The sharing economy, represented by companies like Airbnb or Uber, is the latest fashion craze. But many supporters have overlooked the reality that this new business model is largely based on escaping regulations and breaking the law.
Airbnb is an internet-based service that allows people to rent out spare rooms to strangers for short stays. Uber is an internet taxi service that allows thousands of people to answer ride requests with their own cars. There are hundreds of other such services.
The good thing about the sharing economy is that it promotes the use of underused resources. Millions of people have houses or apartments with empty rooms, and Airbnb allows them to profit from these rooms while allowing guests a place to stay at prices that are often far less than those charged by hotels. Uber offers prices that are competitive with standard taxi prices and their drivers are often much quicker and more trustworthy.
But the downside of the sharing economy has gotten much less attention. Most cities and states both tax and regulate hotels, and the tourists who stay in hotels are usually an important source of tax income. But many of Airhnb’s customers are not paying the taxes required under the law.
Airbnb can also raise issues of safety for its customers and I trouble for hosts' neighbors. Hotels are regularly inspected(检查) to ensure that they are not fire traps and that they don't form other risks for visitors. Airbnb hosts face no such inspections.
Since Airbnb is allowing people to escape taxes and regulations, the company is simply promoting thefts. Others in the economy will lose by bearing an additional tax burden or being forced to live next to an apartment unit with a never-ending series of noisy visitors.
The same story may apply with Uber. Uber is currently in disputes over whether its cars meet the safety and insurance requirements imposed on standard taxis. Also, if Uber and related services flood the market, they could harm all taxi drivers' ability to earn a minimum wage.
This downside of the sharing needs to be taken seriously, but that doesn't mean the current tax and regulatory structure is perfect.
1.What is the positive thing about the sharing economy?
A. It makes use of spare resources.
B. It is beyond regulations.
C. It is a global trend.
D. It brings in modest profits.
2.What is the problem with Airbnb customers according to the passage?
A. They are not regularly inspected.
B. They may disturb hosts’ neighbours.
C. They are not allowed to escape taxes.
D. They are likely to commit thefts.
3.What is the argument over Uber according to the passage?
A. Whether it lowers customers' expenses.
B. Whether it provides reliable services.
C. Whether it guarantees customers' safety.
D. Whether it can compete with standard taxis.
4.What will be talked about in the following paragraphs?
A. Existing regulations and laws.
B. Necessary improvements of current laws.
C. Further development of Airbnb and Uber.
D. More downsides of Airbnb and Uber.
高二英语阅读理解困难题
The sharing economy, represented by companies like Airbnb or Uber, is the latest fashion craze. But many supporters have overlooked the reality that this new business model is largely based on escaping regulations and breaking the law.
Airbnb is an internet-based service that allows people to rent out spare rooms to strangers for short stays. Uber is an internet taxi service that allows thousands of people to answer ride requests with their own cars. There are hundreds of other such services.
The good thing about the sharing economy is that it promotes the use of underused resources. Millions of people have houses or apartments with empty rooms, and Airbnb allows them to profit from these rooms while allowing guests a place to stay at prices that are often far less than those charged by hotels. Uber offers prices that are competitive with standard taxi prices and their drivers are often much quicker and more trustworthy.
But the downside of the sharing economy has gotten much less attention. Most cities and states both tax and regulate hotels, and the tourists who stay in hotels are usually an important source of tax income. But many of Airhnb’s customers are not paying the taxes required under the law.
Airbnb can also raise issues of safety for its customers and I trouble for hosts' neighbors. Hotels are regularly inspected(检查) to ensure that they are not fire traps and that they don't form other risks for visitors. Airbnb hosts face no such inspections.
Since Airbnb is allowing people to escape taxes and regulations, the company is simply promoting thefts. Others in the economy will lose by bearing an additional tax burden or being forced to live next to an apartment unit with a never-ending series of noisy visitors.
The same story may apply with Uber. Uber is currently in disputes over whether its cars meet the safety and insurance requirements imposed on standard taxis. Also, if Uber and related services flood the market, they could harm all taxi drivers' ability to earn a minimum wage.
This downside of the sharing needs to be taken seriously, but that doesn't mean the current tax and regulatory structure is perfect.
1.What is the positive thing about the sharing economy?
A. It makes use of spare resources.
B. It is beyond regulations.
C. It is a global trend.
D. It brings in modest profits.
2.What is the problem with Airbnb customers according to the passage?
A. They are not regularly inspected.
B. They may disturb hosts’ neighbours.
C. They are not allowed to escape taxes.
D. They are likely to commit thefts.
3.What is the argument over Uber according to the passage?
A. Whether it lowers customers' expenses.
B. Whether it provides reliable services.
C. Whether it guarantees customers' safety.
D. Whether it can compete with standard taxis.
4.What will be talked about in the following paragraphs?
A. Existing regulations and laws.
B. Necessary improvements of current laws.
C. Further development of Airbnb and Uber.
D. More downsides of Airbnb and Uber.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
My partner wants to keep the company small _____ I’d like to expand it.
A. and B. or C. however D. while
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The sharing economy has grown in recent years to include everything from apartment sharing to car sharing to community tool sharing. Since 2000, a new form of sharing economy has been emerging in neighborhoods throughout the US and around the world- Little Free Library. The libraries are boxes placed in neighborhoods from which residents can take out and put in books. Little Free Maries come in all shapes and sizes. Some libraries also have themes, focusing on books for children, adults or tour guides.
In 2009, Tod Bol built the first Little Free Library as a gift to his mother, who was a devoted reader. When he saw the people of his community gathering around it, exchanging conversation as well as books, he knew he wanted to take his simple idea further. “I think Little Free Libraries open the door to conversations we want to have with each other,” Bol said.
Since then, his idea has become a movement, spreading from state to state and country to country. According to Little FreeLibrary, org, there are now 18, 000 of the little structures around the world, located in each of the 50 US states and 70 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries, But an Atlantic article says the little structures serve as a cure for a world of e-reader downloads. The little wooden boxes are refreshingly physical and human. For many people, the sense of discovery is Little Free Libraries’ main appeal. "A girl walking home from school might pick up a graphic novel that gets her excited about reading: a man on his way to the bus stop might find a volume of poetry that changes his outlook on life, "says the Atlantic article, "Every book is a potential source of inspiration”.
1.What was Bol’s purpose of building Little Free Library?
A. To help people in the community communicate often.
B. To make reading books spread around the world.
C. To help neighbors develop the habit of building libraries.
D. To give his mother a birthday Present.
2.How do Little Free Libraries get their books?
A. The communities bought them B. US government provided them.
C. Tod Bol donated them D. Local people shared them
3.What do we know about Little Free Library?
A. calls for people to write more books.
B. It was built up with the help of the Internet.
C. It offers people different kinds of books to read.
D. It needs big rooms to place many books in.
4.What can be inferred from the text?
A. Little Tree Library has replaced the e-book.
B. Little Free Library can make much difference to people.
C. Tod Bol developed Little Free Library on his own.
D. Tod Bol earned much money through Little Free Library
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The sharing economy has grown in recent years to include everything from apartment sharing to car sharing to community tool sharing. Since 2009, a new form of sharing economy has been appearing in neighborhoods throughout the US and around the world—— Little Free Library. The libraries are boxes placed in neighborhoods from which residents can withdraw (取出) and deposit (存入) books. Little Free Libraries come in all shapes and sizes. Some libraries also have themes, focusing on books for children, adults, or tour guides.
In 2009, Tod Bol built the first Little Free Library as a gift to his mother, who was a devoted reader. When he saw the people of his community gathering around it, exchanging conversation as well as books, he knew he wanted to take his simple idea further. “I think Little Free Libraries open the door to conversations we want to have with each other,” Bol said.
Since then, his idea has become a movement, spreading from state to state and country to country. According to Little FreeLibrary.org, there are now 18,000 of the little structures around the world, located in each of the 50 US states and 70 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries. But an Atlantic article says the little structures serve as a cure for a world of e-reader downloads. The little wooden boxes are refreshingly physical and human. For many people, the sense of discovery is Little Free Libraries’ main appeal. “A girl walking home from school might pick up a graphic novel that gets her excited about reading; a man on his way to the bus stop might find a volume of poetry that changes his outlook on life,” says the Atlantic article. “Every book is a potential source of inspiration”.
1.How do Little Free Libraries get their books?
A. The communities bought them. B. Tod Bol donated them.
C. US government provided them. D. Citizens shared them.
2.Why did Tod Bol want to build more Little Free Libraries?
A. They can offer neighbors more chances to talk.
B. He was inspired by the sharing economy.
C. He wanted to promote his idea worldwide.
D. They are a gift to please his mother.
3.What does the author of the Atlantic article believe?
A. Little Free Libraries are more popular than e-reader downloads.
B. E-reader downloads are undoubtedly beneficial.
C. Little Free Libraries are physical and human.
D. The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries.
4.Little Free Libraries attract readers most because ________.
A. they are in various shapes and sizes
B. they are located all over the world
C. they connect strangers together
D. they may give readers a sense of discovery
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The sharing economy has grown in recent years to include everything from apartment sharing to car sharing to community tool sharing. Since 2009, a new form of sharing economy has been emerging in neighborhoods throughout the US and around the world—— Little Free Library. The libraries are boxes placed in neighborhoods from which residents can withdraw (取出) and deposit (存入) books. Little Free Libraries come in all shapes and sizes. Some libraries also have themes, focusing on books for children, adults, or tour guides.
In 2009, Tod Bol built the first Little Free Library as a gift to his mother, who was a devoted reader. When he saw the people of his community gathering around it, exchanging conversation as well as books, he knew he wanted to take his simple idea further. “I think Little Free Libraries open the door to conversations we want to have with each other,” Bol said.
Since then, his idea has become a movement, spreading from state to state and country to country. According to Little FreeLibrary.org, there are now 18,000 of the little structures around the world, located in each of the 50 US states and 70 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries. But an Atlantic article says the little structures serve as a cure for a world of e-reader downloads. The little wooden boxes are refreshingly physical and human. For many people, the sense of discovery is Little Free Libraries’ main appeal. “A girl walking home from school might pick up a graphic novel that gets her excited about reading; a man on his way to the bus stop might find a volume of poetry that changes his outlook on life,” says the Atlantic article. “Every book is a potential source of inspiration”.
1. How do Little Free Libraries get their books?
A. The communities bought them.
B. Tod Bol donated them.
C. US government provided them.
D. Citizens shared them.
2.Why did Tod Bol want to build more Little Free Libraries?
A. They can offer neighbors more chances to talk.
B. He was inspired by the sharing economy.
C. He wanted to promote his idea worldwide.
D. They are a gift to please his mother.
3.What does the author of the Atlantic article believe?
A. Little Free Libraries are more popular than e-reader downloads.
B. E-reader downloads are undoubtedly beneficial.
C. Little Free Libraries are physical and human.
D. The Internet has helped to spread Little Free Libraries.
4. Little Free Libraries attract readers most in that ________.
A. they are in various shapes and sizes
B. they are located all over the world
C. they connect strangers together
D. they may give readers a sense of discovery
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Based on the State Information Center (SIC)’s definition for a sharing economy, payment for knowledge can be regarded as a process of turning knowledge into commercial products or services. To be specific, people can share their knowledge with others via Internet platforms, meanwhile bringing themselves extra income. These platforms, at the same time, earn their profits on that.
The year 2016 marked the beginning of knowledge payment in China. An investigation jointly conducted by Guokr and Netease’s online platforms shows that 70% of users have paid for online learning; while in 2015, the number was only 26%.
In may, 2016，Zhihu, a Chinese question-and-answer website, launched Zhihu Live (payment sharing). Within three days, these new platforms attracted over one million users. In June, Luo Zhenyu, founder of LUOgic Show, launched Li Xiang’s Commercial References on iget(得到网)，and within two days over four million users subscribed; in August, Z/"7m’s approval & tip function, Snowball O&A, Lenovo's Zhiliao Q&A came online; in September, Huxiu (虎嗅网)began to provide in-depth reports to VIP payment members. Other paid knowledge platforms such as Ximalaya FM, Douban，have also been developing their knowledge payment services.
People with a wealth of knowledge and experience in specific areas are the most likely to benefit from payment for knowledge. Senior managers in large multinational companies like Google, financial elites with top university backgrounds and well-known psychologists, can all profit from these online platforms. But the opportunities also favor the ordinary: a body-builder, a girl who traveled around the world, or a student that passed a postgraduate entry exam can all set up a live classroom. One hundred minutes of audio sharing cost ¥ 19.9 or $2.9, and thousands of users might pay and join the course, bringing those with specific knowledge remarkable income.
In the 2017 China’s Sharing Economy Development Report provided by the SIC，the turnover in China’s knowledge market measures about Y61 billion, or $9 billion，which is a 205% growth compared to last year; the number of payment for knowledge users reached 300 million, accounting for half of all Chinese Internet Users.
The investigation shows that, males are the majority of the users, accounting for nearly 60%: 25-35 year olds account for 59.3%, which mirrors the majority of Internet users, 63% of the paying users are college graduates, and 53.9% of the paying users have an income of Y3-8k,or $ 441-1176, and most are employees and junior management.
1.Which of the following is not developed initially to provide payment services?
A. Zhihu Live B. Zhiliao Q&A
C. LUOgic Show D. Snowball Q&A
2.What is the main idea of the passage?
A. People are willing to pay online for knowledge.
B. People are anxious to gain knowledge online.
C. Knowledge services are developing fast.
D. Sharing economy online is on the rise.
3.How is the passage developed?
A. By giving explanations. B. By making comparison.
C. By listing examples. D. By providing data.
4.Who is least likely to benefit from payment for knowledge?
A. A senior manager in Baidu. B. A boy in junior school.
C. A famous psychologist. D. An experienced traveler.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The ride-sharing company Uber has removed its self-driving cars from the streets of San Francisco,California. The action came after a dispute between Uber and state officials over whether the vehicles needed special permits to operate.
Uber recently launched testing of its self-driving service in San Francisco.But shortly after the launch, California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) told the company to stop the self-driving vehicles.State officials said the Uber cars needed the same special permit given to about 20 other companies testing self-driving technology in California.Uber argued that its technology does not make vehicles fully autonomous,and so the special permit was not needed.It added that all of Uber's "self-driving" cars have a driver sitting in the passenger seat to take over if needed.
The head of Uber's self-driving technology,Anthony Levandowski,explained the company's position in a blog post.He said the self-driving Uber vehicles do use high-technology tools to assist drivers.But they are not fully autonomous and require a driver to be at the controls at all times..He compared the technology to solar carmaker Tesla's advanced driver assist tools.Telsa's Autopilot system allows its cars to steer in a lane,change lanes,and speed up or slow down based on nearby traffic.The company tells drivers that,when using Autopilot,they should still always be ready to take control of the vehicle.Vehicles equipped with these high-tech driver assist tools do not need a special permit to operate in California.
It's hard to understand why the DMV would seek to require self-driving Ubers to get permits when it accepts that Tesla's autopilot technology does not need them,"Levandowski wrote.San Francisco's mayor,Ed Lee,praised the DMV for stopping Uber's self-driving vehicles.He said he supports self-driving development and testing.But only under conditions that put human bicyclists' and pedestrian safety first."
1.What does the underlined word "dispute" in Paragraph 1 mean?
A. Discussion. B. Disagreement.
C. Fighting. D. Meeting.
2.Why does Uber say that the special permit was not needed?
A. Because Uber's "self driving" cars are fully autonomous.
B. Because there are passenger seats in Uber's "self-driving" cars.
C. Because no drivers are needed in some Uber's "self-driving" cars.
D. Because Uber's "self-driving" cars can be operated by humans when necessary.
3.What can we know from the passage?
A. Uber's self-driving cars need human drivers.
B. Telsa's Autopilot needs special permits too.
C. Uber's self-driving cars are completely autonomous.
D. Telsa's Autopilot system is better than Uber's self-driving technology.
4.What can we infer from Ed Lee's words?
A. He doesn't think DMV is right.
B. Uber's self-driving cars should he supported.
C. Uber's serf-driving cars are not safe enough.
D. One should be careful while walking or cycling in streets.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
The bike-sharing companies that are powering a transportation revolution in China’s urban centers are not like those in the rest of the world. Their bikes have no docking ports or assigned zones for parking. Instead, riders open their smartphone apps, hop on, and start riding. So easy!
In 2015, Ofo, China’s bike-share pioneer, launched its first fleet of bicycles in Beijing. The bikes’ bright yellow frames were soon met by the orange-rimmed（镶边）, basket-equipped models launched by Mobike, Ofo’s main competitor today. In little over a year, the two companies have had a huge impact on revitalizing (重振) cycling in China, particularly among young people.
Ofo placed 1 million bicycles across 35 cities and registered 15 million users in its first years, while Mobike has now gained more than 10 million unique users and bicycles in 21 cities. Inspired by their success, at least 10 other companies have jumped into the market, launching their own app-powered, brightly colored bikes in quick succession. But Mobike and Ofo are far ahead of them.
The two industry leaders each take a different marketing method to a similar product. The Mobike app uses GPS to display bikes’ locations to users. They can use the map to reserve a bike and walk over to it. A scan of the bike’s QR code (二维码) unlocks the bike, and when users manually（手动地） lock the bike at the end of their trip, the app records the trip’s end and the bike will pop back up on the map as available. Equipped with this wireless technology, Mobikes cost between 1,000 and 3,000 yuan. Rides cost 1 yuan for an hour or a half hour, depending on whether a user chooses a “Lite” or regular bike, and the deposit (押金) required to the service is 299 yuan.
Ofo, meanwhile, is devoted not just to producing its own bikes, which have slim yellow bodies and cost about 250 yuan, but also to connecting existing bikes to its network----- a philosophy that begins with the practice of 2000 bikes offered to a campus bike-share program. The 2000 bikes were the first generation of Ofo. Yet the majority of the company’s bikes are currently ones that have been specially manufactured and fitted with their lock system. Unlike Mobike,Ofo bikes themselves are offline: their locations are tracked through users’ cell phones. Users find a free bike, enter the license plate number into their app, and receive the bike unlock code. When they have reached their destination, they end the ride on the app and manually lock the bike. Rides cost 1 yuan for an hour and the deposit is 99 yuan.
1.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The bike rides based on apps are available whenever you need.
B. The bike body in bright color only attracts young people to choose cycling.
C. Ofo knows their bikes’ location by scanning the bike’s QR code.
D. The bikes are locked automatically when the users reached their destination.
2.Which of the following is close to the meaning of the underlined word “succession ”in the 3rd paragraph?
A. successful experience. B. movement to action.
C. continuous process . D. production line.
3.How are Ofo bikes different from Mobikes?
① no need for online condition.
② without their own lock system.
③ not only to produce ofo bikes but also put existing ones to use.
④ to unlock the bike through app.
⑤ to lock the bike by QR code
A. ①②⑤ B. ②③④
C. ②④⑤ D. ①③④
4.What is the best title of the passage?
A. Bike-sharing business models: Mobike and Ofo.
B. A real transportation innovation（创新）: app-powered bicycles.
C. The successful secret of two bike-sharing companies.
D. Cool experience of app-powered bicycles.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Hi, I’m your tooth. I’ve been asked to represent the rest of your teeth. We need your help. We like to be clean when you show us off with your big, wide smiles.
First, let me tell you a little about us. You weren’t born with the baby teeth, they developed when you were about six or seven months old. You went from milk to real food in no time thanks to your twenty primary teeth. Eventually, they loosened and fell out, one at a time, probably about the time you were six or seven years old.
Then we came into your life. We are your permanent teeth, all twenty-eight of us. Some people may even have thirty-two depending on those wisdom teeth in the back. Sometimes they are able to help, and sometimes they cause trouble. Many times wisdom teeth are sideways and have to be pulled. Some people don’t even have them at all!
On a more personal note, I am an incisor, and you have seven more just like me, here in the front of your mouth. We do the biting on those chocolate chip cookies you like so much. Next to us are the canines, four sharp teeth, two on either side. Their job is to tear food; pizza is a good one for them. Behind them are eight premolars and eight to twelve molars, depending on those wisdom teeth. The molars do the majority of the work chewing the food that you eat. They do a great job on those carrots you like so much!
Did you know we not only help you bite and chew but also help you talk? That’s right. Try to say “tooth” without letting your tongue touch the back of your teeth. It sounds pretty funny, doesn’t it?
1.How many teeth does a four-year-old boy usually have according to the passage?
A. 20. B. 24. C. 28. D. 32.
2.Why are the wisdom teeth pulled sometimes?
A. Because they are useless.
B. Because they are in the back.
C. Because they are ugly.
D. Because they grow in wrong directions.
3.The word “I” in the passage refers to a _____.
A. wisdom tooth B. baby tooth
C. molar D. permanent tooth
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The latest report has declared that the Chinese economy is ______ steadily, supported by increasing consumption, stable export volumes, and the government's reform policies.
A. holding up B. picking up C. turning up D. standing up
高二英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析