1. Summer came early to Middlesbrough yesterday, as temperatures shot up to 22°C (71°F), a record for March. But local NFU agent Jim Wilkes says it could be bad news for farmers. " The crops will think it's summer," he told our reporter," and start sprouting¹ four weeks before time.

2. The death toll² of the Burnside train crash rose to four yesterday when John Phillips, 32, of Petersville died in Wallsend Hospital. Another six people are still on the danger list. Mr Phillips, an electrical engineer leaves a wife and two children.

3. China and the United States reached an agreement on the protection of intellectual property rights yesterday, after strenuous³ marathon talks.

The agreement is good news for all parties concerned. The Chinese Foreign Trade Minister described the agreement as a "turning point" in Sino-US trade relations that "promises further progress" in the future.

The agreement will not only favourably⁴ impact trade relations between China and the United States, it may favourably influence the overall relations between the two countries.

1. What do you get to know from article I?

A. It is as cold as usual in Middlesbrough, and the farmers are pleased.

B. It is hotter than usual in Middlesbrough, and the farmers are pleased.

C. It is hotter than usual in Middlesbrough, and the farmers are worried.

D. It is colder than usual in Middlesbrough, and the farmers are worried.

2. How many people have died in the train crash in article 2 ?

A. Only John Phillips has died.

B. Ten people have died in the crash, including John Phillips.

C. Four people have died in the crash, including John Phillips.

D. John Phillips, his wife and children all died in the crash.

3. Who are on the danger list?

A. Petersville and Wallsend.

B. an electrical engineer and John Phillips.

C. John Phillips' wife and two children.

D. another six people who were on the train.

4. What agreement did China and the United States reach in article 3?

A. It is an agreement on a marathon race.

B. It is an agreement on trade relations.

C. It is an agreement on overall relations.

D. It is an agreement on intellectual property rights protection.

5. What are relations going to be like between China and the United States?

A. Relations between China and the United States are going to be sometimes worse and sometimes better.

B. Relations between China and the United States are going to be better.

C. Relations between China and the United States are going to be worse.

D. Relations between China and the United States are going to remain the same.

KEY: 1-5 CCDDB