厦门市重点中学2023-2024学年高二上学期9月月考
英语科试卷
本试卷共10页，满分150分，考试时间120分钟
注意事项：
1. 答题前,考生务必用0.5 毫米黑色签字笔将自己的姓名、座号和科类填写到答题卡和试卷规定的位置上。
2. 回答选择题时,选出每小题答案后,用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。回答非选择题时,将答案写在答题卡上,写在本试卷上无效。
3. 全卷不能使用涂改液、胶带纸、修正带。不按以上要求作答的答案无效。
第一部分 听力（共两节, 满分30分）
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客观题答题卡上。
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。每段对话仅读一遍。
1. Where are the speakers going to meet
A. Under the clock. B. At the museum. C. Next to the balloons.
2. When will Dan and Jane get to the restaurant
A. At 7:20. B. At 7:30. C. At 7:35.
3. Where is the school report
A. In the white envelope. B. In the pink envelope. C. In the brown envelope.
4. What’s the probable relationship between the speakers
A. Classmates.
B. Club staff and club member.
C. Music teacher and student.
5. What’s the woman’s secret to making good spaghetti
A. Cooking the spaghetti longer.
B. Adding some salt to the boiling water.
C. Putting the spaghetti in before the water boils.
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。每段对话或独白读两遍。
听下面一段对话，回答第6-7小题。
6. Why is the woman worried
A. The man is not good at parking.
B. There are so many cars on the road.
C. She thinks she might have an accident.
7. What is the man doing
A. Driving a car. B. Directing traffic. C. Teaching the woman to drive.
听下面一段对话，回答第8-10小题。
8. What are the speakers mainly talking about
A. Asian culture. B. African culture. C. European culture.
9. What does the woman consider the most interesting
A. Cave paintings. B. Bones. C. Settlements.
10. How does the man feel about the woman’s claims
A. Disappointed. B. Curious. C. Indifferent.
听下面一段对话，回答第11-13小题。
11. What do we know about the man
A. He failed the exam.
B. He didn’t write a good essay.
C. He will certainly get an A.
12. How much does the exam account for in the final grade
A. 30%. B. 20%. C. 10%.
13. What will the woman do next
A. Have lunch. B. Make a call. C. Study at home.
听下面一段对话，回答第14-17小题。
14. Where are the speakers
A. On a street. B. In a radio studio. C. At a travel agency.
15. What does the man do
A. He is a teacher. B. He is a guide. C. He is an architect.
16. What is Piccadilly Circus
A. A traffic center. B. A statue. C. A fountain.
17. What is Piccadilly Circus famous for
A. Its long history. B. Its great shops. C. Its famous designer.
听下面一段对话，回答第18-20小题。
18 What do young people often think about being 40 years old
A. They are the wisest at that time.
B. The relaxing time of their life is ahead.
C. Life is going to get bad from then on.
19. Where did Yoon-hee come from
A. Korea. B. Japan. C. The U.S.
20. How old was Yoon-hee when she started to prepare for a marathon
A. 45. B. 63. C. 65.
第二部分 阅读理解（共两节, 满分50）
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
Activities to Enjoy with the Kids
When you are stuck for ideas for things to do with the kids, look no further. There are many attractions and activities in North Devon, as well as on one of our Parks.
The Big Sheep
Open January to October.
Meet the animals, feed the animals. Loads of them too. Like sheep, goats, ducks, dogs and more. Rides and attractions, whatever the weather, for the whole family. The Rampage Roller-coaster is great, ride the swans in the lake and enjoy the sheepdog show.
Air Extreme
Open all year round.
A unique trampoline(蹦床) park in North Devon. A fantastic area of interconnected trampolines in nearby Barnstaple. Air Extreme is filled with jump activities. Jump all day long or chill out and party in the cafe area.
North Devon Wake Park
All through the year.
If you fancy venturing a bit further afield(遥远), then head across to Bideford to visit the Wake and Aqua Park. They have something for all of the family, from beginner to the experienced, if you don’t mind getting wet! Race and slide and chase each other across the fantastic park.
The Milky Way
Open weekends off-season, daily most of the year.
Online booking is essential for this family-friendly theme park. They have North Devon’s largest indoor play area, a typhoon roller-coaster, a gravity rider, a donut slide, as well as android destroyer dodgems(碰碰车) and a whole pile of other activities!
21. Which of the following is suitable if your kid is an animal lover
A. The Big Sheep. B. North Devon Wake Park.
C. Air Extreme. D. The Milky Way.
22. What do Air Extreme and North Devon Wake Park have in common
A. They both have jump activities. B. They are both throughout the year.
C. They both involve adventures. D. They are both far from Devon.
23. What is necessary for a visit to The Milky Way
A. Coming on weekends B. Taking your family.
C. Booking online. D. Playing roller-coasters.
B
Michael Todd wore the same clothes every day for the first three weeks of school. When the other kids began to notice that he was wearing the same black pants and blue, teal, and gray long-sleeve shirt day after day, Todd, a freshman at Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School in Memphis, became the target of laughter. But there was little Todd could do. His mother simply couldn’t afford to buy him new clothes.
Two of the kids piling on were Antwan Garrett and Kristopher Graham, a pair of freshman football players. But over time, they realized that their unfavorable words felt like bullying (欺凌) and seemed to be slowly crushing Todd’s spirit. Something finally clicked. “I felt like I needed to do something,” Graham told CBS News. So he and Garrett hatched a plan. They went home and hunted through their own drawers and closets.
The next day at school, they met Todd at their third-period class and asked him to come into the hall. Todd was understandably nervous about being called out by the larger boys. “He wasn’t smiling or anything, and I was like, ‘I think this is going to make you smile,’” Graham says. “I told him, ‘We’re in the same third period, and I apologize for laughing at you, and I want to give something to you to make it up.’” He then handed Todd a bag. Inside were clean shirts and shorts, plus a brand-new pair of New Balance sneakers.
Todd was blown away. “I was very happy,” he told WATN-TV. “Surprised and upset, completely.” And Todd got much more than a new wardrobe. He no longer sits alone at lunch. Now he eats with his new friends, Garrett and Graham.
“I’ve been bullied my entire life,” Todd told CBS News. Reflecting on the day when Garrett and Graham called him into the hall, he called it “the best day of my entire life, basically.”
24. What can we learn about Todd and his family
A. Todd worked hard to earn his living.
B. Todd’s family lived in extreme poverty.
C. Todd’s mother did nothing to change the situation.
D. Todd were made fun of from the beginning of school.
25. What does the underlined word “hatched” mean in paragraph 2
A. formed. B. proved. C. confirmed. D. rejected.
26. What can be inferred from paragraphs 3-4
A. Todd was eager to make more friends with others.
B. Todd felt puzzled when being shouted by Graham.
C. Todd received no apology from Garrett and Graham.
D. Todd was shocked but pleased at the kids’ help to him.
27. What does the author want to convey through the passage
A. Hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
B. Accepting and living with each other’s weaknesses.
C. Seeing others’ misfortune as an opportunity to help.
D. Making friends with those having common interests.
C
Some people can’t wait for the lovely colors, cooler weather, and cozy sweaters of autumn. In fact, fall is Americans’ favorite time, but for a minority of others, the transition from summer creates worry, fear and worse. According to Carrie Landin, a psychologist from the University of Colorado Health Integrative Medicine Center, a significant number of people actually experience autumn anxiety.
For some people, stress is triggered (触发) by environmental factors: Decreases in daylight cause chemical changes in the brain. “Less daylight leads to lower levels of chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that control our emotions,” says Kimberly Asner-self, associate professor at Touro Colleges’ School of Health Sciences. “As these chemicals drop, the body responds by increasing levels of cortisol, the hormone released in situations where we face threat.” The result can be an increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping and depression.
But it’s not just increasing darkness that can trigger these symptoms. For people who feel this way every year, some of the reaction is mental. “When we know there’s the potential for stress ahead we tend to anticipate the problems, feeling anxious before they even happen,” Landin says.
The fall features more than its fair share of impending (迫在眉睫) events: back to school at the beginning of the season and family get-togethers toward the end. Mayra Mendez, a psychologist from Providence Saint Johns Health Center, suggests identifying your personal triggers and making a plan to manage them before they feel overwhelming (难以应对的). For instance, if you’re concerned about family issues and holiday parties, decide in advance that it’s perfectly OK to say no to some of them. If fall’s stricter work and school schedules make you anxious, plan regular breaks and vacations to look forward to.
Finally, you should also find ways to embrace the present moment. Remember: while autumn may throw you a few tricks, there are plenty of treats to be found too.
28. What may be the cause of autumn anxiety
A. Cooler weather. B. Less daylight.
C. Sleep difficulties. D. Vacation plans.
29. Landin’s words are mentioned in paragraph 3 to show__________.
A. potential stress can be predictable B. stress can be triggered by chemicals
C. depression is related to family issues D. anxiety can be caused by mental factors
30. What does the author probably think of autumn stress
A. Manageable. B. Overwhelming.
C. Troublesome. D. Beneficial.
31. What can be the best title for the text
A. Seasonal Anxiety B. Tricks or Treats
C. The Autumn Blues D. Characteristics of Fall
D
Across the world, studies have consistently found that girls perform significantly better than boys in reading. These studies show that girls typically read more frequently than boys, and have a more positive attitude towards reading.
There are several reasons that help explain these gender-based differences. Parents read more with their daughters. This sends a strong and early message that books are for girls, as well as equipping girls with a significant advantage. Recent research has found even though boys read less frequently than girls, girls still receive more encouragement to read from their parents.
So how can parents and educators help bridge this socially engineered gap for boys' reading
To improve boys’ reading performance, parents and educators may look for ways to connect boys with reading. This has led to discussions about the importance of promoting the so-called boy-friendly books that boys supposedly prefer. These are typically assumed to be non-fiction works, as many people believe that boys prefer to read non-fiction.
But this belief is not supported by recent research, which in fact suggests boys are more likely to choose to read fiction than non-fiction. Encouraging all boys to read non-fiction under the mistaken belief that it is their preference may actually be harmful. Fiction readers read more frequently and demonstrate faster language learning and higher language ability.
Besides encouraging more fiction reading, there are a number of ways that we can help connect boys with books. Firstly, don’t assume that boys of the same age have the same interests or that their interests stay the same over time. To match boys with suitable reading material, have regular discussions about reading for pleasure in order to keep up with their interests.
Schools should also provide access to libraries during lessons throughout the years of schooling. Girls visit the library in their free time more than boys, and as students move to higher grades they often have less access to libraries during lessons. Access to books for boys is essential to promote reading.
In addition, we should keep paper books available because research shows that boys are less likely to choose to read on screens than girls. Finally we should promote reading as an enjoyable pastime by being a role model. Let your children or students see you read for pleasure.
32. According to the author, what is the main cause of the differences in boys' and girls' reading ability
A. Social factors.
B. Teaching methods.
C. Personal preferences.
D. Psychological differences.
33. Why does the author recommend that adults regularly talk to boys about reading
A. To persuade boys to read more often.
B. To learn what boys are most interested in.
C. To help boys improve their language ability.
D. To show that adults are good reading role models
34.When should schools give students additional library access according to the author
A. Before and after class.
B. At any time of the school day
C. At regular times during lessons.
D. When they are in the lower grades.
35.What is the main purpose of the text
A. To show students ways to improve their reading
B. To explain why boys are not as good at reading as girls.
C. To urge governments to provide more reading resources.
D. To provide strategies that can help improve boys’ reading ability.
32—35 ABCD
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 to protect your privacy when you travel
It hasn’t been an easy year for the privacy(隐私) of travelers, at least so far. Data leaks, surveillance(监视) worries and those troublesome cameras in airplane seat backs and hotel rooms are enough to make passengers anxious. Perhaps they should be. 36 . These tips can help you deal with these troubles．
37 “It’s not clever to announce on Facebook that you’re traveling to somewhere, reminding a wide range of people that your house is sitting empty, ” says Danny McLoughlin. “That puts your security at risk.” Wait until you return to start posting vacation photos.
Some homeowners may install(安装) security cameras. Travelers should find out if the hosts are required to disclose the presence of surveillance devices. If the rental comes with cameras, ensure they aren’t in a sensitive area. 38 .
Although you can’t control how a hotel or airline handles or mishandles your data, you can take reasonable steps to ensure the information it has won’t get you into trouble. 39
But some of the worst data leaks happen when you’re staying at a hotel. For example, a hotel clerk sometimes asks for your name and then announces your room number after you’ve checked in. You’re better off handing the employee your ID when he or she asks for your name and asking the employee to write your room number on a piece of paper. Why 40 Just to be sure, never leave the customer copy(客户联) behind. You can destroy it later, but keep it under your control.
A．It’s never been better．
B．Fortunately, there are ways to safeguard your privacy on land and in the air.
C．Travelers say they’re taking privacy seriously．
D．Never post your journey on social media．
E．There are other people on the other side of the wall．
F．Some travelers only offer the least information, such as a Post Office box instead of a home address．
G．Report anything doubtful to the host immediately and if you don’t like what you hear, leave.
第三部分 语言知识运用（共两节,满分30分）
（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,选出最佳选项。
From the age of eight, I had to contribute my share of labor along with my father. Our family was too ____41____ to afford paid laborers. Working in the rice fields was no easy job, especially in summer. The ____42____ sun would beat upon my arched back. With only a hat, a shirt and a pair of shorts as my ____43____, I would be sweating like a pig within seconds.
One day, while resting beside the field, I ____44____ my present life: My family was tied to land, doing ____45____ jobs every day. How could we and farmers like us have ____46____ to a better life Thinking of this, I was suddenly ____47____ with great pity and great respect for them, and the focus of my ____48____ began to extend beyond myself and my family. A voice inside me ____49____ that I should do something to help that. It was right then that I ____50____ to pursue useful knowledge and technology to ____51____ their burden of labour. This strong ____52____ pushed me hard to go to university on a scholarship and ____53____ earn a degree on agriculture.
Although now I went into academic research, I would always ____54____ what working in the rice fields had taught me: your hard work will be ____55____ if you plant your feet firmly on the ground, for being down-to-earth is an unbroken truth.
41. A. desperate B. wise C. poor D. proud
42. A. rising B. setting C. blinding D. burning
43. A. preference B. protection C. possession D. pattern
44. A. puzzled over B. looked into C. figured out D.complained about
45. A. high-paying B. heart-breaking C. back-breaking D. risk-taking
46. A. possibility B. permission C. access D. admission
47. A. filled B. provided C. confused D. troubled
48. A. career B. schedule C. interest D. concern
49. A. protested B. insisted C. warned D. commanded
50. A. attempted B. promised C. decided D. tended
51. A. reduce B. increase C. distribute D. shoulder
52. A. emotion B. demand C. connection D. desire
53. A. instantly B. eventually C. definitely D. gradually
54. A. reflect B. adopt C. treasure D. explore
55. A. predicted B. emphasized C. paid D. rewarded
语法填空（共10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。
One of the largest research libraries in the world, the British Library houses more than 170 million items. The library usually selects works based on ____56____ (they) popularity or by considering an item’s value.
Recently, 16 Chinese online novels have been added to the ____57____ (collect) of the British Library, including Great Power, Heavy Industry, Good Spring Time, ____58____ The Wisdom of Great Song Dynasty.
____59____ (cover) themes of science fiction, history, reality and fantasy, these works are considered the classics of Chinese online literature from the past 20 years. Readers can check the information about the 16 books on the library’s website, and borrow ____60____ (print) copies.
Good Spring Time ____61____ (focus) on Chinese porcelain culture, conveying a spirit that encourages people to fight against fate, and pictures women’s independence, as well as the love and care among family members.
Readers can see ____62____ splendid and elegant China through the tradition, struggles and beauty described in the novel.
Great Power, Heavy Industry tells of how China’s manufacturing industries _____63_____ (grow) stronger rapidly in recent decades, and foreign readers can learn about the Chinese system and culture behind the country’s swift ____64____ (economy) development. The author, _____65_____ online pen name is Qicheng, said I hope through this novel, overseas readers can experience the charm of Chinese culture.
第四部分 课内语言基础（满分25分）
课内单词语法填空，请根据提示和语境填入单词的正确形式。（每空1分，满分7分）
66. He (gentle) wiped away her tears with a tissue.
67. I’ve come to the (conclude) that he’s not the right person for the job.
68. The town (found) by English settlers in 1790.
69. Peter was asked to (分析) the data from the first phase of trials of the vaccine.
70. These (理论) are used to prove the relationship between the phenomena of the universe.
71. Tickets are (可获得的) free of charge from the school.
72. The girl tried to (劝说，说服) her father to give up smoking, but failed.
（2）按照语境所需，选择正确词组填入句子中，其中有两项是多余选项。（每空1分，满分8分）
A. insisted on B. took up a position C. switched off
D. Under no circumstances E. In this sense F. With the objective of
G. sum up H. wear and tear I. early on J. daily routine
73. Make exercise a part of your .
74. They being given every detail of the case.
75. should you lend Paul any money.
76. To , there are three main ways of tackling the problem.
77. , the plan does not solve the fundamental imbalance between the supply and the demand of college graduates.
78. The computer system was in error.
79. In 2022, I as a receptionist to learn some house skills.
80. improving his spoken English, he took every opportunity to practice it with foreigners.
(3) 课内句子填空（每空一词，每空0.5分，满分10分）
81. Your lights will come on you enter the door along with your favourite music or TV programmes, and you will find your dinner already for you.
你一进家门，灯就会亮起，还有你最喜欢的音乐或电视节目(会自动播放)，而且你会发现晚餐已为你准备好了。
82. that she had been awarded the Nobel Prize, she said, “The honour is not just mine .”
一听到被授予了诺贝尔奖，她说：“这个荣誉不仅仅是我个人的。”
83. It is indeed an honour for China’s scientific research and Chinese medicine around the world.
对于中国科学研究和中国医药能传遍全世界来说，真的是一种荣誉。
84. Later, the medicine malaria patients, most of recovered.
后来，这个药在疟疾病人身上测试，这些病人中的大多数都康复了.
While there, out of a strong knowledge, he continued to study,
a doctorate in physics in 1905.
在那里工作期间，出于对知识的强烈热情，他继续学习，于1905 年获得物理学博士学位。
86. These smart homes will us secure, us energy, and a more comfortable environment to live in.
这些智能住宅将使我们安全，节省能源，并提供一个更舒适的居住环境。
87. Nevertheless, it will take some years most new homes begin to use this new technology.
然而，要让大多数新家庭开始使用这项新技术还需要几年的时间。
第五部分 书面表达：应用文（满分15分）
88. 假设你是红星中学高二学生李华。你的英国朋友Jim在给你的邮件中提到对你最喜欢的作家很感兴趣，并请你介绍一位你最喜欢的作家。请你给Jim回信，内容包括: 1. 你最喜欢的作家是谁; 2. 简单介绍该作家； 3. 你为什么最喜欢他/她。词数80-100词。
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________厦门市重点中学2023-2024学年高二上学期9月月考
参考答案
听力：1-5 CACAB 6-10 CCB AB 11-15 BACAB 16-20 ABCAB
阅读：A篇：ABC B篇：BADC C篇：BDAC D篇：ABCD
七选五：BDGFE
完型：41-45 CDBAC 46-50CADBC 51-55 ADBCD
语填：56. their 57. collection 58. and 59. Covering 60. printed
61. focuses 62. a 63. have grown 64. economic 65. whose
课内：(1) 66. gently 67. conclusion 68. was founded 69. analyse/analyze
70. theories 71. available 72. persuade
(2)73-80 JADGECBF
(3) 81. the instant prepared 82. Upon hearing 83. to be spread
84. was tested on whom 85. working passion for earning
86. keep save provide 87. before
应用文范文：
Dear Jim,
I hope this letter finds you well. Learning from your last e-mail that you are interested in my favorite writer, I am writing to share with you my personal perspectives.
My favorite writer is J.K. Rowling, who is best known for creating the beloved Harry Potter series. What impresses me most is her strong passion for storytelling. Despite facing numerous rejections, she insisted on pursuing her dream of sharing her imaginative world with readers worldwide. Besides, her stories not only entertain her readers, but also explore important themes such as friendship and personal growth. Apart from building up a spiritual world for children, J.K. Rowling also makes great contributions to charity, aiding those children in need. From J.K. Rowling I have learned what passion and commitment are. She is a real inspiration to me.
Any further question is expected and I stick to the belief that you will like J.K. Rowling just as I do.
Yours,
Lihua听力原文：
Text 1: W: Hello, David. This is Daisy. I’m standing under the clock. Can you see me
M: No, there are too many people here. I’m near the entrance to the museum. I can see a man selling balloons.
W: Okay, I can see him, too. Let’s meet there.
Text 2: M: Are you ready to go The reservation is for 7:30. That place is so popular that they won’t hold our table if we’re even 5 minutes late!
W: Don’t worry...Dan and Jane called a few minutes ago. They’ll get to the restaurant 10 minutes earlier.
Text 3: M: Mom, did any letters arrive this morning I am expecting my school report. Is that in the brown envelope
W: Let me see. This pink one is a birthday card, the white one is a bill...Yes, that’s your report.
Text 4: M: Got any plans after class, Amy
W: Yeah. I’m going to the music club to lean to play the guitar. I’m a lover of Western pop music.
M: Sounds fun! I’d like to join you if you don’t mind.
Text 5: M: Your spaghetti always tastes so good and soft. What’s your secret Do you boil it longer
W: No. I just add some salt when the water starts to boil. You should try that sometimes. Make sure you add the salt before you put the spaghetti in.
Text 6: M: OK, Auntie Mei. I know you’re nervous, but please try to relax. It’s not as hard as it looks.
W: I just don’t want to get into an accident!
M: I understand. There are no cars in this parking lot, though. In fact, we’re not going to drive in traffic until you feel much more confident.
W: Good! OK, I think I’m ready.
M: Do you remember what I told you about your left foot
W: Yes. Don’t use it.
M: Right.
W: Don’t use my right
M: No, I mean don’t use your left foot.
W: Please don’t confuse me, Victor. I’m having a hard enough time.
Text 7:
W: African culture is far older than European culture or even Asian culture.
M: What proof is there for this, if you don’t mind me asking
W: Not at all. There are several reasons based on data. The most interesting are cave paintings discovered in the desert. We have dated them several thousand years before those found anywhere else in the world.
M: Interesting. What are the other reasons
W: Well, we have found remains——bones, pots, entire settlements. There is a strong argument to be made that this is where human life began.
M: I would need to look at the data, but if what you say is true, it is a significant discovery. I’m anxious to hear more.
Text 8: M: How did you do in the exam
W: I passed, but I didn’t do so well. The essay question was the worst part for me. How about you
M: I did all right on everything except for the essay question, too. I wasn’t really prepared for writing about the tribes (部落) in the rainforests of Brazil. I didn’t think it would be on the test.
W: Me, either. Do you know how much will the exam account for in our final grade
M: It’s 30%.
W: 30% I thought it was only 10% or 20%. Oh no. That means I’ll have to get A’s on everything else to get a good grade.
M: That may not be too hard. Hey I’m kind of hungry. I think I’ll go and get some lunch. Do you feel like joining me
W: I’d love to, but I have to go home and study. I’ll call you later.
Text 9: W: Hello, listeners! I am on the street of London with Jim Bush who is going to tell us all about where we are today. He works for londontown.com, which is an online guide to London, and he knows lots of things about the city. So, Jim, where are we And can you describe it for our listeners
M: OK. We’re standing in the middle of Piccadilly Circus which is a traffic center in the middle of London. We are surrounded by huge grand Victorian buildings.
W: So what do you know about the history of Piccadilly Circus, Jim
M: Well, Piccadilly Circus was built in 1819 when the architect John Nash designed Regent Street and it was originally meant to connect a number of roads.
W: Why is it such a famous place in London
M: Well, it’s right in the middle of the West End. There’re great shops and everything near here, and you’ve got the famous statue of Eros in the middle. It is what most people come to see.
W: Well, thank you, Jim, for all your help today and for introducing Piccadilly Circus to us.
Text 10: Young people often think old age sets in at about4. They call it being “over the hill”, meaning life declines after that. Other people choose to grow wiser from their experiences. Some people think that to be young is to be healthier and stronger. But many older people find ways to become more physically fit than ever. I met a woman who believed her age shouldn’t prevent her from achieving those things that she had never done before. Originally from Korea, Yoon-hee had lived in Japan for many years. Even in those relatively healthy societies, though, she wasn’t as fit as she later became. After moving to the U.S. and gaining weight because of her inactive lifestyle, Yoon-hee decided to start running. At 65, she finished a marathon. It had only taken her 2 years to prepare for the long race! Not only was this woman in great physical condition, she also looked like she was 45. When I asked Yoon-hee for her secret, she told me that the long path that she runs trains both her body and her mind.
