1) What's the difference between '所' and '場所'?

2) Does '~と読む' mean 'to read as'?

3) "海外に行ったことはありますか？"
Why is it は instead of が? I thought with ある/いる, が was used )':

4) "日本語で難しいとこはありますか？"
What's とこ? Or did they mean to type こと?

5) One of my penpals closed a message with 'Be careful catch a cold'. Wat? I don't know what she was trying to say so I can't correct it. Anyone got any clue?

Hmmm~ I think that's it for now. I'm off for a cup of tea (Y)

edit: haha wait, I do have another question! How do you give people rep on these boards? XD