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唐山市2026年普通高等学校招生统一考试第二次模拟演练
英语
本试卷共12页，满分150分。考试时长120分钟。
注意事项：
1．答卷前，考生务必将自己的姓名、考生号、考场号、座位号填写在答题卡上。
2．回答选择题时，选出每小题答案后，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。回答非选择题时，将答案写在答题卡上，写在本试卷上无效。
3．考试结束后，将本试卷和答题卡一并交回。
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，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。每段对话读两遍。
1. How much does the woman need to pay in total
A. $12. B. $14. C. $19.
2. What are the speakers likely to do this weekend
A. Go hiking. B. Try cooking. C. Visit the beach.
3. What are the speakers mainly discussing
A. Whether to hire Ella. B. How to train new staff. C. What to require for a job.
4. What is the probable relationship between the speakers
A. Mother and son. B. Teacher and student. C. Manager and assistant.
5. Where are the speakers
A. At a hospital. B. In a classroom. C. On a playground.
第二节（共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5分）
请听下面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 man’s opinion about Chinese calligraphy
A. It’s a form of relaxation. B. It’s hard to understand. C. It’s a living culture.
7. What will the woman do next
A. Give a call. B. See her friend. C. Visit an exhibition.
听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。
8. What does the man think he should learn most
A. Telling a joke. B. Listening carefully. C. Communicating more.
9. What does the woman suggest we should do about difficult conversations
A. Be thoughtful. B. Argue strongly. C. Get to the point.
10. How does the woman feel about her communication with family
A. Confident. B. Nervous. C. Regretful.
听第8段材料，回答第11至14题。
11. What does the man think of Rose’s performance
A. Simple. B. Natural. C. Formal.
12. How did Rose prepare her role
A. By experiencing life.
B. By reading the story carefully.
C. By training emotion expression.
13. What did the man do for the festival
A. He taught stage acting. B. He changed the scenes. C. He helped with the lighting.
14. What is the most important for a performance according to the man
A. Joint effort. B. Great acting. C. Sound effect.
听第9段材料，回答第15至17题。
15. What mistake did Mary make
A. She ignored grammar. B. She got the word wrong. C. She had a bad pronunciation.
16. How did the airport worker respond to Mary
A. Angrily. B. Humorously. C. Embarrassingly.
17. What do we know from the man’s Chinese learning
A. Tones are important.
B. Making mistakes is costly.
C. Real-life learning is the best.
听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。
18. Why is the cafe called “silent cafe”
A. Because of the staff. B. Because of the platform. C. Because of the location.
19. What made Wang Xian quit her job
A. Her love for coffee making.
B. Her concern for her relatives.
C. Her search for better chances.
20. How does Wang Xian see Wang Jiali’s present job
A. Time consuming. B. Money making. C. Life changing.
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
Milk is a common food across many countries in the world. But dairy can contribute a lot to the greenhouse gas emissions of our food. In typical EU diets, it accounts for just over one-quarter of the carbon footprint, sometimes as much as one-third.
Growing awareness of this means many are looking to plant-based alternatives. In the UK, surveys suggest one-quarter of adults now drink some non-dairy milks. It’s even more popular in younger generation with one-third of 16 to 23-year-olds choosing them.
There is now a range of “plant-based” milk alternatives available, including soy, oat, almond and rice. This raises two common questions: are plant-based milks really better for the environment, and which is best
In the table here we compare milks across a number of environmental indicators: land use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and eutrophication — the pollution of ecosystems with too many nutrients. These are compared per liter (升) of milk.
Product Land use m2 per kg, 2013 Greenhouse gas emissions Kg CO2eq (当量) per liter, 2013 Freshwater use liters per liter, 2013 Eutrophication g PO4eq per liter, 2013
Almond milk 0.50 m2 0.70 kg 371.46 L 1.50 g
Dairy milk 8.95 m2 3.15 kg 628.20 L 10.65 g
Oat milk 0.76 m2 0.90 kg 48.24 L 1.62 g
Rice milk 0.34 m2 1.18 kg 269.81 L 4.69 g
Soy milk 0.66 m2 0.98 kg 27.80 L 1.06 g
Which of the plant-based milks is best It really depends on the impact we care most about. There is no clear winner on all indicators. However, from a nutritional perspective, the replacement of dairy with plant-based milks is unlikely to be a concern for those with a diverse diet. It is possible to meet these requirements from other foods. However, for certain groups, especially those on lower incomes with poor dietary diversity, this might be an inappropriate switch.
21. Why are many people considering plant-based milk according to the text
A. Dairy is rather too common. B. It is cheaper than dairy.
C. Dairy has more environmental impact. D. It tastes better than dairy.
22. Which product in the table uses the least water
A. Oat milk. B. Soy milk. C. Rice milk. D. Almond milk.
23. What can be inferred from the last paragraph
A. A diverse diet should include dairy.
B. Low-income people should avoid milk.
C. Milk quality standards should be stricter.
D. People should choose different milk for nutrition.
B
Fiona Reilly is a senior emergency physician. Her first answer to what the key to good healthcare is might be a little unexpected.
Dr Reilly says doctors often don’t allow patients to share their stories, which could include the feelings, concerns and experiences they bring into a medical consultation that impact their medical interactions. She points to a 2019 US study that looked into the time it takes before a doctor interrupts a patient for the first time. “It’s rather bad. It’s 11 seconds,” she says. “But when patients are given that space, their experience is vastly different-and so is the feeling they walk away with.”
Dr Reilly recalls meeting a family at her emergency department several years ago. Their three-year-old daughter had a fever and doctors treating her believed it was likely a common illness. But the family remained highly anxious about the child’s illness. It led the doctors to do a number of extra tests, which increased the complexity and cost for the patient and to the system. The tests returned as normal, but the family’s concern was still there. Therefore, Dr Reilly was brought in to give a second opinion. The first thing she did was speak with the child’s mother. The mother explained that years earlier, she sensed something was not right with her pregnancy and sought medical care. At the hospital, she’d been reassured that everything was okay after a number of tests. But, sadly, she lost the baby in the end.
“As the mother told her story, I understood why she was so worried about this child today,” Dr Reilly says. “The storyteller has power. The more patients feel listened to, the more likely they are to have closer and more productive relationships with their medical providers.”
The mother’s story is not uncommon. “A good doctor needs scientific knowledge and technical skill,” she says. “But they also need insight and the ability to listen and interpret a story. And they need a moral framework in which to situate that so that they can make a deep and important and trusting connection with their patients.”
24. What can be inferred from the 2019 US study
A. Doctors cut patients off quickly. B. Patients annoyed doctors easily.
C. Patients hated talking to doctors. D. Doctors talked to patients anxiously.
25. Why did the family remain highly anxious
A. The doctors gave wrong tests. B. They had a terrible experience.
C. The daughter had a serious illness. D. The treatment cost was rather high.
26. What does Dr Reilly mean when she says “the storyteller has power”
A. Patients can ask doctors for more tests.
B. Patients can tell their stories to the doctors.
C. Patients can treat doctors in their own way.
D. Patients can influence doctors’ understanding.
27. What is the last paragraph mainly about
A. The value of good doctors. B. The role of technical skills.
C. The way of gaining patients’ trust. D. The standard of doctors’ moral behavior.
C
As a female writer, I was conflicted about AI, but as the noise grew louder about how useful it could be, I started to hear it could free time and energy, taking over simple tasks and allowing us to focus on what matters. One day, I gave in. At first, I used it to check spelling and grammar. Then I began fact-checking. I even started second-guessing my own authority. Finally it hit me: I had been relying on AI almost completely. I had fallen for the hurtful belief that nothing my own brain could create would ever be as good as what AI said. Time to press the reset button
I do think AI has its uses. It can help people understand complicated things or any scary communication. But could the greater societal reliance be adding to the general noise in our heads, gradually undermining our trust in ourselves
Educational psychologist Dr Julia Alfano says, “Without information being put to active, conscious, critical check, we are not open to revaluation of the information we are presented with. We stop being curious... we are no longer engaged in an active process. As a result, the information itself takes on an individual reality or truth, and we have lost our agency over it.” Quick answers and shortcuts may feel efficient, but they weaken reflection and critical thinking.
Keeping a sense of our human self feels like an important lesson here, because if we start to believe that our minds, thoughts and opinions have no value, then soon we shall be proved right. I am terrified by the thought that even WHEN the perfect job comes up, a lot of us now won’t apply for it... because what is the point anymore, who can compete with a robot or perfection In my mind, all of us can, because being imperfect is what makes us human. I didn’t need AI to find this reassurance — Winnie the Pooh once said, “What’s wrong with knowing what you know now and not knowing what you don’t know until later ” Piglet added, “The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”
28. What does paragraph 1 mainly tell us about the author
A. She tried to perfect her writing. B. She remained creative all the time.
C. She began to doubt her judgement. D. She trusted AI to improve her work.
29. What does the underlined word “undermining” in paragraph 2 mean
A. Weakening. B. Assessing. C. Gaining. D. Expressing.
30. What does Dr Julia Alfano stress
A. The importance of reflection. B. The cost of being efficient.
C. The trend of modern information. D. The effect of active thinking.
31. What can we learn according to Winnie the Pooh and Piglet
A. AI helps us know more. B. AI makes what we will be.
C. We can not compete with a robot. D. We should face our imperfection.
D
You probably know about endangered animals. But what about plants They are the backbone of every ecosystem — offering homes, food, shade, and oxygen to other species.
But here’s the tricky part: sometimes a forest looks healthy. But many of the plants that could be there are actually missing. This is where the idea of dark diversity comes in. Dark diversity is like Nature’s secret list — the plants that the environment could support, but that we don’t see anymore.
The problem is that most of the time, scientists only count the species they see. Dark diversity shows us a hidden loss that’s easy to ignore.
We studied hidden plant loss at over 5,000 natural plant sites in 119 regions worldwide. Each site was 100 m , and surrounding regions were about 300 km . At each site, we listed all species we saw, called alpha diversity. We also compared sites in the same region to measure beta diversity, showing how vegetation differed across the region.
Across each region, we added all species to get gamma diversity, the total “regional library.” To find missing species, we calculated dark diversity, counting plants that usually grow with those present but were absent, like asking, “Which classmates are missing today ” The sum of observed and missing species formed the species pool, representing a site’s potential diversity. Community completeness is the percentage of the species pool that is actually observed at a site.
Finally, we assessed human impact using the Human Footprint Index, including population, roads, farmland, and cities, to see whether higher human influence reduced biodiversity.
What did we find out On average, only about 25% of the possible plants were present in each spot. In areas with little human activity, about one in three expected species showed up. The rest were likely absent due to natural reasons. In areas with a high human footprint, only one in five expected species were there.
Just counting plants (alpha diversity) didn’t show this problem. This is because different locations have naturally more or fewer species. A grassland might look “full” but still have very low completeness. The hidden loss only became clear when we looked at Nature’s secret list of missing plants.
32. What does “Nature’s secret list” suggest
A. The environment is improving.
B. Some extinct plants are in it.
C. Some plants are potential but absent.
D. Nature has its way of creating diversity.
33. If alpha diversity is 20, dark diversity is 70, then the community completeness is about .
A. 22.2% B. 28.6% C. 40% D. 45%
34. Which of the following best matches the finding
A. B.
C. D.
35. Why does the author mention the grassland example
A. To describe a typical natural habitat.
B. To emphasize the richness of plant life.
C. To illustrate differences between regions.
D. To show the limitation of counting visible species.
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。
Guilt is a common human emotion. It can guide us, but it can also hurt us. Guilt is usually defined as a feeling of responsibility or regret for something we have done wrong, or even for something we only imagine we have done wrong. It often comes from our values and expectations, which shape how we judge our own behavior. 36 It reflects our awareness of right and wrong. It shows that we care.
37 Some guilt is helpful. This kind of guilt appears when we break a promise, hurt someone, or fail to meet an important responsibility, and it pushes us to correct our mistakes and improve ourselves. It is useful. However, there is also harmful guilt. This type often comes from unrealistic standards, past events we cannot change, or even other people’s expectations. 38 Unlike helpful guilt, it does not lead to action but instead weakens our confidence and wears out our energy.
When you feel guilty, pause for a moment. Ask yourself where the feeling comes from and whether it is based on facts or assumptions, because not all guilt is reasonable. Then consider its effect: does it encourage you to take positive action, or does it simply make you feel bad without offering a solution 39 By questioning your guilt, you begin to understand it instead of being controlled by it.
If your guilt is helpful, take action. Apologize, make changes, or complete what you have left unfinished, so that your behavior matches your values. If your guilt is harmful, learn to let it go, even though this may take time and effort. Remind yourself that no one is perfect, and that growth often comes from mistakes. 40 Only when you learn to use it wisely can you move forward with confidence and create a better life.
A. This step is important.
B. Not all guilt is the same.
C. It’s never too late to regret.
D. They can be corrected later.
E. It makes us feel unworthy or stuck.
F. In this sense, guilt is not simply negative.
G. Guilt should guide your life instead of controlling it.
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。
When I was growing up, my favorite movie was Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. My favorite 41 is when the Beast introduces Belle to the castle’s library. Belle’s eyes 42 as the camera moves around to show her endless shelves of books. It feels magical, not only to her, but to me, as a viewer, filling me with 43 .
People often speak of truth, goodness, and beauty as 44 ideals-principles that direct our actions. But unlike the magical library in the movie, beauty in real life is the easiest to 45 . Faced with emotional and financial concerns, many families quietly abandon it, assuming it requires 46 , space, or special talent.
When I was growing up, my family did not have those unlimited 47 . Our small apartment was 48 . One winter evening, my parents returned home carrying a bag of 49 . There was no electricity due to a sudden power cut, and the room quickly grew 50 . Instead of showing frustration, my mother calmly lit several candles, creating a 51 atmosphere. My father then 52 the bag and suggested we mix flour, water, and sugar to prepare a simple dough together. Our hands moved slowly, 53 small, uneven pieces while we laughed gently. In that humble space, surrounded by dancing light and shared effort, I felt a deep sense of peace and 54 richness.
Since then, I have come to believe that beauty does not depend on what we 55 , but on how we choose to see and shape our ordinary lives.
41. A. story B. scene C. idea D. picture
42. A. close B. lower C. shift D. widen
43. A. regret B. wonder C. gratitude D. confusion
44. A. guiding B. fading C. abstract D. rigid
45. A. figure out B. build up C. leave behind D. pass on
46. A. wealth B. labor C. ambition D. commitment
47. A. excuses B. opinions C. resources D. opportunities
48. A. odd B. plain C. distinct D. luxury
49. A. books B. candles C. snacks D. groceries
50. A. cold B. mild C. dark D. noisy
51. A. challenging B. comforting C. freezing D. confusing
52. A. opened B. dropped C. filled D. moved
53. A. eating B. throwing C. taking D. shaping
54. A. undeserved B. uninvited C. unexpected D. unearned
55. A. have B. say C. meet D. want
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。
For many people, dining is not only about food but also about connection. Imagine dining with family or friends. Everyone is talking freely, 56 (picture) moments of closeness and connection at a round table at the center. Such tables are common in Chinese restaurants, yet their history reflects a gradual cultural 57 (transform). Despite our familiarity 58 them, round tables were not widely used for dining until the Qing dynasty.
Before that, in the Ming dynasty, people dined at square tables, seated according to social positions. By contrast, the rise of round tables reshaped social practices. Their round form is believed 59 (promote) equality, reducing distinctions among diners. This symbolic meaning, 60 (root) in philosophical ideas about harmony and social change, made the round table more than just a 61 (function) object.
Practicality also contributed to their spread. Many round tables are easy to move, with 62 (part) that can be folded, allowing flexible use in homes, courtyards, and even outdoor spaces. Their widespread use, 63 is not only culturally significant but also closely tied to everyday needs, shows how a simple design works.
The round table 64 (associate) with tuanyuan, meaning reunion and completeness, especially during festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival. While this association reflects deep cultural values connecting family unity with symbolic forms like the full moon and shared meals, it also highlights the role of everyday objects in shaping social relationships 65 reveals their long-term influence.
第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分）
第一节（满分15分）
一位英国网友在某论坛发帖，关注了2026年中国春节晚会（the Spring Festival Gala）上的机器人表演。请你写一则回帖，内容包括：
1. 你观看表演的感受；
2. 你对表演中“科技与传统结合”的理解；
3. 你的看法。
注意：
1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Hi, it’s great to see your interest in this performance.
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。
I was eleven when my mother first took me to a small chess club at the corner of our street. I remember standing at the door, unwilling to step in, while my mother gently placed her hand on my shoulder and pushed me forward.
The chess pieces were not exciting as I had hoped; instead, they sat there, silent and demanding. I spent long afternoons memorizing openings, losing games, and staring at the board, unsure of what I had done wrong. Some days, I dragged my feet on the way to class, wondering why I had to keep going.
“Why do you insist on this ” I finally asked one evening, frustration spilling out of me. My mother looked up from the book she was reading. A small smile rested on her face, the kind that never rushed to explain itself. She didn’t answer directly. Instead, she said quietly, “Playing chess determines who I am.” I wondered what a journey she had taken.
She was not a person of many words, but there was something in the way she lived that made people listen when she did speak. She never hurried, even when time pressed. When problems came, she did not complain; she would sit with them, as if turning them over carefully, like pieces on a board. And when she made a decision, it carried a quiet certainty that rarely needed defending. I could not fully understand her sentence, but I could see its shadow in her life.
Nearly a year later, I was signed up for my first competition. On the morning of the event, as she helped me straighten my collar, she said, “Remember, participation is competition, but more than competition.”
I nodded, though the words felt distant, like something I was supposed to understand someday, but not yet.
The competition hall was larger than I expected. Rows of tables stretched out under bright lights, each one holding a board that seemed suddenly more serious than the ones I had practiced on. When the game began, my hands could not move. I made moves too quickly, then hesitated, then tried to correct myself. My opponent remained calm, almost indifferent.
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。
I lost the game. That evening, my mother came into my room without asking the result.
唐山市2026年普通高等学校招生统一考试第二次模拟演练
英语参考答案
第一部分 听力
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. C 6. C 7. A 8. B 9. A 10. C
11. B 12. A 13. C 14. A 15. B 16. B 17. A 18. A 19. B 20. C
第二部分 阅读理解
21. C 22. B 23. D 24. A 25. B 26. D 27. C 28. C 29. A 30. A
31. D 32. C 33. A 34. B 35. D 36. F 37. B 38. E 39. A 40. G
第三部分 语言知识运用
第一节
41. B 42. D 43. B 44. A 45. C 46. A 47. C 48. B 49. D 50. C
51. B 52. A 53. D 54. C 55. A
第二节
56. picturing 57. transformation 58. with 59. to promote 60. rooted
61. functional 62. parts 63. which 64. is associated 65. and
第四部分 写作
第一节
Possible Version
Hi, it’s great to see your interest in this performance! When I watched it, I was completely amazed. The robots performed wushu with amazing precision alongside students from a wushu school, and their teamwork was impressive.
What struck me most was how the show combines tradition with modern technology. Wushu shows discipline and spirit, while the robots’ smart systems and smooth movements reflect China’s rapid progress in AI. The performance reminded me of the endless possibilities when culture meets modern technology.
In my view, this is more than just entertainment — it’s a window into how tradition can fuel the future of innovation.
第二节 读后续写
评分原则
在评分时，应注意以下几个方面：
1. 本题总分为25分，按5个档次给分。
2. 评分时，先根据所续写短文的内容和语言初步确定其所属档次，然后以该档次的要求衡量、确定或调整档次，最后给分。
3. 词数少于130的，从总分中减去2分。
4. 评分时，应主要从以下四点考虑：
（1）与所给短文及段落开头语的衔接程度；
（2）内容的丰富性；
（3）应用语法结构和词汇的丰富性和准确性；
（4）上下文的连贯性。
5. 拼写与标点符号是语言准确性的一个方面，评分时，应视其对交际的影响程度予以考虑。英美拼写及词汇用法均可接受。
6. 如书写较差，以至影响交际，将分数降低一个档次。
分值 评分标准
第五档 21 ~ 25 · 与所给短文融洽度高，与所提供各段落开头语衔接合理； · 内容丰富，应用的语法结构和词汇丰富、准确，可能有些许错误，但完全不影响意义表达； · 有效地使用了语句间的连接成分，所续写短文结构紧凑。
第四档 16 ~ 20 · 与所给短文融洽度较高，与所提供各段落开头语衔接较为合理； · 内容比较丰富，应用的语法结构和词汇较为丰富、准确，可能有些许错误，但完全不影响意义表达； · 比较有效地使用了语句间的连接成分，所续写短文结构紧凑。
第三档 11 ~ 15 · 与所给短文关系较为密切，与所提供各段落开头语有一定程度的衔接； · 写出了若干有关内容，应用的语法结构和词汇能满足任务的要求，虽有一些错误，但不影响意义表达； · 应用简单的语句间连接成分，使全文内容连贯。
第二档 6 ~ 10 · 与所给短文有一定的关系，与所提供各段落开头语有一定程度的衔接； · 写出了一些有关内容，语法结构单调，词汇有限，有些语法结构和词汇方面的错误，影响了意义的表达； · 较少使用语句间的连接成分，全文内容缺少连贯性。
第一档 1 ~ 5 · 与所给短文和开头语的衔接较差； · 产出内容太少，语法结构单调，词汇有限，有较多语法结构和词汇方面的错误，严重影响了意义的表达； · 缺乏语句间的连接成分，全文内容不连贯。
0 白卷、内容太少，无法评判或所写内容与所提供内容无关。
听力文稿
Text 1
W: Hi, I’d like to buy 3 tickets to the Van Gogh exhibit. Two adult tickets, one student ticket.
M: The adult tickets are 7 dollars each. The student ticket is 5 dollars.
W: Great, here you go!
Text 2
W: I hoped to hike this weekend, but it’s been raining all week.
M: Yeah, I planned to relax on the beach, but it might be canceled too. Looks like we’ll have to stay home. Let’s try some new recipes!
W: Sounds fun.
Text 3
M: Ella seems energetic and ambitious.
W: But we really need someone flexible for the job.
M: Why not give her a try, and see how she will perform
Text 4
W: I’ve noticed a sharp drop in your grades. Is everything okay at home
M: Everything’s fine at home. I’ve started a part-time job recently, but I’ll try to manage my time better.
W: I believe you can turn things around. You have great potential.
Text 5
W: Come over and have a rest. You look tired.
M: Thanks. My legs are still sore from yesterday’s training.
W: Maybe you should take a break. Coach said we don’t have to push too hard today.
M: I’ll run the last lap anyway.
Text 6
W: Have you seen people practicing calligraphy in parks since we arrived in Beijing
M: Yes. They pay a lot of attention to every line they draw.
W: Absolutely.
M: While they practise, you can really sense the history and the effort behind each movement. It’s impressive.
W: My friend Tony mentioned there is a calligraphy exhibition nearby.
M: Why don’t you ask him about when it starts
W: Good idea. I’ll contact him right now.
Text 7
W: Do you know why we have two ears but only one mouth
M: Sounds like a joke. What’s the answer
W: We are supposed to listen twice as much as we speak! It’s a joke, but it actually shows an important communication skill: listening carefully.
M: That’s true. I need to learn that most of all.
W: And here’s another skill: being kind when you speak. When conversations get difficult, people often respond with anger or argue. Instead, we should speak politely and consider others’ perspectives.
M: You do that really well. You always respect what I’m saying, even if you don’t agree.
W: Thanks! I feel the same about you. But I know I don’t always communicate well with my family. Sometimes I lack patience and make them feel embarrassed.
M: Communicating with family can be tough. But the key is to keep trying and improving.
Text 8
W: Did you go to the school theatre festival last night
M: Yes, I did. I didn’t expect it to be that good, to be honest.
W: Same here. The final play really stood out. The story was simple, but the acting made it powerful.
M: Especially Rose, who played the mother. Her performance is quite true to life.
W: Right. I heard she spent time volunteering at a hospital to prepare for the role.
M: That makes sense. It explains why her emotions seemed so genuine.
W: By the way, were you involved in the festival
M: Not on stage. I helped with the lighting. It was stressful, but also fun.
W: I’ve always wondered how important lighting is.
M: More important than people think. A small change in light can completely change the mood of a scene.
W: That’s interesting. I used to think acting was everything.
M: Acting matters, of course, but it’s really a team effort. Without sound and lighting, even great actors can lose their impact.
W: I see your point.
Text 9
W: I was just talking to Mary, who’s learning English. She felt really embarrassed about a mistake she made yesterday.
M: What happened
W: She was trying to get out of the airport, so she asked a worker “Where do I exist ” The worker stared at her and then said, “planet Earth.”
M: Ah, she meant to say, “Where do I exit ” It’s an understandable mistake. And pretty funny, too. I hope she isn’t discouraged.
W: That’s what I told her. I think she’s learning to laugh at herself as well. Everyone makes mistakes.
M: When I started learning Chinese, I tried to tell someone that I wanted dumplings. But what I really said was, “I want to sleep.” That’s how I learned that tones matter!
W: Making mistakes is a necessary part of language learning.
M: Yes. You have to say and hear a new word many times. An encouraging friend, and a sense of humor really help!
Text 10
Inside a government service hall in Huai’an, Jiangsu province, there is a “silent cafe”, where the staff communicate through warm smiles and sign language. There, the deaf staff make coffee and customers place orders through the shop’s online platform.
The woman behind the cafe is Wang Xian. She quit her job after seeing her aunt and uncle, both of whom are deaf, struggling — they never had formal jobs and sold tofu on the streets. Wang Xian wanted to create better opportunities for the disabled.
Wang Jiali works at the cafe. With no prior experience, she had to work hard to handle the full menu. The work comes with unseen challenges and occasional misunderstandings from some customers. However, compared with her previous jobs, the constant interaction has become her greatest source of growth. “It has helped her build courage and improved her communication skills, making her a different person,” Wang Xian said.

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