江苏省盐城市大丰区新丰中学2019-2020学年高一下学期期中考试英语试题 17页

大丰区新丰中学2019-2020学年第二学期期中考试 高一年级英语试题 本试卷分第Ⅰ卷 (选择题) 和第II卷 (非选择题) 两部分，共150分。考试时间120分钟。‎ 第I卷 (选择题 二部分 共110分)‎ 第一部分 听力（共两节，满分30分）‎ 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. Why does the man need a map?‎ A. To tour Manchester. B. To find a restaurant. ‎ C. To learn about China.‎ ‎2. What does the woman want to do for vacation?‎ A. Go to the beach. B. Travel to Colorado. ‎ C. Learn to snowboard.‎ ‎3. What will the man probably do?‎ A. Take the job. B. Refuse the offer. ‎ C. Change the working hours.‎ ‎4. What does the woman say about John?‎ A. He won’t wait for her. B. He won’t come home today. ‎ C. He won’t be on time for dinner.‎ ‎5. What will the speakers probably do next?‎ A. Order some boxes. B. Go home and rest ‎ C. Continue working.‎ 第二节（共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5分）‎ 听下面5段对话或对白，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项， ‎ 听第6段材料，回答第6和第7题。‎ ‎6. How does the woman usually go to work? ‎ A. By car. B. By bus. C. By train.‎ ‎7. What do the speakers agree about taking the train?‎ A. It is safer. B. It is faster. C. It is cheaper. ‎ 听第7段材料，回答第8至第10题。‎ ‎8. What does the man suggest the woman do?‎ A. Save up for the car. B. Go to another car dealer. ‎ C. Ask someone to check the car.‎ ‎9. What is the salesman going to do?‎ A. Give a discount. B. Stick to a high price. C. Ask for cash payment.‎ ‎10. How will the man help the woman?‎ A. Lend money to her. B. Drive her car home. C. Take care of her car.‎ 听第8段材料，回答第11至第13题。‎ ‎11. What does the woman think of the living expenses in the city?‎ A. Fairly low. B. Just Okay. C. Very high.‎ ‎12. What does the woman spend most on? ‎ A. Meals. B. Trains. C. Clothes.‎ ‎13. What does the woman do in her free time? ‎ A. See films. B. Travel around. C. Go for a drink.‎ 听第9段材料，回答第14至16题。‎ ‎14. What will Rebecca do on June 12?‎ A. Go on a business trip. B. Organize a trade exhibition.‎ C. Meet the people from Head Office.‎ ‎15. What is John preparing for the meeting?‎ A. A report. B. A timetable. C. a speech.‎ ‎16. When do the speakers decide to have the meeting?‎ A. On June 3. B. On June 10. C. On June 17. ‎ 听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。‎ ‎17. What did the speaker decide to do after lunch that day?‎ A. Stay to help her friend. B. Walk alone to her car. ‎ C. Wait for the train to stop.‎ ‎18. What can we learn about the speaker then?‎ A. She worked at a hotel. B. She had bought a new car. ‎ C. She was having a baby soon.‎ ‎19. Where did the speaker meet the taxi passenger?‎ A. At a crossroads. B. In front of a hotel. C. Beside a car park.‎ ‎20. What does the speaker talk about?‎ A. An exciting lunch party. B. A well-known short story. ‎ C. An unforgettable experience.‎ 第二部分 英语知识运用（共三节，满分80分）‎ 第一节 阅读理解（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）‎ 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ A A friend of mine was in low spirits one day. He usually dealt with this state of mind by avoiding people until the mood passed. But on that day Fred had an important meeting with his boss, so he decided to put on a false front. During the meeting Fred smiled, joked and played the part of a happy, good﹣natured person. To his surprise, he soon discovered he was no longer depressed. ‎ Without realizing it, Fred chanced to find an important new principle of psychological research: acting a part can help us feel the way we want to feel﹣more self﹣assured in a trying situation, more cheerful when things go wrong. ‎ How can you put this principle to work in your own life？There's more involved than simply mimicking a few expressions. You have to be systematic about it. Here's how: ‎ Smile to cheer yourself up. ‎ Relax to reduce anxiety or fear. ‎ Look your best to increase your self﹣confidence. ‎ Keep cool in a crisis. ‎ Using our bodies and actions to change the way we feel can be a useful tool in helping us through life's difficult times. As novelist George Eliot wrote more than a century ago, "Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. "People who remember that﹣and act upon it﹣can only be richer and happier for the experience. ‎ ‎21. In Paragraph 1the underlined phrase "to put on a false front" means . ‎ A. to wear a wrong coat B. to show a pretended happy appearance ‎ C. to act a part unsuccessfully D. to put on airs ‎22. According to Paragraph 1, Fred before the meeting. ‎ A. had very few spirits B. was in a bad mood C. had many spirits D. was in a good mood ‎23. In the last paragraph, the quotation" Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. "may show that . ‎ A. actions speak louder than words ‎ B. the more we do, the happier we are C. our feeling cannot change our behavior ‎ D. actions are very important for us to beat bad moods for good. ‎ B Have you ever taken a test that you thought you could have passed easily, only to make some silly mistakes that really hurt your grade？More than a few students have done that. And some seem to do it over and over again. ‎ ‎ There are several problem areas that can cause students to goof up or do poorly in a test that they could have passed. ‎ ‎ Some students can become overconfident in their knowledge of the subject matter. They think they know the material better than they actually do. It is easy for students to misjudge their own knowledge, and when they realize that they don't know the material, it is too late. What happens more often, though, is that some students feel they are smart enough to be able to guess their way through a test. So they don't bother studying the material. They are overconfident in their ability to figure things out. ‎ ‎ In either case, overconfidence can result in lower grades in tests. Does this apply to you？Another thing that can happen is that students underestimate(低估) the difficulty of the test. They expect an easy test, but the teacher throws in a real tough test that they haven't prepared for. Sometimes the teacher may cover material in the test that students weren't expecting. That can happen, especially if you weren't paying attention in class. ‎ ‎ Finally, there are students who don't feel that getting a good grade is important to them, so they don't bother to study or even try to do well. Such students may be trying to punish their parents, have a poor image of themselves, or are just plain foolish. Hopefully, you are not one of ‎ these students. ‎ ‎24. The writer believes that many students . ‎ A. make careless mistakes B. are afraid of exams ‎ C. hate homework D. lack confidence ‎25. What does the underlined phrase "goof up" mean? ‎ A. Be overconfident. B. Be nervous. ‎ C. Make silly mistakes. D. Make wrong choices. ‎ ‎26. According to the writer, who will be most unwilling to try his best in a test?‎ A. Peter, being overconfident about his ability. ‎ B. John, expecting an easy test for him. ‎ C. Dobby, believing he is the smartest in the class. ‎ D. Edward, dissatisfied with his parents. ‎ ‎27. What would be discussed in the paragraph that follows?‎ A. The causes of overconfidence. B. The causes of a poor selfimage. ‎ C. Ways to prepare for a test. D. Ways to avoid goofing up a test. ‎ C ‎“Our coffee is loved by millions worldwide.” Do you often see this kind of advertising in your country? Statements like these that no one can prove are called puffery. Puffery is legal, even though it cannot be proved. In fact, puffery has been called "a license to lie", as it is regarded as an opinion rather than an objective statement.‎ Using puffery to raise awareness of products and to increase sales, is a common advertising method. Some people, however, worry about puffery. One of the concerns is whether consumers are misled by false advertising. Therefore, advertisements containing puffery sometimes can be tested in the courts, and the decisions that are made help to tell the difference between acceptable puffery and illegal advertising.‎ On the one hand, if a company tells the public that it sells the country's best-loved" or favorite product, this is thought to be puffery, rather than an objective description of market share. Similarly, the company does not have to produce proof that such puffery is actually supported by numbers or facts. In other words, advertisements such as the world's best cup of coffee" are impossible to prove. They are too good to be true and thus it is expected that any consumer will ‎ understand how subjective they are. Such advertisements are therefore not thought of as misleading. In fact, puffery like this in these advertisements is often considered to add to the entertainment value.‎ On the other hand, a company that states their products is the safest" or cheapest" needs to show proof, because statements that are objective need to be supported by proof or statistics. Consumer rights organizations can run tests to examine whether or not such statements agree with the fact. Companies should thus be very careful when making factual statements about a product.‎ A primary function of advertising is to create product awareness. As consumers, we need to know -about competing products, so we can make wise decisions on which one to buy. While it is important that advertisers are monitored to ensure they do not mislead consumers, it can be argued that puffery is a good way of raising awareness of new products. As long as there are effective ways of monitoring advertisements to prevent deliberate deception (欺骗) in safety and quality, it seems that most puffery is relatively harmless. Rather, it has become part of advertising, which most consumers can laugh at rather than being misled.‎ ‎28. By “Our coffee is loved by millions worldwide", the passage intends to .‎ A. describe a fact B. present an argument C. introduce the topic D. provide background information ‎29. The function of puffery is mainly to help .‎ A. raise awareness of new products B. describe products' market share C. test the advertisement in the courts D. run tests to examine the new products.‎ ‎30. What does the author think of puffery?‎ A. It is harmful for it plays tricks on consumers.‎ B. It is misleading for it uses the false information.‎ C. It is acceptable with effective monitoring.‎ D. It is convincing for it helps consumers to choose wisely.‎ ‎31. Which can be the best title of this passage?‎ A. Functions of Advertising B. Puffery in Advertising C. Consumers and Advertising D. The Art of Advertising D Looking at Rosa Ferrigno's new suit, you could swear it was knitted(织) with regular yarn(‎ 毛线). It's only when you touch it and hear the characteristic rustling（沙沙声）of plastic that you realize there's something special about it. In fact, the suit is made out of over 300 plastic grocery bags. ‎ ‎ Ferrigno, who once worked as a tailor before starting a family, got the idea for her unique hand﹣made suit last August. She was at a family picnic and saw on of the other guests carrying a purse made from re﹣purposed plastic bags. It attracted her, so she and her daughter searched for instructions on how to make one on You Tube. The 75﹣year﹣old ended up making a purse from colorful plastic bags. But that was only the beginning. After finishing her second plastic bag purse, Ferrigno realized she needed something to match it with, so last November she told her daughter she was going to make a skirt and jacket suit out of plastic bags, as a winter project. ‎ ‎ Rosa started by cutting up the plastic bags into strips（条）and then tying them together to make longer, yarn﹣ like strips that could be knitted. But to knit the plastic yarn, she needed that didn't exist on the market so she made them on her own. ‎ ‎ The suit took Rosa two months to complete. The jacket was made out of 170 plastic bags, and the skirt required another 140. Although she didn't even use a pattern when knitting the impressive suit, it ended up fitting her perfectly, and when she finally showed it off at the supermarket earlier this month, everyone went crazy. ‎ ‎ "We love it when our customers reuse or recycle grocery bags, but never have we seen a work of art like Rosa's! It's really fantastic. "Jo Natale, the supermarket chains vice president of media relations, said. ‎ ‎32. What makes Rosa Ferrigno's new suit special? ‎ A. Its unique way of knitting. B. Its unusual knitting material. ‎ C. Its being knitted by an old lady. D. Its being able to sing when touched. ‎ ‎33. How did Rosa learn to make purses out of plastic bags?‎ A. By modelling a guest. B. By consulting her daughter. ‎ C. By watching You Tube videos. D. By asking a tailor for instructions. ‎ ‎34. What do Jo Natale's words in the last paragraph suggest?‎ A. She thinks highly of Rosa's behavior. ‎ B. Rosa's work of art will become popular. ‎ C. The potential of grocery bags needs further developing. ‎ D. She thinks all customers should follow Rosa's footsteps. ‎ ‎35. What can be inferred about Rosa from the text?‎ A. She is quite able and patient. B. She is good at matching clothes. ‎ C. She does nothing without careful planning. D. She likes showing off her knitting. ‎ 第二节 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，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ I have learnt a lot about Chinese life and culture while teaching in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province and found them very interesting. ‎ First, family life quite ‎36 in China from that in the USA. In the USA, many young people 37 home after they finish their education and start working. However, in China, it is 38 for people to live with their parents until they get married. 39 , many of my Chinese friends told me that their 40 lived with them and helped take care of them when they were children. It seems that Americans think independence is more important 41 the Chinese think family relationships are more important.‎ Bargaining(讨价还价）is another 42 that I have tried to learn. In the USA, prices are 43 and you can’t ask for a lower price. However. in some small Chinese stores and tourist places, you are 44 to bargain. My Chinese friends taught me to ask for 40 percent or 50 percent 45 the original(原来的）price. If the salesperson doesn’t agree to my price, I should 46 to leave and he might let me come back and sell me the item. It is a skill that you have to 47 if you live in China.‎ Tipping hasn’t been easier to 48 . In the USA, many people in the service 49 ‎ want to get 50 money for serving customers. Tipping is not a part of Chinese culture. 51 I tried to tip a taxi driver. He looked a little 52 and refused to take the money. In dinners, perhaps what surprises an American visitor most is that some of the Chinese hosts like to put food into the plates of their 53 . Actually, this is a 54 of true friendship and politeness. My Chinese friend told me if I didn’t want to eat it, I should just 55 the food in the plate.‎ ‎36. A. unique B. private C. different D. harmonious ‎37. A. come B. leave C. build D. interrupt ‎38. A. regular B. common C. true D. usual ‎39. A. However B. Also C. Therefore D. Although ‎40. A. grandparents B. parents C. sisters D. relatives ‎41. A. since B. while C. when D. If ‎42. A. way B. lesson C. custom D. habit ‎43. A. set B. agreed C. charged D. made ‎44. A. suggested B. taught C. expected D. required ‎45. A. up B. away C. on D. off ‎46. A. promise B. decide C. pretend D. hope ‎47. A. practice B. understand C. tolerate D. consider ‎48. A. lead to B. turn to C. refer to D. adjust to ‎49. A. area B. industry C. battle D. department ‎50. A. easy B. pocket C. extra D. prize ‎51. A. Often B. Before C. Sometimes D. Once ‎52. A. confused B. satisfied C. frightened D. excited ‎53. A. own B. guests C. neighbors D. children ‎54. A. signal B. sign C. access D. look ‎55. A. put B. take C. leave D. taste 第三节 单项选择（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ ‎56. --- Next to the teacher _________. Who is she?‎ ‎--- Mary. She’ll give a speech titled “Believe in yourself”.‎ A. is standing a girl B. a girl stands C. stands a girl D. does a girl stand ‎57. Mr. Smith was really annoyed that the watch he had repaired was nowhere .‎ A. to see B. seeing C. to be seen D. seen ‎58. In the street, she found herself ________ at by a stranger, making her a little nervous. ‎ A. staring B. stare C. stared D. to stare ‎59. Don’t be so as to believe whatever the politicians tell you. ‎ A. intelligent B. confident C. innocent D. passive ‎60. In an ad campaign you may need to different kinds of media, including posters, newspapers, magazines, radios and television. ‎ A. urge B. employ C. fancy D. design ‎61. When and where to build the new first aid center ______ yet.‎ A. hasn't been decided B. doesn't decided ‎ C. haven't been decided D. aren't decided ‎62. To our surprise, we got ______ people to attend the meeting as we had expected. ‎ A. twice many B. as twice C. twice many as D. twice as many ‎63. --- Which team is___________ to win the game?‎ ‎--- In my opinion, it is __________ for our team to win. ‎ A. likely; probable B. probable; likely C. possible; probable D. likely; possible ‎64. Great changes have taken place in that school. It is no longer ______ it was 20 years ago, ______ it was so poorly equipped. ‎ A. what; when B. that; which C. what; which D. which; that ‎65. The question came up at the meeting _____we had enough money for our research. ‎ A. that B. what C. which D. whether ‎ 第四节 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。选项中的两项为多余选项。‎ What Teenagers Can Do to Earn More Respect As teenagers continue to grow and develop into young adults, the transition(过渡) into adulthood has begun. With so many physical and emotional changes going on, certain manners are often forgotten and other adult traits(特点) are not yet accepted as a way of life. 66 By doing the following things, you will earn more respect.‎ Contribute to the household(家庭)‎ At the very least, clean up after yourself. As a teenager, you are old enough to clean up after yourself. When you make a mess, clean it up. 67 All chores(家务) that you do help to reduce the load of the person who did them before. Now that you're old enough and capable, why shouldn't you contribute to the household? 68 ‎ Be responsible ‎69 Whether they are basic things, like brushing your teeth or doing your homework, or more involved chores that contribute to the household, simply fulfill (履行) your responsibilities ‎ on time. When adults know that they can rely on you, their trust and respect for you will increase.‎ Solve more of your own problem without asking for help Instead of taking the easy approach and asking for help, make an effort to solve your problems on your own first. The "easy way" is only easy for you, but it is an extra task for the person from whom you are seeking help. Seek help only after you have make an honest effort to solve your own problems. 70 When you become a good problem solver, you increase your valve to the community.‎ A. The people doing the chores before will greatly appreciate the help.‎ B. It will make your life more pleasant.‎ C. When speaking to a group, speak loud enough.‎ D. Everyone has certain responsibilities.‎ E. This includes, but is not limited to, your dishes and your room.‎ F. By being aware of these manners and traits, you can manage them sooner.‎ G. Depending on the problem, 15 minutes of effort is usually a good guideline.‎ 第II卷：非选择题（二部分 共40分）‎ 第一部分 英语知识运用 第一节 完成句子（共10小题，每小题1分，满分10分）‎ ‎71. The forgetful professor looked everywhere for his glasses. It (结果是)that they were just on top of his head.‎ ‎72. It was not until the accident happened that I became (意识到) my foolishness.‎ ‎73. With his daughter (接管)the family business, Mr.Green believes it will be brought back to its former glory.‎ ‎74. The old man is no coward(懦夫); __________________(相反), he is a man of great courage.‎ ‎75. Some color-blind people cannot (区分，辨别)red and green.‎ ‎76. On April 4, the Qingming Festival, Chinese people observed a three-minute silence ‎ ‎_________(纪念) the victims of COVID-19.‎ ‎77. She (患病) a fever during her adventure in Africa.‎ ‎78. After their pay was cut again, the employees (反抗) the management and went on strike.‎ ‎79. We should try to remove this huge stone, because it (阻碍我们).‎ ‎80. She had an accident and was trapped in her car. Luckily two passers-by ‎ ‎(伸出援手).‎ 第二节 短文填空（共10小题，每小题1分，满分10分）‎ 根据句意，用所给词的适当形式填空。‎ Once James Thornhill, a famous English painter, was asked 81 (paint) some pictures on the walls of the king’s palace in English. Then workers were sent for and  82 big platform was made.  83 the help of a worker, Thornhill started painting on the platform. They worked for a whole year 84 at last the pictures were ready.‎ Thornhill was happy when he looked at the pictures, for they were  85 (real) beautiful. He looked at them for a long time, and then took one step back and looked again. Now the pictures were even 86 (much) beautiful. He took another step, then another. Finally he was at the very edge of the platform, but he did not know it because he  87 (think) of his pictures.‎ The worker saw everything. “ 88 should I do?” he thought. “Thornhill is at the very edge of the platform. If I cry out, he will take another step, fall off the platform and surely be killed.” So the worker quickly took some paint and threw 89 at the picture. “What are you doing?” cried the painter, 90 (run) quickly forward to his pictures.‎ 第二部分 写作（满分20分)‎ ‎10月1日‎,高一(1)班的学生志愿者Li Mei 和 Zhang Dong 去阳光敬老院(Sunshine Nursing Home) 开展志愿者活动(送花、送水果、打扫、聊天等)。假如你是校英语报的记者,请按下列要点用英语写一则120词左右的新闻报道。 ‎ ‎1. 时间、地点、任务、活动; ‎ ‎2. 老人们的反应; ‎ ‎3. 简短评论。 ‎ 注意: ‎ ‎1. 报道的标题和记者姓名已给出(不计入总词数)。 ‎ ‎2. 词数:120词左右; ‎ ‎3. 可以适当增加细节,使内容充实、行文连贯; ‎ Student Volunteers Brought Sunshine to the Elderly ‎______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎2019-2020学年第二学期期中考试 高一英语试题答案 听力：‎ ‎1-20 BAACB  ABCAB  CBACA CBCAC 阅读：‎ ‎21-35 BBD ACDD CACB BCAA 完型：‎ ‎36-55 CBBBA BCACD CADBC  DABBC 单选：‎ ‎55-65 CCCCB ADDAD 七选五：‎ ‎66-70 FEADG 完成句子： ‎ ‎71. turned out 72. aware of 73. taking over 74. on the contrary ‎ ‎75. distinguish between 76. in memory/honor of 77. came down with ‎78. rose up against 79. stands in our path 80. came to her aid 语法填空: ‎ ‎81. to paint 82. a 83. with 84. and 85. really ‎ ‎86. more 87. was thinking 88. What 89. it 90. running 作文 Student Volunteers Brought Sunshine to the Elderly ‎ On National Day, Li Mei and Zhang Dong, students from Class One, Senior One, went to Sunshine Nursing Home and did some voluntary work. Upon their arrival, Li Mei and Zhang Dong were warmly welcomed, and respectfully, they presented the elderly with flowers and fruits.‎ Then, they started working at once, cleaning the windows and sweeping the floor. When everything was done, they sat in the yard chatting with the elderly people. When it was time for the volunteers to leave, the elderly people thanked them for their kindness. They said it was such a beautiful day that they would remember it forever. ‎ Li Mei and Zhang Dong were very happy. What they did has brought joy to others and enriched their own lives. ‎ 英语听力试题原文 Text 1‎ M: Jane, do you have a map of Manchester? I want to find a good place to eat.‎ W: Why not try Chinatown? There are plenty of good Chinese restaurants there, and it's near here.a Text 2‎ M: Let's do something different for vacation this year. Oh, let's go to Colorado. I want to learn to snowboard.‎ W: Oh, Paul, you know I don't like cold weather. Can't we go some place warm, like the beach?‎ Text 3‎ W: This job is for three days a week: Monday, Friday, and Saturday. Are you Okay with that?‎ M: Mmm... I was hoping to have Saturday free. But I need the job, so... can you tell me what exactly I will do?‎ Text 4‎ M: Do you know if John's coming home for dinner?‎ W: He'll be late. He said not to wait for him.‎ Text 5‎ W: I'm really tired from packing all these boxes for three hours. It's about time to call it a day.‎ M: I know. Maybe we could do it first thing tomorrow morning.‎ W: Why not? These orders are not urgent.‎ Text 6‎ M: Lisa? Hi!‎ W: Hi, Ned.‎ M: Don't you usually drive to work?‎ W: Usually, but not in bad weather.‎ M: Why is that?‎ W: The traffic gets a lot worse when it rains or snows.‎ M: I always take the train. It's a lot faster for me than driving.‎ W: It's faster for me, too, but the time isn't always convenient.‎ M: Yeah, but think of all the things you can do on the train, read a book or the newspaper.‎ W: Or answer my email. No thanks! My workday is long enough already.‎ Text 7‎ W: I think the car we saw yesterday would be a good deal. What do you think?‎ M: Yes, but I think you should ask someone to take a look at it just to be sure.‎ W: My friend Jack knows cars, and he helped me do the check this morning.‎ M: It was smart of you to think ahead. Have you and the salesman agreed on a price?‎ W: Yes, he finally agreed to accept the discounted price I asked.‎ M: Then have you thought about how to pay?‎ W: Well, I've saved up enough money to pay cash for this car.‎ M: Good. Let me go with you to make the payment and drive the car home for you.‎ W: Thank you. That would make it much easier for me.‎ M: You're welcome. Let's go take care of that right now.‎ Text 8‎ M: Being away from home for college can be stressful. Besides all the pressures of study, there's the pressure on your pocket. Today, let's go to a university to find out. Excuse me. Can I ask you a few questions?‎ W: Well, Okay.‎ M: How do you find the cost of living in the city?‎ W: Everything is expensive, including clothing, housing, and traveling.‎ M: So, what do you spend most on?‎ W: Transport, I think. For food, if I cook myself, it's not expensive at all. For clothing, I bring my clothes here from my home country, where they're nice and cheap. But every week, I have to spend more than 100 pounds on the trains.‎ M: Then what's the social life like?‎ W: I'm a very social person. I love hanging out with my friends and meeting new people. Thankfully, I don't drink nor smoke, so the only expense is maybe tickets to the cinemas, clubs, and so on.‎ Text 9‎ W: Can you fix a time for the next meeting, Alex? How about June 12th? That's after the trade exhibition.‎ M: I thought something was happening on that day, Rebecca.‎ W: Oh, yes. You're right. The people from Head Office are coming.‎ M: What time does their plane arrive? Can we have the meeting in the morning?‎ W: No, it's all arranged. I'm meeting them at half past ten, so I won't be available at all that day.‎ M: Well, let's have the meeting earlier in June, then. The trade exhibition finishes on the third, doesn't it?‎ W: Yes, but we need John's sales report for the meeting. How's it going?‎ M: I'm afraid John hasn't started yet. The figures won't be in place till next week.‎ W: Will it be ready early in June?‎ M: Well, not really. He told me that he will finish them by June 10th.‎ W: So, we're looking at the week starting the 17th. How about two o'clock on that day?‎ M: I think that's Okay. Let's meet here again then.‎ Text 10‎ Hello, everyone. In today's program, I'd like to share a true story of mine. One day, my friends and I had just finished lunch at a hotel when it started to rain heavily. When it became lighter, I decided to brave the rain to get my car and go home. It was parked three blocks away. My friends argued I shouldn't go because at that time, I was due to give birth in three months. I promised I'd be very careful. One of them wanted to come with me, but I insisted she stay with another friend who needed help with her baby. When I walked to the first crossroads, a taxi stopped and a passenger came o ut with an umbrella. Before I knew what was happening, he walked right beside me and told me he would walk with me to where I would go. I refused, but he insisted. During our walk, he kept telling me to walk slowly. When we got to the car park, I thanked him, and we parted ways. I did not get his name and may not even recognize him now. Did he purposely stop for me? I'll never know.‎