Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 55 million people in the U. S. are “gig workers" which is more than 35 percent of the U. S. workforce. That number is projected to jump to 43 percent by 2020.
People are drawn to gig work（零工）because it brings in a little extra income without a major time commitment. And recent technologies like Skype, Slack, and Dropbox have made the gig life a reality, giving you maximum freedom, an ideal work-life balance, and the chance to pursue your passions.
If you're thinking of joining the gig economy, it's never been easier. One of the great things about the gig economy is that you don't have a boss breathing down your neck. As a freelancer, you no longer have to cater to a company culture or work schedule that might cause physical or emotional stress. Instead, you get to choose the type of work you do and who you work with. But this degree of freedom requires a corresponding amount of discipline. With no boss to make sure you're on task, it's all on you.
A lot of gig workers start their careers by hopping on a project because the employer is desperate and in need of help. On the employer's end, it's tough to take on people for higher management positions when the pool of talent is full of gig workers who haven't been given an opportunity to improve their skills. Businesses have to evolve to learn how to account for an influx（(涌入）of temporary workers. It is harder for gig workers to become skilled and get promoted.
The workforce is becoming more advanced and educated by the day. You have to keep learning and keep up with industry trends to maintain a competitive edge. This is true even for people in traditional office settings, but it's critical if you're your own boss.
1.What made the gig life a reality?
A.Greater work-life balance. B.New technologies.
C.A little extra money. D.Maximum freedom.
2.What does the underlined phrase “breathing down your neck” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A.Making you unable to breathe freely.
B.Standing very close behind you.
C.Threatening you by saying something.
D.Monitoring you closely.
3.What can we infer from the last but one paragraph?
A.Employers should invest in training the temporary workers.
B.Gig workers start their jobs out of passion.
C.It's hard for employers to employ people for higher positions.
D.It's hard for gig workers to develop skills.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A.The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Gig Economy
B.The Challenges of the Gig Economy
C.The Increase of the Gig Economy
D.The Reason for the Gig Economy
At a time when industries are under greater pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, more production facilities are turning to digital sensing technology to provide the real-time insights they need for improved performance. What if one digital sensor could measure multiple signals?
Yokogawa's DPharp（差压传送器）digital technology has the unique ability to measure two pressure parameters （参数），delivering reliable and accurate measurement of plant operations. The unique aspect of this digital technology is that it measures two parameters in one sensor module, providing additional insight into a plant's operations. It is the only sensor in the world that does this.
DPharp transmitters（发射器）use silicon（硅）resonant（谐振的）sensor technology to measure both differential（差别） and still pressure. The sensor consists of two H-shaped crystal silicon resonators that shake at a certain frequency and, when pressure is applied, the frequency of one resonator increases while the other decreases. By monitoring these frequencies digitally, both differential and still pressure can be measured at the same time. The frequency output is directly read by the central processing unit of the transmitter.
DPharp can be used in any processing plant across any industry—oil and gas to food and drinks. DPharp's unique digital sensing technology allows engineering firms and plant engineers to create designs that will equate to an average reduction of 40 percent. Where they would typically use five measuring devices, they are using three by using the multi-sensing technology. That is a significant cost reduction in the number of devices installed and the added benefit is that, as there are less devices, the engineering and design is less complex, which means less materials and less equipment to maintain. Furthermore, there are fewer transmitter spares required, which reduces costs. Tony Farah, Product Manager, said that more organisations are seeing the significant benefits of smart devices like DPharp.
1.What is special about DPharp digital technology?
A.It provides the real-time insights.
B.It brings significant changes in engineering.
C.It measures two parameters in one sensor.
D.It provides accurate measurement.
2.What is the frequency output read by?
A.Two H-shaped crystal silicon resonators.
B.The central processing unit of the transmitter.
C.Monitoring devices.
D.The operator of the plant.
3.What is the plants' attitude to DPharp?
A.Cautious. B.Ambiguous.
C.Favorable. D.Disapproving.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A.How DPharp is bringing value across production plants.
B.How sensor works in a different way.
C.Why DPharp is efficient and reliable.
D.Where DPharp can be used.
Bradley McConachie, a 33-year-old Australian is actually a student in international relations completing his PhD through Griffith University. He came to Beijing for a cooperative research at Beijing University two years ago. Such an academic life was colorful with a chance offered by the cultural exchanges project, “I'm in China".
Bradley was lucky to win the most "likes" for his photo story about his life in China and became one of 20 winners to visit locations by the project this summer. All the winners’ experiences were filmed to produce a reality show, My Chinese Working Day, which will be broadcast by mid-September.
Bradley was chosen to work as a recreational manager for a Chinese wedding. The film crew took them to many “amazing sites" and the staff at the resort taught them a lot about how to incorporate modern Chinese features while still keeping traditional customs.
“I would have to say two things stick out as the most memorable： the helicopter ride and talking with the staff at the hotel about how they organize weddings here in China," he said. That was Bradley's first time to be in a helicopter, and he was too absorbed with the “stunning" view of the coastline.
“I think it is so important to show other Australians the different landscapes China has to offer. I think so many Australians, when they think about China, imagine the historical sites of Beijing and the exciting things to see in Shanghai but have no idea about other beautiful places, like Sanya or the many other places people have been taken to in this TV series. It was nice to experience these little touches. I was happy to be a part of that experience!” Bradley said.
1.What made Bradley's life more colorful?
A.Obtaining his PhD.
B.The cultural exchanges project.
C.The research about Beijing University.
D.The interest in international relations.
2.Why was Bradley given the chance?
A.He produced the reality show.
B.His life in China was interesting.
C.He was one of the top 20 winners.
D.He liked photo stories most.
3.Which of the following best explains “stunning" in Paragraph 4?
A.Fantastic. B.Confusing.
C.Agreeable. D.Extreme.
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.It's difficult to produce moving TV series.
B.Beijing and Shanghai are historical sites.
C.Sanya is worth visiting for foreigners.
D.Many Australians know little about China.
This famous site features one of the largest and most representative collections of Buddhist architecture and art in China. It was rated as a 5A-class tourist attraction in 2010.
The Lingshan Grand Buddha is an 88-meter-high open-air bronze statue of Sakyamuni. It is 17 meters higher than the Grand Buddha at Leshan Mountain. It is part of the pattern of Five Buddhas in five directions together with the Big Buddha at Lantau Island in Hong Kong to the south, the Grand Buddha at Leshan Mountain to the west, the Grand Buddha in Yungang Caves to the north and the Grand Buddha at the Longmen Caves in the central area. At the feet of the Grand Buddha, you can feel the loftiness （雄伟）and dignity of Buddhism.
Tips：
Location: Lingshan Road, Mashan town, Binhu district, Wuxi
Tickets: Through ticket： 210 yuan （ $ 31. 85） , and free tickets for the performance of Ode to Auspiciousness for individual visitors
Opening hours for Lingshan Mountain: 7：00 17：00
Opening hours for Brahma Palace: 9：00 18：00
Recommendations:
The Nine-Dragon Fountain
The Nine-Dragon Fountain in front of the giant Buddha will start to play music and the song, The Birth of Buddha , at 10 am every day. A huge lotus（莲花）slowly blooms with six petals, and a 7-meter golden statue of Prince Buddha rises from the lotus, with one hand pointing to the sky and one hand at the earth, symbolizing Buddha's light shining on all things.
The Brahma Palace
The whole palace shows the mixture of traditional cultural elements with Western architectural features. Many cultural heritage items and art works can be found there. Its splendid design surprises every visitor.
1.What is the Lingshan Grand Buddha famous for?
A.Its typical collections of architecture and art.
B.Its special material.
C.Its geographical location.
D.Its long history.
2.What do we know about the performance of Ode to Auspiciousness?
A.It lasts 10 hours for visitors. B.It costs 210 yuan at least.
C.It's available only for group visitors. D.It's free if you get a through ticket.
3.Why does the writer recommend the Brahma Palace to us?
A.It’s in front of the giant Buddha.
B.Its design and collections are amazing.
C.Visitors can enjoy a huge lotus there.
D.Many traditional cultural items are on sale.
在你看过的电影、电视和书中，肯定有许多场景历历在目，请你描述令你印象深刻的一个场景，并谈谈为什么。你的文章必须包括：
1.描述你印象深刻的一个场景；
2.说明你对此印象深刻的理由。
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Translations
1.如果驾驶员违反交通规则，除了罚款之外，还有别的处罚办法？（alternative）
2.上班时间打盹的员工应该为此事故负责。（blame）
3.由于互联网技术的发展，越来越多的中国企业可以在网上寻找潜在客户，和外国企业做生意。（thanks）
4.我这一生都没有想过自己能身处这样一个环境，在这里鼓励每个人展示不同之处，在学习中找到自己的声音。（Never）
