1 . The first thing I learned about shopping after moving to Texas from the Caribbean was this: Go to Goodwill.
When I needed my first jacket, I went to Goodwill. When the carpet in my studio got dirty, I bought a vacuum cleaner at Goodwill. What I didn’t know at the time was that I was participating in the billion-dollar industry of used goods. After reading journalist Adam Minter’s Secondhand: Travels In The New Global Garage Sale, I now understand how it works not only in the US but across the world. I also understand that most people are hoarders — humans always put emotional value on worthless items, and we now collect things and fill the space around us faster than at any other time in human history.
In Secondhand, Minter starts with a strange question: What happens to people’s stuff when they die? He answers the question in the first chapter—but this only opens a door into the hidden, billion-dollar industry of reuse. With a keen eye for detail and the curious mind of a journalist, Minter takes readers from thrift stores (旧货商店) all across the US to small apartments and vintage shops in Tokyo, and from a truck in Mexico to an office in Mumbai, to show the inner workings of one of the world’s largest markets. Along the way, he interviews many fascinating people who make a living by buying and selling what others discard or leave behind after their deaths, all while wondering what the future holds for this business in an era when consumers want new things.
To say Secondhand is a book about reusing and reselling would be unfair to Minter. Sure, reuse is at the core of the book, but it also deals with culture and consumption patterns on a global scale. It also offers a look into the relationships people establish with things and how those crumble (破碎) with time and death.
While the used-goods business doesn’t stand a chance against the low-cost goods that have spread globally over the last forty years, the truth is that it will be decades before it disappears entirely. Secondhand is a good book to understand it, a book written with a lot of heart and with people — not things — as its focus.
1. What do we know about Goodwill from the text?| A．It sells different secondhand items. |
| B．It provides support for newcomers to Texas. |
| C．It is a fashion brand known for its cheap clothes. |
| D．It is where the author bought Adam Minter’s book. |
| A．The global market size of used goods. | B．Adam Minter’s journeys for his book. |
| C．Some questions about the industry of reuse. | D．Fate of people’s belongings after their deaths. |
| A．Handle. | B．Check on. | C．Separate. | D．Throw away. |
| A．It will decline due to online shopping. | B．It will disappear entirely in a few years. |
| C．It will continue to exist despite challenges. | D．It will be bigger than the new goods business. |
2 . My parents said that I started reading tomato soup labels when I was two. But my earliest
I don’t know whether I read because I was curious or I was curious because I read. Probably
So, when I had my son, it surprised no one that I filled his room with
| A．agreements | B．memories | C．beliefs | D．desires |
| A．created | B．hated | C．read | D．changed |
| A．all | B．both | C．that | D．none |
| A．however | B．therefore | C．since | D．once |
| A．fame | B．trick | C．risk | D．safety |
| A．position | B．level | C．effort | D．escape |
| A．visited | B．scanned | C．planned | D．described |
| A．adults | B．families | C．kids | D．students |
| A．dissatisfied | B．satisfied | C．annoyed | D．shameful |
| A．inspiration | B．respect | C．sorrow | D．money |
| A．clothes | B．food | C．sufferings | D．books |
| A．help | B．pass | C．compare | D．buy |
| A．news | B．stories | C．tests | D．reports |
| A．experienced | B．crucial | C．unconsidered | D．necessary |
| A．rescue | B．connect | C．accompany | D．prefer |
3 . My biggest regret of 2023 was the relationship to my smartphone. I spent the equal of January, February and March looking at that tiny screen. While some of that time was necessary for work, or staying connected with family, I became glued to it. This habit started to make me feel uneasy.
So, in December, I made a big change. I swapped my expensive iPhone for a basic flip phone (翻盖手机), which only cost $108. This decision was met with disbelief, especially from my seven-year-old daughter who couldn’t understand why I chose such a device. However, I was determined to reduce my screen time and take back control of my life.
Making the switch was neither easy nor fast. I had to adjust to its limited functions and learn to live without the convenience of having everything at my fingertips. There were moments when I felt frustrated, like when I couldn’t use a smartphone app to charge my electric car or navigate without Google Maps. Despite these challenges, I survived, and even progressed during the month.
It was a relief to disconnect my brain from the internet regularly and for hours at a time. I read four books. I even did a magic jigsaw puzzle. After two weeks, I noticed I’d lost my thumb twitch — physical desire to check my phone in the morning, at red lights, waiting for an elevator or at any other moment when my mind had a brief opportunity to wander.
“Our health is struggling against many of these services and companies that are competing for our time and our energy and our attention,” said Matthew Buman, a professor of movement sciences at Arizona State University. I told him about my own strategy — the flip phone. He said it probably made my mind feel more free and feel as if I had more time (both true), but that in our society, it’s hard to maintain that in the long term.
1. What made the author change her relationship with her smartphone?| A．Her intention to work harder. | B．Her desire to contact her family. |
| C．Her decision to try something new. | D．Her guilt about overuse of the phone. |
| A．Proud of the wise choice. | B．Astonished at the low price. |
| C．Confused by the unexpected switch. | D．Delighted at the new device. |
| A．Efficiency in navigating. | B．Control over her life. |
| C．Convenience to charge her car. | D．Desire to check her phone. |
| A．The author might find it hard to disconnect from the internet. |
| B．The author’s health might suffer due to the lack of connectivity. |
| C．The author might miss the convenience of having a smartphone. |
| D．The author might struggle to adapt to the limited functions of a flip phone. |
4 . Bang! Somewhere, someone set off fireworks. After hearing the loud noise, ten-year-old Rosie, ran back towards her
Nowhere can Steve find Rosie. Steve had less than five minutes to begin worrying when his phone rang. “Is that black-and-white dog yours, Mr. Harper? She’s just
Closed-circuit television showed Rosie walking into the police station,
Steve supposed why Rosie knew just where to
Steve headed to fetch Rosie from the
| A．partner | B．owner | C．vet | D．trainer |
| A．adopted | B．bought | C．stolen | D．separated |
| A．competed | B．fought | C．bonded | D．finished |
| A．fondness | B．care | C．fear | D．awareness |
| A．built up | B．gave off | C．passed on | D．went away |
| A．partly | B．gradually | C．permanently | D．quickly |
| A．handed | B．thought | C．pulled | D．troubled |
| A．crying | B．kidding | C．whispering | D．shouting |
| A．jumping | B．sitting | C．rolled | D．nosing |
| A．anxiously | B．bravely | C．politely | D．impatiently |
| A．left | B．explained | C．hesitated | D．emerged |
| A．collar | B．back | C．tie | D．leg |
| A．lie | B．settle | C．sleep | D．play |
| A．station | B．house | C．shelter | D．clinic |
| A．charming | B．nervous | C．sound | D．amazed |
5 . At a desk between a hallway entrance and a classroom door, Marge Mangelsdorf gently urged Harlan to write down what he remembered. The two had just finished reading Hi! Fly Cuy, a popular children’s book about a boy and his pet bug. Now it was time for Harlan, a first grader, to go over the plot and characters with his tutor.
Mangelsdorf spends several days each week in empty classrooms like these, working with kids through Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring. The program, which pairs volunteers with students for 30-45 minutes each week, is overseen by a St. Louis-based nonprofit that promotes healthy aging through a mix of community involvement and continuing education. This model holds a unique appeal. Its workers are largely retired volunteers, who cost less in fees, making their continuing presence sustainable.
There is some proof of its effectiveness. In a 2023 survey of educators in schools where the program works, 80 percent of classroom teachers said they’d seen improvement in their students’ reading skills, and 67 percent said they’d perceived an improvement in those students’ attitudes at school.
Whatever the effects of tutoring on young kids, the program’s work is also meant to help their volunteers. When given the chance to be active and help others, seniors’ quality of life can dramatically improve. A 2020 Harvard University study found that adults over 50 who volunteered at least two hours per week were less likely to express loneliness, depression and hopelessness and more likely to be optimistic and purposeful. Putting them in direct contact with school-aged children might be the best way to make the best of their talents, especially given America’s growing number of seniors.
1. Why did Harlan write down what he remembered?| A．To finish writing a new novel. |
| B．To teach students how to read a novel. |
| C．To create a fantastic story for the old. |
| D．To review the content of Hi! Fly Guy. |
| A．It made fewer profits in 2023. |
| B．It builds a bridge between tutors and students. |
| C．It models after another community institution. |
| D．All of its workers are retired teachers from schools. |
| A．By giving examples. |
| B．By analyzing a questionnaire. |
| C．By making a contrast. |
| D．By presenting data. |
| A．Elderly workers benefit from the voluntary work. |
| B．The old suffer from many health problems. |
| C．Harvard University is in favor of the voluntary program. |
| D．Harvard University set up the voluntary program. |
6 . As a teenager in the 1990s, Melissa Blake was interested in fashion. Unfortunately, fashion wasn’t much interested in her. Blake, who has a genetic bone and muscle disorder and stands a little under 4 feet tall, couldn’t find jeans or dresses in her size. Paging through magazines, she didn’t see a single person like her. “That would have been a game changer for me,” says Blake, who had 26 surgeries before age 17 to treat her Freeman-Sheldon syndrome.
So far, Blake, 39, has spent her adult life trying to make up for that. She is a disability-rights activist as well as a freelance (自由职业的) writer whose works have appeared in The New York Times and Clamour, but she gained a national following in 2019 after clapping back at people who made ugly comments about her online.
Blake posted a new selfie (自拍)every day. “Some selfies were serious, like the ones where I talked about disabilities or, how I was feeling on not-so-good days. Some were fun and silly, but each was a celebration, and each carried a message. However, some people said that I should be banned from posting photos of myself because I’m too ugly. I feel like every time I post a selfie or share something about my life as a disabled woman, it is a representation to fight that,” Blake told WBUR.
Her fans went wild, calling Blake a goddess and a powerful woman. Among her fans is Mindy Scheier, the founder and CEO of Runway of Dreams, which displays fashion for people with disabilities. Last fall, Scheier asked Blake to be one of the event’s 24 models because of her support of the welfare of the disabled.
“It was a little scary,” Blake says of modeling. But she’s glad she took the challenge. “When disabled people are included, it sends a message that we should get a seat at the table in all aspects of life.”
1. What can be inferred from the 1st paragraph?| A．Melissa Blake was a game designer. |
| B．Melissa Blake was interested in games. |
| C．Melissa Blake was too tall to find suitable clothes. |
| D．Melissa Blake’s fashion dream was affected by her disability. |
| A．To show off her fashion sense. |
| B．To gain a national following. |
| C．To become a model for Runway of Dreams. |
| D．To fight against ugly comments about her appearance. |
| A．Because she is a fashion icon. | B．Because she is the founder of the event. |
| C．Because she is a disability-rights activist. | D．Because she is a professional writer. |
| A．Courage can break down obstacles. |
| B．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| C．Practice makes perfect. |
| D．It is never too old to learn. |
7 . Did you know you can visit the Great Wall of China, see famous paintings or check in on your favourite zoo animals without leaving home? That’s good news any time. Here are some of explore-the-world-from-home ideas.
THE GREAT WALL, CHINA
This incredible landmark is a collection of walls. It’s often said it’s the only human-made structure that can be seen from the Moon but that claim was made many years before anyone had been to the Moon. Today, the Great Wall is generally recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.
VISIT thechinaguide.com/ destination/ great-wall-of-china
CINCINNATI ZOO, US
This famous zoo is offering virtual home safaris. “We’re bringing the zoo to people who are stuck at home,” said zoo director Thane Maynard. “The goal of the daily live sessions is to provide fun and educational content to people who are staying at home.”
VISIT cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources
SMITHSONIAN, US
The Smithsonian Museum and National Zoo has a large range of exhibits available to view online, including Animal Cams—live streams of their animal enclosures so you can get up close with lions, pandas, elephants and more.
VISIT si.edu/kids
MUSEE D’ORSAY, FRANCE
Take some time to study the paintings of Monet, Cezanne, and Gauguin at the Musee D’Orsay, Paris.
VISIT m.musee-orsay.fr/ en
MARS
And for a truly out-of-this-world experience from the comfort of your own home, take a virtual tour of Mars. The tour images are recorded by NASA’s Curiosity rover.
VISIT accessrmars.withgoogle.com
1. How can we describe the Great Wall according to the second paragraph?| A．Antique. | B．Tremendous. |
| C．Well-organized. | D．Popular. |
| A．They require visitors to fill out forms. |
| B．They educate people to protect animals. |
| C．They provide live streams of their paintings. |
| D．They offer visual feasts about animals. |
| A．THE GREAT WALL | B．MUSEE D’ORSAY. |
| C．MARS. | D．SMITHSONIAN. |
8 . A few months ago, I got a terrible cold which ended in a cough that was hard to get rid of. No matter how many different medicines I tried, I
Then one day after class, a student came up to me and
A few minutes later, the treatment started to produce a
| A．still | B．even | C．also | D．certainly |
| A．upset | B．amazing | C．unusual | D．inconvenient |
| A．recommended | B．confirmed | C．adapted | D．treated |
| A．benefits | B．wonders | C．functions | D．ways |
| A．nervous | B．excited | C．doubtful | D．optimistic |
| A．Particularly | B．Gradually | C．Surprisingly | D．Immediately |
| A．shot | B．look | C．miss | D．break |
| A．ear | B．nose | C．tongue | D．teeth |
| A．hospitals | B．doctors | C．patients | D．machines |
| A．unsatisfied | B．frightened | C．attracted | D．injured |
| A．damaging | B．cooling | C．relieving | D．inspiring |
| A．pain | B．pressure | C．recovery | D．relaxation |
| A．strength | B．ability | C．behavior | D．condition |
| A．lessen | B．worsen | C．shorten | D．deepen |
| A．fine | B．gone | C．worthwhile | D．different |
9 . It never occurred to me to think about my future job till I entered high school. In the years before high school, I
I found my way to civil engineering
To achieve my ambition, I must
Over the years, I have learned to stick with things that I find right
| A．relied | B．depended | C．lived | D．concentrated |
| A．why | B．when | C．how | D．what |
| A．love | B．need | C．talent | D．pity |
| A．fortunately | B．accidentally | C．frequently | D．directly |
| A．pollutants | B．wastes | C．ruins | D．emissions |
| A．promised | B．decided | C．expected | D．managed |
| A．Observing | B．Completing | C．Designing | D．Understanding |
| A．expense | B．solution | C．trend | D．necessity |
| A．believe | B．admit | C．ensure | D．declare |
| A．Therefore | B．Thus | C．Moreover | D．However |
| A．bother | B．frighten | C．cheat | D．hurt |
| A．forced | B．pushed | C．limited | D．reminded |
| A．firmly | B．personally | C．easily | D．naturally |
| A．give off | B．pay off | C．turn off | D．get off |
| A．viewing | B．highlighting | C．shaping | D．saving |
10 . Jaw-dropping architecture isn’t new. We’re still fascinated by the Great Pyramid built 4,500 years ago! Read for more recent examples of innovative buildings constructed using modern technology.
Crooked House (Poland)
COMPLETED: 2004
With its curved (弯曲的) walls and roof, it is popular with photographers. However, staring at it for too long might make you dizzy! Inside is a typical mall and office building. A favorite feature is the Wall of Fame, with signatures from Polish celebrities (名人). It’s modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Cube Houses (Netherlands)
COMPLETED: 1984
The Cube Houses are a popular attraction, but they are also real houses that people live in! The furniture is tailor-made to fit the strange angles where the walls meet. Architect Piet Blom designed the homes based on the idea of “living as an urban roof,” with the housing above and the courtyards, shops, and even a chess museum below.
Wonder Works (US)
COMPLETED: 2006
Looking at the cracks in this building, you might think, is it about to collapse? But it’s all an illusion (幻觉). This indoor amusement park is actually pretty normal. The upside-down features are just for show. Inside are more than hands-on science exhibits and activities, including a laser-tag zone and a hurricane-force wind tunnel!
Guangzhou Opera House (China)
COMPLETED: 2010
It was designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid. She said she let natural places inspire her buildings, such as this opera house on the Pearl River. She used latest construction and design methods to make her design a reality. GPS positioning and laser techniques helped shape the structure, which includes tons of steel and glass.
1. What makes Cube Houses different from the others in the list?| A．Its latest techniques. | B．Its residents inside. |
| C．Its famous signatures. | D．Its upside-down features. |
| A．Crooked House | B．Cube Houses | C．Wonder Works | D．Guangzhou Opera House |
| A．To introduce amazing architecture. | B．To advertise specifically-designed programs. |
| C．To inspire students to make innovations. | D．To urge people to protect historical buildings. |
