Questions 1 - 2 refer to the following article:
問題 1 - 2 請參閱以下文章：

Post-It Note 便利貼

Dear Neighbor,

This is Craig, from the house to the east of yours. We never seem to cross paths because I work nights and I assume you work days. I've noticed that you have a huge pile of empty cans and bottles that's been growing in your back yard for months. I actually work in a factory across from the bottle depot, so I'd be happy to take them in for you. In exchange, I was wondering if you could keep an eye on my house while I go out of town for business next week. Deal? Send me a text message at 987-222-8482 whenever you're free.
我是克雷格，從你東邊的房子。我們似乎從來沒有交集，因為我晚上工作，我假設你工作日。我注意到你家後院有一大堆空罐頭和瓶子，它們已經長了幾個月了。我實際上在瓶子倉庫對面的一家工廠工作，所以我很樂意為你收留它們。作為交換，我在想你是否可以在我下周出差時照看我的房子。交易？有空時請撥打 987-222-8482 給我發簡訊。


Craig


Question 1. Why don't these two neighbors ever see each other?
問題 1.為什麼這兩個鄰居從來沒有見過彼此呢？

Question 2. What is Craig's offer?
問題 2.Craig 的報價是什麼？

 

Questions 3 - 4 refer to the following article:
問題 3 - 4 請參閱以下文章：

On April 18, 2014, Adriana Bienvenida will marry John Edgars. Adriana is the lovely daughter of Bernardo and Carmela Bienvenida. John is the noble son of Henry and Susanne Edgars.
2014 年 4 月 18 日，Adriana Bienvenida 將與 John Edgars 結婚。Adriana 是 Bernardo 和 Carmela Bienvenida 的可愛女兒。約翰是亨利和蘇珊娜·埃德加斯 （Henry and Susanne Edgars） 的貴族兒子。

A beach on the island of Sicily will be the gathering place for the reception. Guests are invited to come at or around 4:00 p.m. This beach is the place where Adriana and John first laid eyes on one another.
西西裡島上的海灘將成為招待會的聚集地。邀請客人在下午 4：00 左右到達。這個海灘是 Adriana 和 John 第一次看到彼此的地方。

Adriana is currently completing her graduate degree in law at the International University of Catalonia. She works part-time in a local bakery. John has completed his undergraduate degree and works in sales at Hollister.
Adriana 目前正在加泰羅尼亞國際大學攻讀法學研究生學位。她在當地的一家麵包店做兼職。John 已完成本科學位，並在 赫理仕 從事銷售工作。

After a short honeymoon to Las Vegas, the couple will settle down in their new apartment in Barcelona.
在拉斯維加斯度過短暫的蜜月後，這對夫婦將在巴塞羅那的新公寓安頓下來。


Question 3. Who is most likely to be interested in this passage?
問題 3.誰最有可能對這段話感興趣？

Question 4. Where did the couple first encounter one another?
問題 4.這對夫婦第一次相遇是在哪裡？

 

Questions 5 - 9 refer to the following article:
問題 5 - 9 請參閱以下文章：

 

Rental Agreement

Seller information:

Laser Car Rentals

36 Mandalay Road

Singapore 932080

Republic of Singapore

Phone number: 65-0830-2389
電話號碼：65-0830-2389
Buyer information:

Patty Wilkinson

19 Mercado Avenue

Quezon City 1020

Philippines

Phone number: 63-0129-4938
電話號碼：63-0129-4938
Car information:

Year: 2011

Make: Toyota

Model: Corolla

Color: Silver

Registration number: 93749392023993023

Passenger capacity: 4

Current odometer reading: 0001292
當前里程表讀數：0001292

Additional items (The buyer recognizes that an item is included, as shown by a checkmark):
其他商品（買家確認包含某件商品，如對勾標記所示）：
Owner's manual ☑

Key ☑

Spare key ☑

 

Rental period:
From: March 11, 2012
來源： 2012 年 3 月 11 日

Time: 5:39 AM 時間： 上午 5：39
To: March 16, 2012
至：2012 年 3 月 16 日

Time: Before 11:00 AM 時間： 上午 11：00 之前

Amount:

The renter agrees to pay the company ₱13,000 per day. Fuel expenditures are not included in this fee.
承租人同意每天向公司支付 13,000 比索。燃油支出不包括在此費用中。

The renter will be held fully responsible for any damage to the vehicle during the rental period. If the renter returns the car later than expected, he or she will still be held fully accountable for any damage to the vehicle.
承租人將對租賃期間車輛的任何損壞承擔全部責任。如果承租人比預期晚歸還汽車，他或她仍將對車輛的任何損壞承擔全部責任。

The renter also agrees to a deposit of ₱20,000. In the event that the renter cannot cover the expenses accrued from damage to the vehicle, this deposit will only be partially returned. The renter must also pay for the vehicle if he or she loses it.
承租人還同意支付 20,000 比索的押金。如果承租人無法支付因車輛損壞而產生的費用，則這筆押金將僅退還部分。如果承租人丟失了車輛，他或她還必須支付車輛費用。

 

Signature:

Owner: Laser Car Rentals

Renter: Patty Wilkinson

Date: March 11, 2012 日期：2012 年 3 月 11 日


Laser Car Rentals

Late Return Policy 延遲退貨政策

If cars are returned late, the daily rate plus a fee of 10% will be charged. Anything more than 10 minutes after the time of return is considered a day late.
如果車輛延遲歸還，將收取每日費用和 10% 的費用。返回時間後超過 10 分鐘的任何事情都被視為晚點一天。

This late fees are non-negotiable and will be charged to the credit card used at the time of payment.
此滯納金不可協商，將從付款時使用的信用卡中扣除。

 

 

Patty Wilkinson

19 Mercado Avenue

Quezon City 1020

Philippines

Laser Car Rentals

36 Mandalay Road

Singapore 932080

Republic of Singapore

Date: March 17, 2012 日期：2012 年 3 月 17 日

Hello,

My name is Patty Wilkinson. I recently rented a car from Laser Car Rentals in Singapore. I was on vacation, visiting my daughter. I rented a 2011 Toyota Corolla. I rented the car on March 11. I was supposed to return it before 11:00 AM on Sunday, March 16, but I was unfortunately running late that day. I hadn't gotten much sleep on Saturday night, and I slept through my alarm. As a result, I was just over 30 minutes late returning the car.
我叫 Patty Wilkinson。我最近在新加坡的 Laser Car Rentals 租了一輛車。我當時正在度假，看望我的女兒。我租了一輛 2011 年的豐田卡羅拉。我在 3 月 11 日租了這輛車。我本來應該在 3 月 16 日星期日上午 11：00 之前歸還，但不幸的是那天我遲到了。週六晚上我沒怎麼睡，我睡著了鬧鐘。結果，我還車只遲到了 30 多分鐘。

The reason I'm writing to you is twofold. First, I would like to complain about one of your customer service agents. I believe his name was Tom Webster, although I'm not sure about the spelling. He was very unhelpful and rude on the day that I returned the car. Second, when I returned the car, I was charged the normal daily rate for the extra day plus twice the fee that is mentioned in the late return policy on your website. Because I had a plane to catch, and because Mr. Webster would not check the website and confirm what I knew, I agreed to pay the amount and deal with it when I got back to the Philippines. Now I am back, and I would like to be recompensed for the extra charge.
我寫信給你的原因有兩個。首先，我想投訴您的一位客戶服務代理。我相信他的名字是 Tom Webster，儘管我不確定拼寫。在我還車的那天，他非常無助和粗魯。其次，當我還車時，我被收取了額外一天的正常每日費用加上您網站上延遲歸還政策中提到的費用的兩倍。因為我有飛機要趕，而且韋伯斯特先生不會查看網站並確認我所知道的，所以我同意支付這筆錢，並在我回到菲律賓後處理。現在我回來了，我想得到額外收費的補償。

Sincerely, 真誠地

Patty Wilkinson

Question 5. If a customer wanted to find out about the company's late return policy, what could he or she do?
問題 5.如果買家想瞭解公司的延遲退貨政策，他或她可以做什麼？

Question 6. If the renter damages the vehicle a bit, what will the company do?
問題 6.如果承租人對車輛造成了一點損壞，公司會怎麼做？

Question 7. Why does the customer contact the company?
問題 7.客戶為什麼聯繫公司？

Question 8. How much of a late fee was the customer charged?

Question 9. On what day did Patricia Wilkinson rent the car?

 

Questions 10 - 14 refer to the following article:

TOLEDO TIMES
Sunday, March 11, 2014

Rising Costs of Latex Production to Impact Multiple Industries

For the first time in over a decade, the market costs of rubber and latex are set to rise by as much as 25% in the next year. Natural rubber originates from the latex of the rubber tree. Latex is a milky liquid that coagulates on exposure to air. Due to its natural elasticity, it is the primary material used in production of elastics, latex gloves, condoms, and even some kinds of clothing.

Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are the three primary latex-producing countries because their year-round humid and hot climates are ideal for the growth of rubber trees. The entie Southeast Asia economic region was hard-hit by the 1997 economic crisis, but having long since recovered, and with thriving economies, especially in Malaysia and Thailand, production costs of rubber and latex have been continually rising for years. Financial experts have been predicting a correlated rise in latex and rubber market prices, and many are surpised that these changes haven't come sooner.

Many manufacturers that rely on these products are expected to switch over to synthetic latex, which is lower in cost, but not surprisingly, is in most cases an inferior product in terms of elasticity.

Mariton Pacific Press Release

We at Mariton Pacific are excited to announce our plans to construct a $260 million synthetic rubber plant in Java, Indonesia. The plant will be a joint venture between Mariton Pacific, headquartered in Netherlands, and the local petrochemical producer Handa Asi Petrochem, with Mariton Pacific claiming a 55% stake and Handa Asi Petrochem claiming a 45% stake. Mariton Pacific is the world's third largest producer of elastic bands and Handa Asi Petrochem is Indonesia's leading petrochemical company.

The plant will produce several polymers of synthetic rubber, with over 60% of output being the Bromo Isobutylene polymer, commonly knows as Bromobutyl.

Our plans come in the wake of recent announcements regarding the anticipated price increases of natural rubber. Synthetic rubber already accounts for two thirds of global rubber usage and, according to our company experts' forecast, this number may rise to three quarters by 2020.

Our factory shall adopt the most advanced and environmentally friendly production techniques. Latex production from natural rubber is a devastating industry that has resulted in the clearcutting and monocropping of millions of acres of original forest in Southeast Asia, so we are proud to be a part of the solution.

To: T.Reynolds@elasticworld.com
From: AC887@kentuckyofficesupplies.net
Sent: January 12, 2015
Subject: Issue regarding new elastics

Dear Mr. Reynolds,

We are an office supplies distributor based in Kentucky and have long been satisfied with both the price and quality of your rubber bands. In our most recent shipment received from you (shipment invoice #3378123, quantity: 800 boxes of 1000 small rubber bands, 600 boxes of 1000 medium thin rubber bands, 600 boxes of 1000 thick rubber bands) we appreciated that you took the time to explain your company's recent decision to transition to synthetic rubber. Furthermore, we fully understand your decision to do so, and we are also firm supporters of environmental conservation.

Having said that, it is undeniable that the new rubber bands are a step down from the old ones. The elasticity is far inferior and we are already getting complaints from customers that they break easily.

Unless you can inform us of a plan of action to improve on these faults in the near future, we will be forced to seek out a new supplier.

Thanks for your understanding on this important issue.

Alexis Cadaver

Question 10. According to the news article, why is the cost of latex going to change in the next year?

Question 11. What will many manufacturers do to deal with these price changes?

Question 12. According to Mariton Pacific's Press Release, what is going to happen to the synthetic rubber market in the next half decade?

Question 13. What is meant by the press release statement, "we are proud to be a part of the solution"?

Question 14. What does Alexis Cadaver of Kentucky Office Supplies think about the new rubber bands procured from Elastic World?

 

Questions 15 - 17 refer to the following article:

3411 Kansas Avenue SE

Seattle, WA 10877

March 11, 2000

McBain Cameras

223 23rd avenue

Santa Fe, NM 87566

To Whom It May Concern,

I'm writing to you in regards to Elsie Smith, who has recently applied for the position of manager in your shop.

For a period of over ten years I have known Elsie, having supervised her as a clerk in a camera shop that I own in Seattle. (1) _____________ During much of that time Elsie was a part-time worker, as she had a second job. (2) _____________ Despite this, within only a few months she had firmly grasped the stores opening and closing procedures. (3) _____________ After two years, she became my assistant manager, and is the only person I have ever entrusted to manage the store in my absence. Not only is Elsie an effective salesperson and good with customers, but also I can't recall a single instance of her ever being late or absent from a shift.

I feel quite confident in predicting that you will be satisfied with Elsie's performance as a manager. Should you have any questions about her, do not hesitate to give me a call. (4) _____________

Sincerely,

Dan Adams, Dan's Cams

Question 15. What is this passage?

Question 16. Which positive attributed is not mentioned about Elsie?

Question 17. In which of the positions marked (1), (2), (3), and (4) does the following sentence best belong? "Therefore, I didn't think twice about making her a keyholder."

 

Questions 18 - 19 refer to the following article:

Oji Yakimara 6:45 a.m.
Hi Susan. I'm afraid I need to cancel our appointment this afternoon. I'm not feeling well.

Susan Yates 9:17 a.m.
Hi Oji. Sorry about my delayed reply. Was working out at the gym. Hope you are feeling better soon. Can you do Thursday at 2 p.m.?

Oji Yakimara 9:22 a.m.
Afraid not. I have an important meeting. Friday lunch?

Susan Yates 9:23 a.m.
Sounds like a plan.

Oji Yakimara 9:27 a.m.
The usual place?

Susan Yates 10:11 a.m.
Absolutely. And please remember to bring those revised charts you mentioned in your last email for my review.

Oji Yakimara 10:27 a.m.
Will do. See you then.

 


Question 18. What does Susan mean by "Sounds like a plan"?

Question 19. What do we know for sure about these two people?

 

Questions 20 - 21 refer to the following article:

Cameron Swift 11:11 a.m.
I can't believe it. I'm halfway to Boston and just realized I forgot the company stamp. What should I do?

Emilia Costas 11:29 a.m.
I just ringed them and they said it's fine. Sign for today, and they will USPS the copies to us to be stamped and returned ASAP.

Cameron Swift 11:37 a.m.
Can't I just bring them back with me?

Emilia Costas 11:46 a.m.
Time is of the essence here. You'll be in Boston for two nights after that, but they need to submit the signed and stamped contract to their headquarters within no more than two days, so they'll send it by USPS.

Cameron Swift 11:50 a.m.
Is that even possible in two days?

Emilia Costas 12:01 p.m.
Yes. We'll receive them tomorrow, and then so long as we send it back before 9 AM of the next day, they offer same day service for areas within 100 km of the destination.

Question 20. What does Emilia Costas mean when she says "Time is of the essence here"?

Question 21. What is USPS?

 

Questions 22 - 26 refer to the following article:

WARNING!

This website may contain harmful malware. If you choose to proceed, your computer will be at risk.

Safe Browser Anti-Virus Software is recommended if you wish to proceed. The software can be purchased now for only $19.95 for our basic program.

How do you wish to proceed?

Proceed without software. I understand the risks. Click HERE.
Purchase software now and proceed safely. Click HERE.

 

Message Thread
Title: Stay away from “Safe Browser Anti-Virus Software”!

Recently I was surfing the net and I encountered a window saying that the site I was trying to access contained malware, and I had to download Safe Browser Anti-Virus Software to continue safely. Note: the page I was trying to access wasn’t anything unusual; it was just a blog about fishing!

So anyway, this kind of freaked me out because I had just purchased a new laptop and I didn’t know what kind of anti-virus software it had on it already. I went ahead and paid the $19.95, installed the software, and then continued browsing. And guess what: I got a virus from that site!

When I tried to contact the software manufacturer via the help email listed on their website, I didn’t get a reply, and that was three days ago. I think I’ve been scammed! I wonder if I actually got the virus from the software. Now they will try to sell me some other software to repair it.

Anybody else had a similar experience?

 

Reply:

Hi there. This is Dale Martin from Safe Browser Anti-Virus Software. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had a negative experience with our program.

I noticed that you only went for the “basic” program, which unfortunately does not protect your system against all types of malware. If you read the full description on our site before purchasing, you will have noticed that we don’t recommend the basic package for people that aren’t already running other kinds of comprehensive anti-virus programs on their computer. Since you have a new laptop and you aren’t sure whether you have any such programs installed already, I would strongly recommend that you go for our advanced anti-virus package. It’s only $10 more, but comes with a 100% guarantee that your computer will not be affected by viruses or malware.

I have confirmed with our helpdesk, and they did not receive any emails such as the one your described in the last three days. Are you sure the email went though?

To make up for your poor experience, I’m pleased to offer you a free upgrade to our advanced package. Please provide me with your email address so that I can mail you the upgrade password when you are ready.

Thank you for using Safe Browser Anti-Virus Software and have a nice day!

Dale Martin
Customer Service Expert, Safe Browser Anti-Virus Software

 


Question 22. What kind of article is the first passage?

Question 23. Where might the second passage be found?

Question 24. What does the writer of the second passage suspect?

Question 25. According to the reply, what is the main problem?

Question 26. What will the customer probably do next?