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2024-2025（上）高二年级期中调研测试
英语
注意事项
考生在答题前请认真阅读本注意事项及各题答题要求：
1. 本试卷共10页，包含听力（共30分）、阅读（共50分）、语言运用（共30分）、写作（共40分）四部分。本次考试满分为150分，考试时间为120分钟。
2. 答题前，请您务必将自己的姓名、考试号等用黑色0. 5毫米签字笔填写在答题卡上。
3. 作答非选择题必须用书写黑色字迹的0. 5毫米签字笔写在答题卡上的指定位置，在其它位置作答一律无效。
第一部分 听力（共两节，满分30分）
第一节（共5小题：每题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，并标在试卷的相应位置。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。
1. What is the weather like now
A. Cold. B. Cloudy. C. Rainy.
2. What are the speakers going to do
A. Buy some shoes. B. Take a trip. C. Change a bag.
3. What team will the woman probably join
A. The basketball team. B. The volleyball team. C. The baseball team.
4. What does the woman think of Emily
A. She is good at numbers. B. She needs to be clearer. C. She has speaking problems.
5. Where are the speakers probably
A. At home. B. At the police station. C. At the office.
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，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。
听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。
6. What’s the probable relationship between the speakers
A. Ticket seller and customer. B. Boss and secretary. C. Guide and tourist
7. When will the man leave for Paris
A. On March 9th. B. On March 11th. C. On March 24th.
听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。
8. What is Jane’s worst subject
A. History. B. Science. C. Math.
9. Who is Jane’s teacher
A. Lara. B. Kim. C. Abby
10. What does Jane probably eat most
A. Hamburgers. B. Salads. C. Noodles.
听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。
11. What is the conversation mainly about
A. Fires. B. Movies. C. Trees.
12. When was the first law passed
A. n1977. B. 1n1995. C. n2001
13. Where does the man’s brother work
A. In a theater. B. In the government. C. In a school.
听第9段材料，回答第14至16题。
14. How do the speakers feel probably
A. Excited. B. Scared. C. Nervous.
15. Where will the man park his car
A. On the road. B. At a park. C. In a yard.
16. What will the speakers probably do first
A. Eat dinner. B. Make some pictures. C. Park the car.
听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。
17. When did Branson found his company Virgin
A. In the 1950s. B. In the 1960s. C. In the 1970s.
18. Why did Branson sell his music record business
A. To create a new record company. B. To keep his airline business running. C. To travel into space.
19. What is Branson’s space tourism company called
A. V2. B. Virgin Galactic. C. Virgin Air.
20. What world record did Branson break in 1986
A. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean by boat.
B. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon.
C. Crossing the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon.
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。
Party Rentals
Host your next celebration at the Cayton Children’s Museum in Downtown Santa Monica. It offers 21, 000 square feet of play space and a full-service experience tailored to your needs.
Availability
◆Most parties are booked for two-or three-hour time slots (时间段) .
◆Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. ~12 p.m. or 10 a.m. ~1 p.m.; 2 p.m. ~4 p.m. or 1 p.m. ~4 p.m.
Rental Options
Private Party Rooms
There are S. Mark Taper Brilliant Blue Room and Orange You Glad Room. These spaces can accommodate various events for you. These rooms can hold groups of up to 40 each and can be rented together for larger parties. One room starts at $1,200 and the price for two will double.
Private Art Crawl
Art Studio II can be transformed into one big, blank canvas (画布) for your little guests to express their inner artists! They can move around in a free exploration of safe paints and colors while creating a beautiful mess from head to foot. And the best part is that we do all the cleanup! Private Art Crawl starts at $1,000.
The Derfner Theater
It’s our main individual event space for larger groups of 80 or more guests, offering advanced media capacity and an adaptable environment for a wide range of events. This is the ideal space for more complex parties and celebrations. It starts at $2,400.
Private Buyouts
Booking the entire Cayton Children’s Museum for your event guarantees an unforgettable experience for you and your guests (up to 275 people) . This option enables you to use the full space freely. The rental costs $7,500 from Monday to Friday and $15,000 on weekends.
21. How many people can Private Party Rooms hold at most
A. 40 guests. B. 100 guests. C. 80 guests. D. 275 guests.
22. Which option is ideal for hosting a painting activity for young children
A. Private Party Rooms. B. Private Buyouts. C. The Derfner Theater. D. Private Art Crawl.
23. What can we know about the last rental option
A. It is available only on weekends. B. It has a specific age requirement.
C. It is an ideal place for little painting lovers. D. It allows access to the entire museum space.
B
From what color to paint the kitchen to the origin of a famous quote, or even something as small as what to have for dinner, I loved to argue about what was right. Day or night, I was ready to argue with whoever was unlucky enough to strike up a conversation with me. My challengers included my children, my wife, friends and even strangers.
This habit had often caused trouble in my family. There were moments when my marriage became tense and my kids grew distant. The longest fight I had was with my parents, and it dragged on for nearly a year. Even small disagreements had the potential to blow up.
One afternoon, I was playing a board game with my granddaughter when she made a move that broke the rules. I corrected her, but she ended up making the same mistake again. I read the rules out loud and asked if she got it this time. She smiled at me and shook her head. “Grandpa. why are you so hyped (微动的) ” she asked. “It’s just a game. We’re here to have fun, aren’t we ”
Something about her words really hit home. We weren’t there to be right; we were there to enjoy ourselves. What truly mattered was our bond and the moments we shared.
My drive to win hadn’t really been about seeking the truth, but about showing I was better than everyone else. I wanted people to see me as the most capable person in the room. What I came to realize was that my behavior was having the opposite effect. I was gaining no respect or appreciation by doing this.
And the more I practiced, the better I mastered the art of keeping quiet. What I could never have anticipated was just how much my overall happiness would improve by simply listening calmly to others without interrupting. It taught me a newfound tolerance of difference. When I don’t agree with someone, a neutral response such as “Who knows Maybe.” can work, too.
24. What can we say about the author in the past
A. He disliked socializing with others. B. He often drew lessons from discussions.
C. He was very defensive about his weakness. D. He was fond of arguing over right and wrong.
25. What’s the surrounding people’s attitude towards the author’s habit
A. Unconcerned. B. Annoyed. C. Supportive. D. Tolerant.
26. What happened to the author after a game with his granddaughter
A. He stopped seeking the truth. B. He began to reflect on his behavior.
C. He lost interest in playing any games. D. He became more unforgiving afterwards.
27. What can we infer from the author’s experience
A. Facts speak louder than words. B. Winning turns out all that counts.
C. Arguing strengthens emotional bonds. D. Listening creates harmony with others.
C
South Korea plans to build the world’s largest spokeless (无辐条的) Ferris wheel, offering impressive views of its capital by 2025. The Seoul Ring breaks away from traditional appearances of Ferris wheels thanks to innovative technology. Its development will take place at a former landfill site in Haneul Park-described as a “gateway to Seoul” by the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG).
In an announcement earlier this month, the government said, “Not only will the Seoul Ring serve as an entertainment facility, but it will also become a cultural complex that provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the historical meaning of Nanjido. In addition, it will provide a variety of festivals, cultural and tourism programs, and a place for communication.”
Through the Seoul Ring, visitors will have the opportunity to have a look at the sights of the Han River, downtown Seoul, Namsan Mountain, and even Bukhan Mountain.
The location was picked out from a number of alternative options including Nodeul Island, Yeouido Park, and Jamsil. But Haneul Park was eventually chosen for its “symbolism of inter-Korean harmony”. The wheel will reportedly host 36 carriages that can each be filled with 25 people. The SMG and international experts will ensure that the ring is safe and structurally sound. It will also incorporate (包含) green technologies which are in line with climate change.
The proposal by UN Studio includes plans for a monorail connecting the subway station to the site, enhancing accessibility. The SMG said, “The Seoul Ring is expected to serve as the city’s new landmark that enhances its global position while also developing the local tourism. In addition, it is the best place to realize the city’s vision of finding harmony among citizens, the planet, the future, and the environment.”
Ben van Berkel comments: “Located in the heart of the city, this spokeless design highlights Korea’s boundless ambition for innovation and spirit of progress, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with a timeless appreciation for stability and beauty.”
28. Which of the following can best describe the Seoul Ring
A. Entertaining and historic. B. Complex but accessible.
C. Innovative and eco-friendly. D. Traditional but impressive.
29. Why was Haneul Park chosen as the location of the Seoul Ring
A. It has a stable source of tourists. B. It is a sign of unity and harmony.
C. It is convenient for accessibility D. It can use green technologies.
30. What is one of the reasons for South Korea’s building the Seoul Ring
A. To show its innovative technology. B. To raise Seoul’s international fame.
C. To make Seoul the cultural center. D. To speed its economic development.
31. What is the best title of the text
A. Korea’s economic recovery plan B. The Seoul Ring’s design concept
C. Korea’s ambition for wheel innovation D. The largest spokeless wheel to be built
D
Deep in the Pacific Ocean, an underwater “superhighway” stretches roughly 700 kilometers between the marine reserves of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands and Cocos Island, off the coast of Costa Rica. It’s important to the sea life that moves back and forth between the islands. But the route is in danger since it is also open to fishing boats. To protect marine life, MigraMar, an environmental group, is working to change the entire “superhighway” into a marine protected area, an area that will stretch 240,000 square kilometers, about the size of the UK.
For more than ten years, scientists of MigraMar have been trying to prove the importance of the “superhighway” by documenting the species that use it. They have placed satellite and ultrasonic tags (超声波追踪器) on almost400 marine organisms to track their migratory routes (迁徙路线). So far, they have successfully tracked the migration of whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, etc. between the two islands.
MigraMar has produced a document stressing the need to protect the “superhighway”, calling for it to stop people from fishing there or allow only sustainable and seasonal fishing. The document has raised a storm of protest in the fishing industry in both countries. However, in the long term this protected “superhighway” will have a positive impact on fishing. Fish can grow and reproduce there, causing the overall amount to increase and more fish to become available outside the protected area. It could also have economic benefits in other industries. For example, preserving iconic sea life could protect tourism.
Both Costa Rica and Ecuador are currently considering plans to protect the “superhighway”. They have mapped out a strategy to create and strengthen marine protected areas
“We’re hopeful that action will be taken in the near future,” says Steiner, one of the founding members of MigraMar, but he also warns that some species are facing extinction.
“We’ve taken baby steps,” he says, “but these species are in great danger.”
32. What do we know about the underwater “superhighway”
A. It belongs to Costa Rica. B. It is under threat from boats.
C. It is a land wildlife reserve. D. It is about the size of the UK.
33. Why do scientists track the migratory routes of many marine organisms
A. To test the function of satellite and ultrasonic tags.
B. To confirm the importance of the “superhighway”.
C. To protect sharks migrating between the two islands.
D. To stop people from fishing near the “superhighway”
34. What does paragraph 3 focus on
A. The benefits of protecting the “superhighway”.
B. The strong protest from the fishing industry.
C. The need of sustainable and seasonal fishing
D. The document of forbidding illegal fishing.
35. What can we infer from Steiner’s words
A. Marine reserves are created. B. The “superhighway” is safe.
C. Many species have died out. D. Governments need to act fast.
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。
Sportsmanship means maintaining a positive attitude, staying composed when decisions do not favor you, and always struggling to bring out the best in yourself and others around you. 36 Here are several strategies to help athletes cultivate and demonstrate sportsmanship in all aspects of their sport.
Actions speak louder than words. As an athlete, your behavior on and off the field sets a tone for others. Be the player who plays fair, respects officials’ decisions, and offers a hand to help up a fallen opponent. 37
Sportsmanship is rooted in self-improvement. 38 View competitors as opportunities to challenge your own limits rather than barriers to your success. Always show respect to everyone involved in the game, including teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials.
39 Learn to handle both success and disappointment with grace. Techniques such as deep breathing, focusing on the next play, or positive self-talk can help manage emotional responses during critical moments.
Use encouraging words and maintain a positive tone with teammates and coaches. Positive communication builds team morale (斗志). 40 Discuss with your coach or teammates about ways to improve and avoid similar mistakes in the future. This approach not only improves your skills but also enhances a culture of continuous learning and mutual respect.
A. Congratulate opponents on a good match.
B. Controlling emotions is key to sportsmanship.
C. Sportsmanship can be developed with practice.
D. Sportsmanship serves as a model for younger athletes.
E. Your conduct can inspire your teammates to follow suit.
F. Concentrate on developing your skills without negative influences.
G. Analyze what went wrong instead of blaming others for a loss or an error.
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。
Wilt Chamberlain is 47 years old. He will 41 in May 2025, at age 48, with a Bachelor’s degree in architecture.
Wilt always had a passion for architecture, 42 back to sixth grade when an inspirational art teacher had the class draw floor plans (平面图). But when it came time for 43 , Wilt pursued the expected path, earning a finance degree 44 by an MBA, and building a career in business. Architecture remained a(an) 45 dream.
When faced with personal changes and 46 with his corporate finance job, the father of three teenage boys decided it was time to 47 chase his architectural dreams. Discovering that his alma mater (母校) had just launched an architecture program, Wilt 48 at the chance to change his life.
This second 49 is about more than just professional fulfillment for Wilt. It’s about 50 to his sons that it’s never too late to courageously pursue one’s dreams. “My boys... to show them it’s never too late to follow a (an) 51 , it’s never too late to be happy,” Wilt said. “That was a big piece of it for me. I’m not worried about when I graduate. I’m not worried about 20-30 more years of work. I have no 52 to stop.”
When Wilt 53 his cap and gown (长袍) next spring, he’ll be realizing a childhood dream 54 but never forgotten. He’ll be showing his boys-and himself-that happiness and purpose are always within 55 , at any stage of life, with a little faith and hard work.
41. A. recover B. graduate C. retire D. escape
42. A. dating B. looking C. going D. coming
43. A. society B. family C. club D. college
44. A. awarded B. followed C. provided D. admitted
45. A. unrealized B. distant C. imaginary D. wonderful
46. A. familiar B. annoyed C. dissatisfied D. content
47. A. quickly B. secretly C. suddenly D. eventually
48. A. jumped B. stared C. aimed D. shot
49. A. term B. lesson C. act D. symbol
50. A. complaining B. demonstrating C. explaining D. suggesting
51. A. schedule B. model C. example D. passion
52. A. opportunities B. measures C. plans D. ambitions
53. A. puts on B. finds out C. takes off D. prepares for
54. A. destroyed B. possessed C. designed D. delayed
55. A. sight B. distance C. reach D. range
第二节（共10小题：每小题1.5分，满分15分）
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Kombucha is a kind of drink typically made with either green or black tea. Its 56 (sweet) can come from various sources, such as sugar and honey. It is thought that kombucha was first made in China, which 57 (natural) makes sense given that tea, the base of the recipe (制作配方) is an extremely popular Chinese drink. The earliest recipes are believed to date back to 221BC, the beginning of China’s Qin dynasty, 58 people referred to the drink as the tea which could help people live longer. Then the Silk Road helped introduce the drink to the rest of the world. Sales in the United States are now 59 the rise since kombucha is widely recognized as a health and energy drink.
For centuries, kombucha 60 (drink) for its health benefits. Many believe in its ability 61 (reduce) or prevent certain diseases and improve energy levels. Scientists continue to search for more information to support these views.
When properly 62 (prepare) , kombucha is generally considered safe for most people. However, it is not 63 (advise) for young children to drink kombucha. Older children may enjoy it, 64 due to its caffeine (咖啡因) content, experts recommend 65 (limit) a child’s daily intake of kombucha.
第四部分 写作（共两节；满分40分）
第一节（满分15分）
66. 假定你是李华，在新加坡某学校当交换生。你得知当地即将举办 “中国文化周” 活动，正在招收志愿者。请写一封邮件申请，内容包括：
1. 写信目的：
2. 个人优势：
3. 表达愿望。
注意：
1. 词数80左右：
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Sir or Madam, Yours sincerely, LiHua
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。
When I came home from college on Sunday, it was just Halloween. Our neighborhood usually went all out for trick-or-treating. In the evening, there had been streams of kids coming into houses in their fancy costumes. We’d got a few bowls of candies out for the kids, and it was an amazing night.
Later that evening, I saw a mother and her six-year-old son, Alan, come into my house. The mother, called Mary, was a cleaner in our neighborhood. She cleaned the street earnestly and while her English was simple, she was always polite and attempted to have pleasant conversations with neighbors. It was said that she’d come from Asia and her husband had passed away. So many times, when I passed by their small house, I saw Alan writing under the street lamp. I joked with him. “Hi, Alan, studying so hard! Do you want to enter Harvard ” He nodded with a smile and waved me goodbye.
Alan was wearing what could be described as a white garbage bag with a head hole cut into it. It looked like the mother had applied some of her lipstick (口红) to his face to make it seem as if he was bleeding from his mouth and eyes-scarily effective! I realized the mother had very little income but still wanted to ensure her little son a good evening. The boy asked me, “Keith, can I frighten you ” I replied, “Oh! Wow! What a scary...” The boy continued, “Mama couldn’t finish work early, but I still got some candies! Look!” He showed me a container with a few candies in it. I looked at my watch-it was 9:00 p.m, and most of the trick-or-treating took place between 6:00 p.m. and 8: 00 p.m.
I passed the candy bowl to him, and he politely took the smallest candy. He said to me with a big smile, “Thank you very much!” The boy’s behavior moved me so much that I put all other candies into his container. His mother noticed what I’d done and said in broken English, “I’ve told him not to be greedy.”
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。
Hearing what his mother said, the boy was about to give the candies back. Watching Alan’s little figure gradually fading into the night, I felt I should do something for him.
2024-2025（上）高二年级期中调研测试
英语参考答案
听力
1-5 BBCAC 6-10AACBA 11-15 CBAAC 16-20 CCBBA
阅读
21-23CDD 24-27 DBBD 28-31 CBBD 32-. 35BBAD 36-40 CEFBG
完形
41-45 BADBA 46-50 CDACB 51-55 DCADC
语法填空
56. sweetness 57. naturally 58. when 59. on 60. has been drunk 61. to reduce 62. prepared
63. advisable 64. but 65. limiting
应用文写作
Possible version:
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Li Hua, an exchange student at a school in Singapore. Learning about the upcoming “Chinese Culture Week” from your website, I’m writing to apply for a job as a volunteer.
I am fluent in both Chinese and English, which will allow me to communicate smoothly with the participants. Additionally, with a strong background in Chinese culture, I believe I can contribute effectively to this event. My previous experience of event planning has also sharpened my skill in teamwork, guiding visitors and sharing cultural knowledge.
I would appreciate it if you could take my application into consideration. Looking forward to your acceptance.
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
读后续写
Possible version:
Paragraph 1:
Hearing what his mother said. the boy was about to give the candies back. However, I stopped him immediately and gently said, “Alan, you can keep them. I can’t bear seeing a polite kid who has almost nothing take the least.” His eyes lit up with joy as he looked at his mother for approval. Mary smiled softly and nodded. “Thank you, Keith!” Alan exclaimed. I could see the excitement inside him, and I felt warmth in my heart, knowing I had made his night a little brighter. They then waved goodbye to me.
Paragraph 2:
Watching Alan’s little figure gradually fading into the night. I felt I should do something for him. It impressed me how much effort his mother had put into supporting him, even with limited resources. I decided to help them more in the future. Therefore, from that day on, I stuck to offering Alan some guidance in his studies and giving them some learning materials and they were extremely grateful. As weeks turned into months, Allan made great progress in his academic performance. I believed his dream of attending Harvard University would come true because of the boy’s hard work and determination
录音原文：
Text 1
M: Do I need to bring my jacket
W: Well, it’s not very cold. I don’t think you’ll need to wear a jacket, but please bring an umbrella. Given how cloudy it is, (1) it’s probably going to rain.
Text 2
W: Our trip is short, so don’t take too many things! (2) Remember to put your shoes at the bottom of the bag.
M: I did. I put the trousers above the shoes, and then the shirts at the top.
Text3
M: Do you want to try joining one of our sports teams Do you play basketball
W: No, I don’t, but I used to play volleyball and baseball in school. I like both!
M: Actually, the volleyball team is already full. (3)
Text 4
M: Did you see Emily’s conference It was very inspiring and clear.
W: She knows her stuff, especially her figures. (4) I hope the company takes it on board.
Text 5
W: I can’t find my wallet! I left it on my desk earlier, then we went to the meeting, and now it is gone.
M: Oh no! Maybe some colleague (同事) took it to keep it safe until you came back. (5) Have you asked anyone else
Text6 (第6题为推断题)
W: Good morning, Eurostar Travel Service. Can I help you
M: Yes, I’d like to book a ticket to Paris please.
W: Certainly. Could I have your name please, sir
M: Jason Stone.
W: Thank you. Now, when would you like to travel, Mr. Stone
M: I have to be in Paris on March 11th. So I’d like to leave on the 9th. (7) Can you do that
W: Certainly, sir. And when do you want to return
M: On March 24th.
W: All right, here are your tickets. I hope you have a great trip!
Text 7
W: The school is not far now. Do you remember what we have to talk to the teacher about
M: We have to tell her about the problems Jane is having with math. (8) (9) (10) I also think we need to just quickly say how much better she’s doing in science and history now.
W: Fine, we’ll do that. We also need to tell the teacher, Kim, (9) about how much Lara and Abby are helping with her study. I always want to thank them but never had a chance.
M: Okay. Anything else Is Jane happy with the lunch they serve here
W: She is. She really likes the hamburgers. (10) However, she also thinks they should have more healthy choices, like salads or noodles.
Text8 (第11题为总结题)
M: I moved here in 1977, and there was a big forest next to my house. Over the next few years, the area covered by trees has become less and less.
W: Why do you think that is
M: Some people say it’s because of fires, but that’s not the only reason. There has been a much bigger problem-people cutting down trees.
W: Has the government passed any laws against cutting down trees (12)
M: They did pass one in 1995 at first, (12) and again in 2001. It has caused a small change, but that’s not enough.
W: I think a lot of famous people are also talking about it now. Has that helped
M: It has. My brother owns a cinema here. (13) He says he has shown three or four movies about this problem. We need our schools to teach this to more and more students too.
Text9 (第14、16题为推断题)
W: I’m going to the Festival of Lights tonight. Do you care to join me
M: That sounds great. What time does it start
W: I think it starts soon. We can ride together. There will be lights in all the trees and plants. They even make pictures and shows with them.
M: I can’t wait to see it. Do you want to drive my car Is there somewhere to leave it at the festival (15) I am nervous to park it on the road by the park.
W: I live near the park. Why don’t you go to my house and leave your car in my yard. (15) We can walk from there. It is only about a 15-minute walk. Does that sound OK
M: Sure! (15) Let’s see, it is 7: 00 now. Do you want to get dinner somewhere before we go to the festival
W: If you can wait, we can eat at the festival. There is lots of food at the park and it is usually really good. That’s another attractive thing about the Festival of Lights.
M: That sounds wonderful.
Text 10
Richard Branson is an English businessman who was born in 1950. (17) (18) (19) (20) In his early 20s, he founded his company Virgin. (17) At first his company was set up to sell music records, but over the years he has expanded into drinks, railways and air travel. However, in 1992, he sold his music record company to EMI for 500 million in order to keep his airline business running. (18) Four years later, when the airline was making profit again, he created a new music record company called V2. His most recent adventure is Virgin Galactic, which is designed to take tourists into space in a special space ship made by the company. (19) Branson is known to be a risk taker, and throughout his life has attempted to break several dangerous world records. In 1985 he attempted to cross the Atlantic Ocean by boat but he failed. He attempted it again the following year and beat the world record by two hours. (20) The year after, he did the same journey, but in a hot air balloon. In 1991, he broke another record by crossing the Pacific Ocean by hot air balloon as well.

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