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巴蜀中学校2024-2025学年高三下学期2月月考英语试题
注意事项：
1.答题前，考生务必用黑色碳素笔将自己的姓名、准考证号、考场号、座位号在答题卡上填写清楚。
2.每小题选出答案后，用2B铅笔把答题卡上对应题目的答案标号涂黑。如需改动，用橡皮擦干净后，再选涂其他答案标号。在试题卷上作答无效。
3.考试结束后，请将本试卷和答题卡一并交回。满分150分，考试用时120分钟。
第一部分 听力 (共两节，满分30分)
注意，听力部分答题时，请先将答案标在试卷上。听力部分结束前，你将有两分钟的时间将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。
1. What does the woman suggest they should do
A. Cross at the light. B. Take the shortcut. C. Wait for a bus.
2. Where does the conversation most probably take place
A. In a kitchen. B. In a market. C. In a garden.
3. What type of business is Kentucky's
A. A chain restaurant. B. A local eatery. C. A family-owned factory.
4. How does the woman feel
A. Surprised. B. Relieved. C. Regretful.
5. What is probably the cause of the woman's problem
A. Anxiety and stress.
B. Irregular sleep schedule.
C. Lack of exposure to natural light.
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。
听下面一段对话，回答第6 和第7 题。
6. Why does the woman talk to the man
A. To bring up a new issue.
B. To give him an assignment.
C. To provide feedback on his work.
7. What does the woman highlight about the advertisement
A. The date. B. The location. C. The event.
听下面一段对话，回答第8至第10题。
8. Why have customers made complaints
A. The payment takes a long time.
B. The parking lot is too small.
C. Machine errors often occur.
9. What does the man think about the machines
A. They are over budget.
B. They may cause new troubles.
C. They will cut down on expenses.
10. What does Natalie suggest
A. Hiring a parking attendant.
B. Discussing with a superior.
C. Rescheduling an afternoon meeting.
听下面一段对话，回答第11 至第13题。
11. What subject does Jenny have at 9 in the morning
A. English. B. Math. C. Science.
12. Why does the woman agree to go to the library
A. She can return some books.
B. She can prepare for her exams.
C. She can meet the man for lunch.
13. What does the man imply about his swimming skills
A. He is a professional swimmer.
B. He needs practice to stay in shape.
C. He hasn't gone swimming for a while.
听下面一段对话，回答第14 至第17题。
14. What was Jerry's reaction to his holiday in Australia
A. He was blamed for careless driving.
B. He was excited about the experience.
C. He was uncomfortable with the journey.
15. How does the woman describe real travel
A. It can be tough.
B. It should be leisurely.
C. It helps recover from work.
16. Why does the man think some people become travel writers
A. They want to enrich their experiences.
B. They are attracted by different cultures.
C. They try to escape their responsibilities.
17. What might the woman do to deeply understand a country
A. Visit more cities.
B. Read about the place.
C. Interact with local people.
听下面一段独白，回答第18 至第20题。
18. At what time of day do office workers typically experience sleepiness
A. Around 3: 00 pm.
B. During lunchtime.
C. At the start of work.
19. How does Tim and Jerry's support its employees' nap needs
A. By allowing them to nap at their desks.
B. By providing a nap room with beds.
C. By offering a 30-minute break after lunch.
20. According to Mr. Lin, what happens when he is sleepy at work
A. He forgets some tasks.
B. He struggles with accuracy.
C. He feels less motivated to work.
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
Celebrate MuseumSelfie Day on January 15!
MuseumSelfie Day is the perfect blend of art, culture, history — and selfies! Mark your calendars now for January 15.
Mar Dixon, a leader in social media and the cultural sector, created MuseumSelfie Day in2014 as part of her quest(追寻) to make museums fun for everyone — thus changing the image of museums from boring institutions, to places that anyone can enjoy.
This simple concept — taking a fun selfie in a museum — has become a global movement,with people, museums, news outlets, and organizations from around the world getting in on the action.
Visitors and staff at museums still participate each year by sharing their MuseumSelfie photos on social platforms. From ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces, every museum offers a unique opportunity for a selfie moment.
How to participate in MuseumSelfie Day
● Visit a Museum: Head to any museum, gallery, or cultural institution.
● Find a Feature You Love: Choose an exhibit or piece that inspires you.
●Take a Selfie: Snap a picture with the exhibit or feature in the background.
● Post Your Photo: Share it on X, Bluesky, Instagram, or Facebook using #MuseumSelfieDay or #MuseumSelfie. Don't forget to tag the museum and add a caption describing the exhibit or your experience!
● Get Creative: Use filters(滤镜), props, or poses to make your post stand out. Have fun with it!
Join the movement this January and help keep Mar Dixon's vision alive by celebrating museums as vibrant, welcoming spaces for everyone.
21. Why did Mar Dixon launch MuseumSelfie Day
A. To promote modern art. B. To encourage social media use.
C. To make museums enjoyable for all. D. To boost the sales of museum tickets.
22. What are participants recommended to do on MuseumSelfie Day
A. Share an unedited photo. B. Visit an assigned museum.
C. Post on a museum's website. D. Take a selfie with an exhibit.
23. Who might benefit most from reading this text
A. Collectors seeking rare museum pieces.
B. Artists pursuing photography techniques.
C. Researchers studying culture and history.
D. Individuals looking for fun cultural events.
B
Gilbert White made extensive observations of the natural world in the 1770s. Rather than study dead specimens, as many “naturalists” before him, White observed plants and animals in their natural settings, making him one of the early ecologists in Britain.
Because of the time at which he lived, he was not fully aware of certain phenomena such as bird migration, although he suspected such things occurred. Through his writing, many biologists were given an insight into the perception of the natural world before technological advancements.
As a keen observer of birds, he distinguished between different species based on their songs, without using telescopes. White's observations included seasonal data, such as bud-burst and flowering of common plants, which he recorded in The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne — a collection of letters to two great scientists of the time.
This book has had more than 200 editions and is reputed to be — after the Bible, the works of Shakespeare and Pilgrim's Progress — the fourth most published book in the EnglishLanguage. It was published in 1789 and since then has never been out of print. The book contains 110 letters spanning 20 years.
In a letter, dated May 20, 1777, White discussed earthworms, stating: “Earthworms, though in appearance a small and insignificant link in the chain of nature, yet if lost, would trigger major ecological imbalance.” He also highlighted their role as promoters of vegetation, noting their activities like making holes in the soil, creating pathways, and producing beneficial waste through wormcasts (蚯蚓粪).
It is quite remarkable that here, from writings of nearly 250 years ago, White refers to many activities of earthworms that we, as scientists and gardeners, now take for granted and continue to investigate in greater detail.
24. What made Gilbert White different from previous naturalists
A. His approach to studying nature. B. His choice of observational tools.
C. His attitude to preserving species. D. His focus on controlled environments.
25. Why are the Bible and the works of Shakespeare mentioned in paragraph 4
A. To compare their historical significance.
B. To suggest their influence on White's book.
C. To highlight the popularity of White's book.
D. To illustrate the connections between classics.
26. What role do earthworms play in nature, according to Gilbert White
A. They improve soil health. B. They control insect populations.
C. They' re too small to impact plants. D. They' re insignificant to ecosystems.
27. What can we infer from the last paragraph
A. White could have investigated in greater detail.
B. White's work is great enough to be referenced.
C. White linked his observations to practical uses.
D. White's insights are still new to scientists now.
C
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have worked together with meteorologists (气象学家) to analyze more than 50,000 weather satellite images to quickly identify storms. They found comma-shaped cloud formations that often lead to severe weather such as thunderstorms.
Computers were then taught using computer vision and machine learning to automatically detect these clouds from satellite images, with almost 100 percent accuracy, in less than a minute. By refocusing meteorologists’ attention on potential storm cloud formation the AI tool helped predict 64 percent of severe weather events and beat established detection systems.
Accuweather senior meteorologist Steve Wistar said it let forecasters find storm formations in a sea of cloud data. “The calling of our business is to save lives and protect property,” he said. “The more advance notice we give to people that would be affected by a storm, the better we' re providing that service.”
Expensive supercomputers are often used to process vast amounts of data needed for accurate weather prediction. But powerful AI methods can run on smaller computers. Climate risk and planning company ClimateAi uses a machine learning technique where two neural networks fight and train each other using global weather data until they get a result. This generates highly accurate and inexpensive local forecasts for hours or days ahead. And because it is not as costly,it allows poorer countries affected by climate change to use forecasts to change the way they farm, build roads, and adapt to extreme weather.
Data analytics and technology company DTN runs a high-resolution weather forecast service providing real-time information to New York City Emergency Management among others. It uses AI for both storm and wildfire prediction, combining historical weather information, weather models, and data on geography and topography. For energy companies, that includes data on vegetation and power failures, which they then use to plan for both wildfires and outages.
“Average costs associated with extreme weather events in the United States have increased steadily since 1980,” said DTN vice president of weather operations, Renny Vandewege. “These have costly impacts on cities’ basic services, housing, human livelihoods, and health.AI helps us to calculate that risk and can be used as a preventive measure.”
28. How do researchers at Pennsylvania State University use AI to enhance storm detection
A. By collecting satellite data. B. By building weather models.
C. By identifying cloud formations. D. By examining established systems.
29. What is a major disadvantage of traditional weather forecasting compared to AI tools
A. Overreliance on weather data.
B. Limited access to real-time images.
C. Inaccuracy in predicting extreme weather.
D. Slower detection of severe weather events.
30. What do ClimateAi and DTN have in common
A. They use extensive data. B. They provide global forecasts.
C. They partner with governments. D. They assess weather-related costs.
31. What did Renny Vandewege highlight about AI
A. Its accessibility for non-experts.
B. Its role in reducing climate risks.
C. Its use in preventing extreme weather.
D. Its ability to evaluate post-disaster losses.
D
My son just completed high school, and his departure for college marks a significant change for me. Among the things I' ll miss most are his lessons in teenage slang (俚语), which has offered me an accidental and useful portrait of how he and his generation see the world.
The primary value of slang has been to create linguistic markers, a way to set you apart from other people. The terms change over time, but the mean ngs typically don't —— one generation's “cool” becomes another's “dope.”
Members of my son's generation have a vastly superior approach to slang. They have invented a language that responds to the new and distinct reality they face, a society characterized by collapsing institutions, erosions (削弱) in trust and a loss of faith in a shared sense of meaning.
“Mid,” for example, in my son's usage, describes things that are average or slightly below. You can't really complain about them, but they produce no joy. Everything in Starbucks and airports falls into the category of “mid.”
“Glazed” has a similarly impressive precision, indicating the act of positively spinning a judgment on reality rather than complete lying. It is the perfect description of the way social media works, with everything taking on an artificially positive, unreal and not entirely trustworthy look. For example, beach photos on social media might make a destination look like paradise, yet they rarely show the crowded shores or bad weather that are part of the reality.
My favorite slang word is “based,” often used to express agreement when someone states a controversial opinion. “Canada should join the United States,” one might say, to which someone else might reply, “Based.” To my ear, “based” is a perfect word to describe the informational chaos we inhabit.
Slang has brought my son and me closer. It's taught me that the current crop of teenagers created a language to describe the flawed reality we've abandoned them to, and in doing so they've proved themselves less m sguided and more innovative than we were.
32. What does teenage slang reveal about young people
A. Their need to fit in with peers. B. Their response to the flawed reality.
C. Their aim to challenge social norms. D. Their desire to outdo older generations.
33. Which comment on a crowded beach reflects the underlined word “glazed”
A. “What a disaster!” B. “Not crowded at all.”
C. “A wonderful getaway!” D. “At least we found a spot.”
34. Which word best describes the tone of the text
A. Appreciative. B. Analytical.
C. Instructive. D. Cautious.
35. What is a suitable title for the text
A. Teenagers’ Fondness of Nonsense Words
B. Modern Slang Tells Us about Youth Culture
C. The Impact of Teen Slang on Social Relations
D. Teens Have Invented a Language for the World
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。
Travelers often fill their suitcases with souvenirs like refrigerator magnets, keychains and postcards. 36 Now, those visiting the Italian lakeside town of Como have another, slightly less conventional item to bring home: a sealed can of Lake Como air.
ItalyComunica, a communications company, is selling 13.5-ounce cans of “pure air from the most beautiful lake in the world” for roughly $11 (?9.90) each. 37 They feature a dark blue label with an illustration of a boat cruising through the water. “Open it whenever you need a moment of escape, tranquility, or simply beauty,” instructs the website. “Only those who visit Lake Como can want to buy our souvenir; memories are not bought but lived.”
Sitting at the base of the Alps, Lake Como is a large body of water in Italy's northern Lombardy region. 38 Many celebrities own second homes in the surrounding area, and numerous movies have been filmed there.
39 Clever businesspeople have been selling similar products for decades. In mountain towns and other high-elevation destinations, “oxygen in a can” is sometimes marketed as an antidote (缓解物) to altitude sickness, despite little scientific evidence to support that claim. Any benefits from canned air are likely due to the placebo (安慰剂) effect, experts say.
Alessandro Rapinese, the mayor of Como, says that he would rather vacationers bought silk scarves, which the region is known for, or other souvenirs. However, he adds: “ 40 Just make sure to take beautiful memories of this area as well.”
A. It's the best souvenir option.
B. It has become a popular vacation destination.
C. Souvenirs have a long and fascinating history.
D. These little items serve as reminders of their vacation.
E. If someone wants to take some air home, that's perfectly fine.
F. The cans are marketed as “luxurious” souvenirs on the product website.
G. This is not the first time canned air has been marketed to tourists, though.
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。
Small, spoon-shaped objects found on the end of warriors’ belts at archaeological sites across northern Europe could have been used to dispense stimulants (分配兴奋剂) before battle, a study suggests.
The widespread use of drugs in ancient Greece and Rome was 41 in ancient sources and supported by archaeological finds. However, this body of evidence was 42 for the Germanic peoples living outside the Roman Empire, and it is generally assumed that they made little 43 of drugs apart from alcohol.
Now, 44 by archaeologists offer a fresh viewpoint on these issues. Researchers identified 241 such 45 dating from the Roman period. They have handles, mostly 40-70mm long, and either a concave (凹的) bowl or flat disk measuring 10 to 20mm across. They were 46 to a man's belt but played no role in its 47 .
Stimulants may have been widely used to motivate soldiers to 48 their performance and also to reduce the stress and 49 caused by the war. The warriors could have used these objects to measure the right dose to 50 the desired effects.
Researchers then surveyed which stimulants could have been 51 to the Germanic communities, either plants gathered locally or 52 in dry form from further afield. They conclude that Germanic peoples would have had access to a wide range of substances used as stimulants. These could have been 53 either in liquid form or in powdered form.
Moreover, they note that to 54 the quantity and type of stimulants needed would have required considerable knowledge. They further believe that the stimulants were probably also used for 55 other than warfare, such as in medicine and rituals.
41. A. accepted B. documented C. forbidden D. misunderstood
42. A. convincing B. growing C. conflicting D. missing
43. A. difference B. sense C. use D. mention
44. A. analyses B. standards C. instructions D. measures
45. A. battles B. objects C. problems D. drugs
46. A. applied B. attached C. limited D. exposed
47. A. production B. understanding C. functioning D. transportation
48. A. review B. share C. boost D. track
49. A. shame B. infection C. danger D. fear
50. A. produce B. avoid C. assess D. study
51. A. available B. helpful C. unnecessary D. attractive
52. A. exchanged B. seen C. transformed D. transported
53. A. raised B. possessed C. collected D. consumed
54. A. spare B. detect C. supply D. store
55. A. benefits B. purposes C. forms D. findings
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 Milky Way formed around 13.5 billion years ago, but it's not possible to travel back in time to see exactly how it 56 (happen). Studies of the Galaxy’ s (星系) ancient stars offer some clues, 57 do simulations(模拟), but the observable light from our home galaxy was emitted(发出) too recently 58 (enable) astronomers to examine its beginnings directly. One way around this problem is to study other galaxies that resemble the Milky Way. Mowla used observations from the James Webb Space Telescope(JWST) to investigate 59 distant galaxy with a mass that matches the expected mass of the Milky Way 60 (short) after its formation in the early Universe.
When astronomers observe distant galaxies, they see light that was emitted billions of years ago, because it takes time 61 light to travel across space to their telescopes. 62 (earth) separation from such far-away galaxies, and thus how long ago their light was emitted, can be measured, thanks to the constant 63 (expand) of the Universe. As light journeys across the vastness of space, its wavelength is stretched along with the expanding fabric of space, 64 (make) it seem redder than it was when it was emitted. And the change in the wavelength 65 (determine) by the distance the light travels and the age of the Universe at the time of emission.
第四部分 写作 (共两节，满分40分)
第一节 (满分15分)
你校英语论坛发起了“Should social media apps get rid of likes (是否应该取消社交媒体的点赞功能 )”这一话题讨论。请你用英语回帖，内容包括：
1.你的观点；
2.说明理由。
注意：
1.写作词数应为80个左右；
2.请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
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 summer night was serene (宁静), with crickets sunging and a gentle breeze rustling the trees around us. We had found the perfect camping spot, deep in the woods, far from the distractions of daily life. No Wi-Fi, no schedules —— just our family, together. This was what camping was all about — unplugging, connecting, and mak ng memories.
As the fire burned down, we crawled into our tent, the kids falling asleep almost instantly. Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn't.
In the middle of the night, I woke with a start, my heart pounding. Something was outside our tent. The sound was faint but persistent — soft footsteps, a shuffle here and there, followed by a pause.
I nudged my husband awake. Sighing, Dan reached for the flashlight and unzipped the tent. “Oh,” he said softly. “It's just a dog.” I scrambled out of the tent to take a look. A tan, short-haired dog stood at the edge of our campsite, pacing back and forth. His fur was dirty, and he looked underfed.
“Poor thing,” I whispered. “He must be hungry.” Dan grabbed some leftover hot dogs, offering one to the dog. To our surprise, the dog backed away, his eyes darting nervously toward the trees.
By now, the kids had woken up, and Tommy was beside himself with excitement. “Adoggy!” he shouted, much too loud for the quiet night.
“Shh,” I warned. “We don't want to scare him.”
Sarah, our daughter, ever observant, tilted her head and said, “Something’ s wrong, Mom. Look how scared he is.”
She was right. The dog seemed torn between staying and fleeing, pacing anxiously, his tail tucked. Then we heard it — a heavy rustling coming from the trees behind us. The dog froze, his head snapping toward the sound, and a low growl rumbled from his throat. His hair rose as he positioned himself between us and the forest.
注意：
1.续写词数应为150个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Time slowed as a large bear emerged from the darkness.
We sat with the dog in the car, watching the bear leave.
英语参考答案
第一部分 听力（共两节，满分 30 分）
1~5 ACBBC 6~10 CBACB 11~15 AACCA 16~20 CBABB
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）
21~25 CDDAC 26~30 ABCDA 31~35 BBCAD
第二节（共 5 小题；每小题 2.5 分，满分 12.5 分）
36~40 DFBGE
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）
41~45 BDCAB 46~50 BCCDA 51~55 ADDCB
第二节（共 10 小题；每小题 1.5 分，满分 15 分）
56．happened 57．as 58．to enable 59．a 60．shortly
61．for 62．Earth’s 63．expansion 64．making 65．is determined
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分 40 分）
第一节（满分 15 分）
【参考范文 1】
I believe social media should consider getting rid of the like button. While it has its benefits, the drawbacks seem to outweigh them.
First, likes often encourage a shallow form of validation. People may focus too much on seeking approval, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy when posts don’t receive many likes. Second, the pressure to gain likes can create unrealistic expectations, distorting how people view success or popularity. Finally, likes can encourage competition rather than connection, as users compare their content with others in terms of numbers, rather than meaningful interactions.
In conclusion, removing likes would help create a healthier social media environment where people focus on quality and authenticity instead of chasing numbers.
【参考范文 2】
I believe social media should keep the like button. Despite some criticisms, it offers several benefits that enhance online experiences.
Firstly, likes provide quick feedback, which helps people feel connected and appreciated. This small gesture can boost someone’s mood and encourage positive interactions. Secondly, likes give users a sense of validation, helping them feel that their opinions or creativity matter. Lastly, they allow content creators to measure their impact and understand what resonates with their audience, helping them improve their posts.
In conclusion, the like button plays an important role in making social media more interactive and encouraging, and it should not be removed.
第二节（满分 25 分）
【参考范文】
Time slowed as a large bear emerged from the darkness. Its eyes glinted in the light, and it raised its head, sniffing the air. The air felt heavy with tension, and the kids huddled close behind me, their faces pale with fear. The dog barked sharply, and the bear turned its attention to our camp, its massive form lumbering toward us. “Car,” I whispered urgently. “Everyone to the car. Now.” We moved as one — Dan scooping up Tommy, me grabbing Sarah’s hand — as the bear moved closer. The dog stayed between us and the bear, growling low but never attacking, as if buying us time. My hands trembled as I fumbled for the car keys, finally unlocking the doors with a chirp. We scrambled into the car, the dog leaping in just as Dan slammed the door. From the safety of the SUV, we watched in horror as the bear tore through our campsite, ripping our tent apart like it was paper, devouring anything remotely edible.
We sat with the dog in the car, watching the bear leave. The bear finally finished and wandered back into the woods. The campsite was unrecognizable, with the tent shredded and the cooler overturned. The dog, now quiet, sat proudly on Tommy’s lap, his eyes still fixed on the trees. “He saved us,” Sarah whispered, stroking his dirty fur. Tommy nodded, hugging the dog tightly. “We should keep him,” he said, his voice full of determination. Dan and I exchanged a look and smiled. “I think he’s already decided to stay,” I said softly. As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the ruined campsite, we knew one thing for sure — our family had grown by one brave and loyal member.
听力原文
Text 1
M：Let’s cross here, or we will walk down to the end of the street.
W：You’re kidding. We’ll never make it across in one piece！ Let’s cross at the light. If you want to cross here, be my guest.
Text 2
W：Look. Your tomatoes are growing well. I think they’ll be ready for the market soon.
M：Yes, the weather has been great, so I don’t have to water them as often.
Text 3
W：Hey, do you know anything about Kentucky’s？
M：Yeah, I’ve been there a few times. It’s not a chain, and it’s not a family-owned place either. It focuses on using local ingredients and has a really unique menu.
Text 4
W：There they are！At last. I’ve been looking for the keys everywhere.
M：What？You’re always losing them.
W：I know, and I really thought I’d lost them this time. Thank goodness！
Text 5
W：I’m unable to fall asleep at night, and then I’m too sleepy to concentrate in class during the day.
M：Well, you spend too much time indoors, and your body can’t adjust to the time of day. That’s what’s causing your problem.
Text 6
W：I’d like to discuss the recent assignment that you have worked on with the marketing team.
M：No problem. Is there something specific you’d like to discuss？
W：Yes, there is. In this online advertisement, it states that there will be a sale at our Seattle branch on July 22nd. However, the sale is actually going to be at our Portland branch.
M：I’m so sorry about that！I will make the necessary changes to the advertisement immediately.
Text 7
M：Natalie, don’t you think we should put automated payment machines in our shopping mall’s parking lot？
W：Definitely. Many visitors have complained that waiting to pay our parking attendant at the counter is very inefficient. It seems that cars are getting backed up when there are many shoppers trying to exit the parking lot at the same time.
M：I can understand their concern. Plus, using automated machines in the lot will likely save us more money in the long run, since we wouldn’t have to pay the wages of the parking attendants.
W：Good point. Let’s bring this up to our manager at the staff meeting this afternoon.
Text 8
M：Hi, Jenny. Are you going to school now？
W：Yup. I have English at 9 in the morning.
M：Got any plans after the class？
W：Not really. What about you？
M：We will have our midterm exams next month. I plan to look for some important books and study at the library. Do you want to join me？
W：Sure. I need to return some books. They are due today.
M：Great. We can go to the swimming pool in the gymnasium after that.
W：That sounds like a good idea. We can chill out a little in such a hot summer. Are you good at swimming？
M：I haven’t swum for almost two years. I think I need more practice.
W：Oh, it’s almost 9. I am running late now. See you after class in front of the library then. Bye！
M：See you then！
Text 9
M：Oh, Fiona. I had a two-week holiday with Jerry in Australia. But he wasn’t very thrilled about that.
W：How come？The scenery is beautiful there.
M：He was fine once we got there, but after a 12-hour flight, he was crammed into an old car and driven for hours across the desert in temperatures above 40℃ — you can’t really blame him.
W： I think real travel always has its difficult moments. After all, if you want an easy time, just take a leisurely trip around the Greek islands.
M：Holidays are for recovering from a whole year’s work. Travel is something you do for the experience. Some people don’t want to do anything else. They become travel writers, or whatever. In my opinion, they don’t want to face real life at home. After all, the traveler is never deeply involved in any country he or she passes through, so there are no duties, no responsibilities and no blame.
W：You may be right sometimes.
M：Let’s say you visit Japan and spend a month touring on a bicycle. Leaving that country, to what extent can you actually say you know it？
W：Not much, perhaps. But I might get books and learn more about it later.
Text 10
It’s a daily struggle known to office workers the world over. A productive morning followed by a decent lunch, and then, around 3:00 pm, the irresistible sleepiness. A short nap can promote alertness and improve performance, which are important when you’re at work. Now many companies with a strong commitment to employee wellness have realized the benefits of on-site napping. U-U Corporation, a consulting company, has a flexible approach. Employees can take a nap for up to 30 minutes anytime between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Another company, Tim and Jerry’s, which already offers employees personal trainers, now supplies a room with a bed and pillows that employee can use as needed. One of its representatives says: “If people need to catch a little nap during the day, we are behind it.” An IT firm, New Link, allows its employees to take a 20-minute power nap at their desks. Introduced two years ago, the policy has proved a huge hit. Mr. Lin, an accountant at New Link, told a local newspaper: “If I use a calculator when I’m sleepy, I have to double check my work for fear of making mistakes. So it takes longer. Thanks to the policy, my work performance has improved.”

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