B However wealthy we may be, we can never find enough hours in the day to do everything we want. Economics deals with this problem through the concept of opportunity cost, which simply refers to whether someone’s time or money could be better spent on something else. Every hour of our time has a value. For every hour we work at one job we could quite easily be doing another, or be sleeping or watching a film. Each of these options has a different opportunity cost—namely, what they cost us in missed opportunities. Say you intend to watch a football match but the tickets are expensive and it will take you a couple of hours to get to and from the stadium. Why not, you might reason, watch the game from home and use the leftover money and time to have dinner with friends? This—the alternative use of your cash and time—is the opportunity cost. For economists, every decision is made by knowledge of what one must forgo—in terms of money and enjoyment—in order to take it up. By knowing precisely what you are receiving and what you are missing out on, you ought to be able to make better-informed, more reasonable decisions. Consider that most famous economic rule of all: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Even if someone offers to take you out to lunch for free, the time you will spend in the restaurant still costs you something in terms of forgone opportunities. Some people find the idea of opportunity cost extremely discouraging: imagine spending your entire life calculating whether your time would be better spent elsewhere doing something more profitable or enjoyable. Yet, in a sense it’s human nature to do precisely that—we assess the advantages and disadvantages of decisions all the time. In the business world, a popular phrase is “value for money. People want their cash to go as far as possible. However, another is fast obtaining an advantage: “value for time. The biggest restriction on our resources is the number of hours we can devote to something, so we look to maximize the return we get on our investment of time. By reading this passage you are giving over a bit of your time which could be spent doing other activities, such as sleeping and eating. In return, however, this passage will help you to think like an economist, closely considering the opportunity cost of each of your decisions. 58. According to the passage, the concept of “opportunity cost is applied to . A. making more money B. taking more opportunities C. reducing missed opportunities D. weighing the choice of opportunities 59. The “leftover ... time in Paragraph 3 probably refers to the time . A. spared for watching the match at home B. taken to have dinner with friends C. spent on the way to and from the match D. saved from not going to watch the match 60. What are forgone opportunities? A. Opportunities you forget in decision-making. B. Opportunities you give up for better ones. C. Opportunities you miss accidentally. D. Opportunities you make up for. 查看更多

 

题目列表(包括答案和解析)

阅读下面短文,从短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入

空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had a large      , from Picasso to Van Gogh. They would often sit together and       the paintings of great artists. When the Vietnam conflict      , the son went to war.       he died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was in deep      .

A month later, a young man came with a large       in his hands. He said, “Sir, I am the soldier for whom your son       his life. He often talked about your love for      . So please accept it as a gift.” The father opened the package and saw a       of his son. The father was so drawn to the picture that his eyes welled up with tears.

A few months later, the wealthy man died. There was to be a great auction (拍卖) of his

     . Many people gathered,       over having an opportunity to       one painting. The auctioneer said, “We will start the bidding (竞拍) with this picture of the son. Who will bid for it?” There was      . Then a voice shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Just

      it.” “The son! Who’ll take the son?” the auctioneer continued.

Finally, a       came from the very back. It was the gardener of the old man. “I’m poor and can only       $10 for that.” The auctioneer asked the crowd to bid more.      , they still kept silent. So he pounded the gavel (小锤). “SOLD for $10!” A man shouted, “Go on with the collection!” The auctioneer said, “I’m sorry, the auction is      . According to       will, only the picture of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that picture would be      with all of the possessions, including the paintings.”

1.A. library                                    B. collection               C. house                               D. garden

2.A. admire                                   B. process                   C. sell                                    D. arrange

3.A. broke away                           B. broke up                 C. broke out                         D. broke off

4.A. Unwillingly                   B. Surprisingly   C. Generally                         D. Unfortunately

5.A. mood                                      B. sorrow                    C. pressure                          D. nerve

6.A. package                                 B. book                        C. box                                    D. case

7.A. cost                                   B. gave                          C. assessed                           D. concluded

8.A. music                                      B. smoking                  C. clothes                             D. art

9.A. watch                                     B. picture                    C. gift                                     D. letter

10.A. house                    B. garden                    C. paintings                          D. son

11.A. disappointed                      B. excited          C. puzzled                            D. stressed

12.A. buy                        B. search                      C. steal                                  D. adopt

13.A. noise                                    B. shout                       C. delight                              D. silence

14.A. ignore                                  B. defeat                     C. divide                     D. tolerate

15.A. seller                                    B. painter                    C. voice                                 D. scream

16.A. spend                                   B. sponsor                   C. contribute                       D. afford

17.A. Thus                                     B. However                 C. Therefore                        D. Besides

18.A. over                                     B. on                         C. apart                                 D. alongside

19.A. the gardener’s          B. the son’s                 C. the young man’s             D. the old man’s

20.A. supplied                         B. appointed                C. presented                        D. equipped

 

查看答案和解析>>

“Any time! Any where! Decades ago there was no such thing” – “Communication”.

Then, September 7th 1987, the global system for mobile communication or GSM was born. And international agreements that laid out the standards, regulations and practices gave rise to a global mobile phone industry.

To be honest, the world’s first mobiles were not so attractive and the range of effectiveness wasn’t very good. But they became a must-have among those wealthy people who could afford that. However, by advantage of GSM which has many different elements to it, we can all enjoy the ability to go around the world in 217 countries, land in that country and know that a phone would work.

There are other cell phone systems using different technology in the world. The majority of the United States and parts of South America have been using something called CDMA which is very rare in Europe. In some Asian countries like China, GSM and CDMA both exist at the same time. But the GSM Association claims 85% of the global mobile phone market. They estimated there are now about 2.5 billion different users who make more than 7 trillion minutes of calls everyday, and that’s not all.

20 years later, the mobile phone is so much more than just a phone. You can use it to send text messages, take pictures, show video, even surf the internet.

“The phone itself is involved from just being a communication tool, to be a tool for round-the-clock connectivity, you can not live without it even in a minute.” Mobile consultant Nick Lane also points out with so many customized styles and features, your mobile phone will become a symbol of you.

Where will the global mobile phone industry be in another 20 years? Certainly, there will be more connections than better coverage. As for where else technology will take us, one can only imagine.

According the passage, we can know that GSM is ____________.

A. a global-used mobile phone         B. a global mobile phone industry

C. a global mobile phone association    D. a global mobile communication system

From this passage, we can infer that ____________.

A. as soon as the first mobiles appeared, they became popular and many people have one

B. with a GSM mobile phone, you can make a phone call in most parts of the USA

C. there are only two cell phone systems in the whole world: GSM and CDMA

D. most of the mobile phone users in the world now are using the GSM mobile phone

By pointing out “your mobile phone will become a symbol of you”, what does Nick Lane want to tell us about the mobile phone in the future?

A. You can have a mobile phone with the unique look and functions as you like.

B. Others can find us without any difficulties if we carry our mobile phone.

C. The mobile phone can be used as a permit when you enter some places.

D. The mobile phone we carry can show others how wealthy we are.

What does the writer feel about the GSM development in the following 20 years?

A. Satisfied.    B. Worried.    C.Confident     D. Confused.

查看答案和解析>>

完形填空(共20小题:每小题1.5分,满分30分)

阅读下面短文,从短文后所给各题的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband’s  employer's home.My friend,Arlene,was nervous,because the boss was very   21  with a fine home,and cars that  22  more than her house.

    The boss was a generous   23  , and took them to the __24__ restaurants. Arlene knew she would  25  have the opportunity to go to such places again, so she was  26  herself greatly.                                                                               

   They were about to  27  a good restaurant that evening when the boss stopped suddenly, looking __28__ at the road. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to __29__ him. There was nothing on the 30 except a penny.

  The boss reached down and  31  the penny. He smiled, and then put it in his __32__as if he had found a great treasure. Why would a man like this pick up a single __33__? Why would he even take the time to __34__?

   When they were in the restaurant she could  35  it no longer. She mentioned that her daughter had once had a coin  ___36__ , and asked if the penny had some value.

   A __37__ crossed the man's face as he took the penny out of his pocket.

   "Look at it," he said, "'In God We Trust'."

"In America, for those who trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.__38__ I find a coin I see those words. They can be __39__ on every single American coin,but people never seem to  40  them! For a short time, at least, I treasure each one as if it were gold."

1.A. mean           B. wealthy            C. rude              D. strict

2.A. indicate         B. expect             C. cost               D. equip

3.A. host            B. manager           C. master             D. guest

4.A. nearest         B. oldest              C. finest              D. warmest

5.A. often           B. already            C. never              D. ever

6. A. enjoying        B. improving          C. promoting          D. blaming

7.A. praise          B. leave              C. enter               D. reserve

8.A. over           B. down              C. close              D. for

9.A. support         B. pass              C. shout               D. help

10.A. ground         B. restaurant          C. floor                D. car

11. A. saved up        B. applied for         C. picked up            D. hunted for

12.A. pocket          B. wallet             C. bag                D. hand             

13.A. treasure         B. money             C. note               D. penny              

14.A. stop            B. prevent             C. wait              D. remain

15.A. stand           B. keep               C. doubt             D. avoid

16.A. box            B. collection           C. doll               D. memory

17.A. smile           B. look               C. sign               D. tear

18.A. Whenever       B. However            C. Whatever          D. Whoever

19.A. registered       B. printed              C. found             D. produced

20.A. notice          B. appreciate            C. share             D. seize

 

 

查看答案和解析>>

“Any time! Any where! Decades ago there was no such thing” – “Communication”.

Then, September 7th 1987, the global system for mobile communication or GSM was born. And international agreements that laid out the standards, regulations and practices gave rise to a global mobile phone industry.

To be honest, the world’s first mobiles were not so attractive and the range of effectiveness wasn’t very good. But they became a must-have among those wealthy people who could afford that. However, by advantage of GSM which has many different elements to it, we can all enjoy the ability to go around the world in 217 countries, land in that country and know that a phone would work.

There are other cell phone systems using different technology in the world. The majority of the United States and parts of South America have been using something called CDMA which is very rare in Europe. In some Asian countries like China, GSM and CDMA both exist at the same time. But the GSM Association claims 85% of the global mobile phone market. They estimated there are now about 2.5 billion different users who make more than 7 trillion minutes of calls everyday, and that’s not all.

20 years later, the mobile phone is so much more than just a phone. You can use it to send text messages, take pictures, show video, even surf the internet.

“The phone itself is involved from just being a communication tool, to be a tool for round-the-clock connectivity, you can not live without it even in a minute.” Mobile consultant Nick Lane also points out with so many customized styles and features, your mobile phone will become a symbol of you.

Where will the global mobile phone industry be in another 20 years? Certainly, there will be more connections than better coverage. As for where else technology will take us, one can only imagine.

According the passage, we can know that GSM is ____________.

A. a global-used mobile phone                   B. a global mobile phone industry

C. a global mobile phone association           D. a global mobile communication system

It's most difficult to find a CDMA mobile phone in ____________.

A. the United States              B. South America               C. Europe                 D. China

From this passage, we can infer that ____________.

A. as soon as the first mobiles appeared, they became popular and many people have one

B. with a GSM mobile phone, you can make a phone call in most parts of the USA

C. there are only two cell phone systems in the whole world: GSM and CDMA

D. most of the mobile phone users in the world now are using the GSM mobile phone

By pointing out “your mobile phone will become a symbol of you”, what does Nick Lane want to tell us about the mobile phone in the future?

A. You can have a mobile phone with the unique look and functions as you like.

B. Others can find us without any difficulties if we carry our mobile phone.

C. The mobile phone can be used as a permit when you enter some places.

D. The mobile phone we carry can show others how wealthy we are.

What does the writer feel about the GSM development in the following 20 years?

A. Satisfied.            B. Worried.               C. Confident.          D. Confused.

查看答案和解析>>

“Any time! Any where! Decades ago there was no such thing” – “Communication”.

Then, September 7th 1987, the global system for mobile communication or GSM was born. And international agreements that laid out the standards, regulations and practices gave rise to a global mobile phone industry.

To be honest, the world’s first mobiles were not so attractive and the range of effectiveness wasn’t very good. But they became a must-have among those wealthy people who could afford that. However, by advantage of GSM which has many different elements to it, we can all enjoy the ability to go around the world in 217 countries, land in that country and know that a phone would work.

There are other cell phone systems using different technology in the world. The majority of the United States and parts of South America have been using something called CDMA which is very rare in Europe. In some Asian countries like China, GSM and CDMA both exist at the same time. But the GSM Association claims 85% of the global mobile phone market. They estimated there are now about 2.5 billion different users who make more than 7 trillion minutes of calls everyday, and that’s not all.

20 years later, the mobile phone is so much more than just a phone. You can use it to send text messages, take pictures, show video, even surf the internet.

“The phone itself is involved from just being a communication tool, to be a tool for round-the-clock connectivity, you can not live without it even in a minute.” Mobile consultant Nick Lane also points out with so many customized styles and features, your mobile phone will become a symbol of you.

Where will the global mobile phone industry be in another 20 years? Certainly, there will be more connections than better coverage. As for where else technology will take us, one can only imagine.

1. According the passage, we can know that GSM is ____________.

A. a global-used mobile phone         B. a global mobile phone industry

C. a global mobile phone association    D. a global mobile communication system

2.From this passage, we can infer that ____________.

A. as soon as the first mobiles appeared, they became popular and many people have one

B. with a GSM mobile phone, you can make a phone call in most parts of the USA

C. there are only two cell phone systems in the whole world: GSM and CDMA

D. most of the mobile phone users in the world now are using the GSM mobile phone

3. By pointing out “your mobile phone will become a symbol of you”, what does Nick Lane want to tell us about the mobile phone in the future?

A. You can have a mobile phone with the unique look and functions as you like.

B. Others can find us without any difficulties if we carry our mobile phone.

C. The mobile phone can be used as a permit when you enter some places.

D. The mobile phone we carry can show others how wealthy we are.

4. What does the writer feel about the GSM development in the following 20 years?

A. Satisfied.    B. Worried.    C.Confident     D. Confused.

 

 

查看答案和解析>>


同步练习册答案