福建省2013届高考压轴卷

英 语 试 题（2013.05.24）

 (满分：150分，时间：120分钟)

第一卷（选择题；三部分，共115分）

第一部分  听力（共两节，满分30分）?

第一节(共5小题；每小题1. 5分，满分7. 5分)

    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。

  例：How much is the shirt?

    A. ￡l9. 15.     B. ￡9. 15.     C. ￡9. 18. 

  答案是B。

1. What will the speakers give George?    

A. A bike.          B. A guitar.          C. Some videos. 

2. What will the man do?           

3. Visit a doctor.       B. Get some rest.       C. Take some medicine. 

4. What will the man probably do?

A. Buy a newspaper.     B. Put up an ad in the paper.      C. Go for an interview. 

5. What has the woman left?

A. The tickets.        B. The passports.        C. The camera. 

6. What are the speakers mainly talking about?

A. Matches.          B. Hobbies.           C. Soccer. 

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，并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段对话，回答第6至8题。

7. Whom was the party held for last night?

A. The woman’s aunt.     B. The woman’s sister.     C. The woman’s brother.

8. What did the woman do after the party?

A. She worked on her homework.    

   B. She went home to sleep.    

   C. She studied history.

9. What does the man feel difficult to do?

   A. Sleep during the day.    B. Work well under stress.     C. Organise a birthday party. 

听第7段对话，回答第9至11题。

10. When did the woman lose her mobile phone?       

A. On her way home.     B. On her way to a bank.     C. On her way to a football game.

11. What does the man suggest the woman do?

A. Phone the bus company.          

   B. Report the loss to the police.  

   C. Go back and look for the phone. 

12. What time is it now?      

A. About 9:40.          B. About 10:00.        C. About 10:20. 

听第8段材料，回答第12至14题。

13. What does the man pay most attention to about the suit?

A. Colour, style and material. 

   B. Fashion, price and design.  

   C. Comfort, quality and price.

14. Why does the man need a suit that never goes out of style?

A. He is a fashion-conscious man.         

B.He can’t afford to buy so many suits.          

C.He doesn’t like to spend much time buying clothes. 

15. What colour suit does the man select in the end?

A. Gray.        B. Black.         C. Blue. 

听第9段材料，回答第15至17题。

16. What is the man most probably?

A. A reporter.      B. A farmer.        C. A crop circle expert. 

17. How is the crop circle?

A. Classic.        B. Large.         C. Simple. 

A. Why doesn’t the man think this crop circle was made by people?

 They couldn’t make such a complicated design. 

   B. The weather was so terrible yesterday evening.

   C. They couldn’t make it in such a short time.

听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。

18. What kind of job did the speaker do last year?

A. She was a secretary.    

   B. She was a shopkeeper.     

   C. She was a general manager.

19. Why did the speaker feel confident that she could find a new job soon?

A. She had been offered several jobs.     

   B. She was quite experienced.  

C. She didn’t have a high demand for the salary.

20. What does the speaker think of her present job?

A. Challenging .        B. Tiring.          C. Acceptable.

第二部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）?

第一节 单项填空（共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分）

21. By the time you _______ this book, your meal will get cold.

   A. will have finished      B. have finished       C. are finishing      D. finished 

22. ______ is required in the library regulations that any book borrowed be returned by due time.

   A. As         B. What         C. It          D. Which 

23. ______ to the sun for too long in that area may probably cause skin cancer.

   A. Exposed       B. Being exposed        C. Exposing        D. To be exposed

24. Time is our most precious investment ______ , unlike money, we only get 24 hours in each day.    

   A. until         B. once         C. because        D. while 

 25. Indeed, more challenges may arise. This is only natural _______ the fact that the Basic Law has been in effect for just a month.

A. to give       B. given        C. giving        D. having given 

26. Applicants for the job must be between 25 and 35 years old and a good _______ of English is required.

A. command        B. experience       C. demand        D. comment

27. ______ an important decision more on reason than on emotion, and you will never regret it.

  A. Base        B. Based          C. Basing         D. Having based

28. The flower in the picture standing ______ the bright blue sky inspired the poet to write a beautiful poem.

  A. with        B. against        C. across         D. by

29. Under no circumstances _______ take part in any discussion that attempts to change your mind through flattery(恭维).

  A. you should       B. should you       C. would you      D. you would

30. The center runs two life drawing classes for children _______ there is a small fee.

   A. where        B. of whom        C. when         D. for which 

31. If you are preparing for a job interview, then follow these tips, which I believe will set yourself _______.

   A. off           B. apart          C. up        D. away 

32. They might have had second thoughts, but they _______ what was coming next.

   A. don’t know       B. hadn’t known       C. didn’t know       D. haven’t known

33. On May 10, 2013, Ma Yun resigned as CEO of Alibaba , ______ to Alibaba Chief Data Officer Jonathan Lu.

   A. taking over       B. handing over        C. getting over        D. coming over

34. With all the arrangements ______ for my parents’ visit, I rang to confirm their time of arrival.

     A. in sight       B. in return       C. in vain        D. in place

35. —Thank you very much for your wonderful lecture, Mr. Brucel！

   —       .

   A. It doesn't matter                     B. Just so so

   C. That's very kind of you to say so        D. I'm glad you've enjoyed it

第二节 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

On a trip to California, my family stopped for lunch. As we walked toward the entrance to the restaurant, a man, with a   36   beard and dirty hair, jumped up from a bench outside the restaurant and opened the door for us．Regardless of his   37   , he greeted us in a friendly way. 

Once inside, my daughters whispered, "Mom, he   38   . " After we ordered our lunch, I explained, telling the kids to look   39   the dirt. We then watched other customers approach the restaurant but many   40   him. Seeing this rudeness truly upset me. The day I became a mother, I had determined to set a good   41   to my children. Yet sometimes when things didn't go right, being a good example was   42   . When our meal arrived, I realized I had left the car-sick pills in the truck．With the windiest trip ahead, the kids needed them, so I   43   myself from the meal and went to get them.

Just then, the "doorman" was opening the door for a couple. They rushed past him without even acknowledging his   44   . Letting them in first, I said a loud "thank you" to him as I   45   .

When I returned, we talked a bit. He said he was not allowed inside   46   he purchased food . I went back and told my family his    47  .Then I asked our waitress to add one soup and sandwich. The kids looked   48   as we had already eaten, but when I said the order was for the "doorman" , they smiled. When it was time to   49   our trip, I found the "doorman" enjoying his meal. Upon seeing me, he stood up and thanked me heartily. He then   50  out his hand for a handshake and I gratefully accepted. I suddenly  51   the tears in his eyes—tears of gratitude (感激) .What happened next drew great astonishment: I gave the " doorman" a   52 _ . He pulled away, with tears   53   down his face. xKb 1.Co m

Back in truck, I fell into deep thought．While we can't choose many things in life, we can choose when to show gratitude．I said thanks to a man who had   54   held open a door for me, and also said thanks for that   55   to teach my children by example.

36．A．clean B．messy C．pretty D．bright

37．A．service B．appearance C．state D．attitude

38．A．smokes B．smiles C．sighs D．smells

39．A．beyond B．over C．around D．into

40．A．hated B．ignored C．missed D．refused

41．A．target B．rule C．record D．example

42．A．stressful B．accessible C．awkward D．tough

43．A．excused B．refreshed C．prevented D．forgave

44．A．company B．presence C．challenge D．attack

45．A．quitted B．marched C．exited D．approached

46．A．before B．unless C．though D．since

47．A．story B．deed C．desire D．demand

48．A．concerned B．excited C．puzzled D．bored

49．A．make B．start C．take D．continue

50．A．reached B．washed C．raised D．waved

51．A．watched B．inspected C．witnessed D．noticed

52．A．hug B．nod C．lift D．strike

53．A．slipping B．rolling C．rushing D．breaking

54．A．firmly B．constantly C．simply D．politely

55．A．journey B．wisdom C．opportunity D．community

第三部分 阅读理解 (共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分)

A

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley saved me.

The previous afternoon, I played with my six-year-old peers in Heather Peters’ backyard. I was enjoying my cake, when Heather asked me where my sleeping bag was. Only then did I know this party was a sleepover. The word “sleep-over” to a six-year-old bed-wetter is like what “cancer” means to an adult. But what if I told them I was a bed-wetter? At least with cancer, people gather at your bedside instead of running from it.

I thought of a way to escape. I would explain that I needed my mother's permission to spend the nights. But as I called my Mom, Heather stood beside me to listen. She granted permission! Then I would be sleeping in the same living room as the other girls. I didn't bring my own pajamas (睡衣)，so Mrs. Peters offered me Heather's pajamas.

As the other girls drifted into their sweet dreams, I tried to stay awake. “Do I need to go again? I'll stay up to go one more time.. .”.Of course , I finally fell asleep.

The next morning , I was the first to wake up. I was warm! I lay in panic for what seemed like hours before the other girls started to wake up. I did the only thing I could do — I pretended that the bed-wetting didn't happen. I got up, took off Heather's pajamas and changed into my clothes like the other girls.

Mrs. Peters walked into the room, and before she could say anything, she stepped right onto the pile of my wet pajamas. My heart stopped as I watched her face burn red. “WHO DID THIS?” She screamed, with a look so frightening. Should I answer? And that was when it happened — Mr. Peters came in and grabbed his wife , ‘‘Elvis Presley died!”

 The news of the King's death overtook Mrs. Peters, and I ,was spared. I got home without the other girls knowing what had happened.

56. The author had to spend the night at Peters' because ________. 

A. she enjoyed her cake there     

B. her mother asked her to do so

C. the famous singer Elvis Presley died that night

D. she and her friends were having a sleepover party

57. Mrs. Peters got angry because ________.

A. she found the wet pajamas B. Elvis Presley passed away

C. her husband was rude to her D. all the girls slept at her house

58. From the story, we know Mrs. Peters was ________. 

A. a crazy woman B. a fan of Elvis Presley

C. a woman for perfection D. a woman who hated to wash pajamas

59. The passage is mainly about ________.

A. an embarrassing childhood incident       B. an adventure experience

C. a friendship between two girls            D. an unfriendly hostess

B

Oyster

What is an Oyster card?

Oyster is the easiest way to pay for journeys on the bus，Tube，tram，Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground and National Rail journeys in London You can store your travel cards, Bus & Tram Pass, season tickets and credit to pay for journeys as you go.

Where to get an Oyster card?

There are a number of ways for you to get an Oyster card: 

• At over 3,900 Oyster Ticket stops

• At Tube and London Overground station ticket offices

• At some National Rail stations

• At London Travel information Centres

• Online at tfl. gov. uk/oyster 

How to use an Oyster card?

To pay the correct fare on the Tube , DLR, London Overground and National Rail services, you must always touch in on the yellow Oyster card reader at the start of your journey, and touch out at the end. If you don’t, a maximum cash Oyster fare will be charged. When using the bus or tram, you must only touch in at the start, but not at the end of your journey.

What happens if I don’t visit London very often?

Don’t worry. Any pay as you go credit on your card will not expire (过期)，so you can keep it for your next visit or lend it to a friend.

Fares

Traveling by Tube from Central London (Zone l)to Heathrow (Zone 6)

Adult Oyster single fare

£ 4. 20 Monday to Friday 06:30 - 09:30 and 16:00 - 19:00

£ 2. 70 at all other times including public holidays

Adult single cash fare £ 5.00

For further information，visit tfl.gov. uk /fares.

60. You can get an Oyster card at the following places EXCEPT ________.

   A. on the website    B. at an Oyster Ticket stop    C. at a post office     D. at a Tube station

61. Which of the following is TRUE about Oyster cards?

   A. They are limited in use to the owners themselves.

   B. On National Rail services you must touch them on the reader twice.

   C. They are not suitable for those who don’t visit London often.

   D. Oyster card Tube fares cost more on public holidays than on weekdays.

62. If a person with an Oyster card takes the 7 o’clock Tube from Central London to Heathrow for a week (no public holiday in between)，he should pay________.

   A. £ 18.90   B. £ 29.40  C. £21.90   D. £ 26.40

63.The passage is probably taken from a _________ .

  A. magazine   B. travel brochure(旅游手册)       C. textbook        D. novel

C

Children's lives have changed greatly over the last 50 years. But do they have a happier childhood than you or I did?

It's difficult to look back on one's own childhood without some element of nostalgia（怀旧的). I have four brothers and sisters, and my memories are all about being with them. Playing board games on the living room floor, or spending days in the street with the other neighborhood children, racing up and down on our bikes, or exploring the nearby woods. My parents hardly appear in these memories, except as providers either of meals or of severe blame after some particularly risky adventure. 

These days, in the UK at least, the nature of childhood has changed greatly．Firstly, families are smaller, and there are far more only children. It is common for both parents to work outside the home and there is the feeling that there just isn't time to bring up a large family, or that no one could possibly afford to have more than one child. As a result, today's boys and girls spend much of their time alone. Another major change is that youngsters today tend to spend a huge amount of their free time at home, inside. More than anything this is due to the fact that parents worry far more than they used to about real or imagined dangers, so they wouldn't dream of letting their children play outside by themselves.

Finally, the kind of toys children have and the way they play is totally different. Computer and video games have replaced the board games and more interesting activities of my childhood. The irony（令人啼笑皆非的事情）is that so many ways of playing games are called "interactive”. The fact that you can play electronic games on your own further increases the sense of loneliness felt by many young people today.

Do these changes mean that children today have a less relaxing childhood than I had? I personally believe that they do, but perhaps every generation feels exactly the same . 

64．What is the purpose of the direct question given in the first paragraph?

 A．To show who the passage is written for.

 B．To gather people's opinions on childhood.

 C．To get people's attention and lead in the topic.

 D．To compare the childhood lives of two generations.

65．Which is a reason for the changes?

 A．Families are bigger today. B．It's too dangerous to play outside.

 C．Children play more interactive games.  D．Parents worried too much about their children.

66．What does the writer focus on in the fourth paragraph?

 A．Young people today shouldn't play electronic games.

 B．Computer and video games have replaced the board games.

 C．Some games that young people play today aren't really good.

 D．Board games are much more interesting than computer games.

67．The writer's attitude towards the childhood changing is ________ .

 A．approving        B．objective       C．unconcerned         D．optimistic

 

D

As you climb into the hill country, the roads get dustier and rougher, and fewer cars can be seen. Phonxay is one of the poorest districts of Laos, and many of its villages are only accessible by footpath. Our destination this hot morning is a concrete water tank that can be found just off the road. A UK organization helped to build it six years ago, and in the nearby village of Thapho, where clean drinking water is scarce, it has made a big difference. The tank feeds six taps which in turn give water to over 800 people---it has improved things for almost every family, from schoolchildren to grannies. 

   But lately, we were told, the clean water supply has come under pressure from new arrivals, people who have come down from the hill areas, and there are concerns that there will not be enough clean water to go round.

   There are also serious worries about resources in Laos. The Chinese are building a 400km railway link, which could transform the landlocked country. About 150,000 Chinese workers will be involved. What will this do to local clean water supplies? How will the workers be fed?

The vast majority of Laotians live on farms. But with foreign investors wanting to buy up land, local people will have to be moved to make room for them. Heavily dependent on both foreign aid and foreign investment, Laos still falls well behind its neighbours, although its economy has grown at about 6% a year in the last decade. Its biggest economic problem is the lack of locally trained skilled workforce.

But there are reasons to be hopeful for the future. Laos is beautiful, and foreign tourism continues to grow: fortunately so far the fast-food chains and coffee bars common elsewhere are nowhere to be seen. Although all local media are government-run, the Internet is not controlled and the BBC and CNN are available to those with satellite dishes.

The government has also achieved impressive results in rural development, with communities benefiting not just from cleaner water but the construction of new schools and regular visits from medical teams. Poverty will not be history in Laos within the next decade, but with small steps forward and a bit of outside help, the country could find itself out of the UN’s least-developed category by 2020.

68. The underlined word ”scarce” in paragraph 1 most probably means_________.

A. valuable         B. rare           C. infrequent            D. missing

69. What is putting pressure on the local supply of clean water?

A. Dust from the road is making the water dirtier.

B. There are too many taps accessing the water.

C. The population of the area is growing fast.

D. The coming summer will dry up rivers and lakes.

70. What is the most serious limitation on Laos’ economic growth?

A. The lack of local skilled workers.      B. A poor transportation system.

C. Too much foreign aid.               D. Too many foreign workers.

71. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Laos: small steps forward.            B. Laos: slow-developing nations

C. Laos: least-developed land            D. Laos: landlocked country

E

He wrote that the “human mind is capable of excitement without the application of gross(粗俗的) and violent stimulants(刺激物)”. And it appears that simply reading those words by William Wordsworth proves his point.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool found the works of Shakespeare and Wordsworth and the like had a beneficial effect on the mind, lifting the readers’ spirits by catching their attention and leading to moments of self-reflection.

Using equipment, they examined the brain activity of volunteers as they read pieces of classical English literature both in their original form and in a more simplified, modern translation.

And, according to the Sunday Telegraph, the experiment showed the more “challenging” works set off far more electrical activity in the brain than the ordinary versions.

The research also found poetry, in particular, increased activity in the right hemisphere (脑半球) of the brain, an area concerned with “autobiographical memory”, which helped the reader to reflect on and reevaluate their own experiences in light of what they had read. The academics said this meant the classics were more useful than self-help books.

The brain responses of 30 volunteers was monitored in the first part of the research as they read Shakespeare in its original and “modern” form.

In one example, volunteers read a line from King Lear, “A father and a gracious(仁慈的) aged man: him have you madded ”, before reading the simpler “A father and a gracious aged man: him you have enraged(使暴怒)”.

Shakespeare's use of the adjective “mad” as a verb caused a higher level of brain activity than the straightforward translation.

“Reading classics is not just a matter of style. It is a matter of deep versions of experience that promotes the cognitive(认知的) ability,” said Prof Davis, who will present the findings at the North of England education conference in Sheffield this week.

 

72. What does the author suggest by saying “simply reading those words by William Wordsworth  proves his point”?

A. William Wordsworth’s poems are full of wisdom.

B. It excites readers to read William Wordsworth’s poems.

C. Only gross and violent words can arouse people’s excitement.

D. William Wordsworth’s poems are the application of gross and violent stimulants.

73. In what way did the researchers make their conclusion?

A. By questionnaire.     B. By online chatting.

C. By lab experiment.     D. By telephone interview. 

74. According to the researchers at the University of Liverpool, reading classical works can benefit readers in ________.

A. helping relieve their pressure         B. helping them focus more on their work

C. helping them think about themselves carefully   

D. helping keep their spirits up for a whole day

75. Which of the following sets off the most electrical activity in the brain?

A. Reading nursery rhymes.   

B. Reading self-help books.

C. Reading adapted version of King Lear.

D. Reading Shakespeare’s sonnets(十四行诗) in Middle English.

 

第II 卷 （共35分）

第四部分   写作 (共两节，满分35分)?

第一节 短文填词 (共10小题；每小题1分,满分10分) ?

阅读下面短文，根据以下提示：1）汉语提示；2）首字母提示；3）语境提示，在每个空格内填入一个适当的英语单词，并将该词完整地写在右边相对应的横线上。所填单词要求意义准确，拼写正确。

People tend to become more personal and hide more of themselves 

when ______(使用)email. Researchers from Open University in Britain 1. ___________

have found in a r______ study that there are good reasons for this.  2. ___________

They asked 83 pairs of students, all strangers to ______other, to  3. ___________

s______ a problem. They had to discuss this question: If only five people in  4. ___________

the world could be r______ from a world disaster, who should they be?  5. ___________

The pairs of students had to talk over the problem either face to face _____by 6. ___________

computers. Dr Johnson said, “ They told their partners four _____(次数) as 7. ___________

much about themselves when they talked over the Internet ______when they 8. ___________

talked face to face. When the computers were fitted w_____ cameras so that  9. ___________

the students could see each other, this ______(限制) the personal side of the  10. __________

conversation.” 

第二节 书面表达 （满分25分）    

当今，很多青少年拥有手机，而越来越多的长辈因为晚辈在家庭聚会上只顾玩手机却不和他们聊天感到失落万分。请根据下图写一篇英语短文。内容要点如下：

     1. 描述图画所反映的事件；

     2. 对图中现象加以分析；

     3. 针对这个现象提出建议。

注意： 

1. 开头已写，不计入总词数；

2. 考生可适当发挥，使文章内容充实、连贯；

3. 词数120词左右。

    

It was Grandpa’s birthday party.____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

英语试题参考答案

I.听力30% 1-5 ABCCB   6-10 CABAB   11-15 AACAC  16-20 BCABC

II.单选15% 21-25 BCBCB  26-30 AABBD   31-35 BCBDD

III.完型30% 36-40. B B D A B  41-45. DDABC  46-50. BACDA   51-55. DABCC

IV.阅读40%  56-59 DABA   60-63 C B D B   64-67 C D C B   68-71 B C A A  

             72-75 BCCD    

V.短文填词10% 

1. using 2. recent 3. each 4. solve 5. rescued

6. or 7. times 8. as 9. with 10. limited

IV.书面表达25%

One possible version:

It was Grandpa’s birthday party.  It was not easy to have his children and grandchildren all back home together. But they just busied themselves in playing their cellphones, totally ignoring their grandpa, who let out a deep sigh and left the party. 

There is no doubt that cellphones have a negative impact on our lives. Heavy use of cellphones actually widens the distance between teenagers and their elders, leaving the elders more lonely. Worse still, addition to cellphones might also leads to teenagers’ poor performance at school, which adds to elders’ worries. 

As far as I’m concerned, it’s necessary to limit the time we spend using cellphones. And I attach great importance to communicating with our family members face to face, which helps build a harmonious family atmosphere.

 附：听力材料

（Text1）

W: George wants a bicycle for Children’s Day, but they’re so expensive.

M: What about some videos or a guitar? He loves music.

W: I know, but he’s wanted one for a long time.

M: Well, let’s get him what he wants, then.

（Text2）

M: I’ve had a terrible headache all day, and my nose is blocked up. I can’t breathe very well.

W: You look terrible! You ought to go home and go to bed. You could be coming down with the flu or something.

M: All right.

（Text3） 

W: Hello. I’m calling to see if the summer position you advertised in the paper is still available.

M: Uh, yes. When can you come to the office for an interview?

（Text4）

M: I’ve got the passports here.

W: And the tickets are in my bag.

M: What about the camera?

W: Oh no! I’ve left it at home. And I really wanted to take some holiday photos.

（Text5）

M: So, what do you do in your free time?

W: I like playing soccer. What do you like?

M: Nothing special. Just hanging around.

（Text6）

M: Are you feeling OK, Jean? You look pretty tired. What’s the matter?

W: My sister and I had a birthday party for my brother last night. I didn’t get much sleep.

M: Where did you have the party?

W: It was at my aunt’s house. Then right after the party, I had to start typing a history paper that was due first thing this morning. I was kind of nervous because the professor said he wouldn’t accept any late papers.

M: I’d like to know how you did it. I can’t handle a pressure situation like that.

W: Well, I just turned the paper in and now I’m going home to bed.

M: Such a coincidence. I am going to the supermarket. Maybe I can give you a lift.

W: Really? That’d be great.

（Text7）

M: How was your weekend?

W: Not too good actually. I went to the football game and unfortunately on the way back, I left my mobile phone on the bus. When I got home, I rang the bus company. They said it wasn’t at the lost-and -found office. I think someone must have taken it.

M: Oh, that’s terrible. I think you need to go to the police station and report it missing. If you want I could go with you.

W: OK. Well, I’m free now. Are you?

M: I have to go to the bank , but give me twenty minutes and I’ll meet you at the cafe down the road. 

W: OK. I’ll see you at ten.

（Text8）

W: Can I help you, sir? 2013.05.25

M: I’d like a dark business suit, the kind that never goes out of style. Something in wool, I guess.

W: Right this way. We have some excellent pure wool suits. Wool has the best of everything ---more comfort, more quality, more value. But as to style, I think you should realise that even the most conservative styles still change.

M: I’m sure you’re right. It’s just that I’m afraid of buying a new suit every year. It’s troublesome.

W: Well, the changes are usually not so great. What do you think of this one?

M: That’s a bit too formal for me. I’d like a dark gray, or navy blue, or black. But I prefer a solid colour.

W: Here, try this gray one… That looks almosst tailor-made for you.

M: It’s just what I wanted.

（Text9）

W: This morning people of a small village in Wiltshire woke up to an amazing sight. It is the biggest crop circle we’ve ever seen in Britain. In the studio with me today is Ken Crystal. Ken, can you tell us something about this circle.

M: Well, we’re very excited about this crop circle. The design is absolutely amazing, and it’s huge.

W: It’s a very complex design. And do you know who made it?

M: No, I don’t. I think it’s impossible for people to make something like this.

W: But I’ve heard that most circles are made by people. Is that true?

M: Yes, there are several groups of people who make crop circles. But they didn’t make this one. This circle appeared this morning. Yesterday it wasn’t there. There were only four hours of   darkness that night--- there wasn’t enough time to make it.

W: Ken, a final question. How long does it take to make a crop circle?

M: Well, a somple circle can take a few hours. But a circle like this one would take several days.

（Text10）

W: Good morning, everyone. My name is Helen Green. Now , I’d like to say something about my job. Last year I worked as a secretary to the general manager of a large company in our town. I was happy and satisfied with my job. Then suddenly our company was hit by economic troubles. Most of the employees knew nothing about it until one day we were told that we had to leave. Although I was very sad and worried, I soon overcame the shock. I had worked for many years and I knew how to do my job well. I felt quite confident that I would have little difficulty in quickly finding a similar position with another company before long. I applied for several jobs. But I was told that I was too experienced and they couldn’t pay me the high salary I had earned before. I had been out of a job for almost two months. Then I saw a small advertisement in the newspaper one evening. A shopkeeper was wanted. I realised that I had no choice but to accept what was offered to me. However, I’m not tired of my present job because I’m still working. What about you? Do you like your jobs?