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

<passage>:
Everything in China is negotiable, so goes the saying, reminding foreign travelers to be on guard and avoid being overcharged. Foreign tourists are often advised to learn some bargaining skills so that they can avoid paying high prices. Generally speaking, bargaining is an art and an important part of people's life in China.
But the younger generation is gradually losing interest and the ability to negotiate a better deal. With fatter wallets, young people who never experienced war or shortages seldom bother to spend 10 minutes at a roadside shop cutting the price of a cell phone cover by 1 yuan. Saving for a rainy day and making good use of every penny---values held dear by older generations---no longer seem necessary. Naturally, bargaining is out, in an increasingly rich society. In this sense, bargaining is a product of poverty.
But in many countries, where residents' incomes are much lower than those in China, bargaining is not popular at all. I can still remember my failed bargaining attempts in Africa and Indonesia, where vendor  looked at me in surprise when I sought something at half the price. They shook their heads and stopped the negotiation. Latter I was told by friends who had been staying there for years that bargaining was not part of local commercial culture.
During the years when the planned economy changed into the market economy, it was difficult for ordinary buyers to get a full picture of the product prices at a time when travel was inconvenient, and information spread slowly, adding to the information asymmetry . Afraid of being overcharged by vendors, buyers turned to the old wisdom of bargaining whenever and wherever they could.
Nowadays, the popularity of e-commerce has improved pricing transparence  to the extreme. With the click of a mouse, all kinds of information on a product can be found, with users' comments helping new consumers make decisions. With such transparency, overpricing becomes less frequent and bargaining is not a necessity for shoppers. In this sense, reduced bargaining activity can be seen as a sign of China's progress toward a more mature economy.

<question>:
What can we infer from the author's experiences in Africa and Indonesia?

<options>:
A Bargaining is always popular in poor countries.
B Vendors there are impolite to foreign travelers.
C It's not avoidable to go abroad without bargaining skills.
D Bargaining is not necessarily related to incomes.

<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>:
Everything in China is negotiable, so goes the saying, reminding foreign travelers to be on guard and avoid being overcharged. Foreign tourists are often advised to learn some bargaining skills so that they can avoid paying high prices. Generally speaking, bargaining is an art and an important part of people's life in China.
But the younger generation is gradually losing interest and the ability to negotiate a better deal. With fatter wallets, young people who never experienced war or shortages seldom bother to spend 10 minutes at a roadside shop cutting the price of a cell phone cover by 1 yuan. Saving for a rainy day and making good use of every penny---values held dear by older generations---no longer seem necessary. Naturally, bargaining is out, in an increasingly rich society. In this sense, bargaining is a product of poverty.
But in many countries, where residents' incomes are much lower than those in China, bargaining is not popular at all. I can still remember my failed bargaining attempts in Africa and Indonesia, where vendor  looked at me in surprise when I sought something at half the price. They shook their heads and stopped the negotiation. Latter I was told by friends who had been staying there for years that bargaining was not part of local commercial culture.
During the years when the planned economy changed into the market economy, it was difficult for ordinary buyers to get a full picture of the product prices at a time when travel was inconvenient, and information spread slowly, adding to the information asymmetry . Afraid of being overcharged by vendors, buyers turned to the old wisdom of bargaining whenever and wherever they could.
Nowadays, the popularity of e-commerce has improved pricing transparence  to the extreme. With the click of a mouse, all kinds of information on a product can be found, with users' comments helping new consumers make decisions. With such transparency, overpricing becomes less frequent and bargaining is not a necessity for shoppers. In this sense, reduced bargaining activity can be seen as a sign of China's progress toward a more mature economy.

<question>:
In terms of price and product information, buyers in China used to   _  .

<options>:
A be kept in the dark
B know better than seller
C show no concern
D be well-informed

<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>:
Everything in China is negotiable, so goes the saying, reminding foreign travelers to be on guard and avoid being overcharged. Foreign tourists are often advised to learn some bargaining skills so that they can avoid paying high prices. Generally speaking, bargaining is an art and an important part of people's life in China.
But the younger generation is gradually losing interest and the ability to negotiate a better deal. With fatter wallets, young people who never experienced war or shortages seldom bother to spend 10 minutes at a roadside shop cutting the price of a cell phone cover by 1 yuan. Saving for a rainy day and making good use of every penny---values held dear by older generations---no longer seem necessary. Naturally, bargaining is out, in an increasingly rich society. In this sense, bargaining is a product of poverty.
But in many countries, where residents' incomes are much lower than those in China, bargaining is not popular at all. I can still remember my failed bargaining attempts in Africa and Indonesia, where vendor  looked at me in surprise when I sought something at half the price. They shook their heads and stopped the negotiation. Latter I was told by friends who had been staying there for years that bargaining was not part of local commercial culture.
During the years when the planned economy changed into the market economy, it was difficult for ordinary buyers to get a full picture of the product prices at a time when travel was inconvenient, and information spread slowly, adding to the information asymmetry . Afraid of being overcharged by vendors, buyers turned to the old wisdom of bargaining whenever and wherever they could.
Nowadays, the popularity of e-commerce has improved pricing transparence  to the extreme. With the click of a mouse, all kinds of information on a product can be found, with users' comments helping new consumers make decisions. With such transparency, overpricing becomes less frequent and bargaining is not a necessity for shoppers. In this sense, reduced bargaining activity can be seen as a sign of China's progress toward a more mature economy.

<question>:
What's the main theme of this passage?

<options>:
A Give buyers some tips about how to bargain.
B Bargaining is disappearing with the development of society.
C Make good use of every penny.
D The younger generation is good at bargaining.

<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>:
While taking pictures of a curious five-month-old fox, photographer Simbn Czapp soon realized his subject had quite an interest in photography herself. The clever fox was so curious about the camera equipment that she climbed ri^it on top of it. And while she was supposed to be the subject of the shoot, the fox stood on the shutter release button  and took her own frames.
Mr Czapp visited the New Forest Wildlife Park to capture images of new arrival Jessie. She has been at the animal park in Ashjurst, Hampshire--home to wolves, deer and other animals in 25 acres of ancient woodland--after being abandoned by her mother.
Mr Czapp said, "Jessie was very playful and curious and not at all camera shy. Soon after I arrived she was chewing my shoes and everything seemed to be a game to her. Then she started exploring the camera I had set up on a tripod  .She stood on her back legs to look at the back of the camera. She balanced her front paws on it and at one point knocked it over."
He put the camera back on the tripod and Jessie soon jumped back up. At one point she had all four paws on the camera and was keeping her balance. Mr Czapp added, "She jumped up there several times and I realized it could make a good picture. As I was leaving with the public' s viewing window behind me, I thought I heard the camera go off but didn't think much of it. But when I checked the memory card afterwards, I was amazed to see Jessie had actually taken two pictures of me photographing her. I couldn't believe a fox had gained an advantage over me! Jessie is a lovely little fox. There were some lovely photos of her but she obviously thought the photographer was worthy of a picture too!,

<question>:
What do we know about Jessie from the passage?

<options>:
A She arrived at the park five months ago.
B She lives at the park together with some wolves.
C She was sent to the park because her mother left her.
D She loved the life in the park so much that she left her mother,

<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>:
While taking pictures of a curious five-month-old fox, photographer Simbn Czapp soon realized his subject had quite an interest in photography herself. The clever fox was so curious about the camera equipment that she climbed ri^it on top of it. And while she was supposed to be the subject of the shoot, the fox stood on the shutter release button  and took her own frames.
Mr Czapp visited the New Forest Wildlife Park to capture images of new arrival Jessie. She has been at the animal park in Ashjurst, Hampshire--home to wolves, deer and other animals in 25 acres of ancient woodland--after being abandoned by her mother.
Mr Czapp said, "Jessie was very playful and curious and not at all camera shy. Soon after I arrived she was chewing my shoes and everything seemed to be a game to her. Then she started exploring the camera I had set up on a tripod  .She stood on her back legs to look at the back of the camera. She balanced her front paws on it and at one point knocked it over."
He put the camera back on the tripod and Jessie soon jumped back up. At one point she had all four paws on the camera and was keeping her balance. Mr Czapp added, "She jumped up there several times and I realized it could make a good picture. As I was leaving with the public' s viewing window behind me, I thought I heard the camera go off but didn't think much of it. But when I checked the memory card afterwards, I was amazed to see Jessie had actually taken two pictures of me photographing her. I couldn't believe a fox had gained an advantage over me! Jessie is a lovely little fox. There were some lovely photos of her but she obviously thought the photographer was worthy of a picture too!,

<question>:
From the passage we can infer that   _  . .

<options>:
A sometimes foxes are better at photographing than men
B some foxes are more friendly than humans
C Mr Czapp felt ashamed that the fox gained an advantage over him
D Mr Czapp and Jessie took photos for each other

<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>:
A white shark shipped from New York and placed into an outdoor pool for a Kmart commercial in Los Angeles died after showing signs of distress, an official from the animal welfare group that monitored the production said on Thursday.
The American Humane Association (AHA), which certifies film and TV productions with animals, says everything possible was done to ensure the 1.5 meter shark's safety.
The shark's death follows lots of criticism of the use of animals in Hollywood productions. The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it received details on the shark's death from two whistleblowers
 , criticized the AHA in a letter over the shark's death.
"Sharks are sensitive animals who, in captivity , require a highly specialized and controlled environment," the PETA letter read. "Given the delicate nature of this species, why would the AHA approve the transport and use of this animal?"
The shark was placed into a 227- liter outdoor tank in the Van Nuys suburb of Los Angeles, said Karen Rosa, a senior adviser of the AHA. She added that was a good amount of water for it. "We honestly don't know why the animal died. It was not being mistreated. It was not being harmed," Rosa said.
Early in the day, the shark seemed to be in good condition, but at one point they noticed it showed signs of distress. "As far as I know, it was immediately insisted upon that the animal receive specialized aquatic veterinarian  care," she said.
Oxygen was pumped into the tank and the shark was given a shot to try to stabilize it before it was transferred to an aquatic compound for care, where it died the same day, Rosa said.
The shoot was for a Kmart commercial, but a representative for the retailer could not disclose any details.
"We take this matter seriously and safety is always our first concern," the spokesman for Kmart said in a statement.

<question>:
The shark was shipped to Los Angeles for   _  .

<options>:
A a study by the AHA
B a business activity
C a film about animals
D a project by an animal welfare group

<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>:
A white shark shipped from New York and placed into an outdoor pool for a Kmart commercial in Los Angeles died after showing signs of distress, an official from the animal welfare group that monitored the production said on Thursday.
The American Humane Association (AHA), which certifies film and TV productions with animals, says everything possible was done to ensure the 1.5 meter shark's safety.
The shark's death follows lots of criticism of the use of animals in Hollywood productions. The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it received details on the shark's death from two whistleblowers
 , criticized the AHA in a letter over the shark's death.
"Sharks are sensitive animals who, in captivity , require a highly specialized and controlled environment," the PETA letter read. "Given the delicate nature of this species, why would the AHA approve the transport and use of this animal?"
The shark was placed into a 227- liter outdoor tank in the Van Nuys suburb of Los Angeles, said Karen Rosa, a senior adviser of the AHA. She added that was a good amount of water for it. "We honestly don't know why the animal died. It was not being mistreated. It was not being harmed," Rosa said.
Early in the day, the shark seemed to be in good condition, but at one point they noticed it showed signs of distress. "As far as I know, it was immediately insisted upon that the animal receive specialized aquatic veterinarian  care," she said.
Oxygen was pumped into the tank and the shark was given a shot to try to stabilize it before it was transferred to an aquatic compound for care, where it died the same day, Rosa said.
The shoot was for a Kmart commercial, but a representative for the retailer could not disclose any details.
"We take this matter seriously and safety is always our first concern," the spokesman for Kmart said in a statement.

<question>:
From the passage, we can learn that PETA  _  .

<options>:
A monitor films and TV productions that have animals
B sent a representative to the scene of the shoot
C believed the shark received specialized care
D didn't think the shark was transferred very well

<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>:
A white shark shipped from New York and placed into an outdoor pool for a Kmart commercial in Los Angeles died after showing signs of distress, an official from the animal welfare group that monitored the production said on Thursday.
The American Humane Association (AHA), which certifies film and TV productions with animals, says everything possible was done to ensure the 1.5 meter shark's safety.
The shark's death follows lots of criticism of the use of animals in Hollywood productions. The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it received details on the shark's death from two whistleblowers
 , criticized the AHA in a letter over the shark's death.
"Sharks are sensitive animals who, in captivity , require a highly specialized and controlled environment," the PETA letter read. "Given the delicate nature of this species, why would the AHA approve the transport and use of this animal?"
The shark was placed into a 227- liter outdoor tank in the Van Nuys suburb of Los Angeles, said Karen Rosa, a senior adviser of the AHA. She added that was a good amount of water for it. "We honestly don't know why the animal died. It was not being mistreated. It was not being harmed," Rosa said.
Early in the day, the shark seemed to be in good condition, but at one point they noticed it showed signs of distress. "As far as I know, it was immediately insisted upon that the animal receive specialized aquatic veterinarian  care," she said.
Oxygen was pumped into the tank and the shark was given a shot to try to stabilize it before it was transferred to an aquatic compound for care, where it died the same day, Rosa said.
The shoot was for a Kmart commercial, but a representative for the retailer could not disclose any details.
"We take this matter seriously and safety is always our first concern," the spokesman for Kmart said in a statement.

<question>:
What does Karen Rosa think of AHA?

<options>:
A It had done all that it needed to do.
B It was against the rights of the animals.
C It was not connected with the shark's death.
D It should be responsible for the shoot.

<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>:
A white shark shipped from New York and placed into an outdoor pool for a Kmart commercial in Los Angeles died after showing signs of distress, an official from the animal welfare group that monitored the production said on Thursday.
The American Humane Association (AHA), which certifies film and TV productions with animals, says everything possible was done to ensure the 1.5 meter shark's safety.
The shark's death follows lots of criticism of the use of animals in Hollywood productions. The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it received details on the shark's death from two whistleblowers
 , criticized the AHA in a letter over the shark's death.
"Sharks are sensitive animals who, in captivity , require a highly specialized and controlled environment," the PETA letter read. "Given the delicate nature of this species, why would the AHA approve the transport and use of this animal?"
The shark was placed into a 227- liter outdoor tank in the Van Nuys suburb of Los Angeles, said Karen Rosa, a senior adviser of the AHA. She added that was a good amount of water for it. "We honestly don't know why the animal died. It was not being mistreated. It was not being harmed," Rosa said.
Early in the day, the shark seemed to be in good condition, but at one point they noticed it showed signs of distress. "As far as I know, it was immediately insisted upon that the animal receive specialized aquatic veterinarian  care," she said.
Oxygen was pumped into the tank and the shark was given a shot to try to stabilize it before it was transferred to an aquatic compound for care, where it died the same day, Rosa said.
The shoot was for a Kmart commercial, but a representative for the retailer could not disclose any details.
"We take this matter seriously and safety is always our first concern," the spokesman for Kmart said in a statement.

<question>:
What can we infer from the passage?

<options>:
A The shark died due to a lack of water.
B Kmart was first to notice that the shark was showing signs of distress.
C Kmart claimed to ensure the animals' safety but didn't do it very well.
D The shark was given a highly specialized environment in captivity.

<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>:
A white shark shipped from New York and placed into an outdoor pool for a Kmart commercial in Los Angeles died after showing signs of distress, an official from the animal welfare group that monitored the production said on Thursday.
The American Humane Association (AHA), which certifies film and TV productions with animals, says everything possible was done to ensure the 1.5 meter shark's safety.
The shark's death follows lots of criticism of the use of animals in Hollywood productions. The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which said it received details on the shark's death from two whistleblowers
 , criticized the AHA in a letter over the shark's death.
"Sharks are sensitive animals who, in captivity , require a highly specialized and controlled environment," the PETA letter read. "Given the delicate nature of this species, why would the AHA approve the transport and use of this animal?"
The shark was placed into a 227- liter outdoor tank in the Van Nuys suburb of Los Angeles, said Karen Rosa, a senior adviser of the AHA. She added that was a good amount of water for it. "We honestly don't know why the animal died. It was not being mistreated. It was not being harmed," Rosa said.
Early in the day, the shark seemed to be in good condition, but at one point they noticed it showed signs of distress. "As far as I know, it was immediately insisted upon that the animal receive specialized aquatic veterinarian  care," she said.
Oxygen was pumped into the tank and the shark was given a shot to try to stabilize it before it was transferred to an aquatic compound for care, where it died the same day, Rosa said.
The shoot was for a Kmart commercial, but a representative for the retailer could not disclose any details.
"We take this matter seriously and safety is always our first concern," the spokesman for Kmart said in a statement.

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

<options>:
A Sharks Should be Forbidden for Commercial
B PETA Tries to Stop Shooting With Animals
C Sharks Are Sensitive Animals in Captivity
D Shark Brought to Los Angeles for Commercial Dies

<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>:
Tony Bennett, the American singer recently touring Britain, can't remember how many times he has sung his _ "I left My Heart in San Fransisco". He sang it again to his audience at the London Palladium last night.
"I never get tired of singing it." He said. "I like it too much . It's a great city and it's a good song."
Bennett is to record a TV program with American singer Lens Home while he is here. And a new LP recorded by him in London for Philips titled "Listen Easy" will be published in June.. "I like it here." He added quietly over whiskey. "I would like to live here so many months of the year."
He already keeps a large flat in Grosenor Square, where he is staying with his actress wife Sandie Grant and their three-year-old daughter Joanna. It has a studio where he likes to paint. Tony plans to have his first exhibition later in the year and he has already sold one picture for $4000. At the end of the year Tony is to star in a musical film , which has been specially written for him called "Two Bits", an informal expression for 50 cents. It's about an Italian immigrant who goes to America , but he becomes a failure.
"In many ways it's very close to my life the way the story has been written," said Bennett. "My father, an Italian ,was ill and died when I was nine. He always wanted me to sing, but he never lived long enough to be a part of my success.

<question>:
What does Tony Bennett want to do?

<options>:
A Buy a house and live in England.
B Stay with his wife and daughter in England.
C Live part of each year in England
D Leave American and settle in England

<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>:
Tony Bennett, the American singer recently touring Britain, can't remember how many times he has sung his _ "I left My Heart in San Fransisco". He sang it again to his audience at the London Palladium last night.
"I never get tired of singing it." He said. "I like it too much . It's a great city and it's a good song."
Bennett is to record a TV program with American singer Lens Home while he is here. And a new LP recorded by him in London for Philips titled "Listen Easy" will be published in June.. "I like it here." He added quietly over whiskey. "I would like to live here so many months of the year."
He already keeps a large flat in Grosenor Square, where he is staying with his actress wife Sandie Grant and their three-year-old daughter Joanna. It has a studio where he likes to paint. Tony plans to have his first exhibition later in the year and he has already sold one picture for $4000. At the end of the year Tony is to star in a musical film , which has been specially written for him called "Two Bits", an informal expression for 50 cents. It's about an Italian immigrant who goes to America , but he becomes a failure.
"In many ways it's very close to my life the way the story has been written," said Bennett. "My father, an Italian ,was ill and died when I was nine. He always wanted me to sing, but he never lived long enough to be a part of my success.

<question>:
What's Tony's hobby?

<options>:
A Singing
B Drinking
C Playing
D Painting

<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>:
Tony Bennett, the American singer recently touring Britain, can't remember how many times he has sung his _ "I left My Heart in San Fransisco". He sang it again to his audience at the London Palladium last night.
"I never get tired of singing it." He said. "I like it too much . It's a great city and it's a good song."
Bennett is to record a TV program with American singer Lens Home while he is here. And a new LP recorded by him in London for Philips titled "Listen Easy" will be published in June.. "I like it here." He added quietly over whiskey. "I would like to live here so many months of the year."
He already keeps a large flat in Grosenor Square, where he is staying with his actress wife Sandie Grant and their three-year-old daughter Joanna. It has a studio where he likes to paint. Tony plans to have his first exhibition later in the year and he has already sold one picture for $4000. At the end of the year Tony is to star in a musical film , which has been specially written for him called "Two Bits", an informal expression for 50 cents. It's about an Italian immigrant who goes to America , but he becomes a failure.
"In many ways it's very close to my life the way the story has been written," said Bennett. "My father, an Italian ,was ill and died when I was nine. He always wanted me to sing, but he never lived long enough to be a part of my success.

<question>:
What can we learn about Tony's father from this passage?

<options>:
A He liked his son's singing.
B He was born in Italy and died when Tony Bennett was a small boy
C He was a part of Bennett's achievement
D He was glad that his son became famous.

<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>:
Tony Bennett, the American singer recently touring Britain, can't remember how many times he has sung his _ "I left My Heart in San Fransisco". He sang it again to his audience at the London Palladium last night.
"I never get tired of singing it." He said. "I like it too much . It's a great city and it's a good song."
Bennett is to record a TV program with American singer Lens Home while he is here. And a new LP recorded by him in London for Philips titled "Listen Easy" will be published in June.. "I like it here." He added quietly over whiskey. "I would like to live here so many months of the year."
He already keeps a large flat in Grosenor Square, where he is staying with his actress wife Sandie Grant and their three-year-old daughter Joanna. It has a studio where he likes to paint. Tony plans to have his first exhibition later in the year and he has already sold one picture for $4000. At the end of the year Tony is to star in a musical film , which has been specially written for him called "Two Bits", an informal expression for 50 cents. It's about an Italian immigrant who goes to America , but he becomes a failure.
"In many ways it's very close to my life the way the story has been written," said Bennett. "My father, an Italian ,was ill and died when I was nine. He always wanted me to sing, but he never lived long enough to be a part of my success.

<question>:
What kind of man is Tony Bennett?

<options>:
A hardworking and humorous
B family-centered and hardworking
C outgoing and kind
D ambitious and trustworthy

<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>:
Although the United States covers so much land and the land produces far more food than the present population needs,its people are by now almost entirely an urban society. Less than a tenth of the people are engaged in agriculture and forestry , and most of the rest live in or around towns,small and large.Here the traditional picture is changing: every small town may still be very like other small towns,and the typical small town may represent a widely accepted view of the country,but most Americans do not live in small towns any more. Half the population now lives in some thirty metropolitan areas(1arge cities with their suburbs, of more than a million people each--a larger proportion than in Germany or England,let alone France). The statistics of urban and rural population should be treated with caution because so many people who live in areas classified as rural travel by car to work in a nearby town each day. As the rush to live out of town continues,rural areas within reach of towns are gradually filled with houses, so that it is hard to say at what moment a piece of country becomes a suburb. But more and more the typical American lives in a metropolitan rather than a small town environment.

<question>:
If now America has 250 million people.how many of them are engaged in agriculture and forestry?

<options>:
A About 25 million
B More than 25 million
C Less than 25 million
D Less than 225 million

<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>:
Although the United States covers so much land and the land produces far more food than the present population needs,its people are by now almost entirely an urban society. Less than a tenth of the people are engaged in agriculture and forestry , and most of the rest live in or around towns,small and large.Here the traditional picture is changing: every small town may still be very like other small towns,and the typical small town may represent a widely accepted view of the country,but most Americans do not live in small towns any more. Half the population now lives in some thirty metropolitan areas(1arge cities with their suburbs, of more than a million people each--a larger proportion than in Germany or England,let alone France). The statistics of urban and rural population should be treated with caution because so many people who live in areas classified as rural travel by car to work in a nearby town each day. As the rush to live out of town continues,rural areas within reach of towns are gradually filled with houses, so that it is hard to say at what moment a piece of country becomes a suburb. But more and more the typical American lives in a metropolitan rather than a small town environment.

<question>:
Which of the following four countries has the smallest proportion of people living in metropolitan areas?

<options>:
A United States
B Germany
C France
D England

<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>:
Although the United States covers so much land and the land produces far more food than the present population needs,its people are by now almost entirely an urban society. Less than a tenth of the people are engaged in agriculture and forestry , and most of the rest live in or around towns,small and large.Here the traditional picture is changing: every small town may still be very like other small towns,and the typical small town may represent a widely accepted view of the country,but most Americans do not live in small towns any more. Half the population now lives in some thirty metropolitan areas(1arge cities with their suburbs, of more than a million people each--a larger proportion than in Germany or England,let alone France). The statistics of urban and rural population should be treated with caution because so many people who live in areas classified as rural travel by car to work in a nearby town each day. As the rush to live out of town continues,rural areas within reach of towns are gradually filled with houses, so that it is hard to say at what moment a piece of country becomes a suburb. But more and more the typical American lives in a metropolitan rather than a small town environment.

<question>:
What's the meaning of the word"metropolitan"in the middle of the passage?

<options>:
A Of a large city with its suburbs
B Of small and large towns
C Of urban areas
D Of rural areas

<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>:
If I were writing a history of my family, some of the darkest moments recorded would be those surrounding Christmas trees. One would certainly think otherwise; selecting and putting up our trees have always been filled with risk.
For example, one afternoon dangerously close to Christmas Eve _ , a glorious tree that was so full and tall that we could hardly get it into the house. Once we did, my father immediately realized that we would have to hire a carpenter to build a stand for it.
Another December, perhaps the very next one, we bought a tree earlier than we ever had before. We were happy with its shape and delighted that its size was manageable. We easily placed it in a stand, decorated it from top to bottom, and then self-satisfiedly sat back by the fire in its soft light.
Two or three days passed and the truth could not be hidden; we had bought a tree cut so long ago that its needles were coming off. There was nothing to do but undecorated it, take it down, and begin tree shopping again.
Our most recent Christmas tree offered still another difficult task. When we brought it home, once again it seemed larger than it was in the great outdoors. To complicate matters, we had bought a new stand, one whose nuts and bolts worked more mysteriously than those of our old stands. I persuaded two young neighbors to stop playing basketball and to help us get the tree into the house and set it correctly in the stand. Unfortunately, no one noticed the mud on our helpers' shoes, so only after removing several reddish brown sports from the carpet were we able to discuss the question of where the lights and ornaments were stored. Perhaps those who cut their own trees have tales more painful than these. I don't care to hear them, as my family's experiences are enough to cause me to make the following suggestion: "Let's forget the tree next Christmas. Let's simply hang some flowers on the front door and over the mirror in the hall."

<question>:
The darkest moments in the writer's family were with the fact that  _  .

<options>:
A the family bought big Christmas trees
B they had problems decorating their Christmas trees
C they had problems picking suitable Christmas trees
D they had problems finding carpenters for putting up Christmas trees

<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>:
If I were writing a history of my family, some of the darkest moments recorded would be those surrounding Christmas trees. One would certainly think otherwise; selecting and putting up our trees have always been filled with risk.
For example, one afternoon dangerously close to Christmas Eve _ , a glorious tree that was so full and tall that we could hardly get it into the house. Once we did, my father immediately realized that we would have to hire a carpenter to build a stand for it.
Another December, perhaps the very next one, we bought a tree earlier than we ever had before. We were happy with its shape and delighted that its size was manageable. We easily placed it in a stand, decorated it from top to bottom, and then self-satisfiedly sat back by the fire in its soft light.
Two or three days passed and the truth could not be hidden; we had bought a tree cut so long ago that its needles were coming off. There was nothing to do but undecorated it, take it down, and begin tree shopping again.
Our most recent Christmas tree offered still another difficult task. When we brought it home, once again it seemed larger than it was in the great outdoors. To complicate matters, we had bought a new stand, one whose nuts and bolts worked more mysteriously than those of our old stands. I persuaded two young neighbors to stop playing basketball and to help us get the tree into the house and set it correctly in the stand. Unfortunately, no one noticed the mud on our helpers' shoes, so only after removing several reddish brown sports from the carpet were we able to discuss the question of where the lights and ornaments were stored. Perhaps those who cut their own trees have tales more painful than these. I don't care to hear them, as my family's experiences are enough to cause me to make the following suggestion: "Let's forget the tree next Christmas. Let's simply hang some flowers on the front door and over the mirror in the hall."

<question>:
We can learn from the passage that the writer would like to  _  .

<options>:
A forget about Christmas stories
B get the neighbors to put up their trees
C buy a better tree to celebrate Christmas
D make other decorations rather than Christmas trees

<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>:
If I were writing a history of my family, some of the darkest moments recorded would be those surrounding Christmas trees. One would certainly think otherwise; selecting and putting up our trees have always been filled with risk.
For example, one afternoon dangerously close to Christmas Eve _ , a glorious tree that was so full and tall that we could hardly get it into the house. Once we did, my father immediately realized that we would have to hire a carpenter to build a stand for it.
Another December, perhaps the very next one, we bought a tree earlier than we ever had before. We were happy with its shape and delighted that its size was manageable. We easily placed it in a stand, decorated it from top to bottom, and then self-satisfiedly sat back by the fire in its soft light.
Two or three days passed and the truth could not be hidden; we had bought a tree cut so long ago that its needles were coming off. There was nothing to do but undecorated it, take it down, and begin tree shopping again.
Our most recent Christmas tree offered still another difficult task. When we brought it home, once again it seemed larger than it was in the great outdoors. To complicate matters, we had bought a new stand, one whose nuts and bolts worked more mysteriously than those of our old stands. I persuaded two young neighbors to stop playing basketball and to help us get the tree into the house and set it correctly in the stand. Unfortunately, no one noticed the mud on our helpers' shoes, so only after removing several reddish brown sports from the carpet were we able to discuss the question of where the lights and ornaments were stored. Perhaps those who cut their own trees have tales more painful than these. I don't care to hear them, as my family's experiences are enough to cause me to make the following suggestion: "Let's forget the tree next Christmas. Let's simply hang some flowers on the front door and over the mirror in the hall."

<question>:
When the writer said "my mother bought what she thought to be a bargain", he means  _  .

<options>:
A she bought the tree at a cheap price
B she didn't really want to buy it
C she had to bargain hard with the salesman
D she couldn't afford a more expensive one

<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>:
If I were writing a history of my family, some of the darkest moments recorded would be those surrounding Christmas trees. One would certainly think otherwise; selecting and putting up our trees have always been filled with risk.
For example, one afternoon dangerously close to Christmas Eve _ , a glorious tree that was so full and tall that we could hardly get it into the house. Once we did, my father immediately realized that we would have to hire a carpenter to build a stand for it.
Another December, perhaps the very next one, we bought a tree earlier than we ever had before. We were happy with its shape and delighted that its size was manageable. We easily placed it in a stand, decorated it from top to bottom, and then self-satisfiedly sat back by the fire in its soft light.
Two or three days passed and the truth could not be hidden; we had bought a tree cut so long ago that its needles were coming off. There was nothing to do but undecorated it, take it down, and begin tree shopping again.
Our most recent Christmas tree offered still another difficult task. When we brought it home, once again it seemed larger than it was in the great outdoors. To complicate matters, we had bought a new stand, one whose nuts and bolts worked more mysteriously than those of our old stands. I persuaded two young neighbors to stop playing basketball and to help us get the tree into the house and set it correctly in the stand. Unfortunately, no one noticed the mud on our helpers' shoes, so only after removing several reddish brown sports from the carpet were we able to discuss the question of where the lights and ornaments were stored. Perhaps those who cut their own trees have tales more painful than these. I don't care to hear them, as my family's experiences are enough to cause me to make the following suggestion: "Let's forget the tree next Christmas. Let's simply hang some flowers on the front door and over the mirror in the hall."

<question>:
Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

<options>:
A How to Select a Christmas Tree
B No More Christmas Tree for Us
C Dark Moments of Life
D Christmas Without Trees

<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>:
Scientists in Mexico have just begun a new study of one of the world's biggest pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun, north of Mexico City. They're putting lots of small, high-tech machines under the pyramid to try to unlock some of its secrets. For thousands of years, people have tried to uncover the secrets of the pyramids.
The people who built the pyramids made lots of secret doors and rooms to stop robbers from finding the treasures inside. However, there always have been some smart thieves in history. Now, almost all of Egypt's pyramids have been robbed, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest pyramid in the world. It is the only one of the ancient wonders of the world that is still standing.
In AD 820, an Arab king named Abdullah AL Manum got a group of workers to dig their way into the Great Pyramid and have a look. Inside the pyramid, they found three rooms --- the Queen's Chamber, the Grand Gallery and the King's Chamber. But to their surprise, the men didn't find the treasures they wanted. The Queen's and King's Chambers were both empty! Where were the King's mummy and his treasures? Had someone already taken them away? The huge stone doors at the pyramid's entrance were still closed when AL Manum's men went inside. How had the thieves got in and out?
Since then, many people have gone inside the Great Pyramid to have a look or to try to take things. But still, no other chambers or walkways have been found.
In 2002, an American team made the most recent visit to the Great Pyramid. Scientists sent a robot into the pyramid, but they only found a mysterious locked stone door.

<question>:
What is the purpose of making some secret doors to the pyramids?

<options>:
A To try to unlock some of its secrets.
B To stop robbers from finding the treasures inside.
C To refuse some visitors all over the world into it.
D To tell the truth to the people in the future.

<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>:
Scientists in Mexico have just begun a new study of one of the world's biggest pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun, north of Mexico City. They're putting lots of small, high-tech machines under the pyramid to try to unlock some of its secrets. For thousands of years, people have tried to uncover the secrets of the pyramids.
The people who built the pyramids made lots of secret doors and rooms to stop robbers from finding the treasures inside. However, there always have been some smart thieves in history. Now, almost all of Egypt's pyramids have been robbed, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest pyramid in the world. It is the only one of the ancient wonders of the world that is still standing.
In AD 820, an Arab king named Abdullah AL Manum got a group of workers to dig their way into the Great Pyramid and have a look. Inside the pyramid, they found three rooms --- the Queen's Chamber, the Grand Gallery and the King's Chamber. But to their surprise, the men didn't find the treasures they wanted. The Queen's and King's Chambers were both empty! Where were the King's mummy and his treasures? Had someone already taken them away? The huge stone doors at the pyramid's entrance were still closed when AL Manum's men went inside. How had the thieves got in and out?
Since then, many people have gone inside the Great Pyramid to have a look or to try to take things. But still, no other chambers or walkways have been found.
In 2002, an American team made the most recent visit to the Great Pyramid. Scientists sent a robot into the pyramid, but they only found a mysterious locked stone door.

<question>:
Which of the following is NOT true to the Great Pyramid of Khufu?

<options>:
A It is the largest pyramid in the world.
B It is the only one of the ancient wonders that is still standing.
C Abdullah AL Manum took the King's mummy and his treasures away.
D Scientists found a mysterious locked stone door to the Great Pyramid.

<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>:
Scientists in Mexico have just begun a new study of one of the world's biggest pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun, north of Mexico City. They're putting lots of small, high-tech machines under the pyramid to try to unlock some of its secrets. For thousands of years, people have tried to uncover the secrets of the pyramids.
The people who built the pyramids made lots of secret doors and rooms to stop robbers from finding the treasures inside. However, there always have been some smart thieves in history. Now, almost all of Egypt's pyramids have been robbed, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, which is the largest pyramid in the world. It is the only one of the ancient wonders of the world that is still standing.
In AD 820, an Arab king named Abdullah AL Manum got a group of workers to dig their way into the Great Pyramid and have a look. Inside the pyramid, they found three rooms --- the Queen's Chamber, the Grand Gallery and the King's Chamber. But to their surprise, the men didn't find the treasures they wanted. The Queen's and King's Chambers were both empty! Where were the King's mummy and his treasures? Had someone already taken them away? The huge stone doors at the pyramid's entrance were still closed when AL Manum's men went inside. How had the thieves got in and out?
Since then, many people have gone inside the Great Pyramid to have a look or to try to take things. But still, no other chambers or walkways have been found.
In 2002, an American team made the most recent visit to the Great Pyramid. Scientists sent a robot into the pyramid, but they only found a mysterious locked stone door.

<question>:
What would be the best title for the text?

<options>:
A The Pyramid of the Sun
B The Great Pyramid of Khufu
C A Mysterious Locked Stone Door
D Unlocking the Doors of History

<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>:
If you're a foreigner looking for a place that has everything, there's only one place to visit, and that's New York. It's a whole world in a city.
The World of Theater
All of New York is a stage, and it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many shows in one place? Only in New York !
The World of Music
Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Center. Swing to the great jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere.
The World of Art
From _ to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you will find it in New York.
The World of Fine Dining
Whether it is roast Beijing Duck in Chinatown, Lasagna in Little Italy, or the finest French coq au vin(chicken cooked in wine) found anywhere, there is a world of great taste waiting for you in New York.
The World of Sights
What other city has a Statue of Liberty? A Rockefeller Center? Or a Bronx Zoo? Where else can you take a horse-drawn carriage through the Central Park? Only in New York!

<question>:
Which of the following programs can a visitor have only in New York?

<options>:
A To spend an evening with Beethoven.
B To see the Statue of Liberty.
C To taste the finest French coq au vin.
D To enjoy the Beijing roast duck.

<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>:
If you're a foreigner looking for a place that has everything, there's only one place to visit, and that's New York. It's a whole world in a city.
The World of Theater
All of New York is a stage, and it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many shows in one place? Only in New York !
The World of Music
Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Center. Swing to the great jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere.
The World of Art
From _ to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you will find it in New York.
The World of Fine Dining
Whether it is roast Beijing Duck in Chinatown, Lasagna in Little Italy, or the finest French coq au vin(chicken cooked in wine) found anywhere, there is a world of great taste waiting for you in New York.
The World of Sights
What other city has a Statue of Liberty? A Rockefeller Center? Or a Bronx Zoo? Where else can you take a horse-drawn carriage through the Central Park? Only in New York!

<question>:
The purpose of writing this text is to   _   .

<options>:
A help the readers get a better understanding of New York
B supply the readers with some information about New York jobs
C try to persuade the readers to visit New York
D tell the readers where New York lies

<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>:
Most people will praise many technological gadgets  that they use in their everyday lives. Technology is developing at a very fast rate, and what most people did not even think could be real a few years ago is now becoming a reality. Although many will use and advertise modern technology for many of its achievements and advancements, what many don't realize is that it has affected and continues to affect society and people in general in a negative way.
Newspaper companies, as we all know, have been hit very hard by the advancements in technology. Big newspapers have been forced to either lay off a percentage of their work force or shut down altogether because news is readily available for free on the Internet. Music does not have to be purchased at a music store any more because MP3 files are readily available on the Internet as well, thus causing big music store chains to shut their doors for good. The movie industry has also been hit hard because DVD sales have decreased since people can pay for and download their favorite movies online.
Technology has its benefits, but when you take a look at how people communicate with one another, you will quickly see that it has a negative impact. Modern technology has allowed people to communicate with just about anyone they want to at any given time. The fact remains that people do not _ personally with one another as often as they used to. This has created a barrier for face-to-face communication among people because they no longer have to hold a meeting in an office or they no longer have to call friends or family members together to wish them a happy birthday or congratulate them on their recent success.
As a result, people don't feel the urgent need to step outside of their home to find entertainment, such as participating in a dynamic game of basketball with friends, meeting a friend at a coffee shop, etc.

<question>:
The author shows us the negative effects of the technology by   _  .

<options>:
A telling some stories
B giving some examples
C listing some figures
D doing some experiments

<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>:
Most people will praise many technological gadgets  that they use in their everyday lives. Technology is developing at a very fast rate, and what most people did not even think could be real a few years ago is now becoming a reality. Although many will use and advertise modern technology for many of its achievements and advancements, what many don't realize is that it has affected and continues to affect society and people in general in a negative way.
Newspaper companies, as we all know, have been hit very hard by the advancements in technology. Big newspapers have been forced to either lay off a percentage of their work force or shut down altogether because news is readily available for free on the Internet. Music does not have to be purchased at a music store any more because MP3 files are readily available on the Internet as well, thus causing big music store chains to shut their doors for good. The movie industry has also been hit hard because DVD sales have decreased since people can pay for and download their favorite movies online.
Technology has its benefits, but when you take a look at how people communicate with one another, you will quickly see that it has a negative impact. Modern technology has allowed people to communicate with just about anyone they want to at any given time. The fact remains that people do not _ personally with one another as often as they used to. This has created a barrier for face-to-face communication among people because they no longer have to hold a meeting in an office or they no longer have to call friends or family members together to wish them a happy birthday or congratulate them on their recent success.
As a result, people don't feel the urgent need to step outside of their home to find entertainment, such as participating in a dynamic game of basketball with friends, meeting a friend at a coffee shop, etc.

<question>:
Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

<options>:
A The negative effects of advancing technology
B The benefits of the modern technology
C The development of the modern technology
D The social problems caused by the technology

<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 our lives are changing faster than at any time in history. Here we report on three important changes that will have a big impact on our everyday lives in the future.
The cashless society
Cash and bank-notes will disappear almost completely. They will be replaced by smart cards, namely plastic cards: microchip processors loaded with some money. When we pay for goods,the shop assistant will put our smart card into a payment terminal and money will come into his card from our card. When all the money is used up,we will be able to reloadit by putting it into a telephone,dialing our bank account and money will be put into the card from the account.
Interactive telephones
Talking computers will play an important part. They will recognize speech, ask us what information we need, look through a database,and put the information into speech.If we want to book a flight or pay a bill by phone, we will interact with a talking computer to do so. Human telephone operators will be used only for more complex operations such as dealing with complaints or solving special problems.
Traffic jams in cities will be reduced because drivers will use electronic route maps to find the quickest route to their destination. Electronic systems will start changing motorists for driving in cities.As soon as motorists have to pay to drive in cities, they will stop using their cars and use public transport instead. Speed control systems will be built into cars. These systems will automatically regulate the speed of the car to take account of traffic and weather conditions and prevent accidents. It will be many years before these changes bring results but when they do,there will be a _ improvement in road safety.
With the development of science and technology, more and more advanced things will be invented or created. Life in the future is undoubtedly different from that at the present.

<question>:
Cash and bank-note will disappear because  _  .

<options>:
A they will be out of use sooner or later
B they will be replaced by plastic cards convenient to use
C we can load money from the bank
D they will be rejected by payment terminals

<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 our lives are changing faster than at any time in history. Here we report on three important changes that will have a big impact on our everyday lives in the future.
The cashless society
Cash and bank-notes will disappear almost completely. They will be replaced by smart cards, namely plastic cards: microchip processors loaded with some money. When we pay for goods,the shop assistant will put our smart card into a payment terminal and money will come into his card from our card. When all the money is used up,we will be able to reloadit by putting it into a telephone,dialing our bank account and money will be put into the card from the account.
Interactive telephones
Talking computers will play an important part. They will recognize speech, ask us what information we need, look through a database,and put the information into speech.If we want to book a flight or pay a bill by phone, we will interact with a talking computer to do so. Human telephone operators will be used only for more complex operations such as dealing with complaints or solving special problems.
Traffic jams in cities will be reduced because drivers will use electronic route maps to find the quickest route to their destination. Electronic systems will start changing motorists for driving in cities.As soon as motorists have to pay to drive in cities, they will stop using their cars and use public transport instead. Speed control systems will be built into cars. These systems will automatically regulate the speed of the car to take account of traffic and weather conditions and prevent accidents. It will be many years before these changes bring results but when they do,there will be a _ improvement in road safety.
With the development of science and technology, more and more advanced things will be invented or created. Life in the future is undoubtedly different from that at the present.

<question>:
What will you do if the money in your card is used up?

<options>:
A Go to the bank to deposit some money.
B Put the card into a telephone and dial the bank account.
C Buy a new card.
D We don't know.

<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 our lives are changing faster than at any time in history. Here we report on three important changes that will have a big impact on our everyday lives in the future.
The cashless society
Cash and bank-notes will disappear almost completely. They will be replaced by smart cards, namely plastic cards: microchip processors loaded with some money. When we pay for goods,the shop assistant will put our smart card into a payment terminal and money will come into his card from our card. When all the money is used up,we will be able to reloadit by putting it into a telephone,dialing our bank account and money will be put into the card from the account.
Interactive telephones
Talking computers will play an important part. They will recognize speech, ask us what information we need, look through a database,and put the information into speech.If we want to book a flight or pay a bill by phone, we will interact with a talking computer to do so. Human telephone operators will be used only for more complex operations such as dealing with complaints or solving special problems.
Traffic jams in cities will be reduced because drivers will use electronic route maps to find the quickest route to their destination. Electronic systems will start changing motorists for driving in cities.As soon as motorists have to pay to drive in cities, they will stop using their cars and use public transport instead. Speed control systems will be built into cars. These systems will automatically regulate the speed of the car to take account of traffic and weather conditions and prevent accidents. It will be many years before these changes bring results but when they do,there will be a _ improvement in road safety.
With the development of science and technology, more and more advanced things will be invented or created. Life in the future is undoubtedly different from that at the present.

<question>:
Which of the following statements is NOT true?

<options>:
A When we buy tickets for flying somewhere else, we can have a talk with the computer.
B If you make a complaint, you can use human telephone operation.
C Drivers will stop using their cars and use public transport in order to prevent accidents.
D The help of electronic route maps will decrease traffic jams.

<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>:
In Victorian times, certain flowers expressed meanings because the flower selection was limited. Therefore, flower as a gift was an effective tool in social communication. With so many choices today, we have no rules in flower choosing. However, people tend to give a certain flower their own personal meaning--- maybe it can remind them of some particular friends or events. Here I would introduce the traditional meanings of some gift flowers as a reference for your flower choosing.
Carnation  is a good gift for your female teacher or mother, but not all kinds of carnations men respect and love. Different colours have different meanings. Generally, carnation means "fascination and woman love". Specifically, pink carnation means "I'll never forget you" and red carnation says "I admire you". But some carnations have very negative meanings. If you want to say goodbye to your girlfriend, you can send her a bunch of striped carnations or yellow ones, because it means "Sorry I can't be with you. You disappointed me."
Rose is no doubt the best gift for girls in love. Basically, it relates to the love between men and women, but roses with different colours stand for different stages of love. Red rose is man's best friend when he wants to show his love to a girl. In the peak of his love, pink rose is more suitable because it means "perfect happiness and please believe me". While the love gets into trouble, yellow rose seems to be the best symbol. It means "the decrease of love and jealousy".
Though you are free to choose any kind of flower as long as it is beautiful, I think this breif introduction can help you avoid making mistakes. Besides, the receivers must be happier if he or she gets to know the good will you convey in flowers.

<question>:
Why do we choose certain flowers as gifts?

<options>:
A Because they are the best gifts for you.
B Because flowers all look beautiful
C Because different flowers smell good.
D Because they can express specific meanings.

<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>:
In Victorian times, certain flowers expressed meanings because the flower selection was limited. Therefore, flower as a gift was an effective tool in social communication. With so many choices today, we have no rules in flower choosing. However, people tend to give a certain flower their own personal meaning--- maybe it can remind them of some particular friends or events. Here I would introduce the traditional meanings of some gift flowers as a reference for your flower choosing.
Carnation  is a good gift for your female teacher or mother, but not all kinds of carnations men respect and love. Different colours have different meanings. Generally, carnation means "fascination and woman love". Specifically, pink carnation means "I'll never forget you" and red carnation says "I admire you". But some carnations have very negative meanings. If you want to say goodbye to your girlfriend, you can send her a bunch of striped carnations or yellow ones, because it means "Sorry I can't be with you. You disappointed me."
Rose is no doubt the best gift for girls in love. Basically, it relates to the love between men and women, but roses with different colours stand for different stages of love. Red rose is man's best friend when he wants to show his love to a girl. In the peak of his love, pink rose is more suitable because it means "perfect happiness and please believe me". While the love gets into trouble, yellow rose seems to be the best symbol. It means "the decrease of love and jealousy".
Though you are free to choose any kind of flower as long as it is beautiful, I think this breif introduction can help you avoid making mistakes. Besides, the receivers must be happier if he or she gets to know the good will you convey in flowers.

<question>:
In different stages of love,   _  .

<options>:
A roses of different colours show love to a girl.
B you can choose red rose at any occasion
C yellow rose is the best symbol for your love
D pink rose implies that your love comes to maturity .

<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>:
In Victorian times, certain flowers expressed meanings because the flower selection was limited. Therefore, flower as a gift was an effective tool in social communication. With so many choices today, we have no rules in flower choosing. However, people tend to give a certain flower their own personal meaning--- maybe it can remind them of some particular friends or events. Here I would introduce the traditional meanings of some gift flowers as a reference for your flower choosing.
Carnation  is a good gift for your female teacher or mother, but not all kinds of carnations men respect and love. Different colours have different meanings. Generally, carnation means "fascination and woman love". Specifically, pink carnation means "I'll never forget you" and red carnation says "I admire you". But some carnations have very negative meanings. If you want to say goodbye to your girlfriend, you can send her a bunch of striped carnations or yellow ones, because it means "Sorry I can't be with you. You disappointed me."
Rose is no doubt the best gift for girls in love. Basically, it relates to the love between men and women, but roses with different colours stand for different stages of love. Red rose is man's best friend when he wants to show his love to a girl. In the peak of his love, pink rose is more suitable because it means "perfect happiness and please believe me". While the love gets into trouble, yellow rose seems to be the best symbol. It means "the decrease of love and jealousy".
Though you are free to choose any kind of flower as long as it is beautiful, I think this breif introduction can help you avoid making mistakes. Besides, the receivers must be happier if he or she gets to know the good will you convey in flowers.

<question>:
What does the passage mainly talk about?

<options>:
A Carnation is better than rose
B Like the carnation, like the rose
C Different flowers have different meanings
D Flowers of different colours

<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>:
Scientists today are making greater effort to study ocean currents   . Most do it using satellites and other high-tech equipment. However, ocean expert Curtis Ebbesmeyer does it in a special way -- by studying movements of random floating garbage. A scientist with many years' experience, he started this type of research in the early 1990s when he heard about hundreds of athletic shoes washing up on the shores of the northwest coast of the United States. There were so many shoes that people were setting up _ to try and match left and right shoes to sell or wear.
Ebbesmeyer found out in his researches that the shoes -- about 60,000 in total -- fell into the ocean in a shipping accident. He phoned the shoe company and asked if they wanted the shoes back. As expected, the company told him that they didn't. Ebbesmeyer realized this could be a great experiment. If he learned when and where the shoes went into the water and tracked where they landed, he could learn a lot about the patterns of ocean currents.
The Pacific Northwest is one of the world's best areas for beachcombing  because winds and currents join here, and as a result, there is a group of serious beachcombers in the area. Ebbesmeyer got to know a lot of them and asked for their help in collecting information about where the shoes landed. In a year he collected reliable information on 1, 600 shoes. With this data, he and a colleague were able to test and improve a computer program designed to model ocean currents, and publish the findings of their study.
As the result of his work, Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist to call with questions about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean. He has even started an association of beachcombers and ocean experts, with 500 subscribers from West Africa to New Zealand. They have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves.

<question>:
Ebbesmeyer phoned the shoe company to find out   _  .

<options>:
A what caused the shipping accident
B when and where the shoes went missing
C whether it was all right to use their shoes
D how much they lost in the shipping accident

<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>:
Scientists today are making greater effort to study ocean currents   . Most do it using satellites and other high-tech equipment. However, ocean expert Curtis Ebbesmeyer does it in a special way -- by studying movements of random floating garbage. A scientist with many years' experience, he started this type of research in the early 1990s when he heard about hundreds of athletic shoes washing up on the shores of the northwest coast of the United States. There were so many shoes that people were setting up _ to try and match left and right shoes to sell or wear.
Ebbesmeyer found out in his researches that the shoes -- about 60,000 in total -- fell into the ocean in a shipping accident. He phoned the shoe company and asked if they wanted the shoes back. As expected, the company told him that they didn't. Ebbesmeyer realized this could be a great experiment. If he learned when and where the shoes went into the water and tracked where they landed, he could learn a lot about the patterns of ocean currents.
The Pacific Northwest is one of the world's best areas for beachcombing  because winds and currents join here, and as a result, there is a group of serious beachcombers in the area. Ebbesmeyer got to know a lot of them and asked for their help in collecting information about where the shoes landed. In a year he collected reliable information on 1, 600 shoes. With this data, he and a colleague were able to test and improve a computer program designed to model ocean currents, and publish the findings of their study.
As the result of his work, Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist to call with questions about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean. He has even started an association of beachcombers and ocean experts, with 500 subscribers from West Africa to New Zealand. They have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves.

<question>:
How did Ebbesmeyer prove his assumption?

<options>:
A By collecting information from beachcombers.
B By studying the shoes found by beachcomber.
C By searching the web for ocean currents models.
D By researching ocean currents data in the library.

<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>:
Scientists today are making greater effort to study ocean currents   . Most do it using satellites and other high-tech equipment. However, ocean expert Curtis Ebbesmeyer does it in a special way -- by studying movements of random floating garbage. A scientist with many years' experience, he started this type of research in the early 1990s when he heard about hundreds of athletic shoes washing up on the shores of the northwest coast of the United States. There were so many shoes that people were setting up _ to try and match left and right shoes to sell or wear.
Ebbesmeyer found out in his researches that the shoes -- about 60,000 in total -- fell into the ocean in a shipping accident. He phoned the shoe company and asked if they wanted the shoes back. As expected, the company told him that they didn't. Ebbesmeyer realized this could be a great experiment. If he learned when and where the shoes went into the water and tracked where they landed, he could learn a lot about the patterns of ocean currents.
The Pacific Northwest is one of the world's best areas for beachcombing  because winds and currents join here, and as a result, there is a group of serious beachcombers in the area. Ebbesmeyer got to know a lot of them and asked for their help in collecting information about where the shoes landed. In a year he collected reliable information on 1, 600 shoes. With this data, he and a colleague were able to test and improve a computer program designed to model ocean currents, and publish the findings of their study.
As the result of his work, Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist to call with questions about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean. He has even started an association of beachcombers and ocean experts, with 500 subscribers from West Africa to New Zealand. They have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves.

<question>:
Ebbesmeyer is most famous for   _  .

<options>:
A traveling widely the coastal cities of the world
B making records for any lost objects on the sea
C running a global currents research association
D phoning about any doubtful objects on the sea

<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>:
Scientists today are making greater effort to study ocean currents   . Most do it using satellites and other high-tech equipment. However, ocean expert Curtis Ebbesmeyer does it in a special way -- by studying movements of random floating garbage. A scientist with many years' experience, he started this type of research in the early 1990s when he heard about hundreds of athletic shoes washing up on the shores of the northwest coast of the United States. There were so many shoes that people were setting up _ to try and match left and right shoes to sell or wear.
Ebbesmeyer found out in his researches that the shoes -- about 60,000 in total -- fell into the ocean in a shipping accident. He phoned the shoe company and asked if they wanted the shoes back. As expected, the company told him that they didn't. Ebbesmeyer realized this could be a great experiment. If he learned when and where the shoes went into the water and tracked where they landed, he could learn a lot about the patterns of ocean currents.
The Pacific Northwest is one of the world's best areas for beachcombing  because winds and currents join here, and as a result, there is a group of serious beachcombers in the area. Ebbesmeyer got to know a lot of them and asked for their help in collecting information about where the shoes landed. In a year he collected reliable information on 1, 600 shoes. With this data, he and a colleague were able to test and improve a computer program designed to model ocean currents, and publish the findings of their study.
As the result of his work, Ebbesmeyer has become known as the scientist to call with questions about any unusual objects found floating in the ocean. He has even started an association of beachcombers and ocean experts, with 500 subscribers from West Africa to New Zealand. They have recorded all lost objects ranging from potatoes to golf gloves.

<question>:
What is the purpose of the author in writing this passage?

<options>:
A To call people's attention to ocean pollution.
B To warn people of shipping safety in the ocean.
C To explain a unique way of studying ocean currents.
D To give tips on how to search for lost objects on the beach.

<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>:
Imagine if you could have any house you wanted.Money is no object.You can place the house anywhere in the world and you can build the house from any materials you wish.
What would that house look like? What would be the color1 and texture of the walls, the shape of the rooms, and the quality of the light?
Carl Jung said: "When I was a child, I dreamed of a house shaped like a ring.Rooms would be arranged in a ring around a central courtyard, and the courtyard would have a glass roof, a steamy climate, and unusual birds. All windows in this house would look inward at the courtyard.No windows would look outward at the outside world.This was an introverted , perhaps proud, house.
As I aged, my dream house reshaped itself.Instead of an inner courtyard, it developed sociable porches  and big bay windows.The house of my dreams reflected who I was becoming. "
For the psychologist Carl Jung, building a house was a symbol of building a self.In his autobiographical Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung described the gradual evolution of his home on Lake Zurich.Jung spent more than thirty years building this castle - like structure, and he believed that the towers and windows represented his soul.
Clare Cooper Marcus said, " Can we know more about who we are by looking at where we live?" Clare Cooper Marcus, a Professor of Architecture at the University of California in Berkeley, has written widely about the relationship between homes and the people who occupy them.Her book House as a Mirror of Self explores the meaning of " Home" as a place of self - expression, as a place of growing, and as a place of sociability.Marcus spent years looking at people' s drawings of memorable childhood places.
If the houses we live in are so significant, what about the houses we imagine? What do our wishes say about who we are?

<question>:
Which question does the writer really try to answer?

<options>:
A Do the houses we imagine reflect who we are?
B What would our imaginative houses look like?
C What kind of houses would you like to live in?
D Do you like to dream of a house of your own?

<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>:
Imagine if you could have any house you wanted.Money is no object.You can place the house anywhere in the world and you can build the house from any materials you wish.
What would that house look like? What would be the color1 and texture of the walls, the shape of the rooms, and the quality of the light?
Carl Jung said: "When I was a child, I dreamed of a house shaped like a ring.Rooms would be arranged in a ring around a central courtyard, and the courtyard would have a glass roof, a steamy climate, and unusual birds. All windows in this house would look inward at the courtyard.No windows would look outward at the outside world.This was an introverted , perhaps proud, house.
As I aged, my dream house reshaped itself.Instead of an inner courtyard, it developed sociable porches  and big bay windows.The house of my dreams reflected who I was becoming. "
For the psychologist Carl Jung, building a house was a symbol of building a self.In his autobiographical Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung described the gradual evolution of his home on Lake Zurich.Jung spent more than thirty years building this castle - like structure, and he believed that the towers and windows represented his soul.
Clare Cooper Marcus said, " Can we know more about who we are by looking at where we live?" Clare Cooper Marcus, a Professor of Architecture at the University of California in Berkeley, has written widely about the relationship between homes and the people who occupy them.Her book House as a Mirror of Self explores the meaning of " Home" as a place of self - expression, as a place of growing, and as a place of sociability.Marcus spent years looking at people' s drawings of memorable childhood places.
If the houses we live in are so significant, what about the houses we imagine? What do our wishes say about who we are?

<question>:
We can learn that when he grew up, Carl Jung liked to

<options>:
A move about
B make friends
C stay alone
D have dreams

<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>:
Imagine if you could have any house you wanted.Money is no object.You can place the house anywhere in the world and you can build the house from any materials you wish.
What would that house look like? What would be the color1 and texture of the walls, the shape of the rooms, and the quality of the light?
Carl Jung said: "When I was a child, I dreamed of a house shaped like a ring.Rooms would be arranged in a ring around a central courtyard, and the courtyard would have a glass roof, a steamy climate, and unusual birds. All windows in this house would look inward at the courtyard.No windows would look outward at the outside world.This was an introverted , perhaps proud, house.
As I aged, my dream house reshaped itself.Instead of an inner courtyard, it developed sociable porches  and big bay windows.The house of my dreams reflected who I was becoming. "
For the psychologist Carl Jung, building a house was a symbol of building a self.In his autobiographical Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung described the gradual evolution of his home on Lake Zurich.Jung spent more than thirty years building this castle - like structure, and he believed that the towers and windows represented his soul.
Clare Cooper Marcus said, " Can we know more about who we are by looking at where we live?" Clare Cooper Marcus, a Professor of Architecture at the University of California in Berkeley, has written widely about the relationship between homes and the people who occupy them.Her book House as a Mirror of Self explores the meaning of " Home" as a place of self - expression, as a place of growing, and as a place of sociability.Marcus spent years looking at people' s drawings of memorable childhood places.
If the houses we live in are so significant, what about the houses we imagine? What do our wishes say about who we are?

<question>:
Which of the following is true?

<options>:
A Carl Jung built a house himself in his childhood.
B Carl Jung's dream house changed as he changed.
C Cooper Marcus can recognize a house's owner easily.
D Cooper Marcus' s book involves people's relationship

<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>:
On February 1,1960,I met three of my friends at the North Carolina A & T College Library,and together we walked to Woolworth's.At that time in the South,African Americans weren't allowed to eat with the white people.Woolworth's had a separate lunch counter in the basement for "negroes" .My friends and I had agreed that we would sit at the white people's lunch counter and ask to be served.And we did just that.Immediately,spoons stopped halfway to people's mouths.Every eye was on us.Again,we asked the waitress for coffee,and she refused and said it was a custom not to serve the black people.And I asked,"But you do agree that the custom is wrong,don't you?"
We were very polite -- out goal was to make sure that people did the right thing.So we sat there,waiting.An angry policeman came in and stopped right behind me.I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he stood over me.I said to myself,"This is it."But he just stood there for a minute and then backed away and started pacing up and down.I came to realise:he didn't know what to do.
An old white lady sitting farther down the counter finished her sandwich and headed straight for us.I prepared myself for a blast of abuse.Instead,she put her hands on our shoulders and said,"Boys,I am so proud of you.I only regret that you didn't do this ten years ago." That added to my determination to see it through.
We went back to that lunch counter every day for six months until African Americans were finally served in every restaurant.

<question>:
Why did people focus on the author when he asked to be served?

<options>:
A Because he sat at the white people's lunch counter.
B Because he asked for coffee,which wasn't served there.
C Because he was very loud and was disturbing other people.
D Because he was new to the Woolworth's restaurant.

<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>:
On February 1,1960,I met three of my friends at the North Carolina A & T College Library,and together we walked to Woolworth's.At that time in the South,African Americans weren't allowed to eat with the white people.Woolworth's had a separate lunch counter in the basement for "negroes" .My friends and I had agreed that we would sit at the white people's lunch counter and ask to be served.And we did just that.Immediately,spoons stopped halfway to people's mouths.Every eye was on us.Again,we asked the waitress for coffee,and she refused and said it was a custom not to serve the black people.And I asked,"But you do agree that the custom is wrong,don't you?"
We were very polite -- out goal was to make sure that people did the right thing.So we sat there,waiting.An angry policeman came in and stopped right behind me.I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he stood over me.I said to myself,"This is it."But he just stood there for a minute and then backed away and started pacing up and down.I came to realise:he didn't know what to do.
An old white lady sitting farther down the counter finished her sandwich and headed straight for us.I prepared myself for a blast of abuse.Instead,she put her hands on our shoulders and said,"Boys,I am so proud of you.I only regret that you didn't do this ten years ago." That added to my determination to see it through.
We went back to that lunch counter every day for six months until African Americans were finally served in every restaurant.

<question>:
Which of the following words best describes the author?

<options>:
A Strange.
B Kindhearted.
C Courageous.
D Stubborn.

<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>:
On February 1,1960,I met three of my friends at the North Carolina A & T College Library,and together we walked to Woolworth's.At that time in the South,African Americans weren't allowed to eat with the white people.Woolworth's had a separate lunch counter in the basement for "negroes" .My friends and I had agreed that we would sit at the white people's lunch counter and ask to be served.And we did just that.Immediately,spoons stopped halfway to people's mouths.Every eye was on us.Again,we asked the waitress for coffee,and she refused and said it was a custom not to serve the black people.And I asked,"But you do agree that the custom is wrong,don't you?"
We were very polite -- out goal was to make sure that people did the right thing.So we sat there,waiting.An angry policeman came in and stopped right behind me.I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he stood over me.I said to myself,"This is it."But he just stood there for a minute and then backed away and started pacing up and down.I came to realise:he didn't know what to do.
An old white lady sitting farther down the counter finished her sandwich and headed straight for us.I prepared myself for a blast of abuse.Instead,she put her hands on our shoulders and said,"Boys,I am so proud of you.I only regret that you didn't do this ten years ago." That added to my determination to see it through.
We went back to that lunch counter every day for six months until African Americans were finally served in every restaurant.

<question>:
Which of the following is TRUE,according to the text?

<options>:
A The author's friends were disappointed with him.
B The old lady was in support of the author.
C The old lady called the policeman in to deal with the matter.
D The author's friends stopped the matter from getting worse.

<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>:
Can storms in Africa cause asthma  in the Caribbean ? Islanders point to the desert insects that land on beaches after a 5,000-kilometer flight across the Atlantic. If they can use winds to get from one continent to another, so can clouds of dust that carry disease.
Scientists think that as Africa becomes drier, dust from expanding deserts is being blown away into Caribbean islands. A study in Barbados shows that asthma has increased 17 times since Africa's drought  began in 1973.
Other forms of life are suffering, too. Among them are the Caribbean's famous coral reefs( ), which began dying in large numbers in the 1900s. Eugene Shinn of the U.S. Geiological Sudrvey(USGS) in Florida went to the virgin Islands to study the reefs. The tests he and his colleagues carried out showed that the coral was dying of disease caused by Africa microbes  from across the ocean.
William Sprigg of the University of Arizona is studying the problem as part of a major UN project. He says that dust is causing problems in the U.S., too.
"We are just beginning to collect the evidence of airborne  dust influences on human health," he toldThe Washington Post.

<question>:
Which of the following can be the best title for this passage?

<options>:
A Dangerous Dust
B Dangerous Disease
C Changing Weather
D Developing Technology

<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>:
Can storms in Africa cause asthma  in the Caribbean ? Islanders point to the desert insects that land on beaches after a 5,000-kilometer flight across the Atlantic. If they can use winds to get from one continent to another, so can clouds of dust that carry disease.
Scientists think that as Africa becomes drier, dust from expanding deserts is being blown away into Caribbean islands. A study in Barbados shows that asthma has increased 17 times since Africa's drought  began in 1973.
Other forms of life are suffering, too. Among them are the Caribbean's famous coral reefs( ), which began dying in large numbers in the 1900s. Eugene Shinn of the U.S. Geiological Sudrvey(USGS) in Florida went to the virgin Islands to study the reefs. The tests he and his colleagues carried out showed that the coral was dying of disease caused by Africa microbes  from across the ocean.
William Sprigg of the University of Arizona is studying the problem as part of a major UN project. He says that dust is causing problems in the U.S., too.
"We are just beginning to collect the evidence of airborne  dust influences on human health," he toldThe Washington Post.

<question>:
Where does the dust talked about in this passage come from?

<options>:
A America.
B Africa.
C The Atlantic.
D The Pacific.

<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>:
Can storms in Africa cause asthma  in the Caribbean ? Islanders point to the desert insects that land on beaches after a 5,000-kilometer flight across the Atlantic. If they can use winds to get from one continent to another, so can clouds of dust that carry disease.
Scientists think that as Africa becomes drier, dust from expanding deserts is being blown away into Caribbean islands. A study in Barbados shows that asthma has increased 17 times since Africa's drought  began in 1973.
Other forms of life are suffering, too. Among them are the Caribbean's famous coral reefs( ), which began dying in large numbers in the 1900s. Eugene Shinn of the U.S. Geiological Sudrvey(USGS) in Florida went to the virgin Islands to study the reefs. The tests he and his colleagues carried out showed that the coral was dying of disease caused by Africa microbes  from across the ocean.
William Sprigg of the University of Arizona is studying the problem as part of a major UN project. He says that dust is causing problems in the U.S., too.
"We are just beginning to collect the evidence of airborne  dust influences on human health," he toldThe Washington Post.

<question>:
The increase of asthma in the Caribean is probably related to   _   according to scientists.

<options>:
A desert insects
B strong winds
C airborne dust
D dry weather

<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>:
Can storms in Africa cause asthma  in the Caribbean ? Islanders point to the desert insects that land on beaches after a 5,000-kilometer flight across the Atlantic. If they can use winds to get from one continent to another, so can clouds of dust that carry disease.
Scientists think that as Africa becomes drier, dust from expanding deserts is being blown away into Caribbean islands. A study in Barbados shows that asthma has increased 17 times since Africa's drought  began in 1973.
Other forms of life are suffering, too. Among them are the Caribbean's famous coral reefs( ), which began dying in large numbers in the 1900s. Eugene Shinn of the U.S. Geiological Sudrvey(USGS) in Florida went to the virgin Islands to study the reefs. The tests he and his colleagues carried out showed that the coral was dying of disease caused by Africa microbes  from across the ocean.
William Sprigg of the University of Arizona is studying the problem as part of a major UN project. He says that dust is causing problems in the U.S., too.
"We are just beginning to collect the evidence of airborne  dust influences on human health," he toldThe Washington Post.

<question>:
Which of the following is NOT true about the Caribbean coral reefs?

<options>:
A They are in Florida.
B They used to be very beautiful.
C They began dying in the past decades.
D The African microbes have bad effect on them.

<answer>: