22.Online Education
①Online education, or distance learning, has really taken on a life of its own in the past few years. / ②With the availability of the Internet, /it is becoming easier and easier to join one of the approved online colleges /and to get your degree online. /③These colleges are spread out all over the world. / ④If you are truly getting your education online / then you don't have to be in the same city / as if you were getting your degree locally. / ⑤You simply log into the classroom every day to get your assignments, / then you upload them in order to get your grade. / ⑥There isn't even a need to meet the teachers or other students / and you can do it at any time of the day. /⑦Therefore, it won't interfere with your work schedule or your life in general. / ⑧And the great news is that employers are recognizing more and more that / an online education is a great way to go. (160 words)
23.Red Wolves
①Red wolves present a characteristic red colored fur / which is more obvious behind the ears and in the neck and legs. /②Other than these parts, / the fur color of red wolves is brown with black shading in the back and tail. / ③Their big ears help them overcome hot and humid climatic conditions. /④The average size of red wolves is 4 feet in length, 20 inches tall and weight about 45 to 80 pounds. / ⑤Generally, red wolves attain sexual maturity at the age of 22 months; / however, there are some species that attain within 10 months. /⑥The breeding season of red wolves is during February and March / and their pregnancy period is about 2 months. / ⑦Females give birth to about 1 to 10 children one time around March to April. / ⑧The newly borns usually stay with their parents about two years, / after which, they spread around the wild. /⑨The lifespan of red wolves is around 7 or 8 years in the wild / and about 15 years in captivity. (160 words)
24.The Earth Day
①Our Planet Earth has so much to give us. / ②From the beautiful natural surroundings to the rich types of creatures, / Planet Earth has loads of things to offer / that only make the life more beautiful. / ③However, have you given a thought to how many individuals actually respect this planet? / ④April 22nd is known the world over as Earth Day. / ⑤It is celebrated to create more awareness about our planet / and situations that we need to take care of/to ensure our Planet Earth is well loved and cared for. / ⑥As things are, we need to celebrate it on one day / to remind us of the responsibilities we need to handle in the coming years. / ⑦The importance of Planet
Earth is something / that should be taught to children in their early years, at home and in the school. / ⑧Only then will the young and old alike, understand the issues / such as global warming, energy conservation and the importance of recycling. (159 words)
25.Car Alarm System
①Car alarm systems are basic ways to keep thieves away. / ②The first car alarm system was designed in 1896. / ③Nowadays every car is fitted with advanced electronic sound alarm system. / ④Though car alarm systems do not always stop the theft from happening but they do create troubles, / which act as alarms for both the owner of the car and the thief. / ⑤ There have been innumerable cases / when in spite of the car alarm system being there, / the vehicle has been stolen, / because at times the car alarm system fails to understand what exactly is a car theft. / ⑥Experts are of the opinion that / nowadays thefts occur in spite of the alarm system being there / because nobody bothers much about it. / ⑦People do not pay attention because alarm systems sound / even when there is a strong wind or a pet trying to interfere with the vehicle. / ⑧Moreover, thieves are designing newer ways to make new technologies that are being used failed. (160 words)
26.Domestic Violence and Abuse
①Domestic abuse occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. / ②An abuser doesn't play fair. / ③He or she uses fear, guilt, and shame to wear you down and gain complete power over you. / ④He or she may threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you. / ⑤Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence. / ⑥Victims of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be men or women, / although women are more commonly victimized. /⑦Except for the gender difference, domestic abuse doesn't discriminate. / ⑧It happens within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and financial levels. / ⑨The abuse may occur during a relationship, / while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended. / ⑩Despite what many people believe, / domestic violence is not due to the abuser's loss of control over his behavior. / ⑾Actually, violence is a deliberate choice made by the abuser / in order to take control over his wife or partner. ( 165 words)
27.Differences between Chinese and Western Eating Habits
①There are great differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. /
②Unlike the West, where everyone has their own plate of food, / in China the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. / ③If you are being treated by a Chinese host, / be prepared for a ton of food. / ④Chinese are very proud of their culture of cuisine / and will do their best to show their hospitality. / ⑤And sometimes the Chinese hosts use their chopsticks to put food in your bowl or plate. / ⑥This is a sign of politeness. / ⑦The appropriate thing to do would he to eat the whatever-it-is / and say how tasty it is. / ⑧If you feel uncomfortable with this, / you can just say a polite thank-you and leave the food there. / ⑨And you should never tap on your bowl with your chopsticks, / which can be very insulting to the host. (143 words)
Passage28 High School Dancing Party in US
In the United States, a dancing party is held at the end of the senior year for high school students./Smaller schools may hold a dancing party open to the entire student body./Large high schools may hold two dancing parties,/a junior dancing party for those finishing their 11th grade year/ and a senior dancing party for those who are graduating high school./Dancing parties are mostly attended by juniors and seniors,/ but some schools allow all the classes to attend./The Junior and Senior classes may participate in fund raisers throughout the school year / to reduce the cost of prom./Dancing party tickets are sold at school/ and are traditionally purchased by boys for the couple./ It is not unusual for people attending dancing parties as friends/ to purchase a couple’s ticket./The cost of half of one couple’s ticket is generally less than that of one for an individual.
Passage29 Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science which aims to create it./Textbooks define it as the study and design of intelligent agents,/ where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and take actions/ which maximize its chances of success./ The field was founded on the claim that human intelligence can be so precisely described/ that it can be simulated by a machine./ The discipline of Artificial Intelligence was born in the summer of 1956./Half of a century has passed,/ and Artificial Intelligence has come a long way since its beginning./It has turned into an important field,/ whose influence on our daily lives can hardly be overestimated./Many specialized Artificial Intelligence systems exist that are at work in our cars,/in our laptop computers, and in our personal and commercial technologies./There is no doubt that the impact of Artificial Intelligence on our lives in the future/ will become even more general and universal.
30.Marketing
①Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, / pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods, / and services to create exchanges that
satisfy individual and organizational objectives. / ②It consists of advertising and promoting your product or service in order to sell it. / ③Your business produces goods and services. / ④Marketing is to let potential customers know what are available for sale. /⑤Sales, advertising, and public relations are essential components of marketing / and each requires specialized skills and expertise. / ⑥While a small business may have only one person / performing all these functions under the marketing umbrella, / knowledge of each area is important to develop a focused effort. / ⑦A focus on what the customer wants and needs / is essential to successful marketing efforts. / ⑧This customer-orientation should go hand-in-hand with the company's objective of maintaining a profitable volume of sales. / ⑨Marketing is a creative process combining all of the activities
needed to accomplish both of these objectives. (156 words)
31.The World Health Day
①The World Health Day is on 7th April. / ②It marks the founding of the World Health Organization / and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention / to a subject of major importance to global health each year. / ③World Health Day 2009 focuses on the safety of health facilities / and the readiness of health workers who treat people affected by emergencies. / ④Health centers and staff provide vital health care in communities every day. /⑤In disasters, their services are in even greater demand: / treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for people's urgent health needs. /⑥A safe hospital that continues to function at best capacity during / and after a disaster or other emergency is a safe haven that protects lives. / ⑦Safe health facilities are a joint responsibility, / requiring crucial support from other sectors to ensure essential life-lines. /⑧When health facilities stop functioning, / it is a double blow to a devastated community. (147 words)
32.Wood Recycling
①Recycling timber is the process of turning waste timber into usable products. /②Recycling timber is a practice that was popularized in the early 1990s / as issues such as deforestation and climate change, / prompted both timber suppliers and consumers to turn to a more sustainable timber source. / ③Recycling timber has become popular /due to its image as an environmentally friendly product. / ④Consumers commonly believe that by purchasing recycled wood, / the demand for green timber will fall and ultimately benefit the environment. / ⑤Recycled timber is now used as a construction product. / ⑥It has been important in both raising industry / and consumer awareness towards deforestation / and promoting timber mills to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. / ⑦Wood recycling is a subject which has in