UNIT 11.How did Baker use to feel about English courses?He used to be utterly bored by English courses.2.When did he begin to think it possible for him to become a writer?When he was in the third year in high school.3.What did Baker hear about Mr. Fleagle? What was his own impression of his new English teacher?He heard that Mr. Fleagle was dull, formal, rigid, and hopelessly out of date, and unable to inspire. He thought he was excessively prime and proper.4.Why did he put off the writing assignment till the last minute?Because he expected the topics would be dull.5.Why was the topic that held his attention?The Art of Eating Spaghetti.6.Why did he want to write about that topic?Because this topic brought back vivid memories of a night in Belleville when he and his family members learned how to eat spaghetti.7.What did he think Mr. Fleagle would do if he were to if he were to write the essay the way he wanted? Why?He thought he would violate all the rules of formal composition hed learned in school, and Mr. Fleagle would surely give it a failing grade.8.What was Baker prepared for when he found all the papers were given back but his?He was preparing himself for a command to report to Mr. Fleagle immediately after school for discipline.9.What was Mr. Fleagles announcement?He announced that he wanted to read an essay to the class.10.Whose essay was Mr. Fleagle reading to the class? How did the class respond?Mr. Fleagle was reading Mr. Bakers essay to the class. The class listened attentively, and then the entire class was laughing with open-hearted enjoyment.11.Why did Baker feel so delighted?Because both Mr. Fleagle and his classmates appreciated his essay very much.12.What did Mr. Fleagle mean by saying “its of the very essence of the essay”?Probably he meant that the way Bakers essay was composed was exactly the way essays should be written or that the essence of a good essay is that it can move readers.UNIT 21.What was the cab driver doing when the author wanted to take the taxi?He was reading a letter.2.Did the cab driver have a cold?No.3.Whom did the driver talk about with the author?The driver talked about his friend with the author.4.How long had the driver and Ed been friends?They had been friends since childhood.5.What did the driver and Ed use to do when they were kids?They attended the same primary and high school, and always went to school together.6.How often did they see each other over the past 25 or 30 years? Why?They hadnt seen each other more than once or twice a year because the driver moved away from the old neighborhood.7. What had happened to old Ed by the time the story took place?Old Ed was dead.8.Why did the driver repeat that he should have kept in touch?Because he was very regretful.9.What did the author mean by saying the first sentence in the letter reminded him of himself?He thought he himself also neglected keeping up correspondence with his friends.10.Why did the driver say he began the letter with “Old Friend”?Because they had been good friends over the years. They were old now, and there werent many people at their age still alive.11.How did the driver feel about Old Eds friendship with him?The driver felt that their friendship over the years had been very important to him, more important than he could say because he was not good at expressing his feelings.12.What did the author decide to do when he arrived at the hotel? Why?He decided to write a letter at once he didnt want to make the same mistake as the driver did.UNIT 31.What is the attitude of some people towards the changes brought about by science and technology?Theyd like to stop such changes and go back to what they see as a purer and simpler age.2.What was life like before science and technology began to change our way of life?Life was nasty, brutish, and short.3.What would happen if all government money for research were cut off?The force of competition would still bring about advances in technology.4.Is it possible to prevent science and technology from further development? Why or why not?Its impossible to prevent science and technology from further development. Because the force of competition will bring about technological advances, and one cannot stop inquiring minds from thinking about basic science.5.What does the author think we should do about science and technology?We should try to ensure that the changes they make are in the right direction.6.Why is it necessary for the public to have a basic understanding of science?The public having a basic understanding of science can make informed decisions and not leave them in the hands of experts.7.How does the public feel about science?It is in two minds about science. It has come to expect the steady increase in the standard of living that new developments in science and technology have brought to continue, but it also distr