山东省济南莱芜市第一中学2019-2020学年高二下学期第一次质量检测英语试题

山东省济南莱芜市第一中学2019-2020学年高二下学期第一次质量检测英语试题

莱芜一中19-20学年度下学期高二第一次质量检测 英 语 试 题 ‎ 注意：本试卷分第Ⅰ卷(选择题)和第Ⅱ卷(非选择题)两部分。全卷满分150分，考试用时120分钟。‎ 第I卷（选择题 共95分）‎ 注意事项：‎ ‎1．答第Ⅰ卷前，考生务必将自己的级部、班级、姓名、准考证号、写在答题纸密封线外，并将姓名、准考证号、考试科目、试卷类型填涂在答题卡上。‎ ‎2．每小题选出答案后，用2B铅笔把答题卡上对应题目的答案标号涂黑，如需改动，用 ‎ 橡皮擦干净后，再选涂其他答案，不能答在试题卷上。‎ ‎3．考试结束后将答题纸和答题卡一并交回。‎ 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。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. How old is the man's own car?‎ A. One month old. B. One year old. C. Five years old.‎ ‎2. Who did the woman buy the shirt for?‎ A. Herself. B. Her daughter. C. Her son. ‎ ‎3. What did the speakers think of the movie?‎ A. Meaningful. B. Confusing. C. Boring.‎ ‎4. What does the man like most about the park?‎ A. It's clean there. B. It's relaxing there. C. It's beautiful there.‎ ‎5. What will the woman do tonight? ‎ A. Paint the living room. ‎ B. Visit her friend Jason. ‎ C. Have dinner at her parents'.‎ 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 speakers' relationship?‎ A. Friends. B. Neighbors. C. Renter and owner.‎ ‎7. Why does the woman complain about her neighbor?‎ A. He is always rude to her. 　　　‎ B. He always wakes her up in the morning.‎ C. He always fixes things late at night.‎ 听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。‎ ‎8. How did Harriet know the time?‎ A. From her iPhone. B. From her watch. C. From the sun.‎ ‎9. What does Don think about Harriet's explanation?‎ A. It's wrong. B. It's funny. C. It's too scientific.‎ ‎10. Where might the conversation be taking place? ‎ A. In a field. B. In a classroom. C. At a computer lab.‎ 听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。 ‎ ‎11. What does the woman say about playing basketball?‎ A. She finds it pretty easy. ‎ B. She is good at it. ‎ C. She knows the general rules.‎ ‎12. Where did the woman buy the basketball?‎ A. In a store. B. On the street. C. At school.‎ ‎13. What will the speakers do first?‎ A. Buy some special shoes. ‎ B. Go home to change. ‎ C. Find a basketball court.‎ 听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。‎ ‎14. Where did the woman first meet the man?‎ A. In high school. B. In a chemistry competition. 　 C. In college.‎ ‎15. What did the man do after high school?‎ A. He went straight to university. 　　　　‎ B. He traveled around the world.‎ C. He worked at a small school.‎ ‎16. What is the school in Connecticut known for?‎ A. Its famous teachers. ‎ B. Its foreign language department. 　　　　‎ C. Its low cost.‎ ‎17. What does the woman mean in the end?‎ A. It is enjoyable to study Chinese. 　　　　‎ B. It is her lifetime goal to speak Chinese well.‎ C. It takes a long time to master a foreign language.‎ 听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。‎ ‎18. What is the purpose of the staff meeting?‎ A. To find ways to help Mrs. Smith.‎ B. To announce Mrs. Smith's current situation.‎ C. To figure out what's wrong with Mrs. Smith.‎ ‎19. Where did Mrs. Smith feel the pain?‎ A. In her arm. B. In her lung. C. In her shoulder.‎ ‎20. How long has Mrs. Smith worked at the company?‎ A. Less than two weeks. B. About three months. C. Over five years.‎ 第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分50分）‎ 第一节（共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分）‎ 阅读下列短文。从每题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。‎ A ‎ FITNESS CENTRE Want a place to keep fit? Come on! The fitness centre offers a variety of activities for members of all ages throughout the week.‎ Activities for Monday 12 July, 2019:‎ Learn to swim. Classes for preschool children aged five and under start at 10:00 am. Classes last 30 minutes and parents must attend with their children. Don't forget to book in advance, as places are limited, and to pack some warm clothes for after the lesson.‎ Women's aerobics (有氧运动). Sessions are for one hour and begin at 10:45 am, led by Melissa. Come along and join us every Monday for an exhilarating hour of exercise and fun. Leave your kids at the nursery and take time out for yourself. Wear a track-suit or something similar.‎ Lunchtime yoga. Take a break at lunchtime (1:00—2:00 pm) for an hour of meditation and yoga. Enjoy the peace and quiet of our meditation room, and relaxing sessions designed for active people with busy lives. Use your own mat for floor work or hire one from us for a small sum.‎ Family Shootaround. 10:00—5:30 pm. Family Shootaround is open for members and guests to bring the family out for basketball. Half court games are only during this time. There are no full court games during Family Shootaround hours. All participants must sign in at the front desk and wear a wristband during the play.‎ ‎21.When will Melissa be working?‎ A.From 10:00 am to 10:30 am. B. From 10:45 am to 11:45 am.‎ C. From 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. D. From 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.‎ ‎22.Which activity may need extra fees?‎ A.Lunchtime yoga. B. Learn to swim.‎ C. Women's aerobics. D. Family Shootaround.‎ ‎23.What is the common requirement of the activities?‎ A.The need to sign in. B. The need to bring something.‎ C. The need to book in advance. D. The need to become a member.‎ B A dog spent the last four years of his life waiting at a crossroad in the Thai city of Khon Kaen as if waiting for someone．People originally thought the dog had been abandoned，but then realized that he looked healthy，so people asked around about him．It turned out that the dog had indeed been spending most of his time around that crossroad，but a woman had been coming round regularly to bring him food and water．‎ One day while photographing the dog everyone called Leo，a reporter met the woman who had been taking care of him．She had come to drop off some food． After learning the story about the dog and the woman，the reporter decided to share the story on social media．The post soon went viral and the photos of Leo got shared hundreds of times．And the photos reached the eyes of Leo’s former old owner．‎ Nang Noi Sittisarn，a 64-year-old woman from Thailand’s Roi Et Province，almost had a heart attack when her daughter showed her a photo of the beloved dog named BonBon she had lost during a car trip.When she learned that he had been waiting for her in the same spot for the last four years，her heart melted．‎ Auntie Noi told her daughter to drive her to where the dog was waiting.When she got there and called his name, BonBon,the poor dog started wiggling(扭动)his tail and came to her,but when she tried to take him home with her,he was unwilling to follow.She didn’t want to force the dog to come with her so she agreed to leave him with his new master.However,she and her daughter will come to visit him regularly．‎ ‎24．Why did the dog look healthy after separation from his former owner?‎ A．He walked around the crossroad constantly．‎ B．He was kept at a woman’s home all the time．‎ C．A local reporter brought him food and water．‎ D．A woman looked after him on a regular basis．‎ ‎25．What does the underlined phrase“went viral”in paragraph 2 probably mean?‎ A．Changed surprisingly． B．Spread quickly．‎ C．Appeared gradually． D．Fell directly．‎ ‎26．How did Nang Noi Sittisam feel about the dog’s waiting for her?‎ A．Shocked． B．Regretful． C．Touched． D．Proud．‎ ‎27．What can we mainly learn from the story about the dog?‎ A．Unbelievable success is worth waiting for．‎ B．We should adjust ourselves to environments．‎ C．We need to learn to be faithful and thankful．‎ D．No one knows the result until the last minute C Shirmin-yoku means “forest bathing”. Forest bathing doesn’t mean you take a bath in the forest; rather, you simply go for a walk in the woods or a city park, where you slacken by using all your senses to experience nature.‎ Yoshifumi Miyazaki, from Chiba University, is among a growing number of scientists who have begun studying the science behind the effects of nature on human health. In his book Shinrin-yoku：The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing, Miyazaki explains the techniques of forest ‎ bathing.‎ Miyazaki has an interesting theory about why shinrin—yoku is so effective. He points out that for more than 99.99％of the time, humans have lived in a natural environment. In fact, in 1800, only 3％of the world’s population lived in cities, and by 2016, this figure reached 54％.This is only going to get worse；officials predict that by 2050, 66％will live in cities.‎ This suggests we live in our modern society with bodies that are still used to the natural environment, he writes in the book, because“genes cannot change over just a few hundred years”.The science behind the research studies he presents in the book makes a convincing case that forest bathing is an effective method for reducing stress in today’s world.‎ Now city planners are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of nature and are creating new kinds of“parks”out of empty spaces. There’re also more city gardens where people can grow vegetables. For kids, kitchen gardens in schools are becoming popular. As Miyazaki stresses, you don’t have to find a formal park or garden to practice shinrin—yoku. Instead, you can enjoy the effects of nature wherever there’re plants.‎ Better yet, he says, we can bring nature closer to where we spend most of our time. Miyazaki’s research has shown that just increasing the amount of plants in a room can affect the relaxation benefits of the room. What’s more, even when people simply look at flowers, their bodies relax and stress levels decrease.‎ ‎28.What does the underlined word in Paragraph 1 mean?‎ A. Behave. B. Entertain. C. Anticipate. D. Relax.‎ ‎29.How does the author mainly develop the third paragraph?‎ A. By giving examples. B. By listing figures.‎ C. By making remarks. D. By presenting research findings.‎ ‎30.Why does forest bathing work effectively according to Miyazaki?‎ A. Human genes can change easily. ‎ B. Nature is part of the modern society.‎ C. Human body can integrate into nature. ‎ D. People can always get excited in nature.‎ ‎31.Which of the following will Miyazaki agree on forest bathing?‎ A. It is easy to operate. B. It is meant for gardeners.‎ C. It is unaffordable in the city. D. It is inconvenient to practice.‎ D Stories play a vital role in the growth and development of children. The books they read and the characters they get to know can become like friends. It's also good for children to understand that books are a useful source of information and that good reading skills are important for success in their future lives.‎ Children who can read well are more likely to have higher confidence levels. This will benefit them in school as they’ll feel able to participate fully in activities. Another part of building confidence is to know where you fit into the world. Stories can help with this process by showing children what people's lives are like where they live and in other parts of the world.‎ Stories are a great way to introduce new words and ideas into a child's language--starting with picture books for the very young, working up to more complex novels for teenagers. Fiction based on real life can also help children with their own life experience--it shows them how diverse the world is and that some people's lives are vastly different from theirs. And the process is done in a natural way. There's no actual teaching involved at all, but they learn from simply reading the story.‎ Reading helps children understand that there are other children who feel the same way and they are not alone. This helps children understand that feelings are normal and should be expressed. Watching their responses to the feelings of the characters in the stories will give you some idea of how a child feels about certain situations and emotions. For example, how the child ‎ responds to the character in the story feeling sad or scared will give you some idea of how the child thinks.‎ As you can see, children's stories are important for a number of reasons and form a vital part of the growing process. Being part of that process can bring children a sense of satisfaction as well as being great fun. So, go and get your children some wonderful books to allow them to enjoy a relaxing bedtime story.‎ ‎32.What can we know from Paragraph 1?‎ A.Reading stories benefits children a lot.‎ B.Reading is the best way to gain information.‎ C.Reading stories helps children make more friends.‎ D.Reading skills should be developed at a young age.‎ ‎33.How could reading stories raise children's confidence?‎ A.Inspiring children to get good grades.‎ B.Supporting children's language development.‎ C.Aiding children with living in a better family environment.‎ D.Allowing children to explore their suitable positions in society.‎ ‎34.What does the author think about learning through reading?‎ A.Unrealistic. B.Effective. C.Time-saving D.Expensive.‎ ‎35.What can be inferred from the text?‎ A.Most teenagers are fond of complex novels.‎ B.Picture books are lacking in real life situations.‎ C.Most children have difficulty in expressing themselves.‎ D.Parents can know kids better from kids' reading response 第二节(共5小题；每小题2.5分, 满分12.5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。选项中有两项为多余选项。‎ Tips for Developing Your Artistic Talent Everyone has an artistic talent. You might not even know it. 36． . However, in fact, there are a lot of different ways to express your artistic side. You don't necessarily have to be a professional. You can enjoy art just for its own value. Check out a few tips for developing artistic skills.‎ ‎1. Art takes a variety of forms Most people think that art can only be found in museums and is only for the elite(精英). You can look around you. 37． . They may be found in nature, and even in usual advertisements and posters. Just start to look at such sides as line, color, composition and style.‎ ‎2. Try things out ‎ If you want to develop your artistic talent, start trying things out. 38． ‎ ‎3. Appreciate ‎39． . Almost anything can be used for inspiration. Visit museums and galleries, or look at art books. When you look around you, you develop your artistic appreciation and use it to work on developing your own skills.‎ ‎4. 40． ‎ Don't expect to create a masterpiece with your first try. There must be mistakes. Many artists spent years studying and perfecting their skill. You might not want to reach their level, but don't feel shy about your work. Even if it's not perfect, it will be. Try out，learn from your mistakes, and improve your skills.‎ A．Take art classes B．Don't be afraid to make mistakes C．You'll find art and beauty are everywhere D．You might have always thought that you don't have any skills in the arts E. Another way to develop your artistic talent is to learn how to use your eyes F. There are many things you can try from painting, costume, dance and singing G. Discuss the art with other art lovers to see what they think and then form your own opinion 第三部分 语言运用(共两节, 满分30分)‎ 第一节 (共15小题；每小题1分, 满分15分) ‎ ‎ 阅读下面短文, 从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中, 选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。 ‎ ‎ When the 28-year-old farmer Ureta met 17-year-old Graciela in his hometown Pampa, they fell in love. Two years later, they 41 and settled down on the farm where Ureta had been brought up.‎ Graciela had many big 42 for the farm in her mind. One day when she was on a 43 over Pampa, Graciela suddenly 44 that another farm looked like a milking pail (桶). Graciela thought her family could create something even more 45 on their own farm-a huge forest 46 like her favorite musical instrument-the guitar.‎ But Ureta didn't take his wife's 47 seriously, saying, "We'll talk about it later. " Later 48 came. In 1977, Graciela died suddenly of brain cancer at the 49 age of 25 while carrying their fifth child. After his wife's death, Mr. Ureta 50 not satisfying her wish. A few years later, Ureta decided that the best way to honor his wife would be to 51 the big work of art.‎ After the local government 52 to help with the project, Ureta and his children took it on their own. One by one, they 53 about 7,000 trees into the "shape of a guitar". It took a ‎ few seasons for the trees to take roots(生根),but Ureta's 54 paid off.‎ Watching the forest grow over the years gave Graciela's children 55 "It was the closest thing possible to having my mother alive," Maria Julia, Ureta's second daughter, said.‎ ‎41．A.got prepared B.got married C.became well-known D.became stressed ‎42．A．tests B．tasks C．reasons D．plans ‎43．A．train B．flight C．cloud D．bridge ‎44．A．noticed B．remembered C．recognized D．expected ‎45．A．expensive B．funny C．attractive D．important ‎46．A．treated B．described C．considered D．shaped ‎47．A．style B．personality C．idea D．adventure ‎48．A．hardly B．never C．still D．always ‎49．A．young B．old C．common D．special ‎50．A．kept B．suggested C．enjoyed D．regretted ‎51．A．copy B．paint C．create D．change ‎52．A．promised B．decided C．volunteered D．refused ‎ ‎53．A．planted B．carried C．put D．collected ‎54．A．small dream B.hard work C.big success D.private money ‎55．A．pleasure B．comfort C．support D．care 第二节(共10小题；每小题1.5分, 满分15分)‎ ‎ 阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。‎ A Cloning is a way of making an exact copy of another animal or plant. It has two major uses. One is that gardeners use it 56 (produce) commercial quantities of plants. The other is that it is 57 (value) for research on new plant species and for medical research on animals. However, it is a difficult task to undertake.‎ Many attempts to clone mammals failed. The first successful clone, Dolly the sheep, made the whole 58 (science) world follow its progress, though it lived much shorter than the normal sheep. On the other hand, Dolly’s appearance _____59_______(raise) a storm of objections and had a great impact on the media and public imagination. Different people have different opinions on it. However , scientists still wonder whether cloning will help or harm us and 60 it is leading us.‎ B Eliza Doolittle was 61 uneducated, dirty flower girl while Professor Higgins was an expert in phonetics. One day they happened to meet each other while 62 (hide) from the rain. When Eliza was talking with a gentleman, Higgins always watched her and took notes, 63 made her worried, for she thought he was a policeman in disguise. In fact, he just showed interest in her pronunciation and made a bet with colonel Pickering who he was going to meet. Higgins said once 64 (educate) to speak properly, Eliza could pass herself off in three months as a duchess at an ambassador’s garden party. After that Higgins threw a handful of money into her basket and left with Pickering, 65 (leave) Eliza excited and in amazement. Eliza decided to find him the next day.‎ 第四部分 写作(共两节, 满分40 分)‎ 第一节 单词拼写(共10小题,每小题1.5分,满分15 分)‎ 根据汉语或首字母提示,写出下列单词的正确形式。将答案填写在答题卡的相应位置。‎ ‎66.The reason for his a ____________from class was that he feel ill. ‎ ‎67.He got great _____________(满足) from helping people to learn. ‎ ‎68.The children that ____________(目击) the earthquake should be given psychological support. ‎ ‎69. Mother was annoyed when she saw the dog’s m________ foot prints on her new sheet. ‎ ‎70. I have been so o___________ with my preparation work for an essay that I haven’t had time for social activities. ‎ ‎71. The __________ (大多数)of my patients come to me from out of the town. ‎ ‎72. You’ve had a _____________(突破)in getting better fuel economy. ‎ ‎73.The police knew from all the evidence that I was i_____________.‎ ‎74. The mother found that her son had a _________(音乐的) talent.‎ ‎75. The club welcomes all new members r__________ of age and gender.‎ 第二节:读后续写(满分25分)‎ 阅读下面短文，根据其内容和所给段开头语续写两段，使之构成一个完整的短文。续写的词数应为150左右。‎ Jenny was the only child in her family. She had a quarrel with her mother that afternoon and she ran out of the house angrily. She couldn't help weeping sorrowfully when she thought of the scolding from her mother. Having wandered aimlessly in the street for hours, she felt a little hungry and wished for something to eat. She stood beside a stand（货摊） for a while, watching the middle-aged seller busy doing his business. However, with no money in hand, she gave a sigh and had to leave. The seller behind the stand noticed the young girl and asked, “Hey, girl, you want to have the noodles?” “Oh, yes, but I don't have money on me,” she replied.‎ ‎“That's nothing. I'll treat you today,” said the man “Come in.” The seller brought her a bowl of noodles, the smell so attractive. As she was eating, Jenny cried silently. “What is it?” asked the man kindly. “Nothing. Actually I was just touched by your kindness!” said Jenny as she wiped her tears ‎. “Even a stranger on the street will give me a bowl of noodles, while my mother drove me out of the house. She showed no care for me. She is so merciless compared to a stranger!” Hearing the words, the seller smiled, “Girl, do you really think so? I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you thanked me a lot. But it is your mother who has raised you since you were a baby. Can you number the times she cooked for you? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?” Jenny sat there, speechless and numb with shock; she remembered her mother's familiar face and weathered （变形）hands. “Why didn't I think of that? A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel indebted（感激的）. Why haven't I thanked my mum for what she has done for me?” On the way home, Jenny made up her mind to make an apology to her mother for her rudeness as soon as she arrived home.‎ Paragraph 1:‎ Approaching the doorway，‎ ‎_____________________________________________________________________‎ Paragraph 2:‎ A gentle touch on her hair called her mind back. __________________________________________________________________‎ 答案 听力 ‎1～5　CCBAC　6～10　CBABA　‎ ‎11～15　CBBAA　16～20　BCBAC 阅读 ‎ 21BAB 24DBCC 28.DBCA 32.ADBD ‎ 七选五 ‎ 36-40 DCFEB 完型填空 ‎ 41-55 BDBAC DCBAD CDABB 语法填空 ‎ 56.to produce 57.valuable 58.scientific 59. raised 60. where ‎ 61. an 62.hiding 63.which 64.educated 65.leaving 单词拼写 ‎ 66. absence 67. satisfaction 68. witnessed 69.muddy 70.occupied 71.majority 72. breakthrough 73.innocent ‎ ‎74.musical 75. regardless ‎【答案】Paragraph 1:‎ Approaching the doorway, Jenny took a deep breath. Tired and sad, she sat down in front of the house. “Where might my mother be?” she wondered. “Is she really so angry with me that she doesn't want to show any care for me?” Again, the scene of the quarrel appeared in her mind. She remembered her rudeness to her mother, and she just realized ‎ that all the scolding from her mother was due to the fact that her mother really cared a lot about her. Tears rolled down her cheeks.‎ Paragraph 2:‎ A gentle touch on her hair called her mind back. She raised her head to see the familiar face and the worried eyes. “Here you come! I've been looking for you,” came the tired voice. Jenny couldn't help but throw herself into her mother's arms. “I'm sorry and thank you for all you have done for me.” She expressed the sincere apology and the great gratitude. Then she felt the ‎ hug tightened.‎ ‎【解析】‎ ‎【分析】‎ 这是一篇读后续写。‎ ‎【详解】1.把握短文核心内容。仔细阅读所给短文，把握短文核心内容是完成续写的前提。本文讲的是一个故事。Jenny和妈妈吵架，跑出去，没有钱吃饭。一个陌生人请她吃了一碗面条，她感激万分。陌生人提醒她，为什么对陌生人的一碗面条感激不已，却从没有想过自己的妈妈为自己做了多少事情。 ‎ ‎2.预测故事发展。根据已知人物、事件及续写段落首段进行预测。 ‎ ‎3.罗列写作要点。结合文本中划线词语和预测，展开想象，罗列出故事情节的发展。‎ ‎4.连词成篇。结合罗列的要点，恰当的使用衔接词。避免重复使用同一个单词或短语，避免只使用一两个句式，要灵活运用诸如倒装句、强调句、主从复合句、分词状语等，但一定要与原文保持风格一致。 ‎ ‎5.认真检查，检查行文是否流畅、合逻辑，时态、人称是否一致，句子结构是否清晰，短语使用、单词拼写是否正确等。‎ ‎【点睛】作者在范文中使用了较多高级表达方式，如：She remembered her rudeness to her mother, and she just realized that all the scolding from her mother was due to the ‎ fact that her mother really cared a lot about her.宾语从句的运用；Then she felt the hug tightened.宾语从句的运用。本文内容完整，语言规范，语篇连贯，词数适当。另外全文中没有中国式英语的句式，显示了很高的驾驭英语的能力，文章思路清晰、层次分明，上下句转换自然，为文章增色添彩。‎ 听力材料 Text 1‎ W: That's a nice car. Did you buy it last month?‎ M: No, I rented this car for my wedding. And my own car I bought five years ago is still in good condition. ‎ Text 2‎ W: I'd like to return this shirt, please. It is too small for my son. I would like to return it and buy this dress for my daughter instead.‎ M: No problem, madam. Come this way, please.‎ Text 3‎ M: Did you understand that movie? I liked the actors, but I was confused about the story.‎ W: Yeah, I wish I knew more about the Spanish War. It would probably make more sense.‎ Text 4‎ W: What do you think of this park? I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the city. I also like how quiet it is.‎ M: I agree，but what I like best is you don't see any waste paper or plastic bags on the ground. Everyone is doing their part to protect the environment here.‎ Text 5‎ M: I've got to go. Jason is waiting for me by the lift. I've offered to help him paint his living room.‎ W: All right. Just make sure you are home before six. We're going to my parents' house for dinner tonight. ‎ Text 6‎ W: I have had a problem with the person living one floor above me. He wakes up at 6：00 a．m. and walks around loudly. It wakes me up every morning. ‎ M: I understand. People here are usually respectful of each other. It usually doesn't become a problem after a short conversation.‎ W: Well, I have spoken to this person before, and he just told me, “Too bad！”‎ M: Oh, that is unacceptable. I will speak to him on your behalf. Don't worry.‎ W：Thank you. I also still need some repairs done on the bathroom sink when you get a chance.‎ M: I'll send someone over to look at it right away.‎ Text 7‎ M: What time is it, Harriet? I'm starving, but I guess it's not time for lunch yet.‎ W: Let's see...according to my iPhone, it's just a few minutes past noon. ‎ M: What? I thought my watch was wrong. Shouldn't the sun be overhead if it's noon?‎ W: Oh, Don. I can tell you weren't listening in science class last week. The sun is only overhead at noon for two days a year.‎ M: Haha. Very funny.‎ W: No, really. Mrs. Sorenson explained it. The earth goes around the sun at an angle, and that changes where the sun is at noon.‎ M: But...then those old clocks that measured time by the sun's shadow are all wrong?‎ W: Umm, not exactly. They're just not the same as the time we keep on our computers.‎ M: I wish I were sitting at a computer right now instead of out here. I'm starting to hate nature.‎ Text 8‎ W: Will you teach me how to play basketball? ‎ M: Sure, it's pretty easy.‎ W: I know. I've played before, and I know the general rules of the game. I'm just not very good at it.‎ M: Do you have a basketball? ‎ W: Yes, I just bought a new one today. There was a man selling them on the street by my house. What do you think about it? Is it a good one?‎ M: It's not bad. How much did you pay for it?‎ W: It was only $5.‎ M: That's a good deal. So, is there a basketball court near here?‎ W: We can use the one at the school down the road. No one is ever there.‎ M: OK. Let us just run home first to change. Do you have any basketball shoes?‎ W: Do I need special shoes to play basketball?‎ M: No. Just make sure you have a pair of shoes that will support your ankles.‎ Text 9 ‎ M: Do you mind if I sit here?‎ W: No, of course not. Go ahead.‎ M: Don't I know you?‎ W: Yes. Now that you mention it, I think we had a chemistry class together in high school. ‎ M: You're right! How are you? It's been a long time!‎ W: What did you do after high school? ‎ M: I went straight to university afterwards. What about you?‎ W: I took a year off to go traveling.‎ M: That sounds exciting. Where did you go?‎ W: I went all over the world. It was the best year of my life. Where did you go to school?‎ M: I went to a small school in Connecticut. It has a very good reputation for its foreign language department.‎ W: Oh, did you study a foreign language?‎ M: Yes, I received some money to study Chinese.‎ W: That's a very difficult language to learn, isn't it?‎ M: It is, but it's very enjoyable.‎ W: So, you can actually speak Chinese?‎ M: I can, but not as well as I'd like to. I'll probably be studying Chinese until the day I die!‎ W: I think most languages take a lifetime to learn well. ‎ Text 10 ‎ Hello, folks. Thanks for coming to this staff meeting. I want to update all of you on Mrs. Smith's situation. As most of you know, Mrs. Smith was told that she had cancer a few months ago. She went to the doctor because of the pain in her arm, and a tumor was found in her upper lung near her shoulder. Mrs. Smith has two young children and a husband. Most of you know her family very well, since she has worked at our company for over five years. First, I want to say how impressed I am with your kindness to her family. For the last three months, someone has brought her family a meal to eat every single night! Your concern for her and her loved ones moves me. Mrs. Smith is very thankful for all your help during this difficult time. And lastly, I want to give you some good news. The doctor told Mrs. Smith that she is much better. She will have an operation in two weeks. If all goes well, she will survive. Thank you all for caring!‎