Showrooming
One of the biggest challenges facing brick-and-mortar retailers(实体零售店) in recent years has been the “showrooming”．Driven by the desire to get the best prices, many shoppers are now visiting brick-and-mortar stores to personally check on products that interest them, only to leave and then buy the items online．The new trend is forcing retailers to find out new ways to keep consumers from leaving their store for cheaper prices online.
Recent research found that 40 percent of U.S．shoppers have showroomed previously, with big-box retailers suffering the most．Specifically, the study shows that Best Buy, Walmart and Target are the most likely brick-and-mortar stores to have shoppers test out a product in-store and then purchase it online later, while Amazon is benefiting most from the practice, with nearly 60 percent of shoppers using the online retail giant(巨人) most often to make their showrooming purchases.
Smartphones have pushed showrooming into the front．Shoppers no longer have to wait until they get home to see if they can find a cheaper price for the products they’re considering buying．With smartphones, consumers can now compare virtual prices, at both other brick-and-mortar stores and online ones while still inside a retail store．If they can find what they’re seeking for less online, the majority will be seeking the first exit．A recent study showed that 45 percent of customers shopping at brick-and-mortar stores walk out and buy their purchase online for a discount of as little as 2.5 percent．
This puts pressure on retailers to provide both an in-store experience worth staying for and an online presence that can attract shoppers who are showrooming in other businesses.
To cut down on showrooming, many retailers are adopting new methods to keep shoppers in their stores．Among the steps they’re taking are price-matching guarantees that allow shoppers to pay a discounted price if they find it cheaper online．This ensures that even a showrooming shopper can make the purchase in the store—regardless of whether they find the cheaper price online.
Another popular method to fight against showrooming is to give shoppers the ability to buy something online and pick it up at the store．This reduces shipping costs and gets customers in the store, where they may be encouraged to make an additional purchase．
It is also important for businesses to take into consideration what makes shoppers purchase something in-store rather than online, and meet those needs．Research has found that more than 8 in 10 Americans consider being able to take the goods home immediately and the ability to touch and feel them—the most important aspects when deciding to purchase in a store rather than online.
1.According to the passage, a showrooming shopper tends to ______.
A． pay for everything online
B． have better bargaining skills
C． rush to buy things in a store
D． purchase online for a lower price
2.What contributes to the growing popularity of showrooming?
A． The wide use of smartphones．
B． The competition between big stores.
C． The advertisement by online retail giants.
D． The decline of the brick-and-mortar stores.
3.The underlined words “seeking the first exit” in Paragraph 3 probably mean ______.
A． searching for lower prices
B． leaving as soon as possible
C． locating the first exit quickly
D． making a purchase on the spot
4.The last three paragraphs mainly talk about ways of ______.
A． increasing sales at stores
B． preventing purchase online
C． satisfying customers’ needs
D． advising shoppers to buy more
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Showrooming
One of the biggest challenges facing brick-and-mortar retailers(实体零售店) in recent years has been the “showrooming”．Driven by the desire to get the best prices, many shoppers are now visiting brick-and-mortar stores to personally check on products that interest them, only to leave and then buy the items online．The new trend is forcing retailers to find out new ways to keep consumers from leaving their store for cheaper prices online.
Recent research found that 40 percent of U.S．shoppers have showroomed previously, with big-box retailers suffering the most．Specifically, the study shows that Best Buy, Walmart and Target are the most likely brick-and-mortar stores to have shoppers test out a product in-store and then purchase it online later, while Amazon is benefiting most from the practice, with nearly 60 percent of shoppers using the online retail giant(巨人) most often to make their showrooming purchases.
Smartphones have pushed showrooming into the front．Shoppers no longer have to wait until they get home to see if they can find a cheaper price for the products they’re considering buying．With smartphones, consumers can now compare virtual prices, at both other brick-and-mortar stores and online ones while still inside a retail store．If they can find what they’re seeking for less online, the majority will be seeking the first exit．A recent study showed that 45 percent of customers shopping at brick-and-mortar stores walk out and buy their purchase online for a discount of as little as 2.5 percent．
This puts pressure on retailers to provide both an in-store experience worth staying for and an online presence that can attract shoppers who are showrooming in other businesses.
To cut down on showrooming, many retailers are adopting new methods to keep shoppers in their stores．Among the steps they’re taking are price-matching guarantees that allow shoppers to pay a discounted price if they find it cheaper online．This ensures that even a showrooming shopper can make the purchase in the store—regardless of whether they find the cheaper price online.
Another popular method to fight against showrooming is to give shoppers the ability to buy something online and pick it up at the store．This reduces shipping costs and gets customers in the store, where they may be encouraged to make an additional purchase．
It is also important for businesses to take into consideration what makes shoppers purchase something in-store rather than online, and meet those needs．Research has found that more than 8 in 10 Americans consider being able to take the goods home immediately and the ability to touch and feel them—the most important aspects when deciding to purchase in a store rather than online.
1.According to the passage, a showrooming shopper tends to ______.
A． pay for everything online
B． have better bargaining skills
C． rush to buy things in a store
D． purchase online for a lower price
2.What contributes to the growing popularity of showrooming?
A． The wide use of smartphones．
B． The competition between big stores.
C． The advertisement by online retail giants.
D． The decline of the brick-and-mortar stores.
3.The underlined words “seeking the first exit” in Paragraph 3 probably mean ______.
A． searching for lower prices
B． leaving as soon as possible
C． locating the first exit quickly
D． making a purchase on the spot
4.The last three paragraphs mainly talk about ways of ______.
A． increasing sales at stores
B． preventing purchase online
C． satisfying customers’ needs
D． advising shoppers to buy more
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
One of the biggest challenges1.(face) students today is how to concentrate on studies.Almost all of them are struggling for their concentration power.In an age2.mobile phones and Internet are eating up most of our time and energy,one can understand how different it is to focus attention and energy on studies.
One of the most important3.(factor) for developing concentration on a task,whether it is study or anything else,4.(be) to develop an interest in that task.We are able to focus5.(easy)and more long periods of time on tasks that we find more interesting.If you ever want to concentrate on anything and studies are no6.(expect),you need7.(ensure) that the environmental around you is distraction（注意力分散）free.So the question is not how to concentrate on studies8.how to avoid distractions that have swallowed up mankind today.The only way to guarantee9.distraction free environment is by getting rid of all the unnecessary things around you,including the electronic gadgets（小器具）10.mobile phones.
高三英语短文填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
One of the biggest challenges facing students and their families is what career they should enter and what is the best path for them to take.
I was talking to someone the other day who told me he first studied accounting because that was what everyone was studying several years ago. It was and some say still is a reliable career. However, then he told me that he was now studying financial investment because again--- that’s what everyone was studying now and it was needed if he wanted to get ahead in the company.
And I asked him what he was actually interested in and then— well the conversation kind of died. So I asked why he had bothered studying accounting in the first place and he explained that it was his parents’ idea. Finally I asked what his passion was and he wasn’t too sure because he never thought about it.
And so it is— lifelong learning— or the continual need to make ourselves marketable in a world that appears to be more competitive as time goes by. Is there a secret to help us so we can live a life of quality?
Regardless or not at this stage in world history with increasing connection between people,
ideas and markets — the ability to match the needs and desires of the day with your own skills and products is a tremendous and vigorous challenge.
Many have gone into English or foreign language study because it was encouraged at the time when China was entering the WTO. Or maybe they were interested in international affairs or working abroad. Upon graduation they then faced the reality that there was a limit to how many jobs they could apply for.
Perhaps some then studied further doing courses for work such as a tour guide or translator/ interpreter. Many may have decided that going into teaching was more rewarding or stable. Others would have gone into media or advertising or conference management and acquired new skills along the way.
This constant quest to remain ahead of the game makes many upset and exhausted. Some futurists who examine technology have even predicted that people should expect to change careers six or seven times during their lifetime!
So if you are concerned by the nature of change, why not start spending more time looking at the most modern leading economies, institutions and their publications. A whole lot of changes are starting to happen yet there is no reason why this cannot be enjoyable, exciting and also rewarding. Our attitude, approach and willingness to continually learn and update our skills must remain strong.
My tip is to track the work that our government is setting about to achieve. In particular, look at the people who have been chosen as the key support team and try to read behind the light surface news and look at their career development and examine the recent reports that they are now recommending the government move towards. Key industry development, new ways of dealing with information and new demands are creating opportunities for the students and workers of tomorrow — if we stay prepared.
1.Who is this article intended for?
A．Government administrators.
B．Students planning their careers.
C．Foreign language learners.
D．Professors designing courses.
2.The case of the student who first studied accounting and then financial investment shows ______.
A．many people decide their majors without knowing their own interest
B．parents’ decisions are always blind and will result in a life of low quality
C．accounting and financial investment are necessary to ensure a reliable career.
D．people never have a chance to think about their own interest in choosing career.
3.In the writer’s opinion, to make yourself competitive in the changing world today is _____.
A．exhausting B．disappointing C．unbelievable D．necessary
4.According to the writer, lifetime learning can be exciting if ______.
A．we are prepared for the changes
B．we know who President has on his support team
C．we read the publications of advanced institutions
D．we learn English or some other foreign languages
5.Whoever has been chosen as the key support team of the government _______.
A．shows the government’s interest in new information
B．enables you to find out how hard-working these people are
C．indicates the direction the economy is developing
D．reveals the government encourages creative young people
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
The biggest challenge faced by travelers especially those who like to have a hiking trip is how to ensure a steady supply of clean clothes. Now, thanks to a great invention called Scrubba Wash Pack, that worry may be a thing of the past.
The portable washing machine was invented by Ash Newland in 2010, while planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Struck by the limited packing space, he got inspiration from traditional washboards to create a bag that could be used to clean clothes. Then he gave up his career as a lawyer and focused on perfecting the bag’s design. By 2012, the bag was ready for the public. It weighed only 180 grams and required very little storage space, making it perfect for anyone wishing to travel light.
Not surprisingly, the bag worth 55 dollars was an instant hit with travelers, university students and even passengers. However, Newland was not satisfied. He still saw a disadvantage with his invention – dirty clothes had to be carried around in a separate bag! The recently introduced Scrubba Wash Pack solves that problem.
In order to make the pack active, dirty clothes are placed inside the bag along with two to three liters of water. The bag is then shut tightly to ensure all air is squeezed out and the clothes are massaged (揉搓) for a few minutes. After a quick wash, they are clean and ready to be dried. According to Newland, the pack can clean anything from jeans to smelly socks! What’s even
more amazing is that with a capacity to hold 13 liters of water, it can be used to wash more clothes at a time.
The best part is that the 99-dollar pack that will be available for sale later this year, only weighs 300 grams and is completely foldable, making it easy to store when it’s not in use. With the Scrubba Wash Pack, wandering through foreign cities searching for a washing shop, or paying for washing machines may soon be a thing of the past!
1.What aroused Ash Newland’s desire to create the Scrubba Wash Bag?
A.Travelers’ requirements. B.His own experience.
C.His dream of invention. D.A traditional washboard.
2.Why wasn’t Ash Newland satisfied with his former invention?
A.The bag was not convenient enough.
B.The bag was not popular with travelers.
C.The bag couldn’t wash more clothes at a time.
D.The bag couldn’t be folded up.
3.Which word can best replace the underlined word in paragraph4?
A.Blown. B.Pushed
C.Figured. D.Run.
4.It can be inferred that the improved Wash Pack ______.
A.will lighten the burden on housewives
B.will replace the traditional washing machines
C.will be widely used by more travelers in the future
D.can encourage more people to travel a long distance
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
“What is the biggest challenge of graduate school?” an undergraduate asked the group of graduate students at an event I helped organize last summer. “Not letting the support from my community turn into pressure,” one member responded. That answer might have surprised some, who probably expected to hear about experiments that didn't work or trudging through academic materials. But I understood exactly what she meant.
Throughout my education, friends and family have expected me to take advantage of every opportunity I come across because I may not get the same chance again. They expect me to give outstanding performances everywhere I go because I represent them and our culture. Mentors(导师) expect that I will never give up. This has been a great source of motivation, but also of pressure.
I remembered a conversation with a mentor. At the end of my first year of graduate school, I struggled with a strong desire to leave the program with a master's degree. I was accustomed to hearing “Don't give up” and “You have to finish”-words that were meant to be motivational. Instead, they made me feel I would be a disappointment if I left. After I discussed the pros and cons of leaving with my mentor, she responded completely different from what I expected. “I support any decision you make,” she said. “I will always be proud of you and your achievements.” Hearing this simple, direct statement of support, I felt every muscle of my body loosen.
My mentor knew the right thing to say, but we can't expect the same from everyone. Sometimes, friends and family ask me, “How long until you get your degree?” As many graduate students will agree, this question is a stress starter. Now, when people in my community-always with the best intentions-say something that creates pressure and makes me feel bad, I tell them and we talk about it. I tell them that I prefer to hear, “Do you need someone to talk to? How can I help you through this rough time?” This was a bit awkward at first. But I've started to notice a change. These days, I get fewer stress-inducing(引起压力的) questions and comments.
1.Which can replace the underlined word “trudging” in paragraph 1?
A.Struggling. B.Seeing.
C.Breaking. D.Cutting.
2.What can be inferred from paragraph 3 about the author?
A.He was afraid to leave his program.
B.He appreciated what his mentor said.
C.He preferred to discuss pros and cons.
D.He had a strong desire to get a master's degree.
3.Which does the author prefer to hear when he needs support?
A.Never give up!
B.How about a chat?
C.Have you prepared for the result?
D.Go ahead! I will back you up!
4.What's the main idea of the text?
A.Value the source of inspiration from your community.
B.Communicate with your community more about study.
C.Find a way to block out support from your community.
D.Let support from your community become less stressful.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Robots will have taken over most jobs within 30 years leaving humanity facing its “biggest challenger ever” to find meaning in life when work is no longer necessary according to experts.
Professor Moshe Vardi, who works in Rice University, says that many middle-class professionals will be assisting the work of machines within the next few decades leaving workers more leisure（休闲）time than they have ever experienced and as a result, the rise of robots could lead to unemployment rate greater than 50 percent.
“We are approaching a time when machines will be able to do better than humans at almost any task,” said Vardi, “Robots are doing more and more jobs that people used to do. I believe that society needs to face question before it’s upon us. If machines can do almost any work humans can do, what will humans do? The question I want to put forward is, ‘Does the technology we are developing finally benefit mankind?’”
Prof. Vardi said existing robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies were already getting rid of a growing number of middle-class jobs and that pace of advancement in the field is increasing.
But Prof. Vardi is not sure that a workforce of human like robots will be good for mankind. “A typical answer is that if machines will do all our work, we will be free to pursue leisure activities,” he said. “I do not find this a promising future, as I do not find the idea of leisure-only life appealing. I believe that work is essential to human well-being.” He added, “Humanity is about to face perhaps its greatest challenge ever, which is finding meaning in life. If machines can do all the work or even 50 percent of the jobs that we used to do, what will people do?”
1.According to the text, what is human’s “biggest challenge ever”?
A.The most challenging jobs.
B.Seeking the significance of life.
C.The rise of unemployment rates.
D.No necessary work for humanity.
2.What is Prof. Vardi concerned about?
A.Whether robotic and AI technologies are good for humans.
B.Whether robots can rule humans within 30 years.
C.The unemployment rate is increasing greatly.
D.The development of robots is rapid enough.
3.What does Prof. Vardi think of the leisure-only life?
A.Realistic and comfortable.
B.Unpleasant and unattractive.
C.Entertaining and pleasing.
D.Disgusting and annoying.
4.We can infer from the text that we ________ in the future.
A.will be in short of labor force
B.can have a surplus of products
C.have to face fierce competition
D.may lose the value of life
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
One of the big challenges that students face in applying to universities abroad is writing the application essay．
The essay topics all have something in common. They attempt to get at what type of person you are, what motivates you，and what you feel passion for. In a single 500-word piece of writing，
admissions officers(招生负责人)attempt to gather all about you. So your task is of your personality on the essay and make yourself special.
You can try and guess what the admissions officers like. But that won’t work．The essay will sound empty and become another dull piece of writing，which admissions officers get thousands of each year．
It is true that admissions officers aren’t exactly looking for anything. The answer is just as open-ended as the question itself. If they ask for someone who has inspired you, it could be anyone. It could be a grandmother, a teacher, or even a character from a movie. A lot of people will say their dad. But since you really feel it, you’ll have a lot to write about.
There are some important things to remember．These admissions officers want good writers. You don't have to be Ernest Hemingway, but you have to be able to form an interesting story．That means revision(校对)and editing，cutting out stupid grammar mistakes，reading it over several times，leaving it for a few days and looking at it again. Whatever you do, make sure the essay is as good as possible.
Also，you should use exciting language and really make the reader feel the same passion as you do. It also means finding something unique about your point of view, something that other people might not think of．For example，if you want to write about your dad, you can focus on a specific anecdote(趣闻)about him .Admissions officers love personal stories that ring true．
1.The purpose of the passage is to give advice on how to_________.
A. choose an essay topic B. read the officers’ minds
C. be a good writer D write an effective application
2.The underlined part of paragraph 2 suggests that you__________.
A. stick enough stamps before posting your application essay
B. write something unique in an essay to impress the readers
C. take the task of showing off yourself seriously
D. pay attention to your personal essay
3. When admissions officers ask who has inspired you，they mean to________.
A. know about your family members B. understand you better
C. find out what your father does D. discover your personal affairs
4. According to the writer, it is wise to produce an essay with__________.
A.500 beautiful words B. many funny things C. truthful specific stories D. indirect answers
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Many of us have concerns about the challenges facing future generations as our global population _______ and the earth’s natural resources decrease.
A. extends B. declines
C. swells D. varies
高三英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析
She will face the challenges of riding a bike to school or not being able to climb the monkey bars during playtime．But little Ella Peggie，who was born without her left arm，will get an extraordinary opportunity to share a life-changing bond with her new beloved pet，three-legged puppy．
When her mother，Brooke Hodgson，saw the one-year-old puppy named Snowy，she knew instantly it would be the perfect companion for her one-year-old daughter．“My heart skipped a beat when I saw Snowy online，”Ms．Hodgson said．It took just three days for the puppy，who recently had surgery to remove a 1eg，to find a new home after she was sent to the animal shelter last week．
“I knew she was going to be perfect for Ella—they share the same age so they both have a long life of friendship ahead of them．I just know that Snowy is going to increase her confidence when she is growing up．It’s going to be great for Ella when she realizes she’s different or when she’s having a bad day．she will see the resemblance and know that she’s not alone．”
Ms．Hodgson has been touched by the relationship between the pair since the lively puppy became the latest addition to the family．And she believes the caring puppy will be by Ella’s side through the highs and lows of her life．Ms．Hodgson said，“Every morning Snowy looks for Ella first before she runs to anyone else．It’s quite a unique link．I’m just thankful that I was able to give her this dog．I just can’t wait for them to get even closer．Not many people are able to do this for their children so we’re very lucky to have Snowy．I can’t even explain how I feel fight now．”The young mother said Snowy，who was welcomed into the family just a week ago，has been playing a very special part to Ella’s life as well as her three-year-old brother Blake and her father，Stewart Peggie．
1.How did the mother feel when she saw the three-legged puppy online?
A. Excited． B. Puzzled．
C. Disappointed． D. Astonished．
2.What does the phrase“the latest addition”in the last paragraph refer to?
A. Ella． B. Snowy．
C. Blake． D. Stewart Peggie．
3.Why did the mother welcome the dog into her family?
A. To give her daughter confidence．
B. To make her family full of fun．
C. To show sympathy for the dog．
D. To give the dog a comfortable space．
4.What is probably the best title of the text?
A. Why the Beautiful Girl Was Born One Arm
B. How to Adopt a Three-legged Puppy Dog
C. A Three-legged Puppy Dog Found Online
D. A One-arm Girl and Her Three-legged Puppy
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
I suffered from Asperger’s at my childhood. One of the biggest _______ I faced was communicating with others. I was shy but I loved to read and recite facts. This sometimes made me a _______ for bullies(欺凌). I didn’t really understand as much about the disease or how it _______ my life.
When I was in my 20s，I _______ to Paris. I was deeply attracted by the city，and I _______ a job in a big hotel right then. As an Eiffel Tower ambassador, I _______ guests and visitors as they took the lift to the top of the hotel’s 46-story where I liked to _______the local attractions and helped people find the best _______ for taking photos. At first, I had a problem with changes in everyday life, _______ when talking with people who were different from me. But I liked to memorize facts, and that really ________ in my job because people loved to learn all of the interesting things about the city. Every day when I clocked in, I felt it’s time for me to perform for and ________ the guests. I loved it when I learnt something new because I couldn’t ________ to share the information with others.
Everyone is ________, and everyone has a gift. It takes me more than 50 years to ________ that I am different. Just be yourself, be kind, and try to make a ________ in your life.
1.A.decisions B.challenges C.conflicts D.changes
2.A.victory B.design C.memory D.target
3.A.reflected B.improved C.affected D.forgot
4.A.moved B.escaped C.rushed D.gathered
5.A.prepared for B.put away C.applied for D.turned down
6.A.drove B.directed C.sent D.accompanied
7.A.introduce B.identify C.consider D.connect
8.A.advertisements B.spots C.reasons D.habits
9.A.chiefly B.personally C.specially D.especially
10.A.favored B.treated C.helped D.relaxed
11.A.entertain B.trust C.hire D.educate
12.A.stop B.work C.wait D.follow
13.A.difficult B.terrible C.bright D.unique
14.A.recognize B.realize C.wonder D.admit
15.A.difference B.promise C.choice D.sacrifice
高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析