1 . Just Cycle and Fold away
There’s no excuse not to get on your bike this spring. Get your indoor cycling fix and feel the benefits.
Great for general cardio (有氧的) fitness, exercise bikes can be a brilliant way of training at home. However, choosing the right bike is incredibly important, which is something that Roger Black and his team recognized when creating the Roger Black Folding Bike.
“Excellent value for money. Especially the ability to fold the exercise bike into a vertical (直立的) position and wheel it away for storage. This can also prevent you from throwing your clothes on it at the end of the day! Even if we are limited on space at home and work, we can continue physical activity with a Roger Black Folding Bike. This bike is helping me achieve my fitness goals following a recent running injury.”
——Brian Smith
“Best Present EVER are the words from my 77-year-old father who received his Roger Black fitness bike for his birthday. He said it is so simple and easy to use. The seat is VERY comfortable, so using it every day is a pleasure. It folds away nearly so it can be stored behind a door when necessary.”
——Anna Farnham
Roger Black is offering a 10% discount on the full range of home fitness equipment for all Reader’s Digest readers. Please use discount code DIGEST10 at checkout.
1. What can people do with a Roger Black Folding Bike?| A．Cycle in the mountains. | B．Work out at home. |
| C．Hang their clothes. | D．Celebrate birthdays |
| A．Easy storage. | B．Reasonable price. |
| C．Comfortable seats. | D．Excellent quality. |
| A．Skeptical | B．Satisfied | C．Indifferent | D．Negative |
| A．$125 | B．$130 | C．$135 | D．$145 |
| A．A textbook. | B．A blog post. |
| C．A magazine. | D．An academic article. |
2 . “One, two, three, post the product links!” “Please press the button and give us a thumb-up” “exactly!” the “vibe group,” which means a group of people who are pumping some life into live-streaming and coordinating with live streamers to help steer customers to buy products. The group, also referred to as the “E-commerce straight man/crosstalk” by Chinese users, has stirred a craze in recent weeks on Chinese media platforms.
For the “E-commerce crosstalk” or people who help live streamers to sell their merchandise, it is their specialization. However, others believe that this is confusing to consumers.
The “E-commerce crosstalk” is also known as the center control of the live stream. The work of the center control spans across the pre, mid and post-stage of the live stream, and needs to be responsible for equipment debugging (调试), backstage operation, maintenance of the live stream order, data review and other contents.
They usually create a warming vibe to help live streamers sell products such as “I want 100k likes, could you guys help me to get them, please”, “Post product links!”, “Repost!” or “Let’s join the fan club”. These are normal psychological suggestions for customers which don’t break any of the rules of how to conduct business.
While the “E-commerce crosstalk” group doesn’t just control tempo, they also have another important role — they create a sense of exigency for customers, making them buy now, such as “My friends, the last one! Hurry, buy it now!” “How many are left? No, almost out of stock, only 30 left!” “Buy more today! Hurry up my friends! Go to the yellow cart, find the 1st link! Great price, great quality!”
“These practices are creating an illusion (错觉) of inventory constraints to mislead customers,” Fan Xiaolin, a Beijing-based lawyer told us. The unrealistic atmosphere created by the “E-commerce crosstalk” can easily mislead consumers, causing them to make irrational purchases. The 2020 China Live E-commerce Industry Research Report shows that the average return rate of live e-commerce is as high as 30 percent to 50 percent, which is much higher than the traditional e-commerce return rate of 10 percent to 15 percent.
1. What do “E-commerce crosstalk” specialize in?| A．Guiding staff to post the product lines. |
| B．Motivating followers to click the “like” button. |
| C．Assisting live streamers to sell goods. |
| D．Monitoring the live stream to function smoothly. |
| A．To ask for a great many thumb-ups. |
| B．To tempt the fans to shower the streamer with gifts. |
| C．To invite consumers to join fan clubs. |
| D．To share or forward the live stream to others. |
| A．Urgency | B．Rhythm | C．Involvement | D．Motivation |
| A．E-commerce crosstalk can create an authentic atmosphere for viewers. |
| B．The customers of e-commerce tend to be irrational. |
| C．The traditional e-commerce return rate is relatively lower. |
| D．The products of live streamers are in short supply. |
3 . If you have a car, you are probably considering buying some kind of car insurance. However, when you are actually purchasing car insurance, it can be difficult for you to decide which is your best choice. The ideal buying process is to first research and decide, then purchase.
Research first
Before buying car insurance, you should find out the purpose of your purchase and how the insurance meets your needs.
Decide on suitable Car Insurance Policies
A neglected part of car insurance is the part which covers medical bills. Medical payments can add up very quickly in an accident situation, and the insurance should cover the bills incurred both by you and by the passengers in your car. Make sure you know the full value that your insurance covers.
Purchase the best Car Insurance for your needs
You have a number of choices when it comes to flic actual purchase of the car insurance. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and these may be influenced by your individual taste and previous buying experience. Insurance companies may offer you good advice, but prices on the Internet are often better.
1. The underlined word “purchasing” in the first paragraph means _______.| A．buying | B．selling | C．meeting | D．researching |
| A．decide on the number of policies to purchase |
| B．do careful research on the different choices |
| C．choose the best insurance company |
| D．look for the lowest insurance rate |
| A．the damage to the car |
| B．the bills paid by the passengers |
| C．the part covering the medical bills |
| D．the background of flic insurance company |
| A．your driving habits |
| B．your driving experience |
| C．the attitude of your family members |
| D．your own taste and buying experience |
| A．Disadvantages of Car Insurance | B．Advice on Buying Car Insurance |
| C．Importance of Doing Research | D．Advantages of Car Insurance |
4 . Just Cycle And Fold Away
There’s no excuse not to get on your bike this spring. Get your indoor cycling fix and feel the benefits.
Great for general cardio (有氧的) fitness, exercise bikes can be a brilliant way of training at home. However, choosing the right bike is incredibly important, which is something that Roger Black and his team recognized when creating the Roger Black Folding Bike.
“Excellent value for money. Especially the ability to fold the exercise bike into a vertical (直立的) position and wheel it away for storage. This can also prevent you from throwing your clothes on it at the end of the day! Even if we are limited on space at home and work, we can continue physical activity with a Roger Black folding bike. This bike is helping me achieve my fitness goals following a recent running injury.”
——Brian Smith
“Best Present EVER are the words from my 77-year-old father who received his Roger Black fitness bike for his birthday. He said it is so simple and easy to use. The seat is VERY comfortable, so using it every day is a pleasure. It folds away nearly so it can be stored behind a door when necessary.”
——Anna Farnham
Roger Black is offering a 10% discount on the full www.rogerblackfitness.com range of home fitness equipment for all Reader’s Digest readers. Please use discount code DIGEST10 at checkout.
1. What can people do with a Roger Black Folding Bike?| A．Cycle in the mountains. | B．Work out at home. |
| C．Hang their clothes. | D．Get a discount. |
| A．Easy storage. | B．Reasonable price. |
| C．Comfortable seats. | D．Excellent quality. |
| A．A textbook. | B．A scientific report. |
| C．A magazine. | D．An academic article. |
5 . If you’re feeling in the mood for grilled food but don’t have a barbecue, then deciding what product to purchase can be a bit difficult. So to help you get a better understanding of just some of the choices available, here’s our guide to buying a new BBQ.
Charcoal vs GasThe first decision is how your BBQ is going to be powered. There are essentially two main choices: the traditional way with charcoal, or the quick and convenient way with gas. For those who get frustrated with the process of lighting coals and waiting for them to reach the desired temperature, then gas is the easy option. It’s clean and gets up to temperature in an instant. But for many, the main fun of a barbecue lies in the back-to-basics cooking that hot coal brings natural barbecue fire. You’ll also find a far greater range of charcoal barbecues.
SizeFor anyone who likes to throw a garden party with a busy barbecue at the centre of the action, there are some vast grills (烤架) available. But unless you’re regularly feeding the masses, then these BBQ beasts can be impractical. Smaller meals are better suited to smaller equipment, so be realistic about the size that best suits you.
Open grill or lidWhile facing the barbecue selection of your nearest retailer, you’ll notice that some of them have lids. These will usually be round and will make you pay more than the lidless options. But if you want the benefit of being able to cook larger items over a longer period of time, such as a whole chicken, then a lid will be essential.
1. Which BBQ is suitable for Jack, who likes back-to-basics cooking and often invites friends to the garden party?| A．Gas barbecue in small size. | B．Gas barbecue in big size. |
| C．Charcoal barbecue with big grills. | D．Charcoal barbecue with small grills. |
| A．The open grill costs more. | B．The open grill looks superior. |
| C．The open grill is more reliable. | D．The open grill is less suitable for larger items. |
| A．Lifestyle. | B．Business. | C．Culture. | D．Sports. |
6 . If you’re after a quick snap, if you’re out and about, here are a few brilliant instant cameras to choose from.
Instax Mini 12
Made by Fujifilm. the Instax Mini series of cameras is ideal for taking quick snaps and getting high-quality credited card sized photos. The Mini com with built-in flash, a close-up lens and selfie lens for talking those perfect shots. The camera comes in a range of bright colors, including sky blue and clay white.
Polaroid Go
Famous for their cameras, Polaroid still makes instant cameras in the modern day, with a classic look. The Go comes with autofocus as well as a self timer for effectively capturing the moment and producing quality Polaroid photographs for you to keep. It also comes in a range of funky colors, if all black or white isn’t your preference.
Instax Mini Evo
The Mini Evo combined camera and printer is a compact device with a 28mm lens that’s capable of letting you review and edit photos before printing them. Also featured is a back 2.7-inch LCD screen for viewing what you’re shooting and the ability to print from your phone via Bluetooth.
Instax Mini 40
Coming just in a single but vintage black design, the Insax Mini 40 is a solid option for quick instant snaps, with a one-touch selfie mode and a more traditional looking camera, fixed with a 60mm lens. It’s also small enough to fit comfortably in your burn bag or pocket to take a quick snap if you’re out and about.
1. What do Instax Mini 12 and Polaroid Go have in common?| A．Both have selfie lens. | B．Both have optional colors. |
| C．Both are in small size. | D．Both have a classic look |
| A．Instax Mini 12. | B．Polaroid Go. |
| C．Instax Mini Evo. | D．Instax Mini 40 |
| A．The built-in flash. | B．The photo-editing function. |
| C．The autofocus function. | D．The single black design. |
7 . Buying clothes for special events, hiding the price tickets and returning them to the store the next day has for years been the method of money-saving shoppers. Today people are doing it just for social media.
A survey conducted by the credit card company Barclaycard showed that nearly one in ten UK shoppers admits to buying clothing only to post photos on social media for likes. After the “outfit (装束) of the day” (OOTD) makes it online, they return it back to the store. According to Barclaycard, the “try before you buy” policy of online retailers (零售商) — where people pay for clothing they order online after they try it on at home — could be leading to this rising trend.
But the rise of social media means that everyone, not just superstars, expects to build and maintain a personal brand. Since we’re recording our lives and posting them online for public judgement, getting caught in the same outfits more than once should be avoided. And the cost of all those outfits of the day adds up, which makes returning a popular way.
There are brands that make clothes specially for social media shoppers, like Fashion Nova. “These are clothes made for social media: meant to be worn once, photographed and abandoned,” Allison P. Davis wrote in her report about the brand. Another favourite of the social media age is Rent the Runway, which lets customers rent designer clothing for a fee.
Some, however, are moving in the opposite direction. Groups promoting “work uniforms” have increased greatly in recent years, aiming to free women from “the trouble of clothing decisions”. The concept of the “capsule wardrobe (胶囊衣橱)”, which calls for purchasing a small number of high-quality pieces instead of lots of trendy throwaway clothes, is also making a comeback.
1. What does the survey by Barclaycard suggest?| A．Britons follow the fashion stars closely. |
| B．Some Britons over-order and return clothes. |
| C．Britons try on clothes before online purchases. |
| D．Some Britons send outfits back after taking pictures. |
| A．Renting top designers’ clothes. |
| B．Offering customers single-use clothes. |
| C．Creating unique shopping experiences. |
| D．Helping shoppers improve their clothing style. |
| A．Better fewer, but better. | B．Less addition, but more enjoyment. |
| C．Less uniform, and more freedom. | D．More choices, and less trouble. |
| A．To compare different wearing trends. |
| B．To introduce Britain’s new wearing trend. |
| C．To support buying high-quality clothes. |
| D．To criticize the “try before you buy” policy. |
8 . Best Beach Hat for Women
San Diego Hat
This packable style—which comes in plenty of color choices—has a visor with UV protection. It rolls up easily for packing and can be worn when your hair is up or down, and both the 4-inch brim and UPF 50 protection ensure your face is safe from the sun’s rays.
Price: $35
Shop now: San Diego Hat Company | Amazon
Quiksilver Pier side Straw Lifeguard Hat
Made with 100% raffia straw fiber, the Pier side Straw Lifeguard Hat from Quiksilver is a must-have for both men and women. This classic style features a wide brim to ensure full protection, and a chinstrap provides security in windy weather. It is available in three sizes including XXL.
Price: $22
Shop now: Dick’s Sporting Goods | Amazon
FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat
This foldable and packable UPF 50 sun hat has an adjustable interior band, removable chinstrap and moisture-wicking sweatband so you won’t have to worry about sweat dripping into your eyes on the hottest of days. Available in three sizes, the large hat can fit over ahead of thick curly hair.
Price: $25.99
Shop now: FURTALK | Amazon
Lanzom Women’s Big Bowknot Floppy Foldable Sun Hat
Made with straw that’s soft, lightweight and breathable, this hat will keep your head cool and comfortable under the hot sun. It comes in a variety of colors and features a stylish bow to keep you looking good in the heat of the day. The 5.5-inch brim offers maximum UV protection and the design makes it easily packable.
Price: $24.99 or less
Shop now: Big Bowknot Floppy | Amazon
1. Where do people buy the hats of the highest price?| A．At San Diego Hat Company | B．At Dick’s Sporting Goods. |
| C．At FURTALK. | D．At Big Bowknot Floppy. |
| A．San Diego Hat. |
| B．Quiksilver Pier side Straw Lifeguard Hat. |
| C．FURTALK Women’s Straw Foldable Hat. |
| D．Lanzom Women’s Big Bow knot Floppy Foldable Sun Hat. |
| A．Health. | B．Opinion. | C．Life. | D．Shopping. |
9 . More than 100 people, all visually damaged models, attended a fashion show organized by a 41-year-old Hempstead blind model, Annalee Smith, on Saturday.
Smith, who began modeling five years ago and won The Face of Kurvacious Model Competition last year, was diagnosed(诊断) with retinitis pigmentosa(色素性视网膜炎) at the age of 12. The rare genetic condition worsened her vision.
She explained that there were few visually damaged role models in the public field. And while the first New York fashion show starring blind models took the stage in 2016, visually damaged models still don’t have a large presence in fashion.
So Smith began planning her own show over a year ago. She initially planned for only a handful of models, but after announcing the event, she expanded the number of participants after reaching more visually damaged woman than she expected. “I’m inspired even by my own self,” she said.
Rafia Lawal, also a model, 37, was diagnosed with cataracts as a young girl. She auditioned(试演) for a spot on “America’s Next Top Model ” during the show’s early seasons but wasn’t selected. She blamed it on her previous lack of confidence and insecurity due to her disability. “Instead of looking at the camera, I was kind of closing my eyes,” she said. Now filled with confidence, she said she viewed the event as a chance to correct the belief that blind or visually damaged women don’t care about fashion.
1. Why did Anna lee Smith plan her own show?| A．To raise money frown visually c am aged worsen. |
| B．To make her own fashion show a new trend. |
| C．To boost her confidence in organizational skills. |
| D．To involve more visually damaged women in fashion. |
| A．Ambitious. | B．Modest. |
| C．Honest. | D．Generous. |
| A．Giving more background information. |
| B．Sharing another visually damaged woman’s story. |
| C．Indicating the positive influence of the show. |
| D．Stressing the importance of confidence. |
| A．A Model Devoted to Joining Fashion Show |
| B．A Fashion Show Featuring Visually Damaged Models |
| C．A Program to Organize Shows for Disabled woman |
| D．A Story Behind Visually Damaged Women |
10 . The first show to kick off London fashion week (LFW) on Thursday night had all the usual elements you’d expect — a long runway with pumping music, models in towering heels and surprise celebrity appearances causing the front row to take out their phones. However, there was one particular point of difference: the cast, including the model Erin O’Connor and TV presenter Miquita Oliver, were all wearing secondhand clothes.
The show, Oxfam Fashion Fighting Poverty, was the third time the nonprofit has taken part in London fashion week. All the clothes came from Oxfam’s own stores and were styled by the British stylist Bay Garnett. Every look was available to buy on eBay after the show, helping to raise funds for the charity.
Garnett is a pioneer of secondhand fashion. For Thursday night’s show, Garnett said she started the process by thinking about different types of tribes. Working through stock at Oxfam’s 50,000 sq ft storehouse in West Yorkshire, Garnett narrowed down what she wanted to feature by thinking about different types of tribes. “There has to be some type of character within the clothing, then I piece it together. So there’s goths (哥特人), the 60s, Americana, it’s a real mix.” Garnett cleverly created a variety of looks that would still appeal to a wide variety of cohorts (群体).
The show, which was full to capacity, reflects the growing interest in pre-loved fashion. According to GlobalData, the clothes resale market in the UK grew by 149% between 2016 and 2022. It is forecast to rise by 67. 5% from 2022 to 2026. A spokesperson for Oxfam says its main clothing categories including womenswear and menswear are having the bestselling year of the last six, with year on year growth of more than 20%.
Garnett, who started her career in fashion in the 90s, said, “Buying secondhand is a form of activism. We’re in a climate emergency so why wouldn’t younger generations buy secondhand? A sustainable option is now cool.”
1. What was the feature of Thursday night’s LFW’s opening show?| A．It was aimed to promote the fast fashion. |
| B．Many celebrities and models were present. |
| C．The cast were wearing secondhand fashion. |
| D．The sound and visual effects were impressive. |
| A．To attract a broader audience. |
| B．To promote unity among tribes. |
| C．To make the tribes better known. |
| D．To turn them into a bigger character. |
| A．UK’s broad categories of fashion. |
| B．An increase in people’s earnings. |
| C．A huge demand for fashion models. |
| D．Secondhand’s growing popularity. |
| A．Explaining a rule. | B．Making a summary. |
| C．Offering a suggestion. | D．Providing evidence. |
