2019-2020 学年度第二学期期中
高一年级英语试题
注意事项:
本试卷份第Ⅰ卷(选择题)和第Ⅱ卷(非选择题)两部分,共 150 分。考试时间 120 分
钟。
第Ⅰ卷(共 100 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)
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 will the man probably do?
A. Ask Linda for advice.
B. Tell his sister the truth.
C. Lend some money to his sister.
2. What does the man suggest the woman do tomorrow night?
A. Stay at the party for a while. B. Study at school. C. Do her work.
3. What band did the woman see?
A. The one with a dancer.
B. The one with a pianist.
C. The one with three guitarists.
4. Why does the man prefer magazines?
A. They are cheaper.
B. They are more interesting.
C. They can be finished more quickly.
5. Where does this conversation probably take place?
A. At the woman’s home. B. At a hotel. C. At a hospital.
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. What does the girl think of the boy’s parents?
A. Friendly. B. Understanding. C. Strict.
7. What can we learn from the conversation?
A. The girl likes chemistry very much.
B. The boy got a good grade in chemistry.
C. The boy did worse than the girl in chemistry.
听第 7 段材料,回答第 8 至 9 题。
8. Why does the woman refuse to help the man?
A. It is against the rules.
B. His instrument is too heavy.
C. She doesn’t know where to make a call.
9. Where will the man go?
A. To the reception. B. To the dining room. C. To the bag office.
听第 8 段材料,回答第 10 至 12 题。
10. What is the man?
A. A host. B. A news reporter. C. A fitness trainer.
11. When will the fitness center be open?
A. On June 10th. B. On July 16th. C. On August 21st.
12. Which sport can people do outdoors in the sports center?
A. Tennis. B. Volleyball. C. Basketball.
听第 9 段材料,回答第 13 至 16 题。
13. When was the World Wildlife Fund founded?
A. In 1916. B. In 1961. C. In 1969.
14. What is the official sign of the World Wildlife Fund?
A. A picture of a panda. B. A picture of a dolphin. C. A picture of a whale.
15. What does the Audubon Society focus on?
A. The protection of birds. B. The protection of forests.
C. The protection of ocean animals.
16. What do we know about the Wilderness Society?
A. It is named after an American wildlife painter.
B. It has eighteen branches in the United States.
C. Its head office is in Washington, D.C.
听第 10 段材料,回答第 17 至 20 题。
17. What is the talk about?
A. An acting experience. B. A great book. C. College life.
18. Why did the speaker decide to try for a part in The Finnegans?
A. She thought the book would make a great film.
B. She felt she was perfect for the part of Polly.
C. She was encouraged by her grandmother.
19. How did the speaker know the filming plans?
A. Her mother sent an e-mail to her.
B. The director called her.
C. Her friend told her.
20. How did the speaker manage to find time to do the filming?
A. She asked her friends to help with her essays.
B. She took time off and did her college work later.
C. She missed lectures and hoped nobody would notice.
第二部分 阅读理解(共两节,满分 40 分)
第一节(共 15 小题;每小题 2 分,满分 30 分)
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的 A、B、C、D 四个选项中,选出最佳答案。
A
Summer Vacation Fun 2019 !
The summer holidays are upon us again. Here is our guide to summer holiday fun in
Peterborough!
Peterborough Museum
The Age of the Dinosaurs’ is the museum’s main attraction this summer. Get up close to prehistoric creatures via some great hands-on exhibits! Watch out for monsters lurking around
every ember! The museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and from 12:
00 pm to 4: 00 pm on Sundays in August.
Call 01733 864663 for details.
Saxon Youth Club
School holiday fun: Young people aged 13—19 will be able to produce their own music,
compete in sports activities, or try their hand at cooking at Saxon Youth Club, Saxon Community
Centre, Norman Road. Peterborough every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 pm. PLUS an aero
ball tournament will take place on Thursday 12th August between 3:30pm and 6:30pm.
Call 01 353 720274 for details.
Houghton Mill
Alice through the Looking Class--a new production of the family favorite on Monday 30th.
August. Bring rugs or chairs to sit on and a picnic if you wish to eat during the play. Gates open 5:
30 pm, performance 6:30 pm--8:30 pm. Tea room will be open until end of the interval. Adult
£10. Child£7. Family £20.
Booking advisable on 0845 4505157.
Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey
Farmland Gaines: From Wellie Wanging to Pretend Ploughing matches,come and join the
Farmland Team. Collect your sporting stickers and create a colorful rosette that is fit for a
winner!No need to book,just turn up between 12: 00 pm and 4: 00 pm on Thursday 19th
August. Suitable for children aged four and above. Each child should be accompanied by an adult
and all activities are included in the normal admission price. Tickets Cost£7 per child.
For further information, call 01223 810080.
21. If you are interested in cooking, you can go to .
A. Peterborough Museum B. Houghton Mill
C. Farmland Museum D. Saxon Youth Club
22. You want to watch the new play with your parents, so it will cost you .
A. £7 B. £17 C. £20 D. £27
23. Which of the following activities needs parents’ company?
A. Playing farmland games. B. Watching a new play.C. Competing in sports activities. D. Visiting the dinosaur exhibition.
B
Many people believe eating healthily is expensive — and more costly than buying junk
foods. But our new research, published in the BMC Public Health, shows this isn't the truth.
Most of the Australian family food budget (预算) is being spent on junk foods and drinks
that are high in fat, sugar and salt.
Less than 7% of Australians eat healthily. The Australian adults get at least 35% of their
energy from junk foods and drinks. As a result, two-thirds of adults (63%) and one-quarter of
children are overweight.
We used the Australian Health Survey 2011-2013 and the suggestions of the Australian
Dietary Guidelines to model healthy diets for a family of two adults and two children every
two weeks. We collected food prices in supermarkets and stores in high- and
low-socioeconomic (社会经济地位低的) areas in Brisbane, and compared the diet prices with
family incomes.
In both areas, a family of two adults and two children spend about 18% more on present
diets than would be required to buy healthy diets. About 58% of the food budget for present
diets is spent on junk foods, including takeaway foods (14%), and sugary drinks (4%). In the
low-socioeconomic area, a family of two adults and two children spend $640.20 every two
weeks on their present diets, but could buy a healthy diet for $560.93 every two weeks. In the
high-socioeconomic area, these numbers are $661.92 and $580.01.
Supermarket food prices were about 3% higher in the high-socioeconomic location.
Takeaway foods were also relatively more expensive, but sugary drinks were priced similarly
in both areas.
Present diets cost more than healthy diets, so causes other than price must be helping to
drive preferences for unhealthy choices.
24. What did the researchers find?
A. Australians have a preference for sweet foods.
B. Most Australian kids have fat problems.
C. Most Australians eat unhealthily.
D. Half Australians live on junk foods.25. How did the researchers get the result?
A. By doing the study online. B. By making a comparison.
C. By carrying out interviews. D. By asking personal questions.
26. What can we learn from Paragraph 5?
A. A healthy diet is actually cheaper.
B. Australian foods are healthier.
C. Health foods are becoming more expensive.
D. People choose junk foods for their low prices.
27. What might a following paragraph be about?
A. Why people choose junk foods. B. How we can eat healthily.
C. The harm of junk foods. D. The advantages of a healthy diet.
C
In a time when a dangerous number of people are overweight, many people seem to have
forgotten the most important way to keep healthy and slim-exercise. And as a new study carried
out on mice in the lab has shown, exercise early in life can reward you in your adult years.
A team of researchers at the University of California studied the effects of early exercise on
adult physical activity, body mass and eating. They found that early-age exercise in mice has
positive effects on adult levels of voluntary exercise in addition to reducing body mass.
“These results may have an effect on the importance of regular physical education in
elementary and middle schools,” said Theodore Garland, a professor of biology, who led the
research project. “If kids exercise regularly through their school years, then they may be more
likely to exercise as adults, which could have far-reaching positive effects on human health and
well-being or happiness.”
Although the positive effects of early-life exercise lasted for only one week, it is important
to note that one week in the life of a mouse is the same as about nine months for humans. “Our
results suggest that any positive effects of early-life exercise on adult exercise will need to be
kept up if they are to be long-lasting.”
His team of researchers found, too, that all mice that had access to early exercise were
lighter in weight than non-exercised mice.Garland explained that, in general, exercise will stimulate appetite sooner or later.
However, it is possible that certain types of exercise, done for certain periods of time or at
certain light levels, might not stimulate appetite much, if at all, at least in some persons.
“If we could understand what sorts of exercise these might be, then we might be able to
tailor(量身打造) exercise recommendations in a way that would bring the benefits of exercise
without increases in appetite, leading to a better chance of weight loss,” he said.
28. How long do the positive effects of early-life exercise last for a mouse?
A. One day. B. Nine months. C. One month. D. One week.
29. What can we learn from the article?
A. Early-life exercise has no negative effects on people.
B. More study is needed to better understand on the matter of exercises.
C. The new study on mice mainly focused on how exercise affects appetite.
D. Kids should be encouraged to do exercise as early as possible to ensure physical
health.
30. The underlined word “stimulate” means .
A. change B. decrease C. improve D. harm
31. What is the article mainly about?
A. The positive effects of early-life exercise.
B. How to do exercise properly.
C. The possible risks of doing exercise.
D. New ways to fight against being overweight.
D
A black hole is created when a large star burns out. Like our sun, stars are unbelievably
hot furnaces (熔炉) that burn their own matter as fuel. When most of the fuel is used up, the
star begins to die.
The death of a star is not a quiet event. First there is a huge explosion. As its outer layer is
exploded off into space, the dying star shines as brightly as a billion suns.
After the explosion gravity pulls in what’s left of the star. As the outside of the star sinks
toward the center, the star gets smaller and smaller.The material the star is made of becomes
tightly packed together. A star is so dense(密集的) that a teaspoon of matter from it weighs billion of pounds.
The more the star shrinks (缩小), the stronger the gravity inside it becomes. Soon the star
is very tiny, and the gravity pulling it in is unbelievably strong. In fact, the gravity is so strong
that it even pulls light into the star! Since all the light is pulled in, none can go out. The star
becomes black when there is no light. Then a black hole is born!
That’s what we know about black holes. What we don’t know is this: What happens
inside a black hole after the star has been forced into a tiny ball? Does it keep getting smaller
and smaller forever? Such a possibility is hard to imagine.
But if the black hole doesn’t keep shrinking, what happens to it? Some scientists think
black holes are like doorways to another world. They say that as the star disappears from our
universe, it goes into another universe. In other words a black hole in our universe could turn
into a “white hole” in a different universe. As the black hole swallows light, the white hole
shines brightly—somewhere else. But where? A different place, perhaps, or a different time —
many years in the past or future.
Could you travel through a black hole? Right now, no. Nothing we know of could go into a
black hole without being crushed(压碎). So far the time being, black hole must remain a
mystery.
Black holes are a mystery—but that hasn’t stopped scientists from dreaming about them.
One scientist suggested that in the future we might make use of the power of black holes. They
would supply all of Earth’s energy needs, with plenty to spare. Another scientist wondered if a
black hole could some day be used to swallow earthly waste—a sort of huge waste disposal(处
理) in the sky!
32. What happens when the star begins to die?
A. there is no fuel left in it B. its outer layer goes into space first
C. it doesn’t give off light any longer D. a huge explosion will happen
33. Which of the following doesn’t help produce a black hole?
A. The gravity inside the star is very strong. B.The light can’t go out of the star.
C.The dying star shines very brightly. D.The star becomes smaller and smaller
34. The black hole ______.
A.can pull in everything we know of in the worldB.goes into another universe and becomes a white hole
C.continues becoming smaller and smaller all the time
D.will appear at another place at a different time
35. What’s the best title for this passage?
A. A New Scientific Discovery: Black Holes B. How Do Black Holes Come Into
Being?
C. Travel Through A Black Hole D. What Are Black Holes?
第二节(共 5 小题,每小题 2 分,满分 10 分)
根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项,选项中有两项为多余
选项。
How You Can Create Luck in Everyday Life
Having a positive way allows you to create your own luck in everyday life. Here are some
tips.
Be Grateful For What You Have
Some people are already lucky, and they just don’t know it. 36 You no doubt have
some wonderful friends, family, a roof over your head and food on the table. By recognizing
these things regularly, you can immediately feel more lucky.
Network
37 Knowing different people can make you get access to skills, opportunities,
connections and more. You never know what wonderful chances each individual could bring to
you or how they might enrich your life, until you get to know them.
Be Generous
If you ever want other people to give you opportunities, you have to consider what sort of
atmosphere you are putting out into the world. 38 Be generous with your time and
attention, and you’ll be surprised how many lucky opportunities people may offer you.
Try Something New
Luck doesn’t just happen upon us. 39 Trying something new is a great way of
getting more opportunities. Learning a new skill, visiting a new place, or trying a new hobby
are all great ways of expanding your opportunities and your state of mind.
Take Action You’ll never create any luck if you sit there waiting for it to fall onto your lap. Take steps
towards your goals and dreams and greet every challenge with a positive state of mind. 40
A. You cannot expect to receive if you never give.
B. It comes to us when we’re open.
C. Instead of focusing on what’s lacking, look at how lucky you already are.
D. Sometimes peoples would be prepared to help us out.
E. You will find you can create more luck in everyday life.
F. Be grateful for the good that came from your past.
G. The more people you connect with, the luckier you will be.
第三部分 语言知识运用(共两节,满分 45 分)
第一节(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、D 四个选项中,选出可以填入空白处的
最佳选项。
A woman professor walked around in a classroom while she was teaching stress
management to her students. As she__41__ a glass of water, everyone__42__ they would be
asked the “half-empty or half-full” question.
__43__,with a smile on her face, she asked, “How__44__ is this glass of water? ”
Answers called out__45__ from eight to twenty ounces(盎司).
She quieted the students down and then replied, “The exact weight doesn’t __46__. It all
depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a __47__. If I hold it for an
hour, it’s not a(n)__48__. If I hold for a day, my arm will feel __49__ and paralyzed. In each
case, the __50__ of the glass of water doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it
becomes. Do you know why? ”
All the students kept silent and listened carefully, lost in thought.
She continued, “Our __51__ and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about
them for a while and __52__ happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to__53__.
And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed—__54__ to do anything.”
It’s important to remember to __55__ your stresses. As early in the evening as possible,
put all your __56__ down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night.
Remember to put the glass down!More often than not life gets terrible __57__we think too much. And the moment you
remove your burden, you’ll find yourself feeling so much more __58__.
So rather than wandering and feeling sorry for yourself, __59__ doing something about it.
After all, life is too short to __60__ yourself in anything that’s not making you happy.
41. A. drank B. served C. raised D. demanded
42. A. argued B. wondered C. expected D. agreed
43. A. Meanwhile B. Therefore C. Anyhow D. Instead
44. A. much B. full C. little D. heavy
45. A. ranged B. replied C. read D. remained
46. A. affect B. drop C. matter D. work
47. A. success B. point C. skill D. problem
48. A. hand B. arm C. neck D. back
49. A. steady B. sensitive C. nervous D. insensible
50. A. weight B. shape C. function D. size
51. A. surprises B. joys C. stresses D. doubts
52. A. everything B. nothing C. anything D. something
53. A. improve B. hurt C. change D. adjust
54. A. uncertain B. afraid C. unable D. available
55. A. catch up with B. take charge of C. put up with D. put down
56. A. burdens B. thoughts C. hardships D. feelings
57. A. when B. till C. unless D. though
58. A. excited B. worried C. satisfied D. relaxed
59. A. keep B. finish C. start D. risk
60. A. help B. commit C. throw D. bury
第Ⅱ卷(共 50 分)
第二节(共 10 小题;每小题 1.5 分,满分 15 分)
阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(1 个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
The national college entrance examination in Russia, Unified State Exam, will include
Chinese as 61.______elective foreign language starting from 2019. Chinese will become the
fifth elective test item for the Unified State Exam 62.________(follow) English, German, French and Spanish.
The number of Chinese learners in Russia 63.________(grow) quickly in the past ten
years, according to a survey 64._________(make) by a linguistic research center in Russia.
Approaches to learning Chinese change from person to person, 65.________ more and
more people choosing university courses in Russia.
The three hour-long Chinese test will quiz students on 66.__________(they) listening,
reading and writing abilities, and a fourth section will examine students on grammar,
vocabulary and Chinese 67.__________(character). Some parts in the exam are even a little bit
difficult for native Chinese speakers.
According to the Office of Chinese Language Council International(Hanban), as of 2017
some 100 million people, excluding native speakers, use Chinese 68. __________(global).
The United Nations in 2010 suggested a Chinese Language Day 69._________ falls on
April 20 each year 70._________ (celebrate) cultural diversity(多样性)as well as to promote
the equal use of all official languages.
第四部分 写作(共两节,满分 35 分)
第一节 短文改错(共 10 小题; 每小题 1 分,满分 10 分)
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文,请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共
有 10 处语言错误,每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(^),并在下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2.只允许修改 10 处,多者(从第 11 处起)不计分。
Today I want to share with you a memorable place — my old classroom. It was appealing
because of three sides of it were made of glass. I enjoyed sit close to the windows and looking at
the view. On the left-hand side of the classroom, I could easy see the football field. In the
morning, it was full of student exercising. On the right side of the classroom was a road, on
that there were always drivers in hurry in the morning. The view from the back of your
classroom was also impressive. A beautiful park with a number of trees were next to my
school. What was even more unforgettable was that, further in the distance, I can enjoy the view of the snowy mountains. The position of the classroom with its view made me feel like I
was dreamed. I will never forget it.
第二节 书面表达(满分 25 分)
假定你是李华,你的英国笔友 Mike 来信向你询问你家乡“中国农民丰收节”的有关信息。
请你用英语给他写封回信,要点如下所示:
1. 时间: 每年农历秋分。
2. 意义:庆丰收等。
3. 活动:品美食等。
注意:
1. 词数 100 左右;
2. 展开合理想象,适当增加内容,并使行文连贯;
3. 开头语已为你写好, 但不计入总词数;
4. 词汇提示:农历:lunar calendar 秋分:the Autumnal Equinox
Dear Mike,
How’s everything going?
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua高一年级英语下册期中参考答案
听力
1-5 CACCB 6-10 BCACB 11-15 CABAA 16-20 CABAB
阅读理解
21-23 DCA 24-27 CBAA 28-31 DBCA 32-35 DCAD
36-40 CGABE
完型填空
41-45 CCDDA 46-50 CDBDA 51-55 CBBCD 56-60 AADCD
语法填空
61. an 62. following 63. has grown 64. made 65. with
66. their 67. characters 68. globally 69. that/which 70. to celebrate
短文改错
Today I want to share with you a memorable place — my old classroom. It was
appealing because of three sides of it were made of glass. I enjoyed sit close to the
sitting
windows and looking at the view. On the left-hand side of the classroom, I could easy
easily
see the football field. In the morning, it was full of student exercising. On the right
students
side of the classroom was a road, on that there were always drivers in ∧hurry in the
which a
morning. The view from the back of your classroom was also impressive. A beautiful
my/our
park with a number of trees were next to my school. What was even more
was
unforgettable was that, further in the distance, I can enjoy the view of the snowy
could
mountains. The position of the classroom with its view made me feel like I was
dreamed. I will never forget it.
dreaming
书面表达
Dear Mike,
How’s everything going?
Learning from your letter that you want to know about the Chinese Farmer’s Harvest Festival,
I’m writing to tell you something about it.
This festival is celebrated on the autumn equinox on the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls
this year on September 23, just ten days after the Mid-Autumn Festival. First created especially for
farmers, it is a day for them to enjoy their harvest. And it is also an occasion to display China’s
farming culture and show our respect and love for farmers. As for my hometown’s celebrations,
there is no shortage of performing folk dances and songs. Some farmer representatives also share their experience in getting rid of poverty and becoming better off. Besides, people have the
opportunity to taste the native produce, proving impossible to resist.
I wonder if my explanation will help you understand this festival culture. Looking forward to
your earliest reply.
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
听力录音材料
(Text 1)
M: My sister wanted me to lend her some money. But I’m short of money myself. I don’t know what
I should do.
W: Just tell her the truth.
M: I’m afraid I can’t. Maybe I’ll ask Linda to give me some money.
(Text 2)
W: I’m afraid I can’t come to the party tomorrow night. I have to work on a report for school.
M: Well, why don’t you at least try to stop by for a little while?
W: OK, then.
(Text 3)
W: I saw a good band at last Saturday’s rock festival. The singer was great!
M: The band with the piano player?
W: I didn’t see anything with a piano. The singer was called Queen Cat. She could really dance, too.
M: Oh, I know what you mean — the band had three guitars.
(Text 4)
W: Which do you prefer, magazines or books?
M: Um, I prefer reading magazines. Because I like a quick read.
W: Yeah, you can pick them up and put them down just after a short reading. And they’re cheaper
than books. And sometimes they have interesting ads.
(Text 5)
M: Can we have a double room, please?
W: Certainly. With a bath or a shower?
M: We prefer the room which has a shower.
(Text 6)
M: How was your chemistry exam?
W: I thought I was going to get a C in chemistry, but I got a B. My parents will be OK with that.
M: You are lucky. I got a D in chemistry.
W: Oh my gosh! Are your parents going to kill you?
M: They know I hate chemistry. I told them not to expect good grades in chemistry, and they
understand.
W: You are so lucky you have understanding parents like them.
(Text 7)
M: Hello. I wonder if you could help me. Would you mind if I left my instrument for just one
minute? I have to make a phone call.
W: No. I’m sorry, sir. It’s not allowed.M: It’s only for a short time.
W: It’s against the rules. No instruments can be left in reception for security reasons.
M: Is there anywhere I can leave them?
W: You can leave it at the bag office on the left.
M: Where’s that?
W: It’s next to the dining room.
M: OK. Thanks.
(Text 8)
W: And just to finish our news — Chris Peterson is going to tell us about the new Crossways sports
and fitness center.
M: Thanks. It’s almost finished and the sports center will be open to the public on June 16th —
that’s for sports and swimming. The fitness center isn’t quite finished, and won’t be open until
21st August, instead of 10th July as planned.
W: And will you give us some information now about what we can do in the sports center?
M: Sure. The center provides volleyball, basketball and table tennis indoors. And there are also
outdoor sports like football and tennis. There’s also a new swimming pool.
W: OK, thank you for your report, Chris.
(Text 9)
M: Hey, Judy, what are you reading?
W: Well, a passage about wildlife protection organizations.
M: Really? I’ve read something about the World Wildlife Fund, you know, whose official sign is a
picture of a panda.
W: Yeah. It has been working to protect the world’s endangered species since it was founded in
1961. You know there are organizations who focus on certain animals.
M: Really? That’s interesting.
W: Here it says the Audubon Society focuses on the protection of birds and the Oceanic Society has
been working to protect sea wildlife, such as whales, dolphins and other kinds of fish since its
foundation in 1969.
M: Oh, I know the Audubon Society is named after an American wildlife painter.
W: Yes, that’s right. There’s also this one, the Wilderness Society, who works to make sure that the
forests, rivers and mountains of the United States remain untouched so that everyone can enjoy
their clean air and water. The Wilderness Society tries to educate the public about that from its
head office in Washington, D.C. to its eight branch offices across the United States.
(Text 10)
W: Hello, everyone. My name is Caroline Benson. I never expected to spend some of my first year
at university filming The Finnegans. I’d only ever acted at school, but I’d loved the book since I
was eleven. My grandmother used to say I was just like Polly Finnegan and I always imagined
myself playing her. And I believe I could play the part well. I’d taken a year off to go traveling
before university. While I was in Chile, my mother e-mailed me to say there were plans to turn
the book into a film. I knew I had to go for the part. She was surprised at first, but sent my photo
to the director and persuaded him to meet me. I flew back and got the part. The outdoor filming
took a long time, so I got permission from the university to be away for three weeks. Once I was
back at university, I got up at 6:00 a.m. to write the essays I’d missed. I didn’t tell my university
friends, but they found out and thought it was great. It was a wonderful experience — I’m so lucky.