C

A terrible competition is going on in England, with billions of dollars and hundreds of lives at risk. OK, that’s not true. But competitors from around the world gathered on Thursday for the annual competition to compete for the world’s biggest person who tells lies.

Each participant is given up to five minutes to make up the best fib in the contest, which was founded in honor of 19th-century Bridge Inn landlord Will Ritson, who was reportedly famous for his lies. Competitors gather at the Bridge Inn every year for the competition, a small pub in northwestern England. Anyone but lawyers and politicians can take part in the competition.

A study found that nearly all lies are detectable (可检测的) through visible facial muscle reactions in the person telling a lie. “Thus, while interpersonal cheat often is highly successful, signs of hidden emotional states are communicated clearly to the informed observer,” the study concluded.

A churchman of Carlisle reportedly holds what may be the greatest lie of all time in the competition, simply stating, “I have never told a lie in my life.”

In 2003, Abrie Krueger from South Africa became the first one to win the competition. In 2006, comedian Sue Perkins became the first female to win the competition, telling a tale about people riding camels to work as a result of climate change.

28. Why does the author tell a lie at the beginning of the passage?

A. He likes telling lies.                 B. Nearly everyone has told lies.

C. Lies can be detected by someone.      D. He intends to talk about a contest.

29. What does the underlined word “fib” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. Lie.    B. Story.        C. Experience.     D. Plot.

30. Who can’t take part in the competition?

A. Doctors & teachers.          B. Reporters & editors.

C. Lawyers & politicians.      D. Students & managers.

31. What’s the author’s main purpose of this passage?

A. To explain how to deal with lies.       B. To introduce a strange competition.

C. To discuss how to avoid telling lies.    D. To invite people to take part in the competition.

D

Why do Chinese people love hot pot so much? As the winter months are coming in, more and more people are sitting around a table, enjoying this kind of traditional meal. I find myself wondering what it is about this traditional meal, which has existed for more than 1,000 years. What makes it a Chinese food favorite? It seems that the answer lies beyond the dish itself.

Hot pot isn’t just designed to keep you warm during the cold months; it’s also a social experience. It’s a “theater” cooked food that turns a meal into an event. There is a lot of fun for everyone to have in adding some foods to the hot pot.

Hot pot is eaten over two to three hours. For this reason, it is often considered an evening’s entertainment, and a time to spend with friends and families. However, many Westerners would be put off by the idea of other people sticking chopsticks in their food. When we come to eat at the table in the UK, we tend to have our own shares, although the experience is still a social one.

A similar experience to the hot pot can be found in Korean barbecue restaurants, which let you cook your own meat. This allows people to have their meat done however they want.

For most Westerners, the idea of going to a restaurant to cook their own food is very strange. But having a go, I find it’s now one of my favorite meals in Beijing. The steam from the pot left my clothes smelling of food when I got home, but perhaps this was also part of the experience. When the cold wind is blowing outside, I am sitting around with my good friends, eating and drinking. For me it’s like a dinner party where my taste buds (味蕾) and my appetite are equally satisfied in the warm company of friends.

32. What is the main reason why hot pot is popular in China?

A. It has a history of over 1,000 years.          B. It is a fun social experience.

C. It serves people with many kinds of foods.    D. It keeps people very warm in winter.

33. We can conclude from the article that British people generally　　　.

A. enjoy cooking their own food in restaurants

B. prefer a Korean barbecue to Chinese hot pot

C. don’t like sharing food with others in restaurants

D. don’t mind the smell of food staying on their clothes

34. How long do people spend in enjoying the traditional meal?

A. More than four hours.   B. Over one hour.  C. About three hours.  D. All the evening.

35. What is the author’s attitude to hot pot?

A. Serious.         B Tired.          C. Humorous.      D. Appreciative.