2017-2018学年四川省石室中学高二上学期半期考试英语试题 13页

‎2017-2018学年四川省石室中学高二上学期半期考试 英语试题 第一部分：听力（共两节，满分20分）‎ 第一节（共5小题；每小题1分，满分5分）‎ ‎ 听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。‎ ‎1. What will the man probably do?‎ A. Get some change. B. Use the woman’s phone. C. Make a call on the pay phone.‎ ‎2. When can the woman visit the man?‎ A. This morning. B. Tomorrow morning. C. Tomorrow afternoon.‎ ‎3. What’s the probable relationship between the speakers?‎ A. Classmates. B. Mother and son. C. Teacher and student.‎ ‎4. What can we learn about the speakers?‎ A. The man can play the piano.‎ B. The man dislikes music by Mozart.‎ C. The woman can play two instruments.‎ ‎5. What does the man mean?‎ A. He will go there with the woman.‎ B. He’ll have no time until next week.‎ C. He went to the museum this morning.‎ 第二节（共15小题，每小题1分, 满分15分）‎ 听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出虽佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟; 听完后，各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。‎ 听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。‎ ‎6. Why did the woman come to see the man?‎ A. To exchange a piece of clothing. ‎ B. To get her money back.‎ C. To talk with the store manager.‎ ‎7. What is true about the woman?‎ A. She designs clothes.‎ B. She washed the jacket in hot water. ‎ C. She has worn the jacket for a week.‎ 听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。‎ ‎8. What is best for the man?‎ A. A family on the east side of town. ‎ B. A family with no children.‎ C. A family near his school.‎ ‎9. What will the woman probably do next?‎ A. Inform the college. B. Call a host family. C. Clean up a room.‎ 听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。‎ ‎10. What was the woman’s original reservation for?‎ A. A double room. B. A single room. C. Two single rooms.‎ ‎11. How much will the woman pay per night?‎ A. $ 20. B. $ 80. C. $ 100.‎ ‎12. Where does the conversation probably take place?‎ A. At the front desk. B. On the phone. C. In the membership club.‎ 听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。‎ ‎13. What did the woman almost forget?‎ A. The painter is out of paper.‎ B. There is no more ink in the storage. ‎ C. Sherri Caldon is on leave.‎ ‎14. What does the man say about the online order?‎ A. They have the lowest price. ‎ B. They have a quick delivery.‎ C. They have the best selection around.‎ ‎15. What should the woman do first when she returns?‎ A. Take her lunch break. B. Go to the finance department. C. Place an order online.‎ ‎16. Who might the man be?‎ A. An online store owner. B. An equipment repairman. C. The woman’s boss.‎ 听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。‎ ‎17. When do people usually start their Christmas shopping?‎ A. On December 1. B. On November 29. C. Before Thanksgiving.‎ ‎18. Where did the idea of “Buy Nothing Day” start?‎ A. In America. B. In Britain. C. In Canada.‎ ‎19. How do people celebrate “Buy Nothing Day” in California?‎ A. They organize a dinner.‎ B. They dress up to tell people the idea. ‎ C. They get together to read stories.‎ ‎20. Where did the high school students get food for the “Buy Nothing Day” dinner?‎ A. From neighboring homes.‎ B. From the restaurants nearby.‎ C. From Indian shops selling spaghetti.‎ 第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）‎ 第一节 (共15小题；每小题2分，满30分)‎ 阅读下列短文, 从每题所给四个选项 (A、B、C和D) 中, 选出最佳选项。并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。‎ A Smart Cameras to Help You Take Better Photos Google Clips One of the latest to launch is Google Clips. It is designed to be put somewhere in a room to take pictures by itself. It can also be attached to an object or a person’s clothing.‎ Google says machine learning helps the camera choose the best times and situations for taking pictures and videos. Interested buyers can join a waiting list to be informed when it is on the market.‎ GoPro Hero GoPro also uses machine learning to power its QuikStories characteristic. This tool takes existing photos and videos and automatically creates a finished video piece, complete with music and effects.‎ Snap Spectacles Messaging app Snapchat sells a pair of sunglasses with a built-in camera that can record short videos with the push of a button. Snap Inc. says the product, called Spectacles, is designed to “catch the moment, without taking you out of it.”‎ The glasses can record short video clips that can be shared with Snapchat users. Snap Inc. has started selling its Spectacles sunglasses online in the United States.‎ Apple iPhone X Apple’s new iPhone X is being launched with its new Face ID system that it says will unlock the phone just by having the user look at it. This replaces the Touch ID on previous ones that used a fingerprint to unlock the phone.‎ Apple says the system works by projecting more than 30,000 dots on the face to create a kind of map. Apple says its facial recognition is even secure enough to allow payments through its Apple Pay service.‎ ‎21. What is the special function of Google Clips?‎ A. It can play videos by itself.‎ B. It can take pictures automatically.‎ C. It can change photos into videos.‎ D. It can provide music and effects.‎ ‎22. Which of the following can now be bought on the Internet?‎ A. Google Clips B. GoPro Hero C. Snap Spectacles D. Apple iPhone X ‎23. How is Apple iPhone X unlocked?‎ A. By a fingerprint. B. By facial recognition.‎ C. By pushing a button. D. By making a map.‎ B ‎ When we hear of dangerous diseases, cancer and heart disease are often what first comes to mind. Recently, a virus called Ebola has reappeared in Guinea (a country in West Africa), killing 62 people so far. It leads to viral hemorrhagic fever, which is characterized by high fever and internal bleeding etc. Ebola can kill 90% of those infected, especially in underdeveloped societies like those in Africa.‎ ‎       Ebola is named after the Ebola River, where it was first discovered in 1976. There are five different types of the Ebola virus, each named after where they first happened: Sudan, Ivory Coast,‎ ‎ Reston, Bundibugyo, and Zaire. The deadliest of the five, Zaire, was responsible for the 2012 outbreak, and is believed to be attacking Guinea.‎ ‎ Ebola is naturally found in fruit bats (果蝠), which pass on the virus to other animals by biting or sucking on their blood. Humans who are suffering from the Ebola infection might have touched the bodily fluids of the infected animals. Once infected, a human becomes a carrier of the deadly virus. ‎ ‎       Since we live in an interconnected world, where the situation in one country can affect us all, the influences of Ebola are huge: damaging trade relations, affecting foreign visitors, and weakening entire countries. Already the Guinea virus is spreading fast with a few cases spotted in Conakry — the capital of Guinea, far away from the origin of the virus. It is feared that the disease may have already reached neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone, too. ‎ ‎       Unfortunately, there are no disease-specific treatments for Ebola. Healthcare workers only supply the infected people with water to keep them in good condition. Since there have been many cases of nurses catching the disease from patients, they are forced to wear strict protective clothes, and in some cases, not even allowed to get close to the affected. The fact that there is no cure for the Ebola virus is what makes the outbreak a challenging one to control.‎ ‎24. The news of Ebola in Guinea is mentioned to ___________.‎ A. make a brief summary ‎ B. introduce the topic of the text C. compare Ebola with cancer D. show the latest study of viruses ‎25. What can we learn about Ebola? ‎ A. It is a newly discovered virus.‎ B. It is the most dangerous virus in the world.‎ C. It was named after where it first happened.‎ D. It could cause immediate death for anyone infected.‎ ‎26. What is mainly described in Paragraph 3?‎ A. What the Ebola virus is.‎ B. The influences of Ebola.‎ C. The treatments for Ebola.‎ D. How the Ebola virus spreads.‎ ‎27. Which of the following does the author probably agree with?‎ A. Ebola is a highly infectious virus.‎ B. Ebola is now very common in Guinea.‎ C. Those with a fever must be infected by Ebola.‎ D. Females are more easily to be infected by Ebola.‎ C The term “to extend an olive branch” means making an offer of peace or reconciliation (和好). This term has its origins from the Bible, coming from the section of the Old Testament that deals with the flood; the sign that the flood has come to an end is an olive branch brought back to the ark (方舟) by a dove. Olive branches were also symbols of peace in Ancient Greece and Rome, and they continue to be used in various works of art that are meant to suggest peace.‎ ‎ Some people have suggested that the olive was a very deliberate and well-considered choice as a metaphor(比喻) for peace, because olive trees famously take years to mature. War is typically very ‎ hard on the trees because people cannot take the time to nurture them and plant new ones. Therefore, the offer of an olive branch would suggest that someone is tired of war, whether it be an actual war or a falling out between friends.‎ ‎ In Ancient Greek and Roman times, people would offer actual olive branches. In Rome, for example, defeated armies traditionally carried olive branches to indicate that they were giving in， and the Greeks used them into weddings and other ceremonies. In the modern era, the branch is usually metaphorical, rather than actual, not least because the plants can be a bit difficult to obtain. ‎ ‎ Many people agree that peace negotiations at all levels of society, are a good idea. Between nations, obviously, it is important to extend an olive branch to ensure mutual safety and to help the world run more smoothly. This act can also be important on a personal level, as resolving conflict and learning to get along with others is viewed as an important life skill in many cultures.‎ ‎ At some point in their lives, many people will be advised to extend an olive branch to settle a dispute or resolve an issue. Some people believe that it involves an immense amount of courage to take this action, as it often comes with an admission of wrongdoing and regret.‎ ‎28. According to the Bible, ___________.‎ A. an olive branch suggests flood is approaching B. the ark is made of olive tree wood C. an olive branch means flood is over D. a dove loves to settle on the olive branch ‎29. The olive is considered a good choice as a metaphor for peace for the following reasons EXCEPT ___________‎ A. It’s well known that olive trees take a long time to mature. ‎ B. Olive branches make people tired of war.‎ C. The war is typically very hard on the olive trees.‎ D. People cannot afford time to nurture them at war.‎ ‎30. Why are actual olive branches seldom used in modern times?‎ A. Olive trees are being protected now.‎ B. Olive trees are planted only in certain countries.‎ C. Olive trees can be difficult to seek.‎ D. There is no need to use real olive branches.‎ ‎31. What can we know from the text? ‎ A. It is of little significance to extend an olive branch on a personal level. ‎ B. To extend an olive branch only matters between nations.‎ C. In conflicts, it is not easy for a person feeling guilty to extend an olive branch.‎ D. Extending an olive branch is an important life skill in many cultures.‎ D Given that motivation is so central to our lives, what do we truly understand about how it operates and about its role in our lives? The assumption is that it’s driven by a positive, external reward. Do this, get that. But the story is much more complex.‎ One of the most striking aspects of motivation is that it often drives us to achievements that are difficult, challenging and even painful. You may think that you would be happy to spend all your time sitting on a white-sand beach drinking and that as long as you get to fill your days this way, you would be happy forever. But while a few days of enjoyment might be fun from time to time, I can’t ‎ imagine that you would be satisfied by spending your days, weeks, months, years and even your life this way.‎ Research that examines the differences between meaning and happiness finds that the things that give us a sense of meaning don’t necessarily make us happy. Moreover, people who report having meaningful lives are often more interested in doing things for others, while those who focus mostly on doing things for themselves report being only superficially happy. The essential quality of “meaning” has to do with having a sense of being involved in something bigger than the self.‎ We all know people obtain a great sense of meaning even in the most unpleasant of circumstances. Many volunteers spend portions of their lives working in dangerous, war-torn areas trying to keep disease and death from innocent civilians or teaching orphans to read. Their pain is real; their sense of doing something truly meaningful is substantial (丰富的). They show how our deep-rooted desire to believe that our lives have purpose beyond our lifespan drives us to work extra hard, even to the point of our own personal suffering, in order to gain more meaning.‎ The point is that these seemingly odd and irrational (不合理的) motivations get us to do things that are complex, difficult and unpleasant. But they go beyond helping people in need. They motivate us in every aspect of our lives — whether in our personal relationships, in our individual pursuits or in the workplace.‎ ‎32. According to the author, which of the following about motivation is true? ‎ A. Motivation is simply driven by external rewards.‎ B. Motivation is largely determined by social responsibilities.‎ C. Motivation enables us to gain more financial returns.‎ D. Motivation drives us to struggle for achievements.‎ ‎33. According to the research, which of the practices gives us a sense of meaning?‎ A. Reading a classic novel in the leisure time.‎ B. Enjoying sunshine and comfort on the beach.‎ C. Accompanying terminal patients in hospital.‎ D. Listening to popular music in the sitting room.‎ ‎34. The example of people’s voluntary work in Para. 4 mainly indicates that ___________. ‎ A. experiencing personal suffering is a necessary part of our growth B. voluntary work serves the purpose of adding happiness to our lives ‎ C. it’s our duty to help people in need to get out of their sufferings D. life’s great rewards come from our experience of tough circumstances ‎35. What can we infer from the passage?‎ A. People should make sacrifices for social benefits due to their short lifespan. ‎ B. The value and impact of motivation goes beyond our social circle and existence.‎ C. Helping people in need is the most important goal of a human being nowadays.‎ D. Superficially happy people usually put others first rather than focus on themselves.‎ 第二节 七选五 (共5小题；每小题2分，满分10分) ‎ ‎ 根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。选项中有两项为多余选项。‎ Most of us in China are used to paying for everything with our phones. 36 36 At least, this was the case for Lim Swee Say from Singapore, who found his first experience with Chinese payment methods quite impressive. Lim was waiting in line to buy nuts at a street ‎ stall(货摊) in Shanghai and saw other customers show their phone and take the nuts without giving cash. 37 ‎ ‎ 36 It seems that Singapore falls behind in mobile payments. Some Chinese tourists find it inconvenient when they have to use cash in Singapore. ‎ ‎ 38 According to Xinhua News Agency, many countries now accept mobile payment services for Chinese tourists, with WeChat Pay covered in 13 overseas countries and regions and Alipay over 200. It’s now common to see the familiar green or blue logos in tourist destinations around the world, from a tiny shop in the Scottish Highlands to a huge department store in New York.‎ Mobile payments are now a normal part of life in China, and the trend is sweeping other nations. According to Forrester Research, in America, mobile payments rose by 39 percent in 2016. 39 ‎ This may be partly because western mobile payment services require businesses to install(安装) expensive equipment before customers can use them. 40 ‎ A. While in China, all it takes is a QR code (二维码) and a phone. ‎ B. The popularity of Chinese mobile payments has pushed some foreign companies to accept them. ‎ C. Foreign tourists don’ t like to pay with their mobile phones. ‎ D. But for foreign visitors who aren’t familiar with this method, it may seem strange. ‎ E. He was trying to figure out how they got paid. ‎ F. Still, Chinese mobile payments were nearly 50 times greater than those in the US. ‎ G. Soon after, he realized that the customers were using WeChat Pay.‎ 第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）‎ 第一节 完形填空（共20小题；每题1.5分，满分30分）‎ 阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A, B, C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ It was one of the happiest moments in my life. I had just received my bachelor’s degree, graduating with honors, though I was a wife and mother working two jobs. My parents and son were in the audience when I 41 onto the stage to get my diploma. I was so excited to be starting a teaching career and 42 more to my family’s wellbeing. ‎ But when I got home, I saw a 43 from my husband written on the back of an envelope, .44 he’d come to get his clothes and wouldn’t be back. We’d been having 45 , but that note still came as a shock. He had emptied our bank account. We were heavily in 46 . I had quit my previous jobs. Plus, I was eight months pregnant.‎ Most young women have an idealized picture of the 47 life: they’re going to live in a house with a white-picket fence. But 48 tells them that’s not true, and sometimes life is just bitter. It was all ruined for me that night. I was 49 , scared, and angry and felt I had completely .50 . But I had my son, and I was about to bring a new life into the world, so despite my deep 51 , I had to go on. The next morning, I 52 up, took a deep breath, fixed breakfast and did everything 53 . I used my routine to keep me 54 . Having served in the army for six years, I now fell back on my 55 , like all good soldiers do in 56 situations. One small step after one small step was the way I finally 57 . ‎ During the last seven years, I’ve continued moving 58 . I got a job as a teacher, earned a master’s degree in 59 , and watched my kids grow up. Looking back on those days, I certainly ‎ would never have chosen to 60 them through this. But my experience helped me find myself a lot sooner. It helped me grow independent, confident, and strong.‎ ‎41. A. jumped B. ran C. stepped D. rushed ‎42. A. referring B. contributing C. connecting D. limiting ‎43. A. notice B. letter C. card D. note ‎ ‎44. A. telling B. writing C. saying D. declaring ‎ ‎45. A. fun B. happiness C. trouble D. differences 46. A. demand B. need C. difficulty D. debt ‎ ‎47. A. happy B. easy C. hard D. simple ‎ ‎48. A. anyone B. someone C. none D. no one ‎ ‎49. A. thrilled B. amazed C. embarrassed D. puzzled ‎50. A. exhausted B. failed C. defeated D. broken ‎51. A. sadness B. surprise C. desire D. regret ‎52. A. stood B. got C. cheered D. turned ‎ ‎53. A. in peace B. in a hurry C. as usual D. at ease ‎54. A. hoping B. thinking C. living D. moving ‎ ‎55. A. training B. practice C. experience D. pattern ‎ ‎56. A. specific B. tough C. curious D. vivid ‎57. A. succeeded B. survived C. escaped D. recovered ‎58. A. forward B. backward C. around D. down ‎ ‎59. A. military B. business C. education D. acting ‎ ‎60. A. put B. get C. go D. pull ‎ 第二节 语法填空 （共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）‎ 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容或括号内单词的正确形式。‎ As is known to us, the year 2016 has one extra day in it—February 29th. This is because it’s ___61___ we call “a leap year”. Every four years, the year has 366 days ___62___ of 365 days.‎ It is called a leap year because hundreds of years ago in England, the extra day wasn’t ___63___ (legal) recognized. There is a well-known tradition in the U.K. ___64___ (associate) with 29th February, which was introduced many centuries ago. Women are allowed to break with tradition and propose to their boyfriends on this day. This all started back in the fifth century, ___65___ a famous Irish saint made a ___66___ (complain) that women had to wait too long for men to propose. According to the legend, Saint Patrick said any female ___67___ (dream) of a proposal could ask her boyfriend to marry her on this additional day in February. This so-called tradition was even ___68___ (write) in law in the thirteenth century. Scotland passed a law allowing women to propose to men in a leap year. It was said that if the men refused, they had to pay a fine!‎ Back in 2016, there were calls for 29th February to become a public holiday. Some people believed that they should have an official day ___69___, because no one got ___70___ (many) payments for working an extra day in a leap year. ‎ 第四部分：写作（共三节，满分45分）‎ 第一节 单词拼写（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ 在空白处填入恰当的单词（仅1个单词），使句子意思完整，结构正确。请将所填单词的完整形式填入答题卡相应位置。‎ ‎71. S__________ by a crowd of people, he had no alternative but to confess to a crime. ‎ ‎72. I am still highly __________ (怀疑的) about his chances of winning although he is wearing a confident smile. ‎ ‎73. There were two loud e__________ and then the building burst into a sea of fire. ‎ ‎74. People are more likely to get __________ (挑衅的) when they are drunk.‎ ‎75. Although she didn’t mention any names, everyone knew who she was r__________ to.‎ ‎76. You might want to consider __________ (暂时的) work until you decide what you want to do.‎ ‎77. The news aroused a lot of __________ (好奇) among local people.‎ ‎78. The president is to meet a delegation(代表团) c__________ of chairmen and CEOs from more than 50 leading companies nationwide.‎ ‎79. This dish is easy to cook and doesn’t involve too many i__________.‎ ‎80. Having worked for almost half a century, he announced his r___________ as chief executive of the company and started to lead a relaxing life.‎ 第二节 短文改错 （共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ ‎ 文中共有10处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。‎ ‎ 增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。‎ ‎ 删除：把多余的词用斜线 (＼)划掉。‎ ‎ 修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。‎ 注意：‎ ‎ 1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；‎ ‎ 2．只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。‎ China is ancient country with culture dated back more than 4,000 years. Basic element for the ‎ modern world such as paper, gunpowder, or the magnetic compass originated in China. Today, China ‎ is again at the forefront of the world, with Chinese goods reaching all parts of the world. The Chinese ‎ culture have also fascinated many people. In the Shaolin Monasteries or the Forbidden City of ‎ Beijing, China has its unique art and architecture that drew thousands of visitors every year. The ‎ Chinese food is equal popular around the world and it is loved by many non-Chinese. In China, the ‎ food can be founded in great varieties and is different from one region to other. So join in us and ‎ experience all these．‎ 第三节 书面表达（总分25分）‎ 假设你是高中生李华，你校拟选拔一组志愿者接待前来参观学习的美国交流生。志愿者要求英语流利，并能利用周末带领美国朋友们游览成都。要求用英语给校评选组写一封申请信：‎ ‎1. 自我介绍;‎ ‎2. 参加意图;‎ ‎3. 你的计划（如怎样安排周末的游览）‎ 注意: 1. 词数不少于100； ‎ ‎2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯; ‎ ‎3. 邮件开头和结尾已为你写好，不计入词数。‎ Dear Sir or Madam,‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_______________________________________________________________________________‎ Best regards,‎ Li Hua 成都石室中学高2019届2017-2018年学年度上期半期考试 英语试题 第一部分 听力 ‎ ‎1-5 BCACA 6-10 BACBB 11-15 BABAB 16-20 CBCCB 阅读理解 ‎21-23 BCB 24-27 BCDA 28-31 CBCC 32-35 DCDB ‎ 七选五 36-40 DGBFA 完形填空 ‎ ‎41-45. CBDCC 46-50. DADCB 50-55. ABCDA 56-60. BDACA ‎ 语法填空 ‎61.what 62. instead 63. legally 64. associated 65. when ‎ ‎66. complaint 67. dreaming 68. written 69. off 70. more 单词拼写 ‎71. Surrounded 72. skeptical/skeptical 73. explosions 74. aggressive ‎75. referring 76. temporary 77. curiosity 78. consisting ‎79. ingredients 80. retirement 短文改错 1. is后加an 2. date改为dating 3. element 改为elements 4. or改为 and ‎ ‎5. have改为 has 6. drew改为 draw 7. equal改为 equally 8. founded改为 found ‎ ‎9. other改为another 10. join后的in去掉 作文 Dear sir or madam,‎ I’m Li Hua, a 16-year-old student. I’m writing to express my interest in applying for the job as a volunteer to welcome the exchange students from America. ‎ From my perspective, I’m qualified for the job as I have a good command of English and take delight in communicating with foreigners. Moreover, the sense of team cooperation and hospitality make me a person easy to get along with. This voluntary work is a chance to spread Chinese culture and promote cultural exchange, which I’ve been longing for. Besides, it will broaden my horizons and enrich my mind.‎ In order to ensure the guests a wonderful weekend, I will lead them to the historical sites, such as the Jinsha relics, which date back to 2000 BC. Only through this in-depth experience can they really appreciate the Chinses culture.‎ Therefore, I recommend myself to you. I’m looking forward to seizing this opportunity.‎ 听力材料：‎ Text 1‎ M: Hi, Jane. Do you have some change? I have to make a call on the pay phone. W: Pay phone? You can use my mobile phone. Here you are.‎ Text 2‎ W: I’d like to visit you tomorrow morning. Will you have any spare time then? M: Not in the morning, I’m afraid, but I’ll be free before one thirty after lunch. Text 3‎ W: Are you going to the library after our class, Jack? M: No. I’m going to play some sports. How about you? W: I feel like going to the meeting hall for a lecture. ‎ Text 4‎ M: I wish I could play the piano. I am fond of some piano pieces by Mozart, but unfortunately, I can’t play them. Can you play the piano, Susan?‎ W: I can play the piano and the violin. Text 5‎ W: Listen, there is a new show at the Metropolitan Museum this Saturday. I was wondering if you ‎ would like to go with me.‎ M: I’d love to. I read about that show in the paper this morning. And I was just thinking about going this week. Text Text 6‎ M: Can I help you, madam?‎ W: Yes, I bought this jacket here last w eek. I w ore it once, and now look at it. I was hoping to get my money back.‎ M: Do you have your bill list?‎ W: Yes, it’s right here.‎ M: Thanks. I’m wondering whether you washed it with any other clothing, or whether you washed it in hot water, perhaps.‎ W: No, I washed it in cold water, just like it says in the instructions. M: I see. Perhaps something is wrong with your washing machine.‎ W: Sir, I’m actually a fashion designer. I’ve been making my own clothes f or fifteen years. I have never seen a piece of clothing look like this after washing it only once…unless there is a problem with the cloth. I’d be happy to speak with your manager.‎ M: No, that’s all right, madam. I’ll do what you asked for.‎ Text 7‎ W: Good morning, we have checked your information. Do you have any special requirements for your host family?‎ M: Yeah, I hope to find a host family near my college. That will be more convenient for my education.‎ W: That’s reasonable. Well, w here is your college?‎ M: It’s on the south side of town.‎ W: OK. Let me see. Oh, there are three host families there, and one of them requires that they w ant a Chinese student.‎ M: That’s perfect. Uh, are there kids in the family?‎ W: Yes, there are two: a seven-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy. M: Well, will they offer me a separate room?‎ W: Yes, you can have a separate room, but you will be charged 80-100 dollars a w eek. Can you afford that?‎ M: That sounds good. Can you help me get in touch with this family?‎ W: Sure. We’ll call them and inform you at once if we get a response from them. Text 8‎ W: Hello, I have a reservation under the name of Mary Carpenter.‎ M: Yes, your name is on the list. Would you please fill out this form first?‎ W: Uh, OK… Sorry, what I booked was a single room for two nights, but may I change it to a double room for five nights?‎ M: Let me see… Yes, you can change rooms because w e w ill have several double rooms available.‎ W: Thanks a lot. So, w hat’s the rate for my new room?‎ M: A double room with a shower costs $100 per night, so it will be $500 in all.‎ W: I see. The price sounds a little too high. I think there is a special discount for members; you can see my VIP number on my ID card.‎ M: Yes, we give our members 20% off, and I see your number right here. All right. Please remember that your room number is 2160. Here is your key. You’d better keep it with you at all times.‎ W: Got it. Thank you very much. Text 9‎ M: We need some more supplies from the basement. Can you go downstairs and get some white paper, some black pens and some stamps, please?‎ W: Sure, Mr. Harper. Oh, I just remembered. The printer is out of ink, and I think we ran out of it in the storage area. Do you want me to order some online?‎ M: Well, I don’t think they’ll be able to get it here on time. Their prices are the lowest around, but it usually takes them one full business day to deliver anything. We can’t afford to delay our work today.‎ W: What should I do?‎ M: Just go to Staples and get some ink there.‎ W: No problem, sir. Should I use the company credit card like usual?‎ M: Yes, that’s fine. Make sure the finance department gets a copy of receipt when you come back.‎ And after that, please place an ink order online for delivery tomorrow.‎ W: Of course. Is it all right if I just take my lunch break while I’m out? That w ay, I won’t have to come back to the office, then leave, and then come back again.‎ M: Sure, that’s fine. Well, I’ve got a meeting at 10:00. Oh, one other question: why wasn’t the ink reordered before?‎ W: I think that was one of Sherri Caldon’s duties. Remember, she took a leave last w eek. She won’t be back for at least six months so she can take care of her baby.‎ M: Oh, right.‎ Text 10‎ Most people buy a lot of gifts just before Christmas, but some people think we buy too much.‎ They have started a special day called "Buy Nothing Day”. They don’t want anyone to go shopping on that day. “Buy Nothing Day” is November 29. It’s after Thanksgiving, and it’s often the first day of Christmas shopping. The idea of “Buy Nothing Day” started in Vancouver, a Canadian city. Now people all over the world celebrate “Buy Nothing D ay”. In California, parents and children get together to read stories, sing songs, and paint pictures. This year, in Manchester, England, people dressed up to tell people that we buy too much. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, high school students wanted to tell other students about “Buy Nothing Day”. They organized a spaghetti dinner to give people information about “Buy Nothing Day”. They asked restaurants in the neighborhood to give people food for free. The students at the high school like the idea of this new tradition. Next year, they want to have another dinner to tell more people about “Buy Nothing Day”.‎