柳州高中2025届高三下学期英语阶段性测试十六
英语试题
满分:150分 考试时间:120分钟
第一部分:听力(共两节,满分30分)
第一节:(共5小题;每小题1.5分,满分7.5分)
听下面5段对话。每段对话后有一个小题,从题中所给的A 、B 、C 三个选项中选出最佳选项。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。
例 :How much is the shirt
A.f19.15. B.f9.18. C.f9.15. 答案是C。
1.What’s the weather like now
A. Sunny. B. Rainy. C. Cloudy.
2.What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A. Co-workers. B. Business partners. C. Friends.
3.When will the speakers get there
A. At 9:45 a.m. B. At 9:30 a.m. C. At 9:15a.m.
4.Why was the woman late
A. She missed the taxi. B. The taxi had an accident. C. She got injured.
5.Who will begin the lecture
A. Dr. White. B. Dr. Hopkins. C. Prof. Pears.
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.Where are the speakers
A. In a hotel. B. In the man’s office. C. In a post office.
7.What will the man do next
A. Fetch an envelope. B. Send some papers by fax. C. Go downstairs.
听第7段材料,回答第8、9题。
8.What shape of glasses does the man recommend
A. Square. B. Round. C. Heart-shaped.
9.Which glasses are the least popular
A. The red ones. B. The gold ones. C. The purple ones.
听第8段材料,回答第10至12题。
10.Why does the man go to the woman
A. To borrow books. B. To submit his work. C. To ask for time extension.
11.Whose book is the man reading now
A. Oliver’s. B. Andrew’s. C. Billy’s.
12.What will the man probably do
A. Design a survey. B. Analyze research data. C. Interview specialists.
听第9段材料,回答第13至16题。
13.Where is the man from
A. Canada. B. The UK. C. The USA.
14.What does the man say about bank holidays
A. People don’t deal with business on these days.
B. The banks don’t open on these days.
C. The bank services are free on these days.
15.How do people celebrate Shakespeare Day
A. Enjoy a related movie. B. Hold a special party. C. Record Shakespeare's words.
16.When did the man last celebrate Shakespeare Day
A. Two years ago. B. Last year. C. Last month.
听第10段材料,回答第17至20题。
17.What was the cause of the disaster
A. Too much rainfall. B.A stream of mud. C. Overflowing rivers.
18.What were people doing when the disaster hit the area
A. Working. B. Sleeping. C. Traveling.
19.How many soldiers and police officers came to people's rescue
A. Over 100. B. Over 200. C. Over 1,000.
20.What might the road conditions lead to
A. The difficulty in reaching the trapped.
B. The possibility of creating anxiety.
C. The shortage of food and supplies.
第二部分 阅读理解 (共两节, 满分50分)
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 neighbourhood guide to Copenhagen
Copenhagen may be a small city, but it features lively and characterful neighborhoods. Depending on where you stay, you may find yourself surrounded by innovative new buildings, trendy shops or contemporary art spaces, each one offering a different way of experiencing the city.
N rrebro
For diverse life
N rrebro is renowned for being one of the city’s most fashionable spots. Its diverse neighbourhood is brought together by Superkilen Park, a public space featuring a collection of global items — from an outdoor Thai boxing ring to exercise equipment from Santa Monica. Don’t miss Baka d’ busk, a vegetarian restaurant favored by both locals and tourists.
Nordhavn
For creative modern architecture
One of Copenhagen’s newest quarters, Nordhavn is full of creative new buildings and reworked harbour buildings. It’s home to the new headquarters of Bjarke Ingels Group, a leading architecture and design firm. Here, you’ll also find the Tip of Nord , a lighthouse-like building with a winter garden inside. New this winter, Nordhavn’s culture house Nordhus brings together people aged 18 to 25 with a lively center offering group meals, games, and concerts.
Christianshavn
For historic harbourside walks
Christianshavn is one of the most charming parts of Copenhagen, where colourful, half-timbered houses line the neighbourhood’s narrow canals, making for a scenic walk. Best of all, climb the 400 steps to the top of the Church of Our Saviour for a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the city.
Vesterbro
For independent shops and cafes
Vesterbro is now full of independent shops and casual restaurants. Characterful highlights here include Folkehuset Absalon — a culture house hosting silent discos, dinners and art sessions — and V rnedamsvej, a French-inspired commercial street lined with cafes.
21. Where should you go to enjoy creative modern buildings
A. N rrebro. B. Nordhavn. C. Christianshavn. D. Vesterbro.
22. What can visitors find in V rnedamsvej
A. A specially designed winter garden. B. A French style shopping street.
C. A lighthouse-like building. D. A vegetarian restaurant.
23. In which section of a website can the text be found
A.Education. B. Business. C. Environment. D. Tourism.
B
The journey to Xizang was the realization of a long-held fascination, growing during the vibrant Tibetan dances at Minzu University of China (MUC) in Beijing.
Every Friday night, the campus would come alive as students from diverse backgrounds gathered in circles, swinging together in Tibetan dance. These dances, where elegant moves bridged cultures, not only sparked my curiosity but deeply moved me. They highlighted the power of dance to unite people across different ethnic groups. Attracted by these interactions and the beauty of Tibetan culture, I often dreamed of dancing atop the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau — the “roof of the world”. This dream became a reality when MUC offered a valuable opportunity to experience and engage with the culture I had come to admire from afar.
Upon arrival in Lhasa, the challenge of adapting to the high altitude at over 3,000 meters was discouraging. Despite my concerns, the strong reaction I experienced was not physical discomfort but rather a deep emotional response to the warmth and generosity of the Tibetan people. Their spirit, far more impactful than the thin air, touched my heart deeply.
The depth of spiritual and cultural richness I encountered in Xizang was reflected in the everyday interactions with the locals. This was reflected not just in their actions but also in their cuisine, which became a transformative element of my journey. The taste of fresh, creamy butter and the discovery of butter tea were sources of inspiration. Each sip and bite deepened my understanding of Tibetan culture, revealing culinary delights previously unknown to me.
This journey not only brought me closer to fulfilling my dream of visiting all provincial-level regions in China but also deepened my appreciation for the intricate tapestry of human connections across cultural boundaries.
24. What inspired the author’s interest in Tibetan culture
A. A study on ethnic cultures.
B. Invitations from Tibetan friends.
C. Weekly Tibetan dance gatherings.
D. A documentary about Tibetan dances.
25. What did the author imply about arriving in Lhasa
A. Emotional connections outweighed the discomfort.
B. Medical support was unavailable during the trip.
C. Physical preparation was the main challenge.
D. High altitude caused severe health issues.
26. What can be inferred about Xizang’s food
A. It has a profound cultural significance. B. It is primarily designed for tourists.
C. It highlights simplicity over flavor. D. It relies merely on dairy products.
27. Which title best summarizes the text
A. A Journey to the Heart of Xizang’s Traditions
B. The Art of Tibetan Cuisine and Its History
C. Bridging Cultures through Discovery
D. Dancing on the Roof of the World
C
In a paper published on March 13 in Science, researchers at Stanford University used machine learning to analyze data of ice movements in Antarctica for the first time. Their work reveals some of the fundamental physics governing the movements of the Antarctic ice sheet and could help improve predictions about how the continent will change in the future.
The Antarctic ice sheet, Earth’s largest ice mass and nearly twice the size of Australia, keeps sea levels stable by storing freshwater as ice. To understand the movement of the Antarctic ice sheet, which is shrinking more rapidly every year, existing models have typically relied on assumptions about ice’s mechanical behavior from lab experiments.
“But Antarctica’s ice is much more complicated than what can be reproduced in the lab,” said Ching-Yao Lai,
a professor of geophysics in the university and senior author on the paper. “Ice formed from seawater has different properties, and ice sheets may contain large cracks, air pockets, or other inconsistencies that affect movement.”
Lai and her colleagues built a machine learning model to analyze the movements with satellite imagery and airplane radar. They found that the parts of the ice shelves closest to the continent are being compressed (压缩) and that the models in these areas are fairly consistent with lab experiments. However, most models have assumed that Antarctic ice has the same physical properties in all directions.
In fact, as ice gets farther from the continent, it starts to be pulled out to sea. The force causes the ice to have different physical properties in different directions — a concept called anisotropy (各向异性). “Our study uncovers that most of the ice shelf is anisotropic,” said first study author Yongji Wang, a researcher in Lai’s lab. “Ice in the 5% compression zone almost has the same property while for the rest — the extension zone, it is not the case. Now based on this new method, we know that models predicting the future evolution of Antarctica should be anisotropic.”
Next, researchers intend to continue to perfect their analysis with additional data from the Antarctic continent and may use these findings to understand the stresses that may cause cracks. They hope their methods will assist with more scientific discoveries and lead to new cooperation with the Earth science community.
28. What is the purpose of machine learning in the research
A.Predicting the future changes of Antarctica ice.
B.Analyzing the thickness of the Antarctic ice sheet.
C.Knowing the movement of the Antarctic ice sheet.
D.Studying the physical properties of ice from seawater.
29. Why are existing models of ice movement not accurate enough
A.They rely too much on the data from satellites.
B.They stress the impact of air pockets and cracks.
C.They ignore the different properties in Antarctic ice.
D.They fail to measure the size of the Antarctic ice sheet.
30. What is indicated in the underlined sentence
A.Ice behaves variably in all directions.
B.Most ice shelves are in the extension zone.
C.Ice in compression zone matches lab results.
D.Ice shelves are pulled out of the continent to sea.
31. What can be inferred about the researchers’ future plans
A.They will build more satellite models.
B.They will abandon their current methods.
C.They will apply the methods to the Earth science.
D.They will seek more data to improve their analysis.
D
As a social psychologist, I have devoted my research career to a simple, but universal question: what makes for a good life, and how can we achieve it Historically, we have been presented with two possibilities: pursuing a life of happiness, or a life of meaning. Each of these paths has its benefits, but decades of psychological research have also revealed their limits.
The current cultural conception of happiness, for example, can work against us finding fulfillment. Today many expect it to come from individual success, making negative emotions seem like personal failures. Ask the Danes and Finns, who consistently rank among the happiest people in the world, what their secret is and they’ll tell you this: lower your expectations. It sounds good, doesn’t it But it’s a bit like being a college student who only takes easy courses to be sure of getting good grades. Might there be more to life than simple pleasures and relaxing comfort
Then there’s the meaningful life. We often imagine that meaning flows from trying to change the world. The pressure to realise it can be taxing, and feels out of reach for most of us. Once again, the research shows that lowering our sights and focusing on the little things can offer a more achievable sense of meaning. Often people find it in routines like taking care of family, volunteering in the community. But there is also a dark side: researchers have found that it can encourage people to draw sharp lines between those with a shared identity and those without. It can come at the expense of sympathy for those unlike us.
All this led me to outline a third route to fulfillment: a psychologically rich life, one filled with diverse, unusual and interesting experiences that change your viewpoint; a life with ups and downs, variety and complexity. Such experiences can kick-start the psychological immune (免疫) system, making us able to bounce back more easily. Most importantly, it is accessible to everyone. Better still, it can have meaning and happiness as its byproduct.
32. The comparison to a college student taking easy courses implies that _______.
A. academic success ensures lifelong fulfillment
B. lowering expectations guarantees happiness
C. simple pleasures are essential for mental health
D. avoiding challenges limits deeper experiences
33. What problem may arise from focusing on meaningful routines
A. Lower personal joy. B. Less care for other groups.
C. Too much pressure. D. Harm to family bonds.
34. What is the key feature of psychological richness according to the text
A. It wins social recognition. B. It meets everyone’s needs.
C. It enhances adaptability to challenges. D. It provides immediate happiness.
35. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this article
A. To introduce a new life philosophy. B. To criticize interpretations of success.
C. To promote positive psychology. D. To compare happiness strategies.
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。选项中有两项为多余选项。
The historic city of Suzhou is crossed with canals. Old whitewashed buildings line the banks. A century ago some of these would have been Chaguans, or traditional teahouses, where locals gathered to discuss the news or conduct business. 36 There are dozens of Starbucks outlets in Suzhou, as well as other coffee sellers. Last year China surpassed America, becoming the country with the most branded coffee shops in the world.
The early history of coffee in China is unclear. It is reported that it was Danes who opened the first coffee shop in the country in the 1830s. 37 That was partly because the Qing dynasty looked down upon foreigners and sought to prevent their influence. A century later, Lu Xun, a celebrated author, wrote that he didn’t drink the stuff, “I always thought it was for the westerners.” He and most other Chinese people preferred tea.
38 After China introduced market reforms and opened up to the world in the 1980s, foreign firms such as Maxwell House and Nestle brought instant coffee to the country. They catered to local tastes, making their mixes sweeter and less bitter than what they sold elsewhere. The biggest coffee-drinking group was still white-collar workers in first-tier cities aged between 20 and 40. 39
Today, a wider range of the population is partaking thanks to the rise of domestic coffee chains selling affordable coffee. The leader is Luckin Coffee, with over 20,000 outlets. 40 A cup of basic Luckin coffee is about a third of the price of an equivalent Starbucks offering. Luckin’s sales in China exceeded Starbucks’ for the first time in 2023. Both chains are expanding into smaller cities.
A.Starbucks, by comparison, has 7,300 shops.
B.China is home to nearly 50,000 such outlets.
C.Unfortunately, the drink didn’t catch on then.
D.It was totally a different story fifty years later.
E.Holding a Starbucks cup became a status symbol for them.
F.This marked the beginning of a new era for coffee in China.
G.Today visitors are more likely to find shops serving a different kind of drink.
第三部分 语言运用(共两节,满分30分)
第一节 (共15小题; 每小题1分,满分15分)
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
On August 25, Jessica Harris started her work as usual at the 188 diner. She was working the night 41 . It was an easy night until around 5:00 am two firefighters entered the diner. They had just returned from a rough night and never anticipated that their exhaustion would be 42 an unexpected act of kindness. Overhearing that it was their _ 43 meal in over 12 hours, Jessica decided to do something. Having served them with a warm smile, she secretly paid for their meal, leaving a heartfelt note thanking them for their bravery and sacrifice.
Touched by her 44 , the firefighters decided to thank Jessica personally, But she had gone off 45 . Curious, they inquired about her, only to find a 46 truth. Jessica, a full-time student, was working 47 jobs to support her seriously sick father, who was wholly unable to move around and in desperate need of a wheelchair.
Struck by her 48 to her father, the firefighters 49 a fundraiser, and within days, generous donations 50 in. But the story didn’t end there. A local medical equipment company, inspired by Jessica’s deeds, 51 with an incredible offer—they would donate a brand-new wheelchair.
This chain of kindness, 52 by a simple act of gratitude, transformed lives. As for Jessica, a good heart overcame 53 fortune. Her father 54 his mobility, and she could focus on her studies. The firefighters, reminded of the power of human connection, continued to pay it 55 , proving that even in the darkest moments, hope and sympathy can light the way.
41. A. shift B. scene C. light D. spot
42. A. associated with B. met with C. filled with D. satisfied with
43. A. delicious B. final C. nutritious D. first
44. A. gesture B. passion C. desire D. urge
45. A. mission B. duty C. task D. point
46. A. heartwarming B. breathtaking C. heartbreaking D. heartfelt
47. A. multiple B. flexible C. stable D. challenging
48. A. admiration B. devotion C. respect D. inspiration
49. A. attended B. advocated C. marked D. launched
50. A. checked B. poured C. filled D. stepped
51. A. gave out B. ended up C. reached out D. came up
52. A. sparked B. touched C. seized D. motivated
53. A. ill B. pure C. good D. numerous
54. A. maintained B. regained C. enhanced D. obtained
55. A. forward B. off C. back D. out
(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。
Hoarding (囤积症) is a disorder where a person collects items and stores them in a typically chaotic manner, so that their environment grows messy or begins to block the person’s ability to live their life. The hoarded items will not 56.___________(necessary) have monetary value, because hoarding behavior is more often a sign of anxiety in a person’s life 57.___________ a reflection of the value of the items themselves.
The underlying reasons for uncontrollable collecting vary from person to person: Some hoarders save items because they can imagine future uses for them, while others resist 58.___________(throw) away objects for reasons rooted in sorrow or fear.
Actually 59.___________ (link) to anxiety, low mood, or depression, hoarding is not about people being lazy or dirty. When people are emotionally struggling, they don’t always have the energy to look after 60.___________(they), let alone their homes. In response to sorrow and 61.___________ (lose), people sometimes turn to uncontrolled items collecting, in 62.___________ situation, hoarding disorder can be 63.___________ form of self-neglect, and people experiencing it deserve support and sympathy.
Addressing hoarding, especially when such behavior is an extension of otherwise understandable beliefs, 64.___________(be) difficult. However, putting systems and steps in place around item management will make everyday life easier for those hoarders in the future, lessening such tendencies. 65.___________ is important is to be aware of the way that external stresses may be pushing individuals to develop or deepen hoarding behavior.
第四部分 写作 (共两节,满分40分)
第一节 (满分15分)
近期,校英文报正在举办题为“Is it Good to Pursue Perfection ”的征文活动,请结合自身或他人经历,写一篇文章投稿,内容包括:
1. 你的看法;
2. 你的理由。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为 80 个左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Is it Good to Pursue Perfection
第二节 (满分25分)
67. 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。
Suzi wanted to go to a beach party. It was going to be the best party of the year, perhaps the best party of her life. But her mom had said no. Suzi was desperate and protested, “ But everyone is going.
“I don’t care who's going," replied her mother. “Even if the Queen of England were going, you are still not going.
Suzi was disappointed and even heartbroken. Sunday dinner came around and Suzi’s grandmother joined the family for the meal, as she nearly always did on Sunday. Gran noticed how unhappy Suzi had been looking during the meal but didn't say a thing. It was Suzi’s turn to wash up and Gran said, “Let me help you,” while the rest of the family shifted into the living room to watch a video. In the kitchen, Gran knew what had happened and said, “If you were her, what would your objections be ” Suzi hadn’t stopped to think about her mom’s side.
After learning that some adults were going to be there, Gran said to Suzi, “Your mother is concerned and doesn’t want anything to happen to you ” “Nothing will happen,” objected Suzi. “Maybe you're right,” said Gran, “but maybe Mom’s worried in case it could. You know, when your mother was your age, we used to negotiate about something. If she was going out somewhere, I would ask what time she wanted me to pick her up. She would always add an hour or two to it, saying maybe eleven or twelve o’clock, thinking I wouldn’t know what she was doing. I’d tell her that was far too late and that I wanted her home by nine. She’d object and we’d both come to a compromise(折中) at ten or ten-thirty, which was around what both of us had been thinking all along.
“That way, neither of us was the winner or loser; that way, she got to have time out as she wanted and I got to see her home at a reasonable time. By finding a compromise, we both got something. though maybe not completely, of what we wanted.
注意:
(1)续写词数应为150个左右;
(2)请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答
After hearing Gran’s story, Suzi felt lost in thought.
With Gran’s encouragement, Suzi quietly went to her mom's room and knocked softly.
阶段性考试16答案
第一部分:听力(共 20 小题;每题 1.5 分,满分 30 分)
1-5 BBABC 6-10 ABACC 11-15 BCBBA 16-20 AABCA
21-23 BBD 24-27 CAAD 28-31 CCAD 32-35 DBCA
36-40 GCDEA
41-45 ABDAB 46-50 CABDB 51-55 CAABA
56. necessarily 57. than 58 throwing 59. linked 60. themselves
61. loss 62. which 63 a 64. is 65. What
Is it Good to Pursue Perfection
I believe it’s good to pursue perfection to some extent.
Once, I aimed for perfection when preparing for an English speech contest. I polished my script repeatedly, practiced pronunciation, and adjusted my body language. As a result, I won first prize. Perfectionism drives us to surpass ourselves, opening doors to extraordinary results. Also, the process of striving for perfection helps cultivate crucial qualities like perseverance. However, we mustn’t overdo it. Being excessively focused on perfection may lead to burnout.
In conclusion, we should embrace the pursuit of perfection in a balanced way, leveraging it to achieve greater success.
After hearing Gran’s story, Suzi felt lost in thought. She began to understand that her mom’s concern wasn’t just about fun, but about her safety and responsibility. Gran had helped her realize that sometimes the best solutions come from seeing things from both sides. Suzi didn’t want her mom to feel like she needed to constantly monitor her, but she also wanted to show that she could be responsible. Gran, noticing her deep reflection, suggested, “Why don’t you talk to your mom Maybe she’ll listen.”
With Gran’s encouragement, Suzi quietly went to her mom’s room and knocked softly. Her mom looked up, surprised, but smiled when she saw Suzi. “Mom, I really want to go to the party, but I understand you’ re worried,” Suzi said. Her mom sighed, her expression softening. “I just want you to be safe,” she replied. They talked about their concerns and reached an agreement: Suzi could go, but she’d check in regularly. As Suzi left her mom’s room, a warm feeling filled her. She knew their bond was stronger than before.
录音原文:
Text 1
W: OH, no. It’s raining again.
M: They say we are going to see the sun tomorrow.
W: That’s exactly what we need now.
Text 2
W: You must be Mr. White. I’ve heard a lot about you from my boss.
M: Yes. I’m here today to sign the contract with you on behalf of my company.
W: OK. Please sit down. Let’s talk over dinner.
Text 3
W: The bus will pick us up at 8:30 a.m., and then it’s an hour’s ride.
M: So we can get there early enough.
W: Not that early. There is a 15-minute break on the way.
Text 4
M: Where were you I’ve been waiting for you for an hour!
W: I’m so sorry, but the taxi I was in got in an accident. I was not allowed to leave until it was safe.
M: Well, at least you’re not e on. Let’s go inside.
Text 5
M: Before we begin today’s lecture, I want to invite Dr. White to talk about the plan for the afternoon.
W: Prof. Pears, I just talked to Dr. White. She said she will be a little late today because there is something wrong with her car.
M: Oh, thank you, Dr. Hopkins. In that case, I’ll begin the lecture now.
Text 6
W: (6)What can I do for you
M: (6)My name is Gordon Baker from Room 1604. Could you check to see if anything has been delivered for me
W: Ah, yes, an envelope was dropped off for you. Here you are.
M: I’ve been expecting that, thank you. It contains some papers I need to send to my office. (7)Do you happen to have a fax machine I could use now
W: Certainly. There’s one on the second floor. You’ll need to cross the hall and go upstairs to get there.
M: Thanks very much.
Text 7
M: Based on the vision test we received from your doctor, you’ll need some pretty thick glasses. My assistant will get some for you. For now, what kind of shape would you like
W: I’m not sure. What would you recommend based on my face shape
M: You have a very round face, so you should definitely avoid round glasses. (8)You would look good in square ones. On the other hand, heart-shaped glasses don’t really match any face shape, but always look modern.
W: OK, then what about the color (9)What’s the most popular among your customers
M: (9)These red and those gold ones are about equal. The purple ones don’t sell often, since you definitely need more confidence to wear them.
W: All right. I’d like to try the gold and the purple.
Text 8
M: Professor, can I hand in my work late
W: Well, extension is given only for medical reasons. What’s your problem
M: I can’t finish reading the reference books.
W: You do not need to read them all. Choose some helpful parts from the books. For example, you need to
read Oliver, whose arguments will give you a lot of help. M: Fine. Should I read Billy’s book
W: His work is good, but you needn’t read it now. You can read Andrew’s.
M: Yes. (10)I am reading Andrew now.
W: Good. His research method is excellent. How is your research work going
M: I couldn’t find the data I need. Would a survey work
W: I don’t think you will have enough time to design it and then analyze your research data.(11)It’s better to interview some professionals.
M: (12)Thank you. I’ll follow your advice.
Text 9
W: Mr Brown, what important festivals do you have in your country apart from the ones that I’ve known
M: (13)Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday and so on. These are all public holidays celebrated throughout the UK. We also have Shakespeare Day, but it isn’t a public holiday.
W: Why are there so many days called bank holidays
M: (14)Originally, these were the days on which the banks were closed. Now, most businesses and non-essential services like banks close on these days.
W: What about Shakespeare Day
M: It’s a holiday for fans and enthusiasts of William Shakespeare.
W: When is the holiday
M: It falls on April 23 each year.
W: How do people celebrate the day
M: Well, there are many different kinds of celebrations. (15)People can watch a Shakespeare-inspired movie, pick a speech or passage to memorize, or meet with other Shakespeare fans and share their favorite Shakespeare moments with each other.
W: Do you celebrate this holiday every year
M: Yes. (16)But it’s a pity that I haven’t got a chance to go back and celebrate it ever since I came to China two years ago.
Text 10
Today’s show begins in South America, where a deadly natural disaster has hit the nation of Colombia. (17)It started in rain, heavy rain on Friday night. That caused three rivers to overflow around the city of Mocoa, which is located in the southwestern part of Colombia.
The flooding washed a stream of mud into Mocoa. (18)Many people were sleeping when the disaster came. People said it was moving so fast that they had to run for their lives.
Colombia officials say more than 200 people were killed, hundreds more injured and more than 100 people still missing. But Colombia’s president expects those numbers to increase as rescuers search for survivors. (19)More than 1,000 soldiers and police officers were involved in that effort.
They say that 80 percent of the roads around the area have problems. (20)So it’s hard to get to people who might be trapped. Rescuers are racing against the clock to save lives.