Society today tells us that automatic pencils are a lot better than manual ones which you have to sharpen every 5 seconds. Maybe this is true. However, there are some benefits from using an old-fashioned traditional pencil which you cannot get with an automatic one.
To be honest, it is quite convenient to use an automatic pencil with an easy press on the button. Meanwhile a manual pencil doesn’t enjoy any plus point. But it is sort of strange that manual pencils should be used in standardized tests today. Chances are that the manual pencil makes the line of grey look nicer.
Nowadays, it is always a battle of who has the newest, most high-tech gadget(小装置), from pencils, cars to clothes. The newer it is, it seems the more popular it becomes. If you walk around school, you will for sure find at least three out of ten people walking around with the latest iPhone 4S. If you are one of the luckier ones walking around with the newest Nokia phones, you will get laughed at.
Maybe an automatic pencil is better at the moment, but after using it for a while, usually the pencil will break. Most people lose them and don’t remember to carry extra lead(铅芯) to fill them up with, as it sometimes can do so much that it needs a lot of lead, just like an iPhone 4S needs to be charged after it has done so much work. As for the manual pencil, the lead will also run out but unlike the mechanical pencil it will last longer. Besides, the automatic pencil and the iPhone 4S are more likely to get stolen while the manual pencil along with the Nokia phone will be left alone and most likely-returned to you.
Title |
Automatic Pencils |
People’s |
●The newer-gadget like the iPhone 4s becomes more ●You will be |
Advantages |
●We can use the automatic pencil more easily by ●The manual pencil is ●The manual pencil can last longer. |
|
●The automatic pencils usually tend to ● People often ● |
阅读下列短文,然后根据短文信息填空。注意:每个空不要超过3个词。
Many of us invest valuable time,energy and money planning our vacations. We do this because we know for sure that going on vacations must be good for us. Research proves this feeling without a doubt. Vacations help us perform better at work, improve our sleep quality and cushion us against depression.
Yet, despite these benefits, many of us return home with a feeling that our last vacation was OK - but not great. In order to change this, some mistakes should be avoided. A classic one for vacation planners is attempting to maximize value for money by planning trips that have too many components (组成部分)• Perhaps you’re planning a trip to Europe, seven cities in 10 days,and you realize it will cost only a little more to add two more destinations to the list Sounds fine in theory, but hopping from one place to the next hardly gives an opportunity to experience what psychologists call mindfulness - time to take in our new surroundings, time to be present and absorb our travel experiences. Another mistake is that we worry too much about strategic issues such as how to find a good flight deal,how to get from A to B,or which destinations to add or subtract from our journey. These issues may seem important, but our psychological state of mind is far more important.
Actually, vacation happiness is based on the following top rules. First, choose your travel companions wisely, because nothing contributes more significantly to a trip than the right companions. Second,don’t spend your vacation time in a place where everything is too expensive so as to maintain a positive mood. Third, shop wisely, for meaningful experiences provide more long-term happiness than physical possessions.
Title: Happy |
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benefits |
· a better |
· an improved |
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· a reduced level of depression |
|
mistakes to be avoided |
· a(n) |
· too much > finding a(n) > selecting the best travel route > |
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· making a wise |
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· choosing destinations properly |
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· |
认真阅读短文,根据所读内容在下面表格中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。
注意:每个空格1个单词,不得用原文中的单词。
Traditionally,customers may consider more about what they buy the product for.However,the image of product and the consuming circumstance have become the key points to attract customer awareness(意识) and stimulate (刺激)their buying needs.Frequently,customers buy goods just because they are cute,lovely and unique.With a less emphasis on functional utilities,the experience and imaginative space are placed into an increasingly important role.The image of product is emphasized,as well as the communication between products and consumers.“Customer behavior,which appears to be focused and directed at the object and at pleasure,in fact responds to quite different objectives:displaced expression of desire,and the production of a code of social values through the use of differential signs”(Baudrillard).The reason for image—oriented customer behavior is probably that customers’lifestyle has been continuously virtualized by paying much attention to“Virtual Reality”.The evidences can be traced from computer games and Hollywood movies,in which customers’preference for fleeing reality is perfectly matched.
This change requires US to take efforts to enhance product image by
integrating style,color,taste,shape and material,and communicate with customers creatively,imaginatively and innovatively,and enable them to enjoy the distinctive experience image brings.“A need is not a need for a particular object as much as it is a‘need’for difference”(Baudrillard).The typical example is Apple Computer’S IMAC,which has strong visual impact and outstanding dynamics.By this way,customer relationship can be set up through image,and brand can be treated as living that can transform people.Other examples commonly used are Disney Fairyland and Las Vegas,where new experience and imagination are fully demonstrated.In sum,consumption is negotiation,a never ending conversation held in the languages of advertising,packaging,branding,fashion,and entertainment.
More Attention to the Image of Product
Main comparisons |
Contexts |
Different aspects |
In the past,people think more about the ______of the goods. |
People today are more easily buying atmosphere. |
|
Different promote sales |
Traditionally,producers may focus more on the functional utilities of goods. |
Nowadays.product image should be and there should be more effective |
|
More details worth noticing |
|
The centered behaviour |
Influenced by computer games and Hollywood movies,people’s |
prove the’importance of image |
Apple Computer’s IMAC,Disney Fairyland, Las Vegas |
__________ __________ __________ ____________________
__________ __________ _____________________________
Zhang Zhaojie, a 13-year-old schoolboy in Xiamen enjoyed many snacks during Spring Festival. “I love chocolate and chips very much. They are high in sugar and fat. But I can’t help eating them,” Zhang said.
Recently, an online list of favorite snacks in China became popular. It said that peanuts, walnuts and chocolate are good for our health, and jelly, potato chips and lollipops(棒棒糖) are “bad”. Almost every kid on the planet loves snacks, and they seldom care how healthy they are. Although some snacks like chocolate and candy are found everywhere, others are unique(独特的) to a country or a culture.
In Japan, Matcha(抹茶) is a kind of green tea powder. It’s made from tea leaves and can be used with ice cream or cakes. In fact, Matcha originated in China but took off in Japan. Biscuits or cookies covered with chocolate are also a Japanese favorite.
Potato chips and French fries are very popular in the US. They are cheap but tasty. But they are high in calories and eating too much may make you fat. Popcorn(爆米花) is another typical snack. People eat it when they are watching sports games or visiting the amusement park. Most cinemas also sell Popcorn.
In the UK, many people sit down for snacks at around 4 p.m. every day. They call it “afternoon tea”. Traditional afternoon tea is biscuits and tea. People also have scones(烤饼) with jam and cream, which is probably the most classic English snack.
Countries |
Snacks |
What it is like |
Japan |
Matcha |
★a kind of green tea powder made from |
★often used with ice cream or cakes |
||
Biscuits or cookies |
★usually have |
|
The US |
★cheap and tasty |
|
Popcorn |
★when watching sports games and |
|
★when visiting the amusement park |
||
The UK |
Biscuits and tea |
★the traditional afternoon tea |
Scones |
★eaten with |
Returning a father's love
He was a single father, raising a 5-year-old boy by himself. He was often worried about his son,growing up without a mother to care for him.
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One day, he went away on business, leaving the childalone. He worried about the child all the way, not knowing if he
阅读下面短文,根据所读内容在表格中的空白处填入恰当的单词。
注意:每个空格只填一个单词。
If we agree that the function of education is to prepare us for life, then there is very little time to waste. So, while we can, we ought to concentrate on teaching children something really useful. Here is what our schools should teach.
Politeness is a mark of civilization. The sooner children learn this, the better. In any case, a lot can be accomplished by a smile and good manners.
Like it or not, our adult lives will be consumed by the struggle for money, but we don’t make an effort to teach children how to manage it. So our schools have a duty to teach them this ability from the beginning.
We’re likely to accept something we are told, but that’s not what educated people do. Educated people are reasonable and they look at facts. If our schools teach nothing else, they should at least teach critical (批判性的) thinking.
Children should learn to take care of their health. They should know that if they eat junk food (垃圾食品), they will become fat and unhealthy. They should be very clear about what happens to their bodies when they drink or smoke.
All of us are part of society. We have rights and responsibilities. We ought to understand what they are. We have to know a little bit of our history and geography, because we need to have an environment in which to relate to the people around us.
How will we test students on these? We can’t. But that’s not a reason to avoid teaching what is important. Our schools should spend every moment they have telling this to our children: “This is life, this is what you are going to face, and this is how you deal with it.”
Title |
Very Useful |
Introduction |
Education should be a |
Advice |
Important things should be taught in |
Teaching |
●How to behave ●The basic skill of ●How to ●How to keep ●The rights and responsibilities one has in |
Conclusion |
Children should be taught what |