2019-2020学年福建省福州八县（市、区）一中高一上学期期中联考英语试题

2019-2020学年福建省福州八县（市、区）一中高一上学期期中联考英语试题

‎2019—2020学年度上学期期中考八县(市)一中联考 高一英语试卷 ‎ 考试日期：‎11月14日 完卷时间：120分钟 满 分：150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。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 man prefer? ‎ A. Apples. B. Oranges. C. Bananas.‎ ‎2. What will the man do tomorrow? ‎ A. Work at his office. B. Attend a basketball game.C. Take the girl to see a doctor.‎ ‎3. What will the weather be like tonight according to the woman? ‎ A. Rainy. B. Cloudy. C. Clear. ‎ ‎4. What meal is the man going to eat? ‎ A. Breakfast. B. Lunch. C. Dinner.‎ ‎5. What are the speakers mainly talking about? ‎ A. A meeting. B. Fire practice. C. Plans for the weekend. ‎ 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。‎ 听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。‎ ‎6. How many cats does the woman want? ‎ A. Three. B. Two. C. One.‎ ‎7. What color cat does the woman choose? ‎ A. Black. B. Gray. C. White.‎ 听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。‎ ‎8. What is the woman’s job? ‎ A. An artist. B. A designer. C. A police officer.‎ ‎9. How many paintings has the woman just sold? ‎ A. One. B. Two. C. Three.‎ ‎10. Where does the woman display her paintings? ‎ A. In an office. B. In a shop. C. In a gallery.‎ 听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。‎ ‎11. Where are the speakers? ‎ A. In a shop. B. In a bank. C. In a park.‎ ‎12. What caused the man’s poor eyesight? ‎ A. An accident. B. His age. C. A disease.‎ ‎13. What does the man think about the woman? ‎ A. She is mean. B. She is smart. C. She is kind. ‎ 听第9段材料，回答第14至17题。‎ ‎14. What is the probable relationship between the speakers? ‎ A. Co-workers. B. Husband and wife. C. Shopkeeper and customer.‎ ‎15. What is in the woman’s basket? ‎ A. Vegetables. B. Chips. C. Cookies.‎ ‎16. How much does the woman pay for the items? ‎ A. £6. B. £10. C. £12.‎ ‎17. How will the woman probably go home? ‎ A. On foot. B. By bus. C. By car.‎ 听第10段材料，回答第18至20题。‎ ‎18. Why is the speaker making a speech? ‎ A. She is retiring. B. She has won a prize. C. She will set up her business.‎ ‎19. How long has the speaker worked for the school? ‎ A. For 12 years. B. For 18 years. C. For 25 years.‎ ‎20. Who is the most important person the speaker met at the school? ‎ A. Her husband. B. A wise teacher. C. A star student.‎ 第二部分：阅读理解（共两节，满分30分）‎ 第一节 (共10小题；每小题2分，满分20分)‎ ‎ 阅读下列短文，从每题所给的4个选项(A、B、C和D)中，选出最佳选项。‎ A A company has just launched(发起） what it calls “the world's first free standardized English test” recently. Anyone can take the test for free. The new exam is called the EFSET, which is short for Education First Standardized English Test. The company, Education First, is known by the letters EF.‎ It is reported that there are two billion English language learners worldwide. Many of them are interested in attending an American college or university. To do so, foreign students need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language—better known as TOEFL. However, many foreigners are not rich enough to take the TOEFL. In addition, test-takers often have to travel overnight to reach an official testing site. The World Bank says an average Cambodian worker earns only about $1,000 per year. The cost of taking the TOEFL is about 17.5 percent of the average worker's yearly wage.‎ It is not just individuals who find the test pricey. Some governments also find it too expensive. What's more, not everyone needs official results from the TOEFL or IELTS—the International English Language Testing System. In the future, it's likely that the government may use the EFSET to test millions of employees and students.‎ Experts believe that the EFSET meets the highest value in language testing. It uses special computer software that makes the questions easier or harder, depending on one's performance. The EFSET measures all the English learners' levels while the IELTS and TOEFL only measure learners' levels from intermediate(中等的） to advanced. The ‎ EFSET is unique in the sense that it gives free online access to anyone interested in measuring their English level.‎ There is a 50-minute and a two-hour version of the test, which its developers are calling the EFSET Plus. Both versions test only reading and listening skills. It's hopeful that speaking and writing skills will be tested in the future. The IELTS and the TOEFL still use humans to rate the speaking and writing sections. It's a huge deal for students who are in areas where they can't get to the TOEFL or the IELTS. However, it is too early to know whether the EFSET results are acceptable for colleges and universities in America.‎ ‎21.Why do many foreign students take the TOEFL? ‎ A . To learn English well. B . To be admitted to key universities.‎ C . To receive further education in America. D . To find good jobs and earn much money.‎ ‎22.What can we infer from Paragraph 2? ‎ A .The cost of taking the TOEFL is very high.‎ B . Only rich people can take the TOEFL.‎ C . There are many official testing sites for the TOEFL around the world.‎ D . Few of the students in Cambodia can afford to take the TOEFL.‎ 23. What can we learn about the EFSET? ‎ A . It is similar to the TOEFL and the IELTS.‎ B . Everybody with different English levels can take it for free.‎ C . It tests the skills of reading, listening, writing and speaking.‎ D . American universities accept the EFSET results for admission.‎ B Record fires sweeping across the Amazon this month have been catching global headlines as scientists and environmental groups are worried that they will worsen climate change and threaten biodiversity（生物多样性）.‎ ‎     As the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon is often called “the lungs of the world”. It is also home to about 3 million species of plants and animals, and 1 million local people. The vast lands of rainforest play an important role in the world’s ecosystem because they take in heat instead of it being reflected back into the atmosphere. They also store carbom dioxide (二氧化碳） and produce oxygen, making sure that less carbon is given off, mitigating the effects of climate change.‎ ‎   “Any forest destroyed is a threat to biodiversity and the people who use that biodiversity,” Thomas Lovejoy, an ecologist at George‎ Mason ‎University told National Geographic. “The shocking threat is that a lot of carbon goes into the atmosphere,” he stressed. “Facing the global climate change, we cannot afford more damage to a major source of oxygen and biodiversity. The Amazon must be protected,” U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.‎ ‎    Data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) show that the ‎ number of forest fires in Brazil quickly increased by 82 percent from January to August this year from a year ago. A total of 71,497 forest fires were recorded in the country in the first eight months of 2019, up from ‎39,194 in the same period in 2018, INPE said. “It’s reported that the forest areas in the Brazilian Amazon have decreased something between 20 and 30 percent compared to the last 12 months,” Carlos Nobre, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo, told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.‎ ‎    Brazil owns about 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest, whose drop could have severe results for global climate and rainfall. The size of the area ruined by fires has yet to be determined, but the emergency has transcended（超出）Brazil’s borders, reaching Peruvian, Paraguayan and Bolivian areas.‎ ‎24. What is the second paragraph mainly talking about?‎ A. The effects of climate change.‎ B. The role of the Amazon rainforest.‎ C. The results of the Amazon rainforest fires. ‎ D. The causes of the decreasing biodiversity.‎ ‎25. Which of the following best explains “mitigating” underlined in Paragraph 2?‎ A. Easing. B. Causing. C. Worsening. D. Benefitting.‎ ‎26. What can we learn from Thomas’s and Antonio’s words?‎ A. The biodiversity makes the rainforests unique.‎ B. The rainforest fires result in serious consequences.‎ C. The global climate crisis brings more rainforest fires.‎ D. The dry weather leads to the rainforest fires.‎ ‎27. Which section of a magazine is this text probably taken from?‎ A. Sports and music. B. Science and technology.‎ C. Nature and geography. D. Business and culture.‎ ‎ C On one occasion, while visiting my parents, I happened to meet the little boy who lived next door. It was obvious that his mother had told him not to come over uninvite.He was standing on the very edge of his yard with an anxious look on his face, seemingly about to burst.‎ ‎ My father waved him over and performed the introductions. "Eliot, this is my son, Gary. Gary, meet my little friend, Eliot." To my delight, he reached out his small hand and I accepted the formality(遵守礼节) with a smile. ‎ ‎ Unlike most children, this teenager was not shy of meeting a stranger. As a matter of fact, he turned out to be quite a chatterbox. Eliot had me laughing as I listened to the excitement in his voice..for, as you know, it was a big deal to find a toad (蟾蜍)! His descriptions were priceless as I asked the obvious questions concerning the capture（捕捉）. He was pleased that I showed interest in his adventure and gladly explained its details.‎ ‎ Since Eliot seemed so willing to invest in our budding friendship, I asked him a question, "Do you like banjo music?" He got very excited and answered me with a hearty "Yes!"‎ ‎ I took out my banjo from the car, but when I sat next to him and started playing, Eliot looked at me with a puzzled expression. He asked me "What’s that?" in all seriousness.‎ My dad and I smiled. The boy who just "loved" the banjo didn’t recognize that I was holding one and that what I was playing was "banjo music".‎ ‎ I realized that his heart was in the right place. Eliot just wanted to please his new friend with that "Yes", thinking it was what I wanted to hear.‎ ‎ Well anyway...Eliot likes the banjo for real now. And I like Eliot.‎ ‎28.When Eliot saw the author, he _______. ‎ A. came into the yard to greet the author B. gladly introduced himself to the author C. showed no interest in visiting a stranger D. was eager to get to know the author　　　　　　　　　　　‎ ‎29.From the passage we know Eliot was ________.‎ A. serious B. shy C. talkative D. dishonest ‎30.The underlined sentence in the fourth paragraph suggests_________. ‎ A. Eliot hoped to make profits by making friends with the author B. Eliot would like to spend money in developing friendship ‎ C. Eliot looked forward to developing friendship with the author D. Eliot was regretful for not making friends with the author ‎ ‎31.Why did Eliot say he loved banjo music? ‎ A. Because he hoped that the author was in high spirits.‎ B. Because he believed banjo music was very beautiful.‎ C. Because he was really fond of such strange music.‎ D. Because he hoped the author would teach him the music. ‎ D Benjamin Franklin clearly knew how to get things done. After scanning the long list of Benjamin Franklin’s achievements, one can only come to one conclusion that the American man probably never had a wasted day in his life. When he was 84 years old, he became a successful author, printer, politician, postmaster, inventor, musician, and diplomat.‎ There's much we can leam from Benjarin Frankin's work habits and opinions on life that can increase our own productivity. Here are some ways Franklin overcame lazy, wasted days.‎ Start a group and share knowledge. When Franklin was 21, he was a struggling printer in Philadelphia. To increase his connections and to learn more about his industry, he created a group. The group was in great need of books, but books were expensive. Franklin helped start a library where books were bought and lent to members. This ‎ sharing of knowledge, experience, and connections helped Franklin become a famous and respected printer in Philadelphia.‎ Attack opportunities. "To succeed," Franklin wrote,” jump as quickly at opportunities as you can." We can all agree, but when an opportunity comes we often look the other way. It's because the opportunity isn't dressed the way we expect. We often think that the opportunity was only in the form of a golden egg or a million-dollar lottery ticket or a new job offer. But more often than not, the opportunity comes in smaller, less beautiful packages.‎ Time is something in short supply. Franklin wrote“Lost time is never found again." This may sound like it came from the pen of a poet, but it's really an inspirational call to action. Franklin worked, created, and lived knowing that time is scarce. He never put off his work.‎ ‎ While Franklin was an able inventor we can be sure that his notebook contained a few unsuccessful ideas . Franklin wrote,“ Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.' ‎ 32. Benjamin Franklin suceeded in many ways mainly because________.‎ A.he was very clever and popular B.he could make good use of his time C.he often shared knowledge with others D.he could do many things at the same time ‎33. The underlined word “ industry”in Paragraph 3 probably refers to________.‎ ‎ A.writing B. invention C.music D.printing ‎34. For many people who want to succeed，opportunities_________.‎ ‎ A.are easy to catch hold of B. are difficult to see and attack ‎ C. are often dressed the way we expect D.always come in the form of a golden egg ‎35.From the last paragraph we can learn__________‎ A.Franklin wrote a lot of famous poems B. Franklin sometimes wasted time C.Franklin never met with failures D.Franklin learned from failures 第二节 七选五（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）‎ With the development of technology and economy, social media is becoming one of the fastest-growing industries in today’s world. A study conducted by the US Pew Research Centre showed that 92 percent of teenagers go online daily.___36___.　36　‎ Changing relationships.‎ High school student Elly Cooper from Illinois said social media often reduces face-to-face communication. “It makes face-to-face relationships harder because people’s attention is given to their phones instead of their friends,” Cooper said.‎ ‎　37　 Beth Kaplan from Illinois meets her long-distance friend through social media. He currently lives in Scotland, but they’re still able to frequently communicate with each other. “I can feel close to someone that I’m talking to via FaceTime,” Kaplan ‎ said. ‎ Wanting to be “liked”.‎ ‎　38　 The 19-year-old Essena O’Neill announced on the social networking service Instagram that she was quitting social media because it made her unable to stop thinking about appearing perfect online.　39　 Teenagers who get harmful comments can’t help but feel hurt. ‎ ‎　40　 ‎ However, Armin Korsos, a student from Illinois, takes advantage of the comments(评论) he receives over social media to improve his videos on the social networking site YouTube. “Social media can help people show themselves and their talents to the world in a way that has never been possible before,” Korsos said.‎ A. Opening new doors.‎ B. Teenagers’ attitude toward social media.‎ C. Unpleasant comments can also do great damage to a teenager’s self-respect.‎ D. The wide spread of social media has changed nearly all parts of teenagers’ lives.‎ E. Yet, the social media is beneficial to show people’s talents.‎ F. The rise of social media has changed the way teenagers see themselves.‎ G. Yet, some people believe social media has made it easier to start relationships with anyone from anywhere.‎ 第三部分：完形填空(共20小题；每小题l．5分．满分30分)‎ 阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、和D)中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并标在答题卷的相应位置。‎ In the close town of Whitesburg, Kentucky, Mick Polly, who lives with his teenage daughter Carolina in a house, is known as the bike man. Over the past five years, Mick has_ ‎4l_ hundreds of bicycles for poor kids.‎ ‎ One day in 2011, a 13-year-old boy with a 42 _ bike walked by Mick’s house. “I was working in my garage, and he asked if I could_ 43 it,” says Mick , now 53. The boy 44 his bike, which had a broken bracket, with Mick, who asked friends on Facebook if they had the missing part. The town’s former police chief saw the 45 and donated two used bicycles. Mick took parts from each to engineer a new set of wheels for the 46 .‎ ‎ Soon after, Mick, who ‎47 a toy business , repaired a bike for the boy’s brother and made one for his sister. 48 spread, and within the year, he had fixed up dozens of bikes for 49 kids whose parents couldn’t 50 to buy new ones.‎ ‎“ People were__ 51 _ bikes day and night,” says Mick. Mick stored the bikes and bike parts in his garage. “I take off the_ 52 tires or the handlebars or the seats and 53 _ them,” he says.‎ To date, the bike man has repaired hundreds of bikes and 54 nearly 700 newly built bikes. They’re 55 , but the kids must agree to two things: They’ve got to “remember who’s 56 them’’, and they’ve got to make ‎57 in school. If a kid’s grades are 58 , Mick requires a teacher’s note saying that he is doing his best.‎ ‎41.‎ A. lost B. lent C. found D. built ‎ ‎42.‎ A. stolen B. worn ‎ C. broken ‎ D. shone ‎43.‎ A. ride B. fix C. check ‎ D. hide ‎44.‎ A. left ‎ B. sold ‎ C. chose D. paid ‎45.‎ A. advertisement ‎ B. report ‎ C. story ‎ D. post ‎46.‎ A. bike ‎ B. police ‎ C. boy ‎ D. town Mick also hopes the bikes will get kids off the 59 . “When I was growing up, we all rode our bikes,” he says,” 60 these kids can get some exercise.”‎ ‎47.‎ A. quit ‎ B. owned ‎ C. needed ‎ D. expanded ‎48.‎ A. Word ‎ B. Gossip C. Message ‎ D. News ‎49.‎ A. polite ‎ B. careful ‎ C. lovable ‎ D. local ‎50.‎ A. refuse ‎ B. dare ‎ C. afford D. fail ‎51.‎ A. caring about ‎ B. throwing away ‎ C. dealing with ‎ D. sorting out ‎52.‎ A. good ‎ B. round ‎ C. safe D. solid ‎53.‎ A. transport ‎ B. export ‎ C. donate ‎ D. use ‎54.‎ A. broken up ‎ B. packed up ‎ C. given away ‎ D. cut out ‎55.‎ A. colorful ‎ B. free ‎ C. strong D. fashionable ‎56.‎ A. raising ‎ B. ignoring ‎ C. disturbing D. tricking ‎57.‎ A. apologies ‎ B. judgments ‎ C. efforts ‎ D. discoveries ‎58.‎ A. low ‎ B. special ‎ C. different ‎ D. ordinary ‎59.‎ A. ground ‎ B. couch ‎ C. loneliness ‎ D. concern ‎60.‎ A. Hopefully ‎ B. Luckily C. Certainly D. Frankly 第II卷（共50分）‎ 第一节 单词拼写（共10小题，每小题1分，满分10分）‎ ‎61.All the people are c_____ about the growth of the younger generation.‎ ‎62. The achievements the city has achieved have been widely r________ by the public.‎ ‎63.The city was completely d________ by the earthquake.‎ ‎64.He gave the children some candies to r_________ them for behaving well.‎ ‎65.Helen tried her best to control her feelings and finally she c________ herself down.‎ ‎66.The boys were still standing there ,too________(震惊) and scared to move.‎ ‎67. Just as President Xi JinPing puts it, China today is _______(逐渐地) closer than ever before to national rejuvenation.‎ ‎68.Milu often says “_______(态度) is everything.” to encourage the players to devote more.‎ ‎69.________(有组织的) groups of citizens are more likely to change the government's mind.‎ ‎70. Children should get _____（平等的） education whether they come from rich or poor families.‎ 第二节 根据所给的汉语提示完成句子。（每句2分，满分10分）‎ ‎71.这是他第一次用电子邮件与笔友交流。(用从句)‎ ‎____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎72.根据新闻报道，是天气决定神舟七号发射(launch)的准确时间。（用强调句）‎ ‎____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎73.杰克给了我一个坚定的眼神，这眼神表明他不会改变主意，也不会屈服。(determine, 定语从句)‎ ‎_________________________________________________________________________ ‎ ‎_________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎74.消防员没有多考虑个人的安危,像平常一样将困在大火中的人员援救出来.(think little of)‎ ‎_________________________________________________________________________ ‎ ‎_________________________________________________________________________‎ 75. 德兰修女(Mother Teresa) 把自己毕生的精力都倾注在照顾穷苦人之上。（devote …to…）‎ ‎_________________________________________________________________________‎ ‎_________________________________________________________________________‎ 第三节 语法填空（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10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(不超过3个单词)。‎ A Frenchman went to a small Italian town and stayed with his wife at the best hotel there . One night, he went out for a walk alone. It was late and the small street was dark and 76 (quietly). Suddenly he felt someone behind him. He turned his head and saw an Italian young man , 77 quickly walked past him. The man was nearly 78 of sight when the Frenchman suddenly found that his watch was 79 （miss）. He thought that 80 must be the Italian who had taken his watch. He decided 81 (follow) him and get back the watch . Soon the Frenchman 82 （catch）up with the Italian . Neither of them understood the other’s language. The Frenchman frightened the Italian with his fist(拳头) while 83 (point) at the Italian’s watch. In the end the Italian gave up his watch to the Frenchman . When he returned to the hotel, the Frenchman told his wife what had happened. He was 84 (great) surprised when his wife pointed to the watch on the table . Now he realized that by mistake he 85 (rob) the watch and it was the Italian’s .‎ 第四部分：写作（满分20分）‎ 假定你是李华,上周日是你的外国朋友Anne 的生日。你本来答应参加她的生日聚会,但是你当时正忙于准备月考,不小心忘了赴约。请写信向Anne表达你的歉意,说明原因,并提出补救办法。‎ 注意:1.词数100词左右; 2.文章中不得出现真实学校与班级名称;‎ ‎3.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。‎ ‎2019-2020学年度第一学期八县(市)一中期中联考 高中 一 年 英语 科答案 听力理解：1-5 CCBAB 6-10 ABCCA 11-15 BBCCA 16-20 BCACA 阅读理解：21-23 CAB 24-27 BABC 28-31 DCCA 32-35 BDBD 七选五： 36-40 DGFCA 完形填空：40-45 DCBAD  46-50 CBADC  51-55 BADCB   56-60 ACABA 单词拼写：61.concerned 62.recognized 63.destroyed 64.reward 65.calmed 66. shocked 67.gradually 68.attitude 69.organized 70.equal 句子翻译：‎ ‎71.This is the first time that he has used e-mail to communicate with his pen pal.‎ 句式1分 0.5分 0.5分 ‎72.According to the news report, it is the weather that will determine the exact launch time of Shenzhou Seven.‎ ‎ 0.5分 句式1分 0.5分 ‎73.Jack gave me a determined look, which showed me that he would neither change his mind nor give in. ‎ ‎ 0.5分 句式1分 0.5分 ‎ ‎74.The firefighters thought little of their personal safety and as usual rescued the people ‎ ‎ 0.5分 0.5分 0.5分 who were trapped in the fire. ‎ ‎ 0.5分 ‎75. Mother Teresa has devoted all her life to caring for the poor. ‎ ‎ 1分 1分 语法填空：‎ 75. quiet 77.who 78.out 79.missing 80.it ‎ ‎81. to follow 82.caught 83.pointing 84. greatly 85.had robbed 书面表达：‎ Dear Anne,‎ I am very sorry that I didn’t attend your birthday party last Sunday. I feel awful about it and want to apologize to you.‎ It was nice of you to invite me to your party. I should have come and celebrated the precious moment with you, but the monthly test is around the corner, so I was so busy preparing for the test that I forgot the appointment. I hope you understand my situation and forgive me. Is it possible for you and me to have a private meeting after the test? I do long for a pleasant chat with you.‎ It is much to my regret that I missed the chance of a happy get-together. Once again, please ‎ accept my sincere apology.‎ Yours,‎ Li Hua 录音原文 Text 1 ‎ W: Do you prefer apples or oranges? I really like both, but if I had to decide, I would say it is apples that are my favorite.‎ M: I actually don’t like either. My favorite fruit is bananas. ‎ Text 2 ‎ W: Will you come with me to my doctor’s appointment tomorrow after school? I hurt my leg from basketball practice yesterday.‎ M: Sure, I am off work tomorrow. I will pick you up from school and take you to the doctor’s office.‎ Text 3 ‎ M: Do you think we’ll be able to see the bright stars tonight? I heard it was supposed to rain, but it looks fine.‎ W: I don’t think it will rain, but there will be many clouds in the way tonight.‎ Text 4 ‎ W: I have everything planned out for lunch and dinner today. I went shopping last night.‎ M: Well, I know your parents won’t be here till noon, but I just woke up and need something to eat. What can I use to make breakfast?‎ Text 5 ‎ W: Where is everyone? Is there a meeting I haven’t been invited to?‎ M: Actually, we need to go outside. We’re practising how to get out in case of a fire.‎ Text 6 ‎ M: My co-worker has three baby cats to give away. Do you want one?‎ W: Is that all I can have? I’d like to have them all.‎ M: Other people may want one, but you can have first choice. There’s a black one, a gray one and a white one.‎ W: It is said that black cats bring good luck, but I think I’ll go for a gray cat.‎ M: OK. If you can have another one, I’ll bring the black to you as well.‎ W: Let’s hope no one else wants them.‎ Text 7 ‎ W: Do you want to see my paintings?‎ M: I know you are a police officer, but I didn’t know you were an artist.‎ W: It’s just a hobby. Something I do just in my spare time. ‎ M: It must take your mind off work.‎ W: Yes. I’m not like you. Being a designer must involve lots of artistic skills.‎ M: Yeah, you could say that. Let’s see your work.‎ W: I only have two finished paintings. I’m still doing one and I’ve just sold three.‎ M: You must be good.‎ W: People seem to like them.‎ M: Do you show them in galleries or in shops?‎ W: I hang them up in the office and people often ask if they can buy one.‎ Text 8 ‎ W: Excuse me, sir. Is this your wallet? It was on the floor.‎ M: Oh, thank you, young lady. I knew I had dropped it but I couldn’t see it. My sight is failing. I’m 92 years old, you know.‎ W: Really? Why didn’t you get someone else to come here for you?‎ M: The bank needs my signature, so I had to come by myself. I’m OK. It’s just my eyesight that is bad. My age is making my sight failing. I could have seen an eye doctor to improve it if I was younger.‎ W: You are doing it very well now.‎ M: Yes, it’s just age. I still do all my own shopping and gardening and I haven’t had any accidents yet.‎ W: Can I do anything for you?‎ M: No, thank you. I wish all young people were as kind as you. ‎ Text 9 ‎ M: That looks like a healthy basket of shopping — vegetables, fruit and not a cookie or a chip in sight.‎ W: Well, I like to keep the family in good shape, Mr. Jones. It’s my duty to look after them. How much do I owe you?‎ M: Hmm, let me see. The grapes are £2. The 2 watermelons are £4. And the vegetables come to £6. So that’s a total of £12.‎ W: But the watermelons are on offer — 2 for the price of one.‎ M: Of course, I’m sorry. I’ll knock £2 off the total. That’s £10.‎ W: OK, thank you.‎ M: I’m like you. I like to eat healthily.‎ W: I find it’s usually cheaper, and it tastes nicer, too.‎ M: Do you need any help with that bag?‎ W: No, it’s OK. My husband is in the car outside.‎ M: Isn’t he working today?‎ W: No, he has a day off.‎ Text 10 ‎ Good morning to you all — parents, students and my fellow teachers. Thank you for coming along to say goodbye. I know we all have to retire sooner or later, but it does feel like a sad occasion to me, because I have had so many happy years at this school. It feels like just yesterday that I was leaving my previous job to join this school. My last 25 years’ working for this school have passed so quickly. Perhaps it is because I have been in such a good school. From the 12-year-olds in the first year, to those who are now 18 and ready to leave for university or a job, I have enjoyed working with you all. I can honestly say that getting this job was like winning a prize. I have met some amazing, wise people — star students, great friends. But perhaps most important of all, it was here that I met the man I would later marry, and who will soon be joining me in retirement.‎