2018-2019学年湖北省荆州中学高二上学期第一次半月考（双周考）英语试题 Word版

2018-2019学年湖北省荆州中学高二上学期第一次半月考（双周考）英语试题 Word版

‎2018-2019学年湖北省荆州中学高二上学期第一次半月考（双周考）英语 时间：120 分钟 满分：150 分 第一部分：听力（共两节，满分 20 分） 做题时，先将答案划在试卷上。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 分，满分 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．In what way does the woman’s sister go to university every day?‎ A . By underground． B．On foot． C．By bus．‎ ‎2．What does the man mean?‎ A．He used to like boating very much． B．He won’t go boating with the woman． C．He thinks it is too cold outside today．‎ ‎3．What will the woman probably do this afternoon? A．Give the man some advice．‎ B．Go for a job interview．‎ C．Ask the man for help．‎ ‎4．Why does the man want to know how to take care of babies? A．He is going to be a brother．‎ B．He wants to be a baby sitter．‎ C．His wife is going to have a baby．‎ ‎5．How does the man expect the woman’s experience?‎ A．Exhausting． B．Dull． C．Unusual． 第二节(共 15 小题；每小题 1 分，满分 15 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 段材料，回答第 6 至 7 题。‎ ‎6．What should the woman do when arriving on 112th Street? A．Turn right and keep walking until ‎ she passes two lights． B．Turn left and keep walking until she passes three lights． C．Turn right and keep walking for about a mile．‎ ‎7．Where is the supermarket? A．At the end of 112th Street． B．At the beginning of 56th Street．‎ C．Around the corner on 56th Street． 听第 7 段材料，回答第 8 至 9 题。‎ ‎8．What size car does the man want?‎ A．A small car． B．A midsize car． C．A large car．‎ ‎9．How much will the man have to pay?‎ A．$160． B．$200． C．$240． ‎ 听第 8 段材料，回答第 10 至 12 题。‎ ‎10．What is the man most probably?‎ A．A teacher． B．A salesman． C．A scientist．‎ ‎11．What does the woman want the robot to do?‎ A．Talk with her． B．Do her homework． C．Do the housework．‎ ‎12．What do we know about the robot from the conversation? A．It is not for sale at the moment．‎ B．It can do a lot of dangerous work． C．It doesn’t operate on batteries． 听第 9 段材料，回答第 13 至 16 题。‎ ‎13．How does the woman look now?‎ A．Tired． B．Upset． C．Excited．‎ I4．What does the woman think of Linda? A．Popular and lovely．‎ B．Intelligent and pretty．‎ C．Hard-working and smart．‎ ‎15．What’s the weather probably like now?‎ A．Cloudy． B．Sunny． C．Rainy．‎ ‎16．What will the man probably do next? A．Go to the library．‎ B．Go to the teaching building．‎ C．Go to the dormitory．‎ 听第 10 段材料，回答第 17 至 20 题。‎ ‎17．How many years has Mount Fuji slept for?‎ A．250． B．300． C．350．‎ ‎18．What will travelers do in Brazil? A．Visit the rain forests．‎ B．See mountain views at sunrise．‎ C．Look at some temples．‎ ‎19．When will travelers go to see Niagara Falls?‎ A．In Week One． B．In Week Two． C．In Week Three．‎ ‎20．Which country will travelers visit in Week Four?‎ A．The United States． B．Thailand． C．Canada．‎ 第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分 40 分） 第一节（共 15 小题；每小题 2 分，满分 30 分）‎ 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C 和 D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该 项涂黑。‎ A Basketball Statistician Help Wanted The Athletic Department is looking for students to help assist staff during the Fall 2016, Winter 2016 - 17 and Spring 2017 semesters. Students in this position will be keeping live statistics during basketball games. Students must meet all of the following requirements:‎ l Good computer skills l Available evenings and weekends l Knowing basketball rules and statistics Students interested in working for the Athletic Department should contact the Athletic Coordinator at their respective(各自的) campuses.‎ l TP/SS Athletic Coordinator, Michael Simone, 240-567-1308‎ l Rockville Athletic Coordinator, Jorge Zuniga, 240-567-7589‎ l Springfield Athletic coordinator, Gary Miller, 240-567-2273‎ l Germantown Athletic Coordinator, Gauri Chavan, 240-567-6915‎ ‎21. When will the job start?‎ A. In May 2016. B. In May 2017.‎ C. In September 2017. D. In September 2016.‎ ‎22. Who is more likely to get the job?‎ A. Sam, English major, member of the college basketball team.‎ B. Judy, IT staff with night classes, children’s basketball team coach.‎ C. Ted, computer major, basketball fan, free on evenings and weekends.‎ D. Molly, part-time programmer, high school basketball player, new mother.‎ ‎23.Whom should you contact if you want to apply for the job in Rockville? A. Michael B. Jorge C. Gauri D. Gary B Inspiring young minds!‎ TOKNOW Magazine is a big hit in the world of children’s publishing, bringing a unique combination of challenging ideas and good fun to young fans every month.‎ What is so special about TOKNOW Magazine?‎ Well, it has no ads or promotions inside— instead it is jam-packed with serious ideas. TOKNOW makes complex ideas attractive and accessible to children, who can become involved in advanced concepts and even philosophy （哲学）—and they will soon discover that TOKNOW feels more like a club than just a magazine.‎ ‎‎ What’s inside?‎ Every month the magazine introduces a fresh new topic with articles, experiments and creative things to make — the magazine also explores philosophy and well being to make sure young readers have a balanced take on life.‎ Sounds too good to be true?‎ Take a look online —evidence shows that thousands of teachers and parents know a good thing when they see it and recommend TOKNOW to their friends.‎ Happy Birthday All Year!‎ What could be more fun than a gift that keeps coming through the letterbox every month? The first magazine with your gift message will arrive in time for the special day.‎ SUBSCRIBE NOW ‎□Annual Subscription Europe £55 Rest of World £65‎ ‎□Annual Subscription with Gift Pack Includes a Mammoth Map, a Passport Puzzle Booklet, and Subscription Europe £60 Rest of World £70‎ Refund Policy—the subscription can be cancelled within 28 days and you can get your money back.‎ ‎24. Why is TOKNOW a special magazine? A. It entertains young parents.‎ B. It provides serious advertisements.‎ C. It publishes popular science fictions.‎ D. It combines fun with complex concepts.‎ ‎25. What does TOKNOW offer its readers? A. Online courses.‎ B. Articles on new topics.‎ C. Lectures on a balanced life.‎ D. Reports on scientific discoveries.‎ ‎26. How much should you pay if you make a 12-mouth subscription to TOKNOW with gift pack from China?‎ A. £55. B. £60. C. £65. D. £70.‎ ‎27. Subscribers of TOKNOW would get . A. free birthday presents B. full refund within 28 days C. membership of the TOKNOW club D. chances to meet the experts in person C El Niño, a Spanish term for “the Christ child”, was named by South American fishermen who noticed that the global weather pattern, which happens every two to seven years, reduced the amount of fishes caught around Christmas. El Niño sees warm water, collected over several years in the western Pacific, flow back eastwards when winds that normally blow westwards weaken, or sometimes the other way round.‎ The weather effects, both good and bad, are felt in many places. Rich countries gain more from powerful Niños, on balance, than they lose. A study found that a strong Niño in 1997 - 98 helped American’s economy grow by $15 billion, partly because of better agricultural harvests: farmers in the Midwest gained from extra rain. The total rise in agricultural incomes in rich countries is greater than the fall in poor ones.‎ But in Indonesia extremely dry forests are in flames. A multi-year drought(干旱) in south-east Brazil is becoming worse. Though heavy rains brought about by El Niño may relieve the drought in California, they are likely to cause surface flooding and other disasters.‎ The most recent powerful Niño, in 1997 - 98, killed around 21 000 people and caused damage worth ‎$36 billion around the globe. But such Niños come with months of warning, and so much is known about how they happen that governments can prepare. According to the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), however, just 12% of disaster-relief funding in the past two decades has gone on reducing risks in advance, rather than recovery and rebuilding afterwards. This is despite evidence that a dollar spent on risk-reduction saves at least two on reconstruction.‎ Simple improvements to infrastructure(基础设施) can reduce the spread of disease. Better sewers(下水 道) make it less likely that heavy rain is followed by an outbreak of the disease of bad stomach. Stronger bridges mean villages are less likely to be left without food and medicine after floods. According to a paper in 2011 by Mr Hsiang and co-authors, civil conflict is linked to El Niño’s harmful effects—and the poorer the country, the stronger the link. Though the relationship may not be causal, helping divided communities to prepare for disasters would at least reduce the risk that those disasters are followed by killing and wounding people. Since the poorest are least likely to make up for their losses from disasters linked to El Niño, reducing their losses needs to be the most important thing.‎ ‎28. What can we learn about El Niño in Paragraph 1?‎ A. It is named after a South American fisherman.‎ B. It takes place almost every year all over the world.‎ C. It sees the changes of water flow direction in the ocean.‎ D. It forces fishermen to stop catching fish around Christmas.‎ ‎29. What may El Niños bring about to the countries affected?‎ A. Agricultural harvests in rich countries fall.‎ B. Droughts become more harmful than floods.‎ C. Poor countries suffer less from droughts economically. D. Rich countries’ gains are greater than their losses.‎ ‎30. The data provided by ODI in Paragraph 4 suggest that .‎ A. more investment should go to risk reduction B. governments of poor countries need more aid C. victims of El Niño deserve more compensation D. recovery and reconstruction should come first ‎31. What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?‎ A. To introduce El Niño and its origin.‎ B. To explain the consequences of El Niño.‎ C. To show ways of fighting against El Niño. D. To urge people to prepare for El Niño.‎ D I read somewhere that we spend a full third of our lives waiting. But where are we doing all of this waiting, and what does it mean to an impatient society like ours? To understand the issue, let’s take a look at three types of “waits”.‎ The very purest form of waiting is the Watched-Pot Wait. It is without doubt the most annoying of all. Take filling up the kitchen sink (洗碗池) as an example. There is absolutely nothing you can do while this is going on but keep both eyes fixed on the sink until it’s full. During these waits, the brain slips away from the body and wanders about until the water runs over the edge of the counter and onto your socks. This kind of wait makes the waiter helpless and mindless.‎ A cousin to the Watched-Pot Wait is the Forced Wait. This one requires a bit of discipline. Properly preparing packaged noodle soup requires a Forced Wait. Directions are very specific. “Bring three cups of water to boil, add mix, simmer three minutes, remove from heat, let stand five minutes.” I have my doubts that anyone has actually followed the procedures strictly. After all, Forced Waiting requires patience.‎ Perhaps the most powerful type of waiting is the Lucky-Break Wait. This type of wait is unusual in that it is for the most part voluntary. Unlike the Forced Wait, which is also voluntary, waiting for your lucky break does not necessarily mean that it will happen.‎ Turning one’s life into a waiting game requires faith and hope, and is strictly for the optimists among us. On the surface it seems as ridiculous as following the directions on soup mixes, but the Lucky-Break Wait well serves those who are willing to do it. As long as one doesn’t come to rely on it, wishing for a few good things to happen never hurts anybody.‎ We certainly do spend a good deal of our time waiting. The next time you’re standing at the sink waiting for it to fill while cooking noodle soup that you’ll have to eat until a large bag of cash falls out of the sky, don’t be desperate. You’re probably just as busy as the next guy.‎ ‎32. While doing a Watched-Pot Wait, we tend to . A. keep ourselves busy B. get absent-minded C. grow anxious D. stay focused ‎33. What can we learn about the Lucky-Break Wait? A. It is less voluntary than the Forced Wait.‎ B. It doesn’t always bring the desired result. C. It is more fruitful than the Forced Wait. D. It doesn’t give people faith and hope.‎ ‎34. What does the author advise us to do the next time we are waiting? A. Take it seriously.‎ B. Don’t rely on others. C. Do something else. D. Don’t lose heart.‎ ‎35. The author supports his view by . A. exploring various causes of “waits”‎ B. describing detailed processes of “waits” C. analyzing different categories of “waits”‎ D. revealing frustrating consequences of “waits”‎ 第二节（共 5 小题；每小题 2 分，满分 10 分）‎ 根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。‎ How to Do Man-on-the-Street Interviews The man-on-the-street interview is an interview in which a reporter hits the streets with a cameraman to interview people on the spot. 36 But with these tips, your first man-on-the-street interview experience can be easy.‎ ‎·When your boss or professor sends you out to do man-on-the-street interviews for a story, think about the topic and develop a list of about ten general questions relating to it. For example, if your topic is about environmental problems in America, you might ask, “Why do you think environmental protection is important in America?” 37 ‎ ‎· Hit the streets with confidence. 38 Say, “Excuse me, I work for XYZ News, and I was wondering if you could share your opinion about this topic.” This is a quick way to get people to warm up to you.‎ ‎·Move on to the next person if someone tells you she is not interested in talking on camera. Don’t get discouraged.‎ ‎· 39 Each interview that you get on the street shouldn’t be longer than ten minutes. As soon as you get the answer you need, move on to the next person. Make sure that as you go from interview to interview, you are getting a variety of answers. If everyone is giving you the same answer, you won’t be able to use it. A safe number of interviews to conduct is about six to ten. 40 ‎ ‎·If your news station or school requires interviewees to sign release forms to appear on the air, don’t leave work without them.‎ A. As you approach people, be polite. B. Limit your time.‎ C. If you don’t own a camera, you can buy one.‎ D. With a question like this, you will get more than a “Yes” or “No” reply. E. To get good and useful results, ask them the same question.‎ F. That number of interviews should give you all the answers you need. G. For new reporters, this can seem like a challenging task.‎ 第三部分 英语知识运用（共三节， 满分 55 分）‎ 第一节: 完形填空（共 20 小题；每小题 1.5 分，满分 30 分） 阅读下面短文，从短文后所给各题的四个选项（A、B、C 和 D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳 选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。‎ At my heaviest I weighed 370 pounds. I had a very poor relationship with food: I used it to 41 bad feelings, to make myself feel better, and to celebrate. Worried about my health, I tried many different kinds of ‎42 but nothing worked. I came to believe that I could do nothing about my 43 .‎ When I was 50, my weight problem began to affect me 44 . I didn’t want to live the rest of my life with this 45 weight any more.‎ That year, I 46 a seminar where we were asked to create a project that would touch the world. A seminar leader shared her 47 story—she had not only lost 125 pounds, but also raised $25,000 for homeless children.‎ ‎ 48 by her story, I created the As We Heal(痊愈), the World Heals 49 . My goal was to lose 150 pounds in one year and raise $50,000 50 a movement founded 30 years ago to end hunger. This combination of healing myself and healing the world 51 me as the perfect solution.‎ ‎ 52 I began my own personal weight program, I was filled with the fear that I would 53 the same difficulties that beat me before. While the 54 hung over my head, there were also signs that I was headed down the right 55 . I sent letters to everyone I knew, telling them about my project. It worked perfectly. Donations began 56 in from hundreds of people.‎ Of course, I also took some practical steps to lose weight. I consulted with a physician ( 内科医生), I hired a fitness coach, and I began to eat small and 57 meals. My fund-raising focus also gave me new motivation to exercise 58 .‎ A year later, I 59 my goal: I lost 150 pounds and raised $50,000! I feel that I’ve been given a second life to devote to something that is 60 and enormous.‎ ‎41. A. add B. mix C. kill D. share ‎42. A. diets B. drinks C. fruits D. dishes ‎43. A. height B. ability C. wisdom D. weight ‎44. A. temporarily B. recently C. seriously D. secretly ‎45. A. ideal B. extra C. normal D. low ‎46. A. attended B. organized C. recommended D. mentioned ‎47. A. folk B. success C. adventure D. science ‎48. A. Surprised B. Amused C. Influenced D. Disturbed ‎49. A. project B. business C. system D. custom ‎50. A. in search of B. in need of C. in place of D. in support of ‎51. A. scared B. considered C. confused D. struck ‎52. A. As B. Until C. If D. Unless ‎53. A. get over B. run into C. look for D. put aside ‎54. A. excitement B. joy C. anger D. fear ‎55. A. row B. hall C. path D. street ‎56. A. breaking B. flooding C. jumping D. stepping ‎57. A. heavy B. full C. expensive D. healthy ‎58. A. regularly B. limitlessly C. suddenly D. randomly ‎59. A. set B. reached C. missed D. dropped ‎60. A. stressful B. painful C. meaningful D. peaceful 第二节(共 10 小题：每小题 1.5 分，满分 15 分)‎ 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1 个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。‎ Few people I know seem to have much desire or time to cook. Making Chinese 61 (dish) is seen as especially troublesome. Many westerners 62 come to China cook much less than in their own countries once they realize how cheap 63 can be to eat out. I still remember 64 (visit) a friend who’d lived here for five years and I 65 (shock) when I learnt she hadn’t cooked once in all that time.‎ While regularly eating out seems to 66 (become) common for many young people in recent years, it’s not without a cost. The obvious one is money; eating out once or twice a week may be 67 (afford) but doing this most days adds up. There could be an even 68 (high) cost on your health. Researchers have found that there is a direct link between the increase in food eaten outside the home and the rise in 69 (weigh) problems.‎ If you are not going to suffer this problem, then I suggest that the next time you go to your mum’s home ‎70 dinner, get a few cooking tips from her. Cooking food can be fun. You might also begin to notice the effects not only on your health but in your pocket.‎ 第三节：根据句子意思或所给词的正确形式填空（10 分）‎ ‎71. Follow the i (说明）on the packet carefully.‎ ‎72. One of the (挑战）he has accepted is to swim across the river.‎ ‎73. Inventors have been trying to make flying cars since the 1930s, according to Robert Mann, an airline industry e (专家）.‎ ‎74. The chairman had it a (宣布）that an agreement had been reached.‎ ‎75. She was a woman who hated to admit d (失败）.‎ ‎76.We are taking steps to prevent air from being p .‎ ‎77.I suggest that you should make friends with people having different c (特征）or backgrounds .‎ ‎78. A (专心）in his work, Tom forgot to inform her of it.‎ ‎79. Whenever you don’t perform well in your studies, you yourself are to b .‎ ‎80. E babies to strong sunlight is harmful to the health of babies’ eyes.‎ 第四部分：写作（共两节，满分 35 分） 第一节 短文改错（共 10 小题；每小题 1 分，满分 10 分）‎ 下面短文中有10 处语言错误。请在有错误的地方增加、删减或修改某个单词。 增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写上该加的词。 删除：把多余的词用斜线（）划掉。 修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写上修改后的词。‎ 注意： 1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；‎ ‎2.只允许修改 10 处，多者（从第 11 处起）不计分。‎ When I was a very young children, my father created a regular practice I remember well years late. Every time he arrived home at end of the day, we’d greet her at the door. He would ask who we was and pretend not to knowing us. Then he and my mother would have had a drink while she prepared dinner and they would talk about his day and hers. While they chat, my father would lift my sister and me up to sit in the top of the fridge. It was both excited and frightening to be up there! My sister and I thought he was so cool for putting us there.‎ 第三节 书面表达（共 1 题，满分 25 分）‎ 由于代沟的存在，有些小孩与父母的相处不是很和谐。请根据下面要求，写一篇有关“如何与父母 相处”的英语短文。‎ ‎·代沟的存在以及它对子女与父母关系的影响；‎ ‎·你认为怎样才能与父母更和谐地相处？（列举三条建议）‎ ‎1.词数不少于 100；‎ ‎2.可以适当添加细节，以使行文连贯 参考词汇： 代沟 generation gap 听力（1’*20=20’）‎ ‎1-5 BBAAA 6-10 BCABB ‎ ‎11-15 CCBAA 16-20 BBACB 阅读理解（2’*20=40’）‎ A 篇21.D 22.C 23.B ‎ B 篇 24.D 25.B 26.D 27.B ‎ C篇28.C 29.D 30.A 31.D ‎ ‎ D篇 32. B 33.B 34.D 35. C 七选五36. G 37. D 38. A 39. B 40. F 完形（1.5’*20=30’）‎ ‎ 41-45 CADCB ‎ 46-50 ABCAD ‎ 51-55 DABDC ‎ 56-60 BDABC 语法填空（1.5’*10=15’）‎ ‎61. dishes 62. who/that 63. It 64. visiting ‎65. was shocked 66. have become 67. Affordable 68. higher ‎69. weight 70. for 单词拼写（1’*10=10’）‎ 71. Instructions 72. Challenges 73. expert 74.announced 75.defeat ‎76.polluted 77.characteristics 78.Absorbed 79.blame 80.Exposing 短文改错（1’*10=10’）‎ When I was a very young , my father created a regular practice I remember well years . Every time he arrived home at end of the day, we’d greet at the door. He would ask who we and pretend not to us. Then he and my mother would have had a drink while she prepared ‎ dinner and they would talk about his day and hers. While they , my father would lift my sister and me up to sit the top of the fridge. It was both and frightening to be up there! My sister and I thought he was so cool for putting us there.‎ 书面表达(25’)‎ One possible version:‎ ‎ It’s widely believed that there is a generation gap between children and their parents, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to communicate with each other and prevents them from building a good relationship.‎ From my perspective, to get along well with our parents, we should keep the following in mind.‎ Firstly, listen more. Only if we listen to what our parents say can we know what ideas they have in their mind. Secondly, talk more. Needless to say, a good relationship is achieved through constant communication between two parties. We should talk with our parents regularly and keep them informed of what we are thinking about. Thirdly, put ourselves in their shoes. That is to say, trying to view everything from our parents’ angles is a wise choice. In this way we can understand them better.‎ 录音文稿 ‎(Text 1)‎ M: How does your sister go to university every day? Does she take a bus or the underground? Maybe the train?‎ W: Oh, she always walks ― she lives quite close.‎ ‎(Text 2) ‎ W: What a beautiful day today! How about going boating on the lake?‎ M: I almost drowned when I was ten. I’ve never touched water ever since.‎ ‎(Text 3)‎ M: Hi, Susanna. I’m worried about having a job interview in English tomorrow. Do you have any advice for me?‎ W: Sure, but I don’t think I can explain it well over the phone. How about I come over this afternoon?‎ M: That would be great.‎ ‎(Text 4) ‎ W: What are you reading, Henry?‎ M: An article on how to take care of babies.‎ W: Are you going to be a father?‎ M: You may not believe it, but my mom is pregnant — in her forties.‎ ‎(Text 5)‎ M: Lucy, I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?‎ W: I went to help watch my sister’s three daughters. ‎ M: That must have been exhausting. ‎ W: That’s what I’d expected, but it turned out that we had a great time together.‎ ‎(Text 6) ‎ W: Excuse me. ‎ M: Yes?‎ W: I’m looking for a supermarket. Do you know where the closest one is?‎ M: Yes, just a couple of miles away. What you want to do is go down this street for about a mile. On 112th Street, turn left. Stay on 112th until you pass three lights.‎ W: And then I’ll see it?‎ M: Almost. You will be on 56th Street by then. Turn right there and you will see the supermarket just around the corner. ‎ ‎(Text 7) ‎ W: How can I help you today?‎ M: I would like to rent a car. ‎ W: Let’s see what we can find. We have a large car, a midsize car, and a small car for you to choose from. What size are you looking for?‎ M: I’ll be traveling in the city alone, so a small car is OK. How much is that a day?‎ W: A small car is $40 a day. How long will you be renting the car?‎ M: Five days.‎ W: OK. Can I see your driver’s license and a credit card?‎ M: Sure. Here you are.‎ W: Would you like me to put the charge on this card?‎ M: That will be fine.‎ ‎(Text 8)‎ M: Excuse me, ma’am. Could I have a few minutes of your time, please?‎ W: Yes.‎ M: I’m Daniel Robinson, and I represent Crusoe Automatons Ltd. You see, our company has launched a robot. It seems you live alone. You might be interested in it.‎ W: Can she help with my housework?‎ M: Sure. You name the chore and she performs it.‎ W: What if I want the floor cleaned? Can she do it?‎ M: Certainly. She can finish cleaning the floor within ten minutes. She’s a real wonder.‎ W: What about the power connection? Does she operate on battery?‎ M: No. Just put it under the sun once a week. ‎ W: It really looks nice. What’s the cost of this robot?‎ M: Only ten thousand dollars.‎ W: Wow, that costs an arm and a leg. I don’t think I can afford it.‎ ‎(Text 9)‎ M: Lisa, what’s wrong? You don’t look like you’re in a good mood. ‎ W: My friend Linda said something bad behind my back. I really cannot believe it. I always thought she was my best friend.‎ M: Do you think she’s jealous of you? You’re pretty and so intelligent. You’re good at all your subjects and also play the violin so well.‎ W: But she has her strong points, too. She’s lovely and hard-working, and people like being with her.‎ M: Perhaps she hasn’t realized that. You’re a smart girl. I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to solve the problem.‎ W: I guess I should talk with her, let her know that she’s a great girl, too.‎ M: I’m sure that will help. Oh, look. I’m afraid it’ll rain soon. How about going back to the teaching building now?‎ W: Oh, I’m going to the library this afternoon. I need to borrow some books.‎ M: OK. Do let me know if you need an umbrella. I’ve got one in the teaching building.‎ W: Thanks. ‎ ‎(Text 10)‎ ‎　　Over the next month on Travel Adventures, we’ll be going to four very different places in the world, and taking a look at four out-of-this-world adventures.‎ The highest mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji, is actually a volcano, but hasn’t erupted for 300 years. In Week One of this series we’ll join in the crowds to climb up to the top of this beautiful mountain, and see the amazing views at sunrise. In the second week, we’ll take you to the rain forests of Brazil, and we will be taking a boat down the Amazon River. We’ll take a look at the variety of animals and birds there, and visit some of the people that live in the forest. In Week Three, we’re traveling closer to home, to the border of the United States and Canada, where we’ll see the impressive power of Niagara Falls.‎ Then, in Week Four, we’re off to Thailand. We’ll wander around this country, and look at some of the indescribable temples, including one in Ayuthaya that used to contain a Buddha that was covered in 250kg of solid gold!‎