White Elephant
 

Centuries ago, in the country of Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers that displeased them by giving the offender a white elephant. Because the animal was could not be made to work as other elephants did, but still had to be fed hundreds of pounds of fruit and cared for in the most lavish style. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the recipient and in many cases they became impoverished.

This is the origin of the term "white elephant" as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The way of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings, and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The second person can choose or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly gifts and "stealing" someone else’s gift.

What is the meaning of the word "impoverished" in the first paragraph?

The Summer Olympics Games

Once every four years the countries of the world send their best and brightest to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The site for the event s decided years before, and most countries contend strongly for the privilege to host the Games. The 2008 games were held in Bejing, China. There is a lot of pageantry and tradition attached to the event. The opening ceremony is elaborate and awe-inspiring. China put on a spectacularly beautiful fireworks display to welcome the world's athletes in 2008. The track events, water events (swimming, diving) and precision activities such as archery and rhythmic gymnastics are wonderful to watch. Seeing these athletes perform their special skills is a treat for those of us who achieve a vicarious satisfaction from it. Everyone roots for the athletes from their owr country and we thrill when our anthem is played during the medal ceremony. Being an Olympian is an honor every athlete dreams of. How often are the Summer Olympic Games held? A Once a decade.

What is the main reason that athletes want to participate in the Olympics?

The Summer Olympics Games

Once every four years the countries of the world send their best and brightest to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The site for the event s decided years before, and most countries contend strongly for the privilege to host the Games. The 2008 games were held in Bejing, China. There is a lot of pageantry and tradition attached to the event. The opening ceremony is elaborate and awe-inspiring. China put on a spectacularly beautiful fireworks display to welcome the world's athletes in 2008. The track events, water events (swimming, diving) and precision activities such as archery and rhythmic gymnastics are wonderful to watch. Seeing these athletes perform their special skills is a treat for those of us who achieve a vicarious satisfaction from it. Everyone roots for the athletes from their owr country and we thrill when our anthem is played during the medal ceremony. Being an Olympian is an honor every athlete dreams of. How often are the Summer Olympic Games held? A Once a decade.

What is the meaning of the word "roots" as used in the third paragraph?

Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms. The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans. Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants. Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.

Which sentence uses the word laden the same as in the passage?

The Summer Olympics Games

Once every four years the countries of the world send their best and brightest to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The site for the event s decided years before, and most countries contend strongly for the privilege to host the Games. The 2008 games were held in Bejing, China. There is a lot of pageantry and tradition attached to the event. The opening ceremony is elaborate and awe-inspiring. China put on a spectacularly beautiful fireworks display to welcome the world's athletes in 2008. The track events, water events (swimming, diving) and precision activities such as archery and rhythmic gymnastics are wonderful to watch. Seeing these athletes perform their special skills is a treat for those of us who achieve a vicarious satisfaction from it. Everyone roots for the athletes from their owr country and we thrill when our anthem is played during the medal ceremony. Being an Olympian is an honor every athlete dreams of. How often are the Summer Olympic Games held? A Once a decade.

Where were the Games held in 2008?