上海市晋元高级中学2021-2022学年高二上学期期中考试英语试题
2021.11
考试时间：120分钟 满分：140分
I. Listening Comprehension
Section A
Directions: In Section A, you will hear ten short conversations between two speakers. At the end of each conversation, a question will be asked about what was said. The conversations and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a conversation and the question about it, read the four possible answers on your paper, and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.
1. A. At the airport. B. In a hotel. C. At the Customs. D. At a travel agency.
2. A. He is confident. B. He is not prepared.
C. He lacks confidence. D. He dislikes it.
3. A. 1060. B. 1016. C.530. D. 560.
4. A. The man has been abroad for many years.
B. The woman thinks the man’s English is not pure but pleasant.
C. The man is angry at what the woman says.
D. The man owes his accent to his mother’s influence.
5. A. The article is perfect. B. The article is too boring.
C. On the whole, she agrees with the man. D. She thinks only one part of it is good.
6. A. The woman encourages the man to study French.
B. The man is very interested in French literature.
C. The man wants to go to France.
D. The man is interested in foreign languages but not in French.
7. A. She is going to miss her first class.
B. She prefers going to the dentist later in the day.
C. The man will be back before his first class.
D. The man might sleep late and miss his appointment.
8. A. Tell Julia he is fine. B. Ask Julia for advice.
C. See Julia. D. Go to the play.
9. A. He doesn’t care for that brand. B. He had just finished a cigarette.
C. He isn’t seated in the smoking section. D. He doesn’t like to smoke cigarettes.
10. A. She also needs a new tennis racket.
B. She wants to borrow some money, too.
C. She doesn’t think Brian will repay the money.
D. She couldn’t get Brian to play tennis.
Section B
Directions: In Section B, you will hear two short passages and a longer conversation, and you will be asked some questions on the passages and the conversation. The passages and the conversation will be read twice, but the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, read the four possible answers on your paper and decide which one is the best answer to the question you have heard.
Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.
11. A. How to make different hats. B. Why soldiers wear helmets.
C. Hats in different times and countries. D. The best type of hat to wear.
12. A. Horsemen. B. Soldiers.
C. Slaves. D. The working classes.
13. A. Bowlers. B. Top hats. C. Helmets D. Cloth caps.
Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.
14. A. It is a legend handed down from the past.
B. It still has not been revealed.
C. It can be easily inquired into.
D. It has not been questioned at all.
15. A. In their performance. B. In their characteristics.
C. In their peculiarity. D. In their associations.
16. A. They have a larger vocabulary.
B. They are good at choosing and using words.
C. They can display a sense of humour.
D. They are reluctant to show off their knowledge.
Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.
17. A. To ask for his permission to take a course.
B. To hand in some homework to him.
C. To discuss about a formal training with him.
D. To borrow some sketch books from him.
18. A. Write a book about sketches.
B. Get familiar with some professors.
C. Complete the prerequisite sketching course.
D. Master some knowledge about art.
19. A. A text book. B. Some paintbrushes.
C. A bouquet of flowers. D. Some drawings.
20. A. Encouraged. B. Annoyed. C. Surprised. D. Confused.
II. Grammar and vocabulary
Section A
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Charles Dickens
It has been 150 years since Charles Dickens died, 184 years since his first work was released to the public and 156 years since his last completed book came out. In all of this time, these novels have never been out of print. Dickens may have left us, but his work remains timeless, (21) ________ (fascinate) the majority of those who open their pages.
Most people have read, watched or at least heard of Dickens’ stories, but what makes him and his work so popular Since he began novel writing in his 20s, Dickens constantly produced quality classics. Year after year his awaiting fans were not left (22) ________ (disappoint) as their minds were fed with complex tales of romance, crime, hope and despair.
In the Victorian era he lived in, much of the work Dickens produced (23) ________ (model) on the literature before him. He was one of the first writers of the time (24) ________ (portray) honest examples of working-class people, giving many something to relate to. He focused on unfolding the good and bad qualities of characters which allowed his readers to follow their journeys and understand (25) ________ they may have acted in the unusual or shocking ways that they did.
Any Dickens fans will know the diverse and outrageous (耸人听闻的) characters coming to life between the pages. (26) ________ was special about this novelist’s ability in imagining these characters’ stories is that it comes from his own life’s path. (27) ________ a young boy left to take care of himself in a workhouse to the wealthy figure he became through his writing successes, he knew what it was like to see in different lights. This deep understanding of his characters gave his fictional stories the strong element of believability (28) ________ is needed in a good novel.
Over a century and a half later, Dickens’ themes can be relevant to today’s world problems. His words and imagery have been transformed further into the media of modern film, television and even musical adaptations. (29) ________ set in a time unfamiliar to readers today, his work still enables everyone to relate to the love, hardship and sense of family that pours from the narratives. It is this aspect (30) ________ has carried Charles Dickens into the 21st century.
Section B
Direction: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
A. unclear B. version C. introduced D. view E. entertain
F. identify G. life-altering H. breakdown I. unmasked J. pain
K. dependent
Unlock iPhone When Face ID Can’t
2017: “Nothing has ever been simpler, more natural, more effortless. We call this Face ID.” This is an actual executive quote, from back when the company (31) _______ facial recognition on the iPhone X.
Apple in 2021: “Nothing has ever been…less natural or more difficult. We call this Face No ID.” This is a very made-up quote, reflecting the (32) _______ of facial recognition now that masks are essential clothes.
The pandemic cast a shadow over Apple’s cutting-edge function: Our faces can’t be our passwords when our faces can’t be seen. And typing passcodes in full (33) _______ of strangers and co-workers can be a security risk.
Well, mask or no mask, Apple’s Face ID works again—sort of.
With the iOS 14.5 update—launched Thursday through the company’s public beta software program, and expected to go into wide release this spring—you can unlock your iPhone without typing a passcode, even if your face is (34) _______. Just one expensive little catch: You need an Apple Watch—and it needs to be unlocked and on your wrist.
I’ve followed the developments of this crucial, (35) _______ struggle for nearly a year now. Last April, there was an effort to create Face ID-compatible (兼容的) masks. (Surprise! They didn’t catch on.) Soon after, with iOS 13.5, Apple made the passcode screen come up faster when the phone can’t see your face. (It’s still a (36) _______.)
Compared with those, this new watch-(37) _______ solution is almost as good as the naked-face real thing. It is fast and easy to set up. I’ve been testing a pre-release (38) _______ for the past few days, unlocking my iPhone while wearing all sorts of masks, in all sorts of conditions.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes: The array of sensors in that notch (凹口) at the top of your iPhone’s screen—what Apple calls the TrueDepth camera—tries to (39) _______ you as usual. If it can’t see your nose and mouth, it looks for your unlocked watch to unlock your iPhone. If it doesn’t see any face—or sees a(n) (40) _______ face it doesn’t think is yours—it stays locked.
III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
Directions: For each blank in the following passage there are four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Fill in each blank with the word or phrase that best fits the context.
In Dad’s Army, a British sitcom (情景喜剧) about a home-defense Force, Sergeant (中士) Wilson would often cast doubt on his commander’s various orders with the phrase “Do you think that’s wise, sir ” His doubt, although often ignored, was usually ___41___.
Many employees must be tempted to imitate Sgt. Wilson when they see their bosses head down the wrong track. But caution often leads workers to keep silent for fear of appearing foolish and offensive and ___42___ being at high risk of losing their jobs.
A culture of silence can be dangerous, argues a new book The Fearless Organization, by Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School. Some of her cases are from the ___43___ industry, where staff felt too powerless to make any changes due to their ranks. One was its deadliest accident: a crash between two Boeing-747s in the Canary Islands occurred in 1977 when a co-pilot felt unable to ___44___ his captain into changing the decision to take off. Another case was that of the Columbia space shuttle in 2003; an engineer who may have diagnosed damage to the shuttle’s wing before the flight felt unable to speak as he was “too ___45___” at NASA.
In a corporate culture based on ___46___ and obedience, it may appear that targets are being achieved. But in the long run the effect is likely to be counterproductive (适得其反的). Studies show that fear ___47___ learning. And when faced with a problem, scared workers find ways of ___48___ it or getting around it with inefficient practices.
The solution is to create an atmosphere of “psychological safety” whereby workers can speak their minds. It does not mean that workers, or their ideas, are ___49___ criticism, or that they should complain continuously. In a sense, this method is the ___50___ of Toyota’s “lean manufacturing” process, which allows any worker who spots a problem to stop the production line.
Pixar, the production firm, created what it called a “Braintrust” to give ___51___ to film directors. The rules were that advice should be constructive and about the idea, not the person, and that filmmakers should not be ___52___ in response.
And psychological safety is not about whistleblowing (检举). Indeed, if an employee feels the need to act as a whistleblower by speaking to external ___53___, it suggests employers have not created an environment within the firm where criticism can be ___54___. Nor is such a culture only about safety or avoiding mistakes. As mundane (单调的) tasks are automated, and workers rely on computers for data analysis, the added value of humans will stem from their ___55___. But as Ms. Edmondson’s book demonstrates, it is hard to be either constructive or creative if you are not confident about speaking out.
41. A. justifiable B. pointless C. subjective D. ridiculous
42. A. on the whole B. in conclusion C. as a result D. on the contrary
43. A. airline B. manufacturing C. service D. advertising
44. A. tempt B. reason C. trick D. guide
45. A. offensive B. ambitious C. aggressive D. humble
46. A. imitation B. fear C. efficiency D. competition
47. A. motivates B. facilitates C. maintains D. prevents
48. A. spoiling B. polishing C. masking D. exploiting
49. A. related to B. safe from C. concerned with D. dependent on
50. A. equivalent B. object C. argument D. criticism
51. A. priority B. motivation C. access D. feedback
52. A. optimistic B. objective C. defensive D. passive
53. A. authorities B. elements C. divisions D. whistleblowers
54. A. rejected B. eliminated C. voiced D. questioned
55. A. competitiveness B. inventiveness C. carefulness D. selflessness
Section B
Directions: Read the following three passages. Each passage is followed by several questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the one that fits best according to the information given in the passage you have just read.
(A)
[1] Everyone would agree that it is parents’ job to teach their kids right from wrong. The rise in teen crime suggests that some parents are failing at these tasks. To correct the problem, lawmakers in some states require parents to serve jail time when their children get into serious trouble again and again. The lawmakers hope that this punishment will motivate parents to take their responsibilities seriously.
[2] Supporters of these laws believe that the threat of jail will scare parents into paying more attention to their teens’ behavior than before. They think that these parents would be happy to let the state try to straighten out their kids at juvenile detention centers (少管所), because the centers took the responsibility off the parents’ shoulders. With the new laws, the responsibility is put back on the parents. “The hope is,” a supporter said, “that if parents are held legally responsible, they’ll work harder to keep their youngsters in line.”
[3] However, many people think the laws are unfair. They argue that parents should not be punished for the criminal acts of their children, unless it can be shown there is a contributory fault on the parents’ part.
[4] People who oppose parental responsibility laws also believe that punishing parents won’t create a change in the kids’ behavior. These people argue that parents may not be at fault. The children of good parents can fall in with the wrong kids and get into trouble, they say. Worse yet, if mom is in jail, there may be no one at all to control her kid. …
[5] The unfortunate fact is that jailing a parent punishes the rest of the family. The jailed parent cannot work to help support the family and may also be fired from a job for missing too much work. Furthermore, little evidence exists to support the idea that the threat of punishment improves a parent’s ability to control a teenager. Opponents of parental responsibility laws say that parents who are in this situation need help, not a jail sentence.
56. The phrase “keep their youngsters in line” (in Paragraph 2) is closest in meaning to “________”.
A. get their kids to stay at home B. make their kids behave well
C. help their kids make a living D. require their kids to queue in public
57. Which of the following sentences may best end Paragraph 4
A. So, they believe that it’s easy for mom to control her kid’s behavior.
B. So, they believe that mom should be jailed for her contributory fault.
C. So, they believe that lack of mom’s control may then lead to more crime.
D. So, they believe that mom’s control has a negative effect on her kid’s behavior.
58. Opponents of parental responsibility laws think that ________.
A. parents should never be punished for their kids’ crimes
B. jailing a parent may drive the family into a worse situation
C. the laws are unfair even if they help parents control their kids
D. responsible parents needn’t worry that their kids will commit crimes
59. What does the passage mainly talk about
A. Whether parents should be jailed for their kids’ criminal acts.
B. How parents deal with young troublemakers in their daily life.
C. What parents need when their kids commit crimes again and again.
D. Why laws should be made to hold parents responsible for their kids.
(B)
With the fragrance industry expected to be worth an enormous $92 billion by 2024, there is big money to be made from scents. As the fashion and marketing industry moves away from targeting men and women and onto a more inclusive, non-gendered approach, fragrance companies are doing the exact same—creating products that can be worn happily by all genders. The smells we’re drawn to are inherently universal, across all genders and including all noses. With this in mind, we tested our noses against three of the brands that have made a play for gender neutrality.
Escentric MoleculesThe unique selling point of Eccentric Molecules is that it’s designed to smell completely different on every wearer, reacting with our natural scents to create a unique blend. With potential for sharing with a loved one, their packaging is a practical if a little unromantic, simple bottle.Still, upon opening their best seller “Molecule 01”, the journey begins. Upon first spray, the overwhelming scent is of alcohol, but it soon settles into a barely-there smell that recalls soft leather and feels surprisingly soothing on skin. Top Scent: Molecule 01, 72 for 100ml
Clean ReserveClean Reserve smells like it sounds—bright, fresh scents that would appeal to those who prefer light smell. It is also perfect for keeping in your gym or day bag to freshen up yourself. Packaging feels weighty and luxurious, without compromising sustainability—the bottle is made from sustainability-managed forest wood and even the alcohol is derived from corn. Top Scent: Rain, 82 for 100ml
Laboratory PerfumesPackaged in chemistry-class bottles, this brand’s latest collection is strongly inspired by Britain and its natural abundance of herbs and flowers. What results are grown-up, powerful scents. Our clear favourites from the collection couldn’t be more different—“Samphire” is a refreshing coastal scent mixed with rose, while “Atlas” is a strong blend of wine and tobacco, an easy signature scent for day and night with minimal reapplication needed. Top Scent: Atlas, 65 for 100ml
60. The purpose of paragraph 1 is ________.
A. to analyze how smells influence us
B. to sell the idea of non-gendered fragrance
C. to inform the readers of a latest fashion trend
D. to justify the development of fragrance industry
61. The common feature of Escentric Molecules and Clean Reserve is ________.
A. practical and simple packaging
B. sustainable packaging made from wood
C. a soft and light scent
D. smelling totally different on every user
62. For a customer who prefer strong mature smells that lasts a whole day, which product should he choose
A. Molecule 01 B. Rain C. Samphire D. Atlas
(C)
Chances are you’re quite bored of your home by now. Oh sure, you know how lucky you are, if you have a warm and comfortable place to live when so many don’t. But a person could live in a full-on palace and still, at this point in a generation-defining global pandemic, think, “If I have to spend one more day looking at this cornicing (榐板) and those enormous wall sconces (壁式烛台), I will genuinely hurl myself off the balcony.” So allow me to share the greatest tip of all time for making your home more fun: get some wallpaper.
People are very cautious about wallpaper, especially the patterned type. I didn’t fully understand this until my partner and I were house–hunting half a decade ago, after we found out I was expecting twins. Off we went to look at family houses and, while the prices were horrific, the houses were, to my mind, even worse. That’s not fair: they were perfectly fine, but there was something about them that sent me plunging into a low-grade depression. I tried to explain it to the increasingly frustrated estate agents: maybe they were dark Or they just had a bad atmosphere Were the ceilings too low At last, I understood: every house I looked at was painted all white or–worse!–dull grey. Literally, every single one, and I assume the people who lived in them thought they looked fashionable and safely neutral. To me they brought back memories of teenage years spent in a psychiatric unit (精神病病房).
“Safely neutral”: has there ever been a more depressing template (样板) for a home “Safely neutral” is timidity, the decorating equivalent of a fear of letting yourself have fun in case people laugh at you, or a refusal to state an opinion in case you get it wrong. How so many people can bear to live like that is beyond my comprehension. I know not everyone is a maximalist, but I find it puzzling that people won’t commit to patterned wallpaper because they worry they’ll get tired of it, yet paint their home in the most boring shades possible. Be your fearless self! Make your stamp! If not on the world, then at least on your walls.
By the time we moved into our (entirely white, God help me) house, I was a month away from giving birth to two surprisingly big boys. I could no longer walk, but this in no way broke my stride when it came to sorting out the wallpaper. This was a home I hoped to live in for the next two decades, so I went all out and spent so much on wallpaper that we couldn’t really afford furniture for a while.
63. It can be learned from paragraph 2 that ________.
A. the estate agents finally figured out why the author didn’t like the houses
B. the unaffordable housing prices sent the author into a minor depression
C. the houses the author was hunting turned out to be disappointingly uniform
D. the teenager experience of being in a psychiatric unit troubled the author
64. What does the author think of “safely neutral”
A. It may bring about ridicule from others.
B. It will make a home much less depressing.
C. It is too abstract for people to understand.
D. It robs us of the chance to pursue pleasure.
65. The underlined sentence in paragraph 3 can be best illustrated as ________.
A. throwing away the apple due to the core B. dealing with a man as he deals with you
C. killing two birds with one stone D. cherishing imaginary or groundless fears
66. What’s the purpose of the passage
A. To highlight the vital importance of wallpaper.
B. To reveal how to add color to home decoration.
C. To indicate why people tend to get depressed.
D. To explain what safe neutrality is all about.
Section C
Directions: Read the passage carefully. Fill in each blank with a proper sentence given in the box. Each sentence can be used only once. Note that there are two more sentences than you need.
A. This worked better, but he still couldn’t move enough to get out of bed.
B. He tried to turn over onto his side, but every time he tried, he would roll onto his back again.
C. Gregor awoke as it was getting dark.
D. When he answered her, he was surprised to hear his voice; it sounded so high.
E. Gregor tried to return to his bedroom, but couldn’t fit through the doorway.
F. He finally managed to open the door and lean against it.
The Metamorphosis
One morning, Gregor Samsa woke up from a bad dream and realized he was some kind of a terrible insect. He was a cockroach (蟋蟀), and he was as large as a man! Lying on his back, he could see his large brown belly and thin legs. ____67_____
He began to think about his job as a traveling salesman. He hated his job, but he had to do it to support his father, mother, and sister because his father no longer worked. He looked at the clock and realized he had overslept—it was 6:30! He was late. The next train left at 7:00. He would have to hurry to make it. A few minutes later his mother yelled to him: “It’s 6:45. You are late. Get up!” ____68_____ “Yes, mother. I’m getting up now.” His sister now whispered through the door, “Gregor, are you all right Do you need anything ”
Well, it was time to get up. Surely, as soon as he got out of bed, he would realize this had all been a bad dream. He tried to move his back part out first, but it moved so slowly, and it was so difficult. His thin little legs seemed useless, just moving and moving in the air, not helping him at all. Then he tried the front part. ____69_____ He began rocking back and forth, stronger and stronger, and finally threw himself onto the floor, hitting his head as he fell.
All of a sudden, he heard a knock at the door. It was his manager, who had come to see why he was late. “Oh,” thought Gregor, “I hate my job.” Then the manger spoke. “Mr. Samsa, I must warn you that you could lose your job because of this. Lately, your work has not been very good, and now I find you in bed when you should be at work!” Gregor panicked and said, “No, no, I will come out immediately. I was sick, but now I feel much better.” The manager and Gregor’s family didn’t understand a single word he said, for his speech was now the hiss of insect. As he talked, he managed to move himself to the chest of drawers, tried to stand up, then slipped and fell, holding tightly to a chair with his thin legs. ____70_____
IV. Summary Writing
Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
Surfer Guys to the Rescue
Past the Breakers, about 50 feet from shore, two brothers were fighting for their lives. They had been swept out to sea in a wild current, their mouth barely able to stay above water. Thick fog made it difficult for beachgoers to see the guys, but the screams were unmistakable. And every second counted. The brothers, ages 15 and 20, were wearing shorts and T-shirts, unsuitable for a November day, let alone the 50-degree water. Keven Harder, a supervising ranger (骑警), told the North Coast Journal that swimming in such a temperature “takes the fight right out of you.”
Luckily, four surfers in wet suits were nearby. Narayan Weibel, Spenser Straton, and Sdrian York, all 16, along with Taj, 15, were on their surfing boards riding up and down the coast on five-foot waves when they heard the cries. They turned and saw two bobbing (上下颠簸的) heads and four flailing (乱挥的) arms.
“We looked at each other and knew these guys were about to drown,” Weibel told the Washington Post.
Weibel, Stratton, and Ortize-Beck paddled (划) toward the distressed swimmers while York headed to shore to alert someone to call 911. He then dived back in to help his friends.
As the surfers drew close, the brothers were struggling. “It was pretty stressful, but there wasn’t any time to think about it, and that helped me keep cool,” Ortiz-Beck says.
Ortiz-Beck pulled up alongside the younger brother. Grabbing him under his arms, he lifted him onto his board. Stratton and Weibel, meanwhile, were straining to help the older brother. He was large, 250 to 300 pounds and he was panicked!
York arrived in time to help get the older brother atop the second board. The surfers then paddled several minutes through the water to the medical help waiting onshore. The brothers were scared but fine.
“When we get a call like this, it’s usually too late by the time we get there,” says Dillon, a first-aider. “I can’t say enough about what these guys did. They were willing and prepared to risk their lives.”
V. Translation
Directions: Translate the following sentences into English, using the words given in the brackets.
72.
73. 缺乏配合是昨天我们比赛失利的原因吗？(blame)
74. 蚂蚁非常小，可以沿着硬币的边缘爬行。(So…)
75. 新规实施第一天，就有很多电动自行车骑手因为没有佩戴头盔而被罚款。(The first day)
76. 下周对这位喜剧演员进行的访谈将在许多主要的社交媒体平台上直播，难怪他如此在意自己的妆容。(feature)
VI. Guided Writing
Directions: Write an English composition in about 150 words according to the instructions given below in Chinese.
假如你是中学生李华，你的同学王海最近感觉体质较差想要健身，他对于在家添置家用健身器材和去专业健身房健身这两种方式犹豫不决。你作为班级中的健身达人，给王海写一封信谈谈你的想法，供他参考。你的信必须满足以下要求：
1. 简述你写信的目的以及你建议王海选择哪一种健身方式；
2. 说明你的理由 （从便利性、费用和效果等方面对这两个健身选择进行对比）。
2021学年第一学期期中考试高二年级英语学科参考答案
I. Listening Comprehension
1—10 BACDC ACDDC 11—13 CDB 14—16 BDB 17—20 ACDA
II. Grammar and Vocabulary
Section A
21. fascinating 22. disappointed 23. was model(l)ed 24. to portray 25. why
26. What 27. From 28. which/that 29. Though/Although/While
30. that
Section B
31—40 CHDAGJKBFI
III. Reading Comprehension
Section A
41—55 ACABD BDCBA DCACB
Section B
56—59 BCBA
60—62 BCD
63—66 CDAB
Section C
67—70 BDAF
IV. Summary Writing
Two brothers were swept out to sea and they were about to drown, screaming for help. Four boys, when surfing, noticed and came to rescue. Three of them paddled towards them and one alerted someone onshore to call 911 before he joined the rest. The brothers were finally rescued, though frightened. The boys were praised for their courage.
V. Translation
72. Is lack of cooperation to blame for our losing the match yesterday
73. So small are ants that they can crawl along the edge of a coin.
74. The first day the new regulation came into effect/force, many e-bike riders were fined for not wearing a helmet.
75. The interview featuring the comedian will be streamed/broadcast live on many major social media platforms next week, so no wonder he cares much about his makeup.
VI. Guided Writing
Dear Wang Hai,
I’m so delighted to hear your fitness plan to shape yourself into a stronger guy. As a sports fan, I can’t wait to write to you, offering my suggestion as to the two options you sway between.
Just like you, many people may find it tough to choose between a fitness club membership card and a piece of household fitness equipment. As far as I’m concerned, the latter definitely defeats the former due to its convenience, expenses and effects.
The convenience a home fitness machine offers is the most critical advantage. According to surveys over the years, over 80% of the people will gradually lose their initial passion to work out at a sports center. Rainy days and time-consuming travel are the top two reasons. A fitness device, however, can save you all these troubles. Not only can you do exercise whenever you like, but also your family members can benefit. Isn’t it a great idea to become healthier together
Then comes its ability to save you hard-earned money. Nowadays, an annual membership card in an ordinary fitness club is around 5000-8000 yuan, not to mention extra fees for private courses and coaches. This is by no means cost-effective compared with the price of a household sports device, which varies from 800 to 2000 yuan. If it is of good quality, you can expect to use it for at least 5 years.
As to the effects between the two, just look at me, who exercise at home, and Jack, who goes to a sports center. Can you find some differences To tell you the truth, what really matters in doing physical exercise is not where you work out but whether you can persevere in it. Perseverance is the key to the success of everything.
Dear Wang Hai, I hope my suggestion can be of help. I expect you to be healthier, stronger and happier!
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
听力文字稿
Section A
1. M: I just got off the plane coming here from the airport. My secretary told me that she had already made room reservation for me. Which room is mine
W: I’m sorry. We had no record for your reservation. Let me check it again, will you
Q: Where does the conversation take place
2. W: I have never seen you have such confidence before an exam.
M: It’s more than confidence. Right now I feel that if I get less than an A, it will be the fault of the exam, not me.
Q: How does the man feel about the exam
3. W: How many students passed the College English Test last term in your school
M: Well, let me see. 1,060 students took the exam, but half of them failed.
Q: According to the man, how many students passed the exam
4. W: You were born in England and as far as I know, you rarely get any chance to go abroad, do you But I’ve got the impression that you speak English with a foreign accent.
M: That’s true. You see, I have a Dutch mother.
Q: What do we learn from the conversation
5. M: The article sounds all right, doesn’t it
W: Yes. On the whole it’s very well-written, all except the first part. That’s somewhat
boring, I think.
Q: What does the woman think of the article
6. W: Why don’t you study French since you are so interested in French philosophy Besides, there are so many great French novels.
M: If you want to arouse my interest in foreign languages why don’t you pay for me to study abroad
Q: What do we learn from the conversation
7. M: I have to be at the dentist’s at seven thirty tomorrow morning.
W: Then you won’t miss any classes.
Q: What does the woman imply
8. W: Julia suggested going to the play.
M: Whatever she decides is fine with me.
Q: What would the man probably do
9.W: May I offer you one of my cigarettes
M: No, thanks. I’m sitting here only because all the seats in the non-smoking section were already occupied.
Q: Why did the man turn down the cigarette
10. M: If I can get Brian to pay back the money I lent him last week, I could get that new tennis racket.
W: I hope you have better luck than I did.
Q: What does the woman imply
Section B
Questions 11 through 13 are based on the following passage.
People all around the world have been wearing hats for thousands of years. Hats serve several purposes—as decoration, for protection or to indicate the wearer’s status. In classical Rome, the working classes often wore a kind of cap, and upon being freed slaves were usually presented with this cap to symbolize their new status. The same cap was adopted as the “liberty cap” of the French Revolutionaries, and it also served as a symbol of liberty in the United States of America before 1800.
In some Eastern countries, like India, men have traditionally worn colourful turbans, a long piece of cloth that you wind tightly round your head. Soldiers from most countries wear hard metal hats called helmets to protect their head while fighting. In North Africa, a small, red, cloth hat called a fez was popular for a while and was even part of Turkish national dress until 1925, when it was abolished. One of the most famous hats is the Mexican sombrero, which is a large hat made of straw or firm thick cloth with a wide brim to protect the wearer from the sun. Horsemen in the United States wear a similar hat made of leather. It is called the ten-gallon hat because it can hold a lot of water, if necessary.
There is almost no end to the different kinds of hats that people wear. In Britain, many London businessmen still wear a hat called a bowler, which is like a black bowl with a narrow brim. Named after the London hat maker who invented it, the bowler was introduced in 1850. For important occasions, rich men in Britain often wear a tall silk hat called a top hat, while rich women wear hats with flowers, feathers or lace.
Questions:
11. What is the story mainly about
12. Who often wore a kind of cap in classical Rome to show their status
13. What do rich men in Britain often wear on special occasions
Questions 14 through 16 are based on the following passage.
How men first learned to invent words is unknown: in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken, or written in letters we call words.
The power of words, then, lies in their associations - the things they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music, and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they will make our speech silly and improper.
Questions:
14. What is the author’s view of the origin of language
15. Where does the real power of words lie according to the passage
16. What can we conclude about the great writers according to the passage
Questions 17 through 20 are based on the following conversation.
W: Professor Weston, could I speak to you
M: Yes, but only for a few minutes. I have a meeting at three o’clock.
W: I think this will be quick, I need permission to register for your advanced sketching course.
M: Have you taken the prerequisite, the beginning sketching course
W: No, and that’s just why I’m here. The catalog says that the instructor can give permission to register without the prerequisite.
M: That’s correct. Have you had any previous experience
W: I’ve brought lots of sketch books full of my work, but I had no formal training.
M: Can I have a look at some of your sketches
W: Certainly, here are some examples, mostly flowers and landscapes.
M: They look pretty good, but I really don’t have time to make a decision now, why don’t you give them to me and I’ll review them this evening. I’ll let you know tomorrow.
W: Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.
Questions:
17. What is the woman’s purpose in talking to the professor
18. What does a student usually need to do before taking the advanced sketching course
19. What does the student give to Professor Weston
20. How might the student feel after talking with Professor Weston
