or search the database  . Or look for books that are used in places like amazon.com.
2. I really don't have the time...
Answer: Buy audiobooks and listen to them in the car while driving to and from work. Or copy them to your MP3-player and listen while riding your bike /bus to work or school. Recently selling audiobooks through MP3-downloads has become popular...
Shut off the TV a little earlier and start reading.

<question>:
If you'd like to improve your work, you should  _   according to the writer.

<options>:
A read work-related books
B become more energetic
C improve your study
D improve your relations

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Here's one very simple but lifechanging advice that I first heard from Brian Tracy. Cut down on the TV at night by just one hour. Instead, use that hour to read books that could improve your life.
If you're a salesman, google for the best and most useful books on improving your sales.
This applies   to all fields, not just the work-related   ones. Maybe you want to improve your health, become a more energetic person. Or maybe you want to improve your study, your relations or perhaps do some personal development.
One hour a day is not much. But if you read for one hour a day on weekdays, that's about 260 hours a year. That's a large number of books and a lot of useful advice.
If you follow the ideas, who knows what great things and feelings could come into your life. Also, all that information and advice will start to open up your mind. You will start to see more chances in your life.
Now, you might think something like this:
1. I really don't have the money...
Answer: Visit your public library or search the database  . Or look for books that are used in places like amazon.com.
2. I really don't have the time...
Answer: Buy audiobooks and listen to them in the car while driving to and from work. Or copy them to your MP3-player and listen while riding your bike /bus to work or school. Recently selling audiobooks through MP3-downloads has become popular...
Shut off the TV a little earlier and start reading.

<question>:
Which is NOT true about reading an hour a day?

<options>:
A It will open up your mind.
B You will have about 260 hours a year to read.
C You will read lots of books and get much useful advice.
D It will probably bring great things and feelings into your life.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Here's one very simple but lifechanging advice that I first heard from Brian Tracy. Cut down on the TV at night by just one hour. Instead, use that hour to read books that could improve your life.
If you're a salesman, google for the best and most useful books on improving your sales.
This applies   to all fields, not just the work-related   ones. Maybe you want to improve your health, become a more energetic person. Or maybe you want to improve your study, your relations or perhaps do some personal development.
One hour a day is not much. But if you read for one hour a day on weekdays, that's about 260 hours a year. That's a large number of books and a lot of useful advice.
If you follow the ideas, who knows what great things and feelings could come into your life. Also, all that information and advice will start to open up your mind. You will start to see more chances in your life.
Now, you might think something like this:
1. I really don't have the money...
Answer: Visit your public library or search the database  . Or look for books that are used in places like amazon.com.
2. I really don't have the time...
Answer: Buy audiobooks and listen to them in the car while driving to and from work. Or copy them to your MP3-player and listen while riding your bike /bus to work or school. Recently selling audiobooks through MP3-downloads has become popular...
Shut off the TV a little earlier and start reading.

<question>:
What should you do if you really don't have the money to read?

<options>:
A To buy some books from amazon.com.
B To download MP3 free.
C To visit the public library.
D To borrow audiobooks and listen to them.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
Here's one very simple but lifechanging advice that I first heard from Brian Tracy. Cut down on the TV at night by just one hour. Instead, use that hour to read books that could improve your life.
If you're a salesman, google for the best and most useful books on improving your sales.
This applies   to all fields, not just the work-related   ones. Maybe you want to improve your health, become a more energetic person. Or maybe you want to improve your study, your relations or perhaps do some personal development.
One hour a day is not much. But if you read for one hour a day on weekdays, that's about 260 hours a year. That's a large number of books and a lot of useful advice.
If you follow the ideas, who knows what great things and feelings could come into your life. Also, all that information and advice will start to open up your mind. You will start to see more chances in your life.
Now, you might think something like this:
1. I really don't have the money...
Answer: Visit your public library or search the database  . Or look for books that are used in places like amazon.com.
2. I really don't have the time...
Answer: Buy audiobooks and listen to them in the car while driving to and from work. Or copy them to your MP3-player and listen while riding your bike /bus to work or school. Recently selling audiobooks through MP3-downloads has become popular...
Shut off the TV a little earlier and start reading.

<question>:
What is the writer's idea about audiobooks?

<options>:
A They are more useful.
B Listening to audiobooks is easier than reading books.
C It's dangerous to listen to audiobooks while driving or riding.
D Audiobooks are a good solution to the problem of having no time to read.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
As a young ice skater, I had flown pretty high, pretty quickly. My partner and I won the Canadian junior pairs championship when I was 14. Later I was thrilled to be picked to skate in the 1994 Olympics in lillehammer, Norway. But then everything came down.
   We finished the 12th at the Games. I soon quit double skating and tried to continue in singles. But I wasn't good enough; I didn't even compete in the next two national championships. I felt like I was a somebody who had become a nobody.
   I was 18 and had just graduated from high school, when my mum told me, "You can't just depend on skating to make a living. You'd better find a job." I knew she was right. So I found a job at a restaurant where I waited at tables and did anything else that needed to be done. In fact, I worked so hard that I had never got the chance to have a break. No one cared that I had been an Olympic skater; I was judged only by how hard I worked.
   That job taught me so many things. I learned, for example, how to deal with people. As an athlete, this was new to me. One day a man loudly called me over to his table and complained, "This milk is sour. I am not drinking this junk! I want my money back! " It was near the end of my shift   and I wanted to tell him how rude I thought he was. But I had learned that "the customer is always right" and a smile can go a long way. "I'm really sorry, sir. I'll get you a free cup." I said with a smile. When I brought him his coffee, his attitude changed. And he left me a tip!
   My first job taught me that it is important to do your best at anything you try. I knew nothing about being a waitress when 1 started my job but by the time I left when 1 decided to return to skating -- I had earned a raise and my boss's praise. They meant so much to me.

<question>:
How did the author feel after she picked up single skating?

<options>:
A Thrilled.
B Confident.
C Disappointed.
D Proud.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
As a young ice skater, I had flown pretty high, pretty quickly. My partner and I won the Canadian junior pairs championship when I was 14. Later I was thrilled to be picked to skate in the 1994 Olympics in lillehammer, Norway. But then everything came down.
   We finished the 12th at the Games. I soon quit double skating and tried to continue in singles. But I wasn't good enough; I didn't even compete in the next two national championships. I felt like I was a somebody who had become a nobody.
   I was 18 and had just graduated from high school, when my mum told me, "You can't just depend on skating to make a living. You'd better find a job." I knew she was right. So I found a job at a restaurant where I waited at tables and did anything else that needed to be done. In fact, I worked so hard that I had never got the chance to have a break. No one cared that I had been an Olympic skater; I was judged only by how hard I worked.
   That job taught me so many things. I learned, for example, how to deal with people. As an athlete, this was new to me. One day a man loudly called me over to his table and complained, "This milk is sour. I am not drinking this junk! I want my money back! " It was near the end of my shift   and I wanted to tell him how rude I thought he was. But I had learned that "the customer is always right" and a smile can go a long way. "I'm really sorry, sir. I'll get you a free cup." I said with a smile. When I brought him his coffee, his attitude changed. And he left me a tip!
   My first job taught me that it is important to do your best at anything you try. I knew nothing about being a waitress when 1 started my job but by the time I left when 1 decided to return to skating -- I had earned a raise and my boss's praise. They meant so much to me.

<question>:
What did the author do about the man's complaint?

<options>:
A She told him how rude he was.
B She gave his money back.
C She asked her boss for help.
D She apologized with a smile.

<answer>:


Read the following passage and questions, then choose the right answer from options, the answer should be one of A, B, C, D.

<passage>:
As a young ice skater, I had flown pretty high, pretty quickly. My partner and I won the Canadian junior pairs championship when I was 14. Later I was thrilled to be picked to skate in the 1994 Olympics in lillehammer, Norway. But then everything came down.
   We finished the 12th at the Games. I soon quit double skating and tried to continue in singles. But I wasn't good enough; I didn't even compete in the next two national championships. I felt like I was a somebody who had become a nobody.
   I was 18 and had just graduated from high school, when my mum told me, "You can't just depend on skating to make a living. You'd better find a job." I knew she was right. So I found a job at a restaurant where I waited at tables and did anything else that needed to be done. In fact, I worked so hard that I had never got the chance to have a break. No one cared that I had been an Olympic skater; I was judged only by how hard I worked.
   That job taught me so many things. I learned, for example, how to deal with people. As an athlete, this was new to me. One day a man loudly called me over to his table and complained, "This milk is sour. I am not drinking this junk! I want my money back! " It was near the end of my shift   and I wanted to tell him how rude I thought he was. But I had learned that "the customer is always right" and a smile can go a long way. "I'm really sorry, sir. I'll get you a free cup." I said with a smile. When I brought him his coffee, his attitude changed. And he left me a tip!
   My first job taught me that it is important to do your best at anything you try. I knew nothing about being a waitress when 1 started my job but by the time I left when 1 decided to return to skating -- I had earned a raise and my boss's praise. They meant so much to me.

<question>:
The passage is mainly about  _   .

<options>:
A the author's skating life
B a lesson from skating
C the author's first job
D how to be a good waitress

<answer>: