增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
As modern technology brings so much convenient to us, traditional things are fading away. Take paper-cutting in example. When I was very small, it was too popular that most women could cut all kind of interesting shapes. Today I found that most of them had stopped to cutting paper, because they could buy it at a very lower price. Besides, young people don’t learn such art as paper-cutting, for they think this is not necessary to learn old-fashion things. Personal, tradition should not abandoned. It is the reflection of our culture. Even face the challenge, we need to inherit the tradition.
2 . Polly Arrowsmith is a clever bargain shopper, and knows exactly when her three local supermarkets make their daily price down. She estimates that hunting out food with yellow discounted labels saves her hundreds of pounds a year. But all this could soon be coming to an end. That’s because supermarkets are adopting dynamic pricing, controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) software.
It involves digital price tags that are displayed either on the shelf below the food items, or on high-tech labels attached the product itself. These prices are automatically, and wirelessly, updated by the AI when a particular item approaches its sell-by date. The AI also examines how much stock (库存) the store is holding of that item and makes the decision as to whether a markdown is requiredor not. Besides, it can help supermarkets better understand how to manage stock supply and avoid over-ordering. So we’re actually turning the current food waste problem into an opportunity and can help cut supermarkets’ food waste by more than a third.
Matt Wills, the co-founder of a firm called Acumen, warns that there are potential disadvantages to dynamic pricing. “Not knowing what the reference price is, consumers might not realise they are getting a deal at all,” he says. “This could also cause added complications for people who retired, if items are seen to be continually changing in price.”
The key, Mr. Wills believes, will be for supermarkets to have strict guidelines to ensure they can offer the benefits that dynamic pricing can bring, while ensuring AI doesn’t create unintended negative consequences for shoppers. Whether shoppers will welcome the change is another question, but Mr. Wills believes they’ll be won over by the price reductions they receive.
Ms. Arrowsmith admits she will miss the yellow discount stickers that have become part of her shopping routine. However, she also says she wants to see less food going to waste. “I’m happy to forgo really cheap pricing,” she says.
1. Why are yellow discount labels disappearing?| A．They are easy to hunt out. |
| B．They expose some safety issues. |
| C．They cause great damage to shoppers. |
| D．They are replaced with digital pricing. |
| A．The advantages of using the AI. |
| B．The display of digital price tags. |
| C．The management of stock supply. |
| D．The problem of current food waste. |
| A．It offers the cheapest price. | B．It greatly reduces food stock. |
| C．It has side effect on retirees. | D．It gives rise to legal problems. |
| A．Pay off. | B．Give up. | C．Agree on. | D．Cut down. |
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
Last Friday, our English class holds a debate on online shopping. Here are not the main points. The supporters argued that online shopping has advantages saving time and money, and having a wide variety of available products. It is also convenient, allow people to shop anytime and have items delivered to they doorsteps. The opponents, however, believed that online shopping poses risks, such as frauds (伪劣品) but a lack of security. They also mentioned the problem of impulse (冲动) purchase and the inability to physical check products before purchase.
In my view, both sides made good point. Online shopping, that offers convenience, must be giving prevention to fight against frauds.
4 . Years ago, I bought a blouse. That same day, I considered putting it on, but for no particular reason decided not to. That weekend, I again considered wearing the blouse, but the occasion didn’t seem special enough, so again, I passed. Fast forward to today. I have never worn that blouse.
What happened here? Why do people own so many unused possessions, treating them as though they are too special to use? To find out, I ran an experiment in which participants imagined buying a bottle of wine. We had half of the participants imagine considering opening it one night, but deciding not to. Then when we measured how special the wine seemed, and participants intentions to open it later we found that those who had imagined holding off on opening it were in fact less likely to intend to open it later. When asked the reason, most assumed they were waiting for a future occasion to open it a more special occasion.
Why do people fall into this mental trap? Prior research points to a recipe for what psychologists term “specialness spirals”. When you give up using something, if you believe that you are waiting to use it, the possession will start to feel more special. And as you search for the right occasion day after day it becomes more tempting (吸引人的) to hold out for a future occasion. The less you use it, though, the more special it feels, and the cycle continues. Ultimately, the likelihood (可能性) of using the possession becomes rarer and rarer. The more this happens, the more stuff you have lying around.
How can you fight specialness spirals? Try committing in advance to using an item on a specific occasion. When buying a dress, tell yourself you’ll wear it this weekend. Or when purchasing a candle, plan to light it that day. This strategy encourages you to actually enjoy your possessions.
1. Why has the author’s blouse sat unworn for many years?| A．She forgot where it was put. | B．She soon grew to dislike it. |
| C．She had no other clothes to match it. | D．She failed to find a right occasion to wear it. |
| A．Discuss how to deal with the wine. | B．List reasons for drinking the wine. |
| C．Decide whether to drink the wine. | D．Evaluate the quality of the wine. |
| A．They result from an optimistic attitude to the future. |
| B．They help explain the psychology of delayed rewards. |
| C．They can attract people into shopping traps. |
| D．They can lead to a collection of unused stuff. |
| A．To describe a purchase experience. | B．To explain a psychological phenomenon. |
| C．To criticize a wrong consumption concept. | D．To encourage people to prepare for a rainy day. |
1. What is the man probably doing?
| A．Promoting a product. |
| B．Hosting a program. |
| C．Conducting a survey. |
| A．Because of a school project. |
| B．Because of a health problem. |
| C．Because of her parents’ words. |
| A．See movies. | B．Read books. | C．Do exercise. |
| A．She becomes braver. |
| B．She sleeps better. |
| C．She concentrates more. |
1. Which car has got its back damaged?
| A．The white car. | B．The black car. | C．The red car. |
| A．Take the injured to hospital. | B．Call the ambulance. | C．Ask the police for help. |
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
It occurs some students get into some bad habits during weekends or holidays what they should have relaxed themselves after a long time of hard work. Instead of have a good rest, some students spend aplenty of time on their smartphones. They hardly workout outdoor and even stay up late into the night and etc. Undoubtedly, all these bad habits will result from physical and mental damage to you. They may feel more tired and sleepy than refreshed and can’t stay focusing in class when back to school. Therefore, they ought to break away from bad habit and try to form a healthy lifestyle, which is proven to be greatly benefit to their health and study.
1. When did the woman’s father have an accident?
| A．Last Monday. | B．Last Tuesday. | C．This Monday. |
| A．He is in danger. | B．He is safe and sound. | C．He is just out of danger. |
| A．The woman’s father. | B．The motorcyclist. | C．The bus driver. |
9 . Recent years have seen a small increase in unemployment rates due to slowing of the economy. The fact that many college graduates are finding it difficult to land a job has sparked online discussions on the cost of education and the returns on it, with many agreeing with the notion that “education is useless”.
Stories like a person with a doctorate’s degree from Zhejiang University is delivering food, and overseas-returned graduates are selling hot-pot ingredients have caused many to question the value of education. Moreover, the fact that about 36,000 fewer candidates have applied to take the postgraduate exam in 2024, the first decline in numbers in years, has also fueled the “education is useless theory.
Is education truly worthless? This question has resurfaced due to several factors.
The wide spread of higher education has significantly increased the number of college graduates, reducing the value of college degrees. As the job market becomes over-crowded with graduates, the scarcity of high-level talents has become apparent, particularly in fields such as the humanities. For example, more than 900 institutions in China offer English major, making it the most common degree program, yet there’s a shortage of top talents who are proficient in English and have a good knowledge about the differences in Chinese and foreign approach to fields such as international relations and journalism.
The declining returns on the investment in education have given rise to the “education is useless” theory. Given the challenging job market, many believe college education does not guarantee any sort of employment, let alone a suitable job. And with various economic opportunities available, the notion that one can become financially successful even without formal education is becoming increasingly acceptable.
In light of these developments, combined efforts need to be made to change the situation. For instance, universities must take measures to integrate education, research and industry, while enhancing cooperation with enterprises through tailored talent training programs. Additionally, the authorities need to pay greater attention to vocational education, an important part of China’s educational system. Students, parents and society, on their part, should abandon their bias against vocational training, because it integrates education with career prospects throughout the learning process, offering targeted, technical and practical training which allows students to master their skills which can get them well-paying jobs in the future.
Developing a correct view of employment and career choice is key to abandoning the notion of “education being useless”. People, especially students, must understand the current employment landscape, their positioning, and strengths and weaknesses. While realizing that a college degree is no longer a ticket to employment, college students should leverage education resources to enrich their professional knowledge and competitiveness. And youths should approach vocational education with an open mind in order to make the most of what the job market has to offer.
Education is not synonymous with earning money, nor does a college degree guarantee financial success. The value of education is knowledge, which we need to make informed decisions not only in our professional life but also in our social and other fields of life.
1. What are the main reasons for the recent rise in the belief that ”education is useless”?| A．Economic slowdown and job scarcity. |
| B．Sad stories about educated individuals. |
| C．Decline in postgraduate exam applicants. |
| D．Emphasis on practical skills over qualifications. |
| A．By focusing solely on academic research. |
| B．By integrating education, research, and industry. |
| C．By ignoring cooperation with enterprises. |
| D．By eliminating vocational education courses. |
| A．limit | B．abandon | C．balance | D．maximize |
| A．Negative and pessimistic | B．Positive and supportive |
| C．Balanced and objective | D．Unclear and ambiguous |
10 . Ask any business leader what big challenges they face and it’s likely that skills and labor shortages will be high on their list. They’re concerned about how to develop the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow. According to the World Economic Forum’s latest Future of Jobs Report 2023, organizations across all industries identify skills gaps and an inability to attract talent as the key barriers preventing industry transformation.
There’s a potential solution to all of this: a “skills-first” approach. The new report, Putting Skills First: A Framework for Action, launched during the World Economic Forum’s Growth Summit, finds that switching to a skills-first mindset can directly benefit over 100 million people globally who’re currently under-utilizing their existing skills, because they’re under-employed in their current job or because they’re unemployed. The analysis, which covers 18 economies, finds workforce under-utilization ranges from 4% of the working population in Thailand, to 7% in the US, 13% in France, 27% in Brazil and 43% in South Africa.
A skills-first approach focuses on a person’s skills and competencies rather than on their qualifications or job history, so that what someone can do becomes far more important than which university they went to. Crucially, this focus on skills continues long after the worker has been hired, with an emphasis on continually developing their abilities right through their career.
Making skills a priority is fairly advantageous. For businesses, taking a skills-first approach dramatically increases the potential pool of talent from which they can draw on. For individuals, it provides access to good jobs that offer skills building, career progression and higher earning potential which they’d otherwise have been excluded from without the right qualifications.
Delivering such ground-breaking change requires more than simply the involvement of HR teams. It’ll require the commitment of CEOs and policy-makers at the highest level to drive it through. So far a company in UK has introduced a range of degree apprenticeship (学徒制) programs which enable applicants without a degree to gain one while working at the firm. The organization is also developing new career paths to ensure it has the right skills to meet the changing needs of the economy.
1. What plays a key role in industry transformation?| A．Working environment. | B．Employees’ job history. |
| C．Employees’ competence. | D．Business leaders’ management. |
| A．It was launched by 18 economies. |
| B．It focuses on a skills-first mindset. |
| C．It shows the decline of global economy. |
| D．It points out employment trends. |
| A．Further research needs to be done. |
| B．It depends on global cooperation. |
| C．Some measures are already underway. |
| D．It is well accepted around the world. |
| A．A skills-first approach. |
| B．A more inclusive society. |
| C．Developing new career paths. |
| D．Creating a framework for job markets. |
