Economics has long been known as an unpleasant science. But is any economist so dull as to criticize Christmas? At first glance, the holiday season in western economies seems a treat for those who are concerned with such things as GDP growth. After all, everyone is spending; in America, sellers make 25 % of their yearly sales and 60 % of their profits between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Even so, economists find something to worry about in the nature of the purchases being made.
Much of the holiday spending is on gifts for others. At the simplest level, giving gifts involves the giver's thinking of something that the receiver would like — he tries to guess her preferences, as economists say — and then buying the gift and delivering it. Yet this guessing of preferences is often done badly. Every year, ties go unworn and books unread. And even if a gift is enjoyed, it may not be what the receiver would have bought if they had spent the money themselves.
Interested in this mismatch between wants and gifts, in 1993 Joel Waldfogel, then an economist at Yale University, attempted to estimate the disparity(差距) in dollar terms. He asked students two questions at the end of a holiday season: first, estimate the total amount paid (by the givers) for all the holiday gifts you received; second, apart from the emotional value of the items, if you did not have them, how much would you be willing to pay to get them? His results were unpleasant: on average, a gift was valued by the receiver well below the price paid by the giver.
The most conservative(保守的) estimate put the average receiver’s valuation at 90% of the buying price. The missing 10% is what economists call a deadweight loss; a waste of resources that could be avoided without making anyone poorer. In other words, if the giver gave the cash value of the purchase instead of the gift itself, the receiver could then buy what she really wants and be better off for no extra cost. It suggests that in America, where givers spend $40 billion on Christmas gifts, $ 4 billion is being lost annually in the process of gift giving. Add in birthdays, weddings and non Christian occasions, and the figure would balloon. So should economists call for an end to gift giving, or at least press for money to become the gift of choice?
56. Why do some people regard the holiday season in western economies a treat?
A. Because the economic situation in US has been depressing.
B. Because American sellers make a quarter of their yearly sales through holiday season.
C. Because holiday spending can speed up GDP growth.
D. Because sellers can make as much profit as 60 % over holiday season.
57. What's the main idea for the second paragraph?
A. In many cases the gifts cannot meet the receivers’ needs.
B. The purchases made over holiday season are actually a waste of money.
C. It's really not easy to guess the others’ preferences.
D. Much of the holiday spending is on gifts for others.
58. The purpose of Joel Waldfogel's study is to _____.
A. prove the mismatch between wants and gifts
B. estimate the disparity between wants and gifts in economic terms
C. spark new ideas of economic studies on holiday spending
D. discover the exact cost of holiday spending on gift giving
59. Economists think of the misusing 10% of holiday spending as a deadweight loss because
_______.
A. the cash value of the purchase is lower than the buying price
B. it is actually a waste of resources in economic terms
C. with the money the receivers can be better off for no extra cost
D. it makes many people even poorer for spending more on unwanted gifts
60. According to the passage altogether how much money is wasted every year on gift giving?
A. About $4 billion. B. About 10% of the total value.
C. About $40 billion. D. Much more than $4 billion.
科目：高中英语 来源： 题型：阅读理解
There were smiling children all the way. Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.
I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight. Immediately I came alive; I decided to wave back.
From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug (拥抱). I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.
I looked forward to the return journey.
The author expected the train trip to be________ .
A. adventurous B. pleasant C. exciting D. dull
What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?
A. The friendly country people. B. The mountains along the way.
C. The crowds of people in the streets. D. The simple lunch served on the train.
Which of the following words can best take the place of the word "relish" in the second paragraph?
A. choose B. enjoy C. prepare for D. carry on
Where was the writer going?
A. Johore Baru B. The Causeway. C. Butterworth D. Singapore
What can we learn from the story?
A. Comfort in traveling by train. B. Pleasure of living in the country.
C. Reading gives people delight. D. Smiles brighten people up.
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科目：高中英语 来源：吉林省吉林市2010届高三下学期期末教学质量检测（英语） 题型：阅读理解
CAREER OPPORTUNITES
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2. Part-time job: We require three part-time shop assistants to work during the evening．No experience required, applicants should be between 18 and 26 years old．Call 0115 - 765643 for more information．
3. Computer trained secretaries: Do you have experience working with computers? If you want to know more about us, call 0457-896754.
4. Teaching Assistants Needed: Hania’s Playshool needs 2 young teaching assistants to help with classes from 9 to 3 pm．Applicants should have references. For more information please visit www. Haniaplayschool. co. uk.
5. Weekend Work Available: We are looking for retired adults who would like to work part time on weekends for Rubberlast Group Ltd. Duties include answering the telephone and giving customers’ information. For more information call us at 0113-6741326.
6. University positions Open: The University of Bristol is looking for 4 teaching assistants to help with homework correction．Applicants should have a degree in one of the following: Political Science, English, Economics or History．Please call the University of Bristol for more information．
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44．Which position is most suitable for a retired person?
A．Part-time Shop Assistant.
B．Teaching Assistant in Hania’s Playschool.
C．Weekend Workin Rubberlast Group Ltd.
D．Teaching Assistant in the University of Bristol.
45．If you have good computer skills and recently graduated from university (English degree), which jobs can you apply for?
A．Job 1,2 and 7. B．Job 3,4 and 6. C．Job 4,6 and 7. D．Job 2,3 and 5.
46．Which is the only position that has a formal educational requirement?
A．Full Time Secretary at United Business Ltd.
B．Home Delivery Representative for Yorkshire Post.
C．Teaching Assistant at Hania’s Playschool.
D．University Positions at the University of Bristol.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2011-2012学年广东省中山市侨中高三第二次模拟考试英语题 题型：信息匹配
阅读下列应用文及相关信息， 并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑。
请阅读某书店各书架的相关信息：
A. Section One: Education---Has a huge range of textbooks and supplementary material covering all the major high school and university subjects. Buyers showing their student cards receive a 15% discount on all purchases from this section.
B. Section Three: Humor Section --- A great selection of joke books, funny stories and wonderful real life adventures that are sure to keep the reader laughing for days.
C. Section Five: Biography --- Find out about the lives of your favorite sports stars, singers, actors and other famous people from today and the past. Learn what they had to go through to become successful and the effect it had on their lives.
D. Section One: Do-It-Yourself Section -- On these shelves customers can find the latest manuals on how to do everything from building a computer to constructing your own home.
E. Section Two: Sports & Leisure Section --- Stocks a large range of the latest books on your favorite sporting teams and events. Pick up the perfect Father's Day present here.
F. Section Four: Business & Finance --- Students, business people or anyone interested in the world of commerce are certain to find the book they are after here. We have special subsection for international trade and e-commerce.
阅读下列关于各书籍的信息，匹配书籍与其所应放置的书架：
1. The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron --- by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind --- As the title suggests the authors cover the rise of the American electricity company to become one of the 10 richest companies in the world and its spectacular fall into dishonour and bankruptcy. A perfect guide on what not to do in business.
2.The Delighted Eye --- by Prof. John Nash --- The 1994 Nobel Prize Winner for Economics, whose ideas have influenced a generation of the world's greatest economic minds, tells his life story: growing up in a small town in America, becomin g one of America's most influential mathematicians and his battles with mental illness.
3. Ready Made--- How to Make (Almost) Everything --- by Shoshanna Berger and Grace Hawthorne --- beautifully written with great factual information. The theme behind this book is re-use, re-claim, re-cycle and there are many detailed easy-to-do projects for the reader to try such as making a photo frame from a book cover or a pot for your plants from plastic shopping bags.
4.Mother Tongue: The English Language --- by Bill Bryson --- Bryson's book is a journey through the history and different aspects of the English language , one that is both informative and hugely entertaining. As with most of Bryson's books, fun comes before facts and readers will be left with a smile on their faces.
5.Into Thin Air --- by John Krakauer --- is a riveting first-hand account of a disastrous race to the top of Mount Everest. In March 1996, Outside magazine sent veteran journalist and experienced climber John Krakauer to join the team led by the famous Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall and the other leaders, by the end of the race eight people were dead.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2011年广东省高一下学期期末考试英语题 题型：阅读理解
There were smiling children all the way. Charily they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.
I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.
It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight, Immediately I came alive; I decided to wave hack.
From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.
The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug (拥抱). I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.
I looked forward to the return journey.
1.The author expected the train trip to be
A. adventurous B. pleasant
C. exciting D. dull
2.What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?
A. The friendly country people.
B. The mountains along the way.
C. The crowds of people in the streets.
D. The simple lunch served on the train.
3.Which of the following words can best take the place of the word “relish” in the second paragraph?
A. choose B. enjoy
C. prepare for D. carry on
4.Where was the writer going?
A. Johore Baru. B. The Causeway.
C. Butterworth. D. Singapore.
5.What can we learn from the story?
A. Comfort in traveling by train.
B. Pleasure of living in the country.
C. Reading gives people delight.
D. Smiles brighten people up.
查看答案和解析>>
科目：高中英语 来源：2013届广东省东莞市高二下学期第一次月考英语试题 题型：信息匹配
信息匹配（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分）
阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑。
Section A: Do-It-Yourself Section -- On these shelves customers can find the latest manuals(手册) on how to do everything from building a computer to constructing(building) your own home.
Section B: Sports & Leisure Section -- Stocks a large range of the latest books on your favourite sporting teams and events. Pick up the perfect Father's Day present here.
Section C: Humour Section -- A great selection of joke books, funny stories and wonderful real life adventures that are sure to keep the reader laughing for days.
Section D: Business & Finance - Students, business people or anyone interested in the world of commerce are certain to find the book they are after here. We have special subsection for international trade and e-commerce.
Section E: Biography - Find out about the lives of your favourite sports stars, singers, actors and other famous people from today and the past. Learn what they had to go through to become successful and the effect it had on their lives.
Section F: Education - Has a huge range of textbooks and supplementary material covering all the major high school and university subjects. Buyers showing their student cards receive a 15% discount on all purchases from this section.
阅读下列关于各书籍的信息，匹配书籍与其所应放置的书架：
1.The Delighted Eye - by Prof. John Nash - The 1994 Nobel Prize Winner for Economics, whose ideas have influenced a generation of the world's greatest economic minds, tells his life story: growing up in a small town in America, becoming one of America's most influential mathematicians and his battles with mental illness.
2. Mother Tongue: The English Language - by Bill Bryson - Bryson's book is a journey through the history and different aspects of the English language , one that is both informative and hugely entertaining. As with most of Bryson's books, fun comes before facts and readers will be left with a smile on their faces.
3.Into Thin Air - by John Krakauer - is a riveting first-hand account of a disastrous race to the top of Mount Everest. In March 1996, `Outside' magazine sent veteran journalist and experienced climber John Krakauer to join the team led by the famous Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall and the other leaders, by the end of the race eight people were dead.
4.ReadyMade: How to Make (Almost) Everything - by Shoshana Berger - beautifully written with great factual information. The theme behind this book is re-use, re-claim, re-cycle and there are many detailed easy-to-do projects for the reader to try such as making a photo frame(相框) from a book cover or a pot for your plants from plastic shopping bags.
5.The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron - by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind - As the title suggests the authors cover the rise of the American electricity company to become one of the 10 richest companies in the world and its spectacular fall into dishonour and bankruptcy(破产). A perfect guide on what not to do in business.
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