DJCheng/embedding_data

1{"query": "Article: In 1955, a man named Raymond Kroc entered a partnership with two brothers named Mcdonald. They operated a popular restaurant in California which sold food that was easy to prepare and serve quickly. Hamburgers, French fries, and cold drinks were the main foods on the limited menu. Kroc opened similar eating places under the same name, \"McDonald's\" and they were a quick success. He later took over the company and today it is one of the most famous and successful \"fast-food\" chains  in America and the world. Why was his idea so successful? Probably the most important reason was that his timing was right. In the 1950s, most married women stayed home to keep house and take care of their children. During the 1960s, the movement for equality  between men and women and an economy  that needed more families to have two money-earners resulted in many women returning to the workplace. This meant that they had less time and energy to do housework, so they depended more on fast-food restaurants. Single parents also have little time to spend in the kitchen. People living alone because of divorce  or a preference for a \"single lifestyle\" also depend on this type of food, since cooking for one is often more trouble than it is worth. Fast food is not part of the diet of all Americans. Another of the 1960s was called back-to-nature movement. More and more Americans based their diets on natural foods. This preference for natural foods continues to this day. These products can now be found not only in the special health food store but also in many supermarkets. \n Question: The passage is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) how and why \"McDonald's\" became successful (B) the effect social and economic changes have on people's eating habits (C) why Americans prefer natural food (D) American eating habits", "pos": "Article: The Garden Burgers located in Truman was recognized by the Garden Burgers head office in Kansas City, Missouri.The Truman location of Garden Burgers recorded the highest sales last year.It brought in over $ 1 ,500,000 for the entire year.But what is more important is that Truman only has a population of 40,000.The store directly behind the Truman store in terms of sales is located in a city of over 300,000. Fred Laster and Jasper Watts bought into the Garden Burgers franchise   only 3 years and a few months ago.They have used the combination of a good restaurant location and a series of promotional events to make Garden Burgers one of the most visited restaurants in Truman.However, they are quick to add that these are not the main reasons the store has done so well.\"We found a franchise with a solid image and great franchise - wide marketing, \" Watts said in a phone interview. Laster and Watts expect this year to be just as productive as last year.After 4 months, they are on pace to exceed last year' s sales by more than $70,000.Each year the head office awards the owners of the store achieving the highest sales with a weekend stay at the best hotel in Kansas City and tickets to a Kansas City Chiefs football game.However, due to the extremely good sales performance of the store in Truman, the head office decided to change the tradition.Laster and Watts said their staff, which consists of only 5 university students, would be joining them in Kansas city as well. Tom Justins, the president of Garden Burgers has also sent his congratulations and he hopes that all their stores can look at the example the store has set. \n Question: How is the prize different this year? \n Options: (A) The prize is worth $70,000. (B) All the staff are invited. (C) The company permits a longer holiday. (D) The prize includes tickets to a football game.", "neg": "Article: Beginning in October, more than 13,000 McDonald's  restaurants in America will use a new variety of cooking oil. McDonald' s aims to make its French fries   and other fried foods healthier. The change will not affect the taste or the number of calories in the food. But by changing the cooking oil, McDonald's says, it hopes to cut by nearly half the amount of _   in French fries and reduce the amount of saturated fats  by 16 percent. Scientists believe that trans fatty acids and saturated fats raise cholesterol  levels and increase the risk of heart disease. McDonald's new step is important because McDonald's is an industry leader and other fast-food chains and food processors may follow the lead. For McDonald's ,the action comes at a time when Americans are becoming more and more concerned about; obesity   and are increasing pressure on food companies to offer healthy and nutritious   food to consumers. After three years of study, McDonald's officials say they are _ oil that is lower in saturated fats and trans fatty acids. McDonald's says the change will not cause higher price for consumers. Though there is some change, scientists say that the amount of trans fat in foods at McDonald's and at other fast-food companies is still important. \n Question: More than 13,000 McDonald's restaurants in America will use a new kind of cooking oil to   _  . \n Options: (A) lower the costs of the products (B) maker its food taste hatter than ever before (C) cure   the heart disease (D) do good to the health of consumers", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}2{"query": "Article: Discover Artistic Talents across the Country Redtory, Guangzhou Redtory, established in 2009, is a spacious art district often referred to as Guangzhou's 798. Made up of more than 30 old halls, mostly buildings of red brick, the place was originally built in 1956 as Chinese largest can factory. Some of the rusty machines from the old factory have been kept as art equipment, giving the zone an old charm. Where: No. 128 Yuancun Siheng Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 am-9 pm Tank Loft, Chongqing This 12,000-square-meter art center was established on the site of a used military tank warehouse . It is the largest contemporary art base in western China, featuring modern exhibition, galleries, design studios and art bookstores. The art zone is located on the campus of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and was created by the school in the early 2000s. Where: No. 108 Huangjueping Center Street, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing Opening hours: 9 am-5 pm(closed Mondays) M50, Shanghai M50, also known as 50 Moganshan Road, is the center of Shanghai's contemporary art scene, with more than 100 artists whose studios are open to the public. This district, on the bank of Suzhou Creek, was previously a textile factory until it seized production in 1999. Xue Song, a Shanghai artist, was the first to establish a studio there in 2002. Where: No. 50 Moganshan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai Opening hours: 10 am-5 pm(closed Mondays) 798 Art Zone, Beijing Attracted by ordered designing, convenient traffic and unique style of Bauhaus architecture, art organizations and artists have crowded in the vacant plants and transformed them since 2001, gradually forming a district gathered galleries, art studios, cultural companies, fashion shops etc. As the earliest area where the organizations and artists moved in located in the original area of 798 factory, this place was named as Beijing 798 Art Zone. Where: No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing Opening hours: 10 am-6 pm \n Question: If you are going to visit an art zone at 7pm, which one can you go to? \n Options: (A) Redtory, Guangzhou. (B) Tank Loft, Chongqing. (C) M50, Shanghai. (D) 798 Art Zone, Beijing.", "pos": "Article: Shanghai Air & Hotel with Transfers/One Day Hangzhou City Tour(PK0482737SHA06) Package Inclusive *Return Air Tickets *2 Nights Accommodation *Return Airport Transfers *One Day Hangzhou City Tour Booking Period:29 Jan 2015 to 31 Dec 2015 Travel Period:29 Jan 2015 to 31 Dec 2015 ONE DAY HANGZHOU CITY TOUR It is a city rich with history and culture,spanning back over 2000 years.With its inviting views and outstanding scenery,the area soon became popular with artists,poets and painters seeking inspiration in this little bit of paradise. Our first stop is Six Harmonies Pagoda.You will get to visit the charming museum and snap some photos in front of this architectural marvel that was built in the Song Dynasty. Next stop will be a visit to Meijiawu Tea Village,for a traditional tea ceremony and its significance to Chinese culture. After lunch,the beautiful view of West Lake is going to greet us.We will have a cruise  across West Lake to experience peace and serenity like no place else in the Shanghai area.The unforgettable scenery includes Three Pools Mirroring the Moon,Bai and Su Causeways,Solitary Hill,and Leifeng Pagoda,etc.The boat ride ends at Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor.We will have the chance to walk along on Su Causeway,and feed the fish in the Red Fish Pond to pray for the good luck. Pickup Time:Between 7:30 a.m.--8:30 a.m. Duration:10 hrs 2--WAY SHANGHAI PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPEIRT TRANSFERS Transfer between Shanghai Pudong International Airport(PVG) to your hotel is provided by mini bus.On arrival,you will be met by our driver after custom clearance. Should you require further assistance,please contact our hotline:+86 21 6322 3855 \n Question: What service will you get from One Day Hangzhou City Package Tour? \n Options: (A) Round-trip air tickets. (B) One day accommodation. (C) Free food service. (D) Force-shopping.", "neg": "Article: Discover Artistic Talents across the Country Tank Loft, Chongqing This 12,000-square-meter art center was established on the site of a used military tank warehouse . It is the largest contemporary art base in western China, featuring modern exhibition, galleries, design studios and art bookstores. The art zone is located on the campus of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and was created by the school in the early 2000s. Where: No. 108 Huangjueping Center Street, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing Opening hours: 9 am--5 pm (closed Mondays) Redtory, Guangzhou Redtory, established in 2009, is a spacious art district often referred to as Guangzhou's 798. Made up of more than 30 old halls, mostly buildings of red brick, the place was originally built in 1956 as Chinese largest can factory. Some of the rusty machines from the old factory have been kept as art equipment, giving the zone an old charm. Where:No. 128 Yuancun Siheng Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou Opening hours:Mon.-Sun. 10:30 am-9 pm M50, Shanghai M50, also known as 50 Moganshan Road, is the center of Shanghai's contemporary art scene, with more than 100 artists whose studios are open to the public. This district, on the bank of Suzhou Creek, was previously a textile factory until it seized production in 1999. Xue Song, a Shanghai artist, was the first to establish a studio there in 2002. Where: No. 50 Moganshan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai Opening hours: 10 am-5 pm (closed Mondays) 798 Art Zone, Beijing Attracted by ordered designing, convenient traffic and unique style of Bauhaus architecture, art organizations and artists have crowded in the vacant plants and transformed them since 2001, gradually forming a district gathered galleries, art studios, cultural companies, fashion shops etc. As the earliest area where the organizations and artists moved in located in the original area of 798 factory, this place was named as Beijing 798 Art Zone. Where: No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. Opening hours: 10 am-6 pm \n Question: If you are going to visit an art zone at 7pm, which one can you go to? \n Options: (A) Tank Loft, Chongqing. (B) Redtory, Guangzhou. (C) M50, Shanghai. (D) 798 Art Zone, Beijing.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}3{"query": "Article: It is true that the first Olympic Games of the modern times in 1896 were not open to women.Baron Pierre de Coubertin,who gave new life to the Games,was very much a man of his time.He didn't like women showing up for the Games.But since this time,things have changed.History shows that the number of women participating in the Olympic Games has been increasing over the years,since their first participation in the 1900 Olympic Games and especially in the last 30 years.This development is of social,political and cultural significance . The progress is the result of the cooperation of the entire Olympic Movement and of proper measures that the International Olympic Committee(IOC),International Sports Federations(IFs),and National Olympic Committees(NOCs)have taken.Especially in the last 20 years,the IOC has enlarged the women's programme at the Olympic Games,in cooperation with IFs and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games(OCOGs).This development was further strengthened by the IOC's decision that all sports must have women's events.The IOC also started to work on increasing the number of women at leadership level in sport in 1981.Former President Juan Antonio Samaranch,who wanted to have women as IOC members made a great contribution . Many sports volunteers have worked to increase the number of women joining in the Olympic Games.This progress has been made also thanks to the strong determination of women from different countries of the world who have worked to make sure women are fully represented in all sports. \n Question: It is implied in the passage that    . \n Options: (A) women first performed in the Olympic Games about fifty years ago (B) it was IFs that decided to enlarge the women's programme at the Olympic Games (C) Juan Antonio Samaranch didn't agree that women should be IOC members (D) women themselves worked very hard so that they could join in the Olympic Games", "pos": "Article: The history of the Winter Games, however, has been even more troubled than that of the Summer Games. Until 1924 all the winter sports competitions, held every four years from 1901 to 1917 and again in 1922, had been in the Scandinavian countries - Sweden, Norway and Finland. The sportsmen of these countries believed that the Winter Games could only be held in the Scandinavian way. Coubertin, himself, was against a separate Winter Olympics as he felt that they would cause trouble within the Olympic movement. However, as winter holidays in the Alps became more and more popular, so did the idea of a truly international Winter Games. The first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix in 1924, though they were only recognized by the International Olympic Committee as \"Olympic\" two years later in 1926. Although there were many arguments before them, the first Games were a success, but the problems did not end there. In 1935, it was decided by the IOC that ski teachers could not compete in the Olympics because they were professionals. This caused a big argument between the IOC and the International Ski Federation, who agreed with the ski teachers. However, war came and with it an end to the discussions. When the war was finally over, the Winter Games were started up again, as before, in St Moritz in 1948 and the crisis had passed. \n Question: Before 1924, all the winter sports competitions were held in_. \n Options: (A) Asia (B) Africa (C) Latin America (D) Europe", "neg": "Article: The Winter Olympic Games are a major international sporting event that occurs once every four years. Unlike the Summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics feature sports practiced on snow and ice. The first Winter Olympics, the 1924 Winter Olympics, was held in Chamonix, France. The Games were held every four years from 1924 until 1936, after which they were interrupted by World War II. The Olympics resumed in 1948 and was again held every four years. Until 1992, the Winter and Summer Olympic Games were held in the same year. The Winter Games have evolved since its beginning. Sports and disciplines have been added and some of them, such as short track speed skating, freestyle skiing, have earned a permanent spot on the Olympic program. Others have been discontinued and later reintroduced. Still others, such as speed skiing, bandy and skijoring, were demonstration sports but never incorporated as Olympic sports. The rise of television as a global medium for communication _ the impression of the Games. It created an income stream, via the sale of broadcast rights and advertising.This allowed outside interests, such as television companies and corporate sponsors. Beijing has become the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympic Games after beating Kazakhstan's Almaty to hold the 2022 Winter Olympics. With a fully-prepared final presentation by an all-star team, Beijing has successfully convinced the committee members that the 2008 Olympics host city is a more favored candidate for the Winter Games. Beijing was the safe choice because it had already proved it could stage the Games and said it would take winter sports into the backyard of the world's most populated country. \n Question: Why were the Winter Olympic Games not held for 12 years ? \n Options: (A) Because of the economic crisis (B) Because of culture difference (C) Because of the Second World War (D) Because of countries' lack of interest", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}4{"query": "Article: Finally, I entered the university. Because of my careful savings, I did not have to work during the school year. Then, summer came and it was time to work harder than ever.  I continued working as a waitress at night, instructed tennis camps several mornings a week and worked as a secretary for a few hours in the afternoons. I even decided to take a class at a community  college. This class at the community college saved me $650. It was an extremely tiring summer and made me anxious to return to my relatively easy life at the university. During my second and third years of undergraduate schooling, I decided to work about five hours per week in the campus   admissions office answering phones. This provided a little spending money and kept me from drawing my savings out. The overall situation looked hopeful as I approached my senior year as long as I could make as much money as I had the previous summer. I wanted to go to Israel to study for 3 weeks, but I hesitated in making this decision because it would cost me $1 600 more to get the credits in Israel. About two weeks later my Mom called to tell me that I had$1 600 in the bank that I had forgotten about! One of my concerns about this trip was not only the cost, but the loss of time to make money; however, I made as much that summer in the ten weeks when I was at home as I had made during the fourteen weeks when I was at home the summer before. The way everything worked together to make this trip possible was one of the most exciting things that have ever happened to me. This experience has shaped me in many important ways. The first thing that I learned was the importance of a strong work ethic  . Working long hours did a lot to develop my character and helped me learn the value of a dollar. It also made me learn how to search for creative ways to settle difficult situations. \n Question: Where did the writer probably work parttime before attending the university? \n Options: (A) In a restaurant. (B) In the tennis camps. (C) In a company. (D) In the admissions office.", "pos": "Article: For some people, the prospect of starting college, especially going away to school, is scary. It's probably the first time that you'll be totally responsible for your own schedule. What if you intend to go to college but just don't feel ready to start yet-for whatever reason-and you don't want to take on a full-time job after graduation? You might want to take a year off to pause and regroup. This practice is common in some countries, like the United Kingdom, where it's called a \" _ \". Taking time off doesn't mean you should ignore the idea of applying to college. In fact, you may want to consider making your college plans before you become involved in other things, especially if you'll be travelling. Apply to schools and make your choice, then ask for a deferred admission. Rachel took a year off and worked in New York City between college and medical school. She says that she had to be extremely well organized about planning for medical school so she didn't miss any of her deadlines. \"Not only did I have to apply to schools and make plans to take my MCAT exams, I also had to make all my living arrangements and other plans for my year off!\" Even if you decide not to apply to college, it can be a great idea to take a year to do something you may not have an opportunity to do again. Lots of volunteer organizations would welcome your time and energy and would provide you with a wonderful learning experience. If you take a year off you will learn some great life skills-like living on a tight budget! If you take a year off you'll pay your way while you are traveling or doing volunteer work. \n Question: What's the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) Taking Time Off (B) Disadvantages of a \"Gap Year\" (C) Plans after Graduation (D) How to Apply to College", "neg": "Article: Before my first summer vacation at college, my roommate Ted asked to me to work with him on his father's farm in Argentina. The idea of spending two months in Argentine was exciting. Then I began having second thoughts. I had never been far from New England, and I had been homesick my first few weeks at college. What would it be like in a strange country? What about the language? The more I thought about it, the more the idea worried me.  In the end I turned down the invitation. As soon as Ted asked somebody else to go, I began kicking myself. I had turned down something I wanted to do because I was scared, and had ended up feeling depressed. That unhappy summer taught me a valuable lesson out of which I developed a rule for myself: do what makes you anxious; don't do what makes you depressed.  At the end of my senior year, I began to think about becoming a writer. But my professor was urging me to aim at teaching. I hesitated. The idea of trying to live by writing was a lot scarier than spending a summer in Argentina. Back and forth I went, making my decision, unmaking it. Suddenly I realized that every time I gave up the idea of writing, that downhearted feeling went through me. Giving up on what I really wanted to do depressed me. Right then I learned another lesson. To avoid that kind of depression meant having to bear a certain amount of worry and concern. When I first began writing articles, I was frequently required to interview big names. Before each interview I would get butterflies in the stomach and my hands would shake. One person I particularly admired was the great composer Duke Ellington. On the stage and on television, he seemed the very model of confidence. Then I learned Ellington still got stage fright. If the highly honored Ellington, who had appeared on the bandstand some 10,000 times over 30years, had anxiety attacks, who was I to think I could avoid them? I went on doing those frightening interviews. Then I realized to my astonishment that I was even looking forward to the interviews. What had happened to those butterflies? Well, in truth, they were still there, but there were fewer of them. I had benefited, I discovered, from a process psychologists call \"extinction\". If you put an individual in an anxious situation often enough, he will eventually learn that there isn't anything to be worried about, which brings me to a conclusion: you'll never get rid of anxiety by avoiding the things that caused it.  The point is that the new, the different, is definitely scary. But each time you try something, you learn, and as the learning piles up, the world opens to you. \n Question: We can infer from the passage that the author  _  . \n Options: (A) finds it difficult to make decision (B) has found out what causes anxiety (C) was inspired by Duke Ellington's stage fright (D) no longer feels anxious about new experiences", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}5{"query": "Article: Almost five years ago, I announced to my loved ones I was to become a Mrs. Naturally. I then began to wonder about the perfect wedding dress, hoping that it would fit me. Even at the age of 23, I had gone through my share of dieting.  I am an emotional eater and I knew that at 5 feet 5 inches tall and 180 pounds, I wasn't at my healthiest. My mother had been doing Weight Watchers for some time and was rapidly seeing results without starving herself. She shared her books with me and explained the program: estimate your daily target based on your weight and other factors, write down everything you eat and move! The longer I stuck to it the more I noticed a difference in the way I enjoyed food. I soon began to like eating fruits and vegetables for snacks instead of chocolate bars and chips. My mother and I went on walks together and kept each other in check. Unsurprisingly, I lost twenty pounds soon and looked amazing in my wedding dress. I buy healthy foods, replace ice cream and faithfully keep a food journal. I exercised and take evening walks. Because I have a hard time reaching for something healthy by myself, I bought a Weight Watchers cookbook and use it to prepare our meals. I use small plates and bowls to trick myself into believing there is more food than the serving size.  It's been hard to discipline myself not to eat badly. But when I find myself having a desire for strawberries instead of chocolate, I know it's all worthwhile. \n Question: The author successfully lost twenty pounds   _  . \n Options: (A) by walking and eating less every day (B) by only eating fruits and vegetables (C) under her doctor's direction (D) with the help of her mother", "pos": "Article: I went shopping for a dress to wear to my daughter's high school graduation half a year ago. To my horror, I could only fit into a size 20. Being overweight most of my adult life, I always had very little self-confidence. Wearing a dress I didn't like to such an important event was enough to make me look for help. Thankfully, a friend of mine was attending Weight Watchers meetings, and I noticed her great progress. Her success _ me to give it a try. I joined Weight Watchers, attended their meetings and started following their Weight-Loss System. I focused on the plan with determination and never missed a weekly meeting! I discovered that I enjoyed the benefits of having the help and support of others. I also read the weekly online e-newsletter and was inspired by the stories, recipes and information offered there, I also read magazines produced by Weight Watchers, which have great tips and new ideas in each issue. It's hard for me to even remember the person I was before my amazing change. I didn't walk anywhere and couldn't wash my car or walk my dog. Today I do these simple tasks without even thinking about them. But the change didn't happen overnight. I had to exercise with patience and perseverance . I decided to take it one day at a time and stick with if for good. The \"new me\" is more self-confident and healthier. I love how I feel now. I have more energy and feel like I'm 25 again. So why not give Weight Watchers a try if you have the same overweight problem? \n Question: We can learn from the passage that the writer   _  . \n Options: (A) often went shopping before she lost weight (B) was overweight when she was a child (C) ever wanted to give up losing weight (D) now is more confident than before", "neg": "Article: Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic   for you. Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian . If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss, then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.  _ . Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make lifestyle changes that will benefit the whole family, if possible. Those who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight-management programs. Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be in the sodas, juices and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a can of soda or one sports drink can save you 150 calories or more each day. _ with water or other sugar-free drinks when you're thirsty and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Stop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're full. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you are full. Avoid diet pills. They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term. Get moving. You don't have to play a team sport or go to the gym. Try different kinds of activities from hiking to cycling, or to dancing until you find what you like. \n Question: According to the passage, before you decide to lose or gain weight you must know   _  . \n Options: (A) how you will do it (B) how long it should last (C) whether you have a healthy weight (D) what your realistic goal is", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}6{"query": "Article: Dear son, The day that you see me old and I am already not in good health, have patience and try to understand me. If I get dirty when eating, if I can not dress, have patience and remember the hours I spent teaching it to you. If, when I speak to you, I repeat the same things thousand and one times, do not interrupt me, listen to me. When you were small, I had to read to you thousand and one times the same story until you got to sleep. When I do not want to have a shower, neither shame me nor scold me. Remember when I had to chase you with thousand excuses I invented, in order that you wanted to breathe. When you see my knowing little about new technologies, give me the necessary time and do not look at me with your mocking  smile. I taught you how to do so many things: to eat good, to dress well, to confront life... When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember, and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous, as the most important thing is not our conversation but surely to be with you and to have you listening to me. If ever I do not want to eat, do not force me. I know well when I need to and when not. When my tired legs do not allow me to walk, give me your hand, the same way I did when you made your first step. And when someday I say to you that I do not want to live anymore--that I want to rest forever, do not get angry. Someday you will understand. Try to understand that _ . Some day you will discover that, despite my mistakes, I always wanted the best thing for you and that I tried to prepare the way for you. You must not feel sad, angry or impotent for seeing me near you. You must be next to me, try to understand me and to help me as I did it when you starting living. I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I have had always for you. \n Question: What does the father mainly want to say to his son in short? \n Options: (A) \" Help me to understand my life.\" (B) \" Teach you how to live and survive.\" (C) \" Share you how I taught you.\" (D) \" Help to end my way with your love and patience.\"", "pos": "Article: I have a good memory of my grandfather,Jack. He was sitting in his armchair in the front room. I sat next to him. We were reading aloud,our heads bent over the page in front of us,a finger marking the words;separated by seven decades,brought together by words. It's a common scene in British families;however,in our case,the usual order of things is reversed .Granddad had been blind since I was tiny,so I was reading to him.When reading aloud,people usually read something that's of interest to the listener. So I didn't read children's books;I read the sorts of things Granddad liked to hear about. Much of the vocabulary in Granddad's reading material was far beyond me. When I met unfamiliar words,I'd spell them out. Granddad would help me. It must have been painful for him to hear news;but he never hurried me along or complained. Our reading wasn't really about getting knowledge. It was a way for us to spend time together. My grandfather wasn't always blind. He had been a good carpenter .The first Christmas of my parents' marriage,he built my mother a bookcase,which now belongs to my son Jonah,providing a link between four generations. I was a fortunate child;I spent a lot of time with my grandfather,and he opened the world to me in a particular way. Reading was our way of building a relationship that has had a lasting effect on me. In the school holidays,I sometimes accompanied him on trips to the seaside with the local association for the blind. This might seem strange,but I felt that my personal value was realized because I could finally do something for Granddad. A decade later,I found a position in a nursing home,which reminded me of my early experiences;reading to senior citizens was a connection back to Granddad. More than simple conversation,reading aloud is a connection between two individuals and it can have a big emotional effect on elderly people. \n Question: Why didn't the author choose to read children's books? \n Options: (A) To expand her knowledge. (B) To make her vocabulary bigger. (C) To show off in front of her grandfather. (D) To satisfy the needs of her grandfather.", "neg": "Article: My father was 44 and knew he wasn't going to make it to 45. He wrote me a letter and hoped that something in it would help me for the rest of my life. Since the day I was 12 and first read his letter, some of his words have lived in my heart. One part always stands out. \"Right now, you are pretending to be a timekiller . But I know that one day, you will do something great that will set you among the very best.\" Knowing that my dad believed in me gave me permission to believe in myself. \"You will do something great.\" He didn't know what that would be, and neither did I, but at times in my life when I've felt proud of myself, I remember his words and wish he were here so I could ask, \"Is this what you were talking about, Dad? Should I keep going?\" A long way from 12 now, I realize he would have been proud when I made any progress. Lately, though, I've come to believe he'd want me to move on to what comes next: to be proud of, and believe in, somebody else. It's time to start writing my own letters to my children. Our children look to us with the same unanswered question we had. Our kids don't hold back because they're afraid to fail. They're only afraid of failing us. They don't worry about being disappointed. Their fear-as mine was until my father's letter-is of being a disappointment. Give your children permission to succeed. They're waiting for you to believe in them. I always knew my parents loved me. But trust me: That belief will be more complete, that love will be more real, and their belief in themselves will be greater if you write the words on their hearts:\"Don't worry; you'll do something great.\" Not having that blessing from their parents may be the only thing holding them back. \n Question: We learn from the text that the author   _  . \n Options: (A) lost his father when he was young (B) worked hard before he read his father's letter (C) asked his father's permission to believe in himself (D) knew exactly what great thing his father wanted him to do", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}7{"query": "Article: A new study warns that about thirty percent of the world's people may not have enough water by the year 2025. An American organization called Population Action International did the new study. It was more than three hundred and thirty-five million people lack enough water now. The people live in twenty-eight countries. Most of the countries are in Africa or in the Middle East. Population Action International researcher Robert Engelman says by the year 2025, about three thousand million people lack water. At least 18 more countries are expected to have serious water problems. The demand for water keeps increasing. Yet the amount of water on the earth the same. Mr Engelman says the population in countries that lack water is growing in these countries will continue to increase. The report says lack of water in the future may result several problems. It may increase health problems. Lack of water often means drinking water is not safe. Mr Engelman says there are problems all over the world because of diseases such as cholera that are carried in water. Lack of water also may result in more international conflict. Countries may have to fight for water in the future. Some countries, such as Syria, Sudan, Cambodia, and so on, now get sixty percent of their fresh water from other countries. And the report says lack of water would affect the ability to improve their economies. This is because industries often need a large amount of water. The Population Action International study gives several ways to solve the water problem. One way is to find ways to use water for more than one purpose. Another way is to teach people to be careful not to waste water. A third is to use less water for agriculture. The report also says long-term solutions to the water problem must include controls on population growth. \n Question: According to the report, how many countries will lack water by the year 2025? \n Options: (A) More than eighteen (B) About twenty-eight (C) Less than forty (D) At least forty-six", "pos": "Article: Humanity uses a little less than half the water available worldwide. Yet occurrences of shortages and droughts   are causing famine and distress in some areas, and industrial and agricultural by-products are polluting water supplies. Since the world's population is expected to double in the next 50 years, many experts think we are on the edge of a widespread water crisis. But that doesn't have to be the outcome. Water shortages do not have to trouble the world---if we start valuing water more than we did in the past. Just as we began to appreciate petroleum more after the 1970s oil crises, today we must start looking at water from a fresh economic perspective. We can no longer afford to consider water a virtually free resource of which we can use as much as we like in any way we want. Instead, for all uses except the domestic demand of the poor, governments should price water to reflect its actual value. This means charging a fee for the water itself as well as for the supply costs. Governments should also protect this resource by providing water in more economically and environmentally sound   ways. For example, often the cheapest way to provide irrigation water in the dry tropics is through small-scale projects, such as gathering rainfall in depressions   and pumping it to nearby cropland. No matter what steps governments take to provide water more efficiently, they must change their institutional and legal approaches to water use. Rather than spread control among hundreds or even thousands of local, regional, and national agencies that watch various aspects of water use, countries should set up central authorities to coordinate   water policy. \n Question: What is the real cause of the potentials water crisis. \n Options: (A) Only half of the world's water can be used. (B) The world population is increasing faster and faster. (C) Half of the world's water resources have been seriously polluted. (D) Humanity has not placed enough value on water resources.", "neg": "Article: We always read reports about costs of oil going up and we will think this is our most valuable material. However, water is the most valuable resource . People in the Middle East are more worried about this than oil. Maybe the next war will be about water. In the future, to control the quality and quantity , you will use different water for different usages. The water used to wash your car, water your flowers or wash your clothes doesn't need to be as clean as the water you drink. One in five people live in countries without enough fresh water and in 25 years, the number is believed to be one in every three people. Our world population is increasing. What do you suppose this will suggest for us in the future? Population control? Traditional management of the water industry has been out of date since the 1990s. When technologies develop so rapidly in the world, we have loads of information for technologies in the business world, but in the water industry we don't have any. Britain and France have already taken measures to successfully improve their water industries. All the water services in Britain have been provided by private  companies since 1991. Since then, improvement has been made in the rules for their water quality and pricing. What can you do now for the future? Using water more efficiently  in your house can make a great difference not only to the world but to your money. Even if you don't have to pay much now, you will when you start to pay big prices for different water usages. \n Question: Water shortage is getting more serious because   _  . \n Options: (A) the world population is growing up. (B) there will be more wars about water. (C) people don't have efficient management of the water industry. (D) water services will be provided only by private companies.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}8{"query": "Article: We've all heard the phrase \"love is patient\", but one couple in prefix = st1 /Michigan, took this phrase to a whole new level. On Monday, February 13, Willard Mason sat down to talk about his relationship with the love he lost more than 60 years ago. Good fortune and fate recently helped the couple reunite. In 1941, Willard Mason and Llah Ost, both senior 2 students, became engaged to be married and began planning their lives together. But Willard moved away to work at Willow Run Bomber Plant, where he met and fell in love with a woman named Helvi. He broke off his long distance engagement to Llah and married Helvi in 1942. Llah later found love with someone else. Both had happy marriages and raised families.  Then, in 2003, Helvi died. A year later, Willard found himself back in his hometown, where by chance, he ran into Llah's brother. He informed Willard of the death of Llah's husband, and encouraged him to call her.  After that first phone call, the couple began dating. Willard made the drive from his home near Houghton Lake to Llah's home in Adrian. On one such trip, he blacked out, and his car hit a tree. He was rushed to a hospital, where tests showed that he needed a new pacemaker . Willard moved closer to Adrianand asked Llah to move in with him. She gladly accepted. \"We get along perfectly,\" Willard told AZ Central on Monday. \"We've never had an argument, she's a great cook, and she takes care of me.\"  Although both Willard and Llah are saddened by the 62 years they spent without each other, neither seem to have any regrets. Willard told AZ Central, \"You don't know how our lives might have turned out if we'd gotten married in 1941, but now she has a wonderful family, and so do I.\" \n Question: What does the writer probably mean by saying the phrase \"love is patient\"? \n Options: (A) To win love needs a good-natured tolerance  of waiting. (B) Love can make someone ill in hospital. (C) Love can also help one set a world record. (D) To win love needs a whole new level of cooking skill", "pos": "Article: A brother and sister have been reunited after more than 60 years, thanks to a letter in the Welwyn and Hatfield Times. For years John Hannant Kept a photograph of his long-lost sister, hoping they would meet again. Margery, the eldest of the three children, had signed up to the Royal Air Force as part of the war effort, when John was still a baby. The family lost touch and as the decade s passed only a single letter gave a clue to her whereabouts. The clue was enough for a WHT reader to recognize  Margery and put the family back in touch.. John, 67, had been searching for a long time and a friend suggested writing to the paper. \"That's the one that made it, the letter to the paper a few months age,\" he said. \"It's like a dream come true. The last time we ever heard from Margery was in 1953 after the floods. She wrote home to know if we were all right. My sister Dorothy wrote back, But Margery had moved again and never got the letter.\" Having retired from his job as a gardener at Park House, Mr. Hannat decided to take action once and for all. He and his wife Doreen, travelled to Margery's home in Chelwood Avenue, Hatfield , which she shares with her husband Jack Cooke. Now 88, she was recovering after several months in hospital, but immediately recognized her brother. John said, \"It's something that I never thought was going to happen, but I always hoped it would.\" As well as finding his sister, John has also discovered he now has a nephew, niece and six grandnieces and grandnephews. \n Question: When she wrote to John last time ,Margery was   _ \n Options: (A) 34 years old (B) 40 years old (C) 44years old (D) 54 years old", "neg": "Article: A couple who held hands at breakfast every morning even after 70 years of marriage have died 15 hours apart. Helen Felumlee, died at 92 on April 12. Her husband, 91-year-old Kenneth Felumlee, died the next morning. The couple's eight children say the two had been inseparable since meeting as teenagers, once sharing the bottom of a bunk   bed on a ferry rather than sleeping on night apart. They remained deeply in love until the very end, even eating breakfast together while holding hands, said their daughter, Linda Cody. \"We knew when one went, the other was going to go,\" she said. According to Cody, about 12 hours after Helen died, Kenneth looked at his children and said, \"Mon's dead.\" He quickly began to fade, surrounded by 24 of his closest family members and friends when he died the next morning. \"He was ready,\" Cody said, \"He just didn't want to leave her here by herself.\" Son Dick said his parents died of old age, surrounded by family. The pair had known each other for several years when they eloped in Newport across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, on Feb. 20, 1994. At two days shy of his 21stbirthday, Kenneth-who went by Kenny-was too young to marry in Ohio. \"He couldn't wait.' son Jim said. Kenneth worked as a railroad car inspector and mechanic before becoming a mail carrier for the Post Office. He was active in the church as a Sunday teacher. Helen stayed at home, not only cooking and cleaning for her own family but also for other families in need in the area. She taught Sunday school, too, but was known more for her greeting card ministry, sending cards for birthdays, sympathy and the holidays to everyone in her community, each with a personal note inside. \"She kept Hallmark in business,\" daughter-in-law Debbie joked. When Kenneth retired in 1983 and the children began to leave the house, the Felumlees began to explore their love of travel, visiting almost all 50 states by bus. \"He didn't want to fly anywhere because you couldn't see anything as you were going,\" Jim said. Although both experienced declining health in recent years, Cody said, each tried to stay strong for the other. \"That's what kept them going,\" she said. \n Question: From what Cody said, we can learn the children   _  . \n Options: (A) were not in front of their father (B) don't look after their father (C) foresaw their father would go (D) surrounded their father", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}9{"query": "Article: You could feel sorry for Alberto Torres, who is blind. The last thing he remembers seeing was his daughter being born 13 years ago. Then the world went blank; he can only imagine what his only child looks like now, as a teenaged honor student. Bad luck is no stranger to this warm and thoughtful 37-year-old man. His mother died of cancer when he was 4, and his father, who was often ill, had to give him up to the care of the state when he was 11. He later worked for 19 years in a workshop making household goods, deathly boring work. Earlier this month, Alberto Torres's wife, who had just been laid off from her job, had to have a breast removed due to cancer and now faces a year of radiation treatments. Things seemed always to go from almost incredibly bad to worse. Even Mr. Torres's good luck has a dark side: Five years ago, his lovely guide dog pulled him out of the path of a truck. Mr. Torres was not hurt. The dog was killed. But Mr. Torres does not feel sorry for himself. \"These are just little bumps you have to go over in your life,\" he said. At 5 a.m. on a recent morning, we caught up with Mr. Torres at a subway stop in Brooklyn, New York, near where he lives in a third-floor apartment (with no elevator). He had been up since 3 a.m., feeding his new dog, making coffee, getting ready. \"When you're blind, it takes a little longer to do things,\" he said. Mr. Torres was beginning his two-hour trip to his job developing film in the X-ray department of the emergency room of the Bronx hospital. He would take the G train to Queens Plaza station to the R train, heading towards Manhattan. He would then ride the R train to 59th Street where he would walk upstairs to switch to the Number 6 train. At one point along the journey, he might chat with a stranger. At another, someone would pat his dog, calling him by name. People offered assistance, even seats. At 125th Street, Mr. Torres would transfer to the Number 4 train by crossing the platform. At 149th Street, he would go down to the Number 2. He would take that to East 180th Street where he nearly always has a long wait for his final train, to Pelham Parkway. Then he and his dog would walk 20 minutes to the hospital. It was a hard job to come by. Before he got the job, Mr. Torres was determined to escape the workshop run by an organization dedicated to help people who can't see. He wanted a job developing X-ray film, something that everyone must do in the dark. He had to handle the long trip, as well as the work. \"Our philosophy here is that blind people can do just about anything except drive buses,\" it was the thinking about disabled people at the Bronx hospital. \"We find what a person can do rather than what he can't do,\" said the hospital's director. One day a while ago marked the first anniversary of Mr. Torres's hiring. He developed 150 or so X-rays, his usual output, to celebrate. Mr. Torres works by himself in a small, dark room that smells of chemicals. He cannot wear gloves, because he needs to feel. It is hard work, related to emergency of lives. His immediate supervisor says he trusts him 100%. Mr. Torres makes $20,000 a year. But his motivation goes beyond money. \"If I start feeling like a victim, that makes me bitter. And why be bitter? That makes you go into a hole and stay there.\" he said. \"I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary,\" insisted Mr. Torres as he quickly completed the task. \n Question: Mr. Torres became blind when  _  . \n Options: (A) his daughter was just born (B) he was thirteen years old (C) his mother died of cancer (D) his wife was out of work", "pos": "Article: There is a story about a man who lost his legs and left arm in an accident. After the accident, only a finger and thumb on his right hand remained. He was a brilliant, creative, and educated man. He had gained a lot of experience while traveling around the world, so he became very depressed after his accident. He was afraid that he would spend the rest of his life suffering and would no longer be able to spend his life in a meaningful way. Then, he realized that he still had partial function of his right hand and could still write even though it was very difficult. An idea occurred to him. \"Why not write to other people who need encouragement?\" He wrote to the prison ministry about sending letters to the prisoners. The prison minister replied, \"Writing to the prisoners is acceptable, but your letters will not be answered.\" Filled with excitement, the man knew he could write his letters. He began sending one-way messages of God's love, hope, strength, and encouragement. He wrote twice a week, testing his strength and ability to the limit. He poured his heart and soul into his words and shared his experience, sense of humor, optimism, and faith. It was difficult to write those letters, especially without hope of a reply. One day he received a letter from the prison ministry. It was a short note from the officer who monitored and checked the prison mail. The letter said, \"Please write on the best paper you can afford. Your letters are passed from cell to cell until they literally fall to pieces!\" No matter what circumstances life may present, we all have unique experiences, abilities, and God-given talents. We can discover ways to reach others who desperately need messages of encouragement and strength. \n Question: Before the man had the accident, he   _  . \n Options: (A) had toured around the world (B) had visited local prisons (C) had tried doing exercise to recover himself (D) had been friends with the prison minister", "neg": "Article: I spent my childhood walking a fine line between being an energetic young boy and avoiding contact sports to protect my eyesight. I had lost the sight in one eye at the age of five, so instead of football, I put my energy into rowing and sailing. By the time I was 22, I was working towards rowing for my country. Then, during a training session, I noticed my vision was unclear in my remaining eye. I had an operation and spent two weeks with bandages over my eyes. Sadly, it didn't work, and the second operation two months later was also a failure. My world came crashing down. I had been flying high---- as well as my shining rowing career, I had been about to take my finals and get a job in the city. Now, as my fellow graduates celebrated their results, I lay in my childhood bedroom, angry. I would wake up in the morning and convince myself I could see a shadow, but I felt bitterly angry when I realized I couldn't. Previously, I had lots of assumptions about blind people, but now I joined their ranks. I had no choice but to change my attitude. I started to realize that my challenge was not about seeing but about creating a new life for myself. The simple pleasure of just sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by or even making eye contact with anyone is no longer possible. I had to rethink how to engage with the world. As much as I disliked the things of blindness---- white sticks, talking computers and guide dogs---- I welcomed these as the tools that would enable me to regain my independence. I moved out of my mum's house and got a job in entertainment. I also started seeking out projects that would help me get out and mix with people. A big part of my identity has always been about the thrill of competing---- success and failure. I am excited when I am giving it my all, so I started to compete again, first in rowing and then in extreme physical challenges such as completing six marathons in seven days in Gobi desert. Filling my life with experiences helped to sweep the blindness to one side. It took me 10 years really to deal with losing my sight. When I walked to the South Pole in 2009, the first blind person ever to go there, standing shoulder to shoulder with sighted people, I felt \"normal\" again. But two years ago, my sense of \"being normal\" was challenged again. I was staying at a friend's house when I fell out of a second-floor window onto the ground below. I have no idea how it happened---- I was just going to bed but ended up waking up in hospital. I hurt my brain, and my back in three places. I discovered that I couldn't feel my legs. Doctors said that there was a 12-week period for sensation  to return, and when this came and went with no change in my legs, I began to despair. I was due to get married, but on the day of our wedding my fiancee  was sitting by my bedside as I prepared for another operation to put metalwork in my back. I'm still in a wheelchair, but I refuse to accept that my story ends here. I have got involved with a training program, which aims to redirect the nerve pathways in my legs through training. I'm now teaching myself to use sit-skis and a hand-powered bike. I'm sure how I'd manage emotionally without a sporting goal to drive myself forward. It has saved my life in a way. I may never win a gold medal, but that doesn't stop me trying. \n Question: After the second operation, the writer   _  . \n Options: (A) was full of confidence (B) found a job in the city (C) lost his sight completely (D) lay in bed sleeplessly", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}10{"query": "Article: British newspapers are among the oldest and most famous in the world. But recently big changes have seen these traditional publications try to fit the modern world. After 221 years, The Times has changed its size to become much smaller. In fact, the paper has cut its size in half from a broadsheet to tabloid .  In prefix = st1 /Britainthe newspaper market is divided between the larger broadsheets and the smaller tabloids. These terms refer to the size of the papers' pages but there is also a clear difference in content. Broadsheets such as The Times, the Guardian and Daily Telegraph are serious papers. They cover a broad range of political, economic and international issues. Their stories are also reasonably long and use quite formal language. Tabloids have far more stories about less serious issues such as celebrities' love lives. Their stories are shorter and use more simple language. Tabloids often have bigger pictures. Britain's best-selling newspaper, the Sun, is a tabloid and has a naked girl on Page Three every day. By changing to the size of a tabloid, The Times is following in the footsteps of a less famous broadsheet paper the Independent . It changed to tabloid last year and saw its sales increase greatly. Although both papers have switched to the smaller size the content of the papers has remained the same. They are both still serious papers.  The two papers claim that people find the smaller size easier to handle when they travel to work on the bus or the train in the morning. Instead of calling the new style of their paper tabloid, the paper says its new size is \"compact\" . \n Question: In which year was The Times born? \n Options: (A) 1782 (B) 1785 (C) 1788 (D) 1786", "pos": "Article: There was simply too much news and too much information freely available on the net.But was it accurate? Whose opinion should we trust? A survey found that 60% of UK adults think it is worth paying for a \"good newspaper\", and most of those said they believed more of what they read in the paid-for newspapers. Here was something newspapers understood--here was what they could offer: news plus comment and opinion. And the Internet now offered opportunities.A newspaper was just that: news printed on paper.But the Internet now offered newspapers different places to print, and in different media. This may explain why the readership of newspapers online in the UK is very different from people who read printed newspapers. The most popular newspaper in the UK is The Sun and is also the most popular newspaper in the world.The \"mid--market\" audience mainly reads The Daily Mail.Of the \"quality\" newspapers, the most popular is the Daily Telegraph. Online, it's a different story.The most popular site is The Mail, which has 2.3 million \"browsers\" every day.And the next most popular site is The Guardian. \n Question: 'Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Printed newspapers are disappearing. (B) The most popular newspapers has the most popular newspaper website as well. (C) People from other countries also enjoy reading British newspapers. (D) The free news on the Internet makes people unwilling to buy newspapers.", "neg": "Article: British Newspapers In Britain there are 11 national daily newspapers and most people read one of them every day. There are two kinds of newspapers. One is large in size and has many detailed articles about national and international events. These newspapers are called the serious papers or the quality papers. The other kind, called the tabloids , is smaller in size. They has more pictures and shorter articles, often about less important events or about the private lives of wellknown people. Although some people disapprove  of the tabloids , more people buy them than buy the serious newspapers. The Sun, for example, which is a tabloid,is the biggest-selling newspaper in Britain. The tabloids are sometimes called the gutter press   And in 1997, some photograph reporters of the tabloids were said to be involved in  the tragic   death of Princess Diana in France and they were criticized as gossip  reporters by the public. Most national newspapers in Britain express a political opinion and people choose the newspaper that they read according to their own political beliefs. Most of the newspapers are right-wing, which means they support the Conservative Party  . These are The Daily Telegraph ( serious newspaper ) , The Daily Express,Daily Mail, Daily Star, The Sun and Today ( all tabloids) . Of the other serious newspapers, The Times,the oldest newspaper in Britain,did not formerly have one strong political view but it is now more right-wing. The Independent does not support any political party, and neither does The Financial Times, which concentrates on  business and financial news. The Daily Mirror^ a tabloid) is the voice of the Labour Party. \n Question: If a newspaper often publishes some articles long enough together with national and international events,we say it's a   _  . \n Options: (A) financial paper (B) gutter press (C) tabloid (D) serious or quality paper", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}11{"query": "Article: Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours   in life than by the narrow road toward goals.I like this image.But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words. For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents' home in Boise in nine hours.We traveled the way most people do:the fastest,shortest,easiest road,especially when I was alone with four noisy,restless kids who hate confinement   and have strong opinions about everything. Road trips felt risky,so I would drive fast,stopping only when I had to.We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired. But then Banner,our lamb was born.He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise.I had two choices:leave Banner with my husband,or take him with me.My husband made the decision for me. That is how I found myself on the road with four kids,a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through.We took the country roads out of necessity.We had to stop every hour,let Banner shake out his legs and feed him.The kids chased him and one another.They'd get back in the car breathless and energized,smelling fresh from the cold air. We explored side roads,catching grasshoppers in waisthigh grass.Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother,or fish leaping out of the water,it was better than the best ride down the freeway.Here was life.And new horizons  . We eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories. I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique.On an empty section of road,everyone started quarreling.I stopped the car,ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead.I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence. Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight.But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey-and the best part of yourself. \n Question: Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents'home? \n Options: (A) It was less tiring. (B) It would be faster and safer. (C) Her kids would feel less confined. (D) She felt better with other drivers nearby.", "pos": "Article: Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours in life than by the narrow road toward goals. I like this image. But it was quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words. For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents' home in Boise in nine hours. We traveled the way most people do: the fastest, shortest, easiest road, especially when I was alone with four noisy, restless kids who hate confinement and have strong opinions about everything. Road trips felt risky, so I would drive fast, stopping only when I had to. We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired. But then Banner, our lamb was born. He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise. I had two choices: leave Banner with my husband, or take him with me. My husband made the decision for me. That is how I found myself on the road with four kids, a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through. We took the country roads out of necessity. We had to stop every hour, let Banner shake out his legs and feed him. The kids chased him and one another. They'd get back in the car breathless and energized, smelling fresh from the cold air. We explored side roads, catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass. Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother, or fish leaping out of the water, it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life. And new horizons. We eventually arrived at my parents' doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories. I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique. On an empty section of road, everyone started quarreling. I stopped the car, ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead. I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence. Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight. But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyone adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey----and the best part of yourself. \n Question: Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents' home? \n Options: (A) She needn't stop on the way. (B) It would be faster and easier. (C) Her kids would feel less confined. (D) She felt better with other drivers nearby.", "neg": "Article: Catherine and I were on our way to our nephew's birthday party one rainy Saturday morning, driving along what some people call moose  alley. It was early, there were few other cars on the road and we were looking forward to a good day with the family. Suddenly, a moose rushed across our path. Fortunately, a quick swerve  to the other lane prevented a full impact, with only a small collision on the right side of our car ripping off the mirror and knocking the moose to the pavement. By the time I stopped and looked back in my rear view mirror, the moose was getting up. It ran into the bush. Shaken but unharmed, we both looked at each other shocked by what had happened. We knew that moose accidents had claimed many lives throughout the years, and that we had been very fortunate to escape with no personal injury or worse. After a quick check of our vehicle, we drove off. Even though the moose accident lasted just a few seconds, we still remember it to this day. Why? We had often talked about the frailty of life, the here today and gone tomorrow potential we all face, but it had never felt so real. And it wasn't that we hadn't had friends, relatives and colleagues die before, it was that this experience was much more personal. In a matter of seconds, lives can easily change. The effect of that one near miss with death has been positive, and made us appreciate life. Each one of us has only a limited time on this Earth; no one can predict when your time will end. We should give thanks for each day, to see the sun rise again, and to know that you can accomplish and assist others to appreciate their life if they are caught in the \"poor-me\" syndrome . \n Question: What did the accident teach the author? \n Options: (A) Being open to unexpected turns in life is important. (B) Life is long if you know how to use it. (C) Life is measured by thoughts and actions, not by time. (D) Life is unpredictable, so we should treasure every moment.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}12{"query": "Article: Many people hate wet, sticky August, but to some, it's an especially bitter time. A new working paper finds that, March and August are the months in which divorce filings peak. For the paper, the University of Washington's Brian Serafini and Julie Brines analyzed the most recent years of divorce filings in Washington and drew their conclusion: divorce rises sharply in March and August. The result is supported by some nation-wide, anecdotal evidence. Online searches for \"divorce\" and \"child custody\"  dramatically grow early in the year, peaking in March, they point out. The authors guess that unhappily married couples schedule their divorce filings around both the winter holidays and Valentine's Day, as well as summer vacations. (More Americans vacation m July than any other month.) There are a few explanations why people might time their marital dissolutions this way, It might just be too difficult to announce a divorce around family-oriented Christmas time, especially if there are kids involved, so many couples weigh the decision to divorce around the new year and progress from there. February is a period in which couples tend to look around for representation on legal sites. And by March, they're prepared to file for divorce. But the authors think the more likely reason is that people decide their differences are irreconcilable right after a big trip. It could be that people don't want to ruin a family getaway, or that vacations are so stressful that they drive the already-dissatisfied to divorce. (\"I told you to pack your suitcase last night; now we've missed the train!\") Then there's the \"broken promise\" theory. \"6People are discontent with their marriages, they look at vacation as an opportunity to give it one last shot, and what they were hoping would happen didn't occur,\" explained Brines, an associate professor of sociology. It's not you; in other words, it's your failure to print the boarding passes. \n Question: Which of the following can support Brian and Julie's conclusion? \n Options: (A) The divorce rate rises sharply in March and August. (B) They carried out online surveys and analyzed the results. (C) More people search for key words about divorce early in the year. (D) Conflicts in marriage tend to get more serious during Christmas.", "pos": "Article: An Italian couple are to become the world's oldest divorcees, after the 99 - year - old husband found that his 96 - year - old wife had an affair in the 1940s. The Italian man, called by lawyers in the case as Antonio C, was looking through an old drawer when he made the discovery a few days before Christmas. In spite of the time that had passed since the affair, he was so upset that he immediately asked his wife of 77years, named as Rosa C, whether it was true, and demanded a divorce. Stricken by the guilt, she reportedly admitted everything but was unable to persuade her husband to reconsider his decision, though her children also did much more work. She wrote the letters to her lover during a secret affair in the 1940s, according to court papers _ in Rome this week, which made people know the truth. The couple are now preparing to split; though the marriage they built has lasted over nearly eight decades- they have five children,  a dozen grandchildren and one great - grand child. The discovery of the letters was the final problem for their marriage which had already run into difficulty-10 years ago the husband briefly left their house in Rome and moved in with one of his sons, only to return a few weeks later. The Italian thought the fierce split resulted from the couple's southern blood  he is originally from Olbia in Sardinia: while his wife was born in Naples. The couple met during the 1930s when Antonio served as a young officer. The case appears to set a new record, at least for the age of the oldest figures - the previous oldest couple to divorce were Bertie and Jessie Wood, both aged 98, from the UK. That pair ended their 36 - year marriage in 2009 when they were both two years away from their l00th birthdays.They got married in Elstree, Hertfordshire, in 1972, having both ended previous marriages, before moving to Falmouth, Cornwall four years later. \n Question: Which is true according to the text? \n Options: (A) To find his wife' affair, Antonio C looked through an old drawer. (B) Rosa C' lover may be Bertie. (C) Rosa C admitted what she did because she was sorry for her guilt. (D) The Italian thought the fierce split resulted from the discovery of the letters.", "neg": "Article: Some futurologists have assumed that the vast upsurge  of women in the workforce may mean a rejection of marriage. Many women, according to this hypothesis, would rather work than marry. The converse  of this concern is that becoming a multi-paycheck household could encourage marriage. In the past, only the earnings and financial prospects of the man counted in the marriage decision. Now, however, the earning ability of a woman can make her more attractive as a marriage partner. Data show that economic downturns tend to put off marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead. As the economy comes to life, the number of marriages also rises. The increase in divorce rates follows to the increase in women working outside the home. Yet, it may be wrong to jump to any simple cause-and-effect conclusions. The impact of a wife's work on divorce is no less cloudy than its impact on marriage decisions. The realization that she can be a good provider may increase the chances that a working wife will choose divorce over an unsatisfactory marriage. But the reverse is equally plausible . Tensions grounded in financial problems often play a key role in ending a marriage. By raising a family's standard of living, a working wife may strengthen her family's financial and emotional stability. Psychological factors also should be considered. For example, a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. She may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. On the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union. Also, a major part of women's inequality in marriage has been due to the fact that, in most cases, men have remained the main breadwinners. A working wife may rob a husband of being the master of the house. Depending upon how the couple reacts to these new conditions, it could create a stronger equal partnership or it could create new insecurities. \n Question: It is said in the passage that when the economy falls  _ \n Options: (A) men would choose working women as their marriage partners (B) more women would get married to seek financial security (C) even working women would worry about their marriages (D) more people would prefer to remain single for the time being", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}13{"query": "Article: Joe Temper should have known better. After all, he works for a large auto insurance company. It won't hurt to leave the key in the truck this once, he thought, as he filled his gas tank at a self-service gas station. But minutes later, as he was paying the money, he saw the truck being driven away. In 2010, 1.6 million motor vehicles were stolen in the United States --one every 20 seconds. If present trends continue, experts predict vehicle thefts   could be over two million every year by the end of the decade. Vehicle theft is a common phenomenon, which has a direct effect on over four million people a year. The cost is astonishing. Many police officials blame professional thieves for the large number of the thefts. It is a major moneymaker for organized crime. Typically, stolen cars are taken to pieces and the parts sold to individuals. But as many as 200,000 cars are smuggled    out of  the country every year. Most go to Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. Only about 15 percent car thefts result in an arrest, because few police departments specially conduct in depth auto investigations. When thieves are arrested, judges will often sentence them to probation  , not immediately put them in prison because the prisons are overcrowded with violent criminals. One exception is a Michigan program that calls for 92 police officers to work full time on the state's 65,000 car theft cases a year. Since 2006, when the effort began, the state's auto theft rate has fallen from second in the nation to ninth. How can you protect your car? If you live in a high theft area or drive an expensive model, consider a safety system. It may cost anywhere from $ 25 to $ 1,000. Some systems work automatically - simply removing the key disables the fuel pump and the starter. When cars are equipped with such systems, thefts may drop by one third. In some states, you may be able to use a device that transmits radio signals, allowing stolen cars to be tracked by police. \n Question: What does the author think Joe Temper should be to blame for? \n Options: (A) He should have equipped his car with a security system. (B) He should not have his car refilled at the gas station. (C) He should not have been so sure of himself.. (D) He should have shut down the engine of his car.", "pos": "Article: Speeding off in a stolen car, the thief thinks he has got a great catch.But he is in for an unwelcome surprise.The car is fitted with a remote immobilizer, and a radio signal from a control centre miles away will ensure that once the thief switches the engine off, he will not be able to start it again. The idea goes like this.A control box fitted to the car contains a mini-cellphone, a micro-processor and memory, and a GPS   satellite positioning receiver.If the car is stolen, a coded   cellphone signal will tell the control centre to block the vehicle's engine management system and prevent the engine being restarted. In the UK, a set of technical fixes is already making life harder for car thieves.\" ,\" says Martyn Randall, a security expert.He says it would only take him a few minutes to teach a person how to steal a car, using a bare minimum of tools.But only if the car is more than 10 years old. Modern cars are far tougher to steal, as their engine management computer won't allow them to start unless they receive a unique ID code sent out by the ignition   key.In the UK, technologies like this have helped achieve a 31% drop in vehicle-related crime since 1997. But determined criminals are still managing to find other ways to steal cars, often by getting hold of the owner's keys.And key theft is responsible for 40% of the thefts of vehicles fitted with a tracking system. If the car travels 100 metres without the driver confirming their ID, the system will send a signal to an operations centre that it has been stolen.The hundred metres minimum avoids false alarms due to inaccuracies in the GPS signal. Staff at the centre will then contact the owner to confirm that the car really is missing, and keep police informed of the vehicle's movements via the car's GPS unit. \n Question: The remote immobilizer is fitted to a car to    _   . \n Options: (A) prevent car theft by sending a radio signal to the car owner (B) help the police make a surprise attack on the car thief (C) prevent the car thief from restarting it once it stops (D) allow the car to lock automatically when stolen", "neg": "Article: Your car is a necessary part of your life. You use it every day. Of course, you want to hold on to it so you make sure it has the latest alarm and immobilizer. But despite all these, cars like yours are still stolen every day. In fact, in this country, one car is stolen almost every minute! And if your car is stolen, you only have a 50:50 chance of seeing it again. Each year, car crime costs nearly PS3 billion. Of course, if you're insured, you won't lose out, or will you? Firstly, you will have to pay extra insurance later on, and then you may not be offered the full amount by the agent. You will probably have to hire a car and you will also lose the value of the contents and accessories   in the car. Now comes the solution. An RAC Trackstar system, hidden in one of 47 possible secret locations in your car, is the key of our system. If your car is stolen, radio signals are sent at twenty-second intervals from the car to the RAC Trackstar National Control Center via a satellite network. Then a computer gives the vehicle's exact location, speed and direction. The RAC Trackstar National Control Center, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, will immediately inform the police in the area where the car is located. Because the police receive information every twenty seconds, they will always know the vehicle's location. Once the thief has been arrested, your car will be returned to you. RAC Trackstar is unique in being able to provide the National Control Center with details of the exact location of your car, its speed and direction. And speed is the key to successful recovery of a stolen vehicle. RAC Trackstar Control will immediately tell the police if you report your car stolen and under the 24-hour Guardian Option. _ will also tell you if your car has been stolen. RAC Trackstar's constant updates mean the police are kept informed of the car's location. All these greatly improve your chances of seeing your car again. \n Question: If your car is stolen, you will have to   _  . \n Options: (A) hire a new car (B) pay more insurance (C) buy a RAC Trackstar system (D) inform the National Control Center", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}14{"query": "Article: When I opened my e-mail the other day, a pretty woman named Rachel appeared on my computer screen. She greeted me by name and started talking with great enthusiasm . Every now and then she stopped to smile at me or blow a kiss. She was reading to me an e-mail from my brother, and a lot of it was about the trouble he had getting the phone company to give him a high-speed Internet connection. It was pretty cool. Rachel was there thanks to a new technology called Facemail. An ace man lets you send an e-mail that gets ready to the recipient by an attractive male or female from or by a clown . The software, which is free, can be downloaded at www.facemail.com. Facemail faces are lifelike, and they simulate emotions based on emotions-for example, that you put in your text. Type in; -x, and Rachel blows a kiss. Life Fx, the company that develops the Facemail, is sure there are broad business uses. The reason e-business is not popular, the company says, is that buying over the Internet lacks the human touch. But what if you went to the Nike website and Michel Jordan greeted you by name, waited on you and personally closed the sale? And it is talking with Whirlpool about using the technology in a computer screen on a fridge. Then if Mom can't be home when the kids get back from school, she can leave a note with voice and image telling them what there is to eat. Facemail could get hot fast. Personally, I'm a fan. But Facemail should be used with care. The clown looks lively and funny at first. But if you select the clown, put a few rude words in an e-mail and add some angry emotions, you're got Psycho-mail . \n Question: The pretty woman that appears on the writer's computer screen was_. \n Options: (A) his brother's girl friend (B) not a real person (C) the picture of his pen friend (D) a woman working on the Internet", "pos": "Article: One day when I opened my email, a beautiful woman named Rachel appeared on my computer screen. She greeted me by name and started talking with great enthusiasm. Every now and then she stopped to smile at me or blow a kiss. It was pretty cool.       Rachel was there thanks to Facemail. Facemail lets you send email that gets read to the receiver by an attractive male or female form. The free software can be downloaded at www.facemail.com, and you can choose different faces.      The basic idea is pretty clever. The Facemail people have taken biologically based imaging and used it to create lifelike digital faces. The voice reading the email is standard.   And Facemail will get more interesting. Soon you can have your own voice read the email you send. The company has signed a deal with Kodak and next year you can submit your photo and your own face will be the one reading your email.       LifeFX, the company that produces Facemail, says that one reason e-commerce is struggling is that buying over the Internet lacks the human touch. But what if you went to the Nike website and Michael Jordan greeted you by name and waited on you? The company will also use Facemail to make greeting cards and living wedding albums.      Personally, I'm a fan of Facemail. But Facemail should be used carefully. If you select an angry face, put a few harsh words and add some angry emotions, you've got Psycho-mail. \n Question: The main advantage of Facemail is that one can   _  . \n Options: (A) see the person that sends the email (B) have the email read in a more lovely way (C) design the email in any way he / she likes (D) ask a beautiful woman to read his / her email", "neg": "Article: She might not be paid, but Carnegie Mellon University's newest staff member does all that a typical receptionist can do: give directions, answer the phone -- and even gossip about her life. University officials revealed what it considers to be the world's first robot receptionist with a personality of her own. The blond  receptionist, named \"Valerie,\" puts on a headset and interacts with people by talking about her boss, her psychiatrist  and her dream. Valerie, the roboceptionist, sits in a custom-made booth at the entrance of a computer science hall. With her ability to distinguish motion, she greets visitors as they come near. Type in a question on a keyboard and she gives directions around the Pittsburgh campus and provides visitors information about the weather. More than that, she tells stories about her life. From her              booth, passers-by often can hear her talking              on the phone. She recognizes when someone is in front of her and remembers their characteristics. She can change between tasks from talking on the phone to answering a question. Valerie, however, does have her limit. She is a drum-shaped mechanical device with a digitally lively face that appears on a computer display. Visitors have to type on a keyboard to communicate with her. And she understands only simple questions. Eventually her creators would like to install face recognition so people don't have to insert an identity card for her to remember them. And people won't have to type their questions on a keyboard if they can solve the problem of voice recognition in a crowded hall. Valerie will tell the story of a robot living in a human world. \n Question: According to the passage we know that  _  . \n Options: (A) Valerie looks like a real beautiful woman (B) Valerie can do whatever a human receptionist can't (C) Visitors can have a conversation with Valerie (D) Valerie doesn't understand of the visitors' questions sometimes", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}15{"query": "Article: For 52 years my father got up at 5:30 am every morning, went to work, and returned home at 5:30 pm. I never saw my father stayed home from work ill, nor did I ever see my father lay down to take a nap. He had no hobbies, other than taking care of his family. All he asked from me, his daughter, was to help him while he was repairing something, so we could have some time to talk. For 22 years, after I left home for college, my father called me at 9:00 am every Sunday. Nine years ago when I bought my first house, my father, 67 years old, spent eight hours a day for three days painting my house. He would not allow me to pay someone to have it done. All he asked for was a glass of iced tea. Five years ago, at age 71, my father spent five hours putting together a swing set for my daughter. On the morning of January 16, 1996, my sister telephoned me; my father was in the hospital with an aneurysm  in Florida. I got on an airplane immediately, and on the way I realized that I hadn't communicated with him as much as I'd always wanted to. I vowed  that when I arrived, I would have a long talk with him. I arrived in Florida at 1 am, only to find that my father, at the age of 76, had passed away at 9:12 pm. This time it was he who did not have time to talk, or time to wait for me. \n Question: The author wrote the article in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) praise her father (B) remember her father (C) show her father loved her (D) let her father be known", "pos": "Article: My father got his first job at eleven years old. cleaning up the garbage outside of the bowlingalley . Two years later his dad died. and my fatber worked odd jobs to help put food onthe table during the Depression. Ten years after that. Dad fell in love. married Mom and had ababy girl. Eight more children followed. During those years, Dad slipped into a routine he neverbroke He woke up before six. took the train to work and wouldn't get home until after five thirly.After supper, Dad spent the rest of the evening in the basement making dental parts for extra Two years ago, at the age of sixty-four, Dad retired. When I was young, Mom and Dad did well to hide the fact that we were poor. All nine of us attended Catholic schools and we always had plenty of school supplies. We slept in wooden beds, shared one bathroom and watched television from a tiny black-and-white set in the living room. Mom and Dad never bought anything for themselves. They clipped coupons, wore the same pair of sneakers for twenty years and sewed wom clothing together every Saturday afternoon. At his retirement party. I wanted to thank Dad for all his hard work and sacrifice by buying him the best present I could think of. As I shopped though. l realized there was nothing I could buy for Dad. Dad taught me through his own faith that the greatest gifis come from the heart Finally. I left my present on the kitchen table for Dad to find before he Ieft for his frnal day at work. \n Question: How did Dad get extra money besides his daytime routine work? \n Options: (A) Collecting garbage outside the alley. (B) Making dental parts in the basement. (C) Putting food on the table in a hotel. (D) Working oddjobs on the train.", "neg": "Article: Occasionally, my father came back drunk. Late at night, he beat on the door, pleading to my mother to open it .He was on his way home from drinking, gambling, or some combination thereof, misspending money that we could have used and wasting time that we desperately needed. It was the late-1970s. My parents were separated. My mother was now raising a group of boys on her own. My father spouted off about what he planned to do for us, buy for us.In fact, he had no intention of doing anything. As a father who was supposed to love us, in fact, he lacked the understanding of what it truly meant to love a child--or to hurt one. To him, this was a harmless game that kept us excited and begging. In fact, it was a cruel, corrosive lie. I lost faith in his words and in him. I wanted to stop caring, but I couldn't. Maybe it was his own complicated relationship to his father and his father's family that caused him cold. Maybe it was the pain and guilt associated with a life of misfortune. Who knows. Whatever it was, it stole him from us, and particularly from me. While my brothers talked about breaking and fixing things, I spent many of my evenings reading and wondering. My favorite books were a set of encyclopedias  given by my uncle. They allowed me to explore the world beyond my world, to travel without leaving, to dream dreams greater than my life would otherwise have supported. But losing myself in my own mind also meant that I was completely lost to my father. Not understanding me, he simply ignored me--not just emotionally, but physically as well. Never once did he hug me, never once a pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder or a tousling of the hair. My best memories of him were from his episodic attempts at engagement with us. During the longest of these episodes , once every month or two, he would come pick us up and drive us down the interstate to Trucker's Paradise, a seedy, smoke-filled, truck stop with gas pumps, a convenience store, a small dining area and a game room through a door in the back. My dad gave each of us a handful of quarters, and we played until they were gone. He sat up front in the dining area, drinking coffee and being particular about the restaurant's measly offerings. I loved these days. To me, Trucker's Paradise was paradise. The quarters and the games were fun but easily forgotten. It was the presence of my father that was most treasured. But, of course, these trips were short-lived. It wasn't until I was much older that I would find something that I would be able to _ as evidence of my father's love. When the Commodore 64 personal computer debuted, I convinced myself that I had to have it even though its price was out of my mother's range. So I decided to earn the money myself. I mowed every yard I could find that summer for a few dollars each, yet it still wasn't enough. So my dad agreed to help me raise the rest of the money by driving me to one of the watermelon farms south of town, loading up his truck with wholesale melons and driving me around to sell them. He came for me before daybreak. We made small talk, but it didn't matter. The fact that he was talking to me was all that mattered. I was a teenager by then, but this was the first time that I had ever spent time alone with him. He laughed and repeatedly introduced me as \"my boy,\" a phrase he relayed with a sense of pride. It was one of the best days of my life. Although he had never told me that he loved me, I would _ that day as the greatest evidence of that fact. He had never intended me any wrong. He just didn't know how to love me right. He wasn't a mean man. So I took these random episodes and _ them like a thing most precious, storing them in my mind for the long stretches of coldness when a warm memory would prove most useful. It just goes to show that no matter how friendless the father, no matter how deep the damage, no matter how shattered the bond, there is still time, still space, still a need for even the smallest bit of evidence of a father's love. \"My boy.\" \n Question: From the passage, the father was  _   in the writer's memory. \n Options: (A) selfish and cruel (B) proud and cold (C) imperfect but loving (D) shy but thoughtful", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}16{"query": "Article: Dear Earthmen ,  I have enjoyed my stay on your interesting unusual planet. I think I understand the life on earth now and I would like to give you my impressions. First of all you live in boxes. Every morning you leave your big boxes and get into smaller boxes on wheels. All these small boxes race around and around, and finally stop to rest. You then leave these boxes on wheels and go to very large tall boxes. After testing all days you get back in your little boxes and return to your big boxes. There you sit and stare at tiny glowing boxes with moving pictures on the front. Only one thing puzzles me. One day I went to a football game. A bunch of angry boys fought over a little round ball. Everyone yelled for them to stop but they kept on fighting. They were angry, I suppose, about being cooped up  in boxes all day. Thank you earthmen for this chance to get to know you.  Gratefully, The man from the Mars \n Question: The small boxes on wheels are  _  . \n Options: (A) toys (B) ears (C) houses that can be moved (D) boxes in which there are wheels", "pos": "Article: A new planet-hunting technique has detected the most earth-like planet yet around a star other than our sun, raising hopes of finding a space rock that might support life, astronomers   reported recently. \"This is an important discovery to answer the question 'Are we alone?'\" said Michael Turner of the National Science Foundation. \"The team has discovered the most earth-like planet yet, and more importantly, has proved the power of a new technique that is sensitive   to detecting planets that are fit for people to live on,\" Turner said in a statement. In the last decade, astronomers have detected more than 160 planets moving around stars outside our solar system. Most of these have been gas giant planets like Jupiter, which are unfit for life. But an international team has detected a cold planet about 5.5 times more massive than the earth -- still small enough to be considered earth-like -- moving around a star about 20,000 light years away, close to the center of the Milky Way. To find this new planet, the team used a technique called gravitational microlensing  . When a planet is circling the closest star, the planet's gravity can add its own signature to the light. This kind of light signature was observed on July 11 by a group of telescopes in a project known as OGLE, short for Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment. \"The main advantage of microlensing is the signals for low-mass planets: They're not weak signals. They're just rare,\" Bennett of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana said by telephone. \"If there happens to be a straight line between a foreground star with its planet and the background source star, then you're able to detect that planet.\" \n Question: The author's purpose in writing this passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) prove that scientists have a lot of difficulties in doing scientific research (B) explain why this planet moves around a star like our sun (C) teach the readers some basic knowledge about the universe (D) tell people about a new technique that finds the most earth-like planet moving round another star", "neg": "Article: There was great excitement on the planet of Venus  this week. For the first time Venusian scientists managed to land a satellite on the planet Earth, and it has been sending back signals as well as photographs ever since. The satellite was directed into an area known as Manhattan (named after the great Venusian astronomer Prof. Manhattan, who first discovered it with his telescope 20 000 light years ago).Because of excellent weather conditions and extremely strong signals, Venusian scientists were able to get valuable information as to feasibility  of a manned flying saucer  landing on Earth.A press conference was held at the Venus Institute of Technology. \"We have come to the conclusion,based on last week's satellite landing,\" Pro. Zog said,\"that there is no life on the Earth.\" \"How do you know this?\" the science reporter of the Venus Evening Star asked.  \"For one thing, Earth's surface in the area of Manhattan is composed of solid concrete and nothing can grow there. For another, the atmosphere is filled with carbon monoxide  and other deadly gases and nobody could possibly breathe this air and survive.\" \"What does this mean as far as our flying saucer program is concerned?\" \"We shall have to take our own oxygen with us, which means a much heavier flying saucer than we originally planned. \" \"Are there any other hazards that you discovered in your studies?\" \"Take a look at this photo. You see this dark cloud floating over the surface of Earth? We call this the Consolidated Edison Belt. We don't know what it is made of, but it could give us a lot of trouble and we shall have to make further tests before we send a Venus Being there.\" \"If what you say is true, won't this set back the flying saucer program several years?\" \"Yes, but we shall proceed as soon as the Grubstart gives us the added funds.\" \"Prof. Zog, why are we spending billions and billions of zilches to land a flying saucer on Earth when there is no life there?\" \"Because if we Venusians can learn to breathe in an Earth atmosphere, then we can live anywhere.\" \n Question: During the week of great excitement the Venusian scientists succeeded in getting important information on whether they can  _  . \n Options: (A) land a satellite with Venus astronauts on Earth (B) make a firstrate flying saucer (C) get a Earth Being to Venus (D) direct a flying saucer into Manhattan", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}17{"query": "Article: Talk about a real-life hero! Ten-year-old Larry Champagne from St. Louis, Missouri, hit the brake   on a runaway school bus. He saved himself and 20 other kids on board from disaster. It all happened in one terrible accident. On the way to school, the bus driver, Ernestine Blackman, suddenly fell ill. Seeing the car was running away, the other kids started to scream, but Larry ran to the front and stopped the bus. \"At first I thought, 'We're going to die,'\" says Larry, \"but after I pressed the brake, I felt safe.\" Larry's speedy reaction made news all over the country. He appeared on TV shows as a hero. The bus company gave Larry a big gift. His school hung a medal of honor around his neck. \"My grandmother always tells me to do what's right,\" says Larry. He thanked his brother, Jerrick, 9, who \"helped me get the bus driver up\" during the emergency. How did he know how to stop the bus? _ . He helps his grandfather work on his old truck. \"He gets his hands dirty,\" says his grandfather. One thing is for certain: Larry knows where to find the brakes. \n Question: What did Larry do to save the runaway bus? \n Options: (A) He parked it for the sleeping bus driver. (B) He helped all the kids climb out through the windows. (C) He made a call to the police. (D) He pressed the brake.", "pos": "Article: London--- A mother has criticised \"selfish\" passers-by for failing to help her teenage son after he fainted   on a packed tram platform. Oliver Tiplady was on his way to school when he fainted at the tram stop. But instead of helping the 14-year-old, who was in school uniform,those nearby simply walked around him. Her mother, Susan Tiplady , said, \"How can people leave a child for that matter, on the floor like that? How could they all have ignored him? They must have lacked any basic humanity and had no piry on a child.\" She said her son regained consciousness   about ten minutes after fainting at the tram stop last week. \"He managed to get up and sit down before his friends turned up, but by then he was too embarrassed to tell them what had happened. It wasn't until he got to school that he told a teacher.\" she added. BEIJING - At least 15 pupils were confirmed dead after a school bus rolled over in Xuzhou, East China's Jiangsu province. The accident occurred around 6 pm on Monday .There were 29 pupils on the bus .The bus was traveling on the road when two electric bikes suddenly cut in and the driver was trying to avoid them.. The bus was produced by Shaolin Auto Co Ltd in Henan province and had a full capacity   of 52 passengers. South Korea ---South Korea's largest mobile phone operator said Thursday that it will offer cell phone users a new noise service that it says will drive away mosquitoes . SK Telecom Co. said consumers can pay 3,000 won (  ) ($2.50) to download a sound wave that can't be heard by human ears but annoys mosquitoes within a range of three feet. Customers can then play the sound just by hitting a few buttons on their mobile phones. The company claimed that the service worked during tests .The service, which begins Monday, has one drawback: it consumes as much battery power as normal cell phone rings. \n Question: After Oliver Tiplady fainted at the tram stop ,   _ \n Options: (A) the passers-by went up to him and helped him up. (B) his friends turned up and helped him up in the end . (C) he told the whole story to his friends and teacher . (D) he came to life and struggled to his feet himself eventually.", "neg": "Article: Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a fiery two car accident. The accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on a rain-soaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames. Bonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith,9,from the wreckage. The girls' mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their baby sitter, Lisa Bow bin. Beckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had up on receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene. Bozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires. \"I was nervous,\" Bozeman said.\" I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.\" Everyone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlife-threatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot. The rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said. In addition, Bozeman not to meet accident victim Anthony Rus so in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with\" Thank you,\" Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together. \"Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,\" Beckie Smith said,\" We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.\" \n Question: Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman? \n Options: (A) Kind. (B) Modest. (C) Excited. (D) Smart.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}18{"query": "Article: Microblogging is a broadcast medium in the form of blogging. A microblog differs from a traditional blog in that its content is typically much smaller, in both actual size and aggregate file size. Microblogs \"allow users to exchange small elements of content such as short sentences, individual images, or video links\". As with traditional blogging, microbloggers post about topics ranging from the simple, such as \"what I'm doing right now,\" to the thematic , such as \"sports cars.\" Commercial microblogs also exist, to promote   websites, services and/or products, and to promote collaboration within an organization. Some microblogging services offer features such as privacy settings, which allow users to control who can read their microblogs, or other ways of publishing rights besides entering the web-based interface.  These may include text messaging, E-mail, or digital audio. The first microblogs were known as tumblelogs. The term was invented in a blog post on April 12, 2005. However, by 2006 and 2007, the term microblog came into greater usage for such services provided by Tumbler and Twitter. Other leading social networking websites Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and XING also have their own microblogging features, better known as status updates. Several studies, especially by Harvard Business School have tried to analyze the usage behavior of Microblogging services. Many of these studies show that for services such as Twitter, there is a small group of active users contributing to most of the activity. Twitter, Facebook and other microblogging services are also becoming a platform for marketing and public relations, with a sharp growth in the number of social media marketers. The Sysomos study shows that this specific group of marketers on Twitter is much more active than general user population, with 15% following more than 2,000 people. \n Question: Why is a microblog different from a traditional blog? \n Options: (A) Because a microblog doesn't include pictures, but a traditional blog does. (B) Because a microblog doesn't include videos, but a traditional blog does. (C) Because a microblog has smaller contents than a traditional blog in actual and total file size. (D) Because a microblog can only be written on the cell-phones.", "pos": "Article: It is reported that today in China, 50% of people who write blogs do so as a personal diary and 83% use their blogs for sending messages to friends. It is also found that there is a strong East-West difference. In places like the US, blogs that offer information on news attract more readers but in China, blogs are more likely to be about sharing personal feelings. It seems that bloggers can be divided into three types: IT bloggers, bloggers who record their ordinary feelings and media bloggers. When blogging first started, the IT people had the technological advantage and they took the chance to put their thoughts on the web. Some of these IT people read their blogs. The next wave of bloggers did not have any training as writes or in IT and wrote about normal daily life. Media bloggers, however, are trained writers, such as journalists and editors. When the many media bloggers showed up, the everyday blogs lost most of their readers. Media bloggers have the advantage of knowing how to communicate well through the written word. However, the normal bloggers are still out there and increasing in number. It seems that blogging is the new way to express your feelings. People feel like the world is listening to, or rather reading, their problems, even if they are not . \n Question: What type of text is this? \n Options: (A) A blog. (B) A diary. (C) A news report. (D) A school textbook.", "neg": "Article: Have you ever heard of blogs  ? If you haven't, you should have. It's here, it's growing and it's having an influence on our life. Surf the Internet and you'll find blogs everywhere. A blog, shortened from \"weblog\", is a public Internet journal written by one person or a group of people. It is a website in which a person or a group can place news, personal thoughts, text, photos, video or audio files, or links upon which visitors can comment. A blog lets you post on the Internet without having to know web design or be technical. You are given an environment to make dated entries on the topic of your choice which are \"published\", so other people can read them. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an existing blog is called \"blogging\". Blogging has revolutionized Internet publishing in the last several years because it gives everyone with Internet access the opportunity to become an online writer. Objects, such as \"text and photos\" in a blog can be called \"blog posts\", \"posts\", or \"entries\". The person who posts these entries is called a \"blogger\". Now, somewhere around the world, a blog is created almost every 6 seconds. Because it's great potential, Bill Gates views it as important as e-mail, BBS, and MSN. He's trying to make blogs the important tools for future business communications. \n Question: A blog is  _  . \n Options: (A) a comment (B) an Internet journal (C) a design (D) a link", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}19{"query": "Article: Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, a crocodile was swimming toward him.His mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two.In great fear, she ran toward the water, shouting to her son as loudly as she could.Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.It was too late.Just as he reached her, the crocodile reached him.From the shore, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the crocodile snatched his legs.That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.The crocodile was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.A farmer happened to drive by, heard their screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the crocodile. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.His legs were extremely scarred by the attack of the animal.And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy, asked if he would show him his scars.The boy lifted his legs.And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, \" _ .I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go.\" Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they were made. \n Question: Hearing Mother's shouts, the boy  _  . \n Options: (A) remained in the middle at a loss (B) didn't stop swimming forwards (C) swam back towards the shore (D) was ready to fight the crocodile", "pos": "Article: Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the cold swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he did not realize an alligator was swimming towards the shore. His mother in the house, looking out of the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In fear, she ran towards the water, yelling to the son as loudly as she could. It was too late. The alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator got his legs. That began an incredible tug of war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother would not let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, ran from his truck, and shot the alligator. Amazingly, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His leg were extremely scarred by the animal's attack, and on his arms were scratches   from mothers' fingernails where she had tried to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs . And then, he proudly said to the reporter: \"But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom would not let go.\" You and I can identify with   that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from alligator, or anything quite so dramatic . But the scars of a painful past. Some of those scares are ugly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friend, are because someone has refused to let go. In your struggle, maybe someone has been there holding on to you. \n Question: Upon seeing the alligator getting close to her boy, the mother   _   . \n Options: (A) dived into the cool water at once (B) was too afraid to move (C) shouted a warning to her boy (D) got ready to fight the crocodile", "neg": "Article: A couple of years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out of the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator   was swimming toward the shoe. His mother in the house was looking out of the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In great fear, she ran toward the water, shouting to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became worried and made a return to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the bank. the mother caught her little boy by the arms just as the alligator _ his legs. That began a tug-of-war   between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too determined to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. After weeks and weeks in hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred   by the attack of the animal and on his arms were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the injury, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pants legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter. \"But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go. \n Question: The boy's legs were scarred by  _  . \n Options: (A) his mother (B) an alligator (C) a farmer (D) a reporter", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}20{"query": "Article: Three years ago when I was still in the University, I also worked at a restaurant. An old man named Mr. Candido Filio was one of our regular customer at the restaurant. He was one of the most intelligent people I've ever known. Every Sunday the Philippine Star Newspaper had a special page for word puzzles and among his peers  , Mr.Filio held the record for solving all the puzzles in less than five minutes. He encouraged me to solve them too, and for months and months, I did my best to beat him but failed. Then one Sunday, I did it! I was able to complete them before anyone else. Everyone cheered for me. He came up to me with a smile and said,  \" No one has ever beaten me before. You are the first. I'll have a prize for you tomorrow.\" The next day, he gave me a special Scrabble set. I would have never been able to afford one like that by myself. Then he said to me,  \" Kate, what do you think is man's final goal in life? Happiness, isn't it? You are happy and that should be considered as a success. Many people spend a lifetime searching for that. Be thankful that you have found it.\" I looked at him and knew that my life had changed, probably forever. He must have known that I always felt sad about not having much money. He encouraged me to learn the game and love words. And true to his words, I was never able to beat him again. \n Question: We can learn from the text that Mr.Filio  _ \n Options: (A) was generous to young people (B) was good at word puzzles (C) lived quite near the restaurant (D) won a prize from the Philippine Star Newspaper", "pos": "Article: One day I was waiting in line to check out at Wal-Mart. Like a lot of people who want to get through a checkout line, my thoughts were on speed, nothing more. The line I was standing in wasn't moving as quickly as I wanted, and I glanced toward the cashier. There stood a man in his seventies. Of average build, he wore glasses and a nice smile. I thought, \"Well, he's an old guy and it probably takes him a little longer to get the chores done.\" For the next few minutes I watched him. He greeted every customer before he began scanning the items they were purchasing. Sure, his words were the usual, \"How's it going?\" But he did something different--he actually listened to people. Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation. I thought it was strange, but I guess I had grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of a robotic conversational habit. After a while, you don't give any thought to the question and just mumble something back. I could say, \"I just found out I have six months to live,'' and someone would reply, \"Have a great day!'' This old cashier had my attention. He seemed genuine  about wanting to know how people were feeling. And after giving them the change, the old cashier looked the customers in the eyes. \"I sure want to thank you for shopping here today, ''he told them. \"You will have a great day. Bye-bye.\" The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless. There were smiles and some shy grins  .All had been touched by his simple gesture in a place they never expected. \n Question: The author glanced at the cashier because of   _   . \n Options: (A) the look of the old cashier (B) the slow speed of the checkout line (C) the smile on the cashier's face (D) the long line of customers", "neg": "Article: Busy as I am every day, I always open my computer and check my email. Most of the time I am simply doing finger exercises, another form of piano practice without beautiful tones. Sometimes, however, I receive a gift, reminding me of the gifts in my life. The following passage is one of those gifts. Peter Jones is a 92-year-old, short, calm and proud man. Every morning he is fully dressed by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and face perfectly shaved even though hi is unable to see anything. He would move to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years old has recently passed away, making the move necessary. After hours of waiting patiently in the entrance hall of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he moved his walking stick skillfully to the elevator, the nurse provided a visual description of his tiny room. \"I love it,\" he stated with enthusiasm. \"Mr. Jones, you haven't been the room,\" said the nurse. \"That doesn't have anything to do with it,\" he replied. \"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged...it's how I arrange my mind. I have already decided to love _ It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice: I can spend the day in bed complaining of the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.\" Each day is a gift, and as long as we are alive. We'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories we've stored just as Mr. Jones does. \n Question: What do we know about Mr. Jones ? \n Options: (A) He is a blind but very neat. (B) His wife died many years ago. (C) He likes playing the piano. (D) His room in the nursing home is big.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}21{"query": "Article: Every spring Beijing is choked by huge sandstorms.The sky turns a strange and frightening yellow colour as clouds of sand sweep down from the deserts of Mongolia and north-western China.Strong winds blow up the dust and cover everything in sight--in 2006,a storm dumped 330,000 tonnes of dust on Beijing in one night. The number of sandstorms has grown alarmingly over the years as the deserts have expanded.This is partly man-made and partly because of climate .Many grasslands have been overgrazed by sheep and goats,or ploughed up,leaving the soil dangerously exposed.Too much water has been taken out of rivers,and the situation is made worse by increasingly long-lasting droughts that have affected the northern half of China as the climate grows warmer and drier.The result is probably the worst loss of rich land to deserts in the world and a dust bowl of extremely large proportions.The nearest sand dunes to Beijing are now only 70 km away and drifting closer each year.At this rate,the desert will reach the city by 2040,and Beijing could become the world's first modern city to disappear under sand.To hold back the deserts,a huge programme of forest planting called the Great Green Wall has been under way for over 30 years.The barrier is planned to be 4,500 km long when completed in several decades ,but the drought is having a very bad effect on the trees and the deserts carry on growing. \n Question: All the following are the reasons for the expansion of the deserts EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) the soil of the grasslands is exposed (B) too much water in rivers has been used (C) it doesn't rain for a long time (D) the climate in northern China is colder and drier", "pos": "Article: Most of the sandstorms that had swept China last year came from foreign land,a Chinese official in charge of desertification  control said on Monday. And the invasions could partly explain the frequent sandstorms in the country in recent years despite  its  achievements  in desertification control. Since the start of last spring,the north and northwestern Chinese regions had been hit by 17 sandstorms,of which,a dozen came from foreign land. Situated in the centralAsia sandstorm region,one of the world's four largest sandstorm sources,China also suffers from sandstorms from outside the country while being blamed as a sand source to northeast Asia. The other three major sources are in Africa,North America and Australia. The land suffering from desertification has been _ by 7,585 square kilometres annually in China,and the area of sandy land has also been falling by 1,284 square kilometres a year. The shrinkage forms a clear contrast to the fact that the land suffering from desertification and sandy feature was added by 10,400 square kilometres and 3,436 square kilometres late last century,respectively. Currently,the desertification land in China makes up 2.64 million square kilometres,accounting for 27.46 percent of the nation's land,and its sandy land totals 1.74 million square kilometres,accounting for 18.1 percent of the country's total. \n Question: Where do most of the sandstorms in China come from? \n Options: (A) The northwestern Chinese regions. (B) The northern Chinese regions. (C) The western part of China. (D) Foreign countries.", "neg": "Article: As most people know, in the past few years, sandstorms have swept across many cities and areas of North China, polluting the air and disturbing daily lives of human beings. People look dirty and suffer many kinds of illnesses, such as breath difficulty. The sandstorm is such a serious problem that it has not only _ the industrial and agricultural development of our country but also caused a lot of trouble to the living conditions of the Chinese people. It is expected that effective  measures should be taken as soon as possible through our joint efforts to limit its occurrence. So what should we do with the frightening sandstorms? Some experts put forward practical suggestions as follows: For one thing, more funs ought to be put into tree planting and forest protection so as to keep more water resources within the surface of the earth. For another, governments of all countries should make laws on environmental protection.For example, banning the use of throw-away chopsticks and punishing illegal tree cutting. Scientists should also study and find ways to cut down the degree of its destruction and to improve the whole environment. How people look forward to sunny days with little breeze touching their faces now and forever! Nevertheless, I am fully confident that the golden days can come back so long as everyone tried his best to protect natural environment from today on. \n Question: How many ways do some experts put forward to fight against sandstorm? \n Options: (A) 5 (B) 4 (C) 3 (D) 2", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}22{"query": "Article: Children today would rather toy with new technologies. The role of children has changed as well as that of teens. The world has truly evolved  throughout the years. Today,a typical day in the life of a five year old is entirely different from what it once was. A few decades ago children used to work. They did the kind of work parents do today. Today there are shows on which children are putting pounds of makeup on and have flashing things all over their bodies. This makes a child want to _ all of their imperfections. They think they have to look perfect all the time. Teens have changed as well. My grandma got married when she was thirteen. Girls who had an arranged marriage had no time to play because they were expected to cook, clean,take care of the kids, and do housework every single day. Today,we go to school every morning, maybe participate in some after-school activities, and possibly go to work for extra cash. Then we go home and do homework, and eat. After all of this we have to find the time to socialize by texting, talking on the phone, or logging on to social networking sites. We enjoy ourselves a lot. The generation before us complains about how they did not have the things we have now. They say we are not appreciative and do not value life or just do not care about our futures anymore. Let's make a change! The youth have the power to work on whatever they believe in and make a difference in the world. Take advantage of your resources. It is never too late to make a positive change in our world. \n Question: The role of children and teens has changed mainly because   _  . \n Options: (A) new technologies are developing and widely used (B) they don't have to work hard as their parents did (C) their world has truly evolved (D) they look perfect all the time", "pos": "Article: Parents are fuelling bad behavior among their children by attempting to \"buy\" their love with expensive gifts nowadays. Over recent decades we seem to have created a \"must have\" culture among our young people. Many mothers and fathers believe they are \"failing as parents\" if they are unable to ensure that their children have the latest toy, electronic devices (the lap-top, cellphones, Game Boy, etc.) along with their friends. In many cases, families also feel pressured to enroll   children in \"'every interest club or after-school activity that is available\" to fill up their time like most of the other children. But experts warned that the move might affect \"precious family time\" negatively. Graham Gorton, chairman of the Independent Schools Association, said that parents spent too much time filling their children's lives, which had a series of negative effects on \"the very precious family time that exists\". \"It seems that those times when a whole weekend without planned work was seen as a luxury   and a perfect opportunity to spend time together and share those valuable moments of childhood are long gone,\" Mr. Gorton said. \"As a child I only once said that phrase that parents feared 'I'm bored'. Immediately my mother took action and produced a list of jobs and then insisted that I complete every one of them. Though l didn't think cleaning all the floors could really get rid of my boredom, I enjoyed the feeling of staying at home with my mother and brothers.\" Earlier this year, some researchers suggested that relatively wealthy parents were sometimes guilty of failing to teach basic social skills to children. \"Often, it's the rich middle classes that buy off their children through the computer and the TV. That then sets them apart from their family, and then the parents are surprised when their child isn' t coming to school.\" \n Question: What does the \"must have\" phenomenon refer to based on the passage? \n Options: (A) That children must have what other children have. (B) That children must have proper pressure to work hard. (C) That children must have special skills to ensure a better future. (D) That parents must have patience to know their children better.", "neg": "Article: Through history, children have played with toys and they help to prepare children for adult life. But the toys are changing all the time. As science and technology have changed the way adults live, the toys children play with have changed as well. Developments in science and technology have had a big effect on the toys that children play with. Today trains and mobile phones are popular toys for young children, but there were no toys of this kind before real trains and mobile phones were invented.  The materials that toys are made of have also changed.  Today lots of toys are made of plastic. Plastic is a modern, man-made material that did not exist   in the past. On the other hand, some other toys that you have might not be all that different from the ones children played with 1,000 years ago. Scientists have found some bone dice  in Aberdeen. In medieval  times dice were used for playing games as much as they are today. A recent survey found that half of all the children aged from 4 to 6 have played video games, a quarter of them regularly. The increasing use of electronic toys troubles Dr Singer, a professor at Yale. \"One thing we know is that kids in early years need to be in touch with the real world,\" he said, \"No matter how brilliant they are, they're not going to learn to walk, to move or to talk to others unless their hands or feet have a direct role in such activities.\" Some toy experts argue that the best toys are the ones that increase a child's creativity and imagination. Traditional toys can be used for different kinds of purposes and be used in group settings, individually , and one-to-one. They are also used differently depending on the child's age and skill level. And these toys made of natural materials are valuable for children because they teach children what the world is made of. \n Question: From the article, we can know that  _  . \n Options: (A) only children like to play with toys (B) toys have nothing to do with children's future life (C) the development of toys is related to science and technology (D) plastic is the best material for making toys", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}23{"query": "Article: STRANGERS parties go wild these days. The main idea of them is to never let the people know who their matches are until the last minute. These are some popular practices that are storming the world's youth on this V-day. Speed dating It's exactly what the name implies. Complete with a timer, a whistle and 50 willing singles, speed dating is not the traditional dinner and a movie type of first date. Singles pay US $35 for three minutes with more than two dozen future dates. They ask questions and try to get to know each other. At the sound of a whistle, they do the same thing all over again--25 times in all. Lock and key party Women are given a lock and men are given a key, upon arriving at the party. Each key and lock has several matches. One can hunt for his/her later-to-be sweetheart in various groups, and try out the key or lock. Each time a lock and key match the pair are entered into a ballot  for top prizes! Dinner in the dark Waiters wearing night vision glasses guide the guests through the pitch-black dining room. They are seated at the table and familiarized with the wine glass and plate. Food is handled with the fingers. People will not see the food they are eating or the guests at their table until the dessert course. At that moment, dining partners will appear. Message party Have A Cocktail, Leave A Message! When you arrive, you get a tag with a number and a pad of post-it notes. If you see someone you like, write a message on the message board. But wait... You've got a message... Go and collect it! You can make new friends and win lots of gifts. The more messages you leave on the bulletin board, the more chances you have of winning prizes. \n Question: What do you think the similarities of these parties are? \n Options: (A) All the parties have very strict rules for their members. (B) If you want to go to any of the parties, you have to buy a ticket. (C) All the parties are aimed at strangers who want to be lovers. (D) All the parties are suitable not only for the young but for the old.", "pos": "Article: Ad 1 April Fool's party On Friday, April 1, Inner Affair goes back to the days of funk! Classic Tunes from the 70's and 80's by DJs Den & Sion, 9pm till late. Tickets: Free entrance for those in costume, otherwise 50 yuan (US$6) Time/Date: 9 pm, April 1 Place: Inner Affair, 1/F Qiankun Dasha, 6 Sanlitun Xiliujie, Chaoyang District Tel: 8454-0321 Ad 2 The \"worst\" party Organized by ozone productions, the party is set to be \"the worst ever\", with the lamest music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Special prizes will be awarded to the worst dressed or for bad fashion sense. Tickets: Free entrance Time/Date: 9 pm, April 1 Place: Pula Pula, Tianze Lu, Oriental Seven Colours Plaza, Chaoyang District Tel: 6466-8575 Ad 3 La Nuit Francaise Again on the 2nd Thursday of the month La Nuit Francaise will be held at Le Rendezvous. The monthly event is an opportunity for all French people and everyone interested in France or speaking French to gather together. The evening features three glasses of wine for participants and a special exhibition. Time/Date: 7 to 10 pm, April 14 Place: Le Rendezvous, 3 Gongti Beilu, across from the Pacific Century Plaza, Chaoyang District Tel: 6462-9110 Ad 4 Marco V Dutch DJ Marco V drops by Banana for a gig which is supported by Hong Kong's DJ Spark. Marco V has been around for many years, as an inventive, style blending deejay and a successful and devoted producer. His spinning is energetic, crowd pleasing and never sees an empty dance floor. He was ranked No. 15 in this year's international DJ MAG DJ Top100. Tickets: 40 yuan (US$4.80) in advance, 50 yuan (US$6) at the door, both including a free drink Time/Date: 10 pm to 4 am, March 31, April 1 Place: Banana, in the lobby of the Scitech Hotel, 22 Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District Tel: 6528-3636 \n Question: Which of the following is NOT true of Ad 1 and Ad 2? \n Options: (A) The two parties will be held on the same day. (B) Both ads give the contact number. (C) The entrance fees of the two parties will not be charged. (D) Some old music will be played at the parties.", "neg": "Article: Although Paris is often considered the city of romance, close to a million adults who call it home are single. Many single people say that France's capital is one of the most difficult places to meet people. The complaints of this lonely group have inspired a new phenomenon known as \"supermarket dating.\" At Galerie Lafayette Gourmet,singles can shop for more than just the items on their grocery list. They can look for someone who has blue eyes, brown hair,and is 1.8 meters tall,or whatever may be on their romantic shopping list. At this Paris location,single people of all ages can schedule their shopping for Thursday nights between 6:30 and 9:00 p.m. When they walk through the door,they pick up a purple basket to advise that they are looking for love. They try to arrive early because the baskets disappear quickly, and then they have to wait in line for their turn to wander the store aisles . With purple baskets in hand, shoppers can consider their romantic options while they pick out their groceries. When they are ready to pay, they can go to the checkout line for singles who want to chat. Most of the people who look for love in the supermarket are skeptical of Internet dating. They know that it is easy to embellish one's appearance or to lie about one's age over the Internet. The supermarket, on the other hand,is considered a safe and casual environment in which to meet a potential match. In addition, what one finds in another's grocery basket can say a thing or two about that person's character or intentions. Buying pet food can be a man's way of showing a potential match that he has a sensitive side. Women who fill their baskets with low-fat food show their healthy style of living. These ways it's possible to find much more than food at a grocery store. \n Question: What do many single people in Paris complain about? \n Options: (A) The difficulty in meeting people. (B) The idea of supermarket dating. (C) The items on their grocery list. (D) The inconvenience in shopping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}24{"query": "Article: A new international study shows that six people die every minute from smoking. That is 3 million deaths around the world every year. If the present rate of smoking continues, the number of deaths each year from smoking could rise to 10 million by the year 2020.  The study describes smoking is the biggest cause of deadly diseases among grown-ups in industrial countries. So far most of the smoking deaths have happened to men, especially in developing countries.  A researcher at the World Health Organization says 70% of Chinese men smoke more than 15 cigarettes each day. In Latin America about 50% of the men are smokers. There also are a very large number of smokers in Russia and in Eastern Europe. And 25% of all smoking deaths worldwide are in those areas of the world. Scientists say smoking will kill 50% of the smokers.  Smoking is known to cause lung cancer. It also can lead to cancer of the mouth and other parts of bodies. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to suffer from heart disease.  Experts say that people reduce their chance of dying from smoking if they stop smoking completely. They say smokers who give up smoking can improve their health. \n Question: The main idea of this passage is that   _   . \n Options: (A) smoking only does harm to grown-ups.. (B) smoking can kill smokers. (C) smoking does harm to health (D) men like smoking much more than women", "pos": "Article: A ban on smoking in public places has come into force in China - home to a third of the world's smokers.     The move is aimed at controlling the number of deaths from smoking-related diseases, running at a million a year.     But the rules have been criticized, because they do not include punishments for those who choose to ignore them.     Many business owners hate rules that force them to ban smoking on their premises   because many customers do not like the rules and complain.     The rules do not allow smoking in places like restaurants, hotels, railway stations or theatres, but not at the office.     Employers have a duty to warn staff off the dangers of smoking but do not have to forbid them from lighting up at their desks.     Shanghai introduced similar rules a year ago, but people do not seem to take much notice of them. Often you find people smoking at the next table while you are eating your meal or having a drink in a bar. The problem is that the rules do not include punishments for businesses or individuals who ignore them.     It appears that many Chinese people  _ the dangers of smoking. Research suggests that only one in four knows the harm cigarettes of second-hand smoke can cause.     Officials say they have to try to persuade people not to smoke to reduce the numbers dying from smoking-related diseases. At the same time the government makes a lot of money from the sales of cigarettes by the state-owned firm that makes and sells all tobacco products throughout the country. \n Question: The number of smokers in China makes up about   _   of the world's smokers. \n Options: (A) 66% (B) 44% (C) 33% (D) 55%", "neg": "Article: Indoor public spaces such as restaurants, workplaces, hospitals and public transport are supposed  _ from Jan 9 in China. On that day five years ago, China approved the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. However with the deadline days away, the government still hasn't come up with a clear message for the ban. An editorial from \"China Daily\" urges China to speed up its effort to ban smoking in public indoors. Referring to numbers from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the articles says if China fails to reduce tobacco consumption, the number of people killed by cigarettes will double by 2025 and three times by 2050, which is about 1.2 million now every year.  This would cut the productivity of the work force and places a heavy burden on the country's healthcare system. The article says China has let an opportunity slip to change these statistics for the better. The momentum , however was not strong enough to make the country's public places smoke free.  The editorial suggests that China should strengthen its effort to tax heavily smokers as there are no national regulations on banning smoking in public areas. \n Question: What can learn from the passage that_. \n Options: (A) there are no national regulation on banning smoking in the public. (B) The momentum was not too strong to make the country's public places smoke free. (C) by 2025, the number of people killed by cigarettes will about 1.2 million. (D) \"China Daily\" urges China to speed up its effort to ban smoking in public.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}25{"query": "Article: If there is a building which symbolizes a country--such as the Eiffel Tower for France and Sydney Opera House for Australia--then it has to be the Taj Mahal for India. It was set up by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. From the time they got married, they wouldn't be separated. She followed him to wars, advised him on affairs of state, and was loved by his people for her good work. But she died in 1631 during childbirth. The emperor was heart-broken and had the Taj Mahal built as a sign of his love. It took more than 20 years for the Taj Mahal to be built. Workers were brought in, not only from all over India, but from Central Asia too. A total of 20,000 people worked on the building. In 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill, and in 1658 his son Aurangzeb, imprisoned   his father and seized power. Shah Jahan stayed in prison until his death in 1666. He was finally buried there with his wife he could never forget. The Taj Mahal is definitely worth more than a single visit. As it is built with white marble stones, its character changes in different lights. It looks more beautiful at sunrise and sunset. At sunset, for example, the colour of the Taj changes from white to yellow, then to pink. As the moon rises, it turns a silvery white. To show respect to the Taj, tourists are asked to take off their shoes during their visit. \n Question: Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal to   _  . \n Options: (A) make it symbolize India (B) memorise his wife (C) show his great power (D) give his wife a present", "pos": "Article: The Winter Palace was built between 1754 and 1762 for Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died before the palace was completed and only Catherine the Great and her successors were able to enjoy the great interior   of Elizabeth's home. Many parts of the palace's impressive interior have been remodeled since then, particularly after 1837, when a huge fire destroyed most of the building. Today the Winter Palace, together with four more buildings arranged side by side along the river embankment, houses the extensive collections of the Hermitage. The Hermitage Museum is the largest art gallery in Russia and is among the largest and most respected art museums in the world.    The museum was founded in 1764 when Catherine the Great bought a collection of 255 paintings from the German city of Berlin. Today, the Hermitage boasts over 2.7 million exhibits and displays, a diverse range of art and artifacts   from all over the world and throughout history (from Ancient Egypt to the early 20th century Europe). The Hermitage's collections include works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian, a collection of Rembrandts and Rubens, many French Impressionist works by Renoir, Cezanne, Monet and Pissarro, and several works by Rodin. The collection is really worth a stop for all those interested in art and history. The experts say that if you were to spend a minute looking at each exhibit on show in the Hermitage, you would need 11 years before you'd seen them all. However, we suggest you choose a guided tour instead!   Location: Dvortsovaia Naberezhnaia, 32-38. www.ks5u.com  Open: 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sunday till 5 pm.   Closed: Mondays. Ticket-office closes 1 hour before closing time. \n Question: According to the passage, the Winter Palace was built for   _  . \n Options: (A) Catherine the Great (B) Empress Elizabeth (C) Peter the Great (D) Empress Elizabeth's successors", "neg": "Article: Few buildings on earth can compete with the legendary beauty of the Taj Mahal. Towering over the ancient Indian city of Agra, the Taj Mahal is the grandest monument   to love ever created. The lovers in this story are the 17th century Indian emperor Shah Jehan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She took a leading role in advising him, which is something unusual for a woman to do for a husband who's an emperor. Over the course of their nineteen-year marriage she gave birth to 14 children. But in 1631 while trying to deliver their fifteenth -- she tragically died. He was heartbroken when she died. And after her death, he decided to build the world's greatest monument ever built, for love. He ordered the royal architects to design the most beautiful building the world had known and decided to name it after his beloved, Mumtaz Mahal. He called on twenty thousand workers and sent many more people to all corners of his country in search of valuable metals and jewels. And after seventeen years of hard work, Shah Jehan's monument was completed and his beloved empress was moved to her final resting place. Everything had gone according to plan, but Shah Jehan's luck was about to change ... In 1658, just four years after the completion of the Taj Mahal, he was thrown out of power. Unfortunately, his son, Aran Azibe imprisoned him, his own father. And he spent the last seven years of his life in prison. And he was allowed to look at the Taj Mahal through a window. His life was in ruins, but when he died his last wish was promised. He was buried beside his beloved wife in the Taj Mahal. \n Question: The Taj Mahal was built for    _   . \n Options: (A) Mumtaz (B) Shah (C) Mumtaz or Shah (D) Mumtaz and Shah", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}26{"query": "Article: When she looked ahead, Florence Chadwick saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb .She had been swimming for nearly sixteen hours. Already she was the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Now, at age 34,her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast. On that fourth of July morning in 1952,the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so thick that she could hardly see her support boats. Sharks swam toward her lone figure, only to be driven away by rifle shots. Against the frigid grip of the sea, she struggled on--hour after hour--while millions watched on national television. Alongside Florence in one of the boats , her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it wasn't much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to give up.  _ With only a half mile to go, she asked to be pulled out. Still thawing her chilled body several hours later, she told a reporter,\" Look, I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I might have made it.\" It was not fatigue or even the cold water that defeated her .It was the fog. She was unable to see her goal. Two months later, she tried again. This time ,despite the same dense fog, she swam with her faith intact and her goal clearly pictured in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind that fog was land and this time she made it! Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, eclipsing the men's record by two hours! \n Question: Why didn't Florence swim across the Catalina Channel for the first time? \n Options: (A) Because she was too tired to go on swimming. (B) Because the fog was so thick that she couldn't see her support boats clearly. (C) Because she couldn't see the goal on land. (D) Because the sea water was too cold.", "pos": "Article: 56yearold becomes 1st woman to swim Atlantic (AP)-Jennifer Figge pressed her toes into the Caribbean sand, excited and exhausted as she touched land this week for the first time in almost a month. Reaching a beach in Trinidad, she became the first woman on record to swim across the Atlantic Ocean--a dream she'd had since the early 1960s,when a stormy transAtlantic   flight got her thinking she could wear a life vest and swim the rest of the way if needed. The 56yearold left the Cape Verde Islands off Africa's western coast on Jan.12,2009, swimming 19 out of 25 days battling waves of up to 30 feet.The distance from Cape Verde to Trinidad is about 700 miles.Crewmembers are still computing exactly how many miles she swam. The original plan was for her to swim to the Bahamas--a distance of about 2,100 miles--but inclement   weather forced her to change her plans and she arrived at Trinidad on Feb.5.She now plans to swim from Trinidad to the British Virgin Islands,ending her voyage at the Bitter End Yacht Club in late February. Her journey came a decade after French swimmer Benoit Lecomte made the first known solo transAtlantic swim,covering nearly 4,000 miles from Massachusetts to France in 73 days.No woman on record had made the crossing. Figge wore a red cap and wet suit,with her only goodluck charm   underneath:an old,red shirt to guard against chafing  ,signed by friends,relatives and her father,who recently died.The other cherished   possession she kept onboard was a picture of Gertrude Ederle,an American who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.\"We have a few things in common,\"Figge said,\"She wore a red hat and she was of German descent  .We both talked to the sea,and neither one of us wanted to get out.\" \n Question: When did Jennifer Figge want to swim across the Atlantic Ocean? \n Options: (A) After she reached a beach in Trinidad. (B) After she pressed her toes into the Caribbean sand. (C) After her stormy transAtlantic flight in the early 1960s. (D) After her graduation from a university.", "neg": "Article: I felt encouraged by his words and began to swim more calmly.But my clothes stuck to me like a heavy weight.I could hardly stay above the surface. Counsel saw this.\"Shall I cut them?\"he asked. With a knife he cut my clothes from top to bottom and took them of quickly while I swam for both of us. Then I did the same for Counsel,and we continued to swim near each other. But we were in serious trouble.The crew might not have noticed our disappearance. And if they had,they could not return because the rudder had broken.Counsel thought of all this,and calmly made his plans.We decided to wait for the ship as long as possible,because we had no other hope of safety.I suggested that we save our strength so that both of us would not be tired out at the same time.This was how we did it:While one of us lay on his back,quite _ ,with arms crossed and legs stretched out ,the other would swim and push him along.We changed every ten minutes or so.In this way we could swim for hours,perhaps till daylight.The crash of the ship and the whale had appeared at about eleven o'clock.We had about eight hours to swim before daylight.This seemed possible,if the sea remained calm. \n Question: What happened to the man who told the story? \n Options: (A) He and his companion got into the water to test their strength. (B) He jumped into the water to save the broken rudder. (C) He was knocked into the water by his enemy. (D) He was thrown into the sea when the ship struck a whale.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}27{"query": "Article: Ben and his wife Susan were on their way to have dinner with their friends. It was a dark,windy night, and they did not know the way very well. They drove through a town until they found what they thought was the road to Dorling,where their friends lived. But it soon became clear that they were not on the road to Dorling at all. The road that they were on was getting narrower,and there were no other cars on it. The wind was blowing harder with every minute that passed. They came to a small village .They drove past a church and then two houses without lights on. There was nobody about to tell them where they were,or where the road went. Just then,Ben saw a telephone box,twenty meters or so further on. While he walked back along the road to see if there was a name outside the church,Susan telephoned their friends and told them that they were still on their way. Their friends were just saying that the dinner was already getting rather cold,when Ben came back to the telephone box,his head down against the wind. He said that there was a tree lying across the road,and that the telephone lines were down. Susan heard nothing more from their friends about the dinner. \n Question: Some time later Ben and Susan found they took a wrong road because   _  . \n Options: (A) their friends lived nearer than they drove (B) the road was getting narrower and their car alone was on it (C) the hard wind made them get lost (D) the road was not the same as before", "pos": "Article: On an August afternoon last year, Pamela Rivers, 40, and her friend Rita Graham, 38, were stopped at a red light on Cobb's Creek Parkway in South Philadelphia when a white SUV traveling in the opposite direction turned across traffic in front of them. It then jumped the curb   and rushed through a grassy expanse   before plunging down an embankment   toward Cobb's Creek. Pamela quickly pulled over, jumped out of her car, and dialed 911. Kenny Gibson, 23, and his friend Taron Green, 25, were driving home from a job when Rita flagged them down. Kenny stopped, and the men got out of the car and looked over the cliff. The SUV had landed upside down in five feet of water. A woman's leg could be seen swinging out the driver's side window. \"I have a fear of water,\" Kenny said now. \"I almost drowned when I was nine.\" Even so, he and Taron hurried down the 50-foot embankment into the muddy water. \"I couldn't just leave her,\" he adds. The men waded out to the car and saw that the woman, Cheryl Allison, 61, was partially in water. Kenny tried unsuccessfully to open the door. Then he broke the window. But when he reached in to pull out Cheryl, he found she was trapped by the seat belt. \"Run back to the truck and grab a box cutter ,\" Kenny yelled to Taron. Meanwhile, Kenny tried in vain to push the car onto its side to create an air pocket for Cheryl. That's when mechanic Marcell Porter approached the site. \"I flipped into rescue mode,\" he said. When Taron returned, Kenny cut through the seat belt with the box cutter. He and Marcell tried to pull Cheryl out, but she wouldn't come out. Marcell broke the rear window with a rock, hoping to rescue her from the back. Then he saw that she was still strapped in by her shoulder belt. Marcell reached for the box cutter and cut the remaining strap in two. Kenny leaned in, grabbed Cheryl by the waist, and pulled her out feet first. Marcell grasped Cheryl's legs, and they managed to drag her lifeless body onto a rock. \"Give her CPR!\" Pamela yelled down to them. But the two men had no idea what to do. \"Put your mouth on her mouth and breathe,\" she shouted to Marcell. And to Kenny, \"Pump her chest!\" \"We tried three times,\" said Marcell. Finally, Cheryl brought up water and started moving her fingers. The men rolled her over onto her stomach to let out more water. Soon an ambulance arrived and transported Cheryl to the hospital, where doctors treated her. They never discovered what caused her to pass out, but she assumes it had something to do with the burning summer heat. Over the next few days, they took turns visiting Cheryl in the hospital, where they shared hugs and tears. \"We couldn't believe she was all right,\" said Pamela. \"It's just amazing that these people came together,\" said Cheryl. She stays in touch with her \"angels\" via frequent phone calls. \"They are really beautiful people,\" she said. \n Question: Which telephone number do Chinese dial in the case like that where Pamela in the passage dialed \"911\"? \n Options: (A) 121. (B) 120. (C) 114. (D) 12315.", "neg": "Article: One night Mr. Lee was driving his wife home from work. She was a staff nurse in a hospital. It was almost midnight and she was quite tired out. She soon fell asleep. Mr Lee looked at her and smiled. Mr. Lee was a cautious and experienced driver. He knew it was safer to drive slowly on a dark night. After some time he noticed a car following him. It was traveling very fast. Suddenly it overtook his car. The driver of the car was in a hurry. He did not see the approaching lorry . To avoid hitting it, he swerved his car. It skidded off the road and hit a big tree. The driver and his passenger were injured. They were badly cut by glass splinter from the broken windscreen. Mr. Lee quickly stopped his car by the side of the road. His wife got out of the car to help the injured men. The lorry driver also stopped to lend a helping hand. Mr. Lee immediately drove off to telephone the police. About twenty- five minutes later, a police car and an ambulance arrived. The injured men were carried into the ambulance and taken to hospital. The policemen took down details of the accident. Mr. Lee and the lorry driver told them all that they could remember. The policemen thanked them for their help. Mr. and Mrs. Lee then got into their car and continued their journey home. \n Question: Mrs. Lee fell asleep in the car because  _  . \n Options: (A) she was very tired (B) her husband was driving very slowly (C) it was too late (D) both A and C", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}28{"query": "Article: It's a fact that we all dream. Some dreams seem to last for hours, others only for seconds. Some of us have strange dreams, some have interesting dreams, and some of us have unpleasant dreams. Tests in the 1980s showed that these dreams occur within 90-minute cycles, each cycle made up of six stages. In the last stage people experience rapid eye movement, known as REM, and it is in this stage that dreaming takes place. Eighty percent of people who were woken during this sixth stage could easily remember their dreams. On the other hand, when during the first five stages (NREM), only seven percent could describe a dream. However, of these same people woken during the first five stages, 74% were able to remember thinking activity, although they would not call it a dream. NerysDee, who has written about dreams in a book called \"Your Dreams and What They Mean\" says: \"Perhaps during NREM sleep we are sorting out our outer mundane problems, but in REM sleep we are dealing with inside matters.\" She also makes the following statement about 90-minute cycle: It may also prove the reason why _ who wake in the middle of the night find it impossible to get to sleep again for at least an hour and a half. In other words, until they have missed out one complete 90-minute sleep period. \n Question: Which of the following statements about dreams is TRUE? \n Options: (A) Everyone dreams but very few can recall what they dream. (B) Some people have long dreams and others have very short ones. (C) People can only remember unpleasant dreams. (D) More than eighty percent of people can remember their dreams.", "pos": "Article: What did you dream about last night? Did your teeth fall out or did you fly? Maybe you died or someone you know did.Or maybe you were back in high school.These are among the most common dreams people have and they all mean something.Here are some of the most common dreams and their interpretations or symbolism. Dreams of flying.Dreams of flying represent feelings of freedom that may result from an instance when you overcome a limitation or obstacle.Usually, children have more flying dreams than adults, because children are more open to their possibilities, and adults have often accepted limitations imposed by society. Teeth falling out.Food in a dream is symbolic of knowledge because food nourishes the physical body and knowledge nourishes the soul.Teeth are a means to break down food or knowledge.When your teeth fall out in a dream, it could signify that you feel ill - equipped to break down the knowledge that you have available, that the way you break things down has changed.That change can be either positive or negative. High school dreams.High school is a place of learning from the past, and dreaming of being unprepared for a high school test can indicate a struggle to access information you need to handle in your life. Recurring dreams and nightmares.Recurring dreams are your subconscious  mind's way of trying to get your attention.A recurring dream is a step down from a nightmare that is a louder, more insistent way your subconscious mind communicates.If you have a recurring dream, try to stop in the dream and _ what the dream is trying to tell you.That could mean asking someone who is chasing you what he or she wants.A woman dreamed for years that an old, haggard woman was chasing her around her home.When she finally stopped in the dream and asked the old woman what she represented, the old woman suddenly turned into a beautiful young woman and replied, \"I represent your question of ' what if?' \" \n Question: The text is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) high school dreams (B) dreams' symbolism (C) dreams of flying (D) nightmares", "neg": "Article: Why do we dream?It's a question researchers have been studying for years. Now new research suggests that some dreams may result from the brain's effort to keep learning, even as we sleep. In a study in Boston, 100 volunteers were trained for an hour on a maze  .They tried to find their way through the difficult puzzle as quickly as possible. Then half of the volunteers were allowed to sleep for 90 minutes. The other half stayed awake, reading or relaxing. The ones who slept were asked to describe their dreams when they woke up. After the rest, the volunteers were asked again to solve the maze. Those who hadn't slept showed no improvement or did even worse after the break. Sleepers who didn't report any maze related dreams did better but showed only a little improvement. However, four nap-takers who reported dreaming about the maze showed a surprising improvement. They scored 10 times higher after sleeping and dreaming about the maze. Even though the number of dreamers was small, the researchers noted that the gap in learning between the dreamers and non-dreamers was so wide that the finding was significant  . The dreamers had all performed poorly on the test before dreaming about it. That suggests that struggling with a task might be the _ that leads the sleeping brain to focus on it and work on how to deal with it. \"It's almost as if your brain is going through everything that happened today,\"Dr Stickgold,a scientist at Harvard Medical School, said. \"The things you're obsessed   with are the ones that your brain forces you to continue to do with.\" \n Question: What's the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) Learning while you dream (B) What dreams stand for (C) Dream a good dream (D) Dreams and health", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}29{"query": "Article: Homesick is a compound word made up of HOME and SICK.You know what each word means on its own, of course.But think about what the words mean when they are used together.Homesick means SICK FOR HOME. Now think for a minute about SEASICK.If you change the word home in the definition to the word sea, would the definition fit SEASICK? Seasick means SICK BY THE MOVEMENT ON THE SEA. When you are homesick ,the only place you want to be is at home.When you are seasick, the last place you want to be is at seA. Have you ever heard of a person being heartsick? Heartsick doesn't mean that something  is wrong with a person's heart.people are heartsick when they are hurt deep inside and when they feel as if their hearts are broken. But, on the other hand, we have such compound words as handshake, handstand, and handbag.Perhaps you may write definitions for them. \n Question: The word SEASICK means\"  _  \". \n Options: (A) to be eager to go to the sea (B) what has nothing to do with the sea (C) to be sick because of the sea (D) that the sea is terrible", "pos": "Article: A: I once heard someone shout, \"Look out.\" I put my heard out of the window and a bucketful water fell on me. It seems that \"Look out\" may mean \"Don't look out\". B: I was once on a ship and heard the captain shout, \"All hands on deck .\" I put my hands on the deck and someone walked on them. C: I once called early on an English friend and the servant who came to the door said, \"He's not up yet. Come back in half an hour.\" When I went again for him, she said, \"He's not down yet.\" I said, \"If he's neither up nor down. Where is he?\" \n Question: . In the dialogue the phrase \"Look out\" actually means \"  _  \". \n Options: (A) Don't look out (B) Look out for the water (C) Be careful (D) Look everywhere", "neg": "Article: When you sleep somewhere else--like at summer camp or a friend's house--you know you're in for a fun time. It can be exciting to get away from the same old bed in the same old room in the same old house. But fun as this is, for some kids being away from home can be scary and sad. They want to go and have fun with their friends, but once they're there, they start to miss their good old bed, their good old parents, and all that everyday stuff at home. It's called being homesick. Homesick means you're upset, sad, and maybe scared. But don't feel surprised. A lot of people get homesick, even grownups. When you're used to having certain people and things around you, it can be scary when they're gone. When you're dealing with other problems, you will feel homesick, too. Some kids may feel more homesick than usual if their parents are getting divorced or if someone they loved has recently died. Here are some ideas to help you feel less homesick. Bring a little bit of home with you. If you're going away from home, bring your pillow or pictures of the people you'll be apart from and look at them any time you want. Keep busy. The more fun stuff you do, the less time you'll have to feel homesick. Try to join in activities wherever you are. Stay in touch. You can make a plan for when you'll call your mom or dad. You can also email or text message to stay in touch with family and friends. When you do get in touch with someone, make sure to talk about the fun things you're doing! Talk to someone where you are. Maybe you can tell a friend that you feel homesick. He or she might have some ideas to help you feel better. \n Question: One feels homesick means he's not   _  . \n Options: (A) upset (B) sad (C) scary (D) full", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}30{"query": "Article: In most of the time, I am devoted to my research in the lab with my friend Dave, who loves traveling very much. To make our life colorful and relax ourselves, in July, my friend and I are taking a camping trip. We will travel for four weeks and will tour the United States and part of Canada. We have decided to camp because it does not cost as much as vacationing   in hotels. We have to plan very carefully in advance. First, the car we are going to drive is very small, so we have decided to take only one small suitcase each and as few camping things as possible. We will take some medicine with us to prevent insects   from hurting us, and also food for picnics. Second, there is a lot to see in the United States and Canada, so we have to decide on the direction   we want to drive. The date we are leaving is July 2, from which day we will have two months off.  We want to see and do many things on our camping tour. We want to climb in the mountains, visit famous caves, and swim in cool mountain rivers. We want to visit many cities and talk to many people, which I am sure can enrich our experience greatly. We also want to find a hotel room if it rains at night. We expect to have an exciting trip. \n Question: The two friends are going to take a camping trip   _  . \n Options: (A) if they have four weeks' time off (B) though it will be a long trip (C) so that they can save money (D) because it will be warm enough in July", "pos": "Article: Here are many kinds of vacations. People can go traveling abroad or spend their holidays at the seaside. One kind of vacation is camping. Many Americans enjoy going camping because it is good for them. Each summer millions of Americans drive to the countryside where they find places to camp. There are a lot of national parks in the USA and these national parks mostly stand on the mountains. They are people's favorite camping places.      Campers are free from the busy life in the noisy and crowded city. They throw themselves into the arms of Mother Nature. They enjoy the fresh air, lakes and forests in these parks. Hiking, swimming and fishing are the main kinds of exercise. They can see different sorts of animals and plants there.      Some campers have trailers which they pull behind their cars to the camping places. Trailers are like small houses on wheels, having many of the things that people use in their homes, such as electricity, hot water, kitchen tools and things like that. But most campers don't have trailers. Tent campers lead a very simple but healthy life.      Camping is a pleasant sports activity. After living a while in the open, campers become as fresh as paintings. They feel relaxed. \n Question: What kind of life do campers live before they go camping? \n Options: (A) An easy life. (B) A happy life. (C) A busy life. (D) A healthy life.", "neg": "Article: To begin your expedition of wonder, get yourself a driver's license at your local department of motor vehicles, then rent a car and take off for New Hampshire's Crawford Notch State Park. This beautiful park is abundant in wildlife, natural vegetation and running rivers falling from high cliffs. It is a place of spectacular mountain views, hiking trails, waterfalls and fishing locations. All you need to do is jump in your rented car or SUV and head for the sunset! Okay, so you've just finished those crazy summer final exams and you're exhausted from all of the stress. That's okay because New Hampshire's State Park also offers a perfect way to recover at Coney's Flume Park where visitors can ride all the rapids in a hollowed out log, eat hotdogs and play on the amusement tides.  Good times will be had no matter what your preference at Dry River Campground, which offers wood cabins, showers, electricity, flush toilets, laundry and fire rings. It's like a home away from home, so gather your camping gear and head for the journey! Lake Winnipesaukee If you're stuck on figuring out how to access your own wheels, how about finding a bus to take you to Weirs Beach? There are fall leaves tours running in the fall through the end of October. Let the captain do the driving while you enjoy the colors along the shoreline and the mountainsides. If you can't find some peace of mind from those nasty final exams while relaxing in your lakeside cottage, take a cruise and go fishing, go bird sightseeing, or just kick back in a rented boat and let the coo of the birds wash your troubles away. No matter where you go in New Hampshire, you'll meet the most friendly people you can imagine. Do dive into that rental car or SUV, take off for a vacation to New Hampshire and treat yourself to one of America's most beautiful states. Enjoy! \n Question: Who is this passage mainly intended for? \n Options: (A) School students. (B) Bird lovers. (C) Driving learners. (D) Trouble makers.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}31{"query": "Article: Nathan's second-hand bike was good enough to get him anywhere he wanted to go. Of course, it couldn't match Tim's in a normal speed race, but all the fancy gears   in the world wouldn't get you up Black Mountain. It was so steep in places that you had to get off your bike and push.  On this particular afternoon, the odds were all on Nathan's side. First, he was stronger. Tim had always been thin, but recently he'd started to grow so fast that his arms and legs were like pieces of spaghetti. As well as being considerably fitter than his friend, Nathan knew the shortcuts up prefix = st1 /BlackMountain.  So when Nathan accepted the challenge, he was sure he'd win. He nearly always did, in competitions with Tim. That was what was strange. Tim was so competitive, and yet he wasn't any good at physical things.  By the time the two boys were three quarters of the way to the top, Nathan was clearly ahead. While the road zigzagged back and forth up the mountainside, in certain places, there were also vertical tracks, where water rushing down the slope in winter had bitten erosion courses into the soil. These had in turn been so overgrown by bushes and long grass in the spring that they looked like tunnels through the bush. The trick was to know where you could cut off a whole bend in the road by leaving the road and pushing your bike up one of these half-hidden pathways. If you chose the wrong one you'd struggle up for ten minutes and then suddenly reach a dead end. Then there was no choice but to go back. \n Question: What did Tim challenge Nathan to do? \n Options: (A) test who had the fastest bike (B) decide who was the most competitive (C) find the secret tracks on the mountain (D) race to the top of BlackMountain", "pos": "Article: A 13-year-old American boy on Saturday became the youngest climber to conquer Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Jordan Romero from Big Bear, California, climbed up the 8,850-meter summit   from the Tibetan side. On the same day, a Nepali   man, Apa Sherpa, broke his own world record of climbing Everest when he reached the summit for the twentieth time. Apa Shepa's team set off from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, last month, heading for the base camp on the Chinese side of the mountain. \"The team has just called in and believe that they are standing on top of Mt. Everest,\" Romero's blog said. \"Their dreams have now come true. Everyone is happy.\" The climbing has put Romero one step closer to reaching his goal of climbing the highest mountains on all seven continents  . \"It is just a goal.\" Romero said. He had already climbed five peaks  , and needs to climb only Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, to hit his goal. The youngest person before to climb Everest was 16-year-old Temba Tsheri Sherpa of Nepal. Romero climbed together with a team including his father Paul and three local guides. He wanted to pick a small piece of rock from the top of the world and wear it in a necklace. While Nepal insists that anyone planning to climb Mount Everest must be at least 16, China does not have any age restrictions  . Some mountain climbers haven't agreed with the Romero family for letting him try it but his father said the climbing from the Chinese side is less dangerous. \n Question: Jordan Romero climbed up Mount Everest mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) meet Apa Sherpa (B) build his body (C) break the world record (D) realize part of his goal", "neg": "Article: George had just moved into the street and he felt strange that he was not wanted. He knew that perhaps the other boys were trying to get an idea of what kind of a boy he was. This did not help to make him less lonely. He was new and he had to be tested. Still, proving himself would not be all that easy. He did not want to run with bad boys or get into something against the law to prove that he was strong . No!He must show what he was made of in a more helpful way. That was when he got the idea. The next day was Saturday. He knew that most of the boys would be down on the playground and choose up sides for the Saturday game. George knew he could play well and just might be enough to prove he was strong and to make friends with them. He arrived early and did his step exercises. He shot the ball several times and did some other exercises--the most difficult and most wonderful in basketball. Then the boys came. George went through what he had done before the game and showed what he could do. No one said a word. The boys just looked at each other and thought about it. In the end, when it was all over, the biggest of the group just smiled and nodded his head. George knew he had made it. \n Question: What does \"This did not help to make him less lonely\" mean? \n Options: (A) George felt more lonely because the other boys wanted to test him. (B) George felt as lonely as before when the other boys tried to find out what kind of a boy he was. (C) George did not want himself to be less lonely. (D) The other boys did not want to make George feel less lonely.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}32{"query": "Article: Your Car Is Ready for Take-off The flying car has been talked about for many years,but now it appears that the idea is about to become a reality. An international company has built a two-seater plane that, at the touch of a button ,transforms into a car perfectly suitable for driving on public roads. It has been designed so that the wings fold up automatically; and it takes just 15 seconds to switch between flying and driving. With its wings fully open and the propeller spinning, it can take off from any airfield. Flying cars are quicker than traditional ones for travelling from city to city,and they can run on ordinary fuel. Another big advantage is that they are cool ,like something you would see in an action film. At the moment9however, the flying car's wheels are illegal to leave the ground. That is not because of technical reasons or problems with the design. It is because the various road and aircraft authorities simply cannot agree on whether it is a car or a plane. \"The government and the authorities have never thought seriously about a flying car, says Alan Price ,the president of the company that has developed it. \"I wanted a car that could fly and drive ,but it is difficult to find an organization prepared to insure the vehicle against accidents. Nevertheless?the company hopes to produce and deliver its first flying car soon. The company already has orders for 40 of them. The majority the potential customers are older and some are retired. There have even been orders from some people who have no pilot's license. The flying car will cost around $ 200.000. \"For an airplane,that's a very reasonable price, but for a car, It's quite expensive,\" explains Alan. \"But it just is not possible to make a $ 10,000 flying car yet. \" This latest means of transport will not become a mass-market item in the near future,but in the long term it has the potential to change the way you travel. It will become no more expensive than driving your car on the motorway. Travel time could be reduced by more than half. So the next time you are told to fasten your seat belt, it may be to prepare for take-off. \n Question: We know from the passage that the flying car  _ \n Options: (A) has to run on special fuel (B) will replace traditional planes (C) is popular with the rich (D) can shift between two forms", "pos": "Article: Scientists are developing the next generation of robot-driven cars and predict they could be carrying humans around by the year 2030.     The first wave of intelligent robot cars, capable of understanding and reacting to the world around them, will be tested this November in a competition run by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.     Scientists are developing vehicles which will not only be driven by robots independently, but will be able to operate in a complicated city environment. \"In the past it was  _ for a vehicle just to perceive the environment,\" said Sebastian Thrun, a professor at Stanford University.   \"The new challenge will be to understand the environment. The robot must be able to recognize another car, to understand that it is moving and that it will interact with it as it gets closer.\"  Stanford's entrant  \"Junior\" is a changed 2006 Volkswagen Passat whose steering, throttle   and brakes all have been modified by engineers.    Lasers fitted on the car bumpers, radar and global positioning systems feed data into the on-board computer to determine its location and position. Thrun predicted that advances in artificial intelligence would lead to driverless cars on the roads by 2030.    \"Today they can drive about 100 miles, by 2010 I expect this to go 1,000 miles, by 2020 up to a million miles,\" he said. \"By 2030 you'll be able to see them on the highway, with driving reliability that will beat humans.\"    \"We believe this technology will affect all of us. It is going to have enormous significance for people who can't drive because of disabilities or because they are ill or impaired.\" Thrun said he believed robot-driven vehicles would be deployed in war zones before they were seen in everyday civilian environments. \n Question: Compared with the old robot-driven cars, the new ones   _  . \n Options: (A) can understand orders from humans (B) can perceive the environment dearly (C) are modified to be completely computer-controllable (D) not only can understand the environment but also can react to it", "neg": "Article: If cars had wings, they could fly and that just might happen, beginning in 2012. The company Terrafugia, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, says it plans to deliver its car-plane, the Transition, to customers by the end of 2012. \"It's next 'wow' vehicle,\" said Terrafugia vice president Richard Gersh. \"Anybody can buy a Ferrari, but as we say, Ferraris don't fly.\" The car-plane has wings that unfold for flying-a process the company says takes one minute-and fold back up for driving. A runway is still required to take off and land. The Transition is being marketed more as a plane that drives than a car that flies, although it is both. The company has been working with FAA to meet aircraft regulations, and with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to meet vehicle safety regulations. The company is aiming to sell the Transition to private pilots as a more convenient and cheaper way to fly. They say it saves you the trouble from trying to find another mode of transportation to get to and from airports: You drive the car to the airport and then you're good to go. When you land, you hold up the wings and hit the road. There are no expensive parking fees because you don't have to store it at an airport-you park it in the garage at home. The car-plane is designed to fly primarily under 10,000 feet. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,430 pounds, including fuel and passengers. Thrrafugia says the Transition reduces the potential for an accident by allowing pilots to drive under the bad weather instead of flying into marginal  conditions. The Transition's price tag: $194,000. But there may be additional charges for options like a radio, , a transponder or a GPS. Another option is a full-plane parachute. \"If you get into a very awful situation, it is the necessary safety option.\" Gersh said. So far, the company has more than 70 orders with deposits. \"We're working very closely with them, but there are still some remaining steps,\" Brown said. \n Question: It takes the car-plane one minute to   _  . \n Options: (A) fold and unfold its wings (B) unfold wings for flying (C) land in the airport (D) meet flying safety regulations", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}33{"query": "Article: Mo Yan, whose primitive name is Guan Moye, was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize on October 11, 2012.\"Chinese author Mo Yan today won the Nobel Literature Prize for writing that mixes folk tales, history and the contemporary,\" the Swedish Academy announced.\"Through a mixture of fantasy and reality,  historical and social perspectives,  Mo Yan has created a world reminiscent in its complexity of those in the writing of William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marques,  at the same time finding a departure point in old Chinese literature and in oral tradition,\"  the Swedish Academy said Mo Yan began writing in 1981 and he has published novels, short stories and essays on various topic,  and despite his social criticism is seen in his homeland as one of the foremost contemporary authors, the Nobel Committee noted,  In his writing Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth. He is the first Chinese resident to win the prize,  who is a novelist and a short story writer, born on 17th February 1955, in Gaomi County, Shandong Province.His novel The Frog won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011.  His works are deeply impacted by the magic realism that he creates unique subject feeling world by fantastical narration in bus novels.Some people may not know who Mo Yan is before,  but they must know some of his works.For example, a famous film directed by Zhang Yimou that won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1988  was adapted from his novel Red Sorghum which was a tale of the brutal violence in the eastern China  countryside, where he grew up, during the 1920s and 1930s. \n Question: Which novel of Mo Yan won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011? \n Options: (A) The Mangrove. (B) Red Sorghum. (C) The Frog. (D) History and the contemporary", "pos": "Article: Chinese writer Mo Yan's Noble Prize for Literature on Thunday might set off an explosion of global interest in Chinese literature and lead to more titles being translated into English. Chinese literature has alyeady attracted international attention, but experts say translation remains a barrier. \"Many very good Chinese writers have been accepted globally for a long time already.\"says Michel Hockx, professor of University of London. \" It's mainly because there are many more opportunities for Chinese writers to visit other countries, to publish their work outside China and to interact with readerships abroad. At the same time, more and more people globally are learning Chinese and taking an interest in Chinese language and Chinese culture.\" Hockx adds: \"We need more good translators, especially foreign translators, who know good Chinese and can translate the work into their own languages in a way that foreign readers will appreciate and understand.\" London's independent literary agent Toby Eady, who represents many Chinese writers, including Yu Dan, met Mo about 15 years ago in China. But Eady says:\"I still think Mo Yan's writing--and, to an extent, all Chinese writing--are not truly understood by Western readers because a part of Chinese literature is lost in translation. The translator has done a good job in translating Mo's work, but the variety of Chinese vocabulary doesn't well translate into English.\" University of Oxford lecturer in medern Chinese literature Margaret Hillenbrand says:\"The obvious reason for the growing global presence of Chinese literature is the growing global presence of China itself. People have come to realize that there is a serious knowledge deficit   between China and its international counterparts   --in particular, China knows incomparably more about Europe and America than the other way around--and reading Chinese literature is an effective means of narrowing that gap.\" \n Question: One of the reasons why Chinese literature has been accepted globally is that   _  . \n Options: (A) more Chinese writers can express themselves in English freely (B) Chinese visitors are enjoying more chances to go abroad (C) the westerners have become more interested in Chinese literature (D) more western readers can interact with each other", "neg": "Article: GAOMI,  Shandong, Oct.11( Xinhua)--Chinese writer Mo Yan said last Thursday that he was \"very surprised\" at winning the Nobel Literature Prize. Speaking to reporters at a hotel in his hometown Gaomi city in east China's Shandong Province, Mo said, \"(I was)very surprised upon winning the prize because I felt I was not very senior in terms of qualification(among Chinese writers).There are many good writers and my ranking was not so high.\" \"I am very happy,\" he said.\"I was having dinner when I received the news.I was surprised.\" \"Thank you for coming all the way to Gaomi.This should be a season of red sorghum, but no such crop is planted any more.I believe none of you have seen the crop,\" he said. \"The Nobel Literature Prize is a very important literature prize, but not the top award.It represents the opinions of the jury( ).I am satisfied with my major works and I still keep writing by hand.My works are Chinese literature, which is part of world literature.They show the life of Chinese people as well as the country's unique culture and folk customs.Meanwhile, my novels described human beings in the broad sense.I wrote in the perspective of a human being.These works stand beyond regions and ethnic groups,\" he said. \"The folk arts and folk culture accompanied my growth and I was influenced by the cultural elements I witnessed through my childhood.When I picked up the pen for literature creation, the folk cultural elements inevitably entered my novels and affected and even determined the artistic styles of my works,\" he added. Mo's win brought joy to other writers and readers throughout the country as he is the first Chinese national to win the Nobel Literature Prize in its century--long history. Born into a farmer's family in a village in Gaomi, Mo has been known since the late 1980s for his novels such asBig BreastsandWide Hips and Red Sorghum, which was later adapted into a film by director Zhang Yimou. \n Question: Mo Yan was surprised at winning the Nobel Prize because he felt  _  . \n Options: (A) he was not the best writer in China (B) he was not as famous as other writers (C) he was born in a farmer's family (D) he didn't have good education", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}34{"query": "Article: The day the letter arrived from my university telling me how much I owed them for my first semester, I felt a lump forming in my throat. I hadn't even started my degree and already I was in debt. But although the sum was unsettling, I had peace of mind: I had taken out a loan that would cover the next three years of tuition fees and living expenses. A government body in the UK, the Student Loans Company, provides loans to students whose parents cannot afford to cover the costs themselves. Students forward this amount to the university in advance and agree to repay the loan when they begin their first job. For me, it was a lot of money -around &6,000(60,860 Yuan) per year in total -and much more than I had ever been responsible for. I would receive a couple of thousand pounds per semester -half for tuition fees, half for living costs.  Even though I will be paying off my debt for a long time, I don't regret my decision.  Having a loan taught me a lot about money management, which I would not have learned otherwise. Each term I paid my tuition fees in one payment, but I also received my loan for living costs in one payment. It was up to me to organize how I would spend this.  I divided the amount to calculate my weekly budget and it was important that I tried not to overspend. I had to be disciplined and keep a close eye on my expenditure. Food, clothes and going out are the main things students spend money on.  With a loan, students have total financial freedom. Instead of having someone looking over their shoulder, they must make every financial decision for themselves.  This year, university fees were tripled. But when it comes to money management, perhaps this generation will be the smartest yet. \n Question: How did the writer feel when the letter arrived? \n Options: (A) Unsettled. (B) Calm. (C) Relieved. (D) Stressed.", "pos": "Article: When she graduates from Columbia University next year with a master's degree in Public health, Eric Wheeler is hoping to get a job in international reproductive  health. The 26-year-old post-graduate has always wanted to work in public service. But public service doesn't pay much, and her two-year program at Columbia costs about $50,000 a year with living expenses. She has a scholarship from Columbia that covers just $4,000 a year and has taken out loans to pay for the rest. She worries that she will spend years paying back her student loans and not have money left over to put away in an IRA. Wheeler is wondering what she can do to ease the pain of    being in debt. Is there anything she can do to handle the debt? The good news is that in 2007, Congress recognized that there were so many students in Wheeler's position that it passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. There were two programs established by this act that Wheeler should look into. The first is the income-based repayment plan, which allows lower-income graduates with a lot of debt to reduce their monthly payments. Depending on a graduate's income and level of debt, the program, which goes into effect July 1, could limit his or her annual educational loan debt repayment to 15 percent of discretionary income ,said Peter Mazareas, vice charman of the College Saving Foundation. The second is the public service loan forgiveness plan, in which the federal government will forgive the remaining debt of borrowers who make 10-year loan payment while working full time in public-service jobs. But the graduate must have a certain loan which is listed in the plan. Depending on the level of debt Wheeler ends up with and how much she repays over 10 years, Mazareas said she could end up with about $75,000 of her debt forgiven. \" Tipically, it is projected that a borrower who performs public service under this program will repay only about one-fourth to one-half as much money as a borrower who does not\", he said. He also pointed out that public service is broadly defined and includes any government and nonprofit organization job. \n Question: How much debt will Erin Wheeler be probably in when she graduate? \n Options: (A) $ 8,000 (B) $ 50,000 (C) $75,000 (D) $92,000", "neg": "Article: It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word \"congratulations. \"I don't remember ever smiling so wide. Then I looked at my financial package. The cost of Dream School's tuition , room and board was around $ 40,000- an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren't as famous as my first choice. In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn't sure what to do. One of the schools that _ had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents' financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, listen quietly. But I surprised myself. At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus  including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring. As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there. In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my \"dream\"university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me. \n Question: How did the author feel when he started to read the letter? \n Options: (A) He was lost in his dream. (B) He was full of joy. (C) He was worried about the money. (D) He was uncertain which school to go to.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}35{"query": "Article: There are three main forms of public transport in Singapore--trains,buses and taxis.  TRAINS Trains run from 6:00 am to midnight. Single trip tickets start at 80 cents. If you buy an EZ-Link card for $ 15,you can ride the trains and buses as you like. If you need more infor-mation, just call Train Station at 6222 5165. BUSES There are several bus services in Singapore and fares start at 80 cents. Be sure always to ask the driver the cost of your ticket as he can't give change. If you need help,just call Tran-sit Link at 1800 767 4333. TAXIS There are three main taxi companies--City Cab (6552 2222),Comfort (6552 1111) and Tibs (6552 8888). Booking can also be easy by calling the numbers listed above. RENTAL CARS   Driving in Singapore is a pleasure and if you like to travel at your own pace,renting a car is a good choice.Renting takes away the hassle of getting to places around Singapore.Just sit back and enjoy the city. It also means you'll get to see a lot more that a train or a bus won't let you see. For car rental? call Avis at + 65 6737 1668. \n Question: With an EZ-Link card, you can take_. \n Options: (A) only trains (B) both buses and trains (C) only rental cars (D) both buses and taxis", "pos": "Article: You know Australia is a big country, but you may not know how easy it is to get around. The _ beaches that go for miles and deserts that touch the horizon are just there, waiting to be reached and explored. The following are the different ways you can explore our vast country. Getting around Australia Air Flying is the best way to cover large distances in a short time. You can spend more time on the Australia's can't-miss landscapes and relaxing lifestyle. Moreover, competition among airlines makes great flying fees available for you. Drive Australia has a vast network of well-maintained roads and some of the most beautiful touring routes in the world. You have no difficulty finding car rental companies at major airports, central city locations, suburbs and attractions. Bus Bus travel in Australia is comfortable, easy and economical. Buses generally have air conditioning, reading lights, adjustable seats and videos. Services are frequent, affordable and efficient. Rail Train travel is the cheapest and gives you an insight into Australia's size and variety, all from the comfort of your carriage. Scheduled services are a great way to get quickly between our cities and regional centers. Ferry The Spirit of Tasmania runs a passenger and vehicle ferry service between Melbourne and Tasmania nightly. Extra services are running during summer rush hours. Sealink ferries connect South Australia and Kangaroo Island several times a day. Ferries connect suburbs in our capital cities. Walk With easy on the feet pedestrian streets, walking is a great way to get around our cities. Besides all the above, you can also experience some of the longest tracks and trails in the world in central Australia--impressive journeys of a thousand kilometers or more that can take several weeks to complete. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE about travelling in Australia? \n Options: (A) More travelers make the flying fees among airlines higher than before. (B) You can easily rent a car to explore its most beautiful touring routes. (C) Taking a bus tour is the most comfortable, economical and efficient way. (D) Train services can offer you more comfort than any other means of transport.", "neg": "Article: Singapore is a dynamic city-state where you will find a harmonious mixture of culture, cuisine, arts, people and architecture. If you have at least 5 hours to spare in transit before your next flight, join us in one of our free two-hour guided tours, which runs daily at regular times. Registration for the tour must be made at least one hour before the start of the tour. *HERITAGE TOUR Tour Timings: 9:00 am to 11:00 am    11:30 am to 1:30 pm    2:30 pm to 4:30 pm   4:00 pm to 6:00 pm The heritage tour has a short stopover at the Merlion Park before going to the Colonial District, Central Business District and Chinatown or Little India. The journey to the Merlion Park offers you a entire view of Singapore's landmarks like Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay. The tour will bring you through a discovery journey where you will have a glimpse of a unique mixture of East and West, tradition and modernity. It will be a splendid way for you to explore the history, culture and lifestyle of multi-racial Singapore while in your transit. *CITY LIGHT TOUR Tour Timings: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm As night falls, Singapore takes another look to offer an entertainment choice. The City Light Tour brings you to various attractions in Singapore. As the journey begins from Changi Airport towards Benjamin Sheares Bridge, you will get a wide view of Singapore's famous symbols- the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and Esplanade. Next, you will see the Helix  Bridge which is inspired by the double helix of our DNA structure. \n Question: If it is 2: 45pm now and Mike's plane is going to take off at 8:35pm, which is the best timing for him? \n Options: (A) 9:00 am to 11:00 am (B) 11:30 am to 1:30 pm (C) 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm (D) 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}36{"query": "Article: As shocking as the idea of baby birds growing up in a cigarette-filled home sounds, a new study suggests that some birds may benefit from putting the stuff from cigarette butts   into their nests. The nicotine remaining in smoked filters   may serve as a natural insecticide  , driving harmful insects away from the nests and the baby birds living within. Tobacco plants produce nicotine because it defends against insects that would otherwise eat the plants.               The butts are undoubtedly smelly. But birds are actually quite fond of smelly chemicals, such as those found in aromatic   plants. Some nest-building species regularly fill their nests with fresh aromatics, possibly because the chemicals are good for the immune system or the development of the chicks. Alternatively, the plant chemicals might act as insecticides.               In the study, researchers at the Autonomous University of Tlaxcala in Mexico set up heat traps, which attract harmful insects, in 55 nests around Mexico City. Some traps were lined with the stuff in smoked cigarette filters. The others were lined with the stuff from unsmoked cigarette filters, which did not contain nicotine and other smoking by-products. Whether the nest held eggs, chicks or nothing, the unsmoked cigarette traps collected more harmful insects, suggesting that it is the chemicals that drove harmful insects away.               In a second experiment, the researchers collected 28 house sparrow nests and 29 house finch   nests from Mexico City immediately after the chicks flew out for food. They found that the more smoked filter stuff filled a nest, the fewer harmful insects it had.               The missing piece of the puzzle is whether the reduced number of harmful insects in the nests actually provided any benefit to the chicks. It is also unclear if nicotine or another chemical found in cigarettes may have turned the harmful insects out of the nests.               If the results hold, then this study is an example of wildlife adaptation to urbanization - or at least evidence that birds are smart and can still follow their noses in urban environments. \n Question: What may be the function of nicotine in cigarette butts for birds? \n Options: (A) To provide building materials for bird nests. (B) To drive harmful insects away from bird nests. (C) To protect the plants from being eaten by insects. (D) To attract baby birds to stay in the nests.", "pos": "Article: If you look outside, you probably will see some kind of insect. If your first instinct is to kill it, take a moment to think about all of the benefits insects provide to the environment. Entomologists, scientists who study insects, estimate that there are more than 800,000 species of insects found throughout the world. Only a few hundred of these insects are considered harmful. Mosquitoes, for example, are considered harmful. They bite humans and other animals, and their bites can cause skin pain and spread disease. Desert locusts also are considered harmful because they destroy crops causing billions of dollars in damage each year. However, the number of helpful insect species far outweighs the number of harmful species. Some insects make up a vital part of the food chain. Many different birds, reptiles, fish and even plants eat insects. There are also about 500 insects that people in various parts of the world eat. These insects are considered delicious food and prized for their high protein, mineral, and vitamin content. Other insects produce valuable commercial products such as silk, wax, and honey. Of all the insects, perhaps the most important are those that travel from flower to flower and pollinate  the plants they visit. Agriculture around the world would be very different without the bees, butterflies, moths, flies and wasps that pollinate many crops. In fact, nearly one-third of the food you eat depends on plants that are pollinated by insects! While it is true that some species of insects harm or annoy us, _ . You may be destroying one of the hundreds of thousands of insects that provides many benefits to human beings. \n Question: According to the passage, the most important type of insects are   _  . \n Options: (A) insects that are eaten by birds, reptiles and fish (B) insects that travel around and pollinate plants (C) insects that harm mosquitoes and stop the spread of disease (D) insects that are eaten by people in many countries", "neg": "Article: When animals and plants use color1 to be noticed it is called advertising color1ation .Advertising color1ation can be used to either warn or attract animals.  The bright color1s of flowers and berries are advertising color1ation that attract animals.Flowers need to be pollinated to reproduce.Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to bright color1s and will pollinate the flowers.Some pollinated plants will produce berries.These berries will turn a bright color1 when they are ripe.The bright color1 lets berry-eating birds know the fruit is sweet and safe to eat.After birds eat the berries,the seeds will pass through their digestive system and be left behind.Some of the seeds left behind will grow into new plants!  Color is also used to attract mates. Many male birds like the northern cardinal are brightly color1ed to attract females.Bright feathers can be a sign of how healthy the bird is! Female birds are naturally attracted to healthier males because their offspring will be healthier.Female birds are often less colorful. This helps hide them when they are nesting.  Advertising color1ation is also used to warn animals away.The ladybug has bright orange wings with black spots.Its color1ing warns meat-eating animals that the ladybug tastes awful. The striped skunk has white stripes that are a warning to meat-eating animals that they may be in for a nasty surprise if they try to attack.  Some animals,like the red-eyed tree frog,may scare prey away with their color1, Red-eyed tree frogs sleep during the day.If a meat-eating animal comes up to them and they open their eyes,the bright red color1 of their eyes might shock the predator long enough to give the red-eyed flog time to hop away to safety. \n Question: Which of the following would the writer probably agree with? \n Options: (A) female northern cardinal may have color1ful and bright feathers. (B) Red - eyed tree frogs sleep during the day with their eyes open. (C) the striped skunk use white stripes to attract their animals (D) the color1 of the ladybugs tells meat-eating animals they taste terrible", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}37{"query": "Article: Bungee jumping is an activity about jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord . The tall structure is usually a fixed object, such as a building, bridge or crane; but it is also possible to jump from a movable object, such as a hot-air balloon or helicopter, that has the ability to stay over one place on the ground; fixed-wing aircraft are unsuitable because they only stay high when moving quickly forward. When the person jumps, the cord stretches to absorb  the energy of the fall, then the jumper flies upwards again as the cord jumps back. The jumper oscillates up and down until all the energy is used up. The word bungee first appeared around 1930 and was the name for a rubber eraser. The first modern bungee jumps were made on 1 April 1979 from the 250-foot Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, by David Kirk, Chris Baker and Alan Weston of the Dangerous Sports Club. The jumpers continued with jumps in the US from the Golden Gate and Royal Gorge bridges, spreading the concept worldwide. By 1982 they were jumping from mobile cranes and hot-air balloons. Later they put on commercial shows, which began in 1986. As with any sport, injuries can still happen, and there have been deaths. A relatively common mistake in the cases that may cause death is to use a cord that is too long. The cord should be fully shorter than the height of the jumping place to allow it room to jumper either starts to slow down or keeps speeding up depending upon the speed of falling. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT suitable for bungee jumping? \n Options: (A) The fixed-wing aircraft (B) The helicopter (C) The hot-air balloon (D) The mobile crane", "pos": "Article: Surfing--the art of riding a wave on a pointed board--is the wildest, fastest natural water sport known to man. In recent years, it has developed into a major sport around the world, from Australia to South Africa. Australians brave  men--eating sharks to ride the green waves Down Under, Hawaiian experts risk(...) their lives on huge, thirty foot swells  against the wind of Oahu; Californians of all ages go out the year-round. In the winter, surf-riders put on life-suits to ride grave waves so cold that their flesh turns blue. Surfing is no sport for weak persons. Swimming a quarter of a mile or more, and pushing a surfboard out to where the swells are just right for riding, can be real work. Then, at exactly the right moment, you climb up the wave and go fast across the face of a powerful swell with the white water jumping at your feet. The huge wave bites at your shoulder, threatening  at any moment to smash your flat. In the next several seconds, a cool head and lightning--quick action back to the pressure of the attacking wave will bring your board under control for that great ride down the back of the great, green mountain of water. Once on the beach, you know why surfing is growing in popularity as an international sport, and you're glad to be a member of this new water world. \n Question: The author believes that surfing   _  . \n Options: (A) is not an easy sport (B) can be done by anyone (C) should be done by everyone (D) does not require courage", "neg": "Article: Bungee jumping is not a new activity. Men on Pentecost Island in the South Pacific have been doing land jumping for hundreds of years. The men tie long vines  from plants around their ankles . They spend days building tall towers out of vines and logs . Then they jump off _  According to their beliefs, the first land diver was a woman. She decided to run away from her rude husband. So she climbed up a tall tree and tied some vines around her feet. Her husband also climbed up the tree and tried to catch her, but the woman jumped and the man followed. The vines saved her life, but her husband died. This ancient custom caught the interest of some students at Oxford University in England. In the late 1970s, they formed a group called the Dangerous Sports Club. They were some of the first people to test several of what are now called extreme sports. They are said to have invented modern bungee jumping. In the spring of 1979, members of the group jumped off the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England. They were attached to the bridge by a bungee cord, a long elastic rope that stretches. The group soon received even more attention when they organized a bungee jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. A man named A. J. Hackett of New Zealand decided to make the sport into a business. He started developing bungee ropes and material with a friend. They held a major jump in 1987 off the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. They later got permission to open the first bungee jumping operation on the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, New Zealand. Many people paid 75 dollars to jump off the bridge with a bungee cord attached to their ankles. \n Question: The Dangerous Sports Club first caught people's attention when they jumped off  _  . \n Options: (A) the Eiffel Tower (B) the Kawarau Bridge (C) the Golden Gate Bridge (D) the Clifton Suspension Bridge", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}38{"query": "Article: I've done many things that would make any parent proud. I've taken part in sports, community work and school events, but I am most proud to be a good big brother. I have to watch over four sisters and a brother, plus myself. That's quitea task, but one I feel I have gotten good at. My brother needs more attention than most siblings. When he was nine, he was hit by a pick-up truck on the way to the bus stop and lost use of the lower two-thirds of his body. He's been in a wheelchair for six years. My brother does many things, but sometimes he tries to do things he used to do but can't now. I' m always there with words of encouragement. I now watch my brother struggle to do as many things as he can within and beyond his limits. Should he fall, I will be the person to pick him up. I also watch as my younger sisters grow up into intelligent, beautiful young women. Whenever my brother or sisters need a helping hand or words of encouragement, I'm on the job. That's what I, the big brother, am for. \n Question: How many people are probably there in the author's family?   _  . \n Options: (A) 5 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 8", "pos": "Article: Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power of friendship.It is a program which provides friendship and fun by matching  _ (ages 7-17) with a volunteer  adult who can be both a role model and a supportive friend.   Volunteer tutors come from all walks of life--married, single, with or without children. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not replacement parents or social workers. They are tutors: someone to trust, to have fun with, to talk and go to when needed. A Big Sister and Little Sister will generally spend between one and four hours together three or four times each month for at least twelve months. They enjoy simple activities such as a picnic at a park, cooking, playing sport or going to a football match. These activities improve the friendship and help the young person develop positive self-respect, confidence and life direction. Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations exist throughout the world. It is the large and most well-known provider of tutor services internationally and has been operating for 25 years. Emily and Sarah have been matched since 2008. Emily is a 10-year-old girl who has experienced some difficulties being accepted by her schoolmates at school. \" I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me.\" Emily's mum came across Big Brothers Big Sisters and thought it would be helpful to Emily by \"providing different feedback   about herself other than just depending on schoolmates to value her self-worth. Sarah wanted to take part in a volunteer program. \"I googled it and found out how to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun for me to take part in making time to do something because sometimes it is all work and no play.\" Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helpful and enjoyable to both Emily and Sarah. They love and look forward to their time together and the partnership has certainly helped Emily be more comfortable in being the wonderful, happy and unusually good girl she is! \n Question: What is the aim of Big Brothers Big Sisters? \n Options: (A) To offer students public services. (B) To help students improve their grades. (C) To organize sport activities for young people. (D) To provide partnership and fun for young people.", "neg": "Article: I was the youngest of five boys and also had four sisters who had to pull together and take care of each other. Dad wasn't around, so I never knew him well. He killed himself when I was three years old, leaving mom with the job of raising nine kids. She was a very hard worker, and in order to make ends meet, she hardly ever rested. With my mom as my example, I learned that hard work is the best way to get what you want. Even as a little boy, I knew I was going to be successful. Regardless of what I chose, I wanted to make my brothers, sisters and mom proud of me--not only by being successful in what I chose to do, but also as a person who could be looked up to for the right reasons. Surprising as it might seem, basketball wasn't in my plans. One day, my mom cut a rim  off an old water barrel  and then held it up for me to throw an old rubber ball through. By junior high, I started playing basketball on a team. I loved to compete. For me, it paid off. I always put the effort in, every day. I am grateful for the life I've enjoyed as a basketball star. Basketball is not life. It can be exciting. But the most important thing about basketball is that it gives me a way to do good things for others as I move through this journey called life. \n Question: It can be inferred that the author's  _  . \n Options: (A) brothers were more famous than him (B) mother had a great influence on his career (C) father loved his children and wife very much (D) family was rich and happy when he was a child", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}39{"query": "Article: In the US and Britain, the slogan around colleges was \"Save water. Shower with a friend.\" Now, Wuhan University has come up with another system for the campus bathhouse. It charges students for the amount of time in a shower. Before entering the bathhouse, students pay for the amount of time they want in the shower with cash or their student ID card. The clock starts ticking the minute the tape is turned on. It pauses when a button is pressed for soap. An integrated circuit (IC) card reader at each tap shows the time. No money, no water. The benefits of the new system can be seen with the old system, which charged 1 Yuan for each person regardless of time in the shower. The university used about 320 tons of water daily under the old system, but only 160 tons now. Many students use the new system but opinions on it are divided. Some students say it is bad because bathing had become a sort of race. Many people using it for the first time are not sure how long they need to shower. Some might be embarrassed if their time is up and they're still covered in soap. They have to ask the bathhouse worker to help them buy extra time. \"It's a _ in the system that you can not buy extra time on the ID card,\" said Ren, a freshman in Wuhan University. The university is also considering some students' suggestions that they be allowed to pay after they've finished the shower. Not surprisingly, some are complaining about losing the hour shower. But many students say the move helps them develop a water-saving sense. Without the time limits, most students tended to shower for 30 to an hour in the bathhouse. Some even used the hot water to wash their clothes. \"In my experience, 10--20 minutes is enough,\" said Dai Zhihua, a third-year student who usually takes 8 minutes. A similar system has been installed in other universities. Shanghai Normal University introduced it at its Fengxiang Campus in September. The bathing fee there is 0.2 Yuan per minute. One male student responded by setting a record with a two-minute shower. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true? \n Options: (A) Students buy the time of their showers. (B) The clock times the student's bathing except when the bather pauses for soap. (C) If money runs out, there will be no water. (D) Having finished bathing, the student has to pay for it.", "pos": "Article: BEIJING--Seven prestigious universities in China announced Sunday that they would begin using the same independent exam --besides the national one --to test students hoping to gain entrance to them in 2011. The seven are Peking University, Beihang University, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Fudan University, Xiamen University and Hong Kong University. Students who want to gain entrance to any of the seven universities will only have to sit one independent exam, according to the joint announcement. \"This will help lighten the students' load, otherwise they must take several exams for different universities ,\"said the announcement. Passing the exam could result in more than one interview chance, giving the students more opportunities to choose their favorite universities. China' s college entrance exam system is undergoing reform as universities aim to select students based on independent criteria rather than just using the results of the national exam. In 2003, Peking University and another 21 universities were allowed to pilot   the reform by using their own criteria to independently select five percent of their students. Now nearly 80 universities across the country have the right to select talented students based on their own exams. Education experts regard universities selecting students according to independent examinations as conducive   to better understanding where the students' talents lie. Although this may be the case, it has also created problems as students may sit many different exams as they often apply for a number of universities. To relieve students from such pressures, the national education outline (2010--2020) released in July this year encourages high-level universities to group together to use the same exams. \n Question: If students want to be admitted to the seven prestigious universities, they can  _  . \n Options: (A) only pass the interview. (B) only take the national exam. (C) only take the independent exam. (D) either take the national exam or take the independent exam.", "neg": "Article: As is known to us all, baths and bathing have long been considered of medical importance to man. In Greece there are the ruins of a water system for baths built over 3,000 years ago. The Romans had warm public baths. In some baths, as many 3,000 persons could bathe at the same time. Treating disease by taking bathing has been popular for centuries. Modern medical bathing first became popular in Europe and by the late 1700's has also become popular in the United States. For many years frequent  bathing was believed to be bad for one's health. Ordinary bathing just to keep clean was avoided, and _ was often used to cover up body smells! By the 1700's doctors began to say that soap and water were good for health. They believed that it was good for people to be clean. Slowly, people began to bathe more frequently. During the Victorian Age of the late 19th century, taking a bath on Saturday night became common. In the United States ordinary bathing was slow to become popular. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, many Americans were known as \"The Great Unwashed!\" In one American city, for example, a person was only allowed to take a bathe every thirty days! That was a law! Frequency of bathing today is partly a matter of habit. People know that bathing for cleanliness is important to health, Doctors know that dirty bodies increase the chance of diseases. As a result, in the United States, people generally bathe often. Some people bath once a day at least. They consider a daily bath essential (=\"necessary)\" to good health. \n Question: A water system for baths was built by   _   over 3,000 years ago. \n Options: (A) the Greeks (B) the Romans (C) the Americans (D) the Europeans", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}40{"query": "Article: Expensive and new gloves allow chatterboxes to take the term \"handsfree\" to a new level--by talking into them as they make a call. The gloves are known as \"Talk to the Hand\" and cost PS1,000 a pair. They fixed a speaker unit into the thumb and a microphone into the little finger that can be connected to any mobile handset using Bluetooth. Artist Sean Miles designed the new gloves that double as a phone in part of his project that shows the possibilities of gadget(,) recycling. He uses outdated gloves and combines them with parts from mobile handsets recycled through _ , which commissioned the project. Mobile phone users will be able to keep their hands warm while they chat without taking their phones out of their pockets or handbags. Mr Miles designed two pairs of the new gloves--one in pink and the other in brown and yellow. They will appear in an exhibition this July and visitors will be able to win the gloves. If demand is high, they will then be produced on a larger scale. O2 Recycle, which backed the project, estimates that there are already 70 million unused mobile handsets in the UK. The service pays up to PS260 to those who recycle gadgets including phones, handheld consoles, MP3 players and digital cameras. Designer Sean Miles hopes his work will get people thinking about recycling. The 41-year-old said, \"I hope that my 'Talk to the Hand' project will get people to think again about the waste created by not recycling gadgets. If a few more people recycle their gadgets rather than send them to trash, I think this project will have fulfilled its aim.\" Bill Eyres, head of O2 Recycle, urges people to recycle their phone responsibly. He said, \"There's a pressing need for all of us to look at outdated handsets, and all the gadgets that we move on from or upgrade each year. Whether they are consoles or cameras, we should think of them as a resource that we need to recycle responsibly rather than throw them away.\" \n Question: Consumers can buy the \"Talk to the Hand\" gloves   _  . \n Options: (A) in the exhibition (B) from Mr Miles (C) when they are mass produced (D) after they recycle the gadgets", "pos": "Article: Have you ever felt annoyed when left talking to yourself after your mobile phone battery runs out in the middle of a call? If yes, then here comes some good news. Scientists are now perfecting a way to recharge electrical equipment while on the move.     Researchers from theprefix = st1 /Netherlands,FranceandPortugalannounced last week that they have developed very thin solar panels that can be put on clothes. They can also be added to furniture and rooftops. They change light from the sun into electricity.     In about three years, you'll be able to wear a jacket that will recharge your phone as you walk. For camping fans, the development could lead to a tent which charges batteries all day so you can have light or music at night.     The basic technology of wearable solar panels is the same as that used for traditional solar panels. Pairs of sheets of semi-conducting silicon   are linked together to form the panel. But scientists made them much thinner by using different silicon. At one micrometre, they are of the same thickness as photographic film.     \"This technology will make it easier for people to use clean energy sources,\" said a physicist in theNetherlandswho led the team of scientists. But the thin panels are not as efficient as the thicker ones. While some solar panels now operate at an efficiency of about 20 per cent, the new flexible   panels are only 7 per cent efficient. But the thinner panel is cheaper. An A4 sized panel put onto the back of a jacket cost less than US$13. It could charge a cellphone during a summer walk in the countryside. As long as you stay within range of the transmitting masts   that relay a call to the networks, phones will never again run out of power. \n Question: The passage is written to   _  . \n Options: (A) advertise a new product (B) explain how a new product works (C) introduce a new product (D) comepare different ways to use solar energy", "neg": "Article: Gimmicky--and expensive--new gloves allow chatterboxes to take the term 'handsfree'   to a new level--by talking into them as they make a call.     The gloves are known as 'Talk to the Hand' and costPS1.000 a pair. They come with a speaker unit embedded into the thumb and a microphone built into the little finger that can be connected to any mobile handset using Bluetooth.Artist Sean Miles designed the gloves that double as a phone in part of his project that shows the possibilities of gadget recycling.He combines gloves with parts from mobile handsets recycled through O2,which commissioned the project. Mobile phone users will be able to keep their hands warm while they chat without taking   their phone out of their pocket or handbag. Mr Miles designed two pairs of the new gloves--one in pink and the other in brown and   yellow.They will appear in an exhibition this July and visitors will be able to win the gloves.If demand is high,they will then be produced on a larger scale. O2 Recycle,which backs the project,estimates that there are already 70 million unused   mobile handsets in the UK.The service pays those who recycle gadgets including phones,MP3   players and digital cameras.     Designer Scan Miles,hopes his work will get people thinking about recycling.The 41-year-old said:\"I hope that my Talk to the Hand project will get people to think again about   the waste created by not recycling gadgets.If a few more people recycle their gadgets rather   than send them to landfill ,I think this project will have fulfilled its aim.\" The Talk to the Hand mobile phone gloves are the second product in a series that O2  Recycle and Miles have created.Miles is now working on combining phones with handbags--so people don't spend time rummaging around in their bags to find a phone when it rings. \n Question: For what purpose is the text written? \n Options: (A) To show the harmfulness of old handsets. (B) To introduce Sean Miles'new designs. (C) To warn people not to throw electronic waste. (D) To ask more people to join O2 Recycle.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}41{"query": "Article: Hundreds of students from around the world gathered in New York City last week for the Microsoft Imagine Cup finals. They came to present their ideas for using technology to solve world problems. Microsoft education director Suzi Levine says the nine-year-old program began mainly as a competition to create technology. SUZI LEVINE: \"When we realized that students really actually want to have a purpose for what they're creating, we introduced the idea of inspiring them with the UN Millennium Development Goals and suggesting that they use those for their muse . \"This past year we also rolled out something called the Imagine Cup Solve This library , where IGOs, NGOs and nonprofits can submit some of the technical challenges that they would like students to consider for their solutions.\" Microsoft says over 350,000 high school and college students registered for this year's competition. Judges chose more than four hundred of them to attend the finals. SUZI LEVINE: \"One from Thailand was called NewKrean, where they created a Windows Phone 7 application that allows you to broadcast your location to your social network of friends so that you can be more easily rescued.\" They named their application Terra. Suzi Levine says there were also ideas from Egypt inspired by the revolution that _ president Hosni Mubarak in February. SUZI LEVINE: \"One was to use Bluetooth as sort of a Twitter equivalent so that if the government shuts down the Internet, you actually can still have a massive social distribution.\" Students competed in nine categories. For example, in software design the top prize of twenty-five thousand dollars went to Team Hermes from Ireland. The students developed a device for cars to collect information on road conditions, driving behavior and traffic incidents. A team from Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University won first place in the embedded  development category. They developed a network of wireless devices to help plot the safest escape routes during a fire. Next year's awards ceremony will take place in Australia. Registration for Imagine Cup twenty-twelve opened Friday. Also, Microsoft announced plans for a three million dollar program to help Imagine Cup winners further develop their projects. \n Question: Which of the following is true ? \n Options: (A) The program is sponsored by Microsoft. (B) Next year, the awards ceremony will be held in New York City. (C) Any high school or college student can attend the finals. (D) The initial purpose of the program is to solve world problems using technology.", "pos": "Article: The Camp Invention Program will be held through July at the Hillcrest Intermediate School, North Huntingdon. It exposes children to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through hands-on activities.      The Camp Invention Program, created by Invent Now Kids, was founded in 1990. Now it has grown to include almost l,500 sites across the U. S., with thousands of children attending the program each year.      \"Our main purpose is to help children develop a greater interest in the fields of STEM,\" said Lori Bryne, the Senior Regional Program Manager. Children in the camp will be given the opportunity to explore the unknown and put ideas into practice.      The program will challenge children to real world situations that will help them build a team spirit and life skills.      The program will include five modules this year.      One module will feature \"Problem Solving on Planet ZAK\". It will challenge children by creating a world of science fiction. Imitating a \"crash\" onto a planet, children will be asked to figure out ways to stay safe, find food and to \"rebuild\" their spacecraft, using a variety of common objects.      Another module will be \"Saving Sludge City\" which will have children find ways to create a cleaner and eco-friendly city.     \"Imagination Point: Ride Physics\" asks children to work as interns   in the world's newest and largest theme park called \"Imagination Point\". Children will learn the basic principles of motion through hands-on activities related directly to rides.      Another feature of the camp will be the \"I Can Invent\" which will focus on the real world of inventions by having children explore the process of invention.      The final module will be \"Global Games\" which will introduce games ranging from those played in ancient times to the present day to children.      \"We want to encourage children to go into the fields of STEM,\" Bryne said. \"This program is a fun way to do that.\" \n Question: According to the text, the Camp Invention Program  _  . \n Options: (A) has rapidly developed (B) is held every other year (C) was organized by Lori Bryne (D) has been in existence for 24 years", "neg": "Article: To Whom It May Concern: prefix = st1 /Chengdu #7 High School is proud to send an Odyssey of the MindTeam to World Competition this year. They competed inShanghaifor the National Competition and were selected to go to World. The World Competition will be held at the University of Maryland in theUnited Statesat the end of May. Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition. Teams of up to seven students will solve a complex problem using innovative ideas and materials. They will be judged on originality in three separate categories. Odyssey of the Mind competitions emphasize team work and creative \"out of the box\" solutions.  The strength of this program is that the solutions are the work of the students only - neither coaches nor parents are allowed input. During the competition the students must work together as a team and think spontaneously and creatively. Chengdu #7 is a key High School in the fields of science and mathematics. This is the first time they have had an opportunity to attend the Odyssey of the MindWorld Competition. For the seven team members and three coaches (teachers) it will be the first time to visit theUnited States. It will cost each student approximately 20,000 RMB for the twelve-day trip. They have been working hard for this opportunity for a year. Traditionally businesses have supported Odyssey of the Mindbecause it produces students who can work as a team and solve problems creatively. We are asking your company for a donation to help defer the expenses for these deserving students. Please make out checks toChengdu#7 and specify Odyssey of the Mind. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated and will help us to continue to prepare our students for tomorrow's world.  Sincerely yours, Chengdu #7 High School  #1 Linyin St. Chengdu, 610041 \n Question: This passage is actually   _  . \n Options: (A) an application (B) a document (C) a website (D) a letter", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}42{"query": "Article: My favourite book is The Adventure of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.Tom lives with his aunt Polly in a quiet street of St. Petersburg, Missouri.He's a lively and clever young boy,and he finds himself in many exciting adventures.He runs away with his two friends,Huck Finn and Joe,to an island in the middle of the Mississippi River for several days.With Huck he goes looking for treasure, with Becky he gets lost in a cave.and finally,they find a box of gold. My favourite scene in the book is when everyone thinks Tom is dead.He decides to go to his own funeral.He hides and watches for a time and then suddenly he appears. Everyone is astonished to see him but they're also pleased to see him alive. Tom is the hero of the story,but there are other important characters.Huck is an outsider and everyone is afraid of him.Becky is pretty with fair hair,Joe is Tom's best friend.and Injun Joe is the bad man of the story. The theme of the  story  is about children growing up.It describes how strangers are seen in small towns of America. Finally, it talks about freedom,social rules and how people are  punished for bad behaviour. Why do I think The Adventure of Tom Sawyer is a great book? Mark Twain wrote the story in 1876,but it's still read and loved by people all over the world today. And although it's only a story, Twain wrote it in the everyday English of the southern states of America in  the 19th century,so it sounds very real. Today it's thought to be one of the greatest books in American literature. Go on--- read it! I know you'll enjoy it,too. \n Question: .How did people feel when Tom appeared at his own funeral ? \n Options: (A) They were surprised and happy. (B) They were surprised and sad (C) They were worried and excited. (D) They were frightened and happy.", "pos": "Article: Treasure Island isn't a true story,  _  armed to the teeth and ready to go treasure hunting. But you will find, as you read this book, that although pirates can be murderous and treacherous ,they can also be cowardly, superstitious, and easily led. As it turns out, that is fortunate for Jim Hawkins.     It's a brilliant story. Billy Bones, a retired seaman, comes to live at the Admiral Benbow inn. Jim is just a boy, but he can see that Billy Bones is a nervous man, always on the look-out for strangers arriving at the inn. And well he might be nervous, because he carries with him in his battered old sea-chest a map drawn by Captain Flint himself giving the whereabouts of all Flint's buried treasure! Captain Flint! -the most feared pirate ever to travel the high seas.     Well,Flint is dead, but there are plenty of men who served with Captain Flint still alive who will feel they have a fair claim to the treasure. The map, though, ends up in the possession of Jim Hawkins---(it's a near thing, read the book to see how that happens)     Jim tells the secret in the local doctor, who quickly joins forces to acquire a ship and crew to sail for Treasure Island     There's a famous scene where Jim, hiding in the apple barrel on deck, discovers that mutiny is planned. It's a bad moment. The numbers suggest that the pirates are going to have it all their own way. There are nineteen mutineers and seven honest men, including Jim.     And now, you will have to read the book for yourself. This is a fantastic tale of cheat, bravery and cowardice. I don't know how things would have turned out if it hadn't been for Jim Hawkins. For it is Jim who single-handedly steals the Hispaniola from under the very noses of the pirates and sails her round the island to a secret beaching place.     And do you know what happens to Long John Silver, the greatest double-crosser of them all? No? Well, don't expect me to tell you. Don't be nervous of reading a 'classic'. I know it was published a long time ago, but that doesn't mean it is difficult to read. There is one piece of advice I will give, though. I don't think this book is ever out of print---there are hundreds of different copies around. If you can, choose a copy with large enough print to be able to read comfortably, and exciting illustrations. It makes all the difference.     Go ahead! Read the book. I think you'll love it. \n Question: According to this passage, which word can best describe Jim Hawkins? \n Options: (A) brave (B) fearful (C) artificial (D) tricky", "neg": "Article: Many of the stories written by Mark Twain take place in Hannibal, Missouri. The small wooden house where he lived as a boy still stands there. Next to the house is a wooden fence. It is the kind described in Twain's book, \"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,\" published in1876. In that story, Tom has been told to paint the fence. He does not want to do it. But he acts as if the job is great fun. He tricks other boys into believing this. His trick is so successful that they agree to pay him money to let them finish his work. \"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer\" is considered one of the best books about an American boy's life in THE the1800s. Tom Sawyer's good friend is Huckleberry, or \"Huck,\" Finn. Mark Twain tells this boy's story in \"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.\" Huck is a poor child, without a mother or home. His father drinks too much alcohol and beats him. Huck's situation has freed him from the restrictions of society. He explores in the woods and goes fishing. He stays out all night and does not go to school. He smokes tobacco. Huck runs away from home. He meets Jim, a black man who has escaped from slavery. They travel together on a raft made of wood down the Mississippi River. Huck describes the trip:  \"It was lovely to live on the raft. Other places seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft... Sometimes we'd have that whole river to ourselves for the longest time... We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them---. \" \n Question: The reason why Huck runs away from home is that   _  . \n Options: (A) his family is poor (B) he wants to find a friend live with (C) there's no warn in his home (D) he loves nature and likes to adventure", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}43{"query": "Article: Some mothers in Senegal are learning a new way to save the lives of babies born too soon. The idea is borrowed from the way mother kangaroos carry their young in front in a pouch. The baby kangaroo stays in this built-in baby carrier until it can survive independently. Kangaroo mother care is also known as the skin-to-skin method for premature  babies. The direct contact with the mother keeps the baby warm. It also lets the baby breastfeed  at any time. The mother's heartbeat also helps control the baby's breathing rate. Every year, seven thousand babies are born at the health center where Ousmane Ndiaye works in Guediaway, outside Dakar. One in five is underweight. But Senegal has few incubators  in which to keep premature babies warm. In Africa, one newborn in twenty dies. A major reason is prematurity, so the death rates are among the highest in the world. Doctor Ndiaye says babies who weigh less than two kilos get special attention from _ who assist with the births. They teach the mother how to keep the baby wrapped to her chest. The health center has a Kangaroo Clinic, a special area for teaching this method. Doctor Ndiaye says they plan to expand the program throughout Senegal. But he believes the best way to get more people to use the kangaroo method is for mothers who have used the method to tell others about it. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT the advantage of the kangaroo method? \n Options: (A) The babies can get warmth from their mothers (B) It is convenient for mothers to feed their babies (C) The direct skin contact reduce the risk of failing ill (D) The mother's heartbeat helps the baby breathe normally", "pos": "Article: Money, jewels and important documents are not the only valuable placed in banks these days. Some mothers store their breast milk in banks. There're ten breast banks set up across the United States, where mothers can donate their extra milk for other women's babies. Experts say breast milk is the best food for babies. The World Health Organization says it is the only food babies should get during the first six months of life, in most cases. Breast milk is especially important for babies born too early. Sometimes these premature babies must stay in the hospital for many weeks. James Cameron is a doctor who treats newborns at Lutheran Children's Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He says breast milk is almost like medicine. Doctor James Cameron said, \"The fact is that there are so many different proteins and specialized sugars in the breast milk that the mom's able to make that help provide immunity. It's very important for the health of the newborn.\" There are several reasons some mothers may not be able to breastfeed. Some are not able to produce enough milk. Others might be taking medicines or have medical problems that prevent the process. Lucy Baur lives near Fort Wayne. She fed her milk to both her children and always had more milk than they needed. She wanted to donate to the Indiana Mothers Milk Bank in Indianapolis. But freezing and shipping milk can be costly. Then, a donor station opened near her home. Milk donations in the United States work like this: Donors must be willing to provide almost three liters of breast milk. They freeze the milk and take it to the station. There, employees warm the milk and mix it with other mothers' milk. Then, the milk is heated to kill bacteria. After that, the technicians test samples of all the milk to make sure it is safe and healthful. The milk is re-frozen and sent to the main milk bank. The milk bank transports the milk to hospitals to feed premature or sick babies. Donors are tested for diseases before any milk is accepted. _ are not permitted to smoke tobacco, use illegal drugs or drink too much alcohol. \n Question: The purpose of setting up breast milk banks is to  _  . \n Options: (A) store extra fresh milk for school children (B) provide milk to children who go hungry (C) help mothers donate milk to other babies (D) offer free breast milk to premature babies", "neg": "Article: A dog a newborn baby abandoned by its 14-year-old mother in a field in rural Argentina until the boy was rescued, a doctor said on August 22 (Friday). A resident of a rural area outside La Plata called police late Wednesday night to say that he had heard the baby crying in a field behind his house. The man went outside and found the infant lying beside the dog and its six newborn puppies, Daniel Salcedo, chief of police of the Province of Buenos Aires, told CNN. The temperature was a chilly  37 degrees, Salcedo said. The dog had apparently carried the baby some 50 meters from where his mother had abandoned him to where the puppies were huddled, police said. \"She took it like a puppy and rescued it,\" Salcedo said. \"The doctors told us if she hadn't done this, he would have died.\" \"The dog is a hero to us.\" Dr. Egidio Melia, director of the Melchor Romero Hospital in La Plata, told CNN that police showed up at the hospital at 11:30 pm Wednesday with the baby who doctors say was only a few hours old. Though the infant had superficial scratches   and bruises   and was bleeding from his mouth, he was in good shape, Melia said. The next morning, the child's mother was driven by a neighbor to the hospital and told authorities the 8-pound, 13-ounce infant is hers, Melia said. The teenager was immediately give psychological treatment and was hospitalized, he said. She has said little about the incident. The child has been transferred to a children's hospital in La Plata, 37 miles from Buenos Aires. \n Question: According to the passage , which statement is true? \n Options: (A) It's hard for the infant to recover soon. (B) The puppies were running here and there all the time (C) The temperature was very high at that time. (D) But for the mother do", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}44{"query": "Article: Attitude is an internal  state that influences the choices of personal action made by the individual . Some researchers consider that attitudes come from differences between beliefs and ideas; others believe that attitudes come from emotional states. Here, we focus on the effects of attitudes upon behavior, that is, upon the choices of action made by the individual. The kinds of actions taken by human beings are obviously influenced greatly by attitudes. Whether one listens to classical music or rock, whether one obeys the speed limit while driving, whether one encourages one's husband or wife to express his or her own ideas-all are influenced by attitudes. These internal states are acquired  throughout life from situations one is faced with in the home, in the streets, and in the school. Of course, the course of action chosen by an individual in any situation will be largely determined by the particulars of that situation. An individual who has a strong attitude of obeying laws may drive too fast when he is in a hurry and no police cars in sight. A child who has a strong attitude of honesty may steal a penny when she thinks no one will notice. But the internal state which remains unchanged over a period of time, and which makes the individual behave regularly in a variety of situations, is what is meant by an attitude. Attitudes are learned in a variety of ways. They can result from single events, as when an attitude toward snakes is acquired by an experience in childhood at the sudden movement of a snake. They can result from the individual's experiences of success and pleasure, as when someone acquires a positive attitude toward doing crossword puzzles by being able to complete some of them. And frequently, they are learned by copying other people's behavior, as when a child learns how to behave toward foreigners by observing the actions of his parents. Regardless of these differences, there is something in common in the learning and modification  of attitudes. \n Question: According to the passage, attitudes  _  . \n Options: (A) come from different situations in one's life (B) are largely affected by one's behavior (C) remain unchanged in one's daily life (D) could be chosen according to one's will", "pos": "Article: Attitude is one of the most important factors in determining success for all people.Successful people have one thing in common--an expectant   attitude of success.Most people begin each morning in neutral and react to events of the day.You can be one of the successful people in life by starting each day with a positive attitude, a gratitude for the opportunities you have, and an expectancy   of the best for yourself.     People tend to live up to expectations.We get out of life just about what we put into it.Our environment becomes a mirror of our spirit, our attitude, and expectations.If we set a great goal, we get great results.If we have a fair goal, we accomplish fair results, and if we have a poor goal, we accomplish poor results.The world will give you back what you expect, so expect the very best.Don't be defensive or doubtful.Nothing changes unless you do.Before you can do something, you've got to be something.Know that you have worth and value.Show that to the world.     Treat everyone you come in contact with as the most important person in life.It will build self-esteem  .Smile! You'll be rewarded with a returned smile.Don't react to others rudely.Forgive everyone who ever hurt you.Then, forgive yourself.Keep yourself healthy.Exercise.Eat a proper diet.Display an attitude of confidence.     Develop these good habits and your expectancy will be rewarded by successes.This attitude will put you into that group of people who are truly successful, because you will know and understand how an expectant attitude enhances   every aspect of your life. \n Question: According to the author, we are likely to achieve success if we  _  . \n Options: (A) take a positive attitude (B) hold on to our dreams (C) have a good opportunity (D) show gratitude every day", "neg": "Article: People have wondered for a long time how their personalities and behaviors are formed. It's not easy to explain why one person is intelligent and another is not, or why one is cooperative and another is competitive. Social scientists are, of course, extremely interested in these types of question. They want to explain why we possess certain characteristics and exhibit certain behaviors. There are no clear answers yet, but two distinct schools of thought on the matter have developed. As one might expect, the two approaches are very different from each other, and there is a great deal of debate between _ of each theory. The argument is often conveniently referred to as nature vs. nurture. Those who support the \"nature\" side of the conflict believe that our personalities and behavior patterns are largely determined by biological and genetic factors. That our environment has little, if anything, to do with our abilities, characteristics and behavior is central to this theory. Taken to an extreme, this theory maintains that our behavior is predetermined to such a great degree that we are almost completely governed by our instincts . Proponents of the \"nurture\" theory, or, as they are often called, behaviorists, claim that our environment is more important than our biologically based instincts in determining how we will act. Behaviorists see humans as beings whose behavior is almost completely shaped by their surroundings. Their view of the human being is quite mechanistic; they maintain that, like machines, humans respond to environmental stimuli (something that helps sb./ sth. to develop better and more quickly)as the basis of their behavior. The social and political connections of these two theories are significant. In the United States, for example, blacks often score below whites on standardized intelligent test. This leads some \"nature\" proponents to conclude that blacks are genetically worse than whites. Behaviorists, in contrast, say that the differences in scores are due to the fact that blacks are often robbed of many of the educational and other environmental advantages  that whites enjoy, and that, as a result ,they do not develop the same responses that whites do. Neither of these theories can yet fully explain human behavior. In fact, it is quite likely that the key to our behavior lies somewhere between these two extremes. That the argument will continue for a long time is certain. \n Question: The author is mainly concerned about solving the problem  _  . \n Options: (A) why our personalities and behaviors differ (B) what makes different stages of intelligence (C) how social scientists form different theories (D) what causes the \"nature/ nurture\" argument", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}45{"query": "Article: Home to me means a sense of familiarity and nostalgia . It's fun to come home. It looks the same. It smells the same. You'll realize what's changed is you. Home is where we ran remember pain, live, and some other experiences; We parted here; My parents met here; I won three championships here. If I close my eyes, I can still have a clear picture in mind of my first home. I walk in the door and see a brown sofa surrounding a low glass-top wooden table. To the right of the living room is my first bedroom. It's empty, but it's where my earliest memories are. There is the dining room table where I celebrated birthdays, and where I cried on Halloween-when I didn't want to wear the skirt my mother made for me. I always liked standing on that table because it made me feel tall and strong. If I sit at this table, I can see my favorite room in the house, my parents' room. It is simple: a brown wooden dresser lines the right side of the wall next to a television and a couple of photos of my grandparents on each side. Their bed is my safe zone. I can jump on it anytime - waking up my parents if I am scared or if I have an important announcement that cannot wait until the morning. I'm lucky because I know my first home still exists. It exists in my mind and heart, on a physical property  on West 64th street on the western edge of Los Angeles. It is proof I lived, I grew and I learned. Sometimes when I feel lost, I lie down and shut my eyes, and I go home. I know it's where I'll find my family, my dogs, and my belongings. I purposely leave the window open at night because I know I'll be blamed by Mom. But I don't mind, because I want to hear her say my name, which reminds me I'm home. \n Question: What can be learned from the passage? \n Options: (A) The old furniture is still in the author's fist bedroom. (B) The author can still visit her first physical home in Los Angeles. (C) The author's favorite room in her first home is the dining room. (D) Many people of the author's age can still find their first physical homes.", "pos": "Article: What does the word \"home\" mean to you? How do you say the word in French? In Spanish? In your language? Although people usually know what the word means, it often has no exact translation. It's not surprising really, because the idea of home differs from country to country, and from person to person. A home is more than a roof and four walls. It's the cooking, eating, talking, playing and family living that go on inside, which are important as well. And at home you usually feel safe and relaxed. But it's not just that homes look different in different countries, they also contain different things and reveal  different attitudes and needs. For example, in cold northern Europe, there's a fire in the living room or kitchen and all the chairs face it. In the south, where the sun shines a lot and it's more important to keep the heat out, there are small windows, cool stone floors and often no carpets. We asked some people about their homes. How often do people move house in your country? \"In my country many people don't stay in one place for a very long time. They often move every ten years or so.\" Cheryl, Boston, USA What are typical features of homes in your country? \"In Britain, even in town there's always a garden and sometimes a cellar . We have separate bedrooms and living rooms. But we don't often have balconies  . The weather isn't warm enough!\" -- Pat, Exeter, England \n Question: Which one is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) People in Britain seldom have balconies because it's so hot outside. (B) \"Home\" is a place where you feel safe and relaxed. (C) Although homes look different in different countries, they have the same needs. (D) Houses in northern Europe always have big windows and cool stone floors.", "neg": "Article: September is an exciting month in every college freshman's life. For many, it's the first time that they've left home to live in a new environment. But after the hustle and bustle of a few weeks, excitement gives way to a less enjoyable emotion-- homesickness. Homesickness manifests itself in many ways. You may miss mum's cooking, your pets, or even your old bed. All this becomes a fond memory of the past. Homesickness can be a bitter feeling for many students, especially when faced with the challenges of settling into an unfamiliar environment. But remember, you're not alone. According to a recent BBC article, 70 percent of British college students experience homesickness. In this increasingly globalized world in which people migrate to faraway places for a relationship, education or work, homesickness is a feeling shared by many adults. Homesickness can have similar symptoms to depression and in extreme cases it can develop into a panic attack. As for the term, homesickness or nostalgia wasn't invented until the 17th century. It was considered a disorder by a Swiss physician, who attributed soldiers' mental and physical discomfort to their longing to return home, \"nostos\" from Greek, and the accompanying pain, \"algos\". Studies in recent years, however, have shown that nostalgia may have some benefits to our mental health. After a decade of surveys and researches, Constantine Sedikides, a US social psychologist, found that nostalgia is what makes us human. He explains that nostalgia can resist loneliness, boredom and anxiety. Therefore, it's necessary for college students to learn some ways to overcome the uncomfortable feeling. \n Question: According to the passage, we can know that   _  . \n Options: (A) homesickness may cause mental diseases (B) homesickness is a feeling only shared by adults (C) homesickness won't do any good to our health (D) homesickness is also called nostalgia in Switzerland", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}46{"query": "Article: When Charles Strattion was five, he stopped growing. His mother took him to see the famous showman, P. T. Barnum, and thought a small person would be the perfect addition to his show. He hired Charles' parents along with him, and they traveled around the world together. He gave the two-foot-tall Charles a new name, general Tom Thumb. He taught Tom how to sing, dance, act, and tell jokes. When he felt Tom was ready to perform on stage, he made up ads. To stir up great interest, he said that Tom was eleven years old and had come from England. Tom's act was very popular and brought in a lot of money. By the time Tom was an adult, he had grown very rich. He had become a billionaire at the age of twenty-five. Fortunately for Tom, Mr. Barnum added more little people to his show, and Tom became lucky in love as well. One of the little people was Lavinia Warren, a school teacher. Tom was able to win her love, and they married. The ceremony and reception were _ They were attended by many rich and famous people and by about two thousand guests. Crowds filled the street of New York to have a look at their tiny wedding carriage. The couple even met with President Abraham Lincoln on their honeymoon, just before going to live in Tom's house in Connecticut. Their wedding, which took place during the Civil War, provided a welcome escape from the sad problems of war. Not willing to let this bit of sunshine fade, communities throughout the country held Tom Thumb's weddings. In these weddings, small boys and girls, all dressed up, went through marriage ceremony for fun. \n Question: \"the talk of the town\" means  _  . \n Options: (A) they were in the newspaper (B) people spread many rumors about them (C) they were the most popular things happening (D) they were discussed in a city meeting", "pos": "Article: Jack Benny was one of the most famous names in show business.He was born in Chicago,Illinois,on February 14th,1894.His parents,Meyer and Emma Kubelsky,were religious Jews.They had moved to the United States from Eastern Europe.Benny was a quiet boy.For much of the time,his parents were busy working in his father's store.As a child,Benny learned to play the violin.After finishing his school,he joined the Navy.He continued using his violin to perform for sailors.In one show he was chosen more for his funny jokes than for his skill with the violin.That experience made him believe that his future job was a comedian. Benny developed a show personality that had all the qualities people dislike.He was known for being so _ --he refused to spend any money unless forced to do so.On his shows Benny often spoke of his appearance,especially his baby blue eyes.As he grew older,he always claimed to be 39 years old.Benny rarely made jokes that hurt other people.Instead,he would let the other actors on the show tell jokes about him. In real life,he was very giving and he was a person people liked having as their employer.Benny entered the new media of television in 1950.Five years later,he dropped his radio programme to spend more time developing his television show.At first his appearances on television were rare.By 1960 the Benny Show was a weekly television programme.It continued until 1965.Benny appeared in about twenty films during his life.A few became popular.But most were not.In 1963 Benny returned to Broadway for the first time since 1931. Benny received many awards during his lifetime.Perhaps the one honour that pleased him most was that his hometown of Waukeegan named a school for him.This was a special honour for a man who had never finished high school. Benny continued to perform.He died of cancer in 1974.At his funeral his friend Bob Hope said,\"Jack Benny was stingy to the end.He gave us only eighty years.\" \n Question: Benny was determined to be a comedian after he   _  . \n Options: (A) left high school (B) joined the Navy (C) performed in a show for the sailors (D) left the Navy for Broadway", "neg": "Article: Thomas Brodie-Sangster's cars and action figures weren't just toys. \"They would always be characters, and I would always put on stupid voices,\" says Thomas (Born on 16 May 1990). For him, acting was just a matter of moving childhood games to a set. Maturity and independence came to Thomas early as he started work at ten. After his first audition  , he learned about _ . Though hurt and disappointed, he took a part in a tiny, unknown TV film in 2001. No one noticed his performance - no one except screenwriter Richard Curtis. Two years later, he played Sam, a twelve-year-old in love in Curtis's Love Actually. After that hit film, he played actor Colin Firth's son in Nanny McPhee. Firth then joined a film called The Last Legion and supported Thomas for its lead role. As a result, the boy played Rome's final ruler in the action-adventure. At about 16, Thomas had to make a decision. Did he really want to devote his life to acting? Many people in the public \"aren't letting you be you because they see you as something special\", he says. Also, friendship made during filming was often broken soon after the project finished. Despite these things, he found enough joy and satisfaction in the work to continue. Actually, Thomas seems to find joy in difficulty itself. He played 10-year-old Adolf Hitler in a TV movie and a teenage Paul McCartney in Nowhere Boy. The subject of his film Death of a Superhero made it his most challenging film. Still, he found a positive message in its story of a schoolboy with cancer. Thomas now enjoys roles in Game of Thrones and the upcoming Maze Runner films. Popular as those projects may be, most still recognize him as Sam in Love Actually. Sam seems to run after Thomas, just as he ran through Heathrow airport to his sweetheart. \n Question: Thomas Brodie-Sangster reached maturity early probably because of   _  . \n Options: (A) his failure in the first audition (B) his starting acting as early as ten (C) his being supported by adult actors (D) his acting in a tiny unknown TV film", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}47{"query": "Article: Beginning college is exciting: new ideas to explore, new challenges to be met and many decisions to be made; your future begins here. However, you will find college life is different from your previous school environment. Many of us can be easily overwhelmed by the details of running a well-balanced life. While some of us may have the know-how, I guess there are more of us who can benefit from learning about the experiences of others who have walked the college halls before you. The following you may find of use about life on campus: *Plan well. There are so many new things to do at a new college or university. Give yourself time to make new friends and became familiar with the campus, but don't forget why you are there. Give some time for social activities and manage your time wisely. *If you don't have a \"system\" for planning your time now (like a day timer a computer data book). get one. Most of all, don't depend on your memory. *Don't miss the guidelines. The restrictions, rules and regulations of all kinds can usually be found in your student's handbook. Consider them well-balanced food for thought. What dates are important? What pieces of paper need to be handed in? What can / can't you do in your student residence ? Who has the right for what? What do you need to complete to graduate? *Write the word \"STUDY\" on the walls of our bedroom and bathroom, and maybe it will help to to write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the telephone, TV and the kitchen table. Consider this -- you are paying thousands of dollars for your course. You pay every time you have to repeat or replace a course. *Build your identity. This is the time for you to decide what to do and what not to do. Take as much time as you need to explore new ideas. Do not be afraid of the beyond. This is learning to make good choices. \n Question: What is the main purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To offer advice on college life. (B) To explain why college life is exciting. (C) To describe the importance of college life. (D) To persuade you to go to college.", "pos": "Article: Starting college can be a difficult experience. You have to deal with new responsibilities, growing independence, a challenging course load, and of course, the social scene. When a roommate is thrown into the mix, it may feel like you're struggling with all that stuff while living in a small box with a stranger. But having a roommate doesn't need to be one more thing to worry about. When students go into their living situations with realistic expectations and a willingness to  _ , things can work out just fine. When you first meet your roommate, chances are that you'll be on your best behavior. You want to get along since this is the person who's going to be sharing your living space for the next year. But try to think ahead to potential worst cases, too. For example, imagine it's 2 am and you're working on a paper that's due in 8 hours. Your roommate comes in from a party and wants to continue the party in your room. At times like these, you can't be feeling good. That's why talking about issues that might come up ahead of time and respecting each other's wishes when the time comes is so important. Talk about the things that are really important to you, and make sure your roommate understands. Then encourage him or her to do the same. For instance, does it make you angry when people take things without asking first? Let your roommate know your feelings about these types of things from the start. There are some things to talk to your roommate about so that both of you have a feel for each other's likes, dislikes and habits. \n Question: When you go to college you have to   _  . \n Options: (A) learn to look after yourself (B) quarrel with others often (C) take care of a stranger (D) throw yourself into a separate room", "neg": "Article: Beginning college is exciting: new ideas to explore, new challenges to meet and many decisions to make.Your future begins here. However, you will find college life is different from your previous school environment. Many of us can be easily overwhelmed by the details of running a well-balanced life.While some of us may have the _ , I guess there are more of us who can benefit from learning about the experiences of others who have walked the college halls before you. The following you may find of use about life on campus. * Plan well.There are so many new things to do at a new college or university.Give yourself time to make new friends and become familiar with the campus, but don't forget why you are there.Give some time for social activities and manage your time wisely. * If you don't have a \"system\" for planning your time now(like a day timer, a computer data book), get one.Most of all, don't depend on your memory. * Don't miss the guidelines.The restrictions, rules and regulations of all kinds can usually be found in your student handbook.Consider them well-balanced food for thought.What dates are important? What pieces of paper need to be handed in? What can/ can't you do in class? What can/ can't you do in your student residence? Who has right for what? What do you need to complete to graduate? * Write the word \"STUDY\" on the walls of our bedroom and bathroom, and maybe it will help to write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the telephone, TV and the kitchen table.Consider this--you are paying thousands of dollars for your courses. You pay every time you have to repeat or replace a course. * Build your identity.This is the time for you to decide what to do and what not to do.Take as much time as you need to explore new ideas.Do not be afraid of the beyond.This is learning to make good choices. \n Question: What is the main purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To describe the importance of college life. (B) To explain why college life is exciting. (C) To offer advice on college life. (D) To persuade you to go to college.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}48{"query": "Article: Some people collect stamps. Other people collect works of art or musical instruments. But a man in the American state of Maryland collects secrets. For the past 10 years, people have been sending Frank Warren postcards and other objects with secrets written on them. He now has a million secrets. \"It's a drawing of a lift. And the secret says: 'I feel guilty when I take lifts for one floor, so I limp when I get out.'\" Frank said. Ten years ago, Mr. Warren created an art project called PostSecret. People then began to send him postcards, other objects and emails telling their secrets. Every Sunday, he chooses 10 secrets and puts them on the website. Mr. Warren says he created PostSecret so people could share their secrets in a safe place. \"I was struggling with secrets in my own life. And it was by creating this safe place where others could share their secrets with me, I think that space was something I needed just as much as they did.\" He has published six books full of the secrets people have shared with him. One secret in each book is his. Eric Perry delivers mail for the U.S. Postal Service. He has brought thousands of secrets to Frank's home over the past three years. \"I have a couple of the books that Frank's given me and I've read them all and my family has read them all and it's wild!\" The project itself was once one of Frank's secrets. His wife Jan didn't know exactly what he was doing until the first book was published. The publisher told him that the address was going to be on the book, and he refused. However, the address was there just because of the contract between them. Actually Warren wasn't very happy about that. Some people tell Frank of their secret desire to kill themselves. So he and the PostSecret community have raised more than $1 million to help prevent suicides . \n Question: Mr. Warren created PostSecret in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) satisfy his curiosity about others' secrets (B) collect more materials for his series of books (C) offer a safe place for people to share their secrets (D) earn a lot of money by sharing others' secrets online", "pos": "Article: Any mistake made in the printing of a stamp raises its value to stamp collectors. A mistake on one inexpensive postage stamp has made the stamp worth a million and a half times its original value. The mistake was made more than a hundred years ago in the British colony of Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean. In 1847 an order for stamps was sent to a London printer-Mauritius was to become the fourth country in the world to issue stamps. Before the order was filled and delivered, a ball was planned at Mauritius' Government House, and stamps were needed to send out the invitations. A local printer was instructed to copy the design for the stamps. He accidentally inscribed the words \"Post Office\" instead of \"Post Paid\" on the several hundred stamps that he printed. Today there are only twenty-six of these misprinted stamps left fourteen One Penny Orange-Reds and twelve Two Penny Blues. Because of the Two Penny Blue's rareness and age, collectors have paid as much as $16 800 for it. \n Question: Over a century ago, Mauritius   _  . \n Options: (A) was an independent country (B) belonged to India (C) was one of the British colonies (D) was a small island in the Pacific Ocean", "neg": "Article: Have fun with Stamp collecting...Join the Collectors Club today!If you enjoy learning all about stamps, then the Royal Mail's Collectors Club is for you.Join the club and discover the fascinating world of stamps.There are over 70,000 members and it is one of the biggest clubs of its kind in the country. Become a member today and you will receive lots of wonderful stamp collecting goodies... *A Starter pack... And every two months... *Collectors Club magazine *Collectors Corner supplement And every year... *A new Stamp Calendar *A set of Album Pages Join today! It won't cost you much to experience the fun of stamp collecting. Collectors Club Starter Pack 1.100 used stamps and hinges 2.The Collectors Club Guide to Collecting 3.The latest Collectors Club magazine (packed with news and views about stamps, quizzes and competitions, all in colour) 4.Album pages 5.Badge and stickers 6.Membership card 7.Royal Mail Stamp Calendar. Already Registered? Sign In Here! Learn More View a Flash presentation about our club (3.51MB) \n Question: Which of the following is NOT included in a starter pack? \n Options: (A) One hundred used stamps and hinges and album pages. (B) The Collectors Club Guide to Collecting and badge and stickers. (C) The latest Collectors Club magazine and membership card. (D) Royal Mail Stamp Calendar and Collectors Corner supplement.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}49{"query": "Article: A new law helps people with disabilities. The law says that people with disabilities must be able to get into and out of all public buildings. It also says that business must offer special services to people who have special needs. Companies can not refuse to hire disabled workers. Many businesses may have to change their buildings and services. --Ramps must be built so people can get into buildings. --Movie theatres must have space for people in wheelchairs and seats for their friends to sit near them. --Elevators must have floor number in  _ . This law will help millions of people. One woman who has been in a wheelchair for many years said, \"It is like a dream.\" \n Question: According to the passage we can see that_. \n Options: (A) it will be difficult for the normal persons to get into the public buildings (B) the buildings of all the businesses will have to be changed (C) Most businesses used to offer special services to people who have special needs (D) it was difficult for the disabled workers to find jobs in the past", "pos": "Article: Computers have many uses today. Computers can solve difficult problems and control other machines. Many people use small computers called calculators to solve simple maths problems quickly. Scientists use large computers to solve many problems at the same time. You can play games with computers, and some computers can help you learn languages. The Kurzweil Reading Machine is a special kind of computer. It can read books for blind people. To use the Kurzweil machine, a blind person can simply open the book and put it down on the scanner . The machine \"reads\" the words on the page. When one page is finished, the blind person turns the page and puts the book on the scanner again. The Kurzweil machine can read in a normal voice or in a special fast voice.  _ can read words with small letters and large letters. Blind people like the Kurzweil machine because they can \"read\" anything with it: newspapers, magazines, books, even typed letters. Many libraries now have Kurzweil Machine for blind people to use. The Kurzweil machine can also help short-sighted children learn to read. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE? \n Options: (A) Computers can solve all the problems people can't do. (B) Large computers can only solve one problem at a time. (C) When using the Kurzweil machine, a blind man needn't do anything. (D) The Kurzweil machine can help blind people and short-sighted children.", "neg": "Article: People with disabilities make up a large part of the population. It is estimated  that over 35 million Americans have physical, mental, or other disabilities. About half of these disabilities are \"developmental\", i.e., they occur before the individual's twenty-second birthday, often from genetic conditions, and are severe enough to affect three or more areas of development, such as mobility, communication, employment, etc. Most other disabilities are considered \"adventitious\", i.e., accidental or caused by outside forces. Prior to the 20th century, only a small percentage of people with disabilities survived for long. Medical treatment for these disabilities was unavailable. Advancements in medicine and social services have created a climate in which people with disabilities can expect to have such basic needs as food, shelter, and medical treatment. Unfortunately, these basics are often not available. Civil liberties such as the right to vote, marry, get an education, and gain employment have historically been denied on the basis of disability. In recent decades, the disability rights movement has been organized to fight against these infringements(;)of civil rights. Congress responded by passing major legislation recognizing people with disabilities as a protected class under civil rights statutes. Still today, people with disabilities must fight to live their lives independently. It is estimated that more than half of qualified Americans with disabilities are unemployed, and a majority of those who do work are underemployed. About two-thirds live at or below the official poverty level. Significant barriers, especially in transportation and public awareness, prevent disabled people from taking part in society. For example, while no longer prohibited by law from marrying, a person with no access to transportation is effectively excluded from community and social activities which might lead to the development of long-term relationships. Only when public attitudes advance as far as laws have will disabled people be fully able to take their rightful place in society. \n Question: A \"developmental\" disability   _  . \n Options: (A) develops very slowly over time (B) is caused by forces (C) occurs in youth and affects development (D) is getting more and more severe", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}50{"query": "Article: Friends play an important role in our lives, and although we can't be more familiar with the fact of friendship, we often don't clearly understand how we make friends, especially with Americans. Here are some pieces of advice on making friends with Americans: 1. Visiting places Americans enjoy: parties, churches, restaurants, parks and sports clubs. 2. Be willing to take the first step. Don't wait for them to get close to you. Americans in China may not know you speak English. They may be uncomfortable if they can't speak your language. 3. Use small talks to open the conversation. Ask them where they're from, why they come to China, etc. . Remember: Be careful not to ask personal questions about age, salary and so on. 4. Show an interest in their culture, their country or their job. Americans like to talk about themselves! 5. Invite them to join you for dinner or just for coffee or tea. Try to set a specific time. Americans sometimes make general invitations like \"Let's go out for dinner sometime. \"Often this is just a way to be friendly. It is not always a real invitation. 6. Don't expect too much at first. Maybe they're being friendly. But maybe they want to be your good friends. It will take time to tell. \n Question: According to the text, Americans like to visit the following places except  _  . \n Options: (A) shopping centers (B) parks (C) sports clubs (D) churches", "pos": "Article: Before you make friends, you have to decide who you want to be your friends. Most people like to have friends who like to do the same kind of things they do. The quickest way to make a friend is to smile. When you smile, people think you are friendly and easy to talk to. It may not be easy at first to smile, but remember most people will stay away from a scared or angry looking face. One easy way to start a conversation with someone is to say something nice about him. Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you. Doesn't it make you want to keep talking to that person? Ask your new friends questions about themselves. Who's their favorite singer, where do they live, what do they do after school are all good questions to start a conversation. Make sure you have something to add to the conversation, too. When someone asks you a question, do have an answer for them. There's nothing that will stop a conversation quicker than _  Kids who show an interest in other kids and who are kind and friendly make good friends. Remember, everyone wants to be around people who like to do similar things and people who are nice to them. \n Question: This passage gives us some advice on   _  . \n Options: (A) how to make friends (B) what kind of person you can make friends with (C) how to start a conversation (D) the importance of smile", "neg": "Article: America is a mobile society.Friendships between Americans can be close and real, yet disappear soon if situations change.Neither side feels hurt by this.Both may exchange Christmas greetings for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while --then no more.If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, they pick up the friendship.This can be quite difficult for us Chinese to understand, because friendships between us flower more slowly but then may become lifelong feelings, extending sometimes deeply into both families.          Americans are ready to receive us foreigners at their homes, share their holidays, and their home life.They will enjoy welcoming us and be pleased if we accept their hospitality  easily. Another difficult point for us Chinese to understand Americans is that although they include us warmly in their personal everyday lives, they don't show their politeness to us if it requires a great deal of time.This is usually the opposite of the practice in our country where we may be  _ .Sometimes, we, as hosts, will appear at airports even in the middle of the night to meet a friend.We may take days off to act as guides to our foreign friends. The Americans, however, express their welcome usually at homes, but truly can not manage the time to do a great deal with a visitor outside their daily routine.They will probably expect us to get ourselves from the airport to our own hotel by bus.And they expect that we will phone them from there.Once we arrive at their homes, the welcome will be full, warm and real, We will find ourselves treated hospitably.For the Americans, it is often considered friendlier to invite a friend to their homes than to go to restaurants, except for purely business matters.So accept their hospitality at home! \n Question: Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Friendships between Americans usually extend deeply into their families. (B) Friendships between Americans usually last for all their lives. (C) Americans always show their warmth even if they are very busy. (D) Americans will continue their friendships again even after a long break.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}51{"query": "Article: High school announcements Do you have a high school announcement to make? Are you hosting a high school sports event or tournament? Are you looking for a coach? Let us know, and we'll share it with \"Tribune\" readers. August 21---- Sacred Heart is looking for two assistant baseball coaches immediately. Practices and games are held after school at 3:30 pm. Some experience in playing or coaching is preferred. If interested, e-mail Ron Schwartz at ramsad1@aol.com. August 7 ----- Loyola Academy will host its 12th Rambler Baseball Winter Workshop for students in fourth through eighth grades on Aug. 26. the early registration  fee is $70 and registration at the door is $85. contact  Loyola coach Bill San Hamel at 847-920-2523 to register early. July 17 ----- St. Patrick will host a Youth Holiday Baseball Camp for boys in grades three through eight Aug. 26 through Aug. 28 from 6:30 pm to 9 pm in St. Pat's gym. The registration fee is $90. for more information, visit www. stpatrick.orgor contact Coach Kusinski at (773) 282-8844 ext. 242 or dkusinski@stpatrick.org. June 12 ----- The Marist Girls' basketball team is looking for a game for the new season. The team can play all levels. If interested, please contact Mary Pat Connolly at (773) 881-5318, or e-mail connolly.marypat@marist.net. June 1 ----- Bartlett is hosing a high school football camp June 13-30 and July 11-28 from 8-11 am. The registration fee is $180. to register go to www.athletic2000.com/bartlett. Contact coach Tom Meaney with questions at 630-372-4700 ext. 8105. May 27 ----Hinsdale is hosting youth wrestling camps June 20-23 and June 27-30. There is no minimum age required. Even wrestlers in kindergarten are eligible to participate. The cost of registration is $80 per person. Contact head wrestling coach Jason Hayes at 815-762-1568 or e-mail jhayes@hinsdale86.org for more information. \n Question: If a fourth-grade girl wants to learn baseball, she may contact  _  . \n Options: (A) Ron Schwartz (B) Mary Pat Connolly (C) Kusinski (D) Bill San Hamel", "pos": "Article: About us Summer Camps offer many programs that develop athletic skills, teamwork and healthy habits to kids. We create a safe and noncompetitive environment for learning and making friends. Our counselors  are required to complete much training. Directors and head counselors are certified in CPR  and First Aid and so on. Full-day Camp (ages 6-13) A typical camp starts with soccer, kickball, basketball or field games. After lunch, the kids do three activities. Depending on location, there are swimming, science and nature, arts and crafts, rope courses. Li'1 Rascals Day Camp (ages 3-5) Preschoolers get all the fun of full-day camp in half the time. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, games and relays. Each week has different themes. All participants must be able to be taught to use a patty . Specialty  camps (ages 14-16) These specialty camps build many athletes. Our experienced staff will help your child be excellent in his or her favorite sport. *Tennis   *Basketball    *Soccer    *Dance    *Cheerleading Fee: $120 Contact Information Call: 068-990-3224; E-mail: summercampsforkids@hotmail.com or Write to: 125 Seventh Avenue South New York, NY 10014 What the parents from last year say about the camps: \"All the activities were perfect. My son definitely wants to return next year and I will recommend the camp to others.\"    --Kate \"I think this is one of the best camps that my children have attended. The counselors and directors are enthusiastic and friendly. The programs are excellent and it is the only camp that they ask to go back to.\"      --Jack \"My children had an excellent time at your camp. I was very impressed by both your friendly, helpful counselors and directors and the excellent way that the entire camp was organized and run. I will consider next year! Many thanks.\"     --Mary \n Question: What do you know from the passage? \n Options: (A) The camps are free for little children. (B) There are mainly three activities at Full-day Camp. (C) Specialty camps are only open to young athletes. (D) The counselors at Summer Camps all have rich experience.", "neg": "Article: Announcements Bret Harte vs. Calaveras alumni boys The annual Bret Harte vs. CHS alumni boys basketball game will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 30, at Calaveras High. All players must have played at least one year of basketball team. Cost to play is $30. Admission for audience is $ 5 for adults and $ 2 for kids. 6-year-old kids and kids who are under 6 are admitted free. For more information, call Kraig Clifton at 743-0679 or Jeff Eltringham at 736-0162. CHS girls basketball Skills The Calaveras High School girls basketball program presents the Junior Redskins Winter Skills, a developmental basketball program for girls in fifth through eighth grades that will be held from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sundays. Sign-ups are still being accepted for the second of the two five-week sessions, which will be held on five consecutive Sundays beginning on Jan. 12, 2016. Cost is $25 per session. Each participant receives a T-shirt at the end of each session. For more information or to sign up, call Jeremy Malamed at 217-4563 or email sports.calent@gmail.com. CHS swim/baseball coaching vacancies Calaveras High School(CHS) is looking for a head boys/girls swim coach and a baseball coach for the 2016 spring season. Applications will be accepted and jobs will remain open until filled. Interview dates are to be set. Anyone interested can stop by the district office or the high school for an application. For more information, call Mike Koepp at 754-1811. Foothills Little League sign-ups Foothills Little League will hold sign-ups for the 2016 season from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Pizza Factory in Valley Springs. All players must provide proofs of residency and a birth certificate. For more information, call Shawn Threet at 304-7399 or leave a message at 772-1516. Yoga in Rail Road Flat Yoga is being offered at Rail Road Flat Elementary from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Fridays with instructor Kristine Louise. Costs are a $5 instructor fee and $ 2 donation to The Friends of Rail Road Flat School. For more information, visit friendsofrrfschool.org. \n Question: Who will take part in the game to be held on Nov. 30? \n Options: (A) All the students graduated from CHS. (B) Any audience who is from Bret Harte. (C) Boys who were on the CHS basketball team. (D) Boys who are studying in CHS at present.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}52{"query": "Article: Of course, you know that getting a gift for your dad is a must every Father's Day. Perhaps last year you got him a tie he always wanted, or a watch that had the year of his marriage engraved upon it. Yes, all of those gifts were great, but if this year you'd like to get him a gift that he'll be able to hold onto for a long time without breaking your bank, you should consider making a gift yourself. For example, a keepsake box that holds precious keepsakes can be a simple yet timeless gift.  Find a box. It can be a cigar box or hat box, but it really has to be strong and long-lasting.  Decorate the inside and outside .of your box with paints, ribbons , fabric and other materials.\"  Include some of your personal items that best  _ your relationship with your dad or a memory that he and you shared together. Perhaps he visited Hawaii and got you a special key chain that you've always used; you can include that. Each family member is welcome to make something homemade that can be included in the box. Some ideas could be a painting or drawing or, even poetry. You can also include something from your dad's past. Get grandma and grandpa in the action by getting goods, baby pictures or high school memorabilia . Photographs or videos from special occasions are good choices. You can gather CDs and cassettes of your dad's favorite music or music that he and you have memories of.  Next you should make a list of all the sayings and great advice that your dad has given you over the course of your life and include it in the box.  Now, you can present the box to your dad on Father's Day. Before this, write a special letter to your dad, telling him what you have placed in his box, why you have chosen those items, and include a brief or long note on why he is special in your eyes. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) What to do on Father's Day. (B) How to choose Father's Day gifts. (C) How to remember Father's Day. (D) How to make a meaningful Father's Day gift.", "pos": "Article: Gifts.com provides more than just ideas. Sure, our unique and unforgettable gift suggestions are a big part of why people love us, but we also offer endless ideas and tools to make every day a reason to celebrate. Here are our Great Christmas Gift Ideas: Christmas Gifts for Parents You love your parents like no one else, and you want to give them something special for Christmas. But what would make their holiday bright?Finding them the perfect Christmas gift will be easy this year, with all our top picks in one place. Christmas Gifts for parents Under $45. Holiday Gift Baskets The gift basket is a great way to give a gift to a group. Our gift basket ideas come from all the top stores online, so you can easily find everything from fruit gift baskets to wine gift baskets in one place. Gift Baskets Under $50. Ideas for Teens Trying to find the right gift for a teen? Teens can be a challenge. What do they want? What could they use? They are all unique, but we think we've got something for them, even though they are a special group that are hard to deal with. Top Picks for Teens Under $20. The secret Santa Exchange The secret Santa is a great way to exchange gifts in the office, when it's often impossible to give everyone a present. We've got an office guide right here to help you find proper gifts for the workplace. And then there's always the gift basket, with things that are sure to please everyone in the office. Business Gifts Under $25. \n Question: What makes Gifts.com popular? \n Options: (A) It gives people a good reason to celebrate (B) Its endless new gifts. (C) It is organized according to personal taste. (D) Its special gift ideas. .", "neg": "Article: What makes a gift special? Is it the price you see on the gift cover? Or is it the look on the receiver's face when they receive it that determines the true value? What gift is worth the most? This Christmas I was thinking what to give my father. My dad is a hard person to buy for because he never wants anything. I pulled out my phone to read a text message from my mom saying that we were leaving for Christmas shopping for him when I came across a message on my phone that I had locked. The message was from my father. My eyes fell on a photo of a flower taken in Wyoming, and underneath a poem by William Blake. The flower, a lone dandelion  standing against the bright blue sky, inspired me. My dad had been reciting those words to me since I was a kid. That may even be the reason why I love writing. I decided that those words would be my gift to my father. I called back. I told my mom to go without me and that I already created my gift. I sent the photo of the cream-color1ed flower to my computer and typed the poem on top of it. As I was arranging the details another poem came to mind. The poem was written by Edgar Allan Poe; my dad recited it as much as he did the other. I typed that out as well and searched online for a background to the words of it. The poem was mainly about dreaming, and after searching I found the perfect picture. The picture was painted with blues and greens and purples, twisting together to create the theme and wonder of a dream. As I watched both poems passing through the printer, the white paper color1ing with words that shaped my childhood, I felt that this was a gift that my father would truly like. Christmas soon arrived. The minute I saw the look on my dad's face as he opened those swirling black letters carefully placed in a cheap frame , I knew I had given the perfect gift. \n Question: The idea for a special gift began to form when the author was   _  . \n Options: (A) doing shopping (B) writing a poem (C) reading a message (D) leaving for Wyoming", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}53{"query": "Article: \"Show them the money!\" That's what some people are saying for college athletes. They say students who play sports for their school should receive salaries. Top athletes should be paid because many of them practice full time, Mark Jameson argues. Rico Cannon, a former college football player, agrees. \"Nonathletes can get a job for extra spending money, but many student athletes spend so many hours in training that they don't have time to work,\" he explains. \"Shouldn't athletes be able to earn extra money too?\" The students also make money for their schools when people buy tickets to their games. The players should receive some of that cash, supporter Robbie Pokora reasons. College athletes are about honor and tradition, but they're also a business. Thanks to ticket sales, there's money for schools to build new athletic stadiums and give the coaches high salaries. The cash should be shared with athletes. They're the ones out on the field or court working hard for their school. The money matter has others _ , though. Kaitlyn Rentala argues that colleges should not pay their athletes. Students are in school to get an education. Playing a sport is an extracurricular activity, not a job. If athletes need extra money, they can apply for college scholarships . Michael Massett is a middle school teacher and a football and a basketball coach. He agrees. \"Athletes should be paid with scholarships, like nonathletes are,\" Massett explains. In addition, if colleges pay their athletes, those students might focus more on sports than on their education. \"Most students do not become professional athletes after college. If they focus too much on sports, they may not learn the skills they need to get good jobs,\" Kate Macrae reasons. Plus, she says, many athletes have schoolships that help them pay for school. \n Question: What is Rico Cannon's opinion on paying student athletes? \n Options: (A) They make money for their schools and should receive salaries. (B) Training leaves them no time to work and they should be paid. (C) Playing a sport at school is not a job and they shouldn't be paid. (D) They can apply for scholarships and should not be paid.", "pos": "Article: Sports, drama, and a variety of organizations keep students busy during high school. Where do they find the money to do these things? Not everyone gets it from Mommy and Daddy. Most have to pay for these activities. Some adults question if high school students should have jobs.  Some people worry that teens with after-school jobs will struggle to find time for homework. Actually, the responsibility of having a job helps teens prioritize their time. Many jobs take only a couple of  hour shifts on weeknights. According to a survey, 86 percent of high school students have an after-school, weekend or summer job and students who work between 10 and 20 hours per week during the school year have statistically higher grades-point averages than those who do not work at all. Those who work in high school are more likely to work in college, and financing their college education is a top reason for undergraduates to look for employment. Instead of considering jobs a barrier, employment should be looked at as real-world education.  Other people think that work adds too much stress, which may be somewhat true, but regardless of having a job or not, there is always going to be stress. Better to learn how to deal with busy schedules in a controlled environment like high school than to be out on your own and alone, experiencing stress for the first time. I personally would be more concerned for the teenager who has to become independent without having any familiarity with working. The biggest reason teens should be allowed to work is that it is a healthy way of earning money. My dad told me, \"Having a job is a good way to save up for things you are going to need or want to do. You get a lot more out of things if you are financially responsible for them.\" Kids need the freedom to choose how to spend their money. The sooner they have an income, the sooner they can learn how to use money wisely. If they are not allowed to work in high school, they may run into trouble in the future. \n Question: According to the survey, compared with those who don't work, teens with after-school jobs are  _  . \n Options: (A) more likely to go to college (B) usually doing better at school (C) more willing to pay for their education (D) able to find a better job after graduation", "neg": "Article: Recently educators have been questioning \"prep school\" (=preparatory school)   where barely literate   high school athletes get their transcripts   by taking courses occasionally and sometimes by taking no courses at all. The athletes then go on to famous sports universities, where they exhaust their playing years before landing back on the streets without job opportunity or college degrees. The prep school scheme was meant to avoid academic qualification rules for college athletes made years ago by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The N.C.A.A., which was slow to recognize the seriousness of the problem, has finally adopted policies to root it out. But those policies will not do the job unless everyone is involved, including prep schools and college athletics departments that still recruit   students who do not meet academic standard. The prep school scheme sends a dangerous message to poor neighborhoods, where young people too often ignore their studies, believing that they will magically become millionaires once the world sees their athletic talents. Even worse, it encourages students to drop out of traditional schools before graduation--at which point their grade-point averages would be written in stone--to sign up with fake schools that can help them rewrite their academic records. The N.C.A.A. has begun to check nontraditional schools for their academic programs and has actually closed some. The organization has also stepped up to look into athletes' transcripts and will pay special attention to athletes who attended several schools, showed sudden jumps in grade-point average, transferred to another school late in the senior year or took an unbelievable number of courses in one term. These measures are encouraging as far as they go. But the N.C.A.A. will need to go much deeper into the problem if it hopes to break this scheme. For starters, it needs to make clear not just what courses high school athletes need to take to become qualified for college sports, but when they should take them. Until that happens, those who recruit young athletes will always be tempted to make fake academic record at the last possible moment for them. \n Question: About students in \"prep school\", which of the following facts might NOTbe true? \n Options: (A) Most of them are good at different kinds of sports events. (B) They can easily be admitted to a university by cheating. (C) After they graduate from university, they will usually find promising jobs. (D) They seldom have good academic performance at high school.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}54{"query": "Article: I recently turned fifty, which is young for a tree, midlife for an elephant, and ancient for a sportsman. Fifty is a nice number for the states in the US or for a national speed limit but it is not a number that I was prepared to have hung on me. Fifty is supposed to be my father's age, but now I am stuck with this number and everything it means. A few days ago, a friend tried to cheer me up by saying, \" Fifty is what forty used to be.\" He had made an inspirational point, Am I over the hill?People keep telling me that the hill has been moved, and I keep telling them that he high-jump bar has dropped from the six feet I once easily cleared to the four feet that is impossible for me now. \" Your are not getting older, you are getting better.\" says Dr. Joyce Brothers. This, however, is the kind of doctor who inspires a second opinion. And so. as I approach the day when I cannot even jump over the tennis net. I am moves to share some thoughts on aging with you. I am moved to show how aging feels to me physically and mentally. Getting older. of course, is obviously a better change than the one that brings you eulogies . In fact, a poet named Robert Browning considered it the best change of all: Grow old along with me! The best is yet to me. Whether or not Browning was right, most of my first fifty years have been golden ones, so I will settle for what is ahead being as good as what has gone by. I find myself moving toward what is ahead with a curious blend   of both fighting and accepting my aging, hoping that the philosopher   was right when he said.\" Old is always fifteen years from now.\" \n Question: The author seems to tell us in Paragraph 1 that    _   . \n Options: (A) time alone will tell (B) time goes by quickly (C) time will show what is right (D) time makes one forget the past", "pos": "Article: The Process of Ageing At the age of twelve years, the human body is at its most vigorous. It has yet to reach its full size and strength, and its owner his or her full intelligence; but at this age the possibility of death is least. Earlier, we were infants and young children, and consequently more vulnerable  ; later, we shall undergo a progressive loss of our vigour and resistance which, though vague at first, will finally become so steep that we can live no longer, however well we look after ourselves, and however well society, and our doctors, look after us. This decline in vigour with the passing of time is called ageing. It is one of the most unpleasant discoveries which we all make that we must decline in this way, that if we escape wars, accidents and disease we shall eventually \"die of old age\", and that this happens at a rate which differs little from person to person, so that there are heavy odds in favor of our dying between the ages of sixty-five and eighty. Some of us will die sooner, a few will live longer -- on into a ninth or tenth decade. But the chances are against it, and there is a virtual limit on how long we can hope to remain alive, however lucky and physically strong we are. Normal people tend to forget this process unless and until they are reminded of it. We are so familiar with the fact that man ages, that people have for years assumed that the process of losing vigour with time, of becoming more likely to die the older we get, was something self-evident, like the cooling of a hot kettle or the wearing-out of a pair of shoes. They have also assumed that all animals, and probably other organisms such as trees, or even the universe itself, must in the nature of things \"wear out\". Most animals we commonly observe do in fact age as we do, if given the chance to live long enough; and mechanical systems like a wound   watch, or the sun, do in fact ran out of energy in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics  . But these are not similar or equivalent to what happens when man ages. A run-down watch is still a watch and can be rewound. An old watch, by contrast, becomes so worn and unreliable that it eventually is not worth mending. But a watch could never repair itself -- it does not consist of living parts, only of metal, which wears away by friction  . We could, at one time, repair ourselves -- well enough, at least, to overcome all but the most instantly fatal illnesses and accidents. Between twelve and eighty years we gradually lose this power, an illness which at twelve would knock us over, at eighty can knock us out, and into our grave. If we could stay as vigorous as we are at twelve, it would take about 700 years for half of us to die, and another 700 for the survivors to be reduced by half again. \n Question: What can be learned from this passage is that   _  . \n Options: (A) people usually are unhappy when they are reminded of ageing (B) children reach their full intelligence at the age of twelve years (C) people are usually more likely to die at the age of twelve years (D) our first twelve years represent the peak of human development", "neg": "Article: Old age may not sound exciting.But recent findings offer good news for older pepole and for people worried about getting older. Researches found that people become happier and experience less worry after they reach the age of fifty.In fact,they say by the age of eighty--five,people are happier with their life than they were when they were eighteen years old.  The findings came from a survey of more than 340,000 adults in the United States.The Gallup Organization questioned them by telephone in 2008.At that time,the people were between the ages of eighteen and eighty--five.The searches asked questions about emotions like happiness,sadness and worry.They also asked about mental or emotional stress. Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the study.His team found that levels of stress were highest among adults  between the ages of twenty--two and twenty--five.The findings showed that stress levels dropped sharply after people reached their fifties.Happiness was highest among the youngest adults and those in their early seventies.The people least likely to report feeling negative emotions were those in their seventies and eighties. The study also showed that men and women had similar emotional patterns as they grew older.Hower,women at all ages reported more sadness,stress and worry than men.Researchers say they do not know why happiness increases as people get older.One theory is that,as people grow older,they grow more thankful for what they have and have better control of their emotion .They also spend less time thinking about bad experiences. The researchers also considered possible influences like having young children,being unemployed or being single.But they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well--being related to age. \n Question: How did the researchers find older people happier? \n Options: (A) They did a series of experiments. (B) They made a written survey about the old people. (C) They interviewed people of different ages face to face. (D) They telephoned people between the ages of 18 and 85.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}55{"query": "Article: Owning a smartphone may not be as smart as you think.They may let you surf the Internet,listen to music and snap photos wherever you are...but they also turn you into a workaholic,it seems.A study suggests that,by giving you access to emails at all times.the all-singing.all-dancing mobile phone adds as much as two hours to your working day. Researchers found that Britons work an additional 460hours a year on average as they are able to respond to emails on their mobiles.The study by technology retailer Pixmania,reveals the average UK working day is between nine and ten hours,but a further two hours is spent responding to or sending work emails,or making work calls.Almost one in ten admits spending up to three hours outside their normal working day checking work emails.Some workers confess they are on call almost 24 hours a day,with nine out of ten saying they take work emails and calls outside their normal working hours.Nearly two-thirds say they often check work emails just before they go to bed and as soon as they wake up,while over a third have replied to one in the middle of the night. Ghadi Hobeika,marketing director of Pixmania,said:\"The ability to access literally millions of apps,keep in contact via social networks and take photos and video as well as text and call has made smartphones valuable for many people.However,there are _ .Many companies expect their employees to be on call 24 hours a day,seven days a week,and smartphones mean that people literally cannot get away from work.The more constantly in contact we become. The more is expected of us in a work capacity.\" \n Question: The text is probably taken from  _  . \n Options: (A) a scientific report (B) a financial report (C) a newspaper (D) a literary journal", "pos": "Article: Owning a smartphone may not be as smart as you think. They may let you surf the Internet, listen to music and take photos wherever you are, but they also turn you into a workaholic . A study suggests that, by giving you access to emails at all times, the smartphone adds as much as two hours to your working day. Researchers found that Britons work an additional 460 hours a year on average as they are able to respond to emails on their mobiles. The study shows the average UK working day is between 9 and 10 hours, but a further 2 hours is spent responding to or sending work emails, or making work calls. Almost one in ten admits spending up to three hours outside their normal working day checking work emails. Some workers say they are on call almost 24 hours a day. Nearly two-thirds say they often check work emails just before they go to bed and as soon as they wake up, while over a third have replied to one in the middle of the night. The average time for first checking emails is between 6 am and 7 am, with more than a third checking their first email in this period, and a quarter checking them between 11pm and midnight. Ghadi Hobeika, marketing director of Pixmania, said: \"The ability to access millions of applications has made smartphones invaluable for many people. However, there are disadvantages. Many companies expect their employees to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and smartphones mean that people cannot get away from work. The more constantly in touch we become, the more is expected of us in work . \" \n Question: With a smartphone the average UK working day is   _  . \n Options: (A) 2 hours (B) 9 to 10 hours (C) 11 to 12 hours (D) 24 hours", "neg": "Article: A new study suggests that the roundtheclock availability that cell phones have brought to people's lives may _ family life. The study,which followed more than 1,300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone throughout the study period were more likely to report negative \"spillover\" between work and home life--and,in turn,less satisfaction with their family life. Spillover essentially means that the line between work and home begins to become unclear. Work life may invade home life when a parent is taking jobrelated calls at home,for instance--or family issues may start to take up work time. For example,a child may call mum at work,telling her \"microwave exploded\",explained Noelle Chesley,an assistant professor of sociology at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and the author of the study. The problem with cell phones seems to be that they are allowing for even more spillover between work and home. This may be especially true for working women,the study found. Among men,consistent use of mobile phones seemed to allow more work issues to creep  into family time. But for women,the spillover tended to go in both directions. Being \"connected\" meant that work cut into home time,and family issues came into work life. Cell phones seem to be opening more lines for stressful exchanges among family members. But there may be ways to control the spillover,according to Chesley. Employers, she said,could look at their policies on contacting employees after hours to make sure their expectations are \"reasonable\".For their part,employees could decide that cell phones go off during family time, Chesley said. \n Question: According to Chesley,what is the best solution to the problem caused by cell phones? \n Options: (A) Separate work hours from family time. (B) Refuse to use cell phones. (C) Ignore coming calls during family time. (D) Encourage women to stay at home.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}56{"query": "Article: Many people have influence on my life, based on their personal characteristics, achievements, and values. I have been lucky to have had a great many teachers and professors who I respect for their patience and intelligence. There are artists who have encouraged me by their talents and creativity. I value many political leaders, who have inspired me by their contributions to society, and their ability to change our futures. But of all the people I have known in my life, the person I admire most is my father. As the youngest girl in my family, I always considered myself to be \"Daddy's little girl\". While I grew up, it always made me sad to see so many of my friends and neighbors without a father or father-like figure around. This helped me appreciate how my father always takes an interest in his children's lives. In every aspect of my life, my father continuously pushes me to _ , so I could finish my work excellently among my people. Whenever I feel like giving up, or have a question or a concern, I know I can always turn to him for advice. From him I have also learned that sometimes _ . His strength seems to be unbreakable during hard times, and he is extremely determined to do anything he sets his mind on, no matter how small it is. I highly respect him for how he stands up for what he believes in, and will never back down. I have always admired his open mind, sympathy for people, and sense of understanding. He is a very strict man, but in our daily life, he has a great sense of humor, and always knows how to put a smile on the faces of his wife, his children and his friends. Living in his love and instruction, I am very proud of my father. He also professes how proud he is of his children, and is still there to support us in whatever we are doing in. \n Question: Which of the following could NOT be used to describe the author's father? \n Options: (A) Caring and humorous. (B) Knowledgeable and sociable. (C) Sympathetic and open-minded. (D) Energetic and helpful.", "pos": "Article: Many people influenced various aspects of my life, based on their personal characteristics, accomplishments, and values. I have been fortunate to have had numerous teachers and professors who I respect for their patience and intelligence. There are artists that have inspired me by their natural talents and original creativity. I value many political leaders, who have inspired me by their contributions to society, and their ability to change our futures. But of all the people I have known in my life, the person I admire most is my father. As the youngest girl in my family, I always considered myself to be\"Daddy's little girl\". While I grew up, it always made me sad to see so many of my friends and neighbors without a father or father-like figure around. This helped me appreciate how my father always takes an interest in his children's lives. In every aspect of my life my father continuously pushes me to _ , so I could accomplish my work outstandingly among my people. Whenever I feel like giving up, or have a question or a concern, I know I can always call on him for advice. _ His strength seems to be unbreakable during hard times, and he is extremely determined to accomplish anything he sets his mind on, no matter how tiny it is. I highly respect him for how he stands up for what he believes in, and will never back down. I have always admired his open mind, compassion  for people, and sense of understanding. He is a very reserved  man, but to everybody's surprise, he has a great sense of humor, and always knows how to put a smile on the faces of his wife, his children and his friends. Living in his affection and instruction, I am very proud of my father. He also professes   how proud he is of his children, and is still there to support us in whatever we are involved in. \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) How my father loved me (B) My father--the person I admire most (C) I am the apple of my father's eye (D) My father--the one who influenced me most", "neg": "Article: My dad is a wonderful man.He worked hard all his life and has never let me down.if one person influenced me to go to college and become a better person, it's him.   Every morning my dad would wake up at 4 am.He would do some writing and then Ieave for work.He would get off work at 5 pm and spend the remaining day with his family.Any time I  needed him,he was there.He was a great role model.My dad is a typical family man.He supports us financially and emotionally.He bends over backward to support his family.     My dad is the reason why I try to support my son as much as I can.He is  also the reason why I have decided to spend less time with friends and more time  with family.Now I'm a much better woman.I once worked hard at my studies in  school and now do well in my work.My dad became a manager in less than three  years and I hope to do the same.I have had the same job for one and a half years  now.I have gotten two raises and become a shift leader.    -     I remember 1 worked extremely hard in schoo1.I never missed a day and I never went to school late.I graduated two years ago.It is something for me to be proud of, and it is the first step towards becoming a psychologist.My father is more than 2,000 miles away, but I never forget what he did for us.Every day my work gets really hard,I think of my dad.Every time I feel like giving up,I think of him. \n Question: With the example of two raises,the author shows us that   _   . \n Options: (A) she worked very hard in her company (B) she spent less time with her son (C) she has a talent for leadership (D) she can be a good psychologist.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}57{"query": "Article: This girl is almost without shelter. She may not realize it, but she's more exposed to the world than she's ever likely to be again. And it isn't because she's a girl. It could be a boy. It could be you. But why is she 'shelter less ? She s got a place to live in quite a pleasant place by the look of it and if shelter . Doesn't' t mean a house, then what does it mean? When we say someone \"lives a sheltered life\" , we don't only mean that their house is comfortable. We mean that they're protected from too many worries and troubles, that they live in a settled home, probably surrounded by friends and family, and that they don't have to cope with the difficulties the world is full of alone. Certainly no one would say that this girl was leading a sheltered life; she's leaving home to earn her living in a strange city and live by herself in a bed sitter. She may be just as well protected physically as a \"sheltered life\" person, but she's lost all the other shelters in her life--family, friends, the home she grew up in, school, the groups she belonged to. She s on her own now and unless she's very self-reliant , she's likely to feel unhappy and insecure at times. A young person setting out on her own like this is between the two main kinds of shelter most of us spend our lives in. One is our parents home where we grow up, and the other is the home we make ourselves and where we bring up our own children. For most people the time they spend between or outside these two shelters is only a small part of their lives. \n Question: It can be inferred from the passage that this girl   _  . \n Options: (A) has nowhere to live (B) will have problems because she's a girl (C) is probably going to feel lonely (D) wants to live in her home again", "pos": "Article: When my students ask me why I live in a tiny house, they ask it in light of all the \"sacrifices \"I an making. They know that I have moved from a large apartment in the city to a small custom-built home on wheels in the backyard woods. They know I _ running water, Internet connection, sewage , and reliable phone reception. However, it was possible for me to be truly happy while living with very few material things. My body responded well, in health, fitness and mood, to a schedule more consistent with the natural day and night cycle. Observing the daily sunset, hosting friends for days at a time, reading, writing letters to my families and friends and exploring natural wonders in my spare time all were free and invaluable experiences. What was necessary to my survival proved to be a rather short list-healthy food, clean and drinkable water, heat source, weather-protecting shelter, weather-suitable clothing, equally important friends and mental and physical stimulations . When I returned to life in the US, I couldn't help but sense a deep and uneasy belief that life suddenly changed. I felt disconnected with many things- the earth, others, my food source, my waste disposal, the natural cycle of my body and the productive interests. These are the things I once cared for but now find myself too busy to enjoy. How was it that I was earning literally 40 times my Peace Corps salary and was less healthy, satisfied and intentional in my daily schedule? I found myuself asking-what is it to be rich anyway? Therefore, last August I let go of most of my possessions and moved into a tiny house on wheels because I wanted to see if I could live a more enjoyable lifestyle. So far so good. No inconvenience has made up for the many positive benefits that continue to come from this change in lifestyle. I believe that I have made the right decision. \n Question: What interested the author most when living in the tiny house? \n Options: (A) The natural living schedule. (B) Busy and invaluable experiences. (C) The happiness of the simple life. (D) The very few material possessions.", "neg": "Article: This summer, Monika Lutz's life took an unusual turn. Instead of heading off to college, the high school graduate packed her bags for a Bengali jungle. Lutz, like a growing number of other young Americans, is taking a year off. Gap  years  are quite common in Britain and Australia, but they are just beginning to catch on in the U.S. Lutz, who grew up in Boulder, Colo., has put together a 14-month schedule that includes helping deliver solar power to some communities in India and interning   for a fashion designer in Shanghai---experiences that are worlds away from the lecture halls and university dormitories that await other students. \"I could not be happier,\" she says. Why are students attracted to the gap-year concept? According to new survey data from Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson, education-policy experts and co-authors of The Gap-Year Advantage, the most common reason for this is to avoid burnout. \"I felt like I was focused on college as a means to an end,\" says Kelsi Morgan, an incoming Middlebury College freshman who spent last year interning for a judge in Tulsa, Okla., and teaching English at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. The hope is that after a year out of the classroom, students will enter college more energized, focused and mature. That can be an advantage for colleges too. Robert Clagett, dean of admissions at Middlebury, did some research a few years ago and found that a single gap semester was the strongest predictor of academic success at his school. Most experts recommend securing a spot in college before taking a gap year and warn against using the time off to lengthen your resume. \"Most admissions folks can see right through that,\" says Jim Jump, the academic dean of St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Va. But for students like Lutz, who, after getting rejected from five Ivies, decided to take time off, a gap year can help focus interests. Lutz now plans to apply mostly to non-Ivies that have strong marketing programs. \"This experience has really opened my eyes to the opportunities the world has to offer,\" she says. But at least one education expert doesn't want schools spreading the gap-year message. In a study that followed 11,000 members of the high school class of 1992 for eight years after graduation, Stefanie DeLuca, a sociology professor at Johns Hopkins University, found that, all things being equal, those who delayed college by a year were 64% less likely to complete a bachelor's degree than those who didn't. DeLuca did not say whether these students voluntarily started college late, but at the very least, her work indicates that taking a gap year doesn't guarantee success. \"I'm not going to say that time off does not have benefits,\" says DeLuca. \"But I think we should not be so enthusiastic.\" \n Question: The students take gap years mainly because   _  . \n Options: (A) they want to be more unusual (B) they want to refresh themselves (C) some experts advise them to do so (D) their parents think it good for them", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}58{"query": "Article: We do not know when man first began to use salt, but we do know that it has been used in many different ways throughout history. Historical evidence shows, for example, that people who lived over 3,000 years ago ate salted fish. Thousands of years ago in Egypt, salt was used to preserve   the dead. Stealing salt was considered a major crime   during some periods of history. In the eighteenth century, for example, if a person was caught stealing salt, he could be put in prison and his ears could be cut off. In the Roman Empire, one of the most important roads was the one that carried salt from the salt mines to Rome. Guards were stationed along the route to protect against salt thieves, and they received their pay in salt, thus bringing the English word, salary. Any guard who fell asleep while on duty was thought to be \"not worth his salt\", and as a result he would get a little less salt on his next payday. The expression, \"not worth his salt\", is still used today in English. In the modern world salt has many uses beyond the dining table. It is used in making glass and airplane parts, in the growing of crops, and in the killing of weeds  . It is also used to make water soft, to melt   ice on roads and highways, to make soap, and to fix colors in cloth. Salt can be got in various ways besides being taken from mines underground. Salt water from the ocean, salt water lakes or small seas can be used to make salt. Yet, no matter where it comes from, salt will continue to play an important role in the lives of people everywhere. \n Question: According to the text, salt can be used in the following EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) keeping dead bodies (B) punishing thieves (C) protecting crops (D) making industrial products", "pos": "Article: You may think, salt is just a simple cooking element we shake on our food for a little extra taste. But salt is much more than that. Without salt our muscles would not move. Our nervous systems would not operate. Our hearts would not beat. But do not think rubbing salt in a wound will help. Doing that would be painful and not heal the wound. To rub salt in a wound is an idiom that means to purposefully make a bad situation worse. Early humans got the salt they needed to stay alive from the animals they killed. But advances in agriculture led to a diet low in salt. So, humans needed to find other sources. Those who lived near the ocean or other natural sources for salt were lucky. Those who did not had to trade for salt. In fact, people used salt as a method of payment in many parts of the ancient world. The word \"salary\" comes from the word \"salt\". Salt also played an important part in population movement and world exploration. Explorers understood that if they could keep food fresh,they could travel longer distances. So they used salt to preserve food and explored the world. Salt was so important that, according to food historians. it was traded pound-for-pound for gold. Today, people still use the expressions \"to be worth one's salt\" or \"worth one's weight in salt\". The expressions describe a person of value. A person might also be called salt of the earth. That description means he or she is dependable and trustworthy. However, when you say \"I think we should take what he said with a grain of salt\" you mean you accept it but maintain a degree of doubt about its truth. \n Question: A beggar's bread was stolen last night.,which means  _  . \n Options: (A) salt of the earth (B) rubbing salt in a wound (C) a diet low in salt (D) worth his salt", "neg": "Article: Get a Custom  Salt Shaker for your Dining Table If you are looking for custom salt shaker for your dining table, then there are a number of varieties available from which you can have your pick. Get custom salt shakers for custom seasoning A wooden salt shaker has a beautiful design that can enrich your dining table. It is handmade from different pieces of wood of varying sizes. It has a pear shaped body with a ceramic  grinder with fancy wood finish. The ceramic grinder for making salt into powder is built to last a life time. It does not wear away like metals do when used to grind salt. It is an extremely beautiful and very delicately made gift to be given to anybody. If you buy two pieces they offer you a generous quantity of Himalayan salt. Ceramic salt shakers for custom Seasoning A ceramic salt shaker is handmade and ideal to be kept in the kitchen to keep the cooking area neat and orderly. It is available in different colors, olive green, coffee brown, purple, egg blue, yellow and many more colors. You can use your fingers when you require a pinch of salt or use the spoon that accompanies it. It looks beautiful for kitchen use and can be given as a gift. Personalized salt shakers that can be given as anniversary gifts If you are looking for handmade anniversary gifts that you would like to give to your friends, you can give hand painted salt shakers. You can send your pictures and the makers will paint the picture of your friend and her loved one. Any message you like to add will be written on the salt shaker. This cannot be put in a dishwasher or soaked in water. It has to be washed carefully by hand. If you are a person who likes eco-friendly items then you can have a salt shaker made of bamboo. It has a solid construction which makes it ideal for kitchen setting. So if you are interested in buying a salt shaker for your table, you can choose one from above and order it. \n Question: If you prefer salt powder, you may choose   _  . \n Options: (A) a wooden salt shaker (B) a bamboo salt shaker (C) a ceramic salt shaker (D) a hand painted salt shaker", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}59{"query": "Article: Every fall, many Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Sukkot  . They build huts   in their backyards, and if it is warm and dry outside, they live in those huts for seven days and nights. Living in a sukkah   is meant to remind Jewish people that for 40 years their ancestors   lived in huts in the desert. In modern times, it has also become a reminder that many people do not have a place to call home. In 2010, an American reporter named Hoshua Foer was building his own sukkah when he came up with an idea. He wondered what it would be like to have a competition for people around the world to use their imaginations to create modern sukkahs. It would be a design competition. But the sukkah would have to be built according to Jewish laws. These laws are found in an ancient book called Talmud. Some of the laws are surprising! ks5u   * It can be built on a boat. * It must have at least two and a half walls. Joshua got in touch with his friend Roger Bennett. They announced the competition in May 2010. More than 600 designers sent plans. Twelve were chosen as finalists  . Then those finalists were each given money so they could build their sukkahs in a park in New York City. People building the final sukkahs were from the United States, France, England, Japan, and Germany. More than 17,000 people voted   for the winners. At the end of the competition, the sukkahs were sold. The money was then given to a group that helps homeless people. \n Question: According to Joshua Foer,   _  . \n Options: (A) imaginations are very important to win the competition (B) sukkahs can be built at any place and in any shape (C) the winning sukkahs will be included in Talmud (D) competitors should follow laws made by him", "pos": "Article: Each year on the first Saturday in March, a group of middle-aged men and a few women gather at sunrise on a beach near prefix = st1 /St. Petersburg,Fla.Above the high-water line are more than 50 small boats. At exactly 7 a.m., Steve Isaac stands at the water's edge with his arm raised and yells: \"Go!\" Most of the boats are part of the Everglades Challenge. They head for a finish line many days and 300 miles to the south, at Key Largo. But this Saturday, for the first time, 10 of the brave mariners--including a journalist, whose progress will be available online--will compete in the world's toughest small boat race, called the Ultimate Florida Challenge.  Instead of finishing at Key Largo, the 10 boaters will continue around the state, heading north past Miami, the Kennedy Space Center, and Jacksonville, then down the Suwannee River, eventually passing most of Florida before arriving back at the beach near St. Petersburg. It will be 1,200 miles of head winds and burning sun. But it will also take the challengers through some of the most impressive scenery in North America. The rules are no-nonsense: First one back to the beach wins. The voyage must be completed within a month. Human power or sails, only. No motors. No rides in cars or tows from power boats. No help from family or friends. And at least once a day, participants are required to acknowledge by cell phone or radio that they are still alive.  The race will be a replay of the tale of the tortoise   and the rabbit. The trick, if there is one, is to be a tortoise and just keep moving forward. But the one-month deadline means that being too much of a tortoise may result in failure. So challengers have to be a little bit of a rabbit, as well. \n Question: What can we infer from the passage? \n Options: (A) People can watch the 1200-mile race on the net this year. (B) Over 50 boats will take part in the 300-mile race this year. (C) The racers cannot take a rest during the race. (D) The winner will act as a tortoise in the play.", "neg": "Article: Most cultures have a feast or festival of light. Each culture celebrates this festival in a different way.      The Jewish Festival of Light is called Hanukkah. It usually takes place in December. The story of why Hanukkah is celebrated is very old. It is told that a long time ago, Jewish people called the Macabees were at war with a country called Syria. On the day that the Macabees won the war, they cleaned up their holy place, which is called a temple, because the Syrian people had been living there. They wanted to light their holy lamps to say thank you for the end of the year, but found only a very small amount of oil left over to do that. The Macabees lit the lamps anyway, thinking that they would soon go out. The lamps kept burning for eight days! The Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah every year by lighting a candlestick that has eight candleholders. Every night a new candle is lit so that on the eighth night, all eight candles stand together. Presents are given at this time and money is given to the poor.      The Christmas story is not quite as old as the Hanukkah story, but it is also very old. Christmas is the time when Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed that Christ was born in a stable. On the night of his birth, angels, shepherds and three wise men visited him. The wise men brought gifts with them. This is a happy and busy time of the year. Homes are decorated with Christmas trees and decorations. It is a time for being with the family. Families travel long distances to gather at Christmas. Lots of lights are put up everywhere. This is to show that Jesus is the\"Light of the world\"who came to bring peace to all people.      Lanterns are another form of light. In China, the Lantern Festival goes back to the Han Dynasty. One emperor heard that Buddhist monks would light lanterns to  _ Buddha on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month;so he also ordered to light lanterns in the imperial palace and temples to show respect to Buddha on the day. Later, the rite developed into a grand festival among common people. During the festival, parks become a sea of lanterns. Sometimes streets are blocked off and lanterns are put down on each side to make a hallway of lanterns. People also hang lanterns in their gardens, outside their houses or on boats. It is believed that the lanterns will guide visitors and the spirits of ancestors to the celebrations. The Lantern Festival is a time for families to reunite. \n Question: What is the theme shared by all the three festivals? \n Options: (A) The decoration of the world. (B) The wish for peace and happiness in the world. (C) Celebrating the end of the year. (D) Inviting the spirits of the ancestors to the celebration.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}60{"query": "Article: Bob was born in Cambridge.  When he was in elementary school, he asked his mother to take him to parks in their community so he could collect empty soda cans to recycle.  His mother agreed, as long as he saved part of the money he earned for college. Bob's mother remembers Bob as the most determined of her seven kids.  Bob's persistence paid off.  On Friday, he will become the first person in his family, originally from El Salvador, to graduate from college.  And he's graduating with university honors. For his honors thesis he researched unmanned solar-powered airplanes, which BYU students have been building and testing for about 10 years.  Bob's study helps discover the best way to fly a solar-powered airplane so that it uses the least amount of power.  The goal is to design and build an airplane that flies indefinitely.  Bob's thesis helps lay the foundation for this work. \"My parents were always diligent,\" Bob said.  \"They often tell us hard work leads to success. \" Bob's father taught him to read at the age of 3, and his mother is currently a student at Utah Valley University in a way to becoming a dentist. Bob acknowledges he overcame some obstacles to get where he is.  For starters, English is his second language.  He also faced stereotypes .  Although Bob never doubted that he would be a college graduate, other people assumed he wouldn't because he didn't come from a family of high income.  There were other obstacles as well, but Bob viewed them all as opportunities. Bob's mother says she feels very happy and proud that her son is about to graduate with honors, and remembers the sacrifices he's made to get there.  \"He has worked very hard.  He started something, and now he has finished it,\" Cathy says.  \"I have always told him, 'If this is your dream, then you can get it! Keep working hard and you can get it!'\" \n Question: From the passage we can know that Bob's honors thesis   _  . \n Options: (A) makes his mother feel surprised (B) helps to save the power of flying a solar-powered airplane (C) is done with BYU students (D) doubts the way of flying a solar-powered airplane", "pos": "Article: At five he was collecting old newspapers to make money. And when he was 15 he signed his schoolmates up to start a baby-sitting circle. Now 20, third-year Cambridge University student, Peter Blackburn is managing director of a company with a PS 30,000 plan. And he thinks it will make more than $15,000 by next summer. He set up Peter Blackburn Ltd last year to bring out a new, color term-planner that now students all over the UK are using. \"I felt that most of the planners going around were pretty unimaginative,\" he says, \"I believed that I could do a better job and decided to have a go\". Blackburn admits that he is putting far more effort into business than his computer studies course at university. While fellow students are out with their friends, he keeps in touch with his business office in Lancashire by movable phone. Before he set up the company he spent one holiday preparing a plan that would persuade his bank to lend him money. \"Most students work hard for a good degree because they believe that will help them get a job to support themselves,\" he says \"I work hard at my company, because that is what will support me next year, after I leave college.\" Friends believe that Blackburn will make PS 1 million within 5 years. He is not quite so sure, however. \"There's a lot to be done yet,\" he says. \n Question: When he was quite young, Blackburn   _   . \n Options: (A) already made a lot of money (B) already had a business brain (C) was already managing director of a company (D) already set up his own business", "neg": "Article: Mary Master man, a senior at West Moore High School in prefix = st1 /Oklahoma City, was named the winner Tuesday of the annual Intel Science Talent Search.      More than 1,700 high school seniors across the nation entered the competition, which is in its 66th year.       Spectrographs, which measure  wave lengths, are used in research such as astronomy and medicine and in industry. For example, they can be used as a sensing equipment to look for explosives or drugs or to help determine how old an art work is through its powders.       They can cost as much as $100,000, but Masterman's invention--made of lenses, a laser, aluminum tubing and a camera--cost less than $1,000, Intel said.       Masterman received the honor from Intel Corp. Chairman Craig Barrett during a banquet Tuesday night inWashington.       \"It was a complete surprise,\" Masterman said. \"I wasn't expecting it.\"       Masterman said she has been interested in science ever since she was little. She couldn't remember ever not being interested. _        She said she has not decided where she will attend college but would eventually like to become a physicist or chemist.       Among the former winners of the competitions top award are six Nobel Laureates , three National Medal of Science winners, 10 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and two Fields Medalists.       \"You're not only dealing with the top young person in the science field in the country in Mary, but you're dealing with 40 finalists who are doing breaking--edge research in total,\" said Brenda Musilli, Intel's director of education. \"It's really something that's hard to imagine, how a young person like Mary could even achieve this level of capability at such a young age.\" \n Question: What is probably the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Senior challenges Nobel prize. (B) Masterman invents a sensing equipment. (C) Teen wins $100,000 science scholarship. (D) Spectrograph recognizes the \"fingerprints\".", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}61{"query": "Article: The rain had continued for a week and the flood had created a big river which were running by Nancy Brown's farm. As she tried to gather her cows to a higher ground, she slipped and hit her head on a fallen tree trunk. The fall made her unconscious for a moment or two. When she came to, Lizzie, one of her oldest and favorite cows, was licking her face.  At that time, the water level on the farm was still rising. Nancy gathered all her strength to get up and began walking slowly with Lizzie. The rain had become much heavier, and the water in the field was now waist high. Nancy's pace got slower and slower because she felt a great pain in her head. Finally, all she could do was to throw her arm around Lizzie's neck and try to hang on. About 20 minutes later, Lizzie managed to pull herself and Nancy out of the rising water and onto a bit of high land, which seemed like a small island in the middle of a lake of white water.  Even though it was about noon, the sky was so dark and the rain and lightning was so bad that it took rescuers more than two hours to discover Nancy. A man from a helicopter  lowered a rope, but Nancy couldn't catch it. A moment later, two men landed on the small island from a ladder in the helicopter. They raised her into the helicopter and took her to the school gym, where the Red Cross had set up an emergency shelter.  When the flood disappeared two days later, Nancy immediately went back to the \"island.\" Lizzie was gone. She was one of 19 cows that Nancy had lost in the flood. \"I owe my life to her,\" said Nancy with tears. \n Question: What did Nancy try to do before she fell over? \n Options: (A) Measure the depth of the river (B) Look for a fallen tree trunk (C) Protect her cows from being drowned (D) Run away from the flooded farm", "pos": "Article: A whale that became stranded in the River Thames in Central London has died after attempts to save its life failed. The whole nation had been hoping for a more successful outcome to the attempted rescue, updates of which were shown on TV news programmes throughout the day and night.  The five- meter long bottle-nosed whale, which probably weighted about four tones, was first spotted in the river on Friday. There had been reports that a pod of whales had swum into the Thames Estuary earlier in the week, which caused terror among naturalists, as this kind of whale only thrives in much deeper water. It was the first sighting of the endangered species in the Thames since records began nearly a century ago. There was no more news of the pod, which suggests that most of them turned back and swam out to sea. However, one whale clearly became separated from this group. Incredibly, the first person to raise the alarm was a man who saw the giant mammal from the train he was on when it crossed the river. Almost immediately, a rescue attempt was mounted and further attempts to move the whale began on Saturday morning. After unsuccessfully attempting to gently encourage it to swim downstream of its own accord towards the Thames Estuary and eventually the sea, rescuers decided to move it onto the barge . The rescue operation involved winching the whale onto an inflatable raft which had been placed on the barge. 3,000 onlookers watched as the whale was treated with extreme care by the rescuers and applauded when the transfer operation was complete. The barge then set off with the intention of freeing the whale in deeper water. Sadly, it began to convulse during the journey and died. Earlier in the day,  naturalist and TV presenter Terry Nuktins had warned that attempts to move the large mammal were misguided and that the proximity of the rescuers to the whale was potentially disastrous. He said that the whale would have been terrified by the people around it and it wouldn't have been used to the sight of boats and the noise of the engines and propellers. \n Question: People throughout the country learned about the attempted rescues by_. \n Options: (A) listening to the radio (B) reading newspapers (C) watching TV news (D) asking some rescuers", "neg": "Article: It was an extremely hot day. My younger brother Walt and I had decided to go swimming in a deep swimming hole across Mr. Blickez's farm and through some woods, because it would be the only way to cool ourselves down. The only problem with our plan was that this farm was guarded by a huge mean   Hereford bull  . Mr. Blickez had told us that Elsie was the meanest bull in town, maybe even in the county and we believed in him. But the hotter it got, the more we thought there was something _ about what he said. For one thing, we remembered Mr. Blickez liked telling tall tales; for another, Elsie seemed like a strange name for a bull. Finally, I talked Mom into asking permission for us to walk through the farm, and Mr. Blickez agreed. On our way across the farm, we stopped at the fence to admire the swimming hole. The sun shone brightly across the cool waters. We couldn't wait to get there. Suddenly, Walt shouted loudly. Elsie had run to him and was licking   his back. I immediately hid under the fence. However, when I looked up, I saw that Elsie wasn't a big mean bull at all. She was just a friendly young cow, and she was going to keep licking my brother's back as long as he stood still. When we discovered the truth, we were so happy. We then ran to the swimming hole and jumped in. The water was just as wonderful as we had dreamed. After that day, we had many good days and we often visited our secret swimming hole guarded by the so-called \"big mean bull\". . \n Question: What was the problem faced by the author and his brother? \n Options: (A) They didn't know where to swim. (B) They didn't know how to get to the stream. (C) Their mother didn't want them to swim. (D) They had to face a very mean bull.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}62{"query": "Article: In my living room, there is a plaque   that advises me to \"Bloom   where you are planted.\" It reminds me of Dorothy. I got to know Dorothy in the early 1980s, when I was teaching Early Childhood Development through a program with Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. The job responsibilities requested occasional visits to the classroom of each teacher in the program. Dorothy stands out in my memory as one who \"bloomed\" in her remote area.               Dorothy taught in a school In Harlan County, Kentucky, Appalachian Mountain area. To get to her school from the town of Harlan, I followed a road winding around the mountain. In the eight-mile journey, I crossed the same railroad track five times, giving the possibility of getting caught by the same train five times. Rather than feeling excited by this drive through the mountains, I found it depressing. The poverty level was shocking and the small shabby  houses gave me the greatest feeling of hopelessness.               From the moment of my arrival at the little school, all gloom   disappeared. Upon arriving at Dorothy's classroom. I was greeted with smiling faces and treated like a queen. The children had been prepared to show me their latest projects. Dorothy told me with a big smile that they were serving poke greens salad and cornbread for \"dinner\" (lunch). In case you don't know, poke greens are a weed-type plant that grows wild, especially on poor ground.               Dorothy never ran out of reports of exciting activities of her students. Her enthusiasm  never cooled down. When it came time to sit for the testing and interviewing required to receive her Child Development Associate Certification, Dorothy was ready. She came to the assessment and passed in all areas. Afterward, she invited me to the one-and-only steak house in the area to celebrate her victory, as if she had received her Ph. D. degree. After the meal, she placed a little box containing  an old pen in my hand. She said it was a family heirloom  , but to me it is a treasured symbol of appreciation and pride that cannot be matched with things.  (360 words) \n Question: In the journey, the author was most disappointed at seeing   _  . \n Options: (A) the long track (B) the poor houses (C) the same train (D) the winding road", "pos": "Article: In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get ----- a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area: western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen ------- teaching English. School started, but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country. Was this rural area really New Jersey? My students took a week off when hunting season began. I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms. I was a young woman from New York City, who thought that \"Make hay while the sun shines\" just meant to have a good time. But, still, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth-grade class ---- seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room. In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, as the textbook had said, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. It sounds reasonable, but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans, particularly teenagers, rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise. My boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn't happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of the classroom, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes. I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying, but at my next free period I had to face him. I wondered if he would let me finish out the day. I walked to his office, took a deep breath, and opened the door. He was sitting in his chair, and he looked at me long and hard. I said nothing. All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher; I had been lying to myself, pretending that everything was fine. When he spoke, he said simply, without accusation, \"You had nothing to say to them.\" \"You had nothing to say to them\". he repeated.\" No wonder they are bored. Why not get to the meat of literature and stop talking about symbolism. Talk with them, not at them. And more important, why do you ignore their bad behavior\"? We talked. He named my problems and offered solutions. We role-played. He was the bad student, and I was the forceful, yet, warm teacher. As the year progressed, we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations. He helped me identify my weaknesses and strengths. In short, he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words: \"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.\" Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school. Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year, the school is my home now. \n Question: It can be inferred from the story that in 1974    _   . \n Options: (A) the writer became an optimistic person (B) it was rather difficult to get a job in the USA (C) the writer was very happy about her new job (D) it was easy to get a teaching job in New Jersey", "neg": "Article: (2013*,D)In 1974,after filling out fifty applications,going through four interviews,and winning one offer,I took what I could get--a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area:western New Jersey.My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen--teaching English. School started,but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country.Was this rural area really New Jersey?My students took a week off when hunting season began.I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms.I was a young woman from New York City,who thought that\"Make hay while the sun shines\" just meant to have a good time. But,still,I was teaching English.I worked hard,taking time off only to eat and sleep.And then there was my sixthgrade class--seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me.I had a problem long before I knew it.I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher.I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word.The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room. In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior.So I did,confident that,as the textbook had said,the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention.It sounds reasonable,but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans,particularly teenagers,rarely seem reasonable.By the time my boss,who was also my taskmaster,known to be the strictest,most demanding,most quick to fire inexperienced teachers,came into the classroom to observe me,the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise. My boss sat in the back of the room.The boys in the class were making animal noises,hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines.I just pretended it all wasn't happening,and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions.My boss,sitting in the back of room,seemed to be growing bigger and bigger.After twenty minutes he left,silently.Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes. I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying,but at my next free period I had to face him.I wondered if he would let me finish out the day.I walked to his office,took a deep breath,and opened the door. He was sitting in his chair,and he looked at me long and hard.I said nothing.All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher;I had been lying to myself,pretending that everything was fine. When he spoke,he said simply,without accusation,\"You had nothing to say to them.\" \"You had nothing to say to them.\"he repeated.\"No wonder they're bored.Why not get to the meat of the literature and stop talking about symbolism.Talk with them,not at them.And more important,why do you ignore their bad behavior?\"We talked.He named my problems and offered solutions.We roleplayed.He was the bad student,and I was the forceful,yet,warm,teacher. As the year progressed,we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations.He helped me identify my weaknesses and my strengths.In short,he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words:\"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.\" Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school.Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year,the school is my home now. \n Question: It can be inferred from the story that in 1974   _   . \n Options: (A) the writer became an optimistic person (B) the writer was very happy about her new job (C) it was rather difficult to get a job in the USA (D) it was easy to get a teaching job in New Jersey", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}63{"query": "Article: On a small farm in Mexico, there are no schools. A bus is the school! The driver of the bus is the teacher! It is a school bus, but it doesn't take children to school. It just goes round from place to place, and sometimes it comes to this farm. The bus will stay here for three months. The farmers call it a school on wheels  . Every time the bus comes, the farmers come running to it, shouting and laughing. They warmly welcome the school bus! When the bus is on the farm, in the morning, the teacher teaches the small children. In the afternoon, the bigger children come to have their lessons because they must work in the morning. At night, the fathers and mothers come to school. They want to learn, too. How the farmers hope that some day they can have a real  school on their farm! \n Question: .  . The driver of the bus is   _  . \n Options: (A) the teacher (B) the student (C) the farmer (D) the school", "pos": "Article: Until last spring, Nia Parker and the other kids in her neighborhood went to school on Bus 59.But as fuel prices rose, the school district needed to find a way to cut its transportation costs.So the school's busing company redrew its route map, canceling Nia's bus.Now Nia and her neighbors travel the half mile to school via a \"walking school bus\"--a group of kids, supervised   by an adult or two, who make the walk together. Many parents are delighted to see their kids walking to school, partly because many did so themselves.According to a 1979 survey, nearly half of school kids walked or biked to school, compared with only 16 percent in 2011.Modern parents have been unwilling to let kids walk to school for fear of traffic, crime or simple bullying, but with organized adult supervision, those concerns have reduced. Schools and busing companies are finding other ways to save.In rural areas where busing is a must, some schools have even chosen four-day school weeks.Busing companies instruct drivers to cancel extra stops from routes and to turn off the engine while idling .They are also using computer software to determine the most fuel-efficient routes, which aren't always the shortest ones. There could be disadvantages, however, to the busing cutbacks .If every formerly bused student begins walking to school, it's an environmental win--but if too many of their parents decide to drive them instead, the carbon footprint can grow.Replacing buses with many more parent-driven cars can also increase safety risks.A 2011 report concluded students are 13 times safer on a school bus than in a passenger car, since buses have fewer accidents and with stand them better due to their size.And some students complain about the long morning hikes, particularly when the route contains a really big hill. \n Question: In regards to walking to school, modern parents seem much concerned with the   _  . \n Options: (A) safety of their kids (B) kids' physical strength (C) time spent on the way (D) changes in the route", "neg": "Article: In elementary school, Guadalupe Quintanilla was often referred to as a \"slow learner\" by her teachers. But she really wasn't slow at all. She just didn't understand the language used in the classroom. Her problem was that she didn't speak English. So she left school after the fourth grade. When Guadalupe grew up, married, and had children of her own, she knew that her children were clever. But some of their teachers didn't think so. The children were having trouble in school because they didn't speak English. Mrs Quintanilla was angry. She didn't want people to think that her children were slow learners. So she decided to learn English herself as a way of helping them. She practiced English. She looked up words in the dictionary. She asked the school headmaster to let her sit in on classes. It wasn't easy, but she passed all her exams. She said that many of the other students helped her. Mrs Quintanilla has helped her children with their lessons. Her two sons have won success. One is a teacher, and the other is a doctor. Her youngest child, a daughter, is studying in a university. \n Question: Guadalupe was called as low learner  _  . \n Options: (A) to make her study harder (B) because she wasn't clever (C) because she stayed at home (D) because she didn't speak English", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}64{"query": "Article: Did the iPod kill music ? DID Steve Jobs kill the music industry? That's the question on many people's lips since rock star Jon Bon Jovi accused the apple boss of personally destroying the music industry. Bon Jovi centers his criticism   on how he believes music downloading has robbed young people of what he calls the \"beauty of buying on album\", \"Kids today have missed the beauty of taking your allowance   money and making a decision based on the  _ , not knowing what the record sounded like,\" he said. But far from killing the industry, many young people today think Jobs has been a blessing  , offering you instant, and selective access to a whole world of music. Keith Staskiewicz at Entertainment Weekly speaks for the feelings of many music lovers. He believes listening to Mp3s rather than records or CDs \"just saves them money\" and doesn't \"eliminate   the sense of discovery they get from new music\", Staskiewicz also argues that it's wrong to blame Jobs and Apple for destroying anything.\"Change is just part of the business,\" Staskiewicz said. \"No doubt in 50 years, Justin Bieber will complain in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech about how kids don't listen to iPods any more.\" For now, though, it appears that music downloading is set to continue for the near future. According to Summer Redstone, chairman of media company Viacom, iTunes has \"resurrected   the music industry by creating a legal, affordable purchasing system for fans\". But recent surveys suggested that, despite the \"legalizing\" of music downloading via sites like iTunes, young people are still choosing to download music illegally.A report by Jupiter Research suggested that illegal downloading sites are used three times as much as legal ones.  The problem, according to its analyst Mark Mulligan, is how today's youth grow up viewing music as something they can get for free. \"Unless the music industry can shift these consumers   while they are young away from free consumption to paid music formats  ,they may never develop music purchasing behavior,\" warned Mulligan \" recording industry could suffer long-term harm.\" \n Question: Jon Bon Jovi thinks Steve Jobs has destroyed the music industry because   _  . \n Options: (A) Apple encourages illegal music downloading (B) children today prefer music downloading to buying albums (C) children today do not like to discover new music (D) children don't care what a record sounds like", "pos": "Article: The first MP4 player was born years ago. Soon many music fans were wondering how fantastic it is! If you have been into technology enough, perhaps you may have a knowledge of the MP4. If not, you do need to know something before buying one, even if you are familiar with MP3. MP3 is the CD-like disc with greater capacity. How about MP4? This small digital product will really enrich the joy from listening to music. You can even feel the \"touch\" of music to your soul! Now, some similar digital products advertised as \"MP4 players\" are simply MP3 players, which do not play video and MPEG format   and also lack other particular functions. These products confuse some buyers, as they may think the \"MP4\" players simply mean they can do more than MP3. What is MP4?!  It is a multimedia container. It is not only used to store digital audio   and digital video streams, especially those of MPEG, but can also be used to store other data such as subtitles   and pictures. As a most modern container format, it allows streaming over the Internet.  With the help of a piece of MP4 video equipment, you can change various programs such as MPEG to MP4, ASX to MP4, AVI to MP4 and so on, which can be done very quickly and easily without any effect on the sound quality. By installing   DVD-MP4 software, you can transfer particular music from a DVD to an MP4 video file. It really excites your listening music experience.   Then, there is MP4 advanced and you can set your own collection of all the programs -- TV shows, games, and music. You can even see movies which are still running in cinemas.  _ ? \n Question: It is suggested here that you should   _   before buying an MP4 player \n Options: (A) first be a music fan (B) have a knowledge of MP4 (C) get familiar with MP3 (D) buy a CD-like disc", "neg": "Article: After months of fear, hate and prosecution , the music and consumer-electronics industry decided to try to make beautiful music together. Last week the Secure Digital Music Initiative, a combination of 100 music, electronics and high-tech companies announced that it agreed on a music format  known as MP3 which caused disagreement. Nowadays, more and more young people are fond of music that is played on their portable MP3 players. So this announcement attracted a lot of attention in both the producer and consumer sides.        MP3 allows the digital music in CDs to be made smaller to a tenth its size and still sounds great. MP3 songs are small enough to be traded online; they are made by the millions to the _ of record companies, which fear that everything ever released on disc will end up online for free. Traditional records and their sale may be greatly damaged by this new format of music, and for the music's sake, it is better conveyed in this new medium.        That's why the recording industry appealed to the court against little Diamond Multimedia when it started selling a portable MP3 player two years ago. Not only did Diamond win in court, but it also sold 100,000 Rios along the way. With half a dozen other companies racing to produce their own versions of the Rio for Christmas, what could the music industry do? They have no choice in their future, their success just depends on how they can deal with the new trend and cooperate with the electronics companies.        It couldn't ignore MP3, which has become the format of choice among new bands trying to advertise their pre-released songs. So the industry agreed on it on one condition: within 18 months, when a standard is adopted that allows piracy-protected music (free from being illegally copied) to be sold online, the electronics companies agree to make their players in line with it. This clears the way for the new magic MP3 players, which is both convenient and capable of carrying on much more music than traditional walkmans. What's next? Digitally pirated movies. Get ready,prefix = st1 /Hollywood. \n Question: The most appropriate title for the passage may be_. \n Options: (A) \"MP3 Clears Its Way\" (B) \"Music And Electronics\" (C) \"Piracy Along The Way\" (D) \"Movie Is The Next\"", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}65{"query": "Article: Is It OK to Snap   Your Food? Have you ever taken a snap of a luxurious cake or photographed a juicy steak when you eat in restaurants? You may want to share what you eat with your friends or just post part of your daily life onto the Internet. However, such action may be very annoying  to other diners, or even to chefs and restaurant owners. Currently, more and more people begin to consider \" foodstagramming\" as very silly and a bad manner. In many restaurants, diners complain of being blinded by flasher , snapped without their permission and disturbed by people climbing on to chairs for a better angle. Even chefs and restaurant owners are annoyed at food photography. A Michelin-starred  chef said, \"It's hard to build a memorable evening when flashes are flying every six minutes.\" At the start of 2013, the debate on whether it is OK to take photographs of your food in restaurants seemed to swing   towards a definite \"no.\" According to several chefs in New York City, some restaurants there have started banning customers from taking photos of their food. Policies around the ban of food photography vary from restaurant to restaurant, ranging from restrictions on using a flash to outright  bans. If other restaurants follow such policies, it may signal the death of \" foodstagramming\". Nevertheless, instead of banning food photography, some restaurants are offering food photography courses. In Spain, the restaurant group Grupo Gourmet has started running a \" Fotografia para foodies\" course to instruct its customers to better take food pictures. The course teaches customers to take photos in a proper way without disturbing other dinners, such as never use a flash. \n Question: Who are annoyed with food photography in restaurants? \n Options: (A) Restaurant owners. (B) Other diners. (C) Chefs. (D) The above all.", "pos": "Article: When it comes to eating out, we can't help thinking of big meals in the restaurants, which usually contain much more fat and less fibers. Whether it is a business meeting over lunch or a fast food meal with the kids, eating out is a part of our lives. We eat out to save a lot of time, like grabbing a bite at fast food restaurants, or we take dining out as a favorite way to relax and socialize with friends. Eating out can be fun but many people still like eating at home more because it is healthier. When my dear wife does not prepare foods for me, I would rather cook some instant noodles and eat at home! However, we go out to eat once in a while for holidays or on special occasions. More and more people want to make healthy food choices nowadays. Some are watching calories, while others want to keep their cholesterol under control or eat less fat. Plan ahead and choose wisely, you will find foods that fit into your meal plan and make eating out both healthy and enjoyable. Here are some pointers  to remember that can help you make wise choices when eating out: go for balance, watch portion sizes and drink water or low-fat milk.Keep the ground rules of good nutrition in mind.Eat a variety of foods in moderate amounts, limit the amount of fat you eat, and watch the amount of salt in food.If you develop the skills to make healthy choices now, your body will thank you later. Eating out can be one of life's great pleasures.Make the right choices, ask for what you need, and balance your meals out with healthy meals at home.You can enjoy yourself and take good care of yourself at the same time. \n Question: From the passage, we can infer that often eating out  _   . \n Options: (A) saves time from cooking (B) maintains good relations with friends (C) contributes to healthy bodies (D) is of disadvantage to health", "neg": "Article: Instagram is a fast,beautiful and fun way to share your life with friends and family.Take a picture or video,choose a filter to transform its look and feel.and then post to Instagram--it's that easy.You can even share to Facebook.Twitter and more.It's a new way to see the world.So many photos of food are contained on Instagram--now a pop-up diner in London is taking advantage of this new trend by letting people settle the bill for their meals simply by uploading photos of their dishes to social networks. I always thought people's taking pictures of their food was kind of silly, but at this new pop-up restaurant in the UK,I'd probably do it too.\"The Picture House\"is the world's first pay-by-photo restaurant--you order, click a photo of the food,share on Instagram and eat for free! The restaurant belongs to frozen food giant Birds Eye,who came up with the idea to cash in on people's addiction with photographing food and sharing the pictures online. They conducted a survey and found out that more than half of the British population regularly took pictures of their meals.So they realized it was a better way to advertise their new dining range. The pop-up diner was open in Soho,London for three days in May,and is now moving to other major UK cities.They serve two-course meals that customers don't have to pay for, if they photo and lnstagram it. The restaurant is a part of Birds Eye's\"Food for Life\"campaign,a new marketing project that aims at changing the way people look at frozen food.\"Taking photos of food enables people to show off and to share their mealtime moments--from the everyday to the special,\"said marketing director Margaret Jobling. The reaction to The Picture House has been great so far And the pay-by-picture concept has proven to be an effective way.Alternative payment methods are actually gaining popularity among a lot of businesses.Last year in a cafe in Germany customers pay by how much time they spend there,not by what they eat. \n Question: Instagram probably is  _  . \n Options: (A) a restaurant free of chmge (B) a campaign of\"Food for Life'' (C) a program used to share photos (D) a new marketing project", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}66{"query": "Article: Want to know the dynamic pulse of China's economy?  Get a glance of the most important business activities taking place here every day  through Business Daily Update, a service offered by China Daily information via the World Wide Web. Placed under 10 categories, over 25 news items appear each day with the top three events  highlighted all in English.Business Daily Update is just a few mouse clicks away. Subscribe to BDU for an annual fee of US $240.Email and fax services are also Available  upon request. For more information, please contact Business Daily Update:  Tel: (010)64941107, (010) 64924488 ext.2000; Fax: +86-10-64941125  Email: bdu@chinadaily.com.cn; \n Question: If you get into BDU, you can   _  . \n Options: (A) get the information of the latest business activities taking place in China (B) get the most important business information in the world (C) know more than what you expect in China (D) get all the information in China Daily", "pos": "Article: China Daily, the national English-language newspaper of China, keeps you in touch with China and the world with our mobile solutions. Now anyone can read our exclusive reports   anywhere. Download your favorites! China Daily iPaper           Want to read China Daily with your iPhone or iPad? Then look no further than China Daily iPaper. With China Daily iPaper, all sections are presented as full-content digital replicas  , in their original layout  . The application is free, and you can download your favourite news reports wherever you are.  China Daily Digest           Since the China Daily Digest application is now available on the iPad App Store, iPad users can read and download China Daily Digest's in-depth news reports, website exclusives and analysis  , which will give you unique views on China's economy, society and culture. China Daily News           A bridge connecting China and the world, the China Daily iPhone application lets you get the latest information and photos of China wherever you go. Specifically designed to use the characteristics and navigation of the iPhone, this application downloads the latest news of China directly to the device. China Daily Video           China Daily Video iPhone application is a window to China, letting you get video products covering all of China's cultural heritages  , natural wonders, interviews with famous people and major news events. \n Question: If you want to enjoy full-content papers, you should choose   _  . \n Options: (A) China Daily iPaper (B) China Daily Digest (C) China Daily News (D) China Daily Video", "neg": "Article: Here are four pieces of news from China Daily: SHANGHAI---The Huachen Group, which has put 83 million yuan in the development of the commerce market since its official registration late last year, recently held a meeting in Shanghai to show the use of its newly opened tourism business payment network. The network aims to serve tourists from all over the world, but especially from Europe and the United States where credit cards are popularly used. After opening the www.ehinaeonet.com website, netizens can get information about hotels and tourism services on tourism page. Hotels and services can be reserved and payment made through credit cards. The network opened in February in Beijing. SYDNEY---The Sydney Olympic flame will travel underwater on Australia's Great Barrier Reef during the torch relay following a successful test. Scuba diver Wendy Craig, a marine biologist, will carry the torch on three-to-four-minute underwater journey at Agincourt Reef on June 27, creating Olympic history, organizers said yesterday. Burning at 2,000 degrees, the torch is expected to remain alight three meters underwater because of a special kind of technology which creates a \"fierce flame\"--- too powerful to be drowned out by water. Charles Tegner, managing director of torch creator, said the flame would burn like a flame from oxygen-producing chemicals. BEIJING---The election of a new leader in Taiwan cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China. \"Taiwan Independence\" in whatever form will never be allowed, according to a statesman of China's central government. \"We should listen to what the new leader in Taiwan says and watch what he does. We will observe where he will lead Cross-Straits relations. We are willing to exchange views on Cross-Straits relations and peaceful reunification  with all parties, organizations and people in Taiwan who favor the one-China principle,\" says the statesman, from Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee. HAIKOU---Customs officers in Haikou, capital of South China's Hainan Province, recently stopped a boat loaded with 781 cases of foreign-brand cigarettes being smuggling into China. The cigarettes are estimated to be worth more than 1.8 million yuan, said a customs officer. They discovered the smuggling boat as they were going around the northern sea area of Yangpu Port. The smuggled cigarettes cases, packed into two containers, were _ to avoid being examined. The boat was registered in the coastal city Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province. All eight suspects aboard the boat were kept by the police in Haikou. \n Question: Why does the network aim to serve tourists especially from Europe and the USA? \n Options: (A) Because they are from developed countries. (B) Because the payments of hotels and services are usually made through credit cards in these places. (C) Because people in these countries travel much more than those in other countries. (D) Because they have more computers than others.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}67{"query": "Article: When Chinese student Du Juan brought her American boyfriend home two years ago to use the toilet, her Japanese roommate became so upset that she shouted in English: \"I hate you.\" Du, then 21 and an undergraduate at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, was shocked. So was her boyfriend. \"Later I realized that she didn't literally mean what she said and that she was not aware of the full meaning of the word 'hate' in English,\" said Du. \"It was more a problem with translation,\" she added. Cultural differences can cause confusion about what words or even actions mean, an issue that has come to the forefront recently following the arrest of a Chinese doctoral degree student in New Jersey. Zhai Tiantian, who studied at the Stevens Institute of Technology, has been accused of trying to set fire to a campus building and of making threats to a professor who gave him a low mark. No physical _ took place but Zhai reportedly said something along the lines of \"at worst, I will risk anything on the line.\" The professor called the campus police. According to the indictment sheet , Zhai is facing the serious charge of making a terroristic threat. For a few days, Chinese media mistranslated, or misunderstood, the charges and reported that Zhai was being charged with terrorism. Some language experts have speculated  that the disagreement between Zhai and the professor can also be chalked up to cultural and linguistic differences. \"What Chinese people regard as acceptable speech may be regarded by Americans as threats,\" said Luo Gang, the Chinese Consulate's Overseas Chinese Affairs consul. \"This is an unfortunate incident. Even though Zhai intended no harm, he has done himself a great deal of harm.\" Du, now 23, said she supports Zhai's actions in fighting to save his academic career, but added he needs to learn more about communication in a foreign language. \"Chinese students in a foreign country must prepare more in terms of languages and conversation skills to avoid misunderstandings,\" she said. \n Question: By saying \"It was more a problem with translation\", what does Du Juan mean? \n Options: (A) Translation was not the real problem, as Du Juan and her roommate can both speak English. (B) Du Juan can not understand what her roommate meant at all. (C) Her roommate didn't know what \"hate\" really meant in daily conservation. (D) Her roommate spoke such poor English that she felt angry.", "pos": "Article: On the night of May 9, 2011, musician Gao Xiaosong ran his car into three other cars in Beijing. But it wasn't just a car accident--he was drunk . Now, Gao has to go to prison   for six months and pay a 4,000 yuan fine. Gao is the first star to be punished under China's new drunk driving law. From May 1 on, drunk drivers will pay a fine, and be banned from driving for five years or even forever. Drunk driving has become a serious social problem in China.According to the Ministry of Public Security  , police caught more than half a million drunk drivers last year, a 68 % increase from 2009. The new law sees drunk driving as a crime. In the West, drunk driving is also a crime. In the US, for example, if the police catch a drunk driver, the driver will pay a fine, lose his or her license   and even go to prison. If the driver wants to drive again, he or she must do public service, and take part in educational programs. You may think: drunk driving is a crime? Isn't this law too unkind? But experts say, \"Not at all.\" \"It is to protect people's rights to life and health,\" Li Gang, lawyer in Chengdu, told China Daily. \"Drunk driving is very dangerous. No matter what the results are, it should not be allowed.\" \n Question: Mr. Gao ran his car into three other cars because   _  . \n Options: (A) there was something wrong with his car (B) he went home too late (C) he drank too much wine (D) the road was too crowded", "neg": "Article: A disheveled   man appeared in court Thursday on charges of murdering a Chinese woman whose fight with her attacker was seen on webcam  by her boyfriend in China. Police refused to release any details about the crime or its possible motive. The body of York University student Liu Qian, 23, of Beijing, was found Friday in her apartment in Toronto a few hours after her boyfriend witnessed the attack, police said. She was found undressed from the waist down but there were no obvious signs of sexual attack or trauma   severe enough to kill her. Police say it may be weeks before the results of an autopsy   are known. Brian Dickson, 29, stood before the court in a wrinkled white shirt and blue jeans as a charge of first- degree murder was read out. He did not enter a plea. His case was held over until April 26. Dickson was arrested Wednesday. Police only announced his name and his age and asked the media not to publish any photos of Dickson, saying it could compromise the investigation. Toronto police spokesman Tony Vella declined to respond to the request further. Liu's father, Liu Jianhui, who arrived from China after being informed of his daughter's death, thanked authorities for their quick action. \"I sincerely thank the people concerned with my daughter's case,\" he told reporters after the arrest. \"Our daughter was studying very hard.\" Police released no motive or details about Dickson, but one friend described the Toronto man as _ . Patricia Tomasi, a friend of Dickson's, told The Associated Press that she acted in a play at a local theater in Toronto with Dickson in 2007. \"He doesn't seem like the type but that's what they always say,\" Tomasi said. \"He's tall with boyish good looks. I don't know much about him except that he wanted to be an actor.\" Dickson attended York University where he studied global politics, but did not earn a degree from there. He later worked for the Atlantic Council of Canada (ACC), where he served as an assistant to the president Juilie Lindhout. According to his biography on a newsletter from the Atlantic Council of Canada, Dickson has also been a running instructor and has been involved with Developments in Literacy, a Pakistani aid organization that raises money for children in Pakistan. A statement from the Atlantic Council of Canada on Thursday said it was not council policy to comment on staff, but it confirmed that Dickson had been an intern  with the council from September 29, 2008, until March 27, 2009. Liu was chatting with her boyfriend, Meng Xianchao, by webcam at about 1 am. Friday when a man knocked on the door, police said. Meng reported seeing a struggle break out between the two before Liu's webcam was shut off. Meng contacted other friends in Toronto who in turn called police. The victim's father, Liu Jianhui, said his daughter studied at Beijing City University before moving to Canada, where she met Meng. Liu Qian's laptop computer, webcam and mobile phone were taken from the apartment the night of the attack, police said. Police said the online chat was on a live streaming camera and was not recorded, though investigators were trying to figure out if there was any way they could recover it. York University, whose campus is located near one of Toronto's rougher neighborhoods, is one of Canada's largest universities with more than 53,000 undergraduate and graduate students. About 3,200 of York's students come from more than 150 foreign countries, the university's website says. \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) York University students come from over 150 foreign countries. (B) Dickson was a graduate of York University where he studied global politics. (C) The passage does not mention the reason why Dickson murdered Liu Qian. (D) ACC wouldn't make any comments on staff even if they committed a crime.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}68{"query": "Article: When was the last time someone did something unexpectedly nice for you? Not someone you knew, but a total stranger? It's happened to me a few times, but two instances really stand out. A few years ago, I was dining out with a person who kept going on and on about himself, completely unaware of the fact that I was sitting there in misery . It wasn't his company that disappointed me. I was recovering from a bad grade in my study. I could have collapsed in tears right there at the table. When we picked up the check, the waitress said, \"Your meal was already paid for.\" My friend and I didn't have a clue how it happened. Then I remembered a man coming in out of the corner of my eye. He was dressed in mostly white, sat down at the bar, had a glass of wine, stayed for maybe ten minutes and then left. The waitress said, \"Yes, the gentleman who was in here a while ago paid for you.\" Just last year, I was running a half-marathon. With just 0.1 miles to go, I was out of gas. Runners call it \"hitting the wall\"; I thought I couldn't move another muscle. Out of nowhere, a teenager jogged up next to me and said, \"What's your name sweetie? Jennifer? Okay, Jennifer, let's go! Come on! It's just around the corner! You can do it!\". And he ran with me until I picked up my pace. I found him at the finish line to thank him for the encouragement only to learn he wasn't even supposed to be in the race that day. He was running in place of someone else. I still shake my head when I think of these momentary angels that came to me at my point of need. Do you have any experiences like this? \n Question: Why did the author say she was in misery? \n Options: (A) Because she got into trouble with her friend. (B) Because she couldn't enjoy her meal quietly. (C) Because her friend complained so much. (D) Because she was doing poorly in her study.", "pos": "Article: I had made up my mind a long time ago that I would not give a homeless person money, because I could never be sure what that money would be used for. Instead, I decided, I would buy them a sandwich, a cold drink on a hot day, a cup of coffee, whatever I could manage. I was out recently and saw a homeless man outside of a _ . I decided I would buy this man lunch. I bought a sandwich and soda. Just as I was leaving the store, two policemen were approaching the man. Obviously the shop owners had complained of his wandering and the police were there to draw him away from the storefronts. Just as they were about to wake him, I asked one of the officers if it was all right if I just gave the man something before he went. I was not sure why I asked the permission but the policeman said sure and I just left the bag in the man's cart, got in my car and drove off. As I was driving off I remember thinking \"I hope people saw that\". Then I had to seriously ask myself why I hoped people had seen me give the man a sandwich from Starbucks. Was it because I wanted people to think, \"She's such a nice person!\"? Why did I hope others had seen me do it? I continued to wonder this all evening. The next morning, it came to me that I wanted people to have witnessed that small act of kindness not so that I would receive credit and praise but so that they might be inspired to do the same and in so doing that others still would witness their acts of kindness. Thus the whole spirit of pity and giving would be lasting. \n Question: When the author saw the homeless man, he was   _  . \n Options: (A) begging outside (B) buying goods (C) staying awake (D) falling asleep", "neg": "Article: When was the last time someone did something unexpectedly nice for you? Not someone you  knew, but a total stranger? It's happened to me a few times, but two instances really stand out. A few years ago, I was dining out with a person who kept going on and on about himself,  completely oblivious to the fact that I was sitting there in misery.It wasn't his company that disappointed me.I was recovering from a broken heart, and just sitting down to dinner reminded me of my last relationship.I could have collapsed in tears right there at the table. When we picked up the check, the waitress said, \"Your meal was already paid for.\" My friend  and I didn't have a clue how it happened.Then I remembered a man coming in out of the corner of my eye.He was dressed in mostly white, sat down at the bar, had a glass of wine, stayed for maybe ten minutes, and then left.The waitress said, \"Yes, the gentleman who was in here a while ago paid for you.\"  Just last year, I was running a half-marathon.With just 0.1 miles to go, I was out of gas. Runners call it \"hitting the wall\"; I thought I couldn't move another muscle.Out of nowhere, a teenager jogs up next to me and says, \"What's your name, sweetie? Jennifer? Okay, Jennifer, let's go! Come on! It's just around the corner! You can do it!\" And he ran with me until I picked up my pace.I found him at the finish line to thank him for the encouragement only to learn he wasn't even supposed to be in the race that day.He was running in place of someone else. I still shake my head when I think of these momentary angels that came to me at my point of  need.Do you have any experiences like this? \n Question: Which of the following is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) The Kindness of Strangers (B) An Unpleasant Companion (C) Two Special Experiences (D) Hitting the Wall", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}69{"query": "Article: HK's Family Affair The 32nd Hong Kong Art Festival, to be held early next year, will be based on the theme of \"family\". The art festival, considered to be Asia's best, began in 1973. \"We hope that people from Beijing and from all over the world will go to Hong Kong to enjoy the multiple performances in our art festival,\"Douglas Gautier, the festival's management director, said in a press conference in the capital. In the 29 days of the festival, which runs from February 8 to March 7, 2004, the audience can choose from 111 performances of 51 programmes staged by 700 foreign performers, 450 local artists and 160 actors from the mainland. Programmes vary from classical music, jazz, world music, Western and Peking opera, drama and dance to outdoor spectaculars. The programmes include Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, Shakespeare's drama Rromeo and Juliet, the ballet Mozartina and African dances, to name just a few. The lineup includes the English Touring Theatre, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Zurich Ballet, The Spanish National Dance Troupe, as well as Europe Galante, the Petersen Quartet, pianists Angela Hewitt and Marc-Andre Hamelin, and saxophonist Jan Garbarek. In an effort to increase attendance, hotels and airlines are offering _ along with art festival ticket sales, most of which are at 20% and 30% discounts. For more information, please check:  _ \n Question: The press conference must have been held   _  . \n Options: (A) in Hong Kong (B) in Europe (C) in Beijing (D) in England", "pos": "Article: HK's Family Affair      The 39thHong Kong Art Festival, to be held early next year, will be based on the topic of \"family\"      The art festival, considered to be Asia's best, began in 1973.        \"We hope that people from Beijing and from all over the world will go to Hong Kong to enjoy the different performances in our art festival,\"Douglas Gautier, the festival's management director, said in a press conference  in the capital.        In the 29 days of the festival, which runs from March 8 to April 7,2012, the audience can choose from 111 performances of 51 programmes given by 700 foreign performers, 450 local artists and 160 actors from the mainland.        Programmes vary  from classical music, jazz, world music, Western and Peking opera, drama and dance to outdoor shows.        The programmes include Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, Shakespeare's drama Romeo and Juliet, the ballet Mozartina and African dances, to name just a few.        The lineup includes the English Touring Theatre, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Zurich Ballet, The Spanish National Dance Troupe, as well as Europe Galante the Petersen Quartet, pianists Angela Hewitt and Lang Lang, and saxophonist Jan Garbarek.        In order to increase attendance, hotels and airlines are offering  _ along with art festival ticket sales, most of which are at 20% and 30% cheaper.        For more information, please check:         _ \n Question: The press conference was held  _  . \n Options: (A) in Hong Kong (B) in Europe (C) in Beijing (D) in England", "neg": "Article: Art Beat in January 2016 Beijing Youth choir to perform The youth choir of China National Symphony Orchestra will soon perform classics including the Mexican folk song, The Golden Nightingale, and the Blue Danube, adapted from a waltz by Johann Strauss II. Pianists Zhao Lin and Wang Tianyang will join in the show. 7:30 pm, Jan 23. Forbidden City Concert Hall, inside Zhongshan Park, west of Tian'anmen Square, Xicheng district. 010-6559-8285. Orchestra recitals  The China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra led by conductor Lyu Jia will give two recitals, featuring works including Beethoven's Coriolanus Overture and Mozart's Symphonies No. 40 & No. 41 Jupiter. Cellist  Wang Jian will join in the performances, playing Schumann's Cello Concerto in A minor, Op 129 and Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op 33. 7:30 pm, Jan 15; 2:30 pm, Jan 16. China National Center for the Performing Arts, No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District. 010-6655-0000. Ballet from Paris Paris Opera Ballet will present two gala performances in the city. Besides highlights of classical ballet, such as Swan Lake and Manon, the program will also include modern pieces from the company's repertoire. The leading etoiles are Ludmila Pagliero and Karl Paquette. 7:15 pm, Jan 15-16. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Road, Pudong district. 021-6854-1234. Ensemble of swans Shanghai Ballet will present two performances of Swan Lake. The production choreographed by British artist Derek Deane who has just completed a tour in 26 cities of the Netherlands. The spectacular production features an ensemble of 48 dancers. 7:15 pm, Jan 22-23. Shanghai Grand Theater, 300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu district. 400-106-8686. \n Question: According to the text, when does Youth choir to perform start? \n Options: (A) 7:15 pm, Jan 22-23. (B) 7:30 pm, Jan 15; 2:30 pm, Jan 16. (C) 7:15 pm, Jan 15-16. (D) 7:30 pm, Jan 23.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}70{"query": "Article: The best selling children's book, Pipilu Sending You 100 Lives, has been adapted into a homonymous play that will be put on for the first time next March and tour around 50 cities in China. The book was adapted by the Hangzhou based Star Dream Factory. \"We don't want to descend to the average children's dramas that are overly eager to please the kids,\" said Huang Qin, director of Star Dream Factory. \"We want to provide something practically useful and mystically entertaining.\" The original book by Chinese children's book writer Zheng Yuanjie focuses on safety tips for kids. With Zheng's usual _ and simplicity, the book avoids sugar-coating reality. Instead, it illustrates the potential dangers in everyday life and provides possible solutions. Zheng recalled that when he saw his new-born baby in the hospital, the first thought that hit him was to do his utmost to guarantee his son's safety. \"Safety is of the greatest importance to a human being,\" said Zheng. \"If the person is gone, nothing else will matter.\" According to Zheng, there is no preaching or soapboxing in his book. He said that he just wanted to talk and tell the plain truth to the children in an easily understandable way. This line of thought will be echoed in the theatrical reproduction, said director Guo Yan. She also said that the play will place emphasis on multimedia effects and the interaction with the families. \"Theatre may not ensure the children a path to professional esteem and better jobs in society, but it does have the power to give them strength (at heart),\" said Huang Qin. Huang also calls for consistent attention to child safety, pointing out the lack of universal education and effective legal channels. The show is expecting an estimated audience of more than 100,000 people during its domestic tour in the upcoming year. \n Question: Pipilu Sending You 100 Lives has been adapted into a play by   _  . \n Options: (A) Huang Qin . (B) Zheng Yuanjie. (C) Guo Yan. (D) Star Dream Factory", "pos": "Article: The classical Chinese theatre developed during the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368). Plots of Yuan plays came from story cycles made familiar by storytellers. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the drama used the plots of popular novels. Until the 19th century, Chinese drama was not spoken; it was a mixture of music and declamation  . Like the Sanskrit   drama, Chinese drama avoids tragedy as that term is understood in the West. However, it is frequently filled with a feeling of pity and sympathy, often involving the deaths of women. Chinese drama is more social and less concerned with romantic love than the Sanskrit. One's family and country are frequently regarded as more important than the individual. In contrast to the Sanskrit drama, Chinese drama was written for the popular audience, and dramatic performances took place in every village. There are many Chinese plays in existence. Among the  _ of them areThe Injustice Suffered by Dou Eby Guan Hanqing,The Western Chamber by Wang Shifu,The Peony Pavilionby Tang Xianzu, andThe Palace of Eternal Youthby Hong Sheng. In the West, Chinese drama has traditionally been regarded as an entertainment rather than a serious art form. One of the reasons for this judgment is the formlessness of Chinese plays. For example, Hong Sheng's The Palace of Eternal Youth, a play in 49 scenes doesn't have any act divisions. In Chinese drama, no attempt is made at realism. The scenery is symbolic. For instance, a flag represents an army and characters at times directly address the audience. Since the early 19th century, the Beijing opera has been the leading force in the Chinese theatre. After World War I, a realistic, spoken drama, patterned after Western plays, developed. \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) The Classical Chinese Drama (B) Chinese Drama and Western Plays (C) The Forms of Chinese Drama (D) Chinese Drama", "neg": "Article: *1. Malan Flower: China Children's Art Theatre stages a fairy tale musical   \"Malan Flower\" this weekend. Beautiful Malan flowers were blossoming everywhere on Malan Mountain, and hard-working girl Xiao Lan was married to the god of flowers, Ma Lang. They lived a happy life in harmony with Grandpa Tree. and all the lovely little animals. However, greedy Old Cat made use of the jealousy of elder sister Da Lan to kill Xiao Lan, in an attempt to keep the magic Malan flower under her possession. This fairy tale entertained three generations of Chinese youth. Time: 7: 30 p. m., until August 21 Place: The Great Theatre of the Cultural Palace of the Nationalities, west of Xidan Area Tel: 6602-2530 *2. Joyful jugglers: The China Acrobatic Troupe is staging a nightly variety show at the Tiandi Theatre, where the seemingly impossible becomes a reality, where performers spin   plates and juggle umbrellas. Contortionists   show incredible feats of flexibility and acrobats leap through the air. Integrating juggling, unicycling, balancing and jumping through hoops with the finest ancient Chinese dancing, the performance will amuse you. Time: 7: 15 p. m., daily Place: 10 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Chaoyang District Tel: 6502-3984 *3. Tour of love: Taiwan singer David Tao (Tao Zhe), who is on a global tour, will arrive in Beijing next month. Tao Zhe was born into a musical family. His father is an expert in Western pop music while his mother is from a family famous for playing Peking Opera. This probably explains why Too approaches pop music from a unique angle  , which separates him from the average pop singer. With the song \"Forever Love You\" as the theme of the concert, Tao will share his love and ideas for life and music with his fans. Time: 7: 30 p. m. , September 10 Place: Capital Gymnasium, Baishiqiao Lu Tel: 6835-4055 *4. Army artist: An exhibition featuring artist Li Shaozhou's personal and meticulous   style of painting will be held at the National Art Museum of China. Born in Henan Province, Li showed strong interests in art during his childhood, and was a specialized artist in the army. The exhibition will present 65 paintings of modern figures, birds and flowers that he has made over the past decade, during which he has formed his own style by absorbing other painting techniques. Time: 9 a. m. ~ 5 p. m., August 23 ~ 29 Place: 1 Wusi Dajie Tel: 8403-3500 \n Question: Which advertisement will Michael be most interested in if he likes fairy tales? \n Options: (A) Malan Flower. (B) Joyful jugglers. (C) Tour of love. (D) Army artist.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}71{"query": "Article: In today's Internet age, online games can be a change from the pressure of school and work. However, they can also cause problems and unhealthy addictions. This is most clearly seen in the example of South Korea. This country has the world's highest percentage of high-speed Internet services. It also has a high number of game players who are addicted to online games. In 2004, a young man died after playing online games almost nonstop for 86 hours. A 12-year-old boy stole $16,000 from his father to continue online games which he could not get away from. Such problems are spreading to other parts of Asia as well. In 2005, it was reported that about 80 percent of China's 13.8 million online game players were under 25. And many of these were said to be addicted. Such numbers point toward a growing problem among Chinese youth. Dr. Sue-Huei Chen, a psychologist, discovered some signs of at-risk people. Such people often go online to escape from their problems. And they usually have no friendship or good social skills. They feel the need to spend more and more time online, so they may be absent from school or family. And they become upset if anyone tries to shorten their online game playing. \n Question: The passage is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) reasons for online game addiction (B) problems caused by online games (C) computer problems in Asia (D) problems caused by young people", "pos": "Article: Are you addicted to computer games? Do you stay up all night playing them? Do you feel happy after you play computer games? There's no doubt that the excitement and appealing of games these days makes them hard to put down. We are attracted by the choice when it comes to gaming: You can role play--creating your own fantasy characters and stories, giving you a chance to step out of everyday life into an imaginary world. And there are shooting games where you can let out your anger and depression in violent situations where you kill people with guns. You can get excited from the games. However, can these kinds of games really be fun and can being absorbed in virtual reality be good for us? Should we worry about their effects on our health? Popular games like Grand Theft Auto have been blamed for everything from falling results at school to causing acts of extreme violence. Internet safety adviser, Alan MacKenzie, thinks \"any people understandably will just think that a game is just a game and not realizing the exact content that's in there\". He gives an example of the violence, which he says is \"wholly inappropriate for anybody, not to mention children.\" Others will argue that gaming is a harmless form of entertainment. There is evidence that playing video games could actually be good for us. Some games like Game of Thrones and World of Warcraft are educational and using games certainly can help children learn good qualities. Studies have also shown that the skills used in playing games can cause growth in certain areas of the brain, the ability to think in 3D and even improve our eyesight. Video game players are also no longer just simple creatures. For some, gaming is having a positive effect on their social lives with games like Halo and World of Warcraft often being played in groups. When your group works together to win the game, your sense of achievement is higher than when winning by yourself. So every coin has two sides. It seems today, gaming isn't just for game fans and if used in a proper way, we can all take part. If video games have two sides, what side do you stand by? \n Question: The writer used a lot of questions at the beginning to   _  . \n Options: (A) show his worries about the effect on health (B) lead into the topic of the passage (C) ask the reader for their own opinions about games (D) doubt the advantage of playing computer games", "neg": "Article: In South Korea, children get used to the Internet at an early age. A survey last year by the Ministry of information and Communication showed that nearly half of children between the age of 3 and 5 use the internet. \"In south Korea, _ , said Lee Kyong Ko, a professor at Duksing, Women's University in Seoul. Online role-playing games, where participants make friends and band together, have a strong appeal to Koreans,\"One problem with those games is that you build your online person through countless hours of battles, and you develop a huge emotional attachment to your game character,\"said Chang Woo Min, a one-time online gamer. Parents report that their children steal money and do not come home for days and even weeks, practically living in Internet Cafes, and sometimes they refuse to look for jobs and play games all night and sleep during the day. The authorities require Internet cafes to keep their distance from schools, and they open camps for teenage addicts and distribute booklets  on the dangers of game addiction. In addition, they are training hundreds of counselors, who visit schools and Internet Cafes. In the 28,000 Internet Cafes in South Korea, persons under 18 are banded from entry after 10 p.m.. The authorities have even discussed reducing the points of gamers who play for more than three consecutive   hours, But such talks have produced no agreement, amid concerns that such restrictions would put a high-growth industry in danger and worse the problem of teenagers stealing adult online identification numbers,\"Sooner or later we will be able to announce our measures,\"the minister of Information and Communication, Rho Jun Hyoung, said at a news conference in May.\"Since South Korea is one of the most active and developed countries in the Internet, the world is paying great attention to What policy we will adopt on this problem.\" \n Question: According to the passage, in order to solve the Internet problem, the authorities of South Korea took the following measures EXCEPT  _ \n Options: (A) demanding the Internet Cafes to be far away from schools (B) telling the students about the dangers of game addiction (C) training counselors to visit schools and cafes (D) banning all the people from entering the Internet after 10 p.m.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}72{"query": "Article: A new survey finds that more than eighty percent of Internet users in the United States search for health information online. The survey found that searching online is one of the leading ways that people look for a second opinion though doctors are still the main source of health information. Forty-four percent of people are actually looking for doctors or other providers when they search for health information online. Another finding of the survey: Two-thirds of Internet users look online for information about a specific disease or medical condition. The Internet has also become an important source of emotional support for people with health problems. Susannah Fox says one in five Internet users has gone online to find other people who have the same condition. It was more popular among people with more serious health issues--one in four people living with chronic diseases  . And it was basically _ with people living with rare disease. They are so eager to find other people online who share their health concerns. A disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than two hundred thousand people worldwide. The rise of social networking has made it easier for people with rare diseases to connect with each other and feel less alone. Social networking is also changing the way some doctors and patients communicate with each other. Dr. Jeff Livingston operates a medical center for women in Irving, Texas. His office uses password-protected software to share information with patients. \"We provide the patient full access to their medical care. Anything I can see, the patient can see. All of their notes, all of their doctor visits are right there. All of their lab work is right there.\" Dr. Livingston says the software has increased efficiency, reduced costs and improved relations with patients. \n Question: By using social networking, patients with rare diseases can   _  . \n Options: (A) find effective cures (B) get emotional comfort (C) ask for financial support (D) consult doctors anytime", "pos": "Article: Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they ignore a powerful thing that could help them fight illness: their friends. Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that old People with a large circle of friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk   for obesity   among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties could improve brain health as we age. \" _ ,\" said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. \" _ . \" While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack. Only smoking was as important a risk factor   as having little social support. Exactly why friendship has such a big effect isn't entirely clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. \"People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,\" said Karen, a doctor. \"The message of these studies is that friends make your life better. \" \n Question: The author mentioned smoking in the text to discuss  _  . \n Options: (A) the cause of heart attack. (B) the risk of having no friends. (C) smoking is bad for men. (D) friends' influence on habits.", "neg": "Article: Using the Internet , doctors \"can answer more questions from more patients in a shorter time, \" writes Dr Badal Pal, a famous doctor in Manchester, IJK.  According to Pal, nearly 40% of American patients say they have used e-mail to communicate with a doctor in the past. He notes however, that although patients have such interest, only up to 2% of doctors in the United States offer e-mail services.  Using e-mail, doctors can make sure of their advice and point patients to patients information materials and sources on the Internet. It's said that more than 10.000 health-oriented websites already exist now.  However some people worry that widespread use of medical e-mail might set up two kinds of care--one \"haves\" and another for the \"have-nots\". But Pal points out that \"In the near future nearly every library will offer (Internet and e-mail)services in the United States, \" allowing even low-income patients to use such means. Pal also talks about other possible barriers to acceptance of medical e-mail.  \"Doctors may be unwilling to offer e-mail services for fear of increasing workload and uncertainty about the time they spent,\" he explained, and patients may worry that their medical information might be read by others. \"But these problems can all be solved,\" he adds.  E-mail may well help us a lot in health care, Pal concludes. \"Patients want to know more than they can get in normal clinics,\" he points out, \"and they might find communication on the information superhighway less fearful than face-to-face dialogue with their doctors.\" \n Question: The article introduces a new way of patient-doctor communication   _  . \n Options: (A) by e-mail (B) by visiting websites (C) by searching the Internet (D) by using the computer", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}73{"query": "Article: Sociable   people seem to gain extra rewards from their relationships by feeling less stressed, taking better care of themselves and having less risky lifestyles, they claim.       A review of studies into the impact of relationships on health found that people had a 50% better survival rate if they belonged to a wider social group. Psychologist Holt-Lunstad's team reviewed 148 studies that observed the social activities and health of 308,849 people over an average of 7.5 years.       From these they worked out how death rates varied depending on how sociable a person was. Being lonely and isolated was as bad for a person's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic. It was as harmful as not exercising and twice as bad for the health as being very fat.       Holt-Lunstad said friends and family can improve health in lots of ways, from help in tough times to finding meaning in life. \"When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility to other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks.\"      Holt-Lunstad said there was no clear figure on how many relationships are enough to improve a person's health, but people fared better when they rarely felt lonely and were close to a group of friends, had good family contact and had someone they could rely on and confide in. \n Question: According to the text, which of the following is NOT a benefit of being sociable people? \n Options: (A) Getting better in the state of heath. (B) Losing weight more easily. (C) Taking better care of themselves. (D) Having more safe lifestyles.", "pos": "Article: Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships.One strength of the human condition is our tendency to give and receive support from one another under stressful circumstances.Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties.Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily difficulties.People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties.Studies over a range of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people protect themselves from illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely. Social support _ stress in a number of ways.First, friends, relatives and coworkers may let us know that they value us.Our self respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others despite our faults and difficulties.Second, other people often provide us with informational support.They help us to explain and understand our problems and find solutions to them.Third, we typically find social companionship supportive.Engaging in leisure time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distract(...)us from our worries and troubles.Finally, other people may give us important support--financial aid, material resources, and needed services--that reduces stress by helping us solve and deal with our problems. \n Question: Research shows that people's physical and mental health has much to do with  _  . \n Options: (A) the social medical system (B) the amount of support they get from others (C) their strength for dealing with interpersonal ties (D) their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles", "neg": "Article: Happiness pays off, studies show. Psychologists seeking the real secrets of happiness report that very happy people tend to be more _ and agreeable than less happy people. \"Our findings suggest that very happy people have rich and satisfying social relationships and spend little time alone compared to average people,\" write psychologists Ed Diener and Martin E. P. Seligman in the journal Psychological Science. Solid social relationships do not promise happiness, but they are an important contributing factor. The very happy people whom the authors studied all said they had good quality social relationships. However, the authors write, there is no single key to high happiness. \"High happiness seems to be like beautiful symphonic music--including many instruments, without any one being enough for the beautiful quality.\" Diener regards happiness as \"subjective   wellbeing\"--in other words, the person evaluates his or her own quality of life. The question to ask is, \"Is my life going well, according to the standards I choose to use?\" If the answer is \"yes\", then that person is judged to be happy. Because people evaluate their lives based on happiness, subjective wellbeing is very important. Though necessary, it is not enough for having a good life. \"Subjective wellbeing seems quite necessary for the 'good society', although it is not enough for that society because there are other things we also value and would want in such a place.\" says Diener. Can subjective wellbeing be measured scientificall? Diener points out three parts contributing to happiness: pleasant emotions and moods, lack of negative emotions and moods, and satisfaction judgment, to which other factors including cheerfulness and feelings of fulfillment may be added. There is no magic formula for happiness. Diener suggests steps you can take to ensure you are as happy as you can be. Surrounding yourself with good friends and family--people who care about you and whom you care about--is a start. Joining in activities you enjoy and value is also important; whether it's work or play, keeping busy in an environment enjoyable to you will contribute much to your subjective wellbeing. In addition, a healthy outlook is necessary. \n Question: Happiness and symphonic music are common in that  _  . \n Options: (A) they are both something beautiful (B) they both make people feel pleased (C) they both depend on more than one factor (D) they are both hard to achieve", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}74{"query": "Article: Woody Guthrie left California for New York in 1940. There he met Alan Lomax, an expert on America's traditional music. He collected and recorded traditional American folk music, which had few fans at that time. When he heard Woody sing, Lomax knew he had found a true singer of American folk music. Lomax recorded many of Woody's songs for the Library of Congress.           Three years later, Woody published a book called Bound for Glory. It was about his early life and travels. From this book people came to learn how Woody had spent his unhappy youth. His mother, Nora Guthrie, died of Huntington's Disease   in 1929 when he was only seventeen years old. There was no treatment for the disease. About twenty years later, the disease also began to attack the son. Woody's health got worse and worse, and finally he entered a hospital.              While Woody seemed to be forgotten, his music was not. By the late 1950s, folk music became popular in America. More Americans began listening and playing the songs of Woody Guthrie. Young folk singers came to New York to visit Woody in the hospital. Among them was Bob Dylan, one of America's greatest popular songwriters. He called Woody his hero. Dylan and others copied the way Woody sang and played the guitar. And like Woody, they wrote songs that called for social and political justice  .             Woody Guthrie stayed in the hospital until he died in 1967. In the last years of his life, Woody could hardly speak. But his family and friends knew he still believed in the causes he had sung and written about all his life. They knew this because when they sang his songs, Woody's eyes would become brighter and his defiant   spirit would shine through. \n Question: According to the passage, Woody died at the age of   _  . \n Options: (A) 38 (B) 44 (C) 55 (D) 63", "pos": "Article: It was August 2nd,1927.The news had spread fast.A man named Ralph Peer was coming to the city of Bristol.He wanted to make recordings of local people singing and playing musical instruments.And he said he would pay fifty dollars for each song recorded.That was a lot of money in those days.Many people came to Bristol that day to play for Mr.Peer.But one group seemed to have just the sound that he was looking for.They were a man named A.P.Carter,his wife Sara,and her cousin Maybelle.They called themselves the Carter Family. Their first recordings were sent to radio stations throughout the United States.Many listeners were surprised at what they heard.Instead of classical or jazz songs that radio stations usually played,a new sound was born.The Carter Family sounded different.They did not sound as if they had taken music lessons.But it did not matter.The people in poor rural areas thought they sounded just like their neighbors. The Carters sang songs about living in the mountains of Virginia,Tennessee,and North Carolina.They sang about the love of a young man for a special girl.They sang about the beauty of nature.They sang about death and sadness.And they sang religious songs that told of the hope for a better life after death. A.P.Carter sang in the group and also searched for new songs.He often traveled long distances to small towns in the southeastern United States.He wanted to hear the songs that local people sang in their communities.He wrote down the words but kept the music in his memory.When he returned home,he helped Sara and Maybelle fit them to the Carter Family musical style. The Carter Family soon became famous.They recorded more songs.They traveled to many cities and towns in the eastern United States to perform.Thousands of people heard them sing and bought their recordings.Some people estimate that within three years,the Carter Family sold three hundred thousand recordings. \n Question: What does this passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) A family born for music. (B) A family singing differently. (C) The first family of country music. (D) A family singing in a group.", "neg": "Article: Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar, a country music singer is using his rising and falling voice to tell the audience about his love, hope and loss. Few people could avoid getting caught up in his feelings. This is the appeal of country music, which speaks to the basic emotions of human life. Throughout the 20th century, it has grown into one of the most original and lasting American musical forms. Country music's roots are in the songs of the American South, brought over by early immigrants  from England. Those songs expressed the hardships of rural life and deep religious beliefs. In the 1920s, country music came into being as its first recordings were made. Early stars like Jimmy Rodger, known as \"The Father of Country Music\", and the Carter Family established its strong traditions - good song-writing, singing and playing. Much of this music was written for and brought to the American public through the cowboy films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was widely popular then and many singers turned up on stage wearing Western fringe and cowboy hats. In the 1950s, the country music recording industry was set up in Nashville and moved away from its rough roots. But singers like John Denver, with his hit track \"Take Me Home, Country Roads\", insisted on the originality and emotions of \"real\" country music. Younger artists in the 1990s turned to older country styles and mixed t3vhem with elements of rock 'n' roll. Steve Earle, with his song \"The Devil's Right Hand\", is typical of this so-called \"another country music\". Country music continues to speak to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. And it gives the nation an identity . Unlike pop music, country music was American, and only American. During its development, it continued to emphasize that \"American\" element and sounded completely different from its English ancestors. It may even be said that its sound and story tell the history of the United States. \n Question: Which of the following is the typical image  when a country music singer performs? \n Options: (A) Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar. (B) Using the rising and falling voice. (C) Telling about his love, hope and loss. (D) Singing for those working in the fields.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}75{"query": "Article: It is well known that Einstein was the father of the famous Theory of Relativity. But do you know it owes a great deal to Marits, Einstein's former wife? In 1896, 17-year-old Einstein went to Zurich to study physics. There he met a girl from Hungary. They studied in the same class. The same interest brought the two together and the young man fell in love with Marits. In 1903, when Einstein was 24 years old, he married Marits, who was 4 years older than he. After their marriage, Einstein devoted himself to the research of the great theory. To give her husband more help, Marits gave up her own work, and became a good wife and assistant. She tried her best to encourage him whenever possible and she was sure that her husband would succeed. They often discussed the theory while walking outside or sitting together in the room. They even discussed it in their letters when one of them was away from home. In 1914, the Einstein moved to Berlin and settled there. At that time, Einstein's theory proved to be correct and he had become famous all over the world. Marits was very proud of him and his success. But it was not long before the First World War broke out. Marits as well as her two sons, who were all on holidays in Switzerland, couldn't come back to Berlin. The war not only stopped Einstein's work but broke up the warm, happy family. In 1919, Einstein and Marits had to get divorced. Einstein himself, however, later said that Marits was really an outstanding woman. \n Question: Einstein fell in love with Marits mainly because they   _  . \n Options: (A) were in the same school (B) wanted to do research together (C) had the same interest (D) came from different countries", "pos": "Article: Einstein was born in 1879 in Germany. As a child, he was slow to learn to talk. As a pupil, he was backward. But when he was fourteen years old, he became clever. He taught himself maths from textbooks. He studied hard because he wanted to be a physicist. In 1901, Einstein began teaching. In 1902 he continued his studies at the University of Zurich. Several years later, he formulated his famous Theory of Relativity .To most people the law of relativity is difficult to explain. But once Einstein explained it very well to a group of young students. He said, \"When you sit with a good girl for two hours, you think it is only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute, you think it's two hours. That is relativity.\" After Hitler came into power in Germany, Einstein went to America. In 1940 Einstein became an American citizen. In 1955, Einstein's life ended at the age of seventy-six. \n Question: When Einstein was a pupil of twelve, he   _   . \n Options: (A) was not quick in learning to talk (B) studied very hard (C) was poor in his studies (D) hardly lagged behind", "neg": "Article: In 1896, Einstein went to Zurich to study physics. There he met a girl from Hungary. They studied in the same class and the same interest in physics brought them together and they became good friends. Before long they fell in love. In 1903 when Einstein was 24, he married Merits, who was 4 years older than he. After their marriage, Einstein devoted himself to the research of the great theory. To give her husband more help, Merits gave up her own work, and became a good wife and assistant. She tried her best to encourage him whenever possible. She was sure that her husband would succeed. They often discussed the theory while walking outside or sitting together in the room. They even did that in their letters when one of them was away from their home. In1914, Einstein moved to Berlin and _ there. At that time his theory proved to be correct and he had become famous all over the world. But it was not long before the First Would War broke out. Merits as well as her two sons, who were on holiday in Switzerland, couldn't come back to Berlin any more. The war not only stopped Einstein's work but also broke up the warm, happy family. In 1919, Einstein and Merits had to get divorced . \n Question: In which year was Merits born?   _ \n Options: (A) 1896 (B) 1875 (C) 1883 (D) 1879", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}76{"query": "Article: Sheep, like turkeys and ostriches, are not considered the cleverest animals. British scientists said last Wednesday human may have underestimated  the woolly creatures. They could be much smarter than we think. Researchers at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, southern. England, have shown that animals have a good memory system and are extremely good at recognizing faces--which they think is a sure sign of intelligence. Behavioral scientist Keith Kendrick and his friends trained 20 sheep to recognize and distinguish  25 pairs of sheep faces and used electrodes  to measure their brain activity, which showed they could remember 50 faces for up to two years. \"If they can do that with faces, the fact is that they have to have reasonable intelligence, otherwise, what is the point of having a system for remembering anything else,\" Kendrick said in an interview. So hours of seemingly mindless eating grass may not be so mindless after all. Kendrick believes sheep got their reputation as dumb animals because they live in large groups and do not appear to have much ind ividuality and are frightened of just about everything. All animals, including humans, once they are frightened don't tend to show signs of intelligent action,\" he explained. In research reported in the science journal Nature, Kendrick and his team showed that sheep, like humans, have a specialized system in the brain, which allows them to distinguish between many different faces that look extremely similar. \"The most important findings of the study is that they are able, both from a behavioral point of view and from looking at the way the brain is organized, to remember a large number of faces of individuals for a very long time,\" said Kendrick. \"It is a very strange system. They are showing similar abilities in many ways to humans. \" \n Question: From what Kendrick said in the interview we learn that   _  . \n Options: (A) scientists have learned a lot about sheep's intelligence (B) scientists have learned little about sheep's intelligence (C) scientists can't do anything more about sheep's memory (D) scientists don't have to research animals' memory", "pos": "Article: Scientists who try to predict earthquakes have gotten some new helpers recently--animals. That's right, animals. Scientists have begun to understand what farmers have known for thousands of years. Animals often seem to know in advance that an earthquake is coming, and they show their fear by acting in strange ways. Before a Chinese quake in 1975, snakes awoke from their winter sleep early only to freeze to death in the cold air. Cows broke their halters   and tried to escape. Chickens refused to enter their cage. All of this unusual behavior, as well as physical changes in the earth, warned Chinese scientists of the coming quake. They moved people away from the danger zone and saved thousands of lives. One task for scientists today is to learn exactly which types of animal behavior predict quakes. It's not an easy job. First of all not every animal reacts to the danger of an earthquake. Just before a California quake in 1977, for example, an Arabian horse became very nervous and tried to break out of his enclosure. The Australian horse next to him, however, remained perfectly calm. It's also difficult at times to tell the difference between normal animal restlessness and \"earthquake nerves\". A zoo keeper once called earthquake researchers to say that his cougar had been acting strangely. It turned out that the cat had an upset stomach. A second task for scientists is to find out exactly what kind of warnings the animals receive. They know that animals sense far more of the world than humans do. Many animals can see, hear, and smell things that people do not even notice. Some can sense tiny changes in air pressure, gravity, or the magnetism of Earth. This extra sense probably helps animals predict quakes. A good example of this occurred with a group of dogs. They were shut in an area that was being shaken by a series of tiny earthquakes. (Several small quakes often come before or after a large one.) Before each quake a low booming sound was heard. Each boom caused the dogs to bark wildly. Then the dogs began to bark during a silent period. A scientist who was recording quakes looked at his machine. It was acting as though there were a loud noise too. The scientist realized that the dogs had reacted to a booming noise. They also sensed the tiny quake that followed it. The machine recorded both, though humans felt and heard nothing. In this case there was a machine to monitor what the dogs were sensing. Many times, however, our machines record nothing extraordinary, even though animals know a quake is coming. The animals might be sensing something we measure but do not recognize as a warning. Discovering what animals sense, and learning how they know it is a danger signal, is a job for future scientists. \n Question: Through the passage the writer hopes to explore   _  . \n Options: (A) why animals send a danger signal before an earthquake (B) how animals know when an earthquake is coming (C) why animals not men have good sense of danger (D) how much animals know about an earthquake", "neg": "Article: People may use the expression\"birdbrain\"in English to talk about someone who is stupid,but crows prove that this is unfair.Now it has been discovered that crows may understand analogies  . It was once thought that only humans could understand analogies,which help us to solve problems creatively,put things into categories,and make scientific discoveries. To test this ability in animals,scientists do\"relational matching-to-sample\"(RMTS) tests,according to the IFL Science website.If a pair was AA,for example,then picking BB to match it would be correct.If the pair was CD,however,then EF would be correct. Apes and monkeys have learned RMTS,but scientists wanted to know if crows could do it,too.An international team led by Edward Wasserman from the University of Iowa in the US first trained two hooded crows to match things by color1,shape,and number in what is called\"identity matching-to-sample(IMTS)\",then moved onto RMTS. For the IMTS test,the birds were put in a cage with a plastic tray that had three cards and two cups in it.The card in the middle was the sample card.The cups on either side were covered with the other two cards:One was the same as the sample (in the color1,shape,or number of shapes pictured),while the other wasn't.The cup with the card that matched the sample card contained two wormsto eat. In the second part of the experiment,the birds were tested with relational matching pairs.A card with two same-sized circles,for example,meant they should pick the test card with two same-sized squares and not two different-sized circles.The birds did well in the more difficult test and picked the correct card more than three quarters of the time,Science News reports. Wasserman was surprised that crows were able to solve the problem without any training in RMTS.\"What the crows have done is extraordinary,\"he said in a news release.\"Honestly,if it was only by force that the crows showed this learning,then it would have been an impressive result.But this was  spontaneous.\" So perhaps it's time to stop saying\"birdbrain\"permanently! \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE about the tests on the hooded crows? \n Options: (A) The birds did better in RMTS than in IMTS. (B) The birds were first made to do RMTS,then IMTS. (C) The birds picked almost all the correct cards in RMTS. (D) In the IMTS test,the birds needed to identify the sample card to get rewards.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}77{"query": "Article: We produce 500 billion of plastic bags in a year worldwide and they are thrown away polluting oceans,  killing wildlife and getting dumped in landfills where they take up to 1000 years to decompose. Researchers have been unsuccessfully looking for a solution. The 16-year old Canadian high school student, Daniel Burd, from Waterloo Collegiate Institute, has discovered a way to make plastic bags degrade  in as few as 3 months, a finding that won him first prize at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, a $10 000 prize, a $20 000 scholarship, and a chance to revolutionize a major environmental issue. Burd's strategy was simple: Since plastic does eventually degrade, it must be eaten by microorganisms  . If those microorganisms could be identified, we could put them to work eating the plastic much faster than under normal conditions. With this goal in mind, he ground plastic bags into a powder and concocted  a solution of household chemicals, yeast  and tap water to encourage microbes growth. Then he added the plastic powder and let the microbes work their magic for 3 months. Finally, he tested the resulting bacterial culture on plastic bags, exposing one plastic sample to dead bacteria as a control. Sure enough, the plastic exposed to the live bacteria was 17% lighter than the control after six weeks. The inputs are cheap: maintaining the required temperature takes little energy because microbes produce heat as they work, and the only outputs are water and tiny levels of carbon dioxide. \"Almost every week I have to do chores and when I open the closet door, I have piles of plastic bags falling on top of me. One day, I got tired of it and I wanted to know what other people are doing with these plastic bags. The answer: not much. So I decided to do something myself.\" said Daniel Burd. \n Question: Daniel Burd won first prize at the Canada-Wide Science Fair because  _  . \n Options: (A) he found a new kind of microorganism (B) he contributed much to environmental protection (C) he found a way to degrade plastics in shorter time (D) he could encourage microbes growth in an easier way", "pos": "Article: Many environmentalists and entrepreneurs are looking for ideas on how to \"capture gold\" -- that is, how to collect and convert plastic waste into new plastic or fuel. OK, describing plastic waste as potential \"gold\" may be overdoing it.  But the campaigners say that publicizing the notion that plastic is worth something may help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in oceans and the bellies of sea creatures. To that end, they have set up a competition inviting members of the public to submit ideas online.  Organizers will take the best ones to the Rio+20 Earth Summit   in Rio de Janeiro next month, where they are planning a daylong side event called Plasticity focusing on issues related to plastic pollution. The plastic waste problem is gaining broader attention as environmentalists, scientists, manufacturers and the public become more aware of the sheer volume of the stuff that finds its way into the sea. More than 260 million metric tons of plastic are now produced per year, according to the trade association PlasticsEurope.  The majority of that is not recycled.  Most of it ends up in landfill, and a significant amount ends up as litter on land, in rivers and in the oceans. Technological advances have made clear that it is possible to reuse much of this plastic by turning it into fuel or new products.  Yet the companies that have come up with such solutions have not achieved the economies of scale that would allow them to function profitably.  Insufficient waste-collection and recycling systems in most countries also stand in the way of \" _ \" concept, said Doug Woodring, an environmental entrepreneur in Hong Kong who is among the organizer of the Plasticity forum  in Rio. Rather than breast-beating, the form aims to highlight some of the technologies and ideas out there for collection and reuse.  My personal favorite for now is a vacuum cleaner with plastic parts made from plastic waste. \n Question: What do the campaigners like to do exactly? \n Options: (A) To describe plastic waste as potential \"gold\". (B) To invite members of the public to their forum. (C) To collect ideas on how to recycle plastic waste. (D) To hold a competition on how to deal with environmental pollution.", "neg": "Article: Harvard researchers have created a tough, low-cost, biodegradable   material inspired by insects' hard outer shells. The material's inventors say it has a number of possible uses and someday could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic. The material, made from shrimp (') shells and proteins produced from silk, is called \"shrilk.\" It is thin, clear, flexible and strong. A major benefit of the material is its biodegradability. Plastic's toughness and flexibility represented a revolution in materials science during the 1950s and '60s. Decades later, however, plastic's very durability   is raising questions about how appropriate it is for one-time products such as plastic bags, or short-lived consumer goods, used in the home for a few years and then cast into a landfill where they will degrade for centuries. What is the point of making something that lasts 1,000 years? Shrilk not only will degrade in a landfill, but its basic components are used as fertilizer , and so will enrich the soil. Shrilk has great potential, the inventors said. Materials from which it is made are plentiful in nature, found in everything ranging from shrimp shells, insect bodies to living plants. That makes shrilk low cost, and its mass production possible should it be used for products demanding a lot of material. Work on shrilk is continuing in the lab. The inventors said the material becomes flexible when wet, so they're exploring ways to use it in wet environments. They're also developing simpler production processes, which could be used for non-medical products, like for computer cases and other products inside the home. They're even exploring combining it with other materials, like carbon fibers, to give it new properties. \n Question: What has become a concern about plastic? \n Options: (A) Using it properly. (B) Producing it cheaply. (C) Developing its properties quickly. (D) Evaluating its contributions fairly.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}78{"query": "Article: Boys' schools are the perfect place to teach young men to express their emotions and involve them in activities such as art, dance and music. Far from the traditional image of a culture of aggressive masculinity ,the absence of girls gives boys the chance to develop without pressure to be consistent to a stereotype ,a US study says. Boys at single-sex schools were said to be more likely to get involved in cultural and artistic activities that helped develop their abilities to express their emotions,rather than feeling they had to obey to the\"boy code\"of hiding their emotions to be a\"real man\". The findings of the study are against the received wisdom that boys do better when taught alongside girls. Tony Little,headmaster of Eton,warned that boys were being ignored by the British education system because it had become too focused on girls.He criticized teachers for failing to recognize that boys are actually more emotional than girls. The research argued that boys often perform badly in mixed schools because they become discouraged when their female peers do better earlier in speaking and reading skills. But in single-sex schools teachers can adjust lessons to boys'learning style,letting them move around the classroom and getting them to compete in teams to prevent boredom,wrote the study's author, Abigail James of the University of Virginia. Teachers could encourage boys to enjoy reading and writing with \"boy-focused\" approaches such as themes and characters that appeal to them.Because boys generally have sharper vision,learn best through touch, and are physically more active,they need to be given\"hands-on\"lessons where they are allowed to walk around.\"Boys in mixed schools view classical music as feminine and prefer the modem type in which violence and sexism are major themes,\"James wrote. Single-sex education also made it less likely that boys would feel they had to give in to a stereotype that men should be\"masterful and in charge\"in relationships.\"In mixed schools boys feel pressed to act like men before they understand themselves well enough to know what that means,\"the study reported. \n Question: The author believes that a single-sex school would  _  . \n Options: (A) force boys to hide their emotions to be\"real men\" (B) help to form masculine aggressiveness in boys (C) encourage boys to express their emotions more freely (D) naturally place emphasis on the traditional image of a man to boys", "pos": "Article: Pupils work harder in lessons if they are taught by a man, a study has claimed. Male teachers are more likely to improve pupils' self-esteem and are judged by pupils to be more fair, according to a study published by the Department for Education. But there is a significant shortage of male teachers, especially in primary schools, with reports last month indicating that almost one in three primaries has an all-female teaching staff. The latest figures heightened fears that schools are becoming dominated   by women and children are being denied access to male role models in the classroom. Researchers at the London School of Economics and Westminster University conducted an experiment in which each of 1,200 pupils in 29 schools was given PS2. They could use the money to \"buy\" up to 10 questions at a cost of 20p each, which they then had to answer. If they were right they were given an extra 20p, but if they were wrong they lost 20p. Boys and girls who had a male teacher chose on average almost half a question more than those taught by women, indicating that they had a more positive outlook on the rewards of effort, the the study said. Researchers wrote: \"One of the most significant results featured in this experiment is the positive effect of male teachers on effort. The experiment suggests that higher ability pupils either believed that the teacher would reward them more favorably or had a preference for working hard to please the teacher.\" According to the Good Teacher Training Guide, 86 per cent of new teachers entering primary schools are female, along with 62 per cent of those entering secondary schools. Professor Alan Smithers, of Buckingham University, said: \"This is an interesting and somewhat surprising finding, but it does underline the importance of having a good mix of male and female teachers in classes.\" \n Question: Which of the following is true of the passage? \n Options: (A) Male teachers are more fair than female teachers. (B) Now most primary schools are in need of teachers. (C) Most people are afraid that their children can't get access to male teachers. (D) The author thinks that male teachers are better than female teachers.", "neg": "Article: Nowadays, there's a lot of debate about single sex education since it has begun to regain its popularity recently. According to long term studies of children from around the world, students achieve more and learn better in single sex schools. An Australian study of 270,000 students found that both boys and girls performed much higher on standardized  tests when they attended separate schools. During an experiment in Virginia in 1995, 100 eighth graders were separated just for math and science courses. Almost immediately, the girls began to achieve more, become more confident and take part more often in class activities. In 2001, a British study concluded that nearly every girl regardless of   her ability or socio-economic status performed better in single sex classrooms than co-ed ones. The study of 2,954 high schools and 979 primary schools showed that while boys at the lowest levels in study improved the most in single sex schools, single sex education was particularly beneficial   to girls. Every one of the top 50 private elementary schools and top 20 private high schools in Britain are single sex schools. Girls became more confident in themselves as students and earned higher scores on their College Board and Advanced Placement examinations. A quarter of the female members of the US Congress and one-third of all female members of Fortune 100 boards graduated from all-women's colleges. While the statistics are not as dramatic for boys, however, boys tend to soften their competitive edge and become more cooperative in a single sex setting. They can just be boys and not worry about what the girls might think. Single sex education has a pleasant way of encouraging children to be fearless, to be curious, to be enthusiastic --- in short, to just be themselves. Children are subjected   to pressures from every quarter to become adults before they are ready to do so. They grow up too quickly. Why not let them be children for a few more years? Single sex education with its gentler, more controlled social atmosphere is just the right answer for many children. \n Question: With the experiment in Virginia in 1995, the writer wants to show that  _  . \n Options: (A) single sex education has become popular in recent years (B) the effect of single sex education on girls is immediate (C) students at separate schools are better prepared for standardized tests (D) both boy and girl students achieve more and learn better in single sex schools", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}79{"query": "Article: Welcome to Coteborg University Coteborg University is one of Sweden's largest and most popular universities. We are very proud of this and believe that there are several reasons for our popularity. The principal reasons we believe to be the high quality of our education and research and the broad range of courses that we offer. In addition to this, Coteborg University provides an attractive and exceptionally high-standard study environment. Most parts of the university are situated in the city centre and this enriches city life as well as student life. Coteborg has a lot to offer its students: it has a rich and varied cultural life with many theatres, concerts and festivals. For those looking for outdoor life, forests and vast recreation areas are not far away from the city centre; the sea and the archipelago are also within easy reach. Industry and commerce are expanding, and have a joint interest with the University in meeting the ever-changing and growing demands of society. Coteborg University strives to be an attractive choice for students from all over the world. We look forward to welcoming you to Coteborg University. \n Question: The main reasons for Coteborg University's popularity according to the passage is   _   . \n Options: (A) the high quality education and research and the wide range of courses (B) the convenient traffic (C) its excellent location and fast developing economical environment (D) famous professors and friendly students", "pos": "Article: College visits are important.Before you commit years of your life and money to a school, be sure you're choosing a place,\" that is a good match for your personality and interests.You can't get the \"feel' of a school from any guidebook, so be sure to visit the campus.Below are a few tips for getting the most out of your college visit. 1.Explore on your own Of course you should take the official campus tour, but be sure to allow time to hang around on your own. The trained tour guides will show you a school's selling points.But the 1dest and prettiest buildings don't give you the entire picture of a college.Try to walk the extra mile and get the complete picture of the campus. 2.Read the Bulletin Boards When you visit the student center, academic buildings and residence hall, take a few minutes to read the bulletin boards.They provide an easy way to see what's happening on campus.The ads for lectures, clubs and plays can tell you what's going on outside the classrooms. 3.Eat in the Dining Hall You can get a good feel for student life by eating in the dining hall.Try to sit with students if you can.Do the students seem happy or stressed? Also, is the food good? Are there adequate healthy options? Many admission offices will give prospective students coupons for free meals in the dining halls. 4.Visit a Class in Your Major If you know what you want to study, a class visit makes a lot of sense.You'll get to observe other students in your field and see how involved they are  in classroom discussion.Try to stay after class for a few minutes and chat with the students to get their impressions of their professors and major.Be sure to call in advance to schedule a classroom visit--most colleges don't allow visitors to drop in on class unannounced. 5.Talk to Lots of Students Your campus tour guide has been trained to market the sch001.Try to talk to students who aren't getting paid to impress you.These important conversations can often provide you with information about co1lege life that isn't part of the admission script.Few university officials wi11 tell you if their students spend all weekend drinking or studying, but a group of random(,) students might. For more tips,please go to collegeapps.about.com. \n Question: The best way to know about a college in an official campus tour is  _  . \n Options: (A) to walk around the campus alone (B) to take pictures of the campus (C) to visit the oldest and prettiest buildings (D) to hire a tour guide", "neg": "Article: There is no doubt that to study abroad gives you an excellent opportunity to learn things which are very helpful in your career building. Today Canada has earned a good name in providing quality education and safe healthy environment for its students. That is why more than 130,000 international students enroll  every year in famous Canadian universities. It is an ideal education destination and gives students a unique experience of education and its versatile  arts and culture. Canada spends a lot on education and is ranked the highest in G-8 countries. To study in Canada is very cost effective. These universities are affordable compared to other universities in the world such as in the US, New Zealand and UK where cost of education and living is very high. According to a survey in 2006, \"Canada offered the lowest tuition fees  for foreign students compared to UK and Australia.\" The low rate of crimes and the peaceful safe environment of the country also attracts a lot of international students to Canadian universities. Canada has 92 universities and 175 community colleges and university degrees have three levels--Bachelor's , Master's  and Doctoral . A Bachelor's degree in Canada is for three or four years' full-time study depending on the nature of the program you are doing. On the other hand, a Master's degree consists of two years of study. For a Doctoral program in Canadian universities, you require a minimum (/) of three to four or sometimes five years of research and study. You can also find many diploma and certification   program in Canadian universities where the time is generally one year. Some of the Canadian universities are well-regarded worldwide and the degree and diploma obtained from these Canadian universities are recognized globally and promise bright future. After the completion of studies, a person could also find great job offers in Canada itself. International students require a work permit to work on campus. \n Question: How long will you spend at least in total if you want to finish your Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees in Canada? \n Options: (A) 11 years (B) 9 years (C) 8 years (D) 7 years", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}80{"query": "Article: To err is human. To blame the other guy is even more human. Common sense is not all that common. Why tell the truth when you can come up with a good excuse? These three popular misquotes are meant to be jokes, and yet they tell us a lot about human nature .To err, or to make mistakes, is indeed a part of being human, but it seems that most people don't want to accept the responsibility for the problem. Perhaps it is the natural thing to do .The original quote about human nature went like this: \" To err is human, to forgive, divine .\"This saying mirrors an ideal people should be forgiving of others' mistakes. Instead, we tend to do the opposite -find someone else to pass the blame on to. However, taking responsibility for something that went wrong is a making of great maturity. Common sense is what we call clear thought. Having common sense means having a good general plan that will make things work well, and it also means staying with the plan. Common sense tells you that you take an umbrella out into a rainstorm, but you leave the umbrella home when you hear a weather forecast for sunshine.Common sense does not seem to be common for large organizations, because there are so many things going on that one person cannot be in charge of everything. People say that in a large company, \"the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.\" And what is wrong with a society that thinks that making up a good excuse is like creating a work of art? One of the common problems with making excuses is that people, especially young people, get the idea that it's okay not to be totally honest all the time. There is a corollary to that: if good excuse is \"good\" even if it isn't honest, then where is the place of the truth? \n Question: According to tile passage, which of following seems the most human? \n Options: (A) To search for truth. (B) To achieve one's ideal (C) To make fun of others' mistakes. (D) To criticize others for one's own error.", "pos": "Article: We live in a culture that sends out very mixed messages about mistakes: We're told we learn by making them, but we work hard to avoid them. So the result is that most of us know that we are going to make mistakes, but deep down, we feel we shouldn't. Experiments with schoolchildren who did well on a given test show that those who were praised for being smart and then offered a more challenging or less challenging task afterward usually chose the easier one. On the other hand, children praised for trying hard-- rather than being smart--far more often selected the more difficult task. If we try hard to avoid mistakes, we aren't open to getting the information we need in order to do better. In a writing study, experiments showed that those who are so scared to make mistakes perform worse in writing tasks than those who aren't as worried about being perfect. They fear receiving any kind of negative feedback, so they don't learn where they went wrong and how to get better. We don't just learn more when we're open to mistakes, we learn deeper. Research tells us that if we're only concerned about getting the right answer, we don't always learn the underlying concepts that help us truly understand whatever we're trying to figure out. Mistakes need to be seen not as a failure to learn, but as a guide to what still needs to be learned. As Thomas Edison said, \"I am not discouraged, because every abandoned wrong attempt is another step forward.\" Furthermore, we often make mistakes because we try new things--we wander away from accepted paths. Teflon, penicillin--these are examples of great discoveries made by mistake. Take a page from Albert Einstein, who said, \"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. \" \n Question: What will happen to students praised for being smart in face of choosing tasks compared to students praised for working hard? \n Options: (A) He will ask his teachers for advice. (B) He will hide his mistakes from his teachers. (C) He will work harder to avoid mistakes. (D) He will choose a less challenging task.", "neg": "Article: While most of us are happy to take the credit when things go well, few of us are willing to take the blame when things go wrong. Rather than trying to hide our shame or embarrassment, experts found that we are simply less aware when our actions result in a negative outcome. The research may explain why we often feel it hard to take the blame for our actions. \"Our result suggests that people may really experience less responsibility for negative than for positive outcomes,\" said Patrick Haggard, leading researcher and professor of the institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London. In a series of tests, participants were asked to press a key. A sound then followed, either disapproving, neutral or approving, and they were then asked to estimate the time between the action and when they had heard the sound. Researchers found that individuals experienced different levels of responsibility depending on the outcomes. They also discovered they were significantly slower to recognize if their actions had resulted in a bad consequence, compared to when they had done well. \"Effectively, we have found that we experience a negative outcome differently, not just retell it differently. We make a weaker connection when there is a bad result. And respond much more strongly when something good happens,\" said Professor Haggard. When something goes right, everyone wants to take the credit, and when things go wrong, nobody is interested in putting their hands up. The researchers said our brain is \"very much concerned\" with reward, as good results are key to survival. Although our own perception   of whether we are guilty of something or not is changed by the outcomes, this does not provide a defense if we have done something wrong. \"Our experience of our own responsibilities can be misleading and can be strongly colored by the outcomes of our actions,\" said Professor Haggard. \"We have to take responsibility for what we actually do, not just for how we experience things.\" \n Question: People who don't take the blame for their actions   _  . \n Options: (A) always try to hide their shame or embarrassment. (B) are only willing to take the credit when things go well (C) feel less responsible for negative than for positive outcomes (D) are less aware of what to do when a negative outcome happens", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}81{"query": "Article: School education is very important and useful. Yet no one can learn everything from school. A teacher, no matter how much he knows, he can not teach his students everything they want to know. The teacher's job is to show his students how to learn. He teaches them how to read and how to think. So much more is to be learned outside school by the students themselves. It is always more important to know how to study by oneself than to learn some facts or a formula by heart. It is actually quite easy to learn a certain fact in history or a formula  in mathematics. But it is very difficult to use a formula in working out a maths problem. Great scientist, such as Einstein, Newton and Galileo, didn't get everything from school. But they were all so successful and invented so many things for men. They worked hard all their lives, wasting not a single moment. They would ask many questions as they read and they did thousands of experiments. \n Question: According to the passage, a good teacher should be one who is to  _  . \n Options: (A) help his students to gain a good memory. (B) train his students' ability to learn (C) teach his students everything he knows (D) have his students studying long hours", "pos": "Article: A good memory is a great help in learning a language. Everybody learns his own language by remembering what he hears when he is a small child, and some children, like boys and girls who live abroad with their parents, seem to learn two languages almost as easily as one. In school it is not easy to learn a second language because the pupils have so little time for it, and they are busy with other subjects, too. A man's mind is rather like a camera, but it takes photos not only of what we see but of what we feel, hear, smell and taste. When we take a real photo with a camera, there is much to do before the photo is finished and ready to show to our friends. In the same way there is much work to be done before we can keep a picture forever in our mind. Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. \n Question: We usually begin to learn our own language by   _   it. \n Options: (A) speaking (B) hearing (C) saying (D) teaching", "neg": "Article: Doing homework not only can help children master the knowledge they have learned, but also can train their abilities of finishing the work alone, planning the time and doing the duties. But some children don't like to complete the work. Why? There are some reasons. Some children feel it is very difficult to do their homework, because they can't understand their teacher clearly, and can't follow their teacher's teaching process. Maybe there is something wrong with their _  But some children's intelligence is normal. They are even cleverer, but they don't listen to the teacher carefully. It is hard for them to sit well and pay attention to anything. It needs to carry on the attention centralized training to help the children. Some children love their teacher and then they like the subject. Their interest depends on the teacher who teaches them. So every teacher should be helpful and kind. It can make children love you and the subject you teach. So they can do their homework happily. \n Question: Doing homework can help children  _  . \n Options: (A) master the knowledge (B) train their abilities (C) lean new lessons (D) Both A and B", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}82{"query": "Article: Among the many differences between Western and Chinese cultures, table manners are one of the most noticeable  differences. Westerners often make mistakes at the table in China or in a Chinese home. In order not to have an embarrassing  experience, here are some things to consider next time you are eating with some Chinese. Step1: Keep in mind that food is shared. It is one of the biggest differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. In China a few dishes are placed in the center of a table and shared by all. Also, you should offer thanks when a Chinese host takes food from one of the dishes on the table and places it on your plate. Refusing it would not be polite even if you are full. Step2: Respect the chopsticks. The chopsticks are the single most important tool at a Chinese table. Use the chopsticks to grab food and never skewer   it. Also make sure to place your chopsticks over your bowl or plate. Don't lay them on the table or even worse, stick them into the rice bowl. Step3: Use communal chopsticks. To take food from the center of the table you should use the communal chopsticks or spoons that are placed there for that purpose. If there are no communal tools, use the other ends of your chopsticks to take food, remembering not to use the other end to put food into your mouth. Step4: Respect the elders. Table manners in China place extra respect on elders. At the table, pass food to your elders before taking it for yourself. If someone makes a toast, make sure that when you clink glasses with someone older than you, the rim of your glass is lower than the rim of the elder person. \n Question: How can you use your chopsticks according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Use them to grab your own food. (B) Put them on the table. (C) Use them to skewer the food. (D) Stick them into the rice bowl.", "pos": "Article: A friend asks me \"Why don't Chinese go Dutch?\" So I want to regard this question as the topic and write an article.As everyone knows,westerners will go Dutch while having a meal in the restaurant.But Chinese don't go Dutch.Chinese will pay the bill and check out generously.Westerners don't often entertain guests;but Chinese often invite friends to dinner.A lot of westerners feel puzzled to this question. Why does there exist such a difference? First of all,food systems between China and West are different.Chinese put into practice Gather Dining System;westerners put into practice Individual Dining System.Everybody can share the delicious food of all over the table when eating Chinese food.Please note it is sharing,but westerners just eat the food in one's own plate.If you eat beef and he eats chicken,it is impossible that you taste the flavor of his chicken.The  result of the Individual Dining System is that you can only eat the food in your plate. So to eat Chinese food is happier than to eat Western-style food.And I want to ask you a question.Do you like the free thing? I think nobody doesn't like the free thing.Ok! Suppose I invite you to eat the delicious Chinese food,then I pay the bill.This is equivalent to that you have enjoyed a delicious Chinese food free.So you will be very glad.It will strengthen the relation between us in the happy atmosphere. Secondly,westerners eat for the health;Chinese eat for the friendship.Westerners advocate individualism and independence is strong.So westerners express that respect for each other's independence through the way go Dutch.Chinese like making friends and solidarity.Chinese value the interpersonal relationships and the friendship very much. Third,it is only simple \"Have a meal!\" for westerners to entertain guests.Unlike the purpose and the  _ that Chinese entertain guests,in Americans' idea,\"Have a meal\" definition is to add fuel to the body for keeping health and normal life activity.That is to say,there is not any additional value.In the Chinese idea,\"Have a meal\" not only is a kind of life enjoyment,but also is the means to promote friendship between the friends.After enjoying the sumptuous delicious food,you are glad,and I am glad too.The friendship between the friends has been strengthened in this kind of atmosphere. \n Question: What does \"go Dutch\" mean? \n Options: (A) They will pay for the meal separately. (B) Either part will pay for the meal. (C) They will go to Dutch for a meal. (D) They can enjoy a meal free of charge.", "neg": "Article: Table manners are very different in every country. For example, when you are in England you must not lift your soup plate to your mouth. This is very impolite. But when you are in Japan this is completely normal. Lifting your plate to your mouth in Japan is a traditional way of drinking your soup. And also in Japan you don't have to worry about making a noise when you drink it. It just shows that you really like the food! But it is not the same in Britain, so you shouldn't make a noise when eating there. In Britain, people don't put their hands or arms on the table during the meal. But in Mexico, guests keep their hands on the table all the time. In fact, you should watch what your hands do very carefully. In Arab countries, it is impolite when you eat with your left hand, so don't do it! In all the cultures it is impolite to speak when you are eating. In Ukraine you should not start eating first; you should wait for all the others to start eating with you. You also have to say \"please\" and \"thank you\" every time you ask for and get something. If you don't like some food, don't make faces and don't say: \"Yuk! I hate that!\"  The best way to avoid making mistakes in other countries is to watch the host and try to do as he does. \n Question: It is impolite to lift the soup plate to your mouth in   _  . \n Options: (A) .Japan (B) England (C) . Ukraine (D) . Mexico", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}83{"query": "Article: It's killed at least two dozen people, damaged hundreds of homes, cost some 22 billion Yuan in direct economic losses so far and has left thousands of family-bound travelers stranded. The massive snow and ice storm that has swept through the southern part of China has put this country into full disaster management mode. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been activated and the government has already provided 126 million Yuan in aide to six provinces in the south slammed by the unexpected winter blast. But is enough being done? And what else can be done to ensure that the effects of natural disasters like the one in southern China are minimized in the future? \"Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International. In this edition of the show, we'll be talking about the southern China snow and ice storm. So let's get started. First, let's get a Chinese perspective of how well the ice and snow storm in southern China is being handled from a logistical point of view. For this we're joined on the line by Professor Peng Xizhe, Dean of the School of Social Development and Public Policy at Fudan University in Shanghai. (Dialogue with Peng) And after a short break, we'll talk about the broader view of disaster management.\" \"Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International. I'm Paul James in Beijing. In this edition of the show, we're talking about the massive winter storm that has ravaged southern China. For a broader look at disaster management, we're joined on the line now by Mr. Aloysius Rego and Ms. Jiang Lingling, both with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Thailand. (Dialogue with Jiang and Rego) And with that we close out this edition of People In the Know, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International. Though it may seem small consolation now for the thousands who remain stranded because of the storm, it's important to remember that as long as patience prevails, you will get home. Questions or comments for us can be sent to crieng@crifm.com. For Executive Director Wang Lei and Producers Yang Jingjie and Xu Yang, I'm Paul James in Beijing. Take care.\" \n Question: What's the main idea of this article? \n Options: (A) Tell the stories about the snow storm in the southern part of China (B) Tell us some facts about the people in the disaster. (C) What have been done or will be done to rescue the people in the disaster. (D) Let's know the measures about the disaster.", "pos": "Article: Heavy rain has triggered floods and mudslides in southern prefix = st1 /China, leaving at least 200 people dead or missing, a resident and state media said.  Torrential rain hit a mountainous region of Hunanprovince in the early hours on Wednesday and 22 people died in floods. Two officials were killed during rescue work. Thirty-five people, including five students, were missing. However, a local resident with knowledge of the casualties  and damage said at least 200 people died or were missing after torrential rains hit Xinshao and Lianyuan counties, Shaoyang city and three other cities in Hunan province since June 1, 2005.  \"Villagers, cadres and rescuers were washed away by floods,\" the resident, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.  \"More than 10,000 people were left homeless after their homes were either washed away, flooded or toppled,\" he said.  Mountain torrents in Xinshao were the worst in the county's history. At least 47 villages were devastated by the torrents and 54,600 villagers affected. About 3560 homes were destroyed, and electricity and telecommunications services were cut off in some villages.  Crops, bridges and roads were destroyed.  A local official reached by telephone estimated damage to property at over 2 billion yuan ($344.92 million).  People's Liberation Army soldiers were called on to help with rescue work, residents said. \n Question: We can infer that the torrential rain caused great damage and casualties of the people in   _   in Hunan. \n Options: (A) two counties and three cities (B) three counties and two cities (C) two counties and four cities (D) two counties and five cities", "neg": "Article: China's government has issued a severe weather warning after the heaviest snowfalls in decades. The country is experiencing transport delays and power cuts as millions of people prepare to make long journeys home for the Chinese New Year. This report from Quentin Summerville: China hasn't experienced weather this bad in decades. And as the country prepares for Chinese New Year, the disruption couldn't come at a worse time. Over 100,000 people are stranded  in Guangzhou railway station in the south. It may climb to as many as 600,000 as more people arrive to make their journeys home for the Spring Festival. Travellers have been evacuated to nearby sports stadiums and exhibition centres. Across China around nineteen airports have shut because of the weather. Around half the provinces in the country have had to start rationing power , according to the state media. The government has suspended  coal exports in favour of home consumption. At least a dozen people died over the weekend because of heavy rains and the snowfall. The Spring Festival is China's most important holiday when people journey home to be with their families. For millions of the country's migrant workers it's their only holiday. Some two billion journeys were made during the festival last year, making it the largest migration of people on the planet. And even without the severe weather, conditions on overcrowded trains and buses are terrible. The holiday stretches China's transport system to its very limits \n Question: Choose the best title for this passage. \n Options: (A) Heavy snow hits China (B) Chinese New Year in snow (C) China's terrible translation system. (D) An accident", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}84{"query": "Article: One of the traditions which is now a necessary part of Christmas is a that of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus. According to the modern legend, he is a magical figure who visits all the children of the world during the night before Christmas Day, leaving presents which they find the next morning. He flies through the night sky in a sledge pulled by reindeer, and enters houses by climbing down chimneys. This strange legend is based on the life of a man called Nicholas, but in fact we know very little about him. Historians think he was a Christian bishop in Turkey in about 285--350 A.D. One of the stories about him is that he helped three poor girls. No one would marry them because they were so poor. To provide them with money for their weddings, Nicholas secretly dropped some gold coins down the chimney of their house. After Nicholas died, he was made a saint  by the church.(The name Santa Claus thus comes from St Nicholas.) His feast day was celebrated in December, and parents started giving their children secret presents from St Nicholas. Over the years, this custom became part of our Christmas traditions. Recently, a psychologist has claimed that Father Christmas is \"the perfect fantasy\" for children. According to Professor Anthony Clare, children love the character of Father Christmas because he is like an ideal father: he loves children and gives them presents, but he never criticizes them, is never angry, and children do not even need to thank him for the presents. Other writers, however, point out that Father Christmas can be a frightening character to some children. Jane Bidder says that some children are terrified of this fat, bearded old man. It can certainly confuse many children. As parents, we warn our children to be careful of strangers and never to let them into the house, and yet we tell children that a strange man will come into their bedroom at night! Some children can become very worried about this idea and fear that he is a kind of burglar. Most children, however, understand from their parents and from the media that Father Christmas is basically a _ character, and look forward to his annual visit with joy and excitement. \n Question: The writer mentions details such as Father Christmas's sledge, the reindeer and the way he climbs down chimneys because he/she  _ \n Options: (A) wants to make it clear that these things are impossible (B) is describing the history of St Nicholas (C) wants everyone to believe that Father Christmas is real (D) is explaining the modern legend of Father Christmas", "pos": "Article: There are good Santas and there are bad Santas. The good Santas all realize one thing: In the mind of a child, Santa Claus is perfect. That's difficult. And so they come from around the world to attend the Charles W. Howard School in Midland, Mich. The school offers a three-day, 40-hour course for Santas hoping to be excellent. A former Macy's Santa named Charles Howard founded the Michigan school in 1937. \"Many people will think if you have a suit and you're a Santa,\" said Tom Valent, the school's current dean. \"It's more than that.\"  The school teaches everything from breathing techniques for carol singing to the beard maintenance. There are lessons in child psychology, sign language and even media training for talk-show appearances and call-in shows. Santas also need to make sure they know all the names of the reindeer . What's harder to deal with, however, is children who ask for Christmas gifts like bringing daddy home or making mommy happy again. After spending time in the classroom, Weir went to the mall to test his training. However, at one point, his hat fell off, and he was unsure how to react. \"You're the real Santa,\" Valent said. \"Pick that hat up, slip it back on, keep smiling and do your job. You've got to stay on top of your game. Even the last one at night, when you're tired, you've got to remember: This one's forever, so do a good job.\" \n Question: According to the passage, good Santas should be the ones that   _  . \n Options: (A) can offer the children some gifts (B) help adults look after their children (C) have ability to make children happy (D) should be perfect in the mind of children", "neg": "Article: Christmas is perhaps the most important holiday in American culture. On Christmas Eve, children sit out with parents in the living room hanging stockings, setting up a Christmas tree, eating candy canes, and setting up milk and cookies for Santa Claus. Perhaps the most beloved figure in American history, Santa Claus has become an important icon for Christmas. I remember believing in Santa when I was a very young girl. However, as I grew older, I learned many facts that \"proved\" his existence as false. Always inquisitive by nature and very keen on the scientific method of experimentation, I was determined to use tests and observations to determine whether Santa Claus was real. The first year of tests happened when I was 5. I decided that if I stayed up all night on Christmas Eve, I could see if Santa really did come down the chimney. However, that was a _ attempt, I fell asleep that year. The next year, I was able to test if location was an issue with Santa's deliveries. That year, my family spent Christmas with the family of one of my mother's friends. At the time, I decided that if Santa was all-knowing he would know I wasn't home. Sure enough, there was a pretty pink package waiting for me the next morning. At age 7, I came up with my ultimate test to see if Santa was real. That year, I didn't send out my Christmas letter to Santa. On Christmas Eve, my mother dragged me to our local Wal-Mart and led me around the toy section. I refused to say a word, but did let my eye linger on a ballet set. I figured that \"Santa\" wouldn't know what to get me because he shouldn't be able to read my mind. However, mother would know everything that caught my eye in the store. If I got the ballet set the next morning, I would have my evidence. Christmas morning, there was the ballet set, sitting under the tree. As I didn't use it much, mother ended up returning it a few days later. She claimed Santa was generous enough to leave a receipt. That was the end to my mission to discover the existence of Santa. Now, I can look back on all of these with fond nostalgia . The magic and mystery of it all made Christmas a fun time. Santa was a big part of my childhood. \n Question: How did the writer prove the existence of Santa Claus as false? \n Options: (A) He stayed up all night on Christmas Eve and saw Santa come down the chimney. (B) He found that Santa was all-knowing and could make the deliveries accurate (C) He didn't send out his Christmas letter but still got his Christmas present (D) He used the receipt left by Santa to return his present", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}85{"query": "Article: A new study has been carried to test the role of story telling in lowering blood pressure. Dr. Thomas Houston, a professor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, led a group of scientists that investigated how pre-recorded videos of hypertension   patients' talking about their medical histories helped another group of patients with high blood pressure to control their condition over several months.    Houston was surprised by their studies that suggested that communication can be a powerful tool in medicine. They showed that those who had had similar experiences, when talking to someone with a similar background, could help change their behavior to become healthier. Hypertension is difficult to control, since it is dependent on diet, exercise and mental state. Medical treatments with drugs, and lifestyle therapies  have been  ly ineffective because people find it hard to follow those medical requirements.    In the test, his team carefully chose their story-tellers from 230 members of a patients' community with whom they could most easily relate. Next, they divided their study population into two groups. One received three interactive   DVDs containing the tellers' stories of their experiences in living with and treating their hypertension. The other were given educational discs on an unrelated health topic. The study volunteers reported that they had listened to the DVDs, and after three months, those who heard the stories of the hypertensive patients lowered their blood pressure.   While the study did not  _ how the story-telling influenced the patients' behavior, Houston suspects that watching patients of similar backgrounds who had a similar medical experience helped to motivate them to seek medical help to their hypertension. They found that after six months the difference in blood pressure between those who watched the story-tellers and those who observed the unrelated videos remained, suggesting that the story-telling continued to have an effect. \n Question: We can learn from the text that the pre-recorded videos   _  . \n Options: (A) tell medical histories of hypertension patients (B) introduce some medical treatments of hypertension (C) introduce a good lifestyle for hypertensive patients (D) tell scientific discoveries of the scientist group", "pos": "Article: Even a small reduction in salt in the diet can be a big help to the heart. A new study used a computer model to predict how just three grams less a day would affect heart disease in the United States. The result: thirteen percent fewer heart attacks. Eight percent fewer strokes. Four percent fewer deaths. Eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease. And two hundred forty billion dollars in health care savings.  Researchers found it could prevent one hundred thousand heart attacks and ninety-two thousand deaths every year. The study is in the New England Journal of Medicine. Kirsten, at the University of California, was the lead author. She says people would not even notice a difference in taste with three grams, or one-half teaspoon, less salt per day. The team also included researchers at Stanford and Columbia University. Each gram of salt contains four hundred milligrams of sodium, which is how foods may list their salt content. The government says the average American man eats ten grams of salt a day. The American Heart Association advises no more than three grams for healthy people. It says salt in the American diet has increased fifty percent since the nineteen seventies, while blood pressures have also risen. Less salt can mean a lower blood pressure. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading an effort called the National Salt Reduction Initiative. The idea is to put pressure on food companies and restaurants.  Mayor Bloomberg has already succeeded in other areas, like requiring fast food places in the city to list calorie information. Now a study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute shows how that idea can influence what parents order for their children. Ninety-nine parents of three to six year olds took part. Half had McDonald's menus clearly showing how many calories were in each food. The other half got menus without the calorie information. \n Question: How many heart attacks will occur in the US every year? \n Options: (A) nearly 800,000. (B) 24,000. (C) 100,000. (D) 92,000.", "neg": "Article: Over the years, Americans have become used to salt. Most people have no idea how much salt they consume --on average, about 9 to 12 gram per person per day, according to the American Heart Association. That's twice the amount recommended by the government.  A new study last week showed eating even a little less salt could greatly help the heart. The scientists said the results would be thirteen percent fewer heart attacks, eight percent fewer strokes , four percent fewer deaths and eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease.  Researchers also found that the benefits would be greatest for African Americans and women. As a group, African Americans tend to have higher blood pressure than the general population, and \"many studies suggest that they may be more sensitive to salt,\" says Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, an epidemiologist   at the University of California, San Francisco. Her analysis found that a reduction of 3 gram of salt per day would reduce heart attacks 8% on average; among African Americans, that rate would drop 10%. A similar result was found in women, whose stroke risk dropped 8% with a 3-g reduction in salt intake; in men, the risk fell 5%.  They and public health professionals in the United States are interested in a national campaign to persuade people to eat less salt.  However, other scientists say such a campaign is an experiment with the health of millions of people. Michael Alderman, a high blood pressure expert and professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, says that eating less salt results in lower blood pressure. But he says studies have not clearly shown that lowering salt means fewer heart attacks or strokes. \"Salt has other biological effects. Calling for reductions in the national diet could have good effects, as well as harmful results. There is not enough evidence either way.\" \n Question: The passage is written mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) comment (B) persuade (C) introduce (D) scold", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}86{"query": "Article: Water is very important to living things. Without water there can be no life on the earth. All animals and plants need water. Man also needs water. We need water to drink, to cook our food and to clean ourselves. Water is needed in offices, factories and schools. Water is needed everywhere. There is water in seas, rivers and lakes. Water is found almost everywhere. Even in the desert part of the world, there is some water in the air. You can not see or feel it when it is a part of the air. The water in the seas, rivers and lakes is a liquid, the water in the air is a gas, and we call it water vapour  . Clouds are made of water. They may be made of very small drops of water. They may also be made of snow crystals . Snow crystals are very very small crystals of ice. Ice is frozen water. It is a solid. There can be snow and ice everywhere in winter. Water may be a solid or a liquid or a gas. When it is a solid, it may be as hard as a stone. When it is a liquid, you can drink it. When it is a gas, you can not see or feel it. \n Question: Where can we find water? \n Options: (A) We can find water when it turns into vapour. (B) Water is only in seas and rivers. (C) We can see water in deserts here and there. (D) Water can be found almost everywhere.", "pos": "Article: Water is the most common substance  found on the earth, but less than 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking. More than 1,000,000,000 people around the world survive on just over 1 galon of water a day. Probebly more than 3,000,000,000 people may suffer from not having enough water by the year 2025. You are considered lucky if you live in a country where you can drink water out of your kitchen tap or bathroom tap. People in some countries have to pay for drinking water at home. So clean water is one of our most valuabe natural resources . In fact, peole waste so much clean water today. In factories lots of water is wasted. At home many people are not taking showers but still baths, and many are brushing their teeth with the tap turned on. Children are no longer taught how to save water.... You can save clean water in many ways. For example, if you keep gold fish, the tank water excellent for graden plants. And when you wash a milk bottle, pour the water on your house plants. Putting a brick or a water into your toilet tank many help use less water, saving many gallons over a long time. Using rainwater is another simple way to save clean water. You can use rainwater to wash your hands after gardening, _ the toilet, and wash your car, your pet, your driveway when they are dirty. For the same reason, people in Malaysia are encourageed to use rainwater. If one has a house with a small garden, he would buy a huge plastic tank to keep rainwater for their daily life. \n Question: We can learn from the passage   _  . \n Options: (A) when man can't live without water (B) where there is no water resource (C) why there is less water on the earth (D) how important it is to save water", "neg": "Article: Of all the things we eat and drink, water is the most important. Not all people realize this, but it is quite true. The human body can live without food for a long time, but two or three days without water usually result in death. Many people do not understand how much water the human body needs, but many people do not drink enough, especially in the hot weather. Most people drink when they are thirsty but often need more water after exercises. 65 to 70 percent of the human body is water. Water is important in several different ways. Most people need five to seven liters  of water every day, but we needn't drink this amount  because a lot comes from the food we have. If we don't have enough water, however, we will feel tired and many become ill. Do you know what the best drink is? Yes, you are right. Cool water! \n Question: When do we need more water?  _ \n Options: (A) In cold weather or after exercises. (B) In hot weather or after exercises. (C) Before breakfast, lunch and supper. (D) When we feel tired or become ill.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}87{"query": "Article: Dutch treat is a late-nineteenth-century term, and it originally refers to a dinner where everyone is expected to pay for his own share of the food and drink. If people go \"Dutch treat\", or simply \"go Dutch\", it means that they will share the expenses of a social engagement. There are many other \"Dutch\" expressions in English, many of which were invented in Britain in the seventeenth century, when the Dutch and the English were commercial and military rivals. The British used \"Dutch\" to refer to something bad, cheap and shameful. A \"Dutch bargain\" at that time was an uneven, one-sided deal; \"Dutch reckoning\" was an unitemized  account; and \"Dutch widow\" was slang for prostitute. Later centuries brought in \"Dutch courage\", for bravery caused by drink; \"Dutch concert\", for noisy music; \"Dutch nightingale\", meaning a frog; and \"double Dutch\", for incomprehensible language or talk. Some of the expressions are still in use today, but some are not. In fact, in American English, some \"Dutch\" expressions have nothing to do with the Dutch, but something with the German. It was probably because of the similar spelling and pronunciation that people made a mistake in distinguishing between \"Dutch\" and \"Deutsch\" (the German word for German), when German immigrants came to America in the 1700s. For instance, \"the Pennsylvania Dutch\" refers to the German descendants, instead of the Dutch descendants, living in Pennsylvania. \n Question: Many of the \"Dutch\" expressions were invented with negative sense, because   _  . \n Options: (A) The Dutch were underdeveloped people. (B) Britain and Holland were competitors at that time. (C) The Dutch had many bad habits. (D) The British were superior to the Dutch.", "pos": "Article: \"Let's go Dutch, shall we?\" Jim said after a dinner to his friends in a restaurant. What does Jim mean? Long ago, there was a kind of dinner called Dutch treat  . At a Dutch treat, the invited guests were expected to pay for their own share of the food and drink. Now, Dutch treat means when friends go out to have fun, each person pays his or her own share. There are many other expressions related with \"Dutch\" in American English. However, most of them were first used in England in the 17th century. At that time, the British and the Dutch were war enemies. So when British people talked about something wrong or bad, they would like to use the word \"Dutch\". A common expression heard a few years ago was in Dutch. A friend may tell you, \"You are in Dutch. The teacher is angry with you. Be careful!\" When a soldier took Dutch leave, he left the army without permission. Dutch courage was the false courage produced by the effects of drinking wine. There is one expression that did come from the Dutch. That is to talk like a Dutch uncle. The Dutch were known for the strict and serious way they educated their children. \n Question: What did people mean by saying \"Let's go Dutch\"? \n Options: (A) The guests should leave first. (B) Each person should pay his or her own bill (C) The food should be better next time. (D) People should go to another restaurant.", "neg": "Article: Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. But you should not be upset   if your English friends don't invite you home. It doesn't mean they don't like you! Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p.m., and end at about 11. Ask your hosts what time you should arrive. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift. Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks . Do you want to be more polite? Say how much you like the room, or the picture on the wall. But remember--it is not polite to ask how much things cost. In many families, the husband sits at one end of the table and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests. You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert, followed by coffee. It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it. Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, or write them a short thank you letter. British and American people like to say \" Thank you, thank you, thank you.\" all the time! \n Question: If you are going to attend a dinner party,  _   . \n Options: (A) you'd better bring a certain present with you (B) you must leave home for it at 7 p.m. (C) you should ask your host when you should leave (D) you must arrive at it before 8 p.m.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}88{"query": "Article: The adder is the only poisonous snake native to Britain. Adders have the most highly developed poison injecting mechanism of all snakes, but they are not aggressive animals. Adders will only use their poison as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on. No one has died from adder bites in Britain for over 20 years. By faar the most common smake in Britain is the adder. In Scotland, in fact, there are no other snakes at all. The adder is also the only British sanke with a poisonous bite. It can be found almost anywhere, but prefers sunny hillsides and rough open country, including high gournd. In Ireland there are no snakes at all. Most people regard snake bites as a fatal misfortune, but not all bites are serious, and very few are fatal . Sometimes attempts at emergency treatment turn out to be more dangerous than the bite itself, with amateurs heroically, but mistakenly, trying do-it-yourself surgery and other unnecessary measures. All snakes have small teeth, so it follows tha tall snakes can bite, but only te bite of the adder presents any danger. British snakes are shy animals and are fare more frightened of you than you could possibly be of them. The adder will attack only if it feels threatened, as can happen if you take it by surprise and step on it accidentally, or if you try to catch it or pick it up, which it dislikes intensely. If it hears you coming, it will normally get out of the way as quickly as it can, but adders cannot move  very rapidly and may attack before moving if you are very close. The effect of a bite varies considerably. It depends upon severa things, one of which is the boidy-wight of the person bitten. The bigger the person, the less harmful the bite is likely to be, which is why children suffer far more seriously from snake bites in Britain ,and thought these bites can make soime pepe very ill, thre are probaably just as many cases of bites having little or no effect, as there are of serious illess. \n Question: Where are adders to be found? \n Options: (A) In fertile fields in Scotland. (B) On wild land throughout Britain. (C) In many parts of Britain and Ireland. (D) Everywhere in Britian except Scotland", "pos": "Article: A woman in Santa Fe, New Mexico, left her home early to go to work on a Thursday morning, but after twenty minutes' drive her car suddenly broke down. Fortunately, at that moment, a kind man named Jackson Auk coming, helped her pull the car over, but when he opened the hood   of the car he didn't find a dead battery. Instead, he found a living snake, 9 - foot, 20 - pound, \"It was looking right at me. It flicked its little tongue, and I was a little frightened \"Jackson Ault said. So Ault and the woman called the local police to get help. The first officer on the scene didn't know how to control the snake like most people and was not brave at that moment. But then the police - Lt. Louis Carlos showed up and the story suddenly became much less frightening and more delightful. \"Cool, I wanted to hold it!\" Carlos told a local TV reporter about his reaction to seeing the snake. \"It was easy for me to go there, pick it up, hold it and let the snake feel the warmth of my hands and my body.\" After comforting the snake, Carlos called Animals Control Service, which brought the snake to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter.  One people from the center said the snake was not dangerous and it was like a pet that wanted to escape from its owner's home. It was also just a baby, only halfway toward her estimated adult length. They said it almost certainly crawled on the top of the car's engine to seek warmth and shelter. \"We had a lot of fun with it today - everyone there wanted to challenge their courage and handle the snake,\" people could read these words on the Santa Fe Animal Shelter's Facebook page.  In fact, not everyone thought that way. \"I was hesitant to open my own hood even though that sounds ridiculous,\" Ault said. \n Question: Jackson Auh thought at first that the woman's car  _  . \n Options: (A) had been short of gas (B) had had a battery problem (C) had had an engine problem (D) had been damaged by a snake", "neg": "Article: Burmese pythons    are some of the biggest snakes in the world and also one of the biggest problems in Florida's wetlands. So state officials have asked hunters to lend a hand. The pythons are originally from Asia. Brought to the US as pets or zoo animals, some were released or broke free into the wild and found Florida's warm weather to be perfect for a new settlement. It is estimated that tens of thousands now live in the everglades and the state's marshy wetlands. These supersize snakes are invasive species. \"The problem is with animals,\" says Carli Segelson, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. \" The pythons eat native birds, reptiles, and small mammals, many of which are threatened species. \" Since the python moved in,  several native species,  such as bobcats and rabbits,  have   largely disappeared from Florida's wetlands:' So the Florida government has invited hunters to   assist in solving this severe environmental problem.  People will be allowed to hunt pythons  around their breeding grounds for one month, starting on January 12. Officials are even offering cash prizes to whoever kills the most pythons and to whoever  kills the longest Burmese pythons. They are hoping the contest will significantly reduce the  population of this dangerous invader. \"Our goal is to help get rid of the pythons from the wild, educate the public about the  snakes' impact on the Florida ecosystem, and inform them of what impacts non-native pets can  have if allowed into the wild, \" Segelson said.  Experts say it's unlikely the snakes will ever be  removed from the wild in Florida. But they hope to bring the python problem under control and  prevent the snakes from doing more harm. \n Question: We can infer from the text that Florida must be a place where it is \n Options: (A) wet and warm (B) rainy and windy (C) warm and dry (D) wet and cold", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}89{"query": "Article: I am so worried about global warming. We need stop cutting down all of the trees so that they can absorb the carbon dioxide. I think the Kyoto Protocol  to stop pollution is a great idea ,and I hope our country will decide to follow it, too. -- Eli S.,10,Texa People should do all they can to help stop pollution, even if it is something as little as recycling your soda can. Every little thing helps. Maybe schools can put recycling bins in classrooms. Students can bring in all of their cans and bottles and see how many the school can collect. -- Lindsey A.,11, Massachusett. The United States should take action to help stop pollution. Since we are one of the richest countries, we should at least spend a little money to help. -- Aaron z,11,Massachusett It is not good that the United States is not following the Kyoto Protocol. The U.S. is one of the most pollutionemitting countries in the world. Even if the rest of the world agrees to follow those rules, without the U. S. and its big businesses agreeing, global warming will still be a big problem. --Augustine S.,11,Ohio The world needs to learn more about global warming problems. If we do not do something soon then some of Earth's coolest animals will become extinct. People should use solar power instead of things that pollute the atmosphere! -- Jillian J.,10,Pennsylvania Global warming is very dangerous, and it must be prevented. Even if people think that it cannot be stopped ,we should  at least try. Stopping global warming is more important than keeping our businesses going. What about thepenguins and the polar bears? We can't just let them become extinct. --Samantha R.,11,Illinois \n Question: Why does Lindsey suggest schools put recycling bins in classrooms? \n Options: (A) To keep the classroom clean (B) To help protect wild animals. (C) To help protect our earth. (D) To collect waste in classroom.", "pos": "Article: Researchers and many scientists are concerned that the earth's climate and atmosphere are becoming warmer than they should be. What scientists do agree on is that the temperature will continue to increase if measures are not taken to reduce pollution and emission   from cars and factories. It is widely agreed that oil and coal create greenhouse gases when they are burned to produce heat or power. These emissions include carbon dioxide, which is the cause of most of the global warming problem. The loss of the trees in many areas is making the problem worse, because trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The fewer trees that are left standing, the less carbon dioxide can be absorbed. Scientists predict that the sea level will rise, ice caps   will melt, and some animals and plants will fail to survive because their habitat will disappear. There may be more deserts and less available farmland because of the dry ground, and there may be more storms and floods in many countries. Some countries, including the UK and the US, are taking steps to prevent the situation from becoming worse. There are programmes to educate citizens and students about the situation and recycling waste is becoming more common. New guidelines are being introduced to try to limit greenhouse gases from being produced by factories and businesses. Using more alternative energy sources is also a good way to prevent global warming. One thing that everyone can do is limit their use of energy every day, and you can do this no matter how old or young you are. Try to limit the unnecessary use of electricity and work to conserve energy every day. \n Question: What is the best title for the text? \n Options: (A) How to Reduce Emissions (B) What Global Warming Brings (C) Take Action to Prevent Global Warming (D) No Emissions, No Warming", "neg": "Article: The United States is not part of the Kyoto Protocol.But since 2005 more than 1,000 mayors across the country have agreed to sign their own version of the protocol. It is called the United States Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement.Local leaders have agreed to follow the suggestions of the Kyoto Protocol in their communities.They have also agreed to urge state and federal governments to follow these suggestions.One goal is to reduce air pollution to the 1990 levels by 2012. A \"green\" city might work on several kinds of environmental goals and programs.These include air quality,reducing electricity use, green building, public health, the reuse of materials, water quality and clean transportation. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to protect the environment through action, law and science.One of its online projects is called Smarter Cities, which lists some cities that have made important environmental steps. Washington,D.C.is also a leading city for green roofs,with over 92,000 square meters of green rooftops.The city also launched a program called \"Skip the Bag,Save the River.\"Stores charge people a fivecent  tax for using plastic or paper shopping bags instead of reusable bags.Money from the tax will be used to clean up a local river. New York City is using water as a renewable energy source.For several years, the city has experimented with water in the East River to create energy.Officials operating the program recently asked for permission to put into place 30 river turbine devices. The people of Portland, Oregon are among the top recyclers in the nation.People living there recycle over half of the waste they throw out.The city has also worked to provide green transportation by providing safe bike paths and free parking spaces where electric cars can get recharged. In Oakland, California, you can ride on one of several public hydrogenpowered  buses.These buses release zero pollution into the air.However,they cost about five times more than common buses. \n Question: The United States Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement is aimed at  _  . \n Options: (A) reducing energy use (B) reducing air pollution (C) improving public health (D) reusing waste materials", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}90{"query": "Article: Among various programs, TV talk shows have covered every inch of space on daytime television. But no two shows are more opposite in content, while at the same time standing out above the rest, than the Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey shows. Jerry Springer could easily be considered the king of \"rubbish talk\". The show takes the ever-common talk show titles of love, sex, cheating, and hate, to a different level. Clearly, the Jerry Springer show is about the dark side of society, yet people are willing to eat up the troubles of other people's lives. Like Jerry Springer, Oprah Winfrey takes the TV talk show to its top. But Oprah goes in the opposite direction. The show is mainly about the improvement of society and different quality of life. Contents are from teaching your children lessons, managing your work week, to getting to know your neighbors. Compared to Oprah, the Jerry Springer show looks like poisonous waste being poured into society. Jerry ends every show with a \"final word\". He makes a small speech about the entire idea of the show. Hopefully, this is the part where most people will learn something very valuable. Clean as it is, the Oprah show is not for everyone. The show's main audience are middle-class Americans. Most of the people have the time, money and ability to deal with life's tough problems. Jerry Springer, on the other hand, has more of a connection with the young adults of society. \n Question: Compared with other TV talk shows, both the Jerry Springer and the Oprah Winfrey shows are   _  . \n Options: (A) more interesting. (B) unusually popular. (C) more detailed. (D) more formal.", "pos": "Article: A \"talk show\" is a show organized mainly around talk. Television talk shows have been around since the dawn of radio. Thus the start of talk shows' golden age can be considered as 1948, even though television wasn't common in American homes until the 1950s. From 1949 to 1973, nearly half of all daytime programming was talk. Why are there so many talk shows? A talk show costs less than $100,000 per episode  to produce whereas many of today's TV series cost more than $1 million an episode. Thus , if successful, it can produce handsome profits . Still, it takes a lot of work . Since 1948, hundreds of talk shows have come and gone, with only a few having true staying power. There are several types of talk shows , but while the styles might vary, the format  is limited. What we are most used to is the informal guest-host format, in which shows'hosts welcome famous people or other talk -worthy persons for an informal discussion. The second most common format is the public issues show, in which hosts interview people in the news or experts in a given field. Shows that follow this format include both morning news programs and \"issue\" talk shows: The Museum of Broadcast Communications' Bernard M. Timberg notes two governing principles of all successful talk shows: The host is everything :The host has a high degree of control over their show, from subject matter to comedic atmosphere . They are also the show's  brand and are responsible for it. The host can attract and refuse guests, organize their program and , in many cases, name a successor  when they retire. Right here, right now: The second rule is that a talk show must be experienced in the present tense, whether it is broadcast live or taped in front of an audience earlier in the day. They should feel fresh, as if they are happening in the moment, even if the show is a 10-year -old rerun. \n Question: What is an advantage of talk shows? \n Options: (A) They are easy to make. (B) They are cheap to produce. (C) They come in varied formats. (D) They remain successful for a long time.", "neg": "Article: Oprah Winfrey, the queen of American daytime talk TV, is considered one of the most powerful women in the world.Now, after 25 years' hosting The Oprah Winfrey Show, the star has announced she is calling it quits. According to the Los Angeles Times, the move \"signals the beginning of the decline for the daytime talk show.\" More women are working full-time jobs, and people are turning to cable   and pre-recorded shows for their entertainment. It may be that Oprah isn't quitting so much as moving on.She has created the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and will most likely move her show to the network.If audiences around the world need Oprah, they well know where to look. Oprah Winfrey was born to a single teenage mother in a small town in rural Mississippi, US.As a child, she lived with poverty and abuse.But she got a job at a local radio station, where her honesty, emotional style won her many fans.She quickly rose through the ranks of radio and television before launching her own production company and starting her own show. Oprah's talk show was not the first of its kind, but it quickly became the best and most popular.It made talk shows popular, and others jumped in to start similar shows.But while other talk shows turned ugly, featuring guests who argued and attacked each other with chairs, _  \"Part of her power lies in the fact that her life story resonates   with her audience, as a kind of version of the American dream,\" writes Kevin Connolly, a reporter with the BBC. She became a star because of the way she opened up about her problems to her audience.She shared her own struggles with relationships and weight.She focused on self-help.Connolly believes \"something in her honesty and her sometimes painfully emotional directness struck home with a certain type of American\". \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true? \n Options: (A) The stop of Oprah's show reflects the decrease of audience. (B) Oprah hosted her show for about 25 years. (C) American talk show was pioneered by Oprah. (D) Oprah used to be a radio presenter.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}91{"query": "Article: This year, some twenty-three hundred teenagers from all over the world will spend about ten months in their US homes. They will attend US schools, meet US teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world.  Here is a two-way students exchange in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George's family. In turn, George's son Mike spent a year in Fred's home in America. Fred knew little German when he arrived, but after two months' study, the language began to come to him. School was completely different from what he had expected --- much harder. Students rose respectfully when a teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no extracurricular  activities. Family life, too, was different. The father's word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual . Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car. 'Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.' At the same time, in America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea. 'I suppose I should criticize American schools,' he said. 'It is too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many activities. There ought to be some middle ground between the two.' \n Question: The exchange programme is mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) help teenagers in other countries know the real America (B) send students in America to travel in Germany (C) let students learn something about other countries (D) let teenagers learn new languages", "pos": "Article: This year some twenty-three hundred teen-agers (young people aged from 13-19) from all over the world will spend about ten months in U.S. homes . They will attend U. S. schools , meet U.S. teenagers , and form impressions of the real America . At the same time , about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world . Here is a two-way student exchange in action . Fred , nineteen ,spent last year in Gemany with George's family . In turn , George's son Mike spent a year in Fred's home in America . Fred , a lively young man , knew little German when he arrived , but after two months' study , the language began to come to him . School was completely different from what he had expected-much harder . Students rose respectfully when the teacher entered the room . They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States . There were almost no outside activities . Family life , too , was different . The father's word was law , and all activities were around the family rather than the individual. Fred found the food too simple at first . Also , he missed having a car . \"Back home ,you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time . In Germany , you walk , but you soon learn to like it .\" At the same time , in America , Mike , a friendly German boy , was also forming his idea . \"I suppose I should criticize American schools .\" He says , \"it is far too easy by our level . But I have to say that I like it very much . In Germany we do nothing but study . Here we take part in many outside activities . I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens . There ought to be some middle ground between the two .\" \n Question: The whole exchange programme is mainly to  _  . \n Options: (A) help teenagers in other countries know the real America (B) send students in America to travel in   Germany (C) let students learn something about other countries (D) have teenagers learn new languages", "neg": "Article: This year some twenty-three hundred teenagers (young people aged from 13 to 19) from all over the world will spend about ten months in US homes. They will attend US schools, meet US teenagers, and form impressions of the real America. At the same time, about thirteen hundred American teenagers will go to other countries to learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world. Here is a two-way student exchange in action. Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George's family. In turn, George's son Mike spent a year in Fred's home in America. Fred, a lively young man, knew little German when he arrived, but after two months' study, the language began to come to him. Schools were completely different from what he had expected--much harder. Students rose respectfully when the teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no outside activities. Family life, too, was different. The father's word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than the individual . Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car. \"Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it.\" At the same time, In America, Mike, a friendly German boy, was also forming his idea.\"I suppose I should criticize  American schools,\" he says. \"It is far too easy by our level. But I have to say that I like it very much. In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many outside activities. I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens . There ought to be some middle ground between the two. \n Question: The world exchange programme is mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) help teenagers in other countries know the real America (B) send students in America to travel in Germany (C) have teenagers learn new languages (D) let students learn something about other countries", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}92{"query": "Article: Dear Ms Morris, We have come to know of an unfortunate incident you had with our customer service department and we would like to deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to you by the customer service manager's behavior. We have noted down your complaint (number 797329SA) and would like to let you know that strict action will be taken against the employee. He is a new employee with little experience and so his attitude towards his job was over enthusiastic and he lacked proper judgment. We are by no means excusing his behavior but I would like to request you not to take any legal action against the company as we are very sorry for what happened. To express our appreciation, please accept the offer of free servicing of all products of our company that you own for up to three years. We will also make sure that the faulty  air conditioner is replaced by us at no extra cost so that you do not face any further problem. Once again, we are very sorry for the incident. Please contact us if you have any questions.                                                            Yours sincerely,                                                               Nate Borges Dear sir, I should like to apologize for the inconvenience caused to you due to poor Internet connectivity. I understand that you require the Internet all through the day as all your business deals are done online and since last week your work has been affected a great deal. We are continually working towards providing the best possible services to our customers. You have been using our service for the last three years and are aware of the excellent quality of service offered by us. However, this time due to some major technical fault the Internet service was interrupted and our customers in your part of the city are facing our poor Internet connectivity problems. The issue is likely to be solved within the next two days; kindly bear with us until then. Once again I apologize for the poor service.                                                            Yours faithfully,                                                               David Johns \n Question: What is Ms Morris's attitude towards the customer service manager? \n Options: (A) Thankful. (B) Dissatisfied. (C) Doubtful. (D) Worried.", "pos": "Article: When a consumer finds that something he or she bought is faulty or in some other way does not live up to what the producer says for it, the first step is to present the warranty ,or any other records that might help, at the store of buying. In most cases, this action will produce results.  However, if it does not, there are various means the consumer may use to gain satisfaction.A simple and common method used by many consumers is to complain directly to the store manager. In general, the \"higher up\" the consumer takes his or her complaint, the faster he or she can expect it to be settled. In such a case, it is usually settled in the consumer's favour, taking it as true that he or she has a just right.     Consumers should complain in person whenever possible, but if they cannot get to the place of buying, it is acceptable to phone or write the complaint in a letter.     Complaining is usually most effective when it is done politely but firmly, and especially when the consumer can show clearly what is wrong with what was bought in question. If this cannot be done, the consumer will succeed best by presenting specific information as to what is wrong, rather than by making general statements. For example,\"The left speaker does not work at all and the sound coming out of the right one is unclear\" is better than \"This stereo  does not work.\".     The store manager may advise the consumer to write to the producer, if so, the consumer should do this, stating the complaint as politely and as firmly as possible. But if a polite complaint does not achieve the expected result, the consumer can go a step further. He or she can threaten to take the seller to court or report the seller to a public organization responsible for protecting consumers' rights. \n Question: When a consumer finds what he bought has a fault in it, he should first   _  . \n Options: (A) complain personally to the manager (B) show something provable in written form to the store (C) threaten to take the matter to court (D) writer a firm letter of complaint to the store", "neg": "Article: When people find out that the product they bought is unsatisfying or in some other way does not live up to the manufacturer's claims , the first step is to present the warranty , or any other records which might help , at the store of purchase . In most cases , this action will produce results . However , if it does not , there are various means the consumer may use to gain satisfaction . A simple and common method used by many consumers is to complain directly to the store manager . In general , the \" higher up \" his or her complaint , the faster he or she can expect it to be settled . In such a case , it is usually settled in the consumer's favor , assuming he or she has a just claim . Consumers should complain in person whenever possible , but if they cannot get to the place of purchase , it is acceptable to phone or write the complaint in a letter . Complaining is usually most effective when it is done politely but firmly , and especially when the consumer can demonstrate what is wrong with the item in question . If this cannot be done , the consumer will succeed best by presenting specific information as to what is wrong , rather than by making general statements . For example , \" The left speaker does not work at all and the sound coming out of the right one is unclear \" is better than \" This stereo does not work . \" The store manager may advise the consumer to write to be manufacturer . If so , the consumer should do this , stating the complaint as politely and firmly as possible . If a polite complaint does not achieve the desired result , the consumer can go to a step further . She or he can threaten to take the seller to court or report the seller to a private or public organization responsible for protecting consumer's rights . \n Question: When people find that their purchase is unsatisfying , the first thing they should do is to   _   . \n Options: (A) complain personally to the manager (B) threaten to take the seller to court (C) write a firm letter of complaint to the store of purchase (D) show some written proof of the purchase to the store", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}93{"query": "Article: The USA Well, imagine how my sister felt when she went off for the first time to New York for a business trip. After a few days she was still amazed at how friendly everyone was to her until she took a taxi back to her hotel one night. First she gave just the name of the hotel, but when asked she said the address too. Then she was asked how to get there, but of course she didn't know. Imagine how frightened she was when the driver started shouting at her for not knowing the way. The UK A friend was in London for a conference. He took a taxi and there were no problems: the driver knew the way and was very cheerful. The problem started when he realized he had stupidly left his laptop on the back seat! He called the company up and, in a panic, went straightaway to their Lost and Found office. He was _ to find the laptop waiting for him, and then very surprised that it was one of 2,900 left in taxis over the past six months! Tunisia Well, my brother took a Mediterranean cruise  one summer and had a day in Tunis. He spent most of the afternoon in the Medina buying presents when he suddenly realized he'd completely lost track of time and there was only half an hour before the ship left the port. There had been loads of yellow taxis in the centre so he wasn't too bothered until he stood on the pavement and waited for one to appear----and of course there wasn't a single one in sight! Nothing! He questioned a passer-by who explained that the cost for the taxi ride goes up in the evening so the taxi drivers disappear until they can charge higher prices! Luckily for my brother the man then offered to give him a lift and he caught the boat on time! \n Question: What was the author's sister's trip by taxi in the US like? \n Options: (A) Unpleasing and scary. (B) Tiring but impressive. (C) Relaxing and exciting. (D) Interesting but strange", "pos": "Article: Global Positioning Systems(GPS) are now a part of everyday driving in many countries. These satellite-based systems provide turn-by-turn directions to help people get to where they want to go. But, they can also cause a lot of problems, send you to the wrong place or leave you completely lost. Many times, the driver is to blame. Sometimes a GPS error is responsible. Most often, says Barry Brown, it is a combination of the two. We spoke to Mr. Brown by Skype  . He told us about an incident involving a friend who had flown to an airport in the eastern United States. There he borrowed a GPS-equipped car to use during his stay. BARRY BROWN: \"And they just plugged in an address and then set off to their destination. And, then it wasn't until they were driving for thirty minutes that they realized they actually put in a destination back on the West Coast where they lived. They actually put their home address in. So again, the GPS is kind of 'garbage in garbage out'.\" Mr Brown says this is a common human error. But, he says, what makes the problem worse has to do with some of the shortcomings, or failures, of GPS equipment. BARRY BROWN: \"One problem with a lot of the GPS units is that they have a very small screen and they just tell you the next turn. Because they just give you the next turn, sometimes that means that it is not really giving you the overview that you would need to know that it's going to the wrong place.\" Barry Brown formerly served as a professor with the University of California, San Diego. While there, he worked on a project with Eric Laurier from the University of Edinburgh. The two men studied the effects of GPS devices on driving by placing cameras in people's cars. They wrote a paper based on their research. It is called \"The Normal, Natural Troubles of Driving with GPS.\" It lists several areas where GPS systems can cause confusion for drivers. These include maps that are outdated, incorrect or difficult to understand. They also include timing issues  related to when GPS commands are given. Barry Brown says, \" To make GPS systems better we need a better understanding of how drivers, passengers and GPS systems work together.\" \n Question: What is the disadvantage of small screens in GPS equipment according to the text? \n Options: (A) They just provide the next turn. (B) They are harmful to eyes. (C) They make drivers tired easily. (D) They often break down suddenly.", "neg": "Article: Several overseas trips with the family have taught us that they can be rewarding, but you always have to be careful of pickpockets. On a lovely visit to Paris an encounter with a pickpocket gave the would-be thief a little more than he _  While walking down the famous Champs Elysee, I was astonished to feel someone unzip my handbag and remove my purse. I turned to glimpse a young man turning away and pretending to be absorbed in the mouth-watering contents on display in a bakery window. Being only a teenager at the time, I had no idea what to do. So I tapped the young man in question on the shoulder and said. \"Excuse me can you please give me back my purse?\" Of course the pickpocket had no idea what I was saying (and didn't want to know) and proceeded to shrug his shoulders and basically say (in French) \"I don't speak English\"? Meanwhile my Mother (a Scotswoman with a bad temper), came to see why I had stopped walking and what was going on. When I informed her of the situation she lost control and started yelling at the thief who still stood there making gestures in French while a crazy Scotswoman harangued  him. At this stage we were starting to attract onlookers, and when my Mother started hitting the young man with her handbag the would-be thief decided it was time to get away. Luckily, amid all the disorder the thief lost his control of my purse, and as he made a break-for-it, my purse dropped to the ground! I quickly snatched it up and for the rest of vacation we walked around with our handbags clutched against our chests! \n Question: This passage is a story about  _  . \n Options: (A) several overseas trips (B) Champs Elysee (C) a lovely visit to Paris (D) pickpockets", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}94{"query": "Article: Do you scream on a roller coaster ride? You slowly climb up a steep slope until an almost vertical  drop, and then... Ahhhhhhhh! Thrill-seekers like me are in luck because theme parks are pushing the boundaries of technology to create the fastest, tallest, scariest roller coasters the world has ever known. Alton Towers in Britain opened the world's first 14-1oop roller coaster a few months ago, called The Smiler. Over in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World claims to have the world's fastest one. Ferrari World's Formula Rossa ride sends out passengers from 0-240km/h in just 4. 9 seconds. During this rapid acceleration they experience G-forces only fighter pilots usually  feel: Up to 4. 8G. The designer of several rides at Alton Towers, said: \"While we can stand 6-8Gs for very short periods of  time, ff we experience 5G for more than five seconds we're likely to \"black out.\" On modern roller coasters passengers experience about 3G in tight turns and loops. But while we may have reached the limit in terms of G-forces, there is no technological limit to how fast or how high roller coasters can go---it's all down to money. Alton Towers' The Smiler cost ~18m to build. Some companies are finding other ways to keep us amused. There's a move towards indoor rides where the experience is improved by audio-visual technologies. For example, a company called Dynamic Structures is currently developing a \"coal-mine-themed\" ride for a client in Dubai that will combine speed and G-forces with 3D projection effects and robotics, which will trick your brain into thinking you're really falling. I can't wait to enjoy this one. What about you: Do you like being upside down? \n Question: We can learn from the passage that   _ \n Options: (A) all the theme parks are creating the fast roller coasters (B) the Smiler sends out passengers from 0-240km/h in just 4.9 seconds (C) it is unusual for fighter pilots to feel up to 4.8G (D) the more the money is spent, the faster the roller coaster can go", "pos": "Article: Richard Rodriguez from the United States is a great roller coaster fan. Recently he broke his 15th world record after he spent 104 days riding the world's largest roller coaster. \"It got more difficult to ride and ride because of the muscle tiredness,\" Rodriguez, a teacher at the University of Chicago, said as he stepped down from the ride in a German park. He spent 10 hours a day on the roller coaster. Rodriguez tried to keep himself busy during the rides on the big roller coaster in a southwestern town in Germany. \"I read the newspapers...I have a walkman, I have my cellphone, so I try to talk to people and message people during the day,\" he said. Although the 42yearold said he felt sick on the first few days, he said he soon got over the problem. \"My face hurts sharply and I have a little backache, but I am good.\" The \"Expedition GeForce\" is one of the world's biggest roller coasters. It measures 62 meters at its highest point. On his 95th day on the coaster, after travelling over 25,000 kilometers, Rodriguez had a toothache and was treated by a local dentist. He went on after that and succeeded in breaking the record. Rodriguez celebrated with members of the park staff and his supporters, who had sent him postcards and emails encouraging him not to give up. \n Question: What do we know about Expedition GeForce? \n Options: (A) It once ran for 104 days nonstop. (B) It is the one most difficult to ride. (C) It is most modernly equipped. (D) It is in a German town.", "neg": "Article: Gold Coast theme parks come in all shapes and sizes and whether you like roller coasters  or patting furry animals, you're sure to find something. Movie World Movie World is the only movie-related theme park in Australia. With one of the best coasts and a good handful of movie-related rides, you'll experience a fun-filled adventure with the glamour of Hollywood. Get \"behind the scenes\" movie information and stunt  shows to keep the whole family entertained for the best part of a day.  Contact Information:  Phone: 07--5573--8485  Address: Pacific Motorway, Oxenford, Queensland 4210  Website: www. movieworld.com.au    Sea World With an obvious emphasis on things that live in the water, Sea World has a fantastic range of fish, sharks, dolphins, seals, polar bears and other assorted animals in the water. Throw in a bunch of great rides, water slides and roller coasters, and Sea World emerges as perhaps the best all-round theme park on the Gold Coast. Contact information: Phone: 07--5588--2222 Address: Sea World Drive, Main Beach, Queensland 42 Website: www. seaworld. com.au   Tropical Fruit World Home of the world's largest varieties of bizarre, and wonderful fruits, or you can pay to check out the plantation safaris , mini-train rides, jungle cruises and fruit tasting shows. Admission is about $32 for adults and %15 for kids and free for kids under 5.anbah Road, Duran Contact Information: Phone: 02--6677--7222 Address: Duranbah Road, Duranbah, NSW 2487 Website: www. tropicalfruitworld. com. au    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Crocodiles, kangaroos, koala and almost all of the other famous Australian native animals are living in Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. You can look at them, feel and pat some of them or just experience the fantastic 27 hectare bush land setting--an oasis      of wildlife amidst the Gold Coast bustle. Contact Information: Phone: 07--5534--1266 Address: 28 Tomewin Street Currumbin, Queensland 4223 Website: www. currumbin. sanctuary. org. au \n Question: If you want to watch stunt shows, you can go to   _   . \n Options: (A) Movie World (B) Sea World (C) Tropical Fruit World (D) Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}95{"query": "Article: The skin which covers the tips of the fingers and thumbs is crossed by numerous ridges   arranged in different patterns. These patterns are permanent from birth and remain exactly the same throughout a person's life, even when the skin becomes wrinkled and cracked as a result of old age. Such patterns are never passed on from parents to children, and no one in the world has the same patterns as anyone else. Even identical twins have different sets of fingerprints. As a result, fingerprints offer a most useful and _ way of identifying people. Any ridged part of the hand and the foot may be used as a means of identification, but finger impressions are usually preferred since they can be taken easily and quickly. Fingerprints are classified in the ways: by general shapes and contours , by the finger positions of the pattern-types, and by size (often measured by counting the ridges in the loops). Every set of fingerprints has different \"ridge characteristics\" (i. e. the print of each separate finger is different from that of all the other fingers), which belong to one of four basic groups: arches, loops, whorls and composites. All fingerprints can then be divided into 1, 024 groups. By using details in the patterns above, these 1, 024 groups can be further divided into thousands of smaller groups, thus making it possible to find a particular set of fingerprints in a few minutes. \n Question: According to this passage, the true statement about human fingerprints is that   _  . \n Options: (A) people's fingerprints sometimes can be passed on from parents to children (B) people's fingerprints are unique but identical twins may have the same fingerprints (C) using fingerprints is the only way to identify people (D) people's fingerprints will not change in all their lives", "pos": "Article: Every human being has a unique arrangement of the skin on his fingers and this arrangement is unchangeable. Scientists and experts have proved the uniqueness of finger-prints and discovered that no exactly similar pattern is passed on from parents to children, though nobody knows why this is the case. The ridge structure on a person's fingers does not change with growth and is not affected by surface injuries. Burns, cuts and other damage to the outer part of the skin will be replaced in time by new one which bears a reproduction of the original pattern. It is only when the inner skin is injured that the arrangement will be destroyed. Some criminals make use of this fact to remove their own finger-prints but this is a dangerous and rare step to take. Finger-prints can be made very easily with printer's ink. They can be recorded easily. With special methods, identification can be achieved successfully within a short time. Because of the simplicity and economy of this system, finger-prints have often been used as a method of solving criminal case. A suspected man may deny a charge but this may be in vain. His finger-prints can prove who he is even if his appearance has been changed by age or accident. When a suspect leaves finger-prints behind at the scene of a crime, they are difficult to detect with the naked eye. Special techniques are used to \"develop\" them. Some of the marks found are incomplete but identification is possible if a print of a quarter of an inch square can be obtained. \n Question: Scientists and experts have proved that the pattern of a human being's finger skin  _ \n Options: (A) is similar to his mother's (B) is valuable to himself only (C) is like that of others with the same type of blood. (D) is different from that of all others", "neg": "Article: When most of us look at our hands, we might notice that we need to clean, or stop biting our fingernails, and that's about it. But if you ask a doctor, he can see a whole lot more. Everything from poor diet and stress to serious kidney   problems can be revealed by a glance at your fingernails. There are about 30 different nail signs that can be associated with medical issues, though may indicate more than one problem, according to Dr.Amy Derick, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Northwestern University. Here are five of the things a doctor can tell about your health based on your fingernails. 1. People who aren't eating well and lack vitamin or dietary may have thinner than normal nails, which are more likely to break. 2.Horizontal   lines are associated with serious physical stress. They frequently occur in people who have gone through chemotherapy .They can also occur after some illnesses, injuries, or with severe malnourishment .Interestingly, there may be an altitude connection too. They've also been found in people who dove 1,000 feet and others who participated in an Everest exploration. 3. Vertical  lines, however, are generally not such a big deal. Some people are more genetically prone to them than others, but they're commonly associated with aging. 4. When people lack iron, their nails can turn spoon-like. Instead of curving down and covering the finger normally, they 'll start to rise up on the sides and front, like the part of a spoon that holds liquid. 5. Kidney and liver problems can create \"half-and-half nails\", where one part of the nail is white and the other part dark or pink, according to Derick. Doctors note that because disease diagnosis is complex and some symptoms can be associated with different diseases, you should always see a medical professional if you are concerned about something you notice. \n Question: What is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) Doctors can tell us something about our health by looking at our nails. (B) We should see a doctor if we find nails in bad condition. (C) A famous doctor in the USA conducted an interesting research. (D) If we don't want to get ill, we need to clean and stop biting our fingernails.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}96{"query": "Article: Coral reefs  are not just beautiful to look at,but also very useful.They shelter nearly 25% of ocean life and provide food for billions of people.However, like many other species,this amazing ecosystem  is in danger of dying out! There are two main reasons for the destruction--the rising carbon dioxide levels caused by global warming as well as human influences like bottom operation.While not much can be done about the former,the loss caused by the latter can be reduced. Bottom operation involves dropping nets to the ocean bed and then dragging them up when filled with fish.This action damaged the ocean floor,causing the coral branches to separate from the reefs.While that is very discouraging,the good news is that if these branches are found quickly,they can be saved.At present,that work is being performed by volunteer divers. But the method has only limited success because they cannot stay long underwater, nor reach depths of over 200 meters where some of the deep-sea coral grows. However,this is not the case for Coralbots--the robots that can constantly seek out broken branches.A team of 'coral bots',each individually working to simple rules will piece together damaged bits of coral, allowing them to regrow. They are programmed to be able to distinguish between other things and the coral.The robots work together in groups,similar to bees.If one coralbot is damaged, then the others will still be able to complete the task. Dr Lea-Anne Henry said:\"The project of using coralbots offers us the possibility to restore  the function of reefs.It is in the final stage of testing.Once ready, the researchers hope to build hundreds of _ and use them effectively in the waters off Scotland and then hopefully in the oceans across the world.\" \n Question: Which of the following is a cause of the danger that coral reefs are facing? \n Options: (A) The appearance of new creatures. (B) The seriously polluted sea water. (C) The activities of volunteer divers. (D) Human activities like bottom operation.", "pos": "Article: About 97% of the world's water is salty and is found in our oceans and seas. But, as we can't drink seawater, how can it be important? Every part of our seas and oceans contains an amazing number of animals and fish that live at different ocean depths. Most of the different species of animals and fish depend on simple plants for their food. These simple plants called algae   drift near the surface of the ocean and use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into food and oxygen. In fact, algae produce over half of the oxygen people breathe. How important seawater is! Each plant or animal in our seas and oceans is an important link in a food chain. The algae are eaten in large amounts by microscopic animals, which are in turn consumed by larger animals. These food chains are delicately balanced. The bad news about the food chains in the oceans is that they are under threat because of man. People once thought that the oceans were so big that it didn't matter if we dumped rubbish into them or caught huge quantities of fish and whales for food. But we now know this is not true and fish stocks in the oceans have started to drop. Thankfully, the world is taking steps to protect the future of our oceans by introducing international agreements to protect marine habitats. Most countries have introduced fishing restrictions to protect fish stocks in the oceans and new techniques are being pioneered to cope with pollution. Finally, the importance of protecting oceans is being made known to more people. This is just the beginning of a long process to protect the oceans for our future. We depend on the oceans for fish which are an important part of the human diet. How important seawater is! \n Question: People used to think that the rubbish thrown into the sea   _  . \n Options: (A) wouldn't harm the fish in the sea (B) would change the balance of the food chain (C) would be broken down in the sea (D) wouldn't do much harm to the sea", "neg": "Article: To me, the ocean is our greatest wilderness. I love swimming in it , surfing its waves, watching it from shore and thinking about all the life living unseen under the surface. When I take my little kids to check out tide pools, we're overjoyed when we find a sea star or some shellfish. Lately, though, I've noticed a change in my favorite pools: there are more sea grasses and fewer animals with shells. I can't help feeling these small changes _ something more troubling about our oceans. It matches what scientists are telling us: our oceans are being troubled by carbon dioxide that threatens corals, colorful fish, salmon, sea otters, even whales. Our oceans are facing a major change. Every hour, a million tons of carbon dioxide from cars, factories and power plants rain down on the world's oceans. Carbon pollution brings about a chemical reaction that turns sea water more acidic   and takes away things important for sea animals . Some of us are already feeling the effects of this growing crisis . Shellfish farmers in the Pacific Northwest have reported a decrease in natural and farmed oysters . Just this week, a new studyproved the link between the huge reduction in the numbers of oysters and ocean acidification. As polar waters become more acidic, Alaskan fishermen are troubled by the future of smaller fish. Without action, ocean acidification will have a disastrous influence on the food chain, affecting not only sea life but the people who depend on it for food and their living. Already, our oceans have become 30 percent more acidic since preindustrial times, and it gets worse every day. We can stop this frightening dream, but only if we act now. That's why the Center for Biological Diversity has started a petition   requesting President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a plan to deal with ocean acidification. Decisive action can save sea life as we know it. Now it isn't too late to save our oceans and sea life. With immediate action to reduce carbon dioxide release we can start taking important steps today to deal with this disastrous situation. Join me in our petition calling for a national plan to save our oceans. \n Question: The author's recent visits to the tide pool brought her   _   . \n Options: (A) happiness (B) anger (C) concern (D) comfort", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}97{"query": "Article: No matter where he lives, 16-year-old Danny Lopez feels like an outsider: he is half-Mexican and half-white. At his private high school in wealthy northern San Diego, California, US, Lopez is too brown to fit in, whereas for the Mexican side of his family in National City, just a dozen miles from the border, he is too white to belong. Different from both sides, Lopez is silent in school. He focuses on his passion for baseball and working hard to improve the pitches   that have kept him off the school team. Mexican Whiteboy, by Matt de la Pena, is about a teenager's search for identity. It was named as one of the Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults in 2009 by the US Young Adult Library Services Association. When Lopez's mother decides to go to live with her wealthy white boyfriend in San Francisco, he chooses to spend the summer with his father's family in San Diego. It's a trip to explore roots and self-identity, filled with unexpected friendship. There he meets Uno, of mixed heritage   like himself, also with a divorced mom. Uno understands Danny's split background and helps him improve his baseball skills. Both boys have big league dreams, but they both have to learn to come to terms with their mixed heritages before they can achieve their goals. Aside from discussions of racism, Mexican Whiteboy takes on other issues, such as the importance of family and the negative influence of hiding the truth. It also shows how sports can draw cultures together. \n Question: The reason why Lopez feels like an outsider lies in the fact that   _  . \n Options: (A) he is a Mexican (B) he lives in San Diego (C) he is half-white and half-Mexican (D) he studies in a private school", "pos": "Article: Mini Book Excerpts  Biography    When Salinger learned that a car park was to be built on the land, the middle-aged writer was shocked and quickly bought the neighboring area to protect it ... The towns-people never forgot the rescue and came to help their most famous neighbor.                                 J.D. Sulinger : A Life by Kenneth Slawenski                                                  (Random House, $27) Mystery     \" You' re a smart boy. Benny's death was no accident, and you 're the only one who saw it happen. Do you think the murderer should get away with it?\" The boy was staring stubbornly at his lap again.   A thought suddenly occurred to Annika, \" Did you... You recognized the man in the car, didn't you?\"   The boy hesitated, twisting his fingers, \" Maybe,\" he said quietly.                             Red wolf by Liza Marklund (Atria books, $25.99) Short stories    She wants to say to him what she has learned, none of it in class. Some women are born stupid, and some women are too smart for their own good. Some women are born to give, and some women only know how to take. Some women learn who they want to be from their mothers, some who they don't want to be. Some mothers suffer so their daughters won't. Some mothers love so their daughters won't.                                           You Are Free by Danzy Senna                                                ( Riverhead Books, $15) Humor   Do your kids like to have fun? Come to Fun Times! Do you like to watch your kids having fun? Bring them to Fun Times! Fun Times! 's \" amusement cycling\" is the most fun you can have, legally, in the United States right now. Why spend thousands of dollars flying to Disney World when you can spend less than half of that within a day's drive of most cities?                            Happy: And Other Bad Thoughts by Larry Doyle                                                       (Ecco, $14.99) \n Question: If the readers want to know about the life of Salinger, they should buy the book published by  _  . \n Options: (A) Ecco (B) Atria Books (C) Random House (D) Riverhead Books", "neg": "Article: Below are reviews for three books and two book series. Each has been read and loved by students across the country.           The Outsiders          This book, first published in 1967. has become a classic for teens across the nation. It focuses on Ponyboy , who has been labeled all his life as a greaser. The greaser's opposing group is the \" socs \". kids who have lots of money and can break any rules without getting in trouble. As the novel develops, S. E. Hinton allows the reader to see exactly how these labels affect teens in both the greaser and the soc group.          If you've ever watched the movie The Outsiders, this story may sound familiar, as the movie was based on the book . The Outsiders gives teens a look into life in the 50's and 60's, offering timeless lessons that still apply to today's youth.          Out of the Dust          Any student interested in the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl should read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. Hesse is able to capture the mood and spirit of this era through the use of poetry. The main character of the book, Billie Jo, is growing up in Oklahoma, the heart of the Dust Bowl. Through free verse poetry, Billie Jo narrates  her tale of poverty and survival during this difficult time.          Out of the Dust is an excellent lesson in history . Due to the short length and writing style, the book is a quick but worthwhile read. By the end of the book, the reader is eager to start the story over again . Hesse is able to pack a lot of emotions and details into her short book , making the story very real and believable.           The Giver         The Giver depicts a perfect society in which citizens experience no pain, have never felt fear, and life is completely under control. However, as the reader progresses through the story, it's easy to see that this community is far from utopia  . Instead, through the experiences felt by the main character Jonas, the reader learns there is a missing from life in this world..         During the Ceremony of the Twelves, each 12--year --old is assigned their life --long career in the community . Jonas is chosen to be the Receiver of Memories, a very special job assigned to one person at a time . When Jonas receives his training . he learns many truths about his community that change how he feels about his life, making him determined to do something to change it .         The Giver is a good book for teens who enjoy science fiction and fantasy. The book makes you examine your own life, values, and beliefs, striving to find how you would define the perfect society.         Anne of Green Gables         This eight-book series depicts the life of Anne Shirley, an orphan that is adopted in Prince Edward Island, Canada . The books are set in the 1800s to the 1900s, the last one taking place during World War I. Anne is a loveable spirit who has many misfortunes and laughable experiences when growing up and going to college.          The Anne of Green Gables series is fun to read. creating a strong attachment to the reader and making the last book a bitter -sweet experience. Teenage girls who are looking for a female role model will love Anne Shirley.         Harry Potter         J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series has sold more copies than any other series in history. The series , which includes seven books in all , fallows a boy wizard named Harry Potter.         Harry attends Hogwarts School of Witcheraft and Wizardy. The seven books follow Harry through seven years of wizarding school . During this time , readers experience the wizarding world through Harry's eyes and watch him make friends. Learn magic and fight a wizard.          The Harry Potter books are an enchanting read for all ages. No matter who you are. you will find yourself absorbed in the magical world created by J. K. Rowling. \n Question: The greaser group may refer to those kids   _  . \n Options: (A) who are poor in their lessons at school (B) who get along well with the soc group (C) who go between the poor and the rich children (D) who are poor and often get into trouble for breaking rules", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}98{"query": "Article: Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic   for you. Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian . If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss, then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.  _ . Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make lifestyle changes that will benefit the whole family, if possible. Those who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight-management programs. Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be in the sodas, juices and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a can of soda or one sports drink can save you 150 calories or more each day. _ with water or other sugar-free drinks when you're thirsty and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Stop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're full. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you are full. Avoid diet pills. They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term. Get moving. You don't have to play a team sport or go to the gym. Try different kinds of activities from hiking to cycling, or to dancing until you find what you like. \n Question: According to the passage, before you decide to lose or gain weight you must know   _  . \n Options: (A) how you will do it (B) how long it should last (C) whether you have a healthy weight (D) what your realistic goal is", "pos": "Article: One of the best things you can do for your health is to drop a few pounds. Or maybe morethan a few pounds.  Being overweight increases your danger of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer,,the list seems almost endless. You'd better find several simple things you can do on a daily basis  such as making rules of eating more vegetables and less fat and getting more physical activities.  After breakfast, make water your primary drink. At breakfast, go ahead and drink orange juice. But throughout the rest of the day, focus on water instead of juice or soda. The average American consumes  an extra 245 calories a day from soft drinks. That's nearly 90,000 calories a year -- or 25 pounds! And research shows that neither the calories nor sugary drinks give you a sense of fullness the way that food does.  People take only 2,000 to 3, 000 steps a day. Adding 2,000 steps will help you keep your present weight and stop gaining weight. Adding more than that will help you lose weight.  Eat five or six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large meals. A 1999 South African study found that when men ate parts of their morning meal at intervals over five hours, they consumed almost 20 percent fewer calories at lunch than when they ate a single breakfast. \n Question: Where is the passage probably taken from? \n Options: (A) A travelling diary. (B) A story book. (C) A science magazine. (D) An English dictionary.", "neg": "Article: Be Healthy! Be Slim! Be Beautiful! Discover the secret for a Healthy, Slim, Beautiful You! Discover how to be Healthy, Slim and Beautiful! I love this healthy diet program because it helps you lose weight, lose inches, feel healthy and look beautiful. This healthy diet is an 8-week program which is unlike other diet regimes because it focuses on proper nutritional first and weight loss second. Your body must have proper levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein in order to work well. It provides a simply lifestyle change to give you more energy and improve your health most greatly. It offers control over stomach and continuing hunger with a calorie dense diet allowing 1,700 to 2,000 calories a day. If a person has a weight problem their body probably is not working at proper levels of basic nutrients. We invite you to follow this program so you can be the slim person who lives inside you. You too, can love dieting, especially if you are losing weight and losing inches! Do you want to feel better? To get started being slim, just Click Here. \n Question: What is this passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) How people should keep fit. (B) A healthy diet program. (C) Some healthy people. (D) Ways to lose weight.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}99{"query": "Article: Taichi with English narration    A veteran  Taichi teacher, about 38, teaches the basic 24 movements, pushinghands and self-defense techniques, suitable for the beginners and intermediate level.    Time:10:00-12:00 a.m., every Sunday morning    Place: Bamboo Garden Hotel, No 24, Xiaoshiqiao Hutong, jiuprefix = st1 /Gulou Street, Northwestof Drum Tower in the downtown.    Fee: 60 yuan each time Chinese ink & water painting class    To learn the techniques of painting a bird, flower, or lady with brushes. The Chinese philosophy and culture will also be included    Time: 7:00-9:00p.m. every Wednesday    Place: Library Bar, first floor, Tower B of East Gate Plaza ,right behind the poly plaza at the East Second Ring Road.         Fee: 60 yuan each week                                      Big-bowl-tea    Ten yuan (US$1.2) for a cup of Chinese tea and live performance of Peking Opera is the tempting offer up for grabs at Dawancha (big-bowl-tea) Theatre, a new branch of Lao She Tea house.    The atmosphere of a traditional Chinese tea-house of the past is evoked  with window seats overlooking Tian'an Men Square.    Place: east side of north end of Qianmen Dajie, facingArrowTower    Tel: 318-4723,  6318-2107 Acrobatic  show The Tianqiao area of Beijingwon its name as the city's major outdoor performance site for acrobatics shows before the founding of New China in 1949. Acrobatic shows are still staged every evening in a theatre located in the Tianqiao area. The shows, put on by the Beijing Acrobatics Troupe, include many national or world award-winning programmes. Time: 7 p.m., daily Place: Wansheng Theatre Price: 100 yuan (Us$ 12.0) Tel: 65287750 ext 198 \n Question: If you are a sport lover you can go to   _  . \n Options: (A) Library Bar (B) Bamboo Garden Hotel (C) Lao she Tea-House (D) Wansheng Theatre", "pos": "Article: Discover Artistic Talents across the Country Tank Loft, Chongqing This 12,000-square-meter art center was established on the site of a used military tank warehouse . It is the largest contemporary art base in western China, featuring modern exhibition, galleries, design studios and art bookstores. The art zone is located on the campus of the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and was created by the school in the early 2000s. Where: No. 108 Huangjueping Center Street, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing Opening hours: 9 am--5 pm (closed Mondays) Redtory, Guangzhou Redtory, established in 2009, is a spacious art district often referred to as Guangzhou's 798. Made up of more than 30 old halls, mostly buildings of red brick, the place was originally built in 1956 as Chinese largest can factory. Some of the rusty machines from the old factory have been kept as art equipment, giving the zone an old charm. Where:No. 128 Yuancun Siheng Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou Opening hours:Mon.-Sun. 10:30 am-9 pm M50, Shanghai M50, also known as 50 Moganshan Road, is the center of Shanghai's contemporary art scene, with more than 100 artists whose studios are open to the public. This district, on the bank of Suzhou Creek, was previously a textile factory until it seized production in 1999. Xue Song, a Shanghai artist, was the first to establish a studio there in 2002. Where: No. 50 Moganshan Road, Pudong District, Shanghai Opening hours: 10 am-5 pm (closed Mondays) 798 Art Zone, Beijing Attracted by ordered designing, convenient traffic and unique style of Bauhaus architecture, art organizations and artists have crowded in the vacant plants and transformed them since 2001, gradually forming a district gathered galleries, art studios, cultural companies, fashion shops etc. As the earliest area where the organizations and artists moved in located in the original area of 798 factory, this place was named as Beijing 798 Art Zone. Where: No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. Opening hours: 10 am-6 pm \n Question: If you are going to visit an art zone at 7pm, which one can you go to? \n Options: (A) Tank Loft, Chongqing. (B) Redtory, Guangzhou. (C) M50, Shanghai. (D) 798 Art Zone, Beijing.", "neg": "Article: In traditional Chinese medicine, the body, mind and spirit cannot be divided and so the unique whole-body treatment in Tui Na can also be a useful treatment correcting any imbalances in the body's energy before symptoms and disease can develop. It also works to bring back emotional peace as well as physical health. This is why after a Tui Na treatment many people \"feel good\". Many people in China use Tui Na regularly to keep healthy and to deal with some specific illnesses. Tui Na is performed on the clothed body and the patient is either lying on a couch or sitting on a chair. Therapists , by using a variety of movements, will control the intensity  and direction of pressure in an exact way. The unique rolling movement in Tui Na is one of the most difficult movements to learn and students have to practice sometimes for many months on a rice bag before they are allowed to practice on the human body. Stress  Tui Na is of course very useful for treating stress. It spreads the energy around the whole body. It is believed that Tui Na moves the strong energy in the tight muscles to the weaker areas, thus making a more balanced body. When your energy flowing inside your body is balanced, you feel relaxed and comfortable. Tui Na is especially useful for  _ shoulders and tight neck muscles. Emotions  In Traditional Chinese Medicine each major organ  is linked to an emotion. By balancing the energy in the organ, the related emotion will be calmed. When your emotions are out of control, you would usually turn to your doctor or perhaps a psychotherapist  . But perhaps some people would not like to be seeing a psychotherapist or feel nervous about discussing their problems with others. With Tui Na, one does not need to tell the therapist anything one does not want to. The treatment of Tui Na can deal with the problem itself. But if one does need to pour out his/her worries or troubles, an active dialogue between the psychotherapist and the patient will help to get a better effect. Organs & Emotions  Each major organ -- the heart, the stomach, the liver  , the lungs, and etc.--are linked to a relevant emotion. The heart is linked to joy, excitement and sadness. If the heart is out of balance, the patient may dream a lot at night and often forget something important in the day. The stomach is connected with too much thinking or worrying about anxiety. When the stomach is out of balance there is often a lack of energy. The patient often feels very tired and has no interest in doing anything at all. The liver is linked to anger. In Chinese medicine, the eyes are connected with the liver, and many people who suffer from anger often suffer from eye problems. The lung rules decision-making and too much energy here can lead to rashness  , while if there is too little, it can bring about indecision. When there is a history of depression with a patient, it may have effect on the liver. ks5u Tui Na can help release most of the discomfort and it is used in almost all the hospitals in China and very popular among Chinese people. It is a useful and valuable method for the balance of your energy flowing, when emotional and physical health is out of balance. Tui Na is one of the remaining secrets of Chinese medicine. \n Question: According to the passage, which statement is TRUE about Tui Na? \n Options: (A) Tui Na is a whole-body treatment and can't be divided into different parts. (B) Tui Na can be used to balance the diseases before they can develop in the body. (C) Tui Na can bring back not only physical health but also emotional health. (D) Tui Na only makes people \"feel good\" but do not actually cure disease.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}100{"query": "Article: A recent online poll   asked kids what they hated most about school. \"Classes are boring\" came in first. \"Too much homework\" was a close second. Since all activities remain interesting for only so long, too much homework can lead to ennui. So, why are some kids getting homework overload? Teachers give two reasons. First, they say, the government now requires schools to meet higher-than-ever achievement goals for students. If students don' t succeed, the school faces punishment. Second, many parents want their children to be able to get into the best colleges and universities. These parents believe homework is a way to ensure that students are learning as much as possible. People who favor homework argue that it can have many beneficial effects. They claim it can help students develop good study habits. Homework can help students recognize that learning can occur at home as well as at school. It can help develop their independent learning and responsible character traits . But studies show that middle school students doing 60 to 90 minutes of homework a night are doing just as well in school as those doing more than 90 minutes. And homework can have negative effects. Homework can deny students access to leisure  activities that also teach important skills. For example, sports teams teach cooperation and leadership, in addition to helping kids stay physically active. Another problem with too much homework is that parents can get too involved. They can put too much pressure on their kids. So what should be done? Good homework assignments in the proper amount will have positive effects. Too much homework, however, will have negative effects. The bottom line: Students in grades three through six should do no more than 30 to 60 minutes of homework each night. \n Question: Those who are in favor of homework think that   _  . \n Options: (A) homework helps students to succeed (B) it's good for kids to help each other in learning (C) parents are a great help when kids do homework at home (D) homework helps children to learn independently", "pos": "Article: Doing homework not only can help children master the knowledge they have learned, but also can train their abilities of finishing the work alone, planning the time and doing the duties. But some children don't like to complete the work. Why? There are some reasons. Some children feel it is very difficult to do their homework, because they can't understand their teacher clearly, and can't follow their teacher's teaching process. Maybe there is something wrong with their _  But some children's intelligence is normal. They are even cleverer, but they don't listen to the teacher carefully. It is hard for them to sit well and pay attention to anything. It needs to carry on the attention centralized training to help the children. Some children love their teacher and then they like the subject. Their interest depends on the teacher who teaches them. So every teacher should be helpful and kind. It can make children love you and the subject you teach. So they can do their homework happily. \n Question: Doing homework can help children  _  . \n Options: (A) master the knowledge (B) train their abilities (C) lean new lessons (D) Both A and B", "neg": "Article: People hold different views on what or how much homework should be. It is partly due to  the fact that people can't seem to agree on the purpose of homework. Some teachers think that homework is necessary to reinforce  what is learned in school. And so they ask their students to memorize what was discussed in class through homework. Some teachers think the point of homework is to cover material that the class didn't have time to get to, so their homework is to let students learn additional things. Other teachers like homework simply because they want students to form work habits and still others believe homework is necessary because it's the best way for parents to learn what their children do in school. However, many parents seem to have different ideas. Elisa Cohen, who has twins at Lafayette Elementary School, doesn't like the fact that third-grade students in DC elementary schools are asked to write about 25 book summaries a year. She said, \"They do the same thing over and over without really getting into alternate   ways of thinking about books, reading and writing.\" Some education reformers  , such as Howard Gardner, a Harvard University professor well-known for his theory on multiple intelligence, think that Cohen is on the right track. But it's often hard to persuade overworked teachers to give much thought to homework tasks. \n Question: How many opinions do the teachers have on \"homework\"? \n Options: (A) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (D) 6.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}101{"query": "Article: It should be very clear that we live in a most spectacular time. It's a time when information is of primary importance. It's a time when new information technologies are fundamentally transforming the world in every aspect. Among the changes, which have come upon modern society, the ones in education are probably the most obvious and influential. New information technologies are accelerating changes in education, at the same time presenting revolutionary tools with the potential to make education more efficient and more effective than ever. The application of new information technologies has remarkably promoted the process of education. Online learning is probably the best case in point. As is often the case with \"technology\", online learning may appear to be horrible; it can sound like alphabet soup sometimes. Now let's see whether you can understand all this. You can participate in CBT at a CLC via the convenience of IDL. What does it all mean? Let me translate: GBT--Computer-Based Training; CLC--Computer Learning Center; IDL--Interactive Distance Learning. Sound complicated? Not really. Online learning is much less complicated than it seems. Students can learn at any time, anywhere, at any speed. They can make their own learning schedules and follow their own paths to suit their lifestyles. In my university, every semester there're several online courses available, which need no class meetings or paper materials. The only thing I have to do is just to get online regularly as I wish, and download necessary learning materials. Then everything I need to know about the course is only a click away. But online learning is not perfect; it's like the microwave oven: it does some things better, but it is not a complete replacement for the traditional model. The traditional classroom model for education and learning is hard to leave behind. Because humans are social creatures, there're times when we need to see each other face-to-face for interactive learning. A social and personal connection often builds effective teams, solves problems, and inspires confidence. So one possible solution is to combine online learning with the old traditional classroom learning , which not only makes the learning process faster and cheaper, but also highlights the interactions between teachers and students. The bottom line: the Internet is the most important educational tool in the information age and online learning will become a main part of every individual's learning experience in the future. That's exactly how we will move knowledge from the ones who have it to the ones who need it faster and cheaper, and that's how we're going to survive in the information age. \n Question: The most suitable title for the passage should be \"  _  .\" \n Options: (A) Education in the information age (B) Advantages and disadvantages of online learning (C) Online learning vs classroom learning (D) How to survive in the information age", "pos": "Article: MOOCs, an acronym for \"massive open online courses,\" mark an important, possibly revolutionary, development in education. These courses are online, free of charge, and open to anyone in the world who has a laptop and an Internet connection. Moreover, they are mainly offered by elite universities like Standford, Berkeley, Harvard and Columbia. The courses, like normal college courses, are sequenced by difficulty, enabling students to progress from beginners to the advanced. The courses cover not only a broad range of technical subjects such as math and computer science, but also courses in the social sciences and the humanities  . Though MOOCs are not offered for credit and degree, many students enroll in the courses for real skills or knowledge which they can put to some practical use. Some students even form online study groups, or in-person groups with students who live nearby. The format seems superior to the traditional school class. The average quality of the lecturer is much higher, because students do not have to stick with a mediocre  lecturer. Besides, students can scroll back or forward--in short, they can go at their own learning speed, which they cannot do in a live lecture. And, of great importance, they do not have to travel anywhere to attend an online lecture. One can obtain a first-class American college education wherever he or she lives and however little money he or she has. There is a problem of asking questions of the lecturer in a class of ten thousand students, but some MOOCs have solved it by allowing students to post questions online for a vote, and only the most popular questions are put to the lecturer. In a knowledge era, lifelong learning is not confined to a traditional classroom. Of course, students enrolling in MOOCs cannot be compared with those who are in traditional universities, but we need to rethink what a \"students\" is. Students in MOOCs are very clever, have work experience, and in many cases, have already developed a set of core competences. Moreover, they also offer unique international _ that would be the envy of any school classroom. \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true about MOOCs? \n Options: (A) The word \"MOOCs\" is an acronym for \"Massive open online campuses.\" (B) Anyone who has a computer and an Internet connection can take MOOCs. (C) MOOCs are usually offered by first-class universities in the world.. (D) MOOCs may be a breakthrough in the development of education.", "neg": "Article: Education plays a very important role in everybody's life. We go to school because we want to know more about the world around us. The typical classroom used to be the place where teachers and students were working and exploring the wonderful world of knowledge together, but now everything has changed. The Internet is one of those approaches. Learning via the Internet is a new style that seems to become successful than the traditional teaching. The Internet provides schools with a large amount of learning material that is accessible to students online. Owing to the choices of courses online, completing a program becomes much easier. We used to go to the library when we needed information and spend hours searching for the right sources. Today there is a \"library\" in our house and it is available 24 hours a day. From my personal experience, being a first time mother, I find that using information online is very helpful. While I am at home with my baby, I can still search for the material I need and exchange thoughts and information with my classmates without leaving my house. The Internet is not only a big information provider but also a money and time saver. People predict that education will be much cheaper in the future because of Internet access to information. The cost of land, building and wages for teachers are continuously increasing. In addition, regular courses (offline) depend heavily on books and other paper-based materials, while online education posts lectures, and assignments electronically, which saves thousands of dollars every year. With no physical restrictions, the Internet classes and courses are also very convenient. In classroom-based education there is a limitation on the number of students while Internet education is available to everyone. Students don't have to struggle in order to register for classes they like.  Students will have more choices to take their courses and classes online. The Internet offers a wonderful opportunity to obtain knowledge in a more convenient and less expensive way. In my opinion, online life in the future is simply inescapable. \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true? \n Options: (A) The Internet offers schools abundant learning materials. (B) Online learning changes the traditional learning way. (C) The traditional classrooms become outdated because of the Internet. (D) Online learning is seen to be more successful than traditional teaching.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}102{"query": "Article: For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the ground or the sewer  system. But if you want to save a little water and reuse it on your lawns or plants --- or even use it for laundry, dishes, or other needs --- collecting rainwater from your gutter's downspouts  is a _  According to John C. Davis, writing in E / The Environmental Magazine, just about any homeowner can collect rainwater, given that the roof and gutters do most of the work. And since an inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces some 1,200 gallons of water, you can harvest enough to water your lawn or garden. Plants and grass actually do better when fed rainwater instead of tap water, which is usually treated with substances that can hold back plant growth. Using rainwater can also extend the life of pipes, since the salts added to tap water may gradually damage the pipes. However, homeowners should set up a water purification system if they do plan to use rainwater for inside needs. Rainwater harvesting can also be good for the local community, as it reduces the erosion, flooding, and pollution associated with heavy rainfall, and reduces dependence on public water supplies. So some states fund rainwater collection systems in their local communities. Many varieties of rain barrel  systems, starting at just $100, are available for home use. A typical setup is simply a rain barrel positioned under a gutter's downspout. Skillful homeowners can make their own water harvesting systems, but buying one is a lot easier. Most garden centres offer a range of choices as well as tips. \n Question: What is the topic of the passage ? \n Options: (A) Basic gardening skills. (B) Water-saving techniques. (C) Wastewater treatment systems. (D) Roof rainwater collection.", "pos": "Article: Water is the most common substance  found on the earth, but less than 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking. More than 1,000,000,000 people around the world survive on just over 1 galon of water a day. Probebly more than 3,000,000,000 people may suffer from not having enough water by the year 2025. You are considered lucky if you live in a country where you can drink water out of your kitchen tap or bathroom tap. People in some countries have to pay for drinking water at home. So clean water is one of our most valuabe natural resources . In fact, peole waste so much clean water today. In factories lots of water is wasted. At home many people are not taking showers but still baths, and many are brushing their teeth with the tap turned on. Children are no longer taught how to save water.... You can save clean water in many ways. For example, if you keep gold fish, the tank water excellent for graden plants. And when you wash a milk bottle, pour the water on your house plants. Putting a brick or a water into your toilet tank many help use less water, saving many gallons over a long time. Using rainwater is another simple way to save clean water. You can use rainwater to wash your hands after gardening, _ the toilet, and wash your car, your pet, your driveway when they are dirty. For the same reason, people in Malaysia are encourageed to use rainwater. If one has a house with a small garden, he would buy a huge plastic tank to keep rainwater for their daily life. \n Question: We can learn from the passage   _  . \n Options: (A) when man can't live without water (B) where there is no water resource (C) why there is less water on the earth (D) how important it is to save water", "neg": "Article: Clean water is not only important for food production, but necessary for our life. However, large numbers of people in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are going without. The World Health Organization reports that almost 4,000 children die each day for dirty water or lack   of water.  Agriculture is the primary user of water at 70-85% of fresh water in the world. Industrial uses of water don't often come to mind, but you may be surprised to know that industry uses 59% of the water supply in developed countries. Home use takes up only 8% in the world. But as cities grow, the local government has to cut down on water use. Many cities are turning to privatization   of water as a method of controlling use. The poor are paying as much as a quarter of their monthly income for water in some developing countries.  In 60% of large European cities, groundwater is being used at a faster rate. People are saving water by simply using less and being careful with what they do use. Sometimes it's as simple as not throwing out water that they could use elsewhere.  In Australia overuse of water has always been a problem. The Australian government has encouraged households and industries to collect rainwater and reuse water from showers. Technology is helping householders for shower and bath water for reuse in toilets or gardens.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made a water saving program designed to encourage families and businesses to examine their water use and save more water. Good water management has been considered by scientists and the UN as the key to solving the water problem. We can all work together to protect our valuable water in our daily life. \n Question: In developed countries, most water is used by   _  . \n Options: (A) industry (B) agriculture (C) families (D) businesses", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}103{"query": "Article: If you like bicycling as much as you like playing ball and can't seem to decide between the two sports, you may want to consider cycle ball--a fun sport that adopts the key attributes from both activities and transforms it into a totally new game.. Also known as red ball, the game was invented in 1893 by German laborers who wished to play polo , but could not afford horses. While the sport has not _ in North America, it is very fashionable in Europe and even Japan. Played in an indoor court, cycle ball is similar to soccer in many ways--the aim is to score as many goals as possible, and only the goalkeeper is allowed to touch the ball. The one big difference? Use of legs is forbidden. Instead, players have to guide the ball across the court, using the front wheels of their bicycles or with their heads. In fact, if a player even touches the floor with his feet during the 14-minute game, it is considered a foul  and the opposing team gets a free kick. While the game was initially  played with normal bikes, things are a little different now. The seats of these specialized bikes are positioned over the back tire and they sport a single fixed gear, making it easier for the rider to control the constant back and forth movement required for the game. The handlebars  also point straight up so that the competitors can sit upright while playing and they are about twice the weight of normal bikes, which helps with the stability. While cycle ball may sound a little strange, it is a fast-paced sport that requires much training, skill, and, is also really fun to watch. \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) The origin and development of soccer (B) The differences between cycle ball and soccer. (C) The most popular sports game in the world. (D) A new and fun sports game--cycle ball", "pos": "Article: Sure,you've watched extreme pet sports on Animal Planet. But did you know that there's a whole world of athletic activities for dogs right in our area? There are some reasons for considering taking part in such activities. Such sports strengthen the close feelings between dog and owner,and also benefit your pup's body and mind.\" Dogs that are tied with chains often have behavioral problems,\" says Lee Morgan. \"They love to go out and play as much as we do.\" Of course,many of these sports require some amount of practice,and some breeds are simply better at certain activities than others .But all dogs can participate in the following games. Frisbee Dogs  This sport requires you to throw as many Frisbees as your dog can catch in a 60second time period. The further out your dog catches the Frisbee,the more points you rack up. Extra points are awarded if your pet catches the Frisbee while it's still in the air. Mid Atlantic Disc Dogs (MADDogs) hosts local competitions and offers informal instruction in local parks or even in people's backyards. Flyball Dogs The sport has been around since 1970s.Flyball is a relay race with four dogs in a team. Each must jump four hurdles   spaced with 10 feet apart and then land on a springloaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog must then catch the ball and run back over the four hurdles. Once that's done,the next dog can go. The first team that successfully completes the course wins the competition. There are a number of local teams,including 4 Dog Night,which holds classes for beginners and intermediate players and is always looking for new team members. The Beltway Bandits is another team,based in Leesburg,that hosts private classes and competitions. \n Question: Dogs that are always tied with chains often have behavioral problems because   _  . \n Options: (A) there are no close feelings between dog and owner (B) many of them lack enough sports or exercises (C) there are no local athletic activities or sports for dogs (D) dogs love to go out and play as much as human beings", "neg": "Article: Chinese Jump Rope is a challenging game played by anyone anywhere. The simple rules test the skill and coordination   of all players.  RULES A jumper jumps until a jumping mistake is made. * A mistake can be made if a jumper jumps \"out\" instead of \"in\". * A mistake is also made if a jumper touches the rope incorrectly in the game. * After making a mistake, the jumper trades positions with an ender. The jumper starts from the very beginning of the game on the next turn. Every Chinese Jump Rope game begins with the rope held in basic position.  ENDERS * Face each other and step inside the rope. * Place the rope around the ankles. * Step back until the rope is  _  * Two parallel   jumping lines, about 12 inches (30 cm) apart, are stretched between the enders. * The jumper stands outside the rope, ready to play.  \"IN\" * Jump both feet inside the rope. \"ON\" Jump both feet on top of the rope. The left foot lands on the left rope;, the right foot lands on the right rope. \"OUT\" *Jump both feet from the middle to the outside of the rope. Feet land together on one side.  \"SIDE OUT\" *Jump over both ropes from one side. Both feet land together on the other side of the rope. \"SIDE-TO-SIDE\" Jump quickly side-to-side. Both feet start \"out\" from one side of the ropes. *Jump side: The left foot lands outside the left rope. The right foot lands inside the rope. *Jump side again quickly: The left foot lands inside the rope. The right foot lands outside the right rope. Jumpers call the steps out loud while jumping. Calling helps the jumpers remember the \"pattern\" of the jumps! Practice \"jumping steps\" with these simple jumping games! \n Question: If you are an ender, you should   _  . \n Options: (A) stand outside of the rope (B) jump over both ropes from one side (C) control the ropes for the jumpers (D) jump from the beginning after making a mistake", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}104{"query": "Article: My parents knew their wealth: each other, their six children, and their faith. They tried to live simple lives so that they could have time for what was most important. They didn't busy themselves buying a bigger house, because that would mean working harder to pay the monthly mortgage ,working overtime or taking second job. Who would go running with me then? Who would read stories to me? They didn't burden themselves with buying an expensive car because that would mean worrying about installment  bills. Besides, walking to the shopping centre every Saturday afternoon with me gave my dad his needed exercise, and made me feel so special. One of my heart's delights was seeing Dad and Mom in their bedroom at night, after our nightly family prayer. The lights were turned off, and I'd see the figure of my father seated on his old chair and Mom standing behind him, gently massaging  his shoulders. I'd hear them talk about what happened during their day. Even as a child, I sensed their quiet pleasure in being together. My question today: Could they have done this rich ritual  each night and nourished  their marriage if they had been busy paying for expensive clothes for themselves or their kids, or if they had been worrying about monthly bills for new hi-tech equipment? I don't think so. And I've made a choice: I don't want that of life either. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE about the author's family? \n Options: (A) There were six people in the family. (B) They decided to buy a bigger house. (C) They lived an easy and happy life. (D) They had a second-hand car.", "pos": "Article: My father was poor in expressing his feelings. I knew that my dad loved me, but showed me love in other ways. There was one particular time in my life when this became real to me. I always believed that my parents had a good marriage, but gradually the strain  on my mom and dad's relationship was quite evident. However, I was not prepared for the day when Dad had decided to leave. All that I could think of was that I was going to become a product of a divorced family. I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to happen. The night before he left, I stayed up in my room for a long time. I prayed and I cried and I wrote a long letter to my dad. I told him how much I loved him and that I would always and forever be his Krissie. As I folded my note, I stuck in a picture of me with a saying I had always heard: _ Early the next morning, as my dad left our house, I slipped my letter into one of his bags. Two weeks later, my mother told me that they decided that there were things that the both of them could and would change and that their marriage was worth saving. \"Well, Dad said that when he read your letter, it made him cry. It meant a lot to him and I have hardly ever seen your dad cry. After he read your letter, he called to ask if he could come over to talk. Whatever you said really made a difference to your dad.\" A few days later my dad was back. We never talked about the letter. I guessed that it became a secret between us. \n Question: Why did the author's father decide to leave? \n Options: (A) Because he was poor in showing his feelings. (B) Because his wife was always giving orders. (C) Because serious problems occurred in their marriage. (D) Because the strain on father-daughter relationship was evident.", "neg": "Article: My father got his first job at eleven years old. cleaning up the garbage outside of the bowlingalley . Two years later his dad died. and my fatber worked odd jobs to help put food onthe table during the Depression. Ten years after that. Dad fell in love. married Mom and had ababy girl. Eight more children followed. During those years, Dad slipped into a routine he neverbroke He woke up before six. took the train to work and wouldn't get home until after five thirly.After supper, Dad spent the rest of the evening in the basement making dental parts for extra Two years ago, at the age of sixty-four, Dad retired. When I was young, Mom and Dad did well to hide the fact that we were poor. All nine of us attended Catholic schools and we always had plenty of school supplies. We slept in wooden beds, shared one bathroom and watched television from a tiny black-and-white set in the living room. Mom and Dad never bought anything for themselves. They clipped coupons, wore the same pair of sneakers for twenty years and sewed wom clothing together every Saturday afternoon. At his retirement party. I wanted to thank Dad for all his hard work and sacrifice by buying him the best present I could think of. As I shopped though. l realized there was nothing I could buy for Dad. Dad taught me through his own faith that the greatest gifis come from the heart Finally. I left my present on the kitchen table for Dad to find before he Ieft for his frnal day at work. \n Question: How did Dad get extra money besides his daytime routine work? \n Options: (A) Collecting garbage outside the alley. (B) Making dental parts in the basement. (C) Putting food on the table in a hotel. (D) Working oddjobs on the train.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}105{"query": "Article: NEW DELHI, India (AP)--India is fast becoming a top destination for tourists thanks to a forceful campaign to push the country's Himalayan spas  and beaches, officials say.  Tourism officials have been crisscrossing the globe as part of the government's \"Incredible India\" campaign launched in 2003. And the results are beginning to show. Tourists traveling to prefix = st1 /Indiahave jumped by nearly 26 percent from last year and the number is expected to cross 3 million this year, said Amitabh Kant, chairman of the India Tourism Development Corp.  \"Foreign exchange earnings, too, have shown a nearly 40 percent rise this year,\" Kant told The Associated Press.  India's earnings from tourism were $4.3 billion between January and November 2004, compared to $3.1 billion for the same period of 2003.  \"Tourist figures are looking up, especially after the way the travel magazines are praising India,\" Renuka Choudhury, India's tourism minister, told reporters just before leaving for Spain and Italy to push the \"Incredible India\" campaign.  Conde Nast Traveler ranked Indiasixth among the world's top 10 destinations in its annual readers' traveler awards.Indiawon top points for its cultural diversity, hospitality and good value for money.  Lonely Planet Online, the Website of the guidebook series, described Indiaas among the top five international holiday destinations along withThailand,Italy,AustraliaandNew Zealand.  The \"Incredible India\" campaign focuses on the country's scores of small, largely unexplored tourist spots, as well as India's traditional healing arts. However, Choudhury noted at least 22 airports are being upgraded, with better signs, modern toilets, lounges and duty free shops. A tourist police force has been set up at airports, railway and bus terminals. \n Question: Tourism officials have been crisscrossing the globe to   _  . \n Options: (A) learn from resorts (B) strengthen communication (C) draw tourists to India (D) enjoy the scenery", "pos": "Article: Welcome to this Website on the British Isles. Over the coming months it will be expanded to allow you to find information on all aspects of life in the British Isles. The British Isles is visited by millions of people each year, many returning time and again. Wales: Wales is full of fascinating places to visit and stay. The castles of Beaumaris, Conwy, Harlech and Caernarfon are officially listed as world heritage sites and provide an insight into the troubled past of this great land. The national park of Snowdonia is stunning and provides walkers and climbers with many opportunities to challenge their limits. South Wales also has interesting places to visit: Pembrokeshire is especially inviting for tourists. England: We all know about the attractions lf London but England has a lot more to offer outside of the city. The \"English Riviers\", Torquay, is blessed with good weather and is a major tourist attraction. This is a great place to stay and explore the local seaside resorts. Windsor castle is a great place to visit and the town and surrounding areas are beautiful. Warwick castle in the centre of England is world famous and holds regular evens   to show how life was like in the time it was built. Scotland: A great place to visit, Scotland still has many places that are relatively uninhabited  and are great for getting away from it all. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles and the numerous lakes provide great fishing. In parts you can still hear Gaelic spoken and we all know about the Scottish expertise in making Whisky! You can also visit the ski resorts of Aviemore in the Cairngorms. Glasgow, the capital is now recognized as a centre of culture as well as being a great shopping centre. \n Question: The highest mountain in the British Isles is in   _  . \n Options: (A) Wales (B) England (C) Scotland (D) Chester", "neg": "Article: While most travelers aim to stay out of the hospital while on vacation, a growing number of medical tourists-people who combine treatment with travel - are crossing international borders for the purpose of getting medical services, which can range from a hip replacement to a tummy tuck. Widespread air travel, increasing healthcare costs in developed countries, long waiting lists and an ageing world population have all contributed to a global increase in medical tourism in the past decade. And Asia takes the lead in terms of world market share. More than 89% of medical tourists travelled to Thailand, India or Singapore in 2010, with Bangkok and Singapore leading the pack. But the cost of hotel rooms and treatment are both far more expensive in Singapore than in the Thai capital, making Bangkok the most popular place for medical tourism in the world. Even after the serious floods of 2011, 19 million tourists visited Thailand in 2011, a 20% jump from 2010, with about 500,000 tourists travelling specifically for medical treatment. Given Thailand's reputation for outstanding service, it is not hard to see why Bangkok has quickly become the medical tourism centre of Asia. The Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT), which began medical tourism in 2004, has a detailed medical tourism website that lists many of the most popular treatments available, including dental work, dermatology and cosmetic surgery, as well as listing reputed hospitals, making it easy for potential visitors to decide on a procedure. TAT has also recently partnered with Krungthai Bank, the national bank of Thailand, to offer tourists a card called the Miracle Thailand Card, which offers some medical and life insurance coverage in case of an accident. \"The hospitals in Bangkok are some of the highest quality in the world,meeting US standards,\"said Steven Lash, CEO of a US-based medical travel company that sends tourists to Bangkok as well as to seven other countries, including Turkey and Mexico. \"All of the tourists we have sent to these hospitals have given us excellent feedback   on their procedures and their experiences at the hospitals.\" \n Question: Medical tourism is so popular nowadays partly because  _  . \n Options: (A) aged patients prefer to travel (B) air travel is cheaper than before (C) local hospitals lack advanced equipment (D) medical treatment is expensive in some countries", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}106{"query": "Article: Do you love holidays but hate gaining weight? You are not alone. Holidays are times for celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight. With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don't have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy. Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and maintaining physical fitness: Don't skip meals. Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack . This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious foods. Control the amount of food. Use a small plate that may encourage you to \"load up  \". You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist  . Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables. Fill up beforehand on water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables, or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you to feel full. Avoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have large amount of fat. Choose lean meat . Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of creamy food. Stick to physical activity. Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk helps to burn off extra calories.(238 words) \n Question: Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage? \n Options: (A) You should never eat delicious foods. (B) Drinking some water or soup before eating helps you to eat less. (C) Holidays are happy days but they may bring you weight problems. (D) Physical exercise can reduce the chance of putting on weight.", "pos": "Article: Do you love the holidays, but hate the pounds that follow? You are not alone. Holidays are times for feasting and celebrating. Many people are worried about their weight. With proper planning, though, it is possible to keep normal weight during the holidays. Whether it is celebrating at the office party or sitting down for the traditional family dinner, regard eating as a time for tasting a variety of the foods. The idea is to enjoy the holidays but not to eat too much. You don't have to turn away from the foods that you enjoy. Here are some tips for preventing weight gain and keeping physical fitness: Don't skip meals. Before you leave home, have a small, low-fat meal or snack. This may help to avoid getting too excited before delicious foods. Control portions. Use a small plate (about 10 inches) and put aside the large ones that may encourage you to \"load up.\" You should be most comfortable eating an amount of food about the size of your fist. Once you have your \"tasting\" serving, move away from the buffet. Doing so will make it less tempting  to be eating constantly as your appetite   is inspired by the sight of food. Begin with soup and fruit or vegetables. Fill up beforehand on water-based soup and raw fruit or vegetables. Or drink a large glass of water before you eat to help you feel full.   Stick to physical activity. Don't let exercise take a break during the holidays. A 20-minute walk after a meal can help burn off extra calories. Avoid high-fat foods. Dishes that look oily or creamy may have a large amount of fat. Choose lean meats. Fill your plate with salad and green vegetables. Use lemon juice instead of dressing or butter. \n Question: Which of the following is WRONG according to the passage? \n Options: (A) You had better turn your attention away from delicious foods. (B) Drinking some water of soup before eating helps you eat less. (C) Holidays are happy days with pleasure but they may bring weight problems. (D) Physical exercise can reduce the chance of putting on weight", "neg": "Article: Some people don't mind being fat. Other people can keep slim without any effort. But a lot of people do put on too much weight and don't like it. The question is, what can they do about it? Some believe exercise can be helpful. But the trouble is that it only makes you want to eat more. You might sweat out a couple of pounds playing tennis or climbing a mountain, but you put it all back on again with a big steak or bread and jam. A helpful way is food choosing. But what sort of food should you choose? Some believe that the less they eat, the slimmer they will be. They don't eat anything until they become weak with hunger. Some stick to milk and bananas. You'll find you need a lot of bananas, and unless you live where they grow, they aren't cheap. Others say that if you eat things like hard-boiled eggs, and apples with their skins on which are hard for your stomach to digest, the more you eat, the thinner you get. This is because you use up the fat in your body to get the energy to digest the food. For most of us these methods are too extreme. The simplest way is just to cut down on the carbohydrates that means not eating bread, potatoes, cakes, sugar, rice, and so on and eating anything else you like. It's straight forward and often quite effective. \n Question: According to the passage, the best way to keep slim is   _  . \n Options: (A) Exercising (B) Hunger (C) Food-choosing (D) Eating milk and bananas", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}107{"query": "Article: Vampires  , creatures of myth, have been around in one form or another for centuries. Terrifying but also attractive, they are as popular in the early 21st century as ever, as the current popularity of Twilight series, and its hero Edward Cullen, show. Vampires first appeared in fiction in the 1700s; in 1895 Irish novelist Bram Stoker published Dracula, introducing the world's most famous vampire. But just what is it about these drinkers of human blood that continues to fascinate us? Speaking to Eric Lewis of the Times and Transcript website, academic Deborah Wells said that vampires are \"culturally adaptive \". \"We create very different vampires to fit different times. Edward Cullen is not the same as Count Dracula,\" she said. Different as they are, Wells believes vampires are \"the perfect containers into which we can pour our current cultural anxieties\". Bram Stoker's Dracula is powerful, yet old and physically ugly. Stoker's book dealt with fear of the fall of the British Empire, real fears in the day in which it was written. According to the website Bookpages, today's vampires have all our cultural desires, money, power and sexual attraction. Represented by Cullen, they are noble, handsome young men whom women find irresistible . What's more, vampires challenge traditional ideas about death, science and parental authority . This may be why teenagers are drawn to vampire tales. \"In many ways, the vampire story shows up teenage concerns,\" said Wells. \"The emotional intensity   of the relationship with the vampire matches the intensity of how it feels to have your first real love affairs. Your first real love, it really feels like life and death.\" \n Question: What is the vampire like in Bram Stoker's book? \n Options: (A) Anxious but perfect. (B) Afraid of the fall of the British Empire. (C) Terrifying but also attractive. (D) Powerful, old and ugly.", "pos": "Article: Of all the famous English writers, probably the best known is William Shakespeare. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 on April the 23rd. His father was an important man in town so Shakespeare had a good upbringing. Shakespeare probably went to school (although no records survive to prove this) but not university. He got married when he was 18 to Anne Hathaway and the couple had 3 children. Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets (a sonnet is a kind of poem). He began working in his home town of Stratford but by 1592 was writing in London. He became rich enough to buy a house in the capital and one in Stratford.  He wrote sad stories called tragedies, like Romeo and Juliet, funny stories or comedies, romantic stories and stories about historical figures such as Julius Caesar.  Shakespeare died on his birthday in 1616, almost 400 years ago. But why is his work still popular today? His work looked at common human themes, such as betrayal, murder, lust, power, ambition and love. These themes are as much a part of human nature today as they were all those years ago and are the themes we see in modern soap operas and Hollywood films. Even though his theatre, The Globe, burned down in 1613 it was rebuilt in London in 1997 and you can still see his plays performed there today. Shakespeare's influence on the English language can still be felt today. We talk about \"fair play\", meaning honest behaviour but this phrase was first used by Shakespeare. He coined the phrase \"you can have too much of a good thing\". And it was Shakespeare who came up with the expression to disappear \"into thin air\" which we still use today when we lose something. Shakespeare's work has been translated into every major language in the world. And perhaps we'll still be as fascinated by his work 400 years from now as we've been for the last 400. \n Question: How old was Shakespeare when he died? \n Options: (A) 18. (B) 28. (C) 49. (D) 52.", "neg": "Article: Tim Burton attempts to work his gothic magic over one of the best loved stories of all time--Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There. Alice, now 19, attends a party at a Victorian estate, only to find she is about to be proposed to by a rich suitor in front of hundreds of snooty society types. She runs off, following a white rabbit into a hole and ending up in Wonderland--a place she visited many years before, yet she doesn't remember. The white rabbit claims to have come back for Alice because she is the only one who can slay the Jabberwock, the beast who guards the Red Queen's empire. Alice remains completely unaware of why she is in Wonderland, and is confused about the fact that she had once visited Wonderland years before. Now, Wonderland has changed into a dark, scarier place than it used to be. Alice then _ an adventure of self discovery, and to save Wonderland from the Red Queen's reign of terror with the help of her Wonderland friends. \n Question: The story Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written by  _  . \n Options: (A) Tim Burton (B) Lewis Carroll (C) Alice (D) the passage doesn't tell us", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}108{"query": "Article: Runners in a relay  race pass a stick in one direction. However, merchants passed silk, gold, fruit, and glass along the Silk Road in more than one direction. They earned their living by traveling the famous Silk Road. The Silk Road was not a simple trading network. It passed through thousands of citied and towns. It started from eastern China, across Central Asia and the Middle East, and ended in the Mediterranean Sea. It was used from about 200 B, C, to about A, D, 1300, when sea travel offered new routes  , It was sometimes called the world's longest highway. However, the Silk Road was made up of many routes, not one smooth path. They passed through what are now 18 countries. The routes crossed mountains and deserts and had many dangers of hot sun, deep snow and even battles. Only experienced traders could return safe. The Silk Road got its name from its most prized product. Silk could be used like money to pay taxes or buy goods. But the traders carried more than just silk. Gold, silver, and glass from Europe were much found in the Middle East and Asia. Horses traded from other areas changed farming practices in China. Indian merchants traded salt and other valuable goods. Chinese merchants traded paper, which produced an immediate effect on the West. Apples traveled from central Asia to Rome. The Chinese had learned to graft  different trees together to make new kinds of fruit. They passed this science on to others, including the Romans. The Romans used grafting to grow the apple. Trading along the Silk Road led to world-wide business 2,000 years before the World Wide Web. The people along the Silk Road did not share just goods. They also shared their beliefs. The Silk Road provided pathways for learning, diplomacy , and religion \n Question: It's probable that traders along the Silk Road needed  _  . \n Options: (A) to remember the entire trade route (B) to know the making of products (C) to receive certain special training (D) to deal with a lot of difficulties", "pos": "Article: Silk production has a long and colourful history unknown to most people. Scientific discoveries have shown that silk production existed in China from around 2500 B.C., although it could be much older. For hundreds of years, China kept the secret of silk to itself as one for the most closely protected secrets in history. Anyone revealing the secret of silkworms or trying to take silkworm eggs out of ancient China was punished by death. At one time silk was reserved only for the Chinese emperor. Gradually, others began wearing silk. In addition to being used for clothing, silk came to have industrial uses in ancient China, something that happened in the West only in modern times. Silk was used to make musical instruments, fishing lines, weapons, ropes and even paper. During the Han Dynasty silk became a form of money. Farmers paid taxes in both rice and silk. The prices of goods were calculated in lengths of silk just as they had once been calculated in gold. The importance of silk is even reflected in the Chinese language. For example, of the 5000 most common Chinese characters, around 500 have silk as their \"key\". In spite of their secrecy, the Chinese eventually lost their monopoly on silk production. It reached Korea in around 200 B.C. when immigrants from China arrived there. Silk production came to India in 300 A.D.. It was not until 500 A.D. that silk production came to Europe when travellers _ silkworms in hollow tubes of bamboo. These were used to establish silk industry in Rome (modern-day Italy), although Chinese silk was still considered to be the best. Silk was brought to Rome from China by means of the Silk Road. There were actually two Silk Roads, one over land and one on the sea. The land route in particular had a huge effect in history. All sorts of trade goods -- silver, gold, jade, porcelain -- passed along this road. Ideas travelled the Silk Road too. For example the religion of Buddhism was carried to China from India by traders on the Silk Road. The Silk Road created the first international culture, exposing many people to the ideas and treasures of both Western and Chinese cultures. \n Question: How was China able to keep the secret of silk production? \n Options: (A) It refused to sell its silk to other countries. (B) Foreigners were not permitted to enter China. (C) The silkworms needed were not able to survive outside China. (D) Chinese passing on the secret to foreigners were seriously punished.", "neg": "Article: Runners in a relay race pass a stick in one direction. However, merchants passed silk, gold, fruit, and glass along the Silk Road in more than one direction. They earned their living by traveling the famous Silk Road. The Silk Road was not a simple trading network. It passed through thousands of cities and towns. It started from eastern China, across Central Asia and the Middle East, and ended in the Mediterranean Sea. It was used from about 200 BC to about 1300 AD, when sea travel offered new routes. It was sometimes called the world's longest highway. However, the Silk Road was made up of many routes, not one smooth path. They passed through what are now 18 countries. The routes crossed mountains and deserts and had many dangers of hot sun, deep snow and even battles. Only experienced traders could return safe. The Silk Road got its name from its most prized product. Silk could be used like money to pay taxes or buy goods. But the traders carried more than just silk. Gold, silver, and glass from Europe were much found in the Middle East and Asia. Horses traded from other areas changed farming practices in China. Indian merchants traded salt and other valuable goods. Chinese merchants traded paper, which produced an immediate effect on the West. Apples traveled from central Asia to Rome. The Chinese had learned to graft   different trees together to make new kinds of fruit. They passed this science on to others, including the Romans. The Romans used grafting to grow the apple. Trading along the Silk Road led to world-wide business 2,000 years before the World Wide Web. The people along the Silk Road did not share just goods. They also shared their beliefs. The Silk Road provided pathways for learning, diplomacy, and religion. \n Question: It's probable that traders along the Silk Road needed   _  . \n Options: (A) to deal with a lot of difficulties (B) to know the making of products (C) to receive certain special training (D) to remember the entire trade route", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}109{"query": "Article: Warm weather brought by El Nino has had mixed effects on animals in usually snowy places in North America, including New England, according to an Associated Press article. Some animals seem to benefit from having a chance to gather more food before winter, and from expending less energy in daily survival mode. Others, like snowshoe hares, are put at center stage in predators'  view when they lack snow for disguising their white fur -- not a good thing for them, of course. Black bears, on the other hand, have been keeping busy gathering nuts and apples, when they would normally have settled into their winter homes by now. Vermont and Massachusetts officials have asked residents to wait till snow falls to take out their bird feeders for the sake of safety, the article said. \"We suggest waiting for 6 or more inches of snow that lasts before taking out your bird feeders, especially if you have been visited in the past by bears or if there are sightings of bears in your neighborhood,\"Forrest Hammond, Vermont Fish and Wildlife's bear biologist, said in the article.\"Due to lack of snow and frozen ground, birds are able to seek food in fields and forests for theirnatural foods.\" Snow amounts can also determine how comfortable bears are and how quickly they consume their accumulated fat during hibernation , noted Hammond in the article. This is because snow covers and traps them in their winter homes, and also hides them from predators. \n Question: What may upset snowshoe hares because of El Nino? \n Options: (A) Their being caught more easily. (B) Their failing to gather more food. (C) Their consuming more energy. (D) Their losing sight of their enemies.", "pos": "Article: When people want to know about the weather, they usually go to there radios, TVs, newspapers, or to the Internet. However, you can also find many weather signs among wildlife, because of their highly developed senses. Drops in air pressure  produce an effect on small animals in many ways. Mice and deer are good weather indicators. People who spend a lot of time outdoors have observed that, before a storm, field mice come out of their holes and run around, Deer leave high ground and come down from the mountains. Birds are especially good weather indicators because they also show the effect of a pressure drop in many ways. For example, some birds become irritable and quarrelsome and will fight over a piece of bread. Other birds chirp and sing just before a storm. It seems they know they won't get another chance for an hour or two. Birds also seek safe places before a storm, You will sometimes see birds settling in trees or gathering together on a wire close to a building. Pre-storm low pressure makes the are so thin that birds have difficulty flying. It is unusual to see many birds flying overhead in the summertime, rather than during the periods in the spring or autumn. Watch for other weather signs if you see this. If they fly in the wrong direction, they may be flying ahead of a storm. By paying closer attention to some important signs in nature, we can become better prepared for any kind of weather. \n Question: There will be a storm if birds   _   . \n Options: (A) make more noise than usual (B) fly in different directions (C) come down from tall trees (D) share a piece of bread", "neg": "Article: Due to climate change, Arctic ice is breaking up earlier in the spring, and its area is decreasing. This is creating problems for polar bears that make their homes off northern Alaska and in Hudson Bay. Polar bears off Alaska normally hunt and raise their young on ice sheets that float on the ocean. But as the ice has melted, the polar bears have been forced to spend more time on land. There, they have begun to frequent beaches, feeding on the remains of whales caught by native hunters. For polar bears, this food is less nutritious than seals that they normally catch on ice sheets. The shrinking  ice has also forced more polar bears into the ocean. In the past, they only had to swim short distances between ice sheets. But as the ice has shrunk, polar bears have been forced to swim longer and longer distances in the open ocean. This poses a severe danger during rough weather, and an increasing number of drowned polar bears have been observed. In Hudson Bay, the ice breaks up three weeks earlier in the spring now than it did 20 years ago. Polar bears on Hudson Bay fast  during the summer, waiting for ice to form in the fall to hunt. Every year, the summer gets longer, and the bears get skinnier. Over the past 25 years, the average weight of the female bears has dropped 68 kg. This loss affects their ability to reproduce, and already the number of births has dropped 15 percent. Unless the bears can learn to survive these climate changes, these giants of the ice may one day disappear. \n Question: What is Arctic ice doing earlier each year? \n Options: (A) It's freezing. (B) It's hardening. (C) It's melting. (D) It's expanding.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}110{"query": "Article: A gentleman put an advertisement in a newspaper for a boy to work in his office. Out of the nearly fifty men who come to apply, the man selected one and dismissed the others. \"I should like to know,\" said a friend, \"the reason you preferred that boy, who brought not a single letter--not a recommendation  ,\" \"You are wrong\" said the gentleman. He had a great man. He wiped his feet at the door and closed the door after him, indicating that he was careful. He gave his seat immediately to that old man, showing that he was kind and thoughtful. He took off his cap when he came in and answered my questions, showing that he was polite and gentlemanly. \" All the rest stepped over the book which I had purposely put on the floor.\" He picked it up and placed it on the table; and he waited quietly for his turn instead of pushing and crowding. When I asked to him, I noticed his tidy clothing, his neatly brushed hair, and his clean fingernails. \" Can't you see that these things are excellent recommendations? I consider them more significant than letters.\" \n Question: A gentleman put an advertisement in a newspaper  _ \n Options: (A) in order to hire an office boy (B) so as to dismiss the others (C) in order to select one among the fifty applicants (D) so as to select one and dismiss the others", "pos": "Article: The story I would like to tell happened about a year ago. I accepted a position in a company. John, an acquaintance of mine, told me much about the job and took my curriculum vitae   to his supervisor. I did not refer to him as a friend because at the time we did not take part in activities together outside of work, nor did our wives. The first week was fine. Nothing was obviously strange with John at first until the second   week, when our communication began to get a little strange. John began making comments like \"you would have had to pay an employment agency several hundred dollars for a job like this\". I soon forgot his words till the next day when he made another similar comment. Right then I started to really pay attention to what he meant. He acted as if I owed him money for helping me to get the job. He began to get short with me and I had only been there for two weeks. He was supposed to train me in building our e-mail servers and setting up the entire standard monitor software. Instead, he went through the process so fast that even an experienced worker could hardly keep up. He would not slow down or check whether I was with him or not. If there was something wrong with a server, he would just buzz through the solution and not stop to say anything like \"you might want to remember this.\" I began to get very frustrated. By the third week I began to get tired of his condescension  . So I began to challenge him in a way that was only one to one. He would respond to a question of mine with a question or just make me repeat it, and then interrupt me. I began to hate him. Later I tried to avoid him as much as I could, so I wouldn't run into him. He stopped me one day and asked me what had happened. I told him he was very condescending in his tone and manner. He asked me, \"What can I do so that you will not feel like this way in the future?\" I simply asked him to treat me with the same respect he would like to be treated with. He did it and we got along better gradually. I believed there was hope and eventually we would become friends and now we are. \n Question: Why didn't the author refer to John as a friend at first? \n Options: (A) They seldom spent free time together. (B) They had only met for two weeks. (C) Their wives didn't know each other. (D) They had many disagreements on work.", "neg": "Article: It often happens that a number of applicants with almost the same qualifications and experience all apply for the same position. In their educational background, special skills and work experience, there is little, if anything, to choose between half a dozen candidates. How then does the employer make a choice? Usually on the basis of an interview. There are many arguments for and against the interview as a way of selection. The main argument against it is that it results in a wholly _ decision. As often as not, employers do not choose the best candidate. They choose the candidate who makes a good first impression on them. Some employers, of course, reply to this argument by saying that they have become so experienced in interviewing staff that they are able to make a good assessment of each candidate's likely performance. The main argument in favor of the interview is that an employer is concerned not only with a candidate's ability, but with his or her suitable personality for the particular work situation. Many employers, for example, will overlook occasional mistakes from their secretary if she has a pleasant personality. It is perhaps true to say, therefore, that the real purpose of an interview is not to assess the assessable aspects of each candidate but to make a guess at the things that are hard to measure, such as personality, character and social ability. Unfortunately, both for the employers and applicants for jobs, there are many people of great ability who simply do not interview well. There are also, of course, people who interview extremely well, but are later found to be very unsatisfactory employees. Candidates who interview well tend to be quietly confident, but never boastful , direct and straightforward in their questions and answers; cheerful and friendly, but never over-familiar; and sincerely enthusiastic and optimistic. Candidates who interview badly tend to be either very shy or over-confident. They either talk too little or never stop talking. They are either over polite or a bit rude. \n Question: People argue over the interview mainly because they have  _  . \n Options: (A) different purposes in the interview (B) different experiences in interviews (C) different standards of selection (D) different ways of selection", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}111{"query": "Article: In the United States, the legal age to drink alcohol is twenty-one --- one of the highest in the world. Americans debate whether _ should be lowered, or whether young drinkers would only drink more. In parts of Europe, the legal drinking age for beer, and sometimes hard liquor, is sixteen. Yet France may raise the age limit for beer and wine sales to eighteen, the same as for hard liquor there.     Rules on alcohol differ from college to college in the United States. Many schools require all first-year students to take an alcohol prevention and education program, often given online. Some have a \"zero tolerance\" policy where alcohol is banned from all buildings. Parents are informed of violations  and students may be suspended .       At the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, permission is needed to serve alcohol at any event on campus. But alcohol is banned in first-year dorms --- where most students are under twenty-one anyway.       Susan Davis, a university lawyer, says campus police and local police report underage drinking violations to administrators. The university judicial committee decides punishment on a case by case basis. For example, the committee might suspend or expel a student. It might require an alcohol education program. Or it might just give a warning.      Jon Zug is a prosecutor  in Albemarle County, where the university is located. He says international students would face the same punishment as American citizens for underage drinking in Virginia. That includes a fine of five hundred dollars or fifty hours of community service. But first offenders might be given a chance to complete an alcohol education program instead.     Schools have to report legal violations by international students to the Department of Homeland Security. International adviser Richard Tanson at the University of Virginia says even minor violations stay on a student's permanent immigration record. He says international students should know that this can affect them in the future if they try to re-enter the United States. \n Question: What would be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Studying in the US (B) Rules on Alcohol on Campus in the US (C) Campus Life in the US (D) Alcohol on Campus in the US", "pos": "Article: Why College Is Not Home The college years are supposed to be a time for important growth in autonomy  and the development of adult identity. However, now they are becoming an extended period of adolescence, during which many of today's students and are not shouldered with adult responsibilities. For previous generations, college was decisive break from parental control; guidance and support needed help from people of the same age and from within. In the past two decades, however, continued connection with and dependence on family, thanks to cellphones, email and social media, have increased significantly. Some parents go so far as to help with coursework. Instead of promoting the idea of college as a _ from the shelter of the family to autonomy and adult responsibility, universities have given in to the idea that they should provide the same environment as that of the home. To prepare for increased autonomy and responsibility, college needs to be a time of exploration and experimentation. This process involves \"trying on \" new ways of thinking about oneself both intellectually  and personally. While we should provide \"safe spaces\" within colleges, we must also make it safe to express opinions and challenge majority views. Intellectual growth and flexibility are fostered on debate and questioning. Learning to deal with the social world is equally important. Because a college community  differs from the family, many students will struggle to find a sense of belonging. If students rely on administrators to regulate their social behavior and thinking pattern, they are not facing the challenge of finding an identity within a larger and complex community. Moreover, the tendency for universities to monitor and shape student behavior runs up against another characteristic of young adults: the response to being controlled by their elders. If acceptable social behavior is too strictly defined  and controlled, the insensitive or aggressive behavior that administrators are seeking to minimize may actually be encouraged. It is not surprising that young people are likely to burst out, particularly when there are reasons to do so. Our generation once joined hands and stood firm at times of national emergency. What is lacking today is the conflict between adolescent's desire for autonomy and their understanding of an unsafe world. Therefore, there is the desire for their dorms to be replacement homes and not places to experience intellectual growth. Every college discussion about community values, social climate and behavior should include recognition of the developmental importance of student autonomy and self-regulation, of the necessary tension between safety and self-discovery. \n Question: What's the author's attitude toward continued parental guidance to college students? \n Options: (A) Sympathetic (B) Disapproving (C) Supportive (D) Neutral", "neg": "Article: Drunken driving--sometimes called America's socially accepted form of murder--has become a national epidemic . Every hour of every day about three Americans on average are killed by drunken drivers, adding up to an incredible 250,000 over the past ten years. A drunken driver is usually defined as one with a 0.10 blood alcohol content or roughly three beers, glasses of wine or several glasses of whisky drunk within two hours. Heavy drinking used to be an acceptable part of the American manly image and judges were serious in most courts, but the drunken slaughter  has recently caused so many well-publicized tragedies, especially involving young children, that public opinion is no longer so tolerant. Twenty states have raised the legal drinking age to 21, reversing  a trend in the 1960s to reduce it to 18. After New Jersey lowered it to 18, the number of people killed by 18-20-year-old drivers more than doubled, so the state recently upped it back to 21. Reformers, however, fear raising the drinking age will have little effect unless accompanied by educational programs to help young people to develop \"responsible attitudes\" about drinking and teach them to resist peer pressure to drink. Though new laws have led to increased arrests and tests and, in many areas already, to a marked decline in accidents, some states are also punishing bars for serving customers too many drinks. A bar in Massachusetts was fined for serving six or more double brandies to a customer who \"obviously drunk\" and later drove off the road, killing a nine-year-old boy. As the accidents continue to occur daily in every state, some Americans are even beginning to speak well of the 13 years of national prohibition  of alcohol that began in 1919, what President Hoover called the \"noble experiment\". They forgot that legal prohibition didn't stop drinking, but encouraged political corruption and organized crime. As with the booming drug trade generally, there is no easy solution. \n Question: In America, public opinion about drunken driving has changed because   _  . \n Options: (A) judges are no longer serious (B) new laws are introduced in some states (C) the problem has attracted public attention (D) drivers do not appreciate their manly image", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}112{"query": "Article: Aqeela Asifi, who fled to Pakistan as a young woman, has spent her life teaching other Afghan refugees. For her efforts, Ms. Asifi, who is 49, has won the 2015 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award. She also gets $100,000 to help pay for her education projects. The UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award honors extraordinary service to people who have been forced from their homes. Eleanor Roosevelt, Graca Machel and Luciano Pavarotti are some of the other winners of the award. Asifi faced many problems in Afghanistan before she fled to Pakistan. Resources were limited and education for women was discouraged. However, in Pakistan, the 49-year-old was able to bring change to her conservative Afghan community. She persuaded parents to send their daughters to school in a tent at the Kot Chandana refugee village. The village was in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Since then, Ms. Asifi has guided more than a thousand refugee girls through their primary education. \"When I began my mission to educate Afghan girls, I could not have imagined that one day it will win me this award. I cannot express my happiness,\" she told VOA. Ms. Asifi was a teacher in Kabul when she fled with her family in 1992. \"In Afghanistan I was teaching both boys and girls,\" she told VOA. \"When I left Afghanistan and ended up in this refugee village with my family, I was saddened to find out there were no facilities here, particularly for women and girls.\" They made their home in the distant refugee community in Kot Chandana. There she began teaching a small number of students in her tent. She made teaching materials by hand. Her tent school has led to the opening of several permanent schools in the village. These schools teach more than one thousand children. Support from the UNHCR, local government, and non-governmental organizations helped make these new schools possible. Ms. Asifi is a mother of six children. She has worked hard to pay for their education. She spends almost all her income to pay her son's tuition to study engineering at Kabul University. But seeking higher education for her four daughters is difficult. There is not enough money or secondary schools for girls in the village. The Afghan teacher hopes more and more children will receive an education in Afghanistan. She hopes her home country becomes better known for higher levels of education, instead of war. \"I want my goal to be introduced in parts of Afghanistan where conservative traditions and customs still prevent parents from sending their daughters to outdoor schools,\" she said. \n Question: According to the passage, Asifi was able to win the 2015 UNHCR Nansen Refugee award mainly because  _  . \n Options: (A) she suffered a lot more than other refugees who fled to Pakistan (B) she was the kindest person all over the world (C) she witnessed the cruelest event when she was in Afghanistan (D) she made great contributions to refugees despite leaving her homeland", "pos": "Article: Malala Yousafzai, the teen activist from Pakistan, has just become the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Prize. In 2012, Malala survived from being shot by terrorists for speaking out for a girl's right to be educated in her native country. She is being recognized today for her global activism on education for girls. Winning this award is a huge honor, especially for such a young person. Malala's journey to the Nobel Prize has not been easy. She grew up in a dangerous district of Pakistan called the Swat Valley. This area was taken over by the Taliban. The Taliban ruled the district with an iron fist. They were especially cruel to women, not allowing them to go shopping, have jobs, or go to school. In 2009, Malala began speaking out publicly for every girl's right to an education. She blogged about how the Taliban didn't want her to go to school. She also continued to attend her local school, despite the danger involved. Then, in 2012, the Taliban tried to kill Malala to silence her. Two Taliban gunmen shot her and two other students while they were on a school bus. Malala was flown to the United Kingdom for immediate medical treatment. Malala eventually recovered from her injuries.  She now lives in Birmingham, England, and continues to work hard to support girls' and women's rights around the world. \"The terrorists thought that they would change my aims and stop my ambitions,\" she said, \"but nothing changed in my life except this. Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage were born.\" The 17-year-old girl from Pakistan is sharing the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize with a children's activist Kailash Satyarthi, who is from India Satyarthi leads many campaigns dedicated to removing child labor. \n Question: After recovering from being shot, Malala   _  . \n Options: (A) felt depressed (B) was devoted to removing child labor (C) decided to stop her ambitions (D) continued to fight for women's right", "neg": "Article: The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually and the first woman to win this prize was Baroness Bertha Felicie Sophie von Suttner in 1905. In fact, her work inspired the creation of the Prize. The first American woman to win this prize was Jane Addams, in 1931. However, Addams is best known as the founder of Hull House. Jane Addams was born in I860, into a wealthy family. She was one of a small number of women in her generation to graduate from college. Her dedication to improving the lives of those around her led her to work for social reform and world peace. In the 1880s Jane Addams travelled to Europe. While she was in London, she visited a \"settlement house\" called Toynbee Hall. Inspired by Toynbee Hall, Addams and her friend, Ellen Gates Starr, opened Hull House in a neighborhood of slums in Chicago in 1899. Hull House provided a day care center for children of working mothers, a community kitchen, and visiting nurses. Addams and her staff gave classes in English literacy, art, and other subjects. Hull House also became a meeting place for clubs and labor unions. Most of the people who worked with Addams in Hull House were well educated, middle-class women. Hull House gave them an opportunity to use their education and it provided a training ground for careers in social work. Before World War I, Addams was probably the most beloved woman in America. In a newspaper poll that asked, \"Who among our contemporaries   are of the most value to the community?\",Jane Addams was rated second, after Thomas Edison. When she opposed America's involvement in World War I, however, newspaper editors called .her a traitor and a fool, but she never changed her mind. Jane Addams was a strong champion of several other causes. Until 1920, American women could not vote. Addams joined in the movement for women's suffrage   and was a vice president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. Her reputation was gradually restored during the last years of her life. She died of cancer in 1935. \n Question: With which of the following subjects is the passage mainly concerned? \n Options: (A) The early development of social work in America. (B) Contributions of educated women to American society. (C) Jane Addams' work for social reform and world peace. (D) The establishment of the Nobel Peace Prize.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}113{"query": "Article: Schouten University is a highly respected online education provider offering officially-recognized degree programs across the globe. Our mission is to provide students with a high-quality mixed learning MBA program and personal coaching to help them to become world-class managers. MBA with Unique Skills & Personal Development Program Students will benefit from 30 years of soft skills training experience from Schouten & Nielsen, the leading soft skills training institute in Europe. To become an effective manager, theory alone is not enough, and being able to put theory into practice is more important today than ever before. With the Schouten University MBA program you will have the unique opportunity to develop such soft skills as influencing skills, leadership skills, communication skills and motivational skills. International Network + 2 Residential Study weeks in Cambridge & Shanghai At Schouten University, students, tutors and coaches meet each other online. But there is also the opportunity for students to study face to face by way of the two Residential Study weeks. One week will be held in Shanghai (China) and the other week at Cambridge (UK). Shanghai is the commercial and industrial center of the world's leading economy. Cambridge is home to some of Europe's oldest and best universities. Residential weeks will be held several times a year. Therefore, you can choose when to participate, depending on the progress of your study. In the residential weeks cooperation between students will be an important element. Students will work together on real company cases. During the residential week students will be supervised by a professional trainer. *Residentials are an obligatory   part of the program and the costs of the residential weeks are covered by your tuition. *The fee includes the study weeks' housing, food and participation but not the costs of travel. Maximum Flexibility Schouten University introduces a new way of learning: Study 2. 0. Students will study online through my schoutenuniversity.com and interact via rich social media. It allows busy working professionals like you to study a world class MBA degree anytime, anywhere at any pace. Great Support Access to the University's virtual learning environment (VLE) 24/7, and your study coach, tutors are all here to give you strong personal support to ensure your success. \n Question: Most graduates of Schouten University will work in the field of   _  . \n Options: (A) education (B) military (C) medicine (D) business", "pos": "Article: For many businessmen online education has been a dream. Now it has come true. The investment   in higher education, whether financial or in terms of time, has long been impossible for many of them. But well-known educational institutions have chosen to deliver an internet-based program, and these barriers have been lifted. That is good news for people eager to improve themselves and is more attractive to employers. It is also a benefit to industry with better qualified candidates applying for jobs at every level. Having the benefits of a higher qualification without going to the university campus is attractive to many students. Campus study means greater cost, while online programs are flexible and save time, whether at home or at work. Students can achieve their degrees without causing too much _ to their career or home life. In addition to affordable, flexible classes and greater convenience, students also have access to the online learning resources of many of the world's top educational institutions. They can also communicate with their tutors no matter what time it is or whether either party is away for any reason. This has opened up the possibility of getting a qualification from a university or college that many students could only have dreamed of in the past. It also allows specialists to get the precise qualifications and focus on their studies. As well as seeing the increase of applicants from lower-incomes and housewives, studying online in the US is even becoming popular with younger people of college age. Employers have become increasingly welcome and positive to online qualifications as more candidates earn them, especially if they're properly approved by the US Department of Education. US institutions have led the way in online education provision. Many top US colleges and universities offer a range of online programs that are highly respected and in every way perfectly fit for adults who need to combine their studies with a working life. \n Question: Why do people choose online education? \n Options: (A) They can find jobs more easily than on-campus graduates. (B) They can get qualifications from US Department of Education. (C) They can invest money in different courses provided online. (D) They can save money and arrange their time and courses freely.", "neg": "Article: Sichuan University's Work-Study Program gives overseas students a chance to teach English to Chinese students on campus. If you need more money to cover all of your education-related costs, you may be eligible for this program. Advantages From the program, you can earn some valuable working experience during your study as well as some extra money. The program offers about 100 job positions for those students who speak English as their first language.  How to apply for it? It's very easy to apply for the program. There is no need for face-to-face interview. All the forms you need are online (www.scu.edu.cn); just fill in the forms and email us; we accept no letter or phone application! What are the criteria for the Study-Teaching Program? The applicants will meet the following requirements: Students who are or will be registered at Sichuan University for at least one semester, English as first language, Clear pronunciation, Good communication skills, Good command of the English language, Good knowledge of western culture, A satisfactory academic standing, Responsible, positive attitude and Ability to provide quality work. How much can you earn? You will receive payment in person from the International Office on the 10th of every month; the fee is 100 RMB per class. (45 minutes) How do you extend the contract? The supervisors of the International Office receives and evaluates applications in addition to answering applicants' questions. After a satisfactory evaluation, you can renew your contract. Regular Office Hours: Monday to Friday  September to June: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July to August: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. \n Question: How can students apply for the job? \n Options: (A) By letter. (B) By phone. (C) Via the Internet. (D) In person.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}114{"query": "Article: Born in America in 1898, William was an extraordinary boy, gifted with an amazing IQ between 250 and 300. The genius went to a grammar school when he was only 6 years old and graduated just within 7 months. At the age of 11, he became the youngest student of the Harvard University. He graduated with high scores at the age of 16 and entered Harvard Law School at 18.     Gifted with an amazing IQ between 220 and 230, Terence Tao makes it to this list of the people with the highest IQ in the world. Born in Adelaide, Australia in 1975, this genius first displayed his incredible intelligence at a mere age of 2, when he managed to solve basic arithmetic questions on his own. At the age of 16, he graduated with both Master's and Bachelor's degrees at the Flinders University. He has been considered as ''Mr. Fix it \" by Charles Fefferman, who is a professor of Mathematics at Princeton University, and many other mathematicians want to interest him in their problems.     This 31-year-old Japanese-American astrophysicist lands him third in this list. At the age of 12, Christopher Hirata already worked on college-level courses, around the time most of us were just in the 7th grade. At the age of 13, this gifted kid became the youngest American to have ever won the gold medal in the International physics Olympiad. At the age of 16, he was already working with NASA on its project to conquer planet Mars. After he was awarded the Ph.D. at Princeton University, he went back to California Institute of Technology.     The next person with very high IQ is Albert Einstein. With an IQ between 160 and 190, Albert Einstein is the genius behind the theory of relativity, which has had great impact on the world of science. He possessed such an amazing ability that after his death, researchers were eager to preserve and make research on his brain in search for clues to his exceptional brilliance, which to this day, has remained a mystery.  ks5u \n Question: About William, which of the following is true? \n Options: (A) His IQ reached between 220 and 230. (B) At the age of 16, he graduated from a grammar school. (C) At the age of 6, he graduated with both Master's and Bachelor's degrees. (D) At the age of 11, he became the youngest student at the Harvard University.", "pos": "Article: Any high school students lucky enough to be accepted to Harvard University can easily count themselves among the country's best and brightest.  The story of David Boone's journey from sleeping on a park bench to one of Harvard's dorm rooms, certainly stands out from the crowd of his peers.  David, a 17-year-old senior at a MC2 Stem, a high school in Cleveland, Ohio that focuses largely on engineering and science classes with the help of a grant   from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was offered a full-ride scholarship to Harvard in the fall.  His family life has been complicated for the past few years after gangs and economic hardships resulted in him being separated from his family and forced to look after himself on the streets and park benches in Cleveland.  Because both his grandmother and mother could not afford to house the teenagers, his siblings split up to stay with various family friends, but because of space issues and his allergies   to the families pets, David was unable to stay. He ended up in the safer neighborhood of Coventry where there was a safer park with fewer dangers.  \"All of these life lessons have shaped me into who I am, transforming my dreams and aspirations and allowing me to free myself from what was becoming an unproductive environment,\" he wrote in his blog post. David's thirst for knowledge had never been reduced and his enthusiasm for engineering and science was growing. A short while later, Jeff McClellan, the principal of MC2 Stem was immediately impressed by David's dedication in the face of adversity, as well as his academic talent.  \"Here's a kid who's doing everything in his power to get where he wants to go and we had the available resources to provide a little additional support, \"Mr McClellan told the local ABC News.  At MC2 Stem, David found the exact fit, where it seems he was born to absorb what they were offering. Principal Jeff McClellan found David to be a great student and all-around person, but with a serious living situation, so he stepped in to help. After a home discussion with his wife, McClellan decided to offer David a place to live until he could find another home. Mr McClellan and his wife took the teen in and helped him before he found a permanent solution.       When it came to his next step, David aimed high and applied for a list of top colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Yale, Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis. In the end, only MIT rejected his application and he was left to choose his own fate from the selective prestigious and mostly Ivy League schools.  David's next challenge is to fight back tears at graduation this weekend. \"I promised myself I wouldn't cry. But I realize that's what everyone does before they cry. I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot of emotion there.\" he said. \n Question: According to the passage, what is one of the reasons that made David homeless? \n Options: (A) His parents' divorce. (B) His parents' unemployment. (C) His desire to be adventurous (D) His facing acts of violence.", "neg": "Article: He could have been president of Israel or played violin at Carnegie Hall, but he was too busy thinking. His thinking on God, love and the meaning of life graces our greeting cards and day-timers. Fifty years after his death, his shock of white hair and hanging moustache still symbolize genius. Einstein remains the foremost scientist of the modern time. Looking back 2,400 years, only Newton ,Galileo and Aristotle were his equals. Around the world , universities and academies are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein's \"miracle year\" when he published five scientific papers in 1905 that basically changed our grasp of space, time ,light and matter. Only he could top himself about a decade later with his theory of relativity. Born in the age of horse-drawn carriages, his ideas launched a technological revolution that has made more changes in a century than in the previous two thousand years. Computers, satellites, telecommunications, lasers, televisions and nuclear power all owe their invention to ways in which Einstein exposed a stranger and more complicated reality underneath the world. He escaped Hitler's Germany and devoted the rest of his life to human rights and peace with an authority unmatched by any scientist today, or even most politicians and religious leaders. He spoke out against fascism and racial prejudice. His FBI file ran 1,400 pages. His letters expose a disorderly personal life - married twice and indifferent toward his children while absorbed in physics. Yet he charmed lovers and admirers with poetry and sailboat outings. Friends and neighbors fiercely protected his privacy. \n Question: When you think of Einstein, what typical appearance was formed in your mind? \n Options: (A) Funny and humorous, with an air of a musician. (B) Wearing very wide trousers and a moustache, with an image of an actor. (C) Rough untidy mass of white hair and hanging moustache , with an image of thinking . (D) Black long hair and moustache, with his eyes deep set.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}115{"query": "Article: Wood Buffalo National Park  Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. Established in 1922 to protect the last remaining herds of bison in northern Canada, it now protects an outstanding example of Canada's Northern Boreal Plains. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983. Phone: (780) 697-3662 E-mail: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca Banff National Park of Canada Banff's rich history dates back to 1885, when three railway workers stumbled upon hot mineral springs surfacing from deep within the mountains. This discovery led to the establishment of Banff National Park, and marked the beginning of Canada's national park system. Spanning 6,641 meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.  Phone: (403)762-1550 E-mail: banff.vrc@pc.gc.ca St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada   Conceived in the 1870s, St. Lawrence Islands is one of Canada's oldest national parks. Located in the scenic 1,000 Islands tourist area, this tiny jewel has a rich and complex natural human history. Centuries ago, aboriginal peoples referred to it as the \"Garden of the Great Spirit\". Today, 24 scenic islands, along with a mainland area at Mallory town Landing, are included in the park. Phone: (613) 923-5261  E-mail: ont. sli@pc.gc.ca Grasslands National Park of Canada  It was here Sitting Bull took refuge after the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Grasslands National Park is the first national park of Canada to preserve a portion of the mixed prairie grasslands. This magical land of diversity, beauty and history is divided into two blocks. The East Block contains the Killdeer Badlands and the Wood Mountain Uplands, and the West Block preserves the Frenchman River Valley and the dissected plateaus, coulees and famous 70 Mile Butte.  Phone: (306) 298-2257 E-mail: grasslands. info@pc.gc.ca \n Question: Why was Banff National Park built? \n Options: (A) Because there were no national parks in Canada then. (B) Because hot mineral springs were found in Banff. (C) Because there were many valleys and mountains. (D) Because there were lots of scenic islands.", "pos": "Article: Today's museums include plenty of high culture, but you can still find shrines to the extraordinary. Here's a look at five curious museum stops across Canada. Vancouver Police Museum The setting, terrible enough, is the old Coroner's Court and forensics lab, including the morgue(room where dead bodies are kept). Artifacts, from the 1870s on, include badges, uniforms, police equipment, items from criminals, and even preserved organs--all in all an arresting experience. Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station Designed to resemble a spacecraft, the Treck Station celebrates Vulcan's coincidental relationship to Mr. Spock's planet, Go to a building that features an 800-piece collection of Star Trek memorabilia -- including Spock's ears and floor-to-ceiling space paintings. Accordion Museum Through instruments, photos and recordings, the museum traces the history of the accordion and its influence on Quebec culture. They've even acquired Asian instruments that show the use of the free reed-- call them ancient ancestors of the accordion--that date back 4000 years. Chocolate Museum It's chocoholic heaven -- whole museum featuring displays on how chocolate is made, hands-on exhibits, collections of historic chocolate boxes, and antique candy- making equipment and, of course, lots of chocolate treats ,located in an old candy factory building. Click below to learn all about their hours and admission rates. Potato museum A 14--foot high potato greets you at what's billed as the world's largest exhibit of potato artifacts. Explore the humble potato's role in the economy, a collection of farm tools related to growing and harvesting potatoes, Hall of Fame. \n Question: If you are very interested in thrilling movies, you will probably be attracted by  _  . \n Options: (A) Accordion Museum (B) Vancouver Police Museum (C) Potato Museum (D) Chocolate Museum", "neg": "Article: Welcome to Ontario Parks, a new body set up to manage Ontario's most treasured special places, the parks in our area.     We are entering a very exciting year for Ontario Parks. Last season we asked some 15,000 visitors in 45 parks how we could improve our programs and services. We also looked at the thousands of comment cards we received. As a result, new comfort stations have been added, the number of campsites has been increased, and we've made other facility improvements. In addition, we'll be providing more educational programs. This year, for example, more than 40 parks will offer special day and evening activities to excite your curiosity about nature and history.      Through the Internet, you'll be happy to know that you can now explore all 270 parks on line. Let your family plan your park vacation, study a map of canoe routes, listen to the call of a loon or find up-to-date information about programs, services and facilities.      So come and discover what Ontario Parks has to offer. Our parks are places to go with families and friends, for relaxation and fun, or simply to get away from it all. They are places where we can enrich our souls and \"recharge our internal batteries\". They provide chances to explore nature, see wildlife, swim, canoe, camp, hike, picnic, ride a bike... You'll enjoy some of the best outdoor experiences available anywhere in the world.      We urge you to make 2013 the year that you come out and have an Ontario Parks experience! \n Question: The writer's purpose in writing the text is to   _  . \n Options: (A) tell more people the improvements in Ontario Parks (B) attract more people to explore the parks on line (C) praise the beauty of nature in Ontario Parks (D) have more people visit the parks", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}116{"query": "Article: Health insurance   can be very expensive. Some working people do not make enough money to pay for it. In the US there is a program called Healthy Families. This program offers people health insurance at a low cost. Families are charged about $7.00 a month for every child, and $10.00 for every adult. It costs much less than any other kind of health insurance. Having health insurance is very important. With this insurance, people can see a doctor when they are sick or hurt.  The program is not expensive at all, but many people are still not enrolling   in it. People say that it still costs too much money. They need all of their money to pay for things like food and rent  . It would be great if everyone could have health insurance. People are working hard to come up with ways to make this happen. One idea is to make the Healthy Families Program free for some people. It is important for people to see a doctor when they need to. The Healthy Families Program makes it possible for more people to do this. Many ideas are being considered. Hopefully some of them will allow even more families to get health insurance. The Healthy Families Program is made to help those who don't have welfare   and cannot earn enough to pay for private health insurance. It is an important program, but officials say that too many people are signing up for it and then dropping out   because of the Healthy Families Program's cost. \n Question: The aim of the Healthy Families Program is to   _  . \n Options: (A) help people earn more and pay for the program (B) make it free for people to see a doctor (C) help more families get health insurance (D) help families pay for private health insurance", "pos": "Article: Have you ever gone to work to find that one of your coworkers is coughing and sneezing all day long? You do your best to keep a safe distance and wonder:Why did he or she come to work when they were ill? The reality for many Americans is that they do not have enough paid sick time each year to afford them the luxury of staying home because they don't feel well. This problem doesn't just affect the working employees who are sick,though.In an article by James Warren for Bloomberg Business Week, a second-grade school teacher, Stilli Klikizos shares about the sick children that must stay in school all day long because their parents can't get off work to come and get them.In the past school year, she had several children who were unable to be picked up at school who were later diagnosed with H1N1. There is a movement called the Healthy Families Act in Congress that would change rids situation for many Americans.The Healthy Family Act would require employers with 15 or more employees to provide 7 paid sick days a year for their workers, These days could be used not only for days when the worker is sick, but the time can also be used when caring for others,or going to routine doctor's appointments. Those who are against the Act argue that many businesses are struggling to make ends meet owing to recession ,and point out that this is the wrong time to force employers to add an additional expense. Those who support the Healthy Families Act say that our nation can't afford to not take these measures. When an individual goes to work sick, they are possibly infecting their coworkers,clients and customers. According to a report by Katie Couric on the CBS evening news,three fourths of low wage earners  _ when they are on sick leave.Those individuals include daycare workers and restaurant workers,whose health can affect the health of many. \n Question: Why do many Americans still come to work when they are sick? \n Options: (A) They often ignore the illness if not serious. (B) They work in high spirits. (C) The cost of staying home is great. (D) The cost of medical treatment is high.", "neg": "Article: The rising costs of health care have become a problem for many countries in the world. To deal with this problem, it is recommended that a big part of the government's health budget be used for health education and disease prevention instead of treatment. Actually, many kinds of diseases are preventable in many ways and preventing a disease is usually much cheaper than treating it. For example, people could avoid catching a cold if they dressed warmly when the weather starts getting cold. But many people get sick because they fail to do so, and have to spend money seeing a doctor. Daily habits like eating more healthy food would have kept millions of families from becoming _ if the patients had taken measures for early prevention. For instance, keeping a balanced diet, such as not consuming too much animal fat and insuring a steady intake of vegetables and frits, seems to be quite important. One very effective and costless way of prevention is regular exercise, which is necessary for a healthy mind and body. Regular exercise, such as running, walking, and playing sports is a good way to make people feel better and reduce stress. In addition, health education plays a key role in improving people's health. By giving people more information about health, countries could help people understand the importance of disease prevention and ways to achieve it. For example, knowing one's family medical history is an effective way to help keep healthy. Information about health problem among close relatives will make them aware of what they should do to prevent certain diseases through lifestyle changes, Which will work before it is too late. However, stressing disease prevention does not mean medical treatment is unimportant. After all, prevention and treatment are just two different means toward the same effect. In conclusion, we could save money on health care and treat patients more successfully if our country spends more money on health prevention and education. \n Question: What's the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) Prevention or Education? (B) Prevention or Treatment? (C) Health or Illness? (D) Exercise or Illness?", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}117{"query": "Article: The Healthy Habits Survey shows that only about one third of American seniors have correct habits.Here are some findings and expert advice. 1.How many times did you brush your teeth yesterday? *Finding:A full 33% of seniors brush their teeth only once a day. *Step:Remove the 300 types of bacteria in your mouth each morning with a batteryoperated toothbrush.Brush gently for 2 minutes,at least twice a day. 2.How many times did you wash your hands or bathe yesterday? *Finding:Seniors,on average,bathe fewer than 3 days a week.And nearly 30%wash their hands only 4 times a day-half of the number doctors recommend. *Step:We touch our faces around 3,000 times a day-often inviting germs to enter our mouth,nose,and eyes.Use toilet paper to avoid touching the door handle.And,most important,wash your hands often with hot running water and soap for 20 seconds. 3.How often do you think about fighting germs? *Finding:Seniors are not fighting germs as well as they should. *Step:Be aware of germs.Do you know it is not your toilet but your kitchen sponge that can carry more germs than anything else?To kill these germs,keep your sponge in the microwave for 10 seconds. \n Question: What is found out about American seniors? \n Options: (A) Most of them have good habits. (B) Nearly 30% of them bathe three days a week. (C) All of them are fighting germs better than expected. (D) About one third of them brush their teeth only once a day.", "pos": "Article: Our risk of cancer rises rapidly as we age. So it makes sense that the elderly should be routinely screened for new tumors   or doesn't it? While such tracking of cancer is a good thing in general, researchers are increasingly questioning whether all of this testing is necessary for the elderly. With the percentage of people over age 65 expected to nearly double by 2050, it s important to weigh the health benefits of screening against the risks and costs of routine testing. In many cases, screening can lead to additional examinations and operations to remove cancer, which can cause side effects, while the cancers themselves may be slow-growing and may not cause serious health problems in patients' remaining years. But the message that everyone must screen for cancer has become so ingrained   that when health care experts recommended that women under 50 and over 74 stop screening for breast cancer, it caused a noisy reaction among doctors, patients and social groups. It's hard to uproot deeply-held beliefs about cancer screening with scientific data. Certainly, there are people over age 75 who have had cancers detected by routine screening, and gained several extra years of life because of treatment. And clearly, people over age 75 who have other risk factors for cancer, such as a family history or previous personal experience with the disease, should continue to get screened regularly. But for the rest, the risk of cancer, while increased at the end of life, must be balanced with other factors like remaining life expectancy. A recent study suggests that doctors start to make more objective decisions about who will truly benefit from screening--especially considering the explosion of the elderly. It's not an easy calculation to make, but one that makes sense for patients. Dr. Otis Brawley said, \"Many doctors are ordering these tests purely to cover themselves from medical disputes. We need to think about the wise use of health care, which means making some difficult decisions with elderly patients, and going against the misguided belief that when it comes to health care, more is always better.\" \n Question: Routine cancer screening for the elderly people makes sense because   _  . \n Options: (A) it is believed to contribute to a long life (B) it is part of their health care package (C) they are more sensitive about the health (D) they are in greater danger of tumor growth", "neg": "Article: Elderly adults who regularly drink green tea may stay more active and independent than their peers over time,according to a Japanese study that covered thousands of people. Green tea contains antioxidant chemicals that may help _ the cell damage that can lead to disease.Researchers have been studying green tea's effect on everything from cholesterol to the risk of certain cancers,with mixed results so far. For the new Japanese study,researchers decided to examine the question of whether green tea drinkers have a lower risk of frailty and disability as they grow older. Tomata and his colleagues followed nearly 14,000 adults aged 65 or older for three years. They found those who drank the most green tea were the least likely to develop \"functional disability\",or problems with daily activities or basic needs,such as dressing or bathing. Specifically,almost 13 percent of adults who drank less than a cup of green tea per day became functionally disabled,compared with just over 7 percent of people who drank at least five cups fl day. The study did not prove that green tea alone kept people active as they grew older. Green-tea lovers generally had healthier diets,including more fish,vegetables and fruit,as well as more education.lower smoking rates,fewer heart attacks and strokes,and greater mental sharpness. They also tended to be more socially active and have more friends and family to rely on. Although it's not clear how green tea might offer a buffer against disability,Tomata's team did note that one recent study found green tea extracts seem to increase leg muscle strength in older women. While green tea and its extracts are considered safe in small amounts,they do contain caffeine and small amounts of vitamin K,which means it could block drugs that prevent blood thickened. \n Question: Which of the following can summarize the passage best? \n Options: (A) Green tea makes you less active. (B) Green tea makes you less disabled. (C) Green tea makes you more friendly. (D) Green tea makes you more educated.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}118{"query": "Article: Introductory Chemistry was taught at Duke University for many years by Professor Bonk.One year, two guys took the class and did pretty well on all the quizzes and midterms.They each had a solid A.These two friends were so confident in going into the final that the weekend before the final week, despite the Chemistry final being on Monday, they decided to go to the prefix = st1 /UniversityofVirginiato party with some friends.        They had a great time there.However, with their hangovers   and tiredness, they overslept all day Sunday and didn't make it back to Duke until early Monday morning.Rather than taking the final then, they found Professor Bonk after the final and explained to him how they missed the final.They told him they went up to the University of Virginia for the weekend and had planned to come back in time to study, but they had a flat tire on the way back and didn't have a spare.So they were late getting back to campus.        Bonk thought this over and agreed that they could take the final the following day. The two guys, happy and relieved, studied that night and went in the next day at the time that Bonk had told them.He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet.He told them to begin.       They looked at the first problem which was something simple about solution .It was worth 5 points.\"Cool,\" they thought, \"this is going to be an easy final\".        They then turned the page.They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on it.        The question contained only two words:(95 points) Which tire? \n Question: The two guys decided to go to the University of Virginia because   _  . \n Options: (A) they were afraid of the final (B) there was a big party there (C) the final would be held there (D) they thought they could pass the final easily", "pos": "Article: Charlie studied in a famous college for four years. He studied hard and did well in all his subjects. He hoped to become a good teacher. This year he left the college and began to work in a middle school. He likes his students and is strict  with them. He does his best to make his classes lively and interesting.   One day he carefully explained a chemical reaction  to the students of Grade 2 in the chemistry lab.   \"Be careful, everyone,\" he said loudly. \"Before I make the experiment,there're twenty five atoms of carbon ,but after I finish it, there're twenty four atoms of carbon left!\"   He stopped to watch the classroom and hoped his students would go on explaining it. But the young men looked at each other and nobody answered him. He had to ask, \"What happens? What makes the atom lost?\"   The classroom was very quiet and none of the students looked at their teacher.   \"Who can tell us where it has gone?\"   Suddenly a soft voice came from the back row, \"We did not see anybody leave the lab!\" \n Question: Charlie hopes   _   ,so he does his best to make his classes lively and interesting. \n Options: (A) all his students could understand him (B) his students wouldn't be afraid of him (C) his students carefully watched him making the experiment (D) his students could do well in chemistry", "neg": "Article: When I was at University I studied very hard. But a lot of my friends did very little work. Some did just enough to pass exams. Others didn't do quite enough. Fred Baines was one of them. He spent more time playing than working in the library. Once at the end of the term, we had to take an important test in chemistry. The test had a hundred questions. Beside each question we had to write \"True\" or \"False\". While I was studying in my room the night before the test, Fred was watching TV. Fred usually worried a lot the night before a test. But on that night he looked perfectly calm. Thenhe told me of his plan. \"It's very simple. There are a hundred questions and I have to get fifty correct to pass the test. I'll just toss the coin to decide the answers. That way, I'm sure I'll get half the questions right.\" The next day, Fred came happily into the exam room. As he sat tossing a coin for half an hour he marked down his answers. Then he left, half an hour before the rest of us. The next day, he saw the chemistry professor in the corridor. \"Oh, good,\" he said to the teacher, \"Have you got the result of the test?\" The teacher reached into his pocket and took out a coin. He threw it into the air, caught it in his hand and looked at it. \"I'm terribly sorry, Fred,\" he said, \"You failed!\" \n Question: This story mainly wants to tell us  _  . \n Options: (A) chemistry is really hard to learn (B) there are many questions for students to prepare. (C) good exam results really need studying hard (D) tossing a coin can not always decide the result", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}119{"query": "Article: Golf in the USA was until quite recently the hobby of old,middle class white men.Not any more.The fact that the class,age and race barriers that existed in the sport have finally been  broken down is due almost entirely to two people.Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie. Tiger Woods was born in California in 1975 and is one of the greatest golfers of all time.His ethnic background is marvelously rich and varied.His father Earl was of mixed of black,Chinese and Native American ancestry and his mother Kultida,who was originally from Thailand,also had Chinese and Dutch forefathers. Woods became a professional golfer in 1996 and,less than a year later,astonished the world easily winning the prestigious Masters Colf Tournament,an annual event which takes place at the Augusta Golf Club in Georgia,USA.At 21,he was the youngest golfer ever to win the tournament,but much more important,he was also the first Asian American to do it. Woods'amazing achievement is put into perspective when you realize that until 1990,no non-white American had ever been allowed to join Augusta Golf Club.Even in 2000,it only had two black members.In fact,in 1977,Clifford Roberts,the chairman of the club and founder of the Masters Tournament,proclaimed:\"As long as 1 am alive,golfers will be white and caddies  will be black.\"Roberts died not long after making this racist remark... Fortunately,his views were not shared by his successors and the dramatic appearance of Tiger Woods on the Golf scene radically changed attitudes to the sport and prompted a major surge of interest in the game among ethnic minorities end young people in the USA. Michelle Wie,a Korean American born in 1989 whose mother was an amateur golf champion in Korea,will probably became the greatest woman golfer of all time.She's 1.85 meters tall and she can play a golf ball further than most men.Like Woods,she has transformed the world of golf,and wants to do so in even more dramatic ways.She has expressed her determination to play on the men's tournament circuit,not just the women's,and has already appeared in several professional men's tournaments. Thanks to Woods and Wie,golf in America will never be the same again. \n Question: What is the text about? \n Options: (A) Tiger Woods'life in playing golf. (B) The achievements of two golf players from ethnic minorities. (C) Michelle Wie's determination. (D) Playing golf in USA was once the hobby of old,middle class while men.", "pos": "Article: February4, 2012 saw the take-off of a new rising NBA star- Jeremy Lin. Among professional basketball players, Jeremy Lin's background is not typical. He graduated from Harvard University, which sends few players to the NBA, and he is the only Chinese-American NBA player. But when you watch him on the court, there is no doubt that he belongs there. He moves with speed and grace that demonstrate years of faithful practice, which is fueled by a love for basketball. Lin's enjoyment to basketball actually began in Taiwan. When Lin's father moved to U.S., his interest in the sport only grew and he passed on this love of basketball to his son, introducing him to the game at the age of five. The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun. In high school, Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA. When he applied for college, he was not offered a single sports scholarship. However, after his admission to Harvard ,he was offered a place on its college basketball team. During Lin's time at Harvard, his basketball career began to speed up. He scored 1,482 points, making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history. When he graduated, no professional teams offered Lin a contract, but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League. He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors. At first, playing in professional games filled Lin with excitement. He treasured opportunities to meet players he had been watching on TV for years. But slowly, the excitement wore off and was replaced by anxiety. In a few very difficult months, he was cut by two teams before the New York Knicks picked him up. But he had the courage and determination to stick to his dream, so he put himself into hard training to get ready for his opportunity to come, Then his moment arrived on February4, 2012,on which his excellent performance made him famous overnight. After that, he led the Knicks to their fifth straight victory. The Associated Press called Lin\"the most surprising story in the NBA.\"Knicks fans developed the nickname for him\"linsanity\" .Time magazine released its 2012 list of the 100\"Most Influential People in the World\",Jermy Lin included. \n Question: What might be the author's purpose in writing the text? \n Options: (A) To make readers interested in great basketball players. (B) To give a brief introduction to Lin's road to an outstanding basketball player. (C) To list Lin's wonderful performances in NBA team. (D) To praise Jeremy Lin for his skills and determination.", "neg": "Article: Roger Federer and Serena Williams have been named as 2009' s world champions by the International Tennis Federation(ITF) after topping the year-end rankings. Federer, who wins the honour for the fifth time, completed a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros before winning his 15th Grand Slam ride at Wimbledon. And Williams won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, her llth major success. The pair will receive their awards at the annual 1TF world champions dinner in Paris in June. Federer regained the world number one ranking from Rafael Nadal after his Paris victory and his Wimbledon win over Andy Roddick saw him surpass Pete Sampras' haul of Grand Slam titles. He was also runner - up at the Australian Open and the US Open and helped his country retain its Davis Cup world group status. \" It is an honour for me to be named ITF world champion for a fifth time.It was an incredible   year for me both on and off the court,\" said the 28 - year - old Swiss star whose wife Mirka gave birth to twin girls in July. \"To win my first Roland, Garros title, break the all - time Grand Slam record and regain the number one ranking is amazing.It means a lot to me to finish the year again at the top.\" Williams takes _ for the first time since 2002.As well as her Grand Slam wins,            she won the season - ending WTA Championships in Doha.sealing the top ranking in the last event of die year. She also took the doubles year award with sister Venus after taking their career total to 10 Grand Slam titles.In doing so, she joins Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis as the only players to become singles and doubles world champions in the same year. American twins Bob and Mike Bryan were named as the men' s doubles world champions for the sixth time in seven years. \n Question: What's the main idea of the text? \n Options: (A) Roger Federer got his fifth world champions. (B) Serena Williams was named the ITF world champion. (C) Roger Federer won his first Roland Garros title. (D) Williams & Federer were named 2009' s world champions.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}120{"query": "Article: Throughout the world, clothing has many uses. It is used to provide protection from cold. It is also worn to prevent others from seeing specific parts of one's body. However, the parts of the body that must be covered vary widely throughout the world. Some clothing is worn to provide supernatural protection. Wearing a lucky shirt to take an exam is calling for supernatural assistance. People in all cultures use clothing and other forms of bodily decoration to communicate status , intentions and other messages. In North America, we dress differently for business and various leisure activities. North American women usually are much more knowledgeable of little difference in messages communicated by clothes than men. At times, this leads to silly mistakes of understanding of female intentions on the part of men. Of course, clothing styles also are intended to communicate messages to members of the same gender . Long before we are near enough to talk to someone, their appearance tells their gender, age, economic class, and often even intentions. We begin to recognize the important cultural clues at an early age. The vocabulary of dress that we learn includes not only items of clothing but also hairstyles, jewelry, and other body decoration. In most cultures, however, the same style of dress communicates different messages depending on the age, gender, and physical appearance of the individual wearing it. Putting on certain types of clothing can change your behavior and the behavior of others towards you. This can be the case with a doctor's white lab coat, or an army uniform. Most uniforms are clearly symbolic so that they can rapidly and unmistakably communicate status. For instance, the strange hairstyle and clothing of the English \"punks\" are essential aspects of their uniforms. There are many forms of body decoration other than clothes that are used around the world to send messages. These include body and hair paint, and even body deformation. When doctors put braces on teeth, they are actually doing the same thing - deforming or reforming a part of the body to make it more attractive. \n Question: Which of the following is the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) Clothing and Culture (B) Ways of Sending Message (C) Clothing and Social Behavior (D) Communication through Clothing", "pos": "Article: Color is very important in our daily life. It can influence our choice of purchase when we go shopping and can also affect the way we look and feel. A person can be naturally attracted to one particular color1 while finding another color1 repulsive. The influence of color1 on human emotions and feelings is very powerful and designers, advertisers, artists and even doctors use  _ in their professions for different purposes. Every day, without even thinking about it, we use color1 to communicate our feelings. For example, the color1 we choose to wear is one way of expressing ourselves. It says something about the person, how he or she feels, and how he or she wants others to feel about the wearer. In other words, color1 talks. A person who wants to appear stylish and mature will usually wear dark color1s or black. A person who wishes to appear youngish, pure and innocent dresses in white, like the choice of a bride's wedding gown. Also clothed in white are doctors, dentists, nurses and hospital in-patients as the color1 expresses comfort, cleanliness and professionalism. Brown, blue or grey clothes are the usual color1s worn by office workers so as not to draw unnecessary attention to them. They are, in a way, conveying the message that they want to be noticed for their work, not their appearance. People who wear bright, strong color1s like to be attractive and these color1s are particularly popular with actresses, singers and party goers. In the past, common people were not allowed to wear certain color1s. In Thailand, for example, only kings, queens and members of the royal family could wear purple while in ancient China, yellow was the color1 reserved for the emperor and the empress. Nowadays, people can wear whatever color1 they like or as they think appropriate. \n Question: How does color1 affect a product? \n Options: (A) It describes the product. (B) It helps the product designer to express himself. (C) It may put the purchaser in a spending mood. (D) It is able to influence the consumers' choice of purchase.", "neg": "Article: One's style of the dress reveals the human obsession with both novelty and tradition. People use clothing to declare their membership in a particular social group; however, the rules for what is acceptable dress for that group may change. In affluent societies, this changing of the rules is the driving force behind fashions. By keeping up with fashions, that is, by changing their clothing style frequently but meanwhile, members of a group both satisfy their desire for and obey the rules, thus demonstrating their membership in the group. There are some interesting variations   regarding individual status. Some people, particularly in the West, consider themselves of such high status that they do not need to display it with their clothing. For example, many wealthy people in the entertainment industry appear in very casual clothes, such as the worn jeans and work boots of a manual laborer. However, it is likely that a subtle but important signal, such as an expensive wristwatch, will prevail over the message of the casual dress. Such an inverted  status display is most likely to occur where the person's high status is conveyed in ways other than with clothing, such as having a famous face. \n Question: According to the author, fashions serve all the following purposes EXCEPT \n Options: (A) satisfying an interest in novelty (B) signaling a change in personal beliefs (C) displaying membership in a social group (D) following traditional rules", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}121{"query": "Article: People can be addicted to  different things -- e.g. alcohol, drug, certain foods, or even television. People who have such an addiction are compulsive :They have a very powerful psychological need that they feel they must satisfy. According to psychologists, many people are compulsive spenders. They feel that they must spend money. This compulsion, like most others, is impossible to explain reasonably. For compulsive spenders who buy on credit , charge accounts are even more exciting than money. In other words, compulsive spenders feel that with credit, they can do anything. Their pleasure in spending large amounts is actually greater than the pleasure that they get from the things they buy. There is even a special psychology of bargain hunting. To save money, of course, most people look for sales, low prices, and discounts. Compulsive bargain hunters, however, often buy things that they don't need just because they are cheap. They want to believe that they are helping their budgets , but they are really playing an exciting game. When they can buy something for less than other people, they feel that they are winning. Most people, experts claim, have two reasons for their behavior: a good reason for the things that they do and the real reason. It is not only scientists, of course, who understand the psychology of spending habits, but also business people. Stores, companies, and advertisers use psychology to increase business. They consider people's needs for love, power, or influence, their basic values, their beliefs and opinions, and so on in their advertising and sales methods. Psychologists often use a method called \"behavior therapy \" to help individuals solve their personality problems. In the same way, they can help people who feel that they have problems with money. \n Question: According to the psychologists, a compulsive spender is one who spends large amounts of money  _  . \n Options: (A) and takes great pleasure from what he or she buys (B) in order to satisfy his or her basic needs in life (C) just to meet his or her strong psychological need (D) and feels he or she is cheated", "pos": "Article: The first time we started using it, we thought it would just be a bit of fun, a one-time thing.  _ A _  \"Let's just give it a try,\" my fiancee said. I was a bit nervous, but I knew some of our friends were already into it, and they said it was fine and that I should relax because everyone was doing it.\"OK,\" I agreed, convinced it would be harmless.  _ B _  Before long, we were using it once a week. Then it became twice a week. We went from using it after work to using it in the mornings, and then at lunchtime, too. Suddenly we reached a point where we were using it every day. Even when I wasn't using it, I was thinking about using it.  _ C _  That's when I realized the terrible truth. We couldn't stop. Dear readers, it shames me to admit it, but I am an addict of online shopping site Taobao. And I don't think I'm the only one.  _ D _  I see the telltale signs every where: People with bags under their eyes, clearly exhausted after staying up late browsing items they might one day need (but probably won't),like the 1940s leather aviator cap I bought in the event I ever need to become an aviator in the 1940s. I see co-workers furtively  sneaking down to the mailroom, eyes darting around suspiciously. I know what's going through your mind as you read this. \"This isn't me,\" you're thinking, \"I can stop anytime I want.\" But can you? In China you can get same day delivery for just about anything you buy online. In Australia, my home country, the same item would take weeks to arrive. \"It's the convenience,\" I said to my fiancee. \"That's why we're hooked.\" But is that convenience worth the risk of waking up one morning to discover you've been buried alive in masses of brand new women's shoes? In my case it's probably not, especially because I suspect my fiancee won't realize I'm missing until weeks later, when my credit card stops working and I've long since expired. So what can you do to battle this terrible addiction? Never fear, dear readers, because I've created a special five-step list to help you stop online shopping. Step one: Acknowledge you have a problem. Resist buying adult-sized, Star Wars Stormtrooper outfit on Taobao. You don't really need it. Step two: Try not to feel guilty about buying adult-sized, Star Wars Stormtrooper outfit on Taobao. Step three: Put the computer and smartphone away, get back to nature, and take a walk in the park. Step four: Try not to feel guilty about buying a new outfit for your walk in the park. I mean, it was  on sale, right? Step five: Buying a book on how to quit Taobao...from Taobao. On second thoughts, maybe don't listen to me, after all. \n Question: The author concludes this passage with a tone of  _  . \n Options: (A) confidence and optimism (B) disappointment and disapproval (C) uncertainty and humor (D) confusion and sympathy", "neg": "Article: Are you a problem shopper? The answer is \"Yes\" , if you or someone else thinks that you sometimes get carried away with shopping .In other words ,do you or does someone else think you are occupied in extreme shopping ? If people have regrets later about their shopping , or have an \"out-of-control\" feeling about the quantities of what they buy or the amount of credit they use , they may be considered to be problem shoppers. Extreme shopping can lead to a more serious problem -addictive shopping . Addictive shoppers feel driven by the desire to shop and spend money . They experience great tension which drives them to shop and spend money and they feel a \"rush\" during the time they are occupied with the shopping activity. Extreme or addictive shopping may result from long-time unpleasant feelings, of which anxiety ,pain and shame are common ones,. When we feel bad inside ,we often do something to make ourselves feel better . In this case ,we often go shopping . A few people shop to relieve their boredom or emptiness .For some people ,the motivation is a desire for status ,power ,beauty or success .Some love to shop as it makes them feel valued in the eyes of the shop assistants .Others shop simply because it makes them forget , at least temporarily , tension ,fear or unhappiness in their life. Besides ,shopping malls are designed to encourage continual shopping . For instance ,there are some malls where you can't see clocks displaying the time because they don't want you to become too aware of the time you spend there .What's more ,food courts, coffee shops and restrooms are provided ,so you don't have to leave the mall because of your physical needs. Therefore ,once you become aware of how market forces work ,you will certainly come to control your shopping behavior .For example ,how much time you will spend an d what areas you will visit can be decided before you enter the mall. Keep a written account of what items you will buy and how much money you will spend . Make a plan for what you are going to buy before you feel the urge to shop and then stick to it . That is vital for gaining self0control. \n Question: Which of the following people may not be problem shoppers? \n Options: (A) Those who cannot control the amount of credit they use. (B) Those who just walk around the shopping malls. (C) Those who are occupied in too much shopping. (D) Those who feel sorry for their shopping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}122{"query": "Article: I must have been about fourteen then, and I put away the incident from my mind with the easy carelessness of  youth. But the words, Carl Walter spoke that day, came back to me years later, and ever since have been of great value to me. Carl Walter was my piano teacher. During one of my lessons he asked how much practicing I was doing. I said three or four hours a day. \"Do you practice , an hour at a time?\" \"I try to.\" \"Well, don't,\" he exclaimed. \"When you grow up, time won't come in long stretches.    Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them five or ten before school, after lunch, between household tasks. Spread the practice through the day, and piano-playing will become a part of your life.\" When I was teaching at Columbia, I wanted to write, but class periods, theme-reading, and committee meetings filled my days and evenings. For two years I got practically nothing down on paper, and my excuse was that I had no time. Then I remembered what Carl Walter had said. During the next week I conducted an experiment. Whenever I had five minutes unoccupied, I sat down and wrote a hundred words or so. To my astonishment, at the end of the week I had a rather large manuscript ready for revision, later on I wrote novels by the same piecemeal method. Though my teaching schedule had become heavier than ever, in every day there were idle moments which could be caught and put to use. I even took up piano--playing again, finding that the small intervals of the day provided sufficient time for both writing and piano practice. There is an important trick in this time--using formula: you must get into your work quickly. If you have but five minutes for writing, you can't afford to waste four chewing your pencil. You must make your mental preparations beforehand, and concentrate on your task almost instantly when the time comes. Fortunately, rapid concentration is easier than most of us realize. I admit I have never learnt how to let go easily at the end of the five or ten minutes. But life can be counted on to supply interruptions. Carl Walter has had a tremendous influence on my life. To him I owe the discovery that even very short periods of time add up to all useful hours I need, if I plunge in without delay. \n Question: Which of the following statements is true? \n Options: (A) The writer didn't completely take the teacher's words to heart at first. (B) Carl Walter has had a great influence on the writer's life since he became a student. (C) The writer owes great thanks to his teacher for teaching him to work in long stretches. (D) Rapid concentration is actually more difficult than most people imagine.", "pos": "Article: Not being the best but touching the limits of your ability. This belief came from my third grade teacher, the most trusted and loved person in my life. Mr. Myrus was always perfectly dressed and spoke with the conviction   that talking to small kids didn't mean that he had to sacrifice proper pronunciation or grammar. And he was demanding. Oh, he wasn't unreasonable or cruel; he simply felt that no matter what your best was, you should achieve it. As luck would have it, I met him again as my eighth grade math teacher. I was not, nor ever will be, gifted in math. And thirteen-year-old girls do not have the energy to devote to something like square roots  . I remember our struggles, \"I don't know the answer. I can't do it.!\" \"Perhaps you don't know the answer,\" he would say quietly. \"Do you think we might figure it out together? How do you know what you can do until you try?\" Mr. Myrus lived around the corner, and I would often stop by to talk while he worked in his wood shop. In this room of sawdust, wood chips, and the smoke from the woodburning stove, I felt respected and valued as a person. I knew there was someone who liked me for who I was, someone who, while he always wanted me to do my best, let me know that if I had really tried, that was enough. Mr. Myrus was my teacher and my friend. He taught me to be kind. He taught me my own value. He taught me about honor, about truth, and about doing my best--and that all feelings and beliefs have dignity and deserve respect. And of all the things I know, this I believe: We can't all be \"the\" best, but we can, each of us, be our best, and I know that's true because Mr. Myrus told me. \n Question: When did Mr.Myrus first become the author's teacher? \n Options: (A) When she was eight years old. (B) When she was in the fifth grade. (C) When she was thirteen years old. (D) When she was in the eighth grade.", "neg": "Article: Adults usually do not remember most of the things that are taught by their teachers at school. But this story is one such lesson that I will never forget. Every time I drift off course, I think of this story. It was a normal Monday morning, and my teacher was teaching us on important things in life and about devoting ourselves to what is important to us. This is how the story went: An old man lived in a certain part of London, and he would wake up every morning and go to the subway. He would get onto the train right to Central London, and then sit at the street corner and beg. He would do this every single day of his life. He sat at the same street corner and begged for almost 20 years. His house was dirty, and a stench   came out of the house and it smelled terrible. The neighbors could not stand the smell any more, so they called for the police officers to clear the place. The officers knocked down the door and cleaned the house. There were small bags of money all over the house that he had collected over the years. The police counted the money, and they soon realized that the old man was a millionaire  . They waited outside his house expecting to share the good news with him. When the old man arrived home that evening, one of the officers told him that there was no need for him to beg any more as he was a rich man now, a millionaire. But the old man said nothing at all; he went into his house and locked the door. The next morning he woke up as usual, went to the subway, sat at the street corner and continued to beg. Clearly, this old man had no great plans, dreams or anything significant   for his life. We learn nothing from this story other than staying focused on the things we enjoy doing. \n Question: The neighbor called the police because   _  . \n Options: (A) the old man kept begging money from them every day (B) there was something dangerous in the old man's house (C) the old man wouldn't buy tickets for the train (D) they couldn't bear the smell from the old man's house", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}123{"query": "Article: America's child movie star Shirley Temple Black died late Monday evening at the age of 85. Her fans in China are also deeply saddened. Temple is just one example of movie stars that China adored, and still adores. Here's our editor's pick of the top movie stars who have influenced China. 1. Sylvester Stallone Oh, Rambo! The first strong American man that China knew. His accented English, easily recognizable even for someone who doesn't speak English, and his eyes that never seemed to smile, makes him someone whom cannot be forgotten. He represented the strong American image, and even stirred a boxing and bodybuilding fever in China. 2.Charlie Chaplin (April 16, 1889 - December 25, 1977) In the 20th century, it is not too much to say that Einstein made the greatest contributions to science, and not many would disagree that Chaplin did the same for film. He was the first actor that introduced comedy to most Chinese viewers, and politically, he was also a close friend of China's. His silent films broke the barrier of language and his form of art was recognized by all. It will be a difficult task to find a person in China who does not recognize Chaplin, even today. 3. Shirley Temple ( April 23, 1928 - February 10, 2014) When Chinese audiences saw this adorable child star for the first time on screen, Shirley Temple had already lived for more than half a century. In her movies, she was always alone or in trouble, but this adorable little blonde  could always resolve anything with her kindness, push away the fogginess and bring about light. The brand \"Shirley Temple\" was a product of the Great Depression. People watched her act to forget their hardships as Temple entertained the poor, the rich, adults and children alike. Several decades later, when her films were screened in China, the effects were the same. 4. Audrey Hepburn( May 4, 1929 - January 20, 1993) She will forever be the princess in Chinese people's hearts. Even to this day, a large number of tourists go to Rome to visit the Mouth of Truth with their lovers and eat ice cream on the Spanish Steps. Her sense of style seems to never go out of style. When she was alive, she was living perfection. Even after her death, she has remained an _ . That's something that only Audrey Hepburn is capable of. \n Question: According to the passage, who was most known for comedy in China? \n Options: (A) Sylvester Stallone (B) Charlie Chaplin (C) Shirley Temple (D) Audrey Hepburn", "pos": "Article: FORBES CHINA's annual celebrity list is based on income and appearances in magazines, newspapers, TV shows and online. Stars from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong are included. And here are some of the winners: Jay Chou Taiwan singer, actor and director unveiled his 12th studio album, Opus 12, last December (Another \"12''). New flick in the works: The Rooftop, being filmed in Taiwan and the mainland, which he stars in and also directs. 3. Andy Lau Now in his 50s, the evergreen Hong Kong star of song and film stayed popular last year with the movie Blind Detective. Lau's sixth film with Hong Kong actress Sammi Cheng is in the works. Jackie Chan Hong Kong movie industry icon last year released what may be his last action film CZ12, or Chinese Zodiac, which he wrote and directed. 5. Zhang Ziyi Popular actress had hit romantic comedy last year with My Lucky Star, which she also produced. Appears in this year's star-laden The Grandmaster kung fu movie, directed by Hong Kong's Wong Kar-Wai and also starring Tony Leung. 7. Yang Mi Actress was named most popular female singer in mainland China last year in a joint CCTV-MTV event. Last year's flicks included Love in the Buff, Beijing Love Story and Wu Dang. Has endorsement deals with Pepsi and cosmetics brand Wetcode. 8. Huang Xiaoming Actor turned up in several successful films last year, including Love in the Buff, An Inaccurate Memoir and White-Haired Witch. Promotes Baleno, Tissot, Olay. 10. Lin Chi-ling Taiwan TV hostess, model and actress. Most recent success: romantic comedy Say Yes, which took in more than $30 million in China. \n Question: Who is the director of the Grandmaster ? \n Options: (A) Tony Leung (B) Wong Kar-Wai (C) Zhang Ziyi (D) Jackie Chan", "neg": "Article: Shirley Temple, who died on February 10, 2014, was that rare example of a Hollywood child star who, when the cameras stopped rolling, carved out a new career. For four years, she was Hollywood's biggest box-office star representing the kind of sweet, innocent girl that everyone wanted as their daughter. However, years later, she reappeared as a successful politician. Shirley Temple was born in Santa Monica, California on 23 April 1928. Encouraged by her mother, she learned to dance while she was just three. In 1934, Stand Up and Cheer became her first film and the film was a great success. At the age of six she was earning $1,250 a week -- more than $21,000 at today's values. Across the world, audiences flocked to see her in films such as Little Miss Marker, The Little Colonel and The Littlest Rebel. In 1935 she was awarded a special Oscar (Academy Award) and her foot and hand prints were added to those of stars such as Jean Harlow and Mary Pickford outside Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood. The peak of her film career came in 1939 when The Little Princess became a box-office success. Temple starred in a total of 43 feature films. But she found it difficult to maintain her film career in adulthood and retired from Hollywood in 1950. She disappeared from the spotlight for nearly 20 years. She returned to the public eye in 1967, as a Republican candidate for Congress. When Nixon became president, he rewarded her with an appointment to the American delegation to the United Nations. Then, in 1974, President Ford appointed her the United States Ambassador  to Ghana. George Bush Snr, appointed her Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. Shirley Temple drew a line between her childhood stardom and her later political career. \"Some people are stuck on this image of the little girl,\" she once said. \"She is not me. We shouldn't live in the past; my life is now.\" Nevertheless, for many across the world, the name Shirley Temple always called to mind a superstar child. \n Question: Shirley Temple died at the age of   _  . \n Options: (A) 75 (B) 80 (C) 86 (D) 90", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}124{"query": "Article: If you're in charge of  a project, the key to success is getting everyone to want to help you. As a director, I point, I suggest, I gently push the actors in the direction  I want them to go. In the 1986 movie Nothing in Common, Jackie Gleason's character, Max Basner, gets fired (or unemployed) from his job as a clothing salesman. The scene, shot   on a boat, shows Max's despair  about being out of work. I was looking for some gesture that would allow Max to show his feelings. Jackie had far more experience  at everything than I did, and at first I was frightened (very much afraid). What could I possibly tell \"The Great One\" about acting? Out of fear I decided to direct by suggestion, and I sat down with Gleason to talk about the scene. \"So Max is sad, right?\" I said. Gleason nodded. \"And he's probably still carrying his pens with his name on them --- the ones he used to hand out to his customers, right?\" Gleason nodded. \" So what would you want to do with the pens after you were fired?\" He was silent for a moment. \"Why don't I throw them overboard (or all over the boat)?\" I stood up and turned toward the crew. \" Hey, everybody, Jackie has a wonderful idea. Let's shoot it.\" After filming the scene, Gleason called me over and said with a smile, \"Garry, what kind of wonderful idea am I going to have tomorrow?\" You and your team can discover the answers to problems together. When there are no prizes or gold stars for who gets the solution (or the way to work out a problem) first, you'll all benefit (or get something of use or value) when everything turns out right. \n Question: The author tells us that to succeed in a project you are in charge of, you should   _  . \n Options: (A) make everyone work for you (B) get everyone willing to help you (C) let people know you have the final say (D) keep sending out orders to them", "pos": "Article: The life of an actor appears attractive and many young people dream about becoming one. But the truth is, it is very hard work. If you're successful, there are deadlines to be met, appointments to keep and the press to deal with. If you're not successful, then life is extremely tough. I remember when I started out, I had to search the advertisement board at my drama school every day to look for acting jobs. Drama school was expensive and I needed extra cash to help pay the fees. I welcomed every small job. I played extras in many crowd scenes and became a confident participant in a lot of TV commercials for hair shampoo, soap and washing powder. I had been working for about two years before I got my lucky break. One day, as I was passing the drama school, I decided to go in to check the notice board. There was nothing on it and I was just leaving when the secretary came along the corridor with a piece of paper. She asked me how I was and I told her life was hard and work was difficult to find. The next moment, she put the paper in my hand and walked away. My hands were shaking as I unfolded the paper, full of expectation. To my surprise, it was an audition   for a clown for the Canadian circus. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I had expected an audition with a famous director for a new film! When I was at drama school, there had been a course in acrobatics and clown tricks. I had gained top marks in this course for originality and daring. Later I went to the audition feeling very strange. This was not what I'd had in mind when I enrolled in drama school. To my surprise, the job as a clown turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I loved every moment of getting dressed up and putting on the make-up. I had the opportunity to travel the world and I was more than an actor, I was an entertainer as well. I had visited over 32 different countries and entertained millions of people. \n Question: Which of the following can best describe the author's feeling when he unfolded the paper? \n Options: (A) Extremely frightened. (B) Feeling anxious and excited. (C) Very worried. (D) Trembling with fear.", "neg": "Article: It can be as simple or as complex as you want. Anybody who enjoys the cinema knows that when the final credits roll they include everyone who has contributed -- Director, Performers, Best Boy, Make Up, etc. It usually takes over a hundred people working a year to make a feature film, ten people to produce a pop promo   and around twenty to film a documentary. The reason so many people are involved is because films need to be made quickly and on budget. Many famous directors started by making films completely on their own -- Orson Welles, George Lucas, Robert Rodrigues. You may not have the special effects and big budgets of Hollywood but you do have time on your side. Use it to experiment and make a few mistakes. It's the way to learn. And that's where the fun begins. Go on; make a film. Now, let's talk about how to prepare for the shoot  . If you're making the film with other people, organize your cast and crew effectively. Make sure everybody knows their role and what day and time they're needed.  Give people specific jobs so they can become experts in their field. For example, a sound recordist listens to the sound through headphones as it's being recorded, and holds an extra microphone if needed. A camera operator frames the picture, sets focus, checks the light and records the action. The editor \"cuts\" the picture together after it's shot.  A producer is the contact point for the film. He or she makes sure crew and cast are there on time, talks to the press and organizes the budget.  A director has to make sure their vision is communicated. To do this everyone needs to be clear about what the director expects from each scene and each shot. You may also need a make-up-artist, a choreographer, a driver, etc. However, you can quite easily make your first film on your own. Make a schedule that says which shots are to be taken where and when (this is called a shooting schedule) and when you've completed a take, cross it off the list. Remember that you may want to shoot \"out of sequence\", e.g. shoot the last scene first, and the first last. Similarly if the film begins and ends by a tree in the park, it may make sense to film both scenes while you're there. Continuity is particularly important in drama. Take a Polaroid camera and take photos to capture details. You may need to come back to a scene days later. When you decide your locations, consider whether you need permission to use the space, how noisy it will be and what the light will be like at the time of day you will need to use it. Is there power available? Are you likely to be interrupted? If you're making animation   or any computer generated stuff, have a space that you can control. You may need extra lights and you may need to leave work in progress. Make sure people living with you are aware what's happening. Animation needs a lot of undisturbed concentration and patience. Keep at it and it'll pay off. Aardmann and Disney both started off at home experimenting with clay  , pens and a camera. \n Question: A director knows the purpose of each step of the work, but  _   . \n Options: (A) he needn't tell others about that (B) other members just follow his orders (C) he must have it known and well understood by others (D) others may have their own ideas and special ways of working", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}125{"query": "Article: It is not a secret that these are _ times that put everyone on edge all the time and it makes people angry with their families, co-workers, friends and relatives, frustrated  and highly annoyed just for the noise of the neighbors or the music coming from the opposite house. Anger and negative energy have a strong influence on everyone's life, even when they don't realize it. Being in a calm state of mind is simply wonderful. Results of this can be seen when parents no longer shout at their children over any small thing and when one can keep him cool when bad things happen and doesn't let the situation become worse by his negative influence. Also results can be seen on a larger scale. In 1993 a very interesting scientific experiment called The US Transcendental Meditation experiment was conducted in Washington. A company called TM got 4,000 calm and relaxed people to simply sit and meditate   in a central Washington convention center. The results of this experiment showed that during those particular 8 weeks, violent crimes, such as murder, rape, assaults, clearly decreased by as much as 23%. This is evident proof that meditation can change the state of mind, bring back peace of mind and collective meditation is contagious  , just as anything done collectively is contagious. For example, a person has the urge to become aggressive (while in normal circumstances that person is very calm and normal), just because he is sitting at a stadium watching a football game and everyone around is shouting and is aggressive. Isn't increasing the quality of life worth spending 20 minutes of time on meditation? Yes, very few people follow through with a meditation method that should be a joy to do. Many start and leave it after only a few sessions. So if collective meditation has proven that meditation works, that it calms people down and that it brings their levels of stress down, why not employ it in everyday life? \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Violent crimes are closely related to aggressive characters. (B) People are sometimes easily annoyed by small things. (C) Many people fail to carry out a meditation method. (D) Meditation can cure people of many illnesses.", "pos": "Article: When you were a child you had a pure mind which was free from worries and anxieties. However, as time goes by, you're faced with so many problems in life. Below are five techniques that can help you get relaxed. 1. Mind your own business. Yes, please mind your own business. When you start being concerned about things which are not related to you, you lose your control on your thought process, which often has negative results disturbing the mental peace. Basically, your mind starts wandering here and there. So next time an unnecessary thought comes to your mind, think whether this is really something you should be worrying for? If not, keep it away and focus on something positive, practical and fruitful. 2. Surround yourself with positive people.  _ negative comments and stay away from negative souls. When someone is negative, he spreads negativity and you get affected. Staying with such people will have long term influence on your character so think about your company. 3. Don't think about others too much. Remember: _ Don't allow your brain to compare yourself to others as this is an insult   to yourself. Don't be jealous; it's a heart killing disease, get rid of it as soon as possible. When you are jealous you focus on finding faults in others even if they don't have. This poisons your soul and steals the mental peace. 4. You can't keep everyone happy. Don't be oversensitive  . Be natural in what you do. Be positive and constructive in your deeds and then don't really care too much about others. Be aware, don't apply this to too closed relations. Develop trust to build up powerful relationships. 5. Don't believe yourself to be unlucky. Remember this: Bad luck happens to everyone. It's not your fault at all. Time, whether good or bad, passes quickly. Develop the power of not looking back into your past. Believe in the power of Now. Believe in your skills. Work hard and you will get what you have been entitled for. Be patient and see what has been planned for you. With these recommendations, I believe if you can make it, it's probable that you can bring changes in your lifestyle and get back your mental peace. \n Question: This passage is written for those who want to   _  . \n Options: (A) seek learning skills (B) find positive people as friends (C) make their mind pure (D) get mentally peaceful and relaxed", "neg": "Article: In meditation ,people sit quietly and focus their attention on their breath .As they breathe in and out ,they attend to their feelings .As thoughts go through their minds. They let _ go. Breathe .Let go .Breathe .Let go . According to a recent study at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre,Massachusetts. Three months of training in this kind of meditation causes a market change in how the brain allocates  attention. It appears that the ability to let go thoughts that come into mind frees the brain to attend to more rapidly changing things and events in the outside world. Expert mediators are better than other people at catching such fast-changing stimuli( ),like facial expressions. The study provides evidence for changes in the workings of the brain with mental training. People can learn and improve abilities of all sorts with practice, everything from driving to playing the piano. The study has shown that meditation is good for the brain. It appears to reduce pressure and promote a sense of well-being. In an experiment, 17 volunteers with no meditation experience in the experimental group spent three months meditating 10 to 12 hours a day .A control group also with no meditation experience meditated for 20 minutes a day over the same period .Both groups were then given the tests with two numbers in a group of letters. As both group looked for the numbers , their brain activity was recorded. Everyone could catch the first number .But the brain recordings showed that the less experienced mediators tended to grasp the first number and hang onto it, so they missed the second number .Those with more experience gave less attention to the first number .as if letting it go ,which led to an increased ability to grasp the second number ,This shows that attention can change with practice. Just ask Daniel Levision , who meditated for three months as part of the study .\"I am a much better listener,\" he said . \" I do not get lost in my own personal reaction to what people are saying.\" \n Question: Meditations manage their daily tasks better because they     _    . \n Options: (A) are given less pressure (B) allocate their attention better (C) have more stimuli for life (D) practice them more frequently", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}126{"query": "Article: Hi, everybody! Welcome to our newly-opened Richards Cinema Bookstore! Now let me introduce to you some of the new film books in our store. Are you Chinese film fans? OK, here comes the latest 25 New Takes about Chinese films. It is a collection of 25 fresh readings of different Chinese films from the 1930s to the present. In recent years, Chinese films are very popular in the States, such as Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon, Hero, and Flowers of Shanghai. Do you like French films? Well, here is The French Cinema Book. It covers French films from the 1890s to the beginning of the 21st century. It is written for all lovers of French cinema: students and teachers, specialists and fans, and so on. Maybe you are Indian film fans and star-chasers. Then here is Encyclopedia  of Indian Cinema. The book is complete introduction to all the best Indian films. It also offers a full list of names of the famous and successful film stars in the past ten years. You know, the Indian film industry is the largest in the world after our Hollywood. If you like British films, we have The British Cinema Book. It is a good review of British cinema. This book contains a good many nice pictures. In our bookstore, you can also find books about Mexican, Japanese, Australian, German and Italian films. Well, please help yourselves to some coffee or tea, and have a good time here! \n Question: The speaker of the passage is most probably   _  . \n Options: (A) the author of 25 New Takes (B) a tourist in the cinema bookstore (C) the manager of the cinema bookstore (D) a reader of Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema", "pos": "Article: It's summer movie time again. Check out our list of four films. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Release Date: November 4 Story: It's the summer before Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A dangerous murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped from the Wizards' Prison. And he was ordered to kill Harry Potter. Around the World in 80 Days Release Date: November 16 Story: This version of the classic novel set in 1872 focuses on Passepartout ( Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan), a Chinese thief who seeks refuge   with a strange London adventurer, Phileas Fogg. Passepartout uses his martial art skills to defend Fogg from danger as he travels around the world in 80 days. Spider-Man 2 Release Date: November 30 Story: Peter Parker is still coming to accept his dual identity   as the crime superhero Spider-Man. He wants to reveal his secret identity to Mary Jane, meanwhile, his Aunt May is in trouble. This is Dr Otto Octavius who has appeared to bring her a lot of troubles. King Arthur Release Date: November 7 Story: King Arthur is presented as a clever ruler who manages to unite all the knights in Britain. Under the guidance of Merlin and the beautiful, brave Guinevere, Arthur will struggle to realize his dreams. \n Question: When can you see the film acted by Jackie Chan? \n Options: (A) November 4. (B) November 30. (C) November 16. (D) November 7.", "neg": "Article: Read the following reviews for movies that are showing at the moment. And then answer questions. Happiness(Romance)  Happinesstells the story of two people (Lisa Turbot and Danny Roy) who work for different advertising companies. They talk on the phone all the time and don't like each other. But then they _ by e-mail and fall in love. This movie will be very popular with teenagers and people who like romances. It also has beautiful music. I Scream(Thriller)  InI Scream, Paul (Colin Jacks) is a young man who joins a thriller club. Each of the members tries to frighten the others. Paul is told to stay in an old house for the night. Everyone who has tried to stay in the house before has died. This movie is very frightening but also quite silly. It doesn't make sense for Paul to stay in the house when things start to go wrong. Only for people who like thrillers. Paul's Heroes(Comedy)  This is a very funny war movie set in World War Two. Six soldiers (including Sammy Turblow) have to get to Italy to take secret messages to the American army there. During the movie, they dressup as women and fight with Italian workers. You can guess the ending, but it's great fun getting there.  _  (Drama)  This is a very good drama with Jack Ross, who plays a hard-working truck driver. His wife becomes ill and he has to find a doctor who can help her. In his travels he meets Dr. Lloyd (Phil Driver) who has found the cure for the illness, but Jack Ross has only twelve hours to get the medicine back to his wife on the other side of America. This is an excellent movie, which is very exciting. \n Question: Which of the four movies is the least popular with people? \n Options: (A) The 1st one. (B) The 2nd one. (C) The 3rd one. (D) The 4th one.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}127{"query": "Article: Give it five minutes I used to be a hothead. Whenever anyone said anything, I'd think of a way to disagree. I'd push back hard if something didn't fit my world-view. It's like I had to be first with an opinion -- as if being first meant something. But what it really meant was that I wasn't thinking hard enough about the problem. The faster you react, the less you think. Not always, but often. This came to a head back in 2007. I was speaking at the Business Innovation Factory conference in Providence, RI. So was Richard Saul Wurman. After my talk Richard came up to introduce himself and compliment my talk. That was very generous of him. He certainly didn't have to do that. And what did I do? I pushed back at him about the talk he gave. While he was making his points on stage, I was taking an inventory of the things I didn't agree with. And when presented with an opportunity to speak with him, I quickly pushed back at some of his ideas. I must have seemed like such an asshole. His response changed my life. It was a simple thing. He said \"Man, give it five minutes.\" I asked him what he meant by that? He said, it's fine to disagree, it's fine to push back, it's great to have strong opinions and beliefs, but give my ideas some time to set in before you're sure you want to argue against them. \"Five minutes\" represented \"think\", not react. He was totally right. I came into the discussion looking to prove something, not learn something. This was a big moment for me. Richard has spent his career thinking about these problems. He's given it 30 years. And I gave it just a few minutes. Now, certainly he can be wrong and I could be right, but it's better to think deeply about something first before being so certain you're right. There's also a difference between asking questions and pushing back. Pushing back means you already think you know. Asking questions means you want to know. Ask more questions. Learning to think first rather than react quick is a life-long pursuit. It's tough. I still get hot sometimes when I shouldn't. But I'm really enjoying all the benefits of getting better. If you aren't sure why this is important, think about this quote from Jonathan Ive regarding Steve Jobs' reverence(respect) for ideas: And just as Steve loved ideas, and loved making stuff, he treated the process of creativity with a rare and a wonderful reverence. You see, I think he better than anyone understood that while ideas ultimately can be so powerful, they begin as fragile, barely formed thoughts, so easily missed, so easily compromised, so easily just squished. That's deep. Ideas are fragile. They often start powerless. They're barely there, so easy to ignore or skip or miss. There are two things in this world that take no skill: 1. Spending other people's money and 2. Dismissing an idea. Dismissing an idea is so easy because it doesn't involve any work. You can scoff at it. You can ignore it. You can puff some smoke at it. That's easy. The hard thing to do is protect it, think about it, let it marinate, explore it, riff on it, and try it. The right idea could start out life as the wrong idea. So next time you hear something, or someone, talk about an idea, pitch an idea, or suggest an idea, give it five minutes. Think about it a little bit before pushing back, before saying it's too hard or it's too much work. Those things may be true, but there may be another truth in there too: It may be worth it. \n Question: What did the author do while Richard was talking in the business conference? \n Options: (A) He kept notes for things that he did not agree with. (B) He pushed Richard and beat him. (C) He was preparing for his own speech. (D) He was getting ready to compliment him.", "pos": "Article: When someone gives you advice, listen without judgment, try to find value in what you're hearing, and say: \"Thank you\". This wise advice is easy to understand yet hard to practice. I'll give you an example from my life when I totally  _ in terms of practicing what I teach.   In my work I travel constantly. I always put off going to the airport until the last second. My wife, Lyda, was sitting next to me in the front seat. I was racing along and not paying much attention. Lyda cried out: \"Look out! There is a red light up ahead. \"   Being a trained behavioral science professional--who teaches others the value of encouraging advice--I naturally screamed at her: \"I know there is a red light up ahead! Don't you think I can see?\" When we arrived at the airport, Lyda didn't speak to me. I wondered why she seemed mad at me.   During the flight to prefix = st1 /New York, I did a cost-benefit analysis. I asked myself: \"What was the cost of just listening when Lyda called out the warning? Zero.\" I then reasoned: \"What was the potential benefit? What could have been saved?\" Several potential benefits came to mind, including her life, my life, and the lives of other people.   I landed in New Yorkfeeling ashamed of myself. I immediately called Lyda and told her my cost-benefit story. I convinced her: \"The next time you help me with my driving, I am just going to say, 'Thank you.'\"   A few months passed, and I had long forgotten the incident. Again, I was racing off to the airport, when Lyda cried out: \"Look out for the red light!\" I was embarrassed, and then shouted: \"Thank you!\"   I'm a long way from perfect, but I'm getting better. My suggestion is that you get in the habit of asking the important people in your life how you can do things better. And be ready for an answer. Some people may tell you things like \"Look out for the red light.\" When this happens, remember that there is possibly some potential benefit. Then just say: \"Thank you.\" \n Question: What do we know about the author? \n Options: (A) He is expert at behavioral science. (B) He is gifted in cost-benefit analysis. (C) He seldom takes his wife's advice. (D) He often runs the red traffic light.", "neg": "Article: When you are at odds with someone close to you, the One-Minute Drill can show you how to express your feelings effectively - and how to listen more skillfully. All it requires is two individuals who are committed to improving their relationship. Set aside at least ten minutes, and then sit facing each other. Decide who will be the Talker and who will be the Listener. It makes no difference, because later you will change roles. How to perform the One-Minute Drill For approximately 30 seconds, the Talker can say anything he or she wants. Your job will be to express your thoughts and feelings. You can discuss problems you've had a hard time talking about. Remember to limit yourself to about 30 seconds. When the Talker finishes, the Listener will summarize what the Talker just said, as well as how the Talker was feeling inside, as accurately as possible. The Talker now gives the Listener a grade between 0 and 100 per cent to indicate how accurate the summary was. If the rating is 95 per cent or more, you can change roles; the new Talker can continue with the same topic or move on to something entirely new. However, if the grade is below 95 per cent, the Talker should point out what the Listener missed or got wrong, and repeat the process until the overall rating is 95 per cent or more. Then you can change roles and repeat the exercise for as long as you both like. How it works Thirty seconds of emotionally charged information is sufficiently challenging for anyone. Express your feelings in strong, clear, direct language, but as your partner will be listening attentively, you won't need to shout, exaggerate or put your partner down. The Listener should sit and listen respectfully without interrupting. Look into your partner's eyes, but avoid using negative body language. If you like, take a few notes. So the Talker might say: \"When I come home from work, I feel tired and I need some quiet time. But you tell me I'm supposed to spend time with the kids. This makes me feel frustrated. I work hard and I'm exhausted at the end of the day. I feel like I deserve a little time to relax, not listen to more demands.\" In response, the Listener might summarize like this: \"You just told me that you feel exhausted when you come home at night because you've been working hard all day. When I tell you I want you to spend time with the kids, you feel frustrated and _ because you're tired and you need time to relax. You see me as very demanding, and you're probably feeling like I don't appreciate you.\" The first time you attempt the One-Minute Drill, you may get a low score. Don't worry, because you'll get up to speed quickly. Once you've tried this exercise a few times, you'll find that you can nearly always get ratings of 95 per cent or better on the first or second try. \n Question: Who is the One-Minute Drill intended for? \n Options: (A) Those who are to act some roles in a certain play for the first time in their life. (B) Those who are preparing for the interview in order to make a good first impression. (C) Those who have difficulty communicating with their colleagues or family members. (D) Those who have troubled relationships with their friends or family members and try to improve them.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}128{"query": "Article: Job advertising on the web Register a new account Log in to an existing account Promote your casual work, graduate or internship ,opportunity with an advertisement on the Careers Centre database free of charge. Your advertisement will be viewable to all university of Sydney students and appear in 'Job Alert' - a daily email to subscribing students. You can also target alumni (up to five years after graduation) - advertise on our database and it will be visible at AlumniOnline. If you advertise through the Careers Centre you will need to agree to our advertising terms and conditions. Unpaid work We are unable to advertise unpaid internship work experience or volunteer positions unless: the position fulfills part of a University curriculum and has faculty approval, or it is a volunteer position with a registered not-for-profit organisation. Our unpaid and volunteering work info brochure has essential information for employers wishing to offer unpaid work including alternative suggestions. You can also contact the Careers Centre for assistance. Submit an advertisement To upload your job advertisement: log in to the Careers Centre employer database - if you don't have a username you'll need to request a new account click 'job ads' and fill out the form agree to our advertising terms and conditions submit your advertisement for review by the Careers Centre. Advertisements are displayed for a maximum of two months. If your position is filled before your registered deadline please log in to the database and withdraw your ad. What to include in your advertisement We've found there is generally a better response to advertisements that are clear and informative. The following information is important to include: job title and description of duties skills and/or experience required hours worked, and flexibility with regard to study/exam timetables location of the work pay rate/basis of payment - visit the Fair Work online website for pay rates and other employment conditions, or call their help line on 131394 how to apply and close date for applications your contact details, including email address and phone number for Careers Centre staff (these do not appear with the job advertisement, however they are required for office purposes should we need to contact you). Cost It is free to advertise on our jobs database. Related services For greater promotion of your opportunities, consider: sending a targeted email-out to the students you wish to recruit( ) booking a booth at a careers fair if you are promoting a graduate or internship program. Contact us For help submitting an advertisement or more information, contact the Industry Development Team: P (02) 8627 8408 E careers.administration@sydney.edu.aucareers.administration[at]sydney.edu.au. \n Question: What kind of people is the passage intended for? \n Options: (A) people recruiting employers (B) members in the Careers Centre (C) job-hunters in university of Sydney (D) undergraduates who need to improve the ability to study and work", "pos": "Article: A program in our college helps you work part-time to ease your pressure from costs. If you need more money to cover all of your education-related costs, this program may be fit for you. Advantages Work experience: Last year, more than 1,400 positions were available across all departments. The jobs wary from one department to the next, and in most cases, participants find a position in their chosen field. Money: During the regular academic year(September to April), you can work party-time and earn $3,200---sometimes more---while you take courses! During the summer time, you work full-time and can earn around $6,000 over 18 weeks. Easy access: Applying for the program is easy. There is no need for face-to-face interview. All the forms you need are online; just fill in the forms and email us; we accept no letter or phone application! Did you know? At the University of Ottawa, it is not necessary to receive government assistance to qualify for our Work-Study Program. _  You could have one of these great Work-Study jobs: *Student ambassador *Computing and network technician *Marketing assistant *Sports team manager *Researcher/translator/Writer And more! The admission Section receives and evaluates applications to undergraduate programs, in addition to answering applicants' questions. Phone: 613-562-5315  Toll-free: 1-877-868-8292(#5315) \n Question: What will you benefit from the program if accepted? \n Options: (A) You can make $ 3,200 in the academic year at least. (B) You will get $ 6,000 scholarship a year. (C) You can take courses free of charge. (D) You may get more academic scores.", "neg": "Article: To get the right job you need to be attractive to employers from the moment they first hear about you. We specialize in thoroughly preparing professional people for effective job searching. Our confidential   and professional service includes: l a personal interview with one of our qualified counselors; l advice and training in approaching employers; l all application letters prepared and professionally typed or you; l an individually-prepared CV that emphasizes your achievements; l training in interview techniques. Our service will ensure that employers put you on their short list and that you present yourself positively and effectively at the interview.  SUSANBRIGHT CVs: 891 New Oxford Street, London WC1TSJK 019978091 \n Question: This service_. \n Options: (A) searches jobs for people (B) gets right jobs for people (C) gets people ready for effective job hunting (D) introduces best jobs to people", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}129{"query": "Article: \"The days when the management in Western companies presented gold watches to long-serving employees to thank them for loyal service is now just a memory.\" says the Educational and Training Support Agency. This new development in the shape and movement of the workforce throughout Western businesses is partly a result of the way that layers of middle management are being removed, leaving more workers responsible for their own development. \"Having workers take responsibility for their own development might be dramatic, but it is now the rule,\" says the Educational and Training Support Agency. \"Today, not only are workers more mobile, they have to run to keep up with changes.\" says the Government-founded agency.\"It is no longer enough for a worker to gain a set of skills.Workers need the ability to react and get used to changes.\" This new system is also being pushed along by the way that industry is looking to its workers to renew their own skills.In the United States, some companies have contracts   which repair their employees to show regularly how they have their skills up to date. Contrary to this traditions of the past, employers in the West are now looking for _ as recruits, people who can develop their own continuing education beyond the school and university system.At the same time.businesses are developing the capacity for workers to take up autonomous learning on site in workplace, so that the skills and abilities of all workers in a business continue to improve and increase.\"This.of course,\" says business theory.\"will also improve the productivity   of the workers and therefore the profits of the company.\" \n Question: The management in western companies no longer presents gold watches to their employees because   _  . \n Options: (A) they are not loyal to companies (B) other rewards replace gold watches (C) the way prove to be a failure (D) serving a company for life is rare now", "pos": "Article: Last month the first baby-boomers turned 60. The enormous generation born between 1946 and 1964 is heading towards retirement. The coming \"demographic cliff\"  will see vast numbers of skilled workers disappear from the labor force. The workforce is ageing across the rich world. Within the EU the number of workers aged between 50 and 64 will increase by 25% over the next two decades, while those aged 20 -29 will decrease by 20%. Given that most societies have a tendency to retirement at around 65, companies have a problem of knowledge management, of making sure that the boomers do not leave before they have handed over their expertise along with the office keys and their e-mail address. If you look hard enough, you can find companies that have begun to adapt the workplace to older workers. The tools they use to achieve are flexible working, telecommuting, and so forth. Some companies spend \"a lot of time\" on the ergonomics  its factories, making jobs there less tiring. Likewise, for more than a decade, prefix = st1 /Toyota, has been unusually keen to employ older workers. IBM uses its alumni network to recruit retired people for particular projects. But such examples are unusual. A survey in America last month by Ernst & Young found that \"although America foresees a significant workforce shortage as boomers retire, it is not dealing with the issue . \" Why are firms not working harder to keep old employees? Mostly they are not hanging on to older workers the only way to cope with a falling supply of labor. The participation of developing countries in the world economy has increased the overall supply--whatever the local effect of demographics  in the rich countries. \n Question: According to the passage, the most serious consequence of baby-boomers approaching retirement would be   _  . \n Options: (A) a decrease in the number of 20 to 29 year-olds (B) a loss of knowledge and experience to many companies (C) a continuous increase in the number of 50 to 64 year-olds (D) its influence on the developed world whose workforce is ageing", "neg": "Article: A new era is upon us. Call it what you will: the service economy, the information age, the knowledge society. It has changed the way we work. Already we're partly there. The percentage of people who earn their living by making things has fallen dramatically in the Western World. Today the majority of jobs in America, Europe and Japan (two thirds or more in many of these countries) are in the service industry, and the number is on the rise. More women are in the work force than ever before. There are more part-time jobs. More people are self-employed. But the breadth   of the economic transformation can't be measured by numbers alone, because it also is giving rise to a basic new way of thinking about the nature of work itself. Long-held concepts about jobs and careers, the skills needed to succeed, even the relation between individuals and employers -- all these are being challenged. We have only to look behind us to get some sense of what may lie ahead. No one looking ahead 20 years possibly could have foreseen the ways in which a single invention, the chip  , would transform our world thanks to its applications in personal computers, digital communications and factory robots. Tomorrow's achievements in biotechnology, artificial intelligence or even some still unimagined technology could produce a similar wave of dramatic changes. But one thing is certain: information and knowledge will become even more important, and the people who possess it, whether they work in manufacturing   or services, will have the advantage and produce the wealth. Computer knowledge will become as basic a requirement as the ability to read and write. The ability to solve problems by applying information instead of performing routine tasks will be valued above all else. If you cast your mind ahead 10 years, information services will be predominant  . It will be the way you do your job. \n Question: One of the great changes caused by the knowledge society is that    _   . \n Options: (A) most people have to take part-time jobs (B) people have to change their jobs from time to time (C) people's traditional concepts about work are no longer completely true (D) the difference between the employee and the employer has become unimportant", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}130{"query": "Article: A rare butterfly has been discovered in Britain for the first time in 60 years,having moved from Eastern Europe.The only previous record of a wild yellow-legged Tortoiseshell in Britain was in 1953,when it was seen just once in Sevenoaks,Kent.Several weeks ago,there were already four confirmed sightings,along the East coast in Norfolk,Suffolk and Kent,and six further reports of the butterfly in coastal areas. Conservationists are very excited about the    sightings,which are rare in the butterfly world. The butterflies are thought to have flown on easterly winds across Europe in the last few weeks.The large and colourful insect mainly lives in Eastern Europe.In recent years,it has spread into Scandinavia and its number increases rapidly during warm weather.Also known as the Scarce Tortoiseshell,it has an orange and blue colour and is about one third bigger than our own Small Tortoiseshell. Butterfly Conservation was starting its annual Big Butterfly Count,a yearly survey of the butterflies across the nation.Sir David Attenborough,President of the charity,said,\"The UK is a nation of amateur naturalists and we have a proud tradition of celebrating and studying our wildlife.By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer,you can contribute to discovering the fantastic butterflies and other wildlife that share your garden,parks and    countryside.\"He added,\"Butterflies fought back last year after a terrible 2012 but despite this,butterfly numbers were still below average.Three quarters of the UK's butterflies are in decline and one third are in danger of dying out.This is bad news for the UK's birds,bees,bats and other wildlife. \n Question: These rare butterflies usually live in  _  . \n Options: (A) Eastern Europe (B) Norfolk,Suffolk and Kent (C) coastal areas (D) Sevenoaks,Kent", "pos": "Article: The butterfly Ecological Park, which opened early this May, is located in Dabao Village in Longfeng Township of Pengzhou City, some 65 kilometers to the north of Chengdu downtown. The park, covering an area of 67 hectares, is more famous for a variety of butterflies living in _ surroundings and houses a collection of some 30,000 butterfly species. An ideal site for parents and kids alike to enjoy the sight of \"the flying flowers\" and the ecological area. A great variety of butterflies live in China, and Sichan and Yunnan are rich in butterfly resources. At present, 702 species have been discovered in Sichuan, where the number of butterfly species equals to the total of Europe. In the Longmen Mountain of Pengzhou City alone, there are more than 500 species. The butterfly Ecological Park, a project of RMB200 million at the foot of the Longmen Mountain, is the natural habitat of butterflies. The park also has educational and cultural programs. The park has prepared many spring and summer activities for visitors, including a scientific exhibition about butterflies, a \"butterfly valley\" where visitors can have a close look at butterflies, even with them resting on the shoulders, and enjoy themselves in activities designed for children. Tourists can enjoy the splendid scenery of thousands of butterflies at the \"butterfly valley\" and appreciate more than 30,000 different kinds of butterfly species at the exhibition area. Classified as the only category I butterfly species the Wild Animal Protection Law in 1989 in China, the Golden Kaiserihind is the most expensive species living in \"butterfly valley\", with an estimated value of RMB10,000 each. \n Question: The author mentioned Europe in the essay to   _  ? \n Options: (A) stress that Sichuan has plenty of butterfly resources. (B) state that a large number of butterflies live in Europe. (C) tell readers that more than 500 species of butterflies live in Europe. (D) emphasize that Europe is less famous than the Longmen Mountain.", "neg": "Article: Experts believe that storms and severe weather in North America and Asia have disrupted bird flight paths across the world and swept huge numbers of bird species towards the British Isles. Birds flying to the other side of the Atlantic or to the Pacific to lay their eggs have been trapped in Britain and Ireland, adding their numbers to native species, and causing great excitement in the bird-watching community. Local birdwatchers have already observed a total of 442 species in the British Isles this year. The highest number ever seen in one year is 445, in 2008. \"We only need four more to break our record,\" said Lee Evans, who runs the British Birding Association. \"With three months to go I'm sure we'll do it.\" Last month an extremely rare Siberian Rubythroat bird was seen in Scotland, sending hundreds of birdwatchers north in the hope of catching a glimpse of this colourful Asian beauty. Another very uncommon bird, the bufflehead duck was cited in Cornwell and caused similar excitement. \"I couldn't believe it,\" said Evans. \"The poor thing was completely  _ . It must have been blown to England by the storms while trying to fly from Canada to the southern United States for the winter. That's 3000 miles!\" Evans said that global warming over the past decade was playing a key role in transforming bird movements across the world. In addition, melting Arctic sea ice may also be opening up bird flight paths over the North Pole, making it easier for birds from the Pacific -- such as the slaty-backed gull and tufted puffin, both of which appeared in London earlier this year -- to reach Britain. Bird-watching is becoming an increasingly popular hobby among all age groups, added Evans. \"A fifth of our members are under 18. This is a round-the-year hobby that you can enjoy from the kitchen window or from a car. More and more people are bird-watching, and as a result more and more unexpected species are being spotted in the British Isles.\" \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) The results of global warming. (B) Changes in the British bird population. (C) Increasing environmental pollution. (D) Worsening British weather.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}131{"query": "Article: Viruses come in an enormous number of shapes and forms.As we begin to understand them more,the hope is we might be able to control them better, says Carl Zimmer.And who knows,the day might come when we can treat them as friends not enemies. Science writer Carl Zimmer says that in his utopia there would be a global public health system with sophisticated drugs and vaccines to deal with any virus that could cause us trouble. Viruses are by far the most abundant life form on Earth.If you took all the stars in the universe and multiplied that number by a million,that's how many viruses we think are on the planet.     Zimmer thinks we should face the future with a mixture of optimism and preparing for the worse.He thinks we will face some unknown virus that will cause a lot of damage-history tells us that this is so.We do understand viruses a lot better now, and there is great hope that one day we'll be able to find a drug that c. an kill any virus.But this research is at a very preliminary stage,and it will be a number of years before we see whether this type of universal anti--viral drug could actually work. Viruses are very versatile and clever, and so there are things that they can do for us.Some scientists are using viruses as engineers to assemble solar panels, others are using viruses to manufacture proteins that could be used as drugs.So,maybe in the future we won't think of viruses as our enemies,but instead view them as our friends. \n Question: Science writer Carl Zimmer wishes that   _ \n Options: (A) a global health system could be set up to produce drugs (B) all the countries could produce drugs and vaccines for each other (C) all the countries could work together to cope with any trouble caused by viruses (D) complicated drugs and vaccines could be traded among countries", "pos": "Article: What are the biggest problems that society will have to deal with in the new age? There are diseases like AIDS and cancer. There's climate change, of course. And what about producing enough cheap food and energy for the world's growing population? Who's going to solve all these terrible problems? Yes, politicians and world leaders will have a big part to play. Yes, businesses will need to create the economic wealth to pay for some of these things. But who's going to make a much greater difference to something like AIDS or climate change? It's going to be a scientist. It is the scientist who can turn some new bit of science into a new technology to solve these problems. If you like thinking about the world around you, why not become a scientist? It doesn't mean you have to wear a white coat and plastic glasses and spend all your time in a lab as most people often imagine! Scientists do all kinds of amazing things that are actually interesting! Military scientists develop not only new weapons but new military technologies that could help make wars out of date. Forensic  scientists work with the police to find quite small clues to catch criminals. Scientists work in schools and colleges as the teachers and professors who will train tomorrow's scientists. Don't think a scientist is far away! Maybe you like cooking? You could be a food technologist helping to keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. Perhaps sport is your thing? Do you know that most top athletes work with sports scientists in order to improve their performance? You could even be the science writer who gets to spend the life studying the latest advances and sharing them with the world. Looking for something to do for the rest of your life? My advice? Take a long and hard look at science. It is interesting and ever. \n Question: What is needed to solve these problems? \n Options: (A) Advanced weapons. (B) Enough energy. (C) New technologies. (D) A growing population.", "neg": "Article: The immune system is the body's defender. It identifies, tracks down, and destroys troublemakers before they can hurt the body. Those troublemakers may be, for example, bacteria from a cut or splinter, a measles germ, a cold bug, or even a cancer cell.  These invaders try to take over our tissues and feed off our bodies' nutrients. If they succeed, we become sick or, sometimes, even die. It's the job of our immune systems to destroy these invaders before they destroy us. Say you picked up a flu virus last week. Perhaps it entered your body through a cut, from a drinking glass, or from the air you breathe. Of course, you didn't feel it, but the virus made its way into your bloodstream. As soon as it entered your body, it began to reproduce. Viruses have only one goal: to take over your cells. Once inside your body, viruses try to enter cells and disrupt their normal work. If left alone, these viruses would hurt so many cells that you would weaken, or worse, get a serious illness.  But this flu virus should not be so complacent as it seems to be. As it reproduces in your bloodstream, the virus is met by a certain kind of white blood cell, the lymphocytes. The  _ are the foot soldiers that keep you alive.  The number of lymphocytes in your body is hard to imagine. Thousands of them could fit in the period at the end of this sentence. Your body holds about a trillion --that's 1,000,000,000,000 of them, or about 3,000 in every drop of blood.  _   Some of these lymphocytes pass through a small walnut-sized organ called the thymus. The thymus is the base of the neck. Here, special hormones turn lymphocytes into fighting cells, called T cells. T cells have one terrific talent: They can tell the difference between friend and foe; what should be in our bodies and what shouldn't. They do not affect the body 's healthy cells. Yet they attack everything that is foreign to our bodies, such as germs, transplants, and even our own cells which have become abnormal, as in the case of cancer. \n Question: What is the function of our immune system? \n Options: (A) To prevent bacteria or germs from entering the body. (B) To destroy the troublemakers in order that they might not hurt the body. (C) To fight against T cells. (D) To take over our tissues and feed off our bodies' nutrients.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}132{"query": "Article: Struggling in the US? Move to China! I graduated from the university with a degree of civil engineering. It is a good field but my heart was not in it. I wanted to be an actor or work in the entertainment industry...living a creative life. My choice of civil engineering was really a mistake but I realized too late. As soon as I graduated, I moved straight to Los Angeles--the home of the film and television industry! For three years, I tried to get a job in that field. I often worked as an extra in movies and TV shows--standing in the background while actors are in the foreground. This was fun for a while, but I wanted a real acting job, where I was speaking! Sadly, in Los Angeles, there is too much competition. Every race and age is represented: old, young, black, white, Asian and thousands of blondish-red haired Midwestern types like me. Being an extra couldn't make enough money for me to live in Los Angeles. I had to do something else for money. After three years of trying, I gave up my dream of being an actor and started a different career. I then tried network-marketing, but in the end, that failed. Seven years after graduating college, I was still in debt, still searching for a satisfactory life. I decided to go back to civil engineering. However, I was starting to get very disappointed with my life. Why is life not like what I expected? I expected to have made a lot of money, gotten married, with a house and nice cars, kids, time freedom, etc.  _ I want my life to be different, more satisfactory, more alive. America was not providing that for me... In addition, America was too expensive--always worrying about money was a headache. I wanted a life filled with adventure, romance, friendships, successes, and dreams realized. ... I decided to move to China. \n Question: How can we describe the writer's attitude toward life? \n Options: (A) Practical (B) Passive (C) Disappointed (D) Positive", "pos": "Article: To Chinese immigrants, in the mid-1800s, California was \"The Land of the Golden Mountain.\" In their homeland they had heard the words, \"There's gold in California.\" They sailed 7,000miles to join the gold rush and strike it rich. Between 1849 and 1882, more than 30,000 Chinese came to California. Most were men. They had been farmers in China. They came here to be miners and laborers. They ended up doing many other jobs, too. Like many other immigrants, they did not plan to stay in America. They came because of their ties to their homeland and their families. They planned to return to China with their fortunes and help their families. Only a few Chinese gold miners struck it rich. Most picked over the areas that had been mined already. But still, white miners _ the Chinese. Slowly, they drove the \"yellow peril\" from the mining camps. By the end of the 1850s, many Chinese returned home. Those who stayed found other jobs. Few women had come west in the gold rush. The Chinese saw a good business opportunity. They began doing the jobs women would have done. Many became house servants. Many more opened laundries. The Chinese opened restaurants. Chop suey and show mein are popular Chinese-American dishes. The Chinese probably created these dishes to serve to the white miners. Other Chinese became fishermen, farmers, and even cigar makers. \n Question: Why did Chinese go to America in the mid-1800s? \n Options: (A) Because they could find good jobs there. (B) Because they had found gold there. (C) Because they could open laundries and restaurants there. (D) Because they heard there was gold there.", "neg": "Article: The life of an actor appears attractive and many young people dream about becoming one. But the truth is, it is very hard work. If you're successful, there are deadlines to be met, appointments to keep and the press to deal with. If you're not successful, then life is extremely tough. I remember when I started out, I had to search the advertisement board at my drama school every day to look for acting jobs. Drama school was expensive and I needed extra cash to help pay the fees. I welcomed every small job. I played extras in many crowd scenes and became a confident participant in a lot of TV commercials for hair shampoo, soap and washing powder. I had been working for about two years before I got my lucky break. One day, as I was passing the drama school, I decided to go in to check the notice board. There was nothing on it and I was just leaving when the secretary came along the corridor with a piece of paper. She asked me how I was and I told her life was hard and work was difficult to find. The next moment, she put the paper in my hand and walked away. My hands were shaking as I unfolded the paper, full of expectation. To my surprise, it was an audition   for a clown for the Canadian circus. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I had expected an audition with a famous director for a new film! When I was at drama school, there had been a course in acrobatics and clown tricks. I had gained top marks in this course for originality and daring. Later I went to the audition feeling very strange. This was not what I'd had in mind when I enrolled in drama school. To my surprise, the job as a clown turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I loved every moment of getting dressed up and putting on the make-up. I had the opportunity to travel the world and I was more than an actor, I was an entertainer as well. I had visited over 32 different countries and entertained millions of people. \n Question: Which of the following can best describe the author's feeling when he unfolded the paper? \n Options: (A) Extremely frightened. (B) Feeling anxious and excited. (C) Very worried. (D) Trembling with fear.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}133{"query": "Article: What does it mean to say that we live in a world of persuasion? It means that we live among competing interests. Your roommate's need to study for an exam may take priority   over pizza. Your instructor may have good reasons not to change your grade. In such a world, persuasion is the art of getting others to give fair and favorable consideration to our points of view. When we persuade, we want to influence how others believe and behave. We may not always _ -- other points of view may be more persuasive, depending on the listener, the situation, and the merit of the case. But when we practice the art of persuasion, we try to ensure that our position receives the attention it deserves. Some people, however, object to the very idea of persuasion. They may regard it as an unwelcome interruption into their lives. Just the opposite, we believe that persuasion is unavoidable -- to live is to persuade. Persuasion may be ethical   or unethical, selfless or selfish, inspiring or degrading. Persuaders may enlighten our minds or get our vulnerability . Ethical persuasion, however, calls on sound reasoning and is sensitive to the feelings and needs of listeners. Such persuasion can help us apply the wisdom of the past to the decisions we now must make. Therefore, the most basic part of education is learning to resist the one kind of persuasion and to encourage and practice the other. Beyond its personal importance to us, persuasion is necessary to society. The right to persuade and be persuaded is the bedrock of the American political system, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution  . \n Question: According to the passage, persuasion means   _  . \n Options: (A) changing others' points of view (B) exercising power over other people (C) getting other people to consider your point of view (D) getting people to agree with you and do what you want", "pos": "Article: Who's in control of your life? Who is pulling your string? For the majority of us, it's other people - society, colleagues, friends, family or our religious community. We learned this way of operating when we were very young, of course.We were brainwashed.We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us.As Oscar Wilde puts it,\"Most people are other people.Their thoughts are someone else's opinions,their lives a mimicry ,their passions a quotation.\" So when people tell us how wonderful we are,it makes us feel good.We long for this good feeling like a drug--we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can.Therefore,we are so eager for the approval of others that we live unhappy and limited lives,failing to do the things we really want to.Just as drug addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix ,we worsen our own existence to get our own constant fix of approval. But just as with any drug,there is a price to pay.The price of the approval drug is freedom--the freedom to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot control what other people think.People have their own schedule,and they come with their own baggage and,in the end,they're more interested in themselves than in you.Furthermore,if we try to live by the opinions of others,we will build our life on sinking sand.Everyone has a different way of thinking,and people change their opinions all the time.The person who tries to please everyone will only end up getting exhausted and probably pleasing no one in the process. So how can we take back control? I think there's only one way--make a conscious decision to stop caring what other people think.We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values--not values imposed   from the outside by others,but inborn values which come from within.If we are driven by these values and not by the changing opinions and value systems of others,we will live a more authentic,effective,purposeful and happy life. \n Question: What Oscar Wilde says implies that    _    . \n Options: (A) we have thoughts similar to those of others (B) other people's thoughts are more important (C) most people's thoughts are controlled by others (D) most people have a variety of thoughts", "neg": "Article: Clearly if we are to participate in the society in which we live, we must communicate with other people. A great deal of communicating is performed on a person-to-person basis by the simple means of speech. If we travel in buses, buy things in shops, or eat in restaurants, we are likely to have conversations where we give information or opinions, receive news or comment, and very likely to have our views challenged by other members of society. Face to face contact is by no means the only form of communication and during the last two hundred years the art of mass communication has become one of the dominating factors of contemporary society. Two things, above others, have caused the enormous growth of the communication industry. Firstly, inventiveness has led to advanced imprinting, telecommunications photography, radio and television. Secondly, speed has revolutionized the transmission   and reception of communications so that local news often takes a back seat to national news, which itself is often almost eclipsed( ) by international news. No longer is the possession of information confined to  a privileged minority. In the last century the wealthy man with his own library was indeed fortunate, but today there are public libraries. For years ago people used to flock to the cinema, but now far more people sit at home and turn on the TV to watch a programme that is being channeled into millions of homes. Communication is no longer merely concerned with the transmission of information. The modem communication industry influences the way people live in society and broadens their horizons by allowing access to information, education and entertainment. The printing, broadcasting and advertising industries are all involved with informing, educating and entertaining. Although a great deal of the material communicated by the mass media is very valuable to the individual and to the society of which he is part, the vast modem network of communications is open to abuse . However, the mass media are with us for better, for worse, and there is no turning back. \n Question: It is implied in the passage that  _  . \n Options: (A) local news used to be the only source of information (B) local news still takes a significant place (C) national news is becoming more popular (D) international news is the fastest transmitted news", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}134{"query": "Article: School is out for the summer in some areas, and for many children, that means weeks of sleeping in late, trips to the swimming pool or hours spent in front of the TV. These months of inactivity--- away from the daily tiring things of school--- are something that young people look forward to, but it can have a detrimental influence on the knowledge they have. Studies have shown that children lose a lot in math skills during the summer months. Children who spend little time learning experience a much greater amount of learning loss than those who often take part in summer programs. So when school starts again in the fall, teachers often have to spend several weeks reteaching children material that they have forgotten. Experts suggest that parents make sure the summer months are a time of continued learning. For example, they suggest that lunch time is good time to improve a child's spoken skills, simply through conversation. A trip to the supermarket can be an opportunity to improve a child's math skills by having him or her add up the cost of food. And there is no better way to prevent learning loss than by having a child read every day. Fortunately, there are many programs that can help parents. The best place to start is at your local library. Most libraries have summer reading programs that are filled with fun activities. A. strong musical education also improves learning. Find out summer music camps in your area. We think that children should have fun during the summer break, but it should not be a vacation from learning. We strongly suggest parents should take advantage of the many educational opportunities available for their children during the coming weeks. \n Question: Children lose a lot in learning in the summer break because they_. \n Options: (A) do homework before the TV (B) stay up late at night (C) visit the swimming pool (D) spend little time learning", "pos": "Article: In many countries, schools have long summer holidays, with shorter holidays in between.However, a new report suggests shortening school holidays to stop children forgetting what they have learnt during the long summer break.Instead of three school terms, it says, there should be five eight-week terms.And there should be just four weeks off in the summer, with a two-week break between the other terms. Sonia Montero has two children at primary school and works full-time.She supports the idea.\"The kids,\" she says, \" have much longer holidays then and I can't afford to take several weeks off work, so I need someone to take care of them.But nobody wants the work in the summer holidays -- they all have holidays of their own. Not surprisingly, some young people disagree.Student Jason Panos says , \"It's a stupid idea.I would hate staying at school in the summer.It's unfair, too.The people who suggest this had long school holidays when they were young, but now they want to stop us enjoying the summer.The kids in Spain and American have much longer holidays than here, but they don't forget everything they've learnt in a few months.\" Nadia Salib agrees.\"Sure,\" she says, \"the first week at school after the summer is never easy, but you soon get back into it.The real problem round here is that kids get bored after so many weeks out of school, and then some of them start causing trouble.But the answer is to give them something to do, not make everyone stay in school longer.\" \n Question: Why is Sonia in support of shorter school holidays? \n Options: (A) She doesn't get any summer holidays in her jobs. (B) She is worried that her children will forget what they've learnt. (C) She can't afford to pay someone to look after her children. (D) She can't get anyone to look after her children in summer.", "neg": "Article: As summer comes near, many children are really happy to forget about school for a few months. However, they might be taking that goal too seriously. Studies have found that children often forget between one and three months' worth of school learning during the summer months. Spelling and math abilities drop off the most, while reading is not really influenced by the time off. The main reason for this is because most children sometimes read outside of the classroom, whether newspapers, magazines, books, or video game guides. However, their math and spelling skills only get exercised in the school setting. The first purpose of summer holidays was to let farm children have time off to help work in the fields during the growing season, but this reason is no longer a good one since fewer kids actually work on farms today. Some cities in the United States, such as Los Angeles, have moved to a year-round school timetable, which may help reduce the loss of school skills that happens during the long summer holiday. To improve skills and to keep a good level of preparation, headmasters suggest trips to museums, summer camps, holidays with educational value, and visits to libraries to keep kids interested throughout the summer. There are other educational systems that provide holidays while still keeping students' skills up to date. For example, in Japan, students attend class for seven weeks in a row, followed by two weeks of holiday. This continues the whole year. In Italy, students attend class six days per week, but finish at 1: 30 pm each day, so that school does not run their life the way that it does in America, where students attend high school from 7: 45 am until 3: 00 pm each weekday. In areas where there are not enough classrooms--in Afghanistan or Somalia, for example--older students attend classes in the morning while the younger kids go to school in the afternoon. Headmasters fear that the three-month summer holiday stops the flow of learning. Just as students become used to new math problems or new ideas in reading, writing, or thinking skills, they \" _ \" during the summer holiday. When they go back to school after the long summer holiday, they take up to two months to return to their previous   level of skill. So the debate continues: whether to continue holidays or to make changes based on the Los Angeles or the Japanese models. \n Question: Which skills suffer the most over the summer holidays? \n Options: (A) Math and reading. (B) Math and spelling. (C) Reading and writing. (D) Reading and thinking.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}135{"query": "Article: There is no doubt about it.The best way to learn new words is to do it unconsciously.I don't mean while you're unconscious.I mean while you are unconscious of the fact that it is sinking in. That is how I learnt the 30,000 words in my vocabulary by living in an English-speaking world, mother tongue.I just pick them up.But some of _ may be misunderstood.Now, to misunderstand does not mean not to understand.To misunderstand is to understand but incorrectly. The 5 % mislearnt of all the words we \"know\" will be the least frequently used words, as the more frequently used words are less likely to be mislearnt.Some of the misunderstandings may live with all our lives, without knowing that we got them wrong. Many English teachers think that this natural method of learning words in one's own mother tongue can be used for a second language learning.They teach their students how to play the Guessing Game.\"There is no time to look up in your dictionaries all the new words you come across,\" they will say.\"You have to practise guessing what the word means from the context.\" This method of guessing in a second language learning does not work.It may succeed in many cases, but results in hundreds or thousands of wrongly-guessed meanings of words. And what's more, there are more separate meanings than there are words themselves.Our learners' dictionaries usually have many meanings.A good dictionary is what makes self-learning possible. Don't guess! Look it up! \n Question: It is certain that the best way to learn new words is   _  . \n Options: (A) to learn them by oneself (B) to learn by living in an English-speaking world and using them frequently (C) to guess them from the context (D) to get more separate meanings of each word", "pos": "Article: The average person learns most of the 30 000~40 000 words whose meanings he or she recognizes by hearing them or getting familiar with them in the context or simply absorbing them without conscious effort. The best way to build a good vocabulary, therefore, is to read a great deal and to participate in a lot of good talks. There are relatively few words that we learn permanently by purposefully referring to dictionaries or keeping word lists. However, even those extra few are of value, and no one will make a mistake by working on developing a larger vocabulary. Here are some suggestions of how to do it. Read plenty of good books. When you come across a new word, or a new meaning of an old word, stop and see if you can understand it from its context. If you can't, and if you can manage without interrupting the thought of the book too much, look it up in a dictionary or ask somebody and then repeat its meaning to yourself a couple of times. If you are really conscientious , write the word and its meaning in a personal vocabulary list - preferably using it in a sentence, or you can keep a special vocabulary notebook. Go over the list from time to time. Further, try to use a new word in writing or conversation a few times over the next several days. Listen to good talks and be alert to new words you hear or to new meanings of words you already know. Then treat them just as you treat the new words you read. Learn and be alert to the parts of words: prefixes, suffixes and roots. Knowing _ enables you to make intelligent guesses about the meanings of words. If you are studying a foreign language, be alert to words in that language which relate to words in English. English has inherited  or borrowed much of its vocabulary of 500 000~600 000 words from Latin, Greek, French, Spanish and German. \n Question: When you meet a new word in reading, what should you do? \n Options: (A) Guess its meaning. (B) Ask somebody. (C) Look it up in a dictionary. (D) All of the above.", "neg": "Article: No one knows how man learned to make words. Perhaps he began by making sounds like those made by animals. Perhaps he grunted like a pig when he lifted something heavy. Perhaps he made sounds like those he heard all round him--water splashing, bees humming, a stone falling to the ground. Somehow he learned to make words. As the centuries went by, he made more and more new words. This is what we mean by language.  People living in different countries made different kinds of words. Today there are about fifteen hundred different languages in the world. Each contains four or five hundred thousand words. But we do not need all these. Only a few thousand words are used in everyday life. The words you know are called your vocabulary  . You should try to make your vocabulary larger. Read as many books as you can. There are plenty of books written in easy language. Your dictionary is your most useful book. \n Question: What do we mean by language? \n Options: (A) Sounds made by man. (B) All the words made by man. (C) Different kinds of sound. (D) The way man learns.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}136{"query": "Article: Cutting global warming pollution would not only make the planet healthier, it would make people healthier too, new research suggested. Cutting carbon dioxide emissions could save millions of lives, mostly by reducing preventable deaths from heart and lung diseases, according to studies released Wednesday and published in a special issue of The Lancet, a British medical journal. \"Relying on fossil fuels leads to unhealthy lifestyles, increasing our chances of getting sick and in some cases takes years from our lives,\" US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a telecast briefing from her home state of Kansas. \"As greenhouse gas emissions go down, so do deaths from cardiovascular  and respiratory  diseases. This is not a small effect.\" Instead of looking at the health ills caused by future global warming, as past studies have done, this research looks at the immediate benefits of doing something about the problem, said Linda Birnbaum, director of the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Some possible benefits seemed highly speculative, the researchers conceded, based on people driving less and walking and cycling more. Other proposals studied were more concrete and achievable, such as reducing cook stoves that burn dung , charcoal and other polluting fuels in the developing world. And cutting carbon dioxide emissions also makes the air cleaner, reducing lung damage for millions of people, doctors said. \"Here are ways you can attack major health problems at the same time as dealing with climate change,\" said lead author Dr. Paul Wilkinson, an environmental epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Wilkinson said the individual studies came up with numbers of premature deaths prevented or extra years of life added for certain places. For example, switching to low-polluting cars in London and Delhi, India, would save 160 lost years of life in London and nearly 1,700 in Delhi for every million residents, one study found. But if people also drove less and walked or biked more, those extra saved years would soar to more than 7,300 years in London and 12,500 years in Delhi because of less heart disease. \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about?   _  . \n Options: (A) How can people live longer? (B) Cutting carbon dioxide emissions saves lives. (C) Global warming threatens people's lives. (D) People should stop relying on fossil fuels.", "pos": "Article: We already know the fastest,least expensive way to slow down climate change:use less energy.With a little effort,and not much money,most of us could reduce our energy diets by 25 percent or more--doing the Earth a favor while also helping our wallets. Not long ago,my wife,PJ,and I tried a new diet--not to lose a little weight but to answer an annoying question about climate change.Scientists have reported recently that the world is heating up even faster than predicted only a few years ago,and that the consequences could be severe if we don't keep reducing emission of carbon dioxide(CO2)and other greenhouse gases that are trapping heat in our atmosphere. We decided to try an experiment.For one month we recorded our personal emission of CO2.We wanted to see how much we could cut back,so we went on a strict diet.The average US household produces about 150 pounds of CO2a day by doing common things like turning on air conditioning or driving cars.That's more than twice the European average and almost five times the global average,mostly because Americans drive more and have bigger houses.But how much should we try to reduce? For an answer,I checked with Tim Flannery,author of The Weather Makers:How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth.In his book,he had challenged readers to make deep cuts in personal emission to keep the world from reaching extremely important _ ,such as the melting  of the ice sheets in Greenland or West Antarctica.\"To stay below that point,we need to reduce CO2emission by 80 percent,\"he said. Good advice,I thought.I'd opened our bedroom windows to let in the wind.We'd gotten so used to keeping our air-conditioning going around the clock.I'd almost forgotten the windows even opened.We should not let this happen again.It's time for us to change our habits if necessary. \n Question: Why did the author and his wife try a new diet? \n Options: (A) To take special kinds of food. (B) To respond to climate change. (C) To lose weight. (D) To improve their health.", "neg": "Article: As global warming continues to be a major concern for the future of our planet,people are starting to turn to green living practices to help save it for future generations.Green living involves every aspect of our daily life from driving to work to mowing our lawns. Making the switch to green living all at once might scare most people away from carrying out those earth-friendly changes.There are many ways to ease into this practice and still help save the earth's environment. Air pollution is a major problem for some cities.A lot of it comes from the factories, but that's not the only way contributing to global warming.Automobiles give off a fair amount of pollutant into the air.When you have a lot of cars driving around on the city streets, you're multiplying the amounts of pollutant being emitted by each car that's destroying our ozone .If you want to save the environment,you can start by either car pooling,walking more instead of driving or even purchasing hybrid models that don't do as much damage. Then let's take a look at your home.What kinds of bulbs are you using? The standard bulbs we use only contribute to higher electricity bills and more carbon dioxide.If you switch at least some of your standard bulbs with the compact fluorescent bulbs,you can save the environment while saving on your electric bill. Recycling is also an excellent way to save our environment.Try to buy as many products as you can that can be recycled.The less trash that has to be burned or buried into our soil,the better off our planet will be. These small changes may seem that they couldn't help much for the environment,but they can help tremendously.Every little bit we do is a much-needed step toward reserving natural resources for our future generations. \n Question: Most people will be frightened if_. \n Options: (A) they are asked to do something to save the environment (B) they can't drive to work any more (C) they are required to turn to green living completely at once (D) they are made to pay for the pollution they cause", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}137{"query": "Article: No one is sure how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids near Cairo. But a new study suggests they used a little rock'n'roll. Long-ago builders could have attached wooden poles to the stones and rolled them across the sand, the scientists say. \"Technically, I think what they're proposing is possible,\" physicist Daniel Bonn said. People have long puzzled over how the Egyptians moved such huge rocks. And there's no obvious answer. On average, each of the two million big stones weighed about as much as a large pickup truck. The Egyptians somehow moved the stone blocks to the pyramid site from about one kilometer away. The most popular view is that Egyptian workers slid the blocks along smooth paths. Many scientists suspect wokers first would have put the blocks on sleds . Then they would have dragged them along paths. To make the work easier, workers may have lubricated the paths either with wet clay or with the fat from cattle. Bonn has now tested this idea by building small sleds and dragging heavy objects over sand. Evidence from the sand supports this idea. Researchers found small amounts of fat, as well as a large amount of stone and the remains of paths. However , physicist Joseph West think there might have been a simpler way , who led the new study . West said , \"I was inspired while watching a television program showing how sleds might have helped with pyramid construction . I thought , \"Why don't they just try rolling the things ? \" A square could be turned into a rough sort of wheel by attaching wooden poles to its sides , he realized . That , he notes , should make a block of stone \"a lot easier to roll than a square\". So he tried _  He and his students tied some poles to each of four sides of a 30-kilogram stone block.That action turned the block into somewhat a wheel.Then they placed the block on the ground. They wrapped one end of a rope around the block and pulled.The researchers found they could easily roll the block along different kinds of paths.They calculated that rolling the block required about as much force as moving it along a slippery path. West hasn't tested his idea on larger blocks,but he thinks rolling has clear advantages over sliding.At least,workers wouldn't have needed to carry cattle fat or water to smooth the paths. \n Question: It's widely believed that the stone blocks were moved to the pyramid site by   _  . \n Options: (A) rolling them on roads (B) pushing them over the sand (C) dragging them on some poles (D) sliding them on smooth paths", "pos": "Article: Two sculptures of life-size lions, each weighing about 5 tons in ancient times, have been discovered in what is now Turkey. The discovery of the massive lions, along with other pieces such as a large stone basin about 7 feet in diameter, left the archaeologists with a mystery ----what were they intended for? A search of the surrounding area revealed no evidence of a Hittite settlement dating back to the time of the statues. Also, the steep size of the sculptures meant that the sculptors likely did not intend to move them very far. Summers assumes that, rather than being meant for a palace or a great city, the lions were being created for a monument to mark something else- water \"I think it's highly likely that that monument was going to be associated with one of the very abundant springs that are quite close,\" he said in the interview, \"There are good parallels   for association of Hittite sculptural traditions with water sources\" Indeed one well-known monument site, known as Eflatun Pnar, holds a sacred pool that \"is fed by a spring beneath the pool itself,\" write Yiit Erbil and Alice Mouton in an article that was published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies. The two researchers were writing about water religions in ancient Anatolia (Turkey). \"According to the Hittite cuneiform texts, water was seen as an effective purifying element,\" Erbil and Mouton write, \"used in the form of cleaning or even full baths during ritual performances, its cleaning power is self-evident.\" To the Hittites the natural world, springs included, was a place of great religious importance, one worthy of monuments with giant lions. \"These things (water sources) were sacred, just as their mountains were sacred,\" Summers said. \n Question: According to the text ,how did the two life-size lions impress the archaeologists? \n Options: (A) Very massive (B) Well-constructed (C) Unbelievable (D) Mysterious", "neg": "Article: Along with the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Sphinx  is one of the most studied ancient monument of mankind's history. The whole complex of Giza, composed of the Sphinx, the Great Pyramid, other pyramids, and distinct structures, definitely holds the key to understanding advanced past civilizations. In the examination of the mystery of the great Sphinx we run into a similar situation. The Egyptians wrote very little about the construction of the Sphinx. However, the Egyptians, Romans, and Arabs did write accounts concerning its numerous restorations, which will be discussed later in this article. In addition, it should be said that other cultures had their form of a Sphinx. For example, the Greek Sphinx was a female with a human head, breast, and the body of a feminine lion. Now there are basically two schools of thought on the origin, the age and the builder of the Sphinx in Egypt. The traditional view of Egyptologists is that Pharaoh Khafre of the Fourth Dynasty built the Sphinx along with the Great Pyramid around 2,500 BC. The evidence is that the face of the Sphinx is thought to look like Pharaoh Khafre. This theory makes the Sphinx about 5,000 years old according to Dr Zahi Hawass, director of Giza Saqqara of the Egyptian Antiquities Organization. The other school of thought doesn't believe that the Egyptians built the Sphinx, but thinks that it was built by an advanced civilization before the Egyptians. The Egyptians came later and built their tombs and temples along the sides of these great structures.   This school of thought has been around for hundreds of years, but new buildings give it more  _ . Recently, Graham Hancock , the author of the famous book Finger-prints of the Gods and some American scholars have presented certain evidence that challenges the traditional thought on the Sphinx. They present proofs that may cause a rethinking of the so-called fact used to determine who built the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza and for what purpose. Their proofs consist of basically two pieces of evidence astronomical  calculations of the stars and geological evidence that the erosion  of the Sphinx and other monuments of Giza was due to water rather than sand, wind or sunshine according to Robert Bauval's book  _ . It is this evidence that  has turned the Egyptologists' world upside down. \n Question: According to the traditional view of Egyptologists, the Sphinx was built by Pharaoh Khafre because   _  . \n Options: (A) the face of the Sphinx looks like Pharaoh Khafre. (B) the Great Pyramid was built by Pharaoh Khafre. (C) Pharaoh Khafre built his tomb beside the Sphinx. (D) Pharaoh Khafre left books showing he built the Sphinx.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}138{"query": "Article: To Whom It May Concern: prefix = st1 /Chengdu #7 High School is proud to send an Odyssey of the MindTeam to World Competition this year. They competed inShanghaifor the National Competition and were selected to go to World. The World Competition will be held at the University of Maryland in theUnited Statesat the end of May. Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition. Teams of up to seven students will solve a complex problem using innovative ideas and materials. They will be judged on originality in three separate categories. Odyssey of the Mind competitions emphasize team work and creative \"out of the box\" solutions.  The strength of this program is that the solutions are the work of the students only - neither coaches nor parents are allowed input. During the competition the students must work together as a team and think spontaneously and creatively. Chengdu #7 is a key High School in the fields of science and mathematics. This is the first time they have had an opportunity to attend the Odyssey of the MindWorld Competition. For the seven team members and three coaches (teachers) it will be the first time to visit theUnited States. It will cost each student approximately 20,000 RMB for the twelve-day trip. They have been working hard for this opportunity for a year. Traditionally businesses have supported Odyssey of the Mindbecause it produces students who can work as a team and solve problems creatively. We are asking your company for a donation to help defer the expenses for these deserving students. Please make out checks toChengdu#7 and specify Odyssey of the Mind. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated and will help us to continue to prepare our students for tomorrow's world.  Sincerely yours, Chengdu #7 High School  #1 Linyin St. Chengdu, 610041 \n Question: This passage is actually   _  . \n Options: (A) an application (B) a document (C) a website (D) a letter", "pos": "Article: JINTAN, JIANGSU: The 20 students -- 18 boys and 2 girls --had a thousand reasons to be proud of themselves. They had just climbed their way to the top rung out of 4 million students taking part in the Fifth National Hua Luogeng Gold Cup Mathematics Contest on Tuesday evening. The 20 gold medal winners are all primary and middle school students under the age of 14. 'Many of the problems are of college level and these pupils can _ them _ . It is just unbelievable!'said a teacher from Guangdong province. Named after China's most famous mathematician, Hua Luogeng, the contest started in 1986,one year after his death. In less than 10 years, it has been recognized by the State Education Commission  as the country's biggest and best contest of its kind. \n Question: This news story is mainly about  _   . \n Options: (A) when the contest started (B) how the contest got its name (C) the 20 pupils who have won gold medals in the contest (D) the 5th National Hua Luogeng Gold Cup Mathematics Contest", "neg": "Article: Hundreds of students from around the world gathered in New York City last week for the Microsoft Imagine Cup finals. They came to present their ideas for using technology to solve world problems. Microsoft education director Suzi Levine says the nine-year-old program began mainly as a competition to create technology. SUZI LEVINE: \"When we realized that students really actually want to have a purpose for what they're creating, we introduced the idea of inspiring them with the UN Millennium Development Goals and suggesting that they use those for their muse . \"This past year we also rolled out something called the Imagine Cup Solve This library , where IGOs, NGOs and nonprofits can submit some of the technical challenges that they would like students to consider for their solutions.\" Microsoft says over 350,000 high school and college students registered for this year's competition. Judges chose more than four hundred of them to attend the finals. SUZI LEVINE: \"One from Thailand was called NewKrean, where they created a Windows Phone 7 application that allows you to broadcast your location to your social network of friends so that you can be more easily rescued.\" They named their application Terra. Suzi Levine says there were also ideas from Egypt inspired by the revolution that _ president Hosni Mubarak in February. SUZI LEVINE: \"One was to use Bluetooth as sort of a Twitter equivalent so that if the government shuts down the Internet, you actually can still have a massive social distribution.\" Students competed in nine categories. For example, in software design the top prize of twenty-five thousand dollars went to Team Hermes from Ireland. The students developed a device for cars to collect information on road conditions, driving behavior and traffic incidents. A team from Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University won first place in the embedded  development category. They developed a network of wireless devices to help plot the safest escape routes during a fire. Next year's awards ceremony will take place in Australia. Registration for Imagine Cup twenty-twelve opened Friday. Also, Microsoft announced plans for a three million dollar program to help Imagine Cup winners further develop their projects. \n Question: Which of the following is true ? \n Options: (A) The program is sponsored by Microsoft. (B) Next year, the awards ceremony will be held in New York City. (C) Any high school or college student can attend the finals. (D) The initial purpose of the program is to solve world problems using technology.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}139{"query": "Article: Growing up in Philadelphia, Lieberman started cooking with his stay-at-home dad when he was seven. His food-loving family had two kitchens, and he quickly learned what was the best way to bake his cakes. Lieberman improved his kitchen skills during a year abroad beforo college, learning from a cook in Italy and study local specialties in Gerrnany, Spain and France. At Yale,he was known for throwing dinner parties, single-handedly frying and baking while mixing drinks for dozens offriends. Just for fun, he and some friends decided to tape a show named Campus Cuisine about his cooking. Lieberman  was a real  college student showing his classmate how to do things like making drinks out of dining-hall fruit. That helped the show become very popular among the students. They would stop Lieberman after classes to ask for his advice on cooking. Tapes of the show were passed around,with which his name went beyond the school and finally to the Food Network. Food Network producer Flay hopes the young cook will find a place on the network television. He says Lieberman's charisma is key.\"Food T-V isn't about food anymore.\" says Flay, \" It's about your personality and finding a way to keep people's eyeballs on your show.\" But Lieberman isn't putting all his eggs in one basket. After taping the first season of the new show, Lieberman was back in his own small kitchen preparing sandwiches. An airline company was looking for someone to come up with a tasteful, inexpensive and easy-to-make menu to serve on its flight. Lieberman got the job. \n Question: We can learn from the text that Lieberman's family  _  . \n Options: (A) have relatives in Europe (B) love cooking at home (C) often hold parties (D) own a restaurant", "pos": "Article: Growing in Philadelphia, Lieberman started cooking with his stay-at-home dad when he was seven. His food-loving family had two kitchens, and quickly learned what was the best way to bake his cakes. Lieberman improved his kitchen skills greatly during a year abroad before college, learning from a cook in Italy and studying local specialties in Germany, Spain and France. At Yale, he was known for throwing dinner parties, single-handedly frying and baking while mixing drinks for dozens of friends. Just for fun, he and some friends decided to tape a show named Campus Cuisineabout his cooking. Lieberman was a real college student showing his classmates how to do things like make drinks out of dining-hall fruit. That helped the show become very popular among the students. They would stop Lieberman after classes to ask for his advice on cooking. Tapes of the show were passed around, with which his name went beyond the school and finally to the Food Network.     Food Network producer Flay hopes the young cook will find a place on the network television. He says Lieberman's  _ is key.\"Food TV isn't about food anymore,\"says Flay.\"It's about your personality and finding a way to keep people's eyeballs on your show.\"     But Lieberman isn't putting all his eggs in one basket. After taping the first season of the new show, Lieberman was back in his own small kitchen preparing sandwiches. An airline company was looking for someone to come up with a tasteful, inexpensive and easy-to-make menu to serve on its flights. Lieberman got the job. \n Question: We can learn from the text that Lieberman's family   _  . \n Options: (A) have  s in Europe (B) love cooking at home (C) often hold parties (D) own a restaurant", "neg": "Article: If you think American cooking means opening a package and throwing the contents into the microwave oven  , think again. On the one hand, it's true that many Americans have cold cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and instant   dinners. From busy homemakers to working people, many Americans enjoy the convenience   of fast food that can be ready to serve in 10 minutes or less. On the other hand, many Americans realize the importance of cooking skills. Parents -- especially mothers -- see the importance of training their children -- especially daughters. Most Americans think that there's nothing better than a good home-cooked meal. _ . Probably every cook has his or her own way of cooking. But there are some basic skills that most people follow. For example, baking is a main method   of preparing food in America. For that reason, Americans would find it next to impossible to live without an oven. American cooks pay special attention to the balance of foods, too. In planning a big meal they try to include meat, a few vegetables, some bread and often a dessert. They also like to make sure the meal is colorful. Having several different colors of food on the plate usually makes for a healthy meal. For those who need guidance in their cooking, or for those who have just run out of ideas, recipes are a great help. Recipes list all the ingredients for a dish (generally in the order used), the amount of each to use, and a description of how to put them together. \n Question: This passage mainly tells us that   _  . \n Options: (A) Americans like to have several different colors of food on the plate (B) without an oven, Americans find it impossible to live conveniently (C) Americans pay special attention to recipes and nutritious meals (D) Americans usually have fast food, but they pay special attention to cooking as well", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}140{"query": "Article: Children grow quickly, especially their feet, but many families cannot buy new shoes each time a child needs them. As a result, about 300 million children around the world go barefoot. Those children risk picking up diseases and parasites from the soil. An American man may have a solution for those barefoot kids -- a shoe that grows with the child. Kenton Lee is the creator of The Shoe That Grows. He explains how the shoe works and how it is able to last so long. \"It grows in three places: the front; it can also grow on the side with Velcro; and on the back with our buckle. It can last up to five years. The bottom is compressed rubber like tire rubber. The top is just high-quality leather.\" The shoe comes in two sizes: small that fits children aged 4 to 9 and large for children aged 9 to 14. Lee says he got the idea for the shoe while working as a volunteer in an orphanage in Kenya. \"... and there was a little girl in a white dress walking next to me. And I just remember looking down and seeing how small her shoes were. They were just way too small for her feet. They were so small that she had to cut open the front of her shoes to let her toes stick out. And I just remember thinking, wouldn't it be nice if there were a pair of shoes that could grow with her feet?\" However, Lee says it was not easy to turn his idea into a reality. \"I kept writing down I should do this because of this or because of that. All these reasons why it really was important for me to try to make the shoes that could grow and try to help.\" Finally, in 2009 Lee founded a non-profit organization called Because International. In the office of Because International, Lee keeps a pair of his own shoes to help him remember his promise. \"I told myself I would not get new shoes until the idea was done. So, those are the shoes that I wore for a little over five years.\" \n Question: Which of the following is the characteristic of the newly invented shoes? \n Options: (A) They are more expensive. (B) They are not so comfortable. (C) They can grow with a child. (D) They come in different sizes.", "pos": "Article: Parents whose children think the latest Nike or Adidas shoes may be better than buying old-fashioned plimsolls   because they encourage a healthier style of running, researchers said. Big companies, like Nike and Adidas, make millions of dollars from selling highly-cushioned shoes  both as fashion and sports shoes. The researchers warn that wearing such shoes from an early age can make it difficult to run in a healthy way. Once we have grown used to running in this kind of shoes, it is very difficult to change our technique, even if we remove our shoes, it can raise the risk of injury. Children should be encouraged to wear shoes with thin soles such as plimsolls from a young age to help them develop a natural \"barefoot\" running style, experts said. Dr Mick Wilknson, who did the research, told the British Science Festival in Newcastle, \"If I would advise someone on what to give their child, I would say don't go and buy them expensive Adidas or Nike, just get them a pair of flexible, flat shoes. Give them basic foot-ware, nothing fancy, nothing particularly cushioned.\" Running in flat shoes, barefoot, encourages the runner to use the front of their foot which is a better technique for running, especially long distances as the human was designed to do. Around the world, and in particular in the US, running barefoot is becoming more and more popular with many long distance runners training without shoes. Dr Mick Wilknson believes that training and running barefoot or in flat running shoes can help reduce injuries to runners, he said: \"Injury rates in running have not changed since the 1970s, despite claims of improvements in running shoes. That has led some to conclude that barefoot running is better.\" \n Question: Why are people advised to wear plimsolls? \n Options: (A) They have a new fashion (B) They have better quality. (C) They are healthier (D) They are cheaper.", "neg": "Article: Greg Woodburn, a student at the University of Southern California, spends a lot of time cleaning sneakers he collected.But soon the shoes will be sent to poor children in the United States and 20 other countries, thanks to Woodburn's Share Our Soles (S.O.S.) charity. A high school track star in the town of Ventura, California, Woodburn was treated in hospital for months with knee and hip injuries. \"I started thinking about the health benefits, the friendship and the confidence I got from running,\" he says, \"And I realized there are children who don't even have shoes.\" Woodburn gathered up his old sneakers, then asked his friends to donate.His goal was to have 100 pairs by Christmas this year.When he collected more than 500 pairs, he decided to turn the shoe drive into a year-round endeavor. Back then, the sneakers came from donation boxes at the YMCA and the local sporting goods store and from door-to-door pickups.Woodburn has now set up collection boxes at two high schools, city gym and recreation center.He has started accepting adult sizes and sandals.So far, S.O.S has collected and donated more than 3,000 pairs. Woodburn has cleaned all the shoes.After sorting the shoes by size, Woodburn selects the good shoes for the washing machine and the worn-out ones for recycling. To ship the footwear, Woodburn teamed with Sports Gift, a nonprofit organization that provides soccer and baseball equipment to children around the world.Keven Baxter, founder and president, says, \"We'd send kids balls and shoes.I've heard that for many of these kids, these old sneakers are the only shoes they had.They wear them to school and to do sports.So Greg's running shoes were a nice addition for us.\" For many recipients, the shoes represent opportunity.Two young boys in Southern California attended school on alternate days because they shared a pair of shoes.They were too big for one boy and too small for the other.Thanks to S.O.S., each brother received his own pair of shoes.The boys now attend school daily and enjoy their learning.When they graduate, they say, they will help a stranger, just as Woodburn helped them. \n Question: What caused Greg Woodburn to donate old shoes for poor children? \n Options: (A) The benefits from playing sports. (B) News about some poor children. (C) His reflection to school life. (D) The medical treatment he received.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}141{"query": "Article: Most people think about donating blood. However, very few actually do it. Even the most consistent ones donate an average of just three to four times during their lifetime. Now the officials in Sweden are trying to change the trend with the help of modern-day technology. The encouragement to donate again begins shortly after the donor leaves the clinic when he/she receives a \"thank you\" text. Though that certainly helps them feel appreciated, what is even more pleasing is the text they receive each time their blood is used to help someone in need. Karolina Wiberg, manager of the Stockholm blood service, believes this small gesture not only results in repeat donors, but helps bring in new ones. _ that was started in Stockholm has received such positive feedback that it is now being rolled out across the country. However, Swedish officials are not stopping there. They are also encouraging local clinics to publish the exact levels of the different blood groups they have at any given time on their websites. This allows potential donors to realize that their blood can make a difference in saving someone's life. While all these outreach( ) programs are great, busy citizens, even the ones with the best intentions have to be occasionally reminded. In order to jog their memories, officials ask people for authorization  to send them text, Facebook, and e-mail reminders. Though that may sound disturbing, the citizens do not seem to mind, given that the messages are light-hearted and fun -- things like \"We won't give up until you bleed.\" Though Sweden is currently the only country using modern technology to urge more donations, don't be surprised if more join in, especially if the Nordic country's blood banks start to overflow! \n Question: Why is another text sent to blood donors after a \"thank you\" one? \n Options: (A) To ask them for authorization. (B) To inform them their blood is used. (C) To remind them to donate blood immediately. (D) To tell them the levels of blood groups.", "pos": "Article: A cheap drug that can stop bleeding in people recently injured in an accident could potentially save the lives of tens of thousands worldwide, a new study says. Researchers studied the effects of tranexamic acid  , or TXA, in more than 10,000 injured people in 40 countries who received the drug within 8 hours of being injured. The study was published in the medical journalLancet.Doctors found that patients who got TXA had a 15percent lower chance of dying from _ than those who didn't get it . They also had a 10 percent lower chance of dying from any other cause, including organ failure and a head injury. The study was paid for by the British government. The drug is commonly used in wealthy countries during elective surgeries  to stop bleeding , but isn't used for accident victims. TXA is off-patent and made by many companies. It costs about $4.5 per gram, and a typical dose is two grams. It is usually given via an injection  and would be relatively easy to introduce, even in poor countries, experts said. Previous tests of the drug regarded its use in elective surgeries, such as heart operations, but this was the first study to test the drug on accident victims. Doctors were worried it might increase side effects such as blood clots  in the heart and lungs, strokes, or heart attacks. There was no evidence of that in theLancet study, though the authors said it was possible they might have missed some of these incidents. For people between 5 and 45, accidents are the second leading cause of death worldwide after AIDS, and about 600,000 injured patients bleed to death every year. Experts estimated that if TXA were readily available, between 70,000 and 100,000 lives a year could be saved. Though the drug wasn't tested on children , experts said it would almost certainly work with them as well. \n Question: What can we learn about TXA from the passage? \n Options: (A) It can only be made in England (B) It was only used in operations before (C) It is a patented drug (D) It is mainly used in poor countries", "neg": "Article: What is so amazing about giving blood? The National Blood Service, which covers all of England and North Wales, needs nearly two and a half million blood donations each year. When you give blood, you'll be doing one of the most amazing things anybody could dream of -- saving a life.  _  All types of blood are needed --not just rare ones. In fact, the commoner the blood type, the more are needed. So even if your blood is one of the most common types -- group O for example -- you can be sure that by donating three times a year, you really are doing something amazing. What is the donation process? The donation will last about an hour in all. When you arrive, you will be asked a few questions about your health. Then a drop of blood will be taken and tested just to make sure you're not anemic . If all is well, your donation will be taken. This only takes about ten minutes, during which time 470ml of blood will be collected. Most people hardly feel a thing. After a short rest, a drink and biscuits, you'll be up and ready to go. All equipment used in the collection of your blood is new and is never reused, so you don't have to worry about risks to your health in the collection of your blood. Who can become a blood donor? Becoming a blood donor really is very simple. As long as you're in good health and aged between 17 and 60, you can become a blood donor. If you would like more information or advice, or you want to become a blood donor, ring the donor helpline on 0845 7711. The donor helpline is open 24 hours a day -- every day of the year. \n Question: Before giving blood, you will   _  . \n Options: (A) take a blood test (B) wait for one day (C) fill in a form (D) rest for a while", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}142{"query": "Article: Going on a road trip? The St. Louis Arch, Statue of Liberty, and Golden Gate Bridge are common great tourist sites. If you prefer offbeat places, check out the following roadside attractions. World's Largest Ball of Paint Alexandria, Ind.  In 1977, Michael Carmichael set out to create the biggest ball of paint anywhere. Starting with a baseball as centre, he painted layer by layer of paint day after day, year after year. The ball weighs more than 1,300 pounds, with more than 20,000 coats of paint, which is recognized by Guinness World Record. Visitors can paint the wall themselves and become part of the history. The Museum of Dirt Boston, Mass.  The museum is the idea of Glenn Johnson. Labeled   glass bottles contain such treasures as dirt from the Great Wall of China, as well as sand from a desert in Saudi Arabia and Omaha Beach in France. Best of all, the cost of seeing this museum is dirt cheap: It's free. Mount Horeb Mustard Museum  Mount Horeb, Wis.  It's heaven for hotdog lovers! This museum says it has to have the world's largest collection for prepared mustard . Its more than 4,100 bottles of spices  come from 60 nations, including Turkey and China. Visitors learn the history of mustard, from how it's made to how it's advertised and sold. The museum's creator, Barry Levenson, loves mustard so much that he even puts it on ice-cream! Paper House Rockport, Mass.  Swedish immigrant  Ellis Stenman was much ahead of his time in 1922, when he started to build a two-room house almost entirely out of newspaper. At the time, people didn't give much---if any---thought to recycling paper. In fact, \"recycling\" wasn't even a word yet. The house is framed with wood, but the walls are made of 210 layers of newspaper. In all, he used about 100,000 newspapers. \n Question: If you want to add your own labour to what you visit, you may choose  _  . \n Options: (A) World's Largest Ball of Paint (B) The Museum of Dirt (C) Mount Horeb Mustard Museum (D) Paper House", "pos": "Article: Rock House Museum Take a journey through history with a visit to the exciting museum and historic sites of Wytheville . The Rock House Museum offers glimpses into daily life in the 19th century . The museum is part of the 50 structures featured in Wytheville's Historic Walking Tour . 540/233-3330 . Grand Caverns Grand Caverns is America's oldest cave . Beautiful and massive formations . Union troops visited the caverns . Thomas Jefferson visited--you should , too ! Open weekends in March , daily April--October , 9 a.m.--5 p.m. Hour tours leave every 30 minutes . 703/249-5705 . The News Museum The News Museum in Arlington is the world's only interactive museum of news . Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters , see today's news as it happens on a block-long video news wall , and be taken behind the scenes to see how news is made . The News museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a. m.--5 p. m. You can visitwww. News museum .Org . Kenmore Plantation & Gardens Kenmore Plantation & Gardens has over two hundred years of history from the Revolutionary War , Civil War and into the 21st century . Home of Betty Washington , George Washington's only sister , and Patriot Col. Fielding Lewis . Explore this historic building and city block of restored gardens . Tea and ginger cookies served . 540/373-3381 . Virginia Beach Virginia Beach offers 11 000 hotel / motel rooms , plus cottages and campgrounds . Enjoy miles of clean beaches and a variety of family attractions . Fine restaurants , various shopping areas , exciting nightlife , and special events are offered throughout the year . 800/822-3224 . \n Question: What is the author's purpose in writing this passage ? \n Options: (A) To attract tourists to Virginia . (B) To encourage people to settle in Virginia . (C) To introduce historic sites in Virginia . (D) To give people a general description of Virginia .", "neg": "Article: A reader from Brazil recently wrote to us asking for some advice. He's planning a trip to the United States, and wanted to know about the best places to travel in America. Today, we are going to give you some information which may help you when choosing your destination. Each of the 50 states in America has interesting things to offer visitors, but some are more popular than others. Washington, D.C. is famous for its historical places, like the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. Visitors to Los Angeles, California can see the Hollywood Walk of Fame or shop the stores on Rodeo Drive where they may see a star or two. The Grand Canyon in Arizona appeals to hikers, climbers and nature lovers, as does Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. TripAdvisor is a website where people can write reviews about their travel experiences. Every year, TripAdvisor makes a list of the top 25 cities to visit in the United States. The results are based on the opinions of visitors to the website. Brooke Ferencsik of TripAdvisor said the top picks on the list were not surprising. And it's no secret why New York City was named the number one destination. New York City is sometimes called \"the city that never sleeps\" because it can be very busy. It is an exciting place for many people because there is so much to do. But the city might be too busy for travelers looking for rest and calm. They might want something more like Myrtle Beach, in the state of South Carolina, which made it to number 21 on Trip Advisor's list. \"A lot of people come to Myrtle Beach for great weather, it's a wonderful family vacation spot, the beaches - got the wonderful Atlantic beaches there - there's a lot of family-friendly parks and water parks.\" Many people take time off from their jobs in the summer to travel. Because there are many tourists visiting other places, June until August is known as \"high season.\" Traveling during the high season can be crowded. Hotels, restaurants, and transportation might also be very expensive. If you want to save money on a trip, it is a good idea to plan to leave before or after the summer months. These times are known as \"shoulder seasons\" for travel. \"If you're looking for value, try and think about traveling through the shoulder season if it's possible - the shoulder season being the fall or the spring. The weather is still very good in some of these destinations, and you can get better prices.\" America's major cities are still the most popular destinations for visitors. Ferencsik says this is because of the good quality of services they provide tourists. \"They do a great job of giving travelers what they want when they're on vacation. I think they kind of cater to every type of traveler need. So whether you're traveling alone, you're traveling for business, you're traveling with your family - whatever it is, those destinations are really tuned in to delivering amazing experiences and just a lot of different opportunities when you're there.\" \n Question: Lily has great interest in nature and American history. She can visit  _  . \n Options: (A) The Grand Canyon and Rodeo Drive (B) California and Los Angeles (C) White House and Arizona (D) C and The Grand Canyon", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}143{"query": "Article: The Pew report,which was based on surveys carried out in Britain,France,Germany, Italy,Spain,Greece, Poland and the Czech Republic,said that the European Union was  \"the new sick man of Europe\".The percentage of Europeans with a good view of the EU has fallen from 60 percent last year to 45 percent now.   The UK may be considered the most Eurosceptic country ,but its support for the Union has barely changed in the past 1 2 months,falling only two points to 43 percent.But,France's backing for the EU has fallen sharply,from 60 percent last year to 41 percent today.     On the question of whether to remain in the EU, 46 percent of the British want to leave the Union and surprisingly,the same percentage want to stay.     The Pew report's authors said,  \"The long-term economic crisis has created bad forces that are pulling the European apart,making the French away from the Germans and the Germans away from everyone else.The effort over the past half century to create a more united Europe is now the main disaster of the euro crisis.\"     The only European leader supported highly by their own voters was the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with 74 percent voters.Prime Minister David Cameron was the next highest with a positive score of 37 percent among the British public,and he can take some comfort from the fact that 58 percent of the Poles and half of all French people think he is doing a good job.      Besides the dark economic future and the growing question of the EU,there were more than 60 percent in favor of keeping it. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE of the recent Pew report? \n Options: (A) The UK has the smallest number of people against the EU. (B) There's a slight  change of the UK's supporting for the EU. (C) More than half of the Germans raise questions about the EU. (D) A large number of French people are in favor of the EU.", "pos": "Article: A recent survey found that the French are the second-most insecure people in Europe after Italy about their proficiency in English. Only 13 percent of the French respondents believed they are proficient in the language, according to the European data agency Eurostat. The situation is no better in business circles, where three-quarters of French executives feel unprepared to hold an interview in English and only 16 percent say they feel comfortable with the language, a separate survey showed. The survey results aren't surprising. The French seem to have always had this cold and gloomy attitude toward the English language. But what struck me is that, despite the French pessimism, living in Paris without being able to speak the language of Moliere is easier these days than in the past. New immigrants are part of the reason. I can have an easy chat with the owner of the laundry in my neighborhood. Buying the medicine I need at the local pharmacy is effortless. Ordering a meal in English at the restaurant two blocks away from my apartment does not make me feel awkward. It is all because the people who run these businesses are immigrants. Greater tolerance and acceptance of non-French speakers is a reflection of the fact that France, willingly or not, has begun to embrace  globalization more comfortably. For instance, you will never get the same look you would have had 15 years ago if you ask for directions in English on the streets of Paris. I have also met many native French who are happy to communicate in English. They are usually the kind of people who are open-minded and are sensitive to the changes beyond their own territories. They are very interested in gaining insight into what is happening on the other side of the globe. In my hometown, English is also being hotly debated since Beijing education authorities decided to reduce the importance of English proficiency in college entrance exams and increase that of the Chinese language and literature. The Chinese and the French share similarities in attitudes toward foreign languages. We are both so proud of our own languages and cultures that we can feel uncomfortable when we are forced to communicate in another language. But like it or not, English is still the most widely used language in the world, at least for the foreseeable  future. After all, it is not about abandoning one's own language but about being able to fit more easily into this globalized world. \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) French people have great difficulty speaking English. (B) English is becoming increasingly acceptable in France. (C) Great changes take place in France because of the immigrants. (D) English helps France to embrace globalization.", "neg": "Article: For new countries joining the European Union, and older ones getting used to their dark red passports, becoming \"Europeans\" is a bit like marrying into a large, eccentric family.    Europeans have a lot in common but it is their differences, not their similarities, that attract the attention of sociologists and market researchers, and are more interesting.    * 35% of Germans live alone, but only 9% of Spaniards. Perhaps this explains why Spaniards lead Europe in the habit of going out for a drink.    * The British attend more adult evening classes than anyone else in Europe, and the Belgians least. So it can't just be the dark evenings. There are no figures on how many Britons go for a drink afterwards. If there were, they might be up at the top with Spain!    * The British think black cats are lucky. Every other European country regards them unlucky.    * The Dutch and Germans are the greatest caravaners , but the Germans like bigger beds in their caravans.    * The French are the most athletic Europeans. Next come the Dutch. But the Belgians, just over the border, play fewest sports.    * The Germans spend twice as much on heating as the Spaniards. Well, of course they do, it's colder.    * Dutch husbands do the household shopping a lot more often than Italians or Spaniards.    * The French are the champion public transport commuters of Europe. If you hate commuting, go and live in the Netherlands, where journeys to work are shorter than anywhere else.    * The amount of direct eye-contact between strangers is three times greater among Spaniards than it is among the British or Swedes. Sharing a lift is torture for both the British and the Swedish.      * No European countries really agree with any other about how to make good coffee. All of them are different.    There are exceptions to all these rules. Deal with them in the spirit of my 8-year-old daughter. \"If you don't understand each other's language, you just laugh a lot, and eat, and point at things.\" \n Question: We can know from the passage that   _  . \n Options: (A) sociologists are most interested in the idea of the European Union (B) all the European countries are not willing to join the European Union (C) Europeans have a lot more differences than similarities (D) trade opportunities exist in the cultural differences in the European Union", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}144{"query": "Article: The first time Luca heard the Island of Inventions, he was very young, but the wonders he heard about sounded so unbelievable to him that they were forever kept in his memory. Since then, he never stopped searching clues which might lead him to that place of wonder. He read widely to collect information. Taking a little from here and there, he got quite a clear idea of what the Island was really like. It was a secret place, where all the great men learn and invent together. To be able to join that select club, you had to have created great inventions. Only then could you receive the invitation. To get a chance, Luca spend the years studying and inventing. Every new idea he got, he made it into an invention, and if there were anything he didn't understand, he would seek help. Soon he met other brilliant inventors too, and he told them of the secrets of the Island. These young inventors would likewise dream of being sent \"the letter\". As time passed, the disappointment of not being sent the letter gave rise to even greater cooperation and help between them. Their inventions soon became known throughout the world. But no invention came. They didn't lose heart. They continued learning and inventing, trying to come up with better ideas. Fresh talent was added to their group. One day, Luca, already very old, was speaking with a brilliant young man who had written to join their group. Luca told the young man the secrets of the Island, and of how he was sure that they would receive an invitation. Surprised, the young inventor said: \"What? You mean this isn't really the Island of Inventions?\" It inspired Luca and he realized that his dream had become true. \n Question: Luca read widely to   _  . \n Options: (A) get information about the great inventions (B) get clear ideas about the island for vacations (C) seek massages about the secret club of inventions (D) get more knowledge for the benefit of his inventions", "pos": "Article: One day when the famous American scientist Edison was on his way home, a young man stopped him and required to have a word with him. Edison accepted his request. The young man asked, \"How can you invent so many things and achieve your fame?\" The scientist said, \"It seems that you have been thinking of becoming famous every day.\" The young man nodded, \"Yes. I have been dreaming of being a person as notable  as you. Every minute I am thinking of how to become reputable. I don't know when I can achieve my fame (,).\" Edison told him, \"Don't worry, young man. If you want to be a famous man this way, you will have to wait until you die!\" \"Why should I?\" the young man was puzzled. Edison said, \"What you dream is actually a high building. You never think of how to build it with bricks . Thus the building will never come into reality . However, your story can serve as a mirror. People will remember you because of your illness and laziness. They will often speak of your name while they give warnings to their children. Aren't you a notorious  person by then?\" \n Question: What happened to Edison when he was on his way home? \n Options: (A) A beggar stopped him (B) A robber stopped him (C) A man wanted to speak to him (D) A man wanted to have words with him", "neg": "Article: Thomas Edison was one of ten said to be the greatest genius  of his age. There are only a few men in all of the history, who have changed the lives of other men as much as the inventor of the first useful electric light. But Edison could never be happy only because someone said he was a genius.\" There is no such thing as genius,\" Edison said. He said that what people called genius was mostly hard work. But Edison was a dreamer as well as a worker. From his earliest days as a child he wondered about the secrets of nature. Nature, he often said, is full of secrets. He tried to understand them; then, he tried to learn what could usefully be done with them. Edison enjoyed thinking. He knew that most people will do almost anything instead of the difficult work of thinking, especially if they do not think very often. But he knew, too, that thinking can give men enjoyment and pleasure. Edison could not understand how anyone could be uninterested in life. As he loved to think, he also loved to work. On the day he became 75 years old, someone asked him what ideas he had about life. \"Work,\" he answered. \"Discovering the secrets of nature and using them to make men happier.\" He said he had enough inventions in his mind to give him another 100 years of work. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Edison invented the electric light. (B) Many other people have changed Edison's life. (C) Edison has changed the life of many other people. (D) Few men in history can change other people's life.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}145{"query": "Article: Why do people cross their fingers when facing difficulties-eve non-religious people? Why do we blame the black cat when we saw the low score of the test? These habits have been referred to as magical thinking and can be found everywhere in daily life. For example, a person wishes something bad for an annoying colleague. Or parents pray for a safe fight when seeing their son off.  Psychologically helpful In examining these habits, scientists decided to search for a reason for humans' belief in magical powers. Psychologists have their own approach to the question.  \"I think in part it's because we are constantly exposed to our own thoughts, and thus likely to overestimate their connection to outside events. \"said Emily Pronin, a psychologist in the prefix = st1 /US. For people who are uncertain of their own abilities or slow to take action, magical thinking can be a great help, explained Dr. Daniel Wegner, a professor psychology at Harvard. Feeling that their own thoughts can control things can help people fight depression.  A trait gained through evolution But evolutionists have their own ideas.  Two schools of evolutionary thought have come up with reasons by analyzing the development of humans. They are the \"adaptationists \"and the \"byproduct theorists \".  The adaptationists say that belief in magical powers makes people feel better, less worried about difficulties, more focused on the future, and more willing to care for themselves. People with a strong faith (in something) have a better chance of surviving a tough environment or competition.  But in byproduct theory,magical thinking is a product of our psychological features.  \"We automatically look for an explanation of why things happen,\"explains Justin Barrett, a psychologist, The brain, therefore, has evolved to make quick judgments about causation . So we often link two events based on nothing more than coincidence. For example, \"I was just thinking about looking up my old high school girlfriend when she suddenly called me. \" Another psychological feature is the theory of mind. We recognize that there could be an unseen power of mind affecting the outcome of an incident.  Byproduct theorists claim that because of these features, we are born with a tendency to believe in our magical thinking.  But we need to confine our magical thinking, warn psychologists.  For most people, beliefs are just some sort of comforting private ritual. When something important is at stake, such as a test or a performance or a relationship, people don't simply perform their private rituals. They have to prepare. \n Question: Which of the following is true according to the next? \n Options: (A) Justin Barrett, an evolutionist, denies magical thinking is a product of adaptation. (B) People with a weak faith have a better chance of surviving competition. (C) The adaptationists think we are born with a tendency to believe in our magic thinking. (D) Dr. Daniel Wegner believe magic thinking can be a great help.", "pos": "Article: Sensing phantom phone vibrations  is a strangely common experience. Around 80% of us have imagined a phone vibrating in our pockets when it's actually completely still. Almost 30% of us have also heard non-existent ringing. Are these signs of madness caused by digital culture? Not at all. In fact, phantom vibrations and ringing indicate a fundamental principle in psychology. Psychologists use a concept called Signal Detection Theory to guide their thinking about the problem of perceptual  judgments. Working through the example of phone vibrations, we can see how this theory explains why they are a common and unavoidable part of healthy mental function. When your phone is in your pocket, the world is in one of two possible states: the phone is either ringing or not. You also have two possible states of mind: the judgment that the phone is ringing, or the judgment that it isn't. Obviously you'd like to match these states in the correct way. True vibrations should go with \"it's ringing\", and no vibrations should go with \"it's not ringing\". Signal detection theory calls these faithful matches a \"hit\" and a \"correct rejection\" But there are two other possible combinations: you could mismatch true vibrations with \"it's not ringing\" (a \"miss\"); or mismatch the absence of vibrations with \"it's ringing\" (a \"false alarm\"). This second kind of mismatch is what's going on when you imagine a phantom phone vibration. What does that mean in terms of your phone? We can assume that people like to notice when their phone is ringing, and that most people hate missing a call. This means their perceptual systems have adjusted their bias  to a level that makes misses unlikely. The unavoidable cost is a raised likelihood of false alarms of phantom phone vibrations. The trade-off between false alarms and misses also explains why we all have to put up with fire alarms going off when there isn't a fire. It isn't that the alarms are badly designed, but rather that they are very sensible to smoke and heat and biased to avoid missing a real fire at all costs. The outcome is a rise in the number of false alarms. These are inconvenient, but nowhere near as inconvenient as burning to death in your bed or office. The alarms are designed to err on the side of caution. \n Question: The writer tries to explain phantom phone vibrations_. \n Options: (A) by analyzing some facts (B) by giving some examples (C) from the angle of biology (D) from the angle of psychology", "neg": "Article: The practice of magic includes special words, actions, and objects. Most magic involves a person called a magician, who claims to have supernatural powers. Magic words. To work most magic, the magician sings or speaks special words in a certain order. These words are called incantations or spells. Some spells form prayers to demons , spirits, or other supernatural forces. Many societies believe the magic will not work unless the magician recites the spells perfectly. Other magic words have no meaning, though they supposedly possess power when spoken by a magician. Magic actions accompany the words spoken in performing much magic. Many of these movements act out the desired effect of the magic. For example, a magician trying to make rain fall may sprinkle  water on the ground. The magician's combined words and actions form a ceremony. Magic objects include certain plants, stones, and other things with supposed supernatural powers. Any such object may be called a fetish . But this term often refers to an object--for example, a carving or a dried snake--honored by a tribe for its magic powers. Many tribes believe fetishes have magic power because spirits live in these objects. Many people carry magic objects called amulets to protect themselves from harm. Many amulets are stones or rings engraved  with magic symbols. The magician, in some societies, nearly everyone knows how to work some magic. In other societies, only experts practice magic. Magicians may be called medicine men, medicine women, shamans, sorcerers, or witch doctors. In many societies, magicians must inherit  their powers. In others, any person may become a magician by studying the magical arts. Many societies believe magicians must observe certain rules and taboos (forbidden actions) for their spells to work. For example, they may be required not to eat various foods or to avoid sexual activity for a certain period before the ceremony. \n Question: What do magic words mean to people in some society? \n Options: (A) They have the power to kill devils. (B) They have power if magician recites the right spells. (C) They have no effect at all. (D) They can be used whenever they want.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}146{"query": "Article: Shopping in the United States changes a lot.About ninety years ago most people shopped in small stores that were owned by one person or a family.Women went from the bakery to the butcher's to the grocer and on to the fruit and vegetable seller in order to get their food for the week. Then about sixty years ago, supermarkets were born.In a supermarket, people could get all the different kinds of food they needed without going to different stores. The next big change in shopping in the United States was the shopping mall.A shopping mall is a group of stores under one roof.Because malls allowed people to shop without worrying about the weather, they soon became very popular.The mall became a place for people to socialize in addition to shopping.If you walk through a mall, you will see older people sitting, chatting and drinking coffee.Malls are places for teenagers to hang out.Many teens will often just \"go to the mall\" and spend time with their friends. The recent change in American shopping was the superstore.Large chain stores such as Wal-Mart, Office Depot and Toys \"R\" Us have been built all across the United States.Because they are so large, they can buy goods at a great discount and sell them much cheaper than smaller stores. Sometimes, when they are built near small towns, many of the small town stores have to close.They just cannot compete with their giant neighbors. And now, online shopping is becoming more and more popular all over the States.People are too busy to go to the physical stores, so they go shopping over the Internet.Online shopping has lots of advantages.For instance, online stores are usually available 24 hours a day.Searching or browsing online shops can be faster than browsing the physical stores.While, online shopping also has its disadvantages.People are at higher risk of being cheated on the part of the merchant than in a physical store.And privacy of personal information may be let out. \n Question: Which is the place for people to spend time with others according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Shopping malls (B) Small stores (C) Supermarkets (D) Superstores", "pos": "Article: People in cities all over the world shop in supermarkets. When you enter the supermarket, you see shelves full of food. You walk in the aisles, pushing your shopping cart. You probably hear soft, slow music in the supermarket. This kind of music is playing to relax you and make you walk slowly. Thus, you will probably stay longer and buy more food. Where do you go in the supermarket when you first arrive? Many people go to the meat section first. This area of the store has many different kinds of meat. Some kinds are expensive and others are not. Usually, some kinds of meat are on sale. So it has a special low price. The manager of the store knows where the customers usually enter the meat section. The meat on sale is usually at the other end of the section, away from where the customers enter. If you want to buy this specially priced meat, you have to walk by the more expensive meat first. Maybe you will see something that you want to buy before you reach the cheaper, inexpensive meat. Then you will spend more money in the meat section. The diary section sells milk that is low in fat. Some supermarkets sell three different containers of low-fat milk. Each container looks different, but each contains the same product. One says \"1% fat\", one says \"99% fat free\" and one says \"low-fat\" in big letters and \"1%\"in very small letters. If you look carefully you can see that all the milk has the same amount of fat, and each container is the same size. The prices of all these three should be the same. However, in many stores these three containers of milk would each have a different price. The store will make more money if a customer chooses the milk that costs the most. Most of the food in supermarkets is very attractive. People often stop to look at the products in attractive containers. But remember, many products will say, \"Buy me!\". Stop and think which ones are the best value for your money. \n Question: When you walk by the expensive meat,   _   . \n Options: (A) maybe you will buy some (B) you will not look at it (C) you will buy diary products (D) maybe it is on sale", "neg": "Article: Malls are popular places for Americans to go to. Some people spend so much time at malls that they are called mall rats. Mall rats shop until they visit hundreds of stores. People like malls for many reasons. They feel safe because malls have police stations. Parking is usually free. And the weather inside is always fine. The newest malls have beautiful rest places with waterfalls and large green trees. The Mall of America in Minnesota is one of the most popular ones. It covers 4.2 million square feet. It has 350 stores, eight nightclubs, and a large park! There are parking spaces for 12,750 cars. About 750,000 people shop there every week. The first indoor mall in the United States was built in 1965 in Edina Minnesota. People love doing all their shopping in one place. More malls are built around the country. Now malls are town centers where people come to do many things. They shop, and of course, they also eat in food courts that have food from all over the world. They see films at theaters. Some people even get their exercise by doing the new sport of \"mall walking\". Others go to malls to meet friends. In some malls, people can see a doctor and even go to church. In other words, people can do almost everything in malls. Now people can live in their favorite shopping centers in fact. \n Question: Mall rats usually   _  . \n Options: (A) shop after visiting lots of stores (B) spend lots of time at malls (C) buy nothing at malls (D) do almost everything in malls", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}147{"query": "Article: Studies show that you may be lied to every day anywhere from 10 to 200 times. We say, \"Nice song.\" \"Honey, you don't look fat in that, no.\" But another study showed that strangers lied three times within the first 10 minutes of meeting each other. We lie more to strangers than we lie to coworkers. Men lie eight times more about themselves than they do other people. Women lie more to protect other people. If you're married, you're going to lie to your wife/ husband in one out of every 10 communications. If you're unmarried, that number drops to three. But look, if at some point you got lied to, it's because you agreed to get lied to. Truth about lying: lying's a cooperative act. Not all lies are harmful. Sometimes we're willing to lie for the sake of social dignity  , maybe to keep a private secret. Lying is complex. It's woven into the fabric of our daily and business lives. We're deeply disturbed by the truth. We explain it, sometimes for very good reasons, other times just because we don't understand the gaps between ideals and realities in our lives. We're against lying, but secretly we're for it in ways that our society has practiced for centuries and centuries. It's as old as breathing. It's part of our culture and history. Think the stories from Dante, Shakespeare, the Bible, News of the World. Lying has great value to the evolution of human being. Researchers have long known that the more intelligent the species, the more likely it is to lie. We human like to become leaders. It starts really early. How early? Well, babies will pretend to cry, pause, wait to see who's coming and then go right back to crying. One-year-olds learn hiding truth. Two-year-olds bluff  . Five-year-olds lie outright and try to control via flattery  . Nine-year-olds, masters of covering up. By the time you enter college, you're going to lie to your mom in one out of every five interactions. By the time we enter this work world to be breadwinners, we've entered a world that is just full of fake digital friends, business media, identity thieves, world-class cheats, ----in short, a post-truth society. What do you do? Well there are steps we can take to guide our way through the bushes. Trained lie spotters get to the truth 90% of the time. The rest of us, we're only 54% accurate. Why is it so easy to learn? There are clever liars and stupid liars. There're no real original liars. We all make the same mistakes. We all use the same techniques. \n Question: From Para.1 we learn that lying is very   _  . \n Options: (A) harmful (B) easy (C) interesting (D) common", "pos": "Article: For good health, be sure to eat fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and lie as seldom as possible. A researcher is hoping this advice will someday take hold, based on results of a \"science of honesty\" study she completed. Half of 110 participants were told to stop telling major or minor (\"white\") lies for 10 weeks, while the other half (the control group) was given no special instructions about lying. The 110 people ranged from ages 18 to 71 and came from both sexes and all income levels. All came to a laboratory each week to complete health and relationship questionnaires and to take a test showing the number of major and minor lies they had told that week. When those in the no-lie group told three fewer white lies than in other weeks, they complained less of headaches, tenseness, anxiety and other problems than those in the control group. In addition, they reported that their close personal relationships had improved and their social interactions  had gone more smoothly. \"The link was that clear,\" said study author Anita Kelly, a professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. \"Lying less was clearly associated with better health for those people.\" Previous research indicates that Americans average 11 lies per week, from the little white lies to save face or falsely praise others to major lies about serious matters. Kelly said her study differs from former studies because it didn't focus on how to detect a liar, but on the potential health consequences of telling lies. \"People might recognize the more harmful effect lying can have on relationships, but probably don't recognize the extent to which it can cause a lot of stress,\" said Dr. Bryan Bruno at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. At the end of the study, some participants had created smart ways to avoid lying. Kelly noted that some realized they could simply tell the truth about their daily achievements rather than exaggerate , while others responded to a troubling question with another question to take the person's attention away. They also stopped making false excuses for running late or failing to finish tasks. \"People usually think white lies are acceptable. In fact, white lies are trouble, not just major lies,\" Kelly said. \"As long as you like, you can find effective ways to avoid lying in many cases. It depends on you.\" \"But the goal doesn't have to be the absolute absence of lies ... the goal would be a reduction in lies,\" she added. \n Question: According to the author, doing the following things is good for health EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) eating fruits and vegetables (B) exercising regularly (C) lying as seldom as possible (D) watching TV", "neg": "Article: What exactly is a lie ?Is it anything we say which we know is untrue ?Or is it something more than that ?For example, suppose a friend wants to borrow some money from you. You say \"I wish I could help you, but I am short of money myself.\" In fact , you are not short of money but your friend is in the habit of not paying his debts and you don't want to hurt his feelings by reminding him of this. Is this really a lie ? Professor Jerald Jellison of the University of southern California has made a scientific study of lying. According to him, women are better liars than men, particularly when telling a \"white lie\", such as when a woman at a party tells another woman that she likes her dress when she really thinks it's terrible. However, this is only one side of the story. Other researchers say that men are more likely to tell more serious lies, such as making a promise that they have no intention of carrying out. This is the kind of lie politicians and businessmen are supposed to be particularly skilled at :the lie from which the liar hopes to profit or gain in some way. Research has been done into the way people's behavior changes in a number of small, unimportant ways when they lie. It has been found that if they are sitting down at the time, they tend to move about in their chairs more than usual. To the trained observer they are saying \"I wish I were somewhere else now\". They also tend to touch certain parts of the face, particularly the nose. One explanation of this may be that lying causes a slight increase in blood pressure. The tip of the nose  is very sensitive to changes and the increased pressure makes it itch. Another gesture that gives liars away is what the writer Decmond Morris in his bookMan Watching calls the \"mouth cover\". He says that there are several typical forms of this ,such as covering part of the mouth with the fingers, touching the upper lip or putting a finger of the hand at one side off the mouth. Such a gesture can be understood as an unconscious  attempt on the part of the liar to stop himself from lying. Of course, such gestures as rubbing the nose or covering the mouth , moving about in a chair can not be taken as proof that the speaker is lying. They simply tend to happen more often in this situation. It is one gesture alone that gives the liar away but a whole number of things , and in particular the context  which the lie is told. \n Question: According to the passage, a white lie seems to be a lie   _  . \n Options: (A) that other people believew.w.^w.k.&s.5*u.c.#om.... (B) that other people don't believe (C) told in order not to hurt someone's feelings (D) told in order to take advantage of someone", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}148{"query": "Article: Ariau Amazon Towers The Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, book the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for a big family. You'll be thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways. Prices: starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite. The Ice Hotel Every winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience. Prices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one. Propeller Island Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes. Prices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars. \n Question: What is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel? \n Options: (A) You can sleep in tree houses. (B) You can choose any of the towers. (C) It is designed for big families. (D) Every room has a walkway.", "pos": "Article: When on vacation,what do you look for in a hotel?Maybe you want a comfortable bed, or a suitable place.However,if you want something out of the ordinary and wish to go beyond the mundane, these spectacular hotels offer a stay you won't soon forget! Hippo Point For those who prefer an overnight stay with some four-footed or two-winged guests, Hippo offers unique rooms on the East African plains .The nine-story tower is treated as one of the top 10 resorts in the world.Guests enjoy incredible views of Olodian Bay.More than 520 species of birds gather around the lake,their calls sounding in the air. Dog Bark Park Inn At the Dog Bark Park Inn,sleeping in a doghouse is a good thing! Located near Cottonwood,Idaho,this bed and breakfast is inside the world's largest dog. Guests relax on dog-themed decorative furnishings and enjoy a wonderful breakfast. The Poseidon Undersea Resort Located in a Fijian lagoon,the Poseidon Undersea Resort  boasts the world's first seafloor suite 12 meters below the  surface of the ocean.By day,people enjoy golf,tennis and water sports or learn to pilot a three-passenger Triton submarine to explore the new ocean depths. The Magic Mountain Hotel The Magic Mountain Hotel is shaped like a volcano.But instead of lava,a waterfall falls down its sides.Nine comfortable rooms,all with modern facilities,are each named for a local species of bird.Hotel guests can enjoy rafting,hiking and horseback riding,or they can relax in a hot trunk with hot water. Sala Silvermine The truly adventurous can spend the night in the world's deepest bedroom in the Sala Silvermine in Sweden.After a guided tour of the mine located 155 meters underground,you're left alone to enjoy the solitude with a basket of food.In the morning, the guide returns with a delicious breakfast to enjoy before you return to ground level. \n Question: What does the phrase \"go beyond the mundane\" may mean? \n Options: (A) Do something exciting (B) Go to a familiar place (C) Look for a comfortable (D) Travel in an ordinary way", "neg": "Article: The Ice Hotel Are you going into skiing? Is winter your favorite time of year? If you like snow and ice, maybe you should stay at Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada. But, you can only check in at this hotel during the winter. Why ? Because this hotel is built every December. It has 32 rooms and 80 people can stay there each night. The hotel even has a movie theatre, art gallery, and church. Of course, all of these parts of the hotel are made of ice. In fact, all the furniture, art, lights, and even plates and drinking glasses are made out of ice. Because this hotel is so unusual, it is becoming very popular. People from all over the world come to the Ice Hotel to look at the fantastic ice art, drink and eat from designed ice dishes and experience the unique atmosphere  . Some couples have even got married in the hotel's ice church. But all these guests keep their winter coats on! Because of all the ice, the temperature inside the hotel is always between - 2oC and - 5oC. Surprisingly, sleeping is not a problem in the freezing cold hotel rooms. Every guest gets a special cold-weather sleeping bag and some fur blankets. These keep the room cozy and warm until morning. \n Question: What is the main idea of this reading? \n Options: (A) How the Ice Hotel is built (B) What makes the Ice Hotel special (C) Why the Ice Hotel is made of ice (D) The services of the Ice Hotel", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}149{"query": "Article: It's 2035. You have a job, a family and you're about 40 old. Welcome to your future life. Getting ready for work, you pause in front of the mirror, \"Turn red,\" you say. Your shirt changes from sky blue to deep red. Tiny preprogrammed electronics are rearranged in your shirt to change its color. Looking into the mirror, you find it hard to believe that you are 40. You look much younger. With amazing advances in medicine, people in your generation may live to be 150 years old. You're not even middle-aged. As you go into the kitchen and prepare to pour your breakfast cereal into a bowl, you hear: \"To lose weight, you shouldn't eat that,\" from your shoes. They read the tiny electronic code on the cereal box to find out the nutrition details. You decide to listen to your shoes. \"Kitchen, what can I have for breakfast?\" A list of possible foods appear on the counter as kitchen checks its food supplies. \"Ready for your trip to space. You ask your son and daughter.\" In 2005 only specially trained astronauts went into space -- and very few of them. Today anyone can go to space for day trips or longer vacation. Your best friend even works in space. Handing your children three strawberries each, your add, \"The doctor said you need these for space travel.\" Thanks to medical advices, vaccination shots are a thing of the past. Ordinary foods contain specific vaccines. With the berries in their mouths, the kids head for the front door. It's time for you to go to work. Your car checks your fingerprints and unlocks the doors. \"My office. Autopilot,\" you command. Your car drives itself down the road and moves smoothly into traffic on the highway. You sit back and unroll your e-newspaper. The latest news downloads and fills the viewer. Looking through the pages, you watch the news as video films rather than read it. \n Question: What changes the color of your shirt? \n Options: (A) The mirror. (B) The counter. (C) The shirt itself. (D) The medicine.", "pos": "Article: Life on Mars could become a reality and it could happen in your lifetime. A welcoming planet Scientists say Earth's neighbor Mars, a bright red planet about half Earth's size, is the most likely to support human life. Mars even has frozen water on its surface. Since the late 1990s, NASA has been exploring Mars using remote-controlled vehicles . Most recently Curiosity, a car-size vehicle, traveled through space on an unpiloted spacecraft  and landed on Mars in August 2012. Directed by NASA scientists , the vehicles move on the surface, taking pictures , collecting and analyzing soil, and looking for signs of life. But what about human explorers? Plans are already in the works to send astronauts to Mars as soon as the mid-2030s.  _  But before you start packing your bags, let's consider the challenges. For starters, Mars is far away. Just getting there could take up to 10 months. Scientists already know that time away from Earth's gravity harms the human body. Bones and muscles get weaker. The body produces less blood. What damage would months and months of living in space do? And then there is the matter of water, oxygen, food and fuel. Scientists will have to find solutions to these problems, or the first humans on Mars won't survive very long in their new home. Tiny Dangers There's another tinier risk. It's so tiny that you can't even see it: germs. Some scientists believe that our germs could pollute the whole planet of Mars. Potentially killing Martian life before we have the chance to discover it. Worse, there is a small but terrifying chance that any microscopic life already there might be harmful to us . Worse still, if any of those Martian germs  were brought back to Earth, the result could be disastrous. Animals, plants, and people could be wiped out. Worth the $$$? A more practical concern is the cost. The price could approach $ 1 trillion . How can we justify spending that much when so many problems--poverty, disease--could use the cash here on Earth? \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE according to the \"A welcoming planet\" part? \n Options: (A) Mars is a little bigger than Earth. (B) There are flowing rivers on Mars. (C) People haven't been to Mars so far. (D) Scientists have discovered signs of life on Mars.", "neg": "Article: It's Friday morning in the year 2025, and you're running late. You got distracted watching the music video that as playing in the corner of your bathroom mirror while you were brushing your teeth. How will you get to your office at Mega Giga Industries on time? A quick check of your Internet-connected refrigerator magnet tells you your train which travels at speeds up to 250 miles an hour as it electromagnetically  hovers above its guide track is a bit behind schedule, too. So you decide to drive your environmentally-friendly hydrogen  fuel cell car instead or rather _ . It's programmed to know the way, and it will get you there without speeding, getting lost, or crashing. Sealing into your office chair, which changes color to match what you're wearing, you pick up yesterday morning's newspaper. Printed on reusable electronic paper, it instantly rewrites itself with today's headlines. Now it's time for your big meeting. Uh-oh! You've left your handwritten notes at home. No problem! The digital ink pen you used has stored an electronic copy of what you wrote. Your wrist  watch videophone suddenly rings. Your best friend's face pops up on the organic light-emitting diode   screen asking what you're doing this weekend. Will you slap on your 3D contact lenses and play virtual soccer with the US Olympic team? No, no. Your friend says, so you have to take the new nanotube elevator (made of microscopic fibers many times stronger than steel) 60,000 miles into space. Could this scene really take place in just a couple of decades? The researchers who are currently developing all this stuff think so. These things may be as common in 20 years as cell phones and DVD players are today. \n Question: The author wrote the passage to   _  . \n Options: (A) show picture the life of the future (B) introduce some high technology (C) tell us the future life is fantastic (D) tell us the future life is convenient", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}150{"query": "Article: Two thieves came to a house to steal something. They dug a hole in the wall of the house. There lived many mice in the house. The woman in the house saw a mouse crawl  into the house in the moonlight. \"Look! In comes one,\" she said to the man in the house. The thief was so frightened that he hurriedly crawled out of the house and said to the one waiting outside, \"She found me when I was just in.\" But the thief outside didn't believe him, so he said, \"Let us try to crawl into the house together.\" At that time two mice happened to crawl into the house, too. The woman saw the mice and shouted, \"In come two, catch them!\" The two thieves were terribly frightened. The man in the house said, \"You saw them come in but where are they? I will catch them tonight.\" The two thieves started running away at once. The two thieves wanted to make it clear whether they had been found or not the night before. The next day they acted as men selling sweet potatoes and came before the house. The man and the woman were ploughing in their fields. The rope broke and the woman came home for a rope. She saw two men selling sweet potatoes and wanted to buy some. She picked out two which looked like mice. At the time the man couldn't wait for her any longer in the fields and he ran back from the fields to hurry her up. The woman showed the sweet potatoes to the man and said, \"How they look like the two of last night.\" The man said, \"I asked you to fetch a rope, why don't you hurry for it?\" The two thieves ran away very quickly without their sweet potatoes. \n Question: The two thieves failed to steal anything from the house because   _  . \n Options: (A) they were found out (B) they were frightened by what they had heard in the house (C) they didn't work together well with each other (D) mice stopped them from doing so", "pos": "Article: A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package: What food might it contain? He was astonished to discover that it was a mouse trap! Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse declared the warning, \"There is a mouse trap in the house, there is a mouse trap in the house.\" The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, \"Mr Mouse, I can tell you this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me, I cannot be bothered by it.\" The mouse turned to the pig and told him, \"There is a mouse trap in the house.\" \"I am so sorry, Mr Mouse,\" sympathized the pig, \"but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; be assured that you are in my prayers.\" The mouse turned to the cow, who replied, \"A mouse trap, am I in grave danger, huh?\" So the mouse returned to the house, head down and depressed to face the farmer's mouse trap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was an evil snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knew to treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main _ . His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral. The farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat. So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when the least of us is threatened, we are all at risk. \n Question: We may infer that the passage is most probably a   _  . \n Options: (A) fairy tale (B) Fable (C) science fiction (D) news report", "neg": "Article: A mouse looked through a hole in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was astonished to discover that it was a mouse trap! Running to the farmyard, the mouse shouted, warning, \"There is a mouse trap in the house; there is a mouse trap in the house.\" The chicken with her head high, said, \"Shut up, Little Ugly. This is a great concern to you, but it has nothing to do with me; I cannot be bothered by it.\" The mouse turned to the pig and told him, \"There is a mouse trap in the house.\" \"I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse,\" said the pig, \"but there is nothing I can do about it but pray; you are always  in my prayers.\" The mouse turned to the cow, who said, \"A mouse trap; am I in great danger, huh?\" So the mouse had to face the farmer's mouse trap alone. That very night a sound was heard through the house, like the sound of a mouse trap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a poisonous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. It is said that drinking fresh chicken soup will help treat fever, so the farmer took his sharp knife to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. His wife's sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer killed the pig.   The farmer's wife did not get well, in fact, she died, and so many people came for her funeral. The farmer had the cow killed to provide meat for all of them to eat. So next time someone is facing a problem, don't say that has nothing to do with you. \n Question: We could see from the passage that the mouse was  _  . \n Options: (A) good at cheating others (B) dishonest (C) kind and warm-hearted (D) foolish", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}151{"query": "Article: We live in a technological society where most goods are mass-produced by unskilled labor. Because of this, most people think that craft no longer exists. One of the ways these people wrongly support their view is by pointing to 100-year-old homes which are still solid, and arguing that it is the craftsmanship that is responsible for their durability. \"Homes in those days were well-built,\" _ say. No doubt these homes were well-built, but what these people have done is mix up the quality of material used in the house with the quality of the craftsmanship. Homes today could be built to last just as long as those old homes if people were willing or able to pay the price. For example, most people can no longer afford solid oak stairways, although they were once fairly common in older homes. Nor can they afford the high labor cost of employing a carpenter to build the stairway. Yet if someone can pay the high cost, there are still plenty of carpenters around able to make those stairways. And not only would these carpenters know how to build them, they would probably do a better job than carpenters of old. One thing the modern carpenter has which enables him to do a better job is much more advanced tools. Such tools as laser beams and powerplanes help them lay out a house better and make more precision cuts on the wood. Also, it is not uncommon say more to find carpenters with college degrees and carpenters with a solid knowledge of mathematics, which would enable them to deal with more difficult house designs. The problem of modern quality, then, really boils down to the problem of material, for the modern carpenter is just as able to produce craftsmanship as the carpenter of fifty years ago, but only if given proper material. \n Question: Compared to the carpenters in the past, modern carpenters are  _  . \n Options: (A) more successful (B) more learned (C) more imaginative (D) more hardworking", "pos": "Article: For millions of people, the American dream of owning a home seems to be slipping out of reach.   \"Maybe young couples can no longer afford to buy a ready-made house as their parents did,'' says 40-year-old building instructor Pat Hennin. \"But they can still have a home. Like their pioneer ancestors, they can build it themselves, and at less than half the cost of a ready-made house.\"  The owner-builders came from every occupational group, although surprisingly few are professional building workers. Many  _ with little or no experience. \"I learned how to build my house from reading books,\" says John Brown, who built a six-room home for $25, 000 in High Falls, New Jersey. \"If you have patience and the carpentry skill to make a bookcase, you can build a house.\" An astonishing 50 percent of these owner-builders hammer every nail, lay every pipe, and wire every switch with their own hands. The rest contract for some parts of the task. But even those who just act as contractors and finish the insides of their homes can save from 30 percent to 45 percent of what a ready-made home would cost. One survey revealed that 60 percent of owner-builders also design their homes. Many others buy commercial house plans for less than $100 or use plans available from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. \n Question: What does the passage mainly tell us? \n Options: (A) The cost of having a house built. (B) The American dream of owning a house. (C) The life of owner-builders in America. (D) A comparison between young couples and their parents.", "neg": "Article: Some people would say that the Englishman's home is no longer his castle; that it has become his workshop. This is partly because the average Englishman is keen on working with his own hands and partly because he feels, for one reason or another, that he must do for himself many households for which, some years ago, he would have hired professional help. The main reason for this is a financial one. The high cost of labor has meant that builders' and decorators' cost have reached a level which makes them prohibitive for house-proud English-people of modest means. So, if they wish to keep their houses looking bright and smart, they have to tackle some of the repairs and decorating themselves. As a result, there has grown up in the post-war years what is sometimes referred to as the \"do-it-yourself movement\". The \"do-it-yourself movement\" began with home decorating but has spread into a much wider field. Nowadays there seem to be very few things that can't be made by the \"do-it-yourself movement\" method. A number of magazines and handbooks exist to show hopeful handymen of all ages just how easy it is to build anything from a coffee table to a fifteen-foot sailing boat. All you need, it seems, is a hammer and a few nails. You follow the simple instructions step by step and, before you know where you are, the finished article stands before you, completely in every detail. Unfortunately, alas, it is not always quite as simple as it sounds! Many a budding \"do-it-yourself\" has found to his cost that one can not learn a skilled craftsman's job overnight. How quickly one realizes, when doing it oneself, that a job which takes a skilled man an hour or so to complete takes an amateur handyman five or six at least. And then there is the question of tools. The first thing the amateur learns is that he must have the right tools for the job. But tools cost money.  _ It is not surprising then that many people have come to the conclusion that the expense of the paying professional to do the work is, in the long run, more economical than \"do-it-yourself\". \n Question: Many Englishmen join in the movement of \"do-it-yourself\", because  _  . \n Options: (A) they are skilled handymen (B) they are proud of their houses (C) they can't afford professional help (D) they are mean enough", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}152{"query": "Article: Most painters discover a style of painting that is fit for them and stick to that, especially if people admire their pictures. But Picasso, the great Spanish painter, was like a man who had not yet found his own particular style of painting. He kept on struggling to find the perfect expression till his death in 1973. Some of Picasso's painting are rich, soft color1ed and beautiful. Others are ugly and cruel and strange. But such paintings allow us to imagine things for ourselves. They force us to say to ourselves,\"What does he see that makes him paint like that?\" And we begin to look under the surface of the things we see.. Picasso painted thousands of pictures in different styles. Sometimes he painted the natural look of things. Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces. He showed us what the mind knows as well as what the eyes see. At the age of 90,he remained as curious about the world as he had been when he was young. That is why people have called him \"the youngest painter in the world.\" \n Question: The ugly cruel and strange paintings by Picasso   _  . \n Options: (A) make us try to notice something latent  in the things (B) allow us to ask questions about them (C) force us to question anything we see (D) cause us to think what Picasso saw was different from what we see", "pos": "Article: In 2005,the American artist Richard Prince's photograph of a photograph,Untitled(Cowboy),was sold for $1 248 000. Prince is certainly not the only contemporary artist to have worked with so-called \"found photographs\"--a loose term given to everything from discarded prints discovered in a junk shop to old advertisements or amateur photographs from a stranger's family album.The German artist Joachim Schmid,who believes \"basically everything is worth looking at\",has gathered discarded photographs,postcards and newspaper images since 1982.In his on-going project,Archiv,he groups photographs of family life according to themes:people with dogs;teams;new cars;dinner with the family;and so on. Like Schmid,the editors of several self-published art magazines also champion found photographs.One of them,called simply Found,was born one snowy night in Chicago,when Davy Rothbard returned to his car to find under his wiper an angry note intended for someone else:\"Why's your car HERE at HER place?\"The note became the starting point for Rothbard's addictive publication,which features found photographs sent in by readers,such as a poster discovered in your drawer. The whole found-photograph phenomenon has raised some questions.Perhaps one of the most difficult is:can these images really be considered as art?And,if so,whose art?Yet found photographs produced by artists,such as Richard Prince,may raise endless possibilities.What was the cowboy in Prince's Untitled doing?Was he riding his horse hurriedly to meet someone?Or how did Prince create this photograph?It's anyone's guess.In addition,as we imagine the back-story to the people in the found photographs artists,like Schmid,have collated ,we also turn toward our own photographic albums.Why is memory so important to us?Why do we all seek to freeze in time the faces of our children,our parents,our lovers,and ourselves?Will they mean anything to anyone after we've gone? In the absence of established facts,the vast collections of found photographs give our minds an opportunity to wander freely.That,above all,is why they are so fascinating. \n Question: According to the passage,Joachim Schmid  _  . \n Options: (A) is fond of collecting family life photographs (B) found a complaining note under his car wiper (C) is working for several self-published art magazines (D) wondered at the artistic nature of found photographs", "neg": "Article: Most painters discover a style of painting that suits them and stick to that, especially if people admire their pictures. But Picasso, the great Spanish painter, was like a man who had not yet found his own particular style of painting.   He kept on struggling to find the perfect expression till his death in 1973.     Some of Picasso's paintings are rich, soft color1ed and beautiful. Others are ugly and cruel and strange. But such paintings allow us to imagine things for ourselves. They force us to say to ourselves, \"What does he see that makes him paint like that?\" And we begin to look beneath the surface of the things we see.     Picasso painted thousands of pictures in different styles. Sometimes he painted the natural look of things. Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces. He showed us what the mind knows as well as what the eye sees. At the age of 90 he remained as curious about the world as he had been when he was young.     That's why people have called him \"the youngest painter in the world.. \n Question: What does the passage mainly tell us? \n Options: (A) Picasso didn't find his own style. (B) People can't understand Picasso. (C) Picasso's style of painting. (D) Famous paintings of Picasso.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}153{"query": "Article: A treasure trove hidden for centuries has been discovered in the underground vaults of a temple in southern India. The treasures include gold, diamonds and precious stones. The estimated value of the hoard is reportedly 22 billion US dollars. Hundreds of armed police have been deployed around the temple. Meanwhile, a debate about how to use the money has also broken out across the country. After discovering the treasure trove in Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala, the local government has assured  security of the temple. Elaborating on the security arrangements, Venugopalan Nair, Additional Director General of the Kerala Police, says the latest security devices are being used to guard the temple. Venugopalan Nair, Additional Dir. Gen. of Kerala Police, said, \"We are trying to bring in the latest technology with regards to surveillance  cameras, with regards to, you know digitalizing the various things which are available inside. We are keeping a constant sort of surveillance for every movement, which happens in the whole area surrounding the temple.\" According to temple authorities, the crowd at the temple has increased steeply after news of the discovery of the treasure trove. And the Administrative Officer of the Temple says the government has initiated appropriate steps to control the curious crowds visiting the temple. G. Jayasekharan Nair, administrative officer, said, \"To control the crowds the government itself is taking a lot of measures. They are trying to do whatever is possible from the premises of the temple. Apart from all that, the government has taken a favorable step and we are satisfied with them.\" Over the last week, a seven-member team of investigators broke into five secret subterranean vaults, and discovered jewels that have been lying untouched for hundreds of years. As estimates of the treasures' worth rise, a fierce debate is growing regarding what to do with the discovery. Kerala's top elected leader said the wealth would remain with the temple, while others say it should be used to pay for poverty alleviation . However, the government is adhering to the Supreme Court's ruling on ownership of the treasure found in the temple. \n Question: How will the government deal with the treasure mentioned in the passage? \n Options: (A) It will be used to pay for poverty alleviation. (B) It will be returned to its owner. (C) It will be kept in the vaults. (D) It hasn't been decided yet.", "pos": "Article: The Collections of Chinese Ancient Cultural Relics Abroad: Volume Victoria and Albert Museum has just been published, the fruit of ten years' efforts by Chinese experts. The book is the first of an upcoming series that centers on ancient cultural heritage  collections in different museums around the world. The book details 195 out of 18,000 items now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in England. More than 1.64 million ancient Chinese artifacts have been transported out of China because of different reasons such as wars and smuggling  since the mid 19th century. More than 200 museums in 47 countries hold such collections, according to a report from UNESCO. \"The information we now have about these pieces is still very patchy ,\" said Lu Zhangshen, curator  of the National Museum of China. \"In order to have a clearer picture about these items, National Museum of China decided to start the Chinese Ancient Cultural Relics Abroad book project in 2005. But after we began, we found it really difficult to collect information for every piece from each museum. That's why the first volume took us ten years.\" \"The pieces in the book include 102 porcelains , 31 bronzes , 22 lacquer , 10 enamel vessels  and so on,\" Liu Mingqian from Victoria and Albert Museum said. According to the National Museum of China, the volume of the Japanese museum Sen-oku Hakuko Kan is coming out soon and the museum will seek more cooperation from museums worldwide to accelerate  the project. \n Question: Which of the following best describes Lu Zhangshen's attitudes towards the Chinese Ancient Cultural Relics Abroad book project? \n Options: (A) worthwhile but expensive (B) reasonable but worthless (C) meaningless but hard (D) meaningful but difficult", "neg": "Article: People bury treasure to stop other people from taking it. They choose a quiet place, dig a deep hole and bury the treasure in it. Then they make a map of where the treasure is or write down other clues that will help them or someone else to find it again. In Britain a few years ago, a writer wrote about some treasure that he had buried. He put clues in the story to help readers find it. Thousands of people hunted for the treasure. They dug holes all over Britain, hoping to find it. One of the most popular adventure stories ever written is Robert Louis Stephenson's \"Treasured Island\", an exciting story about a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who is captured by pirates   and later finds some buried treasure. Then there is the true story about a man who had to travel overseas for a year. He did not trust banks, so he buried his life savings in a park. Then he went away. On his return, he went straight to the park. But the park was no longer there. In its place there was a huge building. And then there was the man who buried his savings, all in bank notes, in a waterproof bag. When he dug it up years later, there was nothing left. Worms and insects had eaten the bag and everything in it. And of course, these are stories about people who bury things and either forget where they have buried them or lose the map. Although it is true that people sometimes lose their money because a bank fails, banks are still the safest place to keep our savings and treasures. \n Question: People who bury treasure usually    _    . \n Options: (A) do not trust banks (B) have a little money . (C) want to live in a quiet place. (D) expect to lose it", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}154{"query": "Article: Lee Ann Laraway has polio   and is not able to move very much. Most things are out of reach for her. Jeannie, a Labrador retriever, acts as her arms and legs. Jeannie understands 72 or more different commands. On a shopping trip, she can get money for Lee Ann at the bank or candies at the store. She can pay the cashier   and get change back. Jeannie brings things to Lee Ann and puts them in her lap. Jeannie was trained at a place called Canine Companions for Independence, located on twelve acres of land in Santa Rosa (California). The land was donated   by the cartoonist Charles Shultz. \"We train four different types of dogs here,\" said Ken Kirsh, a dog trainer there. \"Hearing dogs, service dogs, skilled companion dogs, and facility dogs.\" Trainers work with Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers for hours a day, but not every dog is good enough to be a working dog. The work is a serious business. Hearing dogs warn their owners of sounds like ringing telephones and doorbells. Other dogs work with disabled patients like eight-year-old Noah Habib who communicates with a special computer. He likes it when people come to ask him about his dog. His father says, \"People are really interested in the dog and will come over and ask to pet her and play with her, and ask about what she does, and these are people that normally might not approach us and want to talk to Noah.\" When Lee Ann Laraway comes home with Jeannie and her goods, Jeannie helps her open the door. \"You can train a dog to do a lot of things.\" said Lee Ann. \n Question: According to this passage, we can know that Jeannie is Lee Ann's  _  . \n Options: (A) servant (B) daughter (C) dog (D) mother", "pos": "Article: The story of Juno and Lucas is one of the most touching stories about the amazing relationship between humans and their companion animals. Juno is a Belgian Malinois . The dog was beautiful but was given up by its owners, as they did not want to take on the responsibility. Lucas, a little boy, had a strange illness, a condition that stops the body's ability to process enzymes .As his life continues, he will lose the ability to speak and his physical and mental abilities will degrade till he is left in a vegetative state. The average life expectancy for the patients is 15 years. Chester, the boy's father, wanted his child to enjoy his life on earth as much as possible and looked into getting a service dog for the child. However, Lucas wasn't a good candidate due to his deteriorating abilities, not to mention the $15,000 cost of the animal. Not terrified by all of this, Chester looked into adopting a dog for his son. He found Juno on a website and drove two hours to meet her. Chester had worked with the breed  in the police force and was familiar with how to train them. He put in patience and hard work, and trained Juno while allowing her to become accustomed to Lucas. Now, not only will Juno not leave Lucas' side, she is also helping with his illness. Chester said, \"She has the ability to notice his neurological changes. Now she reminds us when Lucas is about to have a seizure  or if his oxygen levels drop really low. She has saved him several times.\" Companion animals are beautiful things and they establish a bond that can't be described without experiences. I know that I held my adopted dog a little closer after hearing this story. There are a lot of dogs out there that need good homes and that won't be as lucky as Juno. So, if you think you're prepared, you should consider giving one a nice home. \n Question: Chester wanted to find a service dog to   _  . \n Options: (A) protect Lucas from being injured (B) help the boy recover from the disease (C) accompany Lucas to enjoy his time left (D) show their love for the beautiful dog", "neg": "Article: A sick little girl is being kept alive thanks to her best friend -- a dog who carries her oxygen tank on his back. Alida's faithful dog companion Mr Gibbs has been specially trained to shepherd the three-year-old, who breathes through a tube most of the time. He follows her closely as she plays in her family's ten-acre land in Louisville, uses the slide or even rides her bike.[:Z*xx*k.Com] Alida was diagnosed with neuroendocrine hyperplasia of infancy(NEHI)when she was just eight months old. Her rare condition has just eight hundred documented sufferers throughout the world, and causes diseased pieces of the lungs to filter oxygen through extra layers of cells, making it hard or almost impossible to breathe. For Alida and her parents, it meant that even a walk in the park was very difficult because oxygen equipment was too heavy for the youngster to be able to carry herself. As parents, they wanted to do something to help their daughter survive despite having a tube following her all the time. _ found out about \"service dogs\" from a TV program and realized an animal trained to help the blind could be trained to help Alida. They finally found help in the shape of golden doodle--a retriever crossed with a poodle-dog Mr Gibbs. Now thanks to trainer Ashleigh Kinsley--Alida and Mr Gibbs love nothing more than playing and running around together with the dog acting as Alida's life saver. \n Question: What is Mr Gibbs? \n Options: (A) A pet dog. (B) A policeman. (C) A doctor. (D) A firefighter.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}155{"query": "Article: When people who are nature lovers worldwide wish all humans to realize the importance of their natural surroundings, many Australians are turning caring for the environment into a way of life. Julie, an Australian housewife in Brisbane is one such example. Even though autumn is approaching Australia's Brisbane in April, one can still watch colorful blooming   flowers in Julie's little garden, as she tells that in her community,\"Each of us has a beautiful yard. The whole community, from children to elderly people, takes care of the environment as if they are taking care of their own garden.\" \"Gardening is the most popular club in our community,\" she says. \"A lot of retired people don't just regularly organize gardening lectures, but also personally visit families in the community to provide gardening training. So you can see that flowers continue to blossom  in our gardens throughout the year.\" Talking about her people's sense of caring for the environment, Julie says when people in the community take along their dog, they always carry a garbage bag to deal with the dog's waste. \"In our community, you will never experience the embarrassment of stepping on the dirty waste while you are walking on the grass,\" says Julie with a smile. \"Taking care of the dog's waste can also help to develop children's sense of responsibility!\" As to protecting water resources, the Australian government has made strict rules for families. Julie says, \"We certainly would not use tap water to water the flowers!\" She says almost every family in her community has a huge tank used to store rainwater, which is later used as the resource of all outdoor water use, including car washing and watering the garden. This year, they also asked people to connect the water tank with their toilets. \n Question: Why can flowers be seen all year round in Julie's community? \n Options: (A) Families are taught how to take care of their gardens. (B) Gardening lessons are often given by professors. (C) The local government provides free gardening training. (D) There is enough rainwater to water the flowers regularly.", "pos": "Article: Australia -a huge island continent that lies to the south of Asia.Australia-more than two hundred years old, a nation that is still growing. Its big cities lie on the southeast coast, this is where most Australians live.Australians prefer to own their own houses, though some live in apartments.Australians are a suburban people.The suburbs surround the cities for many miles, and so efficient transport is of great importance.As the economy grows, so do its industries- a higher level of production, a wider range of products. The Australian works hard, but he likes his leisure.The climate makes outdoor activities the most popular. Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a planned modem city located inland.Australia is governed by a parliamentary democracy.The representatives of other countries have their embassies here.Australia wants to strengthen relations with her neighbors. Australia is a strange land, a land of vast expanses- fertile valleys, snow fields and deserts- also a land with unique animal, many that can not be found on any other continent in the world today. Much of the continent is dry, but man has utilized the land, made it productive, with its tools, with its technology.This is the driest continent of all, and water is a precious possession, more precious than all other natural resources.Large dams are built to collect the water, there to irrigate the fields of pastures and crops. But Australia is changing.The land of wool and wheat is now a land of large-scale industry and mining.The costs of developing the new mineral discoveries are enormous, but the rewards are great too. Australia -- a young and developing nation.Australia -- a nation that wants to communicate with its neighbors. \n Question: Australia is an island located   _   of Asia and its big cities lie   _   of the coast. \n Options: (A) to the south; on the southeast (B) to the north; on the southwest (C) to the east; on the northeast (D) to the east; on the southwest", "neg": "Article: Do you know Australia ? Australia is the largest island in the world . It is a little smaller than China . It is in the south of the earth .Australia is big , but its population is not large . The population of Australia is nearly as large as that of Shanghai . The government has made enough laws to fight pollution . The cities in Australia have got little air or water pollution .The sky is blue and the water is clean . You can clearly see fish swimming in the rivers . Plants grow very well . Last month we visited Perth , the biggest city in Western Australia , and went to a wild flowers' exhibition . There we saw a large number of wild flowers we had never seen before . We had a wonderful time .Perth is famous for its beautiful wild flowers .In spring every year Perth has the wild flowers' exhibition .After visiting Perth, we spent the day in the countryside . We sat down and had a rest near a path at the foot of a hill .It was quiet and we enjoyed ourselves . Suddenly we heard bells ringing at the top of the hill .What we saw made us pick up all our things and run back to the car as quickly as we could .There were about three hundred sheep coming towards us down the path . Australia is famous for its sheep and kangaroos  . After a short drive from any town , you will find yourself in the middle of white sheep . Sheep , sheep , everywhere are sheep . \n Question: Australia is    _    . \n Options: (A) the largest country in the world (B) as large as Shanghai . (C) not as large as China . (D) the largest island in the north of the earth .", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}156{"query": "Article: Read the following reviews for movies that are showing at the moment. And then answer questions. Happiness(Romance)  Happinesstells the story of two people (Lisa Turbot and Danny Roy) who work for different advertising companies. They talk on the phone all the time and don't like each other. But then they _ by e-mail and fall in love. This movie will be very popular with teenagers and people who like romances. It also has beautiful music. I Scream(Thriller)  InI Scream, Paul (Colin Jacks) is a young man who joins a thriller club. Each of the members tries to frighten the others. Paul is told to stay in an old house for the night. Everyone who has tried to stay in the house before has died. This movie is very frightening but also quite silly. It doesn't make sense for Paul to stay in the house when things start to go wrong. Only for people who like thrillers. Paul's Heroes(Comedy)  This is a very funny war movie set in World War Two. Six soldiers (including Sammy Turblow) have to get to Italy to take secret messages to the American army there. During the movie, they dressup as women and fight with Italian workers. You can guess the ending, but it's great fun getting there.  _  (Drama)  This is a very good drama with Jack Ross, who plays a hard-working truck driver. His wife becomes ill and he has to find a doctor who can help her. In his travels he meets Dr. Lloyd (Phil Driver) who has found the cure for the illness, but Jack Ross has only twelve hours to get the medicine back to his wife on the other side of America. This is an excellent movie, which is very exciting. \n Question: Which of the four movies is the least popular with people? \n Options: (A) The 1st one. (B) The 2nd one. (C) The 3rd one. (D) The 4th one.", "pos": "Article: H.T.B. Arts Center FILM Tickets PS2.50 / PS 1.50. Performances at 8 pm unless started otherwise. WILD AT HEART 127mins. Wen 6-Fri8 February Director: David Lynch Starring: Nicholas Cage, Laura Dern, Willam Dafoe. A first-class film. Cage and his girlfriend Dean are on the run through the dangerous Deep South. They are hiding from gunmen who have been hired to kill Cage by Dean's mother. Victims, yes--but they also have fun. It's wild at heart, strange on top. Funny, frightening and brilliant. DICK TRACY 113mins Mon 11-Sat16 February 6pm Tickets on sale 5-6 pm Director: Warren Beatty Starring: Warren Beatty , Madonna The famous detective tries to stop Big Boy and the Blank from taking over the city. A colorful and exciting film. Some parts are frightening, so think twice about taking children. BATMAN 126mins Mon11-Sat16 February 8.30pm Tickets on sale 7.30-8.30pm PIZZA PLUS offer 6-7pm Director: Tim Burton Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson. A few essential questions must be asked...Is Batman a mad hero? Why does Bruce Wayne spend millions dressing up as a bat? Has Nicholson's Joker stolen the whole movie? Great action and excellent acting, especially by Nicholson. \n Question: We know from Wild at Heart that \n Options: (A) Wild at Heart is funny rather than frightening (B) Cage was not accepted by his future mother-in-law. (C) A famous detective happened to help Cage and Dean. (D) Cage and Dean are playing the hide-and-seek game with Dean's mother.", "neg": "Article: Here are some of the best movies you like. I believe they can accompany you to spend your dull weekend. In this story a computer hacker searches for the truth behind the mysterious force . In the 22nd century it turns out that the world is controlled by a magic computer system called the Matrix and people live in an unreal world. The computer hacker and his comrades overcome much difficulty and at last find the way to take over the Matrix and save the world. This comedy is about J and K, agents in a top secret agency , and they fight bravely with the alien to save the galaxy from a bad-tempered alien \"bug\" and save the Earth from being destroyed . Harry has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard----with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and about the bad man who's to blame . When a satellite crashes in New Mexico, the Air Force sends two men to reach it. To their horror, they discover that the probe carries an alien virus that's already killed all but two of the residents of the town where it landed. Now, scientists must stop the virus from spreading . In the year 2035, James Cole is forced to be sent back to 1996 by scientists to discover the origin of a virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population. When Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital, where he meets the son of a famous virus expert. \n Question: Harry Potter    _   . \n Options: (A) does't know he's a powerful wizard until he is 11 years old (B) has a happy and pleasant childhood with his aunt and uncle (C) hates to stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (D) Knows how his parents died before he goes to the Hogwarts school", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}157{"query": "Article: Good Teachers A language training school at Yayuncun needs two full-time teachers and three part-time teachers to teach adults, 12 students a class, oral English and business English during afternoons and evenings.      Full-time teachers 25--30 hours per week, 10 000--2 000 yuan per month.  Part-time teachers can choose the class to teach, 100--150 yuan per hour, according to your experience. Need native English speakers with teaching experience. Please send your RESUME and PICTURE to eslchina@ yahoo.com.cn                                     Writers/Researchers Currently, Fisher's Travel SOS is looking for the freelance writer and researcher with experience in journalism and the ability to computers, it is part-time positions for our project that will take a month to complete.  Work is conducted at home, and will take a couple of hours per day or less. Full training is given. Please refer to www.Fisherstravelos.com for more information on our company. Journalists and writers interested in the positions should directly contact Danielle-Chu at daniellechu@ fisherstravelsos. com with your details and CV . Full-time Waiters/Waitresses/Bartenders We are a beautiful modern world famous Tiki Bar looking for FULL-TIME staff --waiters/waitresses/ bartenders for its current expansion. If you are 18 to 25 years old, with good looks, wit and charm, this job is for you. Good English and basic restaurant experience are necessary but not required. Please contact us. Tel: 13370153195 Mail :dacfxa@ 163bi. com Advertising Sales You must have a \"sales\" personality -- you need to love knocking on doors, giving presentations, closing deals, and keeping your customers happy. You don't need any special degrees, and you don't have to speak English. It would be better if you should have advertising sales experience, but that's not a requirement. If this sounds fit for you, please email your resume  to jobs @ chinadeco, com. cu. \n Question: You must know English if you want to be  _ \n Options: (A) a teacher (B) a waiter (C) a writer (D) a seller", "pos": "Article: International Schools Services Experience teaching overseas Have you thought of working overseas? International Schools Services is looking for teachers for thousands of positions.Schools are looking for experienced, well-trained persons who must meet two of the three criteria:          *A four-year bachelor's   degree          *Certification in a subject          *Two years' successful teaching experience in a public or private school Attend one of our International Recruitment Conferences  .Hundreds of schools will be available.Over 2,000 positions are expected to be filled.          *Atlanta--December 4,201 1--December 6, 2011          *Bangkok--January 4, 2012~January 7, 2012          *Boston--February 5, 2012~February 9, 2012          *San Francisco--February 13, 2012~February 16, 2012                                                                                          Becoming an international educator will offer you a journey you will value for decades to come.In addition, while each school experience is unique, you'll teach your subject in English, earn a competitive salary and enjoy excellent benefits packages  , high-quality facilities, small class sizes.[:Ks5u.com] You'll meet new people i have a lasting effect on children across the world and discover a new world. If you or someone you know is interested in teaching overseas, contact the Educational Staffing Department at edustaf fing@iss, eduor by phone at 609-452-0990.          Visit www.iss.edu to learn more. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT related to the basic requirements for a teaching position? \n Options: (A) Travelling experience. (B) A four-year bachelor's degree. (C) Certification in a subject. (D) Certain teaching experience.", "neg": "Article: Ad No.90374 Posted July 12, 2015 by Amanda Expire Date August 12, 2015 Tag:Beijing Language Teaching Part Time We are looking for Teachers, whose Native Language is English, willing to teach in China. Mostly schools are in South of China. The Benefit package for ESL Teachers includes: One-year Contract:1st September 2015 to 1st August 2016 Salary 4,000 RMB to 5,000 RMB/Month Teaching load & schedule:20 teaching hours per week A rent-free, fully furnished apartment with a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom Kitchen facilities provided, other electric appliances will be supplied, water, heater, microwave etc.[:ZXXK] If you are interested, please read the information above and kindly send your application to attach the following documents (in doc or JPEG format).The subject to be mentioned, as \"teach in China\" 1).CV/Resume  2).A copy of academic degree/diploma/certificate/or college transcript 3).A photocopy of the data page of valid passport 4).A recent color photo 5).A letter of recommendation or release letter from your previous Chinese school (Only if you worked in China previously) 6).Any other relevant information that you think might help your application \n Question: This advertisement is about  _  . \n Options: (A) introducing a school (B) seeking a teaching position (C) taking on English teachers (D) attracting foreign students", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}158{"query": "Article: Forget Twitter and Facebook, Google and the Kindle. Television is still the most influential medium around. Indeed, for many of the poorest regions of the world, it remains the next big thing--finally becomes globally available. And that is a good thing, because the TV revolution is changing lives for the better. Across the developing world, around 45% of families had a TV in 1995; by 2005 the number had climbed above 60% . That is some way behind the U.S. ,where there are more TVs than people, and where people now easily get access to the Internet. Five million more families in sub-Saharan Africa will get a TV over the next five years. In 2005 , after the fall of the Taliban ,which had banned TV, I in 5 Afghans had one. The global total is another 150 million by 2013--pushing the numbers to well beyond two thirds of families. Television's most powerful effect will be on the lives of women. In India, researchers Robert Jensen and Emily Oster found that when TVs reached villages, women were more likely to go to the market without their husbands approval and less likely to want a boy rather than a girl. They were more likely to make decisions over child health care. TV is also a powerful medium for adult education. In the Indian state of Gujarat, Chitrageet is a popular show that plays Bollywood songs with words in Gujarati on the screen. Within six months, viewers had made a small but significant improvement in their reading skills. Too much TV has been associated with violence, overweight and loneliness. However, TV is having a positive influence on the lives of billions worldwide. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Americans used to get access to the Internet easily. (B) The world's TV sets will total 150 million by 2013. (C) 45% of families in the developing countries had a TV in 2005. (D) Over two thirds of families in the world will have a TV by 2013.", "pos": "Article: For decades, families settled on the sofa to share the latest news and TV series, until additional bedroom TV, computer games and the Internet almost put an end to family rows over who held the remote control. Now, however, the traditional living room scene is making a comeback. A study by the communications watchdog Ofcom has found families are once again gathering around the main television set, but they are bringing their pads and smartphones with them. \"The 1950s living room is making a comeback as a family entertainment centre,\" said Jane Rumble, head of media research at Ofcom. \"We are watching on much better, bigger, and more delicate television sets, but we are coming into the living room holding our connected devices.\" While the family are coming together once more, comparisons with the past end there. With a range of smaller screens on hand, not everyone sitting on the sofa shares the same viewing experience. The coronation   may have drawn the undivided attention of 20 million viewers in 1953, but those watching the Queen's Jubilee celebrations 50 years later were as likely to be commenting online about BBC's broadcast as watching it. \"Just a few years ago, we would be talking about last night's TV at work or at school,\" said a viewer, \"Now, we're having those conversations live while watching TV, using social media, text and instant messaging.\" It is a behaviour of media meshing , whose influence was underlined during this year's Wimbledon men's tennis final. As Andy Murray pushed towards his victory, 1.1 million people worldwide sent an average of over two microblogs about the match. People use the Internet to enhance their television experience, for example, by reading a newspaper live blog about a football match while watching the action on the main screen. For a huge number of younger viewers, the portable screen offers a chance to do something unrelated, such as online shopping, listening to music or watching another television programme. Some 70% of 16-to-24-year-olds claim to be absorbed in what Ofcom calls \"media stacking\" at least once a week. For TV viewers, the Internet scanning is the most popular activity, but they are also calling friends on the phone or sending emails and texts. Surprisingly, 12% claim to have listened to the radio with the television on, and 6% say they have watched another video in the meanwhile. \n Question: According to the study by Ofcom, family members nowadays   _  . \n Options: (A) care more about who holds the remote control (B) share the same programmes in the living room (C) watch better and more delicate television programmes (D) enjoy TV together with various smaller screens on hand", "neg": "Article: Television, which made its first serious appearance in 1939, did not become common until the early 1950s. Since then, millions of children have grown up in front of the set, and many people now worry about the effect that TV has on the young, and on society in general. Educators, psychologists, and crime experts wonder if television should be abolished . Many ordinary parents wish it had never been invented. Why are they so afraid? Is television as harmful as they think it is? Like almost anything else, television has its good and its bad sides. One should surely thank its inventors for the joy and interest that they have brought into the lives of the old, the sick, and the lonely -- all those who, without it, would have no pleasure and no window on the world. In truth, television has opened windows in everybody's life. No newspaper has ever reached so many people and shown so clearly what was happening right now in their own country and everywhere else. TV not only gives the news instantly, it also shows it in pictures more powerful than words. It can be said that TV has brought reality to the public. Millions of people now have seen the effects of a battle, a flood, a fire, a crime, disasters of every sort on the screen. Unfortunately, television's influence has been extremely harmful to the young. Children do not have enough experience to realize that TV shows present an unreal world. They want to imitate what they see. They do believe that the violence they see is normal and acceptable. By the time they are out of high school, most young people have watched about 15,000 hours of television, and have seen about 18,000 killings or other acts of violence. All educators and psychologists agree that the \"television generations\" are more violent than their parents and grandparents, According to the same experts, the young are also less patient. Used to TV shows, where everything is quick and entertaining, they do not have the patience to read an article without pictures; to read a book that requires thinking; to listen to a teacher who doesn't do funny things like the people on children's programs. And they expect all problems to be solved happily in ten, fifteen or thirty minutes. That's the time it takes on the screen. It is certain that television has deeply changed our lives and our society. It is certain that, along with its benefits, it has brought many serious problems. To these problems we must soon find a solution because, whether we like it or not, television is here to stay. \n Question: First TV set was made    _   . \n Options: (A) in 1939 (B) in the 1950s (C) in the 1940s (D) in 1919", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}159{"query": "Article: What's your idea of a good time? What about dancing in a rainy field with one hundred and fifty thousand other people while a famous rock band plays on a stage so far away that the performers look like ants? It may sound strange but that is what many hundreds of thousands of young people in the UK do every summer.Why? Because summer is the time for outdoor music festivals. Held on a farm, the Glastonbury Festival is the most well-known and popular festival in the UK.It began in 1970 and the first festival was attended by one thousand five hundred people each paying an admission price of PS1 -- the ticket included free milk from the farm. Since then the Glastonbury Festival has gone from strength to strength -- in 2004 one hundred and fifty thousand fans attended, paying PS112 each for a ticket to the three-day event.Tickets for the event sold out within three hours.Performers included superstars, such as Paul McCartney and James Brown, as well as new talent, like Franz Ferdinand and Joss Stone. Although many summer festivals are run on a profit-making basis, Glastonbury is a charity event, donating millions of pounds to local and international charities. Glastonbury is not unique  in using live music to raise money to fight global poverty.In July of this year, the Live 8 concerts were held simultaneously   in London, Paris, Rome and Berlin.Superstars such as Madonna, Sir Elton John and Stevie Wonder performed in order to highlight international poverty and debt. \n Question: What does the author mean by saying \"the Glastonbury Festival has gone from strength to strength\"? \n Options: (A) The festival has achieved growing success. (B) Great efforts have been made to hold the festival. (C) The festival has brought in a large amount of money. (D) There have been thousands of fans attending the festival.", "pos": "Article: While some music festivals were canceled because the economy isn't good, plenty remain for music lovers. Here's a guide to the best rock and jazz festivals this summer. Krayina Mriy When and where: June20-21, Kyiv, Pyrohovo folk museum Lineup, TNMK, Boombox, Vopli Vidoplyasova, Onuka Krayina Mriy is an annual rock music festival that promotes modern music. Besides music, the festival will offer dances as well as literary and theatrical performances and also playing a traditional music instrument. Alfa Fest When and where: June 26-28, Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet So far all tickets are booked, but a waiting list is available at _ This annual festival held in Lviv will be interesting for experienced jazz lovers. The performers on the lineup come from Ukraine, Japan, Cuba and the US. Koktebel Festival When and where:Aug.22-Sep.6. Zatoka village, Odesa Oblast Koktebel Jazz is the biggest outdoor jazz festival. The Cinematic Orchestra, Parov Stelar, Nino Katamadze, Bonobo, Submotion Orchestra, Billy's Band were the gala's superstars in previous years. This year the list of festival' participants and tickets prices still remain unknown but the organizers revealed that apart from good jazz, the guests will be offered music lectures and movies screenings. Respublica When and where: Sep4-7, Kamyanets-Podilsky, Khmelnytska Oblast Folk music and street art festival Respublica will take place in Kamyanets-Podilsky, one of the most beautiful cities in the west. Kyiv Post staff writer Nataliya Trach can be reached at _ \n Question: Where can people enjoy the rock music? \n Options: (A) Kyiv, Pyrohovo folk museum. (B) Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet (C) Zatoka village, Odesa Oblast (D) yanets-Podilsky, Khmelnytska Oblast", "neg": "Article: Glastonbury Festival: Time and place: 22nd~26th June, Pilton, Somerse. Recognized as the best summer festival season, Glastonbury is one of the biggest and oldest festivals in the UK. Last year's 40th anniversary was their best ever, even though the supergroup U2 canceled last minute because of Bono injuring his back. Latitude Festival: Time and place:14th~17th July, Henham Park, Suffolk. Now in its sixth year, this festival is the choice for more families. It is providing visitors with a range of entertainment to accompany the music, including comedy, show, theatre and literature. Shrewsbury Folk Festival: Time and place: 26th~29th August, West Mids Show Ground, Shrewsbury. Announced as one of the best folk festivals in the UK, this festival is only in its sixth year. It takes place over the 4 days of the August bank holiday weekend, and moved to Shrewsbury in 2006.  Download Festival: Time and place: 10th and 12th, June, Donington Park Derby. It is a three-day rock music festival held every year. The name Download was chosen for the festival for two reasons. Downloading was a dirty work in the music industry at the time because of file sharing and rock is seen as a rebellious   type of music. \n Question: Which festival is one of the oldest festivals in the UK? \n Options: (A) Download Festival (B) Latitude Festival (C) Shrewsbury Folk Festival (D) Glastonbury Festival", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}160{"query": "Article: Alice's mother died when she was five. Although her brothers and sisters were loving and caring, their love couldn't take the place of a mother's. In 1925 Alice became my mother and told me that her family couldn't even afford her a doll. One afternoon in December 1982, when I was getting ready for Christmas, I suddenly decided to buy two dolls, one for my five-year-old daughter, Katie, and one for my old mother. Things went smoothly when a friend told me that his dad, who played Santa Claus in my area, would be willing to make a visit on Christmas morning to our home with the gifts! Knowing that my parents would also come to my house, I began to get ready for the most memorable day of my mother's life. Christmas Day arrived and so did Santa Claus at the planned time. Katie was very excited and happy all the time to welcome the Santa. My mother was enjoying watching Katie welcoming this special guest. As Santa turned to leave he looked again into his bag and took out one more gift. As he asked who Alice was, my mother, without thinking of her name being called, said that she in fact was Alice. Santa handed her the gift with a message card that read: For Alice: I was cleaning out my sleigh   before my trip this year and came across this package that should be sent on December 25, 1925. The gift inside has aged, but I felt that you might still wish to have it. Many apologies for the lateness of the gift. Love, Santa Claus My mother was very excited and deeply moved to tears. She couldn't speak but only held tightly in her arms the doll she had waited fifty-seven years to receive as tears of joy flew down her face. That doll made my mother the happiest \"child\". \n Question: Why couldn't Alice get a doll as a child? \n Options: (A) Because her mother died quite early. (B) Because her family disliked her. (C) Because her family was very poor. (D) Because Alice didn't love dolls.", "pos": "Article: One of my wonderful memories is about a Chrismas gift . Unlike other gifts,it came Wrap . On September 11th ,1958,Mum gave birth to Richard. After she brought him home from hospital,she put him in my lap ,saying,\"I promised you a gift ,and here it is.\" What an honor!I Turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own.I played with It day and night .Isang to it .I told it stories .I told it over and over how much I loved it!    One morning ,however,I found its bed empty. My doll was gone! Icried for it.Mum and Told me that the poor little thing bad been sent to a hospital. It had a fever. For several days I Heard Mum and Dad whispering such words as \"hopeless\",\"pitiful\",and \"dying\",which sounded  Ominous.   Chistmas was coming . \"Don't expect any present this year ,\"Dad said ,pointing at the socks I hung in the living room .\"If your baby brother lives ,that'll be Christmas engouh.\" As he spoke ,his eyes filled with tears .I'd never seen him cry before . The phone rang early on Christmas moning . Dad jumped out of bed to answer it From my bedroom I heard him say ,\"What? He's all rght?\" He hung up and shouted upstairs .\"The hospital said we can bring Richard home !\"  \"Thank God !\" I heard Mum cry . From the upstairs window,I watched my parents rush out to the car. I had never seen them happy.And I was also full of joy.What a wonderful day!My baby doll would be home.I  downstairs. My sccks still hung there flat.But I knew they were not empty; they were filled w  love! \n Question: Which word can best describe the feeling of the father when Christrmas was coming? \n Options: (A) Excitement. (B) Happiness. (C) Sadness. (D) Disappointment.", "neg": "Article: Alice's mother died when Alice was five years old. Alice, who grew up to be my mother, told me that after her mother's death her family was too poor to even afford to give her a doll. In December 2012, I had a job at a local bank. One afternoon, we were decorating the tree in the bank lobby . One of my customers approached me with her beautiful handmade dolls. I decided to get one for my daughter, Katie, who was almost five years old. Then I had an idea. I asked my customer if she could make me a special doll for my mother--one with gray hair and spectacles : a grandmother doll. And she gladly agreed. A friend had told me that his dad who played Santa Claus would be willing to make a visit on Christmas morning to our home to deliver my Katie her presents, so I made some special arrangements. Christmas Day arrived and at the planned time; so did Santa Claus. Katie was surprised that Santa had come to see her at her own house. As Santa turned to leave, he looked once more into his bag and found one more gift. As he asked who Alice was, my mother, surprised at her name being called, indicated that she in fact was Alice. Santa handed her the gift, with a message card that read: For Alice: I was cleaning out my sleigh  before my trip this year and came across this package that was supposed to be delivered on December 25,1953. The present inside has aged, but I felt that you might still wish to have it. Many apologies for the lateness of the gift. Love, Santa Claus My mother's reaction was one of the most deeply emotional scenes I have ever seen. She couldn't speak but only held the doll she had waited fifty-nine years to receive as tears of joy ran down her cheeks. That doll, given by \"Santa\", made my mother the happiest \"child\" that Christmas. \n Question: The reason why the writer's mother couldn't have a doll when young was that  _  . \n Options: (A) Santa Clause forgot to deliver the doll to her (B) her daughter couldn't make a doll by herself (C) her parents left the doll in the Santa Clause's sleigh (D) her family was badly off when she was a child", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}161{"query": "Article: The Opening of the Book Nook Saturday, October 4, 10 AM to 10 PM You will not want to miss the opening of your new neighborhood bookstore! Located at 2289 Main Street, the Book Nook is within walking distance of schools, many homes and businesses. Come and check out the Book Nook on Saturday! Activities will include: * Live music by local musicians * One Book-of-the-Month Club membership giveaway   Wide Selection The Book Nook has three floors with books of all kinds---any kind you could want. If we do not have the book you are looking for, we can specially order it for you. You will have it in your hands within two days! Reading Nooks We are proud of our children's reading area on the first floor, as well as our teenagers' nook on the second floor. Come for the activities and stay for a while! Settle in one of these inviting reading areas; take a seat with a good book and a free cup of hot chocolate. You will discover the perfect way to spend a few hours. Book Events The Book Nook will be featuring monthly book signings by different authors, giving you a chance to meet and speak with well-known writers. Don't miss the experience of hearing these authors read aloud their own books! The Book-of-the-Month Club Our Book-of-the-Month Club will feature 12 books each year. As a member, you will be able to select one new book each month. The membership fee is only $10.00 per month. That is a great price for 12 books each year! So please join us on Saturday and learn about all that the Book Nook has to offer. You can come anytime between 10 AM and 10 PM. Our activities last all day long! \n Question: What can we learn about the Book Nook? \n Options: (A) It is a well-located bookstore. (B) Any interesting books can be found right here. (C) It is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day. (D) The third floor is specially designed for children.", "pos": "Article: On Monday, Sept.25, hundreds of people gathered outside the Library of Congress, in Washington D.C., to celebrate public libraries. For more than 100 years, libraries have played an important role in keeping America informed and educated. But how are these book-filled buildings changing with the times? You may be surprised to find out. Benjamin Franklin famously founded America's first lending library in 1731 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And the public library system developed greatly in the late 1800's. Businessman Andrew Carnegie donated millions of dollars to help build free public libraries across the country. Between 1886 and 1919, Carnegie's donations helped build 1,679 new libraries! Carnegie believed in the opportunities that libraries could offer Americans young and old. He knew that the more libraries there were, the more people would have access to books, lectures, news and more. \"There are now more public libraries in the United States than McDonald's restaurants,\" said Clara Hayden, of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library.  Chances are that there is a public library in or near your community . After all, the United States is home to 9,225 public libraries. Today, libraries continue to develop and grow. Seven out of ten libraries offer free Internet access. This opens any doors for community members who cannot go online at home, including the opportunity to apply for jobs online. Libraries are also teaching kids about the fun of reading. One new program called Read! Play! ----- combines reading with playtime. As kids listen to a book being read aloud, they use Legos to build images from the story. \"Today's libraries are always looking for creative programming to bring people into the library,\" Lego's Michael McNally said. Benjamin Franklin once said, \"The doors of wisdom are never shut.\" As long as the doors of public libraries are open, his statement is most certainly true! \n Question: Clara Hayden would agree that in America   _  . \n Options: (A) you can find public libraries almost everywhere (B) there are too many McDonald's restaurants (C) restaurants are as important as libraries (D) it is convenient to enjoy meals while reading", "neg": "Article: Bookie's, the campus bookstore is located at the Campus Activity Centre, main floor. Bookie's is the only place in Kamloops to buy your course textbooks. There is a booklist in the bookstore listing the books required for each course. If you need help in finding your course textbooks, ask any of the staff in the bookstore. There are more than just textbooks at bookie's. They carry a wide variety of stationary, art supplies and gift items. You can also buy telephone cards, postage stamps and bus passes. You must show your student card to get a discount for the bus passes. TEXTBOOK RETURNS 1) Do I need my receipt to return books? Yes. 2) How long do I have to return books? Books purchased must be returned within ten working days of the date of the purchase. 3) What if I wrote my name in the book? Unfortunately, we can not give you a full refund for books not in mint condition as publishers will not accept this for credit. 4) What happens if I miss the last day for return? We may purchase the text book as \"used\" in accordance with our Buyback program. 5) What if I discover that my book has missing pages half way through the semester? We will replace the _ books, new or used, for a like copy of that title. Cash refunds are not given for defective books returned outside the normal return dates. BUYBACKS 1) What books do you buy back? We buy back all current edition textbooks. If we do not use them at UCC, we buy them back according to the value established in the North American marketplace. 2) How much do I get for my books? If bookie's is buying the book for use at UCC, you will receive 50% of the current new retail price. In order to receive optimum buyback price, discs and supplements must accompany the book. 3) What happens to the books that I sell? Books for bookie's are processed by our staff and sold to students at 75% of the new retail price. 4) What condition do my books need to be in? Books should be in good condition, meaning that the cover is still attached and all pages intact. Notes and markings on the pages of the books are perfectly fine. Workbooks and study guides are generally not purchased back unless they are free of all markings. No sales receipt is required for these books. BOOKSTORE HOURS Monday-Thursday      9:00am-6:00pm Friday                9:00am-5:00pm Saturday and Sunday    Closed \n Question: The intended readers of this passage are   _  . \n Options: (A) book dealers (B) university students (C) publishers (D) campus staff", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}162{"query": "Article: During the tsunami   disaster of 2004, over 300,000 people died. No one has counted the number of animals killed, but we know that it wasn't many. All over the region, before the disaster struck, animals were behaving strangely. Shortly before the tsunami, in Khaolak, Thailand, twelve elephants that were giving tourists rides became agitated. They suddenly left their usual habitat, carrying four surprised Japanese tourists to safety. On the eastern coast of India, flamingos  , which should be breeding at this time of year, suddenly flew to higher ground. Of the two thousand wild pigs that live in an Indian nature reserve, only one was found dead after the tsunami. The idea that the animals are able to predict disasters is nothing new. In fact, it has been well-recorded over the years. Twelve hours before Hurricane Charlie hit Florida in 2004, fourteen sharks left their natural habitat and stayed in deep waters for two weeks. The sharks, which were being observed by US scientists, had never done this before. They escaped the hurricane. In the winter of 1975 in Haicheng, China, snakes which would normally have been hibernating   were seen on the ground. Days later there was a big earthquake striking. Unlike human beings, wild animals' senses are sharper and they can feel even the smallest changes in the environment. In other words, they see natural warnings that are invisible to the human eye. Ancient people probably had the similar \"senses\", which they needed to survive, but these have been lost to us as modern technology leads us further away from the danger that nature creates. The real question is, can we use the reactions of animals to save ourselves from natural disasters? Animal behaviour expert, Rupesh Kaneira, believes we have no choice. \"The technology which we rely on isn't always perfect, and in poorer countries it isn't even available. Animals know the environment better than any of us. When they run for their lives, we must follow.\" \n Question: The wild animals can predict the natural disasters because they   _  . \n Options: (A) can run for their lives when natural disasters happen (B) don't even have the modern technology to help them (C) are being observed and tracked for scientific experiments (D) are quick to notice the slightest changes in the environment", "pos": "Article: Thousands of dead red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky in an Arkansas town on New Year's Eve after massive injuries, tests by Arkansas officials concluded on Monday. Some 5,000 birds mysteriously fell from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas after dark on New Year's Eve. \"The birds suffered from acute physical injuries leading to internal hemorrhage  and death. There was no sign of infectious disease,\" the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said in a statement. The birds were otherwise healthy, it said. One theory is that birds were frightened by New Year's fireworks and flew into buildings or other objects. \"Loud noises were reported shortly before the birds began to fall from the sky,\" the statement said, adding that blackbirds have poor night vision and seldom fly at night. Another theory was that severe weather such as lightning accounted for the loud noises but this was  _ because the violent weather had already left the area. \"We're leaning more toward a stress event,\" said Arkansas Game and Fish Commission spokesman Keith Stephens. The commission also is trying to determine what caused the deaths of up to 100,000 fish over a 20-mile stretch of the Arkansas River near a dam in Ozark, 125 miles west of Beebe. The fish were discovered on December 30. Stephens said the commission expected results on the fish tests in probably a month. Since almost all the fish were one species -- bottom-feeding drum, Stephens said, the test was very important. Stephens also said: \"The events do not appear related.\" Both that section of the river and the air at the site of the bird deaths were tested for toxins . Beebe is a town of about 4,500 people located 30 miles northeast of the state capital. \n Question: What is NOT the probable reason why the dead red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky? \n Options: (A) Internal hemorrhage (B) Fireworks (C) Lightning weather (D) Murder", "neg": "Article: Wild animals seem to have escaped the Indian Ocean tsunami , adding weight to ideas they possess a \"sixth sense\" for disasters, experts said on Thursday. Sri Lanka wildlife officials have said the giant waves that killed over 24,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast seemingly missed wild beasts, with no dead animals found. \"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit. I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening,\" H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of Sri Lanka's Wildlife Department, said on Wednesday. The waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants. \"There has been a lot of evidence about dogs barking or birds migrating before volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. But it has not been proven,\" said Matthew van Lierop, an animal behaviour specialist at Johannesburg Zoo. \"There have been no specific studies because you can't really test it in a lab or field setting,\" he said. Other authorities agreed with this conclusion. \"Wildlife seem to be able to pick up certain phenomenon, especially birds. There are many reports of birds detecting coming disasters,\" said Clive Walker, who has written several books on African wildlife. Animals certainly rely on the known senses such as smell or hearing to avoid danger such as predators . The idea of an animal \"sixth sense\" is a lasting one that the evidence on Sri Lanka's damaged coast is likely to add to. \n Question: This passage is mainly about  _  . \n Options: (A) the damage that was caused in the Indian Ocean tsunami (B) why animals can save them from natural disasters (C) how to protect the wildlife when disaster happens (D) the different opinions about animals' natural power", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}163{"query": "Article: Dear John, My name is Amber and I want to share my story with you because what you've shared about life and positive energy has changed my life. This past year has been one of the hardest for me. I felt I was stuck in a position that had nothing to do with what I wanted to do with my life. In January, after two years of being together, my boyfriend left me. I read your blog every morning as I drink my coffee at work, but it wasn't until this March that I told myself \"no more negativity\" as you taught readers in your blog. Since then I've got into new habits at work to keep my energy positive. When people walk in the front door, I'm the first face they see, so I smile big when I say \"good morning\" to them, especially on Mondays. Instead of waiting for someone to ask me for help, I offer it with an open mind. The CEO noticed my change and offered me the executive assistant position that I wanted. One of the biggest things I've taken to heart from your blog is changing my opinions on my job. Yes, it was not an important position, but when I was passionate   about it, I could make my life fulfilling. All in all, I have to thank you somehow for having the passion to help others because it truly is inspiring to me. So thank you so much, John. My life has changed because your words pointed me in the right direction, Take care! Sincerely , Amber \n Question: Amber wrote the letter mainly to  _ \n Options: (A) introduce herself to John (B) talk about her bad year (C) ask for some advice (D) express her thanks", "pos": "Article: Dear Ana, In your last letter, you told me that your boss Stephanie was probably looking for a new job and you didn't know how to tell her that you wanted to take her position if she left. Well, I'd like to tell you that there is no polite way to talk about this situation with your boss. After all, you are not one-hundred-percent sure that she is actually job-hunting. Even if you know for sure that she is, you can't, because it's not your business. Still, there are a couple of things that you can do to put yourself in a good position in case your boss does _ in the near future. First, you can have a general conversation with her about your career plans. Say something like, \"You've always been supportive of me, Stephanie, and I'd love you to give me some advice on my professional development.\" This will let your boss know that you're ready for a new challenge. Ask her to give you feedback about how she thinks you can improve as a future leader. Second, ask for your manager's approval   to talk with the training department about any program the company offers. There may or may not be any training, but making the request will still communicate your desire to get into a people-management role. Third, you could say to your boss, \"If there is anything you need my help with, I'd love it if you let me know. I am very interested in supporting you with anything you want to hand off.\" Taking those three steps will make it clear to Stephanie that you're ready to be her No. 2. Best regards, Liz \n Question: We can infer that Ana's purpose for writing to Liz was to  _  . \n Options: (A) tell Liz that her boss is looking for a new job (B) ask Liz if she has the ability to take her boss's position (C) ask Liz for advice on how to find a much better job (D) seek advice on how to make her boss know she wants her position", "neg": "Article: Fifteen years ago, I entered the Boston Globe, which was a temple to me then. It wasn't easy getting hired. But once you were there, I found, you were in. Globe jobs were for life-guaranteed until retirement. For 15 years I had prospered there--moving from an ordinary reporter to senior editor. I would have a lifetime of security if I stuck with it. Instead, I had made a decision to leave. I entered my boss's office. Would he be angry? I wondered. He had a famous temper. \"Matt, we have to have a talk,\" I began. \"I came to the Globe when I was twenty-four. Now I' m forty. There' s a lot I want to do in life. I'm resigning.  \" \"To another paper?\" he asked. I reached into my coat pocket, but didn't say anything. I handed him a letter that explained everything. It said that I was leaving to start a new media company. We were at a rare turning point in history. I wanted to be directly engaged in the change. \"I' m glad for you,\" he said, quite out of my expectation. \"I just came from a board of directors meeting and it was seventy-five percent discouraging news. Some of that we can deal with. But much of it we can' t,\" he went on. \"I wish you all the luck in the world,\" he concluded. \"And if it doesn't work out, remember, there is always a place here for you.\" Then I went out of his office, walking through the newsroom for more good-byes. Everybody was saying congratulations. Everybody--even though I'd be risking all the financial security I had carefully built up. Later, I had a final talk with Bill Taylor, chairman and publisher of the Boston Globe. He had turned the Globe into a billion-dollar property. \"I' m resigning, Bill,\" I said. He listened while I gave him the story. He wasn't looking angry either. After a pause, he said, \"Golly, I wish I were in your shoes. \" \n Question: From the passage we know that the Globe is a famous    _    . \n Options: (A) newspaper (B) magazine (C) temple (D) person", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}164{"query": "Article: Israel has passed a law banning the use of underweight models in advertising. Known as the \"Photoshop Law\", it also requires that agencies tell their audience if they've digitally changed pictures to make models look thinner. The new law forbids the use of models with a body mass index of 18.5 or less, a standard based on internationally accepted measures. The figure matches the set of fixed limits by the U. S. Department of Health. The law doesn't set a money amount that can be gained in court from such a _ . Lawmakers realize that it may be a long and difficult process to prove in court that a company broke the new law, but they feel that simply having the law in place will accomplish what they want; stopping advertising companies from continuing to influence Israelis with images of unhealthy-looking models as the gold standard of beauty. Some modeling agencies in Israel aren't happy. They say that the indexes on which the law is based are arbitrary  and are not suitable for every model. Many models who are totally healthy girls might be disqualified because of the law. Some models are naturally thin and unable to gain weight and the new law would unfairly prevent them from finding jobs. However, plus-size American supermodel Emme told CNN that she thinks the law will cause other countries to make similar measures against showing underweight models. \"I think this is fantastic because so many young women and men are suffering to look in a way that is unrealistic and unhealthy,\" she said. \n Question: What is \"Photoshop Law\" about? \n Options: (A) Banning the use of underweight models. (B) Banning underweight models in advertising. (C) Banning changing pictures digitally. (D) Banning models in advertising.", "pos": "Article: Alice Wilder, a 17-year-old student at Northwest School of the Arts in North Carolina, considers herself a feminist  . She is one of 26 bloggers for SPARK, an international group founded in 2010. The group fights the use of the female body as a marketing tool in the media. Alice found out about SPARK when the organization launched a campaign demanding Seventeen Magazine feature a more diverse group of models. She applied to be a blogger for the group in May and won one of the positions. Each month, Alice pitches (...) her girl -and women - centric blog post ideas via online chat to an editor at SPARK. So far, she has written about topics such as female actresses, choosing what to wear, and dealing with anger. Alice said she hopes large companies and media stop editing images of women. Increases in bust   size, decreases in waist size, smoothing and whitewashing skin are what Alice notes. \"We want them to know that these images are bad for our development,\" Alice said. \"Three out of four teen girls feel bad about themselves after reading a fashion magazine for three minutes,\" she said, according to SPARK's research. Alice first felt it necessary to advocate   for women in the fifth grade, after seeing a girl's T-shirt with writing on the front that read: \"Who needs brains when you have these?\" \"I was raised with this idea that if you don't like something, you can change it,\" Alice said. So Alice started following feminist bloggers.  Alice juggles class work with blogging and creating videos and serves as editor-in-chief of her school's newspaper. It is amazing that she can handle everything well at the same time. She's also focused on creating projects that aim to inspire girls - like designing a \"girl power bathroom\" at her school. The newly designed third-floor restroom is completed with pastel paint color1s and inspirational   quotes from women around the world. \"Sisterhood is powerful,\" Alice said. \"It can make you feel less alone.\" \n Question: This article is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) what being a feminist means in today's American society (B) Alice Wilder's participation in feminist activities (C) how girls and women fight for their rights in the US (D) the ways that the US media misleads girls", "neg": "Article: Teenagers are under a lot of pressure to be thin. They resort to starving, vomiting and eating only diet foods to try and be thin. Television is a big influence on them. They watch shows like Beverly Hills 90210 andMelrose Placeand feel they need to look as thin as the actresses on these shows. Society is brainwashing young people into believing that being thin is important and necessary. Diet commercials are constantly appearing on our television screens telling us that once we lose weight, we will be happy. While you're standing at the grocery store you are surrounded by magazines claiming to have the newest and best diet. Each month another new diet appears claiming to be the diet to end all diets. If diets really worked, then why are there so many of them? The reason a new diet pops up each month, is that last's month's diets did not work. The truth of the matter is that DIETS DON'T WORK. The diet and fashion industries are not totally to blame for society's obsession with thinness. We are the ones keeping them in business. We buy into the idea that we can attain the \"ideal\" body image. We allow ourselves to believe the lies being thrown at us constantly. We are throwing away our hard earned money trying to live up to the standards that society has set for us. It's unfortunate, but in today's society, people have forgotten that it's what's inside a person that counts, not what's on the outside. We need to start loving and accepting each other for who we are, not what we look like. Once again, I would like to stress the fact that diets don't work. Eating three healthy meals a day, a few snacks and doing moderate exercise, will allow your body to go to its natural set point. Next time you decide that you are going to start another diet because you feel you are too fat, stop, sign up for a self-esteem class instead. That would be money well spent. \n Question: What areBeverly Hills 90210andMeltrose Place ? \n Options: (A) Fashion shows. (B) Two famous place in America. (C) Popular TV shows. (D) Two TV channels.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}165{"query": "Article: According to Andrew, it never would have happened if he had not had a flat tire on Highway 10 last night at about 7:30. He was on his way to attend a three-day sales meeting when he had the flat. tyre. Unfortunately, he did not have a spare, so he pushed the car off the road, locked it up, and managed to thumb a ride back to Pine Grove. It was after eleven o'clock when he finally got home, and it was then that his real problems started. When Andrew left home at about 5:30, he had told his wife not to expect him back until Thursday or Friday. Knowing that his wife was nervous about staying in the house alone at night, Andrew took the precaution of checking all the windows in the house to be sure they were locked, so that he could report to his wife that the house was secure. He convinced his wife that the house was burglar-proof, and that she would be perfectly safe, providing she bolted  the front door as soon as he drove away. Andrew's only thought as he made his way in the dark to his front door was how surprised his wife was going to be to see him, since he was not supposed to be back until Thursday or Friday. He had forgotten about the bolt on the front door. When he turned his key in the lock and the door wouldn't _ he remembered the bolt. And he remembered that he had carefully locked all of the windows. Although Andrew didn't know it at the time, a next-door neighbor had seen him approaching the house and had watched him go up the steps to the front door. In the dark, it was impossible for the neighbor to recognize Andrew, and, besides, the neighbor knew that Andrew had gone out-of-town for a three-day meeting. As a matter of fact, Andrew had asked the neighbor to keep an eye on the house while he was gone. Finding that he couldn't get in, Andrew began pounding  on the front door to get his wife to open the door. According to Andrew, however, his wife is a very sound sleeper, and he knew it was going to be hard to wake her up. In the meantime, because of all the noise he had been making, the neighbor was convinced that somebody was trying to break into the house; so she called the police. When we talked to Andrew at the country jail this morning, he said that he still didn't understand how the police managed to circle the house without his seeing them. He stated that he had decided the only way to get in was to break one of the dining room windows, and that he was about, to hurl his briefcase into the window to break it when two of the officers grabbed him from behind. Andrew could not make the officers believe that he lived there; so they took him off to jail. Apparently, he did succeed in convincing them that they ought to wake up the woman in the house to check his story. But there was no answer when they knocked at the door. He tried to explain to them that his wife was a very sound sleeper, but they concluded there was nobody in the house. \n Question: As Andrew had a flat tyre on the way, he  _  . \n Options: (A) had to take another car to attend the meeting (B) rode on a bike to attend the meating (C) asked for a lift to go back home (D) borrowed a car to go back home", "pos": "Article: He was driving home one evening, on a country road. Work, in this small community, was as slow as his broken Pontiac. But he never quit looking. Since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed. And with winter approaching, the cold days had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Very few people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had left. But he stayed on. After all, he had his root here. It was getting dark, and snow was coming down. He'd better get a move on. Suddenly he saw an old lady on the roadside and obviously needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. She was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He looked poor, hungry, and ... dangerous. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He said, \"I'm here to help you, Ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Joe.\" The car had a flat tire. Joe crawled under the car and soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was turning the screws ,she rolled down her window and began talking to him and said she couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.  She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been alright with her. She had already imagined all the terrible things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was simply helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had lent him a hand before. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Joe added \"... and think of me.\" A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off. It was a dirty-looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe. After the lady finished her meal, she handed the waitress a $100 bill. When the waitress came back with the change, she found the lady was gone and something written on a napkin. Reading the note, there were tears in her eyes. It said, \"You owe me nothing. I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, like I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, don't let the chain of love end with you. That night when she got home from work, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. With the baby due soon, life would be harder. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft, \"Everything's gonna be alright; I love you, Joe.\" \n Question: The old lady left the change, mainly wishing to   _  . \n Options: (A) impress the waitress with her generosity (B) show pity to the woman expecting a baby (C) bring love forward by helping those in need (D) express thanks for the waitress' quality service", "neg": "Article: Liz had been bleeding for a long time! She was my closest professional colleague and good friend at the time when we worked in an IT company. It was her first day back at work after an operation and I thought she should have taken a few more days to recover. Realizing that we couldn't stop the bleeding, we headed to the emergency room and spent hours there waiting to be seen. After the treatment, I drove her to my apartment. I had to leave her in my apartment while I dashed off to take a final exam for a very important course I was taking. Upon my return, we decided Liz was in a good enough condition to sustain a trip back from my Northern Virginia apartment to her home in Maryland. Although it was nearly midnight and we were both exhausted, we still decided to set off. Unfortunately, in a not particularly safe part of town, we heard my car make a strange noise, and then ti was shaking violently as we drove along. Quickly, I stopped the car in the road and found a tire had blown out. Not knowing how to change a tire and feeling scared, I was trying out to figure out what to do next. Liz, weak from losing all that blood all day and weighing only about eighty pounds to begin with, came out and tried to help me. I had to scream at her to get back in the car and relax. Within seconds, a taxi pulled up behind us. A huge man appeared and began walking toward us. I felt that the blood drained out of my face and I nearly fainted in fear. \"Got a flat tire, girls?\" he asked. \"Yes,\" I answered in a trembling voice. In no time at all, the man changed the tire for us and rushed off back to his taxi. He refused any payment and did not even tell me his name. He would never know how badly we needed his services that particular evening. And I, with a grateful heart, will never forget his kindness. \n Question: The author thought that Liz was bleeding because  _  . \n Options: (A) she worked too hard in an IT company (B) she had an operation but didn't rest enough (C) she hurt herself in the workplace carelessly (D) she had a long trip from her house to the company", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}166{"query": "Article: In the decade of the 1970s, the United Nations organized several important meetings on the human environment to study a very serious problem.We humans are destroying the world around us.We must learn to protect them, or life will be very bad for our children and grandchildren. There are several major aspects to this problem. Population Most problems of the environment come from population growth.In 1700 there were 635 million people in the world; in 1900 there were 1.6 billion; in 1950, 2.5 billion; and in 1980, 4.4 billion.In the year 2010 there will be 7.3 billion.More people need more water, more food, more wood, and more petroleum. Distribution Scientists say there is enough water in the world for everyone, but some countries have a lot of water and some have only a little.Some areas get all rain during one season.The rest of the year is dry. Petroleum We are using up the world's petroleum.We use it in our cars and to heat our buildings in winter.Farmers use petrochemicals to make the soil rich.They use them to kill insects on those plants.These chemicals go into rivers and lakes and kill the fish there.Thousands of people also die from these chemicals every year.Chemicals also go into the air and pollute it.Winds carry this polluted air to other countries and other countries. Poverty Poor farmers use the same land over and over.The land needs a rest so it will be better next year.However, the farmer must have food every year.Poor people cut down trees for firewood.In some areas when the trees are gone, the land becomes desert.However, people need wood to cook their food now.Poor people cannot save the environment for the future. We now have the information and the ability to solve these huge problems.However, this is not a problem for one country or one area of the world.It is a problem for all humans.The people and the nation of the world must work together to protect the world's resources.No one controls the future, but we all help make it. \n Question: According to the passage, our world is being destroyed mainly because   _  . \n Options: (A) pollution is getting worse and worse (B) population are increasing greatly (C) we humans are using up all of our natural resources (D) distribution is not reasonable.", "pos": "Article: Global warming may or may not be the great environmental crisis of the 21st century, but--regardless of whether it is or isn't -- we won't do much about it. We will argue over it and may even, as a nation, make some fairly solemn-sounding commitments to avoid it. But the more dramatic and meaningful these commitments seem, the less likely they are to be observed. Al Gore calls global warming an \"inconvenient truth,\" as if merely recognizing it could put us on a path to a solution. But the real truth is that we don't know enough to relieve global warming, and--without major technological breakthroughs--we can't do much about it. From 2003 to 2050, the world's population is estimated to grow from 6.4 billion to 9.1 billion, a 42% increase. If energy use per person and technology remain the same, total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (mainly, CO2) will be 42% higher in 2050. But that's too low, because societies that grow richer use more energy. We need economic growth unless we condemn the world's poor people to their present poverty and freeze everyone else's living standards. With modest economic growth, energy use and greenhouse emissions more than double by 2050. No government will adopt rigid restrictions on economic growth and personal freedom (limits on electricity usage, driving and travel) that might cut back global warming. Still, politicians want to show they're \"doing something.\" Consider the Kyoto Protocol  . It allowed countries that joined to punish those that didn't. But it hasn't reduced CO2 emissions (up about 25% since 1990), and many signatories   didn't adopt tough enough policies to hit their 2008-2012 targets. The practical conclusion is that if global warming is a potential disaster, the only solution is new technology. Only an aggressive research and development program might find ways of breaking our dependence on fossil fuels or dealing with it. The trouble with the global warming debate is that it has become a moral problem when it's really an engineering one. The inconvenient truth is that if we don't solve the engineering problem, we're helpless. \n Question: According to the author's understanding, what is A1 Gore's view on global warming? \n Options: (A) It is a reality both people and politicians are unaware of. (B) It is a phenomenon that causes us many inconveniences. (C) It is a problem that can be solved once it is recognized. (D) It is an area we actually have little knowledge about.", "neg": "Article: In the past, man did not have to think about protection of the environment. There were very few people on the earth, and natural resources seemed to be unlimited. Today things are different. The world has become too crowded. We are using up our natural resources too quickly, and at the same time we are polluting our environment with dangerous chemicals. If we continue to do this, human life on the earth will not survive. Everyone realizes today that if too many fish are taken from the sea, there will soon be none left. Yet, with modern fishing methods, more and more fish are caught. We know that if too many trees are cut down, forests will disappear and nothing will grow on land. Yet, we continue to use more powerful machines to cut down more and more trees. We realize that if rivers are polluted with waste products from factories, we will die. However, in most countries waste is still put into rivers, but there are few laws to stop this. We also know that if the population of the countries in the world is to rise at the present rate in a few years, there will not be enough food. What can we do to solve these problems? If we eat more vegetables and less meat, there will be more food available for everyone. Land that is used to grow crops can feed five times more people than land where animals are kept. Our natural resources will last longer if we learn to recycle them. The world population will not rise so quickly if people use modern methods of birth control. Finally, if all of us think about the problem, we will have a better and cleaner planet in the future. \n Question: This passage mainly tells us about   _  . \n Options: (A) the problems we are facing today about environment and the ways to solve them (B) the unlimited natural resources in the world (C) our rivers are being polluted by waste from factories (D) the ways early man protected the environment", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}167{"query": "Article: A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and other things including cups-porcelain , glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some elegant -- telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: \"I notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2011. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2012!\" \n Question: When did they decide to go to see their professor? \n Options: (A) After the reunion. (B) During the get-together. (C) Before they graduated. (D) Just after the professor retired.", "pos": "Article: Next time a customer comes to your office, offer him a cup of coffee. And when you're doing your holiday shopping online, make sure you're holding a large glass of iced tea. The physical sensation of warmth encourages emotional warmth, while a cold drink in hand prevents you from making unwise decisions--those are the practical lesson being drawn from recent research by psychologist John A. Bargh. Psychologists have known that one person's perception of another's \"warmth\" is a powerful determiner in social relationships. Judging someone to be either \"warm\" or \"cold\" is a primary consideration, even trumping evidence that a \"cold\" person may be more capable. Much of this is rooted in very early childhood experiences, Bargh argues, when babies' conceptual sense of the world around them is shaped by physical sensations, particularly warmth and coldness. Classic studies by Harry Harlow, published in 1958, showed monkeys preferred to stay close to a cloth \"mother\" rather than one made of wire, even when the wire \"mother\" carried a food bottle. Harlow's work and later studies have led psychologists to stress the need for warm physical contact from caregivers to help young children grow into healthy adults with normal social skills. Feelings of \"warmth\" and \"coldness\" in social judgments appear to be universal. Although no worldwide study has been done, Bargh says that describing people as \"warm\" or \"cold\" is common to many cultures, and studies have found those perceptions influence judgment in dozens of countries. To test the relationship between physical and psychological warmth, Bargh conducted an experiment which involved 41 college students. A research assistant who was unaware of the study's hypotheses , handed the students either a hot cup of coffee, or a cold drink, to hold while the researcher filled out a short information form. The drink was then handed back. After that, the students were asked to rate the personality of \"Person A\" based on a particular description. Those who had briefly held the warm drink regarded Person A as warmer than those who had held the iced drink. \"We are grounded in our physical experiences even when we think abstractly,\" says Bargh. \n Question: The author mentions Harlow's experiment to show that   _  . \n Options: (A) adults should develop social skills (B) babies need warm physical contact (C) caregivers should be healthy adults (D) monkeys have social relationships", "neg": "Article: A mental professor walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the \"half empty or half full\" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired : \"How heavy is this glass of water?\" Different answers called out from the audience. She replied, \"The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb  and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.\" She continued, \"The stress and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed--incapable of doing anything.\" It's important to remember to let go of your stress. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down! Comments Aye Chan Aung---October 27, 2015 at 11:37 am Short but valuable! It has clearly taught me how to deal with stress. Nelson Malicdem--October 28, 2015 at 8:23 pm Wow! Thanks to the author and to the one who submitted this article. I am experiencing a challenge, as I read this it gives me peace. What exactly is in the article is what I am doing. My burden actually paralyzes me without my knowing it. I should put down the glass of water that I'm holding. Thank you so much! \n Question: The professor tells a lesson by   _  . \n Options: (A) asking a surprising question (B) giving proper examples (C) imagining a situation (D) making a comparison", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}168{"query": "Article: BEIJING--Seven prestigious universities in China announced Sunday that they would begin using the same independent exam --besides the national one --to test students hoping to gain entrance to them in 2011. The seven are Peking University, Beihang University, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Fudan University, Xiamen University and Hong Kong University. Students who want to gain entrance to any of the seven universities will only have to sit one independent exam, according to the joint announcement. \"This will help lighten the students' load, otherwise they must take several exams for different universities ,\"said the announcement. Passing the exam could result in more than one interview chance, giving the students more opportunities to choose their favorite universities. China' s college entrance exam system is undergoing reform as universities aim to select students based on independent criteria rather than just using the results of the national exam. In 2003, Peking University and another 21 universities were allowed to pilot   the reform by using their own criteria to independently select five percent of their students. Now nearly 80 universities across the country have the right to select talented students based on their own exams. Education experts regard universities selecting students according to independent examinations as conducive   to better understanding where the students' talents lie. Although this may be the case, it has also created problems as students may sit many different exams as they often apply for a number of universities. To relieve students from such pressures, the national education outline (2010--2020) released in July this year encourages high-level universities to group together to use the same exams. \n Question: If students want to be admitted to the seven prestigious universities, they can  _  . \n Options: (A) only pass the interview. (B) only take the national exam. (C) only take the independent exam. (D) either take the national exam or take the independent exam.", "pos": "Article: BEIJING, Oct.14(Xinhua)----A total of 120 middle school students from 35 countries will attend the final of an international China language contest, to be held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality from Oct.16 to 30.          The candidates, aged from 15 to 20,must be from foreign countries and not native Chinese speakers, said a statement issued by the Chinese language Council (CLC),the contest's organizer, here Thursday.          All of the candidates have passed the preliminary contests held in their own countries.          According to the organizer, the competition will have a top prize, five second prizes,10 third prizes and a dozen prizes for special talents.The organizer will also launch an online vote for \"the most liked candidate.\"          It was the third year China has held the contest.          \"The competition not only tests the proficiency of Chinese language but also the candidates capability to communicate across different cultures.\"the statement said.          All the candidates in the final will receive scholarships from the Chinese government.said Hu Hangyu, an official with the Education Bureau of the Chongqing Municipality, jointly organizing the contest.          They will also meet local Chinese students and live with Chinese families, Hu said.          \"The competition is to meet the increasing demand for Chinese learning by foreign youngsters.\"said Xu Lin.the CLC director.          The CLC has also hosted similar contest for foreign college students since 2002.          China has been working to promote Chinese language learning abroad over the past few years.According to the CLC, the country had 282 Confucius Institutes and 272 \"Confucius Classrooms\" in 88 countries and regions as of 2009 since the first one was established in 2004. \n Question: The text is intended to   _  . \n Options: (A) show the popularity of Chinese language learning in the world (B) introduce an international Chinese language learning test system (C) make readers aware of the importance of Chinese language learning (D) report an international Chinese language contest to be held", "neg": "Article: The English test will be removed from China's college entrance exam by 2020, according to details of exam and admission reform revealed by the Ministry of Education. The national college exam, known as the \"Gaokao\" has been used to evaluate Chinese students for three decades. The Ministry of Education has worked out a plan for reforming exams and enrollment. The Ministry will solicit  public opinions before its release. Instead, tests will be held several times a year to allow students to choose when and how often they sit the exam so as to ease study pressure and change China's once-in-a-lifetime exam system. The plan and suggestion for its implementation  will be announced in the first half of next year. It will be piloted in selected provinces and cities and promoted nationwide from 2017. A new exam and admission system will be established by 2020, according to the education ministry. The decision has aroused a heated discussion among Shanghai educators and parents who doubted the reform would reduce the burden of learning English or if the substitute test could reflect a student's English skills and help students learn English better. \"The reform shows China is learning from the West to give students more test-taking chances. But more chances might become more of a burden since Chinese students are likely to repeat the test until they get the highest score,\" said Cai Jigang, a professor at Fudan University's College of Foreign Languages and Literature and chairman of the Shanghai Advisory Committee for College English Teaching at Tertiary level. Yu Lizhong, chancellor of New York University Shanghai, where classes are in English and students are required to have a high standard of English, said the most important aspect of the reform lay in what to test and how to test. \"As far as I see, the reform doesn't mean English is no longer important for Chinese students after it will be excluded from the college entrance exam,\" Yu said. \"In a way, English is even more important than before since the test would only serve as reference, while every college and university, even every major, can have different requirements of a student's English skills under a diverse evaluation system.\"  _ . The education ministry said the reform would not affect students attending the college entrance exam over the next three years. \n Question: According to the passage, Shanghai educators and parents argue that  _  . \n Options: (A) the new exam and admission system will make no difference. (B) English shouldn't be removed from China's college entrance exam. (C) the reform may accomplish the very opposite. (D) Western educational system does not apply to China.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}169{"query": "Article: China has recently been faced with serious issues of product safety. In Panama, it is said that medicine made with a poisonous chemical sickened some people. A Chinese company had identified it as diethylamide glycol ( []), a low - cost substitute commonly used in automobile antifreeze . Some countries have banned Chinese-made toothpaste containing diethylamide glycol. China has now told companies to discontinue its use, even though it says the toothpaste is safe. Another industrial chemical, melamine, was found in wheat flour used to make pet food in North America. Thousands of dogs and cats became sick. The United States has restricted some imports of Chinese seafood because they contained banned substance. And questions have been raised about other products, including children's toys covered with lead paint. Chinese officials promised to provide the European Union, the biggest trading partner, with detailed reports on enforcement efforts against unsafe goods. Meglena Kuneva, commissioner   for consumer protection of the European Union said China should have kept its promise. China recently closed three companies linked to the Panama and the pet food scare. And _ dismissed the former head of its food and drug administration. He was found guilty of corruption   for approving unsafe drugs. This week, a conference of the State Council approved a proposed special measure on the supervision of food safety. The Xinhua News Agency said it calls for stronger controls over producers, greater responsibilities for government and more serious punishment for illegal activities. But Chinese officials have accused some foreign media of overstating problems with goods made in China. They say food imports from the United States also fail inspection sometimes. Next Week, American and Chinese food safety officials are planning to hold 5 days of meetings in Beijing to discuss cooperation. \n Question: How many cases with safety problems are mentioned in the passage? \n Options: (A) Six (B) Five (C) Four (D) Three", "pos": "Article: Food safety will become the food industry's key target as the nation tries to adopt international food standards. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Standardization Administration of China, the Ministry of Agriculture and six other departments announced their 2004-05 development programme for national food standards over the weekend. China is conducting a rectification   within two years. Inspectors will search for all known banned materials in food production. To reduce trading barriers, China will raise the ratio of adopting international standards in the food industry to 55 percent from today's 23 percent. \"Safety is the first consideration for anything entering people's mouth followed by its nutritious value,\" said Hao Yu, secretary-general of the National Food Industry Standardization Technique Committee. He added the usage of food addictives   will be a major field for consideration in setting the new standards. On-the-spot checks during the past two years have shown the abuse   or misuse of addictives in food production and processing has become the biggest threat to food safety. In one case, talcum   powder was found in flour products, which is outlawed according to national food standards. \"At present there are no methods or standards to test the content of talcum powder in flour,\" said Shang Yan'e, an official with the national watchdog on grain and oil inspections. Under the guidelines, all banned addictives will be recorded as inspections increase, Relevant departments have allocated   funds to conduct risk evaluations on current food addictives to fix the limits of their usage. China will adopt international advanced techniques and standards so as to find out the harmful materials in food within a shortest period. \n Question: China will raise the ratio of adopting international standards in the food industry by   _  . \n Options: (A) 55% (B) 32% (C) 23% (D) 78%", "neg": "Article: Hundreds of Chinese officials are to be sacked or demoted  for their part in a vaccine scandal that has added to discontent at poor oversight of food and drug safety, especially relating to children. Xinhua, the state news agency, said late on Wednesday that 357 officials are to face punishment, with 192 criminal cases already filed and 202 people detained after improperly stored or transported vaccines were sent to 59 health institutions. This is the latest in a string of food and drug safety scandals in a country where parents often import products for infants and babies from overseas to ensure quality. Many remember with fear the 2008 milk powder scandal, in which infant formula laced with melamine caused at least six deaths and 300,000 children to fall ill. Beijing last month made public an illegal operation in eastern Shandong province in which a hospital pharmacist and her daughter traded $88m in vaccines that may have been compromised because they were expired or improperly stored or transported. The China Food and Drug Administration said, however, that the vaccines posed no greater than the normal risk to patients. \"We don't see that the vaccines' effectiveness has been reduced,\" added the health watchdog in a report. Nonetheless, health officials fear a backlash against Chinese-manufactured vaccines, which already have a reputation for being more dangerous than those made overseas.  Wang Yuedan, deputy director of Peking University's immunology department, said the key to evaluating risks is to check whether package seals are broken or for pollution with micro-organisms. \"The vaccines in the Shandong case don't have those problems,\" he said. Those vaccines had been subject to higher than normal temperatures that could have lowered their effectiveness and reduced their protective value. But the official investigation showed the vaccines \"are still effective\", he said. Beijing, which publicized the affair almost a year after it was exposed, and several years after it started, appeared eager to show commitment to crack down on abuses by announcing the action, political analysts said. The CFDA said a system was being set up to track vaccines from production to use. The World Health Organization warned the scandal could endanger China's public health gains if parents become distrustful of vaccines. It also expressed confidence in Chinese vaccines, saying public immunization campaigns had erased polio  and sharply reduced cases of hepatitis B and measles. \n Question: According to Wang Yuedan's opinion, the vaccines in Shandong   _  . \n Options: (A) were polluted by micro-organisms. (B) were resistant to high temperature. (C) decreased their value of protection (D) were still effective", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}170{"query": "Article: The South Pole is a particular place on the earth.When people stand at the top of it looking around,they will find all directions face to north.No matter how they make their first step in which direction,they will always walk towards the north.That's to say,only north and south exist there,neither east nor west exists. At the top of the South Pole,any clock or watch keeps good time because all meridians  join there.All kinds of local time are completely suitable there.It is even difficult to distinguish  New Year's Eve from New Year's Day. The explorers and scientists from different countries always fix the time according to their own.Therefore the time by their watches was different when the people with different nationality gathered there. The Winter Solstice  is an important festival at the South Pole.It is always on June 21 or 22.This day is called Midwinter Festival,on which the daytime is the shortest in a year and the night the longest.All people at the South Pole extend greetings to each other and present gifts to each other.They usually give all kinds of celebrations.From that day on,the daytime will get longer day by day. \n Question: At the top of the South Pole,your watch will   _  . \n Options: (A) keep good time (B) be five minutes fast (C) stop (D) be ten minutes slow", "pos": "Article: Almost all cultures celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another in some way. Different cultures celebrate the beginning of a new year in different ways, and at different times on the calendar. In Western countries, people usually celebrate New Year at midnight on January 1st. People may go to parties, dress in formal clothes -- like tuxedos   and evening gowns, and drink champagne at midnight. During the first minutes of the New Year, people cheer and wish each other happiness for the year ahead. But some cultures prefer to celebrate the New Year by waking up early to watch the sun rise. They welcome the New Year with the first light of the sunrise. It is also a common Western custom to make a New Year's promise, called a resolution. New Year's resolutions usually include promises to try something new or change a bad habit in the new year. Many cultures also do special things to get rid of bad luck at the beginning of a new year. For example, in Ecuador, families make a big doll from old clothes. The doll is filled with old newspapers and firecrackers. At midnight, these dolls are burned to show the bad things from the past year are gone and the new year can start afresh (again). Other common traditions to keep away bad luck in a new year include throwing things into rivers or the ocean, or saying special things on the first day of the new year. Other New Year traditions are followed to bring good luck is to eat grapes on New Year's Day. The more grapes a person eats , the more good luck the person will have in the year. In France, people eat pancakes for good luck at New Year. In the United States, some people eat black-eyed peas   for good luck -- but to get good luck for a whole year you have to eat 365 of them! \n Question: Which culture celebrates New Year in the morning? \n Options: (A) The passage doesn't say. (B) Spain. (C) France. (D) The United States.", "neg": "Article: We all know that it is possible for ordinary people to make their homes on the equator (  ), although often they may feel uncomfortably hot there. Millions do it. But as for the North Pole ---- we know that it is not only a dangerously cold place, but that people like you and we would find it quite impossible to live there. At the present time only the scientists and explorers can do so, and they use special equipment. Men had been traveling across and around the equator on wheels, on their feet or in ships for thousands of years; but only a few men, with great difficulty and in very recent time, have ever crossed the ice to the North Pole. So it may surprise you to learn that, when traveling by air, it is really safer to fly over the North Pole than over the equator. Of course, this is not true about landings in the polar region (which passenger aeroplanes do not make). But the weather, if we are flying at a height of 5,000 meters above the Pole , is a delight. At 4,000 meters and more above the earth you can always be sure that you will not see a cloud in the sky as far as the eye can reach. In the tropics  , on the other hand, you are not certain to keep clear of ( ) bad weather even at such heights as 18,000 or 20,000 meters . Aeroplanes can't climb as high or as quickly in cold air as in warm. Nor can clouds. In practice, this is an advantage to the aeroplane, which is already at a good height when it reaches the polar region and so it does not need to climb, while at the same time cold air keeps the clouds down low. \n Question: The polar region is   _  . \n Options: (A) a good place to land at by aeroplane (B) difficult place to fly over (C) a good place to fly over (D) a good place to live in", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}171{"query": "Article: What is a lifestyle and how is that different from a life? A lifestyle is about brand names and buying identity or fame. Lifestyle gives a false sense of peace and acceptability that comes from others recognizing what you've bought into (as well as bought). If your car, clothes, and home are expensive, you're sophisticated  and stylish. If you have the right kind of job or go to the right social gatherings, then you receive the insincere approval of others. This means that your self-esteem  is always at the mercy of others, with no appreciation of you as an individual. A life, on the other hand, is very different. A life is what you lead when you know what matters most to you. It is very simple and comes from being connected to what you know is important and being willing to put that first, no matter what others may think. When you create a life vs. a lifestyle, your self-esteem comes from what's inside you, not what others think about you. Lifestyle is expensive financially and personally, because it costs a great deal to keep up appearances and do what you think is socially acceptable. A life is not expensive. Rather than using personal or financial resources, a life generates energy and staying power. It's about liberating yourself from the mindless consumption that society expects. It is about making the choices that are in line with your values, instead of using up your bank account or energy for no heart-driven reason. How can you make the change? Understand the difference between a life and a lifestyle. Analyze your current lifestyle to see what is costing you in money, time, stress, and energy to maintain it. Let go and make room for what is really important to you, what supports you and brings you joy. Remember who you are from within, not what you own! \n Question: Which of the following examples best explains \"what is life about\"? \n Options: (A) We work long hours in a job that we do not enjoy. (B) We focus on what we wear, or what kind of car we drive. (C) We find out what our true beliefs and values are and choose to live by these. (D) We think that how others see us is more important than what we think of ourselves.", "pos": "Article: Who's in control of your life? Who is pulling your string? For the majority of us, it's other people - society, colleagues, friends, family or our religious community. We learned this way of operating when we were very young, of course.We were brainwashed.We discovered that feeling important and feeling accepted was a nice experience and so we learned to do everything we could to make other people like us.As Oscar Wilde puts it,\"Most people are other people.Their thoughts are someone else's opinions,their lives a mimicry ,their passions a quotation.\" So when people tell us how wonderful we are,it makes us feel good.We long for this good feeling like a drug--we are addicted to it and seek it out wherever we can.Therefore,we are so eager for the approval of others that we live unhappy and limited lives,failing to do the things we really want to.Just as drug addicts and alcoholics live worsened lives to keep getting their fix ,we worsen our own existence to get our own constant fix of approval. But just as with any drug,there is a price to pay.The price of the approval drug is freedom--the freedom to be ourselves. The truth is that we cannot control what other people think.People have their own schedule,and they come with their own baggage and,in the end,they're more interested in themselves than in you.Furthermore,if we try to live by the opinions of others,we will build our life on sinking sand.Everyone has a different way of thinking,and people change their opinions all the time.The person who tries to please everyone will only end up getting exhausted and probably pleasing no one in the process. So how can we take back control? I think there's only one way--make a conscious decision to stop caring what other people think.We should guide ourselves by means of a set of values--not values imposed   from the outside by others,but inborn values which come from within.If we are driven by these values and not by the changing opinions and value systems of others,we will live a more authentic,effective,purposeful and happy life. \n Question: What Oscar Wilde says implies that    _    . \n Options: (A) we have thoughts similar to those of others (B) other people's thoughts are more important (C) most people's thoughts are controlled by others (D) most people have a variety of thoughts", "neg": "Article: Statuses are wonderful human inventions that enable us to get along with one another and to determine where we \"fit\" in society. In our everyday lives whenever we meet people, we always try to judge them in terms of their statuses. For example, we must judge whether the person in the library is a reader or a librarian, whether the telephone caller is a friend or a salesman and so on. Our statuses often vary with the people we meet, and change through life. Most of us can, at very high speed, assume  the different statuses that various situations require. Much of social communication consists of recognizing and selecting among proper statuses and allowing other people to assume their statuses in relation to us. This means that we fit our actions to those of other people, based on a constant mental process of assessment and understanding. Although some of us find the task more difficult than others, most of us perform _ rather easily. A status has been compared to ready-made clothes. Within certain limits the buyer can choose style and material. But an American is not free to choose the clothes of a Chinese peasant or that of a Hindu prince. We must choose from among the clothing presented by our society. Furthermore, our choice is limited to a size that will fit, as well as by our wallet. Having made a choice within these limits, we can have certain changes made. But apart from small adjustments, we tend to be limited to what the stores have on their shelves. Statuses too come ready-made, and the range of choice among them is limited. \n Question: According to the writer, people often assume different statuses  _  . \n Options: (A) in order to distinguish themselves from others (B) in order to better recognize other people (C) as their mental processes change (D) as the situation changes", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}172{"query": "Article: People in Mutsuhito, Japan, lived through one hundreds, and sometimes thousands, a day.But they couldn't get used to it. What was it? It was a string of earthquakes that made the small town shake all the time.This went on for more than a year.Sometimes the quakes were very small.Only certain instruments could pick them up.At other times, the quakes damaged houses and land.The people were always afraid.They wished they knew how to stop the ground from shaking. People all over the world would like to know when an earthquake is coming.But an earthquake is almost always a surprise.Under the surface of the Earth, huge blocks of rock drift apart or slide against each other.The ground above splits apart or rumbles and shakes. Some scientists hope to predict quakes by keeping a close watch on animals.It seems that some animals can sense an earthquake coming.In 1969, animals in a Chinese zoo began to act funny one day.Swans flew out of their pond.A panda sat down, covered its eyes with its paws, and groaned.The animals seemed to know that something was about to happen.And it did.An earthquake struck.What was it that the animals sensed? Scientists are trying to find out. Keeping close track of the Earth's magnetic force in earthquake areas may also help.A few years ago, in Hollister, CA, scientists kept a record of the area's magnetic pull.For one week, the force grew stronger.Then it weakened suddenly.A day later, an earthquake struck. It may become possible to know when and where an earthquake will happen.But it will be much harder to stop one from happening. Many scientists think that the Earth's covering is not smooth.They say the earth's \"skin\" is made up of huge puzzle pieces called plates.Land and ocean floors make up these huge plates.Under the Earth's crust  , or plates, is hot rock.The plates float on top of this rock.Sometimes the rock forces its way through the crust.What happens then? A volcano is born! More often, the rock moves and forces the plates to pull away from each other, causing earthquakes to happen.(Volcanoes and earthquakes often go together.) Sometimes, the plates end up on top of each other.When this happens, the land above may look strange.Seen from the air, there seems to be a long scar in the Earth.This is called a fault  .The areas along faults have more earthquakes than other parts of the Earth. For now, we'll just have to shake along with the Earth.It goes through millions of small earthquakes every year.With luck, you won't feel a thing! \n Question: When the rock forces its way through the Earth's crust,   _  . \n Options: (A) a volcano is born (B) an earthquake happens (C) a fault forms (D) the Earth's covering becomes smooth", "pos": "Article: Mandara seemed to know something big was about to happen. So she let out a yell, caught hold of her 2-year-old daughter Kibibi and climbed up into a tree. She lives at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. And on Tuesday, August 23rd, witnesses say she seemed to sense the big earthquake that shook much of the East Coast before any humans knew what was going on. And she's not the only one. In the moments before the quake, an orangutan   let out a loud call and then climbed to the top of her shelter. \"It's very different from their normal call,\" said Brandie Smith, the zookeeper. \"The lemurs (monkey-like animals of Madagascar) will sound an alarm call if they see or hear something highly unusual.\" But you can't see or hear an earthquake 15 minutes before it happens, can you? Maybe you can -- if you're an animal. \"Animals can hear above and below our range of hearing,\" said Brandie Smith. \"That's part of their special abilities. They're more sensitive to the environment, which is how they survive.\" Primates weren't the only animals that seemed to sense the quake before it happened. One of the elephants made a warning sound. And a huge lizard   ran quickly for _ . The flamingoes (a kind of bird) gathered before the quake and stayed together until the shaking stopped. So what kind of vibrations were the animals picking up in the moments before the quake? Scientist Susan Hough says earthquakes produce two types of waves -- a weak \"P\" wave and then a much stronger \"S\" wave. The \"P\" stands for \"primary\". And the \"S\" stands for \"secondary\". She said she thinks the \"P\" wave might be what set the animals off. Not all the animals behaved unusually before the quake. For example, Smith says the zoo's giant pandas didn't jump up until the shaking actually began. But many of the other animals seemed to know something was coming before it happened. \"I'm not surprised at all,\" Smith said. \n Question: Why did Mandara act strangely one day? \n Options: (A) Because it sensed something unusual would happen. (B) Because its daughter Kibibi was injured. (C) Because it heard an orangutan let out a loud call. (D) Because an earthquake had happened.", "neg": "Article: Earthquakes are something that people fear. There are some places that have few or no earthquakes. Most places in the world, however, have them regularly  . Countries that have a lot of earthquakes are usually quite mountainous.          The most talked about earthquake in the United States was in San Francisco in 1906. Over 700 people died in it. The strongest one in North America was in 1964. It happened in Alaska.          Strong earthquakes are not always the ones that kill the most people. In 1755, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded was felt in Portugal. Around 2,000 people died. In 1923, a very strong earthquake hit Tokyo, the Yokohama area of Japan. A hundred and forty thousand people died. Most of them died in fires which followed the earthquake.          One of the worst earthquakes ever was in China in 1976. It killed a large number of people. The worst earthquake ever recorded was also in China, in which 400,000 people were killed or injured. This earthquake happened in 1556.          Earthquakes worry people a lot. The reason is that we often do not know when they are coming. People can not prepare for it. Although we cannot stop earthquakes, there are things which can be done to protect ourselves during an earthquake. \n Question: Earthquakes happen  _  . \n Options: (A) only in a few places along the mountains (B) regularly in most places in the world (C) in all the places in the world (D) only in the countries that have a lot of mountains", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}173{"query": "Article: An old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old grandson. The family ate together at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled onto the floor. When he took the glass, often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became unhappy with  _ . So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eyes as he ate alone. Still, the couple blamed him sharply when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old son watched it all in silence. One evening, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps   on the floor. He asked the child, \"What are you making?\" The boy responded, \"Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.\" The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the rest of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are surprisingly  _ . Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen, and their minds always process the messages they get. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day is being laid for the child's future. \n Question: What did the little boy react to his parents' behavior? \n Options: (A) He blamed his parents. (B) He went to eat with his grandpa. (C) He said nothing and did nothing. (D) He made a wooden bowl for them.", "pos": "Article: My grandma whom we all called Nanny was a solid, first-generation, Italian immigrant. She came to this country with her family on a tiny ship during World War I when she was only 8 years old. During the trip she survived stormy seas,little food, and an attack by a German U-boat. After getting here,her large family worked hard to build a new life in America. They never had much money but were rich in love. One day,when I was about 5 or 6 years old, my parents and brothers went on a trip. It was just me and Nanny in the house for the weekend. Nanny seemed so happy to be taking care of me all by herself. She made me a special breakfast that first morning. However, all I could do was to complain about how the food was not how Mom always made it. Nanny quietly put down the plate and went into the living room. I followed a minute later and saw that she had tears in her eyes. It was the first time I had ever seen my strong and proud grandmother cry and I was the one who had caused it. I walked over to Nanny, climbed on her lap, and for the first time in my short life I did something else too. I apologized without being told to and asked Nanny to forgive me. She smiled, rubbed my head, and told me I was a good boy even though I didn't feel like one then. That memory just like my Nanny's love will stay in my heart forever. It is a sign of both strength and wisdom. Asking for forgiveness helps us to learn, to grow, and to love. \n Question: Nanny,s family immigrated to America mainly because   _  . \n Options: (A) they suffered starvation in their homeland (B) they wanted to start a rich life in the new land (C) they tried to get away from the terrible climate (D) their country was in war and they needed peace", "neg": "Article: Peter waved goodbye and closed the door slowly as Jane left home to visit her grandmother. Expecting a whole day to relax, he was thinking whether to read the newspaper or watch his favorite TV talk show on his first day off in months. \"This will be like a walk in the park,\" he'd told his wife, \"I'll look after the kids, and you can go to visit your grandma.\" Things started well, but just after eight o'clock, his three little \"good kids\"--Adam, Bob, and Christopher--came down the stairs in their night clothes and shouted \"breakfast, daddy.\" When food had not appeared within thirty seconds, Adam began using his spoon on Christopher's head as if it were a drum. Christopher started to shout loudly in time to the beat  . Bob chanted \"Where's my toast, where's my toast\" in the background. Peter realized his newspaper would have to wait for a few seconds. Life became worse after breakfast. Adam wore Bob's underwear on his head. Bob locked himself in the bathroom, while Christopher shouted again because he was going to wet his pants. Nobody could find clean socks, although they were before their very eyes. Someone named \"Not Me\" had spilled a whole glass of orange juice into the basket of clean clothes. Peter knew the talk show had already started. By ten o'clock, things were out of control. Christopher was wondering why the fish in the jar refused his bread and butter. Adam was trying to show off his talent by decorating the kitchen wall with his color pencils. Bob, thankfully, appeared to be reading quietly in the family room, but closer examination showed that he was eating apple jam straight from the bottle with his hands. Peter realized that the talk show was over and reading would be impossible. At exactly 11:17, Peter called the daycare centre  .\"I suddenly have to go into work and my wife's away. Can I bring the boys over in a few minutes?\" The answer was obviously \"yes\" because Peter was smiling. \n Question: When his wife left home, Peter expected to  _  . \n Options: (A) have a relaxing day without pressure (B) enjoy his first day off work in weeks (C) watch TV talk show with his children (D) go out for a walk in the nearby park", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}174{"query": "Article: Does your local town have a nickname  ? If so, what does it say about the area and the people who live there? Many cities are recognized across the world by their unofficial names. New York is the Big Apple, London is the Big Smoke, and Los Angeles is famously called La La Land. A project has been carried out to make a survey on how the nicknames of some places came about. The University of Winchester's Professor Bill Lucas is a patron   of the English Project. He explains that unofficial place names often show what people think about a place. \"The name that people create for a place forms a connection with feelings,\" he says. Basingstoke is a town in central England. The local nickname, Amazingstoke, shows the love that locals seem to have for the area. Swindon, on the other hand, is sometimes called Swindump, showing that some people think it's a dump  . Stanford Le Hope in Essex is called Stanford No Hope by locals. And Padstow in Cornwall is so closely connected with the local famous person Rick Stein that it's become known as Padstein. Some people say that the project may have a practical use. Glen Hart, the survey's head of research, says the information could be very helpful to the emergency services, for example. \"By having the most complete set of nicknames we could help the emergency services quickly  _ the right place as soon as possible, for people usually remember the nicknames of some places instead of their official names. And this will take the helpers less time to reach the places.\" he says. \n Question: The best title of the passage can be   _  . \n Options: (A) People's Attitudes to Nicknames (B) A Survey on Nicknames (C) the Development of Nicknames (D) the Usefulness of Nicknames", "pos": "Article: As you are students of English, it's very possible that you'll be interested in England. That's where the language was first spoken. But England is often called by other names. This often confuses people and I wonder if you know what these names mean. So, now I would like to tell you about this matter of names. I believe that you have heard people use the names--England, Britain or Great Britain. Let's see what each of these names means. If you look at a map of Europe, you'll see a group of islands--one larger island off the northwest coast, one smaller and many tiny ones. These make up what is called the British Isles. The largest island of the British Isles is Britain. It is also called Great Britain. The smaller island is Ireland. Britain is divided into three parts: Scotland, Wales and England. But sometimes the word \"England\" is used instead of \"Britain\". Why so? In ancient times, what is Britain now used to be three different countries. People in these different countries spoke different languages. Over many years the three countries became one. England is the largest and richest of the three and it has the most people. So the English people take it for granted that their own name stands for the whole island. There's another thing that confuses people: sometimes you may hear people say \"the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland\". That is the official name of the country. Northern Ireland is only one sixth of the island of Ireland. The rest of the island is an independent state, called the Republic of Ireland. So we have the names of \"England\", \"Britain\", \"Great Britain\", and \"the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland\". Now do you know what each of them means? \n Question: English was first spoken in   _  . \n Options: (A) Britain (B) England (C) Great Britain (D) Ireland", "neg": "Article: Often a nickname is a shortened form of a person's name, and it can also be a descriptive name for a place or a thing. Many American cities have nicknames. These can help build up an identity, spread pride among citizens and build their unity. Nicknames can also be funny. Los Angeles, California is the second largest city in population, after New York City. Los Angeles has several nicknames. One is simply the city's initials, L.A. It is also called the City of Angels because Los Angeles means \"the angels\" in Spanish. Los Angeles often has warm, sunny weather. So another nickname is City of Flowers and Sunshine. New York is called The Big Apple. So Los Angeles is sometimes called The Big Orange because of the fruit that grows in that city's warm climate. The American movie and television industries are based in Los Angeles. So it is not surprising that it is called The Entertainment Capital of the World. Many films are made in the area of Los Angeles called Hollywood. Millions of people visit the area. _  Many movie stars live in Los Angeles. The city is sometimes called Tinseltown. This nickname comes from the shiny, bright and often unreal nature of Hollywood and the movie industry. Another nickname for Los Angeles is La-La Land, using the first letters of Los and Angeles. This means a place that is fun and not serious, and maybe even out of touch with reality. A good place for watching unusual-looking people is Venice, an area on the west side of Los Angeles. A system of waterways designed after the Italian city of Venice has been built there. Many people love Los Angeles for its warm sunny weather, beautiful mountains and beaches, and movie stars. That includes Randy Newman, who sings about his hometown. On the whole, Los Angeles is growing attractive just for its rich nicknames. \n Question: Choose the one that isn't the function of a nickname of a place.   _ \n Options: (A) Uniting surrounding cities. (B) Entertainment. (C) Bringing pride to the locals. (D) Establishing characteristics.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}175{"query": "Article: Shoppers who have cut back on purchases in the worrying U.S. economy are likely to continue their conservative shopping habits even if the economy improves, according to a new study. That signals continued bad news for retailers , who have been struggling to respond to a great cutback in spending as consumers have opened their wallets only for basic items, while cutting back on unimportant purchases. The report, which estimates retail sales growth to be flat this year, found that three-quarters of respondents to a monthly survey of 4,000 consumers said they had shifted their shopping behaviors because of the economy. Most said they were making do with less or going without some favorite items. \"The habits learned during this economic crisis have the potential to permanently change the mind-set of consumers,\" the report said. \"The vast majority of shoppers who are changing their near-term shopping behavior say they plan to continue them as the economy improves.\" To ease the consumer discomfort, smart retailers will focus on downsizing, the report said, as adding stores to an already crowded retail landscape is out of fashion. It came up with smaller initiatives to build shopping buzz, such as limited editions of products or having existing stores target local markets. The report also forecast that retailers will increasingly focus on private brands to attract cost-conscious shoppers, while adding complementary categories of goods to their stores to make one-stop shops for consumers. While warehouse clubs and super centers are expected to fare the best in the weak environment in 2009, discount department stores and supermarkets will be the weakest, the report warned. Sales of clothes, though expected to rebound in 2010, will be the hardest hit and slowest to recover. \n Question: The current shopping behavior in the US is becoming  _  . \n Options: (A) arbitrary (B) protective (C) conservative (D) aggressive", "pos": "Article: Americans are buying more products and services than ever before through the Internet.And experts say the popularity of online sales is likely to spread to other countries.Online sales now represent as much as one-tenth of all retail sales in the United States.This has led traditional stores to seek new ways to keep their customers loyal. Lynne Shaner used the Internet to buy everything she needed.Other than food,90%of her purchases were made on her home computer.She said.\"I find that.by being able to go online and choose the things that I need to choose,and have them delivered to me right at my doorstep,I  _ all the driving,all the crowds,all the noise of that,and I usually get a better selection. \" There are a lot of people like her.57%of Americans have bought something electronically in the past few months.Store owners worry that this growing amount of online sales will hurt their business. Cornell University marketing professor says traditional stores can keep their customers by selling goods like clothing,which buyers may want to see and try on before purchasing.He says the stores could also offer things that are difficult to ship.He also says some stores can please customers by offering to set up or repair electronic products. Bill Martin is the founder of ShopperTrak which helps stores learn about their customers.He says that traditional stores offer a social experience that some people enjoy and the experience and emotion in the buying decision before they're ready to part with money can't be gotten on--line.It's a rather cold process.Bill Martin says traditional stores can provide goods to buyers more quickly than online stores. While e-commerce worries some business owners,the worry for delivery services like FedEx and UPS is keeping up with the number of packages.UPS Manager Dana Kline says her company is very busy at this time of year. \n Question: What is store owners'attitude towards online sales growth? \n Options: (A) Devotion. (B) Sympathy. (C) Anxiety. (D) Approving.", "neg": "Article: The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's said that it's the day that store ledgers move into the black and companies become profitable. On that day, retailers slash  prices to get consumers to buy.  It is also a time when many Americans start their Christmas shopping. VOA's Elizabeth Lee tells us how the economy may affect consumers on that bargain day. This day should be a shopper's dream. \"It's just the deals, the sales and everything you can get for a lesser price,\" said Sandy Thomas, a shopper. But it's a nightmare for others. \"I think it's crazy. I've done all of my shopping throughout the week so I don't have to go out on Friday,\" she said. It's called Black Friday, the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. Every year it's the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Stores open before sunrise and there are deep discounts everywhere you look. Last year a crowd of bargain-hunters killed a Wal-mart worker in a New York suburb. This year, many stores are increasing security while they slash prices. \"This is a huge time for the retail stores,\" said Fred Joutz from George Washington University. \"This is when they begin making their profits for the year.\" Economics professor Fred Joutz says how Americans spend the weekend after Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future. With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, Joutz says Americans are saving more and spending less. Some retailers are attracting consumers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, when shops are traditionally closed.  Other stores open their doors anywhere from midnight to four in the morning. And shoppers will be lining up in front of the doors in order to be one of the first ones to walk through and get a big discount. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually the first items to go. Sandy Thomas says it's an annual family tradition and well worth it. \"I just save maybe half of what I would have spent on a regular, you know, shopping trip,\" she said. Economists say U.S. consumers will spend money this Black Friday, but they will spend it more carefully. \n Question: By saying \"This day should be a shopper's dream\", the writer means   _   . \n Options: (A) shoppers have longed for this day for a long time (B) the shops will be very crowded on that day (C) the shops will keep open until the daybreak of next day (D) shoppers can buy many items at low prices on that day", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}176{"query": "Article: The Mysterious Universe By Ellen Jackson and Nic Bishop How did the universe begin? How big is it? What is dark matter? Cosmologist and expert supernova hunter Alex Filippenko hopes that supernovas can help us answer some of these questions. But first we've got to find them! Join Alex and his team as they go on the hunt with huge telescopes and banks of computers. The Time and Space of Uncle Albert By Russell Stannard What would you say if your uncle asked you whether you would like to go into space? You'd say, \"When do I leave?\", just like the girl in this story. Gedanken is speeding across the universe trying to help her uncle answer some questions, such as \"How big is space?\" and \"Where does gravity come from?\" Along the way she also discovers how to get heavier without getting fat, how to live forever without knowing it, and the strange things that can happen when you go really fast. George's Secret Key to the Universe By Lucy Hawking and Stephen Hawking When George chases his pet pig through a hole in the fence, little does he expect that he will soon be riding a comet around Saturn . But just as he discovers the joys of space exploration with the computer Cosmos, which can open doors anywhere in the universe, everything starts to go wrong. When George's lest-favorite teacher steals Cosmos and traps his friend's dad in a black hole, can George set things right in time? A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky By Michael Driscoll With a telescope or without one, this book can get you started exploring planets, stars and even strange stuff like time, space, and black holes. The universe is a big place, but this book comes with a handy star finder that you can take out with you at night to help you find your way around the stars. Look up and discover the universe! \n Question: According to the text, Alex Filippenko   _  . \n Options: (A) invented huge telescopes (B) is looking for supernovas (C) doesn't need many computers (D) knows a lot about dark matter", "pos": "Article: The journey to the moon had been the first step toward future exploration in space. The distance between the Moon and Earth is very short indeed when compared with the distances between Earth and the other planets. Mars, the nearest planet to Earth is millions of miles away. Traveling to the planets will be man's next aim. Such travels will be more challenging than the trip to the moon and certainly more adventurous.      Recently, two American spaceships, Vikings 1 and 2, landed on Mars trying to discover whether that planet has any life on it. So far the signs of life on Mars has neither confirmed nor ruled out. Russians have discovered that the surface of Venus is so hot that it is almost certain that there is no life there. Also the atmosphere of Venus is extremely dense   and the pressure is nearly a hundred times greater than that of the Earth's atmosphere.     Scientists believe man may find planets which have the same conditions as those we have on Earth , but man should realize Earth will be his only home for a long time and begin to love and care for it. (www.ks5u.com) \n Question: According to the passage, traveling to the planets will be   _  . \n Options: (A) much easier and even more interesting (B) far more exciting and dangerous (C) man's final aim (D) man's first step", "neg": "Article: A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light cannot get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying. Because no light can get out, people can't see black holes. Space telescopes with special tools can help find black holes. The special tools can see how stars that are very close to black holes act differently from other ones. Black holes can be big or small. Scientists think the smallest black holes are as small as just one atom. These black holes are very tiny but have the mass of a large mountain. Mass is the amount of matter, or \"staff\", in an object. Another kind of black hole is called \"stellar\" . Its mass can be up to 20 times more than the mass of the sun. There may be many stellar mass black holes in Earth's galaxy. Earth's galaxy is called the Milky Way. The largest black holes are called \"supermassive\" . These black holes have masses that are more than one million suns together. Scientists have found proof that every large _ contains a supermassive black hole at its center. The supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy has a mass equal to about four million suns and would fit inside a very large ball that could hold a few million Earths. Scientists think the smallest black holes formed when the universe began. Stellar black holes are made when the center of a very big star falls in upon itself, or falls apart. When this happens, it exploded part of the star into space. Scientists think supermassive black holes were made at the same time as the galaxy they are in. A black hole can not be seen because strong gravity pulls all of the light into the middle of the black hole. But scientists can see how the strong gravity affects the stars and gas around the black hole. Scientists can study stars to find out if they are flying around, or orbiting a black hole. When a black hole and a star are close together, high-energy light is made. This kind of light cannot be seen with human eyes. Scientists use satellites and telescopes in space to see the high-energy light. \n Question: The gravity of a black hole may become so strong that light cannot get out when   _  . \n Options: (A) the star is going to die (B) special tools are used on it (C) other stars come close to it (D) it is seen from the space telescopes", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}177{"query": "Article: Being able to experience a different environment and custom will give us a new perspective on everything we thought we knew and understood. Maybe, going abroad is an opportunity to look again at not only the country and the people who live there but also ourselves. I had never expected to visit Paris. The French culture didn' t interest me that much, and Paris seemed too big, too touristy, too much. But when I found myself standing next to the Opera National de Paris, completely alone and totally lost, I knew I was in for an interesting ride. I had decided to take a summer history class abroad, and Paris just happened to be where it was set. My teacher eventually found me and other jet-lagged students and walked us down to where we would be staying. Even then, tired, hungry, and feeling displaced, I was unable to keep myself from marveling at the beauty of the city. The next day in the grocery store, trying to decide if the box I was holding contained butter or cream cheese, I suddenly realized I was a foreigner that didn't speak the language.The cashier and I had a conversation completely with gestures. For the most part, it didn't seem to bother the French that I was utterly incompetent in speaking their language. In fact, from my first unclear \"bonjour\" , many of them would directly switch over to English. Time Hew by. In the mornings we had class, and in the afternoons we were given a lot of freedom to do what we pleased. We explored everywhere in the city, becoming experts at using the Metro, and walking so much that our legs were sore every night. Living in Paris was a huge change in my lifestyle. Everything I did was more relaxed. I stopped worrying about the future and instead focused on living in the present. I stopped wearing a watch because time didn't matter.We ate when we were hungry, went to bed when we were tired and explored in between.I no longer mind that Paris is so big; it' s an old, beautiful metropolis full of culture and history.On one of my last days there, standing on top of the Arc du Triumph with a 360 degree view of Paris, I finally admitted something to myself.The city that I had never wanted to visit had turned into the city that I never wanted to leave. \n Question: The writer came to Paris because   _  . \n Options: (A) he wanted to have an interesting ride (B) he attended a course in summer (C) he admired its beautiful scenery (D) he was alone and lost his way", "pos": "Article: My own experiment with culture shock came to a fruitless end when I returned with homesick from a year's study in Italy. I had never heard of culture shock. All I knew was that I was unhappy and wanted to go home. That was twenty years ago, and since then culture shock has become a real field of study. It is now understood that any normal person, finding him or herself for an extended time in a new culture, is in for trouble. The process of \"culture shock\" is now recognized as so predictable that its four stages have been noticeable. The first is the honeymoon stage, familiar to those of us who love to travel, but never stay in one place long enough to find out what follows. In this stage, the new country and its people seem delightful. Everything is better than home. Everything is so different and charming.  _ Now the people start to look shallow, selfish and stupid. The different ways of doing things don't seem interesting any more. You start to feel tired all the time. Culture shock has set in. You feel at sea. The emotional response to culture shock in stage two can be extreme. Confusion, depression and anxiety, and resentment can all enter to varying degrees. You may become physically ill. Little things seem terribly annoying. The happier resolution is to move on to stage three. Adjusting. Rather than itemizing  what's \"wrong\" with Americans, you remind yourself that \"right\" and \"wrong\" are not meaningful terms in cultural matters. Instead, you try to understand what motivates Americans, perhaps realizing that many of the things you don't like are related to the things you do like. As time goes on, you should be moving into stage four. Acceptance. At this point, you simply don't think any more about the specialties of Americans. You accept them as individuals. You have started to feel at home; you know how to do things. You have not rejected your old culture; but the American ways have settled upon you. You feel optimistic about your future here. You have truly arrived. \n Question: Why do people not suffer from culture shock when they first arrive in a foreign country? \n Options: (A) They love to travel. (B) They don't stay in one place long enough. (C) The new country and its people are delightful. (D) Everything is so different and charming.", "neg": "Article: I was going to Paris, which I'd always wanted to see. But now I was frightened to travel alone. I arrived at the train station in Paris. I hadn't spoken my college French for twenty years. On my first metro ride, I came across an incompetent thief. I just stared at him, and he stopped his hand from my purse and disappeared into the crowd. Somewhere in this confusing city was my hotel hidden, but the directions suddenly weren't easy to find. When I finally found the hotel, my heart was beating heavily, and I was sweating like a basketball player. I couldn't stay. Could I? The wallpaper looked like it had been through a fire. The bathroom was downstairs, and the window looked out onto the brick wall of another building. Welcome to Paris. I sincerely wanted to die. I missed my friends. I was entering my third week away from home and my kids, and I had arrived in the most romantic city in the world, alone, lonely and frightened. The most important thing I did in Paris happened at that moment. I knew that if I didn't go out, right then, and find a place to have dinner, I would hide in this small room my entire time in Paris. I might never learn to enjoy the world as a single individual. So I went out. Evening in Paris was light and pleasant. I walked along a path, listening to birds sing, watching children float toy boats in a huge fountain. No one seemed to be in a hurry. Paris was beautiful. And I was here alone and suddenly not lonely. My sense of accomplishment overcoming my fear and weakness had left me feeling free. I wore out two pairs of shoes during my week's stay in Paris. I did everything there was to do, and it was the greatest week of my European vacation. I returned home, becoming a believer in the power of traveling alone. Now when I meet difficulties I just say to myself, \"If I can go to Paris, I can go anywhere.\" \n Question: What happened on my first metro ride? \n Options: (A) I came across a skillful thief. (B) I bravely caught a thief trying to steal (C) The thief successfully stole my purse (D) I scared away a thief trying to steal", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}178{"query": "Article: Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to sleep, tossing and turning  . Your mind is racing, going over everything that happened that day. Night noises keep you awake. What can you do? Here are some things you can do to help you to fall asleep. Sleep only when sleepy This reduces the time you are awake in bed. If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy. Don't expose yourself to bright light while you are up. The light tells your brain that it is time to wake up. Don't take naps This will ensure that you are tired at bedtime. If you just can't make it through the day without a nap, sleep less than one hour, and take a nap before 3 p.m. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day Even on weekends! When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel better. Regular exercise can help you sleep well, but the time to do exercise is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere   with sleep. Have a snack before bedtime If your stomach is too empty, that can interfere with sleep. However, if you eat a heavy meal before bedtime, that can interfere as well. Have a warm glass of milk. Take a hot bath 90 minutes before bedtime A hot bath will raise your body temperature, but it is the drop in body temperature that may make you feel sleepy. \n Question: _   can help you fall asleep at night. \n Options: (A) Reading an uninteresting story (B) Thinking over what happened during the day (C) Sitting quietly with the light on (D) Taking some exercise", "pos": "Article: Does this sound familiar? It's 3:00 am and you're still awake and staring at the clock. You can't sleep , and you've already tried all the familiar tricks - taken a warm bath , drunk a glass of heated milk ,tried counting sheep, and read a book -all with no success. If you are such a sufferer, remember you're not alone. Experts said that one in every four Americans have trouble falling or staying asleep. Lack of sleep can hurt your quality of life in so many ways. Short temper, impatience, poor decision-making, and mood swings are common among those with sleeping problems. Besides, relationships with family, friends, and co-workers may suffer as a result. Improper sleep can also put your safety at risk by reducing your awareness. When you're awake in the middle of the night, you can start to feel desperate for a way out . However, it makes sense to weigh the available treatments before choosing the one that's right for you. Other sleep aids may seem like _ , but it turns out that there are many disadvantages of these drugs. For one thing, they may require expensive, time-consuming trips to your physician. They may also be habit-forming or have unpleasant side effects like dizziness( ) dry mouth, and next-day sleepiness. Plus , they become less effective over time. So what is the best sleep aid available on the market today? The answer is Somnapure , a product that represents nature and science coming together. This all-natural sleep aid which comes from Peak Life allows you to fall asleep quickly and remain asleep through the night . With Somnapure, you wake up feeling refreshed and energetic. Somnapure is currently giving away a 14-day trial here. Get your Somnapure trial for better, deeper sleep that you deserve. \n Question: The purpose of the passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) ask people with sleep problems to try and use Somnapure (B) introduce a kind of medicine to help sleep better (C) draw people's attention to the bad effects of the lack of sleep (D) talk about what the main causes of the sleep problems are", "neg": "Article: Sleep is a basic human need, as basic as the need for oxygen. Getting a good night's sleep is not only directly related to how we feel the next day, but to our long-term health as well. However, many of us suffer from insomnia  . Even more odf us report at least one night of restless sleep per week. This is a serious problem. Well, how can we make sure that we rest well and stay healthy? Here are some suggestions. If you can't sleep in the middle of the night, don't get up. The bright light will affect your body clock and worsen your insomnia. Stay in bed! Avoid short sleep during the day, except for a brief ten to fifteen-minute sleep between 2:00 and 4:00 P.M. Limit your time in bed to the average number of hours you 've actually slept per night last week. Don't try to make up for lost sleep. It can't be done. Get regular exercise each day, but finish at least six hours before bedtime. Exercising in the evening can help keep you awake. Take a hot bath for thirty minutes within two hours of bedtime. The bath will warm you, relax you, and make you feel sleepy. Keep our bedroom dark, quiet, and well ventilated  . Keep a regular schedule seven days a week. Avoid sleeping late on weekends. Although it may feel good while you're doing it, sleeping late on weekend can lead to insomnia during the week. Don't drink alcohol  . Although, having a drink before bed makes you sleep, alcohol loses its effects after a while. The secondary effects of alcohol can wake you up during the second half of your night's sleep. Keep the face of the clock in your bedroom turned away, and don't find out what time it is when you awaken in the night. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT advised for a good night's sleep? \n Options: (A) Don't exercise six hours before sleeping. (B) Preventing the wind from blowing into your room. (C) Staying in bed after failing to sleep. (D) Don't drink alcohol before sleeping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}179{"query": "Article: My legs don't do much because I have a serious disease. _ just sit there and look pretty. When people look at me, they only see the chair -- my wheelchair. I've been in one since I was 3 years old. And it doesn't matter if I graduate at the top of my class and go to law school. To some, I'll always be the girl in the chair. But I don't think of myself as the kid who can't walk. Most of my friends don't even notice the chair anymore. I'm just the girl they've been friends with. My friends are good at lifting me in and out of my small car when we go to the movies. We even took the car to the dance. One of the boys helped me out of the car and all the girls helped me to fix my dress. Even in the crowded school elevator, there's always someone around to carry me. There are a lot of things I can't do for myself, such as lifting my arms, dressing myself, and feeding myself. Even so, I do very well at school and I always tell myself that I'm just like any other kid in my school. The truth is that my parents raised me to be proud of my disability . There are plenty of things I wish I could do differently. I wanted to be a doctor. But that's not going to work out. So I'll be a lawyer  instead. I also wanted to dance and play soccer. My parents taught me that I'm like this for a reason -- to educate people and show them that this disease affects  my bones -- not my brain. My friends Erica once said to me, \"Kennedy, you're not disabled. You just can't walk.\" \n Question: Kennedy's story mainly tells us that we should  _  . \n Options: (A) work hard (B) smile at life (C) have dreams (D) thank our parents", "pos": "Article: We found out that Jenny was suffering hearing loss when she was four and a half years old. Several operations and speech classes later, when she was seven, we found out that Jenny had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis . She could not put pressure on the heels of her feet, so she walked on tiptoe , and when the pain became unbearable, I carried her. Jenny was fortunate, though, because she did not suffer the deformities , often associated with JRA. All through grade school, and on into high school, Jenny suffered, yet never complained. She took her medicine, and I would often wrap her feet in steaming towels, and hold her until the pain eased. But, as soon as she could stand the pain, Jenny, immediately, carried on, as though she were pain-free. She wore a smile on her face, a song on her lips, and a love and acceptance of others. That was simply amazing. She ran, when she could run. She played when she could play, and she danced when she could dance. And, when she could do none of these things, she took her medicine, and she waited until she could. Jenny, a beautiful girl with warm brown eyes, was never a cheerleader. She never competed in a sport. She joined the band. She won a place in the Govemor's School for the Arts; yet, no one in the Charleston, South Carolina School System knew what to do with Jenny. The perimeters were, simply, not in place to deal with a student, who was both active and disabled. Jenny continued to have one operation after another on her ears, all through school. Her hearing improved to 60%, and she taught herself to read lips. At school she was popular, attending every football game to cheer the team on. She carried her pillow everywhere she went, so that she could reduce the pain when she sat down. Then came her senior year in high school. She liked school activities, especially sports. So she began to bombard the school football coach. Finally the coach gave in, with the warning,\"If you miss ONE game, you're out!\"So, Jenny became Manager of Garrett High School Football Team. She carried big buckets of water to her teammates. She bandaged knees and ankles before every game. She gave inspiring talks and it turned out to be one of the best years for Garrett High School football Team in its history. When asked why he thought that the team was winning all their games, one team member Jack explained, \"Well, when you've been knocked down, and you can't seem to move, you look up and see Jenny Lewis, walking across the field, dragging her buckets and carrying her pillow. It makes anything the rest of us may suffer seem pretty unimportant.\" At the Senior Awards ceremony, Jenny received a number of scholarships to College of Charleston. Her favorite scholarship, however, was a small one from the Charleston Women's Club. The President of the Women's Club listed Jenny's achievements, starting with her grades, and ending with an excited,\"...and the first girl to letter in football, in Garrett High School history!\" \n Question: According to the passage, Jenny was mainly described as  _  . \n Options: (A) a professional football player (B) a different kind of athlete (C) a disabled athlete full of ambitions (D) A disabled girl full of ideas", "neg": "Article: Recipients of this year's Annenberg scholarships were announced on June 19. Brittany Blythe was one of them. In seventh grade,Brittany Blythe dreamed of being a cheerleader . Her school's coaches were less than enthusiastic. \"They said. 'I don't know how you'll be able to do it'. \"she recalls. \"'You won't be able to do it'.\" But Brittany,now a junior at Strath Haven High School near Philadelphia,refused to give up. And when the junior school cheerleaders won a tournament last year, she was right there,dancing and cheering with the rest of the team. Not bad for someone whose legs were cut off below the knee when she was two years old. Brittany,18,was born without shinbones --\"just blood and muscle tissue,\"as she puts it. When she tried to walk, her legs twisted. After the operation, she adapted quickly. \"From day one,I basically jumped up and wanted to do everything,'' she says. Prostheses allowed her to move around upright. But too slowly to keep up with her friends. Brittany's solution was to take the legs off and walk on her knees something she still does when safety and comfort permit. She has been rarely discouraged. Other children laughed at her through the years,especially in junior high school,but she says the challenge only made her stronger. Now she's trying to convince her coaches to let her remove the prostheses and be a flyer. The cheerleader who's thrown in the air and caught by her teammates. Brittany doesn't think her problems put her at a disadvantage. \"My disability was the first thing I had to get through., and that's going to prepare me for the future. \"she says. \"It's all just a test:If someone throws you a difficult problem,what are you going to do?\" \n Question: What was the coaches' first attitude towards Brittany's dream? \n Options: (A) Supportive (B) Enthusiastic (C) Optimistic (D) Doubtful", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}180{"query": "Article: Under new rules posted by the Civil Aviation   administration of China on Friday, pilots will have to pass a \"level four\" test of Mandarin Chinese, China's official language. Those who speak with an accent that \"often impedes\" comprehension will not pass. These rules take effect in January 2016. China's 56 ethnic groups speak more than 80 languages and dialects. Even native Mandarin speakers can have trouble communicating with each other depending on the strength of their accents, which can be mutually unintelligible  . One flight trainer illustrated the scope for linguistic confusion, especially when common English aviation terms are used. Asked if there is a problem on board, a Chinese pilot might answer in the negative with the words mei you, or \"there isn't. But someone speaking with a heavy Sichuan accent would pronounce mei you as \"May day\" - unconsciously parroting the universally recognized distress call  .  Like their international counterparts  , Chinese aviators have developed codes to avoid confusion resulting from homonyms   or near-homonyms. They use the terms yao for one and guai for seven, which are otherwise pronounced yi and qi respectively and easily confused. The new rule could affect all pilots, who must renew their license every six years, and adds to a growing list of burdens for the profession. \n Question: Which of the following is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Sichuan dialect has the contrary meaning to Mandarin. (B) Native Mandarin speakers can understand each other well. (C) It isn't necessary for a pilot to pass the test before January 2016. (D) \"May day\" is a distress call in our everyday life.", "pos": "Article: The English test will be removed from China's college entrance exam by 2020, according to details of exam and admission reform revealed by the Ministry of Education. The national college exam, known as the \"Gaokao\" has been used to evaluate Chinese students for three decades. The Ministry of Education has worked out a plan for reforming exams and enrollment. The Ministry will solicit  public opinions before its release. Instead, tests will be held several times a year to allow students to choose when and how often they sit the exam so as to ease study pressure and change China's once-in-a-lifetime exam system. The plan and suggestion for its implementation  will be announced in the first half of next year. It will be piloted in selected provinces and cities and promoted nationwide from 2017. A new exam and admission system will be established by 2020, according to the education ministry. The decision has aroused a heated discussion among Shanghai educators and parents who doubted the reform would reduce the burden of learning English or if the substitute test could reflect a student's English skills and help students learn English better. \"The reform shows China is learning from the West to give students more test-taking chances. But more chances might become more of a burden since Chinese students are likely to repeat the test until they get the highest score,\" said Cai Jigang, a professor at Fudan University's College of Foreign Languages and Literature and chairman of the Shanghai Advisory Committee for College English Teaching at Tertiary level. Yu Lizhong, chancellor of New York University Shanghai, where classes are in English and students are required to have a high standard of English, said the most important aspect of the reform lay in what to test and how to test. \"As far as I see, the reform doesn't mean English is no longer important for Chinese students after it will be excluded from the college entrance exam,\" Yu said. \"In a way, English is even more important than before since the test would only serve as reference, while every college and university, even every major, can have different requirements of a student's English skills under a diverse evaluation system.\"  _ . The education ministry said the reform would not affect students attending the college entrance exam over the next three years. \n Question: According to the passage, Shanghai educators and parents argue that  _  . \n Options: (A) the new exam and admission system will make no difference. (B) English shouldn't be removed from China's college entrance exam. (C) the reform may accomplish the very opposite. (D) Western educational system does not apply to China.", "neg": "Article: Anchors on China Central Television(CCTV) will need to do some fast talking to replace the popular English acronyms they are now banned from using. Shanghai Dailyreports that \"anchors at China Central Television have been banned from saying the English acronyms NBA, CBA, GDP, and the like in their programs.\"        The replacement for those handy acronyms? Chinese presenters must use the full Chinese name, standardized by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.        Although CCTV(oops, we mean China Central Television) presenters must already have a score of at least 94 in their government-rated oral mandarin proficiency exam, saying the full name of organizations like the CBA and WTO---10 and 6 characters' long respectively---is sure to challenge even the most skillful anchors. CCTV sports anchor Sun Zhengping tells Shanghai Daily, \"A full Chinese explanation of the English initials must be followed if my tongue slips. It is a little troublesome but a necessary one because not every member of the audience can understand the initials.\"        Although the government isn't giving any official explanation for the shift, it is believed to have something to do with a proposal by Huang Youyi, director of the China International Publishing Group, at March's NPC meeting. In his speech, Huang said, \"With more and more publications mixing Chinese with English, measures and regulations should be adopted to avoid English invading Chinese. If we don't pay attention and don't take measures to stop the expansion of mixing Chinese with English, Chinese won't be a pure language in a couple of years.\"        Although China is far from the first country to take measures to protect local languages, acronyms are more about saving time than they are about corrupting a language, we would think. Good luck to the CCTV anchors. \n Question: CCTV anchors have to \"do some fast talking\" because they can no longer                         _  . \n Options: (A) speak as slowly as they like (B) mix English into Chinese (C) use shortened Chinese expressions (D) have much time for their programs", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}181{"query": "Article: How to protect children Web fans from unsuitable material on-line while encouraging them to use the Internet has long been discussed in the US. For some parents, the Internet can seem like a jungle, filled with danger for their children. But jungles contain wonders as well as danger. With good guides, some education, and a few precautions( ), the wilds of the Internet can be safely navigated. \"Kids have to be on-line. If we tell our kids they can't be allowed to surf the Internet, we're cutting them off from their future,\" said an expert. Most kids have started to use search engines. Many of them are great for finding tons of interesting Internet sites, and they can also locate places where you might not want your kids to go. There are search engines designed just for kids. A certain software contains only sites that have been selected as safe. The most popular way would be to use what is known as a \"content screener\". But this can't be wholly reliable( ), and the best thing parents can do is to talk to their kids and let them know what is OK or not OK to see or do on the Internet. Another way is that mum or dad is nearby when the child is surfing the Internet. A few other tips: --Do not put the PC in a child's room but keep it in an area where mum or dad can keep an eye on things. That also makes the Internet more of a family activity. --Ask your child what he or she has been doing and about any friends they make on-line. --Tell your child not to give on-line strangers personal information, especially like address and phone number. And tell your children never to talk to anyone they meet on-line over the phone, send them anything, accept anything from them or agree to meet with them unless you go along. \n Question: What is the best way to protect children from improper material? \n Options: (A) To talk to the children and persuade them to tell right from wrong. (B) To be nearby when the children are surfing the Internet. (C) To fix a content screener on the computer. (D) To buy some search engines for children.", "pos": "Article: It seems that many parents have a lot to learn about what their children are doing online. According to a recent survey by the Symantec Corporation, which makes many kinds of security software for home and business computers, there's a \"significant digital divide between parents and their kids.\" Parents of children under the age of 18 were asked to estimate how much time their kids spent online each week. The parents said about three hours a week on average. The kids - ages 8 to 17 - who took the survey said they're spending an average of seven hours online each week. \"I really think that's due to the time they spend on their mobile phones and computers, when their parents don't even know they're online,\" says Symantec's Bill Rosenkrantz. \"Remember, cell phones, PDAs and video game machines all make it possible to access the Internet. You don't have to sit in front of a computer screen.\" And what are the kids doing on the Web? \"They're doing things like downloading music, they're going to social networking sites, they're actually shopping online when parents don't think they're doing those kinds of activities,\" says Rosenkrantz. \"They're also, we think, doing some things with research papers and other kinds of activities with homework maybe where they're getting content online and they really shouldn't be.\" Nearly a quarter of the kids (23 percent) admit to doing things their parents would not approve. So how does a modern parent deal with this type of situation? \"The first thing we strongly recommend is that parents spend time with their children online,\" Rosenkrantz says. \"Sit down with them and understand what they're doing. Secondly, have a dialog about it. Have a dialog about what's an acceptable activity, what's an unacceptable activity, and set some ground rules -- time online, things you can and can't do. Really have those conversations. That's the most important.\" There are a lot of bad people on the Internet. That's why it's so important for parents to know what their kids are doing online. \n Question: We can learn from the passage that   _  . \n Options: (A) some kids surveyed may go against their parents' rules (B) kids talk less with their parents due to computers (C) special home computers are being made by Symantec (D) parents are too busy to pay attention to their kids", "neg": "Article: If your child has mobile internet access, it will be more difficult to monitor  and control his or her internet use. Kids are turning to the internet for everything from hanging out with friends to shopping, which makes it harder for parents to keep track of their online activities. Fortunately, there are many choices for controlling what your kids see on their computers, laptops, and mobile devices. Content blockers and filters are great tools to use for younger kids. They allow you more control over where they go and what they do online. A content blocker can block some unhealthy websites or limit a child's search to the kind of sites. A content filter can scan sites and pictures and block those sites that contain certain words, key phrases, or content. Consider tracking software for older teenagers. This software enables you to see which sites your children have visited, tracking their path online. This tool gives young people more freedom to explore the Internet, but it also allows you to check that they are using the internet responsibly. Let your teenagers know that you trust them, but that you will be regularly checking that they are visiting appropriate sites online. Even if you use content blockers, filters, and trackers, you know that a lot of kids figure out ways to get around these, so it's important to remain alert . Remember that not all adult sites can be identified by blocker, filter, or tracker software. That's why it's important to talk to your kids about what to do when something inappropriate or scary comes up. Nothing can replace involvement and supervision  by adults. Keep monitoring how your kids use the internet on a regular basis without getting into the role of internet traffic police. \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) More and more kids have mobile internet access (B) Some choices for monitoring and controlling kid's internet use (C) It is difficult to monitor and control kid's internet use (D) Kids are turning to the internet for everything", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}182{"query": "Article: The computers and the Internet The computer is one of the most important inventions of today. Ever since it was invented, it has changed our lives a lot. People can do a lot of things with the computer. For example, some software can be used too help people finish their work. If one can't finish it at once, the computer can save it so that one can find it quickly the next time. When you talk about computer, you must mention the Internet.. The Internet is a huge worldwide collection of computer networks. A network is a small group of computers working together. You can find information about almost any topic in the world from this network.. For example, you can use the Internet instead of a library to find information about current issues for your homework. You can also find information about your favorite pop or film stars, talk to your friends or even do some shopping. As well as words, most pages include pictures, sounds, and even videos. Email is a fast and cheap way to keep in touch with friends and family. It's much cheaper and quicker than sending a letter. Quick, easy and fun---that is the Internet. However, it also has its shortcomings .If you always _ the computer, you could become lazy and lonely. There is also a lot of bad information on the Internet. Some of it is bad for our ideologies . Many parents don't allow their children to use the Internet because they think that the Internet is useless and they only think about its disadvantages. In my opinion, the computer and the Internet are good for us if we can adopt a correct attitude towards them. They are several reasons. Firstly, they can store a very, very large amount of ... \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE? \n Options: (A) One day the computer will completely replace humans. (B) In modern times, the computer is the only most important invention. (C) With the computer used in our daily lives, we can do some things easier than before. (D) In the future, we can use the computer to do everything.", "pos": "Article: Today almost everyone knows computers and the Internet. If I ask you \"What is the most important in your life ?\" maybe you will say \"Computers and the Internet.\" The first computer was made in 1946. It was very big but it worked slowly . Today computers are getting smaller and smaller. But they work faster and faster. What can computers do? A writer has said, \"people can't live without computers today.\" The Internet came a little later than computers. It is about twenty-five years later than computers. But now it can be found almost everywhere. We can use it to read books, write letters, do shopping, play games or make friends. Many students like the Internet very much. They often go into the Internet as soon as they are free. They make friends on the Internet and maybe they have never seen these friends. They don't know their real names, ages, and even sex  . They are so interested in making the \"unreal friends\" that they can't put their hearts into study. Many of them can't catch up with others on many subjects because of that. We can use computers and the Internet to learn more about the world. But at the same time, we should remember that not all the things can be done by computers and the Internet. \n Question: The Internet can not be used for   _  . \n Options: (A) studying (B) shopping (C) thinking (D) playing", "neg": "Article: In the early 1990s,the word\" Internet\" was strange to most people. But today, Internet has become a useful tool for people all over the world. Maybe Internet has been the greatest invention in the field of communication in the history of mankind . Communicating with others on the Internet is much faster. We can chat with a person who is sitting in the other part of the world. We can e-mail our friends and they can read the e-mails within a minute. Giving all kinds of information is probably the biggest advantage of the Internet. We can use search engines to find the information we need. Just type in a keyword or keywords and the search engine will give us a list of suitable websites to look at. We can enjoy a lot on the Internet by downloading games, visiting chat rooms or surfing  websites. There are some games for free. We can meet new and interesting people in the chat now. We can also listen to music and see films. Now ,there is a lot of service on the Internet such as online banking ,job finding and ticket buying. We can also do shopping and find nearly all kinds of goods. Sometimes we can find something that is quite good but very cheap. \n Question: How many main advantages of the Internet are talked about in the_passage? \n Options: (A) Three. (B) Four. (C) Five. (D) Six.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}183{"query": "Article: Two new studies have investigated why fewer women, compared to men, study and work in the so-called STEM subjects in the United States: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The American Association of University Women(AAUW) examined existing research. Its report \"Why So Few?\" suggested ways to interest more girls and women in the STEM fields. The researchers found that cultural and environmental factors make a difference. Researcher Christianne Corbett says more boys than girls score very high on math tests in most countries, but Iceland and Thailand are exceptions. \"This is something that we point out in our report--that cultural factors and societal factors can make a difference in who achieves at the very high levels and whether girls are achieving or not.\" Another study carried out by the Campos Company for the Bayer Corporation in the United States asked more than 1,000 women and minority members of the American Chemical Society about their experiences.77% said not enough women and minorities are working in STEM today, because they were not encouraged to study those subjects in school. The study, producing results similar to the AAUW research showed there's still a lot of work to be done. \"They say their interest in science begins before the age of eleven. So we need programs that get in front of kids while they're young in elementary school.\" Increasing diversity in professions leads to better products, better science. And developing this science and engineering workforce is important to the nation's economic development. \"No matter what career you go into, whether it's accounting, human resources or science career, it's important that you can think creatively, you can work in teams, you can adapt to change and that's important for everybody,\" says Rebecca Lucore. \n Question: Which of the following is true about the situation in Iceland and Thailand? \n Options: (A) Boys score higher in math tests than girls. (B) Girls are given more exceptional attention than boys. (C) More girls score higher in math than boys. (D) Boys are more creative than girls.", "pos": "Article: Why do women earn less than men? Women earn less than men. For example, in 1988 the hourly wages of women in the U.S. were 16% less than those of men. The gap between male and female incomes varies with age. The gap between the labor incomes of young women and young men is much smaller than that between middle-aged women and men. It is also clear that jobs in which women are concentrated pay less. The larger the number of workers in an industry who are women, the lower the average wages. Why do women earn less than men? Are the differences explained by the fact that women are looked down upon? If so, the government has to intervene, to force the employers to pay equal wages to equal jobs. however, there is no agreement among economists about the causes of the gap. One view argues that women on the average have chosen low-paying jobs in which workers enjoy the freedom of entering and leaving the labor force, which reduces their years of experience relative to men. Other people say the gap can also be explained by the difference in educational background which is shown in the difference in the marginal product between men and women. Much of the gap, however, has not been fully explained. It might be the result of some bias against women. It is this part that has produced calls for government action. What would happen if the government did intervene to increase the wages paid to women? One possibility is that incomes for women as a group might actually decline. An increase in wage decreases the quantity of labor input demanded, resulting in decreased employment as the rate of hiring new workers declines. The result will be a surplus of labor. Those who can find jobs might be better off while those who had jobs might find themselves out of work. \n Question: The difference in labor incomes is most obvious between   _  . \n Options: (A) young men and young women (B) young women in the same industry (C) middle-aged men and middle-aged women (D) middle-aged women in the same industry", "neg": "Article: In the next five years, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs are projected to grow twice as quickly as jobs in all other fields according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. While all jobs are expected to grow by 10.4 percent, STEM jobs are expected to increase by 21.4 percent. By this measure, future STEM jobs represent a huge opportunity to today's students. But, in fact, of the 3.8 million ninth graders in the U.S., only 233,000 end up choosing a STEM degree in college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This means only 6 percent of ninth graders will become STEM graduates. And of these graduates, women will be even more underrepresented in most STEM fields. These are alarming statistics. How do we get more young boys and girls to be interested in STEM-related fields? It isn't an easy task. Schools do not always adequately prepare students for these severe subjects, and college programs are designed to get rid of those who are less persistent. Nationally, only 41 percent of initial STEM majors who begin a degree in STEM-related fields complete their degree in less than six years. In addition, social pressures continue to cast a shadow over girls who might otherwise consider the STEM fields. A couple of years ago, I met amazing parents, both of whom had a background in engineering and hoped their 10-year-old daughter would follow in their footsteps. They encouraged her to take an after-school science / robotics program. When she got there, she found she was outnumbered 6:1 by boys in the class. As the only girl, she came home crying much of the time because she was teased and told that geeky girls are not welcome in the boys' club. Ironically, by the time young boys are entering college programs in STEM fields, many complain about the lack of girls. Starting at an early age, even as young as kindergarten, we need to encourage and help the next generation leaders to consider taking up science, computing, math and technology. We also need to realize that for young girls to be inspired to take and stick with this educational path and later career field, they will benefit from the support of the people that surround them: parents, teachers, friends and family members. \n Question: The STEM statistics are used in the passage mainly to show that   _  . \n Options: (A) STEM jobs will be easily available in the future (B) boys have more advantages over girls in STEM (C) the number of STEM students is rapidly declining (D) America will face serious shortage of STEM talents", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}184{"query": "Article: Being connected to the Internet has become a necessary part of modern life. Some people actually need it as they cannot do their jobs without it, and others simply feel they need it as they cannot imagine life without it. To think that something that did not even exist 50 years ago has come to _ our lives like this in just about 15 years makes one wonder - just what will the future bring? In 2004, a survey was conducted in the US asking a group of technology experts their opinions on the Internet in the next ten years. 57% of them agreed that virtual classes will be more widely adopted in schools, allowing students to learn with those at the same level and with interests in the same subjects. It's quite possible that, by the year 2030, every child in every school will do all their schoolwork on their own laptop with all their textbooks available on the Internet. No more heavy books to carry around and no more pens and paper! At work, we already use email to deal with people both inside and outside our offices and video conferencing  is occurring more frequently. This means that meetings can be held between offices in different countries without the trouble caused by business travel. Business travel will not exist in the future, and so will offices as people all start to work from home. It has also become a trend for people to use pocket computers such as Blackberries. With this helpful equipment, people can send and receive emails, surf the Web, and read multimedia files from absolutely anywhere even if we are on a beach holiday. The Internet will have a revolutionary effect on entertainment in the future. Already we can buy and download music and movies from the Internet but it is still possible for us to buy a CD or go to the DVD stores to rent the latest movies. However, it's quite possible that in the future, CD shops and DVD rental stores will close and cinemas will no longer exist. Entertainment will become completely virtual although hopefully people will still want to get outside to play sports and entertain themselves in more healthy ways. With the Internet we need only relax in the rocking chair. The Internet, however, has problems to be solved. \n Question: The expression \"play a crucial role in\" can be understood as \"  _  \". \n Options: (A) change a dull role into (B) play an interesting part in (C) act a cruel character in (D) have an important effect on", "pos": "Article: Laptop computers are popular all over the world.People use them on trains and airplanes, in airports and hotels.These laptops connect people to their workplace.In the United States today, laptops also connect students to their classrooms. Westlake College in Virginia will start a laptop computer program that allows students to do schoolwork anywhere they want.Within five years, each of the 1500 students at the college will receive a laptop.The laptops are part of a $10 million computer program at Westlake, a 110-year-old college.The students with laptops will also have access to the Internet.In addition, they will be able to use e-mail to \"speak\" with their teachers, their classmates, and their families.However, the most important part of the laptop program is that students will be able to use computers without going to computer labs.They can work with it at home, in a fast-food restaurant or under the trees--anywhere at all! Because of the many changes in computer technology, laptop use in higher education, such as colleges and universities, is workable.As laptops become more powerful, they become more similar to desktop computers.In addition, the portable computers can connect students to not only the Internet, but also libraries and other resources.State higher-education officials are studying how laptops can help students.State officials are also testing laptop programs at other universities, too. At Westlake College, more than 60 percent of the staff use computers.The laptops will allow all teachers to use computers in their lessons.As one Westlake teacher said, \" Here we are in the middle of Virginia and we're giving students a window on the world.They can see everything and do everything.\" \n Question: The main purpose of the laptop program is to give each student a laptop to   _  . \n Options: (A) connect them to libraries (B) access the Internet (C) work at home (D) use for their schoolwork", "neg": "Article: Education plays a very important role in everybody's life. We go to school because we want to know more about the world around us. The typical classroom used to be the place where teachers and students were working and exploring the wonderful world of knowledge together, but now everything has changed. The Internet is one of those approaches. Learning via the Internet is a new style that seems to become successful than the traditional teaching. The Internet provides schools with a large amount of learning material that is accessible to students online. Owing to the choices of courses online, completing a program becomes much easier. We used to go to the library when we needed information and spend hours searching for the right sources. Today there is a \"library\" in our house and it is available 24 hours a day. From my personal experience, being a first time mother, I find that using information online is very helpful. While I am at home with my baby, I can still search for the material I need and exchange thoughts and information with my classmates without leaving my house. The Internet is not only a big information provider but also a money and time saver. People predict that education will be much cheaper in the future because of Internet access to information. The cost of land, building and wages for teachers are continuously increasing. In addition, regular courses (offline) depend heavily on books and other paper-based materials, while online education posts lectures, and assignments electronically, which saves thousands of dollars every year. With no physical restrictions, the Internet classes and courses are also very convenient. In classroom-based education there is a limitation on the number of students while Internet education is available to everyone. Students don't have to struggle in order to register for classes they like.  Students will have more choices to take their courses and classes online. The Internet offers a wonderful opportunity to obtain knowledge in a more convenient and less expensive way. In my opinion, online life in the future is simply inescapable. \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true? \n Options: (A) The Internet offers schools abundant learning materials. (B) Online learning changes the traditional learning way. (C) The traditional classrooms become outdated because of the Internet. (D) Online learning is seen to be more successful than traditional teaching.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}185{"query": "Article: Lying within, the inner London Borough of Southwark, this hugely improved non-selective Secondary Academy School is looking to recruit   and appoint a talented Science Teacher in April 2016 or sooner. POSITION:Science Teacher | KS3 --5| All Science specialists welcome DEPARTMENT:Popular & Ambitious Science Department LOCATION:Borough of Southwark -- Zone 2 -- Inner London PERSON:Qualified Science Teacher required -- experience in UK or overseas trained START DATE:April 2016 or sooner -- full time & permanent contract on offer SALARY:Inner London Pay Scale -- PS29,270 ~PS37,862 a year PERSON REQUIREMENT: All applicants will need to be suitably skilled, trained and qualified to be considered for this Science Teacher position. Applicants should feel confident across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5, in addition to having a real desire to make a difference and provide pupils under their care with a first class education . SCHOOL & TRAVEL INFORMATION: This is a typically diverse inner city school, suitable for a broad range of pupils aged 11 to 18 years old. The school has made huge steps and progressed from a satisfactory to a good school. Results are constantly improving, thanks to the staff in place, who are responsible for creating and delivering a broad curriculum. The school site is a short walk away from the nearest underground and rail stations, positioned within inner London, Zone 2. Those living in South and Central London are perfectly positioned for this position. If you are a hardworking Science Teacher, hoping to become part of an improving Inner London Secondary, get in touch today. Please apply and submit your up-to-date CV using the form . One of the Clarus Education Team will be in touch within 48 hours if shortlisted  . \n Question: What is a must for the recruited teacher? \n Options: (A) Being trained in England. (B) Experience in UK. (C) Diploma of Higher Education. (D) Being qualified for all grades.", "pos": "Article: The UK's education system is ranked  sixth best in the developed world, according to a global league table published by education firm Pearson in October,2012. The first and second places are taken by Finland and South Korea.The rankings combine international test results and data such as graduation rates between 2006 and 2010. Sir Michael Barber, Pearson's chief education adviser, says successful countries give teachers a high status and have a \"culture\" of education. International comparisons in education have become increasingly significant - and this latest league table is based upon a series of global test results combined with measures of education systems, such as how many people go on to university. The two education superpowers - Finland and South Korea - are followed by three other high-performing Asian education systems - Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. The UK is then only ranked at the head of an above-average group including the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. These are ahead of a middle-ranking group including the United States, Germany and France. At the lowest end are Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia. These _ draw upon tests that are taken every three or four years, in areas such as maths, science and literacy - and so present a picture lagging by several years. Looking at education systems that succeed, the study concludes that spending is important, but not as much as having a culture that is supportive of learning. It says that spending is easier to measure, but the more complex impact of a society's attitude to education can make a big difference. The success of Asian countries in these rankings reflects the high value attached to education and the expectations of parents. This can continue to be a factor when families migrate to other countries, says the report. Looking at the two top countries - Finland and South Korea - the report says that there are many big differences, but the common factor is a shared social belief in the importance of education and its \"underlying moral purpose\". \n Question: What's the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) The two different education superpowers (B) The result of one report about education system . (C) The UK's education system is worst. (D) Finland and South Korea'S education system", "neg": "Article: We have two very good TEEL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) teaching opportunities available in Tetouan,, northern Morocco with a privately owned English language school which was founded in 2011 and follows British courses. The new teachers needed by the school will begin to work on October 1st, 2016. Overview *Teach children from the ages of 7 or even younger to adults. *Teach all levels of English from beginner to the advanced. *Teach conversation classes. *Teaching hours will be 6 to 40 hours a week depending on student enrollment . Salary & Benefits *Provide accommodation: a small furnished apartment near to the school, which is close to the center of the city and transport links. *Share an apartment with another teacher. *Each teacher will have their own bedroom but has to share a bathroom with another teacher. *Electricity and water bills to be paid by the teacher. *Receive weekly salary based on Moroccan standards of living of 600 dirhams   a week. Class for children *All students are local Moroccan student who live in the surrounding area. *Our school uses Macmillan books. *We have three terms in a year and each term consists of 15 weeks. Classes are mostly in the evening from 5 pm to 9:30 pm; however, some morning classes are also available, which are usually classes for housewives. *There are no classes on Saturday. Requirements *Bachelor's degrees (any field). *Native English speaker. *Teaching experience preferred. To apply, please email us with a copy of your information: jobs@eslstarter. com \n Question: We can learn from the passage that a teacher   _  . \n Options: (A) will not give lessons on Saturday (B) will have to teach 50 hours a week (C) can use electricity and water for free (D) will share a bedroom with another teacher", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}186{"query": "Article: I was now in my twenty third year of residence in this island and was accustomed to the place and to the manner of living. If it had not been the savages who had come to the place to disturb me, I could have been content to spent the rest of my time there, even to the last moment, till I had laid me down and died, like the old goat in the cave. I had also arrived to some little recreations and amusements, which made the time pass more pleasantly with me a great deal than it did before. At first, I had taught my Poll to speak. And he did it so familiarly and talked so clearly and plain that it was very pleasant to me. And he lived with me no less than twenty six years. How long he might live afterwards, I don't know; though I know they have an idea in Brazil that they live a hundred years. Perhaps poor Poll may be alive there still, calling Poor Robin Crusoe to this day. I wish no other English man had the bad luck to go there and hear him. But if he did, he would certainly believe it was the devil . My dog was a very pleasant and loving companion to me, for no less than sixteen years of my time, and then died of mere old age. As for my cats, they multiplied to that degree that I had to shoot several of them at first to keep them from eating up all I had. Besides these, I had two more parrots which talked pretty well and would all call Robin Crusoe, but none like my first. Nor indeed did I take the pains with any of them that I had done with him. I had also several sea-fowls, whose names I don't know, that I caught upon the shore and cut their wings. And the little stakes which I had planted before my castle wall being now grown up to a good thick bush, these fowls all lived among these low trees and bred there, which was very agreeable to me; so that as I said above, I began to be well content with the life I led if not worried about the threat from the savages. \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) Robin Crusoe treated animals kindly. (B) Robin Crusoe led a hard life on the island. (C) The animals raised by Robin Crusoe brought him much pleasure. (D) The savages always spoiled Robin Crusoe's happy life.", "pos": "Article: The more people I meet, the more I love my dog. Every day I am reminded why I love him so much. Three weeks before Christmas in 2008 at about 2:00 in the morning, my dog woke us up out of a sound sleep because someone was knocking at our door. He barked in front of me as if to protect me from the stranger who was knocking. My husband answered, and it was a local police officer telling us that my father-in-law had called the police because he forgot our number. My mother-in-law was suffering from a brain disease and was in the hospital. We thanked the officer and raced to the hospital. We would have taken him, but the hospital would consider him to be a dirty pet. After visiting the hospital we drove home and hugged our dog once more. At this point it was unlikely that little dog remembered waking us up. What he did remember was that we left him alone for several hours and he missed us. He thought we missed him, too, so he greeted us at the door with his tail wagging  . Someone tried to break in our house that summer, but, once again, our little dog saved the day. Our curtains were damaged, but no one got in. When I got home from work, I found parts of my curtains lying on the floor. We called the police and the officer said that he did a great job. My dog is a loving sweet dog who just wants some attention. I worked with him for months and now he sits, dances, sings, shakes hands, and so much more. The best part is he looks out for me as much as I look out for him. My husband says the dog is spoiled  ; I say he finally has a loving home. \n Question: The author's dog woke her up to tell her that   _  . \n Options: (A) her mother-in-law was ill (B) her father-in-law called her (C) someone was knocking at the door (D) someone had broke into her house", "neg": "Article: Four days after Dad's 67thbirthday, he had a heart attack. Luckily, he survived. But something inside him had died. His enthusiasm for life was gone. He refused to follow doctor's orders, and his sour attitude made everyone upset when they visit him. Dad was left alone. So I asked Dad to come to live with me on my small farm, hoping the fresh air would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated. Something had to be done. One day I read an article which said when given dogs, depressed patients would be better off. So I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. As soon as I got there, a pointer's eyes caught my attention. They watched me calmly. A staff member said: \"He got here two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow.\" I turned to the man in horror. \"You mean you're going to kill him?\" \"Ma'am,\" he said gently. \"We don't have room for every unclaimed dog.\" The police's calm brown eyes awaited my decision. \"I'll take him,\" I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. I was helping it out of the car when Dad walked onto the front porch. \"Look what I got you!\" I said excitedly. Dad wrinkled his face. \"I don't want it,\" he muttered, turning back towards the house. Then, suddenly, the dog pulled free from my grasp. He sat down in front of my Dad. Dad's anger melted, and soon he was hugging the dog. This was the beginning of a warm friendship. Dad named the dog Cheyenne. Together they spent long hours walking down dusty lanes and relaxing on the banks of streams. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne went on to make many friends. Then, late one night two years later, I felt Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing   through my bed covers. He had never before come into my bedroom at night. I ran into my father's room and found that he had passed away. Two days later, my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. As I buried him near their favorite stream, I silently thanked the dog for restoring Dad's peace of mind. \n Question: After the author's father survived the heart attack, he   _  . \n Options: (A) ignored everyone who visited him (B) became unpleasant toward other people (C) was left alone to get full rest (D) no longer wanted to live", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}187{"query": "Article: WILD WEATHERMAN Name: Sam Champion Hot job: TV Weatherman Where: ABC-TV, New York City When you were a child, did you plan to forecast wind, rain, and snow on TV? I wanted to be a foreign journalist. I took courses in weather science at Eastern Kentucky University, but I majored in broadcasting news. How did you finally become a weatherman? My first job in the early 1980s was at the local TV station in Paducah, Kentucky. I did everything from turning on the lights in the morning to writing and delivering morning news. I put together weather forecasts, and became interested in them. Back then, how did you forecast weather? Independent companies collected computer information that showed, for example, how a single weather system might split into snow or snow mixed with rain. The information was often opposite and the job of a weatherman was to study the information and make the best educated guess about the storm. Has weather forecasting changed much with new technology? Advanced computers, satellites, and Doppler radar (sound waves used to track storms) have made forecasting more exact. But we still know very little about how weather is shaped. So far, we just have theories. Any advice for children who'd like to become weather scientists? To me, weather is the most exciting field in the world. There are still so many more questions about weather than answers. After all, if we can't foresee floods or hurricanes, how safe a society are we? Weather forecasting is wide open for scientists who love to solve puzzling problems. The next generation of meteorologists (weather scientists) will unlock many of Earth's weather secrets. So get a general knowledge of Earth science, and study meteorology in college. Thanks, Sam. \n Question: Judging from the writing style, the text is    _   . \n Options: (A) a diary (B) an interview (C) a news story (D) an announcement", "pos": "Article: Reporters collect information and write news stories. These stories appear in newspapers and magazines. Some reporters appear on television and radio. To get information, reporters should look at documents, observe the _ and interview people. To get the latest news, radio and television reporters often reporter \"live\" from the scene. Some reporters work long hours. They might work strange schedules. At morning newspapers, reporters might work from late afternoon until midnight. At evening or afternoon papers, they may work from early morning until afternoon. Radio and television reporters work during the day or in the evening. Magazine reporters generally work during the day. Reporters may have to change their work hours to follow a story. If someone wants to be a reporter, a bachelor's degree  in journalism  is preferred. Some employers like graduates with other majors . Working at school newspapers or broadcasting stations is good experience. Internship  with news organizations also help when looking for a job as a reporter. Reporters must write clearly and effectively. They need word processing ,computer graphics , and desktop publishing skills. Speaking a second language is necessary for some jobs. \n Question: If one wants to be a reporter, he must    _  . \n Options: (A) be doctor (B) have enough experience (C) study in a newspaper company before (D) be good at writing", "neg": "Article: My friends, as you know, my television career began unexpectedly. I was 16 years old in Nashville, Tennessee and I was in the Miss Fire Prevention contest. They had the requirement of having to have red hair in the final part until the year I entered the final. And to my joy the swimsuit competition was also cancelled. That year they were doing the question and answer period.  ''Why, young lady, what would you like to be when you grow up? '' And by the time they got to me all the good answers were gone. I had seen Barbara Walters on the Today Show that morning so I answered: '' I would like to be a journalist. I would like to tell other people's stories in a way that makes a difference in their lives and the world. '' And as these words were coming out of my mouth, I went whoa! This is pretty good! I would like to be a journalist. I want to make a difference. Well I was on television by the time I was 19 years old. And in 1986 I launched my own television show with the determination to succeed at first. I was nervous about the competition and then I had no competitor but I still pushed myself as hard as I before. Eventually we did make it to the top and we stayed there for 25years. The Oprah Winfrey Show was number one for 21 years and I have to tell you I became pretty comfortable with that level of success. But a few years ago I decided that it was time to break new ground. So I ended the show and launched OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. But only one year later after launching OWN nearly every media said that my new attempt was a failure. Not just a failure but a big failure they called it. I can still remember the day I opened up USA Today and read the headline ''Oprah, not quite standing on her OWN. '' I mean really, USA Today? Now that's the nice newspaper! This time last year was really the worst period in my professional life. \n Question: How did she manage to make her television show to the top and stay there for 25 years? \n Options: (A) By answering the questions perfectly. (B) By competing with others. (C) By working hard. (D) Through television show.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}188{"query": "Article: We're surrounded by chemistry in everyday life. Sometimes it is easy to see, like when your science teacher does a big experiment in class. At other times, it can be pretty hard to see everyday chemistry at work, but nearly everything you touch or use has some element of chemistry in it. Something as simple as toothpaste contains at least three chemicals, if not more. It is the mixture of them and its chemical reaction that keeps your teeth clean. Other things you use every day are created by chemistry, such as hair products, shampoo and soap. Adding detergent   to water involves chemistry. Without chemistry, we would never have known that we need soap to get the oil out of clothes or skin. Chemistry not only helps us make products for use, but it also helps us understand the world around us. Chemistry helps us understand what the ozone layer   is and how it protects us. Chemistry also gives us sunscreen to protect us from the sun. Thanks to chemistry, we know bleach   can't be mixed with vinegar, because it can produce _ gas. Without chemistry, we wouldn't have fireworks displays on important days. Chemistry plays a big role in food preparation. Cooking food causes it to go through a chemical change. That is why cooked food often tastes different from raw food. Baking is a great example of chemistry. Too much or too little of any ingredient makes a difference to the result of baking, for example, the dough   won't rise or the cake will be flat. Chemistry isn't something that just lives in a lab; it's something that you meet hundreds of times every day. Knowing how chemistry works will give you a greater understanding of the science behind some of the simplest looking things. \n Question: The following actions are about chemistry EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) cleaning teeth with toothpaste (B) washing hair with hair products (C) using soap to get the oil out of clothes (D) washing your face with water", "pos": "Article: Water is very important to living things. Without water there can be no life on the earth. All animals and plants need water. Man also needs water. We need water to drink, to cook our food and to clean ourselves. Water is needed in offices, factories and schools. Water is needed everywhere. There is water in seas, rivers and lakes. Water is found almost everywhere. Even in the desert part of the world, there is some water in the air. You can not see or feel it when it is a part of the air. The water in the seas, rivers and lakes is a liquid, the water in the air is a gas, and we call it water vapour  . Clouds are made of water. They may be made of very small drops of water. They may also be made of snow crystals . Snow crystals are very very small crystals of ice. Ice is frozen water. It is a solid. There can be snow and ice everywhere in winter. Water may be a solid or a liquid or a gas. When it is a solid, it may be as hard as a stone. When it is a liquid, you can drink it. When it is a gas, you can not see or feel it. \n Question: Where can we find water? \n Options: (A) We can find water when it turns into vapour. (B) Water is only in seas and rivers. (C) We can see water in deserts here and there. (D) Water can be found almost everywhere.", "neg": "Article: There are two kinds of changeschemical change and physical change. In a chemical change, there is always a new substance formed. Breaking up water into hydrogen and oxygen is a chemical change. In each of the chemical change at least one new substance is formed. A change is not a chemical change if it doesn't form a new substance. Physical changes are very common, too. There are many examples. You can make a physical change by tearing a piece of paper into two, or by cutting a piece of iron with lathe . Here paper is still paper, and the iron is still iron. Another way of making physical change is dissolving something in water. When you dissolve salt in water, the salt disappears. You may think that a new substance has been formed. But really there is no new substance. The salt is still salt. You can still taste it. So the dissolving of anything is a physical change. When water freezes, the change is also a physical one. The water changes from liquid to solid, but it is still the same substance. That is why the freezing of anything is a physical change. \n Question: In a physical change   _   .is formed. \n Options: (A) a new substance (B) nothing new (C) a piece of paper (D) a piece of iron", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}189{"query": "Article: A meteor  that exploded over Russia's Ural mountains and sent burning to earth has set off a rush to find fragments of the space rock which hunters hope could fetch thousands of dollars a piece. Friday's explosion and following shockwave shattered windows, injured almost 1200 people and caused about $33 million worth of damage, said local authorities. It also started a \"meteorite rush\" around the industrial city of Chelyabinsk,where groups of people have started _ the snow and ice. \"The price is hard to say yet... The fewer meteorites that are discovered, the higher their price is.\" Said Dmitry Kachkalin, a member of the Russian Society of Amateur Meteorite Lovers. Meteorites are parts of a meteor that have fallen to earth. Scientists at the Urals Federal University were the first to announce a significant find-53 small, stony, black objects around Lake Chebarkul, near Chelyabinsk, which tests confirmed were small meteorites. The fragments were only 0.5 to 1 cm across but the scientists said larger pieces may have crashed into the lake, where a crater in the ice about eight metres wide opened up after Friday's explosion. \"We just completed tests and confirm that the pieces of matter found by our experts around Lake Chebarkul are really meteorites.\" said Viktor Grokhovsky, a scientist with the Urals Federal University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Many other people were in the area just hoping to find a meteorite after what was described by scientists as a once-in-a-century event. Residents of a village near Chelyabinsk searched the snowy streets, collecting stones they hoped prove to be the real thing. But not all were ready to sell. \"I will keep it. Why sell it? I didn't have a rich lifestyle before, so why start now?\" a woman in a woollen hat and winter jacket, clutching a small black pebble , told state television. The Internet was filled quickly with advertisements from eager hunters hoping to sell what they said were meteorites - some for as little as 1,000 roubles ($33.18). One seller of a large, silver-hued rock wrote in an advertisement:\" Selling an unusual rock. It may be a piece of meteorite. It may be a bit of a UFO. It may be a piece of a rocket!\" \n Question: According to the passage, lots of people rushed to find meteorites for  _  . \n Options: (A) fun (B) money (C) research (D) fame", "pos": "Article: When we look at the sky and see a bright light moving quickly across it or coming towards the earth, we talk about seeing a \"shooting star\" or a \"falling star\". These moving lights are not, in fact, stars at all. They are small pieces of matter from outer space, which burn up as they enter the Earth's atmosphere. The correct name of them is meteoroids. Any pieces that make it to the Earth's surface without completely burning up are known as meteorites. A meteor is actually the name given to the light we see when a meteoroid is burning up. When a meteorite hits the Earth at speeds between 11 and 72 kilometers a second, it can do amazing damage. A very large meteorite could knock the earth out of its orbit. If this happened, all life on Earth would probably become extinct . The path we follow around the Sun would change and as a result the Earth would become either much hotter or much colder. This change in temperature would affect sea levels and the amount of water in rivers. There would either be huge floods, which would cover most of the land with water, or the oceans would dry up and there would be a drought, which means a long period of time without rain. Either way, nothing could survive. If a large meteorite landed in the sea it would almost certainly cause tsunamis, which would race towards the land, destroying everything in their paths. Although it is unlikely the Earth will be struck by a meteorite large enough to do that kind of damage, there is evidence of fairly large meteorites hitting the Earth in the past. In 1908 a large area of forest in Tunguska, Siberia was destroyed by a meteorite that came apart just before it hit the ground. The moon, however, has about three billion craterscaused by meteorites impacting its surface. The reason more meteorites have reached the surface of the moon than the surface of the Earth is that the moon does not have enough atmosphere for the meteorites to burn up in. some of the meteorites that have reached the Earth's surface have done considerable damage. Some scientists believe it was a change of climate caused by meteorites hitting the Earth that resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs and other large prehistoric animals. Scientists are especially interested in meteorites because they contain information about the solar system. It is widely believed by scientists that most meteorites are produced by collisions  between asteroids (small planets). These collisions probably happened many billions of years ago. This means the physical and chemical structure of a meteorite can give scientists information about the early days of the universe. \n Question: The story is about   _  . \n Options: (A) floods caused by meteors (B) matter from outer space (C) life on Earth millions of years ago (D) meteorites that have damaged the moon", "neg": "Article: Flying over a desert area in an airplane, two scientists looked down with trained eyes at trees and bushes. After an hour's flight one of the scientists wrote in his book, \"Look here for probable metal.\" Walking across hilly ground, four scientists reported, \"This ground should be searched for metals.\" From an airplane over a hilly wasteland a scientist sent back by radio one word \"Uranium.\" None of the scientists had X-ray eyes: they had no magic powers for looking down below the earth's surface. They were merely putting to use one of the newest methods of locating minerals in the ground---using trees and plants as signs that certain minerals may lie beneath the ground on which the trees and plants are growing. This newest method of searching for minerals is based on the fact that minerals deep in the earth may affect the kind of bushes and trees that grow on the surface.  At Watson Bar Creek, a mineral search group gathered bags of tree seeds. Boxes were filled with small branches from the trees. Roots were dug and put into boxes. Each bag and box was carefully marked. In a scientific laboratory the parts of the forest trees were burned to ashes and tested. Each small part was examined to learn whether there were minerals in it. Study of the roots, branches, and seeds showed no silver. But there were small amounts of gold in the roots and a little less gold in the branches and seeds. The seeds growing nearest to the tree trunk had more gold than those growing on the ends of the branches. If the trees had not indicated that there was gold in the ground, the scientists would not have spent money to pay for digging into the ground. They did dig and found more gold below. They dug deeper. They found large quantities of gold. \n Question: Scientists went to different regions in order to search for  _  . \n Options: (A) gold (B) silver (C) metals (D) minerals", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}190{"query": "Article: A couple who held hands at breakfast every morning even after 70 years of marriage have died 15 hours apart. Helen Felumlee, died at 92 on April 12. Her husband, 91-year-old Kenneth Felumlee, died the next morning. The couple's eight children say the two had been inseparable since meeting as teenagers, once sharing the bottom of a bunk   bed on a ferry rather than sleeping on night apart. They remained deeply in love until the very end, even eating breakfast together while holding hands, said their daughter, Linda Cody. \"We knew when one went, the other was going to go,\" she said. According to Cody, about 12 hours after Helen died, Kenneth looked at his children and said, \"Mon's dead.\" He quickly began to fade, surrounded by 24 of his closest family members and friends when he died the next morning. \"He was ready,\" Cody said, \"He just didn't want to leave her here by herself.\" Son Dick said his parents died of old age, surrounded by family. The pair had known each other for several years when they eloped in Newport across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, on Feb. 20, 1994. At two days shy of his 21stbirthday, Kenneth-who went by Kenny-was too young to marry in Ohio. \"He couldn't wait.' son Jim said. Kenneth worked as a railroad car inspector and mechanic before becoming a mail carrier for the Post Office. He was active in the church as a Sunday teacher. Helen stayed at home, not only cooking and cleaning for her own family but also for other families in need in the area. She taught Sunday school, too, but was known more for her greeting card ministry, sending cards for birthdays, sympathy and the holidays to everyone in her community, each with a personal note inside. \"She kept Hallmark in business,\" daughter-in-law Debbie joked. When Kenneth retired in 1983 and the children began to leave the house, the Felumlees began to explore their love of travel, visiting almost all 50 states by bus. \"He didn't want to fly anywhere because you couldn't see anything as you were going,\" Jim said. Although both experienced declining health in recent years, Cody said, each tried to stay strong for the other. \"That's what kept them going,\" she said. \n Question: From what Cody said, we can learn the children   _  . \n Options: (A) were not in front of their father (B) don't look after their father (C) foresaw their father would go (D) surrounded their father", "pos": "Article: At an airport I overheard  a father and a daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure. Standing near the door, he said to his daughter: \"I love you. I wish you enough.\"     \"Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough too, Daddy.\" They kissed goodbye and she left.     He walked over toward the window where I was seated. I tried not to  _ his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking: \"Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?\" \"Yes, I have,\" I replied. \"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?\" I asked. \"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral. \" \"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you, enough'. May I ask what that means?\" He began to smile. \" That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.\" He paused for a moment looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. \"When we said 'I wish you enough', we wanted the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them,\" he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.  I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough \"hellos\" to get you through the final \"goodbye\". \n Question: The old man's attitude towards life is  _  . \n Options: (A) unusual (B) negative (C) optimistic (D) pessimistic", "neg": "Article: We've all heard the phrase \"love is patient\", but one couple in prefix = st1 /Michigan, took this phrase to a whole new level. On Monday, February 13, Willard Mason sat down to talk about his relationship with the love he lost more than 60 years ago. Good fortune and fate recently helped the couple reunite. In 1941, Willard Mason and Llah Ost, both senior 2 students, became engaged to be married and began planning their lives together. But Willard moved away to work at Willow Run Bomber Plant, where he met and fell in love with a woman named Helvi. He broke off his long distance engagement to Llah and married Helvi in 1942. Llah later found love with someone else. Both had happy marriages and raised families.  Then, in 2003, Helvi died. A year later, Willard found himself back in his hometown, where by chance, he ran into Llah's brother. He informed Willard of the death of Llah's husband, and encouraged him to call her.  After that first phone call, the couple began dating. Willard made the drive from his home near Houghton Lake to Llah's home in Adrian. On one such trip, he blacked out, and his car hit a tree. He was rushed to a hospital, where tests showed that he needed a new pacemaker . Willard moved closer to Adrianand asked Llah to move in with him. She gladly accepted. \"We get along perfectly,\" Willard told AZ Central on Monday. \"We've never had an argument, she's a great cook, and she takes care of me.\"  Although both Willard and Llah are saddened by the 62 years they spent without each other, neither seem to have any regrets. Willard told AZ Central, \"You don't know how our lives might have turned out if we'd gotten married in 1941, but now she has a wonderful family, and so do I.\" \n Question: What does the writer probably mean by saying the phrase \"love is patient\"? \n Options: (A) To win love needs a good-natured tolerance  of waiting. (B) Love can make someone ill in hospital. (C) Love can also help one set a world record. (D) To win love needs a whole new level of cooking skill", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}191{"query": "Article: Little Tommy was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything--tutors, cards, special learning centers--in short, everything they could think of. Finally they took Tommy to a catholic  school. After the first day, little Tommy came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't kiss his mother hello. Instead, he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Tommy was hard at work. His mother was surprised. She called him down to dinner and as soon as he finished eating, he went back to his room, without a word. In no time he was back hitting the books as hard as before. This went on for some time, day after day while the mother tried to understand what was happening. Finally, little Tommy brought home his report card. He quietly put it on the table and went up to his room and hit the books. His mom looked at it and to her surprise, little Tommy got an A in math. She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and asked, \"Son, what was it? Was it the nuns ? \" Little Tommy looked at her and shook his head, \"No. \" \"Well then,\" she asked again. \"WHAT was it? \" Little Tommy looked at her and said, \"Well, on the first day of school, when I saw that man nailed to the plus sign , I knew they weren't joking. \" \n Question: Tommy's mother felt surprised that his son  _  . \n Options: (A) was still the same as usual (B) ate so much at dinner (C) kissed her hello after school (D) worked hard but said little", "pos": "Article: In elementary school, Guadalupe Quintanilla was often referred to as a \"slow learner\" by her teachers. But she really wasn't slow at all. She just didn't understand the language used in the classroom. Her problem was that she didn't speak English. So she left school after the fourth grade. When Guadalupe grew up, married, and had children of her own, she knew that her children were clever. But some of their teachers didn't think so. The children were having trouble in school because they didn't speak English. Mrs Quintanilla was angry. She didn't want people to think that her children were slow learners. So she decided to learn English herself as a way of helping them. She practiced English. She looked up words in the dictionary. She asked the school headmaster to let her sit in on classes. It wasn't easy, but she passed all her exams. She said that many of the other students helped her. Mrs Quintanilla has helped her children with their lessons. Her two sons have won success. One is a teacher, and the other is a doctor. Her youngest child, a daughter, is studying in a university. \n Question: Guadalupe was called as low learner  _  . \n Options: (A) to make her study harder (B) because she wasn't clever (C) because she stayed at home (D) because she didn't speak English", "neg": "Article: Little Tommy was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything--tutors , cards, special learning centers--in short, everything they could think of. Finally they took Tommy to a catholic  school. After the first day, little Tommy came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't kiss his mother hello. Instead,he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Tommy was hard at work. His mother was surprised. She called him down to dinner and as soon as he finished eating, he went back to his room, without a word. In no time he was back hitting the books as hard as before. This went on for some time,day after day while the mother tried to understand what was happening. Finally,little Tommy brought home his report card. He quietly put it on the table and went up to his room and hit the books. His mom looked at it and to her surprise,little Tommy got an A in math. She could no longer hold her curiosity .She went to his room and asked, \"Son, what was it? Was it the nuns ? \" Little Tommy looked at her and shook his head, \"No. \" \"Well then,\" she asked again. \"WHAT was it? \" Little Tommy looked at her and said, \"Well, on the first day of school, when I saw that man nailed to the plus sign ,I knew they weren't joking. \" \n Question: Tommy's mother felt surprised that his son  _  . \n Options: (A) was still the same as usual (B) worked hard but said little (C) kissed her hello after school (D) ate so much at dinner", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}192{"query": "Article: Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a fiery two car accident. The accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on a rain-soaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames. Bonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith,9,from the wreckage. The girls' mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their baby sitter, Lisa Bow bin. Beckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had up on receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene. Bozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires. \"I was nervous,\" Bozeman said.\" I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.\" Everyone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlife-threatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot. The rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said. In addition, Bozeman not to meet accident victim Anthony Rus so in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with\" Thank you,\" Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together. \"Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,\" Beckie Smith said,\" We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.\" \n Question: Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman? \n Options: (A) Kind. (B) Modest. (C) Excited. (D) Smart.", "pos": "Article: On an August afternoon last year, Pamela Rivers, 40, and her friend Rita Graham, 38, were stopped at a red light on Cobb's Creek Parkway in South Philadelphia when a white SUV traveling in the opposite direction turned across traffic in front of them. It then jumped the curb   and rushed through a grassy expanse   before plunging down an embankment   toward Cobb's Creek. Pamela quickly pulled over, jumped out of her car, and dialed 911. Kenny Gibson, 23, and his friend Taron Green, 25, were driving home from a job when Rita flagged them down. Kenny stopped, and the men got out of the car and looked over the cliff. The SUV had landed upside down in five feet of water. A woman's leg could be seen swinging out the driver's side window. \"I have a fear of water,\" Kenny said now. \"I almost drowned when I was nine.\" Even so, he and Taron hurried down the 50-foot embankment into the muddy water. \"I couldn't just leave her,\" he adds. The men waded out to the car and saw that the woman, Cheryl Allison, 61, was partially in water. Kenny tried unsuccessfully to open the door. Then he broke the window. But when he reached in to pull out Cheryl, he found she was trapped by the seat belt. \"Run back to the truck and grab a box cutter ,\" Kenny yelled to Taron. Meanwhile, Kenny tried in vain to push the car onto its side to create an air pocket for Cheryl. That's when mechanic Marcell Porter approached the site. \"I flipped into rescue mode,\" he said. When Taron returned, Kenny cut through the seat belt with the box cutter. He and Marcell tried to pull Cheryl out, but she wouldn't come out. Marcell broke the rear window with a rock, hoping to rescue her from the back. Then he saw that she was still strapped in by her shoulder belt. Marcell reached for the box cutter and cut the remaining strap in two. Kenny leaned in, grabbed Cheryl by the waist, and pulled her out feet first. Marcell grasped Cheryl's legs, and they managed to drag her lifeless body onto a rock. \"Give her CPR!\" Pamela yelled down to them. But the two men had no idea what to do. \"Put your mouth on her mouth and breathe,\" she shouted to Marcell. And to Kenny, \"Pump her chest!\" \"We tried three times,\" said Marcell. Finally, Cheryl brought up water and started moving her fingers. The men rolled her over onto her stomach to let out more water. Soon an ambulance arrived and transported Cheryl to the hospital, where doctors treated her. They never discovered what caused her to pass out, but she assumes it had something to do with the burning summer heat. Over the next few days, they took turns visiting Cheryl in the hospital, where they shared hugs and tears. \"We couldn't believe she was all right,\" said Pamela. \"It's just amazing that these people came together,\" said Cheryl. She stays in touch with her \"angels\" via frequent phone calls. \"They are really beautiful people,\" she said. \n Question: Which telephone number do Chinese dial in the case like that where Pamela in the passage dialed \"911\"? \n Options: (A) 121. (B) 120. (C) 114. (D) 12315.", "neg": "Article: It was near dusk, and Kim Cooper and her husband, Steve, were trucking through northern Kentucky transportation auto parts from Louisville to Detroit for a goods company. \"Steve, wake up!\" she shouted. \"There's a truck on fire!\" Inside the burning truck, Ronnie Sanders, 38, was fighting for his life. He'd been running a heavy load of tractors and forklifts from Georgia to Indianapolis when a van in front of him stopped suddenly in traffic on the icy road. As Ronnie bore down, he could see children in the backseat. The truck's bulk would probably protect him from the worst of the impact, but the force of 23 tons would likely crush everyone inside the van. \"I figured instead of killing other people, I'd just put the truck in the ditch.\" At the bottom, rocks cut a fuel tank, which caught fire. A tree branch destroyed the windshield and knocked Ronnie unconscious. He came to life a couple of minutes later to find the cabin flames and his legs on fire. Steve dashed to Ronnie, who was hanging headfirst from the passenger door. Ronnie had used his pocket knife to cut himself free from the driver's side seat belt only to get his boot trapped in another one. Steve climbed into the burning cab to free him. He tried three times to pull Ronnie out before finally freeing him. But Ronnie's legs were still burning, so Steve laid him on the ground, ripped off his own shirt, and beat the flames with it. He'd managed to drag him about 20 yards when one of the truck's 150 gallon fuel tanks exploded. Both Steve and Ronnie paid a price for risking their lives for strangers. Ronnie spent two months in the hospital and received skin grafts  on both of his legs. Steve suffered smoke breathing and minor burns, and shrapnel from the fuel tank explosion broke a tooth. In February, the Coopers received a Hero of the Highway award from the Open Road Foundation for rescuing an injured driver. Steve insists Ronnie is the real hero: \"If he hadn't gone into the ditch, he would have hit that van. It was his decision to drive off the road.\" \"I feel pretty good about it,\" says Ronnie. \"A lot of people could have been hurt.\" \n Question: According to the passage, Ronnie put the truck in the ditch because of   _  . \n Options: (A) his concern for his own safety (B) his poor driving skill (C) the icy road (D) his concern for others' lives", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}193{"query": "Article: Nelson Mandela was a figure of international fame, and many details of his life and career were public knowledge. But here are four things you may not have known about the late South African leader. 1. He was a boxing fan. In his youth, Nelson Mandela enjoyed boxing and long-distance running. Even during the 27 years he spent in prison, he would exercise every morning. \"I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was curious by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match,\" he wrote in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. 2. His original name was not Nelson. Rolihlahla Mandela was nine years old when a teacher at the primary Methodist school where he was studying in Qunu, South Africa, gave him an English name \"Nelson\" in accordance with the custom to give all school children Christian names. 3. He forgot his glasses when he was released from prison. Mr. Mandela's release on 11 February 1990 followed years of political pressure against apartheid . Mr. Mandela's reading glasses stayed behind in prison Mr. Mandela and his then-wife Winnie were taken to the centre of Cape Town to address a huge and exciting crowd. But when he pulled out the text of his speech, he realized he had forgotten his glasses and had to borrow Winnie's. 4. He had his own law firm, but it took him years to get a law degree. Mr. Mandela studied law on and off for 50 years from 1939, failing about half the courses he took. A two-year diploma  in law on top of his university degree allowed him to practice, and in August 1952, he and Oliver Tambo set up South Africa's first black law firm, Mandela and Tambo, in Johannesburg. He kept on studying hard to finally secure a law degree while in prison in 1989. \n Question: What is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) Nelson Mandela's life in the prison. (B) The achievements of Nelson Mandela. (C) Nelson Mandela's hobbies and career. (D) Unknown things about Nelson Mandela.", "pos": "Article: Boxing was long viewed sickly. Generally forbidden by law in earlier days, the fighting was usually done with bare fists, and matches often lasted forty or fifty rounds. In 1882 John L. Sullivan, a fighter of great power, won the world heavyweight championship from Paddy Ryan in a bare fisted battle marked by hitting, scratching, and biting without any rule. Five years later, while fighting Patsy Cardiff at Minneapolis, Sullivan broke his right arm in the third round, but he continued fighting to the sixth round and won. In 1889, Sullivan defeated Jade Kilrain with his bare fists in another championship fight, winning twenty thousand dollars and a diamond prize medal. His admirers talked then of running him for the next governor, but he traveled to Australia for a boxing tour instead, coming back only to lose his title in a twenty-one-round match with a young Californian named James J. Corbett. \"Gentleman James\" victory in this match marked a turning point, for it showed scientific boxing was over strength. But Corbett's title ended in 1897, when another boxer, Bob Fitzsimmons, in less than three seconds, achieved his feats and then Fitzsimmons knocked out an Irishman, won the heavyweight championship of the world, and invented the terrible \"solar plexus punch.\" \n Question: Boxing matches in the early days were   _  . \n Options: (A) short and bloody (B) usually spare-time competitions (C) governed by strict rules (D) cruel", "neg": "Article: Every successful independence movement needs a leader. The leader of the Indian independence movement was Mohandas Gandhi. He was born into a Hindu family. As a young man, Gandhi studied law in London. The Hindu leaders had threatened to punish him. But he went to London anyhow. Gandhi believed in fighting without weapons or force. He called his method non-violence . He would simply disobey any unfair law or policy. He was willing to be punished for his actions. Gandhi thought that the law would be changed if enough people protested   in this way. It would show how strongly the people felt about his beliefs. Gandhi wanted all Indians to understand the independence movement. He walked barefoot through the villages, speaking to all people. Many people loved and understood Gandhi. His movement grew. The British flag came down in 1947. The Indian people honored Gandhi with the title Mahatma, which means \"Great soul\". Gandhi was an unusual kind of leader. He promised never to make money for himself. He always wore simple clothes and sandals. He was shot and killed in 1948. At his death, he owned little more than a few clothes, his eyeglasses, a book, and his rice bowl. \n Question: An independence movement can't be successful   _  . \n Options: (A) without Gandhi (B) without a leader (C) without force (D) without weapons", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}194{"query": "Article: Directions: Read the following passage. The passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A,B,C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage.   It may be open to discussion which city is the most beautiful in the world. But in terms of \" the most livable\", Melbourne has ranked top in a survey done by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in August. In fact, four cities Down Under are among the top ten most livable cities. The climate in Australia is warm and mild, particularly in major coastal cities. As a result, people spend much time outdoors. They go to the beach, to the countryside, or play sports outdoors in fields.  Take Melbourne for example. The city features many open green spaces and beautiful long beaches. Melburnians  (people from Melbourne) have a strong love for sports. The city hosts the annual Australia Open,  the Formula One Grand Prix, cricket, rugby and homegrown football. It is also home to museums, art exhibitions and drama festivals. The comfortable environment has encouraged many people to migrate  to the country and Australia is known for being very multicultural or its cultural diversity . \"We have tried to introduce a sense of belonging in Australia,\" said Chris Bowen, the Australian Minister for Immigration . \"Multiculturalism is about inviting every individual member of society to be everything they can be ... to develop as individuals.\" This could be the reason behind another Australia quality that Guardian reporter Stephen Brook has noticed: Australians do patriotism  much better than the Brits. \"I once witnessed two Australian viewers at a tennis tournament show more support for the Aussie player than the rest of the British arena,\" he wrote. It is also an Australian tradition to stand up for the  _ . In the 2000 Olympic Games, the Sydney public watches an African swimmer who was barely able to swim 50 meters. Even though most people in the stands knew that even they could have swum better than him at that point, they cheered his every stroke  as if he were on his way to a good medal. During the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the level of support they showed for the Japanese team surprised viewers since Japan had little hope of winning.  \"Australians don't need to be victorious in order to feel like a worthy person. When they cheer for the underdog, seeing other human beings having the courage to take on hardship, they get the emotional satisfaction they need,\" wrote a blogger on convictcreations.com, a website dedicated to Australian culture. \n Question: What is the article mainly about? \n Options: (A) Multiculturalism in Australia. (B) Qualities that make Australia stand out as \"the most livable\" place in the world. (C) The comfortable environment and lifestyle in Australia. (D) The world's most livable city, Melbourne.", "pos": "Article: Whether you're up for a Crocodile Dundee's adventure or you'd just like a taste of the Australian sun, the beaches in and around Sydney can offer you all that and more. Sydney Beach Sydney Beach is located at Sydney's northernmost tip on an extension  of land ending at Palm Beach. Before checking out the golden sand, take a quick tour of the houses of millionaires from the art and film industries. Palm Beach Only about an hour from downtown Sydney, Palm Beach offers a long stretch  of clean sand and water. With parking near the center of the beach, that leaves the rest of it as a peaceful location with a _ population, from which you can go surfing but take care -- without the huge crowds of other Sydney's beaches, Palm Beach doesn't afford quite the safety level to be found elsewhere. Volunteer lifesavers are on duty only on weekends and holidays. Bondi Beach For the famous beach, Bondi Beach has to be your choice. Parking is difficult to find even on slow days, so consider taking public transport to this world--known beach in the eastern Sydney suburbs. Easily reachable by taxi, bus, and rail, Bondi Beach offers sun bathing, swimming, snorkeling, and all sorts of water sports fun. If you're in the mood for a bit of exercise, two scenic coastal walks will afford you great views and sights along the shore. Take in views from Mackenzie's Point. It starts at Bondi and heads south to Bronte Beach. But don't try to swim in Mackenzie's Bay -- it holds dangers such as hidden rocks. Bronte Beach Your second choice for a scenic coastal walk covers a few miles and takes you from Bronte Beach to Waverly Cemetery, where many famous Australians are buried, including the poet Henry Lawson. \n Question: Which of the following shows the right order of the beaches lined from the south to the north? \n Options: (A) Palm Beach--Sydney Beach--Bronte Beach--Bondi Beach (B) Bronte Beach--Bondi Beach--Palm Beach--Sydney Beach (C) Sydney Beach--Palm Beach--Bondi Beach--Bronte Beach (D) Bondi Beach--Bronte Beach--Palm Beach--Sydney Beach", "neg": "Article: Why Melbourne ? Having long lived in the shadow of Sydney ,Melbourne has become a Mecca  for fashion and design and cultural centre of Australia, with an enjoyable programmed of festivals. What to see? The City center's grid  system of streets conceals a maze of lanes and turn-of-the-century arcades where you will find the best cafes, bars and boutique shopping. The hidden secrets tour (00613 9329 9665,hiddensecretstours.com) guides will make sure you find what you're after ,whether it is fashion ,art and design or wine. From $34 per person. Where to eat ? Melbourne is a paradise for gourmands and its top chefs use fresh produce and have a talent for the experimental .But for something different , indulge your culinary senses with an Australian Wine Tour Company trip. Departing from the city centre daily .You will taste wines at four of the region's best vineyards. It costs from $48 per person, including all wine tasting, lunch and a visit to Damien Chandon (00 613 9419 4444.austwinetourco.com.au). Where to stay ? The nunnery is an old convent   on the edge of the city .It has double rooms with breakfast from $54 per night (00 613 9419 8637, nunnery. com.au). How to get there ?Qantas (0845 7747 767,qantas .com.au)flies from Heathrow to Melbourne twice daily from $766 return , including taxes. More information Contact the offical tourism site for Melbourne at visitmelbourne .com/uk. Use the links below for more on Destination guide : Melbourne Click here for our Melbourne page \n Question: To get more information about Hidden Secrets Tour, you should call   _ \n Options: (A) 00 613 9419 4444 (B) 00 613 9419 8637 (C) 0845 7747 767 (D) 00 613 9329 9665", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}195{"query": "Article: When we donate  blood, a small amount is usually taken in advance for at least ABO and Rh systems typing. If you are O+, the O is your ABO type and the + is your Rh type. It is possible to be A, B, AB, or O as well as Rh + or Rh-. The ABO system was discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the early 1900s. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his achievements. There are four basic types of blood in the ABO system: A, B, AB and O. Everybody is born with one of these four types of blood. We get blood type, just like hair color and height from parents. Because of the substances  contained in each type, the four groups must be _ carefully, If two different blood types are mixed together, it may put a person into an extremely dangerous situation. Basically, A and B cannot be mixed. A and B cannot receive AB, but AB may receive A or B. In an emergency, type O blood can be given because it is most likely to be accepted by all blood types, so it is often called the universal donor. However, there is still a risk. For the opposite reason, AB is sometimes called the universal receiver. However, because there can be so many reactions in the blood bank of the hospital. There is a relationship between your blood type and your nationality. Among the Europeans, about 45 percent have type O while 42 percent have type A. The least common is type AB. Other races have different percentage. For example, some American Indian groups have nearly 100 percent type O out of 100 donors in the world. \n Question: The writer suggests that the third most common blood type among the Europeans is   _  . \n Options: (A) B (B) A (C) AB (D) O", "pos": "Article: What is so amazing about giving blood? The National Blood Service, which covers all of England and North Wales, needs nearly two and a half million blood donations each year. When you give blood, you'll be doing one of the most amazing things anybody could dream of -- saving a life.  _  All types of blood are needed --not just rare ones. In fact, the commoner the blood type, the more are needed. So even if your blood is one of the most common types -- group O for example -- you can be sure that by donating three times a year, you really are doing something amazing. What is the donation process? The donation will last about an hour in all. When you arrive, you will be asked a few questions about your health. Then a drop of blood will be taken and tested just to make sure you're not anemic . If all is well, your donation will be taken. This only takes about ten minutes, during which time 470ml of blood will be collected. Most people hardly feel a thing. After a short rest, a drink and biscuits, you'll be up and ready to go. All equipment used in the collection of your blood is new and is never reused, so you don't have to worry about risks to your health in the collection of your blood. Who can become a blood donor? Becoming a blood donor really is very simple. As long as you're in good health and aged between 17 and 60, you can become a blood donor. If you would like more information or advice, or you want to become a blood donor, ring the donor helpline on 0845 7711. The donor helpline is open 24 hours a day -- every day of the year. \n Question: Before giving blood, you will   _  . \n Options: (A) take a blood test (B) wait for one day (C) fill in a form (D) rest for a while", "neg": "Article: Most people think about donating blood. However, very few actually do it. Even the most consistent ones donate an average of just three to four times during their lifetime. Now the officials in Sweden are trying to change the trend with the help of modern-day technology. The encouragement to donate again begins shortly after the donor leaves the clinic when he/she receives a \"thank you\" text. Though that certainly helps them feel appreciated, what is even more pleasing is the text they receive each time their blood is used to help someone in need. Karolina Wiberg, manager of the Stockholm blood service, believes this small gesture not only results in repeat donors, but helps bring in new ones. _ that was started in Stockholm has received such positive feedback that it is now being rolled out across the country. However, Swedish officials are not stopping there. They are also encouraging local clinics to publish the exact levels of the different blood groups they have at any given time on their websites. This allows potential donors to realize that their blood can make a difference in saving someone's life. While all these outreach( ) programs are great, busy citizens, even the ones with the best intentions have to be occasionally reminded. In order to jog their memories, officials ask people for authorization  to send them text, Facebook, and e-mail reminders. Though that may sound disturbing, the citizens do not seem to mind, given that the messages are light-hearted and fun -- things like \"We won't give up until you bleed.\" Though Sweden is currently the only country using modern technology to urge more donations, don't be surprised if more join in, especially if the Nordic country's blood banks start to overflow! \n Question: Why is another text sent to blood donors after a \"thank you\" one? \n Options: (A) To ask them for authorization. (B) To inform them their blood is used. (C) To remind them to donate blood immediately. (D) To tell them the levels of blood groups.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}196{"query": "Article: We've all felt discouragement at one point or another in our lives. However, when this emotion bleeds into other aspects of our life, it can sometimes be inappropriate or even harmful. I was personally discouraged by an adult during my high school. After telling her what university I wanted to attend, she plainly told me I would not get in. I was completely shocked and angry at her statement. The adult may have not intended to hurt me with her words, but it had an after effect. The meeting made me think she had no belief that I could possibly succeed in the future. After that it caused me to try to avoid any future meeting with adults until absolutely necessary. We are all human; therefore, we can all understand that some days are more challenging. But when people allow situations of stress to consume  them, they cannot perform their best. People should pay attention to how their reactions could affect the person they are interacting with. People have the potential to perform their best when they _ the task at hand, but adults who come off in a rude and aggressive way through communication have an effect on teenagers' mind. Adults whether in schools, or any other institutions should work to tear down walls gently and create a safe space for the person they are serving. These adults should also help and contribute to a person's academic, personal and professional growth. High school is an important time when young people need someone to believe in them. In conclusion, I would like to add that it is not completely up to adults only. Students are responsible for seeking help from adults who are in authority  positions. They are also responsible for the way they approach adults in their academic surroundings. Students can expect to be treated in a respectful way when they express at the beginning. Generally the responsibility lies on both parties. When both sides can communicate in a polite manner then the complete environment of the school has the potential to develop well. \n Question: The passage is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) the adults' roles in school (B) the skill to encourage students (C) the way to communicate with children (D) the importance of personal professional growth", "pos": "Article: One summer day as I was heading to the teaching building I heard someone call my name. I turned around and I saw Philip ,a counselor  at our admissions office , standing with another young man, Philip introduced me to him, Stephen, and reminded me that Stephen would be taking one of my classes. Stephen looked at me. With a somewhat painful expression, he asked if my class was going to be hard and if he would be able to pass. I introduced all the things that he would be expected to learn. As we talked, I saw Stephen's eyes getting big with fear. I told him to do all of his assignments, and to hand them in on time. Rather than being overwhelmed  by all of the work, I told him the most successful students made a master calendar of all the assignments so they could plan their workload. As the fall semester went on, I learned more of Stephen's story. It had taken him longer to finish the assignments than most young people. Family members , including his mother ,kept reminding him that he was a failure. But he kept at it and didn't take them to heart. He told me that before coming to our college, no one believed he could manage it. Stephen didn't become an A student. Still, he managed to pass all of his courses by being in class every day, turning in all of his assignments on time and breaking down his study into bite-sized parts. By passing course after course he began to gain a measure of self-esteem. On his graduation day, he walked up to me, and said \"Thank you.\" \n Question: According to Stephen's questions to the author, we know that Stephen  _  . \n Options: (A) wasn't very confident about himself. (B) didn't want to attend the author's class. (C) had never been an A student. (D) couldn't pass the author's exam.", "neg": "Article: No one gets through life without experiencing many disappointments. Strangely, though, most people seem unprepared for disappointment and react to it in negative ways. They feel depressed or try to escape from their troubles instead of using disappointment as an opportunity for growth. One negative reaction to disappointment is depression. A woman trying to win a promotion, for example, works hard for over a year in her department. Helen is so sure she will get the promotion. However, the boss names one of Helen's co-workers for the spot. Deeply depressed, Helen loses her enthusiasm for her job and can barely force herself to show up every day. Helen tells herself that she is a failure and that doing a good job just isn't worth the work. Another negative reaction to disappointment is the desire to escape. Kevin fails to get into the college his brother is attending, the college that was the focus of all his dreams, and decides to escape his disappointment. Why worry about college at all? Instead, he covers up his real feelings by giving up on his school-work and getting completely involved with friends, parties, and \"good times\". The positive way to react to disappointment is to use it as a chance for growth. This isn't easy, but it's the only useful way to deal with an inevitable part of life. Helen, the woman who was not promoted, could have handled her disappointment by looking at other options. If her boss did not recognize her talent and hard work, perhaps she could transfer to another department. Or she could ask the boss how to improve her performance so that she could prepare for the next promotion. Kevin, the boy who didn't get into the college of his choice, should look into other schools. Going to another college may encourage him to be his own person, step out of his brother's shadow, and realize that being turned down by one college isn't a final judgment on his abilities or potential. Disappointments are unwelcome, but regular visitors to everyone's life. We can feel depressed about them or we can try to escape from them. The best thing, though, is to accept a disappointment and then try to use it somehow: Step over the unwelcome visitor on the doorstep and get on with life. \n Question: In this passage, the author   _  . \n Options: (A) analyzes the cause of disappointment (B) describes his personal experience in dealing with disappointment (C) criticizes Helen and Kevin's negative responses to disappointment (D) offers specific examples of the ways people deal with disappointment", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}197{"query": "Article: Scholarship Application Tips in 2014 for college students *Before you apply 1. Work hard to get good grades. Don't sweat about one bad grade, but always strive to do your best. 2. Get involved, and stay involved, in extracurricular activities. Sports, clubs, drama, bands and orchestras-these often count toward a student's overall scholarship application evaluation. The same goes for paid (or unpaid) work experience. 3. Begin your scholarship research early-by your sophomore or junior year of high school, if possible. Make special note of application deadlines, as they can vary from late summer to late spring. 4. Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for-several smaller scholarships can add up to a lot of money. *During the application process 1. Read the supplementary materials that come with scholarship application forms to better understand the program's focus (community service, subject interest). Try to answer the questions with the focus area in mind. 2. Answer questions as they are asked. Don't go off the topic. 3. If there is a financial component to the application, make sure you get accurate and complete information from all appropriate sources to ensure your eligibility. 4. Take your time. Write down everything you can think of for each question, then set the application aside for a day so you can look everything over again before you send it off. 5. Don't wait until the last minute to complete your application, especially if you are applying online. Computer systems can get clogged with the large volume of applicants hoping to submit their qualifications during the last few days and hours before a deadline. 6. If a third party has to complete part of your application, such as providing a letter of recommendation, make sure you ask them early on and remind them as often as necessary to ensure they provide you with the necessary materials. 7. Last but not least, review your application with your parents to make sure you haven't left out any important details. Good luck to the students applying for the 2014 scholarship programs! \n Question: Before you apply for a scholarship, it's best to  _  . \n Options: (A) pay more attention to grades than to extracurricular activities (B) focus on only one scholarship application (C) get as much work experience as possible (D) begin your preparation as early as possible", "pos": "Article: Hungry for the brightest students, many of the country's stronger universities are actively discounting tuition  .And it's the high achievers, rather than the needy students, who are getting a good chunk of the money.The practice is remarkably widespread, reaching almost all but the 30 or so Ivy and other top colleges that forbid good grades-based financial aid.Schools are also becoming more aggressive in raising their discounts.At the DePauw University Website, enter an SAT or ACT score, grade point average and class rank, and a computer program immediately tells you what kind of \"award\".Only \"the real unlucky\" pay full price any more. About 76% of first-year students got some form of discount this year at 331 private schools.Average award per student: $7,000.At small schools with tuition under about $20,000, the average discount is even higher, with some schools returning over half their tuition. Carnegie Mellon even tells students it will \"negotiate \" and perhaps match financial-aid packages if kids are offered bigger awards at other schools.Much as banks and insurers offer special rates to their best customers, schools are giving the biggest breaks to their top students.Public four-year colleges, too, are offering discounts. The flip side of big discounts is that less money is available to improve academic programs and keep school infrastructure   up to date.Universities that have sharply increased their tuition discount rates have seen graduation rates fall, and that's true even among highly selective schools.They get the students in the door, but don't have the services to keep them. \n Question: Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) The brightest students are not at all hungry for stronger universities. (B) About 76% of first-year students got an award of $ 20,000 per year. (C) Public colleges never offer discounts to the students. (D) Colleges should concentrate more on the services to keep the students", "neg": "Article: Greenheart Travel Correspondent Scholarship Greenheart Travel offers the opportunity for high school students to broaden their perspective through studying abroad. Greenheart Travel Correspondent Scholarship Opportunities: US $3,000 scholarship award for a High School Study Abroad program in China US $1,000 scholarship award for a Teen Summer Language Camp in France US $1,000 scholarship award for a Teen Summer Language Camp in Germany US $1,000 scholarship award for a Teen Summer Language Camp in Italy *Applicants are only able to apply for ONE scholarship opportunity Deadline for Application: April 1, 2015 Summary of Submission Requirements of the Scholarship: In addition to completing the teen program online application, applicants must also submit the following: Official High School Transcript: Applicants must have a minimum academic standing of a 3.2 GPA to be _ . Teacher/Coach Referral: Applicants must provide the name and phone number of an educator or coach that will be able to recommend the student as a good candidate for the scholarship award. Greenheart Travel will contact this referral prior to announcing the scholarship winner. Written essay: In a 500-to 800-word essay, please explain how this cultural exchange experience will benefit both you and your local community. Summary of Participant Requirements: Pre-program Submit one blog or video 2 weeks BEFORE your program Start Date introducing yourself and why you are excited to travel on your program and what you hope to learn while abroad. During Program For study abroad programs: submit a written blog post and 3-5 photos or a video, once every 2 weeks by discussed deadlines. For language camp programs: submit weekly written blog post and 3-5 photos or a video, by discussed deadline. After Program Submit one blog or video 2 weeks AFTER your program End Date reflecting on what you learned, your favorite part of the program and tips for anyone wanting to travel abroad. \n Question: What do participants need to do during the program? \n Options: (A) They need to write an essay about their exchange experience. (B) They need to submit a blog about their situation. (C) They need to submit 3-5 photos once a week for language camp programs. (D) They need to submit 3-5 photos once a week for study abroad programs.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}198{"query": "Article: No matter where you travel in Asia, you'll find yourself faced with a new culture. You can start your Asian exploration by visiting some of these attractive  cities first. Beijing, China                             Beijing is the second largest city in China and serves as the capital. The city is so old, in fact, that almost every building has some sort of cultural or historic features -- no matter how small. Getting around the city you'll find yourself faced with amazing temples  , the largest palaces   in the world, and many works of art that leave you breathless. Siem Reap, Cambodia                 Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia. Siem Reap has a lot of French and Chinese-style architectures. In the city, there are traditional dance performances, silk farms, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary   near the Tonle Sap Lake. Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist attraction , has a large number of hotels and restaurants.  Kathmandu, Nepal                 Situated  in the heart of the Himalayans, Kathmandu, the largest city and capital of Nepal, is considered to be one of the most outstanding cities in the world today. The shopping districts are world famous and the hotels in Kathmandu are among the most comfortable in the world. Kyoto, Japan               The city of Kyoto served as the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. No longer the capital, it is known for being the seventh largest city in Japan. Kyoto was destroyed throughout history by fires and war. But now the city is home to more than 1.4 million people, and it presents a modern face to the rest of the world.               Every city throughout Asia has a story of its own. It's up to you to explore them all and find out exactly what each one has to offer. Enjoy! \n Question: If you want to visit the biggest place where ancient emperors lived in the world, you can go to   _  . \n Options: (A) Beijing (B) Siem Reap (C) Kathmandu (D) Kyoto", "pos": "Article: Although travelers can try dishes from around China and the globe in well-known food cities like Beijing and Shanghai, it is outside these major metropolises where a world of exciting Chinese cuisine  awaits the true foodie . With this in mind and after three years of living in China and writing about Chinese food, I started a six-month journey with my husband and two daughters. Here are four of the eight most amazing Chinese food cities I've come across so far. The list is in no particular order. 1. Chengdu, Sichuan Province Crowned as Asia's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy  in 2010, Chengdu is best-known for its fiery hot pot and spicy dishes, which are characterized by the use of Sichuan pepper and are usually layered with salty, sour and sweet flavors. There are also dishes that aren't spicy at all, such as beer-braised duck. Hot pot is as _ in the city as the smell of chili. At Zigong Delicious Hotpot, the house specialty  tiaoshui wa is a cauldron  of fiery chili  to which vegetables, noodles or other meats can be added. For a real taste of Sichuan's signature pepper, hua jiao, spend a morning at the Chengdu Spice Market where the locals sell and buy it by the sack. 2. Lanzhou, Gansu Province Synonymous in the minds of food-lovers with hand-pulled beef noodles, Lanzhou also has one of the liveliest street food night markets in China. Just west of the city center, the buzzing Zhengning Road bazaar houses more than 100 street food stalls. Available is a broad selection of hot and cold dishes with emphasis on local Hui cuisine. No trip to Lanzhou is complete without feasting on noodles at Wumule Penhui, the 2012 winners of Lanzhou's annual pulled noodle competition. The halal restaurant makes noodles spicy enough to satisfy even the most hardened heat-seekers. 3. Guangzhou, Guangdong Province The birthplace of Cantonese food, Guangzhou is thought by many as the best place to eat in China. The city of 12 million has a passionate food culture, with equal excitement reserved for the opening of a hole-in-the-wall congee joint and a high-end restaurant. The local cuisine is characterized by fresh clean flavors , seafood, barbecued meats and the wonderful tradition of yum cha, which is tea drinking accompanied by dumplings and small dishes. Congee is the way locals love to start their day, and one of the most popular vendors is Ru Xuan Sha Guo Zhou. Here, one can get a bowl of signature seafood congee any hour of the day. Roast meats are Bing Sheng's most popular order--their roast goose is marinated with five-spice, boiled, air-dried, then roasted by a flame oven to give a crisp skin. For something more home style and removed from the madness of downtown, head to Ji Cun for steamed chicken and simple farmer-style dishes. 4. Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province This ancient canal city is home to huangjiu, an amber-colored rice wine that's important in Chinese cooking. Open since 1894, the dining chain is known by almost every Chinese for its appearance in early 20th century novels by Chinese literati Lu Xun. Xianheng's delicacies include crispy-skinned chicken, smoked red dates in rice wine, beans flavored with fennel , and crispy bream in rice wine. Fried fermented tofu is also a local specialty, which is available all over town at small street stalls including one just outside Xianheng. \n Question: The writer's purpose of the passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) share her story and impression on Chinese cuisines (B) tell readers how to comment on amazing Chinese food cities (C) talk the readers into enjoying the signature food such as hand-pulled noodles (D) express her preference for fiery hot pot and spicy dishes in Chengdu.", "neg": "Article: No matter where you travel in Asia, you'll find yourself faced with a new culture, amazing food and special and friendly people. Here are some of these wonderful cities.   Beijing, China      Beijing serves as the capital of China. The city is old. In fact, almost all buildings have some cultural or historical significance   --no matter how small they are. Throughout the city you can find temples, palaces, and works of art that can make you breathless.  Siem Reap, Cambodia      The wonderful town of Siem Reap is actually a good place to visit, though most people regard it only as a base point for further trips to Angkor and other nearby attractions. Visitors will be amazed by the beautiful temples and artworks that still exist today.  Kathmandu, Nepal      Located in the heart of the Himalayas, Kathmandu, the largest city and the capital of Nepal, is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in existence today. It is well-known for its beautiful views of the Himalayas. The shopping districts are world-famous and the hotels in Kathmandu are among the best in the world.  Kyoto, Japan      The city of Kyoto served as the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868. No longer the capital, it is known as the seventh largest city in Japan instead. Kyoto was destroyed many times throughout history by fires and wars. Now the city is home to more than 1.4 million people and presents a modern look to the world. \n Question: What the cities mentioned above have in common is that they   _  . \n Options: (A) all once served as capitals (B) were all destroyed by war once (C) all have many tourist attractions to enjoy (D) all operate under their own laws", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}199{"query": "Article: A thief who dropped a winning lottery ticket at the scene of his crime has been given a lesson in honesty. His victim, who picked up the ticket, then claimed the PS25000 prize, managed to trace him, and handed over the cash. The robbery happened when maths professor Vinicio Sabbatucci,58, was changing a tyre on an Italian motorway. Another motorist, who stopped  \"to help\", stole a suitcase from his car and drove off. The professor found the dropped ticket and put it in his pocket before driving home to Ascoli in eastern Italy.     Next day, he saw the lottery results on TV and, taking out the ticket, realized it was a winner. He claimed the 60 million lire  prize. Then he began a battle with his conscience. Finally, he decided he could not keep the money despite having been robbed. He advertised in newspapers and on radio, saying: \"I'm trying to find the man who robbed me. I have 60 million for him--- a lottery win. Please meet me. Anonymity  guaranteed.\"     Professor Sabbatucci received hundreds of calls from people hoping to trick him into handing them the cash. But there was one voice he recognized--- and he arranged to meet the man in a park. The robber, a 35-year-old unemployed father of two, gave back the suitcase and burst into tears. He could not believe what was happening. \"Why didn't you keep the money?\" he asked. The professor replied:\" I couldn't because it's not mine.\" Then he walked off, spurning the thief's offer of a reward. \n Question: Hundreds of people phoned professor Sabbatucci because they   _  . \n Options: (A) wanted to make fun of him (B) knew who the robber was (C) hoped to get the money (D) lost the lottery ticket", "pos": "Article: Winning the lottery   is not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for many past winners. Sad stories do exist in large numbers for the past lottery winners and that's why some financial experts say \"70 percent of lottery winners will squander away   winning within a few years.\" Some end up losing all within two years, family relationships destroyed or even worse. Wayne Schenk was an old soldier diagnosed with lung cancer. When he won a million dollars in a lottery he thought his troubles were over and he would get the advanced medical treatment that might save his life. But Lottery officials refused to pay him the total sum in a single payment and they said they could not make an exception to the regulations. When Schenk died in 2007, he'd only received one payment of $34,000. Another lottery winner, Billy Bob Harrell, Jr. killed himself two years after winning 31 million dollars in the Texas lottery in 1997.He'd spent large amounts of money and given large amounts away, but he didn't end me expected peace that should have come with the freedom of money. Other lottery winners have ended up in prison for crimes. Many suffer bankruptcy   after the big jackpot   is spent and given away, including some of the eight people who won the 365 million Powerball in 2006. The examples given paint a sad picture of what can happen if you win a big lottery jackpot, but fortunately, these examples don't tell the stories of all jackpot winners. \n Question: Why did lottery officials refuse to give Wayne Schenk the million dollars in one payment? \n Options: (A) He was diagnosed with lung cancer. (B) He was unwilling to give away his money. (C) They had to observe the official rules. (D) They didn't want to disturb his peace.", "neg": "Article: Las Vegas cab driver Gerardo Gamboa thought someone must have left a bag of   chocolates in the back seat of his vehicle,but it turned out to be $300,000 in cold hard cash.     Now,Gamboa is winning honors for honesty after turning in the money he found Monday.The money was returned to an unidentified poker player working in a club.Yellow Checker Star Transportation named Gamboa its driver of the year and rewarded him with $l,000 and a dinner for two at a restaurant.     A message left Wednesday to interview Gamboa at the cab company wasn't immediately   returned.     Gamboa told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he had another passenger by the time he   began wondering what kind of chocolates were in the brown paper bag.He cast a glance inside   the bag at a traffic light.     \"I told my passenger,'You are my witness on this,'\"the 13-year taxi driver told the Las     Vegas Sun,\"and then immediately called my company.\"     Gamboa took the six bunches of $100 bills to the company's main office,where Las     Vegas police and the club officials returned it to the poker player.     Gamboa saidthemangave him a $5 tip after a trip from the Cosmopolitan Resort to the     Palms Place Tower,and Gamboa then drove to the Bellagio Resort,where a doorman helping a passenger into the car noticed the bag.     It took several hours to check the identity of the owner and return the cash.He took     Gamboa's information,but didn't leave a reward.     \"If he doesn't give me anything,that's OK,\"Gamboa told the Sun.\"I'm not waiting for any kind of return.I just wanted to do the right thing,and I appreciate what the company did for me.\" \n Question: Who proved the driver found $300.000? \n Options: (A) Adoorman. (B) A passenger. (C) The poker player. (D) The police.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}200{"query": "Article: It was almost six years ago that my family and I waited for her at the airport. Unsure  of what to expect and a little bitter about such an experience that my mother was forcing upon me, I had mixed feeling about the girl from Madrid. Today,after making many memories and discoveries, I couldn't be more thankful for what that experience taught me. My family had the privilege to host Teresa for several summers. I became fond of her cheerful chatter, constant laughter ,and addiction to online shopping. She seldom took my unkind jokes seriously and always gave it right back to me, making our relationship closer. She could go on talking for hours about the beach outside her house, her family and  friends, and her life at her school. While several aspects were very similar to my life here, I was always left with a certain level of mystery and excitement as I wondered how the picture in my head compared with reality. Through hard work, she became fluent in English in almost no time. While this was a big success for her, it made me ashamed as I was not forced to develop the little Spanish that I was learning in class. This experience aroused my interest in traveling to Europe - especially Spain. While l know that not everyone has this same interest in other culture, I believe that it is important for us to be willing to learn about what makes certain customs and activities significant to them As Americans, we may be some of the most arrogant( ) people about other culture, which history has proven can have disastrous consequences. By at least making the effort to appreciate what is important to them, we show respect to the people who have such culture. Through the unique experience that in a sense I was forced into, I learned far more about the Spanish culture than I could have in any classroom. I discovered new interests that I had never considered before, and I am excited for the opportunity to experience it first-hand this summer. \n Question: The author expected to travel to Europe in order to  _   . \n Options: (A) develop the little Spanish (B) inform people there of American culture (C) improve the skills to communicate with Teresa (D) have a better understanding of European culture", "pos": "Article: I could fill a book with embarrassing situations I've been in over the years. These moments used to haunt   me and my face would turn as red as a big tomato.   It wasn't until I was in my late teens, working at a hotel that things changed for me. I took a year off in between high school and university, because like many people my age I had  ly no idea what I wanted to do, and I didn't want to waste $ 5,000 on a university tuition .   I tried to keep silent at my new job, avoiding the other employees. All of them didn't care about me except for one girl. She kept at me, telling me stories of her weekend and how she loved snowboarding, something I was interested in as well. She was the type of warm personality where people were immediately drawn to her, and soon enough I found myself looking forward to our coffee breaks and snowboarding after work. The more I hung out with her, the more I realized that this girl, who seemed to have it all together, was in fact just like me, except for one major difference. She laughed at herself. One night after work we were snowboarding and she fell down carelessly resulting in a mouth full of snow. Instead of getting embarrassed she jumped right up laughing loudly at how ridiculous she must have looked. As time went on, her warm personality began to wear off  on me and soon enough I had a mini-breakthrough. I'm not saying that I no longer find myself in embarrassing situations; I've just learned how to handle them differently. Just a few months ago I walked out of a bathroom unaware of the fact that my skirt was tucked  in my underwear. But instead of rushing back to the bathroom I calmly pulled it out and continued on my way shaking my head and smiling. \n Question: Why did the author work at a hotel before going to university? \n Options: (A) She wanted to make enough money for her higher education. (B) She wanted to change her personality before going to university. (C) She wanted to get some work experience. (D) She wanted to find a clear aim for her higher education.", "neg": "Article: When I came to Cincinnati as an au pair  , a lot of things there were different from what I knew. My host family lived in a huge house I could only describe as a \"castle\".In Germany I had lived in a small apartment together with my mom. Soon I found out that the \"castle\" was actually rather small in our neighborhood. Everybody there was very friendly and polite. They greeted you when they were walking by at least 3 feet away from you. They must not have seen a German au pair before, for most people I met asked me all kinds of questions about Germany. I enjoyed answering their various strange questions. I made a lot of friends and I started to hang out with them. Of course, there were a number of new things, and it took me the whole year to find them all out. I never got homesick. Perhaps it was because I did not have too many negative experiences and felt loved and welcomed there. However, I had _ some painful experience back in Germany. I was frustrated by the way people would run me over and not even say \"Sorry.\" Taking up my studies at the TU-Dresden, I felt lonely. Everybody here seemed to be withdrawn  and I missed everything I had in Cincinnati. Germany was so \"cold\". I found it so much harder to make new friends. After six months I got a roommate and only two good friends. I also flew back to Cincinnati several times for long periods. I felt that without those visits I was not able to make it. Now I am over this German culture shock. It almost took me an entire year. I am still going back and forward between Dresden and Cincinnati four times a year. \n Question: When the author lived in Cincinnati,   _  . \n Options: (A) she lived in a real castle (B) some people were not very kind to her (C) many people were curious about her motherland (D) she lived in the biggest house in the neighborhood", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}201{"query": "Article: In ancient Egypt, a shopkeeper discovered that he could attract customers to his shop simply by making changes to its environment. Modern businesses have been following his lead,with more tactics . One tactic involves where to display the goods. Foe example, stores place fruits and vegetables in the first section. They know that customers who buy the healthy food first will feel happy so that they will buy more junk food later in their trip. In department stores, section is generally next to the women's cosmetics  section:while the shop assistant is going back to find the right size shoe, bored customers are likely to wander over cosmetics they might want to try later. Besides, businesses seek to appeal to customers' senses. Stores notice that the smell of baked goods encourages shopping, they make their own bread each morning and then fan the bread smell into the store throughout the day. Music sells goods, too. Researchers in Britain found that when French music was played, sales of French wine went up. When it comes to the selling of houses, businesses also use highly rewarding tactics. They find that customers make decision in the first few second upon walking in the door, and turn it into a business opportunity. A California builder designed the structure of its houses smartly. When entering the house, the customer would see the Pacific Ocean through the windows, and then the poll through an open stairway leading to the lower level. The instant view of water on both levels helped sell these $10 million houses. \n Question: Why do stores usually display fruits and vegetables in the first section? \n Options: (A) To save customers times. (B) To show they are high quality foods. (C) To help sell junk food. (D) To sell them at discount prices.", "pos": "Article: Shopping is not as simple as you think! There are all sorts of tricks at play each time we reach out for that particular brand of product on the shelf. Coloring, for example, varies according to what the producers are trying to sell. Health foods are packages in greens, yellows or browns because we think of these as healthy colors. Ice cream packets are often blue and expensive foods, like chocolates, are gold and silver. When some kind of pain killer was brought out recently, researchers found that _ because they made the product look weak and ineffective. Eventually, it came on the market in a dark blue and white package because we think of it as safe, and white as calm. The size of a product can attract a shopper. But quite often a bottle doesn't contain as much as it appears to. It is believed that the better-known companies spend, on average, 70 percent of the total cost of the product itself on packaging. The most successful producers know that it's not enough to have a good product. The founder of Pears soap, who for 25 years has used pretty little girls to promote their goods, came to the conclusion: \"Any fool can make soap, but it takes a genius to sell it.\" \n Question: Which of the following may trick a shopper into buying a product according to the text? \n Options: (A) The cost of its package. (B) The price of the product. (C) The color of its package. (D) The brand name of the product.", "neg": "Article: As societies develop, their members start to see things not so much according to what they need, but according to what they want. When people have enough money, these wants become demands. Now, it' s important for the managers in a company to understand what their customers want if they are going to develop effective marketing strategies  . There are various ways of doing this. One way at supermarkets, for example, is to interview customers while they're doing their shopping. They can be asked what they prefer to buy and then the results of the research can be studied. This provides information on which to base future marketing strategies. It' s also quite normal for top managers from department stores to spend a day or two each month visiting stores and mixing freely with the public, as if they were ordinary customers, to get an idea of how customers act. Another way to get information from customers is to give them something. For example, some fast food restaurants give away tickets in magazines or on the street that permit customers to get part of their meal for nothing. As well as being a good way of attracting customers into the restaurants to spend their money, it also allows the managers to get a feel for where to attract customers and which age-groups to attract. Another strategy used at some well-known parks such as Disneyland is for top managers to spend at least one day in their work, touring the park dressed as Mickey Mouse or something like that. This provides them with a perfect chance to examine the scene and watch the customers without being noticed. \n Question: The text is designed for   _ \n Options: (A) customers (B) salesmen (C) researchers (D) managers", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}202{"query": "Article: Should doctors ever lie to benefit their patient---to speed recovery or to cover the coming of death? In medicine as in law, government, and other lines of work, the requirements of honesty often seem dwarfed   by greater needs: the need to protect from brutal news or to uphold a promise of secrecy; to advance the public interest. What should doctors say, for example, to a 46-year-old man coming in for a routine physical check up just before going on vacation with his family who, though he feels in perfect health, is found to have a form of cancer that will cause him to die within six months. Is it best to tell him the truth? If he asks, should the doctor reject that he is ill, or minimize the gravity of the illness? Should they at least hide the truth until after the family vacation? Doctors face such choices often. At times, they see important reasons to lie for the patient's own sake; in their eyes, such lies differ sharply from self-serving ones. Studies show that most doctors sincerely believe that the seriously ill patients do not want to know the truth about their condition, and that informing them risks destroying their hope, so that they may recover more slowly, or deteriorate   faster, perhaps even commit suicide. But other studies show that, contrary to the belief of many physicians; a great majority of patients do want to be told the truth, even about serious illness, and feel cheated when they learn that they have been misled. We are also learning that truthful information, humanly conveyed, helps patients cope this illness: help them tolerate pain better, need less medicine, and even recover faster after operation. There is urgent need to debate this issue openly. Not only in medicine, but in other professions as well, practitioners may find themselves repeatedly in difficulty where serious consequences seem avoidable only through deception  . Yet the public has every reason to know professional deception, for such practices are peculiarly likely to become deeply rooted, to spread, and to trust. Neither in medicine, nor in law, government, or the social sciences can there be comfort in the old saying, \"What you don't know can't hurt you.\" \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) Whether patients should be told the truth of their illness. (B) Whether patients really want to know the truth of their condition. (C) Whether different studies should be carried on. (D) Whether doctors are honest with their patients.", "pos": "Article: How far would you be willing to go to satisfy your need to know? Far enough to find out your possibility of dying from a terrible disease? These days that's more than an academic question, as Tracy Smith reports in our Cover Story. There are now more than a thousand genetic tests, for everything from baldness to breast cancer, and the list is growing. Question is, do you really want to know what might eventually kill you? For instance, Nobel Prize-winning scientist James Watson, one of the first people to map their entire genetic makeup, is said to have asked not to be told if he were at a higher risk for Alzheimer' . \"If I tell you that you have an increased risk of getting a terrible disease, that could weigh on your mind and make you anxious, through which you see the rest of your life as you wait for that disease to hit you. It could really mess you up.\" Said Dr. Robert Green, a Harvard geneticist. \"Every ache and pain,\" Smith suggested, \"could be understood as the beginning of the end.\" \"That 's right. If you ever worried you were at risk for Alzheimer's disease, then every time you can't find your car in the parking lot, you think the disease has started.\" Dr. Green has been thinking about this issue for years. He led a study of people who wanted to know if they were at a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's. It was thought that people who got bad news would, for lack of a better medical term, _ . But Green and his team found that there was \"no significant difference\" between how people handled good news and possibly the worst news of their lives. In fact, most people think they can handle it. People who ask for the information usually can handle the information, good or bad, said Green. \n Question: Which of the following is true about James Watson? \n Options: (A) He doesn't want to know his chance of getting a disease. (B) He is strongly in favor of the present genetic tests. (C) He believes genetic mapping can help cure any disease. (D) He is more likely to suffer from Alzheimer's disease.", "neg": "Article: Friendly doctors are\"bad for their patients'health\",researchers have warned as a new study revealed two thirds of young doctors struggle to be truthful with patients they like. Blurring(...)the lines between social and professional relationships can affect the level of care offered and prevent patients from being honest about important side effects. \"Doctors should avoid adding patients as friends on Facebook,they should not hug or allow patients to call them by their first names\".regulators have warned.\"Those who break the boundaries will face some punishment.\" It comes as a survey of 338 oncologists under the age of 40,found 59 per cent said they found it difficult to tell the truth to those patients they liked.Sixty per cent of respondents said if doctors felt too close to their patients,it could prevent them from making objective decisions about a person's care. Lesley Fallowfield,of Brighton and Sussex Medical Schoo1.said:\"Oncology is a profession that can be enormously rewarding but is filled with many challenges.Young oncologists have to master dealing with anxious patients who are facing a life-threatening disease;conveying the true prognosis ;discussing the complexity of modern treatments;and explaining the unavailability of some drugs,the side-effects of treatment,and likely treatment aims.\" But she said,\"Those doctors who have entered the profession in the age of the 'Internet world'are more likely to fall victim to blurring the professional boundaries with patients. She said:\"The difficulty,if you hug and kiss patients,if you allow them to call you by your first name,is that quickly the relationship can become confused as a social one rather than a professional one.Doctors become confused,'I really like this person,how can I bear to tell them that they're going to die?'They find it more difficult to be objective.\" \n Question: Why are ffiendl3,doctors bad for their patients'health? \n Options: (A) They don't like to cheat patients. (B) They are not good at treating patients. (C) They find it not easier to be objective to the patients. (D) They seldom blur the relationship with patients.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}203{"query": "Article: College is a fresh start, and a chance to make new friends. These friends may become your lifelong friends, or the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Whether you are going to a nearby college or the university far away from home, you are likely to meet new people wherever you are. Here are some advice to help you make friends at college. Clearly, your classmates are all possible friends! Get to class early on the first day, and if you get there early enough, you will be in the room, or waiting outside it, with one other person, or a small group. A good casual opener would be to ask if you're in the right classroom, then introduce yourself, and explain that you're new, and a _ . Do this at all of your classes, and you will have a group of friends that you can make study groups with, take notes for you when you're absent or sick. If you live in a dormitory, your hall will most likely have many fun activities to take part in. Take advantage ofthem, and go to as many as you can. Knowing your friends living in the same hall will also come in convenience because they will be the ones hosting and inviting you to parties that you will be missing out. Joining as many organizations as possible will also help you make new friends quickly. Parties are there to help students form close relationship with each other. Doing a team sport is another great idea. The best part of joining an organization is that you'll find people who share your interests, and with whom you'll therefore have a lot to talk about. \n Question: Getting to class early will   _  . \n Options: (A) give you more information about the teacher (B) let you concentrate more on your class (C) give you a good chance to make friends (D) leave a good impression on others", "pos": "Article: Beginning college is exciting: new ideas to explore, new challenges to meet and many decisions to make.Your future begins here. However, you will find college life is different from your previous school environment. Many of us can be easily overwhelmed by the details of running a well-balanced life.While some of us may have the _ , I guess there are more of us who can benefit from learning about the experiences of others who have walked the college halls before you. The following you may find of use about life on campus. * Plan well.There are so many new things to do at a new college or university.Give yourself time to make new friends and become familiar with the campus, but don't forget why you are there.Give some time for social activities and manage your time wisely. * If you don't have a \"system\" for planning your time now(like a day timer, a computer data book), get one.Most of all, don't depend on your memory. * Don't miss the guidelines.The restrictions, rules and regulations of all kinds can usually be found in your student handbook.Consider them well-balanced food for thought.What dates are important? What pieces of paper need to be handed in? What can/ can't you do in class? What can/ can't you do in your student residence? Who has right for what? What do you need to complete to graduate? * Write the word \"STUDY\" on the walls of our bedroom and bathroom, and maybe it will help to write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the telephone, TV and the kitchen table.Consider this--you are paying thousands of dollars for your courses. You pay every time you have to repeat or replace a course. * Build your identity.This is the time for you to decide what to do and what not to do.Take as much time as you need to explore new ideas.Do not be afraid of the beyond.This is learning to make good choices. \n Question: What is the main purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To describe the importance of college life. (B) To explain why college life is exciting. (C) To offer advice on college life. (D) To persuade you to go to college.", "neg": "Article: How to make friends Choosing friends Before you make friends,you have to decide who you want to be your friends.Most people like to have friends who like to do the same kind of things as they do.That doesn't mean you have to be exactly like each other,just that you enjoy some of the same things.Think about your favorite things to do and try to talk to your classmates at lunch or rest about your hobbies.You are sure to find at least one person who's excited about the same things that excite and interest you,too. Making friends *The quickest way to make a friend is to smile.When you smile,people think you are friendly and easy to talk to.It may not be easy at first to smile.But you can practice smiling in front of a mirror.When you look at yourself in the mirror,think if you'd rather talk to your smiling face or your usual scared or angry face. *One easy way to start a conversation with someone is to say something nice about them.Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you.Doesn't it make you want to talk to him? *Ask your new friends questions about themselves.It's the only way to get to know what they're like and it's the only way they'll know that you are interested in them. *Make sure you have something to add to the conversation,too.When someone asks you a question,do have an answer for them.There is nothing that will stop a conversation quicker than a shrug  for an answer. Activities After you've made a friend who shares the same interests with you,it's always fun to plan activities together that you'll both enjoy.Inviting a friend to your house after school is a great way to make your friendship closer. If you know a game your friend likes to play,you can plan to do that together.When you play a computer game,one person is always left sitting with nothing to do but watch.Not fun. \n Question: Before you make friends with someone,make sure  _  . \n Options: (A) both of you are exactly like each other (B) both of you enjoy some of the same interests (C) you have talked to him or her at lunch or rest about your hobbies (D) you have little in common with each other", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}204{"query": "Article: Mrs. Allen's husband died ten years ago when her son and daughter were still in high school. Mr. Allen had left some money, and since Mrs. Allen had managed a bookstore before she was married, she took the money and bought a shop in town. Later she moved the shop out to the shopping center.     She was a pleasant woman; she worked hard and was well-informed about books, and so the bookstore prospered and she was able to hire a friend to help her.     Laura Barnes, Mrs. Allen's friend and assistant, was also a widow. She had some free time and the need for a little extra-money, and so she took the job in the bookstore. She was too clever and friendly, and the two women were well-known in the neighbourhood as \"Mrs. A\"and \"Mrs. B\". \n Question: How many people in all were there in the two women's families?   _  . \n Options: (A) At least 8 (B) At least 7 (C) At least 6 (D) At least 4", "pos": "Article: One day Mr. Brown sees a young woman in the street with children. He is very surprised because all the children are wearing the same clothes. White caps, blue coats and yellow trousers. \"Are all these children yours?\" he asks the woman. \"Yes, they are.\" she answers. \"Do you always dress them in the same clothes ?\" asks Mr. Brown. \"Yes,\" answers the mother. \"When we have four children, we dress them in the same clothes because we don't want to lose any of them. It is easy to see our children among other children because they are all wearing the same clothes. And now we have ten, we dress them like this because we don't want to take other children home by mistake. When there are other children among ours, it is easy to see them because their clothes are different. \n Question: How many people does Mr. Brown see in the street one day? He sees   _  in all. \n Options: (A) twelve (B) eleven (C) four (D) ten children", "neg": "Article: \"I don't want to write a story about girls!I don't know anything about girls.\"Louisa May Alcott told her publisher,Mr Niles.But she was desperate for money.She seemed to be the only one in her family who could make some money.Niles had asked her to write something she knew,instead of the romantic adventure stories she had been writing.\"So I plod away,\"Alcott wrote,\"though I don't enjoy this sort of thing.\"It was 1867,and the horrible Civil War was over.Now Alcott could turn her energy to making money. Alcott wrote a simple story of life in her family,their pillow fights on Saturday nights and the amateur plays they performed.\"Our experiences may prove interesting,though I doubt it.\"(\"Good joke.\"she wrote years later.)Her book described her days growing up with four sisters in a family that had no money.She sketched a loving mother who took time to be interested in each child,and she told of the death of a beloved sister.She portrayed her family and friends in her book Little Women.Finally,in July of 1868,she finished writing.With a sigh and a headache,she sent off all 102 handwritten pages of her book. Niles thought the book was dull,and so did Alcott.But when she received her copies of the book,Alcott thought it seemed better than expected.\"Not a bit sensational,\"she wrote,\"but simple and true.We really loved most of it.\"Niles asked some girls to read Little Women,and they loved it.If girls liked it,Alcott was satisfied. In three months,all the copies of Little Women had been sold out.It was already time to print more books!Niles thought she could sell three or four hundred more copies.\"An honest publisher and a lucky author made a dull book into a golden egg for ugly ducking,\"Alcott wrote in 1885.Later,with a great sign of relief,she was able to write,\"Paid off all the debts!Now I feel that I could die in peace.If my head holds out,I'll do all I hoped to do.\" \n Question: Which of the following would be used to describe Alcott's book? \n Options: (A) Simple. (B) Boring. (C) Magic. (D) Skillful.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}205{"query": "Article: In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an intemational festival of music,dance and theatre in Edinburgh. The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War. At the same time, the \"Fringe\" appeared as a challenge to the official festival.Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947,in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform,and they did so in a public house disused for years. Soon,groups of studentsfirstly from Edinburgh University, and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge,Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by little-known writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh. Today the \"Fringe\",once less recognized, has far outgrown the festival with around 1,500 performances of theatre,music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts. And yet as early as 1959,with only 19 theatre groups performing,some said it was getting too big. A paid administrator was first employed only in 1971, and today there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself. In 2004 there were 200 places housing 1,695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50 different countries. More than 1,25 million tickets were sold. \n Question: Point was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at he beginning? \n Options: (A) To bring Europe together again. (B) To honor heroes of World War 11. (C) To introduce young theatre groups. (D) To attract great artists from Europe.", "pos": "Article: (2013*II,B)In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an international festival of music,dance and theatre in Edinburgh.The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War. It quickly attracted famous names such as Alec Guinness,Richard Burton,Dame Margot Fonteyn and Marlene Dietrich as well as the big symphony orchestras .It became a fixed event every August and now attracts 400,000 people yearly. At the same time,the \"Fringe\" appeared as a challenge to the official festival.Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947,in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform,and they did so in a public house disused for years. Soon,groups of students firstly from Edinburgh University,and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge,Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by littleknown writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh. Today the\"Fringe\",once less recognized,has far outgrown the festival with around 1,500 performances of theatre,music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts.And yet as early as 1959,with only 19 theatre groups performing,some said it was getting too big. A paid administrator was first employed only in 1971,and today there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself.In 2004 there were 200 places housing 1,695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50 different countries.More than 1.25 million tickets were sold. \n Question: What was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at the beginning? \n Options: (A) To bring Europe together again. (B) To honor heroes of World War II. (C) To introduce young theatre groups. (D) To attract great artists from Europe.", "neg": "Article: Edmonton's Downtown Park is transformed into one huge stage for five days where artists are able to share their talents, and where people are able to celebrate and enjoy themselves. Since its beginning in 1980, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival has been commemorating  the true feeling of what folk music is all about and that's the traditional togetherness  that is felt when people gather to share stories and feelings through song. This year will be the sixth year when volunteer Riedel will be offering up her time to the festival. \"People coming off a busy spring and summer have a moment of relaxation,\" Riedel said. \"It's really easy to relax, and it's great seeing family and friends have fun together.\" These families and friends come from all different kinds of musical tastes. People who take pleasure in Blues are there, so are people who love Bluegrass. This festival does its best to develop everyone's musical interests. With so many years of experience, the festival has become a well-oiled machine, and does whatever it can to make attendees feel as comfortable as possible. There are free water stations throughout the venue  for people to fill up their travel cups. When people buy food, reusable dishes are given a $2 plate fee, but that is returned when the plate is brought back. The festival has completely sold out of tickets, and in record time. But with big names such as Van Morrison and Jakob Dylan, it's easy to see how that was going to happen. There is no parking area during the festival, so using the Park & Ride system or Edmonton Transit is highly recommended. A bike lock-up area is provided and will be available Thursday until Sunday one hour before the gates open until 45 minutes after the gates close. The Edmonton Folk Music Festival begins on Wednesday, Aug.4 with Van Morrison playing the special donation fund concert, and will finish up on Sunday, Aug.8. \n Question: The Edmonton Folk Music Festival is held mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) gather people with different musical tastes (B) collect old stories of folk music (C) exhibitive good voices of great talents in folk music (D) remind people of the real sense of folk music", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}206{"query": "Article: The Queen's English is now sounding less upper-class, a scientific study of the Queen's Christmas broadcasts has found. Researchers have studied each of her messages to the Commonwealth countries since 1952 to find out the change in her pronunciation from the noble Upper Received to the Standard Received. Jonathan Harrington, a professor at Germany's University of Munich, wanted to discover whether accent changes recorded over the past half century would take place within one person. \"As far as I know, there just is nobody else for whom there is this sort of broadcast records,\" he said. He said the noble way of pronouncing vowels  had gradually lost ground as the noble upper-class accent over the past years. \"Her accent sounds slightly less noble than it did 50 years ago. But these are very, very small and slow changes that we don't notice from year to year.\" \"We may be able to relate it to changes in the social classes,\" he told The Daily Telegraph, a British  newspaper. \"In 1952 she would have been heard saying 'thet men in the bleck het'. Now it would be 'that man in the black hat'. Similarly, she would have spoken of 'the citay' and'dutay', rather than 'citee' and 'dutee', and 'hame' rather than 'home'. In the 1950s she would have been 'lorst', but by the 1970s 'lost'.\" The Queen's broadcast is a personal message to the Commonwealth countries. Each Christmas, the 10-minute broadcast is put on TV at 3 pm in Britain as many families are recovering from their traditional turkey lunch . The results were published  in the Journal of Phonetics. \n Question: The Queen's broadcasts were chosen for the study mainly because  _  . \n Options: (A) she has been Queen for many years (B) she has a less upper-class accent now (C) her speeches have been recorded for 50 years (D) her speeches are familiar to many people", "pos": "Article: Two years ago,Wendy Hasnip,47,experienced a brain injury that left her speechless for two weeks.When she finally recovered.she found herself talking with what seemed to be a French accent.\"I phoned a friend the other day, and she spent the first ten minutes laughing.\"Hasnip said at the time.\"While I have nothing against the French.\"     Hasnip suffered from foreign accent syndrome ,am condition in which people find themselves speaking their own language like someone from a foreign country.The condition usually occurs in people who have experienced a head injury or a stroke a sudden loss of consciousness,sensation,or movement caused by a blocked or broken blood vessel in the brain.     The condition was first identified during the Second World War in a Norwegian woman whose head was injured during an attack by the German military.The woman recovered but was left with a German-sounding accent,to the horror of fellow villagers who avoided her after that.     Researchers have discovered that the combined effect of the damage to several parts of the brain makes victims lengthen certain syllable,mispronounce sounds,and change the normal pitch of their voice.Those changes in speech add up to what sounds like a foreign accent.     Another researcher,a phonetician ,says victims of the syndrome don't acquire at me foreign accent.Their strangely changed speech only resembles the foreign accent with which it has a few sounds in common.     When an English woman named Annie recently developed foreign accent syndrome after a stroke.she spoke with what seemed to be a Scottish accent.However.Annie's Scottish coworkers said she didn't sound at at like a Scot. \n Question: According to the passage,people_may have foreign accent syndrome. \n Options: (A) whose parent has experienced a head injury (B) who have lived in a foreign country for a long time (C) who have lest their consciousness owing to a stroke (D) who have learned foreign language from their coworkers", "neg": "Article: If you have seen or heard of the British TV series Downton Abbey, you have probably noticed an \"upstairs-downstairs\" class system in which the noble people are upstairs, worrying what clothes they should wear for dinner and the poor people are downstairs, working hard to make food and tea. So it's not hard to tell that people are divided into different classes. British society has changed a lot since the days of Downton Abbey, but the division still exists and the funny accents do, too. Nowadays, what divides Britons is the so-called \"North-South divide\". As you make your way north from the south coast of England, the accent begins to change. The posh \"How are you\" in parts of the South becomes \"Ahhdu\" (how do you do) in the Midlands, \"reeit\" (are you all right) in the North West, \"eyyup\" (what's up) in Yorkshire, and \"hou's it gaun\" (how's it going) in Scotland. Besides accents, the economy also changes. The rich southern city of London slowly becomes the North where people general have less money. So where does the \"South\" stop being the \"South\" and the \"North\" start being the \"North\"? Well, depending on where someone comes from in Britain, you'll get a different answer. \"Anywhere above London is 'the North',\" you might hear a Londoner say. Or if you're in Scotland, you might hear, \"Southern softer!\", talking about a person from Lancashire or Yorkshire, who think of themselves as \"hard (tough) Northerners\". \"Anywhere south of Manchester is not northern,\" you might hear a person from Manchester say. Many stereotypes   have come from the \"North-South Divide\", too. Often, southerners are seen as being rude and snobbish   by northerners. And northerners are often seen as uneducated by southerners. Today, the career you have and the person you marry don't depend on where you were born or what class you are from. But as London is getting richer and people are moving to the South for work, the North-South divide is getting bigger. Yet for all that divides us, the truth is, we couldn't live without each other! \n Question: People from North West greet each other by saying   _  . \n Options: (A) \"hou's it gaun\" (B) \"reeit\" (C) \"eyyup\" (D) \"ahhdu\"", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}207{"query": "Article: Educating Girls Is a Real Lifesaver Clare Short knows it. Every developing economist knows it. The World Bank knows it. The education of girls is the surest way to reduce poverty. The reason is simple. All the evidence shows that taking girls out of the fields and homes, and putting them behind desks, raises economic productivity, lowers infant and maternal  death rates, reduces birth rates, and improves environmental management. Why, then, are 90 million primary school-age girls around the world not in school? For the same reason that when Charles Dickens was writing David Copperfield 150 years ago girls were absent from the British education system: Men in power mostly prefer _ that way, or are not interested enough in changing the situation to commit energy and money to doing so. The countries with the poorest record for having women in positions of power or influence have the worst figures for girls' education. High-profile intervention  by organizations such as the World Bank has begun successfully with several countries, and more of the same will probably be needed to bring change in conservative, male-run states. Even if there were no development payoff from gender equality in schools, the education of girls would still be a cause worth fighting for. Education is a human right, and the denial of it to girls is a scar on the community in the twenty-first century. To be born a girl in a rural area in Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, Togo, or Sudan -- half a dozen of the most shameful performers -- means being condemned to a life without school, education, or clean water, marriage and babies coming too early, too many births, children who die of preventable diseases, backbreaking work in the fields, subordination  to husband and his family, and an early death. Every year, almost 12 million children under the age of five needlessly die of infectious diseases associated with poverty. But each additional year spent by their mothers in primary school lowers the risk of premature child deaths by about 8 percent. In Pakistan, an extra year of school for 1,000 girls could prevent sixty infant deaths. With women and girls being the main farmers in Africa and southern Asia, their education offers a chance to develop more efficient farming practices, improve output, and raise awareness of the ecological needs of the land with tree planting and farming. Therefore, the world community cannot afford to ignore this avenue of change. \n Question: Which is Not the reason why educating girls reduces poverty? \n Options: (A) It improves environmental management. (B) It raises economic productivity. (C) It creates more children. (D) It lowers maternal death rates.", "pos": "Article: Every evening, 15-year-old Rashida returns home from school, changes out of her uniform, and rushes to a neighboring farm to help her mother harvest vegetables. Her father is disabled, so the modest profit the two of them earn must cover food, clothing and other necessities for all seven children and their parents. Despite having precious little time to study, Rashida is one of the top students at her junior secondary school. But with so much responsibility on her small shoulders, she admits that it is sometimes hard for her to imagine a more promising future. Last year, Rashida was invited to join 155 other girls at Camfed Ghana's first Girls' Career Camp, a program designed to inspire girls growing up in the country's Northern Region to dream big, and to support them to pursue those dreams. \"We organized this camp because we wanted to let girls know that even if they are struggling with poverty, their lives will not be defined by limitations,\" says Dolores Dickson, Camfed Ghana's Executive Director. Over the course of five days, the camp led the junior and secondary school students through a range of experiences and career opportunities that were entirely new to them. Dr. Agnes Apusiga, a lecturer from the University of Development Studies, ran the workshop on goal-setting and career choices, describing the universities and training colleges in Ghana that could help them achieve their dreams. Participants then visited the University for Development Studies, where they toured the medical school and science labs. Another highlight was a workshop at the computer lab at Tamale Secondary School. Many of the girls had studied information technology from a book but had never before seen a computer. \"When the girls arrived at camp, they were not ambitious, because they didn't have any idea what the world held for them,\" says Eugenia Ayagiba, Project Officer with Camfed Ghana. \"Many had scarcely traveled beyond their own villages.\" \"I think the most important thing that happened at the camp is that we opened a window of hope for a group of girls coming from backgrounds of poverty,\" says Eugenia. For Rashida, who has been laughed at in the past by her schoolmates because of her father's disability, the experience was important. \"She told one of the camp mentors  that when she is at school, she often feels like a misfit, and she prefers to keep to herself,\" says Eugenia. \"But at the camp, it was different. She made friends with girls who have similar struggles. She took part in every single activity, every single game. On the last day, she said to her mentor, \"The camp has challenged me to study hard. Now I see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.\" \n Question: How many members are there in Rashida's family? \n Options: (A) Seven (B) Eight (C) Nine (D) Ten", "neg": "Article: Educating girls quite possibly outputs a higher rate of return than any other investment   available in the developing world. Women's education may be an unusual field for economists, but raising women's contribution to development is actually as much an economic as a social problem. And economics, with its emphasis on motivation, provides an explanation for why so many girls can't receive education. Parents in low-income countries fail to invest in their daughters because they do not expect them to make an economic contribution to the family: girls grow up only to marry into somebody else's family and bear children. Girls are thus seen as less valuable than boys and are kept at home to do housework while their brothers are sent to school-- _ , trapping women in a vicious circle   of neglect. An educated mother, on the other hand, has greater earning abilities outside the home and faces an entirely different set of choices. She is likely to have fewer but healthier children and can insist on the development of all her children, ensuring that her daughters are given a fair chance. The education of her daughters then makes it much more likely that the next generation of girls, as well as of boys, will be educated and healthy. The vicious circle is thus transformed into a good circle. Few will disagree with it that educating women has great social benefits. But it has enormous economic advantages as well. Most obviously, there is the direct effect of education on the wages of female workers. Wages rise by 10 to 20 per cent for each additional year of schooling. Such big returns are impressive by the standard of other available investments, but they are just the beginning. Educating women also has a significant influence on health practices, including family planning. \n Question: The author argues that educating girls in developing countries is   _  . \n Options: (A) troublesome (B) rewarding (C) labor-saving (D) expensive", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}208{"query": "Article: Most people who live in Seattle, Washington, love their city. There is a never-ending flow of fun things to do. But, people who live there do not always enjoy the day-after-day absence of sunshine during the winter months. It is documented fact that sunshine (or lack of it) plays a major role in how each of us meets the day. It also affects how we perform at school or work. When people are derived of sunlight, they can develop seasonal affective disorder, which makes it difficult for them to feel happy or get things accomplished. No major city in the United States is more affected by the \"sunshine factor\" than Seattle. To fight drizzle and fog during the winter months, Steve Murphy created a business that is very popular among the locals. The Indoor Sun Shoppe is more than a little ray of sunshine during the gray days of Seattle's winter. His shop offers a huge source of plants and artificial lighting for people who are trying to overcome seasonal affective disorder. Located in Fremont, Washington, The Indoor Sun Shoppe has an amazing collection of exotic plants and \"good bugs\" in a humid and well-lit environment. At The Indoor Sun Shoppe, you can spend up to $400 for artificial lighting that will chase away the winter blues. It will also keep your plants healthy. You can buy a dawn simulator that will gradually fill your room with a warming wake-up glow. What better way to meet a Seattle morning when real sunshine is nothing more than a happy thought! Murphy's in-home waterfalls are also popular with customers. But his plants and lights remain the \"main course.\" On a cloudy winter day, The Indoor Sun Shoppe is a bright spot in Seattle! \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Seattle is located in the state of Washington. (B) Citizens love Seattle for their colorful city lives. (C) Sunshine in Seattle is rare during the winter months. (D) People who live in Seattle are used to the sunshine absence.", "pos": "Article: People should go outside and absorb some sunshine to help increase their vitamin D levels, some experts say. Arthritis Research UK. which is a British medical research organization dedicated to curing arthritis  , says vitamin D deficiency can cause bone loss, muscle function problems and, in some cases, rickets   in children. The government recommends vitamin D supplements   for pregnant women and children aged under five. But on sunny days, a few minutes outdoors should achieve the same results, Arthritis Research UK says. Figures show that up to a quarter of the population has low levels of vitamin D in their blood and the majority of pregnant women do not take vitamin D supplements. People aged over 65, pregnant and breast-feeding women and children aged six months to five years old are thought to be most at risk. Vitamin D is essential to help the body absorb calcium   from food. Low levels of vitamin D can result in serious problems. Alan Silman, the medical director of Arthritis Research UK, said, \"When the days are sunny, go out for a few minutes and expose your face and arms to the sunshine.\" But he also had a warning on overexposure. \"Don't allow your skin to go red, and take care not to burn, particularly in strong sunshine and if you have fair or sensitive skin. From June to August, just 15 minutes is generally enough time.\" \"In less sunny months,\" Alan Silman added, \"we recommend that people add more vitamin D in their diet by eating more oily fish such as salmon, tuna, and foods rich in vitamin D, such as cereals  .\" \n Question: Lack of vitamin D may cause the following problems EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) bone loss (B) muscle function problems (C) rickets in children. (D) high blood pressure", "neg": "Article: As the nights get lounger, those who suffer from the winter blues will be planning ways to escape to the sunshine. But there may be a much simpler way of cheering yourself up... simply shining a bright light into your ear canal. Up to one in four Britons suffer from seasonal affective disorder, with seven per cent of the population having full-blown SAD.  It is caused by the brain not receiving enough daylight which is needed to trigger serotonin , a hormone that regulates mood. Symptoms range from mild lethargy  to depression and insomnia, but a cure might be in sight. Two clinical trials, run by Valkee - who make a device that can shine light into your ear - and the University of Oulu in Finland, have found that carefully targeted light can help prevent the condition. Juuso Nissila, Valkee's co-founder and chief scientist said: \"We presented earlier that the human brain is sensitive to light\". \"These two clinical trials demonstrate that channeling bright light via ear canal into brain's photosensitive areas effectively prevents and treats seasonal affective disorder.\" The University of Oulu reported that in their first study, 92 per cent of the patients with seasonal affective disorder achieved full remission after a month of daily eight-to-12 minute doses of light from the Valkee. Time Takala, chief physician at the Oulu Deaconess Institute said: \"These two trials show that bright light channeled into the brain via ear canal is an important future method to treat seasonal affective disorder.\" Valkee launched its bright light headset in August 2010. It is classed as a medical device under EU regulations. The device channels bright light direct to the brain via the ear canal to prevent and cure depression, mood swings and even circadian-rhythm disorders  such as jet lag.         It costs PS185 and looks like an iPod - only the earphones emit light rather than sound. \n Question: How many Britons suffer from seasonal affective disorder? \n Options: (A) Approximately a quarter. (B) 7%. (C) More than one fourth. (D) 92%.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}209{"query": "Article: I love everything about making Easter dinner except the Saturday shopping. That day, the supermarket can be as crowded as a department store at Christmas. And this Easter, on top of my regular checklist, I had to buy the ingredient  for a delicious, new recipe I'd discovered: sliced ham and turkey layered with Swiss cheese and cabbage, all wrapped in pastry dough. Trouble was that my work schedule had left me no time to shop earlier in the week. I would get up extra early and take care of everything on Saturday morning, I thought, as I drove to the office on Friday. But that morning, Yola, one of my co-workers, asked if my husband Robert and I would help her move the next day. \"I really don't have anybody else to ask,\" she apologized. \"Sure,\" I told her, soft touch that I am. Early Saturday morning, Robert, my 15-year-old son Ben, and I drove our truck to her old apartment. Oh, the piles of furniture and boxes! It took us till late afternoon to get her settled in her new place. By the time we returned home, I was exhausted. I don't know how I'm going to go shopping now, let alone cook Easter dinner, I thought. The only ingredient I had at home was the cabbage. On the kitchen counter were two shopping bags of food that Yola had sent home with us -- her thanks for helping her move. She was leaving on a trip the next day, and didn't want the food to go to waste. I reached into the first bag and pulled out a package of sliced ham. Well, that's lucky, I thought. Then I pulled out a package of sliced turkey, and another of Swiss cheese. That's strange, I thought. There's no way Yola knew my Easter dinner plans. I reached back into the grocery bag, thinking of the Easter miracle. All of a sudden, the strangest feeling came over me. I lifted it out. It was a box of pastry dough -- the final ingredient I needed for my recipe. \n Question: According to her plan, what was the author going to do on early Saturday morning? \n Options: (A) Shop in the supermarket. (B) Cook some delicious food. (C) Do extra work in her office. (D) Help her co-worker move.", "pos": "Article: This week was busier than usual, and I was very tired today. All I wanted to do was to go home and enjoy a bowl of good hot soup. But when I saw my daughter's car, _ Since his parents separated, I had tried to have my six-year-old grandson spend a few hours with me at least once a week. I had always tried to make it a special time for him. We did many interesting things; Bryan loved all these activities, and so did I. But today I had to give up our evening. I said how tired I was feeling. \"Bryan, I'm sorry. Tonight I don't feel like having fun or playing games. We'll have our night together some other time.\" I saw the sadness in Bryan's eyes. He said, \"I like soup, Grandma.\" I knew he meant \"Please don't send me away. Please let me stay.\" I saw the shadow   in Bryan's eyes. Something else was changing. Maybe he thought I wouldn't want to have him come any more -- not tonight, not next week, not ever. Finally, I said OK. I was glad to see his eyes light up. After I put the soup on the stove   and turned on the TV, I fell asleep. When I woke up, there was a coat over my legs, and the soup was gone. Bryan was on the floor, reading a coloring book and watching a television show at the same time. The poor boy must have been so bored  ! When he found I was awake, he ran over and gave me a big hug. \"I love you, Grandma,\" he said. \"Haven't we had a nice time together?\" His big smile and happy eyes told me that this time he meant exactly what he was saying. That was the keyword -- together. We had done nothing exciting or special. But we were together. \n Question: Why didn't the author want to stay with her grandson that night at first? \n Options: (A) She was too tired to have fun or play games with him. (B) She was sick and wanted to have a good rest. (C) She was too busy and had to work overtime that night. (D) She had to prepare soup for the whole family.", "neg": "Article: My daughter comes in with some bags of groceries taking my attention away from the paper. She shouts out, \"Hi daddy!\" and runs toward the little kitchen. She's always running. I've never seen anyone with as much energy as her, except maybe her mom. \"You'd better not make a mess in there, or your mother will be angry!\" I call to her. She stops rattling  for just a second and says, \"OK, daddy. No problem.\" She's a good girl. I look at the side table where there's that beautiful black and white photo of her mom that we took last year. Or was it longer? My daughter is always leaving a seasonal flower in front of it. I don't know why. Maybe because the color1s are nice against the photo and the black frame. She's a sweet kid. Finally, she comes out to talk to me and I put down the paper.  \"Listen daddy, I can't stay a while with you tonight because Steve and I are going to a show downtown. I've made some good soup for you and it's all ready on the stove.\" \"Now you listen to me, young lady,\" I say, \"you and Steve go and enjoy yourselves. I'm sure your mom will be home soon and we'll eat together.\" She looks doubtful. I pat her head. \"Listen\", she says, \"you can call Samantha if you need anything. Do you remember Samantha?\" I nod. Samantha is a good neighbor. She lives below us in the ground floor apartment. My wife and her were always chattering away on the phone or having tea. \"Daddy?\" She's studying my face. \"Samantha's number is on the fridge and by the phone. OK?\" \"OK,\" I say, \"now go on out and have some fun, love.\" The office has really tired me out today. I should make some dinner but I'll have a sleep in this chair for now. \n Question: The author asks her daughter not to make a mess in the kitchen because   _  . \n Options: (A) he is unable to focus on the paper (B) she will disturb the neighbors (C) he thinks she may make her mother unhappy (D) her mother will have to tidy the kitchen up again", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}210{"query": "Article: Soon after you have your first child, the question of having a second one is raised by friends and family. However, as the pattern of having two children in a family is challenged by modern family units, there are a few reasons why it is not selfish to want only one child.  Today, the role of women has changed a lot. But nowadays, a wife has to help her husband earn the bread and butter as well as well as looking after her family. In demanding times like these, a woman has to put in more physical and emotional effort than any other member of the family.  Raising a child comes at a cost that remains only heard of, until you find yourself paying it. The good reality of double income with no kids suddenly comes crashing down when there is a child involved in the picture. When one parent (the mother) needs to take some time off to look after the newborn, only one person becomes the earning member. Of course, the expenses went up rapidly. According to Susan Newman, PhD, a social psychologist, the average cost of raising a child is $227,000 from birth to college. Most young mothers also think that having one child would mean that there is more income for the child, and thus, better facilities can be provided. It is much easier to educate a single child at a good school, and give him/her better life with more resources at hand.  With several children in the house, it becomes increasingly difficult to find ways to spend time with all of them. Dividing your time with just one child means that you can devote a little more time to doing the things you want to. In a single child unit, there are less comparison and more chances for positive motivation to learn new things. A happy child, who deserves the rightful attention, love, care, and time from both the parents, always gets a meaningful childhood, for both the parents and the child. \n Question: What does the writer mainly want to tell us in the passage? \n Options: (A) It is not selfish to have only one child in a family. (B) Raising a child costs a lot nowadays. (C) It is more difficult to raise several children in a family. (D) Women are playing a more important role in the family than before.", "pos": "Article: The struggle to \"have it all\" leaves many mothers giving up their health and hobbies. But dads have more time to spare according to a research, with just 55 per cent saying they lose sleep and regular exercise compared with 71 percent of mums. Twice as many mothers as fathers complained that they did not spend enough time relaxing, with almost half of mums spending less than two hours a week with friends. And more than a third miss out on hobbies and interests because they are too busy. In spite of changing roles in the family, women are still responsible for most of the child care. Nearly a third spend more than 10 hours a week caring for their children, compared with just one in ten fathers. More mums than dads also say housework and tiredness stop them achieving their goals. But the research also shows mums gain a sense of achievement from finishing the housework, getting their children to school on time or sitting down to a family dinner. The research underlines the fact that women feel under pressure to succeed in all areas of their lives. As Nick Booth, a marketing director put, \"They are pushing themselves too hard and are in danger of burning out. We'd encourage anyone to take time out for themselves. Having your own interests and hobbies and ensuring you get enough sleep is hugely important. Other parts of your life, including work and family life, improve as a result.\"  The Olympian  and mother Jo Pavey admitted balancing career, family and personal time can be a struggle. Jo, 41, became the oldest female gold medalist at the European Championship last year - but regards her children as her biggest achievement. The mum of two said,\"When I was younger,I'd have probably said it wasn't possible to have a sporting career and be mum. But actually it is all about striking a balance and looking after yourself.\" \n Question: Which of the following prevents mums from achieving their goals? \n Options: (A) Being tired with much housework. (B) Lacking their own interests and hobbies. (C) Looking after their children all the time. (D) Spending little time enjoying themselves.", "neg": "Article: According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the U.K. has about 7.7 million families with dependent children, of which 3.7 million have just one child, compared to 3 million with two and 1.1 million with three children or more. The number of families today with just one dependent child is now 47 percent and will likely rise to more than 50 percent in a decade. As the ONS confirms, \"It appears that families are getting smaller.\" One obvious reason for this could be that women are putting off having children until they have established careers when they are bound to be less fertile. But it could just as well be a matter of choice. Parents must consider the rising cost of living, combined with economic uncertainty and an increasingly difficult job market. And this trend may continue growing as having an only child becomes more normal, which seems to be the mood on the mothers' online forum Mumsnet, where one member announced that she \"just wanted to start a positive thread about how fab it is to have an only child\". She had received 231 replies, overwhelmingly in the same upbeat spirit. Parents of only children insist there are plenty of benefits. Nicola Kelly, a writer and lecturer who grew up as an only child and is now a married mother of one, says her 15-year-old son seems more grown-up in many ways than his contemporaries.  _ In a moving recent account journalist Janice Turner wrote about her own keenness to \"squeeze out two sons just 22 months apart\" as a reaction to her only-child upbringing. She was placed on a pedestal by her doting parents, whom she punished with a \"brattish, wilful\" rejection of everything they stood for. Desperate for a close friend she was repeatedly shattered by rejection and refers to her childhood as being \"misery\". Writer and clinician Dr. Dorothy Rowe, a member of the British Psychological Society, says that we all interpret events in our own individual way and there are some children who no matter what their circumstances feel slighted, while other children see the advantages of their situation. However, the one part of life that is unlikely to get any easier for only children is when they grow up and find themselves looking after their own parents as they become older. \n Question: The passage is written with the purpose of   _  . \n Options: (A) illustrating the strength and weakness of having an only child (B) analyzing the reasons why having an only child becomes popular (C) presenting us with different opinions about having an only child (D) guiding people to look at the same issue from different perspectives", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}211{"query": "Article: \"Now I just don't believe that.\" Surely all of us, at some point, have watched a movie and thought: It's simply badly researched, or, the makers must think we're fools. If movies were completely scientifically accurate, they'd probably be as interesting as a Physics 101 lecture. In real life, there are no explosions in space, gas usually doesn't explode from a lit cigarette, and Bruce Willis / Jackie Chan / Will Smith would most likely be in a coma  after getting kicked in the head. Recently, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph ran a humorous piece on unconvincing tech moments from some top movies. Let's see what _ are all about. Telegraph writer Tom Chivers' first example is from the end-of-the-world movie Independence Day, in which a character comes up with a virus capable of destroying Windows, the computer system the alien  spacecraft uses. \"It's a good thing they didn't have Norton antivirus,\" jokes Chivers. It's just one case of a movie that takes a lot of license with its science. Another one Chivers mentions is from Star Wars, where glowing beams of light traveling through space look very impressive. The problem is that in space there are no air particles  for the light to reflect off. In reality, they'd not be seen, which wouldn't look so cool on the big screen. Chivers' second piece of Star Wars nonsense is the sound the fighters make in the movies: \" the bellow  of an elephant mixed with a car driving on a wet road\". But sound needs a medium to travel through, like air. In space, there wouldn't actually be any sound at all. Few people would deny that the mind-bending Matrix films make for great viewing, but for Chivers, the science in the movies is a little silly. And finally: as Chivers points out, DAN is not replaceable. But this bit of elementary genetics passed the makers of the 2002 Bond film Die another Day by. In the film the villain  has \"gene therapy\" to change his appearance and his DNA, which is completely impossible. \n Question: What does the text mainly deal with? \n Options: (A) Plots of some famous movies. (B) Characters in space movies. (C) Popularity of space movies. (D) Mistakes made in some movies.", "pos": "Article: The Americans believe that anybody can become President of the United States. In a recent Hollywood comedy , that is exactly what happens. Dave Kovic, played by Kevin Kline, is a kind-hearted man who runs a business that finds people jobs. He leads a typical  American way of life, except for one thing-he looks exactly like the President, Bill Mitchell. In fact, the only thing that makes him different from the nation's leader is that he is very nice! The president has started using look-alikes during some public appearances. Dave is offered a chance to \"serve his country\" by becoming _ . However, things go wrong. The President becomes very ill and Dave ends up acting as the President forever. Director Ivan Reitman, who made the popular and successful comedies like Twins, Ghostbusters and Legal Eagles, could have gone for easy laughs by making fun of the American government. Instead, Dave is an attractive comedy about an ordinary man in extraordinary situations. Kevin Kline gives a double performance as Dave and the President, and Sigourney Weaver is at her best as his First Lady. The love story that develops between her role and Dave is a real classic . The film is 100% American. However, if you've ever felt that anybody could do a better job running the country than the people in power, then you'll enjoy Dave! \n Question: What is the purpose of the text? \n Options: (A) To tell the reader about the American government. (B) To discus the Americans' ideas about the President. (C) To make a comparison between Dave and other films. (D) To introduce a new film to the reader.", "neg": "Article: \"NOW I just don't believe that. \"Surely all of us, at some point, have watched a movie and thought: It's simply badly researched,or the makers must think we're fools. Recently, The Daily Telegraph ran a humorous piece on untrue tech moments from some top movies. Let's see what they are all about. Tom Chiver, the writer of The Daily Telegraph uses his first example from the movie Independence Day, in which a character comes up with a virus which destroys Windows the computer system the alien  spacecraft uses. \"It's a good thing that they didn't have Norton Anti-virus,\" jokes  Chivers. It's just one case of a movie that takes a lot of license with its science. Another one Chivers mentions is from the movie Star Wars, where the glowing light beams  traveling through space look very impressive. But the problem is that in space there are no air particles  for the light to reflect off. In reality, they'd be invisible , which wouldn't look so cool on the big screen. Most people think that the mind--bending Matrix films are made for great viewing. But for Chivers, the science in the movies is a little bit silly. He comments \"...the film is based on the idea that humans are kept alive as electricity generators  . This is not just unlikely --it's basically impossible. _ would need more energy to stay alive than they would produce. It's just like saying that you'll power the car with batteries, and keep the batteries charged by running a generator from the wheels. \" And finally, as Chivers points out, DNA is not replaceable. But this bit of elementary genetics passed the makers of the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day by. In the film the bad guy has \"gene treatment\" to change his appearance and his DNA, which is completely impossible in our real world. \n Question: Which of the following does the writer agree with about the movie Independence Day? \n Options: (A) It's a science fiction movie. (B) It's about the alien spacecraft. (C) It's produced by Tom Chiver. (D) It's a jokey and humorous one.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}212{"query": "Article: If you had a strange sound in your ear, what would you do? One man in Wales who thought he had a fly in his ear called 999, the emergency services number in Britain. And so did a woman who was worried about her green potatoes. Could she make chips with them? Were they poisonous? She didn't hesitate about calling the local ambulance service to ask. According to a recent report, more than 31,000 non-urgent calls were made to the Welsh Ambulance Service in the last year. Inappropriate calls are a headache for health professionals everywhere. In the US, prank calls to 911 happen on a daily basis. Many callers use apps which hide their identity. But those who try to be funny shouldn't be surprised if the police _ . One man from Colorado was arrested for making more than 1,200 prank calls, according to a report on the US television station KOAA--TV. People who take these calls are trained to stay calm and keep a straight face, no matter how strange the call sounds. \"There's no way for us to know whether the call is real, accidental or a prank call,\" said a public safety worker interviewed by the American TV channel. The Head of Clinical Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, Richard Lee, has a warning for prank callers. He says:\" When people misuse the service it means our precious time is being taken away from someone who really does need our help.\" Indeed, these hotlines are supposed to help the seriously ill or those with a life-threatening injury. You never know, one day, the person who needs assistance could be you or someone in your family. \n Question: How does the author introduce the topic of the text? \n Options: (A) By giving examples. (B) By telling a story. (C) By listing figures. (D) By making a comparison.", "pos": "Article: Noise pollution in cities is causing out health to suffer, according to the World Health Organization. Recently, researchers at the Free University of Brussels in Beigium have developed an applocation: NoiseTube. It allows everyone who downloads it the ability to measure the amount of noise they are exposed to by transforming their smart phone into a sound level meter. NoiseTube works by recording sound levels and GPS locations. Once launched the app shows decibel  levels of green or red depending on the level of noise. That information is then sent to the NoiseTube server via the Internet where a \"noise map\" is produced and then made available to the user. Since its launch, the app has been popular with community groups who want to monitor their own noise levels. According to D'hondt of the Noise Tube project, these groups don't think that city produced noise maps give an adequate interpretation of the level of noise they're experiencing. City produced noise maps are based on statistical models involving very few actual measurements.  NoiseTube on the other hand gives a detailed account of the level of noise experienced at a specific time and location. \"Ten people walking the same area from 9 to 10 am every day for one week can make a valid  and detailed map for an area of a couple of blocks,\" D'Hondt said. \"It's reasonable effort by the community groups to produce these maps, and with it they can go to the authorities and have real evidence about what they're experiencing.\" So far these sorts of noise maps have been produced for a number of European cities. The app has been downloaded by 10,000 people with 2,700 people registered on the NoiseTube website. \n Question: How does NoiseTube produce a \"noise map?\" \n Options: (A) The NoiseTube server analyzes noise information vis the Internet. (B) The NoiseTube server analyzes noise information via GPS devices. (C) Decibel levels of noise are transformed by a unique device. (D) It produces a \"noise map\"automatically when it collects enough information.", "neg": "Article: It's enough to give anyone an earache. Women spend an average of about five years on the phone during their working lives, research has shown.     You won't be surprised to learn that women spend 18 months longer than men on the phone -- who only chat for an average of three years. Both sexes make and receive almost the same number of calls -- 277,000 for men and 288,000 for women. But women spend 13,500 more hours in total on their conversations.     More than half of those chats are work-related but people spend on average twice as long on a personal call (10 minutes ) as on a business one.     Despite the explosion in mobile phone ownership, most people still prefer to use landlines, the poll   found.     However, when people are tired of talking, the top excuse for getting a caller off the line is to say \"Someone's at the door.\" Other favorites include \"I'm cooking\" and \"I need to go to the toilet\". Eight out of ten phone users admitted not answering their phones on purpose if they did not want to speak to the caller.     One in three people thought calls after 10 pm were unacceptable but a quarter of those polled said they did not mind calls up to midnight.     Two-thirds admitted they had people in their address books who they should ring but never got round to doing so.     Joseph Blass, managing director of telecom company Toucan, said, \"As a nation, we love to chat on the phone but it is quite astonishing when we look at the total number of calls we make in a lifetime.\" \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE? \n Options: (A) Women spend about five years talking on the phone during their lifetime. (B) Women make and receive the same number of calls as men do. (C) On average, work-related calls are only half as long as personal calls. (D) Usually a call made by a man is longer than one by a woman.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}213{"query": "Article: A desert is a beautiful land of silence and space. The sun shines, the wind blows, and time and space seem endless. Nothing is soft. The sand and rocks are hard, and many of the plants even have hard needles instead of leaves. The size and location  of the world's deserts are always changing. Over millions of years, as climates change and mountains rise, new dry and wet areas develop. But within the last 100 yeas, deserts have been growing at a frightening speed. This is partly because of natural changes, but the greatest makers are humans. Humans can make deserts, but humans can also prevent their growth. Algeria Mauritania is planting a similar wall around   Nouakchott, the capital. Iran puts a thin covering of petroleum  on sandy areas and plants trees. The oil keeps the water and small trees in the land, and men on motorcycles  keep the sheep and goats away. The USSR and India are building long canals to bring water to desert areas. \n Question: In this passage, \"needles\" refers to   _  . \n Options: (A) small, thin pieces of steel. (B) long, thin pieces of branches. (C) small pointed growth on the stem  of a plant. (D) small, thin pieces of sticks.", "pos": "Article: Crossing Texas and Mexico, the Big Bend region is high in biodiversity . It's a place so _ that if something doesn't bite, stick, or sting, it's probably a rock. You know you have arrived in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert when it feels as if you have fallen off the edge of the earth and into the rabbit hole. Nothing is as it appears. Moths   are the size of birds. Are those twin pillars   of black rock (a landmark known as Mule Ear Peaks) ten miles (16 kilometers) away or fifty (80 kilometers)? Visibility   reaches more than a hundred miles on a clear day, and since there are few roads or buildings to use as milestones, distance is difficult to judge. This is a place where water runs uphill, where rainbows have to wait for rain. The line between myth   and reality is unclear. Stare long enough at the Chisos Mountains or the Sierra del Carmen, the two mountain ranges, known as sky islands, which lie on the land, and they rise and float above the plain. The vast Chihuahuan Desert is a land of no people. There is always the chance you'll die of thirst. The \"You Can Die\"possibilities are endless, and keep some visitors -- 350,000 a year to Big Bend National Park, built in 1944 -- from coming back. Those who do return are left to think of the remarkable courage of the brave few who have managed to survive in this terrible environment. \n Question: Why do the twin pillars of black rock seem ten or fifty miles away? \n Options: (A) They were put so far away. (B) They lie across the Chihuahuan Desert. (C) It is difficult to judge the distance, with few milestones. (D) One lies in the Chisos Mountains, the other in the Sierra del Carmen.", "neg": "Article: Certain plants and animals can survive under what seem like impossible conditions. Blind fish live freely under ocean depths that are  ly dark and cold. Bacteria live at temperatures of 600 degF or a higher in places where the heat comes from the deep earth. One of the most remarkable achievements that we can observe directly is the ability of the plants and animals in the desert. In the Death Valley ,temperatures of 134 degF in the shade have been officially reported Yet lizards live there ,along with 600 species of plants, 30 species of mammals? and even fish. While the days are terribly hot, the nights are extremely cold. Temperatures can fall down by as much as 50 degF. Plants called xerophytes are perfectly adapted to the extremely dry conditions. These plants have survived by developing techniques for coping with their environment. Like all living things ,they must have water ,and they get it in several ways. The mesquite and the prickly  pear pick up moisture in opposite ways. The mesquite sends its roots down as deep as 60 feet to tap the water table. The prickly pear, on the other hand ,spreads its roots wide. These roots are shallow but they pick up whatever moisture is available at ground level. The paloverde saves water by shedding leaves in times of extreme drought The barrel cactus makes sure of a water supply by storing water in the plant itself. The saguaro cactus stores so much water that it can survive years of drought. But even the saguaro will die sooner or later if there is no rain. All these plants ,although well adjusted to their environment, must eventually get water. Even if the parent plants die, there are always seeds to keep the species alive. Since the desert is so tough, thousands of seeds must be released to produce one plant. To get rooted, these seeds must have exactly the right conditions. They can lie dormant for months, even years, until a little water stimulates the sparks of life. \n Question: Which of the following can best express the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) The Death Valley is a living museum ,where many plants and animals exist. (B) Plants and animals can survive in the desert by adjusting to the environment. (C) Days in desert can be deadly hot, while nights can be terribly cold. (D) Bacteria survive in the ocean depth and the desert burning heat.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}214{"query": "Article: Today, whether or not you follow the latest trends, one's fashion and choice of dress is a reflection of one's individual style and tastes. Can you still remember how you dressed at the start of China's opening-up? Today's program is one of a special series commemorating   the 30th anniversary of reform and opening-up in China. In these two episodes we focused on fashion and style and were honored to invite two special guests to join us in studio--Ms. Zhang Ling from Raffles-BICT Inter-national College and Alex from Esquire magazine. When we talk about fashion, color is absolutely crucial. A color can reflect the mood of an individual person or the spiritual temperament  of entire society or age. Mrs. Zhang and Alex talked about the colors which have left the greatest impression on them. In the 1960s and 70s, blue and grey were the dominant colors at the time and people had limited choices to dress up. But fast forward to the present, you will find no difficulty in choosing from array  of vivid colors in the market. We also gave our guests a list of keywords--traditional brands, jeans, DIY, international brands, personal dress for them to choose from in order to represent the fashion of their generation. We find out that for every keyword our guest chose, there was a special story behind it. Some of the stories brought us back to old times--we even brought some vintage  clothing from the 60s and 70s up on stage and invited some audience members to try them on. When we mention fashion, we must mention brand. With increasing disposable  income and purchasing power of the Chinese, many luxury brands have flocked into China. However, you could imagine in 1980s, when the first inter-national brand came to China, it unveiled  a fashion storm among the Chinese. \n Question: China's opening-up dates back to   _  . \n Options: (A) the 1960s (B) the 1970s (C) the 1980s (D) the 1990s", "pos": "Article: One's style of the dress reveals the human obsession with both novelty and tradition. People use clothing to declare their membership in a particular social group; however, the rules for what is acceptable dress for that group may change. In affluent societies, this changing of the rules is the driving force behind fashions. By keeping up with fashions, that is, by changing their clothing style frequently but meanwhile, members of a group both satisfy their desire for and obey the rules, thus demonstrating their membership in the group. There are some interesting variations   regarding individual status. Some people, particularly in the West, consider themselves of such high status that they do not need to display it with their clothing. For example, many wealthy people in the entertainment industry appear in very casual clothes, such as the worn jeans and work boots of a manual laborer. However, it is likely that a subtle but important signal, such as an expensive wristwatch, will prevail over the message of the casual dress. Such an inverted  status display is most likely to occur where the person's high status is conveyed in ways other than with clothing, such as having a famous face. \n Question: According to the author, fashions serve all the following purposes EXCEPT \n Options: (A) satisfying an interest in novelty (B) signaling a change in personal beliefs (C) displaying membership in a social group (D) following traditional rules", "neg": "Article: Color is very important in our daily life. It can influence our choice of purchase when we go shopping and can also affect the way we look and feel. A person can be naturally attracted to one particular color1 while finding another color1 repulsive. The influence of color1 on human emotions and feelings is very powerful and designers, advertisers, artists and even doctors use  _ in their professions for different purposes. Every day, without even thinking about it, we use color1 to communicate our feelings. For example, the color1 we choose to wear is one way of expressing ourselves. It says something about the person, how he or she feels, and how he or she wants others to feel about the wearer. In other words, color1 talks. A person who wants to appear stylish and mature will usually wear dark color1s or black. A person who wishes to appear youngish, pure and innocent dresses in white, like the choice of a bride's wedding gown. Also clothed in white are doctors, dentists, nurses and hospital in-patients as the color1 expresses comfort, cleanliness and professionalism. Brown, blue or grey clothes are the usual color1s worn by office workers so as not to draw unnecessary attention to them. They are, in a way, conveying the message that they want to be noticed for their work, not their appearance. People who wear bright, strong color1s like to be attractive and these color1s are particularly popular with actresses, singers and party goers. In the past, common people were not allowed to wear certain color1s. In Thailand, for example, only kings, queens and members of the royal family could wear purple while in ancient China, yellow was the color1 reserved for the emperor and the empress. Nowadays, people can wear whatever color1 they like or as they think appropriate. \n Question: How does color1 affect a product? \n Options: (A) It describes the product. (B) It helps the product designer to express himself. (C) It may put the purchaser in a spending mood. (D) It is able to influence the consumers' choice of purchase.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}215{"query": "Article: Zoe Chambers was a successful PR(Public Relations) consultant and life was going well -- she had a great job, beautiful flat and a busy social life in London. Then one evening in June last year, she received a text message telling her she was out of work. \"The first two weeks were the most difficult to live through.\" she said. \"After everything I'd done for the company, they dismissed me by text! I was so angry and I just didn't feel like looking for another job. I hate everything about the city and my life.\" Then, Zoe received an invitation from an old school friend, Kathy, to come and stay. Kathy and her husband, Huw, had just bought a farm in north-west Wales. Zoe jumped at the chance to spend a weekend away from London, and now, ten months later she is still on the farm. \"The moment I arrived at Kathy's farm, I loved it and I knew I wanted to stay.\" said Zoe. \"Everything about my past life suddenly seemed meaningless.\" Zoe has been working on the farm since October of last year and says she has no regrets. \"It's a hard life, physically very tiring.\" she says. \"In London 1 was stressed and often mentally exhausted. But this is a good, healthy tiredness. Here, all I need to put me in a good mood is a hot bath and one of Kathy's wonderful dinners.\" Zoe says she has never felt bored on the farm. Every day brings a new experience. Kathy has been teaching her how to ride a horse and she has learnt to drive a tractor. Since Christmas, she has been helping with the lambing -- watching a lamb being born is unbelievable, she says, \"It's one of the most moving experiences I've ever had. I could never go back to city life now.\" \n Question: When working as a PR consultant in London, Zoe thought she lived a   _  life. \n Options: (A) satisfying (B) tough (C) meaningless (D) boring", "pos": "Article: Martha had been working for Miller Laboratories for two years, but she was not happy there. Nothing significant had happened in the way of promotions or salary increases. Martha felt that her supervisor, a younger and less experienced person than she, did not like her. In fact, the supervisor often said unpleasant things to her. One day, while talking with her friend Maria, she mentioned how discouraged she was. Maria gave her the name of a cousin of hers who was director of Human Resources Department for a large chemical company. Martha called him the next day and set up an interview on her lunch hour. During the interview, Mr. Petri said, \"You're just the kind of person we need here. You're being wasted in your other job. Give me a call in a day or two. I'm sure we can find a place for you in our organization.\" Martha was so happy she almost danced out of the building. That afternoon, Ruth Kenny, her supervisor, saw that Martha had come in ten minutes late from her lunch hour and she said, \"Oh, so you finally decided to come back to work today?\" This was . She could not take another insult. Besides, Mr. Petri was right: she was being wasted in this job. \"Look,\" she said angrily, \"if you don't like the way I work, I don't need to stay here. I'll go where I'm appreciated! Good-bye!\" She took up her things and stormed out of the office. That night she called Maria and told her what had happened and then asked Maria, \"What do you think?\" \"Well,\" said Maria carefully, \"are you sure about the other job?\" \"Well, not exactly, but...\" Maria continued, \"Will you be able to get a recommendation from Mrs. Kenny if you need one?\" \"A recommendation?...from Mrs. Kenny?\" hesitated Martha, in a worried tone. \"Martha, I hope you didn't burn your bridges.\" Maria said. \"I think I would have handled it differently.\" \n Question: Martha is unhappy in her job because    _   . \n Options: (A) she has not advanced (B) the work is not significant (C) her supervisor is younger than she (D) there is too much work with little payment", "neg": "Article: Zoe Chambers was a successful PR(Public Relations) consultant and life was going well--she had a great job, a beautiful life in London. Then one evening in June last year, she received a text message telling her she was out of work. \"The first two weeks were the most difficult to live through,\" she said. \"After everything I'd done for the company, they dismiss me by text! I was so angry and I just didn't feel like looking for another job. I hated everything about the city and my life.\" Then, Zoe received an invitation from an old school friend, Kathy, to come and stay. Kathy and her husband, Huw, had just bought a farm in north west Wales. Zoe jumped at the chance to spend a weekend away from London, and now, then months later, she is still on the farm. \"The moment I arrived at Kathy's farm, I loved it and I knew I wanted to stay.\" said Zoe. \"Everything about my past life suddenly seemed meaningless.\" Zoe has been working on the farm since October of last year and says she has no regrets. \"It's a hard life, physically very tiring.\" she says. \"In London I was stressed and often mentally exhausted. But this is a good, healthy tiredness. Here, all I need to put me in a good mood is a hot bath and on of Kathy's wonderful dinners.\" Zoe says she has never bored on the farm. Every day brings a new experience. Kathy has been teaching her how to ride a horse and she has learnt to drive a tractor. Since Christmas, she has been helping with the lambing-watching a lamb being born is unbelievable. She says, \"It's one of the most moving experiences I've ever had. I could never go back to city life now \" \n Question: According to the author, Zoe lived a   _   life as a PE consultant in London. \n Options: (A) boring (B) meaningless (C) tough (D) satisfying", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}216{"query": "Article: Do you have a hobby--something you really enjoy doing in your spare time? Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could spend more time on your hobby and less time at work? Maybe it's not an either/or situation. Perhaps you can do both at the same time. When choosing a career, one of the things you must consider is your interests. Why then do so many people not even think about their hobbies when a hobby is, in fact, an interest? Perhaps it's because even Webster's Dictionary defines a hobby as \"a pursuit (,) outside one's regular occupation  \". Maybe this is a rule you should break. After all, no one ever said your hobby had to stay separate from your occupation. In addition people are usually very skilled at their hobbies. The combination of interest and skill is a very compelling   reason to choose a particular career. \"Who's going to hire someone who loves making beaded   jewelry?\" you may ask yourself. Good question. Don't wait for someone to hire you. Start your own business. That may be the best way to combine your hobby with your career. Those with hobbies that involve creating things, i.e. jewelry, clothing, or pottery, may do well to sell those items on their own. Before you go forward with your plans, though, you should find out whether being an entrepreneur   is for you. When you attempt to turn your hobby into a career, don't forget to do your homework. Even though you may have enjoyed training your pet birds to sing the national song, that doesn't mean you're suitable to be an animal trainer. Be sure to research your career choice completely. There may be aspects of it that just aren't for you. In that case, stick to your day job, as they say, and save your hobby for your free time. \n Question: By writing this passage, the writer wants to introduce   _  . \n Options: (A) how to choose a hobby for your free time (B) how to develop your own hobby (C) how to treat your job as a hobby (D) how to turn a hobby into a career", "pos": "Article: What I like to advise people is to find out what it is that makes them happy. What do you love to do? If you truly love what you do just go ahead and try to make a living by doing it. People will throw money at you to do it. But you will always have to work hard at it. I have to draw every single day of my life. I have to draw about 20 ideas. My advice is to put aside a certain amount of time every day and make you draw or whatever, especially when you don't feel like it. Only in this way will you be able to perfect your talent. The first step you take is to go to your local library and ask for the publications issued in the current years. When you get these publications, try to find the names of the top people concerned and their presidents. After you find these, write down their names and addresses. Keep this list and update it every year. Next thing you want to do is to create at least 40 cartoons. Get a grid  from one of the strips in the newspapers, enlarge it to whatever size you wish and draw inside this grid. Now take the best 20 of your ideas and make them into finished pieces. To do this, you would want to copy them in ink because if you were a professional cartoonist, that was what you should do. Now you can reduce the size of the finished cartoons to fit onto a regular comic's page. By comparing yours with the others already in print, it gives you a good idea of clarity to your cartoon. The next step is to write letters to presidents of the publication. In the letters, explain who you think would read your work, or in other words, what group do you think you would target. After you complete these, send all of your information enclosed with letters in the appropriate envelope. Now as soon as you send out these letters, start to create a brand new strip with all new characters. Don't _ because if your idea gets turned down then you will give up. And always remember. If you receive a rejection from any of them, keep in mind that you are working on something better. You will be working on something new and more exciting and the rejection letter will not have any impact. With this in mind... \n Question: The purpose of writing a letter to the president was to   _  . \n Options: (A) get some money to support the later career (B) enclose the information on how to become cartoonists with the letter (C) focus his attention on the work (D) explain who would be the readers of the work", "neg": "Article: What exactly is a Dream Career? I am sure it means different things to different people. You could presently be unsure about what your final job would be. If you have any doubts about what your dream career is, you may know which careers you definitely would not like to do. For example, if you have an interest in art, and do not like math, you most certainly would not be an engineer .If you love art. and have no artist talent ,maybe you would like to be around art instead, as an art curator   A career related to your passion, bobby, or special interest, is the path to follow in finding your dream job. Try thinking about what things you like to do in your spare time. Many are attracted toward turning what they love to do in their off work hours into a full time job. For example, if you like to put together model cars, maybe you would like opening your own hobby shop, or work for someone who owns one. Once you find what you arc interested in doing, you can then match this to a career which will be similar to what you are passionate about. What you consider a dream career has to centre around what kind of person you actually are. This is called your Career Personality. What type of person do you consider yourself to be? People are naturally attracted to those things which reflect  who they are as unique individuals. For example, if you are slightly on the shy side, maybe you would like a job where you work on your own. relatively unsupervised ,behind a computer. If you are outgoing, maybe you would like to work with others, and be the supervisor. All it may take to find our dream career is to know ourselves a little better, trust in our own judgment, and be realistic about what we can attain occupationally: This is how I found what I am doing now. \n Question: What is the main purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To explain what a dream career really is. (B) To offer tips on finding a dream career. (C) To tell us what Career Personality means. (D) To give examples of different personalities.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}217{"query": "Article: Recipients of this year's Annenberg scholarships were announced on June 19. Brittany Blythe was one of them. In seventh grade,Brittany Blythe dreamed of being a cheerleader . Her school's coaches were less than enthusiastic. \"They said. 'I don't know how you'll be able to do it'. \"she recalls. \"'You won't be able to do it'.\" But Brittany,now a junior at Strath Haven High School near Philadelphia,refused to give up. And when the junior school cheerleaders won a tournament last year, she was right there,dancing and cheering with the rest of the team. Not bad for someone whose legs were cut off below the knee when she was two years old. Brittany,18,was born without shinbones --\"just blood and muscle tissue,\"as she puts it. When she tried to walk, her legs twisted. After the operation, she adapted quickly. \"From day one,I basically jumped up and wanted to do everything,'' she says. Prostheses allowed her to move around upright. But too slowly to keep up with her friends. Brittany's solution was to take the legs off and walk on her knees something she still does when safety and comfort permit. She has been rarely discouraged. Other children laughed at her through the years,especially in junior high school,but she says the challenge only made her stronger. Now she's trying to convince her coaches to let her remove the prostheses and be a flyer. The cheerleader who's thrown in the air and caught by her teammates. Brittany doesn't think her problems put her at a disadvantage. \"My disability was the first thing I had to get through., and that's going to prepare me for the future. \"she says. \"It's all just a test:If someone throws you a difficult problem,what are you going to do?\" \n Question: What was the coaches' first attitude towards Brittany's dream? \n Options: (A) Supportive (B) Enthusiastic (C) Optimistic (D) Doubtful", "pos": "Article: When Christina Brouder was five years old, a drunk driver ran over her as she and her father were crossing the street in front of their home.Hurt badly, the young girl was forced to spend a long time in a full-body cast  to recover from her injuries.Mostly, she traveled between the hospital and her home.Once out of the cast, Brouder sat in a wheelchair for almost a year. In spite of the horrible accident, Christina was grateful for her recovery.She was so grateful, in fact, that she and her four talented siblings ( three sisters and a brother) started a music group, Gilbride.The group performed at local hospitals and nursing homes, performing for the patients.Among them, the children could sing, dance and play about 20 different musical instruments.At their first show in 1988, held at Montefiore Hospital, the kids were 2,3,6,8 and 9 years old.That year alone, the group made over a hundred appearances. From the local public entertainment places, the group expanded to charity performances.They also entertained people at Disney World, Radio City Music Hall, and even the White House. Christina balanced her happy and successful musical career with academics.First graduating from New York City's High School of Music and Art,and then from Fordham.In 2000,as t he youngest graduate from Fordham,1 8year--old Christina and her siblings went on tour for a year.Not pleased with the applause she received from the audience, she entered Pace University Law School.On May 19,Christina Brouder realized part of her dream when at only 22,she received Health Law Certificate . \n Question: What happened to Christina when she was five years old? \n Options: (A) She was coldly deserted by her father. (B) She got a strange and serious disease. (C) She had to give performances to make a living. (D) She was seriously injured in a traffic accident.", "neg": "Article: As we all know, getting benched in sports is usually a bad thing. But at one school in Florida, a girl has taken a bench and turned it into something entirely different - a place to find friends. It's called the Friendship Bench. And it's the brainchild of a sixth grader at Palm Bay Elementary - a girl named Acacia Woodley. Acacia's attitude toward life might be summed up best by a question she recently asked members of the Brevard County School Board - \"what if we spend as much time putting the spotlight on kindness as we do on cruelty?\" It's a philosophy Acacias has learned to live her own life -despite having a lot of people would consider a handicap. She was born without a right hand. And her left hand did not form properly. But Acacia says that she has not stopped her from achieving her goals. \"You need to believe in your dreams. If you don't believe in you dreams, I can definitely tell you that they are not going to come true.\" She said. Acacia came up with the idea for the Friendship Bench after seeing kids getting bullied at school. She says she has also experienced bullying herself - kids whispering about her or picking on her because she is different. \"Some people say they feel sorry for me. I tell them not to,\" she said. \"I don't care that I'm different. I like being different.\" The Friendship Bench looks like a lot of other benches. It has arm sets and a place to lean on. But there are also words painted on it - words such as \"hope\", \"respect\", \"listen\" and \"dream\". Acacia put the benches together with the help from her mother and brother. Any time a kid feels he or she needs a friend, all that kid needs to do is sit on the bench. It is then up to the other kids - or grown-ups - to fill that need. \"It's a perfect idea,\" Palm Bay Elementary Principal Lori said. \"It's something we've needed so badly.\" The Friendship Bench has been such a success at Palm Bay Elementary that other schools are now interested in installing one too. \"There's a saying in my teacher's classroom,\" Acacia said. \"It says, 'it you can dream it, you can achieve it.'\" \n Question: What can be learned about Acacia from the passage? \n Options: (A) She is disabled but leads an active life. (B) She has a deep understanding of life. (C) She finds it difficult to achieve her goals. (D) She finds herself always in need of help.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}218{"query": "Article: Do you like chocolate? Maybe most people do. A box of it can be a great gift. Buy one for a friend and give it as a surprise. See how happy that person gets. Say you just got a box of chocolate. Which piece do you pick first? A man has studied people's choices. He says they tell something about the person. Did you choose a round piece? You are a person who likes to party. Did you choose an oval   shape? You are a person who likes to make things. Picking a square shape shows something else. The person is honest and truthful. You can depend on him or her. What kind of chocolate do you pick? Maybe you like milk chocolate. This shows you have warm feelings about the past. Dark chocolate means something else. A person who chooses it looks toward the future. What about white chocolate? Would you choose it? If so, you may find it hard to make up your mind. Some people like chocolate with nuts  . These are people who like to help others. Do you believe these ideas? Can candy tell all these things? It doesn't really matter. There is one sure thing about eaters of chocolate. They eat it because they like it. \n Question: This passage mainly tells us   _  . \n Options: (A) why people like chocolate (B) almost everyone likes chocolate (C) about different kinds of chocolate (D) different choices may show different characters", "pos": "Article: People often view the \"last\" moments of an event positively simply because they signal the end of an experience, say experts. University of Michigan researchers found that even if an experience is painful or negative, but ends on a good note, people will consider it to be positive. \"Endings are powerful,\" said Ed O'Brien, a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan. O'Brien and colleague Phoebe Ellsworth, the Frank Murphy Distinguished Professor of Law and Psychology, conducted a chocolate tasting experiment with 52 college students to test the theory. Volunteers could taste five different Hershey's Kisses chocolates--milk, dark, cream, caramel and almond - but did not know in advance how many pieces they would eat or the type. Participants rated how much they enjoyed the chocolate and described each flavor so that the researchers could record the order in which the randomly   selected treats were eaten. Volunteers were assigned to the \"next\" or the \"last \" condition by chance. In the \"next\" condition, the experimenter said \"Here is your next chocolate\" before offering each chocolate, including the fifth. For the \"last\" condition, the experimenter said \"Here is your last chocolate\" before offering  the fifth chocolate. These participants rated the fifth chocolate more enjoyable than volunteers in the \"next\" condition. As predicted, participants who knew they were eating the final chocolate of a taste test enjoyed it more. In fact, when asked to pick their favorite chocolate, the majority of \"last\" participants chose the fifth - even though the flavor of the fifth was randomly chosen. They also rated the overall experience as more enjoyable than volunteers who thought they were just eating one more chocolate in a series. O'Brien says these findings may have far-reaching implications. For example, the last book or film in a series or the last speaker in a symposium   may receive _ praise. The last job applicant, meanwhile, may look more qualified. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE about the experiment? \n Options: (A) The majority of \"last\" participants chose the almond flavor as their favorite. (B) Some participants enjoyed the experiment more because the last flavor tasted better. (C) The result would be different if researchers had used another brand of chocolate. (D) Some participants didn't know it was their last chocolate when offered the fifth one.", "neg": "Article: The first chocolate was eaten by people in Central and South America hundreds of years ago. In those days, people did not really eat chocolate; the cocoa bean was used to make a chocolate drink that the people enjoyed very much. Much later the cocoa bean was brought to Europe and people there also came to love the taste of it. In 1824, John Cadbury opened a small shop in Birmingham. One of the items he sold was cocoa powder to be made into drinks. In 1831, he opened a small factory to make cocoa powder from cocoa beans. John Cadbury believed that alcohol was an important cause of people's being poor, and he wanted to encourage people to drink chocolate instead. A few years later a man called Joseph Fry invented a way to make chocolate bars, and so for the first time people had the chance to eat chocolate instead of only drinking it. At first, chocolate was luxury and only the rich people could buy it. Later, as more and more chocolate bars were produced and sold, they became cheaper. However, at first, only plain chocolate was produced. Milk chocolate came later and this was made by adding milk or milk powder to the chocolate. Cadbury introduced their first milk chocolate bars in 1897. Their most famous chocolate, Cadbury's Milk Bar, was introduced in 1905. It has been a best-seller in Britain and around the world for nearly 100 years. The Cadbury factory is still in Birmingham and the chocolate produced there is eaten all over the world. Every year, thousands of visitors visit the factory to see how chocolate is made. \n Question: In the beginning, people used to   _  . \n Options: (A) drink the chocolate (B) eat and drink the chocolate (C) eat the chocolate bars (D) enjoy the chocolate every day", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}219{"query": "Article: Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival start on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, and end on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the following year in the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year's Day's date is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2015 it's Thursday, February 19. Many people clean their homes to welcome the Spring Festival. They put up the red posters with poetic verses on it to their doors, Chinese New Year pictures on their walls, and decorate their homes with red lanterns. It is also a time to reunite with  s so many people visit their families at this time of the year. In the evening of the Spring Festival Eve, many people set off fireworks and firecrackers, hoping to cast away any bad luck and bring forth good luck. Children often receive lucky money. Many people wear new clothes and send Chinese New Year greetings to each other. Various activities such as beating drums and striking gongs, as well as dragon and lion dances, are all part of the Spring Festival festivities. The Spring Festival is a national holiday in China. Government offices, schools, universities and many companies are closed during the period from the Spring Festival Eve to the seventh day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. However, some enterprises such as banks often arrange for workers to be on shift duty. Public transport is available during the Chinese New Year period. The red posters with poetic verses on it were initially a type of amulet  , but now it simply means good fortune and joy. Various Chinese New Year symbols express different meanings. For example, an image of a fish symbolizes \"having more than one needs every year\". A firecracker symbolizes \"good luck in the coming year\". The festival lanterns symbolize \"pursuing the bright and the beautiful\". \n Question: The passage mainly tells us \n Options: (A) Chinese New Year is around the corner (B) what people usually do during Chinese New Year (C) how people treat each other on the special day (D) Chinese New Year witnesses the longest holidays", "pos": "Article: Every year, as Spring Festival draws near, most Chinese people will get excited to make preparation for the most important festival and make plan for the winter break. It is a little like Christmas in the United States, but there are some differences between the two festivals. Both the major Chinese and the major Western holidays come during the cold season, and special food is expected. In western countries, cookies and cakes begin just after Thanksgiving in November and show up everywhere. Turkey, potatoes and other food come later. Similar thing happens in China. Entering lunar December, most families will make shopping plans for _ and food is certainly one of the most important things to be considered. At the end of the month, both parents in each family will be very busy---the father is busy buying food while the mother is busy cooking. A deeper similarity   is tradition. Christmas, as the letters \"Christ\" suggests, began as a holiday to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. Many people pray   on this day. In China, people living in cities or towns, though they don't plan to sow seeds  this month, still celebrate on the big day for farmers. Followers of both holidays are also different from each other. While Chinese people travel to the homes of elder relatives, Americans usually call or send cards. Westerners prefer Christmas carols to fireworks. In Christmas, many family gifts come together instead of one by one, since adults may have only one day free to celebrate. But the most curious difference is about students. Chinese students going home for Spring Festival sometimes report that they get bored by the end of vacation, yet American students seldom get bored around Christmas and western New Year. Not everyone enjoys classic holiday traditions. Students in western countries may get upset, as too much homework, travel or bad family relations may destroy the short holiday season. In China, more and more college students choose to travel or work during the winter holiday instead of going home to stay with their families. It's against the tradition but many people accept it. \n Question: What does the writer mainly want to tell us in this passage? \n Options: (A) Food in different festivals. (B) Differences between two festivals. (C) Festivals in China and western countries. (D) Traditional celebrations in different countries.", "neg": "Article: Chinese New Year Celebration is the most important celebration of the year. Chinese people may celebrate the Chinese New Year in slightly different ways but their wishes are almost the same; they want their family members and friends to be healthy and lucky during next year. Chinese New Year Celebration usually lasts for 15 days. Celebratory activities include Chinese New Feast, firecrackers, giving lucky money to children, the New Year bell ringing and Chinese New Year Greetings. Most of Chinese people will stop the celebrating in their home on the 7th day of New Year because the national holiday usually ends around that day, however celebrations in public areas can last until the 15th day of New Year. It is the money given to kids from their parents and grandparents as New Year gift. The money is believed to bring good luck, ward off monsters; hence the name \"lucky money\". Parents and grandparents first put money in small, especially-made red envelopes and give the red envelopes to their kids after the New Year's Feast or when they come to visit them on the New Year. They choose to put the money in red envelopes because Chinese people think red is a lucky color. They want to give their children both lucky money and lucky color. \n Question: What can we learn from the Paragragh 1? \n Options: (A) Chinese New Year Celebration is one of the most important celebrations in China (B) Chinese New Year Celebration can bring luck to them during the next year (C) Some different celebrations still exist (D) Kids can get their lucky money during the Chinese New Year Celebration", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}220{"query": "Article: There are a growing number of pet owners who feed their pets on raw, which means, \"uncooked\" meat and bones.  William Burk, a pet food specialist from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), believes that feeding raw meat to pets is against its goal of protecting the public from health dangers, and that raw meat and bones do not have all the required nutrition that a pet needs every day. Recognizing how popular these foods are, the FDA has provided guidelines for producers of pet foods which contain uncooked meat for dogs, cats and other pets. The guidelines give rules to protect pet owners and pets from dangers about food safety and lack of nutrition. Pet owners who feed raw meat and bones to their pets should deal with these products very carefully to protect themselves against possible dangers, says Burk.  Just as when you are preparing foods for human beings, use hot water and soap to wash your hands, containers, and surfaces that come into contact with the food. Don't put your hands near your mouth until you have washed them, and don't allow your pet to touch your face right after it has eaten raw meat. \"If pet owners choose to feed bones to their pets, they should watch their pets carefully when they are eating bones,\" Burk says. \"If a pet eats a big piece of bone that won't pass through its digestive system , it is likely to kill the pet.\" \n Question: The FDA has provided guidelines for producers of pet foods with raw meat because   _  . \n Options: (A) pet safety is a serious problem (B) most pets are lack of nutrition (C) feeding pets on raw is popular (D) the quality of pet foods is dropping", "pos": "Article: Pets are popular. They're good listeners, they encourage us to exercise, and they're always on our side when we argue with others. They can bring people comfort and pleasure. But it is important to keep in mind that pets can carry diseases that can make you sick. Washing your hands often -- especially after you touch, feed, or clean up a pet -- is the best way to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of disease. Be sure to clean your fingernails carefully every time you wash. You also can protect your health by wearing gloves while cleaning animal cages or cat litter boxes. Avoid washing your pet in the bathtub , but if you do, always disinfect  the tub immediately afterward. Be sure to bring your pet to the hospital for examinations every two weeks or month and whenever your pet is sick or injured. You can do a few other things to keep yourself and your pet healthy. Only give your pet food that has been planned ahead for them. It's not a good idea to share your food with your pet. Human food (like chocolate) can make animals sick. Never feed your pet raw  meat because it can carry germs  that cause serious illness. And funny as it can be to see your dog or cat drinking from the toilet, don't let pets do this. It's bad for your pet's health! Give them clean, fresh water to drink at all times. Never give milk to cats. The only milk an animal should drink is from its mother. Cow's milk is not for pets, especially for cats, as _ makes them sick. Finally, some animals aren't pets. Don't take in a wild or abandoned  animal as a pet because it may have diseases that could make you or your family sick. Instead, turn to an animal rescue group that is trained in helping sick or abandoned animals. \n Question: To keep healthy, the author may be against   _  . \n Options: (A) washing your fingernails after touching your pet (B) wearing gloves when cleaning your pet's cage (C) washing your pet in the bathtub (D) bringing your pet for examinations regularly", "neg": "Article: For pet owners, the hundreds of pet food recalls taking place each year has raised a lot of alarm. \"Most people are caring pet owners, and they want to do what helps protect their pet,\" explains Will Post, founder and CEO, Hound & Gatos Pet Foods Corporation. \"Yet the problem is that most are not sure what that means and how to go about it. The more they learn about pet food, the better able they will be to make an informed decision that will keep their pet healthier and safer.\" Here are several tips that consumers may want to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a pet food that will help reduce the risks. Get to know the company. Most people may know a company name simply because they spend millions on advertising. But that doesn't mean they know much about the company or their morals. Research companies to find one that offers high standards, quality products, and great customer service. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to get in touch with a pet food company and ask them where something was made, where ingredients  came from, or any other questions. They should have no problem answering questions about their products, or with being able to provide proof of their quality standards. Read reviews. Do some searches to read some reviews about various brands of pet food. Keep in mind that some reviews can be one-sided and even planted by the company itself, so look for fair third-party sources giving the review. Investigate  ingredients. The source of ingredients is of major concern when it comes to reducing the risks of pet food recalls and keeping pets healthy. Read the labels and ask questions to determine where the ingredients are coming from. Understand pet foods. Cat and dog food should contain 100 percent protein, which will supply them with the nutrients their bodies require. The problem with many commercial pet foods is that it is full of numerous fillers, such as cheap fillers and grains. \n Question: How can people provide a safer and healthier environment for their pet? \n Options: (A) By giving more food to their pet. (B) By getting a better understanding about pet food. (C) By accompanying their pet more. (D) By knowing more about their pet.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}221{"query": "Article: Even if  you are a good high-jumper, you can jump only about seven feet off the ground. You cannot jump any higher because the earth pulls you hard. The pull of the earth is called gravity.    You can easily find out the pull of the earth. If you weigh yourself, you will know how much gravity is pulling you.     Since there is gravity, water runs down hill. When you throw a ball into the air, it falls back down. Because of gravity, you do not fall off the earth as it whirls   around.     Then, can we get away from the earth and go far out into space? Now you can do it, because spaceships have been invented. Then spaceship will go so fast that it can escape   the earth's gravity and carry you into space. \n Question: In this passage, the word \"gravity\" means  _  . \n Options: (A) the pull of everything. (B) the force of attraction  among objects. (C) the force which attracts objects towards the centre of the earth (D) the force which attracts the earth towards the sun.", "pos": "Article: The US space agency NASA is looking for people to go to Mars, and stay there. This attractive career is for people who want a huge change of scenery and planet. The project is called the Hundred Years Starship, which aims to colonize   other lands such as the red planet Mars. Settlers would travel to the red planet and live there forever. NASA says it would be too expensive to bring humans back to Earth. The space agency can afford, however, to send supplies to the astronaut pioneers from Earth. Astronauts would be landed on the planet's surface and would never be able to return home due to the cost. NASA has started the project with $1.6 million, and hopes to attract investment from space-living billionaires. Google co-founder Larry Page told NASA he would be interested if the cost of a one-way ticket can go down from $10 billion to $2 billion. The journey to Mars could take 4 months. Setting on the red planet would be extremely dangerous, especially given the freezing temperatures there. The thin atmosphere would be another problem as it is mostly carbon dioxide, so oxygen supplies are a must. A director in NASA said that he believed the trip might start with visiting Mars's moons first. He claimed that humans could be on Mars's moons by 2030. Many scientists think colonizing space is absolutely necessary. Steven Hawking believes we must move to other planets to survive as a species. He said: \"Once we spread out into space and establish independent colonies, our future should be safe.\" Scientists Dirk' Schulze-Makuch and Paul Davies also call it a \"desirable goal\", though there surely are huge risks to explore new lands. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE about the Hundred Years Starship? \n Options: (A) It has cost NASA around $10 billion. (B) It is expected to be conducted on Mars in 2030. (C) It aims to explore new lands in the universe. (D) It is a project first raise by Steven Hawking.", "neg": "Article: The earth is not the only body that travels around the sun. With it are eight other planets, fellow members of the sun's family. Two of them, Mercury   and Venus, are nearer while the other six, namely Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, also in their given order from the sun, are farther from the sun than the earth is. The farther they are, the longer trips they make around the sun. People noticed long ago that these traveling bodies moved around in the sky in definite paths. It is a force called gravity that holds them in their paths. We know that every little bit of matter in the universe pulls upon every other bit of matter. The pull between two bodies is proportional   to the product of their masses. Because the sun is so large the pull between the sun and the planets are thus great. If it were not for this pull, the planets would fly off into space. In the same way there exists a pull between the earth and the moon, which keeps the moon traveling in its orbit around our planet, the earth. Gravity holds you to its surface, and pulls back to it the ball which you throw into the air. Of course the ball also pulls on the larger earth but the earth is so much larger that the pull is not noticed. Now remember that large bodies exert a greater pull than smaller ones which contain less material. But each object in the universe, no matter how small, pulls on all other objects to some degree. \n Question: There are   _   that travel around the sun in the sun's family. \n Options: (A) nine planets (B) eight planets (C) one star and ten planets (D) the earth and the sun", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}222{"query": "Article: Now some women are spending a weekend at Mother's Camp . There, husbands and children are not allowed. Why would a woman want to take a vacation without her family? Some women say they need time to be alone. At Mother's Camp a woman has room to herself. She can sleep, read or watch TV, and no one will bother her. No children will ask,\"Mom, what's for dinner?\" No husband will say, \"Oh, dear, I can't find any clean socks.\"In fact almost 50% of women in the United States work outside the home. Many of them work full-time and then come home to a second job-taking care of their homes and families. These working women say one of their biggest problems is housework. In the United States, working wives do about 75% of the housework. Many of their husbands say they want to help. But then they burn the rice or they can't find the pans. They ask so many questions that their wives decide it is easier to do the job themselves. Some women go to Mother's Camp just to get a break from housework. For two days they don't cook, they don't clean, they don't look after their children and husbands. What do they do? They enjoy warm, sunny weather, walking, swimming or boating in a clear blue lake and sing songs around the campfire. They relax away from home. They have a really wonderful vacation at Mother's Camp. \n Question: From this passage we can see in the United States. \n Options: (A) women want to work outside the home (B) working wives do most of the housework (C) husbands do as much housework as their wives (D) women do not like to stay at home with their families", "pos": "Article: Everyone is busy nowadays.It's hard to find time for anything.From the time we wake up in the morning until the time we go to bed, it's hard to find 30 minutes to simply be by yourself.If you are married with children,  I know you can relate to what I am saying. I would love to have a few days when I come home to an empty house with peace and quiet. There are days when you wish everyone on the other side of the door would simply disappear for about an hour so you can come home and relax without having to start dinner, bathe children, iron clothes for the next day.  In fact, finding time to be by yourself is totally necessary if you wish to live a happy,  and purpose driven life. If there is noise going on around you it's impossible to hear the quiet voice that speaks inside of us--that guides us and gives us direction on which path we should take and that is no good.  Most of the stuff that we need- to get done,  does nothing towards our personal development.If you simply let life direct you,  you will find that there is never time to take simply for yourself. Yes,  you can schedule a vacation every now and then and that is great.  No matter how busy your life may be,  spend time each day by yourself to think and reflect on life and listen to that inner voice.  So by yourself! Go somewhere you won't be disturbed by the children, the  _ , the phone, the television, the radio, or your emails. Go somewhere you can have total peace and quiet.Pick a time that is convenient for you. \n Question: Who does the writer intend to write to? \n Options: (A) Students. (B) Married women. (C) Children. (D) Husbands.", "neg": "Article: Once I complained to my husband that he wasn't helping enough with our daughter, and I gave him a long list of the parenting chores   I was shouldering on my own. \"But you like doing all that stuff,\" he said. I thought about that while reading a new study about the responsibilities of parenting. Researchers asked 191 college professors, both men and women, who had children 2 or younger, the pleasure they experienced from childcare. On 16 out of 25 childcare tasks--like taking a child to the doctor or buying clothes for a child--women reported statistically higher levels of enjoyment than men. The only parenting issue that gave women less pleasure than it gave men was having to manage who does what for the child. On the whole, women's scores were 10 percent higher than men's. Women are also far more likely to take advantage of family-leave benefits to care for children. In the study, all the universities offered paid family leave, and 69 percent of the women took it, while only 12 percent of the men did. In Sweden, where family leave for both parents is particularly generous, men use about 20 percent of the 480-day benefit. Women use nearly all of it. It's difficult to know how cultural and economic pressures or biological functions influence parenting. Plenty of men change diapers  , and studies show that mothers and fathers alike spend more time with children than they used to. Men have more than doubled the time they spend on childcare since 1985. Yet women still spend twice as much time with the kids as men, says the University of Maryland sociologist John Robinson. Notably in the study, the parenting activity that gave men the most pleasure (and women, too) was playing and talking with their kids. But when men were asked to rate how often they actually did those things, their scores were about 10 and 40 percent lower than women's. In the end, perhaps the issue is not that mothers are doing too many childcare tasks--my husband was right when he said I liked being a mother--but that men, for all their progress as fathers, are still missing out. \n Question: The author mentioned the disagreement with her husband to_. \n Options: (A) complain about his husband's irresponsibility (B) show the difference between men and women (C) bring up the topic of responsibility of parenting (D) describe the unpleasant experience of childcare", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}223{"query": "Article: There are millions of used cell phones in the world today. Most of them just lay in our houses without any purpose. Every day dozens of new cell phone models appear. Today, you can find what was regarded as a fantasy yesterday in store and you will buy it tomorrow. But what to do with the old phones, which work well enough and not so old?     Just get some money! Simply Sellular is buying almost all models of cell phones: LG, Motorola, Siemens, Samsung, Sanyo, Nokia and many other cell phones. Also they accept phones produced in every country, and in every condition. Simply Sellular can offer a good price for your old cell phone in cash. Their mission is giving you a simple way to get money for an old phone, as simple and profitable, as possible. Also they offer a trade-in scheme  to get another model instead of your phone, providing a good service after the sale.     Also Simply Sellular works with the so-called 911 cell phone program. So you can donate  your cell phone to them to help some people who need it. They know what to do with your old phone ! You can be interested in their recycling programs, where every used cell phone could be easily recycled for a few times.Simply Sellular donates some phones, which are good for refurbish  , to people who need it, for example women or military personnel. If the refurbish is impossible they just recycle cell phones.      Just think a minute: it's a good deal to get some money for your old cell phone, a good deal to help somebody with your phone and really important to recycle all techniques after use. Working with Simply Sellular you get every possibility  ly free. And they will pay you! That's a really good deal! \n Question: When you want a new cell phone, you are advised to    _  . \n Options: (A) keep the old one in house (B) throw the old one into the dustbin to protect your health (C) return the old one to the producer to get some money (D) sell the old one to Simply Selluar on a reasonable price", "pos": "Article: Mobile phones are the latest craze of many people from different parts of the world. Whenever there is a latest phone model being produced by companies such as Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony, etc., the public is all eyes and all ears on what consist of the latest product that is in the market. The public wants to check every detail to find reasons why to buy them.  How to choose the best Phone Comparison? There are some categories to consider. Specifications are very important, but if you are not the techie type of person, you can just check on some categories. One of them is the design. Most mobile phones have a set of colours available for different types of customers to choose from. The most popular colours are black and white, and these colours show elegance and sophistication to the users. The shapes of the phones also contribute a lot to the design, and a lot of people prefer the shapes of Samsung and LG phones nowadays. Another important feature to consider is the value of the phone. If its price in the market is quite high compared to other phones, then you have to expect better specifications on them. If the specifications don't have much difference with those of the others, then you can weigh the value of the item. Furthermore, customers need to check the battery life of the mobile phone they intend to buy. For people who always travel or out of their house most of the time, they need to select a phone that has a longer battery life. This information can be found as well on the specifications of the phone. You need to check on how long you can use your phone for a day so that you won't need to charge it every now and then and so that you can save electricity as well. \n Question: In what aspect are Samsung phones preferable, compared with Apple phones? \n Options: (A) Size. (B) Colour. (C) Weight. (D) Shape.", "neg": "Article: In the United States alone,over 100 million cell-phones are thrown away each year.Cell-phones are part of a growing mountain of electronic waste like computers and personal digital assistants.The electronic waste stream is increasing three times taster than traditional garbage as a whole. Electronic devices contain valuable metals such as gold and silver.A Swiss study reported that while the weight of electronic goods represented by precious metals was relatively small in comparison to total waste,the concentration of gold and other precious metals was higher in So-called e-waste than in naturally occurring minerals. Electronic wastes also contain many poisonous metals.Even when the machines are recycled and the harmful metals removed,the recycling process often is carried out in poor countries,in practically uncontrolled ways which allow many poisonous substances to escape into the environment. Creating products out of raw materials creates much more waste material,up to 100 times more,than the material contained in the finished products.Consider again the cell-phone,and imagine the mines that produced those metals,the factories needed to make the box and packaging it came in.Many wastes produced in the producing process are harmful as well. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency notes that most waste is dangerous in that\"the production, distribution,and use of products-as well as management of the resulting waste-all result in greenhouse gas release.\" Individuals can reduce their contribution by creating less waste at the start-for instance,buying reusable products and recycling. In many countries the concept of extended producer responsibility is being considered or has been put in place as an incentive for reducing waste.If producers are required to take back packaging they use to sell their products,would they reduce the packaging in the first place? Governments' incentive to require producers to take responsibility for the packaging they produce is usually based on money.Why,they ask,should cities or towns be responsible for paying to deal with the bubble wrap that encased your television? From the governments' point of view,a primary goal of laws requiring extended producer responsibility is to transfer both the costs and the physical responsibility of waste management from the government and tax-payers back to the producers. \n Question: By mentioning the Swiss study,the author intends to tell us that  _  . \n Options: (A) the weight of e-goods is rather small (B) natural minerals contain more precious metals (C) E-waste deserves to be made good use of (D) the percentage of precious metals is heavy in e-waste", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}224{"query": "Article: It's 5pm on a Friday and I'm standing in a coffee shop above Shibuya crossing - one of the most busiest place in Japan where more than a thousand of Tokyo's smartly dressed people gather at eight points, ready to cross - then rush straight for each other. It looks like they must bump into each other, but It's amazing that they all manage to reach the other side safely. But the real reason I'm here is that I want to see people crash. I want businessmen to knock into each other, their umbrellas flying off their arms, and uniformed schoolchildren hitting grannies. Why may I see this now, but wouldn't have had the chance even a year ago? It's very simple - smartphones. Smartphone use is booming in Japan. In 2012, only about a quarter of Japanese used them, most being perfectly happy with their everyday mobiles. But now more than half of all Japanese now own a smartphone and the number is rising fast. But with that rise has grown another phenomenon - the smartphone walk. Those people who're staring at a phone screen adopt this kind of pace- their head down, arms outreached, looking like zombies trying to find human prey . Surprisingly, an American named Michael Cucek who has lived here for more than 20 years told me smartphone walk probably wouldn't be a long-term problem. Japanese phone manner is in fact better than anywhere else in the world - hardly anyone speaks on their phones on trains, and teenagers wouldn't dare broadcast music out of one. If things got truly bad at Shibuya, the police would just start shouting at people to look up. But really, is the smartphone walk such an annoying problem? There's only one way to find out. So I leave the coffee shop, head down to the crossing and start typing an email, promising myself I won't look up until I get to the other side. When they start walking past me, it's my time to cross. As I step forward, the experience quickly becomes nervous - legs jump in and out of my vision without warning, while shopping bags fly towards my face before being pulled away at the last moment. I'm sure I'm going to get hit, but after a few seconds I relax. It's OK. Everyone's reacting for me. I expect to see two smartphone walkers just like me. But instead I find a young couple, very much in love and very much refusing to let each other's hands go just to give way to a fool on his smartphone. The girl gives me such a look of dislike that I quickly apologize and rush round them. That look was enough to ensure I'll never be smartphone walking again. \n Question: Why does the author stand in a coffee shop above Shibuya crossing? \n Options: (A) Because he is waiting for somebody. (B) Because he can have a good view from there. (C) Because he wants to see what would happen because of smartphones. (D) Because it's interesting to see businessmen's umbrellas flying off their arms", "pos": "Article: SAN FRANCISCO--A phone app in San Francisco gives information about open parking spots.City officials in San Francisco introduced the app to try to reduce traffic jams in the city, but some say it raises safety concerns. In this city, drivers searching for parking spots lead to 30 percent of all downtown jams, city officials think.Now San Francisco has found a solution -- a phone app for spot-seekers that shows information about areas with available spaces.The system, introduced last month, relies on wireless sensors fixed in streets and city garages that can tell within seconds if a spot has opened up. But the system could come with serious consequences.Some people say that drivers searching for parking could end up focusing on their phones, not the road.\"It could be really distracting ,\" said Daniel Simons, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois. City officials admitted the hidden problem.They are urging drivers to pull over before they use the city's iPhone app, or to do so before they leave home. Nathaniel Ford, executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said safety could actually improve if drivers quickly found a spot instead of circling and getting frustrated. San Francisco has put sensors into 7,000 parking spots and 12,250 spots in city garages.If spaces in an area open up, the sensors communicate wirelessly with computers that in turn make the information available to app users within a minute, said Mr. Ford, of the transportation agency.On the app, a map shows which blocks have lots of places(blue)and which are full(red). More than 12,000 people have downloaded San Francisco's app, which is available now only for the iPhone. \n Question: What is the phone app mentioned in the text mainly aimed at? \n Options: (A) Benefiting iPhone users. (B) Preventing traffic accidents. (C) Making the traffic flow smoothly. (D) Making full use of the parking spots.", "neg": "Article: Texting pedestrians aren' t just an annoyance to their fellow walkers, but something dangerous to themselves. \"I was checking emails while walking to work this morning,\" said Wolbert van den Hoorn. \"But it has a serious influence on the safety of people who type or read text while walking. \" Anecdotes back him up. A tourist from Taiwan walked off a port near Melbourne last month while checking Facebook-bringing an abrupt, and icy end to a penguin-watching visit. Another shopper in the U.S. was too addicted to his mobile phone to notice the fountain ahead, walking straight into it. And as mobile-phone use has grown-to about 77% of the world's population, the study says-so has the number of phone-related accidents. The number of U. S. emergency-room visits linked to phone use on the move doubled to as many as l,500 between 2005 and 2010, an Ohio State University study recently showed. Authorities world-wide have taken note. Signs on Hong Kong's subway system advise passengers in three languages to keep their eyes off their phones. Police and transport authorities have also warned the danger in Singapore, where the Straits Times newspaper ranked it as \"No.2 Bad Habit\", due to the rising number of road deaths. Some U.S. states, including New York and Arkansas, are even considering bans on this act. The Australian study used 26 volunteers, a third of whom admitted having hit objects while texting. They were fitted with different equipment in different parts of their body, and asked to walk 8.5 meters three times-once without a phone, once while reading a text and once while writing a text-while eight cameras captured the action. Volunteers using the phone walked slower and with shorter steps (and slowest of all when typing), and, more seriously, they locked their arms and elbows in-like \"robots\", in the researchers' words. That forced their heads to move more, throwing them off balance. \"In a pedestrian environment, inability to maintain a straight path would be likely to increase potential for hits, falls and traffic accidents,\" said Mr. van den Hoorn. \"The best thing to do is to step aside and stop, or keep off the phone.\" \n Question: Which of the following about \"Texting pedestrians\" is WRONG? \n Options: (A) People who type while walking. (B) People who phone while walking. (C) People who text while walking. (D) People who read text message while walking.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}225{"query": "Article: They can be seen more frequently than ever before on college campuses, wearing thick-rimmed glasses while listening to indie  music. One might find them playing unusual musical instruments, shopping at second-hand stores or expressing themselves in other unique ways. They call themselves hipsters. Being \"hip\" used to mean following the latest fashion. But gradually the word has evolved into a synonym for \"cool\". Hipsters value independent thinking, progressive politics, an appreciation of creativity and intelligence. Hipsters take pains and pride in not being mainstream. However, their culture has become quite trendy. This irony is central to their culture and offers an interesting paradox. \"I do take things in the mainstream with a grain of salt,\" says Ben Polson, a college student at Brown University in the US. Polson describes himself as a hipster and says he often questions what determines popularity, especially regarding music.When lesser-known bands become popular they often lose their former fan base in exchange for a new one. There is a famous hipster saying that goes: I used to like that band before it got popular. According to Polson, bands' music changes when they go mainstream. They become \"less experimental, doing things just to save popularity and fans. The original elements that we were drawn to slowly _ for the sake of popularity.\" Many young adults have started to view hipsters' outlook as cool and are adopting their counterculture mindset  themselves. This has led to specialized brands, stores and music for the hipster position. Ironically, some such stores, including clothing labels Urban Outfitters and American Apparel, have gained mainstream popularity. This has seemingly diluted  the anti-mainstream culture. \"A lot of people that are self-defined hipsters aren't really hipsters, they're just trying to conform to the non-conformist  to seem cooler,\" says Amanda Leopold, a college student from Oberlin College, US. Although Leopold has many unconventional tastes and seems quite individualist, she refuses to classify herself as a hipster. There is a conflict among hipsters about the very definition of the label. To some, to be a hipster is to be free from cultural constraints. To others, it means wearing a certain style and listening to a specific style of music. The former constantly strives for uniqueness, while the latter strives not to be mainstream. And yet, the movement is gaining mainstream popularity. \"It's kind of the trend these days; _ \" says Leopold. \"There have been hipsters since the seventies. It's only become popular recently.\" Hipsters reject materialism and laugh at mainstream culture. But are they really beyond material comforts? Do they have any ideas of their own if they despise mainstream so much? Christy Wampole, an associate professor of literature at Princeton University, US, is not so sure. She says the hipster is a contradiction in himself and an easy target of mockery . Writing in The New York Times, Wampole paints a less appreciative picture of a typical hipster. \"The hipster is a scholar of social forms, a student of cool. He studies continuously, searching for what has yet to be found by the mainstream. He is a walking citation ; his clothes refer to much more than themselves. He tries to negotiate the age-old problem of individuality, not with concepts, but with material things.\" \n Question: From the passage we can know that hipsters are   _  . \n Options: (A) a group of people who are self-denied (B) a group of students who are good at musical instruments (C) people who follow the latest trends and fashions (D) people who pay no attention to material things", "pos": "Article: This may be music to your ears. Researchers P. Jason Rentfrow and Samuel Gosling gave 3,500 people a personality quiz. Then they asked them to name their favorite kind of music. \"We found that the musical style people like are closely linked to their personalities,\" Gosling says. RAP/HIP-HOP Known for their quick speech, some rappers can say more than 700 syllables   a minute! If you like rap/hip-hop, you are energetic and have a way with words. _ , whether it's new moves on the dance floor or your hip style. CLASSLCAL In the 18thcentury, classical musicians were like rock stars. Beethoven and Mozart, for example, played in packed concert halls. If you like classical, you are open to new ideas and like debating with friends. Creative and imaginative, you can easily spend many hours scrapbooking, writing or painting. COUNTRY Country music came from the folk songs of English, Scottish, and Irish settlers of the southeastern United States. If you like country, you express your opinions well, which makes you the ideal class president or team captain. Traditional and loyal, you enjoy spending time with your family. POP Pop music is designed to appeal to   almost everyone, and it does. Each year, the industry brings in about 30 billion dollars! If you like pop, you are attractive to your friends. You can make big things happen, like planning for a huge party or inspiring your team to victory. ROCK In the 1950s, rock music created a brand-new culture. Teenagers, for the first time, had an identity separate from adults and children. If you like rock, you are a risk-taker who never accepts no for an answer. You rise to any challenge, like doing very well in a big exam or landing the lead in the school play. If these personality profiles don't match you, that's OK. These are just for fun. \n Question: If you like pop music,  _  . \n Options: (A) you are traditional and prefer to stay with your family (B) you are easy to accept new ideas (C) you are welcome and your friends all like to be with you (D) you have a quick speech and can say 30 words in a minute", "neg": "Article: Western teens share their top tunes Have you ever wondered what kind of music kids across the Pacific Ocean are listening to? Are they crazy about Britney Spears? Do they love the Backstreet Boys? Or do they dance to Eminem? Well, nearly 6,000 teens have taken part in a Teens & Music study, conducted by USA Weekend Magazine last autumn. And the results show what type of music is hot and what is not. It comes as no surprise that hip-hop   and rap   are the most popular types of music among American teenagers. They began in the mid-1970s, with young black kids in New York, taking music onto the streets. Hip-hop and rap are well-known for the breakdancing   that goes with them. The word \"rap\" comes from a 1960s slang   word for conversation. It is a rapid, slangy rhyme   that is spoken rather than sung. Eminem is among the most popular rappers ever to hit the US. His first album \"The Marshall Mathers LP\" topped the American music chart   in May 2000. Although about a third of teens in the US showed their support for him, almost as many said that his music was so offensive that they couldn't listen to it. Compared with Eminem, actor-rapper Will Smith is more of a star for the kids. He was awarded the Wannabe Award, on April 12 at Nickelodeon's 16th Annual Kids' Choice Awards. It is an award given to a celebrity whom kids most want to be. Pop music, such as Brittney Spears and the Backstreet Boys has always suited the tastes of the general public. It continues to enjoy support among teens and is second most popular after rap. Third is rock -- music with exciting dance beats   and simple lyrics that speak loudly of social problems. The melodies   are led by electric guitars. Rock became popular in the US in the early 1950s. American singer Elvis Presley and British group the Beatles became world-famous rock artists. The study also showed that jazz is least loved by American teens. It developed in the latter part of the 19th century from a mixture of African work songs and hymns  . Jazz tends to be the type of music that people enjoy more as they get older. \n Question: Which of the following developed the earliest, according to the text? \n Options: (A) Hip-hop and rap. (B) Breaking dance. (C) Rock. (D) Jazz.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}226{"query": "Article: Some kinds of mental skills naturally decrease as people get older. Yet research seems to show that some training can improve such skills. A recently published study also appears to demonstrate that the good effects of training can last for many years after that training has ended. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland wanted to learn how long memory and thinking skills would last in older people who trained to keep them. The people were part of the ten-year research project. They were taught methods meant to improve their memory, thinking and ability to perform everyday tasks. More than 2,800 volunteered for the study called ACTIVE - short for Advanced (Cognitive) Training for Independent and Vital Elderly. Most studied when they were more than 70 years old. The volunteers took one of several short training classes meant to help them keep their mental abilities. One class trained participants in skills including how to remember word lists. Another group trained in reasoning. A third group received help with speed-of-processing - speed of receiving and understanding information. A fourth group - the control group did not get any training. Earlier results had established that the training helped the participants for up to five years. Now, lead study writer George Rebok says, the research showed most of the training remained effective a full ten years later. Professor Rebok and his team found that the people trained in reasoning and speed-of-processing did better on tests than the control group. \"We are wondering whether those effects which endured over time would still be there ten years following the training, and in fact, that's exactly what we found.\" The effect on memory, however, seemed not to last as long. Still, the old people in any of the three classes generally reported less difficulty in performing daily activities than the control group. The total training time for the older people was between 10 and 15 hours. \n Question: Which statement is true according to the text? \n Options: (A) This kind of training can only have effect on people for a few years. (B) The people were trained during a period of ten years. (C) All the people who were studied were more than 70 years old. (D) The second group were trained how to remember word lists.", "pos": "Article: During the 19th century, scientists found that when certain parts of the brain of a person were hurt, he would lose the power of doing certain things. And so people thought that each part of the brain does a different job. But modern research has discovered that this is not so, for it is not easy to show exactly what each part of the brain does. In the past fifty years there has been a great increase in the amount or research done on the brain. Scientists have found out that the way the brain works is not so simple as people in general may think. Chemists tell us that about 100,000 chemical changes take place in the brain every second. Some recent researches also suggest that we can remember everything that happened to us. We may not be able to think of the things we have heard and seen but it is kept there in the store-house of the human mind. Earlier scientists thought that the power of one's brain got weaker and weaker as one grows older. But it is plenty of exercise, it keeps its power. It is now thought that is not true. As long as the brain is given plenty of exercise, it keeps its power. It has proved that an old person who has always been active in the mind has a quicker mind than a young person who has done physical work without using much of his brain. \n Question: In the last century, scientists found that a person would lose the power to do certain things   _  . \n Options: (A) when he got weaker in health (B) if certain parts of his brain were hurt (C) after he did a quite different job (D) when he grew older", "neg": "Article: As many people hit middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental attention are not what they used to be. We suddenly can't remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old friend's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. It happens to most of us, but is it unavoidable? Scientists are increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It turns that the brain needs exercise in much the same way as our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can improve our basic cognitive  functions. Now, a new San Francisco Web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first \"brain training program\" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental sharpness. Called Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts from Stanford University. Lumosity is far more than an online place to exercise your mental skills. That's because they have combined these exercises with a Web-based program that allows you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills. Apparently it works. One study showed students improved their scores on math tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity for six weeks, greater gains than those made by other students in the same class, who were not training with the Lumosity program. The company says its users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, increased alertness  and awareness, high mood, and better concentration at work or while driving. \n Question: What is the purpose of Lumosity? \n Options: (A) To exercise the brain and muscles. (B) To combine exercises with a web-based program. (C) To improve basic cognitive functions. (D) To improve students' scores on test.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}227{"query": "Article: There is probably no field of human activity in which our values and lifestyles are shown more clearly and strongly than they are in the clothes that we choose to wear.The dress of an individual is a kind of \"sign language\" that communicates a set of information and is usually the basis on which immediate impressions are formed.Traditionally,a concern for clothes was considered to be an affair of females,while men took pride in the fact that they were completely lacking in clothes consciousness . This type of American culture is by degrees changing as man dress takes on greater variety and color.Even as early as 1955,a researcher in Michigan said that _ White collar workers in particular viewed dress as a symbol of ability,which could be used to impress or influence others,especially in the work situation.The white collar worker was described as extremely concerned about the impression his clothing made on his superiors .Although blue collar workers were less aware that they might be judged on the basis of their clothing,they recognized that any difference from the accepted pattern of dress would be made fun of by fellow workers. Since that time,of course,the patterns have changed:the typical office worker may now be wearing the blue shirt,and the laborer a white shirt;but the importance of dress has not become less.Other researchers in recent years have helped to prove its importance in the lives of individuals at various age levels and in different social and economic status groups . \n Question: The passage tells us that   _  . \n Options: (A) our values and lifestyles are in no field of human activity (B) the clothes that we choose to wear have something to do with our values and lifestyles (C) our values and lifestyles are from the sign language (D) the clothes we choose to wear depend on a set of information and immediate impression", "pos": "Article: One's style of the dress reveals the human obsession with both novelty and tradition. People use clothing to declare their membership in a particular social group; however, the rules for what is acceptable dress for that group may change. In affluent societies, this changing of the rules is the driving force behind fashions. By keeping up with fashions, that is, by changing their clothing style frequently but meanwhile, members of a group both satisfy their desire for and obey the rules, thus demonstrating their membership in the group. There are some interesting variations   regarding individual status. Some people, particularly in the West, consider themselves of such high status that they do not need to display it with their clothing. For example, many wealthy people in the entertainment industry appear in very casual clothes, such as the worn jeans and work boots of a manual laborer. However, it is likely that a subtle but important signal, such as an expensive wristwatch, will prevail over the message of the casual dress. Such an inverted  status display is most likely to occur where the person's high status is conveyed in ways other than with clothing, such as having a famous face. \n Question: According to the author, fashions serve all the following purposes EXCEPT \n Options: (A) satisfying an interest in novelty (B) signaling a change in personal beliefs (C) displaying membership in a social group (D) following traditional rules", "neg": "Article: Color is very important in our daily life. It can influence our choice of purchase when we go shopping and can also affect the way we look and feel. A person can be naturally attracted to one particular color1 while finding another color1 repulsive. The influence of color1 on human emotions and feelings is very powerful and designers, advertisers, artists and even doctors use  _ in their professions for different purposes. Every day, without even thinking about it, we use color1 to communicate our feelings. For example, the color1 we choose to wear is one way of expressing ourselves. It says something about the person, how he or she feels, and how he or she wants others to feel about the wearer. In other words, color1 talks. A person who wants to appear stylish and mature will usually wear dark color1s or black. A person who wishes to appear youngish, pure and innocent dresses in white, like the choice of a bride's wedding gown. Also clothed in white are doctors, dentists, nurses and hospital in-patients as the color1 expresses comfort, cleanliness and professionalism. Brown, blue or grey clothes are the usual color1s worn by office workers so as not to draw unnecessary attention to them. They are, in a way, conveying the message that they want to be noticed for their work, not their appearance. People who wear bright, strong color1s like to be attractive and these color1s are particularly popular with actresses, singers and party goers. In the past, common people were not allowed to wear certain color1s. In Thailand, for example, only kings, queens and members of the royal family could wear purple while in ancient China, yellow was the color1 reserved for the emperor and the empress. Nowadays, people can wear whatever color1 they like or as they think appropriate. \n Question: How does color1 affect a product? \n Options: (A) It describes the product. (B) It helps the product designer to express himself. (C) It may put the purchaser in a spending mood. (D) It is able to influence the consumers' choice of purchase.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}228{"query": "Article: Are you having too much salt? You might not think so, but people in China eat on average   about 12 grams of salt each day, that is much higher than the 6 grams suggested by the World Health Organization. You could be eating too much without realizing it, because about 75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as bread, sauces, soups and sausages. What problems can eating too much salt cause? To answer that question, first let's take a look at what salt is. Salt is a chemical compound. It is made of sodium   and chloride  . Salt is used to keep and flavor foods. A small amount of salt is important for good health because our bodies need sodium and chloride to work. But past studies have found that people who eat more salt than they need tend to have high blood pressure. Eating too much salt has also been connected with other conditions, such as heart and kidney   problems. If you want to cut down on salt, the good news is, there are plenty of simple things to do. Here are some tips: *Cut back on high salt foods. Most foods contain some salt. But some foods such as cheese, bacon, pickles  , smoked fish and chips are almost always high in salt because of the way they are made. You can still enjoy them, but try to have these in smaller amounts, or eat them less often. *Choose reduced salt bread and breakfast cereals. Bread and breakfast cereals   are major source of salt in the diet, not that they're necessarily high in salt but because we eat a lot of them. For these foods, there can be a really big difference between different types and brands. So next time you're shopping, take the time to compare the salt levels on a few similar products. And always try to choose the ones lower in salt. *Avoid adding salt to cooking and at table. Instead, you could use herbs and spices   such as garlic   and lemon juice to add flavor to meals. \n Question: Many people in China don't realize they are eating too much salt because   _  . \n Options: (A) salty food tasted better than reduced salt food (B) they do not calculate the amount of salt they eat (C) about 3/4 of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy (D) few people experience problems from eating too much salt", "pos": "Article: Over the years, Americans have become used to salt. Most people have no idea how much salt they consume --on average, about 9 to 12 gram per person per day, according to the American Heart Association. That's twice the amount recommended by the government.  A new study last week showed eating even a little less salt could greatly help the heart. The scientists said the results would be thirteen percent fewer heart attacks, eight percent fewer strokes , four percent fewer deaths and eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease.  Researchers also found that the benefits would be greatest for African Americans and women. As a group, African Americans tend to have higher blood pressure than the general population, and \"many studies suggest that they may be more sensitive to salt,\" says Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, an epidemiologist   at the University of California, San Francisco. Her analysis found that a reduction of 3 gram of salt per day would reduce heart attacks 8% on average; among African Americans, that rate would drop 10%. A similar result was found in women, whose stroke risk dropped 8% with a 3-g reduction in salt intake; in men, the risk fell 5%.  They and public health professionals in the United States are interested in a national campaign to persuade people to eat less salt.  However, other scientists say such a campaign is an experiment with the health of millions of people. Michael Alderman, a high blood pressure expert and professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, says that eating less salt results in lower blood pressure. But he says studies have not clearly shown that lowering salt means fewer heart attacks or strokes. \"Salt has other biological effects. Calling for reductions in the national diet could have good effects, as well as harmful results. There is not enough evidence either way.\" \n Question: The passage is written mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) comment (B) persuade (C) introduce (D) scold", "neg": "Article: Even a small reduction in salt in the diet can be a big help to the heart. A new study used a computer model to predict how just three grams less a day would affect heart disease in the United States. The result: thirteen percent fewer heart attacks. Eight percent fewer strokes. Four percent fewer deaths. Eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease. And two hundred forty billion dollars in health care savings.  Researchers found it could prevent one hundred thousand heart attacks and ninety-two thousand deaths every year. The study is in the New England Journal of Medicine. Kirsten, at the University of California, was the lead author. She says people would not even notice a difference in taste with three grams, or one-half teaspoon, less salt per day. The team also included researchers at Stanford and Columbia University. Each gram of salt contains four hundred milligrams of sodium, which is how foods may list their salt content. The government says the average American man eats ten grams of salt a day. The American Heart Association advises no more than three grams for healthy people. It says salt in the American diet has increased fifty percent since the nineteen seventies, while blood pressures have also risen. Less salt can mean a lower blood pressure. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is leading an effort called the National Salt Reduction Initiative. The idea is to put pressure on food companies and restaurants.  Mayor Bloomberg has already succeeded in other areas, like requiring fast food places in the city to list calorie information. Now a study by the Seattle Children's Research Institute shows how that idea can influence what parents order for their children. Ninety-nine parents of three to six year olds took part. Half had McDonald's menus clearly showing how many calories were in each food. The other half got menus without the calorie information. \n Question: How many heart attacks will occur in the US every year? \n Options: (A) nearly 800,000. (B) 24,000. (C) 100,000. (D) 92,000.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}229{"query": "Article: Do dogs understand us? Be careful what you say around your dog. It might understand more than you think. A _ named Rico recognizes the names of about 200 objects, say researchers in Germany. The dog also appears to be able to learn new words as easily as a 3-year-old child. Its word-learning skills are as good as those of a parrot or _ . In one experiment, the researchers took all 200 items that Rico is supposed to know and divided them into 20 groups of 10 objects. Then the owner told the dog to go and fetch one of the items and bring it back. In four tests, Rico got 37 out of 40 commands right. As the dog couldn't see anyone to get clues, the scientists believe Rico must understand the meanings of certain words. In another experiment, the scientists took one toy that Rico had never seen before and put it in a room with seven toys whose names the dog already knew. The owner then told Rico to fetch the object, using a word the dog had never heard before. The correct object was chosen in seven out of l0 tests, suggesting that the dog had worked out the answer by the process of _ . A month later, Rico remembered half of the new names, which is even more impressive. Rico is thought to be smarter than the average dog. For one thing, Rico is a border collie, a _ known for its mental abilities. In addition, the 9-year-old dog has been trained to fetch toys by their names since the age of nine months. It's hard to know if all dogs understand at least some of the words we say. Even if they do, they can't talk back. Still, it wouldn't hurt to sweet-talk your dog every now and then. You might just get a big, wet kiss in return! \n Question: Both experiments show that_. \n Options: (A) Rico is smart enough to get all commands right (B) Rico can recognize different things including toys (C) Rico has developed the ability of learning mathematics (D) Rico won't forget the names of objects once recognizing them", "pos": "Article: When a rabbit sees something dangerous, it runs away. Its tail moves up and down as it runs. When other rabbits see this tail moving up and down, they run too. They know that there is danger. The rabbit has told them something without making a sound. It has given them a signal . Many other animals use this kind of language. When a bee has found some food, it goes back to its home. It cannot tell the other bees where the food is by speaking to them, but it does a little dance in the air. This tells the bees where the food is. Some animals say things by making sounds. A dog barks, for instance, when a stranger comes near. A cat purrs   when pleased. Some birds make several different sounds, each with its own meaning. But human beings have something that no animal has ---a large number of words which have the meanings of things, actions, feelings or ideas. We are able to give each other information, to tell or inform other people what is in our mind or how we feel. By writing words down we can remind  ourselves of the things that have happened, or send messages to people far away. No animals can do this. No animals have the wonderful power of language. No one knows how man learned to make words. Somehow he learned to make them. As centuries went by, he made more and more new words. This is what we mean by language. People living in different countries made different kinds of words. Today there are about fifteen hundred different languages in the world. A very large English dictionary, for example, _ four or five hundred thousand words. But we don not know all these. The words we know are called vocabulary. We should try to make our vocabulary larger. Read as many books as possible. When we meet a new word, look it up in the dictionary. A dictionary is the most useful book. \n Question: A rabbit moves its tail up and down in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) tell other rabbits where the food is (B) warn other rabbit of danger (C) make itself look strong (D) help itself to run fast", "neg": "Article: Dog owners now have a little help understanding their furry friends . A new device called Bow-Lingual \"translates\" dog barks into English , Korea or Japanese. Bow-Lingual's Japanese inventors spent much time and money analyzing dog barks . They found that dog noises can be broken down into six different emotions : happiness , sadness , frustration , anger , assertion and desire . Part of the Bow-Lingual device hangs on the dog's collar . The other part is a handle-held unit for the owner . When the dogs barks , the unit displays translated phrases . Some people have scoffed at Bow-Lingual. \"Who would pay US$ 120 to read a dog's mind?\" they ask . But those who have purchased Bow-Lingual praise the device . Pet owner Keiko Egawa , of Japan , says it helps her empathize with her dog , Harry . \"Before we go to the park , he always says he wants to play,\" says Egawa , \"and after a walk , he always says he is hungry.\" Bow -Lingual is not yet available in Chinese . So you'd better keep studying Studio Classroom , or soon your dog may know more English than you do ! \n Question: This passage is mainly talking about  _  . \n Options: (A) Bow-Lingual's inventors (B) dog barks and their different emotions (C) talking dogs (D) a little help for dog owners", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}230{"query": "Article: The woman had died when the rescuers found her after the terrible earthquake. She was covered by a destroyed house. Through gaps   of those ruins,the rescuers could see her last posture  . It was something like an ancient person who was kowtowing  ,but it just looked strange because she was out of shape by pressure. The rescuers confirmed her death by touching her through the gaps of the ruins. They shouted at the ruins again and again,knocked the bricks using various tools,but no reply inside. Then the rescuing team went to the next building. Suddenly the leader ran back,calling \"Come here.\" He came to the body,put his hands under the woman,feeling and touching,then shouted loudly and gladly,\"There is someone,a baby,still living.\" Through some efforts,rescuers cleaned up the ruins which blocked her. Under her body lay her baby,who was covered by a small red quilt . He was about 3 or 4 months' old. Since well protected by his mother's body,he was safe. He was in a deep sleep when the rescuer carried him out,and his lovely and peaceful face warmed everyone around him. The doctor,along with the rescuing team,took the baby out of the quilt to check if the baby was all right,and he found there was a mobile phone in the quilt. The doctor looked at the screen;a written message was already there:\"My dear baby,if you could live,don't forget how much I love you.\" As a doctor,he experienced much of this type of separation;but at this moment,he cried. The mobile phone was passed,and every person who saw this message shed  tears. \n Question: When the rescuers found the mom,she    . \n Options: (A) was using her mobile phone to ask for help (B) begged the rescuers to save her baby first (C) was struggling with the pressure (D) didn't have the normal shape", "pos": "Article: The heat was intense as we moved down the long corridor. Not only was it a difficult blaze, but the July heat made things even worse as we struggled to get the best of the flames. As we finally made the turn into the apartment where the fire had started, the words of the young mother outside screamed in my brain, 'Please help! My baby is in there!' We moved into the bedroom and I started looking in the usual spots where a child might seek refuge: under the bed, in the corners. As I groped my way through the thick smoke, I suddenly fell forward, tripping over something on the floor. It was the child. Ripping off my mask to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, I grabbed the child and raced for the stairs. When we reached the waiting Rescue Squad members, I collapsed in a heap in the gutter. The ambulance sped off into the night, its siren wailing. Later that evening, we received word that the child had died in the hospital's emergency room. Another small life lost in the city. Why do little children such as that one have to pay the price for the neglect of others? During my career as a fire fighter, I have seen this happen many times. You would think that we would become hard and callous, but we don't. We mourn each person who dies. What bothers me is that many senseless tragedies could have been prevented. An overwhelming number of deaths in fires can be prevented by just one thing - a smoke detector. It is estimated that fewer than 50 percent of all dwellings in the United States are protected by smoke detectors. Why are so many people ignorant about the need for smoke detectors? Smoke detectors save lives. They are easy to install. Their cost is reasonable, and they offer immediate protection. People must persuade their communities to provide fire education for everyone. The money spent on fire education reaps a reward that cannot be measured. If you do not think so, then consider your reactions if the child I carried out of that flaming apartment had been a member of your own family. You would probably then be willing to do anything at all to undo that tragedy. \n Question: The author's main purpose in the passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) advertise a new brand of smoke detector. (B) persuade readers to become fire fighters. (C) plead for donations from the public. (D) encourage fire safety measures.", "neg": "Article: The light is swaying .The building is shaking. A woman with a baby in her arms is trying to open the door, but fails. Finding no way, she rushes into her bedroom and there they  _ the earthquake. In a factory building, as the workshop floor swings  under the terrible shaking, workers run for safety. Some hide under the machines and survive, but others who try to run outside are killed by the falling ceilings. These scenes, played by actors and actresses, are from a film of science education Making a split second decisionshown in 1998 on China Central TV to mark the  22nd anniversary  of the Tangshan Earthquake on July 28. By studying actual cases in the earthquake areas and scientific experiments, experts  found that building remain untouched for the first 12 seconds of an earthquake. In this short time, one has the best chance of surviving an earthquake by staying near the inside walls, in bedrooms and under beds, experts concluded in the film. \"Earthquake seems to catch the lives of those who run,\"said many survivors in the earthquake areas, describing how their friends were killed on the doorways or along the stair steps as they tried to get out of the building. Their advice was proved in the film,\"Take a hiding-place where you are rather than run, unless you are sure you can reach a safe open place in ten seconds.\" \n Question: The word \"survive\" appears in the passage several times in different forms. It probably means   _  . \n Options: (A) remain alive after (B) be frightened by (C) fight  against (D) try to get out of", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}231{"query": "Article: When we say older people shrink, we don't mean they become tiny enough to fit in your pocket! We just mean that it's common for older people to become a little shorter over time. This kind of shrinking can't be reversed, although people can slow or stop this process. But why does shrinking happen at all? Because of gravity (the force that keeps your feet on the ground) , cushions between the bones in the spine  , get compressed  , which makes a person lose a little height and become shorter. Another reason why some older people shrink is because of osteoporosis  . Osteoporosis occurs when bone is broken down and not enough new bone material is made. Over time, bone is said to be lost because it's not being replaced. Bones become smaller and weaker and can easily break if someone with osteoporosis is injured. Older people--especially women, who generally have smaller and lighter bones to begin with--are more likely to develop osteoporosis. As years go by, a person with osteoporosis can get small breaks in bones that are called compression fractures . These breaks cause collapse of the spine and over time the person with osteoporosis can become hunched over  . Did you know that every day you shrink a little, too? You aren't as tall at the end of the day as you are at the beginning. That's because as the day goes on, water in the disks of the spine gets compressed due to gravity, making you just a tiny bit shorter. Don't worry, though. Once you get a good night's rest, your body recovers, and the next morning, you're standing tall again! Smoking and drinking alcohol can make this problem worse. Want to do something right now to build strong bones? I believe what I will say will help you. \n Question: Which of the following statements is true? \n Options: (A) For shrinking, people can do nothing about it. (B) If someone is injured, he will become shorter. (C) Women have smaller and lighter bones than men. (D) We aren't as tall at the end of the day as we are at the beginning.", "pos": "Article: Although women lead healthier, longer lives, the cruel opinion that they become \"old\" sooner than men is widespread in the workplace , research shows . A survey of more than 2,600 managers and personnel professionals showed that age discrimination is not only common in the workplace , but is shot through with inconsistencies  . Six in ten managers reported being a victim of age discrimination--usually because they were turned down for a job for being too old or too young . Yet more than a fifth admitted that they used ages as an important standard . Although the survey found widespread agreement that older workers were better than younger colleagues when it came to reliability , commitment , loyalty and customer service , these qualities were not necessarily considered to be worthy of advancement . A large number of persons believed that workers between 30 and 39 had the best promotion chances , with only 2 percent giving example of 50 year-olds or above. There was evidence that people were considered old at different ages in different jobs . A young man working in IT said he was considered too old by the age of 28. In fact there was no evidence to suggest that older workers were less valuable to companies than younger workers , in fact the opposite was often true because older workers often brought experience . The findings also suggested that the Government's ideas on age in the workforce may also be out of step with reality. \n Question: Which is the discrimination mentioned in this passage ? \n Options: (A) The healthier women are , the sooner they will lose their job . (B) Society knows women should be respected , but it doesn't offer them any jobs . (C) Female managers respect male workers , but male mangers don't respect female workers . (D) Victims of age discrimination consider age as an important standard .", "neg": "Article: Short people, studies have shown , are more likely to have a stroke , suffer from high blood pressures and heart disease and be bullied in school . Now, researchers report that short people--at least in the past--were also more likely to die at a younger age than their taller peers. Their study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology   and Community Health , found that short bones have something to do with short life for more than 1,000 years. The conclusion was based on 490 sets of adult skeletal  remains from an archaeological  site in northeastern England , YC dating from the 9th century to about 1850 . About 55% of men and 73% of women died before the age of 45, and 39% of men and 56% of women died before age 30. The risk of death before age 30 declined as bone length increased. \"This study provides evidence from an archaeological sample that long bone length is connected with age at death--those with smaller bones tend to die younger,\" according to Dr. D.J. Gunnell of the university of Bristol  in the UK and colleagues . While it is not clear why short stature  might be linked to earlier death , the researchers point out that height is _ of childhood nutrition, which may have long-lasting effect on health . \"Mechanism   for height-mortality  associations in the past may differ from those today , for example , short stature may have increased the risk of death in childbirth and this may explain the higher risk of premature  mortality in women,\" Gunnell and colleagues write . \"However, short bones, it would appear, have always been a marker of a short life,\" the authors conclude. \n Question: The title of the passage should be  _  . \n Options: (A) Short people and their taller peers (B) Men and women (C) Short stature and short life (D) Long life and short life", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}232{"query": "Article: Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships.One strength of the human condition is our tendency to give and receive support from one another under stressful circumstances.Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties.Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily difficulties.People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties.Studies over a range of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people protect themselves from illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely. Social support _ stress in a number of ways.First, friends, relatives and coworkers may let us know that they value us.Our self respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others despite our faults and difficulties.Second, other people often provide us with informational support.They help us to explain and understand our problems and find solutions to them.Third, we typically find social companionship supportive.Engaging in leisure time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distract(...)us from our worries and troubles.Finally, other people may give us important support--financial aid, material resources, and needed services--that reduces stress by helping us solve and deal with our problems. \n Question: Research shows that people's physical and mental health has much to do with  _  . \n Options: (A) the social medical system (B) the amount of support they get from others (C) their strength for dealing with interpersonal ties (D) their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles", "pos": "Article: Sociable   people seem to gain extra rewards from their relationships by feeling less stressed, taking better care of themselves and having less risky lifestyles, they claim.       A review of studies into the impact of relationships on health found that people had a 50% better survival rate if they belonged to a wider social group. Psychologist Holt-Lunstad's team reviewed 148 studies that observed the social activities and health of 308,849 people over an average of 7.5 years.       From these they worked out how death rates varied depending on how sociable a person was. Being lonely and isolated was as bad for a person's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic. It was as harmful as not exercising and twice as bad for the health as being very fat.       Holt-Lunstad said friends and family can improve health in lots of ways, from help in tough times to finding meaning in life. \"When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility to other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks.\"      Holt-Lunstad said there was no clear figure on how many relationships are enough to improve a person's health, but people fared better when they rarely felt lonely and were close to a group of friends, had good family contact and had someone they could rely on and confide in. \n Question: According to the text, which of the following is NOT a benefit of being sociable people? \n Options: (A) Getting better in the state of heath. (B) Losing weight more easily. (C) Taking better care of themselves. (D) Having more safe lifestyles.", "neg": "Article: When we were very small, we realized that having friends was important. The need for friends continued as we grew into our teens. Friends played a big part in the development of our personalities. As adults, it is still important for us to have friends. True friends are people who like us though we make mistakes and who listen to us and tell us the truth. Friends support our decisions and tell us when we're wrong. They laugh with us and share our sadness. They are our partners and share interests with us. They _ us when we are feeling down. They are people with whom we aren't afraid of sharing our secret wishes or what is really on our minds. Friends, you fell safe and warm. At times, they also help with our everyday life, cooking a meal, helping with chores, or giving us a lift when we need. Friends also are there to offer advice, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on.. Friends also help us reduce stress. They not only listen to us when we fell stressed, but also discuss with us how to friends help us forget about problems at work or at home. For a short time, we can lose ourselves in a pleasant activity and perhaps laugh and breathe more easily. \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) How to Reduce Stress (B) How to Make New Friends (C) The Importance of Friends (D) The Qualities of Good Friends", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}233{"query": "Article: John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was starting Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting --7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. \"You'll recognize me,\" she wrote, \"by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel.\" So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen. I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I stared at her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, attractive smile curved her lips. \"Going my way , sailor?\" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment.  \"I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?\" The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. \"I don't know what this is about, son,\" she answered, \"but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!\" It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. \"Tell me whom you love,\" Houssaye wrote, \"And I will tell you who you are. \" \n Question: How did John Blanchard get to know Miss Hollis Maynell? \n Options: (A) They lived in the same city. (B) They were both interested in literature. (C) John knew Hollis's name from a library book. (D) John came across Hollis in a Florida library.", "pos": "Article: When she was a girl of sixteen and before she began to work in the store , Alice had dated a young man. The young man, named Ned Currie, was older than Alice. He was employed on the local newspaper and for a long time he went to see Alice almost every evening. Together the two walked under the trees through the streets of the town and talked of what they would do with their lives. Alice was then a very pretty girl and one night Ned took her into his arms and kissed her. He became excited and said things he did not intend to say and Alice, betrayed by her desire to have something beautiful come into her narrow life, also grew excited. She also talked. The outer crust of her life , all of her natural shyness and reserve, was torn away and she gave herself over to the emotions of love. When,late in the fall,Ned went away to Cleveland to try to get a place on a city newspaper and rise in the world , she wanted to go with him.  _ she told him what was in her mind. \"I will work and you can work,she said. \"I don't want to tie you to a needless expense that will stop you making progress. Don't marry me now. We'll get along without that and we can be together. Even though we live in the same house, no one will say anything. In the city we'll be unknown and people will pay no attention to us.\" Ned was puzzled by his sweetheart's determination and was also deeply touched. He had wanted a girlfriend just to relieve the boredom of his life but had changed his mind. He now wanted to protect her and care for her. \"You don't know what you're talking about,he said sharply; \"I'll let you do no such thing. As soon as I get a good job , I'll come back. For the present you'll have to stay here. It's the only thing we can do. On the evening before he left Winesburg, Ned went to call on Alice. They walked about through the streets for an hour and then went for a drive in the country. The moon came up and they found themselves unable to talk. They stopped at a place where a long meadow ran down to the bank of Wine Creek and there in the dim light he kissed her and promised he would love her forever. When they returned to town, it did not seem to them that anything in the future could blot out  the wonder and beauty of that evening. ''Now we will have to stick to each other; whatever happens, we will have to do that,\" Ned said as he left the girl at her father's door. He did not succeed in getting a place on a Cleveland newspaper and went west to Chicago. For a time he was lonely and wrote to Alice almost every day. Then he was caught up by the life of the city ;he began to make friends and found  new interests in life. In Chicago he boarded at a house where there were several women. One of them attracted his attention and he forgot Alice in Winesburg. At the end of a year he had stopped writing letters, and only once in a long time when he was lonely or when he went into one of the city parks and saw the moon shining on the grass as it had shone that night on the meadow by Wine Creek did he think of her at all. \n Question: Ned wrote to Alice almost every day because he . \n Options: (A) loved her very much (B) hoped she would join him in Chicago (C) did not have anything better to do (D) had a lot of interesting things to tell her", "neg": "Article: John Blanchard was studying the crowd making their way through the station. He was looking for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn' t, the girl with the rose. When reading a book in a Florida library a year before, John became interested not in the contents of the book, but in the notes penciled in the margin  . The handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and beautiful mind. He discovered the former owner' s name in the front of the book: Miss Hollis Maynell. He located her address and wrote a letter introducing himself. The next day he was shipped overseas to serve in the army. During the next year, they grew to know each other through the mail and their friendship developed. John requested a photograph, but she refused, saying if he really cared, it wouldn' t matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return home, their first meeting was suggested--7:00 pm. at the Grand Central Station in New York. She wrote,\" You' ll recognize me by the red rose I wear on my coat. \"So now John was in the station to meet the girl with a rose. As a pretty and slim girl in green came over, John noticed her blue eyes like flowers in spring. He walked directly towards her , entirely forgetting she was not wearing a rose. As John came closer to her, he saw another woman with a red rose stood nearby. Well past 40, this woman had graying hair done under a worn hat. Seeing the girl in green walk quickly away, John felt as if he were split  in two. He desired to follow that girl, but longed for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned and supported him. The woman looked gentle and sensible. John went to her, saying, \"1' m Captain John Blanchard. You must be Miss Maynell. I am glad to meet you here. May I take you to dinner?\" She replied with a smile, I don' t know what this is about. But the lady in green who just went by, begged me to wear this rose on my coat. She said if you asked me out to dinner, l' d tell you she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!\" \n Question: John was eager to know the former owner of the book because_. \n Options: (A) he was very interested in the contents of the book (B) he was impressed by the notes written by the owner (C) the book offered him practical and valuable advice (D) there was address of the former owner in the book", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}234{"query": "Article: My friend Mike was shaking his head in disbelief. \"That young woman who just waited on me,\" he said, pointing to an employee of the fast food restaurant where we were eating, \"had to call someone over to help her count change. The cash register   showed her I needed 99 cents, but she couldn't figure out how to count out the coins.\" I understood Mike's concern. What we have done is to create several generations of individuals most of whom have no idea how to reason; how to do simple math; how to do research; or, finally, how to be creative . The reason for this is our overuse of information technology: video games, television, digital watches, calculators, and computers. Information technology feeds us information without requiring us to think about it and let us perform operations without understanding them.     It is time we took a hard look at an educational system that only teaches our children how to push buttons. Our kids can't tell time if the clock has hands. They can use calculators, but cannot add, subtract , divide, or multiply. Video games have taken the place of active, imaginative play. Although most of them are technically educated, they choose not to read. They are so used to television and movies that they cannot use their imagination to stay interested in a book.          Therefore, we must do something to help our children. If we don't, they will never learn how to solve problems. They will never learn even basic reasoning skills and will certainly not develop creativity. Instead of filling classrooms with electronics, let's concentrate on good old-fashioned literacy -- reading books. Students must see how things work and how processes lead to results, and they must also stretch their imagination. \n Question: What was the employee's problem? \n Options: (A) She couldn't operate the cash register. (B) She forgot to count change. (C) She couldn't solve simple math problems. (D) She was in need of coins for customer.", "pos": "Article: Testing has taken the place of teaching in most public schools. Pretests, drills, tests, and retests. They know that the best way to read a textbook is to look at the questions at the end of the chapter and then read the text quickly for the answers. I believe that my daughter Erica, who gets excellent marks, has never read a chapter of any of her school textbooks all the way through. And teachers are often heard to say proudly and openly that they teach to the test. Teaching to the test is a curious phenomenon . Instead of deciding what skills students ought to learn, helping students learn them, and then using some methods of assessment  to discover whether students have mastered the skills, teachers are encouraged to teach the students in the opposite way. First one looks at a test. Then one chooses the skills needed not to master reading, but to do well in the test. Finally, the test skills are taught. The ability to read or write might suggest the ability to do reasonably well on standardized tests. However, neither reading nor writing develops simply through being taught to take tests. We must be careful to avoid mistaking preparations for a test of a skill with the acquisition of that skill. Too many discussions of basic skills make this misunderstanding because people are tested rather than concerned with the nature and quality of what is taught. Recently, many schools have faced what could be called the crisis of comprehension or, in simple words, the phenomenon of students with grammar skills still being unable to understand what they read. These students are quite good at test taking and filling in workbooks. However, they have little or no experience reading or thinking, and talking about what they read. They know the details but can't see or understand the whole. They are taught to be so concerned with grades that they have no time to think about meaning, and reread things if necessary. \n Question: The author mentions Erica's performance in her study in order to show  _  . \n Options: (A) her cleverness in test taking (B) the good way to take tests (C) the improper way of teaching (D) the best way to read textbooks", "neg": "Article: It seems that people are gradually losing their smartness as smartphones become increasingly important assistants in their lives.  As we rely too much on technology instead of our brains, many people have lost three basic abilities. The first skill many people have lost is remembering phone numbers. Because phone numbers are stored in smartphone contacts, there's now no need to dial a number or look at it again. _  And some people may also have lost their sense of direction because navigation apps can guide people anywhere they want. People get so dependent on them that when they can't use their smartphones, they get lost and anxious. But the worst lost skills may be social ones, meaning that some people are becoming socially inept People often bury themselves in their smartphones. As we're too absent-minded by what's happening in the virtual some of us have lost conversational skills and sometimes can't even distinguish whether a person is happy or not. Last August, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied 51 students aged 11 and 12 who had over five hours' screen time every day. Their task was to tell the emotions of 48 pictures of faces that were happy, sad, angry or scared. The children made an average of 14. 02 mistakes at the  beginning.  But after a five-day camp without electronic products, they made only 9.41 mistakes on average. Luckily, people still have a chance to get these abilities back.  You should try to keep your parents' numbers in mind for emergencies. You should also pay more attention to street signs and stores , which will help you to draw a mind map and stop you from getting lost.  And the easiest solution to social skill loss is to take a break from electronic products. \n Question: The experiment by researchers indicated that  without electronic  products, one could  _  . \n Options: (A) recognize more facial expressions correctly (B) lose the sense of direction frequently (C) tell different emotions immediately (D) more pictures of faces easily", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}235{"query": "Article: Now that America has declared a state of swine flu   public health emergency, you may be asking yourself -- what am Isupposed to do? Here is a list of practical steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself and your family. 1) Know the symptoms-- Here are some of the symptoms that sound like swine flu -- fevers over 100 degrees (37.8degC), body aches, cough, runny nose, and sometimes, nausea   and diarrhea  . It's also useful to know if you might have had an exposure   either by recent travel to Mexico, or to the areas of known cases so far in America -- specific areas of California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas. Or you may have been exposed to a sick person who came from those areas.  2) Don't panic-- If you have symptoms that sound like swine flu, do not rush to hospitals. Not only is this difficult for the healthcare system, it can also be potentially dangerous for everyone. Call your doctor or local public health clinic before going in. 3) Contain the illness-- Hand-washing works. Wash, wash and wash. Invest in some hand sanitizer   for the whole family. Avoid hugs and kisses of well-wishers, and do not share telephone handsets or computers. Be especially careful to always cough into the elbow of your arm (yes! the elbow, not your hand!). Cover your cough and sneeze to protect others.  4) What about a mask?-- The data shows that masks do work --as long asthere is a tight seal   about the mouth and nose.  5) Eat the pork(if you want) -- Swine flu gets its name because pigs can get the infection and spread it to each other -- as well as to humans. This latest virus contains pieces that indicate it evolved   from swine flu virus, and can now spread from person to person. Swine flu is not spread by properly prepared and cooked pork products. So if you want to eat pork, you can. 6) Getting sick? Stay home!-- In our go-go-go culture and these severe economic times, it can be very hard to call a boss and cancel a day's work. Now, however, if you or your loved ones are feeling like there's a flu coming on, stay home. 7) Stockpile?-- Right now, it's too early for any of us to become a Swine Flu Shut-In, but the public health department recommends that each home have two weeks of supplies, in case we must stay home -- either for illness or to help contain transmission. That means two weeks of food for everyone in your home, two weeks of all medications, and, if you're like most people, two weeks of books and DVDs. \n Question: The purpose of the writer is mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) analyze the possible causes of swine flu (B) tell people how to protect themselves from swine flu (C) give people some information about the present situation of swine flu (D) suggest some treatments for swine flu", "pos": "Article: We humans love to scare ourselves. Newspapers and TV news are full of shock-horror stories about the killer flu virus but are there things we can do to cut our risk of catching it? Every year, people in Britain catch the flu virus and some of those who are already ill, or are very young, may die. It is very sad, but modern treatment means that many deaths can be avoided. Experts tell us that the world is another flu epidemic and that the latest bird-flu virus would be the most likely cause. Humans can catch the disease only after closely contacting with a sick bird. However, if someone who had normal flu was to come into contact with bird flu, this could be very dangerous. The bird flu virus could attach itself to the human flu virus, _ and then start to spread from person to person. Coughs and sneezes always have spread diseases, especially colds and flu, and they still do. If bird flu does begin to infect humans, it will spread through coughs and sneezes. If you want to stay free of flu and someone coughs or sneezes at you, what should you do? First, keep your hands away from your face and wash them and your face as soon as you can. If a cough or a sneeze spray misses your face and you accidentally touch a droplet with your hands and then touch your face, the flu or cold bug could creep into your system. \n Question: The chances of most people catching bird flu are very small because   _  . \n Options: (A) they are strong enough to resist the infection (B) only after closely contacting a sick bird can they be infected (C) bird flu does not happen very often in the world (D) only those who are ill can be infected", "neg": "Article: Last March, the H7N9 virus   hit Shanghai, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and so on. It seemed that most people who were infected  with H7N9 had the common flu . Some people suffered from a fever or a cough.    Don't be afraid--it's not easy to be infected with the virus. Here is some advice to help you protect yourself when it comes.  Wash your hands. You need to wash your hands with soap and hot water before you eat, after you use the toilet, and after you touch animals, because your hands may carry viruses.  Cover your nose and mouth. When someone sneezes  or coughs, flu viruses can travel as far as one meter through the air, so you'd better stand a proper distance  while talking to someone who has a cold. And always cover your mouth and nose with a piece of paper when you sneeze or cough, and then clean your hands. Wear a mask . Some doctors say that masks can stop the flu as much as 80%, but if  you don't wash your hands often, it's no use wearing a mask. And it's necessary to wear the mask in the groups of people. Do sports often. Exercises will help make your body strong enough to resist the virus. \n Question: When did the H7N9 virus hit Shanghai? \n Options: (A) In March, 2013. (B) In May, 2013. (C) In March, 2012. (D) In April,2013", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}236{"query": "Article: There's a widespread perception  in the United States that a university degree is the key to success. But a growing number of educators now say there are other possibilities, especially for students who might not succeed at university level. This is not a traditional classroom. At the apprentice program run by the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in the state of Maryland, Travis Strawderman and other students make money while they learn. \"I \\t's completely changed my life around,\" he said. \"I've been able to pay off all my debts. I can say I'm actually responsible enough to have my own family.\" Strawderman's five-year program teaches him technical skills free of charge. He says he considered university, but it didn't interest him. Economics Professor Robert Lerman says Strawderman is not alone. \"A lot of people are bored in high school,\" Lerman stated. \"They leave high school because they are bored. They want to do something besides sitting in a classroom.\" Lerman says the education system in the United States in too focused on pushing students to attend university. \"What we're doing now is we're doing now is we're saying unless you learn in this way you don't really have the chance for a rewarding career,\" he said. But Chad Aldeman, an analyst, says studies show the longer students saty in school the better chance they have at having a high paying and stable career. \"If you only are a high school graduate your wages are going to drop over your lifetime-as opposed to a college degree,\" he said. \"The college degree is really and insurance policey against unemployment and against low wages.\" \n Question: Where does Travis Strawderman learn? \n Options: (A) In a university. (B) In a traditional classroom (C) At an apprentice program. (D) In a high school", "pos": "Article: The case for college has been accepted without question for more than a generation. All high school graduates ought to go, because college will help them earn more money, become \"better\" people, and learn to be more responsible citizens than those who don't go.       But college has never been able to work its magic for everyone. And now that close to half our high school graduates are attending, those who don't fit the pattern are becoming more and more, and more obvious. College graduates are selling shoes and driving taxis; college students get in the way of each other's experiments and write false letters of recommendation in the competition for admission to graduate school. Others find no interest in their studies, and drop out -often encouraged by college administrators. Some observers say the fault is with the young people themselves--they are spoiled and they are expecting too much.       But that is a condemnation of the students as a whole, and does not explain all campus unhappiness. Others blame the state of the world, and they are partly right. We've been told that young people have to go to college because our economy cannot take in an army of untrained 18 year-olds. But disappointed graduates are learning that it can no longer take in an army of trained 22-year-olds, either.       Some adventuresome educators and campus watchers have openly begun to suggest that college may not be the best, the proper, the only place for every young person after the completion of high school.  _ Perhaps college does not make people intelligent(clever), ambitious, happy, liberal, or quick to learn things--maybe it is just the other way round, and intelligent, ambitious, happy, liberal, quick-learning people are only the ones who have been attracted to college in the first place. And perhaps all those successful college graduates would have been successful whether they had gone to college or not. This is heresy   to those of us who have been brought up to believe that if little schooling is good, more has to be much better. But opposite evidence is beginning to mount up. \n Question: According to the passage all of the following statements are true EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) about half of the high school graduates continue their studies at school (B) college graduates are believed to be able to earn more money (C) administrators often encourage college students to drop out (D) more and more young people are found unfit for college.", "neg": "Article: Is it worth it to go to college? This has been questioned a lot recently in America. According to a new survey released by the Pew Research Center, only 40 percent of Americans felt that colleges provided a good value for the cost. At the same time, 86 percent of college graduates still felt it was good for them. There are a number of reasons for such dissatisfaction with college. First, there are plenty of problems with higher education -- poor quality and out-of-control costs are two of the biggest. Second, it is true that college is not for everyone. Plenty of rewarding and important careers do not require college. And due to the slow economy, there may in fact be more graduates than the current job market needs. Besides, anti-college feelings are nothing new. Today, Microsoft's Bill Gates or Apple's Steve Jobs -- both college dropouts -- is often held up as evidence of why all that time sitting in class is better spent elsewhere. However, getting a college education is still a good idea. College graduates earn more, and are more likely to have a job in the first place. According to the statistics last year, the average weekly earnings for someone with some college education but no degrees were $712, compared to $1,038 for a college graduate. That is almost $17,000 over the course of a year and there is an even bigger divide for those with less education. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate was 9.2 percent for those with only some college education and more than 10 percent for those with just a middle school degree, but it was 5.4 percent for college graduates. The economic gaps between college completers and those with less education are getting larger. Although most Americans surveyed by Pew feel doubtful about the value of a college degree, an overwhelming majority of parents Pew surveyed still expect their children to go to college. \"It can be inferred that the increased doubt has not significantly influenced decision making.\" Pew's Taylor says, \"Despite the concern about rising costs and other problems, college remains a universal desire in this country.\" \n Question: Recently many Americans question   _  . \n Options: (A) the value of receiving college education (B) the ability of college graduates (C) the quality of college education (D) the high cost of a college degree", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}237{"query": "Article: In 2005,the American artist Richard Prince's photograph of a photograph,Untitled(Cowboy),was sold for $1 248 000. Prince is certainly not the only contemporary artist to have worked with so-called \"found photographs\"--a loose term given to everything from discarded prints discovered in a junk shop to old advertisements or amateur photographs from a stranger's family album.The German artist Joachim Schmid,who believes \"basically everything is worth looking at\",has gathered discarded photographs,postcards and newspaper images since 1982.In his on-going project,Archiv,he groups photographs of family life according to themes:people with dogs;teams;new cars;dinner with the family;and so on. Like Schmid,the editors of several self-published art magazines also champion found photographs.One of them,called simply Found,was born one snowy night in Chicago,when Davy Rothbard returned to his car to find under his wiper an angry note intended for someone else:\"Why's your car HERE at HER place?\"The note became the starting point for Rothbard's addictive publication,which features found photographs sent in by readers,such as a poster discovered in your drawer. The whole found-photograph phenomenon has raised some questions.Perhaps one of the most difficult is:can these images really be considered as art?And,if so,whose art?Yet found photographs produced by artists,such as Richard Prince,may raise endless possibilities.What was the cowboy in Prince's Untitled doing?Was he riding his horse hurriedly to meet someone?Or how did Prince create this photograph?It's anyone's guess.In addition,as we imagine the back-story to the people in the found photographs artists,like Schmid,have collated ,we also turn toward our own photographic albums.Why is memory so important to us?Why do we all seek to freeze in time the faces of our children,our parents,our lovers,and ourselves?Will they mean anything to anyone after we've gone? In the absence of established facts,the vast collections of found photographs give our minds an opportunity to wander freely.That,above all,is why they are so fascinating. \n Question: According to the passage,Joachim Schmid  _  . \n Options: (A) is fond of collecting family life photographs (B) found a complaining note under his car wiper (C) is working for several self-published art magazines (D) wondered at the artistic nature of found photographs", "pos": "Article: Most painters discover a style of painting that is fit for them and stick to that, especially if people admire their pictures. But Picasso, the great Spanish painter, was like a man who had not yet found his own particular style of painting. He kept on struggling to find the perfect expression till his death in 1973. Some of Picasso's painting are rich, soft color1ed and beautiful. Others are ugly and cruel and strange. But such paintings allow us to imagine things for ourselves. They force us to say to ourselves,\"What does he see that makes him paint like that?\" And we begin to look under the surface of the things we see.. Picasso painted thousands of pictures in different styles. Sometimes he painted the natural look of things. Sometimes he seemed to break them apart and throw the pieces in our faces. He showed us what the mind knows as well as what the eyes see. At the age of 90,he remained as curious about the world as he had been when he was young. That is why people have called him \"the youngest painter in the world.\" \n Question: The ugly cruel and strange paintings by Picasso   _  . \n Options: (A) make us try to notice something latent  in the things (B) allow us to ask questions about them (C) force us to question anything we see (D) cause us to think what Picasso saw was different from what we see", "neg": "Article: The small unframed painting called \"Fisherman\" was signed by a little-known Italian artist, Maveleone (1669-1740). When it was sold recently in New York for $ 27000, the seller, Mr. Oliver Pitt, was asked to explain how the picture had come into his possession. Pitt said, \"I didn't know it was so valuable. I'm not an art expert. Photography is my hobby. I bought 'Fisherman' in Italy in 1970 for $140.the picture was dirty, and I couldn't see the artist's signature. But anyway it wasn't the picture that I like. I bought it because of the frame.\" \"It's most unusual frame, made of tiny, silvery sea-shells. They are set in such a way that they reflect perfect light onto the surface of a picture. I now have a photograph of my wife in that frame, and I'll never part with it.\" \"When I returned to New York I showed the painting in its frame to a customs officer. I told him that I had paid $140 for it but admitted I didn't know its actual worth. The customs man valued it at $ 140, and I was asked to pay duty on that value. I did so, there and then.\" \"Later, I took off the frame, and that uncovered Maveleone's signature. My wife suggested in fun that the painting might be a valuable one, so I cleaned it and put it up for sale.\" As a result of his explanation, Oliver Pitt had to appear in court. He was accused of   knowingly making a false statement of the value of a picture so as to cheat the Customs Department. Pitt was not happy. \"I told the truth as I knew it then,\" he said, \"What else could I say?\" And then the judge agreed with him. \"The Customs Department is to be responsible (blame),\" he said, \"for making a true valuation of goods bought into the country, so that the correct amount of duty may be charged. Mr Pitt did not cause or try to cause the mistake that was made. He paid the duty that was demanded. If now, the Customs Department finds that its valuation was not correct, it cannot be allowed to have another try. Pitt is not guilty. \n Question: Pitt met the customs officer    _   , where the officer was employed to    _   . \n Options: (A) at the railway station or airport; examine people's baggage (B) at the airport or port; examine people's baggage (C) at the bus-stop; help people enter the USA (D) at the airport or port; help people enter the USA", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}238{"query": "Article: It was near dusk, and Kim Cooper and her husband, Steve, were trucking through northern Kentucky transportation auto parts from Louisville to Detroit for a goods company. \"Steve, wake up!\" she shouted. \"There's a truck on fire!\" Inside the burning truck, Ronnie Sanders, 38, was fighting for his life. He'd been running a heavy load of tractors and forklifts from Georgia to Indianapolis when a van in front of him stopped suddenly in traffic on the icy road. As Ronnie bore down, he could see children in the backseat. The truck's bulk would probably protect him from the worst of the impact, but the force of 23 tons would likely crush everyone inside the van. \"I figured instead of killing other people, I'd just put the truck in the ditch.\" At the bottom, rocks cut a fuel tank, which caught fire. A tree branch destroyed the windshield and knocked Ronnie unconscious. He came to life a couple of minutes later to find the cabin flames and his legs on fire. Steve dashed to Ronnie, who was hanging headfirst from the passenger door. Ronnie had used his pocket knife to cut himself free from the driver's side seat belt only to get his boot trapped in another one. Steve climbed into the burning cab to free him. He tried three times to pull Ronnie out before finally freeing him. But Ronnie's legs were still burning, so Steve laid him on the ground, ripped off his own shirt, and beat the flames with it. He'd managed to drag him about 20 yards when one of the truck's 150 gallon fuel tanks exploded. Both Steve and Ronnie paid a price for risking their lives for strangers. Ronnie spent two months in the hospital and received skin grafts  on both of his legs. Steve suffered smoke breathing and minor burns, and shrapnel from the fuel tank explosion broke a tooth. In February, the Coopers received a Hero of the Highway award from the Open Road Foundation for rescuing an injured driver. Steve insists Ronnie is the real hero: \"If he hadn't gone into the ditch, he would have hit that van. It was his decision to drive off the road.\" \"I feel pretty good about it,\" says Ronnie. \"A lot of people could have been hurt.\" \n Question: According to the passage, Ronnie put the truck in the ditch because of   _  . \n Options: (A) his concern for his own safety (B) his poor driving skill (C) the icy road (D) his concern for others' lives", "pos": "Article: Trapped on the 37thFloor Melinda Skaar wasn't expecting any phone calls. Skaar was working late in her office at the First Internet bank of California. By 10:45 that night she was almost ready to go home when the phone rang. Picking it up, she heard a guard shouting. There is a fire! Get out of there. Skaar didn't panic. She figured that it was just a small fire. Her office building was huge. There were 62 floors and her desk was on the 37thfloor. Skaar called out to office mate Stephen Oksas, who also stayed late to work. But when they got out to the hallway, they were met by a cloud of black smoke. Rushing back, Skaar shut the door and filled the space at the bottom of the door with her jacket to keep the smoke out. Then they called 911. before they could call their families, however, the line went dead. That meant that they were completely cut off from the outside world. All they could do was wait and hope someone would come to rescue them. Minutes ticked by. Smoke began to float into the office. Soon it became hard for them to breathe. Looking around, Skaar noticed a small workroom. It seemed to have cleaner air. So they crowed there. That helped for a while, but in time even the workroom was filled with deadly smoke. Hopeless, they tried to break the windows, but the glass was not breakable. Everything they threw at just bounced back. Defeated, they struggled back to the workroom. They felt weak and dizzy. Soon Skaar found Oksas had passed out. Skaar and Oksas knew they were lucky to be alive. Sunday is my birthday, Skaar told a reporter. She would be turning 29. but she knew she had already got the best present possible----the gift of life. \n Question: What did Skaar and Oksas do where were stopped by the fire? \n Options: (A) they called their families (B) they waited where they were (C) they tried to run down the stairs (D) they rushed back and shut the door", "neg": "Article: Three Central Texas men were honored with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Director's Award in a Tuesday morning ceremony for their heroism in saving the victims of a fiery two car accident. The accident occurred on March 25 when a vehicle lost control while traveling on a rain-soaked State Highway 6 near Baylor Camp Road. It ran into an oncoming vehicle, leaving the occupants trapped inside as both vehicles burst into flames. Bonge was the first on the scene and heard children screaming. He broke through a back window and pulled Mallory Smith, 10, and her sister, Megan Smith,9,from the wreckage. The girls' mother, Beckie Smith, was not with them at the time of the wreck, as they were traveling with their baby sitter, Lisa Bow bin. Beckie Smith still remembers the sickening feeling she had up on receiving the call informing her of the wreck and the despair as she drove to the scene. Bozeman and Clemmons arrived shortly after Bonge and helped rescue the other victims and attempted to put out the fires. \"I was nervous,\" Bozeman said.\" I don't feel like I'm a hero. I was just doing what anyone should do in that situation. I hope someone would do the same for me.\" Everyone at the accident made it out alive, with the victims suffering from nonlife-threatening injuries. Mallory Smith broke both femurs, and Megan had neck and back injuries. Bowbin is still recovering from a broken pelvis, ankle and foot. The rescuers also were taken to the hospital and treated for cuts and smoke breathing, Bonge said. In addition, Bozeman not to meet accident victim Anthony Rus so in the hospital after the accident, where Russo presented him with a glass frame inscribed with\" Thank you,\" Bozeman said. Those involved in that fateful encounter on Highway 6 credited God blessing for bringing them together. \"Whatever the circumstances, Tuesday's ceremony provided a time to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for the lives of complete strangers,\" Beckie Smith said,\" We're calling it The Miracle on Highway 6.\" \n Question: Which of the following can be used to describe Bozeman? \n Options: (A) Kind. (B) Modest. (C) Excited. (D) Smart.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}239{"query": "Article: Yueyang Tower   lies in the west of Yueyang City, near the Dongting Lake. It was first built for soldiers to rest on and watch out. In the Three Kingdoms Period, Lu Su, General of Wu State, trained his soldiers here. In 716, Kaiyuan of Tang Dynasty, General Zhang Shuo was sent to defend at Yuezhou and he rebuilt it into a tower named South Tower, and then Yueyang Tower. In 1044, Song Dynasty, Teng Zijing was stationed at Baling Jun, the ancient name of Yueyang City. In the second year, he had the Yueyang Tower repaired and had poems by famous poets written on the walls of the tower. Fan Zhongyan, a great artist and poet, was invited to write the well-known poem about Yueyang Tower. In his A Panegyric of the Yueyang Tower (<<>> ), Fan writes: \"Be the first to worry about the troubles across the land, the last to enjoy universal happiness.\" His words have been well-known for thousands of years and made the tower even better known than before. The style of Yueyang Tower is quite special. The main tower is 21.35 meters high with 3 stories, flying eave   and wood construction, the helmet-roof of such a large size is a rarity   among the ancient architectures in China. Entering the tower, you'll see \"Dongting is the water of the world, Yueyang is the tower of the world\". Moving on, there is a platform that once used as the training ground for the navy of Three-Kingdom Period general Lu Su. To its south is the Huaifu Pavilion  in honor of Du Fu. Stepping out of the Xiaoxiang Door, the Xianmei Pavilion and the Sanzui Pavilion can be seen standing on two sides. In the garden to the north of the tower is the tomb of Xiaoqiao, the wife of Zhou Yu. \n Question: The passage mainly tells us   _  . \n Options: (A) the history of Yueyang Tower (B) some information about Yueyang Tower (C) the architecture style of Yueyang Tower (D) Yueyang Tower is a good place to see", "pos": "Article: If we say the four great inventions (Gunpowder,Compass,Paper and Art of Printing) reflected ancient China's scientific achievements,then Zhaozhou Stone Bridge perfectly represented one of the greatest contributions to ancient China's bridge building.Nobody was unfamiliar with the stone bridge full of legends and vivid folk stories. The ancient Zhaozhou stone bridge started to be built in 590 during the Sui Dynasty (581~618) and established in 608.The pioneer for building the bridge was Li Chun who overcame unimaginable difficulties,undergoing all hardships.The location of the bridge is in Zhao County south,Hebei Province.It lay across the Xiaoshui River,far away from the mountains that provided rocky materials.In ancient times,it was such a busy,deep and wide river that could be used as an important carriage to transport heavy rocks and other materials.As we know,no train,no lifting machine could be used to move granite blocks to the construction site.As an intelligent stonemason and engineer,Li Chun worked out his plan and design all from his own direct observation and investigation.It took his whole life-time in completing the great historical project inChina.Nowadays it is not only a historical remarkable model of architecture,but also a brilliant Chinese cultural crystallization  of wisdom. The entire length of the bridge is 50.82 meters with 10 meters width.The whole stone bridge looks like a big bow,the span of which is 37.02 meters,and its height from the top to the surface of water at a regular position is 7.23 meters.The bridge arch seems to be moving smoothly and flatly.The whole arch consists of 28 big granite blocks connected each other tightly together.On both end sides of the general arch there are 4 smaller arches,2 of which on one side,the other 2 on the other side.The smaller arches could be used to decrease the weight of the bridge and save stone materials,and help flood get through easily,which seems to be much prettier.Such a hard-thinking and careful consideration of the engineering article is really a model of design and layout.The span was much wider than the other stone bridge in ancient times all over China. Today Zhaozhou Stone Bridge is one of international cultural relics and perfectly protected and preserved by the concerned administration of China. \n Question: The best title of this passage is   _  . \n Options: (A) Great engineer in ancient China (B) Zhaozhou stone bridge (C) Four great inventions (D) How to build a bridge", "neg": "Article: TANG Dynasty writer Du Mu once wrote in a poem titled Qingming: \"The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day; So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.Where can a wine house be found to drown his sadness ?A cowherd points to Almond Flower (Xing Hua) Village in the distance.\" Qingming, the traditional tomb-sweeping day on the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on April 4 this year. Qingming Jie was proclaimed a Chinese national holiday in 2008. It is a time for remembering loved ones who have departed  . People visit their ancestors' graves to sweep away the dirt and get rid of any weeds. They also leave offerings   of food and flowers, and burn incense   and paper money. Chinese tombs are usually built in the woods or on mountains, far from the city. It is believed that an area that faces south, with many pine trees, is a proper place for a tomb. People believe such a place will make the ancestors happy, and in return, they will look after the living family. Nowadays, more and more residents are choosing environmental-friendly ways to spend the holiday such as flower sacrifices and memorial ceremonies on the Internet or at home. As one of the traditional ways to celebrate Tomb-sweeping Day - burning paper or incense - isn't exactly good for air quality. In contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of Spring on this day. The Qingming Festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. Since ancient times, people have followed the custom of Spring outings. At this time tourists are everywhere. Many people fly kites on Tomb Sweeping Day. They are usually made from a bamboo crossbow with coloured paper. The kite vibrates and buzzes as it rises into the sky, counterbalanced by its tail. Large kites can be as broad as three metres across, with a tail of six to ten metres. Most kites have a rectangular shape, and many have patterns of crabs, centipedes, butterflies, dragonflies, or Chinese characters such as \"good fortune\" or \"long life\". (361words) \n Question: All of the following practices are mentioned on tomb-sweeping day EXCEPT  _   . \n Options: (A) Weeping over the passed-away. (B) Flying kites made from bamboo and paper (C) Sending flowers to their ancestors' graves. (D) Burning incense and paper money for the dead.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}240{"query": "Article: There's a man in the habit of hitting me on the head with an umbrella.At first I couldn't stand it;now I'm used to it.     I don't know his name.I know he's average in appearance,wears a gray suit.and has a common face one hot morning,when 1 was sitting off a tree-shaded bench in Palermo Park,reading the paper,suddenly I felt something touch my head.It was the very same man who now,as I'm writing.keeps striking me with an umbrella.     On that occasion I turned around filled with anger.He just kept on hitting me.I asked him if he was crazy.He didn't even seem to hear me.Thell I threatened to call a policeman.Calmly.cool as a cucumber,he stuck with his task.After a few moments of hesitation,and seeing that he was not about to change his attitude,I stood up and hit him on the nose.The man fell down.But he immediately got back on his feet,obviously with great effort,and without a word again began hitting me on the head with the umbrella.His nose was bleeding and,at that moment.Ifelt sorry for him I felt regret for having hit him so hard.After all,the man wash't exactly hitting me;he was merely tapping me lightly with his umbrella,not causing any pain at all.Of course.those taps were extremely bothersome.As we all know,when a fly lands on your forehead,you don't feel any pain;what you feel is annoyance well then,that umbrella was one huge fly that kept landing on my head time after time.     Convinced that I was dewing with a madman.I tried to escape.But the man followed me,wordlessly continuing to hit me.So I began to run(I should point out that not many people run as fast asI do).He took off after me.trying to land a blow.The man was out of breath so that I thought,if I continued to force him to run at that speed,he would drop dead fight then and there* \n Question: When the man began to strike the author with an umbrella,the author \n Options: (A) became angry (B) called the police (C) turned around and escaped (D) turned around and fought back", "pos": "Article: I was walking along prefix = st1 /Orchard Roadwhen I realized a tall young man wearing a jacket and tie was following me. I noticed him because not many people wear a jacket and tie in the middle of a hot summer day, and I had already seen this man four times that afternoon. To make sure he was following me, I walked on quickly, turned right into a shopping center and then stopped to look in a shop window.  Soon the man appeared and stopped at another shop window. I walked on and stopped several times. When I stopped , he stopped too. I began to be rather worried and decided to try to lose this strange man.  When I saw a taxi coming, I jumped into it. As I was telling the taxi driver where to go, I found the man get into another taxi, which then followed mine. As the two taxies slowly made their way alongOrchard Road, I looked back at the taxi behind, and saw that the stranger was looking out at me. At MRT station, I told the taxi driver to stop and I got out. As I was paying my fare, I saw the man was getting out of his taxi. By now I got angry, so I turned and walked straight to him.  I asked him why he was following me. At first he said he was not following me at all, but when I threatened  to call the police, he admitted he was.  He then told me that he was a journalist(news reporter) and that he was writing an article on how elderly people inSingaporespend their time. He said he was observing me to gather materials for his article. \n Question: What is strange about the man who followed the writer? \n Options: (A) He seemed to be wearing too much. (B) He was out on such a hot day. (C) He walked quickly behind. (D) He was a tall young man.", "neg": "Article: One day, Wilson was walking quietly along the road when someone hit him hard on the back of his neck.He looked behind him, and saw a young man whom he had never seen before. \"How dare you hit me like that?\" shouted Wilson. The young man said he had mistaken Wilson for a friend of his and that he thought Wilson was making a lot of noise about nothing. This insult   made Wilson even angrier, of course, and he at once decided to bring the young man before a judge. Now, the judge, who heard the case, was a friend of the young man's father's, and, although he pretended to be quite fair, he was thinking about what he could do to protect the young man from being punished while at the same time not to be appearing unfair. Finally he said to Wilson, \"I understand your feelings in this matter very well.Would you be satisfied if I let you hit the young man as he hit you?\" Wilson said he would not be.The young man had insulted him and should be _ punished. \"Well, then,\" said the judge to the young man, \"I order you to pay ten coins to Wilson.\" Ten coins was very little for such a crime, but the young man did not have it with him, so the judge allowed him to go and get it. Wilson waited for him to return with the money.He waited an hour, and then two hours, while the judge took care of other business. When it was nearly time for the court to close, Wilson chose a moment when the judge was especially busy, came up quietly and hit him hard on the back of the neck.Then he said to him, \"I am sorry, but I can't wait any longer.When the young man comes back, tell him that I have passed my right to the ten coins on to you.\" \n Question: Why did the young man hit Wilson from behind? \n Options: (A) Wilson had hit him before. (B) He had mistaken Wilson for a friend of his. (C) Wilson was a stranger there. (D) Wilson made a lot of noise when he was walking.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}241{"query": "Article: Now I know that we black people are much more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes  than white people. And _ often lead to heart attacks and other untreated diseases. For example, black people are three to four times more likely than white people to have high blood pressure and twice as likely as the white population to die of a stroke . New research has found out the surprisingly high levels of salt in many of black people's favorite meals. I stopped putting extra salt in my food at the table long ago and I try to cut down on the salt I use in cooking. The recommended daily level of salt for adults is 6 grams. It is easy to see that if you avoid processed  foods and use salt in your cooking within the limit, you won't exceed the daily level. The research showed how much salt there is in some foods that we buy from restaurants and takeaways. An average salad with rice and peas has 6.2 grams of salt. This is more salt than you are supposed to eat for the whole day. A researcher talked about the importance of home cooking rather than take-outs. At home, he pointed out, not only can you hold control of the salt shaker, but also you can create tasty food which is low on salt. The researcher later provided curry goat and rice and peas. They were low on salt, but completely delicious. I do not suppose Jamaicans are going to stop buying takeaways soon. But if you suffer from high blood pressure, it is probably better not to buy them often. \n Question: What would the writer probably suggest black people do? \n Options: (A) Order no salad in a restaurant. (B) Take in no salt for several days. (C) Stop cooking their favorite meals. (D) Eat less takeaways.", "pos": "Article: When it comes to eating out, we can't help thinking of big meals in the restaurants, which usually contain much more fat and less fibers. Whether it is a business meeting over lunch or a fast food meal with the kids, eating out is a part of our lives. We eat out to save a lot of time, like grabbing a bite at fast food restaurants, or we take dining out as a favorite way to relax and socialize with friends. Eating out can be fun but many people still like eating at home more because it is healthier. When my dear wife does not prepare foods for me, I would rather cook some instant noodles and eat at home! However, we go out to eat once in a while for holidays or on special occasions. More and more people want to make healthy food choices nowadays. Some are watching calories, while others want to keep their cholesterol under control or eat less fat. Plan ahead and choose wisely, you will find foods that fit into your meal plan and make eating out both healthy and enjoyable. Here are some pointers  to remember that can help you make wise choices when eating out: go for balance, watch portion sizes and drink water or low-fat milk.Keep the ground rules of good nutrition in mind.Eat a variety of foods in moderate amounts, limit the amount of fat you eat, and watch the amount of salt in food.If you develop the skills to make healthy choices now, your body will thank you later. Eating out can be one of life's great pleasures.Make the right choices, ask for what you need, and balance your meals out with healthy meals at home.You can enjoy yourself and take good care of yourself at the same time. \n Question: From the passage, we can infer that often eating out  _   . \n Options: (A) saves time from cooking (B) maintains good relations with friends (C) contributes to healthy bodies (D) is of disadvantage to health", "neg": "Article: Over the years, Americans have become used to salt. Most people have no idea how much salt they consume --on average, about 9 to 12 gram per person per day, according to the American Heart Association. That's twice the amount recommended by the government.  A new study last week showed eating even a little less salt could greatly help the heart. The scientists said the results would be thirteen percent fewer heart attacks, eight percent fewer strokes , four percent fewer deaths and eleven percent fewer new cases of heart disease.  Researchers also found that the benefits would be greatest for African Americans and women. As a group, African Americans tend to have higher blood pressure than the general population, and \"many studies suggest that they may be more sensitive to salt,\" says Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, an epidemiologist   at the University of California, San Francisco. Her analysis found that a reduction of 3 gram of salt per day would reduce heart attacks 8% on average; among African Americans, that rate would drop 10%. A similar result was found in women, whose stroke risk dropped 8% with a 3-g reduction in salt intake; in men, the risk fell 5%.  They and public health professionals in the United States are interested in a national campaign to persuade people to eat less salt.  However, other scientists say such a campaign is an experiment with the health of millions of people. Michael Alderman, a high blood pressure expert and professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, says that eating less salt results in lower blood pressure. But he says studies have not clearly shown that lowering salt means fewer heart attacks or strokes. \"Salt has other biological effects. Calling for reductions in the national diet could have good effects, as well as harmful results. There is not enough evidence either way.\" \n Question: The passage is written mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) comment (B) persuade (C) introduce (D) scold", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}242{"query": "Article: London Heathrow is the biggest airport in the UK, and it also handles more international passenger traffic than any other airport in the world. For this reason, enlargement was planned and on 27th March a fifth terminal opened to help to deal with the many passengers that pass through the airport. The new terminal has taken a long time to plan and build. The idea was first proposed back in the 1980s. The opening of it has been talked about widely in the media in the UK and expectations were high for the PS4.3 billion project.    However, in spite of long preparations at Terminal 5 ahead of the grand opening, things soon went into a mess. There were problems from the very beginning as staff had difficulties finding car parking spaces and getting through security to get into the building. This consequently caused a delay when passengers started to arrive and large numbers of staff were not in place. Long passenger queues formed and the slow start meant that everyone had to play catch-up from the beginning. Staffs were having problems using the new systems and a baggage operator told the BBC, it was all \"shambles   the moment the doors opened\". The terminal has been designed to handle 12,000 bags an hour but due to a reported \"lack of training and essential support that was promised\", a backlog   of luggage soon appeared.    By lunchtime on that first day, 20 flights had been cancelled to try to alleviate the problems. Flights continued to be cancelled in the days following the opening and up to 28,000 bags have now had to be placed in temporary storage. The British Airline, the only airline operating at Terminal 5 says it is working to clear the backlog, but the negative publicity caused by the shambles has not helped the airport or the airline's reputation at all. \n Question: What was the difficulty that passengers met with on the very first day of the opening? \n Options: (A) It was difficult for them to find the right car parking spaces. (B) It took too long to get through security to get into the building. (C) They were not familiar with the new systems in the building. (D) They had to wait a long time and play catch-up when checking in.", "pos": "Article: London is the capital of the United Kingdom and the largest city in the European Union. It is the world's largest finacial center and one of the most important cultural centers and its influence on politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, and the arts contributes to its status as a major global city. Central London is the headquarters of more than half of the UK's top 100 listed companies(the FTSE 100 ) and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest companies. The city is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. London hosted the 1908 and 1948 Summer Olympic Games and will host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, the historic settlement of Greenwich ;the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew; and the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St.Margaret 's Church.  _ On July 2007, it had an official population of 7,556, 900 within the boundaries of Greater London making _ the most populous municipality in the European Union. Since the 2001 the Greater London Urban Area has been the second largest in the EU after Paris with a population of 8,278,251, and the metropolitan area is estimated to have a total population of between 12 million and 13 million, the largest population area in the EU. The public transport network, administered by Transport for London, is the most intensive in the world. Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic and the air space is the busiest of any city in the world. \n Question: Which statement is True ? \n Options: (A) Central London has 50 of the UK's top 100 listed companies. (B) By the year of 2015, London will host the Summer Olympic Games. (C) Three are 300 languages spoken within the city. (D) The metropolitan area of Paris is the largest one in the EU.", "neg": "Article: Passport Control  If you are arriving at London Heathrow Airport and are not  _ to another flight outsideprefix = st1 /BritainorNorthern Ireland, you must pass through Passport Control and Customs immediately after leaving your plane. If you are not Britain or a citizen of the European Community ,you must fill out a special form before your passport is examined. This form is called a landing card and should be given to you during the flight to London. After landing, follow the ARRIVALS signs. Make sure you are in the right  channel when you reach Passport Control. There is one channel for holders of European Community Passports, and a second channel marked \"Other Passports\". Baggage Reclaim Area  After passing through the Passport Control, follow the signs to the Baggage Reclaim Area. If you have luggage which is carried in the aircraft hold, it will be  delivered to you in the Baggage Reclaim Area. Look for the sign with your flight number. If you have only hand luggage, go directly through the Baggage Reclaim Area to the Customs.Customs All passengers must pass Customs after Passport Control. There is a choice of two channels: Green and Red. If you have nothing to declare, go through the Green Channel. If you are not sure about your Duty Free allowance or if you have something to declare, go through the Red Channel. Information about Duty Free allowance can found on special notice - boards in the Baggage Reclaim Area. You should study this information carefully whether you are going through the Red Channel or not. Please note that if you go through the Green Channel, you may be stopped and asked to open your luggage for inspection. \n Question: All passengers arriving at Heathrow from outside Britain_. \n Options: (A) must go through either Passport Control or Custom (B) must go through Customs, but not Passport Control (C) must go through Passport Control and Customs (D) don't have to be examined", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}243{"query": "Article: Traditionally, women have fallen behind men in adoption of Internet technologies, but a study released yesterday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that women under age 65 now get ahead of men in Internet usage, though only by a few percentage points. But the survey also noted that the  _ between women and men on the Web is even greater among the 18-to-29 age group and African Americans. The report, \"How Women and Men Use the Internet\", examined use by both sexes, looking at what men and women are doing online as well as their rate of adopting new Web-based technologies. The report found that 86 percent of women aged 18 to 29 were online, compared with 80 percent of men in the same age group. Among African Americans, 60 percent of women are online, compared with 50 percent of men. In other age groups, the disparity is only slight, with women outpacing men by 3 percentage points. However, among the older group, those age 65 and older, 34 percent of men are online, compared with 21 percent of women. Men tend (......) to use the Web for information and entertainment, getting sports scores and stock quotes and downloading music, while women tend to be heavier users of mapping and direction services, and communication services such as e-mail. \n Question: Among African Americans,   _  . \n Options: (A) women equal men in the use of the Internet (B) women use the Internet less than men (C) women use the Internet more than men (D) women use the Internet better than men", "pos": "Article: Diamonds are no longer a girl's best friend, according to a new U.S. study that found three of four women would prefer a new plasma TV   to a diamond necklace. The survey, specially by U.S. cable television's Oxygen Net-work that is operated by women found the technology gender   gap has almost closed with most women buying new technology and using it easily. Women were found on average to own 6.6 technology devices while men own 6.9, and four out of every five women felt comfortable using technology with 46 percent doing their own computer trouble--shooting \"People have the thought that women are not as advanced as men when it comes to technology and I was surprised at the equivalence men and women now have in terms of technology,\" Geraldine Laybourne, chairman and chief executive of Oxygen Network said. The Girls Gone Wired survey of 1,400 women and 700 men aged 15 to 49, which was conducted by market researcher TRU, found that given the choice, women would choose tech items rather than luxury items like jewelry or vacations. The study found 77 percent of women surveyed would prefer a new plasma television to a diamond necklace and 56 percent would go for a new plasma TV over a weekend vacation in Florida. Even shoes lost out. The study found 86 percent would prefer a new digital video camera to a pair of designer shoes. The study found over the next five years women see themselves increasing their activities in six tech areas: digital cameras, cell phones, e-mail, camera phones, text-messaging and instant messaging. Laybourne said this increasing use of technology among women was expected to continue. \n Question: The following items can be sorted into a group according to the passage except  _  . \n Options: (A) a diamond necklace (B) a pair of fashionable shoes (C) a fashionable cell phone (D) a gold ring", "neg": "Article: An interesting study posted on Facebook recently shows how men and women develop new interests as they mature . While women tend to take exercise seriously from the age of 34, men will wait until their 45th birthdays before working hard to get in shape. The average woman spends more time talking about sports, politics, career and money as she gets older. Women's interest in books reaches its peak  at the age of 22, while that of men does so when they are in their 50s. Men start to change their focus from the workplace to other things after age 30, while women do not do so until eight years later. Both, however, care most about fashion at age 16. The research used anonymous  data donated by thousands of Facebook users, recording the statuses, 'likes' and 'interests' they had posted on their profiles. It found the average woman talks about television most at 44, while men peak much younger, at age 31. Men are also most likely to see a film in a cinema at age 31, while women go out to see films most when they are only 19. Men are most interested in travel at 29, women at 27, while women talk most about food and drink at 35, and men at 38. And if you are middle aged, a safe topic for any audience is the weather, which is a key interest for many as they approach 60. Stephen Wolfram, the British scientist who carried out the research, says, \"It's almost shocking how much this tells us about the changes of people's typical interests. \"People talk less about video games as they get older, and more about politics.\" \n Question: When do women love books best? \n Options: (A) At the age of 22. (B) At the age of 50. (C) At the age of 30. (D) At the age of 15.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}244{"query": "Article: Cyberspace, the connections between computers in different places, considered as a real place where information, messages and pictures exist, mirrors the real world in many ways. People ask for information, play games, and share hobbies. Others buy and sell products. Still others look for friendship, or even love. Unlike the real world, however, your knowledge about a person is limited to words on a computer screen. Identity and appearance mean very little in cyberspace. Rather, a person's thoughts--or at least the thoughts they type--are what really count. So even the shyest person can become a chat room star. Usually, this \"faceless\" communication doesn't create problems. Identity doesn't really matter when you're in a chat room discussing politics or hobbies. In fact, this emphasis(,) on the ideas themselves makes the Internet a great place for exciting conversation. Where else can so many people come together to chat? But some Internet users want more than just someone to chat with. They're looking for serious love relationships. Is cyberspace a good place to find love? That answer depends on whom you ask. Some of these relationships actually succeed. Others fail miserably. Supporters of online relationships state that the Internet allows couples to get to know each other intellectually first. Personal appearance doesn't get in the way. But critics of online relationships argue that no one can truly know another person in cyberspace. Why? Because the Internet gives users a lot of control over how others view them. Internet users can carefully craft their words to fit whatever image they want to give. And they don't have to worry about what their \"nonverbal\"  communication is doing for their image. In a sense, they're not really themselves. All of this may be fine if the relationship stays in cyberspace. But not knowing a person is a big problem in a love relationship. With so many unknowns, it's easy to let one's imagination \"fill in the blanks.\" This inevitably  leads to disappointment when couples meet in person. How someone imagines an online friend is often quite more different than the real person. So, before looking for love in cyberspace, remember the advice of Internet pioneer Clifford Stoll: \"Life in the real world is far richer than anything you'll find on a computer screen.\" \n Question: According to the passage, chatting in the cyberspace   _  . \n Options: (A) puts emphasis on people's thoughts (B) needs people to be rich in knowledge (C) stresses more about people's identity (D) allows people to discuss politics secretly", "pos": "Article: Thanks to the Internet, a whole new online world has been opened up for us to meet, chat and go where we've never been before. But just as in face to face communication, there are some rules of behavior that should be followed when on line.  The basic rule is simple: treat others in the same way you would want to be treated.   Imagine how you'd feel if you were in the other person's shoes. For anything you're about to send: ask yourself, \"Would I say this to the person's face?\" if the answer is no, rewrite and reread.  Repeat the process till you feel sure that you'd feel comfortable saying words to a person's  face. If someone in the chat room is rude to you, your instinct   is to fire back in the same manner. But try not to do so.  Just pay no attention to it, or block his message.  If it was caused by a disagreement with another member, try to fix the situation by politely discussing it. Remember to respect the beliefs and opinions of others in the chat room. Everyone was new to the network once.  Offer advice when asked by newcomers, as they may not be sure what to do or how to communicate. When someone makes a mistake, whether it's a stupid question or an unnecessarily long answer, be kind about it. If it's a small mistake, you may not need to say anything. Even if you feel strongly about it, think twice before saying anything. Having good manners yourself doesn't give you license to correct everyone else. If you do decide to tell someone about a mistake, point it out politely At the same time, if you find you are wrong, be sure to correct yourself and apologize to those that you have offended. It is not polite to ask others personal questions such as their age, sex and marital status. Unless you know the person very well, and you are both comfortable with sharing personal information, don't ask such questions. \n Question: When you send short messages to a person, you must   _  . \n Options: (A) make sure they mean no harm (B) read them again and again (C) say something good to hear (D) repeat them later to his face", "neg": "Article: Nowadays, millions of lonely singles are now going online instead. The World Wide Web is quickly becoming the world's most popular matchmaker . Singles are flocking to the Internet mainly because their busy lifestyles leave them little time to look for a _ . Using dating sites is quick and convenient. Many singles say the regular dating scene has just led them from one bad experience to another and are ready to try something else. Dating sites also make it easy to avoid someone you are not interested in. In the real world, however, ignoring someone you don't like can be difficult. Despite all the advantages, online dating also presents its own set of problems. People aren't always those who they declare to be in their online description. Safety is another concern. You are just likely to find a criminal online as you are Mr. or Miss Right. Online dating experts recommend following a few safety tips: Guard your personal information. Never give out your personal information online. This includes your last name, phone number, home address and place of work. Watch for red flags. Do any of the people you are chatting with make disrespectful comments? Do they try to control you? Do they give false information about themselves? If so, forget them! Meet in a safe place. When meeting someone in person, choose a public location with other people around. Following these tips and you might be able to find the person of your dreams. \n Question: According to the passage, many lonely singles don't appreciate the regular dating scene because it is   _  . \n Options: (A) unpopular (B) troublesome (C) convenient (D) forgettable", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}245{"query": "Article: Teamwork is all about working together to achieve a common goal or purpose.Is teamwork out of date?Why it is so hard to effectively conduct teamwork in those things? One way we employ teamwork in everyday lives is by becoming a parent.It is a parent's job to teach their children the fundamental skills and give them the knowledge they need to be successful in life.So why is teamwork disappearing in this aspect of our lives?Well in today's society,we find that more and more parents are experiencing that the teamwork is one-sided thing.According to a 2009report from the US,there are 13.7million single parents raising their children in the US and this amount could be due to the fact that parents are not stepping up and taking responsibility for their children or they don't have the means to,so they leave one parent to do it by themselves.This is a saddening fact,but it reflects that effective teamwork is losing ground in the parenting aspect of our everyday lives. Another place where teamwork affects us greatly is in our jobs.It doesn't matter if you are a small or large company; if you have at least one employee and yourself,then teamwork will be present.I have noticed that with the current economic recession ,people are racing to grab jobs but the quality of people work has gone down greatly.It just appears to me that people do not take part in their work anymore.They want to get to work and work as fast as they can,just to receive the paycheck,but their quality standards   flew right out the window.This type of behavior is where I think teamwork is losing its ground in the workforce.There are too many people who want to work independently and forget they are a part of a team. As you can see,we run into the aspects of teamwork in just about everything we do.Do you believe teamwork is really losing ground in today's society?I think it is.What's your opinion? \n Question: Why does teamwork disappear in the parenting aspect of my daily life? \n Options: (A) Parents have no time to spare with their children. (B) Parents have no chances to teach their children about it. (C) Many children are often brought up by a single parent. (D) Many children are independent to deal with their matters.", "pos": "Article: Today's parents miss the golden age that their own mothers enjoyed in the 1970s and 1980s, researchers found. Mothers have less time to themselves and feel under greater pressure to  _ work and family life than the previous generation. As a result, 88 per cent said they felt guilty about the lack of time they spent with their children.     The survey of 1,000 mothers also found that more than a third said they had less time to themselves than their mothers did -- just three hours a week or 26 minutes a day And 64 percent said this was because they felt they 'had' to go out to work, while nearly a third (29 per cent) said they were under constant pressure to be the 'perfect mother', the report found. Other findings showed social network and parenting website were important in proving help and support among female communities     Kate Fox, of the Social Issues Research Centre, which conducted the survey for Procter & Gamble, said: \"With increasing pressure on mothers to work a 'double shift' -- to be the perfect mother as well as a wage-earner -- support networks are more important than ever It comes as a separate report examining childcare in the leading industrialized nations found that working mothers in Britain spend just 81 minutes a day caring for their children as a \"primary activity\".     Critics say the pressure on women to work long hours, and leave their children in the hands of nurseries or child minders, is putting the well-being of their children at risk.     The study also reveals that, despite the fact that more and more modern mothers go out to work, the burden of childcare still falls on them -- even if their husband is not in work A father who is not in work tends to spend just 63 minutes a day looking after his child -- 18 minutes less than a mother who goes out to work. Working fathers spare less than three quarters of an hour with their children. \n Question: What is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) More and more modern mothers go out to work to support the families. (B) Today's parents would rather leave their children in the hands of nurseries. (C) Today's parents have less time to take care of their children. (D) To keep the balance of work and family is not an easy thing.", "neg": "Article: When it comes to human resources, hiring highly-skilled staff is not usually enough for a company to function successfully. Besides the knowledge in their particular fields, employees must always have additional skills-----those of co-operation. In the case that work tasks can only be carried out by communicating with people, accepting common decisions, solving problems, sharing information and helping one another, teamwork skills are important. While some jobs may require talent, the ability to work as a team is learned. There are no complicated formulas ; you don't need to have any special qualities or exceptional mental abilities. Individuals can be effective as a team if they have developed certain behaviors or habits of communication. Many companies, clubs and organizations use team building activities. Team building activities may include a number of teamwork elements. They are aimed at encouraging active participation in task accomplishment while all members have their roles as individuals and are able to co-operate towards a common goal as a team. Many team building activities focus on problem solving and discussing team issues; thus argument as a way to common consensus   is encouraged. Team building activities often involve recognition and identification of team member skills, talents, knowledge, and experiences which allow the team members to learn more about each other and fully utilize   those skills where appropriate . Many team activities are focused on developing keys to trust during challenging times. \n Question: In the author's opinion, which of the following is important for a company to be successful? \n Options: (A) Specialized knowledge. (B) Highly-skilled staff. (C) Exceptional talent. (D) Teamwork skills.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}246{"query": "Article: Beijing has started a battle to get rid of \"Chinglish\" (Chinese English).The \"Language Mandarins\" of Beijing have decided that Chinglish is a disease for China's modernizing claim and must be _ before the city hosts the Olympic Games in 2008. A road sign on the Avenue of Eternal Peace (Chang'an Street) ,for example, advises: \"To Take Notice of Safe; The Slippery Are Very Crafty\", a warning that the sidewalk was slippery .Another sign in a Beijing park reads: \"Little grass is smiling slightly, please walk on sidewalk.\" Li Honghai, the city official in charge of the battle, said,\" Linguistic perfection   is becoming increasingly important with the rise in the number of the foreigners flowing into the city.\" However, not everyone shares the disdain   of the Beijing government for the mixed language.\"The choice of words is pretty much.One can either choose the verbs, adverbs, nouns or whatever one likes,\" explained one Hong Kong linguist on an Internet website. So many examples exist that several Internet sites have been set up to collect Chinglish phrases.Many come from English instructions on packages such as a candle marked with \"Keep this candle out of children\" and a model boat--curiously named Posh Sailboat--which means, \"Please don't place it in dusty play.\" If the battle against Chinglish is successful, Chinese will also turn their attention to the English-language versions of newspapers, which play an even more important role in teaching right English. \n Question: We can infer that the English language versions of newspapers   _  . \n Options: (A) should report the battle above (B) should be paid more attention to (C) should collect more Chingliah phrases (D) should be in duty to teach normal English", "pos": "Article: Oliver Radtke believes Chinglish mistranslations may be fun, but are not to be made fun of. \"My message on Chinglish is: It should be conserved  . It shouldn't be treated as a cheap joke for foreign tourists to laugh at but as a cultural treasure,\" said the 32-year-old multimedia designer, who frequently visited China for almost a decade before moving to Beijing in 2007. \"I'm trying to challenge the idea that there is only one type of standard English -- the English that's spoken in America or in the British Isles -- which is shortsighted, because Chinglish is already being used by millions of people to communicate with one another.\" So, since 2005, he has collected more than 5,000 examples of \"the wonderful results of an English dictionary meeting Chinese grammar\" on his website www.chinglish.de and has published two books on the subject. \"The two books are unique in that they talk about the academic value of Chinglish, the creative combination of English and Chinese, and why we should keep it,\" Radtke said. Patricia Schetelig, who works for the German Embassy in Beijing and regularly contributes to www.chinglish.de, said she appreciates Radtke's approach to Chinglish. \"What's important to me is that he's not making fun of the way things are translated,\" said she. \"There are other websites doing similar things, but they're making fun of Chinglish or saying it shouldn't be done this way.\" Part of his mission, Radtke said, is to conserve rapidly disappearing Chinglish examples. He was disappointed while watching the government replace Chinglish signs with standard English ones in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics. \"That was a sad day for me and a sad day for Chinglish,\" Radtke said. But American David Tool, who has been closely involved in cleaning up Chinglish in Beijing since 2001, disagreed. \"Chinglish takes away from the aesthetic  , educational and cultural value we want these signs to provide,\" said Tool, \"We get distracted when we're trying to explain something. It's not dealing with the issues with respect.\" \n Question: Which of the following statements does Radtke agree with? \n Options: (A) Chinglish will gradually disappear as years go by. (B) Chinglish is invented to amuse foreign tourists. (C) Chinglish will be treated as a cultural treasure. (D) Chinglish is actually a variety of English.", "neg": "Article: \"I like your smile, but unlike you put your shoes on my face\". A charming way of saying \"Keep off the grass\". But could you figure it out? Or this: \"Wash Clothing Store\" for laundry. They are both typical Chinglish, a combination of English vocabulary and Chinese grammar. Expressions such as \"people mountain people sea\", means extremely crowded, and \"give you some color to see\", meaning a punishment, are widely known and recognized. Chinglish has been attracting global attention in recent years as China grows rapidly in status on the world stage, attracting both fans and detractors . The Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Programme and English First China Company, a language trainer known as EF Education, jointly launched a campaign to root out poor grammar and misused vocabulary in downtown Beijing. They argue Chinglish is an embarrassment that we should let it die out at all costs. \"It is meaningful to allow the capital to show its most beautiful historical and cultural heritage to the world.\" Michael Lu, vice-president of EF Education said, \"since the launching of the campaign, foreign teachers and students had been very keen to volunteer participation.\"He believed signs were very important in public services. \"The signs in some old buildings confused foreign visitors. Chinglish, although the target of much criticism, has also won supporters who regard it as an interesting way for foreigners to learn how Chinese people think and express themselves. \"Many Chinglish logos carry Chinese elements and they will enrich the English language,\" 32-year-old Oliver Radtke said. He had even published a book \"Chinglish: Found in Translation,\" on the subject. About 50,000 copies of the book have been sold since it was published in 2007. Some Chinese university experts also side with Chinglish. \"English has absorbed elements from other languages such as French and Spanish in its growth, and the emergence of Chinglish again testifies  to the language's vitality and inclusiveness,\" said Shi Anbin, an associate professor of Tsinghua University. \n Question: How did Chinglish come into being? \n Options: (A) Chinese people misunderstood the meaning of the new words. (B) Chinese people combined English vocabulary with Chinese grammar. (C) Chinese people based their English on the native English speakers. (D) Chinese people make wide use of English vocabulary with bad spelling.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}247{"query": "Article: You have heard of Webster Toys. Webster's have made good, safe, interesting toys for more than a hundred years. Now we sell them, and children play with them, in countries fromprefix = st1 /New ZealandtoNorway, and fromJapantoBrazil. We are looking for someone to sell our toys in the Far East. He (or she) will be between the ages of thirty and forty. He will already have some years of selling in world markets behind him. He will speak good English, and at least one other language of the Far East.    The person we are looking for will live inSingapore, and work in our office there, but he will travel for up to six months in any one year. He will know the Far East quite well already. He will know how to sell in old markets and where to find new ones. He will understand money and make more than ever before, for himself, and for Webster Toys.    Webster's want someone who can stand on his own feet. If you think you are the person we are looking for, write to Mr. J. Sloman at our Head Office. \n Question: Children play with Webster toys   _  . \n Options: (A) only in countries far away from each other (B) in countries all over the world (C) in only four countries of the world (D) everywhere except in the Far East", "pos": "Article: Sourcing Assistant Needed Time: 28 March-27 September, 2011          Indian company's Shanghai office is looking for a local Chinese girl, who can speak fluent English, and has at least one year experience in trading business.          Main responsibilities are: sourcing for new suppliers, factory visiting, negotiating and orders following up.          Interested candidates can email me you expected salary, resume and current photo to:  _ , Miss Wang for more details. Senior Interior Designer Time: 10 January-09 June, 2011 Reply to:  _           RHK Design is seeking a Senior Interior Designer for our corporate projects. Your primary role is to work closely with our American and European clients to deliver the international design solution they require. You must have an ability to work with 8 individual managers to negotiate space needs and requirements, and communicate your designs to your design support team.In-depth knowledge of interesting and innovative  materials is required. Travel throughout China may be required. Customer Service Assistant Time: 01 February-31 August, 2011 Reply to:  _  Type of job: Full-time Requirements: --B.A. or B.S.degree; foreigners only: --One year's working experience desired, preferably in customer service or hospitality industry --Responsible, pleasant personality and self-motivated. --Good communication and interpersonal skills --Good command of both spoken and written English; Putonghua is an advantage but not a must Work Load: 5-day-work; national holidays Monthly Salary: Around RMB 8-10 K Female English Tutor Needed Time: 05 January-01 October, 2011 Reply to: _  A 10 -year-old girl is looking for an oral English tutor Time: twice a week, in the evening and weekend, 1.5 hrs at a time Rate: 200/h Requirements: From America: female; experienced \n Question: We can know from the four ads that  _  . \n Options: (A) RHK Design deals with business only from European countries (B) to be a sourcing assistant, you need to be very persuasive (C) to be a Customer Service Assistant, you must speak Putonghua (D) a girl from Beijing is very likely to be employed by the Indian Company", "neg": "Article: Father Christmas We're looking for a very special person,preferably over 40,to fill our Father Christmas suit. Working days:Every Saturday from November 24 to December 15 and every day from December 17 to December 24 except Sundays,10:30--16:00. Excellent pay. Please contact the Enterprise Shopping Centre,Station Parade,Eastbourne. Accountants Assistant When you join the team in our Revenue Administration Unit,you will be providing assistance within all parts of the Revenue Division,dealing with post and other general duties.If you are educated to GCSE grade C level we would like to talk to you.This position is equally suitable for a school leaver or for somebody who has office experience. Wealden District Council Software Trainer If you are aged 24--45 and have experience in teaching and training,you could be the person we are looking for. You should be good at the computer and have some experience in programme writing. You will be allowed to make your own decisions,and to design courses as well as present them. Pay upwards of PS15,000 for the right person.Please apply by sending your CV to Mrs R. Oglivie,Palmlace Limited. \n Question: We learn from the ads that the Enterprise Shopping Centre needs a person who  _  . \n Options: (A) is aged between 24 and 40 (B) may do some training work (C) can work for about a month (D) should deal with general duties", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}248{"query": "Article: \"Mommy, I'm a funny bird,\" Jack, my almost-4-year-old tells me. He moves his little fingers like wings. \"You are?\" I say. I'm sitting across from him while he eats breakfast at our table. I smile; he says the greatest things. A week ago, however, when he had chocolate on his face and I licked   my finger to wipe it off, he said, \"Don't put your dirty water on me.\" A week ago, I wouldn't have been sitting here with him during breakfast. I wouldn't have been up, emptying the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, or answering emails. We always had dinner together at the table, but other meals got much less attention. I work from home, and my husband owns an advertising agency and often travels. We were so busy that we had to do the chores during breakfast or lunch. Why was I not sitting down with my son? It could take Jack an hour to eat a meal, during which I could feel the tug   of unanswered emails, a deadline, and the unswept floor each minute. Then we went to visit friends for a weekend. They have two kids. They are busy, professional, and good parents. And at every meal -- not just dinner -- we all sat down at the table and ate. When we got home, my husband said, \"Maybe we should be doing that.\" I took this as criticism. My husband works a lot, so mealtimes are mostly under my charge. The \"we\" he was talking about was me. Then, I remembered myself that I'm a big girl, and took his comment the way it was meant. We both want what's best for Jack. Yes, I thought. I'm home. I have to eat, too. My husband is Jack's favorite, which delights and moves me, but I am Jack's constant. Constants are there. Constants sit down. So I've been sitting. And, surprise, I haven't missed a deadline. The house has been clean. And Jack seems to like having me there. Two days ago, over lunch, he smiled and stared at me. \"What?\" I asked, amused. \"Mommy, I love you so much and I can't stop loving you.\" I could have missed that. God, I could have missed _ . \n Question: Before visiting the friends, Jack   _  . \n Options: (A) didn't like chocolate (B) couldn't eat by himself (C) was sometimes rude to his mom (D) preferred his mother to his father", "pos": "Article: My daughter comes in with some bags of groceries taking my attention away from the paper. She shouts out, \"Hi daddy!\" and runs toward the little kitchen. She's always running. I've never seen anyone with as much energy as her, except maybe her mom. \"You'd better not make a mess in there, or your mother will be angry!\" I call to her. She stops rattling  for just a second and says, \"OK, daddy. No problem.\" She's a good girl. I look at the side table where there's that beautiful black and white photo of her mom that we took last year. Or was it longer? My daughter is always leaving a seasonal flower in front of it. I don't know why. Maybe because the color1s are nice against the photo and the black frame. She's a sweet kid. Finally, she comes out to talk to me and I put down the paper.  \"Listen daddy, I can't stay a while with you tonight because Steve and I are going to a show downtown. I've made some good soup for you and it's all ready on the stove.\" \"Now you listen to me, young lady,\" I say, \"you and Steve go and enjoy yourselves. I'm sure your mom will be home soon and we'll eat together.\" She looks doubtful. I pat her head. \"Listen\", she says, \"you can call Samantha if you need anything. Do you remember Samantha?\" I nod. Samantha is a good neighbor. She lives below us in the ground floor apartment. My wife and her were always chattering away on the phone or having tea. \"Daddy?\" She's studying my face. \"Samantha's number is on the fridge and by the phone. OK?\" \"OK,\" I say, \"now go on out and have some fun, love.\" The office has really tired me out today. I should make some dinner but I'll have a sleep in this chair for now. \n Question: The author asks her daughter not to make a mess in the kitchen because   _  . \n Options: (A) he is unable to focus on the paper (B) she will disturb the neighbors (C) he thinks she may make her mother unhappy (D) her mother will have to tidy the kitchen up again", "neg": "Article: Peter waved goodbye and closed the door slowly as Jane left home to visit her grandmother. Expecting a whole day to relax, he was thinking whether to read the newspaper or watch his favorite TV talk show on his first day off in months. \"This will be like a walk in the park,\" he'd told his wife, \"I'll look after the kids, and you can go to visit your grandma.\" Things started well, but just after eight o'clock, his three little \"good kids\"--Adam, Bob, and Christopher--came down the stairs in their night clothes and shouted \"breakfast, daddy.\" When food had not appeared within thirty seconds, Adam began using his spoon on Christopher's head as if it were a drum. Christopher started to shout loudly in time to the beat  . Bob chanted \"Where's my toast, where's my toast\" in the background. Peter realized his newspaper would have to wait for a few seconds. Life became worse after breakfast. Adam wore Bob's underwear on his head. Bob locked himself in the bathroom, while Christopher shouted again because he was going to wet his pants. Nobody could find clean socks, although they were before their very eyes. Someone named \"Not Me\" had spilled a whole glass of orange juice into the basket of clean clothes. Peter knew the talk show had already started. By ten o'clock, things were out of control. Christopher was wondering why the fish in the jar refused his bread and butter. Adam was trying to show off his talent by decorating the kitchen wall with his color pencils. Bob, thankfully, appeared to be reading quietly in the family room, but closer examination showed that he was eating apple jam straight from the bottle with his hands. Peter realized that the talk show was over and reading would be impossible. At exactly 11:17, Peter called the daycare centre  .\"I suddenly have to go into work and my wife's away. Can I bring the boys over in a few minutes?\" The answer was obviously \"yes\" because Peter was smiling. \n Question: When his wife left home, Peter expected to  _  . \n Options: (A) have a relaxing day without pressure (B) enjoy his first day off work in weeks (C) watch TV talk show with his children (D) go out for a walk in the nearby park", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}249{"query": "Article: BEIJING - China will build a nation-wide network within three to five years to monitor the impact of air pollution on health, a latest step to deal with a _ smog crisis in big cities, an official said. A total of 43 monitoring spots will be set up in 16 provinces and municipalities frequently engulfed by smog so as to facilitate research on air pollutants in different regions, the impact on the health of vulnerable groups and the study of related diseases, said Xu Dongqun, an official with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. With funds allocated by the central government, the study will provide reference for preventive efforts to reduce the PM 2.5, Xu said. Thick and dangerous smog have hit 17 provinces and municipalities with a population of 600 million this year. One of the major cities is Beijing, which has been shrouded in smog for several days during the ongoing seven-day national holiday in 2013. China recently issued a 1.75 trillion-yuan (284.2 billion U.S. dollars) plan to deal with the worsening air, improving air quality within five years in order to decrease the number of heavily polluted days and improve the air in major city clusters. \n Question: China will build a nation-wide network in order to  _  . \n Options: (A) monitor the impact of air pollution on health (B) improve air quality (C) improve air pollution (D) increase the PM 2.5", "pos": "Article: A new study links heavy air pollution from coal burning to shorter lives in northern China. Researchers estimate that the half-billion people alive there in the 1990s will live an average of 5 years less than their southern counterparts because they breathed dirtier air. China itself made the comparison possible: for decades, a now-discontinued government policy provided free coal for heating, but only in the colder north. Researchers found significant differences in both _ pollution of the air and life expectancy in the two regions. While previous studies have found that pollution affects human health, \"the deeper and ultimately more important question is the impact on life expectancy,\" said one of the researchers, Michael Greenstone, a professor of environmental economics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. \"This study provides a unique setting to answer the life expectancy question because the(heating) policy dramatically changes pollution concentrations ,,,Greenstone said in an email. \"Further, due to the low rates of migration in China in this period, we can know people's exposure over long time periods,\" he said. The policy gave free coal for fuel boilers to heat homes and offices to cities north of the Huai Rivwhich divides China into north and south. It was in effect for much of the 1950-198,0 period of central planning, and, though discontinued after 1980, it has left a legacy  in the north of heavy coal burning, which releases particulate pollutants into the air that can harm human health. Researchers found no other government policies that treated China's north differently from the south. The researchers collected data for 90 cities, from 1981 to 2000, on the annual daily average concentration of total suspended particulates. In China, those are considered to be particulates that are 100 micrometers or less in diameter, sent out from sources including power stations, construction sites and vehicles. Among them, PM2.5 is of especially great health concern because it can go deep into the lungs. The researchers estimated the impact on life expectancies using death data from 1991-2000. They found that in the north, the concentration of particulates was 184 micrograms per cubic meteror 55 percent higher than in the south, and life expectancies were 5.5 years lower on average across all age ranges. \n Question: The main idea of this passage is that  _  * \n Options: (A) research in China finds air pollution shortened life expectancy (B) the government provided free coal for heating in North China (C) coal burning causes bad air quality across China (D) a new study finds different particulates in South China", "neg": "Article: While students in Hainan are quite used to clear skies, Beijing teenagers are not so lucky. As another warm winter approaches, the city can expect the normal clouds of smoke caused by air pollution. But things could start to get better soon. The government is co-operating with a US-based environmental protection agency to update existing buses and trucks with clean fuel technology. The new technology could reduce air pollutants in existing diesel vehicles   by 40 per cent. The programme will begin by testing buses in Beijing to see if the technology can be applied to them. \"We encourage the development of public transportation. But at the same time we need to reduce pollution from them,\" said an official. Efforts are being made to improve the capital's environment with tighter controls on emissions  . Some heavily polluting factories and construction sites, such as those owned by the steel giant Shougang Group, have been asked to cut production in November and December or be closed. Beijing was the third polluted city in the world at the end of last century, according to the UN. But thanks to recent measures, the capital has made some progress. Last year 224 clear days were rated as having good air quality. In 1998 the air quality index   gave just 100 days as good. \"I am glad to see an improvement,\" said a Senior 1 boy living in the northwest of Beijing. \"Compared to other places, the air quality of Beijing is still worrying though. I hate the pollution. Once I was riding my bike in the morning when I almost had a traffic accident because I couldn't see a car only metres away from me in frog.\" In early October, the skies were covered by such a thick fog that a display show by the visiting French air force was called off. Rapid development, industry, traffic fumes   and sandstorms from the desert all contribute to the city's bad air. \n Question: The passage is mainly about   _  ? \n Options: (A) a programme to improve Beijing's air quality (B) progress made in Beijing's air quality (C) Beijing's air pollution (D) the difference between Hainan and Beijing", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}250{"query": "Article: Opportunity knocked on my door last January when I was given a chance to work in another country. At first, it seemed really scary for me to live on my own. But I had to overcome the true challenge!     Luckily, I met seven new friends, six boys and one girl. They were really nice and I loved their company. We hung out most weekends. We cooked, watched movies, chatted and shared jokes! It was amazing -- until something unexpected happened !     One of my friends was diagnosed with kidney   stones which needed to be removed as soon as possible. But our friend could not afford the surgery. He tried to get help from our other friends but they refused him. My heart cried for him! Our friends abandoned him just when he needed them most.     I didn't know how to help him because I didn't have any money either. But I never lost hope. Instead I tried to think of other options. I told him not to worry because he might find a way somehow and everything would be all right.     So I went to the hospital with him. I talked to the surgeon, asking him to do the surgery for him and promising to pay the expenses the next day (As if I had that money). I must have been convincing because the surgeon agreed to do it! Now, how was I going to get that much money?     All I knew was that I needed to help my friend! I tried to borrow money from other friends but I failed. I tried selling my things but no one wanted them. Then I had to talk to my boss. I asked him if I could have my next two months salary in advance -- without even thinking on how I would survive for two months without money.     He was surprised and asked me why. I told him that I had a friend who was really in need.  Luckily, he gave my two months salary without hesitation! As soon as I had the money I ran to the hospital and paid all the bills.     Friendship may not only be found in happy moments. Sometimes you can find it on the toughest time in your life! \n Question: Why did the author go to the hospital with his friend? \n Options: (A) To find free medical treatment for his friend. (B) To have his friend admitted into the hospital. (C) To pay the expenses of treatment for his friend. (D) To keep him company during the operation.", "pos": "Article: Several dollars equal nothing for some people, but make a difference for others. Steve has just lost his wife to cancer and everything they had is gone due to the treatment. He now lives in the shelter for the homeless. So we know each other. Just like other homeless people, he didn't think he needed anything. But once he mentioned to me he needed eye glasses. His voice hesitated a bit, he looked down, and it appeared like he thought such a request was just a dream. Too much to hope for? It was as if his wish were known by me only. I submitted an application for him to a program that is supposed to provide a free eye examination and glasses. Three months later, I phoned to ask what was up with the appointment but they told me there was a cash flow problem until late summer. Steve showed disappointment, thanked me and started to walk away. I said, \"Hold on, I will figure out a way to get you an eye examination and glasses.\" His face lit up a tiny bit. He had seen some of the things I have done for other people in our shelter and to me it looked like he might have a line of hope. I took a picture of him and posted his picture and his story in the Twitter. In about 4 days, eight people from around the world donated $25 each and one person donated $40 and I made up the rest to get him an eye exam and glasses. Steve picked up his glasses on Wednesday: May 11th, 2011. Today Steve has returned to a previous job he had in a nearby car wash. Because he now has glasses he will be able to see what he is doing while cleaning the vehicles. He is starting a second job at a pet center next week! \n Question: The program failed to satisfy Steve because   _  . \n Options: (A) it was already out of business (B) it had some trouble in finance (C) Steve didn't submit the application himself (D) it's not designed for people like Steve", "neg": "Article: In 1997, I found myself in a situation I never thought I'd be in: alone and begging for money in New York. My father had been separated from our family, and my mother had  recently died from complications related to AIDS. What I remember most about such nights is lying on the cold marble floor and using my backpack for a pillow. Even though I had lost my family,  I made choices every single day to turn my life around. There was the haven for homeless teenagers called the Door, a non-profit organization that provided me with guidance, medical care and food, all of which kept me going while I completed my homework in train stations and under hallway lights. Perhaps the most surprising help though, I did not seek out;it found me.  The New York Times told my story. In the weeks that followed, dozens of strangers reached out to me from all across the United States. At my high school, I began receiving handwritten letters of encouragement. Strangers showed up bearing clothes, books, and even hugs. Since the article mentioned I was applying to Harvard, one woman knitted a blanket for me.  She attached this note to the box it was posted in: \"It gets cold in those dorms. May you warm yourself knowing that people care about you\". With the help of these people, my life today bears no resemblance at all to my life then. I graduated not only from high school but also from Harvard University. Before these people -- some of them nameless-- I just didn't realize how good people could be. But now I do, and I can say that the people who helped me have forever changed me. They are the reason behind my decision to join the board at the Door so that I can be part of a small team of people opening a high school for homeless teenagers .They are the reason I dedicate my life to opening pathways for others. And they are the reason I travel around the world helping people transform their own lives. \n Question: According to the passage, the author  _  . \n Options: (A) tried to change her life (B) often slept m friends' homes (C) felt lonely because of her illness (D) felt quite desperate for her father", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}251{"query": "Article: Teenage life is quite dramatic but that doesn't mean you cannot enjoy your life in these years. Even with your daily troubles, your life is not very hard if you know how to deal with them. I know exactly how you feel. Life as a teenager can be hard. You are not a kid anymore, because you are smart enough to observe and analyze your surroundings. However, you are still not an adult because there are still lots of experiences that you need to have and lessons that you need to learn from these experiences. To top it all, the hormonal  imbalance in your body can really mess you up emotionally. I have been there. I was in it for 6 years exploring what life is about. As a teenager, I had a major problem with completing my chores  on time. And at that time, all that I need to do was finish my assignments, study for the upcoming test and clean my room. Now, I have lots of things to do: cooking, cleaning and working while striking a balance between all my relationships related to work, family and friends. That really is a lot of work. So, I will just give you one golden tip, quoting from Benjamin Franklin, \"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.\" Life becomes much easier because I finish all my work on time and I have enough time to _ . Half the problems as a teenager are because we hate doing things. We'd rather go and have fun than sit down and take care of our duties and responsibilities. That is why you have so much trouble in your life; your parents won't let you go out with friends because you didn't clean your room or your professor is always criticizing you because you haven't finished your assignments. \n Question: Whom is the text intended for? \n Options: (A) Parents (B) Teachers (C) Teenagers (D) Scientists", "pos": "Article: How hard we have all prayed  to grow up quickly, and looked forward to the happy days of being a grown-up and enjoying the many interests that a youth should have. At last, you have grown up. At least you are no longer a child. They call you \"young lady\". You then enjoy the pleasure of being a young lady. You are proud of being a grown-up teenager. People welcome you-this young lady-heartily. You are glad that your prayer has been answered. But there is always something that troubles you a lot. You say; \"Papa and Mama, give me some money please. My pocket money is all gone already.\" \"No\", they say, \"your age is a dangerous age. If you have too much money to spend, it won't do you any good.\" Then you have to stay at home because you dare not go out with an empty pocket. Another time you tell your grandma, \"Grandma, see, I am a grown-up now.\" \"Good, now, you can sit here and knit   this for me while I go and have a rest.\" To show that you are no more a child, you have to sit there the whole afternoon doing the work, which only a grown-up can do. After an hour, you find it hard to do, and give the knitting basket back to your grandma. Your grandma criticizes your work. You hear what she says, \"Such a big girl can't do such easy work.\" You wish then you were a child again. But the fact is, you are growing up, and you can't help it. That's the way it goes! \n Question: The passage is told about   _   problems. \n Options: (A) a growing-up boy's (B) an old woman's (C) a teenage girl's (D) a grown-up's", "neg": "Article: As a teen, you're going through big changes physically and mentally. Your interests are expanding. And your desire to take control of your own life is growing. Here is the challenge: Kids need to explore the world in new ways, and parents need to protect them from the dangers that are out in that world. These conflicts can easily set off fireworks in otherwise calm houses. Sometimes conflicts can't be avoided. But by paying attention to the building blocks of successful relationships, you can work towards making home a happy and healthy place for you and your parents. For instance, try to find a time to talk when your parents are not angry, tired, distracted, or hungry. A good time to talk is when you're all relaxed . Timing is everything. If the conversation begins to turn into an argument, you'd better calmly and coolly ask to stop the conversation for now. You can pick it up again when everyone's more relaxed. Listen to what your parents are saying, and repeat it back to them. This shows them that you're listening. It also gives them a chance to clear things up if you're not on the same page. Respect is the building block of good communication. People who respect each other and care about each others' feelings can disagree without things getting ugly. You are more likely to get along with your parents and have more independence  if your parents believe in you. How do you build trust? Trust comes by actually doing what you say you're going to do. Some teens find that doing fun activities with their parents can improve their relationships. Sometimes we forget that parents are more than rule-makers---they're interesting people who like to watch movies, and go shopping ---just like their teenagers! What do you do if you are trying your best, but your relationship with your parents continues to be rocky ? You may consider seeking outside help. You can find supportive adults, such as a teacher or a coach, who can r. Remember you can only change your own behavior; your parents are the only ones who can change theirs. \n Question: What's NOT the proper way to improve relationship between you and your parents? \n Options: (A) Listen to your parents. (B) Work for your family. (C) Build their trust. (D) Change your parents' behaviors.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}252{"query": "Article: Chances are that you've had to apologize plenty of times in your life. And there's a goodchance that you've also expressed the phrase, \"I never meant to hurt you.\" Stop doing that, says author Caroline Myss. In a talk Myss - a spiritual researcher - took on the topic of forgiveness and healing, and explained in no uncertain terms why \"I never meant to hurt you\" is never a sufficient apology, no matter who it comes from. \"Picture that person coming up to you and saying, 'Wow, l'm sorry I did this, but, you know ,l never meant to hurt you. And, hey, can we just call it a day?\"' Myss says. Though it can make the two bur\\ the hatchet and keep friendship, that type of apology won't sit well with the person on the receiving end. \"That whole little thing -  'I never meant to hurt you' - that's the thing you can't forgive,\" she says. \"It goes right to your soul, that toxic  (, )  , sick feeling.\" Instead, Myss says it's important to approach the conversation differently. Basically, it's about offering more than an apology. It's about sharing a soul-to-soul confession    . \"Let's redo the scene,\" Myss says. \"The person comes up to you and says... 'I need to tell you something. Iconsciously knew what I was doing. I know I went against you. This is not an apology. 1 amconfessing my soul to you, and l'm asking now for your forgiveness.\"' Even saying those words on stages makes Myss visibly emotional, and she points out that this is how deeply apologies within the soul are supposed to resonate     . \"That's what heals,\" she says. \n Question: How should we apologize according to Myss? \n Options: (A) We should confess our faults and ask for forgiveness. (B) We should say sincerely \"I never meant to hurt you\". (C) We can go into a deep conversation to argue with our friend. (D) We are supposed to make up with the other by giving some gifts to him.", "pos": "Article: A popular saying goes, \"Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.\" However, that's not really true. Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn't matter if the words come from someone else or ourselves - the positive and negative effects are just as lasting. We all talk to ourselves sometimes. We're usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. But we really shouldn't be, because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit. This \"self-talk\" helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Beware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative. So in order to stay positive, we should only speak words of encouragement to ourselves. We should also be quick to  _ . The next time you finish a project, do well in a test, or finally clean your room, join me in saying, \"Good job!\" Words possess power because of their lasting effects. Many of us regret something we once said. And we remember unkind words said to us! Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves: Is it true? Is it loving? Is it needed? If what we want to say doesn't pass this test, then it's better left unsaid. Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem  and motive others to do their best. Negative words destroy all those things. Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours. ks5u \n Question: Why should we not feel embarrassed when talking to ourselves? \n Options: (A) Talking to ourselves is believed to be good for our health. (B) It does harm to have \"self-talk\" when we are alone. (C) Talking to ourselves helps us to solve all the problems. (D) Almost everybody has the habit of talking to oneself.", "neg": "Article: Apologizing is both an Art and a Science. The Art lies in the manner in which the apology is delivered while the Science is the recipe that forms the apology itself. A proper apology should always include several ingredients. Now let's take a closer look at these ingredients. Give a detailed account of the offense, and make sure both you and the other person are talking about the same thing. Whether you make it in secret or public doesn't matter, but your apology should be focused on the particular event. Next, by acknowledging the hurt or damage done, you are making the recipient   begin to sense that you understand the situation. It is important to rebuild your relationship because it makes them feel their anger is understandable. Don't try to defend yourself by offering any excuses, which is important to let them know that you understand the event and you actions do cause them harm. The apology is all about THEM and how they feel. It doesn't matter if the actions were intentional or not, the end result is the same and that is what needs to be focused on when learning how to say, \"I'm sorry\". Give a sincere statement of regret such as \"I apologize\" or \"I'm sorry\". Above all, tell them it won't happen again. After all, there is no value in apologizing for something that you will do again and again. Finally, asking for forgiveness at the end of the apology gives the power back to the recipient. It tells them, that you have done all that you can do by apologizing and providing whatever form of restitution you can. The next move is up to them. By including all these ingredients and applying them to your situation, you will know exactly how to say \"I'm sorry\" next time you need to. \n Question: The passage mainly tells readers   _  . \n Options: (A) the importance of apologizing (B) the process of apologizing (C) how to apologize effectively (D) how to repair a broken friendship", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}253{"query": "Article: For the first time in Hong Kong's history, an entertainer has been written into middle school textbooks. He is considered one of the best actors in Hong Kong. Yes, he is Chow Yun-fat. The example of his long hard struggle for success has been used in a chapter in a Hong Kong middle school textbook. Using his experience, students can learn to make the most of their time and to grab every opportunity to succeed. On hearing about this, Chow said happily, \"I really hope that my experiences can make young people understand that one should not be afraid of difficulties and setbacks  , for they are the only way to success.\" Indeed, Chow has travelled a long and difficult path to reach his success. In 1955, he was born into a poor family in Hong Kong. When he was 17, he had to leave school. He worked in a number of jobs--as a postman, camera salesman and taxi driver. These experiences paved   the way for him to play all kinds of roles later in life. Chow broke into the film industry in the late 1970s. He was one of the hardest working actors and starred in a number of popular TV dramas and films including \"Shanghai Bund\"(<<>> ) and \"A Better Tomorrow\". Since 1985, he has won many awards including Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards. In 1995, he went to Hollywood. Although he was already over 40, he had to learn English. _ His film, \"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\", began to gain him more fame and recognition around the world. In 1998, the mayor of Chicago set aside January 12 as \"Chow Yun-fat Day\". \n Question: Chow Yun-fat has been written into middle school textbooks mainly because   _  . \n Options: (A) he plays best in Hong Kong (B) he keeps on struggling for success (C) his experiences are very special (D) he is well thought of", "pos": "Article: FORBES CHINA's annual celebrity list is based on income and appearances in magazines, newspapers, TV shows and online. Stars from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong are included. And here are some of the winners: Jay Chou Taiwan singer, actor and director unveiled his 12th studio album, Opus 12, last December (Another \"12''). New flick in the works: The Rooftop, being filmed in Taiwan and the mainland, which he stars in and also directs. 3. Andy Lau Now in his 50s, the evergreen Hong Kong star of song and film stayed popular last year with the movie Blind Detective. Lau's sixth film with Hong Kong actress Sammi Cheng is in the works. Jackie Chan Hong Kong movie industry icon last year released what may be his last action film CZ12, or Chinese Zodiac, which he wrote and directed. 5. Zhang Ziyi Popular actress had hit romantic comedy last year with My Lucky Star, which she also produced. Appears in this year's star-laden The Grandmaster kung fu movie, directed by Hong Kong's Wong Kar-Wai and also starring Tony Leung. 7. Yang Mi Actress was named most popular female singer in mainland China last year in a joint CCTV-MTV event. Last year's flicks included Love in the Buff, Beijing Love Story and Wu Dang. Has endorsement deals with Pepsi and cosmetics brand Wetcode. 8. Huang Xiaoming Actor turned up in several successful films last year, including Love in the Buff, An Inaccurate Memoir and White-Haired Witch. Promotes Baleno, Tissot, Olay. 10. Lin Chi-ling Taiwan TV hostess, model and actress. Most recent success: romantic comedy Say Yes, which took in more than $30 million in China. \n Question: Who is the director of the Grandmaster ? \n Options: (A) Tony Leung (B) Wong Kar-Wai (C) Zhang Ziyi (D) Jackie Chan", "neg": "Article: Some years ago, Wang Baoqiang was a nobody to most Chinese people. However, he is now a household film star in China. Wang is the youngest child of a poor family in Hebei Province. Dreaming of becoming an actor, he left home at the age of 8 to study kung fu at Shaolin Temple, since kung-fu actors seemed to appear most often on the big screen. At 14, he moved to Beijing for his acting career for the first time, with little money in his pocket. He worked at a construction site for 20 to 25 yuan per day, and spent his free time standing in front of the Beijing Film Studio, eager to be chosen as temporary actors. This was the hardest time for the boy. His opportunity finally came one day after he went for a role in the movie \"Blind Shaft\" . He was chosen to play a young coal miner. The movie won him three prizes in Thailand, France and Taiwan. But his success didn`t make any difference to his life. That year, he went home for the Spring Festival. He gave his family his earnings from the movie, around $ 250 and then returned to Beijing with 500 yuan, the same amount he had when he first came to the city. His life was as simple as before. Thanks to his natural performance in \"Blind Shaft\", he was invited by the famous director Feng Xiaogang to act in the film \"A World Without Thieves\" in 2004, which made him famous immediately. People called him \"Shagen\", the name of his character in the movie. Wang's work, \"Soldiers Sortie\" has made him the most popular actor on the Chinese mainland. For the actor, it's a dream coming true. \"Dreams come true. I think my life is exactly a course of pursuing dreams. No matter how tough one thing is,I can make it as long as I put great effort into it. \"he said. \n Question: Why does Wang Baoqiang leave for Shaolin Temple at his early age? \n Options: (A) To study kung fu to build up his strength (B) Because he has seen through the human society (C) To realize his childhood dream to be an actor (D) To make money in support of his family", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}254{"query": "Article: We all use money every day. It is essential because we can pay money for whatever we want.Money is recognized as banknotes and coins. However,many years ago people couldn' t go to the shop and buy what they wanted.They had to get what they wanted through the barter trade .It was really difficult,for the barter often depended on coincidence of wants.For example,the seller of grain has to find a buyer who wants to buy grain and who also could offer something the seller wants to buy.And one more example,if a wheat farmer needs what a fruit farmer produces,a direct exchange is impossible because seasonal fruit would spoil before the grain harvest.The solution is to trade fruit for wheat indirectly through a third intermediate commodity ,such as cattle,salt,shells,wine.However,commodity money had their disadvantages.For example,cattle,fur,precious stones couldn' t be cut into smaller pieces and it was inconvenient to keep and transport them.Thus coins were invented. The earliest known coins in the western world came from Lydia in about 650 B.C.Greek cities,the Great Persian Empire and Roman Empire quickly adopted the new useful technique of metal currency.And by the end of the 6th century,coinages were common throughout the region.However,coins as well as commodity money had many disadvantages.For instance,coins quickly show wear  and they usually have small value,so it' s difficult to count large sums of coins. At first,paper money was used in China in about 650 A.D.After then,it was used in Persia and Japan.In Europe,paper money was firstly produced in the Netherlands in the 16th century and in the USA in the 17th century.Paper money is worthless but symbolic.In other words,paper money is just a note.It has a purchasing power because the government announces it as money and citizens accept it universally. \n Question: The writer explains the difficulty of barter trade by  _  . \n Options: (A) telling stories (B) using examples (C) presenting a theory (D) making a comparison", "pos": "Article: A growing number of Chinese are keeping their cash in their wallets this Lunar New Year as the traditional exchange of red packets of money is moving from the physical world into the digital space.      The tradition of giving cash gifts of \"lucky money\" (\"hong bao\" in Chinese) goes back centuries and can be particularly profitable for the young and the unmarried. As the country increasingly adopts online business and e-commerce models, tradition is taking a back seat to convenience as more and more lucky money receivers prefer to receive their money via electronic means. A recent study conducted by Shanghai-based Avanti Rhesearch Partner showed that 58% of respondents   preferred their hong bao directly deposited into their accounts.       The country is becoming increasingly connected --- over 90% of 18 to 30 year olds in China own an Internet-connected smart phone, according to a Global Times survey published last year.       Of course, China's Internet giants have not been slow to capitalize on this trend, with Shenzhen-based Tencent last week launching their \"New Year Red Envelope\" app  , an add-on to its popular WeChat messaging service. The company's over 600 million WeChat users can send each other lucky money, provided both the sender and receiver have signed up to the company's in-app payment service.      \"I am really happy that I can use a new and fashionable way to send my holiday greetings to my family and friends, especially for people who have kids but live far away from us.\" said Mr. Cheng, a user of the service.      The service reportedly banked 18 million RMB ($2.9 million) worth of transfers   in its first 24 hours, according to a report in the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper.      While Tencent's rival Alibaba also has a similar service, called Hong Bao, which launched last year, WeChat's app allows users to randomly distribute up to 200 yuan ($33) within a group of friends, adding a fun element of unpredictability to the process.      Some analysts believe that linking the payments to WeChat's in-app payment service could be a game-changer, as it simplifies the process of paying for micro dealings, potentially making users more likely to make in-app purchases in the future.       \"The tradition of giving red packets is a symbolic gesture,\" said Steve Wang, Chief Economist, Reorient Group. \"It's a new way to get people more comfortable dealing with money online, to expand their user base. It combines the old and the new, and is a great example of the kind of creative idea that we're seeing come out of China these days.\" \n Question: What is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) The competition for the online business is increasing. (B) New Year luck money goes online. (C) Electronic commerce has changed the way of trade. (D) The tradition of giving lucky money is out of fashion.", "neg": "Article: People use money to buy food, furniture, books, bicycles and hundreds of other things they need or want. Most of the money today is made of metal or paper. But people used to use all kinds of things as money. One of the first kinds of money was shells. Shells were not the only things used as money. In China, cloth and knives were used. In the Philippine Islands, rice was used as money for a long time. Elephant tusks, monkey tails, and salt were used as money in parts of Africa. Some animals were used as money too. The first metal coins were made in China. They were round and had a square hole in the center. People _ them together and carried them from place to place. The first coins in England were made of tin  . Sweden and Russia used copper   to make their money. Later countries began to make coins of gold and silver. Later the Chinese thought of a way to improve money. They began to use paper money. Money has had an interesting history from the days of shell money until today. \n Question: People used different kinds of things as_. \n Options: (A) gold (B) metal (C) money (D) silver", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}255{"query": "Article: How will you celebrate New Year's Eve? By having a party with your classmates? Going to the karaoke for a singing competition? Many people around the world celebrate the day. Let's have a look at what people in other countries do.     In the United States, thousands of people jam into Times Square in New York to welcome in the new year at midnight. The change from New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is very exciting. People count down   the seconds to welcome the new day as the New Year ball slowly gets down and lights up the area.     In Spain, when the clock strikes midnight, everyone eats 12 grapes. They eat one grape for each toll   to bring good luck for the next 12 months of the new year.     In Scotland, fireworks are set off in front of the Edinburgh Castle. Immediately after midnight, people sing Auld Lang Syne (<<>> ). The words are in Scottish and mean \"days gone by\". The famous Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote the song.     In Brazil, most people wear white clothes on New Year's Eve to bring good luck for the new year. If they live near a beach, after midnight, people go there, light candles in the sand, throw flowers in the sea and make a wish. They say that the goddess who protects the sea will make their wishes come true.     Did you know?     The date January 1 was picked by the Roman leader Julius Caesar   as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January was named after the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. \n Question: What's the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) The history of New Year. (B) New Year joy all around the world. (C) Where to celebrate the New Year's Eve. (D) 12 grapes, 12 months .", "pos": "Article: Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the Spring Festival start on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, and end on the 15th day of the first lunar month in the following year in the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year's Day's date is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2015 it's Thursday, February 19. Many people clean their homes to welcome the Spring Festival. They put up the red posters with poetic verses on it to their doors, Chinese New Year pictures on their walls, and decorate their homes with red lanterns. It is also a time to reunite with  s so many people visit their families at this time of the year. In the evening of the Spring Festival Eve, many people set off fireworks and firecrackers, hoping to cast away any bad luck and bring forth good luck. Children often receive lucky money. Many people wear new clothes and send Chinese New Year greetings to each other. Various activities such as beating drums and striking gongs, as well as dragon and lion dances, are all part of the Spring Festival festivities. The Spring Festival is a national holiday in China. Government offices, schools, universities and many companies are closed during the period from the Spring Festival Eve to the seventh day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. However, some enterprises such as banks often arrange for workers to be on shift duty. Public transport is available during the Chinese New Year period. The red posters with poetic verses on it were initially a type of amulet  , but now it simply means good fortune and joy. Various Chinese New Year symbols express different meanings. For example, an image of a fish symbolizes \"having more than one needs every year\". A firecracker symbolizes \"good luck in the coming year\". The festival lanterns symbolize \"pursuing the bright and the beautiful\". \n Question: The passage mainly tells us \n Options: (A) Chinese New Year is around the corner (B) what people usually do during Chinese New Year (C) how people treat each other on the special day (D) Chinese New Year witnesses the longest holidays", "neg": "Article: Almost all cultures celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another in some way. Different cultures celebrate the beginning of a new year in different ways, and at different times on the calendar. In Western countries, people usually celebrate New Year at midnight on January 1st. People may go to parties, dress in formal clothes -- like tuxedos   and evening gowns, and drink champagne at midnight. During the first minutes of the New Year, people cheer and wish each other happiness for the year ahead. But some cultures prefer to celebrate the New Year by waking up early to watch the sun rise. They welcome the New Year with the first light of the sunrise. It is also a common Western custom to make a New Year's promise, called a resolution. New Year's resolutions usually include promises to try something new or change a bad habit in the new year. Many cultures also do special things to get rid of bad luck at the beginning of a new year. For example, in Ecuador, families make a big doll from old clothes. The doll is filled with old newspapers and firecrackers. At midnight, these dolls are burned to show the bad things from the past year are gone and the new year can start afresh (again). Other common traditions to keep away bad luck in a new year include throwing things into rivers or the ocean, or saying special things on the first day of the new year. Other New Year traditions are followed to bring good luck is to eat grapes on New Year's Day. The more grapes a person eats , the more good luck the person will have in the year. In France, people eat pancakes for good luck at New Year. In the United States, some people eat black-eyed peas   for good luck -- but to get good luck for a whole year you have to eat 365 of them! \n Question: Which culture celebrates New Year in the morning? \n Options: (A) The passage doesn't say. (B) Spain. (C) France. (D) The United States.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}256{"query": "Article: \"What is the most important thing you've done in your life?\" The question was put to me during a presentation I gave to a group of lawyers. The answer came to me in an instant. It's not the one I gave, because the situation was not right. As a lawyer in the entertainment industry, I knew the audience wanted to hear some amusing stories about my work with well-known people, but here's the true answer: The most important thing I've ever done occurred on October 8,1990. I began the day playing tennis with an old friend I hadn't seen for a while. Between points we talked about what had been happening in each other's lives. He and his wife had just had a baby boy, who was keeping them up at night. While we were playing, a car came screaming up the road toward the courts. It was my friend's father, who shouted to my friend that his baby had stopped breathing and was being rushed to the hospital. In a flash my friend was in the car and gone, disappearing in a cloud of dust. For a moment I just stood there, paralyzed . Then I tried to figure out what I should do. Follow my friend to the hospital? There was nothing I could accomplish there, I convinced myself. My friend's son was in the care of doctors and nurses, and nothing I could do or say would affect the outcome. Be there for moral support? Well, maybe. But my friend and his wife both had large families, and I knew they'd be surrounded by relatives who would provide more than enough comfort and support, whatever happened. All I could do at the hospital, I decided, was to get in the way. Also, I had planned a full day with my family, who were waiting for me to get home. So I decided to head back to my house and check in my friend later. As I started my car, I realized that my friend had left his truck and keys at the courts. I now faced another problem. I couldn't leave the keys in the truck. So I decided to go to the hospital and give him the keys. When I arrived, I was directed to a room where my friend and his wife were waiting. As I had thought, the room was filled with family members silently watching my friend comfort his wife. I went in and stood by the door, trying to decide what to do next. Soon a doctor appeared. He approached my friend and his wife, and in a quiet voice told them that their son had died. For a long time the two held each other and cried, unaware of the rest of us standing around in pained silence. After they had calmed themselves, the doctor suggested they spend a few moments with their son. My friend and his wife stood up and walked past their families. When they reached the door, my friend saw me standing in the corner. He came over and hugged me and started to cry. My friend's wife hugged me, too, and said , \"Thanks for being here.\" For the rest of that morning, I sat in the emergency room of that hospital and watched my friend and his wife hold the body of their infant son, and say goodbye. It's the most important thing I have ever done. The experience taught me two lessons. First: The most important thing I've ever done happened when I was completely helpless. None of the things I had learned in university, in three years of law school or in six years of legal practice were of any use in that situation. Something terrible was happening to people I cared about, and I was powerless to change the outcome. All I could do was standing by and watching it happen. And yet it was critical that I do just that--- just be there when someone needed me. Second: The most important thing I've done almost didn't happen because of things I had learned in classroom and professional life. Law school taught me how to take a set of facts, break them down and organized them. These skills are critical for lawyers. When people come to us for help, they're often stressed out and depend on a lawyer to think logically. But while learning to think, I almost forget how to feel. Today I have no doubt that I should have leapt into my car without hesitation and followed my friend to the hospital. From that one experience I learned that the most important thing in life isn't the money you make, the status you attain or the honors you achieve. \n Question: When he was asked about the most important thing he had done in life at a presentation, the author    _   . \n Options: (A) felt it was not an interesting question (B) thought for a while and spoke his mind (C) gave an answer from a lawyer's point of view (D) didn't give the real answer", "pos": "Article: I had a terrible accident and was transferred via a helicopter to the Pittsburgh Hospital. I was conscious of my accident and friends, and family passing out at the sight of me. It was no picnic! Late one evening ,I could hear the nurses in the next room repeatedly talking to a new patient. \"Sandy, your mom is here. Open your eyes. \" This had gone on throughout the night. \"Sandy ,your dad has some flowers for you. Open your eyes and look at them. \" I asked the nurse as she checked in on me what had happened to Sandy. The nurse said that Sandy was about 17 and had been involved in a car wreck. She was in a deep coma  , not in good shape. Over the next few nights ,I started talking to Sandy. Although, it was said silently, I started to urge her to open her eyes or say something. Her parents visited with me one evening, and they seemed to be from an important family but in much grief, much like the faces of those that had visited me. And there I was speechless, immobile and had no real way of easing  their pain. It became very important to me to pray for her recovery, not my own. In some strange way, I believed that if Sandy would just open her eyes ,my own situation would get better. Sandy never came out of the coma as far as I know. During my stay in hospital, there were many times I felt like I was in an emotional coma. But I still could hear \"just open your eyes. \" Even now I think of her quite often. I remember the long nights in the hospital, the smell of the hospital environment and the helplessness we all felt. Even though Sandy's situation was bad, I am thankful for understanding what it means to let go of your own problems and concentrate on others. \n Question: The nurses repeatedly said \"Open your eyes\" to Sandy, trying  _ \n Options: (A) to help her recognize her parents (B) to find whether she is still alive (C) to introduce her to the author (D) to help her come to life", "neg": "Article: My friends, as you know, my television career began unexpectedly. I was 16 years old in Nashville, Tennessee and I was in the Miss Fire Prevention contest. They had the requirement of having to have red hair in the final part until the year I entered the final. And to my joy the swimsuit competition was also cancelled. That year they were doing the question and answer period.  ''Why, young lady, what would you like to be when you grow up? '' And by the time they got to me all the good answers were gone. I had seen Barbara Walters on the Today Show that morning so I answered: '' I would like to be a journalist. I would like to tell other people's stories in a way that makes a difference in their lives and the world. '' And as these words were coming out of my mouth, I went whoa! This is pretty good! I would like to be a journalist. I want to make a difference. Well I was on television by the time I was 19 years old. And in 1986 I launched my own television show with the determination to succeed at first. I was nervous about the competition and then I had no competitor but I still pushed myself as hard as I before. Eventually we did make it to the top and we stayed there for 25years. The Oprah Winfrey Show was number one for 21 years and I have to tell you I became pretty comfortable with that level of success. But a few years ago I decided that it was time to break new ground. So I ended the show and launched OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network. But only one year later after launching OWN nearly every media said that my new attempt was a failure. Not just a failure but a big failure they called it. I can still remember the day I opened up USA Today and read the headline ''Oprah, not quite standing on her OWN. '' I mean really, USA Today? Now that's the nice newspaper! This time last year was really the worst period in my professional life. \n Question: How did she manage to make her television show to the top and stay there for 25 years? \n Options: (A) By answering the questions perfectly. (B) By competing with others. (C) By working hard. (D) Through television show.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}257{"query": "Article: After their 20-year-old son hanged himself during his winter break from the University of Arizona five years ago, Donna and Phil Satow wondered what signs they have overlooked, and started asking other students for answers. What grew from this soul searching was Ulifeline (www. Ulifeline. org), a Web site where students can get answers to questions about depression by logging on through their universities. The site has been adopted as a resource by over 120 colleges, which can customize it with local information, and over 1.3 million students have logged on with their college ID's. \"It is a very solid Web site that raises awareness of suicide, de-stigmatizes mental illness and encourages people to seek the help they need,\"said Paul Grayson, the director of counseling services at New York University, which started using the service nearly a year ago. The main component of the Web site is the Self-screening program developed by Duke University Medical Center that tests students to determine whether they are at risk for depression, suicide and disorders like anorexia and drug dependences. Besides helping students, the services compiles anonymous student date, offering administrators an important window onto the mental health of its campus. The site provides university users with links to local mental health services, a catalog of information on prescription drugs and side effects, and access to Go Ask Alice, a vast archive developed by Columbia University with hundreds of responses to anonymously posted inquires from college students worldwide. For students concerned about their friends, there is a section that describes warning signs for suicidal behavior and depression. Yet it is hard to determine how effective the service is. The anonymity of the online service can even play out as a negative. \"There is no substitute for personal interaction ,\" said Dr. Lanny Berman, executive director of the American Association of Suicidology, based in Washington.  _ \"The purpose is to find out if there are signs of depression and then direct people to the right places,\" said Ron Gibori, executive director of Ulifeline. Mrs. Satow, who is still involved with Ulifeline, called it \"a knowledge base\" that might have prevented the death of her son, Jed. \"If Jed's friends had known the signs of depression, they might have seen something,\" she said. \n Question: One reason that many colleges adopt the website is to   _ \n Options: (A) provide their students with campus information (B) offer medical treatment to students in mental disorder (C) encourage their students to seek advice about depression (D) give their students various help they may need", "pos": "Article: American researchers have found that variations  in a single gene can be used to predict if someone is likely to take their own life. Researchers at John Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland, found that the gene SKA2 stopped functioning correctly in people at risk of suicide. The SKA2 gene is found in the prefrontal cortex  of the brain, and is involved in preventing negative thoughts and controlling abnormal behavior. If there isn't enough SKA2, or it is changed in some way, the body cannot control levels of cortisol  . Previous research has shown that people who attempt suicide or who take their own lives have large amounts of cortisol in their systems. A test could allow doctors or psychologists to place patients on \"suicide watch\" and disable their access to drugs or equipment which they could use to end their own life. The research was reported in The American Journal of Psychology. \"We need to study this in a larger sample but we believe that we might be able to monitor the blood to identify those at risk of suicide. After all, suicide is a major preventable public health problem, but we have been stymied  in our prevention efforts because we have no steady way to predict those who are at increased risk of killing themselves,\" says study leader Dr Zachary Kaminsky, an assistant professor of psychological and behavioral sciences. \"With a test like ours, we may be able to cut down suicide rates by identifying those people and intervening early enough to head off a catastrophe .\" The blood test managed to predict those with the most severe risk of suicide with 90 per cent accuracy. They could also spot if someone had already attempted suicide with 96 per cent accuracy, simply by looking at the levels of SKA2. \n Question: What's the purpose of the blood test? \n Options: (A) To predict people's characters. (B) To help cure those who lack SKA2. (C) To predict whether someone may attempt suicide. (D) To see whether people get infected by illness.", "neg": "Article: It's a nightmare for Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST): within a week,two students committed suicide by jumping off dorm buildings.,:,.  Officials from the university are _ to give interviews..  \"We had a hard time calming down students who were shocked at the suicides,\" said Zhang Jingyuan,one official of HUST. \"Media coverage may arouse some students' negative emotions again.Suicide can be contagious,\" Zhang said.,\",. \" The university reacted promptly to the first suicide on October 23.1023,.  Advisors and class leaders conducted dorm-to-dorm checks to find students suffering depression.Then psychologists offered one-on-one counseling to them.,. ,.  Notice boards publicizing tips for identifying peers' mental problems and offering help were set up in front of dorm buildings.Leaflets carrying similar information were handed out to each dorm.,. .  However,the second suicide came seven days later.,,.  Both students were described as men of few words.Their schoolmates didn't see anything to indicate suicide.,. .  Zhang revealed that the two students had been bothered by mental disorders.But the school didn't know this until the students' close friends outside school and their parents unveiled the truth after the suicides.,. ,.  According to Zhang,there are only three full-time counselors working in the university's counseling center for its 60,000 students.He complained: \"It's unrealistic to rely only on counselors to detect students' mental problems.\",,. :\",. \" Effective prevention comes from long-term education for life instead of temporary intervention to meet an emergency,said Hu Yi'an.Hu delivers a course of lectures on life and death at Guangzhou University.He worries that universities have paid little attention to education for life.,, . . .  \"Education for life helps students respect and love life so they won't resort to ending their lives when they have difficulties,\" said Hu.\", ,,,\" .  According to Hu,the principles can be incorporated into everyday teaching.,.  Hu is also concerned that some universities are conveying discriminatory message that will hold back students from seeking help..  When HUST conducted the dorm-to-dorm examination,students with poor academic performance were paid special attention.In March,Peking University also released a controversial policy,which required teachers to have a chat with students \"with biased thinking\".,. ,,\"\".  However,Hu suggested that students step out of their comfort zone to seek real-life communication. \n Question: Which measure the university took to the first suicide is incorrect? \n Options: (A) Conducting checks to find out the students' depression. (B) Offering counseling to the students. (C) Setting up notice boards publicizing tips for identifying peers' mental problems and offering help. (D) Handing out leaflets to each student.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}258{"query": "Article: Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. One day I went up to Michael and asked him, \"I don't get it. You can't be positive all the time. How do you do it?\" Michael replied, \"Each morning I wake up and say to myself 'Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining  I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.\" I often thought about that when I made a choice about life. Several years later, Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling off 60 feet from a communica-tion tower. After l8 hours of operation, and weeks of intensive care, Michael was re-leased from the hospital with rods placed in his back.I asked him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. \"The first thing that went through my mind was the well being of my soon-to-born daughter,\" Michael replied. \"Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. In the operation room, I told the doctors and nurses, 'I'm choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead'.\" Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. \n Question: Each time something bad happens, Michael chooses to   _  . \n Options: (A) be in a good mood (B) learn from it (C) complain about it (D) ignore the negative side of it", "pos": "Article: When I was 18, I had a motorbike accident that put me in a coma for three months. The doctors said there was little chance of my coming out of it, but my identical twin, Marcus, didn't believe them and carried on talking to me. My first words when I came to myself were, \"Hello, Marcus. \"Even though I had no memory of my own name, or that the woman crying at my bedside was my mother, I knew Marcus immediately; it was like a genetic memory. just felt close to him. As weeks went by, I still could remember nothing before the accident. Marcus was the only person I could relate to. I had to relearn everything, and Marcus helped me. Because of my twin I wasn't scared of having lost my memory; I believed everything he said. He became my memory, telling me about my school, friends, previous girlfriends and holidays, showing me family photographs, and telling me how perfect I was. With his encouragement I slowly recovered and tried to become the person everyone around me loved. Then years later, when my memories flooded back, I learned that I was anything but perfect--I was troublesome, selfish, and now very angry with Marcus for having lied to me. But finally I understood. Out of love, Marcus had chosen not to tell me about my dark side. He wanted me to have a fresh start--and in fact I had one. Thanks to him, I was able to get married and have kids. I'm 46 now, and feel as if I'm in the third stage of my life. I know all there is to know, and wouldn't want it any other way. \n Question: Which of the following words best describes Marcus? \n Options: (A) Dishonest. (B) Thoughtful. (C) Careful. (D) Strict.", "neg": "Article: At times Marty made it sound too easy. On a visit to his home I heard him say, \"People need to decide to be happy.\" I pressed him. \"What do you mean by that?\" His face took on an skeptical look. \"You have to ask me?\" At that moment I felt a little foolish. Complex human problems, at least to me, often prevent people from being happy. To Marty it was a matter of common sense. I wondered, what was I missing? That night Marty told me a story that was very personal for him. I knew Marty and Mickey had four children. I didn't know there had been a fifth. She was their second child. She died shortly after birth.  \"The funeral director was a super guy,\" Marty said. \"He knew we didn't have any money, but he told us he would take care of our little girl. He went out and built a wood casket   for her.\" Marty's voice started to break. \"He only charged us five dollars. It's stuff like that. You can look for the good in people and you'll find the good. You can look for the bad in people and you'll find the bad.\" I didn't know what it was like to grow up poor. Marty's life was filled with minimum-wage jobs, borrowing on insurance policies, and working overtime to make a little more money.  In my lifetime I had seen people in similar circumstances grow angry. Bitterness took hold of their lives and choked them. \"I never had much money, and I don't think I ever will.\" Marty said. \"People think they need to have a lot of things to make them happy. They ought to look around and see what's really important.\" When Marty looked around, he saw the most beautiful girl in the world as his wife, four children who loved him, a home he took pride in, and a job that made him feel alive. He was happy because, in his mind, he had it all. \n Question: Marty shared one of his personal stories to   _  . \n Options: (A) tell the author he experienced something sad (B) prove the funeral director was a good person (C) tell the author to find the goodness in life (D) help those who gave him a hand once", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}259{"query": "Article: As many people hit middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental attention are not what they used to be. We suddenly can't remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old friend's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. It happens to most of us, but is it unavoidable? Scientists are increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It turns that the brain needs exercise in much the same way as our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can improve our basic cognitive  functions. Now, a new San Francisco Web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first \"brain training program\" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental sharpness. Called Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts from Stanford University. Lumosity is far more than an online place to exercise your mental skills. That's because they have combined these exercises with a Web-based program that allows you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills. Apparently it works. One study showed students improved their scores on math tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity for six weeks, greater gains than those made by other students in the same class, who were not training with the Lumosity program. The company says its users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, increased alertness  and awareness, high mood, and better concentration at work or while driving. \n Question: What is the purpose of Lumosity? \n Options: (A) To exercise the brain and muscles. (B) To combine exercises with a web-based program. (C) To improve basic cognitive functions. (D) To improve students' scores on test.", "pos": "Article: Tips for developing an exercise plan for your brain You know that eating a sensible diet and getting plenty of exercise help your body healthy and strong. But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter? Studies show that when the brain is _ to do something new, it creates new neural pathways . The more pathways you have, the faster you can think and the better memory you will have. Ten steps toward a smarter brain Limit your TV time Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting physical exercise. Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do. If you watch TV, choose something educational and informative. Travel Traveling to a new country forces you to see and do things in a new way, providing stimulation  to the brain. Learn a new language Acquiring a new language involves different learning methods. Learning a language sharpens your brain and helps prevent memory problems in later years. Master a new subject Each week, select an animal, a bird or a fish, and read everything you can about it. Stretch  your brain as you become an expert on the subject. Use your non-dominant hand If you are right-handed, use your left hand for everyday activities, or use your right hand if you are left-handed. Doing familiar things in a new way will cause your brain to create new neural networks. Read often As you read, take the time to look up people or places that aren't familiar. Reading expands your vocabulary if you search for words and definitionsthat you don't know. Do puzzles According to the Mayo Clinic, doing sudoku and crossword puzzles keeps the brain sharp into your senior years. Calculate while you shop As you put things in your grocery cart, total everything in your head. See how much close you get to the actual total. Play video games Studies have found that certain video games force you to use critical decision-making skills and can even improve students' math scores. Tweet!(,) Read messages from people who represent a wide range of interests. And some say that learning to express yourself in just 140 characters is a great brain challenge! So get in the habit of challenging your brain, and make yourself smarter! \n Question: What can we learn from the passage? \n Options: (A) Educational and informative TV shows are helpful to limit your TV time. (B) Doing sudoku and crossword puzzles may make you confused. (C) Playing certain video games may help you sharpen your mind. (D) Writing short messages often can also make you healthier .", "neg": "Article: Some kinds of mental skills naturally decrease as people get older. Yet research seems to show that some training can improve such skills. A recently published study also appears to demonstrate that the good effects of training can last for many years after that training has ended. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland wanted to learn how long memory and thinking skills would last in older people who trained to keep them. The people were part of the ten-year research project. They were taught methods meant to improve their memory, thinking and ability to perform everyday tasks. More than 2,800 volunteered for the study called ACTIVE - short for Advanced (Cognitive) Training for Independent and Vital Elderly. Most studied when they were more than 70 years old. The volunteers took one of several short training classes meant to help them keep their mental abilities. One class trained participants in skills including how to remember word lists. Another group trained in reasoning. A third group received help with speed-of-processing - speed of receiving and understanding information. A fourth group - the control group did not get any training. Earlier results had established that the training helped the participants for up to five years. Now, lead study writer George Rebok says, the research showed most of the training remained effective a full ten years later. Professor Rebok and his team found that the people trained in reasoning and speed-of-processing did better on tests than the control group. \"We are wondering whether those effects which endured over time would still be there ten years following the training, and in fact, that's exactly what we found.\" The effect on memory, however, seemed not to last as long. Still, the old people in any of the three classes generally reported less difficulty in performing daily activities than the control group. The total training time for the older people was between 10 and 15 hours. \n Question: Which statement is true according to the text? \n Options: (A) This kind of training can only have effect on people for a few years. (B) The people were trained during a period of ten years. (C) All the people who were studied were more than 70 years old. (D) The second group were trained how to remember word lists.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}260{"query": "Article: In recent years many countries of the world have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive. Some experts claim the answer is to make jobs more varied. But do more various jobs lead to greater productivity? There is evidence to suggest that while variety certainly makes the worker's life more enjoyable, it does not actually make him work harder. As far as increasing productivity is concerned, then variety is not an important factor. Other experts feel that giving the worker freedom to do his job in his own way is important, and there is no doubt that this is true. The problem is that this kind of freedom cannot easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated machinery which must be used in a fixed way. Thus while freedom of choice may be important, there is usually very little that can be done to create it. Another very important consideration is how each worker contributes to the product he is making. In most factories the worker sees only one part of the product. Some car factories are now experimenting with having many small production lines rather than one large one, so that each worker contributes more to the production of the cars on his line. It would seem that not only is degree of the worker contribution an important factor, therefore, but it is also one we can do something about. To what extent does more money lead to greater productivity? The workers themselves certainly think this is important. But perhaps they want more money only because the work they do is boring. Money just lets them enjoy their spare time more. A similar argument may explain demands for shorter working hours. Perhaps if we succeed in making their jobs more interesting, they will neither want more money, nor will shorter working hours be so important to them. \n Question: Which of the following is the best way to make workers work harder according to the author? \n Options: (A) Increasing their pay. (B) Giving them more spare time. (C) Making the work itself meaningful. (D) Replacing large production lines with small ones.", "pos": "Article: Adam Smith was the first person to see the importance of the division of the labor. He gave us an example of the process by which pins were made in England.     One man draws out the wire, another strengthens it, a third cuts it, a fourth points it, and a fifth gives it a head. Just to make the head requires two or three different operations. The work of making pins is divided into about eighteen different operations, which in some factories are all performed by different people, though in others the same man will sometimes perform two or three of them.     Ten men, Smith said, in this way, turned out twelve pounds of pins a day or about 4,800 pins a worker. But if all of them had worked separately and independently without division of labor, they certainly could not have made twenty pins in a day and not even one.     There can be no doubt that division of labor is an efficient way of organizing work.  Fewer people can make more pins. Adam Smith saw this, but he also took it for granted that the division of labor is itself responsible for economic growth and development and it accounts for the difference between expanding economies and those that stand still. In fact, the division of labor adds nothing new, and it only enables people to produce more of what they already have. \n Question: According to the passage, Adam Smith was the first person      to   _  . \n Options: (A) take advantage of the physical labor (B) introduce the division of labor into England (C) understand the effects of the division of labor (D) explain the causes of the division of labor", "neg": "Article: Technology has been an encouragement of historical change. It acted as such a force in England beginning in the eighteenth century, and across the entire Western World in the nineteenth. Rapid advances were made in the use of scientific findings in the manufacture   of goods, which has changed ideas about work. One of the first changes was that other forms of energy have taken the place of human power. Along with this came the increased use of machines to manufacture products in less time. People also developed machines that could produce the same parts for a product: each nail was exactly like every other nail, meaning that each nail could be changed for every other nail. This means that goods could be mass production, although mass production required breaking production down into smaller and smaller tasks. Once _ was done, workers no longer started on the product and labored to complete it. Instead, they might work only one thousandth of it, other workers completing their own parts in certain order. There is nothing strange about this manufacturing work by today's standards. Highly skilled workers were unable to compare with the new production techniques, as mass production allowed goods of high standard to be produced in greater number than could ever be done by hand. But the skilled worker wasn't the only loser, the common workers lost too. Similar changes forced farmer away. The increased mechanization   of agriculture freed masses of workers from ploughing the land and harvesting its crops. They had no choice but to stream toward the rapidly developing industrial centers. Increasingly, standards were set by machines. Workers no longer owned their own tools, their skill was no longer valued, and pride in their work was no longer possible. Workers fed, looked after and repaired the machines that could work faster than humans at greatly reduced cost. \n Question: In this passage, which of the following is NOT considered as a change caused by the use of scientific findings in the production of goods? \n Options: (A) Other forms of energy have taken the place of human power. (B) The increased exploitation  of workers in the 19th century. (C) The increased use of machines to make products in less time. (D) The use of machines producing parts of the same standard.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}261{"query": "Article: Have you heard of the scandal that happened in one of Great Britain's biggest supermarket chains called Tesco? The British love Tesco as it sells very cheap products and it can be found on almost every corner of a British city or town. On January 15th 2013 food inspectors discovered 30 % horsemeat in a certain brand of frozen beefburgers that were mostly sold by Tesco in the UK and Ireland. In times of social media like Facebook and Twitter the news has spread fast and customers have been very concerned about what the food they buy actually contains. Tesco said it had taken away the burgers from the shop shelves immediately, and apologized to their customers. They also promised that they would find out what exactly happened and that they would work harder than ever so this would never happen again. Customers are also able to return the beefburgers and get a refund, that is, their money back. However, it will be hard for Tesco to get the people's trust back. Just imagine buying lovely beefburgers that you fry at home and suddenly you find out that you have actually eaten horsemeat! In this case not only horse lovers will be upset! By the way, why are British people so shocked about eating horsemeat? In history, horses have played great roles as working animals and as an important means of transport. When Britons of today think of horses, they think of majestic animals or cute pets rather than meat. But this is not the only reason for the protest: Customers also want to be sure that the products they buy contain what it says on the label. Hopefully, supermarkets can avoid mistakes like that in the future. Maybe there should be stricter regulations and more controls of our food? Otherwise we will soon find ourselves eating panda meat instead of pork and parrot instead of chicken. So the next time you are in a supermarket maybe check the ingredients of your food before you buy it or you could get a nasty surprise ... \n Question: What is the scandal? \n Options: (A) Tesco's products were much more expensive than they are supposed to be. (B) Tesco didn't react immediately to a food quality issue. (C) Tesco sold expired food. (D) Horsemeat was found in burgers sold in Tesco.", "pos": "Article: Data on British buying habits in 2015 reveals a move away from products such as sausages and bacon in favour of fish and poultry . The move may be because high-end consumers are noticing growing warnings about their impact on health. That was reinforced by an assessment by the World Health Organization in October that placed cured and processed meats in the same category as asbestos, alcohol, arsenic and tobacco as major causes of cancer. Sales of sausages and bacon were down 14.4% last year compared with 2014 and sales of red meat fell by 8.1%. In contrast, sales of poultry and fish rose by 13.1% and 25.1% respectively. The sustained interest in organic food is driven by an increase in young and socially conscious\"millennials\"(born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s) with strong social, ethical and environmental values. They are prepared to pay extra for healthier options and shifting shopping patterns away from\"the big weekly shop\"in favour of\"a few and often\". At Tesco sales of organic fruit and vegetables have risen by more than 18% over the last year -- double the market average. Tesco fruit commercial manager Gareth Wilcock said,\"The revival of organic foods has been gathering pace over the last few years, with lower prices and better availability both playing a major part in that.\" George Scott, food and grocery analyst with Verdict Retail, said,\"Organic food is no longer niche   and I think this upward sales trend is here to stay. It is very significant that we have acute consumers who are prepared to trade up to the foods where they want the best quality and assurances of provenance.\" \n Question: What does the World Health Organization think of processed meats? \n Options: (A) High-end consumers prefer them. (B) They have little effect on heart diseases. (C) They're a kind of organic food. (D) They're likely to cause cancer.", "neg": "Article: The United States government has decided that food from cloned  cattle, pigs and goats is safe to eat. The Food and Drug Administration also says it found no risks in meat and milk from cloned animals. The F.D.A. looked at studies for several years before it announced its decision in a final report this month. The United States Department of Agriculture supported the findings. But it says time is needed to clear the way for marketing meat and milk from clones. The F.D.A. will not require any product to be registered  as coming from clones. A producer would need to label   a product \"clone-free\". The agency   says that could be misunderstood because the food is not different from other food. But activists argue that the F.D.A. based its decision on incomplete research into possible risks. The Center for Food Safety criticized the use of studies supplied by cloning companies. Animal rights activists point out that cloning attempts often fail. They say cloning is cruel and can lead to suffering. Congress   has been trying to get the F.D.A. to do more studies. But the agency noted that experts in New Zealand and the European Union had come to the same findings about the safety of food from clones. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan say they want to study it further before taking action. Products from cloning may not be widely used for several years. Clones cost much , which is why they are not widely used for feeding. The Agriculture Department says few clones will ever become food. Their traditionally raised animals would enter the food supply instead. \n Question: What is the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) Is Food from Cloned Animals Safe? (B) A New Clone Policy (C) A Big Danger --Cloned Food (D) Cloned Products --A Terrible Choice", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}262{"query": "Article: Flying Ever since I was old enough to dream,I have imagined myself soaring with the eagles.My love of flying has shaped the way I live and the person I have become.Two years ago,that passion rocketed to new heights when I had the opportunity to visit Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona.For a whole week I lived in a college dorm,roomed with a total stranger and---best of all---I flew! My group took part in activities ranging from learning about the history of aviation   to flying in state-of-the-art pilot training simulators  .At least once a day,I devoted myself to learning one of the world's best training aircrafts,the Cessna 182.Not only did I receive thorough ground instruction,but I also got to fly.In total,I flew five hours to receive my private pilot's license. In that one joyous and oh-so-short week,my passion for aviation grew even stronger.Now, whenever I see a plane flying overhead,I feel a sense of pride thinking I've done that. During my time in and above the Arizona desert,I learned not only about the mechanics and techniques of aviation,but also about myself and how I see the world.As I floated in that seemingly endless sea of air,I became aware of the variety and complexity of the humanity below.On the ribbons of roadways,each tiny car carried people with hopes and dreams.I wondered if any of those people had ever wished to fly like an eagle.Then I realized that each must have his or her own dreams and ambitions.That's what makes us unique.We try to respond to something special inside us.I also realized that I was especially fortunate to be making my own dream come true. Everywhere I go,I hear,\"Do what makes you happy and you will be happy.\"It sounds like standard advice,but I've really thought about it and taken it to heart.I couldn't care less about how much money I make or what benefits I receive.I know that I am already in hot pursuit  of my dreams.And,even if they change,even if they finally don't involve aviation,I'll always aim to fly with the eagles. \n Question: Two years ago,the author  . \n Options: (A) was admitted to a university (B) stayed in a university for one week (C) saw the launch of the rocket (D) made good friends with an astronaut", "pos": "Article: When we are unfamiliar with something, we may feel nervous and fearful. The help of others is a good way to make us pull through.   I write for a big newspaper, and I wanted to write a story about parachute  jumping. To make it a realistic as well as exciting story, I decided that I first had to make a jump myself. Unfortunately, I am not good at any sport of any kind, let alone parachute jumping.   My friend Mr. Smith was willing to give me a hand. He took me to a ground school. The first day's training included several hours of instruction but not my first drop from an airplane. For this, I had to wait until the following morning.   The next morning, after a hurried, anxious breakfast, I was taken to the airfield. There, two heavy parachutes were put on my back. Then I was asked to make my way to a small plane which had just stopped slowly on the runway.   Once on the plane, it was soon climbing. I began to feel nervous. As we reached one thousand meters, Harry, my teacher, hooked  a line from my parachute to a steel ring inside the plane. The line was to pull my parachute open after I jumped.   \"Get ready, Henry,\" Harry said. I moved carefully to the door. I wanted to cry, \"No, no, no!\" but no word came.   \"Jump!\" Harry called out loudly. \"Jump!\"   To my surprise, kicking like a frog, I did jump. Away from the plane, and down, down I fell. It worked! The air seemed to hold me up. I was very happy.    Then I felt a quick pull. My big parachute had opened! It was like the best surprise I'd ever had. I looked down. There were rivers, trees, fields and houses. I heard the soft sound of the air. This was fun! \n Question: The writer made a parachute jump himself   _  . \n Options: (A) to learn more about parachute jumping (B) to make his story realistic and exciting (C) to have a rest from his busy work (D) to prove to others his skill and courage", "neg": "Article: I was fortunate enough to discover my love for flying when I was very young. Lucky that some things went my way: my eyesight, for example, was good enough to allow me to become a fighter pilot. And lucky that when I left the army, I found work as an airline pilot, when such jobs weren't plentiful. I still feel lucky, after all these years, to be able to follow my passion. The airline industry has its problems, and a lot of them can be troubling, but I still find purpose and satisfaction in flying. There's some freedom you feel when you're flying above the surface of the earth, no longer limited by gravity. Even at a thousand feet, you get a wider perspective. Problems that seem large down below feel smaller from that height, and smaller still by the time you reach thirty-five thousand feet. I love that flying is an intellectual challenge. If you change the angle of the nose by even one degree while traveling at a typical commercial airliner speed of seven miles a minute, it's enough to increase or decrease your rate of climb or descent by seven hundred feet per minute. I enjoy keeping track of all the calculations, staying aware of the weather conditions, working with a team while knowing closely what the plane can and cannot do. I like the challenge of that. I also like sharing my passion for flying. It's a disappointment to me that a lot of kids today aren't fascinated by flight. I've watched countless children walk past the plane without paying much attention; they're too focused on their video games or their iPods. When there are children who eagerly want a look inside \"my office\" at the front of the plane, it's so rewarding to see their excitement about something I care deeply about. If we aren't busy during boarding, the first officer and I enjoy inviting curious children to sit in our seats in the cockpit , ask questions, and let their parents take photos of them wearing a captain's hat. Being a pilot has a tangible end result that is beneficial to society. It feels good to take a planeload of 183 people where they need or want to go. My job is to reunite people with family and friends, to send them on vacations, to bring them to loved ones' funerals, to get them to their job interviews. By the end of a day, I feel as if I've accomplished something. All of them have their own stories, motivations, needs -- and helping them brings a rewarding feeling. This is what gets me ready for work, and one of the things I look forward to. \n Question: What makes the author feel lucky is that   _  . \n Options: (A) he was able to find a job as a pilot (B) his job is satisfying and totally free of trouble (C) he began flying even when he was very young (D) his physical condition enables him to be a spaceman", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}263{"query": "Article: The challenge to drink to the limits of one's endurance has become a celebrated part of college life. In one of the most extensive reports on college drinking thus far, a 1997 Harvard School of Public Health study found that 43 percent of college students admitted binge drinking in the preceding two weeks (Defined as four drinks in a sitting for a woman and five of a man, a drinking binge is when one drinks enough to risk health and well - being ) Experts estimate that excessive drinking is involved in thousands of student deaths a year. And the Harvard researchers found that there has been a dramatic change in why students drink. 39 percent drank \"to get drunk\" in 1993, but 52 percent had the same objective in 1997. \"What has changed is the across - the - board acceptability of intoxication  ,\" says Felix Savino at UW - Madison. Many college students today see not just drinking but being drunk as their primary way of socializing. The reasons for the shift are complex and not fully understood. But researchers guess that it may have something to do with today's instant - satisfaction life - style--and young people tend to take into the extreme. While binge drinking isn't always deadly, it does have other, wide - ranging effects. Academics is one area where it takes a heavy  _ (something paid, lost or suffered). Perhaps because alcohol increases aggression and affects judgement, it is also related to 25 percent of violent crimes and roughly 60 percent of vandalism on campus. Facing the many potential dangers, college campuses are searching for ways to reduce binge drinking. \n Question: Why has \"binge drinking\" caused widespread concern? \n Options: (A) Because it is directly responsible for the academic problem on campus. (B) Because it has claimed many young lives every year. (C) Because it has had harmful effects on the students' health and well - being. (D) Because it is in close connection with school violence.", "pos": "Article: Drunken driving--sometimes called America's socially accepted form of murder--has become a national epidemic . Every hour of every day about three Americans on average are killed by drunken drivers, adding up to an incredible 250,000 over the past ten years. A drunken driver is usually defined as one with a 0.10 blood alcohol content or roughly three beers, glasses of wine or several glasses of whisky drunk within two hours. Heavy drinking used to be an acceptable part of the American manly image and judges were serious in most courts, but the drunken slaughter  has recently caused so many well-publicized tragedies, especially involving young children, that public opinion is no longer so tolerant. Twenty states have raised the legal drinking age to 21, reversing  a trend in the 1960s to reduce it to 18. After New Jersey lowered it to 18, the number of people killed by 18-20-year-old drivers more than doubled, so the state recently upped it back to 21. Reformers, however, fear raising the drinking age will have little effect unless accompanied by educational programs to help young people to develop \"responsible attitudes\" about drinking and teach them to resist peer pressure to drink. Though new laws have led to increased arrests and tests and, in many areas already, to a marked decline in accidents, some states are also punishing bars for serving customers too many drinks. A bar in Massachusetts was fined for serving six or more double brandies to a customer who \"obviously drunk\" and later drove off the road, killing a nine-year-old boy. As the accidents continue to occur daily in every state, some Americans are even beginning to speak well of the 13 years of national prohibition  of alcohol that began in 1919, what President Hoover called the \"noble experiment\". They forgot that legal prohibition didn't stop drinking, but encouraged political corruption and organized crime. As with the booming drug trade generally, there is no easy solution. \n Question: In America, public opinion about drunken driving has changed because   _  . \n Options: (A) judges are no longer serious (B) new laws are introduced in some states (C) the problem has attracted public attention (D) drivers do not appreciate their manly image", "neg": "Article: In the United States, the legal age to drink alcohol is twenty-one --- one of the highest in the world. Americans debate whether _ should be lowered, or whether young drinkers would only drink more. In parts of Europe, the legal drinking age for beer, and sometimes hard liquor, is sixteen. Yet France may raise the age limit for beer and wine sales to eighteen, the same as for hard liquor there.     Rules on alcohol differ from college to college in the United States. Many schools require all first-year students to take an alcohol prevention and education program, often given online. Some have a \"zero tolerance\" policy where alcohol is banned from all buildings. Parents are informed of violations  and students may be suspended .       At the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, permission is needed to serve alcohol at any event on campus. But alcohol is banned in first-year dorms --- where most students are under twenty-one anyway.       Susan Davis, a university lawyer, says campus police and local police report underage drinking violations to administrators. The university judicial committee decides punishment on a case by case basis. For example, the committee might suspend or expel a student. It might require an alcohol education program. Or it might just give a warning.      Jon Zug is a prosecutor  in Albemarle County, where the university is located. He says international students would face the same punishment as American citizens for underage drinking in Virginia. That includes a fine of five hundred dollars or fifty hours of community service. But first offenders might be given a chance to complete an alcohol education program instead.     Schools have to report legal violations by international students to the Department of Homeland Security. International adviser Richard Tanson at the University of Virginia says even minor violations stay on a student's permanent immigration record. He says international students should know that this can affect them in the future if they try to re-enter the United States. \n Question: What would be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Studying in the US (B) Rules on Alcohol on Campus in the US (C) Campus Life in the US (D) Alcohol on Campus in the US", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}264{"query": "Article: One day Mr. Brown sees a young woman in the street with children. He is very surprised because all the children are wearing the same clothes. White caps, blue coats and yellow trousers. \"Are all these children yours?\" he asks the woman. \"Yes, they are.\" she answers. \"Do you always dress them in the same clothes ?\" asks Mr. Brown. \"Yes,\" answers the mother. \"When we have four children, we dress them in the same clothes because we don't want to lose any of them. It is easy to see our children among other children because they are all wearing the same clothes. And now we have ten, we dress them like this because we don't want to take other children home by mistake. When there are other children among ours, it is easy to see them because their clothes are different. \n Question: How many people does Mr. Brown see in the street one day? He sees   _  in all. \n Options: (A) twelve (B) eleven (C) four (D) ten children", "pos": "Article: Mrs. Allen's husband died ten years ago when her son and daughter were still in high school. Mr. Allen had left some money, and since Mrs. Allen had managed a bookstore before she was married, she took the money and bought a shop in town. Later she moved the shop out to the shopping center.     She was a pleasant woman; she worked hard and was well-informed about books, and so the bookstore prospered and she was able to hire a friend to help her.     Laura Barnes, Mrs. Allen's friend and assistant, was also a widow. She had some free time and the need for a little extra-money, and so she took the job in the bookstore. She was too clever and friendly, and the two women were well-known in the neighbourhood as \"Mrs. A\"and \"Mrs. B\". \n Question: How many people in all were there in the two women's families?   _  . \n Options: (A) At least 8 (B) At least 7 (C) At least 6 (D) At least 4", "neg": "Article: A girl with blue eyes is a blue-eyed girl. A man with long legs is a long-legged man. A woman with white hair is a white-haired woman. Children who have good looks are good-looking children. What do you do when you want to buy clothes? You go to a shop. If you can find clothes that are the right size for you, and if they are ready to wear, you will probably buy them. They are called ready-made clothes. If you can not find clothes that are the right size, you will go to a tailor's shop. A tailor is a man who makes clothes. He will measure you carefully and will then make clothes for you. Such clothes are called tailor-made clothes. What do we call a man who is dressed badly? We call him a badly-dressed man. A woman who is dressed well is called a well-dressed woman. What do you wear when it rains heavily? You wear a coat that will keep the rain out. Such a coat is called a raincoat. It is made of waterproof cloth--cloth that does not let water pass through. We have a lot of rain in England. If you come to England, bring a raincoat and an umbrella. You will find them useful. If the floor, walls and ceiling of a room are made so that sound cannot pass through the wall, we say that the room is sound-proof. There are sound-proof rooms in all broadcasting stations. \n Question: 55. The clothes which you buy from the supermarket are called    _    clothes. \n Options: (A) tailor-made (B) ready-made (C) hand-made (D) mass production", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}265{"query": "Article: Any high school students lucky enough to be accepted to Harvard University can easily count themselves among the country's best and brightest.  The story of David Boone's journey from sleeping on a park bench to one of Harvard's dorm rooms, certainly stands out from the crowd of his peers.  David, a 17-year-old senior at a MC2 Stem, a high school in Cleveland, Ohio that focuses largely on engineering and science classes with the help of a grant   from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was offered a full-ride scholarship to Harvard in the fall.  His family life has been complicated for the past few years after gangs and economic hardships resulted in him being separated from his family and forced to look after himself on the streets and park benches in Cleveland.  Because both his grandmother and mother could not afford to house the teenagers, his siblings split up to stay with various family friends, but because of space issues and his allergies   to the families pets, David was unable to stay. He ended up in the safer neighborhood of Coventry where there was a safer park with fewer dangers.  \"All of these life lessons have shaped me into who I am, transforming my dreams and aspirations and allowing me to free myself from what was becoming an unproductive environment,\" he wrote in his blog post. David's thirst for knowledge had never been reduced and his enthusiasm for engineering and science was growing. A short while later, Jeff McClellan, the principal of MC2 Stem was immediately impressed by David's dedication in the face of adversity, as well as his academic talent.  \"Here's a kid who's doing everything in his power to get where he wants to go and we had the available resources to provide a little additional support, \"Mr McClellan told the local ABC News.  At MC2 Stem, David found the exact fit, where it seems he was born to absorb what they were offering. Principal Jeff McClellan found David to be a great student and all-around person, but with a serious living situation, so he stepped in to help. After a home discussion with his wife, McClellan decided to offer David a place to live until he could find another home. Mr McClellan and his wife took the teen in and helped him before he found a permanent solution.       When it came to his next step, David aimed high and applied for a list of top colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Princeton, Cornell, Yale, Harvard and Washington University in St. Louis. In the end, only MIT rejected his application and he was left to choose his own fate from the selective prestigious and mostly Ivy League schools.  David's next challenge is to fight back tears at graduation this weekend. \"I promised myself I wouldn't cry. But I realize that's what everyone does before they cry. I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot of emotion there.\" he said. \n Question: According to the passage, what is one of the reasons that made David homeless? \n Options: (A) His parents' divorce. (B) His parents' unemployment. (C) His desire to be adventurous (D) His facing acts of violence.", "pos": "Article: When other nine-year-old kids were playing games, she was working at a petrol station . When other teens were studying or going out , she struggled to find a place to sleep on the street. But she overcame these terrible setbacks to win a highly competitive scholarship and gain entry to Harvard University . And her amazing story has inspired a movie , \" Homeless to Harvard : The Liz Murray Story\" , shown in late April . Liz Murray , a 22-year-old American girl, has been writing a real-life story of willpower and determination . Liz grew up in the shadow of two drug-addicted parents. There was never enough food or warm clothes in the house . Liz was the only member who had a job . Her mother had AIDS and died when Liz was just 15 years old. The effect of that loss became a turning point in her life. Connecting the environment in which she had grown up with how her mother had died , she decided to do something about it. Liz went back to school. She threw herself into her studies, never telling her teachers that she was homeless . At night , she lived on the streets. \" _ she wrote in her book Breaking Night . She admitted that she used envy to drive herself on . She used the benefits that come easily to others , such as a safe living environment , to encourage herself that \" next to nothing could hold me down\". She finished high school in just two years and won a full scholarship to study at Harvard University . But Liz decided to leave her top university a couple of months earlier this year in order to take care of her father, who has also developed AIDS. \" I love my parents so much . They are drug addicts. But I never forget that they loved me all the time.\" Liz wants moviegoers to come away with the idea that changing your life is \" as simple as making a decision\". \n Question: The main idea of the passage is   _   . \n Options: (A) how Liz managed to enter Harvard University (B) What a hard time Liz had in her childhood (C) why Liz loved her parents so much (D) how Liz struggled to change her life", "neg": "Article: Bob was born in Cambridge.  When he was in elementary school, he asked his mother to take him to parks in their community so he could collect empty soda cans to recycle.  His mother agreed, as long as he saved part of the money he earned for college. Bob's mother remembers Bob as the most determined of her seven kids.  Bob's persistence paid off.  On Friday, he will become the first person in his family, originally from El Salvador, to graduate from college.  And he's graduating with university honors. For his honors thesis he researched unmanned solar-powered airplanes, which BYU students have been building and testing for about 10 years.  Bob's study helps discover the best way to fly a solar-powered airplane so that it uses the least amount of power.  The goal is to design and build an airplane that flies indefinitely.  Bob's thesis helps lay the foundation for this work. \"My parents were always diligent,\" Bob said.  \"They often tell us hard work leads to success. \" Bob's father taught him to read at the age of 3, and his mother is currently a student at Utah Valley University in a way to becoming a dentist. Bob acknowledges he overcame some obstacles to get where he is.  For starters, English is his second language.  He also faced stereotypes .  Although Bob never doubted that he would be a college graduate, other people assumed he wouldn't because he didn't come from a family of high income.  There were other obstacles as well, but Bob viewed them all as opportunities. Bob's mother says she feels very happy and proud that her son is about to graduate with honors, and remembers the sacrifices he's made to get there.  \"He has worked very hard.  He started something, and now he has finished it,\" Cathy says.  \"I have always told him, 'If this is your dream, then you can get it! Keep working hard and you can get it!'\" \n Question: From the passage we can know that Bob's honors thesis   _  . \n Options: (A) makes his mother feel surprised (B) helps to save the power of flying a solar-powered airplane (C) is done with BYU students (D) doubts the way of flying a solar-powered airplane", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}266{"query": "Article: VINCOUVER (Reuters)----South Korea' s Kirn Yuna can finally relax and does fiot need to think about the future after she won the gold medal in the women' s figure skating  on Thursday.     The 19-year-old was the overwhelming  favorite to finish top of the podium   but said the pressure going into the event was large.     \"I feel now as if a huge burden has been lifted, \" the Games' highest-earning female athlete-she makes an estimated $8 million a year --said after her near-perfect program where she nailed all of her 11 jumps.     \"I will enjoy this moment and think about things later.I was just thrilled on the podium and I feel so relieved.I had been running toward this dream of the Olympics and was so happy to be here, \" she said.     \"Since I have achieved the most important goal in my life.I am going to enjoy this moment for a while and then think about what I am going to do,\" a smiling Yuna said.     Japanese  _ Mao Asada took silver while Joannic Rochette of Canada grabbed the bronze medal four days after her mother died.     \"I still cannot believe I did what I wanted to do at the Olympics.I have been dreaming about this moment and I cannot believe it is not a dream any more.\" said Yuna.     South Korea was counting on her to grab their first gold medal in figure skating and the first Winter Olympics gold medal outside short track and speed skating.     \"I was just happy to have skated a clean program.It was the first time I skated two clean programs.During the program when I finished all elements I thought 'this is going to be yeah...this is it'.\" \n Question: Kim Yuna felt relaxed because  _  . \n Options: (A) the competition was over (B) her dream finally came true (C) she won a large amount of money (D) she became well-known overnight", "pos": "Article: The 2016 Rio Olympic Games have come to an end. Without doubt, many Chinese sports fans sat in front of the TV and cheered our athletes on, hoping that they would get as many gold medals as possible. But sometimes our desire for gold medals can result in the sadness of failure. When Liu Xiang, China's track hero, pulled out of the Beijing Olympics due to injury, he greatly disappointed many Chinese sports fans. But things are different now. In the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, we saw a healthier and more _ Chinese attitude toward the sportspeople, fully in line with the Olympic spirit. China didn't win any gold medals on the first day. But, instead of criticizing the athletes who failed to finish on top of the podium , the majority of fans were happy with their efforts. \"Reacting in the right way when an athlete misses out on gold shows the maturity of a person, and is also a challenge for a country to face up to in the process of development,\" commented CRI. Swimmer Fu Yuanhui won fans' hearts, even if she only won a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke final. Her fans on her Sina Weibo micro blog have increased 100,000 to over 6 million. Many sports fans appreciated her straightforward character and attitude toward competition. \"The warm support from Internet users shows that public attitude toward competitive sport and the Olympics have gotten to a higher level,\" said an article in the People's Daily. \n Question: From passage 2, what can we know about Liu Xiang? \n Options: (A) He is still a famous athlete. (B) He didn't complete his event in the Beijing Olympics. (C) The audience desired him little. (D) He was required to give up the competition.", "neg": "Article: \"TODAY is a dream comes true. I have always wanted to be a Grand Slam   champion.\" These are the words of Chinese tennis player Li Na after she became the first Asian woman to win a Grand Slam final in the French Open on June 4. \"People were saying I'm getting old. So this is a great success for such an old woman,\" the 29-year-old joked. This is the way that Li usually fights doubts- by being humorous and sharp. \"China's number one sister\" is never a pushover  . She has a tattoo  . She has dyed   her hair many different colors. And, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she told her fans to \"shut up\" when they got too noisy in their support. Li started to play tennis at the age of 6. She once recalled: \"As a child, I felt sad because every day I had to wake up early to practice. After school I had to practice more. I didn't have time to play.\" Luckily, the tough girl didn't give up, thus making history for Chinese tennis time after time. Now the new champion is already thinking about winning another Grand Slam title. Her next stop is Wimbledon - the European grass court championship that starts later this month. \"When you have one title, naturally you will think about another,\" she says, not hiding her ambition. \"Chinese people are so lacking in confidence on the tennis court. If there is a person like me who can prove we can do it, the other young players in China will feel the same,\" she said. \n Question: Li Na is  _  . \n Options: (A) a basketball player (B) a table tennis player (C) a tennis player (D) a soccer player", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}267{"query": "Article: Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they forget a great thing that could help them fight illness: their friends. Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the danger for _ among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties  could improve brain health as we age. \"In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn't well realized,\" said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. \"Friendship has a bigger effect on our psychological   health than family relationships.\" While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack. Only smoking was as important a danger factor   as having little social support. The exact reason why friendship has such a big effect isn't clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. \"People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,\" said Karen, a doctor. \"The message of these studies is that friends make your life better.\" \n Question: The author mentioned smoking in the text to discuss  _  . \n Options: (A) the cause of heart attack (B) the danger of having no friends (C) smoking is bad for men (D) friends' influence on habits", "pos": "Article: Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they ignore a powerful thing that could help them fight illness: their friends. Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that old People with a large circle of friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk   for obesity   among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties could improve brain health as we age. \" _ ,\" said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. \" _ . \" While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack. Only smoking was as important a risk factor   as having little social support. Exactly why friendship has such a big effect isn't entirely clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. \"People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to,\" said Karen, a doctor. \"The message of these studies is that friends make your life better. \" \n Question: The author mentioned smoking in the text to discuss  _  . \n Options: (A) the cause of heart attack. (B) the risk of having no friends. (C) smoking is bad for men. (D) friends' influence on habits.", "neg": "Article: When we were very small, we realized that having friends was important. The need for friends continued as we grew into our teens. Friends played a big part in the development of our personalities. As adults, it is still important for us to have friends. True friends are people who like us though we make mistakes and who listen to us and tell us the truth. Friends support our decisions and tell us when we're wrong. They laugh with us and share our sadness. They are our partners and share interests with us. They _ us when we are feeling down. They are people with whom we aren't afraid of sharing our secret wishes or what is really on our minds. Friends, you fell safe and warm. At times, they also help with our everyday life, cooking a meal, helping with chores, or giving us a lift when we need. Friends also are there to offer advice, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on.. Friends also help us reduce stress. They not only listen to us when we fell stressed, but also discuss with us how to friends help us forget about problems at work or at home. For a short time, we can lose ourselves in a pleasant activity and perhaps laugh and breathe more easily. \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) How to Reduce Stress (B) How to Make New Friends (C) The Importance of Friends (D) The Qualities of Good Friends", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}268{"query": "Article: New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that people who struggle with mood problems or addiction can safely quit smoking and that kicking the habit is associated with improved mental health.       Cavazos-Rehg, an assistant professor of psychiatry, found that quitting or significantly cutting back on cigarette smoking was linked to improved mental health outcomes. Quitting altogether or reducing by half the number of cigarettes smoked daily was associated with lower risk for mood disorders like depression, as well as a lower likelihood of alcohol and drug problems.      \"We don't know if their mental health improves first and then they are more motivated to quit smoking or if quitting smoking leads to an improvement in mental health,\" Cavazos-Rehg said. \"But either way, our findings show a strong link between quitting and a better psychiatric outlook.\"      In addition, she believes the serious health risks associated with smoking make it important for doctors to work with their patients to quit, regardless of other psychiatric problems.      \"About half of all smokers die from related to smoking, so we need to remember that as complicated as it can be to treat mental health issues, smoking cigarettes also causes very serious illnesses that can lead to death,\" she explained.      Cavazos-Rehg and her team analyzed questionnaires gathered as part of the National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions. In the early 2000s, just under 35,000 people were surveyed. As part of the study, they answered questions about drinking, smoking and mental health in two interviews conducted three years apart.     The researchers focused on data from 4,800 daily smokers. Those who had addiction or other psychiatric problems at the time of the first survey were less likely to have those same problems three years later if they had quit smoking. And those who hadn't had psychiatric problems at the initial survey were less likely to develop those problems later if they already had quit.     \"We really need to spread the word and encourage doctors and patients to tackle these problems,\" Cavazos-Rehg said. \"When a patient is ready to focus on other mental health issues, it may be an ideal time to address smoking cessation, too.\" \n Question: What is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) Smoking was associated with alcohol and drug problems. (B) Quitting smoking may help to improve mental health. (C) Smoking can lead to cancer or other deadly problems. (D) Those who had mental problem are more motivated to quit smoking.", "pos": "Article: There are some strong-minded people that are able to stop smoking today and be free from the addiction the next day. However, some smokers may have to seek help from medication   in order to kick the habit.      What medication actually does is to reduce the wish to smoke. Some of the medication must be taken with a doctor's guidance. The five most common medications to stop smoking are Bupropion SR, nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, nicotine nasal spray and nicotine patches. People can buy nicotine gum and nicotine patches in chemists. However, the other medications require a prescription.      Zyban tablets have been found to be highly effective in curing people of smoking addiction. The tablet needs to be taken whole, without crushing  it, as crushing can lead to side effects. It can be bought on the prescription of a doctor.      Nicotine patches are filled with nicotine and they are applied to the skin. The skin takes in the nicotine and carries it to the blood stream. The amount of nicotine in these patches is quite limited, not enough to lead to addiction. But you shouldn't take them for dinner. In fact, millions of people have benefited from these nicotine patches.      Nicotine gum is supposed to be a safer choice. It is used in such a way that it comes into contact with the blood vessels   in the mouth and then releases the nicotine. The nicotine should not go through the stomach; otherwise, it may cause certain side effects.      These different types of medications have to be taken quite carefully. Do ask your doctor before taking any of these. \n Question: Which of the following medicines can be bought without a prescription? \n Options: (A) Zyban tablets. (B) Nicotine patches. (C) Nicotine inhalers. (D) Nicotine nasal spray.", "neg": "Article: Most people looking for ways to quit smoking worry about weight gain, and with good reason. Smokers who quit tend to pack on an average of 5 pounds after they stop smoking cigarettes. A new study, published by the journal Science, explains why this happens.               The new research explains that nicotine appears to combine with appetite-regulating neurons   in the brain, besides the receptors    that bring about addiction. These neurons help regulate how much food gets consumed, but under the influence of nicotine, they lose their self-control. This is why when smokers quit, they tend to eat more and gain weight.               The researchers believe that their discovery will lead to the development of drugs that aim at nicotine receptors on brain cells that control appetite. In the future, weight gain may no longer be a reason for smokers to delay the decision to kick the habit, but that's no reason to wait. Nicotine-replacement treatment, while not for everyone, can help. Here are a few more ways to quit smoking and stay slim.               Drink water. To improve metabolic   rates, make half of those glasses ice water. Juice can be too high in calories, something you'll want to keep an eye on your journey toward being a slimmer non-smoker. Plan your snacks. Healthy snacks help keep your metabolism working, so you continue to burn calories while stopping wild hunger pain, or fake hunger.                Keep moving. Exercise kills two birds with one stone. It helps you burn calories and prevents you from eating when you're not truly hungry. It's also a feel-good stress reliever  . Focus on your fitness and how being healthy makes you feel. Make exercise a goal and think of quitting as your reward for being physically fit. \n Question: Which of the following changes people's appetite according to the new research? \n Options: (A) Nicotine. (B) Appetite-regulating neurons. (C) The receptors that bring about addiction. (D) The food that has been consumed.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}269{"query": "Article: It'll be an ordinary morning,like all the others.But instead of being woken up by the buzzing of an alarm clock, you'll be roused by the smell of freshly made coffee,light entering your room as the curtains open automatically,and a gentle back massage provided by your high-tech bed.     This is what a typical person's life will be like two decades from now,according to The Guardian. Want to know more?     After you get up,your apartment will be like an electronic orchestra with you as the conductor.With simple moves of your hand and spoken instructions,you'll be able to control your apartment's temperature,humidity,music and lighting.You'll be able to look through the day's news on translucent screens while your breakfast waits for you in the automatic oven.     As you move into your kitchen,maybe you will stub your toe on the edge of a cabinet. You'll grab your cell phone and open the diagnostics app.Inside your phone there will be a tiny microchip that uses X-ray waves to scan your body. The scan will reveal that your toe is just slightly hurt,not broken,which will convince you not to see a doctor.     After breakfast,your driverless car will take you to work.While you drive,your central computer system will suggest a list of chores your housekeeping robots could see to today and it will also remind you to buy a gift for your mother's upcoming birthday.     As you can see,with the help of advanced technologies,our lives will be more efficient. Teehnology will mitigate our forgetfulness and free us of many small burdens that distract us, such as buying a ticket or trying to remember our kids' parent-teacher meeting.Our brain will therefore be able to focus on more important things like preparing for a presentation or doing \"deep thinking\".     However,the development of technology might have some disadvantages as well. By 2033,we'll be relying heavily on the virtual world,which will mean that all of our data will be stored in the cloud,a remote digital storage system with near limitless capacity. That will increase the possibility of someone else accessing,sharing or controlling our personal information. \n Question: What might be the author's purpose in writing the text? \n Options: (A) To stress the iniportance of developing technology. (B) To describe how advanced technologies will affect our future lives. (C) To introduce one new invcnfion that will benefit our future lives. (D) To remind people not to depend too much on computers.", "pos": "Article: Try imagining what the world will be like in the year 3000. Some serious thinkers are starting to imagine just that. Bart: I don't know that present-day electronic chips are, but some sort of chips -- I'd guess maybe plastic. Our three-pound brain is definitely a wonder, perhaps the greatest wonder of natural biology. In this coming century, we'll be re-engineering the brain a piece at a time, first with implants  and finally engineering an complete replacement. There's no question that in the distant future we'll play the music of the mind on instruments different from the current ones. So, yes, chips are our destiny  . Edward: In 3000 perhaps the biggest difference from today is that there will be no more men. Females can have female children, without any need for men. In about ten years, we'll find the cocktail that women can take to have female children. There'll be no need for men at all. Greg: What is Heaven? Heaven's a place where you can create worlds at will, and the ideal Heaven is where you run the whole thing yourself. The current means of getting to Heaven involve various supernatural systems for which, at this point, there's no scientific evidence. So I think we can reduce Heaven to an engineering project which we're doing. The demand for Heaven is great--witness the desire of every human heart, from the people who built the ancient pyramids to modern society, to live beyond one's given time. Our plan is to change human consciousness from the brain to bits of information in a computer chip, or some other kind of computational medium, so that just by thinking we'll be able to create our own personal world. And I think the first stage of Heaven will be the feeling world, and beyond that I think we'd find a higher, more spiritual plane. \n Question: According to Bart, the brain may be the greatest wonder in the future because   _  . \n Options: (A) it may weigh as much as 3 pounds (B) it may be driven by plastic chips (C) it may be replaced by robots (D) it may play the music of the mind", "neg": "Article: It's Friday morning in the year 2025, and you're running late. You got distracted watching the music video that as playing in the corner of your bathroom mirror while you were brushing your teeth. How will you get to your office at Mega Giga Industries on time? A quick check of your Internet-connected refrigerator magnet tells you your train which travels at speeds up to 250 miles an hour as it electromagnetically  hovers above its guide track is a bit behind schedule, too. So you decide to drive your environmentally-friendly hydrogen  fuel cell car instead or rather _ . It's programmed to know the way, and it will get you there without speeding, getting lost, or crashing. Sealing into your office chair, which changes color to match what you're wearing, you pick up yesterday morning's newspaper. Printed on reusable electronic paper, it instantly rewrites itself with today's headlines. Now it's time for your big meeting. Uh-oh! You've left your handwritten notes at home. No problem! The digital ink pen you used has stored an electronic copy of what you wrote. Your wrist  watch videophone suddenly rings. Your best friend's face pops up on the organic light-emitting diode   screen asking what you're doing this weekend. Will you slap on your 3D contact lenses and play virtual soccer with the US Olympic team? No, no. Your friend says, so you have to take the new nanotube elevator (made of microscopic fibers many times stronger than steel) 60,000 miles into space. Could this scene really take place in just a couple of decades? The researchers who are currently developing all this stuff think so. These things may be as common in 20 years as cell phones and DVD players are today. \n Question: The author wrote the passage to   _  . \n Options: (A) show picture the life of the future (B) introduce some high technology (C) tell us the future life is fantastic (D) tell us the future life is convenient", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}270{"query": "Article: Elena Kagan has reached a lifelong goal:becoming a Justice on the United States Supreme Court.The U.S. Senate confirmed Kagan on Thursday by a vote of 6337.She replaces Justice John Paul Stevens,who retired in June. Kagan will take a sacred oath  to uphold the Constitution of the United States on Saturday at a swearingin ceremony.The new Justice will bring the number of women sitting on the nation's highest court to three.Kagan joins Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor--all three New Yorkers. Kagan is the fourth woman in history to sit on the Supreme Court.Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was the first female Justice.She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and served from 1981 to 2006. Kagan,who is 50 years old,is the second Justice appointed by President Barack Obama.(He appointed Justice Sotomayor in 2009.) Obama told reporters on Thursday that Kagan will make an \"outstanding Justice who understands that her rulings affect people.\" He also noted that the addition of another woman to the Supreme Court marks a sign of progress for the country.Obama and Kagan will celebrate her confirmation with a ceremony at the White House today. Kagan has spent most of her adult life working with the law.She served in President Clinton's administration as a legal adviser,was the head of Harvard Law School,and until her confirmation Thursday,was the U.S. Solicitor General--one of the most powerful lawyers in the federal government.Kagan was born in New York City.She grew up in an apartment on the Upper West side of Manhattan,the strongwilled,independent middle sister sandwiched between two brothers. Kagan's mother was a public school teacher who taught fifth and sixth grades.Her father was a lawyer. The new Justice once wore a judge's robe in a picture for her highschool yearbook.Now she'll be wearing real ones as she and the other eight Justices decide some of the most important legal cases. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE according to the text? \n Options: (A) To take the place of an old Justice,a Justice was elected by the Senate. (B) There will be four women working in the United States Supreme Court. (C) Kagan will take a sacred oath before taking part in the election. (D) No one but a New Yorker can be a Justice of the Supreme Court.", "pos": "Article: The statistics I've cited and the living examples are all too familiar to you. But what may not be so familiar will be the increasing number of women who are looking actively for advancement of for a new job in your offices. This woman may be equipped with professional skills and perhaps valuable experience. She will not be content to be Executive Assistant to Mr. Seldom Seen of the Assistant Vice President's Girl Friday, who is the only one who comes in on Saturday. She is the symbol of what I call the Second Wave of Feminism. She is the modern woman who is determined to be. Her forerunner was the radical feminist who interpreted her trapped position as a female as oppression by the master class of men. Men, she believed, had created a domestic, servile role for women in order that men could have the career and the opportunity to participate in making the great decisions of society. Thus the radical feminist held that women through history had been oppressed and dehumanized, mainly because man chose to exploit his wife and the mother of his children. Sometimes it was deliberate exploitation and sometimes it was the innocence of never looking beneath the pretensions of life. The radical feminists found strength in banding together. Coming to recognize each other for the first time, they could explore their own identities, realize their own power, and view the male and his system as the common enemy. The first phases of feminism in the last five years often took on this militant, class-warfare tone. Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Germaine Greer, and many others hammered home their ideas with a persistence that aroused and intrigued many of the brightest and most able women in the country. Consciousness-raising groups allowed women to explore both their identities and their dreams--and the two were often found in direct conflict. What is the stereotyped role of American women? Marriage. A son. Two daughters. Breakfast. Ironing. Lunch. Bowling, maybe a garden club of for the very daring, non-credit courses in ceramics. Perhaps an occasional cocktail party. Dinner. Football or baseball on TV. Each day the same. Never any growth in expectations--unless it is growth because the husband has succeeded. The inevitable question: \"Is that all there is to life?\" The rapid growth of many feminist organizations attests to the fact that these radical feminists had touched some vital nerves. The magazine \"Ms.\" was born in the year of the death of the magazine \"Life.\" But too often the consciousness-raising sessions became ends in themselves. Too often sexism reversed itself and man-hating was encouraged. Many had been with the male chauvinist. It is not difficult, therefore, to detect a trend toward moderation. Consciousness-raising increasingly is regarded as a means to independence and fulfillment, rather than a ceremony of fulfillment itself. Genuine independence can be realized through competence, through finding a career, through the use of education. Remember that for many decades the education of women was not supposed to be useful. \n Question: What was the main idea of this passage? \n Options: (A) The Second Wave of Feminist. (B) Women's Independent Spirits. (C) The Unity of Women. (D) The Action of Union.", "neg": "Article: Who is the most powerful woman in the world? According  to the US media, it's Janet Yellen, or at least she's about to be. On Oct 9, 2013,US President Barack Obama nominated  Yellen to serve as the next US Federal Reserve (the Fed, )chair. If confirmed by the Senate, Yellen will become  the first woman to serve in the top spot. Aged 67, silver-haired and tiny, Yellen is said to be the most qualified nominee ever. She chaired President Bill Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers, taught at Harvard and Berkeley, and was president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She is currently the Fed's vice chair. Many think Yellen is the right choice to deal with the challenges the Fed now faces:First, to bring interest rates back to more normal levels without triggering a new recession .Second, to reduce the US unemployment rate, which remains at historically high levels. A CNN opinion piece says Yellen is unusual for an economist of her caliber .\"She has kept her eyes on what's critical-the people. Her research has centered on unemployment, on the best way to modulate government policies to benefit the people.\" Past records also show that Yellen is exceptionally good at predicting where the economy is headed. An article in The Washington Post points out that she was one of the few voices at the Fed inDecember 2009 warning about the subprime crisis and the following recession. The reason why Yellen will be the most powerful woman in the world has to do with the unique position of the Federal Reserve, explains an article on Quartz, a US news outlet for business people in the new global economy, First of all, the Fed is independent. Unlike US Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Hilary Clinton, the decisions made by the organization Yellen will lead next year are not subject to approval by anyone in the government. Within the Fed, the chair alone sets the agenda. The Fed chairperson has huge influence on monetary policy and financial regulation. And don't forget how powerful the Fed itself is. It controls the money supply in the world's largest economy. The Fed's interest rate decisions don't just set the course for the US economy, its decisions set the course for the world economy, too. Because of globalization, Yellen's decisions will affect everyone around the world, says an article in The Atlantic, making her even more powerful than some great women rulers in history,  including Elizabeth I of England and China's Wu Zetian. For example, the article continues: \"If Yellen even just talks about slowing down the Fed's bond-buying, Europe's troubled economies are likely to see their interest rates rise, and emerging markets, some of which, like India and Indonesia, used foreign capital to fund their current account deficits ,are likely to see their currencies collapse.\" \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT the reason for Yellen's nomination? \n Options: (A) Yellen's professional experiences. (B) Yellen's ability to deal with the challenges the Fed faces. (C) Yellen's educational background. (D) Yellen's remarkable competence as an economist.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}271{"query": "Article: A woman was waiting at an airport one night, with several long hours before her flight. She bought a book and a bag of cookies in the airport shop, and found a place to drop. She was interested in her book, but the man sitting beside her grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between, which she tried to ignore to avoid an argument. So she ate the cookies noisily and watched the clock, as the cookie thief diminished (......) her stock. She was getting angrier as the minutes passed, thinking,\"Oh, brother, if I wasn't so nice, I would blacken your eyes.\" With each cookie she took, he took one, too. When only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, he took the last cookie and broke it in half. He offered her half, and he ate the other. She got it from him and thought, \" This guy has some nerve   and he's also rude. Why didn't he even show any gratitude?\" She had never known when she had been so angry. She gathered her bag and headed for the gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate  . She boarded the plane and then she sought her book, which was almost complete. As she reached in her bag, she was shocked-- there was her bag of cookies. \"If mine are here,\" she thought, \"the others were his. It's too late to apologize.\" \n Question: Why did the woman ignore it when she found the man eating the cookies? \n Options: (A) She didn't want to get into an argument. (B) She was full of pity for the man. (C) The man was dangerous and brave. (D) She was too careless to notice it.", "pos": "Article: I was going on vacation to meet up with family for a week of fun in Denver. I got to the airport, ready to leave my work behind for a few days.       I was comfortably awaiting my flight with a good book to read, when an elderly lady was wheeled to our waiting area. I couldn't help but notice the trouble she was having trying to open a packet of nuts with her shaking hands. I sighed. No one else was willing to meet her gaze   so I offered to help.        She was very grateful. It turned out that these nuts were her entire breakfast. We sat and chatted. When the time came to board the plane the attendants   were nowhere to be seen. The lady could walk but needed some help, so I volunteered to help her on the plane and carry her bag.      As I helped her get settled I noticed her \"seat mate,\" a businessman, looked a bit horrified at having to make the fight with her. He offered to change seats with me -- and I agreed.       We landed and I needed to change planes, but I helped her disembark   first. The wheelchair she ordered was nowhere to be seen so we slowly walked to gate where her daughter was waiting.      We only exchanged first names, and she was so grateful to have my help. I had to run to catch my connection but, as I thought about the experience, I saw her as my airport angel: a chance for me to hope that in the future when I'm in my 80's and traveling, someone will take the time to connect with me. Pay it forward. \n Question: What had the author planned to do during the flight? \n Options: (A) Reading. (B) Helping others. (C) Resting. (D) Sleeping.", "neg": "Article: One night there was a woman at the airport who had to wait for several hours before getting her next flight. While waiting, she bought a book and a pack of biscuits to spend the time. She looked for a place to sit and waited. She was reading her book, when suddenly she realized that there was a young man sitting next to her who was stretching his hand, and grabbing the pack of cookies lying between them. He started to eat them one by one. Not wanting to make a fuss about it ,she decided to ignore him. The woman ate the biscuits and watched the clock, while the young thief was also eating them. The woman started to think, \"If I weren't such a good and educated person, I would have hit this man by now.\" Every time she ate a biscuit, he had one, too. The dialogue between their eyes continued and when only one biscuit was left, she wondered what he was going to do. Softly and with a nervous smile, the young man grabbed the last biscuit and broke it into two. He offered one half to the woman while he ate the other half. Briskly she took the biscuit and thought, \"What a bad man! How uneducated! He didn't even thank me!\" She had never met anybody who made her so angry, and was pleased when her flight was ready. She grabbed her bags and went towards the gate not looking back to where that thief was seated. After getting on the plane and being seated, she looked for her book which was almost finished by now. While looking into her bag she was totally surprised to find her pack of biscuits. \"If my biscuits are here,\" she thought, feeling bad, \"those others were his and he tried to share them with me.\"Too late to say sorry to the young man, she realized with pain, that it was her who had been an uneducated thief, but not him. \n Question: According to the passage, the woman bought the biscuits   _  . \n Options: (A) because she was hungry then. (B) Because the biscuits were on sale. (C) because she wanted to kill time (D) because the young man wanted to eat it", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}272{"query": "Article: Travel can be a lifesaver. But in today's economy   with airlines adding new fees almost daily and ticket prices sharply on the rise, many have written off travel as too expensive. However, with a few saving tricks and a little research, there are still lots of great deals to be had on airline tickets and more. Early Bird Gets the Deal. Travel experts say that there are certain times of day when more deals are available. Airfares can change three times a day as airlines adjust their prices to fill up flights. Early morning is when the fares tend to be lowest.www.zxxk.com What Wouldn't a Business Traveler do? Flying when business travelers don't can save you big money. Most business travelers fly on Mondays and Fridays, so Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days. Airlines will usually lower their prices on these days to aggressively try and fill empty seats.  _   _  Fly to popular places at unpopular times. The slowest time of the year for travel is in the Fall between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Again, to try and fill more empty seats, the airlines will lower prices and offer better deals to get people to fly during this time of the year. Package Deals Many times the best deals on airfare can be found as part of a package rate. Most travel sites have package rates available. Often, the entire package (hotel, airfare, rental car) is cheaper than just the plane ticket on another site. Even if you don't need the rental car, with the money you've saved on the flight, you can afford to take a taxi. These deals are especially good on last minute bookings. With a little inside knowledge and some good timing, you can get yourself a steal on a ticket to the vacation you thought was out of reach. \n Question: Which would be the best title for the text? \n Options: (A) Tips on Vocation Travelling (B) Advice for Business Travelers (C) The Effect of Economy on Airlines (D) Tricks of Finding the Cheapest Flights", "pos": "Article: Searching for airfares   often seems like a game that passengers are bound to lose. Prices change from day to day, even minute to minute. Looking through multiple websites for the best deal can be a big challenge. Even when you do book, there's no guarantee that you are going to get the best price. \"You just don't know when to _ . It's not like buying anything else I can think of,\" said George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com. Harriet Levy paid $179 for a recent round-trip flight on American Airlines between New York and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sitting just one row behind her, Shirley Harrison paid $215. A few rows back, Ellis and Dianne Traub paid $317 each. There were at least 12 fares on the flight, ranging from $169 to $360. There's no reason for it, Harrison said. Fares can fluctuate significantly in just a few hours. One Delta flight from New York to Los Angeles jumped from $755 to $1,143 from a Friday to Saturday in late April, then fell to $718 on Sunday. The flight was one of a dozen the Associated Press followed over three months for a vacation between July 16 and 22. The number one finding: avoid booking tickets on weekends. It's the most expensive time to buy. There's no way to guarantee the best fare. But before booking, travelers should pay attention to this additional advice: * Book on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That's when airlines most often offer sales. * Buy in advance, but not too early. The best time is four to six weeks before traveling. In general, prices for any given flight are highest eight to 10 weeks and two to three weeks in advance. * Make use of social media. Airlines are giving more benefits like exclusive   sales to travelers who interact   with them on Twitter and Facebook. Those specials are often gone within hours. * The so-called discount   airlines - JetBlue, Air-Tran, Southwest and Frontier - adjust their fares less frequently than other airlines, so you can feel more confident that the price will stay the same. But their prices aren't always the lowest. Researching multiple airlines' fares is the only way to get a good deal. \n Question: What can we infer from the first sentence of the text? \n Options: (A) Passengers are unable to search for airfares. (B) Airlines often play games with passengers. (C) Airfares are set in different situations. (D) It's difficult for passengers to get the best price.", "neg": "Article: With fuel costs rising and airlines finding more fees to impose on travelers every day, airfare isn't getting any cheaper. Since you can't drive to all your dream destinations, flying is the only way to go sometimes and, undeniably, the fastest. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to find the most affordable fares and also avoid paying as many extra charges as possible when you plan ahead. Getting the best fare. Airlines put out their fare sales on Tuesday morning, making this day the best day to book a flight for less. Fly during the least popular times. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the slowest days to fly, which means cheaper deals than the rest of the week. You can also find reduced rates on early morning flights, since many people don't like to get up before the sun to get to the airport. Earlier boarding times can also considerably cut down your chances of getting bumped on an overbooked flight or delayed because of other delayed flights or mechanical issues. Choose your seat later. Some airlines charge you to pick your seat when you book online, adding even more to the bottom line of your ticket cost. If you show up early on your travel day, you can still get suitable seats. Some of the best seats get held back until flight day, unless others are willing to pay extra for them ahead of time, so you still have the chance at one of those. Fly on holidays. You already know that summer is the most expensive time to fly, and even though most other times are more affordable, the days surrounding holidays can be crazy. Save big if you're willing to travel on major holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Don't wait until the last-minute to book. Many travelers don't know that there's a sweet spot for booking and getting the best price on your tickets. Book too early or too late and you could end up paying more than you need to. The best time to book is between three months and six weeks from when you want to travel. Avoiding extra fees Airlines will charge for just about anything these days. Some have even toyed around with charging customers for using the restroom. All those extra fees can certainly add up, but there's no reason to pay them if you don't have to. Here are some tips to keep money in your wallet once you get to the airport. Avoid the upgrade it's not necessary. Sometimes upgrades are free, but mostly you will be charged for seeking a last-minute bump to first class, and the cost can be _ . Fly carry-on only. Baggage fees vary wildly, but almost all airlines charge them and charge big. Why pay for your clothes to fly with you? If everyone in your travel party checks a bag, your bill can be astronomical before you ever even get to your destination. It's easy to reduce the amount of stuff you pack: Make sure all your clothing coordinates, so you can take less and still make more outfit combinations, take only two pair of shoes, plan to do a bit of laundry on your trip and bring only travel-sized toiletries. Pack your own snacks. Unless you're flying internationally, it's rare your flight comes with a free meal. Snacks on the plane are not cheap and almost never healthy. Don't rely on what's on the small menu and instead tuck some of your own snacks -- granola bars, homemade muffins, fruit and trail mix all make fantastic travel foods -- into your bag and eat a lot better, and cheaper, than other passengers. Do you have a tried and true method of getting the best deal on your flights? Let us know. \n Question: Tuesday is the best to book a ticket at a lower cost for   _  . \n Options: (A) fewer people travel on Tuesday. (B) the flights are slower than usual. (C) fare sales are usually announced on Tuesday. (D) flights are seldom delayed on Tuesday.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}273{"query": "Article: \"To be or not to be.\" Outside the Bible, these six words are the most famous in all the literature of the world. They were spoken by Hamlet when he was thinking aloud, and they are the most famous words in Shakespeare because Hamlet was speaking not only for himself but also for every thinking man and woman. To be or not to be, to live or not to live, to live richly and abundantly, or to live dully and meanly. A philosopher once wanted to know whether he was alive or not, which is a good question for everyone to put to himself occasionally. He answered it by saying: \"I think, therefore I am.\" But the best definition of existence I ever saw was one written by another philosopher who said: \"To be is to be in relations.\" If this is true, then the more relations a living thing has, the more it is alive. To live abundantly means simply to increase the range and intensity  of our relations. Unfortunately we are so constituted that we get to love our routine. But other than our regular occupation, how much are we alive? If you are interested only in your regular occupation, you are alive only to that extent. So far as other things are concerned --- poetry and prose , music, pictures, sports, unselfish friendships, politics, international affairs ---you are dead. On the contrary, it is true that every time you acquire a new interest --- even more, a new accomplishment  --- you increase your power of life. No one who is deeply interested in different kinds of subjects can remain unhappy. The real _ is the person who has lost interest. Bacon said that a man dies as often as he loses a friend. But we gain new life by contacts with new friends, and new ideas and thoughts, too. Where your thoughts are, there will be your life too. If your thoughts are limited only to your business, only to your physical welfare, only to your narrow circle of the town in which you live, then you live a narrow restricted(, ) life. But if you are interested in what is going on in China, then you are living in China. If you're interested in the characters of a good novel, then you are living with those highly interesting people. If you listen intently to fine music, you are away from your immediate surroundings and living in a world of passion and imagination. To be or not to be --- to live intensely and richly, or merely to exist, which depends on ourselves. Let us widen and intensify our relations. While we live, let us live! \n Question: What does the author mainly want to do by this passage? \n Options: (A) Argue against an idea. (B) Explain some famous sayings. (C) Introduce some famous sayings. (D) Put forward an idea.", "pos": "Article: Obviously! Until Descartes came along in the seventeenth century, everyone assumed that we exited. Obviously. The fact seemed so mind-blowing obvious that it wasn't really discussed. We could see ourselves in the mirror, we could feel pain and pleasure, we could think thoughts for ourselves and, more importantly, perhaps, all the world's main religions assumed that we do exist. So we exist. No you don't it! You don't exist. That's because it's impossible to show once and for all that you do. There's no proof. You might think you exist-that you are sitting at a table reading this book, for instance-but how could you show with 100 percent certainty that this is true? There's no experiment that could prove it. Although Descartes said just you could prove your own existence by the fact that you are able to think, this isn't actually, according to the British philosopher A. J. Ayer. Just because we know that we are thinking, this doesn't mean that there is a \"you\" doing the thinking. It just shows that the thoughts are happening, not that anyone is having them. Thoughts exists, \"You\" don't.  _ ! What a waste of time this question is. Although you can argue until the end of time whether you exist or not, it doesn't get you anywhere. Unless you forget about this unanswerable question, you'll be stuck thinking about it forever, and that isn't of any use to anyone. Move on. Think about something more important! This very roughly, is the view of almost all philosophers, who prefer to answer other, apparently more useful, questions. Yes, but... You exist, but not in the way you might think. According to the great French philosopher Ren Descartes, you can't show that anything exists--apart from your own self. The existence of the entire world can be doubted in one way or another, but the facts you're having thoughts shows that there might be something (that's you) having them. This let Descartes to write the famous philosophical phrase, \" I think before I am\". \n Question: Which of the following can be the missing heading? \n Options: (A) Forget about it (B) What a ridiculous point (C) Think about it (D) What a pointless question", "neg": "Article: \"To be or not to be\".Outside the Bible, these six words are the most famous in all the literature of the world.They were spoken by Hamlet when he was thinking aloud, and they are the most famous words in Shakespeare because Hamlet was speaking not only for himself but for every thinking man and woman.To be or not to be----to live or not to live, to live richly and abundantly and eagerly, or to live dully and meanly and scarcely.A philosopher  once wanted to know whether he was alive or not, which is a good question for everyone to put to himself occasionally.He answered it by saying, \"I think, therefore I am.\" But the best definition of existence I ever saw was one written by another philosopher who said, \"To be is to be in relations.\" If this is true, then the more relations a living thing has, the more it is alive.To live abundantly means simply to increase the range and intensity  of our relations.Unfortunately, we are so constituted  that we get to love our routine.But other than our regular occupation, how much are we alive? If you are interested only in your regular occupation, you are alive only to that extent.So far as other things are concerned----poetry and prose, music, pictures, sports unselfish friendships, politics, international affairs----you are dead. On the contrary, it is true that every time you acquire a new interest----even more, a new accomplishment----you increase your power of life.No one who is deeply interested in different kinds of subjects can remain unhappy.The real is the person who has lost interest. Bacon said that a man dies as often as he loses a friend.But we gain new life by contacts with new friends, and new ideas and thoughts, too.Where your thoughts are, there will be your life also.If your thoughts are limited only to your business, only to your physical welfare, only to your narrow circle of the town in which you live, then you live in a narrow restricted   life.But if you are interested in the characters of a good novel, then you are living with those highly interested people; if you listen intently to fine music, you are always away from immediate surroundings and living in a world of passion and imagination. To be or not to be ---- to live intensely and richly, or merely to exist, that depends on ourselves.Let us widen and intensify our relations.While we live, let us live. \n Question: What does the author mainly want to do by this passage? \n Options: (A) Argue against an idea. (B) Put forward an idea. (C) Introduce some famous sayings. (D) Explain some famous sayings.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}274{"query": "Article: Over the years, Brian Wansink, director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University, has studied such things as how far Americans typically drive to buy food, how many times we refill our plates at all-you-can-eat buffets and how we organize our kitchens. In the mid-2000s he famously coined the phrase \"mindless eating\"(and wrote a book by that name) to focus attention on all the bad dietary decisions we make without really thinking about them. His new book, Slim by Design: Mindless Eating Solutions for Everyday Life, aims to change the design of restaurants, school lunchrooms, office cafeterias and homes so that the mindless choices we make will be more healthful ones. Some examples: Keep kitchen counters clear. No visible snack food, no bread, no nuts--not even breakfast cereal. In Wansink's research, \"women who had even one box of breakfast cereal that was visible-anywhere in their kitchen--weighed 21 pounds more than their neighbor who didn't.\" Trick yourself into drinking less wine. \"We tend to focus on the height of what we pour and not the width, so we pour 12 percent less wine into taller wineglasses than we pour into wider wineglasses.\" And the shape of the glass is not the only variable that affects how much we drink. Wansink writes: \"Because red wine is easier to see than white wine, we pour 9 percent less red wine whenever we pour a glass.\" Wansink said his researchers also found that people ate less at restaurants when sat in well-lighted areas near windows and doors, than in darker areas or in the back. They ate less if they were offered a doggie bag, or to-go box, before they got their meals: apparently the idea of getting a \"free\" second meal outweighed the impulse  to clean their plates. Workers who frequently ate at their desks weighed 15.4 pounds less, on average, than those who didn't. Fruits and vegetables kept on the top shelf of the refrigerator were eaten at higher rates than those on lower shelves. The point, Wansink says, is to consider findings like those and change your environment or habits. Then you won't have to think about it: You'll just eat less. \n Question: Why did Brian Wansink write Slim by Design: Mindless eating Solutions for Everyday Life? \n Options: (A) Because he wanted people to become thin. (B) Because he wished to change the design of public places. (C) Because he hoped to coin a new phase \"mindless eating\". (D) Because he intended to help people make more healthful dietary decision.", "pos": "Article: When it comes to eating out, we can't help thinking of big meals in the restaurants, which usually contain much more fat and less fibers. Whether it is a business meeting over lunch or a fast food meal with the kids, eating out is a part of our lives. We eat out to save a lot of time, like grabbing a bite at fast food restaurants, or we take dining out as a favorite way to relax and socialize with friends. Eating out can be fun but many people still like eating at home more because it is healthier. When my dear wife does not prepare foods for me, I would rather cook some instant noodles and eat at home! However, we go out to eat once in a while for holidays or on special occasions. More and more people want to make healthy food choices nowadays. Some are watching calories, while others want to keep their cholesterol under control or eat less fat. Plan ahead and choose wisely, you will find foods that fit into your meal plan and make eating out both healthy and enjoyable. Here are some pointers  to remember that can help you make wise choices when eating out: go for balance, watch portion sizes and drink water or low-fat milk.Keep the ground rules of good nutrition in mind.Eat a variety of foods in moderate amounts, limit the amount of fat you eat, and watch the amount of salt in food.If you develop the skills to make healthy choices now, your body will thank you later. Eating out can be one of life's great pleasures.Make the right choices, ask for what you need, and balance your meals out with healthy meals at home.You can enjoy yourself and take good care of yourself at the same time. \n Question: From the passage, we can infer that often eating out  _   . \n Options: (A) saves time from cooking (B) maintains good relations with friends (C) contributes to healthy bodies (D) is of disadvantage to health", "neg": "Article: Some people don't mind being fat. Other people can keep slim without any effort. But a lot of people do put on too much weight and don't like it. The question is, what can they do about it? Some believe exercise can be helpful. But the trouble is that it only makes you want to eat more. You might sweat out a couple of pounds playing tennis or climbing a mountain, but you put it all back on again with a big steak or bread and jam. A helpful way is food choosing. But what sort of food should you choose? Some believe that the less they eat, the slimmer they will be. They don't eat anything until they become weak with hunger. Some stick to milk and bananas. You'll find you need a lot of bananas, and unless you live where they grow, they aren't cheap. Others say that if you eat things like hard-boiled eggs, and apples with their skins on which are hard for your stomach to digest, the more you eat, the thinner you get. This is because you use up the fat in your body to get the energy to digest the food. For most of us these methods are too extreme. The simplest way is just to cut down on the carbohydrates that means not eating bread, potatoes, cakes, sugar, rice, and so on and eating anything else you like. It's straight forward and often quite effective. \n Question: According to the passage, the best way to keep slim is   _  . \n Options: (A) Exercising (B) Hunger (C) Food-choosing (D) Eating milk and bananas", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}275{"query": "Article: Do you want to write your password down so that no one can see it, or do you want to send someone a secret message? Knowing how to make an invisible ink message will have you feeling like a secret agent in no time. These are instructions for making invisible ink using baking soda. Difficulty: Easy Time required: A few minutes  What you need: Baking soda, Paper, Water, Light bulb, Paintbrush, Measuring cup, Purple grape juice Here's how: There are at least two methods of using baking soda as invisible ink. Mix equal amounts of water and baking soda. Use a paintbrush to write a message onto white paper, using the baking soda solution   as \"ink\". Allow the ink to dry. One way to read the message is to hold the paper up to a heat source, such as a light bulb. The baking soda will cause the writing in the paper to turn brown. The second way to read the message is to paint over the paper with purple grape juice. The message will appear in a different color1. Tips: If you are using the heating method, avoid burning the paper. Baking soda and grape juice react in an acid-base   reaction, producing a color1 change in the paper. Grape juice concentrate   results in a more visible color1 change than regular grape juice. \n Question: is not needed for making invisible ink. \n Options: (A) Baking soda (B) Paper (C) Water (D) Ink", "pos": "Article: The passport photographs of the future could turn out to be more than just another pretty picture if a new computer technique developed by Israeli scientists catches on. Researchers at Ben-Gurion University, in Israel, have invented a way to hide information such as a fingerprint or signature in color images. They believe this could improve passport safety or be used to produce product bar codes  or designs that cannot be seen. \"The papers can be faxed, scanned  and reprinted without hidden data disappearing,\" New Scientist magazine said last week. Joseph Rosen and a team of scientists worked out the new instrument by creating a mathematical model. The model turns a fingerprint or signature into a series of numbers which are used to shape the dots that make up a color picture. \"Each dot can be forced out of the usual place slightly without noticeably changing the final appearance of the image,\" the magazine said. Several images that can be hidden in a single picture are scanned into a computer which does the work. The hidden images or fingerprints cannot be shown until the picture is scanned again. The computer rebuilds the fingerprint by measuring the displacement of the dots in the picture. The magazine said that if he model is used for passport checkpoints the picture can be unscrambled  to show the fingerprint or signature and checked against the person holding the passport. The researchers are now working on a handheld, and instrument which could make unscrambling the hidden information easier. \n Question: The new passport photos will probably contain all EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) one's picture (B) one's fingerprint (C) one's signature (D) one's blood type", "neg": "Article: Passwords are no safeguards Typing your password or credit card number into a computer is a moment's work. But if you think your personal details disappear as soon as you hit the Return key, think again: they can sit on the computer's hard disk for years waiting for a hacker to take them. As people spend more time on the web and hackers become more experienced, the dangers of storing personal information on computers are growing by the day, security experts say. There are some safe-guards, such as never allowing your computer to store your passwords. But even that in no guarantee of security. When you type in a password, it is stored in random access memory (RAM), where it is held temporarily until other data overwrites it or the computer is switched off. But every so often , the computer copies the contents of its RAM onto hard disk, where it is easy to prey  for a hacker, who can read it directly or design a worm to e-mail it back. The longer sensitive data stays in RAM, the more likely it is to be copied onto the disk, where it stays until it is overwritten-which might not happen for years. Tal Garfinkel and colleagues from Stanford University have created a software tool which simulates  the workings of a complete computer system. Within the simulation, sensitive data can be tagged and then tracked as it passes through the system. Next, Garfinkel and his team simulated computers running common software that regularly handles passwords or secret personal information, such as Internet Explorer, the Windows login script and Apache server software. In a paper to be presented, they conclude that the programs took no measures to limit the length of time the information is kept. Some of the tested software even copied the sensitive information, obviously without restraint . \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) It's important to set passwords to your computer. (B) Passwords help keep your personal information. (C) It's unsafe to store personal information on computers. (D) There are some safeguards for your personal information.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}276{"query": "Article: The literal meaning of philosophy is \"love of wisdom\". But this meaning does not tell us very much. Unlike the other disciplines ,philosophy cannot be defined by what you study, because it is actually unlimited. Anything can be the subject matter of philosophy: art, history, law, language, literature, mathematics, medicine, psychology, religion, science, and values. Philosophy is one of the world's oldest subjects of study, and in fact, the other academic disciplines are directly related to philosophy. For this reason you get a Doctorate  of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in biochemistry, or computer science, or psychology. Two broad sub-fields of philosophy are logic and the history of philosophy. Logic is the science of argument and critical thinking. It provides sound methods for distinguishing good from bad reasoning. The history of philosophy involves the study of major philosophers and periods in the development of philosophy. Of what use is philosophy? First it is useful in educational advancement. It is necessary for understanding other disciplines.  Only philosophy questions the nature of the concepts used in a discipline, and its relation to other disciplines. And through the study of philosophy, one develops sound methods of research and analysis that can be applied to any field. There are a number of general uses of philosophy. It strengthens one's ability to solve problems, to communicate, to organize ideas and issues, to persuade, and to take what is the most important from a large quantity of data.These general uses are of great benefit in the career field, not necessarily for obtaining one's first job after graduation, but for preparing for positions of responsibility, management and leadership later on. It is very short-sighted after all, to take a course of studies only for the purpose of getting one's first job. The useful skills developed through the study of philosophy have significant long-term benefits in career advancement. No other discipline systematically follows the ideals of wisdom, leadership, and capacity to resolve human conflict. \n Question: With the study of philosophy, you can  _  . \n Options: (A) become a great leader (B) succeed in everything (C) find a good job soon after graduation (D) make progress in your career development", "pos": "Article: How men first learned to invent words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken, or written in letters we call words.  The power of words, then, lies in their combinations - the things they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.  Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts, but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and feelings. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary   style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music, and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they will make our speech silly and rude. \n Question: The origin of language   _  . \n Options: (A) is reflected in sounds and letters (B) is handed down from generation to generation (C) dates back to the prehistoric period (D) is a problem not yet solved", "neg": "Article: University is generally regarded as one of the most important times in a person's life, yet the function of this institution continues to arouse debate. Many believe that arts subjects are  too easy, that practical skills are more useful and that a chosen subject for study should be clearly linked to a career. However, this view is far too simplistic. Arts subjects are very difficult. They can prepare students for any number of careers as well as allowing the student to take time to make a decision. The function of the modern university is to cater to different types of student. Arts subjects are not easy. For example, a degree in Literature is not an easy option. No question in a Literature class has a single, simple answer. Debate is conducted in a spirit of openness, texts are very closely analyzed and skills in close reading are developed. Literature is about language, our primary means of communication. Arts subjects require the same concentrated study as any other subject. Arts subjects can prepare students for any number of careers. A degree in an arts subject teaches skills in well organized debates and defence of a position through the provision of evidence. These are applicable to many types of career. Law, for example. The point is that an undergraduate degree in any Arts subject trains the student in analysis and structure. Therefore, Arts graduates can pursue any number of careers. Arts subjects allow the student to take time to choose a career. Love of the subject for its own sake may well be the initial motivation for the Arts undergraduate but because the subject they have chosen is not so clearly linked to a career they have time to reflect, making a decision only when they are absolutely certain. Students who pursue Arts subjects therefore have the leisure to make a carefully considered choice. In conclusion, it is clear that Arts subjects are not a waste of time. They are flexible when it comes to relating them to a career and they allow the student to discover an appropriate career path. Many industries now acknowledge that a degree in Literature can be just as valuable as any other subject, especially when it is evident that Arts graduates tend to think more creatively. Not all undergraduates have clearly defined goals and not all subjects can be simply matched to a career. Acknowledging this difference should be the main function of a modern university \n Question: What does the author mainly argue in this article? \n Options: (A) Universities should be aware of diversity (B) Universities should focus on practical courses. (C) Arts courses should be promoted. (D) Arts subjects are inappropriate for work.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}277{"query": "Article: A girl with blue eyes is a blue-eyed girl. A man with long legs is a long-legged man. A woman with white hair is a white-haired woman. Children who have good looks are good-looking children. What do you do when you want to buy clothes? You go to a shop. If you can find clothes that are the right size for you, and if they are ready to wear, you will probably buy them. They are called ready-made clothes. If you can not find clothes that are the right size, you will go to a tailor's shop. A tailor is a man who makes clothes. He will measure you carefully and will then make clothes for you. Such clothes are called tailor-made clothes. What do we call a man who is dressed badly? We call him a badly-dressed man. A woman who is dressed well is called a well-dressed woman. What do you wear when it rains heavily? You wear a coat that will keep the rain out. Such a coat is called a raincoat. It is made of waterproof cloth--cloth that does not let water pass through. We have a lot of rain in England. If you come to England, bring a raincoat and an umbrella. You will find them useful. If the floor, walls and ceiling of a room are made so that sound cannot pass through the wall, we say that the room is sound-proof. There are sound-proof rooms in all broadcasting stations. \n Question: 55. The clothes which you buy from the supermarket are called    _    clothes. \n Options: (A) tailor-made (B) ready-made (C) hand-made (D) mass production", "pos": "Article: Department stores sell ready- to-wear clothing, which is also called ready-made clothing. Such clothing is made in fixed sizes. Those people who find that ready-made clothing fits them well can save money by buying it. Most often, people do not fit exactly into a producer's size. Their clothing must be altered to make it fit better. However, most alterations are not very expensive. The small cost of most alterations means that ready-made clothing can meet the needs of most customers. Those who can afford it often get someone to design and make their clothing. Such clothing is called custom-made. The person who makes it measures the customer, and then sews it so that it fits perfectly. Alterations are not needed. Custom-made clothing is largely sewn by hand, has better quality, better material, and is of the style you have chosen. Of course, it costs much more than ready-to-wear clothing. You need to pay the difference for the special fitting and better skill that you are receiving. This often means that you spend double or more than you would for a ready-made garment. Custom-made clothing is not always that much better than ready-made clothing. It costs more partly because only one garment has been made, just for you. Companies that produce ready-made products make thousands of garments at a time. This means they can buy large quantities of material. Workers cut each size by the hundreds. Companies work out ways to make the garments quickly by machine and pay workers according to their skill. Thus they can sell the finished products at a low price while still making money. Most of the clothing sold in the United States is made in this way. Customers gain from the lower prices which are made possible by mass production. It may or may not give them high quality. \n Question: According to the passage, people who buy ready-made clothing   _  . \n Options: (A) wish to make alternations (B) will spend less money (C) want to make it better (D) can fit into the sizes", "neg": "Article: Almost every girl wants to be healthy and beautiful. They try every means to make themselves look smarter. \"What are the best ways?\" Many girls may have this question in mind. Here is some advice that is very important for girls to follow. Keep fit. Check with your doctor for your proper weight range and work to get and stay within it. Exercise, eat properly, and drink plenty of water to achieve that weight and be as healthy as you can be. As long as you're in your healthy range, you'll look great. Mind your style, from top to bottom. There are two things that can make or break your look: your hair and your shoes. Look through hair magazines and talk with your hairstylist about what will look good with your face structure. Always keep your hair clean and styled. Wear clean, feminine shoes. That doesn't mean you always have to wear high heels. Make sure you can walk comfortably in them. Be fashionable. Learn about your body type, height, skin and preferences. Discover yourself, and fashion will come to you. You don't have to wear designer clothes, especially if you can't afford them. You can look through fashion magazines, pick your favourites and then find the similar ones that you can afford. Smile, and do it like you mean it. Smile, be merry and people will notice that. It will help you in many ways. Be nice to others. Looking pretty doesn't give you the right to look down on others or treat them badly. Only having good appearance doesn't mean you are beautiful. However, in order to get slim and beautiful, some girls can easily be absorbed in losing weight, resulting in eating disorders. Keep in mind that being healthy is more important than being thin. So try to eat healthy food, take regular exercise and keep a good mood. \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) How to choose clothes and shoes. (B) What is the real beauty for girls. (C) What are the ways to keep fit for girls. (D) How to be a healthy and beautiful girl.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}278{"query": "Article: Since people first sent rockets into space in the 1950s, we have been leaving behind all sorts of things. Some of them, like the camera, were lost by astronauts while they did work outside their spaceship. But much of the space junk is made up of little pieces of things that were once bigger objects, until they struck each other and broke apart. Some things we send into space fall back toward the earth and burn up in the atmosphere. But larger pieces sometimes survive the extreme heat and hit the ground or the ocean at great speeds. So there is always concern that something may fall from the sky and do some harm. But space junk falling on housetops   is not the biggest worry. Scientists are concerned about what happens when an empty rocket strikes another while orbiting   the earth. Two big things become many smaller things. They then hit other things. The pieces get smaller and smaller until they form a cloud of junk that blocks the path of future space vehicles. So what can be done to clean up the space around our planet? Marco Castronuovo, an Italian researcher, talks about sending a satellite into space that would get very close to some of the larger pieces of space junk. The satellite would connect a small rocket to the useless object. When the rocket explodes, it pushes the junk into a lower and slower orbit, nearer the earth. After a time, the junk burns up in the atmosphere. Mr. Castronuovo has proposed   using a number of small satellites with robotic arms. One arm would catch the space junk, and another arm would connect the rocket. He imagines that each satellite would jump from one large piece of junk to another. He thinks this method could destroy about ten large objects each year. Scientists have been concerned about space junk for many years. Right now, the costs of the clean-up have been too great. Mr. Castronuovo says his system could be put in place for a much more reasonable amount of money. \n Question: Much of the space junk   _  . \n Options: (A) was thrown by the astronauts (B) is from broken spaceship (C) is made up of small pieces of things (D) returns to the earth piece by piece", "pos": "Article: Move Earth--it's no science fiction LONDON--Scientists have found an unusual way to prevent our planet from overheating: move it to a cooler spot. All you have to do is send a few comets in the direction of Earth, and its orbit will be changed. Our world will then be sent spinning into a safer, colder part of the solar system. This idea for improving our climate comes from a group of US National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) engineers and American astronomers. They say their plan could add another six billion years to the useful lifetime of our planet--effectively doubling its working life. The plan put forward by Dr Laughlin, and his colleagues Don Korycansky and Fred Adams is designed to carefully direct a comet or asteroid  so that it passes close by our planet and sends some of its gravitational energy to Earth. \"Earth's orbital speed would increase as a result and we would move to a higher orbit away from the Sun,\" Laughlin said. Engineers would then direct their comet so that it passed close to Jupiter or Saturn. The comet would pick up energy from one of these giant planets. Later its orbit would bring it back to Earth, and the process would be repeated. In the short term, the plan provides an ideal way to global warming, although the team was actually concerned with a much greater danger. The sun is certain to heat up in about a billion years and so \"seriously _ \" our biosphere by cooking us. That's why the group decided to try to save Earth. The plan has one or two worrying aspects, however. For a start, space engineers would have to be very careful about how they directed their asteroid or comet towards Earth. The smallest miscalculation in orbit could fire it straight at Earth--with deadly consequences. There is also the question of the Moon. As the current issue of Scientific American magazine points out, if Earth was pushed out of its current position, it is \"most likely the Moon would be stripped  away from Earth,\" it states. This would greatly change our planet's climate. \n Question: What makes the scientists plan to move Earth? \n Options: (A) A few comets are moving to the direction of Earth. (B) Earth's working life is coming to an end soon. (C) Earth will become too hot for mankind to keep alive. (D) The moon is moving farther and farther away from Earth.", "neg": "Article: Space is where our future is -- trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Most people would think that aside from comets  and stars, there is little else out there. But, since our space journey started we have left so much trash  there that scientists are now concerned that if we don't clean it up, we may all be in mortal  danger. The first piece of space junk was created in 1964, when the American satellite Vanguard I stopped operating and lost its connection with the ground center. However, since it kept orbiting around the Earth without any consequences, scientists became increasingly comfortable abandoning  things that no longer served any useful purpose in space. It is estimated  that there are now over 500,000 pieces of man-made trash orbiting the Earth at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour. The junk varies from tiny pieces of paint chipped off rockets to cameras, huge fuel tanks, and even odd items like the million-dollar tool kit that astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn Piper lost during a spacewalk. The major problem with the space trash is that it may hit working satellites and damage traveling spacecraft . Moreover, pieces of junk may collide  with each other and break into pieces which fall back to the Earth. To avoid this, scientists have invented several ways for clearing the sky. Ground stations have been built to monitor larger pieces of space trash to prevent them from crashing into working satellites or space shuttles. Future plans include a cooperative effort among many nations to stop littering in space and to clean up the trash already there. \n Question: What was the first piece of man-made space trash? \n Options: (A) A camera. (B) A tool kit. (C) A fuel tank. (D) A broken satellite.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}279{"query": "Article: Winter is the time of year when people feel very blessed. This isn't because people feel thankful for the cold weather, nor because the important festivals---Christmas or Spring Festival---offer an excuse to celebrate. In fact, \"Bless you!\" is a common response if someone sneezes, a symptom of catching a cold or the flu. Colds and the flu are the most common illnesses of autumn and winter as the weather gets colder. Viruses cause them. If you get one you will feel annoyed, but it is not usually serious. The flu is spread from person to person when we come into contact with a person with the virus. We get the virus on our hands and then we touch our noses and our mouths. We can pass on the flu before we realize we have it. You can infect  others one day before symptoms develop and for up to five days after becoming sick. Getting a flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the illness. Even if your body has built up antibodies for one kind of flu. The vaccine is only effective for one year and viruses are different from year to year, so it is necessary to get a flu vaccination every year. The best time to get the vaccination is October or November. Besides, there are other ways to reduce your chance of getting a flu. Wash your hands. Get enough rest. Eat garlic regularly. Don't let stress control you. Exercise regularly. \n Question: We say \"Bless you!\" when   _  . \n Options: (A) we feel annoyed at someone. (B) someone sneezes. (C) someone catches a cold or the flu. (D) we celebrate some important festivals.", "pos": "Article: Now, it is winter and as you have probably noticed, virus   are everywhere--runny noses, sore throats, nothing quite like the common cold to make you feel so uncomfortable. But experts believe that there is no link between cold weather and catching colds. So why are we particularly easy to catch colds this season? Internal Medicine expert, Dr Meenakshi Jain of Max Hospital says, \"One reason could be because people are likely to stay indoors, so the virus can spread easily. Also the virus grows strong and healthy under wet conditions.\" The common cold can be caused by any of up to 250 kinds of virus. The most common group of them is the kind of virus that hits the nose, which is called rhinovirus  . Rhinoviruses cause a third and half of all common colds. \"The kind of virus is spread through the nose and respiratory passages , by touch, and by contact with particles  in the air that are created by sneezing or coughing,\" says Dr Jain. There is no way to treat the common cold. However, there are some tips that can help. Wash your hands regularly, so that germs get killed. Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth, which can limit your chances of infection .  Don't share drinking glasses with anyone as this will prevent the spread of the virus. Drink lots of water. Make sure to eat enough fruits to _ your immune system . Get enough sleep and you'll certainly become stronger. \n Question: A third and half of all common colds are caused by  _  . \n Options: (A) the cold weather in the winter (B) the virus that hits people's nose (C) the condition of the human body (D) the warm temperature in the room", "neg": "Article: When talking about colds, maybe some people say it is very common. During the cold winter days, many people will complain the cold winter makes them catch a cold, and what they feel upset are not only the headache, cough but also the runny nose. It is so embarrassing when they forget to take a handkerchief or tissue along with them. Want to stay away from colds? Put on a happy face. Compared to unhappy people, those who are cheerful and relaxed are less likely to suffer from colds, according to a new study. It's possible that being happy helps the body fight illnesses, say the researchers from New York University. \"It seems that positive  feelings may reduce  the danger of illness,\" said the study's chief researcher Sheldon Cohen. In an earlier study, Cohen found that people who were cheerful and lively caught coughs and colds less often. People _ were also less likely to tell their doctors that they felt ill. In this study, Cohen has interviewed 193 adults every day for two weeks. During the interviews, the people told researchers that they were given colds by doctors and had to stay alone in a room for six days. The results showed that everyone in the study was equally  likely to get ill. But for people who said they felt happy during the research period, their illness are less serious and lasted for a shorter time. Cohen believes that when people experience positive feelings, their body may produce a chemical that helps fight illness and disease. So if you are worried about your health, look on the brighter side more often. \n Question: What did the study find? \n Options: (A) People who felt happy never got ill. (B) People's feelings didn't influence their health. (C) People with good feelings became ill more easily. (D) People with positive feelings had less serious illnesses.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}280{"query": "Article: Is there anything more important than health?I don't think so.You can't be good at your studies or work when you are ill. If you have a headache,or a bad cough,if you run a high temperature and have a bad cold,I think you should go to the doctor. The doctor will examine your throat,feel your pulse,take your temperature,sound your heart and lungs.After that he will advise some treatment,or some medicine.The only thing you have to do is to follow his advice. Speaking of doctor's advice,I can't help telling you a funny story. An old man came to see the doctor.The man was very ill.He told the doctor about his weakness,memory loss and serious problems with his heart and lungs.The doctor examined him and said there was no medicine for his disease. He told his patient to go to a quiet place for a month and have a good rest.He also advised him to eat a lot of meat,drink two glasses of red wine every day and take long walks.In other words,the doctor advised him to follow the rule:\"Eat at pleasure,drink with measure and enjoy life as it is.\"The doctor also said that if the man wanted to be well again,he shouldn't smoke more than one cigarette a day. A month later the gentleman came into the doctor's office.He looked cheerful and happy. He thanked the doctor and said that _  \"But you know,doctor,\"he said,\"it's not easy to begin smoking at my age.\" \n Question: The writer thinks that   _  . \n Options: (A) health is more important than wealth (B) work is as important as studies (C) medicine is more important than pleasure (D) nothing is more important than money", "pos": "Article: Your weight has been important since the moment you were born. Maybe you even know what your birth weight was. Most newborns weigh between 6 and 9 pounds, but some may weigh more and some less. But very quickly, a baby gains weight and everyone is glad about that because it means the child is growing bigger and stronger. As you get older, your weight is still important. It's something your parents and doctor will probably keep an eye on. When you go for a checkup, the doctor often will record your height and weight and compare it with what it was the last time you came in. The doctor wants to check whether you have a healthy weight because weighing too much or too little can be a problem. But these days, being overweight is more common than being underweight. In the last 30 years, a growing number of kids and teenagers have developed weight problems. Today, 1 out of 3 kids and teens between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight. Many grown-ups understand what it's like to have weight problems, since 2 out of every 3 adults   are overweight..wfsqzkss. For kids and adults, weighing too much can lead to illnesses and health problems. And a kid who is overweight might be made jokes on or find it hard to keep up with friends on the playground. When people talk about being overweight, they mean that someone has more body fat than is healthy. Everyone has some body fat, but extra   fat can influence someone's health and ability to walk, run, and get around, as well as how the person looks and his or her self-respect. \n Question: Why is everyone happy hearing a baby become fatter? \n Options: (A) The baby is growing healthily. (B) The parents are rich enough. (C) The mother has enough milk. (D) The family is in good situation.", "neg": "Article: Feel tired lately? Has a doctor said he can't find anything wrong with you? Perhaps he sent you to a hospital, but all the advanced equipment there shows that there is nothing wrong with you. Then , consider this: you might be in a state of sub - health  . Sub - health, also called the third state or gray state, is explained as a borderline state between health and disease. According to the survey by the National Health Organization, Over 45 percent of sub - healthy people are middle-aged or elderly. The percentage is even higher among people who work in management positions as well as students around exam week. Symptoms  include a shortage of energy, depression, slow reactions, insomnia  and poor memory , Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sweating and aching in the waist and legs. The key to preventing and recovering from sub - health, according to some medical experts, is to form good living habits, ale mate work and rest, exercise regularly, and take part in open air activities. As for meals, people are advised to eat less salt and sugar . They should also eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, fish because they are rich in nutritional elements - vitamins and trace elements - that are important to the body. Nutrition experts point out that it is not good to eat too much at one meal because it may cause unhealthy changes in the digestive tract  . They also say that a balanced diet is very helpful in avoiding sub - health. \n Question: When you are in a state of sub - health, you should  _  . \n Options: (A) stay home and keep silent (B) go to a doctor and buy some medicine (C) not consider it very serious (D) find out the reasons and relax yourself", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}281{"query": "Article: \"Mama, when I grow up, I'm going to be one of those!\" I said this after seeing the Capital Dancing Company perform when I was three. It was the first time that my dream took on a vivid form and acted as something important to start my training. As I grew older and was exposed to more, my interests in the world of dance certainly varied but that little girl's dream of someday becoming a dancer in the company never left me. In the summer of 2005 when I was 18, I received the phone call which made that dream a reality: I became a member of the company dating back to 1925. As I look back on that day now, it surely lacks any sense of reality. I believe I stayed in a state of pleasant disbelief until I was halfway through rehearsals   on my first day. I never actually expect to get the job. After being offered the position, I was completely astonished. I remember shaking with excitement.  _ . Through the strict rehearsal period of dancing six days a week, I found it vital to pick up the material fast with every last bit of concentration. It is that extreme attention to detail   and stress on practice that set us apart. To then follow those high-energy rehearsals with a busy show schedule of up to five performances a day, I discovered a new meaning of the words \"hard work.\" What I thought were my physical boundaries were pushed much further than I thought possible. I learned to make each performance better than the last. Today, when I look at the unbelievable company that I have the great honor of being a part of, not only as a member, but as a dance captain, I see a tradition that has inspired not only generations of little girls but a splendid company that continues to develop and grow-and inspires people every day to follow their dreams. \n Question: How many years has the Capital Dancing Company existed when the author received the phone call from it? \n Options: (A) 180 (B) 1925 (C) 2005 (D) 80", "pos": "Article: My first job was working for a women's clothes manufacturer at the age of 15. It made me realize what I didn't want to do for my future employment. The only advantage of this job was receiving a wage at the end of the week and sometimes getting clothes for free if they were to my taste. I carried on doing this for only a year, as my studies at school were getting more serious and I wanted to study more to get the right grades. After I had finished college, my first real job was working for a play publisher in central London. I remember writing a letter of application for the post of administration for Samuel French Limited. I had put so much effort into writing it, not realizing that this would be my first step in the process of finding out what I really wanted to do for my future employment. I didn't think I would get the job, but as it turned out, I got a telephone call quickly and started a week later. I remember being excited that I would be working for a publisher in London. Although I had thought I would prefer to work for a book publisher, a play publisher was just as enjoyable. Looking back now, not all first jobs turn out to be enjoyable. Some of my friends worked in supermarkets while they were at college just to earn a bit of money. I remember thinking how much happier I felt working in a clothes factory than in a supermarket. Years later, I can see how good it is to experience work at an early age, as it gives people the opportunity to decide what kind of career will be most suitable for them one day. The boring task of a job will make a person want to pursue an education to get into the right type of employment, which was what I had realized in the end. \n Question: The author did her first job for only a year because   _  . \n Options: (A) the clothes made there didn't suit her taste (B) she really didn't like such a boring job (C) she wanted to get the right grades at school (D) she didn't get well paid at the end of the week", "neg": "Article: When I was born, my parents immediately noticed something wrong. My feet were deformed  , pointing inward and curling under. I wore casts   and foot braces   in my first two years to correct the problem. Yet I learned to balance and walk in casts. Soon after the last set of casts came off,Mom enrolled me in dance classes as therapy for my feet. I, however,quickly decided to try something else. Not far from my house was an ice rink   in the mall. There,local skaters would perform ice shows. I wanted to try skating. I started taking group skating lessons. Performing on ice came naturally. For me,skating has never been about beating others. It's been about being my personal best. I progressed through various levels rapidly and gave my first ice performance at age seven. Soon I started winning local and regional competitions. That's because being on the ice has always been the one place I can truly express my emotions. _  I began seriously training when I was nine years old. After graduating from girls' high school,I moved to Canada. Saying goodbye to my family and friends made me homesick,but I knew deep down that I had to leave and train full-time to give my dreams a chance at reality. I went to compete in the Olympic Games in 1992.I was the first of the final six skaters on the ice. My long performance started well,but I slipped while landing one of my easiest triple jumps,and my hand touched the ice. I didn't want to make two mistakes in a row,so next I did a jump with just two spins to play it safe. As I neared the end,I had one more jump. I landed it perfectly. When medals were awarded,I found myself on the top step,the gold hanging around my neck and America's national anthem playing. Words can't describe the overwhelming mixture of emotions I felt. \n Question: The author was enrolled in dance classes to  _  . \n Options: (A) meet her interest (B) improve her dancing skills (C) help treat her feet (D) prepare her for skating", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}282{"query": "Article: Little Tom down the street calls our dog \"The keep dog\".Zip is a sheep dog. But when Tom tries to say\" Seep\", it comes out \"keep\". And in a way Tom is right. Zip is always bringing things home for us to keep! I'll tell you about some of them. Zip's first present was a shoe. It was made of green silk. We didn't know how Zip found the shoe. But after a moment Mary, my big sister, told me the shoe had a strange smell. I nodded and held my nose. \"What do you think it is?\" \"It smells like something for cleaning. I think someone tried to clean a spot   off the shoe. Then he put it at the door to dry.\" \"Along came Zip. And good-bye shoe!\" I said.\"We should take it back.\" \"We can't \".said my sistter. \"Maybe little Tom is right,\" Mary said. \"Maybe Zip is a keep dog!\" \n Question: The writer and Mary didn't know  _  . \n Options: (A) what Zip's first present was (B) how Zip carried its first present home (C) who owned Zip's first present (D) what Zip's first present was made of", "pos": "Article: The more people I meet, the more I love my dog. Every day I am reminded why I love him so much. Three weeks before Christmas in 2008 at about 2:00 in the morning, my dog woke us up out of a sound sleep because someone was knocking at our door. He barked in front of me as if to protect me from the stranger who was knocking. My husband answered, and it was a local police officer telling us that my father-in-law had called the police because he forgot our number. My mother-in-law was suffering from a brain disease and was in the hospital. We thanked the officer and raced to the hospital. We would have taken him, but the hospital would consider him to be a dirty pet. After visiting the hospital we drove home and hugged our dog once more. At this point it was unlikely that little dog remembered waking us up. What he did remember was that we left him alone for several hours and he missed us. He thought we missed him, too, so he greeted us at the door with his tail wagging  . Someone tried to break in our house that summer, but, once again, our little dog saved the day. Our curtains were damaged, but no one got in. When I got home from work, I found parts of my curtains lying on the floor. We called the police and the officer said that he did a great job. My dog is a loving sweet dog who just wants some attention. I worked with him for months and now he sits, dances, sings, shakes hands, and so much more. The best part is he looks out for me as much as I look out for him. My husband says the dog is spoiled  ; I say he finally has a loving home. \n Question: The author's dog woke her up to tell her that   _  . \n Options: (A) her mother-in-law was ill (B) her father-in-law called her (C) someone was knocking at the door (D) someone had broke into her house", "neg": "Article: Mary got a little white lamb . She tied it to a tree in her field during the day and went to take it home every evening. One evening, she found the lamb gone. Someone had cut the rope and stolen the lamb. When her husband came home, she told him what had happened. Henry at once set out to look for the thief. It was easy to find the thief in the small village. Henry heard that his neighbor Alex got a lamb. He went to the neighbors' house and said angrily, \"Return the lamb to me, or I'll call the police.\" Alex explained that he had bought a lamb, but it was black. Henry looked out of the window. There in the garden was a little black lamb. He felt ashamed. Then he apologized to his neighbour. While they were talking, it began to rain. He stayed in Alex's house until the rain stopped. When he went outside, he was surprised to see the lamb changed. The lamb, which had been black half an hour before, was now almost white. \"What colour on earth is the lamb,\" Henry wondered, \"black or white?\" \n Question: When her husband came back Mary told him   _  . \n Options: (A) she had got a lamb (B) someone had stolen the lamb (C) she had tied the lamb to the tree (D) her son was gone", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}283{"query": "Article: \"Family\" is of course an _ word. But when British people say that their society is based on family life, they are thinking of \"family\" in its narrow, peculiarly European sense of mother ,father and children living together alone in their own house as an economic and social unit. Thus, every British marriage indicates the beginning of a new and independent family--hence the tremendous importance of marriage in British life. For both the man and the woman, marriage means leaving one's parents and starting one's own life. The man's first duty will then be to his wife, and the wife's to her husband. He will be entirely responsible for her financial support, and she for the running of the new home. Their children will be their common responsibility and theirs alone. Neither the wife's parents nor the husband's, nor their brothers or sisters, aunts or uncles, have any right to interfere with them--they are their own masters. Readers of novels like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice will know that in former times marriage among wealthy families were arranged by the girl's parents, that is, it was the parents' duty to find a suitable husband for their daughter, preferably a rich one, and by skillful encouragement to lead him eventually to ask their permission to marry her. Until that time, the girl was protected and maintained in the parents' home, and the financial relief of getting rid of her could be seen in their giving the newly married pair a sum of money called a dowry. It is very different today. Most girls of today get a job when they leave school and become financially independent before their marriage. This has had two results. A girl chooses her own husband, and she gets no dowry. \n Question: What does the author mean by \"Family is of course an elastic word\"? \n Options: (A) Different families have different ways of life. (B) Different definitions could be given to the word. (C) Different nations have different families. (D) Different times produce different families.", "pos": "Article: The wedding between Prince Wiliam and Kate Middleton on April 29 has focused the world's camera lenses   on the UK. In Britain, there is a constant debate about the relevance  of the royal family to modern British society. However, Windsor (the family name of the British Royal Family) and Middleton have been seen to represent a more modern, forward-looking nation. Nigel Baker, the British ambassador to Bolivia, believes that the royal wedding is \"about modern   Britain\". \"The estimated 2 billion spectators across the world will see that Britain is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse nations in the world, home to 270 nationalities speaking 300 different languages, founded on tolerance and respect for difference,\" wrote Baker on his blog. According to Baker, the wedding could help viewers to see \"why Britain is one of the most dynamic and creative countries in the world\": The television on which most people watched the event was invented by John Logie Baird, a Briton, and the World Wide Web that broadcast the event to millions more was invented by another Briton, Tim Berners-Lee. The guests who attended the wedding ceremony gave more than a few clues as to the nature of modern Britain. David and Victoria Beckham represent Britain's obsession  with football and celebrity. Leaders from different religious backgrounds supported Baker's comments on the multicultural nature of modern British society. Before the wedding, David Elliott, arts director of the British Council China, agreed that the wedding would be a showcase for modern Britain: \"I think, and hope, that it (modern British influence) would be values like openness, multiculturalism, creativity, sense of humor and the traditional British sense of fair play,\" he said. Furthermore, events such as the Olympics in London in 2012 may also increase people's sense of Britishness. According to a poll published in Daily Telegraph, more than a third of people in the UK admitted they felt \"very British\" when watching the Olympics. \n Question: .  What is the point of the article? \n Options: (A) To introduce Prince William's wedding arrangements in detail. (B) To comment on the significance of the royal wedding. (C) To question the relevance of the royal family in modern British society. (D) To explain why the royal wedding is linked with the 2012 Olympics.", "neg": "Article: Every culture in the world has marriage and wedding ceremonies . Usually marriages are between one woman(the bride) and one man ( the groom). However, in other parts of the world a man may have several wives, or, as in some areas of India, a wife may have more than one husband.. There are also many different kinds of wedding ceremonies practiced around the world. These ceremonies can be very short and simple, or very long and complicated. One of the largest and most expensive wedding ceremonies in recent times was held in Dubai in 1981. The couple tying the knot at this wedding were the son of Sheik ( a male Arab ruler) Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Princess Salama. The wedding ceremony took seven days and cost $44 million. It was held in a large building which was specially built for the ceremony and looked like a stadium. The bride and groom needed a large place for their wedding because more than 20,000 guests were invited. The reasons why a man and woman get married also vary. Sometimes they marry because they are in love, sometimes they marry because someone they meet through a matchmaker, and sometimes they marry because their parents tell them that they must marry. One unusual example of an arranged marrige took place in Bangladesh in 1986.  The groom was an eleven-month-old boy and the bride was a three-month-old girl. They were the youngest married couple ever. The parents of the bride and groom arranged the marriage as a way of ending a fight between the two families who had been arguing over a farm for twenty years. Both families thought they owned the farm, but no one knew exactly . The fight ended for good when the young boy married the young girl. By arranging this marriage, neither famlily was forced to lose face. The two families agreed to give the farm to the young people. \n Question: What is the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) An Unusual Wedding Tradition (B) A Short History of Marriage (C) Common Western Wedding Trations. (D) Interesting Wedding Around the World", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}284{"query": "Article: Mary went out at night. She never forgot the night when she met a robber many years ago. That evening, she was invited to a birthday party which lasted until two o'clock in the morning. Without company Mary walked along the quiet street. Suddenly from the shadow of a dark building a tall man with a sharp knife in his right hand ran out at her. \"Good evening, lady,\" the man said in a low voice, \"I don't think you wish to die here.\" \"What do you want?\" Mary asked. \"Your earrings  .Take them off!\" Slowly Mary's eyes looked down. She tried to cover her necklace with the collar of her overcoat while she used the other hand to take off both of her earrings, and then she quickly threw them on the ground. \"Take them and let me go.\" she said. The robber looked at her only feeling uncertain. He saw the girl didn't care for the earrings at all, only trying to protect the necklace. He realized the necklace would cost more. So he said, \"Give me your necklace.\" \"Oh, sir. It's not worth much. Please let me keep it.\" \"Stop rubbish. Quick!\" With shaky hands, Mary took off her necklace. As soon as the robber disappeared, she picked up her earrings and ran as fast as she could to one of her friends. The earrings cost 480 pounds and the necklace the robber had taken away cost only six pounds ten shillings. \n Question: Mary never forgot that night because   _  . \n Options: (A) she was robbed of her necklace (B) she was robbed, but she fooled the robber (C) she had a good time at the party (D) she lost her earrings", "pos": "Article: Two thieves came to a house to steal something. They dug a hole in the wall of the house. There lived many mice in the house. The woman in the house saw a mouse crawl  into the house in the moonlight. \"Look! In comes one,\" she said to the man in the house. The thief was so frightened that he hurriedly crawled out of the house and said to the one waiting outside, \"She found me when I was just in.\" But the thief outside didn't believe him, so he said, \"Let us try to crawl into the house together.\" At that time two mice happened to crawl into the house, too. The woman saw the mice and shouted, \"In come two, catch them!\" The two thieves were terribly frightened. The man in the house said, \"You saw them come in but where are they? I will catch them tonight.\" The two thieves started running away at once. The two thieves wanted to make it clear whether they had been found or not the night before. The next day they acted as men selling sweet potatoes and came before the house. The man and the woman were ploughing in their fields. The rope broke and the woman came home for a rope. She saw two men selling sweet potatoes and wanted to buy some. She picked out two which looked like mice. At the time the man couldn't wait for her any longer in the fields and he ran back from the fields to hurry her up. The woman showed the sweet potatoes to the man and said, \"How they look like the two of last night.\" The man said, \"I asked you to fetch a rope, why don't you hurry for it?\" The two thieves ran away very quickly without their sweet potatoes. \n Question: The two thieves failed to steal anything from the house because   _  . \n Options: (A) they were found out (B) they were frightened by what they had heard in the house (C) they didn't work together well with each other (D) mice stopped them from doing so", "neg": "Article: It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, wandered through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor girl had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bunch of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had any one given her even a penny. Lights were shining from every window, and there was a delicious smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve--yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here. \n Question: The story happened   _  . \n Options: (A) on New-year Day (B) on Christmas (C) on a rainy evening (D) on a snowy night", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}285{"query": "Article: Immigration is the act of coming to a foreign country to live. The act of leaving one's country to settle in another is called emigration. Immigrants who flee their country because of persecution, war, or such disasters as famines or epidemics are known as refugees or displaced persons. Most people find it very hard to pull up roots in their native land and move to a strange country. But throughout history, countless millions of people have done so. The heaviest immigration worldwide took place from the early 1800's to the Great Depression, the economic hard times of the 1930's. In that period, about 60 million people moved to a new land. Most came from Europe. More than half immigrated to the United States. Other destinations included Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Today, the availability of fast, safe, and cheap transportation helps make migration easier. Asia is replacing Europe as the major immigrant-sending area. The United States remains the chief receiving nation. People abandon their homeland and move to another country for various reasons. The main reason for immigration has long been economic opportunity----the desire for better land or a better job. During the 1800's, for example, the rich prairie land of the United States attracted many European farmers. Today, professional people commonly emigrate because of better opportunities elsewhere. Such emigration has sometimes been called brain drain. Many doctors and nurses and numerous engineers and scientists have moved to the United States. Religious persecution has led many people to move to a new land for the freedom to practice their faith. Such immigrants include Jews expelled from England in the 1200's. Wars, revolutions, and political unrest have driven innumerable people to find new homes. In the 1990's alone, millions of refugees fled from warfare in Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Iran, Uganda, Southeastern Asia, and Central America. Some immigrants were brought to a new land against their will. From the 1500's to the 1800's Europeans shipped black Africans to the Western Hemisphere as slaves. The United Kingdom transported prisoners to Australia from the late 1700s to the 1860s to relieve over crowding in British jails. Before that time, the United Kingdom sent prisoners to the American colonies. Immigrants have made enormous contributions to the culture and economy of such nations as Australia, Canada, New Zealand the United States. But their accomplishments have been made with great difficulty. At times, the United States, like many receiving countries, has restricted immigration to maintain a more homogeneous society in which all the people share the same ethnic, geographic, and cultural background. Although some immigration laws have been relaxed, many new comers of different backgrounds still face challenges in gaining acceptance. \n Question: Most Immigrants to the United States in the nineteenth century came from   _  . \n Options: (A) Europe (B) Asia (C) Australia (D) South Africa", "pos": "Article: The world's population is more mobile  today than ever before. In 2010, more than 200 million people left their home countries to live in a new country. This is about 3 percent of the total world population. Some experts believe that number will swell to 400 million by 2050. Rates of immigration have remained strong for the last 300 years, but patterns of immigration have changed since World War II. The backgrounds and experiences of today's immigrants are different from those of the typical European immigrant of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Contemporary immigrants range from unskilled laborers to highly skilled professionals, and they come from and go to countries all over the world. In the nineteenth century and until World War II, immigration was primarily in one direction- from the Old World to the New World. This is no longer the case. Countries such as Russia and China, which have long been, and continue to be, significant source countries, are now also destination countries. There is also considerable mobility inside regions, such as from one European country to another, or among the countries of the former Soviet Union. In spite of such differences, the push and pull factors for immigration remain essentially the same as they were 100 years ago. Most people move to another country because they want a better life. For the majority of immigrants, this means better economic conditions. As in past generations, a labor shortage in one country often draws workers from another country, especially if wages are significantly higher. In some small countries, for example, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, there are more jobs than citizens. The demand for labor is so high that the majority of the population consists of foreign-born workers, ranging from highly skilled engineers and financial experts to domestic and construction workers. In traditional destination countries, such as the United States, however, labor needs have changed. Today, although there is still demand for unskilled labor, there is increasing demand for people with a high level of skill and education. The need for less skilled labor has shifted to other countries. As work on farms and in industry in the United States and Canada once drew workers from all over the world, now work in factories in Taiwan and south Korea attracts workers from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Most global immigration is legal: however, a large number of people also move across national borders illegally in pursuit of employment. Experts estimate that about 15 to 20 percent of immigrants worldwide are in their new countries illegally. The United States has the largest number of these immigrants, followed by South Africa, with significant numbers also in Northern and Western Europe and Mexico. These immigrants face particular challenges because they often must hide from the authorities who might deport them back to their home countries. Their illegal status also means that employers may take advantage of them by forcing them to work longer hours and paying them less than the legal minimum wage. Although economics remains the most important motivation in all forms of immigrant, other factors are also important. Some people decide to leave their home countries because their actions or political beliefs make it dangerous for them to remain. Others choose to leave because their home country has become too dangerous and unstable, often because of war or political unrest. They wish to find a place that is secure for themselves and their families. Education is also a significant factor for many modern immigrants. They want to raise their children in a place where they can get a good education, which, in turn, they hope will provide them with better prospects for the future. Finally, family and community ties also play a role in immigration decisions. As in the past, once a group of people from one country establishes a community in a new country, more people from that country is likely to follow. The pattern, direction, and rate of immigration may change as the global economy changes. However, as long as life in a new country is more attractive than life in the old country, immigration will continue. \n Question: According to the reading, what are the patterns of immigration in China and Russia today? \n Options: (A) Many people leave these countries while many people also immigrate to them. (B) They are major source countries for immigration. (C) They are major destination countries for immigrants. (D) Some people immigrate to these countries but many more people leave them.", "neg": "Article: In the past years a lot of people migrated from one country to another in Europe. They had to leave their countries with their traditions, their cultures and sometimes also their families. People migrate because they think that they will have a better life, they will find a job and they will make a lot of money for their families to survive. Sometimes it's true, and they find a job, they make a lot of money and then they go back to their families to help them. But sometimes they are not that lucky. The problem that those people create is that a lot of people from Europe are unemployed and they don't have jobs because immigrants have taken so many jobs. But the question is also: Would European people want a job such as cleaning or hard labor? I think that most of them wouldn't. So we should stop criticizing for a moment and think. We would then maybe realize that it's not that bad to have immigrants at home. The only problem is that it's not right that immigrants want to impose(  )their religion on other countries by leading and building mosques ( ). Because if they had done that in other countries they would have caused trouble. Phenomena like these happened a few years ago in Great Britain: It was forbidden to switch on Christmas lights outside, because Christmas is a Catholic (  ) recurrence and it was offensive for the Islamic people who lived there. That is not right. The country that gives hospitality to immigrants has the task to allow them to enter society, to be free to believe in their religion and their culture, but every country does not have to forget its tradition and culture. This is one of the many facts which happened in the past years, and I think that many others are going to happen because this phenomenon is developing every day more and more. \n Question: What's the main problem between the immigrants and the native people according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Native people and immigrants fight for the same job opportunities. (B) Native people always leave the worst jobs to the immigrants. (C) Different religions and cultures often result in some conflicts. (D) Native people refuse the immigrants to enter their country.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}286{"query": "Article: A jobless man applied for the position of \"office boy\" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him and then watched him cleaning the floor as a test. \"You are employed,\" he said. \"Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start. \" The man replied, \"But I don't have a computer, neither an e-mail. \" \"I'm sorry,\" said the HR manager. \"If you don't have an e-mail, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist cannot have the job. \" The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only ten dollars in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy 10kg tomatoes. He then sold the tomatoes from door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home happily with 60 dollars. The man realized that he can survive in this way, and started to go every day earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or _ every day. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. Five years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US. He started to plan his family's future and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his e-mail. The man replied, \"I don't have an e-mail. \" The broker answered curiously, \"You don't have an e-mail, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an e-mail?\" The man thought for a while and replied, \"Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!\" \n Question: Why can't the man have the job at Microsoft? \n Options: (A) Because he was lazy. (B) Because he didn't pass the test. (C) Because he didn't have an e-mail. (D) Because he didn't have a computer.", "pos": "Article: John and Booby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee . John could not take it any more, so he sent his resignation  and complained that the boss did not value hard working workers but only promoted those who said good words of him. The boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, \"Thank you for telling me, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps you will change your mind and take back your resignation.\" John agreed. The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelons. The boss asked how much per kg, John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kg. The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said only one person sold watermelons. $1.2 for a kg, $10 for 10kg and his watermelons added up to 340. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the south two days ago and they were fresh, red and good quality. John was surprised and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to go away but to learn from Bobby. The story tells us that a more successful person is more concerned and thinks more. Chances are there in the daily details. For the same thing, a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win? \n Question: John wanted to stop his job in his company because  _  . \n Options: (A) Bobby was promoted but he was not (B) he didn't want to say good words of his boss (C) he thought the boss didn't take his hard work seriously (D) he didn't want to be an ordinary employee", "neg": "Article: Tom was a poor boy. He made a living by cleaning leather shoes for others in the street. Tom was also a clever boy. One day, a very rich man with the name Miser appeared in front of Tom. He watched his dirty shoes for a while, and then looked at Tom. Tom knew this kind of people well: they love money very much and hate to spend it. Tom said, \"Let me clean your shoes, sir.\" \"For nothing?\" the rich man asked. \"Only two pence, sir.\" Mr Miser shook his head and walked away. Tom thought for a moment and then called out, \"I'd like to clean it for nothing!\" This time Mr Miser agreed. And soon one of his shoes was shining brightly. When the rich man put his other shoe on the stool , Tom said he wouldn't clean it for him unless he was paid two pence for his work. Mr Miser was very angry. He refused to pay anything and went away with a smile on his face. But to his surprise, the well-cleaned shoe was so bright that it made the other one look even dirtier. Mr Miser took a look around. People in the street were laughing at him. He couldn't walk on any further. Finally the rich man returned and gave Tom two pence. In a very short time his two shoes shone brightly. \n Question: The story happened  _  . \n Options: (A) in a shoe shop (B) in the street (C) at the rich man's house (D) near the boy's home", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}287{"query": "Article: Iceland, an island just south of the Arctic Circle, has fairly mild winters,  thanks to warm ocean currents. Time your vacation here during the winter months to take advantage of off-season deals. Off-season means good deals on flights, hotels and tours. You may also find that the locals are a bit friendlier and more welcoming when tourists aren't arriving in crowds. In the winter months, there are less than seven hours of daylight; thus, chances are good you'll catch sight of the northern lights. Sunsets are also beautiful at this time, making for some great photo opportunities. In Iceland, winter is the perfect time to hike glaciers, go ice climbing, explore caves made out of hardened lava  and much more. One of the most popular activities is off-roading  in a specially-equipped \"super jeep\". Before booking your trip, be sure to check for volcano alerts. There are about 130 volcanoes on or around Iceland. Thirty-five of them are active. In 2010, a volcano named Eyjaallajokull exploded, sending clouds of ash up to four kilometers into the atmosphere. The ash drifted toward the UK and Europe. Because the ask could damage aircraft engines, airlines operating in the region were forced to cancel flights for six days. As a result, thousands of people were stuck in airports. Recently, another volcano named Bardarbunga has become active, erupting ash into the air. Such events, if large enough, could prevent your trip from going ahead. So check the latest volcano news prior to making your reservations. \n Question: According to this article, why are you more likely to see the northern lights in the winter? \n Options: (A) They move from rural areas to cities. (B) The weather is more stable at that time. (C) They're a special feature of many festivals. (D) The sky is dark for longer periods then.", "pos": "Article: The Islands of Hawaii  Hawaii The \"Big Island\" of Hawaii is a paradise   playground where visitors can enjoy a popular lifestyle and at the same time, witness the attraction of nature: thousands of square miles form a wonderland, featuring breathtaking beaches, forests, snow-covered mountains and amazing active volcanoes. A visit to Volcanoes National Park, which has been described as a true wonder of the world, is a must. It is the state's biggest attraction. Accommodations Seasons Resort Hualalai from $ 205.00Fairmont Orchid: from $108.00 Sightseeing and Experiences Circle Island Tour: from $48.00  Kauai The beautiful landscape of Kauai has led to it being called the \"Garden Isle\", but it is also referred to as the \"Island of discovery\", and with good reason - a land of striking natural contrasts just waiting to be explored. Green mountains, a breathtaking coastline and white sand beaches combine to make it one of the world's most relaxing locations. Accommodations Grand Hyatt Kauai: from $ 101.00Sheraton Kauai Resort: from $ 79.00  Maui Voted the \"World's Best Island\", Maui is widely regarded as one of the most romantic destinations on earth. It is known as the \"Valley Isle\" and was the ancient playground for Hawaiian royalty. The island is largely rural with a small and wonderful population and a host of attractions and nature wonders. Accommodations Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa: from $ 87.00      Sheraton Maui: from $ 99.00  Oahu Oahu has a unique rhythm, filling the air with sweet fragrances  , music and language: from lovely beaches and amazing nightlife to beautiful rainforests and quiet valleys. Adventure, history, romance, discovery--Oahu waits for you. Accommodations Halekulani: from $ 121.00                 Hilton Hawaiia: Village: from $ 73.00 Sightseeing and Experiences Royal Circle Island Tour: from $ 34.00              Paradise Cove Lu'au: $ 44.00 # All prices are based on per person per night. \n Question: For a couple spending two nights in one of the accommodations, they have to pay at least   _  . \n Options: (A) $73.00 (B) $146.00 (C) $136.00 (D) $292.00", "neg": "Article: If you want to pay a visit to Iceland, you'll enter a whole new region of experience. You'll discover original nature as you've never seen it before. The freedom to wander  in the city or the wilds as you please is the key to the Iceland experience. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is just a part of the Icelandic experience with its midnight sun or the magical landscapes mixed with ice and fire. Reykjavik has a population of around 170,000 and offers an interesting mix of culture and local village roots. Old accounts say the ancient gods themselves guided Iceland's first settler to make his home in Reykjavik. He named the place Reykjavik (Steamy Bay)after the geothermal steam he saw, which today heats homes and outdoor swimming pools throughout the city, a pollution-free energy source that leaves the air very fresh, clean and clear. A beautiful river runs through the city limits, and so do fine parks and even wild outdoor areas. Against this backcloth of nature, Reykjavik has a packed program of familiar city joys too: art museums, several theaters, an opera house, a symphony orchestra and concerts meeting the needs of all ages and tastes. One must for all visitors is dining out on Icelandic specialties, including delicious seafood, ocean-fresh from the morning' s catch, highland lamb and unusual varieties of game. Its purely natural food is imaginatively served to delight the most discerning of diners. Reykjavik is also famous as one of Europe's hottest nightspots, where the action on the friendly pub and nightlife scene lasts right through the night. In the evening, the downtown area is filled with activity, reaching its peak on Friday or Saturday. The number of pubs, cafe, discos, and other nightspots in the downtown area is astonishing. There is a rich variety of places to go: European-style cafes, nightclubs with live entertainment, dance halls for seniors, sports-theme pubs with big TV screens, cafes that offer over 100 types of beer, an Irish pub, a Spanish cafe, a French wine bar. Walking distances are short downtown, and everything worth seeing outside the city center can be quickly and conveniently reached by bus. With its long, easy-going main street and large shopping mall, Iceland's capital is a great place to shop too -- with a bonus of tax-free shopping for visitors!  A full range of accommodations is available in Reykjavik, from international-standard hotels with good conference facilities, through smaller hotels and comfortable guesthouses, to a campsite in the city's biggest park. \n Question: It can be learned from the passage the Reykiavik_. \n Options: (A) was named by the ancient gods. (B) was named by Iceland's first settler. (C) got its name from the visitors. (D) was named after Iceland's first settler.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}288{"query": "Article: We might not be alone in the universe. Actually, it may be confirmed as a very crowded place by new computer models developed to help identify habitable planets. Estimates of places where life can exist have been based on the possibility of them having surface water. But software recently developed by the Aberdeen University allows researchers to identify planets with underground water kept liquid by heat from planets. Water is fundamental for life and planets too close to the sun lose water to the atmosphere through evaporation. On the other hand, planets located in distant reaches from their star have their surface water locked away as ice. Sean McMahon, who is carrying out the work, explained: \"Traditionally people have said that if a planet is in this Goldilocks zone--not too hot and not too cold--then it can have liquid water on its surface and be habitable.\" But this concept might change when considering that planets can receive two sources of heat--heat direct from the star and heat generated deep inside the planet. It is easy to observe it in our own planet. As you go down through the crust   of the Earth, the temperature gets higher and higher. Even when the surface is frozen, water can exist below ground. There could be immense quantities of water in fact--full of primitive life. Professor John Parnell, also from Aberdeen University said: \"There is a significant habitat for microorganisms below the surface of the Earth, extending down several kilometres\". \"And some believe that the majority of life on Earth could even reside in this deep biosphere.\" So the Aberdeen team are developing models to predict which distant planets might harbour underground reservoirs of liquid water with the possibility of alien life. \n Question: What is considered as the symbol of life existence traditionally? \n Options: (A) Solid water on its surface. (B) Solid water below ground. (C) Liquid water below ground. (D) Liquid water on its surface.", "pos": "Article: A new planet-hunting technique has detected the most earth-like planet yet around a star other than our sun, raising hopes of finding a space rock that might support life, astronomers   reported recently. \"This is an important discovery to answer the question 'Are we alone?'\" said Michael Turner of the National Science Foundation. \"The team has discovered the most earth-like planet yet, and more importantly, has proved the power of a new technique that is sensitive   to detecting planets that are fit for people to live on,\" Turner said in a statement. In the last decade, astronomers have detected more than 160 planets moving around stars outside our solar system. Most of these have been gas giant planets like Jupiter, which are unfit for life. But an international team has detected a cold planet about 5.5 times more massive than the earth -- still small enough to be considered earth-like -- moving around a star about 20,000 light years away, close to the center of the Milky Way. To find this new planet, the team used a technique called gravitational microlensing  . When a planet is circling the closest star, the planet's gravity can add its own signature to the light. This kind of light signature was observed on July 11 by a group of telescopes in a project known as OGLE, short for Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment. \"The main advantage of microlensing is the signals for low-mass planets: They're not weak signals. They're just rare,\" Bennett of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana said by telephone. \"If there happens to be a straight line between a foreground star with its planet and the background source star, then you're able to detect that planet.\" \n Question: The author's purpose in writing this passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) prove that scientists have a lot of difficulties in doing scientific research (B) explain why this planet moves around a star like our sun (C) teach the readers some basic knowledge about the universe (D) tell people about a new technique that finds the most earth-like planet moving round another star", "neg": "Article: Astronomers   say they are on the point of finding planets like Earth orbiting other stars, which is a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe. A top NASA official and other leading scientists say that within four or five years they should discover the first Earth-like planet where life could develop, or may have already. A planet close to the size of Earth could even be found sometime this year. At the annual American Astronomical Society conference this week, each discovery involving  so-called \"exoplanets\" --those outside our solar system -- pointed to the same conclusion:Quiet planets like Earth where life could develop probably are plentiful. NASA's Dew Kepler telescope and a lot of new research from the suddenly hot and competitive exoplanet field caused noticeable buzz at the meeting.Scientists are talking about being at \"an incredible special place in history\" and closer to answering the question. \"Are we alone? For the first time, there's an optimism that sometime in our lifetimes we're going to _ that,\" said Simon Worden,an astronomer who heads NASA's Ames Research Center. \"If I were a betting man, which I am, I would bet we're not alone.\" \"These are big questions that reflect upon the meaning of the human race in the universe,\" the director of the Vatican Observatory, the Rev. Jose Funes, said Wednesday in an interview at this week's conference. Worden told The Associated Press: \"I would certainly expect in the next four or five years we'd have an Earth-sized planet in the habitable   zone.\" \n Question: What is very important in determining if we are alone in the universe? \n Options: (A) Finding an Earth-like planet (B) Orbiting other stars. (C) Developing new telescopes (D) Finding more exoplanets.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}289{"query": "Article: Science Fiction The science fiction type of entertainment is considered by most to be fathered by Jules Verne (A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea) and H. G. Wells (The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds). Sci-Fi, as it is commonly shortened, is a fictional story in which science and technology have a significant influence on the characters and plot. Many such works are guesswork about what the future holds and how scientific findings and technological advances will shape humankind. Writing in the late 1800s, Jules Verne was remarkably successful in his 10 guesses about future technologies of air conditioning, automobiles, the Internet, television, and underwater, air, and space travel. Unbelievably, of all places from which to choose, Jules Verne guessed Tampa, Florida, USA as the launching site of the first project to the Moon, which was only 200 kilometers away from the actual 1969 location at Cape Canaveral, Florida. One of the best-known science fiction books is Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Published in 1949, it was not meant as a prediction, but as a warning: Orwell was describing what he saw as the outcome of the ideas, trends, and emerging technologies of his time. Many invented terms from this novel have become common in everyday use, such as \"big brother\" and \"doublethink\". Even the author's name has been made into an adjective--Orwellian--and has become a warning descriptor for situations where privacy is lost and the individual becomes sacrifice under a totalitarian  government. Nineteen Eighty-Four was translated into sixty-five languages within five years of its publication, setting a record that still stands. What helps bring science fiction into being is usually a new discovery or innovation. The author creates an analysis of the potential influence and consequences and then wraps it in a pleasant story. For example, the beginning of space exploration was followed a few years later by the Star Trek television program and movie series. Advances in genetics  cause fantasies of the end of disease, horrors of eugenics , and thrillers where creatures disappearing long ago are brought back to life. The science fiction author's self-determined role is that of field glasses for humanity--searching the world of future possibilities upon the road which we are traveling. \n Question: What can science fiction offer to people? \n Options: (A) A forecast of how a new discovery could influence mankind. (B) A thoughtful look at the present drawbacks of technology. (C) An analysis of why a new technology could be used to harm human. (D) A thoughtful look at the past and what brought us to this point in history.", "pos": "Article: French novelist Jules Verne (1828--1905) is often called the father of science fiction. Although he was not a great traveler himself, his characters travelled to the moon (inFrom the Earth to the Moon), under the sea (inTwenty thousand leagues under the sea), into a volcano (inA journey to the centre of the earth), around the world (inAround the World in Eighty Days) and to many other places. Jules Verne was born in the French city of Nantes in 1828. When he was a boy he ran away from home to work on a ship. However, his father soon found him and brought him home. After that he decided that any future travel he did would be in books. In 1847 his father sent Jules to Paris to study to be a lawyer. Even though he was busy writing, Verne passed his exams in 1849 with high marks. When Jules told his father he did not want to be a lawyer, his father was very angry. He stopped sending his son any money, so Jules had to earn a living by his writing. Over the next few years he wrote many stories and plays, which brought him only a little money. Then, in 1856, he met Honorine de Viane, a rich, young widow with two children. The couple married the next year. After his marriage, Verne worked as a businessman in Paris. However, he was not very successful at his job and spent most of his time writing books and doing research for the next one. In 1863 he published his novelFive Weeks in a balloonand the following year he publishedA Journey to the centre of the earthwhich made him famous. His books became so popular and earned him so much money that he was able to leave his job and work full time on his writing. In his Lifetime, Jules Verne wrote more than 50 books and he became a rich man. Many of this imaginative novels have been turned into films. \n Question: When Jules Verne was brought home by his father, he decided that   _  . \n Options: (A) he would devote himself to writing (B) he would go on more travels in the future (C) he would stop writing about future travels (D) he would do what his father required", "neg": "Article: Since the beginning of time, man has been interested in the moon. The Romans designed a special day to show admiration and respect to the moon. They called it \"Moonday\", or \"Monday\", as we know it today. Later, the great mind of Leonardo da Vinci studied the moon and designed a machine to carry a human to the moon. Leonardo said that one day a great machine bird would take a person to the moon and bring great honour to the home where it was born. Four and a half centuries later, Leonardo's idea was realized. Apollo II took three Americans--Collins, Aldrin, and Armstrong--to the moon. The mission   did fill the whole world with great surprise, as Leonardo had said it would. A lot of essays, articles, and books were written about man's first moon mission. But perhaps the most interesting story was one written before the event----over 100 years before.  In 1865, French author Jules Verne wrote a story about the first journey to the moon. His story was very similar to the 1969 Apollo II mission.  Verne's spacecraft also contained three men--two Americans and a Frenchman. The spacecraft was described as being almost the same size as Apollo II. The launch site in Verne's story was also in prefix = st1 /Florida. The spacecraft in Verne's story was named the \"Columbiad\". The Apollo II command ship was called \"Columbia\". His account of sending the spacecraft into the space could easily have been written about how Apollo II was sent into the space. Verne's story was the same as the actual event in several other respects. The speed of Verne's spacecraft was 36,000 feet per second; Apollo's was 35,533 feet per second. Verne's spacecraft took 97 hours to reach the moon; Apollo's time was 103 hours. Like Apollo's spacemen, Verne's spacemen took pictures of the moon's surface, relaxed on their seats, cooked with gas, and experienced weightlessness. They too came down in the Pacific and were picked up by an American warship.  What were the reasons for Jules Verne's extreme accuracy   in describing an event 100 years or more before it actually occurred? He based his writings on the law of physics and astronomy  . Nineteenth-century science and the vivid Verne's imagination gave people an unbelievably accurate preview of one of the greatest events of the 20thcentury. \n Question: Leonardo da Vinci said that a great machine bird would   _  . \n Options: (A) bring great honor to the moon (B) . fly toward the sun (C) explore the heavens (D) take people to the moon", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}290{"query": "Article: Treetops, the hotel in the trees, are famous in the world. People know little about Kenya, but they know of Treetops. When King George VI died, Princess Elizabeth was staying on the Treetops, and when she came down from there, \"She _ him as the queen of the country\". The hotel is in the middle of the forest, and it shows the pleasure of Africa. When you visit it, you will be sent into the heart of the forest by hotel buses, and then a guide, with a gun to protect you against big game, will go with you to the Treetops. Before and after dinner, for the whole night if you wish, you can sit on the corridor , watching animals come to the water pool. The earliest hotel Treetops was built round a large tree on the opposite side of the water, but that was destroyed by fire and the new hotel Treetops, which is built round several trees, is much bigger. The dining room at Treetops is small, and the waiters cannot walk round to serve guests, so a clever \" _ \" has been invented. Guests take their food as it passes slowly in front of them, along a line in the center of the table. There are many animals around the Treetops. When you visit them, you can see: ---Animals and their babies are waiting to greet the guests. ---Animals, enjoying the Treetops pool in the daylight. ---A long bodied, long ring tailed very active cat-like animal is a special one coming out at night. He hunts and eats anything he can catch and is very destructive. He lives in the trees at Treetops. He comes for his food every evening. Do not get too near to him, as his teeth and claws can do you harm. These animals can be trained and become lovely pets. \n Question: Which of the following statements about \"the cat-like animal\" is WRONG? \n Options: (A) It comes for food only at night. (B) It lives in the trees at Treetops. (C) Its teeth and claws can do people harm. (D) It can catch any other animal in the forest.", "pos": "Article: Tanzania Tarangire is a national Park which lies in Tanzania. The park itself covers an area of around 2,850 square kilometers, making it the sixth largest park of its kind in the country. I recently visited Tarangire to see what it was like.... One of the first sightings upon entering the park which I found was a huge herd of elephants.  Our guide told us that Tagrangire was probably the best place in Tanzania to find large herds of elephants, and that their population in the park was around 2,500. We continued to watch the elephants as they stood under trees and scratched themselves against the trees to hit the spot of an itch . To the right of the elephant herd, we noticed a big tree! Our guide informed us that this was a Baobab tree and that they could live for hundreds of years. Compared with this tree, the elephant just looked like dwarfs ! We were informed that Tarangire was one of the best National Parks in Africa to see so many Baobab trees. As we continued our drive through the park, we finally reached a watering hole. Our guide warned us that there were lions all around us. It took us all a while to find them, but there they were! Most of them are resting in the shade under brushes, but there was one that was drinking from the watering hole directly in front of us. We then noticed just to our right, there were a couple of fresh zebra corpses -- it seemed as if the lions which were resting had killed them! We were unlucky not to have seen the actual kill, as our guide had mentioned that the zebra corpses were fresh and the kill had occurred within the last hour. Our final big sighting was one that none of us were expecting to see, even our guide! We pulled over to where there was a large gathering of cars, with a sleeping leopard there! We took photos happily and excitedly and observed its surprising body before returning to our hotel as it was getting late. So, I hope you enjoyed my description of Tarangire, and that I have inspired you to add this amazing park to your very own Tanzania travel route. \n Question: Which statement is correct about the park? \n Options: (A) It covers an area of about 2,580 square kilometers (B) It is the largest park of its kind in the country (C) Their population in the park was around 2,000 (D) There are a lot of Baobab trees in it.", "neg": "Article: Ariau Amazon Towers The Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, book the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for a big family. You'll be thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways. Prices: starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite. The Ice Hotel Every winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience. Prices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one. Propeller Island Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes. Prices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars. \n Question: What is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel? \n Options: (A) You can sleep in tree houses. (B) You can choose any of the towers. (C) It is designed for big families. (D) Every room has a walkway.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}291{"query": "Article: TheCastle of Monteriggioni Located in central Tuscany,the Castle of Monteriggioniwas built by the Republic of Siena at the beginning of the 13th century in orderto defend its southern border against Florence.With their impressive towers, they feature in Dante's Divine Comedy. MainSights Inside the town are the Church of Santa Maria Assunta,the battlements on the town walls and the small \"Monteriggioni in Arme\" museum, where there are models andlife-size armors . Every July within the wall of the town a special eventis celebrated: the Medieval Festival of Monteriggioni, one of the mostbeautiful festivals in the region. The city goes back in time to the MiddleAges, the streets are filled up with people in period costume creating a realatmosphere. Dances, live performances, music, theatre, kids entertainment,storytellers and more entertain the public. Thesurrounding area The townlands ofMonteriggioni, with the walled town as their capital, cover an area of about 100km2 directly to the north of Siena,full of woods, hills, vineyards and olive groves . Thetownlands also take in a large area of unspoiled nature that has been declareda Site of Community Importance(SCI). The area is crossed by a network oftrails, including the Via Francigena, which can be travelled on foot, bicycleor on horse-back. Howto get to Monteriggioni BY CAR Take the \"Monteriggioni\" exit on theFlorence-Siena motorway link. BY BUS Line 130 from Siena for Colle di Val d'Elsa-Poggibonsi-SanGimignano. BY TRAIN  The closest station is \"Castellina inChianti- Monteriggioni\". TouristOffice Piazza Roma, 23 53035 Monteriggioni(SI)-Italy Tel./fax+39 0577 304834 info@ Monteriggioniturismo.it \n Question: Which of the following you cannot seein the Castle of Monteriggioni ? \n Options: (A) Tower (B) Vineyards (C) Church (D) Performance", "pos": "Article: Welcome to Arundel Castle which is situated in West Sussex, England. The castle has a history of nearly 1000 years and has welcomed visitors traveling from all over the world. Arundel Castle also plays a starring role in many films.  _  The White Garden is planted with soft white Iceberg Roses, and Snow White Lilies. The Rose Garden is newly planted with lovely old-fashioned English roses that are at their very best in June and July. The Organic Kitchen Garden produces a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, pears, cherries and apples.  _  In the Castle Shop, you will discover a wide and interesting range of gift ideas for everyone. It offers gifts and souvenirs designed to appeal to all tastes and pockets. Foods, china, books, and stationery  are all available. Many are sold in this Castle Shop only. At Arundel Castle we pride ourselves on supporting local suppliers and actively encourage environmentally friendly products.  _  Saturday 16th to Monday 25th August The annual Arundel Festival gets bigger and better every year. It is one of the most amazing, diverse and easily accessible arts festivals in the UK, offering a mix of visual arts, music, theatre and street entertainment.  _  Coaches and mini-buses can drop off at the main Castle entrance in Mill Road and park in the main town car park that is opposite the Castle entrance. Please inform us when making your booking of how many parking permits are required. \n Question: When visiting the castle, you can  _  . \n Options: (A) get old-fashioned English roses as gifts (B) buy eco-friendly products in the Castle Shop (C) get seasonal fruit and vegetables for free (D) see how the local gifts are being made", "neg": "Article: A youth lay in a bath of tomato juice during the \"Tomatina\" Tomato Fight in the town of Bunol, near Valencia, eastern Spain. Tens of thousands of people took off their shorts and threw tons of juicy tomatoes at each other in the Tomatina food fight, creating knee-deep rivers of tomato sauce   on the streets of this Spanish town. Five trucks carried 130 tons of the fruit for the hour-long fight which attracted foreign tourists. Among them are British, French, Argentineans and Japanese, as well as locals. On the bell of noon the signal was given and for the next 60 minutes participants   _ tomatoes at each other until a gunshot signalled the end of the festival. The clean-up followed, with fighters washing the signs of battle away in the local river or under hundreds of temporary   showers. While the front of buildings were watered, they seemed brighter than ever after their bath. The Tomatina, held on the last Wednesday in August, is said to be the world's largest tomato fight. In the past people have been hurt during the tomato fight but no one was killed or injured this year. The origin   of the festival is unknown, but everyone in Bunol seems to have a favorite story. However, most agree it started around 1940. \n Question: The passage shows that the tomato fight this year is   _  . \n Options: (A) frightening (B) boring (C) popular (D) harmful", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}292{"query": "Article: \"A good parent\" can be a confusing phrase. It is almost impossible for one person to be \"a good parent\" at all stages of a child's life. Some parents are at their best before their children begin to speak. Others are most successful before their children enter elementary school. Still others make their finest contribution to older children or teenagers. Every parent can understand one stage of a child's development better than another. It is hard for a person to possess superior capacities throughout the entire period of a child's growth. A mother might be \"a good parent\" from her baby's birth until it is three; that is the period when it needs her protection and loving care. Then the start of her child's independence might upset and alarm her, and she might then become less helpful for a few years. A father might be awkward and uncomfortable with a younger child, but could turn into an excellent parent when the child is old enough to be taught the skills of cycling, fishing and so on, or to be taken on trips. Some parents feel easier with boys, and others with girls -- and then only at certain ages or stages. It is important for parents to understand and accept their own limitations in these matters, just as they must accept the child's faults of personality and limitations of talent. Otherwise, fathers and mothers will feel guilty and blame themselves for weaknesses that may not be their faults. Much of the guilt experienced by modern parents comes from the mistaken feeling that they ought to be all things at all times to the child, which is clearly mistaken. In past ages, grandparents and uncles and aunts lived with the family, and provided different kinds of support; in our present \"nuclear\" family, too many roles are demanded of the two parents, which they cannot possibly fulfill. \n Question: Confusion arises about what it means to be \"a good parent\" because   _  . \n Options: (A) it is normal to be a successful parent during most stages of a child's development (B) most parents are only good at helping older children or teenagers (C) parents are usually at their best before their children go to school (D) parents do not realize they cannot perform equally well through a child's growth", "pos": "Article: Our particular parenting style reflects our own way of \"looking\". Here's a great piece of writing reflecting parent's particular ways on the parenting style that have become known humorously as helicopter parenting and submarine   parenting. Helicopter parents  _ their children, managing every aspect of their child's life. On the contrary, submarine parents remain \"hidden\" coming to the surface when guidance is needed. While helicopter parents may have the best intentions, in reality, they are raising children with few problem solving skills. Children with hovering parents never get the chance to face disappointment and build up their ability to recover from misfortune. Think about your typical submarine. Submarines usually remain underwater. In case of a need for emergency surfacing, submarines can rise so quickly they are driven partially out of the water. Submarine parents also remain out of sight, yet able to pop up in the case of an emergency. I admit I'm a submarine mom. My job as a parent is to have fun with my daughters while letting them explore and learn natural consequences.  My older daughter found herself acting in commercials and making more than minimum wage as a teen. To give her a sense of the real world, I insisted she spend three weeks every summer, picking strawberries and earning $3.50 on a good day.  When my youngest daughter Sondra was six, she wanted a very expensive American Girl Doll. I cut the full color1 18-inch picture out of the American Girl catalogue and had it laminated  . \"Here's your American Girl Doll.\" I said \"When you turn nine, I'll buy you the 3D doll on your birthday.\" Sondra played with her flat doll for months, making clothes and furniture for her. She learned creativity. I saved $88.00. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) Various means of transportation. (B) Funny experiences of a mom. (C) Humorous stories about parents. (D) Different styles of parenting.", "neg": "Article: There is no such thing as \"the perfect parent\" and everyone has to learn how to educate their children. Parents may be annoyed by their kids and yell   at then, but they should be careful not to yell at the children. Children need to be loved and cared for. They need positive encouragement, which will help them believe that they can succeed in their lives. This will also give them opportunities to explore and try out new things. If parents yell at their children, the emotional   development of them can be badly affected. Though parents think they are protecting their children at all times, the children will not feel safe when they are yelled at. It can be a very bad experience for children. This can make it difficult for children to enjoy parents' presence   if they are being yelled at. A person needs to be a good listener and also should learn to give others a chance to talk. When a child grows up with parents who often yell, this will not happen. When parents often yell, their children will also learn the same thing and they will find it natural not to listen to anyone. The confidence   of a child is built up by his or her parents. There is no doubt that yelling will only decrease their confidence level. The words used while yelling can affect them greatly. They will not want to do anything without asking for their parents' permission. \n Question: Which is the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) Be a perfect parent (B) Don't yell at your children (C) Parents should learn how to educate the children (D) Parents should protect their children", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}293{"query": "Article: Dear residents of Molten,     We can't keep silent in the current wild situation when prices for all existing products are skyrocketing unbelievably. The enormous figures on price tags for food products have caused a real panic. We've perfectly realized that, and that's why we have kept bread prices affordable for all this time.      At the moment all our reserves are exhausted. Stocks of bread-baking ingredients   such as flour, sugar, butter and the like are running out. To buy what we need at reasonable prices is virtually impossible today.      However, we all need bread every day, which means we will be forced to buy everything we need at much higher prices.     The cost of bread closely depends on ingredients. Another financial crisis  has led to a 300-percent increase of prices for butter, vegetable oil and others as of September 1. All these prices continue to grow every hour.      We have to take any possible measures which will help Figaro contain the growth of prices for its products. Despite of our SOS signal, no measures have been taken as yet. We have found ourselves in the same situation as any of you. We see the situation changing steadily for the worse. We will not cope with that alone.     Because of this, Figaro came to the critical point where it is necessary to raise prices of its products. We see one recourse (way): raise the bread price minimally and cancel our free plastic bag service. But what is next? This is the concern of all the 700 employees and the board of Figaro.      Every extra cent in the cost of bread upsets you and us very much. Making our sincere apologies for a forced increase of the bread price, we hope for your understanding and support. Today and tomorrow we are with you, as usual. The staff and board of Figaro \n Question: Figaro is   _  . \n Options: (A) a farm (B) a bakery (C) a businessman (D) a government department", "pos": "Article: Food prices have risen sharply over the past few years. The good news is that the rate of increase has slowed. The bad news is that prices will not go down anytime soon. Also,the rate of global agricultural production is slowing. Yet it needs to increase 60% over the next 40 years to feed a growing world population. These are among the findings from the OECDFAO(the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development & the Food and Agriculture Organization)Agricultural Outlook 2012-2021. FAO DirectorGeneral Jose Graziano da Silva spoke at a news conference in Rome when the report was released. Mr.Da Silva said that,not surprisingly,the world's poorest people will feel the greatest effects of higher prices. \"For the millions and millions of extremely poor people, the effects of high food prices are clear--they might have to change their diets,usually to ones with poorer nutrition quality, \"he said. In middleincome countries, people are gaining weight as they eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more of the cheaper but less nutritious foods. The report also shows that farmers in poorer countries will be leading efforts to feed an expected 9,000,000,000 people by 2050.The outlook predicts that farmers in Latin America,the Caribbean and subSaharan Africa will drive agricultural production in the future. Angel Gurria,SecretaryGeneral of the OECD,said:\"We can feed 9,000,000,000 people by 2050 on this planet. But we have to organize ourselves better.\" But there are plenty of challenges.Onefourth of all agricultural land is damaged. Many countries face water shortages .And experts believe climate change is driving increasingly unusual weather patterns. The report says farmers need to use more growing methods that can't cause damage to the environment.At the same time,it says governments should end economically harmful supports and spend more money to increase agricultural production.Mr.Gurria says rich and poor nations need to treat agriculture more like a business. \"In many cases,agriculture is related in people's minds to the poorest. It's related to aid. It's related to very poor living conditions,etc. We have got to shake that image away,\"he said. \n Question: Why are people gaining weight in countries with average incomes? \n Options: (A) They eat more food. (B) They eat less nutritious foods. (C) They eat cheaper fruits. (D) They eat cheaper vegetables.", "neg": "Article: The United Nations says forty million people or so around the world went hungry in 2008, mainly because of higher food prices. Early estimates  from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that 963 million people did not get enough to eat. World food prices have dropped since early 2008. Prices of major crops have decreased by more than half from their height earlier last year. But they remain high compared to earlier years. But FAO official Hafez Ghanem says lower prices have failed to end the food crisis   in many poor countries. \"For millions in developing countries,\" he says, \"getting enough food every day to live an active and healthy life is a distant dream.\" The FAO says food shortage is a threat to people's health. Today, two-thirds of the world's _ people live in just a few countries. These are India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia and so on. A report on food insecurity warns that the current economic crisis could send even more people into hunger and poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of the people who continually go hungry fell from 34% in 1997 to 30% in 2008. But the FAO says Ghana is the only country that has reached two sets of hunger reduction targets. These were set by the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Development Goals. The main reason is the growth in agricultural production in Ghana. The FAO says some countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam have made progress in hunger reduction goals. But South Asia and Central Asia haven't, and North Korea is still in hot water. \n Question: What FAO official Hafez Ghanem says implies   _ \n Options: (A) it's easy but takes long to provide people with enough food (B) enough food can make people more active and healthier (C) there is difficulty solving the food shortage in a short time (D) people in developing countries will never get enough food", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}294{"query": "Article: It was time for a school holiday and I was at home. My family's house was located in   an area by the sea. I just sat down in front of the television. Suddenly I heard a loud noise and then the first shock started to hit. My mom and I ran to the front door. We got out and we were standing in the street holding on to each other to stand up. The ground was covered with snow. I could remember watching black cracks in the earth snaking their way along the ground. A tree in our back yard was actually cut in half. As suddenly as the earthquake started, it was over. Dead silence. Then a light snow began to fall. All the power was off--no radio, no TV and no communication with the outside world. We found out later that the ground area was lowered an average of 35 feet. My dad succeeded in getting home from where he worked in the city centre. Later that evening we were told to leave the area because a terrible ocean wave was expected. We spent the night and the next day and night away from home at the shelter. I often think about the courage my dad showed during that time. Before Dad retired, he was a senior manager of a famous local company. This company was damaged because of the quake. Dad stayed in the company to rebuild the business and rebuild our family home. \n Question: In which season did the earthquake take place? \n Options: (A) Spring. (B) Summer. (C) Autumn. (D) Winter.", "pos": "Article: Our flat was on the fifth floor but you could still hear the roar of the ocean and see the stars at night. I used to take long walks along the water. The food in town was delicious and the people were very friendly. The area was very quiet and peaceful, and fairly deserted.  The last evening of our vacation, however, we all heard strange footsteps following closely behind us as we were walking up to our flat in the holiday centre. We turned around and noticed a fairly young man moving very rapidly across the beach and getting closer to us. He was tall and wore a baseball cap. We couldn't see his face and he was approaching us very rapidly. The man's actions made my dad very nervous. Dad warned us that we'd better try to make it to our flat as quickly as possible. I didn't like my dad's voice; I could hear fear in it. It was late and we were all alone. We didn't have any cell phones on us. I never saw Dad as worried as he was then and I knew that something was terribly wrong. The sense of fear started to overwhelm Mom and me. We had had such a good time in town. Now, the night was rapidly turning into a dangerous situation.  We could hear the man's footsteps getting closer. Dad's face was almost pale. The so-called intruder   had moved nearer and nearer when all of a sudden, the nearby vending  machine started going crazy and spitting out cans of soda! The noise actually scared the intruder and he ran out of sight. My parents were shaking, but we all turned around to see who had put money into the vending machine downstairs, and actually saved us, but no one was around at all. Not a soul.  It's one vacation I will never forget. \n Question: Where did the writer spend her vacation? \n Options: (A) Near a river. (B) In a city. (C) In a mountain. (D) At the seaside.", "neg": "Article: Although in 1947 we were still very new to the atomic age,  we knew about mushroom clouds. A huge crack spread across the library wall upstairs, sending teachers and students screaming down the hall. Had a new world war started? Pale-faced, our young science teacher quickly organized us for a fire drill. We huddled in little groups on the beach side of the school grounds and watched the spreading cloud darken the bright spring sky. Rumors flew every which way, although two hours would pass before we got the full story.One rumor we heard was that the Texas City Monsanto Chemical plant had blown up; children whose parents worked there began to weep. I froze--that was where my father was working that day. The school bell called us back inside, and we were dismissed to find our way home the best way we could. I-d walked a quarter of the three-mile trip to my home when a car horn startled me to attention. My Uncle Barney pulled up alongside me in his old Ford. The instant I saw him, I knew my father was gone. Otherwise, Papa would have come for me himself. As if in slow motion from a great distance, Uncle Barney motioned for me to get in. Numb with grief,  I crawled into the back seat.  I barely took notice of the man sitting there, and didn't recognize him until he reached for me.  When Papa put his strong arms around me, I forgot for a moment that Cherokees  aren't supposed to cry. Many of my fellow students lost their parents in the explosion.  Tragedy would one day come to our family, as it inevitably comes to all, but on the day Texas City blew up, it miraculously passed us by. Because he lost his keys on that April morning, as he explained, my father lived for another 32 years-we were to have a second lifetime forever. \n Question: How did the science teacher react to the accident? \n Options: (A) He was sad. (B) He acted quickly. (C) He panicked. (D) He felt helpless.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}295{"query": "Article: Sports, drama, and a variety of organizations keep students busy during high school. Where do they find the money to do these things? Not everyone gets it from Mommy and Daddy. Most have to pay for these activities. Some adults question if high school students should have jobs.  Some people worry that teens with after-school jobs will struggle to find time for homework. Actually, the responsibility of having a job helps teens prioritize their time. Many jobs take only a couple of  hour shifts on weeknights. According to a survey, 86 percent of high school students have an after-school, weekend or summer job and students who work between 10 and 20 hours per week during the school year have statistically higher grades-point averages than those who do not work at all. Those who work in high school are more likely to work in college, and financing their college education is a top reason for undergraduates to look for employment. Instead of considering jobs a barrier, employment should be looked at as real-world education.  Other people think that work adds too much stress, which may be somewhat true, but regardless of having a job or not, there is always going to be stress. Better to learn how to deal with busy schedules in a controlled environment like high school than to be out on your own and alone, experiencing stress for the first time. I personally would be more concerned for the teenager who has to become independent without having any familiarity with working. The biggest reason teens should be allowed to work is that it is a healthy way of earning money. My dad told me, \"Having a job is a good way to save up for things you are going to need or want to do. You get a lot more out of things if you are financially responsible for them.\" Kids need the freedom to choose how to spend their money. The sooner they have an income, the sooner they can learn how to use money wisely. If they are not allowed to work in high school, they may run into trouble in the future. \n Question: According to the survey, compared with those who don't work, teens with after-school jobs are  _  . \n Options: (A) more likely to go to college (B) usually doing better at school (C) more willing to pay for their education (D) able to find a better job after graduation", "pos": "Article: \"Show them the money!\" That's what some people are saying for college athletes. They say students who play sports for their school should receive salaries. Top athletes should be paid because many of them practice full time, Mark Jameson argues. Rico Cannon, a former college football player, agrees. \"Nonathletes can get a job for extra spending money, but many student athletes spend so many hours in training that they don't have time to work,\" he explains. \"Shouldn't athletes be able to earn extra money too?\" The students also make money for their schools when people buy tickets to their games. The players should receive some of that cash, supporter Robbie Pokora reasons. College athletes are about honor and tradition, but they're also a business. Thanks to ticket sales, there's money for schools to build new athletic stadiums and give the coaches high salaries. The cash should be shared with athletes. They're the ones out on the field or court working hard for their school. The money matter has others _ , though. Kaitlyn Rentala argues that colleges should not pay their athletes. Students are in school to get an education. Playing a sport is an extracurricular activity, not a job. If athletes need extra money, they can apply for college scholarships . Michael Massett is a middle school teacher and a football and a basketball coach. He agrees. \"Athletes should be paid with scholarships, like nonathletes are,\" Massett explains. In addition, if colleges pay their athletes, those students might focus more on sports than on their education. \"Most students do not become professional athletes after college. If they focus too much on sports, they may not learn the skills they need to get good jobs,\" Kate Macrae reasons. Plus, she says, many athletes have schoolships that help them pay for school. \n Question: What is Rico Cannon's opinion on paying student athletes? \n Options: (A) They make money for their schools and should receive salaries. (B) Training leaves them no time to work and they should be paid. (C) Playing a sport at school is not a job and they shouldn't be paid. (D) They can apply for scholarships and should not be paid.", "neg": "Article: Peter, a high school student, was pretty busy with school, and he was on the soccer team. High school was hard, because everyone wanted to have nice clothes, hang out, drive cars, and all these cost money. Peter's father was the sort of guy that believed you had to earn whatever you got, so he wasn't just about to hand over lots of money for Peter to use to have fun. So, he had to get a job. During his freshman year summer vacation, his classmate got him a job working on a hay   farm. He threw hay up into wagons as the tractor drove around fields, and then they stacked   it in the hot barn. It was a hot, lowpaying job. He once worked a few nights a week at a grocery store. He put things on the shelf. It was a lot of lifting and carrying, and his arms were strong from this and the previous job. It was dull and didn't pay much. He took some time off when soccer got serious, but the following summer he tried working at a lumber yard. It was hot outside, but he got a lot of exercise lifting and carrying things like boards and drywall. He also learned a lot about building supplies. It still didn't pay well. From there, he spent a year doing some tutoring for a friend of the family, but that was piecemeal. His first real job came the last year at school, when he fixed registers and worked on computers at a big box store. It was his favorite job yet, but it still didn't pay well. What Peter realized with all of these jobs was that he needed a better paying job! The only way to get that was to get trained or educated. He could go to school and get a 2year degree in an office or technical position. His other choices were going to a 4year college or joining the army. He wasn't sure what he was going to do yet, but he knew he had to do something. Jobs were a lot of work, money was hard to earn, but he liked staying busy and being able to buy things. Peter wanted the most out of life, and that meant education. \n Question: How many jobs had Peter taken? \n Options: (A) Three (B) Four. (C) Five. (D) Six.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}296{"query": "Article: Hunan Satellite TV is losing its leading position? There's reason for saying this. In 2012, the reality talent show , the voice of China, on the Zhejiang Television became the most popular program in China. The reaon for its popularity was really because its excellent quality? Or can we assume that without any opponent, we can't tell a contestant is winning because he is really talented or because there's no comparison? The administrative department really contributed a lot in the popularity of the voice of China. In the past, there was no other draft shows  ranked as high as Super GirlandSuper Boy. Even though there were some draft shows which seemed to share the popularity, it never turned out ture. All the other draft shows were shodowed by the ones on Hunan TV. One example was that since draft shows of Hunan TV were broadcast on Friday night, the draft shows of other stations were shifted to Saturday or Sunday. However, Hunan TV didn't get their permission for broadcasting shows in 2012. And if this were not bad enough, SARFT did a great favor for it. SARFT issued a regulation, saying that all draft shows should be broadcast after 10:30 pm at night. Zhejiang TV declared long before the regulation that since was \"no audition , no PK, no rise in rank, no voting, no champion\", its program was never a draft show. So, in 2012, all the opponents of Zhejiang TV had to broadcast their draft shows after 10:30 pm while the voice of Chinawas permitted to be broadcast in prime time. If you really think about it, there's no esential different between a draft show and the voice of China. It also selected people from all over the country, how did they say this were different from a draft show? No PK,really? PK doesn't mean one versus one! A team versus a team is called PK too. And \"no rise in rank?\" is just a switch of concepts because at the end of every game, some left the stage and some stayed. If there was really \"no champion\", how come there was only one \"good voice of China\" at the final round? All these were rising in rank, in disguise . Under such cimcumstance, the voice of Chinaeven got praise. We are not saying that it is not a good show: we are saying that there's regret about the show since it had no opponent. \n Question: The following factors are important in making the voice of China popular EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) the unique quality of the voice of China (B) the policy support from SARFT and the administrative department (C) the favorable broadcasting time. (D) the shortage of good opponents", "pos": "Article: In a nation with a one-child family planning policy, it's understandable for parents to worry over whether they are petting their children. Are the children truly as fragile as sometimes made out to be? The concern has been brought into focus with the popularity of a hit reality TV series, Hunan TV's Dad! Where Are We Going? and Zhejiang TV's First Time In Life. In both, children as young as three have become new public figures. In the show First Time In Life, children chosen from ordinary families are given small tasks to complete by themselves;the ongoing Dad! show centers on five celebrity fathers and their children who are forced to live a simple life in rural areas, far outside their comfort zone.      Regardless of their family background, the children's reactions to new environments have struck the public.       In one episode of Dad! , the five-year-old daughter of former Olympic diving champion Tian Liang cries and hides behind her father when they arrive at a rural village. In an episode of the other series, a young girl in Tianjin breaks down into a tearful fit after being asked by her father to go out alone to buy eggs and a pancake.      In the eyes of some observers, these kids show no sense of independence, and the reason is put down to parents who are overly sheltering. But television viewers and parents were heartened when the sobbing Tianjin girl finally wiped away her tears as she returned holding the pancake. In the case of Tian's daughter, she eventually began to take care of her younger companions and learned to seek help from people she didn't know.      The father of the Tianjin girl felt \"delightfully shocked\" and said. \"She used to have to be accompanied by her mother or grandmother. Now she has the courage to do it all by herself. \"     The shows have led many parents to change how they raise their children. Shanghai mother Liang Jing said she would try to \"give some training\" to her shy son, asking him to tidy up his toys. Lin Yi, a parenting expert in Beijing, said giving kids a chance to do things for themselves helps to raise their sense of achievement, which carries benefits throughout their lives. \" \n Question: The children in the two programs are different in_. \n Options: (A) family background (B) age group (C) personality (D) popularity", "neg": "Article: Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking achievements, presented China Central TV (CCTV) the world record for Most Watched National Network TV Broadcast for its annual Spring Festival Gala show. The program, which is produced especially to celebratethe Chinese New Year, had a unique reach of 498,659,000 viewers on CCTV-1, 3 and 4 in 2012 , making it the most watched national variety entertainment show in the world.  The official record certificate was presented by Guinness World Records, Global Managing Director, Mr. Alistair Richards to CCTV Vice President Mr. Luo Ming during a special \"China in Cannes\" reception co-hosted with Reed MIDEM as part of the celebrations to honor the Chinese delegation at this year's MIPTV market. CSM Media Research, which supplied the viewing figures for Guinness World Records verification , considered viewers aged 4 years or above who watched at least one minute of the 2012 show on either CCTV-1, 3 or 4, the three channels which aired the show at the same time. The figure refers to viewers on any one of the three channels, therefore excluding duplications . This represents almost 40% of the China TV population aged 4 years or above. Commenting on CCTV's incredible record achievement which is based on reach of audience, Alistair Richards said, \"It is fitting that we celebratethis amazing achievement at MIPTV. National networks have the power to move nations and CCTV's Spring Festival Gala is the ultimate example. It reaches nearly half a billion people on the biggest holiday of their year.\" CCTV Vice President Luo Ming, who accepted the Guinness World Records certificate on behalf of CCTV, said, \"Chinese New Year is a special time for families in China and our Spring Festival Gala has been the traditional TV entertainment highlight for three decades. Although this is a world record achieved by our viewers, it is also a record won by the staff of CCTV, who makes it possible for our television shows to reach homes right across China.\" The new record will be included in the next edition of the world famous Guinness World Records book. \n Question: _   provided the exact viewer figures for the Guinness World Record to confirm. \n Options: (A) China Central TV (B) Reed MIDEM (C) MIPTV (D) CSM Media Research", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}297{"query": "Article: How's your relationship with your dad? It can be easy to let walls build up between you during the teen years. But by taking several simple steps, you can help improve the relationship between the two of you--even without great efforts. Here are a few quick tips.  Talk it out. Communication is key to any friendship. Open your mouth and let your dad know what's on your mind. Give him a chance to get to know you. Listen up. Your dad's lived more life than you have. Believe it or not, he's probably been there and can help you get through the pressures and struggles. Ask how he dealt with school, girls or temptations  . Then pay attention. Take some time. It can be hard for us kids to talk about what really matters. But spending time together can build the relationship, and create chances to talk. Go for a hike or a game. Work on the car. Whatever you're into, ask your dad to do it together. Fight fair. Family disagreements are unavoidable.  _ , keep your mouth respectful and cool off before you say something bad. Talk it out when you can do so calmly. Realize respect. Face it: your dad's been given authority   to help guide you as you know. He's going to make mistakes, but so are you. Forgive him when he blows it, and honor his decisions--even if you don't agree. \n Question: The main purpose of the passage is to advise teenagers on how to   _  . \n Options: (A) respect and obey their fathers (B) communicate with their fathers (C) ask their fathers for advice (D) get along well with their fathers", "pos": "Article: As a teen, you're going through big changes physically and mentally. Your interests are expanding. And your desire to take control of your own life is growing. Here is the challenge: Kids need to explore the world in new ways, and parents need to protect them from the dangers that are out in that world. These conflicts can easily set off fireworks in otherwise calm houses. Sometimes conflicts can't be avoided. But by paying attention to the building blocks of successful relationships, you can work towards making home a happy and healthy place for you and your parents. For instance, try to find a time to talk when your parents are not angry, tired, distracted, or hungry. A good time to talk is when you're all relaxed . Timing is everything. If the conversation begins to turn into an argument, you'd better calmly and coolly ask to stop the conversation for now. You can pick it up again when everyone's more relaxed. Listen to what your parents are saying, and repeat it back to them. This shows them that you're listening. It also gives them a chance to clear things up if you're not on the same page. Respect is the building block of good communication. People who respect each other and care about each others' feelings can disagree without things getting ugly. You are more likely to get along with your parents and have more independence  if your parents believe in you. How do you build trust? Trust comes by actually doing what you say you're going to do. Some teens find that doing fun activities with their parents can improve their relationships. Sometimes we forget that parents are more than rule-makers---they're interesting people who like to watch movies, and go shopping ---just like their teenagers! What do you do if you are trying your best, but your relationship with your parents continues to be rocky ? You may consider seeking outside help. You can find supportive adults, such as a teacher or a coach, who can r. Remember you can only change your own behavior; your parents are the only ones who can change theirs. \n Question: What's NOT the proper way to improve relationship between you and your parents? \n Options: (A) Listen to your parents. (B) Work for your family. (C) Build their trust. (D) Change your parents' behaviors.", "neg": "Article: Why do parents have such a difficult time to communicate openly and honestly with their teens? For this, there are many reasons but most of them stem from not being able to properly understand their teens. It is a dangerous gap because parents will have to communicate with their teens about a wide variety of issues during the most important years of their lives. Thus, parents must know how to communicate openly and honestly with their teens. Here are a few tips to make communication easier between parents and teenagers. 1. Try not to talk down to your teens. Make them feel as if their views really matter, which not only helps your discussions with your teen but bring you closer to him. 2. Imagine what it would be like to be a teen. Try to remember some of the negative feelings you experienced as a teenager and apply it to your teen's situation. 3. Never make negative remarks to your teen about what she has said or done. 4. Remember how much courage it would have taken for your teen to come and talk to you about his personal issues. So listen respectfully. 5. Don't ignore your teen's feelings because it is usually a cry for help. For instance, if your teen is unusually angry, it may be time to spend a bit of quality time with your teen to determine what is wrong and where he is coming from. It is, therefore, necessary for parents to strive to keep lines of communication open at all times with their teens. Try to remember what it was like to be a teenager and how vulnerable you felt. Then you will be well on your way to help your teen communicate more openly and honestly. \n Question: Why don't teens want to talk about their personal issues with their parents? \n Options: (A) Because they can't respect their parents. (B) Because they can't understand their parents. (C) Because their parents won't understand them well. (D) Because their parents are not honest.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}298{"query": "Article: Today, Mount Qomolangma's peak is not a lonely place any more. More than 3,500 people have successfully climbed the 8,844m mountain, and more than a tenth of that number reached the peak just over the past year. As more and more people try to test themselves against Qomolangma, many a time the mount can be very crowded. Climbers have complained about waiting for hours in the bottlenecks  on the way to the peak. If bad weather strikes, climbers can and do die. But the dangerous crowds aren't the only problem on Qomolangma. All those climbers need to bring a lot of _ --much of them ends up being left on the mountain, sometimes even the peak itself. Mount Qomolangma is becoming the world's tallest rubbish dump. Here's mountaineer Mark Jenkins writing in National Geographic about the state of Qomolangma: \"The two standard routes, the Northeast Ridge and the Southeast Ridge, are not only dangerously crowded but also badly polluted.\" But the good news is that some mountaineers are taking it upon themselves to clean up Qomolangma. Mountaineer Paul Thelen and his friend Eberhard Schaaf are part of the annual Eco Everest Expedition, which has been cleaning up rubbish from base camps to the peak since 2008. So far they've collected over 13 tons of garbage. Some of that rubbish is even being used for a higher purpose. As part of the Mount Everest 8844 Art Project, a group of 15 artists from Nepal collected 1.5 tons of garbage brought down the mountain by climbers. They've changed the cans and oxygen tanks--in one case, part of the remains of a helicopter--into 74 pieces of art that have already gone on exhibition in Nepal's capital. Part of the profit from sales will go to the Everest Peakeers Association, which has helped collect tons of rubbish off the mountain. \n Question: What do we learn about the bottlenecks on the way to Mount Qomolangma's peak? \n Options: (A) They are relatively safe. (B) They are often crowded. (C) They are very easy to pass. (D) They are sites of base camps.", "pos": "Article: Ed Viesturs grew up in Rockford, Illinois, where the tallest thing on the horizon was the water tower. But on Thursday, Viesturs became the only American to climb to the top of the world's 14 highest mountains. His last hike was up Mount Annapurna, in Asia's snowcapped Himalayas. At 26,545 feet, its peak is the 10th highest in the world. It is the mountain that inspired him to start climbing. \"It tends to be the trickiest, the most dangerous,\" said Viesturs. \"There's no simple way to climb it. There are threatening avalanches   and ice falls that protect the mountain.\" In high school, Viesturs read French climber Maurice Herzog's tale of climbing the icy Annapurna. Herzog's story was of frostbite   and difficulty and near-death experiences. Viesturs was right away. Viesturs got his start on Washington's Mount Rainier in 1977, guiding hikes in the summer. Fifteen years ago, he set out to walk up to the world's highest peaks. Finally, he's done. The pioneering climber talks about mountains as if they were living creatures that should be treated with respect. \"You have to use all of your senses, all of your abilities to see if the mountain will let you climb it,\" said Viesturs. \"If we have the patience and the respect, and if we're here at the right time, under the right circumstances, they allow us to go up, and allow us to come down.\" What's next for a man who can't stop climbing? \"I'm going to hug my wife and kids and kind of kick back and enjoy the summer,\" says Viesturs. But for a man who's climbed the world's 14 tallest mountains, he will probably soon set off on yet another adventure. \n Question: What record has Ed Viesturs set? \n Options: (A) He has succeeded in climbing to the world's 14th highest mountain. (B) He has been to the top of the world's 14 highest mountains. (C) He has become the first to climb to the height of 26,545feet. (D) He has become the first man to climb to the top of 14 highest mountains in the world.", "neg": "Article: Since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed Mount Everest, Mount Qomolangma's peak is no longer a lonely place and is turning into a trash heap. So far, more than 350 climbers have successfully reached the peak. And they have complained about waiting for hours in the bottlenecks   on the way to the peak, a situation that isn't just uncomfortable -- it's cold and windy up there -- but downright dangerous. If bad weather strikes, climbers can and do die. As a matter of fact, the dangerous crowds aren't the only problem on Qomolangma. All those climbers need to bring a lot of _ --and much of them ends up being left on the mountain, sometimes even the peak itself. Mount Qomolangma is becoming the world's largest dump. Here's mountaineer Mark Jenkins writing in National Geographic about the state of Qomolangma: \"The two standard routes, the Northeast Ridge and the Southeast Ridge, are disgustingly polluted with oxygen cans and torn tents everywhere.\" But the good news is that some mountaineers are taking it upon themselves to clean up Qomolangma. Mountianeer Paul Thelen and his friend Eberhard Schaaf are part of the annual Eco Everest Expedition, which has been cleaning up rubbish from base camps to the peak since 2008. So far they've collected over 13 tons of garbage. Some of that rubbish is even being used for a higher purpose. As part of the Mount Everest 8844 Art Project, a group of 15 artists from Nepal collected 1.5 tons of garbage brought down the mountain by climbers. They've transformed the cans and oxygen tanks--and in one case, part of the remains of a helicopter--into 74 pieces of art that have already gone on exhibition in Nepal's capital. Part of the profit from sales will go to the Everest Peakers Association, which has helped collect tons of rubbish on the slopes of the mountain. \n Question: The group of 15 Nepali artists  _  . \n Options: (A) created works of art using rubbish from Qomolangma (B) were employed by the Everest Peakeers Association (C) climbed Qomolangma and collected 1.5 tons of trash (D) painted 74 beautiful pictures of Mount Qomolangma's peak", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}299{"query": "Article: Have you ever suddenly felt that someone you knew was in trouble--and was he? Have you ever dreamed something that came true later? Maybe you have ESP  . ESP stands for Extra Sensory Perception. It may be called a sixth sense. It seems to let people know about events before they happen, or events that are happening some distance away. Here's an example. A woman was ironing clothes. Suddenly she screamed, \"My father is dead! I saw him sitting in the chair!\" Just then, a telegram came. The woman's father died of a heart attack. He died sitting in a chair. There are thousands of stories like this one on record. Scientists are studying them to find out what's behind these strange mental messages. Here's another example--one of hundreds of dreams that have come true: A man dreamed he was walking along a road when a horse and carriage came by. The driver said, \"There's room for one more.\" The man felt the driver seemed dead, so he ran away. The next day, when the man was getting on a crowded bus, the bus driver said, \"There's room for one more.\" Then the man saw that the driver's face was the same face he had seen in the dream. He wouldn't get on the bus. As the bus drove off, it crashed and burst into flames. Everyone was killed! Some people say stories like these are _ . Others, including some scientists, say that ESP is real. From studies of ESP, we may someday learn more about the human mind. \n Question: According to the passage, the author believes that the sixth sense is  _  . \n Options: (A) in existence (B) imaginative (C) not real (D) impossible", "pos": "Article: Some say everyday miracles   are predestined  ----the right time for the appointed meeting. And it can happen anywhere.  In 2001, 11-year-old Kevin Stephan was a bat boy for his younger brother's Little League team in Lancaster, New York. It was an early evening in late July. Kevin was standing on the grass away from the plate, where another youngster was warming up for the next game. Swinging his bat back and forth, giving it all the power an elementary school kid could give. The boy brought the bat back hard and hit Kevin in the chest. His heart stopped.  When Kevin fell to the ground, the mother of one of the players rushed out of the stands to his aid. Penny Brown hadn't planned to be there that day, but at the last minute, her shift   at the hospital had been changed to see her son's performance. She was given the night off. Penny bent over the senseless boy, his face already starting to turn blue, and giving CPR, breathing into his mouth and giving chest compressions. And he  _ in the end. After his recovery, he became a volunteer junior firefighter, learning some of the emergency first-aid techniques that had saved his life. He studied hard in school and was saving money for college by working as a dishwasher in a local restaurant in his spare time.  Kevin, now 18, was working in the kitchen when he heard people screaming, customers in confusion, employees rushing toward a table. He hurried into the main room and saw a woman there, her face turning blue, her hands at her throat. She was choking.  Quickly Kevin stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her and clasped his hands. Then, using skills he'd first learned in Scouts. The food that was trapped in the woman's throat was freed. The color1 began to return to her face.  \"The food was stuck. I couldn't breathe,\" she said. She thought she was dying. \"I was very frightened.\"  Who was the woman?  Penny Brown. \n Question: The author wrote the passage to show us that   _  . \n Options: (A) miracles are predestined and they can happen anywhere (B) whoever helps you in trouble will get a reward one day (C) God will help those who give others a helping hand (D) miracles won't come without any difficulty sometimes", "neg": "Article: Have you ever suddenly felt that someone you know was in trouble -- and he was? Have you ever dreamed something that came true later? Maybe you have ESP. ESP stands for Extra Sensory Perception. It may be called a sixth sense. It seems to let people know about events before they happen, or events that are happening some distance away. Here is an example: A woman was doing washing. Suddenly she shouted, \"My father is dead! I saw him sitting in the chair!\" Just then, a telephone came. The woman's father had died of a heart illness. He died sitting in a chair. There are thousands of stories like this on record. Scientists are studying them to find out what is behind these strange mental messages. Here's another example ---- one of hundreds of dreams that have come true. A man dreamed he was walking along a road when a horse and carriage came by. The driver said, \"There's room for one more.\" The man felt the driver was Death, so he ran away. The next day the man was getting on a crowded bus. The bus driver said, \"There's room for one more\". Then the man saw the driver's face was the same face he had seen in the dream. He wouldn't get on the bus. As the bus drove off, it crashed and burst into fires. Everyone was killed! Some people say stories like these are lies or coincidences. Others say that are ESP in true, from studies of ESP, we may some day learn more about the human mind. \n Question: ESP lets people know about   _  . \n Options: (A) their dream (B) events after they happen (C) events before they happen (D) heart illness", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}300{"query": "Article: Drownings, bicycle injuries, falls, and pedestrian accidents are the most common causes of childhood injury or death. Here's what you need to know to avoid tragedy: *      Drowning: Each year, thousands of children die from drowning, with two-thirds of accidents occurring in the summer. To protect kids, parents should install multiple layers of protective devices, with each layer offering another opportunity to avoid a tragedy. Fences, door alarms, pool covers are all somewhat effective individually, but their effectiveness is increased dramatically when used in combination with one another. *      Falls: Falls from heights kill 140 children under the age of 15 each year in the United States, and seriously injure three million more, making falls the leading cause of non-deadly injury for this age group. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), falls are especially a problem for children living in multi-story housing during the summer months, when windows are open and children are more likely to be playing on fire escapes, roofs and balconies. To keep kids safe, AAP recommends window guards be installed on second story and higher windows. When choosing guards, install those that are operable in the event of emergencies like a house fire. Using childproof gates can prevent falls down stairways. Nevertheless, no gate can replace parental supervision   *      Bikes: Bike accidents kill over 1,500 children aged 14 and under each year. Of these deaths, more than half occurred during the summer. According to the AAP, head injuries from cycling are the most common cause of disability. A recent study in Seattle, Washington showed that helmets reduced the risk of head injury by 85 percent and brain injury by 88 percent. When purchasing a bike helmet, parents are urged to make sure it meets the bicycle helmet safety standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) *      Pedestrian: Over 6,000 kids aged 14 and under die every year as a result of an unintentional pedestrian-related injury. As a general rule, kids under 10 should not be crossing the street alone. Young children lack the ability to judge the speed and the distance of oncoming traffic. Parents need be models and teach proper pedestrian behavior. Cross at the corner and when you do cross, continue to look both ways because there are likely to be more cars turning into your path or people speeding. Obey all the traffic signals. \n Question: What is the point of the article? \n Options: (A) To introduce factors that cause risks for children. (B) To give tips on what to do to prevent accidents about children. (C) To explain why summer is a risky time for kids. (D) To describe what to do to prevent accidents at home.", "pos": "Article: Rules of safety are made to keep people from getting hurt. It is important for everyone to learn how to live safely while at home, work, or play. You should always remember this. Put safety first. Safety can be practiced at home by following some simple rules. Use ladders instead of stepping up on tables and chairs. Keep stairs well lighted and clear of things for someone to trip over. Fasten down loose rugs. Turn handles of pots inward from the edges of stoves. Keep matches and medicines out of the reach of small children.Keep electric wiring in good repair. Safety at work has been getting attention from groups of people for many years. Safer machines have been built to cut down on accidents.  Red  lights  warn  when equipment is out of order and is not to be used. The proper shoes, gloves, robes, hats, or coats help protect workers on the job. Safety at play is important, too. Children should use swings and slides properly. Common sense by people boating and swimming will also help everyone around stay safe. Good manners and care for others are part of safety. Living safely can be fun for you as well as for those around you, You will be able to help others think before they act. Try to work for safety in everything you do. \n Question: Which of the following statements is not included in the rules listed in the passage? \n Options: (A) Use ladders to reach a high place or object, (B) Light stairs all the time. (C) Keep wires in good condition. (D) Keep matches out of the reach of small children.", "neg": "Article: Good Housekeeping has discovered that even if a child wear a helmet when she bikes, or skates, it may not protect her from a serious head injury. Every year, 390,000 children under age 15 go to hospital emergency rooms with bike-related injuries. Of that number, about one third children suffer head injuries and an estimated 200 die. By wearing a helmet, a child can reduce her risk of injury by as much as 85 percent. But remember ---- a bicycle helmet must fit properly to be safe. Here are five steps to making sure your child's helmet fits properly. 1) If you haven't bought your child's helmet already, you might want to consider one with a rear stabilizer . A rear stabilizer holds the back of the head gently and helps the helmet stay correctly positioned. 2) The helmet should fit closely and shouldn't slide from side to side or front to back. If your child can put two fingers on both temples inside the helmet, it's too big. Try a smaller size. But if the next size down is too small, use the fit pads . Fit pads come in different sizes and attach to the helmet with Velcro. 3) Tell your child to open her mouth widely and ask if she can feel the helmet push down onto the top of her head. If she can't, you need to readjust her helmet. 4) To prevent strap slippage, wind a rubber band around the strap where it meets the fastener. 5) Recheck the fit regularly. You should replace the bicycle helmet: If she has been in an accident with it. If the buckle  breaks or if a piece breaks off. If it doesn't have a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, American Society for Testing and Materials, or Snell Memorial Foundation sticker. If it doesn't fit correctly. Even if the helmet fit perfectly two years ago, it might be too small now. \n Question: Who is this passage mainly written for? \n Options: (A) Children. (B) Teachers. (C) Parents. (D) helmet producers.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}301{"query": "Article: If you're a man and you're reading this, congratulations: you're a survivor. According to statistics, you're more than twice as likely to die of skin cancer than a woman, and nine times more likely to die of AIDS. Even if you make it to the end of your natural term, about 78 years for men in Australia, you'll die on average five years before a woman.   There're many reasons for this--typically, men take more risks than women and are more likely to drink and smoke--but perhaps more importantly, men don't go to the doctor.   \"Men aren't seeing doctors as often as they should,\" says Dr. Gullotta. \"This is particularly so for the over-40s, when chances of diseases are higher .\"   Gullotta says a healthy man should visit the doctor every year or two. For those over 45, it should be at least once a year.   Two months ago Gullotta saw a 50-year-old man who had delayed doing anything about his smoker's cough for a year.   \"When I finally saw him it had already spread and he later died from lung cancer,\" he says. \"Earlier detection and treatment may not have cured him, but it would have prolonged   his life.\"   According to a recent survey, 95% of women aged between 15 and early 40s see a doctor once a year, compared to 70% of men in the same age group.   \"A lot of men think they're invincible  ,\" Gullotta says. \"They only come in when a friend drops dead on the golf course and they think, 'Geez, if it could happen to him, ...'\"   Then there's the ostrich approach. \"Some men are scared of what might be there and would rather not know,\" says Dr, Ross Cartmill.   \"Most men get their cars serviced more often than they service their bodies,\" Cartmill says. He believes most diseases that commonly affect men could be found by regular check-ups. Regular check-ups for men would put strain   on the public purse, Cartmill says. \"But prevention is cheaper in the long run than having to treat the diseases. Besides, the final cost is far greater; it's called premature  death.\" \n Question: Why does the author congratulate his men readers at the beginning of the passage? \n Options: (A) They are more likely to survive serious diseases today. (B) Their average life span has been greatly prolonged. (C) They have lived long enough to read this article. (D) They are sure to enjoy a longer and happier life.", "pos": "Article: A new international study shows that six people die every minute from smoking. That is 3 million deaths around the world every year. If the present rate of smoking continues, the number of deaths each year from smoking could rise to 10 million by the year 2020.  The study describes smoking is the biggest cause of deadly diseases among grown-ups in industrial countries. So far most of the smoking deaths have happened to men, especially in developing countries.  A researcher at the World Health Organization says 70% of Chinese men smoke more than 15 cigarettes each day. In Latin America about 50% of the men are smokers. There also are a very large number of smokers in Russia and in Eastern Europe. And 25% of all smoking deaths worldwide are in those areas of the world. Scientists say smoking will kill 50% of the smokers.  Smoking is known to cause lung cancer. It also can lead to cancer of the mouth and other parts of bodies. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to suffer from heart disease.  Experts say that people reduce their chance of dying from smoking if they stop smoking completely. They say smokers who give up smoking can improve their health. \n Question: The main idea of this passage is that   _   . \n Options: (A) smoking only does harm to grown-ups.. (B) smoking can kill smokers. (C) smoking does harm to health (D) men like smoking much more than women", "neg": "Article: Why do men die earlier than women? The latest research makes it known that the reason could be   that men's hearts go into rapid decline when they reach middle age.   The largest study of the effects of aging on the heart has found that women's  _ may be    linked to the fact that their hearts do not lose their pumping power with age.   \"We have found that the power of the male heart falls by 20-25 percent between 18 and 70 years of age,\" said the head of the study, David Goldspink of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK.   \"Within the heart there are millions of cells that enable it to beat. Between the age of 20 and 70, one-third of those cells die and are not replaced in men,\" said Goldspink. \"This is part of the aging   process.\"   What surprises scientists is that the female heart sees very little loss of these cells. A healthy     70-year-old woman's heart could perform almost as well as a 20-year-old one's.   \"This gender difference might just explain why women live longer than men,\" said Goldspink. They studied more than 250 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 80, focusing on healthy  persons to remove the confusing influence of disease. \"The team has yet to find why aging takes a    greater loss on the male heart,\" said Goldspink.   The good news is that men can improve the health of their heart with regular exercise. Goldspink  stressed that women also need regular exercise to prevent their leg muscles becoming smaller and       weaker as they age. \n Question: The text mainly talks about   _  . \n Options: (A) men's heart cells (B) women's aging process, (C) the gender difference (D) hearts and long life", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}302{"query": "Article: Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are a major cause of climate change, and now a new study has confirmed that atmospheric CO2is also affecting the ocean chemistry and potentially harming sea life. Montana State University scientist Robert Dore has been researching the water in the Pacific Ocean for almost two decades. We've been going to the same spot in the Pacific Ocean, and we try and characterize long-term change in the open ocean environment. And one of the key things that we measure is CO2levels. And we've been able to record this increasing quantity of atmospheric CO2into the ocean. Scientists expected that as atmospheric CO2increased, more and more of the carbon dioxide would be absorbed into the ocean, affecting the chemical balance of the sea water, with a potentially harmful impact on shellfish and coral in particular. \"As carbon dioxide dissolves  in the water, or seawater in this case, it forms a weak acid, carbonic acid,\" Dore explains. \"And therefore, as the concentration of CO2in the atmosphere goes up and that exchanges with the surface seawater, it drives the PH down, and makes it more acidic.\" The seawater Dore and his colleagues have analyzed confirms what the theory predicts. The effect was particular striking at about 250 meters down, and again at 500 meters. Dore and his colleagues came up with two possible explanations. It could be that surface water picked up CO2and then moved to those depths. Or there could be a biological explanation. \"It's important to realize that the oceans are really becoming acidic. And it can have negative  impacts on a whole variety of sea life from fish to coral. It's potentially catastrophic.\" \n Question: What can be the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) Sea Life Facing Danger (B) Scientist Researching Seawater (C) Oceans Becoming More Acidic (D) Climate Change Affecting Seawater", "pos": "Article: In the 1960s Professor Bolin predicted   that the \"greenhouse effect\", caused by an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, would lead to important changes in the Earth's climate. At the time his prediction were regarded as science fiction. But it is now gradually agreed that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will double from 0.03% to 0.06% in the next 50 years and that temperatures worldwide will rise by 2degC. Although a temperature rise of 2deg may not seem significant, the local effects may be much greater: in polar regions a rise of 10deg by 2025 is expected and in Northern Europe a rise of 4deg. Indeed the first effects were expected to be felt before the end of the 20th century. But how does the \"greenhouse effect\" _ and why should such a tiny proportion   of CO2have such a harmful effect? When living creatures breathe out or when things are burned, CO2enters the atmosphere. Until recently all of this was absorbed by plants, which converted   it back into oxygen. However, the balance of nature has been disturbed. In power stations, in factories and in our cars, we are burning more and more fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and this produces huge quantities of CO2--18 billion tons of it enter the atmosphere every year. Added to this, the destruction of forests means that less CO2can be converted into oxygen by plants. So, the amount of CO2in the atmosphere is increasing every year. \n Question: Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Only a small portion of the atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide. (B) Professor Bolin's predictions were taken seriously in the first place. (C) No changes in climate will become noticeable for 50 years or more. (D) The rise in temperature will probably be 2 degrees in every part of the world.", "neg": "Article: To me, the ocean is our greatest wilderness. I love swimming in it , surfing its waves, watching it from shore and thinking about all the life living unseen under the surface. When I take my little kids to check out tide pools, we're overjoyed when we find a sea star or some shellfish. Lately, though, I've noticed a change in my favorite pools: there are more sea grasses and fewer animals with shells. I can't help feeling these small changes _ something more troubling about our oceans. It matches what scientists are telling us: our oceans are being troubled by carbon dioxide that threatens corals, colorful fish, salmon, sea otters, even whales. Our oceans are facing a major change. Every hour, a million tons of carbon dioxide from cars, factories and power plants rain down on the world's oceans. Carbon pollution brings about a chemical reaction that turns sea water more acidic   and takes away things important for sea animals . Some of us are already feeling the effects of this growing crisis . Shellfish farmers in the Pacific Northwest have reported a decrease in natural and farmed oysters . Just this week, a new studyproved the link between the huge reduction in the numbers of oysters and ocean acidification. As polar waters become more acidic, Alaskan fishermen are troubled by the future of smaller fish. Without action, ocean acidification will have a disastrous influence on the food chain, affecting not only sea life but the people who depend on it for food and their living. Already, our oceans have become 30 percent more acidic since preindustrial times, and it gets worse every day. We can stop this frightening dream, but only if we act now. That's why the Center for Biological Diversity has started a petition   requesting President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a plan to deal with ocean acidification. Decisive action can save sea life as we know it. Now it isn't too late to save our oceans and sea life. With immediate action to reduce carbon dioxide release we can start taking important steps today to deal with this disastrous situation. Join me in our petition calling for a national plan to save our oceans. \n Question: The author's recent visits to the tide pool brought her   _   . \n Options: (A) happiness (B) anger (C) concern (D) comfort", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}303{"query": "Article: I was in my third year of teaching writing at Ralph High School in New York, when one of my students,15-year-old Mikey,gave me a note from his mother.It explained his absence from class the day before:     \"Dear Mr. McCort,Mikey's grandmother,who is eighty years of age,fell down the stairs from too much coffee and I kept Mikey at home to take care of her and his baby sister so I couldn't go to my job. Please excuse Mikey and he'll do his best in the future.P.S.His grandmother is OK.\"     I had seen Mikey writing the note at his desk.I said nothing.Most parental-excuse note, I received were penned by my students.The writers of those notes didn't realize that honest excuse notes were usually dull: \"Peter was late because the alarm clock didn't go off.\"     The students always said it was hard putting 200 words together on any subject, but when they produced excuse notes, they were excellent.So I decided to give the first class to study the art of the excuse note.     \"Today I'd like you to write 'An Excuse Note from Adam to God' or 'An Excuse Note from Eve to God'.\"Heads went down.Pens raced across paper.They had to be asked to go to lunch by their friends.     The next day everyone had excuse notes.Heated discussions followed.But suddenly I saw the headmaster at the door.He entered the classroom and walked up and down,looking at papers,and then said.\"I'd like you to see me in my office.\"My heart sank.     When I stepped into his office,he came to shake my hand and said,\"I just want to tell you that lesson, that ask, was great.Those kids were writing on the college level.Thank you.\" \n Question: We can inter that when Mikey was absent from the class, he was   _ \n Options: (A) somewhere enjoying himself (B) taking care of his baby sister (C) looking after his grandmother (D) studying the art of the excuse note", "pos": "Article: One summer day as I was heading to the teaching building I heard someone call my name. I turned around and I saw Philip ,a counselor  at our admissions office , standing with another young man, Philip introduced me to him, Stephen, and reminded me that Stephen would be taking one of my classes. Stephen looked at me. With a somewhat painful expression, he asked if my class was going to be hard and if he would be able to pass. I introduced all the things that he would be expected to learn. As we talked, I saw Stephen's eyes getting big with fear. I told him to do all of his assignments, and to hand them in on time. Rather than being overwhelmed  by all of the work, I told him the most successful students made a master calendar of all the assignments so they could plan their workload. As the fall semester went on, I learned more of Stephen's story. It had taken him longer to finish the assignments than most young people. Family members , including his mother ,kept reminding him that he was a failure. But he kept at it and didn't take them to heart. He told me that before coming to our college, no one believed he could manage it. Stephen didn't become an A student. Still, he managed to pass all of his courses by being in class every day, turning in all of his assignments on time and breaking down his study into bite-sized parts. By passing course after course he began to gain a measure of self-esteem. On his graduation day, he walked up to me, and said \"Thank you.\" \n Question: According to Stephen's questions to the author, we know that Stephen  _  . \n Options: (A) wasn't very confident about himself. (B) didn't want to attend the author's class. (C) had never been an A student. (D) couldn't pass the author's exam.", "neg": "Article: Every year in the first week of English class, some students inform me that writing is too hard. They never write, unless homework requires it. They find the writing process painful and difficult. How awful it is to be able to speak in a language but not to write in it, especially with its rich vocabulary. Being able to speak but not write is like living in _ and never leaving one small room. When I meet students who think they can't write, I know, as a teacher my duty is to show them the rest of the rooms. My task is to build fluency and accuracy while providing the opportunity in any writing activity to enhance the moral and emotional development of my students. One great way to do this is by having students write in a journal in class every day. Writing ability is like strength training. Writing needs to be done just like exercise; just as muscles grow stronger with exercise, writing skills improve quickly with writing practice daily. I often see a rise in student confidence and performance after only a few weeks of journal writing. Expressing oneself in writing is one of the most important skills I teach to strengthen the whole students. When my students practice journal writing, they are practicing for their future academic, political, and emotional lives. They build skills so that some say they might write a great novel, a piece of sorely needed legislation , or the perfect love letter. That they write in their journals every day puts them a step closer to fluency, eloquence and command of the language. \n Question: What is the purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To encourage students to keep a journal every day. (B) To analyze students' problems in learning languages. (C) To stress the importance of writing in language learning. (D) To introduce an effective way of improving students' writing.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}304{"query": "Article: With more and more wineries   offering organic varieties to lower their eco-footprint  , it's no surprise that they're looking at the environmental impacts of their packaging as well. The making of conventional glass bottles and the corks   uses large quantities of natural resources and causes a lot of pollution. Beyond manufacturing, the transport of wine in glass bottles across the country and around the world also has its environmental effect. Trucking all the heavy glass bottles causes a much larger carbon footprint than the transportation of much lighter boxed wine. Almost half the weight of an ordinary case of wine comes from the bottles; about 95 percent of the weight of a case of boxed wine is the wine itself. \"A standard wine bottle holds 750 milliliters of wine and causes about 5.2 pounds of carbon dioxide when it travels from a farm in California to a store in New York,\" reports Colman, a researcher. \"A 3-liter box causes about half the carbon dioxide per 750 milliliters.\" According to the Wine Group, the third largest wine company in the world and a big advocate for switching away from glass bottles, there are other advantages to boxed wine (which typically includes a plastic bag within a cardboard box). The vacuum   packaging of boxed wine allows it to stay fresh for up to six weeks in the fridge once the seal is broken and the first glass has been poured. Still, despite the benefits, boxed wine may still be a tough pill to swallow for many wine experts. \"Even those traditionalists who are coming around to the idea that maybe screw caps   are fine for some wines, would not like the idea of a cellar   full of cardboard boxes,\" says wine writer Lee Asbell. \"It is difficult to imagine how wine service at fine-dining establishments would handle such a change.\" For now, boxed wine is still the field of cheaper brands. But that could all change as more and more wine makers and drinkers take responsibility for saving the Earth. \n Question: Compared with glass bottled wine, boxed wine   _  . \n Options: (A) wastes more natural resources (B) is difficult to transport (C) causes less eco-footprint (D) takes up more space", "pos": "Article: These days everyone is worried about the size of their carbon footprint. In order to reduce global warming we need to make our carbon footprints smaller. But how much CO2are we responsible for? A new book by Mike Berners Lee, an expert, might be able to help. The carbon footprint looks at the different things we do and buy, and calculates the amount of CO2all of the following created: the ingredients, the electricity, the equipment, the travel and commuting of the beer, and the packaging. It's amazing how many different things need to be included in each calculation. And it's frightening how much carbon dioxide everything produces. This can help us decide which beer to drink. From Berners Lee's calculations, it's clear that a pint (568ml) of locally _ beer has a smaller carbon footprint than a bottle of imported beer. This is because the imported beer has been transported from far away, and it uses more packaging. The local beer only produces 300g of CO2, but the imported beer produces 900g! So, one pint of local beer is better for the environment. Berners Lee has even calculated the carbon footprint of cycling to work. Nothing is more environmentally friendly than riding a bike, surely? Well, it depends on what you've had to eat before. To ride a bike we need energy and for energy we need food. So if we eat a banana and then ride a kilometer, our footprint is 65g of CO2. However, if we eat bacon before the ride, it's 200g. In fact, bananas are good because they don't need packaging, they can be transported by boat and they grow in natural sunlight. So, does this mean that cycling is bad for the environment? Absolutely not, for a start, if you cycle, you don't use your car, and the fewer cars on the road, the fewer traffic jams. And cars in traffic jams produce three times more CO2than cars traveling at speed. Cycling also makes you healthy and less likely to go to hospital. So maybe it's time for us all to start making some changes. Pass me a banana and a pint of local beer, please. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Everything produces carbon dioxide equally. (B) The imported beer is much better than the local beer in quality. (C) Actually bananas are good in general because they produce less CO\n2. (D) To make our carbon footprints smaller, we should often drink more beer.", "neg": "Article: An environment group called the Food Commission is unhappy and disappointed because of the sales of bottled water from Japan. The water, it angrily argues in public, has traveled 10,000 \" _ \" before it reaches Western customers. \"Transporting water half-way across the world is surely the extremely stupid use of fuel when there is plenty of water in the UK.\" It is also worried that we are wasting our fuel by buying prawns from Indonesia (7,000 food miles) and carrots from South Africa (5,900 food miles). Counting the number of miles traveled by a product is a strange way of trying to tell the true situation of the environmental damage done by an industry. Most food is transported around the world on container ships that are extremely energy-efficient. It should be noted that a ton of butter transported 25 miles in a truck to a farmers' market does not necessarily use less fuel on its journey than a similar product transported hundreds of miles by sea, Besides, the idea of \"food miles\" ignores the amount of fuel used in the production. It is possible to cut down your food miles by buying tomatoes grown in Britain rather than those grown in Ghana; the difference is that the British ones will have been raised in heated greenhouses and the Ghanaian ones in the open sun. What is the idea of \"food miles\" does provide, however, is the chance to cut out Third World countries from First World food markets. The number of miles traveled by our food should, as I see it, be regarded as a sign of the success of the global trade system, not a sign of damage to the environment. \n Question: The Food Commission is angry because it thinks that  _  . \n Options: (A) UK wastes a lot of money importing food products (B) some imported goods cause environmental damage (C) growing certain vegetables damages the environment (D) people waste energy buying food from other countries", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}305{"query": "Article: Zoe, Damacela, 19, didn't have nice clothes when she was young. It wasn't easy for Zoe's hard-working single mother to make ends meet. They moved in and out of homeless shelters. Everything changed for Zoe in grade nine. At that time, she heard about a sewing  class at her school. She signed up and couldn't wait to turn her designs into clothes. The color of the first dress she made was white-black strips. Soon the clothes she wore were all made by her. Other girls at school loved her designs too. They asked her if they could buy dresses from her. Zoe sold her first dress for $13. Unfortunately, it cost her $25 to make the dress. \"I had the creativity in designs,\" says Zoe. \"But I really had no idea about business.\" Zoe kept selling the clothes she designed. Her business was booming, and even the girls who had ever teased her became her customers. In the eleventh grade, Zoe took a business class. She learned how to price her clothes so that she could be sure to make a fair profit. Her business teacher suggested she take part in a contest for teenaged entrepreneurs  . The contest was for teens from all over the United States. Zoe sent in her business plan, which explained how she planned to make her company grow. She won the second prize in the end. Zoe 's success became a news item. Supermodel Tyra Banks heard about it and she invited Zoe to take part in her TV show. \"Being recognized I felt really unreal,\"says Zoe. Zoe has advice for teens who want to start their own business. \"If you really work hard on it, you will be able to make it happen,\" she says. \"If I can do it, anyone else can.\" \n Question: We can learn that   _  when she was in grade nine. \n Options: (A) Zoe had no interest in designing clothes (B) Zoe seldom wore her self-made clothes (C) Zoe didn' t know how to make money (D) Zoe attended a business course", "pos": "Article: Every evening, 15-year-old Rashida returns home from school, changes out of her uniform, and rushes to a neighboring farm to help her mother harvest vegetables. Her father is disabled, so the modest profit the two of them earn must cover food, clothing and other necessities for all seven children and their parents. Despite having precious little time to study, Rashida is one of the top students at her junior secondary school. But with so much responsibility on her small shoulders, she admits that it is sometimes hard for her to imagine a more promising future. Last year, Rashida was invited to join 155 other girls at Camfed Ghana's first Girls' Career Camp, a program designed to inspire girls growing up in the country's Northern Region to dream big, and to support them to pursue those dreams. \"We organized this camp because we wanted to let girls know that even if they are struggling with poverty, their lives will not be defined by limitations,\" says Dolores Dickson, Camfed Ghana's Executive Director. Over the course of five days, the camp led the junior and secondary school students through a range of experiences and career opportunities that were entirely new to them. Dr. Agnes Apusiga, a lecturer from the University of Development Studies, ran the workshop on goal-setting and career choices, describing the universities and training colleges in Ghana that could help them achieve their dreams. Participants then visited the University for Development Studies, where they toured the medical school and science labs. Another highlight was a workshop at the computer lab at Tamale Secondary School. Many of the girls had studied information technology from a book but had never before seen a computer. \"When the girls arrived at camp, they were not ambitious, because they didn't have any idea what the world held for them,\" says Eugenia Ayagiba, Project Officer with Camfed Ghana. \"Many had scarcely traveled beyond their own villages.\" \"I think the most important thing that happened at the camp is that we opened a window of hope for a group of girls coming from backgrounds of poverty,\" says Eugenia. For Rashida, who has been laughed at in the past by her schoolmates because of her father's disability, the experience was important. \"She told one of the camp mentors  that when she is at school, she often feels like a misfit, and she prefers to keep to herself,\" says Eugenia. \"But at the camp, it was different. She made friends with girls who have similar struggles. She took part in every single activity, every single game. On the last day, she said to her mentor, \"The camp has challenged me to study hard. Now I see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.\" \n Question: How many members are there in Rashida's family? \n Options: (A) Seven (B) Eight (C) Nine (D) Ten", "neg": "Article: Allyson Ahlstrom, 19, of Santa Rosa, California hits Las Vegas, Nevada with her mobile boutique  and non-profit organization, Threads for Teens. Allyson is on a summer tour of 14 cities across the United States. Threads for Teens on Tour will outfit  some 1000 girls in need, each in a brand-new outfit. At each stop deserving girls will receive brand-new clothing. In addition to serving girls, the Threads for Teens mobile boutique invites community members to come along and learn more about the organization.  In 2010, at the age of 14, Allyson decided that she would try to make a difference by making new, fashionable clothing available to poor girls. Her project has earned more than $100,000 in monetary contributions and over $150,000 in clothing donations. In addition, through a partnership with The Hunt (thehunt.com) anyone can help to raise up to $15,000 for Threads for Teens by solving hunts on their websites, for free! Allyson has just completed her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania. Her full-service clothing boutique in Santa Rosa has allowed over 600 girls in need to each pick out two brand-new outfits for free over the past four years and Threads for Teens on Tour 2013 gave clothing to 1,000 additional girls. Her Threads for Teens non-profit has also provided 130 girls with backpack filled with school supplies, and has given out over 100 party dresses.  In May 2013 at a ceremony in Washington, D. C., actor Kevin Spacey and Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix praised Allyson Ahlstrom as one of the 10 top teen volunteers in America. \"I want to make Threads for Teens available to as many girls as possible. That's one of the reasons for the road trip,\" says Allyson. \"More than that, I'm hoping to inspire others to volunteer and contribute in their own way. Anyone can make a difference!\" \n Question: Allyson Ahlstrom was honored as one of the 10 top teen volunteers in America because   _  . \n Options: (A) she donated a large sum of money (B) she established Threads for Teens (C) she has made to society more harmonious (D) she has helped lots of girls with her non-profit organization", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}306{"query": "Article: A long road leads through the woods to Don Robinson's unfinished house. Wearing dirty sneakers and a shirt with holes, Don Robinson is an 81-year-old Missouri businessman. Although he's rich, he didn't use his money to buy himself a grand home. Instead, he used it to buy wild land. Robinson has decided to donate 843 acres of his own personal _ to the Department of Natural Resources after his death, which can then be used to create a new state park. His generous donation is the same size as New York City's Central Park. It is said that it's the largest land donation to happen in the last 25 years. How did he come up with this idea? For Robinson, the idea of donation came from his respect for the land and the environment. He doesn't have children to pass it onto. He hoped that someone would make full use of it, or the land would probably turn into wasteland. A green park filled with trees can at least help deal with global warming, in addition to producing fresh air. Robinson has lived here in a small wooden house since 1964.One room holds his bed, a few chairs and a desk. He said he didn't care how much his donation was worth. Tom Pounders who used to work for Robinson said, \"He doesn't think material objects are important.\" He also recalled that Robinson once repaired a broken tennis shoe with a spare tire. Robinson has just one request for the new park that will be established after his death. He'd like it to be named the Don Robinson State Park. \"There's a lot of Robinsons, but only one me. It would be nice if people remembered to use my full name when walking through the park,\" he said. \n Question: Don Robinson has decided to donate   _   to the Department of Natural Resources after his death. \n Options: (A) a green park (B) a big wooden house (C) 843 acres of land (D) all his money", "pos": "Article: Nearly 300 miles long, up to 18 miles across and 4000 vertical  feet down, the 8th new wonder: the splendid Grand Canyon . Viewing its glory, President Theodore Roosevelt called the Grand Canyon \"a natural wonder,  ly unparalleled throughout the rest of the world\". He urged Americans to preserve what he described as the \"wonderful greatness, the nobleness, the great loneliness and the beauty of the canyon\". More than a hundred years later, it's still easy to see why almost 5 million annual visitors call the Grand Canyon a wonder.  The canyon stretches as far as the eye can see. Some 5 or 6 million years ago, the Colorado River rushed through this land, carving out the massive canyon we see today, exposing even older layers of rock previously buried. Geologists say some are 2,000 million years old. Native Americans were the first people to make these rocky walls as their homes about 12,000 years ago.  Today the Hualapi and Havasupai Indians live deep in the canyon, balancing age-old traditions with modernity. There are no roads to this village; mules carry the mail here. But at the same time, the tribes are designing a skywalk that promises an excellent view over the canyon early next year. The bald eagle, wild and endangered American icon is another longtime resident of the Grand Canyon. \n Question: President   _   sang high praise for the Grand Canyon. \n Options: (A) Bush (B) Clinton (C) Roosevelt (D) Washington", "neg": "Article: Henry Edwards Huntington Henry Edwards Huntington was born in 1850 in Oneonta,New York.In 1872 he went to work for his uncle,one of the owners of the Central Pacific Railroad.Twenty years later, Huntington moved to San Francisco at his uncle's request to share management of the Southern Pacific Railroad.On the way to San Francisco,he visited San Marino,and later bought it,which is home to his collections today. In 1902,Huntington moved his business operations to Los Angeles,where he developed the street railway system that created the structure of the Los Angeles area.He greatly expanded the existing electric railway lines,creating an extensive inter-urban system providing the transportation necessary.Huntington's business interests continued to grow particularly in the areas of water,power,and land development;at one time he served on as many as 60 corporate boards throughout the United States. At the age of 60,he announced his decision to retire in order to devote time to his book and art collections and the landscaping of the 600acre farm.In 1911 the large Beaux Arts building,in the charge of the architect Myron Hunt,was completed. In 1913,Huntington married Arabella Duval Huntington.She shared his interests in collecting.As one of the most important art collectors of her generation,she was highly influential in the development of the art collection now shown in the former building. In 1919,Henry and Arabella Huntington signed the agreement that conveyed their San Marino property and collections to a nonprofit educational trust,creating the Huntington,one of the world's great cultural,research,and educational centers. Henry E.Huntington died in 1927,leaving his great treasures the Huntington,including the world--famous H untington Library,Art Gallery,and Botanical Gardens in San Marino,California to the public,which hosts more than 500,000 visitors each year. \n Question: What did Huntington do after his retirement? \n Options: (A) He devoted himself to his personal interests. (B) He worked part time for non--profit business. (C) H e was in charge of an educational center. (D) H e shared his wife's interests with her.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}307{"query": "Article: In his 1930 essay \"Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren \", John Keynes, a famous economist, wrote that human needs fall into two classes: absolute needs ,which are independent of what others have , and relative needs ,which make us feel superior to our fellows. He thought that although relative needs may indeed be insatiable   , this is not true of absolute needs. Keynes was surely correct that only a small part of total spending is decided by the desire for superiority. He was greatly mistaken, however, in seeing this desire as the only source of insatiable demands. Decisions to spend are also driven by ideas of quality which can influence the demands for almost all goods, including even basic goods like food. When a couple goes out for an anniversary dinner, for example, the thought of feeling superior to others probably never comes to them. Their goal is to share a special meal that stands out from other meals. There are no obvious limits to the _ of demand for quality. For example, Porsche, a famous car producer, has a model which was considered perhaps the best sport car on the market Priced at over $120,000, it handles perfectly well and has great speed acceleration. But in 2004, the producer introduced some changes which made the model slightly better in handling and acceleration. People who really care about cars find these small improvements exciting. To get them, however, they must pay almost four times the price. By placing the desire to be superior to others at the heart of his description of insatiable demands, Keynes actually reduced such demands. However, the desire for higher quality has no natural limits. \n Question: According to the passage, John Keynes believed that  _  . \n Options: (A) desire is the root of both absolute and relative needs (B) absolute needs come from our sense of superiority (C) relative needs alone lead to insatiable demands (D) absolute needs are stronger than relative needs", "pos": "Article: People can be addicted to  different things -- e.g. alcohol, drug, certain foods, or even television. People who have such an addiction are compulsive :They have a very powerful psychological need that they feel they must satisfy. According to psychologists, many people are compulsive spenders. They feel that they must spend money. This compulsion, like most others, is impossible to explain reasonably. For compulsive spenders who buy on credit , charge accounts are even more exciting than money. In other words, compulsive spenders feel that with credit, they can do anything. Their pleasure in spending large amounts is actually greater than the pleasure that they get from the things they buy. There is even a special psychology of bargain hunting. To save money, of course, most people look for sales, low prices, and discounts. Compulsive bargain hunters, however, often buy things that they don't need just because they are cheap. They want to believe that they are helping their budgets , but they are really playing an exciting game. When they can buy something for less than other people, they feel that they are winning. Most people, experts claim, have two reasons for their behavior: a good reason for the things that they do and the real reason. It is not only scientists, of course, who understand the psychology of spending habits, but also business people. Stores, companies, and advertisers use psychology to increase business. They consider people's needs for love, power, or influence, their basic values, their beliefs and opinions, and so on in their advertising and sales methods. Psychologists often use a method called \"behavior therapy \" to help individuals solve their personality problems. In the same way, they can help people who feel that they have problems with money. \n Question: According to the psychologists, a compulsive spender is one who spends large amounts of money  _  . \n Options: (A) and takes great pleasure from what he or she buys (B) in order to satisfy his or her basic needs in life (C) just to meet his or her strong psychological need (D) and feels he or she is cheated", "neg": "Article: The traditional distinction between products that satisfy needs and those satisfy wants is no longer adequate to describe classes of products. In today's prosperous societies, the distinction has become unclear because so many wants have been turned into needs.A writer, for instance, can work with paper and pencils. These are legal needs for the task.But the work can be done more quickly and efficiently with a word processor. Thus a computer is soon viewed as a need rather than a want. In the field of marketing, consumer goods are classed according to the way in which they are purchased.The two main classes are convenience goods and shopping goods.Two lesser types are specialty goods and unsought   goods. It must be emphasized that all of these types are based on the way shoppers think about products, not on the nature of the products themselves. What is regarded as a convenience item in France(wine,for example)should be a specialty goods in the United States. People do not spend a great deal of time shopping for such convenience items as groceries, newspapers, toothpaste, aspirin, and candy. The buying of convenience goods may be done routinely, as some families buy groceries once a week. Such regularly purchased items are called staples. Sometimes convenience products are bought without enough thinking; someone has a sudden desire for an ice cream sundae on a hot day. Or they may be purchased as emergency items. Shopping goods are items for which customers search. They compare prices. quality, and styles, and may visit a number of stores before making a decision.Buying an automobile is often done this way. Shopping goods fail into two classes:those that are recognized as basically the same and those that are regarded as different. Items that are looked upon as basically the same include such things as home appliances, television sets, and automobiles.Having decided on the model desired, the customer is primarily interested in getting the item at the most favorable price. Items regarded as essentially different include clothing, furniture, and dishes. Quality, style and fashion will either take precedence  over price, or they win not matter at all. \n Question: The example of wine is used to illustrate that   _  . \n Options: (A) goods are classified differently in different counties (B) the type of a product is determined by its consumers (C) Frenchmen often drink but Americans sometimes do (D) one product may belong to many types", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}308{"query": "Article: From the same place that brought you the Robot Suit HAL comes the \"motorized knee\".Designed by researchers at Japan's Tsukuba University, the device supports the flex( ) of the knee, which enables a runner to use 30% less muscle power compared to running unassisted. Coming in a kit  , the device consists of a small motor that helps flex the knee, a sensor that detects the knees' degree of flex, and a safety lever  --all of which attach to the user's leg.The user is also forced to carry a backpack that holds a control unit and battery to power the motor.All up the device weighs around 5kg,which will probably lessen the performance benefits of wearing the device somewhat.In experiments runners wearing the device could jog at 7.5kmh, which is hardly anything special--but predictably they could do it for longer. Curiously, the makers of the motorized knee say it isn't designed for the physically handicapped.Rather it is intended for people who want to run in a more efficient way.I can't help thinking this cuts down the potential market considerably.After all, most runners I know do it for the sake of their fitness.Wouldn't a device that is designed to do some of the work mean that someone would have to run for longer to receive the same fitness benefits? Regardless, the research team expects to commercialize the kit within the next three years, by which time they also plan to have made the device significantly smaller and lighter. \n Question: To make sure that the device runs smoothly,  _  . \n Options: (A) the user should be equipped with other related units (B) the device should be improved through experiments (C) the user shouldn't be physically handicapped (D) the device should be smaller and lighter", "pos": "Article: This could be the perfect gift for the partner, who embarrasses you on the dance floor. Smart socks, which can teach to dance, may be the answer for _  The socks have been developed as a running tool to help runners improve their skills. Thanks to the socks, users can accurately  record not only know far and fast they run but also how well. It means the user maximizes theirperformance, and reduces damage to body and prevents hurt. The hi-tech socks are made of special fibers  that watch the movements of your feet. They look, feel and can be washed like normal clothes. Sensorsrecordeach movement and send it by an ankle transmitter   to a smart phone. Then a \"virtual coach\" application shows the information and can tell the user what they are doing wrong, and help to improve skill in any task with feet. The socks should be useful to athletes and weekend joggers. \"People think running is so easy and of course everybody can do it but not necessarily safely and well,\" Dr Davide Vigano said. A recent study showed that between 60 and 80percent of runners got hurt per year. This is pretty much more than any other human activity. Researchers say the technology can also be developed to teach people how to dance, play sports such golf, or even to help to teach women to walk better in high heels. Mr. Vigano said, \"People could all benefit from the idea. We have had interest from all sorts of sports, like skiing, football, cycling and golf. Anything where you have to use your feet can use it. It could even be put in high heels to help women walk in them safely.\" Socks are just the start, and the technology could be used in gloves, hats and boots. The socks, anklet and software package, are expected to be sold for around PS120, which will go onsalein March. \n Question: What's special about fibers that the socks are made of ? \n Options: (A) They can monitor the movement of feet. (B) They feel much softer than normal clothes. (C) They are expensive to produce. (D) They act as a smart phone for users.", "neg": "Article: Just put your special clothes on in the morning and you could jump 3 meters into the air and even carry more than 60 kilograms without getting tired. The walk to school would be very, very easy. Such _ clothing is one of the products that could be created using \"wearable robotics\" technology. Designed to improve a person's senses and skills, the device could be as simple as a hearing aid. Or it could be a full-body suit that senses what you're going to do, then helps you do it better. \"A superman suit would be the final result in wearable robot i cs \",s a id Francois Pin, head of robotics and energy systems at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory , US. While these suits are at least ten years away, in some areas the technology is already in use. Researchers are developing artificial- arms and legs that allow old,disabled or injured people to move freely. Thus US Army is interested in using wearable robot legs to help soldiers run faster, carry more equipment and be stronger in battle. Jobs that involve lifting heavy loads or saving lives from the rubble of an earthquake could also become much easier. A robot is a device that responds to a command. You're probably with simple robots, such as toy cars or airplanes that respond to buttons you push on a remote control. Wearable robotics goes further. Instead of just receiving information through a wire or remotecontrol- the robotic device can send information back to its controller. Suppose you wore a sleeve that has sensors where your joints are. Every time you move your arm, the sleeve senses your movements and sends the information to a robot, which then moves its arm just as you did. When the robot hits or touches something, it sends a signal back to the sleeve and you sense the action. In this way,scientists are working to wrap the robot around the person. Their goal is to make the sleeve, shoe or suit help you do what you want to do. \n Question: Products resulting from this wearable robotics technology do not include   _  . \n Options: (A) remote controls (B) hearing aids (C) wearable robot legs (D) superman suits", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}309{"query": "Article: Instagram is a fast,beautiful and fun way to share your life with friends and family.Take a picture or video,choose a filter to transform its look and feel.and then post to Instagram--it's that easy.You can even share to Facebook.Twitter and more.It's a new way to see the world.So many photos of food are contained on Instagram--now a pop-up diner in London is taking advantage of this new trend by letting people settle the bill for their meals simply by uploading photos of their dishes to social networks. I always thought people's taking pictures of their food was kind of silly, but at this new pop-up restaurant in the UK,I'd probably do it too.\"The Picture House\"is the world's first pay-by-photo restaurant--you order, click a photo of the food,share on Instagram and eat for free! The restaurant belongs to frozen food giant Birds Eye,who came up with the idea to cash in on people's addiction with photographing food and sharing the pictures online. They conducted a survey and found out that more than half of the British population regularly took pictures of their meals.So they realized it was a better way to advertise their new dining range. The pop-up diner was open in Soho,London for three days in May,and is now moving to other major UK cities.They serve two-course meals that customers don't have to pay for, if they photo and lnstagram it. The restaurant is a part of Birds Eye's\"Food for Life\"campaign,a new marketing project that aims at changing the way people look at frozen food.\"Taking photos of food enables people to show off and to share their mealtime moments--from the everyday to the special,\"said marketing director Margaret Jobling. The reaction to The Picture House has been great so far And the pay-by-picture concept has proven to be an effective way.Alternative payment methods are actually gaining popularity among a lot of businesses.Last year in a cafe in Germany customers pay by how much time they spend there,not by what they eat. \n Question: Instagram probably is  _  . \n Options: (A) a restaurant free of chmge (B) a campaign of\"Food for Life'' (C) a program used to share photos (D) a new marketing project", "pos": "Article: Worried about how many calories( ) you are going to get in that piece of pizza, chocolate cake or bag of chips? A new iPhone application that takes a picture of the meal with the phone and gives a calorie read-out almost at once, may help. The MealSnap was developed by DailyBurn, a fitness social network that has created several other fitness and diet-related iPhone applications. Within minutes of taking a picture of a meal and matching it to the given information of some 500, 000 kinds of food, the application sends users a warning with a range of calories for the meal that was photographed. To start with, we sent it something simple--a Braeburn apple. A couple of minutes later the application replied that it was between 64 and 96 calories. Andy Smith, chief director at DailyBurn, said: \"The database  can also quickly help recognize the food, how many calories there are, proteins, fat, carbs, vitamins, whatever you may want to know.\" Mr Smith added that it will take some time to complete calorie counting but the application makes it easier to record the calories in food. That is why it is so popular among those who are trying hard to lose weight. \"The pure act of recording something can cause a psychological  change that can help people on their health and fitness plan. Just the simple fact of recording it makes me more understand what I'm eating,\" he said. In addition, MealSnap can serve as a food diary, allowing users to keep a readable record of the meals they have eaten. Mr Smith said:\"It's like a food journal, but easier. All you do is take the picture.\" MealSnap is available on the iTunes store for PS1.79, or $2,99 in the US. \n Question: Why did DailyBurn invent the MealSnap according to the passage? \n Options: (A) To help those who are not good at math to keep healthy. (B) To call on people to buy food with fewer calories. (C) To help people keep fit by giving scientific directions in eating. (D) To help people realize the importance of choosing food.", "neg": "Article: Is It OK to Snap   Your Food? Have you ever taken a snap of a luxurious cake or photographed a juicy steak when you eat in restaurants? You may want to share what you eat with your friends or just post part of your daily life onto the Internet. However, such action may be very annoying  to other diners, or even to chefs and restaurant owners. Currently, more and more people begin to consider \" foodstagramming\" as very silly and a bad manner. In many restaurants, diners complain of being blinded by flasher , snapped without their permission and disturbed by people climbing on to chairs for a better angle. Even chefs and restaurant owners are annoyed at food photography. A Michelin-starred  chef said, \"It's hard to build a memorable evening when flashes are flying every six minutes.\" At the start of 2013, the debate on whether it is OK to take photographs of your food in restaurants seemed to swing   towards a definite \"no.\" According to several chefs in New York City, some restaurants there have started banning customers from taking photos of their food. Policies around the ban of food photography vary from restaurant to restaurant, ranging from restrictions on using a flash to outright  bans. If other restaurants follow such policies, it may signal the death of \" foodstagramming\". Nevertheless, instead of banning food photography, some restaurants are offering food photography courses. In Spain, the restaurant group Grupo Gourmet has started running a \" Fotografia para foodies\" course to instruct its customers to better take food pictures. The course teaches customers to take photos in a proper way without disturbing other dinners, such as never use a flash. \n Question: Who are annoyed with food photography in restaurants? \n Options: (A) Restaurant owners. (B) Other diners. (C) Chefs. (D) The above all.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}310{"query": "Article: Climate change has been blamed for killer hurricanes, sea level rise, and drought, but a new report suggests the effects of climate change might hit the world's coffee supply. Up to 70 percent of the world's coffee supply could be threatened over the next 66 years, according to a new study by researchers at England's Royal Botanic Gardens. Nearly 100 percent of the world's Arabica coffee growing regions could become unsuitable for the plant by 2080, according to the study. Beans from Arabica coffee plants account for about 70 percent of the world's coffee, but the plant also has to be grown under strict weather conditions: they grow well at temperatures between 64 and 70 degrees Celsius, and are highly influenced by frost or temperatures higher than 73 degrees Celsius. With temperatures estimated to increase by between 1.8 and 4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, the fragile plant might become increasingly expensive and difficult to grow, especially in places such as Ethiopia and Kenya. In that worst case, nearly all of the world's native Arabica coffee would die out. Under more conservative estimates, about 65 percent of the regions used to grow the coffee would become unsuitable for it The evidence from coffee farmers and coffee growing regions around the world is that they are already suffering from the influences of increased warming. Some farmers would likely be able to move their operations to other areas or would be able to overcome climate change with artificial cooling techniques, but wild Arabica is generally considered to be much more suitable for making high-quality coffee. If Arabica becomes impossible to raise in its native areas, it could do serious damage to the economies of the mainly third-world countries in which it grows. Coffee is the world's most popular drink and is the second most-traded product in the world, behind oil. \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) Climate change affects people in many ways. (B) More and more attention has been paid to climate change. (C) The world's coffee supply could be threatened by climate change. (D) The' growing conditions of Arabica coffee have been improved recently.", "pos": "Article: With a large part of the world's population living close to the oceans, rising sea levels bring the potential for destructive  results. But scientists are still unable to make predictions exact enough for people to plan to handle the loss of land and the threat to coastal communities expected over this century. \"We know sea level is going to rise, but how much, and how fast, and where, we really still don't know,\" said Josh Willis, a climate scientist.  _ It doesn't rise all the same as more water pours in. As global warming raises sea levels, some places are expected to see higher-than-average increases, and a few places, may even see decreases. It's reported that over the course of this century, sea levels will rise between 8 inches and 6.6 feet around the planet. Scientists know this increase will be driven by the expansion of water as it warms--warmer water takes up more space--and the melting of ice. But the effects of warming water and melting ice on sea-level rise are expected to vary from area to area. And the melting of ice of the Antarctic and Greenland presents the largest uncertainty for the future, but air, land and water also play roles in changes to sea level. For example, sea level near the ice getting melt actually decreases, because the ground under the melting ice rises as the heavy ice disappears. Climate change is expected to change ocean currents and the winds that help drive ocean currents. These changes will affect the distribution of heat within the oceans, and, as a result, affect changes in sea level. Nowadays, scientists use two types of models to make predictions about the future of sea levels, but the two don't agree. If scientists can't accurately predict sea-level increase for the coming years, the least we can do is measure what happening today with the help of the satellite, Jason-2, but it's reaching the end of its operational life. \n Question: What problems will scientists meet with in predicting future climate changes? \n Options: (A) It's too difficult to measure what's happening. (B) Types of models for prediction are difficult to set up. (C) There will probably be no satellites to help the scientists. (D) There aren't enough scientists studying the changes of sea levels.", "neg": "Article: Half the world's population could face a shortage of food by 2100 due to climate change, a new report by US scientists warns. Rapid global warming is likely to reduce crop production in the tropics and subtropics  , according to Professor David Battisti of the University of Washington.               \"The most extreme summers of the last century will become common,\" he says. \"We must immediately create crops that can bear heat and drought if we are to adapt in time,\" he writes in Science journal.                \"The stresses on global food production from temperature alone are going to be huge,\" said Mr. Battisti. \"And that doesn't take into account water supplies stressed by the higher temperatures.\"                He worked with Professor Rosamond Naylor on Food Security and the Environment, to examine the influence of climate change on the world's food supplies. They predict there is a greater than 90% probability that by 2100, the average growing-season temperatures in the tropics and subtropics will be higher than any temperatures recorded there to date.                \"We are taking the worst of what we've seen historically and saying that in the future it is going to be a lot worse unless there is some kind of adaptation,\" said Professor Naylor. \"This is a powerful reason for us to invest   in adaptation, because it is clear that this is the direction we are going in terms of temperature and it will take decades to develop new food crop varieties that can better bear a warmer climate.\"               \"In the tropics, the higher temperatures could be expected to cut production of the primary food crops by 20-40%,\" the researchers said. Rising temperatures are also likely to reduce soil moisture  , cutting production even further.               Three billion people live in the tropics and subtropics now, and their number is expected nearly to double by the end of the century.                \"You are talking about hundreds of millions of additional people looking for food because they won't be able to find it where they find it now,\" said Professor Battisti.                Crop failures would not be limited to the tropics, the scientists concluded. \n Question: According to Professor David Battisti, what should be done to deal with crops reduction caused by global warming? \n Options: (A) To develop new crops (B) To plant more crops. (C) To control population growth. (D) To improve farming technology.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}311{"query": "Article: Since the 1950s, most of the stars of pop music have come from Britain and America. Howver, in the last ten years, when many different kinds of music have established themselves on the pop scene, more and more stars have come from other countries. Pop music changes all the time and new stars appear and become famous. For a musician to stay popular and still produced good, original music over a long period of time, is a sign of true star. Most stars start their careers in a simple way---- playing in unknown night clubs or dance-hall where people want to dance to the music, not listen to it. They may have continued doing this for many years untill they get a \"break\"---- a chance to perform in a well -known place or get a recording contract. To become a star is the aim of every singer or musician and the dream of many a pop-crazy teenager. However a group or star makes it to the top, they can be sure that their lives will change once they are successful. Ordinary teenagers living at home with their parents may suddenly find themselves rich enough to buy their own houses. An established superstar may be able to buy several. Despite the large amount of money that are earned, life at the top is not easy for many stars.. The pop scene is hard work and many stars need to spend a lot of time away from home. For a lot of them, this means they have no home life and their personal relationships suffer. Despite great public success, life at the top can be very lonely. \n Question: Since the 1950s,most of the stars of pop music have come from  _  . \n Options: (A) America (B) America and Britain (C) America and Europe (D) other countries", "pos": "Article: Jay Chou is a well-known name both in Taiwan and mainland. He is now one of Asia's hottest pop stars. His catchy tunes have main-streamed rap and R&B in the Mando-pop world. In the past his teacher thought he was dumb . Talent spotters thought he was ugly. But his success proves that the music still _ than looks and image. His musical talent is recognized by fans, fellow-singers and producers. Now, a singing contest was held in Taiwan Chou appeared at the contest with band \"Nan Quan Mama\", which was discovered by Chou.  Their first album the Summer of Nan Quan Mama, composed and produced by Chou was a great success. Chou started his career at a singing contest, attracting the attention of record producers.  But the successful singer does not believe in luck. He says it's his passion for music and hard work that are keys to his success. He said, \"I didn't know how to sing at the beginning, so I lost the first time. But I was so determined that I never stopped trying. My advice to these young singers is never to give up, and always believe in yourself. \" Chou's confidence has strengthened his music. He is a great source of inspiration to youngsters who share his determination to become a superstar. \n Question: The best title for this passage can be   _  . \n Options: (A) From an ugly dumb to a superstar (B) Jay Chou's way to success (C) Jay Chou and his band (D) Jay Chou's life", "neg": "Article: When you think of American culture, what first comes to your mind? McDonald's? Coca Cola? Disneyland? Michael Jordan? Many people imagine American culture is a collection of popular symbols like these. Actually, these symbols are only one small part of American culture--pop culture. What is pop culture? Well, pop is short for popular. The origins of pop culture can often be traced to popular movies, television shows, music stars and sports figures. Pop culture is also promoted  by business and advertising. The most common examples of American pop culture appear among high school and college students. Trends set by famous personalities quickly become part of young people's lifestyles. American pop culture has spread around the world. One major reason for its popularity is that English is a universal language. English is the language of diplomacy , international business and transportation. Since language and culture go together, learning English means becoming aware of English-speaking cultures. Also, America is a world leader in movies, music and magazines. The kind of American culture communicated in those media is pop culture. Finally, pop culture is easy to package and to export. For that reason, it is easy to \"sell\" to the world. Many people assume that American pop culture is what America is all about. Does pop culture reflect the true culture of America? Yes and no. Pop culture does represent a part of American society--especially urban young people. But American pop culture is  _ and ever-changing. It is an artificial  and superficial  picture of America. If you want to learn about real American culture, you'll have to go a little farther than McDonald's. \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) The popularity of American pop culture (B) The history of American pop culture (C) The influence of American pop culture (D) The introduction to American pop culture", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}312{"query": "Article: The historic center of Vienna has been added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. Thus, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace and many other historic buildings are now recognized as being among the 700 outstanding cultural and natural monuments of mankind - others include the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, the historic center of Rome, the Kremlin with the Red Square, the Chinese Wall, the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon. Vienna's historic center, in its unity, is considered one of the most beautiful city landmarks in Europe. Three eras left their mark on the former residence of the Habsburgs: the Middle Ages with Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral whose spire points toward heaven, one of Vienna's landmarks; the Baroque whose most important achievement is the Imperial Palace with its sumptuous cupolas  . And the Ring Boulevard era of the late nineteenth century, when such splendid buildings as the Vienna State Opera and the Museum of Fine Arts were built to replace the former city walls. The _ of the center of Vienna is enhanced   by numerous churches, mansions and parks, as well as by rich art collections gathered by wealthy rulers. And the centuries-old musical tradition ranges from the Court Chapel of the Imperial Palace to Mozart's immortal   music and the waltzes of Johann Strauss. Also inseperably linked to the center of the city are the delights of Viennese cuisine, the gemutlichkeit of Viennese coffeehouses and nostalgic shopping at former purveyors   to the imperial court. \n Question: Which of the following is not mentioned as cultural and natural monuments ofman-kind? \n Options: (A) the Taj Mahal (B) the Pyramid Fields (C) the Kremlin with the Red Square (D) the Court Chapel", "pos": "Article: When you go to St.Petersburg, the number of attractions can seem large.If you are short of time, or just want to make sure to _ , these are the top must-see sights in St. Petersburg. 1.The Hermitage Museum The Hermitage Museum is one of the most important sights to see for any visitor to St. Petersburg. There are lots of different paintings by the old masters in the Hermitage. Prepare to come face-to-face with classic Western artists. 2. Kizhi Island Kizhi Island is an open-air museum of wooden architecture from the Karelia Region of Russia. These impressive structures are made entirely without nails - the wood fits together with joints and grooves . 3. Peterhof Peterhof is as beautiful as it is fun. You'll be charged for admission, but go to Petethof when the fountaions are working--during the day in the summer. They are shut off in winter evenings. 4. The Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood Love it or hate it, the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg is an enthralling must-see sight. The beautiful look may make y our eyes brighten, and the painting sinside the church will make you say \"Wow!\" 5. The Bronze Horseman Statue The so-called Bronze Horseman is a part of Russian culture and a symbol of St. Petersburg. Made famous by Alexander Pushkin, this statue of Peter the Great sitting on his horse can truly show Peter the Great's influence on the Russian idce of greatness. \n Question: If you are interested in paintings, you'd better go to  _  . \n Options: (A) Peterhof and Kizhi Island (B) the Hcrmitagee Museum and Peterhof (C) Kizhi lsland and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood (D) the hermitage Museum and the Church of Our Savior on the Spilt Blood", "neg": "Article: It is the so-called city of dreams that counts some of the greatest masters of music and art among its former inhabitants. And it seems Vienna still has plenty to feel proud of, as it has been named the best place to live in the world -- for the third year running. The Austrian capital, which was home to Mozart and Beethoven, and has a population of 1.7million, has the best living standards in the world, according to an annual quality of living survey. European cities represent more than half of the top 25 cities in the rankings, which are based on factors such as crime, food and climate. Zurich was ranked second, followed by Auckland, and Munich and Dusseldorf. But just one UK city makes it into the top fifty, with London coming in at 38th - one place up from last year and ahead of New York in 47th. Other UK cities, including Birmingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Belfast, crept into the top 100. This year, the survey included for the first time a list of the safest cities. Luxembourg topped the list, followed by Bern, Switzerland, Helsinki, Finland, and Zurich, Switzerland. London came 68th, joint with New York, highlighting the crime rates in the capital.  www.ks5u.com At the bottom of the 221-strong list, for the second year in a row, was Baghdad, in Iraq, which had the lowest standard of living and was ranked the least safe city by the Mercer survey. Slagin Parakatil, senior researcher at Mercer, said: \"European cities in general continue to have high standards of living, because they enjoy advanced and modern city services combined with high-class facilities. But London, high levels of unemployment and lack of confidence in political institutions make their future positions hard to predict.\" \n Question: What is the right order of cities in this year's quality of living list? \n Options: (A) Vienna, Zurich, New York, London (B) Zurich, Munich, London, Birmingham (C) London, Dusseldorf, New York, Glasgow (D) Zurich, Birmingham, Belfast, London", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}313{"query": "Article: My mom has eyes in the back of her head. She also taught me from an early age to be suspicious of strange men, especially when they give you presents. One day, a \"nice man\" bearing flowers managed to steal 20 euros from her purse, while she was holding it in her hands. \"He said he was collecting for a church charity so I pulled out a euro,\" she explains, \"He said 'no, no, that's too much' and offered to look in my purse to find a smaller coin. He must have slid out that 20 euro note at the same time. I did not even notice until an hour later. I felt so stupid.\" According to neuroscientists, the key requirement for a successful pickpocket is not having nifty   fingers, it's having a working knowledge of the loopholes   in our brain. The most important of these loopholes is the fact that our brains are not set up to multi-task. Most of the time that is a good thing -- _ allows us to filter   out all but the most important features of the world around us. But a good trickster can use it to against you. This kind of trick involves capturing all of somebody's attention with other movements. Street pickpockets often use this effect to their advantage by manufacturing a situation that can not help but overload your attention system. Other strategies are more psychological. Pickpockets tend to hang out a \"beware of pickpockets\" signs, because the first thing people do when they read it is check they still have their valuables, helpfully giving away where they are. And in my mom's case, the thief's best trick was not coming across like a pickpocket. \"He was a very nice guy and very confident. Not someone that would cause you to suspect,\" she says. Apollo Robbins, a stage pickpocket, said smart move, like moving your hand in an arc   motion rather than a straight line, is another popular strategy employed by tricksters. At last, it should be pointed out that most thefts are opportunistic. The skill level of most thieves is far less than you think. But they are opportunistic enough to keep up with new technology. \n Question: According to the passage, all of the following are pickpocket strategies except   _  . \n Options: (A) having nifty fingers (B) hanging out \"beware of pickpockets\" sign (C) displaying confidence (D) moving hand in an arc motion", "pos": "Article: Eight Things a Burglar Won't Tell You Should you spend your money on a home security system? A look inside a burglar's  mind might help you decide. 1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in your home, I unlatched  the back window to make my return a little easier. 3. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation which I am more than happy to accept. 4. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house, or it will be _ By the way, loud dogs and nosy neighbors are the two things I hate most. 5. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door---understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather. 6. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet . Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms. 7. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not fastened, I'll take it with me. 8. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook.com page. It's easier than you think to look up your address. \n Question: Money and valuables might be the safest if kept in your  _  . \n Options: (A) kids' room (B) sock drawer (C) medicine cabinet (D) safe", "neg": "Article: Several overseas trips with the family have taught us that they can be rewarding, but you always have to be careful of pickpockets. On a lovely visit to Paris an encounter with a pickpocket gave the would-be thief a little more than he _  While walking down the famous Champs Elysee, I was astonished to feel someone unzip my handbag and remove my purse. I turned to glimpse a young man turning away and pretending to be absorbed in the mouth-watering contents on display in a bakery window. Being only a teenager at the time, I had no idea what to do. So I tapped the young man in question on the shoulder and said. \"Excuse me can you please give me back my purse?\" Of course the pickpocket had no idea what I was saying (and didn't want to know) and proceeded to shrug his shoulders and basically say (in French) \"I don't speak English\"? Meanwhile my Mother (a Scotswoman with a bad temper), came to see why I had stopped walking and what was going on. When I informed her of the situation she lost control and started yelling at the thief who still stood there making gestures in French while a crazy Scotswoman harangued  him. At this stage we were starting to attract onlookers, and when my Mother started hitting the young man with her handbag the would-be thief decided it was time to get away. Luckily, amid all the disorder the thief lost his control of my purse, and as he made a break-for-it, my purse dropped to the ground! I quickly snatched it up and for the rest of vacation we walked around with our handbags clutched against our chests! \n Question: This passage is a story about  _  . \n Options: (A) several overseas trips (B) Champs Elysee (C) a lovely visit to Paris (D) pickpockets", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}314{"query": "Article: Lindsay Morgan Lohan was born on July 2, 1986. She was such a natural beauty that she began modeling at the age of 3, and because of her natural talent, she played parts in over 60 TV commercials for companies such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Wendy's, the Gap, Pizza Hut, Calvin Klein, and Jell-O, in which she shared the screen with Bill Cosby.  When she was 7, Lohan was required to dress up as garbage for a Halloween short play on the Late Show with David Letterman called \"Things You Find on the Bottom of the Subway.\" It was her first real acting job. In 1996, Lohan got her second big  _ when she was given a role on the long-running NBC soap opera \"Another World.\" For only one season, she became the third actress to act the part Alexandra Alli Fowler. Shortly after, she hit the highway to fame when Disney sought to remake the hugely successful family comedy \"The Parent Trap\" (1998). In addition, she also got a three-picture deal with Disney thanks to this movie. Her next move was to appear in the Wonderful World of Disney production of \"Life-Size\" (2000), a comedy also featuring supermodel Tyra Banks.  In 2003, along with Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan performed in Freaky Friday and played one of the early roles that made Jodie Foster a household name.  In September 2002, Lohan also got a contract with music heavyweight Emilio Estefan Jr who is of great influence in music. She signed a five-album deal with Estefan Enterprises. In 2005, she released her first album, \"Speak,\" followed by \"A Little More Personal\" the next year. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT the job that Lohan has done until now? \n Options: (A) A singer. (B) An actress. (C) A model. (D) A dancer.", "pos": "Article: Acting is such an over-crowded profession that the only advice that should be given to a young person thinking of going on the stage is \"Don't!\". But it is useless to try to discourage someone who feels that he must act, though the chances of his becoming famous are slim. The normal way to begin is to go to a drama school. Usually only students who show promise and talent are accepted, and the course lasts two years. Then the young actor or actress takes up work with a repertory company, usually as an assistant stage manager. This means doing everything that there is to do in the theatre: painting scenery, looking after the furniture, taking care of the costumes, and even acting in very small parts. It is very hard work indeed. The hours are long and the salary is tiny. But young actors with the stage in their blood are happy, waiting for the chances of working with a better company, or perhaps in films or television.  Of course, some people have unusual chances which lead to fame and success without this long and dull training. Connie Pratt, for example, was just an ordinary girl working in a bicycle factory. A film producer happened to catch sight of her one morning waiting at a bus stop, as he drove past in his big car. He told the driver to stop, and he got out to speak to the girl. He asked her if she would like to go to the film studio to do a test, and at first she thought he was joking. Then she got angry and said she would call the police. It took the producer twenty minutes to tell Connie that he was serious. Then an appointment was made for her to go to the studio the next day. The test was successful. They gave her some necessary lessons and within a few weeks she was playing the leading part opposite one of the most famous actors of the day. Of Course, she was given a more dramatic name, which is now world-famous. But chances like this happen once in a blue moon! \n Question: According to the passage, the main reason why young people should be discouraged from becoming actors is   _  . \n Options: (A) actors are very unusual people (B) the course at the drama school lasts two years (C) acting is really a hard job (D) there are already too many actors", "neg": "Article: Shirley Temple, who died on February 10, 2014, was that rare example of a Hollywood child star who, when the cameras stopped rolling, carved out a new career. For four years, she was Hollywood's biggest box-office star representing the kind of sweet, innocent girl that everyone wanted as their daughter. However, years later, she reappeared as a successful politician. Shirley Temple was born in Santa Monica, California on 23 April 1928. Encouraged by her mother, she learned to dance while she was just three. In 1934, Stand Up and Cheer became her first film and the film was a great success. At the age of six she was earning $1,250 a week -- more than $21,000 at today's values. Across the world, audiences flocked to see her in films such as Little Miss Marker, The Little Colonel and The Littlest Rebel. In 1935 she was awarded a special Oscar (Academy Award) and her foot and hand prints were added to those of stars such as Jean Harlow and Mary Pickford outside Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood. The peak of her film career came in 1939 when The Little Princess became a box-office success. Temple starred in a total of 43 feature films. But she found it difficult to maintain her film career in adulthood and retired from Hollywood in 1950. She disappeared from the spotlight for nearly 20 years. She returned to the public eye in 1967, as a Republican candidate for Congress. When Nixon became president, he rewarded her with an appointment to the American delegation to the United Nations. Then, in 1974, President Ford appointed her the United States Ambassador  to Ghana. George Bush Snr, appointed her Ambassador to Czechoslovakia. Shirley Temple drew a line between her childhood stardom and her later political career. \"Some people are stuck on this image of the little girl,\" she once said. \"She is not me. We shouldn't live in the past; my life is now.\" Nevertheless, for many across the world, the name Shirley Temple always called to mind a superstar child. \n Question: Shirley Temple died at the age of   _  . \n Options: (A) 75 (B) 80 (C) 86 (D) 90", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}315{"query": "Article: One of the best-known American writers of children's books is Alfred Strong, or Doctor Strong, as he is better known to readers everywhere. Now, an art show called \"Doctor Strong From Then to Now\" is travelling around the United States. The pictures and drawings show the history of Doctor Strong. Doctor Strong first became famous almost fifty years ago when his first children's book was published. Since then, he has written forty-five books that have sold more than one hundred million copies around the world. Doctor Strong's books are known for their easy use of words and colorful, hand-drawn pictures. These drawings bring life to his imaginary creatures. The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and hundreds of others. The San Diego Museum, in California, organized the art show. It included about three hundred Doctor Strong's original  drawings and some of his writings. Most of Doctor Strong's books, although written in a funny way, have serious messages. For example, in Mc Elligot's Pool, he describes the danger of pollution. He discusses the arms race in The Butter Battle Book, written in nineteen eighty-four. Doctor Strong is almost eighty-four years old now. He says he never planned to write stories just for children. He says he writes stories that interest people of all ages. He says he uses easy words so that everyone, even a child, can understand. \n Question: Alfred Strong is a famous   _   in the United States. \n Options: (A) doctor (B) artist (C) writer (D) reader", "pos": "Article: Children's books or children's literature is very hard to define and categorize, because there is no set genre  for children to enjoy. All in all they can be categorized into six major classes, namely early childhood picture books, traditional literature, fiction, non-fiction, biography and poetry.    Children have unique taste and interest. Although Harry Potter may be an all-time favourite for children all over the globe, they prefer funny books to fairy tales when it comes to bedtime. The top three favourite books in bedtime stories are The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and The BFG by Roald Dahl.    There are many writers who popularized the children's literature or children's Books through their brilliant works. John Amos Comenius, the author of Orbis Pictus which is considered to be the first picture book specifically for children. Charles Perrault is believed to be the one who laid the foundations of the fairy tales. Perrault's stories include Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and so on. Hans Christian Anderson is best known for his fairy tales, such as The Snow Queen, The Little Mermaid, and The Emperor's New Clothes. Many Children's Books have been made into feature films and are equally successful in this medium. Like Alice in Wonderland, the BFG series and the Harry Porter series. These series collected a huge amount of money when released worldwide in cinema halls. All these movies based on popular children's books are not only popular among children but also popular among adult audiences.  Children's books are in demand all over the world and more writers and authors are coming up with some new books. The potential market is immense   because children are more into reading in this era than previous and they are enjoying it to the fullest. \n Question: Before going to sleep children like to enjoy   _  . \n Options: (A) fairy tales (B) non-fiction (C) funny books (D) traditional literature", "neg": "Article: The aims of the Illustrators'  Exhibition,staged as part of the Bologna Children's Book Fair,organized by BolognaFiere and held from 23 to 26 December,are to bring illustrators and publishers together and to promote illustrators and their works among publishers. QUALIFICATIONS *Individual illustrators or groups of illustrators of any nationality,if they were born before 31st December 1992,whose artwork is intended for use in children's books,are qualified to enter the Exhibition,either directly or through publishing houses or schools. *Please state in the application form whether you are entering work for the Fiction or Nonfiction Category.Illustrators may only enter one category. *Artwork previously presented to the Exhibition may not be reentered. *The confirmation  form must be filled in and a photograph attached,then presented together with illustrations no later than 15 October. SHIPMENT Entries may be delivered by post,express delivery service or by hand.From abroad,please use the following forms:Form \"A\" for registered mail or post by air;Form \"B\" if using an international forwarding agent or airline. To avoid delays,material should not be sent by normal post.Material should be sent \"carriage  paid\",including any customs and delivery costs. BolognaFiere may not be held responsible for the nonarrival or late arrival of artwork.All published works must be accompanied by a declaration bearing the ISBN number,publisher's name and address. REQUIREMENTS The illustrations(i.e.the size of the sheet) must not exceed  the following dimensions: Fiction: 32x42 cm (or 42x32 cm) Nonfiction: 50x70 cm (70x50 cm) Illustrations in larger formats will not be considered,nor will they be returned by BolognaFiere.The illustrations must be on paper or flexible board,maximum thickness 2 mm (for scanner separation purposes). SELECTION PROCESS All artworks received by the stated deadline and meeting the specified requirements will be examined and selected by an international group (whose decision is final),including five members (from publishing houses and art schools) appointed each year by BolognaFiere. EXHIBITIONS ABROAD After the Bologna event,the Illustrators Exhibition will travel to Japan under the supervision of JBBY.The Illustrators Exhibition may afterwards be transferred to other venues in other countries.The exhibitions of illustrations held abroad follow the same rules and regulations as the Illustrators Exhibition,and the provisions   of the regulations are extended to the organizers of the exhibitions held abroad. RETURN OF ARTWORK All the works will be returned to their owners by BolognaFiere or directly by the organizers of the exhibitions held abroad by the end of July next year. \n Question: According to the text,the Illustrators' Exhibition   _  . \n Options: (A) will last five days in all in July every other year (B) is intended for college students who are good at painting (C) is held by the Bologna Children's Book Fair in BolognaFiere (D) can strengthen the relationship between illustrators and publishers", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}316{"query": "Article: In the dark and damp market,Chen ShuChu,near her sixties,owns a stall that her father left her.The stall,called YuanJin Vegetables,is her everything.Chen earns only a little money by selling vegetables,but she has donated about $321,550 to help poor children. In March,Forbes magazine named her one of the 48 great philanthropists from the AsiaPacific region.A month later,TIME magazine selected the year's top 100 influential people and Chen was one of them.Although she has received many honours and rewards,Chen only cares about her vegetable stall and whether her regular customers buy her vegetables or not.\"I do not place great importance on money.When I donate to help others,I feel happy and I can sleep well at night.\" Chen said. Chen's ability to donate such a great deal of money has led many to ask,\"How can a vegetable seller donate so much?\" \"Spend only on what you need,and you'll be able to save a lot of money!\" Chen said.Chen leads a very simple life.All she needs is food and a place to sleep.Everything else is a luxury .Neither does she have any desire for material gains nor any form of enjoyment.Work,she says,is her enjoyment.\"I love my work.If I don't how would I be able to work 16 hours a day?\"Being the first to arrive and last to leave,she has been given the title of \"market manager.\" She is content with what she has.She feels that as long as she lives the life she wishes for and does the things she wants,that is good enough. \n Question: In Chen's eyes,a luxury is about  _  . \n Options: (A) any form of enjoyment (B) doing what she wants (C) gaining material benefits (D) everything except food and a bed", "pos": "Article: When her five daughters were young, Helene An always told them that there was strength in unity  .To show this, she pick up one chopstick, taking it as one person.Then she easily broke it into two pieces.Next, she tied several chopsticks together, taking them as a family.She showed the girls it was hard to break the tied chopsticks.This lesson about family unity stayed with the daughters as they grew up Helene An and her family own a large restaurant business in California.However, when Helene and her husband Danny left their home in Vietnam in 1975, they didn't have much money.They moved their family to San Francisco.There they joined Danny's mother, Diana, who owned a small Italian sandwich shop.Soon afterwards, Helene and Diana changed the sandwich shop into a small Vietnamese restaurant.The five daughters helped in the restaurant when they were young.However, Helene did not want her daughters to always work in the family business because she thought it was too hard. Eventually the girls all graduated from college and went away to work for themselves, but one by one, the daughters returned to work in the family business.They opened new restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles.Even though family members sometimes disagreed with each other, they worked together to make the business successful.Daughter Elisabeth explains, \"Our mother taught us that to succeed we must have unity, and to have unity we must have peace.Without the strength of the family, there is no business.\" With three generations of Ans working together, now the Ans'business makes more than $20 million each year.Although they began with a small restaurant, they had big dreams, and they worked together.Now they are a big success. \n Question: Which of the following can be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) How to Run a Corporation Well (B) Strength Comes from Peace (C) How to Achieve a Big Dream (D) Family Unity Builds Success", "neg": "Article: Christmas Eve means a warm get-together with friends, a candlelight dinner, or perhaps a celebration at a pub for students. But, for Cai Yingjie, the night has a different meaning: helping beggars and the homeless(people without homes). Cai, who is a student in journalism at Tsinghua, could be found at Beijing's Wudaokou Light Railway Station that special evening. When she saw an old beggar, she took the cold, rough hands of the woman with her warm, clean hands, and gave the woman some warm bread and helped her put on a pair of new gloves. The woman was surprised for a few seconds, then burst into tears, saying \"for the first time I feel respected\". Cai said, \"A beggar's life is very hard. That's why I want to help them.\" Cai was one of 14 Tsinghua students spending Christmas Eve among the poor. They walked in the cold wind along the streets from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, visiting 15 beggars in Beijing's Haidian District. They brought bread and gloves with them, and stopped to greet beggars and offer them some of the warm food. Each beggar greeted them with a look of surprise. \"I know the activity can't help much, but it's meant to show our respect and care for beggars and the homeless who have been _ for so long,\" said Sun, head of the group. \"And Christmas is a good time for that.\" \n Question: What does Christmas Eve mean to the 14 Tsinghua students? \n Options: (A) Taking 15 beggars to Tsinghua. (B) Getting together with friends. (C) Showing care to the beggars and the homeless. (D) Selling bread and gloves to the beggars.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}317{"query": "Article: Jones worked so hard that made the sparks fly from his hammer.The son of Mr.Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith and he would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked.\"Why don't you try your hand to learn to make shoe tacks?\" said the blacksmith.\"Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you.\" The lazy boy began to see what he could do.But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks. Old Mr.Smith died and the son on account of the war lost all his goods.He had to leave home and was forced to take up residence in another country.It so happened that in this village there were numerous shoemakers who were spending a lot of money to buy tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes. Young Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that he had learned the art of making tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers.He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in his workshop.The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer.\"How funny it seems,\" he used to say, \"even making tacks can bring a fortune.My trade is more useful to me than were all my former riches.\" \n Question: The reason why young Smith was forced to leave his home town is that   _ \n Options: (A) he was lazy and wasted all the money from his father (B) the price of shoe tacks in another country was high (C) his father died and left nothing for him (D) there was a terrible which broke his peace", "pos": "Article: The hardworking blacksmith  Jones used to work all day in his shop and so hard working was he that at times he would make the sparks fly from his hammer. The son of Mr. Smith, a rich neighbor, used to come to see the blacksmith everyday and for hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the blacksmith worked. \"Young man, why don't you try to learn to make shoe tacks , even if it is only to pass the time?\" said the blacksmith. \"Who knows, one day, it may be of use to you.\" The lazy boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest tacks. Old Mr. Smith died and the son because of the war lost all his goods. He had to leave home and settled down in another country. It so happened that in this village there were many shoemakers who were spending a lot of money to buy tacks for their shoes and even at times when they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted, because in that part of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes. Our young Mr. Smith, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread, remembered that he had learned how to make tacks and had the sudden idea of making a bargain with the shoemakers. He told them that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him settled in his workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. And after a while, Mr. Smith found that he was soon making the finest tacks in the village. \"How funny it seems,\" he used to say, \"even making tacks can bring a fortune .\" \n Question: What can we learn from the young Mr. Smith's success? \n Options: (A) It is no use crying over the spilt milk. (B) A friend in need is a friend indeed. (C) All roads lead to Rome. (D) Seeing is believing.", "neg": "Article: Tom was a poor boy. He made a living by cleaning leather shoes for others in the street. Tom was also a clever boy. One day, a very rich man with the name Miser appeared in front of Tom. He watched his dirty shoes for a while, and then looked at Tom. Tom knew this kind of people well: they love money very much and hate to spend it. Tom said, \"Let me clean your shoes, sir.\" \"For nothing?\" the rich man asked. \"Only two pence, sir.\" Mr Miser shook his head and walked away. Tom thought for a moment and then called out, \"I'd like to clean it for nothing!\" This time Mr Miser agreed. And soon one of his shoes was shining brightly. When the rich man put his other shoe on the stool , Tom said he wouldn't clean it for him unless he was paid two pence for his work. Mr Miser was very angry. He refused to pay anything and went away with a smile on his face. But to his surprise, the well-cleaned shoe was so bright that it made the other one look even dirtier. Mr Miser took a look around. People in the street were laughing at him. He couldn't walk on any further. Finally the rich man returned and gave Tom two pence. In a very short time his two shoes shone brightly. \n Question: The story happened  _  . \n Options: (A) in a shoe shop (B) in the street (C) at the rich man's house (D) near the boy's home", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}318{"query": "Article: Discover Newsmagazine of science devoted to the wonders and stories of modern science, written for the educated general reader. Published   by Disney Magazine Publishing Co., Discover tells many of the same stories professionals   read in Scientific American. A truly delightful family science magazine, each issue   brings to light new and newsworthy topics to make dinnertime and water-cooler conversations interesting. Cover Price: $59.88 Price: $19.95 ($1.66/issue) You Save: $39.93 (67%) Issues: 12 issues/12 months Self Published by Conde Nast Publications Inc., Self is a handbook devoted to women's overall physical   and mental   health. Every issue contains usable articles   such as \"Style Lab\", in which wearable clothes are mixed and matched   on non-models and the \"Eat-right Road Map\", with tips on how to eat properly. Cover Price: $35.86 Price: $15.00 ($2.5/issue) You Save: $20.86 (58%) Issues: 6 issues/12 months InStyle InStyle is a guide   to the lives and lifestyles   of the world's famous people. The magazine covers the choices people make about their homes, their clothes and their free time activities. With photos and articles, it opens the door to these people's homes, families, parties and weddings, offering ideas about beauty, fitness and in general, lifestyles. Publisher: The Time Inc. Magazine Company. Cover Price: $47.88 Price: $23.88 ($2.38/issue) You Save: $24.00 (50%) Issues: 10 issues/12 months Wired This magazine is designed for leaders in the field of information engineering including top managers and professionals in the computer, business, design and education industries. Published by Conde Nast Publications Inc., Wired often carries articles on how technology changes people's lives. Cover Price: $59.40 Price: $10.00 ($1.00/issue) You Save: $49.40 (83%) Issues: 10 issues/12 months \n Question: Which of the following magazines is published monthly? \n Options: (A) Discover. (B) Self. (C) InStyle. (D) Wired.", "pos": "Article: There are many Spanish gossip  magazines being published around the world. If your Spanish is good enough, these magazines will offer a lively look into the private moments of the beautiful, rich and famous, and provide entertainment and at the same time, help you practice your Spanish. DiezMinutos: The magazine is a classic Spanish gossip feast with daily news based on many stories of love, separation, divorce and death. The two main parts are headlined \"love\"and \"partners\".They also have an online version of the magazine for serious gossip addicts. Hola: It is Spain's top weekly magazine and the leader of the gossip world. It contains many pictures and a round-up of well-known and less well-known nobles and people in show business. Apart from edited highlights from the present and past issues, there is a report of the week and photo of the week. There is also a French version calledOhLa! RevistaCUORE: As the third best-selling gossip magazine in Spain, it is mainly aimed at younger teenage readers who look not only for current celebrity  gossip, but also for fashion and TV news. It uses a lot of oralterms. RevistaSEMANA: It is a Spanish magazine covering the latest news on the famous in Spain and Hollywood. It also offers its readers information on fashion, beauty, cooking and travel. RevistaLECTURAS: Practical, friendly and informal, this magazine is one of the most widely-read gossip magazines on the Spanish market today. Marujeo.com: It is a blog serving up a daily diet of national gossip news on Spanish and international celebrities and the celebrity world from a particular point of view. RevistaCARAS: It is a magazine published in various countries of Latin America. It is also exported to certain parts of the United States, bringing together strange and wonderful news from around the world and the famous Latin community. \n Question: How many of the magazines mentioned in the text can be read on the Internet? \n Options: (A) One. (B) Two. (C) Three. (D) Four.", "neg": "Article: 5 Holiday Gifts By Liz Kennedy and Janice Lieberman Your family's life story in print? Priceless. An appetizer plate that holds a wine glass?Genius. Read on to see our picks for the best holiday gifts on the Web--all available at bargain prices. For Your Family Share your life story with your kids and grandkids. Record your answers to 500 questions, from\"What was your engagement proposal like?\" to \"What is a typical family meal?\" This hardcover book is a great way to store your life stories and pass them on for generations to come. Story of a Lifetime: $70 ( 15%discount for 2 ) at www.redenvelope.com For the Entertainer Hold a party with ease with wooden appetizer plates that can be attached to your wine glass. No longer will you have your hands full holding a plate in one and a glass in the other. Instead, be a one-handed wonder at your next party! Wooden Appetizer Plates: $40 ( 5%discount for 4 ) at www.homewetbar.com For the Pet Lover Ever wonder what your pet does when you're out of the room? See the world through your dog's eyes with Uncle Milton's Pet Eye View Camera. This mini video camera clips onto your dog's or cat's collar to give you a glimpse into your pet's secret life. Eye View Camera: $60 ( 10%discount for 3) at www. babyage. com For the Athlete Find a new level of motivation with the Nike+iPod Sports Kit. Listen to your favorite music while Nike records how far you've run, how many calories you've burned, and your personal best times. Upload your data to the Nike website, and see the progress you're making. Nike+iPod Sports kit: $30 (5 %discount for 2) at www. store. nike. com For the Nature Lover A symbol of long life and memory, a Ginkgo Bilobatree is the perfect gift for your earth-conscious friends. The kit includes everything you need to grow a tree. After 10 to 12 years, your tree will stand about 20 feet tall. Ginkgo Tree-to-Be with Personalized Tag: $50 (10 %discount for 3) at www. gifttree. com \n Question: How much would it cost to buy 3 Eye View Cameras and a Nike + IPod Sports Kit? \n Options: (A) $208.50 (B) $210.00 (C) $192.00 (D) $190.50", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}319{"query": "Article: By teaching your children fire safety you can make sure they know what to do when a house fire occurs. Making sure that your children know exactly what is required of them cuts down on the chaos of the emergency situation and helps keep your family safe and secure. Make sure your children know how to correctly stop, drop, and roll and feel confident in the fact that it works.  It puts out the flames. The usual response to clothing catching on fire is to run around and run about wildly, which only exposes the fire to more oxygen and feeds the flames. Your children should also know to touch door handles before opening the door to see if they are hot. If they are, it means that there's a fire in   the next room, and they should leave the door closed and find another route out of the house. Make sure your children understand that they should never play with lighters or matches. Fires started by playing with these things are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in children under five years old.  Many children are fascinated by lighters and matches and want to experiment with lighting things on fire to see what happens. Do regular fire drills to practice your evacuation plan so that your family knows what to do in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows all the possible exit points of the house that they can use; a fire in your home will be a chaotic situation, and it' s best to make sure all members of your family know your evacuation plan well enough so that it is second nature and they don't have to waste time thinking if a fire starts. Quick, determined response to a fire will save your family members' lives. \n Question: What should children do when their clothing catches on fire? \n Options: (A) Stop, drop and roll without delay (B) Run around quickly to put out the flames. (C) Call the firefighter for help at once. (D) Feel confident and don't be afraid of fire.", "pos": "Article: Who doesn't love sitting beside a cosy fire on a cold winter's night ? Who doesn't love to watch flames   curling up a chimney? Fire is one of man's greatest friends, but also one of his greatest enemies. Many big fires are caused by carelessness. A lighted cigarette thrown out of a car or train window or a broken bottle lying on dry grass can start a fire. Sometimes, though, a fire can start on its own. Wet hay   can begin burning by itself. This is how it happens: the hay starts to rot   and begins to give off heat which is trapped inside it. Finally, it bursts into flames. That's why farmers cut and store   their hay when it's dry. Fires have destroyed whole cities. In the 17th century, a small fire which began in a baker's shop burnt down nearly every building in London. Moscow was set on fire during the war against Napoleon. This fire continued burning for seven days. And, of course, in 64 A.D. a fire burnt Rome. Even today, in spite of modern fire-fighting methods, fire causes millions of pounds' worthy of damage each year both in our cities and in the countryside. It has been wisely said that fire is a good servant but a bad master . \n Question: The writer considers it    _    to sit beside a fire on a cold winter night . \n Options: (A) nice (B) dangerous (C) unhappy (D) painful", "neg": "Article: Lisa Pina never thought she would need the fire safety training she received during her apprenticeship   as a union painter and dry waller. On Friday morning,she was thanking God she had _ . On Thursday night,while Pina was babysitting her granddaughter,nephew and two nieces in her sister's apartment,she smelled smoke and realized the apartment building was on fire. When her 4yearold granddaughter Ilean Garcia began saying,\"We're going to die,\"she knew she had to act.Pina,39,first sealed the door,and then told all four children to get on the floor. After calling 911,she told the children to start singing and promised them all treats as soon as they reached safety. \"I said,'OK,we're going to lie down and we're all going to play a game,'\" Pina said. \"We all started singing our ABCs and 123s.I was just trying to make it fun.\" Pina patiently waited,and a few minutes later,Riverside County sheriff's deputies   arrived. Pina,Ilean,8yearold Gabriel Parga,5yearold Aubreyana Parga and 4yearold Meriyah Parga were all trapped on the second floor as flames filled the first story.  Pina did the only thing she could. She opened the window and dropped the children,onebyone,into the arms of the sheriff's deputies about 15 to 20 feet below. \"I just needed to keep the kids calm so they wouldn't be afraid,\"Pina said.\"I was deathly afraid inside,but I couldn't let them know that.\"[Not long after dropping the children out of the window,firefighters arrived with a ladder and rescued her. Ten people were treated at the scene for suffering smoke,but nobody was seriously injured. \n Question: The text is mainly about  _  . \n Options: (A) a big fire without serious injury (B) an urgent call 911 (C) a brave babysitter (D) a babysitter rescuing kids from a big fire", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}320{"query": "Article: This is an excerpt from a speech by Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, delivered to graduates of Stanford University on June 12, 2005. I was lucky -- I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents' garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation -- the Macintosh -- a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions  of the future began to diverge(to be different) and eventually we had _ . When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was destructive. I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down. I even thought about running away from the valley . But something slowly began to dawn on me -- I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over. I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life. During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar. Pixar went on to create the world's first computer animated  feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE about Apple? \n Options: (A) It rejected one of its founders when he turned 30. (B) It once fell apart due to different visions of the future. (C) NeXT became its parent company and made a great comeback. (D) It has survived after it had a destructive blow.", "pos": "Article: Kai-Fu Lee is one of the most successful Chinese professional managers. He worked for big companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Google. Now he works for himself and he also writes some books. Behind each of his choices is his belief that you should \"lead your life\" rather than \"live your life\". He made his first big decision in 1990. He was then the youngest associate professor of Carnegie Mellon University. If he had stayed a little longer, he would have become a tenured   professor. But he decided to join Apple. There, he led his team to many hi-tech miracles , such as the iPod and iPhone which changed the world using hi-tech. In 1996, he went to work in SGI. In 1998, he joined Microsoft and started up Microsoft Research China which is now called Microsoft Research Asia. Because of his effort, it becomes one of the best labs in the world. In 2005, he moved on again, to Google. In his four years there, Google's market share in China jumped from 16% to 30%.    Now, he has started his own company \"Innovation Works\". He aims to help new Chinese companies in mobile computing and e-commerce  and also help China's young people start up their own business. Young people can send their business ideas to the company. If Lee likes an idea he receives, his company will help to turn the idea into a business.    Lee has written several books. His Be Your Personal Bestis a bestseller. His autobiographyMaking a World of Difference: the Kai-Fu Lee Storytells the story of Lee's many successes but also setbacks on the way to becoming a technology and business giant. \n Question: The article is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) how the belief \"lead your life\" made Lee's life different (B) how Lee kept changing his jobs to become successful (C) how talented Lee is in hi-tech and business (D) how Lee started up his own company", "neg": "Article: When Steve Jobs was born on Febuary24,1955, in San Francisco , California, his unmarried mother decided to put him for adoption because she wanted a girl. So in the middle of the night, his mother called a lawyer named Paul Jobs and said, \"We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?\" But his mother told his future parents to promise that they would send Jobs to college. After Steve Jobs graduated from high school, he went to college but decided to drop out because it was so expensive that he had to sleep on the floor in his friends' rooms. At 20, he and a friend(Steve Wozniak) started a company in a garage on April 1, 1976. Jobs named their company ----Apple in memory of a happy summer he had spent as an orchard   in Oregon. After 10 years of hard time and failures, starting from two kids working in a garage, Apple computer eventually grew into a big company with over 4000 employees. At 30, Jobs , however, was fired from the company he co-founded. But after he had to leave the company, Apple was under heavy pressure from rival   Microsoft and in 1996 posted billions of dollars in losses. Apple needed Steve Jobs and he was appointed as Apple' CEO in1997. Under his leadership, Apple returned to profitability and introduced new products such as the iPod, the iPhone and the iPod. Steve Jobs once said, \"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick, Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. \n Question: Steve Jobs didn't finish his college education because he   _  . \n Options: (A) wanted to start a company. (B) had financial problems. (C) took no interest in his major. (D) hated to share rooms with his friends.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}321{"query": "Article: An air of anxious uncertainty spread throughout the small Indian camp as the sun dawned that morning. Some braves gathered beside a smoking campfire. Murmuring sounds could be heard as they talked quietly. Women nervously performed their domestic tasks, preparing a small meal. Several sad, old men sat mute, their morale very low. The camp was pitched at the edge of a deep valley--so deep that one could barely see the calm water at the bottom. The Indians had been taken by surprise and were surrounded and attacked by enemy forces. They fought bravely, but they were degraded by defeat. Their homes were destroyed. Those who had survived had been pursued by the enemy. The chase  had lasted for days. Persuaded by their leaders to press on, they had made a wrong turn. Their  _ journey ended at the edge of a valley--a desperate situation. Before them was a great hole in the earth. Behind them was the enemy. No wonder they were frozen with fear. Where could they go? Just when no choice seemed available to them, several young braves ran into camp. With great excitement they reported seeing a stone bridge across the valley, just a short distance from camp. Most of the tribe discounted this wild story. However, a few hurried to the spot to see for themselves. Seeing was believing! Indeed there was a stone bridge, great enough to accommodate many people and their horses. Without hesitation the people gathered up their children and the belongings they had and hurried across the bridge. Enemy braves watched from a nearby cliff. It was obvious that the Great Spirit was on the side of the defeated. The enemy did not follow. Safe on the other side of the valley, the wanderers thanked the Great Spirit for providing the vital link. They had escaped their enemies.  For hundreds of miles around, Indian people heard about the miraculous stone bridge. From this incident it was clear that the Great Spirit defends weak people. Many came from near and far to see the magnificent stone bridge. You, too, can see this bridge and even ride across it in a car--in southwestern Virginia. \n Question: Faced with the desperate situation, some Indians in the camp   _  . \n Options: (A) tried to persuade their leaders to give in to the enemies. (B) were still as cheerful as before. (C) still remained fearless and loyal to their leaders. (D) were in very low spirits.", "pos": "Article: A 16-year-old South Dakota boy who became lost while hunting and spent 16 hours alone in the Black Hills National Forest says he was scared but still managed to make a survival plan. Austin DuVall, of Rapid City, became lost on Nov.3 while hunting with his father. He ran after a deer, and soon found himself alone. \"I ran after a deer, but I didn't get it,\" he said. \"Then I was really lost.\" He had only his hunting rifle  and the clothes he was wearing. He had no food or water and had nothing that could help him find his way to safety. \"I knew that no one could hear me. I decided to just sleep and get up in the morning and find safety,\" he said. Austin climbed up on a rock and slept through the night. Then he awoke and relied on skills he learned in a hunter safety course. He followed a stream to an occupied cabin. The couple there called his parents and cooked him a breakfast. \" It's probably one meal I'll never forget for the rest of my life,\" he said. After DuVall's disappearance, a lot of emergency officials and more than 100 volunteers went searching for him. \"He wasn't sitting there waiting for someone to come and find him,\" said his father, Steve DuVall. \"We didn't find him; he found himself.\" Mike Kintigh, regional supervisor for the Game, Fish & Parks Department, said one or two hunters will go missing each year, but rarely for more than 24 hours. \"We're a little bit unique in the Black Hills as it's hard to get lost for a very long time. That's because we've got so many roads here compared to the Rocky Mountains,\" Kintigh said. \"You can certainly spend a very uncomfortable night in the woods like Austin did.\" \n Question: After Austin realized he lost his way, he   _  . \n Options: (A) was very nervous but excited (B) cried aloud for help (C) tried to find a safe place (D) decided to sleep in the wild", "neg": "Article: A group of people decided to climb a mountain together. They thought it was going to be an easy climb, so they laughed and talked among themselves and didn't notice the sky growing darker. They soon got lost for they couldn't see very far in front of them. They _ together that night over a fire. No one walked too far away from the group by themselves because it would surely lead to death. They sat close to each other throughout the dark hours not just for warmth, but for the fact that staying with the group was their only hope for survival. After what felt like a century, the sun started its slow climb up the sky. They were now able to see as far ahead of them as they liked, so they began to go down the mountain. They still remained as a group at this time even though there was no real need. A bond   had formed throughout the group that could not be broken or ignored. They knew each other just as well as they knew themselves. As they reached the place where they had started their journey, they knew it was time to say goodbye. Feeling at peace, they bowed   deeply to each other. All of them kept the love they created as a group close to their hearts as they made their way out into the world alone. \n Question: What was the difficulty the group of people met in the mountain? \n Options: (A) Damaged roads. (B) Animals' attack. (C) Losing their way. (D) Running out of food.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}322{"query": "Article: Music for Humans and Humpback Whales As researchers conclude in Science, the love of music is not only a universal feature of the human species, but is also deeply fixed in complex structures of the human brain, and is far more ancient than previously suspected. In the articles that discuss the field of bio-musicology, the study of the biological basis for the creation and appreciation of music, researchers present various evidence to, show that music-making is at once an original human \"business\", and an art form with skillful performers throughout the animal kingdom. The new reports stress that humans hold no copyright on sound wisdom, and that a number of nonhuman animals produce what can rightly be called music, rather than random sound. Recent in-depth analyses of the songs sung by humpback whales show that, even when their organ would allow them to do otherwise, the animals _ the same choices relating to sounds and beauty, and accept the same laws of song composition as those preferred by human musicians, and human ears, everywhere. For example, male humpback whales, who spend six months of each year doing little else but singing, use rhythms   similar to those found in human music and musical phrases of similar length--a few seconds. Whales are able to make sounds over a range of at least seven octaves  , yet they tend to move on through a song in beautiful musical intervals, rather than moving forwards madly. They mix the sounds like drums and pure tones in a ratio   which agrees with that heard in much western music. They also use a favorite technique of human singers, the so-called A-B-A form, in which a theme is stated, then developed, and then returned to in slightly revised form. Perhaps most impressive, humpback songs contain tunes that rhyme. \"This suggests that whales use rhyme in the same way we do: as a technique in poem to help them remember complex material,\" the researchers write. \n Question: Which of the following shows the advanced musical ability in humpback whales? \n Options: (A) They can remember complex material. (B) They can create pleasing patterns of music. (C) They can make sounds like drums continuously. (D) They can sing along with rhythms of western music.", "pos": "Article: In many romantic movies or TV shows one scene always appears. It involves a handsome man standing outside a young woman's window, singing a love song to her to win her over. However, trying to woo a female with songs is not just something that humans do. A few animals sing love songs as well. Birds and elephants are romantic but the latest animal to  _ a female might surprise you--it is the humble mouse.     You may find it odd to find out that mice sing. We do not hear them because the frequency of their voice is so high. In fact, scientists have known for some time that male mice make special sounds to females, but it has always been assumed that the sounds are produced instinctively   and randomly, with little thought going into the process. But new research suggests otherwise. When male mice with different voices were put in a cage together, scientists found that they would gradually change their pitches   to sound like one another. But when a female mouse was put in the cage with two males, one male would change his pitch to match the other. \"It was usually the smaller animal changing the pitch to match the larger animal,\" professor Erich Jarvis, leader of the study, from Duke University, US, told BBC News. This ability, known as vocal learning, is rare in the natural world. It had been thought to be limited to some birds, such as parrots--as well as whales and dolphins. The latest findings challenge the long-held opinion that mice cannot learn to adapt their voices.     Scientists also found the part of the brain that controls the mice's singing ability. In the experiment, they damaged the cells in this part of the mice's brain and found that the animals couldn't keep their songs in pitch or repeat them any more. This also happened when the mice became deaf. Jarvis said that this finding had changed his understanding of the way mice make sound. \"In mice we find that the pathways that are at least modulating   these vocalizations   are in the forebrain, in places where you actually find them in humans,\" he said. \"If we're not wrong, these findings will be a big boost to scientists studying diseases like autism and anxiety disorders.\" \n Question: Which of the following is proven wrong by the latest discovery? \n Options: (A) The frequency of mice's voice is so high that it's impossible for humans to hear it. (B) When male mice make special sounds to females they can't control the sounds. (C) Birds and elephants are both romantic animals that are good at expressing love. (D) Animals like mice are smart even though they often make sounds randomly.", "neg": "Article: Many people say dolphins are very intelligent. They seem to be able think, understand, and learn things quickly. But they are smart like humans or more like cats or dogs? Dolphins use their brains differently from people. But scientists say dolphin intelligence and human intelligence are alike in some ways. How? FACT 1: Talk to Me Like humans, every dolphin has its own \"name\". The name is a special whistle . Each dolphin chooses a specific whistle for itself, usually by its first birthday. Actually, scientists think dolphins, like people, \"talk\" to each other about a lot of things, such as their age, their feelings, or finding food. And, like humans dolphins use a system of sounds and body language to communicate. But understanding their conversations is not easy for humans. No one \"speaks dolphin\" yet, but some scientists are trying to learn. FACT 2: Let's Play Dolphins are also social animals. They live in groups called pods, and they often join others from different pods to play games and have fun ---just like people. In fact, playing together is something only intelligent animals do. FACT 3: Fishermen's Helpers Dolphins and humans are similar in another way: both make plans to get something they want. In the sea of southern Brazil, for example, dolphins use a interesting strategy to get food. When fish are near a boat, dolphins signal to the fishermen to put their nets in the water. Using this method, the men can catch a lot of fish. What is the advantage for the dolphins? Why do they assist the men? The dolphins get to eat some of the fish. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) The comparison between dolphins and humans. (B) The relationship between dolphins and humans. (C) Different types of dolphins. (D) The habitual behavior of dolphins.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}323{"query": "Article: France is one of the largest countries in Europe. It is bordered by six countries -- Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the north-east, Switzerland and Italy across the Alps to the south-east and Spain across the Pyrenees to the south-west. The UK is across the English Channel. France has several large international airports, two of which are in the capital, Paris. Visitors from the UK also can take the Channel Tunnel rail link down to France. In France, the highway network and French rail service are known to be extremely efficient with the high-speed, and they become the envy  of other nations. France is the world's most popular tourist destination . The country has an extremely beautiful scene and an equally comfortable climate to match. This makes it suitable for a huge range of exciting sporting and other outdoor activities. For example, France has a huge range of golf courses. However, France also centers on a large scale for those who prefer a  _ life. Numerous museums and art galleries in France bring you much peacefulness while they make you learn about the country's rich cultural, educational and political heritage. The French people -- and particularly the older generations -- tend to   be extremely polite and formal, a national character that is often dismissed(......) as arrogance  by other nations. The French are also famous for taking great pride in their personal appearance and in particular, their clothes.  The French love their food. Meals are long whenever possible. Sociable family meals usually cost several hours in the middle of the day. French meals usually have three or four courses including cheese before the dessert and are accompanied by wine and freshly baked breads. However, French food varies greatly from area to area. \n Question: What do people in other countries think of Frenchmen according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Rich. (B) Proud. (C) Polite. (D) Rude.", "pos": "Article: Paris is the capital of the European nation of France. It is also one of the most beautiful and most famous cities in the world. Paris is called the City of Light. It is also an international fashion center. What women are wearing in Paris will be worn by women all over the world. Paris is also a famous world center of education. For example, it is where the headquarters of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The Seine River divides the city into two parts. Thirty-two bridges cross this beautiful river. The oldest and perhaps most well-known is the Pont Neuf, which was built in the sixteenth century.  The Sorbonne, a famous university, stands on the left bank of the river. There are many other famous places in Paris, such as the famous museum, the Louvre, as well as the Notre Dame. However, the most famous building in this city is Eiffel Tower. Paris is named after a group of people called the Parisii. They built a small village on an island in the middle of the Seine River about two thousand years ago. This island, called the lie de la Cite, is where Notre Dame lies. Today around eight million people live in the Paris area. \n Question: This article mainly tells us about  _  . \n Options: (A) the buildings in Paris (B) the general situations of Paris (C) the center of the world (D) the famous buildings along the Seine River", "neg": "Article: We all know that Paris is a popular travel destination, which has much more to offer than just seeing the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower that are well-known. Experience this amazing city through some of its secret places. River Boats Tour the heart of Paris by boat along the Seine River! Boats offer 8 must-see tourist stops along their boat tour route. The cost is 13 Euros for a whole day of river boating with stops for tourists to walk through the Parisian sites. There is a 15-minute interval between two boats. Boating along the Seine is a good way to drink in the unique atmosphere of Paris! Children's Science Museum If you are travelling to Paris with kids, the Children's Science Museum is the perfect place to visit. The Children's Science Museum has many exhibits for children. Some exhibits exercise a child's cognitive skills. The cost is low by European standards at only 8 Euros per adult and 4.50 Euros per child.  Medieval Tavern  In Paris , tourists can enjoy the night at Medieval Tavern every Thursday night from 8PM--2AM. This tavern opens its doors to the people of Paris and invites them to experience a life from long ago. The menu includes foods that were enjoyed in old days. The entire experience can be enjoyed for only 15 Euros per person! Luxembourg Garden  The garden is the second largest public park in Paris. Whether you are interested in a walk through the flowers or a pleasant ride on the old carousel , this park is a good choice. Children like playing in the theater while adults enjoy free musical performances. Welcome to Paris and enjoy these attractions. \n Question: Which of the following statements about River Boats is TRUE ? \n Options: (A) Boats come every fifteen minutes. (B) In the boat the tourists can enjoy drinking. (C) Tourists have to spend a day on the boat enjoying scenes. (D) Tourists can only see eight tourist sites along their boat tour route.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}324{"query": "Article: Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient institution,-which has existed for at least six thousand years.It was always bad and usually foolish, but in the past human race managed to live with it.Modern inventiveness has changed this.Either man will end war, or war will end man.For the present, it is nuclear weapons that cause the most serious danger, but bacteriological or chemical weapons may, before Iong, offer an even greater threat.If we succeed in ending nuclear weapons, our work will not be done.It will never be done until we have succeeded in ending war.To do  _ , we need to persuade mankind to look upon international questions in a new way, not as contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in kiting people, but by agreement with principles of law.It is not easy to, change very old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted. There are those who say that the adoption of this or that ideology(,)would prevent war.I believe this to be a big error.All ideologies are based upon dogmatic statements that are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false.Their adherents (,)  believe in them so fanatically that they are willing to go to war in support of them. The movement of world opinion during the past few years has been very largely such as we can welcome.It has become a commonplace that nuclear war must be avoided.Of course very difficult problems remain in the world, but the spirit in which they are being approached is a better one than it was some years ago.It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that negotiations should reach agreements even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory.It has begun to be understood that the important conflict nowadays is not between different countries, but between man and the atom bomb. \n Question: In the sentence \"To do this, we need to persuade mankind\" (Para l), \"this\" refers to  _ \n Options: (A) abolish war (B) improve weapons (C) solve international problems (D) live a peaceful life", "pos": "Article: We often think of future.We often wonder what the world would be like in a hundred years' time. Think of space, perhaps a permanent  station on the moon will have been set up.Perhaps people will be able to visit the moon as tourists.Cheap rockets for space travel will have been developed, permitting long journeys throughout the solar system .When that time comes, people will be taking holidays in space and visiting other planets.Great progress will have been discovered for the most terrible of all diseases--cancer.Pollution is a problem we must solve.In a hundred years' time it will have been controlled. All the world will have been developed--even Antarctica.There will be large cities in Antarctica.We already have supersonic  flight, but in a hundred years' time we will have supersonic land travel as well. We will have used up most of earth's land to build our cities, so floating cities will have been built.The Japanese already have plans for cities of this kind.And there will be cities under the sea.The first of these will have been completed. \n Question: We will have developed   _   in a hundred years' time, permitting long journeys all over the solar system. \n Options: (A) cheap rockets for space travel (B) a plane for space travel (C) a permanent spaceship (D) a satellite for tourists", "neg": "Article: Is it possible to persuade mankind to live without war? War is an ancient custom which has existed for at least six thousand years. It was always evil and usually foolish, but in the past the human race managed to live with it. Modern skill has changed this. Either man will stop war, or war will stop man. For the present, it is nuclear weapons that cause the greatest danger, but bacteriological(  ) or chemical weapons may, before long, offer an even greater threat. If we succeeded in stopping war, there would be no danger for us. To do this, we need to persuade mankind to look upon international questions in a new way, not by contests of force, in which the victory goes to the side which is most skillful in massacre ( ),but by judging in accordance with agreed rules of law. It is not easy to change old mental habits, but this is what must be attempted. There are those who say that the adoption of this or that ideology  would prevent war. I believe this to be a complete error. All ideologies are based upon beliefs without proof which are, at best, doubtful, and at worst, totally false. Those people who believe them are willing to go to war in support of them. The movement of world opinion during the past two years has changed very largely such as we can welcome. It has become a common belief that nuclear war must be avoided. Of course, very difficult problems remain in the international world, but the spirit in which they are being approached is a better one than it was some years ago. It has begun to be thought, even by the powerful men who decide whether we shall live or die, that agreements should be reached even if both sides do not find these agreements wholly satisfactory. It has begun to be understood that the important conflict nowadays is not between East and West, but between Man and the bomb. \n Question: From the passage we can know   _  . \n Options: (A) it is impossible to live without war (B) war will be stopped by modern skill (C) war must be stopped if man wants to survive (D) the difference between East and West will cause war", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}325{"query": "Article: According to the dictionary definition of 'create',ordinary people are creative every day. To create means to bring into being,to cause to exist something each of us does daily. We are creative whenever we look at or think about something in a new way.  First,this includes an awareness of our surroundings. It means using all of our senses to become aware of our world. This may be as simple as being aware of color1 and texture ,as well as taste, when we plan a meal. Above all,it is the ability to notice things that others might miss.  A second part of creativity is an ability to see relationships among things. If we believe the expression,there is nothing new under the sun,the creativity is remaking or recombining the old in new ways. For example,we might do this by finding a more effective way to study or a better way to arrange our furniture,or we might make a new combination of camera lenses and filters to create an unusual photograph.  A third part of creativity is the courage and drive to make use of our new ideas,to ask for them to achieve some new results. To think up a new idea is one thing;to put the idea to work is another. These three parts of creativity are included in all the great works of geniuses,but they are also included in many of our day to day activities. \n Question: Which of the following activities is NOT a creative one according to the passage? \n Options: (A) To prepare for a meal. (B) To arrange the furniture in a special way. (C) To buy some books from a bookstore. (D) To write a letter with the computer.", "pos": "Article: According to the dictionary definition of \"create \",ordinary people are creative every day. To create means \" to bring into being, to cause to exist\"-something each of us does daily. We are creative whenever we look at or think about something in a new way. First, this includes an awareness  of our surroundings. It means using all of our senses to become aware of our world. This may be as simple as being aware of color and texture ,as well as taste, when we plan a meal. Above all, it is the ability to notice things that others might miss. A second part of creativity is an ability to see relationships among things. If we believe the expression,\"There is nothing new under the sun,\" the creativity is remaking or recombining the old in new ways. For example, we might do this by finding a more effective way to study or a better way to arrange our furniture, or we might make a new combination of camera lenses and filters to create an unusual photograph. A third part of creativity is the courage and drive to make use of our new ideas, to ask for them to achieve some new results. To think up a new idea is one thing; to put the idea to work is another. These three parts of creativity are included in all the great works of geniuses, but they are also included in many of our day-to-day activities. \n Question: Which of the following activities is NOT a creative one according to the passage? \n Options: (A) To prepare for a meal. (B) To arrange the furniture in a special way. (C) To buy some books from a bookstore. (D) To \"write\" a letter with the computer.", "neg": "Article: Most people believe they don't have imagination. They are wrong. Everyone has imagination, but most of us,once we became adults, forget how to access it. Creativity isn't always connected with great works of art or ideas. People at work and in their free time routinely think of creative ways to solve problems. Maybe you have a goal to achieve,a tricky question to answer or you just want to expand your mind! Here are three techniques to help you. This technique involves taking unrelated ideas and trying to find links between them. First,think about the problem you have to solve or the job you need to do. Then find an image,word,idea or object,for example,a candle. Write down all the ideas/words associated with candles:light,fire,matches, wax,night,silence,etc. Think of as many as you can. The next stage is to relate the ideas to the job you have to do. So imagine you want to buy a friend an original present; you could buy him tickets to a match or take him out for the night. Imagine that normal limitations don't exist. You have as much time/space/money,etc. as you want. Think about your goal and the new possibilities. If,for example,your goal is to learn to ski, you can now practice skiing every day of your life (because you have the time and the money). Now adapt this to reality. Maybe you can practice skiing every day in December,or every Monday in January. Look at the situation from a different point of view. Good negotiators use this technique in business,and so do writers. Fiction writers often imagine they are the characters in their books. They ask questions: what does this character want? Why can't she get it? What changes must she make to get what she wants? What does she dream about? If your goal involves other people, put yourself \"in their shoes\". The best fishermen think like fish! \n Question: According to the passage, when we become adults,   _   . \n Options: (A) most of us are no longer creative (B) we can still learn to be more creative (C) we are not as imaginative as children (D) we are unwilling to be creative", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}326{"query": "Article: It is a reply to a letter written by Zhai Mingjun, a 16-year-old girl in the class. The two astronauts thank the student for her concerns and wish the class luck in their future studies.     \"I' m so happy that the two space men replied with a few encouraging words,\" said Zhai. Her letter was one of the 10 winning letters taken into space by Fei and Nie, who have succeeded in traveling space in the Sixth Shenzhou Spaceship. Zhai wrote the letter as if she were a younger sister of the astronauts. \"As the single child in my family, I always hoped that I would have an elder brother that I could be proud of,\" Zhai said. \"I thought that the astronauts would be lonely during such a long space trip. I hoped they would feel happy and warm when reading my letter.\" Many of Zhai' s classmates also wrote their words of encouragement and admiration to the astronauts. \"The letter to the astronauts made us believe that we can also be part of the manned space programme,\" said Zhao Dongxu.     All the students have high expectations for China' s future space programme. \"I heard that Snoopy is the mascot   for US astronauts. I hope I can design a mascot for our heroes,\" said Liu Mengjie, 16. \"A physics class taught by astronauts in outer space would be very interesting. I want to be the astronaut who teaches students about zero gravity with my head upside down in the spaceship,\" said Han Yinan. Many students think that the manned space program is still far away from them. But they feel proud that ordinary students could participate in such a great scientific achievement and hope there  will be more possibilities to take part. \n Question: The best title of this passage can be  _  . \n Options: (A) The mascot (B) A reply from space (C) The manned space program (D) The letter to the astronauts", "pos": "Article: China's second manned space flight will be done by two astronauts over five days in 2005. \"Shenzhou-VI will be sent into space sometime in 2005,\" said Zuo Saichun, a spokesperson of the China Aerospace Science and Technology (CAST). \"The spacecraft will make new breakthroughs in China's manned space technology.\" Unlike Shenzhou-V, a little more than a year ago (in October, 2003), the next flight will see two astronauts fly in space for five days. Their capsule   is designed to be capable of orbiting for a whole week, the spokesperson said. \"For the first time, astronauts will enter and live in the orbital module  of the spacecraft to do scientific experiments,\" said a statement from CAST. CAST did not say what those experiments will be. In Shenzhou-VI, scientists have changed the spacecraft's configuration   to reduce its weight, and tried to improve the performance of on-board equipment. They have also worked to make sure of the energy supply of the spacecraft and further improve its safety. So far, scientists have worked out ways to solve problems on environmental control and life support. Shenzhou-VI will be sent into orbit  atop a Long March  2F rocket.  Meanwhile, a model of the Chang'e-1 satellite is expected to be sent to orbit the moon in two years. The satellite, part of the three-stage programme, would be followed by the landing of an unmanned vehicle on the moon in the second stage by 2010 and collecting samples of lunar soil by 2020 in the final stage, according to Sun Laiyan, director of the China National Space Administration. \n Question: Which of the following about Shenzhou-VI is NOT true? \n Options: (A) It will be sent into space in 2005. (B) It is capable of orbiting for two weeks. (C) It will be sent into orbit atop a Long March 2F rocket. (D) It will be sent into space with two astronauts.", "neg": "Article: Three astronauts returned to Earth safely on Wednesday after a successful 15-day mission  , marking another step forward towards the country's goal of building a manned space station by 2020. Zhang Youxia, commander-in-chief of China's manned space program, said the Shenzhou X mission was a \"complete success\". The Shenzhou X landed safely in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at about 8:07 a.m. on June 26, 2013. All three astronauts were in good physical condition. Nie Haisheng, commander of the Shenzhou X crew and a second-time space traveler, was the first to get out of the bowl-like module , followed by Wang Yaping, the only female astronaut of the mission, and Zhang Xiaoguang. During a brief welcoming ceremony held at the landing area, the astronauts waved happily to a crowd consisting of officers, the search and recovery team, and health personnel. \"It feels really good to be back home,\" said astronaut Nie Haisheng. \"We are dreamers, and we have now realized our dream,\" said Zhang Xiaoguang. \"Our space dream knows no limit, and our hard work will never stop,\" he said. Compared with its previous mission Shenzhou IX last year, the Shenzhou X is no longer experimental but considered an applicable shuttle system for sending astronauts and supplies to orbiting modules. The mission aims to further test technologies designed for docking and supporting astronauts' stay in space, as well as to use new technologies related to the construction of a space station. In its 15-day journey in space, Shenzhou X docked with the orbiting space lab Tiangong-1 twice, once through automatic operation and the other manual .The Tiangong-1 space lab has been in orbit for more than 600 days. It's designed to work for two years. The module is considered the first step in building a permanent space station in the future. And the astronauts spent 12 days in Tiangong-1, where they conducted space medical experiments, technical tests and gave a science lesson to students on Earth on June 19 about basic physics principles. The lecture was the second video class sent from space, with US astronaut Barbara Morgan's 25-minute class being the first in 2007. China is the third country after the United States and Russia to acquire the technologies and skills necessary for space rendezvous and docking procedures, as well as supply manpower and material for an orbiting module via different docking methods. Previous docking procedures conducted between Shenzhou-type spacecraft and the orbiting space lab included two automated dockings by the unmanned Shenzhou-8 in 2011 and both an automated and manual docking by the manned Shenzhou-9 in 2012. Since its first manned space space mission in 2003, China has sent ten astronauts and six spacecrafts into the space. \n Question: According to the passage, the Shenzhou X   _  . \n Options: (A) was sent into space on June 11, 2013 (B) is still an experimental shuttle system (C) sent many supplies to the manned space station (D) returned to Earth safely on the afternoon of June 26", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}327{"query": "Article: It is amazing to note that the Internet is still such a new device, and yet it is one of the fastest and most powerful media tools. But think about it for a moment. On the Internet, a big online company can be run by two guys out of their garage. So it is only reasonable that people shopping on the Net would be a little _ of the security levels. Internet giants such as Microsoft knew consumer confidence was the key to getting virtual shopping off the ground, and they work hard to make people feel safe to shop online. Credit card companies, too, quickly saw the potential for Internet shopping, and have installed things like online shopping insurance for people. If you ever have a problem with your online credit purchases, many credit card companies will happily refund  your money and then set their claws on the company that wronged you. Now that's buying power! There are other bonuses for online shoppers, of course. No line-ups, for one. No annoying mall shopping carts with broken wheels and kids crying because their parents won't get them what they want. When shopping online, consumers can sit down, have a coffee, and wear their slippers, not have to worry about their hair or parking and just click through sale after sale. Comparison shopping couldn't be any easier. And thanks to courier companies getting in on the act, you never need wait longer than a day or two to get those all important purchases delivered right to your door. No wonder so many companies are shaking their heads at traditional advertising and instead looking to the \"virtual\" world to attract online shoppers. \n Question: _  leads to consumers' trust in online shopping. \n Options: (A) Shopping law (B) Shopping convenience (C) Internet access (D) Shopping security", "pos": "Article: I Online shopping started not so long ago. Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1990. The first online bank opened in 1994. In 1995, Amazon started operating and is not one of the largest online shopping malls. Then in 1996, eBay started its online shopping site. By sitting at home you can now buy anything from knives to cars. The worry you may have about traveling and parking can be avoided while you shop online. With online shopping, you need not worry about the weather. Online shops have no holidays, closing times or any other problem. You can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Some online shops also keep customers' opinions about each product, so you can easily find out what other customers think about the product before buying it. When you go for real-world shopping, you can actually touch and feel it, but in online shopping you can only see the pictures. Also if you are shopping online, you have to be careful with your credit cards. The first step in online shopping is to search for what you want to buy. Once you find the required product, put it in a \"shopping cart\" and continue shopping. After you have got enough in your \"shopping cart\", check out the product. You can add or take out the products in your shopping cart. The next step is to log in using a username and a password. Enter the address where you want the product to be sent. Some sites even ask for your email, phone numbers, etc. Then wait for the confirmation of your order. You can also cancel the order if needed. Online shopping is a different experience and you can make shopping online easy when you get used to it. \n Question: I When shopping online, you can  _ \n Options: (A) park your car where you want to (B) buy anything wherever you go (C) touch anything you want to buy (D) know what others think of the product", "neg": "Article: It is amazing to note that the Internet is still such a new device,and yet it is one of the fastest and most powerful media tools. But think about it for a moment. On the Internet,a big online company can be run by only two guys in their garage. So it is only reasonable then,that people shopping online would be a little _ of the security levels. Internet giants such as Microsoft knew consumer confidence was the key to getting virtual  shopping off the ground,and they work hard to make people feel safe to shop online. Credit card companies,too,quickly saw the potential for online shopping,and have installed things like online shopping insurance for people. If you ever have a problem with your online credit purchases,many credit card companies will happily refund  your money and then set their claws on the company that wronged you. Now that's buying power! There are other bonuses for online shoppers,of course. No lineups,for one. No annoying mall shopping carts with broken wheels and kids crying because their parents won't get them what they want. When shopping online,consumers can sit down,have a coffee,and wear their slippers,not having to worry about their hair or parking,and just clicking through sale after sale. Comparison shopping couldn't be any easier. And thanks to courier companies  getting in on the act,you never need to wait longer than a day or two to get those all important purchases delivered right to your door. No wonder so many companies are shaking their heads at traditional advertising and instead looking to the\"virtual\" world to attract online shoppers. \n Question: Consumer confidence in online shopping mainly relies on  _  . \n Options: (A) freedom of shopping (B) shopping convenience (C) security in shopping (D) Internet access", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}328{"query": "Article: Many of you may wonder what else to do besides watching TV or surfing the Internet on weekends.Why not have a picnic? Junior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle Schoo1 had a \"King of cooking\" competition* Earlier this month,about 300 students at the schoo1 went to a suburb of Beijing to have the contest.They were divided into 24  groups.Each group had buyers,slicers   ,firemakers.washers and cooks. Firemakers faced the most problems during the time.Some of them had no idea how to keep fire burning. \"The fire kept going out.we had to blow at the sparks and put on corn leaves and old newspapers,\"said Wu Mofei,13. \"It took us an hour to make the fire.Our eyes had tears from all the smoke and our faces became dirty,\"he added. When the fires were finally made,the cooks became the busiest people.Huang Lanye made fried celery and ham pickled cabbage and tomato soup. She was proud of her work.\"It's my first time making Chinese dishes.My group members ate them up in minutes and said they were as delicious as what their parents made!\" said the 14-year-old girl. Finally over ten students were titled \"King of Cooking\".Wang Xiaoyue,14,was one of them.\"My group got a mark of 98 at the competition,''Wang said.\"We have 1earned a lot while having so much fun! We are the best!\" Beijing No.4 Middle School has been organizing similar fun activities for six years.\"we want to give students a chance to get real life experiences and 1earn how to work as a team,''said Jia Dong,who works for the school's student affairs office. \n Question: The text mainly tells us----. \n Options: (A) a \"King of Cooking\" competition organized by Senior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle School (B) a picnic organized by Junior 2 students at Beijing N0.4 Middle School (C) a \"King of Cooking\" competition organized by Junior 2 students at Beijing No.4 Middle School (D) after-school activities of students at Beijing No.4 Middlle School", "pos": "Article: Chinese people take their food and eat it extremely seriously .Eating is a communal  ,social, human experience in China .Sharing a meal is a sign of friendship,and trust , Eating plays a central role in friendship ,business ,medicine ,family and love. In short, food is life. When eating, the rice is separated into your own personal bowl, but the dishes are placed in communal bowls in the center of the table and everybody help themselves with chopsticks .It's considered polite, and sign of respect and friendship, to encourage other people to eat plenty of the good bits, even to pick up food with your chopsticks and drop it into their rice bowls for them. Food is an important component of weddings, funerals and almost all Chinese festivals. New Year is the time for dumplings, the Dragon Boat Festival is the time for sticky rice Zongzi wrapped in leaves, and Mid -Autumn Day is the time for Moon Cakes. The dinner table is the best for forum  to close business deals ,and it's the number one thing to do with friends. Chinese women express their admiration for the opposite sex by cooking delicious meals of many courses, and these days it's the other way round too. In short, if you want to get to know Chinese people, understand Chinese culture and thinking and get into Chinese life, you have to eat and appreciate Chinese food. \n Question: What is the best title of this passage? \n Options: (A) Eating Food in China (B) How Do Chinese People Eat Food (C) The Importance of Chinese Food (D) Different Foods for Different Chinese Food", "neg": "Article: Although travelers can try dishes from around China and the globe in well-known food cities like Beijing and Shanghai, it is outside these major metropolises where a world of exciting Chinese cuisine  awaits the true foodie . With this in mind and after three years of living in China and writing about Chinese food, I started a six-month journey with my husband and two daughters. Here are four of the eight most amazing Chinese food cities I've come across so far. The list is in no particular order. 1. Chengdu, Sichuan Province Crowned as Asia's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy  in 2010, Chengdu is best-known for its fiery hot pot and spicy dishes, which are characterized by the use of Sichuan pepper and are usually layered with salty, sour and sweet flavors. There are also dishes that aren't spicy at all, such as beer-braised duck. Hot pot is as _ in the city as the smell of chili. At Zigong Delicious Hotpot, the house specialty  tiaoshui wa is a cauldron  of fiery chili  to which vegetables, noodles or other meats can be added. For a real taste of Sichuan's signature pepper, hua jiao, spend a morning at the Chengdu Spice Market where the locals sell and buy it by the sack. 2. Lanzhou, Gansu Province Synonymous in the minds of food-lovers with hand-pulled beef noodles, Lanzhou also has one of the liveliest street food night markets in China. Just west of the city center, the buzzing Zhengning Road bazaar houses more than 100 street food stalls. Available is a broad selection of hot and cold dishes with emphasis on local Hui cuisine. No trip to Lanzhou is complete without feasting on noodles at Wumule Penhui, the 2012 winners of Lanzhou's annual pulled noodle competition. The halal restaurant makes noodles spicy enough to satisfy even the most hardened heat-seekers. 3. Guangzhou, Guangdong Province The birthplace of Cantonese food, Guangzhou is thought by many as the best place to eat in China. The city of 12 million has a passionate food culture, with equal excitement reserved for the opening of a hole-in-the-wall congee joint and a high-end restaurant. The local cuisine is characterized by fresh clean flavors , seafood, barbecued meats and the wonderful tradition of yum cha, which is tea drinking accompanied by dumplings and small dishes. Congee is the way locals love to start their day, and one of the most popular vendors is Ru Xuan Sha Guo Zhou. Here, one can get a bowl of signature seafood congee any hour of the day. Roast meats are Bing Sheng's most popular order--their roast goose is marinated with five-spice, boiled, air-dried, then roasted by a flame oven to give a crisp skin. For something more home style and removed from the madness of downtown, head to Ji Cun for steamed chicken and simple farmer-style dishes. 4. Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province This ancient canal city is home to huangjiu, an amber-colored rice wine that's important in Chinese cooking. Open since 1894, the dining chain is known by almost every Chinese for its appearance in early 20th century novels by Chinese literati Lu Xun. Xianheng's delicacies include crispy-skinned chicken, smoked red dates in rice wine, beans flavored with fennel , and crispy bream in rice wine. Fried fermented tofu is also a local specialty, which is available all over town at small street stalls including one just outside Xianheng. \n Question: The writer's purpose of the passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) share her story and impression on Chinese cuisines (B) tell readers how to comment on amazing Chinese food cities (C) talk the readers into enjoying the signature food such as hand-pulled noodles (D) express her preference for fiery hot pot and spicy dishes in Chengdu.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}329{"query": "Article: When people talk about Golden Age in Leadville, Horace Austin Warner Tabor and his second wife, Elizabeth McCourt must be included. Their story is becoming one of the legends of the Old West. H.A.W.Tabor was a school teacher in Vermont. With his first wife and two children he left Vermont in 1855 to settle in Kansas. Perhaps he was attracted by rumors of fortunes to be made in Colorado mines. A few years later he moved west to the small Colorado mining camp known as California Gulch, which he later renamed Leadville when he became its leading citizen. \"Great deposits of lead are sure to be found here.\"he said. As it turned out, it was silver, not lead, that was to make Leadville's fortune and wealth. Tabor knew little about mining himself, so he opened a general store selling everything from boots to salt, flour, and tobacco. He often \"grubstook\" miners, in other words, to supply them with food and supplies, or\"grub\", while they looked for more. In return he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered. He did this for several years,but nobody he helped ever found anything of value. Finally one day in the year 1878, so the story goes, two miners came               in               and asked for \"grub\".Tabor had decided to quit supplying it because he had lost too much money that way. They were persistent, however, and Tabor was too busy to argue with them, \" Oh help yourself. One more time won't make any difference,\" He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers. The two miners took $17 worth of supplies, in return for which they gave Tabor a one-third interest in their findings. They picked a barren place on the mountain side and began to dig. After nine days they struck a rich amount of silver. Tabor bought the shares of the other two men, and so the mine belonged to him alone. This mine, known as the \"Pittsburgh Mine,\"made $300 000 for Tabor in return for his $17 investment.                Later Tabor bought the Matchless Mine on another barren hillside just outside the town for $117 000. This turned out to be even more successful than the Pittsburgh, earning $35 000 worth of silver per day at one time. Leadville grew. Tabor became its first mayor. \n Question: According to the passage, why was Tabor able to achieve great success in Leadville? \n Options: (A) His wise decisions helped him achieve goals. (B) He knew miners there were poor. (C) He succeeded quite by accident. (D) His second wife helped him a lot.", "pos": "Article: If Catlin was the painter of the American Indians and Bierstadt the painter of the Rocky Mountains, the artist of the Western cowboys and settlers was Remington. Born in New York, the son of a wealthy publisher, Remington was a boxer and a football player at Yale University -- the last man would expect to become the artist of the Old West. But as a boy he loved horses and fed on the journals of some famous writers.  At the age of nineteen, he left college to look for adventures. He traveled from Montana to Texas as a prospector . Remington had always been interested in journalism. Now he began to write about and to paint and draw what he saw. The subject of the \"Winning of the West\" attracted the East. Magazines and newspapers were filled with account of prospectors' adventures, and of battles with cattle thieves and other outlaws -- all the tales that were then news and have become legends since. There were also stories by many other writers. Often these were presented by drawings and paintings from Remington's hand, but it was as a successful journalist that Remington was a great artist. \n Question: In his pictures, Remington often painted   _  . \n Options: (A) the prospectors' stories (B) mountains and rivers (C) horse races (D) American Indians", "neg": "Article: In 1859,during the Gold Rush,a twenty- year-old immigrant from Bavaria named Levi Strauss stepped off the boat in San Francisco. He had with him a special cloth called Serge de Nimes that was later called denim in America. Levi Strauss hoped to sell the denim as material to make tents and covers for wagons to the men who were going to the goldfields to look for gold. \"You should have brought trousers to sell. In the goldfields we need strong trousers that don't wear out,\"one young miner advised Strauss. So Levi Strauss took some of his denim to the nearest tailor and had him make the miner a pair of trousers. The miner was so pleased that he told other miners about the wonderful newcomer,Levi,and soon Levi Strauss had to open a shop,producing enough trousers for the miners. The miners wanted trousers that were comfortable to ride in and were low cut so that they could bend over easily to pick up the gold from under their feet. Besides they wanted the trousers to have big useful pockets. One miner complained that the gold in his pockets kept tearing them. So Levi put metal corners in the pockets to make them stronger. Very soon,miners and cowboys from all over came to get fitted up with Levi's trousers. Today more than a hundred years later, Levi's trousers walk the world a Levi's blue jeans . \n Question: The denim cloth was originally meant for  _  . \n Options: (A) making tent covers and wagons (B) making tents for wagons (C) making trousers for the miners (D) making wagon covers and tents", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}330{"query": "Article: In the market of luxury   brands, Chinese consumers are only second to the Japanese in the world. Across the globe it's clear that the young generation are increasingly relying on expensive brands for their self-image. Personally I am a fashion-lover, at least in spirit. I love to look at clothes and shoes. But I don't understand why people spend large amounts of money on designer labels. Certainly, young people, whether in China or elsewhere, should be building their self-confidence in other ways. When a young woman shows off a handbag worth two months' salary, that's a scary thing. What are the psychological factors forcing young people to take on debt for designer items? The desire to say, \"Hey, look at me. I'm wealthy. I have social status.\" Scientists have found the acquisition of luxury brands doesn't lead to happiness. Study after study has shown that, although we are born to desire material possessions, when we get them, we don't suddenly become \"happy people\". In fact, a series of studies by Leaf Van Boven at the University of Colorado, US, have shown that individuals who invest   in travel and other experiences get more pleasure than those who invest in material things. That's because experiences are more easily combined into a person's identity. If I travel to Yunnan, that adventure affects how I think. My memories entertain my friends and colleagues. It follows, then, that investing in experiences improves my chances for successful social relationships. Moreover, as Van Boven has observed, young people who pursue happiness through \"things\" are liked less by others than young people who seek happiness through experiences.  This research is pretty solid, but I suspect it won't persuade young people not to desire a style. It's natural to want to express yourself through your appearance. So my advice is, create a look that isn't tied to a designer label.  You don't have to  _ to send a message about who you are. Take a trip. Go out into the world. Then come back and confidently create your own signature look. \n Question: This passage is written here in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) encourage young people to travel (B) persuade young people to seek experience happiness (C) report the result of a series of researches (D) advise young people to save money", "pos": "Article: Women love shoes! They will sometimes go to look for the perfect pair of shoes to wear only once with the perfect outfit or the fashion of the day. Once worn, these fashionable designer shoes may spend weeks, months, or years in the closet without being worn again until another special occasion comes up. With that said, are expensive designer shoes really worth their cost? Historically, shoes were invented to free feet from sharp rocks, hot sands, and blisters. Shoes were made to be simple and functional, with tough leather soles and straps. As society became more sophisticated  , the role of shoes changed; shoes were made to add status to the wearer. Shoe designers began to work on the production of fashion shoes for the wealthy; shoes meant more for show than for practical use or simplicity. Good shoemakers became well known and printed symbols on their shoes, so people could recognize the maker of that particular design. Designer shoes were thus born. Many women develop serious problems with their feet after wearing these designer shoes during the workday and the medical costs for dealing with these problems can get very high. Some popular makers of designer shoes have been working towards combining comfort and practical use into their shoes, but it has been noted that women still go for style, beauty and uniqueness above everything else. So to answer the question as to whether or not designer shoes are worth the cost, the answer is certainly yes, but be smart and invest in a pair of comfortable, not so stylish shoes for the days when you stay outdoors for hours! They can also be very expensive, but I can surely say that they are worth the cost. \n Question: When shoes were first made, their main use was to   _  . \n Options: (A) increase the wearer's image (B) protect the wearer from discomfort (C) make the wearer more noticeable (D) show the simplicity of life", "neg": "Article: Do you love Beats headphones, True Religion jeans, and UGG shoes? These are some of the most popular brands   around. They are also expensive. But some experts say they are not much better than cheaper brands. For example, Jim Wilcox works for Consumer Reports. He tested all kinds of headphones. He says that $80 Koss Pro headphones provide basically the same quality   and comfort as Beats. So why do people pay twice or even 10 times as much for the hottest brands? Experts say it's because fashionable, expensive brands send a message. Brands say \"I belong\" or \"I can afford it.\" Some people think that expensive brand names are worth the price. They say that some designer clothes really are top quality and that they last longer than cheaper brands. Some teenagers choose to wear popular brands because these brands make them feel good about themselves. Alexandra Allam, 17, likes to buy brand-name products. \"I'd rather spend the extra money to get something I know I'll be satisfied with,\" she says. Her friend Emmy Swan agrees, saying \"As long as you can afford it, it seems reasonable to buy what you want.\" But not all teenagers agree. \"Spending hundreds of dollars for designer sunglasses is stupid and unreasonable,\" says Daniel Steinbrecher, 16. \"It's fake   happiness.\" People who are against wearing expensive brand names say that many designer brands aren't any better. \"It's wasteful to buy things just because they are popular,\" says Edmund Williams, 15. \"You'll feel better if you buy things because you like them. If you have extra money to spend, it would be better to give it to people in need.\" \n Question: The example of Jim's report wants to tell us   _  . \n Options: (A) popular brands make people comfortable (B) Koss Pro headphones are better than Beats (C) the hottest brands are of the highest quality (D) less-known brands may offer the same quality as name brands", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}331{"query": "Article: Women love shoes! They will sometimes go to look for the perfect pair of shoes to wear only once with the perfect outfit or the fashion of the day. Once worn, these fashionable designer shoes may spend weeks, months, or years in the closet without being worn again until another special occasion comes up. With that said, are expensive designer shoes really worth their cost? Historically, shoes were invented to free feet from sharp rocks, hot sands, and blisters. Shoes were made to be simple and functional, with tough leather soles and straps. As society became more sophisticated  , the role of shoes changed; shoes were made to add status to the wearer. Shoe designers began to work on the production of fashion shoes for the wealthy; shoes meant more for show than for practical use or simplicity. Good shoemakers became well known and printed symbols on their shoes, so people could recognize the maker of that particular design. Designer shoes were thus born. Many women develop serious problems with their feet after wearing these designer shoes during the workday and the medical costs for dealing with these problems can get very high. Some popular makers of designer shoes have been working towards combining comfort and practical use into their shoes, but it has been noted that women still go for style, beauty and uniqueness above everything else. So to answer the question as to whether or not designer shoes are worth the cost, the answer is certainly yes, but be smart and invest in a pair of comfortable, not so stylish shoes for the days when you stay outdoors for hours! They can also be very expensive, but I can surely say that they are worth the cost. \n Question: When shoes were first made, their main use was to   _  . \n Options: (A) increase the wearer's image (B) protect the wearer from discomfort (C) make the wearer more noticeable (D) show the simplicity of life", "pos": "Article: In the market of luxury   brands, Chinese consumers are only second to the Japanese in the world. Across the globe it's clear that the young generation are increasingly relying on expensive brands for their self-image. Personally I am a fashion-lover, at least in spirit. I love to look at clothes and shoes. But I don't understand why people spend large amounts of money on designer labels. Certainly, young people, whether in China or elsewhere, should be building their self-confidence in other ways. When a young woman shows off a handbag worth two months' salary, that's a scary thing. What are the psychological factors forcing young people to take on debt for designer items? The desire to say, \"Hey, look at me. I'm wealthy. I have social status.\" Scientists have found the acquisition of luxury brands doesn't lead to happiness. Study after study has shown that, although we are born to desire material possessions, when we get them, we don't suddenly become \"happy people\". In fact, a series of studies by Leaf Van Boven at the University of Colorado, US, have shown that individuals who invest   in travel and other experiences get more pleasure than those who invest in material things. That's because experiences are more easily combined into a person's identity. If I travel to Yunnan, that adventure affects how I think. My memories entertain my friends and colleagues. It follows, then, that investing in experiences improves my chances for successful social relationships. Moreover, as Van Boven has observed, young people who pursue happiness through \"things\" are liked less by others than young people who seek happiness through experiences.  This research is pretty solid, but I suspect it won't persuade young people not to desire a style. It's natural to want to express yourself through your appearance. So my advice is, create a look that isn't tied to a designer label.  You don't have to  _ to send a message about who you are. Take a trip. Go out into the world. Then come back and confidently create your own signature look. \n Question: This passage is written here in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) encourage young people to travel (B) persuade young people to seek experience happiness (C) report the result of a series of researches (D) advise young people to save money", "neg": "Article: In department stores and closets all over the world, they are waiting. Their outward appearance seems rather appealing because they come in a variety of styles, patterns, materials, and color1s. But they are eventually the biggest deception   that exists in the fashion industry today. What are they? They are high heels   -- a woman's worst enemy (whether she knows it or not). High heel shoes are the downfall of modern society. Fashion myths have led women to believe that they are more beautiful or stylish for wearing heels, but in reality, heels succeed in creating short as well as long term troubles. Women should fight the high heel industry by refusing to use or purchase them in order to save the world from unnecessary physical and psychological suffering. For the sake of fairness, it must be noted that there is a positive side to high heels. First, heels are excellent for aerating lawns  . Anyone who has ever worn heels on grass knows what I am talking about. A simple trip around the yard in a pair of those babiesgets rid of all the need to call for a lawn care specialist, and provides the perfect-sized holes to give any lawn oxygen without all those messy blocks of dirt lying around. Second, heels are quite functional for defending against oncoming enemies, who can easily be scared away by threatening them with a pair of these sharp, deadly fashion items. Regardless of such practical uses for heels, the fact remains that wearing high heels is harmful to one's physical health. Talk to any podiatrist  , and you will hear that the majority of their business comes from high-heel-wearing women. High heels are known to cause problems such as misshapen feet and torn toenails. The risk of severe back problems and twisted or broken ankles is three times higher for a high heel wearer than for a flat shoe wearer. Wearing heels also creates the threat of getting a heel caught in a narrow sidewalk gap and being thrown to the ground--possibly breaking a nose, back, or neck. And of course, after wearing heels for a day, any woman knows she can look forward to a night of pain as she tries to comfort her aching feet. \n Question: Women don't take the disadvantages of high heels too seriously because of   _  . \n Options: (A) the multi-functional use of high heels (B) their attempt to show off their status (C) the rich variety of high heel styles (D) their wish to improve their appearance", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}332{"query": "Article: Are you the kind of person who likes staying in unusual places? If the answer is \"yes\", then try the world's coldest hotel in Jukkasjarvi in the north of Sweden. But go in winter to all you'll find is a pool of water, because the hotel melts every spring! The man who runs the Artic Hall Hotel is Nils Yngve Bergqvist. He built his first ice building for an art exhibition in 1991 and he designed the present hotel-over 200 meters square-himself. It took workmen about two months to pile 1,000 tons of snow onto a wooden base. As the weather got colder, the snow froze and then they removed the base. The whole building and everything in it are made of snow-except for the wooden front door. There's a theatre which Nils uses for a jazz club, a radio station and a large ice bar. As you can imagine, hot drinks are popular with the guests! The rooms have no doors; there's no furniture, no heating and everyone sleeps on ice beds. But the 800 people who stayed at the hotel this winter seemed to like it. If you want to stay in one of he ten ice rooms, it will cost you about Y=30 a night. You will receive a survival certificate from the manager. When the winter's over, Nils holds his annual contest to predict the day that the hotel will fall. The person that guessed the day correctly last year received a large painting from an Artic Hall exhibition. Nils' ice hotel is becoming world famous and he loves his work. He's already excited about his next project-an ice hotel that will have more complicated architectural features and, he says, will be bigger and better. \n Question: Which of the following about the Artic Hall Hotel is NOT true? \n Options: (A) It is the coldest hotel in the world. (B) You can go to the hotel in spring. (C) The hotel is in the north of Sweden. (D) Nils Yngve Bergqvist is the owner of the hotel.", "pos": "Article: The Ice Hotel Are you going into skiing? Is winter your favorite time of year? If you like snow and ice, maybe you should stay at Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada. But, you can only check in at this hotel during the winter. Why ? Because this hotel is built every December. It has 32 rooms and 80 people can stay there each night. The hotel even has a movie theatre, art gallery, and church. Of course, all of these parts of the hotel are made of ice. In fact, all the furniture, art, lights, and even plates and drinking glasses are made out of ice. Because this hotel is so unusual, it is becoming very popular. People from all over the world come to the Ice Hotel to look at the fantastic ice art, drink and eat from designed ice dishes and experience the unique atmosphere  . Some couples have even got married in the hotel's ice church. But all these guests keep their winter coats on! Because of all the ice, the temperature inside the hotel is always between - 2oC and - 5oC. Surprisingly, sleeping is not a problem in the freezing cold hotel rooms. Every guest gets a special cold-weather sleeping bag and some fur blankets. These keep the room cozy and warm until morning. \n Question: What is the main idea of this reading? \n Options: (A) How the Ice Hotel is built (B) What makes the Ice Hotel special (C) Why the Ice Hotel is made of ice (D) The services of the Ice Hotel", "neg": "Article: Ariau Amazon Towers The Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, book the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for a big family. You'll be thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways. Prices: starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite. The Ice Hotel Every winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience. Prices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one. Propeller Island Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes. Prices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars. \n Question: What is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel? \n Options: (A) You can sleep in tree houses. (B) You can choose any of the towers. (C) It is designed for big families. (D) Every room has a walkway.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}333{"query": "Article: Working Wives  Last week, we published an article about modern marriage. A recent survey showed that in England 51 percent of married women go out to work . people were asked what they thought of \"working wives\". The results were as follow:                     Men         Women In favor       70%         80% Against              10%         20% Don't know           20%         0% We asked readers to write and tell us their opinions. Here are some of the hundreds of letters we received. I'm a (woman)photographer. I make plenty of money, travel a lot, and meet a lot of people. I enjoy my work, and would hate to stay at home. I would never marry a man who wanted me to give up my work. Ms. Jojo O Leary Hampstead  At present there are over 1,000,000 unemployed men in Britain. If a woman gets a job, she puts one more man out of work. Perhaps that man has a wife and twelve children to support. Let women stay at home where they belong. Ted Stubbs Southend  I am a mother of twelve children. When I go to work, my husband looks after the children. He is very good with the children and enjoys staying at home with them. And I enjoy my job as a bus driver.                                                                 Mrs E. Boot                                                                Battersea We are twin sisters, who both got married recently. One of us (Doreen)kept her job. The other(Doris)gave up her job. But Doris gets bored staying at home, and Doreen gets bored going out to work .So now Doreen works for a week, while Doris stays at home. Then Doris Doreen's job for a week, while Doreen stays at home. At work, they never know if it's Doreen who's working today!                                                           Doris and Doreen Bean                                                           Hendon \n Question: Last week we published an article about   _  . \n Options: (A) marriage nowadays (B) working women (C) working wives (D) a strange marriage", "pos": "Article: The struggle to \"have it all\" leaves many mothers giving up their health and hobbies. But dads have more time to spare according to a research, with just 55 per cent saying they lose sleep and regular exercise compared with 71 percent of mums. Twice as many mothers as fathers complained that they did not spend enough time relaxing, with almost half of mums spending less than two hours a week with friends. And more than a third miss out on hobbies and interests because they are too busy. In spite of changing roles in the family, women are still responsible for most of the child care. Nearly a third spend more than 10 hours a week caring for their children, compared with just one in ten fathers. More mums than dads also say housework and tiredness stop them achieving their goals. But the research also shows mums gain a sense of achievement from finishing the housework, getting their children to school on time or sitting down to a family dinner. The research underlines the fact that women feel under pressure to succeed in all areas of their lives. As Nick Booth, a marketing director put, \"They are pushing themselves too hard and are in danger of burning out. We'd encourage anyone to take time out for themselves. Having your own interests and hobbies and ensuring you get enough sleep is hugely important. Other parts of your life, including work and family life, improve as a result.\"  The Olympian  and mother Jo Pavey admitted balancing career, family and personal time can be a struggle. Jo, 41, became the oldest female gold medalist at the European Championship last year - but regards her children as her biggest achievement. The mum of two said,\"When I was younger,I'd have probably said it wasn't possible to have a sporting career and be mum. But actually it is all about striking a balance and looking after yourself.\" \n Question: Which of the following prevents mums from achieving their goals? \n Options: (A) Being tired with much housework. (B) Lacking their own interests and hobbies. (C) Looking after their children all the time. (D) Spending little time enjoying themselves.", "neg": "Article: Some futurologists have assumed that the vast upsurge  of women in the workforce may mean a rejection of marriage. Many women, according to this hypothesis, would rather work than marry. The converse  of this concern is that becoming a multi-paycheck household could encourage marriage. In the past, only the earnings and financial prospects of the man counted in the marriage decision. Now, however, the earning ability of a woman can make her more attractive as a marriage partner. Data show that economic downturns tend to put off marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead. As the economy comes to life, the number of marriages also rises. The increase in divorce rates follows to the increase in women working outside the home. Yet, it may be wrong to jump to any simple cause-and-effect conclusions. The impact of a wife's work on divorce is no less cloudy than its impact on marriage decisions. The realization that she can be a good provider may increase the chances that a working wife will choose divorce over an unsatisfactory marriage. But the reverse is equally plausible . Tensions grounded in financial problems often play a key role in ending a marriage. By raising a family's standard of living, a working wife may strengthen her family's financial and emotional stability. Psychological factors also should be considered. For example, a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. She may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. On the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union. Also, a major part of women's inequality in marriage has been due to the fact that, in most cases, men have remained the main breadwinners. A working wife may rob a husband of being the master of the house. Depending upon how the couple reacts to these new conditions, it could create a stronger equal partnership or it could create new insecurities. \n Question: It is said in the passage that when the economy falls  _ \n Options: (A) men would choose working women as their marriage partners (B) more women would get married to seek financial security (C) even working women would worry about their marriages (D) more people would prefer to remain single for the time being", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}334{"query": "Article: Most of us spend our lives seeking the natural world.We go fishing,sit in the garden,have a picnic,live in the suburbs or go to the seaside.The most popular leisure activity in Britain is going for a walk.When joggers jog,they don't run the streets.Every one of them tend to go to the park or the river. But despite this,our children are growing up nature deprived .I spent my boyhood climbing trees.These days,children are robbed of these ancient freedoms,due to problems like crime,traffic,the loss of the open spaces and strange new ideas about what is best for children,that is to say,things that can be bought,rather than things that can be found. The truth is to be found elsewhere.A study in the US: families had moved to better housing and the children were assessed for ADHD--attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .Those whose accommodation had more natural views showed an improvement of 19%; those who had the same improvement in material surroundings but no nice view improved just 4%. ADHD is one of the great problems of modern childhood.One study after another indicates that contact with nature gives huge benefits to ADHD children.However,we spend money on drugs rather than on green places. The life of old people is measurably better when they have access to nature.The increasing concern for the growing population of old people is in quality rather than quantity of years.And study after study finds that a garden is the single most important thing in finding that quality.Even problems with crime and aggressive behaviour are reduced when there is contact with the natural world. We need the wild world.It is essential to our well-being,our health and our happiness. \n Question: According to the author,people enjoy   _   to seek nature. \n Options: (A) jogging on the street (B) sitting in the garden (C) shopping in the supermarket (D) running in the gym", "pos": "Article: Do you enjoy seeing the stars twinkling at night ? Or do you love the ocean and sea, diving and racing with lovely dolphins? With heavy burdens on their shoulders, teenagers find it hard to pull out. Even if they are free, they prefer to occupy themselves with computer games or watching TV. How to get children away from screens is a great concern for parents. Now there is some good news for those concerned parents and teachers. A campaign is being launched to encourage children to surrender 30 minutes of screen time a day to head for the great outdoors. The newly formed Wild Network - a collaboration of nearly 400 organizations - is attempting to attract youngsters away from television and computer screen and into fields, woods and parks. Organizers say it is the UK's biggest ever campaign to reconnect children with nature and outdoor play, and claim it could help improve fitness, mental alertness and general well-being. A documentary film, Project Wild Thing, will herald the launch at more than 50 cinemas across the UK from Friday. It looks at the increasingly fragile link between children and nature. Members of the network include the National Trust, RSPB, Play England and the NHS sustainable development unit. Andy Simpson, chairman of the Wild Network, said: \"The tragic truth is that kids have lost touch with nature and the outdoors in just one generation. Time spent outdoors is down, roaming ranges have fallen drastically, activity levels are declining and the ability to identify common species has been lost.\" Suggestions of how to get more time in nature include collecting conkers , camping or snail racing, and observing autumn colour on trees. From January, the network will aim to make suggestions to politicians on how government can do more _  This is not the first time the message of less screen, more play has been brought up. Children in the 1980s were entreated to do the same by the BBC TV series Why Don't You, which somewhat confusingly called on its viewers to \"switch off your TV set, and go do something less boring instead\". \n Question: What is the main purpose of the campaign in UK? \n Options: (A) To save 30 minutes for watching TV programme each day. (B) To encourage children to play outdoors. (C) To see the documentary film, Project Wild Thing. (D) To teach students how to learn more efficiently in schools.", "neg": "Article: What do you remember about your childhood? I have good memories of exploring  the fields near my house and riding my bike around the park. Today, children don't spend enough time in the fresh air. Many of them fix their eyes on a screen either on a computer, or a TV ---they seem to be living in a _ world. They have lost touch with nature. Now 400 organizations in the UK are encouraging children to have some \"wild time\". They want kids to exchange at least 30 minutes of watching TV or playing computer games for time playing outside. The simple pleasures of exploring and discovering nature help children to learn and keep fit too. Andy Simpson, who is part of the campaign , says: \"An extra 30 minutes of wild time every day for all under 12-year-olds in the UK would be the equivalent  of just three months of their childhood spent outdoors.\" Even if the kids live in a city, they can go on adventures in the garden or the park. However, children often need a helping hand from Mum and Dad. They need to be shown what to do and where to go. So despite  the complex  world that young people grow up in now, it seems that going back to basics and experiencing \"nature's playground \" is what modern children need. Andy Simpson adds: \"We want parents to see what this magical \"playground\" does for their kids' development , independence and creativity  , by giving wild time a go \" . David Bond from Project Wild Thing says, \"We need to make more space for wild time in children's daily routine, freeing this generation of kids to have the sort of experiences that many of us took for granted. \" \n Question: What does the author think about the present kids? \n Options: (A) They depend on their parents too much. (B) They're eager to play with their parents. (C) They spend too much time playing outside. (D) They don't get close to nature.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}335{"query": "Article: Hubert Joseph Schlafly was an electrical engineer who helped change the way actors, politicians and other people speak on television. In 1950, he and two other men developed the teleprompter. One co-worker, Fred Barton, was an actor. He had an idea for a tool that would help television actors read their lines without having to memorize them. The other co-worker was Irving Kahn. He worked as vice-president of radio and television at 20thCentury Fox. The first teleprompter involved a person who held a long piece of paper printed with big letters. As the actor read the lines, another person would move the paper ahead on the device . The teleprompter was first used on a television program called \"The First Hundred Years.\" Later versions used television screens to show the words that were to be read. Hub Schlafly and his co-workers believed that many companies would want to buy the teleprompter. So, they left their jobs and created the TelePrompTer Corporation to sell their invention. In 1952, former President Herbert Hoover became the first politician to use a teleprompter. The former president was speaking at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, USA. For a brief time, he stopped reading and began to talk about a subject not written in his speech. When Hoover wanted to continue the speech, the words on the teleprompter were not moving. He then said the machine should be restarted and viewers became aware of the new invention. Many reporters wrote about that incident, creating a new level of publicity for the teleprompter. Soon more and more politicians started to use it to face the television camera while reading prepared statements, instead of looking down at their notes. Then the device was used for almost all live television broadcasts. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) A new form of TV program. (B) A great US electrical engineer. (C) The influence of an electrical company. (D) The history of a useful electrical device.", "pos": "Article: Forget Twitter and Facebook, Google and the Kindle. Television is still the most influential medium around. Indeed, for many of the poorest regions of the world, it remains the next big thing--finally becomes globally available. And that is a good thing, because the TV revolution is changing lives for the better. Across the developing world, around 45% of families had a TV in 1995; by 2005 the number had climbed above 60% . That is some way behind the U.S. ,where there are more TVs than people, and where people now easily get access to the Internet. Five million more families in sub-Saharan Africa will get a TV over the next five years. In 2005 , after the fall of the Taliban ,which had banned TV, I in 5 Afghans had one. The global total is another 150 million by 2013--pushing the numbers to well beyond two thirds of families. Television's most powerful effect will be on the lives of women. In India, researchers Robert Jensen and Emily Oster found that when TVs reached villages, women were more likely to go to the market without their husbands approval and less likely to want a boy rather than a girl. They were more likely to make decisions over child health care. TV is also a powerful medium for adult education. In the Indian state of Gujarat, Chitrageet is a popular show that plays Bollywood songs with words in Gujarati on the screen. Within six months, viewers had made a small but significant improvement in their reading skills. Too much TV has been associated with violence, overweight and loneliness. However, TV is having a positive influence on the lives of billions worldwide. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Americans used to get access to the Internet easily. (B) The world's TV sets will total 150 million by 2013. (C) 45% of families in the developing countries had a TV in 2005. (D) Over two thirds of families in the world will have a TV by 2013.", "neg": "Article: A \"talk show\" is a show organized mainly around talk. Television talk shows have been around since the dawn of radio. Thus the start of talk shows' golden age can be considered as 1948, even though television wasn't common in American homes until the 1950s. From 1949 to 1973, nearly half of all daytime programming was talk. Why are there so many talk shows? A talk show costs less than $100,000 per episode  to produce whereas many of today's TV series cost more than $1 million an episode. Thus , if successful, it can produce handsome profits . Still, it takes a lot of work . Since 1948, hundreds of talk shows have come and gone, with only a few having true staying power. There are several types of talk shows , but while the styles might vary, the format  is limited. What we are most used to is the informal guest-host format, in which shows'hosts welcome famous people or other talk -worthy persons for an informal discussion. The second most common format is the public issues show, in which hosts interview people in the news or experts in a given field. Shows that follow this format include both morning news programs and \"issue\" talk shows: The Museum of Broadcast Communications' Bernard M. Timberg notes two governing principles of all successful talk shows: The host is everything :The host has a high degree of control over their show, from subject matter to comedic atmosphere . They are also the show's  brand and are responsible for it. The host can attract and refuse guests, organize their program and , in many cases, name a successor  when they retire. Right here, right now: The second rule is that a talk show must be experienced in the present tense, whether it is broadcast live or taped in front of an audience earlier in the day. They should feel fresh, as if they are happening in the moment, even if the show is a 10-year -old rerun. \n Question: What is an advantage of talk shows? \n Options: (A) They are easy to make. (B) They are cheap to produce. (C) They come in varied formats. (D) They remain successful for a long time.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}336{"query": "Article: Most people believe they don't have imagination. They are wrong. Everyone has imagination, but most of us,once we became adults, forget how to access it. Creativity isn't always connected with great works of art or ideas. People at work and in their free time routinely think of creative ways to solve problems. Maybe you have a goal to achieve,a tricky question to answer or you just want to expand your mind! Here are three techniques to help you. This technique involves taking unrelated ideas and trying to find links between them. First,think about the problem you have to solve or the job you need to do. Then find an image,word,idea or object,for example,a candle. Write down all the ideas/words associated with candles:light,fire,matches, wax,night,silence,etc. Think of as many as you can. The next stage is to relate the ideas to the job you have to do. So imagine you want to buy a friend an original present; you could buy him tickets to a match or take him out for the night. Imagine that normal limitations don't exist. You have as much time/space/money,etc. as you want. Think about your goal and the new possibilities. If,for example,your goal is to learn to ski, you can now practice skiing every day of your life (because you have the time and the money). Now adapt this to reality. Maybe you can practice skiing every day in December,or every Monday in January. Look at the situation from a different point of view. Good negotiators use this technique in business,and so do writers. Fiction writers often imagine they are the characters in their books. They ask questions: what does this character want? Why can't she get it? What changes must she make to get what she wants? What does she dream about? If your goal involves other people, put yourself \"in their shoes\". The best fishermen think like fish! \n Question: According to the passage, when we become adults,   _   . \n Options: (A) most of us are no longer creative (B) we can still learn to be more creative (C) we are not as imaginative as children (D) we are unwilling to be creative", "pos": "Article: History is full of cases where dreams have been a pathway to creativity and discovery. A striking example is provided by Dr. Otto Loewi, a pharmacologist and winner of a Nobel Prize. Loewi had spent years studying the chemical transmission  of nerve impulses  . A major breakthrough in his research came when he dreamed of an experiment three nights in a row. On the first two nights he woke up and wrote down the experiment quickly and untidily on paper. But the next morning, he couldn't tell what the notes meant. On the third night, he got up after having the dream. This time, instead of making notes he went straight to his laboratory and performed the important experiment. Loewi later said that if the experiment had occurred to him while awake he would not have given it another thought. Loewi's experiment gives some insight into using dreams to produce creative solutions. Nervous feelings are reduced during dreaming, which may be especially useful in solving problems that require a fresh point of view.  Being able to take advantage of dreams for solving is improved if you \"set\" yourself before sleeping. Before you go to bed, try to think intently about a problem you wish to solve. Bury yourself in the problem by stating it clearly and reviewing all relevant information. Then use the suggestions listed in the previous section to catch your dreams. Although this method is not guaranteed to produce an original solution or a new insight, it is certain to be an adventure. About half of a group of college students using the method for a week recalled a dream that helped them solve a personal problem.www.ks5u.com \n Question: Through Loewi's experiment, the author tries to prove that   _  . \n Options: (A) very little is really known about the meaning of dreams (B) dreams can be useful in producing creative solutions to one's problems (C) it is possible to \"catch\" one's dreams by planning before going to sleep (D) it helped in the study of transmission of nerve impulses", "neg": "Article: If you look up the word \"create\" in the dictionary , you will find it means \"to bring into being, to cause something each of us does daily to exist\". We are creative whenever we look at or think about something in a new way. First, this includes an awareness of our surroundings.It means using all of our senses to become aware of our world.This may be as simple as being aware of color and texture , as well as taste, when we plan a meal.Above all, it is the ability to notice things that others might miss. A second part of creativity is an ability to see relationships among things.There is nothing new under the sun. The creativity is remaking or recombining  the old in new ways. For example, we might do this by finding a more effective way to study or a better way to arrange our furniture, or we might make a new combination of camera lenses and filters to create an unusual photograph. A third part of creativity is the courage and drive to make use of our new ideas, to ask for them to achieve some new results.To think up a new idea is one thing; to put the idea to work is another. These three parts of creativity are included in all the great works of geniuses, but they are also included in many of our day-to-day activities.(257 words) \n Question: Which of the following activities is NOT a creative one according to the passage? \n Options: (A) To prepare for a meal. (B) To arrange the furniture in a special way. (C) To buy some books from a bookstore. (D) To \"write\" a letter with the computer.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}337{"query": "Article: British MPs   have voted in favour of the creation of babies with DNA from two women and one man, in a historic move. The UK is now set to become the first country to introduce laws to allow the creation of babies from three people. In a free vote in the Commons, 382 MPs were in favour and 128 against the technique that stops genetic diseases being passed from mother to child. During the debate, ministers said the technique was \"light at the end of a dark tunnel\" for families. A further vote is required in the House of Lords. If everything goes ahead then the first such baby could be born next year. Supporters said it was \"good news for progressive medicine\" but critics say they will continue to fight against the technique that they say raises too many ethical   and safety concerns. Estimates suggest 150 three-person babies could be born each year. Prime Minister David Cameron said: \"We're not playing god here; we're just making sure that two parents who want a healthy baby can have one.\" The method, which was developed in Newcastle, should help women like Sharon Bernadi, from Sunderland, who lost all seven of her children to mitochondrial   disease. Ms Bernadi said she was \"overwhelmed\" by the decision. Mitochondria are the tiny compartments   inside nearly every cell of the body that transform food into useable energy. They have their own DNA, which does not affect characteristics such as appearance. _ mitochondria are passed down only from the mother. They can lead to brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness. The technique uses a modified version to combine the DNA of the two parents with the healthy mitochondria of a donor woman. It results in babies with 0.1% of their DNA from the second woman and is a permanent change that would be passed down through the generations. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? \n Options: (A) The new technique is intended to provide the parents a healthy baby. (B) The mitochondrial disease can lead to various fatal illnesses. (C) Britain is the first country to have created three-person babies. (D) All of Ms Bernadi's children died of a genetic disease.", "pos": "Article: Scientists in UK have grown a living human \"brain\". The team at Aston University created tiny bunch of cells which act like a mini nervous system. They believe it could help find a cure for worse mental conditions like Parkinson's disease. Professor Michael Coleman is leading the research program. He explained, \"We are aiming to be able to study the human brain at the most basic level, using an actual living human cell system. Cells have to be alive and operating efficiently to enable us to really understand how the brain works. \"The experiment involves changing cells from a cancer tumour  and making them behave like brain cells. Although far from finished, researchers hope the false brain cells will give them a greater understanding of how real brains work. This, in turn, could significantly further research into conditions which affect the brain. Neil Hunt, chief leader of the research group, said, \"It is still very early days, but in the future the research could lead to a useful tool for looking into dementia  .\" The technique could also provide a way to carry on animal test and is being supported by the Humane Research Trust (HRT). The scientists predict that over the next ten years a million people will develop dementia. Professor Coleman believes their findings could change this. He said,\"We hope our research will provide scientists with a new and highly relational human experimental model to help them understand the brain better and develop new drugs to control the related disease. However, the biggest challenge at present is that we are greatly short of fund, which will slow our research.\" \n Question: UK scientists grow a living human \"brain\" in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) study the structure of human brain (B) make use of living human cell system (C) discover how human brain really works (D) separate cells from a cancer tumour", "neg": "Article: According to an English newspaper, scientists could begin cloning human embryos in Britain in 2001. It is understood that the government has already agreed to use Frankenstein's technology, believing the benefits are more important than ethical  concerns .Researchers think it will be possible to grow brain tissue to cure the diseases that are likely to get worse as time passes like Alzheimer's , and produce \"spare part\" organs like hearts and kidneys for transplant  . Ministers are aware that the change in the law will be as controversial as the law which legalized abortion  more than 30 years ago. Some politicians reacted angrily , arguing that the government had already made up its mind without discussion. Church leaders and anti-abortion campaigners have long expressed their horror at the plans, arguing that even the earliest embryos are forms of human life.They believe that getting an embryo from cells is morally unacceptable . And it will also cause arguments about how far scientists should interfere with nature and lead to accusations that _ are \"playing God\". The cloning of human embryos to provide spare parts is regarded by most experts to be the most important step forward in the 21stcentury medicine. Scientists say treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's will be the first application of cloning. The ability to clone embryos was first achieved by scientists in Scotland in the late 1990s and now the ability to grow stem cells into tissues and organs is being developed by American researchers. Combining the two technologies will mean an end to long waits for organs from donors and problems caused by rejection   of transplanted tissues by the body. Ian Wilmut, the man who cloned Dolly the sheep, has warned that British experts will go to America, where such work is legal, if the government does not permit it. \n Question: The government has decided to allow scientists to clone human embryos because they think that   _  . \n Options: (A) Frankenstein's technology is advanced (B) Its advantages are more important than its disadvantages (C) Diseases like Alzheimer's are a serious problem in their country (D) They can make a lot of money from it", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}338{"query": "Article: Collections were the inspiration  for a project at Thomas Tallis School, which formed part of the Imagine Children's Literature Festival last autumn. Each child (aged 12-13) beatified a box and wrote a story on the subject of collections to throw inside it. The boxes were spread within the Royal Festival Hall's Ballroom. Some were left empty to encourage The subject chosen by Luren was an imaginative one. \"It's a sort o f Cinderella   story,\" she told me, inspired by a collection of letters from her cousin, ha the story these become love letters, burned by a creel stepmother. Lauren's best friend Charlotte is the stepmother. \"I'm in Charlotte's story too,\" says Lauren, \"and I get run over.\" Charlotte's tale was inspired by the girls' coin collection. \"We've collected foreign coins for years - since our families went on holiday to Tenerife.\" she explains. \"That was before the Euro, so we put pesetas in.\" Lauren continues: \"I fred a coin in the road, go to get it and get run over. I'm in hospital and then I die.\" Charlotte adds: \"Or she might not die. I haven't decided yet.\" Millie Murray, who is a tea-novel author, thinks that setting the subject of collections was a useful inspiration to their creativity rather than a restriction .  \"In the beginning I thought, 'Will the children be able to do it?'\" she says. \"But it's been fruitful. Some have their own collection, some have parents who do, and some have wlstten complete stories. It's made them think about something they wouldn't have otherwise, winch can only be a good thing.\" \n Question: What were the children asked to do in the project? \n Options: (A) To meet friends at Thomas Tallis School (B) To write stories on the subject of collections. (C) To encourage visitors to write their own stories. (D) To have their friends for characters in the stories.", "pos": "Article: I was the middle child of three, but there was a gap of five years on either side, and I hardly saw my father before I was eight. For this and other reasons I was somewhat lonely. I had the lonely child's habit of making up stories and holding conversations with imaginary persons, and I think from the very start my literary ambitions  were mixed up with the feeling of being isolated  and undervalued. I knew that I had a natural ability with words and a power of facing unpleasant facts, and I felt that this created a sort of private world in which I could get my own back for my failure in everyday life.     However, the quantity of serious writing which I produced all through my childhood would not add up to half a dozen pages. I wrote my first poem at the age of four or five, my mother taking it down to dictation. I cannot remember anything about it except that it was about a tiger and the tiger had \"chair-like teeth\" - a good enough expression. At eleven, when the war of 1914-18 broke out, I wrote a poem which was printed in the local  newspaper, as was another, two years later, on the death of Kitchener. From time to time, when I was a bit older, I wrote bad and usually unfinished \"nature poems\". I also, about twice, attempted a short story which was a failure. That was the total of the would-be serious work that I actually set down on paper during all those years. \n Question: From the text, we learn that as a little boy the writer     . \n Options: (A) had no playmates (B) showed his gift for writing (C) put out lots of poems and stories (D) got his first poem published in 1916", "neg": "Article: When my daughter Sally was five, I bought Grimm's Fairy Tales and read Snow White to her one night. At the end of the original Grimm tale, Snow White's stepmother is made to put on red-hot iron shoes and dance until she falls down dead. This came as something of a shock. I always thought fairytales had happy endings. And I didn't want my five-year-old daughter going to sleep thinking: \"Thank goodness they tortured   that old woman to death.\" That's when I decided to write fairy tales. In the years that followed, I wrote tales non-stop and read them to Sally at bedtime. The Corn Dolly was based on a child who was always complaining; The Silly King was just a silly story Sally loved; I wrote The Witch and the Rainbow Cat for Sally because of her enormous  appetite for stories about witches while Dr Bonocolus's Devil is a new version of the Faust legend. Nifobobinus, however, was different. I wrote this book when Sally was older and took up all things girls have to do -- who's friends with who, who stuck a sticker on the back of whose boyfriend, or whatever thing she felt funny. Nicobobinus, the boy who could do anything, came out of my desire for a more innocent world. He lived a 1ong time ago, in a city called Venice. Only his best friend, Rosie, knew he could, and nobody took any notice of anything Rosie said, because she was always having wild ideas anyway. Nicobobinus was so different that it turned out to be an instant hit. The Times called me \"an author setting out to _ the classic fairytales\". I asked Sally what she thought of Nicobobinus. She said it was her favourite. \n Question: What led the writer to start writing fairy tales for her daughter? \n Options: (A) The frightening ends of past fairy tales. (B) His daughter's strong interest in fairy tales. (C) His desire to let his daughter know more stories. (D) His attempt to fill his daughter's bedtime with something.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}339{"query": "Article: The percentage of districts that require elementary schools to teach physical education increased, to 93% last year from 83% in 2000.      But just 4% of elementary schools, 8% of middle schools and 2% of high schools provided physical education each school day, as is recommended by the disease control agency. One-fifth of schools did not require physical education at all.     In 2004, Congress passed a law requiring each school district to develop a \"wellness policy\" to promote the students' health by setting goals for nutrition education and physical activity. Those policies are just now taking effect, and some school administrators predict that the next survey will show more marked improvements. Some schools have set out to place health education on the same requirement with academics. In Los Angeles County, Sepulveda Middle School has banned soft drinks and eliminated unhealthy snacks from the school store. Salad, fruit and yogurt are always available in the cafeteria, said Patricia J. Pelletier, the principal.      Nearly an hour of physical education is required daily, the school offers after-hours training in distance running, and it has started a class on healthy cooking for parents.      \"If kids are healthy and have healthy lifestyles, they're going to be better students,\" Ms Pelletier said. \"They're going to be in school, and they're going to be connected with the teachers in a better way.\"     The survey found that nearly two-thirds of schools prohibited tobacco use at all places, including at off-campus functions, up from 46% in 2000. Another finding was that the proportion of states that require middle schools to teach human sexuality grew, to 59% from 46%.      The report found a variety of indications of healthier cooking in school cafeterias. 55% reported that they had removed the skin from poultry before cooking, up from 40%, and 46% now use low-fat cheeses, up from 31%. But 12% of elementary schools, 19% of middle schools and 24% of high schools offer students brand-name fast food from businesses like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. \n Question: What is the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) How to change children's eating habits (B) Improve students' physical health by developing their nutrition education (C) Only a little percentage of students are taught physical education (D) Healthy habits should be taught in schools", "pos": "Article: FRIDAY, Aug. 3 (Health Day News) -- Middle school students who are physically fit are likely to score higher on standardized tests measuring reading and math abilities, a new study has found. And, the average scores went up in connection with levels of fitness, the findings showed. \"The more physically fit kids were, the higher their scores,\" said the study's lead author, Trent Petrie, director of the Center for Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas in Denton. \"Parents should encourage their kids to be physically active. There are some real cognitive   and academic benefits that come from physical fitness\", Petrie said. Results of the study are scheduled to be presented Friday at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in Orlando, Fla. The study included more than 1,200 middle school students from five schools in a suburban area of Texas, with 561 boys and 650 girls. About 57 percent of the children were white, and nearly one-quarter were Mexican American. Nine percent were black and about 2 percent were of Asian descent. The school district provided the researchers with information on the children's race, age, grade level and whether they qualified for the free school lunch program, which was an indicator of the family's socioeconomic status. The schools also provided scores to the tests, which were given between one and four months after the researchers had assessed the children's levels of fitness. Fitness tests were administered during physical education classes to determine the youngsters' heart and lung health (cardiorespiratory fitness), as well as their body mass index (BMI), an indicator of how much body fat a person has. The children also filled out questionnaires that helped the researchers determine factors such as self-esteem and social support. After accounting for factors such as age, sex, family income and self-esteem, the researchers found that for both boys and girls, higher levels of heart and lung health predicted better scores on both the math and reading tests. For boys, perceived   social support also seemed to increase their reading scores, the investigators found. In girls, while being physically fit predicted higher reading scores, so too did a higher BMI-- which indicates more body fat. \"We were a little surprised by this finding,\" Petrie said. \"It was not as strong an association as the one with physical fitness,\" he added. The authors suspect it may have something to do with girls this age entering adolescence, which may be related to a higher BMI and slightly higher brain development. He said he plans to make great effort to look for this relationship again in larger studies to see if it was a chance finding, or if the association holds up. \"While we can't say 100 percent that physical fitness causes better academic performance, we can say that there is a strong and predictive relationship between physical fitness and academic performance,\" Petrie said. \"It's hard to tease apart   the exact reason for this association,\" said Becky Hashim, an attending clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Montefiore, in New York City. \"It may be that the children are getting more oxygen. When the heart and lungs are working at a higher capacity, it may allow the brain to work at peak performance. Children who are less fit may be sleepier during school,\" she noted. \"I personally feel that there's probably a strong relationship between the confidence you get from being able to do something physical well and academic performance.\" Whatever the reason behind this association may be, \"there's certainly no harm in pushing physical fitness,\" Hashim added. \"Physical fitness may make you feel better, give you more confidence and improve your performance across the board,\" she said. Petrie agreed. \"Physically fit kids are happier, have higher self-esteem and, tend to have better relationships, and now we're beginning to see that there also seem to be benefits cognitively and academically. Our study sends a strong warning to policymakers to reconsider the service program of physical education classes for kids,\" he said. \n Question: How did the school district help the researchers carry out the study? \n Options: (A) By analyzing the data of fitness tests. (B) By giving some basic information. (C) By completing some questionnaires. (D) By offering a certain amount of Money.", "neg": "Article: In the US, elementary and middle schools are advised to give students two and a half hours of physical activity a week. That is what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association recommend. They say high schools should provide about four hours of physical activity each week. Yet many schools across the country have reduced their physical education programs. Criticism of the cuts has led in some places to efforts to give students more time for exercise, not less. The future health of Americans may depend on it. A study reports that life expectancy has fallen or is no longer increasing in some parts of the United States. The situation is worst among poor people in the southern states, and especially women. Public health researchers say it is largely the result of increases in obesity,smoking and high blood pressure. They also blame differences in health services around the country. In 2006, a study found that only 4% of elementary schools provided daily physical education all year for all grades. This was true of 8% of middle schools and 2% of high schools. The study also found that 22% of all schools did not require students to take any P. E. One problem for P. E. teachers is that schools are under pressure to put more time into academic subjects. Also, parents may agree that children need exercise in school. Yet many parents today still have bad memories of being chosen last for teams because teachers favored the good athletes in class. But experts say P. E. classes have changed. They say the goal has moved away from competition to personal performance, as a way to build a lifetime of activity. These days, teachers often lead activities like weight training and yoga. Some parents like the idea of avoiding competitive sports in P. E. class. Yet others surely dislike that idea. _ . \n Question: The best title of the passage is   _  . \n Options: (A) Physical education aims for active lives (B) The future health of Americans (C) 22% of all schools in the US don't require students to take any P. E. (D) Avoid competitive sports in P. E.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}340{"query": "Article: Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street boy was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. \"Is this your car, Mister?\" he asked.  Paul nodded. \"My brother gave it to me for Christmas.\" The boy was astonished. \"You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn't cost you anything? Boy, I wish....\" He hesitated. Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that. But what the kid said made Paul quite surprised. \"I wish,\" the boy went on, \"that I could be a brother like that.\" Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, and then impulsively he added, \"Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?\" \"Oh, yes, I'd love that.\" After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes shining, said, \"Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?\" Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the he wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again. \"Will you stop where those two steps are?\" the boy asked. He ran up the steps. Then after a little while Paul saw him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car. \"There  _ is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn't cost him a cent. And some day I'm going to give you one just like it... then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I've been trying to tell you about.\" Paul got out and lifted the kid to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride. That Christmas Eve, Paul learned that it was more blessed to give.... \n Question: Why did what the boy said surprise Paul?  _  . \n Options: (A) Because he didn't say what Paul had expected. (B) Because he didn't say that he wanted a ride. (C) Because he said something impolite. (D) Because he said something improper.", "pos": "Article: When I was ten my dad helped me buy my first ten-speed bicycle from Allen. I put up $60 of my grass cutting and snow shoveling   money and my dad put up the other half I would pay him back over the next six months. Although it was not in the latest style, it was my ticket to the adult world. I spent that summer and autumn riding happily. My sister Liz, a prisoner of her five-speed bicycle, never had a chance to keep up. Just before the Christmas deadline to pay my dad back, we were hit with several snowstorms. This allowed me to shovel enough driveways   to pay off my debt. I was now officially a bike owner; it was a feeling unlike any other. On that Christmas morning, my dad gave me a used portable   record player. I was excited. However, my joy was short-lived after my dad called my sister to the kitchen. \"We have one more gift for you.\" he said as he opened the door that led to the garage. There, on the steps, stood a new ten-speed bicycle. \"It's not fair,\" I complained. \"I worked so hard for my bike and it's not even new. Then Liz gets a new bike. She didn't have to do anything for it. \" My dad smiled. \"She didn't have to do anything for it because it' s not really for her,\" he said. What did that mean? I didn't want her bike. By spring Liz and I were riding all over town together now that she could keep up. As we grew, Liz and I became true friends. Still I wasn't smart enough to figure out what my dad meant until years later. That new bike was not a gift for Liz -- it was a gift for me. He'd given me the gift of my sister's company, the ability to stay together rather than drift apart   in the face of my ability to travel. He gave me my best friend. \n Question: What do we know about the author's bike? \n Options: (A) It was worth $120. (B) Allen bought it for him. (C) It was very fashionable. (D) He didn't like it actually.", "neg": "Article: Many years ago, when I was fresh out of school and working in Denver, I was driving to my parents' home in Missouri for Christmas. I stopped at a gas station about 50 miles from Oklahoma City, where I was planning to stop and visit a friend. While I was standing in line at the cash register , I said hello to an older couple who were also paying for gas. I took off, but had gone only a few miles when black smoke poured from the back of my car. I stopped and wondered what I should do. A car pulled up behind me. It was the couple I had spoken to at the gas station. They said they would take me to my friend's We chatted on the way into the city, and when I got out of the car, the husband gave me his business card. I wrote him and his wife a thank-you note for helping me. Soon afterward, I received a Christmas present from them. Their note that came with it said that helping me had made their holidays meaningful. Years later, I drove to a meeting in a nearby town in the morning. In late afternoon I returned to my car and found that I'd left the lights on all day, and the battery was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford dealership - a shop selling cars - was right next door. I walked over and found two salesmen in the showroom. \"Just how friendly is Friendly Ford?\" I asked and explained my trouble. They quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. They would accept no payment, so when I got home, I wrote them a note to say thanks. I received a letter back from one of the salesmen. No one had ever taken the time to write him and say thank you, and it meant a lot, he said. \"Thank you\" - two powerful words. They're easy to say and mean so much. \n Question: The author planned to stop at Oklahoma City  _  . \n Options: (A) to visit a friend (B) to see his parents (C) to pay at the cash register (D) to have more gas for his car", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}341{"query": "Article: When on vacation,what do you look for in a hotel?Maybe you want a comfortable bed, or a suitable place.However,if you want something out of the ordinary and wish to go beyond the mundane, these spectacular hotels offer a stay you won't soon forget! Hippo Point For those who prefer an overnight stay with some four-footed or two-winged guests, Hippo offers unique rooms on the East African plains .The nine-story tower is treated as one of the top 10 resorts in the world.Guests enjoy incredible views of Olodian Bay.More than 520 species of birds gather around the lake,their calls sounding in the air. Dog Bark Park Inn At the Dog Bark Park Inn,sleeping in a doghouse is a good thing! Located near Cottonwood,Idaho,this bed and breakfast is inside the world's largest dog. Guests relax on dog-themed decorative furnishings and enjoy a wonderful breakfast. The Poseidon Undersea Resort Located in a Fijian lagoon,the Poseidon Undersea Resort  boasts the world's first seafloor suite 12 meters below the  surface of the ocean.By day,people enjoy golf,tennis and water sports or learn to pilot a three-passenger Triton submarine to explore the new ocean depths. The Magic Mountain Hotel The Magic Mountain Hotel is shaped like a volcano.But instead of lava,a waterfall falls down its sides.Nine comfortable rooms,all with modern facilities,are each named for a local species of bird.Hotel guests can enjoy rafting,hiking and horseback riding,or they can relax in a hot trunk with hot water. Sala Silvermine The truly adventurous can spend the night in the world's deepest bedroom in the Sala Silvermine in Sweden.After a guided tour of the mine located 155 meters underground,you're left alone to enjoy the solitude with a basket of food.In the morning, the guide returns with a delicious breakfast to enjoy before you return to ground level. \n Question: What does the phrase \"go beyond the mundane\" may mean? \n Options: (A) Do something exciting (B) Go to a familiar place (C) Look for a comfortable (D) Travel in an ordinary way", "pos": "Article: Ariau Amazon Towers The Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, book the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for a big family. You'll be thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways. Prices: starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite. The Ice Hotel Every winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience. Prices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one. Propeller Island Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes. Prices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars. \n Question: What is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel? \n Options: (A) You can sleep in tree houses. (B) You can choose any of the towers. (C) It is designed for big families. (D) Every room has a walkway.", "neg": "Article: Tayka Hotel De Sal Where: Tahua, Bolivia How much: About $95 a night Why it's cool: You've stayed at hotels made of brick or wood, but salt? That's something few can claim. Tayka Hotel de Sal is made totally of salt -- including the beds (though you'll sleep on regular mattresses   and blankets). The hotel sits on the Salar de Uyuni, a prehistoric dried-up lake that's the world's biggest salt flat. Builders use the salt from the 4,633-square-mile flat to make the bricks, and glue them together with a paste of wet salt that hardens when it dries. When rain starts to dissolve the hotel, the owners just mix up more salt paste to strengthen the bricks. Green Magic Nature Resort Where: Vythiri, India How much: About $240 a night Why it's cool: Riding a pulley -operated lift 86 feet to your treetop room is just the start of your adventure. As you look out of your open window -- there is no glass! -- you watch monkeys and birds in the rain forest canopy. Later you might test your fear of heights by crossing the handmade rope bridge to the main part of the hotel, or just sit on your bamboo bed and read. You don't even have to come down for breakfast -- the hotel will send it up on the pulley-drawn \"elevator\". Dog Bark Park Inn B&B  Where: Cottonwood, Idaho How much: $92 a night Why it's cool: This doghouse isn't just for the family pet. Sweet Willy is a 30-foot-tall dog with guest rooms in his belly. Climb the wooden stairs beside his hind leg to enter the door in his side. You can relax in the main bedroom, go up a few steps to the loft in Willy's head, or hang out inside his nose. Although you have a full private bathroom in your quarters, there is also a toilet in the 12-foot-tall fire hydrant outside. Gamirasu Cave Hotel Where: Ayvali, Turkey How much: Between $130 and $475 a night. Why it's cool: This is caveman cool! Experience what it was like 5,000 years ago, when people lived in these mountain caves formed by volcanic ash. But your stay will be much more modern. Bathrooms and electricity provide what you expect from a modern hotel, and the white volcanic ash, called tufa, keeps the rooms cool, about 65degFin summer. (Don't worry -- there is heat in winter.) \n Question: Which of the following about Tayka Hotel de Sal is true? \n Options: (A) The hotel is the cheapest among the four mentioned. (B) Everything in the hotel is made of salt. (C) The glue can prevent the rain from dissolving the hotel. (D) It is located on a prehistoric dried-up lake.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}342{"query": "Article: It's likely that everything you learned about America's ancient history is wrong. The new book,1491, completely changes our understanding of the America before the arrival of Columbus in 1492. DID YOU KNOW? When Columbus landed there were probably more people in the Americas than there were in Europe. The peoples of North America had such healthy life-styles that as late as the 19th century they continued to be the tallest people on earth. Facts have shown that the Americas were populated as long as 33,000 years ago. 4,000 years ago Mesoamerican farmers developed corn in a feat   of genetic engineering that still isn't completely understood. COMMENTS ON 1491 \"In the tradition of Jared Diamond & John MePhee, a totally new view of pre-Columbian America\". -Richard Rhodes \"Attractively written and really absorbing, Charles C.Mann has produced a book that's part detective story, part epic  and part tragedy . He has taken on a vast topic: thousands of years, two huge continents, and cultures.\" -Charles Matthews,San Jese Mercary News \"Powerful and challenging\" -Alan Taylor,Washingto post \"A pleasure to read as well as a wonderful education\" -Howard Zinn \n Question: On the whole,1491 is a book mainly about America's  _  . \n Options: (A) life-styles (B) population (C) history (D) agriculture", "pos": "Article: After the coming of Europeans to the Americas, Indians were forced to change their way of life. Yet the influence of Native American culture is still felt throughout the United States. Many of the foods commonly eaten in the United States today were first grown by American Indians. Among these foods are corn, white and sweet potatoes, peanuts, pumpkins, tomatoes, and certain beans and berries. Native Americans also discovered ways to use herbs and other plants as medicines. Native American inventions, such as canoes, ponchos and parkas ,hammocks and snowshoes are still in use today. Other marks of Indian culture were left in American place names. The state of Alaska, for example, takes its name from a Native American word meaning \"great land\". Today nearly 1.5 million Native Americans live in the United States. Some still preserve the ways of their ancestors, speaking Indian languages and keeping alive their legends, art forms, and customs. Other Native Americans keep few of the old ways, but remain proud of their people's contributions to American history. Americans have come to appreciate the beauty of Indian crafts . Many artists find  _ in traditional Indian designs. Many Indian values, too, have become widely held. Americans today believe that the land, air and water are precious resources that must be carefully protected. As one government official wrote recently: We have slowly come back to some of the truths that the Indians knew from the beginning. People need to learn from nature, to keep an ear to the earth, and to refill their spirits in frequent contacts with animals and wild land. \n Question: What does \"Native Americans\" refer to in the passage? \n Options: (A) Europeans settling in the Americas. (B) People born and living in America. (C) American Indians. (D) Americans.", "neg": "Article: Nearly all of today's Native Americans in North, Central and South America can trace their ancestry to just six women whose descendants immigrated around 20,000 years ago, a DNA study suggests.          The finding does not mean that only these six women gave rise to migrants who crossed into North America from Asia in the earliest population of the continent.Rather, it suggests that only six left a particular DNA legacy that persists to today in about 95% of Native Americans, said study co-author Ugo Perego in Utah.          \"The women did not necessarily arrive together, nor even all live at the same time,\" he said.Results indicate the women arrived sometime between 18,000 and 21,000 years ago.          The work was published this week by the journal PLoS One.Perego is from the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation in Salt Lake City and the University of Pavia in Italy.The work confirms the previous indications of just six maternal lineages, as well as a date of around 20,000 years ago when the first people in North America arrived after crossing a land bridge from Asia, Perego said.          The researchers studied mitochondrial   DNA, which is passed only from mother to daughter.They created a \"family tree\" that traces the different DNA  _ found in today's Native Americans.By noting mutations in each branch and applying a formula for how often such mutations arise, they calculated how old each branch was.That indicated when each branch arose in a single woman.          The six \"founding mothers\" obviously did not live in Asia because the DNA signatures they left behind are not found there, Perego said.So they probably lived in Beringia, the now-submerged land bridge that stretched to North America, he said. \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) A study indicates that women arrived in America around 20,000 years ago. (B) A study indicates six women gave rise to migrants of America. (C) A DNA study tells about people who crossed into North America from Asia. (D) A study indicates Native Americans can trace their ancestry to just six women.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}343{"query": "Article: While many other teen stars built up their celebrity status  by working hard on popular TV shows, Justin shot straight to the top by using social media. A few years ago, Justin uploaded  videos of himself on YouTube, showing _ of his favorite songs at home. He just saw it as a bit of fun for friends and family, but when music manager Scooter Braun saw one of the videos, he flew to Justin's hometown of Ontario, Canada to sign him up. Justin was just 13. Shortly after, Justin was flown to the US. He eventually started working with R&B superstar Usher. Justin's first album My world was released in 2009. But all the time, Justin continued to build his fan base on his YouTube account, where some of his original home videos can still be found, and where he continues to post music. \"I wasn't sending mixtapes or anything like that to record labels,\" he told us when we met him on his promotional tour for his latest film Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. \"I was just doing regular stuff at home and I just posted videos online without purpose. I would never be here if it wasn't for the Internet and YouTube.\" But it isn't just YouTube that helps Justin's popularity. He also updates his Twitter account (@Justin-Bieber) regularly and has about 8.8 million followers. In fact, he's so popular that Justin was responsible for 3% of the site's activity at one time and so popular that entire racks of servers on Twitter were devoted to him. In light of his story, many young, aspiring artists are now taking advantage of Twitter and YouTube. Both these sites can help artists build fan bases in the hope that they'll become the next big thing. Justin added, \"I think my story brings hope to people and I think that's very important. The only thing holding you back is yourself. Never say never.\" \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) A famous young man (B) YouTube---A popular website (C) Justin's way to success (D) Social media is the most important", "pos": "Article: Recently, South Korean star PSY's 'Gangnam style\" video has been popular on the Internet. It has become most people's favorite music. In fact, the song has set the Guinness World Record for the most popular video in the history of the Internet. More than two million people have said \"like\" since the song was on the Internet on July 15. PSY\"s special dance moves and funny horse riding style have attracted many people. Although many people do not understand the language, the video has become the talk of the Internet. The song has come to first place in the music charts  in 31 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. \"I just sang for my South Korean fans. I have never expected it to be popular in other countries,\" PSY told the reporters on a concert. The song was so popular that a few of South Korean's politicians showed PSY's moves to attract supporters. \"The song came out in mid-July. It sings about the rich life of South Korea --especially Gangnam in Soeoul, where a lot of rich people live. Millions of people have watched the video. Many stars, such as Katy Perry, Robbie Williams and Nelly Furtado said that they love the song. These stars performed part of the song at a recent concert. Riding high on the success of \"Gangnam Style\", PSY was signed by Scooter Braun to Braun's Schoolboy Records, a label distributed by Universal Republic. PSY has written many hit songs of varying styles for different singers. Prior to \"Gangnam Style\" his most famous composition perhaps was Lee Seung Gi's debut  song \"Because You Are My Woman\". \n Question: What makes PSY's \"Gangnam Style\" the famous music of millions of people? \n Options: (A) The song has set the Guinness World Record. (B) The song has come to first place in the music chart. (C) They like the dance moves and the horse riding style. (D) They don't understand the words of the song.", "neg": "Article: You love Jay Chou's songs and you can sing some quite well. So you make a video of your performance and post it online for your friends to see. But what if this led to something beyond your wildest imagination--a career in music? Canadian teenager Justin Bieber, 16, has just had the magical experience: He posted homemade videos of his versions of songs by American singer Chris Brown online for his relatives. He received a phone call from Brown, telling him how much he liked his performance. His singing eventually earned him a fan base and a record contract. After releasing a popular record in November 2009, his album My world 2.0 came out last Tuesday. Bieber sings ballads and songs about puppy love. But is he just another gooey   teen idol? David Malitz, a columnist with the Washington Post, doesn't think so. \"If we truly want the best forAmerican children, let us pause and give thanks for Justin Bieber,\" he writes. \"After years of humdrum bubblegum   from Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, the 16yearold has thrown a candycoated wrench   into Disney's heartthrob   assembly line by giving young fans something worth screaming their lungs out for lovable pop songs.\" From a boy who grew up below the poverty line with his divorced mom to a star who caused nearriots   in shopping malls, even Bieber himself can't believe his overnight fame, although his kind of success is becoming more and more common in the Internet era. Interested in hockey, the national sport of Canada, the boy once put up pictures of players on the walls of his bedroom. He dreamed of being a hockey star and used to practice signing his autograph. He doesn't need practice now. He signs autographs, if the girls can get close enough, as a music star. \n Question: What did Chris Brown think of Justin Bieber's singing? \n Options: (A) He didn't like it. (B) He liked it very much. (C) He didn't say anything. (D) He supported Justin Bieber.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}344{"query": "Article: When we see well, we do not think about our eyes very often. It is only when we cannot see perfectly that we realize how important our eyes are. People who are near-sighted can only see things that are very close to their eyes. Everything else seems blurry (unclear). Many people who do a lot of work, such as writing, reading and sewing become near--sighted. People who are far-sighted _ from just the opposite problem. They can see things that are far away, but they have difficulty in reading a book unless they hold it at arm's length. If they want to do much reading, they must get glasses, too. Other people do not see clearly because their eyes are not exactly the right shape. They have what is called astigmatism  . This, too, can be corrected by glasses. Some people's eyes become cloudy because of cataracts  . Long ago these people often became blind. Now, however, it is possible to operate on the cataracts and remove them. Having two good eyes is important for judging distances. Each eye sees things from a slightly different angle. To prove this to yourself, look at an object out of one eye; then look at the same object out of your other eye. You will find the object's relation to the background and other things around it has changed. The difference between these two different eye views helps us to judge how far away an object is. People who have only one eye cannot judge distance as people with two eyes. \n Question: We should take good care of our eyes  _  . \n Options: (A) only when we can see well (B) only when we cannot see perfectly (C) even if we can see well (D) only when we realize how important our eyes are", "pos": "Article: I spent my childhood walking a fine line between being an energetic young boy and avoiding contact sports to protect my eyesight. I had lost the sight in one eye at the age of five, so instead of football, I put my energy into rowing and sailing. By the time I was 22, I was working towards rowing for my country. Then, during a training session, I noticed my vision was unclear in my remaining eye. I had an operation and spent two weeks with bandages over my eyes. Sadly, it didn't work, and the second operation two months later was also a failure. My world came crashing down. I had been flying high---- as well as my shining rowing career, I had been about to take my finals and get a job in the city. Now, as my fellow graduates celebrated their results, I lay in my childhood bedroom, angry. I would wake up in the morning and convince myself I could see a shadow, but I felt bitterly angry when I realized I couldn't. Previously, I had lots of assumptions about blind people, but now I joined their ranks. I had no choice but to change my attitude. I started to realize that my challenge was not about seeing but about creating a new life for myself. The simple pleasure of just sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by or even making eye contact with anyone is no longer possible. I had to rethink how to engage with the world. As much as I disliked the things of blindness---- white sticks, talking computers and guide dogs---- I welcomed these as the tools that would enable me to regain my independence. I moved out of my mum's house and got a job in entertainment. I also started seeking out projects that would help me get out and mix with people. A big part of my identity has always been about the thrill of competing---- success and failure. I am excited when I am giving it my all, so I started to compete again, first in rowing and then in extreme physical challenges such as completing six marathons in seven days in Gobi desert. Filling my life with experiences helped to sweep the blindness to one side. It took me 10 years really to deal with losing my sight. When I walked to the South Pole in 2009, the first blind person ever to go there, standing shoulder to shoulder with sighted people, I felt \"normal\" again. But two years ago, my sense of \"being normal\" was challenged again. I was staying at a friend's house when I fell out of a second-floor window onto the ground below. I have no idea how it happened---- I was just going to bed but ended up waking up in hospital. I hurt my brain, and my back in three places. I discovered that I couldn't feel my legs. Doctors said that there was a 12-week period for sensation  to return, and when this came and went with no change in my legs, I began to despair. I was due to get married, but on the day of our wedding my fiancee  was sitting by my bedside as I prepared for another operation to put metalwork in my back. I'm still in a wheelchair, but I refuse to accept that my story ends here. I have got involved with a training program, which aims to redirect the nerve pathways in my legs through training. I'm now teaching myself to use sit-skis and a hand-powered bike. I'm sure how I'd manage emotionally without a sporting goal to drive myself forward. It has saved my life in a way. I may never win a gold medal, but that doesn't stop me trying. \n Question: After the second operation, the writer   _  . \n Options: (A) was full of confidence (B) found a job in the city (C) lost his sight completely (D) lay in bed sleeplessly", "neg": "Article: When we can see well, we do not think about our eyes often. It is only when we can notsee perfectly that we come to see how important our eyes are. People who are nearsighted can only see things that are very close to their eyes. Many people who do a lot of close work, such as writing and reading, become nearsighted. Then they have to wear glasses in order to see distant things clearly. People who are farsighted face just the opposite problem. They can see things that are far away, but they have difficulty reading a book unless they hold it at arm's length. If they want to do much reading, they must get glasses too. Other people do not see clearly because their eyes are not exactly the right shape. This, too, can be corrected by glasses. Some people's eyes become cloudy because of cataracts . Long ago these people often became blind. Now, however, it is possible to operate on the cataracts and remove them. When night falls, colors become fainter to the eyes and finally disappear. After your eyes have grown used to the dark, you can see better if you use the side of your eyes rather than the centers. Sometimes, after dark, you see a small thing to one side of you, which seems to disappear if you turn your head in its direction. This is because when you turn your head, you are looking at the thing too directly. Men on guard duty sometimes think they see something moving to one side of them. When they turn to look straight at it, they can not see it any more, and they believe they were mistaken. However, this mistake happens because the center of the eye, which is very sensitive in daylight, is not as sensitive as the sides of the eye after dark. \n Question: We don't know that our eyes are of great importance until   _  . \n Options: (A) we think about our eyes (B) we cannot see clearly (C) we wear glasses (D) we have to do much reading", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}345{"query": "Article: Google Works Miracles Google(www.Google.com) is a daily miracle to millions of people. If the Internet had only this very fast search engine, it would have justified its existence many times over. It is the most popular search engine on the web with a 54% market share, ahead of Yahoo! You type almost anything, however unclear, into the space provided and in a second it has come up with hundreds of references. If knowledge is power, then Google commands the gateway. Yahoo Becomes Giant Yahoo(www.yahoo.com) was the first wonder of the web, and in many respects, it still is. It started in January 1994 when two California graduate students, Jerry Yang and David Filo, started compiling a database of links, mainly for their personal use. But well before the end of the year, it had become recognizable as Yahoo we know today. In the past seven years, Yahoo had grown rapidly, partly through a long string of buys. Yahoo now offers almost everything you could want: emails, instant messages, chats, clubs, photo albums and a lot more. eBay Enables Everyone to Buy and Sell eBay(www.ebay.com),which deals with online trading and shopping services, is the most impressive large Internet company where people buy and sell goods and services worldwide. It has, for instance, opened up a global marketplace in which people from Beijing, San Francisco, or Moscow can bid against each other for products put up for sale by someone in London. The company's online service permits sellers to list items for sale, buyers to bid on items of interest, and eBay users to browse through listed items that is available online seven days a week. Amazon Makes Buying a New Experience Amazon(www.amazon.com)started out as an online bookstore, constantly putting up new book titles it offered for sale. In the late 1990s, Amazon had more than four million titles after adding CDs, videos, DVDs and games, It continued to add new lines of business including toys, computer software, electronics, like MP3 players, power tools, home improvement products and online sales. For regular users, Amazon has made itself the shortest possible path between wanting and buying. \n Question: What is Google used mainly for? \n Options: (A) Commanding the gateway. (B) Searching for information. (C) Storing reference books. (D) Providing extra space.", "pos": "Article: Watch out, Yahoo.There's a search engine out there with super speed and accuracy.It's really cool. Google is the Web's largest search engine.In just two years it has gained a fame for surprising speed and accuracy, sending exactly what you're looking for in a second.The site now does this 40 million times a day--a number achieved without spending a penny on a TV or newspaper ad. Google doesn't need them. In the past six months alone, the site has won a Webby (the online version of the Oscar) for technical excellence, sets a new record for search engines by indexing a billion Web pages. Yahoo still has 10 times the audience, but Google consistently ranks first in customer satisfaction: 97% of users find what they're looking for most or all of the time.\"You see people smile when they use it, like they've found something no one else knows about,\" says Danny Sullivan, editor of an online newsletter. No one is smiling more than Larry Page, 27, and Sergey Brin, 26, who seem certain to become billionaires when the company goes public, probably sometime next year.They make a great comedy.When they first met as PhD students, the pair say, they found each other horrible--\"I still find him horrible,\" adds Brin--but were driven together by a computer science project aimed at coming up with better ways of searching the Web. The idea behind Google is that traditional search engines are stupid.They think the connection is based on repetition; if you type in a request for Tiger Woods, say, you'll get websites listed according to how many times those words appear.Not only is this no guarantee  of quality, but it's also open to bad use.If you own a Tiger fan site and want to lead more people to it, simply type his name thousands of times in the site's source code. \n Question: Which of the following wins greater customer satisfaction? \n Options: (A) Yahoo. (B) Google. (C) Page. (D) Brin.", "neg": "Article: Today, there's hardly an aspect of our life that isn't being upended by the tons of information available on the hundreds of millions of sites crowding the Internet, not to mention its ability to keep us in constant touch with each other via electronic mail. \"If the automobile and aerospace technology had exploded at the same pace as computer and information technology,\" says Microsoft, \"a new car would cost about $ 2 and go 600 miles on a small quantity of gas. And you could buy a Boeing 747 for the cost of a pizza.\" Probably the biggest payoff, however, is the billions of dollars the Internet is saving companies in producing goods and serving for the needs of their customers. Nothing like it has been seen since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, when power-driven machines began producing more in a day than men could turn out in nearly a year. \"We view the growth of the Internet and e-commerce as a global trend,\" says Merrill Lynch, \"along the lines of printing press, the telephone, the computer, and electricity.\" You would be hard pressed to name something that isn't available on the Internet. Consider: books, health care, movie tickets, construction materials, baby clothes, stocks, cattle feed, music, electronics, antiques, tools, real estate, toys, autographs of famous people, wine and airline tickets. And even after you've moved on to your final resting place, there's no reason those you love can't keep in touch. A company called FinalThoughts.com offers a place for you to store \"afterlife e-mails\" you can send to Heaven with the help of a \"guardian angel\". Kids today are so computer literate that it in fact ensures the United States will remain the unchallenged leader in cyberspace for the foreseeable future. Nearly all children in families with incomes of more than $75,000 a year have home computers, according to a study by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Youngsters from ages 2 to 17 at all income levels have computers, with 52% of those connected to the Internet. Most kids use computers to play games (some for 30 hours or more a week), and many teenage girls think nothing of rushing home from school to have e-mail chats with friends they have just left. What's clear is that, whether we like it or not, the Internet is an ever growing part of our lives and there is no turning back. \"The Internet is just 20% invented,\" says cyber pioneer Jake Winebaum. \"The last 80% is happening now.\" \n Question: What can we learn from the Microsoft's remark? \n Options: (A) Information technology is developing at an amazing speed. (B) Today's cars and airplanes are extremely overpriced. (C) Information technology has reached the point where improvement is difficult. (D) There's more competition in information technology industry than in car industry.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}346{"query": "Article: How do you get a man to do his share of the house work? If you are like most of the women, you will face the question the hard way.    A man will enjoy a clean, orderly house, but he usually won't make the effort to clean or organize it. This doesn't mean that a woman has to do all the housework; she may have to manage many of household duties, and request his partner's participation. A woman can often say that men and women should take equal responsibility for housework.    Very few men are raised to be fully responsible for housework, and many men look on housework as women's work. On the other hand, most men will readily work around the yard, make repairs and complete projects on weekends or evenings, and it's important that you give your man appreciation for those things too. Most man will take a little additional housework around the house if asked politely. They are even more likely to do housework if they choose what they want to do, and do it without being monitored.    Here is the key; men want to feel that they are doing housework because they want to please their women. Men are much less likely to take on household tasks they consider uninteresting and unimportant. In other words,  _ \n Question: The passage is mainly about how to   _  . \n Options: (A) get men to do some housework (B) get men to serve their families (C) praise men's housework (D) make men do all the housework.", "pos": "Article: Britons spend as much as nearly five hours a week keeping their homes clean, a survey found. Kitchens are cleaned most often, while doing the oven and windows are the least popular jobs. In total, they spend just over PS1 billion a year on products to keep the dirt at bay -- almost PS40 per household. Market analyst Mintel found a clear division of labour. While the average Briton spends 4 hours, 40 minutes cleaning their home each week, men spend just 3 hours, 53 minutes compared to 5 hours, 25 minutes for women. And while seven in ten women say they do most of the cleaning, this falls to four in ten for men. Confirming many parents' feelings, only one in five adult children and over living at their parents' home helps with cleaning chores, with children under 18 doing even less. Last year, the household cleaning market was worth PS1.06 billion, which equates to annual spending of PS39.89 per household. Those looking for the cleanest homes in the country should head to Scotland, where people spend an average of five fours, 6 minutes, which is closely followed by East and West Midlands at five hours, 1 minute. In comparison, the least number of hours spent in cleaning is spent in the southeast/East Anglia at four hours, 18 minutes. The southwest and Wales stand at four hours, 46 minutes, the northwest four hours, 44 minutes, and Yorkshire and the Humber four hours, 21 minutes. According to Richard Caines, Mintel's senior household care analyst, men still lag women in the household cleaning stakes and spend on average an hour and a half less time cleaning their home, suggesting an opportunity for a campaign to encourage more cleaning by men to helpredressthis imbalance. The number of households that need cleaning is continuing to grow, but pressure on time from increasingly busy lives limits the number of hours people are willing or able to spend cleaning their homes. This means the market will see an increasing focus on easy-to-use, but effective hard surface cleaners and cleaning equipment. Such products can help encourage more cleaning to be done in less time, but as well as focusing on more convenient products, cleaning brands can also inject an element of fun into campaigns through encouraging a more shared approach that involves the whole family. This will also help to address the gender imbalance and get older children to make more of a contribution to cleaning. \n Question: In which area do people spend the most time cleaning their home each week? \n Options: (A) Scotland. (B) Wales. (C) Yorkshire and the Humber. (D) East and West Midlands.", "neg": "Article: Once I complained to my husband that he wasn't helping enough with our daughter, and I gave him a long list of the parenting chores   I was shouldering on my own. \"But you like doing all that stuff,\" he said. I thought about that while reading a new study about the responsibilities of parenting. Researchers asked 191 college professors, both men and women, who had children 2 or younger, the pleasure they experienced from childcare. On 16 out of 25 childcare tasks--like taking a child to the doctor or buying clothes for a child--women reported statistically higher levels of enjoyment than men. The only parenting issue that gave women less pleasure than it gave men was having to manage who does what for the child. On the whole, women's scores were 10 percent higher than men's. Women are also far more likely to take advantage of family-leave benefits to care for children. In the study, all the universities offered paid family leave, and 69 percent of the women took it, while only 12 percent of the men did. In Sweden, where family leave for both parents is particularly generous, men use about 20 percent of the 480-day benefit. Women use nearly all of it. It's difficult to know how cultural and economic pressures or biological functions influence parenting. Plenty of men change diapers  , and studies show that mothers and fathers alike spend more time with children than they used to. Men have more than doubled the time they spend on childcare since 1985. Yet women still spend twice as much time with the kids as men, says the University of Maryland sociologist John Robinson. Notably in the study, the parenting activity that gave men the most pleasure (and women, too) was playing and talking with their kids. But when men were asked to rate how often they actually did those things, their scores were about 10 and 40 percent lower than women's. In the end, perhaps the issue is not that mothers are doing too many childcare tasks--my husband was right when he said I liked being a mother--but that men, for all their progress as fathers, are still missing out. \n Question: The author mentioned the disagreement with her husband to_. \n Options: (A) complain about his husband's irresponsibility (B) show the difference between men and women (C) bring up the topic of responsibility of parenting (D) describe the unpleasant experience of childcare", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}347{"query": "Article: Child labor -- the employment of children in industry, often against their will -- has been a problem for many years. Over a hundred years ago, Charles Dickens shocked many of his readers when he described the conditions under which young children worked in British factories. The conditions Dickens described continue almost unchanged today in many parts of the world. The only difference is that today employment of children is confined(limited)to small industries and family businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and particularly farms, rather than to large factories. Girls suffer more from child labor practices than boys. Many of them are forced to start work when they are only ten years old. Although the work they are given to do is often light, it is often harmful to the health. Recently, children as young as six years were found to be working in Asian factories, and the children were working from eight to fourteen hours a day in overcrowded and unhealthy working conditions. Sometimes a whole family group is employed, with the payment going to a parent or older relative. The children not only receive nothing or very little for their long hours of work, but also they are prevented from attending school. Therefore, when they become older they are unable to do any other kind of work. The solution to the problem of child labor is clearly better laws to protect young children, greater supervision of industry and heavier fines for those who break the laws. Only in this way can young boys and girls be allowed to enjoy the most valuable time of their lives--childhood. \n Question: Girls' work is   _  . \n Options: (A) not harmful to the health though it is heavy (B) not harmful to the health because it is light (C) harmful to the health though it is light. (D) harmful to the health because it is heavy", "pos": "Article: \"Migrant workers\"  is a familiar term for 17-year-old Shi Jian. Her father and uncle often talk about the problems surrounding this group of people. However, Shi cares more about the children of these migrant workers. Last year Shi's housekeeper's daughter had to give up her schooling in Beijing because she would not be allowed to sit the national college entrance exam. She was forced to continue her high school education in her hometown in Sichuan Province. Shi thinks the current law is unfair for migrant workers' children, as it prevents them from studying at public schools, unless their parents pay huge sums. So, Shi decided to do a survey of migrant workers so that she could find some solutions to help solve the problem. In the last six months Shi spoke to 186 migrant workers in Beijing. Her interviewees include babysitters, guards, keepers, supermarket clerks, house cleaners and construction site workers. Shi found out that 55 of them were parents. Among this group, only eight have children who attend schools in Beijing. The other 47 had to leave children with relatives in the countryside. However, 40 of the 47 would like to enroll  their children in city schools. From her interviews, Shi found that the workers' lowest income was 400 yuan each month. Over one-third earn a monthly wage of or below 1000 yuan. \"Even schools for migrant workers' children charge more than public schools. Morever, parents constantly worry about these schools closing or relocating,\" she explained. Shi has recently completed a report about her survey, in which she makes a series of recommendations. \"The government can set up public schools for migrants' children equal to schools for city children. Second, to offset  migrant workers' very low pay, public schools should offer them special rates so they can afford their children's tuition . \n Question: What drove Shi to do the survey of migrant workers? \n Options: (A) Her curiosity about migrant workers' lives (B) She was asked to do a survey of migrant workers as part of a school project. (C) Her housekeeper's daughter was forced to move to her hometown to continue studying. (D) She wanted to draw people's attention and become famous", "neg": "Article: When a group of children politely stop a conversation with you, saying: \"We have to go to work now,\" you're left feeling surprised and certainly uneasy. After all, this is the 1990s and the idea of children working is just unthinkable. That is, until you are told that they are all pupils of stage schools, and that the \"work\" they go off to is to go on the stage in a theatre. Stage schools often act as agencies to supply children for stage and television work. More worthy of the name \"stage school\" are those few places where children attend full time, with a training for the theatre and a general education. A visit to such schools will leave you in no doubt that the children enjoy themselves. After all, what lively children wouldn't settle for spending only half the day doing ordinary school work, and acting, singing or dancing their way through the other half of the day? Then of course there are times for the children to make a name and make a little money in some big shows. Some stage schools give their children too much professional work at such a young age. But the law is very tight on the amount they can do. Those under 13 are limited to 40 days in the year; those over 13 to 80 days. The schools themselves admit that not all children will be successful in the profession for which they are being trained. So what happens to those who don't make it? While all the leading schools say they place great importance on children getting good study results, the facts seem to suggest this is not always the case. \n Question: People would stop feeling uneasy when realizing that the children they're talking to  _  . \n Options: (A) attend a stage school (B) are going to the theatre (C) have got some work to do (D) love singing and dancing", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}348{"query": "Article: I took the bus to work for many years. No one knew each other; the passengers all sat there sleepily in the morning. The bus was cheerless and silent. One of the passengers was a small gray-haired man who took the bus to the center for senior citizens every morning. No one ever paid very much attention to him. One July morning he said good morning to the driver and smiled. The driver nodded guardedly . The rest of us were silent. The next day, the old man boarded with a big smile and said in a loud voice: \"A very good morning to you all!\" Some of us looked up, amazed, and murmured \"Good Morning\" in reply. The following weeks, our friend was dressed in a nice old suit and tie. His thin hair had been carefully combed. He said good morning to us every day and we gradually began to nod and talk to each other. One morning he even had a bunch of wild flowers in his hand. The driver turned around smiling and asked: \"Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?\" We never got to know if his name really was \"Charlie\", but he nodded shyly and said yes. The other passengers whistled and clapped at him. Charlie waved the flowers before he sat down on his seat. Every morning after that Charlie always brought flowers. Some passengers also brought flowers for him. The bus became a happy place. Then, one morning, as autumn was closing in, Charlie wasn't waiting at his usual stop. When he wasn't there the next day and the day after that, we started wondering if he was sick or--hopefully - on holiday somewhere. When we came nearer to the center for senior citizens, one of the passengers asked the driver to wait. We all held our breaths when he went to the door. The old gentle man was fine, but one of his close friends had died over the weekend. How silent we were the rest of the way to work. The next Monday Charlie was waiting at the stop, stooping   a bit more, a little bit more gray, and without a tie. Inside the bus was silent. Even though no one had talked about it, all of us sat there silently, our eyes filled with tears and a bunch of wild flowers in our hands. \n Question: From the passage, we can infer that  _ \n Options: (A) people always cared about each other on the bus (B) people were unhappy and sleepy on the bus because they were tired (C) smiles can shorten the distance between people (D) people are not good at communicating in the country", "pos": "Article: The sun is shining when I get on No. 151 bus. We passengers sit jammed together in heavy clothes. No one speaks. That's one of the unwritten rules of Chicago _ . Although we see the same faces every day, we prefer to hide behind our newspapers. The phenomenon is striking: people who sit so close together are using those thin sheets of newsprint to keep their distance. As the bus approaches the Magnificent Mile, a voice suddenly rings out: \"Attention! Attention!\" Papers rattle  . Necks crane  . \"This is your driver speaking.\" We look at the back of the driver's head. His voice has authority. \"All of you put your papers down.\" The papers come down, an inch at a time. The driver waits. The papers are folded and placed on our laps. \"Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead.\" Amazingly, we all do it. Still, no one smiles. I face an older woman, her head wrapped tightly in a red scarf. I see her nearly every day. Our eyes meet. We wait, unblinking, for the next order from the driver. \"Now, repeat after me...\" It is a command, delivered in the tones of a drill sergeant  . \"Good morning, neighbor!\" Our voices are weak and timid. For many of us, these are the first words we have spoken today. But we say them at the same time, like schoolchildren, to the strangers beside us. We smile and can't help it. We have said it; the barrier has been broken. Good morning, neighbor. It is not so hard after all. Some of us repeat it. Others shake hands. Many laugh. The bus driver says nothing more. He doesn't need to. Not a single newspaper goes back up. I hear laughter, a warm sound I have never heard before on bus No. 151. This day is starting off better than most. \n Question: On hearing the sudden utterance of \"Attention!\", the passengers   _  . \n Options: (A) stopped reading and put down their newspapers immediately (B) sat still without response (C) looked up from the newspapers to see who was speaking (D) were frightened", "neg": "Article: I've ridden a lot of buses in my time. There was the one in India that was so crowded, I had to climb onto the top just to breathe. Neither will I forget the bus in South Africa that was almost taken up by monkeys. No matter how entertaining they were at the time, none can compare to my first ride on what I now call the Leisure Village Local. When I first moved into Leisure Village, I didn't even know bus transportation was provided. Then I had an operation on my left foot and I couldn't drive. As I didn't want to keep making trouble for friends to shop for me, I decided to try out the Leisure Village Local.  The next morning, undaunted, I stood with the support of my crutches  and waited. Suddenly, the bus arrived. As soon as I boarded the bus, I discovered I was all by myself. Then the bus approached another stop, and four women climbed aboard. They sat next to me and introduced themselves. A few minutes later, we arrived at the Wal-Mart in Middle Island. As soon as we entered, one of my new friends showed me how to operate the motorized shopping cart . Another walked alongside the entire time, waiting to help if something was out of reach. One hour later, another insisted on carrying my bags onto the bus. And the fourth woman carried my bags to my front door when we got back. I thanked them all for their help, and told them I would see them soon. The next day morning, I found a brown paper bag at the front door. Inside was a giant bowl of chicken soup, and a note. \"Get well soon.\" It was signed, \"Your guardian angels.\" I rode the Leisure Village Local two more times later, but didn't see any of my guardian angels. Maybe they're helping someone else, I thought. Or, maybe they flew south for the winter. \n Question: Why did the author decide to try out the Leisure Village Local? \n Options: (A) He had an operation to carry out. (B) He has no other transportation choices. (C) He was not permitted to drive by local law. (D) He was too considerate to trouble his friends again.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}349{"query": "Article: Teachers and textbooks  _ -- your future could be under threat from a quickly developing and very smart technology.      University of California researchers led by Jacob White hill recently programmed teaching robots to react to facial expression. Whitehill's achievement marked a major step forward in the way people could one day learn by establishing facial expression recognition in robot teachers.      The teaching robots or, Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) are computer systems that provide personalized instruction and feedback to students without human intervention. The facial expression recognition allows a computer to react according to expressions a user makes.      He said that the system was an important development in improving learning systems. \"Classical ITS typically have a somewhat rigid architecture of 'first I ask a questions then I wait for a responses then I talk some more; then I wait for another response.' Facial expression recognition, I believe, will allow the feedback from student to teacher to happen while the robot teacher is talking,\" Whitehill said.      Experts agree the latest developments in ITS open new possibilities for how people could learn. University of Memphis researcher, Dr Andrew Olney, who recently received a US$ I. 3 million grant to develop an ITS, said the key to future learning will be enabling interactive , one-on-one instruction.      \"The technology can benefit these more advanced learning scenarios ,\" he said.      Although robot teachers of varying abilities have existed for more than 30 years, ITS developments such as Whitehill's and Olney's are pushing beliefs that robots could soon be as effective as-- if not more effective than human teachers.      \"The ITS which have been developed are already better teachers than people who have no experience,\" Olney said.      So, what is the future for today's teachers, classrooms, and textbooks? \n Question: The newly teaching robots are more advanced because they have  _ \n Options: (A) Jacob Whitehill as the designer (B) a program reacting to facial expressions (C) a system to help people learn (D) a set of instruments to recognize your voice", "pos": "Article: It's a safe bet that a robot made your car and your computer.Pretty soon,they could be making your bed and breakfast,too.     Increasingly,engineers are saying that robots are going to move out of research departments and into your home.Companies including Sony and General Electric are working on designs for small robots.Products like Roomba,a robot that can clean floors, are  _ .     What's behind this new robot revolution ? lt's partly a matter of technology.Devices that can recognize and answer human voice have been developed.There are now a few different ways for robots to move around.They can walk, crawl or ride on wheels.Robots are being made smaller and smaller.They are also becoming more and more able.     A bigger part of the story is on the demand side.From the day the television remote control was invented,people around the world have searched for new ways to be lazy.Take into consideration that more and more people can afford robots, and the time secms ripe to introduce robots to the ordinary family.     To be sure,robots that walk on two legs and talk like people are still a long way off.However, robots that do basic housework such as cleaning or gardening are sure to come out soon.One thing is certain--when these robots do come into our homes,it will change things forever. \n Question: What can Roomba do? \n Options: (A) Making beds and breakfast. (B) Cleaning floors. (C) Making cars and computers. (D) Looking after kids and pets.", "neg": "Article: It's a safe bet that a robot made your car and made your computer. Pretty soon, they could be making your bed and breakfast too.      Increasingly, engineers are saying that robots are going to move out of research departments and into your home. Companies including General Electric are working on designs for small robots. Products like the Roomba, a robot that can clean floors, are flying off the shelves.      What's behind this new robot revolution? It's partly a matter of technology. Devices that can recognize and respond to a human voice have been developed. There are now a few different ways for robots to move around. They can walk, crawl or ride on wheels. Robots are being made smaller and smaller. They are also becoming more and more able.      A bigger part of the story is on the demand side. From the day the television remote control was invented, people around the world have searched for new ways to be lazy. Take into consideration that more and more people can afford robots, and the time seems ripe to introduce robots to the ordinary family.     To be sure, robots that walk on two legs and talk like people are still a long way off. However, robots that do basic housework such as cleaning or gardening are sure to come out soon. One thing is certain--when these robots do come into our homes, it will change things forever. \n Question: Which plays a more important role in revolutionizing the robot? \n Options: (A) Science and technology. (B) Rapid development of companies. (C) Effective marketing means. (D) Great demand from the buyers.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}350{"query": "Article: Americans often say that there are only two things a person can be sure of:death and taxes.Many people feel that the United States has the worst taxes in the world. Taxes are the money that people pay to support their government.There are generally three levels of government in the United States:federal,state,and city;therefore,there are three types of taxes. Salaried people who can earn more than four to five thousand dollars per year must pay a certain part.It depends on their salaries.The federal government has a two-level income tax:that is,15 or 28 percent.$17 850 is the cut off.The tax rate is 15 percent below $17 850 and 28 percent above. The second tax is for the state government:New York,California,or any of the other forty-eight states.Some states have an income tax similar to that of the federal government.Of course,the percentage for the state tax is lower.Other states have a sales tax,which is a percentage charged to any item which people buy in the state.Some states use income tax and sales tax to raise their revenues(=annual income). The third tax is for the city.This tax comes in two forms:property tax(people who own a home have to pay taxes on it) and excise tax ,which is collected on vehicles in a city.The cities use this money for education,police,public works,etc. Since Americans pay such high taxes,they often feel that they are working one day each week just to pay their taxes.People always complain about taxes.They often say that the government misuses their tax dollars.They all believe that taxes are too high in this country. \n Question: In the United States,taxes are collected to provide revenues for    . \n Options: (A) the federal government (B) the state government (C) the city government (D) the three levels of government", "pos": "Article: Why must we pay taxes? The answer is that the government needs money for many things, for example to pay its soldiers, sailors and airmen, to build roads, bridges, offices, schools, etc and to buy goods from abroad; and only the people of the country can supply the money.One of the most important taxes is income-tax which a person pays according to the amount of his income-tax.Whether he is a businessman, a doctor, a lawyer, a shopkeeper, a miner, or anything else.This is called a \"direct\" tax, because it is paid in money direct to the government. Another tax is paid on goods such as watches, jewellery, new clothes, tobacco, wine, etc, when they are brought into a country, such a tax is paid as part of the price of these goods if they are later sold in shops.We call it \"indirect\" tax, because it is paid indirectly through the shopkeeper. People usually complain about having to pay taxes, but they forget that the money is spent on the things that they and their families need.We need policemen to catch thieves, to see that men obey the laws, to direct traffic, etc, and they must be paid what they earn; children need education and there must be schools and teachers; we want our streets to be kept clean, and the wages of men who do this kind of work have to be paid.Above all, the country must always be ready to defend itself against attacking enemies, and we cannot have an army without paying for it. Taxes, therefore, cannot be avoided.We buy our own food and clothes and pay for our own amusements, but there are several things that the State finds the money for, and that are necessary for us if our society is to continue.So we have no real cause to complain when we are asked to supply money to be spent for the good of ourselves and for our fellow-citizens. \n Question: Indirect tax means   _  . \n Options: (A) tax that one pays direct to the government (B) tax that is not paid directly to the government (C) tax that is paid as an extra amount added to the price of certain goods (D) Both B and C", "neg": "Article: One day a teacher was giving her young students a lesson on how the government works . She was trying to explain the principle of income tax  . \"You see ,\" she began , speaking slowly and carefully , \"each person who works must pay part of his or her salary   to the government . If you make a high salary , your taxes are high . If you don't make much money , your taxes are low .\" \"Is that clear ?\" she asked . \"Does everyone understand the meaning of income tax ?\" The students nodded. \"Are there any questions ?\" she asked . The students shook their heads . \"Very good !\" she said . \"Now ,I would like you to take a piece of paper and write a short paragraph on the subject of income tax .\" Little Joey was a slow learner . He had lots of problems with spelling and grammar , but this time he at least seemed to understand the task . He took his pen and after a few minutes , he handed the teacher the following composition : Once I had a dog . His name was Tax . I opened the door and in come Tax . \n Question: The teacher was trying to explain  _  one day . \n Options: (A) the basic principles of the income tax (B) how the government works (C) everyone should pay income tax (D) how much tax one should pay for his income", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}351{"query": "Article: A good friend of mine was complaining about her son the other day.\"Did you notice,\" she started, \"how he didn't wait for me to get my salad before he dove into his?\" True enough, the boy attacked his plate faster than a cat in the wild.Without manners, we're no more than animals.Actually, that's not true.I've been watching and feeding a group of wild cats, and they show unusual politeness toward each other.Even when food is _ , they take turns, leaving at least a small part for the next in line. My mother educated her three children to have good manners all the time.We were made to feel very uncomfortable as if we were sitting on pins and needles until we got used to saying please, thank you, pardon me, and I'm sorry.And I have to say, while it was a painful learning experience, it was one of the most valuable. I can't tell you how often I sat with my friends, eating at their dinner tables, and their parents thought highly of my good manners.While it was a little embarrassing, I knew even then that my mother's teachings were paying off. Many years later, when I was attending seminars across the country, my manners were quite useful. While I regret that I haven't been a perfect example, I'm still working on it.I suppose, in this regard, my mother lives on through me.I didn't have her beautiful singing voice or her green eyes, but she did make sure I received one of her finest characteristics. \n Question: What did the writer's friend most probably complain about? \n Options: (A) Her son's eating too quickly. (B) Her son's not having a healthy diet. (C) Her son's not having good table manners. (D) Teenagers' not having good manners.", "pos": "Article: Good manners are important, but you can easily make a social blunder when you visit a foreign country, because sometimes good manners in one place are bad manners in other places. Suppose you visit some friends in Mongolia and they ask you to eat with them. What kind of manners do they want you to have? They want you to give a loud \"burp\" after you finish eating. Burping shows that you like your food. But in some other countries, if you give a loud \"burp\", you are supposed to say, \"Excuse me, please.\" In many places people like to eat together. But in some parts of Polynesia it is bad manners to be seen eating together. People show their good manners by turning their backs on others while they eat. What are manners like in an East African town? The people try not to see you. When you are visiting a friend, he may not see you at all. If you are polite, you will sit down beside him. You will wait until he finishes what he is doing. Then he will talk to you. If you visit a friend in Arabia you should walk behind other tents until you come to his tent. If you pass in front of other tents, you will be asked into each one. The people will ask you to eat with them. And it is bad manners if you say no. Manners are different all over the world. But it is good to know that all manners help people show that they want to be friends. \n Question: People turn their backs to others while they eat in some places in  _  . \n Options: (A) Mongolia (B) an East African town (C) Polynesia (D) Arabia", "neg": "Article: Dear Bewildered, Table manners are about being kind to and considerate of others.Having proper table manners is one way people judge others,and we don't want people to think that we are rude,do we ? Whether in a restaurant or in a home, here are some basic table manners for kids: 1Eat with a fork unless the food is meant to be eaten with fingers.Only babies eat with fingers. 2Sit up and do not hunch over your plate;wrists or forearms can rest on the table,or hands on lap. 3Chew with your mouth closed,No one wants to see food being chewed up.This includes no talking with your mouth full. 4Don't make any rude comments about any food being served.It will hurt someone's feelings.Always say thank you when you're served something. 5Eat slowly.It takes someone a long time to prepare the food,so enjoy it slowly.Wait about 5 seconds after swallowing to get another forkful .  6 Don't reach over someone's plate for something.Politely ask the dish to be passed to you. 7When eating at someone's home or being a guest of someone at a restaurant,always thank the host and tell him or her how much you enjoy it.At least say that you like the dinner ,for example, the dessert is great. \n Question: The writer writes this passage mainly for  _  . \n Options: (A) Foreigners (B) kids (C) Parents (D) teachers", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}352{"query": "Article: I arrived at the bus station much too early for the London bus, which was not to leave until five to twelve. I pushed through the crowds, looking for somewhere to sit down. Scores of people were standing about, or struggling along with their bags and the cases to find the right lines. There was a party of school girls. I could see teachers trying to keep them in order. But there was nowhere for me to sit. I stepped into the station buffet. I looked up at the clock there. It was only twenty to twelve. I found a seat opposite a large mirror on the wall. Just then a friend of mine called Jim came in and sat with me. \"What time is your bus?\" asked Jim. \"Oh, there's a plenty of time yet,\" I answered. \"Oh, I'll get some drinks then,\" said Jim. We talked while drinking. Then I looked at the clock again. \"Good heavens! It's going backward!\" I cried. \"A moment ago it was twenty to twelve and now it's half past eleven.\" \"You are looking at the clock in the mirror,\" said Jim. I could kick myself for being so stupid. I had not realized that the marks for one and eleven on the face of the clock were the same. The next bus was not to leave for another hour. I have never liked mirror since then. \n Question: The writer went to the station buffet because   _  . \n Options: (A) he was thirsty (B) he saw the station buffet was not so crowded (C) it was still early for his bus and he couldn't find a place to sit at the bus station (D) he had changed his mind; he wouldn't go to London", "pos": "Article: It was the small hours of the morning when we reached London Airport. I had rung London from Amsterdam, and there was a hired car to meet, but there was one more unfortunate happening before I reached my flat. In all my travels I have never, but for that once, been required by the British customs to open a single bag or to do more than state that I carried no goods liable to duty, or rather, to declare. It was, of course, my fault; the extreme tiredness and nervous tension of the journey had destroyed my normal state of mind. I was, for whichever reason, so tired that I could hardly stand, and to the question, \"have you read this?\" I replied with extreme foolishness, \"Yes, hundreds of times.\" \"And you have nothing to declare?\" \"Nothing.\" \"How long have you been out of this country?\" \"About three months.\" \"And during that time you have acquired nothing?\" \"Nothing but what is on the list I have given you.\" He seemed momentarily at a loss, but then he attacked. The attack, when it came, was completely unexpected. \"Where did you get that watch?\" I could have kicked myself. Two days before, when playing water games with a friend in the bath, I had forgotten to take off my ROLEX OYSTER, and it had, not unnaturally, stopped. I had gone into the market and bought, for no more than ten pounds, an ugly time piece that made a strange noise. It had stopped twice, without any reason, during the journey. I explained, but I had already lost face. I produced my own watch from a pocket, and added that I should be grateful if he would _ the replacement. \"It is not a question of confiscation; you will have it,\" he said, \"there is a fine for failing to declare dutiable goods. And now may I please examine that Rolex?\" It took another quarter of an hour to persuade him that the Rolex was not contraband ; then he began to search my luggage. \n Question: What can we conclude from the questions asked by the customs officer? \n Options: (A) He wanted to embarrass the writer. (B) He was just fulfilling his duty by asking the passenger some usual questions. (C) He must have noticed the writer's new watch. (D) He can't have noticed the writer's tiredness.", "neg": "Article: I had recently arrived in London and I wanted to see some of the famous places. Should I go to the seaside? Or maybe one of the famous parks? I walked along the street, past a kindergarten playground, and suddenly saw an underground railway station. I was surprised because it was not on my map. I went to buy a ticket. The ticket-seller looked very old. He gave me a ticket, said \"Remember it's a return\", laughed and walked away without taking my money. Was it special for tourists? A train arrived. I could not see any other passengers. I got on and the doors closed. I suddenly felt I should not have got onto the train. It started to go faster and faster, shooting along the tracks. As it entered the tunnel, everything became as dark as midnight and I do not remember the next few minutes. The train came to a station and I got out. I could see light shining in the distance so I walked towards _ and came to a door. Beyond it there was a busy street. There were lots of English people walking about, and I could see some of the famous buildings of London, but there was something wrong. The people's clothes were strange. There were no cars, no motorbikes--but there were horses everywhere. Was someone making a film? \"Excuse me,\" I said to a man. \"Would you mind telling me where I am and what is happening?\" \"What do you mean? Who are you? Where do you come from? Are you from China? This is London and everyone's going to work. Can't you see that?\" he asked. \"Thank you, sir. I'm sorry, but could I look at your newspaper?\" I asked. \"You can have it,\" he said as he walked off. I looked at it; I saw \"New Bicycle Law\" and above that \"July 5, 1880\". Maybe I should have walked around, but I ran back to the door. I waited a long time. I was very afraid. A train came. I got on. It took me back to the first station. As I left, a woman asked, \"What were you doing in that abandoned station?\" I had no answer, but I still had the newspaper in my hand. \n Question: Why was the author surprised at the beginning of the story? \n Options: (A) Because he suddenly saw an underground railway station. (B) Because he walked past a kindergarten playground. (C) Because the ticket-seller looked very old. (D) Because he couldn't find the station on his map.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}353{"query": "Article: One of India's great economic advantages is the   youth of its population. To make the most of this advantage, India's children need to be educated. On paper, India is doing well here. The country has a nationwide network of state primary schools funded by a specially designed tax. 96% of children aged 6-14 go to school, even in rural areas. That's well above the average for the developing world and their attendance is good. But the attainment is poor: three quarters of third graders can't read a gradeone text and 53% of grade five kids can't read at the standard they should have achieved at grade two. Levels of achievement are almost as bad in math.  \"The main problem in India is not school entry or whether there is a local school; it's the delivery of education, the way teaching is done or not done,\" says Vinati Sukhdev, the executive director of Pratham, a charity that campaigns for better education in India. And according to Ms. Sukhdev, the country's teachers are the thirdbestpaid in the world but they're poorly trained and are often absent. Teacher attendance at the primary level is only 85%, according to Pratham's research and there's little punishment for those who don't turn up.  The government knows that state schooling needs to improve. In 2009 it passed the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), a law for the national provision of free, childfriendly education. It says that there should be two teachers for every 60 students and that they should go to work regularly, get there on time, follow the curriculum, assess how well the children are learning and meet regularly with parents.  \"What we need to do next is improve accountability ,\" says Ms. Sukhdev. Schools have management committees that are supposed to include parent and local government representatives. \"But they don't work or people don't know they exist.\" Pratham tries to help local communities and parents drive improvement. \"You should see the kind of reaction we get when they realize the teacher is paid but isn't turning up!\"says Ms.  Sukhdev. \"We can't be everywhere, so we limit ourselves to working in a few districts, where we can create model schools. Then we try to work together with local government to make sure every school in the district or state is raised to that level.\" The Read India programme is an example of what targeted help can achieve. Pratham has created an easytouse teaching and assessment pack called Learn to Read. It has trained teachers in how to use the pack at school and showed community health workers, volunteers and parents how it could support learning outside school. The programme has now run across 19 states, involving 450,000 volunteers and training 600,000 teachers and government workers. Among the 33 million children who have participated, the number of those who can read simple sentences has risen by 20%. \n Question: Who are to blame for India's poor education according to Vinati Sukhdev? \n Options: (A) School teachers. (B) Local governments. (C) Parents with stereotypes. (D) Educational organizations.", "pos": "Article: As a school teacher, Inderjit Khurana used to take the train to work. And one day, at the station, she saw dozens of children who spent their days begging from train passengers rather than going to school. She learned that it was not a rare problem and that millions of children in India lived on the streets. Realizing that these children would never be able to escape poor life and homelessness without education, and that it would be impossible to send these children to school, Inderjit decided to create a model program---taking the school to the most out- of-school children. Khurana's train platform schools aim to provide a creative school form and give children the basic levels of education. Her last goals reach far beyond the 20 platform schools she and her colleagues have created in India's Bhubaneswar region. She is determined that her program will become a model for changing the lives of the poorest children throughout India and the world. Khurana founded the Ruchika Social Service Organization(RSSO) in 1985. The teachers gather the children together between the stops of the train for reading, writing, maths and history taught through songs and other teaching tools. Khurana recently comes to realize that the education of these children is impossible when the most basic needs of their families are not being met. So she also provides food and medicine for their families. Khurana insists that every child have the right to an education and that if a child cannot come to the school, then the school must come to him or her. \n Question: Khurana's final aim is to  _  . \n Options: (A) make the poorest children's lives better (B) put an end to the problem of children's dropout (C) attract more students to her platform schools (D) set up 20 platform schools throughout India", "neg": "Article: Why are so many students not doing well? Why is there such a huge achievement gap between urban and suburban students? Just this week, in my school the seventh grade team leader called a meeting to discuss academic detention  . The purpose of the detention is to allow students who are doing poorly a second chance to redo the work. Now if a student did not understand an assignment I have no trouble allowing that student to redo a test or give some extra credit work, but if a student did poorly because he/she opted  not to do the work out of sheer laziness, that student should not be given a second chance.     And parents should be held accountable for their children. That is another reason why there is such a huge achievement gap. All children should be monitored at home in order to achieve great success in school. Perhaps it might be a great idea for urban school districts to offer free classes to parents on how to help their students at home. Of course this idea is far fetched, after all we do not want to offend the parents. What we will do instead is to spend a fortune on teacher training because if the kids are not doing well it must be the fault of the teacher. That kind of mindset, if allowed to continue will be a perfect recipe for greater achievement gaps.      I started working at my current school in August and I have been in the teaching field for 25 years. What I believe is that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make that  horse drink. You can't force kids to change bad habits over  night, nor can we afford to lower standards just so a kid can  pass a class. \n Question: The seventh grade team leader in the author's school called    a meeting to   _  . \n Options: (A) analyse the reason for the huge achievement gap between students (B) find out who is to blame for the huge achievement gap between students (C) talk about giving students who are doing poorly a second  chance to redo the work (D) discuss how to narrow the huge achievement gap between students", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}354{"query": "Article: The worst days of any summer are the rainy ones. We spend all year looking forward to nice weather and long, hot days. In winter, with its cloudy days and bitter cold, we dream of those days at the beach, lying on the sand and enjoying the bright and burning sun. And then, summer comes, and it rains. As a child, I would wake up to rainy summer days and come close to crying. It wasn't fair. We suffered through months of school and experienced bad weather for those short ten weeks of freedom. On those rainy summer days, I had nothing fun to do and could only sit inside, staring out at the rain like a bird in a cage. I was an only child, so there was no one else to play with. My father worked from home, so I was not truly alone, but he could not actively play with me since he was at work. It was those days that I would watch whatever was on television or read any books that I could find lying around. I'd pray each night that the rain would not be there the next day. As an adult, though, my opinion of summer rain has changed. When you have to work every day, summer is not as exciting. Everything seems uninteresting. Such a mindset makes you cheer for anything new or different. I spend the winter dreaming of summer and the summer dreaming of winter. When summer comes, I hate how hot it is. And then I look forward to the rain, because the rain brings with it a cold front, which makes me comfortable. Rainy days are still the worst days of the summer, but summer rain today means positively beautiful -- and quite cooler -- weather tomorrow. \n Question: When the author was a child, he   _  . \n Options: (A) liked staying indoors (B) hated rainy days (C) dreamed on summer days (D) preferred cooler weather", "pos": "Article: July 21st. 2007 was a typical English summer's day -- it rained for 24 hours ! As usual, I rushed home from work at midday to check on the house. Nothing was _ By the time I left work at 5pm.  However, the road into our village was flooded. Our house had never been flooded but, as I opened the front door. a wave of waters greeted me. Thank God the kids weren't with me, because the house was 5 feet deep in water. We lost everything downstairs. And the plaster had to be torn off the wall's ceilings pulled down. At first we tried to push on through. We didn't want to move the children out of home.  so we camped upstairs. We put a sheet of plastic across the floor to protect us from the damp. But after three months, we felt very sick, so we move to a wooden house in a park. The house was small.  but at first we were all just delighted to be in a new place. Unfortunately, things took longer than expected and we were there for 10 months. The life there was inconvenient. What surprised me most was how much I missed being part of a community . We had lived in a friendly village with good neighbors, and I'd never thought how much I,I'd miss that. Although our situation was very bad, it's difficult to feel too sorry for yourself when you look at what's happening elsewhere. I watched a news report about floods in Northern India and thought.  \"We didn't have a straw hut that was for Christmas. But I can't wait -- I'm going to throw a party for our friends in the village to say thanks for their support. This year, I won't need any gifts -- living away from home for months has made me realize how little we actually need or miss all our possessions. Although we are replacing things, there's really no rush -- we have our home back.  and that's the main thing. \n Question: It can be inferred from the text that the author  _  . \n Options: (A) was sick of staying upstairs (B) cared much about her children (C) could not stand living in a wooden house (D) did not deal well with her family affairs during the flood", "neg": "Article: My life suffered a lot in summer five years ago. My father died in a car accident,leaving my mother,my two younger brothers and I alone. At that time,I was a senior high school student. After my father's funeral,I had no choice but to drop out of school and work in a factory. I really wanted to return to school and wanted to go to college,but I couldn't. I only hoped to bring up my two young brothers. Life was not easy for me,for I can't afford their tuition even if I worked from day to night without stopping. Without my father's protection,I thought I was a slave to the fate. Later on,something changed my life. I still remember that it was a rainy day. I put myself in the rain and walked slowly in the street. Suddenly the rain stopped!I raised my head and found \"the sky\" was in fact a dark blue umbrella. Then I noticed a middleaged man with one leg on crutch  standing behind me. He said to me,\"Why not run without an umbrella?If you didn't run,you would get drenched.\" The man told me that he was a promoter. He once dreamed of being a policeman,but an accident ruined his dream. Though his present job was not suitable for his legs,it was a wonderful start to him. He was very happy that he didn't lose heart and still \"ran\" on the road of life... I was encouraged by the man's words. I went to a big city and  became an assurance representative. After two years' running,I did well and my family condition turned better little by little. Later I returned to school and succeeded in my entrance to university. Life is like this. When you are in rainy days in your life,if you couldn't find a way to prevent you from being wet,you would be overwhelmed. But if you decide to get rid of it,you'll discover that the rainy days last not so long as you imagine. \n Question: What happened to the writer at the beginning of the story? \n Options: (A) His father died in a car accident six years ago. (B) He had to drop out of school to look after his sick mother. (C) He couldn't afford his two brothers' tuition even if he worked from day to night. (D) He didn't have money to hold the funeral for his father.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}355{"query": "Article: Wal-Mart is not just the world's largest retailer  . It's the world's largest company, which sells in three months what number-two retailer Home Depot sells in a year. Wal-Mart exercises its power for just one purpose: to bring the lowest possible prices to its customers. At Wal-Mart, that goal is never reached. The retailer has a clear policy for suppliers: On basic products that don't change, the price Wal-Mart will pay, and will charge shoppers, must drop year after year. But what almost no one outside the world of Wal-Mart and none of its 21,000 suppliers know is the high cost of those low prices. To survive in the face of its pricing demands, makers of everything from bikes to jeans have had to close US plants in favor of obtaining products from abroad. Indeed, the real story of Wal-Mart, the story that never gets told, is the story of the pressure the biggest retailer constantly applies to its suppliers in the name of bringing us \"every day low prices\". The giant retailer' s low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart' s pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line? Of course, US companies have been moving jobs offshore for decades, long before Wal-Mart was a retailing power. But there is no question that the chain is helping accelerate the loss of American jobs to low-wage countries such as Thailand. People ask, \"How can it be bad for things to come into the US cheaply?\" Sure, it's great to have bargains. But you can' t buy anything if you' re not employed. There is no question that Wal-Mart's drive to squeeze out cost has benefited consumers. By now, it is accepted wisdom that Wal-Mart makes the companies it does business with more efficient and focused. Wal-Mart itself is known for continuous improvement in its ability to handle, move, and track goods. It is legendary   for forcing its suppliers to redesign everything from their packaging to their computer systems. It is also legendary for quite straightforwardly telling them what it will pay for their goods. \n Question: How do suppliers meet the requirements of Wal-Mart? \n Options: (A) To sell even more goods in three months. (B) To cut down the employment rate sharply. (C) To charge shoppers at a much higher price. (D) To run the business in a well-organized way.", "pos": "Article: The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It's said that it's the day that store ledgers move into the black and companies become profitable. On that day, retailers slash  prices to get consumers to buy.  It is also a time when many Americans start their Christmas shopping. VOA's Elizabeth Lee tells us how the economy may affect consumers on that bargain day. This day should be a shopper's dream. \"It's just the deals, the sales and everything you can get for a lesser price,\" said Sandy Thomas, a shopper. But it's a nightmare for others. \"I think it's crazy. I've done all of my shopping throughout the week so I don't have to go out on Friday,\" she said. It's called Black Friday, the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. Every year it's the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Stores open before sunrise and there are deep discounts everywhere you look. Last year a crowd of bargain-hunters killed a Wal-mart worker in a New York suburb. This year, many stores are increasing security while they slash prices. \"This is a huge time for the retail stores,\" said Fred Joutz from George Washington University. \"This is when they begin making their profits for the year.\" Economics professor Fred Joutz says how Americans spend the weekend after Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future. With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, Joutz says Americans are saving more and spending less. Some retailers are attracting consumers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, when shops are traditionally closed.  Other stores open their doors anywhere from midnight to four in the morning. And shoppers will be lining up in front of the doors in order to be one of the first ones to walk through and get a big discount. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually the first items to go. Sandy Thomas says it's an annual family tradition and well worth it. \"I just save maybe half of what I would have spent on a regular, you know, shopping trip,\" she said. Economists say U.S. consumers will spend money this Black Friday, but they will spend it more carefully. \n Question: By saying \"This day should be a shopper's dream\", the writer means   _   . \n Options: (A) shoppers have longed for this day for a long time (B) the shops will be very crowded on that day (C) the shops will keep open until the daybreak of next day (D) shoppers can buy many items at low prices on that day", "neg": "Article: All around the world, shoppers flock to Wal-Mart to buy everything. In Texas, they come for another reason: to see the wind turbine , which supplies 5% of the store's electricity. It along with other facilities, such as exterior walls coated with heat-reflective paint, makes this Wal-Mart a green giant. The laws of economics suggest that Wal-Mart, with 5, 200 stores worldwide, influences everything including the price of all kinds of goods. It throws its weight behind environmental responsibility, and the impact could be amazing. \"One little change in product packaging could save 1, 500 trees,\" says Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott.\"If everybody saves 1, 500 trees or 50 barrels of oil, at the end of the day you have made a huge difference.\" Scott wants Wal-Mart to do its part too. He has promised to cut the existing greenhouse-gas emissions over the next few years and promised to construct new stores that are more efficient. He wants Wal-Mart's fleet of more than 7, 000 trucks to get twice as many miles per gallon by 2015. Factories that show Wal-Mart they're cutting air pollution will get preferential treatment in the supply chain. Wal-Mart says it's working with consumer-product manufacturers to reduce their packaging and will reward them if they do so. Some people may doubt it is a bid to attract attention from Wal-Mart's controversial labor and health-insurance practices. But it's not just window dressing, because Wal-Mart sees profits in                                                                                          going green. Scott says, \" _ . We don't go where we don't think there's a great interest in change.\" Like Bill Gates, who started his charitable foundation, Scott happens to be promoting Wal-Mart's image at a time when his company's reputation is declining. He acknowledges that he launched the plan partly to shield  Wal-Mart from bad press about its contribution to global warming. \"By doing what we're doing today, we avoid the headline risks that are going to come for people who did not do anything,\" he says. \"At some point businesses will be held responsible for the action they take.\" Meanwhile, should Wal-Mart succeed at shrinking its environmental footprint and lowering prices for green products, both the planet and the company will profit. \n Question: We can infer from the passage that   _  . \n Options: (A) Lee Scott is Wal-Mart's CEO (B) there are 5, 200 stores in the world (C) Wal-Mart has a great influence on the world market (D) Wal-Mart has more than 7, 000 trucks all over the world", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}356{"query": "Article: My father was poor in expressing his feelings. I knew that my dad loved me, but showed me love in other ways. There was one particular time in my life when this became real to me. I always believed that my parents had a good marriage, but gradually the strain  on my mom and dad's relationship was quite evident. However, I was not prepared for the day when Dad had decided to leave. All that I could think of was that I was going to become a product of a divorced family. I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to happen. The night before he left, I stayed up in my room for a long time. I prayed and I cried and I wrote a long letter to my dad. I told him how much I loved him and that I would always and forever be his Krissie. As I folded my note, I stuck in a picture of me with a saying I had always heard: _ Early the next morning, as my dad left our house, I slipped my letter into one of his bags. Two weeks later, my mother told me that they decided that there were things that the both of them could and would change and that their marriage was worth saving. \"Well, Dad said that when he read your letter, it made him cry. It meant a lot to him and I have hardly ever seen your dad cry. After he read your letter, he called to ask if he could come over to talk. Whatever you said really made a difference to your dad.\" A few days later my dad was back. We never talked about the letter. I guessed that it became a secret between us. \n Question: Why did the author's father decide to leave? \n Options: (A) Because he was poor in showing his feelings. (B) Because his wife was always giving orders. (C) Because serious problems occurred in their marriage. (D) Because the strain on father-daughter relationship was evident.", "pos": "Article: Occasionally, my father came back drunk. Late at night, he beat on the door, pleading to my mother to open it .He was on his way home from drinking, gambling, or some combination thereof, misspending money that we could have used and wasting time that we desperately needed. It was the late-1970s. My parents were separated. My mother was now raising a group of boys on her own. My father spouted off about what he planned to do for us, buy for us.In fact, he had no intention of doing anything. As a father who was supposed to love us, in fact, he lacked the understanding of what it truly meant to love a child--or to hurt one. To him, this was a harmless game that kept us excited and begging. In fact, it was a cruel, corrosive lie. I lost faith in his words and in him. I wanted to stop caring, but I couldn't. Maybe it was his own complicated relationship to his father and his father's family that caused him cold. Maybe it was the pain and guilt associated with a life of misfortune. Who knows. Whatever it was, it stole him from us, and particularly from me. While my brothers talked about breaking and fixing things, I spent many of my evenings reading and wondering. My favorite books were a set of encyclopedias  given by my uncle. They allowed me to explore the world beyond my world, to travel without leaving, to dream dreams greater than my life would otherwise have supported. But losing myself in my own mind also meant that I was completely lost to my father. Not understanding me, he simply ignored me--not just emotionally, but physically as well. Never once did he hug me, never once a pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder or a tousling of the hair. My best memories of him were from his episodic attempts at engagement with us. During the longest of these episodes , once every month or two, he would come pick us up and drive us down the interstate to Trucker's Paradise, a seedy, smoke-filled, truck stop with gas pumps, a convenience store, a small dining area and a game room through a door in the back. My dad gave each of us a handful of quarters, and we played until they were gone. He sat up front in the dining area, drinking coffee and being particular about the restaurant's measly offerings. I loved these days. To me, Trucker's Paradise was paradise. The quarters and the games were fun but easily forgotten. It was the presence of my father that was most treasured. But, of course, these trips were short-lived. It wasn't until I was much older that I would find something that I would be able to _ as evidence of my father's love. When the Commodore 64 personal computer debuted, I convinced myself that I had to have it even though its price was out of my mother's range. So I decided to earn the money myself. I mowed every yard I could find that summer for a few dollars each, yet it still wasn't enough. So my dad agreed to help me raise the rest of the money by driving me to one of the watermelon farms south of town, loading up his truck with wholesale melons and driving me around to sell them. He came for me before daybreak. We made small talk, but it didn't matter. The fact that he was talking to me was all that mattered. I was a teenager by then, but this was the first time that I had ever spent time alone with him. He laughed and repeatedly introduced me as \"my boy,\" a phrase he relayed with a sense of pride. It was one of the best days of my life. Although he had never told me that he loved me, I would _ that day as the greatest evidence of that fact. He had never intended me any wrong. He just didn't know how to love me right. He wasn't a mean man. So I took these random episodes and _ them like a thing most precious, storing them in my mind for the long stretches of coldness when a warm memory would prove most useful. It just goes to show that no matter how friendless the father, no matter how deep the damage, no matter how shattered the bond, there is still time, still space, still a need for even the smallest bit of evidence of a father's love. \"My boy.\" \n Question: From the passage, the father was  _   in the writer's memory. \n Options: (A) selfish and cruel (B) proud and cold (C) imperfect but loving (D) shy but thoughtful", "neg": "Article: It was late one evening. I can't remember what it was about, but my dad and I had a very big argument   when my mom was away. We both said things we didn't mean, and in the end I said, \"I'm leaving.\" And he said, \"Good. The sooner, the better.\" I threw a few things in a suitcase and closed the door angrily behind me, not knowing where I was going. After walking aimlessly for about 20 minutes, I stopped at a local supermarket. Then my phone rang. It was my mom calling. She said, \"Hey, Mary. Where are you? Dad is worried about you.\" \"How can he worry about me? I've been away for nearly half an hour, but he didn't call,\" I said with annoyance  . My anger returned and I remembered all the hateful things he'd shouted to me. \"Listen, Mom. You can tell Dad that I'm fine. I'll call you tomorrow,\" I said and hung up. I walked around the store, trying to get my thoughts together. By the time I paid for my _ , it had been much later than I used to be out alone. When I left the supermarket, a large piece of white paper was in front of me. On the piece of white paper were these words: \"Please come home! I miss you and I'm worried about you!\" Then a car pulled up beside me. Hanging out of the window was my dad. Beside him, smiling gently, sat my mom. And that's when I started laughing. I laughed so hard that I cried. Despite   my best efforts to run away from home, my father finally managed to track me down. I couldn't leave now, not with him sitting there with caring eyes. \n Question: Hearing Mary decided to leave home, Mary's father was very  _  . \n Options: (A) worried (B) angry (C) nervous (D) surprised", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}357{"query": "Article: On the way home from school, Jack always passes a park. His mother said it was dangerous to pass by the park at night, but it is the fastest way home. Today, after finishing soccer practice, Jack was walking toward the park as usual. Suddenly, Jack heard someone calling him, \"Excuse me!\" Jack turned around, and there was an old woman. \"Yes, ma'am.\" Jack answered politely. \"Don't pass by the park tonight.\" Her voice was weak and dry. \"Okay, ma'am,\" said Jack carelessly. The old woman held Jack's hand strongly, and said, \"I mean it!\" Jack felt the hairs on his neck stand up. As soon as the lady let go of his hand, he started to run. This time, he ran so fast that he didn't have time to think where he was going. When he stopped, he realized he was in the middle of the park. He remembered what the old woman had said, but it was too late. He thought, \"It would be okay if I run really fast.\" Suddenly, he heard someone scream . Jack was too frightened to wonder who it was. He breathed as deep as possible. The screaming continued. He heard some fast footsteps approaching, so he turned around. It was the old lady! She walked toward him, and shouted \"I told you not to come here!\" Frightened to death, Jack screamed sharply and ran home like an arrow. He thought he heard not only the old lady, but also some other people shouting at him, and it made him more terrified. As soon as Jack saw his mother, Jack said, \"Mom! Do you know what just happened at the park?\" Jack's mother nodded, and said, \"Yes, I know. There is a movie shooting tonight in the park.\" \n Question: What does the story mainly tell us? \n Options: (A) An old lady scared Jack for fun. (B) A movie was being made in a park. (C) Jack was frightened by something unexpected. (D) Mother told Jack a frightening story.", "pos": "Article: It must have been around nine o'clock when I drove back home from work because it was already dark. As I came near to the gates I turned off the head lights of the car so as to prevent the beam from swinging   through the window and waking Jack, who shared the house with me. But I needn't have done so. I noticed that his light was still on, so he was awake anyway--unless he had fallen asleep while reading. I put the car away and went up the steps. Then I opened the door quietly and went to Jack's room. He was in bed awake, but he didn't even turn towards me. \"What's up, Jack?\" I asked. \"For God's sake, don't make a noise,\" he said. The way he spoke reminded me of someone in pain who is afraid to talk in case he does himself serious injury. \"Take your shoes off, Neville,\" Jack said. I thought that he must be ill and that I had better give way to him to keep him happy. \"There is a snake here,\" he explained. \"It's asleep between the sheets. I was lying on my back reading when I saw it.I knew that moving was _ . I could not have moved even I'd wanted to.\" I realized that he was serious. \"I was depending on you to call a doctor as soon as you came home,\" Jack went on. \"It has not bitten me yet but I dare not do anything to upset it. It might wake up. I'm sick of this,\" he said.\"I took it for granted that you would have come home an hour ago.\" There was no time to argue or apologize for being late.I looked at him as encouraging as I could and went to telephone the doctor. \n Question: When he got home, Neville found that   _  . \n Options: (A) Jack had fallen asleep while reading (B) Jack had been reading for some time (C) Jack's light was not turned off (D) Jack was ready to answer the doctor", "neg": "Article: 'Well,' began Enfield, 'I was coming home about three o'clock on a black winter morning, when suddenly I saw two people. The first was a short man who was walking along the street, and the second was a little girl who was running as fast as she could. Well, the two bumped into each other and the child fell down. Then a terrible thing happened. The man calmly walked all over the child's body with his heavy boots, and left her screaming on the ground. It was an inhuman thing to do. I ran after the man, caught him and fetched him back. There was already a small crowd around the screaming child. The man was perfectly cool, but he gave me a very evil look, which made me feel sick in my stomach. The child's family then arrived, and also a doctor. The child had been sent to fetch the doctor for a sick neighbor, and was on her way home again. '\"The child is more frightened than hurt,\" said the doctor -- and that, you would think, was the end of the story. But, you see, I had taken a violent dislike to the short man. So had the child's family -- that was only natural. But the doctor, who seemed a quiet, kind man, was also looking at our prisoner with murder in his eyes. 'The doctor and I understood each other perfectly. Together we shouted at the man, and told him we would tell this story all over London so that his name would be hated. 'He looked back at us with a proud, black look. \"Name your price,\" he said. 'We made him agree to a hundred pounds for the child's family. With another black look, the man led us to that door over there. He took out a key and let himself into the building. _ he came out and handed us ten pounds in gold and a cheque for ninety pounds from Coutts's Bank. The name on the cheque was a well-known one. '\"See here,\" said the doctor doubtfully, \"it isn't usual for a man to walk into an empty house at four in the morning and come out with another man's cheque for nearly a hundred pounds.\" '\"Don't worry,\" said the man with an ugly look, \"I'll stay with you until the banks open, and change the cheque myself.\" 'So we all went off, the doctor and the prisoner and myself, and spent the rest of the night at my house. In the morning we went together to the bank. Sure enough, the cheque was good, and the money was passed to the child's family.' \n Question: Which of the following is true according to the passage above? \n Options: (A) The little girl was frightened as well as seriously hurt. (B) The doctor did not trust the short man and disliked him. (C) The short man willingly paid the little girl's family a hundred pounds. (D) The doctor was present at the spot to see what was wrong with the little girl.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}358{"query": "Article: An old friend from California called from the airport to tell me that he had arrived. I was not able to leave the office, but I had made plans for his arrival. After explaining   where my new house was, I told him that I had left the key under the doormat  . Since I knew it would be pretty late before I could get home, I suggested that he make himself at home and help himself to anything that was in the refrigerator . Two hours later my friend phoned me from the house. At the moment, he said, he was listening to some of my records after having had a delicious meal. Now, he said, he was drinking a glass of orange juice. When I asked him if he had had any difficulty finding the house, he answered that the only problem was that he had not been able to find the key under the doormat, but luckily, the living room window by the apple tree had been left open and he had climbed in through the window. I listened to all this in great surprise. There is no apple tree outside my window, but there is one by the living room window of my next door neighbor's house! \n Question: An old friend of mine called   _  . \n Options: (A) to tell me to meet him at the airport (B) to tell me about his arrival (C) to ask me to leave the office (D) to ask me to make plans for his arrival", "pos": "Article: I had just gone to bed after a very hard day when the phone rang. It was a strange farmer. I had never met him before although I had heard people talk about him. He sounded quite nervous and he had been talking for a minute or so before I understood anything. Even then all I could understand was that someone called Milly had had an accident. I hadn't the slightest idea who she was but I obviously had to go. It had been snowing heavily that day and I didn't know the way. I had been driving for at least an hour when I finally found his place. He was standing there, waiting for me. \"She meant more to me than anyone.even my own wife!\" he said. I could see that he had been crying. I thought something terrible had taken place, a possible scandal . I was even more shocked when he told me he had put her in the barn  . \"I wouldn't leave her out in the cold!\" he said. Milly had clearly been a secret lover of his. I was about to tell him he could not expect me to cover anything up when he opened the barn door. He lifted his candle and I saw a dark figure on the ground. \"She was such a good cow! I wouldn't let anyone but a doctor touch her!\" he said, and burst into tears again. \n Question: What do we know about Milly from the story? \n Options: (A) She was the farmer's wife. (B) She had an accident. (C) She was hidden somewhere. (D) She had caused a scandal.", "neg": "Article: It must have been around nine o'clock when I drove back home from work because it was already dark. As I came near to the gates I turned off the head lights of the car so as to prevent the beam from swinging   through the window and waking Jack, who shared the house with me. But I needn't have done so. I noticed that his light was still on, so he was awake anyway--unless he had fallen asleep while reading. I put the car away and went up the steps. Then I opened the door quietly and went to Jack's room. He was in bed awake, but he didn't even turn towards me. \"What's up, Jack?\" I asked. \"For God's sake, don't make a noise,\" he said. The way he spoke reminded me of someone in pain who is afraid to talk in case he does himself serious injury. \"Take your shoes off, Neville,\" Jack said. I thought that he must be ill and that I had better give way to him to keep him happy. \"There is a snake here,\" he explained. \"It's asleep between the sheets. I was lying on my back reading when I saw it.I knew that moving was _ . I could not have moved even I'd wanted to.\" I realized that he was serious. \"I was depending on you to call a doctor as soon as you came home,\" Jack went on. \"It has not bitten me yet but I dare not do anything to upset it. It might wake up. I'm sick of this,\" he said.\"I took it for granted that you would have come home an hour ago.\" There was no time to argue or apologize for being late.I looked at him as encouraging as I could and went to telephone the doctor. \n Question: When he got home, Neville found that   _  . \n Options: (A) Jack had fallen asleep while reading (B) Jack had been reading for some time (C) Jack's light was not turned off (D) Jack was ready to answer the doctor", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}359{"query": "Article: Driver Wanted Clean driving license . Must be of smart appearance. Age over 25. Apply to : Capes Taxi, 17 Palace Road, Royston. Air Hostesses for International Flights Wanted Applicants  must be between 20 and 33 years old. Height: 1.6 m to 1.75 m. Education to GCSE standard. Two languages. Must be able to swim. Apply to: Recruitment  office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West. HR 37 KK. Teachers Needed For private language school. Having college education. Teaching experience unnecessary. Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Languages Ltd. 279 Canal Street, Royston. \n Question: What prevents Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxi? \n Options: (A) Fond of beer and wine. (B) Punished for speeding and wrong parking. (C) Unable to speak a foreign language. (D) Not having college education.", "pos": "Article: Want to find a job?Now read the following advertisements. FAIRMONT HOTEL Five waiters and Ten Waitresses ---Aged under 22 ---At least high school graduate ---Good looking; men at least 1.72meters tall and women 1.65 ---Those knowing foreign languages preferred ---Paid 1600-2200dollars per month One Secretary ---Aged under 30 ---Female preferred ---Good at writing and skilled at computer If interested,call 465-4768or write to:Mr.Jack Hundris Room 0825,Fairmont Hotel 567Wood Street,San Markers,78003 Fax:6954828 WILSON BOOKSTORE Accountants  ---Aged between 25and 40 ---With an experience of at least two years ---With a degree and an accountant certificate ---Paid 3000-4000dollars monthly ---With a knowledge of computer Salesclerks ---Basic education of 12years or more ---Good at computer ---Paid 1800-2200dollars monthly Tel:447-4398Fax:3485269 \n Question: If you don't know how to use a computer,you can just apply for the position as  . \n Options: (A) a secretary (B) a waiter or a waitress (C) an accountant (D) a salesclerk", "neg": "Article: Read the advertisements, and then choose the best answers. Driver Wanted 1. Clean driving license  2. Must be of smart appearance. 3. Aged over 25. Apply to :Capes Taxis, 17 Palace Road, Boston Air Hostesses for International Flight Wanted 1. Applicants  must be between 20 and 33 years old. 2. Height 1.6m to 1.75m. 3. Education to GCSE standard. 4. Two languages. 5. Must be able to swim. Apply to: Recruitment office, Southern Airlines, Heathrow Airport West HR37KK Teachers Needed For private language school. Teaching experience unnecessary. Apply to: The Director of Studies, Instant Language Ltd, 279 Canal Street \n Question: What prevent Jack, an experienced taxi driver, working for Capes Taxis? \n Options: (A) Punished for speeding and wrong parking. (B) Fond of beer and wine. (C) Not having college education. (D) Unable to speak a foreign language.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}360{"query": "Article: Dear Mr. King,  Your grocery store is outstanding in many ways. I enjoy the selection of produce and fresh bakery items. I have been a long time Supermart shopper and hope to continue for many years. I have found, however, that I must make a separate shopping trip to one of your competitors because there are many items your store does not carry. This becomes inconvenient for me, as my time is valuable, and I do not like to make two trips. Your low prices and excellent customer service keep me coming back to Supermart, but I would be a more satisfied customer if I could find all the items I need in one place.  Specifically, I have never been able to purchase nacho cheese soup at your store. I can find other flavors   of soup, but your store does not carry nacho cheese soup, a common ingredient   in many of my recipes. In addition, I can only find large wonton wrappers, while many other stores carry both large and small and offer a more varied selection for their customers. Another example is Regent Brand Chili Seasoning. Though it is not a leading brand, it is still common on the shelves of other grocery stores in this area and is superior in flavor to its competitors.  I sincerely hope to continue a relationship with your store, and I hope that you will consider the possibility of expanding your goods to be more competitive.  Yours truly,  Bob Watson \n Question: According to Bob, the grocery store   _  . \n Options: (A) meets all his needs (B) is outstanding in every way (C) offers good customer service (D) lacks convenient transportation", "pos": "Article: Below are the top four supermarket chains in the world in 2012 and the reasons behind their success.  Tesco Headquartered in Chestnut, United Kingdom , this global grocery store is one of the largest supermarket chains in terms of revenues and profits. If was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. Tesco stores can be found across all continents. Even though it was set up only for food and beverages, Tesco has drastically branched out , not only in geographical terms, but also in terms of products. Which now include electronics , clothing, health care, home improvement and even financial services. Safeway Founded in the year 1915 by a young M. B, Skaggs. Safeway developed from just a small grocery store  on the fundamentals of providing value to customers and narrow profit margins. The success story of Skaggs becomes more evident when , by the end of the year 1926,he  had opened almost 428 stores across ten states. Almost two years later, Safeway was listed at the New York Stock Exchange . At present, there are more than fifteen hundred Safeway stores across US and Canada. The Kroger Company  Founded at Cincinnati, Ohio, US in 1883 by Mr. Bernard Kroger, the Kroger Company is now one of the largest supermarket chains not only in the US. but across the world . Over the last couple of decades, the Kroger Company has vastly expanded by acquiring popular brand names, including those of Owen's Market. Its stores are largely spread out across Middle. Western and Central United States.  Reve-Gruppe Reve - Gruppe was founded in 1927 and is presently headquartered at Cologne, Germany . This supermarket chain is easily counted among the top supermarket chains of the world . Its vast line of products includes grocery, home improvement, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, optical as well as clothing . Its stores can be found in as many as fourteen European countries, providing employment to more than 325,000 people. \n Question: Which of the following was founded first ? \n Options: (A) Tesco. (B) Safeway. (C) The Kroger Company. (D) Reve-Gruppe.", "neg": "Article: When you enter a supermarket, you see shelves full of food. You walk between the shelves. You carry a shopping basket and your food is in it. You probably hear soft, slow music as you walk between the shelves. If you hear fast music, you walk quickly. The supermarket plays slow music. You walk slowly and have more time to buy things. Maybe you go to the meat department first. There is some meat on sale, and you want to find it. The manager of the supermarket knows where customers enter the meat department. The cheaper meat is at the other end of the meat department, away from where the customers enter. You have to walk by all the expensive meat before you find the cheaper meat. Maybe you will buy some of the expensive meat instead of the meat on sale. The department selling milk and milk products such as butter and milk powder is called the dairy department. Many customers like milk that has only a little butterfat in it. One store has three different jars of low fat milk. One says\"1 percent fat\"on the jar. The second says \"99 percent fat free\". The third says \"LOW FAT\" in big letters and\"1%\"in small letters. As you can see, all the milk has the same amount of fat. The milk is all the same. However,in this store the three jars of milk cost three different amounts of money. Maybe the customers will buy the milk that costs the most. Most of the food in supermarkets is very pleasing. It all says \"Buy me!\" to the customers. The expensive meat says \"Buy me!\"as you walk by. The expensive milk jar says \"Buy me! I have less fat.\" \n Question: There are three different jars of low fat milk, and   _  . \n Options: (A) one has more fat than the other two (B) they all cost the same amount of money (C) one has less fat than the others (D) they all have the same amount of fat", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}361{"query": "Article: Money might not grow on trees, but scientists have confirmed that gold is found in the leaves of some plants. Researchers from Australia say that the presence of the particles  in an eucalyptus tree's leaves indicates that deposits  are buried many meters below. They believe that the discovery offers a new way to locate the valuable metal in difficult-to-reach locations.               Dr. Mel Lintern from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) said, \"We've found a lot of the easy deposits in Australia in this way. Now we are trying to find the more difficult ones that are buried tens of meters below. And the trees are providing us with a method to be able to do this.\"               Using the Australian synchrotron - a vast machine that uses X-rays to explore matter in remarkable detail - they found gold in the leaves, twigs and bark of some trees. The amount of the precious metal in an eucalyptus tree's leaves were tiny. \"We need 500 eucalyptus trees growing over a gold deposit to have enough gold in the trees themselves to make a gold ring,\" said Dr. Lintern. However, the presence of the particles pointed to richer deposits buried more than 30m below.               Dr. Lintern said, \"We believe that the trees are acting like a pump. They are bringing life-giving water from their roots, and in so doing, they are taking smaller dissolved gold particles up into the leaves.\"               Currently, the metal is found in outcrops ,where the ore  appears at the surface, or it is detected through exploratory drilling.               But the researchers said that analyzing plants could offer a better and simpler method to detect untapped gold deposits. Dr. Lintern said, \"Not only do we believe it is a way of saving the exploration cost, because exploring for these deposits can be quite expensive, it also minimizes the damage to the environment because we are taking a very small sample from the trees themselves, as well as the leaves and twigs on the ground. The plant-analyzing method is certain to work.\" \n Question: Which of the following can be the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) A new ways to locate metal deposits is found. (B) Gold is found in many trees in Australia. (C) Gold in trees can lead to hidden deposits. (D) Dr. Mel Lintern discovered new gold deposits.", "pos": "Article: The best example of something is often called the \"gold standard.\" It sets the standard against which other things are measured. In economics, the term describes how major trading nations once used gold to set currency values and exchange rates. Many nations continued to use the gold standard until the last century. In the United States, people could exchange paper money for gold from the eighteen seventies until nineteen thirty-three. Then-President Richard Nixon finally disconnected the dollar from the value of gold in nineteen seventy-one. From time to time, some politicians call for a return to the gold standard. In 1978, the International Monetary Fund ended an official gold price. The IMF also ended the required use of gold in _ with its member countries. Since that time, gold prices have grown and continued to be high. But people keep buying. Some people are \"gold bugs.\" These are investors who say people should buy gold to protect against inflation . People have valued gold for thousands of years. The soft, dense metal polishes to a bright yellow shine and resists most chemical reactions. It makes a good material for money, political power -- and, more recently, electrical power. If you own a device like a mobile phone or a computer, you might own a little gold in the wiring. The gold standard was the subject of one of the best-known speeches in American political history. William Bryan wanted the country to use both gold and silver as money. The idea was to devalue the dollar and make it easier for farmers to pay their debts. So he delivered a speech, which made him famous. He was a presidential candidate three times. But he never won. \n Question: After the IMF ended the official gold price, the gold prices  _  . \n Options: (A) stayed the same (B) began to drop (C) increased (D) increased a little at first and kept drop", "neg": "Article: Flying over a desert area in an airplane, two scientists looked down with trained eyes at trees and bushes. After an hour's flight one of the scientists wrote in his book, \"Look here for probable metal.\" Walking across hilly ground, four scientists reported, \"This ground should be searched for metals.\" From an airplane over a hilly wasteland a scientist sent back by radio one word \"Uranium.\" None of the scientists had X-ray eyes: they had no magic powers for looking down below the earth's surface. They were merely putting to use one of the newest methods of locating minerals in the ground---using trees and plants as signs that certain minerals may lie beneath the ground on which the trees and plants are growing. This newest method of searching for minerals is based on the fact that minerals deep in the earth may affect the kind of bushes and trees that grow on the surface.  At Watson Bar Creek, a mineral search group gathered bags of tree seeds. Boxes were filled with small branches from the trees. Roots were dug and put into boxes. Each bag and box was carefully marked. In a scientific laboratory the parts of the forest trees were burned to ashes and tested. Each small part was examined to learn whether there were minerals in it. Study of the roots, branches, and seeds showed no silver. But there were small amounts of gold in the roots and a little less gold in the branches and seeds. The seeds growing nearest to the tree trunk had more gold than those growing on the ends of the branches. If the trees had not indicated that there was gold in the ground, the scientists would not have spent money to pay for digging into the ground. They did dig and found more gold below. They dug deeper. They found large quantities of gold. \n Question: Scientists went to different regions in order to search for  _  . \n Options: (A) gold (B) silver (C) metals (D) minerals", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}362{"query": "Article: Science isn't something mysterious, only for the few. Every one of us--whether a poet, worker, or physicist has to be able to think scientifically, and to understand some science, such as whether to smoke, what to eat, and what protection to use. Even for decisions that don't depend on some scientific facts, science remains the proven set of best methods for getting exact information about the world.     Some people will end up as policy-makers in government or business. People such as these make decisions that affect the life of everyone, and most of them know no more about science than does the rest of the general public. Yet they are called upon to decide what to do about nuclear reactors , global warming, environmental toxins , expensive space programs, and biomedical research. It's nonscientists, not scientists, who have the last word on whether the milk we drink can safely come from cows treated with medicine. To make such decisions wisely, the decision makers have to be drawn from a scientifically educated public.     Even if science is irrelevant  to the lives of ordinary Americans, _ . This requires lots of young people to become excited enough by science that they decide to become professional scientists. This also requires, to some degree, the support and understanding of the general public. Scientists are not always able to communicate their findings in an easy-to-understand manner. Although the scientists should do a better job of explaining what they have discovered, members of the general public have to make efforts to understand what is being said. \n Question: What does the author mean by saying that \"a strong scientific spirit is basic to the economy, educational system and society\"? \n Options: (A) School and society should encourage young people to become professional scientists. (B) The school should only teach lessons of economy and education* (C) A scientifically educated public is basic to the economy,educational system and society. (D) More scientists work in our economy, educational system and society.", "pos": "Article: Stagnant  scientific education endangers U.S. economic leadership, says a report by leading business and science figures.      Released at a congressional meeting attended by senators  and Congress members of  both parties, the report updates a 2005 science education report that led to moves to double federal  research funding.        Nevertheless, the Rising Above the Gathering Stormreview finds little improvement in U.S. elementary and secondary technical education since then.     \"Our nation's future has worsened,\" concludes the report panel headed by former Lockheed chief Martin Norman Augustine. The report \"paints a discouraging future for America if it were to continue on the  _ path it has been following'':     * U.S. K-12 education in mathematics and science ranks 48thworldwide.     * 49%of U.S. adults don't know how long it takes for the Earth to circle the sun.      Although US school achievement scores have stagnated, harming the economy as employers look elsewhere for competent workers, the report says that other nations have made gains.      If the USA's students matched Finland's, for example, analysis suggests the US economy would grow 9%-16%. \"The real point is that we have to have a well-educated workforce to create  opportunities for young people,\" says Charles Vest,head of the National Academy of Engineering, a report sponsor. \"Otherwise, we don't have a chance.\"    \"The current economic crisis makes the link between education and employment very clear,'' says Steven Newton of the National Center for Science Education in Oakland.      In 2007, however, an analysis led by B. Lindsay Lowell of Georgetown University found that worries about US science education were overblown . It saw three times more science and engineering college graduates than job openings each year. Other reports have found top science and engineering students migrating to better-paying jobs in finance, law and medicine since the  1900s. \n Question: What would be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Poor science education harms US economy (B) America's future will become worse (C) Experts' worries about US science education (D) The connection between education and employment", "neg": "Article: Bruce Alberts, the former President of the National Academies (USA), has now taken over as Editor-in Chief of Science. Judging by his editorial in this week's issueConsidering Science Education there could be some interesting times ahead inScience offices.     Here's part of what Bruce has to say about science education...     I consider science education to be critically important to both science and the world, and I shall frequently deal with this topic on this page. Let's start with a big-picture view. Science has greatly advanced our understanding of the natural world and has enabled the creation of countless medicines and useful devices. It has also led to behaviors that have improved lives. The public appreciates these practical benefits of science, and science and scientists are generally respected, even by those who are not familiar with how science works or what exactly it has discovered.     But society may less appreciate the advantage of having everyone acquire the ways of thinking and behaving that are central to practice of successful science: scientific habits of mind. These habits include a critical attitude toward established claims and a strong desire for logic and evidence. As famous astronomer Carl Sagan put it, science is our best detector  . Individuals and societies clearly need a means to logically test the constant clever attempts to operate our purchasing and political decisions. They also need to challenge what is unreasonable, including the intolerance that led to so many regional and global conflicts.     So how does this relate of science education? Might it be possible to encourage, across the world, scientific habits of mind, so as to create more rational   societies everywhere? In principle, a strong expansion of science education could provide the world with  _ , but only if scientists, educators, and policy-makers redefine   the goals of science education, beginning with college-level teaching. Rather than only conveying what science has discovered about the natural world, as is done now in most countries, we should provide first all students with the knowledge and practice of how to think like a scientist. \n Question: Which of the following is NOTincluded in the \"scientific habits of mind\"? \n Options: (A) A critical attitude toward established claims. (B) A strong desire for logic. (C) A clever and active mind. (D) A strong desire for evidence.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}363{"query": "Article: I am sure that everybody in his/her life has used computers. Nowadays you can feel their presence everywhere at home,at school,at work and they certainly make life easier.On the other hand,there are people who can't work with them. Anyway,I believe their presence is a good thing. Life with them seems easier, less difficult and more comfortable You can use them to choose your meal,to withdraw your money, and also save your time,because these operations are all controlled by computers. Therefore you can hardly imagine the modern world without them;the whole planet seems to be one big computer society. Nevertheless,problems can often appear in this area, too.To have a computer means you have to be quite well-off and have the necessary skills to use it.However,think about questions like \"Are computers so available for everyone, or rich and poor people,for people from villages and people from cities. Aren't they too expensive?Is everyone able to learn how to use them and not everyone has the chance to access and work with them,how could everything in the future be dependent on them?\"Therefore,I think our society will be split into two parts.One part will work with them and enjoy the benefits that computers can bring and the other part will be pushed out and will actually be far behind the other group. Another question that bothers me is,on the one hand,computers are important  and good things in our life,but they aren't everything.They are good as a help at school,quite often as entertainment,especially for young people,as an necessary tool to help in research etc,but I think we shouldn't be so dependent on them,because computers are only machines and machines can't feel anything be human and sympathetic,and every action performed by computer can be interfered with another person,which could cause these machines to crash or work badly. In conclusion,I would like to say I am not against computers.I use computers,too,but people should be wary all the time. \n Question: The writer's main purpose in writing the passage is  _ \n Options: (A) to encourage us to use computers in our society (B) to advise us to say no to computers from now on (C) to remind us to care about the problems that computers bring. (D) to inform us that the computer has become a necessary part of our life", "pos": "Article: Computers are very important to modern life.Many people think that in the future computers will be used in lots of everyday life.It is thought that we won't have to go shopping because we will be able to get most things which are sold in shops on the Internet.There will be no more books because we will be able to get all texts from computers.The Internet will be used to play games, see films and buy food.Most telephone calls will be made by computers, too. Some people are glad about those new ways of shopping and communicating .Others do not think that computers will replace our old ways. Some people think that one day we will not read books made of paper. Instead, we will buy and read books using computers, which will keep many different books in them at the same time.We won't need to turn lots of pages and paper will be saved.Computerized   books will be used more and more. While many people say it is a pleasure to go into shops and look at things you want to buy.It is also unlikely that many people will want to read large texts on our computers. Because paper books will perhaps be more friendly.Maybe computers won't change these two habits. \n Question: Which is the main idea of this passage? \n Options: (A) People like going shopping (B) Reading books is important (C) Computers are important (D) Computer can be used to play games", "neg": "Article: Cyberspace, data superhighway, multimedia, for those who have seen the future, and the linking of computers, televisions and telephones will change our lives for ever. Yet for all the talks of a forthcoming technological utopia, little attention has been given to the implications of these developments for the poor. As for all the new high technology, the West concerns itself with the \"how\", while the question of \"for whom\" is put aside once again. Economists are only now realizing the full extent to which the communication revolution has affected the world economy. Information technology allows the extension of trade across geographical and industrial boundaries, and transnational corporations take full advantage of it. Terms of trade and exchange, interest rates and money movements are more important than the production of goods. The electronic economy made by information technology allows the haves to increase their control on global markets -- with a destructive impact on the havenots. For them the result is unstable. Developing countries which rely on the production of a small range of goods for export are made to feel like small parts in the international economic machine. As \"futures\" are traded on computer screens, developing countries simply have less and less control of their destinies. So what are the options of regaining control?One alternative for developing countries is to buy in the latest computers and telecommunications. Yet this leads to long-term dependency and perhaps permanent constraints ( ,) on developing countries' economies. Communication technology is generally exported from the US, Europe or Japan;the patents, skills and ability remain in the hands of a few industrialized countries. It is also expensive, therefore imported products and services must be bought on credit usually provided by the very countries whose companies stand to gain. \n Question: From the passage we know that the development of high technology is in the interests of   _   . \n Options: (A) the rich countries (B) scientific development (C) the local government (D) the world economy", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}364{"query": "Article: Once a general manager wanted to test his people, who had come from all over India, about their values of life. He announced that in their folders , there is PVC pouch and in it there is a seed. When they return, they must put the seed in a pot with good soil and look after it very well. He would hold a competition at the next year's seminar and the best plants would be awarded suitably. Everyone did what was told to him. A year passed quickly. And the next year in a big hall, what a great scene! There were hundreds of pots and a great variety of plants-all except one. In this pot was soil, but no plant! The owner of the pot was standing quietly and feeling ashamed of himself. The general manager called him on the stage. He asked him what happened and he told him the truth. He planted the seed, which he was given, and did what was to be done - but nothing happened! The general manager declared  him the winner! Everyone was shocked. It was announced, \"Gentlemen! The seeds I gave you were boiled seeds. You planted them and nothing happened! You acted smartly and used some other seeds. This man was honest to his work and therefore, he did not cheat me or himself!\" \n Question: What's the general manager's purpose of giving a seed to each of his employees? \n Options: (A) He wanted to get some beautiful plants. (B) He wanted to improve his employees' planting skill (C) He wanted to enrich his employees' life. (D) He wanted to know whether his employees are honest.", "pos": "Article: John and Bobby joined the same company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted   Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary worker. John couldn't it anymore, gave his resignation   to the boss and complained that the boss only promoted those who only said good words to him. The boss knew John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, \"I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave.\" John agreed.  The boss asked him to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found a man selling water melons. The boss asked how much they per kilo. John shook his head and went back to the seller to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kilo. The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to come to his office. He asked Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market.  Bobby went, returned and said, \"Boss, only one person is selling watermelons.  $1.2 per kg, and $10 for 10 kg. He has 340 melons in all, 58 of which are on the table. Every melon weighs about 2 kg. Brought from the South two days ago, they are fresh and red. \" John was impressed and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to resign but to learn from Bobby. \n Question: According to Paragraph 1, John thought that    _   . \n Options: (A) Bobby wasn't fit to be a manager. (B) Bobby was lazy though he was clever. (C) the boss was expecting to hear good words. (D) it was unfair that the boss only promoted Bobby.", "neg": "Article: An emperor was almost eighty years old and knew it was time to choose his successor . Instead of choosing one of his children, he decided on something different. He called all of the young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, \"It is time for me to choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you.\" The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued, \"I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One special seed. I want you to plant it and come back one year later with what you have grown from this seed. I will then judge the plants, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!\" One boy named Ling received a seed like the others. He went home and planted the seed in a pot, watering it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. A year finally went by and all the youths brought their plants to the emperor. Ling thought he should be honest about what had happened. So he took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the plants grown by other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. Suddenly, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. \"My name is Ling,\" he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, \"Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!\" Then the emperor said, \"One year ago today, I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow.\" \n Question: Why did the emperor decide to choose his successor? \n Options: (A) He was growing old. (B) He was tired of his position. (C) He wanted to do different things. (D) He wanted to do some tests.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}365{"query": "Article: Due to climate change, Arctic ice is breaking up earlier in the spring, and its area is decreasing. This is creating problems for polar bears that make their homes off northern Alaska and in Hudson Bay. Polar bears off Alaska normally hunt and raise their young on ice sheets that float on the ocean. But as the ice has melted, the polar bears have been forced to spend more time on land. There, they have begun to frequent beaches, feeding on the remains of whales caught by native hunters. For polar bears, this food is less nutritious than seals that they normally catch on ice sheets. The shrinking  ice has also forced more polar bears into the ocean. In the past, they only had to swim short distances between ice sheets. But as the ice has shrunk, polar bears have been forced to swim longer and longer distances in the open ocean. This poses a severe danger during rough weather, and an increasing number of drowned polar bears have been observed. In Hudson Bay, the ice breaks up three weeks earlier in the spring now than it did 20 years ago. Polar bears on Hudson Bay fast  during the summer, waiting for ice to form in the fall to hunt. Every year, the summer gets longer, and the bears get skinnier. Over the past 25 years, the average weight of the female bears has dropped 68 kg. This loss affects their ability to reproduce, and already the number of births has dropped 15 percent. Unless the bears can learn to survive these climate changes, these giants of the ice may one day disappear. \n Question: What is Arctic ice doing earlier each year? \n Options: (A) It's freezing. (B) It's hardening. (C) It's melting. (D) It's expanding.", "pos": "Article: More than two thirds of the world's polar bears will be wiped out by 2050,according to a shocking new study. By then,scientists say,global warming will have melted 42 percent of the Arctic sea ice. By 2100,only a very few of these important creatures will be left. The report has been produced by the US Geological Survey. The scientists have publicized their findings in the hope of influencing US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne,who has been asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list. Polar bears depend on floating sea ice as a platform for hunting seals,which are their main food. Without enough ice,polar bears would be forced to go onto the land,where they are poorly skilled hunters,and would be unlikely to adapt to the life on the land in time. Experts say few little bears would survive and the stress could make many females unable to get pregnant. The team of American and Canadian scientists spent six months studying bears,on the ground,from spotter planes and in the lab,using computer models. Some team members fear the result is even worse for the bears than what their report says. They say the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere in the world and much faster than their computer had been forecasting. Satellite observations have showed that the ice has decreased to an all-time low. However,not everyone in the scientific community believes that global warming is happening on such an alarming scale. Another investigation has found that polar bears are still being hunted by wealthy \"sportsmen\" who want their skins and heads. At least ten international companies offer bear-hunting trips. \n Question: What do we know about Dirk Kempthorne according to the passage? \n Options: (A) He is an animal scientist. (B) He is a protector of animals working for the US government. (C) He was asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list. (D) He offered to put polar bears on the endangered species list.", "neg": "Article: Starving polar bears are eating one another in the Arctic. Flowers are blooming too soon and die. The ice caps are melting so fast that rising water levels will threaten coastal towns along Florida within several decades. These are just a few examples of the terrible consequences of climate change supported by a new analysis inNature. In the past three decades, average global temperatures have risen about 0. 6degC and are _ to jump by about 1. 7degC by the end of the century, says Cynthia Rosenzweig, who leads the Climate Impacts Group at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies at Columbia University in New York. \"We've already seen that a relatively low amount of warming,\" she says, \"can lead to a broad range of changes. \" The unnatural warming caused by man-made greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide produced by cars and coal-powered plants, brings trouble for entire ecosystems. In North America alone, scientists have identified 89 species of plants, such as the American holly that have flowered earlier in the spring. In Spain, apple trees bloom 35 days ahead of schedule in response to the higher temperatures. Other wildlife, like the insects that use certain plants for food and the birds that feed on the insects, must then move forward their seasonal stirrings  and mating  patterns to survive. To try to follow this time shift, some birds such as robins, the classic symbol of winter'sthaw , are returning to Colorado from their migrations some two weeks earlier than in years past. All these changes can throw a food chain in disorder. Some bird species that arrive before the insects reappear may starve to death. \"Around the world, plants and animals are waking up to an earlier alarm clock than they used to,\" says Terry Root, a biologist from Stanford University. \n Question: What can we know about robins according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Farmers depend on them to tell the time. (B) They used to come back when spring came. (C) They used to predict the change of weather. (D) They usually migrate when seasons change.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}366{"query": "Article: Lonely Planet Publications is the largest guidebook publisher in the world.  With over 650 titles sold in 118 countries, it annually sells six million copies, giving guidance to travelers in locations worldwide. Tony Wheeler and his wife Maureen Wheeler were the founders of Lonely Planet Publications and its first writers. They put together Lonely Planet's first publication- Across Asia on the Cheap.  Originally from Australia,  the couple had decided to travel from Europe back home to Australia overland-going through the countries of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and South-East Asia, to eventually reach Australia. Tourist facilitres were limited in these countries, so if travelers wanted to go there, they had to eat and sleep locally. Many of these travelers were young and adventurous, but they didn't have much money, so going local was the only way that they could afford to travel across Asia. Frustrated that there was no guidebook to give budget travelers information on accommodations, food, and transport in these regions, the Wheelers decided to write a guidebook themselves. Full of humor and strong opinions, the book became famous among backpackers-budget travelers-as the chief travel guide for Asia. It made enough money for the Wheelers to travel more and finance their second book about traveling in Southeast Asia on a Shoestring. This second book became even more popular and acquired readership outside of Australia in North America, Europe, and New Zealand. Sales developed so well that the Wheelers were able to open up a publishing house in Australia, and eventually opened up offices in the United States and Europe. Because the guidebooks were based off contributing writer's experiences, material was fresh and up to date. As more and more books were written, the series finally came to cover every country in the world. \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) How the Lonely Planet Publications developed. (B) How to have a trip in an economical way. (C) The Wheelers liked traveling around the world. (D) The Wheelers wrote two books about traveling.", "pos": "Article: You can love them or hate them, but no matter which tourist destination you visit, chances are you'll see someone with their head buried in a Lonely Planet guidebook. Lonely Planet is one of the world's largest travel guide brands, publishing more than 500 different guides in eight languages.The popular brand also produces television shows, websites and podcasts   all devoted to travel. Some people praise Lonely Planet books because they make traveling easy and affordable.They also save time and make sure you don't miss the best things. They also provide the reviews of hostels, hotels, restaurants and ticket information about your destination. This can be great if you're a nervous traveler, or if you haven't traveled by yourself before.If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, sometimes there's nothing better than getting into a taxi and opening up a guidebook.You simply point to a map that directs the taxi driver to a hostel that's cheap and clean, with friendly staff and cold beer. But others criticize Lonely Planet and other travel guide publishers like them.They say guidebooks take the fun and spontaneity   out of traveling, and that part of the enjoyment of travel comes from the fact that anything can happen.They also regret that if you follow a guidebook, you'll end up doing the same thing and having the same experience as everyone else.You might end up seeing the same group of people over and over, because everyone is reading the same book and following the same route. Another criticism of travel guides is that they have a large impact on local communities.For example, some locals devote their lives to behaving in ways that attract tourists.They pretend to live a traditional lifestyle, wear traditional clothes and live in traditional houses in order to attract the tourist dollar. \n Question: The Lonely Planet guidebook can bring you the following advantages EXCEPT that   _  . \n Options: (A) you can speak a foreign language when opening a guidebook (B) you can easily find a nice place to stay in a strange city (C) it provides lots of useful information about your destination (D) it can help you save time and money when traveling", "neg": "Article: All young people dream of travelling the world. They are restless and very eager to see new sights. However, they have little idea how they would really do it if given the chance. Because their knowledge of geography is quite limited, they seldom know much about the places they wish to visit or how they would get there. Already hundreds of thousands of Chinese student tourists are visiting these places-Wuyi, Lhasa, Lijiang, Dali, Vientiane and Phnom Penh. Indeed, these students will soon be the most travelled generation in China's long history. The World Tourist Organization predicts that a quarter of a century from now the number of Chinese tourists going abroad will be twenty times what it is today. The largest percentage of these tourists will visit Southeast Asia. Not all Chinese who travel abroad will be tourists, however. More and more youths are deciding to volunteer their skills in this region; much like their peers in the Peace Corps and VSO. Critical thinking skills required include planning for a trip and solving problems after the trip has begun. The focus is on how to read an atlas   to make travel plans and how to find ways of travelling. An atlas offers a wealth of information about geography and is one way to increase students' awareness of their global environment. Use of an atlas especially addresses the needs of students with different visual and spatial   learning styles. \n Question: These places, Wuyi, Lhasa, Lijiang, Dali, Vientiane and Phnom Penh, lie in   _  . \n Options: (A) China (B) Europe (C) Vietnam (D) Asia", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}367{"query": "Article: Law School Essays that Made a Difference Price: US $ 13.95 Paperback 256 pages The Princeton Review ISBN: 0375763457 Face it, and a lot of students have great LSAT scores. The best way for you to stand out in a crowd of applicants to top law schools is to write an exceptional(,) personal statement. This book puts you in the admissions office's seat. It gives you the intimate detailstest scores, GPAs (grade point average), demographic information, and personal statementsof 34 law school hopefuls, then shows you why they got into the colleges they applied to, and why some didn't. It's invaluable information that will help students evaluate  their own chances of admission to the most selective law schools in the United States. Business School Essays that Made a Difference Price: US $ 13.95 Paperback 304 pages The Princeton Review ISBN: 0375763511 What makes business school applications so brutal  ? For most applicants, it's the number, length, and complexity  of the essays they have to write when applying for a course. Most top schools require multiple essays and this book is your best bet for succeeding with them. It contains: 1. Forty-four real-life essays critiqued   by admissions officers from schools like Tuck, Chicago, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2. Eight case studies of business school applicants saying what worked for them and what did not. 3. Translations of essay questions telling you what they are really asking. College Essays that Made a Difference Price: US $ 13.95 Paperback 384 pages The Princeton Review ISBN: 0375763449 This book helps students get into the college they want by showing them what essays helped actual students achieve their dreams. The book tells you what colleges want to see using interviews with actual admissions officers. The book has sections on the basics of essay writing--grammar and punctuation (> as well as the sections looking at what topics you should write about and how you should communicate your personality in your work. It finishes by looking at the work of a great many successful applicants to America's top colleges, and some unsuccessful students to tell you what to avoid. \n Question: With the three books, the Princeton Review aims at   _  . \n Options: (A) offering students guides in making a difference in their jobs after university graduation (B) offering guides on the writing of application essays for American universities (C) showing students how to pass LSA T in the US (D) showing college graduates what helped actual students achieve their dreams", "pos": "Article: While applying to college may seem easy, getting in can be tough! When you apply for college, you will have to be honest with yourself and do a bit of research to find the right fit. Here are three steps to take when applying to colleges for the best chances at getting into the best college for you. Step l: Making A List Of Colleges To Apply To With over 6,000 colleges in the United States, the first step in applying to college is to do some research and make a college list . This process will be different for everyone. The number of colleges you apply to can vary, from applying to 1 school (not recommended) to 30 schools (not recommended),each applicant can choose how many colleges they apply to. Many limit the number because applications are accompanied by a fee.          . Step2: Splitting The List Into Target, Reach and Safety Schools In general, students will want to apply to three types of schools: Target, Reach and Safety schools. It is up to you how many applications you send, but a good mix would be more target than reach, and at least one safety. You will need to take your list, and now decide which are your top picks, which are attainable for you academically, which are affordable for you only with aid, and refine your broad list into a group of schools that gives you the best chance for success. Talk to an admissions counselor at your high school if you have questions about this. Step 3: Completing and Sending Applications to Colleges Once your list is complete you are ready to apply to college by completing and sending in applications! College applications take time to complete --you have to write essays, ask for recommendations and get test scores sent to schools--so stay organized! All colleges will require these types of application materials, so start thinking about these items well before October or December. Once you complete and send them, then you have successfully applied to college. \n Question: To make a list of colleges, you  _  . \n Options: (A) needn't consider about your ability (B) had better take your academy into account (C) are supposed to choose merely one most fit (D) are required to pick out more than 30 colleges", "neg": "Article: Centerville High School Essay Contest  \"Write All About It\" Calling All Aspiring Authors--Centerville High School Essay Contest *Rules 1.Students are asked to present essays of 500 to 700 words of their own work. Any essay containing material plagiarized  from another source will be disqualified . 2.Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced,with the student's name,address,and grade level on a separate sheet of paper. 3.Essays must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on November 30.They can be brought to Mrs. Elton in Rom 104 or to Mr. Markham in the school library. *Essay-Writing Tips 1.Catch your readers' interests--Your opening should immediately pull your readers into your essay. Asking a question or starting with an story,quotation,or surprising statement is a good way to do this. 2.Create a picture--Use active words that show your readers what is happening. Instead of telling your readers vaguely that \"the room was disordered\",paint a picture using active verbs and lively adjectives. 3.Have a purpose--Well-written essays do more than just describe an incident or express a viewpoint,and they also communicate a message. 4.Check for mistakes--Read your paper over to check for mistakes. Ask another student to read your paper and make suggestions. Another pair of eyes will often spot a mistake you've overlooked. 5.Format your essay--Neatly type your essay on white paper. Choose an attractive cover for submission. The computer lab will be open after school from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. each day this month so that students can use the computers. *Prizes Winning essays will be published in the Centerville Times. Every contestant will also receive a free pass to enter one school activity or athletic game this year. First Prize:   $150 Second Prize:    Dictionary and thesaurus Third Prize:     Pen set and journal Special thanks to the Centerville Writers' Association for the prizes to help encourage our aspiring authors. Good luck to all contestants. \n Question: The first writing tip given is mostly about  _  . \n Options: (A) the use of quotations and stories in an essay (B) using active verbs and lively adjectives (C) how a student should begin an essay (D) how to submit your essays", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}368{"query": "Article: When Caleb Forbes got his first job at an advertising company at the age of 20, he thought he would be at the company for years. But after seven months he was bored. Soon after that, Forbes moved to London. He took four different jobs at three companies over the next five years. Forbes wanted a better job and higher pay---he was never quite satisfied. Welcome to the world of a job hopper. Forbes's story isn't unusual these days and such frequent movement from one job to the next will become more common. The main reason: the nature of employment is changing. There are a lot more contracts and part-time jobs or flexible employment. That leads to people having a greater number of jobs. What's more, layoffs  and pay freezes , among other things, have pushed people from one job to another. In some cases, a bad worldwide job market has limited opportunities for star employees, promoting them to seek new challenges at other companies. However, employers often think that if a person jumped from his last employer after a short period, he will likely do the same again --- there is a significant financial risk in hiring someone who leaves in short order. What's more, moving from company to company frequently doesn't mean workers are climbing the corporate ladder  faster. In 2005, Monika Hamori, a professor at Spain's IE Business School, looked at CEOs at about 55 to see if those who moved around more frequently climbed the ladder faster. She found that executives who stayed with one company became CEOs after 23 years, while executives who changed companies many times became CEOs after 26 years. One reason: workers within the same organization tend to be promoted more frequently and be offered better jobs. \n Question: How did Forbes feel about his first job at first? \n Options: (A) It was easy. (B) It was boring. (C) It was satisfying. (D) It was dangerous.", "pos": "Article: When you need a job very much, you may end up taking one for which you are over qualified. Although you were initially grateful just to have the work, you now feel bored and depressed. Is there any way to change that? Start by changing your opinion, says Caitlin Kelly, the author of Malled, a book based on her experience as a sales clerk after losing her job in journalism. \"Don't focus on what you're not getting but what you are getting,\" she says. \"Be patient and work attentively with a wide range of people. It doesn't matter what the job is -there are always things you can learn and skills you can develop.\" Hilary Pearl, the founder of a coaching firm, says, \"Tell yourself the current situation isn't the end of your career. Don't overdramatize the negative aspects but try to view the situation more philosophically: life has a series of stages, and this is one of them. Don't forget to study even in the worst stage.\" Consider that because you're overqualified, you may be able to learn or do things on the job that might not have been possible in a more demanding position, says Sarah Hathorn, the chief executive of Illustra Consulting. \"You could spend your extra time in learning different aspects of the business and teaching others in the organization,\" she says. Is it possible to make your work more challenging, even if your job responsibilities aren't likely to change? Of course, you may seek tasks and responsibilities that force you to learn something new or to work harder. \"You may be operating on autopilot right now, but chances are that people above you are stressed,\" Sarah Hathorn says. \" _ and let him know which projects or tasks you want to learn more about.\" Always express your request positively, saying that you love new challenges, rather than complaining that you're bored and underused, says Ethun, the president of the Park Avenue Group. In your down time, educate yourself about the company and its industry. \"Read corporate information, analyst reports and related news articles,\" she says. \"If your boss accepts your suggestions, it will make you a more valuable employee.\" \n Question: According to Caitlin Kelly,   _  . \n Options: (A) one should be willing to do some small things (B) being a salesman is not as important as being a journalist (C) performing your regular duties well is important (D) doing a simple job well will bring you a sense of success", "neg": "Article: In this fast-shifting world, there can be no guarantees attached to any particular job. But there is much that you can do to protect yourself from the change of society, by equipping yourself with the skills to manage your career more effectively. You need to be a career activist. If you lost your main source of income tomorrow, could you find a different source to replace it? The most important thing in protecting yourself now and in the future is ensuring that you have choices. Don't let yourself be held back by a lack of skill development, or fear of change. Some people have been good performers in their own organization but discovered that they are stuck. Because they are so closely related to a particular company or industry, their skills are not readily transferred to other jobs. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you limit yourself to one particular area or sector, you limit your opportunity, too. In a global market place, many jobs come and go quickly as changes in the stock market. Today's hottest job may not exist tomorrow. If you love computers, then this work represents a great choice. But don't enter a field just because you think that's where the hot jobs are; even if the job is available, it may not match well with your own skills and abilities. Start with entry of your own strengths and interests, then see where you may match up best in the job market. \n Question: How can we ensure that we have choices if we lose the main source of income? \n Options: (A) Be a good performer in our own organization. (B) Try to develop our skills and be a career activist. (C) Enter a field where the hot jobs are. (D) Transfer to other jobs that use computers.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}369{"query": "Article: When I came to Cincinnati as an au pair  , a lot of things there were different from what I knew. My host family lived in a huge house I could only describe as a \"castle\".In Germany I had lived in a small apartment together with my mom. Soon I found out that the \"castle\" was actually rather small in our neighborhood. Everybody there was very friendly and polite. They greeted you when they were walking by at least 3 feet away from you. They must not have seen a German au pair before, for most people I met asked me all kinds of questions about Germany. I enjoyed answering their various strange questions. I made a lot of friends and I started to hang out with them. Of course, there were a number of new things, and it took me the whole year to find them all out. I never got homesick. Perhaps it was because I did not have too many negative experiences and felt loved and welcomed there. However, I had _ some painful experience back in Germany. I was frustrated by the way people would run me over and not even say \"Sorry.\" Taking up my studies at the TU-Dresden, I felt lonely. Everybody here seemed to be withdrawn  and I missed everything I had in Cincinnati. Germany was so \"cold\". I found it so much harder to make new friends. After six months I got a roommate and only two good friends. I also flew back to Cincinnati several times for long periods. I felt that without those visits I was not able to make it. Now I am over this German culture shock. It almost took me an entire year. I am still going back and forward between Dresden and Cincinnati four times a year. \n Question: When the author lived in Cincinnati,   _  . \n Options: (A) she lived in a real castle (B) some people were not very kind to her (C) many people were curious about her motherland (D) she lived in the biggest house in the neighborhood", "pos": "Article: I was born in Thailand, where I feel at home. I am used to jumping on to a song taow (red taxi), and squeezing   in between two strangers. I am used to bargaining at the market to get a shirt that I like. I love telling bilingual   jokes and I am used to the surprised looks I get from the Thais when I can speak their language fluently. Every two years my family goes to America for the summer, and every two years my world is turned upside down. The prices of everything are three times what they were in Thailand, but there is the sweet drink Dr. Pepper! And Bluebell Ice-cream! And everything you could imagine! I am amazed at it all, but the biggest change for me is the people. There are white people everywhere. I am not tall but average  , my yellow hair is no longer out of place, and speaking English no longer draws looks. I should feel comfortable. I'm not out of place anymore, and nobody is looking at me, but I feel like they are. Now I feel out of place and different. I'm not used to giving people handshakes and hugs when I meet them for the first time. I get looks when I have trouble figuring out how much money to pay. I know different music, different places, and different fashion. I can't understand these people who have never left their town or city. Still, there are quite a few _ about living overseas. I get to meet people from all over the world, and I know how to adjust to   different cultures and places. I have been to places most people see only in geography books. Still, being so different makes it hard to know who you are. I'm not Thai, but I am not American either. I am a mix of both cultures, a third culture kid. \n Question: When the Thais give the author surprised looks, she feels   _  . \n Options: (A) upset (B) strange (C) normal (D) different", "neg": "Article: Being able to experience a different environment and custom will give us a new perspective on everything we thought we knew and understood. Maybe, going abroad is an opportunity to look again at not only the country and the people who live there but also ourselves. I had never expected to visit Paris. The French culture didn' t interest me that much, and Paris seemed too big, too touristy, too much. But when I found myself standing next to the Opera National de Paris, completely alone and totally lost, I knew I was in for an interesting ride. I had decided to take a summer history class abroad, and Paris just happened to be where it was set. My teacher eventually found me and other jet-lagged students and walked us down to where we would be staying. Even then, tired, hungry, and feeling displaced, I was unable to keep myself from marveling at the beauty of the city. The next day in the grocery store, trying to decide if the box I was holding contained butter or cream cheese, I suddenly realized I was a foreigner that didn't speak the language.The cashier and I had a conversation completely with gestures. For the most part, it didn't seem to bother the French that I was utterly incompetent in speaking their language. In fact, from my first unclear \"bonjour\" , many of them would directly switch over to English. Time Hew by. In the mornings we had class, and in the afternoons we were given a lot of freedom to do what we pleased. We explored everywhere in the city, becoming experts at using the Metro, and walking so much that our legs were sore every night. Living in Paris was a huge change in my lifestyle. Everything I did was more relaxed. I stopped worrying about the future and instead focused on living in the present. I stopped wearing a watch because time didn't matter.We ate when we were hungry, went to bed when we were tired and explored in between.I no longer mind that Paris is so big; it' s an old, beautiful metropolis full of culture and history.On one of my last days there, standing on top of the Arc du Triumph with a 360 degree view of Paris, I finally admitted something to myself.The city that I had never wanted to visit had turned into the city that I never wanted to leave. \n Question: The writer came to Paris because   _  . \n Options: (A) he wanted to have an interesting ride (B) he attended a course in summer (C) he admired its beautiful scenery (D) he was alone and lost his way", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}370{"query": "Article: It's enough to give anyone an earache. Women spend an average of about five years on the phone during their working lives, research has shown.     You won't be surprised to learn that women spend 18 months longer than men on the phone -- who only chat for an average of three years. Both sexes make and receive almost the same number of calls -- 277,000 for men and 288,000 for women. But women spend 13,500 more hours in total on their conversations.     More than half of those chats are work-related but people spend on average twice as long on a personal call (10 minutes ) as on a business one.     Despite the explosion in mobile phone ownership, most people still prefer to use landlines, the poll   found.     However, when people are tired of talking, the top excuse for getting a caller off the line is to say \"Someone's at the door.\" Other favorites include \"I'm cooking\" and \"I need to go to the toilet\". Eight out of ten phone users admitted not answering their phones on purpose if they did not want to speak to the caller.     One in three people thought calls after 10 pm were unacceptable but a quarter of those polled said they did not mind calls up to midnight.     Two-thirds admitted they had people in their address books who they should ring but never got round to doing so.     Joseph Blass, managing director of telecom company Toucan, said, \"As a nation, we love to chat on the phone but it is quite astonishing when we look at the total number of calls we make in a lifetime.\" \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE? \n Options: (A) Women spend about five years talking on the phone during their lifetime. (B) Women make and receive the same number of calls as men do. (C) On average, work-related calls are only half as long as personal calls. (D) Usually a call made by a man is longer than one by a woman.", "pos": "Article: If you hear the sound of running water the next time you call a co-worker on his or her mobile phone, don't be surprised. Three-fourths of Americans with mobile phones say they use them in the bathroom, a new study shows. Approximately the same number of men and women have used the phone in the bathroom, according to a survey of 1,000 Americans by 11mark, an integrated marketing agency, although men seem more attached to IT in the toilet: 30 percent of men versus 20 percent of women agreed with the statement, \"I don't go to the bathroom without my mobile phone.\" More than half the surveyed users (63 percent) said they have answered a phone call in the bathroom, and almost half (41 percent) reported _ a phone call. That's not all, however. What goes on behind the walls of the stalls is anything a mobile phone is capable of. Sixty-seven percent said they have read a text, and 39 percent have surfed the Web. Men work more from the bathroom -- 20 percent said they have participated in work-related calls, versus 13 percent of their female colleagues. As expected, Gen Y respondents are the pacesetters in the \"mobile everywhere\" movement, with 91 percent using their phone in the bathroom. Still, older generations are not far behind. Eighty percent of Gen X(1961-1981) reported using the phone in the bathroom, as did 65 percent of Baby Boomers and 47 percent of the Silent Generation. While online, they are doing more than just surfing; 16 percent of Gen Y report they have made an online purchase while in the bathroom. Users of iPhones are particularly likely to browse and buy in the bathroom - 22 percent have made a purchase, versus 10 percent of Americans with mobile phones overall. \"The writing is on the stall,\" said 11mark principal Nicole Burdette. \"This study confirms what we all know: that the last private place is no longer private.\" In the process, high-tech hygiene  is taking a hit, the survey found. While 92 percent of mobile phone users said they wash their hands after using the bathroom, only 14 percent said they wash their phones. \n Question: 60.According to his words, Nicole Buedette mainly wants to tell us that  _  . \n Options: (A) no wonder mobile phones are used in the bathroom (B) the bathroom is a private place for people (C) it makes people have no privacy at all (D) more men have used the phone in the bathroom", "neg": "Article: A new study suggests that the roundtheclock availability that cell phones have brought to people's lives may _ family life. The study,which followed more than 1,300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone throughout the study period were more likely to report negative \"spillover\" between work and home life--and,in turn,less satisfaction with their family life. Spillover essentially means that the line between work and home begins to become unclear. Work life may invade home life when a parent is taking jobrelated calls at home,for instance--or family issues may start to take up work time. For example,a child may call mum at work,telling her \"microwave exploded\",explained Noelle Chesley,an assistant professor of sociology at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and the author of the study. The problem with cell phones seems to be that they are allowing for even more spillover between work and home. This may be especially true for working women,the study found. Among men,consistent use of mobile phones seemed to allow more work issues to creep  into family time. But for women,the spillover tended to go in both directions. Being \"connected\" meant that work cut into home time,and family issues came into work life. Cell phones seem to be opening more lines for stressful exchanges among family members. But there may be ways to control the spillover,according to Chesley. Employers, she said,could look at their policies on contacting employees after hours to make sure their expectations are \"reasonable\".For their part,employees could decide that cell phones go off during family time, Chesley said. \n Question: According to Chesley,what is the best solution to the problem caused by cell phones? \n Options: (A) Separate work hours from family time. (B) Refuse to use cell phones. (C) Ignore coming calls during family time. (D) Encourage women to stay at home.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}371{"query": "Article: The modern Olympic Games, founded in 1896, began as contests between individuals, rather than among nations, with the hope of promoting world peace through sportsmanship. In the beginning, the games were open only to amateurs. An amateur is a person whose involvement in an activity---from sports to science or the arts---is purely for pleasure. Amateurs, whatever their contributions to a field, expect to receive no form of compensation ; professionals, in contrast, perform their work in order to earn a living. From the perspective of many athletes, however, the Olympic playing field has been far from level. Restricting the Olympics to amateurs has precluded  the participation of many who could not afford to be unpaid. Countries have always desired to send their best athletes, not their wealthiest ones, to the Olympic Games. A slender and imprecise line separates what we call \"financial support\" from \"earning money.\" Do athletes \"earn money\" if they are reimbursed  for travel expenses? What if they are paid for time lost at work or if they accept free clothing from a manufacturer or if they teach sports for a living? The runner Eric Liddell was the son of poor missionaries; in 1924 the British Olympic Committee financed his trip to the Olympics, where he won a gold and a bronze medal. College scholarships and support from the United States Olympic Committee made it possible for American track stars Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph and speed skater Dan Jansen to train and compete. When the Soviet Union and its allies joined the games in 1952, the definition of amateur became still muddier. Their athletes did not have to balance jobs and training because as citizens in communist regimes, their government financial support was not considered payment for jobs. In 1971 the International Olympic Committee(IOC) removed the word amateur from the rules, making it easier for athletes to find the support necessary to train and compete. In 1986 the IOC allowed professional athletes into the games. There are those who regret the disappearance of amateurism from the Olympic Games. For them the games lost something special when they became just another way for athletes to earn money. Others say that the designation of amateurism was always questionable; they argue that all competitors receive so much financial support as to make them paid professionals. Most agree, however, that the debate over what constitutes an \"amateur\" will continue for a long time. \n Question: One might infer that   _  . \n Options: (A) developing Olympic-level skills in athletes is costly (B) professional athletes are mostly interested in financial rewards (C) amateurs does not expect to earn money at the sport that is played (D) amateurs have a better attitude than professionals do", "pos": "Article: The first Olympics took place at Olympia in Greece in 721 B. C. almost 3,000 years ago. Many different sports, such as boxing, running and throwing the discus were played there, though there were much fewer sports than in the modern Olympics. People fr0m all over Greece came and watched the Games at the foot of Olympus, and even those at war stopped fighting and went on with the games. The Games were held every five years, until they were ordered to stop by the Romans in 383 A. D. It was nearly 1500 years since the Romans stopped the Olympics. Later in 1884 Baron Pierre de Coubertin thought it's possible to start the Games again, so he invited sportsmen from different countries to the competition. Many others agreed to his proposal   and in 1896 the first modern Olympics was held in Greece. Only 50,000 people watched the Games, but the rest of the world soon became enthusiastic   about them and from 1900 the Games were held every four years in a different country. 0nly three Olympics were crossed out because of the wars 1916,1940 and 1944. In Tokyo in 1960, the Games reached their highest point in size -- there were over 5650 competitors from 84 countries. \n Question: Compared with the first Olympics held in 721 B. C. there are   _   in the modern Olympics. \n Options: (A) more spurts (B) as many sports as there were (C) less sports (D) twice as many sports as there were", "neg": "Article: The modern Olympic Games happened in the year 1896. The Games are held every four years. There are two main sets of Games. The Winter Olympics are held two years before the Summer Games. Many countries want to host the Olympic Games for it's a great honor to be chosen. The Olympic Games are organized and controlled by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It sets the general program, chooses the city where the games are to be held, and determines the standards of what is an amateur athlete. Besides, each participating country has a National Olympic Committee that is responsible for arranging the participation of the nation's athletes in the games. \n Question: If the next Summer Games will be held in 2024, when will the Winter Games be held? \n Options: (A) in 2024 (B) in 2022 (C) in 2026 (D) in 2028", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}372{"query": "Article: Supermarket Morrisons today announced to launch an online shopping operation within two years in a move to catch up with its web-savvy rivals. The UK's fourth biggest supermarket said Morrisons.com would offer grocery and non-food products but would take time to build from zero. As part of its online development, Morrisons - the only one of the \"Big Four\" grocers to have a significant internet business - revealed it had invested PS32 million in a 10% stake of a New York-based online grocer. The announcement came as Morrisons posted a 13% increase in underlying pre-tax profits of PS869 million in the year to January 30. Morrisons is implementing a growth strategy which is focused on expanding its e-commerce business and moving into the convenience store market. It has earmarked PS3 billion in investment over the next three years. The supermarket floated the idea of launching its own website last year and today is the first firm commitment to realising that goal. Last month, the company took its first major step to launching an online operation with the acquisition of internet retailer Kiddicare for PS70 million. The company said this move, along with the 10% \"strategic\" stake in American online grocer FreshDirect announced today, would help it launch its own website in the future. FreshDirect was launched in 2002 and serves 600,000 customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The deal will see Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips join the company's board. Morrisons also revealed it would open three convenience stores, around 3,000 sq ft in size, in July under the name M Local. The shops will be located in Morrisons' heartland in the north of England, in neighbourhoods around the M62 motorway. The company said the convenience business was the second-fastest growing part of the market. Rival models include Tesco Metro and Sainsburys Local. \n Question: FreshDirect severs 600,000 customers in    _    . \n Options: (A) Connecticut (B) New Jersey (C) New York (D) certain states", "pos": "Article: Group buying is one of the fastest growing trends in South Africa today. Industry leaders are confident the growth potential remains strong since group buying is location-specific. Start-up costs are low and profit room remains high, so many sites continue to receive invested money despite widespread criticism and Facebook's decision to _ deal business due to privacy concerns. In the early stages of all industries, some companied fail because they cannot compete with stronger companies in difficult economic conditions. To deal with difficult conditions, an alarming number of businesses are developing group buying websites in places like China and India, so the increase of group buying in South Africa is nothing more than a natural progression into the international mainstream. The group buying concept is fairly new and consumers have accepted this concept because they can now make full use of the rich information available on the Internet. Group buying is convenient and easy so it works. Anyone can view a site, join a mailing list, subscribe to RSS or print out a coupon . The current group buying structure offered by the industry leaders works although there are still challenges to overcome. Perhaps, the future of group buying is tied to the joining together of social media and mobile devices. Mobile devices are with us wherever we go and almost everyone is using some type of social media site like Facebook or Twitter to stay informed. Using GPS and social media technology to provide real time location-specific promotions would be beneficial to every consumer looking for the best deals in town. Pause for a moment and think about it! What is better than signing on to your phone while having fun in town and you receive a real time information that your favorite shop across the street is offering a killer dial? The future of the group buying in South Africa is bright and we can expect to see more advanced approaches to this concept in the future. In addition to the technological advances consumers will see the range of promotions expand to include new products and services. \n Question: The author sets China and India as examples to show that  _  . \n Options: (A) China and India are powerful countries (B) China and India are in difficult economic conditions (C) group buying is successful worldwide (D) group buying is an international trend", "neg": "Article: Below are the top four supermarket chains in the world in 2012 and the reasons behind their success.  Tesco Headquartered in Chestnut, United Kingdom , this global grocery store is one of the largest supermarket chains in terms of revenues and profits. If was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. Tesco stores can be found across all continents. Even though it was set up only for food and beverages, Tesco has drastically branched out , not only in geographical terms, but also in terms of products. Which now include electronics , clothing, health care, home improvement and even financial services. Safeway Founded in the year 1915 by a young M. B, Skaggs. Safeway developed from just a small grocery store  on the fundamentals of providing value to customers and narrow profit margins. The success story of Skaggs becomes more evident when , by the end of the year 1926,he  had opened almost 428 stores across ten states. Almost two years later, Safeway was listed at the New York Stock Exchange . At present, there are more than fifteen hundred Safeway stores across US and Canada. The Kroger Company  Founded at Cincinnati, Ohio, US in 1883 by Mr. Bernard Kroger, the Kroger Company is now one of the largest supermarket chains not only in the US. but across the world . Over the last couple of decades, the Kroger Company has vastly expanded by acquiring popular brand names, including those of Owen's Market. Its stores are largely spread out across Middle. Western and Central United States.  Reve-Gruppe Reve - Gruppe was founded in 1927 and is presently headquartered at Cologne, Germany . This supermarket chain is easily counted among the top supermarket chains of the world . Its vast line of products includes grocery, home improvement, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, optical as well as clothing . Its stores can be found in as many as fourteen European countries, providing employment to more than 325,000 people. \n Question: Which of the following was founded first ? \n Options: (A) Tesco. (B) Safeway. (C) The Kroger Company. (D) Reve-Gruppe.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}373{"query": "Article: To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. Regardless of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where you are -- always! We allow past problems and future concerns to control our present moments, so much that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless. We often convince ourselves future will be better than today. John Lennon once said, \"Life is what's happening while we're busy making other plans. \"When we're busy making other plans\", our children are busy growing up, the people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life. Many people live as if life were a dress rehearsal for some later date. It isn't. In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow. Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over. When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future--we won't have enough money, our children will get into trouble, we will get old and die, whatever.  To struggle against fear, the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present. Mark Twain said, \"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.\" I don't think I can say it any better. Practice keeping your attention on the here and now and your efforts will pay off. \n Question: The purpose of this passage is to tell readers   _  . \n Options: (A) people who are busy making plans are living actively (B) how to help others overcome fear (C) we ought to learn to live in the present moment (D) someone who only enjoys the present time usually wastes his time blindly", "pos": "Article: Life is too short to waste a moment, so while you still have time, let your hair down, remove that \"boring\" tag in your so-called life and start making it worthwhile. Below are some tips that will help you live a wonderful life. 1. Keep a Positive Attitude. Enjoy what you have and work on getting the things you desire. Psychologists believe that optimism   is a good defense against unhappiness, so it is better to keep your optimism alive. Feeling sad about your life will only make you sadder, so be happy. 2. Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks. Life is all about taking risks, and that's the exciting part of it. Challenges and failure are part of life. Once you learn how to take risks, you'll soon realize how good it feels not to let moments pass you by. 3. You only have one life, so make it worthwhile. Being unwilling to let the past go just keeps you away from the things you should be enjoying at the present. 4. List the Things You Want to Do. Stop lazing around and give yourself something to be busy with. Write down a list of all the things you want to do and make a timeline, not to stress you out, but to remind you of your goals. So don't put limits to yourself because you'll never know what may happen. 5. Try Out Something New. Getting into something or trying something unfamiliar to you may seem scary, but nothing can make you feel happier than being able to overcome your fear. Who knows? You might enjoy it! The world is a big place and there are still lots of things waiting to be explored by you. Go to a foreign place where you know no one. \n Question: From Tip One we know that we should   _   . \n Options: (A) never be afraid to take risks (B) try something new every day (C) focus on the good things in life (D) get rid of all our former habits", "neg": "Article: These days, it seems that almost all of us are too serious.My older daughter often says to me, \"Daddy, you've got that serious look again.\" Even those of us who are committed to non-seriousness are probably too serious.People are frustrated and anxious about almost everything -- being five minutes late, witnessing someone look at us wrong or say the wrong thing, paying bills, waiting in line, overcooking a meal, making an honest mistake -- you name it, and we all lose perspective  over it. The root of being anxious is our unwillingness to accept life as being different, in any way, from our expectation.Very simply, we want things to be a certain way but they're not a certain way.Life is simply as it is.Perhaps Benjamin Franklin said it best: \"Our limited perspective, our hopes and fears become our measure of life, and when circumstances don't fit our ideas, they become our difficulties.\" We spend our lives wanting things, people, and events to be just as we want them to be -- and when they're not, we fight and we suffer. The first step in recovering from over-seriousness is to admit that you have a problem.You have to want to change, to become more easygoing.You have to see that your own anxiety is largely of your own creation -- it's made up of the way you have set up your life and the way you react to it. The next step is to understand the link between your expectations and your frustration level.Whenever you expect something to be a certain way and it isn't, you're upset and you suffer.On the other hand, when you let go of your expectations, when you accept life as it is, you're free. A good exercise is to try to approach a single day without expectation.Don't expect people to be friendly.When they're not, you won't be surprised or bothered; if they are, you'll be delighted.Don't expect your day to be problem-free.Instead, as problems come up, say to yourself,  \"Ah, another barrier to overcome.\" As you approach your day in this manner you'll notice how elegant life can be.Rather than fighting against life, you'll be dancing with it.Pretty soon, with practice, you'll lighten up your entire life.And when you lighten up, life is a lot more fun. \n Question: Why are people easily frustrated and anxious these days? \n Options: (A) Because their children are disappointing. (B) Because they have to look serious in public. (C) Because life is becoming a greater burden. (D) Because people have lost sensible judgment.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}374{"query": "Article: November not only marks the publication of Toni Morrison's eagerly anticipated  eighth novel, Love, but it is also the tenth anniversary of her Nobel Prize for Literature. Morrison is the first black woman to receive a Nobel, and so honored before her in literature are only two black men:Wole Soyinka, the Nigerian playwright, poet and novelist, in 1986; and Derek Walcott, the Caribbean-born poet, in 1992. But Morrison is also the first and only American-born Nobel prizewinner for literature since 1962, the year novelist John Steinbeck received the award. Like Song of Solomon, Love is a multigenerational story, revealing the personal and communal Legacy  of an outstanding black family. As Morrison scholars will tell you, Love is the third volume of a literary master's trilogy investigating the many complexities of love. This trilogy began with Beloved(1988), which deals with a black mother's love under slavery and in freedom. Jazzy(1993), the second volume, tells a story of romantic love in 1920s Harlem. This latest novel looks back from the 1970s to the 1940s and 50s. The emotional center of Love is Bill Cosey, the former owner and host of the shabby Cosey's Hotel and Resort in Silk, North Carolina, described in the novel as \"the best and best-known vacation sport for colored folk on the East Coast.\" We get to know Cosey through the memories of five women who survive and love him: his granddaughter, his widow, two former employees, and a homeless young girl. The latest novel, Love, had been described in the promotional material from her publisher as \"Morrison's most accessible work since Song of Solomon.\" This comparison to her third novel, published in 1977, was an effective selling point. \n Question: What would be the best title for the text? \n Options: (A) Toni Morrison's latest novels (B) Toni Morrison and her trilogy (C) Toni Morrison and her novel Love (D) Toni Morrison, the Nobel prizewinner", "pos": "Article: Mo Yan, whose primitive name is Guan Moye, was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize on October 11, 2012.\"Chinese author Mo Yan today won the Nobel Literature Prize for writing that mixes folk tales, history and the contemporary,\" the Swedish Academy announced.\"Through a mixture of fantasy and reality,  historical and social perspectives,  Mo Yan has created a world reminiscent in its complexity of those in the writing of William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marques,  at the same time finding a departure point in old Chinese literature and in oral tradition,\"  the Swedish Academy said Mo Yan began writing in 1981 and he has published novels, short stories and essays on various topic,  and despite his social criticism is seen in his homeland as one of the foremost contemporary authors, the Nobel Committee noted,  In his writing Mo Yan draws on his youthful experiences and on settings in the province of his birth. He is the first Chinese resident to win the prize,  who is a novelist and a short story writer, born on 17th February 1955, in Gaomi County, Shandong Province.His novel The Frog won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011.  His works are deeply impacted by the magic realism that he creates unique subject feeling world by fantastical narration in bus novels.Some people may not know who Mo Yan is before,  but they must know some of his works.For example, a famous film directed by Zhang Yimou that won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1988  was adapted from his novel Red Sorghum which was a tale of the brutal violence in the eastern China  countryside, where he grew up, during the 1920s and 1930s. \n Question: Which novel of Mo Yan won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 2011? \n Options: (A) The Mangrove. (B) Red Sorghum. (C) The Frog. (D) History and the contemporary", "neg": "Article: For a writer, there is hardly any greater honor than winning the Nobel Prize for literature. And for a woman writer, claiming the prize is even harder, for only eight women once won it. Austria's Elfriede Jelinek is the ninth and the first since 1996. The Stockholm-based Swedish Academy announced last Thursday that Jelinek won this year's Nobel Prize in literature. She is recognized for her socially critical  novels and plays. Jelinek, 57, made her literary debut   in 1967. She has written plays, novels and poetry. She is best known for her autobiographical 1983 novel \"The Piano Teacher\", made into a movie in 2001. The basic theme of her work is the inability of women to live as people beyond the roles and personalities traditionally expected of _ . Her characters struggle to lead lives not normally acceptable in society. \"The nature of Jelinek's texts is often hard to define. They shift between prose  and poetry and songs, they contain theatrical scenes and film script,\" said the academy. The Nobel Prize was founded by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Nobel died in 1896 and left his fortune of about US $920 million to a fund to honor people who have helped other human beings. This year each prize is worth US $13 million. \n Question: Elfrede Jelinek won the Nobel Prize just because   _  . \n Options: (A) she was an Austrian woman writer (B) she wrote socially critical novels and plays (C) her novel \"The Piano Teacher\" was made into a movie (D) the nature of her texts is hard to define.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}375{"query": "Article: Along a long path we came to a deep valley, on the far side of which the path led into some very thick bushes. Rather than push through up again and rejoin the path on the far side of the bushes               As I climbed down into the valley a bird flew off h rock on which I had put my hand. On looking at the spot from which the bird had risen, I saw two eggs. They were the kind that I did not have in my collection, so I placed them carefully in my bag, wrapped in a little dry grass.               As we went further down the valley the sides became steeper and not far from where I had entered. It came to drop of about twelve to fourteen feet. The water that rushed down all these small valleys in the rainy season had worn the rock as glass. As it was too deep to climb down, I handed my gun to one of the men and slid down it. My feet had hardly touched the sandy bottom when the two men jumped down, one on each side of me. They quickly gave me the gun and asked me if I had heard the tiger. In fact, I had heard nothing; possibly because of the noise I made sliding down the rock. The men said they had heard a tiger growling somewhere nearby, but they did not know from which direction the noise had come. \n Question: According to the text we know that   _ \n Options: (A) the writer decided to push through the thick bushes (B) the writer decided to walk along the valley (C) the writer wanted to stop climbing (D) the writer tried to find two eggs", "pos": "Article: During my travels through the mountains of Greece, I was only ever scared   once. It was dusk and as I walked alone I came across six large wolves that were feeding on the body of a dead animal. I had heard many stories about wolves as a child and it was this animal that I feared more than any other. The wolves before me were huge, at least 6 feet long and covered with thick grey fur. As I went near, the wolves left the blood-covered snow that surrounded the body and started walking towards me, one after another. They stopped about 20 metres from me and stared. The lead wolf raised his head into the air and took in a deep breath, as if he was smelling my presence. The animals looked both beautiful and frightening, but I knew I could not show them my fear. As I drew nearer, the lead wolf raised its head once more but this time let out a long, loud cry. The awful cry rang out across the silent valley. I had never heard a more frightening sound. I was almost certain it was a sign to be death. Every moment I expected to see the pack of wolves dash at me, I knew my only hope was to pretend I had no fear. I walked past the line of wolves, like a general moving among his soldiers. They cried out loud again. But when they saw that their cry did not cause me to change my direction or make me run they feared to come after me, so they let me pass and returned to the dead animal. If I had turned back or tried to run away when they marched out to meet me, I am certain the whole pack would have attacked me in a moment. But my show of false courage scared them and kept them back. \n Question: Why didn't the wolves attack the man? \n Options: (A) They were no longer hungry when they saw him. (B) The man showed no fear as he passed by. (C) They were too far away to catch the man. (D) The man was already known to the wolves.", "neg": "Article: Pat O'Burke was a poor Irishman with a large family, and one morning, waking up very early from cold and hunger, he decided to go shooting in a wood near his cottage. The wood belonged to Lord Northwood, a rich gentleman, Pat had no _ to go there, but in it there were swarms of rabbits and flocks of birds that were good to eat, and Pat determined to take the risk. Suddenly he saw the owner, with a group of friends, coming towards him in the wood. There was a look of anger on Lord Northwood's face as he caught sight of the gun in Pat's hands. Pat's heart sank with fear, but he saw there was no hope of escape, so he walked boldly   up to the group and said to Lord Northwood, \"Good morning, sir, and what has brought you out so early this morning?\" Lord Northwood, rather surprised, said he and his friends were taking a little exercise to get an appetite  for their breakfast. Then, looking at Pat with suspicion , he said, \"but why are you out so early in the morning?\" \"Well, sir\" said Pat, \"I just came out to see if I could get a breakfast for my appetite.\" The whole crowed burst into laughter at Pat's ready wit(,), and with a smile Lord Northwood walked on, leaving Pat to try his luck with the rabbits. \n Question: This is a story about   _  . \n Options: (A) a rich man who owned a big wood (B) a poor Irishman who lived all by himself (C) a clever man who tried to get something to eat (D) an Irish hunter with a large family", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}376{"query": "Article: The small coastal town of Broome, in northwest Australia, is a remote village in the vast countryside. There are no traffic jams and hardly any roads. There is only the massive Australian wild land, where some houses are 500 miles apart and some driveways are 50 miles long. There seem to be only two main sources of entertainment out here: the sunset at the beach and Sun Pictures. Sun Pictures is a very different movie theater:The seats are park benches and deck chairs, but you're also welcome to sit on the grass. It is the world's oldest outdoor movie garden. Sun Pictures was built in 1916 on the other side of the globe from Hollywood. All the big films were shipped here and the lonely country was amazed. Broome resident Pearl Hamaguchi has never traveled far from home. But in the Sun Pictures chairs, under the deep blue night sky, she has been almost everywhere. \"And we came back excited about Gregory Peck,\" she recalled. This is one of the few places left in the world where you can see two sets of stars at the same time-----one set in the sky, the other in the film. Each night, dozens of people from around the world line up at the old wooden stand, with no computer in sight, and buy their tickets to the latest films. Sun Pictures is also a museum, exhibiting projectors  that date back to the silent films, a portrait gallery of the famous people who never knew about this place---- even though they came here all the time. Every once in a while, I'm told, you might find a non-ticket holder in your seat. That's why it's always a good idea to shake out your chair to make sure there are no spiders or scorpions. \"We've only had a couple of scorpion incidents but no one's been stung yet,\" said Aaron Mestemaker, a tourist visiting from Michigan. Sun Pictures is a holy hall of movie history and a reminder that air conditioning and carpet are no match for grass and fresh air---even when the lizards steal the scene. \n Question: .Sun Pictures is different from other theaters because   _  . \n Options: (A) it is the most historical outdoor theater in the world (B) the audience can either sit on chairs or on the grass (C) it was built by some constructor from Hollywood (D) all the films were imported here from Hollywood", "pos": "Article: More than a hundred adults and kids gather for the Star Party on a cold evening, chattering excitedly as they stand in the dark on a Virginia hillside. The odd thing is, no one has turned on a flashlight, and no streetlights or house lights wink  on around them. These people have traveled to the countryside more than an hour from Washington, D. C., to get away from the glow of city lights.  That's because they are attending a star party. Star parties are gatherings where professional and amateur astronomers set up their telescopes and invite people to come learn about the night sky. Getting away from light pollution, or artificial skylight from buildings for example,  helps stargazers   see objects in the sky much better. At this star party, Sean O'Brien of the National Air and Space Museum's Einstein Planetarium starts off by asking the crowd to simply look up and take in all they can see. He points out plenty of things that can be seen without special equipment. Stars, satellites, and even the Andromeda galaxy  can be found if you know where to look. After that, several dozen astronomers offer close-up views. Each has focused their telescope on a different part of the sky. As kids take a look, the owner gives a mini-lesson. O'Brien says you can have your own star party at home and learn a lot just by paying attention to what's happening up above. \"Watch the sky as the seasons pass, and you will see that it changes,\" he says. \"Or start with the moon. Notice when and where you are seeing it--maybe even in the early morning while you wait for the school bus. \" \n Question: What was it special about the Star Party ? \n Options: (A) It was organized by the local authority. (B) It was carried out without any lights. (C) It was so cold that people chatted to cheer up. (D) It was held in the town center of Virginia", "neg": "Article: Movie World Movie world is the only movie-related theme park in Australia. With one of the best coast and a good handful of movie-related rides, you'll experience a fun-filled adventure with the glamour of Hollywood. Get \"behind the scenes\" movie information and stunt   shows to keep the whole family entertained for the best part of a day. Contact Information: Phone: 07-5573-8485 Address: Pacific Motorway, Oxenford, Queensland 4210 Website: www.movieworld.com.au Sea World With an obvious emphasis on things that live in the water, Sea World has a fantastic range offish, sharks, dolphins, seals, polar bears and other assorted animals in the water. Throw in a bunch of great rides, water slides and roller coasters, Sea World emerges as perhaps the best all-round theme park on the Gold Coast. Contact Information: Phone: 07-5588-2222 Address: Sea World Drive, Main Beach, Queensland 42 Website: www.seaworld.com.au Tropical Fruit World Home of the world's largest variety of tropical fruit, it's free to get in and shop for gourmet varieties of bizarre, and wonderful fruits, or you can pay to check out the plantation safaris  , mini train rides, jungle cruises and fruit tasting shows. Admission is about $32 for adults and $15 for kids and free for kids under 5. Contact Information: Phone: 02-6677-7222 Address: Duranbah Road, Duranbah, NSW 2487 Website: www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas and almost all of the other famous Australian native animals are living in Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. You can look at them, feed and pat some of them or just experience the fantastic 27 hectare bush land setting -- an oasis of wildlife amidst the Gold Coast bustle. Contact Information: Phone: 07-5534-1266 Address: 28 Tomewin Street Currumbin, Queensland 4223 Website: www.currumbin.sanctuary.org.au \n Question: If you want to watch stunt shows, you can go to   _  . \n Options: (A) Movie World (B) Sea World (C) Tropical Fruit World (D) Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}377{"query": "Article: Though the facts that too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year are not in argument, we always begin the discussion of \"population as global issue\" with what most persons mean like this. It was quite right to compare demographic growth to \"a long, thin powder fuse that bums steadily and hesitatingly until it finally reaches the charge and explodes\". To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history, we find that populations have been virtually stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. There was high fertility in most places, but this was usually balanced by high mortality. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, while infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birthrates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race. This pattern is important to notice. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high mortality. Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000 B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased from some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and 1975, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And the population reached 6.2 billion throughout the world by the year 2000, One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000 B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population, At present, this number is added every six hours. The increase is about 800000,000 persons annually. \n Question: Which of the following demographic growth patterns is most similar to the long thin powder fuse? \n Options: (A) A slow growth for a long time and then a period of rapid, dramatic increase. (B) Too many people on earth and a few rapid increases in the number added each year. (C) A virtually stable or slightly decreasing period and then a sudden explosion of population. (D) A long period when death rates exceed birthrates and then a short period with higher fertility and lower mortality.", "pos": "Article: In the past, man did not have to think about protection of the environment. There were very few people on the earth, and natural resources seemed to be unlimited. Today things are different. The world has become too crowded. We are using up our natural resources too quickly, and at the same time we are polluting our environment with dangerous chemicals. If we continue to do this, human life on the earth will not survive. Everyone realizes today that if too many fish are taken from the sea, there will soon be none left. Yet, with modern fishing methods, more and more fish are caught. We know that if too many trees are cut down, forests will disappear and nothing will grow on land. Yet, we continue to use more powerful machines to cut down more and more trees. We realize that if rivers are polluted with waste products from factories, we will die. However, in most countries waste is still put into rivers, but there are few laws to stop this. We also know that if the population of the countries in the world is to rise at the present rate in a few years, there will not be enough food. What can we do to solve these problems? If we eat more vegetables and less meat, there will be more food available for everyone. Land that is used to grow crops can feed five times more people than land where animals are kept. Our natural resources will last longer if we learn to recycle them. The world population will not rise so quickly if people use modern methods of birth control. Finally, if all of us think about the problem, we will have a better and cleaner planet in the future. \n Question: This passage mainly tells us about   _  . \n Options: (A) the problems we are facing today about environment and the ways to solve them (B) the unlimited natural resources in the world (C) our rivers are being polluted by waste from factories (D) the ways early man protected the environment", "neg": "Article: We can begin our discussion of \"population as a global issue\" with what most person mean when they discuss \" the population problem\": too many people on earth and a too rapid increase in the number added each year. The facts are not in dispute. It was quite right to employ a similar matter that linked demographic growth to \" a long, thin power fuse that burns steadily from time to time until it finally reaches the limit, and explodes\". To understand the current situation, which is characterized by rapid increases in population, it is necessary to understand the history of population trends. Rapid growth is a comparatively recent phenomenon. Looking back at the 8,000 years of demographic history. We find that population have been really stable or growing very slightly for most of human history. For most of our ancestors, life was hard, often nasty, and very short. For most of human history, it was seldom the case that one in ten persons would live past forty, where infancy and childhood were especially risky periods. Often, societies were in clear danger of extinction because death rates could exceed their birth rates. Thus, the population problem throughout most of history was how to prevent extinction of the human race. This pattern is important to know. Not only does it put the current problems of demographic growth into a historical perspective, but it suggests that the cause of rapid increase in population in recent years is not a sudden enthusiasm for more children, but an improvement in the conditions that traditionally have caused high rate of death. Demographic history can be divided into two major periods: a time of long, slow growth which extended from about 8000B.C. till approximately 1650 A.D. And a period of rapid growth since 1650. In the first period of some 9,600 years, the population increased form some 8 million to 500 million in 1650. Between 1650 and the present, the population has increased from 500 million to more than 4 billion. And it is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be 8 billion people throughout the world. One way to appreciate this dramatic difference in such abstract numbers is to reduce the time frame to something that is more manageable. Between 8000B.C. and 1650, an average of only 50,000 persons was being added annually to the world's population each year. At present, this number is added very six hours. The increase is about 80,000,000 persons annually. \n Question: According to the passage, \"population as a global issue\"   _  . \n Options: (A) is quite unlike the population problem and thus doesn't need our concern (B) focuses on tracking down the reason of rapid population growth (C) deals with the same problem aroused by the population problem (D) will manage the population growth problem from global perspectives", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}378{"query": "Article: After two classes, I started to recognize several of the faces in each class. There was always someone braver than the others who would introduce themselves and ask me questions about how I was liking Forks. I tried to be , so mostly I just lied a lot to appear to be skilled at dealing with people. At least I never needed the map. One girl sat next to me in both Trig and Spanish, and she walked with me to the cafeteria for lunch. She was tiny, several inches shorter than my five feet four inches, but her wildly curly dark hair made up a lot of the difference between our heights. I couldn't remember her name, so I smiled and nodded as she gossiped about teachers and classes. I didn't try to keep up. We sat at the end of a full table with several of her friends, who she introduced to me. I forgot all their names as soon as she spoke them. They seemed impressed by her bravery in speaking to me. The boy from England Eric, waved at me from across the room. It was there, sitting in the lunchroom, trying to make conversation with seven curious strangers, that I first saw them. They were sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, as far away from where I sat as possible in the long room. There were five of them. They weren't talking, and they weren't eating, though they each had a tray of untouched food in front of them. They weren't staring at me, unlike most of the other students, so it was safe to stare at them without fear of meeting an over interested pair of eyes. But it was none of these things that caught and held my attention. I stared because their faces, so different, so similar, were all extremely, inhumanly beautiful. They were faces you never expected to see except perhaps on the airbrushed pages of a fashion magazine, or painted by an old master as the face of an angel. It was hard to decide who was the most beautiful -- maybe the perfect blond girl, or the bronze-haired boy. \n Question: From the passage, we can infer that    _   . \n Options: (A) \"I\" was really liking the new place. (B) \"I\" had a bad memory, so it's hard to remember names. (C) \"I\" was good at making friends. (D) \"I\" was not interested in what the girl said.", "pos": "Article: The first time I saw Carlos I would never have believed he was going to change my life. I had my arms full of books and I was walking into the classroom when I ran into something solid. It was Carlos. \"My God, you're tall\" he said. Of course, the class began to laugh. Angry, I walked to my seat without a word. I glanced back to see if Reed Harrington was laughing with the rest. That would be the last straw. But Reed as studying chemistry and did not seem to be aware of anything else. I didn't know why I considered Reed my friend. Maybe just because he was a good two inches taller than I. Anyway, every time I blew out my birthday candles and make a wish, it was for a date with Reed Harrington. \"Take that seat.\" Mr. McCarthy told the cocky newcomer Carlos, pointing to the only empty one, in the back of the room. Carlos laughed widely. \"But I need a couple of dictionaries.\" Again the class laughed, but now they were laughing with Carlos, not at him. He had been here only 10 minutes and already he had them on his side.\"  The bell rang for classes. As I stood up to go, I saw Carlos coming toward me. \" I'm sorry I embarrassed you,\" he said. I looked straight head over the top of his black hair. \"That's all right.\" \"I ought to know better.\" He was still blocking my way.\" What's your name?\" \"Karen Forbes.\" \"You probably heard me say I'm Carlos Herrera.\" He held out his hand. Unwillingly, I shook hands with him. He looked up at me seriously with his brown eyes.\" \"I don't see why you're so touchy.\" I brushed by him and said sharply, \"You wouldn't understand.\" He followed me a few steps. \"I'm just the one who should, Karen,\" he said. \"You and I have a lot in common.\" It was the school elections that made me think of Carlos again. Reed Harrington was voted president and Carlos vice-president. \"How come?\" I kept asking myself,\" How come this shrimp who's only been in town for a little over a month gets to be so popular?\" So that morning, I stopped Carlos and said, \" It doesn't seem to bother you ---being short.\" He looked up at me. \"Of course I mind being short. But there isn't anything I can do about it. When I realized I was going to have to spend my life in this undersized skin, I just decided to make the best of it and concentrate on being myself.\" \"You seem to get along great.\" \"I admitted, \"But what about me? Nobody wants to date a girl taller than he is.\" \"The trouble with you is that you're afraid to be yourself. You're smart. And you could be pretty. In fact, you might be more than pretty.\" I felt myself turning red. \n Question: The author was angry because  _ \n Options: (A) Reed Harrington didn't date her. (B) Carlos was too rude to her. (C) she had to carry many books. (D) the class made fun of her.", "neg": "Article: My first day of high school was like any other first day: registering, finding new classmates, meeting new teachers, and seeking new friends. During lunch, I ran into my first snag of the day. At the dining hall, as the checkout lady asked for my money, I realized that I had forgotten my money. When I told her about it, I heard a voice behind me. I turned around and there stood a teacher telling her he will pay for my lunch. He told me his name was Mr. Peter Walker, and said, \"If you get a chance, you should take my history class.\" I recognize his name, and told him I was in his class later that day. Mr. Walker befriended me on the very first day of school at a very crucial time of the day---lunch! He always told us we should do more than we ever thought. He pushed us to do all things better. He coached many sports, and sponsored many after class activities. If we were interested in something, he would find a way to expose us to it, say, inviting speakers, taking us on field trips, or obtaining information for us. Two years later, my junior year in school was clicking along nicely when one day I was riding my motorcycle and I was hit by a car. I spent six days in hospital and was at home in bed for two weeks before returning to school. Mr. Walker stopped by the hospital each day with my work from my teachers. Once I was at home, he would bring my work too. After high school, I attended the United States Army Airborne School in Georgia. I knew my parents would be there the day I graduated, but they brought an unexpected guest. They came across Mr. Walker at lunch several days before and told him I was about to graduate. His visit, however, was not a surprise to me. \n Question: At the dining hall,   _  . \n Options: (A) Mr. Walker didn't know the author was his student (B) the author knew Mr. Walker was right behind him (C) the author decided to invite Mr. Walker to lunch (D) the lady didn't want to charge the author for his lunch", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}379{"query": "Article: Taylors English Language Preparation 2011 www.taylorscollege.edu.au/telp    If you need additional help to gain the high level of English language necessary for academic study, Taylors English Language Preparation (TELP) is the perfect solution. Throughout your TELP studies you will be an active language learner. You will be surrounded by opportunities to communicate in English, with friends, teachers, families and local people. You will gain English language skills which you will keep for life.   l  English: the language of Taylors College Strong English language skills are necessary for success in your chosen Taylors program. The TELP program, delivered in 12 week terms, is specifically designed to provide language training for academic study. Our teachers are fully trained English Language Teaching professionals, who will assist you in a caring and supportive classroom atmosphere. TELP focuses on: *Language studies              *Formal writing styles         *Note taking *Assignment writing            *Intensive listening               *Reading   l  Progressing to our High School or Foundation Programs Upon completion of TELP, you do not take an IELTS test before you begin our High School or Foundation programs.   l  NEAS Accreditation Taylors College has been assessed as operating at a high standard, in keeping with NEAS standards for English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS). A recent report commented favourably on the quality and commitment of staff and the impressive student management systems and procedures in place.   l  TELP term dates Students are encouraged to enroll at the start of a term; however, TELP courses allow for entry every four weeks. 2011 dates * 17 January -- 8 April                * 11 April -- 1 July * 4 July -- 23 September               * 26 September -- 16 December   l  2011 Summer School * 19 December -- 13 January 2012 \n Question: The TELP program  _  . \n Options: (A) is popular and thought highly of by students (B) is aimed at those who have passed an IELTS test (C) makes sure students have a communicative atmosphere (D) makes sure students learn the English language for four months", "pos": "Article: Used by over half a million learners,English Practice is one of the world's most popular online English learning products. English Practice offers over 40,000 interactive 1essons for all levels of students who want to study and improve their English. Our structured content will help you improve your speaking,vocabulary,grammar,and your listening and written comprehension. And because English Practice is online,you can study at a pace and at a time that is convenient for you.  How to Study When you start with English Practice we will give you a test to evaluate your language level. We will then recommend that you start as either a beginning intermediate or advanced learner. At each level you can take classes in General English,Work Skills,or Community to improve the skills you need. When you have completed enough lessons,we will give you another test and move you up to the next level.  General English This is where you will find lessons to improve your grammar,listening comprehension,and vocabulary. There are new lessons weekly so you will always find new 1essons to this area you can also take lessons to prepare for TOEFL and IELTS.  Work Skills This is where you can take lessons to teach you the specific skills you will need if you have to speak English at work,or do business in English. There are lessons on general business skills as well as courses to on specific industries.  Community In the Community section you find English Practice's popular chat room,where you can practice with fellow students from around the world,and ask English teachers questions about English Community also has fun games like Bingo,Hangman,and Karaoke. As well as links to online English studying resources. \n Question: Compared with the courses in class,English practice has the advantage that_. \n Options: (A) you can improve your English quickly through it (B) it will offer you the method of how to study English well (C) you can plan your time for English study according to your practical situation (D) you can teach yourself English at any time", "neg": "Article: Gateway Academy Pre-Sessional Courses Our pre-sessional courses are ideal for students who have a conditional place at a British university, but who need to achieve a certain level of English in order to be accepted. The course aims to provide students with the English language and study skills that they need in order to be successful at university or another academic establishment. It is important to note that completion of the course does not guarantee students' entrance into a university. It is necessary for students to show during the course that they have understood the information and skills that they have been taught, and can apply them to their work.  Pre-sessional students at Gateway Academy will benefit from: * Small class sizes (no more than 10 students per class) * Twenty three hours of tuition per week * Individual support and tutorials * Regular guest lecturers  * The use of the Academy's study and recreational facilities, including the Language Library, the computer suite, and the academy's sports facilities. * A varied social programme including evening entertainments and weekend excursions to popular tourist attractions and cities such as Stonehenge, Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon. The course offers an all-around approach to learning, and covers reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. During the course, students will receive instruction on important techniques such as summary-writing, analysing essay titles, organising writing, note-taking in lectures, giving seminars and making presentations. Students will gain experience in working both individually and in groups. As part of the course, all students will work towards a 5000-word project in their own field of study. Students will receive guidance from their tutors on how best to conduct research and write it up effectively. Students will also work towards a presentation on the same subject. There is no final examination. The attendance, successful completion of assignments and participation in class will be taken into account. Students will be given a full report on their progress at the end of the course. Students need to be aware that the course involves a great deal of coursework, which will require students to manage their time effectively. \n Question: From the passage we can learn that   _  . \n Options: (A) the course is suitable for students of all levels (B) the course will ensure your success at university (C) you can't go to university without taking the course (D) the course emphasizes the application of skills", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}380{"query": "Article: New York City schoolchildren can't use cellphones at school because of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ban on cellphones in schools. Many parents are opposed to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's ban on cellphones in schools by e-mail messages. There was a 13-year-old student who was shot with a gun after school, unable to call his mother for help. There was a high school student robbed three times last year, twice in her school building. There was a girl who got a piece of glass placed in her eye during school and was saved from a possible cornea transplant   only because, having disobeyed the cellphone ban, she was able to call her mother and get an operation on time. The ban has been on for years, but it set off a widespread parental outcry only in April, after some headmasters sent home letters reminding parents that cellphones are not allowed to be brought into school. Mr Bloomberg has defended the ban, saying that cellphones are bad and often used to cheat or call in friends for fights. If something is important, he says, parents can call schools directly. On the other hand, many of the e-mail messages from parents described the ban as \"cruel and heartless\", \"absurdly  wrong-headed\", \"anti-parent\", \"ridiculous\". \"We respect the fears that parents have,\" David Cantor, a spokesman for Schools Minister Joel I. Klein said, \"but after all the fact is that having phones in schools always leads to more problems.\" \n Question: A 13-year-old student was shot with a gun after school, unable to call his mother for help, because   _  . \n Options: (A) his mother had no cellphone (B) his mother wasn't at home (C) he didn't take a cellphone with him (D) he was too frightened to call", "pos": "Article: Sydney Australia--Mobile phone has become a problem for middle schools. Some middle schools in Australia have banned students from carrying mobile phones during school hours. Mobile phone use among children has become a problem for the school this year. Several children have got mobile phones as Christmas gifts, and more students want them. Mary Bluett, an official, said mobile phone use is a distraction to students during school hours and it also gives teachers so much trouble in their classrooms. Teachers were also saying that sometimes students might use phone messages to cheat during exams. She said some schools had tried to ban mobile phones. Some parents felt unhappy because they couldn't get in touch with their children. Many teachers said students should not have mobile phones at school, but if there was a good reason, they could leave their phones at school offices. They also said there were many reasons why the students should not have mobile phones at school: _ were easy to lose and were a distraction from studies. Many people say that they understand why parents would want their children to have phones, but they think schools should let the students know when they can use their mobile phones. \n Question: Some middle schools in Australia have banned students from carrying mobile phones  _  . \n Options: (A) because they are students (B) when they are free (C) when they are at school (D) because they are young", "neg": "Article: Have you felt annoyed when a cellphone rings during the class? Something must be done to stop this.Now in New York City, USA,a rule is carried out in schools.Students can't even bring cellphones to schoo1.Is it a good thing or not? Anxious parents say that cellphones are an important tool in holding New York city's families together. \"I worry about it,\" said Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, a mother of a middle school kid. It's necessary in our everyday life.We have a washing machine. We have running water, and We have cellphones.\" Many American parents think cellphones connect them to their children on buses,getting out from subways, walking through unknown places.   \"I have her call me when she gets out of school,\"said Lindsay Walt, a schoolgirl's mother. \"No one in New York is going to let their child go to school without a cellphone\" What about the cellphone owners, the students? Most of the students said cellphones were  _ and the cellphone was like all extra hand or foot for them. \"I feel so empty,\"said May Chom,1 4.There is also no way to listen to music on the way to school without my phone.It will be a really, really boring trip.\" \n Question: You can use a cellphone  _  . \n Options: (A) to enjoy listening to music (B) to work as running water (C) to work as a washing machine (D) to send children to school", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}381{"query": "Article: Once upon a time, on an isolated island in the Java sea, lived short people who dominated(, ) the food chain. Standing no more than three and a half feet tall, these human ancestors hunted giant rats, lumbering lizards , and _ elephants. It sounds a bit like a fairy tale, but it's true. Unearthed relics on the island uncovered the remains of a race of tiny human ancestors. Homo floresiensis, as the newly discovered species has been named, apparently could date back to 13,000 years ago. This means they have a lot in common with modern humans. So how and why did these people get so small? Scientists suspect that it's due to the fact that this race lived on an isolated island with limited resources. Take the miniature elephants for example. When elephants first came to the island either by swimming or by some kind of natural land raft, they were probably close to full size. But since there wasn't much to eat, over time smaller elephants lived longer and better. The smaller the elephant was, the less it had to eat to stay strong and healthy. Scientists call this the \"island role\", and it can apply to humans as well as animals. Given the island's sparse  food supply, it makes sense that the early humans living there would have evolved   a body size requiring less food to survive. So bigger isn't always better. In the floresiensis, at least, getting smaller was the way to go. \n Question: According to the passage, the fact Homo floresiensis are very small is based on  _  . \n Options: (A) the islanders in the Java Sea (B) the human ancestors (C) the unearthed relics (D) a newspaper report", "pos": "Article: Short people, studies have shown , are more likely to have a stroke , suffer from high blood pressures and heart disease and be bullied in school . Now, researchers report that short people--at least in the past--were also more likely to die at a younger age than their taller peers. Their study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology   and Community Health , found that short bones have something to do with short life for more than 1,000 years. The conclusion was based on 490 sets of adult skeletal  remains from an archaeological  site in northeastern England , YC dating from the 9th century to about 1850 . About 55% of men and 73% of women died before the age of 45, and 39% of men and 56% of women died before age 30. The risk of death before age 30 declined as bone length increased. \"This study provides evidence from an archaeological sample that long bone length is connected with age at death--those with smaller bones tend to die younger,\" according to Dr. D.J. Gunnell of the university of Bristol  in the UK and colleagues . While it is not clear why short stature  might be linked to earlier death , the researchers point out that height is _ of childhood nutrition, which may have long-lasting effect on health . \"Mechanism   for height-mortality  associations in the past may differ from those today , for example , short stature may have increased the risk of death in childbirth and this may explain the higher risk of premature  mortality in women,\" Gunnell and colleagues write . \"However, short bones, it would appear, have always been a marker of a short life,\" the authors conclude. \n Question: The title of the passage should be  _  . \n Options: (A) Short people and their taller peers (B) Men and women (C) Short stature and short life (D) Long life and short life", "neg": "Article: A previously unknown kind of human group disappeared from the world so completely that it has left behind the merest piece of evidence that it ever existed -- a single bone from the little finger of a child, buried in a cave in the Altai Mountains of southern Siberia.      Researchers removed DNA from the bone and reported that it differed obviously from that of both modern humans and of Neanderthals , living in Europe until the arrival of modern humans on the continent some 44,000 years ago.      The child carrying the DNA line was probably 5 to 7 years old, but it is not yet known if it was a boy or a girl. The finger bone was unearthed in 2008 from a place known as the Denisova cave.      Researchers are careful not to call the Denisova child a new human species, though it may prove to be so, because the evidence is initial.      But the genetic material removed from the bone, found in a layer laid down on the cave floor between 48,000 and 30,000 years ago, belonged to a distinct human line that traveled out of Africa at a different time from the two known ancient human species. Homo erectus , found in East Asia, left Africa two million years ago, and the ancestor of Neanderthals moved away some 500,000 years ago. The numbers of differences found in the child's DNA indicate that its ancestors left Africa about one million years ago.      The region was inhabited by both Neanderthals and modern humans at that time. Counting the new human line, three human species may have lived together.  The standard view has long been that there were three human resettlements out of Africa -- those of Homo erectus; of the ancestor of Neanderthals; and finally, some 50,000 years ago, of modern humans. But in 2004, archaeologists reported that they had found the bones of small humans who lived on the Indonesian island of Flores until 13,000 years ago, causing a serious problem to this view. The new line is the second such challenge.  If the nuclear DNA of the Denisova child should differ as much as its mitochondrial  DNA does from that of Neanderthals and modern humans, the case for declaring it a new species would be strengthened. But it would be unusual for a new species to be recognized on the basis of DNA alone.  In new diggings starting this summer, archaeologists will look for remains more analytical than the finger bone. Researchers will also begin re-examining the fossil collections in museums to see if any wrongly assigned bones might belong instead to the new line. \n Question: According to the passage,   _  . \n Options: (A) modern humans arrived in Europe before Neanderthals (B) modern humans arrived in Europe about 44,000 years ago (C) Neanderthals arrived in Europe about 44, 000 years ago (D) Neanderthals arrived in Europe soon after modern humans did", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}382{"query": "Article: Phyllis Lee of prefix = st1 /Singaporeknew something wasn't right. Her younger son, Alex, then six years old, was getting good grades in his private kindergarten classes. But Lee realized something was wrong when Alex came home one day, crying, with \"zeroes\" on his Chinese spelling test. Lee decided to investigate. According to Lee, the teacher would frequently describe Alex's Chinese writing as 'ghost writings' and made him a laughing stock in class instead of helping him out. Lee, 46, spent the next 12 months teaching Alex and still helps him when necessary. She not only taught him the formation of the Chinese words but also their origin so that he could understand better, often taking more than an hour to read a simple paragraph. Visits to the library and surfing the Internet kept her up to speed on teaching materials. Alex's grades improved and by the end of Year One, he had become one of the top students in Chinese in his class. Alex is keeping an A - plus average in all subjects, and his mother's involvement is a big reason behind it. Alex, now 11, recently wrote a book recording his struggles with Chinese, which an international education center has published to inspire its students. He sometimes writes for local student magazines as well.  Lee has always had input into the education of Alex. She reads to him \"all the time.\" As a result, he is an eager reader who regularly visit the library. To Lee, one of the most valuable things she does is to take turns with her husband to drive Alex to school. \"We'd talk along the way. Talking enables me to have a better understanding of my child and reminds me of changes every now and then so that I know when to get involved, she says.\" \n Question: Alex arrived home with tears because_. \n Options: (A) he failed in the Chinese exam (B) his teacher punished him (C) he didn't want to learn Chinese (D) his classmates did him wrong", "pos": "Article: (2013*,D)About 30 years ago,I left Cuba for the United States with my son.After getting settled finally in Brunswick,New Jersey,I enrolled  my son in kindergarten.Several weeks later,my son's teacher asked me to meet him at his office. In the teacher's office,and exchange of greetings was followed by his questions:\"Is your son mentally retarded ?Does he suffer from any kind of mental disability?\" Was he talking about my wonderful Scola? NO,no,it can't be.What a helpless,lonely moment!I told him that Scola was a quiet,sweet little boy,instead.I asked him why he was asking me all these questions. My son could not follow the teacher's directions,he told me,and thus,Scola was _ the class,Didn't he know my son did not speak English yet? He was angry;\"Why hasn't your son been taught to speak English? Don't you speak English at home?\" No,I didn't speak English at home,I replied.I was sure my son would learn English in a couple of months,and I didn't want him to forget his native language.Well,wrong answer!What kind of person would not speak in English to her son at home and at all times? \"Are you one of those people who come to this country to save dollars and send them back to their country,never wanting to be a part of this society?\" Needless to say,I tried to tell him I was not one of \"those people\".Then he told me the meeting was over,and I left. As I had expected,my son learned to speak English fluently before the school year was over.He went on to graduate from college and got a job,earning close to six figures.He travels widely and leads a welladjusted,contented life.And he has benefited from being bilingual .  Speaking more than one language allows people to communicate with others;it teaches people about other cultures and other places--something very basic and obviously lacking in the\"educator\"I met in New Jersey. \n Question: The teacher asked the author to his office  _  . \n Options: (A) to discuss Scola's inclass performance (B) to get Scola enrolled in kindergarten (C) to find a language partner for Scola (D) to work out a study plan for Scola", "neg": "Article: Almost 70 percent of Chinese middle school students have serious problems with their parents, the Beijing Morning Post quoted a survey as saying. The survey showed 6.62 percent of the surveyed students are afraid of their parents while 13.13 percent of them dislike their parents and 56.28 percent were extremely disgusted with or even hate their parents. Only 4.75 percent of the young people surveyed said they like their parents. The recently conducted survey among 3,000 middle school students in a Beijing district asked questions about their attitude toward their parents and family education, the paper said. For many families, conflict between parents and children center on the student's school grades, their weight and their friends. The survey showed that parental influence over children is decreasing, the paper said. Xiao Xiao, a third year junior middle school student is perhaps typical of most kids when she complains; \"I was scolded by my mother because I didn't come first in the class in a mid-term exam.\" Xiao Xiao in fact is already one of the top students in her class, the paper said, stressing Xiao Xiao's parents hope she can study at the Beijing University or even attend Harvard in the future. Sun Yunxiao, an expert with the China Youth and Children Research Center, said \"parents expect unrealistically high expectations from their children.\" The research centre's own survey of parents showed about 55 percent of parents hope their children will study for a doctoral degree and 83.6 percent require their children to rank in the top 15 of their class. Conflicts between parents and their children not only come from too high education expectations. Other causes of disconnection between parents and children are family violence, parents' old fashioned ideas, interference in a child's privacy including their choice of friends and time spent surfing the web, the paper said. Mr Hu, a father of a middle school student, wasn't surprised by the survey results. He says too much concern over school marks is putting tremendous pressure on families. \n Question: How many young people surveyed said they like their parents? \n Options: (A) 39390. (B) 19860. (C) 14250 (D) 168840", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}383{"query": "Article: *200 dead as Brazilian plane crashes  in Sao Paulo Up to 200 people were dead after a passenger plane with 176 people aboard slid off the runway on landing and hit a fuel storage tank at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport on Tuesday.  Brazilian airline TAM said that 170 passengers and 6 crew  were aboard the Airbus A320 flying from Porto Alegre in southern Brazil to Sao Paulo when it lost control on landing and slid off the wet runway.  Brazilian news agency Folha reported up to 200 people were dead, including some victims on the ground. * _  Two people were killed Saturday in two separate plane crashes in the United States, media reports said.  In Dayton, Ohio, a plane crashed on a runway of the Dayton International Airport while performing during the Vectren Dayton Air Show. The pilot, Jim LeRoy, was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and was announced dead. The air show was canceled.  Also on the same day, two single-engine war planes at an experimental air show collided  in Wisconsin while landing, killing one of the pilots and injuring the other. *All 114 aboard Kenya plane killed   A Kenya Airways plane that crashed after takeoff in Cameroon with 114 people on board is largely submerged   in a swamp  and there is no chance of survivors, Cameroon 's civil protection service said on Monday The Boeing 737-800 had taken off from Douala and its wreckage  was found just 12 miles from the town. The plane fell head first. But the cause of the crash remained unclear.  Among the passengers were Associated Press reporter Anthony Mitchella and an executivefrom the South African cell phone giant MTN. Five Chinese passengers were also killed in the crash . \n Question: The Brazilian plane crash caused extra deaths mainly because  _ \n Options: (A) .it skidded off the wet runway. (B) the runway. was very short (C) it hit a fuel storage tank (D) its pilot was inexperienced", "pos": "Article: XI'AN---Seven people died in a fire early on Wednesday morning in Xi'an, capital of Shanxi Province. A restaurant with a karaoke hall in the southern suburbs caught fire around 2 a. m. and seven waitresses who were sleeping on the second floor of the restaurant were killed. The restaurant was completely destroyed and the waitresses, the local police said, were killed by _ smoke from burning decorations. MANILA---Four people were killed yesterday in the central Philippine island of Tacloban when a bomb they had dug up exploded, local police were quoted as saying. The four people were digging to set up a septic(poisonous)tank in their house when they dug up the bomb. It went off, killing all four people, local police were quoted by radio station DZBB as saying. The police did not say where the bomb came from. Unexploded bombs from World War II are still discovered around the Philippines once in a while. TEL AVIV---An Israeli couple kissed for 30 hours and 45 minutes which, a spokeswoman said yesterday, was a world record. The couple, both in their twenties, started kissing on Monday at 8:30 p.m. along with 250 other couples in a contest. \"For nearly 31 hours they didn't eat, drink, talk or even go to the bathroom. And the whole time, they were standing up\", said Arielle Goldman, who handled public relations for the event. She said a representative of the Guinness Book of World Records was on hang to witness the event, recorded on video. The previous record was 29 hour and 37 minutes, Goldman said. The winning couple received two round-the-world plane tickets and $ _ . (277 words) \n Question: Which of the following statements is right? \n Options: (A) The news report didn't mention the loss caused by the fire. (B) After reading the report we know how the fire broke out. (C) The reporter tended to think the bomb had something to do with World War II (D) The police refused to admit the bomb had anything to do with World War II.", "neg": "Article: On the way home from his job at a bakery in Wainscot, New York, one August evening,Craig Schum,33,stopped his car at the East Hampton Airport. A group was protesting, airplane noise,and Schum,who had kicked off his shoes,got out of the car.     Within seconds, though,Schum saw something astonishing.A small plane dived and crashed into the woods about l00 yards from the runway.\"I don't remember making the decision that I should go help out,\" he recalls.\"I just started running.\"     Sehum ran across the street barefoot,climbed over a six--foot-high chain link fence, and dashed about l00 yards toward the woods.When he got there, he discovered 5l yea r-old pilot Stephen Bochter,his head bleeding,beside the burning plane.Bochter's passenger,his wife, Kim Brillo,was on the ground, unconscious \"She had blood all over her.\"says Schum.\"I thought she was dead.\"     Jack Gleeson,17,a high school student working a summer job at the airport,caught up to Schum and,with Bochter's help, 1ifted the chain-link fence and brought Brillo underneath it.Moments later,the entire plane exploded.     After the rescue team arrived,Bochter and Brillo were airlifted to a nearby hospital and treated for cuts,injuries and Brillo's broken arm, Bochter, an experienced pilot, 1ater said that the plane's electrical system had failed shortly after takeoff.He had been attempting to land at the East Hampton Airport when the plane began to nosedive.He managed to level the wings before crashing into the woods.     \"Everything was on fire,and Schum came out of nowhere to save us.\"says Bochter.\"We're blessed to have lived through it\" \n Question: Why did Craig Schum stop his car at the East Hampton Airport? \n Options: (A) He wanted to have a rest. (B) He save 8 protesting group. (C) He noticed a plane crash. (D) He needed to kick off his shoes", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}384{"query": "Article: Choosing the Right Resolution   Millions of Americans began 2014 with the same resolution they started 2013 with, a goal of losing weight. However, setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake. To reach our goal of losing weight --- the output, we need to control what we eat --- the input ( ). That is, we tend to care about the output but not to control the input. This is a bad way to construce goals. The alternative is to focus your resolution on the input. Instead of resolving to lose weight, try an actionable resolution: \"I'll stop having desert for lunch,\" or \"I'll walk every day for 20 minutes.\" Creating a goal that focuses on a well-specified input will likely be more effective than concentrating on the outcome. Recently a new science behind incentives   , including in education, has been discussed. For example, researcher Roland Fryer wanted to see what works best in motivating children to do better in school. In some cases, he gave students incentives based on input, like reading certain books, while in others, the incentives were based on output, like results on exams. His main finding was that incentives increased achievement when based on input but had no effect on output. Fryer's conclusion was that the intensives for inputs might be more effective because do not knoe how to do better on exam, aside from general rules like \"study harder.\" Reading certain books, on the other hand, is a well-set task over which they have much more control. As long as you have direct control over your goal, you have a much higher chance of success. And it's easier to start again if you fail, because you know exactly what you need to do. If you want to cut down on your spending, a good goal would be making morning coffee at home instead of going to a cafe, for example. This is a well-specified action-based goal for which you can measure your success easily. Spending less money isn't a goal because it's too general. Similarly, if you want to spend more time with your family, don't stop with this general wish. Think bout an actionable habit that you could adopt and stick to, like a family movie night every Wednesday. In the long run, these new goals could become a habit. \n Question: The writer thinks that setting weight loss as a goal is a mistake because   _   . \n Options: (A) it is hard to achieve for most Americans (B) it is focused too much on the result (C) it is dependent on too many things (D) it is based on actionable decisions", "pos": "Article: More than one-third of adults in the United States are obese . In fact, over obesity has reached such proportions that one big-city mayor has gone about banning large-sized, sugary soft drinks and the First Lady has been on a campaign to control the dietary offerings in public schools. Even many adults who do not fit the clinic definition of obesity are still overweight, and a large percentage are looking for the best ways to lose weight. Reducing pounds largely comes down to the two-sided factors of diet and exercise. Not carrying out the first one enough, and not getting enough of the second one, ends up giving the individual a recipe for being overweight. Advising someone to eat less and exercise more might be the easiest advice possible, but it's also, partially, an oversimplification. Dieting has more to do with the types of food you eat than how much you eat. Reduce the amount of red meat in your diet. If you don't want to eliminate red meat altogether, choose cuts of meat with less fat content. Limit your intake of salt and starches. If you've got to have potato chips alongside your sandwich at lunch, choose the baked potato chips that contain less fat than the deep-fried chips. You might find you're really not sacrificing that much in terms of taste. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, egg whites, fish and nonfat dairy products will certainly aid in the mission of losing weight. Drink more water and less sugary drinks. If you have to have a soda, a diet soda is a better option, but seltzer is an even better choice than that. It's important--if not always easy--to make sure you get at least some physical activity each and every day. If your feet won't allow for a regular jogging regimen, then make sure you take lots of walks. Next time you need to mail a letter, walk to the mailbox instead of driving. Try to work in a daily walk in your neighborhood. \n Question: You should  _  when you want to lose weight \n Options: (A) try not to fit the clinic definition of obesity (B) diet as well as exercise enough (C) get little exercise every day (D) focus your attention on diet only", "neg": "Article: As anyone who has tried to lose weight knows, realistic goal-setting generally produces the best results. That's partially because it appears people who set realistic goals actually work more efficiently, and exert more effort, to achieve those goals.  What are far less understood by scientists, however, are the potentially harmful effects of goal-setting. There has been surprisingly little research on how the practice may have contributed to the current economic crisis and unethical  behavior in general. \"Goals are widely used and promoted as having really beneficial effects. And yet, the same motivation that can push people to exert more effort in a constructive way could also motivate people to be more likely to engage in unethical behaviors,\" says Maurice Schweitzer, an associate professor of operations and information management at Penn's Wharton School. His paper, titled \"Goals Gone Wild: The Systematic Side Effects of Over-Prescribing Goal Setting,\" appears in the February issue of the Academy of Management Perspectives.  \"It turns out there's no economic benefit to just having a goal-you just get a psychological benefit and that's quite motivating in itself,\" Schweitzer says. \"But in many cases, goals have economic rewards that make them more powerful.\" A prime example Schweitzer and his colleagues give is the 2004 closing down of energy-trading titan Enron, where managers used financial rewards to motivate salesmen to meet specific sales goals. The problem, Schweitzer says, is the actual trades were not earning money. Other studies have shown that pressing employees with unrealistic goals can force them to lie, cheat or steal. Such was the case, Schweitzer says, in the early 1990s when Sears imposed a sales target on its auto repair staff. It resulted in employees overcharging for work and completing unnecessary repairs on a companywide basis. Schweitzer admits his research run against a very large body of literature that praises the many benefits of goal-setting. Edwin A. Locke, from the University of Maryland, College Park, and Gary P. Latham, from the University of Toronto, write: \"Goal setting is not going away. Organizations cannot develop without being focused on their desired results any more than an individual can develop without goals to provide a sense of purpose.\" The debate is likely to be popular on in future papers, and the practice of setting goals no doubt will continue. For now, though, the lesson seems to be to put more thought into setting goals. \"They really do help to coordinate and motivate people. My idea would be to combine that with careful observation, a strong organizational culture, and make sure the goals that you use are going to be constructive and not significantly harm the organization,\" Schweitzer says. \n Question: What message does the author try to get across about goal-setting? \n Options: (A) Its role has been largely underestimated. (B) The goal increase people's work efficiency. (C) Its negative effects have long been ignored. (D) The goal most people set are unrealistic.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}385{"query": "Article: New York Times---( DINITIA SMITH )Tomorrow is the 433d anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. A recent survey shows that more people are watching him, reading him and studying him than ever before. Consider the recent yearly conference of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, where more than 600 people who study or admire Shakespeare from 18 countries took in topics like ''Whither Attribution Studies,'' ''Unpopular Shakespeare'' and ''Sex Me Here,'' a talk on breast-feeding and Lady Macbeth. ''The national media is saying that fewer students' taking Shakespeare,'' Barbara Mowat, the editor of The Shakespeare Quarterly, observed in a speech at the conference. ''But Shakespeare is thriving.'' The association's membership has increased by a third since 1990. The Shakespeare business is so good these days that W. W. Norton is introducing a huge new collections of the plays into the already crowded _ just in time for tomorrow's birthday anniversary. Priced at $44.95, ''The Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition'' runs for 3,420 pages, offering introductions, illustrations and notes and three versions  of''King Lear.'' Today, movies and videos have made the plays even more accessible. Last year, ''William Shakespeare'sRomeo and Juliet'' was No. 1 at the box office when it opened, and it grossed nearly $50 million. In New York in January, crowds lined up in the freezing cold to see Kenneth Branagh's four-hour''Hamlet.''The students select a scene and then have a violent discussion about it.'' Influenced by films, professors are increasingly teaching students by having them perform the plays. \n Question: Why people from 18 countries came to Washington this year? \n Options: (A) To celebrate Shakespeare's 433d birth day only. (B) To watch some plays by Shakespeare as planned. (C) To celebrate Shakespeare's birthday and study his works. (D) To discuss how to teach students using Shakespeare's plays.", "pos": "Article: Shakespeare,  perhaps more than any other writer, made full use of the great resources of the English language. Most of us use about five thousand words in our normal employment  of English; Shakespeare in his works used about twenty-five thousand! There is probably no better way for a foreigner (or an Englishman!) to appreciate the richness and variety of the English language than by studying the various ways in which Shakespeare used it. Such a study is well worth the effort, even though some aspects of English usage, and the meaning of many words, have changed since Shakespeare's day.   However ,it is surprising that we should know comparatively little about the life of the greatest English author. We know that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford--on--Avon ,and that he died there in 1616.He almost certainly attended the Grammar School in the town ,but of this we cannot be sure .We know he was married there in 1582 to Anne Hathaway and that he had three children .We know that he spent much of his life in London writing his masterpieces .But this is almost all that we do know .   However, what is important about Shakespeare's life is not its incidental details but its products, the plays and the poems. For many years scholars have been trying to add a few facts about Shakespeare's life to the small number we already possess and for an equally long time critics have been theorizing  about the plays. Sometimes, indeed, it seems that the poetry of Shakespeare will disappear under the greatest masses of comment that has been written about it.   Fortunately this is not likely to happen. Shakespeare's poetry and Shakespeare's people (Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, Falstaff and all the others) have long delighted not just the English but lovers of literature everywhere, and will continue to do so after the scholars and  _ and all their works have been forgotten. \n Question: This text is about   _   in Shakespeare's works. \n Options: (A) the richness of the content (B) the great length of each chapter (C) the richness and variety of the language (D) the great varieties on writing style", "neg": "Article: It's not every week that England's greatest playwright William Shakespeare hits the headlines, but the Bard of Avon   has been the subject of two news stories in recent days as new information has come to light about the writer and his working environment. In the first development, a portrait of Shakespeare, which is believed to be the only picture painted of him during his lifetime, was _ in London. The artwork has been dated back to 1610, meaning it was painted six years before the writer's death. The painting had been owned by a family descended from Shakespeare's literary patron   tor hundreds of years without them ever knowing who the man in the picture was. Alec Cobbe, who inherited the portrait, realized that the painting was a likeness of Shakespeare after visiting an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery where he saw a portrait that had, until 70 years ago, been accepted as a life portrait of Shakespeare. Mr Cobhe immediately realized he was looking at a copy of the painting that had been in his family for centuries. The painting will now go on display in Shakespeare's hometown Stratford-upon-Avon. In a separate story, archaeologists in London believe they have unearthed the remains of Shakespeare's first theatre. The site was excavated  by a team from the Museum of London last summer, and is believed to have been built in 1576. Experts think that Shakespeare himself acted at the theatre, which may have been where the play Romeo and Juliet was premiered  . It is believed that 25 years after construction, the building was pulled down and moved timber by timber to the South Bank of the Thames, where a reconstruction of the theatre now stands. \n Question: .What is the story mainly about? \n Options: (A) The remains of the first theatre. (B) Shakespeare's portrait. (C) Early life of Shakespeare. (D) Great works of Shakespeare.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}386{"query": "Article: From Nigerian science fiction to a time-travelling serial killer, Brittle Paper selects the best works of fiction from the continent to inspire our inner desire to travel. My Life in the Bush of Ghosts - Amos Tutuola Who wouldn't want to get enveloped in a fog of magical delight?  The novel describes the adventures of a little boy lost in a forest. His search for the way back home seem to take him deeper and deeper into secret colonies of creatures living in reality. Nigerians in Space - Deji Olukotun Wale is a Nigerian lunar geologist. He is under the spell of a life-long dream to traveling out to the moon when the mysterious Mr Bello offers him the chance to man a Nigerian space-exploration mission. But like most dreams, what starts out as the magical fulfillment of desire quickly slips into the kingdom of nightmare . In novels like this, travelling through space easily becomes a journey into the self. Our Sister Killjoy - Ama Ata Aidoo Ama Ata Aidoo's novel is a tourist adventure set in Germany and London. It charts the journey of Sissie, a bright and self-assured African student who wins a European travel scholarship. Like any good explorer, she is very aware of her surroundings - an awareness that she conveys in a mixture of poetic and prose expressions.  The Moor's Account - Laila Lalami In the 16th century, a group of five ships set sail from Spain for the New World. Estabanico, a survivor of the expedition, is our latest guide through the unknown lands and peoples. He lives to tell the story of their following  travels heading out to Florida and how their dream of becoming wealthy conquerors  becomes a journey in search of self-discovery and redemption . \n Question: The passage is to attract readers to   _  . \n Options: (A) Read more books (B) Write different novels (C) Explore the nature (D) Travel around the world", "pos": "Article: I used to think of myself as a person learned in books, but my bookshelves told a different story. Apart from a few Indian novels and an Australian book, my literature collection only consisted of British and American titles. Worse still, I couldn't ever found anything in translation. My reading was limited to stories by English-speaking authors. So, at the start of 2012, I set myself the challenge of trying to read a book from every country in a year to find out what I was missing. With no idea where to get those books, I was unlikely to find publications from nearly 200 nations on the shelves of my local bookshop, so I decided to ask the readers all over the world for help. I created a blog called A Year of Reading the World and put out an appeal for suggestions of titles that I could read in English. The response was amazing. People all over the world were getting in touch with me, offering ideas and book lists. Some posted me books from their home countries. In addition, several writers, like Turkmenistan's Ak Welsapar and Panama's Juan David Morgan, sent me unpublished translations of their novels, giving me a rare opportunity to read works unavailable in Britain. Even with such an extraordinary team of bibliophiles  behind me, however, sourcing books was no easy task. With translations making up only around 4.5 per cent of literary works published in the UK, getting English versions of stories was tricky. One by one, the books from the countries on the list filled my heart with laughter, love, anger, hope and fear. Lands that had once seemed exotic and remote became close and familiar to me. At its best, I learned, reading makes the world real. \n Question: The author realized she was not a learned person when she found   _  . \n Options: (A) she could do nothing but read books (B) she had never been to Indian and Australian (C) she didn't have any translated books. (D) she could only read simple English stories", "neg": "Article: The Jungle Book Lost in the jungles of India as a child and adopted into a family of wolves, Mowgli is brought up on a diet of Jungle Law, loyalty, and fresh meat from the kill. Regular adventures with his friends and enemies in the jungles improve this child's strength and cleverness and stir every reader's imagination. Price: $ 7.79 ISBN-13: 978-1613820742 Average Customer Review:  A Stolen Life The first work of its kind--Jaycee Dugard's personal life story, her own story of being kidnapped   in 1991. When Jaycee was eleven years old, she was kidnapped from a school bus stop. She was missing for more than eighteen years, and gave birth to two daughters during her imprisonment  . Price: $ 19.79 ISBN-13: 978-1442344983 Average Customer Review: While We're Far  Apart Five-time Christy Award winner Lynn Austin is called as \"one of the style's best historical fiction novelists\". Set in Brooklyn, New York, during World War I,while a motherless girl longs for her daddy and a young lady hopes for a second chance at love, this tale explores the uncertainty that stays in people. Price:$ 6.00 ISBN-10: 0764204971 Average Customer Review: The Fashion Police The Fashion Police was in the second place in the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition 2010 and nominated   Best Novel with Romantic Elements 2010 by The Romance Reviews. It is a strange comedy-mystery, combining murder and with romance. Price: $ 12.73 ISBN-13: 978-1451555653 Average Customer Review: \n Question: If you are interested in personal life stories, then you can choose the book   _  . \n Options: (A) A Stolen Life (B) The Jungle Book (C) The Fashion Police (D) While We're Far Apart", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}387{"query": "Article: You may think that light pollution isn't something extraordinarily important. You may believe that every other type of pollution has a larger impact on the environment than light pollution does. But light pollution is serious. Light pollution, or \"sky glow\", is the glow  you can see at night above cities and towns. Light pollution is a problem that has been accompanying man ever since he started his first fire some 15,000 years ago. Light pollution is the light  that comes from streetlights, buildings, parking lots and any other source of light that is reflected or directed into the atmosphere. Urban light pollution means that one-fifth of the world's population can no longer see the Milky Way  with the naked eye . Many city kids, even if they did look through the orange smog above their heads, would probably see only a handful of stars. We have lost our view of the stars, and we have _ our  night-time environment as well. Astronomers are calling for the dark places on Earth to be preserved as national parks. Lots of people find the ever-brightening night annoying, and animals that are programmed to prefer the dark may avoid a brightened habitat. Sea turtles can get lost searching for a beach to lay eggs, and their hatchlings may confuse over-lit beachfront resorts  for the ocean horizon, wasting precious energy needed to find the sea and escape predators . Because their necks aren't yet long enough to see things far away, baby turtles rely on the mirror image of the moon to guide them to the sea, to begin their new life. A car may even hit a particular turtle, which was thinking the light from a nearby city was moonlight reflecting off the ocean waves. Birds that live in and around cities can die because of sky glow, too. The bright lights can blind them, leading to countless collisions with buildings and other tall structures. Reducing light pollution is not difficult.Light pollution is the easiest type of pollution to end. people can help reduce much sky glow by using lighting only when necessary. The stars above us are priceless heritage-- for not only for astronomers but for all humans. More of our children should be able to look up at night and see the Milk Way is not just a candy bar. \n Question: All the following statements are false EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) Light pollution does not have as large an import on the earth as other types of pollution do (B) Light pollution exists everywhere on the eafth (C) People in some parts of the world cannot see the Milky Way with their naked eyes as a result of light pollution (D) Loght pollution came into existence with modem technology", "pos": "Article: Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated  cities in the world, but with night skies around 1,000 times brighter than globally accepted levels, it gains a bad reputation for its light pollution. A study by Hong Kong University found that brightness levels in the southern Chinese city's popular shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui were 1,200 times greater than the international dark sky standard. The crowded city of 7 million residents , full or residential high-rises, towering office blocks and neon  advertisements, has no laws to control outdoor lightning. The result is that light pollution is thought to be much worse than in other large cities, including London, Sydney, Tokyo and Shanghai. \"In Hong Kong , you can't go anywhere outdoor in the evening without your eyes being blinded by this really disturbing outdoor lightning,\" the light pollution survey's head Jason Pum told AFP. \"The fact that we have all this light in the sky means energy is wasted,\" he said, adding that too much artificial lightning also affects nightly wildlife. Research has suggested that light pollution can cause a number of harmful health effects in humans, including sleeplessness and headaches and can also interrupt body clocks and hormones . The university survey, the result of five million measurements taken from points across the city, was released just days before the start of the annual Earth Hour event, organized by the World Wildlife Fund. People around the world will be encouraged to turn off the lights for an hour on Saturday night to raise awareness of climate change. Last year, a number of Hong Kong's major buildings along Victoria Harbour went dark to mark Earth Hour. \"Anyway, we should do our best to reduce the amount of lightning and adjust it for the benefit of the environment.\" \n Question: If you walk out at night in Hong Kong, you can see all those things except   _  . \n Options: (A) neon advertisements (B) residential buildings (C) a dark sky with twinkling stars (D) high office blocks", "neg": "Article: The idea of light pollution has developed with the increase of lights in cities. In many areas, this light makes it difficult or impossible to observe stars and planets in the night sky. There are a number of reasons why light pollution is important. One has become clear at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles, California. Today, light from Los Angeles makes the night sky above Mount Wilson very bright. It is no longer an important reasearch center because of light pollution. Light pollution threatens to reduce the scientific value of research telescoples in other important observatories. They include Lick Observatory near San Jose, California and Yerkes Observatory near Chicago, Illionis. Light pollution is the result of wasted energy. Bright light that shines into the sky is not being used to provide light where it is needed on Earth. Poorly designed lighting causes a great deal of light pollution. Lights that are brighter than necessary also cause light pollution. Most people in America are surprised to find out that they are able to see our own galaxy ,the Milky Way, with their own eyes. But about threefourths of Americans cannot see the Miky Way because of manmade light. Objects in the night sky are resources that provide everyone with wonder. But light pollution threatens to prevent those wonderful sights from being seen. \n Question: Light pollution usually occurs  _  . \n Options: (A) in cities (B) in the country (C) in wild areas (D) in developing countries", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}388{"query": "Article: Trees are useful to man in three very important ways: they provide him with wood and other products, they give him shade, and they help to prevent drought and floods. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important. In his eagerness to draw quick profit from the trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had. Two thousand years ago a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire. It gained the empire but, without its trees, its soil became hard and poor. When the empire fell to pieces, the country found itself faced by floods and starvation. Even though a government realizes the importance of a plentiful supply of trees, it is difficult for it to persuade the villager to see this. The villager wants wood to cook his food with, and he can earn money by making charcoal  or selling wood to the townsman . He is usually too lazy or too careless to plant and look after trees. So unless the government has a good system of control, or can educate the people, the forests will slowly disappear. This does not only mean that the villager's sons and grandsons have fewer trees. The results are even more serious. For where there are trees their roots break the soil up--allowing the rain to sink in and also hold the soil, thus preventing it being washed away easily, but where there are no trees, the soil becomes hard and poor. The rain falls on hard ground and flows away on the surface, causing floods and carrying away with it the rich topsoil, in which crops grow so well. When all the topsoil is gone, nothing remains but a worthless desert. \n Question: The purpose that the writer wrote this article is to    _   . \n Options: (A) tell people the use of wood (B) tell people the function of tree roots (C) warn that man mustn't destroy forests any more (D) explain how trees help to prevent drought and floods", "pos": "Article: Trees are useful to man in three important ways: They provide him with wood and other products; they provide him shade;. and they help to prevent droughts and floods. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important.In his eagerness to make money from trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had. And besides, he is usually too careless to plant and look after new trees. So the forests slowly disappear. This does not only mean that man will have fewer trees. The results are even more serious: for where there are trees, their roots break up soil allowing the rain to sink in and also bind the soil, thus preventing it from being washed away easily;but where there are no trees, the rain falls on hard ground and flows away, causing floods and carrying away the rich top-soil. When the top-soil is gone, nothing remains but worthless desert. Two thousand years ago,a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire .It set up the empire, but, without its trees, its soil became poor and grew weak. When the empire fell to pieces, the home country found itself faced by floods and starvation . \n Question: The most important service of trees to man is that  _  . \n Options: (A) they give them wood and other products (B) they give them shade (C) they help him prevent droughts and floods (D) they help him made money", "neg": "Article: A rainforest is an area covered by tall trees with the total high rainfall spreading quite equally through the year and the temperature rarely dipping below l6degC. Rainforests have a great effect on the world environment because they can take in heat from the sun and adjust the climate. Without the forest cover,these areas would reflect more heat into the atmosphere, warming the rest of the world. Losing the rainforests may also influence wind and rainfall patterns,potentially causing certain natural disasters all over the world. In the past hundred years,humans have begun destroying rainforests in search of three major resources : land for crops,wood for paper and other products,land for raising farm animals. This action affects the environment as a whole. For example,a lot of carbon dioxide in the air comes from burning the rainforests. People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit. There are two main reasons for _ . Firstly,when people cut down trees,generally they can only use the land for a year or two. Secondly,cutting large sections of rainforests may provide a good supply of wood right now,but in the long run it actually reduces the world's wood supply. Rainforests are often called the world's drug store. More than 25% of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. However,fewer than l%of rainforest plants have been examined for their medical value. It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in the world's shrinking   rainforests. \n Question: Rainforests can help to adjust the climate because they  _  . \n Options: (A) reflect more heat into the atmosphere (B) bring about high rainfall throughout the world (C) rarely cause the temperature to drop lower than l6degC (D) reduce the effect of heat from the sun on the earth", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}389{"query": "Article: Ad.1 West High School Bake Sale Come and support our band and buy some delicious baked goods! Friday, September 20th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. In the hall by the office after school Cookies: 25 cents each or 5 for $1 Brownies: 50 cents each or 3 for $1.25 Cake by the slice: $1 Whole cakes: $8 Proceeds go toward sending our band to Nationals. Ad.2 SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES Ups or U.S. Parcel Post are the standard methods for continental U.S. shipments. ORDER TOTAL          GROUND          EXPEDITED GROUND 9-12 working days        4-5 working days $0.00 to $30.00                $4.50                  $5.50 $30.01 to $60.00               $7.25                  $8.25 $60.01 to $100.00          $9.50                  $10.50 $100.01 to $200.00             $11.50                 $12.50 Add $7.00 to Ground Rates for 3 Days. \n Question: How much money can you save   if you buy 3 brownies? \n Options: (A) 50 cents. (B) 1.25 dollars. (C) 75 cents. (D) 25 cents.", "pos": "Article: Some schools are now forbidding or restricting   bake sales in an effort to fight a rise in obesity among kids. In February,the New York City Board of Education ordered that only fruits,vegetables,and approved packaged foods be sold at schools. Many students and parents objected to the restrictions on bake sales , which have long been a way to raise money for schools and community causes , including athletic events and Haitian earthquake relief.New York City finally compromised,allowing each school to hold one bake sale a month.But California and school districts in other states still limit bake sales.Should all schools forbid bake sales?     Childhood obesity has been a growing problem for decades.The number of obese school-age children in the U.S.has increased by three times in the past 20 years.According to Eric Goldstein,the head of food services for New York City schools.40 percent of the city's 1.1 million pupils are obese.         \"We have a big problem in the city,state,and the country with obesity,\"Goldstein said.\"During the school day, we have to focus on what is healthy for the mind and the body.\" A. J. Juarez, a community organizer for the Massachusetts Public Health Association,agrees.Restricting the kinds of food sold in schools is ''about teaching kids good habits,\"he said.         Nutrition experts believe schools are supposed to be a place where teachers and students set up a model environment,  and the last thing kids need is an extra source of pointless calories. But many parents and students  _ .\"It's not fair. Bake sales have always been a positive way to raise money for school programs,and to make that against the rules is not appropriate,\" said a parent. \"I don't think they should forbid bake sales,''Reese Butler,12,told The New York Times.A sixth-grader from Wrightstown,New Jersey,he reasoned that,\"Money raised by selling cookies is sometimes used for field trips and for community causes,including Haitian earthquake relief.\" For Alyssa Howell,11,a fifth-grader in Ann Arbor, Michigan,the issue of choosing what to eat is about freedom.\"It is the child's decision to make the right choice.\"she said. \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) How to fight childhood obesity. (B) How to raise money for school programs. (C) Whether to eat food with higher calories. (D) Whether to forbid bake sales at schools.", "neg": "Article: Memo to: Parents Memo from: Administration Office, St. Augustine's Elementary School Topic: Lunch Program and School Information  Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 We would like to thank all parents and guardians for your cooperation as we carry out a new method of delivering our lunch program. So far the month-long test of the new system has gone smoothly. For your convenience, we have included a copy of the envelope below to allow you to record the days you have ordered lunch for your child. You can keep this copy at home for your reference. Please note, lunches are prepared using the School Food Guidelines both in terms of items served and size. During the first two weeks some people wrote in additions to the menu, such as ordering extra items. Due to the logistics   involved and our limited volunteer base we are unable to fulfill these requests.  Ordering process: This year we will distribute a two week lunch envelope. If you decide to order the meal offered on a given day, simply check the box in front of that meal choice. For example, if you choose seven meals over the two weeks, then please enclose (7 x $2.00) fourteen dollars ($14.00) in the envelope. Seal it, and return it to your child's teacher. Please note that the cost for the lunch remains the same: $2.00 daily and includes fruit and milk. You will note that we have also reduced daily choices. For example on Fridays, we offered chicken burgers and hamburgers. This has been changed to chicken burgers on one week and hamburgers the following week. Food prepared according to special requests has also been changed. These items will now be prepared with the same ingredients. If your child does not like the lunch being served on a particular day please ensure that he/she has a packed lunch from home. Thank you for your attention on this matter and we look forward to working with you once again this year. Please return the attached envelopes by Thursday, December 2, 2011. \n Question: According to the passage, this Memo_. \n Options: (A) must be returned to the teachers (B) should be carried by the kids (C) is addressed to the parents (D) must be mailed to the school", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}390{"query": "Article: Japan Earthquake and Tsunami :How to Help For readers interested in contributing to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan and the Pacific region,here is a list of contact information and links for some agencies that plan to provide relief. THE JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE The Japan Center for International Exchange has set up the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund.Half of the money raised will go to support six Japanese NGOs currently at work in the disaster area and half will be retained to support the longer term recovery. AMERICAN RED CROSS Red Cross officials say donors can text REDCROSS to 90999 and a $10 donation will automatically be charged to donors' phone bill,or donations can be made directly on its Web site. B'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL To help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami,donate online on the group's secure Web site. Or,by mail to:B'nai B'rith International Disaster Relief Fund,Attn:Japan Earthquake,2020 K Street,NW,7th Floor,Washington,D.C.,20006. Or by phone:8005739057 CARE CARE is one of the world's largest private international humanitarian organizations.Their offices in Asia are on high alert  and have ensured that staff are informed of the tsunami warnings and other related developments.(Updated information on CARE's work in Japan is available here.) GLOBALGIVING.ORG GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps,Save the Children,and other organizations on the ground to disburse  funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami.Donors can text JAPAN to 50555 to give$10,and larger donations can be submitted on GlobalGiving's Web site. THE SALVATION ARMY The Salvation Army has been providing food and shelter to Tokyo commuters  who were _ when public transportation was interrupted by the earthquake.They are to send a team to Sendai,a city about 250 miles away from Tokyo,to assess the situation there.Text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation.(Make sure to respond \"YES\" to the thankyou message you receive.) Donations can also be made on the organization's Web site or by calling 1800SALARMY. \n Question: If you want to make donations to the victims by phone,you can text REDCROSS to   _  . \n Options: (A) 90999 (B) 80888 (C) 50555 (D) 20006", "pos": "Article: Terrible disasters in the last 50 or 100 years have become increasingly common. Over the last 30 years, the number of weather-related disasters has increased quickly, and the disasters have also affected more people and caused more economic loss. However, much of this could be avoided through disaster risk reduction(DRR). A meeting, held in Sendai, Japan last month, opened one day after Cyclone Pam(Pam)hit Vanuatu, which struck the islands with winds of up to 340km/h and destroyed the island nation. The speech by the President of Vanuatu was given shortly after that. He begged the international community for support and stronger commitment  to helping them manage climate and disaster risks. In the face of disasters, it is always the developing countries that suffer most. Damage in these countries is often worse and unluckily, there is limited money and technique to prevent these disasters. In fact, we have seen Asian countries-especially those that have suffered a lot in disasters can't pay the price. Great loss Asia has suffered comes to a total of almost $ 53 billon yearly over the past 20 years. At the same time, studies have shown once again that proper prevention saves lives and damage. With this in mind, people at the Sendai meeting were able to come up with new agreements that effective ways of disaster risk reduction will be carried out in the coming years for those who easily get damaged in disasters. \n Question: We can know from the passage that  _  . \n Options: (A) The Sendai meeting was held one day after a cyclone hit Vanuatu (B) Vanuatu was terribly destroyed by an earthquake (C) The president of Vanuatu begged his country to prevent the disaster (D) Vanuatu is a small island in Japan", "neg": "Article: The 9.2magnitude earthquake which caused the tsunami in the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day last year occurred at 7:58 a.m.,95 miles off the west coast of Aceh, Indonesia. Eighteen minutes later.10-metre high waves crashed the ashore along a 500----mile-long stretch of Aceh. Two hours later the tsunami hit Thailand and Malaysia and then Burma, Bangladesh, India,the Maldives,Sri Lanka,Kenya and Somalia.The final death toll is thought to be about 280,000,with tens of thousands more listed as missing.More than l.8 million people lost their homes. *What Is Tsunami? A tsunami is a chain of fast moving waves caused by a sudden strong quake in the ocean.They can be caused by earthquakes,volcanic eruptions ,or even the collision of meteorites .Tsunamis are also incorrectly known as tidal waves,but unlike tidal waves they are not caused by changes in the tides. They are also most common around the edge of the Pacific,where more than half of the world's volcanoes are found.These fast moving waves can attack coastlines,often with little or no warning.Rocks weighing as much as 20 metric tonnes have been pulled from sea walls and carried l 80m inland. *Wave Power Atsunami can have a wavelength in excess of 1 00km and there may be an hour between them.They travel at great speeds across an ocean with hardly any energy losses and are barely noticeable out at sea. Over the deep Pacific Ocean,a tsunami travels at about 800kph.If an earthquake happened in Los Angeles.a tsunami could hit Tokyo quicker than you could fly between the cities by jet. *Strange Animal Behaviors Ten days before giant waves slammed into Sri Lanka and India coastlines,wild and domestic  animals seemed to know what was about to happen and fled to safety. Elephants screamed and ran for higher ground. Dogs refused to go outdoors. Zoo animals rushed into their shelters and could not be enticed to come back out. \n Question: ..What does the first part of the passage mainly tell us? \n Options: (A) The great speed of a tsunami. (B) The number of deaths caused by a tsunami. (C) The countries which were struck by a tsunami. (D) The serious destruction caused by the great power of a tsunaml.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}391{"query": "Article: A rainforest is an area covered by tall trees with the total high rainfall spreading quite equally through the year and the temperature rarely dipping below l6degC. Rainforests have a great effect on the world environment because they can take in heat from the sun and adjust the climate. Without the forest cover,these areas would reflect more heat into the atmosphere, warming the rest of the world. Losing the rainforests may also influence wind and rainfall patterns,potentially causing certain natural disasters all over the world. In the past hundred years,humans have begun destroying rainforests in search of three major resources : land for crops,wood for paper and other products,land for raising farm animals. This action affects the environment as a whole. For example,a lot of carbon dioxide in the air comes from burning the rainforests. People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit. There are two main reasons for _ . Firstly,when people cut down trees,generally they can only use the land for a year or two. Secondly,cutting large sections of rainforests may provide a good supply of wood right now,but in the long run it actually reduces the world's wood supply. Rainforests are often called the world's drug store. More than 25% of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. However,fewer than l%of rainforest plants have been examined for their medical value. It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in the world's shrinking   rainforests. \n Question: Rainforests can help to adjust the climate because they  _  . \n Options: (A) reflect more heat into the atmosphere (B) bring about high rainfall throughout the world (C) rarely cause the temperature to drop lower than l6degC (D) reduce the effect of heat from the sun on the earth", "pos": "Article: A  rainfores is an area covered by tall trees with the total high rainfall spreading quite equally through the year and the temperature rarely dipping below 16degC.Rainforests have a great effect on the world environment because they can take in  heat from the sun and adjust  the climate. Without the forest cover, these areas would reflect more heat into the atmosphere,warming the rest of the world .Losing the rainforests may also influence wind and rainfall patterns, potentially causing certain natural disasters  all over the world. In the past hundred years, humans have begun destroying rainforests in search of three major resources  : land for crops, wood for paper and other products, land for raising farm animals. This action affects the environment as a whole. For example,a lot of carbon dioxide in the air comes from burning the rainforests. People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit . There are two main reasons for _ . Firstly, when people cut down trees, generally they can only use the land for a year or two. Secondly, cutting large sections of rainforests may provide a good supply of wood right now, but in the long run  it actually reduces the world' s wood supply. Rainforests are often called the world's drug store. More than 25% of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. However, fewer than 1% of rainforest plants have been examined for their medical value. It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in  the world's shrinking rainforests. \n Question: ..Rainforests can help to adjust the climate because they  _  . \n Options: (A) reflect  more heat into the atmosphere (B) bring about high rainfall throughout the world (C) rarely cause the temperature to drop lower than 16degC (D) reduce the effect of heat from the sun on the earth", "neg": "Article: Trees are useful to man in three important ways: They provide him with wood and other products; they provide him shade;. and they help to prevent droughts and floods. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important.In his eagerness to make money from trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had. And besides, he is usually too careless to plant and look after new trees. So the forests slowly disappear. This does not only mean that man will have fewer trees. The results are even more serious: for where there are trees, their roots break up soil allowing the rain to sink in and also bind the soil, thus preventing it from being washed away easily;but where there are no trees, the rain falls on hard ground and flows away, causing floods and carrying away the rich top-soil. When the top-soil is gone, nothing remains but worthless desert. Two thousand years ago,a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire .It set up the empire, but, without its trees, its soil became poor and grew weak. When the empire fell to pieces, the home country found itself faced by floods and starvation . \n Question: The most important service of trees to man is that  _  . \n Options: (A) they give them wood and other products (B) they give them shade (C) they help him prevent droughts and floods (D) they help him made money", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}392{"query": "Article: Jack Benny was one of the most famous names in show business.He was born in Chicago,Illinois,on February 14th,1894.His parents,Meyer and Emma Kubelsky,were religious Jews.They had moved to the United States from Eastern Europe.Benny was a quiet boy.For much of the time,his parents were busy working in his father's store.As a child,Benny learned to play the violin.After finishing his school,he joined the Navy.He continued using his violin to perform for sailors.In one show he was chosen more for his funny jokes than for his skill with the violin.That experience made him believe that his future job was a comedian. Benny developed a show personality that had all the qualities people dislike.He was known for being so _ --he refused to spend any money unless forced to do so.On his shows Benny often spoke of his appearance,especially his baby blue eyes.As he grew older,he always claimed to be 39 years old.Benny rarely made jokes that hurt other people.Instead,he would let the other actors on the show tell jokes about him. In real life,he was very giving and he was a person people liked having as their employer.Benny entered the new media of television in 1950.Five years later,he dropped his radio programme to spend more time developing his television show.At first his appearances on television were rare.By 1960 the Benny Show was a weekly television programme.It continued until 1965.Benny appeared in about twenty films during his life.A few became popular.But most were not.In 1963 Benny returned to Broadway for the first time since 1931. Benny received many awards during his lifetime.Perhaps the one honour that pleased him most was that his hometown of Waukeegan named a school for him.This was a special honour for a man who had never finished high school. Benny continued to perform.He died of cancer in 1974.At his funeral his friend Bob Hope said,\"Jack Benny was stingy to the end.He gave us only eighty years.\" \n Question: Benny was determined to be a comedian after he   _  . \n Options: (A) left high school (B) joined the Navy (C) performed in a show for the sailors (D) left the Navy for Broadway", "pos": "Article: About the year 1900,a small,darkhaired hot boy named Charlie Chaplin was often seen waiting outside the back entrance of London Theatre.He looked thin and hungry.He was hoping to get work in show business.He could sing and dance;above all,he knew how to make people laugh.But he couldn't get work and so he wandered about the city streets.Sometimes he was sent away to a home for children who had no parents. But twenty years later this name Chaplin became the greatest,bestknown,and bestloved comedian in the world.Any visitor to the cinema must have seen some of Chaplin's filmstrips  .People everywhere have sat and laughed at them until the tears ran down their faces.Even people who don't understand English can enjoy Chaplin's films though most of them are silent.It isn't what he says that makes people laugh.His comedy doesn't depend upon words and languages.It depends upon little actions which mean the same thing to people all over the world.Acting out,without words,common human situations play an important part in the dances and plays of many countries.It's a kind of world language. Chaplin lived most of his life in America and died in Switzerland on Christmas Day,1977,at the age of eightyeight.The world was astonished at the news of the death and burst into sadness. \n Question: Why was young Chaplin waiting outside the back entrance of the theatre? \n Options: (A) Because he had no money to buy a ticket. (B) Because he wanted to get a returned ticket. (C) Because he wanted to play a part in a play in order to make a living. (D) Because he wanted to see the famous actors or actresses after the performance.", "neg": "Article: Mr.Bean is an internationally recognized comedy character on TV and in films.He constantly gets into awkward and absurd situations,which greatly amuses audiences regardless of their nationalities or culture.The humour is always made clear through a series of simple and funny acts that rely purely on body language,which is universal. One of my favourite shows is that Mr.Bean has a meal in a fancy restaurant.After being seated at his table,Mr.Bean takes out a card,writes a few words on it,seals  it in an envelope and places it on the table.After a moment,he looks back at the envelope but this time he looks surprised,as if he did not know it was there.He opens it to find a birthday card and delightedly puts it on the table for everyone to see. When he looks at the menu,an astonished look swiftly appears on his face.He takes all the money out of his wallet,counts it and puts it in a saucer .He then looks from the menu to the money with concern until he finds one thing that makes him smile.Then he orders a dish called \"steak tartare\".When the dish arrives,he is shocked to discover that \"steak tartare\" is actually raw hamburger.He makes an attempt to eat it,but it is clear from the look on his face that he finds the taste truly _ .He cannot hide his feelings,except when the waiter asks if everything is all right.When this happens,he smiles and nods,indicating that everything is fine.When the waiter is not looking,however,he busies himself hiding the raw meat anywhere he can reach--the sugar bowl,the tiny flower vase,inside a bun  and under a plate.He becomes so desperate in the end that he even hides some inside the purse of a woman sitting near him and throws some down the trousers of the restaurant's violinist! I like to watch Mr.Bean on TV,but I wouldn't like to meet someone like him in real life and I certainly wouldn't like to have dinner with him! \n Question: From the passage we know Mr.Bean is   _  . \n Options: (A) famous for directing films (B) famous for his spoken English (C) well known for making films (D) known for his body language and amusement in his comedies", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}393{"query": "Article: Who doesn't love sitting beside a cosy fire on a cold winter's night ? Who doesn't love to watch flames   curling up a chimney? Fire is one of man's greatest friends, but also one of his greatest enemies. Many big fires are caused by carelessness. A lighted cigarette thrown out of a car or train window or a broken bottle lying on dry grass can start a fire. Sometimes, though, a fire can start on its own. Wet hay   can begin burning by itself. This is how it happens: the hay starts to rot   and begins to give off heat which is trapped inside it. Finally, it bursts into flames. That's why farmers cut and store   their hay when it's dry. Fires have destroyed whole cities. In the 17th century, a small fire which began in a baker's shop burnt down nearly every building in London. Moscow was set on fire during the war against Napoleon. This fire continued burning for seven days. And, of course, in 64 A.D. a fire burnt Rome. Even today, in spite of modern fire-fighting methods, fire causes millions of pounds' worthy of damage each year both in our cities and in the countryside. It has been wisely said that fire is a good servant but a bad master . \n Question: The writer considers it    _    to sit beside a fire on a cold winter night . \n Options: (A) nice (B) dangerous (C) unhappy (D) painful", "pos": "Article: By teaching your children fire safety you can make sure they know what to do when a house fire occurs. Making sure that your children know exactly what is required of them cuts down on the chaos of the emergency situation and helps keep your family safe and secure. Make sure your children know how to correctly stop, drop, and roll and feel confident in the fact that it works.  It puts out the flames. The usual response to clothing catching on fire is to run around and run about wildly, which only exposes the fire to more oxygen and feeds the flames. Your children should also know to touch door handles before opening the door to see if they are hot. If they are, it means that there's a fire in   the next room, and they should leave the door closed and find another route out of the house. Make sure your children understand that they should never play with lighters or matches. Fires started by playing with these things are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in children under five years old.  Many children are fascinated by lighters and matches and want to experiment with lighting things on fire to see what happens. Do regular fire drills to practice your evacuation plan so that your family knows what to do in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows all the possible exit points of the house that they can use; a fire in your home will be a chaotic situation, and it' s best to make sure all members of your family know your evacuation plan well enough so that it is second nature and they don't have to waste time thinking if a fire starts. Quick, determined response to a fire will save your family members' lives. \n Question: What should children do when their clothing catches on fire? \n Options: (A) Stop, drop and roll without delay (B) Run around quickly to put out the flames. (C) Call the firefighter for help at once. (D) Feel confident and don't be afraid of fire.", "neg": "Article: Of all nature's disasters, forest fires are often considered the most frightening. Moving at lightning speed, huge walls of flames can burn acres of land in just a few minutes. And although technology, including the use of tire-retardant chemicals, has greatly helped the fight against forest fires, they still take great damage. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the fire season last year was the worst on record in terms of the number of fires and acres  burned. There were 96.385 fires and9,873429 acres affected by fire in a year that was 125% more destructive  than the 10-year average . These fires cost the federal govemment $1.5 billion to fight, and this figure does not include the money spent by local and state govemments as part of the effort. Fires in the southern states represented half of the national total last year. with Texas. Oklahoma and Arkansas being home to an usually high amount of activity. Wildfire have also taken place in Western states such as California, Colorado. and Alaska throughout the past 10 years. It is said that two-thirds of forest fires are started accidentally by people. almost one quarter are purposely set, while lighting causes 10%. Forest fires can have advantageous effects. Charcoal  enriches soil, and some plant species  grow well after. The cones of the jack pine tree, for example, will not spread their seeds unless there is heat. Douglas fir trees grow best in open sunlight areas after fire. \n Question: Forest fires are considered to be the most frightening because  _  . \n Options: (A) they make the greatest loss of all disasters (B) huge walls of flames can burn acres of land (C) fire-retardant chemicals can't be made use of (D) they spread too fast and make great damage.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}394{"query": "Article: Believe it or not, there're always some people who like staying up too late. However, sleeping early can bring us many benefits. 1. Healthy heart. Staying up late in the night is a way to hurt your body with high blood pressure and cholesterol  . These are the risks associated with the heart. 2. Reduce stress. A peaceful sleep in the night relieves physical and mental stress. It relaxes the body and mind. With insufficient sleep you're risking your health with heart attacks and other diseases. 3. Improve memory. Sleeping early lets your mind arrange the thoughts well. Waking up early with a fresh mind will regain all of it. 4. Protect you from diseases. By sleeping late in the night you're only stressing yourself, which will increase the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. So sleep early and let your body keep the pressure levels constant. 5. _ . Breakfast is very important to start the day. Most of the time as we wake up late we miss it. 6. Positive performance. Sleeping continuously for at least 7 hours in the night is necessary. Inadequate sleep will limit your ability to think creatively, handle stress and concentrate. 7. Help metabolism  . Our body needs to send away all the unwanted waste. Sleeping through the day till noon will disorganise the exile  . We need to eat and sleep on time to keep energy. 8. Reduce the risk of cancer. Sleep in the dark. Light in the night reduces the melatonin   level which's supposed to cause sleep and prevent the risk of cancer. 9. Increase energy. Sleeping early will let you complete your 7 hours of sleep and make you fresh the next morning. It gives you the energy to perform better. 10. Keep weight. When you sleep too late your organism is disturbed. Sleeping for less than 7 hours a day is an invitation to being overweight. \n Question: What kind of sleep can relieve the physical and mental stress? \n Options: (A) A peaceful sleep. (B) An insufficient sleep. (C) A continuous sleep. (D) An inadequate sleep.", "pos": "Article: Sleeping for less than six hours a night greatly increases the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke , a study has found. It is the stuff of nightmares for those whose busy work schedule or busy family life means getting up early and staying up late. Scientists claim that the modern tendency to delay going to bed in order to get through more of the items on the 'to do' list has serious health consequences. But take care. Those who have too much sleep are also more likely to suffer a heart attack. While the extra sleeping is unlikely to be the cause, long-term illnesses such as heart disease often make sufferers feel tired, so sleeping for longer than nine hours a night may be an early warning sign.    Researchers found that those who slept for less than six hours were almost 50 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack and 15 per cent more at risk of strokes. They believe that not having enough sleep disrupts the balance of two key hormones , ghrelin and leptin , which control the appetite. Poor sleepers tend to eat more and are more likely to be fatter, so are at greater risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, which lead to heart attacks and strokes. Experts recommend adults get at least six or seven hours' shut-eye a night to stay healthy.     But as many as 60 per cent of us do not think we are sleeping enough, with a third suffering from sleeplessness. The researchers, from the University of Warwick, warned that trying to push too much into one day by going to bed late and getting up early could lead to serious illnesses later in life. They looked at the sleeping habits of almost 475,000 participants from 15 previous studies across eight countries, including the UK, the U.S., Japan, Sweden and Germany. Their findings, published in the European Heart Journal, show that those who slept for less than six hours were 48 per cent more likely to develop or die from heart disease and 15 per cent more likely to develop or die from a stroke. Not having enough sleep decreases the levels of leptin in our blood, which means we do not feel as satisfied after eating. At the same time, it raises the levels of ghrelin, responsible for triggering  our appetite, thus making us feel hungrier.     The scientists believe that our 'work hard, play hard' society encourages us to sacrifice sleep and ignore our health. The trend for late nights and early mornings is actually a ticking time bomb for our health so you need to act now to reduce your risk of developing these life-threatening conditions. \n Question: What's the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) Lack of sleep raises your risk of stroke or heart disease. (B) It raises the levels of ghrelin, thus making us feel hungrier. (C) Sleeping for longer than nine hours a night may be an early warning sign. (D) The scientists believe that our 'work hard, play hard' society encourages us  \n   to sacrifice sleep and ignore our health.", "neg": "Article: Sleep is a basic human need, as basic as the need for oxygen. Getting a good night's sleep is not only directly related to how we feel the next day, but to our long-term health as well. However, many of us suffer from insomnia  . Even more odf us report at least one night of restless sleep per week. This is a serious problem. Well, how can we make sure that we rest well and stay healthy? Here are some suggestions. If you can't sleep in the middle of the night, don't get up. The bright light will affect your body clock and worsen your insomnia. Stay in bed! Avoid short sleep during the day, except for a brief ten to fifteen-minute sleep between 2:00 and 4:00 P.M. Limit your time in bed to the average number of hours you 've actually slept per night last week. Don't try to make up for lost sleep. It can't be done. Get regular exercise each day, but finish at least six hours before bedtime. Exercising in the evening can help keep you awake. Take a hot bath for thirty minutes within two hours of bedtime. The bath will warm you, relax you, and make you feel sleepy. Keep our bedroom dark, quiet, and well ventilated  . Keep a regular schedule seven days a week. Avoid sleeping late on weekends. Although it may feel good while you're doing it, sleeping late on weekend can lead to insomnia during the week. Don't drink alcohol  . Although, having a drink before bed makes you sleep, alcohol loses its effects after a while. The secondary effects of alcohol can wake you up during the second half of your night's sleep. Keep the face of the clock in your bedroom turned away, and don't find out what time it is when you awaken in the night. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT advised for a good night's sleep? \n Options: (A) Don't exercise six hours before sleeping. (B) Preventing the wind from blowing into your room. (C) Staying in bed after failing to sleep. (D) Don't drink alcohol before sleeping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}395{"query": "Article: At an airport I overheard  a father and a daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure. Standing near the door, he said to his daughter: \"I love you. I wish you enough.\"     \"Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough too, Daddy.\" They kissed goodbye and she left.     He walked over toward the window where I was seated. I tried not to  _ his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking: \"Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?\" \"Yes, I have,\" I replied. \"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?\" I asked. \"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is that her next trip back will be for my funeral. \" \"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you, enough'. May I ask what that means?\" He began to smile. \" That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.\" He paused for a moment looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. \"When we said 'I wish you enough', we wanted the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them,\" he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.  I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough \"hellos\" to get you through the final \"goodbye\". \n Question: The old man's attitude towards life is  _  . \n Options: (A) unusual (B) negative (C) optimistic (D) pessimistic", "pos": "Article: A couple who held hands at breakfast every morning even after 70 years of marriage have died 15 hours apart. Helen Felumlee, died at 92 on April 12. Her husband, 91-year-old Kenneth Felumlee, died the next morning. The couple's eight children say the two had been inseparable since meeting as teenagers, once sharing the bottom of a bunk   bed on a ferry rather than sleeping on night apart. They remained deeply in love until the very end, even eating breakfast together while holding hands, said their daughter, Linda Cody. \"We knew when one went, the other was going to go,\" she said. According to Cody, about 12 hours after Helen died, Kenneth looked at his children and said, \"Mon's dead.\" He quickly began to fade, surrounded by 24 of his closest family members and friends when he died the next morning. \"He was ready,\" Cody said, \"He just didn't want to leave her here by herself.\" Son Dick said his parents died of old age, surrounded by family. The pair had known each other for several years when they eloped in Newport across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, on Feb. 20, 1994. At two days shy of his 21stbirthday, Kenneth-who went by Kenny-was too young to marry in Ohio. \"He couldn't wait.' son Jim said. Kenneth worked as a railroad car inspector and mechanic before becoming a mail carrier for the Post Office. He was active in the church as a Sunday teacher. Helen stayed at home, not only cooking and cleaning for her own family but also for other families in need in the area. She taught Sunday school, too, but was known more for her greeting card ministry, sending cards for birthdays, sympathy and the holidays to everyone in her community, each with a personal note inside. \"She kept Hallmark in business,\" daughter-in-law Debbie joked. When Kenneth retired in 1983 and the children began to leave the house, the Felumlees began to explore their love of travel, visiting almost all 50 states by bus. \"He didn't want to fly anywhere because you couldn't see anything as you were going,\" Jim said. Although both experienced declining health in recent years, Cody said, each tried to stay strong for the other. \"That's what kept them going,\" she said. \n Question: From what Cody said, we can learn the children   _  . \n Options: (A) were not in front of their father (B) don't look after their father (C) foresaw their father would go (D) surrounded their father", "neg": "Article: Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. The airline had announced her departure and standing near the security gate,they hugged and he said,\"I love you. I wish you enough\" She in turn said,\"Dad,our life together has been more than enough. Your love is a11 I ever needed. I wish you enough,too,Dad. \"They kissed and she left He walked over toward the window where I was seated Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to disturb his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking,\"Did you ever say good--bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'' \"Yes,I have. \"I replied\"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?\"\"I'm  old and she lives much too far away I have challenges ahead,and the reality is,the next trip back will be for my funeral. \"He said.  \"When you were saying good-bye 1 heard you say,'1 wish you enough. 'm ay I ask what that means?\" He began to smile. \"That's a wish that has been handed down for many generations within my family. My parents used to say it to everyone. \" He paused for a moment,looking up as if trying to remember it in detail,and then he smiled even more\"When we said'I wish you enough',we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain(...)them. ,,He continued and then turning toward me be shared the following: \"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.  I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.  I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.  I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.  I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.  I wish you enough loss to appreciate a11 that you possess I wish you enough 'Hellos' to get you enough the final 'Good--byes'\" Then he walked away.  I WISH YOU ENOUGH ! \n Question: The father at the airport to_. \n Options: (A) see his daughter off (B) welcome his daughter home (C) meet his daughter and the author (D) share the touching poem with the author", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}396{"query": "Article: It was 7:00 am in Kyoto, Japan, and the taxi company had just called a second time to say they couldn't find my house. Once again I spelt out directions even a blind person could follow. I glanced impatiently at my watch, and waited. Only two hours remained until my flight left--and it was an hour and a half trip to the airport. Outside, heavy rains were pouring down. My house was so far north in the city that buses pass only here times a day. The telephone rang again. \"Terribly sorry,\" began the man at the taxi company. Then I realized that the taxi company, flooded with calls, could only offer in-city runs. I had heard this happens when the weather gets bad. I shouted into the phone that I had a plane to catch and I would meet the taxi outside my house. Standing in the wind-driven rain, I looked up and down the road. No taxi. A car went by, the driver and passenger staring at the crazy foreigner in the downpour. Finally a white car appeared and pulled to a stop. A young man threw open the door, waving for me to get in. Shaking with cold and anger, I climbed in. In the most polite Japanese, the man said he was called Mike, with who I had spoken three times that morning. He had left his post in the office and raced here in his personal car. He apologized again, but didn't explain why a taxi would not pick me up. Delivering me straight to the airport, he refused the 2,000 yen I pressed into his hand. A few hours later, as the storm-delayed 727 took off, I opened the newspaper. On the second page my eyes caught the headline of a short article: Taxi Strike Begins This Morning in Kyoto. \n Question: Why did the writer call a taxi early in the morning? \n Options: (A) He wanted to catch a plane. (B) He as unable to find the airport. (C) There were few taxis in town. (D) All the buses stopped because of the rain.", "pos": "Article: I was in a strange city I didn't know at all, and what's more, I could not speak a word of the language. On my second day I got on the first bus that passed, rode on it for several stops, then got off and walked on. The first two hours passed pleasantly enough, then I decided to turn back to my hotel for lunch. After walking about for some time, I decided I had better ask the way. The trouble was that the only word I knew of the language was the name of the street in which I lived, and even that I pronounced badly. I stopped to ask a newspaper-seller. He handed me a paper. I shook my head and repeated the name of the street and he put the paper into my hands. I had to give him some money and went on my way. The next person I asked was a policeman. He listened to me carefully, nodded and gently took me by the arm. There was a strange look in his eyes as he pointed left and right and left again. I nodded politely and began walking in the direction he pointed.About an hour passed and I noticed that the houses were getting fewer and fewer and green fields were appearing on either side of me. I had come all the way into the countryside. The only thing left for me to do was find the nearest railway station. \n Question: From the story we know that the policeman  _  . \n Options: (A) was kind but didn't understand the writer (B) told the writer where to take a train (C) knew what the writer really meant (D) was cold-hearted and didn't help the writer", "neg": "Article: I woke up late and had breakfast in a hurry. I had never been late and didn't want my boss to be unsatisfied. However, it seemed that day wasn't a lucky one for me from the very second I left my flat. The moment I wanted to rush downstairs one of my stiletto heels   broke. I had to return to change my red shoes. I also had to change my purse and other little things that I had tried to match with the shoes. I was sure I would be late for work. On my way to work I had to wait for over half an hour because of an accident. I had no choice but to wait. I phoned my boss and he told me that it was no problem, but he needed me for the meeting with the Japanese clients   that morning. Finally, I arrived at the office one hour later. I had to keep calm and be fresh for the meeting to make the clients sure that our plan was the best for their future commercial   project. However, I left the plan I had made the night before at home and was going to present   it to the clients. I was about to get angry when I realized that I had a draft   of it in my office. At last, the presentation came to an end and it turned out to be a success. But I have to say that I had a terrible day, full of incidents  . \n Question: Which of the following is NOT the reason of the writer being late for her work? \n Options: (A) She got up late in the morning. (B) She changed her purse and other little things. (C) One of her shoe heels broke. (D) She had a traffic accident on the way to work.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}397{"query": "Article: Dave Bruno works as an online marketing manager. Several years ago, one weekend Bruno and his family did a major house cleanup and then donated several bags of unneeded items to the local Goodwill store. \"After all were done, I looked around and realized that I still had too much stuff\", says Bruno, \" _ \" That realization prompted the 39-year-old father of three to try an experiment, \"The 100Thing Challenge\". With the goal of breaking free of what he calls a \"bad habit of consumerism , Bruno was determined to live for one year with just 100 personal items. He cut down his possessions to 94 items, including a Bible, laptop, guitar, wedding ring, car and clothes. He created some guidelines for the experiment since his wife and daughters did not participate, familyshared and household items did not count as personal items. He also grouped together some basic things such as underwear and socks. Bruno began blogging about his new lifestyle and eventually wrote a book, The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life, and Regained My Soul. Since completing the experiment, Bruno has continued to live by the motto: reduce, refuse, and rearrange and maintains just 110 personal things. \" Nearly three years of living with a minimal amount of personal possessions, I'm no longer in the habit of consuming for the sake of consumption  ,\" he wrote in his blog last week, \"That has freed me up for all sorts of better endeavors   than shopping--like spending time with family and writing a book and planning for business opportunities.\" Bruno's project has also inspired others to live minimally, many of whom post their own 100 Thing Challenge updates on YouTube. \"The reality is that the 100 Thing Challenge is surprisinglyeasy\", says Bruno, \"I'm  not saying there were no challenges or disappointments. I miss some things, but not that much. Frankly, it's far easier to live with less stuff than with excessive trash.\" \n Question: The things were included in Bruno's 94 items EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) socks (B) a Bible (C) cookers (D) a wedding ring", "pos": "Article: One afternoon, after finishing shopping in a supermarket, my family and I went to the checkout. I suddenly thought we didn't need any of the junk, and we abandoned all of those, saving $300. That got me thinking about all our pointless expenses in life. With a promise that we'd stop if it was killing us, I convinced the family to take the leap into frugality . The rules were that we would buy nothing for 30 days except absolutely essentials. Our adventure began with a great start. By 9 a.m., my wife, Ruth, had already made cakes from old strawberries and picked flowers I didn't even know we had in the garden. I cleared the car by hand for the first time for years. I read and returned the neighbor's newspaper before he woke up. Total spending on the first day: $0. As days turned into weeks, we became so proficient  at living frugally. We started riding our bikes to save gas. My child's finger painting was recycled as gift wrap for the homemade presents. We started to use an Internet application like Skype for free phone calls and ask neighbors with gardens for extra vegetables and herbs. In the end, we saved more than $2000 by not spending for a month. When we began, I imagined we would rush out the moment we were done and buy a lot of things in the supermarket, then maybe hit the mall or go to the movies. \n Question: We can infer from the passage that before that very afternoon, the family   _  . \n Options: (A) had had higher income (B) had had a good habit of saving money (C) had often spent money without thinking much (D) hadn't realized they would have met financial problems", "neg": "Article: Every year Chris Brogan posts his three words for a new year. I and many others have followed his lead for the past three or four years. They helped me a lot.My words for last year were\"passion\",\"focus\"and\"delegate\"and I stayed true to them.This year,2012,my goals are more personal and less professional.       FOCUS     Focus is making a repeat appearance on my list this year because I'm too much of a multitasker. The problem is that I have trouble finishing one thing with so many things calling me.  When I was working as a writer,all my projects were handled via a schedule,which kept me organized.This year I'm going to have each task scheduled.I'm putting a fitness and housekeeping routine into my schedule.       HEALTH     I get so busy taking care of everyone else,I forget to take care of myself and this has to change.  My health suffers and my weight suffers.I have to get my 1}ealth in check,not only for me-but because I promised my 9 year-old son.I'11 make sure to take time to exercise every day and make good food and lifestyle choices. I miss beingthin,and it's time to get it back.       CELEBRATE     What good is having it all if I'm not taking time to enjoy it?I have a wonderful job,a happy family,and so much to be thankful for. So how come I spend all my time working? Last summer my family took our first vacation in four years,the best thing I've done for myself and my family in a long time.This year,I'm making sure to take time to enjoy life and celebrate its many blessings.     Do you have any words for 2012? \n Question: Why does the writer have\"health\"as one of his three words? \n Options: (A) He wants to take better care of others. (B) He's gaining weight and feeling bad. (C) He did not take any exercise in the past. (D) He got the idea from his son.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}398{"query": "Article: Trans-Bridge Tours is looking forward to providing you with another year of exciting One-Day travel destinations in 2016. Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island August 15 (Sat) $78 Adult; $66 Child (4-12); $ 75 Senior (62+) No visit to the New York City area is complete without a trip to the world's most famous landmarks--- the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Price includes transportation to Liberty State Park and timed ferry tickets. 9/11 Museum& Memorial September 29 (Tue) $ 87 Adult; $ 78 Youth (7-17); Senior $80(65+) The Museum displays artifacts associated with the events of 9/11, while presenting stories of loss and recovery. The Memorial between the twin reflecting pools, is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks. The New York Botanical Garden October 14 (Wed) $126 Adult This National Historic Landmark offers visitors 250 acres of the most unique land form of any botanical garden in the world, with huge rock outcroppings, beautiful flower collections, a river, cascading waterfalls, and 40 acres of old-growth forest dating from pre-Revolutionary times plus a world-class Conservatory. Hagley Museum & Winterthur November 21(Sat) $113 Adult Located on 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine, Hagley is the site of the gunpowder works founded by E.I. du Pont in 1802. Winterthur was the former home of Henry Francis du Pont, a famous antiques collector and gardener. Includes: Brandywine tour at Hagley; Lunch at Hagley Museum; Guided tour at Winterthur Garden \n Question: Which of the following charges an adult the lowest fee? \n Options: (A) Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (B) 9/11 Museum & Memorial (C) The New York Botanical Garden (D) Hagley Museum & Winterthur", "pos": "Article: In New York there are quite a few free museums for visitors. Below we explore New York's most impressive free ones. National Museum of the American Indian Focusing largely on Native American culture, this museum boasts over a million items, from crafts to traditional tools, all of which played a large part in Native American culture in past times. Located at 1 Bowling Green, the museum is free of charge. Open 10 a.m.~5p.m. Frid-Wed and 10 a.m.~8 p.m. Thurs, it's served by subway lines 4/5 to Bowling Green. Federal Hall A popular one for followers of American politics, Federal Hall is the original location of the US Customs House and the place where Washington took the oath of office in 1789 as the first US President. Today, this building is a premier example of classical architecture. Free of charge to visitors, the museum is located at 26 Wall St, which is accessible by subway lines 2/3/4/5 to Wall St. It's open from 9 a.m.~ 5 p.m. Mon-Fri. New York Academy of Medicine For the more intellectual, a trip to the New York Academy of Medicine is unmissable. With over 700,000 catalogued works, it's the world's second largest health library. Its biggest attraction, however, is the interesting medical equipment on display here, which is weird  but wonderfully original. Located at 1216 Fifth Ave at 103rdSt, it's free of charge to peruse. Open 9 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. Mon-Fri, it's served by subway line 6 to 103rdSt. Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology The museum contains a huge permanent collection which features 200 historically significant clothes and also features works by student exhibitions. With free talks and tours on offer, this museum is a great place without spending a cent. Located at Seventh Ave at 27the St by subway line 3, this free museum---undoubtedly the most fashionable one in New York --- is open Tues-Fri 12 a.m. ~8 p.m. and Sat 10 a.m.~ 5 p.m.. \n Question: If you are interested in Native American culture, where would you probably go? \n Options: (A) To 1 Bowling Green. (B) To 1216 Fifth Ave. (C) To Seventh Ave at 27\nthSt. (D) To 103\nrdWall St.", "neg": "Article: If you're looking for the place that has everything, there's only one place to visit, and that is New York. It's a whole world in a city. The World of Theatre: All of New York is a stage. And it begins with Broadway. Where else can you find so many hit shows in one place? Only in New York. The World of Music: Spend an evening with Beethoven at Lincoln Centre. Swing to the great jazz of Greenwich Village. Or rock yourself silly at the hottest dance spots found anywhere. The World of Art: From Rembrandt to Picasso. From Egyptian tombs to Indian teepees. Whatever kind of art you like, you will find it in New York. The World of Fine Dining: Whether it's roast Beijing duck in Chinatown, lasagna in Little Italy, or the finest French coq au vin 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 Centre? Or a Bronx Zoo? \n Question: Which of the following program can a visitor have only in New York? \n Options: (A) To enjoy roast Beijing duck. (B) To taste the finest French coq au vin. (C) To spend an evening with Beethoven. (D) To see the Statue of Liberty.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}399{"query": "Article: The sunflower plant bears bright yellow flowers that always face the sun, hence the name. However, the plant is grown not only for its beautiful flowers, but also for its oil that has a host of health benefits. Sunflower oil prevents diseases, lowers cholesterol levels, keeps the heart healthy, and even prevents certain forms of cancer. Sunflower oil is a kind of \"magic oil\" when it comes to skin care, as it makes your skin soft and smooth, and prevents signs of aging. So, let us know more about its effects on your skin. 1. It Acts as an Effective Emollient . Sunflower oil is an effective emollient, which means that it helps the skin retain moisture. Thus, people with dry skin can benefit immensely from the regular use of the oil. Also, it is mild, and provides relief from irritation and inflammation of the skin. 2. It Offers Sun Protection. Sunflower oil is a rich source of vitamin E. The high vitamin content prevents the sensitive cells of the skin from being damaged by the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Also, the beta-carotene (b-) present in sunflower oil helps neutralize  free radicals that are responsible for causing damage to the skin, including sunburn and skin cancers. 3. It Prevents Earlier Aging. Vitamin E present in sunflower oil not only protects the skin from sun damage, but also from earlier aging. What's more, regular use of sunflower oil can reduce wrinkles and make one look younger. Also, sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants  that keep the skin fresh. 4. It Prevents Skin Infections . Sunflower oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids that protect the skin from bacterial infections. Hence, it gives you a healthy skin. 5. Additional Effects. There are other ways in which sunflower oil can prove to be a boon for your skin. These are given as follows: It helps reduce dark spots; it helps lighten dark circles; it helps soften rough and dry skin; it can be used to remove make-up; it helps relax tired eyes. \n Question: Sunflower oil can be good for the following EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) reducing cholesterol levels (B) preventing heart diseases (C) making skin smooth and impressive (D) curing some kinds of cancers", "pos": "Article: A healthy amount of sunshine may be the secret to staying young. British scientists have discovered. Vitamin D is produced naturally by the skin in response to(...) sunlight and may help to slow the ageing process and protect against heart disease, according to the study. Researchers from King's College London studied 2,160 women aged between 18 and 79, looking at their telomeres--- a biological marker of ageing found in DNA. As people get older, their telomeres get shorter and they become more susceptible  to certain illnesses. But the study found women with high levels of vitamin D had comparatively longer telomeres--- a sign of being biologically younger and healthier. The study suggests vitamin D may help to slow down the ageing process of DNA, and therefore the ageing process as a whole. Lead researcher Dr Brent Richards said, \"These results are exciting because they show for the first time that people who have higher levels of vitamin D may age more slowly than people with lower levels of vitamin D.\" This could help to explain how vitamin D has a protective effect on many ageing related diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.\" Professor Tim Spector, a co-author of the report, added, \"Although it might sound absurd  , it's possible that the same sunshine which may increase our risk of skin cancer may also have a healthy effect on the general ageing process.\" Vitamin D made by the action of sunlight on the skin accounts for 90 percent of the body's supply, but lower levels can also be got through food such as fish, eggs and breakfast cereals . Other studies have suggested the vitamin plays a key role in protecting against cancer and heart disease. \n Question: A certain amount of sunshine helps people stay young because   _  . \n Options: (A) people feel happy and energetic in the sun (B) sunshine protects people against heart disease (C) vitamin D makes one's skin look young and healthy (D) vitamin D may help to slow the ageing process", "neg": "Article: Tomatoes are necessary in every kitchen, but hardly will you hear their cosmetic function. Not only do tomatoes taste great, but they also keep the skin healthy. It is good to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene  , which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make the tomato an anti-aging product as they help fight the damage and reddening of the skin. It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day. For people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned places, tomato helps moisturize their skin. In a word, whether you want to cure large pores  and sun-burns or reduce acne , tomatoes are beneficial.  Cure big pores Big pores provide easy access to dirt, thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice, and mix it with two to four drops of fresh lime juice. Use a cotton ball to put this mixture on your face for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with cool water. Regular application will reduce pores greatly. Reduce acne Tomatoes can help reduce and clear up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and leave it on your face for an hour, which will moisturize your face. Do this as many times as you can, and your acne will dry off soon. Cool the skin A lot of people's skin gets sun-burnt in summer because of staying in the sun for a long time. Crush  half a tomato and mix it with two table-spoons of plain yogurt. Apply this mixture on face, neck, hands and feet for 20 minutes, and then wash it. Tomato cools the skin, while yogurt can make it soft and supple. \n Question: The purpose of this passage is to   _  . \n Options: (A) recommend that we should have 16 milligrams of lycopene (B) tell people how important it is to keep our skin healthy (C) remind people of the importance of tomatoes (D) analyze why tomatoes taste so great", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}400{"query": "Article: I want to tell you a story that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Saturday morning. We decided to stop at a local restaurant to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as though he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something warm to drink; however, it was not this that I remember, because that is not what \"moved\" me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog owner, I knew that the dog was a mother, and that she had just had some pups  . She was hungry and weak and I felt bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her pups would not live. People walking by didn't even notice her. She was not as pretty and clean as most dogs, but she still deserved   better. We still did not do anything, but someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went into the store and bought dog food with all the money he had. \n Question: Where did the story happen? \n Options: (A) In front of the local restaurant. (B) In front of a building. (C) In the car parking lot. (D) Near the author's house.", "pos": "Article: We live in central Phoenix, near the canal . Every day I used to see a homeless old man and his scruffy little dog hanging out down there. I would tell my husband we should give him food for the little dog. It wouldn't have been a problem; we have our own \"mini farm\" of animals! But he would say \"OK!\" and then blow the idea off because of our business. Being in Phoenix, Arizona, you can just imagine how hot it gets here, but his winter was really chilly! I had just come from KFC with take-out food for dinner. As I was turning by the canal, the man and his dog were sitting right there all bundled up. Even the doggy had a coat on! Not even thinking about it, I pulled into the parking lot along the canal and piled up a plate of chicken with all the fixings for the man and his little buddy . I gave it to him with a soda and a bottle of water for the little dog. He said, \"Thank you, sweetie. You are an angel.\" And there were tears welling up in his eyes! I told him he was so welcome, and then went home. When my husband dug into the KFC bag he asked, \"Were you hungry, or what?\" I told him what I did and he said, \"Only you!\" Then he told me I had done a good thing. A few weeks later, we were walking along the canal and found the man walking to me, with his little dog. He asked whether I would mind adopting the dog. With tears in eyes, he said it had gotten too hard for him to care for the dog. He added that he was planning on heading to Washington State but his dog wouldn't have been up to it, so he hoped to give it to me. \"Only you! In this city, you are the only person I can believe in!\" Now, every time I watch and pat the dog lying near the fireplace, I will remember the old man's words and wish him good luck. \n Question: What did the author's husband feel when she told him what she had done? \n Options: (A) thankful (B) delighted (C) indifferent (D) disappointed", "neg": "Article: I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Sunday morning. We decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as if he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something to drink. However, it was not this that moved  me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that the dog was a mother and that she had just had some puppies . She was hungry and weak and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not live on. People walking by didn't even notice her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved  better. But we still did not do anything, someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went back into a store and bought dog food with all the money he had. I know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. \n Question: From the passage we can know that  _  . \n Options: (A) the author didn't like dogs (B) the dog was not pretty enough to be loved (C) the author wanted to help the dog but he was unable to (D) the dog and her puppies were in danger of dying of hunger", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}401{"query": "Article: When you sleep somewhere else--like at summer camp or a friend's house--you know you're in for a fun time. It can be exciting to get away from the same old bed in the same old room in the same old house. But fun as this is, for some kids being away from home can be scary and sad. They want to go and have fun with their friends, but once they're there, they start to miss their good old bed, their good old parents, and all that everyday stuff at home. It's called being homesick. Homesick means you're upset, sad, and maybe scared. But don't feel surprised. A lot of people get homesick, even grownups. When you're used to having certain people and things around you, it can be scary when they're gone. When you're dealing with other problems, you will feel homesick, too. Some kids may feel more homesick than usual if their parents are getting divorced or if someone they loved has recently died. Here are some ideas to help you feel less homesick. Bring a little bit of home with you. If you're going away from home, bring your pillow or pictures of the people you'll be apart from and look at them any time you want. Keep busy. The more fun stuff you do, the less time you'll have to feel homesick. Try to join in activities wherever you are. Stay in touch. You can make a plan for when you'll call your mom or dad. You can also email or text message to stay in touch with family and friends. When you do get in touch with someone, make sure to talk about the fun things you're doing! Talk to someone where you are. Maybe you can tell a friend that you feel homesick. He or she might have some ideas to help you feel better. \n Question: One feels homesick means he's not   _  . \n Options: (A) upset (B) sad (C) scary (D) full", "pos": "Article: If there's one thing I' ve learned from my years of being a kid,  it' s that you have ZERO control over your own life. Ever since school ended, I haven' t had anything I' ve needed to do or anywhere I' ve needed to be.  As long as the air-conditioning  was working and the TV remote had batteries in it, I was ready for a relaxing summer holiday. But then, out of the blue, this happened - \" Pack your bags.  We' re going on a road trip ! \" Mom said excitedly. This isn't the first time Mom has sprung a trip on us without any warming. Last year on the first day of summer, she said we were going .to visit Aunt Loretta at the nursing home. It wasn't exactly my idea of a fun way to kick off the summer. One time when we visited Aunt Loretta, her roommate grasped me and wouldn't let me go until someone gave her a chocolate cookie ! Mom kept talking about going to the nursing home for a whole day, which made me worry a lot.  But at breakfast the next morning, she told us where we were really going - Disney World. I was very happy, because I was really worried about spending the whole week at the nursing home. So was Dad. But when my little brother, Danny, heard about the change he became very angry. Mom had talked up the Aunt Loretta trip so much that Danny was actually excited about going there. We ended up putting off our trip to Disney so we could visit Aunt Loretta. I tried to talk Mom into letting us do something normal, like going to a water park for the day, but she didn't want to hear it.  She said that spending a lot of time together in the car would be a \" bonding\"  experience for the whole family. \n Question: What did the author prefer to do during his summer holidays? \n Options: (A) Visit Aunt Loretta. (B) Travel with his family. (C) Look after his little brother. (D) Watch TV comfortably at home.", "neg": "Article: September is an exciting month in every college freshman's life. For many, it's the first time that they've left home to live in a new environment. But after the hustle and bustle of a few weeks, excitement gives way to a less enjoyable emotion-- homesickness. Homesickness manifests itself in many ways. You may miss mum's cooking, your pets, or even your old bed. All this becomes a fond memory of the past. Homesickness can be a bitter feeling for many students, especially when faced with the challenges of settling into an unfamiliar environment. But remember, you're not alone. According to a recent BBC article, 70 percent of British college students experience homesickness. In this increasingly globalized world in which people migrate to faraway places for a relationship, education or work, homesickness is a feeling shared by many adults. Homesickness can have similar symptoms to depression and in extreme cases it can develop into a panic attack. As for the term, homesickness or nostalgia wasn't invented until the 17th century. It was considered a disorder by a Swiss physician, who attributed soldiers' mental and physical discomfort to their longing to return home, \"nostos\" from Greek, and the accompanying pain, \"algos\". Studies in recent years, however, have shown that nostalgia may have some benefits to our mental health. After a decade of surveys and researches, Constantine Sedikides, a US social psychologist, found that nostalgia is what makes us human. He explains that nostalgia can resist loneliness, boredom and anxiety. Therefore, it's necessary for college students to learn some ways to overcome the uncomfortable feeling. \n Question: According to the passage, we can know that   _  . \n Options: (A) homesickness may cause mental diseases (B) homesickness is a feeling only shared by adults (C) homesickness won't do any good to our health (D) homesickness is also called nostalgia in Switzerland", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}402{"query": "Article: A survey reveals that employees in China say they are not engaged in their jobs. Judging by the survey data, many Chinese workplaces are black holes of misery and despair. Only 6% of Chinese employees said they are \"engaged\" in their jobs, according to a global Gallup survey released this month. China's numbers equal the numbers out of war-weary  Iraq. Workers across all income levels and industries were surveyed by Gallup in China, defined by Gallup to mean they were \"psychologically committed to their jobs and likely to be making positive contributions to their organizations\". Out of 94 countries polled, only six countries scored lower rates of job engagement than China, including Tunisia, Israel and Syria. Unsurprisingly, 0% of Syrians admitted to being engaged at work. In a related survey, China ranked near the bottom in a poll measuring job satisfaction among 22 Asian countries. Only 49% of Chinese respondents said they were happy in their jobs. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that very few in China have the _ to pursue a career that truly interests them. Even university graduates often feel they have no choice but to choose the positions with the government or state-run enterprises, since those jobs are thought to be stable. That makes those who are happy at work in China a rare find indeed. \n Question: According to the author, why most Chinese dislike their jobs? \n Options: (A) Because they don't take the jobs they really like (B) Because many Chinese workplaces are full of misery and despair. (C) Because they have no choice but to choose the stable jobs. (D) Because they are not psychologically committed to their jobs.", "pos": "Article: Beijing (Xinhua) -- In 2010, some 108,000 people returned to the Chinese mainland from abroad, a number that had risen 56.2 percent from the previous year, according to statistics recently published by the Ministry of Education.        \"For Chinese employers, a 70 percent willingness to hire overseas workers, although that is still lower than the average rate of 76 percent for Asia, is quite a high figure when compared with the past,\" said Emma, regional director of Hays in Hong Kong and the mainland, who was in charge of the survey .        Company executives , she said, have recently come to prefer hiring Chinese natives who have returned home after studying or working elsewhere.Expatriates  have fallen to a second choice, she said.        In the past, expatriates and returned Chinese have earned three to four times as much money as Chinese residents who do not have overseas experience.Expatriates would often rise to the senior positions within an company, while returned Chinese could find positions as mid-level executives with   ease.        But all overseas job candidates, especially those who lack practical experience, are gradually losing their advantages among a trend of pay increases in China.        In 2010, the country recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia.Of all Chinese employees surveyed that year, 68 percent said they had received a raise worth 3 percent to 10 percent of their salaries, according to the survey.        Moreover, 51 percent of the Chinese surveyed were expecting to get raises of 6 to 10 percent in 2011, and 33 percent thought their income increase will go beyond 10 percent.        \"Now it's common in many companies to see overseas candidates earning the same salaries as their Chinese coworkers,\" said Emma.\"Even some experienced expatriates, on average, earn only 20 percent more than their Chinese peers.\"        Emma said overseas workers with little work experience no longer enjoy a great advantage over graduates of Chinese universities.But those with two to three years of work experience are still \"red-hot\".        There are now about 45 million native Chinese living outside the country, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council said on Jun 16, 2010. \n Question: What is the best title of this article? \n Options: (A) A fast increasing number of Chinese returned from abroad. (B) Overseas workers have higher qualification than home coworkers. (C) China recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia in 2010. (D) Company executives prefer native candidates to overseas Chinese.", "neg": "Article: It might not come as a surprise that China fell behind Western countries in a recent UN report on global happiness. China was only ranked 112th happiest country out of 156 in the UN's World Happiness Report in April. The happiest country, it seems, is Denmark, closely followed by three more northern European countries- Finland, Norway, and the Netherlands. But apart from income and lifestyle differences, there are also cultural reasons for this divide. They show that Chinese people and Westerners have different perceptions of happiness. According to a survey conducted by CCTV, income levels most affected Chinese people's sense of well- being (55.5 percent), followed by health (48.9 percent) and quality of marriage or love life (32 percent). It seems that all these criteria are lagging  in China, and that the obvious explanation for greater happiness in the West is higher incomes. But not so, says Professor John Helliwell, an American economist at the University of British Columbia and coauthor of the UN report. According to Helliwell, low-income individuals may experience an initial jump in happiness when their money increases, but this feeling decreases as they adapt to their new circumstances. He stresses the example of the US, where, despite GDP figures rising consistently for the past 50 years, happiness has been steadily declining. This is because people desire more than money and material wealth. \"To be happy, we need to feel connection, trust and meaningful relationships,\" explains Helliwell.  Dr Deborah Swallow, a UK expert on cultural diversity however, believes there are some differences in the perceptions of happiness in the West and China.  \"For North Americans and Europeans, happiness tends to be defined in terms of personal achievement, and is best predicted by self-esteem\" she says. \"For East Asians, happiness tends to be defined in terms of interpersonal connectedness, and is best predicted by how well involved the self is in a social network.\" Living standards are not necessarily the last word on happiness, as suggested by China's Urban Happiness Ranking 2012, released by the Hong Kong-based China Institute of City Competitiveness in July. According to the survey's results, Qingdao in Shandong province is China's happiest city with a score of 95.08. Surprisingly, China's first-tier cities scored  ly low, with Shenzhen ranking 94th, Beijing 96th and Shanghai in 99th position. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following about happiness is Correct? \n Options: (A) Happiness has nothing to do with money. (B) A man with healthy body must have the most happiness. (C) A man who has a strong social relationship is sure to be happy. (D) People's sense of happiness is determined by many factors.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}403{"query": "Article: A 13-year-old American boy on Saturday became the youngest climber to conquer Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Jordan Romero from Big Bear, California, climbed up the 8,850-meter summit   from the Tibetan side. On the same day, a Nepali   man, Apa Sherpa, broke his own world record of climbing Everest when he reached the summit for the twentieth time. Apa Shepa's team set off from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, last month, heading for the base camp on the Chinese side of the mountain. \"The team has just called in and believe that they are standing on top of Mt. Everest,\" Romero's blog said. \"Their dreams have now come true. Everyone is happy.\" The climbing has put Romero one step closer to reaching his goal of climbing the highest mountains on all seven continents  . \"It is just a goal.\" Romero said. He had already climbed five peaks  , and needs to climb only Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, to hit his goal. The youngest person before to climb Everest was 16-year-old Temba Tsheri Sherpa of Nepal. Romero climbed together with a team including his father Paul and three local guides. He wanted to pick a small piece of rock from the top of the world and wear it in a necklace. While Nepal insists that anyone planning to climb Mount Everest must be at least 16, China does not have any age restrictions  . Some mountain climbers haven't agreed with the Romero family for letting him try it but his father said the climbing from the Chinese side is less dangerous. \n Question: Jordan Romero climbed up Mount Everest mainly to   _  . \n Options: (A) meet Apa Sherpa (B) build his body (C) break the world record (D) realize part of his goal", "pos": "Article: Nathan's second-hand bike was good enough to get him anywhere he wanted to go. Of course, it couldn't match Tim's in a normal speed race, but all the fancy gears   in the world wouldn't get you up Black Mountain. It was so steep in places that you had to get off your bike and push.  On this particular afternoon, the odds were all on Nathan's side. First, he was stronger. Tim had always been thin, but recently he'd started to grow so fast that his arms and legs were like pieces of spaghetti. As well as being considerably fitter than his friend, Nathan knew the shortcuts up prefix = st1 /BlackMountain.  So when Nathan accepted the challenge, he was sure he'd win. He nearly always did, in competitions with Tim. That was what was strange. Tim was so competitive, and yet he wasn't any good at physical things.  By the time the two boys were three quarters of the way to the top, Nathan was clearly ahead. While the road zigzagged back and forth up the mountainside, in certain places, there were also vertical tracks, where water rushing down the slope in winter had bitten erosion courses into the soil. These had in turn been so overgrown by bushes and long grass in the spring that they looked like tunnels through the bush. The trick was to know where you could cut off a whole bend in the road by leaving the road and pushing your bike up one of these half-hidden pathways. If you chose the wrong one you'd struggle up for ten minutes and then suddenly reach a dead end. Then there was no choice but to go back. \n Question: What did Tim challenge Nathan to do? \n Options: (A) test who had the fastest bike (B) decide who was the most competitive (C) find the secret tracks on the mountain (D) race to the top of BlackMountain", "neg": "Article: A 15-year-old American has become the youngest person to climb the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, completing the feat by summiting Antarctica's Mount Vinson over the weekend.     Jordan Romero, who last year at age 13 became the youngest person to climb the world's tallest peak Mt Everest, was descending to base camp on Sunday after reaching the summit of Vinson Massif with a team that included his father and stepmother, according to his team's website. \"We're at the roof of Antarctica,\" a member of Team Jordan said in a webcast from near the 4897-metre peak on a frigid but \"legendary day\".     Romero beat the record previously held by Britain's George Atkinson, who in May completed the seven ascents at the age of 16. The junior mountaineer from Big Bear Lake, California has been hooked on climbing from an early age. When he was just 10, he became the youngest person to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 5895 meters.     Before his 11th birthday, he had another world record under his belt, summiting Europe's Mt Elbrus, in Russia's Caucasus mountains, in July 2007. Five months later, it was the 6962-metre Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, followed by Alaska's Mt McKinley at 6194 meters. In September 2009 at age 13, he climbed Indonesia's Carstensz Pyramid, at 6194 meters the tallest island peak in the world, breaking another record. Eight months later in May 2010, he climbed Everest, and ever since he and his team had been preparing for his Antarctic expedition.     \"Looking forward to tomorrow, and we'll make you guys proud and promise we'll come back home safe and sound,\" Romero said in a webcast on Saturday, hours before he began the final ascent to Mt Vinson's summit.     The team had intended to reach the top on Christmas Day, but ideal weather and good progress allowed them to summit a day ahead of schedule. \n Question: Which mountain stands in Asia? \n Options: (A) Mt. Vinson. (B) Mt. Everest. (C) Mt. Kilimajaro. (D) Mt. Elbrus.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}404{"query": "Article: Elizabeth Mitchell's new \"Liberty's Torch\" is the fascinating story of how the Statue of Liberty came to be. The Statue of Liberty's rough history is explored in \"Liberty's Torch\". Frederic Auguste Bartholdi is an all-but-forgotten figure in American history. He was, however, responsible for one of the most enduring symbols of the United States: the Statue of Liberty. A Frenchman from Alsace, he designed and built the Statue of Liberty which stood on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor. How this statue came to be is the fascinating subject of Elizabeth Michell's new book \"Liberty's Torch\". The power of Mitchell's narrative is convincing . We recognize the Statue of Liberty now as a symbol of hope and opportunity for a nation of immigrants. At the time, though, people could not see that-nor did they even imagine that. Instead, the construction of the statue was born of one man's desire to set up a great monument. For this reason, perhaps, \"Liberty's Torch\" relies on Bartholdi as the connecting thread. Bartholdi went to Egypt to make photographic copies of the main monuments. On the boat, Bartholdi met and began a lifelong relationship with Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man who would build the Suez Canal. Maybe it was this friendship, or maybe it was seeing Egypt's huge monuments, but finally the trip inspired Bartholdi's dream to create the largest statue ever built. Failure to bring this to completion in Egypt, followed by his exile   from Paris, led Bartholdi to sail to America. By explaining the Statue of Liberty's hard history and showing Bartholdi's brave spirit, Mitchell has done a great service. \n Question: It can be inferred from the text that   _  . \n Options: (A) American people have never forgotten Frederic August Bartholdi (B) the Statue of Liberty wasn't originally regarded as a symbol of hope (C) Bartholdi finished the Suez Canal (D) Bartholdi was a famous architect from Egypt.", "pos": "Article: The story of Madame Tussaud is as fascinating as that of the exhibition itself. From a housekeeper's daughter to a successful business woman, her life has all the marks of a Hollywood blockbuster. Madam Tussaud was born in 1761 and named Marie Grosholtz. Her father was killed in battle only two months before Mane's birth. For the first five years of her life, Marie lived in Berne with her mother, who worked as housekeeper for Dr Philippe Curtius. A doctor, with a talent for wax modeling, Curtius became her teacher. It was Curtius who opened the original wax exhibition in Paris in 1770 and introduced Marie to some famous people. At only 17, she modeled the famous writer Francois Voltaire, followed by a portrait of American statesman Benjamin Franklin when he was in Paris as US ambassador. Both figures are still on display at Madame Tussaud's, London today. Her work at Curtius successful wax exhibition led to an invitation to the court of Louis XVI and his queen. For nine years she lived at the palace of Versailles guiding the artistic education of the king's sister. Meanwhile the French Revolution was about to erupt. Aware of the political  nrest,Philippe Curtius called Marie back to Paris. Marie7 s connection with the royal family made her guilty. Both she and her mother were arrested. After she was set free, Marie was forced to make death masks (a death mask is a model of a dead person's face, made by coving their face with a soft substance and letting it become hard) of executed   nobles. Many were former friends at court, including her former employers, the king and queen. By 1800 Marie was married with two young children and a poor business inherited from Curtius. Madame Tussaud made the decision to take her exhibition on tour. In 1802, she left France. For the next 33 years, Madame Tussaud traveled the British Isles, exhibiting her growing collection of portraits. In those pre-television days, this was the only way most people had direct contact with the famous people of the time. The exhibition became permanently based in London in 1835, moving to its present site in Marylebone Road in 1884. Her last work, a remarkable self - portrait that is still on show, was completed only eight years before her death aged 89. \n Question: Marie got a job at that court of Louis XVI because of_. \n Options: (A) Curtius' recommendation (B) her gift for wax modeling (C) her mother's help (D) her friendship with the king's sister", "neg": "Article: Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first longspan bridge to carry motor traffic, and it quickly became the model for the great suspension bridges of the following century. Spanning New York's East River, it provided the first traffic artery  between Manhattan Island and Brooklyn. Before that, the only transportation was by ferries, which were slow and could be dangerous in winter. The construction of a bridge over the EastRiver had been discussed since the early 19th century, but the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 _ all consideration of the project. When the war ended in 1865, the bridge became an important issue once more. In 1867, the New York State passed an act setting up the New York Bridge Company for the purpose of constructing a bridge between Manhattan Island and Brooklyn. John Augustus Roebling was chosen to design the bridge. Born in Germany in 1806, he held aggressive views as a student and was listed by the German police as a dangerous figure. He emigrated to America in 1830 to escape political discrimination. Roebling proposed a bridge with a span of 1,500 feet (465 m), with two towers in the East River serving as the main piers. The bridge that was actually built is longer--1,597 feet (486 m), the longest suspension bridge at that time. \n Question: What was the purpose of building the Brooklyn Bridge? \n Options: (A) To replace an old bridge. (B) To set up a model for bridge construction. (C) To build a longspan bridge for the Civil War. (D) To provide faster and safer transportation than boats.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}405{"query": "Article: Active vacations are often the most relaxing of all. But Wait! It's all in defining what an active vacation is. We don't expect you to take up jogging, backpacking, or hang gliding. we ask the sedentary vacationers to spend two to four hours a day doing things, such as walking the city streets, exploring a nature preserve, or taking a leisurely rowboat ride. These kinds of activities aren't just good for your physical health. They improve your mental health, even your spiritual health. And they make vacations memorable and worthwhile. Here are some fresh ideas for active and healthy vacation. Make the morning your activity time. At that time it is most likely that the weather will be friendlier, your energy level higher, and your schedule emptier than later in the day. Have a walk at dawn or dusk. Such activity is called rejuvenation . Try to make this a daily routine of life away from home, and you will guarantee yourself both physical and spiritual youth. Get into the water as much as you can. Don't allow yourself to spend your entire time sitting in front of the water. Whether it is the ocean, a swimming pool, or a tree-lined lake, make sure you get into the water for swimming or games or even walking. Merely standing in waist-high water is a good workout, thanks to the action of the water. And you'll feel so much more alive! Choose a cruise for your trip. It's amazing how active you can be being stuck on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic. Most cruise ships offer numerous options for seaworthy exercise. During your sea and land trips you can burn calories as you swim, hike, dive, and horseback ride. Get out of the car every two hours. Many of us spend a large part of our vacations on the road, either getting to and from our destinations, or using the car for sightseeing. But no matter how beautiful the scenery is, great and memorable vacations don't happen in a car seat. Don't wait for tiredness or nature's call to get you to pull over. Frequently get out and stretch, walk, picnic, shop, visit, and have fun. It's important for your health and energy, and it makes traveling a lot more active and interesting. \n Question: How many tips does the writer give in the passage? \n Options: (A) Three (B) Four (C) Five (D) Six", "pos": "Article: Do you want to go out of town for a bit of rest and relaxation? Before you start packing, visit these best travel sites for vacationers. In my opinion, they help people deal with common problems that pop up during a trip. Oyster.com Based on the advertised photos, the hotel you are considering appears to be clean and modern. Take a second look through the eyes of Oyster.com. Their representatives inspect resort areas and post the real images uncovering marketing lies. You see ACTUAL pictures of the rooms, attractions and beautiful beaches. Skyscanner.net Are you planning to travel on a budget? Discover the best deals for flights, hotels and car rentals at Skyscanner.net. They offer reasonable and comprehensive travel comparison. The best part is that their services are free. You don't have to sign up, provide personal information or go through a social network. Virtualtourist.com Chat with someone other than a travel agent about a location. At Virtualtourist.com, fellow travelers and locals talk about their experiences in specific areas. This site is set up like a forum , so you can ask questions and get answers in the comfort of your own home. Find out where to eat, play and get pleasure in a place without getting food poison or robbed by criminals. Travel.state.gov Unfortunately, Americans get into trouble abroad sometimes. Prepare for possible emergencies by visiting Travel.state.gov. There, the Bureau of Consular Affairs offers advice on how to handle the bad things that happen to good people in other countries. You learn what to do in the case of child abduction , a lost passport and illness. In addition, these officials post travel warnings regarding dangerous regions and why foreigners should avoid them. Are you ready to do your homework? Prepare for your departure by checking out these best travel sites for vacationers. Learn what you need to know now before walking out of the door. \n Question: What is the characteristic of Oyster.com? \n Options: (A) It offers you a lot of travel information. (B) It tells tourists where the cheap hotels are. (C) The photos on the site are really reliable. (D) The representatives of Oyster.com are enthusiastic.", "neg": "Article: When many of us take a vacation, more than anything, we seek to relax. We spend long, lazy days on a beach chair or in a hammock  . But too often, we return home, very very tired. It doesn't have to be this way. Come home _ after an active trip! And you won't be too tired! Active vacations are often the most relaxing ones of all. We don't expect you to take up jogging or backpacking. Rather, we ask the sedentary   vacationers to spend two to four hours a day doing things, such as walking in city streets, going to a zoo or biking beside the ocean. These kinds of activities aren't just good for your physical health. They improve your mental health and even your spiritual health. And they make vacations memorable and worthwhile. Here are some fresh ideas to make your vacations as pleasurable as they are active and healthy. *A walk at dawn or dusk can make you feel or look young again. Try to make this a daily thing that is done regularly. *Don't allow yourself to spend all your time sitting in front of the water. *Many of us spend a large part of our vacations on the road, either getting to and from our destinations, or using the car for sightseeing. But no matter how beautiful the scenery is, great memorable vacations don't happen in a car seat. \n Question: What is the purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To introduce the relationship between vacations and health. (B) To show us how to make our vacations relaxing. (C) To tell us where we should go for our vacations. (D) To explain to us why vacations can sometimes be boring.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}406{"query": "Article: The intelligence times provide us much convenience,but at the same time,some of our abilities are being weakened gradually. 1. Memorizing phone numbers It was annoying to remember numbers. Now we simply add them to our contacts list. That usually works well unless our device is lost,stolen,or damaged. No one can be expected to remember all their contact numbers. What we can do is memorize 5 of our most important contact numbers. This should include a mixture of family,friends and business. If you're really ambitious you can memorize 5 contacts for each category. 2. Map-reading skills The convenience and effectiveness of GPS guidance systems and digital maps generated by search engines is unquestionable. They've definitely made our lives easier. What we don't get from using these devices and applications is the increased ability to understand spatial orientation and navigation. To renew or acquire those skills,try using physical maps to plan your next trip. After a few trips,you'll be pleasantly surprised with how useful a physical map can be. 3. Photography Even amateur photography requires a basic learning about lighting,depth,and composition. This is true for digital photography. Most smart cameras automatically make these adjustments. We no longer have to learn the art of photography. On most devices,this is easily changed by turning off the automatic settings. Experiment with setting by hand the scene modes,lighting,and zoom. You just may learn that you're a \"true photographer\". 4. Reading comprehension The primary cause is E-reader. They're convenient and can store thousands of books. But there's evidence that E-reader makes it more difficult for readers to keep and recall information they just read. Don't worry! What we should do is make an effort to read printed books. This will be especially helpful when seeking information we need for academic or career purposes. 5.Hand-written correspondence  Writing letters and notes include hand writing skills,organizational skills,and learning about the person or persons you correspond with. This is another easily regained skill. Send a letter to an old friend,relative or acquaintance. \n Question: What's the disadvantage by adding all numbers to the contacts list? \n Options: (A) We may only have the ability to remember 5 numbers. (B) It's hard to find the number from the contacts list. (C) We might lose all our phone numbers accidentally. (D) Our device is more easily damaged or stolen.", "pos": "Article: As many people hit middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental attention are not what they used to be. We suddenly can't remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old friend's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. It happens to most of us, but is it unavoidable? Scientists are increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It turns that the brain needs exercise in much the same way as our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can improve our basic cognitive  functions. Now, a new San Francisco Web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first \"brain training program\" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental sharpness. Called Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts from Stanford University. Lumosity is far more than an online place to exercise your mental skills. That's because they have combined these exercises with a Web-based program that allows you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills. Apparently it works. One study showed students improved their scores on math tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity for six weeks, greater gains than those made by other students in the same class, who were not training with the Lumosity program. The company says its users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names, numbers, directions, increased alertness  and awareness, high mood, and better concentration at work or while driving. \n Question: What is the purpose of Lumosity? \n Options: (A) To exercise the brain and muscles. (B) To combine exercises with a web-based program. (C) To improve basic cognitive functions. (D) To improve students' scores on test.", "neg": "Article: It seems that people are gradually losing their smartness as smartphones become increasingly important assistants in their lives.  As we rely too much on technology instead of our brains, many people have lost three basic abilities. The first skill many people have lost is remembering phone numbers. Because phone numbers are stored in smartphone contacts, there's now no need to dial a number or look at it again. _  And some people may also have lost their sense of direction because navigation apps can guide people anywhere they want. People get so dependent on them that when they can't use their smartphones, they get lost and anxious. But the worst lost skills may be social ones, meaning that some people are becoming socially inept People often bury themselves in their smartphones. As we're too absent-minded by what's happening in the virtual some of us have lost conversational skills and sometimes can't even distinguish whether a person is happy or not. Last August, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied 51 students aged 11 and 12 who had over five hours' screen time every day. Their task was to tell the emotions of 48 pictures of faces that were happy, sad, angry or scared. The children made an average of 14. 02 mistakes at the  beginning.  But after a five-day camp without electronic products, they made only 9.41 mistakes on average. Luckily, people still have a chance to get these abilities back.  You should try to keep your parents' numbers in mind for emergencies. You should also pay more attention to street signs and stores , which will help you to draw a mind map and stop you from getting lost.  And the easiest solution to social skill loss is to take a break from electronic products. \n Question: The experiment by researchers indicated that  without electronic  products, one could  _  . \n Options: (A) recognize more facial expressions correctly (B) lose the sense of direction frequently (C) tell different emotions immediately (D) more pictures of faces easily", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}407{"query": "Article: Pleasant Goat, lazy Goat, Beautiful Goat and Slow Goat, which one is your favorite? The second movie of the Chinese cartoon series of Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf again achieved noticeable box office takings in china, earning more than 40 million yuan merely three days after its debut .  Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf is no doubt the most successful\"China made\"cartoon series recently. It is shown on TV almost every day and its core  product can be seen almost in every child's goods store. It is the Chinese Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.  The cartoon series is not only welcomed by children, but is also often discussed among adult audiences. Pleasant Goat is appreciated for his courage and wisdom. While Big Big Wolf is considered a model husband though he is usually the bad guy in the story, always trying to catch goats for his wife, Big Red Wolf. In the year of tiger. 2010, what will happen to the goats' homeland and the wolves' castle? Will Pleasant Goat break the plot of Big Big Wolf again? And will Big Big Wolf finally take his revenge as he always says when got foiled  by Pleasant Goat? Going to see the movie and laughing cheerfully kids may be a good idea to start a brand new year. \n Question: Pleasant Goat is liked because of his_. \n Options: (A) beauty and friendliness (B) kindness and courage (C) courage and wisdom (D) beauty and wisdom", "pos": "Article: Raising pets is not a new thing in China , but recently it has taken on a new meaning . As a famous Chinese saying goes, pursuit of petty (,) pleasures weakens one's will to make progress . The saying has been so popular that even today many people still consider raising pets as a hobby of the idle . Things have changed much recently and now raising pets has become a popular pastime , resulting in a successful pet care industry . Pet food is sold in almost all supermarkets and many special stores for pet needs have been set up . Animal hospitals provide various medical services for sick dogs and cats , and pet exchange fairs are held regularly . At the China International Pet Show which took place recently in Beijing , more than 100 factories from across the country exhibited their products . Thousands of dealers and pet owners went to the show. \"People's swollen pockets make it possible for many to raise pets , a hobby that used to be enjoyed only by the wealthy ,\" said Wang Wei , who works with the National Kennel Association of China . Wang Yuyan , vice president of the Small Animals Protection Association , agreed , \" In many films and novels , having a pet is used as a symbol of wealth . That's not a complete picture . \" Wang added that pets are friends in a real sense of the word , not just playthings . \" Anyone with a loving nature can raise pets . \" Still the high cost of keeping a pet is something many people have to think about . \"I like dogs and cats , but I have neither time nor money to raise them , \"said Li Jun , in her 40's , a civil servant from Beijing . The cost of raising a dog is high in Beijing , where registration   is a must for all dogs and costs 5,000 yuan for each animal . In addition , pet owners must pay for regular injection of vaccines  . Most of all , dog food is quite expensive . Unlike his mother , Li Jun's 10-year-old son, Li Qiyu, dreams of the day he will have his own pet . \"I hope I can have a dog in my house , \" he said . \n Question: Things have changed much recently , because   _   . \n Options: (A) people have all become kind-hearted (B) small animals have no places to live in (C) people's living conditions are improving (D) more and more people are out of work", "neg": "Article: A pair of giant pandas from southwest China's Sichuan Province arrived at their new home in Belgium's Pairi Daiza zoo, some 60km southwest of downtown Brussels, at around 15:00 local time (1400GMT) on February 23, 2014. About 2,500 people, many of them excited children waving national flags of China and Belgium as well as panda-decorated flags or wearing costume of Panda greeted the pandas along the road to the zoo. Visitors today can only observe the pandas through a closed-circuit television system in the reception. Officials said they wanted the pandas fully adapted to their new home before making public _ in April. The pandas, Xing Hui, the male and Hao Hao, the female, are both 4 years old and are on lease from a breeding center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The lease term is 15 years, according to officials with the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas, the world's largest research base for the species. \"It's a good thing for Belgium.\" Nicole Duflot, a grandmother coming to the zoo with her husband and her grandson told Xinhua, \"We can't see the Panda today but it's a great thing for us to come here.\" The Pandas will be living in a panda hall of 5,300 square meters within the zoo. \"I hope Xing Hui and Hao Hao will enhance friendship between Belgium and China.\" Liao Liqiang, the Chinese ambassador to Belgium, said during an interview with Xinhua. \n Question: What was the main purpose of China leasing pandas to Belgium? \n Options: (A) We were supposed to make money from Belgium. (B) We meant to improve the relationship between China and Belgium. (C) We expected to amuse the Belgian children. (D) We wanted to make the pandas adapt to the environment abroad.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}408{"query": "Article: Actress Hayden Panettiere recently got into trouble with Japanese fishermen as she tried to stop them from killing dolphins. The 18-year-old star with some other surfers sailed out to reach the dolphins in order to stop them from being driven into a nearby pool and killed, but the six surfers, from Australia and the United States, were stopped by a fishing boat before they could reach them. The fishermen blocked their way with a boathook  . It was an ugly, unfriendly and life-threatening struggle before the surfers were forced to return to the beach. It is believed that the dolphins were later taken into a pool and killed. Panettiere, who is a brave surfer and loyal animal protector, made up her mind to save the dolphins of Japan and said, \"It was really frightening. Some of us were hit by the boathook, but in the end all we were really worried about the dolphins. It was so sad. We were so close to them and they were jumping out of the water to see us.\" Breaking down in tears, she added, \"One little baby dolphin stuck his head out and looked at me and the thought that it's no longer with us is really hard to take.\" The surfers left the country to avoid arrest   by the Japanese police. Panettiere is now back in Los Angeles. More than 22,000 dolphins are killed by fishermen in Japan every year. Many Japanese believe dolphins should be treated like fish. They have been hunting dolphins for centuries and see any criticism   of this as an attack on their culture. \n Question: Why did the surfers get into trouble with the fishermen in Japan? \n Options: (A) They said something that hurt the fishermen. (B) They entered a pool which wasn't allowed to go into. (C) They attacked Japanese culture. (D) They tried to stop the fishermen from killing the dolphins.", "pos": "Article: Whales live in the ocean, but they are not fish. They are warm-blooded mammals and must have air to breathe. The babies are born alive and drink milk from the mother's body. It took millions of years for the whale to develop as it is today. Every spring groups of whales swim hundreds of kilometers to warm places to bear their young. Each group goes to the same place every year. The mothers take very good care of their babies. The fully grown whales are very gentle and playful with each other, and with humans. They \"talk\" to each other with a high noise that  sounds beautiful. This\"talking\" can be heard for more than 300 kilometers in open waters. Yet humans kill over a hundred whales a day. They kill them to make whale oils and a lot of other things. Killing them is a modern business with modern machines and even harpoons( ) that explode( ) inside the whales. A whale dies very slowly and in great pain. Some ships kill every whale they can find, even the mothers and babies. Then there are no young whales to grow up or to bear more young. \n Question: A commonly mistaken belief is that    _   . \n Options: (A) whales are mammals (B) whales must have air to breathe (C) whales' babies drink milk (D) whales are fish", "neg": "Article: Rescue workers and volunteers in prefix = st1 /Floridaworked non-stop to help as many dolphins as they could to return to deep water. Some dolphins made it. About 24 died. For 35 dolphins in danger there was only one chance for survival--to be sent to the Marine Mammals Care Centre. The dolphins were placed in a water pool where they have been given care  _ by hundreds of volunteers who signed up for four-hour shifts  . By the second week in April, only 11 of the original 35 were still alive. Each year thousands of dolphins, the lovely marine mammals, are found beached or stranded   along coastlines around the world. They can't get back to the sea and will die if they don't get help, according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society's website. Nobody knows what caused the dolphins to strand themselves, but the US Navy and marine wildlife experts are investigating whether the dolphin stranding was caused by sonar   exercises of ships. And some scientists suggest disease, or human interference  . The reason for stranding isn't completely understood. In the pool, volunteers hold the dolphins and keep their blowholes out of the water so they can breathe. A vet injects the mammals with vitamin E to help with muscle cramping  . Unable to eat on their own, they are fitted with a feeding tube to get them the needed nutrition. \"Today we made the first steps in getting them to eat dead fish and to eat them out of our hands,\" Banick said. It's a race against time and feeding times must be strictly kept to. \n Question: The dolphins stranded on the beach were sent to the Marine Mammals Care Centre, where   _  . \n Options: (A) they were warmly welcomed (B) they were taken care of and cured (C) they were to be trained (D) they would live with human beings", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}409{"query": "Article: I grow up in San Pedro. My Dad was a fisherman, and he loved the sea. He had his own boat, but it was hard making a living on the sea. He worked hard and would stay out until he caught enough to feed the family. Not just enough for our family, but also for his Mom and Dad and the other kids that were still at home. Dad was a big man, and he was strong from pulling the nets and fighting the sea for his catch. When you got close to him, you smelled the ocean. When the weather was bad he would drive me to school. He would pull right up in front, and it seemed like everybody would be standing around and watching. Then he would lean over and give me a big kiss on the cheek and tell me to be a good boy. It was so embarrassing for me. Here I was twelve years old, and my Dad would lean over and kiss me good-bye! I remembered the day I thought I was too old for a good-bye kiss. When we got to the school and came to a stop, he had his usual big smile. He started to lean toward me, but  _ It was the first time I had ever talked to him that way, and he had this surprised look on his face. I said, \"Dad, I'm too old for a good-bye kiss. I'm too old for any kind of kiss.\" My Dad looked at me for the longest time, and his eyes started to tear up. I had never seen him cry. He turned and looked at the windshield . \"You're right,\" he said. \"You are a big boy...a man. I won't kiss you any more. It wasn't long after that when my Dad went to sea and never came back. Guys, you don't know what I would give to have my Dad give me just one more kiss on the cheek ...  to feel his rough old face ...  to smell the ocean on him ...  to feel his arm around my neck. I wish I had been a man then. If I had been a man, I would be a man. I would never have told my Dad I was too old for a good-bye kiss. \n Question: From the passage, we know that the writer's father   _  . \n Options: (A) was a successful businessman (B) had an accident and died at sea (C) was good at driving cars (D) drove the writer to school every day", "pos": "Article: On Sunday while I was having my own Father's Day celebration, I thought about my dad a lot. By the time I called to tell him that I loved him, he had already gone to bed. So I wrote the following to show what my dad means to me. About 28 years ago, my dad was a used car salesman. Every Thursday night, he would head off to Shreveport, LA for theauction . Most of the time, I drove a car over there for him so he could sell it there. One day, I was riding with my dad to Shreveport for the auction when he found ahitchhiker with a backpack. As soon as dad saw him, he pulled the car over and offered him a ride. Dad asked him his name and continued to talk to him about all sorts of things. I can't recall why but he told dad a lot of terrible things that had occurred to him. I sat in the back seat and watched the scene with amazement. I could see that the hitchhiker changed his attitude as he could tell someone who was really listening to him. We drove another forty-five minutes before we had to exit the interstate . We pulled over and dad told him to keep his head up and things would start looking up for him soon. He reached into his pocket and handed the hitchhiker a twenty-dollar bill and then a the-dollar bill. We drove on and my dad did not say a single thing. I was still completely amazed by what I just witnessed. I was always told everyone to never pick up a hitchhiker and yet my dad did it every single time he saw one. I'm sure that it made that poor man's day, probably a month to follow. While reflecting upon that story, I learned a lot about my dad and life. I learned that if you come from a place of service or compassion, you can change people's lives. Just one single kind act can change someone's life. It never occurred to my dad about not stopping to help him. This is the type of person my dad is. Thank you for setting such high standards for me to follow. Dad, I love you. Happy Father's Day! \n Question: The author and his dad met ahitchhiker   _  . \n Options: (A) when they were just warned not to pick up a stranger (B) on their way to Shreveport to sell a car (C) on their way to the west for a trip (D) when their car was running out of gas", "neg": "Article: Frank looked at us and said, ''My Dad was a fisherman. He was a big man, and he was strong from pulling the nets and fighting the seas for his catch. When you got close to him, he smelled like the ocean. He would wear his old canvas, foul-weather coat and his bibbed overalls. No matter how much my Mother washed them, they would still smell of the sea and of fish.''   His voice dropped a bit. ''When the weather was bad he would drive me to school. He had an old truck which was older than he was. You could hear it coming for blocks. As he drove toward the school, I would shrink down into the seat hoping to disappear. Then he would lean over and give me a big kiss on the cheek and tell me to be a good boy. It was so embarrassing for me. Here, I was twelve years old, and my Dad would lean over and kiss me goodbye!''  He paused and then went on, ''I remember the day I decided I was too old for a goodbye kiss. When we got to the school and came to a stop, he had his usual big smile. He started to lean toward me, but I put my hand up and said, 'No, Dad. I'm too old for a goodbye kiss. I'm too old for any kind of kiss.'' ''My Dad looked at me for the longest time, and his eyes started to tear up. I had never seen him cry. He turned and looked out the windshield  . 'You're right,' he said. 'You are a big boy....a man. I won't kiss you anymore.''    Frank got a funny look on his face, and the tears began to well up in his eyes, as he spoke. ''It wasn't long after that when my Dad went to sea and never came back. It was a day when most of the fleet stayed in, but not Dad. He had a big family to feed. They found his boat adrift with its nets half in and half out. He must have gotten into a gale   and was trying to save the nets and the floats.'' \n Question: Frank said that his father smelled like the ocean   _  . \n Options: (A) to prove that his father was as great as the ocean (B) to prove that his father was a fisherman (C) to tell us that his father's clothes were very dirty (D) to show that his father worked hard all the year on the sea", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}410{"query": "Article: Starting college can be a difficult experience. You have to deal with new responsibilities, growing independence, a challenging course load, and of course, the social scene. When a roommate is thrown into the mix, it may feel like you're struggling with all that stuff while living in a small box with a stranger. But having a roommate doesn't need to be one more thing to worry about. When students go into their living situations with realistic expectations and a willingness to  _ , things can work out just fine. When you first meet your roommate, chances are that you'll be on your best behavior. You want to get along since this is the person who's going to be sharing your living space for the next year. But try to think ahead to potential worst cases, too. For example, imagine it's 2 am and you're working on a paper that's due in 8 hours. Your roommate comes in from a party and wants to continue the party in your room. At times like these, you can't be feeling good. That's why talking about issues that might come up ahead of time and respecting each other's wishes when the time comes is so important. Talk about the things that are really important to you, and make sure your roommate understands. Then encourage him or her to do the same. For instance, does it make you angry when people take things without asking first? Let your roommate know your feelings about these types of things from the start. There are some things to talk to your roommate about so that both of you have a feel for each other's likes, dislikes and habits. \n Question: When you go to college you have to   _  . \n Options: (A) learn to look after yourself (B) quarrel with others often (C) take care of a stranger (D) throw yourself into a separate room", "pos": "Article: Beginning college is exciting: new ideas to explore, new challenges to be met and many decisions to be made; your future begins here. However, you will find college life is different from your previous school environment. Many of us can be easily overwhelmed by the details of running a well-balanced life. While some of us may have the know-how, I guess there are more of us who can benefit from learning about the experiences of others who have walked the college halls before you. The following you may find of use about life on campus: *Plan well. There are so many new things to do at a new college or university. Give yourself time to make new friends and became familiar with the campus, but don't forget why you are there. Give some time for social activities and manage your time wisely. *If you don't have a \"system\" for planning your time now (like a day timer a computer data book). get one. Most of all, don't depend on your memory. *Don't miss the guidelines. The restrictions, rules and regulations of all kinds can usually be found in your student's handbook. Consider them well-balanced food for thought. What dates are important? What pieces of paper need to be handed in? What can / can't you do in your student residence ? Who has the right for what? What do you need to complete to graduate? *Write the word \"STUDY\" on the walls of our bedroom and bathroom, and maybe it will help to to write it on a piece of paper and stick it on the telephone, TV and the kitchen table. Consider this -- you are paying thousands of dollars for your course. You pay every time you have to repeat or replace a course. *Build your identity. This is the time for you to decide what to do and what not to do. Take as much time as you need to explore new ideas. Do not be afraid of the beyond. This is learning to make good choices. \n Question: What is the main purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To offer advice on college life. (B) To explain why college life is exciting. (C) To describe the importance of college life. (D) To persuade you to go to college.", "neg": "Article: When you are far away from home for the first time and have a lot to adjust to,you can't do it alone. However independent you are,it is good to have a roommate during your first year. Living with someone helps ease your loneliness. Sure it may seem appealing to be able to play your music and turn up your TV as loud as you want, but coming home to an empty room every day can be depressing. If you have a bad day, you may want to talk to someone. Friends are great sources of venting  , but friends can't always be there. Even worse, they may be selfcentered and show no interest in your problem. It's not that roommates aren't like this, but even just small talk can help you feel better. Having a roommate teaches you how to get along with people and settle conflict. You two should set up rules immediately and discuss what to do when there is conflict. If you two don't like each other,you still study,relax,and sleep in the same room. You must find a way to get along. Finally,having a roommate exposes   you to different ways of living. Your roommate may come from a different city,and have different living habits. He or she also has different interests and personalities. You don't have to end up liking the same things your roommate does,but try to learn something different. You will be surrounded by many different people in college and have the chance to try things you never have before. Why not start learning from your roommate? Having a roommate gives you the skills and personal background you will need to utilize   when you are out on your own. Make the most of living with a stranger and besides,there will be plenty of opportunities for you to have your own room later in your college years. \n Question: Who are probably the intended readers of the passage? \n Options: (A) University teachers. (B) Students who are not independent. (C) Students in the first year of college. (D) Students who will graduate from college soon.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}411{"query": "Article: One of the most famous basketball-players in the New Castle's history was paralyzed  in a wheelchair one day...and was walking the next. Citizens of New Castle simply refer to it as \"The Miracle\". Joel Haler woke up in his dorm room at Hope College last October totally paralyzed from the waist down. Four hospitals later, the only way he could walk was through Robotic Walking Treatment. \"This past Tuesday, I was doing the Robotic walk and lasted ten minutes,\" Joel said. After that, he gave up. Joel wanted to accept the inevitable  and cancelled his next Robotic Walking Treatment appointment. Then, the night before his cancelled appointment, he woke up to a terrible pain. An hour and a half later, the serious pain left him with an unusual feeling in his legs. \"As it continued to move up my legs, it became more and more painful and it took an hour and a half to reach my hips ,\" Joel recalled. \"I stood up and walked into my parents' room. 'Mom and dad, look!',\" he said proudly. \"He said something and I was like, 'Joel! Joel! You're walking! You're walking!' We jumped out of bed, cried and hugged,\" Joel's mom Karen remembered. \"I burst into tears. It's hard seeing your son not be able to walk, but he was standing there, walking,\" Joel's father Eric said, tearfully. It was Thursday, January 23, when he could finally walk. That date made perfect sense to Joel. He had dreamt of a calendar that only said \"J 23\". He didn't know what to make of it until \"a little boy at church, four years old, came up to me and said, 'you will walk on a Thursday',\" Joel recalled. So the 20-year-old college student, who could only walk with the aid of robot on Tuesday, was walking on his own. \n Question: According to the passage, \"The Miracle\" is that_. \n Options: (A) Joel Haler became the most famous basketball player (B) Robotic Walking Treatment could cure paralysis (C) Joel Haler could walk again after three months' paralysis (D) a paralyzed boy could play basketball well", "pos": "Article: Two good friends, Sam and Jason, met with a car accident on their way home one night. The next morning, Sam woke up blind. His legs were broken. The doctor, Mr Lee was standing by his bed, looking at him with a thoughtful expression. When he saw Sam awake, he asked, \"How are you feeling, Sam?\" Sam smiled and said, \"Not bad, Doctor. Thank you for doing the operation  .\" Mr Lee was moved by Sam. When he was leaving, Sam said, \"Please don't tell Jason about it.\" \"...  OK.\" Mr Lee replied. Months later when Jason's wounds   _ , Sam was still very sick. Neither could he see or walk. What he could do was just stay in his wheelchair all day long. At first, Jason stayed with him for a few days. But days later, Jason felt very discouraged and embarrassed to spend time staying with a disabled man like Sam. So he went to see Sam less and less. He made new friends. From then on, he didn't go to visit Sam any more. Sam didn't have any family or friends other than Jason. He felt very sad. Things went from bad to worse. Sam died a year later. When Jason came, Mr Lee gave a letter to him. It was from Sam. In the letter Sam said, \"Dear Jason, I am disabled. But I want you to be a healthy man. So I gave my eyes to you so that you can enjoy life as a healthy man. Now you have new friends. I'm glad to see that you are as healthy and happy as usual. I'm glad you live a happy life. You are always my best friend ... ... Sam\". When he finished reading the letter Mr Lee said, \"I have promised that I will keep this a secret until Sam is gone. Now you know it.\" Jason stood there. Tears ran down his face. \n Question: The reason why Sam thanked Mr Lee was that   _  . \n Options: (A) Mr Lee was very kind and friendly to him (B) Mr Lee came to see him early in the morning (C) Mr Lee did the operation according to his wish (D) Mr Lee saved both his and Jason's lives", "neg": "Article: The 16 operations W.Mitchell received after the motorcycle accident burned more than 65% of his body at age 46 left him unable to pick up a fork,dial a telephone or go to the bathroom without help.But Mitchell never believed he was defeated.\"I am in charge of my own spaoeship,\" he said.\"It's my up,my down.I could choose to see this situation as a setback or afstarting point.\" Mitchell bought himself a home in Colorado,a plane and a bar.Later he teamed upwith two friends and co-founded a wood burning stove company that grew to be the second largest private employer in his state.Six months later he was piloting the plane.Then four years after the motorcycle accident,the plane Mitchell was piloting crashed back onto the runway during takeoff, permanently paralyzing(...)him from the waist down. Still determined,Mitchell worked day and night to regain as much independence as possible.He was elected Mayor of Crested Butte,Colorado, to save the town from mineral mining that would ruin its beauty and environment. Despite his shocking looks and physical challenges, Mitchell began white water rafting ,fell in love and married, earned a master's degree in public administration and continued flying,environmental activism and public speaking. Mitchell's unshakable positive mental attitude has earned him appearances on the \"Today Show''and \"Good Moming America\" as well as feature articles in Parade, Time, The New York Times and other publications. Mitchell has done all these things and more afar two horrible accidents left his face beyond recognition,his hands flngerless and his legs thin:and motionless in a wheelchair.Then what can't we healthy guys achieve? \n Question: What did Mirehell do after his first accident? \n Options: (A) He learned to pilot a plane. (B) He was employed by a company. (C) He began to drive a spaceship. (D) He made another two new friends.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}412{"query": "Article: While Americans feel worried about how to look after their children and help them grow, French parents are raising happy, well-behaved children without all the anxiety.    Pamela Druckerman, an American mother living in Paris, watched carefully as to why French children seem to behave so much better than American children. Let's listen to what she said.    While eating at the restaurants in Paris, I noticed the French kids were either sitting in their chairs waiting for their food or eating fish and even vegetables, happy and satisfied. There was no shouting or crying, and there were no pieces of food around their tables. However, my 2-year-old daughter, Beth, took a brief interest in the food. She even threw food everywhere. She couldn't keep herself in her chair and ran around the table. Though by that time I'd live in France for a few months, I couldn't explain it.    After surveying French parents, I realized that they aren't perfect, but they have some parenting secrets that do work. French parents seem to have different ideas about raising kids. One of the keys to this education is the simple act of learning how to wait. It is why the French babies I have encountered mostly sleep throughout the night from two or three months old. Their parents don't pick them up the moment they start crying, allowing the babies to learn how to fall back asleep. It is also why French kids will sit happily at a restaurant. Rather than snacking all day like American children, they mostly have to wait until mealtime to eat. French kids always have three meals a day and one snack at about 4:00 pm. \n Question: While eating at restaurants in Paris, French kids   _ \n Options: (A) make a lot of noise (B) like running around (C) behave very well (D) only eat what they like", "pos": "Article: A good friend of mine was complaining about her son the other day.\"Did you notice,\" she started, \"how he didn't wait for me to get my salad before he dove into his?\" True enough, the boy attacked his plate faster than a cat in the wild.Without manners, we're no more than animals.Actually, that's not true.I've been watching and feeding a group of wild cats, and they show unusual politeness toward each other.Even when food is _ , they take turns, leaving at least a small part for the next in line. My mother educated her three children to have good manners all the time.We were made to feel very uncomfortable as if we were sitting on pins and needles until we got used to saying please, thank you, pardon me, and I'm sorry.And I have to say, while it was a painful learning experience, it was one of the most valuable. I can't tell you how often I sat with my friends, eating at their dinner tables, and their parents thought highly of my good manners.While it was a little embarrassing, I knew even then that my mother's teachings were paying off. Many years later, when I was attending seminars across the country, my manners were quite useful. While I regret that I haven't been a perfect example, I'm still working on it.I suppose, in this regard, my mother lives on through me.I didn't have her beautiful singing voice or her green eyes, but she did make sure I received one of her finest characteristics. \n Question: What did the writer's friend most probably complain about? \n Options: (A) Her son's eating too quickly. (B) Her son's not having a healthy diet. (C) Her son's not having good table manners. (D) Teenagers' not having good manners.", "neg": "Article: Seven tips to good table manners Whether it's a dinner at a friend's house or a business meeting over lunch, we judge people based on their table manners. But what can you do if your kids do not behave themselves at the dinner tables? The following are seven tips to set your children on the road to good table manners: *Look for the good. Instead of pointing out all the things your children do wrong, point out what they do right. Please say, for example, \"I am so proud of you. It was wonderful the way you served yourself.\" *Don't turn dinner into an unpleasant \"lecture time\". That will turn kids off not only manners, but dinner, and you, too. *Check your own example. Don't show up for dinner in just your underwear   unless you want your kids to do the same. *Don't always consider your kids lazy and dirty ones. Instead, point out the behavior in a tender way. For example: \" It' s a good idea to unfold your napkin, so if food falls you won't dirty your clothes.\" *Teach your kids good manners in the form of a game. One night a week, try to have a formal dinner. Try dressing up, serve a special meal, and expect more formal manners. That will help improve their sense of manners. *Make kids understand part of the tradition. Invite guests over and let kids help serve them. This helps them indirectly learn about table manners. *Try dining out once in a while. Fast food restaurants aren't counted. Try a nice restaurant and let kids order their own food, pay the bill and give the tip. \n Question: Which of the following should parents do to help their kids learn good table manners? \n Options: (A) Try dining out in fast food restaurants once in a while. (B) Point out what's wrong with the kids' behavior at dinner. (C) Keep telling the kids how to behave themselves at dinner. (D) Improve kids' sense of manners by having a formal dinner at times.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}413{"query": "Article: Summer school is something a kid will never forget.For some, it's a way to advance past their classmates.For most, summer school is' a requirement in order to graduate with their classmates I can remember being forced into taking a summer school course.It was not the school that forced me into this awkward situation it was my mother. I was a 16-year-old kid in a new school; My school did not offer summer courses so I had to take my course at an alternative school in the city.It was an experience I will never forget.I was not concerned with making friends.I was there to get credit   for a course that I should have received credit for the previous semester.It was.my doing that landed me in the situation and it was important that I understood this. The fees were lowest but the experience was amazing.I enjoyed I didn't miss the day. The course was from Monday to Friday for an entire month.I passed the course with an A.I was thrown into an awkward situation and actually enjoyed it.My friends didn't even know I took the course.Most of them were still sleeping by the time my course  ended each day. Awkward situations are so important for personal growth.This situation made me feel more independent.I made friends.I finally understood what sacrifice and hard work were all about.While attending college, I remembered how much I enjoyed summer school and I chose to take summer school in my first three years of college.Some kids get pushed too much but some don't get pushed enough.I was never pushed enough. Enable your children to struggle for success.If your child needs summer school you explain to them why it's important.Some parents are surprised by the situation and may want to be more involved in their children's education.Follow through and follow up. \n Question: Most students go to the summer school in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) find good jobs graduation (B) become top students in their class (C) have a chance to make more friends (D) graduate successfully on time", "pos": "Article: If there's one thing I' ve learned from my years of being a kid,  it' s that you have ZERO control over your own life. Ever since school ended, I haven' t had anything I' ve needed to do or anywhere I' ve needed to be.  As long as the air-conditioning  was working and the TV remote had batteries in it, I was ready for a relaxing summer holiday. But then, out of the blue, this happened - \" Pack your bags.  We' re going on a road trip ! \" Mom said excitedly. This isn't the first time Mom has sprung a trip on us without any warming. Last year on the first day of summer, she said we were going .to visit Aunt Loretta at the nursing home. It wasn't exactly my idea of a fun way to kick off the summer. One time when we visited Aunt Loretta, her roommate grasped me and wouldn't let me go until someone gave her a chocolate cookie ! Mom kept talking about going to the nursing home for a whole day, which made me worry a lot.  But at breakfast the next morning, she told us where we were really going - Disney World. I was very happy, because I was really worried about spending the whole week at the nursing home. So was Dad. But when my little brother, Danny, heard about the change he became very angry. Mom had talked up the Aunt Loretta trip so much that Danny was actually excited about going there. We ended up putting off our trip to Disney so we could visit Aunt Loretta. I tried to talk Mom into letting us do something normal, like going to a water park for the day, but she didn't want to hear it.  She said that spending a lot of time together in the car would be a \" bonding\"  experience for the whole family. \n Question: What did the author prefer to do during his summer holidays? \n Options: (A) Visit Aunt Loretta. (B) Travel with his family. (C) Look after his little brother. (D) Watch TV comfortably at home.", "neg": "Article: My high school life has been filled with many ups and downs, whether it was social or academic. Even though my current high school was not my first choice, I never regretted attending Southside High School. \"Since you have chosen it, then it is the best for you,\" said my parents. Up until the junior year I did not realize my capabilities   as a student. Being in the IB Program, I was told that my junior year would be the toughest in all the years of high school. With this \"little\" piece of information, I walked into my junior year, scared of my grades. As weeks went by, I started to believe that the junior year was not as hard as everyone had said, but I was wrong. My grades were rapidly declining  and by the end of the first term I had had five Cs in seven of my classes! I could not believe it --- I did not want to believe it. I tried my best to get my grades up myself without any help from anyone, but my pride just made my grades worse. And I had to miss out on one of the most important speech and debate competitions all year: States. I was heartbroken. I realized that I could not survive my junior year on my own, so I had to get help fast. Once I got a tutor, my grades went from Cs, Ds, and even some Fs, to nothing but As and Bs. I slowly started to gain my confidence back in all of my classes and even myself. By the time the third and fourth quarter came around, I had been on the honor roll twice, and I was receiving awards from speeches and debates, tennis and school. Southside has taught me to always keep my head up and never give up on myself no matter what life throws at me. I am proud to be a Southside Tiger. \n Question: How did the writer feel when she walked into her junior year? \n Options: (A) Confident. (B) Worried (C) Curious. (D) Uninterested.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}414{"query": "Article: If women are mercilessly exploited year after year, they have only themselves to blame.  Because they tremble at the thought of being seen in public in clothes that are out of fashion, they are always taken advantage of by the designers and the big stores. Clothes which have been worn only a few times have to be put aside because of the change of fashion. When you come to think of it, only a woman is capable of standing in front of a wardrobe packed full of clothes and announcing sadly that she has nothing to wear. Changing fashions are nothing more than the intentional creation of waste. Many women spend vast sums of money each year to replace clothes that have hardly been worn. Women who cannot afford to throw away clothing in this way, waste hours of their time altering the dresses they have. Skirts are lengthened or shortened; neck-lines are lowered or raised, and soon. No one can claim that the fashion industry contributes anything really important to society. Fashion designers are rarely concerned with vital things like warmth, comfort and durability. They are only interested in outward appearance and they take advantage of the fact that women will put up with any amount of discomfort, as long as they look right. There can hardly be a man who hasn't at some time in his life smiled at the sight of a woman shaking in a thin dress on a winter day, or delicately picking her way through deep snow in high-heeled shoes. When comparing men and women in the matter of fashion, _ . Does the constantly changing fashion of women's clothes, one wonders, reflect basic qualities of instability? Men are too clever to let themselves be cheated by fashion designers. Do their unchanged styles of dress reflect basic qualities of stability and reliability? That is for you to decide. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE? \n Options: (A) Fashion designs should not be encouraged since they are only welcomed by women. (B) The constant changes in women's clothing reflect their strength of character. (C) The fashion industry makes an important contribution to society. (D) New fashions in clothing are created for the commercial exploitation of women.", "pos": "Article: In department stores and closets all over the world, they are waiting. Their outward appearance seems rather appealing because they come in a variety of styles, patterns, materials, and color1s. But they are eventually the biggest deception   that exists in the fashion industry today. What are they? They are high heels   -- a woman's worst enemy (whether she knows it or not). High heel shoes are the downfall of modern society. Fashion myths have led women to believe that they are more beautiful or stylish for wearing heels, but in reality, heels succeed in creating short as well as long term troubles. Women should fight the high heel industry by refusing to use or purchase them in order to save the world from unnecessary physical and psychological suffering. For the sake of fairness, it must be noted that there is a positive side to high heels. First, heels are excellent for aerating lawns  . Anyone who has ever worn heels on grass knows what I am talking about. A simple trip around the yard in a pair of those babiesgets rid of all the need to call for a lawn care specialist, and provides the perfect-sized holes to give any lawn oxygen without all those messy blocks of dirt lying around. Second, heels are quite functional for defending against oncoming enemies, who can easily be scared away by threatening them with a pair of these sharp, deadly fashion items. Regardless of such practical uses for heels, the fact remains that wearing high heels is harmful to one's physical health. Talk to any podiatrist  , and you will hear that the majority of their business comes from high-heel-wearing women. High heels are known to cause problems such as misshapen feet and torn toenails. The risk of severe back problems and twisted or broken ankles is three times higher for a high heel wearer than for a flat shoe wearer. Wearing heels also creates the threat of getting a heel caught in a narrow sidewalk gap and being thrown to the ground--possibly breaking a nose, back, or neck. And of course, after wearing heels for a day, any woman knows she can look forward to a night of pain as she tries to comfort her aching feet. \n Question: Women don't take the disadvantages of high heels too seriously because of   _  . \n Options: (A) the multi-functional use of high heels (B) their attempt to show off their status (C) the rich variety of high heel styles (D) their wish to improve their appearance", "neg": "Article: Women love shoes! They will sometimes go to look for the perfect pair of shoes to wear only once with the perfect outfit or the fashion of the day. Once worn, these fashionable designer shoes may spend weeks, months, or years in the closet without being worn again until another special occasion comes up. With that said, are expensive designer shoes really worth their cost? Historically, shoes were invented to free feet from sharp rocks, hot sands, and blisters. Shoes were made to be simple and functional, with tough leather soles and straps. As society became more sophisticated  , the role of shoes changed; shoes were made to add status to the wearer. Shoe designers began to work on the production of fashion shoes for the wealthy; shoes meant more for show than for practical use or simplicity. Good shoemakers became well known and printed symbols on their shoes, so people could recognize the maker of that particular design. Designer shoes were thus born. Many women develop serious problems with their feet after wearing these designer shoes during the workday and the medical costs for dealing with these problems can get very high. Some popular makers of designer shoes have been working towards combining comfort and practical use into their shoes, but it has been noted that women still go for style, beauty and uniqueness above everything else. So to answer the question as to whether or not designer shoes are worth the cost, the answer is certainly yes, but be smart and invest in a pair of comfortable, not so stylish shoes for the days when you stay outdoors for hours! They can also be very expensive, but I can surely say that they are worth the cost. \n Question: When shoes were first made, their main use was to   _  . \n Options: (A) increase the wearer's image (B) protect the wearer from discomfort (C) make the wearer more noticeable (D) show the simplicity of life", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}415{"query": "Article: Why do men die earlier than women? The latest research makes it known that the reason could be that men's hearts go into rapid decline  when they reach middle age. The largest study of the effects of ageing on the heart has found that women's _ may be linked to the fact that their hearts do not lose their pumping power with age. \"We have found that the power of the male heart falls by 20-25 percent between 18 and 70 years of age,\" said the head of the study, David Goldspink of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. \"Within the heart there are millions of cells that enable it to beat. Between the age of 20 and 70, one-third of those cells die and are not replaced in men,\" said Goldspink. \"This is part of the ageing process.\" What surprises scientists is that the female heart sees very little loss of these cells. A healthy 70-year-old woman's heart could perform almost as well as a 20-year-old one's. \"This gender( ) difference might just explain why women live longer than men,\" said Goldspink. They studied more than 250 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 80, focusing on healthy persons to remove the confusing influence of disease. \"The team has yet to find why ageing takes a greater loss on the male heart,\" said Goldspink. The good news is that men can improve the health of their heart with regular exercise. Goldspink stressed that women also need regular exercise to prevent their leg muscles becoming smaller and weaker as they age. \n Question: The text mainly talks about   _  . \n Options: (A) men's heart cells (B) women's ageing process (C) the gender difference (D) hearts and long life", "pos": "Article: Why do men die earlier than women? The latest research makes it known that the reason could be   that men's hearts go into rapid decline when they reach middle age.   The largest study of the effects of aging on the heart has found that women's  _ may be    linked to the fact that their hearts do not lose their pumping power with age.   \"We have found that the power of the male heart falls by 20-25 percent between 18 and 70 years of age,\" said the head of the study, David Goldspink of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK.   \"Within the heart there are millions of cells that enable it to beat. Between the age of 20 and 70, one-third of those cells die and are not replaced in men,\" said Goldspink. \"This is part of the aging   process.\"   What surprises scientists is that the female heart sees very little loss of these cells. A healthy     70-year-old woman's heart could perform almost as well as a 20-year-old one's.   \"This gender difference might just explain why women live longer than men,\" said Goldspink. They studied more than 250 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 80, focusing on healthy  persons to remove the confusing influence of disease. \"The team has yet to find why aging takes a    greater loss on the male heart,\" said Goldspink.   The good news is that men can improve the health of their heart with regular exercise. Goldspink  stressed that women also need regular exercise to prevent their leg muscles becoming smaller and       weaker as they age. \n Question: The text mainly talks about   _  . \n Options: (A) men's heart cells (B) women's aging process, (C) the gender difference (D) hearts and long life", "neg": "Article: Getting enough sleep on a regular basis is one important way to protect the health of your heart. Poor sleep is associated with a range of cardiovascular  problems, including high blood pressure, heart attack, and heart failure. Both men and women are at increased risk for these conditions. But we continue to learn that when it comes to health problems associated with sleep, the particular risks to men and women are not always the same. A new study suggests that for women who already have heart disease, poor sleep may be particularly dangerous to their heart health. Research indicates that poor-quality sleep--and waking too early in particular--is associated with increased inflammation  among women with heart disease. There was no similar association found for men, suggesting that women with heart disease and sleep problems may be at particular risk for inflammation that can be damaging to the heart. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco investigated the relationship between sleep quality and inflammation linked to coronary  heart disease. They also sought information about how an association between sleep and inflammation might differ between men and women. Their investigation included 980 men and women at first, and 626 completed the 5-year study. All of those included were suffering for coronary heart disease. The average age of men in the study was 66. Women were slightly younger, with an average age of 64. Researchers measured sleep quality by asking participants to rate their sleep over the previous month. They also asked for reports of some of the most common sleep problems, including difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking frequently throughout the night, and waking too early in the morning. After 5 years, researchers repeated tests for inflammation and once again sought reports on sleep quality and sleep problems. When they analyzed data for both men and women together, researchers found no links between inflammations and sleep quality. However, when they analyzed data taking gender  into account, researchers found a relationship between inflammation and sleep existed for women, but not for men. \n Question: When a person suffers from sleep disorder   _  . \n Options: (A) he/she is sure to have cardiovascular problems (B) he/she may be in a state of poor health (C) he/she must be in danger of heart disease (D) he/she might get on poorly with others", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}416{"query": "Article: Where can you find a nice place to relax on holiday for both you and your children? Well, I suggest you try the beautiful and green Isle of Wight (IOW). The Isle of Wight is one of the main tourist attractions. Here is some information on a few of the attractions on the IOW. Dinosaur Isle It is located in Sandown, a seaside town on the southeast coast. It's a large, lovely museum, both fun and educational. Here you can see a large fossil collection of all kinds of dinosaurs, as well as a gift shop. You can walk into the past and then the future, learning about the history and the development of the civilization of dinosaurs that lived 120 million years ago. Robin Hill Country Park The park is in the beautiful countryside, and is suitable for children's parties and games. It has five new gardens, and offers great opportunities to see and take pictures of the rare red squirrels. The West of the Wight Here we have the Marine Aquarium, the Archaeology Exhibition and the Model Railway. They offer another opportunity to combine fun with learning. This is a great place to see ancient boats crossing the narrow strait between the island and the mainland. The Wight Bus Museum This museum is run completely by unpaid volunteers. It has a bus collection stored in what was once a warehouse . Most of the buses in the museum date back to around the 1910's. With all of these choices, what are you waiting for? IOW Tourism welcomes you! \n Question: Where can you learn something as well as have a good time? \n Options: (A) Dinosaur Isle and Robin Hill Country Park. (B) Dinosaur Isle and the West of the Wight. (C) The Wight Bus Museum and Robin Hill Country Park. (D) The Wight Bus Museum and the West of the Wight.", "pos": "Article: The best UK cottages for Christmas and New Year  _  It's a solid little Victorian gatehouse outside Ballycastle. It has an association with Irish nationalist Roger Casement. Close to the Causeway Coast, the closest beach is five minutes' drive away. It is a good choice for those who want to avoid stairs, since all the main rooms are on the ground floor. Sleeps 2 adults + 2 children, PS730 a week at Christmas or New Year (three nights from PS389), 353 1 670 4733, irishlandmark.com  _  It is located in a peaceful island, where a priory   was built 1,400 years ago. Guests at Coastguard's Cottage, the latest addition to English Heritage's portfolio  of holiday houses, can explore the priory ruins. The attractive whitewashed house is decorated with calming tones and contemporary furnishings and has views of Lindisfarne Castle. Sleeps 6, PS1,600 a week from 19 Dec, 0370 333 1187, english-heritage.org.uk  _  It sits on a 350-acre private nature reserve. Surrounded by woodlands, wetlands and wild meadows, it's a heaven for wildlife. You might meet a few animals on a walk around the reserve. Built by local craftsmen using natural materials, it is a light-filled living space with huge windows, a woodburner   and other essential for winter evenings -- a home cinema system. Sleeps 6, PS1,430 a week from 29 Dec, 01580 720770 kentandSussexcottages.co.uk  _  In snowy winter, the quiet 16th-century cottage near Stowmarket is like a perfect picture on Christmas cards. The inside is also appealing, with a big farmhouse kitchen, antique furniture, comfortable carpets and an impressive fireplace. A good selection of films, music and books are provided. Approached via a single track lane, the cottage sits in three acres of wild meadow, surrounded by plenty of farmland. Sleeps 5, PS1,003 a week from 30 Dec (three nights PS725), 01787 211115, grove-cottages.co.uk \n Question: How much will be charged if a couple with two children stay in Victorian gatehouse for a week at Christmas? \n Options: (A) PS389. (B) PS730. (C) PS1,430. (D) PS1,600.", "neg": "Article: Welcome to this Website on the British Isles. Over the coming months it will be expanded to allow you to find information on all aspects of life in the British Isles. The British Isles is visited by millions of people each year, many returning time and again. Wales: Wales is full of fascinating places to visit and stay. The castles of Beaumaris, Conwy, Harlech and Caernarfon are officially listed as world heritage sites and provide an insight into the troubled past of this great land. The national park of Snowdonia is stunning and provides walkers and climbers with many opportunities to challenge their limits. South Wales also has interesting places to visit: Pembrokeshire is especially inviting for tourists. England: We all know about the attractions lf London but England has a lot more to offer outside of the city. The \"English Riviers\", Torquay, is blessed with good weather and is a major tourist attraction. This is a great place to stay and explore the local seaside resorts. Windsor castle is a great place to visit and the town and surrounding areas are beautiful. Warwick castle in the centre of England is world famous and holds regular evens   to show how life was like in the time it was built. Scotland: A great place to visit, Scotland still has many places that are relatively uninhabited  and are great for getting away from it all. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles and the numerous lakes provide great fishing. In parts you can still hear Gaelic spoken and we all know about the Scottish expertise in making Whisky! You can also visit the ski resorts of Aviemore in the Cairngorms. Glasgow, the capital is now recognized as a centre of culture as well as being a great shopping centre. \n Question: The highest mountain in the British Isles is in   _  . \n Options: (A) Wales (B) England (C) Scotland (D) Chester", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}417{"query": "Article: There are one billion homeless people living in our world today . The Homeless World Cup exists to end this , so we all have a home , a basic human need . The Homeless World Cup is an annual , international football tournament  , uniting teams of people who are homeless to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever . It has inspired and supported over 50 grass roots  football projects around the world working with homeless people throughout the year . The first tournament took place in Graz 2003 uniting 17 national teams . At the 5th Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen in 2004 , 48 nations , 500 players were united for a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country . 25,000 players were involved in pre-tournament training and trials around the world . The Homeless World Cup is full of players with courage , spirit and determination . Research shows that 73% of players change their lives for the better after the international tournament by coming off drugs and alcohol , moving into jobs , education , homes , training , reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for professional or semi-professional football teams . David Duke (Scotland) played in 2004 , came off alcohol , passed his coaching qualifications  . He became assistant coach for Scotland 2005 , coach in 2006 and now owns his own home . The best goal scorer in 2004 Yevgen Adamenko(Ukraine) went on to play in a professional club in Ukraine . The Homeless World Cup supporters include Nike , UN , Manchester United , Real Madrid and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand . \n Question: The purpose of the Homeless World Cup is to  _  . \n Options: (A) find a home for homeless people (B) collect money for homeless people (C) help the homeless kick bad habits (D) help the homeless start a new life", "pos": "Article: There are one billion homeless people living in our world today. The Homeless World Cup exists to end this, so we all have a home, a basic human need. The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament , uniting teams of people who are homeless to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. It has inspired and supported over 50 grass roots   football projects around the world working with homeless people throughout the year. The first tournament took place in Graz 2003 uniting 17 national teams. At the 5th Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen in 2004, 48 nations, 500 players were united for a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country. 25,000 players were involved in pre-tournament training and trials around the world. The Homeless World Cup is full of players with courage, spirit and determination. Research shows that 73% of players change their lives for the better after the international tournament by _ drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families and even going on to become players and coaches for professional or semi-professional football teams. David Duke (Scotland) played in 2004, came off alcohol, passed his coaching qualifications  . He became assistant coach for Scotland 2005, coach in 2006 and now owns his own home. The best goal scorer in 2004 Yevgen Adamenko (Ukraine) went on to play in a professional club in Ukraine. The Homeless World Cup supporters include Nike, UN, Manchester United, Real Madrid and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand. \n Question: The purpose of the Homeless World Cup is to   _  . \n Options: (A) find a home for homeless people (B) collect money for homeless people (C) help the homeless kick bad habits (D) help the homeless start a new life", "neg": "Article: In many countries the standard of living enjoyed by their people has increased rapidly in recent years. Sadly, not everyone in these countries is so fortunate and many people in rich countries are homeless. The reasons for homelessness are various, but poverty is undoubtedly one of the main causes. The homeless people may have become jobless and then been unable to pay their rent and so no longer have _ . Often, the fact that unemployed people get help from the government prevents this from happening, but not always. Some homeless people are mentally ill and have no one to look after them. Some are young people who, for one reason or another, have left home and have nowhere to live. Many of them have had a serious disagreement with their parents and have left home, choosing to go to a city and live on the streets. Sometimes they have taken such action because they have been unable to get on with a step-parent. Many homeless people get into the habit of begging to get enough money to stay alive, but many of the general public refuse to give anything to beggars. Often they are moved on by the police, being accused  ,whether rightly or wrongly, of forceful begging . There are many who disrespect homeless people. Some cynics declare that homeless people choose to live the life which they lead. But who would willingly choose to live in a shop doorway, under a bridge or in a cardboard box? \n Question: According to the text, what causes some people to be homeless? \n Options: (A) Lack of money. (B) The increased standard of living. (C) No government help. (D) Agreement with their parents.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}418{"query": "Article: We experience different forms of the Sun's energy every day. We can see its light and feel its warmth. The Sun is the major source of energy for our planet. It causes the evaporation   of water from the oceans and lakes. Sunlight also provides the energy used by green plants to make their own food. These green plants then provide food for all organisms  on the Earth. Much of the energy that comes from the Sun never reaches the Earth's surface. It is either reflected or absorbed by the gases in the upper atmosphere. Of the energy that reaches the lower atmosphere,30% is reflected by clouds or the Earth's surface. The remaining 70% warms the surface of the planet, causes water to evaporate, and provides energy for the water cycle and weather. Only a tiny part, approximately 0.023%, is actually used by green plants to produce food. Many gases found in the atmosphere actually reflect heat energy escaping from the Earth's surface back to the Earth. These gases act like the glass of a greenhouse in that they allow energy from the Sun to enter but prevent energy from leaving. They are therefore called greenhouse gases. When sunlight strikes an object, some of the energy is absorbed and some is reflected. The amount reflected depends on the surface. For example, you've probably noticed how bright snow is when sunlight falls on it. Snow reflects most of the energy from the Sun, so it contributes to the low temperatures of winter. Dark-coloured surfaces, such as dark soil or forest, absorb more energy and help warm the surrounding air. \n Question: According to the passage, the root( ) cause for weather changes on the Earth is  _  . \n Options: (A) the atmosphere surrounding the Earth (B) water from oceans and lakes (C) energy from the Sun (D) greenhouse gases in the sky", "pos": "Article: Global warming happens when greenhouse gases trap heat and light from the sun in the earth's atmosphere, which increases the temperature. This is like when heat is trapped in a car. On a hot day, the car gets hotter when it is out in the parking lot. This is because the heat and light from the sun can get into the car, by going through the windows,but it can't get back out. This is what the greenhouse effect does to the earth .The heat and light can get through the atmosphere, but it can't get out As a result,the temperature rises. Sometimes the temperature can change in a way that helps us. The greenhouse effect makes the earth appropriate for people to live on Without _ ,the earth would be freezing,or it would be burning hot. It would be freezing at night because we would not get the sun's heat and light .During the day, especially during the summer, it would be burning because the sun would be up with no atmosphere to filter it,so people,plants,and animals would be exposed to all the light and heat. Although the greenhouse effect makes the earth able to have people living on it,if there gets to be too many gases,the each can get unusually warmer, and many plants,animals.and people will die. Plants would die because they would not be able to take the heat .This would cause us to have less food to eat, and it would also limit the food that animals have. With less food for the animals that we need to survive we would even have less food. Gradually, people,plants,and animals would all die of hunger. People are doing many things to try to stop global warming .One thing is carpooling--driving with someone to a place that you are both going to. Another thing is being more careful about leaving electrical devices turned on. Now, more people are even riding buses or bikes to lower the amount of greenhouse gases in the air .Although adults do many things to help stop global warming, kids call do just as much. \n Question: What is the effect of atmosphere? \n Options: (A) IT only traps the heat of the sun. (B) It does great harm to humans. (C) It makes the earth neither to hot nor too cold. (D) It prevents all the light from the sun shining on the earth.", "neg": "Article: Everyone talks about the greenhouse effect  and how our Earth and its climate  are being affected. We can do a science experiment designed by some kids to show this effect and what is happening to the Earth. First prepare the following items: *2 glass containers  that need to be the same size and shape  *1 gallon plastic bag  *4 cups of very cold water  *Ice cubes Fill each container with two cups of cold water. Add the same amount of ice cubes to each container. Then put one of the containers in the plastic bag and close it tight. Put both containers in the sun together and keep them there for at least an hour. At the end of one hour remove  the container from the plastic bag and immediately check the temperature of the water. After you record this, find out the temperature of the water that is not covered. When you place the containers in direct sunlight, the air inside the bag becomes very warm. The heat filters   in but cannot escape so it stays in the closed plastic bag and increases the temperature. What if you leave that for two, three or four hours? Think about what is happening to the Earth. There are chemicals that are creating a type of plastic bag around the Earth. It causes our air to get warmer because of the heat from the sun being kept in this closed area. Think about your car in the hot summer. This is what happens when you leave your car outside all day. This greenhouse effect has caused your car to be so hot that you sometimes cannot even touch the steering wheel. This science project goes to show what affects our planet. \n Question: According to the text, the greenhouse effect appears mainly because of   _  . \n Options: (A) the hot sunlight (B) chemicals around the Earth (C) the plastic bag (D) human activities", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}419{"query": "Article: Many kids don't drink enough water daily, according to a new study. The study's lead author, Erica Kenney, at first planned to look into the amount of sugary drinks kids were drinking in schools. However, during her research she found that many kids were simply not drinking enough water. Kenney and her team examined data from a group of 4,000 children, aged 6 to19, between the years of 2009 and 2012. The data was taken from the National Health and Nutrition Survey,a study on the health of children in the United States conducted each year by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.. While looking through the survey results, she noticed that more than half of the kids who took part in the study were dehydrated  . Of' that group, boys were 76% more likely than girls not to have enough water in their system. Nearly one quarter of the kids in the survey reported drinking no plain water at all. \"These findings highlight  a possible health issue that wasn't given a lot of attention in the past,\" Kenney said in a statement. \"Even though for most of these kids this is not an immediate and great health threat, this is an issue that could really be reducing quality of life and well-being for many children and youth.\" The United States-National Agriculture Library says average kids need between 10 to 14 cups of water every day. This water can come from a mix of drinks and foods that contain high amounts of water, such as celery, melons or tomatoes. It is also recommended that fluids come from water instead of sugary drinks that are high in calories and can lead to weight problems. \n Question: What was Erica Kenney's purpose in doing the study? \n Options: (A) To study if kids drink enough water daily : (B) To prove that sugary drinks are harmful to kids (C) To show what kind of sugary drinks kids love. (D) To find out how many sugary drinks kids drink at school.", "pos": "Article: A new study has found evidence of aggressive   behavior in children who drink four or more servings of soft drinks every day. Information for the study came from the mothers of 3,000 5-year-olds. Researchers asked the women to keep a record of how many servings of soft drinks their children drank over a two-month period. They were also asked to complete a checklist of their children's behavior. The researchers have found that 43 percent of the children drink at least one daily serving of soda, and 4 percent of the youngsters have even four or more sodas to drink every day. Shakira Suglia, a famous expert, says they've found that children who drink the most soda are more than twice as likely as those who drink no soda to show signs of aggression. \"For the children who consume four or more soft drinks per day, we see more _ behaviors, which make them hard to get along well with others.\" The aggressive behaviors include destroying possessions belonging to others, taking part in fights and physically attacking people. The researchers have determined the link after considering factors like the child's age and sex. They have also considered other possible influence, such as whether the boys and girls are eating sweets or giving fruit drinks on a normal day. In addition, the researchers have examined parenting styles and other social conditions that may be taking place in the home. Researches are trying to find why young children who drink a lot of soda have behavior problems. An ingredient often found in soft drinks is caffeine, which helps to make people feel energetic. Doctor Suglia suggests that caffeine could cause the 5-year-olds to be more aggressive. Earlier studies of adults have found the highest sugar levels in those who carry weapons   and show signs of negative social behavior. \n Question: What section of a newspaper is the passage probably taken from? \n Options: (A) Scientific Technology (B) Science Fictions (C) Social News (D) Health Report", "neg": "Article: Schools have been blamed for giving kids access to soda in vending machines  . But new data suggest that school soft drink sales may not be an important factor in how much soda kids drink. In the current issue of The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers compared soda consumption among nearly 500 students inprefix = st1 /Mainewho attended seven schools over two school years. Four of the schools cut back on soft drink availability at the schools, while three of the schools made no changes. All the students were drinking less soda by the end of the study period, but there were no meaningful differences in overall soft drink consumption among the different schools. The data suggest that limiting soft drink availability at school doesn't result in meaningful changes in drink consumption patterns. While there were no changes in overall soda consumption, there was a notable shift in diet soda drinking among girls. If the school cut back on soda availability, girls were less likely to drink diet soda, compared to girls in schools that made no changes. The data are the latest to suggest that schools may not play as big of a role in kids' poor eating habits as widely believed. Last year, The American Journal of Public Healthpublished a provocative   study showing that childhood weight problems often get worse in the summer, when kids are out of school. Data from kindergarteners and first graders found that body mass index   increased two to three times as fast in summer as during the regular school year. Minority children were especially at risk, as were children who were already overweight. Even children who were too thin and needed to gain weight appeared to have better eating habits during the school year. They actually gained more weight while in school and less in the summer. Even so, much of the focus on childhood nutrition and obesity   remains in the nation's schools. Today, The Timesreported that even the school bake sale is disappearing as districts impose strict standards on the food served on school grounds. \n Question: What can be learned from The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior? \n Options: (A) Soft drink remains a problem in schools. (B) Girls tend to consume less soda at school. (C) Soft drinks may not to be blame for eating problems. (D) Vending machines are not available in all schools.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}420{"query": "Article: When your pet has an emergency, first aid is not a _ for veterinary  treatment. However, before you are able to get your pet to a veterinarian , knowing some basic first aid can help. Bite Wounds Approach the pet carefully to avoid getting bitten. Wear a mask for the animal and then check the wound. Clean the wound with large amounts of saline . If these are not available, then regular water may be used. Wrap large open wounds to keep them clean. Bleeding Apply firm, direct pressure over the bleeding area until the bleeding stops. Hold the pressure for at least 10 minutes. Avoid bandages that cut off circulation.  _  Check to see if the animal is choking  on a foreign object. If an animal is not breathing, place it on a firm surface with its left side up. Check for a heartbeat. If you hear a heartbeat but not breathing, close the animal's mouth and breathe directly into its nose--not the mouth--until the chest expands. Repeat 12 to 15 times per minute. Burns Wash the burn immediately with large amounts of cool, running water. Apply an ice pack for 15--20 minutes. Do not place an ice pack directly on the skin. Wrap the pack in a light towel or other cover. If the animal has large quantities of dry chemicals on it skin, brush them off. Water may activate some dry chemicals. Fractures   Symptoms include pain, inability to use a limb  . Wear a mask for the pet and look for bleeding. If you can control bleeding without causing more injury, then do so. Watch for signs of shock. Don't try to set the fractures by pulling the limb. Transport the pet to the veterinarian immediately, supporting the injured part as best as you can. \n Question: What's the suitable subtitle for the blank ? \n Options: (A) Cutting (B) Breathing Stops (C) Poisoning (D) Suffering Heart Problems", "pos": "Article: A dog who chewed off his owner's infected toe while he was passed-out drunk has been called a lifesaver. Jerry Douthett had been out drinking when his dog Kiko bit off a large part if his big toe. His wife, Rosee, rushed him to hospital where tests showed the 48-year-old musician had dangerous high blood-sugar levels. Doctors told him his toe would have had to be cut off anyway. Mr Douthett said he had refused to get medical advice despite his toe being swollen for months. \"I was hiding it from people, Rosee included,\" he said. \"It smelled , and I look back now and realize every time we'd visit someone with a dog, their dog would smell all over my foot.\" The night before Mr Douthett had agreed to see a doctor, he passed out at home after going out drinking. He said, \"I woke up and the dog was lying along side by foot. I said, 'Ah, there's blood everywhere.' I ran to the bathroom and started to scream.\" However, he believes Kiko could sense the disease coming from his big toe. \"He's a hero,\" Mr Douthett said. \"It wasn't an aggressive attack. He just ate the infection. He saved my life. He ate it. I mean, he must have eaten it, because we couldn't find it anywhere else in the house. I look down. There's blood all over, and my toe is gone.\" Before the operation, Mr Douthett asked a nurse, \"Is there any chance I can get whatever's left of my toe, so I can give it to Kiko as a treat?\" Kiko is still with the family but is under observation by authorities. \n Question: .Mr Douthett didn't want to get medical treatment because   _   . \n Options: (A) he didn't know about his disease at all (B) he was unwilling to let others know about his disease (C) doctors had no good ways to treat his bad toe (D) his wife advised him not to do that", "neg": "Article: First aid is emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more skillful medical treatment is available. It may save a life or improve certain vital signs including pulse, temperature, a clear airway, and breathing. In minor emergencies, first aid may prevent a victim's condition from turning worse and provide relief from pain. First aid must be done as quickly as possible. In the case of the seriously injured, a few minutes can make the difference between complete recovery and loss of life. First-aid measures depend upon a victim's needs and the provider's level of knowledge and skill. Knowing what not to do in an emergency is as important as knowing what to do. Improperly moving a person with a neck injury, for example, can lead to permanent spinal injury and paralysis . Despite the variety of injuries possible, several principles of first aid apply to all emergencies. The first step is to call for professional medical help. The victim, if conscious, should be reassured that medical aid has been requested, and asked for permission to provide any first aid. Next, assess the scene, asking other people or the injured person's family or friends about details of the injury or illness, any care that may have already been given, and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or heart trouble. The victim should be checked for a medical card that describes special medical conditions. Unless the accident scene becomes unsafe or the victim may suffer further injury, do not move the victim. First aid requires rapid assessment of victims to determine whether life-threatening conditions exist. One method for evaluating a victim's condition is known by the acronym ABC, which stands for: A---Airway: is it open and clear? B---Breathing: is the person breathing? Look, listen, and feel for breathing. C---Circulation: is there a pulse? Is the person bleeding extremely? Check skin color and temperature for additional indications of circulation problems. \n Question: First aid may bring about all the following results EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) saving a victim's life (B) preventing a victim's condition from getting worse. (C) relieving a victim from pain (D) helping a person avoid sudden illness or injury", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}421{"query": "Article: A recent study, published in last week's Journal of the American Medical Association, offers a picture of how risky  it is to get a lift from a teenage driver. Indeed, a 16-year-old driver with three or more passengers is three times as likely to have a deadly accident as a teenager driving alone, while the risk of death for drivers between 30 and 59 decreases with each additional passenger. The authors also found that the death rates for teenage drivers increased sharply after 10 p.m., and especially after midnight. With passengers in the car, the driver was even more likely to die in a late-night accident. Robert Foss, a scientist at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, says the higher death rates for teenage drivers have less to do with \"really stupid behavior\" than with just a lack of driving experience. \"The basic issue,\" he says, \"is that adults who are responsible for issuing licenses fail to recognize how complex and skilled a task driving is.\" Both he and the author of the study believe that the way to mitigate (......)the problem is to have states set up so-called graduated licensing systems, in which getting a license is a multistage process. A graduated license requires that a teenager first prove himself capable of driving in the presence of an adult, followed by a period of driving with night or passenger limits, before graduating to full driving licenses. Graduated licensing systems have reduced teenage driver crashes, according to recent studies. About half of the states now have some sort of graduated licensing system in place, but only 10 of those states have limits on passengers. California is the strictest, with a new driver under 20 forbidden to carry any passenger (without the presence of an adult over 25) for the first six months. \n Question: Which of the following situations can we infer is most dangerous according to the passage? \n Options: (A) A teenager driving after midnight with passengers in the car. (B) Adults giving a lift to teenagers on the highway after 10 p.m. (C) Adults driving with three or more teenage passengers late at night. (D) A teenager getting a lift from a stranger on the highway at midnight.", "pos": "Article: When I was growing up, 16 was always a magical age, a symbol of maturity, responsibility and of course more independence and freedom.  I sat through the hours of Driver's Ed classes eager to get out on the road. I couldn't wait to get my driver's license. But it's a different story for today's teens. In January, the U.S. Department Transportation released 2012 data that showed only 30.7 percent of U.S. teens got their license at age 16, Twenty years before, that number was almost 45 percent. There are numbers of reasons for the fall - off. The growing responsibilities like paying for insurance and high gas prices discourage teens from getting behind the wheel. Plus, many teens today are so busy with homework, endless hours of activities and part-time jobs, that finding the time for Driver's Ed classes may be more difficult that ever. In addition, many states have raised the driving age, or restricted when teens can drive and who they can have in the car. Parents may also be making their own personal restrictions until they feel their teens are responsible enough to drive safely. Driving is part of the American culture, but it's not the central focus like it was 25 years ago. They have so many other things to do now. One of the more interesting factors delaying teens driving might be the change of their social life. Today, teens need to look no further than Face book or other social networking sites to connect with their friends. There is simply less need, maybe less desire, to be able to grab the keys and go. Michelle Wei got her license as a senior in high school because her digital social life made it easy no to drive. \"If I couldn't get a ride to see my friend who lives a town over,\" the 19-year-old said, \"I could talk on IM or Skype.\" Research has shown that these online relationships can lead to higher quality friendships, so it isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, it's important to find a balance. If old face-to-face friendships are good, why not drive to find them? \n Question: What does the passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) Desire to drive on the road declines among American teens. (B) Getting a license costs much more than ever before. (C) Social networking sites are changing the life of American teens. (D) American teens are becoming more responsible than ever.", "neg": "Article: Drunken driving--sometimes called America's socially accepted form of murder--has become a national epidemic . Every hour of every day about three Americans on average are killed by drunken drivers, adding up to an incredible 250,000 over the past ten years. A drunken driver is usually defined as one with a 0.10 blood alcohol content or roughly three beers, glasses of wine or several glasses of whisky drunk within two hours. Heavy drinking used to be an acceptable part of the American manly image and judges were serious in most courts, but the drunken slaughter  has recently caused so many well-publicized tragedies, especially involving young children, that public opinion is no longer so tolerant. Twenty states have raised the legal drinking age to 21, reversing  a trend in the 1960s to reduce it to 18. After New Jersey lowered it to 18, the number of people killed by 18-20-year-old drivers more than doubled, so the state recently upped it back to 21. Reformers, however, fear raising the drinking age will have little effect unless accompanied by educational programs to help young people to develop \"responsible attitudes\" about drinking and teach them to resist peer pressure to drink. Though new laws have led to increased arrests and tests and, in many areas already, to a marked decline in accidents, some states are also punishing bars for serving customers too many drinks. A bar in Massachusetts was fined for serving six or more double brandies to a customer who \"obviously drunk\" and later drove off the road, killing a nine-year-old boy. As the accidents continue to occur daily in every state, some Americans are even beginning to speak well of the 13 years of national prohibition  of alcohol that began in 1919, what President Hoover called the \"noble experiment\". They forgot that legal prohibition didn't stop drinking, but encouraged political corruption and organized crime. As with the booming drug trade generally, there is no easy solution. \n Question: In America, public opinion about drunken driving has changed because   _  . \n Options: (A) judges are no longer serious (B) new laws are introduced in some states (C) the problem has attracted public attention (D) drivers do not appreciate their manly image", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}422{"query": "Article: Among professional basketball players,Jeremy Lin's background is not typical.He graduated from Harvard University,which sends few players to the NBA,and he is the only ChineseAmerican NBA player.But when you watch him on the court,there is no doubt that he belongs there.He moves with speed and grace  that show years of faithful practice,which is fueled by a love for basketball. The Family Effect Lin's enjoyment of basketball actually began in Taiwan,where his father started watching it.Lin's father moved to U.S.,and his interest in the sport only grew.He passed on this love of basketball to his son,introducing him to the game at the age of five.The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun.After each game,his parents would discuss not only his score but also his conduct toward other players.This taught Lin that character was more important than playing well,a lesson he still remembers. Rise of a Star In high school,Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA but did not really expect to do so.When he applied for college,he was not offered a single sports scholarship.However,after his admission to Harvard,he was offered a place on its college basketball team.During Lin's time at Harvard,his basketball career began to take off.He scored 1,482 points,making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history.Eventually,the recognition he received led him to suspect that his NBA dream could come true. When he first graduated,no professional teams offered Lin a contract ,but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League.He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors. Life in the NBA His journey in NBA did not go very well at first.He spent most of his time on the bench during the past two seasons.He constantly compared himself to other players and gave himself no time to rest up.For the first time in his life,he no longer enjoyed playing basketball.After a few very difficult months,he realized that much of his anxiety and stress came from selfcentered desires like wanting to be famous.So he transformed his attitude.He never stopped practicing and never gave up any slim chance. Now he has become the NBA's latest phenomenon after leading the New York Knicks to seven straight wins.He _ and thinks that the credit for the winning goes to everyone in his team.Knicks fans developed nicknames for him,such as \"Linsanity\",\"Lincredible\",and \"Linderella\".The Associated Press called Lin \"the most surprising story in the NBA\". \n Question: What can we learn from Jeremy Lin? \n Options: (A) Hard work brings success. (B) We must have a father like Jeremy's. (C) A good university can help us realize our dreams. (D) Team honour is more important than our own success.", "pos": "Article: NBA commissioner David Stern was in Orlando on Thursday night, getting ready for Sunday's All-Star Game. Of course, all he could talk about was the only player anyone wants to talk about these days: New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin. Hours before Lin took the court against the Heat, a few hundred miles South down I-95 in Miami, Stern told reporters that Lin's instant popularity hasn't ever been matched in sports history, not even by Sunday's biggest names, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant. The Associated Press had the details. \"I haven't done a calculation, but it's fair to say that no player has created the interest and the craze in this short period of time, in any sport, that I'm aware of like Jeremy Lin has,\" Stern said Thursday. Lin, an undrafted guard from Harvard, has become the NBA's biggest story since coming off the Knicks' bench earlier this month to lead them to nine wins in 11 games heading into their matchup with Miami on Thursday night. With Lin's popularity in Asia as the league's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, and with the religious community because of his strong Christian faith, Stern says he's \"never quite seen anything like\" the attention on Lin. \"It's fascinating,\" Stern said after the All-Star Jam Session opening ceremonies. The top five videos on NBA.com since Feb. 4, when Lin joined the circulation, are all Lin or Knicks related. Lin went from 190,000 followers on Sina, China's version of Twitter, on Feb. 2 to more than 1 million as of Feb. 16. Indeed, Lin's popularity is so _ that the NBA made a late list switch to ensure his participation in the Rising Stars Challenge on All-Star Saturday, a game that includes the NBA's best rookies and sophomores. Lin is in such high demand that all of the game's other participants will meet with the media following a team practice on Friday while Lin will have his own, separate press conference later in the night. This is Jeremy's world, folks. We're all just living in it. Even David Stern and the rest of the league's All-Stars, at least for the moment. \n Question: The following statements about Jeremy Lin's instant popularity are true EXCEPT that   _  . \n Options: (A) Jeremy Lin led New York Knicks to win all the recent games this month (B) David Stern said Lin was the only instant popular player in NBA's history (C) Lin has become the NBA's greatest story though he was an undrafted guard (D) no player has created the interest and the enthusiasm in such a short period of time", "neg": "Article: February4, 2012 saw the take-off of a new rising NBA star- Jeremy Lin. Among professional basketball players, Jeremy Lin's background is not typical. He graduated from Harvard University, which sends few players to the NBA, and he is the only Chinese-American NBA player. But when you watch him on the court, there is no doubt that he belongs there. He moves with speed and grace that demonstrate years of faithful practice, which is fueled by a love for basketball. Lin's enjoyment to basketball actually began in Taiwan. When Lin's father moved to U.S., his interest in the sport only grew and he passed on this love of basketball to his son, introducing him to the game at the age of five. The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun. In high school, Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA. When he applied for college, he was not offered a single sports scholarship. However, after his admission to Harvard ,he was offered a place on its college basketball team. During Lin's time at Harvard, his basketball career began to speed up. He scored 1,482 points, making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history. When he graduated, no professional teams offered Lin a contract, but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League. He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors. At first, playing in professional games filled Lin with excitement. He treasured opportunities to meet players he had been watching on TV for years. But slowly, the excitement wore off and was replaced by anxiety. In a few very difficult months, he was cut by two teams before the New York Knicks picked him up. But he had the courage and determination to stick to his dream, so he put himself into hard training to get ready for his opportunity to come, Then his moment arrived on February4, 2012,on which his excellent performance made him famous overnight. After that, he led the Knicks to their fifth straight victory. The Associated Press called Lin\"the most surprising story in the NBA.\"Knicks fans developed the nickname for him\"linsanity\" .Time magazine released its 2012 list of the 100\"Most Influential People in the World\",Jermy Lin included. \n Question: What might be the author's purpose in writing the text? \n Options: (A) To make readers interested in great basketball players. (B) To give a brief introduction to Lin's road to an outstanding basketball player. (C) To list Lin's wonderful performances in NBA team. (D) To praise Jeremy Lin for his skills and determination.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}423{"query": "Article: Vancouver. B.C.--For six months. Ted Schredd and Deanna Kopel cycled around North America to show others a way to help the environment. \"Nobody wants to breathe dirty air--but for the air to change. People have to stop driving cars,\" says Ted, \"If more people start riding bikes, the air will be cleaner.\" Ted started his trip alone. He had $160 in his pocket and plans to cycle around North America. He left his hometown of Vancouver, and when he arrived in San Diego he got the chance to make some extra money for the rest of his 13, 000 km trip. A cyclist he met asked him to speak at an environment meeting in Texas. Within a few hours, Ted was on a plane to the meeting and a big surprise. When he met Deanna at the meeting, they talked for six hours straight. It was love at first sight. The next day, he called her to ask if she wanted to finish the trip with him. She said yes, sold everything in her flat, gave her notice at work, and was on the road with Ted three weeks later. Deanna found Ted's timetable difficult because he got up early in the morning. Deanna was a nurse and usually worked at night. \"All of a sudden, I was up at six when I wanted to sleep until noon,\" said Deanna. As the couple cycled to Florida and up to Montreal and then back to Vancouver, every day was an adventure. They got free meals in restaurants, and slept in people's yards. When they ran out of money, people gave them extra cash. Sometimes people gave away $50 or $100. And like all good stories this one has a happy ending. On the way back to Vancouver, they stopped in Edmonton to visit Ted's relatives. During the visit, they got married. People tied ten cans and a \"Just Married\" sign to the back of their bikes. They now want to write a book about their trip. \"We want people to know that you can protect our earth and still have fun,\" Schredd said. \n Question: What did Ted Schredd believe to be a way to protect the environment? \n Options: (A) Driving less. (B) Breathing clean air. (C) Saving waste tin cans. (D) Staying healthy by cycling.", "pos": "Article: Going green seems to be a fad  for a lot of people these days.Whether that is good or bad,we can't really say, but for the two of us, going green is not a fad but a life style. On April 22,2011,we decided to be green every single day for an entire year. This meant doing 365 different things, and it also meant challenging ourselves to go green beyond the easy things. Rather than recycle and reduce our energy, we had to think of 365 diffenent things to do and this was no easy task. With the idea of going green every single day a year,Our Greean Year started. My wife and I decided to educate people about how they could go green in their lives and hoped we could show people all green things that could be done to help the environment. We wanted to push the message that every little bit helps. Over the course of Our Green Year, we completely changed our lifestyles. We now shop at organic  stores. We consume less meat,choosing green food. We have greatly reduced our buying we don't need. We have given away half of what we owned through websites.Our home is kept clean by vinegar and lemon juice, with no chemical cleaners. We make our own butter, enjoying the smell of home-made fresh bread. In our home office anyone caught doing something ungreen might be punished. Our minds have been changed by Our Green Year. We are grateful for the chance to have been able to go green and educate others. We believe that we do have the power to change things and help our planets. \n Question: What might be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Going green (B) Protecting the planet (C) Keeping Open-Minded (D) Celebrating Our Green Year", "neg": "Article: In a great many cities, hundreds of people ride bicycles to work every day. In New York City, some bike riders have even formed a group called Bike for a Better City. They declare that if more people rode bicycles to work, there would be fewer automobiles in the downtown part of the city and so less dirty air from car engines. For several years this group has been trying to get the city government to help bicycle riders. For example. They want the city to draw special lanes for bicycles only on some of the main streets, because when bicycle riders must use the same lanes as cars, there are accidents. Bike for a Better City feels that if there were special lanes, more people would use bikes. But no bicycle lanes have been drawn. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea-they say it will slow the traffic. Some store owners on the main streets don't like the idea-they say that if there is less traffic, they will have less business. The city government has not yet decided what to do. It wants to keep everyone happy. On weekends, Central Park-the largest place of open ground in New York-is closed to cars, and the roads may be used by bicycles only. But Bike for a Better City says that this is not enough and keeps fighting to get bicycle lanes downtown. \n Question: In New York, a group of bike riders   _  . \n Options: (A) are keeping practicing for health (B) have no cars of their own (C) are complaining there are not enough buses (D) are trying to settle the problem of air pollution", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}424{"query": "Article: The round-the-clock availability that cell phones have brought to people's lives may be _ amily life, a new study suggests. The study, which followed more than 1300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone through out the study period were more likely to report negative \"spillover\" between work and home life--and, in turn, less satisfaction with their family life. Spillover(,) actually means that the line between work and home began to become unclear. Work life may invade home life--when a parent is taking job-related calls at home, for instance--or family issues may start to take up work time. For example, a child may call Mom at work, telling her \"the microwave exploded\", explained Noelle Chesley, an assistant professor of society at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and the author of the study. The problem with cell phones seems to be they are allowing for ever more spillover between work and home. This may be especially true for working women, the study found. Among men, consistent use of mobile phones seemed not to allow more work issues to creep  into family time. But for women,  the spillover tended to go in both directions--being \"connected\" means that work cuts into home time, and family issues come into work life. Cell phones seem to be opening more lines for stressful exchange among family members. But there may be ways to control the spillover, according to Chesley. Employers, she said, should look at their policies on contacting employees after working hours to make sure their expectations are \"reasonable\". For their part, employees can decide that cell phones go off during family time,  Chesley said. \n Question: What is the main idea of this passage? \n Options: (A) Cell phones offer 24-hour availability. (B) Cell phones get life and work mixed. (C) Women don't use cell phones in an effective way. (D) Men are better at dealing with family problems.", "pos": "Article: A study made by University of Sussex found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain . The researchers said : \" Simultaneously , using mobile phones , laptops and other media devices could change the structure of our brains . \" Worryingly , the part of the brain that shrinks is involved in processing emotion . The finding has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span , depression , anxiety and lower grades at school . The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology . This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email , or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the web . The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulated cortex ( ACC ) . The findings held even when differences in personality were taken into account . The study , published in the journal PLOS ONE , is the first to make a link between multi-tasking and the structure of the brain . Researcher KepKeeLoh said : \" Media multi-tasking is become more popular in our lives today and there is growing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being . \" He added that more researches are needed to prove that multi-tasking shrinks the brain . This is because it is also possible that people with less grey matter in the ACC are more likely to use lots of devices simultaneously . Scientists have previously described brain structure can be altered on prolonged exposure to new environments and experience . Other studies have shown that training - such as learning magic or taxi drivers learning the map of London - can increase grey matter densities in certain parts . \n Question: What can we learn about grey matter from the passage ? \n Options: (A) Watching the TV for a long time can reduce grey matter . (B) The decrease of grey matter in the ACC affects emotion . (C) People with less grey matter prefer to use media devices . (D) Taxi drivers in London have more grey matter than others .", "neg": "Article: A new study suggests that the roundtheclock availability that cell phones have brought to people's lives may _ family life. The study,which followed more than 1,300 adults over 2 years, found that those who consistently used a mobile phone throughout the study period were more likely to report negative \"spillover\" between work and home life--and,in turn,less satisfaction with their family life. Spillover essentially means that the line between work and home begins to become unclear. Work life may invade home life when a parent is taking jobrelated calls at home,for instance--or family issues may start to take up work time. For example,a child may call mum at work,telling her \"microwave exploded\",explained Noelle Chesley,an assistant professor of sociology at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and the author of the study. The problem with cell phones seems to be that they are allowing for even more spillover between work and home. This may be especially true for working women,the study found. Among men,consistent use of mobile phones seemed to allow more work issues to creep  into family time. But for women,the spillover tended to go in both directions. Being \"connected\" meant that work cut into home time,and family issues came into work life. Cell phones seem to be opening more lines for stressful exchanges among family members. But there may be ways to control the spillover,according to Chesley. Employers, she said,could look at their policies on contacting employees after hours to make sure their expectations are \"reasonable\".For their part,employees could decide that cell phones go off during family time, Chesley said. \n Question: According to Chesley,what is the best solution to the problem caused by cell phones? \n Options: (A) Separate work hours from family time. (B) Refuse to use cell phones. (C) Ignore coming calls during family time. (D) Encourage women to stay at home.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}425{"query": "Article: It was 9:00 am already! Richard had to leave for work! Before leaving he hurriedly looked at the newspaper and stood still! Is he seeing it right? He rubbed his eyes and saw again... Yes, it was his name in the obituary ! He threw the paper in the bin and screamed. Richard started to recollect. He remembered that last night when he went to bed he had a chest pain and he was rushed to hospital. Then he went into a sound sleep. But what happened after that? He could suddenly see his living room filled with people... all in tears; his mom, his wife and his children. He also saw his best friend, the one he had a serious misunderstanding a few days back. He wanted to say \"Sorry\" to him... but now no one could hear his voice. He wondered how he could tell his mom that he felt so thankful to have her in his life! He wanted to tell his children how much he loved them. He wanted to tell his wife how much he loved her; he felt sorry to have hurt her sometimes. Richard started crying and pleading to God for one LAST chance! \"God, one last chance, please\", shouted Richard and opened his eyes. Oh, this was a dream! He woke up; looked around everywhere. He was on his bed; his wife lay beside him, deep in sleep. Richard whispered in her ears, \"You are the best thing to have ever happened to me!\" He went up to the window, looking outside. Yes, everything was just the way he has been knowing so long. He decided to meet up his friends and clear all misunderstandings; he also decided to tell everyone who mattered to him all that has remained unsaid so far! \n Question: When Richard saw his name in the newspaper, he felt   _  . \n Options: (A) sad (B) shocked (C) regretful (D) worried", "pos": "Article: A few minutes later she got up and went to the phone. She knew the number of the police station, and when the man at the other end answered, she cried to him. \"Quick! Come quick! Patrick's dead!\" \"Who's speaking?\" \"Mrs Maloney. Mrs Patrick Maloney.\" \"You mean Patrick Maloney's dead?\" \"I think so,\" she sobbed. \"He's lying on the floor and I think he's dead.\" \"Be right over,\" the man said. The car came very quickly, and when she opened the front door, two policemen walked in. She knew them both--she knew nearly all the men at that precinct. Briefly, she told her story about going out to the grocer and coming back to find him on the floor. While she was talking, crying and talking, Noonan discovered a small patch of congealed blood on the dead man's head. He showed it to O'Malley who got up at once and hurried to the phone. Later, one of the detectives came up and sat beside her. Did she know, he asked, of anything in the house that could've been used as the weapon? Would she mind having a look around to see if anything was missing--a very big spanner, for example, or a heavy metal vase. They didn't have any heavy metal vases, she said. \"Or a big spanner  ?\" She didn't think they had a big spanner. But there might be some things like that in the garage. The search went on. She knew that there were other policemen in the garden all around the house. She could hear their footsteps on the gravel outside, and sometimes she saw the flash of a torchlight through a chink in the curtains. Then one by one they came in and were persuaded to take a little nip of whisky. They stood around rather awkwardly with the drinks in their hands, uncomfortable in her presence, trying to say consoling things to her. Sergeant Noonan wandered into the kitchen, came out quickly and said. \"Look, Mrs Maloney. You know that oven of yours is still on, and the meat still inside...I better turn it off for you, hadn't I?\" \"Will you do that, Jack. Thank you so much.\" When the sergeant returned the second time, she looked at him with her large, dark, tearful eyes. \"Would you do me a small favour--you and these others?\" She said. \"We can try, Mrs Maloney.\" \"Well,\" she said. \"You must be terribly hungry by now because it's long past your supper time. Why don't you eat up that lamb that's in the oven? It'll be cooked just right by now.\" \"Wouldn't dream of it,\" Sergeant Noonan said. \"Please,\" she begged. \"Please eat it.\" The four policemen _ , but they were clearly hungry, and in the end they were persuaded to go into the kitchen and help themselves. The woman stayed where she was, listening to them through the open door, and she could hear them speaking among themselves, their voices thick and sloppy because their mouths were full of meat. \"The guy must've used a big thing to hit Patrick,\" one of them was saying. \"The doctor says his skull was smashed all to pieces.\" \"That's why it ought to be easy to find.\" \"Exactly what I say.\" \"The murderer's not going to carrying a thing like that around with him longer than he needs.\" One of them belched. \"Personally, I think it's right here on the premises.\" \"Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?\" And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle. \n Question: Which of the following is incorrect according to the passage? \n Options: (A) The policemen searched around the house until night. (B) The policemen were dealing with the murder of Mary's brother. (C) The Maloney's didn't have a big spanner. (D) Patrick died because of a critical damage to his head.", "neg": "Article: I was brought up in the British, _ . Strong feelings aren't something you display in public. So, you can imagine that I was unprepared for the outpouring of public grief  at a Chinese funeral. My editorial team leader died recently after a short illness. He was 31. The news was so unexpected that it left us all shocked and upset. A female colleague burst into tears and cried piteously at her desk. Somehow we got through the day's work. The next day was the funeral. Our big boss stepped forward to deliver a eulogy and was soon in tears. She carried on, in Chinese of course, but at the end said in English: \"There will be no more deadlines for you in heaven.\" Next came a long-term colleague who also dissolved in tears but carried on with her speech despite being almost overcome by emotion. Then a close friend of the dead man paid tribute , weeping openly as he spoke. Sorrow is spreading. Me and women were now sobbing uncontrollably. Finally, the man's mother, supported between two women, addressed her son in his coffin. At one point, the mother almost collapsed and had to be held up. We were invited to step forward to each lay a white rose on the casket. Our dead colleague looked as if he was taking a nap. At the end of the service I walked away from the funeral parlor stunned at the outpouring of emotion. In the UK, families grieve privately and then try to hold it together and not break down at a funeral. Here in China it would seem that grieving is a public affair. It strikes me that it is more cathartic to cry your eyes out than try to keep it bottled up for fear of embarrassment, which is what many of us do in the West. Afterwards, a Chinese colleague told me that the lamenting at the funeral had been restrained  by Chinese standards. In some rural areas, she said, people used to be paid to mourn noisily. This struck me like something out of novel by Charles Dickens. But we have all seen on TV scenes of grief-stricken people in Gaza and the West Bank, in Afghanistan, Iraq and the relatives of victims of terrorist bombings around the world. Chinese grief is no different. I realized that it's the reserved British way of mourning that is out of step with the rest of the world. It was our newspaper's production day. We were bussed back to the office to resume work. No more deadlines for our former colleague, but we had to pull together to put the newspaper to print. The boss invited the team to go out for dinner after work. We relaxed, smiled, joked. There was no mention of the funeral or our poor colleague. Enough sorrow had been shed already. We needed a break. \n Question: At the funeral,  _  . \n Options: (A) five individuals made speeches (B) the boss's speech was best thought of (C) everyone was crying out loudly (D) the writer was astonished by the scene", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}426{"query": "Article: . Passage 1 Every morning, when we wake up, we have 24 brand-new hours to live. What a gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these 24 hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and to others. Peace is right here and now, in ourselves and in everything we do and see. The question is whether or not we are in touch with it. We don't have to travel far away to enjoy the blue sky. We don't have to leave our city or even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child. Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy. We can smile, breathe, walk, and eat our meals in a way that allows us to be in touch with the abundance of happiness that is available. We are very good at preparing how to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get . But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive. Every breath we take, every step we make, can be filled with joy, peace, and serenity. We need only to be awake, alive in the present moment. Passage 2 The of both is that we were but to open ourselves to the richness of the moment, to concentrate on , we would be filled with bliss. I have lived in the present from time to time and can tell you that it is much overrated. Occasionally, as a holiday from stroking one's memories or brooding   about future worries, I grant you, it can be a nice change of pace. But to \"be here now,\" hour after hour, would never work. I don't even approve of stories written in the present tense. Ads for poets who never use a past participate, they deserve the eternity they are striving for. Besides, the has a way of intruding whether you like it or not. Why should I go out of my way to meet it? Let it splash on me from time to time, like a car going through a puddle, and I, on the sidewalk of my solitude  , will salute it grimly like any other modern inconvenience. If I attend a concert, obviously not to listen to the music but to find in which to meditate on the past and future. I realize that there may be moments when the music invades my ears and I am forced to pay attention to it, note for note. I believe I take such intrusions gracefully. The present is not always , so long as it doesn't stay too long and cut into my remembering or brooding time. \n Question: The author of Passage 1 would most likely view the author of Passage 2 as    _   . \n Options: (A) failing to respect the feelings of other people (B) squandering   a precious opportunity on a daily basis (C) advocating an action without considering the consequences (D) attaching too much importance to the views of others", "pos": "Article: Every day is a gift, and if you look forward to spending each day with happiness, wake up every morning with a positive attitude and enjoy a beautiful day! Set up a daily plan for yourself and ensure that you reserve enough time for your homework. Also, don't forget to spare some time for play! Stop being lazy and start participating in your life instead of just watching it pass by. Try to do something fun and constructive every day. _ , write something interesting in your diary, try a new hobby, spend time with your friends, or just watch your favorite show on television, and you will see how every moment of your day unfolds. You'll achieve better results, and ultimately greater success. However, every day will not be the way you want it to be. Some days will be good, while some will be bad. You won't be always happy and smiling. You may come across many challenges. Don't forget to remind yourself to slow down and take care of yourself. In today's busy lifestyle, it is necessary to relax to bring balance and joy back into your life. So, take charge of your life. Enjoy and appreciate the small things around you. Do a good deed and make others happy. Sometimes, doing something as simple as having a cup of tea with an old friend or a family member, listening to a cheerful song, or just writing down all the things that make you happy could indeed turn your day around! Review and analyze your day before you retire at night. Reward yourself for completing the set goals and prepare the stage for the next day. This will impact your sleep and overall happiness levels. Plan for the next day, take a good rest, and wake up fresh the next morning! If you will you are doing the same things every day, step out of your comfort zone and set aside some time to do things you have never done before. Stretch your limits. Not only will it make a boring day exciting but it will also build your confidence. \n Question: Who are the intended readers of the passage? \n Options: (A) Teachers (B) Students (C) Workers (D) People in general", "neg": "Article: To a large degree, the measure of our peace of mind is determined by how much we are able to live in the present moment. Regardless of what happened yesterday or last year, and what may or may not happen tomorrow, the present moment is where you are -- always! We allow past problems and future concerns to control our present moments, so much that we end up anxious, frustrated, depressed, and hopeless. We often convince ourselves future will be better than today. John Lennon once said, \"Life is what's happening while we're busy making other plans. \"When we're busy making other plans\", our children are busy growing up, the people we love are moving away and dying, our bodies are getting out of shape, and our dreams are slipping away. In short, we miss out on life. Many people live as if life were a dress rehearsal for some later date. It isn't. In fact, no one has a guarantee that he or she will be here tomorrow. Now is the only time we have, and the only time that we have any control over. When our attention is in the present moment, we push fear from our minds. Fear is the concern over events that might happen in the future--we won't have enough money, our children will get into trouble, we will get old and die, whatever.  To struggle against fear, the best strategy is to learn to bring your attention back to the present. Mark Twain said, \"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.\" I don't think I can say it any better. Practice keeping your attention on the here and now and your efforts will pay off. \n Question: The purpose of this passage is to tell readers   _  . \n Options: (A) people who are busy making plans are living actively (B) how to help others overcome fear (C) we ought to learn to live in the present moment (D) someone who only enjoys the present time usually wastes his time blindly", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}427{"query": "Article: Have you ever stood side by side with an elephant and touched its ear or its long nose? A marvelous opportunity is offered here for you to experience working with these giant animals. The daily highlight is the walk from the elephant orphanage down to the river to bathe the elephants. Imaging what an amazing fun it is to watch an entire herd splashing  around and rolling in the river just feet in front of you! This opportunity is available through a programme designed for visitors and volunteers to work in the world-famous government-run elephant orphanage in Pinnawela, Sri Lanka. The orphanage is regarded as one of the largest centers of its kind in the world, with one of the most successful captive breeding  programmes for Asian elephants. Pinnawela Orphanage is situated in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sir Lanka Wildlife Department. The orphanage's 24 acres  are a home for the many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. In most of these cases the mothers had either died or been killed. Baby elephants cared for by the orphanage are released into the wild when they reach a certain age. The volunteers' working hours are quite short so there is plenty of time to sightsee and explore. The volunteer work consists mainly of the day-to-day aspects of running the orphanage, rather than more specialized research-based work. The volunteers' main duties are cleaning the elephant homes in the morning (hard, muddy work!) and bathing some of the smaller elephants. Some elephants are overly large or have not been tamed or trained to a satisfactory level. However there are still enough opportunities to have full hands-on contact safely. While the mahouts are bathing the larger elephants, you will have a chance to relax by the river, chat with the mahouts and watch the elephants play and interact with humans and each other. It is an  ly beautiful sight. Being around these serene animals in such a beautiful setting can have a very calming effect! If you are interested in such an experience, contact us for more information. \n Question: How many main duties does the passage list for the volunteers? \n Options: (A) Two. (B) Three. (C) Four. (D) Five.", "pos": "Article: When elephants retire, many head for the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn. They arrive one by one, but they tend to live out their lives two-by-two. \"Every elephant that comes here searches out someone that she then spends most all of her time with,\" says sanctuary co-founder Carol Buckley. It's likely having a best girlfriend, Buckley says - \"Somebody they can relate to, they have something in common with.\" Debbie has Ronnie. Misty can't live without Dulary. _ But perhaps the closest friends of all are Tarra and Bella. Tarra, an 8,700 pound Asian elephant; Bella, a stray dog, are closest friends. Bella is one of more than a dozen stray dogs that have found a home at the sanctuary. Most want nothing to do with the elephants and vice versa. But not this odd couple. \"Bella knows she's not an elephant. Tarra knows she's not a dog,\" Buckley adds. \"But that's not a problem for them.\" \"When it's time to eat they both eat together. They drink together. They sleep together. They play together,\" Buckley says. Tarra and Bella have been close for years -- but no one really knew how close they were until recently. A few months ago Bella suffered a spinal cord injury. She couldn't move her legs, couldn't even wag her tail. For three weeks the dog lay motionless up in the sanctuary office. And for three weeks the elephant held vigil: 2,700 acres to roam free, and Tarra just stood in the corner, beside a gate, right outside that sanctuary office. \"She just stood outside the balcony - just stood there and waited,\" says Buckley. \"She was concerned about her friend.\" Then one day, sanctuary co-founder Scott Blais carried Bella onto the balcony so she and Tarra could at least see each other. \"Bella's tail started wagging. And we had no choice but to bring Bella down to see Tarra,\" Blais says. They visited like that every day until Bella could walk. Today, their love -- and trust -- is stronger than ever. Bella even lets Tarra pet her tummy - with the bottom of her enormous foot. They harbor no fears, no secrets, no prejudices. Just two living creatures who somehow managed to look past their immense differences. Take a good look at this couple, human beings. Take a good look at the world. If they can do it -- what's our excuse? \n Question: Which would be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Unlikely friends. (B) Lasting friendship. (C) Unselfish love. (D) Magic nature.", "neg": "Article: Students usually have two long holidays a year, but have you heard elephants have holidays? The Indian elephants from a temple are sent on a north-long holiday with massages  and baths to relax. The 64 elephants will be fed with a lot of food, enough for them to put on 700~800 pounds. A temple veterinarian said that those Indian elephants would be treated after spending a month walking on roads, living on leaves and bananas and giving shows during lots of temple festivals. Their daily diet includes special rice and other special food, which are very _ and can make them healthy and strong. All of these are made by professional people. This treatment will also calm them down ahead of a busy work schedule in upcoming events later in the year where they are the main attractions. The special holiday has cost the temple aboutPS12,500, but extra money is ready for being used to treat the animals. Indians believe that doing something good to elephants can help them get wisdom and power. Having elephants is a traditional symbol of honor for temples across southern India. All temples, however, never buy their elephants. The elephants were donated by people. \n Question: The Indian elephants can have a   _   holiday. \n Options: (A) day's (B) week's (C) month's (D) year's", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}428{"query": "Article: Facebook users may feel socially successful in the web world but they are more likely to perform poorly in exams. The majority of students who use Facebook every day are doing badly compared with those who don't. About 83% of British 16 to 24-year-old people are using social networking site such as Facebook and MySpace, to keep in touch with friends and organize their social activities. \"Our study shows people who spend more time on Facebook spend less time studying,\" said Aryn Karpinski, a researcher. \"Every generation has its distractions , but I think Facebook is a unique phenomenon.\" Karpinski and a colleague questioned 219 US undergraduates and graduates about their study and general Internet use, as well as their specific use of Facebook. They found 65% of Facebook users accessed their account daily, checking it several times to see if they had received new messages. The amount of time spent on Facebook at each log-in  varied from just a few minutes to more than an hour. Some UK students have already realized the potential danger. Daisy Jones, 21, an undergraduate, realized the time she was spending on Facebook was threatening her grades, urging her to deactivate  her account, \"I was in the library and tried to write a 2,000-word essay when I realized my Facebook habit had got out of hand,\" she said. \"I couldn't resist going online, when thinking about it. Before you know it , a couple of minutes have turned into a couple of hours and you haven't written a word.\" Jones is among the few to have realized the risks. 79% of the users, however, believed the time they spent on the site had no impact on their work. The CEO of Facebook said, \"There is also academic research that shows the benefits of services like Facebook. It's in the hands of students to decide how to spend their time.\" \n Question: Facebook users check their account frequently to   _  . \n Options: (A) spend less time on study (B) make sure new messages aren't missed (C) practise specific use of Facebook (D) accumulate amount of time spent on Facebook.", "pos": "Article: Have you got a Facebook account? Are you thinking of getting one? Jamie Simmonds has just signed up. Let's see how she's getting along. My Diary MONDAY: I'm officially a Facebooker. I find a few people I used to know and I've soon got seven friends. I've never felt so popular! I wonder if my old university flatmate Steve is on here...What do you know! He is! Maybe Facebook has its uses. TUESDAY: I've received lots of nice welcoming messages on my wall. Later, I meet up with Steve for a drink after not seeing him for five years. We get on really well! Then, he uses his Facebook app for iPhone to suggest me as a friend to some other former classmates. Some of them even come to the pub and it's just like old times - possibly a bit too much like old times. During the night, photos are uploaded to Facebook. WEDNESDAY: Disaster! My mum's on Facebook! Has she seen the photos of me dancing on the table from last night? Has she shown them to dad? Oh. And I have a friend request - mum again! THURSDAY: There's a message from my boyfriend, \"so, it's over then, ;is it?\" Evidently I haven't changed my settings to show I'm \"in a relationship\", and I haven't even added him as a friend. Ah, well, I wonder what my ex-boyfriend is doing... Whoops! I accidentally type his name into my status box instead of the search ' and now every one can see it on their news feed.' FRIDAY: Time to update my status:\"Work is boring. Can't wait for the weekend!\" Yeah, that about sums it up. Oh, look, I've received a comment! Someone must feel the same way. Lots of my friends now\"like\" this status. SATURDAY: Good news! I've got 100 friends But wait! _ I look through my \"friend list\" to try to work out who it was. Why did they do that? Am I really such a terrible person? I never knew Facebook could be this cruel. SUNDAY: Wake up. Check my Facebook page. Make coffee. Check my Facebook page again. Get ready to leave. Change my mind and check my Facebook page ... again. I am becoming addicted to it! I think it's time to end it all before it takes over my life. I delete my account. Back to good, old, simple e-mails. Oh, look, I've got a message: A friend invited you to join Twitter. . . In July 2010, Facebook had more than 500 million active users. The average Facebook user has 130 friends. Facebook is translated into more than 70 different languages. The world spends 700 billion minutes a month on Facebook. Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook page says he's a Harvard graduate, even though he actually dropped out to focus on Facebook. The site is valued at between $7.9 and $11 billion. \n Question: Why did Jamie's boyfriend ask her whether she had broken up with him? \n Options: (A) He had seen photos of Jamie dancing on the table. (B) She showed in her facebook that she was still not dating anyone. (C) Her boyfriend was angry that she refused to add him as her friend. (D) He saw the name of her ex-boyfriend on his news feed.", "neg": "Article: Ask just about any college student you know,and he is likely to tell you that he is a member of facebook.com.Many students say they check their e-mail.It's so popular \"facelooking\"has become a verb  \"Everywhere everyone is doing it,\"college student Katie Silverman said,\"It's like everyone's center of life.\" Facebook is an online social meeting place where students create profiles  ,share personal information, and meet other members. It is password protected and targeted to high school and college students;members must have an edu.email address to join. Many students say it has changed their social lives, giving them an easy way to find and chat with classmates who share their interests.\"Some people might be too shy to go to talk to someone they like in one of their classes,but on facebook it's a lot easier to strike up a conversation,\"said Rahul Vanjani. The website was founded by two Harward University students who wanted to meet more of their classmates.It became so popular that the website is at 2,200 colleges and at 22,000 high schools.It says that it has 6 million active users,two--thirds of whom are on it every day.Many of the facebook members said their parents had no idea they were on it .\"No way.My parents certainly don't know about it,\" said a college senior who asked us not to use his name. To keep it popular,Facebook says it stops students posting improper information.Some students have paid the price.At Fisher College in Boston,two students were kicked out for using facebook.com to do something that is against the law.At North Carolina State University,four students were punished for posting photos about drinking. \n Question: The passage is mainly about  _  . \n Options: (A) student's idea about Facebook (B) the development of Facebook (C) the popularity of Facebook with students (D) the rules of Facebook", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}429{"query": "Article: Johnson went to Penquay for the weekend. He arrived there late on Friday evening. The landlady of the guest house, Mrs. Smith, answered the door and showed him to his room. Johnson was very tired and went straight to bed. He slept well and didn't wake up until nine o'clock the next morning. Johnson went downstairs for breakfast. Because there were no other guests, Mrs. Smith invited him to have breakfast with her family. Her only daughter, Catherine, about 13, was already sitting in the dining-room. Mrs. Smith went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Johnson noticed there were four places at the table and asked Catherine if there was another guest. Catherine told him that it was an empty place. And it used to be her father's place. Her father had been a fisherman. Three years before he had gone out in his boat, and had never returned. Her mother always kept that place for him and made his breakfast every morning. Catherine showed him his photo on the wall. Johnson said nothing, but looked very puzzled  . At that moment Mrs. Smith returned. She served four cups of tea, and put one in the empty place. Looking at the empty chair, Johnson was more puzzled. Suddenly, Johnson heard footsteps outside the door and a tall man with a black beard walked into the room. Johnson looked scared. It was the man in the photo. He jumped up and ran out of the room. The man asked, \"What's the matter?\" Catherine said, \"I don't know. He's a guest from London. He's here because a tall man with a black beard tried to kill him.\" \"Catherine,\" the man said, \"have you been telling stories again?\" \"Stories, father? Me?\" the girl laughed. \n Question: Why did Mrs. Smith invite Johnson to have breakfast with her family? \n Options: (A) He woke up too late for his breakfast. (B) There was an empty place at the table. (C) He was the only guest on that day. (D) Her daughter wanted to talk with him.", "pos": "Article: Now we can see a man and his wife at the breakfast table. They are not speaking to each other. They haven't spoken to each other at the breakfast table for years. The husband is reading his newspaper. We can't see his face. The wife looks very worried as she gets a cup of tea ready for him. Today she is using a new kind of tea for the first time. The husband picks up his cup. He isn't interested. He tastes his tea. Suddenly he puts down his newspaper. Something is different! Can it be the tea? He takes another taste. It's wonderful. He smiles. He looks at his wife and says in surprise, \"Doris, when did you cut your hair?\" Doris is pleased. She answers, \"Two months ago.\" Doris asks, \" Herbie , when did your hair begin to become white?\" He answers, \"A long time ago.\" Doris says, \"We have been together for many years, but we never cared about each other.\" Now they aren't worried any longer. Breakfast is different. Has a new kind of tea changed their lives? \n Question: This story happens  _  . \n Options: (A) before breakfast (B) after breakfast (C) at home (D) in a teahouse", "neg": "Article: It was only 5 o'clock in the morning. The house was quiet and Tim' s mother was still asleep. Only the sound of the big freezer broke the quiet. He'd dreamt of the cave last night. The purring   of the freezer had been the sea. Tim pulled on a sweater and put some apples into his schoolbag. It was too early for breakfast. He' d eat after he' d been through the cave, sitting on the rocks and staring at the sea. He wished he had a proper pack. His schoolbag would have to do. What else? Sandwiches-but his mother might wake up if he started pulling out bread for sandwiches, she'd want to know why he had to leave so early. He settled for some biscuits, and left a note stuck to the table: Gone to Michael's. Back tonight, Tim. The sky was high and soft and light outside, though the sun still wasn't up. Even the highway up the hill was quiet as he made his way down the street. The wind from the sea was fresh and sweet. The sand hills still breathed heat from yesterday's sun, though the top of the sand was cool. He ran down to the beach impatiently, but there was no one, just dry sand dancing in the early wind and seabirds marching up and down watching the waves. The light changed suddenly. The first rays of sunlight stretched   across the sea. The sun was pushing its way over the edge of the world. Over the first rocks, along to the point, Tim glanced back. The beach was still empty. The sun sailed higher in the sky. He could see the cave now, even darker in the morning light. The sand turned silver then dark gold as the water flowed away from it. He had to force himself to go closer. Why was it so much more mysterious   now? But it would be silly to go back now after so much trouble. He needn't go in all the way... \n Question: What did Tim do at the beginning of the story? \n Options: (A) He put a sweater in his schoolbag. (B) He left the house quietly. (C) He had breakfast at home. (D) He left a note on the freezer.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}430{"query": "Article: Your children's teacher will be providing extra time for test preparation. This school year's test will be held on January 8 and 9. The test preparation time is open to all students, and we strongly encourage your children to attend. This year we are changing the time for our test preparation: it will be on Thursday mornings from 8:10 to 8:50. This helps children who ride the bus and cannot stay for the after-school period. It also helps avoid conflicts with after-school activities. Danielle and Marina will be working with the recent new test takers 6 days on the following Thursdays: 15th, Nov; 29th, Nov; 6th, Dec; 13th, Dec.; 20th, Dec. and 3rd, Jan. Besides the test preparation lectures on these dates, teachers are already putting test preparation into their usual courses. We are finding that we can help our students to be both skillful and whole-hearted readers and test takers -- after all, we all know that the best test preparation is good reading and writing training. What can you do at home? Again, the best and most effective test preparation for the ELA test is reading and more reading. The research is quite clear -- students who do well in the tests are those who are good readers. Reading not only builds reading ability, it also helps build confidence -- important for successful test taking! But do discourage your children from spending too much time on books that are too hard or even a bit too hard. Children best develop comprehension skills when they are reading books just right for them (too easy doesn't hurt here either). Finally, on Friday, December 7, we will have a morning lecture on the ELA. Please pay attention! \n Question: The text is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) how teachers will provide more time for test preparation (B) the reason why time for test preparation will be changed (C) how teachers have put test preparation into their usual courses (D) test preparation information that parents should know about", "pos": "Article: Dear Editor: While a new school term is about to begin, perhaps we should reconsider the matter of examinations. In July, two writers(letters to the editor) praised the cancellation of exams because they believe \"Tests don't tell the whole story\". As a teacher who has worked in four countries, I have had the experience that a student who earns good marks is generally a good student, and a student's final mark in a subject is usually a grade average of the year's work. Of course there are expectations, but they do not have the frequency that would give an unfair picture of a student's ability. The simple fact is that proper class work; diligent exam studies and good marks are almost certain indicators   of a student's future performance. The opposite is, almost certainly, incompetence.  There is no acceptable substitute for competition of quality. How can teachers and future officials determine what a student has learned and remembered? Should we simply take the student's mark for it? Any institution that \"liberates\" students from fair and formal exams is misguided, if not ignorant   and surely the \"graduates \" of such institutions will lack trustworthiness , not to mention being rejected by foreign universities for graduate or other studies. When all is said and done, I sense that a fear of failure and a fear of unpleasant comparison with others are at the bottom of most ban-exam talks. Excellence and quality fear nothing. On the contrary, they seek competition and desire the satisfaction of being the best. \n Question: According to the letter, a student's final mark   _   . \n Options: (A) is often encouraging (B) often tells whether he likes the object or not (C) often prove unreliable (D) often gives a fair picture of the year's work", "neg": "Article: Here is some general information about Edison Elementary School. For more information, you can visit our website which is printed on the cover.      Attendance: Please contact the office at 480. 472. 5282 if your child is going to be absent.      Renaissance Reading: The Accelerated Reader (AR) Program is a computerized reading enrichment program that combines great children's literature with computer skills. As an individualized reading program, it is designed to motivate students to read more and to read good literature. Students of different abilities can use this program. It is not a competitive program but one that improves any student's reading ability.      Here is how it works. Students select books in their reading range from our Accelerated Reader Selection and read it at their own pace. Once the student has completed the book, he/she is ready to take an AR quiz. Each quiz consists of 5, 10, or 20 multiple choice comprehensive questions about the book.      After taking the quiz, the computer shows the student how many questions he/she answered correctly, shows the correct answers for missed questions, and praises the students' efforts with an onscreen personalized message. Passing the quiz assures the teacher and the parent that the child actually read and understood the book.  Each student tests independently--reading the quiz questions himself/herself.      The computer keeps track of reading points, books, and average test scores, as well as other data. A student may test on a book only once and should, therefore, have thoroughly read and understood the contents before taking the quiz. Each student is responsible for reading the screen to be sure the quiz, by title and author, is the correct one he/she wishes to take.      Students are recognized for their accomplishments with praise from the teachers and special recognition at the classroom level when individual and/or classroom goals are met.      P. T. O.      We have an active ParentTeacher Organization. They have monthly meetings, check the calendar for the meeting times and places. \n Question: The passage may be selected from   _  . \n Options: (A) a magazine (B) a newspaper (C) a website (D) a novel", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}431{"query": "Article: It's a warm summer afternoon. You're cooking up the catch of the day over a campfire. Suddenly, a few raindrops fall on your arms, and before you know it, the sky is opened up. Then you hear what sounds like thunder in the distance. What should you do? Your tent is close by and would offer shelter from the pouring rain. There's a campsite picnic shelter a few minutes down the path. And then you remember that your car is parked down the road. What's your safest choice to make sure you and your families are safe? It's a common question for many hikers and campers, especially when they are camping during summer months. Heading to your car is almost always the safest choice. Your tent and a picnic shelter will keep you dry, but they offer little or no protection against lightening. Your car, on the other hand, will keep you dry and protect you from lightening strikes. Protecting yourself against possible lightening strikes is very important; lightening kills an average of 62 people in the US each year. If you keep all of the windows and doors closed in your car, you'll be able to return to your campsite safely. Of course, if you're backpacking , not car camping, and you're deep in the woods, your car won't be a good choice. So, what should you do if your car is far away and there's no other safe shelter nearby? First, you'll have to make sure that tree limbs or other objects don't fall on you or your campsite. Then you'll have to get in a safe position to avoid lightening, or flash flood conditions. What else should you do? \n Question: The passage aims to tell us   _  . \n Options: (A) what's camping (B) how to camp safely (C) car camping is the safest way when camping (D) how to survive a storm when camping", "pos": "Article: Hurricane  reached the northeastern United States today and caused death and destruction everywhere. The killer storm carried winds of 135 miles per hour. The high winds and heavy rains created extremely dangerous waves. It is not yet known how many people died or were hurt in this storm, but it is said that the numbers will be very high. With the arrival of the tornado season, the National Weather Service is again telling people how to protect themselves from these deadly storms. The winds from tornadoes are the most violent winds on earth. They can blow up to 400 miles per hour. A _ looks like a funnel . It is also very loud. It may sound like a train coming at you. In fact, the winds from a tornado can pick up a train and throw it around. If a tornado is seen in your area, it is very important that you protect yourself. A basement   is the safest place to go. Try to wait under a table in the basement. Stay away from windows. If you are outside or in your car, try to find a narrow place to hide. As the area tries to deal with the worst flood of the century, there are many heartwarming stories of people helping other people. From all over the world people have sent food and clothes to help the thousands who have had to leave their homes. Many volunteers have come to help to make sandbags and use them to build walls against the overflowing river. While the result of this disaster will be terrible for many, it is beautiful to see people coming together to help others and save lives. \n Question: Which of the following is WRONG about tornados? \n Options: (A) They look like a funnel. (B) They come regularly every year. (C) They are the most violent winds on Earth. (D) They carry winds of 135 km per hour.", "neg": "Article: In earliest times, men considered lightning to be one of the great mysteries of nature. Some ancient people believed that lightning and thunder were the weapons of the gods.  In reality, lightning is a flow of electricity formed high above the earth. A single flash of lightning 1.6 kilometers long has enough electricity to light one million light bulbs . The American scientist and statesman, Benjamin Franklin, was the first to show the connection between electricity and lightning in 1752. In the same year he also built the first lightning rod  . This device protects buildings from being damaged by lightning. Modern science has discovered that one stroke of lightning has a voltage   of more than 15 million volts  . A flash of lightning between a cloud and the earth may be as long as 13 kilometers, and travel at a speed of 30 million meters per second. Scientists judge that there are about 2,000 million flashes of lightning per year. Lightning hits the Empire State Building in New York City 30 to 48 times a year. In the United States alone it kills an average of one person every day. The safest place to be in case of an electrical storm is in a closed car. Outside, one should go to low ground and not get under tress. Also, one should stay out of water and away from metal fences. Inside a house, people should avoid open doorways and windows and not touch wires or metal things. \n Question: People once thought lightning came from   _  . \n Options: (A) the gods (B) the earth (C) the sky (D) nature", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}432{"query": "Article: Homeschooling is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in public or private school. As a matter of fact, most childhood education occurred within the family or community. Homeschooling is a legal choice for parents in developed countries to provide their children with a learning environment at home. Parents see many reasons for homeschool, including better test results, improved instruction, to help the public system with fewer kids, poor public school environment, religious reasons, improved character development, the expense of private education, and objection to what is taught locally in public school. Homeschooling can also be a choice for families living in remote   locations, living abroad, and to allow for more traveling. Also many young athletes and actors are taught at home, where a coach   or tutor is with the child for many years and then knows the child very well. In some places, an approved curriculum   is required if children are to be home-schooled. In some cases a liberal arts   education is provided. \n Question: Home-schooled children are usually taught by   _  . \n Options: (A) teachers or neighbours (B) parents or tutors (C) coaches or tutors (D) instructions or officials", "pos": "Article: A home computer not only helps children master the old ways of learning, but also opens up possibilities that simply aren't available in traditional education. Some software, for example, allows kids to make decisions and see the results in different situations. The World Wide Web encourages young minds to move easily from link to link, topic to topic. The best software draws children into learning by making them curious--what if I click on this picture, drag this over here, visit that website? Knowing how to use a computer also encourages a child's confidence. Kids figure out quickly that computers are powerful, and mastering the machine makes them feel grown-up. In turn, feeling confident on a computer often translates to academic confidence. Researchers have found that attitudes toward writing, for example, improve when students write on a computer. Perhaps most importantly, computers can enrich family life. Forget the idea that computer kids are separated. Children like to use the computer with adults and other kids, asking questions and comparing results. \"The Internet is a unique opportunity to bring resources home, \"notes Susan Haugland, PhD, Cape Girardeau, Mo. , author of Computer and Young Children:A World of Discovery. Although the benefits of computers are real, they have disadvantages, too. Kids can lose their way, wasting hours on mindless software of violent games. Just as parents have always helped children make good choices about everything from friends to food, books to TV, now we must make sure they get the best out of computers. \n Question: The passage is mainly talking about  _  . \n Options: (A) the disadvantages of children's using computers (B) the advantages of children' using computers (C) the development of computers (D) the fact that using computers makes children lose their way", "neg": "Article: Homeschooling is a popular alternative to send your children to a public or private school. It seems to be especially popular with stayathome parents who would rather teach their children themselves in the privacy of their own homes. In order to homeschool your children,you will need to know the basics of how to do this,and like everything,there are steps you will need to follow. Homeschooling is legal in all fifty states. The first step is to check with your state's Board of Education to find out what the legal requirements are and what you will need to do in order to  _ them. Next,you will need to determine whether or not you want your children to follow a structured curriculum. Most parents use this system to ensure that their children will study every subject that a child who goes to a private or public school would. Homeschooling can not only provide your children with the essential learning of the basic subjects of reading,writing,and arithmetic,but it can also help your children to master muchneeded life skills. These skills can range from learning how to do the cleaning to balancing his or her own checkbook. They are skills that your child will need to know so that he or she can take care of themselves later on in life. One last point about homeschooling:The question of interaction and socialization is most always brought up in the question on whether or not a child should be homeschooled. Public schooling is automatically thought to be a good place for a child to learn how to get along with his or her peers. While some social skills probably can be learned in this type of environment,peer pressure is always a constant concern for parents. Fortunately,parents who homeschool can teach their children moral values as well as the right way to get along with other people. \n Question: Homeschooling is very popular in America mainly because  _  . \n Options: (A) there are not enough public schools to meet with the children's education (B) the development of the Internet and other techniques makes it possible (C) there are some stayathome parents who have time and the ability to teach their children (D) the government encourages the parents to teach their children at home", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}433{"query": "Article: Are you a big fan of pirate  stories? Do you know how to talk like a pirate? You can have fun on September 19th. This special holiday is called International Talk Like A Pirate Day. It was invented in 1995 by two young Americans, John Baur and Mark Summers. These two good friends came up with this idea when they were playing racquetball, and began to talk like pirates. At that moment, they thought, \"Young people are interested in pirate, but there is no such a chance for people to get together to share it. Why not have a day when everybody talks like a pirate?\" They decided to make September 19th the date. Since then, Baur and Summers have tried hard to promote Talk Like A Pirate Day. As Baur said, \"We've talked like pirates, and encouraged several of our friends to do so every September 19th.\" At first, this day was only known by a few people. In 2002, Baur and Summers sent a letter about their invented holiday to Dave Barry. This columnist really liked their idea. He promoted the holiday and made it known to more and more people. Now, it has really become an international holiday. On Talk Like A Pirate Day, you need to dress like a pirate. You should wear a big hat or maybe cover one of your eyes. You can pretend to be any kind of pirate that you can find in any story or movie. Having fun and being relaxed are not the only best things about the holiday. Young people share the same interest and childhood dreams that day. That's why it is welcomed by so many people, especially young people. Unlike traditional holidays, International Talk Like A Pirate Day is a brand new holiday which is invented by the youth themselves and celebrated by themselves too. Because of Baur and Summers' imagination and creativity, thousands of young people's pirate dream come true. Next time, when you have a good idea, why not share it with your fiends and insist on your belief? Maybe you can create another wonderful holiday for the youth in the future. \n Question: How did John Baur and Mark Summers invent the special holiday? \n Options: (A) Many young people asked them to do it (B) They did it just for pleasure (C) They did it in order to honor pirates (D) They thought out the idea by chance and imagination", "pos": "Article: Around the world there are some festivals that for some of us may sound _ . In England they celebrate the rolling cheese race, which occurs every year during the last Monday in May. This festival's characteristic is a contest where an official rolls cheese down a steep hill and festival- goers go chasing after it. The winner is the first one to reach and catch the cheese. Another festival celebrated in England is the world championship of grimaces  . It is a celebration that dates back to 1297 and is celebrated during the month of September. The task is to perform the best grimace using anything you can to win. The worldwide championship of wife lifting is celebrated in Finland. The game is based on Viking traditions where a man should carry away his neighbor's wife. According to the rules, any woman above 17 is considered as a wife, so if you are within this age, take care while visiting this country during the month of July. Many of you have watched Pirates of the Caribbean and have known something about pirates. The 19thof September has been declared worldwide as the day to talk like a pirate. Plenty of people have celebrated it thanks to the publicity   on the Internet. First staged in 1998, the Boryeong Mud Festival is an attraction that pulls more than a million visitors to the South Korean City. As you all know, the town is said to be rich in minerals, so there is no shortage of mud. Mud is trucked onto Daecheon Beach for tourists and locals to enjoy the festival to their best. The Monkey Buffet Festival is held in Thailand to develop tourism. It's an unusual feast held for about 600 monkeys. The Monkey Buffet Festival is held in honor of the Hindu gods Ram and Hanuman and involves 3,000 kilograms of vegetables and fruits being laid out for monkeys to stuff themselves. \n Question: If a participant wants to win in the rolling cheese race, he / she should   _  . \n Options: (A) roll as much cheese down the hill as possible (B) find the largest piece of cheese rolling downhill (C) perform the best grimace when chasing the cheese (D) be the first one to catch the cheese rolling downhill", "neg": "Article: April Fool's Day , was a day of laughing and jokes. This day is kept in many countries, not only in Britain and the USA. This is a day to play jokes and make people laugh. Nobody knows when was the beginning of this custom. Some people connect it with the end of winter and the return of spring which make people merry and ready to play jokes. In Scotland young people were sent for hen's teeth or bird's milk and everybody laughed when they could find such things. In the USA and Britain some people could place a sign on a person's back with the words \"push me!\" Children often tell a grown-up that his sock is torn or he has something black on his face, and then shout \"April Fool!\" There is also the old purse  trick. A purse is left lying in the street, but when someone wants to take it, it is quickly pulled back by a string which the hidden joker holds in his hand. Or the purse may be filled with stones. Sometimes invitations are sent to people, asking them to come and visit somebody, but when they come they see that nobody expects them. Some people like to telephone to the zoo on the day and ask for Mr. Fish, Miss Fox or Mrs. Cat. All these jokes are very old but still they make people laugh. \n Question: _  knows when the custom of April Fool's Day started. \n Options: (A) One (B) Anyone (C) Nobody (D) Someone", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}434{"query": "Article: High Speed Book Scanner Simply turning pages of a book quickly may not seem like the best way to scan it. A Japanese research group at Tokyo University has created new software that allows hundreds of pages to be scanned within minutes. Scanning text is normally a boring process with each page having to be inserted into a scanner, but the team led by Professor Masatoshi Ishikawa uses a high speed camera that takes 500 pictures a second to scan pages as they are turned by workers. Normal scanners can only scan the information that is actually before them on the page. This high speed book scanner uses a camera that captures pages at 1000fps as they are turned. A system built in allows it to automatically correct any changes to the text due to the page bending as well as light differences due to shadows. \"It takes a shot of the shape, then it calculates the shape and uses those calculations to film the scanning,\" Ishikawa said, explaining the system used to reconstruct the original page. The current system is able to scan an average 250-page book in a little over 60 seconds using basic computer hardware. While it now requires extra time to process the scanned images  , the researchers hope to eventually make the technology both faster and much smaller. \"In the more distant future, once it becomes possible to put all of this processing on one chip   and then put that in an iPad or iPod, one could scan just using that chip. At that point, it becomes possible to scan something quickly to save for later reading,\" Ishikawa said. Being able to scan books with an iPhone may be further off, but Ishikawa says that a commercial version of the large-scale computer based scanning system could be available in two or three years. While the technology has the potential to take paper books into the digital age, . \n Question: According to the passage, the advantage of the new scanning software is that    _   . \n Options: (A) there is no need to scan every page (B) it can work much more effectively (C) no manpower is needed in operating the scanner (D) it can make the scanning process more interesting", "pos": "Article: All over the world, libraries have begun the Herculean task of making faithful digital copies of the books, images and recordings that preserve the intellectual effort of humankind.  For armchair scholars, the work promises to bring such a wealth of information to the desktop that the present Internet may seem amateurish in retrospect. ... Librarians see three clear benefits to going digital.  First, it helps them preserve rare and fragile objects without denying access to those who wish to study them.  The British Library, for example, holds the only medieval manuscript ofBeowulfin London.  Only qualified scholars were allowed to see it until Kevin S. Kiernan of the University of Kentucky scanned the manuscript with three different light sources (revealing detail not normally apparent to the naked eye) and put the images up on the Internet for anyone to peruse  .  Tokyo's National Diet Library is similarly creating highly detailed digital photographs of 1,236 woodblock prints, scrolls and other materials it considers national treasures so that researchers can scrutinize them without handling the originals. A second benefit is convenience.  Once books are converted to digital form, patrons can retrieve them in seconds rather than minutes.  Several people can simultaneously read the same book or view the same picture.  Clerks are spared the chore of reshelving.  And libraries could conceivably use the Internet to land their virtual collections to those who are unable to visit in person. The third advantage of electronic copies is that they occupy millimeters of space on a magnetic disk rather than meters on a shelf.  Expanding library buildings is increasingly costly.  The University of California at Berkeley recently spent $46 million on an underground addition to house 1.5 million books - an average cost of $30 per volume.  The price of disk storage, in contrast, has fallen to about $2 per 300-page publication and continues to drop. \n Question: The best title for this passage would be   _  . \n Options: (A) Three Benefits of Libraries (B) Libraries Going Digital (C) Space-saving E-learning (D) Security of Electronic Reading", "neg": "Article: All over the world, libraries have begun the Herculean  task of making faithful digital copies of the books, images and recordings that preserve the intellectual effort of mankind. For armchair scholars, the work promises to bring such a wealth of information to desktop that the present Internet may not match. Librarians see three clear benefits to going digital. First, it helps them preserve rare and fragile objects without refusing the demands of those who wish to study them. The British Library, for example, holds the only medieval manuscript of Beowulf in London. Only qualified scholars were allowed to see it until Kevin S. Kiernan of the University of Kentucky scanned the Manuscript with three different light sources and put the images up on the Internet for anyone to use. A second benefit is convenience. Once books are changed to digital form, readers can find them in seconds rather than minutes. Several people can read the same book or view the same picture at the same time. Clerks are spared the chore of reshelving. And libraries could use the Internet to lend their collections to those who are unable to visit in person. The third advantage of electronic copies is that they occupy millimeters of space on a magnetic disk rather than meters on a shelf. The cost of library buildings is increasingly high. The University of California at Berkeley recently spent $ 46 million on an underground addition to house 1.5 million books----an average cost of $30 per volume. The price of disk storage, on the contrary, has fallen to about $ 2 per 300-page publication and continues to drop. \n Question: Which of the following is mentioned in the text as benefits of going digital? \n Options: (A) Fewer staff will be required in libraries. (B) Libraries will be able to move underground. (C) Borrowers need not go to the library building. (D) Old manuscripts can be moved more easily.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}435{"query": "Article: Scientists are developing the next generation of robot-driven cars and predict they could be carrying humans around by the year 2030.     The first wave of intelligent robot cars, capable of understanding and reacting to the world around them, will be tested this November in a competition run by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.     Scientists are developing vehicles which will not only be driven by robots independently, but will be able to operate in a complicated city environment. \"In the past it was  _ for a vehicle just to perceive the environment,\" said Sebastian Thrun, a professor at Stanford University.   \"The new challenge will be to understand the environment. The robot must be able to recognize another car, to understand that it is moving and that it will interact with it as it gets closer.\"  Stanford's entrant  \"Junior\" is a changed 2006 Volkswagen Passat whose steering, throttle   and brakes all have been modified by engineers.    Lasers fitted on the car bumpers, radar and global positioning systems feed data into the on-board computer to determine its location and position. Thrun predicted that advances in artificial intelligence would lead to driverless cars on the roads by 2030.    \"Today they can drive about 100 miles, by 2010 I expect this to go 1,000 miles, by 2020 up to a million miles,\" he said. \"By 2030 you'll be able to see them on the highway, with driving reliability that will beat humans.\"    \"We believe this technology will affect all of us. It is going to have enormous significance for people who can't drive because of disabilities or because they are ill or impaired.\" Thrun said he believed robot-driven vehicles would be deployed in war zones before they were seen in everyday civilian environments. \n Question: Compared with the old robot-driven cars, the new ones   _  . \n Options: (A) can understand orders from humans (B) can perceive the environment dearly (C) are modified to be completely computer-controllable (D) not only can understand the environment but also can react to it", "pos": "Article: I passed my driving test at the fourth attempt. You might think that means I'm not as safe as someone who passed on their first attempt. But would you feel safer with no driver at all? Maybe not, and that's why automotive firms have included driverassist functions in their driverless cars. This allows the human driver to take over if there is a problem. Google is one producer that has prototype driverless cars. These cars have been newly equipped with autosteering wheels and conventional controls to allow normal driving. But this is just a stage -- the vision is to have fully automated cars very soon. The director of Google's selfdrive project, Chris Urmson, hopes his 11yearold son will never have to take a driving test. To achieve that, the cars need to be on the roads in five years. He says driverless cars will greatly reduce accidents and traffic jams. According to Chris, about 1.2 million people are killed on the roads around the world each year. That number is equivalent to a jet falling out of the sky every day. He thinks gradual changes to existing car designs are not enough to deal with the problems. \"If we are really going to make changes to our cities, get rid of parking lots, we need selfdrive cars,\" he says. Google's prototypes have covered over a million kilometers on the road. They have also had to deal with unexpected situations, such as a child driving a toy car in the road, and a woman in an electric wheelchair chasing a duck. In each case, the car reacted safely. Some are not convinced. Sven Beiker of Stanford University thinks driverless cars will still need human input in extreme circumstances. \n Question: Chris Urmson mentioned his 11yearold son in order to show that   _  . \n Options: (A) traditional cars are harmful for kids (B) his son is not good at driving (C) his son is a slow learner in driving (D) driverless cars will come soon", "neg": "Article: Anyone driving the twists of Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles recently may have glimpsed a Toyota Prius car with a curious-looking thing on the roof. Harder to notice was that the person at the wheel was not actually driving. The car is a project of Google, which has been working in secret but in plain view( anyhow, no one can keep such a thing from the public) on vehicles that can drive themselves, using artificial-intelligence software that can sense anything near the car and imitate the decisions made by a human driver. With someone behind the wheel to take control if something goes wrong and a technician in the passenger seat to monitor the navigation system , seven test cars have driven 1,000 miles without human intervention and more than 140,000 miles with only occasional human control. One even drove itself down Lombard Street in San Francisco, one of the steepest and curviest streets in the nation. The only accident, engineers said, was that one Google car was rear-ended   when it stopped at a traffic light. Autonomous cars are years from mass production, but technologists who have long dreamed of them believe that they can transform society as profoundly as the Internet has. Robot drivers react faster than humans, have 360-degree perception and do not get distracted or sleepy, the engineers argue. They speak in terms of lives that could be saved and injuries that could be avoided--- more than 37,000 people died in car accidents in the United States in 2008. The engineers say the technology could double the capacity of roads by allowing cars to drive more safely while closer together. Because the robot cars would eventually be less likely to crash, they could be built lighter, reducing fuel consumption. But of course, to be truly safer, the cars must be far more reliable than, say, today's personal computers, which crash on occasion and are frequently infected.    The Google research program using artificial intelligence to revolutionize the automobile is proof that the company's ambitions reach beyond the search engine business. The program is also a departure from the mainstream of innovation  in Silicon Valley, which has turned toward social networks and Hollywood-style digital media. However, the Google researchers said the company did not yet have a clear plan to create a business from the experiments. \n Question: What can we learn from the passage? \n Options: (A) Only seven autonomous cars have been created so far. (B) Nobody in the car took control during the 140,000miles trip. (C) It will take a long time before the autonomous car is put into the market. (D) When driving on the Lombard Street, all test cars broke down.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}436{"query": "Article: In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get ----- a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area: western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen ------- teaching English. School started, but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country. Was this rural area really New Jersey? My students took a week off when hunting season began. I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms. I was a young woman from New York City, who thought that \"Make hay while the sun shines\" just meant to have a good time. But, still, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth-grade class ---- seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room. In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, as the textbook had said, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. It sounds reasonable, but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans, particularly teenagers, rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise. My boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn't happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of the classroom, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes. I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying, but at my next free period I had to face him. I wondered if he would let me finish out the day. I walked to his office, took a deep breath, and opened the door. He was sitting in his chair, and he looked at me long and hard. I said nothing. All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher; I had been lying to myself, pretending that everything was fine. When he spoke, he said simply, without accusation, \"You had nothing to say to them.\" \"You had nothing to say to them\". he repeated.\" No wonder they are bored. Why not get to the meat of literature and stop talking about symbolism. Talk with them, not at them. And more important, why do you ignore their bad behavior\"? We talked. He named my problems and offered solutions. We role-played. He was the bad student, and I was the forceful, yet, warm teacher. As the year progressed, we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations. He helped me identify my weaknesses and strengths. In short, he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words: \"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.\" Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school. Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year, the school is my home now. \n Question: It can be inferred from the story that in 1974    _   . \n Options: (A) the writer became an optimistic person (B) it was rather difficult to get a job in the USA (C) the writer was very happy about her new job (D) it was easy to get a teaching job in New Jersey", "pos": "Article: Though my career as a banker was financially rewarding, I was never content with the work. I was annoyed by my workmates' coldness and endless counting. Gradually, I began to envy my wife Julie's teaching career, which was full of passion and challenges. However, I admitted that leaving a secure(, ) position and going to school needed courage. One winter evening I heard Julie complaining about a student's bad academic performance. She said, \"Baxter used to do his homework very well, but it has dropped recently.\" The next evening when I arrived home, Julie asked, \"Will you drive me to Baxter's house? I want to talk with his family about his homework.\" After an hour, a hut  stood before us. Baxter was busy gathering firewood in the front yard. Seeing us, Baxter was surprised, but greeted us happily. Julie asked, \"Where are your parents?\" Baxter said they were not in. We found that it was dark in the hut. On our way home, Julie cried, \"His work was good in the early autumn when the days were longer. But now, in the dark, he can't do his homework.\" Then she decided to help him so that he could focus on his studies. I was moved by her kindness and I wanted to help poor students. At the end of the month, I said goodbye to the bank. Now I am teaching the students and I love my job. \n Question: Which of the following might be the most proper description  about Julie? \n Options: (A) Patient but powerful. (B) Kind and helpful. (C) Firm but firendly. (D) Hardworking and practical.", "neg": "Article: (2013*,D)In 1974,after filling out fifty applications,going through four interviews,and winning one offer,I took what I could get--a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area:western New Jersey.My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen--teaching English. School started,but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country.Was this rural area really New Jersey?My students took a week off when hunting season began.I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms.I was a young woman from New York City,who thought that\"Make hay while the sun shines\" just meant to have a good time. But,still,I was teaching English.I worked hard,taking time off only to eat and sleep.And then there was my sixthgrade class--seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me.I had a problem long before I knew it.I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher.I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word.The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room. In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior.So I did,confident that,as the textbook had said,the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention.It sounds reasonable,but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans,particularly teenagers,rarely seem reasonable.By the time my boss,who was also my taskmaster,known to be the strictest,most demanding,most quick to fire inexperienced teachers,came into the classroom to observe me,the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise. My boss sat in the back of the room.The boys in the class were making animal noises,hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines.I just pretended it all wasn't happening,and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions.My boss,sitting in the back of room,seemed to be growing bigger and bigger.After twenty minutes he left,silently.Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes. I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying,but at my next free period I had to face him.I wondered if he would let me finish out the day.I walked to his office,took a deep breath,and opened the door. He was sitting in his chair,and he looked at me long and hard.I said nothing.All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher;I had been lying to myself,pretending that everything was fine. When he spoke,he said simply,without accusation,\"You had nothing to say to them.\" \"You had nothing to say to them.\"he repeated.\"No wonder they're bored.Why not get to the meat of the literature and stop talking about symbolism.Talk with them,not at them.And more important,why do you ignore their bad behavior?\"We talked.He named my problems and offered solutions.We roleplayed.He was the bad student,and I was the forceful,yet,warm,teacher. As the year progressed,we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations.He helped me identify my weaknesses and my strengths.In short,he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words:\"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.\" Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school.Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year,the school is my home now. \n Question: It can be inferred from the story that in 1974   _   . \n Options: (A) the writer became an optimistic person (B) the writer was very happy about her new job (C) it was rather difficult to get a job in the USA (D) it was easy to get a teaching job in New Jersey", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}437{"query": "Article: Dreams can be familiar and strange, fantastical or boring, but some dreams might be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill. In the study,99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a compute, trying to get through a virtual maze .The maze was different place each time they tired--making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was. For the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the participants stayed awake and an half were told to take a short nap .Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after sleep--and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams. Stickgold, a neuroscientist ,wanted to know what people were dreaming about when their eyes weren't moving during sleep. Four of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working ; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these four people tried the computer maze again, they were able to find the tree faster than before their naps. Stickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't  help a person learn--it's the other way around.He suspects that the dream was caused by the brain processes associated with learning. All four of the people who dreamed about the task had done poorly the first time, which makes Stickgold wonder if the dreams show up when a person finds a new task particularly difficult. People who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement. \n Question: Before having a short nap, participants of the experiment were asked to  _  . \n Options: (A) stay in a different place in the maze (B) design a virtual maze which is difficult to get through (C) experience the experiment and try to remember something (D) get through a virtual maze on a computer from the same place", "pos": "Article: Trying to leave work at the office is proving to be a challenge for many British workers,with research showing that heavy workloads,conflicts and bosses all make an appearance in dreams. Work-related issues are the number one topic featuring in dreams,with colleagues invading shut.eye time more than celebrities.More than 20 per cent surveyed admitted that they regularly dream about their boss.One in three dreams about work when they are stressed in their job and a quarter stated that they dream about a colleague if there was a conflict with them earlier that day. Of the 2,000 people surveyed,20 per cent dreamed more if they were under pressure or stressed.The research found that the average person dreams most nights,with only 12 per cent saying they never dream.However, dreams often leave people confused,with 52 per cent saying they do not make sense and 60 per cent wishing they could know what they mean. Commenting on the survey carried out by One Poll for Premier Inn hotels,dreams expert Davina MacKail said:\"Whether we are asleep or awake.a problem with a colleague or stress at work can really affect us.More than half of the nation stated that their dreams don't make sense so I have worked with Premier Inn to make a Dream Dictionary to help dreamers to understand why they dream what they do and what those dreams mean.\" A spokesman for Premier Inn said:\"It is really important to try to unwind after a hard day at work but that is easier said than done if something is playing on your mind.\" \n Question: What Can we infer about the British workers? \n Options: (A) Most of their dreams are work-related. (B) Some of them dream about work every night. (C) They dream of their colleagues more than their boss. (D) Their dreams involve work more than anything else.", "neg": "Article: No one knows for certain why people dream, but some dreams misht be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time   dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill. \"I was astonished by this finding,\" Robert Stickgold told Science News. He is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study of-how the brain and nervous system work, and cognitive studies look at how people learn and reason. So a cognitive neuroscientist may study the brain processes that help people learn. In the study, 99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a computer, trying to get through a virtual maze  . The maze was difficult, and the study participants had to start in a different place each time they tried - making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was. For the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the particularity stayed awake and half were told to take a short nap. Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after steep - and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams. About a dozen of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these people tried the computer maze again, they were generally able to find the tree faster than before their naps. However, people who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement. Stickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't help a person learn - it's the other way around. \n Question: It is a cognitive scientists job to study  _  . \n Options: (A) how people dream and learn (B) the structure of the nervous system (C) whether someone is reasonable (D) the process of understanding", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}438{"query": "Article: Nick Vujicic was born with no arms or legs, but he doesn't let this stop him.           The brave 26-year-old man plays football and golf, and swims, in spite of the fact that he has no arms or legs.           Nick has a small foot on his left side, which helps him balance and makes him able to kick. He uses his one foot to type, write with a pen and pick things up.           \"I call it my chicken drumstick  ,\" joked Nick, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, but now lives in Los Angeles. \"I'd be lost without it. When I get in the water I float because 80 percent of my body is lungs and my drumstick acts as a propeller  .\"          \"He's very modest, but he gets marriage proposals   from women all the time,\" said Nick's friend Steve Appel.          \"He would love to get married and start a family, but he's waiting for the right girl to come along.\"          When Nick was born his father was so shocked that he left the hospital room. His  _ mother couldn't bring herself to hold him until he was four months old.          His disability came without any medical explanation, which was a rare case. Nick and his parents spent many years asking why this cruel trick would happen to them.           \"My mother was a nurse and she did everything right during pregnancy but she still blamed herself,\" he said.          \"It was so hard for them, but right from the start they did their best to make me independent. My dad put me in the water at 18 months and gave me the courage to learn how to swim.\" \n Question: We can learn from the text that Nick   _  . \n Options: (A) has a poor sense of balance (B) understands his mother very well (C) considers his small foot ugly (D) is disappointed with his health condition", "pos": "Article: I am a 21-year-old boy, and this is my story. One month after I graduated from high school in 2009, I was coming home from swim practice and was involved in a car accident. I was so seriously injured that I was in a coma for over two months at Prince Georges Hospital. I died eight times during my coma and I couldn't talk or communicate when I woke up. Walking was never going to happen again due to all the extreme injuries. Just like my body, my dreams were almost _ . But I was not going to let my injuries prevent me from living my dreams. After 14 operations and blood transfusions, I had to learn how to talk, eat, walk, shower and live independently again. When I was out of hospital, I still had to go to outpatient therapy in Waldorf, Maryland. After spending a few months in a wheelchair, I took baby steps to walk on my own. It was a miracle that I could walk again, but I wanted to prove that I could not only walk, but run. When it came true, I wanted to get back in the pool again. After a few lung tests, I was able to go in the pool a little bit each week. After a few months of swim training, I began my freshman year at St. Mary's College of Maryland and became a proud member of the swim team. By telling my story, I want to make a positive influence on the world. I am just trying to live each day to the fullest and inspire other people never to give up their dreams no matter how bad a situation is. I remember when I was still in my hospital bed, I would have my mom and dad push me around in my wheelchair to the other rooms to see the other patients and talk to them and their families. I wanted to let them know that everything was going to be okay. Somehow, things would work out for the best. \n Question: When the car accident happened, the author   _  . \n Options: (A) was a high school student (B) had finished his high school education (C) was a college student (D) was returning home from a swim competition", "neg": "Article: Hank Viscardi was 26 years old when he put on his first pair of long trousers and his first pair of shoes. For the first time he saw himself as he had always wanted to be a full five feet eight inches tall. Hank had been born without legs. Until he was seven, his world was a world of repeated operations. At last he had not legs, but stumps that could be fitted with a kind of special boots. Out of the hospital, Hank often found people staring at him with cruel interest. Children laughed at him and called him \"Ape Man\" because his arms dragged on the ground. He went to school like other boys. His grades were good and he needed only eight years instead of the usual twelve. After graduation, Hank worked his way through college. He swept floors, waited on table, or worked in one of the college offices. During all this busy life, Hank had been moving around on his stumps. But one day the doctor told him even the stumps were not going to last much longer. Hank would soon have to use a wheel chair. Hank felt himself go cold all over. However, the doctor said there was a chance that he could be fitted with artificial legs. Finally a leg maker was found and the day came when Hank stood up before the mirror and saw himself for the first time, five feet eight inches tall. But this was not the end yet. He had to learn to use his new legs. Again and again he marched the length of the room, and marched back again. There were times when he fell down on the floor, but he pulled himself up and went back to the endless marching. He went out on the street. He climbed the stairs and learned to dance. He built a boat and learned to sail it. When World War II came, he talked the Red Cross into giving him a job. He took the regular training. He marched and drilled along with the other soldiers. Few knew that he was legless. This was the true story of Hank Viscardi, the man without legs. \n Question: It can be inferred from the story that five feet eight inches tall is    _    . \n Options: (A) an average height for an adult (B) too tall for an average person (C) too short for an average person (D) none of the above", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}439{"query": "Article: Once upon a time a peacock  and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock lived in a tree on the bank of the stream in which the tortoise had his home, and every day the peacock danced near the stream and displayed his gay plumage for the amusement of his friend.  Unfortunately, one day a bird-catcher caught the peacock and was about to take him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged his captor to allow him to say goodbyeto his friend -- the tortoise. The bird-catcher agreed and took the peacock to the tortoise, who was greatly astonished when he saw his friend become a captive. The tortoise asked the bird-catcher to let the peacock go, but the bird-catcher laughed at his request, saying that was his livelihood. The tortoise then said, \"If I give you a handsome present, will you let my friend go?\" \"Certainly,\" answered the bird-catcher. So the tortoise dived into the water and in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl. To the bird-catcher's astonishment, the tortoise handed it to him. This was beyond his expectation, and he let the peacock go immediately. A short time later, the  _ man came back and told the tortoise that he thought he had not been paid enough for the release of his friend, and threatened that unless he received another pearl which matched the first one, he would again catch the peacock. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to go to a distant place on being set free, was greatly enraged at the greed of this man. \"Well,\" said the tortoise, \"if you insist on having another pearl like that one, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it.\" The cupidity of the bird-catcher prevented his reasoning that \"one in the hand is equal to two in the bed of the stream\", and he quickly gave the pearl to the wily tortoise, who swam out with it, saying, \"I am no fool to take one and give two!\" and disappeared immediately, leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry for his greed. \n Question: This passage is a   _  . \n Options: (A) joke (B) fairy tale (C) fable (D) life story", "pos": "Article: Seal  seizes raft This seal really rocked the boat when he found himself an unusual place to hang out. After the seal came across a boat in the harbor where he lives, he fell inside and wouldn't _ for four days. \"One morning the seal just pulled himself aboard,\" says Ed Stubbings, who owns the boat-turned-bed. Probably thinking the boat was a rock, the seal made himself at home. The seal didn't move an inch-----not even to eat or drink. Stubbings was a little worried that the 500-pound animal might sink it. Luckily on the fifth day, the seal fell back into the water and swam off. Alligator gets new tail When Mr. Stubbs the alligator swims through his pool at the Phoenix Herpetological Society, he looks like any other gator-----except that his tail is made of rubber. Mr. Stubbs is the first alligator known to wear an artificial tail. Mr. Stubbs was brought to the society nine years ago. \"His tail was missing when he arrived,\" says President Russ Johnson. Mr. Stubbs couldn't walk or swim properly. \"We showed him how to swim in the water,\" Johnson says. \"But that hurt his back.\" Later, the scientists used rubber to build an artificial tail attached to Mr. Stubbs's back legs. \"Once we put the tail on him, he walked with ease,\" Johnson says. Dog delivers papers Morgan started her \"paper route\" when she was young. One day as Morgan and her owner Bill set out on a walk, she spotted a rolled-up paper. To Bill's surprise, Morgan grabbed the object in her mouth, walked back to the house, and dropped it on the doorstep. Morgan enjoyed the activity so much that she wanted to deliver every paper she saw on her walks. Now three-year-old Morgan brings the paper to her owner and neighbors, even in bad weather. \"Morgan has a natural instinct  to carry things with her mouth,\" dog behaviorist Pat Miller says. \"And she feels rewarded by the activity, so she keeps it up.\" \n Question: It can be learned that Mr. Stubbs  _  . \n Options: (A) injured his back (B) lost his tail and back legs (C) quickly got used to his new tail (D) was found by Ed Stubbings", "neg": "Article: One day a man was walking in the street when he met a penguin  .It was a handsome and very brave bird. It seemed to take an immediate liking to the man, because it walked up to him and then followed him wherever he went.This was funny for a while but in the end became rather embarrassing . \"Go away, you silly bird, ''the man said to the penguin, but the bird ignored him. It simply would not leave him alone.Wherever he went, the bird went too. At last, in desperation   the man walked into a police station.\"Excuse me, officer.\" he said. \"I need some advice. I met this penguin in the street and I don't know what to do with it.\" A bored policeman looked up from what he was writing and said, \"Just take it to the zoo, sir.'' \"Oh,all right.''said the man. The next day the man was walking along the street, still accompanied   by the penguin, when he met the policeman he'd spoken to the day before.The policeman was not pleased to see them.\"I thought I advised you to take that animal to the zoo, \" he said. \"Well, yes, officer, you did.And I did take him to the zoo, \" the man explained. \"And we had a great time. But we can't go to the zoo every day.I thought today I'd take him to the movies.'' \n Question: Which of the following expressions can be used to describe the penguin? \n Options: (A) Ugly looking. (B) Beautiful in heart. (C) Silly in look. (D) Friendly to human.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}440{"query": "Article: In the past ten years, America's National Basketball Association (NBA) has grown increasingly dependent on the rest of the world to supply players. When Michael Jordan and Larry Bird won gold in Barcelona in 1992, the Americans were praised for teaching the world how to play basketball. This season, however, 20 percent of NBA rosters  will be filled by non-Americans. NBA commissioner David Stem happily embraces the trend. On a visit to Paris in October, Stern outlined his vision for the future, which is likely to see Europe hosting NBA games by 2010. The NBA is now planning to _ . \"Our experience in China has been that it is going to be explosive in its growth,\"said Stem. The strategy (,)in China is television.\"We've made 14 deals in China with local and national networks on cable and satellite.\" The success of Chinese centre Yao Ming has paved the way for the NBA marketing blitz in China. The NBA, which is broadcasted in more than 200 countries in 42 languages, will put that to the test in October 2004 when the Houston Rockets play two pre-season games against the Sacramento Kings in Beijing and Shanghai. The NBA knows that it needs a global market to condensate for tough times on _ soil. \"It doesn't matter where the players come from, all the NBA teams now know that they have to scout(,) internationally,\" said Terry Lyons, the NBA's vice-president of international public relations. \"It has increased the level of competition here.\" As Frenchman Tony Parker and Argentine Emanuel Ginobili showed in winning championship rings with the San Antonio Spurs last season, many people can earn the respect of their American peers. Others, such as the Houston Rockets' Chinese centre Yao Ming -- number one draft pick in 2002 -- and the Detroit Pistons' 18-year-old Serb Darko Milicic -- number two overall in this year's draft -- are icons in-waiting. It is the ultimate(,) revolution -- the rest of the world teaching the US how to play basketball. \n Question: According to the report,  _  . \n Options: (A) Michael Jordan is still playing a very important role in NBA (B) the part played by the foreign players in NBA will be great (C) Yao Ming is to play two pre-season games in NBA (D) European countries will host the 2004 NBA games", "pos": "Article: With five breakout   games, Jeremy Lin has become the NBA's newest star. In the New York Knicks' 92-85 won over the Los Angles Lakers last Saturday, Lin had a career-high 38 points.A day later, he led the Knicks to their fifth victory, 100-98 to Minnesota Timberwolves.In his previous games, Lin, 23, had 23 points against the Washington, 25 points against New Jersey and 28 against Utah in his first start. Lin is smart.Before graduating from high school in California, he had sent his application to all the Ivy League Schools  .He only got into Harvard and Brown, and he chose Harvard.In 2010, Lin graduated with a degree in economics. Lin is the first Chinese-American player in the NBA.He was born in the US and his family is Asian.Although not born in China, Lin has attracted nearly all Yao Ming's old fans, who see him as a powerful role model. He started off on the Golden State Warriors.Lin first signed with the Warriors in July, 2010, but seldom played in games before the start of the fourth quarter.His first time on the court for the Warriors earned him seven points, three rebounds   and two assists in just 11 minutes. He is really perfect for the Knicks.The New York Knicks has been in need of a reliable point guard and to Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks coach who's going through a difficult season, Lin is a most unexpected figure.\"Lin just does everything easy and the rest of the guys around him are playing the way we want to,\" D'Antoni said.\"I think it's for real, and it can only get better.\" \n Question: In which team did Lin start his career in NBA? \n Options: (A) the New York Knicks. (B) The Golden State Warriors. (C) Minnesota Timberwolves. (D) The Los Angles Lakers.", "neg": "Article: NBA commissioner David Stern was in Orlando on Thursday night, getting ready for Sunday's All-Star Game. Of course, all he could talk about was the only player anyone wants to talk about these days: New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin. Hours before Lin took the court against the Heat, a few hundred miles South down I-95 in Miami, Stern told reporters that Lin's instant popularity hasn't ever been matched in sports history, not even by Sunday's biggest names, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant. The Associated Press had the details. \"I haven't done a calculation, but it's fair to say that no player has created the interest and the craze in this short period of time, in any sport, that I'm aware of like Jeremy Lin has,\" Stern said Thursday. Lin, an undrafted guard from Harvard, has become the NBA's biggest story since coming off the Knicks' bench earlier this month to lead them to nine wins in 11 games heading into their matchup with Miami on Thursday night. With Lin's popularity in Asia as the league's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent, and with the religious community because of his strong Christian faith, Stern says he's \"never quite seen anything like\" the attention on Lin. \"It's fascinating,\" Stern said after the All-Star Jam Session opening ceremonies. The top five videos on NBA.com since Feb. 4, when Lin joined the circulation, are all Lin or Knicks related. Lin went from 190,000 followers on Sina, China's version of Twitter, on Feb. 2 to more than 1 million as of Feb. 16. Indeed, Lin's popularity is so _ that the NBA made a late list switch to ensure his participation in the Rising Stars Challenge on All-Star Saturday, a game that includes the NBA's best rookies and sophomores. Lin is in such high demand that all of the game's other participants will meet with the media following a team practice on Friday while Lin will have his own, separate press conference later in the night. This is Jeremy's world, folks. We're all just living in it. Even David Stern and the rest of the league's All-Stars, at least for the moment. \n Question: The following statements about Jeremy Lin's instant popularity are true EXCEPT that   _  . \n Options: (A) Jeremy Lin led New York Knicks to win all the recent games this month (B) David Stern said Lin was the only instant popular player in NBA's history (C) Lin has become the NBA's greatest story though he was an undrafted guard (D) no player has created the interest and the enthusiasm in such a short period of time", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}441{"query": "Article: Every child has written their names on the beach at some point. But whereas most people's \"handwriting\" is washed away, one super-rich Arab sheikh  has ensure that his graffiti  will last a little longer. Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 63, has scrawled his name in sand on an island he owns with letters so big that they be seen from space. The word \"HAMAD\" measures 1,000 meters high and is a staggering two miles long from the \"H\" to the \"D\" on the Al Futaisi Island. And rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually form waterways that absorb the encroaching  tide. The ruler's name is even visible on Google's map service. Hamad dreamed up the idea and had his workmen work hard for weeks to craft the enormous piece of sand graffiti. It is not known how much it cost to make. However, the sheikh boasts a personal fortune second to the Saudi king's. Hamad, also known as the \"Rainbow Sheikh\", is a member of the Abu Dhabi Ruling Family. He is understood to have some 200 cars including seven Mercedes 500 SELs painted in different colors of the rainbow which he stores in a giant pyramid. The Arab sheikh had a taste for doing things on a large scale. He built the world's largest truck--eight times the size of the Dodge Power Wagon, with four bedrooms inside the cabin. Hamad constructed a motor home in the shape of a giant globe which is exactly 1 millionth the size of the actual earth. Alongside his displays of wealth he has become a well-known philanthropist  in medicine and supplied a complete Kinney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its stuff. \n Question: Which of the following in NOT true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Hamad is a man who wants himself to be well-known from apace. (B) Hamad is a super-rich person who always does something unusual. (C) Hamad is a man who is always so mean in his family (D) Hamad is a man who boasts his fortune is second to the Saudi king's", "pos": "Article: Dubai, the Gulf desert city state, which is well-known for its huge projects before it was hit by the global financial crisis , on Saturday announced a new development to open the world's biggest mall and a park larger than London's Hyde Park.   The ruler of the Gulf desert city state, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, announced the plan for a \"new city within Dubai\", according to an official statement, naming it after himself.   No cost was stated for \"Mohammed bin Rashid City,\" to be carried out by his private companies, which developed many of Dubai's well-known projects, including Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.   The \"Mall of the World\" will attract 80 million visitors a year to become the \"largest in the world,\" said the statement, while its park will be \"30 percent bigger than Hyde Park of London.\" The mall will be connected to a family entertainment center to be developed in cooperation with Universal Studios International that will be the largest in the area, aiming to attract six million visitors a year. Dubai already has countless malls and hotels, including the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, with 62 million visitors this year. \"The malls and hotels available at present in Dubai need to be enlarged in line with the future ambitions for the city,\" Sheikh Mohammed said in the statement. Dubai's tourism is growing by 13 percent a year, according to the statement, with hotel occupancy  hitting 82 percent in 2011 while hotel profits grew 22 percent last year, more than$4.4 billion. The city state rocked global financial markets in autumn 2009 over its debt crisis, but its economy has returned to growth. \n Question: The \"new city within Dubai\" will   _  . \n Options: (A) attract 62 million visitors a year (B) become the world's tallest tower (C) be named after the ruler of the state (D) be the world's largest family entertainment center", "neg": "Article: Kieron Williamson, a seven-year-old British boy, is being recognized as an art genius after selling 16 paintings for 18,000 pounds in just 14 minutes. This boy has artistic skills that would be the envy of any serious painter and drawn comparisons to Pablo Picasso, a child prodigy  who became one of the most recognized artists of the 20th century. It all began on a family holiday to Cornwall on the southwest English coast when Kieron was five. Inspired by the view, he asked his parents for his first sketch-pad  .From that moment on, he became deeply interested. While supportive, Kieron's parents are careful not to push their son. He only paints when and what he wants. He has a waiting list of hundreds and requests for his work have been flooding in. His father said a sale of Kieron's works held in November even drew a buyer from Japan. \"We had people driving down that night, there were people on the door waiting to come in the morning who had been standing outside, the phones were going mad as soon as the door opened at nine o'clock and within 14 minutes all the 16 pictures had gone,\" he said. All this talent, money and high praise could so easily go to a young boy's head, but Kieron said his friends keep him grounded. \"Some of them want to be as good as me and some of them think... Umn, 'you are not too special',\" he said. Kieron's favorite painter is British artist Edward Seago and he has spent some of his earnings buying a work by his hero. The rest is being invested by his parents until he reaches 25. Kieron's parents and his younger sister Billi-Jo don't see him as anything other than a normal seven-year-old who likes to tear around the house and who's mad about football. But for now, with so much still to learn, there's only one thing he wants to be when he grows up. He said, \"I think I'll definitely be an artist.\" \n Question: In Kieron Williamson's friends' opinion, he_. \n Options: (A) is famous but a little proud (B) isn't very special from other children (C) isn't worth praising at all (D) is hard to get along with", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}442{"query": "Article: A lot more people are about to get a chance to buy Google Glass. It's the Internet-connected eyewear that has become the hottest sale. Google will sell the \"Explorer\" version  of Glass to any U.S. person who places an online order for the device beginning at 9am. PDT April 15. The product will cost $1,500. Google is saying how many sets of Glass will be available during the limited-time offer. This version of Glass, though, still isn't the perfect product that Google hopes to sell in stores later this year. For now, Google is still trying to recruit  more people willing to serve as volunteers for its attempt to build a wearable device that features some of the same feature as a smart phone. \" Our Explorers are moms, bakers, surgeons, rockers, and each new Explorer has brought a new view that is making Glass better,\" Google said. The device has a small screen attached above the right eye. A user can check e-mails, see Twitter post or get directions without having to use a phone. It can also take hands-free photos and video through voice-activated  commands. The ability to record images so easily has raised safely concerns about drivers wearing Glass. The lawmakers have to draw up new rules forbidding use of the device in moving vehicles. Google regards Glass as a breakthrough . It will make it easier for people to surf the Internet while on the go. They also hope that the device could help police officers, firefighters, doctors and reporters do their jobs better. \n Question: What is special about Google Glass? \n Options: (A) People can only order it online. (B) It's cheaper than the ordinary glasses. (C) People can explore the Internet with it. (D) It doesn't contain any actual glass in the future.", "pos": "Article: In the near future,we may be using our eyes to operate our smart-phones and tablets,even when it comes to playing popular games like Fruit Ninja. The Gaze Group has been developing eye-controlled computer technology for nearly 20 years.But those devices have been firstly designed to help those with disabilities,and are very expensive. \"After a while,we figured out that probably the best way is to go for a mass-market way,\" says Gaze's Sune Alstrup Johansen.\"where everybody would have this available.\" Johansen and some of his colleagues have formed a new company,the Eye Tribe,which is hoping to develop the technology on a mass commercial level. The technology works with the help of the computing device toward the user's face. After making sure of the user's eye movements,the technology is then able to easily find where a person's eyes are moving,and then allow the eyes to control a cursor . \"Our software can then determine the location of the eyes and know where you're looking on the screen to make sure what you're looking at,\"reads an explanation on the Eye Tribe site. There has been a gradual change toward hands-free technology in recent years, particularly in the gaming world.Recently Xbox released the Kinect device,which lets users control their Xbox and play certain games using only their hands,legs and voices. But still,most of these devices have been more of a _ than a practical way to use one's hands to control a mobile device.Johansen said a replaceable filter would be a cheap,convenient way for most consumers. And even as companies like The Eye Tribe work to create such a product for the average user, making the eye-controlled technology more accessible and less expensive will have similar benefits for physically disabled users. For more articles on modern science,please CLICK here. \n Question: Which of the following is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) An introduction of a new device. (B) An introduction of smart-phones. (C) An introduction of eye-controlling technology. (D) An introduction of a new technology for the disabled.", "neg": "Article: An American research company shows that $248.7 billion online sales are expected by 2014. It seems as if we can't get enough of spending money through countless online clicks today. Following are some of the incredible things that you can buy online! 1) Parents 51-year-old Michael Amatrudo from Connecticut put a posting on Craig list in 2009 to sell his elderly parents, asking for $155 in return. 2) Chewing Gum Bidding for Britney Spears' chewing gum reached $14,000 in 2004. The pop star's half-eaten sandwich also went for over $500. 3) Kidney Stone Star Trek actor William Shatner sold his kidney stone for $20,000 when he put it up for sale online to see how much a piece of him was worth. He ended up giving the money to charity. 4) An Imaginary Friend This imaginary guy went (or might still be going) by the name of Jon Malipieman and was sold on eBay for $3,000 by a man who claimed: \"My imaginary friend Jon Malipieman is getting too old for me now. I am now 27 and I feel I am growing out of him. He is very friendly. Along with him, I will send you what he likes and dislikes, his favorite things to do and his personal self portrait.\" 5) Souls The website demonical.com is probably the creepiest site I have ever visited. You can sell your own soul or buy the souls of people such as Fidel Castro and Woody Allen (both selling for $950). Bill Gate, whoever that is, has his soul for sale at $1,300 while Michael Jacobsen's soul is being sold for $3000. 6) A Rock That Looks Like Meat The screen shot from eBay tells us that people are bidding over $1 million for this \"naturally formed bbq pork rock\". Absolute madness. \n Question: What is the author's purpose for writing the passage? \n Options: (A) To introduce some unbelievable things online. (B) To call on customers to resist the products. (C) To attract readers to visit the related websites. (D) To encourage readers to buy the things online.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}443{"query": "Article: The United Nations says forty million people or so around the world went hungry in 2008, mainly because of higher food prices. Early estimates  from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that 963 million people did not get enough to eat. World food prices have dropped since early 2008. Prices of major crops have decreased by more than half from their height earlier last year. But they remain high compared to earlier years. But FAO official Hafez Ghanem says lower prices have failed to end the food crisis   in many poor countries. \"For millions in developing countries,\" he says, \"getting enough food every day to live an active and healthy life is a distant dream.\" The FAO says food shortage is a threat to people's health. Today, two-thirds of the world's _ people live in just a few countries. These are India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Ethiopia and so on. A report on food insecurity warns that the current economic crisis could send even more people into hunger and poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa, the percentage of the people who continually go hungry fell from 34% in 1997 to 30% in 2008. But the FAO says Ghana is the only country that has reached two sets of hunger reduction targets. These were set by the 1996 World Food Summit and the Millennium Development Goals. The main reason is the growth in agricultural production in Ghana. The FAO says some countries in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Vietnam have made progress in hunger reduction goals. But South Asia and Central Asia haven't, and North Korea is still in hot water. \n Question: What FAO official Hafez Ghanem says implies   _ \n Options: (A) it's easy but takes long to provide people with enough food (B) enough food can make people more active and healthier (C) there is difficulty solving the food shortage in a short time (D) people in developing countries will never get enough food", "pos": "Article: There is growing concern about food insecurity in the developing world. Rising food prices, weather emergencies and political problems are deepening the struggle for families in many countries. Three UN agencies have published a report recently, saying high prices are likely to continue. Gregory Barrow, who is with the World Food Program in Rome, says, \"If you look at the places where the World Food Program works, particularly in developing countries, you see people who might be spending more than 60 percent of their salary in purchasing food for their families.\" East Africa is suffering its worst drought in years. In Kenya, at least three and a half million people are going hungry, mostly in the north. Yet food is going to waste in central Kenya. Now, farmers there want the government to buy their food and give it to those in need. Farmers say bad roads and lack of transportation make it difficult for them to get their produce to the market. Mr. Barrow says, \"It needs the government to make some arrangements such as providing transport. They can buy it at a good price, then give it to those people instead of asking for food from overseas, which is very bad. When we are throwing away food, _ are asking for food from overseas.\" Economists say that imports reduce local food prices, decrease productivity  and increase the dependency on other countries. Farmers in Kenya hope the government can pay higher prices for their crops so that they can feed more Kenyans. \n Question: What is the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) Kenya Imports Food from Abroad (B) A World Food Program in Rome. (C) The Poor Suffer from High Food Prices. (D) A Report Published by Three UN Agencies.", "neg": "Article: Food prices have risen sharply over the past few years. The good news is that the rate of increase has slowed. The bad news is that prices will not go down anytime soon. Also,the rate of global agricultural production is slowing. Yet it needs to increase 60% over the next 40 years to feed a growing world population. These are among the findings from the OECDFAO(the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development & the Food and Agriculture Organization)Agricultural Outlook 2012-2021. FAO DirectorGeneral Jose Graziano da Silva spoke at a news conference in Rome when the report was released. Mr.Da Silva said that,not surprisingly,the world's poorest people will feel the greatest effects of higher prices. \"For the millions and millions of extremely poor people, the effects of high food prices are clear--they might have to change their diets,usually to ones with poorer nutrition quality, \"he said. In middleincome countries, people are gaining weight as they eat fewer fruits and vegetables and more of the cheaper but less nutritious foods. The report also shows that farmers in poorer countries will be leading efforts to feed an expected 9,000,000,000 people by 2050.The outlook predicts that farmers in Latin America,the Caribbean and subSaharan Africa will drive agricultural production in the future. Angel Gurria,SecretaryGeneral of the OECD,said:\"We can feed 9,000,000,000 people by 2050 on this planet. But we have to organize ourselves better.\" But there are plenty of challenges.Onefourth of all agricultural land is damaged. Many countries face water shortages .And experts believe climate change is driving increasingly unusual weather patterns. The report says farmers need to use more growing methods that can't cause damage to the environment.At the same time,it says governments should end economically harmful supports and spend more money to increase agricultural production.Mr.Gurria says rich and poor nations need to treat agriculture more like a business. \"In many cases,agriculture is related in people's minds to the poorest. It's related to aid. It's related to very poor living conditions,etc. We have got to shake that image away,\"he said. \n Question: Why are people gaining weight in countries with average incomes? \n Options: (A) They eat more food. (B) They eat less nutritious foods. (C) They eat cheaper fruits. (D) They eat cheaper vegetables.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}444{"query": "Article: Sometimes it is difficult to talk to taxi drivers. They must give all their attention to the road as they work out the shortest way to the place where you are going. However, passengers from Wangfujing were in surprise when they took a taxi. The driver just would not stop talking - in English. Organized by the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy, \"Dare to Speak\" examines if Chinese people will speak English in \"real-life\" situations. Matthew Knowles, an acting student from South Carolina at Beijing Film Academy, acted the part as the \"driver\". He collected six passengers on Saturday morning, most of whom were female white-collar  workers. \"Of course they were surprised at first, wondering why I'm driving a taxi, and wondering whether this is a real taxi, but then most of them were pretty willing to speak,\" he said. Knowles said he was also surprised by his \"passengers\". \"Apart from my first 'passenger', who could speak very little English, all the rest spoke English very well, and it was fun to communicate with them,\" he said, adding that some \"passengers\" were quite talkative. The \"foreign taxi driver\" project was just one of the \"Dare to Speak\" activities, which have been going on since the end of October. Other projects included a foreign store owner near a high school in Beijing, a cook in a Shanghai university canteen. They were testing the willingness of Chinese people, especially students and white-collar workers, to speak to foreigners in English. Rong Xin, senior manager of IELTS   with the British Embassy, said they hoped to let IELTS takers in China know that communication is the _ goal of IELTS. \"We hope that more and more IELTS takers in China can realize the importance of communicating in English in real life, instead of just getting high test scores,\" she said. \n Question: Why did Matthew Knowles drive a taxi? \n Options: (A) He took part in the project \"Dear to speak\" (B) He played the role of a taxi driver in a film. (C) He enjoyed chatting with people in English. (D) He wanted to improve his Chinese while driving.", "pos": "Article: The group of people introduced themselves to me and my German classmate Julia. They were from a production company, currently in the process of filming a movie based in DuAn, a rural area a few hours north of Nanning. They tried to explain the plot of the film, but neither mine nor Julia's Chinese was good enough to fully understand what they were saying. They then asked if we would be interested in being part of the project.  I came to China to experience new things and new opportunity, and being in a movie sounded so exciting. So in less than a second, I jumped at the chance of being in the film. Julia on the other hand was not so enthusiastic. It took 30 minutes to convince her to be part of the film, and she eventually accepted the chance. That afternoon we were taken to the production company's office to meet the director and some of the cast. We all sat together, drinking tea, talking about why I and Julia were in China and about the film. It seemed a little bit like a dream. Ever since I was a small child, I dreamed of becoming a movie star, but I would never have guessed that my dream would come true, especially now in China. At the end of the talk, we were given scripts   and had a few photographs taken. We were given the production schedule and ensured that our scenes would only be shot at weekends so it wouldn't interfere   with our studies. We left the office excited about the film, but unknowing what filming was actually like. On our first day of filming, we were picked up in the early morning from the university and we drove deep into the countryside. We arrived on location and waited for our scene to be shot. We watched as the other actors and crew went about their work, busy shooting and re-shooting the same scene from different angles and perspectives. I never knew how much effort and care went into filming even the most short and simple scene. It was then our turn to shoot, and I was very nervous and very excited. \n Question: From the passage we can learn that the writer  _  . \n Options: (A) was interested in new things (B) was interested in exciting films (C) jumped high in the film (D) wasn't as enthusiastic as Julia for the film", "neg": "Article: Students often want to practice their English outside class. One of the best ways to practice your English is to speak to a foreigner. You may ask, \"Is it okay to try to talk to foreigners I see in the street?\" The answer is yes and no, but probably no! If you see a foreigner who looks lost, it is polite to ask him, \"May I help you?\" But, otherwise, you should probably let them get on with their business. Situations, however, do exist where it is quite all right to talk to foreigners. If a foreigner enters your school, classroom, office, shop or restaurant, for instance, feel free to ask him (for example): -- What is your name? -- Where do you come from? -- What do you think of Beijing? -- How long will you stay in Beijing? There are also situations where it's okay to talk to foreigners in public places. If you see a foreigner alone in a restaurant, bar or coffee shop, it may be appropriate to ask him or her: -- Is this seat free? -- Do you mind if I talk to you in English? You can probably help them if they are new in China and if they are alone, you may be able to make them feel more welcome. After a few such questions, you should know whether this person wants to talk to you or not. If they ask you similar questions, or if they give long, informative answers, you're in luck. If not, then give them their privacy. Talking to strangers is fun if you choose the right time and place. \n Question: It is the best way to practice your spoken English with   _  . \n Options: (A) Japanese (B) Americans (C) our classmates (D) French people", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}445{"query": "Article: To me, life without music would not be exciting. I realize that this is not true for everybody. Many people get along quite well without going to the concert, and listening to the record. But music plays an important part in everyone's life, whether he realizes it or not. Try to imagine, for example, what films or TV plays would be like without music. Would the feelings, the moving plot, and the greatest interests, be so exciting or dramatic? I'm not sure about it. Now, we have been speaking of music in its more common meaning----the kind of music we hear in the concert hall. But if we look at some parts of music more closely, we discover them in our everyday life too----in the rhythm of the sea, the _ of a bird in the woods and so on. So music surely has meaning for everyone, in some way or other. And, of course, it has special meaning for those who have spent all their lives working on playing or writing music. It is well said, \"Through music a child enters into a world of beauty, expresses himself from his heart, feels the joy of doing things alone, learns to take care of others, develops his mind and makes his body strong.\" \n Question: What dose the writer say more about in the text? \n Options: (A) Life full of music. (B) Life without music. (C) The importance of music. (D) The development of music.", "pos": "Article: Have you ever thought about why malls, restaurants, and even theaters have music? Well, to understand this, you simply just look back at how you felt when you heard music in these places. Music is known to improve the mood of people. Often music helps us pay attention to what we are doing. Music helps patients feel good and helps them recover faster and better. Depression  is a state of mind that most of us experience at some point of time. There are some periods in our life when everything seems difficult. It seems that everything is getting worse and we have no control over our life. Studies have shown that music can be an important mood lifter in such situations. Music also plays a great role in making us feel less nervous or worried. Anxiety  can often cause loss of sleep and other illnesses. Music is often known as an international language. We may not know the language another person is speaking, but most of us respond to music in the same way. Music can often be the best way to connect with someone. Music is one of the best ways to improve your moods, but this can depend largely on the kind of music you listen to. While happy music can certainly make you feel better, sad music can further lower your spirits. Listening to classical music can often make you feel a lot more powerful, while soft music can be the perfect way to relax at the end of a long way. If you want to use music to change the way how you are feeling, you need to understand the role of it, learn to recognize the kind of music that lifts your mood and helps you feel better. Once you realize the kind of music you can use, you can use it to change the way you feel. The right kind of music can be the perfect way to help us feel happier. \n Question: The passage is mainly about   _  . \n Options: (A) what meanings music has (B) how we control our moods (C) how music affects our moods (D) what kind of music we listen to", "neg": "Article: Whether you admit or not, music is rooted in our daily life, weaving its beauty and emotion through our thoughts, activities and memories. So if you're interested in music theory, music appreciation, Beethoven, Mozart, artists and performers, we hope you'll spend some time here and learn from those music articles of note for all ages and tastes. When I first started studying the history of music, I did not realize what I was getting into. I had thought that music history was somewhat of an unimportant pursuit . In fact, I only took my history of classical music class because I needed the credits . I did not realize how really attractive music history was. You see, in our culture many of us do not really learn to understand music. When I began to learn about the history of Western music, however, it changed all that for me. When most of us think about the history of music, we think of the history of rock music, we _ that the history is simple because the music is simple. In fact, neither is the case, The history of music, whether you're talking about classical music, rock music, jazz music, or any other kind, is never simple. Even when the class was over, I would not stop learning about the history of music. It had attracted my interest, and I wanted more. \n Question: What is the author's purpose in writing the text? \n Options: (A) To advise readers to learn about music. (B) To show he has a good knowledge of music. (C) To ask readers to share their experience. (D) To prove that music has a long history.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}446{"query": "Article: A Scottish woman has given birth to twins for the third time. Karen Rodger, 41, welcomed her first pair of girls rowan and Isla after having twice given birth to twin boys. \"I still haven't really taken it on board because I was convinced I was having two boys,\" Rodger told Sky News. Karen said her husband Colin was equally stunned when the couple learned they were going to have their fifth and sixth child. \"He thought I was joking and immediately wrote back to say 'this is not funny'. I had to explain that it really was true,\" Karen said. The average couple has about a 3 percent chance of having twins when not accounting for fertility drugs. And with each following pregnancy, the changes of producing twins a second, or even third time, become less. Karen, a dance lecturer, first learned of the incredibly rare occurrence during a visit to her doctor and immediately texted her husband to share the news. \"I just could not believe it. It never crossed my mind that it would be twins again. I just thought that wouldn't happen to people like me, but I'm  ly delighted,\" she said. It had been several years since the couple's last children were born. Their oldest twins are 14 and the second set was born just two years later. \"I turned 40 and I thought, if I'm going to do it, I should do it now,\" Karen said. \"I spoken to my husband and we both thought we'd quite like another one so that was it and, one month later, I was pregnant.\"  Colin says the age and gender difference will ensure a sweat-inducing dilemma for any future suitors of the twin girls. It will be a frightening challenge for any boyfriend. \n Question: From Karen 's reaction to the news given by her doctor, we infer that  _  . \n Options: (A) she didn't know she was pregnant again (B) she was happy to have twins again (C) she didn't think she was different from others (D) she didn't know how to tell her husband the news", "pos": "Article: Erica and Steve Lineberry have been rock climbing since 2005. They were first introduced to it while visiting a family in Montana. Now they are at climbing centers, like Inner Peaks in Charlotte, three times a week, and on weekends they climb outdoors. Steve said they first started climbing as part of their exercise. Years later, he lost 60 pounds. But as the couple's interest in the sport grew, they consulted some _ and started climbing outdoors. Then Erica got pregnant. \"Most people think that rock climbing and pregnancy don't go very well together,\" Erica said. But with lots of places to go, Erica kept climbing through her pregnancy. Then her son, Canaan, was born. She says the baby immediately started participating in the family sport. \"He went to the gym the first time with us at four weeks old, and then we took our first outdoor trip, just a day trip, at six weeks old with him.\" Now Canaan is three-year-old, and Erica is once again pregnant: 7 months along. During her first pregnancy, she blogged about climbing while pregnant. Now her Cragmama.com website is a top resource for families who rock climb. Erica said, \"I think a lot of people will say, they'll wait a few years until they get into an easier age or an easier life phase with their kids. And I think if they wait for that they're going to wait forever.\" Her message to women is to quickly climb back into the things you love; and that your life is not over once you are a mother. Cragmama.com website is quickly becoming the face of mommy rock climbing. She contributes to a handful of climbing magazines. Outdoor equipment companies ask her to wear and use their gear . And her website is a popular resource for families who are not only interested in climbing with their children, but also interested in taking on other adventures too. \n Question: What does the author intend to tell in the passage? \n Options: (A) A family who love rock climbing. (B) A couple who learn how to climb. (C) A woman who is brave to climb. (D) A story about a pregnant woman.", "neg": "Article: British MPs   have voted in favour of the creation of babies with DNA from two women and one man, in a historic move. The UK is now set to become the first country to introduce laws to allow the creation of babies from three people. In a free vote in the Commons, 382 MPs were in favour and 128 against the technique that stops genetic diseases being passed from mother to child. During the debate, ministers said the technique was \"light at the end of a dark tunnel\" for families. A further vote is required in the House of Lords. If everything goes ahead then the first such baby could be born next year. Supporters said it was \"good news for progressive medicine\" but critics say they will continue to fight against the technique that they say raises too many ethical   and safety concerns. Estimates suggest 150 three-person babies could be born each year. Prime Minister David Cameron said: \"We're not playing god here; we're just making sure that two parents who want a healthy baby can have one.\" The method, which was developed in Newcastle, should help women like Sharon Bernadi, from Sunderland, who lost all seven of her children to mitochondrial   disease. Ms Bernadi said she was \"overwhelmed\" by the decision. Mitochondria are the tiny compartments   inside nearly every cell of the body that transform food into useable energy. They have their own DNA, which does not affect characteristics such as appearance. _ mitochondria are passed down only from the mother. They can lead to brain damage, muscle wasting, heart failure and blindness. The technique uses a modified version to combine the DNA of the two parents with the healthy mitochondria of a donor woman. It results in babies with 0.1% of their DNA from the second woman and is a permanent change that would be passed down through the generations. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? \n Options: (A) The new technique is intended to provide the parents a healthy baby. (B) The mitochondrial disease can lead to various fatal illnesses. (C) Britain is the first country to have created three-person babies. (D) All of Ms Bernadi's children died of a genetic disease.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}447{"query": "Article: New rules and behavior standards for the middle school students came out in March. Middle school is going to use a new way to decide who the top students are. The best students won't only have high marks. They will also be kids who don't dye  their hair, smoke or drink. The following are some of the new rules. Tell the truth. Have you ever copied others' work in an exam? Don't do it again if you did it before! That's not something an honest student should do. If you have played computer games for two hours in your room, don't tell your parents you have done your homework. Do more at school. Good students love animals and care for other people. April is a bird-loving month in China. Did your school do anything to celebrate? If so, you should join it! In this way, you can learn more about animals and how to protect them. When more people work together, you can get more fun. Have you ever quarreled with your teammates when your basketball team lost? Only working together can make your team stronger. Be friendly to the people you are with. Try to think of others, not only yourself.  Be open to new ideas. Have you ever thought that people could live on the moon? Maybe you'll discover the truth someday. Don't look down on new ideas. Everyone's ideas are important. You should welcome them, because new ideas make life better for everyone. Protect yourself. Has anyone ever taken money from one of your classmates? Don't let it happen to you. If you have to go home late, you should let your parents know.  Use the Internet carefully. The Internet can be very useful for our studies. But some things on the Internet aren't for kids, so try to look at Web pages that are good for you. You can use the Web for fun or homework. Can you find any good websites for children? Here are some. \n Question: The school new rules will help kids by telling them   _  . \n Options: (A) how they can study well (B) what they should do at home (C) what is right and what is wrong (D) how they can help themselves", "pos": "Article: Learning new words is learning new ideas: High school students can take control of their learning by always looking up new words and finding out what they mean. They should keep a dictionary and a thesaurus close at hand. Make clear lists: Students should make a list of everything that they need to get done. They should check off assignments once completed. They should include clear due dates. Make a commitment: Active learners will resolve to keep up -to-date from the start. They will avoid _ . They will complete most of their work as early as possible. Independent work is best: Students will do all assignments independently--they will never copy! Students who copy are passive learners. Passive learners do not give their mind a chance to think on its own. Organization is key: Students should keep an excellent folder and notebook. All problems should be clearly stated and solutions given. All tests and quizzes should be corrected and used as study guides for exams and finals. All actions without solutions are dead: Active learners will always show their work needed to solve a problem. Active learners will never turn in a list of answers without giving an explanation or a solution. Advanced reading: Students should do any required reading for the topic before class. They should write an outline of the section or chapter. They should actively take notes as they read to help them remember. \n Question: If you want to be successful in exams and finals you should  _  . \n Options: (A) give your mind a chance to think on its own (B) check off your papers once completed (C) keep an excellent folder and notebook (D) hand in your homework on time", "neg": "Article: If you have a chance to go to school in prefix = st1 /America, you should keep the following in mind: *If a teacher asks you a question, you are expected to give an answer. If you do not understand the question, you should raise your hand and ask the teacher to repeat the question. It is all right to tell the teacher that you do not know the answer. Then he or she knows what you need to learn. *There is no excuse for not doing your homework. If you are absent ,you should call your teacher or your classmates and ask for the assignment. It is your responsibility to find out what homework you have missed. *It is impolite to eat, drink or chew gum during class. This is allowed for the break. Removing one' s shoes in the classroom is also not polite. *You must not be absent on a test day. If you are seriously ill, you must call and let the teacher know you will not be there for the test. If your teacher allows a make-up test, you should take the test within one or two days after returning to class. *It is rude to be late. If you must come in late, be sure to do it quietly by having your books and papers out of your bag, then go to your seat and sit very quietly. In the U. S., it is not necessary to knock before you enter the classroom. Most teachers will give you a low grade if you are often late. *Copying another student' s test or paper is never acceptable. It is called cheating. Students who cheat are kicked out in most schools. \n Question: What is the purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To introduce some American classroom customs. (B) To explain how to communicate with others in America. (C) To introduce some social manners in America. (D) To help you learn more about American culture.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}448{"query": "Article: My student teaching experience was a wonderful adventure. I had to deal with various discipline and behavior challenges that occurred again and again. The greatest part of it was the relationship I developed with two students. One of the students was named Michael,whom I met when I was working for a kindergarten. Before I became a morning bus assistant, I'd heard that Michael was a challenging student who would always shout, stand up on the bus, make fun of other students, and distract bus driver. So I decided that each morning, when he got on the bus, I'd have Michael sit beside me. At first he didn't like this idea and pouted about it. But soon he settled down, knowing he had no choice. I began to talk to him about little things outside of school life, such as his weekend activities and things that he liked to do. I also listened closely to him When he talked and thoroughly responded to his ideas. As I gave Michael the attention that he needed,little by little, he began to behave better and better. His transformation was noticed by all, by the students and especially the bus driver. Another student I took a special interest in was a boy named Tony, a third grader. To some, Tony seemed to be a slow or passive learner. So I decided to see if I could find a way to motivate Tony to stay on the task. I would sit in the seat next to him and encourage him through every step of the work he was doing. This helped him to stay motivated and at least the work was getting down on time. Before long, he was paying more attention to his studies, and scoring high on all his tests. I knew that all Tony had needed was to be motivated on a one-on-one basis. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) The two greatest students during the writer's career as a teacher. (B) The writer's best memories of his teaching experience. (C) How to motivate slow students. (D) How to deal with naughty students.", "pos": "Article: In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get ----- a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area: western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen ------- teaching English. School started, but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country. Was this rural area really New Jersey? My students took a week off when hunting season began. I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms. I was a young woman from New York City, who thought that \"Make hay while the sun shines\" just meant to have a good time. But, still, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth-grade class ---- seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room. In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, as the textbook had said, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. It sounds reasonable, but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans, particularly teenagers, rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise. My boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn't happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of the classroom, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes. I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying, but at my next free period I had to face him. I wondered if he would let me finish out the day. I walked to his office, took a deep breath, and opened the door. He was sitting in his chair, and he looked at me long and hard. I said nothing. All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher; I had been lying to myself, pretending that everything was fine. When he spoke, he said simply, without accusation, \"You had nothing to say to them.\" \"You had nothing to say to them\". he repeated.\" No wonder they are bored. Why not get to the meat of literature and stop talking about symbolism. Talk with them, not at them. And more important, why do you ignore their bad behavior\"? We talked. He named my problems and offered solutions. We role-played. He was the bad student, and I was the forceful, yet, warm teacher. As the year progressed, we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations. He helped me identify my weaknesses and strengths. In short, he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words: \"The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil.\" Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school. Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year, the school is my home now. \n Question: It can be inferred from the story that in 1974    _   . \n Options: (A) the writer became an optimistic person (B) it was rather difficult to get a job in the USA (C) the writer was very happy about her new job (D) it was easy to get a teaching job in New Jersey", "neg": "Article: As a first -year teacher at a Christian school ,I was expecting my fifth grade students to be prefect , perfect in behavior , in attitude , and I even expected the home-life of each student to be nearly perfect . I found , of course , that these students were not different from the children I taught in public school .These kids had behavior problems , bad attitudes ,and some even had strikingly difficult family lives . One of my students in particular stands out in my mind .I'll call him Timothy for safety's sake. During the first day of class , I noticed that Timothy was different .Not only in physical appearance , but he also spoke strangely , as though a 35-year-old man were trapped inside his tiny , weak body .On many occasions , I heard Timothy speak of hate, how he hated his family . I observed Timohy for several months and read up on his background and searched for any clue that would lead me closer to understanding this child's strange behavior .Finally I was directed to Timothy's older brother's cheating in an exam and had taken his anger out on Timothy at home .Timothy's parents , in turn , had contacted the school, blaming them for Timothy's problems. I had written a letter to the administration asking that Timothy see a counselor . The school was in the process of contacting a counselor when Timothy was transferred to another school. His father hurried around my room collecting Timothy's things and left. That is the last we have seen or heard from Timothy. I was left with an empty desk and a broken heart. I cried for days afterwards. I felt as though I had done Timothy a _ ...I did not help him when he needed me. I still think about Timothy every day, and pray for him every morning. \n Question: What was wrong with Timothy? \n Options: (A) He seemed to have deep emotional problems. (B) He seemed not to be getting along well with his classmates. (C) He mainly had behavior problems at school. (D) He wanted to transfer to another school.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}449{"query": "Article: TANG Dynasty writer Du Mu once wrote in a poem titled Qingming: \"The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day; So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.Where can a wine house be found to drown his sadness ?A cowherd points to Almond Flower (Xing Hua) Village in the distance.\" Qingming, the traditional tomb-sweeping day on the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on April 4 this year. Qingming Jie was proclaimed a Chinese national holiday in 2008. It is a time for remembering loved ones who have departed  . People visit their ancestors' graves to sweep away the dirt and get rid of any weeds. They also leave offerings   of food and flowers, and burn incense   and paper money. Chinese tombs are usually built in the woods or on mountains, far from the city. It is believed that an area that faces south, with many pine trees, is a proper place for a tomb. People believe such a place will make the ancestors happy, and in return, they will look after the living family. Nowadays, more and more residents are choosing environmental-friendly ways to spend the holiday such as flower sacrifices and memorial ceremonies on the Internet or at home. As one of the traditional ways to celebrate Tomb-sweeping Day - burning paper or incense - isn't exactly good for air quality. In contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of Spring on this day. The Qingming Festival is a time when the sun shines brightly, the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. Since ancient times, people have followed the custom of Spring outings. At this time tourists are everywhere. Many people fly kites on Tomb Sweeping Day. They are usually made from a bamboo crossbow with coloured paper. The kite vibrates and buzzes as it rises into the sky, counterbalanced by its tail. Large kites can be as broad as three metres across, with a tail of six to ten metres. Most kites have a rectangular shape, and many have patterns of crabs, centipedes, butterflies, dragonflies, or Chinese characters such as \"good fortune\" or \"long life\". (361words) \n Question: All of the following practices are mentioned on tomb-sweeping day EXCEPT  _   . \n Options: (A) Weeping over the passed-away. (B) Flying kites made from bamboo and paper (C) Sending flowers to their ancestors' graves. (D) Burning incense and paper money for the dead.", "pos": "Article: Beijing, July 25 (Xinhua) --- Two people found dead on a rain-flooded road in Beijing Sunday night are doubted to have been killed by lightning, as the heaviest rainstorm in 13 years hit the city from Sunday through Monday morning and is expected to last into Monday evening. The victims, a man and a woman were found dead on a road outside a plant in Nancai Industrial Park in Shunyi District at 9 p.m. Sunday. The northern district of Miyun recorded rainfall of 243 mm in 22 hours before 6 a.m. Monday, said Wei Jianmin, chief forecaster of the Beijing Observatory  . He said the rain is important to fill up Beijing's important water source of the Miyun Reservoir  , which has received 17 million cubic meters of water during the rain so far. Although the rain had little effect on traffic Monday, it caused a disorder in the city's busy air traffic. According to Beijing Capital International Airport's website, 329 flights were called off due to the rainstorm. Meanwhile, traffic on a rail link between Beijing and Chengde City in neighboring Hebei province was put off after several sections of the track were flooded in rainwater Sunday night. Workers are still rushing to clear the railway. The city acted Sunday evening to take measures against rainstorm-caused disasters. More than 6,000 people living in the hilly regions of Miyun and Pinggu districts in Beijing's outskirts   were brought to safe grounds Sunday evening before floods threatened more than 10 villages and caused four landslides there. The China National Meteorological   Center on Monday morning continued a rainstorm warning, forecasting rains to hit Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Liaoning and Hebei provinces in the north, as well as eastern Shandong and Jiangsu provinces in the next 24 hours. \n Question: According to Wei Jianmin,   _  . \n Options: (A) there was a rainfall of 243 mm in 22 hours before 6 a.m. in northern district of Miyun (B) a man and a woman were killed in the rainstorm at 9 p.m. Sunday (C) the Miyun Reservoir is Beijing's only water resource (D) the Miyun Reservoir has been filled up with the heavy rain", "neg": "Article: The Ancient Town of Fenghuang, one of China's most well-known ancient towns, was under water as heavy rain hit the center of the country, with tens of thousands of people leaving from the area. Heavy rain and floods  lasted for the past few days. Waters in the nearby Tuojiang River rose by almost one meter above warning level , causing heavy rainstorms. More than 120,000 local people and tourists have been helped to leave there because of the terrible _ . And more than 4,000 shops in the town have been shut. Several bridges on the Tuojiang River have been damaged or destroyed. Water has flowed  into many bars, restaurants and hotels in its ancient town, and electricity in the ancient town has been cut off. About 128,000 people have been affected by the floods. Though the heavy rains have stopped, but the popular tourist spot remains closed for local people's safety. A shoe shop owner named Kuang said the flood was the worst the town had experienced. \"The floods came so quickly that I didn't have time to move the shoes,\" he said sadly. \"The flood has led to Fenghuang old town becoming a water town.\" said a post on a discussion page on the topic set up on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter. \"We could only live in an old factory now where many homeless people have to stay together. The crowded space is full of sadness.\" Tang said. At least 14 people were killed in flooding in Hunan Province and the neighboring province of Jiangxi and region of Guangxi last month, Xinhua reported. \n Question: Why did many people try to leave the Ancient Town of Fenghuang? \n Options: (A) Because of the heavy snow. (B) Because of the serious flood. (C) Because of the homeless people. (D) Because of the crowded space.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}450{"query": "Article: Nowadays more and more people are talking about genetically modified foods ( GM foods). GM foods develop from genetically modified organisms  , which have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise where an organism is exposed to chemicals to create a nonspecific but stable change. For many people, the hightech production raises all kinds of environmental, ethical, health and safety problems. Particularly in countries with long farming traditions, the idea seems against nature. In fact, GM foods are already very much a part of our lives. They were first put on the market in 1996. A third of the corn and more than half the cotton grown in the U. S. last year was the product of biotechnology, according to the Department of Agriculture. More than 65 million acres of genetically modified crops will be planted in the US this year. _ . However, like any new product entering the food chain, GM foods must be subjected to careful testing. In wealthy countries, the debate about biotech is not so fierce by the fact that they have a large number of foods to choose from, and a supply that goes beyond the needs. In developing countries desperate to feed fastgrowing and underfed populations, the matter is simpler and much more urgent: do the benefits of biotech outweigh the risks? The statistics on population growth and hunger are disturbing. Last year the world's population reached 6 billion. The UN states that nearly 800 million people around the world are unhealthy. About 400 million women of childbearing age don' t have enough iron, which means their babies are exposed to various birth defeats.As many as 100 million children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, a leading cause of blindness. How can biotech help? Genetic engineering is widely used to produce plants and animals with better nutritional values. Biotechnologists have developed genetically modified rice and they are working on other kinds of nutritionally improved crops. Biotech can also improve farming productivity in places where food shortages are caused by crop damage attributable to drought, poor soil and crop viruses. \n Question: The passage mainly talks about  _  . \n Options: (A) the world's food problem (B) the development in biotech (C) the genetically modified foods (D) the way to solve food shortages", "pos": "Article: When you buy cooking oil in the supermarket, you may notice that some brands are labeled as \"GM (genetically modified)-free\". So, what is genetic modification? Are GM foods safe? These questions have been put back into the spotlight recently. On Nov 19, the Food and Drug Administrati0n (FDA) in the US announced that it had approved the AquAdvantage salmon to go on the market, making it the first genetically modified animal to be approved as food anywhere in the world. GM foods are plants or animals that have been given a gene from another plant or animal to make them stronger in some way. The AquAdvantage salmon contains a gene from another type of salmon that makes it grow faster. Although the FDA has said \"food from the fish is safe to eat\", some believe that scientists can't completely understand the potential health risks of GM foods, simply because they're so new. Others worry that the fish could escape into the wild and cause ecological problems. GM crops have experienced the same controversy, even though GM technology cuts down on the use of pesticides on crops and increases yields. While GM animals are new, GM crops have already appeared on our plates: A total of 28 countries in the world including the US, Brazil and India planted 181.5 million hectares (1.815 million km2) of GM crops in 2014, according to the International Service for tile Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. In China, we grow GM cotton and papaya and import GM soybeans, corn, rape, cotton and beets from abroad. Due to safety worries, many countries have regulations for producing and selling GM food. In European Union countries, each GM food must be approved before it can be used. This process can take up to 17 months. The origin of all GM foods must also be traceable, and all food with a GM content of more than 0.9 percent must also be labeled, according to EU website europa.eu. The US is less strict about GM foods. According to FDA regulations, companies introducing new GM foods to the market should report them at least 120 days before release. The labeling is voluntary, except that a product cannot be labeled as \"GM-free\" if genetically modified materials are used. In China, GM foods can only be produced after strict tests by the Ministry of Agriculture say that they are safe. All food that is made from GM crops or contains GM ingredients must be clearly labeled on the wrapper. \n Question: According to the text, the AquAdvantage salmon  _  . \n Options: (A) tastes better than normal salmon (B) is a product that mixes several types of fish (C) has a gene from a different type of salmon (D) remains to be approved in several countries", "neg": "Article: Ever since they were first put on the market in the early 1990s, genetically modified (GM, ) foods have been increasingly developed and marketed in many countries in the world, mainly on the basis of their promise to end the worldwide food crisis. But can GM technology solve world hunger problems? Even if it would, is it the best solution? Despite what it promises, GM technology actually has not increased the production potential of any crop. In fact, studies show that the most widely grown GM crop, GM soybeans, has suffered reduced productivity. For instance, a report that analysed nearly two decades of research on major GM food crops shows that GM engineering has failed to significantly increase US crop production. Something else, however, has been on the rise, While GM seeds are expensive, GM companies tell farmers that they will make good profits by saving money on pesticides . On the contrary, US government data show that GM crops in the US have produced an overall increase in pesticide use compared to traditional crops. \"The promise was that you could use less chemicals and _ production. But neither is true,\" said Bill Christison, President of the US National Farm Coalition. At the same time, the authors of the book World Hunger: Twelve Myths argue that there actually is more than enough food in the world and that the hunger crisis is not caused by production, but by problems in food distribution and politics. These indeed deserve our efforts and money. Meanwhile, the rise in food prices results from the increased use of crops for fuel rather than food, according to a 2008 World Bank report. As a matter of fact, scientists see better ways to feed the world. Another World Bank report concluded that GM crops have little to offer to the challenges of worldwide poverty and hunger, because better ways out are available, among which \"green\" farming is supposed to be the first choice. \n Question: GM companies promise farmers that they will benefit from   _  . \n Options: (A) practicing \"green\" farming (B) use of less chemicals (C) fair distribution of their crops (D) using more crops for fuel", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}451{"query": "Article: \"Migrant workers\"  is a familiar term for 17-year-old Shi Jian. Her father and uncle often talk about the problems surrounding this group of people. However, Shi cares more about the children of these migrant workers. Last year Shi's housekeeper's daughter had to give up her schooling in Beijing because she would not be allowed to sit the national college entrance exam. She was forced to continue her high school education in her hometown in Sichuan Province. Shi thinks the current law is unfair for migrant workers' children, as it prevents them from studying at public schools, unless their parents pay huge sums. So, Shi decided to do a survey of migrant workers so that she could find some solutions to help solve the problem. In the last six months Shi spoke to 186 migrant workers in Beijing. Her interviewees include babysitters, guards, keepers, supermarket clerks, house cleaners and construction site workers. Shi found out that 55 of them were parents. Among this group, only eight have children who attend schools in Beijing. The other 47 had to leave children with relatives in the countryside. However, 40 of the 47 would like to enroll  their children in city schools. From her interviews, Shi found that the workers' lowest income was 400 yuan each month. Over one-third earn a monthly wage of or below 1000 yuan. \"Even schools for migrant workers' children charge more than public schools. Morever, parents constantly worry about these schools closing or relocating,\" she explained. Shi has recently completed a report about her survey, in which she makes a series of recommendations. \"The government can set up public schools for migrants' children equal to schools for city children. Second, to offset  migrant workers' very low pay, public schools should offer them special rates so they can afford their children's tuition . \n Question: What drove Shi to do the survey of migrant workers? \n Options: (A) Her curiosity about migrant workers' lives (B) She was asked to do a survey of migrant workers as part of a school project. (C) Her housekeeper's daughter was forced to move to her hometown to continue studying. (D) She wanted to draw people's attention and become famous", "pos": "Article: Almost 70 percent of Chinese middle school students have serious problems with their parents, the Beijing Morning Post quoted a survey as saying. The survey showed 6.62 percent of the surveyed students are afraid of their parents while 13.13 percent of them dislike their parents and 56.28 percent were extremely disgusted with or even hate their parents. Only 4.75 percent of the young people surveyed said they like their parents. The recently conducted survey among 3,000 middle school students in a Beijing district asked questions about their attitude toward their parents and family education, the paper said. For many families, conflict between parents and children center on the student's school grades, their weight and their friends. The survey showed that parental influence over children is decreasing, the paper said. Xiao Xiao, a third year junior middle school student is perhaps typical of most kids when she complains; \"I was scolded by my mother because I didn't come first in the class in a mid-term exam.\" Xiao Xiao in fact is already one of the top students in her class, the paper said, stressing Xiao Xiao's parents hope she can study at the Beijing University or even attend Harvard in the future. Sun Yunxiao, an expert with the China Youth and Children Research Center, said \"parents expect unrealistically high expectations from their children.\" The research centre's own survey of parents showed about 55 percent of parents hope their children will study for a doctoral degree and 83.6 percent require their children to rank in the top 15 of their class. Conflicts between parents and their children not only come from too high education expectations. Other causes of disconnection between parents and children are family violence, parents' old fashioned ideas, interference in a child's privacy including their choice of friends and time spent surfing the web, the paper said. Mr Hu, a father of a middle school student, wasn't surprised by the survey results. He says too much concern over school marks is putting tremendous pressure on families. \n Question: How many young people surveyed said they like their parents? \n Options: (A) 39390. (B) 19860. (C) 14250 (D) 168840", "neg": "Article: Wang Lu, 24, one of many students studying abroad who'll come home for work, majors in business & management studies at Edinburgh's Napier University. She had planned what to do after graduation in the UK: two years' work experience at a restaurant and a tour around Europe. But now her plans are up in the air.          Following the UK Home Secretary's meeting on reform of the student immigration system, the UK government recently announced the end of the post-study work visa from April 2012. This will force tens of thousands of Chinese students to leave the UK after graduation.          Sadly, the domestic job market doesn't welcome them with open arms. A report by Tigtag.com at the end of 2011 showed that over 35 percent of students admitted that they have employment problems.          \"Returning students often have fluent English, creative minds and a serious attitude toward work,\" said Zhang Tingwen, an HR expert in ChinaHR.com. \"But lack of work experience is a big problem.\" Xia Lei, an HR manager, responded to Zhang. \"We need people who can work for us. We don't need people from big name universities to attract customers\".          Difference in work practices is another problem that worries employers, Zhang pointed out. \"Some returning students might be used to Western ways of dealing with people and things.\"          Huang Shanshan, 25, got a job in a communication company in Shenzhen.   \"I once worked part-time in UK. My colleagues ate snacks when they felt hungry, even during working time or in meetings.\" Huang brought some cakes to the office and ate them. When her manager saw that, he told her not to eat at workplace. \"It took me some time to adjust to company rules in China,\" said Huang. \n Question: Why is Wang Lu forced to leave the UK after graduation? \n Options: (A) Because post-study work visa will come to an end. (B) Because she has no effective ways to learn English. (C) Because there are no majors that suit her in Britain. (D) Because different work practices worry employers.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}452{"query": "Article: Most people know that awkward feeling when you step into an elevator with other people and try not to make eye contact. But new research suggests it may be down to a subconscious power struggle being played out as you make your way up or down. A study found that people decide where they stand based on a micro social grading, established within seconds of entering the lift. Rebekah Rousi, a Ph.D. student in cognitive science, conducted an study of elevator behaviour in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide, Australia. As part of her research, she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings, and discovered there was an established order to where people tended stand. In a blog, she writes that more senior men seemed to direct themselves towards the back of the elevator cabins. She said: 'In front of them were younger men, and in front of them were women of all ages.' She also noticed there was a difference in where people directed their stare half way through the ride. Men watched the monitors , looked in the side mirrors (in one building) to see themselves, and in the door mirrors (of the other building) to also watch others. 'Women would watch the monitors and avoid eye contact with other users (unless in conversation) and the mirrors,' she writes. The student concluded it could be that people who are shyer stand toward the front, where they can't see other passengers, whereas brave people stand in the back, where they have a view of everyone else. \n Question: According to Rebekah Rousi, senior men intend to stand   _   of the elevator cabins. \n Options: (A) in the front (B) in the middle (C) near the side mirrors (D) at the back", "pos": "Article: You may not pay much attention to your daily elevator ride. Many of us use a lift several times a day without thinking about it. But Lee Gray, PhD of America, has made it his business to examine this overlooked form of public transport. \"The lift becomes this interesting social space where manners are sort of strange, \"Gray told the BBC, \"They are socially very interesting but often very awkward places.\" We walk in and usually turn around to face the door. If someone else comes in, we may have to move. And here, according to Gray, lift users unthinkingly go through a set pattern of movements. He explained that when you are the only one inside a lift, you can do whatever you want -- it's your own little box. If there are two of you, you go into different corners, standing diagonally across from each other to create distance. When a third person enters, you will unconsciously form a triangle. And when there is a fourth person it becomes a square, with someone in every corner. A fifth person is probably going to have to stand in the middle. New comers to the lift will need to size up the situation when the doors slide open and then act decisively. Once in, for most people the rule is simple -- look down, or look at your phone. Why are we so awkward in lifts?     \"You don't have enough space,\" Professor Renneberg, a German psychologist, told the BBC. \"Usually when we meet other people we have about an arm's length of distance between us. And that's not possible in most elevators. The easiest way not to be awkward is to avoid eye contact.\" \n Question: According to Gray, when people enter an elevator, they usually   _  . \n Options: (A) turn around and greet one another (B) look around or examine their phone (C) make eye contact with those in the elevator (D) try to keep a distance from other people", "neg": "Article: Many of us use them several times a day without really noticing.And yet the way we in lifts,or elevators as they are known in the US,reveals a hidden anxiety.     Passengers seem to know instinctively how to arrange themselves in an elevator,like the dots on a die.With each additional passenger, the bodies shift,going into the open spaces.     On your own,you can do whatever you want--it's your own little box.If there are two of you,you take different corners, creating the greatest distance. When a third person enters, you will unconsciously form a triangle  .And when there is a square, with someone I every corner.A fifth person is probable going to have to stand in the middle.      Why are we so awkward in lifts?     \"You don't have enough space,\" says Professor Babette Renneberg, a clinical psychologist at the Free University of Berlin.\"Usually  when we meet other people we  have about an arm's length of distance between us. And that's not possible in most elevators, so it's a very unusual setting. It's unnatural.\"     But perhaps there is more to it than just social awkwardness.     \"In the back of our minds we are a little anxious,\" says Nick White,an office in New York who was unfortunate enough to be trapped in a lift for41 hours. \"We don't like to be locked into a place.We want to get out of the elevator as soon as possible, you know, it's a frightening place to be.\"     During his terrible experience, he began to think of another encloses space-a tomb.     Dr.Lee Gray agrees that a sense of disempowerment is the main cause of life anxiety.     \"You're in a machine that's moving, over which you have no control. You cannot see the elevator engine, you don't know how it's working,\" he says. \n Question: Professor Babette Renneberg believes people feel uneasy in lifts because  _  . \n Options: (A) they can't move themselves (B) they cannot talk with one another (C) they have to stay too close together (D) they are afraid of accidents", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}453{"query": "Article: After months of fear, hate and prosecution , the music and consumer-electronics industry decided to try to make beautiful music together. Last week the Secure Digital Music Initiative, a combination of 100 music, electronics and high-tech companies announced that it agreed on a music format  known as MP3 which caused disagreement. Nowadays, more and more young people are fond of music that is played on their portable MP3 players. So this announcement attracted a lot of attention in both the producer and consumer sides.        MP3 allows the digital music in CDs to be made smaller to a tenth its size and still sounds great. MP3 songs are small enough to be traded online; they are made by the millions to the _ of record companies, which fear that everything ever released on disc will end up online for free. Traditional records and their sale may be greatly damaged by this new format of music, and for the music's sake, it is better conveyed in this new medium.        That's why the recording industry appealed to the court against little Diamond Multimedia when it started selling a portable MP3 player two years ago. Not only did Diamond win in court, but it also sold 100,000 Rios along the way. With half a dozen other companies racing to produce their own versions of the Rio for Christmas, what could the music industry do? They have no choice in their future, their success just depends on how they can deal with the new trend and cooperate with the electronics companies.        It couldn't ignore MP3, which has become the format of choice among new bands trying to advertise their pre-released songs. So the industry agreed on it on one condition: within 18 months, when a standard is adopted that allows piracy-protected music (free from being illegally copied) to be sold online, the electronics companies agree to make their players in line with it. This clears the way for the new magic MP3 players, which is both convenient and capable of carrying on much more music than traditional walkmans. What's next? Digitally pirated movies. Get ready,prefix = st1 /Hollywood. \n Question: The most appropriate title for the passage may be_. \n Options: (A) \"MP3 Clears Its Way\" (B) \"Music And Electronics\" (C) \"Piracy Along The Way\" (D) \"Movie Is The Next\"", "pos": "Article: Downloading music over the Internet is pretty common among high school and college students. However, when students download and share copyrighted music without permission, they are against the law.   A survey of young people's music ownership has found that teenagers and college students have an average of more than 800 illegally copied songs each on their digital music players.Half of those surveyed share all the music on their hard drive  , enabling others to copy hundreds of songs at any one time. Some students were found to have randomly linked their personal blogs to music sites, so as to allow free trial listening of copyrighted songs for blog visitors, or adopted some of the songs as the background music for their blogs. Such practices may be easy and free, but there are consequences.   Sandra Dowd, a student of Central Michigan University, was fined US$7,500 for downloading 501 files from LimeWire, a peer-to-peer file sharing program. Sandra claimed that she was unaware that her downloads were illegal until she was contacted by authorities. Similarly, Mike Lewinski paid US$4,000 to settle a lawsuit against him for copyright violation  . Mike expressed shock and couldn't believe that this was happening to him. \"I just wanted to save some money and I always thought the threat was just a scare tactic .\" \"You know, everyone does it,\" added Mike.   The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), the organization that files lawsuits against illegal downloaders, states that suing   students was by no means their first choice. Unfortunately, without the threat of consequences, students are just not changing their behavior. Education alone is not enough to stop the extraordinary growth of the illegal downloading practice. \n Question: Why is it common for students to download copyrighted music? \n Options: (A) They don't think that they will be caught. (B) They want their friends to know that they are smart. (C) They think it is a good way to make some extra money. (D) They are against copyright protection over Internet music.", "neg": "Article: Did the iPod kill music ? DID Steve Jobs kill the music industry? That's the question on many people's lips since rock star Jon Bon Jovi accused the apple boss of personally destroying the music industry. Bon Jovi centers his criticism   on how he believes music downloading has robbed young people of what he calls the \"beauty of buying on album\", \"Kids today have missed the beauty of taking your allowance   money and making a decision based on the  _ , not knowing what the record sounded like,\" he said. But far from killing the industry, many young people today think Jobs has been a blessing  , offering you instant, and selective access to a whole world of music. Keith Staskiewicz at Entertainment Weekly speaks for the feelings of many music lovers. He believes listening to Mp3s rather than records or CDs \"just saves them money\" and doesn't \"eliminate   the sense of discovery they get from new music\", Staskiewicz also argues that it's wrong to blame Jobs and Apple for destroying anything.\"Change is just part of the business,\" Staskiewicz said. \"No doubt in 50 years, Justin Bieber will complain in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech about how kids don't listen to iPods any more.\" For now, though, it appears that music downloading is set to continue for the near future. According to Summer Redstone, chairman of media company Viacom, iTunes has \"resurrected   the music industry by creating a legal, affordable purchasing system for fans\". But recent surveys suggested that, despite the \"legalizing\" of music downloading via sites like iTunes, young people are still choosing to download music illegally.A report by Jupiter Research suggested that illegal downloading sites are used three times as much as legal ones.  The problem, according to its analyst Mark Mulligan, is how today's youth grow up viewing music as something they can get for free. \"Unless the music industry can shift these consumers   while they are young away from free consumption to paid music formats  ,they may never develop music purchasing behavior,\" warned Mulligan \" recording industry could suffer long-term harm.\" \n Question: Jon Bon Jovi thinks Steve Jobs has destroyed the music industry because   _  . \n Options: (A) Apple encourages illegal music downloading (B) children today prefer music downloading to buying albums (C) children today do not like to discover new music (D) children don't care what a record sounds like", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}454{"query": "Article: The findings of a new survey have American professors talking about the good old days--when A's were a lot tougher to earn. Sites like Rate My Professors.com make it easy for students to find a class taught by a professor who is known as an \"easy grader\".A recent survey by Kaplan Test Prep found that 46 percent of the more than 1,200 students polled admitted to using the site for just such a purpose. \"Our research shows that many of today's college students are looking at multiple factors when picking out courses: overall teacher quality that will result in a good learning experience, but also instructors who don't like to award a lot of C's and D's,\" said Jeff Olson, vice president of research at Kaplan Test Prep. \"While it makes sense that students would choose kinder graders, it also helps explain the recent popularity of grade inflation .\" Grade inflation is seen by many professors as poisoning the learning environment.Some, like former Duke University professor Stuart Rojstaczer, are righting it head-on. On his website, Gradelnflation.com, he releases an annual list of schools where grade inflation is the worst. This year, he decided to name the schools where grades were inflated the least.He praised, for example, Princeton University, as well as Purdue University, where the average GPA has remained around 2.8 for over 30 years. \"Purdue doesn't even seem to know that grade inflation exists in the US,\" Rojstaczer says.\"Ignorance is bliss .\" \n Question: Grade inflation is spreading because    _   . \n Options: (A) it's poisoning the learning environment (B) instructors intend to improve their overall teaching quality (C) many instructors adapt to the students' expectations (D) students get easy access to sites like RateMyProfessors.com", "pos": "Article: Would you want a doctor who got high marks in medical school just for trying hard? Apparently many college students would have no problem with that. They believe students are owed a good grade simply because they put a lot of effort into a class. The researchers asked more than 800 undergraduates if they agreed or disagreed with some statements. For example: \"If I have completed most of the reading for a class, I deserve a B in that course.\" And: \"A professor should not be annoyed with me if I receive an important call during class.\" Just 16 percent thought it was OK to take that phone call. But 66 percent agreed that a professor should consider effort and not just the quality of a student's work when deciding grades. And 40 percent thought they should get a B, the second highest mark, just because they did most of the reading for class. Some experts are not surprised that students often see no difference between effort and results. Social critics like to say that in children's activities these days everyone gets an award just for trying, so no one will feel rejected. Yet competition to get into the best colleges is fiercer than ever. Students may worry that low grades will keep them out of graduate school or a good job. And there may be another explanation: pressure from parents to get a good return on the family's investment. These days, college can cost more than a house. A former teaching assistant recently wrote to the New York Times about his experience with grade expectations. He would try to explain it this way when students asked for a top grade just for studying hard in chemistry class: What if a baseball player came to spring training and worked harder than all the others, but still could not play well? Would the team accept him anyway, just because he tried so hard? The students would say no. But most of them would still ask for an A. \n Question: What does the passage mainly discuss? \n Options: (A) How students can get a good grade in the course. (B) Whether students are allowed to answer calls in class. (C) Whether students deserve high marks just for trying hard. (D) Why students put a lot of efforts in their studies.", "neg": "Article: Skipping classes, particularly big lectures where an absence is likely to go undetected, is a tradition among college undergraduates. These days, however, some professors say they're seeing more  _ , as students make the most of new technologies as learning aids. Americ Azevedo taught an \"Introduction to Computers\" at the University of California, Berkeley, US last semester. By visiting the course's website, the 200 enrolled students could download audio recordings or watch digital videos of the lectures, as well as read the instructor's detailed lecture notes. But there was one big problem: So many of the undergraduates relied on the technology that at times only 20 or so actually showed up for class. Doug Suda, 19, a student in Azevedo's class last semester, said he skipped about three-quarter of the lectures. It's largely because he was busy with an off-campus job and was taking the course to fulfill a business major requirement. At the end of the term, Suda prepared hurriedly for the final exam by watching videos of about 15 lectures over three days. \"If I hadn't that... I would probably fail the class,\" said Suda, who instead received a B-plus. Despite the concerns about absenteeism, schools are increasingly experimenting with ways to let students watch or listen to lectures on their computers or digital music players, like iPods. Last month, Harvard Medical School began \"Podcasting\" lectures. Students can download them into digital musical players, and study while they, say, go for a walk. As many academics accept the electronic innovation, others are pushing back. To encourage attendance, they are applying low-tech tactics, like giving more surprising quizzes or cutting back their online offerings. Lee Chanian, a UCLA economics professor, says \"too much technology leads to passive learning environment and encourage more absenteeism\". He now puts fewer lecture materials online, and provides extensive notes only for the most complicated topics. \n Question: At times only 20 or so undergraduates showed up for Americ Azevedo's class because   _  . \n Options: (A) so many undergraduates relied on digital learning aids (B) so many undergraduates have off-campus jobs. (C) his lectures were boring (D) the exam was easy to pass", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}455{"query": "Article: Ban Fur? Then Why Not Leather? Much to the displeasure of some local businesses, the City Council in West Hollywood, California, voted without opposition last week to ban the sale of fur products. Should laws be involved in this issue? Is it unfair to ban sales of fur, but not sales of leather and hides  ? Animals Do Not Have Rights By Tibor R. Machan My view is that animals do not have basic rights. It is a matter of ethics   and not of the laws of human societies. If animals had such rights as human beings do, they would have to be held responsible for killing fellow animals in the wild. That way of thinking about animals makes a category mistake. Using animals, including their fur or organs, to improve people's lives is acceptable. A Small Step Against Cruelty By Kate Carter Both fur and leather are the skins of dead animals. Why should we think that the lovable furry ones deserve more of a life than the less pleasing ones? Some say leather is  less cruel because it's a byproduct   of the meat industry. But this isn't really true. Some cheap leather may be a byproduct of the meat industry, but often it's the other way round. In South Africa, where there is a developing market for ostrich farms, the skins account for roughly 80 percent of the slaughtered  birds' value, a mere 20 percent of which comes from the meat. \"Who\" Are You Wearing? By Marc Bekoff West Hollywood's ban is a move in the right direction. However, we must work to ban the sales of leather and hides, too. Furs come from animals who are attacked to become clothing, while some leather and hides come from slaughterhouse  animals. We must remember that when people choose to wear fur, leather and hides, they are wearing formering conscious beings. So it's a matter of who they are wearing, not what they are wearing because these animals must be referred to as who and not what or that. \n Question: What is the passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) West Hollywood's ban on fur products. (B) Differences between fur and leather sales. (C) The government's role in protecting animals. (D) The ecological imbalance in West Hollywood.", "pos": "Article: The United States government has decided that food from cloned  cattle, pigs and goats is safe to eat. The Food and Drug Administration also says it found no risks in meat and milk from cloned animals. The F.D.A. looked at studies for several years before it announced its decision in a final report this month. The United States Department of Agriculture supported the findings. But it says time is needed to clear the way for marketing meat and milk from clones. The F.D.A. will not require any product to be registered  as coming from clones. A producer would need to label   a product \"clone-free\". The agency   says that could be misunderstood because the food is not different from other food. But activists argue that the F.D.A. based its decision on incomplete research into possible risks. The Center for Food Safety criticized the use of studies supplied by cloning companies. Animal rights activists point out that cloning attempts often fail. They say cloning is cruel and can lead to suffering. Congress   has been trying to get the F.D.A. to do more studies. But the agency noted that experts in New Zealand and the European Union had come to the same findings about the safety of food from clones. Japan, South Korea and Taiwan say they want to study it further before taking action. Products from cloning may not be widely used for several years. Clones cost much , which is why they are not widely used for feeding. The Agriculture Department says few clones will ever become food. Their traditionally raised animals would enter the food supply instead. \n Question: What is the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) Is Food from Cloned Animals Safe? (B) A New Clone Policy (C) A Big Danger --Cloned Food (D) Cloned Products --A Terrible Choice", "neg": "Article: Almost 80% of the Americans have stated their opposition to cloning pet animals such as cats and dogs, yet companies still try to make a business out of selling cloned pets. Pet cloning has been promoted as a way to \"bring back\" or \"copy\" a beloved companion animal. However, studies have shown that cloning remains an experimental technology with many failures. Behind each lovely picture of a cloned cat or dog lie hundreds of animals that were kept in lab cages, receiving bad treatment to produce just that one cloned animal. For all that, you end up with a cloned animal who is unlikely to appear like the original physically or behaviorally and may experience serious health problems. Also, while pet cloning companies are charging customers up to $150,000 for a cloned pet, millions of homeless animals of the same species are available in US animal shelters for around $100. Unfortunately, most of these animals are killed for lack of adopting homes. With No Pet Cloning campaign, the American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) tries to protect both animals and people from harm. They campaigned until the US companies that sold cloned animals closed their doors. First it was Genetic Savings & Clone Inc. and then it was BioArts International. When BioArts was closed, its owner, Lou Hawthorne, finally had to _ the problems of pet cloning. According to Hawthorne, he has seen numerous failures during his pet cloning attempts, \"One clone----which was supposed to be black and white----was born greenish-yellow where it should have been white (we still have no good explanation for how that happened).\" The AAVS is educating the public about the animal suffering and is seeking regulation of cloning activities. They will continue to take the lead in protecting animals from the threats of pet cloning. \n Question: From the passage, we know that   _  . \n Options: (A) pets are often deserted by their owners (B) more and more people have joined the AAVS (C) most American are against cloning pet animals (D) the American Anti-Vivisection Society is supported by the government", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}456{"query": "Article: Another of President Bush's critics on climate change and his former rival for the White House, Al Gore, is inprefix = st1 /Londonon Friday to launch an environmental project with the head of the Virgin Business Company, Richard Branson. They're announcing a multi-million dollar international prize to encourage development and research into new forms of low carbon technology. The prize will be available to anyone who can apply a successful method of removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.      Almost all scientists agree that we are experiencing global warming due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when fuel is burned. Oil, coal and wood are all fuels that release the gas. When biological wasted breaks down, it also releases carbon dioxide.      Environmental campaigners and climate change scientists tell us we're pumping an unbearable amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. One way to reduce that will be to use less fossil fuel , the burning of which is a key resource to our way of life, but sharp reduction of oil and coal use is unpopular with governments and people alike. So technologies are being developed, like carbon capture and storage that aim to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, compress  it and pump it into the ground. But that's still in its early stages, so the purpose of this prize is to encourage research into new ways of decarbonizing the atmosphere. A scientific panel, chaired by Al Gore, will judge any entries. Environmental campaigners are hoping such a significant prize will attract large amounts of publicity and brainpower. \n Question: Which of the following sentences is correct according to the text? \n Options: (A) Al Gore doesn't agree with President Bush's Policy on climate. (B) Only a group or an organization will receive the prize. (C) The prize will be given to anyone who can do research into low carbon technology (D) Al Gore would like to help President Bush to solve the problem.", "pos": "Article: In the 1960s Professor Bolin predicted   that the \"greenhouse effect\", caused by an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, would lead to important changes in the Earth's climate. At the time his prediction were regarded as science fiction. But it is now gradually agreed that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will double from 0.03% to 0.06% in the next 50 years and that temperatures worldwide will rise by 2degC. Although a temperature rise of 2deg may not seem significant, the local effects may be much greater: in polar regions a rise of 10deg by 2025 is expected and in Northern Europe a rise of 4deg. Indeed the first effects were expected to be felt before the end of the 20th century. But how does the \"greenhouse effect\" _ and why should such a tiny proportion   of CO2have such a harmful effect? When living creatures breathe out or when things are burned, CO2enters the atmosphere. Until recently all of this was absorbed by plants, which converted   it back into oxygen. However, the balance of nature has been disturbed. In power stations, in factories and in our cars, we are burning more and more fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and this produces huge quantities of CO2--18 billion tons of it enter the atmosphere every year. Added to this, the destruction of forests means that less CO2can be converted into oxygen by plants. So, the amount of CO2in the atmosphere is increasing every year. \n Question: Which of the following statements is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Only a small portion of the atmosphere consists of carbon dioxide. (B) Professor Bolin's predictions were taken seriously in the first place. (C) No changes in climate will become noticeable for 50 years or more. (D) The rise in temperature will probably be 2 degrees in every part of the world.", "neg": "Article: In face of global warming, much effort has been focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of strategies. But while much of the research and innovation has concentrated on finding less-polluting energy alternatives, it may be decades before clean technologies like wind and solar meet a significant portion of our energy needs. In the meantime, the amount of CO2 in the air is rapidly approaching the limits proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). \"As long as we're consuming fossil fuels, we're putting out CO2,\" says Klaus Lackner, a geophysicist at Columbia University, \"We cannot let the CO2 in the atmosphere rise indefinitely.\" That sense of urgency has increased interest in capturing and storing CO2, which the IPCC says could provide the more than 50% reduction in emissions needed to reduce global warming. \"We see the potential for capture and storage to play an integral   role in reducing emissions,\" says Kim Corley, Shell's senior advisor of CO2 and environmental affairs. That forward thinking strategy is gaining support. The U.S. Department of Energy recently proposed putting $1 billion into a new $2.4 billion coal-burning energy plant. The plant's carbon-capture technologies would serve as a pilot project for other new coal-burning plants. But what do you do with the gas once you've captured it? One option is to put it to new uses. Dakota Gasification of North Dakota captures CO2 at a plant that converts   coal into synthetic natural gas. It then ships the gas 200 miles by pipeline to Canada, where it is pumped underground in oil recovery operations. In the Netherlands, Shell delivers CO2 to farmers who pipe it into their greenhouses, increasing their production of fruits and vegetables. However, scientists say that the scale of CO2 emissions will require vast amounts of long-term storage. Some propose storing the CO2 in coal mines or liquid storage in the ocean, Shell favors storing CO2 in deep geological structures such as saline   formations and exhausted oil and gas fields that exist throughout the world. \n Question: What does the author intend to tell readers? \n Options: (A) How to find more oil and natural gases. (B) How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (C) How to deal with the greenhouse gas creatively. (D) How to make good use of solar and wind energy.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}457{"query": "Article: No one knows for certain why people dream, but some dreams misht be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time   dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill. \"I was astonished by this finding,\" Robert Stickgold told Science News. He is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study of-how the brain and nervous system work, and cognitive studies look at how people learn and reason. So a cognitive neuroscientist may study the brain processes that help people learn. In the study, 99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a computer, trying to get through a virtual maze  . The maze was difficult, and the study participants had to start in a different place each time they tried - making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was. For the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the particularity stayed awake and half were told to take a short nap. Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after steep - and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams. About a dozen of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these people tried the computer maze again, they were generally able to find the tree faster than before their naps. However, people who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement. Stickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't help a person learn - it's the other way around. \n Question: It is a cognitive scientists job to study  _  . \n Options: (A) how people dream and learn (B) the structure of the nervous system (C) whether someone is reasonable (D) the process of understanding", "pos": "Article: Let us begin by saying what does not cause our dreams. Our dreams do not come from \"another world \". They are not messages from outside source. They are not a look into the future , either . All our dreams have something to do with our feelings, fears, longings, wishes, needs and memories. If a person is hungry , or tired or cold , his dreams may include a feeling of this kind .If the covers on your body , such as a quilt or a blanket have slipped off your bed , you may dream that you are sleeping on the ice and snow. The material for the dream you will have tonight is likely to come from the experience you have today. So the subject of your dream usually comes from something that has effect on you while you are sleeping (feeling of cold, a noise, a discomfort, etc.) and it may also use your past experiences and the wishes and the interests you have now.This is why children are likely to dream of fairies, older children of school examinations, hungry people of food, home-sick soldiers of their families and prisoners of freedom. To show you how this is happening while you are asleep and how your needs and wishes can all be joined together in a dream , here is the story of the experiment.A man was asleep and the back of his hand was rubbed with a piece of absorbed cotton.He would dream he was in hospital and his charming girlfriend was visiting him , sitting on the bed and feeling gently his hands! There are some scientists who have made a special study of why we dream, what we dream and what those dreams mean.Their explanations of dreams , though a bit reasonable, is not accepted by everyone but it offers an interesting approach to the problem.They believe that dreams are mostly expressions of wishes that do not come true.In other words, dreams are a way of having your wishes carried out. \n Question: From the passage we know that our dreams   _  . \n Options: (A) are imagination of our daily life (B) are man's curious look into the future (C) have nothing to do with our feelings (D) are to some degree connected with our feelings", "neg": "Article: Dreams can be familiar and strange, fantastical or boring, but some dreams might be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill. In the study,99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a compute, trying to get through a virtual maze .The maze was different place each time they tired--making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was. For the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the participants stayed awake and an half were told to take a short nap .Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams before sleep and after sleep--and they were awakened within a minute of sleep to describe their dreams. Stickgold, a neuroscientist ,wanted to know what people were dreaming about when their eyes weren't moving during sleep. Four of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working ; others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these four people tried the computer maze again, they were able to find the tree faster than before their naps. Stickgold suggests the dream itself doesn't  help a person learn--it's the other way around.He suspects that the dream was caused by the brain processes associated with learning. All four of the people who dreamed about the task had done poorly the first time, which makes Stickgold wonder if the dreams show up when a person finds a new task particularly difficult. People who had other dreams, or people who didn't take a nap, didn't show the same improvement. \n Question: Before having a short nap, participants of the experiment were asked to  _  . \n Options: (A) stay in a different place in the maze (B) design a virtual maze which is difficult to get through (C) experience the experiment and try to remember something (D) get through a virtual maze on a computer from the same place", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}458{"query": "Article: As winter gives way to spring, students feel like taking outdoor activities. However, do remember that accidents can happen, such as the one that happened at Taihu Lake several weeks ago. Four students from Shanghai were killed and several were injured. There were several reasons for the accident, but if the students had worn life jackets, it would have made a big difference. Therefore, it is important to take steps to avoid accidents before going on trips whether on land or water. Here are some steps: Make sure you are physically fit for any activities. You need energy for hiking or boating after a long inactive winter. Research your route  . Check the weather report so you can pack the correct things so that an unexpected downpour or high winds won't destroy your day. If you are visiting a different culture, learn some basic knowledge about what's accepted and what is not. Take plenty of water to prevent your body from losing too much water and be sure to wear the correct footwear to protect your feet. Don't go to faraway areas and never risk going into unknown waters. Going in a group is safer than going alone. If you have to travel by yourself, leave a note of your travel route, telephone number and how you are traveling. So if there's an emergency, people can get in touch with you. \n Question: The accident at Taihu Lake is mentioned to  _  . \n Options: (A) warn students against traveling alone (B) introduce the topic of the passage (C) show the disadvantages of outdoor activities (D) remind students of the importance of life jackets", "pos": "Article: Drownings, bicycle injuries, falls, and pedestrian accidents are the most common causes of childhood injury or death. Here's what you need to know to avoid tragedy: *      Drowning: Each year, thousands of children die from drowning, with two-thirds of accidents occurring in the summer. To protect kids, parents should install multiple layers of protective devices, with each layer offering another opportunity to avoid a tragedy. Fences, door alarms, pool covers are all somewhat effective individually, but their effectiveness is increased dramatically when used in combination with one another. *      Falls: Falls from heights kill 140 children under the age of 15 each year in the United States, and seriously injure three million more, making falls the leading cause of non-deadly injury for this age group. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), falls are especially a problem for children living in multi-story housing during the summer months, when windows are open and children are more likely to be playing on fire escapes, roofs and balconies. To keep kids safe, AAP recommends window guards be installed on second story and higher windows. When choosing guards, install those that are operable in the event of emergencies like a house fire. Using childproof gates can prevent falls down stairways. Nevertheless, no gate can replace parental supervision   *      Bikes: Bike accidents kill over 1,500 children aged 14 and under each year. Of these deaths, more than half occurred during the summer. According to the AAP, head injuries from cycling are the most common cause of disability. A recent study in Seattle, Washington showed that helmets reduced the risk of head injury by 85 percent and brain injury by 88 percent. When purchasing a bike helmet, parents are urged to make sure it meets the bicycle helmet safety standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) *      Pedestrian: Over 6,000 kids aged 14 and under die every year as a result of an unintentional pedestrian-related injury. As a general rule, kids under 10 should not be crossing the street alone. Young children lack the ability to judge the speed and the distance of oncoming traffic. Parents need be models and teach proper pedestrian behavior. Cross at the corner and when you do cross, continue to look both ways because there are likely to be more cars turning into your path or people speeding. Obey all the traffic signals. \n Question: What is the point of the article? \n Options: (A) To introduce factors that cause risks for children. (B) To give tips on what to do to prevent accidents about children. (C) To explain why summer is a risky time for kids. (D) To describe what to do to prevent accidents at home.", "neg": "Article: Want to travel as cheaply as possible while enjoying the great scenery as much as you like? Backpacking is the way. As the most popular traveling choice among young western people, backpacking allows you to travel at your own free will. Carrying a tent, sleeping bag and clothes, . It is a thrill to put our ability to test and challenge ourselves with sorts of difficulties we might come across. So, backpacking is something young people can hardly deny. Young people in Europe often travel around by train. Now, with plane tickets dropping in price, more are traveling to distant countries, such as Australia and China. And some just travel within their own countries. But no matter where a backpacker travels, planning in advance is important if he or she wants to enjoy the trip. Clothing In summer, light, clothes are best. Backpackers must remember to travel lightly and not pack too many clothes. Medicine There are many medicines, especially for summer, such as those for sunstroke, snake bites and mosquitoes. Others are useful in every season, such as those for common colds, poisoning and diarrhea. Cards Three types of cards are of great value for backpacks: student Identity Card, personal ID and a credit card. A student ID card can be helpful for saving money. It often gets train tickets and entrance tickets for cheaper prices in many Western countries. Personal ID card can, not only get you out of trouble with local police, but also prove useful in all sorts of other situations. Carrying a credit card can be a safe way of carrying money, as cash can easily get lost, stolen or wet. And of course, don't forget to enjoy your trip! \n Question: If you are stopped by a policeman in the street, you should show    _    to the police. \n Options: (A) your student ID (B) your credit card (C) your personal ID (D) your passport", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}459{"query": "Article: Chocolate soap is supposed to be good for the skin. But it's not so good for the tongue. Unfortunately for the US soldiers of World War II, the chocolate bars the army gave them tasted like they were intended for use in the bath. In the army's defense, it wasn't trying to win any cooking awards. In fact, it specifically ordered that its chocolate bars not be too delicious, so soldiers wouldn't eat them too quickly. These bars were created for survival, not taste. \"They were awful,\" John Otto, a former army captain in World War II said, \"They were big, thick things, and they weren't any good. I tried them, but I had to be awfully hungry after I tried them once.\" As unappealing as the chocolate bars were to some, others like them. Samuel Hinkle, the chemist who created the chocolate bars, pointed out that the number of bars made were far greater than the army needed. \"It soon became obvious that the generous American soldiers were sharing their valued possessions with their foreign friends, whether soldiers of other countries or local citizens.\" The bars turned many hungry Europeans into friends of the United States. \"People wanted them,\" said Otto. \"You'd give them to kids. In some places they were very hungry. And they surely helped relax people about American soldiers.\" Otto said he never saw a European _ the chocolate. \"It was food,\" he said. \"At that time, everyone was very hungry. I saw German kids standing outside the US army kitchen. They weren't begging, just standing there very politely. When we were done, the kids would eat the food out of the garbage. They were so hungry.\" Other Europeans did not see chocolate until well after the war ended. \"We didn't see any Americans where I was,\" said Elizabeth Radsma, who was 25 years old when the Germans occupied her country, the Netherlands. \"Even after the war, we saw only the British. Maybe the Americans gave out some chocolates in the big cities, but we were only in a small town. Before the British, we saw only German soldiers. But chocolate? Don't make me laugh! Maybe in my dreams!\" A soldier in the field might have responded \"Be careful what you wish for\"--and then gratefully bit on a chocolate bar, the only food available for miles. \n Question: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) The US soldiers used the chocolate bars as bath soap. (B) The US army produced more chocolate bars than necessary for its soldiers. (C) The US soldiers did not have enough food during World War II. (D) European people regretted eating chocolate bars from the US soldiers.", "pos": "Article: Farmers grow cocoa trees in the shady areas of rainforests near the Earth's equator. These trees can be difficult to grow. They require an exact amount of water, warmth, soil and protection. After about five years, cocoa trees start producing large fruits called pods. The seeds inside these pods are harvested to make chocolate. Today we travel around the world exploring the history of chocolate. Its story begins with a plant whose scientific name, Theobroma cocoa, means \"food of the gods\". People have been enjoying the rich flavor of chocolate, a product made from this plant. Most people know that chocolate is made from cocoa and that the origins of chocolate can be traced back to Central and South America. For centuries, the natives there regarded cocoa as a gift from the gods. But how did chocolate go from being the food of the gods to being the food of love? Historians believe the Maya of Central America first learned to farm cocoa plants around two thousand years ago. The Maya took the cocoa trees from the rainforests and grew them in their gardens. They cooked the cocoa seeds, and then crushed them into a soft substance. They used the cocoa bean as the main part in a dark, bitter drink that we would call \"chocolate\". They believed that chocolate had mystical characteristics -- but cocoa also had commercial  value. In fact, cocoa beans were used as a form of currency that was worth its weight in gold! The explorer Christopher Columbus brought cocoa seeds to Spain after his trip to Central America in 1502. But the Spanish explorer Conquistador Hernando Cortez was the first European explorer to realize cocoa's commercial possibilities. When he arrived in the New World in 1519, he soon established  his own cocoa plantation. In 1529, Cortez returned to Spain and introduced chocolate -- as a drink mixed with sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon -- to European society. The wealthy people of Spain first enjoyed a sweetened type of the chocolate drink. Later, the popularity of the drink spread throughout Europe. The English, Dutch and French began to plant cocoa trees in their own colonies. Chocolate remained a drink that only wealthy people could afford to drink until the eighteenth century. During the period known as the Industrial Revolution, new technologies helped make chocolate less costly to produce. It caught on -- especially with the noble people, who enjoyed hot chocolate as an aphrodisiac (a kind of medicine). As its popularity spread, people found new ways to make and use chocolate. These days, chocolate is enjoyed as both a tasty treat and a romantic indulgence everywhere. \n Question: According to historians, cacao trees were first planted in_. \n Options: (A) South America (B) Central America (C) Spain. (D) Africa", "neg": "Article: The first chocolate was eaten by people in Central and South America hundreds of years ago. In those days, people did not really eat chocolate; the cocoa bean was used to make a chocolate drink that the people enjoyed very much. Much later the cocoa bean was brought to Europe and people there also came to love the taste of it. In 1824, John Cadbury opened a small shop in Birmingham. One of the items he sold was cocoa powder to be made into drinks. In 1831, he opened a small factory to make cocoa powder from cocoa beans. John Cadbury believed that alcohol was an important cause of people's being poor, and he wanted to encourage people to drink chocolate instead. A few years later a man called Joseph Fry invented a way to make chocolate bars, and so for the first time people had the chance to eat chocolate instead of only drinking it. At first, chocolate was luxury and only the rich people could buy it. Later, as more and more chocolate bars were produced and sold, they became cheaper. However, at first, only plain chocolate was produced. Milk chocolate came later and this was made by adding milk or milk powder to the chocolate. Cadbury introduced their first milk chocolate bars in 1897. Their most famous chocolate, Cadbury's Milk Bar, was introduced in 1905. It has been a best-seller in Britain and around the world for nearly 100 years. The Cadbury factory is still in Birmingham and the chocolate produced there is eaten all over the world. Every year, thousands of visitors visit the factory to see how chocolate is made. \n Question: In the beginning, people used to   _  . \n Options: (A) drink the chocolate (B) eat and drink the chocolate (C) eat the chocolate bars (D) enjoy the chocolate every day", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}460{"query": "Article: In 1905, as part of his Special Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein published the point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by the equation E = mc2. But bombs were not what Einstein had in mind when he published this equation. In 1929, he publicly declared that if a war broke out he would \"refuse to do war service, direct or indirect....\" His position would change in 1933, as the result of Adolf Hitler's coming into power in Germany. Einstein's greatest role in the invention of the atomic bomb was signing a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt urging that the bomb be built because some physicists feared that Germany might be working on an atomic bomb. Among those concerned were physicists Leo Szilard and Eugene Wigner. But they had no influence with those in power. So in July 1939 they explained the problem to someone who did: Albert Einstein. After talking with Einstein, in August 1939 Szilard wrote a letter to President Roosevelt with Einstein's signature on it, which was delivered to Roosevelt in October 1939. Germany had invaded Poland the previous month, the time was ripe for action. That October research of a-bomb began but proceeded slowly because the invention of the atomic bomb seemed distant and unlikely. In April 1940 an Einstein letter, ghost-written by Szilard, pressed the researchers on the need for \"greater speed\". As the realization of nuclear weapons grew near, Einstein looked beyond the current war to future problems that such weapons could bring. He wrote to his friend about his fear about the future use of the a-bomb. The atomic bombings of Japan occurred three months after Germany gave in.  In November 1954, five months before his death, Einstein summarized his feelings about his role in the creation of the atomic bomb: \"I made one great mistake in my life...when I signed the letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification---the danger that the Germans would make them? \n Question: What can we learn about Szilard and Wigner? \n Options: (A) They were not as influential as Einstein. (B) They had cheated their friend Einstein. (C) They were to blame for the invention of nuclear weapons. (D) They had a purpose of destroying the world.", "pos": "Article: John von Neumann was the oldest of 3 children of an banker, and his speed of learning new ideas and solving problems stood out early. At 17, his father tired to persuade him not to become a mathematician because he may lead a poor life being a mathematician, and so von Neumann agreed to study chemistry as well. In 1926, at 23, he received a degree in chemical engineering and a Ph.D. in mathematics. From then on, mathematics provided well enough for him, and he never had to turn to chemistry. In 1930, von Neumann visited Princeton University for a year and then became a professor there. His first book was published in 1932. In 1933, the Institute for Advanced Study was formed, and he became one of the 6 full-time people in the School of Mathematics(Einstein was one of the others) World War II hugely changed von Neumann's areas of interest. Until 1940 he had been a great pure mathematician. During and after the war, he became one of the best mathematicians who put mathematics theories into practice. During the last part of the war he became interested in computing machines and made several fundamental contributions After the war, von Neumann continued his work with computers, and was generally very active in government service. He received many awards, was president of the American Mathematical Society and was a member of the Atomic Energy Commission. He died in 1957 of cancer. Von Neumann made several great contributions and any one of them would have been enough to earn him a firm place in history. He will be remembered as one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. Von Neumann really was a legend in his own time, and there are a number of stories about him. His driving ability is a part of his legend. He reported one accident this Way: \"I was driving down the road. The trees on the right were passing me in an orderly fashion at 60 miles per hour. Suddenly one of them stepped in my path.\" \n Question: According to the text, von Neumann's father believed that   _  . \n Options: (A) a mathematician couldn't earn a lot of money (B) a mathematician needed a good memory (C) von Neumann had the ability to learn two subjects at the same time (D) von Neumann had the gift for solving problems at a high speed.", "neg": "Article: Throughout July 1945, the Japanese mainland, from Tokyo on Honshu northward to the coast of Hokkaido, were bombed as if an invasion were about to take place. In fact, something far more threatening was at hand, as the Americans were telling Stalin at Potsdam.  In 1939 physicists in the United States had learned of experiments in Germany showing the possibility of atomic power and understood the coming damage of an atomic bomb. On August 2, 1939, Albert Einstein warned President Roosevelt of the danger of Nazi Germany's advances in development of the atomic bomb. Eventually, the U.S. Office of Scientific Research Development was created in June 1941 and given combined responsibility with the War Department in the Manhattan Project to develop a nuclear bomb. After four years of research and development efforts, an atomic device was set off on July 16, 1945, in a desert area at Alamogordo, New Mexico, producing an explosive power equal to that of more than 15,000 tons of TNT. Thus, the atomic bomb was born. Truman, the new U.S. president, believed that this terrible object might be used to defeat Japan in a way less costly of U.S. lives than an ordinary invasion of the Japanese homeland. Japan's unsatisfactory reply to the Allies' Potsdam Declaration decided the matter. On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb, carried from Tinian Island in the Mariana in a specially equipped B-29 was dropped on Hiroshima, at the southern end of Honshu. The combined heat and explosion destroyed everything in the explosion's immediate neighbourhood , produced fires that burned out almost 4.4 square miles completely, and killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people, in addition to injuring more than 70,000 others. A second bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, killed between 35,000 and 40,000 people, injured a like number and ruined 1.8 square miles. \n Question: What is the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) An atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (B) After research and development efforts, an atomic bomb was born. (C) An invasion was about to take place with the use of the atomic bomb. (D) The birth and use of the atomic bomb ended the Second World War.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}461{"query": "Article: From Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou, you can travel along the East Line not only the other line going past Dujiangyan and Wenchuan. Take a regular bus from Chengdu Chengbei Bus Station from 9:00 to 16:30. It only takes about three hours to Jiangyou. The ticket is CNY50.00 net per person. Up along Fujiang River, you will pass the second largest city in Sichuan, Mianyang and enjoy the picturesque scenery. There is bus available to the destination from 6:30 to 13:30 in Mianyang Pingzheng Bus Station,The one way ticket is about CNY95.00 net per person. In this case, you can not get stop at Jiangyou and Pingwu. This is one option for you. In Jiangyou, visit the Former Residence of Li Bai, the famous poet in Tang Dynasty. If time permits, you can also take a look at the Doutuan Mountain, which is famous for its unique sceneries and also holdsnational gliding   campaigns every year. Take bus at Jiangyou Bus Station to Pingwu and stay there for one night. Our recommendation is to stay at the Pingwu Hotel, which is the first hotel that can serve foreigners in the small city. The contact phone number is 0816 - 8822022. Pingwu has the best royal Buddhist temples in Ming Dynasty, Bao'en Temple and the historic relics in the period of Three Kingdoms (220-280). The next day, take bus to Huanglong, which is 120 kilometers away from Pingwu. It only takes about 2 hours to arrive at one of the world's most naturally fantastic locations - the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Areas. The bus ticket is CNY30.00 net per person. You can easily find the bus from Chuanzhusi to Jiuzhaigou. The journey time is 1.5 hours. Here we would like to recommend another hotel in Jiuzhaigou for you, Mofang Hotel. The contact number is 0837-7764926. Two days in Jiuzhaigou Valley can give you enough time to explore there. Sometimes, you need to purchase the extra charge for entering the valley twice. \n Question: What is the tour route of the East Line from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Huanglong - Pingwu - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou (B) Chengdu - Mianyang - Fujiang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou (C) Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Huanglong - Chuanzhusi - Jiuzhaigou (D) Chengdu - Mianyang - Jiangyou - Pingwu - Chuanzhusi-Huanglong - Jiuzhaigou", "pos": "Article: If you walk along the streets, you will find children as young as seven years old walking to school or taking the public bus on their own. If you ride on the public bus with a baby or young child, you will find at least three people standing up to give up their seats for you. And as a booming town with a young population, Xiamen has a lot to offer young families with kids. There are lots of places of interest for you to enjoy. The following are some of them. * A walking adventure at Gulangyu Islet: There you can have a round-the-island trip by fast boat and the Xiamen Underwater World has a dolphin and sea lion performance and an enjoyment of around 400 types of underwater life from around the world. Opening hours: 08:00-18:00            See the map! Price: 70RMB(adults) 50RMB (children above 1.4m) * Wild rides at Guanyinshan Water Park: The park has a wave pool, which creates seven types of wave effects. It also has a hair-raising water ride that speeds down ... Opening hours: 11:00-20:00            See the map! Price: 120RMB per person 60RMB visitors aged above 60 and below 1.4m .... * Xiamen Firefly Park: Last of all, young nature lovers will enjoy the wonder of watching more than 100,000 fireflies light the dark night at the firefly park. Children will also learn the roles fireflies play in protecting the ecology by controlling the populations of pests. Opening hours: 19:30-21:30           See the map! Price: Free for children up to 16 years old \n Question: If a family go to Xiamen for a day's holiday and they have to return home before 6 p.m., then they can visit   _  . \n Options: (A) Gulangyu Islet (B) Guanyinshan Water Park (C) Gulangyu Islet and Guanyinshan Water Park (D) Guanyinshan Water Park and Xiamen Firefly Park", "neg": "Article: When foreigners come to Chengdu, a good alternative is to get around by taking the bus. Once getting used to going by bus, you will discover that it is actually not that bad. Although a ride usually covers two or twenty stops, a bus ride costs RMB 2 in Chengdu. It is important to carry enough small money with you, because it is not usual to get back changes. Even though it is cheap, you can pay less and save some trouble if you get a RMB 25 bus card at your local pharmacy, Hongqi Chain Store or bus station terminal office--note that personal identification is needed. Explain to the worker that you want to purchase a bus card. With this card, one bus drive costs only RMB 1 if you use a card based on frequency of your ride. If your card is based on the so called E-purse, you pay each time RMB 1.80 for the bus. If you require the use of subway, you can ask the cashier at the Hongqi Chain Store to activate the metro. After having your bus card, you can store money on your travel card. The fees for bus and metro have to be stored separately. It is important to keep in mind that the money on the card does not overlap. For example, you charge 40 bus rides on the card, but you only used 20 during the month, the rest 20 will be invalid at the beginning of the next month and you have to recharge the card. Therefore, it is important to calculate the exact numbers of bus rides you will have to take. After you have your own bus card, one swipe is only needed when you get on the bus at the front door. If you only manage to get on the bus at the back door, just ask the passengers to pass your card to the front and swipe it for you. With the bus card, you can transfer buses for fee if the travel time is within two hours. Furthermore, it is to stress that you should keep an eye on your belongings while being on the bus. Generally, Chengdu is a safe place but most of the thefts are occurring on buses, at train stations or crowded large area, like the shopping street Chunxi Road. Due to the fact that the place names are announced in Chinese, it is better to know the Chinese name of your destination. Even though there are announcements in English, they will sound like the following: \"The next stop is Jinjiang Binguan (Jinjiang Hotel)\" \n Question: Which of the following statements is true when taking the bus in Chengdu? \n Options: (A) It's always important to carry enough small money with you every day. (B) It only costs RMB 25 to get around in Chengdu by bus per month. (C) Personal identification is not essential when applying for a bus card for locals. (D) RMB 0.2 will be saved each time if you use E-purse rather than cash on the bus.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}462{"query": "Article: There have been many great inventions, which have changed the way we live. The first great invention was one that is still very important today---the wheel. This made it easier to carry heavy things to travel long distances. For hundreds of years there were few inventions that have made as much effect as the wheel. There was little unknown land left in the world. People didn't have to explore  much any more. They began to work to make life better instead. In the second half of the 19th century many great inventions were made. Among them were the camera, the electric light and the radio. These all became a big part of our life today. The first part of the 20th century saw more great inventions. The helicopter in 1909. Sound movies in 1926. The computer in 1928, and jet planes in 1930. This was also a time when a new material was made. Nylon came out in 1935. It changed the kind of clothes people wear. The middle part of the 20th brought new ways to help people get over diseases. They worked very well. They made people healthier and let them live long lives. By the 1960s most people could expect to live to be at least 60. By this time most people had a very good life. Of course new inventions continued to be made. But man now had a wish to explore again. The world is known to man but the stars are not yet. Man began looking for ways to go into space. Russia made the first step. Then the United States took a step. Since then other countries, including China and Japan, have made their steps into space. \n Question: The first great invention ever known was   _  . \n Options: (A) the camera (B) the wheel (C) the electric light (D) the radio", "pos": "Article: Technology is the application  of knowledge to production. Thanks to modern technology, we have been able to increase greatly the efficiency of our work force. New machines and new methods have helped cut down time and expense while increasing overall output. This has meant more production and a higher standard of living. For most of us in America, modern technology is thought of as the reason why we can have cars and television sets. However, technology has also increased the amount of food available to us, by means of modern farming machinery and animal breeding techniques, and has extended our life span via  medical technology. Will mankind continue to live longer and have a higher quality of life? In large measure the answer depends on technology and our ability to use it widely. If we keep making progress as we have over the past fifty years, the answer is definitely yes. The advancement of technology depends upon research and development, and the latest statistics  show that the United States is continuing to pump billions of dollars annually  into such efforts. So while we are running out of some scarce resources  we may well find technological substitutes for many of them through our research programs. Therefore, in the final analysis the three major factors of production(land, labor and capital) are all influenced by technology. When we need new skills, on techniques in medicine, people will start developing new technology to meet those needs. As equipment proves to be slow or inefficient, new machines will be invented. Technology responds to our needs in helping us maintain our standard of living. \n Question: What is the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) The definition of technology (B) Modern technology (C) The application of technology (D) The development of technology", "neg": "Article: The modern world is full of useful objects that were invented by someone, from spoons and  chopsticks in our kitchens to the Ipads in our handbags. Each invention is an example of the creative power of the human mind. Where do inventors get their inspirations ? The inspiration behind  each of these inventions varies. Take the shopping cart as an example. Sylvan Goldman was a grocery store owner. Like most businessmen, he wished that his customers would buy more so that he could make more money. He knew what if they could carry more goods easily as they were shopping, when his sales would go up. While thinking about the problem one night, he had an idea. Working with a local handyman named  Fred Young, he designed the first shopping cart. Today, retailers who use shopping carts sell more goods and make more profits. Nature has also inspired inventors throughout history. This is what happened to George de  Mestral one day. While hunting with his dog in the Swiss Alps, he noticed how the burs  of  certain plants stuck to his clothing and to his dog' s fur. After examining them under a microscope, he found they had tiny hooks that could easily stick to the fibers of clothing or animal hide. For the next ten years, George de Mestral searched for the hest way to produce his idea. The result of his original inspiration was Velcro, which is used in many modem objects, including sportswear, shoes, automobiles, and even space suits. These examples show us that there are at least two possible inspirations for human creativity in  the world of inventions -- profit and nature. No doubt, the future will continue to breathe new life into the economies of the world with fresh ideas and inventions. How many of their creations will be inspired by natural phenomena? The world's problems require creativity and we can expect best solutions from future generations. \n Question: Why did sales go up in Sylvan Goldman's grocery store after he began providing shopping carts? \n Options: (A) Because grocery stores without shopping carts made less money. (B) Because he lowered the prices of his goods. (C) Because customers liked the shopping cart's creative design. (D) Because customers were able to carry more items when shopping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}463{"query": "Article: Hi, everybody. On Friday, I had a discussion with working women in Rhode Island about the economic challenges they face in their own lives--challenges shared by many of you. Thanks to the work we've all put in, our economy has come a long way these past six years. Over the past 55 months, our businesses have added 10.3 million new jobs. For the first time in six years, the unemployment rate is below 6 percent. And on Thursday, we learned that over the past six months, our economy has grown at its fastest pace since 2003. But the gains of a growing economy aren't yet felt by everyone. So we've got to harness  this momentum , and make the right choices so that everyone who works hard can get ahead. In recent weeks, I've talked about these choices, from raising the minimum wage to creating new jobs in construction and manufacturing. Today, I want to focus on what I discussed with those women -- the choices we need to make to help more women get ahead in today's economy. Right now, women make up almost half of our workers. More women are their family's main _ than ever before. So the simple truth is, when women succeed, America succeeds. And we should be choosing policies that benefit women--because that benefits all of us. Women deserve fair pay. Even though it's 2014, there are women still earning less than men for doing the same work. We don't have second-class citizens in this country--we shouldn't in the workplace, either. So let's make sure women earn equal pay for equal work, and have a fair shot at success. Women deserve to be able to take time off to care for a new baby, an ailing parent, or take a sick day for themselves without running into hardship. So let's make sure all Americans have access to paid family leave . Pregnant workers deserve to be treated fairly. Even today, women can be fired for taking too many bathroom breaks, or forced on unpaid leave just for being pregnant. That's wrong--and we have to choose policies that ensure pregnant workers are treated with dignity and respect. New parents deserve quality, affordable childcare. There's nothing like the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your kids are safe while you're at work. And the benefits that children get out of early enrichment can pay off for a lifetime. But in many states, sending your kid to daycare costs more than sending them to a public university. So let's start demanding Pre-K for our kids. And when most low-wage workers are women, but Congress hasn't passed a minimum wage increase in seven years, it's long past time that women deserve a raise. About 28 million workers would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to ten dollars and ten cents an hour. And more than half of those workers are women. The local businesses where these workers spend their money would benefit, too. So let's do this -- let's give America a raise. All of these policies are common sense. All of them are within our reach. We've just got to speak up and choose them. Because they'll build a stronger America for all of us. Thanks, and have a great weekend. \n Question: Which is the true fact according to the passage? \n Options: (A) During the last half year, our economy has grown fastest since 2003. (B) All of us have felt the gains of a growing economy. (C) We have never fires any women because of her taking too many bathroom breaks. (D) The local businesses will not benefit a lot because of the increase in the minimum wage.", "pos": "Article: The statistics I've cited and the living examples are all too familiar to you. But what may not be so familiar will be the increasing number of women who are looking actively for advancement of for a new job in your offices. This woman may be equipped with professional skills and perhaps valuable experience. She will not be content to be Executive Assistant to Mr. Seldom Seen of the Assistant Vice President's Girl Friday, who is the only one who comes in on Saturday. She is the symbol of what I call the Second Wave of Feminism. She is the modern woman who is determined to be. Her forerunner was the radical feminist who interpreted her trapped position as a female as oppression by the master class of men. Men, she believed, had created a domestic, servile role for women in order that men could have the career and the opportunity to participate in making the great decisions of society. Thus the radical feminist held that women through history had been oppressed and dehumanized, mainly because man chose to exploit his wife and the mother of his children. Sometimes it was deliberate exploitation and sometimes it was the innocence of never looking beneath the pretensions of life. The radical feminists found strength in banding together. Coming to recognize each other for the first time, they could explore their own identities, realize their own power, and view the male and his system as the common enemy. The first phases of feminism in the last five years often took on this militant, class-warfare tone. Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, Germaine Greer, and many others hammered home their ideas with a persistence that aroused and intrigued many of the brightest and most able women in the country. Consciousness-raising groups allowed women to explore both their identities and their dreams--and the two were often found in direct conflict. What is the stereotyped role of American women? Marriage. A son. Two daughters. Breakfast. Ironing. Lunch. Bowling, maybe a garden club of for the very daring, non-credit courses in ceramics. Perhaps an occasional cocktail party. Dinner. Football or baseball on TV. Each day the same. Never any growth in expectations--unless it is growth because the husband has succeeded. The inevitable question: \"Is that all there is to life?\" The rapid growth of many feminist organizations attests to the fact that these radical feminists had touched some vital nerves. The magazine \"Ms.\" was born in the year of the death of the magazine \"Life.\" But too often the consciousness-raising sessions became ends in themselves. Too often sexism reversed itself and man-hating was encouraged. Many had been with the male chauvinist. It is not difficult, therefore, to detect a trend toward moderation. Consciousness-raising increasingly is regarded as a means to independence and fulfillment, rather than a ceremony of fulfillment itself. Genuine independence can be realized through competence, through finding a career, through the use of education. Remember that for many decades the education of women was not supposed to be useful. \n Question: What was the main idea of this passage? \n Options: (A) The Second Wave of Feminist. (B) Women's Independent Spirits. (C) The Unity of Women. (D) The Action of Union.", "neg": "Article: Some futurologists have assumed that the vast upsurge  of women in the workforce may mean a rejection of marriage. Many women, according to this hypothesis, would rather work than marry. The converse  of this concern is that becoming a multi-paycheck household could encourage marriage. In the past, only the earnings and financial prospects of the man counted in the marriage decision. Now, however, the earning ability of a woman can make her more attractive as a marriage partner. Data show that economic downturns tend to put off marriage because the parties cannot afford to establish a family or are concerned about rainy days ahead. As the economy comes to life, the number of marriages also rises. The increase in divorce rates follows to the increase in women working outside the home. Yet, it may be wrong to jump to any simple cause-and-effect conclusions. The impact of a wife's work on divorce is no less cloudy than its impact on marriage decisions. The realization that she can be a good provider may increase the chances that a working wife will choose divorce over an unsatisfactory marriage. But the reverse is equally plausible . Tensions grounded in financial problems often play a key role in ending a marriage. By raising a family's standard of living, a working wife may strengthen her family's financial and emotional stability. Psychological factors also should be considered. For example, a wife blocked from a career outside the home may feel caged in the house. She may view her only choice as seeking a divorce. On the other hand, if she can find fulfillment through work outside the home, work and marriage can go together to create a stronger and more stable union. Also, a major part of women's inequality in marriage has been due to the fact that, in most cases, men have remained the main breadwinners. A working wife may rob a husband of being the master of the house. Depending upon how the couple reacts to these new conditions, it could create a stronger equal partnership or it could create new insecurities. \n Question: It is said in the passage that when the economy falls  _ \n Options: (A) men would choose working women as their marriage partners (B) more women would get married to seek financial security (C) even working women would worry about their marriages (D) more people would prefer to remain single for the time being", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}464{"query": "Article: On the morning of November 18, 1755, an earthquake shock Boston. John Winthrop, a professor at Harvard College, felt the quake and awoke. \"I rose\", Winthrop wrote, \"and lighted a candle, looked at my watch, and found it to be 15minutes after four.\" John Winthrop hurried downstairs to the grandfather clock. It had stopped three minutes before, at 4:12. Except for stopping the clock, the quake had only thrown a key from the mantel  to the floor. The clock had stopped because Winthrop had put some long glass tubes he was using for an experiment into the case for safekeeping. The quake had knocked the tubes over and blocked the pendulum .Winthrop, therefore, had the key on the floor. The quake had thrown _ forward in the direction of the quake' s motion by a shock coming from the northwest, perhaps in Canada. \n Question: The selection suggests that  _  . \n Options: (A) earthquakes are common in Boston (B) John Winthrop was a scientist (C) John Winthrop often had difficulty in sleeping (D) Harvard College was a center for earthquake researching", "pos": "Article: At dawn on Friday, May 19, 1780, farmers in New England stopped to wonder at the pink color of the sun. By noon the sky had darkened to midnight blackness, causing Americans, still in the painful struggle of a prolonged war of independence, to light candles and tremble at thoughts of the Last Judgment. As the birds quieted and no storm accompanied the darkness, men and women crowded into churches, where one minister commented that \"The people were very attentive.\" John Greenleaf Whittier later wrote that \"Men prayed, and women wept; all ears grew sharp . . .\" A recent study of researchers, led by Richard Guyette from the University of Missouri's Tree Ring Laboratory, has shown that vast forest fires in the Algonquin Highlands of southern Ontario and elsewhere in Canada brought this event upon New England. The scientists have discovered \"fire scars\" on the rings for that year, left when the heat of a wildfire has killed a part of a tree's cambium  . Evidence collected also points to a drought that year. An easterly wind and low barometric pressure   helped force smoke into the upper atmosphere. \"The record fits pretty close,\" says Guyette. \"We had the right fuel, the drought. The conditions were all there.\" Lacking the ability to communicate quickly over long distances, Americans in 1780 remained in the dark about the event, which had disappeared by the next day. Over the next several months, the papers carried heated debates about what brought the darkness. Some were the voices of angry prediction, such as one Massachusetts farmer who wrote, \"Oh! Backsliding New-England, attend now to the things which belong to your peace before they are forever hid from your eyes.\" Others gave different answers. One stated that a \"flaming star\" had passed between the earth and the sun. Ash, argued another commentator. The debate, carried on throughout New England, where there were no scientific journals or academies yet, reflected an unfolding culture of scientific enquiry already sweeping the Western world, a revolution nearly as influential as the war for independence from the English. New Englanders would not soon forget that dark day; it lived on in folklore, poems, and sermons for generations. \n Question: New Englanderscrowded into churches because they were frightened by    _    . \n Options: (A) the pink color of the sun (B) the darkened sky at daytime (C) the Last Judgment on Friday (D) the American War of Independence", "neg": "Article: \"Ceci, wake up. It's an earthquake!\" That's what Cecilia Wallace heard her mother shouting on the early morning of February 27th. Cecilia is a 7th-grader. She, her parents and her brother, Sam, were in Chile's capital city, Santiago, the day a big earthquake hit Chile. And like just about everyone else, they were shaken out of their sleep. \"It was so frightening,\" Sam wrote. \"The shaking was so huge that I will never go on a ride again.\" Cecilia and Sam wrote about their earthquake experiences. Their reports were later posted on the website. Cecilia, Sam and their parents were staying in an apartment on the 15th floor of a building. They were lucky. Their building stayed standing, because it was built to withstand earthquakes. Not everyone was as lucky as the Wallace family. More than 800 people died. Many older buildings fell down during the earthquake. The damage in Santiago wasn't as bad as in other parts of Chile. So the supermarkets were open for business on the morning of the quake. But it wasn't business as usual. \"The supermarkets have been crazy with people rushing to buy their food for the next while,\" Sam wrote. Not everyone was able to get money to buy food that morning. So Cecilia and Sam made food bags to _ to people who were begging outside the supermarket. \"We gave some to a kid of my age. I made sure he got cookies and bread.\" Sam and Cecilia's mother wrote that the kids also collected money for the Red Cross. It's certainly an experience Cecilia, Sam and their parents will never forget. Thankfully, they lived to tell their stories. \n Question: What was Cecilia doing when the earthquake happened? \n Options: (A) Walking in the street. (B) Having class at school. (C) Sleeping in bed. (D) Playing with Sam in a park.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}465{"query": "Article: It was an extremely hot day. My younger brother Walt and I had decided to go swimming in a deep swimming hole across Mr. Blickez's farm and through some woods, because it would be the only way to cool ourselves down. The only problem with our plan was that this farm was guarded by a huge mean   Hereford bull  . Mr. Blickez had told us that Elsie was the meanest bull in town, maybe even in the county and we believed in him. But the hotter it got, the more we thought there was something _ about what he said. For one thing, we remembered Mr. Blickez liked telling tall tales; for another, Elsie seemed like a strange name for a bull. Finally, I talked Mom into asking permission for us to walk through the farm, and Mr. Blickez agreed. On our way across the farm, we stopped at the fence to admire the swimming hole. The sun shone brightly across the cool waters. We couldn't wait to get there. Suddenly, Walt shouted loudly. Elsie had run to him and was licking   his back. I immediately hid under the fence. However, when I looked up, I saw that Elsie wasn't a big mean bull at all. She was just a friendly young cow, and she was going to keep licking my brother's back as long as he stood still. When we discovered the truth, we were so happy. We then ran to the swimming hole and jumped in. The water was just as wonderful as we had dreamed. After that day, we had many good days and we often visited our secret swimming hole guarded by the so-called \"big mean bull\". . \n Question: What was the problem faced by the author and his brother? \n Options: (A) They didn't know where to swim. (B) They didn't know how to get to the stream. (C) Their mother didn't want them to swim. (D) They had to face a very mean bull.", "pos": "Article: I felt encouraged by his words and began to swim more calmly.But my clothes stuck to me like a heavy weight.I could hardly stay above the surface. Counsel saw this.\"Shall I cut them?\"he asked. With a knife he cut my clothes from top to bottom and took them of quickly while I swam for both of us. Then I did the same for Counsel,and we continued to swim near each other. But we were in serious trouble.The crew might not have noticed our disappearance. And if they had,they could not return because the rudder had broken.Counsel thought of all this,and calmly made his plans.We decided to wait for the ship as long as possible,because we had no other hope of safety.I suggested that we save our strength so that both of us would not be tired out at the same time.This was how we did it:While one of us lay on his back,quite _ ,with arms crossed and legs stretched out ,the other would swim and push him along.We changed every ten minutes or so.In this way we could swim for hours,perhaps till daylight.The crash of the ship and the whale had appeared at about eleven o'clock.We had about eight hours to swim before daylight.This seemed possible,if the sea remained calm. \n Question: What happened to the man who told the story? \n Options: (A) He and his companion got into the water to test their strength. (B) He jumped into the water to save the broken rudder. (C) He was knocked into the water by his enemy. (D) He was thrown into the sea when the ship struck a whale.", "neg": "Article: It was an extremely hot day. My younger brother Walt and I had decided to go swimming in the stream behind Mr Blickez's house, because it would be the only way to cool ourselves down. Across his farm and through some woods was a deep swimming hole supplied by several cold springs . The only problem with our plan was that this farm was guarded by a huge mean Hereford bull . Mr Blickez had told us that Elsie, the animal's name, was the meanest bull in town, maybe even the county, and we believed in him. But the hotter it got, the more we thought there was reason to doubt about what he said. For one thing, we remembered Mr Blickez liked telling tall tales; for another, Elsie seemed like a strange name for a bull. Finally, I talked Mom into asking permission for us to walk through the farm, and Mr Blickez finally agreed. On our way across the farm, we stopped at the fence to admire the swimming hole. The sun shone brightly across the cool waters. We couldn't wait to get there. Suddenly, Walt shouted loudly. Elsie had run to him and was licking  his back. I immediately hid under the fence. However, when I looked up, I saw that Elsie wasn't a big mean bull at all. She was just a friendly young cow, and she was going to keep licking my brother's back as long as he stood still. When we discovered the truth, we were so happy. We then ran to the swimming hole and jumped in. The water was just as wonderful as we had dreamed. After that day, we had many good days and we often visited our secret swimming hole guarded by the so-called \"big mean bull\". \n Question: The author and his brother decided to go to swim because   _  . \n Options: (A) there was no water to take a shower at home (B) the weather was so hot that they couldn't stand it (C) Mr Blickez invited them to his house for swimming (D) they wanted to try their newly-found swimming hole", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}466{"query": "Article: It seems that the Englishman just cannot live without sports of some kind. A famous French humourist once said that this is because the English insist on behaving like children all their lives. Wherever you go in this country you will see both children and grown-ups knocking a ball about with a stick or something, as if in Britain men shall always remain boys and women girls! Still, it can never be bad to get exercise, can it? Taking all amateur and professional sports in Britain into consideration, there can be no doubt that football is at the top of the list. It is called soccer in the United States. The game originated in Britain and was played in the Middle Ages or even earlier, though as an organized game, or \"association football\", it dates only from the beginning of the 19th century. The next is rugby, which is called \"football\" in the United States. It is a kind of football played by two teams of fifteen players rather than eleven. The rugby, in which an oval-shaped ball is used can be handled as well as kicked. It is a pretty rough game. In summer, cricket is the most popular sport. In fact, it has sometimes been called the English national game. Most foreigners find the game rather slow or even boring, but it enjoys great popularity among the British. Tennis rates high on the list, too. It was introduced into England from France in the 15th century, but it was from England that it spread to practically every country in the world. Table-tennis or \"ping-pong\" surely is not played on a great scale as it is in China or in Japan. Basketball and volleyball were introduced into Britain during the late 19th century from America and are gaining popularity. Horse-back riding, swimming, rowing and golf all attract a lot of people. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about football and rugby? \n Options: (A) They differ in the shape of the ball (B) They are played by different numbers of players (C) They both can be handled (D) They both can be kicked", "pos": "Article: There are a lot of reasons to the popularity of football. All around the world, millions play the sport and many like to watch it. Some would say that the simplicity of game is the main reason for its popularity. But that is not right, because this way, running a marathon or a race would be the most popular sport in the world. In fact, it isn't. Football is the most popular of all sports. The main reason for the popularity of any sport is the room for creativity inside this sport. Because football has plenty of room for creativity, where the player can use his mind and body to do anything in order to get hold of the ball and score and keep the other team from scoring to win the match. All within a set of rules that are made mainly to keep the game clean and better, football becomes the most popular sport in the world. Another reason is the fact that this game doesn't need expensive equipments. All the kids in poor third world countries play it, they just need a ball and an empty playground, and that would ensure a quality time for a group of kids who want to enjoy their time. The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) knows this fact and they always try to keep rules and regulations applicable for the poorer countries. For fans of watching the sport, it is so entertaining to watch the skills and talents of the players in a match. And also the anticipation  and the fact that anything could happen is so compelling  and engaging in the 90 or 120 minutes of the game, so results could change in the dying moments of the game. For some special matches, they are better than any thriller movie, because you really don't know what is going to happen afterwards. \n Question: The passage mainly discusses   _  . \n Options: (A) how to play football (B) the origin of football (C) the reasons why football is the most popular sport in the world (D) the reasons why football rules come into being", "neg": "Article: Sports play an important role in British life. The most popular sport is football. Cricket is also popular in England, but is less important in the other home nations. Rugby union and rugby league are the other major team sports. Tennis is the most important sport for the two weeks of the Wimbledon Championships  Football The modern global game of football developed from traditional British football games in the 19thcentury. Club football is organized separately in each of the home nations. English football has a league system which combines thousands of clubs. Scotland has a similar but smaller club football structure. The top level league in Wales is the league of Wales. In Northern Ireland the main league is the Irish Football League. Each season the most successful clubs from each of the home nations qualify for(......) the two Europe wide club competitions organized by UEFA , the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup. Cricket Cricket was invented in England. It is regarded as England's national summer game and it is probably the second most widely covered sport. There are eighteen professional country clubs, seventeen of them in England and one in Wales. Each summer the country clubs compete in the first class Country Championship, which consist of two leagues of nine teams and in which matches are played over four days. Rugby Like football, rugby union and rugby league both developed from traditional British football games in the 19thcentury. For much of the 20thcentury there was great _ between rugby leagues, which was a mainly working class game based in the industrial areas of northern England, and rugby union, which is a mainly middle class game in England, and is also popular in the other home nations. Tennis Tennis is yet another sport which originated in the United Kingdom and the governing body of the sport is the LTA . However, no British man has won Wimbledon since 1936 and no British woman since 1977. The only British players of either sex to reach the world top 50 in recent years are Greg Rusedski, who learnt his tennis in Canada, and Tim Henman and Andrew Murray ,who did not pass through the LTA system either. \n Question: What do we know about football? \n Options: (A) The top clubs represent the UK in the two Europe competitions. (B) Football is a newly-invented game in England (C) The top level league in England is the Irish Football League (D) Club football is an organized union in the UK.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}467{"query": "Article: Experts have put forward detailed plans for a tunnel to connect Taiwan with the Chinese mainland.     The shortest proposed route would be 126 kilometers more than twice the length of the English Channel Tunnel. And the longest proposed route would be 207 kilometers.     A recent conference in Xiamen, Fujian Province brought together more than 70 experts. The event was co-sponsored   by universities from Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.     Fujian is the province where both proposed routes would begin. There is direct passenger access between the mainland and Taiwan by air and sea at the moment. Experts say that it is better to start research sooner rather than later, although there is a lack of government funding . There are no technical problems to build a Taiwan tunnel. But it will require an improved political relationship across the Straits .     A professor of Tsinghua University said, \"A special feature of huge projects is that the period of preparation is longer than the period of construction.\"     For example, he said, the English Channel Tunnel took 14 years of planning and had been discussed for two centuries. And preparations for the huge Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River began in the 1950s.     The Xiamen conference focused on the longest southern route, which would pass Jinmen and Penghu.     The first stage of the new project could be a bridge to cross the five kilometers between Xiamen and Jinmen. This would mean that travelling from Xiamen to Jinmen by car would only take five minutes.     The longest tunnel now being planned anywhere in the world is the 54-kilometer land tunnel to link Lyon in France with Turin in Italy. The tunnel will not be completed until 2015-2020. \n Question: Which is the longest tunnel in the world at present? \n Options: (A) The tunnel between Lyon and Turin. (B) The English Channel Tunnel. (C) The Taiwan Straits tunnel. (D) The passage doesn't mention it.", "pos": "Article: Passengers will be able to travel by train from Londonto Beijing in just two days on trains that travel almost as fast as airplanes under new plans from China. China is under discussion with 17 countries to build a high-speed rail network to India and Europe with trains that are able to run at over 200mph within the next decade. The network would eventually carry passengers from London to Beijing and then to Singapore. It would also run to India and Pakistan, according to Wang Mengshu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a senior consultant on China's high-speed rail project. A second project would see trains heading north through Russia to Germany and into the European railway system, and a third line will extend south to connect Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia. Mr. Wang said that the rail lines will draw together and open up the whole of Central, East and Southeast Asia, which would also allow China to transport valuable raw materials more efficiently. Mr. Wang said the route of the three lines had yet to be decided, but that construction for the South East Asian line had already begun in the southern province of Yunnan and that Burma was about to begin building its link. China has offered to supply money to the Burmese line in exchange for the country's rich reserves of lithium, a metal widely used in batteries. At present, the only rail line that links China to South East Asia is an old track built by the French in Vietnam a century ago. The Asian Development Bank has recently agreed a second PS27 million loan   as part of the PS93 reconstruction of Cambodia's network, which should finish by 2013. The cost of the lines from Cambodia to Singapore and then from Vietnam to China could be roughly PS400 million. \n Question: According to Wang Mengshu, the three rail lines aim to   _  . \n Options: (A) be finished in three years (B) match the speed of air travel (C) cover the whole area of Asia and Europe (D) increase efficiency in carrying goods and passengers", "neg": "Article: When it comes to cultural heritage protection, the Grand Canal of China is probably the world's greatest project of its kind.  The big inland waterway system in the north-eastern and central eastern plains passes through eight of the country's present-day provinces. The Canal runs from Beijing in the north to Zhejiang Province in the south. Constructed in sections from the 5th century BC onwards, it was designed as a means of communication in the 7th century AD.  The Canal is the world's greatest civil engineering project before the Industrial Revolution. The Grand Canal reached a peak in the 13th century, providing an inland navigation  network consisting of more than 2,000 kilometers of artificial waterways, linking five of the most important river basins in China, including the Yellow River and the Yangtze. It entered a bid as a UNESCO  cultural heritage site in 2008. The Grand Canal cultural square is located in Beijing's Tongzhou district. Ever since the Yuan dynasty 800 years ago, the Tongzhou section of the Grand Canal has been the life blood of Beijing. Grain and building materials were all transported to meet the endless demands of the big cities. Even today, the Grand Canal plays a major role in the lives of its citizens. \"I grew up near the Grand Canal. In the past the waterway was a lot narrower, but now it's nice and wide and bridges are built over it. I think if the bid for world heritage status succeeds, it will greatly make Tongzhou more famous in the world, especially with Tongzhou aiming to be a sub-center of the capital Beijing,\" a citizen said. The result of the bid is set to be released next week, and no doubt it will certainly make it into the history books if the Canal is listed as a world heritage site. \n Question: It can be concluded from the passage that  _  . \n Options: (A) The bid's result of the Canal will be announced soon (B) the Canal is the UNESCO's newest world heritage site (C) the Canal is to connect Tongzhou with Zhejiang Province (D) the Canal will be a bid for a UNESCO cultural heritage site", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}468{"query": "Article: When American inventor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, it was a revolution in communication. For the first time, people could talk to each other over great distances. Over the last two decades a new means of spoken communication has appeared: the mobile phone.  The mobile phone is like a two-way radio. But the two-way radio is a limited means of communication. As soon as the users move out of range of each other's broadcast area, the signal is lost. In the 1940s, researchers experimented with the idea of using a number of radio masts   to pick up signals from two-way radios. A caller would always be within range of one of the masts. When he or she moved too far away from one mast, the next mast would pick up the signal. (Scientists referred to each mast's reception area as being a \"cell\". This is why in many countries mobile phones are called \"cellphones\".) However, 1940s' technology was just at the beginning. The \"mobile phones\" were huge boxes. They had to be moved by car. The first real mobile telephone call was made in 1973 by Dr Martin Cooper. As soon as his invention was complete, he tested it by calling a rival   scientist to announce his success. Within a decade, mobile phones became available to the public. They have changed the way we do a lot of things. One powerful feature is: the short message service (SMS) or text message. It's the perfect communication method for the busy modern lifestyle. The text message has changed the way we write in English. The language construction became more lax  . Traditional rules of grammar and spelling are much less important. Over the last few years mobiles have become more and more advanced. We have seen the introduction of cameras, global positioning system and Internet access. Alexander Graham Bell would be surprised if he could see how far the science of the telephone has developed in less than 150 years. If he were around today, he might say: '''That's gr8! But I'm v busy rite now. Will call U 2nite.' \n Question: The article is intended to  _  . \n Options: (A) warn people of the possible risks in using mobile phones (B) inform readers of the history and benefits of mobile phones (C) convince people of the uses of mobile phones (D) predict the applications of mobile phones", "pos": "Article: The making of glass is a very old industry---at least 4,500 years old. Glass has many extraordinary qualities and it is often being used in new ways. One of the most interesting new uses for glass is in telephone communication. Scientists have developed glass fibers as thin as human hair which are designed to carry light signal. When the light reaches the other end,it is first changed into electrical signals , which are in turn changed into sound messages. Called lightwave communication, the new system was used successfully in an experiment in Chicago in 1977. During the experiment, two glass fibers were able to carry 672 conversations at the same time. The lightwave cable , containing 144 glass fibers, is able to carry 50,000 conversations at the same time. The lightwave communication system has two important advantages. First, the glass fiber cables are smaller and weigh less than copper cables. Second, they cost less. Perhaps it can be said that telephone communication has entered the age of light. \n Question: According to the passage,people started to make glass   _  . \n Options: (A) 4, 500 years ago (B) no less than 4, 500 years ago (C) less than 4, 500 years ago (D) nearly 4, 500 years ago", "neg": "Article: Most people know Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. But not many know about another talking device (equipment) he invented just four years later, in 1880. He called the device the photophone. \"Photophone\" comes form the Greek words for \"light\" and \"sound\". The photophone did not use electricity to carry sound over wires between two people.  _ . Instead, the photophone used a beam of sunlight traveling through the air. With his invention, Bell could actually transmit   human speech on a beam of light. To do so, he spoke close to a thin mirror that was reflecting sunlight. The vibrations   of his voice caused the mirror to vibrate, and the vibrating mirror caused the light to vibrate. The vibrating light hit a light-sensitive cell in a receiver placed some distance away. The cell changed the light patterns into electrical signals. Earphones changed the signals back into sounds. Bell believed that his idea of talking on a beam of light would prove to be important. He often called the photophone his greatest invention. Even though the photophone depended on a source of energy that was not constant--the sun--Bell wasn't a bit discouraged. He felt sure that people would one day talk using beams of light. Two much more recent developments made Bell's dream come true. In 1960, a scientist built the laser. A laser produces a highly concentrated beam of light. Shortly afterward, other scientists developed a new kind of optical fiber. The optical fiber is a glass thread. The new fiber could carry light beams long distances--as far as several miles. \n Question: According to Bell's own opinion,   _  is his greatest invention. \n Options: (A) photophone (B) optical fiber (C) telephone (D) laser", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}469{"query": "Article: According to a famous optical  expert, Alexander, who recently visited Shanghai, the developed countries in Europe and America have made rules that children must wear resinous  glasses instead of the traditional glasses made of glass. This is because the glass glasses are more likely to do harm to children's eyesight. Alexander pointed out: wearing the right glasses as soon as possible is still the best way to cure and put right children's eyesight problems. In America and Japan the resinous glasses have taken up 80 percent of the glasses market. And some European countries and America have made it a law that children, teenagers and drivers must wear resinous glasses. Now, about 10 million children in China have different eyesight problems and they need timely treatment. But still, too many parents are buying the traditional glass glasses for their children. This is mainly because many parents know little or nothing about the good points of the resinous glasses. Besides, the price for the new glasses is a little higher than the traditional ones. \n Question: This news article mainly wants to tell us   _  . \n Options: (A) Alexander visited China and introduced a new type of glasses (B) we should wear resinous glasses instead of glass glasses (C) resinous glasses are popular in Europe and America (D) glasses can be made of other materials instead of glass", "pos": "Article: If you need glasses to read this, you are among the majority of Chinese students. That's because most students in China are short-sighted which means they can only see things close up and distant things will be _ . Four-fifths of high school students wear glasses and now more and more children in primary school need glasses, too. This epidemic of poor eyesight has two very simple causes: too much time spent indoors studying and too little time spent outdoors playing. Reading and writing for hours and hours, sometimes in poorly lighted rooms, causes eyesight to weaken. But students have to do this because there is so much pressure on them to succeed in school. And because they spend so much time indoors at school and at home, they have less time to spend outdoors enjoying the sun. The sun, as a consequence, is important in developing good eyesight. Exposure to daylight releases a chemical in the eyes that prevents, or at least delays, short-sightedness. According to a study by Ian Morgan of Australian National University, Australian children and Chinese children have the same level of eyesight before they start school, but once they enter primary school, Chinese children only spend about an hour a day outside, while Australian children spend three to four hours each day in the sunshine. The result is that while about 40 percent of Chinese primary school students need glasses, only three percent of Australian children do. Wearing glasses may not seem like a big deal. For some, wearing glasses can even be an opportunity to make a fashion statement. But poor eyesight at a young age can have serious long term consequences. As you get older, your eyesight can worsen and lead to things like macular degeneration , a condition of the eyes for which there is no cure and which can eventually lead to blindness. With all that in mind, don't you think it's time to give your eyes a break? Try spending a little less time inside and go for a walk in the park, instead. It's the healthy thing to do and your eyes will thank you for it. \n Question: How should the students protect their eyesight according to the passage? \n Options: (A) They should study less and less. (B) They should stay longer outdoors. (C) They should wear sun-glasses. (D) They should have a longer rest in bed.", "neg": "Article: There are many commonly held beliefs about eye glasses and eyesight that are not proven facts. For instance, some people believe that wearing glasses too soon weakens the eyes. But there is no evidence to show that the structure of eyes is changed by wearing glasses at a young age. Wearing the wrong glasses, however, can prove harmful. Studies show that for adults there is no danger, but children can develop loss of vision if they have glasses inappropriate for their eyes. We have all heard some of the common myths about how eyesight gets bad. Most people believe that reading in dim light causes poor eyesight, but that is untrue. Too little light makes the eyes work harder, so they do get tired and strained. Eyestrain also results from reading a lot, reading in bed, and watching too much television. However, although eyestrain may cause some pain or headaches, it does not permanently damage eyesight. Another myth about eyes is that they can be replaced, or transferred from one person to another. They are close to one million nerve fibers  that connect the eyeball to the brain, so it is impossible to attach them all in a new person. Only certain parts of the eye can be replaced. But if we keep clearing up the myths and learning more about the eyes, some day a full transplant may be possible. \n Question: If a child wears appropriate glasses,   _  . \n Options: (A) the structure of his eyes will keep the same as before (B) it is harmful (C) the structure of his eyes will be changed (D) he will lose sight", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}470{"query": "Article: Hilton English Language Center Information for New Students CLASS TIME: 8:30a.m.--10:00a.m., 10:30a.m.--12:00a.m., 1:30p.m.--3:00p.m.. The Language Center is open Monday to Friday. Each class has one afternoon free per week. On the first day, go to the lecture hall to check your timetable. SELF-ACCESS: The language laboratory (Room 1110) is open Monday to Friday from 3:15p.m. to 5:00p.m. for all full-time students. You can learn how to use computers for language games or word-processing . There are tapes for students to borrow to practice their English. Go in and ask the teacher to show you. If you plan to take public examinations, there are dictation and listening comprehension tapes for you to practice with. There are cloze exercises on the computers. Ask your class teacher for a list of past exam essays. Students can borrow tapes to take home but they must be returned after two days. ATTENDANCE :All students are expected to attend classes as it is required. Students who do not attend classes will be reported to OSS. Eighty percent attendance is required for students to receive their certificates when they finish their courses. It is also required by OSS for an extension to your visa. BOOKS: If students are given course books, the books are their responsibility. If a book is lost, the student will be expected to pay for it. If students wish to buy books, there is a bookshop in the college specializing in English books (Room 3520). \n Question: When do classes begin and end on a full day? \n Options: (A) 8:30a.m.--1:30p.m.. (B) 8:30a.m.--3:00p.m.. (C) 8:30a.m.--3:15p.m.. (D) 3:15p.m.--5:00p.m..", "pos": "Article: Welcome to the Ambassador Hotel. To make your stay as enjoyable as possible, we hope you will use our facilities  to the full.  _  Breakfast is served in the dining mom from 8 to 9:30 a.m.. Alternatively, the room staff will bring a breakfast tray to your room at any time after 7 a.m., if you place an order for it by telephone. In this case, please fill out a card and hang it outside your door when you go to bed. Lunch: 12:00 to 2:30 p.m. Dinner: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Telephone:48752  _  This operates 24 hours a day. Phone the Reception Desk, and your message will be passed on to the room staff. Telephone:48759  _  To make a telephone call, dial 0 for Reception and Laundry  , and ask to be connected. We apologize for delays in putting calls through when the staff are very busy. There are also public telephone booths near the Reception Desk. Early calls should be booked with Reception.  _  The hotel shop is open for souvenirs , gifts and toiletries from 9 a.m. to 5:30p.m. Telephone:48687  _  We have a laundry on the premises and will wash, iron and return your clothes within 24 hours. Ask the room staff to phone the laundrymen to collect them. Telephone:48867  _  The hotel bar is open from 12 to 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.  to 2 a.m.. The Reception staff will cash cheques and exchange money in many foreign currencies . \n Question: The announcement  mainly gives us information about   _  . \n Options: (A) facilities in the hotel (B) providing passengers all kinds of service (C) the ways of serving (D) carrying out the promise of the hotel", "neg": "Article: Welcome to the Ambassador Hotel. To make your stay as enjoyable as possible, we hope you can make full use of our facilities . Dining Room Breakfast is served in the dining room from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The room staff will bring a breakfast tray to your room at any time after 7 a.m. Please fill out a card and hang it outside your door when you go to bed. Lunch: 12:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Room Service This operates 24 hours a day; phone the Reception Desk, and your message will be passed on to the room staff. Telephones To make a phone call, dial 0 for Reception and ask to be connected. We apologize for delays in putting calls through when the staffs are very busy. There are also public telephone boxes near the Reception Desk. Early calls should be booked with Reception. Laundry We have a laundry in the hotel, and will wash, iron and return your clothes within 24 hours. Ask the room staff to collect them. Bar The hotel bar is open from 12 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. \n Question: You would see this notice   _  . \n Options: (A) in a hotel bar (B) in a hotel dining room (C) in a bedroom of a large hotel (D) in the entrance of a small family hotel", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}471{"query": "Article: Many adults in the United States can remember crying the nursery rhyme in the street \"Hot cross buns!\" But only a few people realize this was an early form of advertising. Written advertisements probably began with hieroglyphics more than three thousand years ago, but only a few people could read these symbols. So merchants made signs with pictures or hung their tools over their doors to identify their businesses. In the time of the Roman Empire, wall paintings were a popular form of advertisement. An ad for a play, or some other performance was painted on part of a building or on a wall around a city. People often advertised a house for rent or a freshwater bath in this way, too. Today, large wall signs are still used for outdoor advertising. But outdoor advertising is only a small fraction of the total advertising. About forty per -cent of all ads are printed in daily newspapers. Radio commercials also provide this kind of information. Some people think they are the best form of advertising because radio broadcasts reach almost everyone in a nation. Advertisements in magazines and on television reach many people, too. However, usually only large companies can advertise on a national network, because TV commercials shown across the country can cost many thousands of dollars. Then there are ads that are almost part of daily living. If you use public transportation, you will see large printed ads, called ear cards, on buses and taxis and in trains. Ads are painted on the trucks that deliver products people are buying or selling. \n Question: Which is the passage mainly discussing? \n Options: (A) Modern advertising (B) Significance of advertising (C) Development of advertising (D) Origin of advertising", "pos": "Article: In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media   work. Many TV stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations are privately owned. The government does not give them money.  So where does the money come from?  From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private businesses. Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years, people have given different answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of \"keeping your name before the public\". And some people thought that advertising was \"truth well told\". Now more and more people consider it in this way: Advertising is the paid, non-personal, and usually persuasive presentation of goods, services and ideas by some certain sponsors   through various media. First, advertising is usually paid for. Various sponsors pay for the advertisements we see, read, and hear over the various media. Second, advertising is non-personal. It is not face-to-face communication. Although you may feel that a message in a certain advertisement is aimed directly at you, in fact, it is directed at large groups of people. Third, advertising is usually persuasive. Directly or indirectly it asks people to do something. All advertisements try to make people believe that the product, idea, or service advertised can benefit them. Fourth, the sponsors of the advertisement must show their names. From the advertisement, we can see if the sponsor is a company, or a single person. Fifth, advertising reaches us through old and modern mass media. Included in the old media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and films. Modern media include emails, matchbox covers, and boards on top of buildings. \n Question: The existence of the privately owned mass media depends on the support of    _   . \n Options: (A) the government (B) their owners families (C) advertisements (D) the TV stations", "neg": "Article: When you turn on the radio, you hear an advertisement. When you watch television, you hear and see  an advertisement. If you turn the pages of a newspaper or magazine, again you find an advertisement. If  you walk down the street, you see one advertising board after another. All day, every day, people who  want to sell you something compete to catch your attention. As a result, advertisements are almost  everywhere.  In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media work. Many TV stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations are privately owned. The government does not give them money. So where does  the money come from? From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private  businesses.  Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years, people have given different  answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of \"keeping your name  before the public.\" And some people thought that advertising was \"truth well told.\" Now more and more  people describe it in this way: Advertising is the paid, non-personal, and usually persuasive description of  goods, services and ideas by identified sponsors  through various media.  First, advertising is usually paid for. Various sponsors pay for the advertisements we see, read, and  hear over the various media. Second, advertising is non-personal. It is not face to face communication.  Although you may feel that a message in a certain advertisement is aimed directly at you, in reality, it is  directed at large groups of people. Third, advertising is usually persuasive. Directly or indirectly it tells  people to do something. All advertisements try to make people believe that the product, idea, or service  advertised can do good to them. Fourth, the sponsor of the advertisement must be identified. From the  advertisement, we can see if the sponsor is a company, or an organization, or an individual. Fifth,  advertising reaches us through traditional and nontraditional mass media. Included in the traditional  media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and films. Nontraditional media include the mail,  matchbox covers, and billboards. \n Question: The existence of the privately-owned mass media depends financially on   _  . \n Options: (A) the government (B) advertisements (C) their owners' families (D) the audience", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}472{"query": "Article: Without any previous notice, a documentary dominated headlines and social websites over the weekend. Under the Dome, a 103-minute documentary self-funded by former CCTV news anchor Chai Jing was released on video-sharing websites in China on Feb 28. It has rapidly pushed the public awareness about air pollution and encouraged people to join in efforts to make a difference. Chai, 39, said she started the work out of her \"personal clashes\" with smog after she gave birth to a daughter. \"I sealed tight all the windows. I started every day by checking the air pollution index,\" Chai said. Millions of other people are also doing the same. While they stop there, Chai goes deeper. \"I don't want to live in this way. 1 need to find out where the smog comes from and what on earth is going on.\" Over a year, she investigated polluted sites to find the sources of smog, visited the US and the UK to learn about their anti-pollution experiences, and interviewed officials, scientists and the general public. Chai's research reveals that the burning of coal and oil contributes to 60 percent of PM2.5 pollutants. She thus questions the country's energy consumption habits in the film. She then goes on to disclose loopholes   in car emissions regulations. The film also explains that businesses are pressured not to abide by  the laws because violating  them carries little or no cost, while making changes bumps up costs. The film also points at China's petroleum and steel industries as the biggest sources of air pollution. Cheng Chen, a 22-year-old student from Beijing Foreign Studies University, found the documentary \"very inspiring\". \"I used to think it's not my duty to deal with air pollution--I don't own a factory or a car,\" said Cheng. \"But Chai told me we share the same fate since we breathe the same air and there is a lot I can do.\" However, some people are annoyed by the film's description of their polluted hometowns, especially when it shows a banner from Xingtai in Hebei saying \"Congratulations to our city for no longer being ranked the last place among the country's 74 cities in terms of air quality\".  _ \"What's important is that Chai's work has raised public attention toward the structure of the energy industry,\" she said.   Meanwhile, experts remind moved viewers of the film's limitations. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is true? \n Options: (A) The documentary was made by Chai jing , who works in CCTV now. (B) The documentary dominated headlines and social websites soon after it was broadcast on TV. (C) Chai started making the documentary after she gave birth to a daughter. (D) Chai thinks that it is the burning of coal and oil that leads to air pollution in china.", "pos": "Article: The fourth round of heavy smog to hit Beijing in four weeks has sent more people to the hospital with respiratory  illnesses and led to calls for laws to control the pollution. Pan Shiyi, a celebrity real estate developer said he is planning to propose   a Clean Air Act to the local government. As a representative to the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, he started an online survey at 9:20 a.m. Within three hours, more than 25,000 web users, or 99 percent of total respondents , welcomed his proposal on Sina Weibo, China's Twitter. They have good reasons to stand alongside Pan. The latest round of haze reduced visibility to under 500 meters in many parts of the city. The smog has also led to a great increase in respiratory illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly. Anxious parents and doctors almost all blame the smoggy air for the illnesses. Though most schoolchildren are home for the winter holidays, the bad air can easily move indoors. Besides, ordinary medical masks fail to provide adequate protection, so some people have turned to gas masks and respirators . The causes of the scary smog are rather mysterious, though experts blame excessive emissions and the mountains around Beijing that trap pollution in winter, unless there is adequate wind to clear it away. Some critics have pointed fingers at China's top two oil firms, China National Petroleum Corp and China Petrochemical Corporation, saying the companies' outdated production technologies produce large quantities of substandard, high-polluting gas fuel. Meanwhile, concerned Beijingers have moved their brainstorming sessions to cyberspace. If Pan's proposal for a Clean Air Act is adopted, netizens say the new law should include items providing for \"car-free days\" in times of smog, higher standards for vehicle fuel, stricter restrictions on industrial and exhaust gas emissions, and more effective protection for the public. Beijing is not the only city that has ever lost the blue sky. Five days of thick fog caused thousands of deaths in Britain in December 1952, urging the government to pass the first Clean Air Act in 1956, which introduced smokeless zones and cleaner fuels to reduce pollution. That may provide some experience for Beijing to refer to. \n Question: What can we learn from the passage? \n Options: (A) People are clear about the causes of the smoggy weather. (B) Children staying indoors will not get respiratory illnesses. (C) Smog is worse for people with lower resistance to diseases. (D) Masks can give people protection against the smoggy weather.", "neg": "Article: Air pollution levels were literally off the charts  in Beijing over the weekend, reportedly reducing visibility  to about 100 yards in some areas. The air has been classified hazardous to human health for many days, at its worst hitting pollution levels 25 times that considered safe in the U. S. The entire city is blanketed  in a thick grey smog, leading to official warnings to stay inside. At least four deaths have been blamed on what Chinese media calls the \"smoggy weather\"--including two high school students who were hit by a train due to low visibility. The smog has affected more than 30 cities in China. The air quality is so bad--some foreigners in China have been referring to it on social media as the \"Airpocalypse \"--that government media have been joining Internet users in questioning China's rapid path to economic growth. Unusually, the pollution is getting headline treatment on local news bulletins and in the domestic  media. Since the beginning of the year, the government has been releasing hourly pollution readings for 74 Chinese cities, almost half of which are now showing severe pollution. In the Chinese media, there's been some soul-searching  about why the problem has been so serious. The China Daily took the country's rapid urbanization  process to task , commenting in an editorial, \"The air quality in big cities could have been better had more attention been paid to the density  of high rises, had more trees been planted in proportion  to the number of residential areas, and had the number of cars been strictly controlled.\" Meanwhile, the Global Tunes has been pointing out China's role as the global factory and the \"biggest construction site in the world.\" The Los Angeles Times reports fuel, standards in China allow for three times the amount of poisonous sulfur  as in the United States, and five times as much compared to European standards. \n Question: The passage is mainly dealing with \n Options: (A) the smoggy weather in Beijing (B) the severe air pollution in China (C) China's economic growth and pollution (D) Chinese government media's attitudes toward air pollution", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}473{"query": "Article: What does the future hold for the problem of housing? A good deal depends, of course, on the meaning of \"future\". If one is thinking in terms of science fiction and the space age, it is at least possible to assume that man will have solved such trivial and earthly problems as housing. Writers of science fiction, from H.G. Wells onwards, have had little to say on the subject. They have conveyed the suggestion that men will live in great comfort, with every imaginable apparatus  to make life smooth, healthy and easy, if not happy. But they have not said what his house will be made of. Perhaps some new building material, as yet unimagined, will have been discovered or invented at least. One may be certain that bricks and mortar(,) will long have gone out of fashion. But the problems of the next generation or two can more readily be imagined. Scientists have already pointed out that unless something is done either to restrict the world's rapid growth in population or to discover and develop new sources of food (or both), millions of people will be dying of starvation or at the best suffering from underfeeding before this century is out. But nobody has yet worked out any plan for housing these growing populations. Admittedly the worst situations will occur in the hottest parts of the world, where housing can be light structure or in backward areas where standards are traditionally low. But even the minimum shelter requires materials of some kind and in the teeming, bulging towns the low-standard \"housing\" of flattened petrol cans and dirty canvas is far more wasteful of ground space than can be tolerated. Since the war, Hong Kong has suffered the kind of crisis which is likely to arise in many other places during the next generation. Literally millions of refugees arrived to swell the already growing population and emergency steps had to be taken rapidly to prevent squalor and disease and the spread crime. The city is tackling the situation energetically and enormous blocks of tenements are rising at an astonishing aped. But Hong Kong is only one small part of what will certainly become a vast problem and not merely a housing problem, because when population grows at this rate there are accompanying problems of education, transport, hospital services, drainage, water supply and so on. Not every area may give the same resources as Hong Kong to draw upon and the search for quicker and cheaper methods of construction must never stop. \n Question: The writer is sure that in the distant future   _  . \n Options: (A) bricks and mortar will be replaced by some other building material. (B) a new building material will have been invented. (C) bricks and mortar will not be used by people who want their house to be fashionable. (D) a new way of using bricks and mortar will have been discovered.", "pos": "Article: We often think of future.We often wonder what the world would be like in a hundred years' time. Think of space, perhaps a permanent  station on the moon will have been set up.Perhaps people will be able to visit the moon as tourists.Cheap rockets for space travel will have been developed, permitting long journeys throughout the solar system .When that time comes, people will be taking holidays in space and visiting other planets.Great progress will have been discovered for the most terrible of all diseases--cancer.Pollution is a problem we must solve.In a hundred years' time it will have been controlled. All the world will have been developed--even Antarctica.There will be large cities in Antarctica.We already have supersonic  flight, but in a hundred years' time we will have supersonic land travel as well. We will have used up most of earth's land to build our cities, so floating cities will have been built.The Japanese already have plans for cities of this kind.And there will be cities under the sea.The first of these will have been completed. \n Question: We will have developed   _   in a hundred years' time, permitting long journeys all over the solar system. \n Options: (A) cheap rockets for space travel (B) a plane for space travel (C) a permanent spaceship (D) a satellite for tourists", "neg": "Article: Have you ever imagined what the world will be in the near future? A recent study shows that the world in 2100 will be more crowded, more polluted and less stable ecologically than the world we live in now. Visible ahead is serious stress involving population, resource and environment. Despite greater food output, people in the world will be poorer in many ways than they are today.     For hundred of millions of the extremely poor, the outlook for food and other necessities of life will be no better, for many it will be worse. While the economies of the developing countries are expected to grow at a faster rate than those of the industrialized nation, the total national product per head in most less developed countries remains low. The existing gap between the rich and poor nations will further widen. World food production is estimated to increase by 90 percent from 2000 to 2100. Most of that increase goes to the countries that already have   higher per-head food consumption. Meanwhile, per-head consumption of food in the developing countries will scarcely  improve or will actually fall far below the present inadequate level. What is worse is that prices for food are expected to double. As a result, many less developed countries will have increasing difficulties meeting energy needs. For the one quarter of mankind that depends primarily on wood for fuel, the outlook is not hopeful. Regional water shortage will become more sever. In the 1970-2100 period population growth will require twice as much water as it does today in nearly half the world. Still greater increases would be needed to improve standards of living. Development of new water supply will become more costly. \n Question: According to the passage, in 2100 while output of food will be greater,   _  . \n Options: (A) people will have sufficient food supplies (B) the resource will become more than enough (C) in most developing countries people will have less food than they have today (D) the living standard of the world's population will improve greatly", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}474{"query": "Article: In summer, millions of people will head for the beach.And while the ocean can be a great place to swim and play, it may also be useful in another way.Some scientists think that waves could help make electricity. \"Have you ever been on a surfboard or boat and felt yourself being lifted up by a wave? Or have you jumped in the water and felt the energy as waves crashed over you?\" asked Jamie Taylor of the Wave Energy Group at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.\"There is certainly a lot of energy in waves.\" Scientists are working on using that energy to make electricity. Most waves are created when winds blow across the ocean.\"The winds start out by making little ripples   in the water, but if they keep on blowing , those ripples get bigger and bigger and turn into waves, \"Taylor said.\"Waves are one of nature's ways of picking up energy and then sending it off on a journey.\" When waves come towards the shore, people can set up dams or other barricades to block the water and send it through a large wheel called a turbine   .The turbine can then power an electrical generator   . The United States and a few other countries have started doing research on wave energy , and it is already being used in Scotland. The resource is huge.We will never run out of wave power, besides, wave energy does not create the same pollution as other energy sources, such as oil and coal. Oceans cover three quarters of the earth's surface.That would make wave power seem perfect for creating energy around the world.There are some _ , however. Jamie Taylor said that wave power still cost too much money.He said that its effects on animals in the sea were still unknown.Plus, wave power would get in the way of fishing and boat traffic. With more research, however, \"many of these problems might be overcome,\" Taylor said.\"Demand for energy to power our TVs and computers, drive our cars, and heat and cool our homes is growing quickly throughout the world.Finding more energy sources is very important, for traditional sources of energy like oil and gas may run out some day.\" In the future, when you turn on a light switch, an ocean wave could be providing the electricity! \n Question: Which of the following is NOT true? \n Options: (A) Wave power costs too much money. (B) Wave energy creates the same amount of pollution as other energy sources. (C) Wave power affects fishing and boat traffic. (D) Wave power may affect marine animals.", "pos": "Article: According to the US government, wind farms off the Pacific coast could produce 900 gigawatts of electricity every year.Unfortunately, the water there is far too deep for even the tallest windmills to touch bottom.An experiment under way off the coast of Norway, however, could help put them anywhere. The project, called Hywind, is the world's first large-scale deepwater wind turbine  .Although it uses a fairly standard 152-ton, 2.3-megawatt turbine, Hywind represents totally new technology.The turbine will be fixed 213 feet above the water on a floating spar, a technology Hywind's creator, the Norwegian company StatoilHydro, has developed recently.The steel spar, which is filled with stones and goes 328 feet below the sea surface, will be tied to the ocean floor by three cables ; these will keep the spar stable and prevent the turbine from moving up and down in the waves.Hywind's stability in the cold and rough sea would prove that even the deepest corners of the ocean are suitable for wind power.If all goes according to the plan, the turbine will start producing electricity six miles off the coast of southwestern Norway as early as September. To produce electricity on a large scale, a commercial wind farm will have to use bigger turbines than Hywind does, but it's difficult enough to balance such a large turbine so high on a floating spar in the middle of the ocean.To make that turbine heavier, the whole spar's center of gravity must be moved much closer to the ocean's surface.To do that, the company plans to design a new kind of wind turbine, one whose gearbox   sits at sea level rather than behind the blades. Hywind is a test run, but the benefits for perfecting floating wind-farm technology could be extremely large.Out at sea, the wind is often stronger and steadier than close to shore, where all existing offshore windmills are planted.Deep-sea farms are invisible from land, which helps overcome the windmill-as-eyesore objection.If the technology catches on, it will open up vast areas of the planet's surface to one of the best low-carbon power sources available. \n Question: The Hywind project uses totally new technology to ensure the stability of  _  . \n Options: (A) the cables which tie the spar to the ocean floor (B) the spar which is floating in deep-sea water (C) the blades driven by strong and steady sea wind (D) the stones filled in the spar below the sea surface", "neg": "Article: Energy is very important in modern life. People use energy to run machines, heat and cool their homes, cook, give light, and transport people and products from place to place. Most energy comes from fossil fuels--petroleum, coal, and natural gas. However, burning fuels causes pollution. Also, if we don't find new kinds of energy, we will use up all the fossil fuels in the twenty-first century. Scientists are working hard to find other kinds of energy for the future. What might these sources of energy be? Energy from the wind All over the world, people use the power of the wind. It turns windmills and moves sailboats. It is a clean source of energy, and there is lots of it. Unfortunately, if the wind does not blow, there is no wind energy. Energy from water When water moves from a high place to a lower place, it makes energy. This energy is used to create electricity. In Brittany, France, for example, waterpower produces enough energy to light a town of 40,000people. Waterpower gives energy without pollution. However, people have to build dams to use this energy. Dams cost a lot of money, so water energy is expensive. Energy from the earth There is heat in rocks under the earth. Scientists use this heat to make geothermal energy. San Francisco gets half of the energy it needs from geothermal power. This kind of energy is cheap, but it is possible only in a few places in the world. Energy from the sun Solar panels on the roofs of houses can turn energy from the sun into electricity. These panels can create enough energy to heat an entire house. Solar power is clean and there is a lot of it in sunny places. But when the weather is bad, there is no sunlight for energy. \n Question: What does this passage mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) Advantage of the energy from nature. (B) The future of the energy. (C) Scientists have been working hard to research other kinds of energy. (D) Energy is the most important power in the word.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}475{"query": "Article: A woman wears a face mask to protect her from polluted air in prefix = st1 /Lanzhou,China, in December. A new study showed air pollution might put people more at risk for heart disease than scientists had thought. Kristin Miller, a doctoral student at the UniversityofWashington, said chances of getting the disease were related to not only which city a woman lived in, but also where in the city. The study found that the effects of air pollution were often larger within cities than between cities. The new findings make experts suspect that current pollution limits may be inadequate. Scientists examined rates of heart attack, stroke   and other cardiovascular   events in women with long-term exposure to air pollution. The study involved women over the age of fifty who had no sign of cardiovascular disease at the start of the research. The study followed the women for as long as nine years to see how they would develop cardiovascular problems. The researchers also examined levels of fine particles (,) in the air in 36 areas across the country. That information came from the Environmental Protection Agency. The extremely small particles came from industrial smoke and traffic, along with things like wood-burning fireplaces in houses. In the study, every ten-microgram increase in the risk of a cardiovascular event. But it was related to a seventy-six percent increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. But just how do particles in the air damage the cardiovascular system? The particles may cause the lungs to swell and release chemicals from the pollutants into the blood. The chemicals then could damage the heart. \n Question: The passage mainly talks about  _  . \n Options: (A) the effects of pollution on women (B) how to protect women from air pollution (C) how air pollution damages a person's heart (D) the relationship between air pollution and heart diseases", "pos": "Article: The economic growth that many nations in Asia and increasingly Africa have experienced over the past couple of decades has transformed hundreds of millions of lives - almost entirely for the better. But there's a _ to that growth, one that's evident - or sometimes less than evident - in the smoggy, smelly skies above cities like Beijing, New Delhi and Jakarta. Thanks to new cars and power plants, air pollution is bad and getting worse in much of the world, and it's taking a major toll (,) on global health. How big? According to a new analysis published in the Lancet, more than 3.2 million people suffered deaths from air pollution in 2010, the largest number on record. That's up from 800,000 in 2000. And it's a regional problem: 65% of those deaths occurred in Asia, where the air is choked by diesel soot   from cars and trucks, as well as the song from power plants and the dust from endless urban construction. In East Asia and China, 1.2 million people died, as well as another 712,000 in South Asia, including India. For the first time ever, air pollution is on the world's top - 10 list of killers, and it's moving up the ranks faster than any other factor. So how can air pollution be so damaging? It is the very finest soot - so small that it roots deep within the lungs and then enters the bloodstream - that contributes to most of the public - health toll of air pollution including death. Diesel soot, which can also cause cancer, is a major problem because it is concentrated in cities along transportation zones affecting overpopulated areas. It is thought to contribute to half the deaths from air pollution in urban centers. Fro example, 1 in 6 people in the U.S. live near a diesel - pollution hot spot like a rail yard, port terminal or freeway. We also know that air pollution may be linked to other non - deadly diseases. Fortunately in the U.S. and other developed nations, urban air is for the most part cleaner than it was 30 or 40 years ago, thanks to regulations and new technologies like the catalytic converters   that reduce automobile emissions. Govemments are also pushing to make air cleaner - see the White House's move last week to further tighten soot standards. It's not perfect, but we've had much more success dealing with air pollution than climate change. Will developing nations like India eventually catch up? Hopefully - though the problem may get worse before it gets better. The good news is that it doesn't take a major technological advance to improve urban air. Switching from diesel fuel to unleaded   helps, as do newer and cleaner cars which are less likely to send out pollutants. Power plants - even ones that burn mineral fuels like coal - can be fitted with pollution - control equipment that, at a price, will greatly reduce smog and other pollutants. But the best solutions may involve urban design. In the Guardian, John Vidal notes that Delhi now has 200 cars per 1,000 people, far more than much richer Asian cities like Hong Kong and Singapore. Developing cities will almost certainly see an increase in car ownership as residents become wealthier - and that doesn't have to mean deadly air pollution. Higher incomes should also lead to tougher environmental regulations, which is exactly what happened in the West. We can only hope it happens before the death toll from bad air gets even higher. \n Question: What tends to give rise to the highest death toll according to the passage? \n Options: (A) The lack of tight environmental protection standards. (B) The increasing numbers of the diesel cars and trucks. (C) The frighteningly high death rate from deadly cancer. (D) The world's serious air pollution such as soot and dust.", "neg": "Article: Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province, has issued smog warnings for three days since Monday because of serious air pollution. The lingering smog forced construction sites to stop work and primary and middle schools to suspend outdoor activities. From Monday through Wednesday, the city's air quality index reading remained high, with the highest reading at 323, with PM2.5, or particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns, as the main pollutant, according to the city's meteorological bureau. Any reading over 300 is considered \"seriously polluted\". The city experienced at least eight heavily polluted days in the first two weeks of December, with the air quality index reading reaching a high of 440, China News Service reported. Among those affected was a square dancing team in Jiang'an district, which had to stop daily practices after several members fell ill. Square dancing is a common open-air fitness practice across China, with most of the participants middle-aged or elderly women. Media reported the leader of one dancing team had to go to a hospital after she had an asthma attack on Dec 11. Identified only as Fang, 65, the dance team leader said she decided to suspend the practices after she learned her illness was caused by smog, and after several other members also fell ill, the report said.  The city plans to invest 28 billion yuan ($4.61 billion) in air pollution control by 2017. The plan says the city will boost the development of clean energy vehicles for public transportation and remove all of the current 140,000 heavy-polluting vehicles from Wuhan's roads by the end of 2016. \n Question: What's the main idea of the passage? \n Options: (A) Wuhan decided to remove most construction sites. (B) Wuhan issued smog warnings for three days because of smog. (C) The city is reportedly unfit for physical training. (D) Outdoor exercise can decrease the influence of smog.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}476{"query": "Article: I was at a busy traffic crossing waiting to cross to the other side. There was a family--a man, his wife and an old lady, waiting to cross with me. Then, the light turned green and all of us walked quickly across the road. The light lasted very short, and changed into red in no time. I noticed that both the man and his wife had crossed along with me and the old lady was left behind. I quickly realized what happened. When the light turned dreen again, I ran over to the other side, offered the old lady my right hand and we quickly walked together to the other side of the road. I used my left hand to stop any oncoming   traffic so that even if the crossing signal turned red, we cuold make it to the other side safely. In the meantime, both the man and his wife realized that they had left the old woman behind and they ran back.. The old lady was in tears and told me, \"Young man, you are more caring   than my son,\" and then gave me a warm handshake  . The man and woman were sorry about what happened and also thanked me. Before leaving, the old lady gave me a big smile, which I have cherished   even to this day. She kept waving and waving until we couldn't see each other any more. \n Question: Why didn't the old lady cross the road with the others ? \n Options: (A) She wanted them to go first. (B) She was too old to walk quickly. (C) She didn't see the light changed. (D) She wanted them to walk with her.", "pos": "Article: I was driving home one evening at about 5, caught in traffic, and the car started to die-- I hardly managed to get into a gas station, glad only that I would have a warm spot to wait for the tow truck . Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the \" Quickie Mart\" building, then suddenly she slipped on some ice and fell down, so I got out to see if she was okay. When I got there, it looked like she had been overcome by weep than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked  _ with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up and gave it to her. It was a coin. At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban  packed full of stuff and three kids in the back, and the gas pump reading $4.95. I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying \"I don't want my kids to see me crying,\" so we stood at the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California for Christmas and that things were very hard for her right now. I took out my credit card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so that she could fill up her car completely, and I bought two big bags of food for her kids in the car who attacked it like wolves. While it was fueling, she asked, \"So, are you an angel or something?\" I said, \"At this time of year, angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses common people.\" It was unbelievable to be part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. Sometimes, angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings. \n Question: Caught in traffic, the author still felt happy because   _  . \n Options: (A) she could fill up her car to get home in time (B) she could find a warm place to wait (C) the woman who needed help was waiting there (D) she could do something for others in the gas station", "neg": "Article: Just two weeks ago, I was about to cross a busy road when I noticed an old grandpa with a heavy load on his head just a few meters from me. He looked very weak. A few minutes later, I realized I'd forgotten to cross the road. And he'd seen me looking at him.     I love my grandparents so much that whenever I see any old people I won't forget to smile at them. I couldn't let go of this grandpa, either. He came near me and handed me a note on which there was an address. I showed him the directions and said he would need a taxi as it was 3 pm on a hot summer's day. Anybody would faint dead in this weather and I didn't want him to walk all the way. But he looked disappointed.    I asked where he had come from. He replied weakly that he was from Chidambaram, about 240 kilometers from where we were. I was shocked because he looked like he could not even take 2 steps without falling. I called a taxi immediately and asked the driver to drop him at his place. The grandpa wasn't ready because he had no money. I paid for his journey and asked the driver to drop him off safely. When I turned to look at the grandpa, who was leaving, tears filled my eyes and I didn't want to leave. Memories of my grandparents flashed in my mind, making me feel like crying. I said goodbye to the grandpa, and some happy tears dropped from his eyes. \n Question: The old man that the author noticed   _  . \n Options: (A) was too weak to stand still (B) fell down on the road (C) had a load on his head (D) didn't know how to cross the road", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}477{"query": "Article: Jack was born without eyes. He's very lucky with his timing. He grew up having other kittens to play and socialize with, and was used to people from the moment he was born since there are always kids hanging around the barn. He was a favorite amongst the students at the barn. However, when it came time to find the kittens homes, no one knew where Jack would end up. That's when I got an e-mail from my friend. All she asked was \"Do you still want one of the kittens? There's one here with no eyes and no one can take him.\" Without thinking I told her that I did want the kitten. When we first brought him home Jack walked cautiously around, sniffing everything. He went through a time when he could climb the stairs, but couldn't get down. He would sit at the top and cry until someone came and got him. Every now and then when he gets disoriented he'll stop and cry. But we just call his name and talk to him and it isn't long before he finds his way back to us. Also, a few weeks after getting Jack, we got a new barn cat named Bear. I always take Jack outside at that time for some fresh air and exercise. He loves to run (at top speed!) around the backyard and gardens. Bear and Jack have become best friends. Jack always knows when Bear is around. He'll run across the yard straight to Bear and wrap his front legs around his neck in a big hug. When they're tired they'll lie down in the grass together. Jack is truly an inspiration. I've owned a lot of kittens in my life, but Jack is the happiest, most playful of them all. People who know Jack don't feel sorry for him. They cherish him for the treasure that he is. I have talked to a few people who haven't met him personally and tend to pity him, but they just don't understand. Jack doesn't need pity. I think that cats like him don't have disabilities; they have adaptabilities. \n Question: When Jack first came to the author's house, he   _  . \n Options: (A) would cry when he felt lonely (B) was very happy and played wildly in the room (C) had difficulty getting down the stairs (D) always needed someone to guide him", "pos": "Article: Commander was my parents` cat but I knew him first. In fact, Commander was my college roommate`s cat. My roommate wanted to sell Commander, but no one would buy him. I called my parents to see if they would like to adopt him. My mom had always loved cats but my dad disliked cats very much. As predicted my dad said, \"No way. No cats\" Fortunately for me, my dad was out of town at a math conference. So I brought Commander home. By the time he returned, both my mom and Commander had decided that Commander was going to stay. My mom said that Commander was going to live at our house for a \"trial period\" while we looked for a buyer. As the months went by there was absolutely no effort to sell Commander and it became clear to my dad that Commander was there to stay. Commander started sitting by my dad as he read the newspaper and slowly my dad began to like Commander---just a little bit. By the time I came home that summer, I was surprised to see my dad carrying Commander around the house. Over the years, my parents` love for Commander grew to the point where they could not imagine life without him. Once I finished college, my parents built their dream house and they named the floor plan  The Commander! They worked with the architect to design the house so that it was perfectly suited both for them and for Commander. Commander died at the age of eighteen. My mom still talks about him often and misses him, and so does my dad, which proves that not even the most determined cat-hating human being in the world can resist the charms of a cat once the cat decides he is moving in to your heart. \n Question: When the author`s dad returned from the conference,  _  . \n Options: (A) the author had decided to sell Commander. (B) the author`s roommate sold commander to someone else (C) the author`s mother decided to keep Commander (D) the author`s mother started looking for a buyer", "neg": "Article: A black and white kitten with a broken back lay on animal doctor Betsy Kennon's examination table. A regular customer had rushed him to her office after his pet dog brought the cat home in his mouth. The dog's owner was horrified, believing that his pet had caused the cat's injuries. But Kennon found no teeth marks or bite wounds, which showed that the dog had probably saved, not harmed, the kitten. In Kennon's opinion, however, the cat was a hopeless case. Many doctors would have  _ such a badly hurt animal. But she couldn't be so cruel. The kitten's bright eyes and sad face had won her over. There was no way of finding his owner, so Kennon, a single woman aged 56, decided to keep him. She gave him a round of shots and fed him food mixed with medicines. He couldn't move his back legs but soon started pulling himself forward with his front legs. The doctor named him Scooter and contacted a company that makes carts for disabled animals. Scooter took to his new wheels like a natural. In no time he was able to move freely, but somewhat awkwardly, around Kennon's office, home and even her backyard. The sight of the determined Scooter was uplifting and amusing in equal measure and Kennon had to smile each time the cat entered the room. Kennon was convinced that her kitten could share his high spirits with others. So she took Scooter to the local hospital to see if he could help the patients. His first patient was an elderly woman who'd had a stroke and hadn't spoken to anyone for two days. Scooter jumped out of Kennon's arms and onto the bed, rolled over to the patient, and lay gently near her cheek, purring softly. The woman looked at Scooter. \"Kitty,\" she murmured as she began to talk to him. Amazed, Kennon turned to the doctor --- and saw that she was in tears. The cat had engineered a small miracle. Today Scooter spends about ten hours a month working with patients who are recovering from strokes and injuries. Again and again, Kennon watches as her cat provides hope and comfort. As one patient who'd lost her leg in a car accident said, \"If he can do it, so can I.\" \n Question: Why did Kennon decide to keep the cat? \n Options: (A) She wanted a companion. (B) The cat's owner abandoned him. (C) The cat was hopeless. (D) She liked the cat.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}478{"query": "Article: Thanks a Million, Dad I was born disabled.A difficult birth, feet first, my head stuck.By my first birthday, I couldn't stand or walk. When I was three, the doctor told dad I had cerebral palsy  .A loss of oxygen to my brain had destroyed brain signals to the right side of my body. But no son of my dad' s was going to be disabled.Every morning before breakfast and every evening before bed, my dad placed me on the bedroom floor to exercise my right leg.The muscles were shrunk and twisted together.Back and forth up and down, my dad pushed and pulled the muscles into shape. But my dad' s exercise of passion didn't stop there.For my 13th birthday, he threw me a special party.When everybody was gone, he brought me to open a large box, it was a-set of boxing gloves.We put them on.My dad kept on beating me mercilessly.Each time I tried to get up, leather kissed my nose, eyes and jaw.I \"begged him to stop. He said he beat me to get me ready for the tough world. That same year, I was the only kid in my neighborhood that wasn't picked for Little League. Two weeks later.Dad started the Shedd Park Minor League, and every kid played.Dad coached us and made me a pitcher  . The power of my dad' s love guaranteed I walked and more.In high school, I became a football star. In 1997, a brain surgeon in San Jose told me I didn't t have cerebral palsy after all.He explained how and where the doctor' s forceps   at birth had damaged my brain. My dad never knew the whole truth since he passed away years ago.But all that counts is the bottom line.After all his madness, on this Father' s Day, like every Father' s Day, I' m no longer disabled. \n Question: What caused the author' s disability? \n Options: (A) A failed operation. (B) The doctor's forceps. (C) An accident in a game. (D) Shrunken and twisted muscles.", "pos": "Article: My son has poliomyelitis  and he suffered from it a lot. When he was young, my wife and I took him to see so many doctors and got different kinds of treatments. But still, he couldn't walk like a normal kid. So he was laughed at by his peers for his walking style. His tears burnt our eyes like sulphuric acid . Then, he became afraid of going to school. He wouldn't go anymore. One night, my wife had a breakdown and shouted at him, \"I tell you, my kid, you might be like this forever. You are a freak in other people's eyes, and perhaps it would never change. But in my eyes, in your dad's eyes, you are not a freak! You are not! Even if you are, we love you and we will love you forever!\" My son spoke nothing for two days. He didn't eat or sleep. We could read he was hurt. We hoped something wonderful would fall in our family. On the third morning, he struggled to walk to my car, with his school bag in his hand of course. He raised his head high and hugged me, saying \"I want to go to school. Nothing will beat me.\" You know, from then on, he was never afraid of being mocked or despised anymore. If he couldn't avoid these looks, he chose to look at them in the eyes. Later, something nice really happened and my son went to MIT. When he was asked how he managed to bear the pressure, he said, \"Because of my parents.\" My dear fellows, if you care too much about how other people look at you or what their opinions are, you will never become what you want to be. \n Question: The author's son was laughed at by his peers, because  _  . \n Options: (A) he didn't do well in his lessons (B) he walked in a strange way (C) he was from a poor family (D) he often burst into tears", "neg": "Article: When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was badly crippled  , and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare, I would be ashamed of the unwanted attention. If ever noticed or bothered, he never let on. It was difficult to walk together--and because of that, we didn't say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, \"You set the pace. I will try to follow you.\" Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and even in bad weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. It was a matter of pride for him. When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help... Such times my sister or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., on a child's sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would try to grasp handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn on his way home. w.w.w.k.s.5.u.c.o.m When I think of it now, I am surprised at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to suffer from shame and disability. And I am also surprised at how he did it--without bitterness or complaint. He never talked about himself as an object of pity, not did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a \"good heart\", and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him. Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don't know exactly what a \"good heart\" is. But I know the times I don't have one myself. He has been away for many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about my troubles, when I am envious of another's good fortune, when I don't have a \"good heart\". \n Question: How did the man treat his father when he was young? \n Options: (A) He helped his father happily. (B) He never helped his father. (C) He helped his father, but not very happily. (D) He only helped his father take a walk after supper.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}479{"query": "Article: From a very early age, some children show better self-control than others. Now, a new study that began with about 1,000 children in New Zealand has tracked how a child's low self-control can predict poor health, money troubles and even a criminal record in their adult years. Researchers have been studying this group of children for decades now. They observed the level of self-control the youngsters displayed. Parents, teachers, even the kids themselves, scored the youngsters on measures like \"acting before thinking\" and \"Persistence in reaching goals.\" The study led  by Moffitt of Duke University and colleagues followed 1,000 children from birth to age 32 in Dunedin, New Zealand. \"The children who had the lowest self-control when they were age three to ten, later on had the most health problems in their 30s,\" Moffitt said,\"and they had the worst financial situation. They were more likely to have a criminal record and to be raising a child as a single parent on a very low income.\" Moffitt explained that self-control problems were widely observed, and weren't just a feature of a small group of misbehaving kids. Moffitt said it's still unclear why some children have better self-control than others, though she said other researchers have found that it's mostly a learned behavior, with relatively little genetic influence. But good self-control can be set to run in families because children with good self-control are more likely to grow up to be healthy and prosperous parents. But the good news, Moffitt said, is that self-control can be taught by parents, and through school curricula that have been shown to be effective. \n Question: Children with low self-control are more likely to_. \n Options: (A) become wealthy in later life (B) get good school performance (C) have better financial planning (D) adopt negative behaviors", "pos": "Article: Bullied  kids face a high risk of mental health problems as teens and as young adults. Indeed, kids troubled by bullying may be worse off than those who had suffered physical abuse  or neglect, as the study found. Until recently, most studies of child victims focused not on bullying but on maltreatment , Dieter Wolke says. Maltreatment includes physical or emotional abuse, neglect or other behaviors that can harm a child. Wolke's team wanted to better understand bullying's long-term effects compared to those due to maltreatment. They focused on 4,026 children in the United Kingdom and 1,420 more in the United States. Information about bullying and maltreatment was collected for American children to age 13. They collected the same information for British youth up to age 16. The researchers also gathered data on each individiial's mental health as a young adult. Among the Americans, 36 percent of bullied kids had mental problems later. Those problems included anxiety, which is a state of excessive worry. They also included depression. That is a feeling of hopelessness that can last a long time. Among kids who had been maltreated by adults, 17 percent later suffered mental health problems. That was less than half the rate seen in people who had been bullied as school kids. In the U.K. group, the difference was less dramatic. Roughly 25 percent of the bullied kids reported mental health problems later, compared with about 17 percent who had been maltreated. But however you look at it, the findings are disturbing. And that's why Wolke says schools,health services and other agencies must work together to end bullying. Studies like this are important, says C.orinna Jenkins Tucker. They bring attention to the lasting impacts of bullying. Tucker does, however, question the value of comparing bullying to other types of abuse. Such an approach can make it seem like one type of bad experience is worse than the other, she says. In fact, both types have short-term and long-term effects on health. She'd like to see researchers study the big picture. They should try to understand how all ofthese negative experiences together shape children--and sometimes harm them. \n Question: It can be inferred from the passage that_. \n Options: (A) researchers should pay less attention to maltreatment (B) more bullied kids have mental problems in the USA (C) a similar number of children are maltrcated in America and Britain (D) either bullying or maltreatment has negative effects on chilciren's health", "neg": "Article: Some children are natural-born bosses. They have a strong need to make decisions, manage their environment, and lead rather than follow. Stephen Jackson, a Year One student, \"operates under the theory of what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine,\" says his mother. \"The other day I bought two new Star Wars light sabers . Later, I saw Stephen with the two new ones while his brother was using the beat-up ones. \" \"Examine the extended family, and you'll probably find a bossy grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin in every generation. It's an inheritable trait,\" says Russell Barkley, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. Other children who may not be particularly bossy can gradually gain dominance when they sense their parents are weak, hesitant, or in disagreement with each other. Whether it's inborn nature or developed character at work, too much control in the hands of the young isn't healthy for children or the family, Fear is at the root of a lot of bossy behavior, says family psychologist John Taylor. Children, he says in his book From Defiance to Cooperation, \"have secret feelings of weakness\" and \"a desire to feel safe. \" It's the parents' role to provide that protection. When a \"boss child\" doesn't learn limits at home, the stage is set for a host of troubles outside the family. The overly willful and unbending child may have trouble obeying teachers or coaches, for example, or trouble keeping friends. It can be pretty lonely as the top dog if no one likes your bossy ways. \"I see more and more parents giving up their power,\" says Barkley, who has studied bossy behavior for more than 30 years. \"They bend too far because they don't want to be as strict as their own parents were. But they also feel less confident about their parenting skills. Their kids, in turn, feel more anxious. \" \n Question: Bossy children like Stephen Jackson  _  . \n Options: (A) make good decisions (B) show self-centeredness (C) lack care from others (D) have little sense of fear", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}480{"query": "Article: Some diaries from Jackie Chan's blog January 4, 2009 Lately I've been busy in Beijing having meetings to discuss my new movie. I also attended John Wu's ceremony of his new movie,Red Cliff,which took two years to complete. I'm good friends with the director John Wu and the main actor Tony Leung. January 5, 2009 Today I went to record a television program for Beijing TV calledVolunteers Across China. This TV program is a large-scale reality show that is based on the idea that \"good people reap good rewards\" and it hopes to encourage people to be more aware and help the \"good people\" who are in difficult situations. January 6, 2009 I'm very pleased to _ that my Jackie Chan automobile website is set up and officially operating! I hope that through this automotive website, I can get in touch with more people who want to buy cars. January 7, 2009 Today, I went to record a song calledZhongguo Nian. This song was written by Chang Shilei. I sing this song together with Tan Jing. Chang Shilei is a naturally talented musician. He also has an interesting habit. His piano is placed next to his bed. When he wakes up, he plays the piano until he's tired, and then he lies down on his bed to sleep. January 9, 2009 Today I met with the producer and director ofLongwei Xiaozi ,and I also brought along my friend's daughter for a screen test. Although my friend's daughter grew up in China, her English is very good and it just happened by chance that this movie needs a young actress for a part, so I took her along to audition . \n Question: What might be the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) My new movie. (B) My busy life. (C) My good friend. (D) My favorite song.", "pos": "Article: FORBES CHINA's annual celebrity list is based on income and appearances in magazines, newspapers, TV shows and online. Stars from the mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong are included. And here are some of the winners: Jay Chou Taiwan singer, actor and director unveiled his 12th studio album, Opus 12, last December (Another \"12''). New flick in the works: The Rooftop, being filmed in Taiwan and the mainland, which he stars in and also directs. 3. Andy Lau Now in his 50s, the evergreen Hong Kong star of song and film stayed popular last year with the movie Blind Detective. Lau's sixth film with Hong Kong actress Sammi Cheng is in the works. Jackie Chan Hong Kong movie industry icon last year released what may be his last action film CZ12, or Chinese Zodiac, which he wrote and directed. 5. Zhang Ziyi Popular actress had hit romantic comedy last year with My Lucky Star, which she also produced. Appears in this year's star-laden The Grandmaster kung fu movie, directed by Hong Kong's Wong Kar-Wai and also starring Tony Leung. 7. Yang Mi Actress was named most popular female singer in mainland China last year in a joint CCTV-MTV event. Last year's flicks included Love in the Buff, Beijing Love Story and Wu Dang. Has endorsement deals with Pepsi and cosmetics brand Wetcode. 8. Huang Xiaoming Actor turned up in several successful films last year, including Love in the Buff, An Inaccurate Memoir and White-Haired Witch. Promotes Baleno, Tissot, Olay. 10. Lin Chi-ling Taiwan TV hostess, model and actress. Most recent success: romantic comedy Say Yes, which took in more than $30 million in China. \n Question: Who is the director of the Grandmaster ? \n Options: (A) Tony Leung (B) Wong Kar-Wai (C) Zhang Ziyi (D) Jackie Chan", "neg": "Article: Some years ago, Wang Baoqiang was a nobody to most Chinese people. However, he is now a household film star in China. Wang is the youngest child of a poor family in Hebei Province. Dreaming of becoming an actor, he left home at the age of 8 to study kung fu at Shaolin Temple, since kung-fu actors seemed to appear most often on the big screen. At 14, he moved to Beijing for his acting career for the first time, with little money in his pocket. He worked at a construction site for 20 to 25 yuan per day, and spent his free time standing in front of the Beijing Film Studio, eager to be chosen as temporary actors. This was the hardest time for the boy. His opportunity finally came one day after he went for a role in the movie \"Blind Shaft\" . He was chosen to play a young coal miner. The movie won him three prizes in Thailand, France and Taiwan. But his success didn`t make any difference to his life. That year, he went home for the Spring Festival. He gave his family his earnings from the movie, around $ 250 and then returned to Beijing with 500 yuan, the same amount he had when he first came to the city. His life was as simple as before. Thanks to his natural performance in \"Blind Shaft\", he was invited by the famous director Feng Xiaogang to act in the film \"A World Without Thieves\" in 2004, which made him famous immediately. People called him \"Shagen\", the name of his character in the movie. Wang's work, \"Soldiers Sortie\" has made him the most popular actor on the Chinese mainland. For the actor, it's a dream coming true. \"Dreams come true. I think my life is exactly a course of pursuing dreams. No matter how tough one thing is,I can make it as long as I put great effort into it. \"he said. \n Question: Why does Wang Baoqiang leave for Shaolin Temple at his early age? \n Options: (A) To study kung fu to build up his strength (B) Because he has seen through the human society (C) To realize his childhood dream to be an actor (D) To make money in support of his family", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}481{"query": "Article: Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation? Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time. \n Question: This passage aims to    _   . \n Options: (A) make comments on films for a cinema (B) introduce films for a film corporation (C) recommend several films for fun (D) advertise several films for a website", "pos": "Article: Here are some of the best movies you like. I believe they can accompany you to spend your dull weekend. In this story a computer hacker searches for the truth behind the mysterious force . In the 22nd century it turns out that the world is controlled by a magic computer system called the Matrix and people live in an unreal world. The computer hacker and his comrades overcome much difficulty and at last find the way to take over the Matrix and save the world. This comedy is about J and K, agents in a top secret agency , and they fight bravely with the alien to save the galaxy from a bad-tempered alien \"bug\" and save the Earth from being destroyed . Harry has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard----with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and about the bad man who's to blame . When a satellite crashes in New Mexico, the Air Force sends two men to reach it. To their horror, they discover that the probe carries an alien virus that's already killed all but two of the residents of the town where it landed. Now, scientists must stop the virus from spreading . In the year 2035, James Cole is forced to be sent back to 1996 by scientists to discover the origin of a virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population. When Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital, where he meets the son of a famous virus expert. \n Question: Harry Potter    _   . \n Options: (A) does't know he's a powerful wizard until he is 11 years old (B) has a happy and pleasant childhood with his aunt and uncle (C) hates to stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (D) Knows how his parents died before he goes to the Hogwarts school", "neg": "Article: Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation?  Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time.  _  Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph) and Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) are in their early thirties and struggling to meet daily needs and build fulfilling lives as an artist and a salesman. When they learn they will soon become parents, they are faced with the challenge of how and where to raise a child and build a happy family. With a baby on his way, the young couple, look at their lives and are puzzled about what they really want.  _  Lynn was married to Pual, but they broke up and Lynn took their daughter Alice while Paul got their son Dylan. Years later, now Dylan is getting married, and Lynn is attending the wedding, with her younger son Elliot and Ben. Elliot is a drug addict and Ben keeps everything to himself. Dylan hasn't spoken to Lynn in years, and Lynn is fearful of Pual and his wife Patty. At last, all this has put Lynn in a depressed situation, and she's not sure just how she's going to get through the day.  _  Also named as Life is Beautiful, the film is a black comedy and also a best medicine that heals the scar left by war. This movie has some kind of characteristics as natural and active. On the 7th Oscar Award Ceremony , the movie won three great awards. It is not a sad movie from the very beginning , but when the father uses a great way to hide his murder from his son, all people are impressed by this moving deed. Under the protection of the father, the son has lived a happy life.  _  The film is an American film directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of Andy, a banker who spends nearly two decades in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and his wife's lover despite his claims of innocence. There he makes friends with Red. Andy manages to escape from the prison by digging a tunnel with the rock hammer over the years. When Red is later released , he remembers Andy's advice. He then visits the place Andy mentions before he escapes. There, he finds money and a note left by Andy, telling him to get to Zihuatanejo. \n Question: This passage aims to   _ \n Options: (A) make comments on films for a cinema (B) recommend several films for fun (C) introduce films for a film corporation (D) advertise several films for a website", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}482{"query": "Article: The word I'm going to introduce to you today is-phubbing. Let's see the definition of this term:phubbing n. the act of snubbing someone in a social setting by looking at your cell phone instead of paying attention As you can probably guess, phubbing is a blend of phone and snubbing. The term was coined by a 23-year-old Melbourne resident Alex Haigh. Obviously, he got fed up with how people are always checking Facebook or Twitter on their phones when they are supposed to be interacting with someone face to face. He wanted to put an end to this social phenomenon, therefore he came up with this catchy term. And it did catch on. The word's earliest media mention dates back to June 2012, and in a little over a year's time, phubbing has already been picked up by almost all the mainstream media outlets one can think of. Here is a typical example from the British newspaper The Independent. In the article titled The Rise of Phubbing, which was published on August 5, 2013, Tom Chatfield writes, there's an uncomfortable truth at the heart of phubbing: other people are easier to handle when seen on screen. They're less likely to demand unreasonable efforts such as undivided attention or clean shirts. While the term phubbing has undoubtedly taken off, some people question why it is called phubbing instead of phnubbing. Alex Haigh has not personally addressed the issue, but word has it that phubbing sounds more crispy and thus easier to remember. Phubbing is indeed a univers al problem that can no longer be ignored. So why do people keep phubbing each other if they know it's rude? Is there anything we can do to stop it? Or maybe we should just be more kind, because sometimes there are good excuses to phub. I think there is plenty we can do to try and stop phubbing. For starters, we can jo in Alex Haigh in his Stop Phubbing campaign. Remind our friends and family that phubbing is not appreciated. We can also make or download some anti-phubbing posters to spread the word in public places. And don't forget that some phubbers simply do not realize the harmful effect their behavior has on others,so be b rave enough to stop them, even if you are a total stranger. \n Question: This passage is mainly talking about   _  . \n Options: (A) the rise of phubbing in all the mainstream media outlets (B) a new term \"phubbing\"and its problem (C) the campaign of keeping phubbing (D) different opinions on phubbing", "pos": "Article: A study made by University of Sussex found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain . The researchers said : \" Simultaneously , using mobile phones , laptops and other media devices could change the structure of our brains . \" Worryingly , the part of the brain that shrinks is involved in processing emotion . The finding has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span , depression , anxiety and lower grades at school . The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology . This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email , or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the web . The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulated cortex ( ACC ) . The findings held even when differences in personality were taken into account . The study , published in the journal PLOS ONE , is the first to make a link between multi-tasking and the structure of the brain . Researcher KepKeeLoh said : \" Media multi-tasking is become more popular in our lives today and there is growing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being . \" He added that more researches are needed to prove that multi-tasking shrinks the brain . This is because it is also possible that people with less grey matter in the ACC are more likely to use lots of devices simultaneously . Scientists have previously described brain structure can be altered on prolonged exposure to new environments and experience . Other studies have shown that training - such as learning magic or taxi drivers learning the map of London - can increase grey matter densities in certain parts . \n Question: What can we learn about grey matter from the passage ? \n Options: (A) Watching the TV for a long time can reduce grey matter . (B) The decrease of grey matter in the ACC affects emotion . (C) People with less grey matter prefer to use media devices . (D) Taxi drivers in London have more grey matter than others .", "neg": "Article: A recent report says we spend an average of two hours and 40 minutes each day looking at a smartphone. That doesn't mean making calls, but using apps and browsing the Web. Spend that amount of time staring at anything. Checked our email in a restaurant, shared a picture of the food when it arrived, or checked a fact during a conversation only to be drawn into reading more instead of contributing verbally.  It's no secret our lives are being affected by our obsession with smartphones. However, never before has this phenomenon been displayed so vividly as in the short YouTube film I Forgot My Phone. Despite only being online for a few days, it's already been viewed more than 10. 5 million times. Ironically, YouTube's statistics show that the site gets a billion views per day from mobile devices, so a lot of those people watched it on their phone.  The short film, written by and starring actress Charlene deGuzrnan, shows groups of people in various social situations, the majority of which are completely attracted by their phones instead of the world around them.  It's depressing because we' ve all seen it, and sad because to a certain extent, we all do it. \n Question: What did the author think of looking at a smartphone? \n Options: (A) Supporting. (B) Surprising . (C) Relaxing. (D) Concerning.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}483{"query": "Article: \"Thanks for coming,\" Everett said, shaking hands with Mr. Hanson, the town councilor  .                \"I'm curious about the ideas in your letter.\" Mr. Hanson nodded toward the parking lot near where they stood. \"Please tell me more.\"                Everett took a deep breath. \"Ever since the school closed two years ago, this area has become worse. But if we clean up the litter and repair the fence, it will be a great place for a skateboard park.\" Mr. Hanson scanned the broken concrete, nodding. \"The old school is being adapted to a community arts centre. This area could become a vital part of the neighbourhood again.\"                \"Here's a picture of a skateboard park in another town. Look how busy it is.\" Everett was relieved that the community representative seemed receptive to the idea. Mr. Hanson studied the photograph, and then asked, \"If town council provides the money, how will you and your friends contribute?\" Everett felt optimistic now. \"We'll help design and build the ramps . More experienced boarders could give lessons to raise money!\" Everett's voice was enthusiastic.                However, Mr. Hanson said, \"We'll still need parking spaces, and the neighbours will not like late-night noise. They might worry about the crime of deliberately damaging public property and....\"               \"The skateboard park would use only the back corner, which isn't near any houses. Since young people already hang out here, why not give them something fun and physically active to do in their free time?\"              The lines over Mr. Hanson's forehead unwrinkled  , and Everett's hopes rose again. \"If everyone works together,\" Everett thought, \"maybe this idea will become reality.\" \n Question: Where were Everett and Mr. Hanson talking? \n Options: (A) In the city hall. (B) Outside a park. (C) Near the parking lot. (D) In the art centre.", "pos": "Article: From their beginnings New England towns had a special democratic system of government. At a stated time all the citizens would assemble at a town meeting, where they would discuss local problems and express opinions freely. They also elected the town's officials at these gatherings and made decisions about the taxes they would pay and about other community matters. These meetings were usually held at the town hall, which was located in the central square. In the eighteenth-century town meetings, only men who owned property and who were church members actually voted, although everyone present was allowed to express their opinions. Later, all citizens were allowed to vote. Thus the town meeting became truly democratic. Town meetings are still common in New England communities. In recent years the town meeting idea has been widely imitated. There are open sessions of this kind on radio and television. Occasionally a meeting of this type is called by a government agency in order to give an opportunity for free and open discussion on current problems and policies. \n Question: At a town meeting, people do the following things EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) express their opinions about the government (B) elect officials of the towns (C) make a decision about whom they should marry (D) discuss some community matters", "neg": "Article: Skateboarding has become one of several non-traditional activities that PE teachers around America are introducing to inspire kids to exercise regularly. Some PE classes feature in-line  skating, yoga, and even rock climbing. Experts have called those types of activities \"the new PE\". Such activities are part of a larger effort to help kids develop lifelong fitness habits and to keep them from becoming overweight. Now, 9 million U.S. children and teens are overweight. Obesity   can lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease later in life. \"Our children and youth are becoming unhealthy and obese,\" says Johnson. \"Skateboarding is a great activity that keeps kids doing physical movement and gives them new skills and interest.\" Some schools don't allow skateboarding because they say it is dangerous. Tim, however, argues that regular practice eliminates a great deal of the danger. \"We teach students how to do it and how to do it safely,\" he says. Some people say skateboarding teaches life lessons. \"Skateboarding teaches kids to believe that if they stick with  something they will finally succeed.\" says education expert Richard Savor from College in Portland. Skateboarding encourages kids not to give up in learning difficult skills. \"It's natural for kids to want to learn and get better at things,\" adds Tim. \"When it comes to skateboarding, they'll try a trick hundreds of times before they succeed.\" The same effort could be made in schoolwork. Eric Brown agrees that skateboarding requires kids to stop saying a task is too hard for them. \"A baby will attempt to walk 600 to 900 times before he or she is successful,\" says Eric, \"We tell students that they shouldn't say 'I can't do it' unless they've tried 600 to 900 times. \n Question: Skateboarding is introduced into American schools to   _  .[ \n Options: (A) encourage students to compete bravely in competition (B) teach students how to deal with risk. (C) prevent students suffering from heart disease later in life. (D) help students form the habit of doing sports", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}484{"query": "Article: UNICEF reports that 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse  and neglect. The USA National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse finds 3 million new reports of child abuse or neglect every year. According to such information on human rights abuses of children, the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Youth. In answer to the common human rights abuses of young people, Dr. Mary Shuttleworth of Youth for Human Rights International(YHRI) recently completed her seventh annual World Tour to five continents in eighty days. The purpose of the tour is to promote the to tens of thousands of children and officials. According to UNICEF, 1.2 million children are illegally traded all over the world every year. Sold as goods, these children are forced into inhuman labor, denied basic education and robbed of their childhoods. Youth who do not know their rights are easily cheated by ill-intentioned men. That is why YHRI thinks highly of education. \"When the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Youth, I knew that their human rights had to be greater than ever,\" Dr. Shuttleworth said. The tour reached Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, South Africa, Swaziland, Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily, Italy, Greece, Taiwan, Japan, Hawaii and Los Angeles. The YHRI World Tour 2010 has reached tens of thousands of students as well as officials, educators, and religious leaders and thus promotes human rights education to millions more. \n Question: 2010 was declared as the International Year of Youth because    _   . \n Options: (A) 3 million children reported their information to the UN (B) many children are suffering from ill-treatment and neglect (C) children are illegally traded throughout the whole world (D) human rights abuses of young people have been avoided", "pos": "Article: UNICEF is appealing for more than one billion dollars in aid for women and children around the world. The United Nations Children's Fund has released its \"Humanitarian Action Report\" for two thousand ten. The report lists twenty - eight countries and territories with some of the world's most pester affecting women and children. Haiti was considered to be in crisis long before the earthquake in January. The deputy executive director of UNICEF, Hilde Johnson, says the quake has only made the need for aid more immediate. But she says children all over the world have the right to the same assistance as children everywhere else. The \"Humanitarian Action Report\" discusses several issues that UNICEF says increasingly threaten the basic rights of women and children. It says climate change has caused droughts and food insecurity in many areas. High food prices and the global financial crisis of two thousand eight-two thousand nine have only added to poverty and malnutrition  . And armed conflict continues to threaten the lives of millions. Hilde Johnson says children are always the most affected by conflicts and disasters. They face an increased risk of abuse, including sexual violence and other serious rights violations . UNICEF deals with about two hundred emergencies around the world every year. The greatest need last year was in sub-Saharan Africa. The report says drought, food insecurity and civil unrest affected about twenty-four million people. Violence and displacements of people were especially bad in Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. In Asia, UNICEF expects its financial assistance needs to more than double this year. This is partly the result of adding Pakistan and the Philippines to the latest report. In Pakistan, it says, more than two million people have been forced from their homes by the conflict in the Swat Valley and other areas of the northwest. And in the Philippines, more than two hundred thousand people are still living in shelters after severe storms last year. This year's UNICEF report talks about the value of public and private partnerships in helping children and families in emergencies. And that's the VOA Special English Development Report, written by June Simms. For a link to the UNICEF report listing the twenty-eight countries and territories in crisis, go to www.unsv.com. I'm Steve Ember. \n Question: According to Hilde Johnson, the most easily affected peens suffering from conflicts and disasters are  _  . \n Options: (A) women (B) children (C) the old (D) the disabled", "neg": "Article: The International Voluntary Service runs a number of Youth Exchanges throughout the year.Youth Exchanges give small groups of 4-5 young people the opportunity to take part in volunteering trips abroad for an average of two weeks.These young people are joined by 4-5 young people from 3-4 other nationalities and are a wonderful intercultural experience in a safe environment. Example Youth Exchanges: Youth Exchange 1 Location:Ireland Other nationalities:Ireland,Spain,Italy,Hungary Theme:Focuses on the topic of community reconstruction and community activities--exploring how local issues facing our communities are connected to global issues.The group will also learn about the eco-village as an example of a community and take part in team-building activities. Youth Exchange 2 Location:France Other nationalities:Bulgaria,Italy,France Theme:Organic gardening & continual living.This project will take place in a natural park,where the group will take part in gardening activities and games/workshops about continuous development. Youth Exchange 3 Location:Macedonia Other nationalities:Serbia,Turkey,Ireland Theme:Foster social inclusion and motivate personal development of young people through sports and outdoor activities.Promote outdoor activities as a tool to help inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities. Youth Exchange 4 Location:Italy Other nationalities:Italy,Bulgaria,Greece Theme:A sociaI-environmental project that intends to promote social inclusion and continuable development,regarded as a process of civil rights and active citizenship.Over 10 days, the group will participate in activities to raise awareness about the effect of our behavior on the environment. \n Question: What do you focus on when travelling in France? \n Options: (A) Gardening work. (B) Civil rights (C) Developing social inclusion. (D) Rebuilding communities", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}485{"query": "Article: A Russian,a Cuban,an American businessman and an American lawyer were on a train traveling across England. The Russian took out a large bottle of vodka, gave each of the men a drink and then threw the rest half bottle of vodka out of the window.          \"Why did you do that?\" asked the American businessman.          \"There's too much vodka in my country,\" said the Russian,\"And really we have more than we will ever use.\"          A little later,the Cuban passed around fine Havana Cigars. Then he threw his out of the window.          \"I thought Cuba is not a rich country,\" the businessman said. \"But you threw that very good cigars out of the window!\"          \"Cigars,\" the Cuban answered,\"are the cheapest in my country. We have more of them than we know what to do with.\"          The American businessman sat quietly for a moment. Then he got up,caught the lawyer by the arm and threw him out of the window. \n Question: Vodka is a kind of   _  . \n Options: (A) treasure (B) alcohol (C) food (D) medicine", "pos": "Article: Mark Twain was a famous American writer in his day. He liked to play jokes on his friends. One day one of his friends lost his wallet  and asked Mark Twain to pay his train ticket for him. \"But I don't have enough money to pay both your ticket and mine,\" Mark Twain said. The friend didn't know what to do.    \"We can do this,\" said Mark Twain.\" We can get on the train and when the conductor came to check the tickets , you can hide under my seat.\" Later, however, when the conductor came to check the tickets, Mark Twain gave him two tickets --- one for himself and one for his friend . Then he explained in aloud voice,\" My friend is a strange man. When he travels on a train, he does not like to sit on the seat.\" Of course everyone in the train looked at the poor friend under the seat and laughed at him loudly. \n Question: Why did the friend ask Mark Twain to pay his train ticket for him? \n Options: (A) Because Mark Twain was very rich. (B) Because the friend lost his money. (C) Because Mark Twain was always ready to help others. (D) Because the friend wanted to save his money.", "neg": "Article: Three men were travelling across the desert when their car broke down. There were no other traffics, so their only hope was to walk. Before they set off, they looked around in the car for useful things to take with them. One of the men took a bottle of whisky. Another took an umbrella. The third unscrewed a door from the car and carried that. After they had been walking for almost a day, they came across a camel caravan travelling towards them. \"Let's try to join the caravan,\" one of the men said. \"It's going the wrong way but we'll be safer than if we keep on alone across the desert.\" The other s agreed, so they asked the leader of the caravan for permission to join it. \"You can join the caravan only if you answer three questions,\" he said. He pointed to the first man's bottle. \"What is that and why are you carrying it?\" he asked. \"It's a bottle of whisky. I decided to carry it with me so that if I feel miserable and want to give up, I can get drunk, cheer myself up and then keep on walking.\" \"Very sensible,\" the leader of the caravan said. Then he pointed to the next man and his umbrella. \"It hasn't rained in the desert for many years,\" he said. \"Why are you carrying an umbrella?\" \"I don't want to get heat exhaustion,\" he replied. \"The umbrella will give me shade from the sun.\" \"Very sensible,\" the leader of the caravan said. He pointed to the third man and his car door. \"And why are you carrying a car door?\" he asked him. \"I thought that if I got too hot I could open the window and let some air in,\" he explained. \n Question: What happened to the three men's car? \n Options: (A) It fell over a cliff. (B) It had an accident. (C) It stopped and wouldn't start again. (D) They exchanged it for another one.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}486{"query": "Article: Tayka Hotel De Sal Where: Tahua, Bolivia How much: About $95 a night Why it's cool: You've stayed at hotels made of brick or wood, but salt? That's something few can claim. Tayka Hotel de Sal is made totally of salt -- including the beds (though you'll sleep on regular mattresses   and blankets). The hotel sits on the Salar de Uyuni, a prehistoric dried-up lake that's the world's biggest salt flat. Builders use the salt from the 4,633-square-mile flat to make the bricks, and glue them together with a paste of wet salt that hardens when it dries. When rain starts to dissolve the hotel, the owners just mix up more salt paste to strengthen the bricks. Green Magic Nature Resort Where: Vythiri, India How much: About $240 a night Why it's cool: Riding a pulley -operated lift 86 feet to your treetop room is just the start of your adventure. As you look out of your open window -- there is no glass! -- you watch monkeys and birds in the rain forest canopy. Later you might test your fear of heights by crossing the handmade rope bridge to the main part of the hotel, or just sit on your bamboo bed and read. You don't even have to come down for breakfast -- the hotel will send it up on the pulley-drawn \"elevator\". Dog Bark Park Inn B&B  Where: Cottonwood, Idaho How much: $92 a night Why it's cool: This doghouse isn't just for the family pet. Sweet Willy is a 30-foot-tall dog with guest rooms in his belly. Climb the wooden stairs beside his hind leg to enter the door in his side. You can relax in the main bedroom, go up a few steps to the loft in Willy's head, or hang out inside his nose. Although you have a full private bathroom in your quarters, there is also a toilet in the 12-foot-tall fire hydrant outside. Gamirasu Cave Hotel Where: Ayvali, Turkey How much: Between $130 and $475 a night. Why it's cool: This is caveman cool! Experience what it was like 5,000 years ago, when people lived in these mountain caves formed by volcanic ash. But your stay will be much more modern. Bathrooms and electricity provide what you expect from a modern hotel, and the white volcanic ash, called tufa, keeps the rooms cool, about 65degFin summer. (Don't worry -- there is heat in winter.) \n Question: Which of the following about Tayka Hotel de Sal is true? \n Options: (A) The hotel is the cheapest among the four mentioned. (B) Everything in the hotel is made of salt. (C) The glue can prevent the rain from dissolving the hotel. (D) It is located on a prehistoric dried-up lake.", "pos": "Article: Pingviman Hotel Offering an outdoor pool, Pingviman Hotel offers Thai-style rooms in Chiang Mai. Free WiFi is available through-out and a complimentary service takes guests to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. All rooms are equipped with a 48-inch flat-screen cable TV and DVD player. Facilities at this hotel include a business center, a fitness center and laundry services. There is also a tour desk and meeting facilities.  We speak your language! Hotel Rooms:35 Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel Situated in Chiang Mai's trendiest area, Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel Chiang Mai by Compass Hospitality boasts accommodation in a boutique hotel well-decorated with art works from the renowned local Thai artists. Free WiFi is offered all throughout the property. At Art Mai Gallery Nimman Hotel, guests will find an outdoor pool, a fitness center and massage services. There is also a modern art collection for sale at the lobby area. Hotel Rooms:79 At Chiang Mai At Chiang Mai is a 2-minute walk from Sunday Walking Street. It offers rooms with a bathtub and free WiFi. Guests can relax by the pool or arrange sightseeing trips at the tour desk. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can help guests arrange shuttle service and laundry. A selection of international newspapers and board games is available for guests to enjoy. Home-style Thai and European dishes are served at the restaurant from 07:00 to 23:00 hrs. We speak your language! Hotel Rooms:37 De Chai The Colonial Hotel Stylish colonial design is the trademark   of De Chai Hotel, with its indoor pool and free WiFi. Located along Thapae Road, it is a 5-minute walk from the Sunday Walking Street. Fully air-conditioned and extra spacious, rooms at De Chai are equipped with 37-inch flat-screen TVs, DVD players and iPod docks. Beautiful city views can be enjoyed through the clear floor-to-ceiling windows. Free WiFi is available in all areas. Chang Khlan is a great choice for travelers interested in shopping, night markers and markets. We speak your language! Hotel Rooms: 40 \n Question: What's the similarity among the four hotels? \n Options: (A) They all have an outdoor pool. (B) They all equip the hotel rooms with cable TVs. (C) They all have a center for fitness. (D) They all provide free WiFi service.", "neg": "Article: Ariau Amazon Towers The Ariau Amazon Towers hotel lets you sleep in a tree house. Eight towers make up this hotel that offers over 300 rooms. If you really want to get into the spirit, book the Tarzan Suite which is large enough for a big family. You'll be thirty feet up in the air and can travel between the towers through their wooden walkways. Prices: starting at $300 one night for each person for a regular room and going all the way up to $3000 for the Tarzan Suite. The Ice Hotel Every winter in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, a special kind of hotel called the Ice Hotel is built. Each year, world-famous artists are invited to design and produce works of art from the ice, many of which can be found in the rooms. You'll have your choice between hot or cold rooms, but you will be well advised to stay at least one night in a cold room for a true experience. Prices: starting at $318 one night for each person for either a cold room or a warm one. Propeller Island Propeller Island City Lodge is a very special hotel that was designed by a German artist. Each room provides you with the possibility of living in a work of art. Every single piece of furniture in the thirty rooms of the hotel has been hand-made and each room is completely different. You'll be able to choose a room based on your own personal tastes. Prices: starting at just $91 a night, and an additional person for only 20 extra dollars. \n Question: What is special about the Ariau Amazon Towers hotel? \n Options: (A) You can sleep in tree houses. (B) You can choose any of the towers. (C) It is designed for big families. (D) Every room has a walkway.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}487{"query": "Article: Davey wanted to play baseball. But fifty years ago, in his small town, he couldn't find enough players for two full teams or an empty lot big enough for a field. And when he played ball in his back yard, he just broke windows and got into trouble. So Davey began playing with a plastic golf ball and a broom handle for a bat. When his dad, David Mullaney, a former semi-pro baseball pitcher , realized his son was hurting his arm trying to throw curves with the little plastic ball, he decided to find a better solution. Mullaney got a bunch of hollow plastic _ from a local factory, sat down at his kitchen table and began cutting different size holes in the balls with a razor knife. He thought maybe the holes would alter the ball's flight and help his son throw curves and sliders without hurting his arm. All the balls failed--except the one with the eight oblong  holes cut into one of the hemispheres. This ball curved naturally and sharply without a violent snap of the wrist. In fact, Davey was now striking out so many batters; he called his new ball a \"wiffle ball\". A year later, Mullaney borrowed $20,000 from family and friends and started producing Wiffle Balls in his little suburban town of Shelton, Connecticut. \"I didn't want investors.\" He said, \"I wanted to control my own company.\" This was the beginning of one of the hottest fads  of the fifties and a perennial  best seller well known all around the world. Since then millions of boys and girls have enjoyed countless hours of safe, wholesome fun playing with a Wiffle ball and bat. Esquire Magazine has even called the Wiffle Ball \"a national treasure\". By producing a high quality product at an affordable price, three generations of Mullany's have enjoyed the satisfaction and benefits of running a successful and profitable family business. Over the years, they've had plenty of offers to buy them out, but they're still working out of a small factory in Shelton, making a new Wiffle Ball every couple of seconds. Creativity and persistence are two of the important sources for wealth. If he gave up his attempts at trying new things, Mullany would not have invented the wiffle ball, nor would he have made such a big fortune. \n Question: From the passage we can know that  _  . \n Options: (A) Mullaney made the invention of Wiffle ball with the help of his son (B) fifty years ago people didn't like playing baseball very much (C) Mullaney's attempts to help Davey better enjoy ball-playing led to the invention of Wiffle ball (D) playing balls would hurt one's arm before the Wiffle ball's appearance", "pos": "Article: What kind of sports impressed you most during your childhood? Maybe racing around the playground or skipping rope for hours would bring you pleasure. At that time you weren't thinking of fitness, you were just thinking of entertainment. But in this age of high-tech home equipment and underused gym memberships, the simple joy of jumping rope has been forgotten. I think rediscovering it probably will give you a total-body exercise. Although considered an excellent form of exercise, jumping rope has never received widespread acceptance because of two reasons. First,most people recognize jumping rope as an excellent form of cardiovascular   exercise, but they also believe that it is simply too difficult. In other words, they don't think they'll be able to continue jumping for the near 20 minutes in order to achieve a beneficial physical effect. Second, many regard it as somewhat boring and overly repetitive --not as something fun or enjoyable.  _ . Instead of doing the usual two-foot bounce  over and over again, players good at rope-jumping often change their pattern every 10 or 20 jumps. A single bounce, a double -bounce , a skip, a knee-up, side swings , as well as a variety of other easy-to-learn free-style rope-jumping . Nowadays researchers are discovering that jumping rope also prepares the brain for learning . It is an exercise allowing both brain hemispheres to perform equallyto each other . In short, jumping rope can be a life-long activity requiring little equipment, time and space , yet leading to a much healthier life. \n Question: One reason that can explain why rope jumping has not spread widely is that  _  . \n Options: (A) it benefits the cardiovascular system (B) it is too difficult for people to learn to jump (C) it is believed to be boring and repetitive (D) it requires little equipment, time and space", "neg": "Article: At the age of 11, Peter Lynch started caddying  at Brae Burn Country Club in Newton, Mass. \"It was better than a newspaper carrier, and much more profitable,\" the Fidelity vice chairman recalls. He kept it up during the summers for almost a decade. \"You get to know the course and can give the golf players advice about how to approach various holes,\" he says. \"Where else, at age 15 or 16, can you serve as a trusted adviser to high-powered people?\" One of those people was George Sullivan, then president of Fidelity's funds, who was so impressed with Lynch's smarts that he hired him in 1966. \"There were about 75 applicants for 3 job openings,\" Lynch says now. \"But I was the only one who had caddied for the president for 10 years.\" In between caddying and managing money, Lynch went to Boston College on a scholarship from a program called the Francis Ouimet Fund. Named after the 1913 winner of the U.S. Open, the fund launched in 1949 which is open to Massachusetts kids only. Ouimet executive director Robert Donovan says, \"Help with college is a logical extension of friendly relation between golfers and their favorite caddies, because there is a close tie to train up them to be excellent that happens between the players and the kids who carry their golf poles. And for the teens, caddying is all about being around successful role models.\" It is obvious that caddies who are finally successful include all kinds of outstanding personnel, from actor Bill Murray, to New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, to former GE chairman and CEO Jack Welch. Of course, the great number of financial giants who caddied in their youth might be coincidence, but Dick Connolly thinks not. \"Caddying life teaches you a lot about business, and about life,\" he says. \"You learn to show up early and look people in the eye when you shake their hand, and you learn how to read people -- including who's likely to cheat and who isn't.\" Connolly is a longtime investment advisor at Morgan Stanley's Boston office, a former Ouimet scholarship student and, along with Peter Lynch and Roger Altman, one of the program's biggest supporters. He wants to share the most important lesson he learned on the links, so he says: \"One golfer I caddied for told me that if you want to succeed in any field -- golf or business -- you have to spend a lot of lonely hours, either practicing or working, when you'd rather be partying with your friends. That's true, and it stuck with me.\" \n Question: Which of the following may Peter Lynch agree about caddying? \n Options: (A) He could have a relaxing job as a caddie. (B) He could make more money from the golf players. (C) His duty was to advise the players how to play golf. (D) His caddying experiences contributed to his later career.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}488{"query": "Article: Many years ago, when I was fresh out of school and working in Denver, I was driving to my parents' home in Missouri for Christmas. I stopped at a gas station about 50 miles from Oklahoma City, where I was planning to stop and visit a friend. While I was standing in line at the cash register , I said hello to an older couple who were also paying for gas. I took off, but had gone only a few miles when black smoke poured from the back of my car. I stopped and wondered what I should do. A car pulled up behind me. It was the couple I had spoken to at the gas station. They said they would take me to my friend's We chatted on the way into the city, and when I got out of the car, the husband gave me his business card. I wrote him and his wife a thank-you note for helping me. Soon afterward, I received a Christmas present from them. Their note that came with it said that helping me had made their holidays meaningful. Years later, I drove to a meeting in a nearby town in the morning. In late afternoon I returned to my car and found that I'd left the lights on all day, and the battery was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford dealership - a shop selling cars - was right next door. I walked over and found two salesmen in the showroom. \"Just how friendly is Friendly Ford?\" I asked and explained my trouble. They quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. They would accept no payment, so when I got home, I wrote them a note to say thanks. I received a letter back from one of the salesmen. No one had ever taken the time to write him and say thank you, and it meant a lot, he said. \"Thank you\" - two powerful words. They're easy to say and mean so much. \n Question: The author planned to stop at Oklahoma City  _  . \n Options: (A) to visit a friend (B) to see his parents (C) to pay at the cash register (D) to have more gas for his car", "pos": "Article: The summer of 1975 I'd just graduated from college in Southern California and received a 1968 Ford Capri for a graduation present. I had my first job, in Los Angeles. One Sunday night, thinking myself a very independent gown-up, I left my uncle's place in South Laguna after a visit, without admitting to him that I had less than an eighth of a tank of gas and no cash to buy more on the way to L.A. I pulled onto the Pacific Coast Highway and watched the needle move down as I headed north. When the engine started giving off strong smells, I pulled into a gas station. There was no self-serve then; there were no credit cards, no ATMs. I begged the guy at the station. I could write him a check for gas, I said, or I could sleep in my car and try to walk to a town with a bank the next morning. As he was informing me that I could sleep in my car but he'd have me arrested, a station wagon pulled up to the next pump. The driver--a thin, plain, middle-aged guy--overheard the tail end of my failed request. As the attendant went to serve him, he nodded at me. \"Fill her tank first,\" he said. \"Really?\" I said. Hope bloomed. \"Oh, thank you. Thank you. But please. I just need two bucks' worth. I just need to get home.\" \"Fill it,\" he repeated to the attendant. Then he turned to me, \"You'll do the same one day, for someone else.\" \n Question: When the author found he was short of gas he was   _  . \n Options: (A) on the way to South Laguna (B) in South Laguna (C) on the way to Los Angeles (D) in Los Angeles", "neg": "Article: Once we got home, there was barely time to enjoy our presents. We had to go off to our grandparents' house for our annual Christmas dinner. As we drove down the highway through town, I noticed that the family was there, standing outside the closed gas station. My father was driving very slowly down the highway. The closer we got to the turnoff for my grandparents' house, the slower the car went. Suddenly, my father U-turned in the middle of the road and said, \"I can't stand it!\" \"What?\" asked my mother. \"It's those people back there at the gas station, standing in the rain. They've got children. It's Christmas. \" When my father pulled into the service station, I saw that there were five of them: the parents and three children- two girls and a small boy. My father rolled down his window. \"Merry Christmas,\" he said. \"Howdy,\" the man replied. \"You're waiting on the bus?\" my father asked. The man said that they were. \"Well, that bus isn't going to come along for several hours, and you're getting wet standing here. Winborn's just a couple miles up the road. They've got a shed with a cover there, and some benches,\" my father said. \"Why don't y'all get in the car and I'll run you up there.\" The man thought about it for a moment, and then he beckoned to his family. They climbed into the car. They had no luggage, only the clothes they were wearing. Once they settled in, my father looked back over his shoulder and asked the children if Santa had found them yet. Three glum faces mutely gave him his answer. \"Well, I didn't think so,\" my father said, winking at my mother, \"because when I saw Santa this morning, he told me that he was having trouble finding all, and he asked me if he could leave your toys at my house. We'll just go get them before I take you to the bus stop.\" All at once, the three children's faces lit up, and they began to bounce around in the back seat, laughing and chattering. When we got out of the car at our house, the three children ran through the front door and straight to the toys that were spread out under our Christmas tree. That was the Christmas when my sisters and I learned the joy of making others happy. When they left, my father reached into his pocket and pulled out two dollars, which was all he had left. He pressed the money into the man's hand. The man tried to give it back, but my father insisted. \"Take it. I've been broke before, and I know what it's like when you can't feed your family.\" We left them there at the bus stop in Winborn. As we drove away, I watched out the window as long as I could, looking back at the little girl hugging her new doll. \n Question: For the majority, what the story impresses most on us is   _  . \n Options: (A) father's kind offer to the family in the rain (B) mother's generosity to give all our Christmas presents away (C) that my sister and I had no alternative as to my parents' decision (D) that the family who got help seemed to be indifferent", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}489{"query": "Article: Remember that goals are dreams with a timetable. Our goals are important for us to create what enriches our life. A very common attitude among people who are successful is that their success lies in their ability to provide themselves goals that are both numerous and exciting. When you think about your future,you are helping to feed a long-term goal of what you want to create. To realize your dreams,you must translate your vision into a series of actions you can take as soon as possible. You should be able to measure these results,to make sure they take you wherever you want. And this step should not be viewed lightly! Indeed,very few people set goals and concrete actions for themselves to achieve. Very few people note what they want to accomplish,and know each day whether they have indeed advanced in the direction of their dreams. Therefore one of the secrets that you can get results from is to write down your goals on paper first. When you give your dreams a form,they become more concrete,and you can refer to them often and easily. Whenever you read the dreams that you note down,you fill your mind with positive and motivational thoughts. Unfortunately,many people stop there. They just simply make wishes, hope and wait. These people do not bring positive difference in their lives,because that sort of behavior is just wishful thinking. Success is not at all a miracle. It depends on clear and realistic targets through serious thoughts:concrete actions and perseverance . Don't forget,your past does not determine your future. Only you now is your potential! \n Question: People can achieve success commonly in that they  _  . \n Options: (A) have many dreams (B) are well-informed of how goals go (C) think a lot about their bright future (D) know what the goals are in their life", "pos": "Article: There are three kinds of goals: short-term, intermediate and long-term goals. Short-term goals are those that usually deal with present activities. Such goals can be achieved in a week or two, or possible months. It should be remembered that just as a building is no stronger than its foundation  , our long-term goals cannot be achieved without the achievement of solid short-term goals. Upon completing our short-term goals, we should date the time and then add new short-term goals that will build on those that have been completed. The intermediate goals build on the foundation of the short-term goals. They might deal with just one term of school or the entire school years, or they could extend for several years. Any time you move a step at a time, you never allow yourself to become discouraged. As you complete each step, you will have more belief in your ability to grow and succeed. Long-term goals may be related to our dreams of future. They might cover five years or more. Life is not a static   thing. We should never allow a long-term goal to limit us or our course of action. \n Question: The long-term goals mean  _  . \n Options: (A) something static and easy to get if we complete our short-term goals (B) something easy to reach if we complete a short-term goal in time (C) nothing but our dreams of future (D) a lot, such as a dream, and aspiration   or a wish in our life", "neg": "Article: The quest for success always begins with a target. As Berra once said , \"you get to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there.\" Too many people wander through life like sleepwalkers. Each day they follow familiar routines, never asking, \"What am I doing with my life?\"and they don't know what they're doing because they lack goals. Goal-setting is a focus of the will to move in a certain direction. Begin with a clear conception of what you want. Write down your goals and date them---putting them into words clarifies them. Rather than concentrating on objects to acquire and possess, focus on fulfilling your desires to do, to produce, to contribute to goal-setting that yields the true sense of satisfaction we all need. It's important to visualize yourself accomplishing your goal. While losers visualize the penalties  of failure, winners visualize the rewards of success. I've seen it among athletes, statistics contrasting air and highway safety, but it made no difference. I had read too many articles describing crash scenes and imagined these scenes vividly. I had programmed myself, without realizing it ,to stay off planes. Then one summer I had the opportunity to fly on a private plane with friends to a resort; I didn't want to miss out on a great vacation. So I spent two weeks imagining a smooth flight on a beautiful sunny day and an easy landing. When the day arrived, I was eager to go . To everyone's surprise, I got on the plane and I loved every minute of it , and I still use the techniques I employed that day. \n Question: According to the passage, if you want to be successful ,the first thing for you to do is to  _  . \n Options: (A) find the right methods (B) be careful about everything (C) know your ability (D) have a clear goal", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}490{"query": "Article: Country singer and songwriter Adrienne Young brings together music and agricultural activities.She even included seeds in the album cover of her first CD. Adrienne Young wants people to know that she supports the movement in America to increase local farming.She offers information about agricultural issues on her Web site.And now part of the moneyfrom her third and newest release, \"Room to Grow\",will be donated to help support community gardens. Adrienne Young's family has lived in Florida for seven generations.Her ancestors helped develop the agriculture industry there.The state of Florida is the nation's second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, 'after California. Adrienne Young has said that her interest in nature was shaped by the fact that she did not grow up on a farm.She grew up in a house her grandfather build on what had been farmland two generations ago.But the land was developed and was now part of a highway. Adrienne Young has teamed up with two organizations that support local farming and gardening efforts.One is the American Community Gardening Association.The other is FoodRoutes,a group she has represented for several years. FoodRoutes says buying locally grown food is not only about taste and freshness.The group says buying locally also helps to strengthen local economies and protect the environment.Exports say food in the United States travels all average of more than three thousand kilometers from farm to store. \n Question: The aim to write the passage is to   _   . \n Options: (A) tell us a singer aims to grow interest in local farming (B) show Adrienne Young promotes her third CD album (C) praise Adrienne Young for her contributions to agriculture (D) call on singers to learn from Adrienne Young", "pos": "Article: Walking in a farmers' market often brings one to explore new food options, and now more locally-farmed protein choices are available to help bridge the gap between our meals and the farms from which they originated. More and more local small farms are popping up in opposition to factory farms. Today's commercial farms do not fit the image that comes to mind while happily singing along to \"Old MacDonald\". Instead, most of the nation's food comes from CAFOs, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, where animals are kept in tightly enclosed conditions as they are fattened up and readied to be killed for food. Fortunately, knowing exactly where one's food comes from has led to an increase in the availability of what is known as \"grass-fed\" beef. Technically, all cattle are grass-fed for at least a limited amount of time, but what makes the meat significant is that it is grass-finished, not force-fed corn, soy or grains. This change in diet makes all the difference since corn is not part of the cow's traditional diet, and therefore causes major health issues for it. To deal with the health issues, antibiotics are used and some of the antibiotics used to treat the cattle are similar to those given to humans, so they can decrease the effectiveness of medicine when a consumer is sick. A healthier diet for the cattle leads the meat to lower in both fat and calories. And when cooking grass-fed beef, you'd better use a slightly lower temperature to make it more delicious. \n Question: The song \"Old MacDonald\" describes \n Options: (A) animals raised freely on local farms (B) animals kept in tightly enclosed conditions (C) commercial farms providing fast food (D) commercial farms providing unpopular food", "neg": "Article: City farms are gaining popularity in cities and towns around the United States.  City Farms in Edmonston, Maryland, is located near shopping centers, car repair shops and homes. The neighborhood is a working-class community. People do not have very much money, and they have limited access to fresh food in markets.  Over the past two years, the farm has attracted volunteers from the community like Marcy Clark. She schools her four children at home. On a recent day she brought them to Eco City Farms for a lesson. Alston Clark thinks his experience very valuable. \"I like coming out here, \"he says, \"You know, you connect with the earth, where your food comes from. You appreciate the food a little bit more. \" Margaret Morgan-Hubbard started Eco City Farms. She thinks of it as a place where people can learn to live healthier lives. \"Growing food in a community and showing that you can have farms even in the city is helpful to strengthen the relationship in that community and brings people together, \"she continues, \"Every piece of what we do here is a demonstration to show people everything about how to have a sustainable community. \"she says. From the Eco City Farms people come to know that they are not only growing food and raising chickens and bees, but improving the soil with compost made from food waste. Sixteen wooden bins are filled with worms. Their job is to eat the food waste and help make it into compost.  Eco City Farms is an experimental operation. The farm gets its power not from the local electricity networks but from the sun with solar panels. In winter, the greenhouses are heated using a geothermal system.  Vegetables can be grown all year. So once a week, all winter long, neighbors like Chris Moss and her three children bicycle to the farm to pick up a share of the harvest.  \"I like eating the vegetables, \"says five-year-old Owen Moss. \n Question: City farms are close to the following places EXCEPT    . \n Options: (A) shopping centers (B) car repair shops (C) working-class community (D) fast-food restaurants", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}491{"query": "Article: Computer technology is still developing rapidly. The computer of the future will continue to increase in value and performance while decreasing in cost. It will become smaller, but faster and more powerful. It is possible to make some guesses about what the future of the computer will look like, based upon the types of technologies that are being developed now. A lot of progress has already been made in some of these new technologies, but some are still in their earliest stages and may not be ready for use for years. Two of the most interesting areas of computing that are currently being developed are quantum computing   and nanotechnology  . Quantum computing is one possibility for the future of the computer that could make computers run far faster than even the quickest computers do today. Quantum computers could be able to do what modern supercomputers are unable to do by using transistors that are able to take on many states at the same time. Nanotechnology could also change the face of computing, by creating computers that could be very powerful, though they are tiny in size. These computers could be incorporated   into everyday objects, including electrical appliances  , clothes and even the human body. We will be able to use computers in new and unimaginable ways. They will become a part of our lives rather than simply being a box that is used only for specific purposes, such as work. Quantum computing and nanotechnology will be able to play new roles, which will make us live greener lives, as well as enjoy better health and happier lives. \n Question: Which of the following can NOT describe the computer of the future properly? \n Options: (A) Much smaller. (B) Much faster. (C) More powerful. (D) Less valuable.", "pos": "Article: It's a safe bet that a robot made your car and made your computer. Pretty soon, they could be making your bed and breakfast too.      Increasingly, engineers are saying that robots are going to move out of research departments and into your home. Companies including General Electric are working on designs for small robots. Products like the Roomba, a robot that can clean floors, are flying off the shelves.      What's behind this new robot revolution? It's partly a matter of technology. Devices that can recognize and respond to a human voice have been developed. There are now a few different ways for robots to move around. They can walk, crawl or ride on wheels. Robots are being made smaller and smaller. They are also becoming more and more able.      A bigger part of the story is on the demand side. From the day the television remote control was invented, people around the world have searched for new ways to be lazy. Take into consideration that more and more people can afford robots, and the time seems ripe to introduce robots to the ordinary family.     To be sure, robots that walk on two legs and talk like people are still a long way off. However, robots that do basic housework such as cleaning or gardening are sure to come out soon. One thing is certain--when these robots do come into our homes, it will change things forever. \n Question: Which plays a more important role in revolutionizing the robot? \n Options: (A) Science and technology. (B) Rapid development of companies. (C) Effective marketing means. (D) Great demand from the buyers.", "neg": "Article: The human brain contains ten thousand million cells and each of these may have a thousand connections. Such enormous numbers used to discourage us and cause us to dismiss the possibility of making a machine with human-like ability, but now that we have grown used to moving forward at such a pace we can be less sure. Quite soon, in only 10 or 20 years perhaps, we will be able to assemble a machine as complex as the human brain, and if we can we will. It may then take us a long time to render it intelligent by loading in the right software or by altering the architecture but that two will happen. I think it is certain that in decades, not centuries, machines of silicon will arise first to rival and then exceed their human ancestors. Once they exceed us they will be capable of their own design. In a real sense they will be able to reproduce themselves. Silicon will have ended carbon's long control. And we will no longer be able to claim ourselves to be the finest intelligence in the known universe. As the intelligence of robots increased to match that of humans and as their cost declines through economies of scale we may use them to expand our frontiers, first on earth through their ability to withstand environments, harmful to ourselves. Thus, deserts may bloom and the ocean beds be mined. Further ahead, by a combination of the great wealth this new age will bring and the technology it will provide, the construction of a vast, man-created world in space, home to thousands of millions of people, will be within our power. \n Question: In what way can we make a machine intelligent? \n Options: (A) By making it work in such environments as deserts, oceans or space (B) By working hard for 10 or 20 years (C) By either programming it or changing its structure (D) By reproducing it", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}492{"query": "Article: Engineers should embrace  the arts, Sir John O'Reilly, a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, argued in a lecture. About 59% of engineering companies in the IET's 2014 survey feared skill shortages could threaten  business. \"There is nothing as creative as engineering,\" Sir John told the reporter. He says science, technology, engineering and mathematics - often known as \"Stem\" subjects, are vital for a modern knowledge economy. But there is a massive shortfall in the number of recruits  - with a recent study by the Royal Academy of Engineering saying the UK needs to increase by as much as 50% the number of Stem graduates it produces. Delivering this year's Mountbatten Lecture at the Royal Institution, Sir John argued that engineers should recognise the role of the arts in their work - among other benefits; this could attract more people into the profession. The lecture, Full Steam Ahead for Growth, advocated a wider adoption  -- Steam, or science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. Engineers should embrace the arts as being key to creativity and an important component of innovation , crucial to creating new products and boosting future competitiveness, he argued. \"Engineering and technology is an increasingly diverse and creative field,\" said Sir John. Some university engineering departments already cooperated with art schools to develop understanding, he told the reporter. In particular he mentioned Cranfield University's Centre for Creative Competitive Design and Imperial College's work with the Royal College of Art. The two sets of people could work well together and more emphasis on the creative side of engineering could improve the success of products, he said. \"Aesthetics  is part of it,\" he told the reporter, adding that Apple's iPod was not the first digital media player, nor the only one that worked - but it came to dominate the market \"because it was nice to have\". Sir John said he was not suggesting universities started requiring A-level art from engineering applicants - the key subjects for admission would continue to be maths and the sciences. But an emphasis on creative skills would help \"broaden the pool and attract more people in\". \n Question: According to a recent study by the Royal Academy   _   . \n Options: (A) skill shortages could threaten business (B) engineering graduates are not as creative as expected (C) there are not enough arts graduates produced in the UK. (D) the UK needs more graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics", "pos": "Article: In the next five years, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs are projected to grow twice as quickly as jobs in all other fields according to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics. While all jobs are expected to grow by 10.4 percent, STEM jobs are expected to increase by 21.4 percent. By this measure, future STEM jobs represent a huge opportunity to today's students. But, in fact, of the 3.8 million ninth graders in the U.S., only 233,000 end up choosing a STEM degree in college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This means only 6 percent of ninth graders will become STEM graduates. And of these graduates, women will be even more underrepresented in most STEM fields. These are alarming statistics. How do we get more young boys and girls to be interested in STEM-related fields? It isn't an easy task. Schools do not always adequately prepare students for these severe subjects, and college programs are designed to get rid of those who are less persistent. Nationally, only 41 percent of initial STEM majors who begin a degree in STEM-related fields complete their degree in less than six years. In addition, social pressures continue to cast a shadow over girls who might otherwise consider the STEM fields. A couple of years ago, I met amazing parents, both of whom had a background in engineering and hoped their 10-year-old daughter would follow in their footsteps. They encouraged her to take an after-school science / robotics program. When she got there, she found she was outnumbered 6:1 by boys in the class. As the only girl, she came home crying much of the time because she was teased and told that geeky girls are not welcome in the boys' club. Ironically, by the time young boys are entering college programs in STEM fields, many complain about the lack of girls. Starting at an early age, even as young as kindergarten, we need to encourage and help the next generation leaders to consider taking up science, computing, math and technology. We also need to realize that for young girls to be inspired to take and stick with this educational path and later career field, they will benefit from the support of the people that surround them: parents, teachers, friends and family members. \n Question: The STEM statistics are used in the passage mainly to show that   _  . \n Options: (A) STEM jobs will be easily available in the future (B) boys have more advantages over girls in STEM (C) the number of STEM students is rapidly declining (D) America will face serious shortage of STEM talents", "neg": "Article: Two new studies have investigated why fewer women, compared to men, study and work in the so-called STEM subjects in the United States: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The American Association of University Women(AAUW) examined existing research. Its report \"Why So Few?\" suggested ways to interest more girls and women in the STEM fields. The researchers found that cultural and environmental factors make a difference. Researcher Christianne Corbett says more boys than girls score very high on math tests in most countries, but Iceland and Thailand are exceptions. \"This is something that we point out in our report--that cultural factors and societal factors can make a difference in who achieves at the very high levels and whether girls are achieving or not.\" Another study carried out by the Campos Company for the Bayer Corporation in the United States asked more than 1,000 women and minority members of the American Chemical Society about their experiences.77% said not enough women and minorities are working in STEM today, because they were not encouraged to study those subjects in school. The study, producing results similar to the AAUW research showed there's still a lot of work to be done. \"They say their interest in science begins before the age of eleven. So we need programs that get in front of kids while they're young in elementary school.\" Increasing diversity in professions leads to better products, better science. And developing this science and engineering workforce is important to the nation's economic development. \"No matter what career you go into, whether it's accounting, human resources or science career, it's important that you can think creatively, you can work in teams, you can adapt to change and that's important for everybody,\" says Rebecca Lucore. \n Question: Which of the following is true about the situation in Iceland and Thailand? \n Options: (A) Boys score higher in math tests than girls. (B) Girls are given more exceptional attention than boys. (C) More girls score higher in math than boys. (D) Boys are more creative than girls.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}493{"query": "Article: The U.S. Department of Labor statistics  show that there is an oversupply of college trained workers and that this oversupply is increasing. Already there have been more than enough teachers, engineers, physicists, aerospace experts, and other specialists. Yet colleges and graduate schools continue every year to turn out highly trained people to compete for jobs that aren't there. The result is that graduates cannot enter the professions for which they were trained and must take temporary jobs which do not require a college degree. On the other hand, there is a great need for skilled workers of all sorts: carpenters, electricians, mechanics, plumbers, TV repairmen. These people have more work than they can deal with, and their annual incomes are often higher than those of college graduates. The old gap that white --collar workers make a better living than blue collar workers no longer holds true. The law of supply and demand now favors the skilled workmen. The reason for this situation is the traditional myth that college degree is a passport to a prosperous future. A large part of American society matches success in life equally with a college degree. Parents begin indoctrinating  their children with this myth before they are out of grade school. High school teachers play their part by acting as if high school education were a preparation for college rather than for life. Under this pressure the kids fall in line. Whether they want to go to college or not doesn't matter. Everybody should go to college, so of course they must go. And every year college enrollments  go up and up, and more and more graduates are overeducated for the kinds of jobs available to them. One result of this emphasis on a college education is that _ . Of the sixty percent of high school graduates who enter college, half of them do not graduate with their class. Many of them drop out within the first year. Some struggle on for two or three years and then give up. \n Question: It's implied but not stated in the passage that   _  . \n Options: (A) many other countries are facing the same problem (B) white-collar workers in the US used to make more money than blue-collar workers (C) fewer students will prefer to go to college in the future (D) the law of supply and demand has a strong effect on American higher education", "pos": "Article: As society advances and basic needs are most often being met, things that were not considered important in the past have taken priority . In the past, people could easily get a job and progress pretty well, as long as they were hard-working; education was important but not as crucial  as it is today. Nowadays, just as clothes are important to first impressions, degree is important to a person's first job interview or even a job with a good salary. Although experience is important to survive in any trade or profession, the first thing that companies look for is that piece of paper before looking at one's experience. A passport into the world of any profession is what having a degree means today, especially for professions that have need of certification and pay well, such as architects, doctors, lawyers, and teachers. That piece of paper, the degree, is also a passport to jobs in top or middle management in any company, especially so for multi-national corporations . Having a degree opens up opportunities that one would not have had if one did not have any kind of degree. A degree simply proves that one has gone through the necessary training and understanding of how to carry out a job. Although there are many that may say having a degree may not necessarily equal to success, _ would most definitely help any person achieve success in shorter and easier steps. Success cannot simply be a result of hard work and/or depending on one's experience or degree alone; it is the art and knowledge of how to work that determines one's success. Therefore, it should not be for the sake to get a degree, but the quality of the degree and experiences that one can learn from that matter as well. \n Question: What would be the best title for this passage? \n Options: (A) People used to be hard-working (B) How important is the degree? (C) How can we enter the top management? (D) Degree surely leads to success", "neg": "Article: The case for college has been accepted without question for more than a generation. All high school graduates ought to go, because college will help them earn more money, become \"better\" people, and learn to be more responsible citizens than those who don't go.       But college has never been able to work its magic for everyone. And now that close to half our high school graduates are attending, those who don't fit the pattern are becoming more and more, and more obvious. College graduates are selling shoes and driving taxis; college students get in the way of each other's experiments and write false letters of recommendation in the competition for admission to graduate school. Others find no interest in their studies, and drop out -often encouraged by college administrators. Some observers say the fault is with the young people themselves--they are spoiled and they are expecting too much.       But that is a condemnation of the students as a whole, and does not explain all campus unhappiness. Others blame the state of the world, and they are partly right. We've been told that young people have to go to college because our economy cannot take in an army of untrained 18 year-olds. But disappointed graduates are learning that it can no longer take in an army of trained 22-year-olds, either.       Some adventuresome educators and campus watchers have openly begun to suggest that college may not be the best, the proper, the only place for every young person after the completion of high school.  _ Perhaps college does not make people intelligent(clever), ambitious, happy, liberal, or quick to learn things--maybe it is just the other way round, and intelligent, ambitious, happy, liberal, quick-learning people are only the ones who have been attracted to college in the first place. And perhaps all those successful college graduates would have been successful whether they had gone to college or not. This is heresy   to those of us who have been brought up to believe that if little schooling is good, more has to be much better. But opposite evidence is beginning to mount up. \n Question: According to the passage all of the following statements are true EXCEPT  _  . \n Options: (A) about half of the high school graduates continue their studies at school (B) college graduates are believed to be able to earn more money (C) administrators often encourage college students to drop out (D) more and more young people are found unfit for college.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}494{"query": "Article: As computers become more popular in China , Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters . But if they use the computer too much , they may end up forgetting the exact strokes of each Chinese character when writing on paper . Experts suggest people , especially students , write by hand more . Do you write by hand more or type more ? In Beijing , students start using a computer as early as primary school . And computer dependence is more widespread among university students . Almost all their assignments and essays are typed on a computer . All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer . It's faster and easier to correct if using a computer . And that's why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education . But when people are computers increasingly , problems appear . \" When I'm writing with a pen , I find I often can't remember how to write a character , though I feel I'm familiar with it .\" \" I'm not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper .\" Many students don't feel this is something to worry about . Now that it's more convenient and efficient to write on a computer , why bother to handwrite ? Many educators think differently . Shi Liwei , the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said \" Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic value . But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value . All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost . And handwriting contains the writer's emotion . Through one's handwriting , people can get to know one's thinking and personality . Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them .\" To encourage students to handwrite more , many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory and in universities , some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand . \n Question: Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage ? \n Options: (A) The Importance of Handwriting and Typing . (B) To Type or to Handwrite . (C) Writing by Computer Will Replace Writing by Hand (D) Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters", "pos": "Article: As computers become more popular in China, Chinese people are increasingly relying on computer keyboards to input Chinese characters. But if they use the computer too much, they may end up forgetting the exact strokes of each Chinese character when writing on paper. Experts suggest people, especially students, write by hand more. Do you write by hand more or type more? In Beijing, students start using a computer as early as primary school. And computer dependence is more wide-spread among university students. Almost all their assignments and essays are typed on a computer. All the students interviewed say they usually use a computer. It's faster and easier to correct if using a computer. And that's why computers are being applied more and more often to modern education. But when people are _ computers increasingly, problems appear. \"When I'm writing with a pen, I find I often can't remember how to write a character, though I feel I'm familiar with it.\" \"I'm not in the mood to write when faced with a pen and paper.\" Many students don't feel this is something to worry about. Now that it's more convenient and efficient to write on a computer, why bother to handwrite? Many educators think differently. Shi Liwei, the headmaster of a famous primary school in the capital said, \"Chinese characters enjoy both practical and aesthetic   value. But those characters typed with computer keyboards only maintain their practical value. All the artistic beauty of the characters is lost. And handwriting contains the writer's emotion. Through one's handwriting, people can get to know one's thinking and personality. Beautiful writing will give people a better first impression of them.\" To encourage students to handwrite more, many primary schools in Beijing have made writing classes compulsory   and in universities, some professors are asking students to turn in their homework and essays written by hand. \n Question: Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage? \n Options: (A) The Importance of Handwriting and Typing (B) To Type or To Hand Write (C) Writing By Computer Will Replace Writing By Hand (D) Practical and Aesthetic Value of Chinese Characters", "neg": "Article: Every week in China, millions of people will sit in front of their TVs watching teenagers compete for the title Character Hero, which is a Chinese-style spelling bee . In this challenge, young competitors must write Chinese characters by hand. To prepare for the competition, the competitors usually spend months studying dictionaries. Perhaps the show's popularity should not be a surprise. Along with gunpowder and paper, many Chinese people consider the creation of Chinese calligraphy to be one of their primary contributions to civilization. Unfortunately, all over the country, Chinese people are forgetting how to write their own language without computerized help. Software on smart phones and computers allows users to type in the basic sound of the word using the Latin alphabet. The correct character is chosen from a list. The result? It's possible to recognize characters without remembering how to write them. But there's still hope for the paint brush. China's Education Ministry wants children to spend more time learning how to write. In one Beijing primary school we visited, students practice calligraphy every day inside a specially decorated classroom with traditional Chinese paintings hanging on the walls. Soft music plays as a group of six-year-olds dip brush pens into black ink. They look up at the blackboard often to study their teacher's examples before carefully attempting to reproduce those characters on thin rice paper. \"If adults can survive without using handwriting, why bother to teach it now?\" we ask the calligraphy teacher, Shen Bin. \"The ability to write characters is part of Chinese tradition and culture,\" she reasons. \"Students must learn now so they don't forget when they grow up.\" says the teacher. \n Question: What can we learn about the Character Hero? \n Options: (A) It's open to people of all ages and all walks. (B) It's the most-viewed TV programs in China. (C) It aims to spread Chinese culture to the world. (D) It draws great public attention across the country.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}495{"query": "Article: John and Booby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee . John could not take it any more, so he sent his resignation  and complained that the boss did not value hard working workers but only promoted those who said good words of him. The boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, \"Thank you for telling me, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps you will change your mind and take back your resignation.\" John agreed. The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelons. The boss asked how much per kg, John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kg. The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said only one person sold watermelons. $1.2 for a kg, $10 for 10kg and his watermelons added up to 340. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the south two days ago and they were fresh, red and good quality. John was surprised and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to go away but to learn from Bobby. The story tells us that a more successful person is more concerned and thinks more. Chances are there in the daily details. For the same thing, a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win? \n Question: John wanted to stop his job in his company because  _  . \n Options: (A) Bobby was promoted but he was not (B) he didn't want to say good words of his boss (C) he thought the boss didn't take his hard work seriously (D) he didn't want to be an ordinary employee", "pos": "Article: Mr. Briggs got a job with an insurance company  after he left school and went around visiting people in their homes to sell them life insurance.  One day, after he had been working for the company for about a year, the insurance manager sent for him and said, \"Mr. Briggs, I have been looking at your record as a salesman with our company, and there is one thing that surprises me about it. Why have you been selling insurance only to people over 95 years old, and why have you been giving them such generous conditions? You'll ruin our company if you go on like that. \"   \"Oh, no, sir,\" answered Mr. Briggs at once, \"Before I started work, I looked at the figures  for deaths in this country during the past ten years, and I can tell you that few people die at the age of 95. \" \n Question: Before he worked in an insurance company, what was Mr. Briggs?  _ \n Options: (A) . He was a worker. (B) He was an official. (C) He was a student. (D) He was a businessman.", "neg": "Article: John and Bobby joined the same company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted   Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary worker. John couldn't it anymore, gave his resignation   to the boss and complained that the boss only promoted those who only said good words to him. The boss knew John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, \"I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave.\" John agreed.  The boss asked him to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found a man selling water melons. The boss asked how much they per kilo. John shook his head and went back to the seller to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kilo. The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to come to his office. He asked Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market.  Bobby went, returned and said, \"Boss, only one person is selling watermelons.  $1.2 per kg, and $10 for 10 kg. He has 340 melons in all, 58 of which are on the table. Every melon weighs about 2 kg. Brought from the South two days ago, they are fresh and red. \" John was impressed and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to resign but to learn from Bobby. \n Question: According to Paragraph 1, John thought that    _   . \n Options: (A) Bobby wasn't fit to be a manager. (B) Bobby was lazy though he was clever. (C) the boss was expecting to hear good words. (D) it was unfair that the boss only promoted Bobby.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}496{"query": "Article: The British policeman has several nicknames, but the most frequently used are\"copper\"and\"bobby\". The first name comes from the verb \"cop\" meaning \"to take\" or \"capture\", and thesecond comes from the first name of Sir Robert Peel, a 19th century politician, who was the founder of the police force. An early nickname for the policeman was \"peeler\", but this name had died out. Visitors to England seem,nearly always, to be very impressed by the English police. In fact, it has become a joke that the visitors to Britain, when asked for his views of the country, will always say,at some point or other, \"I think your policemen are wonderful.\" Well, the British bobby may not always be wonderful but he is usually a very friendly and helpful character. A music-hall song of some years ago was called, \"If you want to know the time, ask a policeman.\" Nowadays, most people own watches but they still seem to find plenty of other questions to ask the policeman. In London, the policemen spend so much of their time directing visitors about the city that one wonders how they ever find time to do anything else! \n Question: The British policeman has   _   nicknames mentioned in the passage. \n Options: (A) five (B) two (C) three (D) ten", "pos": "Article: Britain is a popular tourist place. But tours of the country have pros and cons. Good news Free museums. No charge for outstanding collections of art and antiquities.  Pop music. Britain is the only country to match the US on this score. Black cabs. London taxi drivers know where they are going even if there are never enough of them at weekends or night. Choice of food. Visitors can find everything from Ethiopian to Swedish restaurants. Bad news Poor service. \"It's part of the image of the place. People can dine out on the rudeness they have experienced,\" says Professor Tony Seaton, of London University's International Tourism Research Center. Poor public transport: Trains and buses are promised to defeat the keenest  tourists, although the over-crowded London tube is inexplicably  popular Lack of languages. Speaking slowly and clearly may not get many foreign visitors very far, even in the tourist traps . Rain. Still in the number one complaint . No air-conditioning. So that even splendidly hot summers become as unbearable as the downpours. Overpriced hotels. The only European country with a higher rate of tax on hotel rooms is Denmark. \n Question: What do tourists complain most? \n Options: (A) Poor service. (B) Poor public transport. (C) Rain. (D) Overpriced hotels.", "neg": "Article: Does your local town have a nickname  ? If so, what does it say about the area and the people who live there? Many cities are recognized across the world by their unofficial names. New York is the Big Apple, London is the Big Smoke, and Los Angeles is famously called La La Land. A project has been carried out to make a survey on how the nicknames of some places came about. The University of Winchester's Professor Bill Lucas is a patron   of the English Project. He explains that unofficial place names often show what people think about a place. \"The name that people create for a place forms a connection with feelings,\" he says. Basingstoke is a town in central England. The local nickname, Amazingstoke, shows the love that locals seem to have for the area. Swindon, on the other hand, is sometimes called Swindump, showing that some people think it's a dump  . Stanford Le Hope in Essex is called Stanford No Hope by locals. And Padstow in Cornwall is so closely connected with the local famous person Rick Stein that it's become known as Padstein. Some people say that the project may have a practical use. Glen Hart, the survey's head of research, says the information could be very helpful to the emergency services, for example. \"By having the most complete set of nicknames we could help the emergency services quickly  _ the right place as soon as possible, for people usually remember the nicknames of some places instead of their official names. And this will take the helpers less time to reach the places.\" he says. \n Question: The best title of the passage can be   _  . \n Options: (A) People's Attitudes to Nicknames (B) A Survey on Nicknames (C) the Development of Nicknames (D) the Usefulness of Nicknames", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}497{"query": "Article: On October 12, 1989, some Chinese scientists were working at the computers to look for information they needed. Suddenly they saw a lot of very bright spots crossing the computers's screens. At the same time the computers were working much slower. To find out what was happening they stopped their work to check some parts of the computers. To their horror, they found out that most of their stored information was got rid of by computer viruses ! Obviously all these computers had been infected by computer viruses. It is said that the computer viruses were made by a group of young men fond of playing tricks. They all had excellent education. They created the viruses just to show their intelligence . These kinds of computer viruses are named Jerusalem Viruses. These viruses can stay in computers for a long time. When the time comes they will attack the computers by lowering the functions , damaging their normal programs or even getting rid of all the information. We now come to know that Jerusalem Viruses often attack computers on Fridays and that they are spreading to a lot of computers. Among the countries that suffered computer viruses last year are Britain, Australia, Switzerland and the U.S. But fill now , how to get rid of the terrible viruses remains a problem. \n Question: The group of young men created the virus to  _  . \n Options: (A) damage the computers (B) test their ability (C) tell the world that they were intelligent (D) play a trick on operators of the computers", "pos": "Article: On the second day of the World Internet Conference themed with cybersecurity and international cooperation held in Wuzhen, an official with China's network emergency watchdog said that 6,118 domestic websites have been controlled by the United States, according to Shanghai Securities News. Among the hacked websites in the first half of this year, 48.8 percent were under the thumb of overseas IP addresses, said Huang Chengqing, director-general of the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team and Coordination Center (CNERT/CC). He added that the US contributed the most, followed by Hong Kong, which controlled 3,097, and South Korea with 2,307. Among the overseas IP addresses inserting backdoor programs in domestic websites, the US accounted for 29.3 percent, South Korea for 6 percent and Hong Kong for 5 percent, he said. In addition, 4.9 percent of government websites have been attacked, and 3.2 percent inserted with backdoor programs. Huang also said that the number of Chinese computers affected by Trojan Horse viruses reached 190,000 in the six-month period. To safeguard cybersecurity, the CNERT/CC has cooperated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and built relationships with 59 countries and 127 organizations. Over the past two years, the center dealt with more than 15,000 cross-border online security cases. \n Question: The theme of the World Internet Conference is   _  . \n Options: (A) the safety of the Internet (B) international control and worldwide cooperation (C) cybersecurity and international cooperation (D) network emergency.", "neg": "Article: WASHINGTON--Considering the serious warnings lately about Internet viruses, users may be encouraged to unplug their machines just to keep them safe. In reality, common sense and a few basic tips can keep Internet surfers secure. Antivirus software is a must, and it should be updated at least once a week to recognize newly released viruses. People with broadband Internet connections should also have a firewall. These protect the computer from attacks by hackers. Then it is time to think about computer habits. Unlike old viruses, which spread only through shared diskettes, the Internet brings viruses straight to the email-box. If email with attachment comes from an unknown sender, or unexpectedly from a known sender, it should not be opened. On receipt of an unexpected attachment from a friend, experts suggest a telephone call to make sure of the mail's source before opening. \n Question: Why should antivirus software be updated at least once a week? Because   _  . \n Options: (A) the newly published antivirus software is more expensive (B) the previous antivirus software cannot work longer than a week (C) the inventors of viruses have suggested this idea (D) computer viruses are always developing", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}498{"query": "Article: When my son was just learning to talk, I carried him around the house in my arms and pointed out things to him. \"Look, David, a clock. \"He'd smile and point as I did and say \"clock\". David was quick at connecting the shape of things to their words. When my son was about four years old, I walked with him to the backyard. I knew that there was an ant colony under one of the slate stones in the walkway near the shed, so I said to David, \"Come on. I want to show you something. \" As I showed David the ants that were crawling around the slate stone, he crouched down on his legs and looked with great intensity at the ants. For days after that, David wanted to look under every rock in the garden, and we often found worms, ants and so on. I recognized that David loved to look at things closely and observe how things moved, and so I continued to point things out to him as he grew older: planes, cars, shells etc. . David was a keen observer, and I just gave him the suggestions as to where to look. Today David is a medical doctor at Columbia University Center. I did not know that David would someday be a doctor, someone who has to pay close attention to what he sees, and yet I felt compelled when he was a boy to encourage his enthusiasm for observation. That is what teachers and parents do: encourage a child's enthusiasm for a particular interest: music, swimming, art, reading. And we provide tools for the children. If a child likes to draw, give him brushes, pens, and paper. If a girl likes to tap on the table top, give her a drum. If a child wants to sing, give him a microphone and a Frank Sinatra recording. \n Question: The author wrote the passage to   . \n Options: (A) recall the happy times he spent with his son (B) tell us that children are full of curiosity (C) tell us how to let children love nature (D) advise us to develop children's interest or talent", "pos": "Article: My l4-year-old son, John, and I spotted the coat at the same time in a second-hand clothing store. It stood out among big and old coats. It had beautiful tailoring and an unbelievable price: $28. I looked at my son and we both said nothing, but John's eyes shone. Dark, woolen topcoats were popular with teenage boys, but they could cost several hundred dollars new. This coat was even better. John tried it on and turned from side to side, eyeing himself in the mirror. The fit was perfect. John wore the coat to school the next day and came home with a big _ \"Did the kids like your coat?\" I asked. \"They loved it,\" he said. Over the next few weeks, John changed. He was polite, less argumentative, more thoughtful, and on the whole much happier. \"Good dinner, mom,\" he would say every evening. Without a word of objection he would carry in wood for the stove. One day when I suggested that he might start on his homework before dinner, John, who always put things off, said: \"You're right. I guess I will.\" When I mentioned this incident to one of his teachers, she joked that the coat must have changed him. John and I both know we should never mistake a person's clothes for the real person within them. But there is something to be said for wearing a standard of excellence for the world to see, for practicing standards of excellence in thought, speech, and behavior, and for matching what is on the inside to what is on the outside. \n Question: What message does the author intend to deliver in the article? \n Options: (A) We should not judge people by their appearance. (B) Life is full of possibilities when we are young. (C) It's beneficial to try different things in our lives. (D) What we wear could help shape who we are inside.", "neg": "Article: Relax. He is the same little boy you loved yesterday. I smiled trying to hold back the tears. \"No, he isn't. Yesterday I dreamed he would be an astronaut. Today I am hoping he will learn to talk.\" It was like some sort of cosmic joke. I could still recall the day that determined my fate. It was October in Ottawa and the summer breezes had given way to the autumn rainfall of leaves. The snow would begin soon. The crispness   of coming frost was in the air. My casually mentioning Wyatt's behavior to Dr. Martin aroused his worries. He started asking me questions about Wyatt's activities speech pattern and emotions. I still see clearly in my mind the cleanness of the room and all its belongings when the doctor turned to me and said, \"He almost sounds autistic   .\" I couldn't face that picture in my mind. I had to run to get away from this all too painful place that was reminding me of what was to be my child's life-being strange. I could not remember how many times I told myself, \"This is normal. He is a little boy who is not talking yet,\" when my asking questions met with his blank-eyed response in a restaurant; how many times I would tell myself, \"He loves to play on his own for hours at a time and he never gets into trouble,\" when Wyatt was playing games that no one else could imagine, let alone join in while other boys in the park were playing together or in small groups played around a sand pail  or toy truck. My life was changing direction. So was Wyatt's. I started to hide Wyatt from my friends and neighbor especially from a good friend. It was too painful to let others know about my boy acting strange. It was a Thursday afternoon and I found one half of a great pair of kitchen scissors was missing. They were unbelievably sharp and could be taken apart so they could be washed or the blades   sharpened. I knew Wyatt had taken the missing blade. \"Wyatt,\" I began as patiently as I could, \"Do you see this?\" I held up the blade. \"Do you know what this is?\" Wyatt put a bunch of Fruit Loops in his mouth. No response. \"Wyatt!\" I forced eye contact with him. \"Where are the other scissors? See these.\" I showed him the half pair. He smiled big. Ate Fruit Loops. Turned the TV on and off. Still no response. I didn't know what to do. It was really hard. \"Wyatt,\" I tried once more, \"Mommy wants these scissors. Can you go get them for Mommy? It will make Mommy so happy if you bring me the scissors.\" \"Watch Spongebob.\" Wyatt asked as he slid down from his kitchen stool and ran off, leaving me shaking my head and wondering in exactly which way this situation was going to end badly. Five minutes later, I turned my head to see Wyatt coming downstairs, his favorite doll in one hand, the missing half pair of kitchen scissors in the other. I immediately ran over and took it from him. \"Wyatt!\" I hugged him. \"Thank you for bringing me the scissors! Good job! You did it! These scissors need to stay in the kitchen. These are Mommy's scissors!\" Wyatt laughed, looked at me straight in the eye and said, \"Mommy so happy!\" I came close to tears. A realization dawned on me that he was the best gift I had ever gotten even though he was not as normal as other children. And why did I hide him from others as if he were some dark and terrible secret. No! He was my pride. It was a long, hard battle to get him to this point, expressing his wants and needs without turning to violence in embarrassment. With love and patience I have found the beautiful, happy boy who would teach me more about life. And that is the solution. \n Question: From the first part of the story we can get to know that the son's problem was   _   to the mother. \n Options: (A) a heavy blow (B) a white lie (C) an unforgettable lesson (D) a ridiculous experience", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}499{"query": "Article: My father, at the death of his father, was six years old, and he grew up without education. He moved from Kentucky to Indiana when I was seven. We reached our new home about the time the state came into the Union. It was a wild area, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. I grew up there. There were some so-called schools, but what was required of a teacher never went beyond \"reading, writing, and adding.\" If a stranger supposed to understand Latin happened to live for a time in the area, he was looked on as wizard  . There was simply nothing to excite a desire for education. Of course, when I grew up, I did not know much. Still, somehow, I could read, write, and add, but that was all. The advance I have now made is on this store of education, which I have picked up under the pressure of necessity. \n Question: When the writer was a child   _  . \n Options: (A) his grandfather died in the state of Kentucky (B) his family settled down in the countryside of Indiana (C) Kentucky joined the Union as a member state (D) his family had to move from place to place", "pos": "Article: Jack was not a stupid kid,nor was he the shiniest spoon in the drawer. He didn't care for school. With his \"I'd rather be fishing\" attitude, Jack missed a lot of classes. Knowing that graduating from middle school was not going to be written in his life, Jack became a dropout  at the age of fourteen.  Jack was sent to live on his uncle's farm in Wisconsin. He happily stayed there until he reached the age of eighteen. He wanted to see more about the United States, so he went to California. He found a good job at an aircraft company. He had to lie about his education. Worrying that his background was found out, Jack was employed there.  Two years later, Jack got married. He wanted to better his life, so he signed up for a home study course to get his high school diploma .He chose his elective subject to be automotive technology .Sadly, this was ended when he took his wife and son back to his uncle's farm. Jack found a job as a worker in a wire factory. Seven years later, Jack began dreaming of something better for them all. He wanted to be an automobile engineer, and he knew that it needed education to get into that field.  Because of Jack's efforts, he joined a junior college in California. Jack was accepted to go for his Associates in Arts degree in automotive technology.  Jack found that for the most parts, the studies covered most of what he had learned in elementary school. He studied hard for two years and passed the final examination. He received his diploma. Jack went on to work as an automotive technician for an excellent company. Within a year he was the engineer. \n Question: Why did Jack fail to finish his middle school education? \n Options: (A) He was too stupid to learn lessons at school. (B) He had little interest in school study. (C) His parents wanted him to work at an early age. (D) He loved fishing very much and wasted much time.", "neg": "Article: Looking back on my childhood. I am convinced that naturalists are born and not made. Although we were brought up in the same way, my brothers and sisters soon  abandoned their pressed flowers and insects. Unlike them, I had no ear for music and languages. I was not an early reader and I could not do mental arithmetic. Before Word War I we spent our summer holidays in Hungary. I have only the dim memory of the house we lived in, of my room and my toys. Nor do I recall clearly the large  family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who gathered next door. But I do have a crystal clear memory of dogs, the farm animals, the local birds and above all, the insects. I am a naturalist, not a scientist. I have a strong love of the natural world, and my enthusiasm has led me into varied investigations. I love discussing my favorite topics and enjoy burning the midnight oil reading about other people's observations and discoveries. Then something happens that brings these observations together in my conscious mind. Suddenly you fancy you see the answer to the riddle. Because it all seems to fit together .This has resulted in my publishing 300 papers and books. Which some may light honor, with the title of scientific research. But curiosity a keen eye, a good memory and enjoyment of the animal and plant world do not make a scientist? One of the outstanding and essential qualities required is self-discipline, a quality I lack. A scientist can be made a naturalist. If you can combine the two, you get the best of both worlds. \n Question: According to the author, a born naturalist should first of all be   _ \n Options: (A) full of ambition (B) self-disciplined (C) full of enthusiasm (D) knowledgeable", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}500{"query": "Article: I'm part of the Roots & Shoots program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. The program is intended to make and promote positive changes in the world. As Dr. Goodall says, \"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.\" In Bulgaria, where I live, homeless dogs are everywhere. Many people here turn a blind eye to them. But I cannot ignore the life of a street dog whenever I see one wandering in the street, looking for something to eat. That's why I'm no longer a food waster. When I see wasted food, I always think of a hungry dog climbing to garbage bins, searching for food that people have thrown there. When eating in a restaurant, I'm not afraid to take leftover food to feed stray cats or dogs. A week ago, I saw a homeless dog around the garbage bins. Immediately I knelt down, spoke to her softly and ran my hands over her. I could see that she had had puppies. I couldn't imagine how she could have been able to care for them. Hours earlier, I'd bagged up a plate of leftover fish. As I unwrapped it, she wagged her tail and sniffed at it. She ate all the fish in no time. It's sad, isn't it? I can't understand why many of us waste so much and think little of it. These homeless animals have taught me that food is precious. Even when I don't have leftovers with me, I'll take the time to get something from the grocery store to feed them. I know my power is small, so I hope that next time you see wasted food, do turn it into worthy food. You have the power to save a life! \n Question: The author uses what Dr. Goodall says to show   _  . \n Options: (A) how we can develop our business (B) why it is important to be great (C) why the program is popular globally (D) how we can change the world positively", "pos": "Article: I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Sunday morning. We decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as if he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something to drink. However, it was not this that moved  me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that the dog was a mother and that she had just had some puppies . She was hungry and weak and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not live on. People walking by didn't even notice her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved  better. But we still did not do anything, someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went back into a store and bought dog food with all the money he had. I know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. \n Question: From the passage we can know that  _  . \n Options: (A) the author didn't like dogs (B) the dog was not pretty enough to be loved (C) the author wanted to help the dog but he was unable to (D) the dog and her puppies were in danger of dying of hunger", "neg": "Article: One Saturday morning we were on our way home and decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since it was a good hour and a half before we got home. We noticed a man standing outside in front of the building. You could tell that he was a homeless man. His clothes were worn and dirty, and not enough on this terrible cold day of the year. He must have not had enough money to get something to eat. The next thing I remember is a dog that walked up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed she was part wolf and probably part German shepherd  . I could tell she had been feeding puppies  . She was terribly in need of something to eat and I felt so bad for her.     I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not make it. We noticed people walked by and didn't even care for her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved better. We still did not do anything. But someone did. The homeless man, who I thought did not buy himself anything to eat, went into the store in front of him. Any what he did brought tears to me and my wife. He brought a can of dog food with what money he may have had and fed that dog. I was so moved and walked to him and gave him all my pocket money.     I know this story isn't as moving as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that day was Mother's Day. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. And animals as well as we are God's creations. The homeless man showed me what I should have done. He made a decision to be a better man in future. \n Question: Where did the author notice the homeless man stand? \n Options: (A) In a grand restaurant. (B) At the gate of a station. (C) In front of a store. (D) At a local bus station.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}501{"query": "Article: Melissa Poe was 9 years old when she began a campaign for a cleaner environment by writing a letter to the then President Bush. Through her on efforts, her letter was reproduced on over 250 donated billboards  across the country.  The response to her request for help was so huge that Poe established Kids For A Cleaner Environment (Kids F.A.C.E.) in 1989. There are now 300,000 members of Kids F.A.C.E. worldwide and it is the world's largest youth environmental organization.  Poe has also asked the National Park Service to carry out a \"Children's Forest\" project in every national park. In 1992, she was invited one of only six children in the world to speak at the Earth Summit in prefix = st1 /Brazilas part of the Voices of the future Program. In 1993, she was given a Caring Award for her efforts by the Caring Institute. Since the organization started, Kids F.A.C.E. members have distributed and planted over 1 million trees! Ongoing tree-planting projects include Kids' Yards -- the creation of backyard wildlife habitats   and now Kids F.A.C.E. is involved in the exciting Odyssey, which is a great way to start helping.   \"We try to tell kids that it's not OK to be lazy,\" she explains, \"You need to start being a response, environmentally friendly person now, right now, before you become a resource-sucking adult.\" \n Question: Kids F.A.C.E. is   _  . \n Options: (A) a program to help students with writing (B) a project of litter recycling (C) a campaign launched by President Bush (D) a club of environmental protection", "pos": "Article: While others look away from trouble, this lady digs in and gets to work. Gretchen Buchenholz, the native New Yorker and mother of six, has worked on behalf of needy and margin1alized families for years in the city. She does everything from buy groceries for homeless families to start schools for children. In 1974 she founded Merricat's Castle, a nursery school that opened its doors to kids of all racial and economic backgrounds, the able-bodied as well as those with disabilities or terminal illnesses. She founded the Association to Benefit Children (ABC), the nonprofit group, some 20 years ago. The story of how she started ABC is pretty amazing. In 1984 she was on her way to a government office to get a day-care permit when, by accident, she entered a room where homeless families were waiting to be placed in a \" welfare hotel.\" She saw three bare cribs   with babies lying in them. The children wore no diapers (their parents couldn't afford them), and the room was filthy  . After talking to the parents and learning that they and their children were hungry, Gretchen marched out and bought bread, peanut butter, apple juice and diapers. Then she started making phone calls. She dialed the American Red Cross, City Hall and The New York Times. Gretchen has made many people see that we need to recognize these children are not different from our own, and we need to join in and help. Too often, people look away from suffering. But she sets us an example that we should gain strength to do something about it. \n Question: She went to the government office   _  . \n Options: (A) to help those homeless people in the room (B) to apply for a permit for ABC (C) to call on the government to help those homeless children (D) to get permission to look after babies during the day", "neg": "Article: Earth Day is on April 22nd.People say thanks to the Earth and learn ways to keep the Earth safe and clean.But saving the Earth is not just for grow-ups.Kids are also taking an active part in it. The American writer and filmmaker Lynne made a film called Young Voices for the Planet.It lists a lot of stories about different kids who help to keep our environment clean. Team Marine, US  A group of students at Santa Monica High School started an organization called Team Marine.They tell people why plastic bags are bad for sea animals and environment.In 2011, they successfully made lawmakers   in their city stop people using plastic bags. Felix, 15, Germany In 2007, a 9-year-old boy, Felix, started a club,Plant for the Planet.It encourages children around the world to plant trees in their own countries.Felix helped plant 25 million trees in Germany and 120 million trees worldwide. Alec, 17, US When he was 12, Alec set up Kids VS Global   Warming.It teaches kids about weather change and ways to stop the world getting warmer and warmer.Alec travels widely to encourage people to help stop global warming.He has given more than 70 talks across the country. Olivia, 13, US When Olivia was 11, she heard about the 2010 oil spill   in the Gulf of Mexico.She painted 500 pictures of birds to raise money for the clean-up.She raised more than $200,000 to protect   birds and other wild animals. \n Question: What is the purpose of setting up the \"Earth Day\" and who can do something for the Earth? \n Options: (A) To keep the earth peaceful and beautiful by adults and kids (B) To keep the earth balanced by adults only (C) To keep the earth safe and clean by adults and kids (D) To keep the earth safe and clean by kids only", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}502{"query": "Article: Three-point-four billion riders on New York City subways and buses a year. This amazing number equals one-third of all mass transit trips in the United States. Ridership is at its highest in almost 60 years in almost every American city. A commuter advocacy group, \"Straphangers Campaign,\" attributes it to younger Americans, said Gene Russianoff. \"Millenials , those people born around the turn of the past century are much less car-oriented,\" he said. \"They are urban. They like not owning cars, they like less responsibility and there are a lot of them.\" In addition to millenials, many people believe public transit is economical and eco-friendly. In 2012 across America, people took 10.7 billion trips. \"When we talk about insurance rates going up, price of automobiles going up, then people are waking up and realizing: wait, here's this huge asset that has been _ ,\" said Richard Rudolph, chairman of the Rail Users Network. \"Why not take advantage of this particular opportunity. It certainly makes more sense to get people out of automobiles into subways and into commuter and passenger railroads.\"  _ -- as passenger demand requires several major expansion projects. A new $4.5 billion subway line on New York's Second Avenue -- which was recently excavated underneath businesses and apartment houses -- will take an overload of passengers off of other subway lines. Its first phase completion is scheduled in 2016. People who work in New York's financial district will soon be using a new transit subway transfer center. Almost all lines converge in lower Manhattan and the new center will give riders an easier way to get around the city and into New Jersey. And, probably the most controversial and costly project is a $7 billion tunnel connection from Long Island into Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal. Trains from there will have access to New York's midtown business district. Andrew Albert, a board member of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, said there were many other reasons the public was riding in increasing numbers. \"The system has gotten a lot more dependable. We have new cars. We have countdown clocks to tell you when the next train is coming. We have expanded facilities in places,\" he said. New York's 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, transit system costs a $1.5 billion a year to maintain. It is one of the world's oldest, with its first subway line having opened in 1904. \n Question: Which is Not the reason why the public is riding subways and buses in increasing numbers. \n Options: (A) Public transport facilities are better than before. (B) Many people believe public transit is economical and eco-friendly. (C) The system has gotten a lot more dependable. (D) It is more convenient to ride city subways and buses.", "pos": "Article: In a great many cities, hundreds of people ride bicycles to work every day. In New York City, some bike riders have even formed a group called Bike for a Better City. They declare that if more people rode bicycles to work, there would be fewer automobiles in the downtown part of the city and so less dirty air from car engines. For several years this group has been trying to get the city government to help bicycle riders. For example. They want the city to draw special lanes for bicycles only on some of the main streets, because when bicycle riders must use the same lanes as cars, there are accidents. Bike for a Better City feels that if there were special lanes, more people would use bikes. But no bicycle lanes have been drawn. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea-they say it will slow the traffic. Some store owners on the main streets don't like the idea-they say that if there is less traffic, they will have less business. The city government has not yet decided what to do. It wants to keep everyone happy. On weekends, Central Park-the largest place of open ground in New York-is closed to cars, and the roads may be used by bicycles only. But Bike for a Better City says that this is not enough and keeps fighting to get bicycle lanes downtown. \n Question: In New York, a group of bike riders   _  . \n Options: (A) are keeping practicing for health (B) have no cars of their own (C) are complaining there are not enough buses (D) are trying to settle the problem of air pollution", "neg": "Article: Visitors to _ and _ , above, helped make New York City the country's favorite tourist destination last year. (Photo By Henny Ray Abrams/Associated Press)   ks*5*u Associated Press-----The number of visitors to New York City fell last year for the first time since 2001, but falls in tourism elsewhere across the United States made it the most popular destination in the country for the first time in almost two decades, tourism officials said on Monday. Mayor Michael R. Bloombergpainted the 3.9 percent drop -- an estimated   45.3 million visitors -- as a victory, saying that during the recession the city had expected losing as much as 10 percent of its tourists. The city expects to recover most of the loss this year and remains on track to hit its long-standing goal of 50 million yearly visitors by 2012, the mayor said.  \"We have made our city cleaner, safer and more exciting than ever,\" Bloomberg said at a news conference at a Brooklyn restaurant. \"I do think we'll continue to see even more tourists on our streets as the economy improves, and I think that we'll continue to develop better than other cities.\"  Though many travelers stayed home simply because money was tight, the reducing number in international visitors could result from swine flu  fears and concerns over border security measures, Bloomberg said.  Still, the Statue of Liberty, which reopened its crown to tourists, reported a jump in the number of visitors. So did other New York City attractions. And the city's entertainment and hotel industry -- which provides one-tenth of the city's private jobs -- actually grew in 2009.  \"The lodging industry  really is using discounting to motivate demand,\" he said, adding that the price drops have importantly _ \"the city's ability to keep the level of tourism that it's had.\" \n Question: What is Michael R. Bloomberg's attitude towards New York city's tourism industry? \n Options: (A) Worried. (B) Optimistic. (C) Annoyed. (D) Concerned.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}503{"query": "Article: Joan, super visor   of the town's morals recently accused George, a local man, of having a drinking problem because she noticed his car outside the town's only bar.She reasoned, it was a logical assumption  .George stared at her for a moment and said nothing.Later that evening, he parked his car in front of her house and left it there all night. Why is it that so many of our logical assumptions are just plain wrong? And why do we want to act as if they must be true? In an age long before the Internet, a young American at a party found himself seated next to the famous Chinese diplomat Wellington Koo.Completely not knowing what to say to someone from such a different culture, this young man turned and asked, \"Likee soupee?\" After all, he assumed, don't all Chinese speak in broken English? Mr.Koo smiled and nodded.Later when called upon to speak, Wellington Koo delivered a wonderful talk in fluent English, sat down while the applause was still continuing, turned to the young man and whispered, \"Likee speechee?\" Do you know why red roses are so popular? Men keep buying them.They assume that all women prefer red roses.But when women are asked what color1 of rose is their favorite, they are more likely to answer that they prefer yellow, white or peach.And when asked what kind of flowers they would prefer to receive, the answer is generally not roses at all.The age-old assumption that most women like red roses best is simply not true. We all make assumptions.They're too often wrong and can easily get us into trouble.So here is what I've learned: when in doubt, check it out.And if I'm not in doubt, I still check it out.We may think we know.But what we know may not be so.So it's best to check it out. \n Question: According to the passage, we can know George is   _  . \n Options: (A) clever (B) honest (C) kind-hearted (D) bad-tempered", "pos": "Article: \"How far is the next village?\" the American asks a man standing by the edge of the road. In some countries, because the man realizes that the traveler is tired and eager to reach his destination  , he will politely say \"Just down the road.\" He thinks this is more encouraging, gentler, and therefore the wanted answer. So the American drives through the night, getting more and more angry, feeling \"being tricked\". He thinks the man on purpose lied to him, for obviously he must have known the distance quite well. Had conditions been reversed  , the American would have felt he was \"cheating\" the driver if he had said the next town was not too far, and if he would be sorry to the weary driver, he would say \"You have a good way to go yet, it is at least fifteen miles.\" The driver might be disappointed, but he would know what to expect. Whether to be accurate or polite leads to many misunderstandings between people of different cultures. If you know the situation in advance, it is sometimes easier to recognize the problem. \n Question: The man at the roadside tells the American it is not far from the next village because he   _  . \n Options: (A) wants to encourage him to go further (B) doesn't know the exact distance at all (C) wants to help the man to decide whether to stop and have a rest (D) tries to play a trick on him", "neg": "Article: To err is human. To blame the other guy is even more human. Common sense is not all that common. Why tell the truth when you can come up with a good excuse? These three popular misquotes are meant to be jokes, and yet they tell us a lot about human nature .To err, or to make mistakes, is indeed a part of being human, but it seems that most people don't want to accept the responsibility for the problem. Perhaps it is the natural thing to do .The original quote about human nature went like this: \" To err is human, to forgive, divine .\"This saying mirrors an ideal people should be forgiving of others' mistakes. Instead, we tend to do the opposite -find someone else to pass the blame on to. However, taking responsibility for something that went wrong is a making of great maturity. Common sense is what we call clear thought. Having common sense means having a good general plan that will make things work well, and it also means staying with the plan. Common sense tells you that you take an umbrella out into a rainstorm, but you leave the umbrella home when you hear a weather forecast for sunshine.Common sense does not seem to be common for large organizations, because there are so many things going on that one person cannot be in charge of everything. People say that in a large company, \"the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.\" And what is wrong with a society that thinks that making up a good excuse is like creating a work of art? One of the common problems with making excuses is that people, especially young people, get the idea that it's okay not to be totally honest all the time. There is a corollary to that: if good excuse is \"good\" even if it isn't honest, then where is the place of the truth? \n Question: According to tile passage, which of following seems the most human? \n Options: (A) To search for truth. (B) To achieve one's ideal (C) To make fun of others' mistakes. (D) To criticize others for one's own error.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}504{"query": "Article: Occasionally, my father came back drunk. Late at night, he beat on the door, pleading to my mother to open it .He was on his way home from drinking, gambling, or some combination thereof, misspending money that we could have used and wasting time that we desperately needed. It was the late-1970s. My parents were separated. My mother was now raising a group of boys on her own. My father spouted off about what he planned to do for us, buy for us.In fact, he had no intention of doing anything. As a father who was supposed to love us, in fact, he lacked the understanding of what it truly meant to love a child--or to hurt one. To him, this was a harmless game that kept us excited and begging. In fact, it was a cruel, corrosive lie. I lost faith in his words and in him. I wanted to stop caring, but I couldn't. Maybe it was his own complicated relationship to his father and his father's family that caused him cold. Maybe it was the pain and guilt associated with a life of misfortune. Who knows. Whatever it was, it stole him from us, and particularly from me. While my brothers talked about breaking and fixing things, I spent many of my evenings reading and wondering. My favorite books were a set of encyclopedias  given by my uncle. They allowed me to explore the world beyond my world, to travel without leaving, to dream dreams greater than my life would otherwise have supported. But losing myself in my own mind also meant that I was completely lost to my father. Not understanding me, he simply ignored me--not just emotionally, but physically as well. Never once did he hug me, never once a pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder or a tousling of the hair. My best memories of him were from his episodic attempts at engagement with us. During the longest of these episodes , once every month or two, he would come pick us up and drive us down the interstate to Trucker's Paradise, a seedy, smoke-filled, truck stop with gas pumps, a convenience store, a small dining area and a game room through a door in the back. My dad gave each of us a handful of quarters, and we played until they were gone. He sat up front in the dining area, drinking coffee and being particular about the restaurant's measly offerings. I loved these days. To me, Trucker's Paradise was paradise. The quarters and the games were fun but easily forgotten. It was the presence of my father that was most treasured. But, of course, these trips were short-lived. It wasn't until I was much older that I would find something that I would be able to _ as evidence of my father's love. When the Commodore 64 personal computer debuted, I convinced myself that I had to have it even though its price was out of my mother's range. So I decided to earn the money myself. I mowed every yard I could find that summer for a few dollars each, yet it still wasn't enough. So my dad agreed to help me raise the rest of the money by driving me to one of the watermelon farms south of town, loading up his truck with wholesale melons and driving me around to sell them. He came for me before daybreak. We made small talk, but it didn't matter. The fact that he was talking to me was all that mattered. I was a teenager by then, but this was the first time that I had ever spent time alone with him. He laughed and repeatedly introduced me as \"my boy,\" a phrase he relayed with a sense of pride. It was one of the best days of my life. Although he had never told me that he loved me, I would _ that day as the greatest evidence of that fact. He had never intended me any wrong. He just didn't know how to love me right. He wasn't a mean man. So I took these random episodes and _ them like a thing most precious, storing them in my mind for the long stretches of coldness when a warm memory would prove most useful. It just goes to show that no matter how friendless the father, no matter how deep the damage, no matter how shattered the bond, there is still time, still space, still a need for even the smallest bit of evidence of a father's love. \"My boy.\" \n Question: From the passage, the father was  _   in the writer's memory. \n Options: (A) selfish and cruel (B) proud and cold (C) imperfect but loving (D) shy but thoughtful", "pos": "Article: My father was poor in expressing his feelings. I knew that my dad loved me, but showed me love in other ways. There was one particular time in my life when this became real to me. I always believed that my parents had a good marriage, but gradually the strain  on my mom and dad's relationship was quite evident. However, I was not prepared for the day when Dad had decided to leave. All that I could think of was that I was going to become a product of a divorced family. I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to happen. The night before he left, I stayed up in my room for a long time. I prayed and I cried and I wrote a long letter to my dad. I told him how much I loved him and that I would always and forever be his Krissie. As I folded my note, I stuck in a picture of me with a saying I had always heard: _ Early the next morning, as my dad left our house, I slipped my letter into one of his bags. Two weeks later, my mother told me that they decided that there were things that the both of them could and would change and that their marriage was worth saving. \"Well, Dad said that when he read your letter, it made him cry. It meant a lot to him and I have hardly ever seen your dad cry. After he read your letter, he called to ask if he could come over to talk. Whatever you said really made a difference to your dad.\" A few days later my dad was back. We never talked about the letter. I guessed that it became a secret between us. \n Question: Why did the author's father decide to leave? \n Options: (A) Because he was poor in showing his feelings. (B) Because his wife was always giving orders. (C) Because serious problems occurred in their marriage. (D) Because the strain on father-daughter relationship was evident.", "neg": "Article: For 52 years my father got up at 5:30 am every morning, went to work, and returned home at 5:30 pm. I never saw my father stayed home from work ill, nor did I ever see my father lay down to take a nap. He had no hobbies, other than taking care of his family. All he asked from me, his daughter, was to help him while he was repairing something, so we could have some time to talk. For 22 years, after I left home for college, my father called me at 9:00 am every Sunday. Nine years ago when I bought my first house, my father, 67 years old, spent eight hours a day for three days painting my house. He would not allow me to pay someone to have it done. All he asked for was a glass of iced tea. Five years ago, at age 71, my father spent five hours putting together a swing set for my daughter. On the morning of January 16, 1996, my sister telephoned me; my father was in the hospital with an aneurysm  in Florida. I got on an airplane immediately, and on the way I realized that I hadn't communicated with him as much as I'd always wanted to. I vowed  that when I arrived, I would have a long talk with him. I arrived in Florida at 1 am, only to find that my father, at the age of 76, had passed away at 9:12 pm. This time it was he who did not have time to talk, or time to wait for me. \n Question: The author wrote the article in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) praise her father (B) remember her father (C) show her father loved her (D) let her father be known", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}505{"query": "Article: We human beings haven't been good friends to animals. For thousands of years, we have been polluting the environment, making it hard for animals to live on the planet. We have been killing animals for their fur, feathers or meat, or simply because they are dangerous. As a result, many kinds of animals have disappeared forever. Hundreds more are on the endangered list today. Should we care about animals? Of course we should. If animals of a certain kind all disappear, they will never come back again. Animals are more than just resources of things we need. Every kind of animal has its place in the balance of nature. Destroying any kind of animal can lead to many problems. For example, when farmers killed large numbers of hawks, the corn and grain that the farmers stored were destroyed by rats and mice. Why?  Because hawks eat rats and mice. With less and less hawks to keep down their numbers, rats and mice multiplied quickly. And if people kill too many birds, more and more insects will eat the crops. Luckily, we've realized that we shouldn't kill animals any more. And people are working hard to save those animals that would disappear soon. The government also passed laws to protect the endangered animals. In fact, quite a few countries have passed such laws. These laws forbid the killing of any kind of animal on the endangered list. We should try our best to protect and save the endangered animals. \n Question: The text calls on us to  _  . \n Options: (A) keep animals at home (B) protect the environment (C) protect the endangered animals (D) know more about the balance of nature.", "pos": "Article: Worms,antis,and flowers live in soil.Fish,crabs,and seaweeds live in oceans.Birds,insects,and moss live in trees.soil,oceans,and trees are habitatsplaces where animals and plants live .Besides offering food and shelter, habitats allow for growth and reproduction.     Humans, however,have destroyed many habitats.We change forests into parking lots. We turn grasslands into neighborhoods.We turn beach land into resorts.We turn 0ceans into chemical dumps.Some plants and animals adapt and survive.Others,however die.The changes are too much,too fast.Sometimes the death rate becomes greater than the birth rate.then the extinction occurs.An example of this happened on Florida's east coast,the habitat of the dusky seaside sparrow.This habitat changed suddenly as land was developed. And the sparrows were not able to adapt. More sparrows died than were born. In 1987 the  dusky seaside sparrow became extinct.None exist in the world today.     Fortunately,conservation efforts are underway.Many states have set aside land for nature preserves. Here,plants and animals live in their natural habitats.Some states have created man-made habitats .Artificial reefs,for example,have been put in ocean waters. The artificial reefs are habitats for hundreds of fish and other marine life.In 1970 the federal government passed a law to protect habitats.'Ibis~that the efforts of development must be studied.A highway,dam,or power plant may not be built if plants and animals,endangered.We were too late to save the dusky sparrow.Hopefully,however,these new efforts will save other plants and animals. \n Question: This passage is concerned with  _  . \n Options: (A) federal laws (B) the dusky seaside sparrow (C) habitat protection (D) artificial reefs", "neg": "Article: Modern man has cleared the forests for farmland and for wood, and has also carelessly burned them. More than that, though, he has also interfered   with the invisible bonds between the living things in the forests. There are many examples of this kind of destruction. The harmfulness of man's interference can be seen in what happened many years ago in the forest of the Kaibab plateau   of northern Arizona. Man tried to improve on the natural web of forest life and destroyed it instead. The Kaibab had a storybook forest of large sized pine, Douglas fir, white fir, blue and _ . In 1882 a visitor noted, \"We, who ... have wandered through its forests and parks, have come to regard it as the most enchanting region it has ever been our privilege   to visit.\" This was also the living place of the Rocky Mountain mule deer. Indians hunted there every autumn to gather meat and skins. The forest also had mountain lions, timber wolves and bobcats that kept the deer from multiplying too rapidly. Then, in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt made the Kaibab a national game preserve. Deer hunting was forbidden. Government hunters started killing off the deer's enemies. In 25 years' time, 6,250 mountain lions, wolves and bobcats were killed. Before the program, there were about 4,000 deer in the Kaibab, by 1924, there were about 100,000. The deer ate every leaf and twig they could reach. But there was not nearly enough food. Hunting of deer was permitted again. This caused a slight decrease in the deer herd  ,but a far greater loss resulted from starvation   and disease. Some 60 percent of the deer herd died in two winters. By 1930 the herd had dropped to 20,000 animals. By 1942 it was down to 8,000. \n Question: The destruction of the environment of the Kaibab resulted from  _ \n Options: (A) interfering with natural cycle of forest life (B) turning the forest into cultivated land (C) forest fires caused by man's carelessness (D) cutting the trees for building materials", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}506{"query": "Article: Ten years ago,Morgan Zuch,a two--year--old girl from Long Island,New York,was diagnosed with leukemia .The day that Morgan's father Rod knew it,he made a promise,\"If my daughter gets better,I will devote the rest of my life to helping others who are in the Same condition.\"     Fortunately.Morgan recovered gradually,and since then,Rod and his wife Nancy,have been helping other families with cancer.stricken children through the Morgan Center.It is the country's first preschool for children with cancer.     Because of the risk of germs, children with cancer are usually forbidden from playing with other kids.They must spend their days in hospital rooms or lying in bed at home.The Zuchs believed that children with cancer should have the opportunity to play,too.     The center offers the kids and their families a safe place to connect with others who have the same problem.To reduce the risk of infections,the center's staff wash their own and the children's hands frequently,and provide each child with his or her own toys and supplies.     \"You feel like you're not the sick kid's mom,\"said one child's mother,Maura Lewinger.\"It is nice because none of the parents at the center are alienated .\"     The Zuchs run the center as a non-profit organization and any family can bring their children to the center for free.Nancy Zuch works as the head teacher-with a little help from her daughter Morgan, now l2 years old.Today,Morgan is strong and healthy,and loves to provide support for the children who are going through the difficult time that she once went through.She says she wants to be a teacher at the Morgan Center when she grows up. \n Question: The Zuchs created the Morgan Center  _  . \n Options: (A) to help their daughter to realize her dream (B) to invite other children to play with their daughter (C) to build a school for their daughter and her friends (D) to provide a healthy place for children with cancer", "pos": "Article: Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power of friendship.It is a program which provides friendship and fun by matching  _ (ages 7-17) with a volunteer  adult who can be both a role model and a supportive friend.   Volunteer tutors come from all walks of life--married, single, with or without children. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not replacement parents or social workers. They are tutors: someone to trust, to have fun with, to talk and go to when needed. A Big Sister and Little Sister will generally spend between one and four hours together three or four times each month for at least twelve months. They enjoy simple activities such as a picnic at a park, cooking, playing sport or going to a football match. These activities improve the friendship and help the young person develop positive self-respect, confidence and life direction. Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations exist throughout the world. It is the large and most well-known provider of tutor services internationally and has been operating for 25 years. Emily and Sarah have been matched since 2008. Emily is a 10-year-old girl who has experienced some difficulties being accepted by her schoolmates at school. \" I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me.\" Emily's mum came across Big Brothers Big Sisters and thought it would be helpful to Emily by \"providing different feedback   about herself other than just depending on schoolmates to value her self-worth. Sarah wanted to take part in a volunteer program. \"I googled it and found out how to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun for me to take part in making time to do something because sometimes it is all work and no play.\" Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helpful and enjoyable to both Emily and Sarah. They love and look forward to their time together and the partnership has certainly helped Emily be more comfortable in being the wonderful, happy and unusually good girl she is! \n Question: What is the aim of Big Brothers Big Sisters? \n Options: (A) To offer students public services. (B) To help students improve their grades. (C) To organize sport activities for young people. (D) To provide partnership and fun for young people.", "neg": "Article: For children with cancer ,the facts of life include the facts of death. There is always the fear that they might not live to grow up.Yet they realize that fighting cancer is the only way of beating it. So they fight.And sometimes, they win.It may take years.It certainly takes support from  parents and doctors. Unfortunately, many parents can't deal with their child's illness.And doctors, no matter how caring, have other patients to care for. At times like these, the Children's Cancer Foundation can help. We are a group of Hong Kong doctors, nurses, psychologists, parents of children with cancer and concerned persons  .All of us are volunteers (offer one's help  without payment).We're with the children every day, listening to, and encouraging them. We also advise parents, educate the public and send doctors overseas to study new cancer treatments. Our funding (providing money) has brought better equipment to the wards (large rooms of a hospital), and paid for special flats  where the children can recover. We want to do even more.But to do it, we need your help. It will be money well spent.One who looks at our past achievements should prove that. To the children, your contribution  will also be a show of support.A sign that you're behind them is just the sort of news that a six-year-old chlid with cancer needs to hear. \n Question: This passage is likely  _  . \n Options: (A) a story (B) an advertisement (C) a report (D) diary", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}507{"query": "Article: Trees should only be pruned when there is a good and clear reason for doing so and , fortunately, the number of such reasons is small. First, pruning may be done to make sure that trees have a desired shape or size.The object may be to get a tree of the right height, and at the same time to help the growth of small side branches which will thicken its appearance or give it a special shape.Secondly, pruning may be done to make the tree healthier.You may cut diseased or dead wood, or branches that are rubbing against each other and thus cause wounds.The health of a tree may be encouraged by removing branches that are blocking up the centre and so preventing the free movement of air. One result of pruning is that an open wound is left on the tree and this provides an easy entry for disease, but it is a wound that will heal .Often there is a race between the healing and the disease as to whether the tree will live or die.It should be the aim of every gardener to reduce the risk as far as possible.It is necessary to make the area which has been pruned, smooth and clean, for healing will be slowed down by roughness .You should allow the cut surface to dry for a few hours and then paint it with one of the substances available from garden shops produced especially for this purpose.Pruning is usually done in winter, \"From then you can see the shape of the tree clearly and it is, too, very unlikely that the cuts you make will bleed.If this does happen, it is, of course, impossible to paint them properly. \n Question: Pruning should be done to   _  . \n Options: (A) make the tree grow taller (B) improve the shape of the tree (C) get rid of the small branches (D) make the tree grow taller", "pos": "Article: When will a plant be considered a weed? Experts have a simple answer: when the undesirable qualities outweigh (,) the good qualities. Crops generally produce several hundred seeds from each plant. By comparison, each weed plant can produce tens or even hundreds of thousands of seeds. And some buried seeds can survive up to forty years or even longer. Eradicating weeds means that you have to remove all the seeds and roots so the weeds will die completely. But birds or the wind can reintroduce them to the land. A common way to deal with weeds is to control them enough so that the land can be used for planting. Experts suggest using more methods to deal with weeds. Chemical weed killers or natural treatments like corn gluten   can suppress weed growth. Bill Curran is a professor of weed science. He says the most efficient method for suppressing weeds is dense planting. Dense planting of a crop can also act as a natural control. A dense and competitive crop that quickly shades the soil will help suppress many weeds. The weed seeds need light to grow, so cutting off sunlight will reduce weed growth. Other controls include turning over the soil, pulling the weeds or covering them with mulch   made of wood, garden waste or other materials. But even mulch has its limits. Natural resource specialists point out that weeds can be transported in mulch. This is also true of soil, grain, hay and animals. Yet animals like sheep or goats eat weeds, so they can provide a biological control. Insects and other organisms can also act as biological controls. Preventing the spread of weeds is an important part of weed management. Farm vehicles should be kept out of areas with weeds. If that is not possible, then clean off the equipment and your shoes when leaving. Some people bum weeds or bury them deep. Experts say the economical way is to make organically rich compost  . On the one hand, the process produces heat which can kill many weed seeds. On the other hand, the compost can be added to the soil to help plants grow. \n Question: Why do people kill all the seeds and roots of weeds? \n Options: (A) Because the seeds and roots are bad in quality. (B) Because weeds have strong ability to live. (C) Because weeds take up too much space. (D) Because the seeds and roots will be eaten by birds.", "neg": "Article: Trees are useful to man in three important ways: They provide him with wood and other products; they provide him shade;. and they help to prevent droughts and floods. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, man has not realized that the third of these services is the most important.In his eagerness to make money from trees, he has cut them down in large numbers, only to find that without them he has lost the best friends he had. And besides, he is usually too careless to plant and look after new trees. So the forests slowly disappear. This does not only mean that man will have fewer trees. The results are even more serious: for where there are trees, their roots break up soil allowing the rain to sink in and also bind the soil, thus preventing it from being washed away easily;but where there are no trees, the rain falls on hard ground and flows away, causing floods and carrying away the rich top-soil. When the top-soil is gone, nothing remains but worthless desert. Two thousand years ago,a rich and powerful country cut down its trees to build warships, with which to gain itself an empire .It set up the empire, but, without its trees, its soil became poor and grew weak. When the empire fell to pieces, the home country found itself faced by floods and starvation . \n Question: The most important service of trees to man is that  _  . \n Options: (A) they give them wood and other products (B) they give them shade (C) they help him prevent droughts and floods (D) they help him made money", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}508{"query": "Article: Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation?  Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time.  _  Verona De Tessant (Maya Rudolph) and Burt Farlander (John Krasinski) are in their early thirties and struggling to meet daily needs and build fulfilling lives as an artist and a salesman. When they learn they will soon become parents, they are faced with the challenge of how and where to raise a child and build a happy family. With a baby on his way, the young couple, look at their lives and are puzzled about what they really want.  _  Lynn was married to Pual, but they broke up and Lynn took their daughter Alice while Paul got their son Dylan. Years later, now Dylan is getting married, and Lynn is attending the wedding, with her younger son Elliot and Ben. Elliot is a drug addict and Ben keeps everything to himself. Dylan hasn't spoken to Lynn in years, and Lynn is fearful of Pual and his wife Patty. At last, all this has put Lynn in a depressed situation, and she's not sure just how she's going to get through the day.  _  Also named as Life is Beautiful, the film is a black comedy and also a best medicine that heals the scar left by war. This movie has some kind of characteristics as natural and active. On the 7th Oscar Award Ceremony , the movie won three great awards. It is not a sad movie from the very beginning , but when the father uses a great way to hide his murder from his son, all people are impressed by this moving deed. Under the protection of the father, the son has lived a happy life.  _  The film is an American film directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of Andy, a banker who spends nearly two decades in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and his wife's lover despite his claims of innocence. There he makes friends with Red. Andy manages to escape from the prison by digging a tunnel with the rock hammer over the years. When Red is later released , he remembers Andy's advice. He then visits the place Andy mentions before he escapes. There, he finds money and a note left by Andy, telling him to get to Zihuatanejo. \n Question: This passage aims to   _ \n Options: (A) make comments on films for a cinema (B) recommend several films for fun (C) introduce films for a film corporation (D) advertise several films for a website", "pos": "Article: H.T.B. Arts Center FILM Tickets PS2.50 / PS 1.50. Performances at 8 pm unless started otherwise. WILD AT HEART 127mins. Wen 6-Fri8 February Director: David Lynch Starring: Nicholas Cage, Laura Dern, Willam Dafoe. A first-class film. Cage and his girlfriend Dean are on the run through the dangerous Deep South. They are hiding from gunmen who have been hired to kill Cage by Dean's mother. Victims, yes--but they also have fun. It's wild at heart, strange on top. Funny, frightening and brilliant. DICK TRACY 113mins Mon 11-Sat16 February 6pm Tickets on sale 5-6 pm Director: Warren Beatty Starring: Warren Beatty , Madonna The famous detective tries to stop Big Boy and the Blank from taking over the city. A colorful and exciting film. Some parts are frightening, so think twice about taking children. BATMAN 126mins Mon11-Sat16 February 8.30pm Tickets on sale 7.30-8.30pm PIZZA PLUS offer 6-7pm Director: Tim Burton Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson. A few essential questions must be asked...Is Batman a mad hero? Why does Bruce Wayne spend millions dressing up as a bat? Has Nicholson's Joker stolen the whole movie? Great action and excellent acting, especially by Nicholson. \n Question: We know from Wild at Heart that \n Options: (A) Wild at Heart is funny rather than frightening (B) Cage was not accepted by his future mother-in-law. (C) A famous detective happened to help Cage and Dean. (D) Cage and Dean are playing the hide-and-seek game with Dean's mother.", "neg": "Article: Have you got any wonderful plans for your coming winter vacation? Here are some wonderful films for you to kill time. \n Question: This passage aims to    _   . \n Options: (A) make comments on films for a cinema (B) introduce films for a film corporation (C) recommend several films for fun (D) advertise several films for a website", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}509{"query": "Article: Every year, Americans send millions of tons of food to the landfill  . What if you could use all of those rotten vegetables to heat your home? That's happening in one unlikely laboratory: the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plan in Brooklyn The plant's longtime manager, Jimmy Pynn, shows off the plant's crown jewels: eight huge, shiny, oval-shaped steel tanks known as digester eggs. Each one contains millions of gallons of black material that's roughly pea soup. Pynn calls it \"black gold\". \"The digesters like to be fed like us: three times a day,\" he says. \"They like to be kept warm, 98 degrees. And that's what we have these guys for: to make methane ,which can be used to heat homes or make electricity.\" Right now, what these bacteria are digesting is mostly sewage  mud. But they are being introduced to a new diet food scraps. The hope is that this plant will soon take in hundreds of tons of organic waste from houses and apartments. \"Cardboard packaging, rotten tomatoes, fats, oils, old diary products--those are all great food-stuff for a digester,\" says Paul Sellew. \"My micro-organisms love that. That's their five-course meal.\" \"Everything in New York City is like big scale when you're talking about quantities of waste,\" says Samantha MacBride. \"Right now, it's all in its infancy. When you're in an apartment building, to separate out food scraps, it requires a lot of effort and attention,\" says MacBride. \"It doesn't have to have unpleasant smell or be inconvenient. But it takes extra work. It's the first, what I will call the baby step,\" says Paul Sellew. \"Because ultimately in New York City, just the restaurants alone, you're talking well over a million tons a year,\" he says. This new industry is trying to build more plants and digesters to handle all of that waste, says Sellew. The costliest part may be finding good locations in or around the nation's biggest cities. As for the trillions of bacteria? They'll work for free--- as long as you feed them. \n Question: What role are the digester eggs expected to play? \n Options: (A) To get black gold from daily waste. (B) To produce new diet for humans. (C) To change food scraps into gas. (D) To make crown jewels.", "pos": "Article: With fifteen years prefix = st1 /Britainand other nations should be well on with the building of huge industrial complexes for the recycling of waste . The word rubbish could lose its meaning because everything which goes into the dumps would be made into something useful . Even the most dangerous and unpleasant wastes would provide energy if nothing else . The latest project is to take a city of around half a million inhabitants and discover exactly what raw materials go into it and what go out . The aim is to find out how much of these raw materials could be provided if a plant for recycling waste were built just outside the city . This plant would recycle not only metal such as steel , lead and copper , but also paper and rubber as well . Another new project is being set up to discover the best ways of sorting and separating the rubbish . When this project is complete , the rubbish will be processed like this : First , it will pass through sharp metal bars which will tear open the plastic bags in which rubbish is usually packed ; then it will pass through a powerful fan to separate the lightest elements from the heavy solids ; after that founders and rollers will break up everything that can be broken . Finally , the rubbish will pass under magnets  , which will remove the bits of iron and steel ; the rubber and plastic will then be sorted out in the final stage . The first full-scale giant recycling plants are perhaps fifteen years away . Indeed , with the growing cost of transporting rubbish to more distant dumps , some big cities will be forced to build their own recycling plants before long . \n Question: The phrase \"be well on with ......\" (Para .1) most probably means_. \n Options: (A) have completed what was started (B) get ready to start (C) have achieved a great deal in (D) put an end to", "neg": "Article: Across countryside, non-food crops are growing alongside wheat.Some are used in new alternatives to plastics and other materials, but others will simply be burned. Burning crops is becoming more popular because it is good for the planet.Doing so is also cheaper than burning fossil fuels.As more land is devoted to non-food crop production, the economics of crops for fuel are likely to become even more favorable. Humans have been burning such biomass--organic materials from plants or animals-- since they discovered fire.But that burning fossil fuels could have catastrophic consequences has brought biomass back into fashion. Even allowing for emissions   of carbon dioxide from fuel used in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting biomass fuel, replacing fossil fuel with biomass can typically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent. Power stations around the world are experimenting with forms of biomass to add to their coal or oil, with encouraging results.Indeed, power companies could profit by turning to biomass, especially when the subsidies   many governments offer for using renewable energy are taken into account. Farmers can benefit from growing biomass.In Europe, the reduction of subsidies for certain crops is exposing farmers to market forces.Instead of being paid for whatever they produce, farmers must seek a clear demand for their product.Many believe that the demand for alternatives to fossil fuels could be just such a driver. But while biomass offers a variety of potential alternatives, the world's infrastructure   has developed around burning fossil fuels to such a stage that switching to biomass involves a change in conception that many companies have not accepted. Also, there are problems with using biomass.Although most coal-fired power stations could take a small amount of their fuel from biomass without significant adjustment, few are built to run on biomass alone.Burning some forms of biomass also causes environmental problems.Oils and waste can be smelly, while wood produces smoke unless burned properly. The supply chains for fossil fuels are set up well, but those for biomass are just the beginning. Sources of supply for biomass rely on farm production and can therefore be less reliable. They are necessarily limited and it wouldn't make sense to turn a very large amount of valuable agricultural land away from food crops.But as the world adjusts to the need to control greenhouse gas emissions, these problems may receive more attention. \n Question: What do we know about biomass? \n Options: (A) It is a useful way of burning crops. (B) It is plant and animal matter used to provide power. (C) It is a new alternative to be used widely. (D) It is a popular approach to fighting against pollution.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}510{"query": "Article: Nowadays everybody seems to think that they know English. Many people speak it but few speak it really well. Practice is necessary in speaking English well. Reading is also one of the things that will help you to speak English better. Read whenever you can and whatever you like! Read papers and Internet sites that you like in English every day. Then, you will see that the number of known words is increasing and you are able to speak with more skills. Then you will have made the foundations and a good basis of English. It is not good to stop and get stuck there. Going to England or an English speaking country is a good choice, but many people cannot afford it. If you cannot go, reading and speaking with your friends will also help you to practice your English. However, I think that it is very good to visit some English speaking country to see and test your knowledge in everyday life. You will feel the everyday usage of the language in its natural environment. There your level of English is going to improve even faster. Your ability to speak English is better. Nothing can match the excitement and happiness when a native speaker tells you that your English is very good! Finally, in order to speak English well, you must be persistent and do it every day. It is like playing the piano. Pianists play it every day and so should you. Include English in your life and you will see where it is going. Practice, practice! Read, write and improve your language skills and you are on your way when you will be able to speak it with more and more confidence! \n Question: Which of the following could be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) How to Improve Your Language Skills (B) How to Speak English Well (C) Speaking English (D) Practice, Practice", "pos": "Article: Become a confident speaker. How to improve your English speaking skills and make you able to communicate more easily and effectively? The following tips will help you to become a more confident speaker. Practice where you can and when you can. And practice is good -- whether you speak to someone who is a native English speaker or not. It's important to build up your confidence. If possible, use the simple sentence structure that you know is correct, so that you can concentrate on getting your message across. Try to experiment with the English you know. Apply   words and phrases you know to new situations. Native English speakers are likely to correct you if you use the wrong word. They usually don't mind if you use wrong grammar. Try to respond to what people say to you. You can often get clues to what people think by looking at their body language. Respond to them in a natural way. Never translate everything into your own language. It takes you much time and you'll find it difficult to find an English answer right away. You don't know how to do well. The more you want to act well, the more slowly you act. This will make you _  If you forget a word, do what native English speakers do all the time, and say things that 'fill' the conversation. This is better than remaining completely silent. Try using 'um', 'er', if you forget the word. Don't speak too fast! It's important to use a natural rhythm   in speaking English, but if you speak too fast it will be difficult for people to understand you. Try to relax when you speak, and you'll find that your mouth does most of the pronunciation work for you. Speak English at a normal speed. Final tips: Try to become less hesitant. Don't be shy to speak -- the more you do it, the more confident you'll become. Remember to be polite -- use \"please\" and \"thank you\" if you ask someone to do something for you. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) Good ways of studying English well. (B) Suggestions on becoming a confident speaker. (C) Things to pay attention to when speaking English. (D) How to correct your mistakes as you speak English.", "neg": "Article: If English is not your first language, it is a good idea to take English language classes to improve your written and spoken communication skills. There are many ways to learn English. You can learn from a book, a DVD, on the Internet or by attending classes. One of the most successful ways to improve your English is to join a course in a country where English is widely spoken. The more you practice, the more you will learn. But why learn the English language? English is an important language for anyone who is planning to travel or become involved in business. Many people love travelling, but if their English is poor, it can be difficult to understand signs, read directions and make themselves understood. Before travelling, it is important to understand the culture and customs of the places you visit. Learning basic English before you travel will help you to understand these customs and avoid mistakes that could be embarrassing. When you are travelling, you will also enjoy meeting new people. If you can speak English, you will have a better chance of being able to communicate with the people you meet. Many of your new friends will speak English and others will have English as a second language. Without English, your friendships will be limited as you travel around the world. If you are involved in business, it is important to be able to communicate in English. The Internet, world travel and modern communication systems have made the world seem like a much smaller place. These days business people interact with customers and other business people from all over the world. That makes your English language skills more important than ever. There are many English language courses that major in business communications. Improving your English skills is one of the best things you could ever do to increase your chances of business success. \n Question: What kind of people is English important to according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Travelers. (B) Teachers. (C) Students. (D) Language experts.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}511{"query": "Article: A number of times Rosemary edged closer to Gordon , meaning to take his arm, but he edged away from her. She thought that she had offended him deeply, and that he was disappointed because she had pushed him away. She would have apologized if he had given her half a chance. But as a matter of fact, he was scarcely thinking of this any longer. It was the money business that was troubling him now. And the fact was that he would soon have to confess it. What nonsense it made of all he had said! Presently she stopped him, and swung him round to face her. \"Gordon, why won't you speak to me?\" she said. \"Are you still angry with me for what happened just now?\" \"No, I was never angry with you. You're not to blame. Something else has been worrying me all the way along, I've only eight pence left. I had just enough money for today when we started out, but that dinner bill upset everything. Can you lend me some money?' Rosemary was amazed. \"What does it matter if you've only eight pence left? How can you let yourself be worried by a thing like that? As though I objected to lending you money, aren't I always telling you that I want to pay for myself when we go out together?' \"Yes, and you know how I hate you paying.\" \"Oh, how silly you are.\" She said. \"Do you think there's anything to be ashamed of in having no money?\" Gordon's face went bright pink. \"Of course there is ! It's the only thing in the world there is to be ashamed of. I can't be a complete human being--I don't feel a human being -unless I've got money in my pocket.\" \n Question: What gave Rosemary the idea that she had hurt Gordon's feelings deeply? \n Options: (A) He didn't say he was sorry. (B) He pushed her away when she tried to take his arm. (C) He didn't say he was sorry. (D) He wouldn't let her touch him.", "pos": "Article: One day, Anna was about to walk into her office, when the headmaster, Mr. Henry stopped her. \"Now,\" he said, \"I want you to tell me the truth, my dear.\"  \"Naturally,\" said Anna shortly, fearing that something terrible had happened.  \"I have had a most serious accusation made against you by Mrs. Bond.\"  \"Mrs. Bond?\" said Anna, not understanding. Janet Bond was a quiet, little mouse of a child. As far as Anna could remember,she had never had cause to speak an angry word to the girl.  \"Mrs. Bond,\" went on Mr. Henry, \"tells me that you scolded her daughter yesterday afternoon.\"  \"Scolded?\" cried Anna. \"I don't scold. At least not in school,\" she added honestly. \"Mrs. Bond's story is that Janet was a little late back to school in the afternoon. She said that the child had to spend some time in the bathroom, which meant she set out from home a little late.\"  \"Just a minute,\" said Anna, beginning to understand. \"She did come late, very late. I had marked her absent, of course. Then she wandered in, when we'd started our paper--cutting, and I believe I said she was a nuisance . She didn't appear to hear, and was certainly quite cheerful.\"  \"Ah, a nuisance.\" Mr. Henry jumped on the word. \"You're sure you only said a nuisance.\"  \"I may not even have said that,\" Anna replied. \"It was no more than slight displeasure that I felt and I certainly didn't scold.\"?  \"Mrs. Bond said that you called her child a blasted nuisance. Is that true?\" \"Indeed it isn't,\" said Anna, \"The child or the mother has made it up!\"  Mr. Henry was satisfied with Anna's explanation.  \"Just as I thought, my dear, but of course I had to make sure.\" \n Question: When Mr. Henry stopped Anna, he  _  .[:] \n Options: (A) wanted to tell her a true story (B) thought she had done something wrong (C) had made up his mind to scold her (D) made her feel worried at first", "neg": "Article: The drug store was closing for the night and Alfred Higgins was about to go home when his new boss approached him. \"Empty your pockets please, Alfred,\" Sam Carr demanded in a firm voice. Alfred pretended to be shocked but he knew he had been caught. From his coat he withdrew a make-up kit, a lipstick and two tubes of toothpaste. \"I'm disappointed in you, Alfred!\" said the little gray-haired man. \"Sorry, sir. Please forgive me. It's the first time I've ever done such a thing,\" Alfred lied, hoping to gain the old man's sympathy. Mr Carr's brow furrowed as he reached for the telephone, \"Do you take me for a fool? Let's see what the police have to say. But first I'll call your mother and let her know her son is heading to jail.\" \"Do whatever you want,\" Alfred shot back, trying to sound big. But deep down he felt like a child. He imagined his mother rushing in, eyes burning with anger, maybe in tears. Yet he wanted to come quickly before Mr. Carr called the police. Mr. Carr was surprised when Mrs. Higgins finally arrived . She was very calm, quiet and friendly. \"Is Alfred in trouble?\" she asked. \"He's been stealing from the store,\" the old man coolly replied. Mrs. Higgins pulled out her hand and touched Mr. Carr's arm with great gentleness as if she knew just how he felt. She spoke as if she did not want to cause him any more trouble. \"What do you want to do, Mr.Carr?\" The woman's calm and gentle manner _ the once-angry store-owner, \"I was going to get a cop. But I don't want to be cruel. Tell your son not to come back here again and I will let it go.\" Then he warmly shook Mrs. Higgins' hand. Mrs. Higgins thanked the old ma for his kindness, then mother and son left. They walked along the street in silence. When they arrived home his mother simply said, \"Go to bed, you fool.\" In his bedroom, Alfred heard his mother in the kitchen. He felt no shame, only pride in his mother's actions. \"She was smooth!\" he thought. He went to the kitchen to tell her how great she was, but was shocked by what he saw. His mother's face looked frightened, broken. Not the cool, bright face he saw earlier. Her lips moved nervously. She looked very old. There were tears in her eyes. This picture of his mother made him want to cry. He felt his youth ending. He saw all the troubles he brought her and the deep lines of worry in her grey face. It seemed to him that this was the first time he had ever really seen his mother. \n Question: Which of the following is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) It was the first time Alfred had stolen anything. (B) Mr. Carr set a trap to catch Alfred stealing. (C) Alfred tried to sound big to hide his fear. (D) Mr. Carr had planned to forgive Alfred from the beginning.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}512{"query": "Article: Here are some of the best movies you like. I believe they can accompany you to spend your dull weekend. In this story a computer hacker searches for the truth behind the mysterious force . In the 22nd century it turns out that the world is controlled by a magic computer system called the Matrix and people live in an unreal world. The computer hacker and his comrades overcome much difficulty and at last find the way to take over the Matrix and save the world. This comedy is about J and K, agents in a top secret agency , and they fight bravely with the alien to save the galaxy from a bad-tempered alien \"bug\" and save the Earth from being destroyed . Harry has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard----with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths and about the bad man who's to blame . When a satellite crashes in New Mexico, the Air Force sends two men to reach it. To their horror, they discover that the probe carries an alien virus that's already killed all but two of the residents of the town where it landed. Now, scientists must stop the virus from spreading . In the year 2035, James Cole is forced to be sent back to 1996 by scientists to discover the origin of a virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population. When Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital, where he meets the son of a famous virus expert. \n Question: Harry Potter    _   . \n Options: (A) does't know he's a powerful wizard until he is 11 years old (B) has a happy and pleasant childhood with his aunt and uncle (C) hates to stay at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (D) Knows how his parents died before he goes to the Hogwarts school", "pos": "Article: The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina For the first time ever, two little fairy tale   characters meet in one fun-filled, action-packed musical adventure. Trying to find their way in a great big world, Tom Thumb and Thumbelina join forces and face difficulties in a great journey to find their true home. Starring: Elijah Wood, Peter Gallagher Runtime: 1 hour 16 minutes Buy with 1 click Uptown Girls Carefree Molly Gunn loses her inheritance   and must do something she's never done before---to get a job. She ends up as babysitter to an 8-year-old girl who teaches Molly to be a grownup, while Molly teaches her to be a kid. Starring: Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes Buy with 1 click Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story Based on a true story, the movie Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story is about the British author's rise to fame, from poor single mother to author of the popular Harry Potter books, and one of the wealthiest woman in the world. Starring: Poppy Montgomery, Emily Holmes Runtime: 1 hour 26 minutes Buy with 1 click The Book Thief To everyone's excitement, Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson star in this moving film based on the bestseller about a girl who changes the lives of those around her in World War II Germany. Starring: Emily Watson, Geoffrey Rush Runtime: 2 hours 11 minutes Buy with 1 click \n Question: Where can the passage be found? \n Options: (A) On the website. (B) In a newspaper. (C) In a magazine. (D) On a poster.", "neg": "Article: Read the following reviews for movies that are showing at the moment. And then answer questions. Happiness(Romance)  Happinesstells the story of two people (Lisa Turbot and Danny Roy) who work for different advertising companies. They talk on the phone all the time and don't like each other. But then they _ by e-mail and fall in love. This movie will be very popular with teenagers and people who like romances. It also has beautiful music. I Scream(Thriller)  InI Scream, Paul (Colin Jacks) is a young man who joins a thriller club. Each of the members tries to frighten the others. Paul is told to stay in an old house for the night. Everyone who has tried to stay in the house before has died. This movie is very frightening but also quite silly. It doesn't make sense for Paul to stay in the house when things start to go wrong. Only for people who like thrillers. Paul's Heroes(Comedy)  This is a very funny war movie set in World War Two. Six soldiers (including Sammy Turblow) have to get to Italy to take secret messages to the American army there. During the movie, they dressup as women and fight with Italian workers. You can guess the ending, but it's great fun getting there.  _  (Drama)  This is a very good drama with Jack Ross, who plays a hard-working truck driver. His wife becomes ill and he has to find a doctor who can help her. In his travels he meets Dr. Lloyd (Phil Driver) who has found the cure for the illness, but Jack Ross has only twelve hours to get the medicine back to his wife on the other side of America. This is an excellent movie, which is very exciting. \n Question: Which of the four movies is the least popular with people? \n Options: (A) The 1st one. (B) The 2nd one. (C) The 3rd one. (D) The 4th one.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}513{"query": "Article: Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He stopped by the fence in front of the house where he lived with his aunt Polly. He looked at it, and all joy left him. The fence was long and high. He put the brush into the whitewash and moved it along the top of the fence. He repeated the operation. He felt he could not continue and sat down. He knew that his friends would arrive soon with all kinds of interesting plans for the day. They would walk past him and laugh. They would make jokes about his having to work on a beautiful summer Saturday. The thought burned him like fire. He put his hand into his pockets and took out all that he owned. Perhaps he could find some way to pay someone to do the whitewashing for him. But there was nothing of value in his pockets --nothing that could buy even half an hour of freedom. So he put the bits of toys back into his pockets and gave up the idea At this dark and hopeless moment, a wonderful idea came to him. It filled his mind with a great, bright light. Calmly he picked up the brush and started again to whitewash. While Tom was working, Ben Rogers appeared. Ben was eating an apple as he walked along the street. As he walked along, he was making noises like the sound of a riverboat. First he shouted loudly, like a boat captain. Then he said \"Ding-Dong-Dong\", \"Ding-Dong-Dong\" again and again, like the bell of a riverboat. And he made other strange noises. When he came close to Tom, he stopped. Tom went on whitewashing. He did not look at Ben. Ben stared a moment and then said: \"Hello! I'm going swimming, but you can't go, can you?\" No answer. Tom moved his brush carefully along the fence and looked at the result with the eye of an artist. Ben came nearer. Tom's mouth watered for the apple, but he kept on working. Ben said, \"Hello, old fellow, you've got to work, hey?\" Tom turned suddenly and said, \"Why, it's you, Ben! I wasn't noticing.\" \"Say --I'm going swimming. Don't you wish you could? But of course you'd rather work -- wouldn't you? Of course you would.\" Tom looked at the boy a bit, and said \"What do you call work?\" \"Why, isn't that work?\" Tom went back to his whitewashing, and answered carelessly. \"Well, maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. All I know is, it suits Tom Sawyer.\" \"Oh come, now, you don't mean to say that you like it?\" The brush continued to move. \"Like it? Well, I don't see why I shouldn't like it. Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence every day?\" Ben stopped eating his apple. Tom moved his brush back and forth, stepped back to look at the result, added a touch here and there, and stepped back again. Ben watched every move and got more and more interested. Soon he said, \"Say, Tom, let me whitewash a little.\" Tom thought for a moment, was about to agree; but he changed his mind. \"No --no --it won't do, Ben. You see, Aunt Polly wants this fence to be perfect. It has got to be done very carefully. I don't think there is one boy in a thousand, maybe two thousand, that can do it well enough.\" \"No --is that so? Oh come, now --let me just try. Only just a little.\" \"Ben, I'd like to, but if it isn't done right, I'm afraid Aunt Polly ... \" \"Oh, I'll be careful. Now let me try. Say --I'll give you the core of my apple.\" \"Well, here --No, Ben, now don't. I'm afraid ...\" \"I'll give you all of it.\" Tom gave up the brush with unwillingness on his face, but joy in his heart. And while Ben worked at the fence in the hot sun, Tom sat under a tree, eating the apple, and planning how to get more help. There were enough boys. Each one came to laugh, but remained to whitewash. By the time Ben was tired, Tom sold the next chance to Billy for a kite; and when Billy was tired, Johnny bought in for a dead rat --and so on, hour after hour. And when the middle of the afternoon came, Tom had won many treasures. And he had not worked. He had had a nice idle time all the time, with plenty of company -and the fence had been whitewashed three times. If he hadn't run out of whitewash, Tom would have owned everything belonging to his friends. He had discovered a great law of human action, namely, that in order to make a man or a boy want a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to get. \n Question: How many characters are mentioned in this story? \n Options: (A) 7 (B) 6 (C) 5 (D) 4", "pos": "Article: Mark felt that it was time for him to take part in his community activities, so he went to the neighborhood meeting after work. The city councilman  was leading a discussion about the decreasing life quality. The neighborhood faced many problems. Mark looked at the charts taped to the walls. There are charts for crime, parking problems, and for problems in vacant buildings. People were supposed to suggest solutions to the councilman. It was too much for Mark. \"The problems are too big,\" he thought. He turned to the man next to him and said, \"I think this is a waste of my time. Nothing I could do would make a difference here.\" Mark thought some more on his way to the bus stop. \"People should just take care of themselves,\" he decided. \"That's enough to do. I can't take on all the problems of the world.\" As he neared the bus stop, Mark saw a woman carrying a grocery bag and a baby. She was trying to unlock her car, but she didn't have a free hand. As Mark got closer, her other child, a little boy, suddenly _ into the street. The woman tried to reach for him, but as she moved, her bag shifted and groceries started to fall out. Mark ran to take the boy's arm and led him back to his mother. Then he picked up the groceries while the woman smiled in relief. \"Thanks!\" she said. \"You have got great timing!\" \"Just being neighborly,\" Mark said. As he rode home, he glanced at the walls of the bus. On one of them was \"Small acts of kindness add up.\" Mark smiled and thought, \" Maybe that's a good place to start.\" \n Question: We learn from the passage that  _  . \n Options: (A) Mark always played an active part in community activities (B) the city councilman was responsible for the decreasing of life quality (C) the seriousness of problems is made known to people in the community (D) many people were discouraged by the many problems facing them", "neg": "Article: Tom was a poor boy. He made a living by cleaning leather shoes for others in the street. Tom was also a clever boy. One day, a very rich man with the name Miser appeared in front of Tom. He watched his dirty shoes for a while, and then looked at Tom. Tom knew this kind of people well: they love money very much and hate to spend it. Tom said, \"Let me clean your shoes, sir.\" \"For nothing?\" the rich man asked. \"Only two pence, sir.\" Mr Miser shook his head and walked away. Tom thought for a moment and then called out, \"I'd like to clean it for nothing!\" This time Mr Miser agreed. And soon one of his shoes was shining brightly. When the rich man put his other shoe on the stool , Tom said he wouldn't clean it for him unless he was paid two pence for his work. Mr Miser was very angry. He refused to pay anything and went away with a smile on his face. But to his surprise, the well-cleaned shoe was so bright that it made the other one look even dirtier. Mr Miser took a look around. People in the street were laughing at him. He couldn't walk on any further. Finally the rich man returned and gave Tom two pence. In a very short time his two shoes shone brightly. \n Question: The story happened  _  . \n Options: (A) in a shoe shop (B) in the street (C) at the rich man's house (D) near the boy's home", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}514{"query": "Article: Cole Bettles had been rejected by a number of universities when he received an e-mail from the University of California, San Diego, last month, congratulating him on his admission and inviting him to tour the campus. His mother booked a hotel in San Diego, and the 18-year-old Ojai high school senior arranged for his grandfather, uncle and other family members to meet them at the campus for lunch during the Saturday tour. \"They were like 'Oh my God, that's so awesome  ', \" Bettles said. Right before he got in bed, he checked his e-mail one last time and found another message saying the school had made a mistake and his application had been denied. In fact, all 28, 000 students turned away from UC San Diego, in one of the toughest college entrance seasons on record, had received the same incorrect message. The students' hopes had been raised and then dashed   in a cruel twist that shows the danger of instant communications in the Internet age. UCSD admissions director Mae Brown called it an \"administrative error\" but refused to say who had made the mistake, or if those responsible would be disciplined  .  The e-mail, which began, \"We're thrilled that you've been admitted to UC San Diego, and we're showcasing   our beautiful campus on Admit Day, \" was sent to the full 46, 000 students who had applied, instead of just the 18, 000 who got in, Brown said. The error was discovered almost immediately by her staff, who sent an apology within hours. \"It was really thrilling for a few hours; now he's crushed  , \" said Cole's mother, Tracy Bettles. \"It's really tough on them.\" The admissions director said she was in the office on Monday until midnight answering e-mails and phone calls from disappointed students and their parents. She said she took full responsibility for the error. \"We accessed the wrong database. We recognize the incredible pain receiving this false encouragement caused. It was not our intent.\" \n Question: How many students received an admission e-mail from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)? \n Options: (A) 18, 000 (B) 28, 000 (C) 46, 000 (D) 18", "pos": "Article: Mary Jean Price Walls graduated second in her class in 1950.She had high hopes when she applied to a local college,Southwest Missouri State College.But after sending off her application,she spent months waiting for a reply.It never came. Worse than simply being denied admission ,the school didn't reply to her at all.It wasn't a matter of her school records,but of her skin color:Wallsis African American,and in those days,that fact alone closed a lot of doors. \"I was sad and I was hurt,\"Walls toldABCNews.\"I did not expect the skin color would affect my application.I thought I could go to university like other students.\" Four years later,the government declared that all schools should not discriminate against African Americans-- but it was too late for Walls.She'd moved on with her life, becoming a wife and a mother,and working as an elevator operator.She retired last year,at the age of 77. She stayed quiet about the unfairness she'd faced in Missouri State.Her son,Terry,went through school records and found that she'd been the first black student to ever apply to the college.Today,four percent of the Southwest Missouri State College body is African American--including Terry. Although it's too late for Missouri State to change the past,the school is awarding Walls with an honorary degree from the school.While she knows it's too late for herto change the course of her own life with the degree,it's a chance for her to show her family that Missouri State has changed in the last 60 years,and there's not a single door closed to them anymore. \n Question: Walls couldn't enter the local college because  _  . \n Options: (A) her examination performance is too bad (B) girls were not allowed to go to college (C) she was an AfricanAmerican student (D) her parents had no enough money to support her", "neg": "Article: It was a warm April day when a big fat envelope came in the mail from the only college I had ever imagined attending. I tore open the packet. My eyes were fixed on the word \"congratulations. \"I don't remember ever smiling so wide. Then I looked at my financial package. The cost of Dream School's tuition , room and board was around $ 40,000- an impossible sum! How could I afford to attend? What good reasons did I have to go there when three other fine colleges were offering me free tuition? My other choices were good, solid schools even if they weren't as famous as my first choice. In my mind, attending my dream university would be the only way to realize my dream of becoming a world-class writer. My parents understood how I felt. They told me that even though it would be a financial problem, I could go wherever I would be happiest. But as I was always careful with money, I wasn't sure what to do. One of the schools that _ had an informational dinner one night in the spring. Considering my parents' financial difficulties, I decided to drive the 45 minutes and attend. At first, all I had planned to do was smile politely, eat free food, listen quietly. But I surprised myself. At dinner the president of the university talked about the wonderful activities on campus  including guest lectures and social gatherings. He also made it perfectly clear that free food would be offered at all future events. He continued with explanations of professors, class sizes, activities, and sporting events on campus. As he spoke, I began to realize that this school, though not as good as my first choice, might be the best one for me. It seemed small yet with many great programs. It seemed challenging yet caring. As the president ended his speech, we clapped politely and pushed back our chairs. As I walked out that door, a feeling of comfort washed over me. Looking at the campus that night, I realized that I would be spending the next four years right there. In all honesty, my university is not as well-known as my \"dream\"university. However, it turned out to be the right choice of schools for me. \n Question: How did the author feel when he started to read the letter? \n Options: (A) He was lost in his dream. (B) He was full of joy. (C) He was worried about the money. (D) He was uncertain which school to go to.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}515{"query": "Article: Up, Up, and Away! An adventurer who became the first person to fly across the English Channel on a cluster of balloons has launched a house into the sky just like in the hit movie Up-in reparation for a more ambitious journey and a new record Fearless Trappe , from North Carolina, stepped into the cartoon themed home before flying above the leon International Balloon Festivel in Mexico more than a week ago. The 38-year-old Trappe was using the event as a warm-up for his planned trans-Atlantic flight scheduled for next summer ,He aims to complete the 2,500-mile journey in a seven-foot lifeboat carried by 365 huge helium ballooms The brave man is learning to sail a lifeboat ,in case he meeds to ditch  into the ocean during the danger-filled adventure He sill fly at between 18,000 feet and 25,000 feet , beating his previous world altitude record of 21,600 feet ,and must fly uninterrupted a distance ten times longer than his previous world record of 230 miles in order to succeed. The adventurer Trappe ,who holes records for crossing the Alps, flying the most cluster balloons, and the longest distance , has opent his entire carreer ,building up to this ambitious plan. \"I didn't wake up one day and think:'I' going to fly across the Atlantic, '\"he said \"he said  Every attempt before this was prepared for this fight ,I've been training for a long time\" \n Question: The adventurer flew across the English Channel to  _ \n Options: (A) test the balloons (B) launch a house (C) shoot a hit movie (D) prepare for breaking a record", "pos": "Article: On Nov.18th, 1908, three men went up in a balloon. They started early in London. The headman was Augusta Gaudron, and the other two men were Tannar and Maitland. They had a big balloon and they were ready for a long way. Soon they heard the sea. They were carrying the usual rope, and it was hanging down from the basket of the balloon. At the end of the rope they had tied a metal box. This could hold water, or it could be empty. So they were able to change its weight. It was for use over the sea. They were also carrying some bags of sand. After the sun rose, the balloon went higher. It went up to 3,000 meters, and the air was very cold. The water in the balloon became ice. Snow fell past the men's basket, and they could see more snow on the ground. The men tried to throw out some more sand, but it was hard. They tried to break the icy sand with their knives, but it was not easy. The work was slow and they were still falling, so they had to drop some whole bags of sand. One of them fell on an icy lake and made a black hole in the ice. At last they pulled the box into the basket. It was still snowing; so they climbed up to get away from the snow. They rose to 5,100 meters! Everything became icy. They were so cold that they decided to land. They came down in Poland heavily but safely. They had travelled 1,797 kilometers from London! \n Question: The metal box was used for   _  . \n Options: (A) carrying the bags of sand (B) keeping drinking-water (C) carrying ropes of the basket (D) changing weight", "neg": "Article: DIY sailor Owen Warboys has finally launched his homemade boat -- after spending nearly 30 years building it in his mum's garden. Owen, 66, a retired engineer from Hordle, New Milton, Hants, first started work on the 40ft--long boat in 1982 because he could not afford to buy his own. He told mum Edith that it would only take five years but after suffering \"a few problems\" it lasted nearly three decades. When he finally finished, he was left with the head-scratching task of getting the 18-tonne boat out of the back garden. After some time he found a way. A huge crane   was brought in to carefully raise it 40ft in the air over his mother's house and onto a lorry. It was then driven to the seaside and, to Owen's delight, it floated and showed no signs of leaking when lowered into the water. Now, 28 years after he first started, Owen is at last preparing to set sail in his beloved boat, Wight Dolphin, with his long-suffering wife Anne. Owen said, \"I am so relieved that it's finished. There were times when I thought it would never end but I'm the sort of person who likes to finish something once I've started.\" At first he persuaded his mum to let him do it in her garden and started taking in sheets of steel and pieces of wood. \"My mother was happy for me to build it at her house but only bacause I told her it would only take five years.\" \n Question: Why did Owen decide to make his own boat by himself? \n Options: (A) He wanted to kill time after his retirement (B) He wished to set a new world record (C) He didn't have enough money to buy a boat (D) He had a hobby of making things by hand", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}516{"query": "Article: \"Who does the cooking in your home?\" I'm often asked by my colleagues. \"My wife and I share it 50/50,\" I usually say without hesitation. It's a lie, of course. We're pretty much even when it comes to the children and the elderly. But the paying of bills isn't 50/50-my wife pays all sorts of household expenses, so I never even have to set eyes on them. And the cooking isn't 50/50, either. The truth is that I am the cook. On my recent 40th birthday, I received the following gifts from my children: a new pot, two mini bottles of truffle oil, a decorative salad-dressing pourer, and a juice-making machine. For a moment I longed for something more manly, a cricket bat, perhaps, and then had to admit that all these things would be useful for me. It's not that my wife can't or doesn't like to cook (she makes delicious Welsh cakes). Nor has it always been this way. In the early years of our marriage I'd be relaxing with a glass of wine while my wife prepared for dinner after work. But at some point that changed and I became the cook. Ten years with my wife gave me the rewards-I can throw together a roast, and I can make much foreign food. But I have truly become a monster  in the kitchen, unable to keep myself away from cooking. \"You have to add Dijon to the sauce; it brings out the taste of the cheese,\" I volunteer, as my wife is cooking. \"Quick, stir in the butter so the dish becomes delicious.\" Is it any wonder that my wife has given up coming into the kitchen while I find the whole process of chopping, mixing, and adding things deeply satisfying? \n Question: The gifts that the writer received on his 40th birthday show that  _  . \n Options: (A) his children don't know him at all (B) he is in charge of the cooking at home (C) he doesn't get along well with his children (D) his children have made wrong choices", "pos": "Article: Every American family has its own traditions on Thanksgiving Day, and mine is no difference. Once the national holiday arrives, my mom rises early to make the meal. She puts a turkey in the oven, chops carrots and bakes pies. I'm sorry to say that the men in the family - my dad, my younger brother and myself - rarely pitch in to help. Our job is to wash the mountain of dirty dishes after the meal is over. Around 2 pm every Thanksgiving Day, family members seat themselves around the kitchen table. Plates of turkey, vegetables, salad, rolls and pies cover it. At this point, we can hardly keep ourselves from drooling   all over our fancy clothes, but it's not yet time to eat. First, we must bow our heads, close our eyes and say a prayer of thanks aloud to God for giving us everything we have. Under normal circumstances, I would have no problem making a list of things I am thankful for. I grew up in a loving family. My parents, who aren't wealthy, took out loans to help me pay for university. But, the funny thing is, every time I sit down for Thanksgiving dinner and try to say a prayer of thanks, my mind usually goes blank. I think it has something to do with my growling   stomach and all of that food sitting right there under my nose. Eventually, though, we all finish our short prayers and _ . To be sure, the day includes other highlights - visiting with family and watching football. But usually around 6 pm we are all ourselves stuffed like turkeys and thankful to have a nice warm bed to sleep in. \n Question: The purpose of the text is to   _  . \n Options: (A) tell what the family do for Thanksgiving Day (B) tell how the family spends Thanksgiving Day (C) introduce foods served on Thanksgiving Day (D) introduce the American Thanksgiving Day", "neg": "Article: How do you get a man to do his share of the house work? If you are like most of the women, you will face the question the hard way.    A man will enjoy a clean, orderly house, but he usually won't make the effort to clean or organize it. This doesn't mean that a woman has to do all the housework; she may have to manage many of household duties, and request his partner's participation. A woman can often say that men and women should take equal responsibility for housework.    Very few men are raised to be fully responsible for housework, and many men look on housework as women's work. On the other hand, most men will readily work around the yard, make repairs and complete projects on weekends or evenings, and it's important that you give your man appreciation for those things too. Most man will take a little additional housework around the house if asked politely. They are even more likely to do housework if they choose what they want to do, and do it without being monitored.    Here is the key; men want to feel that they are doing housework because they want to please their women. Men are much less likely to take on household tasks they consider uninteresting and unimportant. In other words,  _ \n Question: The passage is mainly about how to   _  . \n Options: (A) get men to do some housework (B) get men to serve their families (C) praise men's housework (D) make men do all the housework.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}517{"query": "Article: Be Healthy! Be Slim! Be Beautiful! Discover the secret for a Healthy, Slim, Beautiful You! Discover how to be Healthy, Slim and Beautiful! I love this healthy diet program because it helps you lose weight, lose inches, feel healthy and look beautiful. This healthy diet is an 8-week program which is unlike other diet regimes because it focuses on proper nutritional first and weight loss second. Your body must have proper levels of minerals, vitamins, and protein in order to work well. It provides a simply lifestyle change to give you more energy and improve your health most greatly. It offers control over stomach and continuing hunger with a calorie dense diet allowing 1,700 to 2,000 calories a day. If a person has a weight problem their body probably is not working at proper levels of basic nutrients. We invite you to follow this program so you can be the slim person who lives inside you. You too, can love dieting, especially if you are losing weight and losing inches! Do you want to feel better? To get started being slim, just Click Here. \n Question: What is this passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) How people should keep fit. (B) A healthy diet program. (C) Some healthy people. (D) Ways to lose weight.", "pos": "Article: Walking is the exercise of choice for most dieters. You don't need a gym membership to do this effective exercise. Here's how to prepare: The only equipment you really need is a decent pair of walking shoes. What matters most is comfort. When you're shopping for shoes: *Wear the socks you plan to exercise in. That way you'll get the best fit. *Try on both shoes. Most people's feet aren't exactly the same size. Choose a pair that fits your larger foot. *Allow a little extra room. Feet swell when you walk, so buy a pair with about a thumb's width between your longest toe and the toe of the shoe. Sure, walking comes naturally. But the following tips will help you stay comfortable and get the most out of your walk: *Look ahead. Keep your neck straight and your head held high. If you have to look down to see where you're going, lower your eyes, not your head. *Move both arms. Let your arms swing naturally at your sides, and you'll burn up to 15 percent more calories by keeping your arms moving. *Don't carry unnecessary weight. Some people try to get in extra exercise by carrying a couple of light dumbbells , but fitness-walking experts say that's risky: The weights can pull you off balance and tighten muscles in your back or legs. Walking is one of the safest activities. Still, the following tips may be helpful: *If you're walking at night, wear a piece of reflective clothing. *If the path is dimly lit, bring a good flashlight. *When the weather's hot, be sure to drink some water before you set out and better take a bottle of water with you if you plan to walk quite a long time. *If your path is rough, protect your ankles. Consider wearing a comfortable bandage for support. \n Question: According to the text, which of the following is correct? \n Options: (A) Wearing a piece of reflective clothing can make you look smart. (B) Moving both arms while walking can help you lose more weight. (C) You should buy shoes with a little extra space for your smaller foot. (D) Losing weight by walking is always easy and effective without any danger.", "neg": "Article: Lots of people are unhappy with their present weight, but most aren't sure how to change it. You may want to look like the models or actors in magazines and on TV, but those goals might not be healthy or realistic   for you. Being healthy is really about being at a weight that is right for you. The best way to find out if you are at a healthy weight or if you need to lose or gain weight is to talk to a doctor or dietitian . If it turns out that you can benefit from weight loss, then you can follow a few of the simple suggestions listed below to get started.  _ . Ask your mom or dad to lend help and support and to make lifestyle changes that will benefit the whole family, if possible. Those who have the support of their families tend to have better results with their weight-management programs. Watch your drinks. It's amazing how many extra calories can be in the sodas, juices and other drinks that you take in every day. Simply cutting out a can of soda or one sports drink can save you 150 calories or more each day. _ with water or other sugar-free drinks when you're thirsty and stay away from sugary juices and sodas. Stop eating when you're full. Lots of people eat when they're full. Try to pay attention as you eat and stop when you are full. Avoid diet pills. They can be dangerous to your health; besides, there's no evidence that they help keep weight off over the long term. Get moving. You don't have to play a team sport or go to the gym. Try different kinds of activities from hiking to cycling, or to dancing until you find what you like. \n Question: According to the passage, before you decide to lose or gain weight you must know   _  . \n Options: (A) how you will do it (B) how long it should last (C) whether you have a healthy weight (D) what your realistic goal is", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}518{"query": "Article: \"Colour\" and \"color1\" , \"favourite\" and \"favorite\"\"- Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a \"u\"? Is it because they are lazy? Of course not.In fact, the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster(1758--1843) .He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger.Linguists celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16,2008.After the Revolutionary War(1775--1783) , Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary, rather than rely on British versions.He dropped the British \"u\" in some words.And he changed \"centre\" into \"center\" for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded. Webster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions.In defining  preposterous  (unreasonable) , he wrote: \"A Republican government in the hands of females is preposterous.\" Webster spent 28 years on the project before completing the 70,000 -word dictionary in 1828 with his American - style spellings.He also added local words.His dictionary was widely used in schools.Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom. \"He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity,\" said Joshua Kendall, who is working on a biography about Webster.\"He at last got us united through our language. \n Question: According to the passage, when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the          following EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) dropping \"u\" in all the British words (B) changing \"centre\" into \"center\" (C) adding local words (D) voicing his opinion", "pos": "Article: Towards the end of Middle English, a sudden change in pronunciation started, with vowels   being pronounced shorter and shorter. From the 16th century the British had contact   with many people from around the world. This meant that lots of new vocabulary entered the language. The invention of printing also meant that there was now a common language in print. Books became cheaper and more people learned to read. Spelling and grammar became fixed, and the dialect of London became the standard. In 1604 the first English dictionary came out. Early Modern English and Late Modern English are mostly different in the number of words. Late Modern English has many more words, mainly because of the following two reasons: First, the Industrial Revolution   led to the need for new words. Second, the British Empire covered one quarter of the earth's surface, and the English language took in foreign words from many countries. From around 1600, the English colonization   of North America led to American English. Some English pronunciations and words \" _ \" when they reached America. In some ways, American English is more like the English of Shakespeare than modern British English. Some expressions that are called \"American English\" are in fact from British expressions. They were kept in the colonies while lost for a time in Britain. Spanish also had an influence   on American English. For example, words like canyon, ranch, stampede and vigilante are from Spanish. They entered English by the people of Spain who settled in the American West. French words and West African words also influenced American English. Today, American English has a greater influence, because of the USA's movies, television, popular music, trade and technology. \n Question: The main difference between Early and Late Modern English lies in   _  . \n Options: (A) vocabulary (B) pronunciation (C) spelling (D) grammar", "neg": "Article: In English the spelling of words does not always represent the sound. So people say /rait/ but spell it right or write, or even rite. Combinations of letters may be pronounced in many ways. And some words just seem to have too many letters. For Americans things are a little bit easier, thanks to the work of Noah Webster, a teacher who graduated from Yale University in 1778. As a young man, he had fought against the British in the American War of Independence, and he felt that written English in the newly independent United States should have a distinctive American look. So he began his work on American English. His first book, The Elementary Spelling Book, suggested simplifying the spelling of English words. The book was extremely popular. By the 1850s, it was selling one million copies a year, making it one of the most popular school books ever. Many of the suggestions were quickly adopted. Center instead of centre, program instead of programme, and flavor instead of flavour. Others, however, such as removing silent letters like s in island or the final e in examine, were not . Webster is best known for his American Dictionary of the English language, which first appeared in 1828. It introduced lots of new American words, with information about their pronunciation and use, and, of course, the new spelling. The British criticized the dictionary, but it quickly became a standard reference book in the States. Today, Webster's dictionary is still the number one dictionary for American students. \n Question: What is the text mainly about? \n Options: (A) Webster and his best sellers. (B) British and American English. (C) The history of American English. (D) The man who made spelling simple.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}519{"query": "Article: \"It was cool,because I got a chance to be in a studio and see how a record is made,\"says 14-year-old Javon Martin,who joined the music clubhouse 3 years ago.\"It has impacted my life in a big way. People are actually starting to see me as an artist.\"Ten-year-old Akheylah Hunter didn't play an instrument when she became a club member last year. Now,she plays piano and sings with the band. What she likes best,she says,is performing.\"We performed in different places,\"she says.\"We go on trips and it is fun.\" Since the Music Clubhouse opened three years ago,it's served almost 500 kids.Aggeler says performing in front of different audiences helps the young musicians build self-esteem.Coming to the club to prepare for those performances helps them learn how to deal with their personal problems and concerns. \"I can see what it does for them and it just develops confidence,\"he explains.\"It's also an escape from the big problems we have in the neighborhood. So whether they feel embarrassed about a zit on their face,or they feel embarrassed because they're not as tall as somebody,they can rap about it and let it out a little bit.\" To expand the club and help more kids learn music,Aggeler sought the support of the community. The Berklee College of Music and local music stores have provided free equipment. The club has also gotten support from the Music and Youth Initiative,a nonprofit that develops after school music education programs in underserved communities in Massachusetts. All these have made it possible to provide kids who may not have the means to get private music lessons the opportunity to still learn music and get all the benefits that music education brings.\" \n Question: Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a benefit of joining the club? \n Options: (A) Helping the youngsters to build self-confidence. (B) Helping its members escape from problems. (C) Learning to deal with personal problems. (D) Learning to get help from nonprofit groups.", "pos": "Article: Jesse McCartney began entertaining and delighting audiences at a very early age in off-Broadway stage shows including Oliver, A Christmas Carol, and Annie Get Your Gun. At the age of seven, he began a national tour the stage musical show of The King and I. 1998 brought his big chance in television with the role of Adam Chandler, Jr. on All My Children. McCartney stayed with the show for the next three years and won several awards for his role of Chandler.  In 1999 he showed great interest in music, when he auditioned  for and won a spot in a boy band called Dream Street. Sales of the group's album  once reached up to 300,000 copies. Shortly after the album  _ , they toured around the USA with Britney Spears before the band broke up in 2002.His first band was called the Sugar Beats, and in 2003 McCartney partnered with their producer Sherry Kondor to launch his solo career. The song Beautiful Soul became the title track for McCartney's first solo album. Following the great success of his album, it took McCartney one and a half year to make his new one, Right Here You Want Me, which, according to McCartney himself, has had more personal experiences and thoughts.  McCartney never gave up acting and appeared the films The Pirates of Central Park and The Strange Legacy of Cameron Cruz. In 2004 he successfully played the role of Brandin Westerly on the TV series Summerland. He has also combined music and film, contributing songs to films. Born April 9, 1987, Jesse is the oldest of three children. His parents were actors in New York City. His sister Lea Joyce was born in 1991 and brother Timmy, with whom Jesse is very close, came along in 1996.He graduated from Ardsley High School (New York) in 2005, where he was a junior baseball pitcher . Jesse's best friend is former band mate Greg Raposo. \n Question: Which of the following is NOT mentioned of Jesse McCartney? \n Options: (A) education (B) family (C) success in music (D) tours abroad", "neg": "Article: To me, life without music would not be exciting. I realize that this is not true for everybody. Many people get along quite well without going to the concert, and listening to the record. But music plays an important part in everyone's life, whether he realizes it or not. Try to imagine, for example, what films or TV plays would be like without music. Would the feelings, the moving plot, and the greatest interests, be so exciting or dramatic? I'm not sure about it. Now, we have been speaking of music in its more common meaning----the kind of music we hear in the concert hall. But if we look at some parts of music more closely, we discover them in our everyday life too----in the rhythm of the sea, the _ of a bird in the woods and so on. So music surely has meaning for everyone, in some way or other. And, of course, it has special meaning for those who have spent all their lives working on playing or writing music. It is well said, \"Through music a child enters into a world of beauty, expresses himself from his heart, feels the joy of doing things alone, learns to take care of others, develops his mind and makes his body strong.\" \n Question: What dose the writer say more about in the text? \n Options: (A) Life full of music. (B) Life without music. (C) The importance of music. (D) The development of music.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}520{"query": "Article: More than 4 in 10 cancers -- 600,000 in the UK alone -- could be prevented if people led healthier lives, say experts. The population of the UK is about 63,000,000. Latest figures from Cancer Research UK show smoking is the biggest avoidable risk factor  , followed by unhealthy diets. The charity advises people to live healthily, limit alcohol intake and do regular exercise. According to the figures from 2007 to 2011, more than 300,000 cases of cancer recorded were linked to smoking. A further 145,000 were linked to unhealthy diets containing too much processed food. Obesity contributed to 88,000 cases and alcohol to 62,200. Sun damage to the skin and physical inactivity were also contributing factors. Professor Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician, says, \"There's now little doubt that certain lifestyle choices can have a big influence on cancer risk, with research around the world all pointing to the same key risk factors.\" \"Of course everyone wants to enjoy some extra treats during the Christmas holidays so we don't want to ban beef pies and wine but it's a good time to think about taking up some healthy habits.\" \"Leading a healthy lifestyle can't guarantee someone won't get cancer but _ by taking positive steps.\" Public Health England says a healthy lifestyle can play an important role in reducing cancer risk. It says campaigns such as Smokefree, Dry January and Change4Life Sugar Swaps all aim to raise public awareness. It's important that we not only continue to make progress in noticing cancer earlier and improving treatments, but helping people understand how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer in the first place remains important in dealing with cancer. \n Question: Which of the following is the third biggest avoidable cancer factor? \n Options: (A) Obesity. (B) Alcohol intake. (C) Unhealthy diets. (D) Physical inactivity.", "pos": "Article: The number of smokers in England is about 8 million. According to the Department of Health, smoking is the biggest cause of early death in the country. Smokers in England have been asked to give up smoking for 28 days this month, in an action backed by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. Research shows people who manage not to light up for this length of time are 5 times more likely to kick the habit. Public health experts say campaigns that include a combination of hard-hitting ads and supportive messages work best. Quitting smoking can be difficult. However, people are much more likely to succeed if other people are doing the same than if they try to do it alone and _ . Robert West, Director of Tobacco Studies at University College London, points out how pressure from people around can prevent a smoker going on smoking. \"We are social animals,\" he said. The action has met some doubts among readers of the BBC News Online website. Some compared it to asking people to stop eating as a way of fighting overweight. Others doubt the action's effectiveness. \"Its weakness is that it fails to explain why a person smokes, and the reasons are as many as the number of smokers\", says someone who signed as BluesBerry. Another reader, Cazz, has decided to give it some credit. He says:\" Campaigns like this won't necessarily inspire the majority of smokers to quit, but may encourage those thinking about quitting to set a date and try. Surely it's worth a shot. \" \n Question: What does the text mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) A new action to quit smoking. (B) A way of fighting overweight. (C) A country with the most smokers. (D) The biggest cause of early death.", "neg": "Article: About a third of all common cancers in the United States, China and Britain could be prevented each year if people ate healthier food, drank less alcohol and exercised more, health experts said on Friday. Reports from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) suggest that making simple lifestyle changes could prevent some 40 percent of breast cancers alone in Britain and the United States, as well as tens of thousands of stomach cancers. \"Even in 2011, people are dying unnecessarily from cancers that could be prevented through keeping a healthy weight, diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors,\" said a WCRF medical and scientific adviser. WCRF findings are supported by World Health Organization (WHO) reports, which say regular exercise can prevent many diseases such as cancers and heart diseases. Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world and its incidence  is rising. Each year around 12.7 million people discover they have cancer and 7.6 million people die from some form of the disease. There are about 200 known types of cancer. Rachel Thompson, the WCRF's head of science, said that while the message was simple -- that not smoking, eating good food and being a healthy weight can help _ many cancers -- it was still a difficult one to get across. The WHO says adults should do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. This could be done by walking for 30 minutes five times per week or by cycling to work every day. Peter Baldini, head of the World Lung Foundation, also called on all governments to introduce smoke-free laws and raise the price of cigarettes. Tobacco kills millions of smokers every year, and tobacco-related lung cancers also kill hundreds of thousands of people who don't smoke but have been exposed to it second-hand. \"There isn't a magic bullet to cure all forms of cancer, but we have the opportunity and the duty to protect people from developing cancer wherever possible,\" Baldini said. \n Question: Which of the following statements is Not true according to the text? \n Options: (A) Exercising and eating healthily can help to reduce cancer risk. (B) Each year about 12.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer around the world. (C) Every year millions of people die from smoking and lung cancers. (D) Adults should walk for fifty minutes three times per week.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}521{"query": "Article: \"Regardless of social class, race and age, men say they hate to shop.\" says Zukin, City University of New York sociology professor. Yet when you ask them deeper questions, it turns out that they like to shop. Men generally like to shop for books, music and hardware. But if you ask them about the shopping they do for books or music, they'll say, \"Well, that's not shopping. That's research.\"     In other words, what men and women call \"buying things\" and how they approach that task are different.      Women will wander through several 1,000-aquare-meter stores in search of the perfect party dress. Men will wander through 100 Internet sites in search of the perfect digital camcorder. Women see shopping as a social event. Men see it as a special task or a game to be won.     \"Men are frequently shopping to win,\" says Ann, a marketing professor at Loyola University of Chicago. \"They want to get the best deal. They want to get the best one, the latest one and if they do that it makes them happy.\" When women shop, \"They're doing it in a way that they want everybody to be very happy.\" says Ann. \"They're kind of shopping for love.\"    \"Teenage girls learn to shop from their moms and older sisters, but they also learn to shop by examining articles in magazines like Seventeen,\" City University Zukin says. \"And although men's magazines such as GQ and Esquire have long had shopping articles, it's TV that has the eye of young male shoppers,\" say Ann and Zukin.     \"Television shows are used by young men in the same way Seventeen magazine or Lucky is used by girls,\" says Zukin, \"to help make clothing and toiletry choices.\"    \"Of course, there are men who love to shop and are proud of it.\" Loyola's Ann says. And that is important no matter whether you buy a car or a frying pan. All men love to buy but don't want to get cheated. Ann adds, \"There actually are men who are interested, for example, in cooking or shopping or chinaware or things around the home---they become kind of girl magnets. Women like it.\" \n Question: Compared to women, men usually treat shopping more   _  . \n Options: (A) seriously (B) honestly (C) curiously (D) foolishly", "pos": "Article: You can't resist that shirt on sale. And those cute red shoes also end up in your shopping bag. Or you buy a new computer that you can't live without. We've all bought things we wanted but really didn't need on impulse. US statistics show that in 2009 a surprising 60 percent of all-store purchases were made without thinking first. And the latest reported statistics for e-purchases say that forty percent are impulsive. So why do we do this? It feels good. This feeling comes from a chemical called dopamine , which is released when we do something we enjoy. How can we resist the temptation to spend? l      Window-shop without your wallet. This way, when you see something you want, you can't buy it. If you really need the item, you can go back to the store to buy it. But it's likely you won't. l      Pay in cash-don't use credit cards. They can trick you into thinking you're not spending money because the bill doesn't come until later. Using cash will make you think twice before spending. l      Research the product first----then buy it. This will keep you from being talked into buying expensive hi-tech items like computers. l      Make a shopping list----and stick to it. Buy only what is on the list. l      Carry the exciting item around the store for 15 minutes. You will be surprised how that purple shirt loses its appeal after the initial \"Wow, isn't that cool?\" feeling wears off. It's hard to give up a bad habit. But if you replace it with a healthy habit, you will have more success. Consider going to the library instead of the bookstore. Explore new parks and learn about nature, or join a church or club. Exercise with friends or join a sports team. \n Question: What's the purpose of the passage? \n Options: (A) To show people how to avoid buying needless things. (B) To explain what are useful things for one's life. (C) To compare good habits with bad habits. (D) To advise people to save money in their lives.", "neg": "Article: Are you a problem shopper? The answer is \"Yes\" , if you or someone else thinks that you sometimes get carried away with shopping .In other words ,do you or does someone else think you are occupied in extreme shopping ? If people have regrets later about their shopping , or have an \"out-of-control\" feeling about the quantities of what they buy or the amount of credit they use , they may be considered to be problem shoppers. Extreme shopping can lead to a more serious problem -addictive shopping . Addictive shoppers feel driven by the desire to shop and spend money . They experience great tension which drives them to shop and spend money and they feel a \"rush\" during the time they are occupied with the shopping activity. Extreme or addictive shopping may result from long-time unpleasant feelings, of which anxiety ,pain and shame are common ones,. When we feel bad inside ,we often do something to make ourselves feel better . In this case ,we often go shopping . A few people shop to relieve their boredom or emptiness .For some people ,the motivation is a desire for status ,power ,beauty or success .Some love to shop as it makes them feel valued in the eyes of the shop assistants .Others shop simply because it makes them forget , at least temporarily , tension ,fear or unhappiness in their life. Besides ,shopping malls are designed to encourage continual shopping . For instance ,there are some malls where you can't see clocks displaying the time because they don't want you to become too aware of the time you spend there .What's more ,food courts, coffee shops and restrooms are provided ,so you don't have to leave the mall because of your physical needs. Therefore ,once you become aware of how market forces work ,you will certainly come to control your shopping behavior .For example ,how much time you will spend an d what areas you will visit can be decided before you enter the mall. Keep a written account of what items you will buy and how much money you will spend . Make a plan for what you are going to buy before you feel the urge to shop and then stick to it . That is vital for gaining self0control. \n Question: Which of the following people may not be problem shoppers? \n Options: (A) Those who cannot control the amount of credit they use. (B) Those who just walk around the shopping malls. (C) Those who are occupied in too much shopping. (D) Those who feel sorry for their shopping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}522{"query": "Article: Every one of us gets so used to punctuation marks that not many of us give them a secondthought.Actually,the ancient Greeks wrote this way.The lack of punctuation marks probably didn't bother good readers,though.As they read,they just put pauses where they fit best. Also at this time,sentences switched directions.A sentence read from leftto right.The next one read right to left,and then left to right again,etc.The ancient Romans sometimes punctuatedlike this:They put somethingthat can separate words in a sentence.The wordpunctuationactually comes from this idea andthe Latin word\"punctum\"which means a lot. When the 5th century arrived,there were just twopunctuation marks:spaces and points.The spaces separated words while the points showed pauses in reading.Then in the 13th century,a printer named Aldus Manutius tried to standardize punctuation.He always used a period for a complete stop at the end of a sentence.He used a slash(/)toindicate a short pause.Over time.that slash was shortened and curled,and it became the modern comma . Since that time,other marks have enlarged the punctuation family.The exclamation mark comes from the Latin word\"io\".It means \"exclamation of joy\".The question mark originally started out as the Latin word\"questio\",meaning\"question\".Eventually,scholars put it attheend of a sentence to show a question. Punctuation even keeps changing nowadays.New marks are coming into existence,and old punctuation marks are used in new ways.Take for example the\"interrobang\".This 1962 invention combines the question mark and exclamation mark for times when writers want both.For example.\"She did what?!\"or\"How much did you pay for that dress?!\"Obviously,the interrobang is not widelyused or recognized yet,but its invention shows that English is not yet finishedwith its punctuation. \n Question: We can learn from the passage that  _  . \n Options: (A) ancient Romans didn't use any punctuation marks (B) exclamation and question marks came from Latin (C) spaces and slashes were already used before the 5th century (D) Aldus Manutiusfast started to use commas", "pos": "Article: Grammarphobia is the fear of grammar. This fear attacks almost everybody at one time or another, and it's most likely to strike during English or language arts classes. Even people who love reading and writing have been known to get feverish and insecure when they are aware of the possibility of turning in homework with grammar or spelling mistakes. Though writing may be enjoyable, being corrected is definitely not! Grammarphobes, it's time to put your fears behind you. Grammar isn't that dreadful  . Here's why. Let's assume you like hearing and telling stories and that you enjoy joking with friends. You probably also like emailing and instantmessaging.  Well, what do you think makes all these possible? Grammar! Grammar is simply the art of putting words together to make sentences. Whenever you use words to express yourself, you're using grammar. You do this all the time without even thinking. So why think about it? Because good grammar helps you convey the ideas you intend. If your words aren't right, or if they are not in the right order, the person you are talking to might get the wrong idea. This can have embarrassing results. Grammar helps us understand each other.  It's like a manual   for assembling the words in your head. You have to put your words together the right way if you want them to make sense. They can't do what you want if they aren't put together correctly. What if everybody you know had a different manual? How would you agree on what others' words mean? People with different grammar manuals might be speaking different languages. Communicating is similar to playing cards.  To make sense, we have to play the same game, by the same rules. What are the rules for playing the game of English? You already know most of them without having to open a book. \n Question: Grammarphobes refer to people who   _  . \n Options: (A) consider grammar to be boring (B) are afraid of making grammar mistakes (C) mind grammar too much in writing (D) are worried about grammar homework", "neg": "Article: A full stop is used at the end of an idea or thought, and is an important rule in proper grammar. But text messages are changing the rules, as a new study finds digital messages ending with one aren't sincere. The results suggest skipping punctuation altogether, as it indicates you are answering naturally and heartfelt. Binghamton University's Harpur College observed 126 students, who read a series of messages displayed as texts on a screen or handwritten notes on loose-leaf paper . In the 16 experimental exchanges, the sender's message contained a statement followed by an invitation phrased as a question such as, \"Dave gave me his extra ticket. Wanna come?\" The receiver then gave a one-word response like \"Okay\", \"Sure\", \"Yeah\" or \"Yup\". Half of the participants' responses were with a full stop and the other half did not use it. Based on the responses, text messages that ended with a full stop were rated less sincere than those that did not end with one. The students who read the notes on the paper reported that full stop or not, they felt the message was sincere. These results suggest that punctuation can misconstrue or influence the meaning of text messages. The study concludes, \" _ \" \"Texting is lacking many of the social cues used in actual face-to-face conversations\", said Celia Klin, associate professor of psychology at Binghamton University's Harpur College. \"When speaking, people easily convey social and emotional information with eye gaze, facial expressions, tone of voice, pauses, and so on. People obviously can't use these mechanisms when they are texting. Thus, it makes sense that texters rely on what they have available to them -- emoticons, deliberate misspellings that mimic speech sounds  and, according to our data, punctuation. \" Recently, Klin's team conducted a follow-up study and found that text response with an exclamation mark  is interpreted as more sincere. \"That's not surprising, but it broadens our claim,\"saidKlin. \"Punctuation is used and understood by texters to convey emotions and other social and practical information. Given that people are wonderfully good at communicating complex information in conversations, it's not surprising that as texting evolves, people are finding ways to convey the same types of information in their texts. \" \n Question: Compared with face-to-face conversations, which of the following can text messages rely on to convey their meaning? \n Options: (A) Eye contact (B) Tone of voice (C) Emoticons (D) Gestures", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}523{"query": "Article: When Danny Wallace, 26, got bored, he put an ad on the worldwide web reading simply: \"Join Me. Send a passport photo.\" A year and a half later his east London flat is the headquarters for a global internet-based \"club\" whose members carry out good deeds for strangers every Friday. It's not common for people in London to talk to strangers. If you see someone struggling with something, part of the brain goes \"I want to help\". But the trained part of the brain says: \"They will think you are mad or going to mug them\", so you walk away. Join Me now has about 3,000 members around the world who do an act of kindness every Friday. For example, I'm usually out on a Friday so I go for one of the standard acts -- the unexpected cup of coffee. You might be sitting in a cafe and see an old man in the corner drinking coffee or tea, and you walk up with another cup of whatever they are drinking , and say: \" I've bought you a coffee\" and walk away. It's a pleasure to see the look of surprise on their faces. There can be some suspicion, but I think that was mostly in the early days when I didn't know how to do it properly. I would walk up quite nervously like I was doing something wrong and I didn't know when to leave. In the end, I learned through _ . Sometimes it worked, other times it didn't. I discovered that you have to walk up with confidence and humour and not \"get in their faces\". You say: \"This is for you\", then you go. It's hit-and-run kindness. And there is no point in doing it half-heartedly. You've got to do it because you really mean it. Join Me is without geographical boundaries, but there are quite a few members in London, and such stories about things happen on the underground or on the buses. One lady got on the bus and put a PS10 note down and said: \"That's for me and the next nine people\". So at every stop, anyone who got on was told it was paid for. A lot of people were doing this sort of thing anyway. For them it's an excuse or reason to do something nice for a complete stranger, and it gives them the confidence to walk up and start chatting. \n Question: When Londoners see someone in trouble, they   _  . \n Options: (A) often give a hand (B) pretend not to have seen it (C) stop and ask questions (D) telephone the police", "pos": "Article: There is always a man who stands on different comers of the street in our city, holding a sign that reads \"Will work for food for my family\". Normally I don't have much money to help him. When my mother is with me and she sometimes makes me pull over and then she will hand him some money. Tonight, I was on my way to the store to get some milk when I saw the man. My daughter and her friend were in the car. We all felt awful that this man was standing out in the cold, wet weather. Many people had made comments that he should be able to work. I often wondered why he would stand out there rather than be in the warmth of a building, working. Well, he might not have an address, and he may need an address in order to apply for a job. Either way, I don't feel it is  _ to judge. As I was sharing that feeling with my daughter and her friend, I decided that I needed to help this man. I wanted to show the girls the importance of helping others, not about worrying whether he was legitimately struggling or not.  So, when we pulled over to give him some money, I said, \"God bless you,\" and he said it back to us. But the girls and I were still concerned that he would be cold, standing out in the bad weather. So we got him a hot chocolate and a hamburger. My daughter handed them to him and l told the man that the girl wanted to help him because she was worried about him being cold. He was very sweet and appreciative. We all left with smiles, especially me, because, as we were pulling away, the girls were talking about ways they could raise money to help the man and others like him. It was the best trip I have ever made to get milk!!! \n Question: What do we know about the man? \n Options: (A) He refused to work and begged for food on the road. (B) He greatly appreciated others' help. (C) He couldn't stand cold, wet weather. (D) He liked to eat hamburgers and chocolates.", "neg": "Article: There's a great article in the New York Times this week about the tradition of buying a coffee for a stranger at the same time that you buy your own. They call it _ , the name for \"suspended   coffee\" in its birthplace. In some cafes, folks in need may claim a suspended coffee and drink it without cost. No doubt the free coffee will be welcomed by people who love coffee but for one reason or another don't have the money to buy one. But I also like the opportunity it offers customers to become philanthropists  . Every time they order a coffee, they can give one to somebody in need. This is a tradition that began some 100 years ago in Naples, Italy. In Naples, as reported by the Times, people love this kind of giving: \"To me, the philosophy of the suspended coffee is that you are happy today, and you give a coffee to the world, as a present.\" -- Luigi Solito \"It's a simple act of generosity: an act in which donors and recipients   never meet each other. The donor doesn't show off and the recipient doesn't have to show gratitude.\" --Laura Cozzolino \"Coffee consumptions started earlier than the unification   of Italy by more than 200 years, so the traditions around it are very ancient. In Naples, coffee is a world in itself, both culturally and socially.\" -- Andrea Illy The practice of buying suspended coffees has grown in popularity -- with websites popping up and hundreds of cafes from Canada to Brazil to Hungary to the US offering the service. \n Question: How can someone get a suspended coffee? \n Options: (A) He can ask for one in any cafe. (B) He can apply for one on websites. (C) He can buy one in a cafe offering the service. (D) He can drink one in a cafe that has prepaid coffees.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}524{"query": "Article: Depressed people can be very difficult to be around,and yet they need more than the usual amount of support and understanding from their friends and family. The anger and lack of concern that a depressed person may have for people close to him or her can be very disturbing to someone who's trying to help.At such times,the sincerity of a friend or a family member is questioned when the depressed person doesn't feel worthy of someone's friendship.Withdrawal from others can make it nearly impossible to encourage a depressed person to enter into activities that may help pull him or her out of the depression. It is frequently difficult for a depressed person to carry on a conversation.Attempts to help may be met with defensiveness and verbal attacks.While being supportive and understanding,the friend of a family member must be careful not to do too many things for the depressed person.There is a very thin line between being supportive and being overly protective.Too much\"doing for\" can be a disservice . You can best help a friend or relative who is depressed by considering the following points: *Do not moralize.Don't pressure him or her to \"put on a happy face,\" or to \"snap out of it.\" Often the person will feel even worse after hearing such words. *When you are alone with your depressed friend,you might say something like,\"I've noticed lately that you seem down.I care about you and would like to listen to what you're thinking about.\" Then be a good listener. *Don't say,\"I know exactly how you feel.\" You probably don't.But if you've had similar experiences,sharing those may help.Say things like,\"This happened to me.It might help you.\" Or \"I know some of what you must be feeling.\" *Urge him or her to get professional help if necessary.Offer to accompany your friend on the first visit if it will be easier for the person. \n Question: .The above passage is mainly intended for   _  . \n Options: (A) a doctor who works with a depressed person (B) a depressed person (C) one who lives with a depressed person (D) an expert who gives advice to a depressed person", "pos": "Article: We've all heard the quote, 'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.' My husband and son died within two years of each other. From my personal experience, I believe that if we aren't careful, grief can become a rather self-involved process in which we can become so focused on our own suffering that we miss the opportunity to connect with, and possibly bring comfort to, someone else who may be going through a similar experience.  Six months after my husband died, I was sinking in the quicksand of grief. I could not pull myself out of the misery. In that moment, I actually believed that my life was more difficult than anyone else around me. Life handed me a perfectly wrapped lesson that opened my eyes to the fact that through my suffering I had allowed myself to become blinded by my self-pity. The lesson presented itself in a health crisis. I had complications   from a surgical procedure and ended up being hospitalized for four days. I was in an extreme amount of pain during this time. Between the physical pain and the emotional pain of grief, I was an   mess. I should also tell you that I am a Registered Nurse. As a nurse, it is hard to be on the receiving end of medicine as the patient. The first three nights that I was in the hospital, the same nurse took care of me. She was young, maybe in her mid to late 20s, and she hardly interacted with me at all the first two nights, other than to give my medications as scheduled. She obviously had no idea how much emotional pain I was in. How hard is it to ask your patient how she's feeling? I wrote her off as a bad nurse who had little sympathy, and remained absorbed in my own emotional and physical pain. The third night the young nurse was a little more talkative. She asked me how I was feeling (finally!). I told her that I was struggling with depression and grief because my husband had died in an airplane accident. She looked at me and told me that her husband had died too, just two months earlier. I was stunned. Speechless. Shocked. Never, in any of the possibilities that my mind entertained of why this nurse was so unfriendly to me, did I even consider that she might be in the same pain I was. Not only was she grieving as I was, but she was having to take care of me, instead of caring for herself and her family. We went on to talk and share our stories about our late husbands and children. I like to think that we helped each other a bit that night. We had much more in common than I would have believed. We were both widowed single moms with young children, and nurses. But, that was where the similarities ended. Her husband had no insurance policy. She had very little family support. She was working paycheck to paycheck to support her boys. I was humbled. I realized how much I had to be grateful for. And, frankly, I never saw life the same way after this experience. This experience was a life-changing event for me. I had always prided myself on being a sympathetic person, but I realize now that I had not really understood what being sympathetic meant. To truly be sympathetic, you must be able to see beyond your own pain to be witness to the pain. I never looked at another person in the same way after this experience. I thank death for very few things. The gift of sympathy for my fellow man, and understanding that we all suffer in ways that aren't always visible, are presents from death that I will always be grateful for. Always take the time to be kind even when you're suffering with your own pain. And don't assume that someone else has it easier than you. You never know the battles someone else is fighting. \n Question: Why did the author regard the nurse as a bad one at first? \n Options: (A) The nurse treated her abruptly. (B) The nurse didn't offer medications on time. (C) The nurse seldom communicated with her. (D) The nurse was irresponsible.", "neg": "Article: \"I'd be better off dead.\" he said, without any hesitation . Hearing those words come out of my best friend's mouth tore my heart apart. He has repeated that phrase more than once, and my mind continually plays it over like a voice recording. I met him about three years ago. After knowing me for six months, he told me about his struggles with depression . Sadness was not the only feeling that came over me; I was shocked. He seemed so outgoing and happy all the time. I soon learned that he was hurt physically and mentally as a young child, causing him to have the thought of killing himself. He refuses to talk to others about his depression because he now distrusts adults, especially those in his family. However, he feels as if I understand him and that I know the right words to speak. Therefore, when it comes to helping him, convenience is not in my vocabulary. It does not matter where I am or what I am doing, for he always comes first. Many students at his school laugh at him when they notice scars on his arms from cutting. As he sees it, other kids have every right to make fun of him. But no one holds such a right, so I encourage him to ignore the heartless kids who treat him badly. When he feels the weight of judging eyes or hateful voices, I always remind him that I care about him unconditionally. Just hearing me say I will always be his best friend seems to give him the safety he needs to keep on going. My best friend once told me that if he had not had me, he would not be alive. He said that my encouraging words helped him not to take his life. Our friendship has taught me that a single kind word can influence someones life. Life is not easy for every one, which makes me strongly believe in the necessity of encouragement. \n Question: By saying convenience is not in my vocabulary, the author means   _  . \n Options: (A) he is always ready to help his friend (B) he hardly spares time to help his friend (C) he has no good excuse for refusing his friend (D) he is not good at communicating with his friend", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}525{"query": "Article: It was just three degrees above zero. \"That's cold,\" thought Jane as she got ready to deliver her morning papers. Jane has 50 customers, and on cold mornings when she couldn't ride her bike, it took her more than an hour to make her rounds. As she collected her papers and put them into a big canvas bag, Jane regretted that she hadn't finished her math homework the night before. There was still time. She'd hurry with the papers and finish the math before breakfast. Less than an hour later, Jane was nearly finished. She had only five customers to go. She could then head for home to complete her math while her mom fixed breakfast. As she rounded the corner, she saw a car in the middle of the street. It was Mr. Zimmerman, the elderly man who walked with a walking stick. His car was out of gas. \"I'd like to help Mr. Zimmerman,\" thought Jane. \"but if I do, I won't have time to do my homework.\" She hated to think what Mr. Roberts would say if she hadn't completed her papers. \"It's his own fault for running out of gas,\" Jane talked to herself, \"the station is only a half mile down the street. Surely Mr. Zimmerman can walk that far, even on a cold morning like this... can't he?\" As she walked down the street, Jane wondered what to do. \n Question: Jane delivers her papers   _  . \n Options: (A) before she goes to school (B) on cold mornings (C) with the help of Mr. Zimmerman's car (D) on the way to school", "pos": "Article: My father and I started our morning by moving quickly into the local store. I waited in the line a the Starbucks counter while he shopped around to pick up a few things. As I was starting there I become aware of an elderly women, with untidy hair,wearing layers upon layers of old clothing, hunchbacked  behind me in line. She had a few things for washing and seemed to want the Starbucks cashier to ring up since that queue was shorter than the queues in the store. At some point I became aware of her edging   closer behind me -- closer than I was comfortable with! I instinctively   placed a hand over my purse and drew it close to me. My fear and imagination raced creating wild stories about this homeless woman who might try to steal from me. Then it was my turn to order. As the cashier rang Ypsilanti my total, I discovered I was 67 cents short. I called my father but he was hard of hearing. He asked me to repeat what I said but he still couldn't make me out. At that point, a long, grey arm, with holes in its sleeves, reached over from behind me. She laid 67 cents out on the counter, saying, \"Here, we all need some help sometimes. \" I was _ Here was a woman who clearly had very little to give and was i n great need herself. I had judged her wrongly and she had offered to reach out to help me! What an amazing gift and lesson this woman gave me about judging others! Thank you, God! \n Question: From the passage, we can learn that the elderly women   _  . \n Options: (A) probably lived a poor life (B) tried to steal money from the writer (C) always followed close behind the writer (D) often went to the store to buy a few things.", "neg": "Article: She was returning from teaching out in a small community  . It was a moonless night, and a heavy snow was falling. She remembered back to when she had first started teaching out in small communities. In those days she had always picked up hitchhikers  , until the day her sister told her of a friend who had been shot   in the head by a hitchhiker, all because she had stopped out of kindness to help him during a storm. Her family didn't become concerned   about her safety over the hitchhikers until the family heard the promise: \"No more hitchhikers!\" The snow that night was making her think back to this. Then she saw a man waving. She slowed down for him, but now as he ran toward the car in the dark she shook with fear. Yet she thought that if he was truly in need she couldn't leave him here in this storm. The stranger explained that his car was dead, and she told him to get in. They drove for an hour into the next city and she took him to a telephone booth  . She waited until he had made a call. When he reported back to her that a family member would soon come for him, she wished him well and left.  _ \"I hope they'll understand why I had to break my promise,\" she thought. \n Question: What can we learn about the woman? \n Options: (A) She was a taxi driver. (B) She used to be a hitchhiker. (C) She taught in small communities. (D) She seldom picked up strangers.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}526{"query": "Article: Mr. Briggs got a job with an insurance company  after he left school and went around visiting people in their homes to sell them life insurance.  One day, after he had been working for the company for about a year, the insurance manager sent for him and said, \"Mr. Briggs, I have been looking at your record as a salesman with our company, and there is one thing that surprises me about it. Why have you been selling insurance only to people over 95 years old, and why have you been giving them such generous conditions? You'll ruin our company if you go on like that. \"   \"Oh, no, sir,\" answered Mr. Briggs at once, \"Before I started work, I looked at the figures  for deaths in this country during the past ten years, and I can tell you that few people die at the age of 95. \" \n Question: Before he worked in an insurance company, what was Mr. Briggs?  _ \n Options: (A) . He was a worker. (B) He was an official. (C) He was a student. (D) He was a businessman.", "pos": "Article: John and Booby joined a wholesale company together just after graduation from college the same year. Both worked very hard. After several years, however, the boss promoted Bobby to the position of manager but John remained an ordinary employee . John could not take it any more, so he sent his resignation  and complained that the boss did not value hard working workers but only promoted those who said good words of him. The boss knew that John worked very hard for the years. He thought for a moment and said, \"Thank you for telling me, but I have a request. I hope you will do one more thing for our company before you leave. Perhaps you will change your mind and take back your resignation.\" John agreed. The boss asked him to go and find out anyone selling watermelons in the market. John went and returned soon. He said he had found out a man selling watermelons. The boss asked how much per kg, John shook his head and went back to the market to ask and returned to tell the boss $1.2 per kg. The boss told John to wait a second, and he called Bobby to go and find anyone selling watermelons in the market. Bobby went, returned and said only one person sold watermelons. $1.2 for a kg, $10 for 10kg and his watermelons added up to 340. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 2 kg, bought from the south two days ago and they were fresh, red and good quality. John was surprised and realized the difference between himself and Bobby. He decided not to go away but to learn from Bobby. The story tells us that a more successful person is more concerned and thinks more. Chances are there in the daily details. For the same thing, a person sees one year ahead, while another sees only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win? \n Question: John wanted to stop his job in his company because  _  . \n Options: (A) Bobby was promoted but he was not (B) he didn't want to say good words of his boss (C) he thought the boss didn't take his hard work seriously (D) he didn't want to be an ordinary employee", "neg": "Article: Several months ago I decided it would be wise to look into the possibilities of buying a life insurance policy , because I understood it might be a good investment. I got the name of an insurance agent from a friend and called the agent to get some information. From the kinds of questions I put to him the agent could tell that I knew nothing about insurance, so he kindly offered to explore the matter with me in more detail---to help me determine the kind of policy I ought to be considering. That evening he appeared at my door promptly  at 7:30; without wasting time on pleasantness, he spread his papers out on the kitchen table and launched into a lengthy explanation. I listened attentively as he talked about the difference between various types of policies, and he explained the kind of coverage he felt I ought to have. Toward the end of the evening (after three or four hours of talking), he kindly helped me fill out an application for a $50,000 policy, and then he asked if I could go to a Dr. Luther's office on Friday for a physical examination. I don't know why, but it was not until the mention of the doctor's appointment that I realized fully what was happening. I was about to sign a lifetime contract, yet I had not really made a decision about whether I wanted to buy the policy. However, since he had spent so much time with me, I didn't want to make him feel that he had wasted his time. So I invented an excuse about things I had to do on Friday, and I assured him I would call him in a few days. Actually, I had no intention of going to see Dr. Luther or of calling the agent again. I wanted to forget the whole thing. It's been over three months now since our meeting, and my friendly insurance agent still calls at my office faithfully two or three times a week. My secretary knows that I don't want to talk to him, so when he calls she tells him that I'm in a meeting or that I'm out of the office or that I'm away on a business trip. I realize now that it was a mistake not to tell him that first night that I didn't want the policy. Since I still can't bring myself to tell him clearly that I'm not interested, and please not to bother me anymore, all I can do is avoid his calls and hope I don't run into him some place. \n Question: The writer phoned the insurance agent because  _  . \n Options: (A) he wanted to fill out an application (B) he had decided to buy a life insurance policy (C) he took great interest in the insurance company (D) he was eager to explore the possibilities of buying a policy", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}527{"query": "Article: The old lady was glad to be back at the block of flats where she lived. Her shopping had tired her and the basket had grown heavier with every step of the way home. In the lift her thoughts were on lunch and a good rest, but when she got out at her own floor, both were forgotten in her sudden discovery that her front door was open. She was thinking that she must tell her daily maid the next morning to lock the door, and then she remembered that she had gone shopping after the maid had left and she knew that she had turned both keys in their locks. She walked slowly into the hall and at once noticed that all the room doors were open, yet following her regular practice she had shut them before going out. Looking into the living room she saw a sight of confusion over by her writing desk. It was as clear as daylight then that burglars had forced into the house during her absence. Her first thought was to go round all the rooms looking for the thieves, but then she decided that at her age it might be more reasonable to have someone with her, so she went to fetch the doorman from his basement .By this time her legs were beginning to shake, so she sat down and accepted a cup of a very strong tea, while she telephoned to the police. Then her sense regained, she was ready to set off with the doorman's help to search for any thieves who might still be hiding in her flat. \n Question: When she saw the front door was open, the old lady forgot about   _  . \n Options: (A) her basket and desk (B) her keys and lunch (C) her lunch and rest (D) her maid and child", "pos": "Article: Since her husband died, Mrs. Jackson has lived alone in their big old suburban  house, The house was bought by her husband almost fifty years ago.               For the sake of safety  , her son has tried hard to ask her to sell the house and buy a new and small one in the town , But Mrs. Jackson doesn't like the idea. She says that she has to look after her husband's old house. But recently she often hears stories about unknown people stealing things around here.               That was a cold day before Christmas Eve. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Jackson was enjoying the Christmas music when someone knocked at the door. She heard the sound but didn't move. Another knock. Who could it be? Mrs. Jackson was a bit afraid. She decided not to answer the door but keep waiting.               One minute another minute and yet another minute. Nothing happened and no more knocks , She walked quietly to the door, and listened. She heard nothing but the wind outside. She slowly unfastened the door and peeped   through the crack . She then gave a surprised cry and threw the door wide open! At the door she saw a tall, beautiful Christmas tree! In the tree stood a Christmas card with these words:               Merry Christmas! Your new neighbor \n Question: The house bought by Mr. Jackson is   _  . \n Options: (A) in the town (B) small but new (C) outside the town (D) fifty years old", "neg": "Article: We are much happier in our new house because it has a large garden, and you know how enthusiastic we both are about gardening. When we moved in a month ago, Mary wanted to get a dog to keep out burglars. However, we finally decided that it would be cheaper to put an iron grille in front of the door and get a burglar alarm. Last week, I went to a shop and bought an alarm for just over PS200. It consists of a control unit with three smaller units. I put the control unit in the lounge and put the other units in place by the front door, back door and lounge windows. That night I soon fell asleep because I was confident that no one could get into our house undetected. At about 1:50 a.m. I woke up suddenly and heard the siren. It was like an ambulance driving right through our bedroom. I couldn't leave the siren on all night. I went downstairs in the dark. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I switched on the light and looked around. Oh my gosh. The back door was unlocked. I rushed to lock it and it was just at that exact moment that the 'burglar' disappeared behind a curtain. Guess what? It was an ordinary house lizard .Apparently the alarm system had been made for American or European homes in which lizards are never seen. I switched the alarm off and sat down to watch. A few moments later, a lizard ran across a wall, right in front of one of the alarm units. I won't bother to finish this story but if you'd like a burglar alarm system free of charge, just let us know. \n Question: What do we know about the author and his wife? \n Options: (A) They are pet lovers. (B) They love plants and flowers. (C) They are fond of catching lizards. (D) They hate technology.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}528{"query": "Article: The owner of an Alabama Chinese restaurant named \"Good Friend\" shot at a customer who complained about a fly in her eggroll Thursday night. The bullet narrowly missed 20-year-old Birmingham resident Jatari Walker who told the Daily News she is scarred by the entire experience. \"I can't sleep,\" she said Saturday afternoon. \"And since it happened I've had no appetite.\" Walker ordered a combination platter and eggroll from the Good Friend Chinese and Seafood Restaurant on Dennison Ave. Thursday evening. After paying her $7 bill she went back to her car and discovered a fly inside. \"I thought I need to take this back,\" she said. The customer went back and asked for a repayment and said the owner Chun HinChing, 52, was unhappy with her because she announced her discovery in front of other customers. After an argument he repaid the money and Walker -- who is now a former frequent customer of the business -- turned and walked to the exit. That's when Ching drew a handgun and fired a single shot over her head. \"He just shot the gun at me and I ran,\" she said, adding she could feel the bullet whiz past her head. Birmingham Police Department spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards told the News the owner was charged with attempted murder and was transported to Jefferson County Jail on $100,000 bail . Police believe Ching intended to hit Walker with the bullet and missed, Edwards said. The bullet hit the top of the door frame of the take-out business. Ching did not tell police why he fired at Walker, Edwards said. Edwards said he did not recall any previous problems at the business. He said Ching did not say why he had a weapon but added it was not uncommon for stores in that neighborhood. \"No one was injured from the gunshot\", Edwards said. Calls placed to the restaurant Saturday afternoon were not answered. \n Question: What happened on Thursday night in Good Friend Chinese and Seafood Restaurant? \n Options: (A) A fire broke out but luckily no one was injured. (B) The restaurant owner refused to repay the money. (C) The egg rolls caused sickness among some customers. (D) A young woman narrowly escaped being killed by a bullet.", "pos": "Article: When we walked into Papillon Bleu, a Chinese restaurant around the corner from Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal's Old Port, the sole waiter on duty looked surprised to see us. At 7:45 on a Saturday night, at the height of tourist season, just one young white family sat in the dining room. We walked past them to a table in the back, Chopin drifting quietly from the speakers into the certain shade of dim light that only Chinese restaurants seem to have. At our seats, bright yellow napkins, folded into fans, rested on a blue tablecloth next to cutlery . Sometime in the last 18 years of operation, Papillon Bleu stopped bothering with chopsticks. \"How did you find out about us?\"our waiter politely asked. I told him that my family used to own a Chinese restaurant that served peanut butter dumplings and I wanted to taste them again. Papillon Bleu came up when I googled\"Best Peanut Butter Dumplings in Montreal\". He shook his head and told us that while it might have been the case a few years ago, they had switched peanut butter brands to cut costs. But the significance for me wasn't which brand they used, it was that they served peanut butter dumplings. Commonly known as Hunan dumplings, this specialty exists neither in China, nor anywhere else in North America. Instead, Hunan dumplings are a unique Quebecois tradition, and a slowly dying one, found in the second-generation Chinese family restaurants. Peanut butter dumplings taste exactly how they sound, but also unlike anything else. It is a kind of dumpling that coats your mouth with a distinct store-brand quality, a little too sweet, but buttery, and luxuriously  warm, perfectly suited to resist the bone-chilling effects of the Montreal winter. \n Question: What can we infer about the restaurant? \n Options: (A) It still uses chopsticks. (B) It is well decorated. (C) The business hour is long. (D) The business is not promising.", "neg": "Article: A disheveled   man appeared in court Thursday on charges of murdering a Chinese woman whose fight with her attacker was seen on webcam  by her boyfriend in China. Police refused to release any details about the crime or its possible motive. The body of York University student Liu Qian, 23, of Beijing, was found Friday in her apartment in Toronto a few hours after her boyfriend witnessed the attack, police said. She was found undressed from the waist down but there were no obvious signs of sexual attack or trauma   severe enough to kill her. Police say it may be weeks before the results of an autopsy   are known. Brian Dickson, 29, stood before the court in a wrinkled white shirt and blue jeans as a charge of first- degree murder was read out. He did not enter a plea. His case was held over until April 26. Dickson was arrested Wednesday. Police only announced his name and his age and asked the media not to publish any photos of Dickson, saying it could compromise the investigation. Toronto police spokesman Tony Vella declined to respond to the request further. Liu's father, Liu Jianhui, who arrived from China after being informed of his daughter's death, thanked authorities for their quick action. \"I sincerely thank the people concerned with my daughter's case,\" he told reporters after the arrest. \"Our daughter was studying very hard.\" Police released no motive or details about Dickson, but one friend described the Toronto man as _ . Patricia Tomasi, a friend of Dickson's, told The Associated Press that she acted in a play at a local theater in Toronto with Dickson in 2007. \"He doesn't seem like the type but that's what they always say,\" Tomasi said. \"He's tall with boyish good looks. I don't know much about him except that he wanted to be an actor.\" Dickson attended York University where he studied global politics, but did not earn a degree from there. He later worked for the Atlantic Council of Canada (ACC), where he served as an assistant to the president Juilie Lindhout. According to his biography on a newsletter from the Atlantic Council of Canada, Dickson has also been a running instructor and has been involved with Developments in Literacy, a Pakistani aid organization that raises money for children in Pakistan. A statement from the Atlantic Council of Canada on Thursday said it was not council policy to comment on staff, but it confirmed that Dickson had been an intern  with the council from September 29, 2008, until March 27, 2009. Liu was chatting with her boyfriend, Meng Xianchao, by webcam at about 1 am. Friday when a man knocked on the door, police said. Meng reported seeing a struggle break out between the two before Liu's webcam was shut off. Meng contacted other friends in Toronto who in turn called police. The victim's father, Liu Jianhui, said his daughter studied at Beijing City University before moving to Canada, where she met Meng. Liu Qian's laptop computer, webcam and mobile phone were taken from the apartment the night of the attack, police said. Police said the online chat was on a live streaming camera and was not recorded, though investigators were trying to figure out if there was any way they could recover it. York University, whose campus is located near one of Toronto's rougher neighborhoods, is one of Canada's largest universities with more than 53,000 undergraduate and graduate students. About 3,200 of York's students come from more than 150 foreign countries, the university's website says. \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) York University students come from over 150 foreign countries. (B) Dickson was a graduate of York University where he studied global politics. (C) The passage does not mention the reason why Dickson murdered Liu Qian. (D) ACC wouldn't make any comments on staff even if they committed a crime.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}529{"query": "Article: In 1969 I was a young girl working in Toronto. I was from a small town in Ontario and had just moved to the big city about three months earlier. It was one week before Christmas and I was going home on the last streetcar of the evening.     I remember looking at my paycheque  and asking myself how it was going to endure. At that time in my life I hardly had enough money to exist on. Bread for supper and oatmeal for breakfast was the only way I kept hunger at bay.    I got off the streetcar and started walking up the street, when I suddenly noticed a man was running after me. I stopped, turned around, seeing that he was black. I  _ , \"What do you want?\" The man answered in a soft voice, \"I am returning your wallet. You left it on the streetcar seat.\"    Because of that man's thoughtfulness, I was allowed the comfort of going home by bus for the summer holidays. Otherwise, I would have stayed alone in my small room with a hog plate.     I have never been so ashamed of myself, and that poor, kind man had to walk, who knows how far, home.     I recognized immediately that this was wrong of me and it changed my ways forever. \n Question: Why was the black man running after the writer? \n Options: (A) To rob her. (B) To scare her. (C) To make friends with her. (D) To return her wallet.", "pos": "Article: I had made up my mind a long time ago that I would not give a homeless person money, because I could never be sure what that money would be used for. Instead, I decided, I would buy them a sandwich, a cold drink on a hot day, a cup of coffee, whatever I could manage. I was out recently and saw a homeless man outside of a _ . I decided I would buy this man lunch. I bought a sandwich and soda. Just as I was leaving the store, two policemen were approaching the man. Obviously the shop owners had complained of his wandering and the police were there to draw him away from the storefronts. Just as they were about to wake him, I asked one of the officers if it was all right if I just gave the man something before he went. I was not sure why I asked the permission but the policeman said sure and I just left the bag in the man's cart, got in my car and drove off. As I was driving off I remember thinking \"I hope people saw that\". Then I had to seriously ask myself why I hoped people had seen me give the man a sandwich from Starbucks. Was it because I wanted people to think, \"She's such a nice person!\"? Why did I hope others had seen me do it? I continued to wonder this all evening. The next morning, it came to me that I wanted people to have witnessed that small act of kindness not so that I would receive credit and praise but so that they might be inspired to do the same and in so doing that others still would witness their acts of kindness. Thus the whole spirit of pity and giving would be lasting. \n Question: When the author saw the homeless man, he was   _  . \n Options: (A) begging outside (B) buying goods (C) staying awake (D) falling asleep", "neg": "Article: The summer of 1975 I'd just graduated from college in Southern California and received a 1968 Ford Capri for a graduation present. I had my first job, in Los Angeles. One Sunday night, thinking myself a very independent gown-up, I left my uncle's place in South Laguna after a visit, without admitting to him that I had less than an eighth of a tank of gas and no cash to buy more on the way to L.A. I pulled onto the Pacific Coast Highway and watched the needle move down as I headed north. When the engine started giving off strong smells, I pulled into a gas station. There was no self-serve then; there were no credit cards, no ATMs. I begged the guy at the station. I could write him a check for gas, I said, or I could sleep in my car and try to walk to a town with a bank the next morning. As he was informing me that I could sleep in my car but he'd have me arrested, a station wagon pulled up to the next pump. The driver--a thin, plain, middle-aged guy--overheard the tail end of my failed request. As the attendant went to serve him, he nodded at me. \"Fill her tank first,\" he said. \"Really?\" I said. Hope bloomed. \"Oh, thank you. Thank you. But please. I just need two bucks' worth. I just need to get home.\" \"Fill it,\" he repeated to the attendant. Then he turned to me, \"You'll do the same one day, for someone else.\" \n Question: When the author found he was short of gas he was   _  . \n Options: (A) on the way to South Laguna (B) in South Laguna (C) on the way to Los Angeles (D) in Los Angeles", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}530{"query": "Article: The Internet has become a part of our everyday life and there is nothing we can do without it.It is a means of communication as well as a good way of relieving and having fun.No matter in what place of the world,the Internet is the same for every one of us.     If we hope to improve our knowledge or look for a certain piece of information, the Internet is the perfect tool for our need.If we do not have the time to shop, ordering online is the solution to our problem.The Internet is very useful to most  people.     There is no doubt that the Internet also has some bad points.I'm speaking about the harmful information,which may come up in the most unexpected paces.You can sometimes come across violence,presented to the public as a very normal way of expressing beliefs.An intelligent person will always be able to tell apart right and wrong, but what can we do to help the teenagers and children? This sort of information is a cause of many of the violent incidents in schools.     There are few organization that monitor the Internet and the information on it.They cannot possibly get rid of all the bad things on the Internet.     So should the Internet be censored for the protection of children? My belief is that parents are the ones who should be to blame for what their children ale doing on the Internet. \n Question: The disadvantage of the Internet mentioned in the passage is that  _  . \n Options: (A) people spend too much time on it. (B) people rely too much on it. (C) it can provide harmful information. (D) many people use it to do things that ale not legal", "pos": "Article: The Internet has become part of teenagers' life. A news report on 3,375 students aged from 10 to 18 in seven Chinese cities found that 38 per cent of them believe they use the Internet often. While most of them get useful information and use the Internet to help in their studies, some are not using it in a good way. Many are playing online games too much. A few even visit Web sites they should not look at. A middle school teacher from Beijing warns that bad things can happen if young people spend too much time on the Internet. She had a student who used to be good at school. But then he started visiting sex Web sites. He went mad, cheated a girl and was taken away by the police. In order to help young people use the Internet in a good way, a textbook on good Internet behavior has started to be used in some Shanghai middle schools this term. The book uses real examples to teach students all about good ways of using the Internet. The book gives useful advice such as it's good to read news or find helpful information to study. Some students also make online friends. But if you are meeting a friend offline, make sure your parents know. Teachers and parents all think the book is a very good idea. This teacher said the book will be a guide for teens using the Internet. She believes it will keep students away from bad sites. \"Many students are using the Internet without guidance from their parents,\" she said. \"The book will teach students how to be a good person in the online world.\" \n Question: The textbook mainly tells us   _  . \n Options: (A) why we should use the Internet (B) not to visit sex Web sites (C) how to use the Internet correctly (D) how to get help from others", "neg": "Article: As the Internet's influence grows, the potential for danger also escalates  . One of these dangers is from cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying   is repeatedly hurting someone else through the use of technology. It consists of sending or posting cruel messages, photos, or videos on the Internet or other electronic media with the intent of damaging the reputation of the target. Imagine being a 13-year-old girl discovering a cell phone picture of her changing clothes for gym class has been sent to all her classmates. Or imagine being an 11-year-old boy who is scared to go to school because an unknown bully sent him an instant message saying that he is so fat that he should kill himself. Cases such as these are happening every day, leading kids to be depressed and unable to concentrate. Worse yet, parents are oblivious   to what is happening. Only 15 percent of parents even know what cyber-bullying is. And anyone who thinks that their child is not a victim or a bully is probably wrong. 90 percent of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online and 75 percent have admitted to visiting a website attacking another student. Unlike traditional schoolyard bullying, where a bully has a name and a face, cyber-bullying gets much of its power from anonymity  . A cyber bully might design a website posting cruel remarks about a classmate and never tell anyone that he or she was the creator. The cyber-bullying also gets its power from the scope   of its audience. Within seconds, a cyber bully can send an e-mail to everyone he or she knows, inviting them to take part in an online poll   of who is the ugliest kid in their class. Victims can be picked on day and night from any place. The good news is that you can help stop cyber-bullying. By making parents and educators aware of what is going on and encouraging them to take quick and strong action when cyber-bullying cases happen, you can help make technology constructive, not destructive, for young people. \n Question: What does the author think of the cyber-bullying? \n Options: (A) It is not as harmful as people think. (B) It is too complex a problem to settle. (C) It will not affect the relationship between classmates. (D) It can be stopped through our efforts.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}531{"query": "Article: A new international study shows that some people's biological clock plays a powerful role for their life expectancy, regardless of lifestyle choices. Published in the latest issue ofAgingon Wednesday, the study has found the most definitive evidence to explain why some people keep healthy lifestyle but die younger than others. Geneticist Steve Horvath from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), led a team of 65 scientists around the world to record age-related changes to human DNA, analyse blood samples collected from 13, 000 people and estimate their lifespan. A higher biological age, regardless of actual age, consistently predicts an earlier death, the study says. \"You get people who are vegan, sleep 10 hours a day, have a low-stress job, and still end up dying young,\" Horvath said in a statement. \"We have shown some people have a faster innate aging rate.\" The findings discovered that 5 percent of the population ages at a faster biological rate, which translated to a roughly 50 percent higher than average risk of death at any age. \"The great hope is that we find anti-aging interventions that would slow your innate aging rate,\" Horvath said, adding that \"this is an important milestone to realizing this dream.\" \n Question: Some people keep healthy lifestyle but die younger than others because   _  . \n Options: (A) their biological clock is not powerful enough (B) the most definitive evidence has been found (C) they have a higher actual age than others (D) they ages at a relatively faster biological rate", "pos": "Article: Why do men die earlier than women? The latest research makes it known that the reason could be   that men's hearts go into rapid decline when they reach middle age.   The largest study of the effects of aging on the heart has found that women's  _ may be    linked to the fact that their hearts do not lose their pumping power with age.   \"We have found that the power of the male heart falls by 20-25 percent between 18 and 70 years of age,\" said the head of the study, David Goldspink of Liverpool John Moores University in the UK.   \"Within the heart there are millions of cells that enable it to beat. Between the age of 20 and 70, one-third of those cells die and are not replaced in men,\" said Goldspink. \"This is part of the aging   process.\"   What surprises scientists is that the female heart sees very little loss of these cells. A healthy     70-year-old woman's heart could perform almost as well as a 20-year-old one's.   \"This gender difference might just explain why women live longer than men,\" said Goldspink. They studied more than 250 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 80, focusing on healthy  persons to remove the confusing influence of disease. \"The team has yet to find why aging takes a    greater loss on the male heart,\" said Goldspink.   The good news is that men can improve the health of their heart with regular exercise. Goldspink  stressed that women also need regular exercise to prevent their leg muscles becoming smaller and       weaker as they age. \n Question: The text mainly talks about   _  . \n Options: (A) men's heart cells (B) women's aging process, (C) the gender difference (D) hearts and long life", "neg": "Article: How long you live has a lot to do with your environment and lifestyle, but exceptional long life may have even more to do with your genes. For the first time, researchers have discovered a genetic recipe that accurately predicts who may live to 100 and beyond. Analysis shows that 90% of the participants who lived to 100 had at least one of the signature genetic clusters . Dr. Thomas Perls at the Boston University School of Medicine said, \"We realize this is a complex genetic puzzle. There is a long way for us to go to understand how the integration of these genes--not just with themselves but with environmental factors--is playing a role in this long life puzzle.\" Perls has studied many factors that contribute to long life, and he is the first to acknowledge that living longer isn't likely to be simply a matter of genes. His previous work has shown, for example, that among most elderly people who live into their 70s and 80s, about 70% can owe their long life to environmental factors such as not smoking; eating a healthy, low-fat, low-calorie diet; and remaining socially engaged and mentally active throughout life. It seems clear that those who live extremely long are benefiting from a special DNA. In fact, Perls believes that the older a person gets, the more likely it is that his or her genes are contributing to those extended years. \n Question: Perls may most likely agree that  _  . \n Options: (A) most people living extremely long benefit from not smoking (B) living longer just depends on certain genetic recipes (C) environmental factors play an important role in long-living (D) being mentally active has nothing to do with living an old age", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}532{"query": "Article: For almost two months Dominic York, a 23-year-old hairdresser, wandered about hospitals all night, wearing a white coat and pretending he was a doctor. Yesterday he proudly claimed in court that despite his complete lack of medical experience or qualifications, he had saved several people's lives. He had even been allowed to assist a surgeon during an emergency operation on a patient who was about to die on something she had swallowed. \"I watched one of those TV dramas about a hospital and suddenly I felt like playing one of the roles myself. So I put on a white jacket and a stethoscope and walked around one of the biggest hospital in London. At first I just watched. Once you learn how doctors talk to patients, nurses and others doctors, it's easy to take people in,\" he said. One of the patients he treated was Laura Kennan. She had been knocked down by a car and fainted. When she came to in hospital, York was standing over her. \"He looked very professional. He told me his name was Doctor Simon. Then he gave me some sort of injection,\" she said. And then he suddenly cleared off when a nurse asked who he was. She didn't think there was anything wrong. \"I would never have realized he was a fake if a policewoman hadn't showed me his photograph a week later. When the policewoman told me who he really was, I could hardly believe my ears.\" Judge Raymond Adams told York that he was \" shocked and horrified\" that he got away with his deceiving for so long. And they sentenced him to eighteen months in a special prison for criminal with mental disorders. \"I can only hope that this will not lead to further problems. After all, you will have considerable opportunity to study the behaviour of the psychiatrists who will look after you while you are there. If you try to persuade people that you yourself are a psychiatrist after you are set free, I shall make sure that you are given a much longer sentence.\" Judge Adams warned York. \n Question: York was proud of the fact that    _   . \n Options: (A) a surgeon let him watch an operation. (B) he could perform some duties of a doctor (C) he had cheated doctors for so long (D) people thought he could become a real doctor", "pos": "Article: When he was a boy, Tim was much influenced  by the books about the sea, but in fact by the age of fifteen he had decided to become a doctor rather than a sailor. His father was a dentist and as a result, Tim had the opportunity of meeting many doctors either at home or elsewhere. When he was fourteen he was already hanging around the clinic   of a local doctor where he was supposed to help to wrap up medicine bottles, but was actually trying to listen to the conversations taking place between the doctor and his patients in the next room. During the war Tim served in the Navy   as a surgeon  . \"That was the happiest time of my life. I was dealing with very real suffering and on the whole making a success of it.\" In California he taught the country people simple facts about medicine. He saw himself as a life-saver. He had proved his skills to himself and his ability to take decisions. Thus, while he was able to tell them what to do, he could feel he was saving them. After the war, he got married and chose to be a doctor in the countryside, working under an old doctor who was popular in the area, but who hated the sight of blood and believed that the secret of medicine was faith. This gave the young man many opportunities to go on working as a life-saver. \n Question: Tim decided to be a doctor when he was  _  . \n Options: (A) fourteen (B) fifteen (C) serving in the Navy (D) working in clinic", "neg": "Article: As a boy,Tim was much influenced by books about the sea, but in fact by the age of fifteen he had decided to become a doctor rather than a sailor. His father was a dentist and as a result Tim had the opportunity of meeting many doctors either at home or elsewhere. When he was fourteen he was already hanging around the clinic of a local doctor where he was supposed to be helping to wrap up medicine bottles,but was actually trying to listen to the conversations taking place between the doctor and his patients in the next room. During the war Tim served in the Navy as a surgeon .\"That was the happiest time of my life. I was dealing with very real suffering and on the whole making a success of it .\"In California he taught the country people simple facts about medicine. He saw himself as a life-saver. He had proved his skills to himself and his ability to take decisions. Thus,while he was able to tell them what to do, he could feel he was serving them. After the war, he got married and chose to be a doctor in the countryside,working under an old doctor who was popular in the area,but who hated the sight of blood and believed that the secret of medicine was faith. This gave the younger man many opportunities to go on working as a life -saver. \n Question: Tim decided to become a doctor at fifteen mainly because \n Options: (A) hisfather wanted him to be so (B) his father was a surgeon himself (C) e had read many books about medicine (D) e had chances to meet many doctors through his father", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}533{"query": "Article: All the oceans of the world will be dead in the future unless action is taken at once. How can this happen? We have already seen that people allow all sorts of waste products to flow into the sea. It is almost impossible to measure how much waste water and industrial waste in our oceans, but we can find out how much oil is poured into them legally and illegally. It is illegal to pour oil into the sea close to the shore, but when a ship is many miles out to sea, there are no such rules. Scientists have different ideas as to the amount of oil putting into the sea, but the lowest figure for oil poured in European waters alone is nearly 200 000 tons every year. Some people say the figure could be ten times as high. It is not only our coasts that suffer from oil pollution. Many shell fish, for example, now have high amounts of poisonous substances . Next time you have shell fish to eat, how can you be sure that they are free from oil pollution? You cannot see the effects and you cannot taste them, either. It is really quite a problem. \n Question: This passage is mainly about  _  . \n Options: (A) pollution in the oceans (B) oil pollution in the waters (C) the amounts of poison in shell fish (D) the amounts of oil in the sea", "pos": "Article: The average global temperature has increased by almost 0.5 centigrade degree over the past century; scientists expect it to rise by an extra 1~3 degree over the next 100 years.               Warmer weather makes glaciers melt, adding more water to the ocean. The warmer temperature also make water expand, so it takes up more space, causing the sea level to rise. The sea level has risen about 10~25 cm in the last 100 years.               The main cause of global warming is human pollution. Through burning coal, oil and gas, people have been increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as CO2. This adds to the power of the greenhouse effect, making the planet even warmer.               Many scientists believe that, if the warming is not stopped, there will be huge climate changes. The sea level could rise to one metre this century.               Should this come true, millions of homes will be swallowed up by the sea and the world will be flooded with \"climate refugees\" looking for somewhere to live? \n Question: Which of the following is true? \n Options: (A) warmer weather-glaciers melt-water expand-pollution (B) pollution-warmer weather-glaciers melt-water expand (C) pollution-water expand-warmer weather-glaciers melt (D) glaciers melt-pollution-water expand-warmer weather", "neg": "Article: Every year 2.2 million tons of oil are spilled ( , ) into the ocean. Actually, this only amounts to a small percentage of the total 1.6 billion tons of oil shipped around the world each year.However, this spilled oil has terrible effects on ocean life, including the coastlines where the off washes up onto shore. Some of the largest spills in history were caused by oil tankers running into each other or by an oil tanker sailing into shallow water and hitting the bottom of the ocean. After these spills, officials try to discover who or what was at fault to help prevent similar accidents in the future. One of the worst oil spills in history occurred along the Alaskan coastline in 1989. In this accident, 42,000 tons of oil spilled from a tanker which resulted in terrible damage to this sensitive natural area. In this spill, the tanker's captain, who was tired from overwork and drinking alcohol, had gone to take a rest. He gave control of the ship to the third mate. The third mate was unfamiliar with the path the ship took, and he ran the ship onto Blighe Reef. Blighe Reef is a natural underwater rock wall near the Alaskan coast. Damaged by the reef, the ship leaked oil out into the ocean. More than 1,600 kilometers of coastline were affected by the oil spill. Some scientists who studied nature in the area guessed that 580,000 birds and 5,500 otters died when the oil from the spill covered their skin. As well, smaller shellfish and other sea creatures were later eaten by seals, whales, and other animals. The most oil ever spilled was actually dumped on purpose as an act of ecological warfare. The term ecological warfare means to fight by doing harm to nature in the area under attack. In 1990, Iraq sent soldiers into Kuwait and set off the Persian Gulf War. As part of the Iraq war plan,900,000 tons of oil were let out into the Persian Gulf Way Iraq. This oil covered 1,500 square kilometers of water in the Persian Gulf. The oil also damaged 650 kilometers of the coastline of both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In some places, oil floating on the water was measured to be 43 centimeters thick. Water birds, water plants, and baby fish were all seriously affected by the oil. The long-term effects of this act on the food chain in the area are bound to cause problems tar into the future. \n Question: The creatures affected by the oil spill near Alaska were  _  . \n Options: (A) birds and otters (B) shellfish (C) seals and whales (D) all of the above", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}534{"query": "Article: Unemployment in Europe has recently hit record highs. Although Denmark has been protected from economic problems thanks to its low public debt, qualified   professionals are still finding it tough to get a job. Danish marketing firm Reputation Copenhagen has come up with a way of helping academics get noticed -- putting them on display   in storefront windows. Many highly-trained professionals, ranging from former CEOs to lawyers and tax experts, are currently finding it increasingly difficult to find proper employment on the Danish job market. Some of them have been trying for years, leaving their resumes   with dozens of companies, without ever hearing back from them, and are now at a point where they are willing to try anything, even putting themselves in display windows like goods, hoping to get noticed. Alexander Peitersen, managing director of Reputation Copenhagen, came up with the idea of using his company's office as a storefront for the campaign  , as there are many businesses nearby that might be interested in the talents on display. So he set up a small desk, put up the \"an available academic is sitting here\" sign and asked the unemployed to just sit in the windows like goods. It seems like a pretty desperate measure, but at least it works. According to the agency's website, three of the jobseekers in their window display got a job in a day or two. Peitersen says he came up with the idea after realizing human resource managers get hundreds of job applications every day, which look more or less the same, and that creative thinking is required in order to increase the chances of finding employment. Apart from companies interested in qualified job-seekers, the campaign has also attracted the attention of both local and international media. \n Question: Which of the following words can be used to describe Peitersen? \n Options: (A) Independent. (B) Creative. (C) Sensitive. (D) Cautious.", "pos": "Article: If you're finding it tough to land a job, try expanding your job-hunting plan to include the following: Set your target. While you should always keep your options open to changing your mind , you should also be sure to target exactly what you want in a job. A job-hunt with a clear target will surely help you achieve better results than an aimless one. Schedule plenty of interviews. Use every possible method to get interviews-answering ads, using search firms , getting in touch with companies directly , surfing the Web, and networking( ). Even if a job is not perfect for you, every interview can become one of your positive experiences. Follow up Even if someone does not hire you ,write them a thank -you note for the interview. Then, some weeks later, send another brief  letter to explain that you still have not found the perfect position and that you will be available to interview again if the original position you applied for--or any other position , for that matter -is open. Do this with every position you interview for, and you may just catch a break! Make it your full-time job You can't find a job by looking sporadically( ) . You have to make time for it. If you're unemployed and looking , devote as much time as you would to a full -time job. If you have a job while you're looking, figure out an organized schedule to maximize your searching time. Network vertically( ) In the search stage of your job hunt , talk to people who are on a level above you in your desired industry. They'll have an accurate and deep understanding that people at your level won't have , and will be in a good position to hire you or recommend you to be hired . Keep your spirits up Looking for a job is one of the toughest things you will ever have to do, keep up your confidence , continue your efforts, and think positively, and eventually you will get a job you want. \n Question: From the passage , it can be learned that to get a job , one should absolutely avoid   _   . \n Options: (A) having as many interviews as possible (B) looking without a clear target (C) applying for the same position a second time (D) changing his goal set previously", "neg": "Article: Why doesn't the unemployment rate ever reach zero? Economists, who generally believe that supply tends to meet demand, have long thought about this question. Even in good times, i.e. not now, there are people who can't find work. And even in bad times, i.e. now, there are job openings. With over 14 million people out of work and looking for a job, you would think every available job would be filled. But that's not the case. Not now and not ever. On Monday, the Nobel Prize committee awarded the prize for economics to the three scholars who have done the most to explain this phenomenon. Two of the winners are Americans, Peter Diamond of MIT and Dale Mortensen of Northwestern. The third winner is Christopher Pissarides, who teaches at the London School of Economics and was born on Cyprus. Like most of economics, what they have found about why the jobless and ready-employers don't find each other seems obvious. You have to find out there is job opening you are interested in. Employers need to get resumes  . It takes a while for both employers and employees to make the decision that this is what they want. And these guys came up with a frame-work to study the problem of why people stay unemployed longer than they should and what can be done about it. So what would today's Nobel Prize winners do to solve the current problem of the unemployed? And does the awarding of the prize contribute to the politicians' lowering joblessness? Speaking from his north London home, Pissarides told The Associated Press the announcement came as \"a complete surprise\" though his work had already helped shape thinking on both sides of the Atlantic. For example, the New Deal for Young People, a British government policy aimed at getting 18-24-year-olds back on the job market after long periods of unemployment, \"is very much based on our work,\" he said. \"One of the key things we found is that it is important to make sure that people do not stay unemployed too long so they don't lose their feel for the labor force,\" Pissarides told reporters in London. \"The ways of dealing with this need not be expensive training - it could be as simple as providing work experience.\" \n Question: According to the writer, which is true about finding jobs? \n Options: (A) It is always difficult to find a job. (B) Everyone can find a job in good times. (C) Contrary to popular belief, it is easier to find a job in bad times. (D) It is possible to find a job even in times as bad as now.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}535{"query": "Article: Amazingly, US crime figures have been falling for 20 years now. Of course, the big question is, why? And can any lessons be learnt?   One reason could be the fall in the demand for the drug crack. During the 1980s, drug-related crimes soared, mostly caused by desperate crack users. However, according to professor Blumstein, co-author of The Crime Drop in America, news of the dangers of crack use caused its decrease and led to a fall in the number of drug-related crimes.   Some say that the adoption of a zero-tolerance policy in many cities has helped lead to a fall in crime. In New York City, for example, mayor Rudy Giuliani imposed strict and automatic punishments for all crimes, including minor offences such as graffiti and littering. Many believe this has had a very strong deterrent  effect.   Another reason could be smarter policing strategies. Anti-theft measures and educating the community about car theft has helped see a drop in crimes in many areas. Also, the use of crime mapping schemes that can discover identify crime peaks in different parts of the city has helped police target hotspots.   Another reason could be that more criminals are now behind bars. Sociologist John Conklin (from Tufts University) says a significant factor behind the fall in crime in the 1990s is the simple fact that many criminals are in jail. In his book Why Crime Rages Fell, he says sentencing was merciful in the 1960s and 1970s, when crime rose. But then more prisons were built and more offenders were imprisoned.   Some have linked the fall in violent crime to a decline in children's exposure to lead in petrol. Jessica Wolpaw Reyes says, \"Even low to moderate levels of exposure can lead to behavioral problems, reduced IQ, hyperactivity  and youth crimes. You can link the decline in lead between 1975 and 1985 to a decline in violent crime 20 years later.\"   Others say that the drop in crime has something to do with birth rates. According to statistics, birth rates peaked between 1957 and 1961, and the proportion of men in the US in their late teens and early 20s (the so-called \"criminal age\") was highest in the late 70s and early 80s. However, as time went on, the proportion of people in this age group decreased.    Others claim that videogames have helped. A recent study has suggested that these games are keeping young people off the streets and therefore away from crime. Advocates of this argue that any effects the games may have in encouraging violent behavior is  _ by the fact that the games keep potential criminals indoors and in front of the television.   Some argue that the widespread use of camera phones makes some criminals think twice before committing a crime and getting filmed doing it. Also, many believe that the mass use of CCTV has also had an effect.   Finally, some say that petty theft just isn't worth it any more. The resale value of second-hand goods such as televisions, cameras or clothes is now so low (or even non-existent) that most people see no point in stealing.    So, what do you think? \n Question: By writing this article, the writer intends to tell us   _  . \n Options: (A) the amazing fact that US crime figures are going down (B) the recent statistics showing that crime rates are falling in the US (C) the answers to the question why US crime figures are falling (D) the special policies adopted by the US police that help a drop in crime", "pos": "Article: Speeding off in a stolen car, the thief thinks he has got a great catch.But he is in for an unwelcome surprise.The car is fitted with a remote immobilizer, and a radio signal from a control centre miles away will ensure that once the thief switches the engine off, he will not be able to start it again. The idea goes like this.A control box fitted to the car contains a mini-cellphone, a micro-processor and memory, and a GPS   satellite positioning receiver.If the car is stolen, a coded   cellphone signal will tell the control centre to block the vehicle's engine management system and prevent the engine being restarted. In the UK, a set of technical fixes is already making life harder for car thieves.\" ,\" says Martyn Randall, a security expert.He says it would only take him a few minutes to teach a person how to steal a car, using a bare minimum of tools.But only if the car is more than 10 years old. Modern cars are far tougher to steal, as their engine management computer won't allow them to start unless they receive a unique ID code sent out by the ignition   key.In the UK, technologies like this have helped achieve a 31% drop in vehicle-related crime since 1997. But determined criminals are still managing to find other ways to steal cars, often by getting hold of the owner's keys.And key theft is responsible for 40% of the thefts of vehicles fitted with a tracking system. If the car travels 100 metres without the driver confirming their ID, the system will send a signal to an operations centre that it has been stolen.The hundred metres minimum avoids false alarms due to inaccuracies in the GPS signal. Staff at the centre will then contact the owner to confirm that the car really is missing, and keep police informed of the vehicle's movements via the car's GPS unit. \n Question: The remote immobilizer is fitted to a car to    _   . \n Options: (A) prevent car theft by sending a radio signal to the car owner (B) help the police make a surprise attack on the car thief (C) prevent the car thief from restarting it once it stops (D) allow the car to lock automatically when stolen", "neg": "Article: Debate: Can stricter gun control laws decrease the rate of crimes involving guns? Yes, because with fewer weapons, you get fewer crimes. Take a look at the crime rates of countries like the United Kingdom. Their crime rate is very low, compared to ours here in the United States. Just by simply putting stricter laws in place on who can own them, it will greatly reduce the crimes involving guns. Posted by: 5h4yGlory Past Practice There was an assault weapon  ban back in 1994 under Bill Clinton. Shootings and crime did not go down for the 10 years when this law was in effect. Criminals do not follow rules. The law only affects those who try to obey the law to arm them to protect themselves. Posted by: jb1988 Wake up, you Americans! It's hardly surprising that America has one of the highest gun related murder rates of all countries! And of course guns don't kill people, but the more people own guns, the easier it is to get access to one, the higher the chance of people using it to kill somebody is! In Germany, we have really strict gun laws and only a few people own guns, and obviously we don't need them. There's no reason that a normal citizen would need a gun! Guns are made for one reason only: killing. Posted by: cstephie13 More gun control laws, fewer shootings On the same day as the Sandy Hook tragedy, a man in China entered a primary school with a knife and injured 22 students on December, 14. However, nobody was killed. Compare that to the 26 students and teachers killed at Sandy Hook in Connecticut with a powerful gun. We must learn something from this tragedy. Posted by: Jasonx986 Gun violence goes up with more gun control Criminals will take advantage of the situation. They will do whatever they want and take whatever they want and kill whoever gets in their way. They will get guns illegally. Crime rates go up as a result of more gun control, because criminals know you don't have one, and they will kill you as they like. There is no point in banning guns! Posted by: eebnflow \n Question: According to the first post, in the United Kingdom   _  . \n Options: (A) the crime rate is higher than America's (B) the crime rate is rising sharply (C) there is no gun control laws (D) buying guns is very hard", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}536{"query": "Article: My sister Grace Halloran spent most of her teen years in and out of the juvenile institutions  for minor offenses but, at 18 she was sent to prison for stealing a car. After three years behind the bars, she was released. Only a few years later, she was given a sentence far worse--she had an incurable and progressive disorder and would be totally blind. Meanwhile, Grace was also happily pregnant but terrified she would never see her child's face. She believed she would succeed as a mother, although \"success\" had never been in her vocabulary before. She managed well despite fading vision. For years she kept consulting specialists about her eye problems, only to be told that her son would also be blind by the time he was a teenager. She swore to find something, anything, to prevent him from facing her fate. When conventional medicine offered no hope, Grace began a personal _ . She entered a local college. The office for disabled students had her reading assignments put on cassette tapes so that she could listen and learn. She began studying anatomy, physiology and other health sciences. Everyone knowing her was astonished at her persistence to educate herself, restore her vision and keep focused on raising a son who would have perfect eyesight. Eventually Grace's own way worked and she earned the PhD. in Holistic Health for her successful work in improving serious eye disorder. Her eyesight slowly improved so much that she was able to qualify for a driving license. Even better, her son had perfect vision and was accepted into the Air Force. \n Question: From the passage we can know that Grace used to be   _  . \n Options: (A) aggressive (B) troublesome (C) ignorant (D) competitive", "pos": "Article: My legs don't do much because I have a serious disease. _ just sit there and look pretty. When people look at me, they only see the chair -- my wheelchair. I've been in one since I was 3 years old. And it doesn't matter if I graduate at the top of my class and go to law school. To some, I'll always be the girl in the chair. But I don't think of myself as the kid who can't walk. Most of my friends don't even notice the chair anymore. I'm just the girl they've been friends with. My friends are good at lifting me in and out of my small car when we go to the movies. We even took the car to the dance. One of the boys helped me out of the car and all the girls helped me to fix my dress. Even in the crowded school elevator, there's always someone around to carry me. There are a lot of things I can't do for myself, such as lifting my arms, dressing myself, and feeding myself. Even so, I do very well at school and I always tell myself that I'm just like any other kid in my school. The truth is that my parents raised me to be proud of my disability . There are plenty of things I wish I could do differently. I wanted to be a doctor. But that's not going to work out. So I'll be a lawyer  instead. I also wanted to dance and play soccer. My parents taught me that I'm like this for a reason -- to educate people and show them that this disease affects  my bones -- not my brain. My friends Erica once said to me, \"Kennedy, you're not disabled. You just can't walk.\" \n Question: Kennedy's story mainly tells us that we should  _  . \n Options: (A) work hard (B) smile at life (C) have dreams (D) thank our parents", "neg": "Article: When my brother Joey was 6 months old, my mother brought him home from the hospital and told me to watch him while she fixed supper. We started playing a game I called \"dogs\", rolling on the floor like pups  . Then I looked up and saw my mother watching us. She was crying. \"He's blind,\" she said. \"The doctor told me today.\" I looked at Joey. He was laughing. \"He can't be blind,\" I said. \"He smiles at my face.\" \"He smiles at your voice,\" she said. \"He'll never see your face.\" That was that. Joey was blind. Mama went back to cooking. I went back to playing a dog.  From the age of 8, Joey boarded at a school for the deaf and the blind, learning to read Braille  . When he was 16, the school said he'd learned enough and sent him home with a Braille typewriter. At 21, Joey moved out to live on his own, he said, \"like a man,\" in an apartment 30 miles (48 km) away. He learned to cook, clean, do his own laundry, and do almost anything else he needed. Then he met the love of his life. She, too, was blind. When Joey called to tell me, he said: \"Even a blind man can fall in love at first sight.\" They shared 10 good years before he lost her to cancer. Painfully soon after, he also lost our mother, who was his champion, and our stepfather, who was Joey's best friend. What is left when you lose the loves of your life? My brother clung with an iron fist   to three gifts: Faith, hope and love. His faith grew stronger. He always had hope. And his love for his family has never gotten weaker, despite death or disappointment. Loved ones leave, but love remains. The years ahead may prove to be his hardest. His legs are growing weaker, threatening to take away the independence he's fought so hard to keep. My sister and I often wonder what will happen if Joey can't live on his own. It's not up to us. We'll do what we can, but it's his life. He won't have it any other way. You don't find strength to do something until it's time to do it. Joey has found _ whenever he has needed it. I believe he will again. \n Question: When the author's mother brought her little brother Joey back from the hospital, the author   _  . \n Options: (A) was sad because he couldn't see things clearly (B) immediately introduced him to the family dog (C) worried that he might steal her mother's love from her (D) had great fun playing a game with him", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}537{"query": "Article: Life is too short to waste a moment, so while you still have time, let your hair down, remove that \"boring\" tag in your so-called life and start making it worthwhile. Below are some tips that will help you live a wonderful life. 1. Keep a Positive Attitude. Enjoy what you have and work on getting the things you desire. Psychologists believe that optimism   is a good defense against unhappiness, so it is better to keep your optimism alive. Feeling sad about your life will only make you sadder, so be happy. 2. Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks. Life is all about taking risks, and that's the exciting part of it. Challenges and failure are part of life. Once you learn how to take risks, you'll soon realize how good it feels not to let moments pass you by. 3. You only have one life, so make it worthwhile. Being unwilling to let the past go just keeps you away from the things you should be enjoying at the present. 4. List the Things You Want to Do. Stop lazing around and give yourself something to be busy with. Write down a list of all the things you want to do and make a timeline, not to stress you out, but to remind you of your goals. So don't put limits to yourself because you'll never know what may happen. 5. Try Out Something New. Getting into something or trying something unfamiliar to you may seem scary, but nothing can make you feel happier than being able to overcome your fear. Who knows? You might enjoy it! The world is a big place and there are still lots of things waiting to be explored by you. Go to a foreign place where you know no one. \n Question: From Tip One we know that we should   _   . \n Options: (A) never be afraid to take risks (B) try something new every day (C) focus on the good things in life (D) get rid of all our former habits", "pos": "Article: One day my teacher said, \" .\" From that moment, I knew I had to enjoy my life.Do not waste time, because, you know, time will not come back.You cannot buy it.It is one of those things in life that you must really, really value. When you see an opportunity, take it.You might not get it back.Never let an opportunity pass.And if it is too hard, remember that in the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity. Remember, you cannot choose how you' re going to die, or when.You can only decide how you' re going to live.Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow.Don' t just think of the present, but also think of your future. Your future is yet another chapter in your life and another way to live it. Every single living thing has a purpose in life.\"The purpose of life is a life of purpose,\" said Robert Byre. Learn to use time wisely, take opportunities, and enjoy life.We can discover the meaning of life in three different ways: (1) by doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a value; (3) by suffering.Life. \n Question: 57.According to the author, what can you decide? \n Options: (A) How you die. (B) When you die. (C) How you live. (D) When you succeed.", "neg": "Article: The direction of our lives is determined by the choices we make every day. They accumulate  and lead to our final destination. Success in life is not a gift that just falls on people like a ripe pawpaw! It is a choice you have to make. The life you are going to live tomorrow is just a direct product of your choice today.    It is pointless to waste our time today and hope for a successful tomorrow. Everything that happens in your life depends on what you are doing today. Your future begins with a choice. Here are some tips that help you create a life of fulfillment and prosperity in the future. Choose to be positive. A positive mental attitude will put you miles ahead of your peers  . Never say never. Your attitude determines your altitude. It is more valuable than skills. Choose a positive attitude and things will start to work for you.  Choose to always treat others right. We come across all sorts of people, many of whom will treat us poorly. We can choose to treat them right, no matter how they treat us. When they lie, we will tell the truth. When they cheat, we will play by the rules. We may get the short end of the stick sometimes, but in the long run we will win.  Choose to sow more than you reap. There are many takers in this world, but our lives will be better as we become givers. Give away your time, your money and your love and you will most likely get it back sooner or later! Choose to break bad habit. Take the big ones first. Make every effort to break them. Forget about the others, as you will get to them later. Stop smoking, get out of debt and lose your extra weight. Exercise the power to choose!  Choose to get home for dinner more often. The family is the most important group of people you will ever belong to. Make a decision today to develop your relationship with your family. This one choice you will never regret.     You have a chance today to change your life forever. Make the right choices . \n Question: We should make wise choices today because   _   . \n Options: (A) they have deep effects on our future (B) they have nothing to do with our career (C) we are faced with choices everywhere (D) we should not waste our precious time", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}538{"query": "Article: More than two thirds of the world's polar bears will be wiped out by 2050,according to a shocking new study. By then,scientists say,global warming will have melted 42 percent of the Arctic sea ice. By 2100,only a very few of these important creatures will be left. The report has been produced by the US Geological Survey. The scientists have publicized their findings in the hope of influencing US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne,who has been asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list. Polar bears depend on floating sea ice as a platform for hunting seals,which are their main food. Without enough ice,polar bears would be forced to go onto the land,where they are poorly skilled hunters,and would be unlikely to adapt to the life on the land in time. Experts say few little bears would survive and the stress could make many females unable to get pregnant. The team of American and Canadian scientists spent six months studying bears,on the ground,from spotter planes and in the lab,using computer models. Some team members fear the result is even worse for the bears than what their report says. They say the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere in the world and much faster than their computer had been forecasting. Satellite observations have showed that the ice has decreased to an all-time low. However,not everyone in the scientific community believes that global warming is happening on such an alarming scale. Another investigation has found that polar bears are still being hunted by wealthy \"sportsmen\" who want their skins and heads. At least ten international companies offer bear-hunting trips. \n Question: What do we know about Dirk Kempthorne according to the passage? \n Options: (A) He is an animal scientist. (B) He is a protector of animals working for the US government. (C) He was asked to put polar bears on the US endangered species list. (D) He offered to put polar bears on the endangered species list.", "pos": "Article: Due to climate change, Arctic ice is breaking up earlier in the spring, and its area is decreasing. This is creating problems for polar bears that make their homes off northern Alaska and in Hudson Bay. Polar bears off Alaska normally hunt and raise their young on ice sheets that float on the ocean. But as the ice has melted, the polar bears have been forced to spend more time on land. There, they have begun to frequent beaches, feeding on the remains of whales caught by native hunters. For polar bears, this food is less nutritious than seals that they normally catch on ice sheets. The shrinking  ice has also forced more polar bears into the ocean. In the past, they only had to swim short distances between ice sheets. But as the ice has shrunk, polar bears have been forced to swim longer and longer distances in the open ocean. This poses a severe danger during rough weather, and an increasing number of drowned polar bears have been observed. In Hudson Bay, the ice breaks up three weeks earlier in the spring now than it did 20 years ago. Polar bears on Hudson Bay fast  during the summer, waiting for ice to form in the fall to hunt. Every year, the summer gets longer, and the bears get skinnier. Over the past 25 years, the average weight of the female bears has dropped 68 kg. This loss affects their ability to reproduce, and already the number of births has dropped 15 percent. Unless the bears can learn to survive these climate changes, these giants of the ice may one day disappear. \n Question: What is Arctic ice doing earlier each year? \n Options: (A) It's freezing. (B) It's hardening. (C) It's melting. (D) It's expanding.", "neg": "Article: Starving polar bears are eating one another in the Arctic. Flowers are blooming too soon and die. The ice caps are melting so fast that rising water levels will threaten coastal towns along Florida within several decades. These are just a few examples of the terrible consequences of climate change supported by a new analysis inNature. In the past three decades, average global temperatures have risen about 0. 6degC and are _ to jump by about 1. 7degC by the end of the century, says Cynthia Rosenzweig, who leads the Climate Impacts Group at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies at Columbia University in New York. \"We've already seen that a relatively low amount of warming,\" she says, \"can lead to a broad range of changes. \" The unnatural warming caused by man-made greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide produced by cars and coal-powered plants, brings trouble for entire ecosystems. In North America alone, scientists have identified 89 species of plants, such as the American holly that have flowered earlier in the spring. In Spain, apple trees bloom 35 days ahead of schedule in response to the higher temperatures. Other wildlife, like the insects that use certain plants for food and the birds that feed on the insects, must then move forward their seasonal stirrings  and mating  patterns to survive. To try to follow this time shift, some birds such as robins, the classic symbol of winter'sthaw , are returning to Colorado from their migrations some two weeks earlier than in years past. All these changes can throw a food chain in disorder. Some bird species that arrive before the insects reappear may starve to death. \"Around the world, plants and animals are waking up to an earlier alarm clock than they used to,\" says Terry Root, a biologist from Stanford University. \n Question: What can we know about robins according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Farmers depend on them to tell the time. (B) They used to come back when spring came. (C) They used to predict the change of weather. (D) They usually migrate when seasons change.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}539{"query": "Article: I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Sunday morning. We decided to stop at a local gas station to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as if he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something to drink. However, it was not this that moved  me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog lover, I noticed that the dog was a mother and that she had just had some puppies . She was hungry and weak and I felt so bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her puppies would not live on. People walking by didn't even notice her. She might not have been as pretty and clean as most, but she still deserved  better. But we still did not do anything, someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went back into a store and bought dog food with all the money he had. I know that this story isn't as inspirational as most stories, but it plays a great part in our lives. You see, that was Mother's Day weekend. And a lot of people forget that some animals are parents too. \n Question: From the passage we can know that  _  . \n Options: (A) the author didn't like dogs (B) the dog was not pretty enough to be loved (C) the author wanted to help the dog but he was unable to (D) the dog and her puppies were in danger of dying of hunger", "pos": "Article: I'm part of the Roots & Shoots program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. The program is intended to make and promote positive changes in the world. As Dr. Goodall says, \"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.\" In Bulgaria, where I live, homeless dogs are everywhere. Many people here turn a blind eye to them. But I cannot ignore the life of a street dog whenever I see one wandering in the street, looking for something to eat. That's why I'm no longer a food waster. When I see wasted food, I always think of a hungry dog climbing to garbage bins, searching for food that people have thrown there. When eating in a restaurant, I'm not afraid to take leftover food to feed stray cats or dogs. A week ago, I saw a homeless dog around the garbage bins. Immediately I knelt down, spoke to her softly and ran my hands over her. I could see that she had had puppies. I couldn't imagine how she could have been able to care for them. Hours earlier, I'd bagged up a plate of leftover fish. As I unwrapped it, she wagged her tail and sniffed at it. She ate all the fish in no time. It's sad, isn't it? I can't understand why many of us waste so much and think little of it. These homeless animals have taught me that food is precious. Even when I don't have leftovers with me, I'll take the time to get something from the grocery store to feed them. I know my power is small, so I hope that next time you see wasted food, do turn it into worthy food. You have the power to save a life! \n Question: The author uses what Dr. Goodall says to show   _  . \n Options: (A) how we can develop our business (B) why it is important to be great (C) why the program is popular globally (D) how we can change the world positively", "neg": "Article: I want to tell you a story that changed my life many years ago. We were living in College Station, Texas and my wife and I were on our way home from Houston, Texas one Saturday morning. We decided to stop at a local restaurant to get something to eat since we had enough time. When we finished, we got back into our car and before I started it, we noticed a homeless man standing in front of the building. His clothes were worn and it looked as though he didn't have any money. It was cold and I was sure he wanted something warm to drink; however, it was not this that I remember, because that is not what \"moved\" me. A dog was also walking up to the front of the building. Being a dog owner, I knew that the dog was a mother, and that she had just had some pups  . She was hungry and weak and I felt bad for her. I knew if she didn't eat soon, she and her pups would not live. People walking by didn't even notice her. She was not as pretty and clean as most dogs, but she still deserved   better. We still did not do anything, but someone else did. The homeless man, who I thought could not afford anything to eat, went into the store and bought dog food with all the money he had. \n Question: Where did the story happen? \n Options: (A) In front of the local restaurant. (B) In front of a building. (C) In the car parking lot. (D) Near the author's house.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}540{"query": "Article: In Britain arrangements for inviting and entertaining guests at a wedding are usually the responsibility of the bride's family.In most cases it is mainly friends and relations of both families who are invited but when bride's father is a businessman of some kind, the  wedding reception may provide a useful occasion for establishing social connections with clients or customers and other people whose goodwill may be of advantage to him.it is, however, the bride's mother who has the job of sending out the formal printed invitation cards. In the case of a church wedding, the vicar of each parish  in which the bride and bridegroom live is normally informed about a month in advance of the ceremony so that an announcement of the coming wedding can be made in church on each of three Sundays before it takes place.Anyone who may know of an existing marriage of either partner is ordered to give information, though this means of avoiding bigamy must have been more effective in the days when people attend the religious service and the bride usually wears the traditional long white dress and veil, while her bridesmaids, who are children, wear long dresses in attractive colors.This may also happen in the case of a civil wedding in a register office but is probably less usual. The reception which follows may be held in a restaurant, a local hall or, when there are few guests, in the bride's own home.Refreshments are provided, a special iced wedding-cake is cut(usually to the accompaniment of speeches)and distributed to the guests, toasts are drunk and dancing may follow.At some point in the celebrations, the bride goes off to change into everyday clothes and then leaves the party with her husband to go on their honeymoon, the journey they will make together, often in romantic surrounding abroad. \n Question: It is the bride's parents who normally have to  _  . \n Options: (A) make all the arrangements for the wedding (B) provide hospitality for the people attending (C) decide who shall be invited (D) pay all expenses involved", "pos": "Article: If you are a wealthy resident of India, madly in love and planning your big fat wedding--or being pressured into arranged marriage--Thailand wants you to exchange vows  in Bangkok, Phuket or elsewhere in this \"wedding Paradise \". This wedding business starts from overseas with the Indians. Thai embassies in India give quick services for the visas. Not only the couples, you can bring anyone, say, your own cook. So, feel free to invite hundreds of your friends and relatives. Why would Indians want to spend so much on weddings in Thailand? Because they have similarities in religion. When Indian weddings want to have some religious prayer for the couples, Thailand can do that. But the more obvious appeal are Thailand's fancy hotels, tropical islands, and delicious Thai food, allowing newlyweds to include a honeymoon in Thailand after they say \"I do\" while their guests also celebrate on a holiday here. But on the other hand, love does have a price. Kasu Rajagopal arranged for his daughter to have a wedding in Phuket. They arranged entertainment to begin three days before the wedding, because guests' arrival time varied. Yachts were chartered to take guests to small islands, while a DJ, flown in from Bangalore, India, was booked to help them dance in the evening. Kasu also arranged priests for the Hindu wedding, and cooks to prepare Indian food. The approximate costs are around half a million U. S. dollars, including the airfares, hotel accommodation, food, transportation, the yachts on hire and the wedding ceremony expenses, for 225 to 250 guests. Thailand wants to make itself a wedding paradise for all couples, not just from India, but from around the world. Last year, there were around 500 to 600 couples from China, and the numbers are slowly coming up. Westerners also arrive to get married, but in much smaller numbers. \n Question: What is the main reason why the Indians would go to Thailand for weddings? \n Options: (A) They will be pressured into arranged married in India. (B) India shares the same religion as Thailand. (C) Thailand offers them more than just a wedding ceremony. (D) Guests are not satisfied with Indian weddings.", "neg": "Article: Weddings in the United States vary as much as the people do. There are church weddings with a great deal of fanfare ; there are weddings on mountain tops with guests barefooted; there have been weddings on the ocean floor with oxygen tanks for the guests. But many weddings, no matter where or how they are performed, include certain traditional customs. Before a couple is married, they become engaged. And then invitations are sent to those who live nearby, their close friends and their relatives who live far away. When everything is ready, then comes the most exciting moment. The wedding itself usually lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. The wedding party enters the church while the wedding march is played. The bride carrying a bouquet enters last with her father who will \"give her away\". The groom enters the church from a side door. When the wedding party is gathered by the altar, the bride and groom exchange vows . It is traditional to use the words \"to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.\" Following the vows, the couple exchange rings. Wearing the wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand is an old custom. After the ceremony, there is often a party, called a \"reception\" which gives the wedding guests an opportunity to congratulate the new couple. The car in which the couple leaves the church is decorated with balloons. The words \"Just Married\" are painted on the trunk or back window. And then the couple go in their honeymoon. \n Question: According to the passage, the bride enters the church  _  . \n Options: (A) carrying a bunch of flower (B) with the groom (C) with the bridesmaid (D) from a side door.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}541{"query": "Article: If you are ever planning to buy a telescope and want to get yourself involved in astronomy it is always a good idea to know a bit of the sky.Get acquainted with a few constellations  so that it will be easier for you to spot the constellations when you are using your telescope. It's a good idea to buy a few magazines on astronomy to help you to get familiar with the constellations in the sky and also read a few reviews on the different types of telescopes in the market.This will help you gather all the information that is out there regarding telescopes and what people have to say about them. It's advisable to go in for a pair of binoculars  before you buy your first telescope so that you can get used to spotting constellations before your view of the sky is narrowed down.This will also help you know if you really want to get involved in astronomy.Many people buy a costly telescope and then discover that they're not actually interested in astronomy. Experience has no substitute,and there certainly is nothing better than using different telescopes before you buy one.This will help you to get the feel of all the types of telescopes and you will know which one is easier for you to use.A large aperture  refractor  may give you an excellent image but you may not be able to keep a steady hand while using it resulting in a blurry image. There are three types of telescopes that are available in the market.If you want a more elegant looking telescope you can always choose to buy a fine brass telescope.It's good to become acquainted with each type before going for the plunge of a first telescope.The first type of telescope is the refractor telescope,which uses lenses to gather light to a focus at the eye piece.The use of lenses helps the telescope have a superior image.A refracting telescope is not as portable as the other two types of telescopes and so you will have to buy one with a small aperture. The second type of telescope is the Reflector.Made by Sir Isaac Newton,this telescope functions by focusing the light back at the front of the tube,which is where the eyepiece sits,by using parabolic  mirrors and another smaller mirror to deflect the light.There is no added color in the image caused by refraction of light since this telescope does not use lenses.These are the cheapest of all telescopes and are more portable than refractors. \n Question: According to the text,a telescope is intended to be bought for   _  . \n Options: (A) getting experience (B) watching stars (C) studying the climate (D) learning about a bit of the sky", "pos": "Article: More than a hundred adults and kids gather for the Star Party on a cold evening, chattering excitedly as they stand in the dark on a Virginia hillside. The odd thing is, no one has turned on a flashlight, and no streetlights or house lights wink  on around them. These people have traveled to the countryside more than an hour from Washington, D. C., to get away from the glow of city lights.  That's because they are attending a star party. Star parties are gatherings where professional and amateur astronomers set up their telescopes and invite people to come learn about the night sky. Getting away from light pollution, or artificial skylight from buildings for example,  helps stargazers   see objects in the sky much better. At this star party, Sean O'Brien of the National Air and Space Museum's Einstein Planetarium starts off by asking the crowd to simply look up and take in all they can see. He points out plenty of things that can be seen without special equipment. Stars, satellites, and even the Andromeda galaxy  can be found if you know where to look. After that, several dozen astronomers offer close-up views. Each has focused their telescope on a different part of the sky. As kids take a look, the owner gives a mini-lesson. O'Brien says you can have your own star party at home and learn a lot just by paying attention to what's happening up above. \"Watch the sky as the seasons pass, and you will see that it changes,\" he says. \"Or start with the moon. Notice when and where you are seeing it--maybe even in the early morning while you wait for the school bus. \" \n Question: What was it special about the Star Party ? \n Options: (A) It was organized by the local authority. (B) It was carried out without any lights. (C) It was so cold that people chatted to cheer up. (D) It was held in the town center of Virginia", "neg": "Article: School Groups:$10.00 per person One free teacher admission per 10 students. Group rates apply to groups 15 or more. Click HERE to make a reservation online today! The Miami Planetarium  opened its doors to the public on November 4, 1966 and has entertained and educated children of all ages about astronomy and the wonders of the night sky ever since. The planetarium houses a 65-foot diameter doomed projection screen with 231 seats. At the heart of the Planetarium is a SPITZ \"Space Transit Planetarium\" star projector , which is capable of accurately reproducing the stars and planets as seen from anywhere on Earth at any time during the year. Shows daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Unlike any other in South Florida, the Planetarium is a unique setting for bringing the stars and planets indoors in animated live star shows and music filled laser light shows. The Weintraub Observatory  houses two powerful telescopes. Observatory hours are from 8:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. Look through the telescope to view the planets, the four moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn and deep sky objects such as galaxies, nebulas and double stars. Deposit: A $ 75 deposit must be received 10 days ahead of the visit date to guarantee your visit. Cancellation Policy:The museum requires 48 hours advance notice prior to any cancellation or other changes to a reservation. Without prior notification the original total will be expected upon arrival. Payment Policy: The balance of the admission fee is due upon arrival at the museum on your visit day. Upon arrival: The leading teacher should check in at the box office with payment for the correct head count of students and teachers. Visitors should remain on the bus until a museum interpreter show you around the museum. Museum Etiquette: We ask that all groups remain together and orderly. Teachers are asked to help maintain order with their groups. We reserve the right to refuse service to any group or individual not obeying the museum policies. Bus procedures: The museum will provide parking for buses in our parking lot. Upon arrival, bus drivers will be directed by the museum staff to the appropriate places to park. It is recommended that buses remain on the spots throughout the group's entire museum visit. For more information & reservations call: (305)646-4222. \n Question: In the Miami Planetarium, visitors can   _  . \n Options: (A) look through the telescope to view the Mars at 11 p.m. (B) enjoy the roller coaster on the weekend. (C) watch animated live star shows on December 1 (D) watch animated live star shows on December 25", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}542{"query": "Article: Farmer John and Farmer Bob were neighbors. For more than 30 years, they had been getting along very well. Then their good relationship broke. It began with a small thing, then bitter words, and then weeks of silence. One morning Farmer John woke up to find a stream between the two farms. \"It must be Bob,\" John thought. Then one day there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a carpenter  standing at the doorway. \"I'm looking for a few days' work,\" the carpenter said. \"I do have a job for you,\" John said. \"Look across the stream at that farm. That's my neighbor Bob. He dug a stream between the two farms. I want you to build a fence--an 8-foot fence. I don't want to see his place or his face any more. I don't have such a neighbor!\" The carpenter said, \"I think I know what to do, sir, and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you.\" Farmer John helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide. There was no fence there at all! It was a bridge! And the neighbor, Bob, was coming across, with his hand outstretched . \"Hi, John! _  Then they met in the middle, taking each other's hands. \"I'm terribly sorry for what I have said and done. We should be good to each other,\" said Farmer Bob. Then they turned to see the carpenter, who was ready to go. \"No, wait! Stay a few days. I have a lot of other jobs for you,\" said Farmer John. \"I'd love to stay,\" the carpenter said, \"but I have more bridges to build.\" \n Question: Just before the carpenter came, John and Bob  _  each other. \n Options: (A) didn't speak to (B) were friendly to (C) often fought with (D) never had bitter words with", "pos": "Article: Among the soldiers of King Philip there was a poor man who had done some good deeds. He had pleased the king in many ways, and so the king believed in him. One day this soldier was on a ship at sea when a great storm came up. The winds drove the ship upon the rocks, and it was broken. The soldier was thrown upon the shore ; and he would have died there if it had not been for the kind care of a farmer who lived nearby. When the soldier was well enough to go home; he thanked the farmer for what he had done, and promised that he would repay him for his kindness. But he did not mean to keep his promise . He did not tell King Philip about the farmer. He only said that there was a fine farm by the seashore, and that he would like very much to have it for his own. \"Who owns the farm now?\" asked Philip. \"Only a useless farmer, who has never done anything for his country,\" said the soldier. \"Very well, then,\" said Philip \"You have served me for a long time, and you shall have your wish. Go and take the farm for yourself.\" And so the soldier drove the farmer from his house and home. He took the farm for his own. The poor farmer was hurt seriously. He went  ly  to the king, and told the whole story from beginning to end. King Philip was very angry when he learned that. He sent for the soldier in a great hurry, and when he had come, he had these words burned in his forehead: \"The Ungrateful Man\". \n Question: What would be the best title for this story? \n Options: (A) An Ungrateful Man (B) Soldier and King (C) A Brave Farmer (D) Farmer and Soldier", "neg": "Article: Once upon a time two brothers who lived on neighbouring farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious one in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed . Then the long cooperoration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.  One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. \"I'm looking for a few days' work\" he said. \"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with. Could I help you?\"  \"Yes,\" said the older brother. \"I do have a job for you. Look across the creek  at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow  between us and he took his bulldozer  to the river levee  and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face any more. Cool him down , anyhow.\"  The carpenter said, \"I think I understand the situation. I'll be able to do a job that pleases you.\"  The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing, and hammering.  About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.  There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work -- and his younger brother, was coming across, his hand spread out ..  \"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done.\"  The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter lift his toolbox on his shoulder. \"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you,\" said the older brother.  \"I'd love to stay on,\" the carpenter said, \"but, I have many more bridges to build.\" \n Question: What was the life for the two brothers before the conflict ? \n Options: (A) They live a poor , miserable life . (B) They were friendly neighbours ,helping each other . (C) They never speak to each other . (D) They live together as one family.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}543{"query": "Article: Water is the most common substance  found on the earth, but less than 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking. More than 1,000,000,000 people around the world survive on just over 1 galon of water a day. Probebly more than 3,000,000,000 people may suffer from not having enough water by the year 2025. You are considered lucky if you live in a country where you can drink water out of your kitchen tap or bathroom tap. People in some countries have to pay for drinking water at home. So clean water is one of our most valuabe natural resources . In fact, peole waste so much clean water today. In factories lots of water is wasted. At home many people are not taking showers but still baths, and many are brushing their teeth with the tap turned on. Children are no longer taught how to save water.... You can save clean water in many ways. For example, if you keep gold fish, the tank water excellent for graden plants. And when you wash a milk bottle, pour the water on your house plants. Putting a brick or a water into your toilet tank many help use less water, saving many gallons over a long time. Using rainwater is another simple way to save clean water. You can use rainwater to wash your hands after gardening, _ the toilet, and wash your car, your pet, your driveway when they are dirty. For the same reason, people in Malaysia are encourageed to use rainwater. If one has a house with a small garden, he would buy a huge plastic tank to keep rainwater for their daily life. \n Question: We can learn from the passage   _  . \n Options: (A) when man can't live without water (B) where there is no water resource (C) why there is less water on the earth (D) how important it is to save water", "pos": "Article: Humanity uses a little less than half the water available worldwide. Yet occurrences of shortages and droughts   are causing famine and distress in some areas, and industrial and agricultural by-products are polluting water supplies. Since the world's population is expected to double in the next 50 years, many experts think we are on the edge of a widespread water crisis. But that doesn't have to be the outcome. Water shortages do not have to trouble the world---if we start valuing water more than we did in the past. Just as we began to appreciate petroleum more after the 1970s oil crises, today we must start looking at water from a fresh economic perspective. We can no longer afford to consider water a virtually free resource of which we can use as much as we like in any way we want. Instead, for all uses except the domestic demand of the poor, governments should price water to reflect its actual value. This means charging a fee for the water itself as well as for the supply costs. Governments should also protect this resource by providing water in more economically and environmentally sound   ways. For example, often the cheapest way to provide irrigation water in the dry tropics is through small-scale projects, such as gathering rainfall in depressions   and pumping it to nearby cropland. No matter what steps governments take to provide water more efficiently, they must change their institutional and legal approaches to water use. Rather than spread control among hundreds or even thousands of local, regional, and national agencies that watch various aspects of water use, countries should set up central authorities to coordinate   water policy. \n Question: What is the real cause of the potentials water crisis. \n Options: (A) Only half of the world's water can be used. (B) The world population is increasing faster and faster. (C) Half of the world's water resources have been seriously polluted. (D) Humanity has not placed enough value on water resources.", "neg": "Article: Clean water is not only important for food production, but necessary for our life. However, large numbers of people in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are going without. The World Health Organization reports that almost 4,000 children die each day for dirty water or lack   of water.  Agriculture is the primary user of water at 70-85% of fresh water in the world. Industrial uses of water don't often come to mind, but you may be surprised to know that industry uses 59% of the water supply in developed countries. Home use takes up only 8% in the world. But as cities grow, the local government has to cut down on water use. Many cities are turning to privatization   of water as a method of controlling use. The poor are paying as much as a quarter of their monthly income for water in some developing countries.  In 60% of large European cities, groundwater is being used at a faster rate. People are saving water by simply using less and being careful with what they do use. Sometimes it's as simple as not throwing out water that they could use elsewhere.  In Australia overuse of water has always been a problem. The Australian government has encouraged households and industries to collect rainwater and reuse water from showers. Technology is helping householders for shower and bath water for reuse in toilets or gardens.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made a water saving program designed to encourage families and businesses to examine their water use and save more water. Good water management has been considered by scientists and the UN as the key to solving the water problem. We can all work together to protect our valuable water in our daily life. \n Question: In developed countries, most water is used by   _  . \n Options: (A) industry (B) agriculture (C) families (D) businesses", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}544{"query": "Article: No one wants to look stupid or do the wrong thing at a new job. It is important to make the right impression from the very first day. You will face new people. You will be in a new place. It may be difficult to know what to do. Here are five tips to help you make it through the first days at a new job: 1. First impressions can last forever. Make sure you make a good one. Before your first day, find out if your new job has a dress code (rules about what you can wear to work). If so, be sure to follow it. No matter what, always be neat and clean. 2. Get to work on time. 3. Pay attention to introductions. One of the first things that your supervisor may do is to introduce you to co-workers. These co-workers will be important to you. They are the ones who will answer your questions when the boss is not around. 4. Ask plenty of questions. Make sure that your supervisor has told you what is expected of you. If he or she has not told you your duties, ask for a list. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself. 5. Never be the first one to leave. Observe  what your co-workers do around quitting time  . It does not look good for you to be eager to leave. \n Question: Before you arrive at work on the first day, you should   _  . \n Options: (A) dress in a right way (B) introduce yourself (C) know your duties (D) know your co-workers well", "pos": "Article: The impression you make at the beginning of an interview is very important. Employers often decide to hire someone in the first three minutes of the interview. They judge you by your appearance, attitude and manners. A friendly smile when you walk into the room is important. A smile shows a confident and positive attitude. When you introduce yourself, make eye contact with the interviewer. Some interviewers offer a handshake. Others don't. Try to be as natural as possible. But pay attention to your body language. The way you sit, walk, gesture, use your voice and show feelings on your face is all part of your body language. It makes the interviewer know how you feel about yourself and the situation you are in. Are you feeling positively about yourself? Your abilities? Your interest in the job? Speak clearly and loudly enough. Show interest and enthusiasm in your voice. When you speak, look at the interviewer. Also, don't say negative things about yourself, or former employer. Listen to questions carefully. If you don't understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or explain politely. Almost everyone is nervous in a job interview. Interviewers know that. They don't expect you to be totally calm and relaxed. But they expect you to try to control your nervousness. They expect you to show confidence in your ability to do the job. At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for her or his time. It's a good idea to send a short thank-you letter right after the interview, or deliver it by hand. Phone the company if you have not heard anything after one week. Ask if they have made a decision about the job. Good luck! \n Question: It can be inferred from the passage that   _  . \n Options: (A) the first impression is very important in an interview (B) you should stand still with respect before the employer (C) employers understand and like employees' nervousness (D) you should always put on a smile when meeting the employer", "neg": "Article: Every day we meet people in a number of business and social situations. And the way we meet and greet them creates an impression. It's important to do so in a proper way, no matter whether you are introducing yourself to someone, or introducing two people. To keep you aware of this, we have gathered tips on how to make a proper introduction. *Always stand when making an introduction. When you are seated and someone comes up to greet you, make the effort to stand up. By doing this, you show respect for yourself and for the other person. *Always keep eye contact while making an introduction. Many people are not aware of the value of this simple action. When you make eye contact, you are giving a confident image. *Always introduce a person of lesser authority to one of greater authority. The most important thing to remember is to say the most important person's name first. For example, when introducing your supervisor to a job candidate  , you would give your supervisor's name first. \"Bob Jones, may I introduce Susan Lee, who has just graduated from ABC University?\" *In a situation where rank is unimportant, an introduction is based on sex and age. A man is presented to a woman and a younger woman to an older woman. What if you find yourself in a situation where you have forgotten the other person's name? Start with a handshake and reintroduce   yourself. When doing this, you will usually cause the other person to do the same. However, if the other person does not take your suggestion, it is OK simply to apologize and let the person know that you cannot remember her or his name. This is not the ideal situation, of course, but it does happen to all of us. The other person should be forgiving. \n Question: According to the passage, people will think you are   _   if you don't make eye contact with them. \n Options: (A) not honest (B) not confident (C) shy (D) unfriendly", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}545{"query": "Article: Then comes July, and with it examinations, but these are soon finished and with them ends the school year. Boys and girls have nearly two months' holiday before them as they leave school by train and car to return home to their fathers and mothers. The summer holidays are the best part of the year for most children. The weather is usually good, so that one can spend most of one's time playing in the garden or, if one lives in the country, out in the woods and fields. Even if one lives in a big town, one can usually go to a park to play. The best place for a summer holiday, however, is the seaside. Some children are lucky enough to live near the sea, but for the others who do not, a week or two at one of the big seaside towns is something that they will talk about for the whole of the following year. In England, it is not only the rich who can take their children to the seaside; if a factory worker or a bus driver, a street cleaner or a waiter wants to take his wife and children to Southend or Margate, Blackpoor or Clacton, he is usually quite able to do so. Now, what is it that children like so much about the seaside? I think it is the sand, sea and sun more than any other things. Of course, there are lots of new things to see, nice things to eat, and exciting things to do, but it is the feeling of sand under one's feet, of salt water on one's skin, and of the warm sun on one's back that make the seaside what it is. \n Question: After the examination, pupils leave for home  _ \n Options: (A) by train only (B) by air (C) by bike (D) by either train or car", "pos": "Article: Two European Summer Must 'Seas' When you think of summer,the beach,clear water, sunny skies, and relaxing days are a few things that come to mind, and two of the best places to experience these summer feels are two gorgeous European bodies of water: the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea! These two incredible Seas hold some of my favorite travel memories and I would revisit each one in a heart beat! The Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea can be accessed from various European countries as well as a few North African countries. And while many think of visiting Ibiza, Malta, or the Greek islands to experience the Mediterranean, my Mediterranean beach days came while visiting the seaside city of Marseille in the South of France! Marseille was a lovely city with easy access to the Sea, also with pretty sandy beaches. The gorgeous crystal clear blue water made it unlike any beach day in America! Not only were the beaches amazing, but the city of Marseille was adorable and filled with numerous cute shops and seaside restaurants. And the Mediterranean-style food was delicious! The Adriatic Sea The Adriatic Sea is equally as stunning and surely worth a visit! The Croatian coast has numerous beach clubs, some private and some public, that tourists are able to visit and you can experience the beauty of the Adriatic Sea there! Zrce Novalja, a Croatian seaside town I visited, was impressively featured by the rather rocky beach in place of sand. The rocks were small and smooth, making swimming in the sea and wading in the water just as easy as sandy beaches! Plus the locals in Croatia are also extremely friendly, making the experience even more memorable. \n Question: The writer's trip to the two seas was full of  _  . \n Options: (A) unbearable hardships (B) various adventures (C) funny events (D) wonderful experiences", "neg": "Article: As summer comes near, many children are really happy to forget about school for a few months. However, they might be taking that goal too seriously. Studies have found that children often forget between one and three months' worth of school learning during the summer months. Spelling and math abilities drop off the most, while reading is not really influenced by the time off. The main reason for this is because most children sometimes read outside of the classroom, whether newspapers, magazines, books, or video game guides. However, their math and spelling skills only get exercised in the school setting. The first purpose of summer holidays was to let farm children have time off to help work in the fields during the growing season, but this reason is no longer a good one since fewer kids actually work on farms today. Some cities in the United States, such as Los Angeles, have moved to a year-round school timetable, which may help reduce the loss of school skills that happens during the long summer holiday. To improve skills and to keep a good level of preparation, headmasters suggest trips to museums, summer camps, holidays with educational value, and visits to libraries to keep kids interested throughout the summer. There are other educational systems that provide holidays while still keeping students' skills up to date. For example, in Japan, students attend class for seven weeks in a row, followed by two weeks of holiday. This continues the whole year. In Italy, students attend class six days per week, but finish at 1: 30 pm each day, so that school does not run their life the way that it does in America, where students attend high school from 7: 45 am until 3: 00 pm each weekday. In areas where there are not enough classrooms--in Afghanistan or Somalia, for example--older students attend classes in the morning while the younger kids go to school in the afternoon. Headmasters fear that the three-month summer holiday stops the flow of learning. Just as students become used to new math problems or new ideas in reading, writing, or thinking skills, they \" _ \" during the summer holiday. When they go back to school after the long summer holiday, they take up to two months to return to their previous   level of skill. So the debate continues: whether to continue holidays or to make changes based on the Los Angeles or the Japanese models. \n Question: Which skills suffer the most over the summer holidays? \n Options: (A) Math and reading. (B) Math and spelling. (C) Reading and writing. (D) Reading and thinking.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}546{"query": "Article: In the 1960s, people asked about your astrological sign . In the 1990s, they wanted to know your website. These days, having a web address is almost as important as a street address. Your website is an electronic meeting place for your family, friends and potentially, millions of people around the world. Best of all, you may not have to spend a cent. The Web is filled with all kinds of free services and all it takes is some time and creativity.        Think of your home page as the starting point of your website. Like the table of contents of a book or a magazine, the home page is the front door. Your site can have one or more pages, depending on how you design it.        While web pages vary greatly in their design and content, most use a traditional magazine layout. At the top of the page is a banner  GRAPHIC. Next comes a greeting and a short description of the site. Pictures, texts, and links to other websites follow.        Before you start building your site, do some planning. Think about whom the site is for and what you want to say. Next, gather up the material that you want to put on the site. Draw a rough layout on a sheet of paper.        While there are no rules you have to follow, there are a few things to keep in mind:        Start simply. If you are too ambitious at the beginning, you may never get the site off the ground. You can always add to your site. Less is better. Most people don't like to read a lot of text online. Break it into small pieces.        Smaller is better. Most people connect to the Internet with a modem. Since it can take a long time to download large image files, keep the file sizes small.        Have the rights. Don't put any material on your site unless you are sure you can do it legally. Learn the Net's Copyright Article for more about this.        Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and start building. Learning the Net Communities provides tools to help you build your site. \n Question: The main purpose of the passage is to tell you   _  . \n Options: (A) what a website is like (B) how to build your own website (C) how to meet people online (D) what a website is made up of", "pos": "Article: Have you ever heard of blogs  ? If you haven't, you should have. It's here, it's growing and it's having an influence on our life. Surf the Internet and you'll find blogs everywhere. A blog, shortened from \"weblog\", is a public Internet journal written by one person or a group of people. It is a website in which a person or a group can place news, personal thoughts, text, photos, video or audio files, or links upon which visitors can comment. A blog lets you post on the Internet without having to know web design or be technical. You are given an environment to make dated entries on the topic of your choice which are \"published\", so other people can read them. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an existing blog is called \"blogging\". Blogging has revolutionized Internet publishing in the last several years because it gives everyone with Internet access the opportunity to become an online writer. Objects, such as \"text and photos\" in a blog can be called \"blog posts\", \"posts\", or \"entries\". The person who posts these entries is called a \"blogger\". Now, somewhere around the world, a blog is created almost every 6 seconds. Because it's great potential, Bill Gates views it as important as e-mail, BBS, and MSN. He's trying to make blogs the important tools for future business communications. \n Question: A blog is  _  . \n Options: (A) a comment (B) an Internet journal (C) a design (D) a link", "neg": "Article: A well-developed class website can save teachers a lot of time in the long run, improving both student-teacher and parent-teacher communication while providing a repository  of all classroom documents for future use. Although some extra time during the school year is required, once the site is up it needs just minor adjustments each new year. Have a question? Get an answer from online technology support now. Decide which type of software you will use to create a class website. Microsoft has many applications that can be used to create websites, such as Publisher, Word and Expression Web. Some web hosting sites also have simple editing tools you can use instead of a formal program. Find a place to host your class website. Your Internet provider often provides about some small space for a personal website for free, and many other free website hosting companies are on the Internet. Consider using a template for your first attempt at website design. Most templates also come with a selection of color and graphics already in place so you can concentrate on content instead of design. It will contain basic sections with your specific class information. Add content to your website. You need to have announcement sections for both parents and students, a syllabus or class rules area, homework assignments or a calendar, and maybe a links section for learning more about in-class topics and playing educational games. Decorate your website with graphics, clip art, background, cool fonts and other decorative items. It's best to find a theme you like, such as ducks or fire hydrants, and make your design elements all stick with your theme. If you think that is too attractive, go for an abstract look. Remember to keep it simple since too much color and graphics make a site look busy and detract from its usability. \n Question: According to the article, a class website is of great help in   _  . \n Options: (A) playing computer games (B) storing class documents (C) communicating between students and teachers (D) reducing the teachers' time to run the website", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}547{"query": "Article: In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits . Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent - controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any. According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city. Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low - paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases. Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage. \n Question: There is the possibility that setting maximum rent may_. \n Options: (A) cause a shortage of apartments (B) worry those who rent apartments as homes (C) increase the profits of landlords (D) encourage landlords to invest in building apartment", "pos": "Article: In many countries the standard of living enjoyed by their people has increased rapidly in recent years. Sadly, not everyone in these countries is so fortunate and many people in rich countries are homeless. The reasons for homelessness are various, but poverty is undoubtedly one of the main causes. The homeless people may have become jobless and then been unable to pay their rent and so no longer have _ . Often, the fact that unemployed people get help from the government prevents this from happening, but not always. Some homeless people are mentally ill and have no one to look after them. Some are young people who, for one reason or another, have left home and have nowhere to live. Many of them have had a serious disagreement with their parents and have left home, choosing to go to a city and live on the streets. Sometimes they have taken such action because they have been unable to get on with a step-parent. Many homeless people get into the habit of begging to get enough money to stay alive, but many of the general public refuse to give anything to beggars. Often they are moved on by the police, being accused  ,whether rightly or wrongly, of forceful begging . There are many who disrespect homeless people. Some cynics declare that homeless people choose to live the life which they lead. But who would willingly choose to live in a shop doorway, under a bridge or in a cardboard box? \n Question: According to the text, what causes some people to be homeless? \n Options: (A) Lack of money. (B) The increased standard of living. (C) No government help. (D) Agreement with their parents.", "neg": "Article: The poverty line is the minimum income that people need for an acceptable standard of living. People with incomes below the poverty line are considered poor. Economists study the causes of poverty in order to find solutions to the problem. As the general standard of living in the country rises, the poverty line does, too. Therefore, even with today's  ly high standard of living, about 10 percent of the people in the United States are below the poverty line. However, if these people had stable jobs, they could have an acceptable standard of living. Economists suggest several reasons why poor people do not have jobs.  For one thing, more than half of the poor people in the United States are not qualified to work. Over 40 percent of the poor people are children. By law, children less than 16 years old cannot work in many industries. A large number of poor people are old. Many companies do not hire people over 65 years old the normal retirement age.  Some poor adults do not look for jobs for a variety of personal reasons: they are sick, they do not have any motivation, they have family problems, or they do not believe that they can find a job.  Other poor people look for a job but cannot find one. Many poor adults never went to high school. Therefore, when they look for jobs, they have few skills that they can offer.  At the present time, the government thinks it can reduce poverty in the country in the following ways.  First, if the national economy grows, businesses and industries hire more workers. Some of the poor who are qualified to look for jobs may find employment. Then they will no longer be below the poverty line.  Second, if society invests in the poor, the poor will become more productive. If the government spends money on social programs, education, and training for poor people, the poor will have the skills to offer. Then it is more likely that they can find jobs.  Finally, if the government distributes society's income differently, it raises some poor people above the poverty line. The government collects taxes from the non-poor and gives money to the poor. These payments to the poor are called welfare. Since 1975 over 18 million people in the United States have received welfare per year.  Some economists are looking for better solutions to the poverty problem. However, at the present time, many people depend on welfare for a minimally acceptable standard of living. \n Question: The author's main purpose to write this article is   _  . \n Options: (A) to define  what the poverty line is (B) to explain why some people live the poverty line (C) to find solutions to the problem of poverty (D) to show sympathy for those poor people", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}548{"query": "Article: Just five one-hundredths of an inch thick, light golden in color1 and with a perfect \"saddle curl,\" the Lay's potato chip seems an unlikely weapon for global domination. But its maker, Frito-Lay, thinks otherwise. \"Potato chips are a snack food for the world,\" said Salman Amin, the company's head of global marketing. Amin believes there is no corner of the world that can resist the charms of a Frito-Lay potato chip. Frito-Lay is the biggest snack maker in prefix = st1 /Americaowned by PepsiCo and accounts for over half of the parent company's $3 billion annual profits. But theU.S.snack food market is largely saturated, and to grow the company has to look overseas. Its strategy rests on two beliefs: first a global product offers economies of scale with which local brands cannot compete. And second, consumers in the 21st century are drawn to \"global\" as a concept. \"Global\" does not mean products that are consciously identified as American, but ones that consumes--especially young people are linked across cultures by shared beliefs and tastes. Potato chips are an American invention, but most Chinese, for instance, do not know that Frito-Lay is an American company. Instead, Riskey, the company's research and development head, would hope they associate the brand with the new world of global communications and business. With brand perception a crucial  factor, Riskey ordered a redesign of the Frito-Lay logo .The logo, along with the company's long-held marketing image of the \"irresistibility\" of its chips would help facilitate the company's global expansion. The executives acknowledge that they try to swing national eating habits to a food created in America, but they deny that amounts to economic imperialism . Rather, they see Frito-Lay as spreading the benefits of free enterprise across the world. \"We're making products in those countries, we're adapting them to the tastes of those countries, building businesses and employing people and changing lives,\" said Steve Reinemund, PepsiCo's chief executive. \n Question: It is the belief of Foito-Lay's head of global marking that  _  . \n Options: (A) Potato chips can hardly be used as a weapon to dominate the world market (B) People all over the world enjoy eating their company's potato chips (C) The light golden color1 enhances the charm of their company's potato chips (D) Their company must find new ways to promote domestic sales", "pos": "Article: Thousands of years ago, people only ate food that was grown near their homes. Some kinds of food were only grown in one place, so people from other places didn't know about them. When Europeans first traveled to Central and South America in the 1500s, they discovered strange kinds of food that they had never seen before. Today, these are grown in a lot of different countries and they're sold in supermarkets all over the world. They don't seem strange any more! Potatoes were first grown in the Andes in South America. In 1586, they were taken to Europe by explorers . In 1719, they were taken to North America. Before 1719, nobody in North America had ever seen or eaten a potato. Today each American eats more than 60 kilos of potatoes a year. Tomatoes were also first grown by native  Americans. When European explorers visited the south of America in 1500, they took tomato seeds  back to Europe. Soon, tomatoes were grown in Europe, but people in England didn't eat them. At that time, a lot of English people thought that tomatoes were  _ ! Chilies  have been eaten in Central and South America for more than 8,000 years! In the 1500s, chilies were taken to Europe by explorers. Today, they are grown in hot countries all over the world. \n Question: How many kinds of food are mentioned in the passage? \n Options: (A) Two. (B) Three. (C) Four. (D) Five", "neg": "Article: Just five one-hundredths of an inch thick and light golden in color, the Lay's potato chip seems an unlikely weapon for global control. But its maker, Frito-Lay doesn't think so. \"Potato chips are a snack food for the world , \"said Salman Amin, the company's head of global marketing. Amin believes there is no corner of the world that can resist the attractions of a Frito-Lay potato chip. Frito-Lay is the biggest snack maker in America owned by Pepsico and accounts for over half of the parent company's $ 3 billion profits every year. But the U.S. snack food market is largely saturated ,and to grow, the company has to look overseas. Its strategy rests on two beliefs: first, a global product offers economies of scale  with which local brands cannot compete. And second, consumers in the 21st century are drawn to \"global\" as a concept. \"Global\" does not mean products that are consciously regarded as American, but ones that consumers--especially young people--see as part of a modern, innovative  world in which people are linked across cultures by shared beliefs and tastes. Potato chips are an American invention, but most Chinese, for example, do not know that Frito-Lay is an American company. Instead, Riskey, the company's research and development head, would hope they associate the brand with the new world of global communications and business. With brand concept a key factor, Riskey ordered a redesign of the Frito-Lay logo . The logo, along with the company's long-held marketing image of its chips, would help make the company's global development very easy. The managers admit that they try to change national eating habits to a food created in America, but they don't think that means economic imperialism  .  \"We're making products in those countries, we're adapting them to the tastes of those countries, building businesses and employing people and changing lives , \"said Steve Reinemund, Pepsico's chief manager. \n Question: Amin's belief is that   _  . \n Options: (A) people all over the world enjoy eating their potato chips (B) the light golden color increases the attraction of their potato chips (C) they must find new ways to promote sales in their country (D) potato chips can hardly control the world market", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}549{"query": "Article: New rules for pubs and clubs, including a ban   on drinking games like the awful \"dentist's chair\", will be introduced in Britain this year to prevent the heavy drinking culture, which costs the country billions of pounds a year. Other activities like \"all you can drink for 10 pounds \", \"women drink free\" nights and speed drinking competitions will also be banned. But, on the other hand, offers of cheap alcohol in supermarkets will not be affected, which is widely regarded as one of the main sources of Britain's problems with under-age and over-drinking. Doctors and health experts argue that the government has failed to use its most effective weapon, the taxation  of minimum price controls on alcohol. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said that the government and the industry had a duty to act on heavy drinking.\" These bans have a real impact on society, not to mention the lives of those who just want to enjoy a good night out,\" he said. \"The dentist's chair\", where drinks are poured directly into the mouth by others, was made famous by the celebrations of footballer Paul Gascoigne at Euro '96. That game and others that promote large consumption will be banned from April and publicans   will have to ensure free tap water is made available to the drinkers. The government says over-drinking costs Britain up to 12 billion pounds a year and has announced that any pubs that go against the new mandatory code   will face severe punishment. For instance, publicans and vendors   could lose their licenses, be fined up to 20,000 pounds ($32,750) or face six months in prison. \n Question: New rules for pubs and clubs will be introduced in Britain to ban heavy drinking because   _  . \n Options: (A) people drink too much without paying taxes (B) drinking games are infamous (C) drinking competitions are very crazy (D) drinking in the country costs too much", "pos": "Article: For thousands of years, the most important two buildings in any British village have been the church and the pub.Traditionally, the church and the pub are at the heart of any village or town, where the people gather together to socialize and exchange news. As a result, British pubs are often old and well preserved.Many of them have become historic sites.The most famous example is the pub in the city of Nottingham called \" Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem\" , which dates back to the year 1189 AD and is probably the oldest pub in England. However, British pubs are not just for kings and queens; they welcome people from all classes and parts of society.On a cold night, the pub's landlord or landlady can always find a warm place for you by the fire.There is always honest and hearty food and plenty of drinks available at an affordable price. That's how things used to be.Things are beginning to change.It is said that the credit crunch   is causing 39 British pubs in a week to go out of business.People do not have enough spare money to spend on beer.Recently, the UK government banned smoking in all pubs, and that may also have affected the number of customers going to pubs. This decline is happening despite the fact that in 2005 the UK government started to allow pubs to stay open after 11 p.m..Previously, with 11 p.m.as closing time, customers would have to drink quite quickly, meaning they sometimes got more drunk than they would if allowed to drink slowly.The British habit of drinking a lot very quickly is known as \"binge drinking\" , and it causes long-term health problems for people and problems with violent crime for communities. In order to save their businesses, pubs are trying to change with the market.British pubs now offer something for everyone.A lot of pubs used to be \"Working Men's Clubs\" , meaning that women could not usually enter.Today, however, women can freely enter 99% of pubs without experiencing any problems.Perhaps things are changing for the better after all. \n Question: British people have the habit of gathering in the pubs to   _  . \n Options: (A) have the hearty food (B) enjoy the historic sites (C) make themselves known (D) communicate with each other", "neg": "Article: Children will find it more difficult to buy cigarettes as vending machines selling tobacco will be officially banned in England today.According to the British Heart Foundation(BHF),around 200,000 young people start smoking regularly in England each year and 11 per cent of l1-to15-year-old regular smokers in England and Wales get their cigarettes from vending machines.     Betty McBride, Director of Policy and Communications at the British Heart Foundation,said,\"Thousands of children who are at risk of addiction regularly get tobacco from these machines,which of course,don't ask them to prove their age.With the tobacco industry increasingly depending on young smokers to keep their profits,they're fighting tooth and nail to stop any changes that might hit their bottom line.\"     The ban, which makes it illegal to sell tobacco from vending machines and requires shopkeepers to ensure all tobacco advertising on the machines is removed,comes into force in England today.It is the first ban in Europe to prohibit selling cigarettes from vending machines.which shows the determination of England to fight against smoking.    Other measures to protect young people from the dangers of smoking are also on the way.In April 2013 large retailers in England and Scotland will have to get rid of all tobacco displays and small shops will be expected to do that from April 2015.Wales and Northern Ireland also plan to make similar regulations.    The UK Government is due to begin a public consultation before the end of the year on whether to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes which would reduce their marketing appeal to young people,help to make health warnings more effective and,alongside other measures,help to reduce the number of smokers in the long term. \n Question: According to the text,vending machines selling cigarettes  _  . \n Options: (A) offer cheaper products (B) have more varieties of products (C) don't check buyers' personal information (D) keep a record of every purchase", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}550{"query": "Article: Downing the last drop of an expensive famous brand H2O as well as remembering to throw the empty bottle in the recycling bin, makes you feel pretty good about yourself,  _ Even  when the bottles are recycles, there are all kinds of other consequences of swallowing bottled water, says Melissa Peffers, the air-quality program manager for Environmental Defense. The containers are often filled in faraway lands, then shipped from abroad, and stored in refrigerators at your local store. Compare that with the influence on environment of turning on your tap, filling a glass, and drinking up! Anyone who is choosing bottled water for health reasons is misguided, says Peffers, \"Most bottled water is just tap water.\" And what comes out of your tap is carefully monitored to follow the strict rules. Consider another fact that bottled water is surprisingly expensive, especially when compared with the alternative, which is almost free, and it is astonishing that prefix = st1 /America's desire for bottled water seems impossible to satisfy, reaching nearly 30 billion bottles a year. \"My parents' generation never had bottled water, \" says Isabelle Silvrman, an Environmental Defense legal adviser. She has made a commitment to  _ . \"You don't need to fetch it home from the store, and it's cheaper.\" She adds. Bottled water's role as a status symbol needs to change, Peffers points out. So when a waiter at an expensive restaurant offers \"And what's your drink?\" that's no reason to forger your conviction . \"Don't be afraid to say, 'I'll have tap.' Say it loud enough that the other tables nearby can hear you,\" Peffers says, \"And then spend that money on a dessert.\" \n Question: According to the author, tap water is_. \n Options: (A) as safe as bottled water (B) more likely to be polluted (C) healthier than bottled water (D) less convenient than bottled water", "pos": "Article: Water is of vital importance in a healthy diet and lifestyle. There are many health benefits of drinking water .It helps get _ out of our systems. It aids in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients .In fact, nearly every system in our bodies depends on water for proper functioning .But how can we tell whether the water we're drinking is healthy? As to tap water, it's relatively easy .If your water comes from a governmental source , the suppliers are required by law to provide annual water quality reports .If you have a well, you can have an authorized lab test your water .It may cost $100 or more, but it's a small price to pay for peace of mind . When it comes to bottled drinking water, it can be more difficult to know what you're getting .Start by checking the label or the bottle cap. Some may tell you that the water comes from a governmental source or \"community water system\", which means tap water .If the label doesn't give any information, you can call the bottler and ask .But don't be surprised if you get the runaround and are transferred to several different departments .Some states have a bottled water program that tracks bottled drinking water and can tell you the origin of the water as well as other information . Safe and healthy drinking water has become big business .Thousands of companies are competing for your hard earned cash , and some are not always honest about what their products offer .The initial investment in a home drinking water filtration  system can seem expensive at first , but over time , it is usually less expensive than bottled drinking water .And with a water filter , you at least know where the water you drink comes from and how it is treated . Before going out and spending your hard earned money on bottled drinking water , it's a good idea to do some research .You're likely to find that a drinking water filtration system or purifier is a healthier choice and provides the best value as well . \n Question: By using a water filter, people  _ \n Options: (A) can drink water without fearing that the water isn't treated (B) will have to pay more money eventually than if they just drink bottled water (C) will know if the water company is honest or not (D) can check the quality of the water by themselves.", "neg": "Article: Water is the most common substance  found on the earth, but less than 1% of the earth's water is suitable for drinking. More than 1,000,000,000 people around the world survive on just over 1 galon of water a day. Probebly more than 3,000,000,000 people may suffer from not having enough water by the year 2025. You are considered lucky if you live in a country where you can drink water out of your kitchen tap or bathroom tap. People in some countries have to pay for drinking water at home. So clean water is one of our most valuabe natural resources . In fact, peole waste so much clean water today. In factories lots of water is wasted. At home many people are not taking showers but still baths, and many are brushing their teeth with the tap turned on. Children are no longer taught how to save water.... You can save clean water in many ways. For example, if you keep gold fish, the tank water excellent for graden plants. And when you wash a milk bottle, pour the water on your house plants. Putting a brick or a water into your toilet tank many help use less water, saving many gallons over a long time. Using rainwater is another simple way to save clean water. You can use rainwater to wash your hands after gardening, _ the toilet, and wash your car, your pet, your driveway when they are dirty. For the same reason, people in Malaysia are encourageed to use rainwater. If one has a house with a small garden, he would buy a huge plastic tank to keep rainwater for their daily life. \n Question: We can learn from the passage   _  . \n Options: (A) when man can't live without water (B) where there is no water resource (C) why there is less water on the earth (D) how important it is to save water", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}551{"query": "Article: With thousands of waterfalls across the world, it is difficult to choose the best but the following list contains some of the world's most amazing and beautiful ones! Iguazu Falls-The Iguazu Falls is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina and it is well-known for its scenic beauty. Though it is just about 89 meters high, it ranks as the fourth best waterfall in the world because of its beauty. The U-shaped cliff in the waterfall which is known as the Devil's throat is the most striking feature of the waterfall. Angel Falls-The Angel Falls, named after its discoverer James Crawford Angel, is the world's highest waterfalls, falling from a height of 979 meters. It is located in the Bolivar state in Venezuela. A unique feature of the falls is that most of the water falling down gets blown away by the winds as mist . The fallen water flows away as the Churun River. Tugela Falls-This is the world's second highest waterfalls and it falls from a height of 947 meters. It is located in the Natal Province in South Africa. The source of the Falls, the Tugela River, is a finally pure river and is considered safe for drinking. The specialty of this waterfalls is the presence of a series of five spectacular waterfalls. Niagara Falls-The Niagara Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world with about six million cubic meters of water flowing per minute. It is present in the Canada-America border and consists of a set of waterfalls named the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. It is well-known for its beauty and attracts a large number of tourists around the world. Rhine Falls-The Rhine Falls is the largest waterfalls in Europe. It is located in Switzerland near the German border. It is one of the oldest waterfalls which are believed to have formed about seventeen thousand years ago. \n Question: From the text we know that the highest waterfalls in the world is  _  . \n Options: (A) Iguazu Falls (B) Angel Falls (C) Niagara Falls (D) Rhine Falls", "pos": "Article: Wood Buffalo National Park  Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada's largest national park and one of the largest in the world. Established in 1922 to protect the last remaining herds of bison in northern Canada, it now protects an outstanding example of Canada's Northern Boreal Plains. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983. Phone: (780) 697-3662 E-mail: wbnp.info@pc.gc.ca Banff National Park of Canada Banff's rich history dates back to 1885, when three railway workers stumbled upon hot mineral springs surfacing from deep within the mountains. This discovery led to the establishment of Banff National Park, and marked the beginning of Canada's national park system. Spanning 6,641 meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.  Phone: (403)762-1550 E-mail: banff.vrc@pc.gc.ca St. Lawrence Islands National Park of Canada   Conceived in the 1870s, St. Lawrence Islands is one of Canada's oldest national parks. Located in the scenic 1,000 Islands tourist area, this tiny jewel has a rich and complex natural human history. Centuries ago, aboriginal peoples referred to it as the \"Garden of the Great Spirit\". Today, 24 scenic islands, along with a mainland area at Mallory town Landing, are included in the park. Phone: (613) 923-5261  E-mail: ont. sli@pc.gc.ca Grasslands National Park of Canada  It was here Sitting Bull took refuge after the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Grasslands National Park is the first national park of Canada to preserve a portion of the mixed prairie grasslands. This magical land of diversity, beauty and history is divided into two blocks. The East Block contains the Killdeer Badlands and the Wood Mountain Uplands, and the West Block preserves the Frenchman River Valley and the dissected plateaus, coulees and famous 70 Mile Butte.  Phone: (306) 298-2257 E-mail: grasslands. info@pc.gc.ca \n Question: Why was Banff National Park built? \n Options: (A) Because there were no national parks in Canada then. (B) Because hot mineral springs were found in Banff. (C) Because there were many valleys and mountains. (D) Because there were lots of scenic islands.", "neg": "Article: Honeymooning at Niagara Falls has become a standard for millions of newly married couples. In fact, Niagara Falls is often fondly called the Honeymoon Capital of the World. This title, however, did not happen overnight. There are various reasons that explain why so many people choose to get married surrounded by a waterfall backdrop. These reasons often include the wonderful natural setting, its unique history, and the inclusion of various activities and attractions that please newlyweds. The Niagara Falls is the waterfalls and twin cities of the same name located on the Niagara River. The waterfalls are situated in the international border between the United States and Canada and are part of both countries. The United States part of the waterfall is in New York state, while the Canadian section is part of Ontario. Both waterfalls are further divided into two major sections: the American Falls, located on the American side, and the Horseshoe Falls, which lies mostly on the Canadian side. A number of tourists who have watched the rush of water falling down Niagara Falls have described the view using many terms, including magical, magnificent, and breathtaking. For many recently married couples, visiting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is generally more popular, as it provides a better view of the rushing water of both waterfalls. Both sides, however, function as destination wedding sites and offer engaged couples the opportunity to exchange their vows  at various churches and gardens located within the area. Some couples, however, may prefer to get married on the Canadian side to receive a honeymoon certificate signed by the city's mayor.  Another reason why couples state that they choose to celebrate their weddings at Niagara Falls is the sense of history and nostalgia  associated with the area. The place first became connected with being a honeymoon destination in 1801, when Theodosia Burr, the daughter of Vice-president Aaron Burr, visited the region during her honeymoon. The French aristocracy  is also believed to have been early fans of honeymooning at the falls. In fact, French prince Jerome Bonaparte supposedly traveled to the Ontario side of Niagara Falls after his own wedding in 1804 to an American heiress. By the early 1900s, Niagara Falls had claimed itself as the Honeymoon Capital and began to advertise as such. In the 21st century, some young couples choosing to honeymoon in the spot have stated that doing so was a chance to visit the same location previously enjoyed by their parents or even their grandparents. The fact that the destination may also be less expensive than some more exotic  wedding locations has also helped it attract a large number of visiting newlyweds each year. Part of the charm of honeymooning at Niagara Falls might be the natural attraction's ability to combine old-fashioned romance with more contemporary attractions. Newlyweds seeking more private and separated activities may enjoy restaurants featuring candlelight dinners and dancing, quiet picnic areas surrounded by the signs and smells of nature, or a scenic lighthouse tour. On the other hand, couples seeking adventurous activities might find it appealing to visit a casino , take boat or air tours, or stay at a resort hotel. \n Question: Why is Niagara Falls called the Honeymoon Capital of the World? \n Options: (A) More and more newly married couples like it. (B) Honeymooning there is a standard for millions of newly married couples. (C) Many nobles got married there. (D) The natural setting, its unique history, and the various activities and attractions attract newlyweds.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}552{"query": "Article: Talking plants might sound like characters in a fairy tale. But recent scientific studies have shown that plants communicate with each other and with other living things in a surprising number of ways. To understand them, scientists say, we just have to learn their language. Farmers are especially interested in what plants have to say. \"Plants are able to communicate with all sorts of organisms  . They can communicate with giant bacteria, with other plants and with insects. They do this chemically,\" said Cahill, an Ecology Professor of the University of Alberta in Canada. Plant scientists are just beginning to understand this chemical \"language\". Cahill says studies have shown, for example, that plants can evaluate   conditions in their immediate environment and take appropriate actions.  Plants have an ability, for example, to signal pain or discomfort caused by anything from temperature extremes to an insect attack. Jack Schultz, a professor of chemical ecology at the University of Missouri, says when a plant senses that it's being eaten, it cannot walk away from trouble; on the contrary, it will release a chemical vapor  that _ other plants nearby. \"Their language is a chemical language, and it involves chemicals that move through the air that are easy to be changeable, and most of all are smells that we are familiar with,\" Schultz explained. \"All plants responded to the attack by changing their chemistry to defend themselves,\" Schultz recalled. \"But we were quite surprised to find that nearby plants also changed their chemistry to defend themselves, even though they were not part of the experiment.\" Studies have also shown that plants under attack release pleasant chemicals. Those chemicals attract friendly insects that attack the pests eating the plant. In the end, plants' ability to communicate their needs--and our ability to understand them--could help farmers reduce the use of poisonous chemicals, cut operating costs and limit damage to the environment. \n Question: The recent scientific studies have shown that plants can   _  . \n Options: (A) communicate with other living things in a chemical way (B) hardly react to any sudden change in temperature (C) use a very special chemica1 language which is familiar to us (D) respond to the attack by giving off poisonous chemicals", "pos": "Article: Science Daily (Apr. 27, 2008)-- Dutch ecologist Roxina Soler and her colleagues have discovered that subterranean   and aboveground herbivorous   insects can communicate with each other by using plants as telephones.  Subterranean insects issue chemical warning signals through the leaves of the plant. This way, aboveground insects are warned that the plant is already \"occupied\".      Aboveground, leaf-eating insects prefer plants that have not yet been occupied by subterranean root-eating insects. Subterranean insects send out chemical signals through the leaves of the plant, which warn the aboveground insects about their presence. This messaging makes it possible for spatially-separated insects to avoid each other, so that they do not compete for, the same plant.      In recent years it has been discovered that different types of aboveground insects develop slowly if they feed on plants that also have subterranean insects and 'vice versa  . It seems that a mechanism   has developed through natural selection,  which helps the subterranean and aboveground insects to communicate with each other. This avoids unnecessary competition.       Through the \"green telephone lines\", subterranean insects can also communicate with     _ , namely the natural enemy of caterpillars  . Parasitic wasps   lay their eggs inside aboveground insects. The wasps also benefit from the signals sent by the leaves, as these help them find more insects for their eggs.      The communication between subterranean and above- ground insects has only been studied in a few systems. It is still not clear how widespread this phenomenon is, say the researchers. \n Question: How do subterranean and aboveground insects communicate with each other? \n Options: (A) By sending signals through the leaves. (B) By giving off particular smells. (C) By making soft and beautiful sounds. (D) By the signals sent by parasitic wasps.", "neg": "Article: Because plants cannot move or talk, most people believe that they have no feelings and that they cannot receive signals from outside. However, this may not be completely true. People who studied plants have found out that plants carry a small electrical charge  . It is possible to measure this charge with a small piece of equipment called \"galvanometer\". The galvanometer is placed on a leaf off the plant, and it records any changes in the electrical field of the leaf. Humans have a similar field which can change when we are shocked or frightened. A man called Backster used a galvanometer for his studies of plants and was very surprised at his results. He found that if he had two or more plants in a room and he began to destroy one of them - perhaps by pulling off its leaves or by pulling it out of its pot - then the galvanometer on the leaves of the other plants showed a change in the electrical field. It seemed as if the plants were signalling a feeling of shock. This happened not only when Backster started to destroy plants, but also when he destroyed other living things such as insects  . Backster said that the plants also knew if someone had destroyed a living thing some distance away, because they signalled when a man who had just cut down a tree entered the room. Another scientist, named Sauvin, achieved similar results to Backster's. He kept galvanometers fixed to his plants all the time and checked regularly to see what the plants were doing. If he was out of the office, he telephoned to find out about the signals the plants were sending. In this way, he found that the plants were sending out signals at the exact times when he felt strong pleasure or pain. In fact, Sauvin could cause a change in the electrical field of his plants over a distance of a few miles simply by thinking about them. \n Question: Backster was surprised at the results of his studies because   _  . \n Options: (A) he destroyed an insect (B) he destroyed a plant by pulling off its leaves (C) he found that plants could express feelings of shock (D) he found that plants could move and speak after all", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}553{"query": "Article: It has been argued that an infant under three who is cared for outside the home may suffer because of the separation from his parents.The British psychoanalyst John Bowlby believes that separation from the parents during the sensitive \"attachment\" period from birth to three may scar   a child's personality and incline to emotional problems in later life.Some people have drawn the conclusion from Bowlby's work that children should not be sent to day care before the age of three, and many people do believe this.But there are also arguments against such a strong conclusion. Firstly, anthropologists   point out that the hidden love between children and parents found in modem societies does not usually exist in traditional societies.For example, we saw earlier that among the Ngonis the father and mother of a child did not raise their infant alone.But traditional societies are so different from modern societies that comparisons based on just one factor are hard to understand. Secondly, common sense tells us that day care would not be so widespread today if parents and caretakers found that children had problems with it.But Bowlby's analysis raises the possibility that early day care has delayed effects.The possibility that such care might lead to more mental illness or crime 15 or 20 years later can only be noticed by the use of statistics.Statistical studies of this kind have not yet been carried out, and even if they were, the results would be certain to be complicated and controversial. Thirdly, in the last decade, there have been a number of careful American studies of children in day care, and they have reported that day care had a neutral of slightly positive effect on children's development.But tests that have had to be used to measure this development are not widely enough accepted to settle the issue. \n Question: This passage is mainly talking about  _  . \n Options: (A) children's personality (B) advantages of infants' early care (C) infants' education (D) negative effect of infant school", "pos": "Article: Today only one person in five in the United States lives within 50 miles of his birthplace. Since the country was first settled, Americans have moved around a great deal, and are often far away from their parents. Because they have broken ties with their past at a young age, chosen their own occupations, established their own homes and developed their own lifestyles, few American children grow up closely surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins as they do in Italy, Nigeria, or India, for example. This along with the fact that modern American families do not have servants has made the \"baby-sitter\" a vital part of the American scene. A \"sitter\" is someone who is hired to care for children for a specific length of time--usually relatively short--while the parents are out for an evening, going to a party or a course of study for example. Sometimes the baby-sitter is also hired for longer period, perhaps when the parents are away for a weekend. In such cases the \"sitter\" is likely to be a mature and motherly woman. For short periods, teen-agers, college students, nursing students, and others are commonly employed on an hourly basis. From the point of view of convenience, the best sitters are often young people who live in your apartment building or close by in the neighborhood. This gives you a chance to meet the parents and see what they are like. If an emergency occurs, young sitters can call upon their parents quickly for help; you do not have to take them far to see them home at night or pay expensive taxi fares. Another advantage is that young people living close by can usually fill in quite readily on short notice or for short periods of time. In an apartment house you can ask the superintendent for permission to post a notice for a baby-sitter by the mailboxes. This is often the best way to find out if there is anyone in the building who is interested in baby-sitting. Retired people as well as students are often glad to earn a little money in this way and can be found by such a note. \n Question: A baby-sitter is a person who  _  . \n Options: (A) helps to do housework (B) is a cleaning woman (C) looks after children while their parents are out (D) takes care of babies and cooks for the family", "neg": "Article: Few people would defend the Victorian attitude on children, but if you were a parent in those days, at least you knew where you stood: children were to be seen and not heard. Freud and his colleagues did away with all that and parents have been puzzled ever since. The child's happiness is all- important, they say, but what about the parents' happiness? Modern child-rearing manuals would never permit cruelty to children .The trouble is you are not allowed even to shout. Who knows what deep psychological wounds you might cause? The poor child may never recover from the dreadful experience. So it is the parents that bend over backwards to avoid giving their children complex which a hundred years ago hadn't even been heard of. Certainly, a child needs love, and a lot of it. But the excessive permissive  of modern parents is surely doing more harm than good. Psychologists  have succeeded in weakening parents confidence in their own authority. And it hasn't taken children long to get wind of the fact. In addition to the great modern classics on child care, there are countless articles in magazines and newspapers. With so much advice flying about, mum and dad just don't know what to do any more. In the end, they do nothing at all. So, from early childhood, the kids are in charge and parents' lives are regulated according to the needs of their kids. When the little dears develop into teenagers, they take complete control. Lack of authority over the years makes teenagers rebellion against parents all the more violent. If the young people are going to have a party, for example, parents are asked to leave the house. Their presence merely spoils the fun. What else can the poor parents do but obey? \n Question: The author says that today's parents   _  . \n Options: (A) are bombarded with excessive amounts of child-care literature. (B) draw a distinction between permissiveness and carelessness. (C) are only towards children from happy home backgrounds. (D) weigh their children's knowledge rather than intelligence.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}554{"query": "Article: If you want to pay a visit to Iceland, you'll enter a whole new region of experience. You'll discover original nature as you've never seen it before. The freedom to wander  in the city or the wilds as you please is the key to the Iceland experience. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is just a part of the Icelandic experience with its midnight sun or the magical landscapes mixed with ice and fire. Reykjavik has a population of around 170,000 and offers an interesting mix of culture and local village roots. Old accounts say the ancient gods themselves guided Iceland's first settler to make his home in Reykjavik. He named the place Reykjavik (Steamy Bay)after the geothermal steam he saw, which today heats homes and outdoor swimming pools throughout the city, a pollution-free energy source that leaves the air very fresh, clean and clear. A beautiful river runs through the city limits, and so do fine parks and even wild outdoor areas. Against this backcloth of nature, Reykjavik has a packed program of familiar city joys too: art museums, several theaters, an opera house, a symphony orchestra and concerts meeting the needs of all ages and tastes. One must for all visitors is dining out on Icelandic specialties, including delicious seafood, ocean-fresh from the morning' s catch, highland lamb and unusual varieties of game. Its purely natural food is imaginatively served to delight the most discerning of diners. Reykjavik is also famous as one of Europe's hottest nightspots, where the action on the friendly pub and nightlife scene lasts right through the night. In the evening, the downtown area is filled with activity, reaching its peak on Friday or Saturday. The number of pubs, cafe, discos, and other nightspots in the downtown area is astonishing. There is a rich variety of places to go: European-style cafes, nightclubs with live entertainment, dance halls for seniors, sports-theme pubs with big TV screens, cafes that offer over 100 types of beer, an Irish pub, a Spanish cafe, a French wine bar. Walking distances are short downtown, and everything worth seeing outside the city center can be quickly and conveniently reached by bus. With its long, easy-going main street and large shopping mall, Iceland's capital is a great place to shop too -- with a bonus of tax-free shopping for visitors!  A full range of accommodations is available in Reykjavik, from international-standard hotels with good conference facilities, through smaller hotels and comfortable guesthouses, to a campsite in the city's biggest park. \n Question: It can be learned from the passage the Reykiavik_. \n Options: (A) was named by the ancient gods. (B) was named by Iceland's first settler. (C) got its name from the visitors. (D) was named after Iceland's first settler.", "pos": "Article: Experts say the temperature in Eyjafjallajokull's hole appears to have fallen to 100C, meaning it is now producing steam, not magma . But officials warned that it was too early to say whether the eruption was over completely. Ash clouds from the volcano grounded thousands of flights last month. Steinunn Jakobsdottir, a geophysicist from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, told the BBC that the volcano was \"kind of not active for the moment\". \"The history of the volcano is such that it calms down and then it gets energy again,\" she said. \"There are still earthquakes under the volcano, and the small earthquake is still not quite down to what it was before the eruption.\" 'Difficult to say' Magnus Gudmundsson, of Iceland University, flew over the volcano on Sunday and said information from heat cameras showed the temperatures at the crater had fallen below 100C. But he told the AFP news agency that nothing was promised and that the previous eruption at the volcano had lasted 13 months, from 1821-23. \"It stopped and started again several times with different intervals , so it's difficult to say, difficult to give a timeline,\" he said. He also said it was impossible to say whether the neighbouring Katla volcano - a much larger mountain - might also erupt. At the height of its activity, the volcano sent out huge clouds of ash, which led to airlines grounding their planes for fear it could _ plane engines. It was the biggest action of closing airspace in Europe since World War II, and affected at least 10 million passengers worldwide. \n Question: What do expert think Eyjafjallajokull is like now? \n Options: (A) Magma is still coming out (B) The hole appears about 100 degrees C (C) The eruption was not over (D) It is very cold.", "neg": "Article: Iceland, an island just south of the Arctic Circle, has fairly mild winters,  thanks to warm ocean currents. Time your vacation here during the winter months to take advantage of off-season deals. Off-season means good deals on flights, hotels and tours. You may also find that the locals are a bit friendlier and more welcoming when tourists aren't arriving in crowds. In the winter months, there are less than seven hours of daylight; thus, chances are good you'll catch sight of the northern lights. Sunsets are also beautiful at this time, making for some great photo opportunities. In Iceland, winter is the perfect time to hike glaciers, go ice climbing, explore caves made out of hardened lava  and much more. One of the most popular activities is off-roading  in a specially-equipped \"super jeep\". Before booking your trip, be sure to check for volcano alerts. There are about 130 volcanoes on or around Iceland. Thirty-five of them are active. In 2010, a volcano named Eyjaallajokull exploded, sending clouds of ash up to four kilometers into the atmosphere. The ash drifted toward the UK and Europe. Because the ask could damage aircraft engines, airlines operating in the region were forced to cancel flights for six days. As a result, thousands of people were stuck in airports. Recently, another volcano named Bardarbunga has become active, erupting ash into the air. Such events, if large enough, could prevent your trip from going ahead. So check the latest volcano news prior to making your reservations. \n Question: According to this article, why are you more likely to see the northern lights in the winter? \n Options: (A) They move from rural areas to cities. (B) The weather is more stable at that time. (C) They're a special feature of many festivals. (D) The sky is dark for longer periods then.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}555{"query": "Article: I have only once been in trouble with the law.The whole process of being arrested and taken to court was a rather unpleasant experience at the time, but it makes a good story now. What makes it rather disturbing was the arbitrary circumstances both of my arrest and my subsequent   fate in court. It happened in February about twelve years ago.I had left school a couple of months before that and was not due to go to university until the following October.I was still living at home at the time. One morning I was in Richmond, a suburb of London near where I lived.I was looking for a temporary job so that I could save up some money to go traveling.As it was a fine day and I was in no hurry, I was taking my time, looking in shop windows, strolling in the park, and sometimes just stopping and looking around me.It must have been this obvious aimlessness that led to my downfall. It was about half past eleven when it happened.I was just walking out of the local library, having unsuccessfully sought employment there, when I saw a man walking across the road with the obvious intention of talking to me.I thought he was going to ask me the time.Instead, he said he was a police officer and he was arresting me.At first I thought it was some kind of joke But then another policeman appeared, this time in uniform, and I was left in no doubt. 'But what for?\" I asked 'Wandering with intent to commit an arrestable offence,' he said. 'What offence?' I asked 'Theft,' he said 'Theft of what?'I asked 'Milk bottles,' he said, and with a perfectly straight face too! 'Oh,' I said. It turned out there had been a lot of petty thefts in the area, particularly that of stealing milk bottles from doorsteps. Then I made my big mistake.At the time I was nineteen, had long untidy hair, and regarded myself as pan of the sixties' 'youth counterculture'.As a result, I wanted to appear cool and unconcerned with the incident, so I said, 'How long have you been following me?  in the most casual and conversational tone I could manage.I thus appeared to them to be quite familiar with this sort of situation, and it confirmed them in their belief that I was a thoroughly disreputable   character. A few minutes later a police car arrived. 'Get in the back,' they said.'Put your hands on the back of the front seat and don't move them.' They got in on either side of me.It wasn't funny any more. At the police station they questioned me for several hours.I continued to try to look worldly and familiar with the situation.When they asked me what I had been doing, I told them I'd been looking for a job.'Aha,' I could see them thinking, 'unemployed'. Eventually, I was officially charged and told to report to Richmond Magistrates' Court the following Monday.Then they let me go. I wanted to conduct my own defense in court, but as soon as my father found out what had happened, he hired a very good solicitor  .We went along that Monday armed with all kinds of witnesses, including my English teacher from school as a character witness.But he was never called on to give evidence.My 'trial' didn't get that far.The magistrate   dismissed the case after fifteen minutes.1 was free.The poor police had never stood a chance.The solicitor even succeeded in getting costs awarded against the police. And so I do not have a criminal record.But what was most shocking at the time was the things my release from the charge so clearly depended on.I had the 'right' accent, respectable middle-class parents in court, reliable witnesses, and I could obviously afford a very good solicitor.Given the obscure nature of the charge.I feel sure that if I had come from a different background, and had really been unemployed, there is every chance that I would have been found guilty.While asking for costs to be awarded, my solicitor's case quite obviously revolved   around the fact that I had a 'brilliant academic record'. Meanwhile, just outside the courtroom, one of the policemen who had arrested me was gloomily complaining to my mother that another youngster had been turned against the police. 'You could have been a bit more helpful when we arrested you,' he said to me reproachfully  . What did he mean? Probably that I should have looked outraged  and said something like, 'Look here, do you know who you're talking to? I am a highly successful student with a brilliant academic record.How dare you arrest me!' Then they, probably, would have apologized perhaps even taken off their caps, and let me on my way. \n Question: The first man who came up to him was   _  . \n Options: (A) a uniformed policeman (B) a policeman in plainclothes (C) not a policeman (D) a good joker", "pos": "Article: I had been rather proud of myself when my friends and family got the ticket, whether it was for speeding, parking or stop sign violations  . It was something that happened to others. But last Friday I joined _ . I was asked to do a new project last week. On Friday morning on my way to work, I suddenly remembered that I had spent the past six weeks without considering that I had a week's vacation planned during that time. I was very disappointed with myself for not remembering it. The truth is that I was not paying enough attention to my driving and I did not come to a complete stop at the stop sign in front of a school. I was so distracted   that I didn't even notice I had a policeman on my tail with his lights flashing. Finally I looked in my mirror and caught on. The policeman was rude and took my papers. Fortunately, I had everything up to date and since I had never had a ticket before, there was nothing for him to do but write me a ticket. While I was sitting there in the seat of \"shame\", I felt bad. If I had been that distracted and a child had run onto the road, perhaps I would have not reacted as well as I could have. It was a wake-up call. People at work asked me if I tried to talk my way out of it . Frankly, it never occurred to me. I felt sorry. Now I no longer have a clean driving record. Please be careful out there, as a moment's distraction can lead to tragedy. \n Question: What is this passage mainly about? \n Options: (A) The writer's most unforgettable experience. (B) How the writer got her first ticket. (C) An accident caused by the writer. (D) Why the writer is always so careful.", "neg": "Article: I was in a strange city I didn't know at all, and what's more, I could not speak a word of the language. On my second day I got on the first bus that passed, rode on it for several stops, then got off and walked on. The first two hours passed pleasantly enough, then I decided to turn back to my hotel for lunch. After walking about for some time, I decided I had better ask the way. The trouble was that the only word I knew of the language was the name of the street in which I lived, and even that I pronounced badly. I stopped to ask a newspaper-seller. He handed me a paper. I shook my head and repeated the name of the street and he put the paper into my hands. I had to give him some money and went on my way. The next person I asked was a policeman. He listened to me carefully, nodded and gently took me by the arm. There was a strange look in his eyes as he pointed left and right and left again. I nodded politely and began walking in the direction he pointed.About an hour passed and I noticed that the houses were getting fewer and fewer and green fields were appearing on either side of me. I had come all the way into the countryside. The only thing left for me to do was find the nearest railway station. \n Question: From the story we know that the policeman  _  . \n Options: (A) was kind but didn't understand the writer (B) told the writer where to take a train (C) knew what the writer really meant (D) was cold-hearted and didn't help the writer", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}556{"query": "Article: You may have heard of the book Moby Dick(<<>> ), written by the American author Herman Melville. You may also know that Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest novels ever written. However, it might surprise you to find out Herman Melville was not always a highly regarded author. Melville's first two novels, Typee and Omoo, were widely read and financially successfully. They were both exciting tales of adventures at sea and experiences with people in foreign lands. Melville became quite famous. However, upon the publication of his third book, Mardi, Melville's popularity began to weaken. He was no longer interested in telling tales of pure adventure, and his writing took on a style that alienated  the general reading public of his time. Melville published Moby Dick in October of 1851. it was an original novel, combining aspects of sociology and philosophy, which confused readers by its complex symbolism. The book sold poorly. Melville's next book, Pierre, was almost completely disregarded by the public. Debt frustration and ill health finally forced Melville to take a low-paying job as a customs inspector. Eventually, Melville abandoned prose  and began to write poetry. The Civil War is the main subject of Melville's poetry. He and his brother made a trip to the front line, and he published a book of poems, Battle-Pieces and Aspects of War, based on this experience. Melville died in 1891 at the age of 72. at this point, his work had been completely forgotten by the public. His talent was to go unrecognized for the next thirty years. Then, in 1920s, his reputation began to improve as critics and readers rediscovered his work. Today Moby Dick is one of the best-known novels ever penned by an American author. \n Question: What were Melville's first two novels mainly about? \n Options: (A) His travel experience. (B) His successful communication skills. (C) Adventurous experiences in the front line. (D) Adventurous voyages and foreign experiences.", "pos": "Article: Loved and hated, but never boring. That is what people say of American writer Norman Mailer, who died late last year at the age of 84. He was the author of some of the greatest books of the 20th century.     But Mailer will be remembered as much for his personality as for his writing. He was rude and bad-tempered. He violently attacked other authors and even wounded one of his six wives.     However, this never stopped Mailer from being successful. People always wanted to read his books. His provocative   writing style and willingness to deal with difficult subjects made his books bestsellers.     \"He was willing to take risks with just about everything,\" says the author Gore Vidal. \"He had a radical   imagination, a way of approaching subjects that was never boring.\"     In a career that lasted six decades, Mailer wrote about a wide variety of subjects from history and politics to sport and celebrities. But he was most famous for writing novels and he twice won the Pulitzer Prize.     His best book was The Naked and the Dead, a story about the tensions between American soldiers fighting Japan in World War II. Drawn on his own experiences as a soldier, it is a study of men at war examining their cruelty and bravery.     Mailer's brilliance as an author was his ability to capture human behavior. He did so through interesting characters, realistic dialogue and rich descriptions. The author William F. Buckley said, \"He created the most beautiful metaphors   in the English.\"     Mailer leaves behind more than 40 books as his literary legacy  . However, he never achieved his life's goal. He wanted to write what he called the \"big one\", the greatest novel ever written about America. Well, at least it wasn't for a lack of trying. \n Question: According to the passage,_. \n Options: (A) Norman Mailer was loved by all people (B) Norman Mailer wounded other authors (C) Norman Mailer wasn't successful (D) Norman Mailer wrote many great books", "neg": "Article: All writers dream of success. Yet some writers turn their back on success the moment it comes along. J.D. Salinger, the American author, is a good example. On the face of it, the future did not look promising for the teenage Salinger. He seems always to have been running away from something. First it was school, then he dropped out of New York University. Finally, after failing to find a career in his father's food import business and dropping out of yet another college he decided that his destiny was to be a writer. In the same year he joined a writing class at Columbia University which was taught by Whit Burnett, founder and editor of a magazine called Story. The March-April issue contained a story written by Salinger entitled 'The Young Folks'. In it there are early versions of the moody, selfish youths that appear in his later fiction. Soon, his stories were appearing in various mass-circulation magazines but it was the famous New Yorker which he dreamed of, believing that publication within its covers would indicate his future potential as a serious writer. Salinger has a huge reputation around the world yet it rests mainly on just one novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Published in 1951, it soon became highly popular with teenagers who identified with the hero's powerful sense of dissatisfaction. Its success made Salinger a public figure. Most writers, of course, would welcome this. Salinger, however, hated it and refused it. He moved to a small house in Cornish, New Hampshire, where he lived away from society until his death in 2010 at the age of 91. For Salinger, fame and artistic honesty were not the same thing. Some people become writers because they wish their works to speak for themselves. Salinger appears to have been disgusted by the idea that he had become the spokesman for a generation. In death he has perhaps achieved his highest goal: to be out of the spotlight, represented only by his work. \n Question: According to the article, J.D. Salinger is an example of   _  . \n Options: (A) a selfish and moody youth (B) a serious writer who hates fame (C) a famous American author (D) someone who lives away from society", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}557{"query": "Article: Why texting harms your IQ The regular use of text messages and e-mails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana  . That is the statement of researchers who have found that tapping away on a mobile phone or computer keypad or checking for electronic messages temporarily knocks up to 10 points off the user's IQ. This rate of decline in intelligence compares unfavorably with the four-point drop in IQ associated with smoking marijuana, according to British researchers, who have described the phenomenon of improved stupidity as \"infomania\". The research conducted by Hewlett Packard, the technology company, has concluded that it is mainly a problem for adult workers, especially men. It is concluded that too much use of modern technology can damage a person's mind. It can cause a constant distraction of \"always on\" technology when employees should be concentrating on what they are paid to do. Infomania means that they lose concentration as their minds remain fixed in an almost permanent state of readiness to react to technology instead of focusing on the task in hand. The report also added that, in a long term, the brain will be considerably shaped by what we do to it and by the experience of daily life. At a microcellular level, the complex networks of nerve cells that make up parts of the brain actually change in response to certain experiences. Too much use of modern technology can be damaging not only to a person's mind, but to their social relationship. 1100 adults were interviewed during the research. More than 62 per cent of them admitted that they were addicted to checking their e-mails and text messages so often that they _ work-related ones even when at home or on holiday. Half said that they always responded immediately to an email and will even interrupt a meeting to do so. It is concluded that infomania is increasing stress and anxiety and affecting one's characteristics. Nine out of ten thought that colleagues who answered e-mails or messages during a face-to-face meeting were extremely rude. The effects on IQ were studied by Dr Glenn Wilson, a psychologist at University of London. \"This is a very real and widespread phenomenon,\" he said. \"We have found that infomania will damage a worker's performance by reducing their mental sharpness and changing their social life. Companies should encourage a more balanced and appropriate way of working.\" \n Question: We can learn from the passage that \"infomania\"   _  . \n Options: (A) has a positive influence on one's IQ (B) results in the change of part of the brain (C) lies in the problem of lack of concentration (D) is caused by too much use of modern technology", "pos": "Article: Millions of people are using cell phones today.In many places it is actually considered unusual not to use one.In many countries,cell phones are very popular with young people.They find that the phones are more than a means of communication--having a mobile phone shows that they are cool and connected. The explosions around the world in mobile phone use make some health professional worried.Some doctors are concerned that in the future many people may suffer health problems from the use of mobile phones.In England,there has been a serious debate about this issue.Mobile phone companies are worried about the negative publicity of such ideas.They say that there is no proof that mobile phones are bad for your health. On the other hand,why do some medical studies show changes in the brain cells of some people who use mobile phones?Signs of change in the issues of the brain and head can be _ with modern scanning equipment.In one case,a traveling salesman had to retire at a young age because of serious memory loss.He couldn't remember even simple tasks.He would often forget the name of his own son.This man used to talk on his mobile phone for about six hours a day,every day of his working week,for a couple of years.His family doctor blamed his mobile phone use,but his employer's doctor didn't agree. What is it that makes mobile phones potentially harmful?The answer is radiation.Hightech machines can detect very small amounts of radiation from mobile phones.Mobile phone companies agree that there is some radiation.But they say the amount is too small to worry about. As the discussion about their safety continues,it appears that it's best to use mobile phones less often.Use your regular phone if you want to talk for a long time.Use your mobile phone only when you really need it.Mobile phones can be very useful and convenient,especially in emergencies.In the future,mobile phones may have a warning label that says they are bad for your health.So for now,it's wise not to use your mobile phone too often. \n Question: People buy cell phones for the following reasons except that  _  . \n Options: (A) they're popular (B) they're convenient (C) they're useful (D) they're cheap", "neg": "Article: If you are sending a text, watching the TV or listening to the radio, you may want to stop and give this your full attention. Multi-tasking shrinks   the brain, research suggests. A study found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain. University of Sussex researchers said, \"Simultaneously using mobile phones, laptops and other media devices could be changing the structure of our brains.\" The finding follows research which has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades at school. The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology. This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email, or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the web. The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The findings held even when differences in personality were taken into account. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, is the first to make a link between multi-tasking and the structure of the brain. Researcher Kep Kee Loh said, \"Media multi-tasking is becoming more common in our lives today and there is increasing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being.\" He added that more research is needed to prove that multi-tasking shrinks the brain. This is because it is also possible that people with less grey matter in the ACC are more drawn to using lots of small devices simultaneously. Scientists have previously demonstrated brain structure can be changed on prolonged exposure to new environments and experience. Other studies have shown that training -- such as learning to juggle or taxi drivers learning the map of London -- can increase grey-matter densities   in certain parts. Experts have also warned of the harmful impact technology can have on our memory and attention span. \n Question: According to Kep Kee Loh,   _  . \n Options: (A) the link between multi-tasking and brain shrinkage needs further research (B) people with less grey matter in the ACC are more attracted to multi-tasking (C) multi-tasking has harmful impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being (D) multi-tasking leads to a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}558{"query": "Article: During a state of deep relaxation, several physiological changes take place in the body: the body's oxygen consumption is reduced; the heart beat decreases; muscle tension and sweating ease, and there is decreased sympathetic   nervous system activity.This restful state not only allows the body to repair and restore itself, but it has a calming effect on the consciousness. How to achieve this state of relaxation, however, is a matter of opinion, and in some medical circles, a matter of controversy.A recent report by Dr.David Holmes of the University of Kansas in the journal \"American psychologist\" said that simply sitting in an armchair has just as many beneficial characteristics for the body as meditation   does.Researchers of other relaxation techniques disagree.These experts believe that more structured techniques, such as meditation, lead to a condition of deep relaxation. The debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation response can be reached by a number of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as _ .One day, one method may work best; on another day, an alternative method may be more appropriate.Once you are aware of all the methods, you can find the one that works best on you. Some of the relaxation techniques are meditation, auto analysis and progressive muscle relaxation response.More than just sitting quietly in a chair, they have the added benefit of structure and discipline, and for these reasons appear to be more effective for most individuals. \n Question: According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true when a person is in a state of deep relaxation? \n Options: (A) The body takes in less oxygen. (B) The heart beats less frequently. (C) Muscles become tense and the body sweats easily. (D) The consciousness becomes more or less calmed.", "pos": "Article: In meditation ,people sit quietly and focus their attention on their breath .As they breathe in and out ,they attend to their feelings .As thoughts go through their minds. They let _ go. Breathe .Let go .Breathe .Let go . According to a recent study at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre,Massachusetts. Three months of training in this kind of meditation causes a market change in how the brain allocates  attention. It appears that the ability to let go thoughts that come into mind frees the brain to attend to more rapidly changing things and events in the outside world. Expert mediators are better than other people at catching such fast-changing stimuli( ),like facial expressions. The study provides evidence for changes in the workings of the brain with mental training. People can learn and improve abilities of all sorts with practice, everything from driving to playing the piano. The study has shown that meditation is good for the brain. It appears to reduce pressure and promote a sense of well-being. In an experiment, 17 volunteers with no meditation experience in the experimental group spent three months meditating 10 to 12 hours a day .A control group also with no meditation experience meditated for 20 minutes a day over the same period .Both groups were then given the tests with two numbers in a group of letters. As both group looked for the numbers , their brain activity was recorded. Everyone could catch the first number .But the brain recordings showed that the less experienced mediators tended to grasp the first number and hang onto it, so they missed the second number .Those with more experience gave less attention to the first number .as if letting it go ,which led to an increased ability to grasp the second number ,This shows that attention can change with practice. Just ask Daniel Levision , who meditated for three months as part of the study .\"I am a much better listener,\" he said . \" I do not get lost in my own personal reaction to what people are saying.\" \n Question: Meditations manage their daily tasks better because they     _    . \n Options: (A) are given less pressure (B) allocate their attention better (C) have more stimuli for life (D) practice them more frequently", "neg": "Article: While I will explain a bit about the science of stress and relaxation a little later simple way to think about it is that our body 's stress response works like a car alarm. Keep us safe by warning us of the presence of danger in our immediate environment. But instead of warning us with a loud and annoying sound,our body alarm system lets us know that something is wrong by creating changes in our neurochemistry  .If you've ever experienced pain in your stomach,periods of extreme anger, inability to focus or even insomnia  ,chances are your body was paying the price in those moments for the brain chemistry of stress. So if it's so uncomfortable,why not just get rid of stress altogether? This is not only impractical,it would be dangerous. Let's go back to the metaphor  of the car alarm. If the alarm is turned off altogether,the car is exposed to continual danger without there being any way of your knowing about it until it is too late. It would be like walking through the jungle without any fear signal in the presence of a poisonous snake or other dangerous animals -- while it might feel \"nice\" to be so relaxed,your body actually needs the stress response not only to remind you of danger but also to offer extra adrenaline   for your heart and extra blood  and oxygen for your arms and legs. However,if the car alarm goes off at any time,someone just looks at the car with a bit of an attitude,and it becomes equally useless. Not only do we stop paying attention to it,but it begins to drive us and everyone around us becomes a little bit crazy. In the case of our bodies,walking around in a constant state of alarm also has some pretty alarming health consequences,which we will explore in greater depth in the next chapter. \n Question: Our body's stress response is compared to a car alarm in that  _  . \n Options: (A) they work all the time (B) they both give a signal (C) they work in the same way (D) they both produce a sound", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}559{"query": "Article: Most people consider skydiving   a product of the 20th century, but its history actually goes further back than that. The Chinese attempted to parachute   in the 10th century, a thousand years before we did. The Chinese did what we would today call base diving; that is, they jumped off a place that would allow them to float from a height to the ground. The first person to attempt to parachute was a Frenchman named Jacques Garnerin. He jumped from his hot-air balloon at the end of the 18th century and did tricks on the way down and _ the crowds by landing safely on the ground. At the end of the 19th century, Kathie Paulus, a brave German woman, became famous for her skydiving skills. Once the airplane was invented, skydiving took on a whole new form. The airplane made it possible to dive from greater heights at greater speeds, allowing for more range in the movements in the air. A woman named Tiny Broadwick became the first woman to jump from a plane in 1913 and dive free fall in 1914. Skydiving was not called skydiving until the middle of the 1950s, when Ronald Young invented the word. It had been called parachuting before this and was mainly used by the military   to land troops in inland locations, or for pilots to jump out of their planes when necessary. Once World War I was over, parachuting became a sport, which we now call skydiving. After World War II, this activity became more a hobby than a military action. Soldiers were trained in parachuting and enjoyed the thrill so much that they continued on for fun. From this, teams and competitions were formed. Skydiving schools appeared in the late 1950s and now it is a recognized extreme sport enjoyed by many. \n Question: Who was the first woman to jump from a plane? \n Options: (A) Jacques Garnerin. (B) Kathie Paulus. (C) Tiny Broadwick. (D) Ronald Young.", "pos": "Article: The year was 1932. Amelia Earhart was flying alone from North America to England in a small single--engine airplane. At midnight, several hours after she had left Newfoundland, she ran into bad weather. To make things worse, her altimeter failed.(The altimeter shows the height of the plane above the ground.) At night and in a storm, a pilot is in great difficulty without an altimeter. At times, her plane nearly plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. Just before daylight, there was further trouble. Amelia noticed flames coming from the engine. Would she be able to reach land? There was nothing to do except to keep going and to hope. Amelia Earhart did reach Ireland, and for the courage she had shown, she was warmly welcomed in England and the rest of Europe. When she returned to the United States, she was honored by President Hoover at a special dinner in the White House. From that time on, Amelia Earhart became famous. What was so important about her flight? Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean alone, and she set a record of fourteen hours and fifty-six minutes. \n Question: Amelia's flight was important because   _  . \n Options: (A) Amelia was a woman pilot (B) She set a record for the flight (C) Amelia was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic alone (D) Amelia was able to overcome the difficulties during the flight", "neg": "Article: Bungee jumping is not a new activity. Men on Pentecost Island in the South Pacific have been doing land jumping for hundreds of years. The men tie long vines  from plants around their ankles . They spend days building tall towers out of vines and logs . Then they jump off _  According to their beliefs, the first land diver was a woman. She decided to run away from her rude husband. So she climbed up a tall tree and tied some vines around her feet. Her husband also climbed up the tree and tried to catch her, but the woman jumped and the man followed. The vines saved her life, but her husband died. This ancient custom caught the interest of some students at Oxford University in England. In the late 1970s, they formed a group called the Dangerous Sports Club. They were some of the first people to test several of what are now called extreme sports. They are said to have invented modern bungee jumping. In the spring of 1979, members of the group jumped off the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England. They were attached to the bridge by a bungee cord, a long elastic rope that stretches. The group soon received even more attention when they organized a bungee jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. A man named A. J. Hackett of New Zealand decided to make the sport into a business. He started developing bungee ropes and material with a friend. They held a major jump in 1987 off the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. They later got permission to open the first bungee jumping operation on the Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, New Zealand. Many people paid 75 dollars to jump off the bridge with a bungee cord attached to their ankles. \n Question: The Dangerous Sports Club first caught people's attention when they jumped off  _  . \n Options: (A) the Eiffel Tower (B) the Kawarau Bridge (C) the Golden Gate Bridge (D) the Clifton Suspension Bridge", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}560{"query": "Article: Have you ever been to a wedding and simply loved the bride's bouquet ?More than likely some part of it was the Hawaiian Wedding Plant. This foreign houseplant can be enjoyed by anyone, not just brides. With a little proper attention and careful planning on location, this foreign houseplant, which is from Madagascar, can be brought into the home where it can become an interesting focus. Caring for the Hawaiian Wedding Plant is not much different from caring for any other houseplants that may already be in your home. The only difference between this type of houseplant and others is the amount of the basic requirements that this foreign houseplant needs to survive and perform beautifully. During the growing season, this plant requires its wet soil, but when winter rolls around, this plant needs its soil to be kept drier. Hawaiian Wedding Plants should also be potted in well-drained soil and placed in a location that receives full sun. That the soil must be kept wet does not mean that it should sit in water, so the soil must drain easily or this plant will not survive. Water the plant daily and feed this plant every two to three weeks with a little fertilizer  for acid-loving plants. Prune in early spring, even as early as February. If these needs are met, this plant will stay beautiful. The most special feature of this foreign houseplant is its long lasting blooms combined with its unbelievable sweet smell. The Hawaiian Wedding Plant blooms the heaviest in the spring months, but has been known to bloom in any warm months, so do not be surprised to find blooms most time of the year except maybe _ \n Question: The Hawaiian Wedding Plant comes from  _  . \n Options: (A) Hawaii (B) China (C) Madagascar (D) Alaska", "pos": "Article: Have you ever been to a wedding and simply loved the bride's bouquet ? More than likely some part of it was the Hawaiian Wedding Plant. This foreign houseplant can be enjoyed by anyone,not just brides. With a little proper attention and careful planning on location,this foreign houseplant, native to Madagascar, can be brought into the home where it can become an interesting focus. Caring for the Hawaiian Wedding Plant is not much different than that of any other houseplants that may already be in your home. The only difference between this type of houseplant and others is the amount of the basic requirements that this foreign houseplant needs to survive and perform beautifully. During the growing season,this plant requires its wet soil,but when winter rolls around, this plant needs its soil to be kept drier. Hawaiian Wedding Plants should also be put in well-drained soil and placed in a location that receives full sun. That the soil must be kept wet does not mean that it should sit in water, so the soil must drain easily or this plant will not survive. Water the plant daily and feed this plant every two to three weeks with a little fertilizer   for acid -loving plants. Prune in early spring,even as early as February. If these needs are met,this plant will stay beautiful. The most special feature of this foreign houseplant is its long lasting blooms combined with its unbelievable sweet smell. The Hawaiian Wedding Plant blooms the heaviest in the spring months,but has been known to bloom in any warm months,so do not be surprised to find blooms most time of the year except maybe  _ \n Question: The Hawaiian Wedding Plant comes from  _  . \n Options: (A) Hawaii (B) China (C) Madagascar (D) Alaska", "neg": "Article: My mother loves flowers. As soon as warm weather comes around, you will find her planting, watering and weeding over everything .For many years we lived next door to each other, and she spent as much time in my garden as she did her own. After the flowers became plentiful each summer, she would cut colorful bouquets to enjoy inside the house--both hers and mine . I would often come home from work and find a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers on my coffee table. Shortly before Christmas one year, a local flower shop offered a bouquet-a-month special. It seemed to be a great way to thank her for all of the flowers she had given me through the years. After the holidays, in early January, I drove her to the flower shop to pick up her first month's bouquet. the small fresh colorful bouquet would hardly fill a small vase . I was so embarrassed .However, after we returned home, she began to arrange the flowers she had received.\"Mom, I'm sorry, \"I told her.\"I can't believe how _ that bouquet is.\"She looked at me and smiled.\"It's okay,\"she said\"It allows me to better enjoy the beauty of each one.\" Mom's words helped me to realize something bigger and more important--when we have too many good things, we often fail to enjoy the beauty of each one. Thanks, Mom ,for helping me understand that less is sometimes more. \n Question: The author bought her mother flowers to  _  . \n Options: (A) celebrate the coming Christmas (B) express thanks for all her mother's done (C) bring more flowers to her mother's garden (D) arrange her mother's new house", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}561{"query": "Article: Wang Lu, 24, one of many students studying abroad who'll come home for work, majors in business & management studies at Edinburgh's Napier University. She had planned what to do after graduation in the UK: two years' work experience at a restaurant and a tour around Europe. But now her plans are up in the air.          Following the UK Home Secretary's meeting on reform of the student immigration system, the UK government recently announced the end of the post-study work visa from April 2012. This will force tens of thousands of Chinese students to leave the UK after graduation.          Sadly, the domestic job market doesn't welcome them with open arms. A report by Tigtag.com at the end of 2011 showed that over 35 percent of students admitted that they have employment problems.          \"Returning students often have fluent English, creative minds and a serious attitude toward work,\" said Zhang Tingwen, an HR expert in ChinaHR.com. \"But lack of work experience is a big problem.\" Xia Lei, an HR manager, responded to Zhang. \"We need people who can work for us. We don't need people from big name universities to attract customers\".          Difference in work practices is another problem that worries employers, Zhang pointed out. \"Some returning students might be used to Western ways of dealing with people and things.\"          Huang Shanshan, 25, got a job in a communication company in Shenzhen.   \"I once worked part-time in UK. My colleagues ate snacks when they felt hungry, even during working time or in meetings.\" Huang brought some cakes to the office and ate them. When her manager saw that, he told her not to eat at workplace. \"It took me some time to adjust to company rules in China,\" said Huang. \n Question: Why is Wang Lu forced to leave the UK after graduation? \n Options: (A) Because post-study work visa will come to an end. (B) Because she has no effective ways to learn English. (C) Because there are no majors that suit her in Britain. (D) Because different work practices worry employers.", "pos": "Article: Beijing (Xinhua) -- In 2010, some 108,000 people returned to the Chinese mainland from abroad, a number that had risen 56.2 percent from the previous year, according to statistics recently published by the Ministry of Education.        \"For Chinese employers, a 70 percent willingness to hire overseas workers, although that is still lower than the average rate of 76 percent for Asia, is quite a high figure when compared with the past,\" said Emma, regional director of Hays in Hong Kong and the mainland, who was in charge of the survey .        Company executives , she said, have recently come to prefer hiring Chinese natives who have returned home after studying or working elsewhere.Expatriates  have fallen to a second choice, she said.        In the past, expatriates and returned Chinese have earned three to four times as much money as Chinese residents who do not have overseas experience.Expatriates would often rise to the senior positions within an company, while returned Chinese could find positions as mid-level executives with   ease.        But all overseas job candidates, especially those who lack practical experience, are gradually losing their advantages among a trend of pay increases in China.        In 2010, the country recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia.Of all Chinese employees surveyed that year, 68 percent said they had received a raise worth 3 percent to 10 percent of their salaries, according to the survey.        Moreover, 51 percent of the Chinese surveyed were expecting to get raises of 6 to 10 percent in 2011, and 33 percent thought their income increase will go beyond 10 percent.        \"Now it's common in many companies to see overseas candidates earning the same salaries as their Chinese coworkers,\" said Emma.\"Even some experienced expatriates, on average, earn only 20 percent more than their Chinese peers.\"        Emma said overseas workers with little work experience no longer enjoy a great advantage over graduates of Chinese universities.But those with two to three years of work experience are still \"red-hot\".        There are now about 45 million native Chinese living outside the country, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council said on Jun 16, 2010. \n Question: What is the best title of this article? \n Options: (A) A fast increasing number of Chinese returned from abroad. (B) Overseas workers have higher qualification than home coworkers. (C) China recorded the greatest rise in wages in Asia in 2010. (D) Company executives prefer native candidates to overseas Chinese.", "neg": "Article: What do you do if you don't get into your first choice of university? That's the dilemma that faces thousands of British students every year. Many candidates turn to Clearing, the service that helps find university places for students at the last moment. If they don't have the marks to get into their first choice of institution, Clearing tells them about places available at other universities, though they might have to read another subject. But this year has seen a record number of people applying to university. This, combined with the weak economy, an uncertain job market and budget cuts at universities, means that _ than usual. Some sources say six students have applied for each remaining undergraduate university place. The British university admissions service, UCAS, says up to a quarter of this year's university applicants --- almost 190,000 people --- still don't have a place on a degree course. That's a rise of over 46,000 students from last year. Faced with these figures, some British students might be thinking of an interesting alternative: studying abroad. The University of Nottingham, for example,is offering places at its campuses in Ningbo, near Shanghai, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Students here can gain University of Nottingham degrees in business, accounting, engineering and English. Similarly, the University of Bolton says it has 'unlimited' places at its campus in the United Arab Emirates. Given the problems getting into university, the UK's Higher Education Minister, David Willetts, encourages students who haven't made the grade to consider alternatives to university, such as apprenticeships and studying at home. \"There are a range of options available,\" he says. \"People are able to reapply. They should think how they can spend their year adding that bit to their CV, which would help their application --- getting practical work experience or extra skills --- anything that strengthens their chances next year.\" But some experts say that rising university costs, poor long-term job prospects, and a drop in graduate recruitment mean it's the worst time to be a university student in the UK. \n Question: When the author says this year \"there's been more of a scramble for places\" (Para. 3), he means  _  . \n Options: (A) more people have applied to university (B) there is more competition between the candidates (C) there are more services that help find university places (D) more places are available", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}562{"query": "Article: It is under the CPC's leadership that China has overcome many challenges in its economic, political and social systems and achieved remarkable progress the world has ever seen. Under the CPC's leadership, China has become the world's largest second largest economy. People's lives have greatly improved, and hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, an objective fact no one can deny. At the same time, China is quickly becoming a major player on the world stage. As a responsible nation, China has been playing a growing role and shouldered greater responsibilities in world affairs. Such achievements, especially for a nation with a size equaling to a continent and a population of nearly 1.4 billion, are not easy to make. What roles do you think CPC has played in China? Do you think it's the CPC leadership that has made China's economic _ possible? Is there any room for improvements for the future role of CPC? What challenges will lie ahead for the future leadership of CPC? Please share your opinion with us. \n Question: According to the passage, CPC refers to_. \n Options: (A) Communist  Party of China (B) Cost Per Click (C) card-programming control (D) Computer Process Control", "pos": "Article: China's economy, the world's second largest,is showing signs of a rebound that could help it emerge from its worst economic period in l3 years. According to the latest government figures,growth picked up to 7.9%in the final three months of 2012.from 7.4%in the previous quarter.This was driven by state investment in infrastructure(,)projects and efforts to get consumers and companies to spend. Economic stability is seen as vital for China as its new leaders take over \"It is obvious that the slowdown in the Chinese economy has _ for the moment.\"said Fraser Howie,an economist and co-author of Red Capitalism. \"But one has to be mindful that any recovery will be limited in its scope,because of the various difficult and unexpected problems that China is facing,\"he added. \"The new leaders,who take charge in March,will now have to find the right balance between trying to prevent the formation of a property bubble and keeping a healthy growth rate going.\"  That may prove tricky, especially because China's economic growth has slowed significantly from the highs of previous years,and analysts warn that state stimulus measures may decrease. On Friday,the statistical office reported that GDP...the Gross Domestic Product, the main measure of growth.increased by 7.8%in 2012, down from 9.3%in 2011.That was the slowest annual rate of growth since l 999.But it is still way above the weak growth rates experienced by most other major economies last year.Figures for the US,the world's largest economy,and Japan,the third largest.are expected to show growth of about 2%.The l7 members of the euro zone are collectively expected to contract by about 0.4% \n Question: China's economy growth in the final three months of 2012 is  _  more than that in the previous quarter. \n Options: (A) 0.5% (B) 7.4% (C) 7.9% (D) 0.7%", "neg": "Article: \"It is obvious that China will climb up university rankings in the years to come.\"This statement from Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, lines up with China's optimism that it will produce world-class universities. But there are still difficulties to overcome, experts say. Universities from China's mainland slipped in the 2011-2012 Times' global rankings. Peking University dropped 12 places from last year to 49th, and Tsinghua University fell to 71st place. Among Asian universities, Peking is ranked No. 4 and Tsinghua No. 8. A combination of factors determines rankings -- research output, study environment, reputation and international outlook. Due to China's economic development, investment   in education and research has increased, but the quality of education and research in Chinese academia seems not to have kept pace. The gauge   is the number of papers published in highly respected English-language journals, so while many papers are being produced in China, it appears not all are good enough to attract international attention. Still, higher education in China is developing quickly, thanks in part to huge government investment. China spent an amount equal to 3.69 percent of GDP on education last year, according to Ministry of Finance data. China has the largest and one of the fastest growing higher education systems in the world -- 2,723 schools for 31 million students. Enrollment   has increased more than four times from 2001 to 2011. \n Question: What's Phil Baty's attitude towards the future of Chinese universities? \n Options: (A) Unconcerned. (B) Uncertain. (C) Optimistic. (D) Worried.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}563{"query": "Article: Throughout life,change is the only thing that seems constant.Change has come to my 1ife many ways,in myself,and in my surroundings.At the same time,some things stay the same.This is when traditions are formed.I am often reminded of this by the photograph that sits by my bed. It all began with a kiss on my very first day of school.I remember dancing around the mirror,watching as my dark blue dress created a teacup around my waist.I admired the little ruffle of my shirt collar and how it matched perfectly with the trim at the bottom of my dress.I knew I would be the envy of all my classmates.     But somehow,something was missing.I reached under my bed for the large box of bows ,in every color1 imaginable,that I was famous for.I picked out a white one that would match my shirt and carefully ran to my mom.She fastened the finishing touch to my short brown hair and I was ready for my very first day of school.     After admiring myself in the mirror,I heard my mom yell,\"picture time!\" I dashed downstairs where my mum led to the spot.I  ly loved getting my picture taken. After several individual shots and some with my older sister,Katherine,my dad came for a picture with us together.As I climbed onto my dad's lap,he wrapped his arms around Katherine and me and we both leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.At that moment,mum snapped the shot and our tradition began. From them on,every year when the first day of school rolled around,we continued our tradition of pictures in the yard.The picture grew with my family;when my two younger sisters began school,our tradition expanded from 15 minutes to 45.The mass chaos was directed by my mom when my dad was already off to work or away on a business trip. \n Question: What's the author's family tradition? \n Options: (A) Photographs must be put in bedroom. (B) Taking family pictures on a child's first day of school. (C) Dad always drove children to their school. (D) Each girl of the family has a large box of bows.", "pos": "Article: Home to me means a sense of familiarity and nostalgia . It's fun to come home. It looks the same. It smells the same. You'll realize what's changed is you. Home is where we ran remember pain, live, and some other experiences; We parted here; My parents met here; I won three championships here. If I close my eyes, I can still have a clear picture in mind of my first home. I walk in the door and see a brown sofa surrounding a low glass-top wooden table. To the right of the living room is my first bedroom. It's empty, but it's where my earliest memories are. There is the dining room table where I celebrated birthdays, and where I cried on Halloween-when I didn't want to wear the skirt my mother made for me. I always liked standing on that table because it made me feel tall and strong. If I sit at this table, I can see my favorite room in the house, my parents' room. It is simple: a brown wooden dresser lines the right side of the wall next to a television and a couple of photos of my grandparents on each side. Their bed is my safe zone. I can jump on it anytime - waking up my parents if I am scared or if I have an important announcement that cannot wait until the morning. I'm lucky because I know my first home still exists. It exists in my mind and heart, on a physical property  on West 64th street on the western edge of Los Angeles. It is proof I lived, I grew and I learned. Sometimes when I feel lost, I lie down and shut my eyes, and I go home. I know it's where I'll find my family, my dogs, and my belongings. I purposely leave the window open at night because I know I'll be blamed by Mom. But I don't mind, because I want to hear her say my name, which reminds me I'm home. \n Question: What can be learned from the passage? \n Options: (A) The old furniture is still in the author's fist bedroom. (B) The author can still visit her first physical home in Los Angeles. (C) The author's favorite room in her first home is the dining room. (D) Many people of the author's age can still find their first physical homes.", "neg": "Article: You surely want to take a good school yearbook photo, for you only get to do it once, and it's what people remember you by for the whole school year. Learn how to look good and look natural in your yearbook photo with these simple tips. 1. Practice smiling in a mirror. It sounds crazy, but figuring out how to make a natural looking smile for the camera does need a little preparation. Don't be shy! Just imagine you are in front of a camera --hold your head high, look straight into the mirror and smile. Keep practicing until you find out your most attractive smiling face. 2. Choose your color wisely. In yearbook photos, lots of people look good in darker colors because they draw attention to the face. Generally, white often isn't the best choice because it can make your skin look a bit gray, especially if you're pale. Besides, stay away from super -bright colors ( bright yellow, bright blue) unless you're really sure they make you look perfect. 3. Avoid unnecessary details. Busy patterns draw attention to themselves in yearbook photos, not to your face and smile. Save them for your everyday fashion experiments. Besides, have your clothes prepared for the day when the yearbook photo is taken. The last thing you want to do is pick out the perfect thing to wear, only to find that it's in the laundry. 4. Avoid big changes to your appearance. Big changes may not turn out the way you hope. Leave some time to do your hair, such as combing  it up right before the yearbook photo is taken. Don't overdo it, since you want your hair to stay in one place and your face to draw all the attention, but go for the \"less is more\" approach. \n Question: The best title of this passage is   _  . \n Options: (A) How to Make Yourself Look Good (B) How to Do When Taking a School Photo (C) How to Get Ready for Your School Photo-taking (D) How to Make a Good School Photo Book", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}564{"query": "Article: Thousands of people living in the Chinese capital will celebrate the start of the Chinese New year by heading for the ski resorts  . Never mind that Beijing's dry weather seldom produces snow. It is cold enough in winter for snow-making machines to make a covering for the hills north to the capital. And the rapid growth of a pleasure-seeking middle class has formed the basis for this new craze . Since Beijing's first ski resort was opened ten years ago, the sport has enjoyed astonishing increase. There are now more than a dozen resorts. Clothes markets in the city have added bright colored ski suits to their winter collections. Mr. Wei, a manager of a newly-opened ski resort in  Beijing, sees the growth of an industry that could soon lead Chinese to head for the ski resorts of Europe. In recent years, ski resorts offering natural snow have opened in China. But many are in faraway areas of the country and can't really match the equipment and services of some ski resorts in Europe. Beijing's skiing craze is partly a result of the recent increase in private   cars. This has led to the growth of a _ in the capital's suburbs  , which until the late-1990s were unreachable to ordinary people. According to Mr. Wei, about 40% of the visitors to his resort come in their own cars. The rest are bused in by schools, businesses or government offices. The problem is making money. Starting ski resorts requires quite a lot of money; hiring land from the local government, preparing the hills, buying snow machines, making sure there are enough water and electricity to run them, and buying ski equipment for hiring out to customers. The ski resort where Mr. Wei works cost nearly $4 million to set up. And as so often in China when someone comes up with a good idea, many others rush in and price wars break out. Beijing now offers some of the cheapest ski training classes in the world, though with most people rather new to the sport, expecting a few more doing the same job. \n Question: What does this text mainly talk about? \n Options: (A) Convenience for skiers brought about by private cars. (B) Skiing as a new way of enjoying one's spare time. (C) Things to be considered when starting a ski resort. (D) A sudden increase of ski training classes in Beijing.", "pos": "Article: Weekend one-day out A walk along the Wall -- Beijing Hikers is organizing a hike in a village along the Great Wall in Changping District, north of downtown Beijing. The walk will take around three hours covering a distance of 10 kilometres. Time: 8:30 a.m-4:30p.m, Dec.4 Cost: 200 yuan (US $25) per adult, 150 yuan (US $18.50) for under-12s. Meeting place: 8:30a.m. in front of Starbucks at Lido Holiday Inn, Jiangtai Lu To sign-up (one day before the hike) and more information, contact Huijie at info@beijinghikers.com or 139-1002-5516. Skiing and hot springs -- Cycle China plans a day's skiing fun at a resort  around Beijing followed by an outdoor hot spring bath for your sore body. Cost: 350 yuan (US $43.40) & Time: 8:30 a.m-6:30p.m, Dec.4 Location: Meet at the office of Cycle China, opposite to the east gate of Jingshan Park, Xicheng District. For more information and reservation, email reserve@cyclechina.com or call 139-1188-6524. Horse riding -- This is a trip to a professional horse-riding club with well-trained bilingual instructors, offering lessons to people who love riding and those willing to learn more. The club is located in Hebei Province next to the Kangxi Grassland. Time: 1:30 a.m-4:30p.m, Dec.4 Cost: 330yuan (US $40.74) including one hour's riding, transportation, guide, lunch To sign-up and more information, contact Lucy at 8580-5080, 130-1117-1326 or Lucy@highclub.net. \n Question: This passage is written mainly for   _  . \n Options: (A) reporters (B) holiday-makers (C) guides (D) sportsmen", "neg": "Article: The Lunar New Year, which starts in late January this year, is the most important festival for Chinese people as most of them drop any business at hand to go back to their hometown to see their families. It is a tradition that has been cherished since ancient times, but as social mobility increases in modern times, the road to family reunions has become very uneasy. It is not the higher travel costs, nor the expected big spending on gifts and other festival items, but the train ticket that has driven many travelers mad. I've heard some colleagues complain that they have tried every means to secure a train ticket, only to find it a mission impossible. Some of them have turned to the latest software to aid online booking; others have sought help from friends to increase the possibility of successful booking. No doubt chunyun, the Spring Festival travel season, is the largest-scale annual human migration in the world. Last year, 220 million passengers traveled by train during the Spring Festival season, which usually lasts 40 days. It is a huge jump from 10 years ago, when the number was 128 million. With the big sudden increase in demand, the railway company has increased investment in railway construction; still, it cannot bridge the supply gap, leading to fierce public complaints and criticism. Admittedly, it is almost impossible for the railway company to suddenly improve its capacity to meet the explosive demand during the Spring Festival holiday. Moreover, any temporary increase in capacity would become unnecessary after the holiday and mean great commercial losses during the off season. What the company can reasonably do is gradually improve its capacity while focusing on better distribution of its existing resources during the special peak season. At any rate, however, the problem cannot be solved overnight. \n Question: Compared with ten years ago, the percentage of passengers last year increased by  _  . \n Options: (A) 40% (B) 58% (C) 71% (D) 83%", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}565{"query": "Article: Two things changed my life:  my mother and a white plastic bike basket. I have thought long and hard about it and it's true. I would be a different person if my mom hadn't turned a silly bicycle accessory into a life lesson I carry with me today. My mother and father were united in their way of raising children, but it mostly fell to my mother to actually carry it out. Looking back, I honestly don't know how she did it. Managing the family budget must have been a very hard task., but she made it look effortless. If we complained about not having what another kid did, we'd hear something like, \"I don't care what so -and -so got for his birthday, you are not getting a TV in your room a car for your birthday a lsvish sweet 16 party.\" We had to earn our allowance by doing chores around the house. I can stil l remember how long it took to polish the legs of our coffee table.My brothers can no doubt remember hours spent cleaning the house .Like the two little girls growing up at the White House,we made our own beds (no one left the house unitil that was done)and picked up after ourselves.We had to keep track of our belongings ,and if something was lost ,it was not replaced. It was summer and ,one day ,my mother drove me to the bike shop to get a tire fixed---and there it was in the window, White, shiny, plastic and decorated with flowers ,the basket winked at me and I knew ----I knew---I had to have it. \"It's beautiful,\" my mother said when I pointed it out to her,\"What a neat basket.\" I tried to hold off at first ,I played it cool for a short while. But then I guess I couldn't at and it any longer:\"Mom, please can I please ,please get it? I 'll do extra chores for as long as you say, I'll do anything ,but I need that basket,I love that basket.Please ,Mom .Please?\" I was desperate. \"You know,\" she said ,gently rubbing my back while we both stared at what I believes was the coolest thing ever,\" If you save up you could buy this yourself.\" \"By the time I make enough it'll bu gone!\" \"Maybe Roger here could hold it for you,\" she smiled at Roger ,the bike guy. \"He can't hold it for that long ,Mom .Someone else will buy it .Please, Mom,Please?\" \"There might be another way,\" she said. And so our paying plan unfolded. My mother bought the beautiful basket and put it safely in some hiding place I couldn't find. Each week I eagerly counted my growing saving increased by extra work here and there (washing the car ,helping my mother make dinner, delivering or collecting things on my bike that already looked _ without the basket in front).And then ,weeks later ,I counted ,re-counted and jumped for joy. Oh ,happy day ! I made it! I finally had the exact amount we'd agreed upon.... Days later the unthinkable happened. A neighborhood girl I'd played with millions of times appeared with the exact same basket fixed to her shiny ,new bike that already had all the bells and whistles. I rode hard and fast home to tell my mother about this disaster. This horrible turn of events. And then came the lesson . I've taken with me through my life:\"Honey, Your basket is extra-special,\" Mom said, gently wiping away my hot tears.\"Your basket is special because you paid for it yourself.\" \n Question: When the author saw the basket in the window,she  _ \n Options: (A) fell in love with it (B) stared at her mother (C) recognized it at once (D) went up to the bike guy", "pos": "Article: My parents influenced us with the concepts of family, faith and love for one's motherland when l was young.Even though we struggled to make ends meet, they stressed how fortunate we were to live in a great country with limitless opportunities. I got my first real job when l was ten.My dad, Benjamin, injured his back working in a cardboard - box factory and was retrained as a hairstylist.He rented space in a little mall and gave his shop the fancy name of Mr.Ben's Coiffure. The owner of the shopping center gave Dad a discount on his rent for cleaning the parking lot three nights a week, which meant getting up at 3 a.m. to pick up rubbish. Dad used a little machine that looked like a lawn mower.Mom and I emptied rubbish cans and picked up rubbish by hand.It took two to three hours to clean the lot.I'd s1eep in the car on the way home. I did this for two years, but the lessons I learned have lasted a lifetime, I acquired discipline  and a strong work morality , and learned at an early age the importance of balancing life's competing interests---in my case, school, homework and a job.This really helped during my senior year of high school, when l worked 40 hours a week flipping hamburgers at a fast-food joint while taking a full load of college-prepared courses. _ .I attended the U.S.Military Academy and went on to receive graduate degree in law and business from Harvard.Later, I joined a big Los Angeles law firm and was elected to the California state committee.In these jobs and in everything else I've done, I have never forgotten those nights in the parking lot.The experience taught me that there is dignity in all work and that if people are working to provide for themselves and their families, that is something we should honor. \n Question: According to the text, the author thinks  _ \n Options: (A) he is lucky to have many chances to get a job (B) it is difficult to find a job to make ends meet (C) his parents are full of complaint about their life (D) it is not acceptable to live in such bad conditions", "neg": "Article: I was the youngest of five boys and also had four sisters who had to pull together and take care of each other. Dad wasn't around, so I never knew him well. He killed himself when I was three years old, leaving mom with the job of raising nine kids. She was a very hard worker, and in order to make ends meet, she hardly ever rested. With my mom as my example, I learned that hard work is the best way to get what you want. Even as a little boy, I knew I was going to be successful. Regardless of what I chose, I wanted to make my brothers, sisters and mom proud of me--not only by being successful in what I chose to do, but also as a person who could be looked up to for the right reasons. Surprising as it might seem, basketball wasn't in my plans. One day, my mom cut a rim  off an old water barrel  and then held it up for me to throw an old rubber ball through. By junior high, I started playing basketball on a team. I loved to compete. For me, it paid off. I always put the effort in, every day. I am grateful for the life I've enjoyed as a basketball star. Basketball is not life. It can be exciting. But the most important thing about basketball is that it gives me a way to do good things for others as I move through this journey called life. \n Question: It can be inferred that the author's  _  . \n Options: (A) brothers were more famous than him (B) mother had a great influence on his career (C) father loved his children and wife very much (D) family was rich and happy when he was a child", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}566{"query": "Article: Think of London and you're likely to think of the city's famous bright red double-deckers buses. Think of Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, and the noisy tuk-tuk ( ) may come to mind. Picture the American city of San Francisco and you might see the city's trolleybuses. Imagining what these cities would look like without their red buses, tuk-tuks or trolleybuses is difficult. They are symbols of these cities that make them different from anywhere else in the world. However, these city symbols, which are so loved by tourists, are not always so well loved by their city leaders. City leaders want what is best for their city, which often means the most modern transport. In Thailand, Bangkok city authorities have forbidden new tuk-tuks because they consider them noisy and polluting. However, the ban has largely been unsuccessful, as it has not changed Thai people's preference for the inexpensive tuk-tuks over taxis. In London, the city's first ever mayor got rid of the red double-decker buses, which he thought were old-fashioned, by selling them to other countries. His plan worked, but Londoners were upset to lose the charming old buses they believed represented the best of their city. They made their upset felt, when the major came up for re-election last year. Most Londoners voted for his competitor who promised to bring the bus back. Now an improved version of the double--decker bus will hit London's streets in 2012.. As for San Francisco, several trolleybuses remain in use but mainly as tourist attractions. They are too slow to be used for anything other than scenic trips. City transport symbols may have a place in their city people's hearts, but it seems they are increasingly out of step with the modern world. As Londoners have proved, their continued life depends on people's willingness to fight for their survival. \n Question: Bangkok's ban on tul-tuks is unsuccessful due to   _  . \n Options: (A) people's unawareness of environmental protection (B) tourists' preference for tuk-tuks over taxis (C) the lack of severe punishment for violation (D) Locals' willingness to take the tuk-tuks", "pos": "Article: When you are travelling in Thailand, which means of transport is the best choice? You can rent a variety of motorbikes or bikes in Thailand. It seems to be very popular in most of the beaches and islands along the places in the north. The most popular bikes are the little 125 cc Honda Dream which you can get for about 150 baht   a day or as little as 3,000 baht per month, making it the cheapest way to tour Thailand for the people from other countries. Sometimes you will have to go somewhere by taxi. When you are in cities in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, always remember to get a taxi that is traveling on the roads. Some drivers outside hotels refuse to use the meter . They will ask a price which is several times the price when they use the meter! The quality of the roads in Thailand is generally pretty good, so renting cars is another way to get around. The big car rental companies may offer you slightly older cars at a very reasonable  price. It is a little surprising considering that the cost of buying a car in Thailand is more than that in the West. Petrol is also reasonably priced in Thailand, more expensive than American prices, but much cheaper than what is paid in Europe. In the past, Bangkok could be a difficult place to drive in--signs were generally in Thai only, making it a hard job to find exactly where you were by looking around. But now, the situation is improved. In a lot of places, even the farthest corners of the country, street signs are in both Thai and English. \n Question: To a foreigner, the most economical way to get around Thailand is renting a   _  . \n Options: (A) motorbike (B) car (C) taxi (D) bike", "neg": "Article: When you are traveling in Thailand,which means of transport is the best choice? You can rent a variety of motorbikes or bikes in Thailand.It seems to be very popular in most of the beaches and islands along the places in the north.The most popular bikes are the little 125 cc Honda Dream which you can get for about 150 baht a day or as little as 3,000 baht per month,making it the cheapest way to tour Thailand for the people from other countries. Sometimes you will have to go somewhere by taxi.When you are in cities in Thailand,especially in Bangkok,always remember to get a taxi that is going on the roads.Some drivers outside hotels refuse to use the milometer .They will ask a price which is several times the price when they use the meter! The quality of the roads in Thailand is generally pretty good,so renting cars is another way to get around.The big car rental companies may offer you slightly older cars at a very reasonable price.It is a little surprising considering that the cost of buying a car in Thailand is more than that in the West.Petrol is also reasonably priced in Thailand,more expensive than American prices,but much cheaper than what is paid in Europe.In the past,Bangkok could be a difficult place to drive in--signs were generally in Thai only,making it a hard job to find exactly where you were by looking around.But now,the situation is improved.In a lot of places,even the farthest corners of the country,street signs are in both Thai and English. \n Question: What is the writer's advice about taking a taxi in Thailand? \n Options: (A) To take a taxi driving on the road. (B) To take a taxi parked outside hotels. (C) To make sure there is a meter in it. (D) To bargain with the driver over the price.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}567{"query": "Article: Europe is now the biggest market for organic food in the world, having grown by 25 percent a year over the past 10 years. Denmark's agriculture minister is herself an organic farmer. The UK market for organic food grew by 55 percent in 2000, while the food market as a whole grew by only one percent. Yet only seven percent of British shoppers account for nearly 60 percent of organic sales. However popular the idea of organic farming may be, it is still an interest for only a few people. So what makes the idea of organic farming popular? Organic farming means farming with natural materials, rather than with man-made fertilizers or pesticides . Organic farmers rely on many methods -- such as crop rotation   and the use of resistant varieties, because they are necessary for organic farmers to _ the shortage of man-made chemicals. Organic farming is often supposed to be safer than traditional farming for the environment. Yet after a long research on organic farming worldwide for a number of years, science continues to be against this opinion. The House of Commons committee on agriculture stated that, even with complete research work, it would fail to find any scientific evidence to prove \"that any of claims made for organic farming is always true\". However, the talk about the benefits of organic farming is going on. This is partly because many people depend on their individual farm, the soil, the weather, and so on. \n Question: What can we know about organic farming? \n Options: (A) It refers to farming with natural materials, instead of chemical fertilizers. (B) It refers to farming with chemical fertilizers rather than natural fertilizers. (C) It refers to farming with soil rather than any other thing. (D) It refers to growing crops with man-made fertilizers and pesticides.", "pos": "Article: Families should not waste their money on organic food,the government has warned.They should instead spend their money on whatever they can afford,even if it means eating frozen vegetables.The government now faces calls to endPS20 million of subsidies to organic farming. A recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition found organic crops have up to 60 percent more antioxidants than non-organic crops.But critics claim there is still no evidence that organic food is a healthier option.Amid growing concern that too few people are eating enough fruit and vegetables,the government is at pains to stress that families should not waste their money on organic food.Just 30 percent of people meet the recommendation to eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Government frontbencher Baroness Jolly said,\"Organic products provide a useful extension of consumer choice,but it is worth emphasizing that,nutritionally,they are no better and no worse than conventional products.The only benefit of organic farming was enjoyed by birds,insects,mammals and plants.\"\"It is up to the consumers to decide how they spend their money on their fruit and vegetables.There are many reasons why an individual might wish to choose organic products but nutritional benefit should not be one of them,\"she added. Chief Executive Helen Browning said,\"We know that people choose organic food because they believe it is better for them,also well as for wildlife,animal welfare and the environment,and this research backs up what people think about organic food.\" \n Question: The government is encouraging people to  _  . \n Options: (A) eat more fruit and vegetables (B) do more research on food (C) pay attention to their health (D) protect the environment", "neg": "Article: LONDON(Reuters)--Organic fruit, delivered right to the doorstep.That is what Gabriel Gold prefers, and he is willing to pay for it.If this is not possible, the 26-year-old computer technician will spend the extra money at the supermarket to buy organic food. \"Organic produce is always better,\" Gold said.\"The food is free of pesticides , and you are generally supporting family farms instead of large farms.And more often than not it is locally grown and seasonal, so it is more tasty.\" Gold is one of a growing number of shoppers buying into _ , and supermarkets across Britain are counting on more like him as they grow their organic food business.But how many shoppers really know what they are getting, and why are they willing to pay a higher price for organic produce? Market research shows that Gold and others who buy organic food can generally give clear reasons for their preferences--but their knowledge of organic food is far from complete.For example, small amounts of pesticides can be used on organic products.And about three quarters of organic food in Britain is not local but imported to meet growing demand.\"The demand for organic food is increasing by about one third every year, so it is a very fast-growing market,\" said Sue Flock, a specialist in this line of business. \n Question: More and more people in Britain are buying organic food because   _  . \n Options: (A) they are getting richer (B) they can get the food anywhere (C) they like home-grown fruit (D) they consider the food free of pollution", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}568{"query": "Article: One night recently , I was driving down a two-lane highway at about 60 miles an hour . A car approached from the opposite direction at about the same speed . As we passed each other , I caught the other driver's eye for only a second . I wondered whether he might be thinking , as I was , how dependent we were on each other at that moment . I was relying on him not to fall asleep , not to be put off by a phone conversation, not to cross over into my lane and bring my life to a sudden end . Though we had never spoken a word to each other , he relied on me in just the same way . Multiplied a million times over, I believe that is the way the world works . At some level , we all depend upon one another . Sometimes that dependence requires us simply not to do something like crossing over the double yellow line . And sometimes it requires us to act cooperatively , with friends or even with strangers . As technology shrinks our world , the need increases for cooperative action among nations . In 2003, doctors in five nations were quickly organized to identify the SARS virus , which saved thousands of lives . The threat of international terrorism has shown itself to be a similar problem, one requiring coordinated action by police and intelligence forces across the world . We must recognize that our fates   are not ours alone to control . In my own life , I've put great stock in personal responsibility . But , as the years have passed, I've also come to believe that there are moments when one must rely upon the good faith and judgment of others . so , while each of us faces the case of driving alone down a dark road , what we must learn is that the approaching light may not be a threat , but a shared moment of trust . \n Question: The author considers  _  very important . \n Options: (A) driving alone on a dark road (B) independence of people (C) cooperation to identify SARS virus (D) shared trust and cooperation", "pos": "Article: Last night I drove a long way (about 500 km) to return home. It was late and I was driving fast because I wanted to get home as soon as possible. So several times when I was driving behind a slow-moving truck on a narrow road, I wanted to shout at the driver ahead. Then I came to a crossroad with a traffic light. As I drove near, it turned red. I stopped my car at once. I looked left,right and behind. I found no cars or persons -- I was alone on the road. The person who would come to the crossroad was at least a mile away in any direction. Certainly going through the light would cause no danger. I could pass the traffic light. But strangely enough, I just stopped there, waiting for several minutes until the light went green. I asked myself why I refused to run the light. Surely it was unnecessary for me to be afraid of danger or being fined  , because there were no cars or police around at all. But I remained waiting until the light changed. When I finally got home, it was near midnight. My wife had fallen asleep. The question of why I stopped for that light came back to me again, because I stopped another two times for the red lights as \"special\" as the first one. I stopped, not because of the law, but because it was a good habit I had developed. In fact, we were used to doing something right just because we have made obeying the rules a good habit. We do it just because we should do it. I thought if another man met with the same thing, he would make the same choice. I believed so. And I could be trusted   by others. I believed that everyone would and could control   himself/herself well. It was amazing that we trusted each other to do the right things, wasn't it? \n Question: When the author drove behind the slow-moving truck, he felt   _  . \n Options: (A) confused but happy (B) sleepy and tired (C) excited but tired (D) angry and worried", "neg": "Article: He was driving home one evening, on a country road. Work, in this small community, was as slow as his broken Pontiac. But he never quit looking. Since the factory closed, he'd been unemployed. And with winter approaching, the cold days had finally hit home. It was a lonely road. Very few people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving. Most of his friends had left. But he stayed on. After all, he had his root here. It was getting dark, and snow was coming down. He'd better get a move on. Suddenly he saw an old lady on the roadside and obviously needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. She was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He looked poor, hungry, and ... dangerous. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He said, \"I'm here to help you, Ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Joe.\" The car had a flat tire. Joe crawled under the car and soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was turning the screws ,she rolled down her window and began talking to him and said she couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.  She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been alright with her. She had already imagined all the terrible things that could have happened had he not stopped. Joe never thought twice about the money. This was simply helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had lent him a hand before. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Joe added \"... and think of me.\" A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off. It was a dirty-looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Joe. After the lady finished her meal, she handed the waitress a $100 bill. When the waitress came back with the change, she found the lady was gone and something written on a napkin. Reading the note, there were tears in her eyes. It said, \"You owe me nothing. I've been there too. Someone once helped me out, like I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, don't let the chain of love end with you. That night when she got home from work, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. With the baby due soon, life would be harder. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft, \"Everything's gonna be alright; I love you, Joe.\" \n Question: The old lady left the change, mainly wishing to   _  . \n Options: (A) impress the waitress with her generosity (B) show pity to the woman expecting a baby (C) bring love forward by helping those in need (D) express thanks for the waitress' quality service", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}569{"query": "Article: How words came into being is unknown. All we assume   is that some early men invented certain sounds,in one way or another,to express thoughts and feelings,actions and things,so that they could talk with each other. Later they agreed upon certain signs,called letters,which could be put together to show those sounds,and which could be written down. Those sounds,whether spoken or written in letters, are called words. The power of words,then,lies in their associations--the things they bring up to our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience;and the longer we live,the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past;and the more we read and learn,the more the number of words that mean something to us increases. Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings. This clever use of words is what we call literary style  .Above all,the real poet is a master of words. He can express his meaning in words which sing like music,and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them correctly,or they will make our speech silly and common. \n Question: We learn from the text that language might have begun with  _  . \n Options: (A) expressions (B) actions (C) signs (D) sounds", "pos": "Article: How men first learned to invent words is unknown, in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken, or written in letters, we call words. The power of words, then, lies in their association--the thing they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and the sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increase.   Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can  _ his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should, therefore, learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they make our speech silly and impolite. \n Question: Where does the real power of the words come from? \n Options: (A) From the words themselves. (B) From their characteristics. (C) From their curiosity. (D) From their association.", "neg": "Article: How words came into being is unknown. All we assume is that some early men invented certain sounds, in one way or another, to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could talk with each other. Later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be put together to show those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, are called words. The power of words, then, lies in their associations - the things they bring up to our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases. Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings. This clever use of words is what we call literary style . Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can express his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them correctly, or they will make our speech silly and common. \n Question: We learn from the text that language might have begun with \n Options: (A) actions (B) expressions (C) sounds (D) signs", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}570{"query": "Article: Who we are Shanghai Super Star provides combination service including translation and tourism and sourcing, focusing on interpreting and translation. Our professional team offer highly professional business interpreters, assistants, companions and exhibition translators and sourcing for a variety of business requirements as well as tour guides to first-time tourists coming to China. Why choose us ^ Our professional and experienced business interpreters/translators have more than 5 years' experience and also have professional education background like business, foreign trade, management etc. ^ Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic private tour guides are always ready to help design your unique trip. ^ Our reliable interpreters have solid experience in different industries. So we will be your great choices when you need interpreters for trade shows, trade fairs, exhibitions or you need business assistants for your business trip like supplier meetings, factory visiting, project negotiation etc. ^ We are always ready to help you go through the language barrier and cultural understanding, and stand by your side and consider everything in your position. ^ When you have finished your business trip, you still have professional Chinese team to support you for goods inspection, shipping arrangement or other service you need. ^ We provide one-stop service for personal holidays or business trips within Great China&Hong Kong Area. From our customers I had the pleasure of working with Susan on multiple trips to Shanghai. Susan is very professional and likes her job. Having Susan as our translator made the trip enjoyable. I look forward to working with Susan on our next trip. --Gary Lennox (USA) In every respect, Susan did an excellent job as our interpreter. She was always friendly and professional, so everyone felt comfortable working with her. And she had no problem communicating clearly about technical subjects and sensitive business issues. I recommend Susan to any companies doing business in Shanghai and nearby cities. --Joe Abelson (USA) \n Question: Which of the following descriptions about Shanghai Super Star is NOT true? \n Options: (A) It serves customers both at home and abroad. (B) It can provide business assistants if necessary. (C) Interpreting and translation are its main business. (D) Its interpreters and translators are all English majors.", "pos": "Article: Since we started offering China private tour packages on North-America market in 2006, CTSI has enjoyed great reputation. Whether you design your tour route or choose one of our pre-designed packages, we will be able to provide a private tour for you.You will be served by professional bilingual   personal guide, experienced bus driver and private air-conditioned van. Features Group organizer travels free, and even the Chinese visa is free. If you organize a group of 15 people or more with the same route, we will offer you, the organizer, a free trip, regardless of whether you design your own route or choose one of our tour packages.This is our way of showing gratitude to you as a tour organizer.We even give you a free Chinese Visa.Is that amazing? As an organizer, your main job is to find tour members.Once the tour route and travel arrangements are confirmed, your task as an organizer is completed and you get ready to enjoy the free trip. Pick your favorite Airlines Airfares are a big determining factor of the tour price.CTSI, with strong ties with almost all the airlines that fly between North America and Asia, offers the best price on flight tickets to China and meets various needs of customers. If you are seeking low-priced tickets to China, you can choose a flight with a layover ,such as Korean Air, Air Canada, and Cathay Pacific. Chinese Airlines usually offer huge discount on China domestic flights if you purchase both the international and China domestic parts together.[:,,Z,X,X,K] If you wish to save on flying time, we would recommend direct flight provided by America Airlines and United Airlines. Flexibility Sightseeing Spots: you can change or cancel, even add some sightseeing spots when you are on the tour. Timing: you set up the departure and return time of the day, as well as the sightseeing time in specific sightseeing spots. Trip cancellation: some member may cancel the trip in last minute, and huge fines may occur.Do not worry, if you can find someone to replace you, we save you more than 80% of the fines. \n Question: What should one do if he wants to enjoy a free trip? \n Options: (A) He should design his own route. (B) He should book the tickets in advance. (C) He should accompany the tourists on their travels. (D) He should organize at least 15 tourists with the same route.", "neg": "Article: Shanghai Air & Hotel with Transfers/One Day Hangzhou City Tour(PK0482737SHA06) Package Inclusive *Return Air Tickets *2 Nights Accommodation *Return Airport Transfers *One Day Hangzhou City Tour Booking Period:29 Jan 2015 to 31 Dec 2015 Travel Period:29 Jan 2015 to 31 Dec 2015 ONE DAY HANGZHOU CITY TOUR It is a city rich with history and culture,spanning back over 2000 years.With its inviting views and outstanding scenery,the area soon became popular with artists,poets and painters seeking inspiration in this little bit of paradise. Our first stop is Six Harmonies Pagoda.You will get to visit the charming museum and snap some photos in front of this architectural marvel that was built in the Song Dynasty. Next stop will be a visit to Meijiawu Tea Village,for a traditional tea ceremony and its significance to Chinese culture. After lunch,the beautiful view of West Lake is going to greet us.We will have a cruise  across West Lake to experience peace and serenity like no place else in the Shanghai area.The unforgettable scenery includes Three Pools Mirroring the Moon,Bai and Su Causeways,Solitary Hill,and Leifeng Pagoda,etc.The boat ride ends at Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor.We will have the chance to walk along on Su Causeway,and feed the fish in the Red Fish Pond to pray for the good luck. Pickup Time:Between 7:30 a.m.--8:30 a.m. Duration:10 hrs 2--WAY SHANGHAI PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPEIRT TRANSFERS Transfer between Shanghai Pudong International Airport(PVG) to your hotel is provided by mini bus.On arrival,you will be met by our driver after custom clearance. Should you require further assistance,please contact our hotline:+86 21 6322 3855 \n Question: What service will you get from One Day Hangzhou City Package Tour? \n Options: (A) Round-trip air tickets. (B) One day accommodation. (C) Free food service. (D) Force-shopping.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}571{"query": "Article: With five breakout   games, Jeremy Lin has become the NBA's newest star. In the New York Knicks' 92-85 won over the Los Angles Lakers last Saturday, Lin had a career-high 38 points.A day later, he led the Knicks to their fifth victory, 100-98 to Minnesota Timberwolves.In his previous games, Lin, 23, had 23 points against the Washington, 25 points against New Jersey and 28 against Utah in his first start. Lin is smart.Before graduating from high school in California, he had sent his application to all the Ivy League Schools  .He only got into Harvard and Brown, and he chose Harvard.In 2010, Lin graduated with a degree in economics. Lin is the first Chinese-American player in the NBA.He was born in the US and his family is Asian.Although not born in China, Lin has attracted nearly all Yao Ming's old fans, who see him as a powerful role model. He started off on the Golden State Warriors.Lin first signed with the Warriors in July, 2010, but seldom played in games before the start of the fourth quarter.His first time on the court for the Warriors earned him seven points, three rebounds   and two assists in just 11 minutes. He is really perfect for the Knicks.The New York Knicks has been in need of a reliable point guard and to Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks coach who's going through a difficult season, Lin is a most unexpected figure.\"Lin just does everything easy and the rest of the guys around him are playing the way we want to,\" D'Antoni said.\"I think it's for real, and it can only get better.\" \n Question: In which team did Lin start his career in NBA? \n Options: (A) the New York Knicks. (B) The Golden State Warriors. (C) Minnesota Timberwolves. (D) The Los Angles Lakers.", "pos": "Article: February4, 2012 saw the take-off of a new rising NBA star- Jeremy Lin. Among professional basketball players, Jeremy Lin's background is not typical. He graduated from Harvard University, which sends few players to the NBA, and he is the only Chinese-American NBA player. But when you watch him on the court, there is no doubt that he belongs there. He moves with speed and grace that demonstrate years of faithful practice, which is fueled by a love for basketball. Lin's enjoyment to basketball actually began in Taiwan. When Lin's father moved to U.S., his interest in the sport only grew and he passed on this love of basketball to his son, introducing him to the game at the age of five. The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun. In high school, Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA. When he applied for college, he was not offered a single sports scholarship. However, after his admission to Harvard ,he was offered a place on its college basketball team. During Lin's time at Harvard, his basketball career began to speed up. He scored 1,482 points, making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history. When he graduated, no professional teams offered Lin a contract, but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League. He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors. At first, playing in professional games filled Lin with excitement. He treasured opportunities to meet players he had been watching on TV for years. But slowly, the excitement wore off and was replaced by anxiety. In a few very difficult months, he was cut by two teams before the New York Knicks picked him up. But he had the courage and determination to stick to his dream, so he put himself into hard training to get ready for his opportunity to come, Then his moment arrived on February4, 2012,on which his excellent performance made him famous overnight. After that, he led the Knicks to their fifth straight victory. The Associated Press called Lin\"the most surprising story in the NBA.\"Knicks fans developed the nickname for him\"linsanity\" .Time magazine released its 2012 list of the 100\"Most Influential People in the World\",Jermy Lin included. \n Question: What might be the author's purpose in writing the text? \n Options: (A) To make readers interested in great basketball players. (B) To give a brief introduction to Lin's road to an outstanding basketball player. (C) To list Lin's wonderful performances in NBA team. (D) To praise Jeremy Lin for his skills and determination.", "neg": "Article: Among professional basketball players,Jeremy Lin's background is not typical.He graduated from Harvard University,which sends few players to the NBA,and he is the only ChineseAmerican NBA player.But when you watch him on the court,there is no doubt that he belongs there.He moves with speed and grace  that show years of faithful practice,which is fueled by a love for basketball. The Family Effect Lin's enjoyment of basketball actually began in Taiwan,where his father started watching it.Lin's father moved to U.S.,and his interest in the sport only grew.He passed on this love of basketball to his son,introducing him to the game at the age of five.The young Lin spent much of his youth playing basketball for fun.After each game,his parents would discuss not only his score but also his conduct toward other players.This taught Lin that character was more important than playing well,a lesson he still remembers. Rise of a Star In high school,Lin dreamed of playing in the NBA but did not really expect to do so.When he applied for college,he was not offered a single sports scholarship.However,after his admission to Harvard,he was offered a place on its college basketball team.During Lin's time at Harvard,his basketball career began to take off.He scored 1,482 points,making him one of the highest scorers in Ivy League history.Eventually,the recognition he received led him to suspect that his NBA dream could come true. When he first graduated,no professional teams offered Lin a contract ,but he was invited to play in the NBA Summer League.He played well and ended up eagerly signing a contract with the Golden State Warriors. Life in the NBA His journey in NBA did not go very well at first.He spent most of his time on the bench during the past two seasons.He constantly compared himself to other players and gave himself no time to rest up.For the first time in his life,he no longer enjoyed playing basketball.After a few very difficult months,he realized that much of his anxiety and stress came from selfcentered desires like wanting to be famous.So he transformed his attitude.He never stopped practicing and never gave up any slim chance. Now he has become the NBA's latest phenomenon after leading the New York Knicks to seven straight wins.He _ and thinks that the credit for the winning goes to everyone in his team.Knicks fans developed nicknames for him,such as \"Linsanity\",\"Lincredible\",and \"Linderella\".The Associated Press called Lin \"the most surprising story in the NBA\". \n Question: What can we learn from Jeremy Lin? \n Options: (A) Hard work brings success. (B) We must have a father like Jeremy's. (C) A good university can help us realize our dreams. (D) Team honour is more important than our own success.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}572{"query": "Article: Alaska's Arctic lakes now freeze later and melt earlier in the year than in 1950,leaving them easy to suffer water loss from evaporation and possibly adding to local warming,a new study finds.The winter ice season near Barrow,Alaska,is shorter than in 1950,researchers reported Jan.30 in the journal The Cryosphere. Lake ice is also thinner each winter.The scientists surveyed 402 lakes on the North Slope,where permafrost (permanently frozen ground)and shallow lakes dominate the areA. In 2011,the lake ice was 38 percent thinner than in 1950,and 22 percent fewer lakes froze through to their bottoms. \"When we saw the actual numbers we were shocked at how dramatic the change has been,\"lead study author Cristina Surdu,of the University of Waterloo in Canada,said in a statement.Surdu and her co-authors analyzed the changes in lake--ice thickness and ice cover with satellite images and climate model simulations(satellite images are only available from 1991). The climate models suggest the Arctic lakes froze almost six days later and broke up about 18 days earlier in the winter of 2011 compared with the winter of 1950.\"The changes in ice and the shortened winter affect Northern communities that depend on ice roads to transport goods,\"Surdu saiD. For example,every winter,oil companies build roads over frozen lakes to carry supplies to Prudhoe Bay. \"The dramatic changes in lake ice may also contribute to further warming of the entire region,because open water on lakes contributes to warmer air temperatures,\"Surdu saiD. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet,for reasons that may include its layered atmosphere,which traps heat,and the loss of sea ice and snow cover,which help reflect the sun's energy when present. \n Question: What does the text mainly tell us? \n Options: (A) Arctic 1akes now freeze earlier and melt 1ater. (B) Alaska's local warming is decreasing sharply. (C) Arctic lakes are losing ice. (D) Arctic lakes hold more flesh water than before.", "pos": "Article: A new study shows one of the largest glaciers  in Greenland is becoming smaller and speeding to the sea faster than scientists expected. If it continues, Greenland itself could become much smaller during this century and global seas could rise as much as 3 feet. The rates of change that we're noticing are much higher than expected. If these rates continue, it is not likely that Greenland could shrink by several tens of percent this century. However, it's not known how quickly this coastal response of the Greenland ice sheet melting will have an effect on the vast inland ice. Greenland is the world's largest island, covering area more than three times the size of Texas. Some 81 percent of it is covered by ice, and there are many glaciers. Glaciers are like slow-moving rivers of ice. Where a glacier meets the sea, its weight keeps it firmly resting on the bottom. A glacier's front is the point where the water is deep enough that the glacier floats. Since the 1970s, the front of Helheim stayed in the same place. Then it began melting rapidly, moving back 4.5 miles from 2001 through this past summer. It has also grown thinner, from top to bottom, by more than 130 feet since 2001. And over these past years, its trip to the sea has sped up from about 70 feet per day to nearly 110. The melting is driven by a warmer climate. Temperatures in Greenland have risen more than five degrees Fahrenheit  in the last ten years. Since most of Greenland's ice is on land, seas will rise as the ice melts. If all Greenland's ice sheet melted, oceans would be 15-20 feet higher. Nobody expects that to happen any time soon. \n Question: What can we know about the glaciers according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Glaciers only lie in Greenland. (B) Water in glaciers is more than sea water. (C) Glaciers sometimes float on the water. (D) Glaciers can increase the water level of lakes.", "neg": "Article: If you want to see climate change, head north and keep going until you run out of globe. That is easier said than done. The Arctic   is home to few people and covered in ice much of the year. But those who make their way to the icy seas of the Arctic Ocean will see a part of the planet that is warming and changing faster than anywhere else. In September, scientists announced at the National Snow and Ice Data   Center that Arctic summer sea ice had fallen to its second lowest level since 1979, and probably long before that. The Arctic has lost an area of ice greater than the area of all U.S. states east of the Mississippi River. And what ice remains appears to be getting thinner and weaker. Nick Toberg and Till Wagner are polar ice scientists who are doing sea ice fieldwork. \"There is plenty of data to suggest that the ice is becoming thinner as well as smaller in area,\" they say. The changes happening in the Arctic are a warning for the entire world .  As polar expert Walt Meier puts it, \" _  Some scientists worry that Arctic sea ice may be going from a downward spiral   to a \"death spiral\", one from which there is no escape. As more ice melts  , more dark open water appears. The darkness absorbs   more heat, which speeds up the pace of melting. Until recently, many scientists thought it might take until the end of the century for the North Pole to become completely ice free during the summer. Now some believe it could happen by 2030 or even earlier. \"The melting is happening faster in the real world than it has in the models,\" says Nick Toberg. \n Question: Nick Toberg may agree that   _  . \n Options: (A) the ice in the North Pole will stop melting (B) the ice in the North Pole is melting faster than expected (C) the ice in the North Pole will melt before 2030 or even earlier (D) the ice in the North Pole will not disappear until the end of the century", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}573{"query": "Article: Science Daily (Apr. 27, 2008)-- Dutch ecologist Roxina Soler and her colleagues have discovered that subterranean   and aboveground herbivorous   insects can communicate with each other by using plants as telephones.  Subterranean insects issue chemical warning signals through the leaves of the plant. This way, aboveground insects are warned that the plant is already \"occupied\".      Aboveground, leaf-eating insects prefer plants that have not yet been occupied by subterranean root-eating insects. Subterranean insects send out chemical signals through the leaves of the plant, which warn the aboveground insects about their presence. This messaging makes it possible for spatially-separated insects to avoid each other, so that they do not compete for, the same plant.      In recent years it has been discovered that different types of aboveground insects develop slowly if they feed on plants that also have subterranean insects and 'vice versa  . It seems that a mechanism   has developed through natural selection,  which helps the subterranean and aboveground insects to communicate with each other. This avoids unnecessary competition.       Through the \"green telephone lines\", subterranean insects can also communicate with     _ , namely the natural enemy of caterpillars  . Parasitic wasps   lay their eggs inside aboveground insects. The wasps also benefit from the signals sent by the leaves, as these help them find more insects for their eggs.      The communication between subterranean and above- ground insects has only been studied in a few systems. It is still not clear how widespread this phenomenon is, say the researchers. \n Question: How do subterranean and aboveground insects communicate with each other? \n Options: (A) By sending signals through the leaves. (B) By giving off particular smells. (C) By making soft and beautiful sounds. (D) By the signals sent by parasitic wasps.", "pos": "Article: Talking plants might sound like characters in a fairy tale. But recent scientific studies have shown that plants communicate with each other and with other living things in a surprising number of ways. To understand them, scientists say, we just have to learn their language. Farmers are especially interested in what plants have to say. \"Plants are able to communicate with all sorts of organisms  . They can communicate with giant bacteria, with other plants and with insects. They do this chemically,\" said Cahill, an Ecology Professor of the University of Alberta in Canada. Plant scientists are just beginning to understand this chemical \"language\". Cahill says studies have shown, for example, that plants can evaluate   conditions in their immediate environment and take appropriate actions.  Plants have an ability, for example, to signal pain or discomfort caused by anything from temperature extremes to an insect attack. Jack Schultz, a professor of chemical ecology at the University of Missouri, says when a plant senses that it's being eaten, it cannot walk away from trouble; on the contrary, it will release a chemical vapor  that _ other plants nearby. \"Their language is a chemical language, and it involves chemicals that move through the air that are easy to be changeable, and most of all are smells that we are familiar with,\" Schultz explained. \"All plants responded to the attack by changing their chemistry to defend themselves,\" Schultz recalled. \"But we were quite surprised to find that nearby plants also changed their chemistry to defend themselves, even though they were not part of the experiment.\" Studies have also shown that plants under attack release pleasant chemicals. Those chemicals attract friendly insects that attack the pests eating the plant. In the end, plants' ability to communicate their needs--and our ability to understand them--could help farmers reduce the use of poisonous chemicals, cut operating costs and limit damage to the environment. \n Question: The recent scientific studies have shown that plants can   _  . \n Options: (A) communicate with other living things in a chemical way (B) hardly react to any sudden change in temperature (C) use a very special chemica1 language which is familiar to us (D) respond to the attack by giving off poisonous chemicals", "neg": "Article: Some caterpillars'  warning signals may have evolved   from walking.      A team, writing in the journal Nature Communications, reported that the hair-like structures   the creatures use to make sounds evolved from legs. The team studied caterpillars which use these structures to communicate their ownership of leaves. This means the caterpillars are able to \"tell\" strangers to go away without risking injury in conflicts. \"These are really interesting caterpillars,\" said Dr. Jayne Yack from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, who led the research. \"They make signals using hair-like structures which are on their back ends.\" The caterpillars drag these structures across the leaf to make scraping  sounds when strangers enter their \"leaf shelters\". \"When they make this signal, the strangers leave,\" explained Dr. Yack. \"It's like saying 'I'm here, get out of here --I already own this leaf'.\" The scientists looked at other species within the same group of caterpillars and created a \"family tree\" of the creatures. They used chemical markers to work out the relationship between the animals, showing which in the group were the more ancient species and which species evolved more recently. \"Those more ancient species actually don't have these sound-producing structures. They have legs that they use to walk towards strangers,\" said Dr. Yack. These more ancient species, she explained, walk towards strangers and try to attack them. \"They can kill each other in the conflicts,\" Dr. Yack added. She said that the evolution of the scraping show had allowed the caterpillars to solve their conflicts without fighting. \"So our idea is that these signals actually avoid damage to both sides --they solve conflicts in a more 'friendly' way.\" The study also provides a map of an evolutionary path that many other biologists are exploring. \n Question: What can we learn about caterpillars' warning structures from the text? \n Options: (A) They have the same function as hair. (B) They are found in caterpillars' heads. (C) They are used to kill strangers. (D) They may have evolved from caterpillars' legs.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}574{"query": "Article: Never before in Chinese history has a documentary film aroused so much public enthusiasm. Everybody is talking about a new 7-part documentary called A Bite of China which was recently broadcast late at night on CCTV I. The documentary describes various _ across the vast Chinese culinary   landscape. According to Taobao, China's biggest online retail website, just five days after the series began to air, nearly 6 million people went to the site in search of various local specialties, particularly those mentioned in the documentary. More than 7.2 million deals were concluded. A ham producer from Yunnan Province saw his sales grow 17-fold in five days. However, one can't help but believe that the documentary's popularity is probably linked to the endless stream of terrible food security issues that have emerged in recent years. In one well-received article, a netizen wrote, \"I wonder how many felt so empty-hearted and sighed after watching the film. Blue-vitriol watered chive, formaldehyde  sprayed cabbage, Sudan Red colored salty eggs, restaurants using gutter oil. The list is long...\" A varied and ancient food culture that is famous world-wide and which should have made the Chinese proud ends like this: one can only sigh. Food is the most vital thing in people's lives. Yet China's food industry is a typical description of \"bad money driving out the good\".The market is huge while the cost of faking and cheating is so low for unscrupulous   businessmen; and the punishment is too light. Take the milk industry as an example. Although Sanlu, the company that sold the melamine-adulterated milk powder, was punished, thousands of other dairies didn't work hard to improve the quality. In order to allow national brands to survive, Chinese authorities are happy to loosen their regulations. As the documentary shows, people are attracted not to gourmet items like matsutake, a species of rare mushroom grown naturally in remote forests, but to common Chinese dishes like barley, lotus root or tofu. They are what meet our basic needs. This explains why people are so excited about A Bite of China---it is a reminder that there is still a world out there where food is excellent and people have dignity. \n Question: We can infer from what a netizen wrote in one well -received article that   _  . \n Options: (A) none of the television viewers have a knowledge of the Chinese food culture (B) there is a huge contrast between the ancient food culture and the reality (C) the price of food is too high for many common people (D) the documentary was made by a world-famous Chinese director", "pos": "Article: Food safety will become the food industry's key target as the nation tries to adopt international food standards. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Standardization Administration of China, the Ministry of Agriculture and six other departments announced their 2004-05 development programme for national food standards over the weekend. China is conducting a rectification   within two years. Inspectors will search for all known banned materials in food production. To reduce trading barriers, China will raise the ratio of adopting international standards in the food industry to 55 percent from today's 23 percent. \"Safety is the first consideration for anything entering people's mouth followed by its nutritious value,\" said Hao Yu, secretary-general of the National Food Industry Standardization Technique Committee. He added the usage of food addictives   will be a major field for consideration in setting the new standards. On-the-spot checks during the past two years have shown the abuse   or misuse of addictives in food production and processing has become the biggest threat to food safety. In one case, talcum   powder was found in flour products, which is outlawed according to national food standards. \"At present there are no methods or standards to test the content of talcum powder in flour,\" said Shang Yan'e, an official with the national watchdog on grain and oil inspections. Under the guidelines, all banned addictives will be recorded as inspections increase, Relevant departments have allocated   funds to conduct risk evaluations on current food addictives to fix the limits of their usage. China will adopt international advanced techniques and standards so as to find out the harmful materials in food within a shortest period. \n Question: China will raise the ratio of adopting international standards in the food industry by   _  . \n Options: (A) 55% (B) 32% (C) 23% (D) 78%", "neg": "Article: You may never think a documentary film could have aroused so much public enthusiasm in Chinese history. Nowadays everybody is talking about a new 7-part documentary called A Bite of China which was recently broadcast late at night on CCTV I. The documentary describes various _ across the vast Chinese culinary landscape. According to Taobao, China's biggest online retail website, just five days after the series began to air, nearly 6 million people went to the site in search of various local specialties, particularly those mentioned in the documentary. More than 7.2 million deals were concluded. A ham producer from Yunnan Province saw his sales grow 17-fold in five days. However, one can't help but believe that the documentary's popularity is probably linked to the endless stream of terrible food security issues that have emerged in recent years. In one well-received article, a netizen wrote, \"I wonder how many felt so empty-hearted and sighed after watching the film. Blue-vitriol watered chive, formaldehyde sprayed cabbage, Sudan Red colored salty eggs, restaurants using gutter oil. The list is long...\" How will a varied and ancient food culture that is famous worldwide and which should have made the Chinese proud end? Food is the most vital thing in people's lives. Yet China's food industry has made people a little worried due to some severe food safety crisis. The market is huge while the cost of faking and cheating is so low for immoral businessmen; and the punishment is too light. Take the milk industry as an example. Although Sanlu, the company that sold the melamine-adulterated milk powder, was punished, thousands of other dairies didn't work hard to improve the quality. Therefore, food safety problems should be an important concern of Chinese government so that our ancient food culture can be preserved. As the documentary shows, people are attracted not to gourmet items like matsutake, a species of rare mushroom grown naturally in remote forests, but to common Chinese dishes like barley, lotus root or tofu. They are what meet our basic needs. This explains why people are so excited about A Bite of China---it is a reminder that there is still a world out there where food is excellent and safe. \n Question: We can infer from what a netizen wrote in one well -received article that   _  . \n Options: (A) the price of food is too high for many common people (B) the documentary was made by a world-famous Chinese director (C) there is a huge contrast between the ancient food culture and the reality (D) none of the television viewers have a knowledge of the Chinese food culture", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}575{"query": "Article: Advertisers tend to think big and perhaps this is why they're always getting criticism. Their critics seem to resent(...) them because they have a gift for self-promotion and because they have so much money to throw around. 'It's unjust,' they say, 'that this entirely unproductive industry (if we can call it that) should absorb millions of pounds each year. It only goes to show how much profit the big companies are making. Why don't they stop advertising and reduce the price of their goods? After all, it's the consumer who pays...' The poor old consumer! He'd have to pay a great deal more if advertising didn't create mass markets for products. It is precisely because of the heavy advertising that consumer goods are so cheap. But we get the wrong idea if we think the only purpose of advertising is to sell goods. Another equally important function is to inform. A great deal of the knowledge we have about household goods comes largely from the advertisements we read. Advertisements introduce us to new products or remind us of the existence of ones we already know about. Supposing you wanted to buy a washing machine, it is more than likely you would obtain details regarding performance, price, etc., from an advertisement. Lots of people pretend that they never read advertisements, but this claim may be seriously doubted. It is hardly possible not to read advertisements these days. And what fun they often are, too! Just think what a railway station or a newspaper would be like without advertisements. Would you enjoy gazing at a blank wall or reading railway byelaws  while waiting for a train? Would you like to read only closely printed columns of news in your daily paper? A cheerful, witty advertisement makes such a difference to a dull wall or a newspaper full of the daily ration  of disasters. We must not forget, either, that advertising makes a positive contribution to our pockets. Newspapers, commercial radio and television companies could not survive without this source of revenue . The fact that we pay so little for our daily paper or can enjoy so many broadcast programs is due entirely to the money spent by advertisers. Just think what a newspaper would cost if we had to pay its full price! Another thing we mustn't forget is the 'small ads.' which are in virtually every newspaper and magazine.  What a tremendously useful service they perform for the community! Just about anything can be accomplished through these columns. For instance, you can find a job, buy or sell a house, announce a birth, marriage or death in what used to be called the 'hatch(giving birth), match and dispatch' column but by far the most fascinating section is the personal or 'agony' column . No other item in a newspaper provides such entertaining reading or offers such a deep insight into human nature. It's the best advertisement for advertising there is! \n Question: What is main idea of this passage? \n Options: (A) Advertisements. (B) Advertisements bring fun to readers. (C) Advertisers perform a useful service to communities. (D) The costs of advertisements.", "pos": "Article: In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media   work. Many TV stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations are privately owned. The government does not give them money.  So where does the money come from?  From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private businesses. Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years, people have given different answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of \"keeping your name before the public\". And some people thought that advertising was \"truth well told\". Now more and more people consider it in this way: Advertising is the paid, non-personal, and usually persuasive presentation of goods, services and ideas by some certain sponsors   through various media. First, advertising is usually paid for. Various sponsors pay for the advertisements we see, read, and hear over the various media. Second, advertising is non-personal. It is not face-to-face communication. Although you may feel that a message in a certain advertisement is aimed directly at you, in fact, it is directed at large groups of people. Third, advertising is usually persuasive. Directly or indirectly it asks people to do something. All advertisements try to make people believe that the product, idea, or service advertised can benefit them. Fourth, the sponsors of the advertisement must show their names. From the advertisement, we can see if the sponsor is a company, or a single person. Fifth, advertising reaches us through old and modern mass media. Included in the old media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and films. Modern media include emails, matchbox covers, and boards on top of buildings. \n Question: The existence of the privately owned mass media depends on the support of    _   . \n Options: (A) the government (B) their owners families (C) advertisements (D) the TV stations", "neg": "Article: Advertising is a form of communication that typically attempts to persuade potential  customers to purchase or to consume more of a particular brand of product or service. Many advertisements are designed to produce increased consumption of those products and services through the creation and reinforcement  of \"brand image\" and \"brand loyalty\". For these purposes, advertisements sometimes fixes their persuasive message with fact-based information. Every major medium is used to deliver these messages, including television, radio, cinema, magazines, newspapers, video games, the Internet and billboards. Advertising is often placed by an advertising agency on behalf of a company or other organization.  Organizations that frequently spend large sums of money on advertising that sells what is not, strictly speaking, a product or service include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations, and military recruiters. Non-profit organizations are not typical advertising customers, and may rely on free modes of persuasion, such as public service announcements.  Advertising spending has increased greatly in recent years. In 2006, spending on advertising has been estimated at $155 billion in the United States and $385 billion worldwide , and the latter to be over $500 billion by 2010. While advertising can be seen as necessary for economic growth, it is not without social costs. Unsolicited  commercial email and other forms of spam  have become so widespread as to have become a major trouble to users of these services, as well as being a financial burden on internet service providers. Advertising is increasingly invading public spaces, such as schools, which some critics argue is a form of child exploitation . \n Question: Which of the following slogans is different from the other three according the passage? \n Options: (A) The taste is great. (B) One World, One Dream (C) Mosquito Bye Bye Bye (D) Things go better with Coca-Cola", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}576{"query": "Article: About ten years ago, a young and very successful businessman named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his shiny, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old. He was watching for kids rushing out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child came out, but a brick sailed out and - WHUMP!  - it hit the Jaguar's shiny black side door! SCREECH ... ! ! ! ! Immediately Josh stopped the car, jumped out, seized the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, \"What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!\" \"That's my new Jaguar, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?\" \"Please, mister, please...I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!\" begged the youngster. \"I threw the brick because no one else would stop!\" tears were streaming down the boy's face as he pointed around the parked car.  \"It's my brother, mister,\" he said. \"He rolled off the curb   and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up. \" Sobbing, the boy asked the businessman, \"Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me. \" Moved by the words, the young businessman lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapers and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long walk back to the black, shining, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE -- a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent   to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention. Feel for the bricks of life coming you. \n Question: The boy threw a brick at the businessman's car because   _  . \n Options: (A) he wanted to ask for some money (B) he wanted to get help from the driver (C) the businessman drove at a high speed (D) he hated the brand-new car very much", "pos": "Article: I'd like to share my unforgettable experience with you. Believe it or not, it was a real happening. We were on tour a few summers ago, driving through Chicago, when right outside of the city, we got pulled over. A middle-aged policeman came up to the car and was really being troublesome at first. Lecturing us, he said, \"You were speeding. Where are you going in such a hurry?\" Our guitarist, Tim, told him that we were on our way to Wisconsin to play a show. His way towards us totally changed. He asked, \"Oh, so you boys are in a band?\" We told him that we were. He then asked all the usual band questions about the type of music we played, and how long we had been at it. Suddenly, he stopped and said, \"Tim, you want to get out of this ticket, don't you?\" Tim said, \"Yes.\" So the officer asked him to step out of the car. The rest of us, inside the car, didn't know what to think as we watched the policeman talk to Tim. Next thing we knew, the policeman was putting Tim in the back of the police car he had parked in front of us. With that, he threw the car into reverse  , stopping a few feet behind our car. Now we suddenly felt frightened. We didn't know if we were all going to prison, or if the policeman was going to sell Tim on the black market or something. All of a sudden, the policeman's voice came over his loudspeaker. He said, \"Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time ever, we have Tim here singing on Route 90.\" The policeman had told Tim that the only way he was getting out of the ticket was if he sang part of one of our songs over the loudspeaker in the police car. Seconds later, Tim started screaming into the receiver. The policeman enjoyed the performance  , and sent us on our way without a ticket. \n Question: The policeman stopped the boys to   _  . \n Options: (A) put them into prison (B) give them a ticket (C) enjoy their performance (D) ask some band questions", "neg": "Article: Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. And I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I got in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane   when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver used his brakes  , the tires made a loud noise, and at the very last moment our car stopped just one inch   from the back of the other car. I couldn't believe it. But then I couldn't believe what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, turned his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. I couldn't believe it! And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call: \"The Law of the Garbage Truck  .\" He said: But then here's what really blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. So, I said: \"Why did you just do that? This guy could have killed us! \"Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump   it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.\"So one day when someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Believe me. You'll be happier.\" So I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the street? It was then that I said: \"I don't want their garbage and I'm not going to spread it anymore.\" I began to see Garbage Trucks. I see the load people are carrying. I see them coming to dump it. And like my taxi driver, I don't take it personally. I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on. \n Question: What happened to the author on his way to Grand Central Station? \n Options: (A) He was caught in a traffic jam. (B) He had a fight with his taxi driver. (C) His taxi almost ran into another car. (D) His taxi suddenly got a flat tire  .", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}577{"query": "Article: Whales live in the ocean, but they are not fish. They are warm-blooded mammals and must have air to breathe. The babies are born alive and drink milk from the mother's body. It took millions of years for the whale to develop as it is today. Every spring groups of whales swim hundreds of kilometers to warm places to bear their young. Each group goes to the same place every year. The mothers take very good care of their babies. The fully grown whales are very gentle and playful with each other, and with humans. They \"talk\" to each other with a high noise that  sounds beautiful. This\"talking\" can be heard for more than 300 kilometers in open waters. Yet humans kill over a hundred whales a day. They kill them to make whale oils and a lot of other things. Killing them is a modern business with modern machines and even harpoons( ) that explode( ) inside the whales. A whale dies very slowly and in great pain. Some ships kill every whale they can find, even the mothers and babies. Then there are no young whales to grow up or to bear more young. \n Question: A commonly mistaken belief is that    _   . \n Options: (A) whales are mammals (B) whales must have air to breathe (C) whales' babies drink milk (D) whales are fish", "pos": "Article: Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful animals feeding on meat. They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales, employing teeth that can be four inches (ten centimeters) long. They are known to grab seals right off the ice. They also eat fish, squid  , and seabirds. Though they often frequent cold, coastal waters, orcas can be found from the polar regions to the Equator  . Killer whales hunt in deadly groups, family groups of up to 40 individuals. There appear to be both permanent and temporary group populations of killer whales. These different groups may hunt different animals and use different techniques to catch them. Permanent groups tend to prefer fish, while temporary groups target marine mammals. All groups use effective, cooperative hunting techniques that some are similar to the behavior of wolf packs. Whales make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and each group has various noises that its members will recognize even at a distance. They use echolocation   to communicate and hunt, making sounds that travel underwater until they meet objects, then reflect back, showing their location, size, and shape. Killer whales are protective of their young, and other adolescent females often assist the mother in caring for them. Mothers give birth every three to ten years, after a 17-month pregnancy. Killer whales are immediately recognizable by their special black-and-white coloring and are the intelligent, trainable stars of many aquarium shows. Killer whales have never been widely hunted by humans. \n Question: Killer Whales do not feed on   _  . \n Options: (A) seabirds (B) seals (C) fishes (D) seaweeds", "neg": "Article: Some scientists say that animals in the ocean are increasingly threatened by noise pollution caused by human beings. The noise that affects sea creatures comes from a number of human activities. It is caused mainly by industrial underwater explosions, ocean drilling, and ship engines. Such noises are added to natural sounds. These sounds include the breaking of ice fields, underwater earthquakes, and sounds made by animals themselves. Decibels  measured in water are different from those measured on land. A noise of 120 decibels on land causes pain to human ears. In water, a decible level of 195 would have the same effect. Some scientists have suggested setting a noise limit of 120 decibles in oceans. They have observed that noises above that level can frighten and confuse whales. A team of American and Canadian scientists discovered that loud noises could seriously injure some animals. The research team found that powerful underwater explosions were causing whales in the area to lose their hearing, which seriously affected the whales' ability to exchange information and find their way. Some of the whales even died. The explosions had caused their ears to bleed and become infected . Many researches whose work depends on ocean sounds disagree with a limit of 120 decibels. They say such a limit would mean an end to important industrial and scientific research. Scientists do not know how many and what kinds of noises are harmful to ocean animals. However, many scientists suspect that noise is a greater danger than they previously believed. They want to prevent noises from harming creatures in the ocean. \n Question: As to  the effects of noises on whales, which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage? \n Options: (A) They are deaf to noises. (B) Noises at a certain level may hurt them. (C) They are easily confused by noises. (D) Noises will limit their ability to reproduce.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}578{"query": "Article: As the Internet's influence grows, the potential for danger also escalates  . One of these dangers is from cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying   is repeatedly hurting someone else through the use of technology. It consists of sending or posting cruel messages, photos, or videos on the Internet or other electronic media with the intent of damaging the reputation of the target. Imagine being a 13-year-old girl discovering a cell phone picture of her changing clothes for gym class has been sent to all her classmates. Or imagine being an 11-year-old boy who is scared to go to school because an unknown bully sent him an instant message saying that he is so fat that he should kill himself. Cases such as these are happening every day, leading kids to be depressed and unable to concentrate. Worse yet, parents are oblivious   to what is happening. Only 15 percent of parents even know what cyber-bullying is. And anyone who thinks that their child is not a victim or a bully is probably wrong. 90 percent of middle school students have had their feelings hurt online and 75 percent have admitted to visiting a website attacking another student. Unlike traditional schoolyard bullying, where a bully has a name and a face, cyber-bullying gets much of its power from anonymity  . A cyber bully might design a website posting cruel remarks about a classmate and never tell anyone that he or she was the creator. The cyber-bullying also gets its power from the scope   of its audience. Within seconds, a cyber bully can send an e-mail to everyone he or she knows, inviting them to take part in an online poll   of who is the ugliest kid in their class. Victims can be picked on day and night from any place. The good news is that you can help stop cyber-bullying. By making parents and educators aware of what is going on and encouraging them to take quick and strong action when cyber-bullying cases happen, you can help make technology constructive, not destructive, for young people. \n Question: What does the author think of the cyber-bullying? \n Options: (A) It is not as harmful as people think. (B) It is too complex a problem to settle. (C) It will not affect the relationship between classmates. (D) It can be stopped through our efforts.", "pos": "Article: Of all the websites,one that has attracted attention recently is  _ .Most of this attention has come from the media and tells every reason why the website should be shut down.The threat of internet predators is indeed a tough reality,but shutting down the site is not the answer.If  _ were shut down,another site would quickly take its place.Therefore,the right way is to teach teens how to use the site safely and educate them about who may be predators and how to avoid them. The key to staying safe on the Internet is to make sure that your profile is secure.The simplest way is to change the privacy setting on your profile to \"private\", which protects your information so that only the people on your friend list can view it.Although this is effective,it is not perfect.Predators can find ways to view your profile if they really want to,whether through hacking in or figuring out their way onto your friend list.Thus,you should never post too much personal information.Some people actually post their home and school addresses,date of birth,and other personal information, often letting predators know exactly where they will be and when.The most information that is safe is your first name and province.Anything more is basically inviting a predator into your life. Another big issue is photos. I suggest completely skipping photos and never posting a photo of a friend online without asking permission. Most importantly, never,under any circumstances,agree to a real-life meeting with anyone you meet online.No matter how well you think you know this person, there are no guarantees that they have told the truth.But you could feel free to chat with people you meet on the site, but just remember that not everyone is who they say they are.Hopefully,the next time you edit your profile,you'll be more informed about the dangers of internet predators and take the steps to defend yourself. \n Question: Kids can avoid web predators successfully by_. \n Options: (A) attracting more public attention (B) shutting down the website \"myspace . com\" (C) showing the kids ways to try other sites (D) recognizing and getting away from them", "neg": "Article: The Internet has become a part of our everyday life and there is nothing we can do without it.It is a means of communication as well as a good way of relieving and having fun.No matter in what place of the world,the Internet is the same for every one of us.     If we hope to improve our knowledge or look for a certain piece of information, the Internet is the perfect tool for our need.If we do not have the time to shop, ordering online is the solution to our problem.The Internet is very useful to most  people.     There is no doubt that the Internet also has some bad points.I'm speaking about the harmful information,which may come up in the most unexpected paces.You can sometimes come across violence,presented to the public as a very normal way of expressing beliefs.An intelligent person will always be able to tell apart right and wrong, but what can we do to help the teenagers and children? This sort of information is a cause of many of the violent incidents in schools.     There are few organization that monitor the Internet and the information on it.They cannot possibly get rid of all the bad things on the Internet.     So should the Internet be censored for the protection of children? My belief is that parents are the ones who should be to blame for what their children ale doing on the Internet. \n Question: The disadvantage of the Internet mentioned in the passage is that  _  . \n Options: (A) people spend too much time on it. (B) people rely too much on it. (C) it can provide harmful information. (D) many people use it to do things that ale not legal", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}579{"query": "Article: A weather system known as a polar vortex brought dangerously cold weather to large parts of the United States this week. A polar vortex is a cold, thick low pressure system. The air turns counter-clockwise when on the move. The polar vortex started up in Canada. After crossing the border, it moved deep into the southeastern United States. The polar vortex brought the coldest temperatures in more than 20 years to many areas. Alice Jenkins lives in Washington D.C. \"I have a coat on. I have three sweaters. I have two blouses. But I don't feel like I have anything on.\" Another woman, named Amanda, lives nearby in Maryland. \"It's D.C. It's not supposed to be this cold.\" The extreme weather started with a low-pressure system near the North Pole. The Arctic air was pushed as far south as Alabama on wind currents known as the jet stream. The bitter cold covered much of the central United States, forcing schools, government offices and businesses to  close. But the polar vortex did not have the same effect everywhere. Interestingly enough, it is warmer in Alaska and also somewhat warmer over Greenland because when you exhaust cold air in the North Pole and the Arctic region, when it's forced southward, it can't all stay there. Basically it's rushing towards us in the United States.\" Camden Walker, a weather expert, says the weather system moved away quickly from places like Washington. But the cold air and high winds were staying longer in the middle of the country. Temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius or lower were reported in Washington, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. In fact, temperatures in all or parts of the 50 states were below freezing at some point on Tuesday. Even in Hawaii, it was minus six degrees at the top of the state's highest mountain.  The effect of the polar vortex was extensive. Airline companies cancelled more than 11,000 flights over a four day period. The cold weather also interfered with train service. In the south, the Tennessee Valley Authority said it set a single day record for electricity as homeowners struggled to stay warm. But there was more to the picture. \n Question: Which of the following statements about the polar vortex is NOT true? \n Options: (A) It came from around the North Pole area. (B) All the places it swept across became extremely cold. (C) It caused Washington, (D) It caused great losses in the U.S.", "pos": "Article: WASHINGTON(Reuters)--Federal Government Agencies in the capital region will remain closed for a second day on Tuesday as residents trying to clean up the weekend storm that shocked the area with two feet of snow.      Another big winter storm was expected to hit the U.S. mid--Atlantic on Tuesday and last through Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecast on Monday.  _ snowfall is ranged from 10 to 20 inches, it said. The new storm was expected to hit other big cities along the East Coast, including Baltimore and Philadelphia, which is still extending into New Jersey and New York. It would pile on to the 32 inches of snow that fell in suburban Washington in the biggest snowfall to hit the city in decades.      The Office of Personnel Management announced on Monday evening that Federal Government Offices in the Washington area would be closed on Tuesday. Emergency employees were expected to report for work in time, but non--emergency employees were excused. The Federal Government was closed on Monday, though President Barack Obama still held meetings at the White House. Schools and most businesses in the region also were shut.      In the county, about 80,000 people lost power on Saturday, and some customers still had no electricity or heat on Monday. Many schools said classes would be canceled through Tuesday, even before the latest storm warning.      On Monday, winter sunshine bathed the nation's capital and the surrounding region, where people dug out their driveways and sidewalks to finally start to clear streets in some residential neighborhoods. Bus service on Monday was limited to just a small number of routes in the Washington, D.C.      Cold and snow blanketed much of the central United States this winter, slowing weight gain in cattle and pigs, delaying livestock sales, and increasing feed costs for producers.      The new storm might also hit the Northeast, the nation's largest market for heating fuel. The weekend blast largely bypassed that region. \n Question: Which of the following can be the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Another Big Winter Storm Hit the West Coast of the USA (B) Weather Closes Government Offices a Second Day (C) A Big Snowstorm on the Way to America (D) More Cities Govered by Snow in America", "neg": "Article: The weather across much of Europe and sections of Asia has been very cold since last week. Hundreds of people have died from the cold. It has also been a source of fun for winter sports enthusiasts and has raised doubts about global warming.  Europeans were digging themselves out of heavy snow after a week-long cold snap  in which the number of dead--most of them homeless--continued to rise by the day. The big freeze has caused traffic mess from Siberia to Rome, blocking roads, closing schools, shutting airports, and trapping thousands in remote mountain villages in Europe. Temperatures have fallen as low as 36 degrees below zero in Ukraine, the hardest-hit country. Serbia on Sunday declared an emergency situation, saying the extremely big snowfall has put normal life at risk.   But the deep freeze has also offered opportunities for snowy fun. In Sarajevo, young people snowboarded down white streets. Others competed with videos on YouTube to show the craziest jump into the snow from second floor apartments--most of them wearing only bathing suits. In the Netherlands, Europe's deep freeze means the country's almost imaginary \"Eleven Cities Tour\" ice skating marathon could be staged later this month for the first time in 15 years. The race is expected to draw thousands of participants and more than a million viewers.   The cold snap has also caused people to doubt global warming claims--if the Earth is getting warmer, why have recent winters been colder? Zhang Peiqun, assistant chief engineer of the National Climate Center, explained in an interview with xinhuanet. com: \"Global warming refers to broad changes over a long time period, mainly in the past 100 years. It doesn't contradict with the phenomenon that some time in some places the temperature is lower than usual.\" He also added that it has been a long time debate whether the Earth is getting warmer or colder. \"No matter which opinion is correct, a bigger question faces us: how do we deal with the resulting extreme weathers?\" he said. \n Question: Which of the following is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) The cold caused inconvenience to the snow-hit area. (B) Europeans don't think the world is getting warmer. (C) Cold snaps added more fun than inconvenience to Europeans. (D) Low temperatures put Siberia in an emergency situation.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}580{"query": "Article: Skin - diving  is a new sport today. This sport takes you into a wonderful new world. It is like a visit to the moon. When you are under water, it is easy for you to climb big rocks because you are no longer heavy .Here, under water, everything is blue and green. During the day, there is plenty of light. When fish swim nearby, you can catch them with your hands.When you have tanks   of air on your back, you can stay in deep water for a long time. But you must be careful when you dive in deep water. To catch fish is one of the most interesting parts of this sport. Besides, there are more uses for skin - diving. You can clean ships without taking them out of water. You can get many things from the deep sea. Now you see that skin -diving is both useful and interesting. \n Question: Skin- diving is a new sport. It can take you to  _  . \n Options: (A) the moon (B) a new world of land (C) the mountains (D) deep water", "pos": "Article: Skin-diving is a new sport today. This sport takes you into a wonderful new world. It is like a visit to the moon!When you are under water,it is easy for you to climb big rocks, because you are no longer heavy. Here,under water,everything is blue and green.During the day,there is enough light. When fish swim nearby,you can catch them with your hands. When you have tanks of air on your back,you can stay in deep water for a long time.But you must be careful. To catch the fish is one of the most interesting parts of this sport.On the other hand, you can clean the ships without taking them out of the water.You can get many things from the deep sea. Now you can see that skin-diving is both useful and interesting. \n Question: Skin-diving can take you to   _   . \n Options: (A) the moon (B) mountains (C) the sun (D) the deep sea", "neg": "Article: The sea is very big. When you look at the map of the world, you will find there is more water than land. The sea covers three quarters of the world. It looks very pretty when the sun is shining on it. It can be very rough when there is a big wind. The sea is also very deep in some places. Some parts of the sea are very shallow. But in some places the depth of the sea is very great. There is one spot, near Japan, where the sea is nearly 11 kilometers deep! The highest mountain in the world is about 9 kilometers high. If that mountain were put into the sea at that place, there would be 2 kilometers of water above it! The sea is salty. Rivers, which flow into the sea, carry salt from the land into the sea. Some parts of the sea are more salty than other parts. There is one sea, called the Dead Sea, which is very salty. It is so salty that swimmers can't sink! Fish can't live in the Dead Sea! The sea can be very cold. Divers, who go deep down in the sea, know this. On the top the water may be warm. When the diver goes downwards, the sea becomes colder and colder. Another thing happens. When the diver goes deeper, the water above presses down on him. It squeezes him. Then the diver has to wear clothes made of metal. But he cannot go very deep. Some people who wanted to go very deep used a very strong diving ship! They went down to a depth of eleven kilometers. \n Question: When does the sea look beautiful? \n Options: (A) When it is cloudy (B) When it is a fine day (C) When there is no wind (D) When there is a storm", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}581{"query": "Article: Medicine comes in lots of different packages. Painkillers in a tablet can make your headache go away. Antibiotic cream   from a tube can prevent your cuts from becoming infected. But can medicine come packaged in chicken eggs? A team of scientists from Scotland say \"yes\". They've engineered special chickens that lay eggs with disease-treating drugs inside. These eggs come from chickens that have been engineered to produce certain drugs inside their egg whites. These drugs are made of molecules called proteins . Animals make thousands of proteins -- they're the main element in skin, hair, milk and meat. Since animals can make proteins easily, they're good candidates   for making protein drugs. Researchers have already made cows, sheep and goats produce protein drugs in their milk. But chickens are cheaper to take care of, need less room, and grow faster than these other animals. Those qualities could make chickens a better choice to become living drug factories, says Simon Lillico of the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh, Scotland. Lillico and a team of researchers changed chickens' DNA -- the code that tells cells how to make proteins -- so that the birds' cells made two protein drugs. One drug can treat skin cancer, and the other treats a nerve disease called multiple sclerosis  . The scientists changed the chickens' DNA so that the birds made these drugs only in their egg whites. This protects the chickens' bodies from the drugs' possible harmful effects and makes it easy for scientists to collect the drugs. \n Question: If you cut your finger, you may use   _   to cure it. \n Options: (A) painkillers in a tablet (B) antibiotic cream from a tube (C) chicken eggs (D) protein drugs", "pos": "Article: Scientists Alan M.Goldberg and Thomas Hartung describe recent advances in replacing the use of animals in toxicology testing.Improvements in cell and tissue culture technologies,for example,allow a growing number of tests to be performed on human cells alone.Computer models are becoming increasingly complex and many could one day become more accurate than trials in living animals. Since the late 1990s,Huntingdon Life Sciences--a company that conducts testing of substances on animals conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration--has become a proving ground for aggressive strategies by animal-rights militants  .At a hearing,a Senate.committee listened to testimony  against Huntingdon employees and financial institutions providing services to the company.One experimentation witness at the hearing insisted that any means necessary were justified  to spare animals' lives;he has previously accepted the idea of murder to that end. Use of animals in testing and in biomedical research continues to be necessary in many instances and is ethically preferable to experimenting on humans or giving up cures that could save human lives.But for the sake of people and animals alike,the development and acceptance of animal substitutes deserve enthusiastic support. In some instances, substitutes are already thought as good or better than animals,but supervising agencies have yet to catch up.In both the European Union and the U.S.,scientists and companies wanting to use the new alternative tests complain that regulatory standards for proving a drug or chemical to be safe for humans force the continued use of animals.Thus,animal-loving Americans might turn to persuading the EPA and the FDA to speed validation of new methods so that they can be more widely employed.And animal advocates  who want to influence business could consider investing in the small biotech's and large pharmaceutical  companies that are working to develop alternatives to animals in research. \n Question: _   plays a leading role in replacing the use of animals in testing. \n Options: (A) Huntingdon Life Sciences (B) Improvement in technologies (C) Animal-fights militants (D) Scientists Alan and Thomas", "neg": "Article: As part of an effort to improve treatments for life-threatening illnesses, a team of scientists have created rabbits that glow in the dark. The efforts have produced two rabbits out of a litter of eight that went from being a normal, soft white to glowing green in the dark. The rabbits were born at the University of Istanbul as part of the cooperation between scientists from universities in Turkey and Hawaii. The rabbits glow to show that a genetic operation technique can work efficiently. \"The green is not important at all--it's just a marker to show the experiment can be done successfully,\" said University of Hawaii associate professor, Stefan Moisyadi. To produce the glowing effect, researchers injected jellyfish DNA into a mother rabbit's embryos. Then those embryos were put into the mother. Similar experiments have resulted in glowing cockroaches  and cats. Eventually, the researchers hope the technique can lead to new ways to produce medicines, Moisyadi said. \"The final goal is to develop animals that are able to produce beneficial molecules in their milk that can be cheaply extracted , especially in countries that cannot afford big factories that make drugs, which usually cost US$1bn to build. Then they will be able to produce their own protein-based medication in animals,\" Moisyadi said. The rabbits are expected to live as long as non-glowing rabbits, but Moisyadi said he understands people can object to this kind of experimentation involving live animals. \"To the people against, I say: think, what are the benefits and what is the harm?\" Moisyadi said. \"And if the benefits outweigh the harm, let's go with the benefits.\" Moisyadi started developing the project in 2006, and researchers are now waiting to see if pregnant sheep produce similar results. \n Question: What do we know about the glowing rabbits? \n Options: (A) Their fur became green after the experiment. (B) They were chosen from a special species of rabbits. (C) The color1 that they glow isn't of interest to scientists. (D) They live shorter lives than ordinary rabbits.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}582{"query": "Article: In a world with limited land, water and other natural resources, the harm from the traditional business model is on the rise. Actually, the past decade has seen more and more forests disappearing and the globe becoming increasingly warm. People now realize that this unhealthy situation must be changed, and that we must be able to develop in sustainable ways. That means growth with low carbon or development of sustainable products. In other words, we should keep the earth healthy while using its supply of natural resources. Today, sustainable development is a proper trend in many countries. According to a recent study, the global market for low-carbon energy will become three times bigger over the next decade. China, for example, has set its mind on leading that market, hoping to seize chances in the new round of the global energy revolution. It is now trying hard to make full use of wind and solar energy, and is spending a huge amount of money making electric cars and high-speed trains. In addition, we are also seeing great growth in the global markets for sustainable products such as palm oil, which is produced without cutting down valuable rainforest. In recent years the markets for sustainable products have grown by more than 50%. Governments can fully develop the potential of these new markets. First, they can set high targets for reducing carbon emissions and targets for saving and reusing energy. Besides, stronger arrangement of public resources like forests can also help to speed up the development. Finally, governments can avoid the huge expenses that are taking us in the wrong direction, and redirecting some of those expenses can accelerate the change from traditional model to a sustainable one. The major challenge of this century is to find ways to meet the needs of growing population within the limits of this single planet. That is no small task, but it offers abundant new chances for sustainable product industries. \n Question: The traditional business model is harmful because of all the following EXCEPT that   _  . \n Options: (A) it consumes natural resources (B) it makes the world warmer (C) it brings severe damage to forests (D) it makes growth hard to continue", "pos": "Article: Sustainable development is applied to just about everything from energy to clean water and economic growth, and as a result it has become difficult to question either the basic assumptions behind it or the way the concept is put to use. This is especially true in agriculture, where sustainable development is often taken as the measure of progress without a proper appreciation of historical and cultural perspectives. To start with, it is important to remember that the nature of agriculture has changed markedly throughout history, and will continue to do so. Medieval agriculture in northern Europe fed, clothed and sheltered a mainly rural society with a much lower population density than it is today. It had minimal effect on biodiversity, and any pollution it caused was typically localized. In terms of energy use and the nutrients captured in the product it was relatively inefficient. Contrast this with farming since the start of the industrial revolution. Competition from overseas led farmers to specialize and increase yields. Throughout this period food became cheaper, safer and more reliable. However, these changes have also led to habitat loss and to reducing biodiversity. All this means that agriculture in the 21st century will have to be very different from how it was in the 20th. This will require thorough thinking. For example, we need to move away from the idea that traditional practices are certainly more sustainable than new ones. We also need to abandon the notion that agriculture can be \"zero impact\". The key will be to abandon the rather simple and static measures of sustainability, which centre on the need to maintain production without increasing damage. Instead we need a more dynamic interpretation, one that looks at the pros and cons of all the various way land is used. There are many different ways to measure agricultural performance besides food yield: energy use, environmental costs, water purity, carbon footprint and biodiversity. It is clear, for example, that the carbon of transporting tomatoes from Spain to the UK is less than that of producing them in the UK with additional heating and lighting. But we do not know whether lower carbon footprints will always be better for biodiversity. What is important is recognizing that sustainable agriculture is not just about sustainable food production. \n Question: How do people often measure progress in agriculture? \n Options: (A) By its impact on the environment (B) By its contribution to economic growth (C) By its productivity (D) By its sustainability", "neg": "Article: We have only one earth.In a world with limited land, water and other natural resources, the harm from the traditional business model is on the rise.Actually, the past decades has seen more and more forests disappearing and globe becoming increasingly warm.People now realize that this unhealthy situation must be changed, and that we must be able to develop in sustainable   ways.That means growth with low carbon or development of sustainable products.In other words, we should keep the earth healthy while using its supply of natural resources. Today, sustainable development is a proper trend in many countries.According to a recent study, the global market for low-carbon energy will become three times bigger over the next decades.China, for example, has set its mind on leading that market, hoping to seize chances in the new round of the global energy revolution.It is how trying hard to make full use of wind and solar energy, and is spending a huge amount of money making electric cars and high-speed trains.In addition, we are also seeing great growth in the global markets for sustainable products such as palm oil  , which is produced without cutting down valuable rainforest.In recent years the markets for sustainable products have grown by more than 50%.  Governments can fully develop the potential of these new markets.First, they can set high targets for reducing carbon emissions   and targets for saving and reusing energy.Besides, stronger arrangement of public resources like forests can also help to speed up the development.Finally, governments can avoid the huge expenses that are taking us in the wrong direction, and redirecting some of those expenses can accelerate the change from traditional model to a sustainable one. The major challenge of this century is to find ways to meet the needs of growing population within the limits of this single planet.That is no small task, but it offers new chances for sustainable product industries. \n Question: The traditional business model is harmful because of all the following EXCEPT that   _  . \n Options: (A) It makes the world warmer (B) it consumes natural resources (C) it brings severe damage to forests (D) it makes growth hard to continue", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}583{"query": "Article: For some people, the prospect of starting college, especially going away to school, is scary. It's probably the first time that you'll be totally responsible for your own schedule. What if you intend to go to college but just don't feel ready to start yet-for whatever reason-and you don't want to take on a full-time job after graduation? You might want to take a year off to pause and regroup. This practice is common in some countries, like the United Kingdom, where it's called a \" _ \". Taking time off doesn't mean you should ignore the idea of applying to college. In fact, you may want to consider making your college plans before you become involved in other things, especially if you'll be travelling. Apply to schools and make your choice, then ask for a deferred admission. Rachel took a year off and worked in New York City between college and medical school. She says that she had to be extremely well organized about planning for medical school so she didn't miss any of her deadlines. \"Not only did I have to apply to schools and make plans to take my MCAT exams, I also had to make all my living arrangements and other plans for my year off!\" Even if you decide not to apply to college, it can be a great idea to take a year to do something you may not have an opportunity to do again. Lots of volunteer organizations would welcome your time and energy and would provide you with a wonderful learning experience. If you take a year off you will learn some great life skills-like living on a tight budget! If you take a year off you'll pay your way while you are traveling or doing volunteer work. \n Question: What's the best title of the passage? \n Options: (A) Taking Time Off (B) Disadvantages of a \"Gap Year\" (C) Plans after Graduation (D) How to Apply to College", "pos": "Article: More students than ever before are taking a gap-year  before going to university.It used to be called the \"year off\" between school and university.The gap-year phenomenon originated  with the months left over to Oxbridge applicants between entrance exams in November and the start of the next academic year. This year, 25,310 students who have accepted places in higher education institutions have put off their entry until next year, according to statistics on university entrance provided by University and College Admissions Serbice(UCAS). That is a record 14.7% increase in the number of students taking a gap year. Tony Higgins from UCAS  said that the statistics are good news for everyone in higher education. \"Students who take a well-planned year out are more likely to be stisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. Students who take a gap year are often more mature and responsible,\" he said. But not everyone is happy. Owain James, the president of the National Union of Students(NUS), argued that the increase is evidence of student hadship - young people are being forced into earning money before finishing their education. \"New students are now aware that they are likely to leave university up to PS15,000 in debt. It is not surprising that more and More students are taking a gap year to earn money to support their study for the degree.NUS statistics show that over 40% of students are forced to work during  term time and the figure increases to 90% during vacation periods,\"he said. \n Question: What do we learn about the gap year from the text? \n Options: (A) It is increasingly popular. (B) It is flexible in length. (C) It is a time for relaxation. (D) It is required by universities.", "neg": "Article: Thinking about taking a year out before going to university?Check out your gap year choices here and decide if it's the right decision for you... What is it? It's a year out between finishing senior high school and starting university in which you can travel, work and generally do mind-broadening stuff you will never forget. I don't want to travel, but I don't know what I want to do at university. You will have a good three months between finishing your A Levels and university Clearing  (when last-minute vacancies   on courses for the coming academic year are advertised): surely enough time to decide what to do. You don't need to take a year for that. I need to take some money before starting university. Fair enough. But don't get comfortable and decide not to get a full-time job. Spending a year on income support   will be depressing; you'll have nothing to say when future employers ask what you did in your gap year, and you'll have to put up with smug   post-gap year students comparing notes when you start university. I'd love to travel, but I can't afford it. Most gap year students work for the first six months and then travel, using the money they've earned in the second six months. I'm scared. Try not to let fear of the unknown put you off seeing the world. Earth is a big planet, but when you travel it seems much smaller (even the remotest countries have email access). \n Question: The potential readers of the text are   _  . \n Options: (A) parents (B) high school students (C) university students (D) teachers", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}584{"query": "Article: Hunters in Mississippi broke a state record for the heaviest alligator  ever killed, kicking off the hunting season with two big catches. Dustin Bockman of Wisconsin and two hunting friends caught the 727-pound 13-foot-long beast on Sunday, beating last year's record-setter by 26 pounds, according to the state's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. \"We're going to cook it for sure.\" he told Gulf Live. \"There's plenty for me and everybody else.\" He and his team of hunters followed the huge creature for 12 hours until they could get close enough to shoot him with a crossbow. \"He would go to the bottom and sit like a piece of wood. You could do anything with him,\" Bockman said. The hunters then had  to figure out how to drag the beast's dead body into their boat. It look four hours of pulling  at which point they rested on a sandbar  and called friends for help. First-time hunter Beth Trammell initially broke the record when she caught a 723-pound 13-foot gator with a team of six hunters, but Bockman stole her thunder hours later. She was shocked at her gator's size. \"It took about four hours to get it in the boat,\" she said. \"We had to ask another boat to help us out  it was so big.\" She said that she, too, was going to eat the beast and use it for decoration. \"I think my brother-in-law is going to get the head mounted.\" she said. Alligators nearly died out in Mississippi in the 1960s, but a conservation  helped the creature recover to the point that hunting is now legal. \n Question: Which of the following is true about Dustin Bockman? \n Options: (A) He is a Mississippian. (B) He is a first-time hunter. (C) He will share out the alligator meat. (D) He fought the alligator for 12 hours.", "pos": "Article: Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator   was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U - turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug - of - war   between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too _ to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his fresh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy asked if he would show his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, he said to the reporter, \"But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my dad wouldn't let go.\" You and I can identify with that boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because someone has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, someone has been there holding on to you. If you have the scars of someone's love on your arms, be very, very grateful. Someone in your life did not and will not ever let you go. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. \n Question: When the boy told the newspaper reporter about the scars on his arms, he felt  _  . \n Options: (A) painful and fearful (B) regretful and panic (C) proud and grateful (D) excited and thankful", "neg": "Article: Burmese pythons    are some of the biggest snakes in the world and also one of the biggest problems in Florida's wetlands. So state officials have asked hunters to lend a hand. The pythons are originally from Asia. Brought to the US as pets or zoo animals, some were released or broke free into the wild and found Florida's warm weather to be perfect for a new settlement. It is estimated that tens of thousands now live in the everglades and the state's marshy wetlands. These supersize snakes are invasive species. \"The problem is with animals,\" says Carli Segelson, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. \" The pythons eat native birds, reptiles, and small mammals, many of which are threatened species. \" Since the python moved in,  several native species,  such as bobcats and rabbits,  have   largely disappeared from Florida's wetlands:' So the Florida government has invited hunters to   assist in solving this severe environmental problem.  People will be allowed to hunt pythons  around their breeding grounds for one month, starting on January 12. Officials are even offering cash prizes to whoever kills the most pythons and to whoever  kills the longest Burmese pythons. They are hoping the contest will significantly reduce the  population of this dangerous invader. \"Our goal is to help get rid of the pythons from the wild, educate the public about the  snakes' impact on the Florida ecosystem, and inform them of what impacts non-native pets can  have if allowed into the wild, \" Segelson said.  Experts say it's unlikely the snakes will ever be  removed from the wild in Florida. But they hope to bring the python problem under control and  prevent the snakes from doing more harm. \n Question: We can infer from the text that Florida must be a place where it is \n Options: (A) wet and warm (B) rainy and windy (C) warm and dry (D) wet and cold", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}585{"query": "Article: Pulling heavy suitcases all day in the summer is hard work, especially when you are a thin  14-year-old boy. That was me in 1940-the youngest and smallest baggage boy at New York City's Pennsylvania Railway Station. After just a few days on the job, I began noticing that the other fellows were overcharging  passengers. I'd like to join them, thinking, \"Everyone else is doing it.\" When I got home that night, I told my dad what I wanted to do. \"You give an honest day's   work,\" he said, looking at me straight in his eye. \"They are paying you. If they want to do that,   you let them do that.\" I followed my dad's advice for the rest of that summer and have lived by his words ever since. Of all the jobs I've had, it was my experience at Pennsylvania Railway Station that has stuck with me. Now I teach my players to have respect for other people and their possession. Being a member of a team is a totally shared experience. If one person steals, it destroys trust and hurts everyone. I can put up with many things, but not with people who steal. If one of my players were caught stealing, he'd be gone. Whether you're on a sports team, in an office or a member of a family. if you can't trust one another, there is going to be trouble. \n Question: What can be inferred about the baggage boys? \n Options: (A) They could earn much, but they had to work hard. (B) Many of them earned money in a dishonest way. (C) They were all from poor families. (D) They were thin, young boys.", "pos": "Article: Dad was always full of advice, but one of the biggest lessons he taught me one summer was about having a strong work ethic . When my brother and I were growing up, we mowed  yards during the summer to earn pocket change. Dad was our salesman. He told our neighbors about our service and offered a price they could not refuse. My brother and I got $ 10 per yard. I later found out that our friends were charging $ 20 or more for the same amount of work. Every time we headed out to mow lawns , Dad was there to watch. I used to wonder why he came with us. He stood supervising  our work in the heat when he could have been inside relaxing with air conditioning and an icy drink. One day we were cutting our next-door neighbor's yard, he always waited until the grass was knee-high to call us over. To make matters worse, we had an old lawn mower. This particular afternoon, I was finishing up and was tired and sweaty. I was just about to cut off the lawn mower when I saw Dad pointing to one piece of grass. He yelled, \"You missed a piece.\" I frowned, hoping he would let it slide and let me go home. He kept pointing. So, tired and disappointed, I went back to cut that piece of grass. I said to myself, \"That one piece isn't hurting anyone. Why won't he just let it go?\" But when I reached adulthood, I understood his message ---When you're running a business, the work you do says a great deal about you. If you want to be seen as an entrepreneur  with honesty, you must deliver a quality product. That single blade of grass meant the job was not done. Other neighbors took notice of the good work we did and we soon got more business. We started out with one client, but by the end of the summer we had five. \n Question: Why did more and more people ask the brothers to mow their yards? \n Options: (A) They mowed it faster. (B) They mowed it carefully. (C) They had a quality mower. (D) They charged the same as others.", "neg": "Article: The Price of a Dream I grew up poor. We had little money, but plenty of love and attention. I understood that no matter how poor a person was, they could still afford a dream. My dream was athletics. By the time I was sixteen, I was good at baseball and football. My high-school coach was Ollie Jarvis. He not only believed in me, but taught me the difference between having a dream and showing conviction . One summer a friend recommended me for a summer job. This meant a chance for money in my pocket -- cash for dates with girls, certainly, money for a new bike and new clothes, and the start of savings for a house for my mother. Then I realized I would have to give up summer baseball to handle the work schedule, and that meant I would have to tell Coach Jarvis I wouldn't be playing. I was dreading this, but my mother said: \" _ \" When I told Coach Jarvis, he was as mad as I expected him to be. \"Your playing days are limited. You can't afford to waste them,\" he said. I stood before him with my head hanging, trying to think of the words that would explain to him why my dream of buying my mom a house. \"How much are you going to make at this job, son?\" he demanded. \"Three twenty-five an hour,\" I replied. \"Well,\" he asked, \"is $3.25 an hour the price of a dream?\" That question laid bare for me the difference between wanting something right now and having a goal. I devoted myself to sports that summer, and within the year I was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play rookie-league ball, and offered a $20,000 contract. I signed with the Denver Broncos in 1984 for $1.7 million, and bought my mother the house of my dream. \n Question: The writer was grateful to Coach Jarvis, because Jarvis   _  . \n Options: (A) made him set a goa (B) supplied him with new clothes (C) gave him financial support (D) helped him show conviction", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}586{"query": "Article: Almost everyone suffers from a headache sometimes.But some people suffer from repeated, frequent headaches. What is headache? What causes it? What can be done about a headache? What research is being done on headaches? The dictionary defines  headache simply as \"a pain in the head.\" What most people mean by headache is a pain which lasts several minutes or hours.It covers the whole head, or one side of it, or perhaps the front or the back of the head.To add to the confusion  about a definition, some people call tight feeling in the head a headache. A headache is important because it can be the first warning of a serious condition which probably could be controlled if discovered early.If a person removes the warning, day after day, with a pain-killer, he may pass the point of easy control. The professional name for covering up a symptom  is \"masking\"  .A headache specialist once said, \"Masking symptoms is not the best way of treatment.\" He compared taking a pain-killer for a headache before a cause is known with taking iron pills for anemia  while bleeding continues undiscovered.He added, \" _ \" A headache is important also because it affects normal, happy living.The employee with a headache does less work.In a flash of temper he may upset his fellow workers or customers, causing a direct or indirect loss to his organization.The mother with a headache suffers and disturbs the family.She upsets her husband and children. \n Question: Which is true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Headache has no effect on others. (B) Headache may cover the whole body. (C) Headache may last several minutes or hours. (D) Headache is just the tight feeling in the head.", "pos": "Article: Are you ever so worried about something that you even have a headache or can't sleep at night? Do you ever feel a stomachache during a test? If so, then you know what stress is. Stress is what you feel when you are worried about something. When you are under stress, you may feel angry, sad, scared, or afraid --all this can give you a stomachache or a headache. In modern society, most people are under the higher stress than ever before. There are different kinds of stress. Some kinds of stress are good and others are bad. Good stress may happen when someone asks you to answer questions in class or when you have to give a report. This kind of stress can help you to finish things better. Under this stress, you will find yourself have more motivation and energy to study. However, bad stress can happen if the stress lasts too long. You may not feel well if a family member is sick, if you're having problems at school, or if anything else makes you upset every day. That kind of stress isn't going to help you. The best way to keep stress away is to have a balanced life. If you get enough sleep and food, and if you exercise and leave time for fun, you'll feel less stress. \n Question: Bad stress may happen when you are  _  . \n Options: (A) giving a report in front of school (B) helping other classmates (C) having problems at school (D) answering questions in class", "neg": "Article: Everyone knows what a needle is. Of course there are needles and needles: Needles for sewing machines, needles for injection , you name it. But few people think of the wonder : a needle works in the hands of those who practice acupuncture . During the past ten years or so, I have been suffering from terrible headache. It seems to be getting from bad to worse these days . Last night I got a sudden pain in my head. It was so terrible that I could hardly bear it. Although I swallowed all kinds of pain-killers , I didn't feel any better, It seemed that there was nothing I could do but phone for a doctor. One of our neighbours happened to be with us. He was not a doctor, but he timidly  offered his help, saying \"Do you mind if I tried acupuncture on you? These needles may possibly do you some good.\" I agreed. In a moment, he had taken out a few needles from his purse. Without a moment's delay, he fixed a few needles into the skin on my head here and there, Before long, I felt thoroughly relieved . Just then, the doctor sped through my house and said, \"Where is our patient?\" \"Sorry, Doctor, You are too late, It's killed!\" I answered in delight. It's miracle , isn't it? \n Question: Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage? \n Options: (A) the neighbour fixed needles on his own head (B) The neighbour is a kind-hearted person. (C) The man's pain was killed before the doctor arrived (D) Soon after the acupuncture, the man was completely recovered.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}587{"query": "Article: Dr. Paul Kelly, head of Monkeseaton Community High School in North Tyneside, said it would mean the end of sleeping in lessons before lunch, after experiments showed teenagers could have different body clocks from adults and younger children. Russell Foster, an Oxford professor of neuroscience  , tested the memory of 200 Monkseaton pupils at 9 am and 2 pm using pairs of words, and discovered a 9% improvement in the afternoon. Students correctly identified 51% of word pairs in the latest session, compared with 42% in the morning. Tayler McCullough, 15, one of the test subjects, said the majority of students would welcome the extra hours in bed, \"I'm extremely hard to get up in the morning. One or two people like to get to school early, but most of us would be up for going in later. I'm sure it would make a big difference to our learning ability.\" Kelly is  _ that a change of school timetable will have a meaningful effect on exam performance. He wants his school's governors to approve his plan and put the new time-table in place before the opening of Monkseaton's new timetable in place before the opening of Monkseaton's new school building, the most technologically advanced in the country, in September. Kelly hopes his latest idea will be just as successful. \"We have to be practical. But this proves that, by starting later, children's learning improves, as does their health.\" Foster said, \"This is preliminary   data, but what's exciting is that it matches more detailed studies carried out in Canada and the US. Teenagers get up late not because they are lazy but because they are biologically programmed to do so.\" \n Question: How many professors are mentioned in the passage? \n Options: (A) One (B) Two (C) Three (D) Four", "pos": "Article: About half American teenagers do not get enough sleep on school nights.They get an average of sixty to ninety minutes less than experts say they need. One reason for _ is biology.Experts say teens are biologically programmed to go to sleep later and wake up later than other age groups.Yet many schools start classes as early as seven in the morning.As a result,many students go to class feeling like sixteenyearold Danny.He is an active teen-- except in the morning.\"Getting up in the morning is pretty terrible.I'm just very out of it and tired.Through the first and second period I can hardly stay awake,\" he said. Michael Breus is a psychologist.Teens,he says,need to sleep eight to nine hours or even nine to ten hours a night.He says sleepy teens can experience a form of depression  that could have big influence on their general well being.It can affect not just their ability in the classroom but also on the sports field and on the road.So what can schools do about sleepy students?The psychologist says one thing they can do is to start classes later in the morning.Studies show that students can improve by a full letter grade in their first and second period classes. Eric Peterson is the head of St.George's School in the northeastern state of Rhode Island.He wanted to see if a thirtyminute delay would make a difference.It did.He says visits to the health center by tired students decreased by half.Late arrivals to the first period fell by a third.And students reported that they were less sleepy during the day.Eric Peterson knows that changing start times is easier at a small school like his.But he is hopeful that other schools will find a way. \n Question: What's the best title for the passage? \n Options: (A) Later classes,fewer sleepy teens (B) Early birds have good food (C) Early to bed and early to rise (D) Fewer classes,more happiness", "neg": "Article: When a big exam is coming up, you probably feel anxious about any wasted time and want to begin school as soon as you probably can. But tens of thousands of British high school students will soon be getting up later. They're taking part in a new experiment by Oxford University to see if later classes can improve their exam results. Grades 10 students in the UK have to take the nationwide General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. They have to pass these exams in order to study more advanced courses, and later apply for universities. The Oxford University project means that GCSE students from more than 100 schools across England will start school at 10 am, more than one hour later than the current start time (8:50 am). The project is based on scientific evidence that teenagers are \"out of sync \" with traditional school hours, the Telegraph reported. And what they need is more sleep in the morning. \"We know that something funny happens when you're a teenager, in that you seem to be out of sync with the world,\" said professor Colin Epsie, who is leading the study. \"Your parents think it's because you are lazy and opinionated and everything will be OK if you could get to sleep earlier. But science is telling us that teenagers need to sleep more in the mornings.\" Everyone follows a natural cycle of sleep and wakefulne ss. Biology has decided that teenagers go to sleep around midnight and don't feel fully awake until 9-10 am, according to scientists. That's two hours later than adults. And their body clocks stay like this until the age of around 21 for males, and 19 for females. \"Society provides school for learning, but the brain provides sleep. So we are exploring the possibility that if you delay the schools start time until 10 am, that will improve learning performance,\" said Epsie. The results could be positive, based on previous studies. An early study at the UK's Monkseaton High School in 2009 found that starting an hour later improved grades in core subjects by 19 percent. The Oxford project is expecting to publish the results in 2018. It's time to wait and see whether scientists will give us an excuse to get up late. \n Question: According to the article, students who take part in the Oxford University project                               _  . \n Options: (A) will start school one hour earlier (B) will no longer have to take GCSE exams (C) will perform better academically than those who don't participate (D) will be guaranteed more sleeping time in the morning", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}588{"query": "Article: Ladji Doucoure of France beat Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China in the final meters to claim the title of the men's 110 meters hurdles at the 10thworld championships in Helsinki on Friday. Doucoure, who led the world this season with 12.97 seconds, over took the Chinese to win the race in 13.07 seconds. Liu was second in 13.08. Four-time world champion Allen Johnson of the United States took the third in 13.10. The 22-year-old Doucoure said after the race, \" I can not tell you just how long I have been dreaming of this. This victory is the result of a lot of hard work, and also a lot of support from people who have believed in me. I had a bad start, touched a few hurdles, but after the 4thhurdle I _ and went straight to the finish line.\" Liu, who won the Olympic gold with a world record-tying time of 12.91 seconds, said, \"I'm very satisfied with the second place. The result could have been worse. I felt quite well and did my best. I' m not tired, I had some clearance problems at the start, so I should practice that some mor. Finally, I didn't lose by much, only by a little bit, but I did think I could win it.\" Liu's coach, Sun Haiping said on Friday he was content with Liu's performance. \" Liu Xiang was quite good during his reaction period, but he was a little bit slow in the middle and he finally caught up during the last two hurdles,\" Sun told Xinhua. Although satisfied with the silver medal and the clocking of 13.08 seconds, Sun said Liu might have added the world title to the Olympic championship if Liu had run the track neighboring his major rivals  of Doucoure Ladji or Allen Johnson. \" If he had run next to Ladji Doucoure or Allen Johnson, Liu could have kept pace with them and then sprinted  at the last stage. In this case, he could grab the gold,\" said Sun, who had become a household name for coaching China's first men's Olympic champion in the track. \n Question: This passage probably appears  _  . \n Options: (A) in a story book (B) in a text book (C) in a newspaper (D) in a fashion magazine", "pos": "Article: One kilogram----that was all it took to crown(......) the world's strongest man. German weightlifter Matthias Steiner pulled ahead of Russian rival Evgeny Chigishev to win the Olympic men's +105 kg weightlifting gold medal on Tuesday. Steiner lifted a total of 461kg, 203kg in the snatch  and 258kg in the clean and jerk , to beat Chigishev by a single kilogram. The German won the battle of giants in his last lift, winning his country's first gold medal in the event at this year's Games. Steiner's winning lift was also the last effort of the sport for this Olympics at which China earned eight of the 15 golds. Steiner was born in Austria and represented his country of birth at the Athens Olympics four years ago, placing seventh in the lower 105kg category, but had a falling out with Austria's weightlifting federation afterwards. He applied for German citizenship in 2005 and got married, but his career went into deep freeze as he could not compete without a passport. He finally obtained the document last January. The German, who turns 26 on Monday, had come to these Games on a mission to win the title for his wife Susann, who died in a car accident in July last year. The German team said he used the personal tragedy to motivate himself to win the gold medal. Chigishev was the strongest in the snatch session Tuesday. He kissed his fists after a 210-kg lift that gave him a 7-kg advantage over fourth-placed Steiner going into the second event -- the clean and jerk. He let out a victorious roar after clearing 250 kg in his last lift, but the glory was short-lived as Steiner stunned everyone with his final, winning clean and jerk effort. Steiner had finished seventh in the 2004 Olympics in the 105kg weight category, and took the gold in the 2008 European Championship +105kg snatch competition, bronze in the clean and jerk and silver overall, with a total weight of 446kg. World champion Viktors Scerbatihs of Latvia settled for bronze. \n Question: Four years ago at the Athens Olympics Steiner represented   _  . \n Options: (A) Australia (B) Germany (C) Austria (D) Russia", "neg": "Article: (1) Liu Xiang got another gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the East Asian Games (EAG) in Macao last Wednesday.  The 22-year-old Liu defended his EAG title in 13.21 seconds, beating Shi Dongpeng (13.36) and Japan's Kota Kumamoto (13.89). His winning time was 0.16 seconds behind his top time this year and a further 0.08 behind this season's best: 12.97 set by Frenchman Ladji Doucoure, who beat Liu into second place in the world championships.  (2) Over 30,000 people were killed in the huge earthquake that took place in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan on October 8. Millions were left homeless after the quake destroyed houses, cutting off power and water.  The international community has responded to the countries' call for help. China has sent a rescue team, along with money and relief materials  . But because of bad weather, it is difficult for them to reach those in remote areas. The United Nations warned of a possible outbreak of infectious diseases  . \n Question: What is Liu Xiang's top time this year? \n Options: (A) 12.97 seconds. (B) 13.36 seconds. (C) 13.21 seconds. (D) 13.05 seconds.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}589{"query": "Article: Teen Dating can be fun if you are aware of its pros and cons and are also aware of the ways to protect yourself. There are a couple of suggestions you would like to know before you are out for dating. Do not go out for dating with somebody whom you have seen only a few times and does not know much about him or her. Before leaving on a date, know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time to expect you home. Let your date know that you are expected to call or tell that person when you get in. Similarly, if you leave a party with someone you do not know well, make sure you tell another person you are leaving and with whom. Ask a friend to call and make sure you arrive home safely. No matter how good the person appears to you, trust your inner instincts . If a situation makes you uncomfortable, try to stay calm and think of a way to remove yourself from the situation without letting your date realize what is going on in your mind. Be aware of your decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs and keep yourself in control when out for a date. Always stay firm, straightforward and clear in your relationships, thoughts, decisions and judgments. Never let a doubt come to your mind or face when out for dating. If you are firm and clear in your communication, your date will always be careful in dealing with you. You should think ahead about ways to be safe if you are in a dangerous or potentially dangerous relationship. Adults, like parents, teachers, counselors, can be trusted in such cases. \n Question: Which of the following is forbidden when dating according to the passage? \n Options: (A) Going out for dating with a stranger. (B) Knowing the plan for the evening. (C) Telling your parents about the date. (D) Telling the person you date that your parents know about the date.", "pos": "Article: While most high school students spend most of their time worrying about who  likes who, and different relationships between their classmates, I choose to focus on my school lessons and sports.  When I was young, my mother encouraged me to develop and keep friendship with boys in order to build strong relationships. But she told me not to risk a good friendship with a boy with the title of boyfriend. It' s indeed a wise choice to stay friends with those of the opposite sex. In my opinion, even though some high school relationship might continue after graduation, the probability of them lasting much longer is so slim that there really is not a point to it.  Firstly you have to think about such a question-- whether it is possible to hurt both of you, or even hurt both of your future husbands or wives. My second point is that you still can date if you hope marriage could possibly follow. Except this, there really is not any other reason for dating. Some students desire relationships for a chance to be romantic. While these are nice to have, there are many more important things at this point in our lives.  The titles of boyfriend and girlfriend put too much stress on a relationship between high school students. Just staying as common friends may be the best choice for us. I strongly recommend we should deal with it in an appropriate way and follow our teachers' advice if necessary. \n Question: The author writes this passage probably for   _  to read. \n Options: (A) high school students (B) school teachers (C) parents and teachers (D) married couples", "neg": "Article: Healthy relationships are fun and make you feel good about yourself. The relationships that you make in your teenage years will be a special pan of your life. They will teach you some of the most important lessons about who you are. This may help you understand different kinds of relationships, what makes each relationship special, and how to communicate in a positive way.      What makes a relationship healthy?     Communication and Sharing: The most important part of any healthy relationship between two people is being able to talk and listen to each other. You and the other person can find out what your common interests are. You can share your feelings with the other person and trust that he or she will be there to listen to you and support you. In healthy relationships, people don't lie. Communication is based on honesty and trust. By listening carefully and sharing your thoughts and feelings with other people, you show them that they play an important part in your life.     Respect and Trust: In healthy relationships, you learn to respect and trust important people in your life. Disagreements may still happen, but you learn to stay calm and talk about how you feel. Talking calmly helps you to understand the real reason for not getting along. It makes it much easier to figure out how to fix it. In healthy relationships, working through disagreements often makes the relationship stronger. In healthy relationships, people respect each other for who they are. This includes respecting and listening to yourself and your feelings so you can set boundaries and feel comfortable. You will find that you learn to understand experiences and feelings of others as well as having them understand your experiences and feelings.     How do I know that I have a healthy relationship with someone?     You know that you are in a healthy relationship with someone because you feel good about yourself when you are around that person. Unhealthy relationships can make you feel sad, angry, scared, or worried.     Healthy peer relationships involve an equal amount of giving and taking in the relationship. In unhealthy relationships, there is an unfair balance. You may often feel that you are giving the other person more attention than that he or she gives to you.     You should feel safe around the other person and feel that you can trust him or her with your secrets.  In a healthy relationship, you like to spend time with the other person, instead of feeling that you have to spend time with him or her. \n Question: The lessons you learn about the relationships in your teenage years may help you understand the following EXCEPT   _  . \n Options: (A) different kinds of relationships (B) different kinds of people and occasions (C) how to communicate in a positive way (D) what makes each relationship special", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}590{"query": "Article: Take That Tiger Mom In the ongoing battle between Tiger Moms, French Mamas, and everyone else who wants to know what is the best way to raise their kids, a new study adds evidence that the extreme Tiger-style may do more harm than good. Authoritarian parents are more likely to end up with disrespectful children with violent behaviors, the study found, compared to parents who listen to their kids with the goal of gaining trust. It was the first study to look at how parenting styles affect the way teens view their parents and, in turn, how they behave. The study considered three general styles of parenting. Authoritative parents are demanding and controlling while also being warm and sensitive to their children's needs. Authoritarian parents, on the contrary, are demanding and controlling without the appearance of caring, attachment and receptiveness. They take a \"my way or the highway\" approach to their kids. Permissive parents, the third group, have warm and receptive qualities, but they set few boundaries and carry out few rules. Using data on early 600 kids from an ongoing study of middle school and high school students in New Hampshire, researchers from the University of New Hampshire were able to find \"my way or the highway\" parenting with more violent behaviors like robbery, drug-taking, and attacking someone else with the intention of hurting or killing. Firm but loving parenting, on the other hand, led to fewer lawbreakers. Permissive parenting, surprisingly, didn't seem to make much of a difference either. To explain the link between parenting style and behavior in kids, the researchers suggested that what matters most is how reasonable kids think their parents' power is. This sense comes when kids trust that their parents are making the best decisions for them and believe that they need to do what their parents say even if they don't always like how their parents are treating them. When kids respect the power of their parents, the researchers reported in the journal of Adolescence, their behavior is better. Previous research has also linked firm but caring parenting with kids who have more self-control and independence. \"When children consider their parents to be the reliable figure, they trust the parents and feel that they have a duty to do what their parents tell them to do,\" said lead researcher Pick Trinkner. \"This is very important as the parent doesn't have to rely on a system of rewards and punishments to control behavior and the child is more likely to follow the rules when the parent is not physically present.\" \n Question: Tiger Moms and French Mamas are mentioned in the passage to   _  . \n Options: (A) give an example of authoritarian parenting (B) show the advantage of parenting (C) compare two types of parenting (D) introduce the topic", "pos": "Article: A new book written by a Chinese American on her super-strict parenting - \"Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother\" has raised fierce debates in the US. Amy Chua is a Yale Law School professor and the mother of two teenage girls. She is the daughter of Chinese immigrants. In the Chinese culture, the tighter represents strength and power. In her book, Ms. Chua writes about how she demanded excellence from her daughters. Chua writes that her daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were never allowed to go on a date, be in a school play, watch TV or play computer games. They couldn't choose their own after-class activities or get any grade less than an A. They had to play piano or violin - and no other musical instruments.     She writes that if a Chinese child gets a B - which she says \"would never happen\" - there would be \"a screaming, hair-tearing explosion.\" She describes making her 7-year-old daughter play a piano piece perfectly - yelling and not letting her leave the bench even to use the bathroom - until it was. Many people have criticized Amy Chua. Some say her parenting methods were abusive. She even admits that her husband, who is not Chinese, objected to her parenting style. But she says that was the way her parents raised her and her three sisters. Stacy Debroff, who has written four books on parenting, says Amy Chua's parenting style is not limited to Chinese families. She says it represents a traditional way of parenting among immigrants seeking a better future for their children. But she also sees a risk. When children have no time to be social or to follow their own interests, they might not develop other skills that they need to succeed in life. Stacy Debroff advises parents not to just repeat the way they were raised. Alison Lo, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Washington's Bothell campus, said. \"I don't think Amy is advocating a best practice of parenting style, or that success and achievements are critical yardsticks of a good life. But I can imagine how strong her daughters' college applications are going to be. For many parents whose dreams are seeing their kids graduating from a competitive university, Amy is sharing with the readers that it is achievable by persistent, dedicated parental guidance,\" Lo said. \"In that sense, a young adult's giftedness can be born, or made.\" \n Question: We can learn that Amy Chua is   _  . \n Options: (A) an assistant professor (B) an easy-going woman (C) A cruel teacher (D) A demanding mother", "neg": "Article: \"Tiger Mother\" parenting raises media storm. A new book written by a self-described Chinese descent  on her super-strict parenting--Battle Hymn of the Tiger Motherhas raised media storm and fierce debates in the U.S. Amy Chua is a Yale Law School professor and the mother of two teenage girls. She is the daughter of immigrants of Chinese descent. In the Chinese culture,the tiger symbolizes strength and power. In her book Ms.Chua writes about how she demanded excellence from her daughters. For example,her daughters,Sophia and Louisa,were never allowed to attend a sleep-over,be in a school play,watch TV or play computer games. They couldn't choose their own after-class activities or get any grade less than an A.They had to play piano or violin--and no other musical instruments. She writes that if a Chinese child gets a B--which she says \"would never happen\"--there would be a screaming,hairtearing explosion\".She describes making her 7-year-old daughter play a piano piece perfectly--yelling and not letting her leave the bench even to use the bathroom--until it was. Many people have criticized Chua. Some say her parenting methods were abusive. She even admits that her husband,who is not Chinese,objects to her parenting style. But she says that was the way her parents raised her and her three sisters. Stacy DeBroff,who has written four books about parenting,says Amy Chua's parenting style is not limited to Chinese families. She says it represents a traditional way of parenting among immigrants seeking a better future for their children. But she also sees a risk. When children have no time to be social or to follow their own interests, they might not develop other skills that they need to succeed in life. Stacy DeBroff advised parents not to just repeat the way they were raised. Alison Lo,an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Washington's Bothell campus said, \"I don't think Amy is advocating a best practice of parenting style, or that success and achievements are critical yardsticks  of a good life. But I can imagine how strong her daughters' college applications are going to be. For many parents whose dreams are seeing their kids graduating from a competitive university,Amy is sharing with the readers that it is achievable by persistent,dedicated parental guidance,\"Lo said in an interview with Julie Muhlstein,a columnist with the US-based Heraldnet.com.\"In that sense,a young adult's giftedness can be born,or made,\"Lo continued. \n Question: According to the passage, which is TRUE of Amy Chua? \n Options: (A) She is an easy-going woman. (B) She is an assistant professor. (C) She is a demanding parent. (D) She is a cruel teacher.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}591{"query": "Article: The ancient whistled language of the small island of La Gomera, off the coast of Africa, is about to disappear because of new technology and globalization. Now, a web company has taken on the task of saving the language by marrying history with technology. Silbo Gomero, a language used only on La Gomera Island, sounds to the untrained ear like few other known languages. The sounds that make up this language are made by whistling, rather than by speaking. The language was brought to the island by African setters many centuries ago. To communicate among the  _ populated inland hills and valleys, shepherds   had to use the whistled language, which could be heard and understood over distances of up to eight kilometers, compared to about 200 meters for a spoken word. With the development of new technologies like the cellphone, the number of Silbo Gomero whistlers has declined to around 1,000. Many of the older generation of islanders fear the language, which they consider to be a cultural symbol, may become extinct. To save Silbo Gomero, Busuu.com, a website based in Madrid, has launched a movement to teach Internet users worldwide to communicate using the language's unique whistles. \"We really like the whole story of Silbo Gomero because it is really a fun language, \" said Bernard Niesner, the company's co-founder.  Niesner says one of the founding principles of the website was to promote learning languages in danger of extinction. \"If Busuu.com really works out like we think, it would be an amazing tool for language learning all over the world,\" Niesner said. \"The name of our website itself comes from Busuu, a language that is spoken by only eight people.\" \n Question: Compared to other languages, Silbo Gomero is special because it   _  . \n Options: (A) has a very long story. (B) was once very popular in Africa. (C) doesn't use sounds (D) is spoken by whistling", "pos": "Article: La Gomera is the only place in the world which has a whistle  language. We do not know how and why it began because we do not know the complete history of the island. But we can certainly imagine the reasons for the beginning of the whistle language. There are many deep valleys on the island. A person on one side of a valley can not easily shout to a person on the other side. But he can whistle and be heard. Some of the best whistlers can be heard from four miles away and the record is seven miles. The people who live on the island usually have good teeth, and this helps them to whistle well. They must also have good ears so that they can hear other whistlers. We can understand why the whistle language continues. It is very useful on the island, and quite easy to learn. When somebody is hurt or ill, the whistle language takes the place of telephone. If the sick person is quite far away from the town, people pass the message from one to another. A boy guarding cattle on a hillside whistles to a man fishing from his boat. The last one is able to describe the trouble fully and exactly to the doctor in town. People help one another in the same way when a car breaks down or a cow is lost. The whistle language is hundreds of years old, and probably it will continue to live on for hundreds of years more. Radio and TV often kill the special ways of speaking in different parts of a country. But on La Gomera you are nobody if you cannot whistle. Perhaps soon after TV arrives on the island, people there will be whistling the news and other facts and opinions. \n Question: If a person on La Gomera is ill,  _  . \n Options: (A) others will phone the doctor in town (B) people will take him to town by carriage (C) his family will take him to the hospital (D) the whistle language will help pass the message to the doctor", "neg": "Article: Of the 7,000 languages spoken in the world today, linguists   say, nearly half are likely to disappear this century. In fact, one falls out of use about every two weeks. Some languages die out in an instant, at the death of the only surviving speaker. Others are lost gradually in bilingual   cultures, as local tongues are edged out by the dominant   language at school, in the marketplace and on television. New research, supported by the National Geographic Society and the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages, has found the five regions where languages are disappearing most rapidly. They are northern Australia, central South America, North America's upper Pacific coastal zone, eastern Siberia, and Oklahoma and the southwestern United States. K. David Harrison, an associate professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College, US, said that more than half the languages had no written form and were _ to loss and being forgotten.\" Their loss leaves no dictionary, no text, or no record of the accumulated knowledge and history of a disappeared culture. Harrison and other researchers started their rescue project last year. They have been trying to identify and record endangered languages. They interviewed and made recordings of the few remaining speakers of a language and collected basic word lists. The individual projects, some lasting three to four years, involve hundreds of hours of recording speech, developing grammar and preparing children's readers in the obscure   language. The research has concentrated on preserving entire language families. \"These are probably languages that cannot be brought back, but at least we made records of them,\" said Gregory Anderson, director of the Living Tongues Institute, in Oregon, US. \n Question: What does the passage mainly tell us? \n Options: (A) Many languages are quickly disappearing. (B) Some languages are disappearing because they are hard to remember. (C) Chinese is one of the languages that are disappearing. (D) Thanks to some researchers, many endangered languages have been rescued.", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}592{"query": "Article: Every day is a gift, and if you look forward to spending each day with happiness, wake up every morning with a positive attitude and enjoy a beautiful day! Set up a daily plan for yourself and ensure that you reserve enough time for your homework. Also, don't forget to spare some time for play! Stop being lazy and start participating in your life instead of just watching it pass by. Try to do something fun and constructive every day. _ , write something interesting in your diary, try a new hobby, spend time with your friends, or just watch your favorite show on television, and you will see how every moment of your day unfolds. You'll achieve better results, and ultimately greater success. However, every day will not be the way you want it to be. Some days will be good, while some will be bad. You won't be always happy and smiling. You may come across many challenges. Don't forget to remind yourself to slow down and take care of yourself. In today's busy lifestyle, it is necessary to relax to bring balance and joy back into your life. So, take charge of your life. Enjoy and appreciate the small things around you. Do a good deed and make others happy. Sometimes, doing something as simple as having a cup of tea with an old friend or a family member, listening to a cheerful song, or just writing down all the things that make you happy could indeed turn your day around! Review and analyze your day before you retire at night. Reward yourself for completing the set goals and prepare the stage for the next day. This will impact your sleep and overall happiness levels. Plan for the next day, take a good rest, and wake up fresh the next morning! If you will you are doing the same things every day, step out of your comfort zone and set aside some time to do things you have never done before. Stretch your limits. Not only will it make a boring day exciting but it will also build your confidence. \n Question: Who are the intended readers of the passage? \n Options: (A) Teachers (B) Students (C) Workers (D) People in general", "pos": "Article: Welcome every morning with a smile. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail. Starting the day right can give good momentum   for the rest of the day. Having a power morning is a key factor for a fruitful day. Here are some tips on getting the most out of the morning. Wake up early. In theory, there's no difference in waking up early or late as long as you get the proper amount of sleep. However, there is a psychological advantage when you wake up earlier than the average person and then you'll have more time to do preparation before engaging in the real world. Exercise. Good health is always a benefit with exercise, but studies have also shown that morning exercise helps you to sleep better at nights. Eat breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day. According to the Mayo Clinic, we should choose three from the following four: fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. Did you know that you can actually gain weight when you skip breakfast? Take a shower. When you shower, do you do it in the morning or at night? I used to shower in the evenings, but I found that morning showers helped me to be more alert. Prioritize   your To-Do list. Leo _ the acronym MIT to mean \"most important tasks.\" Our to-do list might be never ending, but put on top of the list a couple of urgent tasks that will define the day to be a successful one. Check your emails. Only once. Getting a lot of emails can be very distractive. You actually are more productive when you check them only a few times at fixed time of the day. I only do them 2-3 times a day--once in the morning, once at lunch, and one more as it gets toward the end of the day. \n Question: The purpose for the author to write this passage is to  _  . \n Options: (A) tell you to get up early every day (B) offer you the best way to start the day (C) give you advice about how to arrange a day (D) advise you to prioritize your to-do list every morning", "neg": "Article: It does not have to be January 1stto give yourself a chance to make the most out of your day. Every day is a new day and a fresh start to learn, grow, develop your strengths, free yourself from past regrets or hurts, and move forward older and wiser. Every day gives you a chance to reinvent   yourself. It is never too late to change things that are not working in your life. Each day is a new beginning and a piece of blank paper. How would you like to create your day? What would you like to paint on it? If you wake up in a negative mind, you are more likely to paint a dark picture throughout the day, and your picture will not show hope, happiness and joy. If you take each day to think actively, and have a positive intention  for how you would like to create your day, how would your life be different? What can daily positive intentions do for you? Every day you will give yourself the gift of an \"attitude of gratitude \". Each day is a chance to look at things in a different way. You can experience each day in the beauty of the world-and the beauty of you who are in it! You find yourself changing from \"I can't\" to \"I can\". With a focus on positive intentions, you feel you are full of power and more like a \"winner\" than a \"loser\". You pay more attention to the present, and will be more likely to live fully in the present each moment of each day. After all, the past is a great place to visit, but you don't want to live there! So how about starting each day taking a moment to think of a positive intention for the day? \n Question: If you have daily positive intentions, you will  _  . \n Options: (A) get a positive result (B) have a busy life (C) get gifts from others (D) be a complete loser", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}593{"query": "Article: Some children are natural-born bosses. They have a strong need to make decisions, manage their environment, and lead rather than follow. Stephen Jackson, a Year One student, \"operates under the theory of what's mine is mine and what's yours is mine,\" says his mother. \"The other day I bought two new Star Wars light sabers . Later, I saw Stephen with the two new ones while his brother was using the beat-up ones. \" \"Examine the extended family, and you'll probably find a bossy grandparent, aunt, uncle or cousin in every generation. It's an inheritable trait,\" says Russell Barkley, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. Other children who may not be particularly bossy can gradually gain dominance when they sense their parents are weak, hesitant, or in disagreement with each other. Whether it's inborn nature or developed character at work, too much control in the hands of the young isn't healthy for children or the family, Fear is at the root of a lot of bossy behavior, says family psychologist John Taylor. Children, he says in his book From Defiance to Cooperation, \"have secret feelings of weakness\" and \"a desire to feel safe. \" It's the parents' role to provide that protection. When a \"boss child\" doesn't learn limits at home, the stage is set for a host of troubles outside the family. The overly willful and unbending child may have trouble obeying teachers or coaches, for example, or trouble keeping friends. It can be pretty lonely as the top dog if no one likes your bossy ways. \"I see more and more parents giving up their power,\" says Barkley, who has studied bossy behavior for more than 30 years. \"They bend too far because they don't want to be as strict as their own parents were. But they also feel less confident about their parenting skills. Their kids, in turn, feel more anxious. \" \n Question: Bossy children like Stephen Jackson  _  . \n Options: (A) make good decisions (B) show self-centeredness (C) lack care from others (D) have little sense of fear", "pos": "Article: \"Mom, you should put some of your things away. The house should be safe for the baby,\" said my son Mark as he walked upstairs with his wife and fifteen-month-old Hannah. They visited us for the Thanksgiving holiday. After driving all day from Salt Lake to Ft. Collins, his temper showed. \"That one finger rule may work with other kids, but never Hannah,\" he insisted. When my three granddaughters first moved into our house three years ago, my friend offered me her secret to behave grandchildren. \"Teach them the 'one finger rule'.\" All of her five grandchildren learned it at a young age and it proved to also work well with mine.  I picked up my granddaughter and said, \"Well, Mark, just watch.\" I hugged her and walked all around the great room. \"Hannah, you may touch anything in this room you want, but, you can only use one finger.\" I showed the technique by touching my forefinger to the sculpture. Hannah followed my example. \"Good girl. Now what else would you like to touch?\" She stretched her finger toward the lamp. I allowed her to touch everything in sight, plants, glass objects, TV, VCR, speakers, etc. If she started to grab , I gently reminded her to use one finger. She always obeyed. However, Hannah, an only child, possessed a more adventurous personality. Her father predicted it would prevent her from accepting the \"one finger rule\". During their four-day stay, we aided Hannah in remembering \"one finger rule\". She learned quickly.  Months later, my husband and I drove to Salt Lake. I watched Mark continue to practice the one finger rule. I smiled happily each time he asked Hannah to touch with \"one finger\". \n Question: Mark and his family came to the author's house to   _  . \n Options: (A) ask the author to look after Hannah for them (B) visit the author for the Thanksgiving holiday (C) help Hannah practice the \"one finger rule\" (D) find a safe place for Hannah to live in", "neg": "Article: Take That Tiger Mom In the ongoing battle between Tiger Moms, French Mamas, and everyone else who wants to know what is the best way to raise their kids, a new study adds evidence that the extreme Tiger-style may do more harm than good. Authoritarian parents are more likely to end up with disrespectful children with violent behaviors, the study found, compared to parents who listen to their kids with the goal of gaining trust. It was the first study to look at how parenting styles affect the way teens view their parents and, in turn, how they behave. The study considered three general styles of parenting. Authoritative parents are demanding and controlling while also being warm and sensitive to their children's needs. Authoritarian parents, on the contrary, are demanding and controlling without the appearance of caring, attachment and receptiveness. They take a \"my way or the highway\" approach to their kids. Permissive parents, the third group, have warm and receptive qualities, but they set few boundaries and carry out few rules. Using data on early 600 kids from an ongoing study of middle school and high school students in New Hampshire, researchers from the University of New Hampshire were able to find \"my way or the highway\" parenting with more violent behaviors like robbery, drug-taking, and attacking someone else with the intention of hurting or killing. Firm but loving parenting, on the other hand, led to fewer lawbreakers. Permissive parenting, surprisingly, didn't seem to make much of a difference either. To explain the link between parenting style and behavior in kids, the researchers suggested that what matters most is how reasonable kids think their parents' power is. This sense comes when kids trust that their parents are making the best decisions for them and believe that they need to do what their parents say even if they don't always like how their parents are treating them. When kids respect the power of their parents, the researchers reported in the journal of Adolescence, their behavior is better. Previous research has also linked firm but caring parenting with kids who have more self-control and independence. \"When children consider their parents to be the reliable figure, they trust the parents and feel that they have a duty to do what their parents tell them to do,\" said lead researcher Pick Trinkner. \"This is very important as the parent doesn't have to rely on a system of rewards and punishments to control behavior and the child is more likely to follow the rules when the parent is not physically present.\" \n Question: Tiger Moms and French Mamas are mentioned in the passage to   _  . \n Options: (A) give an example of authoritarian parenting (B) show the advantage of parenting (C) compare two types of parenting (D) introduce the topic", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}594{"query": "Article: As the new semester begins, millions of college students across the country are trying hard to remember how best to write a paper or, more likely, how best to delay that paper. Procrastination is the thief of time and a lot of students suffer from it. They can spend whole days in the library doing nothing but staring into space, eating snacks, surfing the Internet, watching videos and looking at other students sitting around them, who, most likely, are doing nothing either. Paralyzed   by their habit to procrastinate, they write micro blogs about their fears, asking their online friends if they sometimes have the same issue. But this does nothing to break the spell  . According to a recent report, 95 percent of us procrastinate at some point and 20 percent of the world's population are always procrastinating. The figures are disappointing. Procrastinators are less wealthy, less healthy and less happy than those who don't delay. Procrastinators like to find excuses to justify their behavior, but BBC columnist Rowan Pelling says they are all wrong. Many procrastinators tell themselves they are perfectionists who work best under pressure. Pelling says this is nonsense, as work done at the last minute is more likely to have mistakes than work done on time. The behavior of procrastinators often makes them feel ashamed, inconveniences others and annoys loved ones. Pelling also points out that procrastination feels particularly delinquent  in a society that thinks of speedy action as admirable, and, at times, even as a moral good. Fortunately, social scientists have thrown their weight behind efforts to understand this behavioral mistake and offer strategies to control it. Piers Steel, a Canadian social scientist and author of The Procrastination Equation, believes human is \"designed\" to procrastinate. Nevertheless, he suggests a couple of good ways to get through the task at hand. \n Question: Which behavior belongs to procrastination? \n Options: (A) Never dream away the time. (B) Always complete the tasks ahead of time. (C) Never put off till tomorrow what should be done today. (D) Always wait to work until the \"good mood\" or \"good time\".", "pos": "Article: College life can become a great struggle because students have to balance school, a social life, and sometimes a job as well. The following steps could help the grades of college students.     Go to class. Why did your parents pay for your tuition or why are your parents paying their taxes for financial aid? Even when you don't feel like attending class, just go.  71   Many classes have in-class assignments, pop quizzes, and case studies that only could be taken in class. If you are not there, you might lose points. \n Question: Some students start better than they finish. They do that in order to give themselves room to slack near the end of the semester, which can be a mistake. Push yourself to do your best on every assignment. Stay on top of your game and don't lose focus. \n Options: (A) Stay organized. (B) Maintain 100% effort throughout the semester. (C) You might get participation points, and the professor will also get to know you better. (D) The rest of the day would be your own time.\nE.Use your time effectively and efficiently.\nF.Find your own best method of studying.\nG.Balance work, school and social life.", "neg": "Article: Everyone procrastinates.We put things off because we don't want to do them, or because we have too many other things on our plates.Putting things off--big or small--is part of being human. But procrastination does have consequences.When your procrastination leaves you feeling discouraged, it is time to take action, and one of the best ways to get rid of it is to make an un-schedule. An un-schedule is a weekly calendar of all the ways in which your time is already accounted for.You consider not only your timed commitments such as classes and meetings, but also your untimed activities such as meals, exercise, time with friends, and the like.Once you have made your un-schedule, you may be able to see your time is often filled with more activities than you realize, for instance, that you really don't have five hours to spend writing on the night before your paper is due.Procrastinators' views of time tend to be unrealistic, and the un-schedule can help you outline a realistic plan.By planning accordingly, you will not only get a better night's sleep, you may also end up with a better paper. The un-schedule might also be a good way to get started on a larger project, such as a term paper or an honors paper.You may think that you have \"all semester\" to get the writing done, but if you really map out how much time you have available to write on a daily and weekly basis, you will see that you need to get started sooner, rather than later.In addition, the un-schedule may reveal especially busy weeks or months, which will help you budget time for long-term projects. Perhaps most importantly, the un-schedule can help you examine how you spend your time.You may be surprised at how much time you spend watching television, and decide to make a change.It's especially important that you build time for fun activities into your un-schedule.Otherwise, you will procrastinate in order to steal time for relaxation. You can also use the un-schedule to record your progress towards your goal.Reward yourself for your small successes.Seeing what you've achieved will help reinforce the productive behavior, and you will feel more motivated in the following process. As you explore ways to conquer procrastination, don't expect overnight transformation.You developed the habit over a long time; you aren't going to stop magically.But you can change the behavior, bit by bit.If you start to make an un-schedule now, you will eventually develop new habits. \n Question: Which of the following statements best reflects an un-schedule? \n Options: (A) \"Now I have more time for fun.\" (B) \"I can start my big project later.\" (C) \"I'll treat myself to a movie for my progress.\" (D) \"I'm going to have more time to finish my paper.\"", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}595{"query": "Article: Researchers in the psychology department at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have discovered a major difference in the way men and women respond to stress. This difference may explain why men are more likely to suffer from stress-related disorders. Until now, psychological research has maintained that both men and women have the same \"fight-or-flight\" reaction to stress. In other words, individuals either react with aggressive behavior, such as verbal or physical conflict (\"fight\"), or they react by withdrawing from the stressful situation (\"flight\"). However, the UCLA research team found that men and women have quite different biological and behavioral responses to stress. While men often react to stress in the fight-or-flight response, women often have another kind of reaction which could be called \"tend and befriend.\" That is, they often react to stressful conditions by protecting and nurturing their young (\"tend\"), and by looking for social contact and support from others - especially other females ('befriend\"). Scientists have long known that in the fight-or- flight reaction to stress, an important role is played by certain hormones  released by the body. The UCLA research team suggests that the female tend-or-befriend response is also based on a hormone. This hormone, called oxytocin, has been studied in the context of childbirth, but now it is being studied for its role in the response of both men and women to stress. The principal investigator, Dr. Shelley E. Taylor, explained that \"animals and people with high levels of oxytocin are calmer, more relaxed, more  social, and less anxious.\" While men also secrete oxytocin, its effects are reduced by male hormones. In terms of everyday behavior, the UCLA study found that women are far more likely than men to seek social contact when they are feeling stressed. They may phone relatives or friends, or ask directions if they are lost. The study also showed how fathers and mothers responded differently when they came home to their family after a stressful day at work. The typical father wanted to be left alone to enjoy some peace and quiet. For a typical mother, coping with a bad day at work meant focusing her attention on her children and their needs. The differences in responding to stress may explain the fact that women have lower frequency of stress-related disorders such as high blood pressure or aggressive behavior. The tend-and-befriend regulatory  system may protect women against stress, and this may explain why women on average live longer than men. \n Question: The UCLA study shows that in response to stress, men are more likely than women to   _   . \n Options: (A) turn to friends for help (B) solve a conflict calmly (C) find an escape from reality (D) seek comfort from children", "pos": "Article: \"Humans should not try to avoid stress any more just as they would not  _ food, love or exercise,\" said Dr. Hans Selye, the first physician to record the effects of stress on the body. While here's one question that continuous stress is harmful, several studies suggest that challenging unexpected and difficult situations can be good for you.     In a 2001 study of 158 hospital nurses, those who faced considerable work demands but dealt with the challenge were more likely to say they were in good health. In a study at theprefix = st1 /AcademicCenter, researchers put volunteers through a stressful experience: a timed task that required memorizing a list followed by a short test. Those who did well on the memory test had an increase in levels of immunoglobulin A, which is the body's first line of defense against germs .     Stress makes the body produce certain stress hormones. In short bursts these hormones have a positive effect including improved memory function. \"They can help nerve cells deal with information and put it into storage,\" says Dr. Bruce McEwen of Rockefeller University inNew York. But in the long run these hormones can have a harmful effect on the body and brain.     \"Continued stress is not good for you,\" says Dr. Bruce,\" it's the short burst of stress that could be protective.\" \n Question: The passage is mainly about_. \n Options: (A) how to avoid stress (B) how to deal with stress effectively (C) the benefits of manageable stress (D) the effect of stress hormones on memory", "neg": "Article: Decision-making under Stress A new review based on a research shows that acute stress affects the way the brain considers the advantages and disadvantages, causing it to focus on pleasure and ignore the possible negative   consequences of a decision. The research suggests that stress may change the way people make choices in predictable ways. \"Stress affects how people learn,\" says Professor Mara Mather. \"People learn better about positive than negative outcomes under stress.\" For example, two recent studies looked at how people learned to connect images  with either rewards or punishments. In one experiment, some of the participants were first stressed by having to give a speech and do difficult math problems in front of an audience; in the other, some were stressed by having to keep their hands in ice water. In both cases, the stressed participants remembered the rewarded material more accurately and the punished material less accurately than those who hadn't gone through the stress. This phenomenon is likely not surprising to anyone who has tried to resist eating cookies or smoking a cigarette while under stress -at those moments, only the pleasure associated with such activities comes to mind. But the findings further suggest that stress may bring about a double effect. Not only are rewarding experiences remembered better, but negative consequences are also less easily recalled. The research also found that stress appears to affect decision-making differently in men and women. While both men and women tend to focus on rewards and less on consequences under stress, their responses to risk turn out to be different. Men who had been stressed by the cold-water task tended to take more risks in the experiment while women responded in the opposite way. In stressful situations in which risk-taking can pay off big, men may tend to do better, when caution weighs more, however, women will win. This tendency to slow down and become more cautious when decisions are risky might also help explain why women are less likely to become addicted than men: they may more often avoid making the risky choices that eventually harden into addiction. \n Question: We can learn from the passage that people under pressure tend to   _  . \n Options: (A) keep rewards better in their memory (B) recall consequences more effortlessly (C) make risky decisions more frequently (D) learn a subject more effectively", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}596{"query": "Article: Bernie was smart and wanted to be his own boss.When Bernie was 25 he took a wife. Bernie had saved some money and decided on a dry goods and grocery store combined.               Marie had a knack for arranging the merchandise to appeal to customers and Bernie didn't mind the long hours. He was happy, and life was good.The business thrived until the great depression hit the entire country. No one had money to purchase pretty things or even food. In 1930, Marie had a heart attack and left Bernie alone.                Following Marie's death, which Bernie felt was brought about from worrying about the store, He lost interest in everything. He had few customers and did not make them feel welcome, Bernie wandered about the store , dusting a bit and sweeping the floor. His inventory remained almost the same, as nothing much was sold .A deep depressing set in. He had lost Marie , his true love , and now his business seemed lost as well, Why did he want to live ?               A few houses down the street lived a family who had also fallen on hard times. They seldom had three meals a day. Julie , the youngest girl, was fourteen . Julie worried about Mr. Mears' getting so thin. At meal time, she would take a portion of their meal to Bernie. She would stay and talk to him, dusting and cleaning .                After several months Bernie began to improve. He still had no customers to speak of, but from what he had left in the stor , he would sack a few cans to take to Julie's family.                In early spring, Julie saw her father planting a garden. This gave her an idea. She suggested Bernie making a garden in the big space beside the store, which they had once thought would become a parking lot , and sell the produce really cheap in the store. It would help the neighbors and also Bernie to have money for new merchandise. They would plant half the garden space now and half in three weeks giving them fresh produce for a long time .                Julie prayed hard as they placed the seeds in the ground. When the seeds sprouted, Julie looked anxiously at the rows and there were no empty spots. They all came up and produced the best crop of vegetables Bernie had ever seen. They soon became well-known in the community for having the best prices and finest produce in town . They also extended credit to their neighbors and accepted various items as trade for merchandise.               The two of them worked hard throughout the 1930s and made a very successful business. Julie earned a salary . As the economy picked up, so did sales at the store. \n Question: What's the best title of this passage ? \n Options: (A) Mears' Family Store (B) A Neighbor of Mears' (C) The Deep Depression (D) Vegetables in Garden", "pos": "Article: At 20 year of age F.W. Woolworth found work in exchange for room and board at a local dry goods store , and after his employers held a successful clearance sale he saw the possibilities of a discount store. His key improvements were having the goods on open display instead of behind the counter , and having prices plainly marked instead of bargaining. With borrowed funds he opened his first F.W. Woolworth store in the suburb of Utica, New York in 1879, but the store closed the following year . Deciding that his problem had been a poor location. He opened a new store in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylyania in 1881. Within months he was opening multiple stores in business partnerships with local retailers,and within a few years Woolworth was a millionaire. In 1909 he opened his first store in England, and in 1913 the company opened its new headquarters in New York's Woolworth Building--then the tallest building in the world. Woolworth had a deep fear of dentists , allowing his teeth to rot ,and died of a dental lunch counters in many stores , Woolworth was America's largest restaurant chain through the 1940s. The company peaked as the world's largest department store chain in the late 1970s, with more than 4 . 000 stores. By the late 1990s business was sputtering  , and the company closed all of its American department stores,renamed itself Venator, and sold the Woolworth Building . In 2003 Venator renamed itself after the company's most successful division, Foot Locker, Inc . Under separate ownership , Woolworth stores are still operated in Austria , Germany , Mexico, South Africa , and the United Kingdom. \n Question: The first F. W. Woolworth store failed mainly because  _  . \n Options: (A) it was located too far away from the city center (B) it was a new brand for customers (C) its goods are much too expensive (D) it was inconvenient for customers to choose goods", "neg": "Article: It was the summer of 1965. Deluca, then 17, visited Peter Buck, a family friend. Buck asked Deluca about his plan for the future. \"I'm going to college, but I need a way to pay for it,\" Deluca recalls saying. \"Buck said, 'you should open a sandwich shop.'\" That afternoon, they agreed to be partners. And they set a goal: to open 32 stores in ten years. After doing some research, Buck wrote a check for $1,000. Deluca rented a storefront   in Connecticut, and when they couldn't cover their startup costs, Buck kicked in another $1,000. But business didn't go smoothly as they expected. Deluca says, \"After six months, we were doing poorly, but we didn't know how badly, because we didn't have any financial controls.\" All he and Buck knew was that their sales were lower than their costs. Deluca was managing the store and to the University of Bridgeport at the same time. Buck was working at his day job as a nuclear physicist in New York. They'd meet Monday evenings and brainstorm ideas for keeping the business running. \"We convinced ourselves to open a second store. We figured we could tell the public, 'We are so successful; we are opening a second store.'\" And they did--in the spring of 1966. Still, it was a lot of learning by trial and error. But the partners' learnasyougo approach turned out to be their greatest strength. Every Friday, Deluca would drive around and handdeliver the checks to pay their supplies. \"It probably took me two and a half hours and it wasn't necessary but as a result, the suppliers got to know me very well, and the personal relationships established really helped out,\" Deluca says. And having a goal was also important. \"There are so many problems that can get you down. You just have to keep working toward your goal,\" Deluca adds. Deluca ended up founding Subways Sandwich, the multimilliondollar restaurant chain. \n Question: Deluca opened the first sandwich shop in order to   _  . \n Options: (A) support his family (B) do some research (C) help his partner expand business (D) pay for his college education", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}597{"query": "Article: The college entrance exam is not only a big challenge   for Chinese high school students, but also a very important exam in the lives of South Korean students. Although the long, cold winter has already started in South Korea, the annual   national exams have made the atmosphere very heated. More than 675,000 South Korean high school graduates took the college entrance exam last Wednesday. They usually take exams in Korean, maths, sociology  , history and foreign languages. Officially there is one college place for every 1.33 students. But because all the students want to go to the top universities in the country, the competition can reach one place for 10 students. The students want to attend these colleges for both their famous names and better job opportunities. Because students face fierce competition, they have to study very hard to realize their dreams. Park Seung said he and his classmates often go to school before 7:30 a.m. After school has finished at 6:30 p.m., most of them go to the library to continue their study instead of returning home. Since many libraries in South Korea are open 24 hours a day, they often stay long into the night. Many of the Senior 3 students only sleep for three to four hours a day. \"I feel a lot of pressure, but I have to study very hard in order to make my dream come true. This is my lifetime goal and it will be a turning point in my life which could decide my future,\" Park said. The exam day is a very serious day for the whole of South Korea. Vehicles are not allowed within a 200-metre radius   of all the test sites to make sure the students have quiet surroundings. Tooting   of horns is forbidden, even airplanes are ordered to avoid landing and take-off near the test sites during listening comprehension test hours. Students are told their scores in December before they apply for college. This is followed by face-to-face oral tests. There are public and private universities in South Korea. Many private universities are well-known, but their fees can be 18, 000 yuan each term. This has made a lot of students think again. \n Question: What do we know about South Korean annual national exams? \n Options: (A) Senior 3 students have to compete fiercely because there is only one place for 10 students. (B) Senior 3 students have to stay long into night at school. (C) Many of the Senior 3 students can't have enough sleep. (D) Airplanes are ordered to avoid landing and take-off during national exams.", "pos": "Article: Chinese high school students have the longest study hours compared to their peers in Japan , the US  and South Korea. A survey conducted by the four countries said. The survey, released by the China Youth and Children Research Center on Monday, was jointly conducted with instructions in the four countries in September-October of 2008. It covers nearly 4,000 students in senior schools and vocational high schools in the four countries. About 78.3 percent of Chinese students said they spend more than eight hours at school and 56.7 percent said they study at least two more hours each day at home .by contrast, only 24.7 percent of their peers in the US , 20.5percent in Japan and 15.4 in Korea study more than two hour s after school. Around 60 percent of all students surveyed said their burden for studies was the heaviest. However the Japanese felt their burden was the worst with respondents   reaching 79.2 percent Among the five biggest headaches for young people in the four countries were: 0ver-sheduling ranked first, followed by a boring leisure life, unsatisfied appearance, little time for exercise and making friends, and no spare money \"Moderate study pressure can better drive students to develop, however, too much will press their development space, and can even cause harm to their physical and psychological health\" the survey said \"Balancing their studies and all round development is a very important task\" it said. \n Question: What would be the best title for the text? \n Options: (A) Chinese high school students study more (B) high school students need more rest (C) heavy burdens of high school students (D) big headaches of high school students", "neg": "Article: Experts say that students usually need eight to ten hours' sleep at night, but most Chinese students do not get enough sleep. Some Chinese parents are usually glad to see their children study late. They will think their children work very hard. But not all parents are happy about this. Once a mother told us that every morning her 10-year-old boy put up one finger with his eyes still closed, begging for one more minute to sleep. Like thousands of students \"early birds\" in China, he has to get up before six every morning.    A report shows that without a good night's sleep, students seem to be weaker than they should be. Many students have fallen asleep during class at one time or another. Too much homework is not the only reason why students stay up late. Some watch TV or play the computer games late into the night.   Experts have said that students should develop good study habits. So some clever students never study late, they are able to work well in class. \n Question: Experts have told us students should   _  . \n Options: (A) get enough sleep (B) not get enough sleep (C) study late (D) sleep less", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}598{"query": "Article: The Internet has led to a huge increase in credit-card  fraud.Your card information can even be on sale on an illegal website.Websites offering cheap goods and services should be regarded with care.Online shoppers who enter their credit-card information may never receive the goods they thought they had bought. The thieves then go shopping with your card number--or sell the information over the Internet.Computer hackers have broken down security system, raising questions about the safety of card holder information. Several months ago, 25,000 customers of a CD universe, an online music retailer , were not lucky.Their names, addresses and credit-card numbers were posted on a Website after the retailer refused to pay $ 157,828 to get back the information.Credit-card firms are now fighting against online fraud.Master-card is working on plans for web-only credit-cards, with a lower credit limit.The card can be used only for shopping online.However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep from being cheated. Ask about your credit-card firm's online rules: under British law, card holders are responsible for the first $ 78 of any fraudulent spending.And shop only at secure sites: send your credit-card information only if the website offers advanced security system.If the security is in place, a letter will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. The website address may also start with Http extra \"s\" stands for security.If in doubt, give your credit-card information over the telephone. Keep your password safe: most online sites require a user name and password before placing an order.Treat your password with care. \n Question: According to this passage most people worry about shopping on the Internet because   _  . \n Options: (A) a great number of stolen credit-cards are sold on the Internet every day (B) fraud on the Internet happens very often (C) many Websites break down every day (D) there are too many illegal Websites on the Internet", "pos": "Article: The Internet has led to a huge increase in credit-card fraud. Your card information could even be for sale in an illegal web site. Web sites offering cheap goods and services should be regarded with care. On-line shoppers who enter their credit-card information may never receive the goods they thought they bought. The thieves then go shopping with your card number -- or sell the information over the Internet. Computers hackers have broken down security systems, raising questions about the safety of cardholder information. Several months ago, 25, 000 customers of CD Universe, an on-line music retailer , were not lucky. Their names, addresses and credit-card numbers were posted on a Web site after the retailer refused to pay US $157, 828 to get back the information. Credit-card firms are now fighting against on-line fraud. Mastercard is working on plans for Web -- only credit card, with a lower credit limit. The card could be used only for shopping on-line. However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep from being cheated. Ask about your credit-card firm's on-line rules: Under British law, cardholders have to pay the first US $78 of any fraudulent  spending. And shop only at secure sites; Send your credit-card information only if the Web site offers advanced secure system. If the security is in place, a letter will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. The Website address may also start https: //--the extra \"s\" stands for secure. If in doubt, give your credit-card information over the telephone. Keep your password safe: Most on-line sites require a user name and password before placing an order. Treat your passwords with care. \n Question: What do most people worry about the Internet according to this passage? \n Options: (A) A lot of stolen credit-cards were sold on the Internet. (B) Fraud on the Internet. (C) Many Web sites are destroyed. (D) Many illegal Web sites are on the Internet.", "neg": "Article: It is amazing to note that the Internet is still such a new device,and yet it is one of the fastest and most powerful media tools. But think about it for a moment. On the Internet,a big online company can be run by only two guys in their garage. So it is only reasonable then,that people shopping online would be a little _ of the security levels. Internet giants such as Microsoft knew consumer confidence was the key to getting virtual  shopping off the ground,and they work hard to make people feel safe to shop online. Credit card companies,too,quickly saw the potential for online shopping,and have installed things like online shopping insurance for people. If you ever have a problem with your online credit purchases,many credit card companies will happily refund  your money and then set their claws on the company that wronged you. Now that's buying power! There are other bonuses for online shoppers,of course. No lineups,for one. No annoying mall shopping carts with broken wheels and kids crying because their parents won't get them what they want. When shopping online,consumers can sit down,have a coffee,and wear their slippers,not having to worry about their hair or parking,and just clicking through sale after sale. Comparison shopping couldn't be any easier. And thanks to courier companies  getting in on the act,you never need to wait longer than a day or two to get those all important purchases delivered right to your door. No wonder so many companies are shaking their heads at traditional advertising and instead looking to the\"virtual\" world to attract online shoppers. \n Question: Consumer confidence in online shopping mainly relies on  _  . \n Options: (A) freedom of shopping (B) shopping convenience (C) security in shopping (D) Internet access", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}599{"query": "Article: \"For those who haven't been to Tibet is a dream; for those who have already been there, Tibet is a memory.\" said Li Wan, a graduate from Zhongshan University. \"For me, living there is my dream and happiness.\" Li was suddenly crazy about Tibet after working there for three months as an office clerk. Since 2008, Li has spent most of her time travelling in Tibet. Four years have passed and she has been almost every corner of Tibet. Li came to Tibet firstly because of her desire for personal freedom. She entered Tibet along the Yunnan-Tibetan road, enjoying the special view happily. She was surprised to find that it is a white paradise  on earth. Although she couldn't even speak a word of Tibetan language, she had no difficulty in communicating with natives. \"To me, they are free, generous, simple and happy. It appears to me that people should live in this way, singing while working, dancing while living.\" Li said.  Li Wan's dream is to live in Tibet for a long time. She has learnt to make good use of every penny and keep her cost of living within 300 yuan a month. Li has shown great courage in the adventures . On many situations she travelled alone in some places in terrible climate. To her greatest surprise, she learned to value life and to follow her own heart. \"I felt very close to death many times when I was in extreme coldness and quietness, running out of energy. After having survived the difficulties, I find more beauty in my life. I have learned to insist on my dream,\" she said. \n Question: This passage mainly talks about   _  . \n Options: (A) the challenges Li Wan met in Tibet (B) the travel of Li Wan made in Tibet (C) the people Li Wan communicated with in Tibet (D) the route of Li Wan planned in Tibet", "pos": "Article: My decision to travel around China lay merely with my curiosity about the place. Before coming here, China seemed _ to me ----a place that expected to be hugely dissimilar from my own British culture. After travelling from Beijing up to Xi'an, I wanted to challenge myself by choosing a smaller town----Xiahe in Gansu Province. I arrived in Lanzhou at around 5 am, but there were no buses to Xiahe. I managed to spot a policeman and attempted to explain my destination to him in simple English, praying that he would understand. I wasn't sure that he did but I just followed him anyway as I had no choice. He took me on a bus and I didn't know where I was going. Luckily, I met a student who explained to me in English that the policeman was taking me to another bus station where I could take a bus to Xiahe. During this conversation a third man said he was also a policeman and would help me buy tickets. But as he was not in uniform, I was a little doubtful. The uniformed policeman told me it was OK to go with the third man, so I got off the bus with the so-called policeman who at this point, disappeared and I was left in the middle of nowhere. I stood panicking. Around one minute later a police car came and stopped right by me. It was the un-uniformed policeman. I got into the car and he dropped me directly at the bus station, and helped me buy the ticket. This is one of many experiences that I have had in China. I realized that however different this culture was, there was one thing that would always stand out--kindness. In the west we seem to lack the foundation of trust, yet in China it seems that there will always be someone to answer your questions and lead you the right way. \n Question: Why did the un-uniformed policeman disappear after the author got off the bus? \n Options: (A) He hurried to buy a ticket for the author. (B) He went to get a car to pick the author up. (C) The author didn't behave in a friendly way. (D) The author found a uniformed policeman to help him.", "neg": "Article: After finishing my teaching for a school year, I thought that I should go back to Montreal, Quebec, my hometown for a visit. My main goal was to relax in preparation for the challenges of my retirement in the coming year. Through my stay in Montreal, I met lots of Chinese who are struggling to succeed and then lead a better life in Canada. Some travelled thousands of miles to get knowledge. When I spoke with some of them about the major barrier they had to face after they arrived in Canada, they all talked about the two official languages of Canada. But I was impressed by their ability to express their ideas while switching between English and French. Almost all of those people said they often felt homesick. They miss their families and friends. Though Montreal has lots of Chinese restaurants, they long for a home-cooked meal. I met some tourists who were trying to realize their childhood dreams of experiencing the life in a developed country. When I asked them if Montreal had lived up to their expectations, they hesitated. They said that reality never agrees with fantasies. However, they were glad to have the opportunity to visit Montreal and didn't regret taking the trip. Not all the Chinese people I met were happy. I once met a young lady who met with a gentleman through the Internet. However, to her disappointment, he disappeared after he promised to marry her in Montreal. I was served by another Chinese person who could not handle the challenges of studying in an English environment and ended up working in a restaurant with minimum pay. Exploring different parts of the world, without any doubt, is an enriching experience. However, one should be realistic when it comes to leaving his hometown to set up a new life in a foreign country. One should take the time to examine the advantages and the shortcomings of the venture before they decide to chase an uncertain dream of achieving success or leading a better life. \n Question: The writer went to her hometown to   _  . \n Options: (A) meet her old friends (B) study a new language (C) go on with her teaching (D) prepare for her retirement life", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}600{"query": "Article: D The year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet   is heading towards the Earth . Most of it will miss our planet , but two pieces will probably hit the southern half of the Earth . On 17 July , a piece four kilometers wide enters the Earth's atmosphere   with a massive explosion . About half of the piece is destroyed , but the remaining part hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound . The sea boils and a huge hole is made in the sea bed . Huge waves are created and spread outwards from the hole . The wall of water , a kilometer high , rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour . Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people re drowned . Before the waves reach South America , the second piece of the comet lands in Argentina . Earthquakes and volcanoes are set off in the Andes Mountains . The shock waves move north into California and all around the Pacific Ocean . The cities of Los Angeles , San Francisco and Tokyo are completely destroyed by earthquakes . Millions of people in the southern half of the earth are already dead, but the north won't escape for long . Because of the explosions , the sun is hidden by clouds of dust , temperatures around the world fall to almost zero .Crops are ruined . The sun won't be seen again for many years . Wars break out as countries fight for food . A year later , no more than 10 million people remain alive . Could it really happen ? In fact , it has already happened more than once in the history of the Earth . The dinosaurs were on the Earth for over 160 million years . Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared . Many scientists believe that the Earth was hit by a piece of object in space . The dinosaurs couldn't live through the cold climate that followed and they died out . Will we meet the same end ? \n Question: What is mainly described in the passage ? \n Options: (A) A historic discovery . (B) An event of imagination (C) A research on space . (D) A scientific adventure .", "pos": "Article: The year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet   is heading towards the Earth. Most of it will miss our planet, but two pieces will probably hit the southern half of the Earth.  On 17 July, a piece four kilometers wide enters the Earth's atmosphere with a massive explosion.  About half of the piece is destroyed, but the remaining part hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound. The sea boils and a huge hole is made in the sea bed. Huge waves are created and spread outwards from the hole. The wall of water, a kilometer high, rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometers an hour. Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people are drowned.  Before the waves reach South America, the second piece of the comet lands in Argentina.  Earthquakes and volcanoes are set off in the Andes Mountains. The shock waves move north into California and all around the Pacific Ocean. The cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tokyo are completely destroyed by earthquakes. Millions of people in the southern half of the earth are already dead, but the north won't escape for long.  Because of the explosions, the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero. Crops are ruined. The sun won't be seen again for many years. Wars break out as countries fight for food. A year later, no more than 10 million people remain alive.  Could it really happen? Will we meet the same end? \n Question: What is mainly described in the passage? \n Options: (A) A historic discovery. (B) An event of imagination. (C) An event will happen on the earth. (D) A scientific adventure.", "neg": "Article: In July 1994 Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, was struck by 21 pieces of a comet  . When the fragments   landed in the southern part of the giant planet, the explosions were watched by scientists here on earth. But what if our own planet was hit by a comet? The year is 2094. It has been announced that a comet is heading towards the Earth. Most of it will miss our planet, but two fragments will probably hit the southern part of the Earth. The news has caused panic. On 17 July, a fragment four kilometers wide enters the Earth's atmosphere with a huge explosion. About half of the fragment is destroyed. But the major part survives and hits the South Atlantic at 200 times the speed of sound. The sea boils and an enormous wave is created and spreads. The wall of water rushes towards southern Africa at 800 kilometres an hour. Cities on the African coast are totally destroyed and millions of people are drowned. The wave moves into the Indian Ocean and heads towards Asia. Millions of people are already dead in the southern part of the Earth, but the north won't escape for long. Tons of broken pieces are thrown into the atmosphere by the explosions. As the sun is hidden by clouds of dust, temperatures around the world fall to almost zero. Crops are ruined. Wars break out as countries fight for food. A year later civilization has collapsed. No more than 10 million people have survived. Could it really happen? In fact, it has already happened more than once in the history of the Earth. The dinosaurs were on the Earth for over 160 million years. Then 65 million years ago they suddenly disappeared. Many scientists believe that the Earth was hit by a space fragment. The dinosaurs couldn't survive in the cold climate that followed and they became extinct. Will we meet the same end? \n Question: 55.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the author's description of the disaster in 2094? \n Options: (A) The whole world becomes extremely cold (B) All the coastal cities in Africa are destroyed (C) The visit of the comet results in wars (D) The whole mankind becomes extinct", "instruction": "In this task, you're given an article, a question which often contains a blank and four options (associated with \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\"). Your task is to find the correct answer (from the given options) for the question from the given article and return one of the options from \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", and \"D\". Do not generate anything else apart from one of the following characters: \"A\", \"B\", \"C\", \"D\". There is only one correct answer for each question."}601