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Windsurfers. Severe weather in England, which is keeping most people indoors, has its followers. They are some of the world’s best windsurfers. They competed in the final round of the Red Bull Storm Chase, which can only take place in stormy conditions. The ten daredevils battled winds of up to 80 miles an hour (129 kilometres per hour). A Frenchman won. He was very happy that he could show what he can do, and he called the weather crazy. A man from Brazil was second and a German was third. What can be deduced from the text?. Bad weather has its fans. The wind was slight. A three Germans won. The surfers met in France.

Winter sales. Around 50 participants stripped to their underwear and ran 100 metres to win free clothes in Paris. After the race in cold weather, the shoppers were given one hour to browse the shop and choose clothes they had to wear out of the shop. People seemed to enjoy themselves and they were happy to get some clothes for free. Which sentence is true?. The shop underwent some changes. The shop donated winter clothes. The people took bags of free clothes. The people got clothes without charge.

School work. Researchers behind a study reckon around 60 minutes of daily exercise can boost students by a whole grade in key subjects like English, Maths and Science. Students who regularly did sport were found to do better right the way through secondary school. Dr Josie Booth worked on the research, which involved about 5,000 children. “Physical activity is more than just important for your physical health”, she said. “There are other benefits and that is something that should be especially important to parents, policymakers and people involved in education”. Which sentence is true according to the text?. Children should study extra subjects sixty minutes a day. Researchers exaggerated the results of the study. Children took the right way in decisions made. Physical exercise can help you pass some exams.

Man in a dangerous situation. A man jumped from the London Eye. The London Eye is a big attraction in London. It is a big wheel. The man was in the air. He was on a rope. He couldn’t move his arms. He had little time because the rope was on fire. Many people watched him. When he had only very little time left, he was able to free his arms. He was not injured. The situation was filmed for his new TV show. What is stated in the report?. The rope broke. The man was pushed. No-one saw the incident. The man was not hurt.

A boy on a balcony. A man in China filmed an incident in which a boy was on the balcony on the seventh floor of a building. There was a fire in the flat and a group of local people tried to help the boy. They prepared blankets under the building in case the boy fell. A policeman arrived at the scene and went up to the seventh-floor flat and saved the boy. Thanks to the policeman, the boy is now safe and well. According to the report... The policeman couldn’t help the boy. The rescue of the boy was caught on camera. The boy fell onto the blanket. A group of local people saved the boy.

Special video of a snow leopard. It is very difficult to see a snow leopard in nature. A photographer filmed a snow leopard in China. The photographer saw a leopard’s footprints in the snow. He put his camera on a rock. The special camera was 4,600 meters high in the mountains. The camera filmed the leopard. The camera was interesting for the leopard. There are not many snow leopards in China. They are under state protection. So, the pictures of the leopard are very special. What is stated in the report?. There are a lot of snow leopards in China. It is forbidden to photograph snow leopards. The photographer was unable to film a snow leopard. The camera attracted the snow leopard’s attention.

Snowstorm hit parts of Japan. Thousands of drivers were trapped in a traffic jam for nearly a day. Officials set up temporary toilets on the highway and delivered food to people who were stuck. More than a metre of snow fell in some areas and there is more to come. At least 12 people have died. The Met office says that people should try to stay at home and keep an eye on older neighbors. What does the forecast say?. More traffic jams on way. More snowstorms to fall. More deaths more likely. More food to be delivered.

Fruit fix. Fruit flies are tiny insects that are attracted to ripe or rotting fruits and vegetables. The flies not only eat the fruit, they also lay their eggs there. A single fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs on the surface of a piece of fruit. Within eight days, the fruit flies that hatch from these eggs are full adults that can then lay their own eggs. What can be deduced from the text?. An eight day old fruit fly is an adult. A fruit fly only lives eight days. Fruit flies eat fruit and fly away. Rotten fruit can kill fruit flies.

The Monkeys that drum to a beat. A recent study of bonobo monkeys shows they have an ability to match the tempo and beat of music. Researchers designed a bonobo-friendly drum which was able to take the rough play of the monkeys. The scientists then beat a drum of their own at roughly 280 beats per minute (bpm), double the number of the bpm of the average pop song. The apes then picked up the beat and banged along using their own drum. What did the scientists do?. Filmed the monkeys playing music. Made them a drum to play on their own. Taught the monkeys to play the drum. Played with the monkeys.

Rio Grande. The Rio Grande is either the fourth or fifth longest river system in North America. It all depends on how it is measured. Because the river twists so much, it occasionally changes course. And these course shifts can cause it to be longer or shorter. At its last official measure, the Rio Grande clocked in at 1,896 miles. The river starts in Colorado and extends downward to the Gulf of Mexico. What is strange about the Rio Grande?. It often changes length. The flow is downward. The length is unknown. It crosses two countries.

World went green for one day. Ireland forgot about its economic problems and celebrated St Patrick's day. This year the celebrations were global. 70 monuments like the Pyramids and the Jesus Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro were green too. Back home, the streets of Dublin were a sea of green as people of all ages celebrated the special day. It was a five day celebration, with 8,000 visitors from around the world. More than 13 million pints of Guinness were drunk in the world in that one day and Guinness was offering a free visit to its factory for everyone called Patrick. What was said about St.Patrick’s Day 2013?. 8,000 visitors celebrated it in Rio de Janeiro. Ireland’s economic problems made celebrating difficult. The celebrations in Dublin lasted for a day. It was celebrated internationally.

Pickpockets. Every day, over 1,700 of us have something taken from our bags or our pockets. This is partly because a lot of people carry phones and tablets these days. Traditional ways to fight pickpocketing with posters and leaflets are not very effective. An organisation has come up with something much more personal. They turned pickpockets into “putpockets”. They put leaflets, which look like a wallet or a smartphone, right into people’s bags and pockets so they are pretty shocked when they discover it is in their pocket or their bag. What has the organisation began doing?. Making posters to avoid pickpockets. Making people aware of how pickpockets work. Teaching people how to be pickpockets. Turing pickpockets into decent people.

Hot drinks. Hot cups and mugs are the biggest causes of burns in children. This is according to research from Cardiff University in Wales, U.K. The lead researcher, Professor Alison Mary Kemp, said parents needed to be more aware of the dangers to children of everyday objects in the home. She said the most dangerous time for toddlers to burn themselves is from nine months of age. Of course, babies do not know what is dangerous and what is not, so they touch everything they can reach up to. Dr Kemp said: "Parents may underestimate the potential reach height of their toddler”. What advice could be given by Professor Kemp?. Parents need to train babies to walk earlier. Household objects should be stored safely. Parents need to educate their children better. Household objects can start fires easily.

Engineers. A new report says less than ten per cent of Britain's engineers are women. This is the lowest figure of all European countries. Vince Cable, the UK Business Secretary, told reporters that this would be an "enormous problem for years to come". He said one of the biggest areas that needed more women was in computer science. Many women graduate from university with degrees in computer science, so Mr Cable wondered why there were so few female computer engineers. Complete the sentence: Vince McCable…. is disappointed with the report. is proud of women’s success. is confused with the situation. is content with female engineers.

Transportation to work. For many people using private transport for work is a necessary evil. Most see going by car or van as the 'least worst' option. A study by researchers at the University of East Anglia challenges that assumption. It suggests walking, cycling or traveling by public transport can lift the mood. Crucially, it suggests those who switch from the car to an active commute feel better across a range of psychological measures, including concentration, decision making and the ability to face up to problems. The researchers say policies encouraging people to leave their cars at home could have a dramatic impact on public wellbeing. What can be deduced from this article?. People only use private transport for work. Studies show that driving a car is a challenge. Using public transport is a cheap alternative. Driving to work can cause more stress.

The Chinese cargo train. China launched an 82-wagon cargo train on Tuesday which will take 21 days to travel 10,000km (6,200 miles) and pass through six other countries as it moves goods from the industrial city of Yiwu to the Spanish capital, Madrid. The total distance covered by the new rail route is greater than that of the world's longest train service, the 9,259km Moscow-Vladivostok Rossinya, and five times as long as the route of the famous Orient Express. But unlike on the Russian train, goods on the Yiwu-Madrid route will have to be shifted onto different wagons at three points due to incompatible track gauges in different countries, including between France and Spain. What is mentioned about the cargo of the train?. It will need special permission to travel. It will have to be moved several times. It is similar to that of a Russian train. It is disliked by some government officials.

Ideal holiday. My idea of holiday hell is high-rise hotels, rain, wall-to-wall British accents and the smell of fish and chips. When it comes to avoiding all those things, I think you have to go quite a long way. But my all-time favourite getaway has to be La Digue Island in the Seychelles, with its long stretches of flat, powdery sand set against a dramatic backdrop of huge grey rocks and stones. It's been used in countless films and advertisements. What can be inferred from the text?. The writer likes being with British tourists. La Digue Island is a small secret location. The writer loves the smell of fish and chips. La Digue Island appears in many ads.

Escaping prisoners. Thirteen Brazilian prisoners dug a tunnel from their cell and escaped. They even used a phone to film the escape. Local media has reported that the prison guard on duty at the time has been suspended after not checking the cell for nearly 60 days prior to the escape. The prisoners were free to dig their way out. In total, 13 prisoners were able to escape after digging the tunnel from inside their cell. Police tracked down two of the prisoners already. which of the following statements is true?. The prison guard checked the cell everyday. Police are still searching for 11 prisoners. Police arrested all the prisoners who escaped. Prisoners recorded the way they dug the tunnel.

Fat improvement. Scientists have discovered that staying in the cold could help us lose weight. Researchers at the University of California found that exposure to the cold increases levels of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that generates heat and keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose weight. White fat stores excess energy, which results in weight gain. The researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give us constant, comfortable temperatures, our body's need for brown fat has decreased. What can be deduced form the text?. Researchers found cold drinks help us lose weight. Brown fat helps. Using air conditioning reduces the amount of our white fat. It is found that the cold has a part to play in weight loss.

Man falls down in a circus. A Kenyan acrobat is in a serious condition after a fall at a Russian circus. The 22-year-old fell through the security net during the show in Moscow and was quickly transported to the hospital. He broke a bone in his back. The acrobat was in the middle of his act when he fell from a height of twenty-six meters and hit the floor. He’s now in intensive care. The circus’s director said that the security net had been tested before it was used. Which statement is true?. The security net was not checked. The safety measures failed. The acrobat was rehearsing. The acrobat has now left the hospital.

Unusual number of UK flowers bloom. Botanists are stunned by the results of their annual hunt for plants in flower on New Year’s Day. They say that there should be between 20 and 30 species in flower. This year there were 368 in bloom. It raises further questions about the effects of climate change during the UK’s warmest year on record. “This is extraordinary,” said Tim Rich from the Botanical Society. “Normally flowers get frosted off by Christmas but this year it hasn’t happened". 368 species in flower is an unprecedented 15% of the flowering plants in Britain and Ireland. The high count was partly due to the growth in the number of volunteers, but mostly due to climate change. The mild south and west of Britain had the highest number of species in flower. Ireland had consistently high numbers of plants in flower too, with the average of about 20, almost exactly on a par with Britain. The Met Office has confirmed 2014 as the warmest year on UK record, with the wettest winter and the hottest Halloween. Which of the following is stated in the text?. Ireland has more plants in flower than England. Many flowers have survived the Christmas cold. A quarter of plants in the UK were in flower at Christmas. Flowers are blooming later than usual.

A book club. The co-founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has launched what could be the world's largest ever book club. Zuckerberg announced last week that his New Year's resolution was to read a book every other week. He then invited his 30 million followers to join him in his literary pursuit. He created his own Facebook page called A Year of Books, on which he will announce what his latest read is and ask people to discuss the book with him. Which of the following statements is true?. Mark will read a new book every two weeks this year. Mark started a book club in the Facebook headquarters. Mark made a web page to upload the books he likes. . Mark will ask questions about the book on his page.

Qatar court upholds poet Mohammed al-Ajami’s sentence. A court in Qatar has upheld a 15-year prison sentence given to a poet found guilty of inciting people to overthrow the government and insulting the Emir. Mohammed al-A jami’s lawyer said the court’s ruling had been ‘political’. His only remaining option was to appeal to the Emir for clemency. Mr Ajami was originally jailed for life last year but the sentence was reduced to 15 years on appeal. Human rights groups have criticised his conviction as a betrayal of free speech. They said his original trial was marred by irregularities, with court sessions held in secret. The case against Mr Ajami was said to have been based on a poem he wrote in 2010 which criticised the former Emir. But activists believe the authorities were punishing him for a 2011 poem he wrote about authoritarian rule in the region. In the poem, ‘Tunisian Jasmine’, Mr Ajami expressed his support for the uprising in the North African state. The former justice minister argued that the maximum sentence Mr Ajami should have received was five years. He described the ruling as a ‘political and not a judicial decision’. “I hope the Emir will grant him amnesty”, he told a news agency. Which of the following is true?. Mr Ajami wrote a story criticising the Emir. Some believe Mr Ajami’s trial was inconsistent. Mr Ajami was opposed to the rebellion in Tunisia. The former justice minister believes Mr Ajami’s sentence is light.

Study reveals Neanderthals’ big eyes caused their extinction. A study of Neanderthal skulls suggests that they became extinct because they had larger eyes than our human species. More of their brains were devoted to seeing in the long, dark nights in Europe, rather than deeper thinking. This ability enabled our species, Homo Sapiens, to make warmer clothes and socialize more, helping us to survive the ice age in Europe. Neanderthals are a closely related species of human that lived in Europe around 250,000 years ago. They lived briefly with our species until they went extinct about 28,000 years ago, in part due to an ice age. What is said about Neanderthals?. They lived alongside Homo Sapiens for a short time. They were wiped out by Homo Sapiens. They are believed to have been deep thinkers. Their eyes were not as large as Homo Sapiens’ eyes.

British capital to become cycling super city. London is set to get its own ‘cycling superhighway’. The city’s Mayor, Boris Johnson, has announced a huge plan for the British capital’s bike riders. Parts of the project will be open to the cyclists in four years, but the whole network of bike lanes will be finished in about ten years. The network will cover the whole of central London and cost just less than one billion pounds. The Mayor of London has also promised a range of restrictions for London’s car drivers so cyclists can get around more safely in the city. He said: “Our new routes will give people the confidence to get in the saddle. This plan marks a profound shift in my ambitions and intentions for the bicycle.” What is said about the project for cyclists?. Limitations will be placed on London’s motorists. The cost of the project will exceed one billion pounds. It is expected to be completed in four years. The network of bike lanes will extend throughout the UK.

Shell agrees to $84m deal over Niger Delta oil spill. Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to a $84m settlement with residents of the Bodo community in the Niger Delta for two oil spills. Lawyers for 15,600 Nigerian fishermen say their clients will receive $3,300 each for losses caused by the spills. The remaining $30m will be left for the community, which was devastated by two massive oil spills in 2008 and 2009. These were among the biggest spills in decades of oil exploration in Nigeria. There are hundreds of oil spills each year in Nigeria, some caused by leaks, others by sabotage, with local people stealing oil. “From the outset, we’ve accepted responsibility for the two deeply regrettable operational spills in Bodo”, its managing director said. Shell says that both spills were caused by operational failure of the pipelines. However, the company maintains that the extent of environmental pollution in the area is caused by oil theft and illegal refining. It also suggested that earlier settlements had been hampered by divisions within the community. What is said about the oil spill?. Local fishermen will be compensated. Local people have been blamed for the spill. The oil spill is the first of its kind in the region. The oil company refuses to accept responsibility.

Chinese temple’s Garish restoration prompts outrage. With its bright colors and bold lines, the new fresco on display at a Chinese temple is certainly eye-catching. Unfortunately, it bears no resemblance to the delicate historical images it replaced, prompting anger and the sacking of officials who authorized the botched restoration.The case is reminiscent of the ham-fisted retouching of an image of Christ in a Spanish church. That restoration was so spectacularly bad that an estimated 40,000 visitors flocked to Borja to see it. Whether the crude, cartoon-like images at the Yunjie temple in China have the same pull, remains to be seen. A senior official with the local government said that the temple’s abbot had applied for restoration permission, because the buildings needed maintenance work. But the area management office failed to request approval from the provincial government, despite instructions from the city to do so, and the work was done by an unqualified local company. While the original frescos were badly faded and damaged, the new versions have horrified observers. What is said about the new fresco in the Chinese Temple?. It was approved by the provincial government. It has attracted a lot of interest from tourists. It is appreciated by the local community. It has nothing in common with the previous artwork.

Just one in five children connected to nature, says study. Large numbers of children in Britain are missing out on the natural world, a study suggests. The project found that only 21% of children aged 8-12 were ‘connected to nature’. Girls were much more likely than boys to be exposed to the great outdoors, while children in Wales had the lowest score across the UK. The study says that a perception among some adults that nature is dirty or dangerous could be holding children back. There has been an increasing amount of research in recent years underlining the lack of contact and experience with nature among modern children. Researchers stated that in some cases it is perceived as a dirty or unsafe thing and that’s an attitude that won’t help a young person climb a tree. Some have argued that this is having a negative impact on their, health, education and behavior. In 2012, the National Trust published a report on the phenomenon of ‘nature deficit disorder’, though it is not recognized as a medical condition. What is stated in the report?. The ideas of some parents are negatively influencing the situation. Within the UK, Welsh children spend the most time outside. Boys generally spend more time than girls in nature. ‘Nature deficit disorder’ is now officially a medical condition.

Grabar-Kitarovic elected Croatia’s first woman president. Opposition challenger Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has become the first female president of Croatia, winning by the narrowest of margins. She secured 50.5% of the vote with 99% of ballots counted, while incumbent Ivo Josipovic was close behind on 49.5%. The challenger’s win is a sign that Croatia may be shifting to the right after the centre-left coalition’s failure to end six years of downturn. The gap between the two candidates remained at about one percentage point throughout much of the second round. Turn-out was 58.9%, some 12% more than in the first round held two weeks ago, which was equally close. Ms Grabar-Kitarovic is a politically conservative member of the Croatian Democratic Union, which pushed the country towards independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Mr Josipoviv had been president since 2010. He had been popular for so long that it seemed impossible that he could fail in a bid for re-election. His problem was that he was backed by the governing, center-left coalition that has failed to pull Croatia out of a six-year long recession. What is said about the elections in Croatia?. The previous president was not expected to win. The number of voters increased during the campaign. The new president represents socialist views. The new president won by a large majority.

In search of a personalized diet. A series of tests was done on three types of overeaters: ‘Feasters’ who find it hard to stop eating once they start, ‘constant cravers’ who feel hungry all the time and crave fatty and sugary foods and ‘emotional eaters’ who turn to food when they get stressed or anxious. “People often think diets are about willpower”, says Susan Jebb, a diet professor. “But diets are about habits. People cannot themselves lose weight”. ‘Feasters’ need a high-protein, low glycaemia index diet and no potatoes or bread. ‘Constant cravers’ need to reduce their diet to 800 calories on two days of the week. They have a strong disposition to being overweight. ‘Emotional eaters’ need group support as well as a healthier diet. One of the great myths of dieting is the metabolic rate. “Bigger people actually have a higher metabolic rate because they have a bigger heart and lungs. The metabolic rate goes down the more weight you lose”. The metabolic rate of all the dieters went down by 5% as they got slimmer. What is said about dieting?. Metabolism decreases as people lose weight. Success in dieting depends on willpower. ‘Feasters’ are advised to get group support. ‘Constant cravers’ lose weight most easily.