“Everybody loves a bargain.” One person's useless, ugly, or broken object can be another person's bargain. That is why so many Americans do not throw things away. They put them outside their houses. They put on a “For Sale” sign. And, as simple as that, they have a yard sale.         
The sellers put a paid announcement(付费通告)in a local newspaper. It tells when and where the yard sale will take place. These sales are very popular during weekends in spring, summer, and autumn. Early in the morning, all the things to be sold are carried out of the house. Then they sit all day in the sunlight----like tired guests at a party----waiting for someone to take them home.
Just about anything can be sold at a yard sale. Sometimes, there are more clothes than anything else. Cooking equipment is also popular. So are old toys, tools, books, tables and chairs. Then there are objects called “white elephants”. A white elephant is something you think is extremely ugly or useless. It may be an electric light shaped like a fish. You feel a sharp pain whenever you look at it. To someone else, however, it might be a thing of beauty and joy.
Some people go to yard sales to find a special thing that they collect. It may be old toy trains, for example, or painting of dogs. Experts say more Americans are collecting old things now than ever before. Most people who go to yard sales, however, are not looking for anything special. They might buy an object simply because it costs so little. They enjoy negotiating(谈判) over prices, even if they really do not need the object. Later, they may hold their own yard to sell all the things they have bought.
【小题1】What kind of things will go to a yard sale?

A.Cheap and ugly things.B.Things people no longer use.
C.Things out of season.D.Things of great value.
【小题2】A white elephant refers to _________.
A.something that can cause a feeling of pain
B.something disliked by the owners while appreciated by others
C.something sold at the lowest prices
D.a toy shaped like a fish
【小题3】Most people go to yard sales to________.
A.find valuable paintingsB.look for something special
C.find a bargainD.kill their time
【小题4】Which of the following is NOT true about a yard sale?
A.It may not be held when the weather is very cold.
B.It can last for a whole day.
C.It is usually held with a party.
D.It is held outdoors.
【小题5】We can infer from the last paragraph that__________.
A.people may find something of great value on a yard sale
B.yard sales only attract those who have a low income
C.things on a yard sale can cost people a lot
D.most people don’t want to go to yard sales.


B
The Couch Surfing network is an online community stretching across the globe with over one and a half million members.The basic concept is to provide a platform for travelers to contact people who are willing to put them up free of charge.Travelers connect with potential hosts online and, if they like each other, exchange details to make further arrangements.
Basil is one traveler from Switzerland who is currently couch surfing with a Chinese host in Beijmg."I thought staying in hostel is nice but you mostly meet foreigners and speak English.If you use Couch Surfing you have chance to meet people living here and really get a chance to know the life of the place you visit." Basil was speaking during a regular meeting of the Beijing network of Couch Surfing with a membership of almost 2,000.
Although some people may have concerns about meeting complete strangers and giving them full access to your house, Beijing group member Fred Sharp from California says that the Couch Surfing community is one that generally attracts trustworthy people.
"I have never had a problem with guests。I'd say that this Couch Surfing community worldwide is a fairly trustworthy community Like I say, always be cautious, make sure that you read everyone's profile that you're considering hosting, and if it doesn't feel right just say 'no', it's ok."
Originally launched in the US as a non-profit organization in 2004, Couch Surfing is growing fast across the world.China is no exception with around 30,000 members and hundreds more signing up each week.One of them is Beijing resident Hai Yan who joined in November 2009.She says the first time she hosted a guest was a very positive experience."My first guest was from Italy He was very kind and helpful.He bought me a present from Italy, a handbag.It's a famous brand!"
As the organization grows from strength to strength, hotel owners across the world will be watching very closely and possibly thinking twice about raising their prices too high.
61.The Couch Surfing network is intended to ____.
A.give reliable information about hotels
B.provide people with a platform to contact each other
C.find potential hosts who want to supply travelers with couches
D.offer travelers convenience to find suitable hosts for free accommodations
62.According to Fred Sharp, ____.
A.couch surfers can fully rely on Couch Surfing community
B.Couch Surfing community enables you to meet different people
C.Couch Surfing community is trusted by all couch surfers
D.couch surfers may form a judgment on hosts and make a final decision
63.We can infer from the passage that ____.
A.Couch Surfing has a long history       
B.Hai Yan is satisfied with her host
C.Couch Surfing is getting popular in China       
D.Basil works at the Beijing Network
64.The last paragraph suggests that hotels will ____.
A.be replaced by the organization   B.probably not charge too much
C.not consider raising their prices      D.show no concern about the organization

"Everybody loves a bargain." One person’s useless, ugly, or broken object can be another person's bargain.That is why so many Americans do not throw things away.They put them outside their houses.They put on a "For Sale" sign.And, as simple as that, they have a yard sale.

The sellers put a paid announcement in a local newspaper.It tells, when and where the yard sale will take place.These sales are very popular during weekends in spring, summer, and autumn.Early in the morning, all the things to be sold are carried out of the house.Then they sit all day in the sunlight—like tired guests at a party—waiting for someone to take them home.

Just about anything can be sold at a yard sale.Sometimes, there are more clothes than anything else.Cooking equipment is also popular.So are old toys, tools, books, tables and chairs.

Then there are objects called "white elephants".A white elephant is something you think is extremely ugly or useless.It may be an electric light shaped like a fish.You feel a sharp pain whenever you look at it.To someone else, however, it might be a thing of beauty and joy.

Some people go to yard sales to find a special thing that they collect.It may be old toy trains, for example, or paintings of dogs.Experts say more Americans are collecting old things now than ever before.Most people who go to yard sales, however, are not looking for anything special.They might buy an object simply because it costs so little. They enjoy negotiating(谈判)over prices, even if they really do not need the object.Later, they may hold their own yard to sell all the things they have bought.

1.What kind of things will go to a yard sale?

A.Things people no longer use.             B.Things of great, value.

C.Things out of season.                   D.Things of beauty and joy.

2.A white elephant refers to something _____.

A.that can cause a feeling of pain

B.disliked by the owners while appreciated by others

C.that looks like a golden fish

D.sold at the lowest prices in the old newspaper

3.Which of the following is NOT true about a yard sale?

A.It is held outdoors.                     B.It may not be held on a cold day.

C.It can last for a whole day.               D.It is usually held with a party.

 

“Everybody loves a bargain.” One person's useless, ugly, or broken object can be another person's bargain. That is why so many Americans do not throw things away. They put them outside their houses. They put on a “For Sale” sign. And, as simple as that, they have a yard sale.         

The sellers put a paid announcement(付费通告)in a local newspaper. It tells when and where the yard sale will take place. These sales are very popular during weekends in spring, summer, and autumn. Early in the morning, all the things to be sold are carried out of the house. Then they sit all day in the sunlight----like tired guests at a party----waiting for someone to take them home.

Just about anything can be sold at a yard sale. Sometimes, there are more clothes than anything else. Cooking equipment is also popular. So are old toys, tools, books, tables and chairs. Then there are objects called “white elephants”. A white elephant is something you think is extremely ugly or useless. It may be an electric light shaped like a fish. You feel a sharp pain whenever you look at it. To someone else, however, it might be a thing of beauty and joy.

Some people go to yard sales to find a special thing that they collect. It may be old toy trains, for example, or painting of dogs. Experts say more Americans are collecting old things now than ever before. Most people who go to yard sales, however, are not looking for anything special. They might buy an object simply because it costs so little. They enjoy negotiating(谈判) over prices, even if they really do not need the object. Later, they may hold their own yard to sell all the things they have bought.

1.What kind of things will go to a yard sale?

A. Cheap and ugly things.      B. Things people no longer use.

C. Things out of season.        D. Things of great value.

2.A white elephant refers to _________.

A. something that can cause a feeling of pain      

B. something disliked by the owners while appreciated by others

C. something sold at the lowest prices

D. a toy shaped like a fish

3.Most people go to yard sales to________.

A. find valuable paintings       B. look for something special

C. find a bargain                D. kill their time

4.Which of the following is NOT true about a yard sale?

A. It may not be held when the weather is very cold.

B. It can last for a whole day.

C. It is usually held with a party.

D. It is held outdoors.

5.We can infer from the last paragraph that__________.

A. people may find something of great value on a yard sale

B. yard sales only attract those who have a low income

C. things on a yard sale can cost people a lot

D. most people don’t want to go to yard sales.

 

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