河北省保定市2019-2020学年高二上学期阶段性考试英语试卷

河北省保定市2019-2020学年高二上学期阶段性考试英语试卷

英语试题 ‎（考试时间：120分钟；分值：150分）‎ ‎ 第一卷（三部分， 共100分）‎ 第一部分：听力理解（共两节，30分）‎ 第一节　(共5小题，每小题1.5分)‎ 听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一道小题，从每题所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项。听完每段对话后，你将有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话你将听一遍。‎ ‎1. Who is the woman? ‎ A. Mary. B. Mary’s sister. C. Mary’s mother.‎ ‎2. When did the man live in London? ‎ A. Last year. B. Last month. C. When he was a child.‎ ‎3. What happened to the man just now? ‎ A. He met an old friend on the street.‎ B. He mistook the woman for his friend.‎ C. Lydia paid an unexpected visit to him.‎ ‎4. Why did the man change his mind probably? ‎ A. He didn’t bring enough money. B. He forgot his wallet. ‎ C. He didn’t need that much fruit. ‎ ‎5. What are the speakers mainly talking about? ‎ A. The role of shopping in people’s lives. B. How to promote sales. ‎ C. The importance of mass media. ‎ 第二节(共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分) ‎ 听下面5段对话或独白，每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项选出最佳选项，并标在试卷相应位置，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至8题。‎ ‎6. What’s the most probable relationship between the speakers? ‎ A. Friends. B. Husband and wife. C. Neighbors. ‎ ‎7. What are the speakers doing? ‎ A. Making a birthday cake. B. Cooking a huge dinner. ‎ C. Preparing for a party.‎ ‎8. What has the woman finished doing? ‎ A. Putting up a big sign. B. Buying a tape. ‎ C. Putting candles on the cake.‎ 听第7段材料，回答第9、10题。‎ ‎9. How many pictures did the woman take in all? ‎ A. One. B. Two. C. Three.‎ ‎10. Where will the speakers take another picture together? ‎ A. In front of the garden. B. Near the flowers. C. Near the falls.‎ 听第8段材料，回答第11、12题。‎ ‎11. What is true about the factory tour? ‎ A. Tourists can visit the factory anytime. B. It is sponsored by the car company.‎ C. It is only good for the company.‎ ‎12. What will the man do next? ‎ A. Make a phone call to get some information.‎ B. Book tickets to go home.‎ C. Go to the factory to make an appointment.‎ 听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。‎ ‎13. What makes the suit special?‎ A. Its style. B. Its material. C. Its color.‎ ‎14. How much does the woman want for the suit today? ‎ A. $600. B. $750. C. $900.‎ ‎15. What does the man think of the suit?‎ A. It’s good but a little expensive. B. It’s stylish but a little uncomfortable.‎ C. It’s a little old-fashioned.‎ ‎16. Why can’t the woman reduce the price of the suit? ‎ A. The material comes from France. B. She is not the owner of the shop.‎ C. It is already on sale.‎ 听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。‎ ‎17. What season is it now? ‎ A. Fall. B. Spring. C. Summer.‎ ‎18. What was the weather like this afternoon? ‎ A. Windy. B. Rainy. C. Foggy.‎ ‎19. What will the weather be like this evening? ‎ A. Cold. B. Pleasant. C. Cloudy.‎ ‎20. What will the daytime temperature be in the next three days? ‎ A. About 40 degrees. B. About 50 degrees. C. About 60 degrees.‎ 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中，选出最佳选项。‎ A Welcome to Princeton ‎ Princeton University is a vibrant university. It is the fourth－oldest college in the United States and is an independent institution that provides undergraduate and graduate instruction in the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. As a well－known research university, Princeton seeks to achieve the highest levels in the discovery and spread of knowledge and understanding. At the same time, Princeton is distinctive among research universities in its commitment to undergraduate teaching.‎ Academics Faculty, including full time, part time and visiting: 1,238 (spring 2018)‎ Undergraduate student－to－faculty rate: 5：1‎ Departments: 36‎ Schools within the University: School of Architecture, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.‎ Library Princeton University Library consists of the Firestone Library and nine buildings across campus. The library's collections include more than 8 million books and impressive rare books, prints and other materials that require special handling. The library's extensive electronic resources include databases and journals, images and digital maps. Exhibitions from the library's rich collections are free and open to the general public.‎ Campus Life A vast range of cultural, educational, athletic and social activities are available to Princeton students. Getting involved in campus life is the quickest way to become a part of the University community, and to create one's own Princeton experience. Campus life activities are built around the concepts of encouraging each community member to display his or her talents and to learn to respect all members of our community.‎ Aid Program ‎ Our aid program is designed to encourage all qualified students—regardless of financial circumstances—to consider applying for admission to Princeton. Any family, who feels they may need help to pay for a Princeton education is welcome to apply for aid.‎ ‎ For more information, please visit: http：//www.princeton.edu.‎ ‎21. What makes Princeton University outstanding among research universities?‎ A. Its long history. B. Its wide range of courses.‎ C. Its ambition to be the best. D. Its undergraduate teaching.‎ ‎22. What can you enjoy as a Princeton University student?‎ A. Free undergraduate education. B. Access to rare books and databases.‎ C. Free membership of sports clubs. D. Material benefits of the University community.‎ ‎23. The aid program of Princeton University is intended for________．‎ A. poor families ‎ B. qualified applicants unable to afford to pay for Princeton C. students admitted into university ‎ D. top students with money problem B Alex knew colors and shapes. He learned about 150 English words. With his language ability he made himself to be known as perhaps the world’s most famous talking bird. But Alex, a parrot, died two weeks ago when he was 34. Irene, a psychologist(心理学家) at Harvard university, studied and worked with the parrot for more than 30 years.‎ In 1977, Irene, then an excellent student in chemistry at Harvard, bought Alex from a pet store. At that time, scientists were not quite sure whether birds could learn to speak with humans. But using the ways of teaching, Irene helped Alex to count small numbers, and to learn about 150 words, as well as colors and shapes. In the lab, Irene would give Alex small reward, like a grape. Alex learned to ask for the grape by watching what Irene was doing to get it. Irene then worked with the bird to help him with pronunciation.‎ Alex learnt very fast. For example, when he was shown a blue paper circle, he could tell what color the paper was, what shape it was, and after touching it, what it was made of. Like other ‎ parrots, he also picked up some words when staying in the lab, like “calm down” or “good morning”. What’s more, he could also show his happiness and sadness. Even before the week he died, Alex was working with Irene on difficult words. As she put him into his cage for the night that Thursday, Irene said that Alex looked at her and said, “You are good. See you tomorrow. I love you. ”He was found dead in his cage the next morning.‎ ‎24. Alex is the name of __________.‎ ‎ A. an excellent student B. a clever bird ‎ ‎ C. an experienced teacher D. an old psychologist ‎25. How did Irene get the parrot?‎ ‎ A. A friend gave it to her. B. She caught it in a forest.‎ ‎ C. She bought it from a pet store. D. We don’t know.‎ ‎26. The best title of the passage could be“__________”.‎ ‎ A. A clever parrot B. The owner of a parrot ‎ C. How to teach a parrot to speak D. Parrots, our close friends ‎27. The passage is probably taken from __________.‎ ‎ A. a history textbook B. a novel C. a newspaper D. a dictionary C Many people spend more than four hours per day on We Chat, and it is redefining the word “friend.” Does friending someone on social media make him or her your friend in real life?‎ Robin Dunbar, a professor at Oxford University, found that only 15, of the 150 Facebook friends the average user has, could be counted as actual friends and only five as close friends. We Chat may show a similar pattern.‎ Those with whom you attended a course together, applied for the same part-time job, went to a party and intended to cooperate but failed take up most of your WeChat friends. In chat records, the only message may be a system notice, “You have accepted somebody’s friend request”. Sometimes when seeing some photos shared on “Moments”, you even need several minutes to think about when you became friends. Also, you may be disturbed by mass messages (群发信息) sent from your unfamiliar “friends”, including requests for voting for their children or friends, links from Pinduoduo.com (a Chinese e-commerce platform that allows users to buy items at lower prices if they purchase in groups) and cookie-cutter (千篇一律的) blessings in holidays.‎ You would have thought about deleting this type of “friends” and sort out your connections. But actually you did not do that as you were taught that social networking is valuable to one’s success. Besides, it would be really awkward if they found that you have unfriended them already. Then, you keep increasing your “friends” in social media and click “like” on some pictures that you are not really interested. But the fact is that deep emotional connections do not come with the increasing number of your friends in social media.‎ If the number of your friends reaches 150, maintaining these relationships can be tough to you, and sometimes even will make you anxious. According to Robin Dunbar, 150 is the limit of the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships.‎ ‎28. What can we learn from Robin Dunbar's finding in Paragraph 2?‎ A. A Facebook user has 250 friends on average.‎ B. Most of the social media friends can be actual friends.‎ C. Among our social media friends, only a few people matter.‎ D. Only 15 people of a person’s Facebook friends can be close friends.‎ ‎29. What does the third paragraph tell us about most of your WeChat friends?‎ A. You have deep communication with them.‎ B. You benefit a lot from their mass messages.‎ C. You just have a nodding acquaintance with them.‎ D. You become friends with them in important occasions.‎ ‎30. What does the underlined word “that” in Paragraph 4 refer to?‎ A. Removing unfamiliar friends in WeChat.‎ B. Strengthening ties with your We Chat friends.‎ C. Keeping increasing your friends in social media.‎ D. Clicking “like” on pictures posted by your friends.‎ ‎31. What can we infer from the last paragraph?‎ A. We will be anxious if we make friends online.‎ B. We should avoid making any friends in social media.‎ C. We should make as many friends as possible in social media.‎ D. We have difficulty managing relationships with over 150 people.‎ D Since App Store was set up, it has been selling consumers one simple thing choice. Whether you wanted to play games, read the news, or do a thousand other things, there was something for whatever you desired.‎ Then something funny happened. Logging into the App Store today is like going into a shopping mall with only a coupon(优惠券) for one thing: There’s so much choice; it might be easier to give up than to choose.‎ It isn’t consumers who are burdened, though. Too much content of all kinds also has economic effects. When countless choices are available, it causes pressure, pushing prices down and driving us a bit crazy.‎ So what is the way forward? It may well be to turn less choice itself to the marketing strategy. There are already signs that this is happening. Firstly content companies are looking to prevent their offerings from getting lost in the tons of stuff. Most obvious is Disney, which is planning to open its own streaming service next year. The point is to narrow the focus so that those seeking Disney cartoons will have one place to go, rather than being around various services.‎ Yet if that represents a careful first step, there are more extreme options too. Consider the idea of a wine club: from tens of thousands of bottles each year, subscribers pay someone to select the most interesting ones. Perhaps what comes next for digital content is similar-carefully selected offerings from trusted sources that put choices in the hands of someone else in order to get rid of the anxiety of choosing.‎ Up to now, too much choice in digital media has only one solution: the algorithm（运算法则）. But we’ve seen the trouble with algorithms on You Tube. They feed you only what you’ve already said you like, not things you may not know you’re into. Worse, they have a tendency to serve up disturbing content. The way forward can’t simply be more or better algorithms.‎ Instead, it's time for digital companies to start thinking about how to put limits on things: on ‎ how much we can use a device, or what we are available to choose from.‎ As we move further into the digital revolution, what people ask for is clear: Less.‎ ‎32. What will too much choice of content on the market result in?‎ A. The shutdown of companies. B. The anxiety of consumers.‎ C. The poor quality of products. D. The slowdown of economy.‎ ‎33. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to Paragraphs 4 and 5?‎ A. Content companies should withdraw their offerings online.‎ B. Content companies should post their offerings on App Store.‎ C. Content companies adopt different methods to narrow the consumers focus.‎ D. Content companies open their own streaming services on You Tube.‎ ‎34. How do algorithms probably respond to consumers’ needs?‎ A. They make a better choice for them. B. They help to remove disturbing content.‎ C. They change their interest in digital media. D. They fail to offer what they possibly like.‎ ‎35. What is the author’s attitude towards limiting the choice consumers have?‎ A. Approving. B. Skeptical. C. Opposing. D. Neutral.‎ 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。‎ You can read a book for pleasure one time through and be just fine. However, it is harmful to deal with academic reading the same way. In order to read and comprehend a book or article for school, you need to be much more strategic. 36_________ ‎ Understand genres and themes.‎ In most reading tests, the student is asked to read a passage and predict what might happen next. 37 _________This is to make sure you’re able to infer information from the clues. The type of text of a book helps you make predictions about the action—which helps you better understand the action.‎ Read with tools.‎ Any time you read to learn, use active reading skills and there are tools that are not so good to use. A pencil and a pack of sticky notes will be good tools. You can mark in the margins without any damage. Use your notes to write down thoughts, impressions, predictions, and questions as you read. 38 _________You create some serious damage when highlighting. ‎ ‎39 __________‎ It's a no-brainer that you should take the time to identify and look up new and unfamiliar words as you read. But it's important to make a log book of those new words, and revisit them some time after you've finished reading that book. The more you study a subject, the more it sinks in.‎ Analyze the title (and subtitles).‎ If you are wondering why I would mention the title last, I can assure you that there is a good reason. The title is often the last thing to be adjusted once a writer has finished writing. He/she may reflect on the true message or purpose and come up with a new title. 40________ ‎ A. Find out the new words.‎ B. Work the vocabulary skills.‎ C. That is, if you want to earn a good grade!‎ D.A highlighter, on the other hand, can be a really bad tool.‎ E. What might happen next will help you a lot in reading F. Prediction is a common reading comprehension strategy.‎ G. It will be a clue to help you understand the message better.‎ 第三部分 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。‎ As a child, I started learning to play the piano, my favorite musical 41 _____ , but I was forced to give up when I started my middle school 42____ I could concentrate more on my studies.‎ ‎ It’s one of my biggest 43____ to stop practicing the piano when I recall sadly today. During the following years, I kept telling my piano teacher that I would 44 ____ . However, I didn’t keep my promise because I was 45____ with my study. 46____ I lost touch with my teacher. Some years later, my teacher died. I was very sad because I lost such a good teacher. She was a very warm and gentle person. It hurts me to think she may have been 47____ that I never returned. I haven’t taken lessons since then but to be honest, I 48 ____ to. Sitting at the piano, I couldn’t help recalling many 49 ____ ---- times of my practising at home and playing before my teacher and one time my teacher 50____ me after I played entire pieces of music wrong in front of her colleagues. I was so 51____ that I could hardly say anything. But her 52 ____ helped me ease my shame. These memories, 53____ , good or bad, never caused my 54 ____ for playing the piano again.‎ ‎ This thought then led me to think that 55 __ is like music, and that we all try to play different 56____ in the instrument of our life. Sometimes the pitch(音高) is 57______ when we play it well, but sometimes we are out of tone. However, we all continue to create our own 58____ style of music. No matter what style our music is, it is 59 _____ that we sing the songs of joy, quietness and love. Though I may never make it back to piano lessons, it doesn’t 60 ____ that I’ve stopped making music.‎ ‎41. A. instrument B. performance C. room D. stage ‎42. A. in that B. so that C. now that D. except that ‎43. A. successes B. regrets C. decisions D. hobbies ‎44. A. play B. graduate C. leave D. return ‎45. A. occupied B. angry C. satisfied D. patient ‎46. A. Actually B. Constantly C. Suddenly D. Gradually ‎47. A. astonished B. glad C. disappointed D. amazed ‎48. A. liked B. needed C. wanted D. decided ‎49. A. dreams B. expressions C. words D. memories ‎50. A. instructed B. hurt C. praised D. respected ‎51. A. frightened B. moved C. embarrassed D. excited ‎52. A. happiness B. satisfaction C. comfort D. sigh ‎53. A. instead B. meanwhile C. therefore D. however ‎54. A. hope B. courage C. feeling D. effort ‎55. A. life B. learning C. attitude D. enjoyment ‎56. A. cards B. sports C. roles D. games ‎57. A. hard B. wonderful C. surprising D. complex ‎58. A. unique B. boring C. common D. similar ‎59 A. necessary B. strange C. possible D. important ‎60 A. matter B. mean C. report D. appear 第二卷（共三节，共50分）‎ 注意：将答案写在答题卡上。写在本试卷上无效。‎ 第四部分 写作（共3节， 满分50分）‎ 第一节 语法填空（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）‎ 阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或者括号中词语的正确形式填空,并将答案填写在答题纸标号为61～70的相应位置上。‎ With the rapid spread of western cultures, a 61 (grow) number of Chinese people prefer western holidays to traditional ones. When Christmas or Valentine’s Day 62__________ (come), youngsters will flood into bars, restaurants, or department stores to celebrate these festivals, but actually they don’t know much about Chinese traditional festivals.‎ The reason behind this social phenomenon is obvious: in a society controlled by mass media and consumerism, festivals and holidays from abroad 63 (identify) as fashionable and new, while traditional ones are usually something out of date and old. Young people all over the world have regarded western life style, 64 (especial) the life in Hollywood films, 65 their goal of life. As a consequence, 66 is no wonder that Chinese young people have much more affection for Christmas than China’s Spring Festival.‎ We should think about the influence of such 67 social phenomenon carefully. It is obvious that the wide spread and recognition of western holidays is 68_________ (harm) to our traditional value. If we don’t take some 69______________ (measure) right now, some day in the future, Chinese cultural heritage may be strange to our grandchildren. It is high time that the government and all people 70 (take) action to protect our traditional culture.‎ 第二节 短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ ‎ 假定英语课上老师要求同桌之问交换修改作文，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：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。‎ ‎ 修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。‎ ‎ 注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；‎ ‎ 2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。‎ Last week, I along with my classmates was asked to attend a lecture, the theme of what was environmental protection. It was given by an university professor. The professor first had us to come up with some problems the earth was faced with. Then he offered some suggestions on what they should do to save our planet in an effectively way. Late after the lecture, I searched the Internet for more informations on this topic. Up to now，I learnt that the problem of air pollution is universal and that we were likely to run out of some natural resources. To make things worse,‎ ‎ climate change is becoming a great threat for human beings.‎ 第三节 书面表达 （满分25分）‎ 假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Paul来信向你表明他今年二月来中国旅游的想法，并询问你的看法。请你按以下要点给他写一封回信：‎ ‎1. 赞成他的想法；‎ ‎2. 来中国旅游的好处（如历史文化，美景美食等）；‎ ‎3. 表示愿意提供帮助并祝福他的中国之旅。‎ 注意：1. 词数100左右；‎ ‎2. 可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。‎ Dear Peter，‎ ‎____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ‎ All the best.‎ Yours ‎ Li Hua 高二年级英语答案 听力： 1—5 BCBAA 6—10 BCBCC 11—15 BABBA 16—20 BBABB 阅读：21-23 DBB 24~27： BCAC 28-31 CCAD 32-35 BCDA 36-40 CFDBG 完形：41-45 ABBDA 46-50 DCCDA 51-55CCDBA 56-60 CBADB 语法填空：‎ ‎61. growing 62. comes 63. are identified 64. especially 65. as ‎66. it 67. a 68. harmful 69. measures 70. took ‎ ‎ 书面表达： ‎ Dear Peter I’m so glad to hear from you. Knowing that you are visiting China in February this year, I'm so delighted and can’t wait to meet you. I'll be free at that time and please tell me your flight number and arrival time so that I can pick you up at the airport. ‎ You are welcome to stay at my house where you can meet my family and friends. My plan goes like this: During the first week I'll take you to Beijing to show you around some famous royal palaces as well as the Great Wall thus helping you know more about Chinese history. Then in the following week we'll go to Yunnan Province because it's amazing to experience the traditional customs and beautiful sceneries there.‎ ‎ If you have any suggestions please write to inform me.‎ ‎ All the best.‎ Yours Li Hua ‎ ‎ 听力原文 Text 1‎ M: May I speak to Mary, please?‎ W: She’s not here right now. This is her sister speaking. Can I take a message?‎ M: Could you ask her to call Max Peterson at 465-878-4931…‎ W: Hold on one second, Mr. Peterson. Let me just get a pen.‎ Text 2‎ W: I’m going to spend the next year studying in London. Someone told me that you once lived there.‎ M: Oh, but I was just a kid at that time.‎ Text 3‎ M: Lydia, I haven’t seen you for ages! How have you been doing?‎ W: Um, do I know you?‎ M: Oh, dear, I’m terribly sorry! You look like one of my old friends.‎ Text 4‎ M: Could I have three pounds of apples, please?‎ W: Sure. They are one dollar a pound.‎ M: OK, let me just get my wallet… here we are… Uh-oh. I’m so sorry about this, but could I have just two pounds instead of three? ‎ W: No problem, sir.‎ Text 5‎ M: As we all know, shopping plays a very important role in people’s lives, and it is many people’s favorite activity, especially for women.‎ W: I couldn’t agree with you more. In order to promote sales, both sellers and producers place a variety of shopping ads in newspapers, magazines, and on the radio and television.‎ Text 6‎ M: Is everything ready for Billy’s birthday party?‎ W: Yes. I finished making the birthday cake and I put everything on the table. Did you find the party hats?‎ M: Yes, I did. I put one for each child on the table. I put up the big “Happy Birthday” sign, too.‎ W: Thanks, honey. Do you think we have enough for the kids to eat and drink?‎ M: I’m sure we do. Here’s enough food to feed an army.‎ W: That birthday cake looks beautiful, but you haven’t put any candles on it yet.‎ M: Thanks for reminding me. I’ve prepared some party games for the children, too.‎ W: Great. I bought a tape with a lot of children’s songs on it.‎ M: Hopefully, that will keep everyone happy.‎ Text 7‎ M: What a nice garden! Look at these flowers!‎ W: That would be a good shot. Can you take my picture here, dear? Please try to get the garden in the frame as well.‎ M: All right. Would you please stand closer to the flowers? Good. Smile. Say cheese. OK, got it. That’s terrific.‎ W: Thanks. Could you take one more from this angle?‎ M: No problem… Got it.‎ W: Now let’s take one together.‎ M: Do you know how to set it to take a picture of the two of us?‎ W: Let me see... We just push this button… OK, come here!‎ M: OK, here I come!‎ W: Cheese!‎ M: Did it come out?‎ W: Yes, but it’s a little dark.‎ M: Never mind. Let’s go to the falls and try again.‎ W: OK, let’s go.‎ Text 8‎ M: We still have one more day to go before we return home. What do you want to see tomorrow?‎ W: No idea. We’ve enjoyed both the natural scenery and the city sights. What else is there to see?‎ M: How about a factory tour?‎ W: You mean visit a factory?‎ M: Yes. I heard there’s a large car company nearby that is open to the public every weekend. We can go there to see how a car is made and learn more about the car industry.‎ W: Good idea! I’ve always been interested in that. How much is the entrance fee?‎ M: I’m not sure, but as far as I know, most factory tours are free. They are sponsored by the car company providing the tour.‎ W: Really? What do the companies do that for?‎ M: I believe most of them think of it as good public relations. They can promote their products and make their company better known.‎ W: Oh, I see. So, factory tours are good for companies as well as visitors.‎ M: Exactly.‎ W: Do we need to make an appointment in advance?‎ M: I’ll call the tourist information center to check.‎ Text 9‎ M: Excuse me. How much is this suit?‎ W: It’s on sale today for $750. It’s normally $900.‎ M: Wow, that is pretty expensive! I was thinking that it might be four or five hundred.‎ W: This material is imported from Italy. It’s the finest in the world, and if you bought a suit made of this material at many department stores, you would pay about two thousand dollars.‎ M: Uh-huh… but isn’t that the point of coming to a market like this, to get a discount compared to the expensive department stores? Besides, I saw a suit just like this one a few stalls down, and they were selling it for $600. I still thought that was too expensive.‎ W: It’s possible that the suit you saw was the same color as this one but made of a different material. Unfortunately, our prices are final, and we think they’re the lowest anywhere in the city.‎ M: Could I try it on first?‎ W: Of course, sir. The dressing room is down there to your left. ‎ M: Yes, I see it. Could I also take a tie to try on? I’m not actually looking to buy one, but I do want to see how the suit looks on me if I wear a tie. ‎ W: No problem. I’ll have my assistant bring you a few ties that we give our customers for this exact purpose.‎ M: Great. I’ll be back in a minute… So, how do I look?‎ W: You look very handsome, sir. This suit is made for you!‎ M: Thank you. I like it very much. It fits perfectly, and the style will never go out of fashion. The only thing is that I still think it is a bit too expensive. Couldn’t you lower the price by just a little?‎ W: I’m not the owner of the shop, sir. Otherwise, I might be able to reduce the price.‎ Text 10‎ Good evening to you, and a good evening it is! In fact, it’s absolutely beautiful outside. Of course, it’s all due to the winds of March! Yes, if you were outside around 2:00 p.m., you were probably blown right off your feet. We had wind this afternoon that was blowing at 50 mph! You could see large umbrellas from food carts rolling down the sidewalks — a few of them blew right into traffic and caused a few accidents. Fortunately, though, the wind died down to a more reasonable 15 mph by 4:30 p.m.‎ Now, the forecast for tonight is for the temperature to stay around 60 degrees Fahrenheit with a light breeze — just enough for a light sweater. It should be a clear night, great for all you astronomers and star gazers. Enjoy it while you can because the clouds will begin to roll in again tomorrow, and they will be staying for a while.‎ Yes, for the next three days, you can expect clouds, the daytime temperature to drop to around 50, and a 90 percent chance of light rain on and off throughout the day. The temperature at night will be about 36-40 degrees, so you should expect some frost in the early mornings. Well, that’s all. Go out there and enjoy a lovely, warm, star-filled evening tonight. Tomorrow, take your raincoat and umbrella as you head out the door!‎