1. 描述当下实体购物和网络购物发展的态势；
2. 你对网络购物的看法以及原因。
注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节， 以使行文连贯。
参考词汇: physical store 实体店
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2 . Sometime in the early 1960s, a significant thing happened in Sydney, Australia. The city discovered its harbor. Then, one after another, Sydney discovered lots of things that were just sort of there — broad parks, superb beaches, and a culturally diverse population. But it is the harbor that makes the city.
Andrew Reynolds, a cheerful fellow in his early 30s, pilots Sydney ferryboats for a living. I spent the whole morning shuttling back and forth across the harbor. After our third run Andrew shut down the engine, and we went our separate ways — he for a lunch break, I to explore the city.
“I’ll miss these old boats,” he said as we parted.
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“Oh, they’re replacing them with catamarans. Catamarans are faster, but they’re not so elegant, and they’re not fun to pilot. But that’s progress, I guess.”
Everywhere in Sydney these days, change and progress are the watchwords, and traditions are increasingly rare. Shirley Fitzgerald, the city’s official historian, told me that in its rush to modernity in the 1970s, Sydney swept aside much of its past, including many of its finest buildings. “Sydney is confused about itself,” she said. “We can’t seem to make up our minds whether we want a modern city or a traditional one. It’s a conflict that we aren’t getting any better at resolving.”
On the other hand, being young and old at the same time has its attractions. I considered this when I met a thoughtful young businessman named Anthony. “Many people say that we lack culture in this country,” he told me. “What people forget is that the Italians, when they came to Australia, brought 2000 years of their culture, the Greeks some 3000 years, and the Chinese more still. We’ve got a foundation built on ancient cultures but with a drive and dynamism of a young country. It’s a pretty hard combination to beat.”
He is right, but I can’t help wishing they would keep those old ferries.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．Sydney’s striking architecture. | B．The cultural diversity of Sydney. |
| C．The key to Sydney’s development. | D．Sydney’s tourist attractions in the 1960s. |
| A．He goes to work by boat. | B．He looks forward to a new life. |
| C．He pilots catamarans well. | D．He is attached to the old ferries. |
| A．It is losing its traditions. | B．It should speed up its progress. |
| C．It should expand its population. | D．It is becoming more international. |
| A．A city built on ancient cultures is more dynamic. |
| B．A city can be young and old at the same time. |
| C．Modernity is usually achieved at the cost of elegance. |
| D．Compromise should be made between the local and the foreign. |
注意：1．词数100左右；
2．可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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4 . Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons — for example, economic reasons — why they should be preserved. So, let us suppose that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?
In my view, new architectural styles can exist (存在) perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own hometown of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative (保守的) and do not like change.
Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward. If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different, even though that might be the more risky choice.
1. What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?| A．Some of them are not attractive. |
| B．Most of them are too expensive to preserve. |
| C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings. |
| D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area. |
| A．We should reproduce the same old buildings. |
| B．Buildings that affect their surroundings are attractive. |
| C．People should protest against new buildings. |
| D．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in. |
| A．destroy old buildings | B．choose new architectural style |
| C．put things in a different place | D．respect people’s feelings for historical buildings |
| A．To explain why people dislike change. |
| B．To warn that we could end up living in caves. |
| C．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas. |
| D．To make a comparison between modern buildings and historic buildings. |
5 . In an era led by texting and messaging apps, phone calls seem to be becoming a relic of the past, particularly among younger generations. A recent survey by Sky highlight s this shift, revealing that a quarter of 18–24-year-olds refuse to pick up the phone, and over half ignore calls from their parents.
This raises the question: Why do we find phone calls so awkward, and is avoiding them damaging our relationships? The avoidance of phone calls isn’t just a preference; it’s a sign of worry. The immediacy and directness of a phone call, without the ability to carefully responses as in text-based communication, can be discouraging. This nervousness is not entirely new. Even traditional forms of speaking can cause it.
Phone conversations can be awkward due, to the lack of non-verbal cues. In face-to-face interactions, we rely heavily on gestures, facial expressions, and body language to interpret messages, which are absent in phone conversations. This can lead to misunderstandings and a feeling of disconnect. Additionally, the pressure to respond immediately without the buffer (缓冲) of time to think, as afforded by messaging apps, can increase the anxiety associated with phone calls.
Despite the discomfort they may cause, phone conversations are an important skill. In the professional world, the ability to communicate effectively over the phone remains a critical skill. As I emphasise in my teachings and workshops, clear, confident, and authentic communication can significantly impact personal and professional success.. Therefore, it’s crucial to teach younger generations, including Gen Z, the art of phone conversation, not just for professional success but also for fostering personal relationships.
Moreover, as I advocate in my approach to public speaking, incorporating emotional elements into communication enhances memorability and impact. Phone conversations, with their immediate and personal nature, can foster a deeper emotional connection than text-based communication.
While it’s understandable why phone calls can feel awkward in today’s digital age, it’s essential to recognize the value they hold in effective communication and relationship building.
As we guide this “phone anxiety pandemic (流行病)”, it is crucial to encourage and relearn the art of phone conversation.
1. What effect would “phone calls” have on young people?| A．Refreshing. | B．Anxious. | C．Pleasant. | D．Confused. |
| A．Analysis on speaking styles. | B．The pressure to answer a phone call. |
| C．imperfections of phone conversations. | D．Forms of body language. |
| A．He is a business advisor. | B．He is a professional lecturer. |
| C．He is a published writer. | D．He is a public speaker. |
| A．A new approach to young generations. | B．Varied feelings from phone calls. |
| C．The tips to use messaging apps. | D．The skills to talk over the phone. |
Gathering a few close friends to take a delightful stroll through the city streets
Referred to as Citywalk, this trend involves leisurely traveling around urban areas
Across various Chinese social media platforms, Citywalk hashtags (标签) and keywords have gained
Citywalk not only
Even though Citywalk is relatively new, it offers a positive shift for urban travelers,
7 . In the roughly 250 years since the Industrial Revolution the world’s population, like its wealth, has exploded. Before the end of this century, however, the number of people on the planet could shrink (缩小) for the first time since the Black Death. The root cause is not an increase in deaths, but a sharp fall in births. Across much of the world the fertility rate, the average number of births per woman, is collapsing. Although the trend may be familiar, its extent and its consequences are not. Even as artificial intelligence (AI) leads to optimism in some quarters, the baby bust (婴儿荒) hangs over the future of the world economy.
The result is that in much of the world, the patter of tiny feet is being drowned out by the clatter of walking sticks. The prime examples of ageing countries are no longer just Japan and Italy but also include Brazil, Mexico and Thailand. By 2030 more than half the inhabitants of East and South-East Asia will be over 40. As the old die and are not fully replaced, populations are likely to shrink. Outside Africa, the world’s population is forecast to peak in the 2050s and end the century smaller than it is today. Even in Africa, the birth rate is falling fast.
Whatever some environmentalists say, a shrinking population creates problems. The world is not close to full and the economic difficulties resulting from fewer young people are many. The obvious one is that it is getting harder to support the world’s pensioners (养老金). While the rich world currently has around three people between 20 and 64 years old for everyone over 65, by 2050 it will have less than two. The implications are higher taxes, later retirements, lower real returns for savers and, possibly, government budget crises.
Eventually, therefore, the world will have to make do with fewer youngsters-and perhaps with a shrinking population. With that in mind, recent advances in AI could not have come at a better time. AI economy might find it easy to support a greater number of retired people. Eventually AI may be able to generate ideas by itself, reducing the need for human intelligence. Such innovations will certainly be in high demand.
1. What does the underlined sentence mean in paragraph 2?| A．The development of economy is affected by old people. |
| B．There are more elderly people than young children. |
| C．The world’s population is still increasing too fast. |
| D．The birthrates vary in different parts of the world. |
| A．The changes of age structure of populations. | B．The reasons why the population is declining. |
| C．The situations where the baby bust occurs. | D．The consequences that low birthrates bring. |
| A．AI can decide human beings’ future. |
| B．AI can make humans’ intelligence lower. |
| C．AI can help solve the problems of the baby bust. |
| D．AI can take the place of humans’ looking after the old. |
| A．To analyze a phenomenon. | B．To give practical advice. |
| C．To tell an interesting story. | D．To present a research result. |
8 . As a result of trade, travel and migration, different cuisines have spread across the world. Many recipes, chefs and restaurants try to announce that their food of a country or region is the most authentic (正宗的). But is this a good thing?
People care about authenticity because food traditions are closely linked to identity, particularly for migrant communities. Sociologist and professor of food studies, Krishnendu Ray, explains that home cooking is often the last way that communities can show their identity. British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was accused of trying to take advantage of positive feelings about Jamaica. His ready meal product had a Jamaican name, but was unlike real Jamaican cooking.
However, food consultant Sara Kay asks whether there are problems with the idea of authenticity. She stresses that these ideas often come from the expectations that majority cultures have about minority cultures and their food. These can be restricting—restauranteurs have complained that people expect Asian food to be cheaper than that from European cultures. Expectations can also give people a false idea of what is authentic. While large cities are full of eateries representing different countries—China, India, Italy, Mexico and more—these labels can oversimplify the reality of food from these countries. Stephanie Elizondo Greist is surprised by the recognition that foods in Mexico are more authentic than what she ate growing up as a Mexican-American in Texas, because she feels that both are authentic examples of Mexican food.
A more controversial view of authenticity was stated by American Chef Andrew Zimmern, who claimed that he could bring in Chinese dishes in a more authentic way than existing restaurants—many of which are owned by Chinese-Americans. Writer and food podcaster Ruth Tam points out that while these restaurants altered their menus to suit local tastes, so does Zimmern. So, while food and identity are closely linked, and failure to respect authenticity can cause offence, could there be problems with the whole idea of authenticity?
1. Which of the following factors causes people to care about authenticity?| A．Position. | B．Decoration. | C．Taste. | D．Price. |
| A．Eateries in different countries contribute to the authentic problem. |
| B．Expectation about authenticity may cause problems. |
| C．Asian food is cheaper than European food. |
| D．You can enjoy the traditional taste of Mexican food both in Mexico and America. |
| A．There can be only one authentic taste in a country. |
| B．What she eats in Texas means nothing to her. |
| C．The regional specialities should be the same in a country. |
| D．Every person can have his or her own recognition of authenticity. |
| A．Food & Culture | B．Science & Technology |
| C．Sports & Health | D．Literature & Art |
| A．He lost his way. | B．He was knocked over. | C．He got a flat tire. |
1. What is the speakers’ attitude towards the change of manners?
| A．Positive. | B．Unconcerned. | C．Dissatisfied. |
| A．Play outside. | B．Have a light sleep. | C．Look after their kids. |
| A．She can’t find good places for them. |
| B．She never knows who to invite. |
| C．She’s not sure who may come. |
