1 . When we talk about protecting the environment and sustainability, we focus on factories and industries that produce cars, household objects, and materials used in production. However, the carbon footprint of the fast fashion industry is sizeable and should not be overlooked.
Fast fashion has seen quite the rise recently, with stores spreading far and wide all over the world. They mass-produce one collection after the other, always on trend, and always encouraging consumers to follow the said trend. However, what about the impact this kind of business model has on the environment?
The clothing industry is the second-highest polluter of water. Factories of fast fashion poured poisonous chemicals into clean water supplies because clothing production is a land-and water-intensive industry, responsible for 10% of all carbon release globally. Even after the clothes are produced in factories, they can still affect the environment. For example, polyester (涤纶) can release plastic microfibres into the water system, which contributes to the already existing plastic problem.
The fashion industry is indeed causing great harm to the environment; moreover, the clothes being made are not meant to last. In most cases, the quality is not there, and the clothes are only used a few times before being discarded. Before the rise of fast fashion, clothes were made to last and were not meant to have the high turnover that clothes have.
There are many designers who are committed to mass-producing their clothes in sustainable ways. Some big brands are also trying to make improvements in the materials they use and the mass-producing process, but big efforts are needed if we are going to see a change. What we as consumers can do is shop consciously and consider how the clothes have been made and whether we truly need that piece or not.
1. What can be inferred about fast fashion from the first two paragraphs?| A．It stresses offline sales. | B．It affects the environment seriously. |
| C．It is a sustainable industry worldwide. | D．It is popular among young consumers. |
| A．It makes clothing last long. | B．It reduces carbon footprint. |
| C．It results in water pollution. | D．It lowers the production cost. |
| A．Thrown away. | B．Picked up. | C．Passed down. | D．Turned in. |
| A．Support big fashion brands. | B．Stop buying long-lasting clothes. |
| C．Think twice before shopping for clothes. | D．Change dressing styles frequently. |
| A．A handmade hat. | B．A birthday party. | C．Jonathan’s new job. |
| A．Express her thanks. |
| B．Give some advice. |
| C．Invite Henry to dinner. |
Following the tradition of wearing new clothes for the Chinese New Year, young people in China pushed the purchase of hanfu to a new level and made it
An initiative (倡议) launched in late January by Xiaohongshu, a social media platform, invited users
Hanfu, as well as other traditional forms of Chinese costume, has become
Analysts say the rise of “China chic” shows young Chinese people’s
5 . We are familiar with an old saying “Clothes make the man”, which means good-looking outfits may possibly make a person better respected and look more like a true gentleman.
In summary, clothes do help in making a first impression, but do not make the man.
| A．However, I have a different view on this issue. |
| B．Thus, a man should be always dressed gracefully. |
| C．Nothing can count more than good quality in building up the man. |
| D．If well dressed, a man will probably gain more confidence and respect. |
| E．As a result, all the people spare no money to buy expensive fine clothes. |
| F．Clothes just make a man look better but will in no sense make a better person. |
| G．As far as these people are concerned, what one wears is an important expression of positions. |
6 . Blue jeans are as American as eating a hot dog at a baseball game. But have you ever stopped to wonder why most of us have blue jeans but not red, purple, or green jeans?
Jeans are made of denim, which is a type of strong cotton cloth. Jeans became wildly popular in the American West during the California Gold Rush. This period in the mid-1800s saw 300, 000 people pack up their lives and head west in search of fortune (财富). Searching for gold was difficult work, as people would dig into the side of mountains and look for gold that had made its way into rivers and streams, and they needed durable clothing to help them. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis saw a chance not in gold, but in selling clothes to the tens of thousands of people arriving every year. They teamed up to create indigo — washed cloth.
So why did they use indigo(blue)to color their jeans? It has to do with the character of indigo. While most other colors penetrate (渗透) deep inside clothing, indigo stays on the surface of the threads (线). This means that when clothing colored with indigo is washed, some of the threads and coloring are removed. Over time and after much cleaning, jeans colored with indigo become softer and more comfortable as well as get that “worn in” look we all love.
Blue jeans are blue — or indigo — because they need to be tough and stand up to a hard day’s work, and also be soft and comfortable. And while many of those in search of gold never found their fortune, Levi Strauss’ blue jeans became wildly popular, and the company is still selling blue jeans 150 years later.
1. Why is Gold Rush mentioned in Paragraph 2?| A．To prove people’s hard lives then. |
| B．To tell us why blue jeans were created. |
| C．To share Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis’ story. |
| D．To show an important period in American history. |
| A．Bright. | B．Fashionable. | C．Strong. | D．Beautiful. |
| A．The color and threads could be removed easily. |
| B．The jeans could become much stronger. |
| C．It could color the jeans’ threads easily. |
| D．It penetrated deep inside clothing. |
| A．Success results from hard work. |
| B．Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. |
| C．Failure is meaningful if we learn from it. |
| D．Fortune prefers those who use their judgement. |
7 . Are you happy with your appearance?
“Almost all the girls with single-fold eyelids (单眼皮) in our class have had double eyelid operations,” Zeng, a Senior 2 student from Chengdu, told Xinhua. Zeng had the same surgery done this summer.
From popular photo-editing apps to plastic surgery (整形手术), it seems that large eyes, pale skin and a skinny body are the only standard for beauty these days. But can following this standard really make us feel good about ourselves?
“Many teenagers are upset about their appearance because they believe in unrealistic standards of beauty,” experts say.
However, trying to live up to strict standards can make us feel anxious. What troubles us is not just our “imperfect” looks, but the fact that we criticize ourselves too much.
| A．Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. |
| B．Body image anxiety is common among teenagers. |
| C．Guys care just as much as girls do about their body image. |
| D．Some teenagers might feel negative about their appearance. |
| E．It’s common for teenagers to feel confident about their appearance. |
| F．She and many of her classmates believe bigger eyes look more beautiful. |
| G．Perfect faces and bodies are everywhere in advertising, TV shows and social media. |
8 . Alice, age 9:"Mom, do I have to brush my hair today?"
Me: Um, yes, it would be great if you could brush your hair every day!
In Alice's world, brushing her hair was an inconvenient nuisance(令人讨厌的事).I knew back then that this feeling would not last forever. One day I would pry (撬开) her hairbrush out of her hand and tear her away from the mirror. Five years later, my prediction has come true.
At age 14, there is no such thing for Alice as a spur-of-the-moment(一时兴起的) trip outside of the house. She is, indeed, obsessed with her physical appearance. Hair has to be brushed, makeup applied, and clothes changed many times before she can even think about leaving the house.
We have spoken at length about how looks don't matter and that being a good, kind and compassionate person in this world is way more important than any aesthetic(审美观).Each time we have this conversation, Alice reminds me that she knows technically looks aren't important. But when she looks good on the outside, she feels more confident on the inside. In turn, that makes her a kinder, more compassionate and more understanding person.
So while I will never be happy to see my daughter try on many shirts only to pick the first one she tried, or spend an hour getting ready for an event when the rest of the family were ready in 10 minutes, I know this is something she needs to do. Creating an identity for herself as an individual outside of her family unit is a natural and necessary part of the teenage process.
And just as she learned over the years that hair-brushing is probably a good idea, so will she hopefully learn that sometimes it's okay to go out in a less-than-perfect outfit or without makeup. Somewhere deep down,her freewheeling 9-year-old self still knows that.
1. What was the author's prediction about Alice?| A．She would avoid looking in the mirror. |
| B．She would refuse to stay at home all the time. |
| C．She would be very concerned about her appearance. |
| D．She would forget to brush her hair before going out. |
| A．To impress others. | B．To make herself feel better. |
| C．To display her unique personality. | D．To attract kind people as friends. |
| A．Worried. | B．Indifferent. | C．Disappointed. | D．Understanding. |
| A．She cannot meet everyone's needs. |
| B．She should learn some makeup skills. |
| C．She needs to learn a lot as she grows up. |
| D．She doesn't always have to go out with a perfect image. |
9 . Fashion designers have a big say in what’s considered beautiful. They pick who’s in their shows and ads, shaping what’s celebrated as beauty. But this power also means responsibility — it can be used to leave people out or lift them up.
When I was young, fashion was my world. I pored over various fashion magazines at my local bookstore, desiring to be tall, thin, and have long, shiny hair to fit the ideal. I wanted to be like those models, so I stopped eating. It was a tough time; my eating disorder consumed me. It took years to break free from its control, allowing me to focus on my true passions.
For so long, the fashion industry has worked hard to set an ideal of beauty that celebrates thin, young, white, and able-bodied models as the ideal. It’s impossible not to be exposed to images of models that have been photoshopped to where there’s not a single spot in sight. This idea is everywhere, and it hurts people. Shockingly, around 91% of women are unhappy with their appearance. It’s sad that teens grow up in a society where they deny themselves.
There’s progress — models and musicians promote body positivity. However, the pressure to meet unrealistic standards remains. Changing these standards involves bravely celebrating diverse beauty. True inclusivity goes beyond appearances. It requires diverse decision-makers, photographers, and casting directors cooperating. Young designers often overlook this crucial aspect. Hiring plus-size or transgender photographers, diverse casting directors, or makeup artists who understand the importance of accommodating to various skin tones, is vital for an overall approach.
We aimed to redefine the “bikini body” standards. However, the goal isn’t for the consumer’s body to change but for clothes to accommodate all sizes. We need more fashion for everyone, no matter their size or where they shop. It’s our responsibility as designers to challenge this narrow beauty definition. My hope is for future teens to escape the pressures I faced, developing a fashion industry celebrating diverse identities.
1. What does the underlined phrase “pored over” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Classified carefully. | B．Read attentively. |
| C．Compared thoroughly. | D．Recommended sincerely. |
| A．Causing self-denial. | B．Generating individuality. |
| C．Focusing on true passions. | D．Contributing to self-confidence. |
| A．It encourages personal effort. | B．It satisfies traditional standards. |
| C．It focuses on physical appearances. | D．It calls for diversity and cooperation. |
| A．Customers will change their body shapes. |
| B．Future teens will redefine fashion standards. |
| C．Fashion should celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. |
| D．“Bikini body” standards should be strengthened. |
10 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Where are the speakers?| A．In the man’s house. | B．In a clothing store. | C．In a design company. |
| A．It focuses on personal needs. | B．It only provides formal clothing. | C．It attracts mainly young customers. |
| A．In one week. | B．In four weeks. | C．In one year. |
