湖南浏阳市第一中学2025-2026学年高二下学期7月期末英语试题

**基本信息** 2026年高二英语期末卷以真实情境与多元主题融合为特色，通过听力、阅读、语言运用及写作四大模块，全面考查学生语言理解与表达能力，渗透文化传承与跨文化思维。 **题型特征** |题型|题量/分值|知识覆盖|命题特色| |----|-----------|----------|----------| |听力|20题/30分|日常交际（出行、活动、健康等）|生活化情境设计，从简短对话到复杂独白，梯度考查信息抓取能力| |阅读|20题/50分|文化遗产（UNESCO非遗）、社会热点（道路安全）、科学探究（植物净化）、个人成长|跨文化素材（如土耳其咖啡文化）与科学文本结合，培养批判性思维| |语言运用|25题/30分|词汇语境运用、语法（时态、非谓语等）|完形填空以善举回报故事传递人文关怀，语法填空融入神舟23号发射科技素材| |写作|2题/40分|观点表达（职业选择）、故事续写（文化差异）|结合乡村振兴热点与文化自信主题，考查逻辑表达与创新思维|

2026 年上学期期末质量监测试卷 高二英语 时量: 120 分钟 满分: 150 分 第一部分听力(共两节，满分 30 分) 第一节(共 5 小题；每小题 1.5分，满分 7.5分) 听下面 5 段对话。每段对话后有一个小题，从题中所给的 A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项。听完每段对话后，你都有 10 秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话读两遍。 1. How will Peter go to the art exhibition? A. By car B. By subway. C. By bus. 2. What are the speakers going to do? A. Go for a walk. B. Have a picnic. C. Buy some flowers. 3. What makes Mike miss the PE class today? A. A disease. B. An injury. C. A busy schedule. 4. Where does the conversation take place? A. At home. B. In a restaurant. C. In a drugstore. 5. What are the speakers talking about? A. Nancy's weekend plan. B. Nancy's grandparents. C. Nancy's favorite food. 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。每段对话读两遍。听第 6 段材料，回答第 6、7题。 6. Why does Ms. Green cancel today's piano lesson? A. To take part in a party. B. To send her daughter to the hospital. C. To prepare for an important meeting. 7. Who is probably Mr. Brown? A. Tom's coach. B. Tom's teacher. C. Tom's father. 听第 7 段材料,回答第 8 至 10 题。 8. What does the man think of the woman's method? A. Interesting. B. Harmful. C. Useful. 9. When does the man go to the gym? A. Every Saturday afternoon. B. Every Saturday morning. C. Every Sunday afternoon. 10. When will the speakers meet? A. At 2:00 pm. B. At 2:30 pm. C. At 3:00 pm. 听第 8 段材料，回答第 11 至 13 题。 11. What does the woman especially expect to visit? A. St Paul's Cathedral. B. Buckingham Palace. C. Tower of London. 12. How much will the woman pay for herself? A.£99. B.£109. C.£129. 13. What is the woman's final choice? A. A full- day tour. B. A half- day tour. C. A 10- pound tour. 听第 9 段材料，回答第 14 至 17 题。 14. Where did Ms. Conrad grow up? A. In people's yards. B. In the city. C. On a farm. 15. What does Ms. Conrad's work involve? A. Building residential housing. B. Designing outdoor construction projects. C. Writing articles for architecture magazines. 16. What does Ms. Conrad think of her work? A . Meaningful. B. Boring. C. Dangerous. 17. What is the probable relationship between the speakers? A. Boss and secretary. B. Former schoolmates. C. Interviewer and interviewee. 听第 10 段材料，回答第 18 至 20 题。 18. What is the book mainly about? A. Travel guides to China. B. The speaker's memories overseas. C. Personal stories of China's poverty reduction. 19. Why did the speaker feel surprised about his book? A. It gained unexpected popularity. B. It helped farmers solve problems well. C. It was published only in English at first. 20. What is the purpose of the talk? A. To present a book. B. To give writing suggestions. C. To report China's progress in agriculture. 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和 D 四个选项中，选出最佳选项。 A World UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Picks If you love authentic cultural experiences, these living heritage traditions from different countries are well worth exploring. 1. Fado Music(Portugal) Fado is Portugal's iconic urban folk song, added to UNESCO's heritage list in2011. Usually performed by one singer with two string instruments, it carries deep feelings of longing and life's ups and downs. Most fado artists learn skills from family members. You can catch live shows in old Lisbon neighborhoods every night, where locals gather to listen quietly and respect the performance. 2. Turkish Coffee Culture (Turkey) Turkish coffee is far more than a drink. The whole set of skills, serving rules and social customs, which sets it apart from ordinary coffee worldwide, are recognized as intangible heritage. Baristas simmer fine coffee powder slowly in a small copper pot called a cezve. Served with cool water, it acts as a symbol of warmth and hospitality. People often chat over coffee at home or small cafes, and fortune-telling from coffee grounds is a beloved after-dinner pastime. 3. Castells Human Towers (Spain, Catalonia) Castells means human towers, a tradition hundreds of years old. Teams named colles work closely to stack layers of people into tall, steady towers. The smallest kids climb to the very top to finish the structure. This activity stands for teamwork, trust and community unity. It shines brightest at local summer festivals, with lively folk music and cheering crowds all around. Visitors may even watch training practices for free. 4. Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival (Thailand) Every November in Chiang Mai, locals release khom loi paper lanterns under the full moon. They write wishes and troubles on the lanterns before sending them skyward, meaning they let go of worries. Rooted in Buddhist beliefs, this festival matches the Loi Krathong water ceremony and draws thousands of global visitors yearly. 21. What is special about Turkish coffee? A. It is served with cold water. C. It is accompanied by fortune-telling. B. It can only be enjoyed in small cafes. D. It has a full system of rituals and social customs. 22. What values do the Castells human towers symbolize? A. Respect and peace. B. Cooperation and trust. C. Courage and creativity. D. Warmth and hospitality. 23. Where is the text most probably taken from? A. A news report. B. A cultural essay. C. A travel magazine. D. A geography textbook. B In 2012, I worked in a London advertising(广告) company. Despite my seemingly perfect life —— successful career, happy family and good physical health ——I was falling apart mentally. Every ring of the office phone struck me like an electric shock. I had no choice but to take time off work. Fortunately, with understanding bosses, I received the necessary medical support to recover. But real healing(愈合)and hope came from an unlikely place: a vegetable garden. It was my mum who encouraged me to spend time in the garden at first, where I sat among the old veg beds. I watched the insects, the grass, and the vegetables. And there was silence. The noisy thoughts in my mind finally stopped. Surrounded by silence, the chaotic, anxious thoughts racing through my head were slowly quietened. Over the course of a few weeks, I returned to the garden, eventually sowing (播种) some lettuce and radish seeds(种子). Within months I was picking actual lettuces and radishes, which gave me a sense of satisfaction. I became deeply interested and, as my recovery progressed, I sowed anything and everything, creating a wild garden. When life feels overwhelming, seeing a seed turn into supper brings huge relief and reminds you to hold onto hope. The first meal I cooked with all homegrown vegetables felt special. It was a simple soup with onions, beans, carrots, and cavolo nero. While cooking, I recalled all the hard work of sowing and tending. It made me feel more connected with nature than I had in years. That connection was my medicine. Guided by my newfound interest, I attended a cooking school and took up a job picking crops in a market garden. In the veg garden, things continue to be wild and unorganised. I never dreamed of being totally self-sufficient; simply being able to turn my home-grown produce into a warm meal fills me with joy and fuels my journey of lifelong learning. 24. Why did the author leave her job? A. She wanted to start a new career. B. She was dissatisfied with her bosses. C. Her career took up all her spare time. D. She suffered from mental health issues. 25. How did the author feel when she first stepped into the garden? A. Lost and upset. B. Shocked and anxious. C. Calm and peaceful. D. Excited and curious. 26. What did the author gain from cooking the first meal? A. It strengthens the bond with nature. B. Growing vegetables is very demanding. C. Nature encourages creativity in cooking. D. Cooking is easy with homegrown vegetables. 27. What would be the best title for the text? A. My Jobless and Worry-free Life. B. My Cooking Learning Experience. C. A Tough Journey: From Office to Garden. D. Growing Hope: The Power of a Vegetable Garden. C The UK government will launch its first major road safety strategy in over a decade, aiming to cut fatal road accidents by 65% by 2035. To achieve this, the government will introduce stricter rules and advanced smart technology. A key part of the plan is making Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)compulsory in all new vehicles. AEB uses cameras and sensors to detect potential crashes. If a driver fails to react in time, the system will automatically apply the brakes to slow or stop the car. This technology is expected to prevent thousands of accidents every year. The UK will also tighten drink-driving policies. The legal alcohol limit will be lowered to match most European nations. Convicted drink-drivers will be forced to install an “alcolock” in their cars, which prevents the engine from starting if it detects alcohol. Besides, young and new drivers will need a six-month extended training period to gain experience in complex conditions. For drivers aged 70 and over, regular eyesight tests every three years will be required. Additional measures include heavier fines for uninsured drivers and penalty points for not wearing seatbelts. The government also plans to revise international crash-testing rules so that they represent different types of passengers, rather than only using a dummy based on an average-sized adult male. “Every preventable crash destroys lives and tears families apart,” said Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary. “This strategy uses modern technology to stop accidents before they happen, rather than simply dealing with the terrible results. “While road deaths have declined since the 1970s, safety improvements have slowed recently. Motoring organizations have widely welcomed the new strategy, believing that intelligent driver-assistance systems can largely reduce human-error accidents and further boost road safety. 28. What is the main purpose of the UK's new road safety strategy? A. To collect more fines. B. To increase smart car sales. C. To lower road injuries and deaths. D. To test advanced smart technologies. 29. What can we infer about the “alcolock” device from the text? A. It stops drunk driving. B. It detects potential crashes. C. It practices regular eyesight tests. D. It is compulsory for all new vehicles. 30. What is the main idea of the last paragraph? A. Consequences of careless driving. B. Measures of the new safety strategy. C. Expert advice on road safety management. D. Relevant background and industry feedback. 31. What is Heidi Alexander's attitude towards the new strategy? A. Doubtful. B. Supportive. C. Indifferent. D. Critical. D Clean air matters a lot to our health, yet many homes are filled with harmful pollutants. Common household goods like cleaning liquids, paint and wax release harmful chemicals. These substances may hurt our skin and eyes, affect our nervous system, and even cause cancer. Sofas and carpets also slowly give off formaldehyde, another dangerous substance. These poisons do greater harm to kids, who stay indoors most of the time and have sensitive lungs. Air purifiers work well, but houseplants have in recent years been marketed as a more aesthetic alternative. Online shops sell lots of plants labeled “air-purification”, alongside easy-care and pet-friendly varieties. Still, can plants really clean indoor air effectively? Scientists have long found plants change air makeup as they breathe, turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. Back in the 1980s, NASA tested plants in sealed glass boxes filled with formaldehyde-polluted air. Long-hour tests proved spider plants could remove this toxin effectively. Later studies explained two ways plants deal with pollutants: some trap harmful particles on their thick leaves; others absorb chemicals through tiny leaf holes, then break them down with special materials. Soil bacteria under plant roots can also eat up these pollutants. Yet using these superpowers in a domestic setting is tricky. Popular indoor plants such as fiddle-leaf figs have tiny leaf holes, so they take in few pollutants. The most promising results only appeared in small, sealed lab boxes. In normal-sized rooms, plants barely improve air quality. Vertical plant walls work slightly better in real offices. Still, their improvement is tiny: a study found 60 cm² plants cut office CO₂ by less than 2%. Such walls, though attractive, are not easy to maintain. It is a safer bet to appreciate your plants for the many other benefits they bring—— and stick to an electric air purifier instead. 32. Which of the following best shows the structure of the passage?(Paragraph1=①,Paragraph 2=②,---) A.①②/③④/⑤ B.①/②③/④⑤ C.①/②/③④⑤ D.①②/③/④⑤ 33. Why did NASA do the plant experiment? A. To find out plants’ growth conditions. B. To test plants’ effect on formaldehyde. C. To create a pollution-free environment. D. To explore ways plants clean polluted air. 34. What does the underlined word “tricky” mean in Paragraph 5? A. Dangerous. B. Difficult. C. Simple. D. Popular. 35. What would the author probably advocate? A. Replace purifiers with plant walls. B. Grow more plants with large leaves indoors. C. Depend on electric air purifiers for purification. D. Fill rooms with plants grown in sealed lab boxes. 第二节(共 5 小题;每小题 2.5 分,满分 12.5 分) 根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。 How Art Can Transform Your Life Ever since ancient times, humans have turned to art for healing and emotional connection. In recent years, growing scientific research has confirmed that art benefits our bodies, brains and mental health. 36 Here is how we can make art a part of our life. Discover creative mood boosters. Replace morning alarms with joyful songs. Matching music helps people exercise better. Reading novels every day before sleep, rather than browsing phones, brings steady spiritual gains. 37 Develop a personalized creative hobby. Research suggests you can expect to see improvements in your well-being within a few months if you can devote between 30-60 minutes a week to a creative activity. Choose an area where certain of your psychological needs remain unfulfilled. 38Take pottery courses if you hope for a feeling of achievement. Embrace imaginative exploration. 39 That's not the case. Actually the imaginary worlds allow us to understand the world from different angles, which helps our brains build mental flexibility ———a key skill for adapting to changes in our lives. So immerse in some make-believe, whether that's through reading fiction, role-playing with friends or putting down creative ideas in your diary. 40 Visit a gallery, theatre or concert hall and take the time to really engage with the art masterpieces. It takes only several seconds to form a basic emotional response to art. It is more worthwhile to appreciate a few exhibits thoroughly than to rush through countless artworks. This deep engagement is believed to reduce stress and cultivate true kindness. A. Hold your own art exhibition. B. Experience great artistic wonder. C. In other words, art is key to a healthy life. D. This simple daily habit can lift your spirits. E. We often regard imaginative play as childish. F. Imaginative activities benefit intellectual development. G. For example, pick free-style drawing if you long for a sense of control. 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，并在答题纸上将该项涂黑。 Malti lived alone in a quiet corner of the city. The silence of her empty house often weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her with a deep sense of loneliness in her later years. It was 3 a. m. A loud crash of glass breaking and ceiling falling woke up70-year-old Malti. Living alone in the 41 building with each day presenting unexpected problems, Malti sighed deeply. Staying safe here felt like a miracle. She began to 42 that it was time to find a new house. The next morning, while clearing the 43 caused by the accident, she noticed three well-dressed strangers 44 at her door. A middle-aged man greeted her warmly, 45 himself as Shailesh Rathod. Although feeling confused, Malti politely invited them in. During their talk, Rathod asked about her life in Nagpur decades ago and shared a 46 story. Thirty years ago, his newborn baby suffered a 47 blood illness and needed an urgent transfusion. They tried to 48 help from blood banks, and their search finally led them to Malti, whose rare blood type 49 the baby’ s perfectly. Without any 50 , Malti donated blood and saved the child, who had now grown up and become a doctor 51 in the United States. Malti’ s memories came rushing back. Rathod explained that his family would move abroad 52 . To repay her life-saving kindness, they planned to 53 her their Mumbai house, a precious reward. 54 , Malti refused the gift at first. Yet their sincere and firm insistence made her accept it eventually. Warmth flooded her heart, washing away years of loneliness and worry. Truly, a small selfless favor from long ago can 55 back unexpectedly. Kindness creates miracles. 41. A. shabby B. modern C. fancy D. solid 42. A. deny B. realize C.complain D. regret 43. A. secret B. risk C. mess D. fault 44. A. took off B. fell down C. showed up D. turned in 45. A. pretending B. devoting C. preparing D. introducing 46. A. ridiculous B. touching C. frightening D. confusing 47. A. slight B. mild C. severe D. minor 48. A. seek B. refuse C. ignore D. withdraw 49. A. replaced B. matched C. poisoned D. infected 50. A. question B. doubt C. prejudice D. hesitation 51. A. practicing B.competing C. surviving D. volunteering 52. A. by chance B. in vain C. for good D. on purpose 53. A. sell B. hand C. return D. gift 54. A. Shocked B. Annoyed C. Amused D. Relieved 55. A. pull B. circle C. fight D. hold 第二节(共 10 小题;每小题 1.5分,满分 15 分) 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。 On the night of May 24, 2026, China successfully launched the Shenzhou-23manned spaceship, sending three crew members to the Tiangong space station, the world's only independently 56 (operate) space station. The crew 57 (consist) of three professionals, among whom Lai Ka-ying stands out. Serving 58 a police superintendent(警司) in Hong Kong, she is set to be China's first female civilian 59 (travel) into orbit and the first Hong Kong female astronaut selected for the national space program. Her 60 (participate)has inspired people nationwide, encouraging teenagers to pursue space-related dreams. The Shenzhou-23 crew will cooperate 61 (close) to finish various tasks. They will operate and maintain the space station, conduct 62 (science)experiments, and perform spacewalks for equipment installation. Besides, they will organize public science education activities. 63 makes this mission significant is that it is China's 17th manned spaceflight and the 11th crewed voyage to Tiangong, fully 64 (reflect) the steady progress of China's aerospace industry and laying 65 solid foundation for China's deep space exploration. 第四部分写作(共两节，满分 40 分) 第一节(满分15 分) 假定你是李华，你校英文报正在举办“未来职业选择”主题征文，邀请同学们就“毕业后留在大城市工作”还是“回到家乡参与乡村振兴(rural revitalization)”发表看法。请你写一篇短文投稿，内容包括： 1.你的选择； 2.说明理由。 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。 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。 For a Chinese student, using chopsticks to eat is the most natural thing. But here, every time I ate in the cafeteria and skillfully picked up food with chopsticks, the foreign classmates around me always cast curious and slightly confused looks, and from time to time, there were whispers: “How do they do that?” At first, I would smile and briefly explain how to use chopsticks to them. But as the number of times increased, the sense of strangeness brought about by cultural differences gradually made me feel uncomfortable. Even for a moment, I hesitated to switch to a knife and fork to eat in order to fit in. During a group dinner, everyone sat around the restaurant. I habitually reached out for chopsticks. Jack, who was in the same group, saw this and exclaimed excitedly:“Hey, let's see your magic with chopsticks!” As he spoke, he also picked up a pair of chopsticks and clumsily(笨拙地) imitated. But before he could pick up anything, the chopsticks slipped from his hand. The other classmates laughed, and my face burned. I lowered my head to eat awkwardly, but my heart was in a mess. I realized that in their eyes, chopsticks were just a new and strange “performance prop(道具)”, and I, as a “foreigner” using chopsticks, seemed to have become an object of observation. After that, when facing others’ curiosity about chopsticks, I lost the initial enthusiasm to share and just casually smiled. I was afraid of this excessive attention, afraid that my cultural habits would become an “outsider label” in the eyes of others. I even began to deliberately reduce the number of times I used chopsticks in public, trying to make myself “fit in” with the local dining style. 续写要求： 1.所续写短文的词数应为150左右； 2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。 Paragraph 1: Until one day, the school held an international cultural festival. Paragraph2: I started to patiently explain how to hold chopsticks and what the chopsticks symbolize. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $ 2026 年上学期期末质量监测测试卷答案 1-5 CABCA 6-10 BCBAB 11-15 CCACB 16-20 ACCAA 21-25 DBCDC 26-30 ADCAD 31-35 BABBC 36-40CDGEB 41-45 ABCCD 46-50 BCABD 51-55 ACDAB 56. operated 57. consists 58. as 59. to travel 60. participation 61. closely 62. scientific 63. What 64. reflecting 65. a 书面表达一： Upon graduation, I prefer to return to my hometown instead of pursuing a career in cities. To begin with, rural areas are thirsty for young professional talents. Benefiting from favorable policies for rural revitalization, I can apply my academic knowledge to boost local ecological tourism and modern agriculture. Furthermore, staying close to family enables me to take good care of them. Above all, contributing to hometown development will bring me incomparable fulfillment and a strong sense of social responsibility. Admittedly, big cities provide abundant opportunities. Nevertheless, my hometown is in urgent need of youth power, and I am determined to devote myself to its prosperity. 书面表达二： Paragraph 1: Until one day, the school held an international cultural festival. Each country’s student union was required to set up a booth to showcase their own culture. Our Chinese student union decided to take chopsticks as the theme. At first, I was a little hesitant, but when I saw my classmates actively preparing, I was also infected by their enthusiasm. I thought, since chopsticks are an important part of Chinese culture, why not let more people know and understand them? I started to patiently explain how to hold chopsticks and what they symbolize. I told them that chopsticks represent the wisdom and philosophy of the Chinese people. They are not only a tool for eating, but also a cultural carrier. As I spoke, more and more people gathered around our booth. Some of them were curious, some were amazed, and some even tried to use chopsticks under my guidance. Looking at their serious expressions and the smiles on their faces, I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. I realized that cultural differences are not a barrier, but a bridge. As long as we are willing to share and communicate, we can understand and respect each other’s cultures. 【导语】本文讲述了作者在加拿大留学时，因使用筷子吃饭被外国同学好奇围观，逐渐对筷子产生抵触，直到学校举办国际文化节。 【详解】1. 段落续写： ①第一段首句“直到有一天，学校举办了国际文化节。”可续写作者在文化节上的经历，如决定以筷子为主题展示中国文化，开始时的犹豫，以及看到同学们积极准备后的转变。 ②第二段首句“我开始耐心地解释如何拿筷子以及它们象征着什么。”可续写作者在文化节上向外国同学介绍筷子的过程，同学们的反应，以及作者自己的感受和领悟。 2. 续写线索：学校举办国际文化节——中国学生以筷子为主题——作者犹豫后加入——作者介绍筷子——同学们的反应——作者的感受和领悟 听力音频 Text 1 W: Hello, Peter. When will you set out for the art exhibition? M: How I wish my car hadn’t broken down! The bus will probably be crowded, but I guess I have to take it since the subway station is far away. Text 2 M: How about taking a walk along the lake? The flowers are in full bloom, and the scenery is breathtaking. There’s also a new flower market nearby and a picnic area by the woods. W: A fantastic idea! We can take some photos of beautiful flowers. Text 3 W: Mike, the PE class begins in just ten minutes. Why aren’t you going to the playground? M: I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the class today. I hurt my left leg yesterday. W: Sorry to hear that. Our schedule is tight, but you ought to see a doctor just to be safe. Text 4 M: I need some cough medicine for my son. He’s 8 years old, so it has to be child-friendly. W: This liquid medicine is for kids. Give him 5ml three times a day. It’s sweet, so he won’t refuse it. M: Thanks. Text 5 M: Nancy, have you got any plans this weekend? W: Yes. I’m going to visit my grandparents in a small village. We’ll collect apples from their garden and bake a delicious apple pie afterward. M: That sounds absolutely lovely! Text 6 W: Hello! Is that Mr. Brown? This is Tom’s piano teacher Ms. Green. M: Hello, Ms. Green. How are you? Did something come up regarding Tom’s piano lesson today? W: Yes. I’m so sorry, but I have to cancel it. My daughter got hurt and I need to take her to the hospital right now. M: That’s urgent! Don’t worry about the lesson at all. I hope your daughter gets better soon. W: Thank you for understanding, Mr. Brown! Could we change it to this Friday afternoon, at 4 o’clock? That time works for me. M: It suits Tom perfectly. W: OK. I’ll be at your home on time this Friday! M: See you then! Text 7 M: Jane, you look really pale today. Did you skip breakfast again? W: Yeah… I’m trying to lose weight, so I only eat some fruit for lunch and dinner. I thought this would work fast. M: Oh, no! Dieting like this is bad for your health. You’ll feel weak easily. You should exercise instead. W: But I’m not sure how to start. I’m afraid I’ll get tired quickly. M: Don’t worry! I go to the gym every Saturday afternoon. You can come with me. I’ll show you simple exercises. W: That’s so kind of you! I’ll join you today. M: No problem. What about meeting at the gym entrance at 2:00 pm? W: That’s a bit early for me. An hour later? M: Let’s meet halfway. Half an hour later, okay? W: All right. Text 8 W: David, I want to visit the attractions in London with my little boy. Do you know any good tours? I only have one full day. M: Try the Total London Experience. You can go inside St Paul’s Cathedral, watch Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. W: I look forward to all of them, the last in particular. Do I get to ride the London Eye too? M: Sure! And the tour bus takes you past well-known spots like Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. W: How much does it cost? M: £129 for an adult and £30 less for kids. But you have to pay an extra £10 for a child’s accident insurance. W: That’s fine. Are there any other choices apart from the full-day tour? M: Yes. There’s a half-day option and it costs less, but the full-day tour covers more spots. W: Then I’ll choose the full-day option! Text 9 M: Ms. Conrad, thank you for sparing some time for our magazine today. Now I’d like to ask you some questions. W: Go ahead, please. M: So, how did you choose landscape architecture as your career? W: Well, I fell in love with nature when I was little. You know, I grew up on a Missouri farm. At 12, I worked in people’s yards. A neighbor gave me a copy of the magazine Landscape Architecture and said my skills could be turned into a profession—I could study it in college. That’s how I started. M: That’s interesting! What does a landscape architect do exactly? W: We design, plan, and manage outdoor construction—like the “architects of the earth”. We create parks, public squares, gardens, and even streetscapes. Every detail is carefully thought out, though some places don’t look “designed”. M: Do you feel lucky to do this work? W: Absolutely! I have skills to fight climate change. Nothing feels more meaningful than trying to help save the world. M: Thank you for sharing, Ms. Conrad. Your story can really inspire young people to follow their passions. W: You’re welcome. Text 10 M: Hi, everyone! My name is Erik. I’ve lived in China for 20 years. I love traveling to different provinces and have had many amazing experiences in this country. That’s why I started writing about what I saw and how I felt here. Today, I want to talk about my documentary book, Closer to Heaven. It came out in 2021, and it tells personal stories about how getting rid of poverty changed lives in remote areas of China. To be honest, I never thought it would become a bestseller! Major media talked about it, and it even became a top trend on Weibo. While the book was initially published in English and Chinese, I was delighted when an Italian publisher asked to translate and publish it. Then a Nepalese publisher brought this book to more people in one more language. Overseas readers said it helped them see China in a new light, and even Chinese readers told me they learned new things about their own country. I’m really glad to share Closer to Heaven with you here today and help more people understand China better. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $