文章大意:本文是一篇议论文。文章讨论了虽然消费者可能觉得外卖服务很方便,但很少有人意识到这背后的真正代价和风险。极其严格的时间限制导致外卖送餐员不得不冒着违反交通规则、受伤甚至失去生命的风险,而且该行业普遍工资低廉、工作时间长。文章呼吁消费者应该认识到背后的剥削问题,支持那些为外卖员提供公平待遇和安全环境的公司,而不是只追求价格便宜和快速送达。
3 . Turning around corners, weaving through traffic, every second matters. It is neither a street race nor a 007 chase, but the risky journey of a sushi (寿司) roll.
The streets of China are filled with delivery drivers racing noodles, sandwiches and soups across cities. While the everyday consumer may find these services convenient, most do not realize the true cost of their delivery. How much is that late-night snack really worth?
Strict time limits are the main concern for delivery drivers. The Chinese delivery app Meituan decreased the maximum time allowance from 50 minutes to 30 or even 20. Time literally means money: Surpassing the limit can result in fines, which are paid to the firm rather than to the consumers. Yet, beyond fines, there is often a greater cost. According to Pandaily News, one delivery worker is injured or killed in accidents every 2.5 days in Shanghai and, sadly, companies seldom provide insurance claims when their time limits lead to these consequences. Drivers are pushed to break traffic rules and risk their lives so your sushi is not a minute late.
Furthermore, low wages and extensive working hours exacerbate these issues. Some companies in China take advantage of the economic inequalities between China’s large cities and less developed interior to offer extremely low pay to migrant delivery drivers while demanding long hours. Yet these long hours and low pay are common throughout the global delivery industry. In the United States, advertised earnings of $22 per hour are largely exaggerated while workers complain that food delivery apps rarely give them all their tips.
What is the solution? First, consumers should recognize what is behind their impossibly cheap and fast delivery: exploitation. We should expect more from the delivery app companies and less from their drivers. That is, we should pay more and wait longer while only ordering from companies who offer their drivers fair wages, insurance and a safe working environment. In the end, your sushi is just not worth it.
1. Who will be paid the fines for a delayed delivery?
A.The delivery firm. | B.The delivery worker. |
C.The sushi restaurant. | D.The ordinary consumer. |
2. What does the underlined word “
exacerbate” in paragraph 4 mean?
A.Integrate. | B.Comprise. | C.Worsen. | D.Alleviate. |
3. Why does the author mention the “earnings of $22 per hour” in the US?
A.To indicate that delivery drivers shouldn’t expect much. |
B.To emphasize that delivery companies should provide insurance. |
C.To prove that the pay and working environment are better in the US. |
D.To show that low pay and overwork are common issues in the industry. |
4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A.The Harm of Delivery Services | B.The True Cost of Convenient Deliveries |
C.The Overrated Popularity of Sushi | D.The Benefits and Problems of Delivery Apps |