A car dealership in my hometown of Albuquerque was selling six to eight new cars a day. I was also told that 72 percent of this dealership’s first-time visitors returned for a second visit.
I was curious. How does a car dealership get 72 percent of its first-time visitors to return? And how can they sell six to eight cars a day in a declining car market?
When I walked into Saturn of Albuquerque that Friday, the staff there didn’t know me from Adam; yet they shared with me their pricing policy, the profit margin on every model, and staff income. They even opened their training manuals for my review and invited me back on Saturday if I wanted more information.
On Sunday, the day after my second visit to the Saturn store, my wife, Jane, and I were walking as we frequently do. On this particular June morning, Jane gently slipped her hand in mine and said tenderly, ＂I don’t know if you remember, but today’s my fifth anniversary of being cancer-free.＂ I was surprised, partially because I was embarrassed that I had forgotten and, partially because.... Well, I didn’t know what to do with Jane’s information.
The next day, Monday, Jane went off to work teaching school. Still not knowing what to do to mark this special occasion, I did the most impetuous thing I’ve ever done in my life: I bought a new Saturn. I didn’t pick the color or the model, but I paid cash and told them I’d bring Jane in on Wednesday at 4:30. I told them why I was buying the car.
On Tuesday, it dawned on me that Jane always wanted a white car. I called the sales consultant at Saturn, and I asked him if he had anything white in the store. He said he had one left but he couldn’t guarantee it’d still be available on Wednesday at 4:30 because they were selling so fast. I said I’d take my chances and asked him to put it in the showroom.
Wednesday came. Unexpectedly, someone in our family was admitted to the hospital. So, it wasn’t until 9:30 Saturday morning when we finally made our way to the Saturn store. Jane had never been in a Saturn store. When we went through the front door, the Lord took control of her feet and her mouth. She saw that little white Saturn coupe all the way across the showroom floor. She quickly passed a multi-colored sea of automobiles, sat in the little white Saturn and said, ＂Oh, what a pretty little car. Can I have a new car?＂ I said, ＂No. Not until our son graduates from college.＂ She said, ＂I’m sick and tired of driving that old Dodge, I want a new car.＂ I said, ＂I promise, just three more semesters and he’ll be out.＂
Next, Jane walked around to the front of the car. As she looked it over, she let out the most blood-curdling, shrill scream I’d ever heard in 29 years of marriage.
Now, before I tell you why Jane screamed, let me tell you what the sales consultant had done. He had ordered a large, professionally engraved sign (white letters on blue). The sign stood alone on the hood of the little white Saturn coupe. It said ＂Congratulations, Jane. This car is yours. Five years cancer-free. Let’s celebrate life. From Team Saturn＂ Every employee at Saturn of Albuquerque had signed the back of that sign.
Jane saw it, screamed, collapsed in my arms and cried loudly. I didn’t know what to do. I was in tears. I took out my invoice (发票) from the previous Monday, pointing to the white coupe, said, ＂No, honey, this car isn’t yours. I bought you this one.＂ I tapped the invoice with my index finger. Jane said, ＂No, I want this one right here.＂
While this conversation was going on, there was no one in the store. The sales consultant had arranged it so that we could share the moment alone. Even so, it’s impossible to have a lot of privacy when so many people are standing outside the showroom windows looking in. When Jane screamed and collapsed in my arms, I saw everybody outside applaud and begin to cry.
1.Why did the writer visit the Saturn of Albuquerque that Friday?
A. He wanted to collect some raw materials for his story.
B. He was asked to write a report about that car store.
C. He was told the car store was launching a price reduction activity.
D. He simply wanted to see why the car store enjoyed so much popularity.
2.Why did the writer buy a new Saturn?
A. Because his car was so old that he didn’t want to drive it any longer.
B. Because Jane wanted a new car for her fifth anniversary of being cancer-free.
C. Because he wanted to mark his wife’s fifth anniversary of being cancer-free.
D. Because he thought the car could be helpful to his wife’s recovery from cancer.
3.When did the writer decide upon the white car?
A. On the next Tuesday.
B. On the first Friday.
C. On the second Wednesday.
D. On the first Saturday.
4.How did Jane feel when she saw the sign on the car?
A. Surprised and thrilled.
B. Angry but satisfied.
C. Shocked and frightened.
D. Skeptical but overjoyed.
5.Which of the following belongs to the most wonderful part of this story?
A. Paying cash for a new Saturn.
B. Picking up the new car in the store.
C. The couple’s conversation on the street.
D. The writer’s first visit to the car store.
6.The purpose of the writer writing this story is ________.
A. to introduce a new type of car
B. to tell readers of his lovely wife
C. to sing high praise for a car store
D. to show his deep love for his wife
A drug used to treat severe bleeding could save thousands of lives for mothers giving birth. A global trial of the drug found it reduced the risk of bleeding deaths during childbirth by nearly one-third. The study involved 20,000 women in 21 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia. The trial was carried out by London's School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The drug is called d tranexamic acid (氨甲环酸). It is low-cost and researchers said it does not cause serious side effects for mothers or babies.
The drug is used to treat mothers for severe bleeding during childbirth, also known as postpartum hemorrhage (产后出血).It is the leading cause of mother’s death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
Haleema Shakur is the project director of the trial. She says despite medical advances in many countries, severe bleeding after childbirth remains a big problem in some parts of the world. “It's one of the biggest killers of mothers. In Africa and Asia. about 10 percent of women will end up with severe bleeding. " The drug works by stopping blood clots(血凝块) from breaking down after a mother gives birth. The treatment can prevent the need for doctors to perform surgery to find the source of bleeding.
Shakur said the best results were reported when the drug was given to women as soon as possible after childbirth, “The earlier you give it- so within the first three hours of giving birth—the better the effect is. ”
The next step will be to get the drug where it is needed provide training for doctors and nurses on how to use it. During the trial, women were given the drug in a hospital. But researchers are looking for easier ways to administer the drug so it can be more widely used in small clinics and rural areas.
1.Tranexamic acid is a drug that________ .
A.should be used for every mother
B.helps mothers before giving birth
C.ensures most new-born babies’ health
D.can help mothers giving birth stop bleeding
2.What is the reachers’ next plan?
A.To know how much the drug is.
B.To get permission to use the drug.
C.To let more people know the drug.
D.To make medical staff know how to use the drug.
3.What can we learn from the text?
A.The more mothers use the drug, the better its effect is.
B.African and Asian countries made great progress in medicine.
C.There is a long way to go before the drug can be used more widely.
D.Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of women’s death.
4.What may be the best title for the text?
A.Care for the Health of Mothers
B.How Can We Use Tranexamic Acid Well?
C.Childbirth Drug Greatly Reduces Bleeding Deaths
D.What's the Biggest Killer of Mothers?
When it comes to purchasing your first bike, the choice is endless, making it tough to know what to go for. Here are the the best buys on the market right now.
1. Boardman CX Comp
This is a cross-country bike, and it’s so multifunctional that you can handle any terrain (地势) on it, making it a great choice for those wanting to try various cycling subjects. If you leave on the thick tires it comes with, it can ride on various paths and can even handle some less demanding mountain bike routes. Alternatively, put on thin, smooth tires and treat it as a road bike. It has a basket and comes with Shimano Sora gears(变速器), which are outstanding for its price.
&650, Halfords
2. Planet X RT-58 v2
Planet X is based in Yorkshire, which means you’d probably have to buy this bike without seeing it. But it’s worth it, because this is an excellent machine at a lower price. Planet X is a highly rated manufacture and this model comes with Shimano Sora gearing.
&585, Planet X
3. Specialized Allez ES
Specialized is one of the biggest and most popular brands in cycling, and this is its hugely popular primary road bike. It comes with solid components from front to back and you’ll look great out on the road.
&575, Evans Cycles
4. Boardman Road Team Carbon
If you can push your budget further still, this bike is worth the extra investment. The frame is made entirely from carbon, which is lighter, faster and more comfortable than the composition metal models above and gives you an all-round more enjoyable ride. It also means that if you get really serious about cycling, you don’t have to upgrade as quickly as you would with a cheaper bike.
&800, Halfords
1.What is special about Boardman CX Comp?
A. Its Shimano Sora gears B. Its various functions
C. Its reasonable price D. Its firm tires
2.Which one has the lowest price but with Shimano Sora gears?
A. Planet X RT-58 v2 B. Specialized Allez E5
C. Boardman CX Comp D. Boardman Road Team Carbon
3.What can we learn about the bikes mentioned in the text?
A. Planet X RT-58 v2 has been sold out so far
B. Boardman CX Comp is actually a mountain bike
C. Specialized Allez E5 is designed for senior cyclists
D. Boardman Road Tram Carbon is made by special materials
The Best Time to Visit Sydney
If you prefer the cold to heat，especially if seeking to escape the northern summer，the best time to visit Sydney could be in the Australian winter from June 1 to August 31.
The Sydney winter isn’t really harsh and the weather’s generally pleasant.It’s great for touring the city on foot and for bushwalking.And the ski slopes are not too far away.
Holiday time
You get the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend in June and the school holidays in July.Aside from within those periods，accommodation costs in the city will generally be lower.
Winter weather
Expect generally cool conditions.The average temperature should range from around 8℃(46) at night to 16℃(61) in the daytime in midwinter.Expect from 80mm to 131mm of rain in a month，with the most rain in June tapering into August.
Winter accommodation
Outside of the holiday periods，Sydney accommodation will usually be available and should be relatively cheaper.
Winter activities
·The weather’s fine for a walking tour of Sydney.Visit the Rocks，the Sydney Opera House，the Royal Botanic Gardens，Art Gallery of New South Wales，Australian Museum，Hyde Park，Chinatown，Darling Harbour.
·Go on a harbor cruise.At the very least，take a Sydney ferry and cross the harbor to Manly.
·Take a day trip north，south and west of Sydney.
·Spot the whales as they travel north in the whale migration season.
·Go bushwalking at the Royal National Park.
1.Considering weather and accommodation，the best time to visit Sydney is in .
A. June B. July
C. August D. December
2.Which of the following activities is NOT recommended in the passage?
A. Going skiing near Sydney.
B. Hunting whales in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
C. Touring Sydney on foot.
D. Bushwalking at the Royal National Park.
I grew up in a small village in Ohio, where everyone knew a man called Tom. Uneducated, he couldn’t talk_______. And because he was_______and not very smart, everyone teased him. I guessed he was an easy mark.
One day, he came walking by. I was about 12 and thought it would make me feel grown-up to_______him like the adults did.
He asked how I was doing. I told him my father was______, and that we lacked money. I could hear my friends_______in the background so I went on with the lie. I had him_______so completely that every time he inquired about the______, I would make it seem increasingly worrying.
I knew he made a_______by doing odd jobs（打零工）, so it seemed_______when he asked me if we needed anything. I told him that we didn’t know if we would_______ He responded, “You poor thing, I will_______for you. ”
That night I heard the_______rattle（作响）softly. Thinking it was the wind beating against it, I_______it. Later when I opened the door to go outside, I found a box of_______ I knew who had given the food. I_______the small box of canned food with tears in my eyes. I felt______, and wanted to return the groceries.
My father would not let me take the box______. He said it would hurt Tom. Each day when we were to have dinner, my father would ask, “What side dish are we having from the_______box today? ”
It was_______for me to eat the food. I knew Tom had given sacrificially. He gave the best he had, but I did not_______the gift.
1.A.fluently B.carefully C.slowly D.frequently
2.A.ill-treated B.bad-tempered C.warm-hearted D.good-natured
3.A.remind B.annoy C.tease D.abuse
4.A.delayed B.deserted C.prohibited D.unemployed
5.A.laughing B.whispering C.cheering D.clapping
6.A.absorbed B.amused C.fooled D.struck
7.A.atmosphere B.situation C.address D.reason
8.A.difference B.profit C.fortune D.living
9.A.funny B.impossible C.practical D.moving
10.A.panic B.starve C.remain D.succeed
11.A.pray B.manage C.operate D.purchase
12.A.window B.door C.fence D.box
13.A.investigated B.explored C.fastened D.ignored
14.A.vegetables B.groceries C.snacks D.fruits
15.A.held up B.took over C.looked through D.packed up
16.A.frustrated B.thrilled C.touched D.ashamed
17.A.out B.away C.back D.apart
18.A.ice B.gift C.money D.check
19.A.hard B.amazing C.pleasant D.precious
20.A.get B.refuse C.deserve D.appreciate
— I’m afraid I can only make a small contribution this time.
—______. We really appreciate your assistance.
A.Every little helps
B.It’s better to give than to receive
C.The more, the better
D.The best things come in small packages
