The tough economy is bringing new shoppers to the secondhand market. Plato’s Closet in Charlotte, NC is a private company which mainly buys and sells used clothes. While Charlotte has outstanding secondhand stores offering high-end and sophisticated (高雅时尚的) brands for women, most of their stock applies to adults. Plato's Closet targets teens and those in their 20s.Plato's Closet, with stores in Matthews and the university area, sells clothes and accessories (装饰品) that are currently popular at up to 70 percent off retail prices (零售价).
The two hottest brands, for buying and selling, are Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. Even though the offerings tend to be suitable for young people, there are a variety of shoppers at Plato's Closet of varying ages. Women in their 30s; 40s and older could easily find a purse, jacket or piece of jewelry they like.
Customer Beth Gibbs, 52, who has three teenage daughters, said she used to shop at name-brand stores, but “this year I'm shopping more in secondhand stores”, because of the economy.
If you're selling
Unlike higher-end resale stores which usually work on consignment (寄售), Plato's Closet buys on the spot.
Items can be gently used, but must be in very good condition.
Clothes should be less than two years old and styles should be the same as those still being sold at the shopping center.
There is no negotiation; prices are set company-wide. If what you sell amounts to $30 or less, they'll give you cash. More than that, you'll get a Visa cash card.
Secondhand success
Don't get discouraged if you can't find something on your first trip. Resale shops are always getting new lists of goods and change their styles with each season.
Be sure to check each piece carefully before buying.
Price comparison
Jackets: New York & Company black blazer, $12; retail: $37.
Pants: Express Editor-style pants, $12; retail: $69.90.
Shoes: Nine West black peep-toe pumps, $12; retail: $89.
Jewelry: Necklaces, $3-$5; retail: $18-$30. (365)
1.What is the difference between Plato's Closet and other resale shops?
A.They offer service for people of different ages. |
B.The offerings in Plato's Closet are more expensive. |
C.Plato's Closet only offers high-end brands for women. |
D.Plato's Closet also sells books to the customers. |
2.Which of the following about Plato's Closet is NOT true?
A.Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch are the two hottest brands in Plato's Closet. |
B.Only young people can buy proper clothes and accessories in Plato's Closet. |
C.Goods in Plato's Closet are sold at up to 70 percent off retail prices. |
D.Plato's Closet targets teens and those in their 20s. |
3.In Plato s Closet, which of the following is not accepted?
A.Items you sell must be. in very good condition. |
B.You can bargain with buyers about the prices of goods. |
C.The clothes you sell should be less than two years old. |
D.You can sell your goods on the spot instead of on consignment. |
4. If you buy a pair of Express Editor-style pants in Plato's Closet, you can save_______.
A.57.9 dollars | B.44 dollars | C.77 dollars | D.25 dollars |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
The tough economy is bringing new shoppers to the secondhand market. Plato’s Closet in Charlotte, NC is a private company which mainly buys and sells used clothes. While Charlotte has outstanding secondhand stores offering high-end and sophisticated (高雅时尚的) brands for women, most of their stock applies to adults. Plato's Closet targets teens and those in their 20s.Plato's Closet, with stores in Matthews and the university area, sells clothes and accessories (装饰品) that are currently popular at up to 70 percent off retail prices (零售价).
The two hottest brands, for buying and selling, are Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch. Even though the offerings tend to be suitable for young people, there are a variety of shoppers at Plato's Closet of varying ages. Women in their 30s; 40s and older could easily find a purse, jacket or piece of jewelry they like.
Customer Beth Gibbs, 52, who has three teenage daughters, said she used to shop at name-brand stores, but “this year I'm shopping more in secondhand stores”, because of the economy.
If you're selling
Unlike higher-end resale stores which usually work on consignment (寄售), Plato's Closet buys on the spot.
Items can be gently used, but must be in very good condition.
Clothes should be less than two years old and styles should be the same as those still being sold at the shopping center.
There is no negotiation; prices are set company-wide. If what you sell amounts to $30 or less, they'll give you cash. More than that, you'll get a Visa cash card.
Secondhand success
Don't get discouraged if you can't find something on your first trip. Resale shops are always getting new lists of goods and change their styles with each season.
Be sure to check each piece carefully before buying.
Price comparison
Jackets: New York & Company black blazer, $12; retail: $37.
Pants: Express Editor-style pants, $12; retail: $69.90.
Shoes: Nine West black peep-toe pumps, $12; retail: $89.
Jewelry: Necklaces, $3-$5; retail: $18-$30. (365)
1.What is the difference between Plato's Closet and other resale shops?
A.They offer service for people of different ages. |
B.The offerings in Plato's Closet are more expensive. |
C.Plato's Closet only offers high-end brands for women. |
D.Plato's Closet also sells books to the customers. |
2.Which of the following about Plato's Closet is NOT true?
A.Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch are the two hottest brands in Plato's Closet. |
B.Only young people can buy proper clothes and accessories in Plato's Closet. |
C.Goods in Plato's Closet are sold at up to 70 percent off retail prices. |
D.Plato's Closet targets teens and those in their 20s. |
3.In Plato s Closet, which of the following is not accepted?
A.Items you sell must be. in very good condition. |
B.You can bargain with buyers about the prices of goods. |
C.The clothes you sell should be less than two years old. |
D.You can sell your goods on the spot instead of on consignment. |
4. If you buy a pair of Express Editor-style pants in Plato's Closet, you can save_______.
A.57.9 dollars | B.44 dollars | C.77 dollars | D.25 dollars |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The new minister is taking measures aimed at the economy to full strength.
A.seizing | B.restoring | C.striking | D.casting |
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The new discovery of oil is of great ______ to this area’s economy.
A. performance B. significance
C. satisfaction D. assumption
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
A new era is upon us. Call it what you will: the service economy, the information age, the knowledge society. It has changed the way we work. Already we’re partly there. The percentage of people who earn their living by making things has fallen dramatically in the Western World. Today the majority of jobs in America, Europe and Japan (two thirds or more in many of these countries) are in the service industry, and the number is on the rise. More women are in the work force than ever before. There are more part-time jobs. More people are self-employed. But the breadth (广度) of the economic transformation can’t be measured by numbers alone, because it also is giving rise to a basic new way of thinking about the nature of work itself. Long-held concepts about jobs and careers, the skills needed to succeed, even the relation between individuals and employers — all these are being challenged.
We have only to look behind us to get some sense of what may lie ahead. No one looking ahead 20 years possibly could have foreseen the ways in which a single invention, the chip (芯片), would transform our world thanks to its applications in personal computers, digital communications and factory robots. Tomorrow’s achievements in biotechnology, artificial intelligence or even some still unimagined technology could produce a similar wave of dramatic changes. But one thing is certain: information and knowledge will become even more important, and the people who possess it, whether they work in manufacturing (制造业) or services, will have the advantage and produce the wealth. Computer knowledge will become as basic a requirement as the ability to read and write. The ability to solve problems by applying information instead of performing routine tasks will be valued above all else. If you cast your mind ahead 10 years, information services will be predominant (最重要的). It will be the way you do your job.
1.One of the great changes caused by the knowledge society is that ______.
A.most people have to take part-time jobs |
B.people have to change their jobs from time to time |
C.people’s traditional concepts about work are no longer completely true |
D.the difference between the employee and the employer has become unimportant |
2.The future will probably belong to those who ______.
A.have more brains |
B.are involved in the service industries |
C.cast their mind ahead instead of looking back |
D.possess and know how to make use of information |
3.Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?
A.Computers and the knowledge society |
B.Features and meanings of the New Era |
C.Service Industries in the Modern Society |
D.Rapid Advancement of Information Technology |
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
A new case study says Chinese companies face tough _____in the US and have a long way to go to be successful.
A. challenges B. campaigns C. motivations D. dilemmas
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
In the global economy, a new drug for cancer, ________ it is discovered, will create many economic possibilities around the world.
A. whatever B. whoever C. wherever D. whichever
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Europe’s busiest shopping street
London is a shopper’s paradise(天堂), and one of the best places to go is Oxford Street. Selfridges, one of the world’s first department stores, is here. There are at least four other major stores and Europe’s largest music shop. In December the Christmas lights are always switched on by a famous person.
Kids’ heaven
Nearby in Regent Street is Hamleys. This is the biggest toy store in the world, opened in 1881. There are seven floors, so kids can always find something they haven’t got.
Markets
You can’t leave London without visiting a market. One of the oldest is Borough market. Walk around and look at the fresh fish, bakeries, and fruit and vegetable sellers. You can also buy specialist food, like cheeses, pork pies and chutney. For antiques(古玩), jewellery or collector’s items go to Portobello Road on a Saturday. You never know what you will find. If you like browsing(浏览)for jewellery and gifts, there is nothing better than Covent Garden market. There are lots of cafés here and always some kind of street entertainment.
Back in time
If you are in the north of England, why not explore York’s picturesque medieval(中世纪的)quarter, known as The Shambles. The narrow streets are always filled with shoppers. The old wooden buildings are so close they almost touch each other.
1.Oxford Street becomes special in December for ________.
A. the busiest shopping street in Europe
B. the largest music shop in Europe
C. the lights are always lighted by a famous person
D. many bargains to choose from
2.To enjoy food, you can go to ________.
A. Borough market B. Portobello Road
C. The Shambles D. Covent Garden market
3.Where is this passage probably taken from?
A. A science book B. A traveler’s journal
C. A news report D. A trip guide
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Decision-makers will take a __________ approach to opening new stores as the global economy slows down.
A. cautious B. concise C. vital D. severe
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Each spring brings a new wildflower blooming in the fields along the highway I travel daily to work. There is one particular blue flower that has always caught my eye. I've noticed that it blooms only in the morning hours. The afternoon sun is too warm for it. Every day each year for about two weeks, I see those beautiful flowers.
This spring, I started a wildflower garden in my yard. I can look out of the kitchen window while doing the dishes and see the flowers. I've often thought that those lovely blue flowers from the fields would look great in that bed alongside other wildflowers.
Every day I drove past the flowers, thinking, "I'll stop on my way home and dig them." "Gee, I don't want to get my good clothes dirty…" Whatever the reason, I never stopped to dig them. My husband even gave me a tool one year for that expressed purpose.
One day on my way home from work, I was saddened to see that the highway department had cleared up the fields and the pretty blue flowers were gone. I thought to myself, "Way to go, you waited too long. You should have done it when you first saw them blooming this spring. "
A week ago we were shocked and saddened to learn that my oldest sister-in-law has a cancer. She is 20 years older than my husband and unfortunately, because of age and distance, we haven't been as close as we all would have liked.
I couldn't help but see the connection between the pretty blue flowers and the relationship between my husband's sister and us. I do believe that God has given us some time left to plant some wonderful memories that will bloom every year for us.
And yes, if I see the blue flowers again, I'm sure I'll stop and transplant them to my wildflower garden.
1. How long might the blue flower bloom in spring?
A.The whole day. B.The whole season.
C.About one week. D.About two weeks
2. Where did the writer want to transplant the flowers?
A.In the garden B.Along the highway.
C.Across the fields. D.Outside the yard.
3. Which of the following is NOT true about the writer's sister-in-law?
A.She is seriously ill.
B.She is twenty years old.
C.She lives far away from the writer.
D.She is not in close touch with the writer.
4. What does the writer want to tell us?
A.Refresh our wonderful moments every year.
B.Visit our relatives only after they get ill.
C.Value now and don't lose chances.
D.Plant flowers and don't enjoy them in the field.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Each spring brings a new wildflower blooming in the fields along the highway I travel daily to work.
There is one particular blue flower that has always caught my eye. I've noticed that it blooms only in the morning hours. The afternoon sun is too warm for it. Every day each year for about two weeks, I see those beautiful flowers.
This spring, I started a wildflower garden in my yard. I can look out of the kitchen window while doing the dishes and see the flowers. I've often thought that those lovely blue flowers from the fields would look great in that bed alongside other wildflowers.
Every day I drove past the flowers, thinking, "I'll stop on my way home and dig them." "Gee, I don't want to get my good clothes dirty…" Whatever the reason, I never stopped to dig them. My husband even gave me a tool one year for that expressed purpose.
One day on my way home from work, I was saddened to see that the highway department had cleared up the fields and the pretty blue flowers were gone. I thought to myself, "Way to go, you waited too long. You should have done it when you first saw them blooming this spring. "
A week ago we were shocked and saddened to learn that my oldest sister-in-law has a cancer. She is 20 years older than my husband and unfortunately, because of age and distance, we haven't been as close as we all would have liked.
I couldn't help but see the connection between the pretty blue flowers and the relationship between my husband's sister and us. I do believe that God has given us some time left to plant some wonderful memories that will bloom every year for us.
And yes, if I see the blue flowers again, I'm sure I'll stop and transplant them to my wildflower garden.
1.How long might the blue flower bloom in spring?
A. About two weeks. B. The whole season.
C. About one week. D. The whole day.
2.Where did the writer want to transplant the flowers?
A. Across the fields. B. Along the highway.
C. In the garden. D. Outside the yard.
3.Which of the following is NOT true about the writer's sister-in-law?
A. She is seriously ill.
B. She is twenty years old.
C. She lives far away from the writer.
D. She is not in close touch with the writer.
4.What does the writer want to tell us?
A. Value now and don't lose chances.
B. Visit our relatives only after they get ill.
C. Refresh our wonderful moments every year.
D. Plant flowers and don't enjoy them in the field.
高二英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析