Consequently, I threw myself heartily into my work for the rest of the school year. Ten months later, that chance unfolded as I found myself sitting in the headmaster's office with my grandfather, now having an entirely different conversation. I smiled and flashed back to the embarrassing moment at the beginning of the year as the headmaster informed me of my option to skip the sixth grade. Justice is sweet!

8. What did the author's classmates think about his report?

A. Controversial. B. Ridiculous. C. Boring. D. Puzzling.

9. Why was the author confused about the task?

A. He was unfamiliar with American history.

B. He followed the advice and flipped a coin.

C. He forgot his teacher's instruction.

D. He was new at the school.

10. The underlined word "burning" in Para. 3 probably means ________.

A. annoyed B. ashamed C. ready D. eager

11. In the end, the author turned things around ________.

A. by redoing his task B. through his own efforts

C. with the help of his grandfather D. under the guidance of his headmaster

　　Honey (蜂蜜) from the African forest is not only a kind of natural sugar, it is also delicious. Most people, and many animals, like eating it. However, the only way for them to get that honey is to find a wild bees' nest (巢) and take the honey from it. Often, these nests are high up in trees, and it is difficult to find them. In parts of Africa, though, people and animals looking for honey have a strange and unexpected helper一a little bird called a honey guide.

The honey guide does not actually like honey, but it does like the wax (蜂蜡) in the beehives (蜂房). The little bird cannot reach this wax, which is deep inside the bees' nest. So, when it finds a suitable nest, it looks for someone to help it. The honey guide gives a loud cry that attracts the attention of both passing animals and people. Once it has their attention, it flies through the forest, waiting from time to time for the curious animal or person as it leads them to the nest. When they finally arrive at the nest, the follower reaches in to get at the delicious honey as the bird patiently waits and watches. Some of the honey, and the wax, always falls to the ground, and this is when the honey