阅读理解。
In the mid 1990's, people started doing business on the Internet. At that time, there were two kinds of
companies. First, there were traditional companies which sold things in stores. Then, there were Internet
companies which didn't have stores; they sold things only over the Net.
Traditional companies didn't want to lose any business. Quickly, they created their own websites and
began selling things over the Net. These are the so-called "brick and click" companies. Many stores are
made of brick, and you click on your mouse to buy things with your computer. That's where the name
"brick and click" comes from.
By the late 1990's, e-businesses like Amazon.com, Buy.com, and eToys.com were in trouble. Their
profits were not very high, and there was a lot of competition. Many of these businesses lost a lot of money,
and in 2000, many businesses were out of business. Why are brick and click companies, like Barnes and
Noble, Toys RUs, and Walmart 50 successful? First, many customers know and trust their names. Their
websites, like Walmart.com, are easy to remember. These companies also have a lot of experience. They
know how to run a successful business.
In the world of e-commerce (电子商务), companies are fighting for every dollar and every customer.
Will brick and click companies win the war? only time will tell.
1. Many traditional companies created their own websites in _____.
A. the early l990's
B. the mid l990's
C. the late l990's
D. 1990's
2. Why were Internet companies in a lot of trouble in the late 1990's?
A. Competition was heavy
B. Their websites were bad
C. They didn't know what to sell
D. Their profits were high
3. People like buying from brick and click companies because _____.
A. their names are hard to remember
B. they have nice websites
C. they are cheap
D. people trust them
4. What does "win the war" in the passage mean?
A. Quit doing business and become a soldier.
B. Lose the most customers.
C. Be the most successful.
D. Win a game.
5. Which would be a brick and click company?
A. A clothing company with no website.
B. A bookseller with five stores and an Internet site.
C. A video seller with a big website but no stores.
D. A restaurant.
