Do you like shopping? Or does the thought of wandering round the shops fill you with terror? For some of us, shopping is an enjoyable way of spending our spare time and money. For me, it’s something I would rather avoid. Thanks to the Internet, we can buy goods and services cheaper online. But sometimes the problem is knowing what to buy. This has led to a type of shopping called “showrooming”.
Showrooming is something I’ve done. I will go to a shop to see, touch and try out products but then go home and buy them online at a knock-down price. I’m not alone in doing this. Research by a company called Foolproof, found 24% of people showroomed while Christmas shopping in 2013.
Amy Cashman, head of Technology at TNS UK, says the reasons for this new shopping habit are that “people are lacking time, lacking money and they want security about the products they are buying.”
But does this mean technology will kill shops? Certainly shops will change. They will have to offer more competitive prices or encourage people to buy more by giving in-store discounts (折扣) or free gifts.
We mustn’t forget that buying in a shop means you can get expert advice from the sales assistant and you can get good aftercare. It’s good to speak to a real human rather than look at a faceless computer screen but at least by showrooming, you get the best of both worlds!
1.The two questions in Paragraph 1 are raised to __________.
A.give two examples B.introduce the topic
C.compare different opinions D.get answers from readers
2.What does showrooming mean in the text?
A.Buying something in a store B.Showing products in a room.
C.Trying in shops and buying online. D.Shopping on the Internet.
3.According to Amy Cashman, which is not the reason for showrooming?
A.The lack of time. B.The security of the product.
C.The shortness of money. D.The comfort of the sofa.
4.What can be inferred from Paragraph 4?
A.Shops need necessary changes. B.Free gifts will surely promote sales.
C.Online shops will disappear. D.Shops will be replaced by online shops
My name is Amber and I want to share my story with you because what you’ve shared about life and positive energy has changed my life.
This past year has been one of the hardest for me. I felt I was stuck in a position that had nothing to do with what I wanted to do with my life. In January, after two years of being together, my boyfriend left me.
I read your blog every morning as I drink my coffee at work, but it wasn’t until this March that I told myself “no more negativity (消极性)” as you taught readers in your blog.
Since then I’ve got into new habits at work to keep my energy positive. When people walk in the front door, I’m the first face they see, so I smile big when I say “good morning” to them, especially on Monday. Instead of waiting for someone to ask me for help, I offer it with an open mind. The CEO noticed my change and offered me the executive (行政的) assistant position that I wanted.
One of the biggest things I’ve taken to heart from your blog is changing my opinions on my job. Yes, it was not an important position, but when I was passionate (热情的) about it, I could make my life fulfilling.
All in all, I have to thank you somehow for having the passion to help others because it truly is inspiring to me. So thank you so much, John. My life has changed because your words pointed me in the right direction, Take care!
Sincerely,
Amber
1.Amber wrote the letter mainly to __________.
A.introduce herself to John B.ask for some advice
C.express her thanks D.talk about her bad year
2.We can infer from the passage that Amber __________.
A.received very good education B.spent a lot of time playing computer games
C.didn’t like her boyfriend D.wasn’t satisfied with her job
3.What is implied about John in the letter?
A.He used to live a very negative life.
B.He likes helping others through writing positive blogs.
C.He doesn’t like sharing his life stories.
D.He is a very famous novelist.
4.What does Amber’s change tell us?
A.A positive attitude is rewarding. B.Bad luck doesn’t exist long.
C.Practice makes perfect. D.A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms (习语), though my teacher emphasized (强调) the importance again and again. But soon, the importance of English idioms was shown in an amusing experience.
One day, I happened to meet an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to talk. As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner seemed to be astonished. Gently shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders, he said, “You don’t say!” “You don’t say!” I was puzzled. I thought, perhaps this is not an appropriate topic (适当的话题). “Well, I’d better change the topic.” So I said to him. “Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? By the way, have you ever been there?” “Certainly, everyone back home will laugh at me if I leave China without seeing it. It was magnificent.” He was deep in thought when I began to talk like a tourist guide. “The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. We are very proud of it.” Soon I was interrupted again by his words: “You don’t say!” I couldn’t help asking, “Why do you ask me not to talk about it?” “Well, I didn’t request you to do so,” he answered, greatly surprised. I said, “Didn’t you say ‘you don’t say’?” Hearing this, the Englishman laughed to tears. He began to explain, “You don’t say’ actually means ‘really!’ It is an expression of surprise. Perhaps you don’t pay attention to English idioms.” Only then did I know I had made a fool of myself.
Since then I have been more careful with idiomatic expressions. Remember: what the English teachers said is always right to us students.
1.At first, when I heard “You don’t say”, I thought the foreigner meant __________.
A.he was only interested in the Great Wall B.I had talked too much
C.he was not interested in the topic D.I had to stop talking
2.The underlined word “interrupted” in the second paragraph probably means __________.
A.laughed at B.attacked
C.organized D.stopped
3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.The Englishman left China without seeing the Great Wall.
B.The Englishman visited the Great Wall and thought it worth visiting.
C.The Englishman wanted me to act as his guide.
D.The Englishman wanted to see the Great Wall after I talked about it.
4.After the Englishman explained the idiom, __________.
A.I became more careful with everything to do with English idioms
B.the Englishman became a real food.
C.I felt very peaceful
D.I thought the Englishman had made me a fool
France has the most beautiful castles throughout Europe. Here are some of the best French castles to visit. You’ll surely want to visit one of them during your travels in France. Have a look and enjoy!
Chateau de Versailles
The Chateau de Versailles is about 20kms southwest of Paris. When the castle was built, Versailles was a small village. Today, however, it is a famous area in Paris. The castle was built as a small hunting lodge (乡间小屋) for Louis XIII in the 1620s. Years later, he made it bigger. Later, louis XIV also made it larger, making it one of the largest palaces of the world.
Chateau de Chambord
The Chateau de Chambord is one of the largest castles around the world. It sits in the Loire Valley. Being at the heart of Europe’s largest enclosed wooded park, Chambord, it was built for King Francis I to serve as a hunting lodge. It is one of the world’s most well-known castles in the world because of its French Renaissance (文艺复兴) building.
Chateau de Chenonceau
As one of the most famous castles in the Loire Valley, the castle was built during the 11th century on the River Cher. It was passed through many bands. The castle was not destroyed during the French Revolution because it was the only bridge across the river for many miles.
Chateau de Chantilly
This historic castle sits in the town of Chantilly, France. This beautiful castle is made up of two buildings: the Petit Chateau built around 1560 for Anne de Montmorency, and the Grand Chateau which was destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in the 1870s. There are many interesting pieces of 17th century history about the castle. Every two years a fireworks competition is held in the castle gardens.
1.What makes the Chateau de Chambord special?
A.Its long history. B.Its wealthy owner.
C.Its building style. D.Its fireworks competition.
2.Why did the Chateau de Chenonceau manage to get through the French Revolution?
A.It was far from Paris. B.It played a very important role.
C.It hid in the Loire Valley. D.It was built by a famous French king.
3.Which castle has a fireworks show every two years?
A.The Chateau de Chantilly. B.The Chateau de Chenonceau.
C.The Chateau de Chambord. D.The Chateau de Versailles.
Translation.
1.计算机被认为是一项最重要的发明。（regard）
2.我们攀登那座山的尝试最终成功了。（attempt）
3.在这部电影里担任主角让她喜极而泣。（role）
4.在这个房间开讲座是没有用的，因为高架的噪音会淹没声音。（use）
Directions: Read the following passage. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
Guilt is one of the most painful emotions that human experience but also one of the most common. Nobody enjoys feeling guilty, but this emotion serves an important purpose: It alerts a person when he or she has done something wrong. This enables the person to make amends and work to heal relationships that were damaged by their actions 1.
Nevertheless, guilt can be destructive if it is not dealt with in the right way, It can cause people to avoid others because they are too embarrassed to apologize for their actions or inactions. Some try to avoid at the pain of duty by turning to other worse habits. 2.
The proper response to guilt depends on what kind of guilt you're dealing with. For false guilty, it's important to recognize that the guilt does not reflect an actual ethical failure.
For example, some false guilt focuses on failing to meet expectations you had for yourself. 3. No one is perfect, and no one can do everything, so admitting your limits is actually a sign of humility.
It is also important to acknowledge what you're feeling. Even when you don't need to feel guilty, these feelings are real and normal, Try to balance them with positive thoughts, but realize that it often takes time for feelings to change.
4. If so, don't try to conceal it. Apologize and ask for forgiveness. Learn from your mistakes, and try to avoid committing the same acts again. Getting on well with the person you hurt should make you guilty feeling fade.
Guilt is painful, but it can serve a good purpose if you use it well.
A. Other people experience false guilt because of high expectations for themselves.
B. It's possible that you feel guilty because you actually did something wrong.
C. Others try to cover up their guilt by blaming others or becoming angry.
D. It can also motivate people to avoid making similar mistakes later.
E. In this case, it's important to remind yourself that you have limits.
F. Moreover, guilt can result in physical and mental discomforts meanwhile
