Wal-Mart is not just the world's largest retailer （零售商）. It's the world's largest company, which sells in three months what number-two retailer Home Depot sells in a year.
Wal-Mart exercises its power for just one purpose: to bring the lowest possible prices to its customers. At Wal-Mart, that goal is never reached. The retailer has a clear policy for suppliers: On basic products that don't change, the price Wal-Mart will pay, and will charge shoppers, must drop year after year. But what almost no one outside the world of Wal-Mart and none of its 21,000 suppliers know is the high cost of those low prices. To survive in the face of its pricing demands, makers of everything from bikes to jeans have had to close US plants in favor of obtaining products from abroad.
Indeed, the real story of Wal-Mart, the story that never gets told, is the story of the pressure the biggest retailer constantly applies to its suppliers in the name of bringing us "every day low prices".
The giant retailer' s low prices often come with a high cost. Wal-Mart' s pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. Are we shopping our way straight to the unemployment line? Of course, US companies have been moving jobs offshore for decades, long before Wal-Mart was a retailing power. But there is no question that the chain is helping accelerate the loss of American jobs to low-wage countries such as Thailand.
People ask, "How can it be bad for things to come into the US cheaply?" Sure, it's great to have bargains. But you can' t buy anything if you' re not employed.
There is no question that Wal-Mart's drive to squeeze out cost has benefited consumers. By now, it is accepted wisdom that Wal-Mart makes the companies it does business with more efficient and focused. Wal-Mart itself is known for continuous improvement in its ability to handle, move, and track goods. It is legendary （传奇） for forcing its suppliers to redesign everything from their packaging to their computer systems. It is also legendary for quite straightforwardly telling them what it will pay for their goods.
1. How do suppliers meet the requirements of Wal-Mart?
A. To sell even more goods in three months.
B. To cut down the employment rate sharply.
C. To charge shoppers at a much higher price.
D. To run the business in a well-organized way.
2. Wal-Mart's low price policy results in ____.
A. more high-paying jobs
B. better designed packages
C. bigger profit of its partners
D. more jobless American workers
3. What can we infer from the passage?
A. Still more quality goods will be provided.
B. The food you get at Wal-Mart costs least.
C. The value of Mal-Mart is over assessed.
D. Wal-Mart is a very demanding company.
4.What's the best title for the passage?
A. The Fortune Wal-Mart Makes
B. The Wal-Mart you don't Know
C. The Biggest Retailer—Wal-Mart
D. The Money Saving Tip in Wal-Mart
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小学生10分钟应用题系列答案科目：高中英语 来源：2012届山东省菏泽市高三第三次模拟考试英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It’s said that it’s the day that store ledgers(分类账)move into the black and companies become profitable. On that day, retailers slash(砍) prices to get consumers to buy. It is also a time when many Americans start their Christmas shopping. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee tells us how the economy may affect consumers on that bargain day.
This day should be a shopper’s dream. “It’s just the deals, the sales and everything you can get for a lesser price,” said Sandy Thomas, a shopper. But it’s a nightmare for others. “I think it’s crazy. I’ve done all of my shopping throughout the week so I don’t have to go out on Friday,” she said. It’s called Black Friday, the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. Every year it’s the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Stores open before sunrise and there are deep discounts everywhere you look.
Last year a crowd of bargain-hunters killed a Wal-mart worker in a New York suburb. This year, many stores are increasing security while they slash prices. “This is a huge time for the retail stores,” said Fred Joutz from George Washington University. “This is when they begin making their profits for the year.”
Economics professor Fred Joutz says how Americans spend the weekend after Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future.
With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, Joutz says Americans are saving more and spending less. Some retailers are attracting consumers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, when shops are traditionally closed. Other stores open their doors anywhere from midnight to four in the morning.
And shoppers will be lining up in front of the doors in order to be one of the first ones to walk through and get a big discount. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually the first items to go. Sandy Thomas says it’s an annual family tradition and well worth it. “I just save maybe half of what I would have spent on a regular, you know, shopping trip,” she said.
Economists say U.S. consumers will spend money this Black Friday, but they will spend it more carefully.
【小题1】By saying “This day should be a shopper’s dream”, the writer means ________ .
| A．shoppers have longed for this day for a long time |
| B．the shops will be very crowded on that day |
| C．the shops will keep open until the daybreak of next day |
| D．shoppers can buy many items at low prices on that day |
| A．Because there are too many people saving more and spending less. |
| B．Because it’s a time when they begin making their profits for the year. |
| C．Because last year a crowd of bargain-hunters caused an accident. |
| D．Because many stores open their doors from midnight to four a.m. |
| A．Christmas shopping is traditional time and this year it is no exception. |
| B．Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually least discounted. |
| C．The economy only affects consumers on that bargain day. |
| D．Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future. |
| A．a science fiction |
| B．a travel brochure |
| C．an economic research report |
| D．a book on psychology |
| A．Because they organize activities in honor of some great person. |
| B．Because there are too many people going out shopping for Christmas. |
| C．Too many people are celebrating Thanks giving. |
| D．The sky is black that day. |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2012-2013学年江苏省扬州中学高二12月月考英语试卷（带解析） 题型：阅读理解
When Steve Maxwell graduated from college, he had an engineering degree and a high tech job — but he couldn’t balance his checkbook. “I took one finance class in college but dropped it to go on a ski trip,” says the 45-year-old father of three, who lives in Windsor, Colorado. “I actually had to go to my bank and ask them to teach me how to read my statement.”
One of the biggest obstacles to making money is not understanding it: Thousands of us avoid investing because we just don’t get it. But to make money, you must be financially literate. “It bothered me that I didn’t understand this stuff,” says Steve, “so I read books and magazines about money management and investing, and I asked every financial whiz (能手) I knew to explain things to me.”
He and his wife started applying the lessons: They made a point to live below their means. They never bought on impulse, always negotiated better deals (on their cars，cable bills, furniture) and stayed in their home long after they went for an expensive vacation. They also put 20 percent of their annual salary into investments.
Within ten years, they were millionaires, and people were coming to Steve for advice. “Someone would say, ‘I need to refinance my house — what should I do? ‘A lot of times, I wouldn’t know the answer, but I’d go to find it and learn something in the process,” he says.
In 2003, Steve quit his job to become part owner of a company that holds personal finance seminars for employees of corporations like Wal Mart. He also started going to real estate investment seminars, and it’s paid off: He now owns $ 30 million worth of investment properties, including apartment complexes, a shopping mall and a quarry.
“I was an engineer who never thought this life was possible, but all it truly takes is a little self education,” says Steve. “You can do anything once you understand the basics.”
【小题1】The underlined part “live below their means” (in Paragraph 3) probably means “______”.
| A．take effective measures | B．live a miserable life |
| C．spend more money than they had | D．spend less money than they had |
| A．has been unwilling to help others |
| B．hasn’t stopped learning from practice |
| C．has been willing to follow others’ advice |
| D．has stopped to invest in houses |
| A．A self made engineer |
| B．How to balance your checkbook |
| C．Don’t avoid investing |
| D．Educate yourself to become a millionaire |
| A．self education is very important to one’s life |
| B．everyone should learn how to invest in their life |
| C．Steve Maxwell was quite interested in finance classes in college |
| D．Steve became rich because he saved every penny he had earned |
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科目：高中英语 来源：2013-2014学年高考二轮复习训练：专题1 动词的时态与语态英语试卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
I never thought I would have a life?changing experience at Wal?Mart.
Although my thoughts were only on speed，the checkout line I was standing in wasn’t moving as quickly as I wanted，and I glanced toward the cashier.
There stood a man in his seventies，wearing glasses and a nice smile.I thought，well，he’s an old guy!
For the next few minutes I watched him.He greeted every customer before scanning the items.Sure，his words were the usual，“How’s it going？” But he did something different—he actually listened to people.Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation.
I thought it was odd.I had grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit.After a while，you don’t give any thought to the question and just mumble something back.I could say，“I just found out I have six months to live，” and someone would reply，“Have a great day！”
But that wasn’t the end.
He gave them the change，walked around the counter，and extended his right hand in an act of friendship.He looked the customers in the eyes.“I sure want to thank you for shopping here today，” he told them.“You have a great day.Bye?bye.”
The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless.There were smiles and some sheepish grins.All had been touched by his simple gesture—and in a place they never expected.They would gather their things and walk out，smiling.
Of course，he did the same to me and I got to know his name，Marty.
Who was that guy？It was as if Sam Walton had come back from the dead and invaded this old guy’s body.
I had never walked away from that shop feeling like that.
1.The checkout line the writer was standing in moved slower than expected because ________.
A．the cashier couldn’t work as fast as others
B．there were some big purchases
C．the cashier did more than scanning the items
D．the writer was not patient enough
2.According to the writer，when common people ask you “How’s it going？” ________.
A．they don’t really care what you may answer
B．they are just practicing their conversation ability
C．they are inquiring about your private information
D．they don’t expect to hear any negative answers
3.What was most customers’ reaction to Marty’s behaviors?
A．They thought it priceless.
B．They were in some way moved.
C．They thought it awful and odd.
D．They felt somewhat offended.
4.What does the writer intend to express through the text?
A．Our everyday life is always full of surprises.
B．Most customers enjoy being treated this way.
C．Being different is a good way of doing business.
D．A little positive action can make a big difference.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2014届江西红色六校高三上期第一次联考英语卷（解析版） 题型：阅读理解
I never thought I would have a life-changing experience at Wal-Mart.
Although my thoughts were only on speed, the checkout line I was standing in wasn't moving as quickly as I wanted, and I glanced toward the cashier.
There stood a man in his seventies, wearing glasses and a nice smile. I thought, well, he's an old guy!
For the next few minutes I watched him. He greeted every customer before scanning the items. Sure, his words were the usual, "How's it going?" But he did something different--he actually listened to people. Then he would respond to what they had said and engage them in brief conversation.
I thought it was odd. I has grown accustomed to people asking me how I was doing simply out of robotic conversational habit. After a while, you don't give any thought to the question and just mumble something back. I could say, "I just found out I have six months to live," and someone would reply, "Have a great day!"
But that wasn't the end.
He gave them the change, walked around the counter, and extended his right hand in an act of friendship. He looked the customers in the eyes. "I sure want to thank you for shopping here today," he told them. "You have a great day. Bye-bye."
The looks on the faces of the customers were priceless. There were smiles and some sheepish grins. All had been touched by his simple gesture--and in a place they never expected. They would gather their things and walk out, smiling.
Of course, he did the same to me and I got to know his name--Marty.
Who was that guy? It was as if Sam Walton had come back from the dead and invaded this old guy's body.
I had never walked away from that shop feeling like that.
1.What was most customers' reaction to Marty's behavior?
A. They thought it priceless.
B. They thought it awful and odd.
C. They felt somewhat offended.
D. They were in some way moved.
2.The checkout line the writer was standing in moved slower than expected because______
A. the cashier did more than scanning the items
B. the cashier couldn't work as fast as others
C. there were some big purchases
D. the writer was not patient enough
3.What can we infer about Sam Walton?
A. He might be Marty's father or grandfather.
B. He might have died while working in the market.
C. He might be friendly and devoted to Wal-Mart.
D. He might have come back from the dead once before.
4.According to the writer, when common people ask you "How's it going?"
A. they are just practicing their conversation ability
B. they are inquiring about your private information
C. they don't expect to hear any negative answers
D. they don't really care what you may answer
5.What does the writer intend to express through the text?
A. Our everyday life is always full of surprises.
B. Being different is a good way of doing business.
C. A little positive action can make a big difference.
D. Most customers enjoy being treated this way.
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科目：高中英语 来源：2010年湖南师大附中高一下学期期末考试 题型：完形填空
第三节：完形填空（共两部分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项（18分）
Have you ever run in the rain?
It was raining outside. We all stood near the door of the 41 , waiting. Suddenly I heard a
sweet voice. “Mom, let’s 42 the rain,” said a six-year-old girl, with beautiful red hair, who had been shopping with her mum in Wal-mart.
“What? No, honey. We’ll __43__until it stops raining so hard,” the mother replied.The girl waited about one minute and repeated, “Mom, let’s run through the rain.”
“We’ll 44 if we do,” the mother said. “No, we won’t, mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she 45 out of her mom’s arm.
“This morning?” “Yes, when you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!’”
The whole crowd became 46 . We couldn’t hear anything but 47 . We all stood there silently. Her mom__48___ for a moment and said, “Honey, you’re right. Let’s run through the rain. If God lets us get wet, well, maybe we just need __49__.”
Then off they ran. We all stood there, watching and smiling as they ran through the rain. They held their shopping bags over their __50__just in case. Yes, they got wet. But they were followed by many __51__ who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
Memory is a fortune, a precious gift. I believe that somewhere down the road in life, the mother will 52 herself looking back on this moment and she will smile. So Don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day and take the time to run through the rain.
41. A. cinema B. school C. supermarket D. park
42. A. run through B. go through C. look through D. get through
43. A. leave B. wait C. imagine D. jump
44. A. get tired B. get confused C. get paid D. get wet
45. A. pushed B. pulled C. carried D. monitored
46. A. noisy B. calm C. silent D. thrilled
47. A. her mum B. the girl C. laughter D. the rain
48. A. thought B. claimed C. asked D. cared
49. A. running B. waiting C. walking D. washing
50. A. hands B. backs C. heads D. coats
51. A. adults B. children C. parents D. drivers
52. A. stop B. find C. make D. impress
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