Shopping in the United States changes a lot. About ninety years ago most people shopped in small stores that were owned by one person or a family. Women went from the bakery to the butcher’s to the grocer and on to the fruit and vegetable seller in order to get their food for the week. Then, about sixty years ago, supermarkets were born. In a supermarket, people could get all the different kinds of food they needed without going to different stores.
The next big change in shopping in the United States was the shopping mall. A shopping mall is a group of stores under one roof. Because malls allowed people to shop without worrying about the weather, they soon became very popular. The mall became a place for people to socialize in addition to shopping. If you walk through a mall, you will see older people sitting, chatting and drinking coffee. Malls are places for teenagers to hang out. Many teens will often just “go to the mall” and spend time with their friends.
The recent change in American shopping was the superstore. Large chain stores such as Wal-Mart, Office Depot and Toys“R”Us have been built all across the United States. Because they are so large, they can buy goods at a great discount and sell them much cheaper than smaller stores. Sometimes, when they are built near small towns, many of the small town stores have to close. They just cannot compete with their giant neighbors.
And now, online shopping is becoming more and more popular all over the States. People are too busy to go to the physical stores, so they go shopping over the Internet. Online shopping has lots of advantages. For instance, online stores are usually available 24 hours a day. Searching or browsing online shops can be faster than browsing the physical stores. While, online shopping also has its disadvantages. People are at higher risk of being cheated on the part of the merchant than in a physical store. And privacy of personal information may be let out.
1.Which of the following shows the right order of shopping development in the United States?
①small stores ②superstores ③shopping malls ④shopping online ⑤supermarkets
A. ①②③④⑤ B. ①⑤②③④ C. ②③④①⑤ D. ①⑤③②④
2.Which is the place for people to spend time with others according to the passage?
A. Small stores. B. Shopping malls. C. Supermarkets. D. Superstores.
3.Why can the superstores sell products at much lower prices?
A. Because they can buy goods at a reduction in price.
B. Because they are across the United States.
C. Because they sell all kinds of products people need.
D. Because they are built near small towns.
4.What’s the disadvantage of online shopping according to the passage?
A. Wasting time. B. Fixed prices.
C. Leaking personal information. D. No chance to do physical activities.
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
One day I visited an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was expecting a quiet 36 of the splendid artwork.
A young 37 viewing the paintings ahead of me 38 nonstop between themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the lady was doing all the talking. I admired the man’s 39 for putting up with her 40 stream of words. 41 by their noise, I moved on.
I met them several times as I moved 42 the various rooms of art. Each time I heard her continuous flow of words, I moved away 43 .
I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a 44 when the couple approached the 45 . Before they left, the man 46 into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He 47 it into a long stick and then 48 his way into the coatroom to get his wife’s jacket.
“He’s a 49 man,” the clerk at the counter said. “Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery, he made a promise his life wouldn’t change. So, as before, he and his wife come in 50 there is a new art show.”
“But what does he get out of the art?” I asked. “He can’t see.”
“Can’t see! You’re 51 . He sees a lot. More than you and I do,” the clerk said. “His wife 52 each painting so he can see it in his head.”
I learned something about patience, 53 and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without 54 and the courage of a husband who would not 55 blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away, their arms intertwined.
1.A. touch B. view C. wander D. stare
2.A. lady B. man C. couple D. clerk
3.A. chatted B. argued C. screamed D. yelled
4.A. attempt B. independence C. wisdom D. patience
5.A. vivid B. constant C. casual D. vague
6.A. Adopted B. Adapted C. Conducted D. Disturbed
7.A. through B. to C. towards D. from
8.A. anxiously B. urgently C. quickly D. sensibly
9.A. comment B. decision C. purchase D. profit
10.A. entrance B. exit C. front D. queue
11.A. plugged B. held C. reached D. bent
12.A. made B. lengthened C. brought D. broadened
13.A. led B. found C. forced D. tapped
14.A. brave B. rough C. smart D. generous
15.A. wherever B. whatever C. whichever D. whenever
16.A. wrong B. silly C. equal D. unique
17.A. describes B. draws C. shows D. decorates
18.A. kindness B. pride C. enthusiasm D. courage
19.A. support B. sight C. expectation D. confidence
20.A. get B. hope C. allow D. cause
To save the drowning child, the boy plunged into the icy water without hesitation, ____ his own safety.
A. despite of B. regardless of C. unaware of D. because of
—It’s the office! So you ________ know eating is not allowed here.
—Oh, sorry.
A. must B. will C. may D. need
I called Hannah many times yesterday evening, but I couldn’t get through. Her brother ________ on the phone all the time!
A. was talking B. has been talking C. has talked D. talked
But for their help, we ________ the program in time.
A. can not finish B. will not finish
C. had not finished D. could not have finished
