安徽省亳州市涡阳县一中2019-2020学年高二12月月考英语

安徽省亳州市涡阳县一中2019-2020学年高二12月月考英语

英语试题 试题说明：‎ 本试卷分第Ⅰ卷(选择题)和第Ⅱ卷(非选择题)两部分。满分150分，考试用时120分钟。‎ 注意事项：‎ ‎1. 答题前，考生务必在试题卷、答题卡规定的地方填写自己的姓名、座位号。‎ ‎2. 答第Ⅰ卷时，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，再选涂其他答案标号。‎ ‎3. 答第Ⅱ卷时，必须使用0. 5毫米黑色墨水签字笔在答题卡上书写，要求字体工整、笔迹清晰。必须在题号所指示的答题区域作答，超出答题区域书写的答案无效，在试题卷、草稿纸上答题无效。‎ 第Ⅰ卷 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. What will the man do this weekend?‎ A. Borrow some money. B. Walk around the lake. C. Work at the hospital. ‎ ‎2. What does the man think highly of about the play?‎ A. The costumes. B. The music. C. The scenery. ‎ ‎3. What are the speakers talking about?‎ A. A table tennis player. B. An outstanding movie. C. Yang Lan’s biography. ‎ ‎4. Where does the conversation take place?‎ A. At a box office. B. At a post office. C. At a railway station. ‎ ‎5. What do we know about the man?‎ A. He might miss this town. ‎ B. He doesn’t like the new job. ‎ C. He hasn’t been home for long.‎ 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。‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第6和第7两个小题。‎ ‎6. What does the boy think of politics?‎ A. Difficult. B. Boring. C. Interesting. ‎ ‎7. What does the girl advise the boy to do?‎ A. Take notes carefully in class. ‎ B. Read the textbook thoroughly. ‎ C. Study the summaries of the lectures. ‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第8至第10三个小题。‎ ‎8. What’s wrong with the banana?‎ A. It is still green. B. It isn’t in the kitchen. C. It was bitten partly. ‎ ‎9. Why doesn’t the girl want to eat cereal?‎ A. She doesn’t like cereal. ‎ B. She has to prepare the milk. ‎ C. She ate the same thing yesterday. ‎ ‎10. What will the man do next?‎ A. Continue sleeping. B. Make some pancakes. C. Have a talk with the girl. ‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第11至第13三个小题。‎ ‎11. What is the most striking thing about volcanoes?‎ A. They kill people quickly. ‎ B. They are beautiful scenery. ‎ C. They can erupt suddenly. ‎ ‎12. Why is Mount Etna called the “Friendly Giant”?‎ A. It is very big. B. It rarely kills people. C. It attracts many tourists. ‎ ‎13. How many people visit Mount Fuji every year?‎ A. About 73,000. B. About 300,000. C. About 400,000. ‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第14至第17四个小题。‎ ‎14. Why is Jack going abroad?‎ A. To study. B. To go shopping. C. To visit his mother. ‎ ‎15. What did Jack’s mother buy for him?‎ A. Some hats. B. Some shorts. C. Some jeans. ‎ ‎16. Why doesn’t Jack pack a coat?‎ A. He wants to buy a new one. ‎ B. There is no room in his suitcase. ‎ C. It is unnecessary in such a warm climate. ‎ ‎17. What is the weather like in spring?‎ A. It’s rainy. B. It’s windy. C. It’s a little hot. ‎ 听下面一段独白，回答第18至第20三个小题。‎ ‎18. What is the theme of To Kill a Mockingbird?‎ A. Nature and humans. ‎ B. Racial justice and respect. ‎ C. Love between father and daughter. ‎ ‎19. When was the book published? ‎ A. In 1930. B. In 1950. C. In 1960. ‎ ‎20. What does the famous courthouse become now?‎ A. A shop. B. A museum. C. A restaurant.‎ 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)‎ 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ A Attractions in Wisconsin Wisconsin Historical Museum ‎30 N. Carroll Street on Madison’s Capitol Square Discover Wisconsin’s history and culture on four floors of exhibits. Open for public program. Admission is free.‎ Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am — 4:00 pm.‎ ‎(608) 264-6555 www. wisconsinhistory. org/museum Swiss historical village ‎612 Seventh Ave., New Glarus The Swiss Historical Village offers a delightful look at pioneer life in America’s heartland. 14 buildings in the village give a full picture of everyday life in the nineteenth-century Midwest.‎ Tue. — Fri., May 1st — October 31st , 10:00 am — 4:00 pm. Admission is $20.‎ ‎(608) 527-2317 www. swisshistoricalvillage. com Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café ‎6858 Paoli Rd., Paoli, WI One of the largest collections of fine arts and crafts (手工艺品) in Wisconsin. Over 5000 sp. ft. of exhibition space in a historic creamery. While visiting, enjoy a wonderfully prepared lunch at our café overlooking the Sugar River. Just minutes from Madison!‎ Gallery open Tue. — Sun., 10:00 am — 5:00 pm.‎ Café open Wed. — Sat., 11:00 am — 3:00 pm.‎ Sun. brunch with wine, 10:00—3:00 pm.‎ ‎(608) 845-6600 www. artisangal. com Christopher Columbus Museum ‎239 Whitney St., Columbus World-class exhibit — 2000 quality souvenirs (纪念品) marking Chicago’s 1893 World Columbian Exhibition. Tour buses are always welcome.‎ Open daily, 8:15 am — 4:00 pm.‎ ‎(920) 623-1992 www. columbusantiquemall. com 21. Which of the following is on Capitol Square?‎ A. Wisconsin Historical Museum. B. Swiss Historical Village.‎ C. Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café. D. Christopher Columbus Museum.‎ ‎22. Where can you go for a visit on Monday?‎ A. Wisconsin Historical Museum. B. Swiss Historical Village.‎ C. Artisan Gallery & Creamery café. D. Christopher Columbus Museum.‎ ‎23. Where can visitors have lunch?‎ A. At Wisconsin Historical Museum. B. At Swiss Historical Village.‎ C. At Artisan Gallery & Creamery Café. D. At Christopher Columbus Museum.‎ B ‎“Who made your T-shirt?” A Harvard University student raised that question. Piertra Rivoli, a professor of business, wanted to find the answer. A few weeks later, she bought a T-shirt and began to follow its path from Texas cotton, to Chinese factory and to charity bin (慈善捐赠箱). The result is an interesting new book, The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy.‎ Following a T-shirt around the world is a way to make her point more interesting, but it also frees Rivoli from the usual arguments over global trade. She goes wherever the T-shirt goes, and there are surprises around every corner. In China, Rivoli shows why a clothing factory, even with its poor conditions, means a step towards a better care for the people who work there. In the colorful used-clothing markets of Tanzania, she realizes that, “it is only in this final stage of life that the T-shirt will meet a real market,” where the price of a shirt changes by the hour and is different by its size and even color. Rivoli’s book is full of memorable people and scenes, like the noise, the bad air and the “muddy sweet smell of the cotton,” she says. “Here in the factory, Shanghai smells like shallow water Texas.”‎ Rivoli is at her best when making those sorts of unexpected connections. She even finds one between the free traders and those who are against globalization. The chances opened up by trade are vast, she argues, but free markets need the correcting force of politics to keep them in check. True economic progress needs them both.‎ 24. What do we learn about Professor Rivoli?‎ A. She used to work on cotton farm. B. She wrote a book about world trade.‎ C. She wants to give up her teaching job. D. She wears a T-shirt wherever she goes.‎ ‎25. By saying T-shirt “meet a real market”, Rivoli means in Tanzania _______.‎ A. cheaper T-shirts are needed B. used T-shirts are hard to sell C. prices of T-shirts rise and fall frequently D. prices of T-shirts are usually reasonable ‎26. What does the word “them” underlined in the last paragraph refer to?‎ A. Free markets. B. Price changes.‎ C. Unexpected connections. D. Chances opened up by trade.‎ ‎27. What would be the best title for the text?‎ A. What T-shirts Can Do to Help Cotton Farms B. How T-shirts Are Made in Shanghai C. How T-shirts Are Sold in Tanzania D. What T-shirts Can Teach Us C The Children’s Groundwater Festival, first organized by the Groundwater Foundation 19 years ago, is celebrated every year in Nebraska, a state of the central United States in the Great Plains. After organizing the festival for 16 years, the foundation passed the program on to the local community of Grand Island, Nebraska. The festival is an annual event for fourth and fifth graders of Nebraska. It is an interesting and energetic day filled with handson education. Water magic, folk singers and musicians, storytellers, and bird shows add to the happy atmosphere during the festival. There are also some educational activities:‎ Gooey Garbage: Children build a landfill (废物填埋场) and learn how a properlybuilt landfill can protect groundwater.‎ Water Races: Children learn about water pollution by racing a drop of water through a model.‎ Well in a Cup: By building a small aquifer (蓄水层) in a cup, children learn about aquifers and drinking water wells.‎ Taster’s Choice: Children drink different types of water, from tap water to bottled water. Then they are taught about the treatment process of each type of water.‎ There’s No New Water: Students are taught to make a special glass container and learn about the water cycle.‎ The Children’s Groundwater Festival not only has a great influence on Nebraska’s people. So far, similar festivals have been held in nearly 40 American states, Mexico City, several provinces in Canada, and New Delhi, India. People everywhere are realizing the importance of educating young people to learn and care about groundwater.‎ For more information about this festival, remember to watch our program tomorrow evening. I’ll be waiting for you.‎ 28. We can learn from the passage that the Children’s Groundwater Festival ________.‎ A. was started in 1978 by the Groundwater Foundation B. is now organized by the Groundwater Foundation C. is aimed at educating college students to care about groundwater D. offers both fun and educational activities ‎29. How long does the Children’s Groundwater Festival last?‎ A. One day. B. Two days.‎ C. One week. D. Two weeks.‎ ‎30. Which of the following activities can help children know how bottled water is made drinkable?‎ A. Gooey Garbage. B. Water Races.‎ C. Well in a Cup. D. Taster’s Choice.‎ ‎31. The passage is most probably taken from ______.‎ A. a radio program B. a TV program C. one of Nebraska’s local newspapers D. a magazine about environment D A food additive (添加剂) is any substance that is added to food. Many people are put off by the idea of “chemicals in food.” The truth is that all food is made up of chemicals. Natural substances like milk, as well as man-made ones like drinks on sale in the market, can be described by chemical formulas. Some chemical substances are indeed harmful, but a person who refused to consume any chemicals would find nothing to eat.‎ The things we eat can be divided into natural and man-made substances. Some people feel that only natural foods are healthy and that all man-made ingredients are to be avoided. But many natural chemicals, found in plants and animals, are harmful when eaten, and some laboratory-made substances increase the nutritional value of food. Other chemicals have natural and man-made forms that are exactly alike: vitamin C is vitamin C, whether it comes from a test tube or from an orange. Like “chemical”, “man-made” doesn’t necessarily mean “not fit to eat”.‎ Food additives are used for many reasons. We add sugar and salt and other things to foods we prepare at home to make them taste better. Food producers have developed a range of additives that stabilize, thicken, harden, keep wet, keep firm, or improve the appearance of their products. Additives can make food more convenient or nutritious, give it a longer shelf life, and make it more attractive to the consumer, thus increasing the sales and profits of the producers.‎ Food additives are presently the centre of a storm of serious argument. Food producers have been known to use additives that have not been proved safe; some substances in common use have been proved unsafe and have been taken off the market. Many people feel there’s a risk of eating food to which anything has been added. But food additives are now regulated by the FDA of the federal government, and new additives will go through strict testing before they can be placed on the market. For most people, the chances of developing serious side effects (副作用) from the long-term use of presently approved (批准) food additives are very small.‎ 32. From the passage we can learn that .‎ A. natural foods are much safer than man-made ones B. it is right to refuse chemicals in food C. food additives are harmful to our health D. all foods have chemical substances ‎33. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?‎ A. Food additives can improve the quality of foods in many ways.‎ B. To ensure food safety, the FDA will stop food additives.‎ C. Foods free of additives can keep a much longer shelf life.‎ D. Foods with more additives have higher nutritional value.‎ ‎34. We can infer from the regulation to the food additives by the FDA that .‎ A. new additives will be approved more easily than before B. food with common-used additives will be taken off the market C. food additives will be used in a safer and more scientific way D. food producers won’t be allowed to use new food additives ‎35. According to the writer, the food additive is .‎ A. worrying B. acceptable C. poisonous D. avoidable 第二节（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。选项中有两项为多余选项。‎ Is there anything more important than health? I don’t think so. “Health is the greatest wealth(财富),” wise people say. 36 .‎ If you have a headache, toothache, backache, earache or bad pain in the stomach, if you complain of a bad cough, if you run a high temperature and have a bad cold, or if you suffer from high or low blood pressure, I think you should go to the doctor.‎ The doctor will examine your throat, feel your pulse, test your blood pressure, take your temperature, sound your heart and lungs, test your eyes, check your teeth or have your chest X-rayed. 37 The only thing you have to do is follow his advice. 38 .‎ An old gentleman came to see the doctor. The man was very ill. He told the doctor about his weakness, memory loss and serious problems with his heart and lungs. The doctor examined him and said there was no medicine for his disease. He told hi s patient to go to a quiet place for a month and have a good rest. 39 . In other words, the doctor advised him to follow the rule: “Eat at pleasure, drink with measure and enjoy life as it is.” The doctor also said that if the man wanted to be well again, he shouldn’t smoke more than one cigarette a day.‎ A month later the gentleman came into the doctor’s office. 40 . He thanked the doctor and said that he had never felt a healthier man.‎ ‎“But you know, doctor, ” he said, “it’s not easy to begin smoking at my age.”‎ A. He also advised him to eat a lot of meat, drink two glasses of red wine every day and take long walks.‎ B. You can’t be good at your studies or work well when you are ill.‎ C. After that he will advise some treatment, or some medicine.‎ D. All these will cost a lot of money.‎ E. He looked cheerful and happy.‎ F. He was more worried about his illness.‎ G. Speaking about doctor’s advice, I can’t help telling you a funny story.‎ 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）‎ 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。‎ On a hot summer day in America, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He dived into the cool water, not 41 that as he swam towards the middle of the lake, a crocodile (鳄鱼) was swimming toward him. ‎ ‎ His mother 42 was looking out of the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer. In great 43 , she ran toward the water, 44 to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became 45 and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. 46 , it was too late. Just as he reached her, the 47 reached him. From the shore, the mother 48 her little boy by the arms just as the crocodile snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war (拔河) between the 49 The crocodile was much 50 than the mother, but the mother wouldn’t 51 . A ‎ farmer 52 to drive by, heard their screams, raced from his truck, took aim and 53 the crocodile. ‎ ‎ 54 , after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His 55 were extremely scarred(留下疤痕) by the attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches(抓痕) where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. ‎ The newspaper reporter, who 56 the boy, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his legs. And then, with obvious 57 , he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them 58 my Mom wouldn’t let go.”‎ Never judge another person's 59 , because you don't know 60 they were made.‎ ‎41.A. understanding B. imaging C. realizing D. balancing ‎42.A.behind the house B. in the house C. in the lake D. on the shore ‎43. A. fear B. anger C. sadness D. joy ‎44. A. beating B. frightening C. screaming D. apologizing ‎45. A. alarmed B. amazed C. calm D. hopeful ‎46. A. Thus B. So C. Therefore D. However ‎47. A. author B. hunter C. mother D. crocodile ‎48. A. hugged B. stared C. grabbed D. combined ‎49. A. two B. three C. scene D. journey ‎50. A. fiercer ‎ B. stronger C. faster D. heavier ‎51. A. cut down B. take chances C. go ahead D. let go ‎52. A. happened B. predicted ‎ C. pretended D. bet ‎53. A. gathered B. gained C. shot D. cut ‎54. A. Importantly B. Beneficially C. Surprisingly D. Fortunately ‎55. A. arms B. legs C. fingers D. spot ‎56. A. helped B. saved C. interviewed D. consulted ‎57. A. pride B. satisfaction C. strength D. gratitude ‎58. A. where B. because C. unless D. while ‎59. A. appearance B. limit C. debt D. scar ‎60. A. when B. how C. where D. as 第II卷 第二节(共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分)‎ 阅读下面材料，在空白处填人适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。‎ You 61 ( mistake) if you think all Chinese people speak in the same way. Have you ever seen a person from Shanghai try talking to someone from Guangzhou? It is quite likely that both of them may feel ‎ 62 ( puzzle) ! The Chinese language, as a whole, 63 (use) the same set of characters, but even the same characters can have different pronunciations. That is 64 it is difficult for people to understand each other. 65 ( luck ), the widespread use of Putonghua in China has made great 66 ( contribute) to people's communication, though people from different areas are used to 67 ( speak)with various accents.‎ People in Northern Europe are much luckier. Even though people from Sweden, Denmark and Norway have their own 68 ( office) languages, it is very convenient to them to communicate with one 69 ，Do you know why? 70 their languages are quite similar, though not without small distinctions. Therefore, they can communicate easily in their mother tongues.‎ 第三部分 写作(共两节，满分40分)‎ 第一节 短文改错(共10小题；每小题l分，满分l0分)‎ 假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有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：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（︿），并在其下面写出该加的词。‎ 删除：把多余法人词用斜线（＼）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。‎ Everyone has a dream. We are on the way to achieving it if the way is smooth or tough. As Senior 2 student, I dream to be admitted to an ideal university about language study. In the past two years, I have done everything I can to equip myself with that I have learned from my teachers. Not only had I enjoyed the pleasure of study but also I have got closer to my dream. At times anxious and pressure did discourage from me. And with the encouragement of my teachers and classmates, I think I will make it. ‎ I bet that there has still a long way to go to achieve my dream. Whatever challenging it is, I will make it come true. As the proverb went, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” ‎ 第一节 写作 (满分25分) ‎ ‎ 假设你是李华，从互联网上看到一个国际中学生家教组织将面向中国招聘兼职中文家教（tutor)的广告，欢迎中国学生参加。请写一封电子邮件申请参加。包括：‎ 1. 自我介绍(包括中英文能力);‎ ‎2. 参加意图(帮助别人学习中文和推荐中国文化)‎ 3. 希望获准。‎ 注意：‎ 1. 词数100左右；‎ 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，不计入总词数。‎ Dear Sir or Madam,‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Yours sincerely,‎ ‎ Li Hua ‎ ‎ 英语参考答案 第一部分: 听力 ‎1-5 CCABA 6-10 ACCBA 11-15 CBCAC 16-20 BABCB 第二部分: 阅读理解 ‎21-25 ADCBC 26-30 ADDAD 31-35 BDACB 36-40 BCGAE 第三部分：完形填空：‎ ‎41-45 CBACA 46-50 DDCAB 51-55 DACDB 56-60 CABDB 第四部分：语法填空：‎ 61. are mistaken 62. puzzled 63. uses 64. why 65. Luckily 66. contributions 67. speaking 68. official 69. another 70. Because 第五部分：短文改错：‎ Everyone has a dream. We are on the way to achieving it if the way is smooth or tough. ‎ ‎ whether AsSenior 2 student, I dream to be admitted to an ideal university about language study. In the ‎ ‎ a past two years, I have done everything I can to equip myself with that I have learned from my ‎ ‎ what teachers. Not only had I enjoyed the pleasure of study but also I have got closer to my dream. At ‎ ‎ have times anxious and pressure did discourage from me. And with the encouragement of my teachers ‎ ‎ anxiety But and classmates, I think I will make it. ‎ I bet that there has still a long way to go to achieve my dream. Whatever ‎ challenging it is, I ‎ ‎ is However will make it come true. As the proverb went, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” ‎ ‎ goes 第六部分：书面表达：‎ One possible version:‎ Dear Sir or Madam,‎ I’m Li Hua, a senior middle school student form China. I happened to read the advertisement that you have posted on the Internet, employing Chinese students as part-time tutors of the Chinese language.‎ I am interested in it. I know that you welcome students from China and I’d like to get this job. For me, Chinese is my native tongue and I’m excellent at it. Besides, I’ve been learning English for 9 years with a good command of spoken and written English. I’m willing to help foreigners learn Chinese well and introduce Chinese culture to the world as well.‎ I hope I will be accepted as a member of yours. Looking forward to your reply！‎ ‎ Yours sincerely,‎ ‎ Li Hua 听力材料 Text 1‎ W: Are you going to the lake with us this weekend?‎ M: I wish I could get away for a while. But I have to take on some extra hours at the hospital. I really need the money. ‎ Text 2‎ M: I really enjoy the play. The students did a great job with the scenery. I felt like I was back in the 18th century. ‎ W: I wish you could say the same thing about the costumes. ‎ Text 3‎ M: Hey, Kate, what are you watching?‎ W: Oh, it’s Yang Lan’s interview of Deng Yaping. Deng is the top table tennis athlete in my mind. Do you like her?‎ M: Yes. Deng is remembered by the world for her outstanding performance. ‎ Text 4‎ M: Excuse me, could you tell me which line I’m supposed to stand in to buy plastic wrap and to post a package?‎ W: You can buy the plastic wrap here, but you’ll have to stand in line over there to post your package.‎ ‎ ‎ Text 5‎ W: I thought you were pleased about the new job and going to London. ‎ M: I am. It’s just that I’ve been here for so long in this town and it’s hard to think of anywhere else as home. ‎ Text 6‎ M: I’m going to have politics this term. I’m a little bit nervous of that subject because I’m not really good at it. ‎ W: Don’t worry! I had that class last term. The lectures were very interesting, and the teacher made the students feel comfortable. You will love the class. ‎ M: Well, wasn’t the test difficult?‎ W: Not at all. The teacher always hands out a summary of his lecture every class. If you study them thoroughly, you will not even need to read the textbook. ‎ M: Thank you so much for your advice. ‎ Text 7‎ W: Dad? What’s for breakfast?‎ M: Uh, there’s a banana on the kitchen counter. ‎ W: But dad, it looks like the cat took a bite out of that banana last night…Dad, wake up. ‎ M: OK. Uh, there’s some cereal in the cupboard. Help yourself. ‎ W: But there’s no milk. ‎ M: Well, just mix up some powdered milk. ‎ W: No way. Come on, Dad. ‎ M: Uh, OK. I guess I could make some pancakes. ‎ W: Uh, no. Last weekend you made pancakes, and they were as hard as a rock. ‎ M: That bad? Alright. Wait! Why in the world are we having this conversation anyway? You’re 14 years old. Make your own breakfast. I’m going back to bed. ‎ Text 8‎ W: Dr. Purdy, what would you say is the most striking thing about volcanoes?‎ M: I think it’s the fact that they can erupt at any time. ‎ W: Yes. ‎ M: But not all volcanoes are dangerous killers. ‎ W: Really?‎ M: Take Mount Etna in Sicily for example. It’s called the “Friendly Giant”, not because it’s big—though it is—but because its lava(火山岩浆) moves very slowly. This gives people time to escape. It’s not a killer volcano. ‎ W: Oh, I didn’t know that about its lava. ‎ M: It’s true. Also, people have recorded the number of deaths caused by Mount Etna for over 3,000 years, and it has only killed 73 people in all. ‎ W: Wow!‎ M: Volcanoes are always changing. On the site of Mount Fuji in Japan, there were 2 other volcanoes there before the present one. ‎ W: Amazing!‎ M: Mount Fuji is actually a very popular place for tourists, including the Japanese. It has about 400,000 visitors a year. ‎ Text 9‎ W: Hey, Jack. Are you ready to study abroad?‎ M: Well, not really. I still have to prepare some clothes. ‎ W: Well, what’s the weather like where you’re going?‎ M: Well, uh, it’s really hot in summer, so I’m going to buy some shorts and a few T-shirts. ‎ W: What about the rest of the year?‎ M: People say that the fall can still be warm until November, so my mother has bought some jeans and a few casual shirts for me. ‎ W: Will you need any warm clothes for the winter?‎ M: Well, the weather doesn’t get too cold, but it often snows in the mountains, so I’m going to pack a couple of warm sweaters, a jacket, and a hat. I don’t have room in my suitcase to pack a coat, so I’m going to wait until I get there and buy it when I really need it. ‎ W: Are you going to take anything else?‎ M: They say it rains cats and dogs in spring, but again, I’ll just go to pick up a raincoat later on.‎ ‎ ‎ Text 10‎ W: Millions of high school students have read To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel by Harper Lee offers moral lessons about racial justice and respect. It tells the story of a young girl named Scout and her father, Atticus Finch, a lawyer. He defends a black man wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. In the end, an all-white jury sentences Tom Robinson to death. ‎ The book is set in the American South in the 1930s. But it was published over 50 years ago, on July 11th, 1960. It has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold over forty million copies. It won a Pulitzer Prize and is often required reading in high school. ‎ Since then, Monroeville, Harper Lee’s hometown, has changed a lot. A number of African-Americans serve in the local government. The courthouse, made famous by the book, is now a museum. A small shop and a fast-food restaurant called Mel’s Dairy Dream have replaced Harper Lee’s childhood home.‎