1 . In Japan many workers for large corporations have a guarantee of lifetime employment. They will not be laid off during recessions or when the tasks they perform. are taken over by robots. To some observers, this is capitalism at its best, because workers are treated as people not things. Others see it as necessarily inefficient and believe it cannot continue if Japan is to remain competitive with foreign corporations more concerned about profits and less concerned about people.
Defenders of the system argue that those who call it inefficient do not understand how it really works. In the first place not every Japanese worker has the guarantee of a lifetime job. The lifetime employment system includes only “regular employees”. Many employees do not fall into this category, including all women. All businesses have many part-time and temporary employees. These workers are hired and laid off during the course of the business cycle just as employees in the United States are. These “irregular workers” make up about 10 percent of the nonagricultural work force. Additionally, Japanese firms maintain some flexibility through the extensive use of subcontractors. This practice is much more common in Japan than in the United States.
The use of both subcontractors and temporary workers has increased markedly in Japan since the 1974—1975 recession. All this leads some to argue that the Japanese system is not all that different from the American system. During recessions Japanese corporations lay off temporary workers and give less business to subcontractors. In the United States, corporations lay off those workers with the least seniority. The difference then is probably less than the term “lifetime employment” suggests, but there still is a difference. And this difference cannot be understood without looking at the values of Japanese society. The relationship between employer and employee cannot be explained in purely contractual terms. Firms hold on to the employees and employees stay with one firm. There are also practical reasons for not jumping from job to job. Most retirement benefits come from the employer. Changing jobs means losing these benefits. Also, teamwork is an essential part of Japanese production. Moving to a new firm means adapting to a different team and at least temporarily, lower productivity and lower pay.
1. according to the passage, a woman in Japan ________.| A．cannot get a lifetime job | B．is impossible to get a part time job |
| C．will be employed for life | D．is among the regular workers |
| A．They don’t want to lose their retirement benefits. |
| B．They are not adaptable people. |
| C．Any change of jobs will make them less paid. |
| D．They get used to the team work. |
| A．Those who want to change jobs frequently in Japan should think twice. |
| B．Those who are first laid off by American corporations are temporary workers. |
| C．The use of subcontractors makes Japan films less flexible |
| D．The Japanese system is totally different from the American system |
| A.emphasize B. misunderstanding C. reflect D. referred E. contract F. attached G. occurring H. oppose I. civilization J. concerning K. attractive |
The most difficult part of a Western-Chinese marriage is the cultural differences. The traditional Chinese culture is established on the Confucian philosophy, while the western culture is based on ancient Greek
From the traditional Chinese point of view, marriage is a relationship
That is why Westerners sometimes cannot understand why we Chinese need to our relatives if we are asked to do so. Chinese need to maintain their “face” and “relations”. Even in relationship, we are somehow still
It is not easy to maintain Chinese-Western relationship. Cultural differences may result in
My suggestion for the cross-culture relationship is always trying to put yourself in other’s shoes: accepting rather than changing; always respecting your partner but clarifying your own red lines; showing your interest in his/her different culture and carefully commenting on it and so on.
There are more and more cross-culture marriages
| A．To save time for laws to take effect. |
| B．To weaken the government’s check. |
| C．To give himself more power. |
| D．To change the country’s political system. |
| A．A category. | B．A measurement. | C．An activity. | D．An airport. |
| A．The major industrial growth. |
| B．The number of people at the airport. |
| C．The side effect of an emergency. |
| D．The unhealthy level of pollution. |
4 . We all wish we had our very own libraries at home. They’re a great way to keep what you love reading best organized in one place. Technology has taken over our lives and everything seems to be accessible
Unlike the Internet, printed books are much more
Unlike electronic devices that can have problems such as the loss of
Libraries are a great place that dates back to a time when
| A．finally | B．digitally | C．carefully | D．equally |
| A．harmful | B．unnecessary | C．impossible | D．convenient |
| A．reliable | B．expensive | C．natural | D．important |
| A．printed | B．checked | C．kept | D．decorated |
| A．data | B．story | C．picture | D．cover |
| A．spread | B．published | C．read | D．stored |
| A．colorful | B．physical | C．unreal | D．imaginary |
| A．applies | B．reminds | C．lacks | D．ensures |
| A．Above all | B．In addition | C．In a word | D．On the contrary |
| A．helpful | B．recommended | C．attractive | D．printed |
| A．electronic | B．expensive | C．harmful | D．valuable |
| A．sell | B．read | C．design | D．recall |
| A．knowledge | B．technology | C．information | D．printing |
| A．function | B．appearance | C．location | D．building |
| A．getting rid of | B．turning down | C．accounting for | D．getting involved in |
| A .address B. launched C. charge D. highlights E. mentioned F. blocking G. involving H. potential I. previously J. fortunately K. authorities |
A fire that broke out in an apartment building in Nanjing on February 23 left 15 people dead and another 44 injured. Local
In China, it is forbidden (禁止) to park or
The recent tragedy (悲剧) further
“For many communities, builders didn’t take into consideration the infrastructure (基础施) for parking and charging electric bikes. Therefore, they often lack a corresponding (相应的) safety plan,” said Yang Zhimin, a Shenzhen official.
The latest incident in Nanjing isn’t the first electric bike fire that has happened in the community involved. Residents
Following the tragedy, Nanjing authorities announced a thorough (面) review of safety risks. This covers high-rise buildings, commercial spaces (商业区) and other densely populated areas. They aim to
Other cities across China have also taken action to remove
“We will work to ensure that all electric bikes in China are parked outdoors,” said the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM, 应急管理部) on February 26.
6 . “Sushi tastes amazing. A great steak is just amazing.” Those are not the words you expect to hear from a leader of the vegetarian movement. But that’s how Graham Hill, founder of the sustainability website Tree Hugger, feels about the fleshier components of his diet. He is a self-described “weekday vegetarian,” a compromise that came about after years of trying—and failing—to adhere to (坚持) a strictly vegetarian diet.
For the past year, Hill has preached (宣传，鼓吹) the cause of partial vegetarianism to help fight global warming. According to the U. N., the livestock industry produces 18%of the world’s greenhouse gases. Part-time vegetarians choose what to eat and when. The popular Meatless Monday movement, which began in 2003, has been backed by many celebrities, including Paul McCartney, who has taken the lead in his own Meat Free Monday campaign. Last year the Belgian city of Ghent picked Thursday as its Veggie day, calling for meat-free options to be served that day in schools and public institutions.
The drive to avoid eating meat on certain days is not new. Catholics have long been urged to restrain themselves on Fridays. But environmentalists have only recently caught on. “The surge is due to a sense of a plateau (达到平衡) . You’ve already reached out to the base of strict vegetarians, and it’s hard to get beyond those numbers,” says Peter Singer, a Princeton philosophy professor. “People should go further, but it’s progressed in the right direction.”
Although the American Dietetic (ADA) Association doesn’t track the number of part-times, the group says roughly 2.5% of Americans are strictly vegetarian, a diet that poses no health risks as long as practitioners get enough protein from beans and other nonmeat sources. “A partial-vegetarian plan is a little more user-friendly,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a flexitarian (弹性素食者(偶尔吃荤)) and ADA spokesperson.
The goal for many activists is simply to get more people to eat less meat. “Absolute purists should be living in a cave,” says Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “Anybody who witnesses the suffering of animals and has a glimmer of hope of reducing that suffering can’t take the position that it’s all or nothing. We have to be realistic. Screw the principle.”
1. The first quote of the passage intends to show that ________.| A．sushi and steak are both of Hill’s favorite food | B．the vegetarian movements are popular |
| C．Hill isn’t a qualified leader of the vegetarian movement | D．it’s difficult to be a strict vegetarian |
| A．He doesn’t eat meat on weekends. | B．He doesn’t want to be a strict vegetarian. |
| C．He is an environmentalist. | D．He failed to lose weight. |
| A．Part-time vegetarians account for nearly 2.5% of Americans. |
| B．A diet with all vegetables may have no bad effect on health. |
| C．Partial vegetarian is better than strict vegetarian in terms of nutrition. |
| D．Many celebrities are part-time vegetarians. |
| A．people should adhere to a strictly vegetarian diet. |
| B．everybody should act to fight global warming |
| C．partial vegetarian plan works more sensibly |
| D．people shouldn’t stop eating meat for it’s bad for health |
7 . For the past three decades, companies and consumers have benefited from cross—border connections that have helped to maintain a steady supply of electronics, clothes, toys and other goods so abundant that it has managed to keep prices low across the board.
However, as the pandemic and the Russia — Ukraine conflict continue to weigh on trade and business ties, that period of plenty appears to be undergoing a partial reversal. Companies are rethinking where to source their products and are stockpiling inventory (库存), even at the potential cost of lowering their efficiency and increasing their operation expense. If the situation lasts for very long,
American economists are debating whether recent supply chain troubles and geopolitical conflicts will result in a shake-up of global production, in which factories that had previously been sent offshore or areas with fewer tax regulations, move back to the United States or into other more stable countries. If this happens, a decades-long decline in the prices of many goods could come to an end. We may even witness a slide backwards, meaning a potential boost in prices and overall inflation as a result.
The period of global integration before the pandemic made many of the things Americans buy cheaper. Computers and other forms of technology made factories more efficient, and they rolled out sneakers, kitchen tables, and electronics at a pace unmatched in history. Companies slashed their production costs by moving factories offshore, where wages were lower. The adoption of steel shipping containers and ever larger cargo ships allowed products to be transported from Bangladesh and China to Seattle and Tupelo and everywhere in between at astonishingly low prices.
Those changes, however, had consequences for American factory workers, who saw many jobs disappear. Katherine Tai, the U. S. trade representative, said that, while American consumers have enjoyed the “luxury” of low prices for imported goods for a long time now, the system upon which it was built has always been a very “fragile” one. Americans are not just consumers, but also workers who have to compete in a global marketplace for talent where globalization “has damaged opportunities and wages for average American workers”.
“Some returning is occurring — let’s make no mistake about that.” Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala., the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, said in an interview. But the data shows that most businesses are reducing their risk by building up their inventories and finding additional suppliers in low-cost countries, such as Vietnam and Mexico. This process could end up helping more deeply integtate poorer countries in Africa and other parts of the world into the global value chains, said Dr. Okonjo-Iweala.
The intertwined trajectory (轨迹) of globalization, low prices, and inflation on the whole will be closely watched by economists over the years to come. “It would certainly be a different world.” Jerome H. Powel, the chair of the Federal Reserve, said when asked about a possible move away from globalization. “It’s not obvious how dramatically conditions will change,” he said. “But it’s clear that it’s slowed down.”
1. Which of the following best fits the blank in Paragraph 2?| A．the trend of global integration |
| B．a shift away from fine-tuned globalization |
| C．the benefit of cheap and plenty goods |
| D．an upcoming economic crash |
| A．A potential decline in prices of goods can be expected. |
| B．American companies may locate their offshore factories in Africa. |
| C．Efficient transportation makes bulk buying convenient for Americans. |
| D．Inflation has a role to play in the shake-up of globalization. |
| A．Katherine Tai takes a neutral position concerning globalization. |
| B．American factory workers face heightened competition from domestic rivals. |
| C．American consumers generally benefited from global integration. |
| D．Exported goods lead to the lower wages of average Americans. |
| A．The Era of Cheap and Plenty May be Ending |
| B．Globalization: Crisis or Opportunities? |
| C．New Winners in the Post-globalization Era |
| D．The Future of Global Economy |
8 . In recent days, a netizen left a comment on the official website of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, urging the relevant authorities to issue a statement to encourage residents to not be influenced by superstition and continue with their marriage plans as usual during the Year of the Dragon.
The Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs promptly responded, stating that they would pay attention to this issue. The department explained that there is a year in the lunar calendar that does not have the beginning of spring solar term (节气), which occurs approximately once every two to three years.
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated on the first day of the first lunar month each year. However, its date on the Gregorian calendar (公历) varies from year to year. Start of Spring, which is the first of the 24 solar terms, is considered the official beginning of spring.
Why did the ancients think that “no spring year” was not suitable for marriage? As the weather warms up and spring arrives, the earth awakes from its winter hibernation. The rain falls, the thunder surges, and everything in the world comes alive once again. At such a good time, they usually associated the beginning of spring with fertility. If spring does not come, reproduction will not be prosperous. “No spring” means “no child”, and getting married is the most taboo. Superstitions about this time of year often focus on avoiding marriage or other important events because it is believed to be unlucky.
The Social Affairs Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs emphasized that these superstitions, which mean false beliefs without scientific evidence, should not have the final say about people's decisions about their marriages or other important life events. They encouraged residents to continue with their plans as usual during this period and not be influenced by superstition.
The department also reminded the public that marriage is a personal decision that should be based on love, mutual respect, and consideration for each other’s future. They emphasized that the government will continue to provide support and assistance to ensure that all citizens can enjoy a stable and happy life.
1. What was the reason behind the netizen’s comment on the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ website?| A．To request detailed information about the spring solar term this Year of the Dragon. |
| B．To express dissatisfaction with the government policies to issue a ban on marriage this year. |
| C．To motivate inhabitants to resist the impact of unscientific beliefs in the Year of the Dragon. |
| D．To criticize the Ministry of Civil Affairs for their delayed response. |
| A．Due to unfavorable weather conditions in the “no spring” solar term. |
| B．Because it was believed to bring bad luck and misfortune. |
| C．As a result of scientific evidence proving it was unlucky. |
| D．To avoid conflicts with traditional customs and the wedding ceremonies. |
| A．Encouraging residents to follow traditional superstitions by getting married as planned. |
| B．Discouraging people from getting married during the Year of the Dragon. |
| C．Emphasizing that unscientific beliefs should not have an impact on marriage decisions. |
| D．Urging the public to protest against the complicated traditional Spring Festival celebrations. |
9 . Children who spent more than two hours per day in front of a television or computer screen were more likely to report behavioral and social problems than kids who watched less, according to a University of Bristol study that will be published in Pediatrics.
Researchers recorded the playing, screen viewing and activity habits of 1,000 children aged 10 to 11. They also had the kids fill out questionnaires designed to estimate the kids’ emotional well-being and behavior.
The questionnaires contained 20 questions covering five sections—emotional difficulties, conduct problems, hyperactivity (活动过度), inattention, friendship and peer groups and problems relating to friends and peer groups.
The study found that those children who spent more than two hours per day watching TV or using a computer were at an increased risk of psychological difficulties. This risk increased if they also failed to meet the guidelines on physical activity.
While the risks for kids who spent a lot of time in front of a screen appeared to be increased by lack of physical activity, the opposite was not true: Increase in physical activity did not seem to decrease kids’ high scores in psychological difficulties if they spent a lot of time sedentary (久坐 的) in front of a screen. By contrast, sedentary time spent reading a book or working on a project corresponded to the highest scores of psychological well-being.
“While low levels of screen viewing may not be problematic, we cannot rely on physical activity to compensate for long hours of screen viewing,” lead author Dr. Angie Page said in a statement. “Watching TV or playing computer games for more than two hours a day is related to greater psychological difficulties regardless of how active children are.”
Although Page’s study doesn’t clarify the links between inactivity, screen time and psychological well-being, it’s true that kids in the United States are getting less exercise and more screen time than they should. In 2009, Page’s team found a connection between a child’s physical activity and independent mobility, the amount of space in which a child can play without the supervision of an adult. They concluded that, as play spaces have decreased in recent decades, childhood inactivity-and perhaps screen time—has increased.
1. What information can we get about the University of Bristol study?| A．It was done by an elementary school. |
| B．The results of it have been published. |
| C．All the kids studied had to fill out questionnaires. |
| D．The questionnaires of it contained five questions. |
| A．make a judgment about the kids’ behavior and how healthy they were emotionally |
| B．estimate the average time kids spent in front of a screen |
| C．infer whether the kids have psychological problems or not |
| D．get information about the psychological activity kids like |
| A．More electronic products have poured into their world. |
| B．They have too much homework to do. |
| C．They have fewer spaces to play in. |
| D．They lack the supervision of their parents. |
| A．A study shows more screen time and inactivity increase kids’ risks of psychological difficulties. |
| B．A study clarifies the links between inactivity, screen time and psychological well-being. |
| C．A study illustrates why childhood inactivity and screen time have increased. |
| D．A study demonstrates how to limit children’s TV and screen time at home. |
10 . Contact between adolescents (between the ages of 15 and 19) and their peers (同龄人) is a universal characteristic of all cultures. However, the nature and the degree of such contact
This pattern of age segregation (隔离) in American society did not become usual until the beginning of the industrialized society. Changes in the
Research
| A．reveal | B．vary | C．imply | D．prove |
| A．younger children | B．professional teachers | C．close relatives | D．responsible researchers |
| A．interest | B．attitude | C．workplace | D．age |
| A．slightly | B．seldom | C．regularly | D．further |
| A．resulted in | B．objected to | C．held back | D．checked out |
| A．solution | B．factor | C．concern | D．argument |
| A．spending | B．volunteers | C．partners | D．population |
| A．increase | B．share | C．disappearance | D．selection |
| A．opposes | B．doubts | C．supports | D．changes |
| A．diets | B．activities | C．expenses | D．necessities |
| A．in addition | B．as a result | C．in particular | D．for example |
| A．late | B．typical | C．early | D．common |
| A．pressure | B．networks | C．skills | D．background |
| A．culture | B．pressure | C．respect | D．education |
| A．develop | B．control | C．escape | D．apply |
