Group–buying in China

Modeled after US hot website Groupon.com, group buying websites are now popular in China. These websites use the power of group buying to get competitive discounts (打折)for a daily deal on some best stuff to do, see, eat and buy in the cities across China. Discounts are available within just one click. Zhao lei, a software engineer in Beijing, loves the one-hour lunch break at noon, as it is the best time for him to check “today’s special” at his favorite group buying websites . Sometimes he searches for great deals at directory sites devoted to the new shopping space. Zhao spends around 800 yuan ($117.65) on group buying every month, mostly to buy food coupons (优惠劵)for eating at some nice restaurants and occasionally to find something fun to do. ‘‘I love group buying. In addition to the competitive discounts it offers, it helps me get something fun, exciting and new, and such surprises give me a reason to try something new,” he said. When he finds a really good bargain, he will send the link to friends or colleagues through MSN,QQ, or e-mail, or share the information at some social networking websites. In doing so, he often gets a certain cut off the price. At some sites, buyers are invited to leave notes about what they want to buy and the website will consider it if similar applications(申请)reach a certain number. That is how Zuo got her digital camera after waiting for two months. “It is cool. I want to buy a new digital camera for my trip to Switzerland this winter, but I never expected such cheap prices!”Zuo said.

1.We can learn from the passage that________.

A.China is the first country to start group buying

B.the price of group buying depends on the market

C.you can’t get the best you need through group buying

D.group buying is becoming popular in China

2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Zhao Lei has to spend about 800 yuan on group buying per month.

B.Zhao Lei never surfs at other directory sites for group buying.

C.Zhao Lei finds it easy to do group buying.

D.Zhao Lei can’t buy food coupons to eat at a nice restaurant.

3.What is the passage mainly about?

A.Zhao Lei’s online purchasing life.

B.Group buying

C.The US hot websites

D.A new digital camera

4.Zhao Lei succeeded in getting a certain cut off the price by__________.

A.bargaining face to face

B.discussing with the sellers

C.providing the link to others

D.inviting others to talk about the price

The Netherlands on Monday introduced its first-ever intelligent bicycle, fitted with electronic devices to help bring down the high accident rate among elderly cyclists in the bicycle-mad country.

Developed for the government by the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), the intelligent bicycle, runs on electricity. A commercial-available bicycle is expected to be on the market in the next two years and should sell for between 1, 700 to 3, 200 euros per bicycle.

The devices on the bike are linked through an onboard computer with a vibrating (震动的) warning system fitted in the bicycle's saddle and handlebars to warn cyclists of the coming danger.

The saddle vibrates when other cyclists approach from behind, while, the handlebars do the same when barriers appear ahead.

"Accidents often happen when cyclists look behind them or get a fright when they are passed at high speed," said Maurice Kwakkernaat, one of TNO's research scientists involved in the project. "The onboard system technology has already been at work in the car industry," he said.

''More and more elderly people are using a bicycle, not only for short distances, but also for longer distances," Dutch Environment and Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen told AFP. "This type of bicycle is truly needed in the Netherlands because it will help us bring down the number of elderly people who are injured every year and allow them to continue to enjoy cycling," she said.

In the Netherlands, bicycles outnumber the population of 17 million by at least one million and there are some 25,000 km of bicycle path in the country. Those statistics are set to grow as more and more people take to two-wheeled transport, leading to an increased risk of injury.

Last year, 184 cyclists died in the country, of which 124, or 67%, were older than 65, according to the Central Statistics Office. The year before, 200 cyclists died, the majority of victims also being elderly.

The current model weighs 25 kilograms but researchers are working on making the onboard systems smaller.

1.The intelligent bicycle is aimed to ________.

A. protect the environment

B. help reduce traffic pressure

C. popularize the use of bicycles

D. improve safety for elderly cyclists

2. Which part of the intelligent bicycle will vibrate when another cyclist was suddendly

found ahead ?

A. The handlebars. B. The wheels.

C. The saddle. D. The onboard computer.

3.We can learn from the passage that ________.

A. the elderly ride bicycles wherever they go

B. the accident rate among elderly cyclists is high

C. the number of elderly cyclists is decreasing

D. the elderly are planning to give up cycling

4. Which is the best title for the passage?

A. A Test Bicycle B. Elderly Cyclists

C. A Smart Bicycle D. A Bicycle-mad Country

完形填空

阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Yaster, an international student, first met Steve in their chemistry class at an American university ________ . Steve seemed very friendly. He always ________Yaser warmly before class. Sometimes he ________ to study with him. He________ invited Yaser to eat lunch with him. But after the term was over, Steve seemed ________ and the two former classmates didn't see each other very much at school. One day Yaser decided to call Steve, but Steve didn't seem very interested in ________ to him. Yaser was ________ by Steve’s change of attitude. Yaster complained, “I thought friends were friends forever.”

As a ________ , he doesn’t understand the way Americans view friendship. American use the word “friend” in a very ________ way. They may call both casual acquaintances and close ________ “friends”. These friends are ___________ common interests. When the ___________ activity ends, the friendship may fade. Now as Steve and Yaster are no longer classmates, their “friendship” has ________.In some cultures friendship means a strong life-long 54 between two people. In these cultures friendships develop slowly, since they are built to ________ . But American society is one of rapid change. Studies show that one out of five American families moves every year, and thus American friendships may change just ________ quickly. People from the United States may at first seem friendly and they often ________ easily with strangers. But America n friendliness is not________ an offer of true friendship. After an experience ________ Yaster’s, people who’ve been in this country for only a few months may consider Americans to be unreliable.

Learning how Americans________ friendship can help non-Americans avoid misunderstandings. It can also help them make friends the American way.

1.A. As usual B. At first C. In fact D. In short

2.A. invited B. helped C. guided D. greeted

3.A. agreed B. promised C. offered D. expected

4.A. even B. again C. suddenly D. still

5.A. special B. distant C. upset D. rude

6.A. explaining B. returning C. turning D. talking

7.A. frightened B. misled C. hurt D. controlled

8.A. stranger B. foreigner C. friend D. student

9.A. quick B. complex C. general D. formal

10.A. companions B. families C. relatives D. passers-by

11.A. developed into B. aimed at C. based on D. meant for

12.A. varied B. planned C. prepared D. shared

13.A. started B. changed C. separated D. developed

14.A. bond B. happiness C. duty D. influence

15.A. last B. fade C. help D. match

16.A. so B. for C. more D. as

17.A. meet B. break C. chat D. live

18.A. only B. just C. indeed D. always

19.A. with B. like C. on D. from

20.A. view B. start C. end D. keep

Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good at what it does that there’s always a temptation(诱惑) to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to resist the temptation.

Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science revealed about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren’t?

To answer these questions, Brooks surveys a wide range of disciplines(学科).Considering this, you might expect the book to be a dry recitation of facts. But Brooks has structured his book in an unorthodox(非常规的), and perhaps unfortunate, way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader’s attention. So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.

On the whole, Brooks’s story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks’s attempt to translate his tale into science.

1. The author mentions the functions of science at the beginning of the passage to__________.

A. illustrate where science can be applied

B. demonstrate the value of Brooks’s new book

C. remind the reader of the importance of science

D. explain why many writers use science in their works

2.According to the author, which of the following could be a strength of the book?

A. Its strong basis. B. Its convincing points.

C. Its clear writing. D. Its memorable characters.

3.What is the author’s general attitude towards the book?

A. Contradictory. B. Supportive.

C. Cautious. D. Critical.

4.What is the author likely to write about after the last paragraph?

A. Problems with the book.

B. Brooks’s life experience.

C. Death of the characters.

D. Brooks’s translation skills.

When it comes to success in business and success in life, there are few qualities as important as confidence.

People naturally have different levels of confidence. Some have a higher level of confidence than others do, but even those whose confidence is lacking can learn to build their level of confidence and reach their most important goals. Increasing self-confidence is one of the most common reasons people give for seeking the help of psychologists and other professionals.

One of the many places where a greater level of confidence is useful is in the workplace. We all know how difficult it can be, for instance, to ask the boss for a raise. This process can be extremely difficult for those who lack confidence in their own abilities. After all, if you are unsure about your own abilities, how will you ever convince your boss that you deserve more money for the work you do?

Even if you are not asking for that big raise, having plenty of confidence in your abilities is important to success. If you are certain of your abilities, chances are that those around you, whether they are your coworkers, your colleagues or your superiors(上级), will see that confidence, and that will help to assure them that you are the best at what you do.

Being thought of as the person to go to, and being seen as an expert in your chosen field, is naturally very important to success on the job. If you can make yourself the person people go to for guidance and advice, you will help to protect yourself from the ever present danger of downsizing. After all, if you are a recognized expert at the office, you will be regarded as an indispensable member of the team.

Having a high level of confidence, after all, does not mean overlooking the places where you could improve. Knowing what you do well and where you need help will help you enjoy increased success and confidence.

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The influence of confidence on one’s life.

B. The importance of confidence to success.

C. The difference of people’s confidence.

D. The judgment on one’s confidence.

2.Psychologists and other professionals can offer help to those _____.

A. who think their goals are hard to reach

B. who expect to give guidance to others

C. who want to ask the boss for a raise

D. who dream to be recognized experts

3.What does the underlined word indispensable in Paragraph 5 probably mean?

A. important B. attractive

C. outgoing D. energetic

4.What message does the author want to convey (传达) in the last paragraph?

A. To overlook one’s disadvantages.

B. To make full use of one’s advantages.

C. To have great confidence in one’s abilities.

D. To make objective(客观的) evaluations of one’s abilities.

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