1 . Clothing rental (租赁) is a hot new industry and businessmen are trying their best to attract shoppers. This past summer alone, Urban Outfitters, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and American Eagle have all announced rental subscription services — a sure sign of changing times.
But is renting fashion actually more environmentally-friendly than buying it, and if so, how much more? Journalist and author Elizabeth Cline researched this question in an article for Elle, and she concluded that it’s not as green as it seems.
Take shipping, for example, which has to go two ways if an item is rented — receiving and returning. Cline writes that consumer transportation has the second largest footprint of our fashion habit after producing.
She writes, “An item ordered online and then returned can send out 20 kilograms of carbon each way, and increases to 50 kilograms for rush shipping. However, the carbon effect of a pair of jeans bought in a store and washed and worn at home is 33.4 kilograms, according to a 2015 study.”
Then there’s the burden of washing, which has to happen for every item when it’s returned, regardless of whether or not it was worn. For most rental services, this usually means dry-cleaning is a high-effect and polluting process, which can produce dangerous waste and air pollution if not dealt with correctly.
Lastly, Cline fears that rental services will increase our, desire for fast fashion, simply because it’s so easy to get. There’s something called ‘share-washing’ that leads to more wasteful behaviors mainly because a product or service is shared and thus is regarded as more eco-friendly. Uber is one example of this, advertised as “a way to share rides and limit car ownership,” and yet “it has been proven to discourage walking, bicycling, and public transportation use.”
Renting clothes is still preferable to buying them cheap and throwing them in the waste after a few wears, but we shouldn’t let the convenience of these services make us satisfied. There’s an even better step—and that’s wearing what is already in the closet (衣柜).
1. How much carbon will be produced when an item is normally ordered online and then returned?| A．10 kilograms. | B．20 kilograms. |
| C．40 kilograms. | D．50 kilograms. |
| A．It is considered fashioned. |
| B．It is popular to young people. |
| C．It can reduce transport burden. |
| D．It can leave large carbon footprint. |
| A．cause more wasteful behaviors |
| B．satisfy our desire for fashion |
| C．help protect the environment |
| D．replace the public transport |
| A．The request for throwing cheap clothes. |
| B．The advice on wearing what we own. |
| C．The disadvantage of clothing rental. |
| D．The call for renting clothes. |
2 . Looking for some San Diego events February 2020? We've got a great list of fun things to do in San Diego California. Enjoy these winter 2020 San Diego events and February Valentines Day fun. If it rains, don't worry. February is museum, with half price on many museums. And most importantly, don't forget to plan a romantic Valentine's Day activity!
Whale Watching in San Diego
California Gray Whales undergo their annual migration from Alaska through San Diego and onto Baja California. During February — April, whale watching is at its best, as the whales migrate close to shore and can be seen from land or sea. One of the fun San Diego events. For more information see San Diego Whale Watching.
Explore San Diego Tide Pools
February 5 to 11 and 18 to 24,2020 at various times in the afternoon at low tide. Fall and winter are the best times to explore the San Diego tide pools. $ 10 for adults, children aged 11 and under free. Reservations recommended. 603-437-6722.
Super Bowl 2020
Watch the Super Bowl game Sunday February 2,2020. Even if you don't like football, the commercials are worth it. Still can’t convince you to watch? It's a great time to shop in the empty stores.
Hotel Coronado Historic Walking Tour
Monday and Friday at 10: 30 AM, Saturdays and Sundays at 3 PM. 60-minute walking tour of the famous historic Hotel Coronado, led by docents from the Coronado Historical Association. It's free and one of the best kids' activities in San Diego.
1. Which month is suitable time to watch whales in San Diego?| A．January. | B．June. |
| C．March. | D．October. |
| A．$20. | B．$25. |
| C．$30. | D．$ 15. |
| A．Super Bowl 2020. |
| B．Hotel Coronado Historic Walking Tour. |
| C．Explore San Diego Tide Pools. |
| D．Whale Watching in San Diego. |
3 . Fallingwater is a house built over a waterfall in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous architect, designed the house in 1935. It instantly became famous, and today it is a National Historic Landmark.
Guided House Tour
This tour features all the major rooms of the house and lasts about one hour. Photography is not permitted during this tour. The Guided House Tour allows children six-year-old and older to enjoy the house with their parents.
Adults — $$ 20.00 with advance purchase
— $$ 23.00 when purchased on site
Youth (ages 6〜12) — $$ 14.00 with advance purchase
— $$ 17.00 when purchased on site
Daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, except Wednesday.
In-Depth Tour
The tour is best if you desire a greater understanding of what Wright was seeking to create with his masterwork. The number of visitors on each tour is limited and photography is permitted for personal use only. Children nine years and older may accompany adults on this tour.
$ 65.00 per person (Available by advance ticket purchase only)
Daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunset Tour
As afternoon turns to evening, the changing light allows you to see Fallingwater from an entirely new perspective. The number of visitors is limited and photography is permitted for personal use only. Children under nine-years-old are not permitted on this tour.
$ 110.00 per person (Available by advance ticket purchase only)
May, June, & September — Saturdays at 4:30 pm
July & August — Fridays and Saturdays at 4:45 pm
Brunch Tour
The guests join their guide for brunch before they leave. Children nine years and older may accompany adults on this tour. Please allow three hours total for this experience.
$ 115.00 per person (Available by advance ticket purchase only)
May through September — Saturdays & Sundays at 9:00 am
1. Today ______ is a National Historic Landmark.| A．Frank Lloyd Wright | B．a house in Southeastern Pennsylvania |
| C．Fallingwater | D．a famous architect |
| A．$ 48 | B．$54 |
| C．$ 63 | D．$ 51 |
| A．Guided House Tour. | B．In-Depth Tour. |
| C．Brunch Tour. | D．Sunset Tour. |
| A．The number of visitors is not limited. | B．It is not accessible in August. |
| C．It is only open for teenagers. | D．The ticket isn’t available on site. |
| A．They encourage advance tickets | B．They offer brunch free of charge |
| C．They forbid visitors taking photos | D．They have the same price of tickets |
4 . What is small sided soccer?
The small sided soccer starts with games of 3-on-3 from the youngest participants and progresses to 4-on-4, 7-on-7, 11-on-11, in a graduated manner for the older groups. OUT school’s training course will give kids a better chance to take part in the game and get excited about the game of soccer. The small-sided approach gives each child more individualized attention so they can each improve their skills. And, it’s FUN!
Some general practical information
• The cafeteria is open.
• We supply participants with soccer clothes and football boots.
• Please bring a water bottle for your child.
Soccer season training times
| Team | Saturday | Sunday |
| Tykes | 10:00-11:00 | |
| PeeWees | 11:00-11:50 | |
| BoysE&F | 12:30-14:00 | 13:00-14:00 |
| Girls | 12:30-14:30 |
Costs
The cost is $70 per month for Tykes and PeeWees and $115 for all the other teams.
Those who enter online will get a 10% discount.
Volunteering
Can I coach?
Of course! Our training course is always looking for volunteer coaches. We will provide coaches with plans for activities and training, and help set up the small-sided fields. It’s a great opportunity to get involved with kids and help develop their love for sports.
How can I volunteer in other ways?
It’s your club and you are welcome to volunteer! There are volunteer opportunities with programs, fields, publicity, facilities, uniforms, website development and the board, to name but a few. Let us know how you’d like to help — and we’ll put you to work!
Do parents stay?
Yes. Parents are strongly encouraged to stay and support their children and the club. The club is a volunteer-run organization. Parents and athletes are encouraged to help with the clean-up and set-up activities.
If you have any questions about program specifics, please contact recreational soccer coordinator (协调者), Pablo Vercelli, at recreationalsoccei@abfsport.nl. Tel: 043-239-4409.
1. What do you know about the training course?| A．Coaches will make plans for activities and training. |
| B．It offers three meals a day for free. |
| C．Parents can volunteer for the training course. |
| D．Participants need to prepare their own soccer clothes. |
| A．$63. | B．$70. |
| C．$115. | D．$103.5. |
| A．Both Tykes and BoysE&F have classes on Sunday. |
| B．Both Tykes and PeeWees have the same charging standard. |
| C．Pablo Vercelli was the founder of the small-sided soccer. |
| D．Parents who help with clean-up don’t need to pay for the course. |
5 . Christmas Traditions
The Origin of Christmas
Since about 400 AD, Christmas Day has been celebrated on 25th December. This date was the old mid-winter festival in pre-Christian times, around the time of the longest night and the shortest day. Christmas in the 21st century has many traditions: Christmas trees, cards and presents.
Presents and shopping
Shops can make about 60 percent of their year’s income in the three months before Christmas. So most shops get ready for it in October. The shopping centres are beautifully decorated and stay open late at night. The first time this happened was in 1867 when Macy’s, a famous shop in New York, stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve (24th December).
Trees
By mid-December, almost every house, shop and street has a Christmas tree. This tradition was started by the Germans as early as 700 AD. In the northern countries of the world, winter is cold and dark and most trees lose their leaves. The beautiful green trees decorated with lights and coloured glass balls give people hope that spring will come again.
Cards
The tradition of sending cards to friends was started in 1840 in the UK and now millions of Christmas cards and emails are sent all round the world. Cards are a good way of keeping in touch with family and friends who live far away.
Father Christmas
Father Christmas is known across the world with his white hair, red coat and big bag of toys. Young children are told that he lives in the north of Finland and makes toys for them. By tradition, he brings the toys to children at midnight, on the night before Christmas.
Food
On Christmas day a traditional meal is eaten, usually turkey (like a big chicken) and a rich, spicy cake. Some people hate Christmas. Others feel it is a magical and exciting time. They love seeing family and friends; they also love the traditions. Love it or hate it, Christmas is a time to look back over the old year — and forward to the new one.
1. Christmas has been celebrated ______.| A．for over 3000 years | B．since the start of the 21st century |
| C．for about 1600 years | D．for about 2400 years |
| A．much of their income is made around Christmas time |
| B．they can stay open later |
| C．they are beautifully decorated |
| D．they can prepare for it long before Christmas |
| A．they make people think of Germany | B．they make people think of winter |
| C．they make people think of spring | D．they are beautiful and colourful |
| A．a magical story for small children | B．a character in a film |
| C．a real person who lives in Finland | D．an old man who bring toys to children |
6 . Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to get round this. In return for a deposit of around￡10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp (安培) current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a lightemitting diode (二极管). The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobilephone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again.
The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system’s keeper must buy a scratch card — for as little as a dollar — on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company’s server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit.
Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around￡80 worth of scratch cards — which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months — the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10watt solar cell.
In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and affordably.
According to Eight19’s figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energystarved Kenyan spends around￡10 a month on oil — enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps — plus￡2 on charging his mobile phone in the marketplace. Regular users of one of Eight19’s basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper.
1. The underlined word “get round” in the first paragraph can be replaced by “______”.| A．make use of | B．come up with |
| C．look into | D．deal with |
| A．Buy a scratch card. |
| B．Recharge it outside. |
| C．Buy another solar cell. |
| D．Return it to the company. |
| A．Around￡10. | B．Around￡80. |
| C．Around￡90. | D．Around￡180. |
| A．Kenyan families would find it difficult to afford the solar cell |
| B．using the solar cell would help Kenyan families save money |
| C．few Kenyan families use mobile phones for lack of electricity |
| D．the company will make a great profit from selling solar cells |
7 . Dream Big with Caledonia
Caledonian Sleeper is a gateway to a world of possibilities with our overnight rail service bringing a touch of the extraordinary to travel between London and Edinburgh.
Taste the local food, have the ultimate sleep on our comfortable bed and enjoy a private room with toilet and shower. And above all, wake up refreshed, ready to start an adventure at your destination.
We offer two categories of rail tickets to travel on our service:
Caledonian Sleeper Fixed Advance: Our Fixed Advance tickets offer our best value fares. No changes, refunds or upgrades are allowed. Available for Club rooms (￡150/passenger) a Classic rooms (￡100/passenger). Book at least 2 months in advance.
Caledonian Sleeper Flexible: Our Flexible tickets are fully refundable. Available for Caledonian Double(￡200/passenger), Club rooms (￡170/passenger), Classic rooms (￡120/passenger) and Comfort seats (￡50/passenger). Book anytime if available.
Notice: These are single (one-way) tickets; to make a return journey, just buy two single tickets.
Oops! a family getaway can often feel like someone is missing if your furry friend is left behind. If you are travelling in a Caledonian Double or Club room, you're welcome to bring up to 2 pets with an additional fare as low as ￡30 per room.
1. What is promoted in this text?| A．A travel package. |
| B．A train service. |
| C．A family plan. |
| D．An accommodation service. |
| A．Wi-Fi signals | B．priority boarding |
| C．on-board breakfast | D．charging points |
| A．￡230. | B．￡330. | C．￡660. | D．￡740. |
8 . Seven years without a cold?
More and more people saying they just don't get colds anymore. They are using a new device made of pure copper, which scientists say kills cold and viruses. Doug Cornell invented the device in 2012. “I haven't had a single cold since then,” People were skeptical but EPA and university studies demonstrate repeatedly that viruses and bacteria die almost instantly when touched by copper. That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. Scientists say the high conductance (传导性) of copper disrupts electrical balance in a microbe (微生物) cell and destroys the cell in seconds.
So some hospitals tried copper touch surfaces like taps and door handles. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives. Colds start after cold viruses get in your nose, so the vast body of research gave Cornell an idea. When he next felt a cold about to start, he fashioned a smooth sheet copper and rubbed it gently in his nose for 60 seconds. “It worked!” he exclaimed, “The cold never got going.”
He asked relatives and friends to try it. They said it worked too so he patented CopperZap and put it on the market. Now tens of thousands of people have tried it. Nearly 100% of feedback says the copper stops colds if used within 3 hours after the first sign. Pat McAllister, age 70, received one for Christians and called it “one of the best presents ever.” “This little jewel really works,” People have used it on cold sores and say it can completely prevent outbreaks. It kills germs picked up on fingers and hands to protect you and your family. Copper even kills deadly germs that have become resistant to antibiotics.
CopperZap is made in America of pure copper. It has a 90-lay full money back guarantee. It is $ 69.95. Get $ 10 off each CopperZap with code USA3. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114.
Buy once, use forever.
1. How does the CopperZap work?| A．The device is made in America of pure copper. |
| B．The device can cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses. |
| C．Copper in the device kills all germs that have become resistant to antibiotics. |
| D．Copper in the device disrupts the electrical balance in a cell and destroys the cell. |
| A．Body of research. | B．His nose. |
| C．A. smooth sheet copper. | D．A cold about to start. |
| A．$79.95. | B．$69.95. |
| C．$59.95. | D．$49.95. |
| A．To introduce us a new device. |
| B．To persuade people to buy the product. |
| C．To explain to us a way not to catch a cold. |
| D．To show the device is Useful against colds. |
9 . In an attempt to win back old customers, restaurants and companies often introduce new menu items or new flavors. Most of these are successful with customers because they have always been researched and tested by companies before they meet the public. However, there are still some that are so unpopular with customers and they fail so badly as a product that they become infamous.
One of the most well-known marketing failures happened in 1985 with New Coke, a soft drink created to replace the original Coca-Cola flavor. The Coca-Cola Company tested several new flavors and found that people always preferred a sweeter soda. As a result, the CEO decided that the sweeter soda would replace the original Coca-Cola drink.
Many customers, however, soon started to express their dissatisfaction with the new drink. The Coca-Cola Company received over 1,500 angry telephone calls every day. The Coca-Cola Company actually employed special experts to talk to customers because they were so angry and sad about the change. Some Americans were buying old Coca-Cola drinks from overseas where the new drink had not yet been introduced. And in some parts of America people were so angry that they emptied bottles of New Coke into the street.
So many people were unhappy with Coca-Cola’s new drink that the company decided only three months later to return to the old Coca-Cola drink. On July 10,1985, the Coca-Cola Company said that it would bring back the old Coke and rename the drink “Coca-Cola Classic” or “Coke Classic”. Thousands of customers phoned the company to express their support.
Even today, business experts are interested in this case. Even though the Coca-Cola Company had carefully tested and experimented with New Coke before introducing it to customers, the New drink was still very unpopular. So, what did Coca-Cola do wrong? It seems the company simply did not understand customers’ deep historical and emotional attachment to the drink.
1. Why do companies usually introduce new menu items?| A．To attract past customers. |
| B．To attract new customers. |
| C．To attract elderly customers. |
| D．To attract customers with special needs. |
| A．New Coke is sweeter. |
| B．New Coke is more acidic. |
| C．New Coke’s color is lighter. |
| D．New Coke’s bottle is bigger. |
| A．Why New Coke failed in America. |
| B．The harm New Coke did to people’ s health. |
| C．How customers acted in answer to the introduction of New Coke. |
| D．The comparison between sales of New Coke and the original one. |
| A．In May 1985. | B．In April 1985. |
| C．In June 1985. | D．In July 1985. |
| A．The reasons why New Coke succeeded overseas. |
| B．The history of the Coca-Cola Company in the 1990s. |
| C．The difference between New Coke and Coke Classic. |
| D．The importance of people’s feelings about old products. |
10 . The curious European destinations that Chinese tourists love visiting
Bicester Village
According to a 2019 VisitBritain report, more than 260,000 Chinese tourists visit the UK each year. And where do they go? It claimed that “they are mostly interested in symbolic elements: the Royal Family, Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey”.
Then there's the shopping. Bicester Village, a vast retail estate (零售产业) on the outskirts of the Oxford shire town, is the second most visited UK attraction for Chinese tourists after Buckingham Palace, and three in four Chinese visitors head there.
King's College, Cambridge
A famous tree, for Chinese people at least, can be found in King's College, Cambridge. The willow (柳树), considered to be a holy thing to lost youth, is mentioned in a much-loved poem by Xu Zhimo, who spent a year studying at King's College — Taking leave of Cambridge Again:
The golden willows by the riverside;
Are young brides in the setting sun;
Their glittering reflections on the shimmering river;
Keep undulating in my heart.
Bonn
The former West German capital is another popular port of call. Chinese love classical music, particularly Beethoven, making his birthplace an obvious highlight of any trip to Europe. The city's tourist board offers maps in three foreign languages: English, Chinese and Japanese.
Verona
Both British and Chinese travelers flood to Venice, Rome and Florence, but Verona typically appears higher on the wish lists of China's tourists. That's because of the whole country 's adoration of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The play is popular on UK shores, of course, but the love is doubled in China as it was among the first of the Shakespeare's works to be translated into Chinese, because its plot bears a striking resemblance to a famous Chinese folk tale, The Butterfly Lovers. Expect to see queues at the popular House of Juliet on Via Cappello (a statue of the character stands beneath her balcony).
1. Which is the most visited place for Chinese tourists?| A．Bicester Village. | B．Buckingham Palace. |
| C．King's College. | D．Cambridge. |
| A．About 260,000. | B．About 145,600. |
| C．About 195,000. | D．About 346,700. |
| A．Bicester Village. | B．King's College, Cambridge. |
| C．Bonn. | D．Verona. |
| A．Bicester Village and Bonn. | B．Bicester Village and King's College, Cambridge. |
| C．Verona and Bonn. | D．King's College, Cambridge and Verona. |
