陕西省师大附中2017届高三下学期七模考试英语试卷

陕西师大附中2017届高考英语模拟试题

本试分为第I卷 和第II 卷两部分。 全卷共150分，考试时间120分钟。

第 I 卷（选择题共100分）

第一部分 听力（共两节，满分30分）

第一节

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 does the conversation take place?
   1. At the beginning of a term.
   2. At the end of a term.
   3. During a vacation.
2. Why can’t the man drive the woman tomorrow?
   1. His car is being fixed.
   2. He has a doctor’s appointment.
   3. He will be working in a shop.
3. What will the woman do?
   1. Charge her cell phone. B. Visit her mother. C. Make a call.
4. Who will throw a party for the woman next Sunday?
   1. The woman herself. B. The man. C. Nancy.
5. What does the woman mean?
   1. Her mother is a housewife.
   2. Only 10% of American mothers work.
   3. Most American mothers work.
      第二节
      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，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，各个小题将给出5秒钟的作答时间。每段对话或独白读两遍。听第6段材料，回答第6、7题。
6. What are the speakers mainly talking about?
   1. A festival. B. A birthday party. C. A class reunion.
7. What does the woman decide to do?
   1. Stay with her family.
   2. Go to a party with the man.
   3. Go on vacation.
      听第7段材料，回答第8、9题。
8. How does the man feel?
   1. Confident.B. Nervous. C. Excited.
9. What does the man want to do next? 资*源%库
   1. Continue talking with the woman. $来&源：
   2. Go to the bathroom.
   3. Drink some water.
      听第8段材料，回答第10至12题。
10. Why does the girl want to have a car?
    1. To travel with her friends.
       B. To show off.
       C. To be independent.
11. Where does the girl study?
    1. In a middle school.B. In a high school.C. In a university.
12. Why doesn’t the man buy his daughter a car now?
    1. He thinks his daughter is too young to drive.
    2. He wants his daughter to earn a car.
    3. He can’t afford another car.
       听第9段材料，回答第13至16题。
13. With whom does the woman travel?
    1. She is alone. B. Her family. C. Her business partner.
14. What do the speakers have in common?
    1. They both live in New York.
    2. They are both traveling on business.
    3. They have both stayed in the hotel before.
15. What is the man’s favorite part of the hotel?
    1. The service. B. The breakfast. C. The facilities.
16. What does the woman imply about the hotel?
    1. The prices are reasonable.
    2. It doesn’t seem like a nice hotel from the outside.
    3. The service didn’t use to be anything special.
       听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。
17. What is The Bookworm?
    1. A literary festival.B. A café.C. A bookstore.
18. Who is Peter Hessler?
    1. A photographer.B. A public speaker.C. A writer.
19. What was the speaker excited about?
    1. Seeing someone give a speech.
    2. Hearing a famous band play music.
    3. Finding his favorite magazine.
20. What was the speaker’s mistake?
    1. Mistaking the place. B. Mistaking the year. C. Mistaking the day.
       第二部分 阅读理解（共两节，满分40分）
       第一节（共15小题；毎小题2分，满分30分）
       阅读下列四篇短文，从每小题后所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答題卡上将该选项涂黑。
       A.
       How do you procrastinate(拖延) ?
       Each school year leads to a constant cycle of trying to get ourselves to sit down, focus, and complete our schoolwork, as everything else suddenly seems much more interesting. The Internet is an obvious choice for most short journeys into the thick(最激烈处) of procrastination, but what do people do offline ? We surveyed several students to see what they do to avoid responsibilities in the real world.
       We asked students about their offline modes of procrastniation.

       “when I need to procrastinate , I will sing and dance in front of a mirror as much as I possibly can to avoid thinking about the problem. And I was very happy when I found out that my room had two mirrors, because it allowed for multi-dimensional dancing” ------Anushka Kurian,first-year “I procrastinate by clipping my nails. Sometimes I even paint them” ------Julia Irion ,fourth-year English and Portuguese “Usually when I have a ot of work to do, I just take naps, even if I’m not tired , so that I can avoid all of my responsibilities!” ------Jack McCrossin, first-year Urban studies “One way that I procrastinate is just reading a book in the backyard. But not a school book, obviously . I like to read romance novels.” ------Ferry Anthony , fourth-year Philosophy and Religion “I just play around with make-up and skin-care and other fun things!” -----Sylvia Battaglia, third-year Political Science and Philosopy “I guess I procrastinate by socializing with my roommates. Mostly chatting about school , work , life, and online games . Ironically（讽刺的是）, I spend a portion of my offline procrastination talking with my roommates about how I procrastinate online” ------Thomas Zheng, second-year Biochemistry and Chemistry

21. What is an obvious choice for students to procrastinate?

1. studying B. the Internet C. a journey D. socializing with roommates
   22. Which is included in the Julia Irion’s activity of procrastniation？
   1. dancing B. make-up
      C. reading D. clipping my nails.
      23.What does Thomas Zheng think is ironical ?
      A. He procrastinates by socialize with his roommates .
2. He likes chatting about school,work,life and online games.
   C.He just takes naps.
   D. He spends a portion of his offline procrastination talking with his roommate about how I procrastinate oneline.
   B.
   My divorce was now final and I needed to find a new home for me and my six-year-old son, Dash. A few days earlier I’d seen an ad. I was willing to try anything, so I contacted the owner, a woman named Camille. When she e-mailed me back I discovered she wasn’t renting a house at all. She was renting the attic (阁楼) apartment. I left her a message calling off our meeting.
   But Camille called me back and insisted I come over. So here I was. I pulled the car to a stop and looked up at the tiny cottage. The house was small as it was. The attic window looked too tiny to let much light in. We couldn’t live in a dark, depressing place. I could make do(凑合) with almost anything. But Dash needs a good home, a place he really feels safe.
   No sense in wasting her time or mine. I knocked. The woman who opened the door was small and bright-eyed. She was much older than I’d guessed, but I could see she had the energy of someone half her age. She looked so sympathetic（有同情心的） that I found myself wanting to keep talking to her."We have to leave our home,"I explained."My marriage ended. I only have a few days to find something else, but I want it to be right."09
   Camille nodded."You’re a good mother. You never know the miracles that await(等待) you around the corner." Camille walked me to the door and wished me well. I got back in the car and snapped out of it. I drove off slowly, hoping to make the feeling last. I turned down a side street I didn’t recognize. I glanced out of the side window. Just up ahead was a cottage with a sign out in front: for rent.
   I pulled over. I found the owners had just bought the house themselves and were decorating it, hoping to find the perfect renters. They took me on a tour of the house that was like a copy of my list: a big bedroom for Dash, a backyard with trees, and a great school nearby. The house was meant for us!
   Camille was right. Miracles await us, just around the corner.
   24．How did the author feel after receiving Camille’s e-mail?
   A.Disappointed.B.Excited.C.Anxious.D.Content.
   25．Why must the author find a good place?
   A.To begin a new life. B.To give Dash a good education.
   C.For her son’s sake. D.For her and her son’s safety.
   26．What does the underlined part"snapped out of it"probably mean?
   1. Say something in an impatient voice. B. Stop feeling unhappy or depressed.
      C. Make a sharp noise suddenly. D. Lose control of one’s feelings.
      27．What message does the passage mainly convey?
      A.Never lose hope. B.No pains, no gains.
      C.Every little bit helps. D.Well begun is half done.
      C.
      Body awareness helps children figure out how they can move their bodies and understand the concept of space and how it relates to their bodies. There are many fun games and songs that teach children body awareness and encourage them to move their bodies. Simon Says is a great example of such games, as long as you allow all children to continue playing instead of removing children who do not follow the directions correctly. Children who do not follow the directions correctly are generally the very ones that need to play the game most. Each time you call out an instruction - touch your toes/raise your arms/tap your head, the children are mentally relating the name of the body part to their own bodies.
      Do you remember the game Statue, or maybe you call it Freeze? The teacher plays music, and when the music stops, the children “freeze”.  To add an element of learning about body parts, add this instruction: When the music stops, you freeze except for the body part that I call out when the music stops; So if you call “Hands”, everyone should freeze except for their hands, which should be moving. Children love this variation of the game, and it teaches them to listen and learn body parts.
      Listening to songs also helps teach children's body awareness. One of the songs is If You're Happy and You Know It. Although the standard refrains (副歌曲调) tell you to “clap your hands" and" stamp your feet”, you can try lots of fun verses: wiggle your fingers, pull your ears, knock your knees and touch your head, etc.
      Children enjoy guessing games, too. Try giving clues about which body part you are describing. For example,"I am thinking about a body part that I smell with. It is right under my eyes and right over my mouth. What am I thinking about?" To help thinking and language skills, encourage children to make up the clues for a body part.
      Children should enter school with a basic understanding of their bodies. Children programs can promote this understanding by including develop - mentally appropriate and fun activities into curriculum that teach children about their amazing bodies!
      28.The reason why children who do not follow the directions correctly is that they____.

      A.are not clever enough	B.can' t pay attention well
      C.have good body awareness	D.lack body awareness

      29.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
      A.Statue or Freeze can add element of learning about body parts.
      B.Simon Says helps children relate names to their body parts easily.
      C.Listening to songs can only help children move their hands and feet.
      D.Guessing games is a good way for children to make up clues for body parts.
      30.Which of the following games could possibly be beneficial to thinking and speaking?

      A.Listening to songs.	B.Guessing games.
      C.Simon Says.	D.Statue or Freeze.

      31.The author's purpose in writing the passage is to tell us ________.
      A.why body awareness is important for children.
      B.which game is best for children’s -body awareness
      C.how we can help children learn before going to school
      D.what activities are good for children’s body awareness
      D.
      Dreams can be familiar and strange, fantastical or boring, but some dreams might be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill.
      In the study, 99 college students between the ages of 18 and 30 each spent an hour on a computer, trying to get through a virtual maze（迷宫）.The maze was a different place each time they tired—making it even more difficult. They were also told to find a particular picture of a tree and remember where it was.
      For the first 90 minutes of a five-hour break, half of the participants stayed awake and an half were told to take a short nap . Participants who stayed awake were asked to describe their thoughts. Participants who took a nap were asked about their dreams after sleeping—and they were awakened within a minute of sleeping to describe their dreams. Stickgold, a neuroscientist（神经科学家）,wanted to know what people were dreaming about when their eyes weren’t moving during sleep.
      Four of the 50 people who slept said their dreams were connected to the maze. Some dreamed about the music that had been playing when they were working ; Others said they dreamed about seeing people in the maze. When these four people tried the computer maze again, they were able to find the tree faster than before their naps.
      Stickgold suggests the dream itself doesn’t help a person learn—it’s the other way around.He suspects that the dream was caused by the brain processes associated with learning.
      All four of the people who dreamed about the task had done poorly the first time, which makes Stickgold wonder if the dreams show up when a person finds a new task particularly difficult. People who had other dreams, or people who didn’t take a nap, didn’t show the same improvement.
      32. After having a short nap, participants of the experiment were asked to____.
      A. stay in a.different place in the maze.
      B.design a virtual maze which is difficult to get through.
3. try to remember something about their dreams
4. get through a virtual maze on a computer from the same place

33. What can we leam from the text?

1. Participants who took a nap were required to express their thoughts.
2. Some dreams may encourage people to invent something new.
3. Participants who dreamed about films could finish the task more easily.
4. Participants whose dreams had something to do with the maze could find the tree faster.
   34. According to Stickgold, ____.
   1. every person may dream about what they leamed
   2. people's brain processes may still be connected with their leaming in their dreams
   3. once people's eyes stop moving, they are sure to dream about something
      D. no matter how fantastical or boring, dreams are connected with people's life
      35. What is the best title for this text?
      A. Dreams Are Strange
      B. Not All Dreams Are True
      C. Dreaming Makes Perfect
      D. Stickgold,a Dream Expert
      第二节（共5小题；毎小题2分，满分10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。
      Creating a reader-friendly home
      A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become enthusiastic readers. What kind of books should you have? Ask your kids about their interests. 36
      Here are some other tips:
      37
      Collect board books or books with mirrors and different textures(质地) for babies. Preschoolers enjoy alphabet books, rhyming books, and picture books. Elementary-age kids will enjoy variety: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, plus dictionaries and other reference books.$来&源：
      Keep reading material handy.
      Keep sturdy(耐用的) books with other toys for easy exploration. Books near the changing table and high chair can be helpful distractions for younger kids at appropriate moments. 38 Keep books next to comfortable chairs and sofas where you cuddle up （蜷缩着睡）so you can read after feedings and before naps.
      Create a special reading place.
      As kids grow, keep age-appropriate books and magazines on shelves they can reach in their favorite places around the house. 39 Place some of the books with the covers facing out so they're easy to spot. Put a basket full of books and magazines next to their favorite places to sit. Create a cozy reading corner, and encourage kids to use it by setting up"reading corner time" each day.
      Keep it appealing.
      Make sure reading areas have good lighting. Change the materials often — add seasonal books, change different magazines, and include books that relate to what kids are interested in or studying in school. 40. Place a CD or tape player nearby for audio books.
      A. If they're too young to have a preference, your local librarian can offer suggestions about age-appropriate books.
      B. Decorate the corner with your child's artwork or writing.
      C. Make these shelves appealing and keep them organized.
      D. Plastic books can even go in the bathtub.
5. Keep a varied selection.
6. Encourage kids to create their own reading
7. Try to teach kids some artwork on their own.

第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）

第一节完形填空（共20小题；每题1. 5分，满分30分）

阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A, B, C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

We all love watching fireworks,from the attractive shows on the Fourth of July (a national holiday in the US) to the Roman candle burning in the backyard. But let's stop and 41 the price we pay for just a few minutes of 42.

First,the amount of money we spend on fireworks is 43 . The excitement is gone 44 . Let's face it,what we really are doing is burning 45 . Yet,year after year,thousands of cities and towns spend our tax dollars on fireworks displays. Those tax dollars would be 46 to much better use feeding our hungry and housing our homeless.

Second, there is the matter of 47 . Fireworks contain chemicals that are harmful to people and animals. Over the years,these chemicals will 48 the air we breathe and the water we drink.

Third, let's consider the trash left behind after a fireworks 49 . What a 50 !One would probably 51 that those who set off the fireworks would have the politeness to 52 the trash afterwards. 53 ,they don't. The mess they leave behind 54 the kind of attitude many Americans have toward our 55.

Fourth, fireworks are 56 . Some fireworks can damage your 57 ,especially the fireworks used in public displays that give off a big BANG. Losing your hearing is too high a price to pay.

58 all the safety warnings,we still see injuries and deaths as a result of fireworks. Approximately 10,000 Americans are injured every year by fireworks.

In my view,all consumer fireworks should be 59 . Public fireworks displays should be kept to a minimum and should be paid for through volunteer funding,not tax dollars. Finally,those people in charge of fireworks displays should be 60 for cleaning up the mess they make.

41. A .think about B. show off C. think up D. turn up

42. A. doubt B. hesitation C. surprise D. excitement

43. A. limited B. worthwhile C. necessary D. absurd

44. A. in time B. in a flash C. for free D. for a while

45. A. paper B. oil C. time D. money

46. A. put B. place C. take D. play

47. A. interest B. expense C. pollution D. safety

48. A. absorb B. poison C. reduce D. clean

49. A. movement B. display C.entertainment D. producing

50. A. mess B. shame C. pity D. lesson

51. A. warn B. order C. forbid D. expect

52. A. save B. leave C. pick up D. figure out

53. A. Therefore B. However C. Otherwise D. Anyhow

54. A. changes B. adopts C. reflects D. shares

55. A. environment B. ground C. society D. behavior

56. A. beautiful B. dangerous C. bright D. complex

57. A. memory B. relatives C. hearing D. sight

58. A. Without B. Despite C. Beyond D. Besides

59. A. banned B. discussed C. encouraged D. produced

60. A. famous B. intended C. responsible D. designed

第Ⅱ卷（非选择题共50分）

第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）

第二节（共10小题；每小题1. 5分，满分15分）

阅读下面材料，在空白处填入一个适当的单词，或括号内单词的正确形式。

One afternoon I was sitting at my favorite table in a restaurant, waiting for the food I had ordered 61___________( arrive). Suddenly I noticed that a man 62. ___________ (sit) at a table near the window kept glancing in my 63. ___________(direct), as if he knew me. The man had a newspaper 64. ___________ (open)in front of him, which he was pretending to read, but I could see that he was keeping an eye 65. ___________me. When the waiter brought my food , the man was 66. ___________ (clear) puzzled by the familiar way 67. ___________the waiter and I chatted with each other. He seemed even more puzzled as time went on and it became clear that all the 68. ___________(waiter) in the restaurant knew me. Finally he 69. ___________(get) up and went into the kitchen.When he came out, he paid his bill and left. I called the 70. ___________ (own) of the restaurant and asked what was the matter with the man .“Well,”he said, “that man was a detective（侦探）. He followed you here because he thought you were the man he was looking for.”

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处错误，每句中最多有两处。错误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(Λ)，并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，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。

I like riding my bike.Though it is not very new，but it is my best friend.I find very convenient to go anywhere with a bike.Riding gives me not only exercises but also pleasure.I use my bike most in summer when the weather is warm and dry.It can be very unpleasant in winter which it is cold and wind is blowing heavy.It can also be very dangerous.Of course I will be very careful in my bike.In fact，accidents are not the only problem.One day I went to school and come back to find the front wheel was missing.It was the long walk to the repairer shop.Now I have two strong locks.

第二节 书面表达（共1小题，共25分）

假设你是李华，最近在你班会上进行了一次有关“是在国外读大学还是在国内读大学”的讨论会，请根据以下提示写一篇英文短文为校报投稿。

注意：1.词数100左右；

2．要点要全；开头和结尾已经写出，不计入总词数；

3．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Editor，

I contribute to your newspaper to introduce something about the recent class meeting of mine.

Yours，

Li Hua

陕西师大附中2017届高考英语模拟试题答题纸

第II卷

第三部分 英语知识运用（共两节，满分45分）

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。

61. 62. 63. 64. 65.

66. 67. 68. 69. 70.

第四部分 写作（共两节，满分35分）

1. 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。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。

增加：在缺词处加一个漏词符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）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。

I like riding my bike.Though it is not very new，but it is my best friend.I find very convenient to go anywhere with a bike.Riding gives me not only exercises but also pleasure.I use my bike most in summer when the weather is warm and dry.It can be very unpleasant in winter which it is cold and wind is blowing heavy.It can also be very dangerous.Of course I will be very careful in my bike.In fact，accidents are not the only problem.One day I went to school and come back to find the front wheel was missing.It was the long walk to the repairer shop.Now I have two strong locks.

第二节 书面表达 （满分25分）

假设你是李华，最近在你班会上进行了一次有关“是在国外读大学还是在国内读大学”的讨论会，请根据以下提示写一篇英文短文为校报投稿。

注意：

1.词数100左右；

2．要点要全；开头和结尾已经写出，不计入总词数；

3．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Editor，

I contribute to your newspaper to introduce something about the recent class meeting of mine.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours，

Li Hua

高三年级英语试题答案

第一节

听 力：1—5AACBC6—10AABBC11—15BBACB16—20ABCAB

阅 读：A篇. 21-23 BDDB篇. 24-27 ACBA

C篇.28--31 D C B D D篇. 32-35 CDBC

阅读七选五：36-40答案：AEDCB

完型填空：41-45 ADDBD 46-50 ACBBA 51-55 DCBCA 56-60 BCBAC

语法填空 ：61.to arrive 62. sitting 63 direction 64. open 65.on 66. clearly 67.waiters 68. that 69.got 70. owner

第二节：

短文改错：

I like riding my bike.Though it is not very new， it is my best friend.I find very convenient to go anywhere with a bike.Riding gives me not only but also pleasure.I use my bike in summer when the weather is warm and dry. It can be very unpleasant in winter it is cold and wind is blowing . It can also be very dangerous.Of course I will be very careful my bike.In fact，accidents are not the only problem.One day I went to school and back to find the front wheel was missing.It was long walk to the repairer（改成repairer's）shop.Now I have two strong locks.

写 作

Dear Editor，

I contribute to your newspaper to introduce something about the recent class meeting of mine.Our class has held a heated debate about whether going abroad or staying at home for college education recently.

Some students think that studying abroad is a good choice，because there are lots of famous colleges abroad.The environment there is nice and quiet.But the expense of studying abroad is rather high.

Others prefer to study home.They believe that domestic colleges have excellent teams of teachers，the teaching equipment is advanced，and the tuition is lower.However，chances to practice are not as many as studying abroad.

As far as I am concerned，I choose domestic colleges.Although the domestic university may not be as good as the foreign university，culture difference is a big problem.To study abroad，you must get over the obstacle of language and differences in behavior and habits.

Yours，

Li Jin

Text 1

M: It’s strange being back in school.

W: What do you mean?

M: I think it’s tough to get used to studying, meeting new people, and taking notes again after being on vacation for so long.

Text 2

W: Could you drive me to my doctor’s appointment tomorrow, Jesse?

M: I’d love to, Theresa, but the problem is that my car is in the shop.

Text 3

W: Uh oh, I think my cell phone is about to die.

M: Don’t worry. I charged mine before we left the house.

W: Thank goodness. My mother called me three times. I don’t want her to worry.

Text 4

W: Next Sunday, I want to have a party for my birthday.

M: A birthday party? Nancy wanted to throw one for you, but I told her I would do it, so don’t worry about it.

Text 5

M: Do you mean that both of your parents work?

W: So what? Only 10% of American families have a traditional working father and a stay at home mother.

Text 6

M: I bought a pumpkin, and I am planning to make it into a lantern tomorrow.

W: Oh, that’s right. Halloween is coming!

M: Yeah, the school is letting us use the gym for the Halloween party. I am so excited about it, but I have not decided what to wear this year. I don’t want to wear a plain old vampire costume like last year. Have you decided what you’re going to wear? You looked so great in that Cat Woman costume last year.

W: Me? No, I’m still not sure. Last year’s party was great, but I will be at home with my family this year.

Text 7

W: Mr. Davidson, what is a leader in your opinion?

M: Uh, well, um, a leader is someone who... leads, I guess. It’s someone who, uh, sets a good example, uh... for others.

W: OK. What kinds of leadership qualities do you think this position requires?

M: Hmm, I would have to say that... uh, this position, uh... well, someone who is strong and can think quickly and...

W: Do you think you are qualified, Mr. Davidson?

M: Oh, yeah, I’m, like, totally qualified! I would do a great job, for sure, as long as I get paid enough. Can I, uh, ask one question?

W: Go ahead, Mr. Davidson.

M: Where is the bathroom? I must have had too much water today!

W: (Sigh) It’s right down the hall. Go ahead and see yourself out afterwards. We will let you know.

Text 8

W: Dad, can I have a car?

M: Sweetheart, we talked about this. Owning a car is a big responsibility. Gas is pretty expensive nowadays. You also have to maintain your car properly, and that means...

W: Yeah, I know, Dad! You’ve told me a thousand times! But how am I supposed to be independent if you always drive me places?

M: Well, I feel more comfortable knowing that you’re safe.

W: Do you know how embarrassing it is to have your father drop you off at the mall? All my friends have cars of their own already!

M: Don’t all of your friends have jobs of their own, too?

W: Well, yeah, I guess, but...

M: And haven’t your friends kept their grades up all through high school?

W: Uh... yeah.

M: Well, you show me a report card of straight A’s and two paychecks from a new job, and then we’ll talk about a car for you.

W: What? That’s so unfair!

M: Life isn’t fair sometimes. But you’ll appreciate your future car if you earn it. Why don’t we look through some car magazines so you can see what you are working toward?

Text 9

M: This is quite a nice pool, isn’t it?

W: I’ll say. Is this your first time in this hotel?

M: Oh, no. I stay here every time I’m in New York on business. What about you?

W: This is my first time here without my family. I decided that I just wanted some time for myself this weekend.

M: Good for you! My name is Bernard Smith, but you can call me Bernie.

W: Hi, Bernie! I’m Jane.

M: Nice to meet you. So, Jane, what do you think is the best part of this hotel? I mean, seeing as how you’re a bit of an expert and all...

W: Well, I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but the service here is much better than at most other hotels. Considering the price of the rooms here, you might not expect the service to be anything special, but I feel like I am treated like a queen whenever I’m here.

M: I agree that the service is great, but my favorite thing about this place has got to be the breakfast. I mean, have you seen so many choices anywhere else?

W: Well, you have a point there, Bernie. I do love eating breakfast here, and I guess I usually talk about it whenever people ask me how my trip to New York was.

Text 10

So I was walking around Beijing the other day when I saw a sign for The Bookworm. It’s a really cool café that also has great food, and sometimes they have music and other special events. Well, it just so happened that there was a literary festival going on that featured writers and photographers working in China, and I saw that Peter Hessler was going to be speaking at the festival at 7:30 that very night! Peter Hessler is probably my favorite writer at the moment; he used to write about China for The New Yorker, a famous American magazine, and he also wrote three books about his experiences living and working in Beijing. His writing is really funny and super clever, and I was so excited to hear him speak that I went right over to The Bookworm, grabbed a seat at the bar, and waited for him to arrive. I waited and waited, but he still was a no show. Finally, at 8:30, I asked one of the staff when he was supposed to be there. “Peter Hessler?” the guy replied. “He’s not supposed to be here tonight. He was here last year, though.” It was then that I realized my mistake. I had come on the right day, just not in the right year!