Young people from around the United States gathered in Pasadena, California recently to talk about businesses they created. The businesses are completely virtual. Their products and services are not real. And only virtual money is exchanged. One thousand three hundred students attended the conference, which was organized by Virtual Enterprises International.The New York City-based group says it helps high school students learn modern business skills, including problem solving, communication and technology. The group says it is influenced by the European tradition of apprenticeships in which students learn from people already working in a business or trade.The Pasadena event seemed like a trade show with many virtual businesses offering products such as communications technology or food.Students from Miguel Contreras Business and Tourism School in Los Angeles tried to get customers for their business, Big City Tours. Their business is special, they say, because it provides virtual tours to different parts of Los Angeles. Customers can learn about the city's ethnic heritage, see high-end fashion or visit stores.Students from Century High School in Santa Ana, California were trying to sell a translation device for use by travelers. Students start with a business plan. They are named to leadership positions and learn to "work together, having a common goal in a potentially successful business."Nick Chapman is president and national program director for Virtual Enterprises International. He says students quickly realize that operating a business is a lot of work."They're running meetings, they're networking, they're meeting with professionals, and they're working with mentors, all of the things that are really going to set them apart when they get into college and then move on into their careers."Chapman says 13,000 students go through Virtual Enterprises International's program each year. Miguel Santin, a student from Century High School, said he now understands the pressure of running a company. He works in a virtual company called Taste of the World. He has overseen employment and digital media for the virtual company. "You really need to be hands-on with your employees and make sure you guys have strong communication. Otherwise the company just won't prosper as much as you would expect."1. What can students learn from virtual businesses?A) They learn how to exchange virtual money.B) They learn how to make products and provide service.C) They learn how to master modern business skills.D) They learn how to be a qualified employer in a business.2. Which of the following is a product offered by the virtual businesses at the Pasadena event?A) Communications technology.B) Virtual money.C) Virtual professors.D) High-end fashion stores.3. What were the business plans of students from Miguel Contreras Business and Tourism School?A) They provided customers with virtual tours to different parts of Los Angeles.B) They tried to sell a translation device for use by travelers.C) They offered a lot of virtual technology and food.D) They displayed their virtual products to the travelers.4. What does the underlined expression "set … apart" mean?A) Make somebody B) Make somebodyisolated outstandingC) Make somebody D) Make somebodystrange stronger5. What does Miguel Santin learn from his experience of working in a virtual company?A) He understands it is not easy to run a company.B) He learns how to manage digital media for a company.C) He understands that he needs to work hand in hand with employees.D) He knows that it's important to make sure employers keep silent while working.