| A．1 person. | B．11 people. | C．12 people | D．22 people |
| A．China is the only foreign country that invests in Mozambique. |
| B．The cause of the bus accident in California is already made cleat. |
| C．The death of Isabelle Dinoire was related to the face transplant 11 years ago. |
| D．Isabelle Dinoire was the fist in the world who received partial face transplant. |
| A．China’s strategy to send more people to Mozambique. |
| B．China’s plan to help Mozambique build an industrial zone. |
| C．China’s efforts to increase the number of parks in Mozambique. |
| D．China’s challenges in the development of Mozambique’s economy |
1. What’s the topic of the conversation?
| A．The news media. | B．The food production. | C．The economic situation. |
| A．It sounds funny. | B．It tells the truth. | C．It’s encouraging. |
| A．The prices of certain goods will decline. |
| B．The materials will cost even more. |
| C．The workers will get higher wages. |
3 . For want of a chip, the factory was lost. On May 18th Toyota became the latest carmaker forced to cut production in a global shortage of microchips, announcing it would stop work at two of its plants in Japan. Other car makers have also had to send workers home.
The pain is not limited to the car industry, for the shortage spans all sorts of chips, from the expensive, high-tech devices that power smartphones and data-centers to the simple sensors and micro-controllers that have become a vital commodity (商品). This chip drought is the result of the covid-19 pandemic interacting with an industry that is subject to cycles of boom and bust.
“The most important thing”, says Malcolm Penn, who runs a chip-industry consultancy, “is that shortages are a natural part of the industry.” Chipmaking is a good example of a “pork-cycle” business, named for the regular swings between under- and over-supply in pork markets. As with pigs, the supply of chips cannot quickly react to changes in demand. Capacity was tight even before the pandemic, says Mr Penn, pointing out that investment by chipmakers in factory equipment has been below its long-term average for many years.
The pandemic arrived at the worst possible time. After an early crash, demand in several fields boomed. Locked-down consumers bought laptops and other devices. Cloud-computing operators added servers to deal with the wave of home-workers. The car industry was particularly badly hit by a decision to cut orders early in the pandemic-demand for cars has since recovered. But the complexities of the production process mean it takes time to recover. “I can cancel my orders in an afternoon,” says Mr. Penn. “If I want to start them up again, that takes months--and that capacity is now busy serving other customers.”
But the pork cycle is turning once again. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s biggest chipmaker, plans to spend $30bn on new capacity this year. Two other giants, have also decided on further investment. That will bring relief to the wider economy, but not immediately. The boss of IBM said he thought the shortages might last for two years. And, says Mr Penn, when the drought eventually ends, chipmakers may find they face a familiar problem on a bigger scale: a capacity investment in response to serious shortages today could well mean a sizeable surplus (过剩) tomorrow.
1. How does the author illustrate the cyclical nature of chipmaking in paragraph 3?| A．By referring to a quotation. | B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By drawing a conclusion. | D．By presenting an argument. |
| A．Improved supply chain stability. | B．Timely assistance to the business. |
| C．Economic growth in related sectors. | D．Possible future oversupply of chips. |
| A．Production capacity would recover soon. |
| B．A combination of reasons led to chip shortage. |
| C．An investment of S30bn was enough for the problem. |
| D．Toyota was the first carmaker to suspend production. |
| A．Loading, please wait | B．Dying, please act |
| C．Calling, please respond | D．Over-supplying, please stop |
4 . Nostalgia (怀旧) is a powerful emotion that can be employed to create a strong emotional connection between a brand and its audience. By tapping into the fond memories and positive associations that people have with a particular brand, marketers can create a sense of familiarity and comfort that resonates (共鸣) with their audience. This emotional connection can then be used to drive engagement and loyalty, ultimately leading to increased sales.
In the case of Barbie movie marketing, nostalgia has been used. By incorporating elements of the classic Barbie brand into the movies, such as the symbolic pink color, the classic Barbie logo, and the inclusion of classic Barbie characters, the movies serve as a way to transport fans back to their childhood and relive their favorite memories.
This emotional connection is further strengthened by the marketing campaigns, which create a sense of community and excitement around the brand. By using social media to build hype (夸张报道) and anticipation for each movie, the brand has managed to create a loyal and engaged fan base that has contributed to its success.
The success of Barbie movie marketing has not been limited to the brand’s existing fan base. In fact, the movies have managed to attract a new generation of fans who may not have been familiar with the classic Barbie brand. By creating movies that are both entertaining and empowering, the brand has managed to appeal to a wider audience, including young girls who may be looking for strong female role models.
The impact of Barbie movie marketing on a new generation can be seen in the way that the brand has developed over the years. Although Barbie was once denounced for promoting unrealistic beauty standards and conventional gender images, the brand has since made significant steps in promoting diversity and inclusivity (包容性). The recent Barbie movies feature diverse actors and storylines that promote self-empowerment and self-acceptance, reflecting the changing attitudes and values of society.
1. Nostalgia is often used in marketing mainly because ______.| A．it enables a new brand to expand its markets quickly |
| B．it has a strong influence on people’s choice of goods |
| C．it brings back the audience’s positive emotions about a brand |
| D．it helps make goods appealing to customers of all age groups |
| A．They highlight the color of pink. | B．They use a different logo. |
| C．They target children as audiences. | D．They are about community stories. |
| A．By simplifying the storylines. |
| B．By removing the classic characters. |
| C．By including more cultural elements. |
| D．By creating new female role models. |
| A．Acknowledged. | B．Criticized. | C．Observed. | D．Respected. |
5 . Americans love their automobiles. So long, it seems, as they don’t run on batteries. A survey published in July by the Pew Research Centre found that less than two-fifths of them would consider buying an electric vehicle (EV). Despite expanding charging networks and more EV models to choose from, that is a slightly lower share than the year before.
The biggest block to EV enthusiasm in America is price. The average EV there sells for $52,000, estimates Cox Automotive, a consultancy. That is not a world away from the $48,000 that Americans typically pay for a petrol vehicle. But total costs of ownership, which combine the sales price and running costs for five years, vary more widely. At $65,000, the typical EV is $9,000 more expensive to own than a petrol car (owing to factors like pricey home chargers, dearer insurance and, compared with Europe and China, inexpensive petrol).
All this leaves America’s car industry circling a roundabout. Consumers’ unwillingness to pay for expensive EVs is forcing carmakers to take action to shift stock (库存). Tesla has cut its prices several times in the past year. Carmakers are offering average discounts of almost 10% on their EVs, more than twice as generous as for petrol cars. But this is making it even harder for the companies to make money from battery power. Continued losses in turn may make car firms lose appetite to invest in a broader electric offering that would appeal to buyers.
American carmakers are still hoping they can escape this vicious (恶性的) circle. They are mostly postponing their American EV investments rather than pulling the plug on them. And from January the EV tax credits (免税) will also be available at the point of sale, making it less burdensome for buyers to take advantage of them. All this could eventually generate profits for car firms. Eventually may, though, come a bit later than hoped.
1. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．The lack of diversity of EVs. |
| B．The uncertain prospect of EVs. |
| C．The barrier to the purchase of EVs. |
| D．The urgency of price reduction on EVs. |
| A．Issuing EV tax credits policy. |
| B．Offering better discounts on EVs. |
| C．Cutting down the cost of production. |
| D．Investing in a wider electric offering. |
| A．Dissatisfied. | B．Dismissive. | C．Cautious. | D．Casual. |
| A．Is America’s EV Revolution Suspending? |
| B．Do Electric Vehicles Outweigh Petrol Cars? |
| C．EV Revolution Is Promoting Energy Transition |
| D．EV Is Gradually Dominating America’s Car Industry |
6 . The Role of Crowdfunding in Business Growth
Crowdfunding is a fundraising method that makes use of the power of the Internet and social networks. It involves raising small amounts of money from a large number of individuals or investors, typically through online platforms. These platforms connect entrepreneurs (创业者) with potential backers who contribute funds to support a specific project, business, or idea.
Types of Crowdfunding
Reward-Based Crowdfunding—Backers get a reward, such as a product sample or easy access, in exchange for their contribution. This model is popular for startups and creative projects.
Equity (股权) Crowdfunding—Investors receive shares or equity in the business in exchange for their funding. This model is ideal for small businesses looking to raise substantial capital and is subject to specific regulations.
Debt Crowdfunding—Entrepreneurs borrow money from backers and agree to repay it with interest over time. This model is similar to a loan and is suitable for businesses with a clear repayment plan.
Tips for a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
Set clear goals: Define your funding goal, the purpose of the funds, and how you’ll use the money.
Persuasive story: Make an appealing and genuine story about your business. Explain why it matters and how backers’ contributions will make a difference.
Engage your network: Mobilize your existing network of friends, family, and professional contacts to support your campaign. Their initial contributions can build momentum (动力).
Transparency: Be transparent and honest about your project’s progress and any challenges you encounter. Backers appreciate honesty.
Fulfill promises: Once your campaign is successful, fulfill your promises to backers timely and communicate regularly.
1. According to the passage, which of the following is accurate about crowdfunding?| A．Reward-Based Crowdfunding is the most popular type of crowdfunding. |
| B．Backers can get the same kinds of rewards in the three types of crowdfunding. |
| C．Crowdfunding is a fundraising technique that relies on offline platforms. |
| D．Debt Crowdfunding is fit for businesses with a specific repayment schedule. |
| A．carefulness | B．perseverance | C．frankness | D．optimism |
| A．prefer Reward-Based Crowdfunding to Equity Crowdfunding |
| B．draft an attractive story about the campaign based on real information |
| C．realize their promises to backers on time even if the campaign is a failure |
| D．compare the initial support provided by different existing contacts |
7 . Cafeterias have been filled with challenges — right from planning, purchasing, and preparing, to reducing waste, staying on budget, managing goods, and training staff. Through the tedious process, restaurateurs lacked a unified platform for efficient management. To bring consistency to the unorganised catering (餐饮) industry, childhood friends Arjun Subramanian and Raj Jain, who shared a passion for innovation, decided to partner in 2019 to explore opportunities in the cafeteria industry.
In May 2020, they co-founded Platos, a one-stop solution for restaurants with a custom technology kit to streamline all aspects of cafeteria management. The company offers end-to-end cafeteria management, staff selection and food trials to ensure smooth operations and consistent service. “We believe startups solve real problems and Platos is our shot at making daily workplace food enjoyable again. We aim to simplify the dining experience, providing a convenient and efficient solution that benefits both restaurateurs and customers and creating a connected ecosystem,” says Subramanian, CEO and co-founder.
Platos guarantees that a technology-driven cafeteria allows customers to order, pay, pick up, and provide ratings and feedback. It also offers goods and menu management to effectively perform daily operations. Additionally, its applications connect all shareholders for a smart cafeteria experience. “We help businesses that are into catering on condition that they have access to an industrial kitchen setup where they’re making food according to certain standards,” Jain states.
Since the beginning, Platos claims to have transformed 45 cafeterias across eight cities in the country. Currently, it has over 45,000 monthly users placing more than 200,000 orders. Despite facing challenges in launching cafeterias across major cities in the initial stages, Platos has experienced a 15% increase in its month-over-month profits.
As for future plans, the startup is looking to raise $1 million from investors as strategic partners, bringing in capital, expertise, and networks. “Finding the right lead investor is the compass that points your startup toward success,” Subramanian says.
1. What does the underlined word “tedious” in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Time-consuming. | B．Breath-taking. |
| C．Heart-breaking. | D．Energy-saving. |
| A．To connect customers with a greener ecosystem. |
| B．To ensure food security and variety in cafeterias. |
| C．To improve cafeteria management with technology. |
| D．To make staff selection more efficient and enjoyable. |
| A．Platos has achieved its ultimate financial goal. |
| B．Platos has gained impressive marketing progress. |
| C．Challenges in food industry can be easily overcome. |
| D．Tech-driven cafeterias have covered most urban areas. |
| A．To reduce costs. | B．To increase profits. |
| C．To seek investment. | D．To innovate technology. |
8 . Step aside, blue collar. And white collar, pink collar and green collar. There’s a new collar in town. “New collar” jobs are those that require advanced skills but not necessarily advanced degrees, especially in emerging high-tech fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity (网络安全), electric vehicles and robotics.
There are real fears that workers will lose jobs to technology, especially artificial intelligence, in the coming years. But “new collar” optimists think in a more positive way: There are also real opportunities ahead for skilled workers who know how to handle machines.
“Somebody has to program, monitor and maintain those robots,” said Sarah Boisvert, the founder of the New-Collar Network.
Even if millions of high-tech jobs are created in the coming years, the impact on workers who lose jobs may be significant. For many Americans without four-year college degrees, according to census (人口普查) data, the new job market will require training.
Ginni Rometty, a former chief executive of IBM, is believed to have created a “new collar” in 2016. At the time, she said, IBM was having trouble filling cybersecurity jobs, partly because outdated criteria required that candidates have college degrees.
“Due to our high qualifications in these online jobs, we overlooked a large number of qualified and available candidates,” she wrote in an email. “Unless millions of people are trained in the skills employers need now,” she added, “they risk being unemployed even as millions of good-paying jobs go unfilled.”
Christopher M. Cox, a researcher who has written about the new-collar economy, said, “The alternative model of four-year universities is really great.” However, he added that “new collar” may also be a clever term that relieves the anxiety of workers by defining the constantly changing labor market and technology companies as more ideal rather than “terminators (终结者).”
1. What does “new collar” mean?| A．People engaged in cybersecurity. |
| B．People working at electric vehicles. |
| C．People closely connected with artificial intelligence. |
| D．People with advanced skills regardless of degrees. |
| A．Much stress. | B．Low salaries. |
| C．High qualifications. | D．Few candidates. |
| A．It gives more opportunities to the workers. |
| B．It helps artificial intelligence develop better. |
| C．It rebuilds the confidence of the white collar. |
| D．It changes the system of technology companies. |
| A．To explain the anxiety of workers. | B．To state the electric vehicle industry. |
| C．To emphasise the college education. | D．To introduce the new-collar phenomenon. |
9 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What’s the topic of the conversation?| A．The news media. | B．The food production. | C．The economic situation. |
| A．It sounds funny. | B．It tells the truth. | C．It’s encouraging. |
| A．The prices of certain goods will decline. |
| B．The materials will cost even more. |
| C．The workers will get higher wages. |
BEIJING — The 2024 Spring Festival box office (票房) in China, within the holiday’s first three
Running from Feb.10 to Feb. 17 this year, the Spring Festival period traditionally serves as a profitable period for movie ticket sales. The extended holiday contributes
On Feb.10, eight films were put on, eager
This success narrowly beat the comedy Pegasus 2
During the Spring Festival, the animation Boonie Bears: Time Twist
