资源简介

2023～2024学年度第一学期
高三年级12月质量检测英语试题
分值：150分； 时长：120分钟
命题人： 审题人：
注意事项：
1. 答卷前，考生务必将自己的姓名、准考证号填写在答题卡上。
2. 回答选择题时，选出每小题答案后，用铅笔把答题卡上对应项目的答案标号涂黑。如需改动，用橡皮擦干净后，再选涂其他答案标号。回答非选择题时，将答案写在答题卡上，写在本试卷上无效。
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）
做题时，先将答案标在试卷上。录音内容结束后，你将有两分钟的时间将试卷上的答案转涂到答题卡上。
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 looking through
A. A telescope. B. A camera. C. A mobile phone.
2. Where does the conversation probably take place
A. In a gym. B. In a store. C. On the playground.
3. What will the speakers probably do next
A. Do some shopping. B. Order at a restaurant. C. Visit the man’s mother.
4. How many pairs of socks will be washed
A. Two. B. Three. C. Five.
5. What are the speakers most likely talking about
A. A bed. B. A chair. C. A kind of medicine.
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 is the theme of the party
A. Comedy characters. B. Horrible characters.
C. Fantasy characters.
7. What is the woman like
A. Generous. B. Funny. C. Confident.
听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。
8. What do we know about Tim
A. He used to be in a band.
B. He played some instrument once.
C. He really dislikes jazz music now.
9. What is Donna
A. The drummer. B. The lead singer. C. The guitar player.
听第8段材料，回答第10至13题。
10. How does the man probably feel about the Belt and Road passenger trains
A. Excited. B. Uncertain. C. Indifferent.
11. Where does the train travel through according to the woman
A. Italy. B. Germany. C. Spain.
12. What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A. Friends. B. Cousins. C. Husband and wife.
13. Which train do the speakers intend to take next year
A. The Palace on Wheels. B. The Glacier Express. C. The Orient Express.
听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。
14. When might the birthday party be
A. On Thursday. B. On Friday. C. On Saturday.
15. What does Judy have to do on the day of the party
A. Go to work.
B. Take the car for a check.
C. Drive her brother somewhere.
16. Which gift will Dave give to Brad for his birthday
A. A hat. B. A gift card. C. A music record.
17. What will the speakers do on Brad’s birthday
A. Go to movies. B. Do some sports. C. See a band performance.
听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。
18. What is clever about the mall according to the talk
A. Its location. B. Its atmosphere. C. Its shopkeepers.
19. What kind of people transform the items
A. Greedy people. B. Creative people. C. Poor people.
20. How can we describe the mall’s customers best
A. They want a bargain.
B. They want something new.
C. They want to help the planet.
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
The following are a series of new parks that have opened around the world in the last two years.
Katmandu Park, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Opened in March 2023 on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, the park is full of mystery. According to legend, explorer Kilgore Goode was on an adventure through Nepal when he came across the “Desirata” jewel, protected by a fierce yeti（雪人）.
Tickets from $120 for adults; $85 for children.
Ghibli Park, Japan
Located outside of Nagoya, Japan, Ghibli Park opened in late 2022. Within the 17.5 forested ground of the Expo 2005, guests will find five areas that recreate several animated（栩栩如生的）famous scenes.
Tickets from $15 for adults; $7.50 for children.
Peppa Pig Theme Park, Florida
The world's first Peppa Pig Theme Park opened in 2022 in Winter Haven, Florida, and has been delighting children ever since. Dedicated to the classic British animated TV show, where little Peppa has everyday adventures with her friends and family, the 4.5-acre park welcomes pint-sized guests with well-designed, multi-sensory activities across six playscapes.
Tickets from $34 for adults; $25 for children.
Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Malaysia
Located within Resorts World Genting, about an hour's drive from Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park opened in February 2022. Across the 26-acre park, which cost $800 million and took nearly 10 years to create, visitors will find 26 attractions across nine areas inspired by movies and explorations.
Tickets from $34 for adults; $29 for children.
21. How much will the Smiths with their two children pay to visit Ghibli Park
A. $45. B. $37.5. C. $30. D. $118.
22. What can we know about Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park
A. It is the biggest theme park in the world. B. It has been opened for ten years.
C. It is located in Asia. D. It has nine attractions in all.
23. What do the four parks have in common
A. They were all built in the same year. B. They are all family-friendly parks.
C. They all took a long time to create. D. They are all involved in adventures.
B
Mia, 12, is now on a year-long trip with her parents and three younger brothers. Far from their home in Quebec, Canada, the family rode horses in Mongolia, kayaked in Cambodia, camped in Namibia and flew in a hot air balloon in Turkey, looking to collect as many once-in-a-lifetime memories as they could.
The memories really matter because unless science makes a breakthrough soon, three of the children will become blind, likely in adulthood. They have been diagnosed with a disease that has no effective treatment and no specific timeline as it gradually robs them of their sight.
The diagnoses came in 2015. Despite the grief, the parents were surprised to find Mia, then 7, was calm about it. She announced that she would need to start keeping her bedroom especially neat, with everything in its place. “In the future, I’ll need to know where things are,” Mia said.
“She’s finding solutions on her own,” the parents told each other. “We need to follow her lead.” And so the idea of a yearlong trip was born, one that would show the kids the world, in person and at close range -- while the kids could still see it. For the next two years, the parents saved money and researched places to visit. “How we adults see the world and how kids see the world are so different.” says the mother, Edith. “It would have to be less about temples and museums and more about whatever caught their eyes.”
By the time the trip began to wind down in early 2023, the family had traveled 52,000 miles and visited 18 countries. Mia grew taller and when entering adolescence, needed more independence. Her brothers became more confident and outgoing. The kids were very aware that they had learned a lot. “There’s a lot of suffering, a lot of poverty, but lots of good and interesting things too. We should be positive.” said Mia.
24. What’s the probable function of the first paragraph
A. To inform readers of a wonderful trip.
B. To arouse the readers’ interest.
C. To provide background information.
D. To lead in the story behind.
25. What can be inferred about the parents from paragraph 3 and 4
A. They are open-minded enough to respect their children’s decision.
B. They are surprised at their daughter’s creative ideas.
C. They are proud of their daughter’s courage to face difficulties.
D. They are optimistic about the children’s disease.
26. What is the last paragraph mainly about
A. The details about the year-long journey.
B. The changes of the kids physically and mentally.
C. The keen anticipation of Mia about the future.
D. The impression Mia had of what she had experienced.
27. Which is the best title of the story
A. Seeing is believing.
B. Man who travels far knows more.
C. Making the most of the vision.
D. The eyes are the window to the soul.
C
Many of us are lonelier than ever. We can go shopping and avoid speaking to a single person. Automated voices on phones and machines suck the contact and relational element out of day-to-day life, so much so that experts say that we are experiencing a loneliness disease.
According to Dr. Lalitaa, loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met. But loneliness is not always the same as being alone. Loneliness is a state of mind linked to wanting human contact but feeling alone. People can be alone and not feel lonely, or they can have contact with people and still experience feelings of loneliness.
Loneliness is a universal human emotion that is both complex and unique to each individual. There are many contributing factors to loneliness, such as illness, relationships breaking down, moving country, changing jobs or not being understood by co-workers, retiring, starting university, etc.
We cannot underestimate the impact loneliness can have on our physical and mental wellbeing. According to research, loneliness has comparable health risks to smoking 15cigarettes a day, and people who feel lonely are more likely to die earlier and suffer from heart attacks. Dr. Lalitaa says, “People often say to me, ‘It's too late to meet new people as an adult.’ Having human connection can look different for each person, but this can become a block, stopping them going out, trying new things and connecting with new people. Remember, it is never too late to make good, meaningful connections.”
However, don't put pressure on yourself. A meaningful relationship takes time. It is not just created overnight. Also, take some time to sit with yourself and venture(冒险) into some of the things that you like doing. “The first thing I would say is not to deny or distance the feeling. Acknowledge it and then you can choose to focus on ways to help yourself,” says Dr. Lalitaa.
28. How does the author clarify what loneliness is
A. By making comparisons. B. By giving examples.
C. By stating arguments. D. By employing figures.
29. Why is smoking cigarettes mentioned in the text
A. To explain the causes of loneliness.
B. To emphasize the universality of loneliness.
C. To overestimate the impact of loneliness.
D. To illustrate the harm from loneliness.
30. What does the underlined word “this” in paragraph 4 refer to
A. Lack of appealing reward. B. The idea of being too late for new relations.
C. The regret for the passing youth. D. Dependence on the network.
31. What does Dr. Lalitaa consider as priority when dealing with loneliness
A. Being aware of and recognizing it. B. Telling it from being alone.
C. Having new experience. D. Making friends from all walks of life.
D
Whether or not artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to outperform human intelligence -- and how soon that could happen -- is a common question fueled by descriptions of AI in popular culture. Key to this comparison is a clear understanding of “intelligence”.
One common definition describes as the ability of someone or something to achieve goals in a wide variety of environments. We can compare how well computers and humans are able to meet this definition.
Computers start with many advantages. They have better memories, they can quickly gather information from numerous digital sources, they can work continuously without the need for sleep, they don’t make mathematical errors, and they are better at multitasking and thinking several steps ahead than humans. This makes them superior to humans at achieving some goals, such as calculating complex mathematical problems or sorting through large amounts of data. However, most AI systems are specialized for very specific applications.
Humans, on the other hand, can use imagination and intuition (直觉) when approaching new tasks in new situations. This makes humans more readily able to apply their intelligence to a variety of environments, such as walking along unfamiliar trails. This is something machines often struggle with.
Intelligence can also be defined in other ways, such as the possession of a group of advantages, including the ability to reason, represent knowledge, plan, learn, and communicate. Many AI systems possess some of these traits, but no system has yet acquired them all.
As AI systems grow more sophisticated, they may become better at translating capabilities to different situations the way humans can. Theoretically, this could result in artificial intelligence that transcends human intelligence. The term “singularity” is sometimes used to describe a situation in which an AI system develops agency and grows beyond human ability to control it. So far, experts continue to debate when–and whether–this is likely to occur.
32. The author introduces the definitions of intelligence to ______.
A. bring in the topic B. change the understanding of AI
C. help explain the issue D. correct people’s wrong view of intelligence
33. In which aspect are humans superior to computers
A. Collecting and memorizing data. B. Dealing with new problems flexibly.
C. Handling many tasks at the same time. D. Creating new tasks in various situations.
34. How does the author develop this passage
A. By giving examples. B. By quoting experts’ opinions.
C. By making comparisons. D. By presenting research findings.
35. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text
A. AI Era Causes Concerns about Intelligence
B. Definition of Intelligence Varies in Many Ways
C. Can Human Beings Control Artificial Intelligence Forever
D. Will Machines Become More Intelligent Than Humans
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。
When you hear your friend passed an exam that you had failed earlier, will you share her happiness If you can feel the joy, congratulations! ___36___ Studies found that Freudenfreude contributes to kind acts, such as helping others. Celebrating the personal victories of other people can bring on more of our own.
___37___ Sometimes, your loss might really sting, making Freudenfreude feel out of reach. If you were raised in a family that paired winning with self-worth, you might misread someone else’s victory as your own personal shortcoming. And factors such as mental health and overall wellbeing can also affect your ability to participate in someone else’s joy. ___38___
One way to summon good feelings for others is to ask questions. You don’t need to wait for someone else’s good news to exercise Freudenfreude. Cultivate joy by inviting others to share their victories. ___39___ When you speak with them, be sure to maintain eye contact and listen attentively. This should motivate you to keep going and make you feel as if your efforts will pay off.
Because emotions are contagious (有感染力的), showing appreciation can also increase Freudenfroude. You can think of Freudenfreude as something you can spread when you’re experiencing personal joy. ___40___ Start by sharing your win, then tell the other person how you appreciate their help. Practicing gratitude is like sharing dessert: Both parties enjoy the sweetness of the moment, which enhances Freudenfreude for them both.
A. It is a term that describes the joy we feel when someone else succeeds.
B. You might ask: “what’s the best thing that happened to you this week ”
C. To do this, try giving others credit for their support that leads to your own.
D. While the benefits of Freudenfreude are plentiful, it doesn’t always come easily.
E. To better understand Freudenfreude, it is important to realize that it is a win-win.
F. Still, generating Freudenfreude is worthwhile and there are ways to encourage the feeling.
G. Finding pleasure in another person’s good fortune is what social scientists call Freudenfreude.
第三部分 语言运用（共两节，满分30分）
第一节 完形填空（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。
After graduating from the Lanzhou-based Northwest Minzu University majoring in sociology, Mu struggled to realize his dream in big cities. However, Mu returned home at 25 after 41 his job during the COVID 19 pandemic in November 2021. 42 , Mu thought of himself as a “failure” at first, because leaving their village had been a 43 for all rural children of his generation.
However, he was not 44 by his difficulties and quickly lifted himself up. Mu decided to 45 his cell phone and begin creating short videos about the 46 daily lives at home and uploading them online. He gradually found that village related 47 was popular among his followers. “The more local the content is, the more universal its 48 is,” he said.
Mu started 49 local products on his account on April 1 last year after some fans asked him where they could buy the beef, lamb, fruit, tea and rice that had 50 in some of his videos. With more than 5 million followers on social networking websites, Mu has become the No 1 “ 51 ” in Zhongning County, helping his fellow villagers to sell local 52 online.
“The 53 of the future often makes young people feel confused,” he said. “I gave my answer to the 54 with my own practical actions: There is not a 55 standard of life for young people, including college graduates. Dreams will lead everyone to where they should go.”
41. A. hunting B. losing C. quitting D. advertising
42. A. Depressed B. Surprised C. Amazed D. Puzzled
43. A. skill B. challenge C. goal D. pity
44. A. attracted B. welcomed C. abandoned D. defeated
45. A. turn off B. pass down C. take apart D. pick up
46. A. experts’ B. locals' C. fans’ D. youth's
47. A. content B. tradition C. scenery D. custom
48. A. meaning B. application C. appeal D. comment
49. A. generating B. predicting C. promoting D. storing
50. A. survived B. featured C. mixed D. grown
51. A. collector B. volunteer C. farmer D. salesman
52. A. specialties B. crops C. videos D. dishes
53. A. misfortune B. uncertainty C. diversity D. expectation
54. A. doubt B. challenge C. regret D. confusion
55. A. high B. moral C. uniform D. official
第二节 （共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Chinese writer Hai Ya's The Space-Time Painter won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette (中短篇小说) on Saturday. He became the third Chinese writer 56 (win) a Hugo award.
Hai Ya's novelette is inspired by a painting masterpiece, Qian li Jiang shan Tu, 57 A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains, by Wang Ximeng from the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). Hai Ya has woven the story of Wang's life into an 58 (invite) novel that combines the elements of traditional Chinese culture and history with sci-fi and detective genres.
59 (Model) on the life of Wang, Hai Ya has created the character of painting genius Zhao Ximeng, who painted for an emperor more than 1,000 years ago. After much suffering, the painter's mind abandons 60 (he) physical body and enters a space 61 a modern police officer is investigating a case 62 (involve) an ancient painting. The story reveals the political upheavals (动荡) of the period during which the painting was created.
Working in the financial industry, Hai Ya, 33, started writing sci-fi 63 (story) in 2016 and published his first work in menting 64 the Chinese winners of the Hugo Awards, sci-fi writer Han Song wrote that it shows that in recent years a new force of Chinese sci -fi 65 (rise), and sci-fi has become a language for China to communicate with the world.
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分）
应用文写作（满分15分）
10月16日是世界粮食日(World Food Day), 你校为了提高学生珍惜粮食的意识举办了一系列活动。 假定你是校英语报的记者，请你为校英语报写一篇活动报道。内容要点包括：
1. 活动过程；
2. 活动反响。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
第二节 读后续写（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。
In a coastal village named Seaford lived a courageous young woman named Amelia. Amelia was known throughout Seaford for her adventurous nature. From the moment she could walk, she would eagerly run towards the crashing waves, feeling the sand between her toes and the cool spray of the ocean mist on her face. She was a woman with a strong will and possessed a heart full of kindness. Amelia's love for the ocean was intense, and she spent most of her days exploring the beautiful beaches and sparkling waters that surrounded her house.
One sunny morning, while Amelia was walking along the shore, she noticed a group of restless seagulls abnormally circling above the crashing waves. Their unusual calls echoed (回荡) through the air. Concerned for their well-being, she followed their flight pattern, her instincts guiding her toward danger.
As she approached a towering cliff, Amelia gasped in horror. On a narrow ledge(岩架), high above the violent waves, was a young dolphin trapped in a thick fishing net. Its shiny body shone under the golden rays of the sun, but its freedom was cruelly limited by the trap. With each struggle, the net tightened around its delicate body, leaving painful marks on its skin. Its tail flapped helplessly, each movement a request for help, while its desperate cries for assistance echoed through the air.
A sense of urgency filled her, pushing her forward with determination and resolve. Realizing that time was tight, Amelia knew she had to act instantly to free this innocent creature from its difficult position before it submitted to exhaustion or the force of the tides.
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。
Paragraph 1: Without hesitation, Amelia rushed back to the village.___________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2: As the dolphin was released into the waters, it hesitated for a moment. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________高三英语第二次质量检测 参考答案
1-5 ABCCA 6-10 CABBA 11-15 BCACB 16-20 CBABC
21-23 ACB 24-27 DABC 28-31 ADBA 32-35 CBCD
36-40 GDFBC
41-45 BACDD 46-50 BACCB 51-55 DABDC
56. to win 57. or 58. inviting 59. Modeled/Modelled 60. his
61. where 62. involving 63. stories 64. on/upon 65. has risen
第一节 应用文写作
In celebration of World Food Day on October 16th, our school organized a series of activities to promote awareness about the importance of cherishing food resources.
The day kicked off with an assembly where students learned about global food challenges and the need to reduce food waste. Following this, engaging workshops encouraged discussions on sustainable eating habits and how individual choices impact the environment. In the cafeteria, a campaign focused on food waste awareness was launched. Students were urged to take only what they could eat, and leftovers were collected for donation to local charities. The response to the activities was overwhelmingly positive. They effectively raised awareness about the importance of cherishing our food resources. The hope is that these lessons will drive lasting changes in behavior and a sense of responsibility to promote global food security.
第二节 读后续写
参考范文：
Without hesitation, Amelia rushed back to the village. She gathered the villagers to join her in the rescue. Amelia led the way, carefully moving along the steep cliff edge until she reached the dolphin. As she drew closer, she noticed tears streaming out of the creature’s eyes, as if it knew its fate was in their hands. Amelia carefully freed the dolphin from the net. Then Amelia and the villagers guided it down to the waiting boat. Then they made their way back to the shore and treated the injuries of the dolphin.
As the dolphin was gently released into the calm, welcoming waters, it hesitated for a moment. Amelia approached the dolphin and gently stroked it. The dolphin touched the girl with the tip of its nose in response and made happy sounds as if to say a final thank you before diving gracefully beneath the surface. The crowd erupted in applause, their hearts filled with joy and gratitude for being witness to such a remarkable rescue. Amelia’s courage and compassion were an inspiration to all who heard her story.
【思路点拨】本文以救援海豚为线索展开，讲述了一位热爱海洋勇敢善良的年轻女子Amelia，召集村民和她一起救援被困海豚的故事，Amelia在悬崖边上发现有一只小海豚被困在渔网里，她立刻跑回村子，召集村民帮忙和她一起救援，她小心翼翼地把海豚救出来，和村民们一起把受伤的海豚带到船上，送海豚去治疗，当海豚重回大海时，感谢Amelia和村民们，对于Amelia的勇气和同情心，大家深受鼓舞。
1.段落续写：
①由第一段首句内容“Amelia毫不犹豫地跑回了村子。”可知，第一段可描写Amelia召集村民，和她一起救援被困海豚的过程。
②由第二段首句内容“当海豚被轻轻地放进平静、舒适的水域时，它犹豫了一会儿。”可知，第二段可描写海豚对它的恩人Amelia以及村民们表示感激之情。
2.续写线索：发现被困的海豚——决定救出海豚——召集村民帮忙救援——成功救出海豚——送去治疗——海豚重回大海——海豚对救援者表示感激——升华主题
英语听力原文
(Text 1)
W: Look through here and focus on the sky.
M: Wow!
W: What do you think of the view
M: It’s a beautiful view through a telescope-more wonderful than what can be seen through a camera or a mobile phone. (1)
(Text 2)
M: Excuse me. I’m looking for a volleyball. Where can I find sporting goods
W: Sporting goods are on the second floor, right next to the lift. (2)
(Text 3)
W: The grocery store closed at 7:00. Since we have nothing to cook, let’s go to a restaurant.
M: Actually, my mother is cooking dinner now. I’ll call her to let her know we’re coming. (3)
(Text 4)
W: You have left three pairs of socks to be washed, but there are also two pairs of odd socks here.
M: Oh, sorry about that. Here are the missing socks. You can wash them all now. (4)
(Text 5)
M: How do you like it It’s very comfortable, but I think it is too soft. It probably won’t be good for my back.
W: I agree. It’s big enough, but I would rather lie on something a little firmer. Let’s try another one. (5)
(Text 6)
W: Everyone is talking about the coming New Year’s Day. Do you want to go to the party
M: Sure. I can wear my new suit. It is pretty good.
W: Didn’t you hear It’ll be different this time. It’s a themed costume party. You have to wear something from the movie Harry Potter. (6) It will be very fun.
M: You mean the one about that kid who goes to a magic school (6)
W: Yeah. (6) I’m going to be his best friend, because I like the actress who plays her.
M: Well, I don’t have anything I can wear. And it’s too late to make one. (7)
W: Come over to my house. I probably have something I can lend you. (7)
(Text 7)
M: Melanie, I’m taking you to see some live music tonight.
W: Umm... I thought you hated music, Tim.
M: Not true! I tried playing the guitar once. (8)
W: And you gave up after a week! (8) Whatever, sure, I’ll go. What kind of music is it
M: Jazz. Do you remember Donna Parker from high school (9)
W: Yeah. My friend was in her band. She sang and my friend was their drummer. (9)
M: She does have a beautiful voice, doesn’t she (9)
W: She sure does. (9) And it will be great to catch up with Donna after the show. I haven’t seen her since we graduated.
M: Let’s clean the house and then go into town early. There’s a new French restaurant I want to try, too.
(Text 8)
M: Now the Belt and Road Initiative is in progress. Perhaps in five years we’ll be able to catch a high-speed train from Beijing to London. Just imagine that. (10)Think of all the destinations on the way—Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland, Germany, Spain, Italy... (11)
W: Not the last pair. Spain and Italy are not on the route. (11)
M: Well, it would still be an exciting trip. And now that our children are grown up. it would be nice for us to do a trip like that together, meeting some of our overseas cousins. (10) (12)
W: It isn’t a high-speed line, you know. It’s a slow commercial route. You’re mistaken in imagining it to be something like the Orient Express or the Palace on Wheels. There won’t be a tourist option.
M: I’ve never heard of the Palace on Wheels. What is that (13)
W: That is a train in India. which used to belong to the local royalty. (13) There’s the Glacier Express, in Switzerland, as well. That’s supposed to be good.
M: I like the sound of the Indian one. Shall we go and have a try next year (13)
W: It’s a deal! (13)
(Text 9)
M: Hey, Judy. Are you going to Brad’s birthday party this weekend (14) (16)
W: Hi, Dave. Yeah, of course. I don’t know when I’m going to be able to get his gift, though. I work all day Thursday and again on Friday night.
M: That’s not a big deal. The party doesn’t start until the afternoon, so you should have time in the morning to pick something up. (15)
W: I know, but I have an appointment to take the car for a check-up at 10:00. (15) I don’t know how long it will take.
M: You know what I’m driving my brother to the mall right now because he wants to buy a hat. I could pick something up for you while I’m out.
W: That would be awesome! What are you getting him It’s hard coming up with ideas for guys.
M: I’m getting him a CD from his favorite band. (16) Why don’t you just give him a gift card
W: What’s that
M: It’s like a one-use credit card. You can put as much money on it as you want. You can purchase them at stores, restaurants and movie theaters.
W: Cool! What are we doing for his party, anyway (17)
M: We’re going bowling. (17)
W: I know! If I give you 20, can you buy me a gift card for the bowling center That way he won’t have to pay!
M: Great idea!
(Text 10)
There is a shopping mall in Sweden that looks normal but is very different from the rest—because every item on sale is second-hand. Some of the products have been reinvented as something new. For example, a lamp shade is made from worn-out leather jackets. The mall is a high-fashion destination. Sweden loves it and the world loves it. The clever thing about the mall. in Eskilstuna, near Stockholm, is its location, right next to the city’s recycling center. (18) A steady stream of cars drops off unwanted household items. A team sorts everything into categories and the mall’s shopkeepers then pick things to resell or turn into something else. (19) Maria Larsson runs a popular shop. It sells handmade household decorations. She described the mall as a very creative place, (19) while at the same time helping to save the planet. One of her customers said she liked the mall because she could buy things other people didn’t use any more. making it good for nature and the environment. Swedish people, she said, like to think about the environment. (20) The mall has 14 specialist shops. It also hosts a design school. Students learn how to reuse commonly donated objects. Another customer said she wanted to make something good for the recent climate crisis and this felt like the right place to do it. (20) In 2018. the mall sold second-hand goods worth $1,300,000.

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