江苏连云港市东海县2025-2026学年高二下学期期中考试英语试题

2025~2026学年第二学期期中调研考试 高二英语试题 说明：1.本试卷共10页，满分150分，考试时间120分钟。 2请将所有答案填涂或填写在答题卡相应的答题处，否则不得分。 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段录音。每段录音后有一个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个 选项中选出最佳选项。听完每段录音后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题 和阅读下一小题。每段录音播放两遍。 1.What is the man doing? A.Studying. B.Cleaning the house. C.Visiting his parents. 2.What does the man want the woman to do? A.Cook dinner tonight. B.Pay back his money. C.Buy their theater tickets. 3.Why did the woman fail to hand in her paper on time? A.She lost it by accident. B.She mistook the deadline. C.She forgot to set a reminder. 4.What will the woman probably do at noon? A.Continue working.B.Eat her sandwich. C.Go to the restaurant. 5.What does the woman suggest the man do? A.Pursue further study.B.Look for a new job.C.Teach himself at home. 第二节（共15小题；每小题1.5分，满分22.5分) 听下面5段录音。每段录音后有几个小题，从题中所给的A、B、C三个 选项中选出最佳选项。听每段录音前，你将有时间阅读各个小题，每小题5秒 钟；听完后，每小题都有5秒钟的作答时间。每段录音播放两遍。 听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。 6.What are the speakers doing right now? A.Watching TV. B.Reading a book. C.Listening to music. 7.What was the man's first impression of Emily Bronte's"Wuthering Heights"? A.It was boring. B.It was romantic. C.It was sad. 听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。 8.Where does the conversation probably take place? A.In a park. B.In a house. C.In a cafe. 高二英语试题第1页共10页 9.Why are the speakers uncertain about the house they just saw? A.It has no garden. B.It has only one bedroom. C.It has a very small kitchen. 听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。 10.What is the woman's gift for? A.The man's recovery from an illness. B.The man's graduation. C.The man's birthday. 11.What problem does the woman have? A.Her skin is red. B.She wants to look younger. C.There're little spots on her face. 12.How does the woman sound? A.Impatient. B.Supportive. C.Apologetic. 听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。 13.What are the speakers mainly talking about? A.The man's family pet. B.Tips for a first-time pet owner. C.Volunteering at an animal charity. 14.Why was Billy given to the animal charity? A.He was sick. B.He was getting old.C.He wasn't a good racer. 15.How is Billy now? A.He is braver. B.He always feels tired. C.He needs a lot of exercise. 16.What is Billy's favorite activity? A.Playing. B.Sleeping. C.Running. 听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。 17.What is the best part of the new park design? A.A special dog park.B.A new cycle path. C.A children's playground 18.When is the building work expected to be finished? A.In February. B.In August. C.In October. 19.What will be unavailable during the building period? A.Some of the walking paths. B.The fitness center. C.The fishing lake. 20.On which website can the listeners see the plans of the new park? A.Taylor Price's. B.The local library's.C.The local government's. 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） 高二英语试题第2页共10页 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 Campus Podcast(播客)Creation Challenge Podcasts have become a popular way for students to express their ideas,share stories,and explore important topics.Unlike traditional essays or presentations, podcasts allow for creativity in tone,music,and structure.Whether you're interested in science,school life,or social issues,making a podcast can be a rewarding experience. For the Campus Podcast Creation Challenge,your series should focus on a topic related to student life,such as academic pressure,friendship in the digital age, or environmental habits on campus.You may also choose to interview fellow students or teachers to bring different perspectives into your podcast.The goal is not just to inform,but also to engage and inspire your audience. Rules to follow: The challenge is open to all high school students(Grades 10-12). Each podcast must be between 5 and 10 minutes long. You may include background music,sound effects,or short interviews. You can work individually or in a team of up to three people. Submission period:September 1,2026,to November 30,2026. Judges will evaluate entries based on the following criteria: Criteria Percentage Evaluation Focus Use of interviews or multiple viewpoints(15%) Content Depth 45% *Thoughtful exploration of the topic (10%) Clear main idea and supporting details(20%) *Original and engaging style(13%) Creativity 35% *Personal or team voice that stands out(11%) &Voice *Ability to create emotion or reflection(11%) *Clear audio and good pacing(12%) Technical Quality 20% *Effective use of music or sound effects(8%) 21.Which can be the topic for the Campus Podcast Creation Challenge? A.The way to build a spaceship. B.The history of ancient Rome C.A cooking recipe for breakfast. D.The way to relieve academic stress. 22.What is required for an entry to the challenge? A.Background music is necessary. B.The podcast must be within 10 minutes. C.There can be at most 3 members in a team. D.Submission period is limited to two months. 高二英语试题第3页共10页 23.Which aspect takes up the highest percentage? A.Main idea and supporting details.B.Original and engaging style. C.Ability to create emotion. D.Use of sound effects. B A Chinese motorcycle manufacturer(生产商)，ZXMOTO,made history at the World Superbike Championship Portuguese round,which ended on March 29.The relatively new team secured victories in both races of the World Supersport category, marking the first time a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer has won at this global competition. Behind the breakthrough is Zhang Xue,whose journey from a workshop to the global racing stage has drawn widespread attention.Driven by his love and passion for motorcycles,Zhang,who was born in a small village in Huaihua,Central China's Hunan province,began to learn to repair motorcycles at the age of 14.Spending a long time studying engines,he developed technical skills,bringing him a step closer to his racing dream.He worked hard and saved to buy a rickety second-hand motorbike to practice skills. In 2006,at just 19,Zhang did what many considered "crazy"-riding more than 100 kilometers in the rain for a chance to appear on television and show his riding skills.Although his initial attempt fell short,his persistence paid off, eventually earning him an opportunity with a professional racing team.He later worked as both a stunt (rider and technician. However,years of high-intensity training led to injuries,while limitations in China's motorcycle industry exposed a significant technological gap with global leaders.Realizing this,Zhang shifted his focus from racing to manufacturing. Between 2009 and 2012,he worked at a motorcycle factory in Zhejiang province,mastering the full vehicle development process.In 2013,he moved to Chongqing,a major center of China's motorcycle industry,where he began his own journey of motorcycle manufacturing.In 2024,he founded ZXMOTO,aiming to develop fully independent engine technology. His efforts contributed to the launch of the 820 RR,a mass-produced civilian motorcycle powered by a domestically developed engine.Adapted for racing,the model delivered the team's historic double victory in Portugal. 24.What does the underlined word"rickey"in paragraph 2 probably mean? A.Fast and smooth. B.Old and shaky. C.New and expensive. D.Large and heavy. 25.What did Zhang Xue do to appear on TV? A.Cycle far in the wet. B.Compete for a prize C.Work as a technician. D.Show off his riding skills. 26.Why did Zhang Xue found ZXMOTO? A.To expose an obvious technological gap. B.To introduce more advanced technologies. C.To master the vehicle development process. D.To develop engine technology of their own. 高二英语试题第4页共10页 27.Which words best describe Zhang Xue? A.Flexible and generous. B.Adaptable and demanding. C.Organized and dynamic. D.Determined and hardworking C Air pollution is a silent killer that claims millions of lives each year.According to the 2021 report from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation,it caused 4.7 million early deaths worldwide-a number equal to deaths from dementia,road accidents,malaria and suicides combined.Road traffic is a leading cause of dirty air. In London,for example,it creates 60%of all outdoor dust. Electric vehicles (EVs)are often seen as the perfect solution to this problem. They can run on clean,sustainable energy and produce no exhaust gases,unlike petrol or diesel cars.However,EVs are not as clean as many people think.They still release dangerous non--exhaust pollutants(非尾气污染)：tiny particles(颗粒)from brakes pads(刹车片)，tyres and the road surface itself.. The most harmful particles are smaller than 2.5 microns.These particles can enter the lungs and travel through the bloodstream to other organs,raising the risk of heart disease,stroke,lung disease and even cancer.British government data show that 60%of road-traffic particles below 10 microns come from the wear (of tyres,brake pads and roads,not from burning fuel.EVs tend to produce more of these particles as their heavy batteries increase friction. Still,EVs are generally less polluting.Their renewable braking system reduces brake wear.A 2021 study found that EVs produced about 14 milligrams of particles per kilometer,compared with 18 for petrol cars and 20 for diesel cars.To make EVs cleaner,we can control non-exhaust emissions,use smaller cars and clean electricity. EVs are important for energy transition,but they are far from emission-free. 28.What is the key factor in dirty air in London? A.Indoor dust. B.Factory smoke. C.Road traffic. D.Household waste. 29.How does the author show EVs produce more harmful particles in Paragraph 3? A.By giving examples. B.By providing data. C.By making a comparison. D.By analyzing causes. 30.What can we learn about EVs? A.They are easy to clean. B.They use light batteries. C.They can give rise to air pollution. D.They produce more dirt than petrol cars. 31.What is the author's attitude towards EVs? A.Objective.B.Negative. C.Doubtful. D.Indifferent. D Hustle culture(奋斗文化)is everywhere today.It encourages people to work constantly,stay positive,and avoid humor.Words like“Rise and Grind(起床，奋斗)” appear in advertisements and books.Companies like WeWork spread this lifestyle globally,offering not just offices but also apartments,gyms,and schools.This way 高二英语试题第5页共10页 of working has become mainstream,making it hard to escape. Many young people were raised to believe that hard work and good grades would lead to satisfying jobs.Instead,they often end up with insecure,meaningless work and heavy student debt.Pretending to love work becomes a way to protect themselves.Also,successful business leaders like Elon Musk argue that working 80 to 100 hours a week is necessary to change the world,even though data show long hours do not improve productivity or creativity. Some experts call hustle culture a trick because it mainly benefits managers, financiers,and owners.Workers sacrifice their health,relationships,and happiness. For example,one entrepreneur (gained over 40 pounds and lost personal connections while building his startup.He only felt free after rediscovering non-work activities like reading fiction or playing games.The extreme result of overwork is overtired,which is becoming common among young workers. Many companies use high-minded missions to make work seem noble.Spotify claims to unlock human creativity,and Dropbox talks about releasing the world's creative energy.However,most jobs involve boring and pointless tasks.A professor points out that beautifying work has been tried for centuries,but it is often on the other around.In 17th-century England,workers just drank more because work failed to bring the promised satisfaction. To avoid the harms of hustle culture,workers should seek balance.Non-work activities like reading,movies,or games are not wasted time but necessary for well-being.Employees are also starting to realize their power.For instance, thousands of Google workers protested against unfair treatment.In short,work should not be the only measure of a person's value.A healthy life includes rest,fun, and time away from the office. 32.What is the main feature of"hustle culture"? A.It encourages humor and relaxation. B.It leads people to escape their daily life. C.It focuses on new lifestyles in the offices. D.It values constant work and extreme positivity. 33.Why do many young people pretend to love their work? A.To pay off their debts. B.To keep their present jobs. C.To hold social identities. D.To improve their creativity. 34.What does the writer suggest workers do? A.Avoid all non-work activities. B.Join Google's walkout immediately. C.Work longer hours to change the world. D.Seek a balance between their work and life 35.What is the best title for the text? A.The Hustle Culture Trap B.Ways to Work 100 Hours a Week C.Young People's Love for Their Work D.WeWork's Successful Business Story 高二英语试题第6页共10页 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。 Diet and Cancer Risk For decades,studies have shown that our diet is closely connected to the risk of developing cancer.Nowadays,scientists pay more attention to long-term eating habits rather than single "superfoods".Although diet matters,cancer is caused by many factors.No one should be blamed for their diet if they get cancer.36 Here are some healthy eating patterns to follow. Plant-based foods are highly recommended.Whole grains,fresh fruits, vegetables and plant-based proteins are strongly linked to a lower risk of cancer. 37 Besides,they are rich in dietary fiber,which helps protect the gut() and reduce inflammation ()both important in lowering cancer risk. 38 They are cancer-causing,and red meat may also increase cancer risk.So,experts advise limiting red and processed meats.Instead,eating fish regularly can be a healthier choice and may help lower cancer risk. Different drinks are related to cancer risk.Sugary drinks are high in sugar and calories,leading to weight problems.39Alcohol is another danger.No amount of alcohol is completely safe for cancer prevention,and drinking less or none is best.Coffee and tea without added sugar can benefit our body.40 Healthy eating counts in reducing the risk of cancer,and so do weight control and exercise.A healthy weight and regular exercise lower inflammation and improve body function,which not only fights cancer but also reduces other health risks. A.Processed meats should be limited. B.Food is highly related to cancer risk. C.Proper dairy products can also support health. D.Many people are addicted to processed meats. E.However,healthy dietary patterns can reduce the risk of cancer. F.These foods contain antioxidants(抗氧化物)，helping fight cancer.. G.Their added chemicals can damage gut health and cause inflammation. 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。 高二英语试题第7页共10页 There was a guy I knew in university.He was always in high spirits and made the best of any situation 41 at him.In all the time I spent around him,I never once caught sight of him complaining.He was outgoing and 42 to get along with,treating everyone with 43 while sometimes he stood up for himself when needed. I often wondered what made him 44.People with this positive energy were very appealing.45,I found he never relied on others.He didn't try to fit in.46,he enjoyed being himself and standing out.Nobody around him could 47 him from doing as he wished. Then I realized what 48:he loved himself deeply.He followed his heart. Some felt distant from him,while I truly 49 him.He kept 50 and bettering himself.Many of us 51 our self-worth on others'approval.When we love ourselves,we set our 52 free from the cages of others'opinions Self-love is like a soul garden,where the flowers of self-appreciation bloom with different colors.The more you 53 it,the richer your heart grows and the less you need outside praise.It is truly 54.Though hard,we can still learn to love ourselves.In the end,the most important 55 is not from others,but from the person in the mirror. 41.A.arranged B.thrown C.targeted D.pushed 42.A.tough B.easy C.rare D.common 43.A.patience B.caution C.respect D.mercy 44.A.different B.stubborn C.polite D.awkward 45.A.Suddenly B.Gradually C.Occasionally D.Eventually 46.A.Besides B.Thus C.Instead D.Therefore 47.A.save B.rescue C.protect D.prevent 48.A.mattered B.happened C.changed D.appeared 49.A.envied B.admired C.ignored D.tolerated 50.A.comforting B.complaining C.growing D.relaxing 51.A.base B.impress C.rest D.place 52.A.hearts B.spirits C.preference D.capacity 53.A.water B.harvest C.tend D.observe 54.A.frightening B.satisfying C.liberating D.confusing 55.A.quality B.doubt C.character D.opinion 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。 高二英语试题 第8页共10页 In Shanghai's winding alleys,the fragrance(香昧)of fresh Chinese toon(香椿) and bamboo shoots signal the arrival of spring.These seasonal 56(delicacy) are now taking center stage not just in high-end restaurants,57 in community canteens across the city. At Xianghe canteen,Vincent Vesvres,a French working in Shanghai,enjoys the 58(taste)spring dishes.He is deeply attracted by the warm,family-like atmosphere,59 made him feel truly part of the community. 60 (support)by the local government,community canteens offer affordable and delicious food for nearby residents.Once meant only for the elderly, they now serve 61 a cultural bridge that connects locals and international visitors. This spring,the canteens even become 62 (popular)for their seasonal dishes,such as malantou,Chinese toon with eggs,and yanduxian.Chefs pay great attention to keeping 63 original taste of fresh spring vegetables. The canteens also provide soft food and special discounts for the elderly,as well as cheap set meals for delivery riders.More than 500 community canteens in Shanghai 64(become)must-go spots for both locals and foreigners so far. This development fits China's 15-minute community strategy.Today,these canteens have turned into lively community centers,offering services,activities and convenience,and 65(enhance)the quality of people's life. 第四部分写作（共两小节，满分40分） 第一节（满分15分） 66.假定你是李华，你校将举办主题为“The Art of Listening'”的英语演讲比赛， 请你写一篇演讲稿参赛，内容包括： 1.倾听的意义； 2.具体做法： 3.呼吁。 注意： 1.词数100左右； 2.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数： 3.请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。 Good morning,everyone. I'm Li Hua. Thanks for listening. 高二英语试题 第9页共10页 第二节（满分25分） 67.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。 "Every day is the same."Harry Black said to his wife,feeling that nothing new ever happened. "I don't want anything new to happen,"his wife said."I'm happy.You've got a good job.We've got a nice house and a car.What else do you want?" "I don't just want every day to be the same."said Harry. Then his wife suggested they go for a walk down to the river,hoping to find something nice down there. Harry and his wife walked down to the river.The sun was hot and they did not walk quickly.When they got to the river,they found some children playing,and a little girl in a red skirt sitting alone on the bench. Seeing nothing new,Harry sighed and wanted to go somewhere else.His wife laughed and pointed to the ground,asking if that was a key.Harry walked over. "Yes"he said.He looked at it.The key was not very large and it had the number 164 on it.He took it to his wife. Realizing that it wasn't a car or door key,his wife proposed that they should take it to the police station on their way home.Harry nodded and put the key into his coat pocket. When they passed through the railway station,where there were lockers with numbers on them,his wife suddenly understood what that key was.It was the key from one of those lockers.Someone put something in a locker,locked the door,took the key away and then lost it. "I'm going to open the locker."he told his wife.His wife immediately stopped him and told Harry that the things in the locker weren't theirs.They couldn't take them. "I'm going to looking at them,not taking them."said Harry without further thought.Ignoring his wife's soft warning,Harry glanced around,opened the locker, and took out the small box inside. 注意： 1.续写词数应为150左右； 2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。 Just then,he saw the little girl in red coming over. Harry and his wife decided to help the little girl. 高二英语试题第10页共10页 2025-2026学年第二学期高二年级期中调研考试 英语参考答案（202604） 第一部分听力(1.5*20=30分)： 1-5 BCBAA 6-10 CACAC 11-15 BBACA 16-20 BBCAC 第二部分阅读理解(2.5*20=50分)： 21-23 DCA 24-27 BADD 28-31 CBCA 32-35 DBDA 36-40 EFAGC 第三部分语言运用 (共两节，满分30分) 第一节 完形填空(1*15=15分)： 41-45 BBCAB 46-50 CDABC 51-55 ABCCD 第二节 短文填空(1.5*10=15分)： 56. delicacies 57. but 58. tasty 59. which 60. Supported 61. as 62. more popular 63. the 64. have become 65. enhancing 第四部分写作 (共两节，满分40分) 第一节 应用文(满分15分) Good morning, everyone, I’m Li Hua. It’s my great honor to share my thoughts on the art of listening. Listening is of great importance in our daily life. It helps us better understand others, improve our study, and build warm relationships. It also reduces misunderstanding and makes communication smoother. To be a better listener, we should stay focused when others speak instead of interrupting them. Besides, try to put ourselves in others’ shoes and think from their position. What’s more, controlling our emotions helps us listen calmly, especially during disagreements. Listening is a valuable skill. Let’s learn to listen patiently and respectfully to warm each other’s hearts. Thank for your listening. (101 words) 第二节 读后续写(25分) 范文一 Just then, he saw the little girl in red coming over. Slowly with her head down, she looked upset and kept looking around anxiously, not knowing what to do next. When she spotted the box in Harry’s hand and the unlocked locker, her eyes welled up with tears. She told Harry in a trembling voice that the key belonged to her. She dropped it carelessly when waiting for her parents, and the box inside contained a precious birthday gift she cherished deeply. She looked everywhere and couldn’t find it. Harry and his wife decided to help the girl. They softy calmed her emotions. Harry gently handed the box back to the girl and apologized sincerely for his rude behavior. The girl was greatly relieved and expressed her thanks again and again with a sweet smile. Seeing her walk away in delight, Harry was filled with heartfelt warmth. He truly realized that tiny acts of kindness can light up daily life and make ordinary days meaningful and beautiful. 范文一 Just then, he saw the little girl in red coming over. She walked forward slowly with her head hung low, looking upset. She glanced around nervously, feeling confused and not knowing how to fix the trouble. The moment she noticed the box in Harry’s hand, tears quickly filled her eyes. In a shaky and soft voice, she told Harry the key was hers, which she had dropped accidentally while waiting for her parents. Inside the box was a precious birthday gift she treasured most. She had searched the key everywhere, but in vain. Harry and his wife decided to help the girl. They spoke gently to comfort her and calmed her anxious mood little by little. Harry handed the box to her politely and made a sincere apology for his previous behavior. The girl felt greatly relieved and wore a sweet smile on her face, thanking them over and over again. Watching her leave happily, Harry felt a warm touch in his heart and understood small kindness could brighten ordinary life and make every day truly meaningful. 英语听力原文 Text 1 W: Do you want to come for a walk? M: I’d love to. But if I stop cleaning now, I’ll never get my focus back! I still have the study and the bedrooms to tidy. (1) W: Okay. But relax! Your parents are coming to see you, not the apartment! Text 2 M: When you buy your theater ticket, could you get me one, too? (2) Then we can be sure to sit together during the show. W: Sure, no problem. M: I will give you cash tonight. Or I can just pay for the dinner before we go to the theater. Text 3 M: Did you turn in your English paper on time? W: No, I set a reminder on my phone on the 8th of April which I had thought the deadline was on. M: Oh no! It was due on the 7th of April. (3) Text 4 M: A group of us are going to get lunch at that nice café nearby. Want to come? W: No thanks. I’m so busy today that I have no time for lunch. I’ve brought a sandwich from home, but I may have to save it for dinner. (4) Text 5 M: I wish I had paid more attention at high school. All of these jobs need a higher degree. W: What about attending evening classes to get further education? (5) M: That could be a lot to pay, but it must be worth it! Text 6 M: Wow, this is a sad song. Who’s the singer? (6) W: Her name is Kate Bush. M: I haven’t heard that name before. Is she new? W: No, this song was released in 1978! It’s called “Wuthering Heights”. (7) M: Like the famous book by Emily Brontë? (7) W: Yeah! If you listen to the words, she’s singing about the characters from the book — Heathcliff and Cathy. M: I read that book in high school. (7) W: Me too. I thought it was very romantic. M: Honestly, I found it boring as a teenager! (7) But hopefully I would understand the characters nowadays. Text 7 M: I’m glad we stopped here. I really need a coffee before we go to see the next house! (8) W: Me too. This is hard work! M: What do you think of that last place we saw? (9) W: I like it. M: Me too! It has big windows, lots of light, a nice-sized kitchen, plus a second bedroom. W: And it is really close to my office. The only thing is that it doesn’t have a garden. (9) M: True, (9) but there’s that lovely little park nearby. W: Yes. But it’ll be a shame that we can’t do gardening in our own house. M: Such as it is, I can’t stop thinking about it. Should we bother looking at another one? W: Honestly, I think we should cool down a little and keep looking. Text 8 (第12题为推断题) W: Luke, happy birthday. Here, open your present. (10) M: Thank you. Oh…a light treatment machine for skin problems? Why? I don’t remember asking for one of these. Do you think there’s something wrong with my skin? W: Don’t get me wrong. You look great, dear. I also had bad skin when I was your age, so I know how terrible it can be for a teenager. I don’t want you to feel unconfident because of a few little spots. I want you to have a perfect graduation party. M: Thanks, Mom. How does the machine work? Has it been proved by science? W: Yes. It uses blue light to kill the bacteria(细菌) that cause skin problems. M: It must have been expensive. W: No problem. It also helps with other skin problems. They claim the red light setting can help make skin look younger. So I can use it as well. (11) It’s worth the price if it works. M: What if it doesn’t work on me? W: Don’t worry, dear. If it doesn’t work, I’ll take you to the doctor’s. Text 9 (第13题为总结题) W: Wow, is that a greyhound(灵缇)? M: Yeah. His name is Billy. (14) (15) (16) W: He has a beautiful color! Aren’t greyhounds racing dogs? M: Yes, traditionally, although Billy isn’t the fastest. W: No? M: Well, I got him from an animal charity, and they told me his old owner left him because he kept losing races. (14) W: Poor Billy! M: Yeah, he was a bit nervous and restless, and was run after by other dogs when I first saw him. But he’s much better now. He fights for himself and gets close to people and animals that are friendly to him. (15) W: That’s great! Does he need a lot of exercise? M: Not too much, for a dog of his size. I take him out twice a day, usually for about half an hour each time. He runs like crazy the whole time! He can be quite playful, but then he sleeps for the rest of the day. Sleeping is really his favorite thing to do! (16) W: Ha-ha! He’s so cute. M: Yes, he’s lovely. Greyhounds are known for being gentle and calm, and are generally easy to look after. They’re great dogs for first-time owners, like me. ★ 灵缇（greyhound），是一种身细长、腿长、毛滑、善跑的赛犬。 Text 10 I’m pleased to announce that the suggested improvements to Newbold Country Park were approved at the recent Town Hall meeting. The main feature of the new design is a two-mile family-friendly cycle path. (17) There will also be a new children’s playground, a special dog park and a café. Newbold Country Park is already home to an award-winning pool, a fitness center, many different walking paths, and a popular fishing lake. Work on the new facilities will begin in February and is expected to take eight months. (18) During the building period, the fitness center will remain open as usual. However, some of the walking paths will be closed at certain times to make way for the building company’s vehicles. (19) The plans for the new facilities were brought up by local building design company Taylor Price, who also designed the town’s new library. The plans are now available to view on the local government’s website. (20) We believe the new design has something to offer for everybody in the local community, and we’re excited to see the plans come to life. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $