选择知识点

Market analysts in the United States have recently been quoted as saying that the biggest threat to the luxury (奢侈品) industry in the US is the tech industry. This is according to an article by fellow journalist Ashley Lutz. Her suggestion is sound. The main idea of her article is that products from Tiffany & Co. find their biggest competition not from other luxury brands but from companies like Apple. Lutz points out that luxury products are often only for “show,” while the attraction behind tech products is functionality.

You find few people in the United States today willing to purchase luxury goods at full price. It didn’t use to be that way. Luxury goods used to be actuallyexclusive. That meant you needed to travel to the right store to purchase them, and you didn’t even have the option of getting a deal.

Today, no one wants to pay full price for luxury goods. People have the unfortunate belief that fakes (赝品) somehow are equal to originals, and if you can’t get a deal on eBay, Amazon, or in an outlet store, purchasing a luxury product probably isn’t worth it. Luxury brands struggle to remain high-end (高档的) images despite the reality that the American consumer is motivated much more by discounts than they are by brand names or image.

Yet people stand in line to pay full price for a new product from Apple and crowds gather to hear about a new smart phone. While electronics are updating every day, people are purchasing technology at full prices much more than they are purchasing luxury goods. What high-tech makers are doing right what luxury makers are pitifully failing at?

Carefully looking at the situation, it would appear as if the Internet didn’t hurt the luxury industry, expectation from the consumers did. What people want these days more than anything is stuff that does something. They want cars that drive, shoes that are comfortable, games that are fun to play, screens that are beautiful to look at, tools that are useful, and entertainment that is entertaining. Little of that fits into what the luxury industry has typically offered with its status, image, and fine materials. The sad reality is that luxury products aren’t that luxury any more.

(1) What does this passage mainly talk about?
A. Nobody likes luxury goods any more. B. Luxury goods are of poor quality nowadays. C. Iphones have taken the place of luxury products. D. Tech products become the new “luxury goods”.
(2) The underlined word “exclusive” in paragraph 2 means _______.
A. hard to find B. low in price C. unique and with no bargain D. easy to sell
(3) From paragraph 3 we can know that _______.
A. people have found that some luxury goods are fakes B. people can buy luxury goods at a low price on eBay C. luxury brands will give up high-end images D. consumers prefer brand names to discounts

An increase in the number of fathers wanting to spend more time with their children has led to almost a million men in Britain choosing to work part-time.

   Thousands of fathers have joined a growing trend for men to share childcare responsibilities by cutting their working hours, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows. It comes from separate research which showed that more than two thirds of fathers under 35 regularly take their children to and from school. The ONS asks part-time workers whether they do so out of choice or necessity, allowing experts to gather more detailed data.

   Statistics show the number of men choosing to work fewer hours has jumped in the last two decades, from 367,000 to around 992,000．Working women are still more likely to reduce their hours to look after children, however, with 4.6 million women saying they work part-time out of choice.

   While it found that around half of all working fathers drop off their children at school some or most of the time, those under 35 are even more likely to do so. Workers who could not get flexible working hours however have more difficulty, with 44% of working fathers admitting they have lied to their boss due to family responsibilities.

   Half of working fathers said they would be nervous about asking their employers to reduce their working hours and a third said they would be nervous about asking their employers if they could miss work for a family event.

   Sarah Jackson from working parent charity Working Families insisted that more things need to be done to help families deal with the problem. She said, "Workplace culture is very important to working families, and we strongly encourage employers not to go against the grain(违反本性) of family life, so that parents can give of their best at work and at home."

(1) What can we learn from the survey made by ONS?
A. The reasons why some fathers work part-time are still unknown. B. Bosses don't care if the employees ask for leave for a family event. C. Men tend to take more responsibilities in the family. D. Working women can work longer hours because of their husbands help.
(2) What does Sarah Jackson think the employers should do?
A. Let men compete in their working place. B. Give men support to take care of their family. C. Balance their work and family life. D. Improve the salaries of working fathers.
(3) Which of the following is not true according to the passage?
A. More fathers want to spend more time with their children. B. Fathers are more likely to reduce working hours to look after children. C. The number of fathers choosing to work fewer hours has increased morn than twice in the last two decades. D. The author thinks the employers should give the employees more consideration about family responsilities.
(4) What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Daddies sharing children. B. Working women. C. Part-time workers. D. Family responsibilities.

In order to borrow books and other materials, all users need a library card. The librarian can obtain a list of staff and pupils from the school office to prepare library cards.

The normal length of borrowing depends on the person running the library, but four weeks is the suggested period of loan. The book to be borrowed is stamped two weeks in advance.

Usually, fines are set if users fail to return items on or before the due date. Some items, such as videos or reference-related materials, might be borrowed on an overnight loan.

Using an automated (自动化) system

Details of all pupils and staff using the library are imported on the system. The following suggestions may be helpful in producing library cards for your school:

•The cards should be designed by the students (as a competition) and copied.

•The school logo and the name of the school should be included.

•The cards should be colour-copied or just photo-copied.

•The cards should be bar-coded (条形码).

•Write the users’ names on the cards.

•Go to the borrower records on the system. Find the borrower’s name and scan in the barcode to register the user.

   Alternatively, there are reputable companies who produce library cards. Although these may work out more costly, the cards can last for a long time and reduce valuable librarian time.

Checking resources regularly

An annual check of all stock is recommended in order to find out missing resources, and resources to be withdrawn from stock. The latter may be necessary, due to lack of use or because the resource has been damaged beyond repair; alternatively, the information obtained within the resource may have gone out of date or have become culturally insensitive.

(1) Which of the following is suggested for the library card designs?
A. The school office. B. The librarian. C. Teachers. D. Students.
(2) Compared with self-made library cards, ready-made ones are _____.
A. hard-wearing B. money-saving C. more popular D. better bar-coded
(3) What type of writing is this text?
A. A library announcement. B. A school report. C. A local advertisement. D. A practical guide.

It was the day before the Bolder Boulder (a 10 kilometers race) when I decided to take an easy run on the beautiful path by my home. At 53, I am trying to accept that slowing down is just a part of life. As I rounded the corner and started up one of the many familiar hills, a pretty girl was jogging toward me. It was one of the nicest meetings I have had on the path on over thirty years. "Hi, Mom," she said breathlessly.

   My children have watched my husband and me go running most mornings of their lives. It was so predictable that when my daughter was six years old, I said, "you know honey, not all parents go running every morning." "Really Mommy, like who?" she asked.

   My only daughter is my youngest child. I always thought how happy I'd be if my children started running. But my daughter never seemed to like it too much when I came in sweaty from a run and was tired. "You smell unpleasant, Mom!" My sons ran the Bolder Boulder once, but after that their running shoes were left to gather dust. Nevertheless, I kept running and racing while my children did not.

   But meeting my daughter on the path that morning was a beautiful example of what parenting is all about. It's really so much more about what we do versus what we say. Of course, as a psychologist I always advise people that good parenting should be all about modeling. We now have five pairs of running shoes, since my sons both have also recently found their way to the path. So no matter how fast I run this Memorial, I have already felt the joy of winning. Besides, I am reminded that doing what you love will bring a medal for the whole family.

(1) Why was the day before the race so special for the author?
A. She realized the meaning of life. B. Her family decided to take part in the race. C. Her daughter started running like her. D. She was encouraged to win a gold medal in the race.
(2) What can we know about the author's daughter?
A. She considered exercising boring. B. She showed no interest on running at first. C. She preferred to see parents running. D. She usually asked her mother simple questions.
(3) What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Creating a Life Fall of Goals B. Spending More Time with Family C. Enjoying the Benefit D. Following in our Footsteps

We often hear people talking about a generation gap (代沟). The name is new, but the idea is
old. Young people and their parents don’t understand each other. The world has always kept changing. During the second century after Christ a wise man said, “Bury me on my face because in a little while everything will be turned upside down.” 
   There has always been a gap between generations, but more people talk about it now. Old Mr. Ellis thinks he understands what has happened. 
   “When I was a boy, I thought the world was a beautiful place. My life was very pleasant. But when I was older, I learned about people who were treated badly, people who didn’t have enough to eat. I wanted to help them, and I married a girl who wanted to help them, too. We went to meetings and talked a lot, but it didn’t seem to make much difference. ”
   “Our children grew up in a world at war. They didn’t know when the fighting would stop. They wanted their children to have nice clothes and toys. They didn’t want to think about the future. They thought nothing could be done about it.”
   “Now I have grandchildren, and they have their own ideas. They are trying to make the world better. They are trying to help other people. They’re making people listen to them. I am proud of their generation.”


(1) The wise man mentioned in the text told people to bury him on his face so that when everything is turned upside down he will _____.

A. lie on his stomach B. sit in peace
C. stand quietly D. lie on his back

(2) Which generation did NOT want to do anything to make the world a better one?

A. Mr. Ellis’ generation B. None of the above. C. His grandchildren’s generation D. His children’s generation

(3) Which generation is/was more efficient in making the world better one?

A. Mr. Ellis’ generation. B. His children’s generation. C. None of the above D. His grandchildren’s generation.

Tradition has it that boys are good at counting and girls are good at reading. So much so that Mattel once produced a talking Barbie doll whose stock of phrases included “Math class is tough!”

   Although much is made of differences between the brains of adult males and females, the sources of these differences are a matter of controversy. Some people put forward cultural explanations and note, for example, that when girls are taught separately from boys they often do better in subjects such as maths than if classes are mixed. Others claim that the differences are rooted in biology, are there from birth, and exist because girls’ and boys’ brains have evolved to handle information in different ways.

Luigi Guiso of the European University Institute has just published the results of a study which suggests that culture explains most of the difference in maths, at 1east.In this week’s Science, they show that the gap in mathematics scores between boys and girls virtually disappears in countries with high levels of sexual equality, though the reading gap remains.

Dr. Guiso took data from the 2003 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment. On average, girls’ maths scores were lower than those of boys. However, the gap was largest in countries with the least equality between the sexes, while it vanished in countries where the sexes are more or 1ess equal to one another. The researchers also did some additional statistical checks to ensure the correlation was material. They say their data therefore show that improvements in maths scores are related not to economic development, but directly to improvements in the social position of women. However, the gap in reading scores not only remained, but got bigger as the sexes became more equal. Average reading scores were higher for girls than for boys in all countries. But in more equal societies, not only were the girls as good at maths as the boys, their advantage in reading had increased.

This suggests an interesting paradox. At first sight, girls’ rise to mathematical equality suggests they should be invading maths-heavy professions such as engineering—and that if they are not, the implication might be that prejudice is keeping them out. However, as David Ricardo observed almost 200 years ago, economic optimisation is about comparative advantage. The rise in female reading scores a longside their maths scores suggests that female comparative advantage in this area has not changed. According to Paola Sapienza, a professor of finance at Northwestern University in Illinois who is one of the paper’s authors, that is just what has happened. Other studies of gifted girls, she says, show that even though the girls had the ability, fewer than expected ended up reading maths and sciences at university. Instead, they went on to be become successful in areas such as law.

In other words, girls may acquire an absolute advantage over boys as a result of equal treatment. This is something that society, more broadly, has not yet taken on board. Mattel may wish to take note that among Teen Talk Barbie’s 270 phrases concerning shopping, parties and clothes, at least one might usefully have been, “Dostoevsky rocks!”

(1) 

The mathematical gap between boys and girls_____.

A. is a traditional misunderstanding B. is a controversial claim without proof C. can be interpreted as the evolution of information handling D. narrowed with improvement in women’s social position
(2) 

The differences between boys and girls in reading______.

A. result from a cultural source B. may have a biological origin C. are a reflection of sexual inequality D. become larger with the decrease of the maths gap
(3) 

What is the main reason preventing woman from crowing the profession of engineering?

A. Social prejudice against them B. Their disadvantages in math C. The appeal of woman-dominated areas D. Their absolute advantage in reading
(4) 

It can be inferred from that in sexually equal societies________.

A. girls have advantages in both maths and reading B. girls are becoming as good as boys at mathematics C. woman do better than men in math-related careers D. a greater number of men enter reading-related fields
(5) 

The last sentence of the passage implies that society need to_______.

A. eliminate discrimination against women in maths B. ensure equal opportunities for boys and girls C. recognize girls’ advantages in reading D. encourage women to pursue maths and sciences

I came to study in the United States a year ago .Yet I did not know the real American society until I was injured in a car accident because after the accident I had to see a doctor and go to court.
    After the accident .my roommate called a doctor for me. I was very grateful and determined to repay him one day. But the next day, he asked me to pay him $200 for what he had done. I was astonished. He had good reason to charge me, he said. And if I wanted to collect money from the person who was responsible for my injury, I’d have to have a good lawyer. And only a good doctor can help me get a good lawyer .Now that he had helped me find a good doctor, it was only fair that I should pay him.
    But every day I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another. Yet he charged me $115 each time .The final examination report consisted of ten lines, and it cost me $215.
    My lawyer was all smiles the first time we met. But after that he avoided seeing me at all. He knew very well the other party was responsible for the accident, yet he hardly did anything. He simply waited to collect his money. He was so irresponsible that I decided to dismiss him. And he made me pay him $770. 
    Now I had to act as my own lawyer. Due to my inexperience, I told the insurance company the date I was leaving America. Knowing that, they played for time…and I left without getting a cent.


(1) The author’s roommate offered to help him because________.

A. he felt sorry for the author
B. he wanted the author to have a good lawyer
C. he knew the doctor was a very good one
D. he thought it was a chance to make some money

(2) good doctor is essential for the author to __________.

A. eventually get the responsible party to pay for his injury B. talk with the person responsible for the accident
C. recover before he leaves America
D. be properly treated

(3) The word“charge”in the third paragraph means_________ .

A. be responsible B. accuse C. claim D. ask as a price

(4) Both the doctor and the lawyer in this passage are very__________.

A. selfish B. friendly C. professional D. busy

(5) What conclusion can you draw from the story?

A. Going to court is something very common in America.
B. Money is more important than other things in the US.
C. There are more bad sides in America than good sides.
D. One must be very careful while driving a car.

The Internet has led to a huge increase in credit-cardfraud. Your card information could even be for sale in an illegal Web site.Web sites offering cheap goods and services should be regarded with care. On-line shoppers who enter their credit-card information may never receive the goods they bought. The thieves then go shopping with your card number—or sell the information over the Internet.

Computers hackers have broken down security systems, raising questions about the safety of cardholder information. Several months ago,25 000 customers of CD Universe, an on-line music retailer(批发商),were not lucky. Their names, addresses and credit-card numbers were posted on a Web site after the retailer refused to pay US $157 828 to get back the information.

Credit-card firms are now fighting against on-line fraud. MasterCard is working on plans for Web-only credit card, with a lower credit limit. The card could be used only for shopping on-line.

However, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep from being cheated.

Ask about your credit-card firm’s on-line rules: Under British law, cardholders are responsible for the first US $78 of any fraudulent spending.

And shop only at secure sites: Send your credit-card information only if the Web site offers-advanced secure system.

If the security is in place, a letter will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. The Web site address may also start with https: //—the extra “s” stands for secure. If in doubt, give your credit-card information over the telephone.

Keep your password safe: Most online sites require a user name and password before placing an order. Treat your passwords with care.

(1) What do most people worry about the Internet according to this passage?
A. A lot of stolen credit-cards were sold on the Internet.
B. Fraud on the Internet. C. Many Web sites are destroyed D. Many illegal Web sites are on the Internet.
(2) What is the meaning of “fraud”?
A. cheating B. sale C. payment D. safety
(3) How can the thieves get the information of the credit-card?
A. The customers give them the information. B. The thieves steal the information from Web sites C. The customers sell the information to them. D. Both A and B.
(4) How many pieces of advice does the passage give to you?
A. Four. B. Three. C. Five. D. Six.
(5) You are shopping on the site:http://www.shopping.com,andyou want to buy a TV set, what does this article suggest doing?
A. Order the TV set at once. B. Do not buy the TV set on this site. C. E-mail the site your credit-card information. D. Tell the site your password and buy the TV set for you

University-the best days of my life!I made lots of friends in my student dorm，went to great parties，joined the debating society…and，well，I did some work too-but I must admit my lecturers were very patient with my tardiness（拖拉）．
It's easy to look back at our university days through rose-tinted spectacles but the truth is that when we first arrived on campus，most of us were out of our comfort zone．
In fact，a survey of students at Imperial College London has revealed that 3out of 4students experience high levels of stress，or a mental health condition，during their time at college．The survey，completed by over a thousand students，also found that 70% of those that experience stress do so at least once a week，and 9% of students feel stressed constantly．
Kirsty，a student at Exeter University，didn't enjoy her first days in college．She says："When I first got to university I don't think I'd realized that I'd forgotten how to make friends．I'd been with the same
school friends for seven years，and so I was trying to balance social success with academic success while learning how to look after myself at quite a young age．"
Dr Ruth Caleb of the counseling service at Brunel University in London has some tips that should make life easier for students before they set off for university．She says："Certain things that I think it would be very helpful for students to have put in place are an ability to do the practical things of life-to do the washing，to do the cleaning and so on-being able to cook．Budgeting is extremely important in university life．"And Caleb adds："You should learn how to spend time on your own comfortably．"
I graduated and learnt how to take care of myself the hard way．I hope that new students these days remember to acquire some life skills before they make the big jump．


(1) Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined part in Paragraph 2？______

A. rose-shaped glasses B. positive perspectives C. negative sides D. flower-like tools

(2) What did Kirsty find most difficult to do during her first days in college？ ______

A. Not knowing how to make new friends．
B. Not realizing the importance of making friends．
C. Looking after herself at quite an early age．
D. Trying to achieve academic success．

(3) Which of the following can be inferred from the passage？ ______

A. During the first few days at college for new students，most of them felt comfortable．
B. According to a survey，most students at Imperial College London suffered from stress at college．
C. The lecturers are always tolerant of college students'improper behavior．
D. Acquiring some life skills isn't that important to new students．

To have a second child or not, this is a question.

A concern about only one child is whether one child necessarily means a lonely child. Many parents of only child feel guilty of their decision to have only one child. There are no other children in the family for the child to associate with, which may lead to the child feeling lonely at times.

Another common argument against having just one child may be more spoiled than one with siblings. Many people believe that a single child will not have learned to negotiate with others, and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships. Some think this may leave the child less capable of interacting well with people his or her own age.

Despite these arguments, the number of parents choosing to have only one child is increasing in the world. For some single-child parents, the pressures of devoting time and energy to a second child can result in them selecting have no more children. For other parents, the financial burden of having a second child may be the major consideration. Another important consideration is the increasing age at which women give birth to children.

Advocates of single-child families argue that there are advantages for the child as well as the parents. With just one child, the parents can give, and the child can receive, more quality time and attention.

However, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not to have a second child. The circumstances affecting each set of parents are unique. The important thing, in the end, is to make a decision that both the wife and the husband feel confident.

(1) What are the advantages of children with brothers or sisters?


A. Less pressure and better energy B. More respect and greater family wealth
C. Higher intelligence and more attention D. Less loneliness and better social competence

(2) What prevent some parents from having a second child according to the passage?


A. Work pressures B. Limited time, energy and money
C. The health and wealth of the first child D. The negotiations between parents and children

(3) What can we learn from the passage?


A. The birth of a second child makes many parents guilty
B. The number of single-child parents is decreasing
C. Nowadays women delay giving birth to children
D. Family circumstances have little effect on parents’ decision