湖北省黄冈市部分学校2006届高三模拟考试
英 语
本试卷分第I卷(选择题)和第Ⅱ卷(非选择题)两部分。满分150分。考试时间120分钟。
第I卷(三部分，共115分)
第一部分：听力(共两节；满分30分)
第一节(共5小题；每小题1. 5分，满分7. 5分)
请听下面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. What does the woman mean?
A. She knows very little about bicycles.
B. She doesn't want the man to study.
C. The man isn't ready to study yet.
2. What does the man suggest?
A. Making a pot of coffee.
B. Trying different brands of coffee.
C. Getting a new coffee pot.
3. What does Sam want his friend to buy?
A. Some music cassettes. B. Some school supplies. C. Something to drink.
4. What does the man think of the lecture?
A. He thinks it good. B. He thinks it boring. C. He has no idea about it.
5. What can we learn from the conversation?
A. The woman won' t go to Paris for her holiday.
B. The woman will spend her holiday with her husband.
C. The conversation takes place between husband and wife.
第二节(共15小题；每小题1. 5分，满分22. 5分)
请听下面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。在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。
请听第6段材料，回答第6、7两个小题。
6. What had they planned to do?
A. Go fishing. B. Go bowling. C. Go skating.
7. What is the man going to do?
A. Work a double shift. B. Argue with his boss. C. Go bowling as planned.
请听第7段材料，回答第8至10三个小题。
8. According to the woman, what day is the Fool's Day?
A. Friday. B. Thursday. C. Sunday.
9. What is the man going to do on Friday?
A. Have an exam.
B. Play jokes with his girlfriend.
C. Invite his girlfriend to a dinner.
10. When is the man going to celebrate the Fool's Day?
A. On Thursday. B. Next Thursday. C. At the weekend.
请听第8段材料，回答第11至13三个小题。
11. What are the restaurants famous for?
A. Italian noodles. B. French food. C. Seafood.
12. How is the traffic in Maine?
A. As terrible as New York. B. Much better than New York. C. Worse than New York.
13. Which sport did the man take in Maine?
A. Swimming and sailing. B. Sailing and mountain climbing. C. Tennis.
请听第9段材料，回答第14至16三个小题。
14. What are they doing?
A. Paying some bills. B. Sending a birthday card. C. Buying some stamps.
15. How much does one stamp cost?
A. 40 cents. B. $1.00. C. $4.00.
16. What call we know about the machine?
A. It also takes coins. B. It only takes paper money. C. It also takes checks.
请听第10段材料，回答第17至20四个小题。
17. How many times did China' s women volleyball team win tile World Cup since 1985?
A. Twice. B. Three times. C. Four times.
18. When did Chen Zhonghe take charge of China's women volleyball team?
A. In 1995. B. In 1998. C. In 2001.
19. How is Chen Zhonghe's putonghua?
A. Very terrible. B. Just so-so. C. Fairly good.
20. Which is true about tile World Championships in 2002?
A. China's team got the third place.
B. Chen Zhonghe was praised by many people.
C. China's team lost a few games on purpose.
第二部分 英语知识运用(共两节, 满分45分)
第一节：语法和词汇知识(共15小题；每小题)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。
21. -- How come you are late for work again?
-- ___________.
A. Because I missed the bus B. By bus and then on foot
C. Please excuse me D. It' s quite wrong
22. The Ice Hotel in Sweden is like __________ wonderful fairytale world. Thousands of victors came to _________ hotel every year.
A. the; the B. a; the C. a; a D. 不填; the
23. The famous magazine Asian Time recently put Li Yuchun, the winner of Super Girls on its cover, ________ that what Li possesses is to challenge Chinese traditional beauty.
A. said B. to say C. saying D. to have said
24. -- Carl, go to wash the dishes.
-- Why________? Jack is doing nothing over there.
A. me B.I C. he D. him
25. ________ our country has so many good table-tennis players, we have to decide on the best ones to take part in the game.
A. Although B. Since C. If D. While
26. Doctors around the world are preparing _________ a possible outbreak of bird flu that few current vaccines will guard against.
A. against B. with C. beyond D. regardless of
27. Liu Xiang ____ our expectation and got another gold medal in the 110 m hurdles at the East Asian Games in Macao.
A. made sense of B. lived up to C. fit in with D. experiment with
28. Of the two students, I guess, David is _________.
A. most curious B, the most curious C. more curious D. the more curious
29. It is quite necessary to know what you feel like ______ better able to deal with him or her.
A. to be B. being C. is D. be
30. __________ I had explored space in Shenzhou VI spaceship!
A. If only B. Now that C. With the help D. In spite of that
31. When I came to the party that evening, the hostess didn't recognize me, _______ me and walked on as if I didn't exist.
A. neglected B. refused C. greeted D. promised
32. It is the Long March Rocket 2F, as reported, _______ sent Shenzhou VI spaceship into space.
A. which B. what C. that D. as
33. -- _______ you make so much noise?
-- I'm sorry, I'll take care not to.
A. Can B. Must C. Would D. Will
34. -- Any fashion news about skirts?
--Yes. This season's short skirts ________ respectability now, although they were thought to be shocking when they first appeared.
A. gained B. are gaining C. gain D. have gained
35. -- Do you think our team will win the game?
-- I have no idea, But this is the last chance we ________ them to.
A. require B. admit C. acquire D. appreciate
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, 从短文后各题所给的A、B、c、和D四个选项中, 选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
One windy spring day, I observed young people having fun using the wind to fly their kites. Multicolored 36 of varying shapes and sizes filled the bright skies like beautiful birds darting and 37 . As the strong wind blow against the kites, a 38 kept them in control.
Instead of 39 away with the wind they arose against it to achieve great 40 . They shook and pulled, 41 the control string and the long tail 42 them in tow(受支配), facing upward and against the wind. As the kites 43 and trembled against the string, they seemed to say, "Let me go! Let me go! I want to be 44 !" They soared beautifully even as they fought the restriction(约束) of the string. 45 , one of the kites succeeded in breaking loose. "Free at last" , it seemed to say "Free to fly with the wind".
Yet freedom from 46 simply put it at the 47 of an unsympathetic breeze. it dropped ungracefully(不雅地) to the ground and 48 in a wild mass of weeds and string against a dead bush. "Free at last" -- free to lie powerlessly in the dirt, to be blown 49 along the ground, and to lodge lifelessly against the first obstruction.
How much like kites we sometimes are. The Heaven gives us adversities and restrictions, rules to 50 from which we can grow and gain strength. Control is a 51 counterpart to the winds of opposition. Some of his tug at the rules so hard that we 52 soar to reach the heights we might have obtained. We keep part of the commandment and never rise 53 enough to get our tails off the ground.
Let us each rise to the great heights, 54 that some of the controls that we may be unhappy under are actually the steadying force that helps us 55 and achieve.
36. A. creations B. uniforms C. opinions D. remarks
37. A. singing B. dancing C. moving D. falling
38. A. procedure B. method C. string D. choice
39. A. throwing B. giving C. passing D. blowing
40. A. goals B. aims C. figures D. heights
41. A. anyhow B. then C. but D. meanwhile
42. A. exchanged B. kept C. equipped D. fetched
43. A. struggled B. fought C. escaped D. shouted
44. A. free B. comfortable C. evident D. great
45. A. Practically B. Finally C. Eagerly D. Clearly
46. A. sky B. effort C. control D. success
47. A. demand B. expense C. pressure D. mercy
48. A. deserted B. cut C. grew D. landed
49. A. helplessly B. hopelessly C. carelessly D. willingly
50. A. break B. follow C. make D. charge
51. A. necessary B. impossible C. useless D. smooth
52. A. yet B. never C. ever D. then
53. A. far B. long C. high D. steady
54. A. blaming B. accomplishing C. attempting D. recognizing
55. A. run away B. look down C. go up D. get off
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, 从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中选出最佳选项。
A
Hello, children and parents. Thank you all for coming to this meeting. I' d like to start by confirming that we will receive some money from the government for our school trip to Indonesia. We will receive approximately $1,300 per child, which will reduce the overall cost to you.
Now that we are sure to get the money, it is time to do some serious planning. We are sure that the trip will be very exciting for the children, especially if they have not traveled overseas before. There are many benefits to having some exposure to different places and cultures. Your children will be able to learn a lot about other people and cultures on this trip.
Leanne is with us tonight. Leanne, where are you? Put up your hand, Leanne, so that the people can see who you are. Thank you. Leanne went on the trip last year and will be happy to tell you of her experiences and answer arty questions you might have. We will hear from her a bit later in the meeting.
We only have five months to organize the trip. From past experience I can tell you that this time will go very quickly! So we need to start organizing the trip.
This is the agenda for tonight' s meeting:
* Passports: when and how to apply for one
* Schedule: what places we will visit
* Health matters: what precautions you need to take, plus any special needs that your child may have
* Studying: description of the school and type of lessons your child will attend
* Money: paying for the trip, plus how much money your child should take
* Hotel: where we will he staying
* Clothing and personal items: what your children should take with them
Are there any other items that you would like to place on the agenda?
56. The main idea of this speech is about ___________.
A. a school trip to another country B. getting a job in another country
C. people studying in another country D. schools in another country
57. The speaker will discuss except _________
A. spending money B. hotels C. group leaders D. places to see
58. __________ will help pay for this trip according to the text.
A. The students themselves B. The students' parents
C. The organizer of the trip D. The government
59. We can learn from the text that _________.
A. Leanne is from Indonesia and knows very well about the coming trip
B. the students is able to attend some lessons during their trip
C. the students going on the trip will cost nothing
D. the speaker is likely to come from the government
B
After many days of anxious waiting, the Olympic mascots(吉祥物) were finally chosen at eight pm on November 11, 2005. This marks the start of the 1,000-day countdown to the 2008 Beijing, Olympic Games.
The Olympic mascots are the Olympic flame, the fish, the panda, the Tibetan antelope and the swallow. They are designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends.
Beijing officially started to select the mascots in August 2004. A range of animals and cartoon figures participated in the fierce competition. The lucky five won over other candidates such as the Chinese dragon and the Monkey King, which had been favourites along the way.
"I' ve always been confident in the whole process, because I' m the most precious animal in China. That means I got lots of votes," revealed the panda, when Teens interviewed him.
He was right. Although some people said he should not have been chosen because he was the mascot of the 1990 Asian Games, he won the support of the majority. Named "Jingjing" , he was chosen because he makes children smile and brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. He was chosen to show China' s desire to protect nature.
Unlike the well-known panda, the Tibetan antelope is considered much more sporty than other chosen animals.
"I can run 70-100 km per hour at a high altitude where oxygen levels are just half that of the plains. So you see, I'm a perfect symbol for the spirit of the Olympics -- higher, faster and stronger," claimed the "athlete", whose name is" Yingying".
The fish, "Beibei" stands for prosperity. She will represent water sports. "Nini", the swallow, stands for good luck and desire for a better life. She will represent gymnastics. The Olympic flame, "Huanhuan", conveys enthusiasm and best wishes for the Olympics. He will represent ball games.
Many teenagers are surprised that Beijing will have five mascots but very excited that they will have more choice when shopping for souvenirs (纪念品).
"Stickers (贴画) with pandas and Tibetan antelopes on them will be popular among girls. They will also raise teenagers' awareness of animal protection," said Jiang Juan, a Senior 2 girl from Hunan Province.
However, Zhang Zhang, 17, from Shanxi Taiyuan No. 5 High School is hoping for more: "I hope there will be a cartoon in which the five are the main characters, doing different sports. So the whole world will have a better understanding of the Chinese spirit."
60. _______ represent the sports, such as diving, surfing, swimming and so on.
A. Jingjing B. Nini C. Huanhuan D. Beibei
61. What does the underlined word "that" (para. 7) refer to?
A. 70-100 km per hour B. a high altitude
C. oxygen levels D. the spirit of the Olympics
62. From the third paragraph we know _________.
A. it took more than one year to select the 2008 Olympic mascots
B. the Chinese dragon should have been the 2008 Olympic mascot
C. Monkey King had been less popular before August 2004
D. five mascots chosen from a range of animals surprised many people
63. What is the main idea of the text?
A. There are 1,000 days before the 2008 Olympic Games take place in Beijing.
B. The introduction is made to the 2008 Olympic mascots.
C. Teenagers' opinions are released about the 2008 Olympic mascots.
D. Why are the five chosen as the 2008 Olympic mascots.
C
Are you single and dreaming of an exciting voyage vacation, but unsure of the next step? You're not alone! Many single travelers wonder which voyage will have the most singles on board, how they'll meet other singles, what the voyage will cost and whether they'll enjoy themselves.
Our hosted singles voyage is ideal for singles of all ages. No other form of travel affords as many opportunities to meet people and make friends. In fact, our Singles Division can help you find a singles voyage on a ship that' s just right for you and make sure you meet many other singles on board.
We've scheduled singles voyage on sailings throughout 2005, to all of the world' s greatest destinations. And we've selected popular itineraries (旅游路线)on large, newer ships for different audiences, so you can find one that suits your tastes.
If you' re looking for a roommate to cut costs, our Match Program can pair you with a same-sex single in one stateroom (on hosted sailings only), enabling us to offer you the same per-person pricing that couples receive. We guarantee to find you a roommate, whenever you sign-up before the cut-off date. If we don' t, you only need pay the per-person, double-occupancy rate. If you prefer the privacy of your own stateroom, the single supplement rates will apply.
Either way, we'll provide our own on board host to organize singles cocktail parties, mixers, games, single-mingle dining and more. Once you've booked your voyage, we'll also give you private access to our singles chat site where you can get to know other singles before you depart.
We expect our staterooms on these sailings will full quickly, so please book early to avoid disappointment. To get started, click on any singles voyage in the calendar to the left. Hope to see you on board!
Note: If you can' t take advantage of one of our hosted singles cruises but still wish to travel as a single, click here for more information.
64. The voyage which is strongly recommended in the text is for _______.
A. young singles B. singles of all ages who want to meet people and make friends
C. single travelers D. singles who intend to go to the world' s greatest destinations
65. What can Match Program do for travelers according to the text?
A. To match a single man with a proper woman.
B. To match a single woman with a proper man.
C. To have a match between same-sex singles in one room.
D. To pair a willing person with a same-sex single in one room.
66. Which activity is NOT included in the voyage?
A. Having singles cocktail parties. B. Having private access to our singles chat site.
C. Mixers, games, single-mingle dining etc. D. Finding a roommate.
67. The text probably comes from
A. a guide book B. an ad on newspaper C. a website D. a magazine
D
A few factory that turn used wine bottles into green sand could revolutionize the recycling industry and help to filter (过滤) the nation' s drinking water.
For the last 100 years special high-grade white sand quarried (开采) at Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire has been used to filter tap water to remove bacteria and impurities, but this may no longer be necessary.
The green sand has already been successfully tested by water companies and is being used in 50 swimming pools in Scotland to keep the water clean.
Backed by one million pounds from the European Union and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), a company based in Scotland is building a factory to turn beverage (饮料) bottles back into the sand from which they were made.
The idea is not only to avoid using up increasingly scarce sand in Scotland and avoid any further quarrying but also to solve a crisis in the recycling industry.
Howard Dryden, the scientist and managing director of the company has spent six years working on what he calls Active Filtration Media, or AFM-recycled glass. He says he needs bottles that have already contained drinkable liquids to be sure that water would not be polluted.
"The fact is that tests show that AFM does the job better than glass. It is easier to clean and reuse and has all sorts of properties (特性) that make it ideal for other application," he said. He also thinks the market will be able to take 250,000 tons of green sand a year.
The factory will be completed this month and is expected to go into full production on January 14 next year. Once it is providing a "regular" product, the government's drinking water inspectorate (视察团) will be asked to perform tests and approve it for general use by water companies.
68. It may no longer be necessary to use high-grade white sand to make water clean because _________.
A. there is no need to keep water clean B. a new factory has been set up
C. the green sand may' generally be used D. white sand is being used up
69. According to the passage, the new idea can do the following EXCEPT __________.
A. avoiding using up white sand B. avoiding further quarrying of white sand
C. solving the crisis in the recycling industry D. cutting down the cost on drinking water
70. Tests show that when water is cleaned, _____________.
A. AFM is more effective than white sand B. AFM is more effective than glass
C. glass is mole effective than AFM D. white sand is more effective than green sand
71. The underlined word "Backed" (para. 4)can be replaced by _______.
A. Allowed B. Opposed C. Supported D. Forbidden
E
Having crossed mountains and plains, rivers and lakes, some of France's greatest works of art are now on display at China's National Museum of Fine Arts. Fifty-one Impressionist paintings are forming part of' an exhibition in Beijing to kick off the Year of France.
The show is being held in the capital between October 10 to November 27. Then it will move on to Shanghai and Hong Kong.
"It is such a good opportunity to see the masters' work up close," said Feng Jiajia, a Senior 3 student from the High School Affiliated to the Academy of Art and Design. Although Feng is very busy with his studies at the moment he says he will definitely make time to see the exhibition. "I hope it will inspire me and help me with my own work," he said.
Worth a total of US $ 600 million, the paintings are by French Impressionist masters, including Monet (莫奈), Cezanne(赛尚) , Renoir (雷诺阿) and Degas (德加).
As an art style, Impressionism was developed in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their work was a fresh and original way of painting. It seems that the artists painted a scene after just a quick look at it.
Often painting outside, rather than in a studio, the artists observed nature more directly and tried to capture individual moments in time especially tile changing light of the sun. They avoided black and earth colors and as a result their work is often very bright and can also look like that it is shimmering (闪光).
When they first appeared, the artists were criticized for not finishing their paintings and for being lazy. Critics said the Impressionists were satisfied with just a few inexact brushstrokes (笔画)instead of completing a real painting. It was an art critic who first used the term "Impressionist" in a review of Monet' s work "Impression, Sunrise" (1873 ) to satirize (讽刺) his loose, inexact manner of painting.
"Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love," said Monet.
Monet is the leading figure in the creation of Impressionism. He painted sunlit rivers and gardens with forceful brush-strokes and bright colors, in which objects lose their shape in the light. Monet' s painting reached its height in his later life with his paintings of water lilies.
72. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Monet is the leading figure in the creation of Impressionism.
B. The show of fifty-one Impressionists' paintings will move on to Shanghai and Hong Kong.
C. Impressionism was developed in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
D. Fifty-one Impressionists' paintings are now on display in Beijing as part of the Year of France.
73. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. We can see other French art works at China' s National Museum of Fine Arts besides the Impressionists' paintings.
B. People can buy French Impressionist masters' paintings at China' s National Museum of Fine Arts.
C. Beijing is the first place where the Impressionists' paintings are on display.
D. Monet' s most expensive works are the paintings of water lilies.
74. Which of the following is likely to be an Impressionist' s painting?
A. Portrait of God. B. A girl with a vase.
C. Thunder and lightening D. Beautiful lake in the sunshine.
75. What can we conclude from the passage?
A. Most of the paintings by the Impressionists were finished in a hurry or unfinished.
B. People didn't like the Impressionists' paintings when they came into being.
C. The Impressionists painted a scene after just a quick look at it.
D. Impressionists finished their paintings according to their imagination.
第Ⅱ卷(共35分)
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)
此题要求改正所给短文中的错误。对标有题号的每一行作出判断：如无错误, 在该行右边横线上画一个勾(√); 如有错误(每行只有一个错误), 则按下列情况改正：
该行多一个词：把多余的词用斜线(＼)划掉, 在该行右边横线上写出该词, 并也用斜线划掉。
该行缺一个词：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧), 在该行右边横线上写出该加的词。
该行错一个词：在错词的下面画一横线, 在该行右边横线上写出该加的词。
注意：原行没有错的不要改。
Dear Li Yang,
I am sorry if maths disappoints you, but you can give it up. 76. _____________
What you say, it is one of the most important subjects and there 77. _____________
is a reason for this. We have to use maths from all the time. 78. _____________
Wherever your career takes you, maths will have to be using. 79. _____________
In fact, most employer and universities will not accept people who 80. _____________
have failed or given up maths. All you can do is try your best in 81. _____________
maths and make the most of subjects you felt more comfortable 82. _____________
with. If you have trouble understand anything, the first person 83. _____________
you should tell is your teacher. That is often surprising how simple 84. _____________
things seem when we are explained properly -- even maths problems! 85. _____________
Editor
第二节：书面表达(满分25分)
一家英语报曾对欧洲60岁以上的人进行了—次专题调查，题目是：你现在最后悔的是什么?调查结果见下表：
| 百分比 | 后悔的事情 |
| 72％ | 年轻时努力不够 |
| 67％ | 错误地选择了职业 |
| 58％ | 锻炼身体不足 |
| 11％ | 没有赚到更多的钱 |
请你用英语写一篇文章，简要介绍此次调查的情况，并就其中一项发表你的看法。
注意：1．问数：100左右；2．不能逐字翻译，并注意文章的逻辑性；3．要有合适的标题。
湖北省黄冈市部分学校2006届高三模拟考试
英语参考答案
1—5 CCBAB 6—10 BABAC 11—15 CBCCA 16—20 BACBC
21—25 ABCAB 26—30 ABDAA 31—35 ACBDA
36—40 ABCDD 41—45 CBBAB 46—50 CDDBB 51—55 ABCDC
56—60 ACDBD 61—65 CABBD 66—70 DCCDB 71—75 CDCDB
76．can后加not或can→can’t 77．What→As 78．去掉from 79．using→used
80．employer→employers 81 ．√ 82．felt→feel 83．understand→understanding
84．That→It 85．we→they
Text 1
M: Want to go for a long walk or a bike ride?
W: You don't want to study now, do you?
Text 2
W: This coffee never seems to taste quite right to me. Maybe we should buy a different brand.
M: Why not a new coffee pot?
Text 3
W: Can I bring you back anything from the store, Sam?
M: Get me a roll of Scotch tape and a notebook, will you?
Text 4
W: Was the lecture as good as you had expected?
M: Oh, it' s worth the time.
W: I thought so. He is one of the greatest scientists in today's world.
Text 5
M: Are you going to spend your holiday in Paris7
W: Yes. I can' t wait.
M: When'?
W: March 3rd. My husband can't leave his work until then.
Text 6
M: Hi! It's me again!
W: Hi! What' s up?
M: Well, since I talked to you about an hour ago, I've found out that I won' t lie able to go bowling with you as we had planned. Something important has just come tip.
W: Oh?
M: Yes. My boss is insisting that I work a double shift today, and there' s nothing I can do about it. I hope you understand.
W: Of course I do. Let' s plan on going bowling some other time.
Text 7
M: Is the Fool' s Day on Friday or Saturday this year?
W: I'm almost certain it's on Thursday.
M: My god. I thought it was on the weekend. I was going to have a joke with my girlfriend and then invite her to the restaurant.
W: Why can't you invite her out on Thursday?
M: Because I have an exam on Friday.
W: Well, you could invite her out at tide weekend to celebrate this interesting and late Fool' s Day.
M: I guess I'll have to do that.
Text 8
W: Are there any good restaurants in that part of Maine?
M: There are some marvelous seafood restaurants.
W: Was there much traffic on the roads?
M: There was quite a bit, but compared with New York the roads were empty.
W: Was there a beach nearby'?
M: No. The nearest one was about six miles away.
W: Did you get a chance to swim, then?
M: No. The water' s too cold for me in Maine.
W: Did you do any mountain climbing?
M: You must be kidding !
W: Did you play any tennis, then?
M: Just enough.
W: What do you mean "just enough"?
M: Just enough to work up a nice thirst for the cocktail hour!
Text 9
M: Jessie, here's the stamp machine. How many stamps do you need?
W: I' m not really sure. I need a few to pay some bills and one to send a birthday card to my mom.
M: Well, you really need to decide before you put your money in the machine. If you put your money in, and you wait too long, you won' t get your change back.
W: Really? How much time do I have to make a choice?
M: Well, you probably have a few minutes, but it' s really better to be ready before you put your money in the machine.
W:I think a book of ten stamps will be fine.
M: All right. You just put your money right here where it says, "Insert bills face up.
W: The screen says, "Your credit is $ 4.00. Make a selection, or insert money" .
M: Okay, now you just push the selection button that you want.
Text l0
Chen Zhonghe, China' s women volleyball team' s head coach, is an optimistic person. He keeps smiling even during the hardest times.
Chen led his team to win the World Cup in 2003, the first time in 17 years. The team then won at the 2004 Athens Olympics. But when Chen first took charge of the team in 2001, few people believed he could take the team to the top. "I was not a famous coach, and I did not have any big achievements as a player," he said. Some even said Chen could not make a good coach because he couldn' t even speak putonghua well.
Chen also made a big decision to replace the old players with new faces such as Zhao Ruiroi. Though it was not a popular move, he still went ahead with it. But the worst time came at the World Championships in 2002. Chen didn' t want the team to meet strong Russia early on, so they lost a few games on purpose. This led to trouble and they finished fourth. People were angry with him. But Chen stood up from where he fell down. He was sure the team could work together and get over its difficulties. And he finally made it in 2003. "Sunlight always comes after wind and rain," said Chen.