Imagine shopping in another country and spotting a beautiful scarf. The salesperson tells you the price, ______ it’s more than you want to buy. What do you do?
The answer depends largely on what part of the world you are in. Are you visiting Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America or Africa? In these places, prices often are not set in stone. In fact, customers _____(expect) to bargain before agreeing to a price.
On the other hand, in North America, Europe and Australia, bargaining is rare and often not allowed. The price ___(list) on a price tag cannot be changed.
Large stores and malls usually don’t allow bargaining. On the other hand, outdoor stalls and flea markets, even in Western countries, usually allow bargaining. When in doubt, consult a guidebook ---or_______(good) yet, a local friend.
_____bargaining custom vary, a few rules of etiquette apply in most cultures. First, avoid wasting people’s time. If you don’t intend to make a purchase, don’t start bargaining. While bargaining, it is OK to walk away. But once you agree to a price, you
____ buy the item.
Even in countries ___ don’t allow bargaining, you may find plentiful opportunities to save money. Many stores sell old items on clearance. Others offer discount cards to regular customers. Some of these can function as credit cards
____ the store, and a few can even be used elsewhere.
______ you go, understanding local customs can help you find good prices.
The blacksmith Jones worked hard in his shop. The son of Mr. White, ______ rich neighbor, came to see him everyday. “Young man, why not learn to make shoe tacks (钉)?” said Jones. “It may be useful to you
day.” After a little practice, the boy found he could make some of the finest tacks. Old Mr. White died and because of the war the son lost all his goods. He ____
___(force) to leave home and live in another country. It happened __
___ in this village many shoemakers spent a lot of money ___
___ (buy) tacks for their shoes and sometimes they were not able to buy them _____
____ there was a high demand for soldiers’ shoes. Young Mr. White, who was finding ____
___difficult to earn his ___
___ (day) bread, told the shoemakers that he would make the tacks if they would help to get him ___
___ (settle) in his workshop. The shoemakers were only too glad of the offer. Soon Mr. Smith found that he was making the finest tacks in the village. “How funny,” he said, “Even making tacks can bring a fortune. My trade is ___
___ (much) useful to me than all my former riches.”
阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(不多于3个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
Worker: Customer Service, Anthony Grant speaking. can I help you?
Customer: I can’t believe this is happening! I called and ordered a 32-inch bag last Friday, today I found that you sent a 24-inch one. I was planning to use that bag during our vacation in Mexico, but it doesn’t seem possible any more because we’re taking off on Saturday. It’s only three days away. What am I
(suppose) to do?
Worker: I’m really sorry, madam. I(check) it right away. Would you please tell me your order
?
Customer: is CE29.
Worker: Er, just a moment. I do apologize, madam. There does seem to be a mistake. I’ll have the correct size bag(send) to you by over-night mail right away. It shall arrive by this Friday. It will be
time for your Saturday trip. Again I apologize for any
(convenient) caused by out mistake. I promise it won’t happen again.
Customer: OK. Well, thank you.
Worker: Thank you, madam, for choosing Linch Mail Order Company. I hope you havewonderful vacation.
It was a city in Hubei Province. On International Children's Day, some orphans (孤儿) from the Wuhan Welfare Institute for Children __(take) to the park. An elderly westerner was with them. The children were eager to tell him everything that was going on. They held him by the hand and never hesitated to call __
__ Grandpa. This man was Professor William Dorrity, from Florida,USA. In 2003, _
__ Professor Dorrity and his wife retired, they came to Wuhan and started to work as volunteers at the Welfare Institute.
The Dorritys have been working hard _ (improve) the conditions at the Welfare Institute since they came. They often take children on day trips, _
_ (bring) along with them all kinds of food for the kids to enjoy. They recently bought audiphones for four orphans
_ hearing problems and small tape recorders for three blind children. They also bought a wheelchair for tenyearold Tan Jun, __
_ suffers from a brain problem. With the _
_ (arrive) of spring, the Dorritys took the children for _
__ outing. “We love China and we love children,” Dorrity said, “ _
__ we are happy to do this.”
阅读下列材料,在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中的语法的正确形式填空。
Anna pushed herself up from the bench and walked steadily with her walking sticks toward the office. As soon as she entered the room, she saw it. blue umbrella was there, unopened,
a floor-to-ceiling window.
(see) it so near, nearly within reach, Anna forgot herself and pointed to her possession.
“That is mine,” she said. “My son brought it to me from Paris and I want it back.”
The man had risen when she entered and he (remain) standing. He turned to look at the umbrella
she pointed. “Yes. I know the umbrella is from Paris, ”he said, showing a mix of innocence and curiosity. “Actually, it is
(make) in Italy, but it’s sold in Paris. It’s not the one your son gave you. I bought it myself.”
Anna stared at him. Was he claiming that it was his own umbrella? She had run all the way to this office building from the shopher umbrella was stolen.
“My son gaveto me,” Anna countered. “It means everything to me, because my son is
(die).”
As soon as she said them, Anna knew she had made a mistake. She had opened herself up to a stranger. He had no business knowing the most important fact of her life, a grief she kept private. could anyone understand what her son’s death meant to her?
A hobby means favorite activity that a person does
pleasure in his spare time. It differs from person to person
from age to age. Some people like to ski, fish, swim, raise flowers and collect stamps.
like to watch football games, take pictures and play
(music) instruments. Hobbies can help people relax after a period of intense work and provide a balance
work and rest. They can also help people improve
mental and physical health. Sometimes hobbies can help cure sick persons.
But in the old days, workers worked long hours in factories to support their families. Farmers worked in the fields from sunrise to sunset. They had no time or money (enjoy) hobbies. Nowadays, with the development of science and technology, and with the improvement of
(life) standard, people from all walks of life have more free time and leisure time for hobbies. By developing various hobbies, many old people, especially retired people,
(spend) their remaining years in ease and comfort nowadays.