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

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