哈三中 2024-2025 学年度上学期高二学年期中考试
英 语 试卷
（考试时间：120 分钟 试卷满分：150 分）
注意事项：
本试卷分第一部分（听力），第二部分（阅读理解），第三部分（完型填空），第四部
分（选择填空）, 第五部分（单句语法填空），第六部分（写作）。
第一部分：听力（共两节，每小题 1.5分，满分 30分）
第一节 (共 5小题；每小题 1.5分, 满分 7.5分)
听下面 5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中给出的 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. How will the man probably get to work
A. By car. B. By bus. C. By subway.
2. What course will the woman probably take
A. Spanish. B. Photography. C. Art.
3. Where does the conversation probably take place
A. At a bus stop. B. At the airport. C. At a hotel.
4. Who will be the next CFO
A. Mr. Matthew. B. Mr. King. C. Mr. Jackson.
5. When did the man finish his work
A. At dawn. B. At dusk. C. At midnight.
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。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题 5 秒
钟；听完后，各小题将给出 5 秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。
听第 6段材料，回答第 6、7题。
6. What are the speakers talking about
A. Where to go on vacation.
B. How to choose a birthday gift.
C. What to wear for a job interview.
7. Why does the man want a new job
A. To experience something new. B. To get a high position. C. To earn more money.
听第 7 段材料，回答第 8至 10 题。
8. What is the relationship between the speakers
A. Friends. B. Colleagues. C. Business partners.
高二英语 第 1页 共 10页
9. What does the woman plan to do next month
A. Organize a meeting. B. Cancel an event. C. Attend a conference.
10. Where can the woman get the special form
A. From the HR office. B. From the man. C. From her manager.
听第 8 段材料，回答第 11 至 13 题。
11. Why does Bruce ask for another copy of paper
A. The delivery was delayed.
B. His newspaper was damaged.
C. He couldn’t find the newspaper.
12. Where does Bruce want his newspaper to be put
A. In his yard. B. In his mailbox. C. In his hallway.
13. What will the woman do next
A. Visit Bruce’s place. B. Send an apology letter. C. Call the delivery person.
听第 9 段材料，回答第 14 至 17 题。
14. What causes the girl to have trouble making friends
A. Unpopularity with other kids.
B. Difference in interests.
C. Lack of social skills.
15. What do we know about the girl’s family
A. They enjoy a quiet life.
B. They prefer a social lifestyle.
C. Her parents are strict with her.
16. How does the girl feel about her lifestyle
A. Comfortable. B. Upset. C. Lonely.
17. What kind of friends does the girl want
A. Those who are easy-going.
B. Those who are hard-working.
C. Those who share similar hobbies.
听第 10 段材料，回答第 18 至 20 题。
18. What do we learn about the speaker’s mother
A. She made a lot of records.
B. She had a varied taste in music.
C. She once worked in the field of music.
19. What kind of music does the speaker dislike
A. Classical music. B. Country music. C. Dance music.
20. Who has the biggest influence on the speaker in music
A. Her mom. B. Her sister. C. Her schoolmate.
第二部分：阅读理解（共两节，满分 50分）
高二英语 第 2页 共 10页
第一节（共 15小题；每小题 2. 5分，满分 37. 5分）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的 A、B、C和 D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
A
If you decide to see the northern lights, consider heading to Canada, where they fill the
sky 300 days a year in certain regions.
Yukon
With its sweeping landscapes and dramatic mountain views, Yukon is an outdoor lover’s
dreamland. Take advantage of the brief window between the end of summer and first snowfall
in autumn to combine outdoor activities like boating along the storied Yukon River with
northern light watching.
Churchill
Home to wolves, foxes, whales, moose and snowy owls, Churchill is well known for its
arctic wildlife. It also sees an average of 300 nights of northern light activity every year. With
over a week in the wild, there’s a good chance you’ll spot the lights.
Nunavik
Nunavik is Quebec’s northernmost region and one of four areas in Canada. It is home to
the country’s Inuit people. By day, travelers canoe or snowmobile to Vieux Fort-Chimo, a
19th-century fur trading post; hear elders tell stories of a nomadic (游牧的) way of life; and
listen to traditional throat singing, or katadjak—all led by an Inuit guide. Under inky skies, the
guide offers Inuit insights into the meaning of the light.
Jasper
Located in the Rocky Mountains, Jasper is home to the world’s second-largest dark sky
preserve, making it one of the best—and most convenient—places to catch northern lights
throughout the year.
An especially great time to visit is during the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival in October
when experienced photographers from around the world host workshops to share their best tips
and astronomers explain how to interpret space weather data to determine optimal viewing
time.
21. When should you go if you want to combine outdoor activities with light shows in Yukon
A. In late spring. B. In early summer. C. In autumn. D. In winter.
22. Where can tourists have a relatively in-depth experience of Inuit culture
A. In Yukon. B. In Nunavik. C. In Jasper. D. In Churchill.
23. What is special about the visit to Jasper in October
A. The diversity of wildlife. B. The rarest show of lights.
C. Interactions with the locals. D. The chance to meet professionals.
B
I still remember when the teacher in nursery school asked, “What do you want to be when
高二英语 第 3页 共 10页
you grow up ”, crayons ( 蜡 笔 ) danced across sheets of paper to illustrate our dream
occupations. Our drawings were hung in the hallway for our parents to see at Back to School
Night. I remember looking down the line and seeing pictures of ballerinas (芭蕾舞女) dancing,
firefighters putting out a fire, and astronauts leaping across the moon—careers that were seen
as typical dreams of five–year–olds.
My picture showed a stick figure with brown hair holding a carton (纸板箱 ) of orange
juice over a large rectangle that was supposed to be a counter. Underneath was my barely
distinct handwriting: “When I grow up, I want to work at the Market Basket because it would
be fun to swipe orange juice across the scanner.” To this day my parents won’t let me forget
that out of everything I could have desire to be, my five–year–old self wished to work at the
local grocery store.
When we are young, questions of what we want to be when we grow up are common. Yet
we are not expected to respond with an answer that is likely to come true. However, when we
become teens, we are asked the very same question twice as often. The difference is, now we
are supposed to answer with confidence.
Teens are expected to know exactly what we want to be and how we are going to achieve
that goal. Not all of us can be so sure. Even though I am in high school, I cannot answer
convincingly. But I don’t consider that a bad thing. How am I supposed to know what I will
want to spend my time doing at age 40
When I think about the future, I definitely don’t see myself working at the Market Basket,
but in reality, if that was what would make me happy, I would do it. So, the next time someone
asks me what I want to be when I grow up, I will simply say “happy”.
Happiness is a destination for everyone. We may want to walk different paths in life, but
we all want to be happy wherever we end up. Choose your path, but don’t worry too much
about choosing wisely. Make a mistake or two and try new things. But always remember, if
you’re not happy, you’re not at the end of your journey yet.
24.What did the author want to be when she was in kindergarten
A. A dancer. B. A firefighter. C. An astronaut. D. A cashier in a grocery store.
25. How do teenagers typically respond when asked what they want to be in the passage
A. They are sure about what they want to be.
B. They become more confident about their abilities.
C. They might not be able to give a convincing answer.
D. They are expected not to have the kind of ideas children have.
26. What does the last paragraph suggest
A. Never stop enjoying happiness.
B. We should stick to what we set out to do.
C. Everyone deserves to be happy in the end.
D. We’ll be happy as long as we make only a few mistakes.
高二英语 第 4页 共 10页
27. What is the purpose of the article
A. To tell an unusual childhood story.
B. To explain how to achieve happiness.
C. To draw attention to childhood dreams.
D. To share thoughts about careers and happiness.
C
TO GOOGLE is now in broad usage as a verb for getting information from the internet. If
the tech giant has its way, “I Googled” will become a standard reply to the question, “How did
you get here ” On May 28th Google said it would build 100 driverless cars. It is the next stage
in its apparent pursuit to be as common on the road as on computer screens.
People have dreamed about driverless motoring since at least the 1930s, but only in recent
years have carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Volvo given the matter more thought,
equipping test cars with the sensors and complicated software required to pass through busy
roads. Google has made rapid progress by designing a driverless car from the ground up.
But bringing autonomous motoring to the world is proving harder than Google had
imagined. It once promised it by 2017. Now it does not see production models coming out
before 2020. The technology is far advanced, but it still needs to be made smaller and cheaper.
Google’s current test cars are said to be filled with equipment worth $80,000.
Google’s latest efforts may have as much to do with convincing the public and lawmakers
as improving the technology. The firm stresses that computers are more likely than humans to
avoid accidents. The cars will have a top speed of just 25mph and a front end made of soft
foam (泡沫) to protect careless pedestrians. The benefits could indeed be huge. Driving time
could be given over to working, sleeping or browsing the web. However, the issue of liability
(问责) in the event of a driverless car crashing has yet to be resolved.
Turning cars into products may not be good news for traditional carmakers. But changing
the concept of driving into service fits well with Google’s plans to become as big in hardware
as in software. And unlike car firms, which talk vaguely of becoming “mobility providers”,
Google has a lot of money to make this a reality and no worries about disturbing its current
business. Google admits it still has “lots of work to do”. But one day Googling to the shops
may be a common activity.
28. What’s Google’s next goal
A. To become a tech giant in computer. B. To get autonomous cars on the road.
C. To cut down the cost of making cars. D. To beat Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
29. What benefits do Google’s driverless cars have
A. All kinds of accidents can be avoided.
B. They can protect drivers from severe injury.
C. Drivers can be otherwise engaged on the road.
D. There’s no problem with who to blame for a crash.
高二英语 第 5页 共 10页
30. What difficulty is Google faced with at present
A. Technology. B. Competition. C. Finance. D. Promotion.
31. What might be the best title of the passage
A. Google—the tech giant B. Google’s Cars Trade
C. Autonomous Vehicle Adventure D. Google’s Driverless Cars’ Journey
D
Being more creative is something that most of us would prefer but suppose there is hardly
anything we can do about. Psychology professor K. Anders Ericsson claims that with enough
practice, any of us can become experts. However, he is quick to add that this requires a specific
kind of practice that Ericsson calls “deliberate practice”. That is, pushing beyond one’s comfort
zone and setting goals that are above one’s current level of performance. He says he has yet to
find the limits on being successful and he doesn’t believe the limits to be real.
Ericsson has looked primarily at artistic and athletic skills, but can these findings apply to
creativity Most experts agree that even if most people cannot hope to become creative
geniuses, they can learn to become more creative through practice. Psychologists claim that
there are actually two levels of creativity, which they refer to as “Big C” and “small c”. Big C
creativity applies to breakthrough ideas, ones that may change the course of a field or even
history. Small c creativity refers to everyday creative problem solving, like creating a new
recipe or improving a process, which psychologists subdivide further into similar and different
thinking. Similar thinking involves examining all the facts and arriving at a single solution. In
contrast, different thinking involves coming up with many possible solutions. What most
people think of as creativity generally involves different thinking and can be taught, practised
and learnt.
Even with practice, different thinking alone cannot make one creative, however. Scott
Barry Kaufman, a cognitive psychologist, says that most creative people share one personality
quality: openness to new experience. Since this quality and these processes have been
identified, less creative people can try to emulate them. Normally, we tend to reproduce what
we already know because creative ideas move us into unfamiliar territory involving risks and
following the usual behaviors is comfortable.
Moving out of our comfort zone, engaging in deliberate practice and standing conflict
ideas, risk and failure are all things we can learn to do better. It is unlikely that doing so will
turn any of us into creative geniuses, but it does have the potential to increase our level of
creativity.
32. Why does Ericsson think he can’t find the limits
A. Because a goal can be ambitious. B. Because practice makes perfect.
C. Because each one can succeed. D. Because no restrictions exist.
高二英语 第 6页 共 10页
33. Which of the following is an example of ‘small c’
A. Settling in outer space. B. Building a plastic doghouse.
C. Developing robots to tend to the old. D. Discovering medicine to save lives.
34. What does the underlined word “emulate” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Copy. B. Limit. C. Justify. D. Assess.
35. What message does the author seem to convey in the text
A. Life is full of various challenges. B. We can learn to be more creative.
C. It’s better to take deliberate practice. D. Most can become creative geniuses.
第二节（共 5小题；每小题 2. 5分，满分 12. 5分）
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。
The latest assessments of the health effects of coffee and caffeine (咖啡因 )， its main
active ingredient, are comforting indeed. ____36____ They include Parkinson’s disease, heart
disease, depression and all sorts of cancers.
____37____ They showed consuming four or five eight-ounce cups of coffee a day has
been associated with reduced death rates. In a study of more than 200,000 participants followed
for up to 30 years, those who drank three to five cups of coffee a day, with or without caffeine,
were 15 percent less likely to die early from all causes than the people who avoided coffee.
Perhaps most dramatic was a 50 percent reduction in the risk of suicide among both men and
women who were moderate coffee drinkers, perhaps by boosting production of brain chemicals.
____38____
A report was published last summer by a research team at the Harvard Hool of Public
Health. It concluded that although current evidence may not guarantee recommending coffee or
caffeine to prevent disease, for most people drinking coffee in moderation “can be part of a
healthy lifestyle.” ____39____ In the past, there were occasional warnings about coffee being a
health risk. Over the years, coffee’s been considered a cause of conditions such as heart disease,
stroke, and premature death.
Actually, these concerns may have been unfounded and exaggerated. ____40____
However, despite various concerns that have turned up over the years, coffee is remarkably safe
and has a number of important potential benefits.
A. It is considered as a health risk.
B. However, it wasn’t always this way.
C. They have the effects of anti-depression.
D. They have given the public a very abnormal view.
E. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
F. In fact, there are many studies conducted throughout the world.
G. Their consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of diseases.
高二英语 第 7页 共 10页
第三部分：完型填空（共 15个小题，每小题 1分，满分 15分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C、D）中，选出可以填入空
白处的最佳选项。
Many years ago, because I didn’t have a car, my daughter, Sarah, had been driving me
everywhere. At 60, I couldn’t get used to 41 on anyone else. I desired for
42 .
One day, Sarah drove me to a local senior citizen center, where I 43 a flyer,
advertising the taxi service. As a nurse, I had spent much time looking after my patients, and I
had also 44 my daughter. When I retired, I felt my life was 45 . I’d hoped
working as a 46 in this center would help me find my value. However, not having a
car, I felt it would be a 47 . If the taxi could serve me, I would get rid of the worry.
Then I dialed the number. But the call was received by an answering machine. So I
48 a message. That was really a let-down. Disappointed, I went back home. Suddenly, the
phone rang. “This is Jenny. You have the wrong number. I’m not the head of the taxi service
center”. My heart 49 as I was still stuck. “I’m sorry to have bothered you,” I said,
trying to 50 . “I was just trying to find a ride.” She said 51 , “I can do it”. I
could feel her firm tone. But I 52 . Could I take 53 from strangers But
eventually, I persuaded myself to accept her kindness.
The next day, I saw Jenny 54 at the door. Taking Jenny’s car was like driving
with an old friend, and we 55 our acquaintance. Later, I no longer depended on
Sarah’s car. Jenny and I had our own life, and we often did good without getting paid together.
41. A. acting B. looking C. counting D. blaming
42. A. independence B. responsibility C. curiosity D. assistance
43. A. advertised B. encountered C. designed D. rejected
44. A. attended to B. turned to C. objected to D. complained to
45. A. recognizable B. priceless C. unpredictable D. worthless
46. A. sponsor B. instructor C. volunteer D. leader
47. A. barrier B. chance C. lesson D. mistake
48. A. commanded B. left C. booked D. recommended
49. A. lifted B. relaxed C. stopped D. sank
50. A. congratulate B. inquire C. apologize D. entertain
51. A. definitely B. mysteriously C. ridiculously D. awkwardly
52. A. continued B. agreed C. hesitated D. exploded
53. A. orders B. favors C. measures D. invitations
54. A. drive away B. step back C. take off D. pull up
55. A. cherished B. admired C. overlooked D. dropped
第四部分：选择填空（共 10个小题，每小题 1.5分，满分 15分）
高二英语 第 8页 共 10页
56. The construction of large dams has had a worse impact on Siberia’s already ___________
ecological balance.
A. abstract B. distinct C. primitive D. delicate
57. A sign of a liar is that his eyes are always ___________. That’s to say, he doesn’t dare to
look into your eyes.
A. disagreeing B. wondering C. reflecting D. wandering
58. On account of frequent human activities, the ecosystem of the ancient woodlands is
___________.
A. at leisure B. in progress C. under threat D. beyond question
59. The Internet is a technological wonder, ___________ far-reaching changes in all aspects of
our lives.
A. answering for B. bringing about C. setting up D. turning down
60. The ___________ in renewable energy technologies has paved the way for a more
sustainable future, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
A. animation B. innovation C. qualification D. emission
61. In the large city, ___________ the shabby little cottage in the outskirts, the skyscrapers in
the heart of downtown look more luxurious.
A. in common with B. in contrast to C. in agreement with D. in relation to
62. The scientist took a ___________ of the soil to analyze it to determine the presence of
various minerals and elements within the soil.
A. proof B. theory C. trend D. sample
63. The number of visitors to the museum has been ___________ increasing since the new
exhibition was launched.
A. gently B. vividly C. steadily D. profoundly
64. With the final approval in place and all the resources gathered, it’s time to ___________ the
wheels of the plan ___________.
A. bring, to life B. keep, in mind C. set, in motion D. put, to use
65. Students are expected to ___________ what they have learnt in class to their daily life,
cultivating their skills and abilities.
A. adjust B. owe C. present D. apply
第五部分：单句语法填空（共 10个小题，每小题 1.5分，满分 15分）
阅读下面句子，在空白处填入 1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
66. I could see a faint light in __________ distance, as if there was a small village hidden there.
67. By the time we arrived at the lecture hall, all the good seats ___________ (take).
68. Having been fired, William was in a ___________ (disturb) state of mind.
69. Not until I finished reading the book ___________ I truly understand the author’s intention.
70. The number of staff has been ___________ decline from 21,000 to 11,000 since 1998.
高二英语 第 9页 共 10页
71. It was the careless driver who was ___________ (blame) for the accident, which claimed
the lives of three people.
72. George ___________ (work) on this project non-stop for weeks and hasn’t finished it yet.
73. With the colors blending together smoothly, the ___________ (compose) of the painting is
very harmonious.
74. The book, which was written with extraordinary depth and insight, received highly
__________ (favor) reviews.
75. The company has ___________ (massive) expanded its business in recent years, opening
branches in multiple countries.
第六部分：写作（满分 25分）
阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。
注意：
1. 续写词数应 150左右；
2. 请按如下格式作答。
Monday started out well. I woke up on time, ate breakfast and did some last minute
studying for my math test later that morning. I was confident of getting good grades. I left my
house and ten minutes later, I sat with my friends on the school bus. We were busy chatting
about how we spent our weekend. At the next stop, a student named Ryan got on the bus. He
was in a rush and tripped over someone’s foot. There was a loud noise as he fell to the floor.
Every one of us on the bus laughed. Ryan got up, brushed his jacket and went to an empty
seat. He tried to laugh with us, but his face was red with embarrassment. The rest of the
morning went by quickly. I did well in my math test. I read two more chapters of To Kill a
Mockingbird in English class. Soon we heard the lunch bell. I met my friends from the
cheerleading team in the dining hall. I noticed Ryan a few tables away, sitting by himself. He
caught me looking at him. I smiled at him quickly and looked away.
When we finished eating, we went to the courtyard to practise a cheer we would do at that
night’s football game. After much practice, we finally managed to do the cheer perfectly. We
decided to practise it again one last time. Just like the rest of my day so far, the cheer was going
great. I raised my leg for one last toe touch. That was when I felt my jeans split (裂开) down
the middle of my backside.
I froze. I had no idea what to do. I heard people burst out laughing and I saw them
pointing at my torn jeans. I tried to cover myself with my hands, I tried to laugh too, but I felt
tears begin to well up in my eyes.
Then I saw Ryan running towards me.
That night, after the cheer at the football game, I found Ryan.
高二英语 第 10页 共 10页
哈三中 2024-2025 学年度上学期高二学年期中考试
英 语 答案
第一部分：听力
1-5 ABCBC 6-10 CABCA 11-15 BCABA 16-20 ACBBA
第二部分：阅读理解
21-23 CBD 24-27 DCCD 28-31 BCAD 32-35 DBAB 36-40 GFCBD
第三部分：完形填空
41—45 CABAD 46—50 CABDC 51—55 ACBDA
第四部分：选择填空
56-60 DDCBB 61-65 BDCCD
第五部分：单句语法填空
66. the 67. had been taken 68. disturbed 69. did 70. in
71. to blame或 blamed 72. has been working position 74. favorable 75. massively
第六部分：写作
参考范文：
Then I saw Ryan running towards me. Suddenly the scene struck me where he fell flat and
I laughed at him crazily. I thought he would join in with those laughing at me. I lowered my
head, my face burning with embarrassment. However, Ryan didn’t laugh. Instead, he
approached me from behind, quickly took off his jacket and offered it to me, signaling to me to
cover my torn jeans. Struggling against my tears, I did want to express my gratitude to him but
courage failed me. I left the courtyard in total silence.
That night, after the cheer at the football game, I found Ryan. I thanked him for giving me
his jacket and returned it to him. Gathering my courage, I sincerely apologised to him for my
misconduct on the bus, and thanked him for helping me out of an equally embarrassing
situation. Ryan, with a broad smile, patted me on the shoulder and told me to forget about it,
joking he fell like that a lot. I admired his honesty and sense of humor, and realized that he was
someone I could be great friends with. Honestly, Monday was a great day indeed!
听力原文
(Text 1)
W: Morning, Greg. Why are you at the bus stop so early
M: I don’t want to be late again for work. Mr Atkins goes mad.
W: Too bad you don’t live close to the subway. You’d get there in no e on, get in. I’ll
give you a ride.
(Text 2)
M: So, are you going to join my Spanish course this year
W: Well, I put my name down, but I’ve changed my mind. A friend of mine is taking up
photography. and I think I’ll join him.
1
M: I didn’t have you down as the artistic type.
(Text 3)
M: My name is Larry Sinclair, and I am staying in room 305 here. I was wondering what time
the shuttle bus leaves for the airport in the morning.
W: The first bus leaves at 6:30 a.m., and there is a bus every fifteen minutes, sir.
(Text 4)
W: Well, I heard the CEO Mr. Matthew is ready to retire, so Mr. Jackson will take his place.
M: Really I wonder who the next CFO will be then
W: Well, I would think that Mr. King is going to get the promotion since he has strong
leadership skills.
(Text 5)
M: You look awful. Have you been studying all night
W: Kind of. I got home at about nine, but I needed to relax a little. Then I got to work at about
ten till the early hours.
M: I was done by midnight, but I stayed up watching a movie till half past two.
(Text 6)
W: I love your new suit!
M: Thanks. It was a birthday gift from my mother. Do you think it’s too formal, though
W: It depends. What’s the occasion
M: I’m going to a job interview. I could hardly go in beachwear, could I
W: Definitely not.
M: But maybe I could wear jeans and a T-shirt. I would feel more comfortable, that’s for sure.
W: No way. This suit is the best clothing for a job interview. By the way, why do you want to
change your job For a higher salary or for the position
M: Actually, I’m looking for something new and challenging.
(Text 7)
W: Hi, Vernon. I was really impressed with the talk you gave at the staff meeting about the
National Production Conference that will be held next month.
M: Thanks! Are you thinking about going to the event I think it would be good both to our
company and you.
W: I’d love to go, but since it’s held on a weekday, I’m concerned about taking time off. Do I
have to use one of my vacation days
M: No, because it’s business-related. But you will need a special form that your manager must
sign. You should grab one from the HR office.
(Text 8)
M: Hello. This is Bruce Guerrero. I’m a subscriber of the Chicago Times. I’m calling to ask
you for another copy of today’s paper. I got one this morning, but it was all wet from the
shower because it was dropped in the side yard, beside the hallway.
W: I apologize for that. Our delivery person hasn’t returned from his route yet. Why don’t I
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deliver it to you instead It won’t take long.
M: Thank you. But I’d like to let you know that newspapers have not been delivered to my
hallway several times already. Would you ask your deliveryman to put it in the right place
W: Sure, no problem, Mr. Guerrero. You live on Scott Road, right I’ll be there within half an
hour. I’ll see you soon.
(Text 9)
W: Since as long as I can remember, I’ve had problems making friends. It’s not that I wanted to
fit in. I just didn’t like the kind of things that other kids liked.
M: You mean music, hobbies, clothes …
W: Yeah. All that stuff just seemed meaningless to me. I didn’t want to hang out with the cool
kids. I’m just not a cool kid and I don’t want to be.
M: And do you think it’s connected to your family background
W: Oh, definitely. My parents are really quiet and although there are four kids, we live in a
quiet household. We read, we eat together, we’re very respectful of each other’s space and
we’re just not into partying.
M: So do you see this as a problem at school — like when you’re trying to make friends
W: Um, a little bit. It’s not so much a problem — more a feeling that I’m just very different.
Like when other teenagers are starting to go out, I’m happier staying in and studying. It’s
more a question of looking for similar people, wanting friends who have the same interests.
Friends like you, actually!
(Text 10)
W: Well, I’d love to share with you my musical tastes. I’ve always been a huge fan of music.
My mom used to have so many CDs, tapes and records, so I could listen to all sorts of
things, from classical music like Beethoven and Mozart to seventies bands like Shakatak.
I’ve always listened to electronic music and dance music. It started when I was about
thirteen years old. I used to go to parties for young people with my schoolmates and I’ve
just always been into them. One thing that I can’t get into is country. My sister is a big fan.
I just cannot get used to it.
If I look on my iPod now, a lot of the music that I listen to now, I probably listened to back
when I was four or five years old, with the exception of some of the dance tracks which
came in when I was a teenager. So I’d like to say that I listen to a wide range of music, and
I’ve got my mom to thank for that.
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