1 . Market traders and street vendors （摊贩）are making a comeback across China, and this time they find themselves equipped with a new set of digital skills essential to navigating the vast consumer market. To revitalize （复兴）retail stands, in a move aimed at stimulating domestic spending and stabilizing employment, the country's leading e-commerce platforms are lending a helping hand, offering services like accessible financing backed by technologies.
Domestic wholesale site 1688. com is among the first group of tech players with such offerings. At the heart of the action plan is an effort to link street vendors directly with factories, effectively avoiding middlemen and saving time and costs.
According to general manager Wang Hai, numerous small-scale merchants on the site have managed to gain the upper hand in price negotiations, while manufacturers are more willing to mass-produce as the economy of scale serves to reduce costs, thus creating a win-win situation.
“Data analytics also kicks in, giving traders some insight into current consumer trends so that they no longer need to operate their business purely based on intuition （直觉），and they can avoid stockpiling,“ Wang said. For instance, the most sought-after categories in markets are daily necessities ? underwear , digital gadgets and beauty products, according to the company, whereas the most passionate buyers come from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.
Meanwhile, to stabilize employment , e-commerce major JD. com vowed to add a number of job positions that either require flexible working hours, allow working from home or are designed to promote startup businesses. For posts related to delivery, warehouse management and packaging, priority is given to people from poverty-stricken areas.
“The COVID-19 outbreak will accelerate the digital transformation of the real economy, and individual traders and smaller stores are no exception,” said Xu Lei, CEO of JD's retail unit. "We have the capability and, more importantly, the responsibility to inject vitality （活力）into these entities, thus contributing to the economic rebound （回弹）and stabilizing employment.
1. What can we learn about e-commerce platforms like 1688. com?| A．They have an advantage in price negotiation. |
| B．Their efforts help street vendors cut the cost. |
| C．They increase production through technology. |
| D．Their services are financed by the government. |
| A．By improving traders' business intuition. |
| B．By helping traders find out market trends. |
| C．By telling traders when to stockpile goods. |
| D．By aiding traders in controlling the market. |
| A．A person experienced in driving a truck. | B．A person willing to start a new business. |
| C．A person from an underdeveloped village. | D．A person preferring flexible working hours. |
| A．Culture. | B．World. |
| C．Lifestyle. | D．Business. |
2 . English Village is near the city of Paju in South Korea. It has a concert hall theater, and even a city hall. There are restaurants and coffee shops too, and the waiters in them are all English-speaking foreign teachers.
Students of about 13 or 14 years old are sent here to study English for two to four weeks. From nine to nine each day, they put their hearts into games, activities and tasks, which are specially designed to get them to communicate with English speakers. One of the most popular activities is making their own videos by using digital cameras and computers. The students are then asked to talk about their films in English.
There are lots of places for the kids to practice English speaking. For example, they can take money out of a pretend bank, and then use it to tip their waiter at the restaurant.
English village was built by Jeffrey John, an American businessman. He has worked in South Korea for a long time. He wants to make English learning be a happy and enjoyable task. “Everyone in Korea seems afraid of meeting and talking with foreigners,” said John, “but as you can see, the young girls who spent only three days in English Village are a lot more confident. They are no longer afraid of meeting foreigners and answering questions in English.”
1. What is one of the children’s favorite activities in English Village?| A．Going to the theatre. | B．Chatting in the restaurants. |
| C．Working in the pretend bank. | D．Making films by themselves. |
| A．He wanted to make a lot of money. |
| B．He wanted to make English leaning fun. |
| C．He wanted to make a lot of friends. |
| D．He wanted to be a good English teacher. |
| A．is doing business in America |
| B．is good at making his own films |
| C．is now staying in South Korea |
| D．is learning languages in South Korea |
| A．successful | B．boring | C．difficult | D．passive |
3 . “Tomorrow we will see the Golden Gate Bridge,” said Peter. “I have never seen a golden bridge before.”
Peter's father smiled, but said nothing.
The next morning, his father took Peter to the bridge. Peter first saw it from far away. How big it looked! But then he saw the bridge was red!
“The bridge isn't golden!” he said. “Why is it called the Golden Gate Bridge?”
“It isn't named for its color,” said his father. “It is named for the Golden Gate.”
“What is the Golden Gate?” asked Peter.
“A gate is either an opening, or the thing that closes the opening,” said his father.
“ The Golden Gate is an opening in the land. Water from the sea comes through this opening into San Francisco Bay.”
“Oh,” said Peter. “And the bridge goes over the opening. But why is the opening called the Golden Gate?”
“Years ago men came to California to look for gold,” his father said. “Many came by ship. They came into the bay through that opening. For them it was a gate to gold. They named it the Golden Gate.”
“Well,” said Peter, “I still think the bridge should look golden.”
When getting home, he sent a letter to a California paper. he said:” Red is not the right color for the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge should look golden, the way most people think it does.”
Peter sent $14.78 with his letter. “The money is to help paint the bridge gold, ” he wrote.
Many people read Peter's letter in the newspaper and things began to happen! Some people sent money. A big company gave real gold to make gold paint. A paint company made the paint.
But some people still wanted the bridge to be red!
Will the Golden Gate Bridge ever be golden? It will, if enough people feel as Peter does. How do you feel about it?
1. Why did father smile when hearing his son’s words?| A．His son had never seen a red bridge before. |
| B．His son was too delighted to visit the bridge. |
| C．His son was about to see the bridge tomorrow. |
| D．His son misunderstood the color of the bridge. |
| A．The color of the bridge. |
| B．The shape of the bridge. |
| C．The location of the bridge. |
| D．The function of the bridge. |
| A．Astonished. | B．Puzzled. |
| C．Determined. | D．Frustrated. |
| A．A firm made a gold paint by using real gold. |
| B．The government painted the bridge golden. |
| C．Some people were against the change of the color. |
| D．Some people raised money for the golden bridge. |
4 . Scientists have been studying Antarctica for over a century, but details as basic as what it looks like beneath all that ice have largely remained a mystery. Now, Earther reports that a team of scientists from Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK has published the most detailed data on the continent’s subglacial topography（冰川下的地形）near the South Pole.
As they report in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, central Antarctica is home to three large canyons（峡谷）, one of which is deeper than the Grand Canyon and nearly as wide at some points. The researchers made the discovery by flying a plane with radar over the South Pole, a spot that isn’t covered by imaging satellites. They expected to find mountains beneath the ice sheet, but the wide canyons they found between the mountains came as a surprise.
Of the three canyons, two hadn’t been documented previously. The largest, the Foundation Trough, measures 218 miles long, up to 22 miles wide, and 6,260 feet deep, putting it up there with the planet’s most impressive canyons.
The discoveries are significant on their own, but the real purpose behind the research is to better understand how the West and East Antarctic Ice Sheets will react to rising temperatures. Human-caused climate change has destabilized some of the continent’s ice, and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet especially has been slowly crumbling（崩塌）into the sea. If patterns continue, the coastal glaciers supporting the large ice sheets could fall down, causing sea levels to rise a minimum of 10 feet. If this happens, the canyons could be a major factor in the speed and direction of ice flow from central Antarctica to the coast.
The event isn’t likely to happen in the near future, but further study of Antarctica’s topography will help scientists to better predict when it might.
1. According to the text, the researchers found the new canyons ________.| A．as planned | B．by accident |
| C．in the sea | D．with satellites |
| A．They are likely to affect ice flow. |
| B．They cause ice sheets to crumble. |
| C．They stop ice flowing into the sea. |
| D．They help to cool ice sheets down. |
| A．It’s confusing. | B．It’s quite easy. |
| C．It’s meaningful. | D．It’s challenging. |
| A．Rising Temperatures Cause Sea Levels to Rise |
| B．Massive Canyons Are Found Beneath Ice Sheets |
| C．Antarctica Still Remains Unknown to the Public |
| D．Antarctica’s Topography Will Be Predicted Soon |
5 . Computer programmer David Jones earns ￡35 000 a year designing new computer games, yet he cannot find a bank ready to let him have a credit card. Instead, he has been told to wait another two years, until he is 18. The 16-year-old works for a small firm in Liverpool, where the problem of most young people of his age is finding a job. David’s firm releases two new games for the fast growing computer market each month.
But David’s biggest headache is what to do with his money. Even though he earns a lot, he cannot drive a car, take out a mortgage (抵押贷款), or get credit cards. David got his job with the Liverpool-based company four months ago, a year after leaving school with six O-levels and working for a time in a computer shop. “I got the job because the people who run the firm knew I had already written some programs,” he said. David spends some of his money on records and clothes，and gives his mother 50 pounds a week. But most of his spare time is spent working.
“Unfortunately, computing was not part of our studies at school,” he said. “But I had been studying it in books and magazines for four years in my spare time. I knew what I wanted to do and never considered staying on at school. Most people in this business are fairly young, anyway.” David added, “I would like to earn a million and I suppose early retirement is a possibility. You never know when the market might disappear.”
1. In what way is David different from people of his age?| A．He has a handsome job. |
| B．He cannot have a credit card. |
| C．He graduated with six O-levels. |
| D．He often goes out with friends. |
| A．How to get more spare time. |
| B．Buying a car suitable for him. |
| C．How to deal with his income. |
| D．Releasing two new games each month. |
| A．He received lots of job offers. |
| B．He lost interest in school studies. |
| C．He was eager to help his mother. |
| D．He wanted to earn his own living. |
| A．Positive | B．Critical | C．Worried | D．Hopeless |
6 . A big eating show, or mukbang in Korean, is an online audiovisual show in which a vlogger consumes large quantities of food while interacting with the audience. These shows originated in South Korea and have become a worldwide trend.
This eating performance has rapidly spread its influence to some Asign countries such as Japan and China where it became popular. In China, mukbang is' called “chibo”, in which mukbangers make their content into short videos and vlogs and upload them onto huge social media platforms like Weibo.
Many hosts of such shows become popular for their ability to eat large amounts of food, But these shows have also received criticism for their waste of food. On Aug 12，CCTV exposed several Chinese hosts who were pretending to eat large amounts of food while on camera, but actually later threw it away.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, about a third of the world's food 1.3 billion tons is wasted every year, In China alone, as it was once reported that the amount of food wasted in China was enough to feed 200 million people a year.
In June 2020，the United Nations warned that the world is on the road of the worst food crisis in 50 years.
To discourage this practice, many video and live- streaming platforms, including Douyin, Kuaishou and Bilibili, have removed videos that show food waste.
People in China have realized the need for safeguarding food security and halting food waste. In Shanxi province，local restaurants have been asked to serve half portions to avoid waste. The Wuhan Catering Association proposed that restaurants adopt the“N-1 mode”. For example, a group of 10 diners should only order enough for nine people at first. More food is only brought to the table if required.
In addition, a nationwide “Clear Your Plate” campaign has been launched online. Users of Sina Weibo are encouraged to share photos or videos of empty plates after finishing their meals.
1. Why do many hosts of mukbang become popular?| A．It has been a worldwide trend. | B．They are expert at attracting audience. |
| C．They are able to eat large amounts of food. | D．They can pretend to eat a lot in a vivid way. |
| A．The food waste has been shocking. |
| B．China is to blame for wasting food. |
| C．Food waste in the world is increasing annually. |
| D．The United Nations is preparing for the future food crisis. |
| A．defending | B．quitting | C．encouraging | D．criticizing |
| A．The“N-1 mode" is created to reduce cost on food. |
| B．Videos, about food should be, strictly banned online. |
| C．Chinese people are taking pains to fight against food wasting. |
| D．Only users of Sina Weibo participate in “Clear Your Plate"” campaign. |
7 . In England, people often talk about the weather because they can experience four seasons in one day. In the morning the weather is warm just like in spring. An hour later black clouds come and then it rains hard. The weather gets a little cold. In the late afternoon the sky will be sunny, the sun will begin to shine, and it will be summer at this time of a day.
In England, people can also have summer in winter, or have winter in summer. So in winter they can swim sometimes, and in summer sometimes they should take warm clothes.
When you go to England, you will see that some English people usually take an umbrella or a raincoat with them in the sunny morning, but you should not laugh at them. If you don't take an umbrella or a raincoat, you will regret later in the day.
1. From the story we know that when _________come, there is a heavy rain.| A．sunshine and snow | B．black clouds |
| C．summer and winter | D．spring and autumn |
| A．warm | B．cool | C．cold | D．rainy |
| A．their friends ask them to do so | B．it often rains in England |
| C．they are going to sell them | D．they are their favourite things |
| A．Bad Seasons | B．Summer or Winter |
| C．The Weather in England | D．Strange English People |
8 . The Energy Charter Secretarial, located in Brussels, is the administrative body responsible for facilitating the implementation (实施）of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and further developing the Energy Charter Process under the governance of the Energy Charter Conference. Now, it is looking for an assistant secretary general to help with its daily work.
Responsibilities
Generally, the successful candidate will be responsible for:
※Direction and coordination (协调) of the work of the experts and administrative assistants of the Secretariat
※Daily office administration and carrying out other related tasks of the internal management of the office as assigned by the Secretary General
※Monitoring and assisting the implementation of the ECT
※Preparation of the budget, various financial documents and reports, coordination of relations with external auditors (审计员）
Requirements
※At least five years of professional experience in a senior capacity within a national government, an intergovernmental organization, academia, non-government organizations or industries with direct experience in senior or project management and financial administration
※Excellent oral and written communication skills
※The ability to successfully lead a multi-cultural team and complete fluency in English
How to apply
Applications should be addressed to the Secretary General, at secgen@encharter.org to arrive no later than February 20, 2020.
1. Which is looking for an assistant secretary general?| A．The Energy Charter Process. |
| B．The Energy Charter Treaty. |
| C．The Energy Charter Conference. |
| D．The Energy Charter Secretarial. |
| A．Ensure the good process of the ECT. |
| B．Monitor the Secretary General's work. |
| C．Hand in financial papers to the auditors. |
| D．Take charge of the experts’ daily routine. |
| A．Being skilled in cross-cultural communication. |
| B．Speaking English as his or her native language. |
| C．Having managed major projects alone for three years. |
| D．Being able to build a strong administrative department. |
9 . Be black or white, the exact color of a person’s skin is determined by a combination of his parentage and random chance and it affects how every single person treats you. You can’t take your skin off, even if you’re terrified or ashamed to wear it, even if you’re sick and tired of wearing it.
Freddie Gray, who was arrested in 2016 for possessing a legal knife and died in police custody(拘留), was born Black. Tamir Rice , who barely lived more than one being Black, was shot at the age of 12 for playing with a toy gun in 2014. Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed in March when two plainclothes police officers entered her apartment unannounced, didn’t choose to be Black. But the police officers who shot her chose their careers. They chose to shoot her, too. Police across America also chose to shoot 336 other unarmed Black people from 2013-2019.
Each of these victims did not possess a weapon at the time of their murder, and in all but few of the cases they lost their lives because someone "thought" they were reaching for a gun that turned out to be a wallet, cell phone or nothing at all. This is absolutely unacceptable. We're not saying they shouldn't have been captured with all necessary force and imprisoned accordingly. A criminal is a criminal and should be handled as such. But even a criminal, as long as he lives in this great country, is an American worthy of justified handling and a fair trial.
Black people don’t get to sign up for lives of discrimination and terror. They often found themselves moving through wave upon wave of white faces that usually mirrored the same emotions—shock, disbelief and anger. It is the fear of black skin that plays a part in each of these murders. African Americans can no longer tolerate the unjustified killings of their loved ones. As a country, it’s time to start effective dialogues to end this pitiless trend. It has to be a long struggle and pain before Black people overcome prejudice to win the chance of being understood by white ones.
1. What is the author’s purpose of mentioning the murders in Paragraph 2?| A．To provide examples of unjustified killings of Black people. |
| B．To give an explanation why police officers choose to shoot black people. |
| C．To offer a description of Police officers’ hatred towards black people. |
| D．To make an analysis of how hard lives black people were living. |
| A．Forgiving. | B．Cautious. |
| C．Disapproving. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．The process of overcoming prejudice towards the black is on its way. |
| B．Black people are ashamed to wear their skin color which leads to injustice. |
| C．Black people will turn to violence to stop the unjustified killings among them. |
| D．The police should have chosen a proper way to treat black “criminals”. |
| A．Prejudice from Whites |
| B．Blacks Call for Justice |
| C．Policemen’s Fair Trial |
| D．Fight for Mutual Trust |
10 . Every year around this time, Girl Scouts（女童军）wear their uniforms and set up tables at supermarkets and on sidewalks to sell boxes of cookies in the US. They sold approximately 200 million boxes of cookies each year. Girl Scouts depend on the cookie program to fund life-changing, girl-led programs and educational opportunities. However, during the outbreak of COVID-19, millions of dollars worth of cookies are going unsold.
Amanda Kopelman, 16, came up with an idea and discussed it with the members of her Plantation Troop 10442. They are donating unsold cookies to medical professionals and first rescuers. "Having been a Girl Scout for the past 12 years and the top cookie seller for the past seven years, it truly breaks my heart when I hear that the cookie sales of my Girl Scout sisters across the nation have been cut short," Kopelman said.
She said knowing everyone is going through similar things, and having an international group of girls to talk to have made her time spent at home productive and pleasant. Madelyn Streisfeld 15, said that while she miss the hands-on activities and face-to-face communication scouting provides, she recognizes that having to stay home has its benefits. "We've been able to spend a lot more time with each other online," she said."
"Troop 10442 is a wonderful example of true Girl Scout sisterhood," said Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida CEO Lisa Johnson. "Their think-outside-the-（cookie）-box donation is taking the leadership skills they have learned throughout their many years of Girl Scouts and putting them into action to make the world better during this difficult time."
1. What do we know about Girl Scouts from the first paragraph?| A．They are asked to wear uniforms to school. |
| B．They have raised about 200 million dollars. |
| C．They have stopped funding many educational programs. |
| D．They have been unable to sell their cookies due to COVID-19. |
| A．They are donating unsold cookies to some people. |
| B．They are sending people to help medical workers. |
| C．They are trying to sell their cookies online. |
| D．They are cutting down on production of cookies. |
| A．Becoming better at using technology. |
| B．Earning badges through working online. |
| C．Spending more social time online with her friends. |
| D．Playing games via group video chats at night. |
| A．They are making a difference during this time. |
| B．They put too much effort into the cookie program. |
| C．They need to be more realistic when doing things. |
| D．They show leadership shortcomings of Girl Scouts. |
