Awaking each morning to the sound of roosters crowing was a regular start to my day. Living on a farm shaped my childhood in ways I only now appreciate. The brisk morning air would hit my face as I stepped outside, a daily reminder of the vast, open land surrounding our home. I remember the pride I felt when tasked with feeding the animals. It was more than just chores; it was nurturing life, a responsibility that taught me the value of hard work and care. Every season brought its own set of tasks and challenges. In spring, we'd prepare the soil, which meant hours behind the tiller, breaking ground for planting. I learned that good things take time and hard work; there were no shortcuts in farming. The satisfaction of witnessing seeds transform into crops was beyond words. Summers were the busiest with the crops soaking up the sun, often requiring extra hands to manage. I spent many sun-soaked days in the fields, helping to ensure that not a single plant was left thirsty. Autumn was harvest time, a season of reaping what we sowed. During these months, the whole family worked in unison, picking, threshing, and packing. The golden hues of the crops against the setting sun remain etched in my mind. The rhythmic sounds of the thresher became a sort of music, playing the tune of abundance and reward. Winter was quieter but just as demanding. It was time to mend fences, service machinery, and plan for the year ahead. Cold days were often spent huddled around the fireplace, strategizing the future of our farm. Interactions with nature were up close and personal. I recall once aiding a lamb's birth. Those soft eyes blinking into the world for the first time filled me with a profound sense of life's miracles. Other times, I fought off pests in the garden, a reminder that not all battles are fought on grand stages; some are small yet significant. Despite occasional setbacks, such as a bad storm damaging our crops, resilience was a lesson learned early. Social life for a farm kid was different. Neighbours were few, but the bonds were strong. Events like barn dances and harvest festivals were the highlights of our social calendar, fostering a sense of community that's hard to find elsewhere. As I grew older, balance became key, and I valued both solitude and company, learning from each in equal measure. The farm was more than a place of work; it was a home, a teacher, and a holder of my fondest childhood memories. While some dream of escaping the countryside, for me, it was a theatre of dreams. As I left the farm to forge my own path, the lessons it taught me about life, community, and perseverance have been the guiding stars in my journey. 1. What aspect of the writer's farm life is highlighted by the responsibility of feeding animals? A. It was a simple chore without much significance. B. It influenced the writer's appreciation for automation. C. It taught the writer about nurturing life and hard work. D. It made the writer dislike life on the f

Rainbow Crow was the most beautiful and enchanting creature on Earth. The other animals in the world were amazed by his beauty. His feathers were all the colors of the rainbow and sparkled like raindrops in the sunlight. Rainbow Crow also had a lovely song that made all Earth’s creatures happy when they heard it. The other animals looked up to Rainbow Crow and depended on his leadership.All the animals lived together mostly in harmony. They were happy living in the warm sun. Then one day, the Snow Spirit appeared. The Snow Spirit brought freezing temperatures and ice. The animals shivered in the cold and could not hunt the way they used to. The animals talked to Rainbow Crow and begged him to help them. They wanted him to talk to the Creator and ask the Creator for help.Rainbow Crow agreed to help the animals. He knew his beautiful song was difficult for anyone to resist, so he planned to sing a song for the Creator in hopes of gaining a favor in return. Rainbow Crow planned to fly the far distance to see the Creator in the sky. Rainbow Crow started on his journey, and he flew and flew until his muscles ached. He looked out at his beautiful wings, which looked rumpled and dull from the wind and dust. But, Rainbow Crow continued on as he would not give up on his journey. Finally, he reached the area where the Creator lived. He took a deep breath and began to sing his beautiful melody. The tune was soft but elegant. Soon, the Creator said, “Rainbow Crow, is that you? Come into my house, so you can entertain me with your beautiful song.”Rainbow Crow flew into the Creator’s home and entertained him with another song. When he was finished singing, Rainbow Crow told the Creator about the animals’ plight. The Creator felt bad for the animals. He told Rainbow Crow that he wanted to help; however, he could not make the Snow Spirit leave. Instead, the Creator said he would give the animals fire.“Fire will help you stay warm, even when it is cold and snowy. But I must warn you, fire is a powerful tool, and you must always treat it with care,” said the Creator.The Creator held a long branch up to the sun, and the end of the branch began to crackle and smoke. Eventually the branch burst into flames, and Rainbow Crow felt the warmth of the fire burning on the stick.“Fly quickly back to Earth, Rainbow Crow, or the fire will burn up the whole branch and be lost. I will not give you a second chance.”Rainbow Crow was nervous. He realized that the other animals were depending on him. He snatched the branch from the Creator’s hand. “I understand, and I will deliver the fire back to Earth.”Rainbow Crow flew as quickly as he could. He felt the warmth of the fire at the end of the branch. The fire’s light was very bright, and he had to narrow his eyes because of it. As the time passed, the fire burned farther down the branch. The black smoke trailed from the fire like long strings. As the strings came nearer to Rainbow Crow, the smoke burned his throat and made him cough.Rainbow Crow could see the forest, but he was becoming very nervous. The fire was burning much farther down the branch. He adjusted the branch in his mouth so that he was holding only a very small portion in his beak. The fire burned closer and closer to Rainbow Crow, and his beautiful feathers began to be coated in gray from the soot. His throat and eyes burned.Only a bit farther, he told himself. He started to fly even faster and finally reached the forest. The animals cheered, and Bear took the branch from Rainbow Crow’s beak. Bear placed the stick on a pile of twigs. Woosh! The twigs caught fire. The animals added more wood, and soon they had a large bonfire.In all their excitement, the animals had nearly forgotten about Rainbow Crow. Then Bear turned to thank the bird. Bear could hardly believe his eyes. Rainbow Crow looked completely different. The fire had burned and stained his feathers black. His beak was gray. When Rainbow Crow opened his beak to sing, he could make only a loud squawk because the smoke had damaged his voice. From that day on, all the animals of the forest called him Crow. They were always thankful to Crow for sacrificing his beautiful feathers and singing voice so they would have fire.

What was the original purpose of poultry farming according to archaeologists?a)Providing meat for consumptionb)Providing eggs for consumptionc)For cockfighting sportd)As a source of feathers

What was the original purpose of poultry farming according to archaeologists?a)As a source of feathersb)Providing meat for consumptionc)Providing eggs for consumptiond)For cockfighting spor

Those were the days...When I used to get up late,Never cared about the day and date.All I ever did was playWith building blocks and molding clay.Now I keep stumbling to find a wayTo bring back my childhood days.Used to write the alphabetWith white chalks on a slate,Waved a silly goodbye every dayTo the dog roaming in front of my gate.Now I keep stumbling to find a wayTo bring back my childhood days.Near the corner of the park, at the end,We fought tiny wars with our friends,Were so carefree, never had to pretend,Had all the food in lunches our mothers would send.Now I keep stumbling to find a wayTo bring back my childhood days.Though it's impossible, I'd like to tryTo press a button and go back in time.Far from the business of loss and gain,Away from the feelings of grief and pain,To be that naughty girl once again,To live that good life once again

For The BirdsJoanne Quaglia1One of the simplest pleasures in life is watching birds as they fly through the sky. It is a great way to observe nature. They zip from tree to tree and sing beautiful songs. One of the best things about bird watching is that you can do it right at home. By creating a bird friendly environment in your backyard with birdhouses, bird feeders, and plenty of trees, shrubs, and flowers that attract birds, you will have front-row seats to nature year-round.2To get started, first decide which kinds of feathered creatures you want to attract. They will have to be birds that are common to your area. You will not likely attract seagulls, birds that live near water, if you live high atop a mountain. Next, find out which plants different bird species like to eat. For example, hummingbirds love flowers that provide nectar, a sweet, sugary liquid found deep inside flowers. To attract hummingbirds, plant petunias or hibiscuses, since these are good sources of nectar.3Learning the food habits of the birds you want to attract is important. Many types of trees, shrubs, and plants produce fruits, berries, acorns, and nuts that serve as food sources for birds. Before planting anything, the first thing you should do is talk to an expert at your local garden center to find out which trees, shrubs, and wildflowers are native to your area. This will ensure that anything you plant will adapt well to the climate and will grow nicely to meet birds' needs.4Aside from planting, a bird feeder is also an excellent way to attract birds to your backyard and to supply food. A bird feeder contains seeds or bird food. It is a good idea to have more than one bird feeder since different types of birds eat different foods. For example, finches and sparrows love seeds, while woodpeckers and orioles prefer fruits and berries. Having different types of feeders that provide a variety of foods will attract many birds to your backyard.5Birds enjoy a day at the spa to relax and refresh as much as you do. Consider adding a birdbath to your backyard to attract birds. Birds will love having a source of clean, fresh water to drink and a place where they can clean up after a long flight. Always keep the birdbath clean and replace the water often to avoid attracting mosquitoes that can carry diseases.6Since you will have plenty of birds around your backyard from all of your efforts, they will need shelter. Birdhouses are perfect for this purpose. Birdhouses protect birds from enemies such as the neighbor's cat and provide shelter from severe weather such as extreme heat or cold. Birds also build nests in trees, shrubs, and tall grass.7Remember that you can observe birds year-round. Though many birds migrate to warmer climates when temperatures drop, others remain throughout the cold season. For instance, the blue jay is one of the most beautiful winter birds. Since food is difficult to find outdoors in the winter, keep your birdfeeders well stocked if you live in a colder climate. In addition, plant trees and shrubs that provide food to your feathered friends when temperatures drop.QuestionWhich sentence from the passage is the BEST example of the author's attempt to develop interest and engage his audience?ResponsesA By creating a bird friendly environment in your backyard with birdhouses, bird feeders, and plenty of trees, shrubs, and flowers that attract birds, you will have front-row seats to nature year-round.By creating a bird friendly environment in your backyard with birdhouses, bird feeders, and plenty of trees, shrubs, and flowers that attract birds, you will have front-row seats to nature year-round.B Many types of trees, shrubs, and plants produce fruits, berries, acorns, and nuts that serve as food sources for birds.Many types of trees, shrubs, and plants produce fruits, berries, acorns, and nuts that serve as food sources for birds.C In addition, plant trees and shrubs that provide food to your feathered friends when temperatures drop.In addition, plant trees and shrubs that provide food to your feathered friends when temperatures drop.D It is a good idea to have more than one bird feeder since different types of birds eat different foods.It is a good idea to have more than one bird feeder since different types of birds eat different foods.