Singles’ Day, also called Double Eleven, began as a day for unmarried or uncoupled people to celebrate their lives on November 11, 1993. In China, however, Singles’ Day has become the biggest online shopping day in the world, which was created in 2009 by Alibaba’s CEO Daniel Zhang to increase online sales. Since then, it has grown into a cultural phenomenon.
China Singles’ Day, as a shopping day, takes place on November 11 each year. There are sharp discounts and other promotions (促销) designed by Alibaba to attract online customers. In 2015, E-commerce giant Alibaba broke records with sales of $14.3 billion on China Singles’ Day, with online sales increasing 60 percent from last year, according to Alibaba. “Most people shop on mobile phones or ipads and online shopping has become a comfortable channel for most consumers”, said Kitty Fok, China manager for market research. “China is a big market with close to one billion smart, connected device users. It is good news for both Alibaba and their competitors,” she said.
The company is focusing on international e-commerce for future Singles’ Days, reported Reuters. “Within the next five years, we expect China will become the world's largest e-commerce market for imported products,” President Michael Evans told reporters on Wednesday. Alibaba Chief Executive Daniel Zhang said in a statement that Singles’ Day would mean that “the whole world will see the power of Chinese consumption.” Over 130 million users visited Alibaba’s marketplace app, Taobao, reported the BBC.
1.What does Alibaba expect to do on Singles’ Day?
A. Celebrate single lives B. Defeat competitors
C. Develop firm cultures D. Increase online sales
2.What is the meaning of the underlined word discount in the second paragraph?
A. Smart products B. Crazy buying
C. Low prices D. More advertisements
3.What will make Singles' Days more popular according to Kitty Fok?
A. The popularity of smart, connected device users.
B. The potential power of Chinese consumption.
C. The cooperation with the international e-commerce.
D. The promotions on Alibaba's marketplace app, Taobao.
4.What attitude does President Michael Evans hold toward the future of China Singles’ Day?
A. doubtful B. optimistic
C. negative D. uncertain
On November 15th, 2014, children aged 8 to 12 got together in five cities around the world to participate in the first Global Children’s Designation. The event that was organized by a Dutch company called Unexpect, challenged kids to come up with solutions for some of the world’s most pressing problems in a day!
The day began with the kids listening to the various challenges that were related to their particular cities and towns. The teams were then asked to brainstorm about which problem they were going to handle and how. There were so many amazing ideas produced on that day.
While some of the ideas were far from perfect, there were many that could be practical like the smart cars which can ease traffic pressure by telling traffic lights of its arrival and also guiding the drivers to the best possible route(路线).
Emer Beamer, the founder of Unexpect, says the purpose of the project is to introduce children to skills they probably never learn in class. She says that for most part, schools focus on teaching things that they will most likely never need to know again. She believes that for kids to be successful in the world, they should be learning how to be creative, handle new technologies and deal with unexpected situations.
Though the first global design challenge was relatively small, involving only a few hundred of the two billion youngsters that are bursting with ideas, the next one will be much bigger. That’s because in 2015, Unexpect plans to distribute free tool kits(成套工具) to any school that is interested in hosting their own Children’s Designation Challenge. We can’t wait to see what ideas kids will come up with next.
1.What can we learn from Paragraph 2?
A. kids have to solve given problem
B. only few kids have amazing ideas
C. kids have to solve the problem separately
D. kids are free to choose to solve any problem
2.What does the project of Unexpect aim to do?
A. To improve school education.
B. To share achievements of technologies.
C. To develop children’s creativity.
D. To predict some unexpected situations.
3.What will Emer plan to do to make the next global design challenge bigger?
A. Reward children with much more money
B. Call on schools to teach some common skills
C. Provide more schools with some tools for free
D. Invite all schools to participate in the project
4. What can be the best title for the text?
A. Children’s crazy ideas for the country
B. The first Global Children’s Designation
C. Emer Beamer, the founder of Unexpect
D. How to solve the world’s urgent problems
Best places to visit in Australia
Are you looking for the best places to see in Australia? Here are the top 5 places to visit in Australia. It includes the best, the most beautiful and the most famous.
Sydney
For those who have made a flight from the other side of the world, if you come and don't see Sydney, it is a bit like going to Germany and not drinking a beer, or to England and not seeing London, or America and not trying a hot dog. There is plenty to see and do in Sydney apart from the well known attractions of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and Bondi beaches.
Byron Bay
Located in New South Wales, just south of the Queensland border, Byron Bay is popular with not just international tourists, but is also a favorite holiday destination of Australians. The lighthouse is amazing at sunset (and it is the most easterly part of mainland Australia). There are a range of music festivals over the year that attract international and local musicians alike.
The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road, located in Victoria, is one of the best scenic drives of the world. Its official length is 243 kms (roughly 150 miles), but it will take you a full day to enjoy it due to the narrow and windy traffic lanes (only one in each direction).
Daintree Rainforest
Located in northern Queensland, roughly 110 kms north of Cairns, the rainforest is a nature wonderland. It is Australia's largest rainforest, about 20% of Australia's native bird species can be found within the Daintree.
The Great Barrier Reef
Located in Queensland, this attraction is one of those attractions that are actually known by everyone. Extending for about 2,300 kms, it is home to many rare, endangered and unique animals and plant species.
1.Which places will you go in Australia if you are interested in music?
A. Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef
B. Byron Bay and Daintree Rainforest
C. The Great Ocean Roadand Byron Bay
D. Byron Bay and Sydney
2.Where can you see unique and endangered animals in Australia?
A. Daintree Rainforest B. The Great Barrier Reef
C. Byron Bay D. Sydney
3.What is the biggest problem when travelling in the Great Ocean Road?
A. Its traffic problems.
B. Its official length.
C. You can’t eat an America hot dog there.
D. You must make a flight from the other side of the world.
一些学校为了让学生有更多的时间学习文化知识，取消了美术课。你对此持反对意见，请从以下三个方面谈谈你的看法。
1．美术课可以培养我们的艺术品位；
2．欣赏艺术作品可丰富我们的生活；
3．美术课会营造更活跃的课堂氛围。
注意：1. 词数：100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3.参考词汇：艺术品位 artistic taste；氛围 atmosphere
七选五
How to Love Your Parents
Even if you think that your parents are mean-spirited at times, loving your parents is a normal and fulfilling part of life. You love them for the fact that they created you, raised you, and are in part a source of who you are. Here are some ways to love your parents.
1.A gentle “good morning” and “I love you” will warm a coldest heart. Remember that they brought you into this world. Without your parents, we might still wander at an unknown corner in an unknown world. Respect them more and cherish these moments. You can use these moments to learn from them when you’re off on your own. It’s OK to get angry but angry actions don’t help you or your parents. Act calmly, cool off, journal about your feelings, or talk to a friend. 2.Obey their requests. It will make your attitude better and earn you more respect from them. It may seem like you are going through hell when you don’t get what you want or you have to clean. However, you had better remember they keep a roof over your head when it’s cold, raining, snowing, or too hot. Understand that parents are human beings and make mistakes.3. Since you can forgive your friends, why not forgive your parents?
Keep company with them. Do things with your parents like watching TV, or go somewhere with them. 4.Listen to their old stories and learn from them. You will find they are your teachers in this way or another.
Some people simply may not be able to love their parents.5.Seek help if you are being abused(虐待) in any way. Parents do not have a right to harm you.
A. Forgiveness is the key.
B. Tell them you love them every morning.
C. Parents will in turn express their love to you.
D. After this, share your feelings with your parents.
E. Anyway, spend as much time with them as you can.
F. Please remember parents are as important as friends.
G. There can be realistic reasons for this, family violence for example.
In America, Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort(度假胜地): brilliant beaches, a lively boardwalk, plenty of restaurants and nightspots, and amusement rides sure to appeal to kids. Many believe Virginia Beach is at its best in the off-season, when the town is less crowded but the weather is still mild.
Meanwhile, some safety tips should be followed, to enjoy the happiness and excitement the beach offers.
The number one safety tip concerns ocean safety: pay attention to Flag conditions posted on the lifeguard stands. Lifeguard post a red flag to warn when the ocean water is dangerous. Take them seriously! Tourists from land-locked regions are particularly easily attracted by the magic of the waves. However, a calm ocean can become risky without warning. Make sure you swim near a lifeguard. Swimming without lifeguard protection is almost five times as great as drowning at a beach with lifeguards.
Never swim alone. Many drownings involved single swimmers. When you swim with someone else, if one of you has a problem, the other may be able to get help, including signaling for assistance from others.
Don’t fight the current. The facts show that some 80% of rescues by lifeguards at ocean
beaches are caused by currents. These currents are formed by surf and gravity, because once surf pushes water up the slope of a beach, gravity pulls it back. This can create concentrated rivers of water moving offshore. If you are caught in a rip (撕裂的)current, don’t fight it by trying to swim directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore. Most rip current are narrow and a short swim parallel to shore will help bring you to safety.
1.When coming to Virginia Beach, children cannot enjoy the happiness of______.
A.walking on the road made of wood B.joining the nightspots
C.Riding a horse or a pumper car D.Skiing in the sea
2.Many people believe the best time to visit Virginia Beach may be____.
A.After autumn school term beginning
B.In the summer vacation
C.During the Christmas holiday
D.In the cold winter
3.From the passage we can know ____.
A.one in five persons swimming in the sea is drowned
B.if one with lifeguard were drowning, five persons without lifeguard would be
C.some 80% people drowning by the currents are rescued by lifeguards
D.some 20% drowning by the currents are rescued by lifeguards
4.The passage mainly tell us ____.
A.Virginia Beach has all the elements of a classic seaside resort
B.the happiness and excitement the beach offers
C.some safety tips when swimming in the sea
D.the dangers for tourists from land-locked regions to swim in the sea
