Usually you will be (more likely) to find insects (if) you examine finer twigs (rather than) the (coarse) parts of trees.A. more likely B. if C. rather than D. coarse

Directions： You are going to read a passage with 10 statements attached to it. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. A Prenup (婚前协议）May Be Right for You A) People moan and groan about prenups, and at first blush. It’s easy to see why: Couples may not want to consider how their marriage will end when they intend to be married for life. A marriage is a contract, and a prenuptial agreement is putting finer points on that contract. B) A prenup is a legal agreement that specifies how couples will divide assets in the event of divorce. It is a statement that allows for the possibility of divorce, and considers what to do in the event of a divorce. When couples marry and each has significant assets, a prenuptial agreement may be beneficial in keeping those assets divided in the event of the dissolution of the marriage. Couples who have children from previous marriages may also want to use one in order to protect assets for their children. Some religions find the prenuptial agreement morally repugnant (让人反感的). Churches, like the Roman Catholic Church, don’t ban these types of agreements but certainly do frown upon them. Since a marriage is a lifetime binding commitment to the Catholic Church, a prenup simply doesn’t make sense and appears to contradict church teachings. C) Historically, prenuptial agreements were for wealthy people who needed to protect extensive assets, a business or investments. But more and more middle class people are drafting prenups. And with so much about same-sex marriage in the news, I also have to mention that they’re not just for straight people. A 2011 survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that prenups had increased 73 percent over a five-year period. One interesting factoid (说法) : More women are requesting them. D) Why? For one thing, an ailing (境况不佳的) economy has people think about money more. We all know the statistic that about 50 percent of marriages end in divorce, so people are being a little more realistic about a possible split. And people are getting married later in life. The average age of first marriage in the United States is 27 for women and 29 for men, up from 23 for women and 26 for men in 1990 and 20 and 22 in 1960. Because they’re getting married older, more people have actual assets they want to protect in the event the relationship goes south. E) Here you might be tempted to say that you and your fiancé have no assets. You can’t take half of nothing, right? Not so. In fact, you can end up taking half of less than nothing – meaning your spouse’s debts could haunt you. And again, I want to point to that rising age of newlyweds – more and more people are taking liabilities to the altar – like credit card debt and student loans. It makes perfect sense that spouses would want to protect each other from any liability one has going in. You’re saying “I do,” not “I owe.” Also, you probably have some assets you haven’t thought about that you’d like to keep separate – like a retirement plan or an expected inheritance. Or what about property your parents may pass down to you and your siblings? F) Because prenups are such an emotionally charged issue, it’s important to proceed with caution; but start talking sooner rather than later. That means as you get engaged. This shouldn’t be a last-minute request for a signature outside the church. If you’re recently engaged, this is the perfect time to bring it up because you can use your taxes as an excuse. Next year, you’ll file jointly, so even though it’s uncomfortable, suggest you exchange returns as a way to start the conversation. G) Many people shy away from the perceived cost. According to a new study by The Wedding Report, the average engagement ring costs over $3,300. By comparison, the attorney fees for a prenup will probably start at about $2,000. You’ll need to contact a family attorney and both you and your betrothed will both need your own lawyer. Don’t try the do-it-yourself route on this one. Your cousin the notary is not going to cut it. Anything you draft on your own will not stand up in court. H) There are some online resources if you’re very concerned about costs and just need a simple agreement. For example, Legalzoom.com has a “prenup package” that starts at $600. Some general guidelines: When preparing a prenup, you’d of course address any property, retirement accounts, and any debt. But you should also consider sentimental belongings like furniture and other non-traditional things like pets. Sorting it out now could save you a major headache in the future. I) Also, even if a couple doesn’t draft a formal prenuptial agreement, it is critical that they have a completely honest discussion about finances prior to the “I Do’s”. That means coming clean about any outstanding debts and setting some parameters (决定因素) about how you will manage your finances as a couple. J) Many studies cite financial issues as one of the top causes of divorce – right alongside communication problems and infidelity (不忠实). Why? Frequently, couples don’t realize they have very different values around money until they’ve tied the knot and co-mingled their accounts. Don’t make that mistake! If it’s a June wedding, first go for the prenup. 1. Even without a written prenup, a couple should discuss the financial issues frankly and sincerely before the wedding ceremony.

Tips for the Solo Traveler When it comes to traveling, sometimes taking a journey alone can be great. Traveling solo allows for a time of introspection (内省), relaxation and self-discovery, when you can take the time to soak in the finer things the world has to offer. The independence gained by going alone allows for the opportunity to experience your choice destination exactly the way you want.Planning Your Trip (1) Where to stay So you’ve finally decided to take advantage of some well-earned vacation time and visit Prague, the city of your dreams. Because you’ll be all by yourself, the planning of your trip is automatically different. One of the first questions worth addressing is how you’re going to spend your time in the beautiful Czech Republic capital. Are you going on a shoestring (用钱极少的) budget, or would you rather go all-out and book a room in a fancy hotel Because traveling alone means your money is funding the trip, a wise choice would be to stay in youth hostels. Cast away the misconception that these places are unaccommodating and dirty, and accept the fact that hostels provide safe, clean, comfortable, and most importantly, cheap housing that millions of students and thrifty travelers take advantage of every year. It is relatively easy to book a room at a hostel via the Internet, and plenty of information is available about each one. On the other hand, if you can’t wait to take advantage of room service and a nice bath tub, opt for a hotel. (2) Have a plan Along with securing your accommodations, prepare an itinerary (行程表) for each day before you leave. This plan should include everything from visiting ’all the famous landmarks to some relaxation time, which is essential since you’ll likely be walking for miles in your comfortable shoes(invest in a good pair, it will pay off). As great as organization is, however, you may. at times, not be able to follow your plan to leave room for some spontaneity (自发性) on your trip. Herein lies the beauty of traveling alone: You are your own master, and while preparation is key, there is always room for a change.Important Info Prior to Takeoff One of the hardest parts of traveling in general is coming up with a list of what you’ll need to bring with you (or leave behind). Thinking of these all-important items becomes all the more difficult (and necessary) when you have no one else to rely on. (1) Carry a dictionary If you’re heading for a foreign country, don’t leave home without a bilingual (双语的) dictionary. Although a strong grasp of Czech will prove quite difficult, it is still important to learn phrases like "thank you", "hello", "please" and "I don’t know she charged money for her time", in case you’re in a disadvantageous situation. (2) Make copies of documents Make a copy of all essential travel documents such as your passport and health insurance to leave behind with someone you trust, in the event of an emergency. (3) Bring a credit card Along with cash, bring a credit card as an emergency method of payment and make sure to take note of your credit card company’s customer service line in case of loss or theft. That way, you can cancel your card immediately and have a new one delivered to you while on your trip (if possible). (4) Pack pleasure items A book to enjoy on a train ride or on the beach, a journal to record your experiences, and maps to educate yourself on the layout of the land (you can get these from a tourism bureau), can make a world of a difference. With these things in mind and a positive mindset, you are now officially ready to set out on your own.Enjoy the Trip (1) Finally There You’ve taken the big step, said goodbye to family and friends, endured a long plane ride, and are finally in the place you dreamed of visiting.., until now. You might be quite overwhelmed by our new surroundings, but there are ways to control these feelings of over-stimulation. Instead of being an outsider looking in, try to transform yourself into a relaxed traveler who is not deterred by minor setbacks, such as long lines at the train station or delays in visiting hours of certain landmarks. If you planned accordingly, then you can afford to "waste" time at the busy tourist hotspots. Besides, you’re on vacation, and have nowhere to be! Another benefit of traveling alone is the ability to explore museums and engage in other time-consuming activities. There is no pressure to rush through exhibits or cut the visit short; pace yourself and take in the masterpieces, whether you’re an art lover or just an admirer. (2) Getting around Make an effort to walk everywhere--within reason, of course. This will help you get in touch with the area (so to speak) and observe the locals in their element. Using your legs also allows you to find attractively old-fashioned shops and cafes more easily than if you were on some splendid tour bus. Your goal should be to blend in, something a planned (and perhaps overpriced) tour won’t likely offer. Wear loose, light clothing because the more comfortable you feel, the more willing you will be to stay out an extra hour to explore a section you might have overlooked. Remain enthusiastic, relaxed and prepared, and the stories you will have to share upon your return will be priceless.Extra Tips: Bring along a camera with lots of films. Leave your itinerary with someone at home, along with the numbers of each place you’re staying at. It’s okay if your plans are not so detailed, but if there is a big change in your plans, you might want to email the new information to your "in case of emergency" person back home. Stay safe and keep an eye out when it comes to money or your belongings; you don’t have a companion to catch the pickpocket creeping up from behind. While "carpe diem (及时行乐)" is important, so is safety. Be carefree, but don’t throw caution to the wind. The things you need to deal with before you set out DON’T include______. A: picking a bilingual dictionary no matter where you go B: making copies of your passport and health insurance C: bringing cash and a credit card with you D: taking something for fun, a book, a journal, a map, etc.