2019-2020学年山东省平度市第九中学高一上学期期中考试英语试卷

2019-2020学年山东省平度市第九中学高一上学期期中考试英语试卷

高一英语试题 ‎ ‎ (时间:120分钟，满分:150分)‎ 注意事项： ‎ ‎1. 答卷前，考生务必将自己的姓名、考生号等填写在答题卡上。‎ ‎2. 回答选择题时，选出每小题答案后，用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。回答非选择题时，将答案写在答题卡上，写在本试卷上无效。‎ ‎3.考试结束后，将答题卡交回。 ‎ 第一部分：听力（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）‎ 做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上。‎ 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 does the man mean? ‎ A. Open the window.‎ B. Go to another room.‎ C. Get out of the room. ‎ ‎2. How does the man feel? ‎ A. Nervous. B. Upset. C. Happy. ‎ ‎3. Why does the man come to the woman? ‎ A. To check out.‎ B. To find his phone.‎ C. To ask his room number. ‎ ‎4. What language did the woman learn in high school? ‎ A. English. B. Chinese. C. Spanish. ‎ ‎5. What are the speakers most probably talking about? ‎ A. An air conditioner (空调). B. The weather. C. The town center. ‎ 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 woman say about the teenagers in her country? ‎ A. They live traditional lives. ‎ B. They want to have their own lifestyles. ‎ C. They are more successful than their parents.‎ ‎7. What do parents provide for their children in the man’s country? ‎ A. Freedom. B. Criticism (批评) . C. Encouragement. ‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第8和第9两个小题。‎ ‎8. Where is the woman going? ‎ A. New York. B. Los Angeles. C. Chicago. ‎ ‎9. What does the woman care most about the flight? ‎ A. The position of the airport. B. The departure time. C. The price. ‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第10至第12三个小题。‎ ‎10. Where does the man work? ‎ A. In a hotel. B. In a tailor’s. C. In a restaurant. ‎ ‎11. What is the man? ‎ A. A manager. B. A receptionist (前台接待员). C. A waiter. ‎ ‎12. Why does the man wear a long overcoat? ‎ A. To look good. B. To keep warm. C. To protect his suit. ‎ 听下面一段对话，回答第13至第16四个小题。‎ ‎13. What is the woman doing? ‎ A. Making a reply. B. Getting some advice. C. Asking for information. ‎ ‎14. What sport is the most popular at the camping center? ‎ A. Horse-riding. B. Sailing. C. Boating. ‎ ‎15. When do groups always arrive at the camping center? ‎ A. On Friday. B. On Saturday. C. On Sunday. ‎ ‎16. What is the cost for a child? ‎ A. $425. B. $450. C. $480. ‎ 听下面一段独白，回答第17至第20四个小题。‎ ‎17. What subject is added this year? ‎ A. Comedy. B. Mystery. C. World travel. ‎ ‎18. Who is Jenny Paige? ‎ A. A children’s author. ‎ B. A short story writer. ‎ C. A writer of travel books. ‎ ‎19. What do we know about the first prize winner? ‎ A. He will have a chance to travel. ‎ B. A ￡2,000 prize will be given to him. ‎ C. His story will be published in a magazine. ‎ ‎20. When is the deadline? ‎ A. September 1st. B. September 25th. C. October 1st. ‎ 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A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。‎ A ‎ Lake Tahoe offers some amazing lodging (住宿) options that will fit what you’re looking for. ‎ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino It offers convenient (方便的) location, comfortable rooms, and a lot of health clubs to make for an enjoyable vacation. The resort is just a few minutes’ walk from Tahoe’s main ski gondola, and Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is a short walk. All of the resort’s rooms offer two bathrooms, desks, WiFi availability, coffeemakers, and TVs.‎ Marriott’s Timber Lodge Located in South Lake Tahoe, CA, it is just miles from Heavenly Village where guests can enjoy shopping and local area restaurants. The Heavenly Gondola is right outside waiting to take guests for a day of skiing. The lodge features an activity center, restaurant, sauna, whirlpools, fitness center and heated outdoor pool. Guests rooms are villas (别墅) that include a kitchen, high speed internet, coffee maker, sofa and hairdryers in all bathrooms.‎ Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort -Ski Run Boulevard It is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of South Lake Tahoe, California. The hotel is only minutes from a variety of dining options, and local attractions such as Tahoe Axe Throwing, Wyland Galleries, Van Sickle State Park, and Heavenly Gondola. The shores of Lake Tahoe are just steps away. Hotel facilities (设施) include a sauna, indoor and outdoor pools, and a fitness center.‎ Resort at Squaw Creek ‎ In 1960 the Winter Olympics was held at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, CA. Since this time, Squaw Creek has become a family-friendly resort town. The resort at Squaw Creek is a AAA Four Diamond resort with activities for every age. Young children age 4 -12 can take part in rock climbing, board games, snowball fights, or swimming.‎ ‎21. What can you do only at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino? ‎ A. Having an enjoyable vacation.‎ B. Going skiing conveniently.‎ C. Having coffee without going out.‎ D. Playing Golf nearby. ‎ ‎22. Where can you swim indoors? ‎ A. At Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Resort & Casino.‎ B. At Marriott’s Timber Lodge.‎ C. At Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort -Ski Run Boulevard.‎ D. At Resort at Squaw Creek. ‎ ‎23. Why does the author use “family-friendly” to describe Resort at Squaw Creek? ‎ A. Because a Winter Olympics was once held at Squaw Creek.‎ B. Because it is a famous AAA Four Diamond resort.‎ C. Because travelers can play board games and go rock-climbing here. ‎ D. Because there are various activities for people of all ages. ‎ B ‎ The cultures of the East and the West are really different from each other a lot. This is because the culture systems are two separate ones on the whole. ‎ The origin (起源) of the Eastern culture is mainly from two countries: China and India. Both of the two cultures are developed by rivers—the Yellow River in China and the Hindu River in India. They helped the two cultures develop for centuries and form their own styles.‎ When the two mother rivers gave birth to the Eastern culture, another famous culture was up on the Mesopotamian Plain—the Mesopotamian Civilization. This civilization later on developed into the cultures of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. And these two are well - known as the base of the European culture. Like the Chinese culture, the European culture also crossed waters. When the British settled down in America, their culture went with them over the Atlantic Ocean. So the American culture doesn’t have much difference from the European culture.‎ At the same time, some other differences add to the cultural differences. Take the language system for example. In the East, most languages belong to the pictographic (象形) language while the western languages are mostly based on the Latin system. Other causes like human race differences count as well. But what’s more, due to the far distance and the steep areas between the East and the west, the two cultures seldom communicate until recent centuries. So they grew up totally in their own ways with almost no interference from the other.‎ The differences are everywhere. They are obvious and make people’s ways of thinking and their views of the world different. But different cultures make the world of 21st century more colorful. The cultural difference should not be the obstacle (障碍) to the civilization of human being. It ought to be the driving force of our ‎ going farther.‎ ‎24. What is the text mainly about? ‎ A. The origin of cultures. B. Culture differences.‎ C. Language systems. D. Colorful world.‎ ‎25. Why is the American culture similar to the European culture? ‎ A. Both of the two cultures have a very long history.‎ B. They have the same mother rivers as the Chinese culture.‎ C. The early settlers from Britain brought their culture to America. ‎ D. Both the British and the American live along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. ‎ ‎26. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “interference” in paragraph4? ‎ ‎ A. difference B. influence C. confidence D. environment ‎27. Where is the passage most likely from? ‎ ‎ A. A diary. B. A magazine. C. A novel. D. A guidebook.‎ C ‎ Most heroes are not super. They don’t appear in comic books, on television, or in movies. They just do what they believe needs to be done to make their world a better place. Bike Batman is one of them. Bike Batman is a 30-year-old married engineer who lives in Seattle, Washington. He’s a cyclist who also buys and sells bikes as a hobby.‎ About three years ago, he was looking for a bike for his wife. He found one on Craigslist, a website where people list things they want to sell. As he often does, he also looked at Bike Index, a popular website that allows users to register (登记) their bikes and post reports when they’re taken. The bike, which he was considering buying, clearly matched one reported stolen on Bike Index. Then he called the person who claimed (声称) to be the bike’s owner and arranged (安排) to meet him — supposedly to complete the sale. When the two men met, Bike Batman told the thief, “You’ve got two options. You can wait until a police officer gets here, or you can just get ‎ out of here.” You can imagine what the thief did. ‎ After that first success, Bike Batman developed safer steps. When he sees questionable bike ads on Craigslist, he compares the bikes with those reported on Bike Index. Once he has made sure about it with the owner, he arranges a meet-up with the thief and will call the Seattle police department so that officers can take part in the action. In more than half of the 22 cases in which he has got back and returned bikes, the thieves have been arrested (逮捕). ‎ His nickname came from a discussion with a police officer who suggested he be called “Robin Hood”. Since he wasn’t exactly stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, “Batman” seemed a better fit. The idea of a superhero punishing criminals feels pretty silly to him, but the main reason he continues his work is to keep up Seattle’s reputation (名誉) as a friendly city. ‎ ‎28. What’s the author’s purpose of writing the text? ‎ A. To explain what is a superhero.‎ B. To introduce a hero in Seattle.‎ C. To encourage citizens to catch bike thieves. ‎ D. To show how badly the police perform their duties.‎ ‎29. What can we infer from paragraph 2? ‎ A. Bike Batman began his good deeds by accident.‎ B. The thief refused to return the bike.‎ ‎ C. The police failed to catch the thief. ‎ D. Bike Batman doesn’t like online shopping.‎ ‎30. What will Bike Batman do first when he discovers a questionable bike? ‎ A. To contact the owner of the stolen bike. ‎ B. To surf the net for more information of the bike.‎ ‎ C. To call the police department immediately.‎ D. To arrange to meet the thief at once. ‎ ‎31. What kind of person do the underlined words “Robin Hood” in the last paragraph refer to?‎ A. A superhero who always punishes criminals.‎ B. A clever person who is good at buying and selling bikes.‎ C. Someone who hates the rich and is friendly to the poor.‎ D. A heroic person who likes robbing the rich to help the poor.‎ D Online, English has become a common language for users from around the world. In the process, the language itself is changing. There are now thought to be some 4.5 billion web pages worldwide. Some language experts predict that within 10 years English will occupy the internet—but in forms very different to what we accept and recognize as English today.‎ That’s because people who speak English as a second language already outnumber native speakers. And increasingly, they use it to communicate with other non-native speakers, particularly on the internet where less attention is paid to grammar and spelling and users don’t have to worry about their accent (口音).‎ Users of Facebook already socialize in a number of different “Englishes” including Indian English, Spanish English and Korean English. While these different styles have long existed within their cultures, they’re now expanding and coming online. Technology companies are introducing newly-developed English words with products aimed at enabling users to add words that are not already in the English dictionary. And most large companies have English websites, while smaller businesses are learning that they need a common language—English—to reach global customers.‎ The increasing popularity of the internet allows more languages to develop quickly.‎ ‎“Most people actually speak several languages—it’s less common to only speak one, ” says Mr. Munro. “English has taken its place as the world’s common language, but it’s not pushing out other languages.” Instead, other languages are pushing their way into English, and in the process creating something new.‎ ‎32. What does the text mainly talk about? ‎ A. English is a common language around the world. ‎ ‎ B. There are now many different language styles.‎ ‎ C. English language is developing with the Internet.‎ ‎ D. Smaller businesses are learning a common language.‎ ‎33. Which of the following is NOT true about online communication? ‎ ‎ A. People need to spell exactly.‎ ‎ B. Grammar is not so important.‎ C. People do not care about their accent.‎ D. Most English-speakers are not native speakers.‎ ‎34. What can we infer from the text? ‎ A. We can only communicate online in English.‎ ‎ B. It’s impossible to find all the English words in the dictionary.‎ ‎ C. Some technology companies start to publish English dictionaries.‎ D. Smaller businesses are not allowed to have English websites.‎ ‎35. What can we learn from what Mr. Munro said? ‎ A. The other languages are enriching English.‎ B. One can’t live well without speaking several languages.‎ C. English will become the only language in the world.‎ D. Chinese used to be the world’s common language.‎ 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。‎ School life is a very important part of one’s life. It provides opportunity for study and discipline (纪律). It is also a preparatory period for entering public life.‎ School helps students understand discipline better. 36 They show good behavior in the classroom, playground, library and other places.‎ School is a meeting place for students and teachers. School life is generally a period of youth. 37 They read together, play together and sit together. At this time, they have early dreams which will come true as they grow older. ‎ ‎ 38 Students take part in games and competitions. School also gives ‎ opportunity for the budding (崭露头角) poets, scientists, writers, doctors and painters. It is in school that the students enjoy the pleasure of achieving their goals.‎ ‎ 39 In school, teachers try to lead students away from bad thoughts. And at the same time, they teach them good qualities.‎ In the library, in class and in competitions, students get chances to improve themselves. Above all, in examinations they try to show their best sides. Thus, they get the opportunity to take part in more activities. School has clearly a healthy influence on students. But some students are satisfied with bad friends and try to avoid the influence of their teachers. 40 ‎ A. In school, all the students study together.‎ B. School is the right place to realize early dreams.‎ C. Those students will miss the joys of their school life.‎ D. Teachers are those who guide the students on the right path.‎ E. School life is of great importance to both students and parents.‎ F. Good quality of discipline is developed in pupils. ‎ G. School provides chances for students to fill their brain with knowledge.‎ 第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）‎ 第一节（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A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。‎ I was born in North Elmham, Norfolk and grew up in Belton, a Norfolk Village. My father was the headmaster of the primary school, 41 my mother stayed at home writing and 42 the children. We all went to my father’s primary school, and then, 43 , we all got scholarships to go to the Friends’ School.‎ ‎ The Friends’ School was a large building on a hill, with the most wonderful, large playing 44 at the back. It was a school where there wasn’t any 45 to push you through, and as football took all my 46 , and as I actually found the work rather 47 , it meant that I didn’t think 48 about my schoolwork, and I was ‎ doing badly. My reports would be covered with red 49 , although now and then there’d be the line of 50 from the sports master, which 51 me more pleasure than any dissatisfaction with the crosses.‎ ‎ I don’t have any 52 of my parents putting pressure on me about my work either. My parents suggested I 53 school at 15 and take up car repairing, which they 54 was the kind of thing I’d be good at, although now I 55 if perhaps that was because they were 56 at my school reports.‎ ‎ But one summer a 57 arrived in the holidays saying that I was to be held back a year. I can still 58 myself standing on the stairs, 59 the letter, and being 60 with horror at the future. ‎ ‎41. A. while B. or C. with D. however ‎ ‎42. A. teaching B. looking after C. loving D. organizing ‎ ‎43. A. nervously B. luckily C. particularly D. sharply ‎ ‎44. A. tools B. moments C. fields D. topics ‎ ‎45. A. pressure B. impression C. stage D. gym ‎ ‎46. A. view B. money C. engine D. attention ‎ ‎47. A. interesting B. humorous C. active D. difficult ‎ ‎48. A. carefully B. nothing C. a lot D. deeply ‎ ‎49. A. crosses B. words C. space D. questions ‎ ‎50. A. message B. praise C. reply D. progress ‎ ‎51. A. brought B. made C. took away D. led ‎ ‎52. A. idea B. time C. report D. memory ‎ ‎53. A. start B. attend C. leave D. be after ‎ ‎54. A. doubted B. invented C. managed D. thought ‎ ‎55. A. wonder B. ask C. notice D. mention ‎ ‎56. A. glad B. disappointed C. eager D. calm ‎ ‎57. A. teacher B. stranger C. letter D. message ‎ ‎58. A. improve B. picture C. prepare D. serve ‎ ‎59. A. writing B. answering C. reading D. receiving ‎ ‎60. A. frightened B. pleased C. intelligent D. proud ‎ 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。‎ Wilma Rudolph was a girl born in a poor family. When she was four years old, a deadly 61 (ill) made her left leg useless. She had to wear an iron leg brace (支架). Yet she was fortunate in having a mother 62 encouraged her to have courage. ‎ At nine years of age, she removed 63 leg brace and took the step which was impossible according to the doctors. Then she got the dream that she would like to be the world’s greatest woman runner. At the age of 13, she entered a race. But she came in last in every race. Everyone advised her 64 (stop). However, one day, she came in next to last. And then one day, she got the first place in a race! From then on, Wilma Rudolph 65 (win) every race that she entered. ‎ Years 66 (late), Wilma went to Tennessee State University, where she met a coach 67 (name) Ed Temple. He trained her so well 68 in 1960 she went to the Olympic Games in Room. There she beat a German girl Jutta Heine, the 69 (great) woman runner of the day. That day Wilma made history as she became the first woman who had won three gold 70 (medal) in the same Olympic Games. ‎ 第四部分 写作 （共两节，满分35分）‎ 第一节：单词拼写（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）‎ ‎ 根据下列句子中所给的汉语提示，写出相应单词的正确形式（请将完整单词写在答题卡相应的位置上）。‎ ‎71. The club provides all kinds of __________ (活动) including tennis, swimming and Yoga. ‎ ‎72. The river was so __________ (污染) that it actually caught fire and burned. ‎ ‎73. The introduction __________ (解释) the author’s purpose ‎ for writing this article.‎ ‎74. When someone says something __________ (无聊的) I usually shut my eyes and pretend to go to sleep. ‎ ‎75. We are all proud of the __________ (传统) culture of our nation.‎ ‎76. I wonder if you can give me a ____________ (描述) of the celebration. ‎ ‎77. Then they told the other ____________ (好奇的) travelers about their adventure in the desert in details!‎ ‎78. The book obviously has a ____________ (负面的，消极的) impact on the readers, so don’t let the students read it. ‎ ‎79. Thank you for sharing this ____________ (鼓舞人心的) story with us, which has increased our confidence and passion.‎ ‎80. In the old days, it usually took weeks for letters to be ____________ (递送).‎ 第二节:书面表达（满分25分） ‎ 假定你是李华，本学期你的美国朋友Tom在你所在的城市做交换生。请你给他写一封邮件，邀请他参加“英语角”，内容包括：‎ ‎1. 地点：中央公园第二广场 (the second square of Central Park)；‎ ‎2. 活动时间：每周六上午8:30-11:00；‎ ‎3. 活动的意义。‎ 注意:‎ ‎1. 词数100左右;‎ ‎2. 可适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯。‎ 高一英语参考答案 第一部分：听力（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）‎ ‎1-5 CBBCA 6-10 BAACA 11-15 BBCAB 16-20 ACACB 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）‎ ‎21-23 DCD 24-27 BCBB 28-31 BABD 32-35 CABA 第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10 分）‎ ‎36-40 FABDC 第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）‎ 第一节（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）‎ ‎41-45 ABBCA 46-50 DDCAB 51-55 ADCDA 56-60 BCBCA 第二节：语法填空（共10小题，每小题1.5分，满分15分）‎ ‎61. illness 62. who/that 63. the/ her 64. to stop 65. won ‎66. later 67. named 68. that 69. greatest 70. medals 第四部分：写作 第一节：单词拼写（每小题1分，共10小题，满分10分）‎ ‎71. activities 72. polluted 73. explains 74. boring/dull 75. traditional ‎76. description 77. curious 78. negative 79. inspiring/encouraging ‎ ‎80. delivered/posted 第二节：书面表达：（满分25分）‎ ‎ 参考答案(略)‎ 一、评分原则 ‎①本题总分为25分，按5个档次给分。‎ ‎②词数过多或过少（80-120词为合理区间），减2分。‎ ‎③‎ 评分时，先根据文章的内容和语言初步确定其所属档次，然后以该档次的要求来衡量，确定或调整档次，最后给分。评分档次的确定应在内容符合题目要求的前提下侧重于语言的表达。‎ ‎④评分时，应注意的主要内容为：内容切题，语言表达准确、多样、连贯、得体。‎ ‎⑤拼写与标点符号是语言表达准确的一个方面，评分时，应视其对交际的影响程度予以考虑。英、美拼写及词汇用法均可接受。‎ ‎⑥如书写太潦草，以至影响辨认，将分数降低一个档次。‎ 二．各档次的给分范围和要求 第六档（22-25）：优秀（漂漂亮亮） ‎ 紧扣主题，涵盖全部要点，内容充实，语法结构多样，词汇丰富，行文流畅，有较强的语言运用能力。允许有些许的错误，不影响表达。‎ 第五档（18-21）：良好（清清楚楚） ‎ 紧扣主题，涵盖全部要点，内容充实，行文流畅。语言使用错误少，不影响表达。‎ 第四档（15-17）：一般 （马马虎虎） ‎ 紧扣主题，基本涵盖全部要点, 内容比较充实。语言错误影响到部分表达，多数表达正确，基本达到写作目的。‎ 第三档（11-14）：较差（糊里糊涂） ‎ 要点不全，内容不充实，行文不流畅。语言错误多，但半数以上句子正确。‎ 第二档（7-10）： 差（一塌糊涂） ‎ 内容混乱，或主要内容偏离主题。尚能找出少数可读句。‎ 第一档（0-6）：极差（一败涂地） ‎ 只写与内容相关的词，没有有效信息。抄写其他文章内容，与写作内容没有关系。‎ 听力原文 Text 1‎ W: Shall I open the window?‎ M: No, please don’t. I’m not hot. Are you all right?‎ W: Well, this room is very small. I don’t feel very well in a small room.‎ M: Let’s go outside then. ‎ Text 2‎ M: I’ve failed the exam. What shall I do?‎ W: Don’t be so sad. What about going to a dance party or to the movies? That would cheer you up.‎ Text 3‎ W: Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?‎ M: Hello, I’m Peter Brown. I just checked out this morning, but I left my mobile phone in my room. ‎ W: What’s your room number, please?‎ Text 4‎ W: How long had you studied English before you came here?‎ M: For three years in high school, but I didn’t learn much, because most time I spoke Chinese with others. It was kind of like the Spanish you learnt here in high school. ‎ Text 5‎ W: You mean it’s still not fixed?‎ M: Not yet. Too bad it broke down on the hottest day of the year. And the really bad news is that I still have to buy a part in town before I can fix it.‎ Text 6‎ M: Is there a big generation gap between parents and their children in your country?‎ W: Yes, there is. Teenagers do not want to live traditional lives. They want to go out to have fun and explore the world. They want to develop their own views of life. Parents usually try to discourage them, but they don’t often succeed.‎ M: Parents usually give their children more freedom in my country. But sometimes they give them too much freedom. ‎ W: You are probably right.‎ Text 7‎ W: I need to make a plane reservation. I need to fly to New York City. ‎ M: When will you leave?‎ W: I need a flight on July 4th.‎ M: You can fly out of Los Angeles International or Burbank Airport. Which do you prefer?‎ W: I will fly out of whatever airport has the cheapest price. ‎ M: If you have a choice, what time of day would you prefer to fly?‎ W: Any time is OK. I would like to be booked on the least expensive flight. ‎ Text 8‎ W: So Chris, tell me something about your job.‎ M: I like my job very much. I don’t have to wear a uniform — you know, with a cap and all, like they do at some of the other hotels or restaurants, but I do wear a suit. A tailor-made one, not just any old suit.‎ W: That sounds wonderful. You must look smart in it.‎ M: Inside, at the front desk, they think I look smarter than the boss. I’m not so sure about that, but I do like to look good for the guests.‎ W: That’s great.‎ M: I’m the first person they see when they go into the hotel. And I’ve got this long black overcoat, as well, because it can get pretty cold standing here in winter, I can tell you.‎ Text 9‎ M: Good morning, Lake Camping Center. Can I help you?‎ W: Oh, yes. I am interested in bringing a group of children to your center this summer and I’d like some information about your center. ‎ M: Good. We’re a place where you can come and enjoy great fun.‎ W: I think we would like to have an educational visit and some fun. I was thinking of some of the children who failed exams and need to retake them next year.‎ M: I see. Well, we have really good teachers in different subjects. And we offer sailing, volleyball, boating and quite a few other sports. Most children have never tried horse-riding, so we offer courses in that, too. It is the most popular with children. ‎ W: That sounds good. And how many days could the children stay here?‎ M: For one week. Groups always arrive on a Saturday evening, and leave on the following Sunday morning. ‎ W: That would be fine. Now, about prices?‎ M: The cost would be $425 per child and $480 per adult. ‎ W: Okay. I’ll speak to my headmaster and get back to you as soon as possible.‎ M: Good. I look forward to hearing from you.‎ Text 10‎ W: We have the exciting news to give to you today. Our yearly Young Person’s Short ‎ Story Competition is open now. The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 18. Your story should be between 3,000 words and 10,000 words long. It must have a title. This is the fourth year of the competition and this year there is an extra subject. The regular subjects of “comedy” and “mystery” are still choices, but this year we have added the theme of “world travel”. This year’s judges are the successful writer of travel books, Bob Johnson, children’s author, Jenny Paige and short story writer, Alan Dobson. There are some amazing prizes: first prize is ￡5,000; second prize is ￡2,000 and third prize is ￡1,000. The winning stories will be published in the major literature magazine, New Authors. So get your thinking hats on. The deadline is Friday, 25th September. And a week after that on October 1st, we will read out the results. For more information, visit our website, www.youngwriters.competition.co.uk.‎