经济学看生活·英语30篇（3）

6 / 30

已读 0 / 30 课

The Hidden Cost of ‘Free’ Delivery

‘免费’配送背后的隐藏成本

Online shoppers love ‘free shipping’ — but that promise rarely means zero cost; instead, it’s often built into product prices or paid through membership fees.
Delivery networks require vans, drivers, fuel, GPS software, and warehouses — all of which must be funded somehow, even if invisible at checkout.
Small local stores usually can’t afford this scale, so they charge delivery fees — not to profit, but to cover real expenses that big retailers absorb or hide.
When many customers choose fast two-hour delivery, it increases traffic, emissions, and wear on city roads — costs borne by all taxpayers, not just buyers.
Some cities now tax delivery services or require shared loading zones to spread those impacts more fairly across users and residents.
Consumers gain convenience, but economists watch for ‘externalities’ — costs passed on to society, like air pollution or sidewalk congestion.
Choosing slower shipping or picking up in person isn’t just eco-friendly — it reflects awareness that every convenience has trade-offs.
Recognizing hidden costs helps us make smarter choices — and supports policies that make logistics fairer for neighborhoods and the planet.

精读 · 大约 10 分钟

听 → 读 → 学表达 → 懂 → 今天会说这一句 → 跟读录音 → 自己说一句。

③ 学 · 重点表达

Online shoppers love ‘free shipping’ — but that promise rarely means zero cost; instead, it’s often built into product prices or paid through membership fees. 网购者钟爱‘免运费’，但这一承诺往往并非零成本，而是已计入商品价格或通过会员费支付。
Delivery networks require vans, drivers, fuel, GPS software, and warehouses — all of which must be funded somehow, even if invisible at checkout. 配送网络需要厢式货车、司机、燃油、GPS软件和仓库——所有这些都必须获得资金支持，即便结账时看似隐形。
Small local stores usually can’t afford this scale, so they charge delivery fees — not to profit, but to cover real expenses that big retailers absorb or hide. 小型本地店铺通常无力承担如此规模的开支，因此收取配送费——目的并非盈利，而是弥补真实成本，而大型零售商则自行消化或隐藏这部分费用。

④ 懂 · 选一选

这篇中文题目最接近哪一句？ ‘免费’配送背后的隐藏成本一次学校运动会的通知一份超市购物清单

课文第一句的意思更接近？网购者钟爱‘免运费’，但这一承诺往往并非零成本，而是已计入商品价格或通过会员费支付。今天学校放假了。请把窗户打开。

这一课主要在讲什么？（看英文标题） The Hidden Cost of ‘Free’ Delivery How to cook noodles A maths worksheet

⑤ 今天会说这一句

Online shoppers love ‘free shipping’ — but that promise rarely means zero cost; instead, it’s often built into product prices or paid through membership fees.

⑥ 跟读并录音

Online shoppers love ‘free shipping’ — but that promise rarely means zero cost; instead, it’s often built into product prices or paid through membership fees.

第一版：录下来、回听、再听标准音。系统打分以后再加。

⑦ 说 · 自己来一句

用今天的表达，自己说一句。

例子：Online shoppers love ‘free shipping’ — but that promise rarely means zero cost; instead, it’s often built into product prices or paid through membership fees.