本试卷分第一卷(选择题)和第二卷(非选择题)。满分150分。考试时间120分钟。

第一卷(三部分，共115分)

第一部分 听力理解(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，你将有10秒钟时间来回答有关小题和阅读下一小题。每段对话仅读一遍。

例：What is the man going to read?

A. A newspaper.

B. A magazine.

C. A book.

答案是A。

1. Where does the conversation probably take place?

A. On a farm.

B. In a market.

C. In a restaurant.

2. What does the woman mean?

A. She can't hear.

B. She can't get down to work.

C. She'd unable to do her business.

3. What are the speakers going to do?

A. Pack a lunch together.

B. Come to work in the park.

C. Have a walk trip at the weekend.

4. What does the man mean about his job as an attendant (乘务员)?

A. He's enjoyed his job.

B. He's interested in cooking.

C. He's worked hard almost ten years.

5. What does the man want to do?

A. Get a new job someday.

B. Collect information for his aunt.

C. Ask a lawyer to give him some help.

第二节(共15小题；每小题1．5分，满分22．5分)

听下面6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至7题。

6. What does Mr. Smith want Louise to do?

A. Babysit.

B. Go upstairs.

C. Have a dinner with him.

7. Which evening will Mr. Smith go out for dinner?

A． Saturday evening.

B. Sunday evening.

C. Friday evening.

听第7段材料，回答第8至9题。

8. How does the woman feel about her work!

A. Too serious

B. Too much.

C. Too hard.

9. What's the man's suggestion?

A. Relaxing sometimes from work

B. Going shopping occasionally.

C. Taking a rest some time.

听第8段材料，回答第10至11题。

10. When did the woman bring the watch ill?

A Five minutes ago.

B. A moment ago.

C. One week ago.

11. Why was the receipt (收据) still there when the woman came back?

A. She thought she didn't need it.

B. The manager didn't give it to her.

C. She dropped it when she got out of there.

听第9段材料，回答第1至14题。

12. Where can we probably get the news?

A. On TV.

B. On the radio

C On the paper.

13. What is the news about?

A. The weather changing in the past few days.

B. The fires happening in the north of the city.

C. The fight between the firemen and the volunteers (志愿者).

14. What have the people been asked to do?

A. Take further notice of what will happen.

B. Move 20 kilometers away soon.

C. Keep themselves indoors.

听第10段材料，回答第15至17题。

15. What are the speakers talking about?

A. Buying a car.

B. Choosing a gift.

C. Using a computer.

16. What's the relationship between the speakers?

A. Husband and wife.

B. Professor and student.

C. Salesman and customer.

17. What do we know about the person mentioned by the speakers?

A. Maybe he likes something expensive.

B. He is surely over sixty years old.

C. He must be fond of learning.

听第11段材料，回答第18至20题。

18. What’s one lifelong dream of Michelle’s?

A. Flying to Paris for baking a cake at a party.

B. Getting more attention in cooking,

C. Taking part in a training course.

19. How did Michelle get the chance to work in Paris?

A. She was chosen out of a cooking test.

B. She worked well enough to he given the chance.

C. She had already had three years of baking experience.

20. What can we know about Michelle in the passage?

A. Cakes she bakes are enjoyed by everyone

B. She has strong desire for improvement.

C. She is good in the cooking school.

第二部分 英语知识运用(共两节，满分45分)

第一节：单项填空(共15小题；每小题1分，满分15分)

从A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出可以填人空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上涂黑。

例：It's so nice to hear from her again.________, we last met more than thirty years ago.

A. What's more B. That's to say

C. In other words D. Believe it or not

21. You can hold the pot in one hand and take off the lid with__________.

A. another B. the other C. other one D. the others

22. If you’re driving there, I wonder if you can give me a_________.

A. hand B. seat C. drive D. lift

23. With his mother him, he is getting on well with his work.

A. help B. to help C. helping D. helps

24. -- I have moved into a much bigger place. So next time you come here. I can find you ___________bed in my flat.

-- Oh, that's wonderful. Then I won't go to ________ - hotel.

A. the; a B. the; 不填 C. a; the D. a; 不填

25. However had the situation is. the fact should not_______the people who are most concerned.

A. be kept up B. be kept from C. he kept on D. he kept in with

26. Last winter was extremely cold. , most people say it was the coldest winter of their lives.

A. At last B. As a result C. In a word D. In fact

27. I passed by the sports field the other day,_______ there was a football match going on then.

A. that B. where C. winch D. when

28. It was a great party, thank you. But Jill, why___ you more friends to come?

A. haven't … invited B. don't …invite

C. didn't … invite D. won't … invite

29. He failed the mid-term examination and only then _______how much time he had wasted.

A. he realized B. did he realize C. he had realized D. had he realized

30. I had entered the classroom when I noticed the headmaster was sitting at the back.

A. still B. yet C. sooner D. hardly

31. -- What are you doing, John? Why stop?

-- To be on the safe side, we'd fill up the tank now for we _______run out of gas on the way

A. must B. will C. might D. should

32. at the office, Mr. Green found the papers prepared for his boss were left at home.

A. To arrive B. On arriving C. As arriving D. While arrived

33. We must figure out how to solve the problem as soon as possible. So______, we haven't got much time.

A. arrive at the spot B. have an idea

C. get to the point D. come to an end

34. --Come on. Mary! What's up?

--My brother. I was just heard the news of from that good job.

A. his having fired B. his firing

C. his having been tired D. his fired

35. -- He was nearly killed by a ear once.

-- Oh. when was exactly?

-- It was in 2002 he was riding a bike on the drive-way.

A. this; that B. that; when C. that; that D. this; when

第二节：完形填空(共20小题；每小题1.5分，满分30分)

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从36～55题各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上涂黑。

It was a cold winter day that Sunday. The parking lot to the 36 was filling up quickly. I noticed, as I got out of my ear, fellow church members were 37 among themselves as they walked in the church.

As I got 38 I saw a man leaning up against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down 39 he was asleep. His hat was 40 down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too 41 for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes 42 out.

I guessed this man was 43 and asleep, so I walked on 44 through the doors of the church.

We all talked for a few minutes, and someone 45 the man lying outside. People whispered but no one took 46 to ask him to come in, 47 me.

A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher (牧师) to take his 48 and to give us the Word, 49 the doors to the church opened.

In 50 the man walking down the church with his head down.

People gasped and whispered and made 51 .

He made his way down the church and up onto the pulpit (讲坛) where he took off his hat and coat. My heart 52 .

There stood our preacher… he was the “homeless man”.

The preacher took his Bible (圣经) and 53 it on his stand.

“ 54 I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today. If you 55 people by their appearance, you have no time to love them.”

36. A. school B. lecture C. park D. church

37. A. arguing B. whispering C. stating D. speaking

38. A. closer B. clearer C. lower D. farther

39. A. even though B. so that C. as if D. even if

40. A. dragged B. pulled C. dropped D. pushed

41. A. big B. had C. ugly D. small

42. A. reached B. went C. stuck D. ran

43. A. homeless B. helpless C. hopeless D. careless

44. A. out B. by C. across D. from

45. A. invited B. mentioned C. took D. called

46. A. pleasure B. measure C. Courage D. trouble

47. A. except B. besides C. without D. including

48. A. turn B. place. C. time D. seat

49. A. when B. before C. as D. after

50. A. rushed B. hurried C. came D. entered

51. A. decision B. choices C. faces D. jokes

52. A. sank B. fell C. broke D. failed

53. A. threw B. set C. laid D. folded

54. A. Brothers B. Folks C. Supporters D. Members

55. A. judge B. hate C. treat D. test

第三部分 阅读理解(共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分)

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上涂黑。

A

If you can't catch the bad guy, it's game over-- this is the rule of life for computer game players. But similar thoughts might be worrying US President George W Bush as he prepares for election year with the world's most wanted man still out of his reach.

The hunt for Laden has been going on since the attack on New York's World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Progress has been slow and, with John Kerry winning the race last Tuesday to compete against Bush in presidential elections, the president needs results.

“If Laden can be caught before the presidential election. Bush will get an upper hand”, a senior US official told the New York Times.

The American public's support for the war in Iraq has been falling, especially as the Bush govern­ment cannot find the banned weapons it said were in the country. But the way in which the presidents popularity rose following the arrest of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in December shows how useful the capture of Laden would be.

The latest information suggests the election will be close, with 48 percent of Americans saying they will vote for Bush and 46 percent hacking Kerry.

In order to seize Laden, thousands of US soldiers were moved from Iraq to Afghanistan (阿富汗) earlier this week, according to a US official. Further efforts have been made to strengthen Afghanistan's border area with Pakistan, with soldiers checking nearby villages more frequently than before.

56. Which of the following statements is true?

A. The arrest of Saddam did Bush some good.

B. The American soldiers have sent Laden to prison.

C. The arrest of Laden will make no difference to the election.

D. Laden may hide himself far away from the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

57. We can infer from the passage that___________.

A. it’ s difficult to catch Laden

B. Bush will lose the presidential election

C. Americans didn't set out to catch Laden until 2003

D. American presidential election will take place in October

58. What does the underlined word “banned” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A. advanced B. dangerous C. forbidden D. expensive

B

Rules for the University Entrance Examination

• You must be at the examination center ten minutes before the examination starts. If you are more than ten minutes late, you may not enter the examination center. The examination takes place at the same time in different states.

• You must have proof of your name and grade as well as official examination number. Show these when you come to the examination center.

• Depending on which examination you are taking, you may bring certain items into the examination center. Mathematics examinations may allow you to use electronic calculators (计算器). Other sub­jects may allow you to use dictionaries and other reference material. Please read the notes sent with your timetable carefully.

• You must bring your own pencils. None will be provided for you. The following items are not allowed in the examination center: walkmans and radios, head sets, any food or drink, school bags, electronic equipment (unless specifically permitted for various subjects), and mobile phones.

• Once in the center, you must sit at the desk with your examination number on it. When you sit down, place your examination number at the top corner of your desk.

• You must remain silent during the examination. You must not disturb other people who are taking the test.

• If you need a drink or toilet break, you should raise your hand and wait for the supervisor (监督者) to speak to you. You will be given water or the supervisor will take you to the bathroom. You are not allowed to talk with anyone during the break.

• You must write your answers in the official answer sheet. Your supervisor will provide extra paper if you wish to make notes.

• You may leave the examination room at any time if you do not plan to return. If you finish early and want to leave, please move well away from the examination center.

• The supervisor will warn you fifteen minutes, five minutes and one minute before the end of the examination. When the supervisor says that the time is up, you must put down your pencil and wait at your desk until your paper is collected.

59. What kind of examination are these rules probably for?

A. A local exam. B. A final exam.

C. A college exam. D. A national exam.

60. What are you allowed to have with you when you take mathematics examination?

A. Related material. B. Proof of yourself.

C. A cell phone. D. A dictionary.

61. What should you do if you finish the test early, and want to get a better result?

A. Take some notes carefully.

B. Leave the room immediately.

C. Remain in your seat and check again.

D. Raise your hand to inform your teacher.

62. What can he provided for you during the exam?

A. Pencils. B. Food and drink. C. Extra paper. D. Calculators.

C

In the West, advertisements are the fuel that makes mass media (传媒) work. Many TV stations, newspapers, magazines, radio stations are privately (私人的) owned. The government does not give them money. So where does the money come from? From advertisements. Without advertisements, there would not be these private businesses.

Have you ever asked yourself what advertising is? Through the years. people have given different answers to the question. For some time it was felt that advertising was a means of “Keeping your name before the public” And some people thought that advertising was “truth well told”. Now more and more people consider it in this way: Advertising is the paid, non-personal, and usually persuasive presentation of goods, services and ideas by some certain sponsors (发起人) through various media.

First, advertising is usually paid for. Various sponsors pay for the advertisements we see, read, and hear over the various media. Second, advertising is non-personal. it is not face-to-face communi­cation. Although you may feel that a message in a certain advertisement is aimed directly at you, in reality, it is directed at large groups of people. Third, advertising is usually persuasive. Directly or indirectly it asks people to do something. All advertisements try to make people believe that the product, idea, or service advertised can benefit them. Fourth, the sponsors of the advertisement must show their names. From the advertisement, we can see if the sponsor is a company, or a single person. Fifth, advertising reaches us through old and modem mass media. Included in the old media are newspapers. magazines, radio, television, and films. Modern media include emails, matchbox covers, and boards on top of buildings.

63. The existence of the privately owned mass media depends on the support of_____.

A. the government B. their owners’ families

C. advertisements D. the TV stations

64. The passage seems to say that different ideas of advertising are given due to

A. the change ₀f time B. the subject of the advertisements

C. people's age difference D. peoples different opinions

65. Which of the following is considered modern mass media?

A. Newspapers. B. Emails. C. Magazines. D. Films.

66 . According to the passage, which of the following Statements about advertisements is NOT true?

A. The sponsors are always mentioned.

B. Advertising must he honest and humorous *

C. There is the description of things advertised

D. Advertising is meant for large groups of people.

D

Trip 1 Black Bear Count

There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears air still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Bookings necessary.

Cost: Free When: May 8

Trip 2 Garland Valley

Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland hut is part of the National Park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary.

Cost: $ 15 When: May 8, May 15

Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure

Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and come for a night walk along the Dungog Valley. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip can only he. seen at night. The guide will tell you about the lives _0f the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours.

Cost: $ 12 When: May 8, May 15, May22

Equipment to be needed:

• Please bring enough water and food for all walks.

• Wear good walking shoes—no high heels.

• Wear a hat for day walks.

• Dress warmly for night walks.

• Children must be with an adult.

• Make sure your flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks.

• Follow all instructions from guides during the walks. The mountains are a dangerous place.

Bookings:

• Bookings for the above trips can be trade by telephone (893 — 4847) or on the Internet at www. Bluemountaintour. com

67. Where are these trips?

A. In a large city. B. In a park in the mountains.

C. In a special kind of zoo. D. In three different countries.

68. On which trip might you see animals that sleep during the day?

A. Black Bear Count. B. Garland Valley.

C. Flashlight Adventure. D. None of the trips.

69. Which of the following is NOT necessary for the three trips?

A. Good walking shoes. B A pair of glasses.

C. Food and water. D. A sleeping-bag

70. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Adventure Travel in America

B. Hunting around the Great Mountains

C Interesting Trips in the East of the USA

D. Discovery Trips in the Blue Mountains

E

It is hard to predict (预言 ) how science is going to turn out , and if it is really good science, it is impossible to predict. If the things to be found are actually new, they must be unknown in advance You cannot make choices on this matter. You either have science or you don't and if you have it you have to accept the surprising and disturbing pieces of information, along with the neat and useful bits.

The only solid piece of scientific truth about which I feel totally confident is that we don’t know enough about nature. Indeed, I regard this as the major discovery of the past hundred years of biology. It is, in its way, a clear piece of news. It would have amazed the brightest minds of the 18th century to be told by any of us how little we know and how strange seems the way ahead . In earlier times, they either pretended to understand how things worked or simply made up stones to give answers. Now that we have begun exploring seriously, we are catching sight of how huge the questions are, and how far from being answered. Because of this, we are sorry. It is not so bad being ignorant if you are totally ignorant; the hard thing is knowing in some detail the reality of ignorance, the worst spots and here and there the not-so-bad spots, but no true light at the end of the tunnel nor even any tunnels that can yet be trusted.

But we are making a beginning, and there ought to he some satisfaction. There are probably no questions we can think up that can’t he answered, sooner or later. Within our limits, we should be able to work our way through to all our answers, if we keep at it long enough, arid pay attention.

71. According to the writer, really good science_____________.

A. would surprise the brightest minds of the 18^th century.

B. will help people to make the right choice in advance.

C. will produced results which can be predicted

D. will bring about disturbing results

72. It can be inferred from the passage that scientists of the 18^th century _________.

A. thought that they knew a great deal and could deal with most problems of science

B. knew that they were ignorant and wanted to know more about nature

C. were afraid of facing up to the realities of scientific research.

D. did more harm than good in man’s understanding nature

73 . Which of he following is NOT mentioned about scientists in earlier times?

A. They falsely declared to know all about nature.

B. They did not believe in results from scientific observation.

C. They paid little attention to the problems they didn’t understand.

D. They invented false rules to explain things they didn’t understand.

74. What is the writer’s attitude towards science?

A. He is sorry because of the ignorance of scientists

B. He is delighted because of the latest scientific findings

C. He is doubtful because of the great difficulties in scientific research.

D. He is confident though he knows well the great difficulties in scientific research.

75. The writer believes that sooner or later__________.

A. man can’t deal with all the problems he can find because of the limits of human knowledge

B. man can find solutions to whatever questions concerning nature he can think up.

C. questions concerning nature are outside the field of scientific research

D. man can think up all the questions and answer them all

第Ⅱ卷(共35分)

第四部分 写作(共两节，满分35分)

第一节：情景作文（满分20分）

你于2004年“十一”长假期间与几位朋友外出郊游。请你据此写一篇日记。

注意：

1． 内容包括下面表格列出的全部要点；

2． 词数不少于60字；

3． 日记的开头已给出。

要点

细节

时间

2004年10月3日至五日

目的地

九龙山自然风景区 Jiulongshan Nature Park

出行方式

乘坐郊游专线 the Yellow Tourist Express

到访地点

白河堡水库 Baihebao Reservoir、长城等景点

感受

湖光山色、绿树鲜花、雄伟的长城、清新的空气令人陶醉

遗憾

一些景点有游人丢弃的果皮纸屑litter、返回途中部分路段道路拥堵

October 6^th Wednesday Cloudy

I’m back home after a three-day tour.

第二节：开放作文（满分15分）

请根据下面提示写一篇短文，词数不少于50字。

Suppose we’re having a free talk in an English class. The topic is which is the best way of transport in Beijing when we are out getting around. To take a bus, the Cityrail, a taxi or to ride a bike?

Please tell us your choices (at least two or three) and why you prefer them.

北京市西城区2005年抽样测试高三英语试卷参考答案

l.C 2.B 3.C 4.A 5.A 6.A 7.C 8.8 9.A l0.C

11.C 12.B 13.B 14.A 15.B l6.A 17.A 18.C 19.B 20.B

21.B 22.D 23.C 24.C 25.B 26.D 27.B 28.C 29.B 30.D

31.C 32.B 33.C 34.C 35.B 36.D 37.B 38.A 39.C 40.B

41.D 42.C 43.A 44.B 45.B 46.D 47.D 48.B 49.A 50.C

5LC 52.A 53.C 54.B 55.A 56.A 57.A 58.C 59.D 60.B

6LC 62.C 63.C 64.A 65.B 66.B 67.B 68.C 69.D 70.D

71.C 72.A 73.B 74.D 75.B

第四部分：书面表达

第一节：情景作文（满分20分）

说明：

1． 应包括全部要点。

2． 内容可用不同方式表达。

3． 对紧扣主题的适当发挥不预扣分。

One possible version

I'm back home after a three-day tour. On October 3rd during the long term of National Day holidays, my friends and I made a trip to Jiulongshan Nature Park to have a sightseeing. We took the Yellow Tourist Express there, which is convenient and comfortable, with special room for our baggage.

While touring there, we were drunk with the beauty of the scenic spots, such as the blue lake of Baihepu Reservoir, the various trees and flowers around the mountains, the Great Wall and even with the pleasant fresh air there.

On the third day we returned. Each of us was deeply impressed by what we'd seen. Yet we were touched by the pollution at some spots, the litter thrown about by some tourists, and the traffic jam we were stuck in on the way back also reduced our pleasure.

第二节：开放作文（满分15分）

One possible version

As far as city transport is concerned, I prefer buses because they are the cheapest way to get around. On the other hand, compared with the Cityrail, there are many more bus routes throughout the town, which make any trip easy. As the expense of using taxis is much greater, I seldom take them. Sometimes I tide a bike because by this means I'm free to go wherever I'd like to, the places which buses or the Cityrail don't reach.

听力录音原文：

(Text 1)

W: Sorry to keep you waiting. One order of fried chicken, with vegetable salad and coffee.

M: All right. Thanks.

(Text 2)

M: You are listening to Star Radio at 90.0 on your FM. The station with the firstclass rock in town. The time is 7:40 and

W: Hey, Joe. Turn it down, I can't get into my business.

(Text 3)

M: Want to come with me on Saturday? I don't think it's too hot. It's great exercise.

W: OK. I'll pack a lunch. Maybe we can walk to a park and have a picnic.

(Text 4)

W: So how long have you been a flight attendant?

M: For nearly ten years.

W: Do you like flying?

M: Actually I do. I love it. And I meet lots of interesting passengers. The only thing I don't like is staying at the hotel all the time. I miss home cooking.

(Text 5)

W: Well, Mr. Li. It's early and you've come a long way just for an interview.

M: Yes. We read your advertisement in the paper and my aunt said that this is a very good firm and since I’d like to be a lawyer someday, we thought the job would give me a new start.

(Text 6)

M: Hello, is that Louise? This is Mr. Smith from upstairs.

W: Hello. Mr. Smith. How are you?

M: I am fine, thank you. I was wondering if you would like to do some babysitting for us.

W: Well, which evening would you like me to babysit? I'll have classes this Saturday and Sunday evening.

M: It's Friday, March 11th.

W: OK. I can do it.

M: That's good. Could you come up at seven o'clock? We'll be going out then, because the dinner starts at 7:30.

W: No problem. See you on Friday.

M: See you, Louise.

(Text 7)

M: Mary， what’s the matter with you? You look sick and tired.

W: It’s my job that bothers me a lot! I work at least eight hours a day but I just can’t finish all of it.

M: Aren’t you taking it too seriously? Take it easy, and things will turn out better.

W: What do you mean? Do you have any suggestions?

M: Well, you must give yourself a break at least every two hours. What’s more, have fun with your friends to ease yourself. Finally, good, hearty laughter is quite helpful.

W: Are you saying that I should go out with my friends, so that I can refresh myself?

M: You got it! You know, many people are badly III because of working too hard without rest.

W: Thanks for the reminder! I really don’t want that to happen to me. Well, do you want to go shopping with me this afternoon?

(Text 8)

M: May I help you, madam?

W: I hope so. Its my watch. I brought it in to have it repaired but now I’ve lost the receipt.

M: Lost the receipt? Oh, dear. That’s too bad.

W: Cant I just describe the watch to you?

M: I’m afraid not. Only the manager can help you but he has gone to lunch. He left only five minutes ago.

W: Oh, dear. I think it was the manager who served me.

M: Just a moment. When did you bring the watch in?

W: This time last week, during my lunch hour.

M: And was your watch a small gold one?

W: Yes, that’s right. How did you know?

M: Because your receipt is still here. You dropped it when you left. The manager shouted but you didn’t hear.

(Text 9)

This is ABC National News, read by Bruce Webster.

Firemen said that the fires burning to the north of Sydney are now under control, but they warned the people living there that the change in the weather might lead to new breakout. So more concern should be given to it. Hundreds of regular firemen and volunteers have spent the past three days fighting fires now and then on a front stretching across some 20 kilometers of bush-land in Sydney’s outer northern parts. Now comes the light music, enjoy it please.

(Text 10)

M: Oh, we still haven’t decided what to get him.

W: I know. It’s hard. What does he need?

M: Well, darling, the other day he said that he needed a car.

W: Yeah, right. Well, I think that's a little beyond us.

M: Yeah, it'd be fun, but it's just a little too expensive.

W: There's the usual kind of thing, like a wallet or a tie.

M: Oh, please, not for his sixtieth. I think we should get him something more expensive than that, don't you? I mean, we want to get something good, something...

W: Something unusual.

M: Yeah.

W: Well, how about a computer? We could get him a computer. That way we could keep in touch on e-mail.

M: No, no, no. You know him. He says he's too old to learn how to use a computer. He isn't, of course, but I don't think he'd ever use it.

(Text 11)

Michelle has finally realized one of her lifelong dreams. She always wanted to attend the cooking school that her adviser, Mr. Brown, attended. The school, which is in Paris, accepts only 80 students every year. The students who are accepted generally have at least three years of cooking experience. Michelle has five years of paid experience.

The project that attracted the attention of Mr. Brown, however, was a cake that Michelle made for a wedding. Mr. Brown had never tasted a cake that was as light and creamy as the one that Michelle made. He gave Michelle his card and invited her to bake cakes at his restaurant beginning the next month. It was his invitation that began her career baking for a large restaurant. Right now she is waiting for the plane that will fly her to Paris. There she will begin the three-month course that Mr. Brown once attended.