英语卷·2017届福建省漳州市第二片区高三上学期第一次联考（2017-01） 18页

‎2017学年“漳州市第二片区”高三联考 英语试题 ‎（时间：120分钟 总分：150分）‎ ‎ 命题：漳浦达志中学高三备课组 命题：张腊明 审题：杨秀芳 第I卷 第一节（共5小题；每小题1.5分，满分7.5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 kind of music does the woman like?‎ ‎ A. Classical music. B. Rock music. C. Country music.‎ ‎2. What does the woman want to buy?‎ ‎ A. Sweets and apples. B. Oranges and apples. C. Vegetables and apples.‎ ‎3. What does the man mean?‎ ‎ A. He had a good time at the party. B. He doesn't want to see his friends again.‎ ‎ C. He didn't enjoy the party at all.‎ ‎4. What does the woman suggest the man do?‎ ‎ A. Go on a diet. B. Talk to her sister. C. Introduce himself first.‎ ‎5. What will the man probably do tonight?‎ ‎ A. Read Chapter 4. B. Study in the library. C. Watch the football match.‎ 第二节(共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5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三个选项中选出最佳选项，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. What is the probable relationship between the two speakers?‎ ‎ A. Travel agent and customer. B. Husband and wife. C. Boss and secretary.‎ ‎7. When will the meetings end?‎ ‎ A. At 3：00 p．m. 　　B. At 5：00 p．m. 　　C. At 6：30 p．m.‎ 听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。‎ ‎8. Why does Diana say sorry to Peter?‎ ‎ A. She has to give up her travel plan.‎ ‎ B. She wants to visit another city.‎ ‎ C. She needs to put off her test.‎ ‎9. What does Diana want Peter to do?‎ ‎ A. Help her with her study.‎ ‎ B. Take a book to her friend.‎ ‎ C. Teach a geography lesson.‎ 听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。‎ ‎10. Why can't Jim find Susan's home?‎ ‎ A. Because he hasn't been told how to get there.‎ ‎ B. Because he forgot to bring the map Susan gave him.‎ ‎ C. Because he is so forgetful that he can't remember her address.‎ ‎11. Where is the bank?‎ ‎ A. It is next to the bus stop.‎ ‎ B. It is on the corner beside the bus stop.‎ ‎ C. It is on the corner across the street.‎ ‎12. Where is Susan's house?‎ ‎ A. It is the seventh house from the corner on Jim's right.‎ ‎ B. It is the seventh house from the corner on Jim's left.‎ ‎ C. It is the seventeenth house from the corner on Jim's right.‎ 听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。‎ ‎13. Where are the new houses?‎ ‎ A. On the main road. B. Close to a bus station. C. Near the sports center.‎ ‎14. What does the woman like most about the new houses?‎ ‎ A. The sports center. B. The space. C. The quietness.‎ ‎15. Why does the man sound uninterested?‎ ‎ A. Because he is very interested in the book.‎ ‎ B. Because he doesn't want to move.‎ ‎ C. Because he has to finish his work first.‎ ‎16. What can we know about the man in the end?‎ ‎ A. He is interested in the new houses. B. He will change his mind.‎ ‎ C. He will go to see the new houses.‎ 听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。‎ ‎17. Why have many people done everything possible to make sure the test goes smoothly?‎ ‎ A. Because the students have less choices now.‎ ‎ B. Because the text has become more important than in the past.‎ ‎ C. Because the test is an important, lifechanging event.‎ ‎18. What is TRUE about traffic control during the Gaokao?‎ ‎ A. It lasts for a long time.‎ ‎ B. It aims to create a peaceful environment for students.‎ ‎ C. It does not only happen around the examination sites.‎ ‎19. According to those who are against the traffic control, what is the most important lesson ‎ ‎ students should learn before graduation?‎ ‎ A. Respect other people's interests.‎ ‎ B. Don’t be too sensitive to the Gaokao.‎ ‎ C. Depend on themselves in life.‎ ‎20. What is the speaker's attitude toward traffic control in the end?‎ ‎ A .Negative. B. Positive. C. Neutral.‎ 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, 满分30分)‎ 阅读下面短文, 从每题的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中, 选出最佳选项, 并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ A ‎ On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley saved me. ‎ ‎ The previous afternoon, I played with my six-year-old peers in Heather Peters’ backyard. I was enjoying my cake, when Heather asked me where my sleeping bag was. Only then did I know this party was a sleepover. The word “sleep-over” to a six-year-old bed-wetter is like what ‎ “cancer” means to an adult. But what if I told them I was a bed-wetter? At least with cancer, people gather at your bedside instead of running from it.‎ ‎ I thought of a way to escape. I would explain that I needed my mother's permission to spend the nights. But as I called my Mom, Heather stood beside me to listen. She granted permission! Then I would be sleeping in the same living room as the other girls. I didn't bring my own pajamas (睡衣)，so Mrs. Peters offered me Heather's pajamas.‎ ‎ As the other girls drifted into their sweet dreams, I tried to stay awake. “Do I need to go again? I'll stay up to go one more time.” Of course, I finally fell asleep.‎ ‎ The next morning, I was the first to wake up. I was warm! I lay in panic for what seemed like hours before the other girls started to wake up. I did the only thing I could do --- I pretended that the bed-wetting didn't happen. I got up, took off Heather's pajamas and changed into my clothes like the other girls.‎ ‎ Mrs. Peters walked into the room, and before she could say anything, she stepped right onto the pile of my wet pajamas. My heart stopped as I watched her face burn red. “WHO DID THIS?” She screamed, with a look so frightening. Should I answer? And that was when it happened — Mr. Peters came in and grabbed his wife, ‘‘Elvis Presley died!”‎ ‎ The news of the King's death overtook Mrs. Peters, and I, was spared. I got home without the other girls knowing what had happened. 21. The author had to spend the night at Peters' because _____.‎ A. she enjoyed her cake there         B. it was a routine of the party C. her mother allowed her to do so    D. the famous singer Elvis Presley died that night 22. Mrs. Peters got angry because _____.‎ A. her husband was rude to her B. Elvis Presley passed away C. she found the wet pajamas D. all the girls slept at her house 23. From the story, we know Mrs. Peters was _____.‎ A. a bad-tempered woman  B. a fan of Elvis Presley C. a woman for perfection  D. a woman who hated to wash pajamas ‎24. The passage is mainly about _____.‎ A. an unfriendly hostess      B. a fan-purchasing experience C. the shocking death of a famous singer  D. an embarrassing childhood incident B Have you ever lost your car on a parking lot? You don’t have a clue where your car is after shopping. Then you start walking around clicking on your car keys so the alarm goes off. It can be annoying, especially on a hot sunny day.‎ No, you needn’t install(安装) an expensive GPS system to keep track of your car. That’s too expensive. You would need to pay a monthly fee to use it. ‎ But is there a way to track your vehicle without spending a fortune? Yes, now there is! A California-based company has created a tiny device that works with your smartphone, which could be exactly what you’re looking for!‎ Ø What is it?‎ It’s called TrackR. It is a state-of-the-art tracking device the size of a coin. It’s changing the way we keep track of the important things in our lives.‎ Ø How does it work?‎ It’s easy! Install the free TrackR app on your smartphone, connect the app to your device and you’re ready to go! Simply attach TrackR to whatever you want to keep an eye on. The entire process of setting it up only takes 5 minutes or less.‎ You can attach it to your keys, briefcase, wallet, your latest tech gadgets and anything else you don’t want to lose. Then use the TrackR app to locate your missing item in seconds.‎ If you forget where you have parked your car, pull out your smartphone and open the TrackR app. Tap on the “find device” button on the screen and the app will tell you the exact spot of the last known location of the TrackR.‎ Ø What else can I do with TrackR?‎ The device is small and unnoticeable enough that you can attach it to your pet. Put it on their collar, and the issue of searching for them when they run away to nearby places will be over! You’ll never waste a minute searching the whole house for it.‎ TrackR even comes with a double-sided glue so you can stick it to your laptop or under your bike seat. Track down and punish the thieves who steal your expensive things!‎ Ø How much does it cost?‎ You’re probably thinking that this device is very expensive. False! TrackR only costs $29! That’s a small price to pay for peace of mind, isn’t it?‎ Ø Where can I buy one?‎ You can buy it directly from the company’s website by clicking here https://buy.thetrackr.co/gu/special-offers/15/ .‎ ‎25. From the passage, we learn that TrackR can ______.‎ A. take good care of your pets at home B. help you locate your important things C. work better after you pay monthly fee D. track your wallet through GPS system ‎26. This passage is mainly developed by ______.‎ A. providing statistics B. giving examples C. answering questions D. making comparisons ‎27. Where is this passage most likely taken from?‎ A. A website. B. A journal. C. A personal blog. D. A research report.‎ ‎ C Our nonprofit organization had just received a large donation of clothing. As three of us walked home for dinner, we saw a woman begging by the bridge. She was old and had no legs. She shivered in her thin sari(纱巾), which offered little protection from the cold wind. Her hunger forced her to beg. My friends and I looked at each other：here was a perfect opportunity, but first it was necessary to do a little bit of research.‎ We went up to the woman to hear her story. She spoke very little due to her poor health and fear, but we learned enough. She lived alone in her small home. She had no one to look after her and ate whatever people gave her. The desire to help her grew stronger. After speaking to her, we headed back to get something to keep her warm. Finding the perfect sweater, we set out again to see the woman. This time, the fear was replaced by distrust as we presented her with the sweater.‎ ‎“Are you robbers？” she asked. “You came here before and are back so suddenly with ‎ clothes.” I was surprised by her principles．Even in her state, she did not want to wear anything that was stolen and gained through ill means.‎ ‎“No, we are out doing service work.” Her shoulders relaxed a bit. I then helped her put the sweater on and said, “Please don't sell the sweater.” “I swear, I won't，” she said.‎ A week later, I was out walking with my mother to get some food when I saw the woman again. This time the picture was a little different. She was still begging, but with the gray sweater wrapped around her body and a smile on her face when she saw us. I guarantee that the smile on my face was bigger.‎ ‎28. What can we learn from the first paragraph?‎ A. The organization had too many clothes.‎ B. The writer offered help without hesitation.‎ C. The woman wanted to make a fortune by begging.‎ D. The writer was careful before offering help to the beggar.‎ ‎29. What do the underlined words “her principles” in the third paragraph refer to?‎ A. She never trusted strangers.‎ B. She never accepted donations from the poor.‎ C. She wouldn't accept anything gained illegally.‎ D. She wouldn't take advantage of others' kindness.‎ ‎30. What contributed to their smiles at last? ‎ A. Kindness and trust. B. Caution and fear.‎ C. Doubt and distrust. D. Optimism and generosity.‎ ‎31. What is the best title for the passage?‎ A. Trusting the Beggars B. A Beggar’s Morality C. The Sweater to a Beggar D. Learning to Judge a Real Beggar D Whenever we see a button, we are eager to press it because we know something will happen. This is true in most cases, for example on a doorbell and on the “on/off” button on the TV. But some buttons are actually fake, like the “close” button on a lift. Many people are in the habit of pressing the “close” button because they don’t have the ‎ patience to wait for the lift doors to shut. But lifts’ “close” buttons are a complete scam (骗局), at least in the US － the doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press.‎ It started in the 1990s when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the US, making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter. Only US firefighters and repairmen can use the buttons to speed up the door-closing process if they have a code or special keys.‎ But to normal lift riders, the buttons aren’t completely useless. According to psychologists, fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control.‎ ‎“Perceived (能够感知的) control is very important. It reduces stress and increases well-being,” Ellen J. Langer, a psychology professor, said, “ having a lack of control is associated with depression.”‎ Experts have revealed that a lot of buttons that don’t do anything exist in our lives for this same purpose. For example, many offices in the US have fake thermostats (温度调节器) because people tend to feel better when they think they can control the temperature in their workspace. ‎ But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little “white lies”, they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close, it is considered to be worth the effort.‎ ‎“That habit is here to stay,” John Kounios, a psychology professor, said. “Even though I have real doubts about the traffic light buttons, I always press them. After all, I’ve got nothing else to do while waiting. So why not press the button in the hope that this one will work?”‎ 32. What was the author’s main purpose in writing the article? A. To analyze the functions of fake buttons. B. To describe some different kinds of fake buttons. C. To explain the advantages and disadvantages of fake buttons. D. To explore people’s different habits when it comes to pushing buttons.‎ 33. In America, the “close” buttons on lifts _______. A. are fake for the convenience of disabled people B. work only when people press them hard for a while C. were specially designed to give people a sense of control D. cannot speed up the process of closing the door in any case 32. The underlined part “for this same purpose” in Paragraph 6 refers to _______. A. making people more patient B. giving people perceived control C. helping people to build up confidence D. making people with depression feel better ‎35. According to John Kounios, people who press fake buttons ______. A. should give up this habit B. probably do so to kill time C. consider what they do to be meaningless D. don’t know that what they press is fake 第二节（共5小题；每小题分，满分10分）‎ 根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。‎ Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. 36 In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for years. Psychologists are studying this complex phenomenon, and have identified three different types of loneliness.‎ The first kind of loneliness is temporary. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situation-for example, family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. 37 ‎ The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the others, chronic (the opposite of "temporary") usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. 38 Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.‎ Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person's social contacts, for example, friends, family members, co-workers, etc. We depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. 39 ‎ Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons. They are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness as heart disease. 40 ‎ A. It is very difficult to deal with.‎ B. They question their popularity.‎ C. This kind of loneliness is not serious.‎ D. They don' t think they are in need of them.‎ E. People who experience it have problems socializing and becoming close to others.‎ F. What's more, temporary and situational loneliness can be a sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.‎ G. Although it can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.‎ 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; 每小题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, 选出可以填人空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ For years, I had been searching for my mother. Since I was 41 , much of me was still unknown. I wanted to 42 the missing pieces. I wanted to find my birth mother, so I could tell her how 43 I was for the decision she made, because I had been 44 in a loving home. They 45 looked after me when I was ill and 46 me when I met challenges.‎ ‎ When I was an adult, my parents 47 all the adoption documents. From the paper I discovered the 48 of my birth mother. Then I 49 called all the women with the same name and around the right age, but none of them 50 having given up a child for adoption. I was so 51 to find her that I wanted her to appear before me soon.‎ ‎ Difficult as it seemed, I still continued my 52 . Meanwhile, my best friend Michael helped me through the Net. One day he told me, “I 53 some online files and found that your birth mother had died years ago.” I was deeply 54 . “But you have two 55 ,” he added. ‎ ‎ Thanks to Michael’s assistance, I contacted my newly 56 sisters. I immediately flew to Oregon to 57 them. The minute we 58 each other, we ran into each other’s arms and sobbed. It was an instant 59 , as if we had known each other decades ago. When we were holding each other tightly, I felt another pair of arms surrounding us. The woman who gave 60 to us hugged all of her girls. ‎ ‎41. A. cloned B. adopted C. accepted D. rescued ‎42. A. fill in B. take down C. give up D. set off ‎43. A. fearful B. faithful C. regretful D. grateful ‎44. A. praised B. trained C. raised D. monitored ‎45. A. purposely B. carefully C. selfishly D. timely ‎46. A. encouraged B. scolded C. envied D. promised ‎47. A. discovered B. shared C. preserved D. lost ‎48. A. age B. address C. name D. number ‎49. A. calmly B. totally C. hopefully D. naturally ‎50. A. admitted B. forgot C. considered D. minded ‎51. A. unwilling B. eager C. ready D. able ‎52. A. example B. search C. advantage D. experiment ‎53. A. described B. expected C. missed D. consulted ‎54. A. moved B. inspired C. shocked D. angered ‎55. A. sisters B. cousins C. friends D. brothers ‎56. A. married B. remembered C. born D. found ‎57. A. persuade B. meet C. replace D. change ‎58. A. recognized B. greeted C. exchanged D. understood ‎59. A. forgiveness B. responsibility C. connection D. departure ‎60. A. hurt B. courage C. freedom D. birth 第II卷 注意：将答案写在答题卡上。写在本试卷上无效。‎ 第三部分 英语知识运用 第二节（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（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。‎ Birds don’t like eating plastic. But 61 (many) seabirds are eating plastic waste in the ocean than ever before. It is 62 (possible) because the plastic waste smells like a seabird’s food, according to a new study 63 (publish) in the Science Advances journal.‎ ‎ “Animals usually have 64 reason for the decisions they make,” Matthew Savoca, the lead author of the study, said. “If we want to truly understand 65 animals are eating plastic in the ocean, we have to think about how animals find food.”‎ ‎ The study found that plastic waste easily gathers algae (海藻) on the water. Together they give off a smell very similar 66 the krill（磷虾）that many sea birds feed on.‎ ‎ There is more plastic pollution in the world every year. A study last year 67 (show) that about 8 million tons of plastic enters the oceans every year. It is enough 68 (cover) every coastline in the world.‎ ‎ 69 (eat) plastic can badly hurt the organs (器官) of the animals. Some birds even mistakenly feed 70 (they) babies waste instead of food. Scientists hope this study will cause alarm about plastics in our oceans and help save the seabirds. 第四部分写作（共两节；满分35分）‎ 第一节短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ 请你修改下面短文，共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。‎ 增加：在缺词处加一个漏子符号（∧）并在其下面写出该加的词。‎ 删除：把多余的词用(＼)划掉。‎ 修改：在错的词下画一横线，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。‎ Last week our school hold a sports meeting. Realize it was our last school sports meeting, we decided to make it unforgettable experience. We first attended the opening ceremony, for whom our class had made a lot of preparations. Much for our excitement, our performance was a success. My classmates took part in various event such as running, the high jump and the long jump. Due to the hard training the athletes had done before, their performance was very ‎ impressive. My classmates applauded and cheered for the athletes, so some raised their cameras to capture the exciting moments. The result was announced. Our class won the second place and our efforts paid off! Cup in hand, we took a picture together proud. This sports meeting will be a precious memory for all of them as time goes by.‎ 第二节 书面表达（满分25分）‎ 假如你是李华，你想邀请你的美国朋友Mr. Smith与你一起参观中国画展。请你根据以下要点给他写一封电子邮件。‎ 要点：1、介绍画展 ‎ ‎①中外名画 ②展览日期：5月1日-- 6日 ③地点：市艺术博物馆 ④有名家现场作画 ‎ 2、约定会面的时间与地点。‎ 注意：1、词数100左右；2、可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；‎ ‎3、开头与结尾已为你写好。                                                         ‎ ‎2017学年“漳州市第二片区”高三联考 英语试题（参考答案）‎ 听力1.  BAAAC     6  CAABB        11 CACBB       16 CCBAB 阅读21-24 BCBD 25-27 BCA 28-31DCAB 32-35 AABB 36-40. CGEBF 完型41. BADCB 46. ABCCA 51. BBDCA 56. DBACD ‎ 填词 61. more 62. possibly 63. published 64. a/some 65. why ‎66. to 67. showed 68. to cover 69. Eating 70. their 改错：1. hold---held 2. Realize --- Realizing 3. make it 后插入an ‎ ‎4. whom ----which 5 Much for---Much to 6. event---events ‎ ‎7.so---- and 8. were paid ---去掉were 9.proud ---- proudly ‎ ‎10. them ----us Last week our school hold a sports meeting. Realize it was our last school sports ‎ ‎ held Realizing meeting, we decided to make it ∧unforgettable experience.‎ ‎ an We first attended the opening ceremony, for our class had made a lot of ‎ preparations. Much our excitement, our performance was a success. My classmates ‎ took part in various such as running, the high jump and the long jump. Due to the ‎ hard training the athletes had done before, their performance was very impressive. My ‎ classmates applauded and cheered for the athletes, some raised their cameras to ‎ ‎﹨‎ capture the exciting moments. The result was announced. Our class won the second place ‎ and our efforts paid off! Cup in hand, we took a picture together .This ‎ sports meeting will be a precious memory for all of them as time goes by.‎ ‎ us 参考范文：One possible version Dear Mr. Smith,‎ ‎ There will be an exhibition of Chinese paintings from the second to eighth of May in the Art Museum of our city. A lot of famous Chinese traditional paintings by top artists will be exhibited there. Additionally, the exhibition will see great works from around the world, which, I think, will certainly attract visitors’ eyes. What’s more, we will see some famous painters drawing on the spot. Would you like to go to the exhibition with me on the second of May? If so, I’ll go to call for you at 8 o’clock on the morning. Please reply to me by email as soon as possible.‎ Yours,‎ Li Hua ‎ 听力录音稿：‎ Text 1‎ W：What kind of music do you like?‎ M：I enjoy nearly all kinds of music, especially country music and classical music. What ‎ ‎ about you?‎ W：I like rock music.‎ Text 2‎ M：Do you have everything ready?‎ W：I'm sorry, but I have to buy a pound of sweets and some apples.‎ Text 3‎ W：We had great fun at the party, didn't we?‎ M：Yes, it was nice to have seen our old friends again.‎ Text 4‎ M：Your sister Jane didn't recognize me at first.‎ W：I'm not surprised. Why on earth don't you lose some weight?‎ Text 5‎ M：Hi, what's the homework for the literature class? I missed it today.‎ W：We are supposed to read Chapter Four.‎ M：Great! I have read it when I was studying in the library last night.‎ W：Wow, lucky you. You can watch the football match tonight!‎ M：That is right!‎ Text 6‎ M：What is my schedule for tomorrow, Lisa?‎ W：Well, your flight leaves from Heathrow at 7：10 a.m. from Terminal 2, and arrives in ‎ ‎ Frankford at 8：40 a．m.‎ M：And then?‎ W：Then you can take the shuttle bus into town.‎ M：Oh, yes, of course. And the meetings, when do they begin?‎ W：The meetings will start at 10：00 a．m. and end at 3：00 p．m. with a short lunch break. ‎ ‎ After the meetings, you will have some time for afternoon tea. Your flight back will ‎ ‎ leave at 5:00 p.m. It gets back here at 6：30 p．m.‎ M：That's fine. Then I will be able to have dinner with my wife.‎ Text 7‎ W：Hey, Peter, I'm sorry! ‎ M：Hi, Diana, what's wrong? ‎ W：We were going to Hong Kong this weekend, but I'm afraid I can't go.‎ M：How come? ‎ W：I have a really big geography test and I have to study for it.‎ M：We can go next week instead.‎ W：No, I don't want to ruin your weekend. You go ahead and please take the book I bought to ‎ ‎ my friend Sally. Tell her I have to study all weekend, because I can't afford to fail the ‎ ‎ test.‎ M：OK, then I'll go with them. But it's a pity you can't come.‎ Text 8‎ W：Hello.‎ M：Hello, Susan, this is Jim. I'm calling from the bus stop at Pine Street. I've been searching ‎ ‎ for your house for about thirty minutes now, but I can't find it. I forgot to bring the map ‎ ‎ you gave me.‎ W：OK. Wait right where you are. I'll come and get you.‎ M：That's not necessary. If you tell me the direction once again, I'll probably be all right this ‎ ‎ time.‎ W：OK. Can you see a bank on the corner?‎ M：Yes, there's one across the street.‎ W：Well, cross the street and walk past the shoe shop. My house is the seventh house from the ‎ ‎ corner on your right.‎ M：OK. Thanks. I'm sure I'll be able to find it this time.‎ Text 9‎ W：I went to look at those new houses near the sports center this afternoon.‎ M：Oh, yes.‎ W：They are really nice. There is a lot of space and each house has got 3 bedrooms and a ‎ ‎ separate shower room.‎ M：Em.‎ W：And there is a garden at the back. John, will you put down your book? Aren't you ‎ ‎ interested?‎ M：Not especially.‎ W：But why? I thought you wanted to move.‎ M：You are the one who wants to move.‎ W：But you said the last time your brother stayed, it is impossible to live without an extra ‎ ‎ bedroom.‎ M：I didn't say that. I like this flat. I can walk to work.‎ W：You could still walk to work if we move.‎ M：It is farther away, and it is being far more noisy near the sports center.‎ W：But it is not exactly quiet living on this main road. It is simply that we need more ‎ ‎ space. John, will you at least come and have a look at the new houses?‎ M：Very well, then, but do not expect to change my mind.‎ W：OK. We will just look.‎ Text 10‎ Every year, around 9.4 million Chinese students take the Gaokao. Although young people have more choices nowadays than in the past, the test is still an important, lifechanging event. That's why local authorities and parents have done everything possible to make sure the test goes smoothly.‎ One measure taken lately is traffic control around examination sites. It aims to create a peaceful environment so that students taking the exam are not distracted.‎ Some are willing to cooperate. They understand students are all under great pressure. What's more, they say traffic control is just temporary. It doesn't last a very long time. So, it's not a big deal.‎ However, not everyone thinks so. Some people argue that the first and the most important lesson students should learn before graduation is to respect other people's interests. It is not reasonable to disturb other people's lives for the Gaokao. The second reason is that they think many parents are too sensitive to the Gaokao. One's future depends on one’s self, not on society.‎ Anyway, the whole society has done a lot for students and the exam. In my personal opinion, I take this sacrifice as a sign of special caring for students by society. It is very common to see some traffic policemen at the crossroads near high schools during these two special days.‎