四川省凉山州宁南2024-2025学年高二下学期入学考试英语试题（含解析含听力原文无音频）

宁南2024-2025学年度下期高二年级入学考试试题英语注意事项：答卷前，考生务必将自己的姓名、座位号、准考证号用0.5毫米的黑色签字笔填写在答题卡上，并检查条形码粘贴是否正确。选择题使用2B铅笔涂在答题卡对应题目标号的位置上；非选择题用0.5毫米黑色签字笔书写在答题卡对应框内，超出答题区域书写的答案无效；在草稿纸、试卷上答题无效。考试结束后，将答题卡收回。第Ⅰ卷选择题（共95分）第一部分听力测试(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。例：Howmuchistheshirt?A.£19.15.B.£9.18.C.£9.15.答案是C。1.Whatdoesthewomansuggestdoingthissummer?A.TravelingtoIndia. B.Goingtothebeach. C.Attendingasummercamp.2.Wheredoestheconversationprobablytakeplace?A.Atastore. B.Athome. C.Atarestaurant.3.Whatdoesthemanmean?A.Theshirtmightbetight. B.Hedoesn’tliketheshirt. C.Thereceiptgotmissing.4.Whatwillthemandotomorrow?A.Gosightseeing. B.Lookafterhisdaughter. C.Beonduty.5.Whyisthewomangrowingsunflowers?A.Toeattheseeds. B.Toenjoytheflowers. C.Tomakesomemoney.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。听第6段材料，回答第6至7题。6.Whatdoesthewomanadvisethemantodoatfirst?A.Toringhiswife. B.Topickuphiswife. C.Todrivehiswifetowork.7.Whatistheman’scarlike?A.Itrunsslowly. B.Itneedsrepairs. C.Itworkswell.听第7段材料，回答第8至10题。8.Whataretheytalkingabout?A.Afamousactor. B.Anewmovie. C.Anadventurestory.9.Whatdoesthewomanlikebest?A.Thevisualeffects. B.Theexcellentplot. C.Themainactors.10.Whydoesthemanfinallydecidetoseethemovie?A.Thestoryisadventurous. B.Thewomanrecommendsit. C.HeisafanofTomJohnson.听第8段材料，回答第11至13题。11.WhendidDavidcomebacklastnight?A.At6:00pm. B.At7:00pm. C.At8:30pm.12.WhydidDavidgooutlastnight?A.Towatchamovie. B.Toreadinalibrary. C.Tohavesomediscussions.13.WhatdoesDavidadvisethewomantodo?A.Applyforajobintheclub.B.ContactLucyformoreinformation.C.Learnmoreabouttheneighborhood.听第9段材料，回答第14至16题。14.Whatistherelationshipbetweenthespeakers?A.Co-workers. B.Bossandsecretary.C.Interviewerandinterviewee.15.Whatisprobablytheman?A.Awriter. B.Avideo-producer.C.Aphotographer.16.Whatisthemostimportantthinginjournalismaccordingtothewoman?A.Sharingrecentevents.B.Presentinghonestopinions.C.Bringingtheglobalcommunitytogether.听第10段材料，回答第17至20题。17.Whatcanbeseenfromspace?A.ThesmokeintheArctic. B.ThewildfiresinScandinavia. C.ThemeltingiceinGreenland.18.Whereare400firesoutofcontrol?A.InGreenland. B.InAlaska. C.InSiberia.19.WhatcausedthewildfiresintheArctic?A.Strongwinds. B.Morelightningstrikes. C.Hightemperatures.20.Whatisthetextmainlyabout?A.TheArcticfires. B.Thehabitatloss. C.Thedeathofanimals.第二部分阅读理解（共两节，满分50分）第一节（共15小题；每小题2.5分，满分37.5分）阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑。AFourNationalParkstoAddtoYourBucketListThenationalparksintheUnitedStatesarechosenfortheirnatural,historic,andculturalvalues.Herearesomeofthosekindsofparks.NationalParkofAmericanSamoaClosertoNewZealandthantheUnitedStates,thisparkisoneofthemostremotenationalparks.Itprotectsapaleotropicalrainforest.Athirdoftheparkisoceanicwaters,withrichspecies.OfuIslandintheparkhasaprotectedareaforsnorkelinganddiving,alongwithafamouswhite-sandbeach.TheparkhasawetseasonthatrunsfromNovemberthroughApril.HotSpringsNationalParkThispark’smountainsencirclethenorthernedgeofthecityofHotSprings,Arkansas,whichiscenteredover43hotspringsand26milesofhikingtrails.Evenbeforeofficialparkdesignation(指定),thecityofHotSpringshadbecomeadestinationfortreatingphysicalproblems.Inadditiontobathing,visitorscometotourhigh-endbathhousesbuiltinthelateVictorianage,manyinSpanishstyle.IndianaDunes(沙丘)NationalParkWithits15milesofshoreundertheforcesofLakeMichigan’swindandwaves,Indiana’sonlynationalparkhashighsandsfromwhichvisitorscanseetheskylineofChicagoacrossthelake.“Singingsands”mayoccuronceamonthunderthebestconditions.Trailsleadthroughthepark’swetlands,dunes,andforests.Theparkalsosheltersmorethan60ancientstructures.GatesoftheArcticNationalParkandPreserveThisgiantparkiscompletelyabovetheArcticCircle.Inthenorthernparkduringwinter,thesundoesn’trisefornearlyamonthandinsummerthesundoesn’tsetfornearlytwomonths.Insummer,thegroundgetswetfrommeltedice,whichhelpsplantsgrow.ByAugust,theplantsturnintobrightredandyellowcolors.Lookingacrossthevastlandcanbeconfusingandbigbearsinthedistancelooklikenearbylittlesquirrels(松鼠).21.WhatisspecialaboutNationalParkofAmericanSamoa?A.Somepartofitisocean. B.Itliesinanothercountry.C.MostpartofitisabovetheArcticCircle. D.Itswetseasonrunsthroughallyearround.22.WhowillmostlikelytakeaninterestinHotSpringsNationalPark?A.Thosewhoarehistorylovers. B.Thosewholikewildlifespecies.C.Thosewhowanttoseekhealthbenefits. D.Thosewhoenjoystayingathigh-endhotels.23.WhatcanvisitorsdoatIndianaDunesNationalPark?A.Hear“singingsands”eachday. B.Payavisittohistoricbuildings.C.Enjoy24-hoursunshineinwinter. D.WatchtheskylineofLakeMichigan.BItrulybelieveweallhaveaveryspecialpurposeinlife,regardlessofwhoweareorwherewecomefrom.AftertenyearsofworkingforamajorWallStreetbank,Iwantedtodosomethingchallenging.SowhenIreadaMerrillLynchadvertisementlookingtohiremorestockbrokers(股票经纪人),withgreatexcitement,Imadesomephonecallsandarrangedtomeetwithoneofitsbranchvicepresidents.Afterthisinterviewandinterviewswithtwelveofhistopstockbrokers,Ieventuallygotthejob.Thefirstfewmonthswasastruggle.Ilivedonverylittlecommission(佣金).Nightafternight,Ilefttheofficewearyandexhausted,readytogiveup,yetsomehowreturningthenextmorningtostartanewday.Eventually,allthehardworkpaidoff.Inlessthanfouryears,Ibecameoneofthetopsalespeopleatmybranchandincreasedpersonalsalesby17%.Thesuccessearnedmeasix-figureincome,promotionandnumeroussalesawards.TowardtheendofmyfourthyearatMerrillLynch,ithitmethatsomethingwasmissing.Ithoughtlongandhardaboutmygoals.ThenIwasremindedofthetimewhenIspoketohundredsofpeople,whileincollegeasastudentleader,andyearslater,whenIwona“HumorousSpeech”championship.ItdawnedonmethateverytimeImadeaspeech,Ialwayshadawonderful,energetic,peacefulandmagicalfeelingthatwasunmatchedbyanythingelseIdid.Iknewtheextraordinarypublic-speakingskillsIwasblessedwithcouldenablemetomakealastingdifferenceandchangeotherpeople’slives.ThenItookanotherdaringrisk,gaveupeverythingandlefttheinvestmentbusinessforamoresatisfyingcareerasamotivationalspeaker.ThebeginningofmyspeakingjourneywassurprisinglysimilartowhatIhadfirstexperiencedatMerrillLynch.However,nothingintheworldcomesclosetothesatisfyingfeelingIgetwhenthousandsofpeopletellmehowmuchIhavemadeadifferenceintheirlivesbymotivatingthemtotakerisksandbethebesttheycouldbe.24.WhydidtheauthormeetwithaMerrillLynchbranchvicepresident?A.Togetaposition. B.Toemploymoreclerks.C.Toarrangeaninterview. D.Tomakeanadvertisement.25.Whichofthefollowingbestdescribestheauthoraccordingtoparagraph2?A.Generousandpassionate. B.Anxiousandsuccessful.C.Ableandstrong-minded. D.Optimisticandcheerful.26.WhydidtheauthorleaveMerrillLynch?A.Becausehehopedtogobacktocollege. B.Becausehewantedtoinfluenceothers.C.Becausehewastreatedbadly. D.Becausehisbusinesswasnotsuccessful.27.Whichisthemostsuitabletitleforthetext?A.DaretoTakeRisks. B.HardworkPaysOffC.ChallengeYourCareerChoice. D.SpeakingMakesaSatisfyingJobCTherockgroupCountingCrowswereontosomethingwhentheychosetheirbandname.Crows(乌鸦)canindeedcount,accordingtoresearchpublishedthisweekinScience.Theresultsshowthatcrowshavecountingcapacitiesnearthoseofhumanbabies,saysleadstudyauthorDianaLiao,aresearcherattheUniversityofTübingeninGermany.“Wethinkthisisthefirsttimethishasbeenshownforanyanimalspecies,”sheadds.Crowsdonotappeartobecapableofsymboliccounting,wherenumbersserveasanexactrepresentation.Instead,thebirdscountbycontrollingthenumberofvocalizations(发声)theyproducetocorrespondtoassociatedhints.Thisissimilartohowyoungchildrencountbeforelearningsymbolicnumbers,Liaosays.Forexample,ababywhoisaskedhowmanyapplesareonatreemayanswer,“One,one,one”.Thebabyproducesthenumberofspeechsoundswhichagreewiththatoftheapples,ratherthanjustsaying,“Three.”Inthestudy,Liaoandhercolleaguespresentedthecrowswithrandomlyorderedhints,fourofwhichwerevisual-colorednumbersthatappearedonatouchscreen.Andfourofthemwereauditory(听觉的),includingsoundsmadebyguitarsanddrums.Throughtrialanderror,thebirdshadtofigureoutthecorrectnumberofcallstopairwitheachhint.Iftheygotitright,theyreceivedawormreward.Afterreceivingabout180trainingsessions,allofthecrowswereabletoproducethecorrectnumberofvocalizationsassociatedwiththehints—a“prettycool”finding,Liaosays.Shesuspects,too,thatthecrowscouldhavemasterednumbershigherthanfouriftheyweregiventheopportunity.OnurGüntürkün,abiopsychologistatRuhrUniversityBochuminGermany,whowasnotinvolvedintheresearch,saysthenewpaperis“excellent”evenifthefindingsare“notunexpected”givenallthatscientistsalreadyknowaboutcrows’intelligence.28.Whatisthenewresearchabout?A.Crows’abilitytocount. B.Crows’skillofsolvingproblems.C.Acomparisonbetweencrowsandbabies. D.Aninvestigationintoafamousrockgroup.29.Whydoestheauthormentionababycountingapplesinparagraph3?A.Toclarifyhowcrowscount. B.Toexplainhowbabiesthink.C.Toillustratethewisdomofcrows. D.Todisplaybabylearningprogress.30.Howdidthecrowsgetthewormrewards?A.Bycountingobjectsonthescreen. B.Bypickingcolorsfromthetouchscreen.C.Bychoosingbetweensoundsandimages. D.Bymatchingsoundstovisualandaudiohints.31.Whatcanbeinferredfromthelastparagraph?A.Theresearchispoorlyrecognized. B.Theresultsfitwithpreviousfindings.C.Thestudyneedsfurtherconfirmation. D.Thebiopsychologistiscriticalofthestudy.DItisdifficultforateachertodecidewhethertoallowstudentstolistentomusicintheclassroom.Everytimestudentsneedtowriteanessayorworkonaproblem,theysay,“CanIputmyheadphoneson?Ithinkbetterthatway.”Butisthatreallytrue?Doesmusichelpconcentrate?Researchofferslittletobackuptheideathatlisteningtomusicimprovesconcentration.Inonesmallstudy,133studentsperformedreadingtaskswhilelisteningtoeitherlightmusic,hiphop,ornomusicatall.Studentswhoperformedthereadingtasksinsilencescoredthehighest.Musicwithahigherintensity(强度)likehiphopwasmoredistractingandhadabadeffectontaskperformance.Volume(音量)playsamoreimportantrolethanthetypeofmusic.Thestudyfoundthatthelouderthemusic,theworsetheperformanceinconcentration.Thetypeofmusicdidn’tmatter.Datafromthestudyshowedonceagainthatsilencewasthebestenvironmenttoimproveconcentration.However,musichasapositiveeffectonworkperformance.Studieshaveshowedthatlisteningtomusicleadstopositivechangesinmood,aswellascreativity.Infact,inmusic-listeningcultures,whichstudentsarecertainlypartof,there’sactuallyachangeinmoodwhenthemusicistakenaway.It’shardtoconvincemystudentsthatmusicdoesn’thelpwiththeirconcentration.Taj,aseniortoldme,“Iwouldn’tbeabletoconcentrateifIwerelisteningtomusicandtryingtoread.However,whenIwrite,Ifeellikemusichelpsmeconcentratedeeply.Idon’thavewriter’sblock.It’seasyformetoputmywordsonpaper.”“Maybenotwithreading,butwhenitcomestomath,listeningtomusiccertainlyhelps,”Danelatoldme.“Youcouldactuallybesingingalongwithwhatyou’relisteningtoanddoingwellinmath.”32.Whatdoestheunderlinedword“distracting”inparagraph2probablymean?A.Causinggreatexcitement. B.Makingsomeonefeelfrightened.C.Makingsomeonewanttodosomething. D.Makingitdifficultforsomeonetoconcentrate.33.Whatcanwelearnfromthesmallstudy?A.Thevolumeofmusicaffectsconcentration.B.Musiccan’timprovepeople’smoodandcreativity.C.Differenttypesofmusicleadtodifferentperformances.D.Studentsdowellinreadingtaskswhilelisteningtomusic.34.WhatdoTajandDanelahaveincommon?A.Theybelievemusicdoesn’thelpconcentrate.B.Theyusemusictohelpwiththeirpaper-writing.C.Theycan’tfocusonreadingwhilelisteningtomusic. D.Theydon’tlistentomusicwhiledoingmathproblems.35.Whichofthefollowingcanbethebesttitleforthetext?A.CanMusicChangeMood? B.IsMusicRelatedtoReading?C.ShouldStudentsListentoMusic? D.DoesMusicHelpConcentration?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可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。DevelopPositiveRelationshipsOneofthemostprofoundexperienceswecanhaveinourlivesistheconnectionwehavewithotherhumanbeings.Positiveandsupportiverelationshipswillhelpustofeelhealthier,happier,andmoresatisfiedwithourlives.____36____Acceptandcelebratedifferences.____37____Yetwhenwetrytobuildrelationships,weexpectthatpeoplewillthinklikewedo.Inthisway,itissomucheasiertocreateafriendlyrelationship.However,whilewemayfinditinitiallyeasier,thenoveltyofsamenesssoonwouldwearoff.Soacceptingthatwearealldifferentisagreatstartingpoint.Listeneffectively.Listeningisacrucialskillinboostinganotherperson’sself-esteem.____38____Inactivelistening,wealsoaregenuinelyinterestedinunderstandingwhattheotherpersonisthinking,feeling,wanting,orwhatthemessagemeans,andweareactiveincheckingoutourunderstandingbeforewerespondwithourownnewmessage.Thisprocessiswhatdistinguishesactivelisteningandmakesiteffective.____39____Inaworldwheretimeisoftheessence,wedon’talwayshavethetimetogivetoourlovedones.Beingpresentinthetimeyougivetopeopleisimportant.Inotherwords,whenyouarewithsomeone,youaretrulywithsomeoneandnotlivinginthepastorworryingaboutthefuture.Devotingtime,energy,andefforttobuildingrelationshipsisoneofthemostvaluablelifeskills.Managemobiletechnology.Bynow,everyonehasamobilephoneandmanypeoplehavetwoormore.Whiletheyarealifesaverinanemergency,andaneffectivetoolforcommunication,theyalsocanbeacompletedistractionwhenpeopleexhibitalackofmobilephoneetiquette(礼仪).____40____A.Givepeopleyourtime.B.Developyourcommunicationskills.C.Wecanperceivetheworldvariously.D.Activelisteningisthemostusefullisteningskill.E.Soherearesometipstohelpyoudevelopmorepositiverelationships.F.Payattentiontowhoyouarewithandanswerthephonewhennecessary.G.Sotechnologyhassomewhatweakenedourabilitytobuildagoodrelationship.第三部分语言知识运用(共两节，满分30分)第一节(共15小题;每小题1分，满分15分)阅读下面短文，从每题所给的四个选项（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。Areyouacatpersonoradogperson?Thisquestionalwayscausesfierce___41___amongpetowners.“Dogs!”barkedUsha,theownerof2-year-oldHusky,Sammy.Sammyisacute___42___withawolf-likefaceandathickcoatoffur.InSiberia,thesehuskiesaretowatchreindeer(驯鹿),pullsledsandkeeptheirowners___43___atnightbysleepingontopofthem.Sammyisn’twastinghisnaturalabilitiesandcan___44___Usha’ssonaroundthestreetsonbikes.Heisalsomulti-lingualandcanunderstandmany___45___,suchas“sitdown”,“stop”,andsoon.Smart___46___likethisexplainswhydogsareaman’sbestfriend.Butaccordingtomyextensivewebsitesearch,dogs___47___secondbehindcats.Catsusea“humanbabycry”to___48___theirowner.Buttheboss’swife,likeallcatlovers,doesn’tcare.Evenwhenfacedwith___49___thatscientificallyprovesLattecontrolsher,sheagreed,“I___50___mycatandthat’sthat”.Recentlyherhusbandwassentawayfromhomeonbusinessfornearly3weeks.Didshevisithim?“Ijustcan’tleavemylittleLattehome___51___,”shecried.Iunderstandcatsarelow-maintenance(不费神),smellbetterthandogs,haveasofternatureand___52___lookbetter.But:Doesacat___53___atennisball,runbacktoyou,notgiveitbackandthenstandtherechewingtheballtopieces?Doesacatjumpupandlickyourface?Doyouknowanycatthathasrushedintoaburninghouseanddraggeditsownerto___54___?Acatwouldbethefirstlivingthingto___55___.41.A.competition B.loyalty C.debate D.attack42.A.baby B.creature C.guy D.toy43.A.delighted B.warm C.nervous D.awake44.A.pull B.push C.force D.cast45.A.suggestions B.stories C.favors D.commands46.A.words B.paces C.behavior D.looks47.A.run B.sit C.range D.improve48.A.follow B.control C.beat D.copy49.A.pleasure B.decision C.patience D.evidence50.A.hate B.recognize C.affect D.fancy51.A.alive B.accessible C.alone D.active52.A.generally B.frequently C.barely D.deliberately53.A.produce B.fetch C.escape D.kick54.A.defense B.direction C.safety D.difficulty55.A.dive B.cry C.drill D.flee第Ⅱ卷非选择题（共55分）第二节（共10小题；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。CanyonNationalParkrecentlyturned100yearsold.The___56___(nature)wonderinnorthernArizonabecameoneofAmerica'searlynationalparksin1919.Acenturylater,about6millionpeopleayearvisitthepark,___57___isaboutthesizeofthestateofDelaware.Nativetribes（部落）hadmanynamesforthehugecanyon.Butin1869,the___58___(explore)JohnWesleyPowellgaveitanamethatstuck:theGrandCanyon.Thecanyonisn'ttheworld'slongestordeepest.Butitissurelygrand.Itoffersbeautifulviews.Thecanyonitselfisfar___59___(old)thanthepark.Nooneknowsexactly___60___oldthecanyonis.Therocks___61___thebottomareabout1.8billionyearsold.Humansfirstcametotheareaabout12,000yearsago.Theyleftbehindalargenumberofstonetools.Forthepastcentury,tools___62___(make)fromsmallsticks___63___(find)insomeofthecanyon'scaves.Plentyofanimalsliveinthepark.Desertbighornsheepare___64___largestanimalsintheGrandCanyon.___65___(measure)300pounds,theycanclimbovertherocks.Theparkishometoalmost375kindsofbirdsandafewlivingthingsthatcanbefoundno-whereelse.第四部分写作（共两节，满分40分）第一节（满分15分）假如你是李华，学校英语广播社邀请你做一个关于“运动与健康”的演讲，请你以ExerciseandHealth为题，用英文写一篇演讲稿，呼吁同学们积极参加运动。内容包含：1.当前学生的身体素质现状；2.运动的好处；3.呼吁大家多锻炼。注意：词数80左右(开头和结尾已给出，但不计入总词数)；可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。ExerciseandHealthDearfellowstudents, That’sall.Thankyou!第二节(满分25分)阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。Thatnight,Iquarreledwithmymother,thenstormedoutofthehouse.Whileontheroad,IrememberedthatIdidnothaveanymoneyinmypocket,Ididnoteventakemycellphonewithmetomakeacallhome.Atthesametime,Iwentthroughanoodleshop,andIsuddenlyfeltveryhungry.Iwishedforabowlofnoodles,butIhadnomoney!Thesellersawmestandingbeforethecounterandasked,“Heylittlegirl,youwanttoeatabowl?”“But…butIdonotcarrymoney…”Ishylyreplied.“Okay,I’lltreatyou.”thesellersaid,“comein,Iwillcookyouabowl.”Afewminuteslatertheownerbroughtmeasteamingbowlofnoodles.Aftereatingsomepieces,Icried.“Whatisit?”Heasked.“Nothing.Iamjusttouchedbyyourkindness!”IsaidasIwipedmytears.“Evenastrangeronthestreetgivesmeabowlofnoodles,andmymother,afteraquarrel,chasedmeoutofthehouse.Sheiscruel(残忍的)!!”Thesellersighed,“Girl,whydidyouthinkso?Thinkagain.Ionlygaveyouabowlofnoodlesandyoufeltthatway.Yourmotherhasbeentakingcareofyousinceyouwerelittle,whywereyounotgratefulandwhydidyouhurtyourmom?”Iwasreallysurprisedafterhearingthat.WhydidInotthinkofthat?Abowlofnoodlesfromastrangermademefeelgrateful,andmymotherhasraisedmesinceIwaslittleandIhaveneverfeltso,notevenalittle.注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。Justatthatmoment,manymemoriescamebackintomymind. Whenarrivinghome,Isawmymothersittingatthedinnertable,worriedandtired.

宁南2024-2025学年度下期高二年级入学考试答案听力1-5.ACABB6-10.ACBBC11-15.CCBAB16.-20.CABCA1.M:I’mnotsureIwanttohaveanotherbeachholidaythissummer.Wedothesamethingeachyear.W:You’reright.Howaboutsomethingcompletelydifferentthisyear,likeatouraroundsouthernIndia?We’veneverbeentherebefore.W:Isyourwifecomingalong?M:No,shewenttoamallnearby.Butshepromisedtocomefordinnerintime.W:OK,let’sorderfirst.3.W:Andy,Iboughtashirtforyou.M:Thankyou.Ihopeyoukeptthereceipt.I’veputonsomeweight.4.W:Doyouwanttogosightseeingtomorrow?M:I’dliketo.ButIhavetostayathometotakecareofmysickdaughterbecausemywifeisonduty.5.M:Areyougrowingsunflowersfortheseeds?Iloveeatingthem.W:No.Ijustlikelookingatthebigflowers.Youcanhavealloftheseedswhentheyareready,ifyoulike.6.-7.M:HeyGina!Isitsnowingoutside?W:Yes,itis,Carl.Thesnowisankle-deep.M:OhGod!Mywifeiswaitingformetopickherup.W:Isshe?Thenyoumustatfirstcallher.M:Ihavetoyes!Itwilltaketimetogetthere.W:Okay,andisyourcaringoodcondition?M:Yeah,itwasservicedjustyesterday.8.-10.W:Hey,haveyouwatchedthenewmovieTheLostTreasure?M:No,Ihaven’t.Isitanygood?W:Oh,youhavetowatchit!It’sanadventure-basedfilmwithincrediblevisualeffects.Whatattractsmemostisitsfantasticplot.Thestorylineisinteresting!M:Well,What’sitabout?W:Itfollowsagroupoftreasurehunterswhowentonadangerousjourneytofindalong-losttreasurehiddeninaremoteisland.Alongtheway,theyencounterthrillingandunexpectedadventures.M:Whoarethemainactors?W:Well,theleadroleisplayedbyTomJohnson.Hedoesaphenomenaljobinthismovie.Thesupportingcastisalsoimpressive,withtalentedactorslikeEmilyStoneandMichaelWilson.M:Wow!I’mafanofTomJohnson’swork.Healwaysdeliversgreatperformances.I’lldefinitelycheckoutthismovie.11.-13.W:David,Icalledyourplacelastnight.Butyoudidn'tanswerthephone.Wereyouout?M:Yes.Iwentoutatsixo'clockanddidn'treturnuntilhalfpasteight.W:Didyougotoamovie?M:No.I'mamemberoftheGeorgetownBookClubnow,WemeeteveryThursdayofthemonthat7:00pm.W:Sowheredoyouusuallymeet?M:AttheGeorgetownNeighborhoodLibrarybranchofDCPublicLibrary.W:Whatdoyouusuallydo?M:Weprimarilydiscussrecentliteraryfictiontitlesandtheoccasionalnonfictiontitles.Youlovereading,don'tyou?W:Yes,Ido.AndIreallywanttolearnmoreabouttheclub.Canyoutellmemoreaboutit?M:Well,whynotcallLucyat202-727-0232?Sheworksforthestarteroftheclubandcangiveyoudetailedinformation.W:Goodidea.David14.-16.W:Hi,I’mHelen.I’mretiringsoon,soI’mgoingaroundtheofficetospeaktoalltherecently-hiredstaffmemberslikeyou.M:It’sanhonor,MsSchmitt.I’vebeensoinspiredbythemanyfamousphotosyou’vetakenthroughoutyourcareer.W:I’mgladtohearthat.Areyoualsoaphotographer?M:No.Ourbosshiredmeandmyteamasvideocreators.ButIlovephotographytoo.W:Backintheday,Iwasaphotographerbecausethatwasthebestwaytoshareinformation.Butnowadays,Iadmirethemodernjournalistswhousevideos.M:That’sinteresting.Sharingphotos,writtenarticlesandinterviewshavechangedourworld.Butnow,I’mwonderingwhatyouthinkisthemostcriticalpartofjournalism.W:I’velearnedthatit’snotjustaboutbeinghonestandsharingrecentevents,althoughthat’scrucial.Themostessentialfactorisbringingtheworldclosertogether.Globally,wemustcelebratevictoriesandsupportothersduringdifficulttimes.16.-20.W:HundredsofhugewildfireshavebrokenoutallacrosstheArcticCircle.AreasintheArcticarewarmingtwiceasfastasanywhereelseontheplanet.Therearesomanyfiresandtheyaresobigthatthesmokefromthemcanbeseenfromspace.MeteorologistsreportthattheArcticishavingitshottestJuneeverandissufferingitsworstwildfireseasononrecord.TherearehugeblazescoveringlargeareasofGreenland,Siberia,ScandinaviaandAlaska.InAlaska,thereareasmanyas400firesburningoutofcontrol.InGreenland,meltingonthevastGreenlandicesheethasstartedamonthearlierthanusual.TheWorldMeteorologicalOrganizationhassaidtheArcticfiresare“unprecedented”.Scientistssaythefiresandsuffocatingsmokecouldhaveaneffectonglobalwarming.MeteorologistMarkParringtonexplainedwhatcausedthewildfires.Hesaid,”TemperaturesintheArctichavebeenincreasingatamuchfasterratethantheglobalaverage,andwarmerconditionsencouragefirestogrowandpersistoncetheyhavebeenstarted.”Dryground,morelightningstrikesandstrongwindshavecausedthefirestospreadveryquickly.Alotoficehasmeltedandtheflameshavesetfiretomethane—filledearthbelowtheice.Thisisrel