How do you pay for things in a shop? Perhaps you like the touchable reliability of hard cash? Maybe the financial flexibility of a credit card suits you better? Or perhaps you prefer the simple convenience of a smartphone?

Whatever you use today, experts believe all these methods could soon become outdated. Instead, we will use our bodies: our eyes, our fingerprints, even our mere presence in the store. In fact it's happening already. Amazon are trialing stores which have no checkouts, where technology tracks the items you've taken from the shelves and deducts（扣除） the total from your account when you leave the shop.

French supermarket Monoprix takes a different path: you choose your groceries and leave them with a human cashier. You then leave the shop while the cashier adds up your bill, charges your account, and organizes delivery to your home.

Amir, CEO of Barclaycard predicts that such new developments mean the end of the plastic credit card. Instead, wearable items such as rings, necklaces and key chains will carry chips（芯片） that allow shoppers to shop, going between the web, an app or in store.

And while all the above payment methods are supported by accounts held in traditional currencies, let's not forget the rise of alternatives such as Litecoin. Virtual（虛擬） currencies can rise in value very quickly. One such possibility is explored in the movie In Time. It imagines a futuristic society in which the currency is time itself, where people trade the amount of time they have left to live.

Or perhaps we'd do better to wind back the clock to the simpler financial world of the equal exchange economy. While the term recalls images of bags of grain and herds of sheep being exchanged in ancient times, there are signs that are making a comeback in today's world of modern technology. Maybe the only thing we know for certain is that money will keep updating.

1.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Payment is done by the cashiers at Amazon.

B. All the methods of payment have become outdated.

C. Shopping at Monoprix is convenient for customers.

D. Customers can leave their credit cards at Monoprix.

2.What might replace the credit cards in the future according to Amir?

A. Smartphones. B. Wearable items.

C. Virtual currencies. D. Fingerprints.

3.What is used as a currency in the movie In Time?

A. Litecoin. B. Human life.

C. Time. D. Bags of grain.

4.Which is the best title for the passage?

A. The Rise of Virtual Currencies. B. The History of Money.

C. The Ending if Credit Cards. D. The Changing Nature of Money.

練習冊系列答案
相關(guān)習題

科目：高中英語 來源：黑龍江省雞西市2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期期中考試英語試卷 題型：短文改錯

下面短文中有10處語法錯誤。請在有錯誤的地方增加、刪除或修改某個單詞。

增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號（∧）,并在其下面寫上該加的詞。

刪除：把多余的詞用斜線（\）劃掉。

修改：在錯的詞下劃一橫線，并在該詞下面寫上修改后的詞。

注意：1. 每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

2. 只允許修改10處，多者（從11處起）不計分。

David, a little boy living next door by me, liked fast food very much. His parents was so busy that they had a little time to cook for him at home. So they often took him out eat fast food. That was because David became overweight. My mother had always told his parents that too much fast food was harmful, and they ignored my mother’s suggestion. Recently, the doctor warned him never to eat fast food any more after the poor boy has a physical examination. His parents came to realize what terrible a mistake we had made. Now David’s mother often comes to ask my mother for some advices on how to make healthy food.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：福建省南安市2016-2017學(xué)年高一入學(xué)考試英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

Everybody in this world is different from one another. But do you know that understanding differences can help you better manage your money?

As we grow up, we gradually develop a set of our own values or beliefs. These are influenced by society, our family, the education we receive and so on. Once this value system is set up, it’s not easy to change later in life.

Financial (金融) experts say that everyone also has their own belief of how to manage their finances. This is part of our value system and it has a great impact on the way we look after our money.

According to our different values, experts put us in three categories. They are: the ant, the cricket and the snail.

The ant—works first

Just like ants who work heart and soul in summer in order to store food for winter, these people don’t care about enjoying the moment. They work very hard and save money they earn so that they can enjoy life when they get old and retire. The ant loves to save but they could make more out of their money if they were willing to invest(投資) in some funds and stocks with low risk.

The cricket—fun first

The cricket wants to enjoy everything now and doesn’t think too much about the future. They even borrow money when they really want something. Many young people now belong to this group. These people have little savings. When they get old, they might have problems. They should learn to save and buy insurance(保險).

The snail—lives under pressure(壓力)

The snail refers to people who make life difficult for themselves. They take big long-term loans (貸款)from the bank in order to buy things such as luxury(奢華的) houses. They are happy to take big loans even though they are not sure they can afford it. This can cause problems in the future. They should plan more carefully.

1.People with the character of the snail would like to _______.

A. enjoy life at the moment without thinking much about the future

B. live a luxury life at all costs

C. put work before everything else.

D. take the risk of investing a large sum of money

2.Our beliefs and values are affected by the following except ______.

A. society B. money

C. education D. our family

3.This passage mainly talks about _______.

A. the reaction between man and insects

B. the problems with dealing with money

C. the insects in nature

D. the spending nature of people

4.Which of the following has the character that the author prefers?

A. The ants B. The cricket

C. The snail D. None of the above

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：河北省2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期期末考試英語試卷 題型：完形填空

When my sister Diane began playing the violin, she was seven. How did she sound? Terrible. But she didn’t _________. At twelve, she asked our parents if she could _________ a full-time music school. They said no. Actually, everyone agreed that my sister __________ talent.

I was better at my _________. My teacher had told my parents that I had great __________. So my parents found the best piano teacher in the area to _________ me. But the only time he was _________was Saturday afternoons at 3 P. m. Back then, I was _________ about the British TV show “The Avengers”, which was ________ every Saturday at 3 P. p. m. I let nothing take up my “Avengers” hour . So I _________ this amazing opportunity. Today, I don’t even have a ________ in my house.

My sister became an engineer, but she _________stopped making music. When she was in her 40s, she switched （轉(zhuǎn)換）_________. She went back to college, got a _________ in music education, and became a music teacher. She starts kids out on their first instrument and gives them all the encouragement and support she never _________.

Recently, she and a pianist pal put on a recital（音樂獨奏會）. A big crowd of friends and family _________ for her. As she played, I looked around at the _________. Everyone was _________enjoying the music. It occurred to me that I was the only person who remembered that 7-year-old kid making those perfectly _________ sounds and knew how far she had come, despite _________.

Talent is important. But enthusiasm is even more important.

1.A. admit B. advance C. quit（停止） D. improve

2.A. attend B. join C. leave D. visit

3.A. admired B. lacked（缺乏） C. had D. instrument（儀器）

4.A. major B. project C. composition D. instrument

5.A. ambition（雄心 ） B. patience C. enthusiasm D. potential（潛力）

6.A. examine B. train C. Correct D. challenge

7.A. available（有空的） B. punctual（守時的） C. skillful D. occupied

8.A. sensitive B. serious C. crazy D. particular

9.A. aired（播送） B. filmed C. Designed D. commented評論

10.A. grasped B. valued C. waited for D. turned down

11.A. book B. play C. piano D. violin

12.A. already B. even C. never D. once

13.A. attitudes B. careers（職業(yè)） C. plans D. positions

14.A. degree B. chance C. scholarship D. sponsor贊助商

15.A. expected B. provided C. imagined D. received

16.A. paid off B. showed off C. stayed up D. turned up

17.A. audience B. students C. spotlights D. platform

18.A. appropriately（適當?shù)兀?B. anxiously C. obviously D. desperately絕望地

19.A. sweet B. awful C. powerful D. unique

20.A. everybody B. everything C. something D. somebody

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：福建省漳州市2017屆高三5月質(zhì)量檢查英語試卷 題型：短文改錯

假定英語課上老師要求同桌之間交換修改作文，請你修改你同桌寫的以下作文。文中共有10處錯誤，每句中最多有兩處。錯誤涉及一個單詞的增加、刪除或修改。

增加：在缺詞處加一個漏字符號（∧），并在此符號下面寫出該加的詞。

刪除：把多余的詞用斜線（＼）劃掉。

修改：在錯的詞下劃一橫線，并在該詞下面寫出修改后的詞。

注意：1.每處錯誤及其修改均僅限一詞；

2.只允許修改10處，多者（從第11處起）不計分。

Looking back to the National English Speaking Competition I take part in several days ago, I have a lot to share to you.

Firstly, I feel real delighted that I’ve won the first prize in the competition, which makes me to understand the true meaning of the proverb “No pains, no gains”. Besides, I’ve established the friendship with students from all over our country, from which I’ve learned a lot. More importantly, participate in this competition has enabled me to overcome my fear of speaking in public, thus developing my self-confidence. Additionally, I owe much thanks to my teachers and judges. Without his help, I couldn’t have done such excellent job.

To sum up, I will always treasure this meaningful and memorable experiences.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：福建省三明市2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期第二次月考英語試卷 題型：單句改錯

1.Organic farmers often change the kind of crop in each field every a few years.

2.Doctor Yuan tried hard to increase rice harvest without expand the area of the fields.

3.The acting is so convinced that it makes the audience believe it is a real-life scene.

4.The meeting day Niulang and Zhinü are looking forward to coming on July 7th.

5.While shopping, women sometimes can’t help persuaded into buying more clothes than necessary.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：福建省三明市2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期第二次月考英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

Tears ran down from my eyes as I saw the essay my high school English teacher had just handed back. A big F was written on top. I was hopeless. I was stupid ! My face burned with shame when my classmates called me stupid.

“I’m the only one who doesn’t know my ABCs!” I sobbed to Mom.

“I’ll help,” she promised.

Every day I sat with her, but to me, cat looked like cta and red was reb. Frustrated, I would return to my bedroom and draw, filling the paper with houses, restaurants and offices.

“When I grow up, I want my own store,”  I told Mom , pointing to my drawings.

“ That’s great !” she said, “ but first you have to learn to read.”

Later, I was diagnosed with dyslexia (失讀癥). So Mom took me to a learning centre, where I was given reading exercises. But I still had a hard time. Finally, I graduated, but I was afraid of my reading skills.

“I’ll never get a job !”  I cried to Mom later again.

“ Don’t focus on what you can’t do,” she comforted, “ Concentrate on what you really can.”

But what can I do? I wondered. Suddenly, I thought of the drawings I’d made as a child and my dream of having my own store. I enjoyed sales so much that over the next few years, I tried my hand at other businesses. Today, I watch over seven branches. We have 187 employees and $15 million in sales.

While I’ll never be what my teachers might have wanted, I am a success--on my own terms. The other day a student sent me a card, reading: You gave me so much confidence. I hope to be like you when I am big. Tears of joy filled my eyes. This was my A, and I smiled.

1.Why did the author feel so ashamed at school?

A. His teacher ignored him in class.

B. His teacher didn’t grade his essay.

C. He failed to finish his essay in time.

D. His classmates looked down upon him.

2.Which of the following best describes the author’s feeling to his mother?

A. Grateful. B. Guilty.

C. Doubtful. D. Regretful.

3.Which of the following can match the text?

A. No pains, no gains.

B. Never too old to learn.

C. Every man has his value.

D. Two heads are better than one.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：陜西省咸陽市2016-2017學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期第三次月考英語試卷 題型：閱讀理解

What can you imagine the life 100 years from now? In fact, no one can know it from now, but scientists studying the evolution of the society, human life and the world in general make such kind of predictions based on scientific data. According to their publications in scientific journals, let’s see how the world might look like in 100 years from now.

Embedded computers

According to predictions by Ian Pearson and Patrick Tucker, by 2050 the human body will be embedded2 with computers, at least in a big part of the population, and by 2075 most of the citizens of the developed world will have some kind of chips built in their brains to make them work faster and share thoughts in the form of computer data.

Superhuman geniuses

Developments in genetic engineering will create human geniuses who will live forever. Does it sound unbelievable? It is sure that there will be a way to influence the brain to increase the intelligence level and with the help of genetics it will be possible to maintain human body for many years.

Global currency

According to futurists, it is very likely that a global electronic currency will be created. They say that the local and national currencies will be few until mid-century and will gradually disappear, let alone metal currencies.

Three world languages

There will be only three world languages: English, Spanish and Chinese. Other languages will have no chance to survive through time. Futurists say that many minority languages are already extinct and the fac t that all educated people in the world speak at least one of these languages will help in this way.

Oceans as a food source

It is one of the most “confident” future devel opments, according to scientists, because if the world population continues growing at the same rate, it will reach ten billion. So the food will not be enough. Thus the oceans will be used to raise fish and to provide populations with fresh water taken from the sea plants.

Journeys into space

Most futurists agree on this and believe that some kind of tourist attractions will be created in space, although they will be affordable only for wealthy people.

1.Why will there be only English, Spanish and Chinese according to the passage?

A. Because other languages won’t be important.

B. Because people who speak minority languages won’t be willing to speak their native languages.

C. Because more and more educated people speak English, Spanish and Chinese, which will cause many minority languages extinct

D. Because in the whole world all the people must not speak other languages.

2.What currency can we use to buy goods in the future from the passage?

A. local currency B. metal currency

C. national currency D. global electronic currency

3.The main idea about the passage is about        .

A. what the people look like 100 years  from now .

B. what the life of people is like 100 years from now.

C. what the environment is like 100 years from now.

D. what the culture is like100 years from now.

查看答案和解析>>

科目：高中英語 來源：四川省遂寧市2015-2016學(xué)年高一下學(xué)期教學(xué)水平監(jiān)測（期末）英語試卷 題型：短文填空

China, 1.（situate）in one of the most active earthquake 2.（region），has experienced many terrible earthquakes. The most serious earthquake of all time 3.（occur）in Hua County in Shanxi Province in 1556, 4. affected an area of 800 square kilometers. In some communities, 60% of the population 5.（be）killed. The earthquake caused 6. total of more than 830,000 deaths.

The 1906 California Earthquake lasted for only one minute. 7., it caused the worst 8.(nature) disaster in the American history. The fires caused by the earthquake burned for three days, 9. (destroy) more than 250,000 buildings 10. leaving 250,000 people homeless.

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習冊答案