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市2024届高三毕业班第四次质量检测
英语2024.05.08
温馨提示：学研资料，方便学研，转载注明，勿商用！ 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华
第一部分 听力（共两节，满分30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。
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. 19.15. B. 9.18. C. 9.15.
答案是C。
1. What will the man do tonight
A. Offer a recipe. B. Make some cookies. C. Go to a bakery.
2. Where does the conversation probably take place
A. On a bus. B. In a hotel. C. At the seaside.
3. What are the speakers talking about
A. Weather forecast. B. A vacation plan. C. Outdoor activities.
4. What does the woman want to watch
A. Evening news. B. A sports game. C. A quiz show.
5. How does the woman feel about the store
A. It has many choices. B. The prices there are low. C. Most of its assistants are helpful.
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. Who is the man
A. A part-time salesman. B. A local author. C. A physics teacher.
7. What do we know about the physics section
A. It is newly-opened.
B. It is restricted to members.
C. It has increased its collection.
听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。
8. What is the major problem of the repair
A. The man has a tight schedule.
B. The woman can’t find the right place.
C. The replacement parts are hard to get.
9. What will the man do next
A. Buy a new bike. B. Check the cost. C. Deliver the supplies.
听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。
10. What are the speakers discussing
A. A competitive market. B. Various product models. C. Last month’s product sales.
11. What does the woman say about TV commercials
A. They ran for 5 months. B. They are successful. C. They cost a lot.
12. What does the man suggest
A. Having a meeting.
B. Talking with the president.
C. Reviewing the report together.
听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。
13. What is the woman doing
A. Introducing an art form. B. Hosting a program. C. Giving a lecture.
14. How do visitors attend indoor events at the Uitmarkt
A. By booking tickets in advance.
B. By buying a pass for the entire weekend.
C. By entering freely before the doors are closed.
15. Why do performers offer their services at the Uitmarkt
A. To attract audience to future performances.
B. To enhance their own talent and skills.
C. To give their support to local artists.
16. What impressed Roland about the Uitmarkt’s organization
A. Various performances. B. Efficient waste clearing. C. Convenient transportation.
听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。
17. What did people worry about concerning the post office
A. It would be closed down.
B. It would be expensive to run.
C. It would be moved out of Scotland.
18. Why did the Fords want to come back home
A. To start a company.
B. To look after their mothers.
C. To do business with a company.
19. When did the Fords decide to make an offer for the post office
A. Once they had completed their research.
B. Immediately after viewing the listing.
C. After taking advice from their mothers.
20. What do the Fords expect
A. To cut back postal services.
B. To build a new community.
C. To receive more visitors.
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
Creating once-in-a-lifetime moments for you is at the heart of everything we do. The following are some tour suggestions handpicked by the WILDFOOT experts.
ICELANDIC WINTER SELF-DRIVE
September to April|4 Nights; 1,529 per person.
HIGHLIGHTS
·Discover Iceland at your leisure, with included car hi re and good standard accommodation.
·Hunt for the awe-inspiring northern lights.
·Enjoy incredible landscapes, and natural wonders including waterfalls, hot springs and beautiful National Parks.
CLASSIC SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER
May to July |11 Nights; 8,200 per person.
HIGHLIGHTS
·Observe spectacular wildlife, including the iconic polar bears and whales.
·Enjoy amazing polar scenery and midnight sun.
·Experience exciting Zodiac cruises and shore excursions.
10 DAYS PANTANAL AND AMAZON
June to October | 9 Nights; 6,256 per person.
HIGHLIGHTS
·Immerse yourself in the birding paradise of the Amazon Rainforest.
·Have a great chance of spotting the majestic jaguar as it patrols the banks of the Cuiaba River.
·Encounter the wonderful wildlife of the Pantanal including the Brazilian tapir, giant anteaters, capybaras, monkeys, giant river otters, caiman, anacondas and much more.
HWANGE & VICTORIA FALLS FAMILY SAFARI
November to March | 11 Nights;
Adults: 3,245 per person; Children: 1,064 per person.
HIGHLIGHTS
·Start your Africa experience with a visit to the iconic Victoria Falls.
·Observe an abundance of iconic wildlife including elephants, lions, buffaloes, wild dogs, cheetahs, a myriad of birds, and much more.
·Visit the Painted Dog Research Centre to learn about the endangered African Wild Dog and the conservation efforts in place to protect them.
21. What is special about ICELANDIC WINTER SELF-DRIVE
A. Northern lights. B. Polar bears and whales.
C. Midnight sun. D. Victoria Falls.
22. Which option is available for tourists to travel in August
A. ICELANDIC WINTER SELF-DRIVE.
B. CLASSIC SPITSBERGEN EXPLORER.
C. 10 DAYS PANTANAL AND AMAZON.
D. HWANGE & VICTORIA FALLS FAMILY SAFARI.
23. How much does it cost a couple with two children for a Family Safari
A. 5,373. B. 6,437. C. 8,618. D. 10,799.
B
Cordero is the farm manager at Olli n Farms, not far from Boulder, Colorado. The locally grown vegetables on the farm aren’t just pretty. “We play an important role in public health nutrition programs,” says Cordero’s dad, Mark Guttridge, who started this farm with his wife, Kena, 17 years ago.
At a meeting with about a dozen local farmers, two state representatives, and the Colorado officials of agriculture, Guttridge explains how Boulder county has made creative investments in his farm that could be spread to the state or even national level. Before the meeting, Guttridge shows them one of those investments.
A dozen sheep, which Guttridge raises for wool, feed on root vegetables like radishes that have been leftover for them. “So these guys are out fertilizing (施肥) the vegetable field,” Guttridge laughs. “They’ll be out here a couple more weeks, and then we’ll get our next summer vegetables planted right there.” Around the field is a special moveable type of fencing that Ollin Farms bought using grants (补助金) from the Boulder County Sustainability Office. It allows them to move the sheep from one field to another, fertilizing as they go. The goal of these investments is “really building up our soil health,” he explains. “That relates directly to the nutrient quality of the food-healthy soil grows healthy food.”
The county also makes an effort to get that healthy food out to different communities to boost public health. That’s where the Boulder County Public Health department comes in. It created a coupon (赠券) program to give discounts to people buying fruits and vegetables from Olli n Farms. Nutrition incentive programs, like those public health fruit and vegetable coupons, are spreading all over the country, and most are funded through the federal farm bill. Amy Yaroch, executive director at the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, says “It’s a trip le win. It’s basically good for the consumers who live in that particular community because they’re getting the healthy food, it’s good for the farmer, and then it’s good for the economy.”
24. What does Ollin Farms do
A. It makes public nutrition health plans. B. It offers financial grants to other farms.
C. It provides cheap food to the local community. D. It grows fruits and vegetables rich in nutrition.
25. How does Boulder county support sustainable farming practices at Ollin Farms
A. By raising sheep on radishes. B. By buying fences for farmhouses.
C. By investing in the farm’s soil health. D. By giving advice about fertilizing fields.
26. What is Amy’s attitude towards “nutrition incentive programs”
A. Cautious. B. Dismissive. C. Unclear. D. Approving.
27. Which is the most suitable title for the text
A. Couponing for Health: Stimulating Nutrition Choices
B. Growing Health: Innovations in Farm and Public Health Initiatives
C. Fertile Fields and Furry Friends: A Farming Fairy Tale
D. Local Produce, Global Impact: The Nutrition Choices of Ollin Farms
C
The sun is about to set when we reach our destination, the home of a nomadic (游牧的) herder (牧民) family. My host, Batbayer, has a cheerful face, with deep wrinkles and a color from long hours working outdoors, giving him the look of a sailor from an Ernest Hemingway novel. We have pre-arranged our visit but travellers in Mongolia can drive up to pretty much any ger and feel welcomed to stay. You don’t knock on the door: when you approach a nomadic family, a customary greeting is to say a kindly “Hold your dog,” even if you don’t see a dog.
We feast at the family home on one of the country’s most distinct and tasty dishes: khorkhog, or mutton cooked using hot rocks. This comes served with onions, a variety of berries, and milk—besides more plates of meat, all from the family’s own livestock (家畜).
Mongolia is home to one of the world’s few remaining truly nomadic cultures. About a fifth of the population are herders, and nomadism is complicatedly woven into the country’s spirit. But modern life is catching up with the people on the grassland at rapid speed. This is in large part what my book is about: an outsider’s exploration of a society undergoing modernisation while trying to hold fast to its deeply rooted traditional values.
Many of the livestock here, especially the more valuable breeds such as horses, camels and cattle, are implanted with microchips that can be monitored via satellite-based services. “I would like to use the internet more because it’s fun and useful; but the animals like it here. This is a good place for them,” Batbayer says when I ask if better internet connectivity might influence where to move his livestock next. “I would never choose Facebook over the wellbeing of the animals.” 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华QQ:771515126
28. Which aspect of the herders does the author focus on in paragraph 1
A. Living conditions. B. Pet preference. C. Reading habits. D. Friendliness.
29. What do we know about nomadic culture
A. Herders’ life is being modernized. B. It is the world’s dominant culture.
C. The majority of Mongolians are herders. D. Herders have no access to fruits and vegetables
30. What can we infer from Batbayer’s words in the last paragraph
A. He refuses to use social media. B. He will no longer employ microchips.
C. He will introduce more valuable breeds. D. He prioritizes the welfare of livestock.
31. What is the text
A. A travel journal. B. A folk tale. C. A book review. D. A field report.
D
Silent reading is far from silent in your brain. Deep within your head there is a voice reading aloud each word as your eyes pass over it.
Let’s do a seemingly unrelated experiment first. Turn on your television and radio. Try to understand both the words from the television and the radio simultaneously. You might have noticed understanding one source required ignoring the other, and you could feel your attention shifting between the two voices. Although we can listen to multiple people speaking at the same time, we can only truly understand one person speaking at a time.
There are three major areas that allow you to understand spoken word. The first is the Auditory Cortex (听觉皮层), which processes the pure characteristics of incoming sounds. Both sides of your brain contain this region. The next area is the Broca/ Wernicke (B/W) network, which makes sense of the spoken word. This network exists in only one side of your brain. This means that, although the sounds of language are initially processed in both sides of the brain, spoken word must eventually be funneled (流经漏斗) into this single network. This quickly leads to a bottleneck, which is controlled by the third area: the left Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG, 额下回). When you try to understand two people speaking at the same time, this region effectively blocks one voice while it allows the other to pass through the B/W bottleneck. Any information that does not immediately make it through the B/W network disappears completely—there is no waitlist. 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华QQ:771515126
Now, let’s bring all the pieces together to see why it’s related to your silent reading. When you read, the first region to demonstrate activation is the Visual Cortex, which processes the pure visual characteristics of incoming sights. Immediately after the visual cortex activates, the speech areas of the brain fire up because your brain processes your silent reading in a manner almost identical to the way in which it processes an actual, out-loud speaking voice. For this reason, attempting to read while listening to someone speak is the same as trying to understand two people speaking at the same time—it can’t be done!
32. What does the underlined word “simultaneously” in paragraph 2 mean
A. At the same time. B. One at a time.
C. On the whole. D. Through comparison.
33. Which of the following best illustrates paragraph 3
A. B.
C. D.
Note: disappear; wait
34. What may the author agree with
A. Professors give a speech with a text-heavy PowerPoint slide.
B. Teachers keep silent when students are reading attentively.
C. Students solve math problem when following a lecture.
D. Students practice listening skills while reading novels.
35. Which of the following sentences can best se rve as an introduction to the text
A. The art of conversation lies in listening.
B. What is reading, but a silent conversation.
C. We hear and understand only what we already know half.
D. Once an idea gets into your head, it’s probably going to stay there.
第二节（共5小题；每小题2.5，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。
Why is a compliment (赞美) so impactful One of the most important things to humans is to feel valued and respected by others, says Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist, who has researched compliments. According to her research, people feel “significantly better” after both giving and receiving a compliment. 36
“You handled that situation so well.”
Bohns recently used her favorite compliment when she saw a server address a difficult situation with a customer at the bar. “I like it so much because you use it in anxious moments where the other person is often unsure of whether they handled a situation OK,” she says. In situations that call for a compliment, don’t second-guess yourself. Give your compliments generously. 37 That concern is unfounded.
“ 38 ”
This compliment—one of Bohns’ favorites—works well among romantic partners and close family members. “It’s a beautiful way to highlight how their presence turns life into something meaningful, despite boring routines of our everyday lives,” she says. If you’re afraid that giving a compliment like this will feel strange, you’re not alone. 39 If it makes you personally feel like the bar is lowered for you to give a compliment if you write it down, or if you practice saying it out loud or giving your pet cat the compliment first, do that. 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华QQ:771515126
“Hey, great dress!”
Feel free to compliment strangers. In Bohns’ research, students on a college campus were told to approach a stranger of the same gender and compliment them—about, for example, their nice shirt. Before heading out, the study participants tended to underestimate their positive effect while overestimating how annoying it would be. Across all contexts, strangers are more likely to be pleased than confused. Plus, who knows 40
A. I love the way you bring out the best in people.
B. Respect is essential when you deliver compliments.
C. You make even ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
D. One way to overcome this fear is to do a practice run.
E. You might make a new friend in addition to making someone’s day.
F. With that in mind, we asked her to share some of her favorite compliments.
G. People sometimes worry that they’re going over and will start to sound insincere.
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四个选项中选出最佳选项。
The Grammy’s Music Educator Award recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to music education. 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华QQ:771515126
This year, the award 41 Annie Ray, the orchestra (管弦乐队) director at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. With the creation of the Crescendo Orchestra, she works to make 42 accessible to all students, particularly those with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ray says the focus of the program is on teaching students how to play a(n) 43 , through one-on-one instruction tailored to their special 44 . She also works with a local charity to give damaged instruments a second 45 in her classroom.
Ray took home both a $10,000 46 and a matching grant for her school’s music program. In an interview, Ray 47 her pupils for this recognition. “This is the students’ 48 . I am just 49 enough to have been a part of their journey and to have been 50 by them,” she said. “They completely changed my educational philosophy and 51 of what it truly means to meet a student where they’re at and 52 that elsewhere.”
Now, Ray will use the prize money to buy instruments—something the school had 53 to do. “We’ve been trying to 54 money all year for new cellos. And now the problem is solved.” She also plans to create an ongoing scholarship for students who want to 55 music when they graduate, in any capacity.
41. A. appealed to B. calmed C. went to D. entertained
42. A. classrooms B. books C. competition D. music
43. A. instrument B. joke C. character D. sport
44. A. questions B. rights C. schedules D. needs
45. A. attempt B. visit C. life D. thought
46. A. budget B. prize C. contract D. project
47. A. prepared B. credited C. begged D. forgave
48. A. award B. interest C. tour D. goal
49. A. clever B. right C. lucky D. brave
50. A. replaced B. taught C. adopted D. signed
51. A. background B. research C. approach D. resource
52. A. attain B. consider C. choose D. apply
53. A. managed B. threatened C. agreed D. struggled
54. A. donate B. raise C. handle D. spend
55. A. pursue B. record C. stream D. enjoy
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。
The China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Diego Zoo in the US have recently signed an agreement for giant panda conservation, 56 (select) a pair of giant pandas to be sent to the San Diego Zoo for a 10-year 57 (international) conservation partnership.
To ensure the well-being of the giant pandas in the US, in March, experts from the China Wildlife Conservation Association 58 (travel) to the US to engage in in-depth discussions and technical exchanges with the San Diego Zoo regarding panda care, living environment, and health requirements.
In line with 59 agreement, both parties are actively progressing with the preparations for the pandas’ journey to the US. China has selected a pair of pandas, Yun Chuan (male) and Xin Bao (female), 60 has arranged for experienced caretakers and vets 61 (accompany) them to the US. 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华QQ:771515126
The US is currently renovating and upgrading the panda facilities to provide a larger and 62 (comfortable) living environment. 63 (additional), the zoo has assembled (集合)a professional team with expertise in panda care, daily nursing, and related scientific research, 64 (acquire) through study and exchange programs in China.
The San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s top five 65 (zoo). In 1996, the two parties officially commenced (开始) panda cooperation, with Bai Yun and Shi Shi from China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda becoming the first pair to reside at the San Diego Zoo.
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分）
第一节（满分15分）
假定你是李华，你的英国笔友Peter来信，告知他计划今年暑假来你的家乡体验美食。请你写一封邮件，向他推荐一款传统名吃。
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。
Dear Pater, Yours, Li Hua
第二节（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。
The Araguaia River is one of the biggest rivers in Brazil. It is home to thousands of animals, including bright blue and yellow macaws. River dolphins swim and play in the water, and there are many different colored fish.
In one town, a 13-year-old boy named Rhenan would walk along the river every day. But looking at the river made him worry because there was rubbish everywhere. He saw plastic bottles, old clothing, and empty food packages. The water looked dark and ugly.
At school, Rhenan asked about the dirty river. “You wouldn’t want trash in your house,” said his teacher. “Think about the poor animals!” For days, Rhenan couldn’t stop thinking about the river. It didn’t seem right to him that this big, powerful river was filled with trash. “It’s hurting the animals in my area,” he thought. “And it’s also hurting the families who live here.” 江苏省海安高级中学 景苏华QQ:771515126
Then Rhenan had an idea. The next morning, Rhenan talked to his mother about his plan for the river. He wanted to go around his town and ask for everyone’s help. Maybe if they all worked together, they could clean up the river! Rhenan’s mother loved his idea. “I believe the most important thing for you, Rhenan, is learning how to change things that you care about. That will stay with you forever,” she told him. She told him she would help him all along the way.
The next day, Rhenan went to the police department. Then he went to the Mayor’s office. He visited other schools, offices, and businesses. Soon he had a very big group of people who liked his idea!
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。
Over an entire day, they all worked together to clean up the rubbish. Looking at the clean river, Rhenan decided to stop this problem from happening again.
厦门市2024届高三毕业班第四次质量检测
英语学科 参考答案
第一部分 听力 (共两节，满分30分)
1-5BABCA 6-10ACCBC 11-15CABCA 16-20BABBC
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)
21-23ACC 24-27DCDB 28-31DADA 32-35AABB
第二节 (共5小题; 每小题2.5分, 满分12.5分)
36-40FGCDE
第三部分 语言知识运用 (共两节，满分30分)
第一节 (共15小题; 每小题1分，满分15分)
41-45CDADC 46-50BBACB 51-55CDDBA
第二节 (共10小题; 每小题1.5分，满分15分)
56. selecting 57. international 58. travel(l)ed 59.the 60.and
61.to accompany 62. more comfortable63. Additionally 64.acquired 65.zoos
第四部分 写作 (共两节，满分40分)
第一节
A version by the teacher:
Dear Peter,
I am thrilled to hear that you are planning to visit my hometown this summer to try out the local cuisine. I highly recommend you to sample a well-known traditional dish called “Xiaolongbao”, which is a type of steamed bun filled with savory pork and soup broth. The time-honoured dish originated from my hometown—the Jiangnan region of China, especially Shanghai and Wuxi. It is traditionally steamed in small bamboo baskets, hence the name (xiaolong is literally small steaming basket), and has become famous all over China. You can easily find Xiaolongbao in most restaurants and food stalls here. It’s a must-try dish that you won’t regret.
Looking forward to your visit and trying out some delicious Xiaolongbao together.
第二节
A version by the teacher:
Over an entire day, they all worked together to clean up the rubbish. Rhenan and his group of volunteers filled up many bags with plastic bottles, old clothing, and empty food packages from the river. They walked along the riverbank and the surrounding area, picking up all kinds of litter. More people from all walks of life, young or old, joined them to make a positive change in their community. Hard as the work was, they were all happy to help. Looking at the clean river, they felt a sense of pride.
Looking at the clean river, Rhenan decided to stop this problem from happening again. He came up with the idea of raising the awareness of the importance of protecting the environment by making posters and flyers with pictures of the clean river and the animals that lived in it. It was with the students who he first held discussions about how it could help to keep the river clean and also benefit the community. What’s more, he suggested that the Mayor and other officials set up recycling programs to make it easier for people to dispose of their waste properly. Rhenan’s dedication showed that one person can make a huge difference.
听力材料
(Text 1)
W: Would you like some cookies I just made them.
M: Thank you. Mmm ... they are delicious. Are they hard to make
W: No, they’re really quite easy. I've got the recipe right here. You just follow the directions.
M: That does look easy. I think I'll give them a try tonight.
(Text 2)
W: Do you go to the sea-front
M: No, you’re going the wrong way. You want a 143 from the park.
W: Have we got much further to go
M: It’s the next stop.
(Text 3)
M: Where should we go for a getaway this year
W: I want somewhere warm. How about the beach
M: I want to ski. Let’s find a middle ground. How about skiing in the Alps in April
W: But I’m unsure if it will be sunny and warm. I need to research first.
(Text 4)
W: What comes on next after the sports news
M: As far as I can remember there’s a quiz program.
W: Would you mind if I watched it
M: No, I’ve been looking forward to it all evening.
(Text 5)
M: I got a great pair of shoes in that store, reduced to half price.
W: Oh, that’s rare to find good deals there. But they always have what you're looking for.
M: Yes, it took me a while to find the right pair. I asked two assistants but they didn’t bother to check my size.
W: That’s typical of the staff there.
(Text 6)
W: You’re still at the campus bookstore. I thought it was just for the summer.
M: Haha! You know, the income has been great to cover my tuition.
W: Your physics section is quite extensive!
M: Yeah, with a new supplier we expanded our collection, mixing editions authored by international and local individuals.
W: Are there promotions for teacher members I need some for my physics class.
M: Absolutely! There is a 10% discount.
(Text7)
W: I’m worried you won’t be able to fix it this time.
M: Well, we’re not there yet, but it will take time to repair. We’ll have to wait for the replacement parts to be delivered— there’s only one place left now that supplies them.
W: And expensive
M: I’m afraid so. But if you love your old bike, then it's not about price, is it But I can work it out for you first, so you can decide for yourself.
W: OK.
(Text 8)
M: Jane, according to the report, our TV sales went down by 10% while air conditioner sales increased by 5% last month.
W: The results seem a little surprising. As you know, we have spent millions of dollars on TV commercials on both of them for the past 3 months. The president has expected the sales of both models to go up greatly.
M: In my opinion, we should have lowered the prices of our TV. I think they are priced too high compared to those of our competitors. We’d better call a meeting as soon as possible in order to talk about the price issue with other managers.
W: OK, I’ll give you a call after I have my secretary arrange a meeting.
(Text 9)
W: Good evening, welcome to our arts review time. Our guest today is Roland Welsh. Roland, I believe you’ve just returned from a rather special weekend in Amsterdam.
M: That’s right. I went to the Uitmarkt, which was held the last weekend in August.
W: Well, what exactly is the Uitmarkt
M: It marks the beginning of the new season’s entertainment. The main streets and squares are filled with promotional stands, advertising the new season's performances, selling advance tickets and taking bookings. But more importantly, the whole weekend is focused on free entertainment.
W: You’re joking.
M: No, I’m not. You simply choose the event you’re interested in, join the queue and if it’s an indoor event, once the seats are all taken, they close the doors.
W: How do the performers earn anything
M: Well, they don’t. They give their services free in the hope that they’ll draw an audience later in the year.
W: But if you’re a tourist, you’re hardly likely to go back for a show.
M: Possibly not, but it’s primarily aimed at the Dutch, not tourists. The organization and preparation must take months. It is so well organized. One of the things that struck me was how clean the streets were. And during the day there were people constantly clearing away the rubbish. Actually, they close the main streets for most of the day, so you don't have to worry about the traffic.
W: Thanks, Roland.
(Text 10)
M: Well, the world’s oldest post office has been operating out of Sanquhar, Scotland for over 300 years. But when its manager put the building up for sale in 2019, some worried that it would go out of business for good. Now, a Florida couple has decided to purchase the post office and move to Sanquhar to run it. Barry and Mary Ford are both initially from the U.K. They had been living in Florida for the past 20 years, where Barry ran an aircraft detailing company, but they were looking to move back home to take care of their respective mothers, who had fallen ill. While searching for a business to buy in the U.K, the couple came across a listing that caught their attention: a post office in southern Scotland recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest in the world. And they immediately put in an offer for the post office. “Mary and I are very excited to be serving this community, and we also look forward to welcoming tourists from both near and afar who come to Sanquhar to enjoy our community’s offerings.” Barry told Sky News

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