Clothing rental is a hot new industry and retailers (零售商) are demanding to get on board in hopes of attracting green shopper.
But is renting fashion actually more environmentally-friendly than buying it, and if so, how much more? Journalist and author Elizabeth Cline investigated (调查) this question and concluded that it's not as sustainable as it seems.
Take shipping, for example, which has to go two ways if an item is rented — receiving and returning. Cline writes that consumer transportation has the second largest carbon footprint of our collective fashion habit after manufacturing.
She writes, ''An item ordered online and then returned can send out 20 kilograms of carbon each way, and increases up to 50 kilograms for rush shipping. By comparison, the carbon impact of a pair of jeans purchased from a physical store and washed and worn at home is 33.4 kilograms, according to a 2015 study by Levi's.''
Then there's the burden of washing, which has to happen for every item when it's returned, regardless of whether or not it was worn. For most rental services, this usually means dry cleaning, a high impact and polluting process. All the rental services that Cline looked into have replaced perchloroethylene (氯乙烯), a carcinogenic (致癌的) air pollutant, still used by 70 percent of US dry cleaners, with alternatives, although these aren't great either.
Lastly, Cline fears that rental services will increase our appetite for fast fashion, simply because it's so easily accessible. There's something called ''share washing'' that makes people waste more precisely because a product or service is shared and thus is regarded as more eco-friendly. Uber is one example of this, advertised as ''a way to share rides and limit ear ownership.'' and yet ''it has been proven to discourage walking,bicycling, and public transportation use.''
Renting clothes is still preferable to buying them cheap and throwing them in the dustbin after a few wears, but we shouldn't let the availability of these services make us too satisfied. There's an even better step — that's wearing what is already in the closet.
1.What is Elizabeth Cline's attitude toward clothing rental?
A.Approving. B.Unfavorable.
C.Objective. D.Enthusiastic.
2.The Uber example in Paragraph 6 indicates that .
A.rental services are on the rise
B.clothing rental will be as successful as Uber
C.renting clothes might waste more than expected
D.renting clothes might make people lose interest in fast fashion
3.The author suggests that we should .
A.give up renting any clothing
B.purchase inexpensive clothes
C.rent clothes rather than buy them
D.make full use of clothes we've possessed
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A.Clothing rental is a new fashion.
B.Clothing rental is retailers' preference.
C.Renting clothes is not that eco-friendly.
D.Renting-clothes business is in a dilemma.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
When international aid is given, steps must be taken to ensure that the aid reaches the people for whom it is intended. The way to achieve this may not be simple. It is very difficult for a nation to give help directly to people in another nation. The United Nations Organization (UNO) could undertake to direct the distribution of aid. Here however rises the problem of costs. Also tied with this is time. Perhaps the UNO could set up a body of devoted men and women in every country who can speedily distribute aid to victims of floods and earthquakes.
More than the help that one nation can give to another during a disaster, it would be more effective to give other forms of help during normal times. A common proverb says, "Give me a fish and I eat for a day, teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.” If we follow this wise saying, it would be right to teach people from less developed nations to take care of themselves. For example, a country could share its technology with another. This could be in simple areas like agriculture or in more complex areas like medical and health care or even in building satellites. Even a small country is able to help less developed nations. Sometimes what is taken for granted, like the setting up of a water purification plant or the administration of a school, could be useful for countries which are looking about to solve common problems. It does not cost much to share such simple things. Exchange students could be attached for a number of months or years and learn the required craft while on the site. They can then take their knowledge back to their homelands and if necessary come back from time to time to clear doubts or to update themselves. Such aid will be truly helpful and there is no chance of it being temporary or of it falling into the wrong hands.
Many countries run extensive courses in all sorts of skills. It will not cost much to include deserving foreigners in these courses. Besides giving effective help to the countries concerned there is also the build-up of friendships to consider. Giving direct help by giving materials may be effective in the short run and must continue to be given in the event of emergencies. However, in the long run what is really effective would be the sharing of knowledge.
1.The second paragraph is developed mainly_____________.
A.by analysis. B.by process.
C.by example. D.by contrast.
2.Which aid is likely to fall into the wrong hands?
A.A medical team. B.Financial support.
C.A water plant. D.An exchange program.
3.What does the author try to express in the underlined sentence?
A.Providing food is vital. B.Leaning to fish is helpful.
C.Looking after others is important. D.Teaching techniques is vital.
4.What can we infer about international aid from the passage?
A.It is facing difficulties
B.It should be given in the form of materials.
C.It has gained support by developed countries
D.It is unnecessary during normal times.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
The driver, Zhang Sal, wandered outside an apartment building in Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the heart of the Coronavirus(冠状病毒) outbreak. He had been ordered not to take food to customers’ doors in order to minimize the risk of infection. But the woman on the phone was pleading, he recalled. The food was for her mother, who couldn't go down to meet him.
Mr. Zhang relented. He would drop off the order and sprint away, As he placed the bag on the floor, Mr. Zhang said, the door opened. Startled, he rushed away. Without thinking, he said, he jabbed the elevator button with his finger, touching a surface he feared could transmit the virus.
That was how Mr. Zhang, 32, found himself speeding back to his delivery station with one finger held high in the air, careful not to touch the rest of his hand-a quarantine in miniature. (小型隔离现场)
For many in China, delivery drivers like Mr. Zhang are the only connection to the outside world. Once a common but invisible presence on the streets of nearly every Chinese city, the drivers are now being praised as heroes.
Throughout China, at least 760 million people-almost a tenth of the world’s population-face some form of household lockdown. The rules are particularly strict in Wuhan, where government efforts to contain the virus have blocked most of the 11 million residents in their homes.
Each household can send someone out for necessities just once every three days. Many residents do not go outside at all, for fear of infection of the more than 2, 100 deaths and nearly 75,000 infections linked to the new virus, the majority have been in Wuhan.
But people still have to eat, which is why Mr. Zhang and many delivery drivers find themselves on the street each day As Wuhan and the rest of China stay at home, they have become the country’s vital arteries, keeping fresh meat, vegetables and other supplies flowing to those who need them.
It is grueling and dangerous work. Mr. Zhang, who works for Hema, a supermarket chain owned by the tech giant Alibaba, crisscrosses the city armed only with the face masks and hand sanitizer that his company supplies each morning.
The epidemic (疫情) has brought some unexpected bright spots. Before, Mr. Zhang said, he sometimes ran red lights during rush hour in order to meet his delivery goals for the day. Now, the streets are empty. He has no problem getting around.
People are nicer, too. Some customers hardly opened the door or avoided eye contact. After the outbreak erupted, everyone said thank you.
1.Why did Zhang Sai wander outside an apartment building in Wuhan? Because______________.
A.He was unwilling to take food to customers ‘doors.
B.He was afraid of being infected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
C.The woman on the phone forbade him to to take food to her door.
D.He was forbidden to take food to customers’ doors.
2.Which of the following can describe the work of delivery drivers after the outbreak of the epidemic?
A.Risky and important. B.Necessary and light-hearted.
C.Easy and creative. D.Valuable and hard-working.
3.What does the underlined part “bright spots” mean in the ninth paragraph?
A.Marks on something. B.Bright places.
C.Difficult situations. D.Good things in a bad situation.
4.Why did people become nicer and say thank you to delivery drivers after the outbreak erupted?
A.Because people need them to deliver necessities.
B.Because people have realized the value of their job.
C.Because of the outbreak of the epidemic.
D.Because of the danger of infection.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
How to Become a Lifelong Learner
Learning doesn't stop just because school does. Making a commitment to yourself to learn something new every day, you will not only enjoy what you discover, but you will be able to apply your knowledge and become a teacher to future generations. Here are some steps to become a lifelong learner.
Learn how you learn.1.Note what learning techniques are most efficient for you and use them as much as is practical, such as viewing online tutorials on websites like YouTube if you're more of a visual learner.
2.Try many different things so that you don't box yourself into believing you're only good at a few things. It's probable that you're good at many things, but you won't know until you've tried.
Look at learning as an exploration and opportunity, not a chore (琐事)．Don't just force yourself to learn things because they are important or necessary.3. Follow your heart, as well as your sense of duty. Do you remember the 8th grade history that you hated so much, with all those names and dates that seemed to mean nothing? The point was to bring you to learn details now, which will knit chunks of information together later.4.
Read, read, read.5. Reading is a gateway into other worlds and into the minds of your fellow human beings. And reading will help you to learn the discoveries and mistakes of others who have gone before you; reading is, in effect, a shortcut so that you don't have to learn things the hard way.
A.Learn where your talents and interests lie.
B.It was a chore then, but it makes sense, now.
C.Recognize the educational value in whatever you read.
D.Determine your own preferred learning style or styles.
E.Their ways of learning might help you to improve your own.
F.Make friends with your local library and new and used book sellers.
G.Instead, learn things that you need to learn alongside things you love to learn.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
Once upon a time a psychology professor walked around on a stage while teaching stress management principles to an auditorium, which was__________ students. As she ________ a glass of water, everyone________ they’d be asked the _________question “glass half empty or glass half ________". Instead, with a ________on her face, the professor asked, “How__________is this glass of water I'm holding?”
Students shouted out answers ________ from eight ounces to a couple pounds. She replied, “From my________the absolute weight of this glass doesn’t _______ .It all depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a _________or two, it's_________light. If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight might make my arm________. If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely_________and feel completely numb and paralyzed, forcing me to drop the glass to the _______ . In each case, the________ of the glass doesn’t change, but the _______ I hold it, the heavier it feels to me.”
As the class shook their heads in ________ , she continued, “Your stresses and _______ in life are very much like this glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and you begin to ache a little. Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralyzed-______to do anything else until you drop them.”
1.A.surrounded by B.bored with C.owned by D.filled with
2.A.poured B.drank C.raised D.emptied
3.A.expected B.enjoyed C.liked D.wished
4.A.silly B.typical C.standardized D.wise
5.A.broken B.ready C.cut D.full
6.A.spot B.tear C.smile D.look
7.A.large B.small C.much D.heavy
8.A.ranging B.dating C.beginning D.originating
9.A.experience B.background C.perspective D.estimation
10.A.exist B.matter C.change D.last
11.A.day B.hour C.minute D.week
12.A.fairly B.obviously C.surprisingly D.completely
13.A.swing B.ache. C.shake D.break
14.A.cramp up B.break down C.stretch out D.fold up
15.A.sea B.grass C.bed D.floor
16.A.content B.size C.weight D.position
17.A.better B.longer C.more D.harder
18.A.silence B.agreement C.conclusion D.disappointment
19.A.comfort B.sadness C.worries D.happiness
20.A.willing B.pleased C.tired D.unable
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。作文中共有10处语言误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅沙及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
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：再错的词下划一横线，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。
Recently we had a class meeting on the topic of my dream. Some mention the Chinese Dream. And others talked enthusiastically about his understanding of the Chinese Dream. We are all believe that this dream will come true in the future. I also talked about my own dream. I had always wanted to be a doctor. Not only can doctors save people's life, but also they are doing a respectably job. Doctors can help people to live a better life without their professional knowledge. To realize my dream, I should try to study hardly from now on, I must learn as much as I can get into a good medical college, which I can prepare myself fully for the job of a doctor.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
假定你是李华，你从某网站上得知陕西省博物馆正在招募暑假英语讲解员，请你根据以下提示给博物馆负责外国游客接待的Mr. Charles写一封英文自荐信。内容包括：
1.表达意愿；
2.自荐理由；
3.恳请获准。
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：讲解员, Interpreter
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难度: 简单查看答案及解析
Name： Off the Beaten Path
Cover price： $30.00
Our price： $19.80
The best-selling Reader's Digest travel book has 40% new content including over 200 new sites， over 200 new full-color photographs， and all-new， up-to-date maps. It focuses on more than 1,000 of the United State’s most overlooked must-see destinations.
Name： Container Gardens by Number
Cover price： $15.95
Our price： $9.49
A unique book contains 50 easy-to-follow container designs. Each design provides a simple numbered planting plan that shows exactly how to create each display， with an instruction of the finished planter and in-depth plant information， The plans are easy to follow and for any type of living space or garden.
Name： Best Weekend Projects
Cover price： $17.95
Our price： $13.96
Choose from 80 unique ideas to create an extraordinary living space. The projects are practical， as well as attractive， and will improve your home and yard and can be made in a weekend. These 80 well-designed projects are presented in a clear， easy-to follow style that addresses readers in an accessible， user-friendly tone.
Name：1801 Home remedies(治疗方案)
Cover price： $40.00
Our price： $29.96
Plenty of health complaints can be handled at home. Each and every remedy will be tested by a doctor to make sure it is safe and sound. Dozens of conditions are covered， from headaches， sunburn bad breath and blisters(起泡；起疮) to allergies， and hiccups(打嗝).
1.You can most probably read the passage in a
A.travel guide B.medicine booklet
C.textbook D.newspaper
2.How much money could you save if you want to buy a travel book
A.$10.20. B.$6.46.
C.$13.96. D.$19.80.
3.Which of the following could help you to deal with common diseases without a doctor?
A.Off the Beaten path.
B.Container gardens by Number.
C.1801 Home remedies.
D.Best Weekend Projects.
难度: 简单查看答案及解析