As winter approached, retailers (零售商) ordered clothes for cold weather, arranged their stores for cold weather and then just started hoping for cold weather. Winter is here, but the cold weather by and large is not. Nationally, last month was one of the warmest Decembers on record, and so far January temperatures are above average. The relatively warm weather is erasing a lot of demand for winter hats, coats, and gloves—and making some retailers sweat the bottom line. On Saturday, the outdoors store REI took the unusual step of making artificial snow in a Manhattan park, hoping to encourage people to buy snowshoes and winter jackets. Home Depot has cut down on items like salt for de-icing, and many of its stores have replaced snow removal equipment with storage products in storefront displays. Even drugstores are being affected because flu (流感)infections are down. Though some winter resorts received a small amount of snow over the weekend, and Seattle is having a snowstorm, those pockets of cold have not provided much of arelief for retailers, who are running out of time to sell their winter inventory . Kevin Scott, senior vice president for merchandising services at Home Depot, said there has been an upside to the warmer weather—outdoor paint, outdoor lights and windows are selling well—but "we'll take a little more snow, I think, as anybody would." Scott Jaeger, an analyst with the Leisure Trends Group, a market research firm, said that while overall sales in 2011 had riseneight percent, sales of outdoor gear in December felltwo percent from the previous December. "This year they can get outside and enjoy things without having to buy the thick coat," he said of shoppers. "They didn't need hats. They didn't have to update the wardrobe or update the skis, because they were not necessarily going skiing." On Saturday, REI spread artificial snow over a Manhattan park so passers-by could try cross-country skiing. Luckily, Saturday was one of the few days this winter that reached freezing in the city. "We plan for a solid winter," said Tim Spangler, senior vice president for retail at REI. "We often joke that planners in our business are paid to be wrong: you either bought too little, because the winter overperforms, or you bought too much, because it's warm ."1. The problem those retailers face derives from __________.A) the worsening environmentB) the insufficient stocks of itemsC) the relatively high temperature D) the change of people's outdoor activities2. The outdoors store REI made artificial snow in the park to ________.A) encourage people to enjoy a warm winterB) stimulate customers to buy its commodities C) display the splendid effects of its productsD) express its anger to the changeable weather3. The word "inventory" (Para. 5) is closest in meaning to _______.A) stock B) wreckC) creationD) promotion4. What does Tim Spangler mean by saying "you either bought too little, because the winter overperforms, or you bought too much, because it's warm" (last paragraph)?A) His business is winter is always a mess.B) Cold weather counts little in his winter business.C) People's shopping habits tend to change in winter.D) Winter weather has a great impact on his business. 5. What is the message the author intends to convey?A) Warm winter brings a dim prospect for retailers. B) Artificial snow facilitates the sale of outdoor equipment.C) People dislike participating in outdoor activities in winter.D) Salespersons can never take advantage of weather for promotion.

[音频]Questions1 and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard.______1. A) Ship traffic in the Atlantic. B) Warm currents in the ocean. C) Exhaust from cars in Europe. D) Particles emitted by power plants.______2. A.) They need to be taken seriously. B.) They have a huge effect on fishery. C.) They might be causing trouble to air fights. D.) They may be affecting the world’s climate.

For thousands of years, people have known that the best way to understand a concept is to explain it to someone else. "While we teach, we learn, " said Roman philosopher Seneca. Now scientists are bringing this ancient wisdom up-to-date. They're documenting why teaching is such a fruitful way to learn, and designing innovative ways for young people to engage in instruction.Researchers have found that students who sign up to tutor others work harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately and apply it more effectively. Student teachers score higher on tests than pupils who're learning only for their own sake. But how can children, still learning themselves, teach others? One answer: They can tutor younger kids. Some studies have found that first-born children are more intelligent than their later-born siblings. This suggests their higher IQs result from the time they spend teaching their siblings. Now educators are experimenting with ways to apply this models to academic subjects. They engage college undergraduates to teach computer science to high school students, who in turn instruct middle school students on the topic.But the most cutting-edge tool under development is the "teachable agent"—a computerized character who learns, tries, makes mistakes and asks questions just like a real-world pupil. Computer scientists have created an animated figure called Betty's Brain, who has been "taught" about environmental science by hundreds of middle school students. Student teachers are motivated to help Betty master certain materials. While preparing to teach, they organize their knowledge and improve their own understanding. And as they explain the information to it, they identify problems in their own thinking.Feedback from the teachable agents further enhances the tutors' learning. The agents' questions compel student tutors to think and explain the materials in different ways, and watching the agent solve problems allows them to see their knowledge put into action.Above all, it's the emotions one experiences in teaching that facilitate learning. Student tutors feel upset when their teachable agents fail, but happy when these virtual pupils succeed as they derive(获得)pride and satisfaction from someone else's accomplishment.What are researchers rediscovering through their studies? A.Human intelligence tends to grow with age.B.Better learners will become better teachers.C.Seneca's thinking is still applicable today.D.Philosophical thinking improved instruction.What do we learn about Betty's Brain? A.It is a character in a popular animation.B.It is a tutor for computer science students.C.It is a cutting-edge app in digital games.D.It is a teaching tool under development.How does teaching others benefit student tutors? A.It helps them learn their academic subjects better.B.It motivate them to try novel ways of teaching.C.It makes them aware of what they are strong at.D.It enabled them to better understand their teachers.What do students do to teach their teachable agents? A.They motivate them to think independently.B.They use various ways to explain the materials.C.They encourage them to give prompt feedback.D.They ask them to design their own questions.

Section A-|||-Directions: In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each-|||-blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage. Read the passage through carefully-|||-before making your choices.Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding-|||-letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the-|||-words in the bank more than once.-|||-There`re three main types of financial stress people encounter.The first type is apparent in people-|||-being stressed about the 26 ups and downs of investment markets-actually not so much the ups,-|||-but 27 the downs.These people are usually unable or unprepared to endure the long haul.-|||-The next common type of financial stress is that caused by debt.In a 28 percentage of cases of-|||-debt-induced financial stress,credit cards and loans will be a central element.Often there `ll be a car loan-|||-and perhaps a mortgage,but credit cards often seem to be the gateway to debt-related financial difficulties-|||-for many.-|||-The third type of stress and 29 the least known is inherited financial stress,which is the most-|||-destructive.It is experienced by those who have grown up in households where their parents regularly-|||- 30 and fought about money.Money therefore becomes a stressful topic,and so the thought of-|||-sitting down and planning is an unattractive 31 .-|||-Those suffering inherited financial anxiety 32 to follow one of two patterns.Either they put-|||-their head in the sand: they would 33 examining their financial statements,budgeting,and-|||-discussing financial matt with those closest to them.Alternatively,they would go to the other-|||- 34 -ana1yze cverythig, to the point of complete 35 They`re convinced that-|||-whatever decision they make will be the wrong one-|||-A)appearance F) extreme K)proposition-|||-B)argued G)inaction L)rebelled-|||-C)avoid H)incredibly M)statement-|||-D)considerable I) normal N) tend-|||-E)definitely J) possibly O)traditionalSection A Directions: In this section,there is a passage with ten blanks. You are required to select one word for each blank from a list of choices given in a word bank following the passage.Read the passage through carefully before making your choices. Each choice in the bank is identified by a letter.Please mark the corresponding letter for each item on Answer Sheet 2 with a single line through the centre.You may not use any of the words in the bank more than once. There're three main types of financial stress people encounter.The first type is apparent in people being stressed about the_ 26 ups and downs of investment markets-actually not so much the ups, but_ 27 the downs. These people are usually unable or unprepared to endure the long haul. The next common type of financial stress is that caused by debt. In a28 percentage _of cases of debt-induced financial stress, credit cards and loans will be a central element. Often there'll be a car loan and perhaps a mortgage, but credit cards often seem to be the gateway to debt-related financial difficulties for many. The third type of stress and 29_ the least known is inherited financial stress, which is the most destructive. It is experienced by those who have grown up in households where their parents regularly _30 and fought about money. Money therefore becomes a stressful topic,and so the thought of sitting down and planning is an unattractive_ 31 Those suffering inherited financial anxiety_ 32 to follow one of two patterns. Either they put their head in the sand:they would_ 33 examining their financial statements, budgeting, and discussing financial matters with those closest to them. Alternatively, they would go to the other _34 ,and micro-analyze everything,to the point of complete_ 35. They're convinced that whatever decision they make will be the wrong one. A) appearance F)extreme K) proposition B)argued G)inaction L)rebelled C)avoid H)incredibly M) statement D)considerable D normal N)tend E)definitely J)possibly O)traditional

A: What can I do for you?A. You can buy me a drink.B. I need a pair of pants.C. I'm looking for a sports shirt.D. please show me that tiethe dark one with white dots.

exposeA. 探讨,探究B. 爆炸sqrt C. 使暴露,使曝光D. 期待;预计

China has been the birthplace of many of the world's greatest inventions. It was, for example, the first country to produce paper money. Before the invention of paper money and coins, people used many different kinds of things for buying and selling. 36 This exchange of goods and services for other goods and services is called bartering. 37 In 1200 BC, people in China began to use shells(贝壳) as money. Usually the shells used as money were very small. This made it easier for people to carry money over long distances, and allowed for trade to develop between different parts of the country. In the years which followed this invention, many other countries around the world began to do the same, 38 The next development was in 1000 BC, when China started making bronze and copper shells. It wasn't long before the Chinese made round coins out of metal. 39 By 500 BC, metal coins had begun to appear in countries like Persia and Greece, and later in the Roman Empire. About 1000 years later, leather was used as money in China, and in 806 AD, the first paper banknotes were produced by the Chinese people. 40 1. 36 A: People also began collecting foreign coins as souvenirs. B: However, as economies developed, such exchanges became impractical. C: It was still many years before paper currency appeared in Europe. D: they also used tiny shells as money for buying and selling. E: As time went by, trade between countries increased. F: During that time, for example, buying a chicken might cost several potatoes. G: The very first coins often had holes in them so that people could string them together. 2. 37 A: People also began collecting foreign coins as souvenirs. B: However, as economies developed, such exchanges became impractical. C: It was still many years before paper currency appeared in Europe. D: they also used tiny shells as money for buying and selling. E: As time went by, trade between countries increased. F: During that time, for example, buying a chicken might cost several potatoes. G: The very first coins often had holes in them so that people could string them together. 3. 38 A: People also began collecting foreign coins as souvenirs. B: However, as economies developed, such exchanges became impractical. C: It was still many years before paper currency appeared in Europe. D: they also used tiny shells as money for buying and selling. E: As time went by, trade between countries increased. F: During that time, for example, buying a chicken might cost several potatoes. G: The very first coins often had holes in them so that people could string them together. 4. 39 A: People also began collecting foreign coins as souvenirs. B: However, as economies developed, such exchanges became impractical. C: It was still many years before paper currency appeared in Europe. D: they also used tiny shells as money for buying and selling. E: As time went by, trade between countries increased. F: During that time, for example, buying a chicken might cost several potatoes. G: The very first coins often had holes in them so that people could string them together. 5. 40 A: People also began collecting foreign coins as souvenirs. B: However, as economies developed, such exchanges became impractical. C: It was still many years before paper currency appeared in Europe. D: they also used tiny shells as money for buying and selling. E: As time went by, trade between countries increased. F: During that time, for example, buying a chicken might cost several potatoes. G: The very first coins often had holes in them so that people could string them together.

stationA. 车站;所,站B. 声明;陈述C. 公寓D. 国家;州

In the town of Marmet, which is just south of Charleston, residents line upin their cars for free bottled water. Schools and most restaurants and businessesremain closed.Marmet’s Fire Chief Jerry McGhee says responding to the wateremergency has brought out the best in the community.The crisis began when a chemical known as MCHM, used to clean uselesssubstances from coal, leaked from a storage tank owned by a company calledFreedom Industries. The chemical got into the Elk River, which suppliesdrinking water to the region. Residents say the contaminated water smells likelicorice. Officials warned people not to drink it, or even wash with it.Dustin White with the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition and otherenvironmentalists are critical of what they say is the lack of regulation of thepowerful chemical and coal industries in West Virginia. But for now they arefocusing on the crisis at hand, bringing water to rural areas.1.What is urgently needed in the town of Marmet now?A) Thick clothes.B) Gas and coal.C) Drinking water. D) Storage tank.2.What can we learn from the news?A) Jerry McGhee is the chief of Freedom Industries.B) A chemical contaminated water in the Elk River.C) People can still wash with water in the Elk River.D) The rural areas have an adequate supply of water.

We were completely______when we finally reached the destination.A. worn offB. worn downC. worn outD. worn away