Scientists are as obsessed with the question of why the super old survive and thrive as Ponce de Leon was the Fountain of Youth. They want to understand why the Japanese islands of Okinawa are home to the world's largest population of centenarians, with almost 600 of its 1.3 million inhabitants living into their second century–many of them are still active and looking decades younger than their actual age.

In addition to studying these populations intensively to unlock their secrets, scientists have also taken a hard look at the very old in the U.S., most notably in the New England Centenarian Study, led by Dr. Thomas Perls, a geriatrician at Boston University. While the very old are happy to offer homespun explanations for their longevity–"I never took a drink; "I drank a shot of whiskey every day"–experts are trying to unravel and understand the biological factors that allow some people to reach 100 while others drop off in their 70s or 80s. Researchers are particularly interested in determining which factors allow up to 30% of those who reach 100 to do so in sufficient mental and physical health: a whopping 90% of centenarians, according to Perls, remain functionally independent up to age 92.

It is pretty obvious even to non-scientists that how you get there depends on the genes you are born with and lifestyle–what and how much you eat, where you live, and what types of stress and trauma you experience. How much each of these factors contributes, though, was unknown until Swedish scientist tackled the problem in 1998. They looked at a set of people who share genes but not lifestyle: identical twins who were separated at birth and reared apart. If genes were most important, you would expect the twins to die at about same age. In fact, they do not, and the average determined. The dominant factor is lifestyle.

According to the information in the passage, people may ...

Scientists are as obsessed with the question of why the super old survive and thrive as Ponce de Leon was the Fountain of Youth. They want to understand why the Japanese islands of Okinawa are home to the world's largest population of centenarians, with almost 600 of its 1.3 million inhabitants living into their second century–many of them are still active and looking decades younger than their actual age.

In addition to studying these populations intensively to unlock their secrets, scientists have also taken a hard look at the very old in the U.S., most notably in the New England Centenarian Study, led by Dr. Thomas Perls, a geriatrician at Boston University. While the very old are happy to offer homespun explanations for their longevity–"I never took a drink; "I drank a shot of whiskey every day"–experts are trying to unravel and understand the biological factors that allow some people to reach 100 while others drop off in their 70s or 80s. Researchers are particularly interested in determining which factors allow up to 30% of those who reach 100 to do so in sufficient mental and physical health: a whopping 90% of centenarians, according to Perls, remain functionally independent up to age 92.

It is pretty obvious even to non-scientists that how you get there depends on the genes you are born with and lifestyle–what and how much you eat, where you live, and what types of stress and trauma you experience. How much each of these factors contributes, though, was unknown until Swedish scientist tackled the problem in 1998. They looked at a set of people who share genes but not lifestyle: identical twins who were separated at birth and reared apart. If genes were most important, you would expect the twins to die at about same age. In fact, they do not, and the average determined. The dominant factor is lifestyle.

Which of the following is true about the information in the text?

Scientists are as obsessed with the question of why the super old survive and thrive as Ponce de Leon was the Fountain of Youth. They want to understand why the Japanese islands of Okinawa are home to the world's largest population of centenarians, with almost 600 of its 1.3 million inhabitants living into their second century–many of them are still active and looking decades younger than their actual age.

In addition to studying these populations intensively to unlock their secrets, scientists have also taken a hard look at the very old in the U.S., most notably in the New England Centenarian Study, led by Dr. Thomas Perls, a geriatrician at Boston University. While the very old are happy to offer homespun explanations for their longevity–"I never took a drink; "I drank a shot of whiskey every day"–experts are trying to unravel and understand the biological factors that allow some people to reach 100 while others drop off in their 70s or 80s. Researchers are particularly interested in determining which factors allow up to 30% of those who reach 100 to do so in sufficient mental and physical health: a whopping 90% of centenarians, according to Perls, remain functionally independent up to age 92.

It is pretty obvious even to non-scientists that how you get there depends on the genes you are born with and lifestyle–what and how much you eat, where you live, and what types of stress and trauma you experience. How much each of these factors contributes, though, was unknown until Swedish scientist tackled the problem in 1998. They looked at a set of people who share genes but not lifestyle: identical twins who were separated at birth and reared apart. If genes were most important, you would expect the twins to die at about same age. In fact, they do not, and the average determined. The dominant factor is lifestyle.

Which of the following best express the main idea of the text?

Many modern educational experts claim that teaching facts and academic skills is less important than achieving other social objectives. For some liberals, the schools must first change attitudes or provide nurturing in place of failed families or help establish equality and social justice. For some conservatives, the schools must first prepare kids for the workplace by molding them into supple corporate citizens, while others want the focus to be on family values, a competitive spirit, or other social or behavioral objectives. But the idea of simply educating kids seems to have taken a backseat to most educational experts and administrators. They miss the point that kids with real academic skills, especially skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, are more likely to overcome social barriers, more likely to have genuine self esteem, and most likely to be genuinely prepared for the challenges of life and the workplace. By emphasizing so many things besides a genuine, classical education, the educational establishment tends to sell our kids short and bring about many of the problems they claim to be solving.

Consider the case of Wesley Elementary School in Houston. According to Richard Nadler in the article, "Failing Grade", Wesley has all the demographic markers of a school bound for failure. Over 80% of the students qualify for subsidized lunches, and nearly all are minorities (92% black. 7% Hispanic). Yet it ranks 15 among the best schools of Houston, with first-graders placing at the 82nd percentile level in reading tests which is 50 points higher than the expected level for similar at-risk schools.

What has made Wesley so successful? The answer is classical education in the form of Direct Instruction curriculum designed by Siegfried Engelmann, an example of the much ridiculed "sage-on-the-stage" approach. This Direct Instruction system boosts reading, writing, and math scores by 30 to 40 percentile points in at risk schools. Sadly, Engelmann, like others who successfully challenge popular fads in educational reform, has been rejected by much of the educational establishment. His success is an embarrassment to them.

Which of the following best reflects the author's opinion about schools?

Many modern educational experts claim that teaching facts and academic skills is less important than achieving other social objectives. For some liberals, the schools must first change attitudes or provide nurturing in place of failed families or help establish equality and social justice. For some conservatives, the schools must first prepare kids for the workplace by molding them into supple corporate citizens, while others want the focus to be on family values, a competitive spirit, or other social or behavioral objectives. But the idea of simply educating kids seems to have taken a backseat to most educational experts and administrators. They miss the point that kids with real academic skills, especially skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, are more likely to overcome social barriers, more likely to have genuine self esteem, and most likely to be genuinely prepared for the challenges of life and the workplace. By emphasizing so many things besides a genuine, classical education, the educational establishment tends to sell our kids short and bring about many of the problems they claim to be solving.

Consider the case of Wesley Elementary School in Houston. According to Richard Nadler in the article, "Failing Grade", Wesley has all the demographic markers of a school bound for failure. Over 80% of the students qualify for subsidized lunches, and nearly all are minorities (92% black. 7% Hispanic). Yet it ranks 15 among the best schools of Houston, with first-graders placing at the 82nd percentile level in reading tests which is 50 points higher than the expected level for similar at-risk schools.

What has made Wesley so successful? The answer is classical education in the form of Direct Instruction curriculum designed by Siegfried Engelmann, an example of the much ridiculed "sage-on-the-stage" approach. This Direct Instruction system boosts reading, writing, and math scores by 30 to 40 percentile points in at risk schools. Sadly, Engelmann, like others who successfully challenge popular fads in educational reform, has been rejected by much of the educational establishment. His success is an embarrassment to them.

The second paragraph is related to the first paragraph in which the second paragraph presents ...

Many modern educational experts claim that teaching facts and academic skills is less important than achieving other social objectives. For some liberals, the schools must first change attitudes or provide nurturing in place of failed families or help establish equality and social justice. For some conservatives, the schools must first prepare kids for the workplace by molding them into supple corporate citizens, while others want the focus to be on family values, a competitive spirit, or other social or behavioral objectives. But the idea of simply educating kids seems to have taken a backseat to most educational experts and administrators. They miss the point that kids with real academic skills, especially skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, are more likely to overcome social barriers, more likely to have genuine self esteem, and most likely to be genuinely prepared for the challenges of life and the workplace. By emphasizing so many things besides a genuine, classical education, the educational establishment tends to sell our kids short and bring about many of the problems they claim to be solving.

Consider the case of Wesley Elementary School in Houston. According to Richard Nadler in the article, "Failing Grade", Wesley has all the demographic markers of a school bound for failure. Over 80% of the students qualify for subsidized lunches, and nearly all are minorities (92% black. 7% Hispanic). Yet it ranks 15 among the best schools of Houston, with first-graders placing at the 82nd percentile level in reading tests which is 50 points higher than the expected level for similar at-risk schools.

What has made Wesley so successful? The answer is classical education in the form of Direct Instruction curriculum designed by Siegfried Engelmann, an example of the much ridiculed "sage-on-the-stage" approach. This Direct Instruction system boosts reading, writing, and math scores by 30 to 40 percentile points in at risk schools. Sadly, Engelmann, like others who successfully challenge popular fads in educational reform, has been rejected by much of the educational establishment. His success is an embarrassment to them.

ln writing the text, the writer's tone could be best describes as ...

Many modern educational experts claim that teaching facts and academic skills is less important than achieving other social objectives. For some liberals, the schools must first change attitudes or provide nurturing in place of failed families or help establish equality and social justice. For some conservatives, the schools must first prepare kids for the workplace by molding them into supple corporate citizens, while others want the focus to be on family values, a competitive spirit, or other social or behavioral objectives. But the idea of simply educating kids seems to have taken a backseat to most educational experts and administrators. They miss the point that kids with real academic skills, especially skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, are more likely to overcome social barriers, more likely to have genuine self esteem, and most likely to be genuinely prepared for the challenges of life and the workplace. By emphasizing so many things besides a genuine, classical education, the educational establishment tends to sell our kids short and bring about many of the problems they claim to be solving.

Consider the case of Wesley Elementary School in Houston. According to Richard Nadler in the article, "Failing Grade", Wesley has all the demographic markers of a school bound for failure. Over 80% of the students qualify for subsidized lunches, and nearly all are minorities (92% black. 7% Hispanic). Yet it ranks 15 among the best schools of Houston, with first-graders placing at the 82nd percentile level in reading tests which is 50 points higher than the expected level for similar at-risk schools.

What has made Wesley so successful? The answer is classical education in the form of Direct Instruction curriculum designed by Siegfried Engelmann, an example of the much ridiculed "sage-on-the-stage" approach. This Direct Instruction system boosts reading, writing, and math scores by 30 to 40 percentile points in at risk schools. Sadly, Engelmann, like others who successfully challenge popular fads in educational reform, has been rejected by much of the educational establishment. His success is an embarrassment to them.

From the second paragraph, it can be inferred that ...

Many modern educational experts claim that teaching facts and academic skills is less important than achieving other social objectives. For some liberals, the schools must first change attitudes or provide nurturing in place of failed families or help establish equality and social justice. For some conservatives, the schools must first prepare kids for the workplace by molding them into supple corporate citizens, while others want the focus to be on family values, a competitive spirit, or other social or behavioral objectives. But the idea of simply educating kids seems to have taken a backseat to most educational experts and administrators. They miss the point that kids with real academic skills, especially skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, are more likely to overcome social barriers, more likely to have genuine self esteem, and most likely to be genuinely prepared for the challenges of life and the workplace. By emphasizing so many things besides a genuine, classical education, the educational establishment tends to sell our kids short and bring about many of the problems they claim to be solving.

Consider the case of Wesley Elementary School in Houston. According to Richard Nadler in the article, "Failing Grade", Wesley has all the demographic markers of a school bound for failure. Over 80% of the students qualify for subsidized lunches, and nearly all are minorities (92% black. 7% Hispanic). Yet it ranks 15 among the best schools of Houston, with first-graders placing at the 82nd percentile level in reading tests which is 50 points higher than the expected level for similar at-risk schools.

What has made Wesley so successful? The answer is classical education in the form of Direct Instruction curriculum designed by Siegfried Engelmann, an example of the much ridiculed "sage-on-the-stage" approach. This Direct Instruction system boosts reading, writing, and math scores by 30 to 40 percentile points in at risk schools. Sadly, Engelmann, like others who successfully challenge popular fads in educational reform, has been rejected by much of the educational establishment. His success is an embarrassment to them.

Given that the baseline score in reading is 23 percentile points, which of the following most likely reflects the maximum impact of Direct Instruction on the students' learning achievement in Wesley Elementary School?

Thousands of baby penguins in Antarctica have died from starvation after their parents failed to find food across unusually extensive sea ice. Only two chicks survived from a colony of 40,000 penguins after it suffered a catastrophic breeding season earlier this year.

Despite low ice early in the season, penguins in Terre Adelie in east Antarctica had to travel much further for food, leaving their chicks to starve. While Adelie penguins are generally faring well in east Antarctica, they are declining in the peninsula, have already felt the effects of climate change.Back then, the combination of heavy sea ice with unusually warm weather and rain, followed by a drop in temperature, left many chicks freezing to death.

‘The region is impacted by environmental changes that are linked to the breakup of the Mertz glacier since 2010,’ said Yan Ropert-Coudert, who leads the Adelie penguin programme next to the colony.

1. Why did many baby penguins die?

Thousands of baby penguins in Antarctica have died from starvation after their parents failed to find food across unusually extensive sea ice. Only two chicks survived from a colony of 40,000 penguins after it suffered a catastrophic breeding season earlier this year.

Despite low ice early in the season, penguins in Terre Adelie in east Antarctica had to travel much further for food, leaving their chicks to starve. While Adelie penguins are generally faring well in east Antarctica, they are declining in the peninsula, have already felt the effects of climate change.Back then, the combination of heavy sea ice with unusually warm weather and rain, followed by a drop in temperature, left many chicks freezing to death.

‘The region is impacted by environmental changes that are linked to the breakup of the Mertz glacier since 2010,’ said Yan Ropert-Coudert, who leads the Adelie penguin programme next to the colony.

2. What will the readers probably feel after reading the text?

Thousands of baby penguins in Antarctica have died from starvation after their parents failed to find food across unusually extensive sea ice. Only two chicks survived from a colony of 40,000 penguins after it suffered a catastrophic breeding season earlier this year.

Despite low ice early in the season, penguins in Terre Adelie in east Antarctica had to travel much further for food, leaving their chicks to starve. While Adelie penguins are generally faring well in east Antarctica, they are declining in the peninsula, have already felt the effects of climate change.Back then, the combination of heavy sea ice with unusually warm weather and rain, followed by a drop in temperature, left many chicks freezing to death.

‘The region is impacted by environmental changes that are linked to the breakup of the Mertz glacier since 2010,’ said Yan Ropert-Coudert, who leads the Adelie penguin programme next to the colony.

3. “... it suffered a catastrophic breeding season earlier this year.” (Paragraph 1)

The underlined word has synonymous meaning with ...

This man was born near Kendal, Westmorland, England, on 3rd April, 1845. He was successful in developing several varieties of drought- and rust-resistant wheat that made possible a great expansion of Australia’s wheat belt.

He settled in Australia in 1870. In 1875 he was licensed as a surveyor and worked in the land department of New South Wales for 11 years, after which he returned to his home and began experimental wheat breeding. The New South Wales agricultural department appointed him wheat experimentalist in 1898. He developed several varieties of wheat, including Federation, which was made available to Australian farmers in 1902–1903. This variety soon became the country’s most popular one. Later developments in wheat breeding owed much to his methods. He died in New South Wales, Australia on 16th April 1906.

4. In what field did the man contribute?

This man was born near Kendal, Westmorland, England, on 3rd April, 1845. He was successful in developing several varieties of drought- and rust-resistant wheat that made possible a great expansion of Australia’s wheat belt.

He settled in Australia in 1870. In 1875 he was licensed as a surveyor and worked in the land department of New South Wales for 11 years, after which he returned to his home and began experimental wheat breeding. The New South Wales agricultural department appointed him wheat experimentalist in 1898. He developed several varieties of wheat, including Federation, which was made available to Australian farmers in 1902–1903. This variety soon became the country’s most popular one. Later developments in wheat breeding owed much to his methods. He died in New South Wales, Australia on 16th April 1906.

5. How could his invention be useful for people?

We will agree that mosquitoes should be repelled, due to several reasons. They are very annoying and makes our bodies itchy. We cannot sleep well when mosquitoes are around us.

The other reason is that mosquitoes have transmitted many diseases including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis and more recently the West Nile and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are even to blame for heart worm in pets.

To overcome the problem, practice good mosquito control in your garden so that the pests don’t get out of hand. The best thing you can do is to prevent water from collecting and becoming stagnant. Mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs even in a tiny spoonful of standing water.

6. What is the text about?

We will agree that mosquitoes should be repelled, due to several reasons. They are very annoying and makes our bodies itchy. We cannot sleep well when mosquitoes are around us.

The other reason is that mosquitoes have transmitted many diseases including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis and more recently the West Nile and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are even to blame for heart worm in pets.

To overcome the problem, practice good mosquito control in your garden so that the pests don’t get out of hand. The best thing you can do is to prevent water from collecting and becoming stagnant. Mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs even in a tiny spoonful of standing water.

7. Why should people make water flowing?

Mulberries are large, deciduous trees native to the warm, temperate, and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Technically, mulberry fruit is an aggregation of small fruits arranged concentrically around the central axis as in blackberry or loganberries. Each fruit measures 2-5 cm in length.

More than hundred species of Morus exist. In the taxonomy, it generally identified by the color of flower buds and leaves, but not by the color of the berries. In most species, mulberries feature purple-red color while ripening; however, there can be white, red, purple or multiple variegated colors on the same berry.

8. What is the purpose of the text?

Mulberries are large, deciduous trees native to the warm, temperate, and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Technically, mulberry fruit is an aggregation of small fruits arranged concentrically around the central axis as in blackberry or loganberries. Each fruit measures 2-5 cm in length.

More than hundred species of Morus exist. In the taxonomy, it generally identified by the color of flower buds and leaves, but not by the color of the berries. In most species, mulberries feature purple-red color while ripening; however, there can be white, red, purple or multiple variegated colors on the same berry.

9. Why are mulberry plants different from others?

A basket filled with perfectly arranged fruit makes a crowning touch for your holiday table. You can customize your design by arranging the basket yourself.

First of all, select your container. Use an attractive, sturdy and large enough basket to hold your desired array of fruit. Then, cushion the bottom of your container with filler, such as shredded paper, plastic basket grass in pretty colors or raffia strips. Later, choose your fruit. Select a few small items to add variety to the basket, if desired.

After that, arrange your basket, starting with the largest and heaviest items. Position the largest pieces of fruit in the middle of the basket. Set smaller fruit around the edges, with the smallest pieces on top and filling in gaps. Finally, finish off the design with a large bow. Use wire to attach ribbon to the outer edge of the basket or to the handle.

10. Where should we put the container filler?

A basket filled with perfectly arranged fruit makes a crowning touch for your holiday table. You can customize your design by arranging the basket yourself.

First of all, select your container. Use an attractive, sturdy and large enough basket to hold your desired array of fruit. Then, cushion the bottom of your container with filler, such as shredded paper, plastic basket grass in pretty colors or raffia strips. Later, choose your fruit. Select a few small items to add variety to the basket, if desired.

After that, arrange your basket, starting with the largest and heaviest items. Position the largest pieces of fruit in the middle of the basket. Set smaller fruit around the edges, with the smallest pieces on top and filling in gaps. Finally, finish off the design with a large bow. Use wire to attach ribbon to the outer edge of the basket or to the handle.

11. What will the readers possibly do after reading the text?

A man who lived a long time ago believed that he could read the future in the stars. He spent his time at night gazing at the sky.

One evening, he was walking along the open road outside the village. His eyes were fixed on the stars. He thought he saw the end of the world was at a hand, when all at once, down he went into a hole full of mud and water. There he stood up to his ears, in the muddy water, and madly clawed at the slippery sides of the hole in his effort to climb out.

His cries for help soon brought the villagers running. As they pulled him out of the mud, one of them said,”You pretend to read the future in the stars, and yet you fail to see what is at your feet! This may teach you to pay more attention to what is right in front of you, and let the future take care of itself.

12. What will the readers probably feel after reading the story?

A man who lived a long time ago believed that he could read the future in the stars. He spent his time at night gazing at the sky.

One evening, he was walking along the open road outside the village. His eyes were fixed on the stars. He thought he saw the end of the world was at a hand, when all at once, down he went into a hole full of mud and water. There he stood up to his ears, in the muddy water, and madly clawed at the slippery sides of the hole in his effort to climb out.

His cries for help soon brought the villagers running. As they pulled him out of the mud, one of them said,”You pretend to read the future in the stars, and yet you fail to see what is at your feet! This may teach you to pay more attention to what is right in front of you, and let the future take care of itself.

13. What would happen to the man if he didn’t stare at the sky?

It was midnight, but Nadya still could not close her eyes. She was still awake when she heard a thundering sound outside. She listened to the sound carefully. It came from the hill near her house. She went outside to see what was happening. Under moonlight she saw the land on the hill sliding. Moments later, she heard the sound of kentongan, a traditional tool, indicated that a natural disaster was occurring.

Nadya rushed into her house, to wake her family up. On arrival at the dining room, she met her father, mother and brother who had woken up. Her neighbor asked them to evacuate. He also reminded to lock their house before leaving, to avoid any theft or other crimes. Along the journey to the evacuation place, Nadya saw many houses ruined due to the disaster.

14. What natural disaster struck Nadya’s village?

It was midnight, but Nadya still could not close her eyes. She was still awake when she heard a thundering sound outside. She listened to the sound carefully. It came from the hill near her house. She went outside to see what was happening. Under moonlight she saw the land on the hill sliding. Moments later, she heard the sound of kentongan, a traditional tool, indicated that a natural disaster was occurring.

Nadya rushed into her house, to wake her family up. On arrival at the dining room, she met her father, mother and brother who had woken up. Her neighbor asked them to evacuate. He also reminded to lock their house before leaving, to avoid any theft or other crimes. Along the journey to the evacuation place, Nadya saw many houses ruined due to the disaster.

15. Where did Nadya live?

Once upon a time, there was a gang of evil goblins who lived in a forest. They spent a lot of their time making fun of a poor old man who could now hardly move, see, or hear. They showed no respect for his age.

The situation became so extreme that the Great Wizard decided to teach the goblins a lesson. He cast a spell, and from that moment, every insult they directed at the old man made the old man better, but had the opposite effect on the goblin who was doing the insulting.

Certainly, the goblins knew nothing about what was happening. The more they called the man an "old fool", the younger and sharper of mind he became, while the goblin who had shouted at him aged rapidly, and became a little more foolish.

As time went on, those evil goblins were becoming terribly old, ugly, stupid, and clumsy without even realizing it. Finally, the Great Wizard allowed the goblins to see themselves, and, terrified, they saw that they had turned into the disgusting creatures we now know as trolls.

They had been so busy picking on the old man, that it had made them incapable of noticing that their own acts were turning them into monsters. And when they finally realized what they had done, it was too late.

16. Why did the goblin not realize that their acts harmed themselves?

Once upon a time, there was a gang of evil goblins who lived in a forest. They spent a lot of their time making fun of a poor old man who could now hardly move, see, or hear. They showed no respect for his age.

The situation became so extreme that the Great Wizard decided to teach the goblins a lesson. He cast a spell, and from that moment, every insult they directed at the old man made the old man better, but had the opposite effect on the goblin who was doing the insulting.

Certainly, the goblins knew nothing about what was happening. The more they called the man an "old fool", the younger and sharper of mind he became, while the goblin who had shouted at him aged rapidly, and became a little more foolish.

As time went on, those evil goblins were becoming terribly old, ugly, stupid, and clumsy without even realizing it. Finally, the Great Wizard allowed the goblins to see themselves, and, terrified, they saw that they had turned into the disgusting creatures we now know as trolls.

They had been so busy picking on the old man, that it had made them incapable of noticing that their own acts were turning them into monsters. And when they finally realized what they had done, it was too late.

17. How did the story end?

Once upon a time, there was a gang of evil goblins who lived in a forest. They spent a lot of their time making fun of a poor old man who could now hardly move, see, or hear. They showed no respect for his age.

The situation became so extreme that the Great Wizard decided to teach the goblins a lesson. He cast a spell, and from that moment, every insult they directed at the old man made the old man better, but had the opposite effect on the goblin who was doing the insulting.

Certainly, the goblins knew nothing about what was happening. The more they called the man an "old fool", the younger and sharper of mind he became, while the goblin who had shouted at him aged rapidly, and became a little more foolish.

As time went on, those evil goblins were becoming terribly old, ugly, stupid, and clumsy without even realizing it. Finally, the Great Wizard allowed the goblins to see themselves, and, terrified, they saw that they had turned into the disgusting creatures we now know as trolls.

They had been so busy picking on the old man, that it had made them incapable of noticing that their own acts were turning them into monsters. And when they finally realized what they had done, it was too late.

18. What can you learn from the story?

BERLIN(AP) – German rescue experts were working to free a cargo ship that ran aground on a North Sea sandbank during a weekend storm, while the country's railway pressed Monday to reopen several train lines.

High winds lashed Central Europe on Sunday as Storm Herwart passed through, knocking down trees, causing travel chaos and killing at least five people.

German rescuers were unable to prevent a 225-meter (738-foot) bulk carrier, the Glory Amsterdam, from drifting onto a sandbank off the North Sea island of Langeoog.

They had hoped to tow it free at high tide Monday evening, but the country's central command for maritime emergencies said the water around the ship was too shallow for big tug boats and the rescue plan "is being adapted." It didn't elaborate.

The ship is undamaged and its 22-member crew is unhurt, but it has 1,900 tons of fuel oil and 140 tons of diesel on board.

19. What is the author’s purpose in writing the article?

BERLIN(AP) – German rescue experts were working to free a cargo ship that ran aground on a North Sea sandbank during a weekend storm, while the country's railway pressed Monday to reopen several train lines.

High winds lashed Central Europe on Sunday as Storm Herwart passed through, knocking down trees, causing travel chaos and killing at least five people.

German rescuers were unable to prevent a 225-meter (738-foot) bulk carrier, the Glory Amsterdam, from drifting onto a sandbank off the North Sea island of Langeoog.

They had hoped to tow it free at high tide Monday evening, but the country's central command for maritime emergencies said the water around the ship was too shallow for big tug boats and the rescue plan "is being adapted." It didn't elaborate.

The ship is undamaged and its 22-member crew is unhurt, but it has 1,900 tons of fuel oil and 140 tons of diesel on board.

20. The main idea of paragraph four is ... .

What is the writer’s purpose in writing the letter?

R. Aufa Nadim is writing the letter in response to...

“You will not be sorry to give me a chance.” The underlined word can be best replaced by...

“You will not be sorry to give me a chance.” The synonym of the underlined word is...

According to the passage, Hamblin and D’Agostino were awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal because they ...

What is the main idea of the second paragraph?

“ ... there are a lot of people who don’t achieve that and the journey is really important too.” (paragraph 4). The underlined phrase refer to the athletes who ...

What is the news aimed at?

What is paragraph 2 mostly about?

After reading the news, the readers most likely ...

“As a citizen of this democratic nation ...” (paragraph 4). The underlined word refers to ...

The text tells us about … .

Based on the text, why was the festival conducted?

What is the purpose of the text?

What is the text about?

What did the students do in the flash mob?

By 2023 some provinces in Indonesia ... new governors.

Frank ... for three hours when his friend called him.

By this time next year, she …………..company for more than 8 years.

The institution for the handicapped, known as the Heart Foundation, ... by the Minister of Social Affairs in 1950.

Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day is a celebration of harvest, thankfulness for peace, and the attempt of Native Americans. It is usually celebrated in late autumn.

In the past, Thanksgiving was celebrated for the rich harvest in New England. In North America, however, it was originally held to thank God for their survival in the new land which was not easy for them. However, in Canada, it had been celebrated as in New England. Thanksgiving now is celebrated in United States of America and in Canada. Thanksgiving festivals are held every fourth Thursday of November in the U.S and on the second Monday of October in Canada. It is usually celebrated in four to five days in the North America and for three days in Canada.

It is celebrated through families and friends gathering to eat and give good luck. Turkey is the main dish in the thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving parades are also usually held. In Thanksgiving homes are decorated with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. Lamps are lighted to brighten the environment. Tables are decorated with best china and antique silver dishes to mark the occasion.

(Source: www.englishindo.com)

When do people usually celebrate thanksgiving?