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2024-2025学年第二学期六校联合体期末考试
高二英语
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）
请听下面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。
1. What is the man going to do next
A. Have dinner. B. Attend a party. C. Go shopping.
2. Where does the conversation probably take place
A. At home. B. In a stadium. C. In a classroom.
3. What does the man suggest the woman do
A. Get a new bicycle.
B. Buy a second-hand bicycle.
C. Save money for something else.
4. How much does the man tip the woman
A. $9. B. $10. C. $19.
5. What are the speakers mainly talking about
A. A tourist attraction. B. Plans for vacation. C. Animals in Alaska.
第二节（共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5分）
听下面5段对话或独白。每段对话或独白后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听每段对话或独白前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒钟；听完后,各小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。
听下面一段对话，回答第6和第7两个小题。
6. What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A. Shop assistant and customer.
B. Father and daughter.
C. Doctor and patient.
7. How is Alice’s skin condition
A. Normal. B. Oily. C. Dry.
听下面一段对话，回答第8和第9两个小题。
8. What fruit does the woman want to eat
A. A pear. B. A banana. C. An orange.
9. Why does the man refuse to share the fruit
A. It is not big enough.
B. Its flavor isn’t very good.
C. It’s against his cultural tradition.
听下面一段对话，回答第10至第12三个小题。
10. What did the man’s parents stop him from doing
A. Eating too much.
B. Using dirty hands to eat food.
C. Swallowing food quickly.
11. What did the woman’s mother scare her with
A. Being sent to the prison.
B. Being infected by bacteria.
C. Being taken away by a monster.
12. What does the woman think of her mother’s lie
A. Understandable. B. Meaningless. C. Funny.
听下面一段对话，回答第13至第16四个小题。
13. When is the woman supposed to hand in her essay
A. By next Monday. B. By next Tuesday. C. By next Friday.
14. Why is the woman behind with her writing class
A. She was ill for a week.
B. She found it too difficult.
C. She was busy with a performance.
15. How does the man find his college life
A. Busy. B. Boring. C. Colorful.
16. What does the woman want to do next Wednesday
A. See an exhibition. B. Go to a ball. C. Watch a play.
听下面一段对话，回答第17至第20四个小题。
17. Where is the cemetery located
A. In a mountainous area.
B. Beside an animal reserve.
C. Near the Anacostia River.
18. Why do cemetery officials use goats to kill the weeds
A. To develop local economy.
B. To protect the environment.
C. To reduce the cost.
19. Who is Mary Bowen
A. A company owner. B. A program director. C. An environmental expert.
20. What is used to keep the goats from leaving the cemetery
A. A wooden fence. B. An electronic fence. C. A brick wall.
第二部分 阅读(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、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
A
Welcome to California. To enjoy the finest experience, you are highly advised to consider several premier accommodations.
Rush Creek Lodge
Surrounded by a forest, Rush Creek Lodge features a heated outdoor pool, and children’s playground. All units are air conditioned and feature a seating area. Every unit has a private bathroom with free toiletries. Guests can enjoy a drink at the on-site bar, while special diet menus and packed lunches are available on request. You can play table tennis at the property, and bike hire is available. Varieties of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and fishing.
Pacific Beach Resort
Pacific Beach Resort is set in Oceanside, which is around 3.9 km from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and 13 km from Antique Gas Steam Engine Museum. The nearest airport is McClellan-Palomar Airport, 12 km from the resort. The guest services team can aid guests in organizing beach days, horseback riding in the Santa Monica Mountains, private wine tasting, or Helicopter tours along the coast.
Calamigos Beach Club
Located on the California coast, Calamigos Beach Club offers pet-friendly accommodation. Each air-conditioned room at this resort offers free WiFi and a flat-screen TV. The property suits guests who are looking for accommodation for business or leisure. Taste delicate dishes at a MICHELIN-Star restaurant, dance at The Rooftop Bar’s lively sky bar deck and pool, and drink slowly at a beachfront café.
San Diego hotel
San Diego hotel is located along the ocean and is 1 mile from Mission Bay Park. This beachfront hotel features an oceanfront pool, bike rentals and rooms with balconies. Each guest room is equipped with a 50" LCD TV, a refrigerator, coffee maker and private patio or balcony. Business services and laundry facilities are also available. The San Diego Bay area offers many activities including water sports, cycling, surfing, tennis and shopping.
21. Which hotel is your best choice if you are with your pet
A. Rush Creek Lodge. B. Pacific Beach Resort.
C. Calamigos Beach Club. D. San Diego hotel.
22. What can you experience whether you stay at either Rush Creek Lodge or San Diego hotel
A. Thrilling Helicopter tours. B. The delicacy of self-made coffee.
C. Delicious food at star restaurants. D. Various activities such as cycling.
23. What makes Pacific Beach Resort unique compared to other hotels
A. It especially suits those looking for leisure.
B. It provides packed lunch delivery services.
C. It provides trip planning services for guests.
D. It is just steps away from Mission Bay Park.
B
The day my son Nick was born, losing a child became my biggest fear. When you love someone that vastly, the idea of them no longer being in your world is unbearable. Eighteen years and two months after that day, I was suddenly forced to face that fear. Had it not been for my fifteen-year-old daughter, Anna, I wouldn’t have made it past the first few weeks.
That’s when my 15-year-old daughter Anna sat beside me, her hands trembling. “Mom,” she whispered, “can someone really die of a broken heart ” Her question sliced through the fog of my sadness. I suddenly realized something.
At Nick’s memorial service, my friend Julia, an artist, handed me a box filled with glue, torn magazine pages, paint, and ribbons. “You need to create,” she said firmly. At first, I didn’t understand. But that night, I spread the materials on the kitchen table. I tore paper violently, burned edges with a candle, and splattered red paint like bloodstains. It wasn’t pretty, but it felt true.
Months later, I found Nick’s playlist. A song called Beloved caught my heart. Its lyrics about love and loss inspired me to paint again. The first painting was all black and white—bare trees under heavy snow. It felt like my soul. But slowly, color crept in. In the second painting, a tiny yellow butterfly appeared in the gloom. The third showed a field with greener grass, the butterfly growing brighter. By the seventh painting, the butterfly had transformed into a phoenix (凤凰) with rainbow wings, rising into a golden sky.
The series hangs on my living room wall, a constant reminder of the beginning of a process that will continue for the rest of my life. I still find myself creating art that reflects my grief. But, more and more often, I can paint images purely for enjoyment as the shadow fades and my life solidifies. And Anna no longer worries about losing me to a broken heart. Instead, she has become quite the artist herself and brightens my days even more with her own creations.
24. What might the author realize on hearing Anna’s question in paragraph 2
A. Nick died of a broken heart.
B. Anna couldn’t afford to lose her mother.
C. It was a heartbreak for Anna to lose her brother.
D. Anna wasn’t satisfied with the status quo of the family.
25. Why did the author’s friend hand her a box
A. The author was known for her potential for creating.
B. Her friend hoped the author could get through the dark times.
C. The box would serve as a reminder of a friend’s love and care.
D. Creating was useful for the author to withdraw from the reality.
26. What can be learned from the seven paintings
A. The author came to understand the recipe of painting.
B. The author gradually realized her potential as a painter.
C. The author eventually understood her friend’s intention.
D. The author slowly healed herself in the process of creating.
27. What can be a suitable title for the text
A. Enjoying the Very Moment B. Reborn From the Past Memories
C. Surviving Beyond the Shadow D. Creating a New Life Perspective
C
Many people assume mothers are the main contact for kids, even when dads are available. Schools, doctors, and others often call moms first, interrupting their work or personal time. Research shows this isn’t just a feeling—it’s backed by data.
A few years ago, Kristy Buzard, an economist at Syracuse University, and her colleagues posed as fictitious (虚假的) parents and emailed more than 80,000 school principals, saying they were searching for a school for their child and asking for a call back. The researchers found that the principals were 40 percent more likely to call the pretend mothers back than the pretend fathers.
Part of the reason, Buzard posited, is “this core belief that moms are more available and are going to be more responsive.” Katy Milkman, a behavioral economist, thought this reflected deep-rooted stereotypes (刻板印象) about mothers as caregivers. “People jump to conclusions without thinking,” said Milkman.
Outdated technology also plays a role. Schools and doctors’ offices often use old software that can’t update contact details easily. For example, if a dad becomes the main caregiver after a mom returns to work, systems might still default (默认) to her number. Jen Shu, a physicist, explained, “Our systems aren’t smart enough to switch priorities.”
While many moms are the primary contact, treating them as the default when they don’t want to be adds stress. Unwanted calls interrupt their jobs, and passing tasks to dads isn’t always simple. One survey found moms are 30% more likely than dads to consider asking their partner for help is “troublesome” because they still end up managing the task.
Dads face frustration too. When schools or doctors ignore their role, it creates extra steps. One father, Rauzon, manages his son’s asthma (哮喘) care but gets left out of calls. Another dad, Estes, works from home but day care contacts his office-working wife when their son is sick. “People assume dads are just there for decoration,” he said.
The problem isn’t just unfair—it hurts families. Many dads want to share parenting duties, and families function better when they do. As one researcher put it, “It’s time for everyone else to catch on.”
28. Why does the author mention Kristy’s research
A. To explain a complex social issue. B. To support a common assumption.
C. To clarify the different roles in families. D. To present a strange social phenomenon.
29. What can’t account for the fact that mothers are usually first contacted about kids’ problems
A. Moms are seen as more responsive.
B. Moms are generally considered freer.
C. Fathers are more likely to avoid their duties.
D. Outdated systems struggle to update contact details.
30. What can be learned from the 5th and 6th paragraphs
A. Most moms embrace help from their partner.
B. Some dads feel upset when their role is ignored.
C. Many moms think it is a burden to care about kids.
D. In most families, dads are just there for decoration.
31. What is most likely to be talked about in the next paragraph
A. The key to making families function better.
B. The significance of bringing up kids for parents.
C. The method to free moms from the unneeded calls.
D. The approaches to involving dads in parenting duties.
D
Recent research suggests that using digital devices like smartphones and tablets might actually help protect brain function in older adults rather than harm it. A review of 57 studies involving over 400,000 people aged 50 and older found that those who regularly used technology showed slower mental decline compared to those who used it less. These findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour, challenge concerns that screen time causes “digital dementia”.
Scientists analyzed data from adults worldwide, with an average age of 69, who had taken cognitive (认知的) tests or received memory-related tests. Results showed no proof that a lifetime of using digital technology drives mental decline. Rather, they found that using a computer, smartphone, the internet or some combination of these was associated with a lower risk of cognitive issues. However, researchers warn that the relationship isn’t fully understood. It’s possible that people with more incisive minds are more likely to use technology, but tech might also provide brain-boosting benefits.
“We think the three Cs might be important: complexity, connection and compensatory (补偿的) behaviours,” Dr. Jared Benge told the Guardian. Digital tools could help people engage in complex activities and boost their social connections, both of which appeared to be good for the ageing brain, he said. The technology also allowed people to compensate for cognitive decline and function more easily, for example by using GPS to find their way or setting reminders to pay bills or take medicines, he added. He also emphasized that how devices are used matters. Passive activities like watching shows may not help, but mentally stimulating tasks—learning new apps, researching topics, or staying socially connected—likely play a positive role.
Sam Gilbert, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, said the study showed “a clear link” between digital technology usage and preserved cognitive ability in older age. “The explanation for this link is still not fully clear: we cannot be sure whether technology usage itself preserves cognitive ability, whether preserved cognitive ability leads to more frequent use of technology, or–most likely–some combination of the two. Nevertheless, this work suggests that using digital technology can be good for brain health.”
32. What can you learn about “digital dementia”
A. It refers to technology-related memory or thinking problems.
B. It shows the effect of digital devices on users’ physical health.
C. It implies slower mental decline by using technology regularly.
D. It describes a special phenomenon of employing digital devices.
33. What does the underline word “incisive” in paragraph 2 mean
A. Brilliant. B. Sharp. C. Optimistic. D. Suspicious.
34. According to Jared Benge, why does using digital devices benefit the elderly
A. It can free them from their social contacts.
B. Digital devices usage can rid them of complex activities.
C. Using digital devices to learn new skills can stimulate their minds.
D. Digital devices usage can boost their brain function to a higher level.
35. What can be inferred from the last paragraph
A. Using digital device is a necessity to brain development.
B. Preserved cognitive ability leads to using digital devices.
C. Technology usage protects brain function and cognitive ability.
D. More research is needed to further explain the research findings.
第二节 (共5小题; 每小题2.5分，满分12.5分)
阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
The measurement most often used to assess a good night’s sleep is the number of hours of shuteye we get. And of course, getting plenty of sleep is definitely important. 36
That’s according to a new study published in the journal Sleep. 37 Even people who manage to sleep consistently for seven to eight hours each night, but who keep irregular schedules, are at a higher risk of strokes, heart attacks and cancer than those who slept fewer hours, but maintained a more consistent schedule.
38 The findings of the study show that those who got under six hours of sleep, or over nine, each night were at an increased risk, too.
Researchers analyzed sleep data from almost 61,000 people in the UK Biobank, a biomedical database tracking the health of half a million people in the UK. 39 Using advanced algorithms (算法) to study sleep patterns and tracking people’s death rates over an average of 6.3 years, they identified the factors linked to a higher risk of early death. Overall, the people who had the most consistent sleep-wake times had up to a 48-per-cent lower risk of all-cause death compared to those with the least consistent routines.
40 Given the risks, they believe advice should focus not just on getting enough sleep, but on maintaining a regular schedule for better overall health.
A. They put forward a sleep pattern for these people to follow.
B. However, we should pay more attention to our sleep routine.
C. In total, they examined more than 10 million hours of recorded sleep.
D. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to sleep only a few hours every night.
E. It suggests that one’s sleep regularity is a stronger predictor of death risk.
F. It questions whether one gets plenty of sleep is closely related to his health.
G. The researchers hope these findings will help update public health guidelines.
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。
Earl Guynes had always believed that his 1997 Chevrolet Camaro was more than just a car—it was a symbol of his 41 . He loved telling stories about the Camaro, recalling how it had been his prized possession, a car that symbolized both the 42 and possibilities of his younger years.
But life had a way of changing things. At 22, with two babies to 43 , Earl had to make a tough choice. A tight 44 meant he must sell the car, putting his family’s needs 45 his attachment to the Camaro.
As the years passed, Earl never quite 46 the Camaro. He often joked with his son Jared about the car, saying, “I used to have one just like that, 47 I gave it up for diapers (尿布). You needed them, and that’s what happened to that car.” Jared 48 thought it was just another one of his dads tall tales. It was 49 for him to imagine his father giving up something so special.
Years later, Jared began to grasp the true 50 of his father’s sacrifice. It wasn’t just about a car, but 51 dreams and personal identity. And so, in 2021, after a successful year in business, Jared resolved to 52 and restore the Camaro.
He searched everywhere, and finally found it: a 1997 Camaro, just 70 miles away. Old and damaged as it was, Jared bought it right away and started repairing it.
For two years, Jared worked tirelessly in 53 , sanding, painting, and polishing until the Camaro looked as good as new. On Earl’s 65th birthday, Jared 54 him with the restored Camaro.
Tears streamed down his face as he recognized the enormous effort behind this 55 . The restored Camaro now stood as a lasting symbol of their profound bond—a testament (证明) to love, sacrifice, and unbreakable family ties.
41. A. love B. devotion C. youth D. responsibility
42. A. excitement B. embarrassment C. tolerance D. competence
43. A. survive B. sustain C. suit D. support
44. A. schedule B. budget C. salary D. income
45. A. before B. with C. into D. off
46. A. tear down B. weigh up C. submit to D. let go of
47. A. therefore B. so C. but D. or
48. A. substantially B. initially C. precisely D. sincerely
49. A. privileged B. guilty C. innocent D. hard
50. A. depth B. bonus C. virtue D. integrity
51. A. abandoned B. anticipated C. acquired D. assigned
52. A. refresh B. rebuild C. recover D. reserve
53. A. person B. secret C. public D. silence
54. A. awarded B. equipped C. entertained D. surprised
55. A. intention B. empathy C. gesture D. mission
第二节 (共10小题;每小题1.5分，满分15分)
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
The U.S. National Museum of Asian Art has returned two volumes of ancient Chinese silk manuscript (手稿) to China, which 56 (arrive) in Beijing on Sunday after nearly 80 years abroad.
This manuscript, whose value experts say is 57 (compare) to that of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the West, is the oldest Chinese silk 58 (write) found so far and the only known one from the Warring States Period found in China. The name, Zidanku Silk Manuscript, came from the site 59 it was stolen by grave robbers. It was then taken 60 (illegal) to the US in 1946.
China’s ambassador to the US said that the manuscript has over 900 characters 61 is full of myths and numbers. He said 62 return of the two volumes is a cultural milestone and a testament (证明) to China-U.S. cooperation in heritage protection and 63 the move brings new vitality to people-to-people exchanges and friendship. He also added that when the two countries work together 64 (base) on being equal and respecting each other, they can achieve important results that help both sides and others.
An expert in international law mentioned that it is difficult to get back China’s lost cultural items overseas because many of them were lost over a long time 65 different reasons, and they are spread out. He said it is important to make a full list of these lost items and study where they came from and how they were moved.
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分）
第一节（满分15分）
66. 为确保学生度过一个安全的暑假，昨天你校邀请了李警官(Mr. Li)来校做了一场交通安全知识讲座。请你为校英文报写一篇报道，内容包括：
（1）主要内容；
（2）活动意义。
注意：
（1）写作词数应为80左右；
（2）可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
A Lecture on Traffic Safety
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。
A determined 10-year-old girl Callie lived with her parents and older brother, Ben, on a quiet farm. Though she was small and thin, she loved helping with housework, especially feeding the horses in their big barn (畜棚). One side of the barn housed the horse stalls (马厩), while the other side was piled with hay bales (干草捆) for feeding.
One afternoon, Callie went into the barn to feed the horses. As she walked towards the tall stacks of hay, she suddenly stopped. A tiny, weak sound came through the dusty air. Meow... meow...
Her heart jumped. A kitten must be trapped in the hay! Breathing hard, she ran back to find Ben and her father. “Dad! Ben! Come quick! A kitten is stuck in the hay!” she called urgently. Ben sighed, putting down his tools. Her father looked doubtful. “Probably just the wind, Callie,” he said gently. But they followed her to the barn.
They stood quietly near the hay stacks, listening. The barn was silent. “Hear anything ” Ben asked. Their father shook his head. “Nothing, sweetheart. Maybe it was just a mouse. Don’t worry about it.” Disappointed, Callie watched them leave.
After dinner, Callie slipped back to the barn, determined. She stood still, listening attentively. And there it was again! Meow... meow... Weaker now, but clear. She raced back to the house. Her father was watching TV.
“Dad, please!” she pleaded (恳求). “I heard it again! It is a kitten! Please, just come check one more time ” He looked unwilling but saw the real worry in her eyes. “Alright, alright, one last look.”
He returned a few minutes later. “Callie, I listened hard. All I heard was an owl outside. No kitten. Try not to worry.” He gave her a tired smile. “Thanks for checking, Dad.” Callie whispered, though she still felt uneasy.
注意：
1．续写词数应为150左右；
2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
That night, Callie woke up suddenly. “I have no choice but to get help!” Callie thought to herself.
2024-2025学年第二学期六校联合体期末考试
高二英语 参考答案
一、听力
1~5 CAACB 6~10 ACACB 11~15 ABCAC 16~20 BCBAB
二、阅读
第一节：阅读理解
21-23: CDC 24-27: ABDC 28-31: BCBD 32-35: ABCD
第二节：七选五
36-40 BEDCG
三、语言运用
第一节：完形填空：
41-45 CADBA 46-50 DCBDA 51-55 ACBDC
第二节：语篇填空
56. arrived parable 58. writing 59. where 60. illegally
61. and 62. the 63. that 64. based 65. for
四、写作
第一节：应用文
A Lecture on Traffic Safety
With the summer holiday approaching, our school invited Mr. Li, a traffic policeman, to deliver a lecture on traffic safety yesterday, aiming to ensure that students could enjoy a safe holiday. All the teachers and students in our school participated in the lecture.
Firstly, Mr. Li showed us some pictures of typical traffic accidents, which were really impressive and instructive. Then he explained some traffic rules to us. Finally, he appealed to all of us to pay more attention to traffic safety.
The lecture is of great significance. Through it, we now have a better understanding of traffic rules. More importantly, after the lecture, we know how to handle emergent traffic problems and ensure our safety.
第二节：读后续写
That night, Callie woke up suddenly. The weak cries filled her mind. She couldn’t rest. Quietly, she put on her coat, took a flashlight and slipped out. Inside the barn, near the hay stacks, Callie held her breath, listening with full attention. Then, it came: Meow... meow... Her flashlight beam swept across the bales. There! Near the bottom of a tall stack, she spotted a tiny movement-a small patch of gray fur barely visible between two enormous bales. She rushed over and pushed the bales again, but they wouldn’t move.
“I have no choice but to get help!” Callie thought to herself. She raced back home and quickly awoke Ben and their father. Seeing Callie’s worried face and absolute certainty, they both hurried with her back to the barn. Working together, Ben and their father carefully moved the heavy hay bales which Callie pointed at. Eventually, a narrow passage was revealed. There was a tiny gray kitten, its eyes wide with fright. Trembling and exhausted, it let out another pitiful meow. Carefully, Callie’s father reached in and gently held the little creature out. Callie’s heart swelled with relief and joy as she looked at the rescued kitten, safe and warm in her father’s large, gentle hands.
听力材料
Text 1
W: You’re leaving now Won’t you stay for dinner
M: No, I’ve got to go. We will have a birthday party for Mom tomorrow. I need to buy a watch for her before the shopping mall closes.
Text 2
M: Come on! Come on! Get the ball and shoot! Hey! Why did you turn off the TV, honey
W: Rachel is having her exams tomorrow. She needs a sound sleep.
Text 3
W: I can’t decide whether to buy a new bicycle or try to find a second-hand one.
M: A new bicycle will cost you a lot of money, but it will save money in the long run, I think.
Text 4
M: The meal cost 90 dollars originally. You’ve offered a 10% discount, so it costs 81 dollars in total, right
W: That’s right, sir.
M: Here is a hundred-dollar bill. Keep the change as your tip.
Text 5
W: Come and look! These places in the brochure are awesome! Which place shall we go for this vacation
M: Oh, sorry, I’ve promised Mark that I am going hunting with him in Alaska.
W: John, you can’t be serious!
Text 6
M: Hello, I’m here to buy a soap bar for my daughter Alice. She wants to use it to wash her face. Do you think this one made of green tea is okay
W: Sure, sir. Does your daughter have oily skin or normal skin
M: Well, she always complains about her dry skin.
W: In that case, I think this goat’s milk soap bar is more suitable for your daughter. It’ll make her skin smoother.
M: Thanks. I’ll take this one.
Text 7
W: Let’s see what we have here in the fridge: oranges… no, ate too much before; bananas… no, don’t like the taste.
M: Look! We still have a pear.
W: The pear is good! But this one is too big. Why don’t we share it
M: No, we Chinese do not share pears.
W: Oh Why is that
M: Well, in Chinese, “sharing a pear with someone” sounds like “leaving that person”, which is not a good sign to us.
W: I see. Guess I’ll have to eat it alone.
Text 8
W: Did your parents lie to you in order to talk you out of doing something when you were a kid
M: Yeah. I used to grab and eat food with my dirty hands. In order to make me wash my hands, my parents said if I continued doing so, the bacteria I swallowed would finally gather into a monster and cut my belly open.
W: You must have been terrified.
M: You bet.
W: Well, at least your parents’ lie is understandable. My mom once told me that if I put a stamp upside down on the envelope and mailed it, I would be sent to the prison. It doesn’t make any sense.
M: It’s so funny. She probably just wanted to play a trick on you.
Text 9
M: You seem busy.
W: You can’t imagine what I have to finish by next Monday! This literature course is so difficult. I have to read two novels by next Monday and hand in a 3,000-word essay by next Friday.
M: So you don’t want to come to an exhibition with me this Saturday
W: I’d love to, but I’m already behind with my writing class because I had a cold for a week and missed a few lessons. You seem to have loads of free time.
M: Well, we just don’t have as much academic work as you. My college life is colorful compared with yours. There are varieties of live performances as an art major.
W: Yes. I’m bored with the life of reading and writing every day.
M: Why don’t we stop talking Just work now. If you have finished everything on Sunday, we could go to see that new play next Tuesday.
W: Okay. I’ll try. And I don’t want to miss the student ball next Wednesday.
Text 10
M: A burial place in Washington D.C. is using goats instead of poison to remove weeds. In recent years, many weeds have grown in the cemetery. Officials do not want to use poisons to kill the weeds. The cemetery is near the Anacostia River. Lauren Maloy is the program director in the cemetery. “Because it is close to the river, we are always looking for ways to make sure that things are sustainable — we are not using poisons that might hurt the environment.” She said. So cemetery officials have decided to use goats. The animals are less costly than chemicals and do not hurt the environment. The animals are owned by Mary Bowen. The cemetery pays her company $11,000 to have the goats remove unwanted plants from each spot of the cemetery. Mary Bowen says that is about half the cost of using poisons. An electronic fence keeps the goats from leaving the cemetery. She hopes that the goats will help more people understand that they can keep their property free of weeds without hurting the environment.

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