山东省泰安市新泰第一中学老校区（新泰中学）2024-2025学年高三上学期第一次适应训练英语试题

新泰中学 2022 级高三年级上学期第一次阶段性考试 英语试题 审核人：英语组全体教师 2024\09\26 第Ⅰ卷 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 的答案转涂到答题纸上。 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。每段对话仅读一遍。 1.What will the speakers do with the phone? A. Have it updated. B. Have it charged. C. Have it checked. 2. What kind of T-shirts does the woman prefer? A. Short. B. Loose. C. Tight. 3. Who is the woman probably? A. A language teacher B. A writer. C. A musician 4. What does the man have with his coffee? A. Low-fat milk. B. Goat's milk C. Cream 5.What are the speakers probably going to do next? A. Put up a tent B. Fish in the lake C. Get food at a store. 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. Where does the conversation probably take place? A. In a library. B. At a print shop. C.In a classroom. 7. What did the woman do last night? A. She shared a story. B.She watched a show. C.She worked on a presentation. 听第 7 段材料,回答第 8 至 10 题。 8.What does the man plan to do this afternoon? 1 A. Go shopping. B. Attend a party. C.Play tennis. 9.What does the woman want to do first? A.Take a bath. B. Buy new clothes. C.Go into town with the man. 10.What is the probable relationship between the speakers? A. Brother and sister. B. Father and daughter. C. Grandfather and granddaughter. 听第 8 段材料,回答第 11 至 13 题。 11. Which month is it now probably? A. September B. November. C. December. 12. How does the man feel about coming back to school? A. Bored. B. Pleased. C. Anxious 13. What should the man do according to the woman? A.Get outside more often. B. Take more vitamin pills. C. Get more indoor exercise. 听第 9 段材料,回答第 14 至 17 题。 14.Why does the woman come to the man? A.To ask for advice. B. To have an interview. C. To send her congratulations. 15.Where are the speakers now? A.In China. B.In the UK. C. In Australia. 16. What are northern British people like? A. They have a faster pace of life. B. They're more friendly and outgoing. C. Their accents are easier to understand. 17.Which aspect of London attracts the man? A. Its cultural factors. B. A better career environment. C.The comfortable living conditions. 听第 10 段材料,回答第 18 至 20 题。 18.Who did the speaker go to the AI Canteen with? A. A family member. B. A local friend. C. A business partner. 19. How do people order food in the AI Canteen? A. On a screen B. With robotic arms. C. Through a waiter. 20. How many people can the AI system serve in a day? A.100. B.200. C.300. 第二部分 阅读（共两节，满分 40 分） 第一节（共 15 小题；每小题 2.5 分，满分 37.5 分） 2 {#{QQABQQCUgg 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 2-hour Scooter Rental in Niagara Falls If you want to avoid the queues(队列) and crowded areas of visitors, this activity is for you. You can visit scenery that most never do along the Niagara Gorge on an electric scooter(滑板车), which is easy to ride and makes getting from viewpoint to viewpoint fast and easy. You can cover about 34 miles of Niagara Falls State Park, the Niagara Gorge,and Whirlpool State Park all in 2 hours using a scooter. What's Included ●Ninebot Max Electric Scooter ●Lock to lock up the electric scooter Meeting and Pickup Meeting point End point 2 Old Falls St,Niagara Falls,NY This activity ends back at the 14303,USA meeting point. Opening hours 5/13/2023-7/20/2025 Monday-Sunday: 10:00 AM-06:00 PM Additional Information *Confirmation will be received at time of booking * Not wheelchair accessible * Near public transportation *Not recommended for pregnant(怀孕的)travelers * No heart problems or other serious medical conditions * Travelers should at least have an average physical fitness level Click here to apply or call: +1(702) 648-5873 Cancellation Policy You can cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. 21.What is one advantage of renting an electric scooter?. A.It saves money. B.It covers all the routes. C. It makes your tour easy. D. It helps to reduce accidents. 22. What does the activity offer travellers? A. Locks against theft. B. Facilities to keep healthy. 3 C. Assistance for the disabled. D. Guidebooks for Niagara Falls. 23. When can you call off the activity to get all your money back? A. After online confirmation. B.One day ahead of the tour. C. The moment the tour starts. D.Twenty four hours after booking. B Bier was the kid with snakes in his pockets. He once hid six snakes in a soda can under his mother's car seat while returning from a family vacation, which made his mother ba n the wild reptiles(爬行动物). But under the guidance of Frey, a teacher who developed a school environmental education program in the state, his outdoor adventures continued. Bier knows what lives in the woods— things most people don't see or consider. Things like fungi (真菌). They' re not animals or plants, but Bier notes that they are doing a lot of the decomposition(分解) work on the earth. He also casts his eyes on plant diversity, which the general public take little notice of.“ When you drive down the highway, if you' re not a naturalist, it's just green stuff going by the window,” Bier said. Bier served as director of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, which conducts fieldwork on some endangered species and their conservation. He surveyed every county in Western Pennsylvania and documented the rarest creatures and plants. His fieldwork and recommendations led to the conservancy preserving more than153,000 acres of species- rich land in Western Pennsylvania during his almost 43- year in office, according to Carrow, the conservancy's vice president.“ It's not often that somebody can say one's work will be appreciated in the future for all people, for all time. His work is quite remarkable,” she said. Bier has recently retired. He lives in a primitive cabin at Todd Nature Reserve. He catches crayfish in the river, and heads to the forest and fields, where wildlife awaits. He grows most of his food, raises sheep, a cow for milking and chickens, and still cuts firewood to heat his home.“ People can be in better touch with nature. It's like the moment when you look at the stars and realize there's something bigger than you and Netflix,” Bier said. 24. What can we learn about Bier from the first paragraph? A. He ran into danger on a vacation. B. He had interest in nature. C. He got support from his mother. D. He started a school program. 4 {#{Q 25. What is the public’s reaction to the plant diversity according to Bier? A. They are used to it. B. They are blind to it. C. They are afraid of losing it. D. They are amazed at its value. 26. What can we infer from paragraph 3? A. Everyone can be a naturalist. B. Preserving the natural world is urgent. C. Bier's passion for nature has paid off. D. Some species could drive the ecosystem. 27. What is Bier’s life like after retirement? A. Close to nature. B. Full of risks. C. Tough but satisfying. D. Busy and unpredictable. C In parts of Tanzania, soils are disappearing. A combination of climate change and socioeconomic stresses has led to soil ending into nearby rivers and lakes. Recognizing the threat, the local community set up an environmental committee to allow strategic decision- making for soil restoration. They worked with researchers led by Will Blake at the University of Plymouth, who are experimenting with a gamma ray(伽马射线) sensor that can be easy to carry. It can make a judgement about the health of the soil in several minutes, while the traditional approach is done by taking a small number of samples for lab analysis and takes more time. The community identified areas where the soil was severely reduced, and so excluded their cattle. With the pressure removed, the land re- greened quickly and the soil began to recover. Blake emphasizes that the technology is only half the story. Scientists helicoptering in and offering solutions doesn't work, partly because it ignores the autonomy of the farmers themselves and their extensive local environmental knowledge. Instead, Blake recommends“ mutual learning”, in which different groups learn from each other and talk openly. With the advancement of this cooperative approach, some farmers made dramatic changes.“ During past seasons, I used to get 4-5 bags of corn per acre using improved varieties of seeds and intensive use of chemical fertilizers( 肥 料 ),” one reported. After scanning his soils, he switched to natural ones and intercropping 5 {#{QQABQQCUgggIQIJAAQgCQwX4CACQkAC between corn and beans, in an attempt to increase the soil quality and agriculture productivity.“ Now I am getting 7-9 bags of corn in the same piece of land”. While this pilot work has focused on the southern part of the earth, there's a lot other areas can learn from these experiences. Many countries are moving towards regenerative agriculture, which aims to restore soils and ecosystems to make farms more sustainable.“ We’ ve realized that developing the evidence base together with the communities affected is the most effective way,” Blake says. 28. What can we learn about the new sensor? A. It is invented by a local community. B. It can quickly assess soil condition. C. It is difficult to apply in distant areas. D. It helps collect a number of soil samples. 29. Why does Blake recommend“ mutual learning”? A. To share data in the new research. B. To develop a sustainable solution. C. To remove the farmers' burden. D. To popularize sensor technology. 30. What is paragraph 4 mainly about? A. Examples of intercropping. B. Changes in farmers' awareness. C. Effects of the new approach. D. Attempts to increase productivity. 31. Which of the following is the best title for the text? A. What farming brings to the soil health? B. Lost Wisdom: Traditions in Agriculture C. Sensor Technology: The Future of Farming D. How soil health cooperation is changing agriculture? D New technologies tend to cause a cycle of concern, disorder, and conflict before eventually being accepted. Recent writings about artificial intelligence ( AI)and other advances in computer science suggest that we are preparing to welcome the final stage of this latest round of invention. The Last Human Job,sociologist Allison Pugh's new book centered on caregiving and human connection in the age of automation, warns readers against unreserved acceptance of these technological advances, citing“connective labor”as valuable human work that will not be easily replaced by algorithms ( 算 法 ).“Absent from discussions about Al and automation,”Pugh argues, " is the impact that these systems might have on the emotional understandings we build of ourselves and others." 6 {#{QQABQQ Pugh sets the stage by arguing for the value of human connection and the importance of both seeing and being seen by others."Practitioners (从业者) said they gained a sense of purpose simply from the opportunity of observing people at their most defenseless," she observes. She then provides a summary of how care work is being increasingly automated, showing how quantification and measurement have taken over many aspects of human-facing jobs, leaving little room for doctors, teachers, and others to build connection. “When one goes to a doctor or a teacher, the encounter is full of the potential for shame, a risk that makes it all the more powerful when practitioners show empathic (同理心的) reflection ," writes Pugh. In chapter 8, she explains how such interactions can be done right. Research conducted by herself and others identifies three key aspects supporting connective labor: “relational design,” or how people are set up to interact with one another; “connective culture,” or shared practices and beliefs that influence how people interact; and “resource distribution,” which includes time given for interaction, worker-to-client rates,and the extent of technology and data use, among other factors. Pugh concludes by arguing that we need a social movement for connection. “We need to fight for what we might call our‘social health’, "she maintains. 32. What is the main concern of Allison Pugh's new book? A. The impact of AI on future employment. B. The approach to living and working with AI. C. The increasing role of technology in caregiving. D. The value of connective labor in the age of automation. 33.Why does the author mention“practitioners” in paragraph 3? A. To explain how to do care work. B. To argue against the automation technology. C. To prove the significance of human connection. D.To discuss the challenges of privacy in caregiving. 34. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 4 refer to? A. The encounter. B.The shame. C.The risk. D.The potential. 35.What is paragraph 4 mainly about? A. The overview of chapter 8. B. The effective way to interact. C.The new trend of caregiving. D. The factors of avoiding shame. 7 {#{QQABQQCUgggIQIJAAQgC 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。 In Chinese traditional architecture, a skywell is an open courtyard or well-like space usually located at the heart of a building or group of buildings._ 36 Their designs often feature the classic Chinese dou gong overhangs to provide shade and collect water into a central basin. Chinese skywells are so effective in cooling homes because they can control natural airing. Cool air is drawn into the building from the lower levels, and warm air escapes and rises through the upper levels. 37 The skywell's layout and construction materials also help in thermal( 热 量 的)regulation. During the day , the courtyard absorbs heat from the sun, acting as a thermal mass. 38 This day-night cycle helps maintain a balanced and consistent temperature indoors. Most traditional skywells include water features, such as fountains or ponds. A recent study has shown that the most significant part of a skywell's cooling effect comes from these water bodies. 39 As water evaporates(蒸发)from these features, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air. This reduces the temperature within the courtyard and surrounding rooms. 40 One fitting example is the National Heavy Vehicle Engineering Technology Research Centre in Jinan,an 18-story building that has a giant open space at its heart from the fifth floor to the top floor. The toilets, elevators, and meeting rooms surround this space. This enhances natural airing and natural energy consumption, according to the Shanghai-based CCDI Group. A. This promotes fresh air flow,especially during hot summer days. B. It is often a square surrounded by the building's rooms and wings. C. This cooling was disadvantageous in regions with hot and dry climates. D. It's probably why temperatures around them are 2.6℃ to 4.2℃ lower. E. These wonders continue to inspire architects to seek sustainable solutions. F. The magic of skywells stands as witnesses to the wisdom of ancient builders. G. The stored heat is gradually released as the outdoor temperature drops at night. 8 {#{QQABQQCU 第三部分 语言知识运用（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，从短文后各题所给的 A、B、C 和 D 四个选项中，选出可以填入 空白处的最佳选项。 As a teenager growing up in Great Britain, Lola Anderson was inspired by the rowing events at the 2012 London Olympics. Moved by the athletes' strength and determination, she decided to 41 the sport herself. In her diary, she expressed her dream of winning an Olympic gold medal in rowing.Embarrassed by her 42 dream, Lola tore out the diary page.“I threw that away because I didn't believe, " Anderson 43 “I was 14 then, so why would I believe? Young girls struggle to see themselves as strong, athletic individuals, but that's 44 now." Despite her initial 45 ,Anderson pursued rowing with her father's support. In 2019,as Don Anderson 46 cancer,he presented Lola with a 47 .He held open his hand to 48 the page she had torn from her diary years earlier. Don had found it in the trash(垃圾筒) and kept it, 49 she would need it one day, Don 50 months later, but his faith in his daughter's dream remained. His predictive gesture 51 on Wednesday when Anderson competed in her first Olympic Games as part of the women's quadruple sculls(四人双桨)rowing team. Her team 52 the gold medal by a mere 0.15 seconds. After the race, Anderson reflected on her father's firm support. “It's a piece of paper,but it's the most valuable thing I have," she said. " Maybe jointly with the 53 now." Lola Anderson’s 54 from a self-doubting teenager to an Olympic champion serves as 55 of the power of dreams and the lasting impact of a father's love. 41. A. take up B.look into C. live upon D.fight for 42. A.greedy B.achievable C. shallow D. wild 43. A.imagined B.regretted C.added D. recalled 44. A.changing B. strengthening C.worsening D. speeding 45.A.resolution B.doubt C. confidence D.worry 46. A. studied B. battled C. defeated D. prevented 47.A.wish B.blow C. promise D. surprise 48.A.throw B.reveal C. fold D. release 49.A.advocating B. proving C. feeling D.wondering 9 {#{QQABQQCUggg 50.A. passed away B.died off C. set off D.went away 51. A. happened B. mattered C.arrived D.worked 52.A.bagged B.forgotten C. lost D. recovered 53.A.support B.team C. medal D.rowing 54. A. journey B.range C. departure D.achievement 55.A.advice B.belief C. memory D.proof 第Ⅱ卷 第三部分 语言知识运用（共两节，满分 30 分） 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。 Located next to the Notre Dame Cathedral(巴黎圣母院) in Paris, the Kung Fu Daoxiaomian restaurant has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking to taste the delicious Daoxiaomian. During the Olympic Games, its popularity has 56 ( absolute) skyrocketed and Guo Zhanglong, the restaurant's owner, has gained about 10 million followers on Chinese social media platforms. Guo, born in Yantai, Shandong province, caught the 57 ( rise) wave of homemade short videos 58 began recording his experiences in France. During the Spring Festival in 2022, Guo organized a celebration which 59 ( attract) more than 200 people. Because the prepared dishes weren't enough, his mother- in- law filled the gap by making some Daoxiaomian, which was 60 instant hit. In October 2022, Guo opened the restaurant to sell Daoxiaomian in Paris, which he decorated with 61 ( element) of Chinese culture, such as lanterns and Chinese knots. Despite his initial thought of adjusting the recipe 62 ( meet) the tastes of foreigners, Guo took the suggestion from his mother- in- law to keep the original one that had been perfect for 850 years and gained 63 ( accept) beyond his imagination. This year, Guo was invited 64 several exchange activities where he shared his story. With the help of short videos, Guo believes that more talented creators will join him to help Chinese culture go 65 ( globe). 10 第四部分 写作（共两节，满分 40 分） 第一节 （满分 15 分） 假如你是李华,你校英文报举办了主题为“终身学习(Lifelong Learning)”的读 书分享会活动。请你写一篇投稿记录这次活动,内容包括: 1.活动的内容; 2.你的心得。 注意: 写作词数应为 80 个左右; _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 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。 Willis was a highway patrol trooper(巡逻警察), who was in charge of the traffic safety of the Tennessee Highway. One afternoon this July, it rained heavily. He was driving along the busiest section of the highway during the downpour when he saw the traffic slowing down in front of him. Some cars stopped and bypassed one lane(车道). Willis initially thought there was a car crash, so he slowed down his car to approach. But he soon found out the source of the delay was an animal wandering on the wet road. And he spotted that was a dog when he got close enough. There was a large dog that looked like a brown German shepherd(牧羊犬)in the middle lane. The weather was at its worst, and the gray sky with the heavy rain gave the highway minimum visibility. The delay might cause a traffic jam and of course it was very dangerous to let the dog wandering in the middle of the highway. He immediately turned on his blue lights because people usually slow down when they see the blue lights and called into the radio so they knew where he was. He pulled over, got out , and whistled to draw the dog's attention. It seemed as if the dog knew Willis was its lifesaver. It walked to Willis and his car.Once the dog was in the car, Willis pulled into a parking lot nearby , where he called Petworks Animal Service. While waiting, he noticed the dog wearing a collar with its name “Luna”. Willis recorded a short video of the dog. Then an animal control officer came and took Luna to the shelter. Willis came back to work. Watching cars travelling on the highway through the window glass , he thought he might do something to let the dog's owner know their pet was found safe. 11 注意: 1.续写词数应为 150 个左右; 2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。 After work, Willis posted the video online with a brief description attached. Days later, news came that Luna's owner had been found and would visit him. 12 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$1 新泰中学 2022 级高三年级上学期第一次阶段性考试 英语答案 听力：1 —5 CBCBC 6 — 10 CBCAB 11 — 15 BBACA 16 —20 BABAB 阅读理解：21 —23 CAB 24 —27BBCA 28 —31 BBCD 32 —35 DCAB 七选五：36-40 BAGDE 完形填空：41 —45 ADDAB 46 —50 BDBCA 51 —55 DACAD 语法填空： 56. absolutely 57. rising 58.and 59.attracted 60.an 61.elements 62. to meet 63.acceptance 64.to 65.global 作文【参考答案】 One possible version : To inspire students to explore the endless world of knowledge through literature , our school’s English newspaper recently held a remarkable reading and sharing event themed “ Lifelong Learning”. The event kicked off with a series of presentations by students who shared books that had profoundly influenced their perspectives on learning. In addition , teachers were invited to provide guidance on learning effectively and continuously. The highlight of the event was a guest lecture by a famous author who shared her personal journey of continuous learning and how it had shaped her career and life. This event not only broadensmy understanding of the importance of lifelong learning but also arouses a passion within me to seek knowledge in every aspect of life. Therefore , I am determined to keep reading to become a better version of myself. 读后续写： One possible version : After work , Willis posted the video online with a brief description attached. He called on netizens to lend a helping hand. Amazingly ,the video went viral in no time. Countless people gave likes to the video , leaving heartwarming comments. They not only admired Willis for his selfless good deeds but also actively shared the video on various platforms to help look for Luna’s owner. Watching such 2 a large number of helpful people getting enthusiastically involved ,Willis was deeply touched. His heart was filled with hope and anticipation , waiting for the good news that Luna would be reunited with its owner soon. Days later ,news came that Luna’s owner had been found and would visit him. Hearing that , Willis felt excitement sweeping over him. Soon ,there came a knock on the door. The moment he opened the door ,a lady came into view. she reached out, grasped Willis’ hands and expressed her sincere gratitude. Willis responded with a warm smile and knelt down to pet Luna ,who was wagging her tail excitedly. Before leaving , she insisted on giving Willis a gift. He politely refused , saying Luna’s safety and happiness was what he hoped for. As a highway patrol trooper , Willis went above and beyond the call of duty by helping a lost dog. 听力原文： 附:听力录音稿 Text 1 W:oh ,wow. . . you,re wet through! That rainstorm caught you by surprise ,uh? M:Yeah. And look. . . my phone got so wet that it died. It had better not be completely broken. I really need it! W:oh ,let,s dry it up and check it out. Text 2 W:Thank you for the gift! M:You,re welcome! I saw the flowers on it and I immediately thought of you. Does it fit you? W:It,s perfect. I like T-shirts to be quite big on me. . . It means I can eat more chocolate cakes! Text 3 M:What advice would you give to young artists hoping to follow in your footsteps? W:To study music theory. I was making up songs in my head for years,but I couldn’t share them with the world until I learned how to write them down. Text 4 W:You should never put low-fat milk in your coffee as it doesn’t taste as good as cream. M:It,s not low-fat milk. personally ,I don,t like either of those with my coffee ,so I’ve been trying goat,s milk recently. Wanna have a try? W:No ,I can imagine it,ll only taste even worse. Text 5 M:okay ,the tents are all set up ,so we’ve got somewhere to sleep tonight. once we,ve organized some food ,we can relax. W:Well ,the information office says we,re not allowed to fish in the lake. But there,sa general store just a short walk from here. Text 6 W:Where,s Miss Yang? M:she is printing our test results in the library. And the bell hasn’t rung yet. We can discuss the topic of our presentation until she returns. W:Great. Hey ,listen ,I’ve had an idea for our presentation. I started watching a network security show last night. . . M:Is it the program that provides stories about online security for ordinary people? 3 W:Right. As our presentation is about staying safe online ,we could take it as a reference. It consists of several stories with some really important ideas. M:Hmm. . . I like it! It could be a really fun way to share our message. Text 7 M:Come on ,Amy. It’s time to get up. W:No. . . Five more minutes,please. I’m so tired. M:I thought you wanted to go shopping today. W:I do. I need something to wear to Tanya,s party tonight. M:Well ,you need to hurry or I won,t have time to take you into town. Your brother and I have booked the tennis court at the gym at 2:00 p. m. W:Okay,okay. . . I’m getting up. M:All right ,good. can you be downstairs and ready to go within half an hour? W:Yes,I think so. I,ll take a shower first so that I,m fresh for the party. M:Good plan. How are you planning to afford new clothes,anyway? W:I’ve still got the birthday money Granddad sent me. M:oh ,good. Text 8 M:I first noticed I was feeling bad about two months ago. It was in September ,a few weeks after school started. W:Were you worried about returning to school? M:Not at all. I have a wonderful time at school. My teachers are nice ,and I’ve got a great group of friends. W:And how are things at home? M:My brother annoys me sometimes,but generally,everything is fine. W:What about your sleep and daily activities? M:I’ve been struggling to get to sleep. But my diet is good and I play badminton regularly. W:That,s indoors,right? Do you spend much time outside? M:Not often. My parents drive me home , and then I,m either studying or playing computer games. W:I think you need more sunlight. We often don,t get enough during these cold and dark days, which can cause the problems you describe. M:so ,what can I do? W:Try walking or cycling to school for a few weeks,and sitting outside when you can. If that doesn’t help ,we,ll test your vitamin levels. Text 9 W:I heard you got a new job abroad. congratulations! M:Thank you. It’s a project manager at an engineering company in the UK. W:oh ,wow! I lived there for years before coming to work here in Shanghai. M:oh ,great! You are the one who can help me then. The company says I can choose to be based at their London office ,or their head office in Manchester. But I haven,t decided yet. Any suggestions? W:Well ,London is obviously much bigger. But they,re both great and modern cities. I,d say the main difference is that Manchester is in the north ,and London in the south. M:Are the two regions very different? W:Culturally,yes. Northerners tend to be more friendly and outgoing than those in the south. They’re a bit more like Australians,so I always felt at home around them. But their accents are harder to understand! M:Oh! W:The pace of life is generally faster in the south. Everything is more exciting ,but also more stressful and expensive. M:Yes,that does put me off a bit. But I’m drawn to London’s amazing art and culture. 4 Text 10 On my recent business trip to Shanghai ,I met up with a local friend who took me out for a very interesting evening meal. At the community AI canteen , everything is done by robots. When you walk in there ,you place your order on a screen. Using robotic arms,the intelligent cooking system then cooks your food before packing it up. . . It even adjusts the temperature , depending on whether you want to eat it straight away or take it home with you! The canteen offers a huge amount of choices and the dishes taste great. It is really fun to get“ a taste of the future”. However ,I’m not sure I would like all restaurants to be run by robots. I can see the benefits for busy families or office workers needing a quick lunch ,but what about lonely older people who would miss the human touch? I do think we will see more places like this in the future ,though. At best ,a human waiter can serve around 100 people in a day. The AI system can serve double that figure ,making it good for business.