河北省张家口市万全县万全中学2017届高三上学期期中考试英语试卷

2016—2017学年万全中学第一学期期中考试

高三 英 语 试 题

时间120分钟 满分150分

第Ⅰ卷

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，并标在试卷的相应位置。听完每段对话后，你都有10秒钟的时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。

1. When will the school bus arrive?
   1. 7:45.B. 7:50. C. 7:55.
2. Where does this conversation probably take place?
   1. In the library. B. In a bookstore . C. In an office.
3. What is the boy going to do first?
   1. Review his lesson B. Watch TV. C. Have supper.
4. Where can Mary probably be found?
   1. In a different school. B. On Christmas day.
      C. In the same school with the girl.
5. What can we know about the man?
   1. He has realized the significance of English.
   2. He used to learn English well.
   3. It is too late for him to learn English now.
      第二节（共15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A、B、C三个选项中选出最佳选项，并标在试卷的相应位置。听每段对话或独白前，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6、7题
6. How long has Jessica’s mother been dancing?
   1. For 20 years. B. For 23 years. C. For 43 years.
7. Jessica’s mother is in good condition, and what contributes to this more?
   1. Having an optimistic attitude towards life. B. Fruits and vegetables.
      C. Taking enough exercise.
      听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。
8. What is the date of the man’s birthday?
   1. 25th, December. B. 26th, December. C. 27th, December.
9. How will the man go to her wife’s parents’home?
   1. By train. B. By bus. C. By plane.
      听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。
10. Why was the boy asked to go to the office?
    1. Because his hair was not clean.
    2. Because he was late for class.
    3. Because he disturbed his classmates.
11. What was wrong with the alarm clock?
    1. The batteries ran out. B. The alarm clock was broken.
       C. The alarm clock was ahead of the exact time.
12. What can we know about the boy?
    1. He was careless. B. He liked telling lies. C. He was lazy.
       听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。
13. What is the rent price of a room with a city view?
    1. 120.B. 400. C. 175.
14. What does the man think of the rent price of the hotel?
    1. Ridiculous.B. Reasonable. C. Just so-so.
15. What can we know according to the dialogue?
    1. The woman cares about the type of the room.
    2. The man likes being in quiet surroundings all night.
    3. The woman wants a room on the ground floor.
16. What will the woman probably do in the end?
    1. Go to visit the Great Wall of China.

B. Choose the penthouse room for 400 a night.

C. Give up the choice of the hotel room.

听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。

1. Why do some American churches cancel Christmas Day services?
   1. To let people gather with their families.B. To celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.
      C. To buy gifts and go to parties.
      18. What’s“Silent Night”?
      1. The name of an old man.　　B. The name of traditional music.
         C. The name of Christmas Day service.
         19. Who probably celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday?
         1. All Americans. B. Non-Christians. C. Christians.
            20. When does Santa Claus leave presents under the tree?
            A. On Christmas night. B. On Christmas Eve. C. On Christmas Day.
            第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）
            第一节（共15小题;每小题2分，满分30分）
            阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
            A

            Recruiter (招聘人员)	NVQ（国家职业资格） Level 3 Nursery Nurse
            Posted	06 March 2016
            Closes	03 April 2016
            Contact	Kate Carter
            Location	资*源%库 Wandsworth
            Department	Education, Primary
            Job Type	Experienced
            Salary	￡65--￡70 per day

            The school has a reputation for success and is looking for a suitable person who has the motivation and enthusiasm to continue building on the school’s reputation. This position will need someone who is confident and ambitious. It is a busy and challenging role which will see you achieve and become part of a successful team. You will need to have self management skills as well as being able to use your own active part. Strong oral and written skills important as well as the ability to replace the teacher for short periods.
            You will be working alongside the Class Teacher, supporting the daily running of the classroom and being responsible for a key group of children. Small group activities as well as observations, assessments and further development will need to be completed. You will make progress in your childcare knowledge and skills.
            For this role you must have a current CRB/DBS and be able to provide up-to-date references.
            This is an exciting time for the school with lots of opportunity for progress and self development. If you would like to be part of this excellent team, then apply now!
            21. What position is wanted in this advertisement?
            1. Headmaster.B. Cleaner.

C. Experienced nursery nurse.D. Primary teacher.

22. If you want to get employed, you must have ________.

A. good language skills.B. a successful team

C. a natural sense of humorD. advanced childcare knowledge

23. When you apply for this job, you will sent an email _______.

A. to the NVQ CenterB. to Kate Carter

C. before March 6, 2016D. after April 3, 2016

B

Like most new fathers, Samuel Forrest was excited to meet his son, but he had no idea just how much that first meeting would change his life.

On 21 January, baby Leo was born with Down’s Syndrome(唐氏综合症).

“They took me in to see him and I looked at this guy and I said, he’s beautiful, he’s perfect and I’m absolutely keeping him.” Forrest told ABC News.

But Forrest’s wife did not share the same feelings. She reportedly gave Forrest a deadline, saying if the father wanted to keep the baby, she would divorce him.

Forrest, from Auckland, New Zealand, said he was unaware that hospitals in Armenia “will tell you that you don’t have to keep babies with Down’s Syndrome.”

He’s now planning to raise Leo by himself as a single father back in his native country of New Zealand, where he can be near friends and family for support.

The new father has created a GoFundMe page called “Bring Leo Home” to collect money for the costly move.

“This really happened to me unexpectedly,” he told ABC news. “ I don’t have a lot. I have very little in fact.” The goal is to raise enough for a year so I can get a part-time job so Leo doesn’t have to be in daycare and I can help care for him.”

ABC News spoke to Leo’s mother Ruzan Badalyan who said that she did have a child with Down’s Syndrome and that she had left her husband. She declined to comment further.

The father’s GoFundMe page has already raised over $175,000 in just nine days. The page now states that additional funds will be given out to charity.

“We’d also like to share the extra money with the only orphanage in Armenia that regularly takes abandoned Down’s Syndrome babies as well as other organizations that can help these children,” it says.

24. What was Forrest’s reaction when he first saw his son?

A. Delighted.B. Disappointed.C. Embarrassed.D. Shocked.

资*源%库 25. Why was Forrest’s wife unwilling to keep the boy?

A. Because her husband wanted to divorce her.

B. Because she would like to settle in New Zealand.

C. Because the baby suffered from a severe disease.

D. Because her family couldn’t afford the raising cost.

26. What would Forrest do with the extra money he collected?

A. To bring up Leo by himself. B. To help the children with Down’s Syndrome.

C. To take the money back to New Zealand. D To help others who work at home.

27. We can infer from the text that Forrest ________.

A. has attracted much attention from the public

B. will send his son to the orphanage

C. will get remarried in order to raise Leo D. is rich enough to bring up his son

C

What is your relationship like with your mobile phones? Do you use it for calls? Texts, social media, games, apps, internet or all of the above? I use my phone for work, pleasure, and socializing. It’s the first thing I pick up in the morning and the last thing I put down before I go to sleep. I even find it hard to put it face-down on the table while eating in fear someone “needs me”.

In recent years, mobile phones have become a popular part of our lives. In England in the year 2013, that number had jumped to 94 percent.

One reason why this may be the case is that, while in the past, technology was used on the environment it was built for---for example, TV for relaxing or computer in the office---mobile phones have bridged the gap, so we can relax, work or interact wherever and whenever we want.

No wonder so many of us see our mobile phones as an extension of ourselves and wouldn’t dare leave it at home.

While the number of mobile phone users has climbed, so has the number of people becoming addicted to technology. A study by researchers states, “significant mental and physical disorder, panic, confusion and extreme loneliness when forced to unplug from technology for an entire day.”

One day of non-usage of technology produced systems similar to drug withdrawal. So why have so many of us been so seduced that we can’t stand being without technology?

Having thought about my own phone usage, I thought to myself, “What would actually happen if I didn’t use it? If I didn’t connect on social media, would I have the same “mental and physical disorder” as the students in the study?”

I think this would be a great learning experience to see exactly how much technology has affected our lives.

So, I decided I would do three days of no mobile or social media. How would I cope?

28. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

A. Mobile phones are used in many different ways.

B. Mobile phones have become a part of our life.

C. Mobile phones steal users’ too much time.

D. Mobile phones have a bad effect on us.

29. Why does the author mention TV and computers?

A. To remind us not to lose our mobile phones.

B. To tell us TV is mainly used for relaxing.

C. To tell us computers are used as a tool in offices.

D. To show the advantages of mobile phones.

30. What does the underlined word “seduced” mean in Paragraph 6?

A. Addicted.B. Surprised.C. ImpressedD. Persuaded.

31. What will be discussed in the following paragraph?

A. The great effects technology has on our daily lives.

B. How to handle the situation without a mobile phone.

C. The three-day experiences without a mobile phone.

D. How to get rid of the addiction to mobile phones.

D

Mark one up for man over the machine. The world champion of the ancient Chinese board game of Go(围棋) has finally found a way to beat Google’s AlphaGo computer, after losing three straight games last week.

　　Lee Se-dol, the South Korean who has been the top Go player for a decade, was delighted at his first victory, although AlphaGo had already clinched the $1m prize in the best-of-five series. The money will be donated to charity after the final game is held on Tuesday.

　　“It’s just one game. I’ve never been congratulated so much just because I won one game,” Mr Lee told reporters after the match on Sunday in Seoul.

　　“This win is invaluable and I would not trade it for anything else in the world,” the 33-year-old grandmaster said with a big smile. Mr Lee acknowledged he had underestimated AlphaGo’s skills, but said the software was not perfect.

　　Demis Hassabis, chief executive of Google Deepmind, the developer of the computer program, said the match result would provide a valuable lesson for his team to identify and address AlphaGo’s weakness.

　　“He was too good for us today and pressured AlphaGo into a mistake that it couldn’t recover from,” Mr Hassabis tweeted.

32.The following of the statements are correct EXCEPT__________

A. The game between Lee Se-dol,and Google’s AlphaGo originaly comes from China.

B. The match consists of 5 rounds.

C. Lee Se-dol will win the the $1m prize.

D. Google’s AlphaGo is developed by Demis Hassabis.

33.What can be inferred accroding to the underlined sentence?

A. Lee Se-dol seldom wins a match.

B. Lee Se-dol will finally beat AlphaGo and win the match.

C. The match betwen Lee Se-dol and Google’s AlphaGo is unfair.

D.It is rather difficult for Lee Se-dol to have won a round .

1. Which of the following can be the best title ?
   A.Artificial intelligence is unbeatable.
   B.A precious victory-- man over computer .
   C. Lee Se-dol--A top Go player
   D. A fierce game between Lee Se-dol and Google’s AlphaGo
   35.From the writing style of this passage we can see that it is ______
   1. an advertisement B. a funny story

C. a news report D. an instruction

第二节（共5小题；每小题2分，满分10 分）

根据短文内容，从其后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。其中有两项为多余选项。

For over one hundred and fifty years, Americans of all social classes have worn blue jeans． 36 Whether they are worn for work or for fashion today, Strauss' invention continues to be popular not only among Americans but also among people around the world．

Levi Strauss was born in Germany in 1829. 37 He grew up in Kentucky before moving to New York in 1847．Before becoming an American citizen and moving to the West in 1853, Strauss worked in his brother's dry goods business．This gave him a chance to produce his famous invention．After the gold rush of 1949, Strauss decided to move to the West to seek his fortunes．

Strauss did not want to be a person who searched an area for minerals．Instead, he knew he could make a good living by selling supplies to the miners．At first, he planned to sell sewing supplies and cloth． 38 When he heard miners complaining that their clothes were easily broken or they usually tore their pockets during mining, he decided to use a special fabric to make pants for the miners．These pants proved so popular that he quickly ran out of materials to make more．

In 1873, Strauss received a letter from a Jewish tailor named Jacob Davis who had invented a process of connecting pockets with copper rivets(铆钉).This made the pants last a long time．Because Davis did not have the money to patent his idea, he offered to share it with Strauss if Strauss would agree to pay for the patent． 39．

By the time Strauss died in 1902, he had made a great contribution to American fashion． 40 The business has been growing ever since and Levi Strauss' company is now one of the largest clothing companies in the world．

A. As a young boy, he moved with his family to the United States．

B. Nobody knew what kind of material was suitable．

C. He did and Levi jeans have been made with metal rivets ever since．

D. However, he did not get much business for those products．

E. He also made a great contribution to America's clothing industry．

F. Since they were invented by Levi Strauss, they have become a symbol of American consumer culture．

G. As the business grew, Strauss got much money from it．w

第三部分英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）

1. 完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

The letter below is from Antoine Leiris, whose wife Helen died in the terror attack in Paris on November 11th. He wrote the letter to her killers. It was 41 written as a Facebook post and has been 42 thousands of times on social media.

On Friday night you 43 the life of an exceptional being, the love of my life, the ___44of my son, but you will not have my 45. I don’t know who you are 46 I don’t want to know -- you are dead souls. I will not give you the gift of hating you. You have obviously 47 it, but responding to it with anger would be to give in to the same ignorance that has made you what you are. You want me to be 48, to cast a mistrusting eye on my fellow citizens, to 49 my freedom for security. You 50. I saw her this morning, finally after nights and days of waiting. My wife was 51 as beautiful as she was when she left on Friday evening, as beautiful as when I fell madly in love with her more than 12 52 ago. Of course, I am heart-broken with 53, but I know that she will join us every day and that we will find each other again in the paradise of free souls which you will never have 54__ to. We are only 55, my son and I, but we are more 56 than all the world’s armies. 57 any case, I have no time to waste on you. I need to go back to Melvil, who is 58 from his afternoon nap. He is just 17 months old. He will eat his snack like every day and we are going to play like we do every day. In every day of his life, the little boy will 59 you with his 60 and freedom, because you don’t have his hatred either.

41. A. occasionally B. originally C. accidently D. frequently

42. A. shared B. written C. printed D. praised

43. A. came across B. stole away C. argued with D. turned into

44. A. teacher B. friend C. sister D. mother

45. A. anger B. mercy C. hatred D. sympathy

46. A. but B. if C. once D. and

47. A. hated B. abandoned C. sought D. found

48. A. afraid B. brave C. concerned D. crazy

49. A. value B. attach C. sacrifice D. respect

50. A. won B. lost C. hesitated D. warned

51. A. ever B. just C. even D. never

52. A. days B. weeks C. months D. years

53. A. sorrow B. depression C. enthusiasm D. passion

54. A. access B. companion C. devotion D. desire

55. A. none B. one C. two D. three

56. A. successful B. thankful C. powerful D. merciful

57. A. On B. In C. With D. Of

58. A. cheering up B. packing up C. sending up D. waking up

59. A. insult B. threaten C. control D. complain

60. A. happiness B. sadness C. forgiveness D. awareness

第Ⅱ卷

资*源%库第二节（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。

Every Thanksgiving my family and I, along with others, prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals for the people in our small mountain community. My husband and I also bring meals to people61never leave their homes for various reasons. After62(deliver) to some individual apartments, we went to the central dining room and placed the boxes63(fill) with turkey, ham, stuffing, and green bean casserole in front of each seat. People invited us 64 __ (stay), and thanked us, 65 we had other deliveries and had to leave.  As we started to exit, I turned around and saw them all watching us. Impulsively, I asked,"Would anybody like a hug?" They lined up. There was so much66(warm) in each hug. My eyes were full of tears and my heart of love. I now visit67(occasion) to chat and, of course, hug. This year at my Thanksgiving delivery, when they 68 (line) up for their hugs, I am going to have them turn around and hug each other. These people have no family69Thanksgiving day. Nothing can be70(comfortable) for them than hugs! 

第四部分写作（共两节；满分35分）

第一节 短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）

假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(^ )，并在其下面写出该加的词。 删除：把多余的词用(＼)划掉。修改：在错的词下画一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；

2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to our school. Now I would like introduce our net-school to you.

Our net-school is very helpfully in many ways. First, it makes both teaching and learning easier and much interesting. Students can get more knowledges in class. Whoever have a computer can have the lessons we give at home. Second, it’s accessible for both teachers and students. We can make good use of the Internet, sending e-mails, searching for any information what we need etc. Third, the net also helps improve our school management but meet the needs of the modern education. Fourth, as a key school in our city, it sets a good example to the newly-built schools and may be of some help to it.

That’s all! Thank you.

第二节 书面表达（满分25分）

假如你是你校学生会主席李华，下周五学校将在学校剧场举办“English Party”，请你给你校的外籍教师Mr. Johnson发一封电子邮件，邀请他参加。要点包括：

1.“English Party”的时间和地点；

2.晚会的节目有英文歌曲、短剧、舞蹈；

3.邀请Mr. Johnson 参加并担任主持人。

注意：1.词数100左右,开头结尾已经给出，不计入词数；

2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

参考词汇：学校剧场 the school theatre 短剧 short plays

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I'm Li Hua, chairman of the students' union. ____________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

2016—2017学年第一学期期中考试

高 三 英 语 答案

第一部分：听力（共20题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

1~5 CBCCA 6~10 BABCB 11~15 AACAB 16~20 CABCB

第二部分：阅读理解（共20小题;每小题2分，满分40分）

21-23 CAB 24-27 ACBA 28-31 BDAC 32--35. CDBC

36-40 FADCE

第三部分：英语知识运用

完形填空（共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分）

41-45 BABDC 46-50 DCACB 51-55 BDAAC 56-60 CBDAA

语法填空（共10小题；每小题1.5分，满分15分）

61. that /who 62. delivering 63. filled 64. to stay 65. But

66. warmth 67. occasionally 68. line 69. on 70. more comfortable

短文改错（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）

Ladies and gentlemen,

资*源%库 Welcome to our school. Now I would like /\introduce our net-school to you.

to

Our net-school is very helpfully in many ways. First, it makes both teaching

helpful

and learning easier and much interesting. Students can get more knowledges in class.

More或 much/\ more knowledge

Whoeverhave a computer can have the lessons we give at home. Second, it’s

has

accessiblefor both teachers and students. We can make good use of the Internet,

to

sending e-mails, searching for any information what we need etc. Third, the net also

that\which\删除

helps improve our school management but meet the needs of the modern education.

and

Fourth, as a key school in our city, it sets a good example to the newly-built

schools and may be of some help to it.

them

That’s all! Thank you.

书面表达（满分25分）

One possible answer

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I'm Li Hua, chairman of the students' union. I'm writing to invite you to join us in the English Party.

Some details about the party are as follows. It is to be held in the school theatre next Friday， when there will be various performances, including some English songs and dances given by students and teachers. In addition, these will be followed by some short plays, for which the students have prepared for a long time after school. Meanwhile you're expected to act as the host. We would be extremely grateful if you can manage to come. I'm sure we will spend an unforgettable evening together.

An early reply will be appreciated.

Yours,

Li Hua

听力材料：

(Text 1)

Text 1

W: Oh, no, it’s a quarter to eight now. The school bus is coming in five minutes. Hurry up or we’ll miss it.

M: Come on. Relax. You forget? The time has been adjusted. We have double five minutes left.

Text 2

M: Excuse me; may I have a look at that book?

W: Sure, but if you want to take it, you have to pay in cash.

Text 3

M: Mom, “the voice of China” is on this evening.

W: But you have to review your lesson for the coming exam.

M: You promised to help me.

W: Sure. But supper is ready now.

Text 4

W: Dad, Christmas is coming. Could you give me some money? I want to buy a card for my friend Mary. It has been two months since she was in my school.

M: Oh dear, how thoughtful you are!

Text 5

M: I wish I had learned English well when I was in high school.

W: You always said you didn’t think English was of great importance.

M: I realize I was wrong and it’s too late.

W: It’s never too late to learn.

Text 6

W: Hi, Jack, have you thought about your ideal job in the future? Do you want to be an excellent math teacher like your father?

M: For Gosh’s sake! I hate being a teacher. I still have a clear memory of the terrible days when my father helped me with all my subjects. But it is strange that I made great progress in my English learning. How about you, Jessica?

W: Well, I dream of being a brilliant dancer like my mother. You know, she is 43 now, and she has been dancing since she was 20 years old.

M: I can’t believe it! She looks quite young and has a great figure.

W: Yes. She has formed a good habit of having enough fruits and vegetables every day. And more importantly, she keeps an optimistic attitude towards life which benefits her physical condition.

M: Oh, I see. How I wish I had taken enough exercise.

W: Come on. Don’t lose heart! If you think you can, you can. Let’s get rid of our bad habits and learn from our great parents.

M: Why not do it right now? Shall we swim this afternoon?

W: With pleasure!

Text 7

W: Hey, Mike. Where have you been? I didn’t see you around these days.

M: I was hiding in my office. My boss gave me loads of work to do, and I tried to finish it before my birthday. Anyway, I am done now. Thank goodness! How is everything going with you?

W: I’m quite well. You know, tomorrow is Christmas Day. Do you have any plans?

M: Well, to tell you the truth, I am more than excited about my birthday, which will come in two days. And I am going to visit my parents-in-law with my wife.

W: Wow, sounds great.

M: Definitely! This is my first time to spend my birthday with them.

W: Do they live far away from here?

M: A little bit. We planned to take the train, but considering the travel peak, my wife strongly suggested that we go to the airport right after we finish our work this afternoon. How about you? What’s your plan for the holiday?

W: Well, our situations are just the opposite. My parents-in-law will come to my house and they wish to stay at home and have a quiet Christmas Day. So I have to call my friends to cancel our party which will be held in my house.

M: You’ll experience a quite different and lovely holiday. Enjoy your Christmas!

W: Thanks, the same to you!

Text 8

W: Come to my office, Billy. Look at your messy hair. This is the third time you have been late for class within this week. And every time you went in, you disturbed the teacher’s class.

M: Sorry, Miss. I didn’t mean to do that, but it was my alarm clock that didn’t wake me up.

W: That is not a proper excuse. You could set it ahead of the exact time so that you could have got up earlier and not have been late.

M: I did that, but it seemed useless when I found the batteries had run out after I woke up this morning. I rushed to school and luckily, my neighbour Mr. Green gave me a hand and took me to school with his car.

W: So you could have made it. But you were still late for class.

M: The thing is, when I got off, I found I had left my bag in his car. And it was too late to get it back when I realized that. I went straight to the nearest shop and gave him a call. I waited for five minutes before Mr. Green drove back.

W: Finally, he gave you your bag and you came to the classroom and you were already 15minutes late for class at that time. Is that all?

M: Miss, you seem to know the entire story. May I go back to class now? Otherwise I will be late for the following class.

Text 9

W: Help me decide on which type of hotel room to book.

M: I want the one with a bed.

W: Very funny. We have a choice of different views, and each one is a different price. For instance, a room with a city view is 175 a night.

M: 175 a night?! That’s highway robbery!

W: If you think that’s too steep, there are a few other options. We can get a courtyard room with no view for 120 a night or a room with an obstructed or peek-a-boo ocean views for 130 a night.

M: I don’t really care which type of room we get as long as we don’t end up with a room on the ground floor. I don’t like having people walking back and forth outside my window all night.

W: Okay, I can request a room on an upper floor. You really don’t have a preference?

M: No, not really.

W: There is a penthouse room for 400 a night.

M: What?! For that price, I’d better get a view of the Eiffel Tower, the Parthenon, and the Great Wall of China!

Text 10

W: For millions of Americans, the most wonderful day of the year is December 25— Christmas.

　　For one thing, it marks the end of the busy time of year. Many people need a rest after weeks of buying gifts, going to parties, organizing travel and getting their homes ready for the holiday. With all this, it is often said that Christmas has lost its meaning as the birthday of Jesus Christ. Some churches in the United States have called off Christmas Day services, so people can spend the day with their families. Another important part of the Christmas season is music. Among traditional carols, one of the most popular is “Silent Night”. But not all Americans celebrate Christmas. And even those who do might not celebrate it as a religious holiday. This is true of Christians as well as non-Christians. Still, they treat it as a special day.

　　And it is hard to think of anyone that Christmas is more special for than children. Of course, this has a lot to do with the tradition of a kindly old man with a big belly and a bright red suit. Children know Santa Claus as the one who leaves gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve.