Why Doesn’t Anybody Copy Apple?
Apple’s products are the envy of the world. They have been spectacularly successful and are widely imitated, if not copied. The minute Apple crystallizes a product, everyone knows how to compete. This idea that the basis of competition is set by Apple and then the race is on to climb the path of improvement is unquestionable. When Apple releases a product that defines a category or dramatically changes the structure of an industry, it becomes obvious what needs to be built. But what I wonder is why everyone wants to copy Apple’s products but nobody wants to copy being Apple?
I can think of two reasons. Firstly, Apple is not worth copying because it’s not successful; secondly, Apple’s success cannot be copied because it is a magical process.
There is a great deal of evidence for the first hypothesis. The idea of Apple being successful is not something reflected in its stock price. Being valued lower than the average company in the S&P(標(biāo)準(zhǔn)普爾)500 indicates that to whatever degree Apple was successful in the past, it’s not seen by the vast majority of observers as successful in the future. Why should one bother copying Apple if it results in being punished with a low valuation? If one works really hard at innovation and then that innovation becomes commoditized(商品化)very quickly, why should one bother?
When innovation practitioners are asked what makes Apple successful,the answers regarding the cause of this success border on the mythical.The climax of this hypothesis is the “chief-sorcerer”theory of success which places one magician,like Steve Jobs,in charge of casting all the right spells(符咒)
What about Apple’s own opinion of what makes it tick? Tim Cook refers to a great team and integration of hardware, software and services as unique Apple advantages. It’s a better explanation. Integration is something that can take a long time, but it is possible with great effort. A few companies are starting to make moves in that direction, but efforts are half-hearted. There is no “move the Earth” panic to become an integrated company from Samsung, Google or Microsoft.
My own suspicion is that Apple is more aware of what makes it special than it lets out. However, as Tim points out, it’s not a formula. It’s complex, it’s subtle, but it’s not magic. It’s a process that requires a degree of faith and courage.
小題1:When a new product of Apple comes out, often it ______.
A.starts a revolution of an industry
B.ruins an industry dramatically
C.puts itself in an unbeatable position
D.is soon overtaken by imitated products
小題2:According to the passage, other companies don’t “copy being Apple” because ______.
A.Apple is not a successful company
B.they have no access to relevant resources
C.it’s hard to find a magician like Steve Jobs
D.being Apple takes more than time and efforts
小題3:We can infer from Para.5 that ______.
A.other companies are dedicated to integration
B.Apple itself is fully aware of its unique advantages
C.Apple will hold the leading position in this industry
D.other companies don’t have a great team as Apple does
小題4:What does the author think of Tim Cook’s statement?
A.DoubtfulB.Acceptable
C.Unbelievable D.Disappointing

小題1:A
小題2:D
小題3:C
小題4:B

試題分析:文章介紹現(xiàn)在蘋果的新產(chǎn)品一出現(xiàn),就會(huì)開始一場行業(yè)的革命。很多公司模仿蘋果,但是沒有人想做蘋果,因?yàn)檫@需要時(shí)間精力,Tim Cook認(rèn)為蘋果在這個(gè)行業(yè)中會(huì)處于領(lǐng)導(dǎo)的地位。
小題1:細(xì)節(jié)題:從第一段的句子:When Apple releases a product that defines a category or dramatically changes the structure of an industry, it becomes obvious what needs to be built.可知一款蘋果的新產(chǎn)品一出現(xiàn),就會(huì)開始一場行業(yè)的革命。選A
小題2:細(xì)節(jié)題:從第五段的句子:Integration is something that can take a long time, but it is possible with great effort.可知沒有人愿意做蘋果是因?yàn)樽鎏O果手機(jī)要花費(fèi)太多時(shí)間精力。選D
小題3:推理題:從第五段的句子:There is no “move the Earth” panic to become an integrated company from Samsung, Google or Microsoft.可知蘋果在這個(gè)行業(yè)中處于領(lǐng)導(dǎo)的地位。選C
小題4:推理題:從最后一段的句子:However, as Tim points out, it’s not a formula. It’s complex, it’s subtle, but it’s not magic. It’s a process that requires a degree of faith and courage. 可知作者是贊同Tim Cook的說法的。選B
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空

The new science of spending comes to a surprising conclusion, How we use our money may        as much or more than how much we’ve got it.
Money spent on experiences, rather than material ,goods,        more happiness.
Imagine that you wake up tomorrow morning to    $1 million under your bed . What would you do     that cash?
The money will probably make you think about one thing     all else—yourself. A large amount of research reveals that money     our selfish sides. We will     much on what that money can do for us alone, Perhaps you are imagining buying a faster car, or even a new house,
But studies show that     goods often fail to deliver     happiness, Fortunately ,our ongoing research     many ways to get more happiness from every dollar you spend, Changing how you spend money can increase your happiness.
But making these     needs to challenge some of our ideas of spending It’s hard not to    buying a house as a wise investment(投資), But new research shows it brings very little happiness, A study in the United States found that homeowners, on average , were no happier than     .
So, working hard to save money for a house might not be such a good idea     it means spending less time with your families and friends.
And dozens of studies show that people get more happiness from buying     than material things, Experiential purchases --- such as trips, concerts and special meals--- are more     connected to our sense, of self.
And experiences come with one more     , They tend to bring us     to other people , but more often , material things are enjoyed   . So social contacts are important to     mental and physical health.
小題1:
A.presentB.matterC.a(chǎn)ppearD.equal
小題2:
A.carries alongB.breaks outC.holds onD.brings along
小題3:
A.keepB.ownC.discoverD.count
小題4:
A.toB.withC.a(chǎn)boutD.for
小題5:
A.a(chǎn)boveB.belowC.beforeD.a(chǎn)fter
小題6:
A.shows B.explainsC.provesD.designs
小題7:
A.dependB.concentrateC.takeD.look
小題8:
A.mentalB.materialC.beautifulD.clever
小題9:
A.outgoingB.lastingC.willingD.exciting
小題10:
A.invitesB.offersC.prefersD.follows
小題11:
A.changesB.plansC.decisionsD.mistakes
小題12:
A.knowB.viewC.dreamD.judge
小題13:
A.buyersB.sellersC.buildersD.renters
小題14:
A.ifB.howC.unlessD.though
小題15:
A.housesB.carsC.experiencesD.health
小題16:
A.clearly B.hardlyC.generallyD.deeply
小題17:
A.a(chǎn)dvantageB.conclusionC.purposeD.identify
小題18:
A.familiarB.closeC.properD.native
小題19:
A.completelyB.worldwideC.secretlyD.a(chǎn)lone
小題20:
A.gainB.damageC.improveD.build

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

While you may be doing everything right, ignoring just one or two steps in the process may keep you from getting a job, especially in this fierce market. Here is a checklist that covers some of the major links in the job-search chain.
THE RESUME --- Make sure it is up-to-date and tailored to the types of jobs you are seeking for. Have someone else look at your resume. If you cannot afford a career coach, give your resume to friends or family members to scrutinize. Have copies of your resume printed so that you are ready to hand them out at interviews.
COVERING LETTERS --- Maybe you’ve set up a few basic styles in advance, but that’s not enough. Each covering letter should be designed to suit the job for which you are applying.
THE WARDROBE(衣櫥) --- Check your wardrobe to ensure that you have the appropriate professional dress, including shoes, ready for interview.
NETWORKING --- Don’t isolate yourself from others for days. Network through e-mail messages, phone calls, appointments and meetings keep you in touch with the outside world and prevent you from becoming depressed.
APPLICATION --- A glance at huge online job sites isn’t usually the best way to find a job. You are more likely to succeed through the people you know via networking.
THE FOLLOW—UP --- It is quite common to apply for job and never hear back from the company. Take measures, such as following up with a phone call a week or so after you apply. If you know someone at the company, check whether that person will put in a good word for you.
INTERVIEWS --- If you’ve got plenty of interviews but no return calls or job offers, take a look at your interviewing skills. This is one area where investing in a career coach may pay off. But if you can’t afford one, try to find a job group or service that conducts free mock(模擬) interviews.
SUPPORT SYSTEMS --- Finally, recognize that looking for job is rather difficult. Even at the best of times, a job hunt is often about rejection, and that can be hard to endure. Staying in touch with family, friends, professional networks and fellow job seekers can help you to maintain a positive attitude and a sense of perspective.
小題1:The author’s purpose of writing this text is to _________.
A.suggest graduates should find suitable jobs
B.tell people how to improve their interview skills
C.teach people how to get ready for an interview
D.give people some tips on searching for jobs
小題2:The underlined word “scrutinize” in Paragraph 2 can be replaced by ________.
A.checkB.useC.rewriteD.criticize
小題3:Which of the following methods is wrong according to the text?
A.You should have your resume read by your friends after finishing it.
B.You should create different covering letters for the different jobs you apply for.
C.Searching online is the most effective way to look for a job.
D.You should wear professional clothes and shoes for the interview.
小題4:What should you do if you don’t receive any calls after lots of interviews?
A.Ask a fellow job seeker to help you
B.Carefully review your interviewing skills.
C.Rewrite your resume as soon as possible
D.Go to the managers’ offices to find out why.
小題5: It is implied in the text that__________.
A.people often pay no attention to writing their resume
B.the interview is the most difficult step for interviewees
C.your social network may help you a lot in your job hunt
D.a(chǎn) career coach often offers free mock interviews to interviewees

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

The world is filled with smart, talented, educated and gifted people.We meet them every day A few days ago, my car was not running well.I pulled it in to a garage and the young mechanic had it fixed in just a few minutes.He knew what was wrong by simply listening to the engine.I was amazed.The sad truth is that great talent is not enough.
 I am constantly shocked at how little talented people earn. I heard the other day that less than 5 percent of Americans earn more than $100,000 a year. A business consultant who specializes in1 the medical trade was telling me how many doctors and dentists struggle financially. It was this business consultant who gave me the phrase, “They are one skill away from great wealth.”
There is an old saying that goes, "Job means 'just over broke(破產(chǎn))’".And unfortunately, I would say that the saying applies to millions of people.Because schools do not think financial intelligence is intelligence, most workers "live within their means".They work and they pay the bills.Instead I recommend to young people to seek work for what they will learn, more than what they will earn.
When I ask the classes I teach, “How many of you can cook a better hamburger than McDonald's?” almost all the students raise their hands. I then ask, “So if most of you can cook a better hamburger, how come McDonald's makes more money than you?” The answer is obvious: McDonald's is excellent at business systems. The world is filled with talented poor people. They focus on perfecting their skills at building a better hamburger rather than the skills of selling and delivering the hamburger.
小題1:The author mentions the mechanic in the first paragraph to show that      
A.he is just one of the talented people
B.he is ready to help others
C.he has a sharp sense of hearing
D.he knows little about car repairing
小題2:The underlined part in the third paragraph can be best replaced by____   
A.spend more than they can afford
B.do in their own way
C.1ive in their own circle
D.1ive within what they earn
小題3:Why do talented people earn so little according to the author?
A.They don’t work hard enough
B.They lack financial intelligence.
C.They don't make full use of their talents
D.They have no specialized skills.
小題4:The main purpose of the author is to tell us____      
A.how young people can find a satisfactory job
B.What schools should teach about finance
C.why so many talented people are poor
D.how McDonald's makes much money

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Fun is, in fact , a word heard far more frequently in families today than in the past , when “duty”and “responsibility ”were often the words used.Parents today are more youthful in appearance and attitudes. Their clothes and hair-styles are more casual, helping to bridge the divide. Those who are athletically inclined also enjoy Rollerblading, snowboarding, and rock-climbing with their children.
For the past three years, Kathy and Phil Dalby have spent at least one evening a week at a climbing gym with their three children. "It's great to be able to work together," Mrs Dalby says. "We discuss various climbs and where the hard parts are. Sometimes that leads to other Conversations. We're definitely closer."
A popular movement of parent effectiveness training in the 1970s has helped to reshape generational roles. The philosophy encourages children to describe their feelings about various situations. As a result, says Robert Billingham, a family-studies professor at Indiana University, "Parents and children began talking to each other in ways they had not before."
On the plus side, he adds, these conversations made parents realize that children may have important thoughts or feelings that adults need to be aware of.
But Professor Billingham also sees a downside: Many parents started making decisions based on what their child wanted. "The power shifted to children. Parents said, 'I have to focus on making my child happy', as opposed to 'I have to act as a parent most appropriately'."
Other changes are occurring as the ranks of working mothers grow.  Time-short parents encourage children's independence, making them more responsible for themselves. "They'll say, 'We trust you to make the right decisions' (whether they're ready to assume the responsibility or not) ,"says Billingham.
The self-esteem movement of the past quarter-century has also affected the family dynamics (原動(dòng)力). Some parents worry that if they tell their child no, it will hurt the child's self-esteem.
小題1:What's the trend in parent-child relationship mentioned in the passage?
A.Parents are chasing after fashion and ignoring the feelings of their children.
B.More parents and children are sharing the same enthusiasm for a certain sport.
C.Parents are taking more responsibility and setting more limits for their children.
D.The generation gap is narrowing and parents are respecting their children's thoughts more.
小題2:Which of the following has NOT contributed to the change in the parent-child relationship?
A.Younger parents.B.Parent effectiveness training.
C.More working mothers.D.The self-esteem movement.
小題3:What's the best title for the text?
A.Parents and Children as Friends.
B.Parents and Professors as Debaters.
C.Growing Mutual Understanding.
D.Disappearing Responsibility.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Pretending to be happy can actually make you more miserable — especially if you’re a woman, according to a new study.
The research found that women suffered more than men when pretending to be happy. Psychologist Dr. Brent Scott, who led the study, said employers should take note because forcing workers to smile when dealing with the public can backfire. He said, “Smiling for the sake of smiling can lead to emotional exhaustion, and that’s bad for the organization.”
Dr. Scott said the research showed customer-service workers who “fake smile” throughout the day worsen their mood and then withdraw from work, so their productivity drops. He added, “Bosses may think that getting their staff to smile is good for the organization, but that’s not necessarily the case.” Dr. Scott, assistant professor of management at Michigan State University, analyzed a group of bus drivers during a two- week period.
The study is one of the first of its kind to examine emotional displays over a period of time and compare the different effect that has on men and women. His team examined the effects of surface acting — or fake smiling — compared to what was termed “deep acting”, or cultivating(培養(yǎng)) positive emotions by recalling pleasant memories.
Dr. Scott said, “Women are harmed more by surface acting, meaning their mood worsens even more than the men and they withdraw more from work. However, they are helped more by deep acting, which means their mood improves more.”
Although “deep acting” seems to improve mood in the short-term, Dr. Scott said it’s not a long-term solution to feeling unhappy.
He said, “You’re trying to cultivate positive emotions, but at the end of the day you may not feel like yourself anymore.”
小題1:What does the underlined word “backfire” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Have the opposite effect.B.Lead to conflict.
C.Drive people mad.D.Help a lot.
小題2:What can we learn from the passage?
A.Surface acting is good for organizations.
B.Men benefit more from deep acting than women.
C.Fake smiling causes more harm to women than men.
D.Recalling good memories is a long-term solution to feeling down.
小題3:The findings of the research might serve as a warning to _______.
A.employeesB.employersC.researchersD.customers.
小題4: What would be the best title for the passage?
A.Solution to feeling unhappy
B.How to cultivate positive emotions
C.How to improve workers’ productivity
D.Fake smiling makes you miserable

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

While many young people may resist getting a "real job" or becoming independent, these are the things that make you happy and give you purpose. Some people underestimate the satisfaction of working, thinking they'll be miserable. The 20-somethings that do work are happier than those who don' t or are underemployed.
If you invest in your career early,you'll have longer to build it up. 70% of wage growth happens in the first 10 years, so you need to get the best job you can get and negotiate your salary. No one can be sure that people who will wait until their 30s to get going are expecting to experience later to catch up with those of their ages.
Many 20-somethings don't know what they want to do, so they hang around the house or in. low-level jobs waiting for the spirit to move them. Not making a choice is a choice. These 20-somethings think they are keeping their options open, but they are actually closing doors. Resumes start to look thin, their peers(同齡人) begin surpassing them and they may get stuck in underemployment.
It will take about 10,000 hours(or about five years)to really master their jobs. If you're wondering why colleagues seem so smart and confident, it's partly because they've been doing it longer. Young people should learn as much as they can in their first jobs and remember it will take some time to really get good.
The 20-something brain is still developing, which is in charge of critical emotion with reason. This, coupled with less on-the-job experience, means 20-somethings are more sensitive to surprise and criticism. They are more likely to take feedback personally. Step back and get some perspective. You're not going to be fired because your boss is angry. Hear the criticism and learn from it.
The brain doesn't fully mature until your mid-20s, particularly the parts that plan for the future and manage emotions. That doesn't mean you should sit around and wait for it to develop. In. fact, what you learn and experience in your 20s becomes hardwired into your brain and this is the best chance you have to change your brain and change how you think and react. What people do in their 20s determines who they'll be as adults.
小題1:What is the best title of the passage?
A.How You Spend Your 20s Will Define You.
B.The 20-something Brain Remains To Be Developed.
C.Young People Need Employment And Experiences.
D.Becoming Mature Should Invest In The Career.
小題2:What can we infer from the whole passage?
A.Not all people resist becoming independent.
B.Adult responsibilities make you happier.
C.Not making a choice is a better policy
D.It takes chances to get good jobs.
小題3:What does the underlined part "coupled with" mean according to the passage?
A.multiplied byB.recounted in.
C.composed of.D.combined with.
小題4:What idea does the writer of the passage support?
A.Take feedback personally anytime and anywhere.
B.It is never too late to wait till a choice is made.
C.A lesson should be learned from criticism.
D.The satisfaction of working is not contented.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

We’ve considered several ways of paying to cut in line: hiring line standers, buying tickets from scalpers (票販子), or purchasing line-cutting privileges directly from, say, an airline or an amusement park. Each of these deals replaces the morals of the queue (waiting your turn) with the morals of the market (paying a price for faster service).
Markets and queues—paying and waiting—are two different ways of allocating things, and each is appropriate to different activities. The morals of the queue, “First come, first served, have an egalitarian (平等主義的) appeal. They tell us to ignore privilege, power, and deep pockets.
The principle seems right on playgrounds and at bus stops. But the morals of the queue do not govern all occasions. If I put my house up for sale, I have no duty to accept the first offer that comes along, simply because it’s the first. Selling my house and waiting for a bus are different activities, properly governed by different standards.
Sometimes standards change, and it is unclear which principle should apply. Think of the recorded message you hear, played over and over, as you wait on hold when calling your bank: “Your call will be answered in the order in which it was received.” This is essential for the morals of the queue. It’s as if the company is trying to ease our impatience with fairness.
But don’t take the recorded message too seriously. Today, some people’s calls are answered faster than others. Call center technology enables companies to “score” incoming calls and to give faster service to those that come from rich places. You might call this telephonic queue jumping.
Of course, markets and queues are not the only ways of allocating things. Some goods we distribute by merit, others by need, still others by chance. However, the tendency of markets to replace queues, and other non-market ways of allocating goods is so common in modern life that we scarcely notice it anymore. It is striking that most of the paid queue-jumping schemes we’ve considered—at airports and amusement parks, in call centers, doctors’ offices, and national parks—are recent developments, scarcely imaginable three decades ago. The disappearance of the queues in these places may seem an unusual concern, but these are not the only places that markets have entered.
小題1:According to the author, which of the following seems governed by the principle “First come, first served”?
A.Taking buses. B.Buying houses.
C.Flying with an airline.D.Visiting amusement parks.
小題2:The example of the recorded message in Paragraphs 4 and 5 illustrates ______.
A.the necessity of patience in queuing
B.the advantage of modern technology
C.the uncertainty of allocation principle
D.the fairness of telephonic services
小題3:The passage is meant to ______.
A.justify paying for faster services
B.discuss the morals of allocating things
C.a(chǎn)nalyze the reason for standing in line
D.criticize the behavior of queue jumping

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

In so many ways, cyberspace(網(wǎng)絡(luò)空間) mirrors the real world. People ask for information, play games, and share hobby tips. Others buy and sell products. Still others look for friendship, or even love.
Unlike the real world, however, your knowledge about a person is limited to words on a computer screen. Identity and appearance mean very little in cyberspace. Rather, a person’s thoughts—or at least the thoughts they type—are what really count. So even the shyest person can become a chat-room star.
Usually, this “faceless” communication doesn’t create problems. Identity doesn’t really matter when you’re in a chat room discussing politics or hobbies. In fact, this emphasis on the ideas themselves makes the Internet a great place for exciting conversation. Where else can so many people come together to chat about their interests?
But some Internet users want more than just someone to chat with. They’re looking for serious love relationships. Is cyberspace a good place to find love? That answer depends on whom you ask. Some of these relationships actually succeed. Others fail miserably.
Supporters of online relationships claim that the Internet allows couples to get to know each other intellectually first. Personal appearance doesn’t get in the way.
But critics of online relationships argue that no one can truly know another person in cyberspace. Why? Because the Internet gives users a lot of control over how others view them. Internet users can carefully craft their words to fit whatever image they want to give. And they don’t have to worry about what their “faceless” communication is doing for their image. In a sense, they’re not really themselves.
All of this may be fine if the relationship stays in cyberspace. But not knowing a person is a big problem in a love relationship. With so many unknowns, it’s easy to let one’s imagination “fill in the blanks.” This inevitably leads to disappointment when couples meet in person. How someone imagines an online friend is often quite different than the real person.
So, before looking for love in cyberspace, remember the advice of Internet pioneer Clifford Stoll: “Life in the real world is far richer than anything you’ll find on a computer screen.”
(Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TEN WORDS.)
小題1:We learn about a person in cyberspace only through  _________________.
小題2:Why is the Internet a great place for exciting conversation?
小題3:What makes online love relationship often fail?
小題4:From the passage we can learn that the writer __________________________ looking for love on the Internet.

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