2025届山东省济宁市高考二模英语试题

2025年高考模拟试题 英 语 试 题 2025.04 注意事项: 1. 答卷前,考生务必将自己的姓名、考生号等填写在答题卡和试卷指定位置上。 2. 回答选择题时,选出每小题答案后,用铅笔把答题卡上对应题目的答案标号涂黑。如需 改动,用橡皮擦干净后,再选涂其他答案标号。回答非选择题时,将答案写在答题卡上。写在本 试卷上无效。 3. 考试结束后,将本试卷和答题卡一并交回。 第一部分 听力(共两节,满分 30分) 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。 例:How much is the shirt? A. ￡19.15. B. ￡9.18. C. ￡9.15. 答案是C。 1. How does the woman sound? A. Confused. B. Disappointed. C. Anxious. 2. What does the woman ask about? A. A traveling route. B. A storage facility. C. A building entrance. 3. What is the man’s problem? A. He is overcharged. B. He can’t find the key. C. He is late for the checkout. 4. What do we know about the pumpkin milky tea? A. It is not fresh enough. B. It is unavailable now. C. It is a winter drink. 5. What are the speakers mainly talking about? A. A job application. B. A job change. C. A job interview. 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. What is the woman doing now? A. Repairing a road. B. Shopping in a store. C. Asking for directions. 7. How does the man suggest the woman return? A. Take bus Number 22. B. Take the underground. C.Take bus Number 7. )页01共(页1第 题试语英三高 听第 7 段材料,回答第 8 至 10 题。 8. Where are the speakers probably? A. On a road. B. At a car service center. C. In a parking lot. 9. Why did the woman schedule her appointment for today? A. She completed some preparations yesterday. B. She doesn’t have to work this afternoon. C. She wil need the car tomorrow. 10. What does the man recommend doing at last? A. Postponing a service. B. Updating some records. C. Rescheduling an appointment. 听第 8 段材料,回答第 11 至 13 题。 11. What causes the time conflict for the man? A.A medical appointment.B. A planned meeting. C. A colege course. 12. Who wil most probably take the man’s shift? A. The woman. B. Ruby. C. Mr. Romero. 13. What does the woman advise the man to do when the manager arrives? A. Make a reminder note. B. Get some contact details. C. Report the progress of a task. 听第 9 段材料,回答第 14 至 16 题。 14. What is the purpose of the charity marathon? A. To raise money for company’s development. B. To provide training for volunteers. C. To support school education. 15. What voluntary work wil the man choose to do? A. Managing the finish line. B. Helping with the set-up. C. Handing out water. 16. When does the race start? A. At 6 a.m. B. At 6:30 a.m. C. At 7 a.m. 听第 10 段材料,回答第 17 至 20 题。 17. What can visitors do along the Sarawak River? A. Visit handcraft stores.B. View the Astana palace. C. Explore side streets. 18. Why was Fort Margherita built? A. For administration. B. For defense. C. For leisure. 19. What is the distinctive feature of Kuching? A. Its cat statues. B. Its long history. C. Its charming scenery. 20. What is nasi lemak? A. Rice noodles. B. Sour soup. C. A rice dish. )页01共(页2第 题试语英三高 第二部分 阅读(共两节,满分50分) 第一节(共15小题;每小题2.5分,满分37.5分) 阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。 A Reach for the Stars Astronomy is a subject that integrates various fields, from physics and mathematics to chemistry and biology. By studying the universe, students gain a comprehensive view of science and see how different fields interconnect. This promotes a deeper understanding of the world around them. That’s where Space Science Learning Club (SSLC) steps in. SSLC is an after-school astronomy club for school students. At SSLC, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation of space explorers. Our goal is to help children unlock their potential with astronomy and space science, no matter their age or background. Led by Learning Coach Vinod Kumar, a NASA certified trainer, our sessions are tailored to each student’s individual needs, providing them with the knowledge and skils to awaken their minds. Come and join us on a journey to the stars. Program Schedule: Week 1 Naked Eye: Astronomy Night Sky Watch Week 2 Ancient Astronomy: Tools of Ancient Astronomers Week 3 Hands-on Astronomy: Create Observation Tools by Yourself Week 4 Introduction to Stars: Make Your Own Star Chart Week 5 Digital Astronomy Introduction ●Each class wil be for a period of 3 hours after school hours. 1 class every week. ●Classes are 60% application and 40% theory. ●Classes focus on both activity-based and play-driven learning. Program Highlights: On-site interaction with astronomers FREE access to web-based learning 10+ hours of classroom training On-cal coaching assistance for assignments Worksheets for every class One star observing session through telescope FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US AT 9360841234 21. Which of the folowing best describes the feature of astronomy? A. Culture-specific. B. Cross-disciplinary. C. Newly-emerging. D. Experiment-centered. 22. In which week can students DIY their star maps? A. Week 2. B. Week 3. C. Week 4. D. Week 5. 23. What does the program provide to students? A. Instant coaching support. B. Unlimited use of telescope. C. Virtual talk with astronomers. D. Training on time management. )页01共(页3第 题试语英三高 B During my early years, I focused on eye-catching landscape photography. I spent time in the Himalayas, Patagonia and Tasmania and returned with pictures of breathtaking beauty, which I thought were “awesome”. But a one-month camping trip to the Menindee lakes along Darling-Baaka in Australia shifted my perspective: Photography is more than taking photos. As I became increasingly familiar with the place, I learned that human activities led to widespread deforestation and drought in the area, resulting in many dead trees. Driving across the region, I recaled that Sydney was blanketed by smoke for months on end as bushfires swept through the east coast. Fortunately, the La Nin~a weather cycle reached Australia, increasing rainfal and causing the continent’s short-lived rivers to spring back to life. Yet, the image of bushfires stayed with me, and I felt driven to do something. That was when the photo Blaze came into being. I spoke to the local authority, explaining that I hoped to create a “burning” tree as a beacon (灯 塔) to draw people’s attention to deforestation. They showed great interest because fire is an integral part of the Australian farming and the natives. I connected a few of the gas canisters (罐) generaly used for barbecues to flexible gas lines caled “slinkies”, which could be wired up the back of the tree, away from the tree and out of sight of the camera. These produced an outline of flames (火焰) when I lit them, as if the tree were on fire. It was lit for 15 seconds while I got the shot, and fire-fighting equipment was prepared. Even though the tree was dead, it was stil a vital habitat. But the gas flames did no damage and the insects that lived inside were unharmed. I love that when people look at the photo, they can concretize the delicacy of our natural world while appreciating Blaze. 24. What is the author’s new perception of photography? A. It involves professional skils. B. It should carry deep meanings. C. It requires high-end equipment. D. It should produce beautiful pictures. 25. What inspired the author to create Blaze? A. Local environmental changes. B. Traditional Australian farming. C. Scenery of the Menindee lakes. D. Support from the local authority. 26. Which of the folowing images best ilustrates the photo Blaze? )页01共(页4第 题试语英三高 27. What is the photo Blaze intended to be? A. A means of enhancing artistic taste. B. A strategy to beautify the landscape. C. A cal to raise public awareness. D. A window to showcase local culture. C Numerous industries produce larger quantities of wastewaters containing high concentrations of organic substances and inorganic salts. Discharging these wastewaters to the environment is harmful to ecosystem and human health. However, the high salt content in these wastewaters pose serious chalenges for existing treatment processes. Researchers at Rice University, in partnership with Guangdong University of Technology, have developed a groundbreaking method for it—adopting dialysis (透 析) technology commonly used in medicine. The researchers selected commercial ultrafiltration membranes (超滤膜) which were designed to let salt pass through while trapping organic substances. They set up a system where salty waste water and fresh water flowed in opposite directions on either side of a special membrane, without needing pumps. Due to the difference of salt concentrations between waste water and fresh water, salt naturaly moves into the fresh water while organic substances are kept back. To test this, they compared the amount of organic material and salt in the waste water before and after treatment. The results showed the system could effectively remove salt without using extra amounts of fresh water. One significant advantage of dialysis is its resistance to fouling (积 垢). Unlike pressure-driven systems, dialysis experienced notably less buildup of organic materials on the membrane because it doesn’t rely on extra pressure. “This could translate to lower energy consumption, less maintenance, and fewer membrane replacements,” said Elimelech, a researcher on the study. Additionaly, with suitable membranes, dialysis can be tailored to separate various organics, enabling the selective recovery of valuable resources from the wastewater. In this way, dialysis creates opportunities for transforming wastewater treatment plants into resource recovery factories, aligning the principles of a recycling economy. Overal, while dialysis alone doesn’t fuly purify waste water, it can transform the high-salinity organic wastewater stream into a low-salinity organic wastewater stream that can be readily treated by conventional methods, which revolutionizes the treatment of some of the most chalenging industrial wastewaters. 28. What is the major chalenge faced by current wastewater treatment? A. The lack of sufficient treatment devices. B. The high salt percentage in wastewaters. C. The substantial volumes of wastewaters. D. The considerable cost of treatment processes. )页01共(页5第 题试语英三高 29. What can be learned about the process of dialysing wastewaters? A. The membrane transformed salt into organics. B. The extra pressure contributed to salt transport. C. The concentration difference played the key role. D. Liquids on both sides flowed in the same direction. 30. What does the underlined word “aligning” in paragraph 4 probably mean? A. Matching. B. Establishing. C. Adjusting. D. Chalenging. 31. Which of the folowing can be a suitable title? A. Dialysis: A Pioneering Blessing for Medicine B. Membranes: A Protective Screen for Fresh Water C. Dialysis: A New Pathway for Wastewater Treatment D. High-Salinity Wastewater: A Threat to the Environment. D At first glance, the scientist Charles Darwin and the poet Emily Dickinson would seem to have little in common. In Natural Magic, literary scholar Renée Bergland seeks to convince the reader otherwise, interweaving the lives, work, and history of these two towering figures of the 19th century. In doing so, Bergland shows definitively that they shared deep sensibilities about the natural world. They were both keen observers in their own home gardens. For both, the “magic” of nature could be found in the physical and material rather than the supernatural. They found nature to be a place enchanted by its own mysteries, joys, and sorrows. Taking the form of a joint biography (传记), Natural Magic alternates between Darwin and Dickinson over the course of 16 chapters, progressing simultaneously (同时地) in time. While Bergland offers comprehensive descriptions, building on the extensive work of other biographers and scholars, the book’s own magic shines in the conversation created between its subjects’ bodies of work. When viewed as part of a historical dialogue, Darwin and Dickinson amplify (阐发)each other’s work, revealing the science in her poetry and the poetry in his science. Natural Magic further situates both writers in the history of science as it developed from “natural philosophy” into specialized disciplines throughout the 19th century. Bergland lays extensive groundwork for the social and cultural forces that shaped each thinker in a time when the sciences and arts were more closely connected. Bergland herself displays moments of beauty in her writing, particularly in her vivid descriptions of the wonder of scientific discoveries in the 19th century.“Changing angles of sunlight, the unchanging stars, and ... the bright colors of the great auroras lightened up the vastness of planetary space,” she writes, for example. Ultimately, the book offers readers a historical and biographical look into the magic offered by the natural world as reflected in the works of two major 19th-century thinkers. Bergland concludes that in a time of climate crisis, we must recover this kind of dialogue across the sciences and the arts, emphasizing our shared sense of wonder in nature. )页01共(页6第 题试语英三高 32. What does Bergland aim to demonstrate about Darwin and Dickinson? A. Their inborn talents. B. Their great achievements. C. Their literary background. D. Their unseen commonalities. 33. What can be learned concerning Natural Magic? A. It creates dialogues between works. B. It is a co-authored masterpiece. C. It contradicts other scholars’ views. D. It focuses on natural philosophy. 34. Which best describes Bergland’s language in describing the wonder of scientific discoveries? A. Straightforward. B. Academic. C. Humorous. D. Poetic. 35. Which of the folowing might Bergland agree with? A. History should never be forgotten. B. Nature should be treated with awe. C. Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. D. The dawn of science came too late. 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。 Creating your own plant specimens (标本) is a fun, simple project that anyone can do at home. It involves colecting plant specimens, pressing them and labeling them. 36 Just keep an eye out wherever you go and look for your eye-catching plants. Labeling them is a topic I’l save for another day. So today I want to show you how to press the specimens. Construct a homemade plant press. 37 Then cover it with a piece of corrugated (起皱 的) card, folowed by 2 sheets of absorbent paper. This wil serve as the bottom half of your press. Have a second board and more cards and absorbent paper on standby for when you’re ready to put the top half. Arrange your specimens on the bottom half of your press. Lay out each cutting which you’ve cleaned beforehand in such a way that it looks as attractive as possible. 38 If possible, stretch smaler specimens out to their ful length so that they dry perfectly flat. Leave 1-2 inches of space between each specimen to keep them from sticking together. 39 Once you’re satisfied with the layout of your plants, sandwich them with another layer of absorbent paper, corrugated card, and hardboard. Pile bricks, large books, or similar items evenly across the upper board to weigh it down and press the cuttings flat. Continue drying and pressing your specimens. 40 Depending on the size and type of the plants you’re preserving, it may take them anywhere from a couple of days to 3 ful weeks to dry completely. A. Colecting plant specimens is very simple. B. Describe any outstanding features you notice. C. Start by selecting the materials you may need. D. Place one hardboard flat against a level surface. E. The duration of this process varies considerably. F. Close the press and set heavy objects on top to create pressure. G. Meanwhile, ensure each of its main features can be seen clearly. )页01共(页7第 题试语英三高 第三部分 语言运用(共两节,满分30分) 第一节(共15小题;每小题1分,满分15分) 阅读下面短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。 I never knew a chance encounter was to change my career forever. One snowy December day, I wandered out of my New York apartment and 41 for a grocery store on Third Avenue. Behind me someone shouted: “Where can I find peaches?” I turned around to 42 an annoyed woman standing outside the greengrocer’s. The absurdity (荒谬) of the moment 43 me-why must someone buy peaches in the middle of winter? I was already 44 of the issues facing the food system: industrialized farming destroying our soils, unclear supply chains leaving citizens 45 in making the right buying decisions, and the 46 of ultra-processed foods with zero nutritional value in supermarkets, schools and hospitals, to name a few. But this moment underscored our serious 47 with nature and its seasons. We had 48 the idea that food could and should be eaten any time of the year. Too terrible! An inner voice whispered: “Do something to 49 seasonal flavour into people’s lives.” After graduation, 50 by the skyscrapers (摩天大楼) and energy of the Big Apple, I landed a decent job with a 51 salary, managing financial investment for clients. Yet my work was stuck in an undercurrent of greed that I struggled to 52 . Now it was time. I was 53 my 40s. If I did not act now, it would be too late. An urgency 54 and food became my “North Star”. That was the launcher that 55 me from a New York skyscraper to a London food market. 41. A. spoke B. cheered C. worked D. headed 42. A. spot B. hit C. approach D. comfort 43. A. amused B. tricked C. struck D. hurt 44. A. afraid B. aware C. ashamed D. careful 45. A. impatient B. reasonable C. picky D. powerless 46. A. assessment B. prejudice C. dominance D. classification 47. A. dissatisfaction B. disconnect C. familiarity D. mixture 48. A. normalized B. finalized C. commercialized D. prioritized 49. A. program B. fold C. channel D. transform 50. A. greeted B. attracted C. surrounded D. refreshed 51. A. flexible B. basic C. handsome D. fair 52. A. escape B. maintain C. interpret D. reveal 53. A. averaging B. nearing C. braving D. battling 54. A. kicked in B. built up C. passed by D. caught on 55. A. witnessed B. accompanied C. saved D. shot )页01共(页8第 题试语英三高 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。 The recent announcement by China’s National Health Commission (NHC) 56 it would promote a three-year “weight management” campaign has fueled nationwide enthusiasm. This campaign moves beyond traditional policy approaches 57 combining nationwide cooperation with community-level engagement. Over past years, China has witnessed an upward trend in the disease rate of its overweight and obese population. Obesity (肥胖) has become a major public health issue in China, ranking as the 58 (five) leading risk factor for death and disability in the country. What 59 (set) this campaign apart is its comprehensive strategy, exceling through cross-sector cooperation. Sixteen government agencies 60 (joint) work to address obesity’s complex chalenges, creating targeted plans for different age groups and life phases. 61 (advance) the mission, the NHC crafted the “Nutrition & Exercise Guide”, which has gone viral for its localized eating advice that harmonizes cultural food traditions with science-backed 62 (wel) principles. Acknowledging obesity’s physical and emotional impacts, the campaign provides personalized health blueprints 63 (feature) meal schedules and workout routines. Furthermore, specialized teams composed of dietitians, traditional medicine experts, and fitness trainers create personalized support networks, monitoring daily progress via health apps, transforming health awareness into 64 engaging daily habit. It’s hoped that strong centralized leadership 65 (pair) with local engagement can effectively address obesity. 第四部分 写作(共两节,满分40分) 第一节(满分15分) 你校英文报Youth Voice栏目正在举办征文比赛。请你以“Winners never quit”为题写一 篇英文短文参赛,内容包括: (1) 对该格言的理解; (2) 个人经历及感悟。 参考词汇:格言motto 注意: (1) 写作词数应为80个左右; (2) 请在答题卡的相应位置作答。 Winners Never Quit )页01共(页9第 题试语英三高 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。 My two best friends were each doing something exciting-Carlos was at the beach rescuing sea turtles, and Natalia was with her mother, a famous designer working for a celebrity in a big city. But for me, things were quite the opposite. I complained to Mom over the phone about the extreme boredom during the first week of my summer stay on my grandparents’ farm. She said, “Don’t envy others! Just dive into the experience and taste true joy. Not everyone gets the opportunity to live on a farm.” Her words gave me an idea, so I decided I would compose my social media status updates on the farm. Then, my post hit the feed the next morning: Alyssa’s Status: 5:54 A.M. The rooster (公鸡) is standing tall on his post, wings shining in the dawn light. He beats his wings, lifts his head high, and declares the start of a brand new day. Carlos posted at 7:39 A.M., saying he was searching for sea turtle nests on the beach and hoping to find one. Natalia posted at 11:19 A.M., asking which color to paint a rock star’s house. They got 26 and 28 likes respectively. To my great joy, my post got almost the same amount of attention as theirs. Satisfying! Just as I was about to comment on their posts, Grandma interrupted me, “Alyssa, put your shoes on. We’re off to Haverford’s farm to pick blackberries.” Later that afternoon, I posted about the unexpected fun and described in vivid detail about the fantastic flavors of blackberry pies. Responses? Carlos said he wished he could taste one while Natalia was envious of my farm adventure. Interesting! After breakfast the folowing morning, Grandma said, “I was just thinking that today might be a good day for you to explore the old barn (谷 仓). I’ve spotted foxes nearby—maybe you’l find some adorable baby foxes there.” “That would have potential for a worthy photo to post online,” I thought to myself. Perfect! With curiosity, I approached the old barn, and pushed the door open. 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。 Suddenly, a weak sound was heard from a corner of the barn. As I was waiting for the comments, something within me started to change. )页01共(页01第 题试语英三高 参考答案 第一部分 听力 1-5 CBABB 6-10 CABCA 11-15 CBACA 16-20 CBBAC 第二部分 阅读 第一节 21-23 BCA 24-27 BADC 28-31 BCAC 32-35 DADB 第二节 36-40 ADGFE 第三部分 语言运用 第一节 41-45 DACBD 46-50 CBACB 51-55 CABAD 第二节 56. that 57. by 58. fifth 59. sets 60. jointly 61. To advance 62. wellness 63. featuring 64. an 65. paired 第四部分 写作 第一节 One possible version: Winners Never Quit The motto “Winners never quit” resonates deeply with me. It means truly successful people are those who keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. It was put to the test last year when I joined a robotics competition. Initially, I struggled with programming errors and mechanical failures. Frustration crept in when my robot malfunctioned during trials. Yet, instead of giving up, I adjusted my strategy, studied late into nights, and learned from each failure. The turning point came when I redesigned the code logic—a small change that doubled my robot’s efficiency. Holding the first-place trophy, I realized it was my consistent perseverance that led to my success. This experience taught me that every effort, even if imperfect, brings me closer to victory. I’ll carry this truth with me, not just as a rule, but as the fire that keeps me going. 第二节 One possible version: Suddenly, a weak sound was heard from a corner of the barn. It was dark inside. I gathered myself and went toward the sound with great care. As I flicked on my phone’s flashlight and saw what was in one of the stalls, I let out a high-pitched squeal—baby foxes! They were crawling out of a hole and then tumbling back down. Adorable! Barely could I contain my thrill and excitement at my first encounter with these wild creatures. Knowing that everyone adored animals, I snapped a hundred photos and quickly updated my post. This time, I knew I’d make everyone jealous, including, of course, my two best friends. As I was waiting for the comments, something within me started to change. Likes did pour in as anticipated, alongside Carlos and Natalia’s warm words. Yet, the thrill of likes faded as my thoughts wandered to the cute baby foxes’ awkward leaps—no filter could frame this joy. Piece by piece, the farm’s simple wonders surfaced: the unforgettable dawn scene, the fantastic flavors of blackberry pies, the dusty barn, and wild magic, etc., and all these kept me spellbound. Mom was right: true joy wasn’t in crafting envy-worthy posts for likes but in these simple, precious moments spent with my beloved Grandpa on the magic farm. 听力原文： Text 1 M: Erin, is something bothering you? W: Well, I’m behind on my assignments and I have two tests next week which I’ve barely studied for. Text 2 M: My name is Tae-Min, and I’ll be taking you around the museum today. Are there any questions before we get started? W: I have one — is there somewhere I could leave this bag? It’s quite heavy. M: Yes, we have lockers near the entrance. Text 3 M: I’d like to check out. Here’s my room key. W: Thank you. Just a moment. Okay, Mr. Brown. Here’s the bill for your stay. M: Oh, this is charging me for two nights, but I arrived yesterday morning. And I didn’t request any additional services. Text 4 M: I’m about to head to Forest Café to buy drinks for our team. Would you like something, too? W: Yes. I love the seasonal drink sold there ... the pumpkin milky tea. M: I think that one has been discontinued. It was being offered in the fall only. The café is advertising winter drinks now. Text 5 M: Sandy, the move you requested came through. You’ll be able to start working at the Lambert office on August first. W: Wow. It’s a good thing that I’ve already started gathering documentation on my work processes to give to my replacement. Text 6 W: Excuse me — do you know if bus Number 7 goes to Bryson Road? M: Yes, it does. Are you trying to get to Valmont Shopping Plaza? W: Actually, yes. It’s on Bryson Road, right? M: That’s right. This bus will stop in front of the mall. But there’s some repairing work underway on the south side of Bryson Road. Bus Number 7 coming back this direction is being re-routed away from the road. It’s confusing, so ... W: Oh, I see. M: For your return trip, I’d recommend taking bus Number 22 instead. It stops about two blocks from here. Text 7 W: Hi, I have an appointment for a tune-up on my car. My name is Yolanda Garcia. M: I’m sorry, Ms. Garcia, but we’re pretty busy today. We might not be able to get to your car until the early evening. Would you like me to check our schedule for openings tomorrow morning instead? W: Oh, I’m going out of town then. Driving, actually. That’s why I scheduled my appointment for this afternoon. Is there anything you can do to speed up the process, at least? M: Let me see ... Our records say you don’t really need an oil change yet. Why don’t we save that job for later? W: That sounds good. Text 8 M: Oh no, I’ve been scheduled to work on Wednesday afternoon! That’s when my university’s Japanese class meets. I’ll have to switch shifts with somebody. You’re working in the morning — could you switch with me? W: Sorry, Neil, but I’m also busy on Wednesday afternoon. I have a dental appointment. Try asking whoever’s working the night shift that day, like Ruby and Hakeem. M: OK, I will. But this is bad. I definitely told Mr. Romero that I wasn’t free on Wednesday afternoons. W: Well, as a manager, he has a lot of information to keep track of. You should write down your availability for him when he comes in today. Then he’ll have something to refer to when he makes the next shift schedule. Text 9 W: Are you free this weekend? My company is hosting a charity marathon and they’re looking for volunteers. M: Hmm, that sounds interesting, Emily. What’s it all about? W: Well, we’ve got a conference to explain the details tonight but basically, it’s to raise money to provide some facilities for the nearby primary schools. Would you be interested in helping out? We provide all the training needed. M: Absolutely, count me in. What would I need to do? W: We want people to help with the set-up, hand out water to runners, and manage the finishing line. There are lots of options; you can take multiple jobs if you want to, depending on what’s needed. M: Okay, I’d like to work the finishing line and go from there. W: Great! It starts early. We’re gathering around 4 a.m. The racers arrive from six to six-thirty to kick off at seven. We should be finished in the early afternoon. M: No problem. I’m an early riser. Text 10 W: Picture a charming little city that’s full of town houses and statues of cats. What you’re imagining could very well be the city of Kuching, which is located in the Malaysian state of Sarawak. First-time visitors to Kuching can get to know the city by taking a walk along the Sarawak River. The tree-lined path next to the river gives visitors a pleasant view of the Astana, the 19th-century palace that is the home of the state governor. Nearby is Fort Margherita, a white-walled building which was built to protect the city from attacks. Besides old buildings and houses, cat statues also give Kuching its unique character. Whether it’s a huge white cat waving “hello” or a robot-cat family sitting by the river, cat statues are everywhere to be seen. After that, it’s time to check out Kuching’s side streets, where you’ll find all sorts of craft shops and cafés. This is also where you can try some delicious local foods. For example, there’s nasi lemak, a sweet-smelling rice dish that also happens to be the national dish of Malaysia; or sarawak laksa, a dish that is made up of rice noodles served in a rich sour soup.