云南昆明市云南师范大学附属中学2025-2026学年高三适应性月考卷（一）英语试题

云南师大附中 2027 届高考适应性月考卷（一） 英 语 注意事项： 1．答题前，考生务必用黑色碳素笔将自己的姓名、准考证号、考场号、座位号在答题卡上填写清楚。 2．每小题选出答案后，用 2B 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。在试题卷上作答无效。 3．考试结束后，请将本试卷和答题卡一并交回。满分 150 分，考试用时 120 分钟。 第一部分 听力（共两节，满分 30 分） 注意，回答听力部分时，请先将答案标在试卷上。听力部分结束前，你将有两分钟的时间将你的答案转涂到答题卡上。 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 does the woman suggest doing? A. Studying harder. B. Resting for a while. C. Making coffee. 2. What does the woman say about Professor Lee? A. He is easy to get along with. B. He teaches psychology. C. His lectures are engaging. 3. When will the basketball tryouts take place? A. Next Monday. B. Next Wednesday. C. Next Friday. 4. What does the woman want the man to do? A. Buy her lunch. B. Drive her to the museum. C. Help her with history homework. 5. How many tricks can Max do? A. Two. B. Three. C. Four. 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。 听下面的录音，回答第 6 和第 7 小题。 6. What does the bookstore offer its members? A. Free coffee. B. An extra discount. C. A new novel. 7. What’s the relationship between the speakers? A. A couple. B. Schoolmates. C. Colleagues. 听下面的录音，回答第8至第10小题。 8. When will the package probably arrive this afternoon? A. Before 2 o’clock. B. Around 3 o’clock. C. After 4 o’clock. 9. What is needed to sign for the package at home? A. Tracking number. B. A delivery fee. C. One’s ID. 10. What can the man do if he is not available? A. Have the package left at his neighbour’s. B. Reschedule the delivery for another day. C. Pick it up in person before 5 p. m. 听下面的录音，回答第11至第13小题。 11. What was the man’s first job at the supermarket? A. Department manager. B. Staff training officer. C. Cashier. 12. Why does the man want to leave his current job? A. The store is moving to another city. B. The owner can’t afford the high rent. C. He wants to work for a larger company. 13. Where will the first new branch be located? A. In the downtown area. B. In the east of the city. C. In a nearby city. 听下面的录音，回答第14至第16小题。 14. What did the woman think of the room? A. Pleasant. B. Conventional. C. Abstract. 15. What artworks of Elena are on display? A. Oil paintings. B. Light shows. C. Metal sculptures. 16. Why did the woman skip the audio guide? A. It was a waste of money. B. It was inaccessible. C. It was unaffordable. 听下面的录音，回答第17至第20小题。 17. What is the talk mainly about? A. A brief introduction to Shakespeare and his works. B. The lasting influence of Shakespeare’s plays. C. A comparison between Shakespeare and other writers. 18. What can be learned about The Merchant of Venice? A. It is a pure tragedy. B. It contains both comic and tragic elements. C. It was never performed during Shakespeare’s lifetime. 19. What was Shakespeare’s education like? A. He graduated from a famous university. B. He received systematic education. C. He left school early and was largely self-taught. 20. How many common words do researchers believe Shakespeare invented? A. Around 150. B. Over 1,700. C. More than 20,000. 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 FunFeast Lick Mat — A Healthy Treat for Your Pet Why Choose Our Mat Developed by animal doctors and approved by experts in animal behaviour, this mat is non-toxic, recyclable, and environmentally friendly, suitable for puppies, small and medium-sized dogs, and cats. How to Use 1. Wash the mat before first use. 2. Spread your pet’s favourite wet food or treats evenly across the surface. 3. Place the mat on the floor and let your pet enjoy. 4. Clean after each use. Product Care & Safety • Made of 100% BPA-free, food-grade silicone • Dishwasher safe (top rack), microwave safe, fridge-and freezer-friendly • Heat resistant up to 450°F (232°C) • Wash by hand with warm soapy water and air dry if preferred Benefits for Your Pet This lick mat offers multiple wonderful benefits for your pet. It helps calm nervous pets during mealtime, keeping them relaxed and focused. The slow-paced licking action also keeps your pet entertained and mentally stimulated, turning mealtime into an enjoyable activity. Additionally, it supports oral health by cleaning teeth, reducing bad breath, and maintaining healthy gums. Most importantly, by slowing down your pet’s eating speed, it promotes better digestion and prevents common issues like eating too quickly. Safety First Always supervise your pet when using this mat. This is not a chew toy! Replace the mat if damaged. Enjoy watching your happy, healthy pet lick away stress! 21. Who contributed to the release of the FunFeast Lick Mat? A. Dog trainers. B. Pet owners. C. Food experts. D. Vets and animal behaviourists. 22. What should you do before using the mat for the first time? A. Heat it in a microwave. B. Wash it with warm soapy water. C. Freeze it for two hours. D. Ask a vet to check it. 23. How can the mat benefit your pets? A. It guarantees their safety. B. It keeps them company. C. It helps them digest food better. D. It monitors their body temperature. B Wait — what? Angela Rayner wants councils to sell off allotments (私家菜地) to pay the bills? That’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard. I care because when I was tiny, my dad used to walk me past the allotments at the end of our lane. I asked him why so many little gardens were jammed together. He explained that the council owned the land, but let ordinary folk — especially those without a garden of their own — rent a patch for almost nothing. They could grow potatoes, sunflowers, whatever they fancied. When someone got tired or moved on, the next person got a go. Even at five years old, I remember thinking: that’s proper sharing. Just like they taught us in nursery. I still think that. Allotments are like outdoor libraries. Libraries lend you books. Allotments lend you a bit of earth. Both knit neighbourhoods together. Both make life bearable. And here’s the killer: sell them off, and they’re gone. Permanently. We’re already losing parks, closing libraries, and shutting youth clubs. Now allotments? If we lose these small pieces of land, we lose places where strangers become neighbours. We lose the chance for kids to see carrots actually grow. We lose the quiet magic of watching a seed turn into something. Yes, councils are broke. I get it. But selling community land is a short-term plaster (创可贴) on a long-term wound. Future generations won’t even know what they missed. If I were running things, I’d try pretty much anything else. Because allotments aren’t just dirt. They’re tiny pieces of hope — and we need those more than ever. 24. Why does the author mention her experience in childhood? A. To show how much she loved her father. B. To explain why she values allotments. C. To prove that children can understand politics. D. To describe a typical day in her hometown. 25. What’s the similarity between allotments and libraries? A. Both strengthen the community bonds. B. Both need substantial public funding. C. Both are intended for children. D. Both are free of charge. 26. What would happen if allotments were sold according to the author? A. The council would solve its budget problems forever. B. People would build new parks and libraries instead. C. Children would be unwilling to learn how plants grow. D. Important community spaces would be lost regrettably. 27. What is the author’s purpose in writing this text? A. To argue against selling off allotments. B. To describe how to start an allotment. C. To explain how councils raise money. D. To share a childhood memory. C The first satellite of FireSat constellation (星群), a project specially created to locate global wildfires early and precisely, has successfully entered Earth’s orbit. It is likely to completely change people’s way of dealing with large and uncontrolled wildfires worldwide. FireSat will eventually include more than 50 satellites when fully put into use. As the first wildfire-detecting constellation of its kind, it is an initiative launched by the nonprofit Earth Fire Alliance. Famous organizations like Google and Muon Space, a Silicon Valley-based space services startup, serve as key partners of the project. Existing satellite systems rely on low-resolution images. They only scan a specific area once every 12 hours and can merely spot extremely large wildfires covering several acres. However, FireSat is far more powerful. It is able to discover wildfires as small as 25 square meters, roughly the size of a classroom, and send high-resolution visual updates every 20 minutes. The FireSat project has been under development for less than one and a half years. Each satellite is equipped with specially designed cameras. They provide images for machine learning algorithms (算法), which can accurately identify wildfires by differentiating them from other interfering objects. The AI algorithms compare real-time images with 1,000 historical ones for judgment. Moreover, the system can predict fire spread, allowing firefighters to make smarter decisions to control fires safely and efficiently. The new system will effectively reduce huge damage to forests and cities, as well as residents’ displacement caused by wildfires. It is reported that January’s Los Angeles wildfires caused losses of over $250 billion. Three more satellites will be launched next year, and the entire FireSat constellation is scheduled to be fully in orbit by 2030. 28. What is the function of the newly-launched satellite? A. To specially monitor the movement and location of Earth. B. To spot wildfires in time and accurately across the world. C. To completely put out large uncontrolled wildfires. D. To replace some of the traditional satellites in orbit. 29. How does the author distinguish FireSat from current satellite systems? A. By comparing their monitoring frequency and detecting precision. B. By analyzing their cost and service lifespan in wildfire prevention. C. By listing the exact launch time and application regions. D. By explaining their different operating principles. 30. What does the underlined word “differentiating” in Paragraph 4 mean? A. Removing. B. Selecting. C. Distinguishing. D. Protecting. 31. Why are the Los Angeles wildfires mentioned in the text? A. To show the frequent occurrence of wildfires. B. To explain how AI technology is applied to FireSat. C. To blame the inefficiency of current systems. D. To prove wildfires can cause huge economic losses. D We often say, “It’s on the tip of my tongue,” when we are sure we know a word but cannot recall it at that moment. This is not merely a clever idiom; it reflects a real neurological phenomenon called “lethologica”. The term comes from the Greek words “lethe”, meaning “forgetfulness”, and “logos”, meaning “word”, though researchers usually refer to it as a tip- of-the-tongue state, or TOT state. TOT states occur worldwide. A survey in 1999 found that over three-quarters of languages use a tongue metaphor similar to English to describe this experience. But why does it happen? Producing language is a complex process in which the brain transforms abstract ideas into words. Normally this works smoothly, explains Karin Humphreys from Canada’s McMaster University. “In a TOT state, however, the system breaks down and you become stuck partway through,” she said in 2015. Interestingly, TOT states can repeat for the same word. A 2008 study showed that the longer someone struggles to recall a word before being reminded, the more likely they are to experience another TOT state when trying to remember it later. On the contrary, recalling the word on one’s own reduces the chance of repetition, as found in a 2015 study. People are able to regain the intended word more than 90% of the time. TOT states are more likely when individuals are tired and when they attempt to remember proper names. Age also plays a role: a 1999 diary study found that TOT states occur about once or twice a week for young adults aged 18 to 24, but they are twice as frequent for those aged 80 to 92. This phenomenon fascinates researchers because it shows how memory, language, and cognition can momentarily become disconnected, leaving us knowing that a word exists even when it temporarily slips from reach. 32. What can we learn from the 1999 survey? A. TOT states are similar in English-speaking countries. B. Most languages have similar expressions for the TOT state. C. People from Greece suffer more from TOT states. D. Over three-quarters of people experience TOT worldwide. 33. Why do people fall into a TOT state according to Karin Humphreys? A. They have too many abstract ideas in their mind. B. They haven’t practiced the new words enough. C. Their brain fails to finish the language producing process. D. Their memory is permanently damaged by tiredness. 34. How can people avoid forgetting the same word again? A. Try to recall the word by themselves. B. Wait patiently until someone reminds them of it. C. Increase the chance to repeat it. D. Turn to researchers for professional help. 35. Which is the best title for the text? A. The Origins of the Well-known Idioms B. Different Symptoms of TOT at Different Levels C. Why Your Brain Sometimes Freezes Mid-Sentence D. The Connection Between Age and Language 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。 How to Eat Passion Fruit Passion fruit is regarded as one of the most delicious tropical fruits around the world. It has a special flavor full of tropical sweetness, and it is easy to take with you when you go to work or just stay at home for a casual snack. 36 Here are clear and practical steps to help you pick, prepare and eat fresh passion fruit. ● Pick ripe passion fruit. 37 You are supposed to pick the ones that are slightly wrinkled and in deep purple color — these are the ones that have ripened the most and will be the sweetest. Since people only eat the inner flesh instead of the outer skin, how clean the skin looks doesn’t matter too much. In general, the softer the fruit shell feels, the riper it will be. ● 38 You should grab a passion fruit and shake it. If you feel a lot of liquid or pressure in there, that means there are a lot of seeds and liquid, which means a lot of deliciousness to eat. You can also determine the flavor if you smell the fruit. If it has a lot of tropical aromas (香气), then it will taste good. If you can’t smell anything, it’ll probably either be too sour or tasteless. ● Wash your passion fruit. Once you have purchased the passion fruit, ensure that you wash it carefully even though we never eat its skin. 39 When an unwashed passion fruit is cut, the knife carries the bacteria from the skin through the flesh of the fruit. ● Scoop the passion fruit. You can cut the cleaned fruit into halves and scoop out the orange flesh with a spoon. Try to let as little of the juice as possible run out of the fruit (because it’s delicious.) 40 Don’t scrape the skin too hard because the white layer is bitter and tastes bad. A. Squeeze passion fruit. B. Check by shaking and smelling. C. Consider the texture of the passion fruit’s skin. D. Shaking the fruit is the best way to know its flavor. E. However, it takes some simple skills to enjoy its best flavor. F. You will see that the orange flesh is separated from the white skin. G. It can keep harmful chemicals and bacteria away from your mouth. 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。 In early August 2025, Patrick and Evelyne Sire were on their way back home to Olonzac in France. When they stopped to refuel, their pet cat Filou 41 to slip out of the window. 42 of the accident, the Sires kept going, thinking that Filou had found a cozy place in the car to sleep in. It was not until they reached a lake that they 43 their cat was missing. They searched every corner of their car and tried to 44 him with food, but all efforts were 45 . The following day, they retraced their route, calling for Filou and 46 local residents. They contacted animal welfare authorities and filed an official missing report, but days passed without any useful 47 . Gradually, the couple accepted the bitter 48 that Filou was lost forever. But five months after the cat’s disappearance, something 49 happened. They were contacted by a woman from a village of Olonzac, who 50 she had their pet in her care. The woman said when she found it, it was thin, cold, and 51 , and a collar around its neck 52 the cat’s owners. Though the old numbers were 53 , she found their address. Surprisingly, it was just a block away. Patrick was deeply overjoyed to reunite with his cat. Filou had travelled over 250 kilometers across borders. How it found its home remains a 54 . Experts explain that cats have a strong sense of 55 to recognize landmarks for long-distance travel. 41. A. attempted B. hesitated C. refused D. managed 42. A. Unaware B. Guilty C. Uncertain D. Ashamed 43. A. acknowledged B. imagined C. noticed D. regretted 44. A. capture B. attract C. forbid D. ignore 45. A. in relief B. in turn C. in pain D. in vain 46. A. assisting B. questioning C. consulting D. treating 47. A. clues B. lessons C. routes D. methods 48. A. truth B. choice C. arrangement D. adventure 49. A. formal B. desperate C. complex D. extraordinary 50. A. denied B. declared C. joked D. threatened 51. A. vigorous B. joyful C. exhausted D. greedy 52. A. hid B. revealed C. warned D. destroyed 53. A. blurred B. odd C. exact D. flexible 54. A. secret B. challenge C. mystery D. mission 55. A. balance B. space C. security D. belonging 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。 At the foot of the historic Tengwang Pavilion, 56 (wide) known for its rich literary heritage, and within the quiet halls of a bookstore in the Aixi Lake Forest Park in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, a unique photography 57 (exhibit) is drawing the attention of visitors to the 58 (five) National Conference on Reading. Unlike traditional showcases of polished art, the display presents more than 100 snapshots of ordinary people 59 (bury) in reading. The images show a stand keeper turning pages in dim light after closing; a child seated in a narrow second-hand bookstore aisle (走廊); and a construction worker resting against bricks 60 a novel in hand. These are not staged portraits 61 real moments that reveal a literary spirit thriving beyond the confines (范围) of formal libraries and classrooms. Every simple reading scene conveys gentle warmth and reflects the power of lifelong reading. 62 sets the display apart is its origin. All photographs 63 (submit) over the past four years by ordinary Jiangxi residents, who may be readers, librarians, and passers-by who stopped 64 (record) quiet moments either on cameras or phones. Since appearing at the Jiangxi provincial reading conference in 2023, the grassroots project has collected over 1,000 works. It inspires citizens to embrace reading, making it a common 65 (spirit) pleasure for locals. 第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分） 第一节（满分15分） 假定你是校英文报编辑李华，你校将于下周举办以“海洋动物保护”为主题的英语海报设计大赛。请你写一则书面通知面向全校同学征稿，内容包括： 1．大赛目的； 2．作品要求； 3．提交方式。 注意： 1．写作词数应为80左右； 2．请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。 Notice Campus English Journal 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。 As an insecure and scared freshman in college, my first year was filled with new and strange experiences. I quickly learned the difficult lesson that things aren’t always what they seem. My first introduction to the “real world” began at Camp Virginia Jaycee, a camp for people with mental or physical disabilities. Twice a year, my college offered a volunteer opportunity to students who wished to donate a weekend of their time. At the last minute and after much consideration, I made a decision that would soon change my life. I volunteered for the camp. I had no idea what to expect, and it was the complete unknown that scared me the most. As the campers slowly arrived, the noises and sounds of the unfamiliar filled the air. Each student volunteer was assigned one camper for the weekend. As an advisor, I was expected to help “my” camper with daily tasks, and to be his friend. My camper’s name was Charley. He was forty years old, with a severe case of autism (自闭症)and no visible means of communication. I was scared. My hands shook with fear as I tried to introduce myself. His attention wandered everywhere except to me. He seemed completely uninterested in anything I had to say. Seeing him rubbing his hands nervously, I discovered that he was just as scared as I was; we just had very different ways of showing it. Charley couldn’t speak, but he could walk and do simple tasks. That afternoon, I took him to the camp garden and taught him how to water the plants and pick ripe vegetables step by step. As I demonstrated each action and told him what to do, he followed every move carefully. By the next day, he could complete the tasks on his own, and even smiled like a young schoolboy when he handed me a small tomato he’d picked. That night, as I settled him into bed and turned to leave, he grabbed my arm and placed my hand on his head, wanting only comfort. It was overwhelming that this complete stranger needed me. For that instant, Charley made the world seem so simple. 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。 When the weekend ended, Charley held my hand unwilling to let me go. Months later, I revisited Charley at the camp. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $ 云南师大附中2027届高考适应性月考卷（一） 英语参考答案 第一部分 听力（共两节，满分30分） 1 ~ 5 BCAAB 6 ~ 10 BCBCA 11 ~ 15 CBACA 16 ~ 20 AABCB 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） 21 ~ 25 DBCBA 26 ~ 30 DABAC 31 ~ 35 DBCAC 第二节（共5小题；每小题2.5分，满分12.5分） 36 ~ 40 ECBGF 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） 41 ~ 45 DACBD 46 ~ 50 CAADB 51 ~ 55 CBACB 第二节（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分） 56. widely 57. exhibition 58. fifth 59. buried 60. with 61. but 62. What 63. have been submitted 64. to record 65. spiritual 第四部分 写作（共两节，满分40分） 第一节（满分15分） 【参考范文】 Notice Aimed at raising our awareness of ocean conservation and enriching extra-class activities, our school will hold an English poster design competition with the theme of marine animal protection next week. The requirements are as follows. Firstly, all entries must be original and closely related to the given theme with a standard poster size. Moreover, participants can adopt different drawing styles and are encouraged to attach a creative slogan to highlight the theme. Most importantly, both digital and paper entries must be submitted to the school English newspaper office prior to next Friday. Your active participation is highly welcome. Campus English Journal 第二节（满分25分） 【参考范文】 When the weekend ended, Charley held my hand unwilling to let me go. His fingers tightly wrapped around mine, warm and trembling, as if I were the only steady presence in his life. I gently patted his hand, whispering that I would come back to see him soon, my voice choking with emotion I had never felt before. The other volunteers watched quietly, some even moved to tears. Boarding the bus, I turned around and saw Charley standing there, looking lonely yet hopeful. It was at that moment that I knew the scared freshman who had hesitated to volunteer was gone — something in Charley had changed me forever. Months later, I revisited Charley at the camp. Charley recognized me at first sight, running to me with a big smile. He took my hand gently and led me to the garden, where he watered plants skillfully, grinning at me with pride. A surge of surprise and joy swept over me when he showed what he once couldn’t do. I suddenly realized:it was not I who saved him, but he who cured my insecurity. His trust taught me that kindness conquers fear, and true connection lies in sincere companionship. 听力原文 Text 1 W: Hi, Tom. You look tired. What have you been doing? M: I’ve been studying for the math exam all afternoon. It’s so hard. W: I know what you mean. Maybe we should take a break and grab some coffee. (1) Text 2 M: Excuse me, is this seat taken? W: No, go ahead. Are you also here for the biology class? M: Yes, Professor Lee’s class. I heard he’s quite strict. W: He is, but his lectures are really interesting. (2) Text 3 W: I’m thinking of joining the school’s basketball team. What do you think? M: That’s a great idea! You’re tall and fast. Have you played before? W: I play with my friends for fun every Wednesday and Friday. Do you think I should try out? M: Yes, there are tryouts next Monday after school. (3) Text 4 M: Did you see the notice about the school trip to the museum? W: Yes, but I’m not sure if I want to go. It’s on Saturday. M: Come on, it’s free and we can learn about ancient history. W: Alright, I’ll go. But only if you buy me lunch afterwards. (4) Text 5 W: Your dog is so cute! What’s his name? M: Thanks, his name is Max. He’s a two-year-old golden retriever. W: Does he know any tricks? M: He can sit, shake hands, and even play dead. (5) Watch this! Text 6 M: I heard you went to the new bookstore downtown. How was it? W: It was amazing! They have a coffee shop inside, and you can read any book for free while you drink. M: That sounds nice. Were the prices reasonable? W: Most books were on sale. I bought two novels. M: I might go there this weekend. Can you lend me your member card? (6) W: Sure. You get an extra 10% off with the card. (6) Here you are. M: Many thanks. I have to go. Boss is waiting for me upstairs. (7) Text 7 W: Hello, this is Express Delivery. Your package will arrive between 2 and 4 this afternoon. (8) M: Great! I’ve been expecting it. Do I need to sign for it? (9) W: Yes, please. You’ll also need to show your ID. (9) And the package requires a signature from the recipient or someone at your address. M: What if I’m not home at that time? (10) W: No problem. We can leave it with your neighbor, but they’ll need to show their ID as well. (9, 10) Or you can pick it up at our service center after 5 p.m. However, if you choose pickup after 7 p.m., there’s a £2 fee. Also, don’t forget to bring your tracking number and ID. M: Okay, I’ll try to be home. Thanks. Text 8 W: Thanks for coming. I’m Sarah, the HR manager. Tell me about your current job. M: I’ve been working at a local supermarket for three years. I started as a cashier for the first year, (11) then got promoted to department manager. I also helped with staff training sometimes. W: That’s a solid background. Why do you want to leave? (12) M: The store is closing next month due to the rising rent. The owner tried to negotiate, but it didn’t work. (12) W: I see. And what do you know about our company? M: I read that you’re opening your first branch in the city center. (13) I also heard you’re planning another one on the east side next year. I’d love to be part of that. Text 9 M: I heard you went to the modern art exhibition downtown last weekend. How was it? W: Honestly, a bit disappointing. I love contemporary art, but this one was so abstract. There was a room with just white balloons floating around — I didn’t get it. (14) M: That sounds more like a party decoration. Was there anything worth seeing? W: Yes, actually. A local artist named Elena Cruz had a series of oil paintings. (15) Her use of light and shadow really reminded me of Monet. Elena also had a few watercolors of the old city streets — those were lovely. M: Oh, I think I’ve seen her work online. Doesn’t she also do sculptures? W: Not this time. There were some sculptures by another artist, but they were mostly metal pieces, not to my taste. M: I might go next week if the exhibition is still on. Do you know the opening hours? W: It closes at 6 p.m. every day, but on Thursdays it stays open until 8 p.m. And admission is free for students on weekdays before 3 p.m. After that it’s £10. M: Good to know. Can I take photos? W: Yes, but no flash. Also, the audio guide costs an extra £5 — I skipped it. It probably just repeats what’s written on the wall labels anyway. (16) M: Thanks for the tips! Text 10 Welcome to our literature series. Today, let’s explore the lasting influence of William Shakespeare. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare left school at around 14, and from then on, markets, streets, theatres, and even life itself became his teacher. (19) By 1592, he had already become a successful playwright in London. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he wrote both comedies and tragedies, often blending elements of both. For instance, The Merchant of Venice is classified as a comedy, but it contains some of Shakespeare’s most heartbreaking speeches. (18) His 154 sonnets were not published until 1609, and scholars still debate their intended order. Interestingly, Shakespeare never attended university, (19) yet his vocabulary was the largest of any English writer — over 20,000 different words. Some researchers believe he invented more than 1,700 common words, including “lonely” and “fashionable”. (20) After his death in 1616, his plays were sometimes performed in altered versions. It wasn’t until the 19th century that his original texts were restored. Yet perhaps the most famous words he ever wrote remain the simplest and most profound: “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Centuries later, that question still echoes in our minds. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $