英语A级阅读

（本文内容为个人笔记分享）

[A] Level

Study Habits and Time Management [A]

College is a place to explore many possibilities; you really can’t do it all unless you manage your time wisely. Here are some tips I have found very helpful for managing my time and maximizing my study efforts:

1. Determine your goals. What do you want to get out of a college education? Academic Knowledge? Leadership experience within a club? Decide what is most important to you. Then devote proportionate(成比例的；相称的，适当的) amouts of time to those efforts.
2. Plan ahead. You may think you can keep everything in your head, but as the activities on your schedule start piling(pile v. 堆放；摞起；叠放) up, making a schedule can really help organize even little tasks.
3. Study at Strategic(策略的；战略的) times. Don’t wait until you’re falling asleep to study. Study first. Save those e-mails to check later, because tasks that don’t require much energy and attention can still be done when you’re tired.
4. Motivate yourself! You know that TV show you’ve been dying to see, or that game of chess you’ve been waiting all week to challenge your friend to. These and many other special activities can be used for motivation. Promise yourself that you’ll finish your biology(生物) assignment before you go off and “play”. That way, you’ll force yourself to work efficiently. (Don’t rush through the assignment, though.)
5. Take a nap. Sometimes even a 20-minute nap in the afternoon will give you the extra energy you need to get through the day.

Your small business set-up guide [A]

Welcome to our small business set-up guide, providing all information you need to start your business on a healthy, solid basis.

From choosing the right name for your company and making your first business plan, through to up-to-date(最新的) taxation(税) advice, banking and insurance tips, each subject is discussed in the guide.

We also look at the vital(至关重要的；生死攸关的) characteristics(特征；特点) you’ll need to survive in business. Determination and originality(独创性；创意) are key. Equally, so is the ability to organize your time and to put in the required effort during the early days.

As with any new business, success can never be guaranteed, but our aim is to reduce the difficulties involved in setting up a business on your own. We’ll forewarn(提前警告) you of the most common problems, including failure to research your market in sufficient(足够的；充分的) detail and not setting aside(留作…之用) enough funds for tougher financial times.

Starting up even the smallest business can be challenging. But take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. In fact, of the four million businesses currently in operation(正在运行中；正在实施中) in the UK, more than 99.3% are classified as “small”, with fewer than 50 employees.

In order to keep this guide as brief as possible, where we’ve not had enough room to include every detail, you’ll find a link taking you to the most relevant(相关的) articles.

Good luck with your business idea!

Furniture Promotion Ideas [A]

家具推广主意

furniture 家具；promotion 促进；发扬；推广；

Marketing furniture to the public can be challenging for a small business owner. Consumers buy furniture pieces(件；片) only occasionally. However, there are several furniture promotion ideas that can be used to help you reach your target market.

One thing you can do is to talk with real estate(房地产) agents to allow you to display your furniture in a new home or open house setting. This is a good way to reach a key target market — new home buyers — who may need new furniture for their future homes. Increasing foot traffic(增加客流量) is also important for a furniture store. To get more people to the store, you can advertise a raffle(抽奖；抽彩) event. This event can be promoted(促进；推动；促销) in your local media and through direct mail campaigns(商业活动；运动) or front door advertisements to generate(生成；产生；引起) more interest.

In tough economic times, small business owners often suffer most as a result of slow consumer spending. To fight back against this, you have to make it easier of your customers to buy furniture. If you can, offer in-store financing, or drop the interest rate on your company’s credit terms(信用条款). Consider lowering your prices and holding two-for-one(二对一；买一送一) events to arouse more consumer interest.

How to Get Around New York City by Bus [A]

Although buses tend to be slower than the subway for traveling around New York City, there are many reasons to use the bus while visiting New York City:

They tend to service areas of Manhattan that are not located close to subway lines.

他们倾向于服务曼哈顿那些不靠近地铁路线的地区。

Buses offer the added advantage of being able to see various areas of Manhattan While you ride当你乘车时.

How Much Does the Bus Cost?

Fare is $2.25 and can be paid with a Metro Card or coins (no dollar bills, no pennies.)

A free transfer(转乘) to another bus or the subway within 2 hours is available if you paid with a Metro Card.

If you pay cash you can ask for a transfer, but it is only good for transferring to another bus(not to the subway) within 2 hours.

Getting On and Off the Bus

You must wait for buses at designated(指定的) bus stops.

As you see the bus approaching your stops, you can put your arm out to indicate(暗示) to the driver that you want to board the bus.

Enter the bus through the front doors and pay your fare.

Take a seat or move toward the back of the bus to make room for other people boarding(登上…) the bus.

To request a stop: Pull the cord(细绳) or press the black band(带子；乐队) near the windows. A “Stop Requested” light will be on immediately at the front of the bus.

Where to Exchange Foreign currency for U.S. Currency [A]

The practice(做法) of exchanging foreign currency can vary by country. In one country, you may have to change your money at the airport, and in orther countries you may need to buy your foreign currency in advance. Here are some places you can exchange foreign currency for U.S. currency.

Your Bank

In many cases you can purchase U.S. currency for your trip from a bank. Banks tend to have higher exchange rates than some currency exchange businesses. Before you purchase currency from a bank, check the currency change rates for that day so you can compare the rate the bank is giving and determine if it’s a good offer. There is a fee involved in withdrawing foreign currency from your bank.

The Airport

Currency exchange businesses can be found at most international airports, so you can purchase U.S. currency either before you board your flight or at the U.S. airport on arrival. Note that U.S. airports typically have fewer currency exchange counters(柜台) than travelers are accustomed(习惯的) to seeing in other parts of the world. If the airport you are flying into is not in a mojor U.S. city, consider using the exchange service in your departure(启程；离开) airport to be on the safe side为了安全起见. If you are in an airport where several exchange companies operate(运行), be sure to shop around for the best rate and lowest exchange fee.

A day at the Hampton Inn Hotel [A]

Start your day off right with our continental(大陆的；洲的) breakfast free. Not only do we offer a generous variety of traditional continental foods, but also a couple of hot items each day. Too busy to sit down for breakfast? During the week, you can choose to take away a breakfast bag.

We provide high speed Internet access in all guest rooms and common areas. Are you sick of sitting at the desk all day? We provide lap desks in every room to improve your work environment. Didn’t bring your laptop computer with you? Please use our computer and printer located in our business center. We can also provide fax(传真) and copy service at the front desk.

Our 400 sq. feet of meeting space can hold up to 30 people. For an extra fee, we can provide electronic(电子的；电子设备的) digital equipment. Conveniently located just next to the business center, our meeting space works well for all your business needs我们的会议空间对于你所有的商业需求工作得很好.

We are located directly off Highway 131 at Exit 78. We are just 2 miles north of the M6-South Beltline. There are multiple(数量多的；多种多样得) restaurants within walking distance. Our address: 89787th Street S. W. SDFKJl, MI 8908.

How to do a DIY car service [A]

Car servicing is something that every car owner has to experience at least some time of the year. The best method to service your car is to go to your car service station and have the servicing done methodically according to your car maker. Consider this: Your car is up and running smoothly but the mileage figures indicate that you need to have it serviced. Certainly, this is the right thing to do but have you wondered what actually goes in to make you pay that servicing bill every 6 months?

Servicing your car is a simple DIY(Do It Yourself) job that you can learn quickly and easily save some good money.

If you have never serviced your car before personally, here’s your resource: Servicing Basics Car servicing essentially(本质上) means inspecting(检查；审视；视察) the car thoroughly for any damaged components, and replacing some parts regularly(定时地；有规律地) that wear out(磨损；穿坏；用坏) over time. If you review carefully it is certainly possible to do all this by yourself, as below:

You will need a complete set of tools as provided by your car maker when you purchased the vehicle. This will usually consist of all the spanners(扳手) that you might need.

Completely servicing your car will need a few hours but you will end up saving a lot of money. Besides, it’s fun too and a lot of learning.

Introduction to Flying Blue [A]

Flying Blue is a frequent filer rewards program offered by Air France and KLM Royal(皇家的) Dutch(荷兰) Airlines. Flying Blue members enjoy the ability to earn and spend air mile points on fights and services offered by Air France, KLM, and its various airline partners.

Flying Blue also offers other ways to spend your points with select travel and transportation companies for things such as car and hotel rentals(租金). Award miles can be used to purchase discounts, gifts and free flights.

Flying Blue offers several different levels of membership dependent on how often you fly and how many air mile points you have accumulated. The levels are in the order of Ivory, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. As one increases in membership level, one will receive increased benefits such as first class promotion(一等升级) on flights and extra baggage allowances. Members also are allowed entrance into SkyTeam VIP rooms.

Members must fly on a paid flight(付费航班) at least once every twenty months or their miles will no longer count. The Flying Blue reward program is a great way for frequent fliers and travelers to get a little bit more out of their Airline travels. As the first membership level, Ivory is your gateway to enjoying all that Flying Blue has to offer. With Ivory membership, you can start earning and spending Miles on a large number of flights and services. There are so many reasons to join the Flying Blue program — and it all starts with Ivory.

Team Building [A]

When it comes to human resources, hiring highly-skilled staff is not usually enough for a company to function successfully. Besides the knowledge in their particular fields, employees must always have additional skills — those of co-operation. In the case that work tasks can only be carried out by communicating with people, accepting common decisions, solving problems, sharing information and helping one another, teamwork skills are vital.

While some jobs may require talent, the ability to work as a team is learned. There are no complicated(繁琐的；复杂的) formulas(公式); you don’t need to have any special qualities or exceptional(杰出的；卓越的；罕见的；异常的) mental abilities. Individuals can be effective as a team if they have developed certain behaviors or habits of communication. Many companies, clubs and organizations use team building activities. Team building activities may include a number of teamwork elements. They are aimed at encouraging active participation in task accomplishment while all members have their roles as individuals and are able to co-coperate towards a common goal as a team.

Many team building activities focus on problem solving and discussing team issues; thus argument as a way to common consensus(共识；一致的意见) is encouraged. Team building activities often involve recognition and identification of team member skills, talents, knowledge, and experiences which allow the team members to learn more about each other and fully utilize(使用；利用；应用) those skills where appropriate(适当的；恰当的). Many team activities are focused on developing keys to trust during challenging times许多团队活动专注于在挑战时期发展信任的要点.

Fairway Kenwood Car Service, meet all your transport requirements [A]

Fairway Kenwood is a quality Private Hire(租用) Car Service company, the company has a long and established(已确立的) service history with over a quarter of a century of experience in private car hire, catering(迎合) for clients’ transport requirements.

All our drivers and vehicles are licensed by the Public Carriage Office. All our vehicles are fitted(安装) with most up-to-date computer systems. We provide transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We accept all credit card bookings. We undertake(负责；承担；保证) long distance journeys and will be happy to give you a quote(报价；引用) on request根据需求报价.

When you call, our sales representative(销售代理；销售代表) are ready and waiting to assist with your transport requirements. They can provide full information on the company’s operation and how our service fits into your requirements and can help you during your visit to London.

Our professional sales team can offer suggestions on how perhaps you can save money on travel while you are in London. Sightseeing(观光；游览) and shopping trips can be arranged with very competitive(有竞争性的) prices.

We offer a number of special services for buses and private use: Wedding Service, for those special occasions; Guided Tour, executive tours of London famous locations; VIP Service, for that additional extra service.

This service is availiable 24 hours/day, 7days/week and 365 days of the year.

How to Get a Business Loan From a Bank [A]

Borrowing to start a business is not easy. Getting a bank loan, particularly for a small business, is like going through the eye of a needle(针眼).

Banks favor established business people with a solid credit rating and a large bank account. They should also have experience in the business they propose(打算；计划；提议；建议) to enter, and offer well-prepared business plans that show the ability to repay(偿还；归还) the loans. If you are not such a person, then you need to double your preparations to convince the banker to lend you that much needed start-up capital(资金；首都). If your business is new and small, bankers will need to know as much as possible about you and your business.

However, many small business owners often make the mistake of not being well prepared when going to the bank to apply for the loan. Surprisingly, many loan applicants don’t even have the slightest idea how or when they intend to repay the money they request. Often they don’t even know how much money they need. When asked how much money they want to borrow, many people give these two common responses: “How much money can I get?” and “As much as possible.” Is it any wonder(疑惑) that lenders say no?

So the most important thing is doing your homework before you ask for a loan.

Advertising Garage(车库) Sales [A]

The key to any successful garage(车库) sale is to get the word out(宣传). The best means of advertising your sale is to place an ad in the local newspaper. If you have a city and neighborhood paper, make sure you advertise in both. The ad should be large enough that it stands out. It should also include information on where the sale is located with directions, the “hot” items you’re selling and the time the sale will start and end. An ad should be placed at least two days before the sale and run until the day of your event. That way people can plan their route to the sale in advance.

Signs are another great way to inform your community. Post them in places where people gather, such as stores and community centers. Some businesses have a central bulletin(公告；布告) board, which is the best place to advertise. Other places to post are at the local college or university campus(大学校园). This is especially helpful if your sale is happening in August or early September when students have returned to school and are looking for cheap finds.

Post signs around your neighborhood. You should also place both ads and direction signs, especially if you’re located on a side street without a major presence.你应该放置广告和方位提示，尤其是你的位置在一个没有主要呈现的旁街 Signs will attract and direct people. Just make sure you print in bold letters and use large direction signs so people can read the information from the front seat of their car.

Jack Welch’s Approach to Leadership [A]

Jack welch is among the famous CEOs because his management style is taught at business schools throughout the country. He has been with the General Electric Company(GE) since 1960. Having taken GE with a market value of about $12 billion, Jack Welch turned it into one of the largest and most admired companies in the world, with a market value of about $500 billion, when he stepped down(辞去) as its CEO 20 years later, in 2000.

As Jack welch wrote in a letter to shareholders(股东) :“In the old culture, managers got their power from secret knowledge: profit margins, market share, and all that… In the new economy, the role of the leader is to express a vision(愿景), and put it into practice. That calls for(呼吁；需要) open, caring relations with every employee, and face-to-face communication. People who can’t convincingly express a vision won’t be successful. But (those who can) will become even more open — because success builds up self-confidence.”

Welch believed that great business leaders have to : possess large amounts of energy, and know how to use that energy to motivate others.

Welch moves from meeting to meeting, conveying(传达) that message — and many more others as well, some of which have become his trademarks(贸易标志): Business is simple. Don’t make it complicated. Face reality. Don’t be afraid of change. Use the brains of your workers.

Enjoy your time at Presidents Club [A]

In a Presidents Club, you could actually get some work done at the airport if you wanted to. Check your voice mail, write a report, hold a meeting, or take some time to relax between flights. Whether your objective is to get some work done or simply escape the crowds in the airport, our experienced President Club staff will ensure that your needs are met from the moment you enter any of our 26 Clubrooms. From the President Club, our agents can even check you in for your flight and confirm your seat assignment(分配). You can also visit our 40 lounges(休息室) worldwide, including all domestic(本国的；家庭的；驯养的) Northwest WorldClubs locations.

Our Presidents Club lounges are newer and better than ever, which means there has never been a better time, or better reason, to join.

Whether you travel alone or with others, the unique atmosphere of the Presidents Club is the perfect place to enjoy a little privacy, get work done, or simply relax. As a President Club member, you may ==entertain(招待；款待；==使有兴趣；使快乐；娱乐) two friends or business associates(商业合作伙伴), or your immediate family(直系亲属), anytime you visit a President Club.

To make the Presidents Club even more comfortable, we recently updated many of our Clubrooms, Our Clubrooms’ features(特点；特征) include: A variety of complimentary(互补的；补充的) wine and beer selections; Bar areas designed with unique local themes; Complimentary soft drinks, juice, coffee, and light snacks; Television viewing areas where you and your family can watch the latest movies or shows.

Special benefits system help everyone stay sharp [A]

Technology companies usually focus their employee benefits around making people stay in the office longer, ping-pong tables, game rooms, on-site(现场) training rooms, some even offer laundry(洗衣) services. We, ABC Company, don’t do any of these.

Instead, we focus on benefits that get people out of the office as much as possible. We designed our benefits system to reflect that. Here are some of the benefits we offer to get people away from the computer:

Vacations: For the last three years in a row(连续不断地)在过去连续的几年里, we’ve worked with a professional travel agent to prepare different travel packages that employees could pick from as a holiday gift. Everything is paid for and included. Specific, pre-arranged trips — whether for a family to go to Disneyland or a couple to tour Spain — have helped make sure people actually take their vacations.

4-day Summer Weeks: From May through October, everyone who’s been with the company for more than a year gets to work just four days in a week. This started out as “Friday’s off”, but roles like customer support and operations need to cover all hours.

To come up with the best ideas, you need a fresh mind. These travel and time-off benefits help everyone stay sharp.

How to Request A Refund(退款) [A]

If your purchase is not as described or is of low quality, you can return the item to the seller and get a full refund.

Conditions for Submitting Refund Requests:

1. All products (claimed to be not as described) must match the items sold by the seller.
2. Refund request should be submitted during the protection period.
3. Buyers should provide enough evidence to prove that the products received are not as good as described.
4. If you submit a refund request before the order is completed and then mark that order as complete — you cannot submit another refund request for another 15 days, even it has a Longer Protection guarantee. If, however, the reason for your refund request is “I didn’t receive anything” and the result is “payment released to the reller”, you still can submit refund request within the 15 days if the product is not as described.

Returning Shipping Fee

1. If the seller accepts returns, and the buyer also wants to return their purchase, simply follow the seller’s sets of Returns on who will pay the return shipping fee. If the seller will pay the fee, communicate with the seller in advance about the payment method and the ==logistics(物流的；==逻辑的) service.
2. If a seller sets no return necessary or a buyer wants to keep the product, simply agree on the refund amount directly and ignore the return shipping fee.

Making Your Presentation Work [A]

In giving a business presentation, many speakers think that if their idea is strong, their audience will get it readily. They feel discouraged when the audience is unable to understand their presentations. That happens a lot especially when technical(技术的；技术性的) experts are invited to make a product presentation to a group of users.

What can we do to make a business presentation easier to understand? In my view, good presentations have always been simple and visual. In an effective business presentation, the fewer the points, the better the message gets passed on. You focus on the depth of coverage(信息范围；信息质量；新闻报道) instead of the width of coverage. Additionally, you make your ideas visual and relevant(相关的；切题的；有价值的；有意义的), so the message is understood better and remembered longer. Great business presenters relate their ideas and concepts to their audience by using simple, powerful diagrams instead of relying on text-based slides(幻灯片PPT). In fact, drawing diagrams forces a presenter to make the idea clear even at the preparation stage. It is impossible to draw diagram when you are not clear about an idea. When your idea is clear, it is easier to transfer it. Most audiences understand a diagram faster and remember it longer. This possibly explains why most of the memorable(难忘的) presentations have been visual in nature(本质上).

Blue Jeans Company [A]

Blue Jeans Company was established in October 2012 and operates as a partnership between Elena Horowitz and James Foster. In fact, it began in Elena’s basement when they sold jeans to friends. And now the company has grown to have its own online store, relationships with suppliers in Asia, and local factories. The company has had its revenues(收入；收益；财政收入) double every two months.

For our day-to-day(日常) operations(运营), Blue Jeans Company has established several key relationships and we can easily expand our production when the demand for our goods increases.

We obtain the best organic cotton from two suppliers, one located in Turkey and the other in Japan, which means that their supplies are produced without the use of any chemicals. Once the shipment(运输) arrives in the US, it’ll be routed to our production and shipping partner in Los Angeles. We work closely with our partner to ensure quality through regular(定期的) checks. It is also where the products will ship out.

Our office is located on 2029 Century Park East where all staff work together, handling all online order processing and ensuring the purchase and delivery of the products run smoothly. It’s also where all requests for refunds are handled in addition to the future launch(启动) of the jean-recycling program.

Why KIND’s CEO Asks For 2 Months’ Notice From Departing Employees [A]

为什么KIND的CEO要求离职员工提前两个月通知

When you quit a job, you typically give two weeks’ notice, But at KIND Healthy Snacks they do thing’s differently.

Founder and CEO Daniel Lubetzky asks employees, whom he calls “team members”, for at least two months, and in some cases two years’ notice.

In return, Lubetzky focuses on their professional growth until the day they leave.

It may sound extreme(极端的), unrealistic(不现实) even, to ask for two months’ notice — or two years’ notice from those who work with him directly — but his reasoning makes perfect sense(完全有道理).

“We call the KIND team a ‘family’, so major life transitions(过渡；转变；变迁) like changing jobs aren’t meant to be kept in secret until the last minute,” Lubetzky tells Business Insider. “No one should be scared to talk about what’s next for them.” “I would rather a team member come to me months in advance, letting me know what will be happening in their life,” he says, “whether it is a baby on the way, a relocation(重新配置；调动；迁移) for personal reasons, or a plan to go back to school.”

Lubetzky doesn’t expect his employees to accept a job elsewhere(在别处，别处，别的地方) and ask the new employer to delay their start date by two months or two years. He simply wants anyone who is exploring new opportunities to be open about it.

Admission Notice [A]

入场通知

Dear Mr. Li Dong,

I am pleased to confirm that you have a conditional(有条件的；条件的) offer of a place at the University of Luton.

You should arrive in time for Welcome Week, which begins on 16th September, 2015. Teaching begins on 30th September, 2015. However, the University will admit students up to two weeks after this date.

You have been made a conditional offer(有条件的要约)你得到了一个有条件的要约. As soon as you have met the conditions set for you, please inform International Admissions in writing by letter or fax with a copy of your certificate if applicable(可应用的；适用的；合适)一旦你达到了你的条件集，请用书信通知International Admissions，或者，如果可以的话，用传真发送你的证书附件。. International students in their first year of study at Luton can apply for a place to stay in the university. You should therefore ensure that you or your sponsor can provide at least 600 penny per month to support yourself. All students whose first language is not English are expected to obtain formal(正式的) English proficiency(精通；熟练) certificates.

Please return the attached Replay Slip(纸条；便条；小纸片) to us as soon as possible, indicating whether or not you wish to accept the conditional place offered to you. We look forward to hearing from you again soon. If you have any questions about your offer or your stay in the university, please do not hesitate to contact International Admissions.

Top Dead Or Dying Career Paths [A]

Many jobs have been lost and they may not be coming back. Some occupations(工作；职业) had already been declin(e)ing(减少) for years due to advances in technology and changes in the global economy. The following is a list of careers that are disappearing.

Stage Performers

The five-year decline for this career was a surprising 61%. Stage performances have fallen out of fashion and have been almost entirely replaced with movies and home entertainment technologies.

Postal(邮政的) Service Mail Sorters(分类员)

After losing almost 57000 jobs between 2004 and 2009, a further 30% decline in this occupation can be seen by 2018. With more automatic processes for mail sorting and increasing correspondence(来往信件) via e-mail and fax, this job is quickly becoming unneccessary.

Office Support Workers

办公室支持人员

About 300,000 office support jobs disappeared between 2004 and 2009. Secretaries and file clerks are no longer in demand as companies cut costs. Moreover(此外), technologies like voicemail and easy-to-use word processors have enabled professionals to do their own office work.

Photo Processors

With the rise of digital photography and automatic printing, positions for manual(手动的；手工的；用手的) photo printers are rapidly disappearing. The occupation has been steadily losing jobs in the last five years and there might be a 24% decline by 2018.

Radio Operators

无线运营商

As technology advances, the need for workers to monitor communications via radiotelephone equipment is disappearing. This already small field本来就已经很小的领域 saw a five-year decline of 43%.

Creative Ways to Cut Your Holiday Waste [A]

The holidays are the most wasteful time of the year. The amount of waste produced increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Waste from shopping bags alone amounts to four million tons in the U.S. and 28 billion pounds of food is wasted annually. That’s about 100 pounds per person. Now for the good news. You can simplify the holidays, do something about the amount of waste. Most issues surrounding food safety and food waste involve leftovers(剩饭；剩菜). Plan ahead for the number of people you will be feeding, including a day or two of leftovers, but don’t try to keep food too long. Preparing the right amount of food will keep everyone feeling well and eliminate(消除；清除；排除) the need to throw away extra food this time of year.

Plan thoughtfully when giving gifts. Waste-free gifts of time and talent are appreciated. Tickets to concerts, the zoo, movies or sporting events make fun gifts and don’t come with any waste.

Wrapping(v.&n.包装) paper can be recycled as long as it isn’t the metal variety(金属种类). Better yet, reduce waste by wrapping gifts in shopping bags or other reusable items, to save the wrapping part of the package.

GFL Company Profile [A]

We try to ensure that GFL Solid Waste Haulage Division is a company that acts safely and responsibly at all times and in all places. We never tolerate any conduct(行为) that puts our customers and the communities we serve at risk. At GFL, safety is more than a program; it is a core value of our company. GFL is equally committed to(承诺) improving the environment for the future of the communities we live in and we serve. We believe that our services play an essential part in improving the environment and we are always mindful(留心的) of having the most cost-effective(成本效益的) waste management solutions for our customers.

We are committed to(承诺) the safety of our workers and have programs in place to continually upgrade our worker safety and environmental practices. We have highly qualified(高素质的) staff, we use the best available equipment and we are fully committed to keeping our workplace safe and the environment clean.

Over the past years, service requests have changed dramatically from basic waste disposal(处置；处理；清除) to comprehensive(综合的；全面的) waste management or “green” programs. Our new “green” waste management program is now gaining respect and popularity in the community.

For more information, contact GFL at [email protected]

Email Marketing [A]

Marketing by emailing is on the increase. Compared to other media, email messages are extremely cheap to send. With TV, you are spending on ad agencies and cable channels. With print ads, you are helping to keep newspapers and magazines alive. Direct mail costs more than $600 per thousand pieces(片；信件). With email, there are almost no costs at all. Its low cost makes email marketing become the most cost-effective advertising method available today.

With TV, you do not know who is watching your ads. Even with direct mail, you cannot be sure that your mail has been delivered, or that anyone reads it when it gets there. With email, you know within 24 hours exactly which messages have been opened, by whom, what links the openers clicked on, and what part of your message was working.

Because of electronic links, those who open your emails can do their own research: they can explore and see any of the thousands of products that you sell. They can see the colors and sizes. They can, and they do, read ratings(评级；评分；rate) and reviews(评论). They can put products in their shopping carts(购物车) and buy them.

cart : 运货马车；抽推车。shopping cart 购物车

U.S. Rules of the road [A]

To make your driving experience in the United States safe and enjoyable, our company is providing you with this “Rules of the Road” pamphlet(小册子). Please note, however, that this pamphlet does not represent a complete(完全的) list of the motor(发动机) vehicle and traffic laws of the various states.

Do Not Drink and drive!

Each state strictly prohibits Driving While Drunk(醉的).

Wear Seatbelts — It’s the Law!

Also, the use of child seats for babies and small children (usually under age 5) is required to stay in all states. Place child seats in tile(瓦片；瓷砖) back seat only.

Stay to the right

In the United States, motor vehicles are operated on the right hand side of the road. Be extremely careful to stay to the right at all times — especially if you are from a left-hand drive country.

Obey the Speed Limit

In most states, the maximum highway speed is 65 miles per hour(mph) in rural areas and 55 mph in urban areas. Speed limits on secondary roads and in cities and towns are usually significantly(特别地；非常地；重要地) lower, generally 30 mph and even lower in school zones.

Stop for School Buses

Traffic approaching in both directions must stop for a school bus while its red lights are flashing.

How do you retain(聘请；保留；保持；持有) employees in a small business? [A]

Running your small business requires good staff. Once you find them, you don’t want to let them go elsewhere.

During an employee’s time with a company, there are a number of forces that influence his or her behavior. I like to refer(指；参考) to them as “push” and “pull”. You’re either(要么) pushing an employee towards the door, or(要么) pulling them deeper into your organization.

Suppose that you’ve made a good hire and you want to keep the employees, the trick is to recognize individual needs of employees and satisfy those needs, within reason, in order to keep pulling them away from the door. Even if you can’t pull them away from the door, at least don’t do things to push them out the door.

Recognize that some employees will lose interest and need something fresh to keep their interest. If you can’t continually provide challenges, opportunities for promotion(晋升；提升；提拔；晋级；升级) and other interesting and rewarding opportunities, then you’ll have some employees leave through no fault of your own.

The important thing is to identify your key employees and make certain they are being treated well. Communicate with them on a regular basis to make certain that you understand what makes them behave in a particular way, and be aware of concerns they may have about job satisfaction(满意；满意度).

How to find work-at-home jobs? [A]

Finding a good work-at-home job is not easy. Although you see all the online advertising, there aren’t that many of them它们并不多. Those that are available may require that you live in a certain area or spend at least some time in the office. Others may be only part-time jobs.

Keep in mind that the skills needed for home employment are similar to those needed for working in an office. You’ll also need a home office with a high speed internet connection, phone, fax, computer, printer, and other basic office equipment.

To get started, consider your job search as your job把找工作当作工作. Spend as many hours per week on your job search as you would spend (in) working. If you’re looking for full-time work, you should be spending full-time hours seeking a job.

Networking(人脉) remains the top way to find a job and it does work. Develop contacts(联系) — friends, family, even the other job seekers — anyone who might have the information you need. You can take a direct approach and ask for job information or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice. Contact everyone you know and tell them you want to work from home. You may be surprised by the people they know and the job information they can provide.

How to prepare for a job hunt [A]

Finding a new job is not an easy thing to do. However, our economy is getting stronger, so now might be a good time to start looking. If you think you have the skills and abilities that employers need, there are some things you should do to prepare for the job hunt.

First, don’t quit your current job until you are sure you have a new one lined up. The best time to look for a job is when you are currently employed. People who are unemployed and desperate(不惜冒险的；不顾一切的；拼命的) for work sometimes make bad decisions in accepting a job offer. Consider job offers carefully. Will the new job be better than the one you are having now? What about the location? Will the commute(通勤) to work be easy or difficult?

If a person doesn’t have good English skills, it’s important to work on fixing that as soon as possible. It takes the average person five years to learn English really well, but for people who have lived in our country for a few years already, it might take a little less time than that. Many cities offer free English classes through the public schools, or you can learn English online. You can take classes at night or on the weekend. Good English skills usually make it easier to find a job and move up to better positions within a company.

Simple Steps to Stay Healthy at work [A]

Most of our working hours are spent in the workplace. So what do during those hours can have a significant impact on our overall health. A positive wellness(健康) culture during the workday can contribute to better health — physical, mental, and emotional well-being(幸福；健康；安乐；康乐) for you and your co-workers. Healthy people are more productive(多产的), more constructive(建设性的；有助益的；积极的) and require fewer sick days and health associated costs. Both employers and employees can promote a healthier work environment.

Don’t let your work environment affect your health for eight hours of the day. Break up(拆分) your work day. Get up, stretch, and move. Regular movement throughout(贯穿；自始至终) the day will keep your mind and body flexible and help avoid fatigue(疲劳).

Think of ways you can add movement or at least decrease the amount of time you are sitting. Try getting out of your chair more, standing during your calls, or alternating your chair with a yoga ball. And if you have to drive to work, try parking at the far end of the lot(场地), taking the stairs, and going the long way to the bathroom and break room.

Healthy employees work better. As an employer you can initiate(开始；发起；创始) and encourage healthy changes, at your workplace to create the best environment to promote mental and physical health for your employees.

Smart Home Products [A]

Our company offers a full range of Smart Home products, focusing on making your home safer and more convenient, and saving energy. All of the products are simple, even if(即使) what happens behind the scenes is clever.

The Smart Home Controller is the heart of the system. It communicates with all your other products, and lets you control them with the easy-to-use mobile app for phones, even if you’re stuck(adj. 动不了；；卡住；stick) on the motorway(高速公路【英】；highway【美】) 300 miles from your home Wi-Fi.

The Radiator(调温片；散热器；暖气片；冷却器；水箱) Thermostat(恒温器；温度自动调节器) lets you control your heating away from home or from the sofa. And unlike some smart heating systems you can set the temperature per room, helping you save even more energy and money.

The Smart Plug(插头) offers similar advanced control, from TVs and game controllers to the lamp(灯) in the kids’ room. You just don’t need to worry about whether you left something on after leaving home. You can just check on your phone, and switch things off from the app.

If you want to save energy, you might want to buy Starter Kit(入门工具包). This includes two Radiator Thermostats, the Smart Home Controller and Door/Window Contact(接触器). These use a sensor that lets you know if you’ve left window open or if someone tries to break in. That brings us to the other side of the Smart Home, security and safety.

How to be more professional at work? [A]

Follow Reporting Structure: During the course of your employment, follow the reporting structure when reporting a problem or bringing up a new idea, starting with your immediate supervisor(监督人；指导者；主管人) and moving up. If you violate(违反；违犯；违背) the accepted practices(公认的惯例), you will be marked as unprofessional. When you start a job, ask about the chain of command(指令链) and commit it to memory(把……牢牢记住).

Be Respectful: No matter which job you hold in a company, it’s important to be respectful of others. Show respect for their lifestyle choices, personal property and work styles. In any given office of situation, respectful behavior helps establish a professional reputation.

Minimize Personal Communications: With the popularity of smartphones, it can be tempting(诱惑；引诱；利诱) to spend a disproportionate(不成比例的；不相称的) amount of time participating in personal communication during work hours. Limit your use of your smartphone to avoid the perception(知觉；感知；洞察力) that you waste company time or do not get enough work done.

Follow Company Policies: In most business, company policies exist for a reason, from safety to legal protection. Get to know your company policy and make every effort to follow it. If a situation arises(发生) that requires you to break your company policy, speak to a supervisor and ask for suggestions.

Electrician(电工；电器技师) jobs available in Clarion Response [A]

Clarion Response provides repairs and maintenance services to more than 125,000 homes and is part of Clarion Housing Group, the largest housing association(协会；社团；联盟) in the UK. We complete over 1,000 repairs every day and are committed to providing a high quality service for all our residents(居民).

Now we are looking for a number of skilled electricians to deliver(交付；传送；兑现) a first class repairs service across a variety of our properties within London.

We can offer regular work, an attractive and steady salary, standard working hours and generous(慷慨的；大方的；丰富的；充足的) employee benefits. Working in occupied(占据；占领；占用) properties(房地产；房屋及院落；庄园；性质；所有物；财产；财务；不动产), you will be carrying out(进行；实施；执行；实行；贯彻) planned electrical testing and associated repair works.

As a qualified(有资格的；合格的) electrician, you will be able to understand and interpret(解释；诠释；口译 translate 翻译) work instructions(操作指南；说明书；指示；命令；指令), drawings(图纸) and diagrams. You must have a good knowledge of testing and inspection(检查) along with(随着；跟……一起) fault finding.

Ideally, you hold a minimum of NVQ Level 3. Experience of working in social housing is desirable but not essential.

You’ll be given full training, protective(防护的；保护的) clothing, a van(厢式车；客货车；面包车) to get you there as well as the specialist(专业的；专用的；专家) power(电动的；电力的) tools you’ll need. We also offer: At least 25 days paid holiday; Company sick pay dependent on your length of service; Generous pension(养老金) scheme(计划；schema 提要；纲要); Ongoing(持续存在的；仍在进行的；不断发展的) training.

If you are interested in the job, please send your resume(简历) to Clarion Response.

How to work a clear plan during an emergency [A]

Working to a clear plan during an emergency will help to ensure that you are effectively prioritizing(prioritize 按重要性排列；优先处理；划分优先顺序) many demands upon your attention在你注意力上面的许多需求.

Do not allow yourself to become distracted(分散；转移；使分心) by non-vital activities. Always bear in mind(把……放在心里) the main steps of emergency action — Assess, Make Safe, Give Emergency Aid, and Get Help.

Your approach(方法) should be brisk(轻快的), but calm and controlled, so that you can quickly take in as much information as possible. Your priorities(priority 优先事项；首要任务) are to identify any risks to yourself, to the casualty, and to any other people around, then to access the resources available to you and the kind of help you may need你的首要任务是辨别任何对你、对伤员、对你身边任何人有风险的东西，然后获得对你来说可用的资源和可能需要的帮助。. State that(声明；说明) you have first-aid skills when offering your help. If there are no doctors, nurses, or more experienced people present, calmly take charge(负责). First ask yourself these questions: Is there any continuing danger? Is anyone’s life in immediate danger? Are there any other people who can help? Do I need specialist help?

The conditions that caused the accident may still present further danger. Remember that you must put your own safety first. You can’t help others if you become a casualty yourself.

Often, very simple measures, such as turning off an electric switch(供电开关), are enough to make the area safe. Sometimes more complicated(复杂的) procedures(过程；程序；步骤；手续) are required. Never put yourself and the casualty at further risk by attempting to do too much; be aware of your limitations.

What you should know before renting the equipment from U-Haul [A]

Before renting the equipment from U-Haul, be clear about the following information.

1. I understand that this equipment must be returned to the same U-Haul location where it was rented. I understand that the minimum rental(租凭的；供出租的；收租金的) charge for equipment returned to a different location is twice the amount of the current rate.
2. I understand that the equipment rented is water resistant(耐水的；低级防水) and not water proof(完全防水的；防水等级高；高级防水).
3. I acknowledge that I have received the appropriate(适当的；合适的) User Instructions(用户说明书) and acknowledge my responsibility to fully read(全面阅读) and understand these User concerns or requirement that I have about my rental.
4. I understand that I can also contact U-Haul Customer Service(客户服务) at uhaul.com/contact/email.aspx.
5. I agree that distracted driving(分心驾驶) is dangerous and that driving while distracted is likely to lead to an accident/crash causing serious injury or death. I agree not to use a hand-held(手拿的；手提的) mobile phone (other than(除了……以外) for an emergency call). My agreement not to do so is material(n. 材料；素材；节目；布料；原料；adj. 实际的；物质的；客观存在的；重要的；必要的) to U-Haul decision to enter this Agreement我同意不这么做是 U-Haul进入本协议的决定材料 材料（U-Haul的决定材料，进入本协议的决定）. My failure to comply(遵守；服从；遵从；顺从) is material breach(违反；违背) of this Agreement.
6. I acknowledge(确认；承认) that I have received and agreed to the terms and conditions of this Rental contract and the Rental Contract Addendum(appendix 附录).

EasyCare cards help you save money [A]

Now you and your family are eligible(有资格的) for ABSOLUTELY FREE pharmacy(药房) saving cards(储蓄卡). Never pay full price at the pharmacy again.

Your EasyCare cards are ready to use immediately. They entitle(使) you — and every member of your family — to savings on every FDA-approved Prescription(处方药) Medication sold. EasyCare has secured(获得；取得；实现；保证) preferred(首选的；较喜欢的) rates on medications by partnering with the largest pharmacy chains in the United StatesEasyCare 通过与美国最大的药房连锁店合作，已经获得药物优惠. EasyCare passes those savings along to you for FREE — and we will continue to work with our pharmacy retail(零售) partners to bring more affordable healthcare to you.

With these cards you can save up to 75% off all prescriptions (an average of $150 annually per card user), regardless(不管；不顾) of your medical history(病史).

Every time you fill a prescription(填充处方，指的是 配药), simply bring your card to one of EasyCare’s partner pharmacies and save up to 75% on more than 50,000 prescription medications (药；药物；medicine) . See a list of participating pharmacies in the right column(栏) on the reverse side(背面) of your card.

These cards are not insurance. There are — no monthly fees(月费) — no deductibles(免赔额；自负额) — no eligibility(资格) requirements没有资格要求. EasyCare can be used by anyone. No one is excluded(排除；不包括) from this program for any reason.

If your friends want to request their own card, they can visit us at www.easycareasdf.com.

How to Write a Successful Cover Letter [A]

The challenge of write a powerful cover letter(求职信) can lead job candidates to search endless(无休止地) for advice, but be careful. While you likely will find some valuable advice, you may come across a few tips that could mislead you.

“You need a lengthy(庸长的) cover letter.” This probably is one of the “bad cover letter tips”. Think about it: hiring managers have piles(成堆的) of resumes(简历) and cover letters to review. If yours is longer than the rest, it might not get read at all. Aim to get all of your points across in three brief paragraphs: a clear introduction that lets employers know which job you are applying for and why you are interested in the position; a paragraph that includes a few specific examples of how you have excelled(出色的；卓越的) in past roles that are relevant to the open position; and a concluding paragraph that tells employers how you will benefit their company and requests a future meeting.

“Your cover letter is less important than your resume.” Some hiring managers shove(推开；堆放；乱放) cover letters to the side, but most do not. Because you never know what type of hiring manager you are dealing with, it is best to submit a nice cover letter. While some employers place less emphasis(强调；重视) on cover letters, others decide who to interview based on them. Remember that the point of a cover letter is to tell employers something that makes them want to meet you.

A letter of recommendation on behalf of Sand River [A]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am pleased to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Sand River and its CEO, Mrs. Jane King. I am very familiar with the company. My next book deals with it in detail, which is to be published in autumn of 2018. I am also familiar with European consumer. As a Dutch citizen, I have lived in Europe for 46 years and studied European consumer behavior for decades.

I believe that Sand River offers something unique to the European market. It has established long term supply relations with herdsman(牧民) families and owns advanced German machinery. Thus it combines natural resources with modern manufacturing(制造) techniques. But equally important, Sand River works with modern fashion designers to create truly contemporary(当代的) and appealing(吸引人的) designs. The result is a newly established cashmere(羊绒) brand that appeals to a target group of high income women.

I met Mrs. King the first time in 2013. Since then, we have met several times and talked about Sand River’s philosophy(理念), strategy, and appeal to both Chinese and international consumers. I was struck by her deep knowledge about knitting(针织) technology, her enthusiasm for the brand, and her deep understanding of the cashmere shopper. I regard her as a “women of her word.(信守诺言的女人)”

To summarize(总结), I believe Sand River products deserve a place in luxurious European department stores and Mrs. King is a reliable partner.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Joan Smith

How do good managers manage their relationships with staff [A]

To be a good manager, you must be careful to ==distinctly(明确地)==define the proper boundary between yourself and your staff. Here are some points to remember.

1. Be clear about the relationship. To maintain the respect of your employees while being friends with them, you must be direct about the nature of your business relationship. This means being clear about what the goals are, how your employees are to help you reach them, and what they can expect from you. By communicating these things clearly, you avoid the risk that an employee can misinterpret(误解) your friendship and behave in an unprofessional manner(行为).
2. Be social(成为擅长交际的) — to a degree(在一定程度上). In most offices, there’s usually a lot of social networking, whether it’s a Friday lunch or drinks after work. It’s natural for managers to be a part of that. Just remember to socialize with everyone, be careful with the alcohol, and don’t be the last one at the party. Also, keep socializing at the office to a minimum. You want to ensure that you are respected as well as liked.
3. Don’t fake(虚伪；欺骗) it. (不要虚伪做作) Maybe you want to try to be friends with all your employees, because you think that would strengthen your team. While some management training courses stress that bosses should ask their staff about their personal lives, such as their weekend plans, their families, or their children, such efforts can backfire(适得其反) if the manager is viewed as not being sincere. It’s okay to ask occasional (偶尔地) questions of staff, but don’t make a big production out of it (不要小题大做). Getting to know people takes time.

TheadSite Solution helps you find new customers [A]

Have you noticed that the Yellow Pages(电话簿) are getting thinner every year? That’s because fewer people are using them. Instead, your potential customers are using search engines on the Internet to find your business that provides your services. Hundreds, if not thousands, of searches for your services in your city are happening online every month — and amazingly, this number grows by 50% every single year!

Now you’re probably wondering how this affects a small business owner, such as yourself. It’s simple: if you want your business to survive these times, you need to adapt to the growing impact of the Internet.

You hope that the first thing a searcher sees when searching for a service is a website that features(以……为特色) your business. And you even want this website to function like an interactive(交互；互动) advertisement for your services.

That is exactly what LocalTail provides you with through our all-in-one small business Internet advertising service called TheadSite Solution. Our goal is to help you get found by the hundreds of searchers looking for your services online every month, and turn these prospects (前景；可能性；这里指潜在的客户) into new customers for your business.

LocalTail has helped many local businesses increase their revenues(财政收入；收益) by as much as 300% just by using our TheadSite. Sound pretty good to you? Then read more about TheadSite Solution and how it can help you, or get to know us a little better and learn more about our company.